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NEW & DEVELOPING
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Adds: VIRUS-OUTBREAK-VIRAL-QUESTIONS-J&J-VACCINE, BIDEN-POLICE, IRS-CHILD TAX CREDIT, HARRIS-BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH, MISSING-STUDENT-COLD-CASE, PENNSYLVANIA-STATE-POLICE-FITNESS, FINANCIAL MARKETS.
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TOP STORIES
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-VACCINE — After the U.S. recommended a “pause” in using the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of rare but potentially dangerous blood clots, states from coast to coast quickly complied. South Africa also halted the shots, and the company stopped a rollout in Europe. The developments further strain the already troubled vaccination effort worldwide. By Zeke Miller, Lauran Neergaard and Matthew Perrone. SENT: 1,150 words, photos. With MED--VIRUS OUTBREAK-VACCINES-CLOTS — A rare, rogue immune response is the main suspect as authorities investigate highly unusual blood clots following use of two COVID-19 vaccines. SENT: 730 words, photos; VIRUS-OUTBREAK-VIRAL-QUESTIONS-J&J-VACCINE — Q&A on J&J vaccine. SENT: 250 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BIDEN — President Joe Biden’s vaccination campaign hits a snag when federal regulators recommend a “pause” in administering Johnson & Johnson shots. But the White House is holding out the move as a validation of the president’s measured approach throughout the rollout. By Zeke Miller. SENT: 850 words, photos, video.
POLICE SHOOTING-MINNESOTA — A white Minnesota police officer who fatally shot a Black man during a traffic stop in a Minneapolis suburb and the city’s chief of police have resigned. Officer Kim Potter and Police Chief Tim Gannon both resigned two days after the death of 20-year-old Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center.. By Mohamed Ibrahim and Mike Householder. SENT: 1,190 words, photos, videos.
GEORGE-FLOYD-OFFICER-TRIAL — The defense began its case at the murder trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin, seizing on a 2019 confrontation between police and George Floyd in which Floyd suffered dangerously high blood pressure and confessed to heavy use of opioid painkillers. Chauvin lawyer Eric Nelson has argued that Floyd died last May because of his illegal drug use and underlying health problems, not because of Chauvin pinning him to the pavement. By Amy Forliti, Steve Karnowski and Tammy Webber. SENT: 830 words, photos. videos. With EXPLAINING GEORGE FLOYD-OFFICER TRIAL-EXCITED DELIRIUM — The controversial term “excited delirium” has surfaced again Derek Chauvin trial. SENT: 720 words, photo; EXPLAINING FLOYD-OFFICER TRIAL-CHAUVIN ON STAND? — Will ex-officer on trial for Floyd death testify? SENT: 900 words, photos.
BIDEN-POLICE — President Biden’s difficult balancing act on policing is on full display, as he mourns with the family of a fallen police officer and then pledges to help end the epidemic of Black men being killed by police. By Jonathan Lemire, Michael Balsamo and Alexandra Jaffe. UPCOMING: 1,090 words, photos, video by 7 p.m.
IRAN-NUCLEAR — Iran will begin enriching uranium up to 60% purity after an attack on its Natanz nuclear facility, a negotiator said, pushing its program to higher levels than ever before though still remaining short of weapons-grade. The announcement marks a significant escalation after the sabotage that damaged centrifuges, suspected of having been carried out by Israel — and could inspire a further response from Israel amid a long-running shadow war between the nations. By Jon Gambrell. SENT: 970 words, photos. With IRAN-NUCLEAR-ANALYSIS — The sabotage at Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility is just the latest setback for the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. SENT: 860 words, photos.
UNITED STATES-AFGHANISTAN — U.S. officials say President Biden will withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America that were coordinated from that country. The decision defies a May 1 deadline for full withdrawal under a peace agreement the Trump administration reached with the Taliban last year. By Lolita C. Baldor and Ellen Knickmeyer. SENT: 1,120 words, photos.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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ST. VINCENT-VOLCANO — St. Vincent seeks water, funds as volcano keeps erupting. SENT: 450 words, photos.
BRITAIN-GIANT-RABBIT-STOLEN — Bunny snatched: Record-holding giant rabbit stolen in UK. SENT: 180 words, photo.
PHILANTHROPY-GLOBAL-VACCINE-CITIZENS — Selena Gomez and J.Lo headline vax concert for poor nations. SENT: 1,060 words, photos.
MUSIC-MICK-JAGGER-AND-DAVE-GROHL — Mick Jagger and Dave Grohl team up for a pandemic anthem. SENT: 160 words, photo.
BOOKS-JK ROWLING — J.K. Rowling has a new book coming this fall, a holiday children’s story with all new characters. SENT: 140 words, photo.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK — India is experiencing its worst pandemic surge, with average daily infections exceeding 143,000 over the past week. The spike is particularly alarming because India is a major vaccine producer and a critical supplier to the U.N.-backed initiative that aims to help distribute shots fairly. SENT: 1,220 words, photos, graphic.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-FRANCE — France suspended all flights from Brazil amid mounting fears over the particularly contagious coronavirus variant that has been sweeping the South American country. SENT: 360 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-EVICTIONS — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently extended its eviction moratorium through the end of June. The agency has said the policy helps stop the spread of the coronavirus by limiting the number of people who lose their housing and have to live in shared housing, homeless shelters or on the streets. Opponents say the ban is a constitutional overreach. SENT: 780 words, photo.
UN-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICTS — The COVID-19 pandemic led to a spike in gender-based violence last year and combatants continued to use sexual violence “as a cruel tactic of war” and political repression in a number of countries, the U.N. chief says. SENT: 680 words.
WORLDWIDE THREATS — A U.S. intelligence community report says the effects of the coronavirus pandemic are expected to contribute over the next year to “humanitarian and economic crises, political unrest, and geopolitical competition.” By Eric Tucker. SENT: 610 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SIKH HOLIDAY — Sikhs across the United States are holding toned down Vaisakhi celebrations this week, joining people of other faiths in observing major holidays cautiously this spring as COVID-19 keeps an uneven hold on the country. SENT: 670 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-BRAZIL-RIO-PANDEMIC-ARTISTS — Georgia Szpilman’s soprano voice resounds beautifully in the apartment’s small living room, though the space lacks the acoustics of where her choir used to sing — Rio de Janeiro’s majestic municipal theater, which has been closed for over a year because of the pandemic. Szpilman is one among many artists sidelined by the coronavirus in Brazil’s cultural capital. SENT: 480 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK–ONE-GOOD-THING–MIGRANT-HOTEL — Canary Islands hotel offers shelter to migrants in need. SENT: 900 words, photos.
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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CAPITOL LOCKDOWN-OFFICER KILLED — Slain U.S. Capitol Police Officer William “Billy” Evans is lauded for his dedication to country, love for his job and a mischievous sense of humor as President Biden and congressional leaders honor him during a memorial service. By Mary Clare Jalonick and Kevin Freking. SENT: 1,030 words, photos, video.
BIDEN-PUTIN — President Biden calls on Russian President Vladimir Putin to “de-escalate tensions” following a Russian military buildup on Ukraine’s border. Biden also tells Putin in a phone call that the U.S. will “act firmly in defense of its national interests” regarding Russian cyber intrusions and election interference. By Aamer Madhani, Matthew Lee and Raf Cassert. SENT: 860 words, photos. (Incorporates EU-NATO-UKRAINE.)
US TROOPS-GERMANY — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says he is expanding the U.S. military presence in Germany by 500 troops and has stopped planning for large-scale troop cuts ordered by the Trump administration. By Robert Burns. SENT: 700 words, photos.
IRS-CHILD TAX CREDIT — The IRS says it expects to meet the July 1 deadline under the new pandemic rescue law for starting a groundbreaking tax program aimed at reducing child poverty. That means new advance monthly payments of as much as $300 per child could begin flowing to lower-income families this summer. By Marcy Gordon. SENT: 650 words, photo.
HARRIS-BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH — Vice President Kamala Harris marks Black Maternal Health Week by leading a White House discussion of the issues that make African American women two to three times more likely to die because of childbirth. By Darlene Superville. SENT: 530 words, photos.
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INTERNATIONAL
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RAMADAN — Muslims in many parts of the world marked the start of Ramadan, but a spike in coronavirus cases in several countries has once again put curbs on the holy month’s signature feasts and lengthy prayers in mosques. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.
ELECTRIC-CARS-LACKING-CHARGERS — In line with its ambition to make Europe a greener place, the European Union wants to drastically reduce gas emission from transport by 2050 and promote electric cars. But according to a report from the bloc’s external auditor, it is lacking the appropriate charging stations. SENT: 460 words, photos.
RUSSIA-NAVALNY — Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Tuesday he was suing his prison for withholding the Quran, which he intended to study while serving time outside Moscow. SENT: 570 words, photo.
BRITAIN-PRINCE PHILIP-ARC OF THE CENTURY — Born into an age of revolutions, Prince Philip lived through a tumultuous century and witnessed many of its upheavals. SENT: 1,040 words, photos.
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NATIONAL
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MISSING-STUDENT-COLD-CASE — The “prime suspect” has been arrested in the 25-year-old disappearance of a California college student and the San Luis Obispo sheriff planned to announce “major developments” in the case. SENT: 390 words, photos.
VOTING-RIGHTS-MICHIGAN — The leaders of three-dozen major Michigan-based companies, including General Motors and Ford, on Tuesday objected to Republican-sponsored election bills that would make it harder to vote in Michigan and other states. SENT: 660 words, photos.
2020-CENSUS — Sixteen other states are backing Alabama’s challenge to a statistical method the U.S. Census Bureau is using for the first time to protect the privacy of people who participated in the 2020 census, the nation’s once-a-decade head count that determines political power and funding. SENT: 500 words, photo.
TENNESSEE-SCHOOL-SHOOTING — A police officer wounded in a shooting at a Tennessee high school is a 20-year veteran of the force who worked at the school, authorities say. SENT: 540 words, photos.
REL-VATICAN-US-ABUSE — A Minnesota bishop who was investigated by the Vatican for allegedly interfering with past investigations into clergy sexual abuse has resigned. SENT: 320 words, photo.
PENNSYLVANIA-STATE-POLICE-FITNESS — The Pennsylvania State Police will pay more than $2 million into a compensation fund and are changing physical fitness standards to settle a lawsuit over how the agency’s trooper-hiring practices ruled out otherwise qualified women. SENT: 430 words, photos.
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HEALTH/SCIENCE
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CLIMATE CHANGE-BUSINESS — More than 300 businesses and investors, including such giants as Apple, Google, Microsoft and Coca-Cola, are calling on the Biden administration to set an ambitious climate change goal that would cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. SENT: 590 words, photos.
SWITZERLAND-SCIENCE-DIPLOMACY — With COVID-19, space exploration and climate change high on many minds, a “do tank” in Geneva bankrolled by Switzerland’s government is gearing up to develop long-term projects like a global court for scientific disputes and a Manhattan Project-style effort to rid excess carbon from the atmosphere. SENT: 580 words.
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BUSINESS/ECONOMY
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POLL-PERSONAL-FINANCES — While most Americans have weathered the pandemic financially, about 38 million say they are worse off now than before the outbreak began in the U.S. Overall, 55% of Americans say their financial circumstances are about the same now as a year ago, and 30% say their finances have improved. That’s according to a new poll from Impact Genome and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. But 15% say they are worse off. SENT: 840 words, photos.
FINANCIAL MARKETS — Stocks closed mixed on Wall Street as gains from a handful of Big Tech companies were tempered by weakness elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 rose 0.3%, notching another record high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq rose 1.1%. SENT: 670 words, photos.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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OSCARS-BORAT WRITERS — How does a largely improvised comedy get nominated for a screenwriting Oscar? For the nine writers credited for the script and story of “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” it was about being prepared for anything. They discuss the surreal process of writing -- and constantly rewriting -- for Borat. By Jake Coyle. SENT: 1,270 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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