AP News Digest 3 am

Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.

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ONLY ON AP

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ARMY-SEX ABUSE — A civilian who held sensitive positions with the U.S. Army in Arizona and Afghanistan led a child sex abuse ring that involved his own adopted son. An Associated Press investigation finds that the U.S. Army and the state of Arizona missed or ignored multiple red flags over more than a decade. By Michael Rezendes. SENT: 2,540 words, photos. An abridged version of 830 words is also available.

PANDEMIC AFRICA-LESOTHO-WOMEN FACTORY WORKERS — When the coronavirus pandemic hit the world two years ago, the global fashion industry crumpled. Faced with collapsing demand, brands canceled orders worth billions of dollars and few felt the effects so harshly as the tens of millions of workers, most of them women, who stitched the world’s clothes. This is especially true in the southern African country of Lesotho where the clothing industry is the country’s largest private employer, and more than 80% of its workers are women. By Majirata Latela and Ryan Lenora Brown. UPCOMING: 1,800 words, photos, video by 5 a.m. An abridged version of 1,060 words will also be available.

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TOP STORIES

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR — Another round of talks aimed at stopping the war in Ukraine is scheduled as the fighting looks increasingly like a stalemate. The two sides have traded control of a town in the east and a suburb of the capital. Ukrainians said they retook Irpin, northwest of Kyiv, from Russian troops, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russians were regrouping to take the area back. The talks are to be held in Istanbul. Ahead of the meeting, the Ukrainian president said his country is prepared to declare its neutrality, as Moscow has demanded, and is open to compromise on the fate of the Donbas, the contested region in the country’s east. By Yuras Karmanau. SENT: 1,040 words, photos, videos.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR-FIGHTING FOR FOOD — There’s a second front line that runs through the farmland of western Ukraine, far from the daily resistance against Russia’s invasion. As planting season has arrived, farmers are trying to feed not only their country, but the world. Countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa are reliant on affordable supplies of wheat and other grains from Ukraine. The demands on Ukrainian farmers are enormous, and the challenges keep growing. By Cara Anna and Aya Batrawy. SENT: 1,070 words, photos.

MIDEAST-UKRAINE-DOUBLE STANDARDS — Within days of the Russian invasion, Western countries invoked international law, imposed crippling sanctions, began welcoming refugees with open arms and cheered on Ukraine’s armed resistance. The response has elicited outrage across the Middle East, where many see a glaring double standard in how the West responds to international conflicts. By Joseph Krauss. SENT: 1,130 words, photos. Also see MORE ON RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR below. For full coverage.

BIDEN-BUDGET — President Joe Biden’s $5.8 trillion budget for next year would trim federal deficits and boost taxes on the wealthiest Americans. Both could appeal to West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin amid Democratic hopes of reviving talks with him over the party’s derailed social and environment plan. By Alan Fram. SENT: 980 words, photos. With BIDEN-BUDGET-DEFENSE — Pentagon may need more budget funding to help Ukraine.

OSCARS-ASSUMING THE UNREAL — In the minutes and hours after Will Smith accosted and slapped Chris Rock before a live Oscars audience of millions, many people hurried to social media platforms. They had a breathless and emphatic hot take. Surely, they insisted, the whole thing was staged. Hollywood, the illusion factory, had churned out some unexpected reality. And — surprise — a lot of people thought it was another illusion. America has dealt with years of immersive special effects, reality TV and now an era of misinformation. And the question those things produce is more pertinent than ever: What around here is real? By National Writer Ted Anthony. SENT: 1,180 words, photos. With OSCARS-WILL-SMITH — Will Smith apologizes: “I was out of line and I was wrong."

VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CHINA — A two-phase lockdown of Shanghai’s 26 million people is testing the limits of China’s hard-line “zero-COVID” strategy, which is shaking markets far beyond the country’s borders. By Ken Moritsugu. SENT: 760 words, photos.

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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK

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VIRUS OUTBREAK-HONG KONG-COFFINS — Hong Kong’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak has cost about 6,000 lives this year – and the city is now running out of coffins. SENT: 420 words, photos.

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TRENDING NEWS

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NCAA-UCONN-NC-STATE — UConn reaches 14th straight Final Four, tops NC State in double overtime. SENT: 980 words, photos.

MUSIC-FESTIVAL-DEATHS — Travis Scott accused of violating Astroworld suits gag order. SENT: 530 words, photos.

SENATORS-OWNER DIES — Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk dies from illness at 62. SENT: 370 words, photo.

OREGON-MEDICALLY ASSISTED SUICIDE — Oregon ends residency rule for medically assisted suicide. SENT: 690 words, photos.

INTERSTATE CRASH-PENNSYLVANIA — Three dead in snowy pileup of dozens of vehicles in Pennsylvania. SENT: 580 words, photos, video.

SOUTH DAKOTA-ATTORNEY GENERAL-FATAL ACCIDENT — South Dakota House committee recommends no AG impeachment. SENT: 690 words, photos.

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WASHINGTON

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TRUMP LAWSUIT STRATEGY — Donald Trump’s lawsuit last week accusing his 2016 rival Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party of conspiring to sink his successful campaign by alleging ties to Russia — ties that have been extensively substantiated — is the latest in a long strategy in which he has used the legal system to fight battles against potential opponents. SENT: 1,700 words, photos. An abridged version of 1,200 words has also been sent.

CAPITOL RIOT-CONTEMPT — The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol votes unanimously to hold two men who served as advisers to Trump in contempt of Congress. SENT: 980 words, photos.

CONGRESS-DON YOUNG — The late Alaska Rep. Don Young, who died earlier this month at 88, is honored by former colleagues as he joins the select few chosen to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. SENT: 710 words, photos. UPCOMING: 900 words after 10:30 a.m. arrival at Capitol.

SUPREME-COURT-NOMINATION — The Senate Judiciary Committee is pushing Ketanji Brown Jackson closer to confirmation, setting up a vote next week to recommend her nomination to the full Senate and seat her as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court. SENT: 630 words, photos.

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NATIONAL

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GENDER IDENTITY-FLORIDA-EXPLAINER — Florida has come under intense national scrutiny over legislation that critics have labeled the “Don’t Say Gay” law. The AP examines the issue. SENT: 620 words, photos.

CALIFORNIA REPARATIONS — California’s first-in-the-nation task force is scheduled to define who is eligible for reparations after an emotional vote in February that led members to hold off on the question until the March meeting. SENT: 900 words, photos. UPCOMING: Developing from 11:30 a.m. meeting.

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INTERNATIONAL

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HUNGARY ELECTION VOTE COUNTERS — A grassroots civic initiative in Hungary, concerned over the integrity of an upcoming election, has recruited more than 20,000 ballot counters to observe the high-stakes contest on April 3 in which nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban will seek a fourth consecutive term. SENT: 840 words, photos.

YEMEN — Gulf Arab states were to gather for a summit about the yearslong war in Yemen, which the country’s Houthi rebels are boycotting because it’s taking place in Saudi Arabia, their adversary in the conflict. SENT: 520 words, photos.

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BUSINESS/ECONOMY

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FINANCIAL MARKETS — Asian shares were mostly higher in muted trading ahead of another round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. By Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach SENT: 620 words, photo.

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE — The Conference Board reports on U.S. consumer confidence for March. By Business Writer Matt Ott. UPCOMING: 130 words after release of report at 10 a.m., then expanded, photo.

JOB OPENINGS — The Labor Department reports on job openings and labor turnover for February. By Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber. UPCOMING: 130 words after 10 a.m. release, then expanded, photo.

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SPORTS

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INSPIRE CHANGE — When the NFL launched its Inspire Change program in 2017, the goal was to reach $250 million over 10 years in its commitment to social justice initiatives. The league is almost five years ahead of schedule. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. SENT: 460 words, photo.

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HOW TO REACH US

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At the Nerve Center, Jerome Minerva can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, Wally Santana (ext. 1900). For graphics and interactives, ext. 7636. Expanded AP content can be obtained from http://newsroom.ap.org. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 844-777-2006.