AP News Digest 3 a.m.

APTOPIX Mexico Metro Collapse (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

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.

____________

ONLY ON AP

____________

WAGE THEFT — U.S. companies that cheat their workers out of pay are unlikely to be fined or punished. Companies that hire child care workers, gas station clerks, restaurant servers and security guards are among the businesses most likely to get caught. By Alexia Fernández Campbell and Joe Yerardi of The Center for Public Integrity. SENT: 2,390 words, photos. An abridged version of 1,050 words is also available. With WAGE THEFT-SCHOOL WORKER — His paycheck bounced. It got worse from there; WAGE THEFT-METHODOLOGY.

____________

TOP STORIES

_____________

VIRUS-OUTBREAK — COVID-19 infections and deaths are mounting with alarming speed in India with no end in sight to the crisis and a top expert warning that the coming weeks in the country of nearly 1.4 billion people will be “horrible.” India’s official count of coronavirus cases surpassed 20 million, nearly doubling in the past three months, while deaths officially have passed 220,000. Staggering as those numbers are, the true figures are believed to be far higher, the undercount an apparent reflection of the troubles in the health care system. By Aniruddha Ghosal. SENT: 800 words, photos.

MEXICO-METRO-COLLAPSE — An elevated section of the Mexico City metro collapsed, sending a subway car plunging toward a busy boulevard, killing at least 15 people and injuring about 70, city officials say. Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said 34 of the injured were hospitalized, and people were still trapped inside the train, which was split in two and suspended. By E. Eduardo Castillo. SENT: 460 words, photos, video.

UNITED STATES-IRAN — A flurry of diplomatic contacts and reports of major progress suggest that indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran may be nearing an agreement. That’s despite efforts by U.S. officials to play down chances of an imminent deal that would bring Washington and Tehran back into compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal. By Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee SENT: 900 words, photo.

BIDEN-REFUGEE CAP — President Joe Biden formally lifts the nation’s refugee cap to 62,500 this year, weeks after facing bipartisan blowback for his delay in lifting former President Donald Trump’s limit of 15,000. Biden says it was important to raise the number to show “America’s commitment to protect the most vulnerable.” By Matthew Lee, Zeke Miller and Julie Watson. SENT: 620 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-VACCINE-TEENS — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 12 to 15 by next week, setting up shots for many before the beginning of the next school year. By Zeke Miller and Jonathan Lemire. SENT: 490 words, photo.

SUDAN-TIGRAYAN-REFUGEES’-DOCTOR — He is a surgeon and a father. Every morning, he wakes up under a plastic tarp and is reminded he’s now a refugee, too. Tewodros Tefera is one of more than 60,000 people who have fled ethnic violence in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, crossing the border into a remote corner of Sudan. Horrified by what he saw when the fighting between Ethiopian and Tigray forces began six months ago, and by the tales of new arrivals, the 44-year-old chronicles the pain even as he treats it. By Cara Anna. SENT: 790 words, photos.

______________________________

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

_______________________________

LADY GAGA-DOGS STOLEN-ARRESTS — Prosecutors: Suspects tailed Lady Gaga’s dog walker. SENT: 610 words, photos.

SPIRITUAL-LEADER-MUMMIFIED-REMAINS — Spiritual leader’s mummified remains found in Colorado home. SENT: 350 words.

ITALY-POLICE-SLAYING-TRIAL — The pandemic was just bearing down on Italy when the trial began of two young American men, charged with the murder of Italian police officer near their hotel while they were on vacation in 2019. SENT: 790 words, photos.

SHOOTING-CIA HEADQUARTERS — FBI: Armed man shot by officers outside CIA headquarters. SENT: 80 words.

IDAHO-LAWMAKER-RAPE-COMPLAINT — Idaho intern reported rape, faced “overwhelming" harassment. SENT: 1,430 words, photo.

__________________________________

MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK

_________________________________

VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA — California’s signature cities are leading the way as the state prepares to expand business openings after coronavirus shutdowns. SENT: 980 words, photos. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THE-LATEST.

______________________

WASHINGTON/POLITICS

______________________

TRUMP-REPUBLICANS — Trump and his supporters are intensifying efforts to shame — and potentially remove — members of the party who are seen as disloyal to the former president and his false claims that last year’s election was stolen from him. SENT: 850 words, photos.

——————-

NATIONAL

——————-

SEVERE-WEATHER — Much of the South is again at risk of severe weather, forecasters say, after tornadoes struck parts of the region, causing heavy damage in some parts of Mississippi. SENT: 910 words, photos.

OHIO-STATE-TEAM-DOCTOR — Ohio State University says it is planning an individual settlement program that could help resolve more of the remaining claims over alleged sexual misconduct by Richard Strauss, the team doctor accused of abusing hundreds of young men during his two decades there. SENT: 520 words.

_________________

INTERNATIONAL

_________________

EUROPE-MIGRANTS-LIBYA-SHIPWRECK — When more than 100 Africans hoping to reach Europe on a rubber boat called repeatedly for help in late April, a rescue never came. SENT: 1,520 words, photos.

LEBANON-NO-JUSTICE — A recent public feud among prosecutors in Lebanon demonstrates how the country’s system of sectarian factions is paralyzing the judicial system and snarling attempts to root out corruption. SENT: 980 words, photos.

ISRAEL-POLITICS — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a midnight deadline on Tuesday to put together a new coalition government — or be looking at the possibility of leading his Likud party into the opposition for the first time in 12 years. SENT: 670 words, photo.

UNITED-NATIONS-CHINA-MYANMAR — China’s U.N. ambassador urges stronger diplomatic efforts to resolve the confrontation in Myanmar since the Feb. 1 military coup, warning that further violence could lead to a chaotic situation “and even a civil war.” SENT: 650 words, photos. With UNITED-NATIONS-CHINA-US-NORTH-KOREA — China: U.S. should push North Korea diplomacy, not pressure.

———————-——-

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

———————-——-

FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Asian shares were mixed after strong corporate earnings and economic data lifted stocks on Wall Street. By Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach. SENT: 510 words, photos.

——————

SPORTS

——————

CARMELO ANTHONY-TOP 10 — Carmelo Anthony looked like he was all done just a couple of seasons ago. Now, he’s part of a truly exclusive club in the NBA. By Sports Writer Paul Newberry. SENT: 590 words, photos.

__________________

HOW TO REACH US

___________________

At the Nerve Center, Jerome Minerva can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, Shuji Kajiyama (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(at)ap.org or call 877-836-9477.