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The world at 3 a.m. Times are EDT.
At the Nerve Center, Barbara Whitaker can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, Mike Musielski, ext. 1900. For graphics and interactives, ext. 7636. Expanded AP content can be obtained from http://www.apexchange.com. For access to AP Exchange and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 877-836-9477.
TOP STORIES
MALAYSIA-PLANE
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Prime Minister Najib Razak says investigators now know that the missing Malaysian airliner's communications were deliberately disabled and that it turned back from its flight to Beijing and flew across Malaysia. Authorities are now trying to trace the plane with 239 people aboard across two possible corridors. "Clearly the search for MH370 has entered a new phase," he says, as the investigation turns to who may have taken control of the plane and why. SENT: 200 words, photos, video, interactive. UPCOMING: 1,000 words by 4 a.m.
— MALAYSIA-PLANE-PIRACY — To steal the missing Malaysian jetliner out of midair would require a pilot who knew how to elude detection by both civilian and military radar, a runway at least a mile long to land the wide-body jet and a hangar to hide it. All without being seen. Improbable but not impossible, experts say. SENT: 660 words, photos.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-INFORMATION WAR
MOSCOW — This is how Ukraine is depicted in most Russian media: the government is run by anti-Semitic fascists, people killed in protests were shot by opposition snipers, the West is behind it all. And the room to disagree with that portrayal is getting smaller by the week. With Crimea set to hold a referendum Sunday on whether to merge with Russia, the push to demonize Ukraine's leadership has reached fever pitch. Authorities in Ukraine have responded by blocking Russian TV channels. By Peter Leonard. UPCOMING: 950 words by 10 a.m., photos.
NYC EXPLOSION
NEW YORK — Firefighters and emergency workers who for days have been clearing debris from the site of a gas explosion that collapsed two New York City apartment buildings, killing eight people, were expected to reach the basement level of the buildings Saturday so that investigators could descend below to search for clues that might reveal what caused the lethal blast. Truckloads of scattered material has been sent to Randall's Island to be sifted for any traces of human remains that might not have been found at the site. Although all eight bodies reported missing have been recovered, the rescue operation was continuing in case unknown people were buried beneath the rubble. By Verena Dobnik. SENT: 740 words, photos, video.
WASHINGTON
OBAMA-CIA DILEMMA
WASHINGTON — For President Barack Obama, a public spat between his trusted ally at the CIA and a loyal Democratic senator has put into sharp focus his complicated role in managing the post-Sept. 11 anti-terror programs he inherited from George W. Bush. By White House Correspondent Julie Pace. SENT: 860 words, photo.
UNITED STATES-AFGHANISTAN AID
WASHINGTON — Faced with the ongoing exit of American troops from Afghanistan, the top U.S. aid agency wants to step up its use of smartphones, satellite imagery and GPS cameras to oversee tax-funded development projects that aid workers no longer will be able to observe with their own eyes. By Deb Riechmann. SENT: 770 words, photo.
POLITICS
CALIFORNIA-REPUBLICANS
BURLINGAME, Calif. — Planned changes to the Republican Party's presidential selection process are part of a rebuilding process that will strengthen the GOP brand and hopefully make its presidential nominee more competitive in 2016, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus tells California Republicans, calling the GOP's current primary process "a complete disaster." By Juliet Williams. SENT: 330 words, photos.
INTERNATIONAL
MEXICO-VIGILANTES
MEXICO CITY — Mexican authorities serve notice to vigilantes fighting a drug cartel in western Michoacan state that their illegal tactics will no longer be tolerated, starting with a string of arrests this week. The change comes after months in which government troops and federal police tolerated thousands of assault rifle-wielding civilians breaking down doors, settling up roadblocks and taking over towns to oust the vicious Knights Templar cartel. By Mark Stevenson. SENT: 630 words, photo.
NATIONAL
DEPUTY-CASH SEIZURES
RENO, Nev. — Authorities in a Nevada county are reviewing a "forfeiture program" and have settled lawsuits with two men who said a sheriff's deputy violated their civil rights when they were stopped for speeding, searched for drugs and forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars. By Scott Sonner. SENT: 600 words.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION
— BORDER PATROL-DEATH — A coroner says a U.S. man died from an overdose of methamphetamines at a Border Patrol station near San Diego, after a paramedic concluded he was faking a seizure. SENT: 400 words, photos.
— OBAMA — Obama, in weekly address, promotes plan to update rules about which workers are eligible for overtime pay. UPCOMING: 130 words by 6:30 a.m.
— NEWSPAPER-REPORTER-DISMISSED — Los Angeles Times dismisses reporter, says he had inappropriate relationship with source. SENT: 320 words.
— MEGA-MILLIONS — The Mega Millions jackpot grows to an estimated $400 million as no tickets were sold matching all six numbers drawn Friday night. SENT: 130 words.
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