BC-AP News Digest 6 pm

The world at 6 p.m. Times are EDT.

At the Nerve Center, Rob Jagodzinski and Stephanie Siek can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, Shoun Hill (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.

NEW & DEVELOPING

— BOLLYWOOD OSCARS — Event begins at 7 p.m.

Adds:

— CLIPPERS-STERLING.

Has moved:

— VENEZUELA-UNREST — Scores of Venezuelans march against government after high court ruling limits protests. SENT: 130.— HOME FERTILITY TEST — Scientists apply technology from Sandia Labs to take-home fertility test for men. SENT: 350 words.

— SOUTHERN STORMS — Tornadoes in eastern NC damage 200 homes and send a dozen people to the emergency room. SENT: 300 words.

— BRIDE-NIECE SHOT — Lawyer: Bride 'completely distraught' after shooting niece to death by accident after wedding. SENT: 130 words.

TOP STORIES

UKRAINE

SLOVYANSK, Ukraine — As Western governments vowed to impose more sanctions against Russia and its supporters in eastern Ukraine, a group of foreign military observers remained in captivity, accused of being NATO spies by a pro-Russian insurgency. The German-led, eight-member team was traveling under the auspices of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe when they were detained Friday. SENT: 900 words, photos.

— UKRAINE-TYMOSHENKO — Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who is running in the presidential election, told the AP that Ukraine "must be a member of NATO" in order to protect itself from Russian aggression. SENT: 420 words, photos.

AFGHANISTAN

KABUL — A British helicopter crashes in southern Afghanistan, killing five NATO troops in the single deadliest day this year for foreign forces as they prepare to withdraw from the country. In Kabul, an Afghan university official identifies two Americans killed in a shooting at a Kabul hospital earlier this week, the latest shooting by local security forces on those they are supposed to protect. By Rahim Faiez and Kay Johnson. SENT: 860 words, photos.

— AFGHAN-ELECTIONS — Full preliminary results from Afghanistan's presidential show a former foreign minister winning the most votes but not the majority needed to avoid a runoff. SENT: 520 words, photos.

— AFGHAN-ELECTIONS-Q&A — No quick finish expected in Afghan elections, as preliminary results point to long process. SENT: 670 words, photos.

— AFGHANISTAN-HOSPITAL VICTIMS — Colleague remembers Illinois father, son killed in attack at hospital in Afghan capital. SENT: 500 words, photos.

OBAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — President Barack Obama is hopscotching through China's neighborhood with a carefully calibrated message for Beijing, trying to counter and court the Asian power. During visits to U.S. allies in the region, Obama has signaled that American military power can blunt Chinese aggression in the Asia-Pacific region, even as he urges Beijing to use its growing clout to help resolve international disputes with Russia and North Korea. The dual tracks are evidence of Beijing's outsized importance to Obama's four-country swing through Asia, which doesn't include a stop in China. By White House Correspondent Julie Pace. SENT: 970 words, photos.

IRAQ-ELECTIONS

BAGHDAD — The vibrant posters promise jobs, prosperity and security coming from Iraq's first parliamentary elections since U.S. troops withdrew from the country, but so far, voters have only dim hopes as sectarian bloodshed rages unstopped. Eleven years after the U.S.-led invasion toppled dictator Saddam Hussein, Iraqis live in a deeply divided country sinking back into a cycle of violence that claimed more than 8,800 lives last year alone. Voters on Wednesday will cast ballots in the first parliamentary election since U.S. forces withdrew in 2011. By Sinan Salaheddin and Sameer N. Yacoub. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.

— IRAQ-ELECTIONS-GLANCE — A look at major players in Iraq's upcoming national elections. SENT: 250 words, photos.

— IRAQ — Shiite rally bombing ahead of parliamentary elections in Iraq sparks deadly reprisal attacks. SENT: 960 words, photos, video.

COLLEGE TRIGGER WARNINGS

SAN FRANCISCO — Students on college campuses across the country are increasingly asking their professors to provide "trigger warnings" for classes where the content might be upsetting to individuals who have been sexually assaulted, touched by suicide, survived war or experienced other traumatic situations. Student government leaders at the University of California, Santa Barbara recently passed a resolution encouraging instructors to give advance warning before they present "content that may trigger the onset of symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." The alerts have already prompted a backlash, however, among academics who fear it will lead to censorship. By Lisa Leff. SENT: 1,010 words, photos.

RENOUNCING AMERICA

Inside the long-awaited package, government paperwork affirmed Carol Tapanila's anxious request. But when she slipped the contents from the brown envelope, she saw there was something more. "We the people...." declared the script inside her U.S. passport — now with four holes punched through it from cover to cover. Her departure from life as an American was stamped final on the same page: "Bearer Expatriated Self." This native of upstate New York who has lived in Canada since 1969 was joining in a largely overlooked phenomenon. Last year, the U.S. government reported a record 2,999 people renounced citizenship or terminated permanent residency; most are widely assumed to be driven by a desire to avoid paying taxes on hidden wealth. The reality, though, is more complicated. By National Writer Adam Geller. SENT: 2,900 words, photos.

SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT

VATICAN-FRANCIS' POPES

VATICAN CITY — John XXIII and John Paul II, two of the 20th century's great spiritual leaders, changed the face of the Catholic Church and the papacy itself with their remarkable, and remarkably different, papacies. They also had a profound influence on Pope Francis, who will declare them both saints Sunday in history's first canonization of two popes. By Nicole Winfield and Daniela Petroff. SENT: 1,470 words, photos, interactive.

— VATICAN-5 THINGS TO KNOW-FRANCIS' POPES — Francis praised predecessors as good, heroic inspirations in speeches, testimony over years. SENT: 830 words.

MORE ON VATICAN

VATICAN-POPES-SAINTS

VATICAN CITY — Retired pontiff Benedict XVI will help Pope Francis celebrate the sainthood ceremony Sunday for John Paul II and John XXIII, setting the stage for an unprecedented occurrence of two living popes canonizing two of their predecessors. About 1 million pilgrims are expected at the event and many were flooding into Rome. Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi told reporters on Saturday that Benedict will be in St. Peter's Square for the canonization of John and John Paul. He said Benedict and many cardinals will "concelebrate" the Mass with Francis. By Frances D'emilio. SENT: 650 words, photos.

— AP VIDEO VATICAN_PILGRIMS — Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world gathered at the Vatican ahead of the historic canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII.

— VATICAN-PHOTO GALLERY — Images of pilgrims and faithful gathering in Rome to attend Sunday's sainthood ceremony. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos by 6 p.m.

— POLAND-JOHN PAUL II-FIVE PLACES — Five places in Poland associated with John Paul II. SENT: 420 words, photos.

— VATICAN-5-THINGS-TO-KNOW-THE-CEREMONY —Facts and figures about Sunday's canonization. SENT: 600 words.

WASHINGTON

SANTORUM

WASHINGTON — The once and perhaps future presidential candidate Rick Santorum has lots of policy ideas for fellow Republicans seeking public office. He's just not sure he will ever be one of those hopefuls again. The former Pennsylvania senator is enjoying his second career as a movie studio executive. He also tells The Associated Press in an interview ahead of publication of his latest book that his party will struggle for victories unless they offer policies that help working Americans and elected officials ditch their stubborn obstructionism. He says the libertarian streak running through the GOP is dangerous. By Philip Elliott. SENT: 890 words. Photos.

—HILLARY CLINTON — Clinton says her faith in God was shaped by her grandmother's hymns and the bedtime prayers from her gruff Navy father. SENT: 530 words.

—RAND PAUL-MAINE — Rand Paul is trying to bridge divisions between GOP establishment and tea party wings. He has his work cut out in Maine. SENT: 500 words. SENT: 600 words.

WHITE HOUSE-BIG DATA

WASHINGTON — A White House review of how the government and private sector use large sets of data has found that such information could be used to discriminate against Americans on issues such as housing and employment even as it makes their lives easier in many ways. "Big data" is everywhere. It allows mapping apps to ping cellphones anonymously and determine, in real time, what roads are the most congested. But it also can be used to target economically vulnerable people. The issue came up during a review ordered by President Barack Obama, and an adviser says the potential for discrimination makes it a topic for a closer look. By Eileen Sullivan. SENT: 1,100 words, photo.

CONGRESS-TO DO

WASHINGTON — Congress gets back to work Monday after a two-week vacation, and it's looking like lawmakers will do what they do best: the bare minimum. Forget immigration, a tax overhaul, stiffer gun checks. They're all DOA. Raising the minimum wage or restoring lost unemployment benefits? Not going to happen. Forcing government approval of the Keystone XL pipeline? Veto bait. The only things likely to become law in a Congress bitterly divided between House Republicans and the Democratic-led Senate are those that simply have to pass, such as a measure to avoid a government shutdown. That's a short, short list. It gets even shorter if you leave off things that can wait until a postelection lame-duck session. By Andrew Taylor. SENT: 960 words, photo.

NATIONAL

CONNECTICUT SCHOOL STABBING

HARTFORD, Conn. — A teenager charged with stabbing a fellow high school student to death on the day of their junior prom is being held in a hospital under psychiatric evaluation and will likely remain there for two weeks, one of his attorneys said Saturday. By Michael Melia. SENT: 500 words, photos.

— AP NY114 — An image of Maren Sanchez provided by her family from her Facebook page.

WEST POINT WOMEN

WEST POINT, N.Y. — The percentage of female cadets at the U.S. Military Academy has hovered around 16 percent since women first joined the Long Gray Line. Academy officials are now trying to increase the number of female applicants, a job that becomes more germane as women head toward combat roles. By Michael Hill. SENT: 750 words, photos.

ATARI DIG

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — A documentary film production company has found buried in a New Mexico landfill hundreds of the Atari "E.T." game cartridges that some call the worst video game ever made. Film director Zak Penn showed one "E.T." cartridge retrieved from the dumpsite and says there are hundreds more mixed in the mounds of trash and dirt scooped by a backhoe. Fuel Entertainment is producing a documentary about the search. By Juan Carlos Llorca. SENT: 875 words, photos.

CONFEDERATE MEDAL OF HONOR

HANCOCK, Md. — The Medal of Honor, created by Congress during the Civil War as America's highest military decoration for valor, was never meant for Americans who fought for the South. They were the enemy, after all. But there's a Confederate Medal of Honor, little known yet highly prized, that the Sons of Confederate Veterans bestows on those whose bravery in Civil War battle can be proven to the private group's satisfaction. The silver-and-bronze medal is a 10-pointed star bearing the Great Seal of the Confederate States. It has been awarded 50 times since 1977, most recently to a native Virginian buried in Maryland. By David Dishneau. SENT: 820 words, photos.

ANGOLA PRISON RODEO

ANGOLA, La. — They're often thrown like rag dolls and risk being stepped on or gored by bucking bulls and broncos. But in those few seconds in the spotlight of the Angola Prison Rodeo, the inmates feel like they are part of the world again. Louisiana's most violent criminals, many serving life sentences for murder, are the stars of the nation's longest-running prison rodeo that this year celebrates 50 years. By Stacey Plaisance. SENT: 600 words, photos, video.

INTERNATIONAL

MYANMAR-KIDS AT SEA

SITTWE, Myanmar — The two children stood on the beach, at the end of the only world they knew, torn between land and sea. They couldn't go back to their tiny Muslim village in Myanmar's northwest Rakhine because it had been devoured in a fire set by an angry Buddhist mob. Hungry and scared, Mohamad Husein, just 15, and his 9-year-old sister, Senwara Begum, climbed on board, cramming themselves tightly between the other ethnic Rohingya in the small hull of a rickety boat. The two were among hundreds, if not thousands, of children who are joining the flood of Rohingya Muslim refugees leaving Myanmar, one of the world's biggest boat exoduses since the Vietnam War. But from Malaysia to Australia, the countries easily reachable by boat have been implementing policies and practices to ensure that Rohingya don't wash up on their shores. By Margie Mason and Robin McDowell. SENT: 2,600 words, photos; abridged version of 1,400 words.

ENTERTAINMENT

LEBOWSKI FEST

LOS ANGELES — There were bowling pins, bathrobes, white Russians, and even The Dude himself, Jeff Bridges, performed. But the biggest star at the Lebowski Fest was Joel and Ethan Coen's 1998 campy crime comedy "The Big Lebowski." By Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen. SENT: 600 words, photos.

BOLLYWOOD OSCARS

TAMPA, Fla. — The International Indian Film Academy holds its annual awards ceremony at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Fans, stars and worldwide media gather for the spectacular show that caps a three-day event. By Tamara Lush. SENT: 130 words; UPCOMING: Event begins at 7 p.m.; 600 words, photos by 8 p.m.

SPORTS

CLIPPERS-STERLING

SAN FRANCISCO — The NBA is investigating a report of an audio recording in which a man identified as Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling tells his girlfriend not to bring black people to games. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement that the league is in the process of authenticating the validity of the recording posted on TMZ's website. Bass called the comments "disturbing and offensive." By Antonio Gonzalez. SENT: 700 words, photos.

PHELPS COMEBACK

MESA, Ariz. — Michael Phelps posted the fourth-fastest time in the world this year swimming the 100-meter butterfly in his first competition in nearly two years. His comeback has gotten off to a strong start albeit with a much different approach than he took in winning 22 medals over three Olympics. By Beth Harris. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos after finals begin at 8 p.m.

KENTUCKY DERBY

Todd Pletcher is taking aim at winning his second Kentucky Derby with four horses this year. Bob Baffert, a three-time Derby winner, will saddle three. And then there's 77-year-old Art Sherman. He's got the early favorite in California Chrome, easily the best horse he's ever trained. A full field of 20 is expected for the 140th Kentucky Derby on May 3. By Racing Writer Beth Harris. SENT: 720 words.

— RAC_KENTUCKY DERBY-10 THINGS TO KNOW. By Racing Writer Beth Harris. SENT: 900 words.

ALSO GETTING ATTENTION

— FADING FELLER MUSEUM — In this tiny town west of Des Moines, Iowa, things have slowed down considerably at the Bob Feller Museum, a shrine to the Cleveland Indians star who died three years ago. SENT: 750 words, photos.

— SKOREA-SHIP SINKING — All 15 people involved in navigating the South Korean ferry that sank and left more than 300 people dead or missing are now in custody after authorities detained four more crew members, a prosecutor said. SENT: 1,170 words, photos.

— EXOTIC ANIMALS-CRACKDOWN — State records show 1 in 3 who own exotic animals in Ohio lacks required permit for them. SENT: 650 words, photos.

— FOUR SEASONS-PICASSO — New York's storied Four Seasons eatery sued over plan to move Picasso painting amid repairs. SENT: 750 words, photos.

— CAPITALS-OATES-MCPHEE — General manager George McPhee and coach Adam Oates lost their jobs with the Washington Capitals after the team failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007. SENT: 520 words, photos.

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