NEW YORK – asap, The Associated Press multimedia news service designed to attract readers looking for a different approach to news coverage, is launching "Far and Wide," an innovative news blog focused on the AP wire. "Far and Wide," one of three new features, debuts April 17. Others additions include a new religion video segment called "Everything Sacred" and a video gaming report "Up Down Left Right".

"Interactives, video and blogging represent some of the best of asap’s alternative-style storytelling, and the response to them has been quite strong,” said asap Editor Ted Anthony. “We’re always looking for new ways to deliver the world to asap subscribers. Video, blogs and interactives are three of the most appealing ways to do that online, so we’re refocusing our resources to put those features front and center.”

"Far and Wide" is a fully interactive blog of the global AP report, handpicked by the asap staff, that customers can embed in their sites. Readers will be able respond to posts about breaking news at the AP and how it’s covered. Text, audio, video and photos are elements of this innovative model, which will offer as many as 25 posts a day, with blog entries broken out by topic such as national, entertainment, lifestyles, technology and sports. In addition, mini-interviews with AP staffers in the middle of the news will offer immediate insight into the world’s top events. It’s breaking news, it’s behind-the-scenes and it’s interactive. A triple-play for online news junkies.

"Everything Sacred," by asap staffers Hillary Rhodes and Ray Kugler, is a biweekly video vehicle focusing on religion and spirituality. It will highlight major events around the globe that relate to religion, with asap’s special angles and feel. Sample this new feature at http://asap.ap.org/data/interactives/lifestyles/everythingsacred/

"Up Down Left Right" takes advantage of the burgeoning interest in video gaming. Each week in a video feature, asap's Derrik J. Lang in New York and Ryan Pearson in Los Angeles cover issues, news and reviews for all gaming systems, including PC and console. Sample their gaming guru wares at http://asap.ap.org/stories/1354027.s

"These latest initiatives mark the ongoing evolution of asap," said Deputy Director of U.S. Newspaper Markets Dwayne Desaulniers. "asap is designed to break new ground in content, style and delivery. These great new features are part of our ongoing effort to surprise and exceed the demands of the growing online news consumer."

See what asap is all about as it finds new ways to engage its audience at http://asap.ap.org