Concern for Americans in Iraq...Americans released by Iran now in Germany... Search goes on for missing Marines

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BAGHDAD (AP) — Several Americans are missing in Iraq. A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad says it's working in full cooperation with Iraqi authorities to locate them. His comments came after the Arab news channel, al-Arabiya, citing its own sources, reported that three Americans had been kidnapped by militias in Baghdad.

GENEVA (AP) — A State Department official says three of the Americans released by Iran as part of a prisoner swap are now in Germany. There's no word on how long they will remain there and when they might return to the United States. Earlier on Sunday, the three landed in Geneva aboard a Swiss air force plane. Officials say a fourth freed American opted to remain in Iran.

HONOLULU (AP) — A retired Coast Guardsman who's an expert on sea emergencies says the 12 missing Marines aboard two helicopters that crashed off Hawaii on Thursday have a lot to overcome. He says the crash would have happened very quickly. The Marines would have had to survive the crash, then the on-rushing of water, followed by dehydration and exposure to the elements.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are preparing to face off tonight in the Democratic presidential debate in Charleston, South Carolina. Clashes over curbing gun violence are expected. Clinton, Sanders and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley appear on stage just a few blocks from the church, where nine parishioners were killed in a mass shooting last summer.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina is heading to the NFC championship game. The Panthers built a 31-point halftime lead before barely holding off Seattle's comeback, beating the Seahawks 31-24 today. Carolina will host Arizona next week for a trip to the Super Bowl. The Cardinals beat Green Bay yesterday. In the AFC, the Broncos are now playing the Steelers in Denver.