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ELECTION 2020-THE LATEST
The Latest: Klobuchar optimistic before New Hampshire vote
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — Amy Klobuchar has hosted a rowdy event at a Manchester bar, making her final push for votes ahead of Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary. Amid chants of “Amy” and plenty of beer, Klobuchar argues she is the candidate who could unite the nation and bring decency back to the White House. The Minnesota senator says, “The heart of our nation is bigger than the heart of this guy in the White House.” Klobuchar has been buoyed by a string of New Hampshire newspaper endorsements, an infusion of cash and some polls projecting a third-place finish. She says she is sensing something happening for her campaign.
ELECTION 2020-TRUMP
Trump looks to 'shake up the Dems' with New Hampshire rally
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — President Donald Trump tried to rattle Democrats with a Monday night rally in New Hampshire on the eve of the state's first-in-the-nation primaries. Trump, on a high after his acquittal last week on impeachment charges, launched an assault on the Democrats who tried to remove him from office, calling the episode a “pathetic partisan crusade." Trump also laced into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her performance during his State of the Union address last week, prompting the crowd to break into a "Lock her up!" chant.
TRUMP-RUSSIA PROBE-FLYNN
Justice Dept. won't oppose probation for ex-Trump aide Flynn
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department says it will not oppose probation for former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn. It's a more lenient stance than prosecutors took earlier this month, when they said he deserved prison time. The latest sentencing filing still seeks a sentence of up six months. But unlike before, prosecutors explicitly state that probation would be a “reasonable" punishment and that they would not oppose it. It was not clear why the Justice Department appeared to soften its position, though prosecutors did suggest Flynn deserves credit for his decades-long military service.
TRUMP-GIULIANI-BARR
Barr: Justice Dept. is collecting Ukraine info from Giuliani
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr says the Justice Department is collecting information that Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani is gathering in Ukraine about the president’s Democratic rival Joe Biden and his son. But Barr cautioned Monday that federal officials have “to be very careful” with information coming from Ukraine. The prospect that Giuliani is providing potentially damaging information about one of the president’s political rivals to the Justice Department while he is under federal investigation is likely to deepen criticism from Democrats that Barr acts more like the president’s personal lawyer than the attorney general.
MILITARY-BRAIN INJURIES
Pentagon: 109 troops suffer brain injuries from Iran strike
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says the number of U.S. service members diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries has shot up to more than 100, as more troops suffer the aftereffects of the Iranian ballistic missile attack early last month in Iraq. The department says the latest total is 109 military members who have been treated for mild TBI. Nearly 70 have returned to duty. The latest numbers mark a significant increase over the 64 reported a little over a week ago. The Pentagon warns that the number may continue to change.
CHINESE HACKERS-EQUIFAX
US says Chinese military stole masses of Americans' data
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department says it has tracked a massive theft of Americans' personal information to the Chinese military. Four Chinese have been formally charged, though they are unlikely to ever face trial. The four are accused of breaking into the computer networks of the Equifax credit reporting agency and stealing the personal information of nearly 150 million Americans. They are also accused of stealing the company's trade secrets in the 2017 hack. The case comes as President Donald Trump is touting his relationship with China but also as the administration is warning against efforts by Beijing to collect data on Americans, including potential spies, as well as steal scientific research and innovation.
SOUTHERN STORMS-FLOODING
Downpours cause flooding across Deep South
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Roads are covered by flash floods and some schools are closing early after hours of heavy rains across the Deep South. Dozens of roads were under water in low-lying areas across the Tennessee Valley on Monday, and cars crept along flooded streets in downtown Birmingham. The heaviest rains fell across Mississippi and Alabama. But flash flood watches and warnings stretched from eastern Texas into the western Carolinas. The weather service says more than 2 inches of rain has fallen in some areas, and another 4 inches is possible by Tuesday afternoon. Parts of the region are still soggy from heavy rains last week.
AP-US-KOBE-BRYANT-CRASH-MEMORIAL-STADIUM
Memorial held for coach, family killed in Bryant crash
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — A public memorial was held for three members of a family who died along with Kobe Bryant and others when a helicopter carrying the group to a youth basketball tournament crashed in foggy weather outside Los Angeles. The service Monday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim honored Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and teenage daughter Alyssa, who played basketball on Bryant's youth team. It began with a reading of the nine names of the victims of the helicopter crash. A podium erected on the field was adorned with flower bouquets, sports jerseys and photos.
FIRES-BLACK CHURCHES
Guilty plea to federal charges in black church burnings
LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — The suspect in fires set last spring at three African American churches in Louisiana has pleaded guilty to federal and state charges. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Lafayette says that Holden Matthews pleaded guilty Monday to three counts of intentionally damaging religious property _ a hate crime _ and to using fire to commit a felony. He later pleaded guilty to related state charges. Matthews is white and the destruction of black churches in St. Landry Parish evoked memories of civil rights-era terrorism. However, the federal indictment said the motive involved the properties' religious character.
AP-FINANCIAL-MARKETS
Asian stock markets rebound, following Wall Street higher
BEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets have rebounded and followed Wall Street higher, at least temporarily shaking off jitters about China's virus outbreak. Market benchmarks in Hong Kong and South Korea rose by more than 1% and Shanghai also advanced. Tokyo declined. Wall Street gained on advances for technology companies and retailers. Microsoft and Amazon rose. Asian markets had slumped Monday after analysts warned optimism China's disease outbreak might be under control were premature.
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