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ELECTION 2020-DEBATE
Sanders faces attacks in Democrats' debate-stage clash
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Bernie Sanders is facing a torrent of attacks from his Democratic rivals in a high-stakes debate that could be their final prime-time opportunity to change the direction of the 2020 nomination fight.. The new wave of infighting came in South Carolina as Democrats met for the party's 10th — and perhaps most consequential — debate of the 2020 primary season. Billionaire Mike Bloomberg was the focus last week for his highly anticipated debut, but after a bad performance that froze his momentum, the knives were out Tuesday night for the Vermont senator as well.
SANDERS-FLORIDA PRIMARY
Florida lawsuit questions Sanders' Democratic bona fides
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A pair of Floridians are asking a state court to remove Sen. Bernie Sanders from Florida's March 17 primary ballot. A lawsuit filed in Leon County argues that Sanders is an independent and not a Democrat — and therefore should not be allowed to appear on the Democratic ballot. Sanders is officially an independent U.S. Senator from Vermont but caucuses with Democrats. He is now the front-runner among a dwindling field of Democratic White House hopefuls. Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Juan Peñalosa called the lawsuit “ridiculous.” Peñalosa said the state party had unanimously voted to place Sanders on the Florida ballot.
AP-VIRUS OUTBREAK
South Korean virus cases jump again, 1st US soldier infected
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — New virus cases in South Korea jumped again and the first U.S. military soldier tested positive. His infection and many others are connected to a southeastern city where the government has been mobilizing public health tools to contain the virus. South Korea said 134 of the 169 new cases were confirmed in Daegu. The U.S. military says the soldier was in self quarantine at his off-base residence, and his contacts were being traced. South Korea's case totals were expected to rise as health workers test members of a Daegu church that has an infection cluster. China, where the outbreak apparently began, reported another 406 cases and 52 deaths, all in hard-hit Hubei province.
AP-FINANCIAL-MARKETS
Asian shares slide on fears virus will stunt global economy
TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares are dropping following another sharp fall on Wall Street as fears spread the growing virus outbreak will put the brakes on the global economy. Most regional benchmarks retreated Wednesday, with Sydney's index leading losses. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 has lost 7.6% in the last four days since hitting a record high last Wednesday. That's the benchmark index's worst such stretch since the end of 2018. The latest wave of selling came as more companies, including United Airlines, warned the outbreak will hurt their finances, and more cases were reported in Europe.
AP-AS-TRUMP-INDIA-PROTESTS
Hindu, Muslim clashes kill 13 in Delhi as Modi, Trump talk
NEW DELHI (AP) — Hindus carrying pickaxes and iron rods hurled rocks at Muslims protesting a new citizenship law on a second day of deadly clashes casting a shadow over President Donald Trump's visit to India. Trump said he heard about the violence but did not discuss it with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Black smoke rose into the sky over northeastern New Delhi after Hindu protesters set fruit and vegetable shops and a Muslim shrine on fire, witnesses said. The death toll stood at 13 early Wednesday and at least 186 people have been injured since Monday.
AP-AS-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-WHITE-HOUSE
Trump, US officials send mixed messages on virus risk here
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and his chief economic adviser say coronavirus is under control in the U.S., even as the government's top disease fighters warn Americans to prepare for an outbreak. The mixed messages came as the stock market slid Tuesday for a second straight day and lawmakers of both political parties questioned whether the White House's request for $2.5 billion in virus response funding will be enough. The message from U.S. health officials has become more urgent as they work to educate Americans about the risk and what would happen if quarantining travelers is not enough to contain the virus.
CHINA-SWEDISH BOOKSELLER
China sentences Swedish bookseller to 10 years in prison
BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese court has sentenced a Swedish seller of books that took a skeptical look at the ruling Communist Party to 10 years in prison for “illegally providing intelligence overseas," in a further sign of Beijing’s hard line toward its critics. Gui Minhai and four others who worked for the same Hong Kong publishing company all disappeared around the same time, turning up months later in police custody in mainland China. Gui's was among a spate of high-profile disappearances that stirred unease over the central government's growing reach in Hong Kong, a former British colony that was promised greater democratic rights than are afforded the mainland.
TRUMP-ROGER STONE
Stone judge calls back jurors to address misconduct claims
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has brought in nearly all members of the jury that convicted Trump ally Roger Stone on charges related to the Russia investigation in order to answer questions on allegations of juror misconduct. The surprise revelation by U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson was another highly unusual twist in the Stone saga, which has included a barrage of tweets from President Donald Trump weighing in on the trial. Stone has claimed the jury forewoman was biased and requested a new trial. Jackson questioned the jury forewoman and two other jurors Tuesday. She said she would rule on Stone's request at a later date.
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT-WEINSTEIN
Next for Weinstein: Sentencing, appeal and another rape case
NEW YORK (AP) — The rape conviction of Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein culminated a trial that was central to the #MeToo movement. The 67-year-old Weinstein remained at a New York City hospital on Tuesday, where he was taken following his conviction. His lawyer Arthur Aidala said the original plan was to bring Weinstein to the the city’s notorious Rikers Island jail complex, but he was diverted to Bellevue Hospital as “a precautionary measure” to “make sure his vitals and everything were OK.” If Weinstein gets discharged from Bellevue, it’s likely he’ll end up at a protective unit at Rikers Island. It’ll be a short stay because he’ll be moved to a state prison after sentencing.
AP-US-PLACIDO-DOMINGO-APOLOGY
Placido Domingo apology prompts new accuser to step forward
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Placido Domingo’s apology to the women who say he sexually harassed them prompted a new accuser to come forward and drew mixed reactions from other women. Soprano Luz del Alba Rubio said Tuesday that she was in shock after seeing Domingo’s statement saying, “I am truly sorry” and felt emboldened to speak up about her experiences with him. Domingo's statement marked a reversal from earlier denials of wrongdoing. It came after the U.S. union that represents much of the opera world said its investigators found the opera star and former general director at Washington National Opera and Los Angeles Opera had behaved inappropriately over the course of two decades.
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