Monday's Daily Briefing: Fans mourn Kobe, India says 'Namaste Trump'
Rise and shine, Daily Briefing readers! Getting out of bed on a Monday morning is hard enough, but can you imagine holding a plank for 8 hours, 15 minutes and 15 seconds? This 62-year-old former Marine broke a Guinness World Record by doing just that — and then he celebrated by doing 75 pushups.
I got tired just reading that, so let's start with a quick recap of the biggest news you missed this weekend:
- Nevada was feelin' the Bern: Sen. Bernie Sanders won the Nevada caucus, stoking fears among some Democrats about the potential impact of his nomination.
- 'Heaven is shining even brighter now': B. Smith, model-turned-TV host and lifestyle guru, died at 70 after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer's disease.
- Not in my backyard: Alabama said no to housing coronavirus patients as global cases rise to more than 79,000.
- 'The 'King' has returned': Tyson Fury dominated Deontay Wilder in a high-stakes rematch ending with a seventh-round TKO at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
It's N'dea and here's the news you need to know today.
Public memorial for Kobe and Gianna Bryant, seven others killed in crash
Four weeks after NBA legend Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna were among those killed in a helicopter crash, the public will have an opportunity to say goodbye on Monday. The memorial for Kobe, 41, Gianna, 13, affectionately known as Gigi, six friends and pilot Ara Zobayan will take place at Staples Center at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. About 20,000 people are expected to fill the arena for the service that will be televised live across the internet. Kobe's widow Vanessa Bryant and the couple's three other daughters are all expected to attend, though no official guest list has been released. Vanessa has not made a public appearance since the Jan. 26 crash.
- 'It just means a lot to me': Kawhi Leonard wins inaugural Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP Award
- Kobe's reach: Obama, LeBron, luminaries share favorite memories of Kobe
- Kobe's impact in China:How NBA icon helped game grow in basketball-crazed nation
President Trump kicks off whirlwind visit to India amid trade friction
President Donald Trump arrived in Ahmedabad, India, on Monday for a two-day diplomatic display aimed at easing trade frictions between the two countries. Trump kicked Monday off with “Namaste Trump” – a political rally that drew more than 100,000 people –followed by the inauguration of the world's largest cricket stadium. Trump's agenda also includes visiting the home of Mahatma Gandhi, a tour of the Taj Mahal with first lady Melania Trump, ceremonial events and a meet-and-greet with U.S. embassy staffers. Trump’s visit signals India’s relationship as a priority to the 4 million Indian-Americans in the U.S., though the group is historically a reliable Democratic constituency.
- The Trump-Modi bromance: What sparked it and what do each of them stand to gain?
In other news:
- Milwaukee Bucks become earliest team to clinch playoff spot in NBA history
- Child sexual abuse survivors deal with bankruptcy, old evidence after laws extend statute of limitations
- Lizzo, 'Just Mercy' win big honors at NAACP Image Awards
- Daredevil 'Mad' Mike Hughes killed in homemade rocket crash
- Billionaire Tom Steyer qualifies for next debate as Biden blames him for South Carolina slide
- 'The one where they all got back together': 'Friends' reunion is officially happening with HBO Max special
WikiLeaks' Julian Assange faces court hearing on extradition
A court hearing begins Monday that could determine whether WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who published classified U.S. government communications as well as emails hacked by Russia from Hillary Clinton’s failed 2016 presidential campaign, will continue to be confined – and if so, where and how. The hearing will decide whether Assange, currently locked up in London's Belmarsh Prison, will be sent to the U.S. to face a trial in a case that could have serious implications for First Amendment protections. The Department of Justice has indicted him on 18 counts, alleging 17 forms of espionage and one instance of computer misuse crimes connected to WikiLeaks' dissemination of caches of secret U.S. military documents provided to him by former U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. Assange denies all the allegations.
Will they reach a verdict? Weinstein jury to continue deliberations
The jury in the Harvey Weinstein sex-crimes trial, whose members told the judge Friday they were unable to reach a verdict on two of his five charges, will resume deliberations Monday for a fifth day in New York. Judge James Burke told the jurors they must continue deliberations after they shocked the courtroom with a note saying they were deadlocked on the two predatory sexual assault counts, the most serious against Weinstein. The jury suggested it reached a unanimous decision on the other three counts, but it was unclear whether they are decided for conviction or acquittal. Weinstein, 67, pleaded not guilty to all the charges and denies any non-consensual sex.
Fugitives arrested in connection with missing Tennessee toddler due in court
Two fugitives face their first court date Monday after being accused of driving a stolen car in connection with the case of Evelyn Boswell, a toddler who has been missing for two months. William McCloud, 33, and Angela Boswell, 42, who is the missing girl's grandmother, were charged with possession of stolen property and are being held without bond on fugitive warrants. Fifteen-month-old Evelyn vanished in a case that authorities have said is rife with conflicting and inaccurate information. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation initially said Evelyn hadn't been seen since Dec. 26, but officials said Friday that it was more likely she was last seen by a babysitter on Dec. 10 or 11. She wasn't reported missing until Feb. 18.
In better news: 'Miracle' rescue after couple disappeared on Valentine's Day
After nearly a week of looking for a Palo Alto, California, couple who went missing during a Valentine's Day hike, search-and-rescue workers had given up hope of finding them alive. On Saturday morning, they were happy to be wrong. Carol Kiparsky, 77, and her husband, Ian Irwin, 72, were heard calling for help in a densely forested area near a bay about 30 miles north of San Francisco.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Brenton Schneider said they survived by drinking water from a puddle and may have fallen near the drainage area where they were found. At the time, Kiparsky was missing a shoe and Irwin did not have a jacket.
“This is a miracle,’’ said Schneider, who added, “They thought this was the end for them.’’