Mar 01 Pentagon sees Taliban deal as allowing fuller focus on China By Robert Burns, Associated Press The Trump administration's peace deal with the Taliban opens the door for an initial American troop withdrawal that Defense Secretary Mark Esper sees as a step toward the broader goal of preparing for potential future war with China. Continue reading
Mar 01 Virus spreads to over 60 countries; France closes the Louvre By Foster Klug, Associated Press The number of countries hit by the coronavirus climbed past 60 Sunday, and infections and deaths continued to mount around the globe, emptying streets of tourists and workers, shaking economies and rewriting the realities of daily life. Continue reading
Mar 01 Buttigieg at crossroads after poor finish in South Carolina By Thomas Beaumont, Associated Press The window is closing for Pete Buttigieg's longshot presidential campaign. His fourth-place finish in South Carolina exposed a core vulnerability, namely the inability to attract the support of black voters who are vital to any winning Democratic coalition. Continue reading
Mar 01 Turkey, Syria fighting escalates; refugees mass at borders By Costas Kantouris, Andrew Wilks, Associated Press Thousands of migrants and refugees massed at Turkey's western frontier Sunday, trying to enter Greece by land and sea after Turkey said its borders were open to those hoping to head to Europe. In Syria, Turkish troops shot down two… Continue reading
Mar 01 Biden claims momentum as Buttigieg drops out of race By Steve Peoples, Meg Kinnard, Bill Barrow, Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Joe Biden fought to unite the Democratic Party's moderate wing behind his candidacy after scoring a comeback victory in South Carolina’s Democratic primary that forced leading moderate rival Pete Buttigieg out of the race on Sunday. Continue reading
Mar 01 Afghan peace deal hits first snag over prisoner releases By Kathy Gannon, Associated Press Afghanistan's president said Sunday that he will not free thousands of Taliban prisoners ahead of all-Afghan power-sharing talks set for next week, publicly disagreeing with a timetable for a speedy prisoner release laid out just a day earlier in a… Continue reading
Mar 01 Virus outbreak batters economies, raises fear of spread By Foster Klug, Associated Press Amid fears about where the next outbreak of a fast-spreading new virus would appear, infections and deaths continued to rise across the globe Sunday, emptying streets of tourists and workers, shaking economies and rewriting the realities of daily life. Continue reading
Feb 29 Steyer drops out of 2020 presidential race By Associated Press The billionaire activist made the announcement Saturday night after a disappointing finish in the South Carolina primary. Continue reading
Feb 29 Sanders finishes 2nd in South Carolina primary By Associated Press Bernie Sanders has won second place in South Carolina's Democratic presidential primary, a respectable showing in a state dominated by Joe Biden. Continue reading
Feb 29 Biden wins South Carolina, hopes for Super Tuesday momentum By Steve Peoples, Meg Kinnard, Bill Barrow, Associated Press Joe Biden scored a thundering victory in South Carolina’s Democratic primary on Saturday, riding a wave of African American support and ending progressive rival Bernie Sanders' winning streak. Continue reading