Kobe Bryant public memorial, Trump visits India, Julian Assange: 5 things to know Monday

Editors, USA TODAY
·4 min read

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 and 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.

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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 was expected to draw more than 100,000 people - which will be 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.

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 1 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 are 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.

Evelyn Boswell, a 15-month-old Sullivan County girl, was last seen in December 2019. TBI issued an Amber Alert for the girl in February 2020.
Evelyn Boswell, a 15-month-old Sullivan County girl, was last seen in December 2019. TBI issued an Amber Alert for the girl in February 2020.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kobe Bryant memorial, Trump in India, Julian Assange hearing: 5 things to know Monday