AMNA NAWAZ: In the day's other news: Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called for
protecting whistle-blowers in the wake of the impeachment probe.
President Trump ousted several key figures in the investigation on Friday. Schumer wrote
today to 74 inspectors general across the federal government and warned of -- quote
-- "a dangerous, growing pattern of retaliation against those who report wrongdoing."
In China, a new surge of coronavirus cases has dimmed hopes that the outbreak might be
slowing. As of tonight, more than 1,000 people have died, out of some 42,000 cases. The deaths
now top the toll from the SARS epidemic that began in 2002.
In Geneva, the World Health Organization said today it is also watching the spread among
people who have not been to China lately.
TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, Director General, World Health Organization: The detection of
this small number of cases could be the spark that becomes a bigger fire. But, for now,
it's only a spark. Our objective remains containment.
AMNA NAWAZ: Meanwhile, Chinese state TV showed President Xi Jinping wearing a mask at a medical
facility, after days out of the public eye. He told medical workers -- quote -- "We will
most definitely win this people's war."
We will return to the outbreak after the news summary.
The U.S. military now says 109 troops suffered mild traumatic brain injuries when Iranian
missiles hit a base in Iraq last month. That is an increase of 45 from the last accounting.
The new report says 76 of those affected have since returned to duty. Initial reports said
no U.S. troops were injured, but officials say symptoms can take weeks to appear.
Turkish and Syrian forces have clashed in Northwestern Syria for the second time in
two weeks. The Turks say intense Syrian shelling killed five Turkish soldiers today in Idlib
province. Turkey says it struck back and -- quote -- "neutralized 100 Syrian troops." Turkish
trucks also rumbled into the region with equipment and supplies.
And officials in Ankara warned Syria's Assad regime to pull back.
OMER CELIK, Spokesman, Syrian Justice and Development Party (through translator): After
these attacks, the regime elements approaching our observation posts or our areas are being
considered as enemies. They carried out these hostilities twice.
Turkish armed forces will respond to these regime elements by doing whatever is done
to an enemy. It's the Syrians who started this.
AMNA NAWAZ: Syria's campaign to retake Idlib province from rebels has sent more than half-a-million
people fleeing toward Turkey. Turkish officials, in turn, have demanded the offensive stop.
Heavy rains in Eastern Australia have helped douse raging wildfires, but have also led
to severe flooding. The region around Sydney has had 16 inches of rain since Friday, leaving
people wading through waist-deep water. But the downpours also partially replenished reservoirs
after three years of drought.
At least seven people have been killed as a storm with hurricane force batters Europe
for a second day. Thrashing waves lashed homes in Northern France today, and people in Britain
began cleaning up debris from Sunday's damage. In Germany, trains and more than 1,000 flights
were canceled, as winds reached up to 90 miles an hour.
Back in this country, four members of the Chinese military have been charged with hacking
a major credit reporting agency in 2017. The Justice Department today blamed Beijing for
the breach of Equifax that affected more than 145 million Americans.
Attorney General William Barr says it was part of a systematic campaign.
WILLIAM BARR, U.S. Attorney General: For years, we have witnessed China's voracious appetite
for the personal data of Americans. In addition to the thefts of sensitive personal data,
our cases reveal a pattern of state-sponsored computer intrusions and thefts by China targeting
trade secrets and confidential business information.
AMNA NAWAZ: The breach involved Social Security numbers, birth dates and driver's license
information. But Justice Department officials said there is no evidence that the hackers
used the data. They are based in China and remain at large.
And on Wall Street today, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 174 points to close at 29276.
The Nasdaq rose 107 points, and the S&P 500 added 24.
Still to come on the "NewsHour": the death toll of the coronavirus surpasses that of
the SARS epidemic; how the president's budget calls for cuts to entitlements but delays
eliminating the deficit; 75 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, anti-Semitism is
on the rise in Europe; and much more.