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Ahmaud Arbery's killers go on trial, Russia-Ukraine crisis, Beijing Olympics: 5 things to know Monday

Editors
USA TODAY

Federal hate crimes trial against Ahmaud Arbery's killers set to begin

The three white men convicted last November of murdering Black jogger Ahmaud Arbery will return to court Monday, with jury selection set to begin in their federal hate crimes trial. Last week, Travis McMichael, 35, pleaded guilty to a charge of interference with rights that would have given him a sentence of 30 years in federal prison to serve concurrently with his life-plus 20 years sentence for Arbery's murder. McMichael withdrew that plea Friday. His father, 65-year-old Gregory McMichael, also withdrew his plea agreement in court filings filed late Thursday. The withdrawals come after a judge rejected the initial terms of the binding agreements, saying she did not have enough information to conclude it was a fair deal. Arbery's family urged her to reject the deal. The hate crime case will continue against the McMichaels and William "Roddie" Bryan, the neighbor who filmed Arbery's killing in Brunswick, Georgia, in February 2020.

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Day of diplomacy as Russia reportedly builds up troops near Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz heads to the White House on Monday amid stirrings of war by Russia over Ukraine and questions of German resolve in Washington. The meeting comes after a report that Russia has assembled at least 70% of the military firepower it plans to have in place to give President Vladimir Putin the option of launching a full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Scholz is facing criticism over Germany's economic ties with Russia, particularly the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that would directly run from Russia to Germany, increasing Europe's dependence on Moscow for its energy. Also Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Moscow for a one-on-one meeting with Putin.

Nathan Chen set to take the ice again at Beijing Olympics

Men's figure skating star Nathan Chen is set to take the ice again Monday night for the men's short program. Chen is coming off winning a silver medal with Team USA in the figure skating team event, starting Thursday by landing both of his quads and a triple axel en route to a season-best score of 111.71 in the short program portion. Also taking place Monday will be a highly-anticipated matchup between the U.S. and Canada in women's hockey, scheduled for 10:45 p.m. ET on the USA Network. Team USA will look to carry momentum from a dominant 8-0 victory over Switzerland Sunday. For a complete schedule of Monday's events, check out USA TODAY's listings. 

Probe into Navy SEAL candidate's death after 'Hell Week' training 

An investigation is expected to continue Monday to determine why one Navy SEAL candidate died and another was hospitalized after completing "Hell Week" training. The two sailors were rushed to San Diego-area hospitals Friday, several hours after their Basic Underwater Demolition class successfully completed part of the first phase of the SEAL assessment and selection program, the Navy said. The sailors were not actively training when they reported being ill, it added. On Sunday, the Navy identified the sailor who died as Kyle Mullen, 24, of Manalapan, New Jersey. Mullen died at Sharp Coronado Hospital in Coronado, and the other sailor was in stable condition at Naval Medical Center San Diego. 

Court hearing for Saints Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara

A court hearing for Saints Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara is scheduled for Monday, after he was arrested and charged with battery Sunday soon after he finished playing in the NFL's annual Pro Bowl. Las Vegas police say they were called to a hospital on Saturday night, when the alleged victim reported being injured in an altercation at a nightclub on the Las Vegas Strip. An investigation led authorities to Kamara, who was taken into custody without incident. Kamara was booked for battery resulting in substantial bodily harm. He remained in jail Sunday night. His bail was set at $5,000. 

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