thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Judge dismisses felony charge related to pipeline protest

BISMARCK , N.D. - A judge in North Dakota has dismissed a felony conspiracy charge against a South Dakota man who prosecutors say was part of the 2016 riot at the Dakota Access pipeline construction site .
Lawrence Malcolm Jr. was charged last year with conspiring to commit criminal mischief based on DNA from a cigarette butt left at the scene .
His DNA was on file from a previous arrest .
His attorney , Bruce Nestor , argued that it was impossible to determine where the cigarette butt originated or how long it may have been there .
South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed an order dismissing a charge of felony conspiracy to commit criminal mischief against Sisseton , the Bismarck Tribune reported .
Romanick said the state failed to provide evidence that Malcolm entered into an agreement to commit a criminal offence , which is necessary to support a conspiracy charge .
The state has shown that the defendant was there and nothing more , the judge said in his order .
Malcolm still faces a misdemeanour charge of engaging in a riot .
If convicted , he could be sentenced to a year behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is set for Jan. 29 .
An affidavit says more than 100 demonstrators halted construction and vandalized equipment during the protest on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Attorney: Toddler’s brain injury from foul ball is permanent

HOUSTON - A 2-year-old girl struck by a foul ball during a Houston Astros game at Minute Maid Park continues to receive anti-seizure medication seven months after suffering a brain injury that could leave her at risk of seizures for life , an attorney for her family said .
In a report posted Tuesday , Richard Mithoff told the Houston Chronicle that the child ’ s brain injury is permanent .
“ She remains subject to seizures and is on medication and will be , perhaps , for the rest of her life .
That may or may not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said doctors have described the effects of the injury to her central nervous system as similar to those of a stroke .
The areas of the brain affected include those in which injuries can lead to seizures , loss of sensation and loss of spatial awareness , he said .
Other potential effects include periods of unresponsiveness and staring spells , frequent headaches and night terrors , he said .
Doctors so far have not been able to determine if the child has cognitive deficits because of the skull fracture and brain injury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the back of her head off the bat of Chicago Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. “ She is able to continue with much of her routine as a girl her age would do , but her parents have to particularly vigilant — as they are , ” Mithoff said .
No legal action has been started , and Mithoff declined to comment on any conversations he may have had with Astros officials .
However , he has advised them that he represents the family of the child , whose identity has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment , citing concerns for the family ’ s privacy .
Major League Baseball has announced that for the 2020 season all 30 teams will extend the netting that protects infield grandstands .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Invitation to Ivanka Trump draws backlash at big tech show

LAS VEGAS - The nation ’ s largest consumer electronics show on Tuesday hosted Ivanka Trump as a keynote speaker — a choice that drew scorn from many women in technology .
The annual CES tech gathering in Las Vegas has long taken criticism over diversity issues .
In recent years , the show ’ s organizer , the Consumer Technology Association , has invited more women to speak and sought to curb some of the show ’ s more sexist aspects , such as scantily clad “ booth babes ” hired to draw attention of the mostly male attendees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have long pushed for broader recognition of the less-heralded women who found startups and take on difficult technical challenges , the inclusion of President Donald Trump ’ s daughter , who is also a White House adviser , sent exactly the wrong message .
“ Ivanka is not a woman in tech , ” tweeted Brianna Wu , a video game developer who is running for Congress in Massachusetts as a Democrat .
“ She ’ s not a CEO .
She has no background .
It ’ s a lazy attempt to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not quite the real thing.
” Ivanka Trump spoke with CTA President Gary Shapiro for nearly 40 minutes , highlighting work the administration has done with tech companies to retrain their workers for new skills .
She has worked on skills-training initiatives at the White House .
Companies including Google have joined that effort .
There was no mention of the pushback about her appearance at the show .
The hall was full , and she was met with applause .
Organizers declined to say how many people were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press that Ivanka Trump is fighting for workers at a time when robots are filling warehouses and factories and self-driving vehicles are worrying truck drivers .
“ We ’ ve had politicians speak before , cabinet secretaries and others who ’ ve come in , “ Shapiro said ahead of the talk .
Ivanka Trump said the event offered a chance to talk “ about the way jobs are evolving and changing.
” “ People need to be thinking about investing in their workforce so that they can enable those people to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
Many people who tweeted the hashtag # BoycottCES on Tuesday in protest of Trump ’ s appearance also took issue with the administration ’ s border detention policies and various actions of the president himself .
The technology industry has especially important issues pending with the U.S. government , including antitrust investigations into Facebook and Google , the trade war with China , immigration , election security and misinformation on social media .
Government officials have long made regular appearances at CES .
This year , for instance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Transportation Elaine Chao and Secretary of Energy Dan Bouillette .
Other female speakers include Meg Whitman of video streaming startup Quibi and Linda Yaccarino , chairman of advertising and partnerships for NBCUniversal .
Ivanka Trump is “ taking this slot at this conference where women have been saying for so long , ‘ Hey , we are being overlooked , ’ ” said Rachel Sklar , a tech commentator and founder of a professional network for women .
“ The whole category of women being overlooked are still being overlooked.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into finding women in tech who can speak , ” said Carolina Milanesi , an analyst with Creative Strategies , who is at CES .
Last year , CES caused an uproar when it revoked an innovation award presented to a female-led sex device company .
CES reversed its decision and has allowed sex tech into the show for a one-year trial .
Conference organizers also brought in an official “ equality partner , ” The Female Quotient , to help ensure gender diversity .
“ Was there nobody else available ?
Seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the wearable vibrator company Crave .
Chang said Trump ’ s experience running a clothing brand is a bad fit for CES and its focus on innovation and technology .
“ I don ’ t understand , ” she said .
“ I would love to know what their rationale was.
” Arbel reported from New York .
Ortutay reported from San Francisco .
AP video journalist James Brooks in Las Vegas also contributed to this report .

Tali Arbel, Barbara Ortutay And Joseph Pisani - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Trump campaign seizes on Soleimani killing

WASHINGTON - Donald Trump once warned Barack Obama against “ playing the Iran card ” to boost his political prospects by starting a war .
Eight years later , Trump is showing no reluctance to capitalize politically on his order to kill a top Iranian general , drawing accusations that he is weaponizing foreign policy for his campaign ’ s own gain .
Trump ’ s campaign has used the killing of Qassem Soleimani , the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard ’ s elite Quds Force , as a cudgel against the president ’ s Democratic political rivals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial in the Senate .
“ Americans want to see their President acting decisively and defending the nation ’ s interests and that ’ s exactly what President Trump did , “ Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said .
“ Republicans are good at killing terrorists and this is a reminder of that , ” added Michael Ahrens , communications director of the Republican National Committee .
The president was expected to amplify those messages on Thursday in Toledo , Ohio , during his first campaign rally since the drone strike last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Facebook highlighting the Soleimani killing .
The Pentagon said Soleimani “ was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.
“ But the Trump administration has refused to provide any specific information about the nature or timing of the alleged plots , leaving Trump open to suspicions that the attack was driven , at least in part , by a belief that it might help him in the polls .
Those around the president strongly dismiss any suggestion of political motive .
But they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contrast Trump with his Democratic rivals , painting him as a strong leader and accusing Democrats of appeasing Iran with a failed foreign policy approach .
Despite the short shelf life of most Trump news stories , Trump aides recognized immediately that the strike — approved by the president at his private club during his winter break from Washington — could play an outsize role in the upcoming campaign , particularly if Iran retaliates and the region descends into chaos .
The president himself told one confidant after the attack that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to mess with American assets .
And he was eager to project an image of strength and replicate the message he delivered late last year after approving the raid that killed Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi : The U.S. will hunt down its enemies anywhere in the world .
The al-Baghdadi killing has become a staple in Trump ’ s campaign ads and at his rallies , and Soleimani ’ s death was expected to receive similar treatment .
“ ANOTHER dead terrorist , “ declared the subject line of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soleimani as a “ monster responsible for THOUSANDS of American deaths.
” The president campaigned on the dual promises of getting tough on Iranian aggression and withdrawing U.S. troops from overseas entanglements — priorities seemingly at odds with one another in the wake of the strike .
T rump has increased the number of troops in the region since he took office , despite his promise to end the “ endless wars “ in the Middle East .
Trump ’ s foreign policy , dating back to his first campaign , has always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Trump pushed the drawdown of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan , he promised nightly to “ bomb the hell out of ISIS ” and has been eager to strike a posture of American military strength .
But Trump aides expressed confidence that the president ’ s supporters would not punish him for prioritizing one over the other , at least in the short term .
Instead , they argued that targeting what they called terrorist leaders had little to do with prospects for a protracted ground war .
And they argued that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own version of Obama ’ s unofficial 2012 slogan , “ Osama bin Laden is dead and General Motors is alive.
” At the same time , Trump ’ s campaign and White House have tried to use Democratic criticism of the president ’ s killing of Soleimani to paint party members as radical and out of touch .
Two of Trump ’ s rivals , Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders called Soleimani ’ s killing an assassination — a label that implies a political rather than national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meanwhile , are out to make the case that the president continues to tend to the nation ’ s business — in this case , the elimination of a dangerous adversary — while Democrats obsess over impeachment .
Aides also believe the raid can be used to highlight possible foreign policy vulnerabilities of possible opponents , including former Vice-President Joe Biden ’ s support for the unpopular Iraq War and suggesting Warren and Sanders are unwilling to stand up to global bad guys .
“ FACT : President Trump Is Cleaning Up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the campaign wrote in a Monday email blast that slammed the “ Obama-Biden ” Iran nuclear deal as a disaster and accused them of a policy of appeasement that emboldened Iran .
In the Democratic nominating contest , foreign policy has yet to become a front-burner issue , even as Biden , the leader in most national polls , has tried intermittently to capitalize on his long tenure on the world stage .
Biden on Tuesday scorched Trump for his “ dangerously incompetent ” handling of Iran , first by abandoning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions and ordering Soleimani ’ s killing without consulting Congress or U.S. allies .
“ I said not long ago that as the walls close in on this president , I worried that he was going to get us in war with Iraq , as the ultimate wag the dog , “ Biden said at a fundraiser , where he twice appeared to confuse Iraq with Iran .
Yet the debate over the wisdom of killing Soleimani has also divided some Republicans , including the two most popular personalities at Fox News Channel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The two generally reach more than 3 million viewers apiece in the network ’ s prime-time lineup , often including the president himself .
Carlson has questioned the president ’ s move , saying it perplexes him Trump supporters who have taken a skeptical view of the intelligence community now unquestioningly accepts its assessment of future threats from Iran .
“ It seems like just 20 minutes ago we were denouncing these same people as ‘ the deep state ’ and pledging never to trust them again without verification , ” Carlson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hannity , whose show directly follows Carlson ’ s on Fox , offered a typically full-throated defence of the president Monday and said “ the mob , the media , the Democratic Party ” are distraught over Trump ’ s huge success .
Trump , who has a long history of obfuscation and exaggeration , has insisted that his move prevented an imminent attack and was warranted given Soleimani ’ s past conduct .
“ He was planning a very big attack and a very bad attack for us , and other people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t think anybody can complain about it , “ Trump told reporters Tuesday in the Oval Office .
Yet Trump himself has fueled speculation about leaders starting wars for their own benefit .
“ In order to get elected , @ BarackObama will start a war with Iran , “ Trump tweeted in November 2011 , warning a year later : “ Don ’ t let Obama play the Iran card in order to start a war in order to get elected -- be careful Republicans !
” Richard Painter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under President George W. Bush who ran for the Senate last year as a Democrat , was warning as early as last May that he was concerned Trump might try to embroil the U.S. in some kind of military conflict if he felt it could boost his political prospects .
“ You can jack poll numbers up real quick for a president in a wartime situation if it looks somewhat reasonable , ” he said then .
On Tuesday , he pointed to a long history of Americans rallying behind their president at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval ratings are sky-high , “ he said .
“ So if you ’ re against the wall and getting impeached ... if you don ’ t have a war going , you want to get a war going pretty quick.
” Lemire reported from New York .
Associated Press writers David Bauder in New York and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report .

Jill Colvin, Zeke Miller And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Warren’s new bankruptcy plan could spark a clash with Biden

WASHINGTON - Sen. Elizabeth Warren is promising to remake the nation ’ s consumer bankruptcy system if elected president , returning to her political roots while also potentially picking a fight with a top rival for the Democratic nomination , former Vice-President Joe Biden .
The Massachusetts senator on Tuesday unveiled a plan she said would make the process of declaring bankruptcy easier and cheaper for many Americans with debts they can ’ t pay .
It also would largely undo a 2005 law that was backed by Biden and financial industry interests with a lot of political clout in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then a bankruptcy expert and professor at Harvard Law School , clashed with then-Sen. Biden while the law was being debated in Congress — a dust-up she referenced in announcing her new plan .
“ By making it harder for people to discharge their debts and keep current on their house payments , the 2005 bill made the 2008 financial crisis significantly worse : experts found that the bill ‘ caused about 800,000 additional mortgage defaults and 250,000 additional foreclosures , ’ ” Warren wrote in an online post .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their allies in Congress that the 2005 bill would reduce credit card costs across the board for consumers , the cost of credit card debt went up too.
” “ I lost that fight in 2005 , and working families paid the price , ” she added .
It ’ s a sign that Warren is seeking to shift focus to domestic policies that have made her the candidate who “ has a plan ” for top issues at a time when the 2020 campaign could be consumed by rising U.S. tensions with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strength for Biden , given his experience with foreign policy in the Senate and the Obama administration .
Biden spoke Tuesday in New York about President Donald Trump ’ s decision to approve an airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
His remarks follow several days of campaigning in which he seemed uncertain of how much to highlight his foreign policy resume .
Warren has also talked about Iran , calling Soleimani ’ s killing an assassination .
But Tuesday ’ s plan is especially close to her heart .
As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she studied bankruptcy cases nationwide and concluded that , rather than overspending , many people declaring bankruptcy were doing so because the economy “ forced them to take on more debt and more risk to cling to their place in America ’ s middle class .
And that meant one bad break could send them tumbling over the edge.
” Her extensive study of and writings on bankruptcy made her an expert on the subject when she moved to the faculty of Harvard Law School — and helped prompt a fight with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected to the Senate .
During a Senate hearing in 2005 , Warren and Biden went back-and-forth , with Biden mentioning credit card companies and saying the problem was not with a bankruptcy proposal that eventually would became law but with borrowing rules .
Warren responded , “ You can ’ t take away the last shred of protection for these families , ” which prompted Biden to concede , “ You ’ re very good , professor.
” Now that Warren is saying she wants to roll back many of those provisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showdown coming .
“ When thinking about electability , it would be complete malpractice to nominate someone who conspired in backrooms for years with credit card lobbyists and voted for every corporate bankruptcy bill , Wall Street deregulation , and trade deal that voters hate , ” Adam Green , co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee , said in a statement .
“ Biden would ironically cede the outsider mantle to a corrupt incumbent president.
” Biden ’ s campaign on Tuesday pointed to a statement that spokesperson Andrew Bates previously released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then-senator “ fought for and won important concessions for middle class families in it.
“ Warren has feuded for weeks with another candidate bunched with her and Biden for Democratic primary front-runner status : former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
Sharpening her rhetoric against Biden would put Warren more in line with a fellow White House hopeful competing for the Democratic Party ’ s left flank , Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
He has for months criticized the former vice-president , including saying Monday on CNN that Biden once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while in the Senate .
Warren says her plan will also “ end the absurd rules that make it nearly impossible to discharge student loan debt in bankruptcy ” and allow for many of those doing so to keep their homes and cars “ so they can start from a firm foundation when they start to pick up the pieces and rebuild their financial lives.
” She also said she ’ d work to address “ shameful ” racial and gender disparities in the current system .
Catch up on the 2020 election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Key Boeing supplier may begin shedding workers

WICHITA , Kan. - The looming production shutdown of Boeing 737 Max jets is taking a toll on a key supplier .
Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. is asking employees if they will take voluntarily buyouts .
Spirit suspended production of fuselages and other parts for the Max on Jan. 1 , after Boeing told the Wichita , Kansas , company to suspend shipments .
Spirit employees learned about the buyout offer – with terms depending on union contracts for workers in Wichita , Tulsa and McAlester , Oklahoma – in a Monday memo from CEO Tom Gentile , who said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of when Max production will resume .
“ We are discussing different scenarios with Boeing but nothing has been decided , ” Gentile wrote .
He said the company will likely have to make decisions about cutting jobs “ in the days and weeks ahead ” because of expected lower production rates when the Boeing work returns .
Gentile did not say how many employees the company would like to see leave .
Spirit has about 17,000 employees , including 15,000 in the U.S .
The Boeing 737 , including the Max , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s revenue .
Spirit warned last month that suspending Max production would hurt the company ’ s financial results and cash flow , and it was evaluating “ all potential actions ” to get costs in line with lower production expected in 2020 .
Shares of Spirit rose $ 1.17 , or 1.6 % , to close Tuesday at $ 74.98 .
Boeing expects to temporarily shut down production of the Max , which has been grounded for nearly 10 months , after two crashes killed 346 people .
The assembly line near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The company said Monday that it does not plan layoffs .
In a memo to employees , Boeing said some of the 3,000 affected Max workers will be reassigned to the 777 and 787 jets , some will oversee storage of parked jets in Washington state and Southern California , and some will draw other assignments .
Chicago-based Boeing Co. hasn ’ t said how long production will be halted .
The company still has work to complete before it can win approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for changes it is making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plane .
The FAA has said repeatedly it has no timetable for approving Boeing ’ s work .


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Carlos Ghosn’s defence calls Nissan investigation flawed

TOKYO - The defence team for Carlos Ghosn on Wednesday slammed Nissan ’ s investigation that accuses him of financial misconduct as flawed and biased , not independent , and aimed only at taking him down .
“ Nissan ’ s claim that it conducted ‘ a robust , thorough internal investigation ’ is a gross perversion of the truth .
Rather , the facts demonstrate that investigation was never about finding the truth , ” said a statement from French consultancy company Image Sept for the defence team .
“ It was initiated and carried out for the specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghosn to prevent him from further integrating Nissan and Renault , which threatened the independence of Nissan , one of Japan ’ s iconic , flagship companies.
” Ghosn skipped bail late last year while awaiting trial in Japan and is now in Lebanon .
He has not yet appeared in public but he was expected to hold a news conference later Wednesday in Beirut .
Ghosn , who led the Japanese automaker for two decades , has repeatedly asserted his innocence and said Nissan Motor Co. wanted to block a fuller merger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appears new in the latest statement is the assertion that Nissan never questioned Ghosn directly about the allegations , and how Nissan has not targeted others at the company , such as Hiroto Saikawa , Ghosn ’ s successor .
Saikawa resigned last year after allegations related to dubious income surfaced against him .
He has not been charged .
It also said a Nissan employee who admitted to wrongdoing was involved in the investigation .
Nissan said Tuesday that it was sticking to its allegations , despite Ghosn ’ s departure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misconduct while leading the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance , and that it will pursue legal action against him .
It did not give details .
Nissan faces trial as a company in Japan , and it has indicated it will comply and pay required fines .
Ghosn was charged with under-reporting his future compensation and with breach of trust in diverting Nissan money for his personal benefit .
He has repeatedly said the compensation was never decided and the payments were for legitimate business .
Also Tuesday , Japan sought the arrest of Carole Ghosn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is believed to be with him in Lebanon , on suspicion of perjury related to statements she made at a Tokyo court last year related to her husband ’ s case .
Japanese government officials have acknowledged that seeking an individual ’ s return from Lebanon to Japan to stand trial is difficult and sensitive .
Lebanon and Japan do not have extradition treaties .
Lebanon generally does not extradite its citizens .
How Ghosn managed to get out of Japan , where he is widely known , has riveted the public .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his bail conditions , He is seen on security footage walking alone out of his Tokyo home .
He reportedly took a bullet train to Kansai Airport and flew first to Turkey and then to Lebanon on private jets .
Japanese Justice Minister Masako Mori told reporters that luggage and cargo checks were being strengthened for private jets at all airports .
She did not confirm reports that Ghosn got through by hiding in a box for musical equipment .
Japan has seized the 1.5 billion yen ( $ 14 million ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out of detention , where he spent 130 days .
He has said he did not expect to get a fair trial in Japan .
His lawyers in Japan have said they were stunned he skipped bail and have expressed disappointment , anger and some empathy for his feelings .
Ghosn has an international team of lawyers and consultants that seek to clear his name .


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Iran warns US not retaliate over missile attack in Iraq

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran says it has launched “ tens ” of surface-to-surface missiles at Iraq ’ s Ain Assad air base housing U.S. troops over America ’ s killing of a top Iranian general .
State TV described it early Wednesday as Tehran ’ s revenge operation over the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
U.S. forces could not be immediately reached for comment .
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said the White House is aware of the reports .
A stampede broke out Tuesday at the funeral for a top Iranian general slain in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession , Iranian news reports said .
Ain Assad air base is in Iraq ’ s western Anbar province .
It was first used by American forces after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein .
It later saw American troops stationed there amid the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria .
“ The President has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation ’ s name was “ Martyr Soleimani.
” It said the Guard ’ s aerospace division that controls Iran ’ s missile program launched the attack .
Iran said it would release more information later .
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE .
AP ’ s earlier story follows below .
As the crowds mourned Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani , more angry calls rose from Iran to avenge his death , drastically raising tensions in the Middle East .
The U.S. continued to reinforce its own positions in the region and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Iran in the region ’ s waterways , crucial routes for global energy supplies .
U.S. embassies and consulates from Asia to Africa and Europe issued security alerts for Americans .
The U.S. Air Force launched a drill with 52 fighter jets in Utah , just days after President Donald Trump threatened to hit 52 sites in Iran .
Tuesday ’ s deadly stampede took place in Soleimani ’ s hometown of Kerman as his coffin was being borne through the city in southeastern Iran , said Pirhossein Koulivand , head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was no information about what set off the crush in the packed streets , and online videos showed only its aftermath : people lying apparently lifeless , their faces covered by clothing , emergency crews performing CPR on the fallen , and onlookers wailing and crying out to God .
“ Unfortunately as a result of the stampede , some of our compatriots have been injured and some have been killed during the funeral processions , “ Koulivand said , and state TV quoted him as saying that 56 had died and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s burial was delayed , with no new time given , because of concerns about the huge crowd at the cemetery , the semi-official ISNA news agency said .
A procession in Tehran on Monday drew over 1 million people in the Iranian capital , crowding both main avenues and side streets in Tehran .
Such mass crowds can prove dangerous .
A smaller stampede at the 1989 funeral for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini killed at least eight people and injured hundreds .
Hossein Salami , Soleimani ’ s successor as leader of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters gathered at the coffin in a central square in Kernan .
He vowed to avenge Soleimani , who was killed in a U.S. drone strike Friday near Baghdad ’ s airport .
“ We tell our enemies that we will retaliate but if they take another action we will set ablaze the places that they like and are passionate about , “ Salami said .
“ Death to Israel !
” the crowd shouted in response , referring to one of Iran ’ s longtime regional foes .
Salami praised Soleimani ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to backing Palestinian groups , Yemen ’ s Houthi rebels and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria .
As a martyr , Soleimani represented an even greater threat to Iran ’ s enemies , Salami said .
Soleimani will ultimately be laid to rest between the graves of Enayatollah Talebizadeh and Mohammad Hossein Yousef Elahi , two former Guard comrades killed in Iran ’ s 1980s war with Iraq .
They died in Operation Dawn 8 , in which Soleimani also took part .
It was a 1986 amphibious assault that cut Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the end of the war that killed 1 million .
The funeral processions in major cities over three days have been an unprecedented honour for Soleimani , seen by Iranians as a national hero for his work leading the Guard ’ s expeditionary Quds Force .
The U.S. blames him for killing U.S. troops in Iraq and accused him of plotting new attacks just before he was killed .
Soleimani also led forces supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad in that country ’ s civil war , and he also served as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Iraq , Lebanon and Yemen .
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Assad in Syria on Tuesday amid the tensions between Washington and Tehran .
Soleimani ’ s slaying already has led Tehran to abandon the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers as his successor and others vow to take revenge .
In Iraq , pro-Iranian factions in parliament have pushed to oust American troops from Iraqi soil following Soleimani ’ s killing .
Germany and Canada announced plans to move some of their soldiers in Iraq to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday by the semi-official Tasnim news agency , Iran has worked up 13 sets of plans to avenge Soleimani ’ s death .
The report quoted Ali Shamkhani , the secretary of Iran ’ s Supreme National Security Council , as saying that even the weakest among them would be a “ historic nightmare ” for the U.S .
He declined to elaborate , “ If the U.S. troops do not leave our region voluntarily and upright , we will do something to carry their bodies horizontally out , “ Shamkhani said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published a statement from the Supreme National Security Council denying Shamkhani made the comment .
The U.S. Maritime Administration warned ships across the Mideast , citing the rising threats .
“ The Iranian response to this action , if any , is unknown , but there remains the possibility of Iranian action against U.S. maritime interests in the region , ” it said .
Oil tankers were targeted in mine attacks last year that the U.S. blamed on Iran .
Tehran denied responsibility , although it did seize oil tankers around the crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Persian Gulf through which 20 % of the world ’ s crude oil travels .
The U.S. Navy ’ s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said it would work with shippers in the region to minimize any possible threat .
The 5th Fleet “ has and will continue to provide advice to merchant shipping as appropriate regarding recommended security precautions in light of the heightened tensions and threats in the region , ” 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr .
Joshua Frey told The Associated Press .
Meanwhile , Iranian Gen. Alireza Tabgsiri , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , issued his own warning .
“ Our message to the enemies is to leave the region , “ Tabgsiri said , according to ISNA .
The Guard routinely has tense encounters with the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf .
Separately , Iran summoned the British ambassador over comments by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the British defence minister about Soleimani ’ s killing , the semi-official Mehr news agency reported .
Iran ’ s parliament , meanwhile , has passed an urgent bill declaring the U.S. military ’ s command at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behalf in Soleimani ’ s killing as “ terrorists , “ subject to Iranian sanctions .
The measure appears to be in response to a decision by Trump in April to declare the Revolutionary Guard a “ terrorist organization.
” The U.S. Defence Department used that terror designation to support the strike that killed Soleimani .
The action by Iran ’ s parliament was done by a special procedure to speed it into law and also saw the lawmakers approve funding for the Quds Force with an additional 200 million euros , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the U.S. had declined to issue him a visa to travel to New York for meetings at the United Nations .
As the host of the U.N. headquarters , the U.S. is supposed to allow foreign officials to attend such meetings .
“ This is because they fear someone will go there and tell the truth to the American people , ” Zarif said .
“ But they are mistaken .
The world is not limited to New York .
You can speak with American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that.
” Asked about Zarif , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told journalists America would comply with its obligations under U.N. rules to grant visas .
He then referred to the Iranian diplomat as “ a propagandist of the first order.
” A U.S. official who wasn ’ t authorized to speak on the record said the application couldn ’ t be processed in time for Zarif ’ s travel although it wasn ’ t clear if his request had been formally denied .
A formal rejection would trigger legal technicalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could violate the host country agreement the U.S. has with the U.N. Gambrell reported from Dubai , United Arab Emirates .
Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed .

Nasser Karimi, Amir Vahdat And Jon Gambrell - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Man charged in Christmas Eve Oklahoma airport bomb threat

TULSA , Okla. - An Oklahoma man accused of calling Tulsa International Airport on Christmas Eve and reporting that a drive-up nuclear bomb would be detonated there is facing a criminal charge , federal prosecutors announced Tuesday .
Anthony John Michalski , 64 , was charged Monday with one count of providing false information about bombs at an airport .
Michalski , of Tulsa , admitted to making the bomb threats , and a search of his mobile phone indicated he placed a call to the airport at the same time that the threat was received , according to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told investigators that he was being held hostage by a terrorist organization that was transmitting signals into his head .
Michalski ’ s family told investigators he has a history of mental illness .
Court and jail records don ’ t indicate if Michalski has an attorney .
Law enforcement officials from multiple state and federal agencies responded to the airport on Christmas Eve , canvassed the airport and surrounding garages , and determined there was no threat , U.S. Attorney Trent Shores said in a statement .
“ To have this team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas Eve to ensure the safety of the public was most impressive , “ Shores said .
If convicted , Michalski faces up to five years in prison .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-07--US won’t grant Iran foreign minister visa for UN visit

WASHINGTON - The U.S. won ’ t issue Iran ’ s foreign minister a visa to travel to the United Nations later this week , contending there was not enough time to process the request .
Mohammed Javad Zarif told “ CBS This Morning ” on Tuesday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo informed the U.N. secretary-general , who in turn relayed the information to Zarif .
Zarif ’ s trip would have been an opportunity for him to discuss the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general in Baghdad last week .
That targeted killing has escalated tensions with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A U.S. official said Tuesday the application couldn ’ t be processed in time for Zarif ’ s travel although it wasn ’ t clear if his request had been formally denied .
A formal rejection would trigger legal technicalities that could affect future visa applications and could also violate the host country agreement the U.S. has with the U.N .
The official wasn ’ t authorized to speak on the record and discussed the matter on condition of anonymity .
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was asked Tuesday evening whether there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The real answer is I don ’ t know , ” he told two journalists at U.N. headquarters in New York .
Alireza Miryousefi , spokesman for Iran ’ s U.N. Mission , said Zarif applied for a visa on Dec. 20 , a day after receiving an invitation from the U.N. Security Council to speak at a ministerial meeting on Jan. 9 on “ Upholding the U.N. Charter.
“ Under the 1947 agreement between the United States and the United Nations , U.S. federal , state and local authorities “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to or from ” U.N. headquarters for representatives of U.N. member nations , with few exceptions .
And when visas are required by the U.S. , the agreement says “ they shall be granted without charge and as promptly as possible.
” In the past year , Russia and others have protested that the U.S. held up visas preventing their officials from attending U.N. meetings .
Guterres and U.N. legal officials have repeatedly conveyed their concerns about visa hold-ups to the State Department .
The U.S. has severely restricted the movements of Iranian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past , notably the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court , Fatou Bensouda .
The State Department declined to comment on the Zarif matter , citing visa confidentiality laws that bar the release of such information with certain limited exceptions , and Pompeo himself would not discuss specifics of the situation while briefing reporters .
“ We don ’ t comment on visa matters of those travelling here to the United States on visas , so I can ’ t add much more on this issue of Foreign Minister Zarif ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ he said .
” I ’ ll say only this : We will always comply with our obligations under the U.N. requirements , the headquarters agreement , and we will do so in this particular instance and more broadly.
” Pompeo ’ s remarks appeared to suggest that the U.S. believes it remains in compliance with the headquarters agreement as long as the visa was not formally rejected .
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the U.N. took note of Pompeo ’ s statement that the U.S. would comply with its obligations under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not accuse the U.S. of violating the agreement but stressed repeatedly the U.N. position that the host country agreement should be upheld and said “ we have made that clear over the last few months where there have been a series of cases.
” He refused to disclose details of Pompeo ’ s discussion Monday with Guterres .
At the White House earlier Tuesday , national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien told “ Fox & Friends , ” “ I don ’ t think Secretary Pompeo thought that this was the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States.
” “ This is because they fear someone will go there and tell the truth to the American people , ” Zarif said earlier Tuesday .
“ But they are mistaken .
The world is not limited to New York .
You can speak with American people from Tehran , too , and we will do that.
” “ Whenever he comes to New York , he spreads propaganda , ” O ’ Brien said .
“ I actually find it somewhat ironic that Mr. Zarif wants to take advantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come to New York and come to the U.N. when his revolution was born in the taking of 52 American diplomats hostage in Iran and holding them for 444 days .
...
He can certainly call in to the meeting or he can participate by video teleconference and his voice will be heard if he wants to be heard.
” Associated Press reporters Darlene Superville in Washington and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Are we on the edge of World War III?

Are we on the edge of World War III?

WASHINGTON , DC—Is this how another world war starts ?
It seems a lot of people greeted the new year with that apocalyptic thought after a targeted airstrike by the United States killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani late last week in Iraq .
Soleimani was a powerful and revered figure in Iran , as evidenced by the hundreds of thousands ( or possibly millions ) of people who filled the streets for his funeral .
Earlier this week , the term “ World War III ” was trending on Twitter .
Fears deepened Tuesday after Iran state TV said Tehran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Ain Assad airbase , which houses U.S. troops .
Clearly many are wondering if the killing of Soleimani was the 21st Century ’ s Franz Ferdinand moment .
But the experts I spoke with suggest that anyone losing sleep over the prospect can take a deep breath , enjoy a break from cable news for a few minutes , and relax a bit .
“ This is an issue of popular culture rather than political analysis , ” says Aaron David Miller , an expert on the Middle East and U.S. foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peace .
“ I don ’ t feel that it ’ s appropriate .
It ’ s not tethered to , in my judgment , to reality .
The Middle East is an angry , broken , dysfunctional place .
It ’ s been that way for as long as I ’ ve been in government and outside of government .
It ’ s not 9/11 .
We ’ re not looking at the prospects of terror attacks in the United States .
World War III .
I think there ’ s an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Other experts I spoke with agreed .
“ To put my professor hat on , a lot depends on what we mean by ‘ war.
’ It ’ s quite plausible to me that Iran will respond and that the United States will bomb Iran or otherwise strike in response to the response .
And you do have the possibility of further escalation , ” Daniel Byman , an expert on foreign policy and the Middle East with the influential think tank Brookings said in an email .
“ But I see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shadow war , with an array of Iranian attacks and U.S. responses .
The death and conflict will be real , but it will probably be short of what we usually think of as war.
” Paul Rosenzweig , a national security and cybersecurity expert at the R Street Institute , said , “ Iran has a history of acting asymmetrically , especially in the cyber space , ” Rosenzweig says , citing several recent examples including a denial of service attack on the American banking industry early in the 2010s .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they roll .
And my guess , which is as good a guess as any , is that that ’ s how they ’ ll roll this time .
What we ’ ll see is some kind of asymmetric response , parts of which will be cyber related , ” he says .
“ “ Not quite a Cold War , but it ’ s not a hot war , either .
It ’ s a lukewarm war , if you want.
” Which is not to say that it will be without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies — indeed , some are being felt already .
As recently as a few weeks ago , masses of Iranians were protesting their own government in the streets , and this attack has seemingly united them against a foreign attack on a high-ranking government official .
Stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons has been a cornerstone of Middle Eastern foreign policy under successive U.S. presidents , and in the wake of the killing , Iran has announced it will no longer agree to the limits contained in a 2015 nuclear deal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been a grave concern to the American government , and after the Soleimani attack the Iraqi parliament voted to asked all foreign troops to leave , which would push it further under Iran ’ s influence .
And the fight against ISIS in Iraq and the region has been put on hold while U.S. allies focus on protecting themselves .
The Canadian military , which is leading a NATO training mission to battle ISIS , announced an “ operational pause in Iraq ” on Tuesday to relocate soldiers to ensure the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation develops.
” The U.S. position in Iraq , meanwhile , has been a source of some confusion .
A letter circulated Monday from the U.S. military seemed to suggest they were preparing to withdraw in response to the Iraqi parliament ’ s request — though U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper clarified it was a draft letter being worked on with the Iraqis that was released by mistake , and that U.S. troops have no plans to leave .
President Donald Trump has suggested he ’ d bill the country for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Iraq makes the U.S. leave .
“ This is a crisis , the first serious real-time foreign policy crisis the Trump administration has faced , ” Miller says , one that “ embodies most of the worst elements of Trump ’ s foreign policy ” in that it pursues discrete acts which are “ untethered and unmoored from any broad set of realistic and attainable goals.
” In that respect , he says , it is a tactical success in removing a man widely agreed to be murderous and dangerous , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Byman argued a similar point in a recent essay for Vox .
“ How bloody the aftermath will be , and whether the United States can emerge stronger , will depend on whether the Trump administration can be steadfast , plan for the long term , and work closely with allies .
Trump ’ s Middle East policy so far , however , suggests the opposite is more likely .
In the end , Soleimani ’ s death may prove a hollow and short-lived victory.
” Not likely to lead to a world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring anyone closer to world peace , either .


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Bloomberg and Trump buy Super Bowl ads at $10 million (U.S.) each

Michael R. Bloomberg ’ s presidential campaign has secured a 60-second advertising spot to air nationally during next month ’ s Super Bowl telecast , an ad buy that will most likely cost at least $ 10 million ( U.S. ) .
Hours after The New York Times reported Bloomberg ’ s plans , President Donald Trump ’ s reelection campaign said that it , too , had reserved 60 seconds ’ worth of advertising during the game for roughly $ 10 million .
The dueling ads on the year ’ s biggest night of television are evidence that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a schoolyard brawl on the national airwaves over the coming months , with each increasingly willing to dip into his vast resources — Bloomberg is spending his own fortune , and Trump has a nine-figure campaign war chest — to broadcast their messages .
“ The biggest point is getting under Trump ’ s skin , ” said Michael Frazier , a spokesman for the Bloomberg campaign .
By “ taking the fight to Trump , ” Frazier said , “ the ad is part of Mike ’ s strategy of running a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the general election will be decided , parts of the country that are often overlooked.
” Aides to Bloomberg , who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination , said his Super Bowl ad would be a new spot that has not yet aired .
They would not specify the cost of the ad , but executives at Fox , which is broadcasting the game on Feb. 2 , have said they were seeking “ north of $ 5 million ” per 30-second spot .
The Trump campaign ’ s decision to advertise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first reported by Politico , continues a strategy of advertising during major sporting events .
“ President Trump made the unprecedented decision to keep the campaign open following his first election , which allows us to do things like buying a Super Bowl ad , ” said Tim Murtaugh , a spokesman for the Trump campaign .
“ We got in early , which gave us prime ad position early in the game.
” It was not clear when during the game Bloomberg ’ s ad would air .
The Super Bowl is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in any given year ; last year ’ s game drew 98.2 million viewers on CBS .
Bloomberg ’ s campaign has continued to set records for political advertising by a presidential candidate , having already spent nearly $ 170 million on television and digital advertising , according to Advertising Analytics , an ad tracking firm .
Bloomberg , a billionaire media owner and former mayor of New York , is funding his campaign with his own money and is not soliciting donations .
“ We have the means to raise a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frazier said .
Bloomberg has made targeting Trump a core element of his ad strategy .
Before he announced his candidacy , he pledged to spend $ 100 million on ads criticizing the president .
And since he began his bid , his campaign has unloaded a barrage of Facebook attack ads in general-election swing states , seeking to erode support for Trump by highlighting what Bloomberg calls his broken promises on infrastructure , health care and solving dysfunction in Washington .
Super Bowl ads are rarely seen in presidential politics .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during past Super Bowls , a national buy has often been out of reach , given the expense .
It is also usually viewed as wasteful to pay to reach a 50-state audience rather than buying ads in key states where campaigns would prefer to target their message .
But Bloomberg is running an unconventional primary campaign with a heavy national emphasis , choosing to avoid the four states that hold the first caucuses and primaries in February and instead focusing his efforts on Super Tuesday on March 3 , when 14 states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually smart for Bloomberg , ” said Ken Goldstein , a professor of politics at the University of San Francisco .
“ Bloomberg is running a national campaign , and the most efficient way to reach a lot of people in a national campaign is buying an ad in a top-rated show .
And as expensive as it is , it ’ s cheaper than buying the ads market by market.
” Trump ’ s campaign also has deep pockets .
It said last week that it had raised $ 46 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was entering 2020 with $ 102.7 million in cash on hand .
The Super Bowl ads will air at a politically potent time : The Iowa caucuses are the day after the game ( though Bloomberg has said he is not competing in them ) , and Trump is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address the night after that .
The Super Bowl broadcast has often avoided the rancour of national politics .
Perhaps the most recent national advertisement that waded into political territory was a 30-second ad featuring Tim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ star , talking about his anti-abortion views , which aired during the 2010 matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts .
Presidential campaigns have advertised during major sporting events before , however .
In October , the Trump campaign made a seven-figure ad buy during Game 7 of the World Series , pushing back on the impeachment inquiry in Washington .
And in 2016 , with just over a week to go before Election Day , Trump ’ s and Hillary Clinton ’ s campaigns each purchased multiple ads during Game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Series .


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Trump eyes 2 House Republicans for impeachment legal team

WASHINGTON - Republican House members John Ratcliffe and Jim Jordan are being considered for a role on President Donald Trump ’ s defence team for the upcoming Senate impeachment trial , a person familiar with the discussions said Tuesday .
A final decision has not been made , said the person , who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations .
But both lawmakers are known for their vocal advocacy of the president , on Capitol Hill and on television , and were aggressive questioners of witnesses during the House impeachment proceedings last year .
Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pat Cipollone .
Trump ’ s personal lawyer Jay Sekulow — who represented the president during special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s Russia investigation — is also expected to play a significant role .
Ratcliffe , a former United States attorney from Texas , was selected by Trump last summer as the director of national intelligence but ultimately withdrew from consideration amid questions about his experience .
Jordan , of Ohio , is a longtime House Judiciary Committee member who was temporarily moved to the intelligence panel for the impeachment hearings and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jordan has called the Democrats ’ case against the president “ lame , “ while Ratcliffe has sought to portray Trump ’ s request that Ukraine investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden — as well as a discredited theory of election interference in 2016 — as falling far short of a demand .
Last month , as members of the Judiciary Committee debated impeachment articles against the president , Jordan said Democrats were acting because “ they don ’ t like us , ” and read out a long list of Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just because they don ’ t like the president , they don ’ t like us , ” Jordan added .
“ They don ’ t like the 63 million people who voted for this president , all of us in flyover country , all of us common folk in Ohio , Wisconsin , Tennessee and Texas.
” It is not clear when the trial would begin .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that he has the votes to start “ phase one ” of the trial as soon as Speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senators have rallied behind his push to postpone a decision on witnesses until later in the trial .
Pelosi is delaying transmission of the articles as Democrats press to hear from former national security adviser John Bolton and other new witnesses .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-07--With Pompeo out, GOP can’t dodge Kansas Senate race headache

TOPEKA , Kan. - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ’ s declaration Tuesday that he won ’ t run for Senate in Kansas returned some Republicans to worrying that they can ’ t block a polarizing conservative from winning the GOP nomination and putting the seat in play .
Pompeo ’ s decision to remain as nation ’ s top diplomat , assuming he sticks by it , means the GOP can ’ t dodge the issue that had prompted top Republicans to woo Pompeo for months .
They saw Pompeo as the best bet for torpedoing hard-right immigration policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate .
The turmoil in the Middle East that preceded Pompeo ’ s decision could help Kobach with hawkish GOP primary voters .
Kobach , the former Kansas secretary of state , has spent two decades building a national profile partly by framing illegal immigration as a national security issue and touting his work with the U.S. Justice Department right after the 9-11 terror attacks .
Some anti-Kobach Republicans focused quickly on the race ’ s best-funded candidate so far , GOP Rep. Roger Marshall of western Kansas .
But he still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and whether he can stop Kobach , particularly absent a one-on-one match .
“ Everybody but Kobach probably should get together and say , ‘ Now why are we doing this and what are we trying to gain ?
’ And pick somebody and go head-to-head , “ said Tim Shallenburger , a former Kansas Republican Party chairman and state treasurer .
Pompeo ’ s decision complicates GOP efforts to defend their 53-47 Senate majority in November ’ s elections .
The national party and its allies face the prospect of having to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans haven ’ t lost a Senate race there since 1932 .
Pompeo has said repeatedly that he ’ d remain secretary of state as long as President Donald Trump will keep him .
But his travels to Kansas last year — and comments from Trump — kept buzz about a potential candidacy alive .
He told reporters Tuesday : “ I said the same thing yesterday that I ’ ve said for months .
No.
“ Fears that a Kobach nomination could put the seat in play arose even as four-term Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced a year ago that he wouldn ’ t seek re-election .
Kobach lost the Kansas governor ’ s race in 2018 to Democrat Laura Kelly — a contest many in the GOP thought winnable .
The National Republican Senatorial Committee questioned Kobach ’ s ability to win a general election when he announced his candidacy last summer .
And Scott Reed , the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ’ s chief political strategist , who ran Bob Dole ’ s 1996 presidential campaign , said , “ We continue to think Kobach is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winnow the field by urging candidates at the back of the field to drop out .
Kelly Arnold , another former state GOP chairman , said if candidates can ’ t conduct effective fundraising , “ it ’ s time for them to get out.
“ Kobach said Tuesday that his independence bothers the Republican establishment — including U.S Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell — and led it to woo Pompeo .
His supporters argue that with Trump on the ballot in November , fears of losing the Kansas seat are misplaced .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ where conservatives are lining up behind me , “ Kobach said .
Kobach also believes his background is an asset with tensions high in the Middle East .
At the Justice Department , he helped develop a system that forced more than 80,000 foreign residents to register with the U.S. government so that it could know why they were there for security reasons .
Widely derided by civil rights groups , it was abandoned in 2011 by President Barack Obama ’ s administration .
Marshall spokesman Eric Pahls said the congressman ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more crucial .
“ Kansans want to know there ’ s someone with military experience helping to make these decisions , “ he said .
But Bob Beatty , a Washburn University of Topeka political scientist , said Kobach has built a reputation among Republicans as “ someone who doesn ’ t back down.
” “ A foreign policy crisis is going to bring out more conservative voters , “ Beatty said .
The leading Democratic candidate is state Sen. Barbara Bollier , a retired Kansas City-area anesthesiologist who made national headlines by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2018 .
She has endorsements from Kelly and former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius , a former two-term Democratic governor , and she already is pursuing moderate voters .
Bollier ’ s campaign announced Tuesday that she ’ s raised more than $ 1 million over the past three months — a sizable amount in a low-cost media state like Kansas .
But Marshall began his race with a sizeable balance from his House campaign and entered the final three months of 2019 with nearly $ 1.9 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the combined total of his main GOP rivals , Kobach , Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle and Dave Lindstrom , a Kansas City-area businessman and ex-Kansas City Chiefs professional football player .
The U.S. Chamber helped Marshall win his congressional seat in 2016 by defeating tea party firebrand Rep. Tim Huelskamp .
Reed said they ’ re considering helping him in the Senate race and the “ onus is on him ” to show he can win the nomination .
Marshall launched his first television ad before Christmas , describing himself as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their phoney impeachment.
” Yet Marshall is hasn ’ t yet convinced some Republicans .
Shallenburger sees his pro-Trump statements as “ pandering ” and says his ouster of Huelskamp has him perceived as a moderate , despite a conservative voting record .
Kobach is better known and , to some conservatives , just more exciting .
University of Kansas political scientist Patrick Miller said Kobach excels “ at the theatre “ of politics , while Marshall seems “ vanilla.
” “ If central casting called for a generic Republican congressman , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Miller said .
“ Someone to just , like , be in the background of the movie shot .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Corn spill forms smooth path on Minnesota railroad tracks

CRYSTAL , Minn. - Bushels and bushels of corn spilled from a freight train and formed a smooth , yellow @ @ @ @ @ third of a mile on railroad tracks in a northern Minneapolis suburb .
The spill @ @ @ @ @ , on the Canadian Pacific line .
The Star Tribune reports the corn stretched for @ @ @ @ @ metres ) .
Assuming the corn was about 1.5 inches ( 3.8 centimetres ) deep @ @ @ @ @ Tribune estimates the spill would amount to about 900 bushels .
That ’ s about @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday ’ s prices at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange .
Crews are working to @ @ @ @ @ , Canadian Pacific Railway spokesman Andy Cummings told The Associated Press on Tuesday .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-07--GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter resigns after corruption conviction

SAN DIEGO - Republican U.S. Rep. Duncan D. Hunter submitted his resignation Tuesday , one month after pleading guilty to a corruption charge , leaving vacant one of the GOP ’ s few remaining House seats in heavily Democratic California .
Hunter ’ s departure effective Jan. 13 ends his family ’ s political dynasty in which he and his father , Duncan L. Hunter , represented the San Diego County district for nearly 30 years .
The combat Marine veteran — a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump — served 11 years in Congress .
His two-page letter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaker Nancy Pelosi and another to California Gov .
Gavin Newsom — lists his accomplishments and doesn ’ t mention his criminal conviction .
Newsom has not said whether he will order a special election or leave the seat open until a successor emerges from the November general election .
Hunter had been silent after saying early last month that he would step down “ shortly after the holidays , “ drawing criticism last week from a fellow Republican who wants to succeed him , Carl DeMaio .
The San Diego Union-Tribune asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s he waiting for ?
“ Hunter , 43 , gave no reason for resigning in his letter , instead offering a sweep of his achievements as a Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and as a six-term congressman .
“ During my time in Congress , I had the privilege of helping thousands of individuals in my district — from making sure veterans received the benefits they earned , to helping Social Security and Medicare recipients cut through red tape , to assisting immigrants seeking legal citizenship , and countless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ATF or other government agencies , ” he wrote .
There is no clear Republican favourite to succeed the conservative , immigration hardliner — one of the few congressmen to be re-elected while indicted .
After claiming to be the victim of a political witch hunt for more than a year , Hunter pleaded guilty Dec. 3 to a single charge of conspiring with his wife to illegally spending at least $ 150,000 in campaign funds on personal expenses .
Among the improper spending were a birthday gathering for his young daughter at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with friends at a French bistro in Washington .
He is scheduled to be sentenced March 17 .
The judge could impose the maximum sentence of five years , but prosecutors have said they will ask for no more than a year of jail time .
His wife Margaret Hunter also pleaded guilty .
She is scheduled to be sentenced in April .
An August 2018 indictment accused Hunter of using $ 200,000 in campaign money to fund family travel , school tuition , jewelry , groceries , gas etc .
Prosecutors said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affairs and flights for his family ’ s pet bunny .
He tried to conceal the illegal spending by listing it in federal records as donations for military veterans and other campaign-related expenses , according to the indictment .
Since the guilty plea last month , Hunter ’ s father has maintained a defiant tone .
He wrote in The San Diego Union-Tribune that his son was the victim of “ a political hit job.
“ Holding the 50th Congressional District , which has an 11-point Republican registration edge , will be critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the House after losing it to Democrats in 2018 .
The district includes ethnically diverse suburbs at the edge of San Diego that fade into farming and mountainous areas to east , including a small slice of Riverside County .
Hunter ’ s seat is being sought by three GOP contenders with strong local name recognition .
They are former Rep. Darrell Issa , one of the wealthiest lawmakers to serve when he represented parts of San Diego County and neighbouring Orange County .
Hunter ’ s father recently endorsed him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Diego city councilman who now is a local political commentator and radio host ; and state Sen. Brian Jones , who highlights that he ’ s the only major Republican candidate who lives in the district .
Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar , a 30-year-old former Obama administration official who nearly defeated Hunter in 2018 , is widely expected to emerge from the March primary for a November showdown .
Under California election rules , the top two vote-getters in the March 3 primary advance to the general election , regardless of party affiliation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House seats in California in 2018 , leaving Republicans holding only seven districts among the state ’ s 53 House seats .
Associated Press writer Elliot Spagat contributed to this report


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Trump pressed to detail what prompted strike on Iran general

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump and his top advisers are under pressure to disclose more details about the intelligence that led to an American airstrike that killed t op Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
Trump said Tuesday that his decision saved American lives and that members of Congress will get a briefing on the reasons for the U.S. attack .
“ We saved a lot of lives , ” Trump said .
“ They were planning something.
” So far , Trump and top national security officials have justified the airstrike with general statements about the threat posted by Soleimani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was responsible for the deaths of American troops in Iraq .
But the details have been scarce .
“ He ’ s no longer a monster .
He ’ s dead , ” Trump said .
“ And that ’ s a good thing for a lot of countries .
He was planning a very big attack and a very bad attack for us and other people and we stopped him and I don ’ t think anybody can complain about it.
” Soleimani was targeted while he was at an airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a veteran Iraqi militant who also was killed .
Trump said they weren ’ t in Baghdad to discuss vacation plans or visit a “ ’ nice resort , “ but were there to talk over “ ’ bad business.
” ’ The lack of detail doesn ’ t sit well with Democrats , who recall how President George W. Bush justified his invasion of Iraq by accusing Saddam Hussein of having non-existent weapons of mass destruction .
Lawmakers in recent days have been pressing for more detail to explain why Trump ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administrations passed up because of fears it would unleash even more violence .
Soleimani travelled frequently and relatively openly , with visits to Baghdad more frequent in recent months .
He also often showed up in Syria , including along the border between Iraq and Syria .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Bob Menendez , the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , have called on Trump to declassify the written notification he sent to Congress after the strike .
The notification was required under the War Powers Resolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president to report to Congress when American forces are sent into hostile situations .
“ ’ The president must come to Congress and present clear and compelling intelligence as to why the strike against Soleimani was absolutely necessary , “ Menendez said in a speech on the Senate floor .
“ In the wake of all its misleading statements we must make clear to the administration that the president by himself does not have the authority to launch a war against Iran.
” Trump stressed that the strike was in retaliation for Iranian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attack again — “ ’ very strongly.
” He also said that while he eventually wants to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq , now is not the time because it would allow Iran to gain a bigger foothold there .
Trump ’ s top national security officials made several public appearances on Tuesday to further defend the strike .
“ We had deep intelligence indicating there was active plotting to put American lives at risk , ” and Iraqi lives too , said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
Asked if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , Defence Secretary Mark Esper said : “ I think it ’ s more fair to say days , for sure.
” Esper said the intelligence was precise — “ razor thin.
” He said top Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate plus the chairmen and vice chairmen of the intelligence committees in both chambers were getting a classified briefing Tuesday afternoon on what led to the decision to kill Soleimani .
He said other lawmakers will be provided general details about the attack .
He said Soleimani was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. “ To somehow suggest that he wasn ’ t a legitimate target , I think , is fanciful , ” Esper said .
Democratic lawmakers are not yet convinced it was the right decision .
Sen. Dianne Feinstein , D-Calif. , called the U.S. strike on Soleimani a mistake and said “ I have yet to see how killing this man will prevent Iran from posing an even greater threat against the United States and our interests.
“ In the wake of the killing , Iran has announced that it will no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement and vowed to retaliate against the U.S. , its allies and American interests .
Iraq ’ s parliament also voted to expel U.S. troops from Iraq , which would undermine efforts to fight Islamic State militants in the region and strengthen Iran ’ s influence in the Mideast .

Kevin Freking And Deb Riechmann - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Judge rules on sealed documents in newspaper shooting case

ANNAPOLIS , Md .
- A judge ruled Tuesday to unseal some documents in the case of a man who has pleaded guilty but not criminally responsible to killing five people at a Maryland newspaper , but she declined to make public many records involving his mental health .
The ruling by Judge Laura Ripken came after the Capital Gazette and Baltimore Sun sought the release of a number of records that have remained under seal .
Scores of other documents were released after Jarrod Ramos pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and other charges in October .
The second phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is scheduled to decide whether he is not criminally responsible due to his mental health , is scheduled for March .
Ripken said public access to information in legal proceedings is important , but must be balanced with the defendant ’ s right to fair trial .
The Capital newspaper ’ s review of Maryland court records found an apparent loophole that allows documents filed electronically to be kept from the public .
The judge underscored at Tuesday ’ s hearing that records filed confidentially in the electronic format should be followed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she didn ’ t believe attorneys on either side were trying to hide anything .
She also noted that much of the information will become public during the trial later this year or after its conclusion .
“ All the lawyers are trying to ensure is a fair trial ensues , ” Ripken said .
Lawyers in the case argued that the mental health records go to the heart of the case .
They said making them public could prejudice the jury .
“ It relates to the ultimate issue in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attorney representing Ramos .
Anne Colt Leitess , the Anne Arundel County state ’ s attorney , told the judge that details about Ramos ’ mental health must be “ jealously guarded “ to ensure a fair trial and prevent Ramos from having reasons to appeal .
Leitess said releasing the records could “ literally poison this case.
” Nathan Siegel , an attorney representing the newspapers , contended that rules on the disclosure of court records are supposed to favour the public , not attorneys who make deals to keep information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said the fact that information in the records is central to the case should favour public disclosure .
“ We strongly believe that generally the materials that are filed in an important case like this should be open , “ Siegal said .
Ramos pleaded guilty but not criminally responsible in October to killing John McNamara , Gerald Fischman , Wendi Winters , Rob Hiaasen and Rebecca Smith in the June 2018 newsroom rampage .
A second phase of his trial for a jury to determine whether he is criminally responsible is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing in October , Ripken said a report from the state health department concluded Ramos is legally sane .
But Ramos ’ lawyers say experts for the defence have reached a different conclusion .


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Mexico former top cop in NY plea talks over drug bribe case

NEW YORK - Mexican former top security official Genaro García Luna is in talks on a possible plea agreement with federal prosecutors in New York , where he is charged with accepting millions in drug-money bribes from the notorious Sinaloa cartel of convicted kingpin Joaquín “ El Chapo ” Guzmán .
A court document filed Monday says lawyers for García Luna and prosecutors are engaged in negotiations , “ which they believe are likely to result in a disposition of this case without trial , ” according to the filing signed by García Luna , his lawyer , a prosecutor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luna , 51 , was indicted in New York on three counts of cocaine trafficking conspiracy and a false statements charge .
He pleaded not guilty on Friday .
Kuo ordered him detained after Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Reid argued he would pose an “ unacceptable risk of flight ” if released .
Garcia Luna ’ s lawyer , Cesar de Castro , said he would ask the court at a later date for his client to be granted bail .
A message seeking comment was sent to de Castro .
The former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man for Mexico ’ s drug war under then-President Felipe Calderón , who governed from 2006 to 2012 .
U.S. prosecutors alleged in a court filing this month that García Luna had accepted “ tens of millions of dollars ” in bribes — often briefcases full of cash — to protect the cartel .
During Guzmán ’ s 2018 trial in New York , jurors heard former cartel member Jesús Zambada testify that he personally made at least $ 6 million in secret payments to García Luna on behalf of his older brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Zambada .
The witness said he met García Luna in a restaurant between 2005 and 2006 and gave him a suitcase containing $ 3 million .
A that time García Luna was in charge of Mexico ’ s Federal Investigation Agency .
In a second meeting in 2007 , when García Luna was Mexico ’ s top security official , Zambada said he gave him a suitcase with $ 3 million to $ 5 million .
Zambada also testified that three other drug traffickers , Héctor Beltrán Leyva , Arturo Beltrán Leyva @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together $ 50 million for García Luna , in order to obtain protection for their business .
García Luna , who was arrested in Texas in December , denied the accusations .
“ It is a lie , defamation and perjury against me when it is said that any person , policeman or criminal group gave me economic or material gains at any moment of my public or private service , ” he said in a statement at the time .
The recent court document shows plea negotiations between García Luna and prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing is expected Jan. 21 .


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Venezuela opposition charges congress and swears in leader

CARACAS , Venezuela - Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó pushed through rows of national guardsmen blocking congress to retake his seat on Tuesday , and in a darkened building with no power he pledged to press forward in his bid to topple the country ’ s socialist president .
The man recognized by the U.S. and over 50 other nations as Venezuela ’ s rightful president burst through the National Assembly ’ s wooden doors along with several dozen opposition lawmakers after navigating their way past state security officers wearing helmets and carrying shields .
“ We want to regain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said as he pressed through the crowd of guards , lawmakers and journalists .
Once inside , he led opposition lawmakers in boisterously singing the country ’ s anthem .
Shortly thereafter , electricity in the building went out , but legislators continued in the dimly lit assembly , shouting into microphones that did not work to declare Guaidó the president of the only opposition-controlled federal institution .
“ This is a show of what can happen when we are united , ” Guaidó yelled .
The dramatic meeting followed several days of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were taking control of the National Assembly .
The legislature is the opposition ’ s lone national platform and remains a thorn in President Nicolás Maduro ’ s quest to consolidate power .
The fight for control of the legislature comes as the opposition is struggling to regain its momentum , nearly a year after Guaidó declared himself interim president as tens of thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets in protest against Maduro .
Internal feuds , corruption scandals and a failed try at dialogue with Maduro ’ s government have left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ path forward .
The latest brouhaha over the legislature could equip the opposition with new impetus , analysts said , but also gives Maduro an opportunity to make his apparent power-grab look more like another baffling political dispute .
“ They do these things in part because they benefit from confusion , ” said David Smilde , a senior fellow at the Washington Office on Latin America , said of Maduro ’ s government .
Guaidó , 36 , has served as leader of the National Assembly for the last year and argues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Venezuela ’ s interim president on grounds that Maduro ’ s 2018 reelection was not legitimate .
He was expected to be reelected the legislature ’ s president Sunday , but government security forces blocked him and numerous other lawmakers from entering the ornate legislative building .
Instead , Luis Parra , a one-time opposition ally mired in accusations of bribe-taking , claimed he ’ d won and was the new legislature ’ s president .
He contends he obtained 81 votes of the 150 lawmakers present , an accusation Guaidó ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ session at a Venezuelan newspaper Sunday in which he said that 100 lawmakers voted to renew his term as the leader of congress .
On Tuesday , Parra took a seat , purportedly as the legislature ’ s president , and attempted to begin a session to discuss woes including Venezuela ’ s gas shortages , but he fled hastily with his allies as Guaidó made his way into the building .
The legislature ’ s electricity then went off in what the opposition called an attempt to sabotage their session .
Guaidó @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and proceeded to swear him into office .
The lawmakers were allowed to leave largely peacefully , though one canister of tear gas was fired as they left the legislative grounds .
Though the opposition hailed Tuesday ’ s events as a victory , they face a decidedly uphill battle in the months ahead .
Congressional elections are due this year , which will force lawmakers to decide whether to participate in a vote while Maduro still holds power .
Many in the opposition contend that fair elections are impossible under Maduro , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is stacked in his favour .
That could further fracture the opposition at a time when many Venezuelans are reluctant to take to the streets in protest .
An estimated 4.5 million have fled and those who remain are struggling to meet basic needs .
Eduardo Salazar , 47 , who is unemployed , said the recent upheaval left him with one conclusion : “ This is a dictatorship.
” While he wouldn ’ t rule out the possibility that Venezuelans might take to the streets again , he said most are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected by neighbouring Latin American nations .
Others like Cecilia Liscano , 55 , an employee at a plastic surgery clinic , said images of Guaidó trying to enter congress by climbing over an iron fence were a compelling signal to Venezuelans who have doubted the opposition ’ s ability to bring about change .
“ They ’ re doing what they need to do , ” she said .
“ They need to rescue their credibility.
” For his part , Parra signalled that he ’ ll put up a fight and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of congress .
He posted photos later Tuesday on Twitter showing himself at work in a room with a painting of South America independence hero Simón Bolívar , writing on social media that , “ The National Assembly will not be silenced.
” Aníbal Sánchez , an electoral expert , noted that either side would have needed to have a majority of the assembly ’ s 167 members present to hold a session .
Parra has yet to provide a full tally of which lawmakers were present during Sunday ’ s purported vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately provide detailed information on how many lawmakers were present on Tuesday .
Sánchez said that Guaidó does appear to have risen in popularity since Sunday ’ s events .
“ Guaidó now has an opportunity to unite all of the opposition , ” he said .
The opposition leader called for new street protests later this week , though he provided few details .
Maduro ’ s government was largely silent Tuesday amidst the unrest , though Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza blasted U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for continuing to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puppet , ” he wrote on Twitter .
“ Respect International Law and the sovereignty of the Venezuelan people.
” Venezuela sits atop vast oil and mineral resources , but it has been imploding economically and socially in recent years , which critics blame on failed socialist rule .
The South American nation ’ s 30 million live with soaring inflation and shortages of gasoline , running water and electricity , among basic services .
“ I think it ’ s been unifying , but it ’ s not as developed as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said of the opposition ’ s legislative takeover Tuesday .
“ The problem is still the elephant in the room : They have to figure out what their strategy is .
”

Fabiola Sanchez And Christine Armario - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Mexico: 40 suspects identified in killing of 9 Americans

MEXICO CITY - More than 40 suspects have now been identified in connection with the Nov. 4 slaughter of nine U.S. dual-national women and children in northern Mexico , prosecutors said Tuesday .
Federal prosecutors met with members of the extended LeBaron family who have lived in northern Mexico for decades .
They consider themselves Mormon but are not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints .
Many have dual U.S.-Mexican citizenship .
The prosecutors ’ office did not offer any further details on the 40 suspects , many of whom are apparently known only by their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that three men were arrested and charged with organized crime for drug offences , though none apparently yet faces homicide charges in the case .
They said four other suspects are being held under a form of house arrest .
The name of one suspect announced by federal prosecutors Monday partially matches the police chief of the town of Janos , Chihuahua , near where the killings occurred .
Local media reported the police chief had been in the pay of the La Linea drug gang .
Julian LeBaron , who lost relatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police chief had been arrested , and added , “ That should be very worrying to everyone.
” “ Who vets them ?
“ LeBaron asked .
“ He ( the police chief ) was there for 13 years ” , he said , questioning how state authorities could not have known the man was working for a drug cartel .
Many members of the extended family have questioned why Mexico ’ s strict gun laws prevent them from having firepower equal to the cartels ’ .
“ The police have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the murder of women and children , ” LeBaron said .
Authorities have suggested a drug gang was responsible for the ambush .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Libya conflict: PM in Brussels for talks with EU officials

BRUSSELS - The Libyan prime minister travelled to Brussels on Wednesday to hold talks with European officials on the conflict in the north African country .
A day after the EU top diplomat and the foreign ministers of Britain , France , Germany and Italy condemned Turkey ’ s plans to deploy troops to his country , Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj met with EU Council president Charles Michel .
He was also scheduled to discuss the crisis with European Parliament president David Sassoli .
Libya is currently governed by dueling authorities , in the east and the west , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ east-based government is backed by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt , as well as France and Russia .
The western , Tripoli-based government receives aid from Turkey , Qatar and Italy .
Sarraj ’ s government has faced an offensive by rival eastern forces loyal to commander Gen. Khalifa Hifter and the fighting has threatened to plunge Libya into violent chaos rivaling the 2011 conflict that ousted and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi .
EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said on Wednesday that the situation in Libya “ is very dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a watershed point.
” Borrell is also planning to meet with Sarraj to analyze the current situation .
Turkey ’ s parliament authorized the deployment of troops to Libya last Thursday , following a separate deal on sending military experts and weapons signed into law in December .
In a period of intense diplomatic activity at EU level , Michel , will travel to Turkey on Saturday for a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to reiterate the EU ’ s message of de-escalation .
Michel will then make a stop in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president Abdel Fattah el-Sissi .
?
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thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Nissan ex-chair set for first public appearance after escape

BEIRUT - The disgraced former chairman of Nissan is expected to speak to journalists in Beirut on Wednesday , more than a week after his dramatic escape from Japan ahead of his trial for alleged financial misconduct .
The highly anticipated news conference by Carlos Ghosn will be first public appearance since he smuggled himself from Tokyo to Beirut , arriving in the Lebanese capital where he grew up and is regarded by many as a national hero .
Dozens of local and international journalists are expected to attend .
Lebanese authorities have not made any comments about the news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether they intend to summon him for questioning .
Ghosn ’ s daring and improbable escape has perplexed and embarrassed Japanese authorities after he skipped bail and managed to flee the country despite supposedly rigorous surveillance .
Media reports have said that he left his residence alone , met two men at a Tokyo hotel , and then took a bullet train to Osaka before boarding a private jet hidden inside a case for musical equipment .
He flew to Istanbul and was then transferred onto another plane bound for Beirut , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said Ghosn entered the country on a legal passport , casting doubt on the possibility they would hand him over to Japan .
Lebanon last week received an Interpol-issued wanted notice — a non-binding request to law enforcement agencies worldwide that they locate and provisionally arrest a fugitive .
Lebanon and Japan do not have an extradition treaty , and the Interpol notice does not require Lebanon to arrest him .
Ghosn , who is Lebanese and also holds French and Brazilian passports , was expected to go on trial in Tokyo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said he fled to avoid “ political persecution ” by a “ rigged Japanese justice system.
“ He also said that he alone organized his departure from Japan and that his wife , Carole , played no role .
On Tuesday , Tokyo prosecutors obtained an arrest warrant for Carole Ghosn on suspicion of perjury .
That charge is not related to his escape .
Lebanon ’ s justice minister said Tuesday that Lebanon has not received any request related to that warrant .
Japanese justice officials acknowledge that it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to Japan to face charges .
Ghosn ’ s former employer , Nissan Motor Co. , said it was still pursuing legal action against him despite his escape , adding that Ghosn engaged in serious misconduct while leading the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance .
Ghosn denies all the charges .
This story CORRECTS that Ghosn ’ s trial date in Japan had not been set .


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Greek court postpones retrial in US tourist’s beating death

ATHENS , Greece - A Greek court on Wednesday postponed the retrial of seven suspects on murder charges over the 2017 fatal beating of a Texan tourist on an island resort to allow a lawyer newly hired by the victim ’ s family to familiarize himself with the case .
The court in the western port town of Patras postponed the case until Jan. 13 .
Six of the men -- five Serbian nationals and a British man of Serbian origin -- had been convicted by a first instance court last year and sentenced to between five and 15 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been released .
The seventh defendant , a Greek barman , had been acquitted .
A public prosecutor had ordered the retrial of all seven , deeming the sentences too lenient .
Bakari Henderson , a 22-year-old from Austin , died in July 2017 after being beaten in the street following an argument in a bar in the Laganas resort area of Zakynthos island .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-08--EU chief warns UK must compromise to get Brexit trade deal

LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is meeting a top European Union leader on Wednesday , stressing that he won ’ t extend a year-end deadline for the two sides to negotiate a new trade relationship .
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is due to visit Johnson at 10 Downing Street for the first time since the British leader ’ s election victory last month .
Johnson ’ s Conservatives won a substantial parliamentary majority , giving him the power to end more than three years of wrangling and take the U.K. out of the EU on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be followed by a transition period in which the U.K.-EU relationship will remain largely unchanged while the two sides negotiate .
Johnson has ruled out extending the transition period beyond its current expiry date of Dec. 31 .
EU officials say it will be hard to strike a new deal in just 11 months .
But Johnson ’ s office said Wednesday that “ both British and EU citizens rightly expect negotiations on an ambitious free trade agreement to conclude on time.
” Once talks begin in earnest , tensions are likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to diverge from EU rules and standards in order to strike new trade deals around the world .
Downing St. says Johnson “ will likely underline that the upcoming negotiations will be based on an ambitious FTA ( free trade agreement ) , not on alignment.
” EU officials , however , stress that the two sides can ’ t have close relations unless Britain accepts a “ level playing field ” for U.K. and EU businesses .
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Jill Lawless And Raf Casert - The Associated Press