thetorontostar--2020-01-27--World stocks skid as virus fears spook markets, hit tourism

BANGKOK - Shares tumbled Monday in Europe and Asia after China announced sharp increases in the number of people infected with a potentially deadly virus .
In Paris , the CAC 40 lost 1.9 % to 5,907.40 while Germany ’ s DAX skidded 1.7 % to 13,342.32 .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 gave up 2.2 % to 7,421.93 .
Shares also looked set for declines on Wall Street , where the future contracts for the S & P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average both sank 1.2 % .
China announced it was extending its week-long public holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precaution against having the virus spread still further .
By midnight Sunday , the National Health Commission said 80 people had died out of 2,744 cases that were confirmed .
Various governments have announced plans to evacuate people from Wuhan , the central Chinese city at the centre of the pandemic .
China halted outbound tours and Wuhan and some other cities stopped public transport , obliging tens of millions of people to stay where they are at the time of the country ’ s peak travel season .
Many Asian markets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Lunar New Year holidays , while Australia was closed for Australia Day .
Tokyo ’ s Nikkei 225 index sank 2 % to 23,343.51 .
India ’ s Sensex lost 1 % to 41,204.15 , while the benchmark in Thailand dropped 3.1 % .
Indonesia ’ s share benchmark was 1.8 % lower .
“ Traders who would be typically discussing the weekend football results are now sadly focusing on mortality scores this morning , “ Stephen Innes of AxiCorp said in a commentary .
Apart from the direct impact on tourism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to China ’ s colossal industrial and consumption engines will spread rapidly to other countries through the increased trade and financial linkages associated with globalization , “ he said .
The virus that has spread to a dozen countries in addition to Hong Kong and Macau can cause pneumonia and other severe respiratory symptoms .
The World Health Organization has not yet declared the situation a global emergency , which would bring more money and resources to fight it , but could trigger still more economically damaging restrictions on trade and travel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indian government said it plans to sell its entire stake in the national carrier Air India to shore up falling revenues and privatize the airline .
A government document issued Monday invited initial expressions of interest in the airline , after an initial attempt to sell the carrier last year failed to attract a single bidder .
Air India operates both domestic and international routes , has a debt burden of more than 580 billion rupees ( $ 8 billion ) and has been operating at a loss for years .
On Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its worst day since early October , dropping 0.9 % as health care stocks saw steep losses .
The sell-off followed news that a Chicago woman had become the second U.S. patient diagnosed with the new virus from China .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.6 % and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.9 % .
The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 1.64 % from 1.74 % Thursday .
Investors have been shifting money into safe-play , high-dividend stocks and U.S. government bonds.The surge in bond-buying has sent yields lower .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fell to 1.62 % from 1.67 % late Friday .
Investors also are digging through the latest batch of company earnings reports , including strong results from chipmaker Intel and American Express .
This week is shaping up to be the busiest week for earnings , with roughly 40 % of the companies in the S & P 500 due to issue their results for the last three months of 2019 .
Benchmark U.S. crude gave up $ 1.85 to $ 53.34 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 54.19 per barrel on Friday .
Brent crude , the international standard , declined $ 1.98 to $ 57.91 per barrel .
It shed $ 1.39 to $ 59.89 per barrel on Friday .
In currency trading , the dollar weakened to 108.87 Japanese yen from 109.28 yen .
The euro fell to $ 1.1020 from $ 1.1025 .

Elaine Kurtenbach - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Nighttime rocket attack on US Embassy in Baghdad injured 1

BAGHDAD - A nighttime rocket attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad injured at least one embassy personnel member , staffers there said Monday .
The two staff members , who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media , did not specify the injured person ’ s nationality or the severity of their wounds .
They said the rocket slammed into a restaurant inside the embassy compound .
Violent clashes between Iraqi security forces and anti-government protesters also continued to seethe overnight , with one protester shot dead in a violent crackdown in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Embassy is within the Iraqi capital ’ s Green Zone , and has been a flashpoint amid wider regional tensions between the U.S. and Iran , which have played out inside Iraq in recent weeks .
Iraqi supporters of an Iran-backed militia stormed the embassy compound on Dec. 31 , smashing the main door and setting fire to the reception area .
At least five katyusha rockets landed inside the Green Zone on Sunday , according to a U.S. military statement .
It was the third rocket attack targeting the U.S. Embassy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not immediately known .
Previous attacks caused no injuries .
The U.S. has accused Iran-backed militias of targeting U.S. interests by attacking military bases housing Americans and diplomatic missions .
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi condemned the attack in a statement , asserting Iraq ’ s commitment to protecting diplomatic missions in the country .
Iraq has been roiled by over four months of demonstrations criticizing alleged government corruption , high unemployment and Iranian influence in Iraqi politics .
Security forces have killed at least 500 protesters .
The country is also facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prime minister .
The latest protester ’ s death came amid a violent pre-dawn crackdown by security forces on a protest camp in the southern city of Nasiriyah , an activist and a medical official said .
The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations .
Police fired live rounds to disperse crowds from a central square in Nasiriyah where protesters were staging a sit-in , prompting demonstrators to flee .
The encampment site was later burned .
It was not immediately clear whether security forces or unknown groups had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a frequent flashpoint in the protest movement .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now

Samya Kullab And Qassim Abdul-Zahra - The Associated Press

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada
Postal Code


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Aging Iran airliner crash-lands on highway, injuring only 2

TEHRAN , Iran - An aging Iranian passenger airliner carrying 144 people crash-landed on a runway and skidded onto a major highway next to an airport Monday , the latest crash in the Islamic Republic as U.S. sanctions bar it from parts or new aircraft .
Authorities said two people suffered injuries in the hard landing of the McDonnell Douglas MD-83 flown by Caspian Airlines in Mahshahr , a city in Iran ’ s oil-rich southwestern Khuzestan province .
Passengers , apparently in shock , calmly exited the aircraft with their carry-on baggage out of a door near the cockpit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wing , video from Iran ’ s Civil Aviation Network News showed .
A flight attendant shouted at passengers to calmly walk away as another crew member joined her on the wing .
“ We crashed .
We crashed but we are unhurt , ” a male passenger said in Farsi in the video .
“ My hand is shaking.
” Provincial airport director Mohammad Reza Rezanian said all of the passengers had been safely taken off the plane , which had been flying a route from the Iranian capital , Tehran , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northeast of Mahshahr .
The plane carried 136 passengers and eight crew members , authorities said .
It seems that tragedy was narrowly avoided , however , as images from the scene showed the plane had ground to a halt not far from a populated area .
The plane also missed traffic on a major highway linking Mahshahr to Imam Khomeini Port .
Iranian state television said the plane involved in Monday ’ s crash-landing came in harder than usual and lost its landing gear as it hit the tarmac .
No landing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plane after the crash , but it was not immediately clear if it failed to deploy or somehow collapsed as the jet hit runway at about 7:35 a.m. local time .
The accident is under investigation , officials said .
The McDonnell Douglas MD-83 , a single-aisle workhorse introduced in the mid-1980s , largely has been phased out of commercial air travel in the West .
American Airlines retired the last of its MD-80 fleet in September .
The plane involved in Monday ’ s crash-landing in Iran , registered as EP-CPZ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It had flown for airlines in France , Canada , the U.S. , Colombia , Burkina Faso and Ukraine before being registered to Caspian Airlines in August 2012 .
The incident comes as Iran is still coping with the aftermath of the accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner over Tehran .
The plane was shot down by the Revolutionary Guard earlier this month amid heightened tensions with the United States , killing all 176 people aboard .
Maintenance information regarding the American-built MD-83 that crashed Monday was not immediately available .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its aging fleet of airliners amid sanctions by the U.S .
Under its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers , Iran could purchase new aircraft and had lined up tens of billions of dollars in deals with Airbus and Boeing Co. , which owns McDonnell Douglas .
However , the manufacturers backed away under increasing pressure by President Donald Trump , who ultimately withdrew the U.S. from the nuclear deal in May 2018 and increased tensions with Tehran .
Iran has suffered a series of major aviation disasters in recent decades as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2009 crash of a Soviet-era Tupolev Tu-154M flown by Caspian Airlines that took off from Tehran heading to Armenia .
Investigators believe an engine failure in plane ’ s tail caused pilots to lose control and smash into the ground at a high speed , killing all 168 people on board .
The U.S. Treasury in 2014 separately sanctioned Caspian Airlines , accusing it of transporting paramilitary troops and weapons of the Guard from Iran to Syria to support embattled President Bashar Assad in his country ’ s grinding , years-long war .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran ’ s last fatal crash happened in January 2019 , when a decades-old Iranian Boeing 707 military cargo plane reportedly carrying meat from Kyrgyzstan crashed while trying to land west of Iran ’ s capital , killing 15 people on board and leaving a sole survivor .
Associated Press journalists Mohammad Nasiri in Tehran and David Rising and Jon Gambrell in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Survivors return to Auschwitz 75 years after liberation

OSWIECIM , Poland - Survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp gathered Monday for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the camp , using the testimony of survivors to warn about the signs of rising anti-Semitism and hatred in the world today .
In all , more than 200 survivors of the camp are expected , many of them elderly Jews who have travelled far from homes in Israel , the United States , Australia , Peru , Russia , Slovenia and elsewhere .
Many lost parents and grandparents in Auschwitz or other Nazi death camps , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back by children , grandchildren and even great-grandchildren .
Most of the 1.1 million people murdered by the Nazi German forces were Jewish , but among those imprisoned there were also Poles and Russians , and they will also be among those at a commemoration Monday led by Polish President Andrzej Duda and the head of the World Jewish Congress , Ronald Lauder .
Asuchwitz was liberated by the Soviet army on Jan. 27 , 1945 .
World leaders gathered in Jerusalem last week to mark the anniversary in what many saw as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian President Vladimir Putin , U.S .
Vice-President Mike Pence , French President Emmanuel Macron and Britain ’ s Prince Charles .
Politics intruded on that event , with Duda boycotting it in protest after Putin claimed that Poland played a role in triggering World War II .
Duda had wanted a chance to speak before or after Putin to defend his nation ’ s record in face of those false accusations , but he was not giving a speaking slot in Jerusalem .
Ukraine ’ s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is expected at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ located in southern Poland , a region under German occupation during the war .
Organizers of the event in Poland , the Auschwitz-Birkenau state memorial museum and the World Jewish Congress , have sought to keep the spotlight on survivors .
“ This is about survivors .
It ’ s not about politics , ” Lauder said Sunday as he went to the death camp with several survivors .
Lauder warned that leaders must do more to fight anti-Semitism , including by passing new laws to fight it .
On the eve of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their children and grandchildren for support , walked through the place where they had been brought in on cattle cars and suffered hunger , illness and near death .
They said they were there to remember , to share their histories with others , and to make a gesture of defiance toward those who had sought their destruction .
For some , it is also the burial ground for their parents and grandparents , and they will be saying kaddish , the Jewish prayer for the dead .
“ I have no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my parents were murdered here and burned .
So this is how I pay homage to them , ” said Yvonne Engelman , a 92-year-old who came from Australia , joined by three more generations now scattered around the globe .
She recalled being brought in from a ghetto in Czechoslovakia by cattle car , being stripped of her clothes , shaved and put in a gas chamber .
By some miracle , the gas chamber that day did not work , and she went on to survive slave labour and a death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spiegel , was 20 when she was brought to Auschwitz , where she spent nine months .
Today she lives in New York City and is fearful of rising anti-Semitic violence in the United States .
“ I think they pick on the Jews because we are such a small minority and it is easy to pick on us , ” she said , fighting back tears .
“ Young people should understand that nothing is for sure , that some terrible things can happen and they have to be very careful .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened to the Jewish people then should never be repeated.
” For more stories by The Associated Press on Auschwitz , go to https : //apnews.com/Auschwitz


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--6.3 magnitude quake strikes off the coast of Solomon Islands

WELLINGTON , New Zealand - A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck off of the South Pacific island nation of the Solomon @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Geological Survey reported .
The quake struck 105 kilometres ( 65 miles ) northwest @ @ @ @ @ , which is located on the coast of the island of Makira .
The relatively @ @ @ @ @ depth of 17.7 kilometres ( 11 miles ) .
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service said @ @ @ @ @ from the quake .
There were no immediate reports of any damage or injuries .
@ @ @ @ @ northeast of Australia and are frequently rattled by earthquakes .
Get more of the Star @ @ @ @ @ the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today @ @ @ @ @ favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Fighting sharply rises in Yemen, endangering peace efforts

SANAA , Yemen - A drastic escalation in fighting between the Saudi-led military coalition and Houthi rebels in Yemen has killed and wounded hundreds of people over the past week , officials and tribal leaders said Monday .
The U.S.-backed Arab coalition battling to restore Yemen ’ s internationally recognized government stepped up airstrikes on rebel targets northeast of the capital , Sanaa , following a monthslong lull , while Houthis shelled government-held areas .
The sudden spike in violence across long-stalemated front lines threatened to exacerbate the five-year conflict and complicate indirect peace talks between Saudi Arabia and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called emergency consultations for Tuesday morning at Britain ’ s request on the latest developments .
Britain ’ s U.N. ambassador , Karen Pierce , said the council would receive a closed-door video briefing from the U.N. envoy for Yemen , Martin Griffiths .
The warring factions have concentrated their forces in three main areas : Nehm , a half-hour drive from the capital ; Jawf , a mountainous northern district ; and Marib , a western province that saw one of the deadliest rebel attacks earlier this month .
Fighting this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen in three years , according to observers .
A wave of over 40 coalition airstrikes hit rebel targets , destroying many of their tanks and armoured vehicles , Houthi officials said .
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations .
Despite heavy losses on both sides , the Houthis are gaining ground , officials said .
Rebels seized a key supply line linking Marib with Jawf and were approaching the capital of the northwestern province .
Artillery shelling in the district killed three civilians Monday .
Throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliberated with military chiefs and local governors .
He stressed the need to “ upgrade military institutions to the highest level of training , armament and vigilance , ” according to a government statement .
Yemeni military setbacks have drawn recent complaints that the army lacks the technically advanced weaponry propelling Houthi advances .
Fighting also flared up Monday in the large government-controlled city of Taiz , where a mortar shell fired by Houthis struck a busy market , killing three civilians and wounding 10 .
Meanwhile , heavy clashes in the central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both sides .
Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed vowed that government forces would “ harshly confront ” Houthi militias , which he accused of trying to “ prolong the war and relieve the pressure and international isolation of Iran.
” The Houthi offensives signal “ their explicit rejection of peace efforts , ” he said .
For months , back-channel negotiations in Oman between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis stirred modest hopes for reconciliation .
But sharply escalating violence has put the political process on shaky ground .
Peter Salisbury , Yemen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the Houthis may be using their military successes to gain leverage before talks resume next week in Oman .
“ Both sides seem to want some sort of truce , ” Salisbury said .
“ But the danger is that if the Houthis feel they ’ re on the front foot , they ’ ll keep pressing advances and that will make these negotiations very difficult.
” Yemen , the Arab world ’ s poorest country , has been convulsed by war since Houthi rebels seized the capital and ousted Hadi ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set off one of the world ’ s worst humanitarian crises , killing over 10,000 people , displacing more than 3 million and pushing the country to the brink of famine .
Potentially fatal diseases , such as cholera , spread as the country ’ s public health and sanitation systems collapsed .
Following intense international pressure on the Saudi-led coalition , the foreign ministry announced on Monday that for the first time in years , Yemen would start direct flights for seriously ill patients seeking medical treatment in Egypt and Jordan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposes a blockade on the Sanaa international airport , along with other ports in rebel-held areas .
The closure has hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid and barred thousands of sick Yemenis from travelling abroad for urgent care .
“ This humanitarian step aims to alleviate the suffering of citizens unable to endure the hardship of travelling by road to other airports , ” the ministry said of the medical flights , adding that the flights would begin next month .


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Photo cropping mistake leads to AP soul-searching on race

NEW YORK - A “ terrible mistake ” in cropping an African climate activist out of a photo sent to customers of The Associated Press prompted soul-searching and some tense staff conversations over issues of racism and inclusion Monday at the news organization .
The AP acknowledged that it aggravated the error through its initial response on Friday , and that it will expand diversity training worldwide as a result .
“ My hope is that we can learn from this and be a better news organization going forward , ” Sally Buzbee , the news service ’ s executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I realize I need to make clear from the very top , from me , that diversity and inclusion needs to be one of our highest priorities.
” An AP photographer at the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland took a picture Friday of five activists , including the well-known Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg and Ugandan Vanessa Nakate , who were there to discuss climate change .
Preparing to send the image , the photographer cropped out Nakate , leaving a picture of four white women before a scenic mountain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cropping was that it enabled a close-up of Thunberg , and that it removed a distraction — a building behind where Nakate was standing .
The image was sent to AP ’ s customers worldwide by an editor who was unaware that someone had been cropped out .
Editors and critics on social media spotted the cropping quickly and pronounced it both insensitive and an error journalistically .
Other photos were sent out that included Nakate .
The AP waited more than a day to take the original cropped shot out of circulation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media saying that when she saw the photo online , “ it was the first time in my life that I understood the definition of the word ‘ racism.
’ ” She said she felt like her story had been erased .
“ I don ’ t feel OK right now , ” she said in the video posted on Twitter .
“ The world is so cruel.
” Thunberg supported her on social media , saying over the weekend that the picture was “ totally unacceptable in so many ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You didn ’ t just erase a photo .
You erased a continent.
’ ” After an initial response from AP that Buzbee acknowledged was wrong in tone , she issued a statement Friday evening expressing “ regret ” and saying that management had spoken with the AP ’ s journalists about the “ error in judgment.
” On Sunday , she sent out a second statement on Twitter personally apologizing to Nakate .
Wrote Buzbee : “ Vanessa , on behalf of the AP , I want to say how sorry I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed you from it .
It was a mistake that we realize silenced your voice , and we apologize .
We will all work hard to learn from this.
” Buzbee said that she emailed and tweeted to Nakate but has not been able to speak to her .
Concern over the issue bubbled up internally over the weekend to the point that Buzbee scheduled three “ town hall ” meetings on Monday , done so AP journalists in New York headquarters and more than 250 locations worldwide could either attend or call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the initial episode , the discussion expanded to take on issues of racial sensitivity involving the AP ’ s overall journalism , and with AP workplaces themselves .
“ This is a very important issue for the AP , and it ’ s bigger than a bad mistake on one photo , ” said Gary Pruitt , president and CEO of the AP , who attended the first meeting .
“ Our values are to cover the world — not the white world , but the whole world .
And we need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview that he continues to have “ complete confidence ” in the AP ’ s news management .
Buzbee said it was important to emphasize that it was “ everyone ’ s responsibility ” at the AP — not just members of underrepresented groups — to be sensitive to issues of inclusion and to be sure the reporting reflects that .
The AP already has diversity training in the works for staff members in the United States this year ; Buzbee said staff members all over the world will be given such training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved have been announced .


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Life sentence for crash that killed linemen after hurricane

CHIPLEY , Fla. - A man who prosecutors say was high on drugs when his pickup truck fatally struck three utility workers in the Florida Panhandle as they were repairing power lines after Hurricane Michael was sentenced Monday to life in prison .
John Goedtke , 38 , had pleaded no contest last week to three counts of DUI manslaughter , one count of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and one count of driving without a license , court records indicate .
He was sentenced by a judge in Florida ’ s Washington County .
Goedtke was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before he crashed his pickup truck in October 2018 north of Panama City , according to investigators .
They said Goedtke was driving near Chipley when his truck veered off a state road onto the shoulder and struck George Cecil , Ryan Barrett and James Ussery .
Goedtke ran from the scene but was later tracked down and captured , authorities said .
Lab analysis of blood drawn shortly after the crash showed Goedtke had enough methamphetamine and amphetamine in his system to render him impaired , according to prosecutors .
Cesil , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked for North Carolina-based Lee Electric Construction , and Ussery , 61 , for the West Florida Electric Cooperative .
Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle on Oct. 10 , 2018 .
It was the first Category 5 storm to strike the contiguous United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992 .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up @


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Racist graffiti on college campus; group wants investigation

RICHMOND , Va. - Name tags for three students at the University of Richmond students were defaced , and a Muslim advocacy group on Monday called for a hate crime investigation into one of the instances .
The Council on American Islamic Relations said in an email that it asked the school to look into an incident in which racist graffiti was written on the door of an African American student .
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that the residence hall name tags of three students were defaced last week in what university president Ronald Crutcher called acts of racism .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after a black student ’ s door was defaced .
The next day , Chief of Police Dave McCoy wrote to say there had been three incidents , apparently motivated by “ intimidation with a racial and national origin basis.
” The president described the initial act as a “ disturbing racial epithet ” in his Friday morning message to students .
He called the incident “ disgusting , ” “ An act of racism against any of us on this campus is an act that affronts all of us , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University community , ” Crutcher said .
“ We will not tolerate members of our community being targeted for harassment based on their identities.
” Cynthia Price , a university spokeswoman , said the vandalism was anonymously reported .
McCoy said two of the incidents happened in the Marsh residence hall , but that police haven ’ t determined where the third reported incident took place .
The university has not revealed what the graffiti said .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--News of Bolton book sends jolt through impeachment trial

WASHINGTON - A single paper copy in a nondescript envelope arrived at the White House on Dec. 30 .
Four weeks later , news of John Bolton ’ s book manuscript about his time as President Donald Trump ’ s national security adviser has exploded into public view , sending a jolt through the president ’ s impeachment trial .
The book contains an account of an August conversation in which Bolton says Trump told him that he wanted to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in security aid from Ukraine until it helped him with investigations into political rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dramatic eyewitness rebuttal to claims by Trump and his legal team that the president didn ’ t hold up the aid for political reasons .
The account immediately gave Democrats new fuel in their pursuit of sworn testimony from Bolton and other witnesses , a question expected to be taken up later this week by the Republican-led Senate .
Bolton has already told lawmakers that he is willing to testify , despite the president ’ s order barring aides from co-operating in the probe .
Within hours of the first report , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Room Where It Happened ; A White House Memoir.
“ The homage to the song from the smash Broadway hit “ Hamilton ” is styled cheekily inside an oval on the image of the book cover released late Sunday .
Bolton ’ s account was confirmed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the manuscript on the condition of anonymity to discuss the book .
It was first reported by The New York Times .
White House aides have harboured concerns for months about what Bolton might reveal in the book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a grudge over policy and personal differences with the president — not least about how he left the administration .
Trump insists he “ terminated ” Bolton , while the former aide has maintained that he quit .
Bolton ’ s acrimonious departure from the White House came a day before Trump ultimately released the Ukraine aid on Sept. 11 .
Since leaving his post , he has avoided publicly commenting on his time in the administration , instead quietly writing the 528-page book , which is set to be published on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Security Council last month for pre-publication review , the book ’ s contents were kept to a relatively small circle in the White House that did not include members of the communications staff , officials said .
Such a review is standard for the works of former officials with security clearances .
National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot said Monday that “ No White House personnel outside NSC have reviewed the manuscript.
” Still , officials said the White House counsel ’ s office was briefed on some of the substantive claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether Trump , who last week offered reporters his most expansive explanation for why he didn ’ t want Bolton to testify before the Senate , had been briefed .
“ The problem with John is it ’ s a national security problem , “ Trump told reporters in Davos , Switzerland , on Wednesday .
“ He knows some of my thoughts .
He knows what I think about leaders .
What happens if he reveals what I think about a certain leader and it ’ s not very positive and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ?
” He added : “ It ’ s going to be very hard .
It ’ s going to make the job very hard.
” Until Sunday , the book ’ s publisher , Simon & Schuster , wouldn ’ t even confirm the existence of the book , for which The AP first reported that Bolton received a $ 2 million advance .
Thanks to pre-orders , the book was already No .
13 on the Amazon.com bestseller list as of Monday evening .
Trump called Bolton ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledging that he had yet to see the manuscript .
Further , the president and his allies seized on the timing of the revelations about the book to allege that Bolton was seeking to boost his book sales .
“ It ’ s really pretty remarkable that the leak to the NYTimes about the alleged contents of John Bolton ’ s book coincided precisely with the pre-order page going live on Amazon , ” tweeted Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh .
“ It ’ s almost as if it were intended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timing of all of this is very , very suspect , ” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham told Fox News , noting it came a day after the Trump team delivered legal arguments before the Senate on Saturday : “ And then suddenly , this manuscript has magically appeared in the hands of The New York Times , making very , very big claims.
” She noted further that Bolton used the same literary agent as former FBI director James Comey and “ Anonymous , ” the Trump administration official who wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a book released last year .
In a joint statement , Simon & Schuster , Bolton and his literary agency Javelin rejected the White House claims .
“ Ambassador John Bolton , Simon & Schuster , and Javelin Literary categorically state that there was absolutely no co-ordination with the New York Times or anyone else regarding the appearance of information about his book , THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENED , at online booksellers , ” they said .
“ Any assertion to the contrary is unfounded speculation.
” Meanwhile , the book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the manuscript ’ s use of direct quotes and other material from meetings and foreign leader discussions , according to a person familiar with the matter , who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person wasn ’ t authorized to speak on the record .
The White House has requested that Bolton remove material it considers classified , the person said .
In a statement Sunday , Bolton ’ s attorney , Charles J. Cooper , said it is his and Bolton ’ s “ firm belief that the manuscript contained no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ AP writers Hillel Italie in New York and Eric Tucker and Deb Riechmann in Washington contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Bill would add primaries to special Georgia U.S. Senate vote

ATLANTA - Newly appointed U.S. Sen Kelly Loeffler could face an unexpected GOP primary later this year in her quest to hold onto her seat under a bill passed Monday by a Georgia legislative committee against the wishes of the state ’ s Republican governor .
The move could ease the way for GOP U.S. Rep. Doug Collins or another Republican to run against Loeffler , who was hand-picked by Gov .
Brian Kemp even though Collins was President Donald Trump ’ s preferred pick .
The measure could also improve the chances for a Democrat to wrest the seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia law , Loeffler and any other candidates , regardless of party , would run together in a November special election .
If no one wins a majority of the vote , a runoff would be held in January — with control of the Senate potentially in the balance .
House Bill 757 , which would establish May primaries , passed Monday out of the Elections Subcommittee of Georgia ’ s House Governmental Affairs Committee on an 8-2 vote .
Democrats joined most Republicans to vote yes , and only two Republicans voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long way to go before it would become law , and Kemp promptly issued a veto threat .
“ You don ’ t change the rules at half-time to benefit one team over another , “ spokeswoman Candice Broce said in a statement .
” People are sick and tired of it .
The Governor will veto any bill that attempts to undermine the rule of law for perceived political gain.
” Kemp appointed Loeffler after Sen. Johnny Isakson retired because of health reasons .
The governor is backing the wealthy businesswoman in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years on Isakson ’ s term .
The measure that was considered Monday could set up a showdown between Kemp and powerful Republican state House Speaker David Ralston of Blue Ridge .
Ralson issued a statement Monday supporting the proposal to add party primaries to the race for Loeffler ’ s seat , saying it “ provides voters with order and certainty.
” “ The underlying principle of this legislation is a fair , comparable playing field for all those seeking elected office , ” Ralston said .
“ Surely that is something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure under consideration Monday started out as an attempt by Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to seek legal clarification of when the sign-up period for a special election should be set .
An early deadline for candidate qualifying could help Loeffler by weeding out potential challengers before they can get organized .
A later qualifying date could allow surprise entrants , such as Democrats now running against U.S. Sen. David Perdue who might lose that primary on May 19 .
As changed in the subcommittee , the bill would require the primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held May 19 .
Qualifying would close no later than March 20 .
Raffensperger has said he wants qualifying for the Senate election to be during the first week in March , when qualifying for other state and federal offices is scheduled .
Rep. Barry Fleming , a Harlem Republican who introduced the bill on Raffensperger ’ s behalf , voted against the changes and the bill ’ s subcommittee passage .
He said that he generally favoured party primaries , but opposed making the change now .
“ My preference is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and this be a clean bill , “ Fleming said .
Rep. Scot Turner , a Holly Springs Republican , said he was opposed to changes because it appeared to try to change the law based on what Ralston wanted .
Collins was an ally of Ralston ’ s when Collins served in the state House .
“ I get really hesitant when we start changing law around here because of one person ’ s opinion , “ Turner said .
Democrats were happy to join in , though .
The measure would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 runoff , widely seen as a disadvantage to Democrats .
“ The voters in the respective parties can make their decisions and then we can have a clarifying general election , ” House Minority Leader Bob Trammell , a Luthersville Democrat , told reporters after the vote .
So far , two Democrats have announced plans to challenge Loeffler .
Matt Lieberman is an Atlanta educator and the son of former vice-presidential candidate Joe Lieberman .
Ed Tarver of Augusta served as U.S. attorney for Georgia ’ s Southern District during President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Rev .
Raphael Warnock , who pastors the Atlanta church once led by Martin Luther King Jr. and his father , is considering a bid and could announce soon .
He ’ s widely seen as the favourite of party leaders , and a primary could allow the winner to consolidate party support .
Collins , one of Trump ’ s most vocal advocates among Republicans in the U.S. House , has said he ’ s considering a challenge to Loeffler .


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Ruling keeps OJ Simpson casino defamation claim before judge

LAS VEGAS - A court officer says a Nevada judge , not a private arbitrator , should hear O.J .
Simpson ’ s defamation lawsuit against the Las Vegas Strip hotel-casino he blames for published accounts that he was drunk and disruptive before being banned from the property .
Representatives of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas didn ’ t immediately respond to messages asking whether they ’ ll appeal a Monday ruling by a pretrial commissioner that keeps the case in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas .
The Cosmopolitan and corporate owner Nevada Property 1 LLC argue the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defamed because his reputation was already tarnished by his criminal and civil trials in the deaths of his ex-wife and her friend in Los Angeles decades ago and his conviction and imprisonment in Nevada in his 2007 armed robbery case .
Simpson blames unnamed hotel staff for telling celebrity website TMZ that he was prohibited from returning to the Cosmopolitan in November 2017 .
TMZ is not a defendant in the lawsuit .
In recent court filings , Simpson ’ s attorney , Malcolm LaVergne , raised the spectre of racial bias by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives at a Las Vegas golf community after serving nine years in state prison for leading five men , including two with guns , in a bid to retrieve items that he said belonged to him from two memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room .
He was released from prison in October 2017 and his parole runs until 2022 .
His civil lawsuit acknowledges he received a notice prohibiting him from returning to The Cosmopolitan after he and two friends visited a restaurant and a lounge .
He says he doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was “ belligerent toward staff ( or ) patrons , ” broke glass or damaged property .
Simpson was acquitted in Los Angeles in the 1994 slayings of his ex-wife , Nicole Brown Simpson , and Ronald Goldman .
A California civil court jury found him liable for the killings in 1997 and ordered him to pay $ 33.5 million to victims ’ families .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Group preparing to sue EPA over Chesapeake Bay pollution

ANNAPOLIS , Md .
- A conservation group announced Monday that it ’ s preparing to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to enforce the Clean Water Act relating to pollution limits for the Chesapeake Bay .
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation announced it is preparing a notice of intent to sue the EPA , saying the agency has failed to take action for what the foundation is describing as an inadequate pollution reduction plan from Pennsylvania .
“ That EPA is abdicating its responsibility under the Clean Water Act is a tragedy , “ said Will Baker , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold Pennsylvania accountable undermines the success we have seen in recent years .
It is snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
” The foundation says Pennsylvania ’ s proposal to reduce nitrogen pollution between now and a 2025 deadline has a funding shortfall of more than $ 300 million annually and the plan still falls 25 % short of the nitrogen goal .
Corry Schiermeyer , an EPA spokesman , said the agency remains committed to restoring the bay .
“ EPA ’ s authorities for restoring the water quality of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Water Act .
These authorities have not changed – we have used them historically , including in the past three years – and will continue to do so , “ Schiermeyer said in a statement .
” EPA , with the partnership , is committed to having all programs and practices in place by 2025 to restore the Bay .
The foundation is highlighting comments made by Dana Aunkst , the director of the EPA ’ s Chesapeake Bay Program , for saying recently that the goals were aspirational and not legally enforceable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a range of potential partners concerning the legal strategies we can use to force EPA to comply with the law , ” said Jon Mueller , CBF ’ s vice-president for litigation .
CBF points out that the group sued the EPA in 2009 for failing to enforce the Clean Water Act in the Chesapeake Bay region , prompting a yearlong negotiation between the group and the EPA .
That resulted in the EPA developing a limit on the amount of pollution the bay can withstand and remain healthy , and CBF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint was created with the goal of having programs in place by 2025 to restore the bay .
States in the bay ’ s watershed , the District of Columbia and the EPA endorsed the pollution reductions , and each jurisdiction pledged to reduce its share of nitrogen , phosphorus and sediment pollution , the foundation noted in its announcement Monday .


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Senate pushed to summon John Bolton as witness in Trump's impeachment trial

WASHINGTON - Senators faced mounting pressure Monday to summon John Bolton to testify at President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial even as Trump ’ s lawyers brushed past extraordinary new allegations from Trump ’ s former national security adviser and focused instead on corruption in Ukraine and historical arguments for acquittal .
Outside the Senate chamber , Republicans grappled with claims in a forthcoming book from Bolton that undercut a key defence argument — that Trump never tied withholding military aid to Ukraine to his demand that the country help investigate political rival Joe Biden .
The revelation clouded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the impeachment trial , fueling Democratic demands for witnesses and possibly pushing more moderate Republican lawmakers toward such testimony .
It also distracted from hours of arguments from the Trump legal team , who declared anew that no witness has testified to direct knowledge that Trump ’ s delivery of aid was contingent on investigations into Democrats though Bolton appeared poised to say exactly that if called on by the Senate to appear .
“ We deal with transcript evidence , we deal with publicly available information , “ attorney Jay Sekulow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with speculation , allegations that are not based on evidentiary standards at all.
” Trump is charged with abusing his power by asking Ukraine ’ s leader to help investigate Biden at the same the president was ordering that millions of dollars in aid be withheld — and then of obstructing Congress in its probe .
They argued that Trump had legitimate reason to be concerned about Ukraine and , in any event , ultimately released the aid without the country committing to investigations the president wanted .
Democrats say Trump did so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the episode .
The lawyers also defended the actions of Rudy Giuliani , the president ’ s personal lawyer whose efforts pressing for the Biden investigation helped lead to the firing of the American ambassador to Ukraine .
And they attacked the business dealings of Hunter Biden , who sat on the board of a Ukraine gas company at the same time his father was vice-president , as they made the case that Trump was right to seek an investigation .
Ken Starr , whose independent counsel investigation into President Bill Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acquitted by the Senate — bemoaned what he said was an “ age of impeachment.
“ Impeachment , he said , requires both an actual crime and a “ genuine national consensus ” that the president must go .
Neither exists here , Starr said .
“ It ’ s filled with acrimony and it divides the country like nothing else , “ Starr said of impeachment .
“ Those of us who lived through the Clinton impeachment understand that in a deep and personal way.
” Even as defence lawyers laid out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear that Bolton ’ s book had scrambled the debate over whether to seek witnesses .
Bolton writes that Trump told him he wanted to withhold security aid from Ukraine until it helped him with investigations into Biden .
Trump ’ s legal team has repeatedly insisted otherwise , and Trump tweeted on Monday that he never told Bolton such a thing .
Republican senators face a pivotal moment , and pressure is mounting for at least four to buck GOP leaders and form a bipartisan majority to force the issue .
Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton ’ s relevance to our decision has become increasingly clear , ” GOP Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah told reporters .
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said she has always wanted “ the opportunity for witnesses ” and the report about Bolton ’ s book “ strengthens the case.
” At a private GOP lunch , Romney made the case for calling Bolton , according to a person unauthorized to discuss the meeting and granted anonymity .
Other Republicans , including Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania , said if Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will demand reciprocity to hear from at least one of their witnesses .
Some Republicans want to call the Bidens .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared unmoved by news of the Bolton book , telling Republicans they would take stock after the defence team concludes arguments .
McConnell ’ s message at the lunch , said Indiana GOP Sen. Mike Braun , was , “ Take a deep breath , and let ’ s take one step at a time.
” Once the president ’ s team wraps its arguments no later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for questions to both sides .
By late in the week , they are expected to hold a vote on whether or not to hear from any witnesses .
While Democrats say Bolton ’ s revelations are reminiscent of the Watergate drip of new information , Republicans are counting on concerns subsiding by the time senators are asked to vote , possibly later this week .
GOP senators are being told that if there was agreement to summon Bolton , the White House would resist , claiming executive privilege .
That would launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the impeachment trial .
It ’ s a scenario some GOP senators would rather avoid .
Trump ’ s team had laid out the broad outlines of its defence in a rare Saturday session , at which they accused House Democrats of using the impeachment case to try to undo the results of the last presidential election and drive Trump from office .
Democrats , meanwhile , say Trump ’ s refusal to allow administration officials to testify in the impeachment proceeding only reinforces that the White House is hiding evidence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s manuscript for about a month , according to a letter from Bolton ’ s attorney .
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said : “ We ’ re all staring a White House coverup in the face.
“ Rep. Adam Schiff , who leads the House prosecution team , called Bolton ’ s account a test for the senators sitting as jurors .
“ I don ’ t know how you can explain that you wanted a search for the truth in this trial and say you don ’ t want to hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation about the central allegation in the articles of impeachment , ” Schiff said on CNN .
Bolton ’ s account was first reported by The New York Times and was confirmed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the manuscript on the condition of anonymity .
“ The Room Where It Happened ; A White House Memoir ” is to be released March 17 .
“ I NEVER told John Bolton that the aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations into Democrats , including the Bidens , “ Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was only to sell a book.
” Joe Biden , campaigning in Iowa , repeated that he sees no reason for testimony by him or his son .
“ I have nothing to defend .
This is all a game , even if they bring me up , “ he told reporters .
” What is there to defend ?
This is all -- the reason he ’ s being impeached is because he tried to get a government to smear me and they wouldn ’ t .
Come on.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelinskiy to see there was no pressure for such investigations to get the aid .
In that call , Trump asked Zelinskiy to “ do us a favour ” with the investigations as he was withholding nearly $ 400 million in military aid to the U.S. ally at war with Russia .
Trump falsely claimed Monday that the Democrat-controlled House “ never even asked John Bolton to testify.
“ Democrats did ask Bolton to testify , but he didn ’ t show up for his deposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as they had others , because he threatened to sue , which could lead to a prolonged court battle .
Schiff said Bolton — known to be a copious notetaker — should also provide documents .
Eventual acquittal is likely in a Senate where a two-thirds majority vote would be needed for conviction .
Still , the White House sees its Senate presentation this week as an opportunity to counter the allegations , defend the powers of the presidency and prevent Trump from being weakened politically ahead of November ’ s election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment case for three days last week , warning that Trump will persist in abusing his power and endangering American democracy unless Congress intervenes to remove him before the 2020 election .
Associated Press writers Alan Fram , Mary Clare Jalonick , Andrew Taylor , Matthew Daly , Laurie Kellman and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .

Eric Tucker, Zeke Miller And Lisa Mascaro - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Aviation experts suspect Bryant’s pilot got lost in the fog

CALABASAS , Calif. - Coroner ’ s officials worked to recover victims ’ remains Monday from the hillside outside Los Angeles where a helicopter carrying former NBA superstar Kobe Bryant and eight others crashed in a wreck that aviation experts said may have been caused by the pilot becoming disoriented in the fog .
While the cause of the tragedy is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board , some experts raised questions of whether the helicopter should have even been flying .
The weather was so foggy that the Los Angeles Police Department and the county sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Sikorsky S-76 went down Sunday morning , killing the retired athlete along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and everyone else aboard and scattering debris over an area the size of a football field .
Crews recovered three bodies on Sunday and resumed the effort on Monday amid an outpouring of grief and shock around the world over the loss of the basketball great who helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA titles during his dazzling 20-year career .
The pilot , identified as Ara Zobayan , had asked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavy fog just minutes before the crash .
Several aviation experts said it is not uncommon for helicopter pilots to be given such permission , though some thought it unusual that it would be granted in airspace as busy as that over Los Angeles .
But Kurt Deetz , who flew for Bryant dozens of times in the same chopper that went down , said permission is often granted in the area .
“ It happened all the time in the winter months in LA , ” Deetz said .
“ You get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Orange County , south of Los Angeles , shortly after 9 a.m. , heading north and then west .
Bryant was believed to be headed for his youth sports academy in nearby Thousand Oaks , which was holding a basketball tournament Sunday in which Bryant ’ s daughter , known as Gigi , was competing .
Air traffic controllers noted poor visibility around Burbank to the north and Van Nuys to the northwest .
At one point , the controllers instructed the chopper to circle because of other planes in the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Calabasas , about 30 miles ( 48 kilometres ) northwest of downtown Los Angeles , around 9:45 a.m. at about 1,400 feet ( 426 metres ) , according to data from Flightradar24 .
When it struck the ground , it was flying at about 184 mph and descending at a rate of more than 4,000 feet per minute , the data showed .
Randy Waldman , a helicopter flight instructor who teaches at the nearby Van Nuys airport , said its likely the pilot got disoriented in the fog and the helicopter went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a common thing that happens in airplanes and helicopters with people flying with poor visibility , ” Waldman said .
“ If you ’ re flying visually , if you get caught in a situation where you can ’ t see out the windshield , the life expectancy of the pilot and the aircraft is maybe 10 , 15 seconds , and it happens all the time , and it ’ s really a shame.
” Waldman said it was the same thing that happened to John F. Kennedy Jr. when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near Martha ’ s Vineyard , Massachusetts , in 1999 .
“ A lot of times somebody who ’ s doing it for a living is pressured to get their client to where they have to go , ” Waldman said .
“ They take chances that maybe they shouldn ’ t take.
” Bryant had been known since his playing days for taking helicopters instead of braving the notoriously snarled Los Angeles traffic .
“ I ’ m not going into LA without the Mamba chopper , ” he joked on “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview , referring to his own nickname , Black Mamba .
David Hoeppner , an expert on helicopter design , said he won ’ t fly on helicopters .
“ Part of it is the way they certify and design these things , “ said Hoeppner , a retired engineering professor at the University of Utah .
” But the other part is helicopter pilots often fly in conditions where they shouldn ’ t be flying.
” Jerry Kidrick , a retired Army colonel who flew helicopters in Iraq and now teaches at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the helicopter ’ s rapid climb and fast descent suggest the pilot was disoriented .
When that happens , he said , pilots must instantly switch from visual cues to flying the aircraft using only the machine ’ s instruments .
“ It ’ s one of the most dangerous conditions you can be in , ” Kidrick said .
“ Oftentimes , your body is telling you something different than what the instruments are telling you .
You can feel like you ’ re leaning to the left or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If the pilot isn ’ t trained well enough to believe the instruments , you get in a panic situation.
“ On Sunday , firefighters hiked in with medical equipment and hoses , and medical personnel rappelled to the site from a helicopter .
About 20 investigators were on the site early Monday .
The Los Angeles County medical examiner , Dr. Jonathan Lucas , said it could take at least a couple of day to to recover the remains .
Among those killed in the crash were John Altobelli , 56 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Orange Coast College baseball team ; his wife , Keri ; and daughter , Alyssa , who played on the same basketball team as Bryant ’ s daughter ; and Christina Mauser , a girls ’ basketball coach at a Southern California elementary school .
Condon reported from New York and Koenig from Dallas .
Associated Press writer Brian Melley also contributed to this story .

Stefanie Dazio, David Koenig And Bernard Condon - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Coach on Bryant helicopter put “heart and soul” in teaching

NEWPORT BEACH , Calif. - Christina Mauser poured her heart and soul into coaching and teaching physical education at the school where young Gianna and her basketball star father Kobe Bryant were an integral part of the community .
The mother of three worked at the campus in Newport Beach for more than a decade and helped lead its eighth-grade basketball team to its first championship , Harbor Day School said in a statement .
Bouquets were laid at the entrance to the campus Monday , a day after a helicopter carrying Bryant , his 13-year-old daughter , Mauser and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crashed .
Everyone aboard perished .
“ This loss is indescribable , ” the school said in the statement , describing Gianna as someone who never left anyone out , was mature beyond her years and had an unmatched work ethic , “ as is the loss of her father who was a respected and active member of the school community.
” Harbour Day is a private school in the idyllic seaside community where Bryant lived .
Mauser , of nearby Huntington Beach , taught and coached at the school from 2007 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her husband Matt taught and coached basketball at the school , which is how they met Bryant , Matt Mauser told NBC ’ s “ Today “ show .
She had a keen mind for defence , he said , and Bryant brought her on to help coach that skill at his Mamba Academy training facility where Gianna ’ s club team played .
“ They called her the mother of defence : MOD , ” he said .
“ She was just an amazing person : beautiful , smart , funny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t pick her because she was a slouch .
He picked her because she was amazing.
” At the school , some students arrived Monday wearing purple and gold , the colours of Bryant ’ s Los Angeles Lakers .
Maria Paun , 81 , stopped by to lay flowers at the campus where she said she remembered waiting to pick up her granddaughter more than a decade ago while Bryant waited for his eldest daughter .
“ He said , ‘ I like your accent , Grandma , ’ ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was somebody .
And I am a nobody .
But he bent down to give me a hug.
” The pilot of the helicopter was identified as Ara Zobayan .
Peter and Claudia Lowry , owners of Group 3 Aviation in Los Angeles , said he previously worked there .
In a Facebook post , the couple said Zobayan came to their company in 1998 to learn to fly after taking a sightseeing flight at the Grand Canyon and deciding he wanted to become a pilot .
“ Ara worked hard in other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for training , ” they said .
“ Flying was his life ’ s passion.
” Also among the victims of Sunday ’ s crash were Payton Chester , a 13-year-old member of the basketball team , and her mother Sarah , Payton ’ s grandmother Catherine George told KNBC-4 in Los Angeles .
“ We ’ re just sad , I mean , we ’ re heartbroken , ” Sarah Chester ’ s brother Andy George told the Orange County Register .
“ It ’ s starting to settle in a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in disbelief.
“ Orange Coast College ’ s longtime baseball coach John Altobelli , his wife Keri and their daughter Alyssa were also on board , said Tony Altobelli , the coach ’ s brother .
Alyssa also played on Gianna ’ s team .
Altobelli coached at the college for 28 years , won a state championship last season and was named “ National Coach of the Year ” last year for his division , his brother said .
On Sunday , coaches , friends and former players gathered at the baseball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Altobelli had been known to mow the grass until turf was installed .
They swapped memories of Altobelli laying down carpet in the locker room , chiding the umpire during games , dressing as a pirate for Halloween and providing endless support to his students .
“ He treated his team like they were sons of his , ” said Jason Kehler , the school ’ s athletic director .
Nate Johnson , associate head coach , looked around the field and said none of it would have been possible without the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laid at home plate .
“ This whole thing — I joke , it ’ s the house that Alto built , because he built it all , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--New assessment shows 450 structures damaged by Houston blast

HOUSTON - An updated assessment released Monday of the impact of a massive explosion at a warehouse in Houston that killed two workers and injured 20 others shows that 450 structures , mostly homes , were damaged .
The new total is more than double the initial assessment of about 200 damaged structures after the explosion early Friday at a building at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing .
The company produces valves and thermal-spray coatings for equipment in various industries .
Also Monday , the surviving family of one of the two workers killed filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Watson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company in the wake of the blast .
Employees Frank Flores and Gerardo Castorena were killed in the explosion .
Flores ’ family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Watson alleging the company failed to provide a safe workplace and failed to enforce safety rules .
The company declined to comment Monday .
Authorities say an additional 20 people were injured — two other warehouse workers and 18 others from neighbouring homes and businesses .
The cause is being investigated .
Of the structures that were hit , 358 suffered minor damage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Houston ’ s Office of Emergency Management .
Another 35 had major damage , including partial failures of a roof or walls , while 57 were affected , meaning they had mostly cosmetic damage , Stottlemyer said .
The American Red Cross said Monday that it expects to keep a recovery service centre at a church open for the rest of the week .
Red Cross officials said they have provided more than 200 emergency supplies and nearly 1,600 meals and snacks to residents , and caseworkers are connecting residents with community resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and able bodies to assist these folks .
We cleaned up a lot of glass , boarded up a lot of windows , put a few tarps on and were able to just love on our neighbours a little bit , ” said Trevor Barnett , the executive director of the Restoration Team , which is a network of churches dedicated to assisting families whose homes were damaged from flooding during Hurricane Harvey in 2017 .
Dylan Boots , 24 , whose rental home is located just a few hundred feet from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said his shattered windows have been covered by plywood and an insurance adjuster was assessing the damage .
Boots said he believes several walls will have to be completely rebuilt and he ’ s not sure he ’ ll be able to live in his home while it ’ s being repaired .
“ I hope I can stay , if not we ’ ll figure something out , ” said Boots , an Army veteran .
“ Right now , I ’ m living in my house .
I ’ m doing @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--At Sundance, Clinton warns of voter suppression in election

PARK CITY , Utah - Since losing the 2016 election to Donald Trump , Hillary Clinton has released a memoir about that defeat , launched a political action committee and penned another book about “ gutsy women ” with her daughter , Chelsea .
But Clinton ’ s most prominent return to the public eye has come at the Sundance Film Festival , where the former Secretary of State unveiled a candid four-hour documentary series , “ Hillary.
” Clinton is aware that some thought she would slink away after 2016 .
“ Yes , they did , didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview in Park City .
“ Well , that was never an option.
” Nanette Burstein ’ s “ Hillary , ” which Hulu will debut March 6 , is a more direct and long-form portrait of Clinton than has ever been done on camera .
You might say it ’ s a bid for Clinton to reassert her legacy , to tell the story of a career and life that , she feels , has often been distorted by scrutiny , notoriety and scandal .
Still , Clinton isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she does think is important is situating her story in a larger narrative .
“ What Nanette does really well is to place my story in the larger arc of women ’ s lives , women ’ s history , women ’ s movement , and also the political system , ” said Clinton , speaking alongside Burstein .
“ It seems to me that part of the reason I became controversial is because I was thrust into the public spotlight as a different kind of first lady .
“ And particularly when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care reform , trying to get us to universal , affordable health care , I was being burned in effigy , which I had forgotten , ” Clinton said .
“ But she found footage of it , which says more about the times and the expectations about what women and certainly first ladies should or shouldn ’ t do.
” Clinton ’ s return to the spotlight , in the midst of a competitive Democratic primary , has already caused waves .
In the documentary , she disparages Sen. Bernie Sanders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nobody wants to work with him.
” It ’ s a small moment -- 15 seconds , Clinton points out -- from some 35 hours of conversation recorded more than a year ago when she wasn ’ t thinking about the 2020 election .
She was thinking about the 2016 election .
“ I will do whatever I can to support that person , because that wasn ’ t my experience in 2016 , ” says Clinton , adding that she will “ absolutely ” endorse a Democratic candidate at some point .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he won the nomination on delegates ( but , Clinton reminds , not in votes ) , Sanders ’ support for Clinton , she feels , was minimal after their race .
“ That didn ’ t happen in 2016 , “ said Clinton .
” And I ’ m just trying to sound the alarm that we need to unify if we ’ re going to defeat Donald Trump and what he stands for and the danger he poses to undoing so much of what we as a nation have achieved through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That Sanders has become the most headline-grabbing part of “ Hillary ” is ironic .
For Burstein , one of the focal points of “ Hillary ” is to not only represent Clinton as a human being , rather than a political caricature , but to contextualize her , and the polarizing effect she has inspired , in the politics of gender .
“ There is this criticism that she ’ s always known and calculated that she ’ s going to be president .
Which , A , is not a bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually not true , ” Burstein said .
“ There is an interview in the film with one of her colleagues at Yale Law School who says in in the early 70s the idea that a woman could be president was just so off the radar.
” At Sundance , Clinton has been a regular presence .
She attended the premiere of the Jamal Khasshoggi documentary “ The Dissident , ” which she calls terrific .
Experiencing a film festival , she says , has been thrilling .
But Clinton ’ s mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of her chief concerns is that the vote won ’ t be carried out properly .
“ It is a concern because once the Supreme Court gutted Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act , they took away one of the most useful tools for holding states and local jurisdictions accountable for what they did around elections , ” Clinton said .
“ And I was the first candidate running for president on the Democratic side who faced both the gutting of the Voting Rights Act and Citizens United .
So I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters and suppress voters .
That ’ s still going on.
” Clinton , who beat Trump in the popular vote , favours the abolition of the Electoral College .
“ The person who gets the most votes should win , “ she said .
” The Electoral College is an anachronism that foils the rights of the majority of Americans to choose our leaders.
” Clinton also cited the role of social media platforms and , in particular , Facebook , in a potential repeat of Russian interference .
“ The attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run our elections free from illegal , unconstitutional and certainly foreign interference is going to be even more sophisticated today than it was four years ago , ” Clinton said .
But Clinton does think some things have changed in the last four years , especially for Trump .
“ I think there ’ s a story now to be told .
Before he was a blank slate .
He was a guy that people saw on their TVs .
As you know , he was a reality TV star , ” Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a record that he ’ s going to have to be held accountable for.
” In “ Hillary , ” all questions were on the table , Burstein says .
Clinton grants that “ Hillary ” isn ’ t something she ever expected to do .
“ I am a little bit surprised to be sitting here talking about a documentary of four hours about my life and my times , ” said Clinton , laughing .
“ But I ’ m really glad I did it .
I am incredibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of what ’ s in it is relevant to today .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--California tests find illegal vapes tainted with additives

LOS ANGELES - California officials announced Monday that marijuana vape cartridges seized in illegal shops in Los Angeles contained potentially dangerous additives , including a thickening agent blamed for a national outbreak of deadly lung illnesses tied to vaping .
Officials also found that the illegal vapes confiscated in the December raids typically were not as potent as advertised , and sometimes contained just a fraction of the THC claimed on the labels , according to state testing results .
THC is the chemical in marijuana that makes users feel high .
The findings highlight the risk for consumers at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common in Los Angeles and elsewhere around California , officials said .
“ The prevalence of dirty and dangerous vape pens at unlicensed cannabis stores demonstrate how important it is for consumers to purchase cannabis goods from licensed retailers , which are required to sell products that meet state testing and labeling standards , ” said Lori Ajax , who heads California ’ s Bureau of Cannabis Control .
The state conducted tests on the marijuana oil contained in a random sample of more than 10,000 illegal vape pens seized in the Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 75 % of the vapes contained undisclosed additives , including the thickening agent vitamin E acetate , which has been blamed by federal regulators for the majority of lung illnesses tied to the outbreak .
In some samples , oil in the cartridges was diluted by more than one-third by potentially dangerous and undisclosed additives .
Nearly all the samples were labeled with incorrect THC content , the state found .
For example , one cartridge claimed the oil was up to 85 % THC , but actually contained 33 % THC .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores contained as little as 18 % THC .
The findings were released just days after the state announced another effort to slow the spread of the illegal pot market , where consumers shop when they want to avoid hefty taxes or can ’ t locate a legally licensed shop .
Last Thursday , regulators proposed rules that would require legal shops to post a unique black-and-white code in storefront windows to help consumers identify licensed businesses .
Shoppers would use smartphones to scan the familiar , boxy label known as a QR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — to determine if business es are selling legal , tested cannabis products .
The codes also would also be required when transporting or delivering cannabis .
California — the world ’ s largest legal pot market — launched broad , legal sales in January 2018 .
But the illicit market has continued to thrive , with consumers spending roughly $ 3 in the state ’ s underground pot economy for every $ 1 in the legal one , a report from industry advisers Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics estimated last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a publicity campaign called Get # weedwise to encourage consumers to verify that their purchases are tested and legal .
Ads were posted on social media and billboards went up promoting a state website where shoppers can quickly check if a shop is licensed .
The state has been escalating its war with the illegal market under pressure from the legal cannabis industry , which has struggled as consumers go underground looking for bargain prices .
But there is a trade-off : illegal products almost certainly are not tested for safety or potency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s marijuana beat team .
Follow him on Twitter at http : //twitter.com/MichaelRBloodAP .
Follow AP ’ s complete marijuana coverage : https : //apnews.com/Marijuana .


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Trump defence counsel Ken Starr says impeachment is ‘hell’

WASHINGTON - Impeachment , he said , “ is hell.
” A measure of “ last resort.
” A bad habit to be kicked .
With that , Ken Starr , the man whose years-long probe led to the impeachment of the 42nd president , stood before senators on Monday and delivered a nearly hour-long argument against the ouster of the 45th .
Starr , with a nod to his own role in the impeachment of Bill Clinton and lofty talk about “ America ’ s constitutional DNA , ” argued that it ’ s time to bring an end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starr spoke to the senators in a modulated tone , flicking at the Pentagon Papers , Richard Nixon ’ s crimes , the Iran-Contra scandal and , yes , the Clinton impeachment in a presentation that had echoes of a preacher extolling the virtues of moderation and expressing anguish that impeachment has become weaponized .
“ In this particular juncture in America ’ s history , the Senate is being called to sit as the high court of impeachment all too frequently , ” Starr said .
“ Indeed , we are living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described as the age of impeachment .
... How did we get here ?
“ Starr , a former solicitor general under President George H.W .
Bush , is most famous for his time as the independent counsel who led an investigation of Clinton that started as probe of an Arkansas land deal and evolved into an examination of his sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky .
Relying on the sometimes-graphic 475-page Starr report , the Republican-controlled House impeached Clinton and the Democratic-led Senate acquitted him .
“ I think Ken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that Ken Starr is a disaster , ” Trump said in an interview on NBC ’ s “ Today ” show at the time .
He called Starr a “ total wacko ” and “ off his rocker.
” On Monday , in his defence of Trump , Starr seemed to argue that impeachment is a constitutional relic that should be kept in a museum and only rarely used .
Starr made the case that Democrats ’ allegations of misconduct by Trump hardly measure up to the previous instances when Congress has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
President Andrew Johnson was impeached in the aftermath of the Civil War and assassination of President Abraham Lincoln .
The House resolved to impeach Johnson for violating the Tenure of Office Act by removing Edwin Stanton , the secretary of war , from the cabinet .
The legislation stated that a president could not dismiss appointed officials without the consent of Congress .
It took 100 years before Congress again seriously considered impeaching a president when it took action against Nixon over the Watergate scandal .
In that case , Starr noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bipartisan ” fashion with 410-4 vote to authorize an impeachment inquiry against Nixon .
He faced allegations that he was personally involved in the coverup of the burglary of the Democratic National Committee office by people who worked for his reelection committee .
Nixon resigned before he could be impeached .
Clinton was accused of lying under oath to a federal grand jury about his relationship with Lewinsky .
“ Were crimes alleged ?
In Nixon , yes .
In Clinton , yes , “ Starr noted .
” Here , no.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the impeachment of Clinton .
It was far from the tone Starr struck when he argued in his referral of obstruction of justice charges against Clinton that “ no one is above the law.
” “ Those of us who lived through the Clinton impeachment — including members of this body — full well understand that a presidential impeachment is tantamount to domestic war , albeit thankfully protected by our beloved First Amendment , ” Starr said Monday .
“ ( It is ) a war of words and a war of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acrimony and divides the country like nothing else .
Those of us who lived through the Clinton impeachment understand that in a deep and personal way.
” Starr ’ s anguish over impeachment was seen as ironic by some Senate Democrats .
“ I thought it was an absurd argument and quite rich coming from him , “ said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand , a New York Democrat .

Aamer Madhani And Laurie Kellman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--US attorney announces $145M settlement in opioid case

BURLINGTON , Vt. - A San Francisco-based health information technology company will pay $ 145 million to resolve criminal and civil charges that it helped set up an electronic health records system that encouraged physicians to prescribe opioids to patients who might not need them , federal prosecutors in Vermont said Monday .
Vermont U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan said the company Practice Fusion , Inc. , took kickbacks from a major opioid company in exchange for using its software to influence physicians to prescribe opioid pain medication .
Court documents released at a Burlington news conference said that Practice Fusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a company identified only as “ Pharma Co. X ” in exchange for creating an alert in Practice Fusion ’ s electronic health record system .
The alert would cause doctors to write more prescriptions for extended release opioids than were medically necessary .
“ The companies knew all of this , ” Nolan said .
“ The decision to contravene medical guideline was greed-driven and at the behest of Pharma Company X ’ s marketing department and Practice Fusion allowed it because it wanted $ 1 million.
” Nolan refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any other people involved in the case would face criminal or civil penalties .
Practice Fusion has since been acquired by the electronic health records company Allscripts .
In a Monday statement , Allscripts Vice-President Brian Farley said the conduct predated his company ’ s acquisition of Practice Fusion .
“ Since learning of this matter we have further strengthened Practice Fusion ’ s compliance program , ” Farley said .
“ Allscripts recognizes the devastating impact that opioids have had on communities nationwide , and we are using our technology to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 million in criminal fines and forfeiture and , in a separate civil settlement , Practice Fusion agreed to pay $ 118.6 million to resolve the allegations that it accepted kickbacks from Pharma X and other companies and caused the users of its software to submit false claims for federal incentive payments .
The case represented the largest criminal fine in federal court history in Vermont and it was the first ever criminal action against a vendor of electronic health records , said a statement from the U.S. Attorney ’ s office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ its wrongdoing , invest heavily in compliance and an independent oversight organization .
The agreement also requires Practice Fusion to post documents about its conduct on a public website .
Nolan said investigators in her office discovered the case , but she did not say how .
The case was the third major medical fraud case prosecuted by the Vermont office of the United States attorney .
In 2017 , Vermont prosecutors reached an agreement with eClinicalWorks , of Westborough , Massachusetts , and three executives to pay a $ 155 million settlement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abilities of its software and paid kickbacks to some customers in exchange for promoting its products .
Last year , federal prosecutors reached a $ 57 million settlement with Greenway Health , of Tampa , Florida , after alleging that Greenway misrepresented the capabilities of one of its software products .


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--GOP challenger LaTurner jabs Watkins on Middle East vote

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
- The Kansas Republican challenging first-term Rep. Steve Watkins in the party ’ s August congressional primary has returned from a trip to Israel and is escalating his opposition to Watkins ’ position on Israeli settlements .
The Kansas City Star reports that Kansas Treasurer Jake LaTurner is attempting to draw a clear contrast between him and Watkins on Middle East policy headed into the state ’ s Republican convention on Friday and Saturday .
Watkins , who represents much of eastern Kansas including Topeka and Lawrence , was among five House Republicans who voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and in support of a two-state solution with Palestine .
For decades , the United States agreed with the United Nations ’ stance that the Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory violate international law .
President Donald Trump ’ s administration announced in November that the U.S. would no longer consider the settlements illegal , saying any legal questions about settlements should be resolved by Israeli courts .
LaTurner has been calling Watkins soft on Middle East policy since the vote .
LaTurner travelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second trip there in two years .
He visited an Israel Defence Forces base near Jerusalem and an Israeli settlement in the West Bank .
“ This is without a doubt a key issue for Kansas voters .
Kansas voters are incredibly supportive of Israel , ” LaTurner said .
“ These are God ’ s chosen people in the ‘ Promised Land ’ and that is incredibly important to the Christian community across this country , but it ’ s also a strategic ally to the United States in the Middle East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said LaTurner .
“ We need Israel and Israel needs us.
” Watkins ’ campaign spokesman Bryan Piligra dismissed LaTurner ’ s criticism but did not directly explain Watkins ’ rationale for his December vote .
“ Skipping out on official state duties to embark on two politically motivated trips to Israel does not make Jake LaTurner smart on foreign policy in the Middle East , it makes him an ego-driven opportunist .
Voters will have a clear choice between a self-serving career politician who went to the Middle East for pictures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to fight insurgents , ” Piligra said .
Watkins served as an Army ranger and paratrooper in Afghanistan .
Some Republicans worry that Watkins is vulnerable to Democratic defeat in 2020 , which prompted LaTurner to abandon a campaign for an open U.S. Senate seat in September to challenge Watkins .
Watkins won the November 2018 election by less than 1 percentage point after emerging from a crowded Republican primary with less than 27 % of the vote .
The only Democratic candidate so far is Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla @


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Northeast governors slow to embrace regional climate pact

CONCORD , N.H. - Supporters of a regional pact that would tackle transportation emissions are struggling to win over several New England governors concerned that the climate change initiative will increase gas prices .
After the Transportation and Climate Initiative was announced last month , New Hampshire ’ s Republican Gov .
Chris Sununu said the state won ’ t join , citing fears of a gas price hike .
Vermont ’ s Republican Gov .
Phil Scott said he couldn ’ t support the initiative if it amounts to a tax on carbon .
A spokesman for Maine ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states like Maine have unique transportation issues and will be “ appropriately cautious.
” The initiative is aimed at a dozen Northeast and mid-Atlantic states and would take effect in 2022 .
It would address pollution from transportation — which represents 40 % of greenhouse gas emissions in the region , the largest source of emissions .
The area has tens of millions of registered vehicles .
New Jersey has not committed to implementing the initiative while a spokesman for Democratic Gov .
Ned Lamont said his administration was still examining it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I am happy to see that other Governors are following my lead in rightfully sounding the alarm on this new gas tax , “ Sununu said in a statement .
” New Hampshire is proof that the best environmental stewardship can be achieved without massive tax schemes.
” Many of the states are already part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative , which covers 10 states in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic and targets emissions from the power sector .
Under the Transportation and Climate Initiative , wholesale fuel companies would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The sale of those allowances could generate billions for states to invest in carbon-reducing transportation options — like electric buses , electric car charging stations , bike lanes and sidewalks .
The initiative could lead to emissions reductions in the region by as much as 25 % by 2032 .
But the opposition appears be around a potential gas price hike .
If fuel companies pass the cost of the allowances onto consumers , the price of gas in the region could climb by five cents to 17 cents per gallon in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect .
Among the pact ’ s opponents is Americans for Prosperity , the advocacy group founded by the billionaire Koch brothers .
The group ’ s New Hampshire chapter came out against the TCI the same day as Sununu , calling the initiative a top-down government mandate that would “ punish hardworking Granite Staters.
” Supporters of the initiative said the fears over gas prices are overblown and ignore the agreement ’ s potential benefits .
“ Personally I think this is political grandstanding , “ said Timmons Roberts , a professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is the incremental change , it would be over 12 years .
This is just using a well-meaning effort as a whipping boy.
” But Roberts and others acknowledge that the pact needs to address the concerns of low-income and working families who must drive long distances for work or school .
“ Some people positively opt into this lifestyle , but many don ’ t .
They live where they live because of family , lack of economic mobility , or other factors , ” said Jason Veysey , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s energy modeling program .
“ People who have to drive may be negatively affected by an increase in fuel prices , “ he said .
” However , it ’ s worth underlining that TCI is supposed to be a cap-and-dividend program , in which higher costs for the most vulnerable are mitigated by the dividends.
” The pact has been praised by many of the region ’ s business , health and environmental leaders , including Massachusetts Republican Gov .
Charlie Baker .
He touted the pact in his State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of his plan for the state to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 .
Other governors also appear supportive .
J.J. Abbott , press secretary for Pennsylvania Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf , said the state was “ committed to being a part of the TCI conversations , ” but would make no decision on joining “ until the program is fully designed.
“ Josh Block , a spokesman for Rhode Island ’ s Democratic Gov .
Gina Raimondo , said she is “ fully committed to the goals of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the specific statutory and regulatory changes needed to meet those goals ” will be the source of public discussion and input over the coming year.
“ Jordan Stutt , the carbon programs director of the Acadia Center , an environmental research and advocacy non-profit , said states understand the need to address transport emissions .
The initiative could also help improve air quality , boost economies and improve transport , especially in rural areas , he said .
According to information on the TCI website , modeling has showing public health benefits of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 2032 , including over 1,000 fewer premature deaths .
It would also generate up to $ 7 billion annually that could be invested into expanding transport choices for rural , urban and suburban communities .
“ Without any viable alternative to this program , the states will not be able to achieve their climate goals , ” Stutt said .
Associated Press writers David Sharp in Maine , Wilson Ring in Vermont , Michael Catalini in New Jersey , Mark Scolforo in Pennsylvania and Susan Haigh in Connecticut contributed to this report @


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Amid impeachment and Iowa, 2020 top tier jilts New Hampshire

MANCHESTER , N.H. - New Hampshire isn ’ t used to being neglected .
The most prominent candidates in the 2020 presidential race spent months last year making their case to New Hampshire voters , but many of the White House hopefuls have been largely absent from the state in January amid the Senate impeachment trial and the upcoming Iowa caucuses .
Iowa may come first , but if the contest delivers a muddled result , or multiple candidates claim victory , New Hampshire could serve either as a crucial case maker or a critical blow to the remaining candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary comes Feb. 11 , eight days after Iowa ’ s first-in-the-nation caucuses , allowing for what is expected to be a packed week of frenzied last-minute campaigning in the state .
Heading into that week , however , New Hampshire has been less of a focus after a 2019 filled with candidate appearances that evolved from intimate house parties to larger rallies .
In recent days , voters have been more likely to see a surrogate for some of the top-tier candidates stumping in New Hampshire than the candidates themselves .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t been around , ” said JoAnn Fenton , a Democratic activist in Keene who is leaning toward supporting Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar .
Other than former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , most of the candidates in the top tier have had five or fewer events in New Hampshire since the start of the year .
Joe Biden has held only two formal campaign events for voters in New Hampshire this month but has had more than 20 in-person events in Iowa , according to his campaign .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former vice-president skipped taking questions from the crowd in the town hall format New Hampshire voters are fond of in favour of extensive time on the rope line visiting with admirers .
He also stopped by a Manchester campaign office during last week ’ s trip .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren held four events in New Hampshire this month , and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders held five over a two-day visit .
A Sanders campaign spokesperson said he ’ s done 21 Iowa events this month , while a Warren staffer referred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the senator attending 15 January events in Iowa .
And Klobuchar , who has had 25 events in Iowa this month , has visited New Hampshire only once in January for a college convention appearance .
That ’ s left the candidates ’ campaigns , and an army of surrogates , to fill in .
Last week alone saw prominent figures like Massachusetts congressman Joe Kennedy III visit the state in support of Warren , while Ben & Jerry ’ s ice cream co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield campaigned for Sanders .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been here an awful lot ... not just over the course of the past several weeks , but over the course of years , ” said Kennedy , a close Warren ally .
“ People know her here.
” Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and businessman Andrew Yang have been among the most prolific campaigners in New Hampshire since the start of the year along with fellow long shots Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and former Massachusetts Gov .
Deval Patrick .
Of the senators remaining in the race , Bennet has spent the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placing his slim presidential odds on the state .
On Sunday , he was the only senator in New Hampshire as Klobuchar , Warren and Sanders had already bolted to Iowa to focus their energy there while away from the impeachment trial .
Asked if he thought the top tier was ignoring New Hampshire , Bennet said , “ I think they have , and it ’ s one of the reasons I ’ m here.
” “ I think New Hampshire wants to meet candidates and see candidates and have conversations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the chance to ask questions and have those questions answered , ” Bennet said .
While New Hampshire has a history of humbling front-runners and producing historic upsets or comebacks , even voters who have been attending recent candidate events have indicated they ’ re leaning toward a particular candidate but are not yet fully committed .
Some in New Hampshire , like Molly Forgaard , have noticed a drop in attention .
At this point , the 25-year-old independent voter supports Buttigieg but is “ open to having my mind changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a New Hampshire resident , I like being able to see all the politicians in person , and I am a little bummed that I haven ’ t gotten to see as many as I would like because they ’ ve been over in Iowa , ” Forgaard said .
“ But I do also think that Iowa and New Hampshire ’ s outsized influence in the election is kind of unfair.
” Even one of the most veteran Democrats in the state found it was hard to say how important the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it depends on the outcome .
“ If it ’ s a draw , if everyone is within one or two points of each other , I think there ’ s no winner , so it could be that , ” said Bill Shaheen , a Democratic National Committee member from New Hampshire who recently endorsed Biden .
“ New Hampshire has the potential of being important , but it also has the potential of being , hey , people haven ’ t made up their mind yet.
” Associated Press writer Sara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-27--Florida could use drones to fight pythons, invasive species

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. - Florida could turn to the sky to fight Burmese pythons on the ground under a bill a Senate committee unanimously approved Monday to allow two state agencies to use drones in the effort to eradicate invasive plants and animals .
The bill would create an exception to a current law that prohibits law enforcement from using drones to gather information and bans state agencies from using drones to gather images on private land .
It would allow the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Forest Service to fly drones to manage and eradicate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ben Albritton said he has been told that drones equipped with LiDAR , which stands for Light Detection and Ranging , might be able to identify pythons .
“ As you know , chasing those nasty critters down there in the Everglades is a difficult task , ” Albritton said .
“ It would help these folks do their job.
” He said drones would also help the agencies spot a fern native to Asia that ’ s destroying Florida ’ s natural vegetation .
“ There ’ s this plant called lygodium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is wreaking havoc all over Everglades National Park and many other places in the state .
I ’ ve flown over it in a helicopter and I recognized that it was pretty easy to discern where it is , ” Albritton said .
The state wildlife agency ’ s website warns that lygodium spreads rapidly and is a “ severe threat ” to Everglades tree islands and puts other forests at greater risk for wildfires because it serves as a fire ladder .
“ The fern ’ s ability to grow up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dense horizontal canopies allows it to cover whole communities of plants reducing native plant diversity , ” the website says .
“ Some Everglades tree islands are so completely blanketed by the fern that it is not possible to see trees and other vegetation beneath the fern canopy.
” The bill would also allow the agencies to use drones to fight wildfires .
“ During a fire they can use these drones to look for escape routes for employees , if needed , if they get trapped in , “ Albritton said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground .
There ’ s a lot of different opportunities for that technology to yield a safer environment for those folks .
”

Brendan Farrington - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--The Latest: Vandals burn Palestinian school in West Bank

JERUSALEM - The Latest on the Trump administration ’ s release of its Mideast peace plan ( all times local ) : The Israeli military is deploying security reinforcements in the occupied West Bank ahead of the release of the Trump administration ’ s Mideast peace plan .
The Palestinians have already rejected the plan , which is expected to strongly favour Israel and to pave the way for it to annex large parts of the West Bank .
President Donald Trump is expected to announce the plan later Tuesday .
The Palestinians are planning protests across the occupied territories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility of clashes with Israeli troops .
The military said Tuesday it has decided to “ reinforce the Jordan Valley area with infantry troops.
” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to annex the Jordan Valley , which accounts for about a quarter of the West Bank .
Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 war .
The Palestinians claim the West Bank as the heartland of their future state .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now