thetorontostar--2020-01-16--New Iowa caucus rules could spark clashing claims of victory

DES MOINES , Iowa - The Iowa caucuses are never simple .
Voters spend hours in high school gymnasiums or public libraries , starting their night by declaring support for their preferred presidential candidate .
That ’ s followed by a feverish round of lobbying in which supporters of eliminated candidates are pressed to make a new pick by the evening ’ s end .
This year , the caucuses could be even more chaotic .
New rules that will be implemented for the Feb. 3 contest could give presidential candidates an unprecedented opportunity to spin the results .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported just one number : the number of state delegates won by each candidate .
For the first time , the party will this year report two other numbers — who had the most votes at the beginning and at the end of the night .
The additional data is a nod to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and his supporters , who argue the previous rules essentially robbed him of victory in his 2016 race against Hillary Clinton .
That contest ended in a narrow delegate victory for Clinton in Iowa .
Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level argue the new process will enhance transparency .
But as the caucuses approach in less than three weeks , there ’ s a growing sense that the new information will breed confusion by giving multiple candidates the chance to claim victory .
The Iowa caucuses are supposed to set the tone for the contests that follow , ultimately helping winnow the field .
If multiple candidates can claim success in Iowa , it could prolong the fight for the Democratic nomination .
“ Adding additional numbers is going to make it more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the caucuses , ” said Derek Eadon , who worked as Julián Castro ’ s deputy campaign manager , was a top Iowa aide to Barack Obama in 2008 and is now supporting Sanders .
“ People are going to want to know who won , and I don ’ t know if there ’ s consensus on one number that people will use to declare that.
” What ’ s happening in Iowa will also play out in other states that hold caucuses , including in Nevada on Feb. 22 .
Three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round of votes , the final vote total after low polling candidates are eliminated and what are called state delegate equivalents .
They represent the number of delegates each candidate will have at the party ’ s state convention in June .
That , in turn , determines how many national convention delegates each candidate receives .
The Associated Press said Thursday it will base its race call of the winner on state delegate equivalents , because delegates are the metric used to decide the eventual winner of the nomination .
Iowa and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number to watch .
“ This is a contest for delegates , ” Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price said .
“ Campaigns will highlight whatever number is the most advantageous for them .
But in the end , what matters is the delegates that come out of Iowa to the national convention , and ( state delegates ) will remain the best indicator of that.
“ David Bergstein , a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee , echoed that .
“ The only way to become the Democratic Party ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of national convention delegates , “ he said .
“ We strongly encourage anyone who wants to understand who is winning the race for the nomination to pay attention to those results.
” The question is whether candidates will follow their lead .
Sanders ’ chief adviser , Jeff Weaver , said his team is “ trying to win all three ” categories of results .
But he also suggested the campaign will emphasize the raw totals from the first round of votes no matter the eventual outcome .
“ At the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is probably the most accurate portrayal of who won the night , ” Weaver said .
There ’ s a chance a candidate might win the most support during the first vote but lose out on the final alignment — and ultimately the delegate count — after supporters for candidates who are not viable realign after the first round of counting .
This is a scenario that could play out for a candidate like Sanders or former Vice-President Joe Biden , both of whom are expected to be viable in the largest number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senior adviser to former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , told reporters this week that the caucus metric that matters for the campaign is ultimately the delegate count .
Biden ’ s team expressed the same .
“ Delegates are ultimately how the nomination for the Democratic Party will get decided , so delegates are obviously an important part of what comes out of the caucuses , ” Biden campaign manager Anita Dunn said .
For lower-tier candidates such as Tom Steyer or Andrew Yang , the initial vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t hit the 15 % support needed to win any delegates but still turn out more individual caucus-goers than expected , for instance , they could point to their initial support as evidence they remain competitive in the primary .
A candidate who ’ s losing in the overall delegate count may try to make an electability case by highlighting his or her geographic strength , pointing perhaps to his or her raw support during the first or final alignment in counties that went from Obama to Donald Trump in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Amy Klobuchar or Buttigieg may frame the caucus results in this way .
The changes reflect a hangover from the 2016 campaign that looms over Iowa Democrats .
Some Sanders backers argued the publicly reported outcome of the caucuses , which showed Sanders and Clinton nearly tying in the delegate count , with Clinton slightly ahead , didn ’ t adequately reflect the raw number of voters turning out to support the Vermont senator .
That perceived disparity between Sanders ’ support on the ground and the delegate outcome — a disparity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available data — fueled charges from his supporters that the caucuses were tilted in favour of Clinton .
Four years later , some Iowa Democratic operatives are concerned that if Sanders wins the most support in the state but loses the overall delegate count , that could again drive charges that the caucus process is stacked against a particular candidate .
Sanders ’ Iowa state director , Misty Rebik , said that “ the popular vote is very important .
We fought for ( the reporting change ) , and we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign is going to tout the first alignment numbers no matter the outcome .
“ We want to emphasize that the way that we beat Donald Trump is by having the biggest , largest grassroots coalition , and that ’ s through pure numbers , ” she said .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-16--AP Explains: New rules could muddle results of Iowa caucuses

WASHINGTON - For the first time , the Iowa Democratic Party will report three sets of results from the party ’ s presidential caucuses .
And there is no guarantee that all three will show the same winner .
Each set of results represents a different stage of the caucus .
The new rules were mandated by the Democratic National Committee in a bid to make the process more transparent .
In the past , Iowa Democrats reported only one set of results : the number of state convention delegates won by each candidate through the caucus process .
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House nominee based on national convention delegates , and the state delegates are used to determine those totals in Iowa .
The Associated Press will declare a winner in Iowa based on the number of state delegates each candidate wins .
The AP will also report all three results .
Q : What results will Iowa Democrats release out of the caucus ?
A : There will be three sets of results : tallies of the “ first alignment ” of caucus-goers , their “ final alignment ” and the total number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is the first time the party has made public the first and final alignment results .
Q : What do those categories mean , and how will the results be determined ?
A : Caucuses are different from primaries .
In a primary , voters go to the polls , cast their ballots and leave .
At a caucus , voters gather at local precincts and declare support for their chosen candidate — then some have an opportunity to switch sides .
In Iowa , voters arriving at their caucus site will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first choice .
Those results will be tabulated and will determine the results of the “ first alignment.
” But that ’ s not the end of the night .
Caucus-goers whose first-choice candidate fails to get at least 15 % of the vote can switch their support to a different candidate .
The threshold can be higher at some precincts .
If voters don ’ t choose another candidate , their vote won ’ t count in the final alignment .
They can choose “ uncommitted “ — but that choice only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets at least 15 % of the vote .
The results of this stage will be tabulated to determine the caucuses ’ “ final alignment.
” Only candidates who receive at least 15 % of the vote at that precinct — the so-called viable candidates — will be counted in the final alignment .
Non-viable candidates get zero votes in the final alignment .
The final alignment votes are then used to calculate the number of state convention delegates awarded to each candidate .
The party calls these state delegate equivalents , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate will have at the party ’ s state convention in June .
That , in turn , determines how many national convention delegates each candidate receives .
Iowa will award 41 pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention , based on the results of the party caucuses .
Q : Who will the AP declare the winner of the Iowa caucuses ?
A : The AP will declare the winner of the Iowa caucuses based on the number of state delegate equivalents each candidate receives .
That ’ s because Democrats choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The other results will provide valuable insights into the process and the strength of the various candidates , but the state delegate equivalents have the most direct bearing on the metric Democrats use to pick their nominee .
Iowa and national Democratic Party figures also emphasize this is the number to watch .
Q : Could different candidates top each of the three categories of results ?
For example , Candidate A could beat Candidate B in the first alignment voting .
But Candidate B could get more support from voters who initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters switch to a different candidate , Candidate B could end up with the most votes in the final alignment .
The final alignment votes are used to calculate the state delegate equivalents , so the results should be similar .
However , in a very close race , it is mathematically possible to have different winners there , too .
Q : Why are Democrats making this change ?
A : The new rules were mandated by the DNC as part of a package of changes sought by Bernie Sanders following his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential primaries .
The changes were designed to make the caucus system more transparent and to make sure that even the lowest-performing candidates get credit for all the votes they receive .
And it ’ s not just Iowa that is affected by the changes .
The Nevada Democratic caucuses on Feb. 22 will also report three sets of results .

Stephen OhlemacHer - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-01-16--Hong Kong leader says special status can endure beyond 2047

Hong Kong ’ s leader Carrie Lam said Thursday that the ‘ ’ one country , two systems ’ ’ framework under which the city enjoys freedoms unknown in China could continue after a 2047 deadline if loyalty to Beijing is upheld .
Lam ’ s comments at the Legislative Council appeared to be an appeal to those in the city who see Beijing as tightening its control over the semi-autonomous territory ’ s civic , economic and political life .
Hong Kong has been wracked by often violent anti-government protests since June , although they have diminished considerably in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates in races for district councillors late last year .
Hong Kong was handed over from British to Chinese rule in 1997 with a promise that it would maintain its own capitalist economy and Western-style institutions for 50 years .
“ Only if we insist on implementing the ‘ one country , two systems ’ principle and practice it continuously and fully ... then I think there will be enough grounds for ‘ one country , two systems ’ to move ahead smoothly and there would be no change after 2047 , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uphold the principle of ‘ One country.
’ Only by doing this , can ‘ one country , two systems ’ be moving forward smoothly.
“ Lam ’ s comments echo language from China ’ s Communist Party leaders , who say Hong Kong ’ s unique system is predicated on respect for Chinese sovereignty over the territory .
Beijing routinely accuses political opponents in Hong Kong of seeking to split the territory from the mainland with the backing of foreign forces .
While it wasn ’ t clear whether Lam was speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or in co-ordination with Beijing , her comments had the feeling of a final warning to the people of Hong Kong that they “ need to wear their loyalty to Beijing on their sleeves ... or else , “ said Steve Tsang , director of the China Institute at London ’ s School of Oriental and African Studies .
Tsang pointed to the appointment of hard-liner Luo Huining as China ’ s top representative in Hong Kong as an indication of President Xi Jinping ’ s determination to end the protests , possibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lam ’ s statement may have been a last-ditch appeal to the opposition in hopes of avoiding more serious consequences , although its unlikely to have the desired effect , Tsang said .
“ I would be very surprised if Lam ’ s warning would be heeded in Hong Kong , “ Tsang said .
“ Instead it may well get the hardcore of the protesters annoyed.
” The pro-democracy protests were sparked by proposed legislation that could have seen suspects extradited to face trials seen as unfair and possible torture in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrapped , the movement grew to adopt new demands , including calls for universal suffrage and an independent investigation into police conduct .
While Lam has rejected those points , she said Thursday she hoped to announce next month the formation of a committee to look into the root causes of the unrest .
Academics , experts and social leaders have been recruited to the Independent Review Committee , although some are reportedly reluctant to join out of fear of personal attacks or online harassment if their personal information is leaked by opponents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skyrocketing cost of housing and increased economic competition from mainland China are believed to have fueled the protests .
During the contentious legislative session , Lam repeatedly defended police action as angry lawmakers demanded to know why her government isn ’ t responding to public demand for an independent investigation into alleged police brutality during the protests .
She said that police were merely performing their duty to maintain public order and had deployed “ minimal force.
“ The government says complaints against police are being handled by the force ’ s own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lawmaker asked Lam , a practicing Catholic , whether she was afraid of going to hell .
When she dodged the question in her reply , he asked her “ When are you going to die ?
“ Several opposition lawmakers were ordered to leave the meeting after repeatedly interrupting Lam .
Associated Press writer Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-16--Yemen separatists, government troops pull back from key city

SANAA , Yemen - Yemeni separatists and forces loyal to the country ’ s U.N.-recognized government whose deadly infighting erupted last summer in the war-torn Arab country are pulling back from a key southern city , military officials said Thursday .
The pullout , envisaged under a Saudi-brokered peace deal , began this week , the Yemeni officials told The Associated Press .
They spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations .
The infighting that broke out in August between the secessionists and troops loyal to Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi threatened their alliance in the Saudi-led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Houthi rebels since 2015 .
The fighting prompted Saudi Arabia to pressure both sides to the negotiating table in Riyadh , where they signed a peace agreement in November .
Among other provisions , the deal stipulates that both sides pull out from Zinjibar , the capital of southern Abyan province .
The withdrawal that ’ s underway is the first such pullout under the Saudi-brokered deal .
On Wednesday , a Yemen-based Saudi media spokesman , Nasser Hibtar , said that both sides have also released dozens of prisoners and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discuss withdrawal from other key sites .
Under the peace deal , the separatists are also expected to turn in their weapons and eventually become incorporated in the government-controlled police force .
Yemen ’ s civil war began in 2014 , when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels overran most of northern Yemen , including the capital , Sanaa , pushing out Hadi ’ s government .
Hadi later fled to Saudi Arabia .
The kingdom intervened in the conflict a year later , forming the Saudi-led alliance that has since battled the Houthis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of people and pushed the impoverished Yemen to the brink of famine .
With the infighting between the separatists , who seek an independent southern Yemen , and Hadi ’ s forces , Saudi Arabia has been struggling to salvage its coalition , especially after its longtime ally the United Arab Emirates began withdrawing troops from Yemen .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-16--Afghan official: Roadside bomb kills 5 government employees

KABUL - A roadside bomb struck a car with Afghan government employees in southern Zabul province on Thursday , killing the driver and four passengers , officials said .
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack though the provincial police spokesman , Mohammadullah Amiri , accused the Taliban of placing a mine on the road in the Shahr-e-Safa district that hit the car , which was completely destroyed in the explosion .
Last week , the Taliban claimed responsibility for a roadside bombing that killed two U.S. service members and wounded two others in southern Afghanistan .
The Taliban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half of Afghanistan .
The militants continue to stage near-daily attacks targeting Afghan and U.S. forces , even as they hold peace talks with the U.S and have given the U.S. envoy a document outlining their offer for a temporary cease-fire in Afghanistan .
Scores of Afghan civilians have also been killed in the crossfire and by roadside bombs planted by militants .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-17--‘Days of God’: A look at Iran’s mounting crises

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - Iran ’ s supreme leader says his nation is living through “ days of God.
” The Islamic Republic has been reeling from one crisis to another , from the targeted killing by the United States of its top general to the Revolutionary Guard ’ s accidental shootdown of a passenger plane carrying scores of young people , most of them Iranians .
U.S. sanctions have crippled its economy as tensions with America have soared .
In a rare Friday sermon in Tehran , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stuck to the playbook Iran has relied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s woes on the U.S. and other Western powers , and proclaiming that Iranians still support the Islamic Revolution .
He pointed to the outpouring of grief after Gen. Qassem Soleimani , Iran ’ s top general , was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad .
Hundreds of thousands of Iranians attended funeral services across the country for Soleimani , who was revered by many as a war hero .
But the funeral itself was marred by tragedy when 56 people died in a stampede of mourners in Soleimani ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national unity was shattered days later , when Iranian forces accidentally shot down a Ukrainian jetliner , killing all 176 people on board , and then concealed their responsibility until they were confronted with mounting evidence from Western leaders .
Here ’ s a look at the various crises Iran faces : After unilaterally withdrawing from Iran ’ s 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers , President Donald Trump began ratcheting up sanctions .
The sanctions have exacerbated an economic crisis , sending the local currency into a freefall and wiping away many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute of International Finance , a global association of financial institutions , estimates that Iran ’ s economy will contract this fiscal year by more than 7 % , mostly because of the drop in crude oil exports due to sanctions .
The report found that as a result , Iran ’ s reserves are expected to dip to $ 73 billion by March , totalling nearly $ 40 billion in losses over two years .
As head of the Revolutionary Guard ’ s elite Quds Force , Soleimani was the architect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its support for armed groups in Lebanon , Syria , Iraq and Yemen .
He was blamed for the killing of hundreds of American soldiers by Iran-backed militias in the years after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq .
He also helped Syrian President Bashar Assad ’ s forces battle rebels and Islamic extremists .
In Iran , he was seen by many as a mythic figure who had defended the nation .
Critics and supporters alike say he will be tough to replace .
In response to the killing of Soleimani , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at U.S. bases in Iraq .
No one was seriously wounded , though several soldiers were screened for concussions and sent to Germany for medical treatment .
As Iran braced for a counterattack , the Revolutionary Guard shot down a passenger plane shortly after it took off from Tehran ’ s international airport last week , mistaking it for a U.S. cruise missile .
Most of those killed were Iranians .
Iranian authorities concealed their role for three days , initially blaming a technical failure , until Western leaders said they had mounting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plane down .
Iranian officials have apologized and promised to punish those responsible , but have faced widespread criticism and international demands to pay compensation to victims ’ families .
As the economic crisis has worsened , Iran has seen wave after wave of sporadic , leaderless protests .
The protests are usually sparked by economic grievances but rapidly escalate into calls to overthrow the Islamic Republic .
The demonstrations have often turned violent , and security forces have responded with force .
Amnesty International says more than 300 people were killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in gasoline prices , when authorities shut down the internet for several days .
The Revolutionary Guard ’ s announcement on Saturday that it was responsible for shooting down the plane sparked days of protests in the streets and on university campuses .
Security forces dispersed some of the crowds with tear gas and live ammunition .
Iran continued to comply with the nuclear deal despite U.S. sanctions until last summer , when it said it would no longer fully abide with the agreement if it received no economic benefits .
Iran began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal , and after the killing of Soleimani said it was no longer bound by any of the agreement ’ s restrictions .
Britain , France and Germany , which also signed the deal along with China and Russia , have been trying to salvage it .
They have searched for a mechanism that would allow them to keep trading with Iran but have been unable to find one that would protect their companies from U.S. sanctions .
Earlier this week , the European nations triggered a dispute mechanism in the nuclear deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into compliance .
They say they are committed to saving the agreement , but the dispute process could potentially result in the snapback of international sanctions , further compounding Iran ’ s woes .


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Mexico’s “Thousand Islands” yields 14 corpses in 7 pits

MEXICO CITY - Police said Thursday they found 14 sets of skeletal human remains in seven clandestine burial pits in area known as Mexico ’ s “ Thousand Islands.
” Police , soldiers and National Guardsmen used boats to reach four islands in a reservoir in the southern state of Oaxaca , near the border with the Gulf coast state of Veracruz .
State prosecutors said eight of the skeletons were men and six belonged to women .
Most of the skulls showed bullet wounds , suggesting the victims had been shot in the head .
Dozens of military personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous area of the Miguel Alemán reservoir , where drug gangs operate .
Armed men detained in an earlier raid gave police leads about the location of clandestine grave sites .
Attempts at developing a tourist trade in the reservoir , which is dotted with hundreds of tiny islets , have foundered because of the widespread violence and kidnapping in the area .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Trial date set for officer charged with killing black man

NASHVILLE - A trial date has been set for a white Nashville police officer charged with fatally shooting an armed black man during a foot chase in 2018 .
The trial for Andrew Delke , 25 , is set to begin March 16 , according to an order filed by Judge Monte Watkins on Thursday .
Delke has pleaded not guilty to charges he shot and killed Daniel Hambrick from behind as Hambrick ran from officers .
Delke pulled into an apartment parking lot after seeing a car he mistook for one he had been following , an arrest affidavit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hambrick was in the area at the time and began to run , according to the document .
Delke is accused of fatally shooting him in the back , torso and head as he fled .
Delke ’ s attorney has said the officer acted in line with his training and Tennessee law in response to “ an armed suspect who ignored repeated orders to drop his gun.
” District Attorney General Glenn Funk has argued Delke had alternatives , adding the officer could have stopped , sought cover and called for help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to the creation of a citizen oversight board for Nashville ’ s police force .
Hambrick ’ s family filed a lawsuit last March against Delke and Nashville ’ s government seeking $ 30 million and alleging Hambrick ’ s shooting was at least partly motivated by race .
A police department spokesman called the lawsuit an attack containing misinformation .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-17--US agency examining Tesla unintended acceleration complaint

DETROIT - The U.S. government ’ s auto safety agency is looking into allegations that all three of Tesla ’ s electric vehicles can suddenly accelerate on their own .
An unidentified person petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asking for an investigation into the problem .
An agency document outlining the allegations shows 127 owner complaints to the government that include 110 crashes and 52 injuries .
The agency said it will look into allegations that cover about 500,000 Tesla vehicles including the Tesla Model 3 , Model S and Model X vehicles from the 2013 through 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigations office will evaluate the petition and decide if it should open a formal probe .
NHTSA is already investigating three December crashes involving Tesla vehicles in which three people were killed .
The agency ’ s special crash investigations unit sent teams to Gardena , California , and near Terre Haute , Indiana , to probe two fatal crashes .
Another crash in Connecticut also is under investigation .
Some of the unintended acceleration complaints , which have yet to be verified by NHTSA , allege that the cars ’ electronics malfunctioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Clemente , California , told NHTSA that in November of 2018 , a Model X SUV accelerated on its own to full power during a U-Turn on a city street .
The driver had a foot on the brake , but the SUV accelerated in a fraction of a second , according to the complaint .
The driver alleged that something in Tesla ’ s system “ triggered the sudden spontaneously full acceleration , resulting in this collision.
” The SUV hit a parked vehicle , the air bags inflated and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several small chest bruises , according to the complaint .
People who file complaints with NHTSA are not identified in the agency ’ s database .
The driver asked NHTSA to find out whether the Tesla complaints had common elements , including parking or making turns at low speeds .
In the other Tesla crash investigations , authorities are trying to determine whether the cars were operating on Autopilot , a system designed to keep a car in its lane and a safe distance from other vehicles .
Autopilot also can change lanes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Safety Board will hold a hearing Feb. 25 on a fatal crash in Mountain View , California , involving a Tesla that was operating on the company ’ s Autopilot driver assist system .
Tesla has said repeatedly that its Autopilot system is designed only to assist drivers , who must still pay attention and be ready to intervene at all times .
The company contends that Teslas with Autopilot are safer than vehicles without it , but cautions that the system does not prevent all crashes .
NHTSA ’ s crash program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency believed were operating on some form of partially automated advanced driver assist system .
Fourteen of these cases involved Tesla models .
The team investigates more than 100 crashes per year .


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Organizers appeal Virginia rally gun ban; 6 now arrested

RICHMOND , Va. - A gun-rights group has filed an emergency appeal of a judge ’ s ruling upholding the Virginia governor ’ s ban on firearms at a pro-gun rally that ’ s expected to draw thousands of gun activists to the state capitol on Monday .
The Virginia Citizens Defence League and Gun Owners of America sought an injunction against the ban , but Judge Joi Taylor ruled Thursday that Gov .
Ralph Northam has the authority under state law to take action related to “ the safety and welfare ” of the state .
The group ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court of Virginia .
“ Without relief from this court , petitioners and thousands of other rally participants will be irreparably denied their right to bear arms , ” the groups ’ attorneys argue in their appeal .
It was not immediately clear when the court would hear the appeal .
In her written decision , Taylor cited rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court and other courts that found the Second Amendment right to bear arms is not unlimited .
Because of that , she wrote , the gun-rights groups would not “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justify the injunction .
The judge ’ s ruling came shortly after the FBI helped police arrest six men they said were linked to a violent white supremacist group known as The Base .
At least three of them were believed to be planning to attend the rally in Richmond , according to a law enforcement official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss an active investigation .
Those three were taken into custody on federal felony charges in Maryland and Delaware , the Justice Department said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men had discussed travelling to Ukraine to fight alongside “ nationalists ” and compared the white supremacist group to al-Qaida , a prosecutor said during the defendants ’ initial court hearing .
A criminal complaint charges former Canadian Armed Forces reservist Patrik Jordan Mathews , 27 , and Brian Mark Lemley Jr. , 33 , of Elkton , Maryland , with transporting a firearm and ammunition with intent to commit a felony .
William Garfield Bilbrough IV , 19 , of Denton , Maryland , is charged with “ transporting and harbouring aliens.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday that agents also assisted in the arrests of three Georgia men linked to The Base , on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and participating in a criminal street gang .
Details of their cases have been sealed by a judge , Floyd County police Sgt .
Chris Fincher told the AP on Friday .
Fincher identified them as Luke Austin Lane of Floyd County , Michael Helterbrand of Dalton , and Jacob Kaderli of Dacula .
Virginia ’ s solicitor general , Toby Heytens , argued at Thursday ’ s hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority to declare the state of emergency and ban weapons after law enforcement identified “ credible evidence ” that armed out-of-state groups planned to come to Virginia with the possible intention of participating in a “ violent insurrection.
” David Browne , an attorney for the gun-rights groups , argued that prohibiting rallygoers from carrying guns would violate their Second Amendment right to bear arms and their First Amendment right to free speech .
Browne said carrying guns is a form of symbolic speech .
Philip Van Cleave , president of the Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sponsoring Monday ’ s rally — called the judge ’ s ruling “ mind-boggling.
“ “ I took this action to protect Virginians from credible threats of violence , ” he said .
“ These threats are real — as evidenced by reports of neo-Nazis arrested this morning after discussing plans to head to Richmond with firearms.
” Virginia senators were debating a package of gun-control bills as the court challenges developed .
The Democrat-led Senate advanced legislation limiting handgun purchases to once a month , requiring universal background checks on gun purchases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in public buildings , parks and other areas .
The measures largely passed along partisan lines and will now go to the House for consideration .
Democrats said they were reasonable measures that would improve public safety while respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners .
They said the public had made clear by voting for Democrats in recent elections that new gun laws were needed .
“ The citizens in this last two elections have spoken , ” said Democratic Sen. Dave Marsden .
Republicans decried the legislation as an assault on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill was aimed at appeasing special interest groups and donors such as Democratic presidential hopeful Michael Bloomberg .
GOP senators said the new laws would entrap innocent people and do nothing to stop bad actors .
“ This may be what you think is safety , but it is not , ” said Republican Sen. Bill Stanley .
Associated Press reporters Alan Suderman in Richmond ; Michael Kunzelman in College Park , Maryland ; and Mike Balsamo in Washington in contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Plane slides off taxiway in icy weather; winter storm hits

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
- A plane slid off the taxiway at Kansas City International Airport on Friday due to icy conditions that also have closed schools , universities and government offices as a sprawling winter storm hits large sections of the Midwest and beyond .
The Delta Airlines A319 was taxiing from the terminal when the nose wheel dropped off the taxiway pavement , KMBC-TV reports that airport spokesman Joe McBride said .
There were no known injuries on that flight , officials said .
The closures come after the National Weather Service issued winter weather advisories , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions from the Plains into the Northeast through the weekend .
Snow is forecast over much of the Great Lakes , with a blizzard warning for parts of the Upper Midwest .
In South Dakota and Minnesota , dozens of schools cancelled classes Friday ahead of snowfall expected during the day .
In Kansas Gov .
Laura Kelly closed state offices in the Topeka area , urging people in a news release to “ stay safe and warm , exercise caution and allow road crews to do their job.
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thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Actors die in fall during rehearsal for Mexican TV show

MEXICO CITY - Two actors fell from a bridge and died while rehearsing a scene on location for the Mexican @ @ @ @ @ a la Verdad , ” broadcaster Televisa said Friday .
Televisa said in a brief @ @ @ @ @ and Luis Gerardo Rivera died Thursday night but did not give further details .
It @ @ @ @ @ contact with Mexico City authorities and the Televisa family was in mourning .
“ Our @ @ @ @ @ of Jorge and Luis Gerardo , to whom we extend our most heartfelt condolences , @ @ @ @ @ Sin Miedo a la Verdad , ” or “ No Fear of the Truth , @ @ @ @ @ .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Leader of St. Louis black police union says racial bias real

ST. LOUIS - The president of a predominantly black St. Louis police union said Wednesday that the city prosecutor ’ s lawsuit is correct in pointing out racial concerns in St. Louis , including biases within the police department itself .
Ethical Society of Police President Heather Taylor stopped short of endorsing Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner ’ s federal lawsuit , but questioned how anyone could ignore the department ’ s “ long history of racial discrimination.
” Gardner , who became St. Louis ’ first black circuit attorney in 2017 , filed a lawsuit Monday accusing “ entrenched interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist practices , in part by seeking to force her from office .
Defendants include the city and the St. Louis Police Officers Association , the much larger rival union to the Ethical Society of Police .
While the ESOP has 310 members , 97 % of whom are black , the SLPOA has 1,300 members , 30 % of whom are black .
Jacob Long , spokesman for St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson , called Gardner ’ s lawsuit “ meritless.
” Jeff Roorda , the SLPOA business manager who also is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the worst prosecutor in the United States , ” accusing her of lenient policies that have contributed to the city ’ s worst-in-the-nation per capita murder rate .
Taylor said in a statement that denying racial bias within the department is “ a slap in the face to minority and non-minority officers with whom we are proud to serve.
” She said the union has often cited racial disparities in discipline , promotions , and job placement .
Taylor also cited issues mentioned in Gardner ’ s lawsuit , including a watchdog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified several officers accused of posting racist , violent or prejudiced messages on Facebook .
The suit also cited a 2017 incident in which a black undercover officer was allegedly beaten by four white colleagues who mistook him for a protester , leading to their federal indictment .
Gardner ’ s relationship with police has long been strained .
She developed an “ exclusion list ” of more than two dozen police officers who were barred from serving as primary witnesses in criminal cases over what Gardner called credibility concerns , a move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is black .
In 2018 , she hired a private investigator , former FBI agent William Tisaby , rather than working with police to investigate claims that then-Missouri Gov .
Eric Greitens took a compromising photo of a woman during an extra-marital affair .
An invasion of privacy charge was eventually dropped , but Greitens , a Republican , resigned in June 2018 .
Fallout from the Greitens case continues and Roorda accused Gardner of filing the suit as a distraction .
After weighing evidence presented by Special Prosecutor Gerard Carmody , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with perjury for allegedly lying during a deposition .
The indictment said Gardner failed to correct his inaccuracies or report them , and that she made incorrect statements to defence lawyers and a judge .
She was not indicted but the investigation remains open .
Gardner ’ s suit named Carmody and questioned why he was appointed given his long friendship with Edward L. Dowd Jr. , one of Greitens ’ attorneys .
This story was first published on Jan. 15 .
It was updated on Jan. 17 to correct that private investigator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jury that weighed evidence presented by Special Prosecutor Gerard Carmody , and that Carmody didn ’ t bring the charges himself .


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Students reinstated amid hazing probe at Michigan school

WARREN , Mich. - Three Detroit-area high school students who were suspended during an investigation of hazing by football players are back in class , a lawyer said .
Paul Addis told the Detroit Free Press that a lawsuit against De La Salle Collegiate was settled .
One student returned to school Monday while the others were on campus last week .
They had missed weeks of school .
“ All the kids are very happy to have them back .
They ’ ve been embraced by all of their classmates , ” Addis said .
“ The parents are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this part is over.
” Police in Warren have been investigating allegations that De La Salle players were hazed by other players with broomsticks .
The findings have been given to prosecutors .
The school has acknowledged that some type of hazing occurred .
De La Salle disclosed the allegations in October and ended the team ’ s season by forfeiting a playoff game .
Mike Giannone , who won two state championships as De La Salle ’ s coach , is no longer leading the team .
“ We adhere to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment on student discipline or attendance , ” De La Salle said Thursday .
“ This has been a learning experience for our school , and we have made corrective actions to ensure the alleged hazing activities never happen again.
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thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Banks, communications companies lead stocks in early trading

NEW YORK - U.S. stocks edged higher in early trading Friday as solid earnings from banks helped extend momentum from the previous day ’ s rally .
State Street and Citizens Financial were among the latest banks to report encouraging results in a week of solid reports from larger financial institutions .
Investors were also digesting the latest government housing data which showed a December surge in new home construction .
The latest bright sign on the economy follows Thursday ’ s solid retail sales report , which revealed consumers are still spending at a healthy pace .
Technology stocks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going .
Qualcomm rose 3.9 % .
Communications companies rose .
Google parent company Alphabet climbed again , a day after becoming the latest tech giant to cross the $ 1 trillion valuation mark , joining Apple and Microsoft .
Comcast rose 1.2 % after NBCUniversal launched a new streaming service that will have a free component .
Bond prices fell , pushing yields higher .
The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 1.84 % from 1.8 % late Thursday .
Stocks are still trading around their latest record highs reached a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solid weekly gains .
The two days of good economic news come on the heels of the U.S. and China signing an initial trade deal .
Progress on trade has eased fears on Wall Street about the potential for the dispute to escalate further .
KEEPING SCORE : The S & P 500 index rose 0.2 % as of 10:30 a.m. Eastern time .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 74 points , or 0.3 % , to 29,348 .
The Nasdaq rose 0.2 % .
The Russell 2000 index of smaller company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Asia rose .
HEAVY ANCHOR : Gap fell 1.3 % after the retailer cancelled plans to spin off its Old Navy brand , saying the move would be too costly .
It also said the president and CEO of the Gap brand , Neil Fiske , is stepping down .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Portrait found in Italy gallery’s walls verified as by Klimt

PIACENZA , Italy - Art experts have confirmed that a painting discovered hidden inside an Italian art gallery ’ s walls last month is Gustav Klimt ’ s “ Portrait of a Lady , ” which was reported stolen from the gallery nearly 23 years ago .
The authentication of the painting announced Friday solved one of the art world ’ s enduring mysteries - where did the missing work end up ?
- but left several questions unanswered , including who had taken it and whether it ever left the museum ’ s property .
In December , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gallery in the northern city of Piacenza who was clearing away ivy noticed a small panel door on a wall outside and opened it .
Inside the space , he found a plastic bag containing a painting that appeared to be the missing masterpiece .
“ It ’ s with no small emotion that I can tell you the work is authentic , ” Piacenza Prosecutor Ornella Chicca told reporters Friday .
The portrait , of a young woman sensually glancing over her shoulder against a dreamy moss green background , was displayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officers at a news conference .
The painting is a later work by Klimt .
The Austrian art nouveau master .
painted it in 1916-17 .
Since the gardener ’ s discovery , the canvas had been kept in a vault of a local branch of Italy ’ s central bank while experts used infrared radiation and other non-invasive techniques to determine if it was the original “ Portrait of a Lady.
” Experts said the painting was in remarkable good condition .
One of the few signs of damage was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that may have resulted from a clumsy effort to remove the portrait from its frame .
Shortly before its disappearance , during work at the gallery to prepare for an exhibit , an Italian art student thought the portrait resembled another work .
Experts discovered that Klimt painted “ Portrait of a Lady ” on top of an earlier portrait of a woman .
Those studying the work in recent weeks , with the aid of X-rays , saw the earlier portrait , further confirmation of the work ’ s authenticity .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police were studying some organic traces found on the canvas in hopes it might lead investigators to the culprits .

Charlene Pele And Frances D'Emilio - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--What you need to know before 2020 Census starts in Alaska

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - The 2020 Census kicks off Tuesday in remote Alaska .
U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham will be there to conduct the first count in the Bering Sea community of Toksook Bay .
Dillingham planned to spend time Friday at the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School in Anchorage , giving students a lesson on statistics .
Additional outreach is planned throughout the weekend .
WHY IS THE 2020 CENSUS STARTING IN ALASKA ?
With its sparse population and subzero temperature , rural Alaska can be hard to reach , and some of its villages are accessible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , the Census Bureau starts the head count in The Last Frontier state by going door-to-door in January — more than two months before the rest of the nation — so it can make sure it reaches villages before the spring thaw , when residents head out to fish and hunt .
The state ’ s heritage is traditionally on display during these first counts .
In 2000 , then-U.S. Census Bureau Director Kenneth Prewitt arrived for the first count in the village of Unalakleet as a passenger in a dog sled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Toksook Bay will perform for Dillingham .
WHEN DOES IT START ELSEWHERE ?
Residents in the rest of the U.S. , as well as the rest of Alaska , can start responding online and by telephone in mid-March .
The Census Bureau plans to send out a first round of notices explaining how to participate during the second week of March .
It will send up to four more rounds of mailings , including a paper questionnaire , in March and April to households that haven ’ t responded .
WILL SOMEONE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you fail to reply online , by mail or by telephone .
This is the first census in which the Census Bureau is encouraging most people to answer the questions via the internet .
Around three-quarters of households will initially get invitations to respond to the questionnaire online .
However , the Census Bureau realizes some communities don ’ t have easy access to the internet , and about a quarter of households will initially receive paper questionnaires that can be mailed back .
By May , the Census Bureau will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doors of households it hasn ’ t heard back from .
WHAT ARE THE QUESTIONS ?
The form asks how many people live in the household as of April 1 , whether the home is owned or rented , and the form-filler ’ s age , race and sex .
It also asks if the form-filler is Latino , and if so , their country of origin .
In the race question , the form-filler also can specify country of origin .
All other residents in the household must answer , or have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same questions on age , sex and race .
They must specify their relationship to the form-filler and if they live elsewhere , like away at college .
For the first time , same-sex couples will be able to identify as such , either as spouses or unmarried partners .
No .
The Trump administration tried to add the question , but the U.S. Supreme Court blocked it .
Everyone residing in the United States and the five U.S. territories , including non-citizens and immigrants living in the country illegally .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who are counted at their home addresses in the U.S. WILL MY INFORMATION BE SHARED ?
No .
Under federal law , all responses are kept completely confidential , and they can be used only to produce statistics .
WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT THE CENSUS ?
Because it is used to determine who your representative in Congress is , where new businesses can build , how crowded your local schools will get over the next decade , and whether highways in your community get money for repairs .
The results of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of $ 1.5 trillion in federal spending , as well as how many congressional seats each state gets .

Mark Thiessen And Mike Schneider - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Police: Note alerted teacher to gun in student’s backpack

CHARLESTON , S.C. - South Carolina ’ s Department of Juvenile Justice took a 13-year-old boy into custody after another student handed a teacher a note saying the teen claimed he was going to shoot people , and police found a handgun in his backpack .
An administrator and a teacher at Haut Gap Middle School on Johns Island told officers they found the weapon and ammunition in the student ’ s bag Wednesday after another student gave the science teacher a handwritten note saying the boy “ said he was going to shoot us ” and “ has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ the teacher told police .
The officer found the handgun , a magazine with eight rounds in it and a second magazine with six rounds in it , inside the bag , a police report obtained by news outlets stated .
Two other bullets were found inside the bag .
The gun itself wasn ’ t loaded and didn ’ t have a round in the chamber , the report stated .
The boy told officers he took the gun from his cousin ’ s room because he wanted to show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The student ’ s exact charges haven ’ t been given .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Mexico’s president hopes to raffle off presidential jet

MEXICO CITY - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced the latest in a series of desperate ideas Friday to sell off his predecessor ’ s official jet , which he says is too luxurious for a country where half the people live in poverty .
López Obrador said he is considering raffling off the plane by selling six million raffle tickets at $ 25 apiece .
He offered to throw in a year ’ s free operating time in case the winner of the lottery-style scheme doesn ’ t have the money to operate the jet .
López Obrador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Boeing 787 Dreamliner , after the $ 130 million jet failed to find a buyer after year on sale at a U.S. airstrip , where it piled up about $ 1.5 million in maintenance costs .
He hasn ’ t said yet whether he ’ s considering a yard sale , but suggested that no idea has been ruled out .
“ Help me , ” he pleaded with reporters at his morning news conference , obviously floundering for ways to get rid of the plane .
He said he has met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get rid of the white elephant .
The jet is expensive to run and now configured to carry only 80 people , albeit with a full presidential suite with a bedroom and private bath ; experts say it would be too expensive to reconfigure back into a commercial airliner that normally carries as many as 300 passengers .
The austerity-minded president flies tourist class , has turned the luxurious presidential compound into an arts centre and vowed never to step foot on the jet his predecessor bought .
He has suggested bartering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment , or selling it in shares to a group of businessmen for executive incentive programs .
He has also offered to rent it out by the hour , in hopes of paying off the remainder of outstanding loans on the plane .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Source says Dershowitz, Starr to join Trump impeachment legal team

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s legal team will include former Harvard University law professor Alan Dershowitz and Ken Starr , the former independent counsel who led the Whitewater investigation into President Bill Clinton , according to a person familiar with the matter .
The team will also include Pam Bondi , the former Florida attorney general and a Trump ally .
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the person wasn ’ t authorized to speak on the record .
Dershowitz confirmed his role in a series of tweets on Friday , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Senate trial to address the constitutional arguments against impeachment and removal.
“ “ While Professor Dershowitz is non partisan when it comes to the constitution — he opposed the impeachment of President Bill Clinton and voted for Hillary Clinton — he believes the issues at stake go to the heart of our enduring Constitution , “ he said in another tweet .
White House counsel Pat Cipollone and Trump personal lawyer Jay Sekulow are expected to have the lead roles on the defence team .
Other members include Jane Raskin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s legal team during special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s Russia investigation , and Robert Ray , who was also part of the Whitewater investigation .
Trump was impeached on charges of abuse of power and obstructing Congress , stemming from his pressure on Ukraine to investigate Democratic rivals as he was withholding security aid , and obstructing the ensuing congressional probe..
The U.S. Senate opened the trial on Thursday and senators were sworn in as jurors .
The trial resumes Tuesday .
The president insists he did nothing wrong , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House : “ It ’ s totally partisan .
It ’ s a hoax.
” Eventual acquittal is expected in the Republican-controlled Senate .
However , new revelations are mounting about Trump ’ s actions toward Ukraine .
The Government Accountability Office said Thursday that the White House violated federal law in withholding the security assistance to Ukraine , which shares a border with hostile Russia .
At the same time , an indicted associate of Trump ’ s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani , Lev Parnas , has turned over to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shadow foreign policy being run by Giuliani .
The developments applied fresh pressure to senators to call more witnesses for the trial , a main source of contention that is still to be resolved .
The White House has instructed officials not to comply with subpoenas from Congress requesting witnesses or other information .


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Cuban president says concessions to US would lead nowhere

LAS TUNAS , Cuba - Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said he does not believe the Trump administration would drop sanctions on the island in exchange for concessions from his government .
The Trump administration says it has been tightening sanctions on Cuba in recent months in order to starve the island ’ s communist government of cash and energy supplies and force it to end support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro .
U.S. pressure has contributed to slowing economic growth and sporadic shortages of products including gasoline and cooking gas , along with common household goods .
Speaking to reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday night , Díaz-Canel said Cubans should not believe that conceding to U.S. demands would lead to improved conditions for the island .
“ Sometimes ideas come our way that if we abandon one position or another , if we abandon solidarity and help ( for other countries ) , the doors would open for us and that ’ s a lie , ” Díaz-Canel said .
“ We don ’ t want open doors where we can beg ; we want open doors because there is a serious dialogue ” with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the international media during his first year in office but has begun to invite foreign correspondents on his regular trips to Cuban provinces to review public services and interact with local officials and residents .
On his Thursday trip to Las Tunas , in eastern Cuba , he visited a hospital and art school and met with university students for several hours .
Despite U.S. efforts to oust him in co-operation with the Venezuelan opposition and countries in the region , Maduro shows no sign of losing his grip on power .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for that U.S. policy failure .
“ The U.S. has seen its situation in Latin America and the world get complicated due to its own excesses and this government is starting to look for excuses to explain the problems it ’ s having in foreign policy , ” Díaz-Canel said .
The president , who took office in April 2018 , said that his visits to Cuba ’ s provincial centres along with his cabinet were key to reassuring Cubans confronting economic trouble and shortages of basic goods .
He said that when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , “ we went to the Cuban people to explain what was going to happen , what we were going to live through and the things we were going to do .
Above all , we asked the Cuban people to have solidarity , to understand , to co-operate , to help , and we got through the situation .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--‘Lord of the Rings’ protector Christopher Tolkien dies at 95

LONDON - Christopher Tolkien , who played a major role protecting the legacy of his father ’ s “ The Lord of the Rings ” series , has died .
He was 95 .
The Tolkien Society and HarperCollins UK confirmed his death but no details were provided .
Tolkien ’ s life work was closely identified with that of his father , J.R.R .
Tolkien .
He helped edit and publish much of his father ’ s writings after the science fiction and fantasy master died in 1973 .
Among the books he worked on were “ The Silmarillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” and other texts that flesh out the complex world his father created .
He also drew the original maps that adorned the trilogy of books released in the 1950s .
Tolkien Society chairman Shaun Gunner said “ millions of people around the world will be forever grateful to Christopher for bringing us “ so many of his father ’ s literary works .
“ Christopher ’ s commitment to his father ’ s works have seen dozens of publications released , and his own work as an academic in Oxford demonstrates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ We have lost a titan and he will be sorely missed.
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thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Johansson, Sterling K. Brown among SAG Awards presenters

LOS ANGELES - Scarlett Johansson , Sterling K. Brown and Taika Waititi will be up for Screen Actors Guild Awards and also handing them out at Sunday ’ s ceremony .
They ’ re part of a new batch of SAG Awards presenters announced Friday , along with Roman Griffin Davis , Jason Bateman , Lili Reinhart and Kaitlyn Dever .
They ’ ll join previously announced presenters including Lupita Nyong ’ o and Phoebe Waller-Bridge , as well as Leonardo DiCaprio , who will present the SAG Life Achievement Award to Robert De Niro .
Most of the presenters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for best actress in a film for “ Marriage Story , ” best supporting actress in a film for “ Jojo Rabbit ” and best cast in a film along with her “ Jojo Rabbit ” co-stars Waititi and Davis .
Brown , a four-time SAG Award winner , is nominated for best actor in a television drama for “ This Is Us.
” The 26th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be held Sunday at 8 p.m. EST at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Spain’s Balearic Isles crack down on pub crawls, happy hours

MADRID - Authorities in Spain ’ s tourist-magnet Balearic Islands are clamping down on binge-drinking tourism in three hot spots , introducing what they claim is the first law of its kind in Europe .
The islands ’ regional government based in Palma de Mallorca on Friday passed a law prohibiting the organization and promotion of pub crawls and publicity promoting of alcohol sales by means of “ open bars ” and “ happy hours.
” It also prohibited the practice of jumping from hotel balconies into swimming pools — popularly known as “ balconing ” — throughout the Mediterranean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many injuries and several deaths .
Those caught taking part in the activity will be obliged to leave their hotel and may face fines .
The legislation will apply to a long stretch of the capital , from Palma Beach to the S ’ Arenal area , as well as the Magaluf spot on Mallorca island , and the West End area of Ibiza , initially for the next five years .
Mallorca and Ibiza are two of Europe ’ s most popular tourist destinations , and its nightclub-filled beachfront promenades are particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany and Ireland .
The regional government said the law is a novelty in Europe and that it ’ s aimed at improving the quality of tourism on the islands and the wellbeing of both tourists and residents .
The regulation bans alcohol-selling machines , and shops selling alcohol must close between 2030 GMT and 0700 GMT in the areas .
It freezes new licenses for so-called “ party boats ” and forbids them from taking on or offloading revelers in the three areas .
The legislation envisages fines ranging from 6,000 euros @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Man convicted of child sex abuse sentenced for child porn

BURLINGTON , Vt. - A Vermont man whose initial 60-day sentence for sexually abusing a child caused an outcry has @ @ @ @ @ in prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography .
Mark Hulett , of @ @ @ @ @ federal court on Thursday .
In a previous case , Hulett pleaded guilty to abusing @ @ @ @ @ of four years beginning when she was 6 .
He was sentenced in 2006 to @ @ @ @ @ ’ t eligible for sex offender treatment in prison .
Judge Edward Cashman explained the @ @ @ @ @ way to ensure public safety was to remove him from prison , so he could @ @ @ @ @ were changed so Hulett could receive in-prison treatment , Cashman resentenced him to at least @ @ @ @ @ of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
@ @ @ @ @ to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Thief steals $145K in cash from marijuana money courier

SANTA ANA , Calif. - A man stole $ 145,000 in cash from a marijuana money courier ’ s unmarked van at a Southern California gas station after the driver collected the proceeds from several dispensaries , authorities said Friday .
Because the U.S. government still outlaws marijuana , even in legal states like California , it is mostly an all-cash business because of federal banking laws .
Santa Ana police released surveillance footage from the gas station and asked for the public ’ s help to identify the suspect .
After the courier had walked into the gas station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s passenger window with an object and grabbed two satchels full of cash from the centre console area , Santa Ana police Cpl .
Anthony Bertagna told The Associated Press .
The man then got back into a Nissan Pathfinder ’ s passenger seat and drove away .
Bertagna said the van was locked at the time , but he didn ’ t know if it had a safe inside or had reinforced glass or other security features .
“ If it ’ s reinforced , it didn ’ t work very well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not believe the courier , who had done pickups in Los Angeles and Santa Ana before refuelling , was involved in the crime , the corporal said .
He did not know which company employs the courier .
“ He could have been followed from LA , ” Bertagna said .
“ Do they know his routine ?
There are a lot of open questions .
It appears they were looking for an opportunity , and they did it in a matter of seconds.
” The Pathfinder had been parked at a gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up before stealing the money , Bertagna said .
“ It ’ s quite apparent they knew what they were doing and how they were going to do it , ” he said .
Santa Ana police typically get reports of dispensaries being burglarized for cash , Bertagna said .
He did not know of any cases in Santa Ana where a courier had cash stolen from a van .
Authorities will be looking into whether similar crimes have been perpetrated elsewhere in the region , Bertagna said .


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Virginia’s highest court upholds weapons ban at gun rally

RICHMOND , Va. - Virginia ’ s highest court on Friday upheld a ban on firearms at a pro-gun rally in the state ’ s capital next week , an event that authorities feared could erupt in violence at the hands of armed extremists .
Gov .
Ralph Northam earlier this week declared a state of emergency and issued an executive order banning all weapons from the Capitol grounds in Richmond , saying the state had received credible threats of “ armed militia groups storming our Capitol ” during an annual gun-rights rally scheduled for Monday .
Gun-rights groups sued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied their request to lift the ban , citing rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court and other courts that the Second Amendment right to bear arms is not unlimited .
On Friday , the state Supreme Court agreed and upheld the ban .
Gun-control proposals gained momentum in Virginia after a city employee opened fire on co-workers at a municipal building in Virginia Beach in May , killing 12 people and injuring four others .
After Democrats who promised to pass a slew of new gun restrictions won a majority in Virginia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups began a fierce opposition campaign .
More than 125 cities , towns and counties have declared themselves “ Second Amendment Sanctuaries ” and promised to fight new gun control laws .
The annual rally sponsored by the gun-rights group Virginia Citizens Defence League — scheduled for Monday , which is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day — has drawn attention from militia groups , white supremacists and anti-government groups who have promised to send members to Virginia to protest new gun laws .
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring urged the state Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the governor , arguing it was necessary to prevent a repeat of deadly violence that erupted at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville in 2017 .
One woman was killed and more than 30 others were hurt when a white supremacist drove his car into a crowd .
No one was wounded by gunfire at the rally .
Gun-rights groups argued that the ban would violate their Second Amendment right to bear arms and their First Amendment freedom of speech .
Associated Press reporters Alan Suderman in Richmond ; Michael Kunzelman in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Atlanta ; Jonathan Drew in Raleigh , North Carolina ; and Mike Balsamo in Washington in contributed to this report .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Avalanche at Lake Tahoe resort kills 1 skier, injures 1

TAHOE CITY , Calif. - An avalanche Friday at a Lake Tahoe ski resort killed one skier and seriously injured another a day after a storm dumped large amounts of snow throughout the picturesque area .
The avalanche occurred at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort , hitting the two skiers on some of the steepest terrain at the resort , where a series of expert runs snake through trees , past cliffs and down narrow chutes .
Officials identified the man who died as Cole Comstock , 34 , of Blairsden , California .
Placer County Sheriff ’ s Sgt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious lower body injuries and was airlifted to a Lake Tahoe hospital for emergency surgery .
Powers said a ski patrol was on scene in the rugged area almost immediately , where others at the top of the run said two skiers had been on the hill below them in an area within the ski resort ’ s boundary .
“ I know at least one of the victims was partially buried by snow , “ Powers said .
“ When you get conditions like this , there is always a risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned of dangerous avalanche conditions for all elevations .
Its website said there was “ a high degree of uncertainty in regards to snowpack instability near and below treeline.
” The storm dumped up to 25 inches ( 0.63 metres ) of snow at the top of the resort , said Edan Weishahn , a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Reno .
She said 1 to 2 feet of snow fell in the surrounding mountains over a 24-hour period .
Search and rescue crews scoured the rest of the mountain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not believe there were any more victims , the sheriff ’ s department said .
Snowboarder Rex Mulvaney of Reno said he noticed some areas had been roped off and people were heading back down the mountain .
“ I knew right away something was wrong , “ he said .
“ They don ’ t usually close something as soon as they open it , like five minutes later.
” An avalanche at Alpine Meadows in March 1982 killed seven people , including several employees of the ski resort .
It struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two chairlifts , and buried the resort ’ s parking lot .
One woman was discovered after five days , buried in the remains of the ski chalet .
Alpine Meadows , about 7 miles ( 11 kilometres ) from Tahoe City , is adjacent to Squaw Valley , home of the 1960 winter Olympics .
The two resorts are co-owned by Alterra Mountain Co. and operated as Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows .
On its website , Alpine Meadows touts itself as a “ picturesque playground for families and off-the-radar thrill-seekers.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across 2400 acres ( 971 hectares ) , groomed runs and chalet-style lodges .
Associated Press writers Daisy Nguyen in San Francisco and Cheyanne Mumphrey in Phoenix also contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Toyota shifting pickup production to Mexico, no US jobs lost

PRINCETON , Ind .
- Toyota will stop making its Tacoma small pickup in San Antonio next year as it shifts production to Mexico , but the company says no U.S. jobs will be lost .
To make up for the lost work , the San Antonio plant will build the Sequoia large SUV , and its 3,200 jobs will be preserved .
Currently the San Antonio plant builds the Tacoma as well as full-size Tundra pickups .
The Tacoma also is built at a factory in Baja California , Mexico .
Late last year , a Toyota plant in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tacomas .
Tacoma production in San Antonio will start to wind down in late 2021 , and Sequoia production will start in 2022 , the company said .
Last summer Toyota announced that it would invest $ 391 million in the San Antonio plant to add capacity to build more vehicles .
The company also announced Friday that it has completed a $ 1.3 billion project modernizing an Indiana factory to boost vehicle production and add 550 jobs .
The project at the Princeton assembly plant in southwestern Indiana included retooling , new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so it could increase production of the Highlander SUV .
Toyota said the project grew by $ 700 million and 150 new jobs from what it first announced for the factory in early 2017 .
Production recently began on the new 2020 Highlander at the factory , which now has about 7,000 employees and also builds Sequoia SUVs and Sienna minivans , according to the company .
The plant that opened in 1998 can now build more than 420,000 vehicles a year , up from the 400,000 it built in 2016 before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the project ’ s completion with a ceremony attended by Gov .
Eric Holcomb at the factory about 25 miles ( 40 kilometres ) north of Evansville .
Sequoia production will shift to San Antonio with the Princeton factory continuing to build mid-size SUVs and minivans .
The company also announced it would spend $ 1 million on a new program to expose area high school students to advanced manufacturing career options .
Toyota Indiana plant President Leah Curry said the program would give students a potential jump start on job opportunities in @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Iowa Democrats treat Warren-Sanders dust-up as ‘Who cares?’

IOWA CITY , Iowa - Ann Stromquist watched this week ’ s Democratic presidential debate like the research scientist she is .
She studied the candidates ’ answers carefully , looking for something to help her make a final decision between supporting Sen. Bernie Sanders or Sen. Elizabeth Warren when Iowa holds the nation ’ s first caucus in a few weeks .
She didn ’ t find it .
Not in the more than two hours of discussions about policy differences , and certainly not in the “ he said-she said ” over a comment Warren said Sanders made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that drew a scolding from this Iowan .
“ What I think about the squabble is : Get over it , ” said the 76-year-old Stromquist , who is leaning toward supporting Warren when she and her husband , a retired professor , caucus on the University of Iowa campus near their home on Feb. 3 .
“ To me , that ’ s not a big deal .
Let ’ s talk about the future.
” The dispute has caused days of hand-wringing among the most intensely focused activists about how it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media exchanges between the camps .
But it seems to have landed with a thud among Iowa progressives .
In interviews across the state , Democrats wearily described it as somewhere on the spectrum of “ not a big deal ” to “ a contrived kerfuffle.
” Few said it would stick with them come caucus day .
The response , or lack of , echoes an undercurrent that has run throughout the race for the Democratic nomination , perhaps especially in Iowa : Democrats aren ’ t in the mood for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a sentiment voters often say , even as they respond to attack ads that take direct hits .
But this time , many Democrats said years of Trump ’ s mocking and name calling have left them tired of the nastiness .
They seem to be looking for a kinder , gentler primary , and they ’ re getting it .
There ’ s been little sign , so far , of the sharp-elbowed moves that have marked other nomination fights , and party leaders seem to be trying their hardest to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : defeating President Donald Trump .
“ That is a motivating factor for all of us to come together , ” said Terry McAuliffe , a former party chairman and Virginia governor who hails from Democrats ’ centre-left establishment wing .
He said he hopes any extended nomination fight doesn ’ t go on too long , lest it shake Democrats ’ focus on defeating Trump , which he emphasized is the underlying reason for progressive and even full party unity , however uneasy .
Campaigns have grown to accept that many voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet locked in , don ’ t want to see candidates fight in ways that come off as personal or bitter .
It ’ s one thing to highlight policy disagreements -- Sanders declaring on the debate stage that he and Joe Biden have “ a fundamental disagreement ” on trade philosophy -- or comparing electoral records , with Warren and Sen. Amy Klobuchar noting that they , two of the remaining women in the contest , have never lost an election , while all the leading men have .
The candidates who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been rewarded for the effort .
Sen. Kamala Harris got only a momentary bounce when she hammered Biden ’ s record on school busing in the desegregation period following the civil rights movement .
She dropped out of the race last month .
Eric Swalwell and Julian Castro got nowhere with debate-stage suggestions that Biden , now 77 , is too old for the job .
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard made headlines for her broadsides on Harris ’ criminal justice record , but she couldn ’ t qualify for the most recent debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians in general conduct themselves with a little more kindness and respect , “ said Ashley Stanislav , 35 , from Orange City , Iowa , a town in the Republican-leaning northwest corner of the state .
Stanislav said that she ’ s deciding between Buttigieg and Warren and that this week ’ s episode didn ’ t put any points on the board for Warren , especially when she heard Warren refused to shake Sanders ’ hand after the debate .
“ I think people we elect should lead by example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two senators ’ private discussion reached a national audience Tuesday night after Warren said Sanders told her during a 2018 meeting that a woman couldn ’ t get elected president .
Sanders has denied saying it , and did so again during the debate in Iowa .
After the debate , Warren and Sanders were captured on a hot microphone as Warren avoided Sanders ’ outstretched hand and told him , “ I think you called me a liar on national TV.
“ Speaking to reporters Friday after an event in Newton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer questions about her rift with Sanders .
“ I don ’ t have anything else to say on this , ” she said .
Warren did not get any questions on the matter from voters at her town hall event .
Several voters said the flap doesn ’ t factor at all in their decision .
“ It ’ s a sideshow , ” said Matthew Kaye , a 46-year-old college administrator who caucused for Sanders in 2016 but is supporting Warren this year .
Jenny Wolffe , a massage therapist from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year but decided to stick with Sanders , for whom she caucused in 2016 .
She believes there was a misunderstanding about what was said in their meeting but added that she can ’ t imagine Sanders would say that a woman couldn ’ t become president .
“ I don ’ t even know why she would say it now , ” Wolfe said .
“ I thought - are you just feeling like you ’ re going down in the polls and you ’ re going to pull this out ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve liked her.
” Bruce Bock , a truck driver from Iowa City who is backing Sanders because of his longtime support for “ Medicare for All ” and other issues , said he ’ s not interested in the “ contrived kerfuffle.
” “ A lot of these things between the Democrats that are running are blown way out of proportion , ” the 68-year-old said .
“ You know , I just really don ’ t care whether he said it or not.
” Amanda West , 38 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said-she said ” that makes it impossible to know the truth and therefore there ’ s no point in trying to argue it .
West , a mother of two from Iowa City , is searching for a candidate to support after her other choices -- Sen. Cory Booker and author Marianne Williamson -- dropped out .
“ It ’ s disappointing all around that that ’ s where the conversation is at because I think there are much more important things , ” West said .
“ One of them should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I don ’ t know which one it is.
” Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Cedar Falls , Iowa , Kathleen Hennessey in Orange City , Iowa , and Julie Pace in Newton , Iowa , contributed to this report .
This story has been corrected to show the massage therapist ’ s last name is Wolffe , not Wolfe .


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Implosion back on for partially collapsed New Orleans hotel

NEW ORLEANS - Plans are on again to implode a New Orleans hotel building that partially collapsed last fall , killing three workers , city officials said Friday .
Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Fire Superintendent Tim McConnell said at a news conference that the implosion is expected to take place in mid-March .
Implosion had been considered , then rejected in the weeks after the Oct. 12 collapse at the planned Hard Rock Hotel on Canal Street , at the edge of New Orleans ’ French Quarter .
But on Friday , officials said the implosion plan was back on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers dismantle the structure .
“ Putting more people at risk , I can not live with that and will not support that , ” Cantrell said .
And it will mean commerce and traffic can return to the area around the unstable building more quickly .
Implosion will also bring the building down ahead of hurricane season , which begins June 1 .
Demolition had been expected to last until December .
Three people died in the collapse .
The remains of two workers remain in the wreckage and Cantrell said returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority .
Explosives already have been used at the site once .
Two towering , multi-ton construction cranes were toppled in controlled blasts on Oct. 21 because they were in danger of falling .
Cantrell said the decision to implode the building was made in consultation with the project owners , insurers and families of the two workers whose remains have not yet been recovered .
She said the new plan means the remains , once recovered , will be more quickly turned over to the families .
Cantrell said she envisions workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wreckage “ immediately after ” the controlled implosion of the building .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-17--How Trump’s impeachment differs from a criminal trial

WASHINGTON - Yes , it ’ s a trial — but the Senate ’ s impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump won ’ t resemble anything Americans have seen on Court TV .
In Trump ’ s trial , the Senate will serve as both judge and jury .
The Republicans who control the chamber can forge their own rules if they have enough votes .
And the presiding judge is the top one in America , yet can be decisively overruled .
A look at some of the key differences between a courtroom trial and the impeachment trial that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : COURTROOM TRIAL : Federal trials , both civil and criminal , are presided over by District Court judges who are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate .
They rule on questions of evidence , motions to dismiss a case or to exclude certain testimony , and all other disputes that emerge both before and during the trial .
SENATE TRIAL : None other than John Roberts , the chief justice of the United States , will preside over this case .
He made the short trip Thursday from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sworn in .
Exactly what role he ’ ll play is unclear , though it may be a modest one in keeping with his insistence that judges aren ’ t meant to be politicians .
And even if Roberts were to make a ruling from the chair , 51 senators can vote to overrule him .
COURTROOM TRIAL : It ’ s a bedrock principle of American jurisprudence , and enshrined in the Constitution , that defendants have the right to have their fate decided by a jury of their peers — ordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant to lack personal connections to the parties , or other biases or motives that could sway their judgment .
They ’ re questioned in advance on their ability to evaluate the evidence fairly and impartially .
SENATE TRIAL : The jury pool here is already preordained under the Constitution and neither side gets any say in who gets to hear the case .
The 100 senators who make up the chamber will decide the case , invariably bringing their own partisan leanings toward one side or the other .
They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or biases at the door — nor will they .
They ’ re also not impassive observers , carrying the power on a majority vote to approve rules or even dismiss the charges .
COURTROOM TRIAL : The attorneys for both sides get to call the witnesses they think will bolster their side of the case .
The lawyers themselves handle the direct questioning and cross-examination , though judges may also ask clarifying questions .
Jurors are not invited to interrupt the proceedings with their own questions , nor do they get to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TRIAL : The senators themselves , in their roles as jurors , will have the opportunity to submit questions in writing .
Under the rules , senators can even be called as witnesses in the trial .
And it ’ s not even automatic that there will be witnesses : It requires 51 votes for witnesses to be called .
COURTROOM TRIAL : Federal criminal cases are tried by prosecutors who work for the Justice Department , their names generally unfamiliar to the American public .
In state and local proceedings , those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorneys .
They don ’ t align themselves with particular political parties or affiliations .
SENATE TRIAL : The prosecutors here aren ’ t prosecutors in the traditional sense .
They ’ re actually seven Democratic members of Congress , all selected by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and given the title of “ manager.
“ Some of the seven are familiar faces from their time leading congressional investigations into Trump , including Rep. Adam Schiff of California and Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York .
COURTROOM TRIAL : To declare a defendant guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state or federal level , a jury must be unanimous in its decision — no exceptions .
If a jury can ’ t reach a verdict after a prolonged period of deliberations , then a judge can declare it as deadlocked and dismiss it from duty .
SENATE TRIAL : No such unanimity is required here .
It would take a two-thirds majority of senators , 67 if all 100 are voting , to convict the president .
Since Republicans make up the majority of the Senate , a conviction is seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on either of the two articles against him , he would automatically be removed from office .


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Michael Bloomberg outlines plans for cleaner buildings, cars

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg would push for all new cars to be electric by 2035 and new buildings to produce zero carbon emissions by 2025 as part of clean energy plans he released this week .
Bloomberg ’ s latest climate plans build off his December plan to cut the United States ’ carbon emissions by 50 % by 2030 .
That ’ s less ambitious than the Green New Deal that many of his competitors have embraced that calls for achieving net-zero carbon emissions within 10 years .
Bloomberg ’ s plans do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would be paid for , details his campaign advisers say they will share later .
The newest plan , released Friday , outlines how Bloomberg would cut down on pollution from cars and trucks , the nation ’ s biggest source of carbon emissions .
While the plan calls for new federal standards requiring all new cars to be electric by 2035 , it would require 15 % of the nation ’ s trucks and buses to be pollution-free by 2030 .
Those are less lofty goals than some of his competitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts .
Bloomberg ’ s plan also calls for expanding tax credits and rebate programs to help people buy electric vehicles and for building charging stations along highways .
The plan calls for spending $ 250 billion on clean energy research and development by 2025 .
Bloomberg would also invest in high-speed rail , pledging to build an operable segment in the next five years .
The United States lags behind Europe and Asia when it comes to high-speed rail , and California ’ s effort to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rail line , between Los Angeles and San Francisco , has been plagued by cost overruns and delays .
The plan would be to build a short segment so that Americans can see that high-speed rail is viable before extending it , said Jeremiah Baumann , a campaign policy adviser .
Bloomberg ’ s clean-building plan calls for retrofitting homes to make them more efficient and offering rebates , tax credits and other ways to help people pay for increasing insulation and trading in boilers , heaters and other appliances that run on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer more federal dollars to cities and states that require owners of large buildings to reduce their pollution .
He would require that new buildings emit net-zero carbon emissions by 2025 .
Larry Goldenhersh , president of the non-profit Center for Sustainable Energy , praised the “ sense of urgency “ in the buildings and transportation plans , as well as their focus on making new technology accessible to low- and middle-income people .
He also praised Bloomberg ’ s focus on expanding research and development and use of data to inform the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also need to use data to figure out how to educate consumers about available cost-saving options so that people actually take advantage of them .
Goldenhersh , whose centre has a focus on electric vehicles , said he hopes to see Bloomberg and other candidates talk about the importance of educating auto dealers on how to effectively sell electric vehicles .
On wildfires , Bloomberg calls for doubling to $ 10 billion the federal government ’ s annual spending on forest management , firefighting and prevention .
He also proposes increasing federal money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expand access roads to dangerous places .
He ’ s endorsing a plan by California Sen. Kamala Harris to spend $ 1 billion annually on community wildfire plans .
Bloomberg has invested hundreds of millions of dollars of his personal fortune in fighting climate change , including a program by the Sierra Club aimed at closing coal-fired power plants .
But some environmental groups have argued that Bloomberg hasn ’ t embraced aggressive enough programs .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Hoverboarding dentist convicted of Medicaid fraud in Alaska

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - An Alaska dentist , who gained notoriety after he was seen in a video riding a hoverboard and pulling teeth , was convicted Friday of defrauding the Alaska Medicaid program .
Seth Lockhart was convicted of 46 counts , including felony medical assistance fraud and scheming to defraud , and misdemeanour counts of illegally practicing dentistry and reckless endangerment , prosecutors said .
The conviction followed a five-week bench trial before Anchorage Superior Court Judge Michael Wolverton , who said in a written finding that he found the state ’ s evidence “ simply overwhelming.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ text conversations were persuasive .
Friends had asked Lockhart how he got away with some of his practices .
“ Dr .
Lockhart responded , in effect , that unless someone was standing right next to him at the time , no one would ever know , “ Wolverton wrote .
The judge also convicted Lookhart ’ s corporation , Lookhart Dental LLC , which did business as Clear Creek Dental , of 40 criminal counts .
Lockhart ’ s office manager , Shauna Cranford , previously pleaded guilty to medical assistance fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lockhart in 2014 was a new dentist who took a job working for two established dentists .
He was to be paid either $ 240,000 a year or 30 % of the money he brought in , whichever was higher , assistant attorney general Eric Senta said .
Cranford persuaded Lookhart to offer intravenous sedation to Medicaid patients as an alternative to less costly anesthesia .
The cost of IV sedation generally is not included in a patient ’ s $ 1,150 annual limit for non-emergency dental procedures .
The practice became lucrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his practice in 2016 accounted for 31 % of all Medicaid payments for IV sedation .
Lockhart also schemed to cut out his partners by billing Medicaid under a different provider identification and having payments sent directly to his home , prosecutors said .
Since Lookhart obtained an IV sedation license in 2015 , prosecutors said , Medicaid paid him about $ 1.9 million for IV sedation services .
The felony medical assistance fraud , theft in the first degree , and scheme to defraud charges carry a possible sentence of up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of up to $ 100,000 and restitution .
The top counts for the business carry a potential fine of up to $ 2.5 million .
Cranford is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 3 .
Lockhart is scheduled to be sentenced April 30 .


thetorontostar--2020-01-17--Billionaire Bloomberg is granted financial disclosure delay

WASHINGTON - Billionaire Michael Bloomberg won ’ t have to publicly disclose his finances until late March , well after voters in more than a dozen states take to the polls on Super Tuesday .
Presidential candidates are required to reveal their investments , businesses and streams of income .
Bloomberg is the only Democrat seeking the White House who has yet to file paperwork to publicly disclose his .
And under an extension granted to him Friday by the Federal Election Commission — the second such one Bloomberg has received — he can postpone their release until March 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the former mayor of New York City , has skipped campaigning in early voting states like Iowa and New Hampshire and is instead staking his bid on a big showing in contests that come later , like Super Tuesday on March 3 .
By getting approval to delay the release of his finances until after those pivotal contests , he is denying voters information about how much he is worth — and how he invests his money .
“ Mr .
Bloomberg ... has made diligent efforts to prepare his report .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his holdings and the need to obtain certain information from third parties , Mr. Bloomberg needs additional time to gather and review his financial information and complete and file his report , ” his attorney Lawrence H. Norton wrote in a letter to the FEC .
Bloomberg spokeswoman Galia Slayen declined to comment .
She also would not say when — or whether — Bloomberg plans to release his tax returns , which was a decadeslong tradition for presidential candidates until Republican Donald Trump declined to release his during the 2016 campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House bid , sits atop a sprawling business empire and is worth more than $ 50 billion , easily making him the wealthiest candidate in the contest .
He has been laying the groundwork for a campaign for months and has flooded primary states with over $ 200 million worth of radio and TV advertising since entering the race in November .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
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