thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Georgia parole board declines to spare life of condemned man

ATLANTA - Georgia ’ s parole board on Tuesday declined to spare the life of a man set to be executed for the killings of his ex-wife and her boyfriend .
Donnie Cleveland Lance , 66 , is scheduled to be put to death Wednesday .
He was convicted and sentenced to die for the November 1997 killings of Sabrina “ Joy ” Lance and Dwight “ Butch ” Wood Jr. in Jackson County , about 60 miles ( 95 kilometres ) northeast of Atlanta .
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles declined to grant clemency after holding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the only authority in Georgia that can commute a death sentence .
The board did not give a reason for its decision , saying only that it had considered the facts and circumstances , as well as the clemency application and testimony .
Lance went to Wood ’ s home the night of Nov. 8 , 1997 , kicked in the front door and shot Wood in the front and back with a shotgun and then beat Joy Lance to death with the butt of the shotgun , according to a Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lance would be the first person executed in Georgia this year .
Jimmy Fletcher Meders was scheduled for lethal injection Jan. 16 , but the parole board commuted his sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole just hours before the execution was scheduled to happen .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Man accused of killing missing wife is in critical condition

FARMINGTON , Conn. - A Connecticut man charged with murdering his estranged wife was hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday after being found unresponsive in a vehicle inside his garage , authorities said .
Fotis Dulos was found when officers went to his house in Farmington because he was late for a bond hearing in the murder case .
He is being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning , according to Farmington Police Lt. Tim McKenzie , who would not confirm if it was a suicide attempt .
Dulos and his wife , Jennifer Dulos , were going through bitter divorce and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
He has denied any role in the disappearance of his wife , who hasn ’ t been seen since she dropped their five children off at their New Canaan school in May .
The children , who ranged in age from 8 to 13 when their mother vanished , have been staying with their maternal grandmother in New York City .
Officers and emergency medical responders converged on Dulos ’ stately home in the wealthy Hartford suburb around noon Tuesday , and confusion ensued because Dulos ’ attorney , Norm Pattis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was dead .
Pattis later said he was told his client had a pulse and was being taken to a hospital .
“ Typically , CPR will be performed for a period of time , ” McKenzie said .
“ If there is any type of life present , the patient will be transported to a hospital , and that ’ s what happened today.
” Aerial footage of Dulos ’ home showed officials erecting tents in the driveway , while several people milled about .
He was later flown by helicopter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City for treatment .
Detectives are interviewing witnesses as part of the investigation .
Dulos was alone inside the house when police responded .
Dulos , 52 , pleaded not guilty earlier this month to murder and kidnapping charges .
He had posted a $ 6 million bond and was under house arrest .
In filings in the divorce case , Jennifer Dulos said she was worried for her safety and that of the couple ’ s children .
Police allege Fotis Dulos lay in wait at Jennifer Dulos ’ home in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the children off .
Authorities say Fotis Dulos attacked the woman in her garage , leaving behind a bloody crime scene , and drove off with her body , which has not been found .
Officials say surveillance video cameras recorded Fotis Dulos disposing of items containing Jennifer Dulos ’ blood in Hartford .
Fotis Dulos ’ former girlfriend , Michelle Troconis , and his friend , attorney Kent Mawhinney , are both charged with conspiracy to commit murder .
Police said they helped Fotis Dulos try to cover up the killing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press writer Pat Eaton-Robb contributed from Hartford .
Chris Ehrmann is a corps member for Report for America , a non-profit organization that supports local news coverage , in a partnership with The Associated Press for Connecticut .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
This story was first published on Jan. 28 , 2020 .
It was updated on Jan. 28 , 2020 , to reflect early conflicting reports about whether Fotis Dulos had died .

Chris Ehrmann And Dave Collins - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-01-28--US Archives confirms it won’t take steps to certify ERA

RICHMOND , Va. - A day after Virginia became the critical 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment , the National Archives reiterated on Tuesday that it would not immediately take any action to certify the measure ’ s adoption as part of the U.S. Constitution .
The National Archives has received Virginia ’ s ratification documentation but “ the Archivist will take no action to certify the adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment , ” the press office of the National Archives and Records Administration said in a statement Tuesday that echoed a statement it made earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be ratified by three-quarters of the states , or 38 , before ratification .
But the ERA ’ s future is uncertain , in part because of a 1982 deadline for ratification that Congress enacted decades ago .
The administration said it is following the advice of the Department of Justice ’ s Office of Legal Counsel , which issued a memo earlier this month saying that because the deadline has passed , it is too late for states to ratify the ERA .
The only option for supporters now is to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress , the department said .
The National Archives said it would abide by that opinion “ unless otherwise directed by a final court order.
” ERA advocates have vowed to fight to see the measure certified , either in court or in Congress , where there is a push to remove the deadline .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Libya says oil shutdown losses reach over $500 million

CAIRO - Total losses from the closure of Libya ’ s major oil fields and production facilities has accelerated , reaching more than $ 502 million over a 10-day period , the country ’ s national oil company said Tuesday .
The announcement came as an artillery shell exploded close to a school south of the capital , Tripoli , killing at least three children , health authorities said .
The oil closures came when powerful tribal groups loyal to military commander Khalifa Hifter earlier this month seized several large export terminals along Libya ’ s eastern coast as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eastern Libya and much of the southern part of the country .
The moves were meant to challenge Hifter ’ s adversaries in the internationally backed but weak rival government that controls Tripoli and western areas .
The National Oil Corporation , which dominates Libya ’ s critical oil industry , said , “ The total value of losses since the beginning of the blockades has reached $ 502,289,339 as of Monday , January 27 , 2020.
” It put the average daily loss at $ 50.2 million .
The corporation said oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barrels a day before the seizures to 271,204 barrels on Monday .
Seeking to reassure Libyans , the corporation said fuel levels in the country ’ s central and eastern regions “ remain sufficient.
” It added , however , that the western and southern regions have faced “ some supply shortage due to the deteriorating security situation ” because of the fighting between Hifter ’ s forces and Tripoli-allied militias .
The oil shutdown was seen as part of Hifter ’ s efforts to take control of Tripoli and punish his adversaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Turkey , opening doors for unlimited military support from the Turks .
Oil , the lifeline of Libya ’ s economy , has long been a key factor in the civil war , with rival authorities jostling for control of oil fields and state revenue .
Libya has the ninth largest known oil reserves in the world and the biggest oil reserves in Africa .
The closure came just two days before world powers with interests in Libya ’ s long-running conflict pledged at a conference in Berlin to respect a much-violated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach a cease-fire .
Hifter ’ s self-styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces began the offensive against the capital last April , and fighting with an array of militias loosely allied with the Tripoli-based government have killed over 3,000 people and displaced 200,000 in the city .
Tripoli health authorities said three children were killed Tuesday when a shell hit close to a school in the southern town of al-Hadaba al-Badri .
Another child was critically wounded .
The Tripoli fighting has threatened to plunge Libya into chaos rivaling the 2011 conflict that ousted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later slain .
Hifter is supported by Egypt , Russia and the United Arab Emirates , while the embattled U.N.-backed government is aided by Turkey and Qatar .


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--2 church leaders sentenced to prison in tax fraud scheme

NEWARK , N.J. - Two leaders of a church that has drawn scrutiny for its anti-Jewish views were sentenced to prison Tuesday for taking millions in church funds for personal use , as hundreds of their followers gathered outside the courthouse to show support .
Jermaine Grant , the leader of the New York-based Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ , received an 18-month sentence and treasurer Lincoln Warrington was sentenced to a year .
Both men pleaded guilty last year to one count of conspiring to defraud the United States .
Authorities alleged the two funneled the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who used it for private-school tuition for his children , a trip to Disneyland and luxury purchases such as a $ 32,000 Kawasaki recreational vehicle .
Neither defendant spoke to reporters outside the courtroom .
A crowd of more than 200 followers cheered and chanted as Grant exited the courthouse , and he assailed the government ’ s case , telling the crowd that prosecutors “ told lies.
” An indictment alleged the 44-year-old Grant took nearly $ 3 million in church money with the help of Warrington , 49 , the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney ’ s office estimated the duo failed to pay at least $ 250,000 in taxes on the money .
According to the indictment , the men used Black Icon Entertainment , a company with offices in Hackensack , New Jersey , New York and Beverly Hills , among other locations .
It was allegedly created to give the impression that Grant was a successful entertainment mogul .
Grant used the money for real estate and other personal expenses .
His children were driven in a chauffeured Mercedes to private school , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer declined comment after the sentencing .
Grant ’ s lawyer , Gerald Lefcourt , appeared to imply the government targeted the church for racial reasons .
“ There ’ s never been a church tax case like this , “ he said .
“ This was an eight-year investigation of a black church — that says it all.
” The U.S. attorney ’ s office didn ’ t respond to a message seeking comment on Lefcourt ’ s statement , but denied similar claims in a motion filed by Grant and Warrington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members refer to themselves as Black Hebrew Israelites , is considered a fringe group whose members have been known to rail against white people and Jews .
It drew additional scrutiny last month after the two attackers in the fatal shootings of three people at a kosher market in Jersey City left evidence on social media and in other communications that they shared the church ’ s views .
But David Anderson and Francine Graham weren ’ t considered members of the church , authorities said at the time .
During remarks this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal law enforcement officials said the group is considered an ideological organization and not a criminal or terrorist organization .
However the Southern Poverty Law Center , which monitors extremist groups in the U.S. , has listed the church as a black nationalist hate group .


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Ex-Illinois lawmaker pleads guilty in red-light bribery case

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. - A former Illinois state senator pleaded guilty Tuesday to accepting around a quarter of a million dollars in bribes in exchange for protecting the interests of a red-light camera company , and promised to co-operate with federal prosecutors in ongoing public corruption investigations .
Martin Sandoval , 56 , entered his plea during an initial hearing in U.S. District Court in Chicago , just one day after prosecutors listed charges against the recent chair of the senate ’ s powerful transportation committee .
According to the plea agreement , Sandoval accepted some $ 250,000 in bribes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name the company or other individuals who might have been involved .
Sandoval is well connected in the Illinois Democratic Party .
His fast decision to co-operate comes after more than a year of home and office raids against multiple Democrats , several of whom have been charged , and it increases the chances that more charges will follow .
In Springfield , the news cast an uneasy pallor over the first day of the General Assembly ’ s spring session .
“ I don ’ t know if I ’ ve ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government cart cardboard boxes out of the Capitol .
It turned my stomach , ” newly elected Senate President Don Harmon said of the FBI ’ s Sept. 24 raids of Sandoval ’ s offices .
Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker called the charges “ repellent , ” adding , “ I expect public servants to serve their constituents , not line their own pockets , and today ’ s guilty plea demonstrates yet again the urgent need for reform.
“ Sandoval faces up to 13 years in prison , though his co-operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charging papers say Sandoval “ corruptly solicited , demanded , agreed to accept and accepted ” payments for “ continued support for the operation of red-light cameras in the State of Illinois.
“ The alleged bribery occurred between 2016 and 2019 , when , as chair of the transportation committee , Sandoval wielded enormous influence in how state transportation funds were spent .
The prosecutors ’ filing offered few details , including which company or company officials paid bribes .
Sandoval , who announced his resignation effective Jan. 1 , also pleaded guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He is accused of misstating his income in a 2017 return when he indicated he made around $ 125,000 .
Sandoval knew his income “ substantially exceeded that amount , ” the filing says .
In response to the Sandoval investigation and a federal bribery charge against then Rep. Luis Arroyo , a Chicago Democrat , the Legislature , with Pritzker ’ s encouragement , in November adopted greater reporting requirements for lobbying and created a commission to identify other ethics remedies by March 31 .
“ The whole series of events around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we ’ ve got to act even tougher to stop what a lot of people see as a culture of corruption down here , ” said House Majority Leader Greg Harris , a Chicago Democrat .
“ We ’ ve got to look at what we ’ ve learned from those indictments , we ’ ve got to close any loopholes.
” Harmon , an Oak Park Democrat who joined the Senate with Sandoval in 2003 , said , “ We can not pretend this is not a problem , ” but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unintended consequences .
“ We have to identify what the problem is that we ’ re trying to solve , ” Harmon said .
“ I ’ m not afraid of tackling the tough issues , but I do want us to identify with some precision what problem we ’ re trying to solve and whether or not the proposed solutions solve them .
”

Michael Tarm And John O'Connor - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Minnesota man gets jail in deaths of 2 women hit by boulder

HASTINGS , Minn. - A Minnesota truck driver was sentenced Tuesday to 10 months in jail for the deaths of a mother and daughter who were killed when a boulder fell from his truck and smashed into their car in suburban St. Paul .
Joseph Czeck , 34 , of Hastings , Minnesota , pleaded guilty last month to two counts of criminal vehicular homicide in the July 2018 deaths of 67-year-old Karen Christiansen and her 32-year-old daughter , Jena Christiansen , both of Shoreview , Minnesota .
The plea agreement accepted by the judge calls for Czeck to serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Star Tribune reported .
Czeck will be allowed to participate in a sentence to serve program , which often means being part of a supervised work crew or doing other community work involving physical labour .
He also must pay restitution and write a letter of apology .
“ We are pleased to have brought this man to justice for this easily preventable crime on our roads , which tragically claimed two lives in our community , ” Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said in a statement .
As part of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the back of his commercial truck .
When the truck crossed over railroad tracks , one of the boulders flew out of the truck bed , crossed the median and bounced into the windshield of the oncoming car in Rosemount , Minnesota .
The mother and daughter died at the scene .
Czeck never reported the incident .
Police arrested him two days later .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-28--San Francisco official charged with corruption in FBI probe

SAN FRANCISCO - A top San Francisco official tasked with keeping the streets clean was charged Tuesday with public corruption in schemes that include offering a bribe for space at San Francisco International Airport , providing inside information to a friend seeking permits to build homeless shelters and portable toilets and accepting lavish gifts from a billionaire Chinese developer .
San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru made an initial appearance in court Tuesday along with Nick Bovis , the owner of Lefty O ’ Doul ’ s , a popular sports bar in Fisherman ’ s Wharf , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after posting $ 2 million bail .
Information on attorneys for the two men was not immediately available .
“ The complaint alleges corruption pouring into San Francisco from around the world , “ said David L. Anderson , U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California .
Nuru , 57 , was initially arrested in late January and agreed to co-operate with officials , but violated his agreement not to discuss the case and was re-arrested , Anderson said .
As the top official since 2012 in charge of a city public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Nuru is tasked with cleaning up San Francisco streets , which critics note remain cluttered with feces , trash and used needles amid a homelessness crisis .
In August , he launched a “ Poop Patrol “ tasked with power-washing high-risk streets .
Nuru , who goes by “ MrCleanSF “ on Twitter , also oversees the design and construction of city facilities and 1,600 employees .
Its capital project portfolio is more than $ 5.6 billion .
The allegations say the two participated in a scheme “ to defraud the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a public official through bribery or kickbacks “ in violation of their duty .
In the airport scheme , the 75-page criminal complaint says Nuru and Bovis had a series of meetings over several months in which they discuss how to secure a lease space for Bovis ’ restaurant at the airport .
Eventually , Bovis brought an envelope with $ 5,000 to a meeting with the commissioner , but she refused to take it .
At one meeting recorded by an FBI agent , Bovis said all the public officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side deals.
“ “ See , the problem , in San Francisco too , the politics are just crooked , you know what I mean ?
“ he is quoted as saying in the criminal complaint .
San Francisco Mayor London Breed said Nuru was placed on administrative leave Monday evening .
She has asked the city attorney and controller to review city contracts that may have been affected .
“ I will do everything I can to ensure that those who fail to uphold ( the highest ) standard are held accountable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The complaint focuses on the failed airport scheme but also lays out other examples of the two collaborating to fool the public .
Anderson said Nuru also repeatedly met with a Chinese billionaire seeking to build a large mixed-use building in San Francisco , accepting gifts of lavish hotel stays , travel and a $ 2,000 bottle of wine .
He did not report any of the gifts as public officials are required to do .
“ Thank you very much for all your generosity while we were in China .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a wonderful time .
I will do my very best to see that your project gets completed , ” he said in a message to the developer in November 2018 , according to the complaint .
City Supervisor Matt Haney , who represents an inner-city area at the heart of street waste complaints , said he has repeatedly pushed for accountability from a department that is run “ like a one-person fiefdom.
“ “ The result has been a recipe for corruption and a complete failure to keep our streets clean , @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Falwell and W.Va. governor pitch Virginia secession plea

CHARLESTON , W.Va. - In what they acknowledged is a long-shot bid , West Virginia Gov .
Jim Justice and Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. urged unhappy Virginia counties Tuesday to secede and join a neighbouring state where Democrats aren ’ t in charge .
Both Justice , a Republican in a state where the GOP dominates the legislature , and Falwell , whose university is in Lynchburg , Virginia , said the invitation to join West Virginia sends a valid message .
“ If you ’ re not truly happy where you are , we stand with open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anywhere where you may be , “ said Justice , who ’ s running for reelection .
“ We stand strongly behind the Second Amendment and we stand strongly for the unborn.
” Democrats took full control of the Virginia statehouse in November for the first time in a generation and pledged to enact gun-control measures , roll back abortion restrictions and prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ people .
Their agenda sparked a conservative backlash .
This month tens of thousands of guns-rights activists flooded the Capitol and surrounding area in protest , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What ’ s happening in Virginia right now is a tragedy in the making , ” Falwell said .
“ Democratic leaders in Richmond , through their elitism and radicalism , have left a nearly unrecognizable state in their wake.
” Lawmakers in West Virginia have introduced formal resolutions inviting parts of Virginia to join their state .
One resolution targets Virginia ’ s Frederick County , but was met with a shrug from the county ’ s leader .
The other casts a wider net to all Virginia ’ s counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now seeks to place intolerable restraints upon the rights guaranteed under the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution.
” “ We saw their way of life under attack and we wanted to offer assistance , ” said Del .
Gary Howell , a West Virginia Republican who sponsored one of the resolutions .
The announcement from Falwell and Justice drew laughs from both sides of the aisle in Virginia .
“ What are they doing , a comedy routine ?
” said Republican Sen. Emmett Hanger .
“ Preposterous , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat .
Saslaw added that Justice should be focused on solving West Virginia ’ s high poverty rate and “ not screw around in Virginia.
” A spokeswoman for Virginia ’ s Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam dismissed the idea , saying “ As always , Jerry Falwell ’ s words speak for themselves.
” The process by which such a breakup could occur is murky , but Falwell said lawyers have told him counties in Virginia would first need to conduct petition drives .
Then a referendum would be held , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Virginia ’ s General Assembly .
Rick Boyer , a Virginia conservative activist attorney and former local elected official , is helping with the so-called “ Vexit ” push .
He said a growing movement of conservative Virginians is serious about leaving a state that he said doesn ’ t respect their rights .
“ This isn ’ t street theatre , we fully intend to do everything we can to see it through , ” Boyer said .
University of Virginia law professor Richard Schragger , whose work includes a focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local government law , said the move would require the consent of both states and Congress .
“ It ’ s certainly a long shot , ” he said , laughing .
Liberty is the nation ’ s highest-profile evangelical college .
It has expanded from a tiny Baptist school into a touchstone institution for evangelicals .
Both Falwell and Justice are ardent supporters of President Donald Trump .
Suderman reported from Richmond , Virginia .
Associated Press writer Sarah Rankin in Richmond , Virginia contributed to this report .

Anthony Izaguirre And Alan Suderman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--White supremacist appeals death penalty in church massacre

RICHMOND , Va. - White supremacist Dylann Roof on Tuesday appealed his convictions and death sentence in the 2015 massacre of nine black church members in South Carolina , arguing that he was suffering from schizophrenia and other psychological disorders when he represented himself at his capital trial .
In a legal brief filed with the 4th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond , Roof ’ s lawyers said that when a judge allowed him to represent himself during the penalty phase of his federal trial , he was a 22-year-old ninth-grade dropout “ who believed his sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would free him from prison after an impending race war.
” Roof ’ s appellate lawyers said Roof fired his trial lawyers to prevent evidence of his mental illness from being presented to the jury .
They argued that because of the court ’ s “ rush to move the case along , ” the jury never heard any mitigating evidence .
“ Roof ’ s crime was tragic , but this Court can have no confidence in the jury ’ s verdict , ” Roof ’ s attorneys argued .
Roof became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a federal hate crime when he was sentenced to death for fatally shooting nine black church members at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston , South Carolina , on June 17 , 2015 .
Prosecutors said he specifically chose Emanuel AME , the South ’ s oldest black church , to carry out the massacre .
After he was arrested , Roof told FBI agents that he wanted the shootings to bring back segregation or perhaps start a race war .
The jury ’ s verdict came after a trial in which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remorse or attempt to fight for his life .
Roof served as his own attorney during the sentencing phase and never explained why he committed the massacre .
Roof ’ s legal advisers repeatedly expressed frustration that Roof wouldn ’ t allow them to introduce mental health evidence that could possibly spare his life .
Roof asked jurors to forget anything they ’ d heard from his legal team about his mental state , declaring , “ there ’ s nothing wrong with me psychologically.
” “ I still feel like I had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his closing argument .
“ Anyone who hates anything in their mind has a good reason for it.
” After the trial , documents unsealed in federal court included a psychiatrist ’ s finding that Roof showed signs of social anxiety , schizoid personality and possible autism spectrum disorders .
Prosecutors told the jury that Roof walked into the church and sat with the Bible study group for about 45 minutes , then opened fire during the final prayer , when everyone ’ s eyes were closed .
The massacre prompted South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its Statehouse for the first time in more than half a century .
Roof had posed with the flag in photos .
The slain included the Rev .
Clementa Pinckney , the church ’ s pastor and a state senator ; a high school track coach ; the church sexton ; a librarian ; and an aspiring poet .


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Mag 7.7 quake hits between Cuba and Jamaica, but no injuries

HAVANA - A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck in the Caribbean Sea between Jamaica and eastern Cuba on Tuesday , shaking a vast area from Mexico to Florida and beyond , but there were no reports of casualties or heavy damage .
The quake was centred 139 kilometres ( 86 miles ) northwest of Montego Bay , Jamaica , and 140 kilometres ( 87 miles ) west-southwest of Niquero , Cuba , according to the U.S. Geological Survey .
It hit at 2:10 p.m. ( 1910 GMT ) and the epicenter was a relatively shallow 10 kilometres ( 6 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arango Arias , head of Cuba ’ s National Seismological Service , told state media that there had been no serious damage or injuries reported .
Gov .
Carlos Joaquín González of Mexico ’ s Quintana Roo , which is home to Cancun , Tulum and other popular beach resorts , said the earthquake was felt in multiple parts of the low-lying Caribbean state but there were no early reports of damage or injuries .
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned that the quake could generate waves 1 to 3 feet above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cayman Islands , Honduras , Mexico and Belize , but issued a later message saying the danger had passed .
The initial tremor was followed by a series of strong aftershocks , including one measured at magnitude 6.1 .
The quake was felt strongly in Santiago , the largest city in eastern Cuba , said Belkis Guerrero , who works in a Roman Catholic cultural centre in the centre of Santiago “ We were all sitting and we felt the chairs move , ” she said .
“ We heard the noise of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was no apparent damage in the heart of the colonial city .
“ It felt very strong but it doesn ’ t look like anything happened , ’ ’ she told The Associated Press .
It was also felt a little farther east at the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , on the southeastern coast of the island .
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damages , said J. Overton , a spokesman for the installation , which has a total population of about 6,000 people .
Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precaution , according to city of Miami and Miami-Dade County officials .
No injuries or road closures were reported .
No shaking was felt at the Hard Rock stadium in Miami Gardens , which will host the Super Bowl on Sunday .
The quake also hit the Cayman Islands , leaving cracked roads and what appeared to be sewage spilling from cracked mains .
There were no immediate reports of deaths , injuries or more severe damage , said Kevin Morales , editor-in-chief of the Cayman Compass newspaper .
The islands experience so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it hit , he said .
“ It was just like a big dump truck was rolling past , ” Morales said .
“ Then it continued and got more intense.
” Dr. Stenette Davis , a psychiatrist at a Cayman Islands hospital , said she saw manhole covers blown off by the force of the quake , and sewage exploding into the street , but no more serious damage .
Claude Diedrick , 71 , who owns a fencing business in Montego Bay , said he was sitting in his vehicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It felt to me like I was on a bridge and like there were two or three heavy trucks and the bridge was rocking but there were no trucks , ” he said .
He said he had seen no damage around his home in northern Jamaica .
Mexico ’ s National Seismological Service reported that the quake was felt in five states including as far away as Veracruz , on the country ’ s Gulf Coast .
_____ Associated Press writer Kate Chappell in Kingston , Jamaica , contributed to @ @ @

Michael Weissenstein - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Coroner: 4 of 8 boat dock fire victims were children

SCOTTSBORO , Ala. - Roughly two dozen people lived on Dock B at Jackson County Park Marina , and none was rich or famous .
They were middle-class adults and children , not yachters , folks who liked having a Tennessee River bywater for their backyard .
A fire that engulfed the wooden dock and destroyed about 35 boats , killing eight people who lived at the marina , transformed a comfortable , scenic spot into a place of mourning .
Tommy Jones , who lived on a 35-foot ( 11-meter ) boat on the dock , helped others flee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother , who drowned trying to escape .
He struggled to stay composed while talking about the awful scene .
An Alabama coroner said Tuesday that four of the eight victims were children .
Jackson County Coroner John Jordan hasn ’ t released the identities of any of the victims but said the children were ages 7 , 9 , 10 and 16 years old , WHNT-TV reported .
A cause of death has not been released .
Julie Jackson , who lives in a boat on another dock , can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help as the sky glowed orange from the flames .
“ I don ’ t ever want to see anything like that again in my life , ” she said .
David Kennamer has run a store at the marina for about two years , selling fishing gear and shaved ice treats to kids .
The deaths were incredibly saddening , he said .
“ The rich folks would be in a bigger , nicer houseboat somewhere .
These were just average people like me and you that love boating , staying on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They love the boating life.
” Investigators on Tuesday were focusing on one boat in particular as a possible cause of the blaze and using floating barriers to contain environmental damage that officials said seemed minimal .
The marina is on a wide creek that feeds into the Tennessee River , but it did not appear pollution from oil , propane gas and other materials had reached the main water , said Fire Chief Gene Necklaus .
Burned propane tanks were visible in water near the marina , along with an oily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was still strong in spots more than 24 hours after the blaze was extinguished .
Thousands of feet ( meters ) of floating barriers were being used to contain the pollution and a crane was put in place in deeper waters on Tuesday to lift sunken boats , some longer than 40 feet ( 12 metres ) .
At least five of the watercraft had been removed but as many as 30 more remained at the bottom of the creek .
Crews will raise each sunken craft and check inside each to determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Necklaus said , but officials were optimistic that the death toll would not rise .
Investigators hadn ’ t determined the cause of the blaze , which erupted early Monday , but Necklaus said they were narrowing their focus to a vessel that was docked in an area where witnesses said the flames began .
“ It ’ s fair to say they are at least looking at one boat in particular , not to say that they won ’ t rule that out and move on to the next area , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed from the water , the boat was taken to a secure area for examination , he said .
Witnesses said wind quickly swept flames down a wooden dock where an undetermined number of people were sleeping on boats .
Residents described a desperate fight for life , with some piling into boats to get away and others diving into water that was in the mid-50s to swim for their lives .
A Red Cross representative said about 25 people were believed to have lived in boats at the dock full time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all there at the time of the fire or whether other visitors were present .
Kennamer said the only blessing was that the fire happened during a slow time when relatively few people were sleeping in boats at the dock .
A blaze during the summer boating months could have been even worse .
“ If this had happened in July it would have been so much more tragic , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-01-29--Coronavirus death toll rises to 132 as countries begin evacuating citizens from China

BEIJING - China , with 5,974 cases of a new virus , has more infections than it did in with SARS , though the death toll is still lower .
China had 5,327 cases of SARS in the 2002-2003 outbreak .
China reported another large jump in cases Wednesday and a rise in the death toll to 132 .
That compares to 348 people killed in China during SARS .
Severe acute respiratory syndrome killed nearly 800 people worldwide .
Scientists say there are still many critical questions to be answered about the new virus , including just how transmissible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 cases have been reported outside China .
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE .
AP ’ s earlier story is below : Countries began evacuating their citizens Wednesday from the Chinese city hardest-hit by an outbreak of a new virus that has killed 132 people and infected more than 6,000 on the mainland and abroad .
A Japanese flight carrying evacuees home included four people with coughs and fevers , two of whom were diagnosed with pneumonia .
The three men and one woman were taken to a Tokyo hospital in separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Another woman developed nausea at the airport and was also hospitalized .
It wasn ’ t immediately known whether they were infected with the new type of coronavirus that appeared in the central city of Wuhan in December .
Its symptoms , including cough and fever and in severe cases pneumonia , are similar to many other illnesses .
China ’ s latest figures cover the previous 24 hours and add 26 to the number of deaths , 25 of which were in the central province of Hubei and its capital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mainland marked a rise of 1,459 from the previous day , although that rise is a smaller increase than the 1,771 new cases reported on Monday .
Dozens of infections have been confirmed abroad as well .
The United Arab Emirates , home to long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad , confirmed its first cases on Wednesday in members of a family who had come from Wuhan , the state-run news agency reported .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear how many family members were involved .
British Airways announced it was immediately suspending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the U.K. government warned against unnecessary travel to the country .
BA said in a statement Wednesday that “ we apologize to customers for the inconvenience , but the safety of our customers and crew is always our priority.
” The airline operates daily flights from London ’ s Heathrow Airport to Shanghai and Beijing .
The outbreak has also affected international sporting events , with the International Hockey Federation postponing Pro League games in China and qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics scheduled in February in soccer , basketball and boxing being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 177 days before the summer Games , Tokyo organizers are on edge over the outbreak ’ s possible knock-on effects .
In Australia , health officials said the Chinese women ’ s national soccer team was quarantined in the city of Brisbane over concerns it had passed through Wuhan a week ago .
The team will be kept in isolation in a hotel until Wednesday next week .
None of the group of 32 players and staff have shown symptoms .
Chartered planes carrying evacuees home to Japan and the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned similar evacuations from areas China has shut down to try to contain the virus .
The lockdown of 17 cities has trapped more than 50 million people in the most far-reaching disease control measures ever imposed .
A plane carrying Americans who had been in Wuhan left for Anchorage , Alaska , where they will be re-screened for the virus .
U.S. hospitals are prepared to treat or quarantine people who may be infected .
After departing Alaska , the plane is to fly to Ontario , California .
At the Tokyo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Nippon Steel Corp. ’ s subsidiary in Wuhan , told reporters he was relieved to be able to return home .
“ We were feeling increasingly uneasy as the situation developed so rapidly and we were still in the city , ” Aoyama said , his voice muffled by a white surgical mask .
Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirmed the condition of the four ill passengers after the flight of 206 Japanese evacuees arrived .
They were taken in separate ambulances to a Tokyo hospital for treatment and further health checks .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before boarding and on the plane , and plans had been made for all of the evacuees to be treated and quarantined depending on their test results .
Among those remaining in Wuhan was Sara Platto , an Italian animal behaviour researcher and veterinarian , and her son , Matteo .
“ My son turned 12 on January 23 , the first day of the lockdown in Wuhan .
So he couldn ’ t invite his friends over .
We had a remote birthday celebration , with people ‘ visiting ’ him over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to China ’ s Twitter-like messaging app .
“ We called it the epidemic birthday.
” Platto said there were 25 Italians stuck in Wuhan , some students , some very young , who stay in touch online for material and emotional support .
She has used her scientific background to offer advice and debunk sensational false news , reminding friends to wash their hands and faces often .
As much as panic , people spending most of their times indoors have to deal with boredom .
Matteo usually has a very busy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and volunteer work , but now “ it ’ s like suddenly everything has slowed down , ” Platto said .
As with other international schools , classes are moving online until the all-clear is sounded .
“ We have most of what we need for now .
I think it ’ s a serious situation , but we are not in zombie land , ” she said .
Several countries have confirmed cases of the virus , with most of them being Chinese visitors , people who visited Wuhan or family members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japan ’ s six confirmed cases include a tour bus driver who drove visiting groups from Wuhan .
Germany says four workers at an auto parts company possibly were infected when a colleague from Shanghai visited .
Australia and New Zealand were the latest countries planning evacuations .
Both countries also stepped up their travel advice to China , as did Britain .
Experts have feared travel during the Lunar New Year holiday would enable the further spread of the virus , and China expanded the holiday to keep people home , closing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Hong Kong ’ s leader said the territory will cut all rail links to the mainland and halve the number of flights .
Mongolia and North Korea were closing their borders with China , and many places have curtailed flights or are screening travellers arriving from China .
Wuhan is building two hospitals in a matter of days to add 2,500 beds for treatment of patients with the virus .
The new virus is from the coronavirus family , which includes those that can cause the common cold as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MERS .
The source of the virus and the full extent of its spread are still unknown .
However , the World Health Organization said most cases reported to date “ have been milder , with around 20 % of those infected experiencing severe illness.
” On Tuesday , WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discuss the latest information on the outbreak and reiterate their commitment to bringing it under control .
“ The National Health Commission presented China ’ s strong public health capacities and resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” WHO ’ s statement said .
It said discussions focused on ways to co-operate to contain the virus in Wuhan and other cities and provinces and studies that could contribute to the development of medical countermeasures such as vaccines and treatments .
Other WHO experts will visit China as soon as possible , it said .
“ Stopping the spread of this virus both in China and globally is WHO ’ s highest priority , ” Tedros said .
Associated Press writer Christina Larson in Washington , D.C. contributed to this @ @


thetorontostar--2020-01-29--Allies worry as US ponders cutting military forces in Africa

DAKAR , Senegal - As extremist violence grows across Africa , the United States is considering reducing its military presence on the continent , a move that worries its international partners who are working to strengthen the fight in the tumultuous Sahel region .
The timing is especially critical in the Sahel , the vast arid region south of the Sahara Desert , where militants with links to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group have carried out increased attacks in the past six months .
In Niger and Mali , soldiers have been ambushed and at times overpowered by hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 500,000 people have been displaced by violence in Burkina Faso .
The pending decision is part of a worldwide review by Defence Secretary Mark Esper , who is looking for ways to tighten the focus on China and Russia .
“ My aim is to free up time , money and manpower around the globe , where we currently are , so that I can direct it ” toward Asia or return forces to the United States to improve combat readiness , Esper said Monday after meeting with French Defence Minister Florence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urge the U.S. not to reduce forces in the Sahel .
High-profile Republicans and Democrats have warned that such a decision would undermine national security .
They argue that cuts in Africa could hand over influence on the booming continent of 1.2 billion people to China and Russia .
The commander of U.S. forces in Africa , Gen. Stephen Townsend , is scheduled to testify Thursday to the Senate Armed Services Committee about the role of American forces in Africa .
Talk of a possible troop reduction “ is reinforcing a view in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interested , that it does not see it as a strategic importance and that it is going to cut and run and abandon its African allies , ” Judd Devermont , director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies Africa Program , told The Associated Press .
The U.S. has about 6,000 personnel on the continent .
In West Africa , the Africa Command ’ s mandate is to advise and assist , whereas in East Africa , where most of the U.S. troops are located , forces also accompany African troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel are currently in the Sahel .
The U.S. has also constructed a $ 110 million drone base in northern Niger .
Nigeria ’ s information minister , Lai Mohammed , urged the U.S. not to cut back , citing an increase in terrorism in Burkina Faso , Mali , Niger , Cameroon and Chad since the defeat of ISIS in Syria .
“ So I think what we need now is more support , ” Mohammed told the AP .
“ I ’ m not talking in terms of physical soldiers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need more support .
Otherwise we will inadvertently be strengthening the hand of the terrorists.
” The looming U.S. decision comes as former colonizer France pledges more support than ever before to Sahel countries .
France already has sent more than 200 additional troops to reinforce its already 4,500-strong operation in the Sahel , and French Chief of Staff François Lecointre says he will request even more troops .
The mission in the Sahel “ is a classic case of burden sharing , where limited U.S. support leverages an immense effort carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , speaking alongside Esper on Monday at a Pentagon news conference .
Parly joined top Portuguese , Swedish and Estonian military officials on a visit to Niger , Chad and Mali last week to discuss how to proceed with an international anti-terrorism coalition dubbed Takouba .
At a summit with West African leaders this month , French President Emmanuel Macron said he hopes to convince U.S. President Donald Trump that the fight against global extremism “ is also at stake in this region.
” West African leaders at the summit said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence in West Africa .
The heads of state for the G5 Sahel , a group that includes Niger , Mali , Burkina Faso , Mauritania and Chad , asked for a continuation of American and French military engagement in the region and “ pleaded for a strengthening of the international presence alongside them , ” according to the closing statement for the summit .
The U.S. footprint in West Africa , where the cuts would most likely happen , is light compared to other regions .
But the effect of its force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and military assistance is important , leaders say .
Col. Thomas Geiser , deputy commander of special operations for the Africa Command , said the biggest risk is allowing al-Qaida affiliates and the Islamic State to expand “ and potentially consolidate safe havens there.
” He emphasized the need for a strengthened regional and multi-national approach to the violence and for more broad support of communities , saying African partners must lead efforts .
But a regional security force assembled by the G5 Sahel has struggled to fund its efforts and end the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now focus most of its efforts in the tri-border region between Niger , Mali and Burkina Faso , targeting Islamic State Grand Sahara , Parly said .
However , progress in the Sahel has been minimal , and the problems there need to be solved by those regional governments , the assistant secretary for the U.S. State Department ’ s African affairs division , Tibor Nagy , said Monday during a telephone press briefing .
“ The U.S. is actively involved through a number of programs in the Sahel region , “ Nagy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to counter terrorism.
” It is unclear also how the newly constructed drone air base in northern Niger will be affected .
Last week , the U.S. handed over a C-130 hangar at Niger Air Base 201 to the Nigerien Air Force .
Col. Abdoul Kader Amirou , deputy chief of staff for the Nigerien Air Force , said the hangar will boost capabilities for the armed forces and “ strengthen joint actions between the Nigerien and U.S. forces.
” Associated Press writers Robert Burns in Washington , Andy Drake in London and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-29--Americans pass health test after being evacuated from China

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - A plane evacuating more than 200 Americans from a Chinese city at the centre of a virus outbreak continued Wednesday on to Southern California after everyone aboard passed a health screening test in Anchorage , where the aircraft had stopped to refuel .
All 201 passengers had already been through two screenings in China and were screened twice more in Anchorage by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
One passenger received medical attention for a minor injury that happened before boarding the airplane in China , according to a news release from Alaska ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. government chartered the plane to fly out diplomats from the U.S. Consulate in Wuhan , where the latest coronavirus outbreak started , and other Americans .
The plane landed Tuesday night in Anchorage .
The Americans will undergo additional health screenings in California and will be temporarily housed there for a period of time as they finish the repatriation process , the statement said .
“ For many of us directly involved , this has been a moving and uplifting experience , ” said Alaska ’ s Chief Medical Officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plane erupted in cheers when the crew said , ‘ Welcome home to the United States.
’ “ “ This is the best possible outcome , ” added DHSS Commissioner Adam Crum .
“ We wish these passengers the best of luck as they complete their journeys home and I am deeply grateful to everyone who came together to assist us in helping with this repatriation effort.
” The plane is now scheduled to land at March Air Reserve Base in California ’ s Riverside County , instead of the original plan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Bernardino County .
Curt Hagman , an Ontario airport commissioner , said the Centers for Disease Control announced the diversion .
“ We were prepared but the State Department decided to switch the flight ” to the airbase , Hagman said .
Officials at the Ontario airport 35 miles ( 56 kilometres ) east of Los Angeles had been readying facilities to receive and screen the repatriates and temporarily house them for up to two weeks — if the CDC determined that is necessary , said David Wert , spokesman for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airport was designated about a decade ago by the U.S. government to receive repatriated Americans in case of an emergency overseas , but it would have been the first time the facility was used for the purpose , Wert said .
Wuhan is the epicenter of a new virus that has sickened thousands and killed more than 100 people .
China has cut off access to Wuhan and 16 other cities in Hubei province to prevent people from leaving and spreading the virus further .
In addition to the United States , countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned evacuations .
Symptoms of the virus include fever , cough , and in more severe cases shortness of breath or pneumonia .
The Americans aboard the white cargo plane with red and gold stripes left Wuhan before dawn Wednesday , China time .
They arrived in Anchorage at the mostly desolate North Terminal just after 9:30 p.m. Tuesday , local time .
The jetway was extended from the end of the terminal , but it also had no windows .
Passengers were not visible .
Media were held in a concourse between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 100 yards ( 91.4 metres ) from the plane .
Airport workers were buzzing around the plane after it landed .
The passengers were isolated in the airport ’ s international terminal , which lies mostly dormant in the winter months .
The terminal is not connected to the larger and heavily used domestic flights terminal , and each has separate ventilation systems , said Jim Szczesniak , manager of the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport .
“ In the wintertime , we have the ability and the luxury of not having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a perfect area for us to handle this kind of flight , ” he said .
Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington and Amy Taxin in Santa Ana , California , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-29--Question time: What’s next in Trump’s impeachment trial

WASHINGTON - With opening arguments wrapped up in President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial , senators will now get a chance to ask questions .
But the normally loquacious politicians will still have to keep silent , as their questions can only be submitted in writing .
The question-and-answer session , expected to last two days , will allow the lawyers on both sides to make their final points before the senators vote on whether to hear witnesses and , eventually , on whether to convict the president and remove him from office .
A look at the questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their questions to the presiding officer , Chief Justice John Roberts .
He will then read them and request an answer .
Senators must direct their question to either the House impeachment managers or the White House lawyers , not both , and senators can not ask each other questions .
Senators also can not respond after their questions are answered .
The process keeps the senators silent , like a jury , as they decide whether to vote to convict the president .
When a senator has a question , a Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of paper from their desk to Roberts ’ seat at the head of the Senate .
The senator must sign the piece of paper .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that the questions would alternate between Republicans and Democrats .
Senators on both sides have been co-ordinating with their leadership to ensure the questions are not duplicative .
Sen. Kevin Cramer , R-N.D. , said he ’ d been given a form on which to list his questions .
Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Ill. , said he ’ d given his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office , just so they could figure out the “ sequencing and avoiding duplication.
” Durbin said that when he asked a question during the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton , “ it turned out six other people had the same idea .
So we all joined in one question , and it was attributed to all of us.
” Senators have up to 16 hours to ask questions , as they did in Clinton ’ s trial .
That should break down into two eight-hour days , with senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions .
There is no official time limit for House impeachment managers or White House lawyers to respond , but both McConnell and Roberts urged brevity .
“ During the question period of the Clinton trial , senators were thoughtful and brief with their questions , and the managers and counsel were succinct in their answers , ” McConnell said Tuesday .
“ I hope we can follow both of these examples.
” Roberts asked the two sides to limit their answers to five minutes each .
He noted that transcripts from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Chief Justice William Rehnquist was met with laughter from within the chamber .
“ Nonetheless , managers and counsel generally limited their responses accordingly , ” Roberts said .
Look for both sides to try to hone their final arguments with help from senators in their party .
Democrats are likely to ask friendly questions of the House impeachment managers , and Republicans to the White House .
Those could be points that they felt weren ’ t covered during the trial or arguments they want to emphasize .
That will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went first in the opening arguments and don ’ t have a chance to rebut the White House ’ s legal arguments .
Democratic officials working on the impeachment trial have been practicing and are eager to answer questions .
They view the question-and-answer period as an opportunity to review the evidence and the facts , which they see as a positive for their side , said one of the officials , who requested anonymity to discuss preparations .
Republican and Democratic senators will also use their questions to poke holes in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties previewed what they might ask .
Sen. Chris Coons , D-Del.
, said “ an obvious question ” is whether a transcript of a July call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskiy is a full transcript .
That call , in which Trump asks Zelenskiy to investigate Democrats , is at the heart of the House ’ s impeachment case .
The White House released a rough transcript of the call , but didn ’ t make it clear what had been left out .
Cramer said he wants to ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-Calif. , the lead impeachment manager , why he didn ’ t subpoena former national security adviser John Bolton .
The House called Bolton to testify but never subpoenaed him when he didn ’ t show up , a point that Republicans have used to argue against Bolton ’ s testimony in the Senate .
Schiff has said they didn ’ t subpoena Bolton because he had threatened a lengthy court fight .
Bolton has now said he ’ d testify in the Senate , but most Republicans say they ’ ve heard @ @

Mary Clare Jalonick - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-29--EU stops short of recommending ban on China’s Huawei

LONDON - The European Union unveiled security guidelines for next generation high-speed wireless networks that stop short of banning Huawei , in the latest setback for the U.S. campaign against the Chinese tech company .
The EU ’ s executive Commission on Wednesday outlined a set of strategic and technical measures aimed at reducing cybersecurity risks from fifth-generation , or 5G , mobile networks .
The recommendations include blocking high-risk equipment suppliers from “ critical and sensitive ” parts of the network , including the core , which keeps track of data and authenticates smartphones on the network .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term “ high risk “ supplier was an obvious reference to Huawei , the world ’ s top maker of networking gear such as switches and antennas .
The U.S. has been lobbying European allies to ban Huawei , over concerns it could be compelled to help with electronic eavesdropping after Beijing enacted a 2017 national intelligence law .
U.S. officials have repeatedly warned they would have to reconsider intelligence sharing with allies that use Huawei .
The company has denied the allegations .
The EU recommendations also include tightening security requirements for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strategy to buy gear from more than one supplier .
The measures are similar to those taken a day earlier by Britain , which also opted not to introduce an outright ban on Huawei , instead prohibiting it from supplying equipment used in the core , while limiting its role in supplying less sensitive antennas and base stations .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-29--Israel headed for clash with ICC over West Bank settlements

JERUSALEM - Emboldened by a supportive White House , Israel appears to be barrelling toward a showdown with the international community over its half-century-old settlement enterprise in the West Bank .
With the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court poised to launch a war crimes probe of Israel ’ s settlement policies , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday announced plans to move ahead with the potentially explosive annexation of large parts of the occupied West Bank , including dozens of Jewish settlements .
He spoke in Washington as President Donald Trump unveiled a Mideast peace plan that matches Netanyahu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambitions .
This confluence of forces could make 2020 the year that finally provides clarity on the status of Israeli settlements and the viability of a two-state solution .
“ History is knocking at the door , ” Israeli Defence Minister Naftali Bennett , a patron of the settler movement , said as he urged Netanyahu to immediately annex all of Israel ’ s settlements and snuff out any hopes for Palestinian independence .
“ Now the campaign is moving from the White House to the Cabinet room in Jerusalem , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Palestinians want the West Bank as the core of a future independent state and see the settlements there — home to nearly 500,000 Israelis — as obstacles to their dream of independence .
The international community backs this view and overwhelmingly considers the settlements to be illegal .
Since capturing the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war , Israel has slowly and steadily expanded its settlements while stopping short of annexing the territory .
The international community condemned the construction as illegal but has refrained from imposing sanctions or serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change after Trump took office in early 2017 .
Surrounded by a team of advisers with close ties to the settlement movement , Trump took a more sympathetic line toward Israel and halted the automatic criticism of settlements of his predecessors .
This resulted in a surge of Israeli construction plans that are just getting underway .
“ Over the next year and certainly two years , we ’ re going to see a sharp increase ” in the settler population , said Baruch Gordon , director of West Bank Jewish Population Stats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual report , the group said the West Bank settler population grew last year to 463,353 people , in addition to some 300,000 settlers living in Israel-annexed east Jerusalem .
“ We ’ re here and we ’ re not going anywhere , ” he said .
The major turning point for Israel was in November , when the U.S. declared that it did not consider settlements to be illegal .
That landmark decision appears to have played a key role in Netanyahu ’ s announcement that he plans to annex the Jordan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Bank , and Israel ’ s more than 100 settlements .
Ironically , this warm U.S. embrace could prove to be Netanyahu ’ s undoing .
Moving ahead with annexations is likely to trigger harsh international condemnations and possible legal action .
On Wednesday , a senior Israeli minister said a Cabinet vote to endorse annexation of parts of the West Bank will not take early next week , despite Netanyahu ’ s pledge a day earlier to act quickly after the U.S. peace plan was released .
Tourism Minister Yariv Levin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t technically feasible because of various preparations , including “ bringing the proposal before the attorney general and letting him consider the matter.
” Last month , the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court , Fatou Bensouda , declared there is a “ reasonable basis ” to believe that settlement construction constitutes a war crime .
Pending final approval from the court , she intends to open a formal investigation , a process that could cause deep embarrassment and discomfort for Israeli leaders .
Yuval Shany , an expert on international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said annexation would “ significantly ” raise the risk of triggering prosecution at the ICC .
Settlements are widely viewed as illegal based on the Geneva Convention principle that an occupying power is barred from transferring its population into war-won territories .
“ That could be a relatively low-hanging fruit for the prosecutor to identify a specific act that is either part of the transfer or significantly aids and abets that transfer , ” he said .
While Israel does not accept the court ’ s authority , Netanyahu appears to be taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has launched harsh attacks against Bensouda and the court , saying the case against Israel is “ pure anti-Semitism.
” He also has tried , with limited success , to rally international opposition to the ICC .
The Palestinians joined the ICC in 2015 after they were accepted as a nonmember state at the United Nations .
They then asked the court to look into alleged Israeli crimes in the West Bank , Gaza and east Jerusalem , retroactive to 2014 .
The year coincided with Israel ’ s devastating war in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , Bensouda said her probe would look at Israeli military practices as well as the actions of Hamas militants during the 2014 war , in addition to settlement activity .
Shany said Israel is much more vulnerable on the settlement issue than it is with regard to Gaza .
Israel ’ s military has mechanisms to investigate alleged wrongdoing by its troops , and despite criticism that this system is insufficient , it has a good chance of fending off the ICC .
When it comes to settlements , however , Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions .
While the court would have a hard time prosecuting Israelis , it could issue arrest warrants that would make it difficult for Israeli officials to travel abroad .
A case in the ICC would also be deeply embarrassing to the government , Shany said .
“ The big white whale is the settlements , ” he said .
“ That would be a major PR disaster for the country .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-29--Ohio’s toxic algae plan could give other states a blueprint

TOLEDO , Ohio - Nearly halfway into a 10-year pledge to combat the toxic algae that turns Lake Erie a ghastly shade of green , Ohio has made little progress .
Its patchwork of mostly voluntary efforts hasn ’ t slowed the farm fertilizers that feed algae blooms , leading to contaminated drinking water and dead fish .
Ohio ’ s governor has authorized an ambitious plan that this year will begin offering farmers financial incentives to adopt new agriculture practices and will create a network of wetlands to capture and filter runoff from fields .
The broad approach is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an increasing number of algae outbreaks .
Some environmental groups are skeptical , but others that have been at odds with the farming industry are hopeful .
While there are no guarantees the strategy will revive the shallowest of the Great Lakes , there are potential pitfalls , including a lawsuit calling for tougher regulations , that could upend the state ’ s goal of drastically reducing nutrient pollution entering the lake ’ s western end by 2025 .
“ We can ’ t move forward as a state unless we preserve Lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeWine said when he announced plans to pay farmers to voluntarily participate , part of $ 172 million targeted for water quality .
One of the biggest hurdles is that the state must convince farmers to make changes without any certainty they will be enough .
And no matter how many get on board , progress will be slow because phosphorus from chemical fertilizer and manure has built up for years .
Backers of the state ’ s plan worry that farmers could get discouraged and lawmakers may back away from committing more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lake .
That ’ s why the state ’ s immediate focus is on convincing farmers in the western Lake Erie region to commit to some changes .
“ Our measure of success will be in how many farmers enrol in each county , ” said Dorothy Pelanda , Ohio ’ s agriculture director .
They ’ ll begin finding out in February how the state intends to distribute $ 30 million worth of incentives and what the money will cover .
That ’ s a big concern for those who ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the trade war with China and one of the rainiest years in memory .
Nathan Eckel , who raises cattle and farms with his family just outside Toledo , said he and many neighbours already are doing several recommended practices , including planting cover crops and vegetation along streams and mixing manure into the ground .
“ We ’ re doing what ’ s most time efficient and what ’ s best financially , ” he said .
One of the state ’ s suggestions for reducing phosphorus runoff is to inject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but that equipment costs close to $ 200,000 .
“ How do you justify that coming off a year like we just had ?
” Eckel said .
What holds back others are lingering questions about whether the recommended steps are feasible and effective , said Robyn Wilson , a behavioural researcher at Ohio State University .
“ I cant blame the farmer , ” she said .
“ Even those committed to it aren ’ t getting enough feedback.
” Surveys have shown that while up to 20 % might not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share are open to new ways but face barriers , many of them financial .
“ It ’ s a lot to accomplish in a short amount of time , ” she said .
Ohio ’ s governor has said offering incentives is the key .
“ We can not expect farmers to do things that will drive them out of business , ” said DeWine , who first talked about long-term solutions just months after he took office a year ago .
States throughout the U.S. will be monitoring Ohio ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been a much bigger challenge than slowing it from sewage plants and factories , said Dan Obenour , an environmental engineer at North Carolina State University .
“ In general , states are still trying to figure it out , ” Obenour said .
Ohio ’ s leaders have been under pressure to fix the lake since algae toxins in 2014 left more than 400,000 people around Toledo unable to drink their tap water .
Studies by have shown that roughly 85 % of the phosphorus going into the lake comes from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to reduce that is to order agriculture to make changes instead of relying on volunteers .
A federal lawsuit that could be ruled on this year is seeking to force Ohio to adopt enforceable regulatory standards .
The state ’ s agriculture director said they ’ ll continue to move ahead with their plan , not knowing what will come from the courts .
There ’ s a sense of urgency because Ohio ’ s leaders say they ’ re committed to sticking with the previous administration ’ s promise to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ western Lake Erie within the next five years .
If they fall short , the only choice may be tougher regulations that farmers have been trying to avoid .


thetorontostar--2020-01-29--Sudan to tackle fuel subsidies as economy hangs on the edge

KHARTOUM , Sudan - Sudan hopes to cut fuel subsidies over the course of 18 months , starting as early as March , and replace them with direct cash payments to the poor , the country ’ s finance minister said , laying out a timetable for sweeping economic reforms sought by international lenders .
The plan comes as Sudan ’ s fragile democracy is slowly taking shape after the ouster last year of the country ’ s long-time autocrat Omar al-Bashir .
In an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday , Finance Minister Ibrahim Elbadawi said the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government has previously said it will not change bread and flour subsidies .
Elbadawi ’ s comments are the first to reveal a planned timeline since the Sudanese government skirted the issue of slashing subsidies late last year , after the country ’ s pro-democracy movement rejected the move .
The government included subsidies in the 2020 budget .
In the interview with the AP , Elbadawi said the plan now is to gradually lift fuel subsidies , which take up 36 % of the nation ’ s budget , as early as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil society groups , and continue into the next year .
A former World Bank economist , Elbadawi was appointed to the country ’ s interim government last year .
He said gasoline subsidies would be removed first , before tackling those related to diesel in mid-year .
Sudan ’ s new leadership is navigating a treacherous transition to civilian rule .
Two-thirds of the country ’ s more than 40 million people live in poverty , and slashing the fuel subsidies could lead to destabilizing protests reminiscent of the large-scale demonstrations that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April .
At the same time , sweeping economic reforms are required to re-integrate Sudan into the international economy and win support from international lenders .
Since al-Bashir ’ s ouster , an interim government made of civilian and military representatives has been leading the country and the economy — already in a severe downturn and battered by a weakening currency , shortages and inflation — has become the lynchpin of the fragile transitional period .
Sudan has been an international pariah after it was placed on the United States ’ list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two decades ago .
This largely excluded it from the global economy and prevented it from receiving loans from international institutions like the International Monetary Fund .
Sudan ’ s interim government has also inherited a debt of 60 billion dollars and a rapid inflation rate , and badly needs an injection of funds from foreign donors .
The nation ’ s currency , the Sudanese pound , is trading on the black market for double its official rate of 45.3 pounds to the dollar .
The uprising against al-Bashir began as protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as bread and frustration among the youth over unemployment and the brutality of the nation ’ s security forces .
Many in the country ’ s civil society movement fear that lifting subsidies now could make the country ’ s most vulnerable even poorer .
Elbadawi said a direct cash payment to poor families , through banks or mobile phone transfers , could help ease the shock of the reforms .
Such a program could be off the ground in six months , he said , though the government still needs better data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As part of a pilot group , said that some 4.5 million people would start receiving the money soon , Elbadawi added .
“ We think that if we manage to do this , it will be a very viable and credible alternative , ” he told the AP .
“ It will target the poor , it will promote the cause of peace and it will actually change the social contract.
” Because of the longstanding subsidy program , Sudan has been one of the cheapest countries in the world to fill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also encouraged fuel smuggling out of the country .
If things were to stay as they were — with no changes to the 2020 budget — the government would be spending more on subsidies than on health , education and internal security combined , Elbadawi said .
To pave the way for international loans , Sudan has been in talks with the U.S. to remove it from the list of terrorism sponsors —something Elbadawi hopes will be only a matter of weeks or a few months .
In the meantime , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IMF and is working on a reform program that could lay the groundwork for future debt relief .
The government is also launching a national dialogue to explain the necessity of the subsidy reforms but will tread carefully , aware of likely popular opposition , Elbadawi said .
The Sudanese Professionals Association , the main organizer of demonstrations during last year ’ s uprising , has threatened to mobilize protesters if the transition goes astray .
That means Sudan ’ s civilian stakeholders would have to be on board with the program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are unable to reach a consensus , then I think it will be incumbent upon the government to explain the consequences and to allow the Sudanese people to take whatever decision and course they want to take , ” Elbadawi said .
This story has been corrected to say the interview took place on Tuesday , not Wednesday .


thetorontostar--2020-01-29--The Latest: Britain flying back citizens from Wuhan

BEIJING - The Latest on the outbreak of a new virus from China : The British government is preparing to fly citizens back from the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak of a new virus , and will put them in quarantine for two weeks .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted Wednesday that “ anyone who returns from Wuhan will be safely isolated for 14 days , with all necessary medical attention.
” Britain ’ s Press Association news agency reported that the returning Britons will likely be held on a military base .
There are an estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a flight is expected to bring them home on Thursday .
At least 132 people have died and more than 6,000 have been infected with a new type of coronavirus that appeared in Wuhan in December .
The British government has advised against all but essential travel to mainland China , and British Airways on Wednesday said it is suspending flights to and from the country , apart from Hong Kong .
Kazakhstan has suspended all flights , train and bus services to neighbouring China and stopped issuing visas to Chinese nationals due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The government announced halting all flights to China starting Monday and all trains as of Saturday .
Passenger bus service was suspended earlier Wednesday .
Kazakhstan , a vast nation in Central Asia , shares a long border with China .
Kazakh authorities have also rejected a proposal by the International Tennis Federation to move a series of the Federation Cup games to Kazakhstan from China .
Thirty-five people who recently travelled to China remain hospitalized in Kazakhstan , but none has been confirmed to be suffering from coronavirus .
Four members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United Arab Emirates are being treated for a new virus .
The statement from health officials , carried by the state-run WAM news agency , comes after authorities earlier acknowledged the first cases Wednesday in the country that ’ s home to Dubai and Abu Dhabi .
Earlier , it said the family came from Wuhan , the epicenter of the outbreak .
It did not explain how or when the family travelled from Wuhan to the UAE , the home of long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways .
Australian health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soccer team is being quarantined in Brisbane city over concerns about the possible spread of a new virus .
Queensland state Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young says 32 people — including players and staff — travelled through the virus-effect Chinese city of Wuhan a week ago .
The team will be kept in isolation in a Brisbane hotel until Wednesday next week .
The group arrived in Brisbane on a flight from Shanghai on Tuesday before border officials placed them in isolation .
They are travelling with a team doctor and none has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s immediately suspending all of its flights to and from mainland China after the U.K. government warned against unnecessary travel to the country amid a virus outbreak .
BA said in a statement Wednesday that “ we apologize to customers for the inconvenience , but the safety of our customers and crew is always our priority.
” The airline operates daily flights from London ’ s Heathrow Airport to Shanghai and Beijing .
It took the measure a day after Britain ’ s Foreign Office updated its travel advice on China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to the mainland , not including Hong Kong and Macao .
China has cut off access to Wuhan and 16 other cities to prevent people from leaving and spreading the virus further .
The outbreak has killed more than 130 people .
Australia and New Zealand will work together to evacuate their isolated and vulnerable citizens from China ’ s virus-hit Hubei province .
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday could not say how many or how soon citizens would be flown by Qantas from Hubei .
The departures would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens would be sent for 14 days to a quarantine centre on Christmas Island , an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean which has been used to hold asylum seekers and foreign criminals facing deportation .
Australia and New Zealand have also ratcheted up their travel advice for China .
Australia has advised its citizens to reconsider their need to travel to China and not to travel to Hubei .
New Zealand ’ s government advised people to avoid all non-essential travel to China due to the coronavirus outbreak .
Two Japanese men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they felt relieved but also exhausted upon their arrival in Tokyo .
They were aboard a chartered flight Japan arranged to evacuate 206 Japanese citizens from Wuhan .
Takeo Aoyama who works for Nippon Steel Corp. and Takayuki Kato , who works for Intec , both wore masks but said they felt fine .
Kato said he was not panicking in Wuhan , but “ I was shocked when all transportation systems were suspended .
That ’ s when the situation drastically changed.
“ China cut off access to Wuhan and 16 other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new type of coronavirus that has infected thousands of people .
Aoyama said many people who wish to go home to Japan are still in Wuhan , including workers at a Japanese supermarket chain staying open to supply food .
He said it is important to step up preventive measures in Japan , but “ I hope we can also provide support for the Chinese people , which I think would also help the Japanese people who are still there .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-29--GOP lacks votes to block Bolton, other impeachment witnesses

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial is shifting to questions from senators , a pivotal juncture as Republicans lack the votes to block witnesses and face a potential setback in their hope of ending the trial with a quick acquittal .
After Trump ’ s defence team rested Tuesday with a plea to “ end now , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell privately told senators he doesn ’ t yet have the votes to brush back Democratic demands for witnesses now that revelations from John Bolton , the former national security adviser , have roiled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book that Trump told him he wanted to withhold military aid from Ukraine until it helped with investigations into Democratic rival Joe Biden .
That assertion , if true , would undercut a key defence argument and go to the heart of one of the two articles of impeachment against the president .
“ I think Bolton probably has something to offer us , “ said Sen. Lisa Murkowski , R-Alaska .
Not in Trump ’ s view .
“ Why didn ’ t John Bolton complain about this ‘ nonsense ’ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very publicly terminated , ” Trump tweeted shortly after midnight .
“ He said , not that it matters , NOTHING !
“ The uncertainty about witnesses arises days before crucial votes on the issue .
In a Senate split 53-47 in favour of Republicans , at least four GOP senators must join all Democrats to reach the 51 votes required to call witnesses , decide whom to call or do nearly anything else in the trial .
Several Republicans apparently are ready to join Democrats in calling witnesses .
The two days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , also allow each side more time to win over any undecided senators pondering the witness issue .
In the meantime , all will have the opportunity to grill both the House Democrats prosecuting the case and the Republican president ’ s defence team .
Held to submitting written questions to be read by Chief Justice John Roberts , senators are expected to dig into the big themes of the trial — among them whether what Trump did or may have done rises to the level of “ high crimes and misdemeanours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partisan attacks on each side ’ s case .
Trump faces charges from Democrats that he abused his power like no other president , jeopardizing U.S.-Ukraine relations by using the military aid as leverage while the vulnerable ally battled Russia .
Democrats say Trump then obstructed their probe in a way that threatens the nation ’ s three-branch system of checks and balances .
The president ’ s legal team tried to lock up its case Tuesday and convince GOP senators that the president was right to ask Ukraine for investigations of Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within his power to block the aid .
They said he was not bound to abide by the congressional investigation .
Trump complained anew at a Tuesday night rally in Wildwood , New Jersey , charging that “ congressional Democrats are obsessed with demented hoaxes , crazy witch hunts and deranged partisan crusades.
” Trump attorney Jay Sekulow addressed the Bolton controversy head-on in closing arguments by dismissing the former national security adviser ’ s manuscript as “ inadmissible.
“ Attorney Alan Dershowitz , the Harvard scholar , said earlier that even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions don ’ t rise to an impeachable offence .
Senate Republicans spent considerable time in private discussing how to deal with Bolton ’ s manuscript without extending the proceedings or jeopardizing the president ’ s expected acquittal .
That effort lost steam as Democrats showed no interest , Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saying , “ We ’ re not bargaining with them.
“ GOP senators were warned that if they agree to call Bolton or try to access his manuscript , the White House will block him , likely sparking a weekslong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security .
Nonetheless , Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine appeared to be backed by others in the move to seek more testimony .
Some Republicans including Sen. Pat Toomey want reciprocity -- bringing in Bolton or another Democratic witness in exchange for one from the GOP side .
Some Republicans want to hear from Biden and his son , who was on the board of a Ukrainian gas company when his father was vice-president .
Those swaps , though , seem likely to fail as most Republican senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and most Democrats would rather avoid dragging the Bidens further into the impeachment proceedings .
The Bidens were a focus of defence arguments though no evidence of wrongdoing has emerged .
“ I don ’ t know that the manuscript would make any difference in the outcome of the trial , ” said Roy Blunt of Missouri , a member of GOP leadership .
And some Republicans said they simply don ’ t trust Bolton ’ s word .
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky called Bolton “ disgruntled ” ’ and seeking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White house .
But John Kelly , Trump ’ s former White House chief of staff , told an audience in Sarasota , Florida , that he believes Bolton .
White House officials privately acknowledge that they are essentially powerless to block the book ’ s publication but could sue after the fact if they believe it violated the confidentiality agreement Bolton signed .
Trump and his lawyers have argued repeatedly that Democrats are using impeachment to try to undo the results of the last presidential election and drive Trump from office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to throw out a successful president on the eve of an election , “ said White House counsel Pat Cipollone .
Democrats , meanwhile , say Trump ’ s refusal to allow administration officials to testify only reinforces that the White House is hiding evidence .
The White House has had Bolton ’ s manuscript for about a month , according to a letter from Bolton ’ s attorney .
Associated Press writers Alan Fram , Mary Clare Jalonick , Andrew Taylor , Matthew Daly , Laurie Kellman and Padmananda Rama contributed @ @ @ @

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


thetorontostar--2020-01-29--Police seek dad, baby after 3 women killed in South Florida

MIAMI - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued an Amber Alert on Wednesday for a father and baby who @ @ @ @ @ three women were found shot to death .
Miami-Dade officers have been searching for 49-year-old @ @ @ @ @ were found killed in a home on 187th Avenue , spokesman Lee Cowart told the @ @ @ @ @ says 1-week-old Andrew Caballeiro was missing .
The father is related to at least one @ @ @ @ @ not been named as a suspect .
He ’ s believed to be travelling in @ @ @ @ @ saying “ Nesty School Services ” and “ Caution : Transporting Children.
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thetorontostar--2020-01-29--Floods, landslide in western Indonesia leave 7 dead

MEDAN , Indonesia - Landslides and floods from torrential rains on Indonesia ’ s Sumatra island killed at least seven people and displaced thousands , the disaster agency said Wednesday .
Large areas of Central Tapanuli district in North Sumatra province were inundated with up to 2.5 metres ( 6 feet ) of water after rivers burst their banks shortly after midnight , said Agus Wibowo , spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency .
He said rescuers recovered five bodies that were buried when the monsoon rains triggered a landslide in Andam Dewi village .
They also found two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away by flash floods .
Thousands of people were involved in the rescue effort , but distribution of aid was hampered by power cuts , blocked roads and the large distance between disaster-hit areas , local disaster agency official Agus Haryanto said .
More than 2,000 people have been forced to leave their flooded homes , Haryanto said .
Videos and photos released by the agency showed hundreds of rescuers and police and military taking residents to shelters .
Others carried bodies in yellow body bags .
Ambulances and other vehicles took victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downpours cause frequent landslides and floods and kill dozens each year in Indonesia , a chain of 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near fertile flood plains .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-29--Bangladesh to improve schools for Rohingya refugee children

DHAKA , Bangladesh - Authorities in Bangladesh in partnership with the United Nations will expand educational programs for hundreds of thousands of Muslim Rohingya children living in refugee camps who are currently receiving only basic lessons , officials said Wednesday .
The children , who fled with their families from neighbouring Myanmar to the camps in Bangladesh ’ s Cox ’ s Bazar district , now attend about 1,500 learning centres run by UNICEF that provide basic education , drawing and other fun activities .
Under the new program starting in April , they will receive a formal education using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 , the U.N. said in a statement .
Mahbub Alam Talukder , Bangladesh ’ s refugee , relief and repatriation commissioner , said the government agreed in principle with a proposal from the U.N. that the Rohingya children be provided with a Myanmar education .
“ They will be taught in Myanmar ’ s language , they will follow Myanmar ’ s curriculum , there is no chance to study in formal Bangladeshi schools or to read books in the Bengali language , ” he said by phone .
“ There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here in Bangladesh for long , so through this approach they will be able to adapt to Myanmar ’ s society when they go back.
” The U.N. said initially 10,000 Rohingya children will be enrolled in a pilot program using the Myanmar curriculum , which will allow them to fit into the Buddhist-majority nation ’ s national educational system when they return to their homeland .
The decision was hailed by human rights groups and the United Nations .
“ We believe this is a positive step and a clear indication of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure access to learning for Rohingya children and adolescents , as well as to equip them with the right skills and capacities for their future and return to Myanmar when the conditions allow , ” the U.N. said .
About 400,000 Rohingya children currently live in the refugee camps , and global rights groups have been demanding that the Bangladesh government allow them to have a formal education .
More than 700,000 Rohingya have fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh since August 2017 , when Myanmar ’ s military launched what it called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an attack by an insurgent group .
Security forces have been accused of committing mass rapes , killings and burning thousands of homes .
In total , more than 1 million Rohingya refugees currently live in Bangladesh .
Myanmar ’ s government has long considered the Rohingya to be migrants from Bangladesh , even though their families have lived in Myanmar for generations .
Nearly all have been denied citizenship since 1982 , effectively rendering them stateless .
They are also denied freedom of movement and other basic rights including education .


thetorontostar--2020-01-29--A failed Italian job: Driver evades flaming highway robbery

MILAN - In a bid to rob an armoured vehicle , a gang of thieves set up barriers of burning vehicles and spilled nails on a highway near Milan but were foiled when the driver evaded their traps , according to news reports Wednesday .
The assailants , believed to number about a dozen people , fled the scene .
They remained at large following the attempted robbery on a major north-south highway late Tuesday night , the news agency La Presse reported .
The assailants set a dozen vehicles on fire in both directions of the highway and rammed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the attempted robbery ultimately failed when the driver of the armoured vehicle managed to pull into a rest area and a police patrol in the area intervened .
Photos released by firefighters showed vehicles in flames on the darkened highway .
Armed bandits made off with 5 million euros ( $ 5.5 million ) in a similar assault involving a burning barrier in 2014 along the same stretch of highway .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-29--UAE confirms 4 cases of new Chinese virus, first in Mideast

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday confirmed the first cases in the Mideast of the new Chinese virus that causes flu-like symptoms , saying doctors now were treating four members of a Chinese family that had just come from a city at the epicenter of the outbreak .
The UAE ’ s state-run WAM news agency made the announcements citing the Health and Prevention Ministry , but offered no details on where they were receiving treatment , nor when they arrived .
The UAE , a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is home to long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways and is a hub for global air travel .
Authorities at Abu Dhabi ’ s airport and Dubai International Airport , the world ’ s busiest for international travel , continue to screen passengers and crew from incoming China flights .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear how the family left Wuhan and made it all the way to the UAE .
China shut down Wuhan ’ s airport and other transportation in the city last Thursday to stop the spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include 17 cities with more than 50 million people in all .
Authorities initially did not offer the number or identify the family ’ s nationality and UAE officials did not respond to requests for comment .
Emirati officials are taking “ all the necessary precautions in accordance with the scientific recommendations , conditions and standards approved by the World Health Organization , ” the ministry said .
“ The general health condition is not a cause for concern.
“ State-run and government-supporting media in the UAE carefully announced the news Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation under control .
At Arab Health , a major trade show happening this week in Dubai , a few Emiratis and others attending wore surgical masks while walking among the crowds .
Emirates said it continued its flights to Beijing , Guangzhou , and Shanghai , as well as Hong Kong .
“ We are providing masks and hand sanitisers to all crew on our flights to China , ” the company said in a statement .
“ Our crew who serve passengers with any symptoms have been advised to wear masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first appeared in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December .
It causes flu-like symptoms , such as cough and fever and in severe cases pneumonia , that are similar to many other illnesses .
It ’ s from the coronavirus family , which includes those that can cause the common cold as well as more serious illnesses such as SARS and MERS .
The viral outbreak that began in China has infected more than 6,000 people in the mainland and more than a dozen other countries .
China ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have confirmed cases of the virus , with most of them being Chinese visitors , people who visited Wuhan or family members in close contact with the sick .
The source of the virus and the full extent of its spread are still unknown .
However , the World Health Organization said most cases reported to date “ have been milder , with around 20 % of those infected experiencing severe illness.
” Facing lower oil prices and a slumping housing market , the UAE has been aggressively pursuing more Chinese tourists to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s tallest building .
Chinese visitors to the country can get visas on arrival to the UAE .
Malls in Dubai now have Chinese on their signs alongside Arabic and English , with tour groups tramping through and high-end shoppers targeting luxury stores .
Dubai alone welcomed 989,000 tourists from China in 2019 , up 15 % from 857,000 in 2018 , according to the city-state ’ s tourism department .
Associated Press writers Fay Abuelgasim and Kamran Jebreili in Dubai contributed to this report .