thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Namibia court upholds results of presidential election

WINDHOEK , Namibia - The Supreme Court in Namibia upheld the results of last year ’ s presidential election on Wednesday , saying the challengers failed to prove ruling party manipulation of electronic voting machines .
The ruling means President Hage Geingob will continue in his second term .
He won in November with 56 % of the vote while Namibia ’ s first independent presidential candidate , Panduleni Itula , received 29 % in the country ’ s tightest presidential race since independence in 1990 .
Itula and four opposition party leaders had urged the court to declare the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
They argued that the use of the machines without a paper trail effectively meant a key means of checks and balances was missing .
Chief Justice Peter Shivute did rule that the use of electronic voting machines without a paper trail , as decided on before the 2014 election in the southern African nation , was invalid .
Future elections must now include a verifiable paper trail .
Namibia was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to use electronic voting machines .
“ I think the Itula camp ’ s failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the election was fatal to its case , so while they won key constitutional issues around the use of EVMs they didn ’ t succeed in having the election overturned , ” political analyst Graham Hopwood told The Associated Press .
He said the fact that the court ordered two-thirds of Itula ’ s costs to be covered by the respondents was a sign that they won many of the legal arguments but not the ultimate one .
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Sonja Smith And Brandon Van Wyk - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Virus impact: Automakers look at restarting China operations

BEIJING - Automakers are considering whether to resume operations in China amid efforts to contain a virus outbreak while the impact on other companies spreads .
The latest developments as of Wednesday : NISSAN MOTOR CO. : The Japanese automaker says it is considering reopening some factories in China on Monday but operations in the province at the centre of the virus outbreak won ’ t resume until at least Feb. 14 .
Nissan has a factory and offices in Wuhan , the city where the first virus cases were reported in December .
TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. : The automaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action for its 12 idled factories in China .
Four of the facilities are vehicle assembly plants and the rest produce parts .
CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS : The Hong Kong airline asked its 27,000 employees to take three weeks of unpaid leave while it struggles with plunging revenue .
Cathay cut flights to mainland China by 90 % this week and worldwide capacity by 30 % after Beijing cancelled group tours and told businesspeople to put off foreign travel .
The South China Morning Post said CEO Augustus Tang , in a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was as grave as the 2009 financial crisis .
WALT DISNEY CO. : The company says fewer people stayed in its Hong Kong properties , offset by growth in Shanghai before Disney parks in both cities closed due to the virus .
The company said the impact of a two-month shutdown on the current quarter ’ s operating income would be $ 175 million .
RALPH LAUREN CORP : The fashion brand says it has temporarily closed about half of its 110 stores in mainland China .
CEO Patrice Louvet said the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China over the past two years because of the U.S.-Chinese tariff war .
“ We ’ ll need to see how employees return ” to factories after the holiday , said Louvet during an earnings conference call .
“ We are working on being as agile as possible.
’ ’ MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS : The organizer of the mobile phone industry ’ s biggest trade show , due to be held in Barcelona this month , said it is taking extra precautions because of the virus .
The group said it would make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-traffic areas and advise people who attend not to shake hands .
AP Business writers Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo and Anne D ’ Innocenzio , Nick Jesdanun and Tali Arbel in New York contributed .

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thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Former Australian official in court for taking secrets home

CANBERRA , Australia - A former senior Australian intelligence official appeared in court on Wednesday charged with illegally taking secret documents from his Canberra office to his home two decades ago .
Roger Uren , 72 , appeared in the Australian Capital Territory Magistrates Court where lawyers discussed how they would handle classified documents that could be tendered as evidence .
The charges laid four years after the documents were found in Uren ’ s Canberra home and 14 years after they were removed from the Office of National Assessments -- the prime minister ’ s intelligence agency -- are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing government preoccupation with secrecy .
Attorney-General Christian Porter has launched a legal process to prevent information “ likely to prejudice national security ” from being made public in Uren ’ s court hearing .
The documents date back to before Uren resigned as Office of National Assessments ’ assistant director in 2001 .
He is the husband of U.S. citizen Sheri Yan , who was sentenced in the U.S. District Court in New York in 2016 to 20 months in prison after she pleaded guilty to bribing the U.N. General Assembly ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Intelligence Organization agents investigating potential Chinese Communist Party links to Australian politics raided the Canberra home of Uren and his lobbyist wife in October , 2015 , and again in September the following year .
The agents say they discovered sensitive documents .
He was arrested at his home in October last year .
Uren faces 32 charges of unauthorized dealing with records under the Intelligence Services Act and one charge of unauthorized dealing with records under the Australian Security Intelligence Organization Act .
Each charge carries a potential maximum sentence of three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyers argue he copied the documents so he could continue working on them at home .
No one else ever saw them , the lawyers say .
Uren ’ s bail conditions were relaxed to allow him to visit his wife in China over Christmas .
She is caring for her elderly parents in Beijing .
Magistrate Glenn Theaskston on Wednesday restored the bail conditions that prevent Uren leaving Australia .
The magistrate also returned the title deeds to two houses that Uren had offered as surety while he was overseas .
Uren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearance on April 1 .
Prosecutor Daniel Johns and defence lawyer Noor Blumer will attempt to agree on draft court orders to restrict the disclosure and handling of sensitive documents in the case .
The magistrate will make those orders if he finds the agreed draft acceptable .
If the lawyers can ’ t agree , the magistrate will decide on what information can be made public .


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Impeachment takeaways: Trump’s iron grip, McConnell delivers

WASHINGTON - The Republican-controlled Senate acquitted President Donald Trump on two impeachment charges Wednesday amid Republican complaints about what they called a rushed process and Democratic claims that Trump is a threat to democracy .
The historic , three-week trial proceeded largely along partisan lines , with just one senator — Republican Mitt Romney of Utah — breaking with his party .
Takeaways from just the third impeachment trial of a president in U.S. history : Some Republican senators expressed reservations about Trump ’ s conduct ; some even went so far as to say that House Democrats successfully made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s acquittal was never truly in doubt in the Senate .
Even Republicans who disapproved of Trump ’ s dealings with Ukraine — the heart of the House impeachment charges — said his conduct did not merit making him the first president ever removed from office .
In ways unimaginable when he was first elected as a political newcomer , Trump has come to utterly dominate the GOP .
Republican lawmakers bow to his overwhelming popularity with the party ’ s base .
“ It ’ s not a party of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a cult of personality , ’ ’ tweeted Sen. Chris Murphy , D-Conn. Republicans insisted they were acting in the interests of their constituents and their conscience , and they reacted with outrage when Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff , the lead impeachment manager , cited a media report claiming that a person close to Trump had warned Republicans their “ head will be on a pike ” if they voted against the president .
Trump has already shown his power to cast out dissident Republicans .
Former Sens .
Bob Corker of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to run for reelection rather than face voters after clashing with Trump .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
R-Ky. , again proved himself Trump ’ s most important ally .
He led a drive to deny Democrats any opportunity to call witnesses before the Senate and worked closely with the White House in shepherding the case to acquittal , fulfilling a pledge he made before the trial to “ take my cues from the president ’ s lawyers.
” McConnell slammed House Democrats ’ drive to impeach Trump as “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thorough “ in history .
He said the two impeachment charges against Trump — that he abused his power and obstructed Congress ’ ensuing investigation — are ” constitutionally incoherent ” and don ’ t “ even approach a case for the first presidential removal in American history.
’ ’ Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York accused McConnell and his GOP colleagues of sweeping Trump ’ s misconduct under the rug .
“ The administration , its top people and Senate Republicans are all hiding the truth , “ Schumer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blackmail a foreign country to interfere in our elections.
” Republicans voted to acquit Trump , but many wanted to be on record as frowning on his conduct .
Perhaps the most prominent example was retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee , who voted against hearing from witnesses but called out Trump ’ s actions as “ inappropriate.
“ Other Republicans followed suit , insisting that their votes against witnesses or in favour of acquittal should not be interpreted as approval of his actions .
“ I do not believe that the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s conduct — however flawed — warrants the extreme step of immediate removal from office , ’ ’ said Sen. Susan Collins , R-Maine .
“ Our country is already too deeply divided and we should be working to heal wounds , not create new ones .
It is better to let the people decide , “ added Sen .
Rob Portman , R-Ohio .
In an unlikely twist , Romney , the GOP ’ s unsuccessful 2012 presidential nominee , was the only Republican senator to break ranks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from office .
The well-mannered , patrician Romney stood alone in his vote to oust a Republican president who seldom hides his contempt for the senator and the establishment Romney symbolizes .
Romney ’ s support for removing Trump on a charge of abuse of power also denied Trump ’ s campaign a frequent talking point of asserting that he had full support of Republicans in the House and Senate during a strictly partisan drive to remove him .
Romney voted to acquit Trump on the second article of impeachment , obstruction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Romney , a Mormon , cited his religious faith and the significance of the impeachment oath taken by senators to render “ impartial justice ” on impeachment .
“ The grave question the Constitution tasks senators to answer is whether the president committed an act so extreme , so egregious , that it rises to the level of a high crime and misdemeanour , ” Romney said in a floor speech .
“ Yes , he did.
” GOP Sen. Steve Daines of Montana called Romney ’ s vote “ very disappointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongly disagree .
But he has to speak for what he believes.
” Throughout the trial , the votes of at least three Democrats were uncertain .
Sens .
Joe Manchin of West Virginia , Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Doug Jones were all considered possible votes to acquit Trump .
Manchin even floated censuring Trump instead of removing him from office , though the idea did not gain much traction .
In the end , all 47 Democrats voted to find Trump guilty on both articles of impeachment .
Manchin , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office in the nation ’ s most pro-Trump state , said he could explain his vote for removal based on the evidence that was presented .
“ There was no other conclusion that I could come to , as much as I knew how divisive it would be , as difficult as it would be , ’ ’ Manchin said .
“ It ’ s based on , could I go home ... and face my family , my friends and the good Lord that I swore to ?
” Jones , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said impeachment has been partisan from the beginning and the country needs to figure out how to move forward together .
A former federal prosecutor , Jones won a special Senate election in 2018 .
He said he had not thought about how his votes to convict Trump might affect his reelection chances , saying simply he was comfortable with his decision .
Sinema said in a statement that she was upholding her duty to the Constitution and putting the interests of the country ahead of partisan politics or personal interest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid was withheld from Ukraine in an attempt to benefit the president ’ s political campaign .
While White House attorneys claim this behaviour is not serious , it is dangerous to the fundamental principles of American democracy to use the power of the federal government for personal or political gain , ’ ’ she said .
White House lawyers also failed to assure the American people that future national security decisions will be made free from personal interests , Sinema said .
“ That should be gravely concerning to all of us.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial won ’ t bring an end to revelations about Trump ’ s dealings with Ukraine .
There are books to be written and documents being withheld by the administration that could ultimately become public .
Former national security adviser John Bolton writes in a book due out next month that Trump tied the suspension of military aid to Ukraine to investigations that Trump wanted , just as House prosecutors alleged .
The Justice Department disclosed in a court filing last weekend that it has 24 emails related to Ukraine that it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from witnesses who testified in the House impeachment inquiry and may feel emboldened to share even more now that the president has been acquitted .
Or witnesses unknown to the public could step forward .
Democrats are fighting to release grand jury testimony from special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s Russia investigation and for the testimony of ex-White House lawyer Don McGahn .
Whether rushed or not , the impeachment was the fastest impeachment ever .
The House voted to impeach Trump a week before Christmas , less than three months after Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four-week delay while Democrats pressed for rules changes to extend the trial , House Democrats carried the formal articles of impeachment against Trump to the Senate in mid-January .
Three weeks later , the Senate voted to acquit Trump without new testimony or subpoenas .
Many senators who voted to acquit Trump said they were disappointed in his conduct or disapproved of it , but that it was up to voters to decide Trump ’ s fate in November .
Alexander said House prosecutors had proved the charges against the president , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an impeachable offence .
“ The question is not whether the president did it , “ but whether the Senate should decide what to do about it , Alexander said last week in becoming the decisive vote against witnesses and documents .
” I believe the Constitution provides that the people should make that decision in the presidential election.
’ ’ Sen. Lisa Murkowski , R-Alaska , called the president ’ s actions “ shameful and wrong.
” But she said the proper response to Trump ’ s behaviour was “ not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who voted for Trump in 2016 — by removing him from the ballot .
An already ill-defined area of law may be even murkier for 2020 campaigns , thanks to an answer on foreign election interference from deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin .
Democrats pressed Trump ’ s legal team to acknowledge that foreign election interference is not only wrong but also illegal .
Asked if Trump agreed that foreign involvement in an American election is against the law , Philbin pointed out that the law only covers foreign campaign contributions or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Department concluded for that reason that Trump ’ s call with Ukraine ’ s leader didn ’ t violate campaign finance laws .
Democrats called Philbin ’ s statement shocking .
“ The single most important lesson that we learned from 2016 was that nobody should seek or welcome foreign interference in our elections , “ said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries , D-N.Y. , an impeachment manager .
“ But now we have this president and his counsel essentially saying it is OK. ” Trump ’ s lawyers , including retired Harvard law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ken Starr , presented a variety of arguments to senators .
They said Trump never made military aid contingent on investigations .
They painted him as beset by biased investigators and asserted that even if he did what he was accused of , it still wasn ’ t impeachable .
In the end , though , the argument that appeared to resonate most with senators was inherently political : impeaching a president in an election year , the argument went , invites chaos and instability , upends the will of the voters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tossed from office on partisan whims .
“ They are asking you to tear up all of the ballots across this country , on your own initiative — take that decision away from the American people , ” White House counsel Pat Cipollone said .

Matthew Daly And Eric Tucker - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Kirk Douglas, longtime influential movie star, dies at 103

LOS ANGELES - Kirk Douglas , the muscular actor with the dimpled chin who starred in “ Spartacus , ” “ Lust for Life ” and dozens of other films and helped fatally weaken the Hollywood blacklist , has died at 103 , People magazine reported Wednesday .
“ It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today at the age of 103 , ” his son Michael said in a statement obtained by People .
“ To the world , he was a legend , an actor from the golden age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ golden years , a humanitarian whose commitment to justice and the causes he believed in set a standard for all of us to aspire to.
” Kirk Douglas was nominated three times for Oscars — for “ Champion , ” “ The Bad and the Beautiful ” and “ Lust for Life.
” He later received an honorary award for “ 50 years as a creative and moral force ” in the movie industry .
His son Michael won Oscars as producer for “ One Flew Over the Cuckoo ’ s Nest ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Buttigieg faces new urgency in bid to win minority voters

CONCORD , N.H. - Pete Buttigieg was just hours removed from his strong showing in Iowa when he confronted a question about whether it would last .
Bruce Barnes , a 52-year-old white voter from Henniker , New Hampshire , pressed Buttigieg on what he was doing to improve his standing among voters of colour who are critical to winning the Democratic presidential nomination .
“ This isn ’ t about how to win .
This is about how to deserve to win , “ Buttigieg responded before detailing at length his plans to invest in minority communities .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now , this is two different countries , in so many ways , because of your race.
” The resonance of those comments will determine whether Buttigieg ’ s performance in Iowa was a blip or the beginning of a historic march to the Democratic nomination .
Such a trajectory would almost certainly require Buttigieg to make dramatic inroads with black voters , who have largely sided with former Vice-President Joe Biden in the early days of the contest .
And with Democrats obsessed with finding a candidate who can assemble a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the fall , Buttigieg ’ s gap with minority voters is a glaring vulnerability .
“ I ’ ve been following the polls , and from what I ’ ve heard , he ’ s not making too many inroads with that very important voting bloc , ” Barnes said after the Buttigieg event .
“ We need to get the base electrified and get them out there.
” Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , faces stiff competition heading into Tuesday ’ s New Hampshire primary .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the 2016 primary , Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is from a neighbouring state and Biden is a well-known name .
But the biggest challenge will come later this month during the Nevada caucuses and South Carolina primary .
Both states have significant minority populations , and Buttigieg has lagged in the polls there .
Buttigieg has faced pointed questions from black voters about his dismissal of South Bend ’ s first African American police chief .
He ’ s also been criticized for his handling of the shooting death of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bend police officer over the summer .
Buttigieg has argued the best way to start building credibility with nonwhite voters is to show he can win , and he pointed to his strong showing in Iowa .
“ I do think having that proof point , even though we ’ ve got a lot of work to do ahead , it helps us open new conversations and get folks who may have been skeptical of the very idea of this campaign to take another look at us , ” he told reporters Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also worked to signal he has support from diverse voters .
On Sunday , Ryann Richardson , who is the reigning Miss Black America , joined Buttigieg on stage in Des Moines , Iowa .
He was also endorsed by Quentin Hart , the black mayor of Waterloo , Iowa , the state ’ s most racially diverse city .
Maryland Rep. Anthony Brown is the only member of the Congressional Black Caucus to endorse him .
In South Carolina , where roughly two-thirds of voters in the first-in-the-South Democratic primary are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a team of younger black staff and supporters , including Walter Clyburn Reed , the grandson of South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn .
A day after the Iowa caucuses , 10 black elected officials in South Carolina endorsed him .
Buttigieg will also likely need to expand his reach in the Democratic Party in other ways to win the nomination .
In the Iowa caucuses , voters 45 and older , those with a college degree and self-described political moderates held majority shares among Buttigieg supporters , according to AP VoteCast , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take part in Monday ’ s Democratic caucuses .
In New Hampshire , 20-year-old Annie Carr said she believes Sanders , not Buttigieg , is the candidate who appeals to “ future generations.
” She cited the 78-year-old Sanders ’ positions on climate change and free college as reasons for supporting him .
She said Buttigieg , whom she saw at an event earlier in the primary , is too moderate and seemed too scripted to win her support , though she said she ’ d vote for him if he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows just 9 % of voters in Iowa ’ s Democratic caucuses were nonwhite .
Only Sanders stood out as a clear leader among that group , earning the support of nearly 4 in 10 nonwhite voters , according to VoteCast .
Buttigieg ’ s performance with minorities was significantly lower and comparable to the performances of Biden , Warren and businessman Andrew Yang .
Beaumont reported from Des Moines , Iowa .
Associated Press polling writer Hannah Fingerhut and AP National Political Writer Steve Peoples contributed to this report from Washington .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Kathleen Ronayne And Thomas Beaumont - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--FBI director warns of ongoing Russian ‘information warfare’

WASHINGTON - FBI Director Chris Wray said Wednesday that Russia is engaged in “ information warfare ” heading into the 2020 presidential election , though he said law enforcement has not seen ongoing efforts by Russia to target America ’ s election infrastructure .
Wray told the House Judiciary Committee that Russia , just as it did in 2016 , is relying on a covert social media campaign aimed at dividing American public opinion and sowing discord .
That effort , which involves fictional personas , bots , social media postings and disinformation , may have an election-year uptick but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some ways harder to combat than an election system hack , Wray said .
“ Unlike a cyberattack on an election infrastructure , that kind of effort — disinformation — in a world where we have a First Amendment and believe strongly in freedom of expression , the FBI is not going to be in the business of being the truth police and monitoring disinformation online , ” Wray said .
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are on alert for election-related cyberactivity like what occurred in 2016 , when Russians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nominee Hillary Clinton and probed local election systems for vulnerabilities .
But , Wray said Wednesday , “ I don ’ t think we ’ ve seen any ongoing efforts to target election infrastructure like we did in 2016.
” His appearance came two days after Democratic presidential caucuses in Iowa were marred by a malfunctioning app that caused a delay in the reporting of results .
Though local and federal officials have stressed that the problems weren ’ t caused by a foreign intrusion , the error played into existing unease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among American about the integrity of the voting process .
Even without signs of election system targeting , Wray said Russian efforts to interfere in the election through disinformation had not tapered off since 2016 .
He said social media had injected “ steroids “ into those efforts .
“ They identify an issue that they know that the American people feel passionately about on both sides and then they take both sides and spin them up so they pit us against each other , ” Wray said .
“ And then they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our confidence in our elections and our democratic institutions , which has been a pernicious and asymmetric way of engaging in ... information warfare.
“ At another point in the hearing , Wray avoided a direct answer when asked if President Donald Trump , Attorney General William Barr or other administration officials had asked him for investigations into Trump Democratic rival Joe Biden , his son Hunter , or into any members of Congress .
The question was posed by Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York , the committee chairman and one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .
He asked whether Trump had requested FBI investigations into the Bidens , lawmakers or former national security adviser John Bolton — who is due out with a book next month said to undercut a key Trump defence — as possible payback for impeachment .
Wray initially said : “ I have assured the Congress , and I can assure the Congress today , that the FBI will only open investigations based on the facts , and the law and proper predication.
“ After Nadler said he assumed that answer meant that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials had requested improper political investigations , Wray tried again : “ No one has asked me to open an investigation based on anything other than facts , the law and proper predication.
“ Trump has sought , without evidence , to implicate the Bidens in the kind of corruption that has long plagued Ukraine .
Hunter Biden served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company at the same time his father , as vice-president , was leading the Obama administration ’ s diplomatic dealings with Ukraine .
Though the timing raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been no evidence of wrongdoing by either Biden .
Wray ’ s appearance was his first since a Justice Department inspector general report that sharply criticized the FBI ’ s surveillance of former Trump campaign aide national security Carter Page .
The errors produced rare bipartisan calls for changes to the federal government ’ s surveillance powers .
The report identified what it said were significant errors in applications to eavesdrop on Page , including omitting critical information that cut against the FBI ’ s original premise that Page was a Russian agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After the report was issued , Wray told The Associated Press that the mistakes were “ unacceptable and unrepresentative of who we are as an institution.
” He repeated that message to lawmakers Wednesday .
The then-chief judge of the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court , which authorizes wiretapping of subjects on American soil in national security investigations , responded to the report with an extraordinary public rebuke of the FBI and demanded that the bureau report back on what it was doing to fix the problems .
The FBI has laid out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrant applications are more closely scrutinized before being submitted for a judge ’ s approval and that they contain accurate information about the reliability and potential bias of sources whom agents rely on .
The Justice Department has also said the surveillance of Page should have ended before it did .
Wray bristled at the suggestion from some Republican lawmakers that he did not take the report ’ s criticism seriously enough .
“ I ’ ve been a prosecutor .
I ’ ve been a defence attorney , I ’ ve been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been an FBI director , “ Wray said .
“ To me , candour to the court is sacrosanct , and I don ’ t think there ’ s anybody in the FBI who ’ s belaboring under the misimpression that I think it ’ s OK to mislead a court .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Airliner skids, breaks open in Istanbul; 3 dead, 179 injured

ISTANBUL - A Turkish airliner skidded off a runway , crashed into a ditch and broke apart while landing in bad weather in Istanbul Wednesday , killing three people and injuring dozens more .
Passengers had to scramble through the split fuselage to escape .
The aircraft , operated by low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines , was arriving at Istanbul ’ s Sabiha Gokcen airport from the western Turkish city of Izmir with 183 passengers and crew on board when it had what the Transportation Ministry described as a “ rough landing.
” Istanbul Gov .
Ali Yerlikaya said the plane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and skidded some 50-60 metres ( yards ) before it dropped into the ditch from a height of about 30 metres ( 98 feet . )
“ We are deeply saddened ... ( But ) we are very happy that we escaped a greater accident , ” Yerlikaya said , adding that the plane could have burst into flames .
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca reported early Thursday that three people had died and 179 required care at multiple hospitals .
Emergency workers , assisted by an excavator , recovered one body from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended .
The airport was shut down after the incident , which occurred at around 6:30 p.m. local time ( 1530 GMT ) , and flights were diverted to Istanbul ’ s main airport .
Survivor Dogus Bilgic , 24 , told Turkish television channel NTV that he fled the smashed plane by way of a gap near his seat and was one of the first passengers to get out .
“ We travelled ( on the runway ) for some 20 or 30 seconds , then all of a sudden we flew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while seated in a wheelchair because of a leg injury .
“ It happened in seconds.
” “ I was seated in 25C .
I believe the plane broke apart at row 26 , ” Bilgic recalled , adding that he threw himself out of the plane when he saw the opening .
“ The front ( of the plane ) was in a terrible state .
I saw , after I was on the ground , that it had completely broken apart , ” he said .
As other passengers emerged from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two or three to the ground .
“ I carried them somewhere because they weren ’ t doing as well as us , ” he said , then ran away from the plane with others , fearing a possible explosion .
“ There was complete chaos , “ he said .
Video obtained by The Associated Press showed the wreckage of the plane in a field adjacent to the end of the runway .
The video shows heavy rain and strong winds at the time , with smoke coming from one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuselage onto the wings of the plane and away from the crash site .
Eyewitness Hasan Eraydin , who shot the video , said he had been driving home from work when he heard a rumble .
“ We were about 30 metres away … we tried to get to the scene to help , but there was some sort of a canal in between and it was impossible .
We thought ‘ God willing , no one has died ’ .
” Dozens of rescue crew members swarmed around the flood-lit fuselage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had flipped over .
The plane was a Boeing 737 that was 11 years old , according to the flight tracking website Flightradar24 .
“ We are aware of the media reports and we are gathering more information , ” Peter Pedraza , a Boeing spokesman , said .
NTV said the injured included the plane ’ s two pilots , who it said were in serious condition .
The television channel broadcast a recording of the communications between the pilots and air traffic control in which the pilots are told that previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ According to the information we have , there was a rough landing .
The accident occurred after ( the plane ) could not decelerate and rammed into a field from the end of the runway , ” Turkey ’ s state-run Anadolu news agency quoted Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Mehmet Cahit Turan as saying .
Prosecutors opened an investigation of the accident , Anadolu reported .
Pegasus is a privately-owned , low-cost carrier based in Istanbul that flies 97 routes , mostly within Turkey and to destinations in Europe , the Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority owned by Turkish billionaire Sevket Sabanci and his family , who have big investments in the country in areas as varied as real estate , clothing , health clubs and packaging materials .
The accident comes a month after a Pegasus plane with 164 people on board skidded off the runway at the same airport in Istanbul .
There were no deaths or injuries in that incident on Jan. 7 .
In January 2018 , another Boeing 737 in the Pegasus fleet slid off a runway at northeastern Turkey ’ s Trabzon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The plane came to rest in the dirt above the Black Sea with its nose pointed toward the water .
None of the 168 passengers and crew members were injured .
Planes are designed to absorb impact forces in the bottom of the fuselage to improve the chances that passengers in the cabin above will survive .
In 2013 , the tail of an Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 broke off after the jet hit a seawall during approach to San Francisco International Airport .
Three people died , 49 were seriously injured and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the U.S. accident report .
That same year , a Lion Air Boeing 737 split in two after landing in shallow water short of the runway in Bali , Indonesia .
All 101 passengers and seven crew members survived .
Fraser reported from Ankara , Turkey .
Carlo Piovano in London and David Koenig in Dallas contributed .

Suzan Fraser And Mehmet Guzel - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Videos show fatal stabbing on California subway platform

OAKLAND , Calif. - Jurors in the trial of a man accused of fatally stabbing a young woman on a California subway platform were shown video Wednesday of the attack that also injured her sister .
The surveillance video from the July 2018 attack drew gasps as friends and family of 18-year-old Nia Wilson wept in a packed Alameda County courtroom during opening statements .
John Lee Cowell , 29 , followed the women from a Bay Area Rapid Transit platform onto a train for a 30-minute ride to a transfer station , then stabbed them when they exited , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jury .
Videos showed Cowell tailing the women and removing a knife hidden in his pants in the attack that killed Wilson and wounded her 26-year-old sister , Letifah Wilson .
Ford showed other video that he said showed Cowell trying to flee with passengers in the chaotic aftermath of the assault and purposefully misdirecting officers .
The prosecutor argued the attack was carefully planned , showing Cowell changing clothes he kept in a backpack that was tossed , along with the knife , at a nearby construction zone .
Cowell has pleaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the special circumstance allegation that the stabbings were committed intentionally by lying in wait .
His attorney , Christina Moore , said the killing was fueled by psychosis because of Cowell ’ s severe mental illness .
Cowell , a transient with a history of violence and mental illness , was taken from court earlier Wednesday after he argued with a prosecutor during opening statements .
He missed the rest of the prosecution ’ s presentation to jurors .
Wilson ’ s death was one of several violent attacks on BART , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the nearby cities of Berkeley and Oakland .
Train system officials have announced a number of measures intended to improve safety since the attacks .
The start of the trial had been delayed while authorities sought to determine Cowell ’ s mental competence through a series of psychiatric evaluations .
In December , a judge ruled Cowell was fit to stand trial after noting that he was “ malingering ” and refusing to co-operate with doctors appointed to evaluate him in order to avoid trial .
Cowell was released from a maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than three months before the attack .
Wilson ’ s sister recovered and was expected to testify for the prosecution .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Alaska shooting suspect arrested in US Virgin Islands

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - A man wanted for a fatal shooting in Alaska has been arrested in the U.S. Virgin @ @ @ @ @ 40 , is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of Grant Fowler @ @ @ @ @ .
Fowler was shot Dec. 3 at the Black Angus Inn , according to Anchorage @ @ @ @ @ that day .
The U.S .
Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force arrested Marshall on Jan. @ @ @ @ @ in Anchorage as “ Joey Snow ” and “ Snowy , ” will be extradited @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Online court documents to not list his attorney .
An earlier @ @ @ @ @ listed Fowler as the shooting suspect in the fourth paragraph .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Family of student killed by driver living ‘horrible dream’

OKLAHOMA CITY - The man arrested for driving into a group a high school cross-country runners in suburban Oklahoma City , killing two and injuring four was talking to himself and spoke of his son , killed in an auto crash the day before , a man who spoke with him moments after the crash said Wednesday .
Joe Gonzales said he went to Townsend ’ s truck after it stopped Monday afternoon in the street outside Gonzales ’ home about three blocks from where the Moore High School students were struck .
Gonzales , 62 , said he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after hearing something crash into his son ’ s car in the yard outside his home and stayed with Townsend until police arrived .
“ He was just talking to himself , looking for his phone , ” and said “ I just lost my son , ” according to Gonzales .
Townsend ’ s son , Cody Townsend , died in an auto accident Sunday in Moore , according to police .
Townsend , 57 , is jailed on charges of manslaughter and failing to stop and render aid .
Police have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Sgt .
Jeremy Lewis , but results from toxicology tests were pending .
Jail and court records do not list an attorney who could speak on Townsend ’ s behalf and his daughter , Cortney Townsend declined to speak about the crash when contacted by The Associated Press .
“ I just don ’ t think right now is a good time , ” to talk , Cortney Townsend said .
Phone calls to the Cleveland County District Attorney ’ s Office , which was closed Wednesday because of snow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned .
Students Yuridia Martinez and Rachel Freeman died of injuries suffered when they were struck by the truck .
“ We are living in a horrible dream that we can ’ t wake up from , ” the family of Martinez , 16 , said in a statement Wednesday released through the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City .
“ This is so difficult .
We miss her very much .
Please continue to pray for us , for Yuridia and for the children and families suffering this loss , ” the statement said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalized Wednesday , Crum in critical condition , White in fair condition and Hutchinson in good condition , according to University of Oklahoma Medical Center spokeswoman April Sandefer .
Associated Press researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed to this report from New York .


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Texas Southern University president ousted for violations

HOUSTON - Texas Southern University officials on Wednesday ousted the president of one of the nation ’ s largest historically black universities for failing to report fraud allegations in the admissions process and directing a former official to violate university policy .
The university ’ s board of regents deliberated for five hours before firing Austin Lane because he didn ’ t report alleged fraud the former dean of law school admissions participated in while enrolling two students , according to the termination notice .
Lane didn ’ t report a former assistant dean who participated in alleged fraud by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a program without submitting an application , the letter says .
The board is also accusing Lane of failing to report that same former official over offering another student fraudulent admission and scholarship in exchange for $ 14,000 in cash .
“ A consequence of your actions , and in particular the dishonesty , misrepresentation , material omission , and intentional concealment aspects of your conduct , is injury to the trust placed in you by the Board to manage and lead the university on a day to day basis , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who attended Wednesday ’ s meeting , has denied the allegations and said the board is mismanaging .
“ They didn ’ t mention anything that links anything to myself or any of my administration team .
You didn ’ t hear one fact that they were able to prove with anything they said today , ” he said .
“ My reputation and track record speak for themselves and we have done it the right way , even in the face of adversity.
” Lane has held the top post at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the four-page letter , the board accuses Lane of directing excessive entertainment expenses that were paid through the TSU Foundation that weren ’ t presented to the board for approval .
He ’ s also accused of obstructing an internal investigation into the admissions improprieties , according to the letter .
The 6-1 vote to oust Lane was met by outrage from about 100 supporters who were cheering him on as he entered the meeting Tuesday night .
Lane was placed on paid leave last month as the university investigated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ university ’ s interim president .
Lane has 30 days to dispute the allegations him , and said he will .
“ I ’ m not going to do anything that ’ s going to embarrass myself , my family , my supporters that are here today , my students , my faculty or my staff .
You won ’ t find anything they said today that links anything to me , ” Lane said .
“ So , we ’ ll be back in 30 days.
“


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Madoff seeks prison release, citing terminal kidney failure

NEW YORK - Epic Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff asked a federal judge Wednesday to grant him a “ compassionate release ” from his 150-year prison sentence , saying he has terminal kidney failure and less than 18 months to live .
Madoff ’ s attorney filed court papers saying the 81-year-old has end-stage kidney disease and other “ chronic , serious medical conditions , ” including hypertension and cardiovascular disease .
“ There ’ s no cure for my type of disease , ” Madoff told The Washington Post in a phone interview , expressing remorse for orchestrating the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a decade behind bars , Madoff said his dying wish is to salvage his relationships with his grandchildren .
“ I ’ ve served 11 years already , ” he said , “ and , quite frankly , I ’ ve suffered through it.
” The U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Manhattan declined to comment .
Prosecutors are expected to file a motion in response to the request in the coming days .
Madoff pleaded guilty in 2009 to 11 federal counts in a fraudulent investment scheme involving billions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clients over decades .
The rich and famous were among his victims , as well as people of lesser means who had invested with him unknowingly through feeder funds .
The new court filings say Madoff was admitted in July to the palliative care unit of the federal prison in Butner , North Carolina .
“ Madoff ’ s health has and will continue to deteriorate , and he will require more assistance physically and medically leading up to his death , ” attorney Brandon Sample wrote .
A so-called compassionate release would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the community , which would be more efficient , timely , and less burdensome ” on the U.S. Bureau of Prisons , Sample wrote .
The Bureau of Prisons denied Madoff ’ s request for release in December , according to court papers , saying it would “ minimize the severity of his offence.
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thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Trump barrels into 2020 campaign, emboldened after acquittal

WASHINGTON - With the final gavel banging down Wednesday on impeachment , President Donald Trump barrelled ahead in his reelection fight with a united Republican Party behind him , and emboldened by reassuring poll numbers and chaos in the Democratic race to replace him .
Republican senators voted largely in lockstep to acquit Trump , relying on a multitude of rationales for keeping him in office : He ’ s guilty , but his conduct wasn ’ t impeachable ; his July telephone conversation with Ukraine ’ s president was a “ perfect call ” ; there ’ s an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s up to voters to determine his fate .
For Trump , there was one overriding message to draw from his acquittal : Even at a time of maximum political peril , it ’ s his Republican Party .
One day after Trump avoided talk of impeachment in his State of the Union address and argued that he had delivered on his 2016 campaign promises , the president already was moving to use impeachment as a 2020 rallying cry .
Trump tweeted after the vote that he would mark his acquittal with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our Country ’ s VICTORY on the Impeachment Hoax !
” The president and his allies sent giddy tweets needling his accusers and Democrats .
In his first message once the trial closed , Trump posted an animated video using a Time magazine cover to suggest he would remain in office “ 4EVA.
” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , released a video of him tearing up the impeachment articles .
And White House social media director Dan Scavino tweeted an animated GIF of Trump dancing .
Ivanka Trump , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House aide , said in a post : “ This factional fever and incoherent , ill-conceived process has finally ended and the President has rightfully been acquitted .
It is time for our Country to move forward .
Together.
” The nation ’ s first presidential nominating contest , the Iowa caucuses , handed more good news to Trump .
A tabulating mishap threw the Democrats into chaos , depriving any candidate of a clear victory and allowing Trump to paint the Democrats as incompetent and corrupt .
Trump ’ s tenuous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a consistent theme of his political life in recent years , and he has repeatedly put the party ’ s values to the test .
Still , most Republicans have grudgingly stuck with him , through the revelations of the “ Access Hollywood ” tape , in which he was heard boasting about sexually assaulting women , and Charlottesville , where he defended white supremacists during a racial clash in the Virginia college town , as well as Helsinki , where he sided with Russia ’ s Vladimir Putin over U.S. intelligence agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now , they are giving him the victory he ’ s been waiting for and lashing their fates to his like never before .
Throughout the impeachment process , Trump drew satisfaction as Republican senators , many of whom opposed his long-shot candidacy and still dismiss him in private , overwhelmingly defended him and defied convention , tradition and public opinion polling in the process .
Scott Jennings , a longtime Republican political adviser , said the Senate impeachment trial strengthened Trump ’ s hand within the party , especially with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endears him to his most committed supporters .
If Trump is a disrupter , it makes all the sense in the world for the insiders to try to get rid of him .
It hands Trump a real messaging point , ” Jennings said .
“ I see no weaknesses in Trump now.
” While Trump is among the least popular presidents in modern history , he has nonetheless maintained wide support among Republicans , with 83 % approving of his job performance in a January poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell , with whom Trump has a respectful , if not particularly close , relationship , GOP senators fell in line to block new witnesses and documents in the trial .
The final vote Wednesday was no different : Only one Republican , Utah Sen. Mitt Romney , a longtime Trump critic , voted for removal .
Romney seemed to anticipate retribution , telling Fox News , “ I have broad enough shoulders to bear the consequences.
“ With the impeachment trial behind him , Trump loses a reliable foil .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a general election foe .
“ Donald Trump is in the best political position of his presidency , in part due to his opponents ’ miscalculations , ” said GOP consultant Terry Sullivan .
“ He ’ s at his best when he has a clear opponent , because he ’ s terrible at playing defence but his political offensive game is second to none .
I predict the next nine months will only get better for him as it becomes a two-person race that allows him to define it as a choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president told confidants during the trial that he was impressed not just by the robust defence offered by his lawyers , but by the TV interviews offered by GOP senators outside the chamber , according to three White House aides and Republicans close to the West Wing were not authorized to discuss private conversations and spoke on condition of anonymity .
He crowed to advisers about the loyalty being shown to him and predicted the show of force bodes well for party enthusiasm in November ’ s election , the people said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party as Strong and as Unified as it is right now .
Thank you !
“ Trump tweeted during the trial .
Trump has benefited from a new class of Republicans in Congress who have proved to be more partisan than their predecessors .
Party members also know that Trump rains retribution on those who cross him .
For all of Trump ’ s talk about how Democrats stick together , he ’ s got the Republicans in his fist .
“ We ’ ve never had a president , as I said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nasty as this one and he strikes fear in the hearts of a lot of people , ” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , said last week .
Trump ’ s sky-high approval ratings within his own party acted as a deterrent that kept nearly all Republicans from breaking ranks .
The fear was palpable among GOP senators worried not just about being the target of an angry tweet but about a Trump-backed primary challenger or a revolt among strong Republican supporters .
Still personally stung by impeachment , Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the American people as a vindication , that he can activate his supporters and mollify even his skeptics in the centre .
Democrats are left with the more challenging task of explaining the details of the Ukraine case to the American people , and the White House believes Trump ’ s less complicated message will prevail .
Follow Lemire on Twitter at http : //twitter.com/ @ JonLemire and Miller at http : //twitter.com/ @ zekejmiller

Jonathan Lemire And Zeke Miller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Canadian company seeks new site to bury nuclear waste

TRAVERSE CITY , Mich. - A power company is reconsidering its options after dropping plans to bury waste from its nuclear plants on the Canadian shore of Lake Huron , officials said Wednesday .
Ontario Power Generation abandoned its 15-year campaign to permanently store the waste in a deep underground chamber in Ontario after members of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation voted overwhelmingly last week to reject it .
The company had pledged not to move forward without the tribe ’ s support .
“ We ’ re going to continue to look for lasting solutions , ” communications manager Fred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of our culture.
” The company long contended that placing low- and intermediate-level waste such as discarded parts and ashes from incinerated floor sweepings inside rock chambers 2,230 feet ( 679 metres ) below the earth ’ s surface was the safest way to secure them .
The preferred site was at the Bruce Power generating station near Kincardine , Ontario .
Company officials said the material would be entombed far below Lake Huron ’ s greatest depths in the vicinity .
But because the preferred site was less than a mile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition from Canadian activists and many elected officials in the U.S. “ Nuclear waste remains radioactive for thousands of years , and burying it next to the Great Lakes would have threatened our economy and clean drinking water for over 40 million people , ” said U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee , a Michigan Democrat .
The Saugeen Objibway Nation voted down the plan last Friday , 1,058 to 170 .
In a statement , Chief Lester Anoquot of the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation said the community “ didn ’ t ask for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our territory , but it is here .
We have a responsibility to our Mother Earth to protect both her and our lands and waters.
” Kuntz told The Associated Press that the company would seek other communities willing to host the facility before developing specific plans for a new site .
Activists who fought the project said they would remain vigilant in case the company targets another site near the lake .
“ Nowhere in the Great Lakes basin is appropriate for this kind of waste , ” said Beverly Fernandez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Great Lakes Nuclear Dump .
Also of concern , she said , is a separate plan to dispose of high-radioactivity waste , possibly in the same general area .
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization , representing Ontario Power Generation and other nuclear electricity producers , is examining two potential sites for a deep underground facility containing spent fuel rods from reactors .
One is the community of Ignace in northwestern Ontario .
The other is South Bruce in southern Ontario , about 18 miles ( 30 kilometres ) from Lake Huron .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed agreements with landowners in South Bruce to conduct geological studies in the area .
“ We have confidence that the geology in any of these areas could be suitable to host the project , ” spokesman Bradley Hammond said .


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Romney impeachment vote heartens some, angers others in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY - Even though Mitt Romney ’ s status as one of few Republicans willing to publicly criticize President Donald Trump is well known is his adopted home of Utah , his unequivocal speech before his impeachment vote Wednesday caught many by surprise .
In a state where Republicans are unusually divided on the president , the reactions to Romney ’ s choice were also at odds .
Some were heartened to see him cast what Romney described as an agonizing vote dictated by his conscience , though there was plenty of frustration and anger from Trump supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go before any re-election campaign , Romney has a long time to explain his status to an electorate with a deep well of goodwill that gives him a celebrity-like status in the state .
“ There will be ramifications in terms of his support , ” said Jason Perry with the University of Utah ’ s Hinckley Institute of Politics .
But “ people do ultimately care about what he says , even if they don ’ t agree with him.
” Romney appeared emotional during his speech on the Senate floor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been waking up in the early-morning hours as his mind churned over what to do .
He cited a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hymn about doing the right thing despite the consequences , and he said his vote will likely have blowback in the party for him and his family .
Though there ’ s no provision in Utah law to recall a sitting senator , one state lawmaker has recently introduced a bill that would create one .
Republican sponsor Rep. Tim Quinn has said it is not aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require a significant effort to put a recall proposal to voters .
The bill hasn ’ t gotten a hearing yet , and if it passes it ’ s unclear whether it would be constitutional .
Romney ’ s key role in saving the troubled 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City paired with his status as the first major-party presidential candidate from the state ’ s predominant faith widely known as the Mormon church has made him well-known and liked in the state where he moved after his failed 2012 presidential run .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wariness about Trump .
A nationwide Associated Press survey of midterm voters in 2018 found that while two-thirds of church members voted Republican , just over half approved of Trump ’ s job performance .
The VoteCast survey also found that 64 % of Utah voters wanted to see the senator confront the president .
Shelly Cluff , a 33-year-old stay-at-home mother in suburban Riverton , is a Republican who ’ s never been a fan of Trump .
She was pleasantly surprised at Romney ’ s stance .
“ I was greatly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put so much on the line in order not to violate his conscience , in order to stand with a clear conscience before God , ” Cluff said .
Still , she knows that not all her neighbours feel the same , including several who didn ’ t vote for him in 2016 but have since come around .
“ I ’ ve been taken aback by how many people have been really upset and disappointed in Mitt Romney , ” she said .
Count among those voters like Ray Clark , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said he ’ s “ furious ” about Romney ’ s vote , and chalks it up to the senator ’ s personal dislike of the president .
Still , he ’ s not sure if Romney will ultimately suffer any true political consequences in Utah .
“ Right now , I ’ d say he doesn ’ t stand a chance .
Four years from now , who knows ?
” he said .

Lindsay Whitehurst - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Not Guilty: Senate acquits Trump of impeachment charges

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump won impeachment acquittal Wednesday in the U.S. Senate , bringing to a close only the third presidential trial in American history with votes that split the country , tested civic norms and fed the tumultuous 2020 race for the White House .
With Chief Justice John Roberts presiding , senators sworn to do “ impartial justice ” stood at their desks to state their votes for the roll call — “ guilty ” or “ not guilty ” — in a swift tally almost exclusively along party lines .
Visitors , including the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gallery .
Roberts read the declaration that Trump “ be , and is hereby , acquitted of the charges.
” The outcome followed months of remarkable impeachment proceedings , from Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s House to Mitch McConnell ’ s Senate , reflecting the nation ’ s unrelenting partisan divide three years into the Trump presidency .
What started as Trump ’ s request for Ukraine to “ do us a favour ” spun into a far-reaching , 28,000-page report compiled by House investigators accusing an American president of engaging in shadow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal , political gain as he pressured the ally to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden ahead of the next election .
No president has ever been removed by the Senate .
A politically emboldened Trump has eagerly predicted vindication , deploying the verdict as a political anthem in his reelection bid .
The president claims he did nothing wrong , decrying the “ witch hunt ” and “ hoax ” as extensions of special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s probe into Russian 2016 campaign interference by those out to get him from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s political campaign tweeted videos , statements and a cartoon dance celebrating that he was “ vindicated.
“ Trump himself tweeted that he would speak from the White House on Thursday about “ our Country ’ s VICTORY on the Impeachment Hoax.
” However , the Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said there will always be “ a giant asterisk next to the president ’ s acquittal ” because of the Senate ’ s quick trial and the Republicans ’ unprecedented rejection of witnesses for an impeachment .
A majority of senators expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Ukraine that resulted in the two articles of impeachment .
But two-thirds “ guilty ” votes would have been needed to reach the Constitution ’ s bar of high crimes and misdemeanours to convict and remove Trump from office .
The final tallies fell far short .
On the first article of impeachment , abuse of power , the vote was 52-48 favouring acquittal .
The second , obstruction of Congress , also produced a not guilty verdict , 53-47 .
Only one Republican , Mitt Romney of Utah , the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broke with the GOP .
Romney choked up as he said he drew on his faith and “ oath before God ” to vote guilty on the first charge , abuse of power .
He voted to acquit on the second .
Both Bill Clinton in 1999 and Andrew Johnson in 1868 drew cross-party support when they were left in office after impeachment trials .
Richard Nixon resigned rather than face sure impeachment including from his own party .
Ahead of Wednesday ’ s voting , some of the most closely watched senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their constituents , and the nation , what they had decided .
Influential GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee , who is retiring , worried that a guilty verdict would “ pour gasoline on the fire “ of the nation ’ s culture wars over Trump .
He said the House proved its case but it just didn ’ t rise to the level of impeachment .
“ It would rip the country apart , ” Alexander said before his vote .
Other Republicans siding with Trump said it was time to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and move on .
Trump ally Lindsey Graham said it was a “ sham ” designed to destroy a presidency .
Most Democrats , though , echoed the House managers ’ warnings that Trump , if left unchecked , would continue to abuse the power of his office for personal political gain and try to cheat again ahead of the the 2020 election .
“ I ’ ve always said , if I can go home and explain it , I can vote for it , ” said Sen. Joe Manchin , D-W.Va. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who stunned some by voting the president guilty .
“ I can explain my vote based on the evidence.
” Among senators running for the Democratic presidential nomination , Bernie Sanders , Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar dashed back from New Hampshire to vote .
During the nearly three-week trial , House Democrats prosecuting the case argued that Trump abused power like no other president in history when he pressured Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son , Hunter Biden , ahead of the 2020 election .
They detailed an extraordinary shadow diplomacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set off alarms at the highest levels of government .
After Trump ’ s July 25 phone call with Ukraine , Trump temporarily halted U.S. aid to the struggling ally battling hostile Russia at its border .
The money was eventually released in September as Congress intervened .
When the House probed Trump ’ s actions , the president instructed White House aides to defy congressional subpoenas , leading to the obstruction charge .
One key Democrat , Alabama Sen. Doug Jones — perhaps the most endangered politically for reelection in a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would vote to convict .
“ Senators are elected to make tough choices , “ Jones said .
Questions from the Ukraine matter continue to swirl .
House Democrats may yet summon former national security adviser John Bolton to testify about revelations from his forthcoming book that offer a fresh account of Trump ’ s actions .
Other eyewitnesses and documents are almost sure to surface .
In closing arguments for the trial the lead prosecutor , Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , appealed to senators ’ sense of decency , that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and that Trump “ is not who you are.
’ ’ He said he hoped the votes to convict “ will serve as a constraint on the president ’ s wrongdoing.
” “ But we ’ re going to have to be vigilant because this is not a president who is guided by any kind of moral compass , ” he told The Associated Press .
Pelosi was initially reluctant to launch impeachment proceedings against Trump when she took control of the House after the 2018 election , dismissively telling more liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth it.
’ ’ Trump and his GOP allies in Congress argue that Democrats have been trying to undercut him from the start .
But a whistleblower complaint of his conversation with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy set off alarms .
The call had been placed the day after Mueller announced the findings of his Russia probe .
When Trump told Pelosi in September that the call was perfect , she was stunned .
“ Perfectly wrong , ” she said .
Days later , the speaker announced the formal impeachment inquiry .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment in U.S. history , with no Republicans joining the House Democrats to vote for the charges , though one GOP congressman left the party and voted for impeachment and two Democrats joined Republicans to oppose .
The Republican Senate kept up the pace with the fastest trial ever , and the first with no witnesses or deliberations .
Trump ’ s legal team with star attorney Alan Dershowitz made the sweeping , if stunning , assertion that even if the president engaged in the quid pro quo as described , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own political interest with the national interest .
McConnell , who commands a 53-47 Republican majority , braced for dissent , refusing efforts to prolong the trial with more witnesses , arguing the House should have done a better job .
Some GOP senators distanced themselves from Trump ’ s defence , and some brushed back calls from conservatives to disclose the name of the anonymous whistleblower .
Trump ’ s approval rating , which has generally languished in the mid- to low-40s , hit a new high of 49 % in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted as the Senate trial was drawing to a close .
The poll found that 51 % of the public views the Republican Party favourably , the first time the GOP ’ s number has exceeded 50 % since 2005 .
Associated Press writers Eric Tucker , Laurie Kellman , Matthew Daly , Alan Fram , Andrew Taylor , Zeke Miller and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .

Lisa Mascaro And Mary Clare Jalonick - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Florida trooper dies in shooting; suspect killed by officer

PALM CITY , Fla. - A stranded motorist fatally shot a Florida Highway Patrol trooper alongside Interstate 95 on Wednesday before he was killed by a passing police officer , the agency said .
Trooper Joseph Bullock , 42 , died in a shooting about 10:15 a.m. near Palm City , about a 45-minute drive north of West Palm Beach , said Col. Gene Spaulding , the agency ’ s commander .
He said a passing police officer from Riviera Beach fatally shot the suspect , whose name has not been released .
Riviera Beach is about 30 miles ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officials declined to say why the officer was in the area .
City officials also declined comment .
The FHP had issued a statement earlier to the South Florida Sun Sentinel saying the suspect had died by suicide .
Spaulding said that Bullock , a 19-year veteran , had been with the shooter for several minutes before the shooting .
He released no further information , saying the shooting is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement .
Spaulding said Bullock is the 49th Florida trooper to die in the line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 years ago .
Trooper Tracy Vickers had been the last , dying in a September traffic crash near Orlando .
“ People don ’ t realize when you approach a car , even a disabled vehicle or a car on a traffic stop , you are worried about not only what is inside that car and what danger is waiting for you , you are also worried about the 80,000-pound ( 36,000-kilograms ) tractor-trailers that are barrelling down the highway behind you , ” he said .
Wednesday ’ s shooting closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area and it remained closed late in the afternoon .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Turkey-backed fighters push Syrian forces out of key town

ANKARA , Turkey - Syrian opposition fighters , supported by Turkish artillery fire , drove government troops out of a key town in Syria ’ s northwest hours after the soldiers fought their way in Wednesday , an observer group and activists said .
The government attack came despite threats by Turkey ’ s president to use force if Syria ’ s army doesn ’ t pull back by the end of the month and followed just days after rare and direct confrontations between Turkish and Syrian troops inside Syria that killed 20 soldiers .
The town , Saraqeb , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highways , one linking the Syrian capital of Damascus to the north and another connecting the country ’ west and east .
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the opposition Baladi news network said Syrian government troops entered Saraqeb in the evening after an intense day of fighting with opposition fighters , during which several Turkish observation posts were surrounded .
Later Wednesday , the Observatory reported clashes inside the town between Syrian troops and opposition fighters .
Turkish troops stationed north of Saraqeb shelled Syrian troops north and west of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed Syrian troops back to the southern edge of town , the Observatory said .
Syrian state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV said government forces encircled Saraqeb after advancing toward the town from three directions .
Some opposition fighters were reportedly still in the town , while opposition-run Shaam news agency had denied Syrian troops entered Saraqeb .
Syrian President Bashar Assad ’ s forces have made advances into Idlib , the country ’ s last rebel stronghold , since December .
They have fought to open the Damascus-Aleppo highway , which rebels have kept shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last major rebel-held town in their way .
Turkey is a strong backer of some rebel groups in northwestern Syria .
It has a dozen military observation posts in Idlib , set up as part of an agreement reached in 2018 with Russia — a main supporter of Assad — to monitor a cease-fire that has since collapsed .
In recent days , Ankara has sent new troops and equipment , setting up new posts around Saraqeb in an attempt to keep it from falling into Syrian government hands .
“ If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to areas behind the observations posts , Turkey will be forced to take matters into its own hands , ” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said to members of his governing party .
He spoke after the unusual clashes Monday in which seven Turkish and 13 Syrian soldiers died .
Erdogan said he told Russian President Vladimir Putin during a late-night phone call Tuesday that the Syrian forces must retreat to a point agreed on in a 2018 cease-fire agreement .
Russia and Turkey agreed to a demilitarized zone in Idlib in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to enforce a cease-fire and clear the highways restricted by rebel control .
That cease-fire and subsequent truces didn ’ t survive repeated bouts of violence .
“ This is a new era in Syria .
Nothing can remain the same where the Turkish soldier ’ s blood has been shed , ” Erdogan said .
“ If our soldiers ’ safety can not be ensured in Idlib , no one can deny our right to ensure it ourselves.
“ During their advance on Saraqeb , Syrian forces surrounded four Turkish observation points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
It was not clear what happened to the Turkish observation point or its soldiers .
There was no immediate comment from Turkish officials .
The Observatory said opposition fighters first withdrew from the town under heavy bombing .
Then clashes between government forces and opposition fighters continued east of the highway , north of Saraqeb , on Wednesday night when opposition forces drove the troops out amid Turkish shelling .
The opposition-run Baladi News Network first reported the town fell to Syrian control , adding that Saraqeb came under intense Syrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only that government forces encircled the town from three sides , without elaborating .
Syrian State news agency SANA reported four civilians killed in rebel shelling of an Aleppo city district to the north that sits on the highway .
The United States , Britain and France requested an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting on the escalating situation in northwestern Syria .
The open meeting is expected to take place Thursday and include a briefing by the U.N. special envoy for Syria , Geir Pedersen , and U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement .
The United Nations warned Wednesday that the humanitarian situation in the northwest was deteriorating .
Some 586,000 people have been displaced since Dec. 1 and over 100,000 others are “ facing an immediate risk of displacement , ” U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said .
He said many of the displaced fled with only the clothes on their back and food , shelter , water , sanitation and education are urgent priorities .
A humanitarian plan for the next six months to help up to 800,000 people in the northwest is seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser reported in Ankara and AP writer Sarah El Deeb reported from Beirut .
AP writers Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Albert Aji in Damascus contributed to this report .

Suzan Fraser And Sarah El Deeb - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--After 2 Supreme Court wins, Florida man gets $875K from city

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. - Few people have fought any city hall all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and won , but Fane Lozman did it twice .
Now the Florida city he ’ s battled since 2006 is going to pay him thousands of dollars in legal fees .
The Riviera Beach City Council voted Wednesday to approve an $ 875,000 settlement with Lozman , who began his legal odyssey with a fight over seizure of his floating home and then claimed a First Amendment violation when he was arrested at a council meeting .
The money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the city website .
In both cases , the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favour of Lozman , 58 , who said he has spent more than a decade on these cases .
He said the free speech case in particular will have ramifications across the country as it relates to appearances before government bodies , peaceful protests , news media coverage of events and so forth .
“ The point is , everybody takes free speech for granted , ” Lozman said in an interview .
“ I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of free speech are being diminished .
It was important for me to take a stand for free speech .
That ’ s why I did it.
” Riviera Beach is a predominantly African America city of about 35,000 people on the east coast of Palm Beach County , north of President Donald Trump ’ s Mar-a-Lago resort .
Lozman , a former Marine pilot who became wealthy after inventing software for futures and options trading , initially ran afoul of Riviera Beach in 2006 over a 60-foot ( 18-meter ) floating home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lozman had begun protesting a multibillion-dollar redevelopment plan at the marina , since abandoned , but his floating home was eventually seized and destroyed .
Lozman sued , and the Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that the city had no such right in a decision scholars say clarified exactly what is a vessel and what is not under maritime law .
Justice Stephen Breyer had this to say : “ ” Not every floating structure is a ‘ vessel.
’ To state the obvious , a wooden washtub , a plastic dishpan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large fishing net , a door taken off its hinges , or Pinocchio ( when inside the whale ) are not ‘ vessels , ’ even if they are ‘ artificial contrivances ’ capable of floating , moving under tow , and incidentally carrying even a fair-sized item or two when they do so.
“ In the midst of that battle , Lozman was arrested while attempting to speak to the Riviera Beach council during a 2006 meeting .
Although the charges were dropped , Lozman sued on grounds of a First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again in 2018 agreed with Lozman , leading to the settlement over his legal fees in that matter .
Chief Justice John Roberts , after viewing video of Lozman ’ s arrest , found it disturbing .
“ I found the video pretty chilling .
I mean , the fellow is up there for about fifteen seconds , and the next thing he knows he ’ s being led off in handcuffs , speaking in a very calm voice the whole time , “ Roberts said .
Lozman remains at loggerheads with Riviera @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Singer Island , a wealthy enclave on the east end of the city along the Atlantic Ocean .
Yet he said he is proud of what he and his lawyers have accomplished so far .
“ I ’ m glad we made a stand and that ’ s what it is going to take , “ he said .


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Feds investigate Mississippi prisons after string of deaths

JACKSON , Miss .
- The Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into the Mississippi prison system after a string of inmate deaths in the past few months , officials said Wednesday .
Federal prosecutors are looking into conditions at four state prisons after the deaths of at least 15 inmates since late December .
The investigation is examining whether state corrections officials are adequately protecting prisoners from physical harm and will look into whether there are adequate health care and suicide prevention services .
The investigation by the Justice Department ’ s civil rights division will specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Penitentiary at Parchman , the South Mississippi Correctional Institution , the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility and the Wilkinson County Correctional Facility , the Justice Department said .
The Wilkinson facility holds state prisoners , and the state pays a private company , Management & Training Corporation , to operate it .
The use of such investigations examining the patterns and practices of law enforcement agencies has been curtailed under the Trump administration compared with their use during the Obama administration .
Some of the inmate deaths in recent weeks happened during confrontations between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a recurring problem in Mississippi prisons , where many jobs for guards are unfilled .
Officials with the state Department of Corrections have said for years that it ’ s difficult to find people to work as guards because of low pay , long hours and dangerous conditions .
Health department inspections also show Parchman has longstanding problems with broken sinks and toilets in cells , holes in cell walls , widespread mould and mildew in showers , and sanitation problems in kitchens .
Entertainment mogul Jay-Z and rapper Yo Gotti are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on behalf of inmates over conditions in the prisons .
The lawsuit filed in mid-January says the prisons are “ plagued by violence ” and inmates are forced to live in decrepit and dangerous conditions .
Republican Gov .
Tate Reeves said in his State of the State speech on Jan. 27 that he has told the Department of Corrections to take steps to shut down Parchman ’ s Unit 29 , but the department has not said how long that will take .
The department ’ s interim commissioner , Tommy Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates in Unit 29 have clean water to drink and warm water for showers .
He said some inmates had not been allowed to shower for several days while prisons were on lockdown because of the violence .
He said those no longer on lockdown have had a chance to shower and have been given new clothes .
Taylor also said toilets have been repaired and crews are patching holes that allowed rain into buildings .
He said workers are also repairing problems with electrical systems and heating .

Michael Balsamo And Emily Wagster Pettus - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Report: Texas cop shot man in ‘altercation of some sort’

DALLAS - A Texas police officer who fatally shot an unarmed man in the head in December opened fire while the pair had “ an altercation of some sort , “ according to a police report .
Temple officer Carmen DeCruz tried to pull Michael Dean over for speeding on the night of Dec. 2 , but the 28-year-old did not stop and “ a short pursuit ensued , “ states the report filed with the Texas attorney general ’ s office .
Dean eventually pulled over and DeCruz , 52 , approached his PT Cruiser .
Then “ there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the men , the report states , and during it the officer ’ s “ service weapon discharged ” striking Dean .
The report does not describe the “ altercation ” further .
It ’ s “ unknown “ whether Dean attempted to injure the officer or others , but lists the most serious offence he could have been charged with as “ evading in a vehicle , ” it states .
Despite the questions it leaves open , the seven-page document offers some of the only available details on what led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months ago .
Police in Temple , a city of 76,000 people about 70 miles ( 112 kilometres ) northeast of Austin , have said little about the shooting and consistently referred questions to the Texas Rangers , who are leading the investigation .
Dallas attorney Lee Merritt , who is representing Dean ’ s family , suggested that Dean was looking for a safe place to pull over , not evading the officer , and called the report “ disingenuous.
“ “ When it gets down to the critical juncture they leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaves Mr. DeCruz a great deal of latitude to change his story at some later date , ” said Merritt .
“ This seems to be an attempt to try to justify what is clearly unjustifiable.
” A spokesman for the Rangers said their investigation is “ nearing completion , “ but that he could not elaborate on the “ altercation.
” “ I have not read that part of the investigation nor do I intend to , “ Sgt .
Bryan Washko said in an email .
“ I am not part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a gunshot wound to the head and his death was a homicide , according to the police report .
It states that after the shooting DeCruz “ initiated life-saving measures to no avail “ and Dean died at the scene .
DeCruz was placed on paid administrative leave after the shooting .
It was not immediately clear when the 7-page report on Dean ’ s death became public .
It bears that same date , Dec. 30 , as a less detailed , three-page report on the shooting that was earlier published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Temple police had said the initial report could be revised .
A spokesman for Temple police and a spokeswoman for the attorney general ’ s office did not immediately respond to questions .


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Sen. Mitt Romney breaks with GOP, votes to convict Trump

WASHINGTON - Republican Mitt Romney , establishment to the core , took the Senate ’ s most brazenly rebellious stance Wednesday in voting to force President Donald Trump from office , a move highlighting how rare it is for Republicans to cross swords with this president .
By voting to convict Trump for abusing presidential powers , the Utah lawmaker became the only Republican to cross party lines in the Senate impeachment trial ’ s climactic votes acquitting the president .
All Democrats voted to convict Trump on both counts against him .
In a remarkable spectacle , Romney ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsuccessful 2012 presidential nominee had voted to oust a Republican president who seldom hides his contempt for the well-mannered party elders that the patrician Romney symbolizes .
As Trump plunges into his reelection effort , Romney ’ s move denied Trump a campaign talking point of asserting he had been unanimously acquitted by Republicans in a strictly partisan drive to remove him .
It also stood as the most noteworthy vote of defiance against Trump by a congressional Republican since 2017 .
At that time , Sen. John McCain , R-Ariz. , pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that derailed Trump ’ s signature effort to dismantle President Barack Obama ’ s health care law .
In an early hint of the wrath that may be coming Romney ’ s way , White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham released a statement saying that “ only the President ’ s political opponents – all Democrats , and one failed Republican presidential candidate – voted for the manufactured impeachment articles.
” Romney ’ s vote drew praise from a quarter that won ’ t help him regain any affection at the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who led the House impeachment investigation of Trump .
“ I have great respect for the moral courage that he showed , ” Schiff told The Associated Press .
“ He showed you can stand up to this president , ” Schiff added .
“ And you can put truth and right and decency first , and I think that the ripple effect of that we may not be able to see for some time , but it will affect all of us.
” The abuse of power count that Romney backed was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military aid to Ukraine for its war with Russian-backed fighters until the embattled country ’ s new leaders agreed to investigate Joe Biden , a Trump political rival .
Romney joined all other Republicans in opposing the second impeachment article , which accused Trump of obstructing Congress ’ investigation of his actions toward Ukraine .
In an interview on Fox News , Romney said he believed the Democratic-run House should have exhausted all legal remedies for hearing witnesses and receiving documents , which Trump blocked , before impeaching him for obstruction .
Romney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Senate floor two hours before the GOP-dominated chamber voted to absolve Trump .
Romney cited the significance of the impeachment oath to render “ impartial justice ” sworn to by all senators .
“ I am profoundly religious .
My faith is at the heart of who I am , ” Romney , a Mormon , said before pausing for about 11 seconds , seemingly struggling with his emotions .
“ The grave question the Constitution task senators to answer is whether the president committed an act so extreme , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of a high crime and misdemeanour , ” Romney said .
“ Yes , he did.
” Romney ’ s decision to break with his colleagues recalled the willingness of his own father , the late Michigan Gov .
George Romney , to support the civil rights movement in the early 1960s .
Assessed from a personal level , the clash between Trump and Romney came as little surprise .
The two men have crossed swords frequently since Trump began his presidential campaign in 2015 .
Still , it threatened to expose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by recent GOP lawmakers defying Trump .
Republican Sens .
Jeff Flake of Arizona and Bob Corker of Tennessee both decided against seeking reelection in 2018 after criticizing Trump .
The chairwoman of the Republican Party took umbrage with Romney in an email sent to reporters headlined , “ Romney turns his back on Utah.
” “ This is not the first time I have disagreed with Mitt , and I imagine it will not be the last , ” tweeted Ronna McDaniel , who is Romney ’ s niece .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong , and the Republican Party is more united than ever behind him.
” While other GOP criticism seemed certain to follow , Romney seemed likely to suffer little blowback back home .
Trump and his frequently coarse displays are not strongly popular in the overwhelmingly Mormon Utah , but Romney is .
And at 72 and in the second year of his six-year Senate term , Romney is unlikely to face a political challenge there anytime soon .
On the Senate floor , Romney cited the pressure Trump put on Ukraine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s purpose was personal and political , ” said Romney .
“ Accordingly , the president is guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust.
” He called Trump ’ s effort “ a flagrant assault on our electoral rights , our national security and our fundamental values.
” Romney said he ’ s received “ numerous ” phone calls and text messages demanding that he “ stand with the team.
” But he said if he voted against his belief that Trump was guilty , it would “ expose my character @ @ @ @ @ @ @ censure of my own conscience.
” Romney opposed Trump ’ s presidential bid early on , saying he lacked the temperament and judgment to be president , calling him “ a phoney , a fraud.
” Trump has called Romney a “ pompous ass.
” Trump ostentatiously interviewed Romney as a potential secretary of state , only to reject him .
Romney has backed Trump in Senate votes 80 per cent of the time , one of the lowest marks for Republicans , according to the website fivethirtyeight.com .
Romney has opposed Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s attempt to unilaterally shift federal dollars to building a wall along the Mexican border .
Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-06--Governors warn Trump rule could lead to big Medicaid cuts

WASHINGTON - Governors of both major political parties are warning that a little-noticed regulation proposed by President Donald Trump ’ s administration could lead to big cuts in Medicaid , reducing access to health care for low-income Americans .
The arcane fiscal accountability rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services , or CMS , would tighten federal oversight and approval over complex financing strategies states have long used to help pay for their share of the $ 600 billion program .
Also targeted are certain payments to hospitals that treat many low-income patients .
Public comments closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from hospitals , nursing homes , insurers , doctors , and advocates for the poor .
Against the backdrop of an election year , governors are warning the administration of potentially dire consequences .
“ States may be unable to adequately fund their Medicaid programs , which could lead to unintended consequences that would negatively impact Medicaid beneficiaries across the country , ” wrote Govs .
Kate Brown , D-Ore. , and Charlie Baker , R-Mass.
, in official comments on behalf of National Governors Association .
But CMS administrator Seema Verma says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrutiny and has expressed concerns about “ shady ” financing schemes that abuse the system and drive up taxpayer costs .
In a statement Wednesday , Verma said her agency recognizes the “ critical importance ” of the state financing but said it has to lead to better value and improved care for Medicaid beneficiaries .
Under the proposed rule , “ we are increasing transparency , integrity and clarity , ” she said .
An agency spokesman said the rule is not intended to reduce Medicaid payments .
But the policy comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to scale back Medicaid .
Trump has tried to repeal the program ’ s Obama-era expansion , supported block grants that would cap federal spending , and allowed states to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients .
The latest proposal could lead to cuts of $ 37 billion to $ 49 billion a year in total Medicaid spending , or 6 % to 8 % of program funds , according to a study by Manatt Health consultants for the American Hospital Association .
Payments to hospitals could be cut as much as 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency doesn ’ t believe those estimates are credible .
In the rule , CMS says that the fiscal impact of its plan is “ unknown.
” Critics say the agency did not do a full analysis .
If the federal government curtails financing methods states now rely on , governors would have to seek broad tax increases , cut payments to hospitals and doctors , reduce benefits , restrict eligibility , or some combination of such measures .
States can set their own Medicaid policies within federal requirements .
Medicaid covers more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 in 5 Americans .
That includes many pregnant women , newborns , elderly nursing home residents , and severely disabled people .
In states that have accepted the Affordable Care Act ’ s Medicaid expansion it ’ s also a mainstay of coverage for low-income adults .
“ Medicaid is the backbone of the U.S. health care system ; you weaken the backbone and the whole system gets scoliosis , “ said Matt Salo , head of the nonpartisan National Association of Medicaid Directors , which has also raised concerns .
Trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking the administration to withdraw its proposal entirely .
So is the American Medical Association , saying “ access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries would be at risk and health outcomes for such patients could worsen.
” Governors and the health insurance industry are asking the administration go back to the drawing board and gather more information before attempting such sweeping changes .
“ These proposed cuts to providers and states are clearly part of an ongoing assault on Medicaid and will endanger Americans when they fall on tough times , ” Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the panel that oversees the program , said in a statement .
Overall the federal government pays about 60 % of Medicaid costs , and states the rest .
Medicaid ranks along with education as a top budget items for states .
At issue are strategies that states use to raise their share of Medicaid spending , enabling them to tap federal matching funds that stretch the services they can provide .
— Business taxes on hospitals , nursing homes and insurers — also called “ provider taxes.
” The money raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration says it is concerned that some of these arrangements skirt federal laws .
— Payments from local governments to a state that then help the state draw down federal Medicaid matching funds .
The Trump administration says those payments must be funded with state or local tax revenues and currently that ’ s not always clear .
Also in the cross-hairs of the proposed rule are Medicaid “ supplemental ” payments to hospitals that treat a large share of low-income patients .
Those could be curtailed .
Governors and state Medicaid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration ’ s goal of greater accountability for Medicaid financing .
But they ’ re concerned the administration hasn ’ t done its homework .
“ Preempting states ’ authority and reducing states ’ flexibility within their Medicaid program will result in decreased access to care for many vulnerable Americans , “ wrote Govs .
Brown and Baker .
The Trump administration says it is closely reviewing some 4,000 comments and will consider feedback before it decides on next steps .
No timetable has been announced for a final decision .

Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-06--Thieves nab 2 huge military vehicles from Swedish army

COPENHAGEN - Swedish police say two four-wheel drive military vehicles weighing nearly seven tons have been stolen from an army storage facility northwest of Stockholm .
One of the vehicles was later found , the Swedish Defence Forces said Thursday , without elaborating .
Swedish media said it was found on a parking lot in nearby Tillberga , a small town near the military base where it was stolen in Enkoping , 70 kilometres ( 44 miles ) northwest of the Swedish capital .
Built by BAE Land Systems OMC in South Africa , the 2.8-meter ( 9.2-foot ) tall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no arms , munition or explosives .
They are used to transport personnel , according to the Swedish Defence Forces .
The theft , which was discovered Wednesday , is believed to have taken place overnight from the base in Enkoping .
Police said they have started an investigation and a nationwide search for the vehicles .
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