thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Ukrainian airplane crashes near Iran’s capital, killing 176

SHAHEDSHAHR , Iran - A Ukrainian passenger jet carrying 176 people crashed on Wednesday , just minutes after taking off from the Iranian capital ’ s main airport , turning farmland on the outskirts of Tehran into fields of flaming debris and killing all on board .
The crash of Ukraine International Airlines came hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases housing U.S. soldiers , but both Ukrainian and Iranian officials said they suspected a mechanical issue brought down the Boeing 737-800 aircraft .
The plane carried 167 passengers and nine crew members from different nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vadym Prystaiko , said that there were 82 Iranians , 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians on board — the Ukrainian nationals included two passengers and the nine crew .
There were also 10 Swedish , four Afghan , three German and three British nationals .
Airline officials said most of the passengers were en route to the Ukrainian capital , Kyiv , transiting through there to other destinations .
Ukraine ’ s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy extended his condolences to the families of the victims .
His office said he had cut his visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyiv because of the crash .
The country ’ s Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk confirmed the casualty toll .
“ Our task is to establish the cause of the crash of the Boeing and provide all necessary help to the families of the victims , ” said parliament speaker , Dmytro Razumkov , in a Facebook statement .
Ukraine International Airlines said it had indefinitely suspended flights to Tehran after the crash .
“ It was one of the best planes we had , with an amazing , reliable crew , ” Yevhen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airlines , said at a briefing following the crash .
Zelenskiy , the Ukrainian president , ordered a sweeping inspection of all civil airplanes in the country , “ no matter the conclusions about the crash in Iran.
” The plane had been delayed from taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport by almost an hour .
It took off to the west , but never made it above 8,000 feet in the air , according to data from the flight-tracking website FlightRadar24 .
It remains unclear what happened .
Qassem Biniaz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Transportation Ministry , said it appeared a fire struck one of its engines .
The pilot of the aircraft then lost control of the plane , sending it crashing into the ground , Biniaz said , according to the state-run IRNA news agency .
Hassan Razaeifar , the head of air crash investigation committee , said it appeared the pilot couldn ’ t communicate with air-traffic controllers in Tehran in the last moments of the flight .
He did not elaborate .
Ukrainian authorities have offered to help with the investigation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re preparing a group of specialists in order to help with the search operation and the investigation of the cause of the crash , ” Honcharuk said .
The plane , fully loaded with fuel for its 2,300-kilometre ( 1,430-mile ) flight , slammed into farmland near the town of Shahedshahr on the outskirts of Tehran .
Videos taken immediately after the crash show blazes lighting up the darkened fields before dawn .
Resident Din Mohammad Qassemi said he had been watching the news about the Iranian ballistic missile attack on U.S. forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani when he heard the crash .
“ I heard a massive explosion and all the houses started to shake .
There was fire everywhere , “ he told The Associated Press .
“ At first I thought ( the Americans ) have hit here with missiles and went in the basement as a shelter .
After a while , I went out and saw a plane has crashed over there .
Body parts were lying around everywhere.
” The majority of the passengers were Iranian nationals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , citing Iranian authorities .
Staff at the Boryspil airport in Kyiv , told the AP that passengers on this flight are usually Iranian students coming back to Ukraine after winter holidays AP journalists who reached the crash site saw a wide field of field of debris scattered across farmland , the dead laying among shattered pieces of the aircraft .
Their possessions , a child ’ s cartoon-covered electric toothbrush , a stuffed animal , luggage and electronics , stretched everywhere .
Rescuers in masks shouted over the noise of hovering helicopters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there would be no survivors .
“ The only thing that the pilot managed to do was steer the plane towards a soccer field near here instead of a residential area back there , ” witness Aref Geravand said .
“ It crashed near the field and in a water canal.
” The Boeing 737-800 is a very common single-aisle , twin-engine jetliner used for short to medium-range flights .
Thousands of the planes are used by airlines around the world .
Introduced in the late 1990s , it is an older model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been grounded for nearly 10 months following two deadly crashes .
Boeing built the aircraft that crashed Wednesday in 2016 and it last underwent routine maintenance on Monday , Ukraine International Airlines said .
A number of 737-800 aircraft have been involved in deadly accidents over the years .
In March 2016 , a FlyDubai 737-800 from Dubai crashed while trying to land at Rostov-on-Don airport in Russia , killing 62 onboard .
Another 737-800 flight from Dubai , operated by Air India Express , crashed in May 2010 while trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 150 onboard .
Chicago-based Boeing Co. was “ aware of the media reports out of Iran and we are gathering more information , ” spokesman Michael Friedman told the AP .
Boeing , like other airline manufacturers , typically assists in crash investigations .
However , that effort in this case could be affected by the U.S. sanctions campaign in place on Iran since President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from Tehran ’ s nuclear deal with world powers in May 2018 .
Both Airbus and Boeing had been in line to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran over the deal , which saw Tehran limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions .
But Trump ’ s decision halted the sales .
Under decades of international sanctions , Iran ’ s commercial passenger aircraft fleet has aged , with air accidents occurring regularly for domestic carriers in recent years , resulting in hundreds of casualties .
Karimi reported from Tehran , Iran , and Gambrell from Dubai , United Arab Emirates .
Associated Press writers Adam Schreck in Bangkok ; Mehdi Fattahi in Tehran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inna Varenytsia and Dmytro Vlasov in Kyiv , Ukraine , contributed to this report .

Mohammad Nasiri, Nasser Karimi And Jon Gambrell - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--The Latest: Analyst: Iran weighs revenge, avoiding US deaths

TEHRAN , Iran - The latest on U.S.-Iran tensions after the U.S. airstrike that killed Iran ’ s top general ( all times local ) : Chinese media reports say state oil company China National Petroleum Corporation has evacuated about 20 employees from the West Qurna-1 oil field in Iraq as a result of the rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran .
No details were given , and company spokespeople could not immediately be reached for comment .
The news followed the Iranian missile strike that targeted two military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops .
The attack was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that killed Iran ’ s top commander last week near the Baghdad airport .
The U.S. Embassy in Jordan has issued a security warning to American government personnel to avoid “ non-essential ” movements following the Iranian missile strike that targeted two military bases in neighbouring Iraq housing U.S. troops .
In a tweet Wednesday , the embassy says that “ out of an abundance of caution ” American children should also be kept home from school .
The embassy in Amman remains open .
Anti-government protesters in Iraq have set fires and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Square during a demonstration against the Iranian missile strike that targeted two military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops .
The Iranian attack was in retaliation for a U.S. drone strike that killed top Revolutionary Guard commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani last week near the Baghdad airport .
About 100 protesters took part in Wednesday morning ’ s demonstration near Tahrir , the epicenter of Iraq ’ s protest movement .
The protesters carrying Iraqi flags shouted “ Iran out , out !
” before they were dispersed by security forces .
The protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ruling elite in October , accusing them of corruption , have also been revolting against neighbouring Iran ’ s military and political involvement .
Finland ’ s defence forces say they received advance warning of the Iranian missile strike against bases in Iraq used by U.S. troops .
They added that Finnish troops at the base in Irbil that was targeted were were protected in a bomb shelter and were not hurt .
Irbil is the capital of Iraq ’ s self-governing Kurdish region .
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has condemned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalition forces in Iraq and urged Iran to refrain from further military action .
The Ministry of Defence said Wednesday there were no British casualties in the attack launched in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed Iran ’ s top Revolutionary Guard commander , Gen. Qassem Soleimani , in Baghdad last week .
U.S. officials have said there are no immediate reports of U.S. casualties .
“ We urge Iran not to repeat these reckless and dangerous attacks , and instead to pursue urgent de-escalation , ’ ’ Raab said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would only benefit Daesh ( the Islamic State group ) and other terrorist groups.
” Coalition forces are in Iraq to train local forces to fight the extremists .
Tom Tugendhat , the chairman of the defence committee during the previous Parliament , told the BBC it would be “ extremely welcome ” if Iran ’ s action marked the end of tensions and both sides could “ get back to talking.
“ China ’ s foreign ministry is expressing concern about the spike in tensions in the Middle East and says it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters Wednesday that Beijing has called for restraint by all sides and is in close consultation with the governments involved , including at the United Nations and through China ’ s embassy in Baghdad .
He spoke after the Iranian missile strike at bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces but did not address it directly .
Geng also accused the U.S. of abusing the rights of people in the region through its military actions .
Germany has condemned the Iranian missile strike at bases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said Wednesday the government “ rejects this aggression in the sharpest possible terms.
” She told German public broadcaster ARD that “ it ’ s now particularly up to the Iranians not to engage in further escalation.
’ None of the German troops stationed in Iraq were injured .
It joined several European countries in saying their troops in Iraq were not harmed , including France , Poland , Denmark and Finland .
At least one missile from the Iranian strike against U.S. forces in Iraq on Wednesday landed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kilometres ( 31 miles ) from Irbil , the capital of Iraq ’ s self-governing Kurdish region .
An Iraqi Kurdish channel , Rudaw TV , showed video of police inspecting the impact site and removing shrapnel .
No casualties were reported but residents said the earth shook upon impact , and one man was seen cleaning up slight damage to his house on a nearby street .
The Kurdish region hosts American military forces at its main airport just outside Irbil .
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an address to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Americans ) on the face last night ” with a missile strike “ but military action is not enough.
” He spoke hours after the strike at military bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces .
The strike was in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iran ’ s top military commander in Baghdad .
Khamenei added that the “ corrupt presence of the U.S. in the region should come to an end , “ saying it has caused war , division , and destruction .
Iran ’ s supreme leader also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gen. Qassem Soleimani , saying he was a “ great , brave warrior ” and “ dear friend to us.
” Huge crowds in Iran have mourned Soleimani ’ s death last week in the airstrike in Baghdad .
A Russian lawmaker warns that a conflict between the U.S. and Iran might lead to a nuclear war .
The comments by Vladimir Dzhabarov , lawmaker with Russia ’ s upper house of parliament , on Wednesday followed an Iranian missile strike at military bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing Iran ’ s top military commander in Baghdad .
“ Reciprocal strikes by the U.S. and Iran may lead to an all-out war in the region , ” Dzhabarov said .
“ If Washington sees that it can ’ t achieve its goals , there ’ s a danger of a nuclear war.
” The Russian lawmaker said the U.N. Security Council should get involved to prevent further escalation in the Middle East .
Iraq ’ s military says it had no troop casualties in the Iranian strike , and President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” as casualty and damage assessments are ongoing .
The Iraqi military says there are no casualties among its troops as a result of an Iranian missile strike at bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces .
The military said in a statement carried by the state news agency Wednesday that the attack lasted half an hour , starting at 1:45 a.m. local time .
The statement said 22 missiles were fired .
Seventeen missiles hit al-Asad air base , including two that did not explode in the Hitan area west of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missiles hit the northern region of Irbil .
The energy minister of the United Arab Emirates says he sees no immediate shortages in oil supplies , but that OPEC will be called in if there is an issue .
“ The situation is not currently a war situation , ” Suhail Al-Mazrouei told reporters Wednesday .
“ We are all hoping for deescalation .
I think wisdom will prevail despite the tension.
” He spoke after an Iranian missile strike at military bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces .
The strike was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranian general in Baghdad .
He said even in past times of war , the flow of oil has been maintained .
“ So let ’ s not exaggerate what ’ s happening .
There is no risk that we have seen to the Strait of Hormuz or the movement of oil yet , ” Al-Mazrouei said , referring to the narrow waterway between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran through which 20 % of the world ’ s oil passes through .
He spoke reporters in Abu Dhabi at the Gulf Intelligence ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil has jumped to around $ 70 a barrel amid heightened concerns over tensions between Iran and the United States .
Japan says it will urge governments to do their utmost to help ease tensions following an Iranian missile strike at bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces .
The strike came in retaliation for the killing of an Iranian general .
Japanese Chief Cabinet spokesman Yoshihide Suga said Wednesday that his “ government will co-ordinate with the related governments to collect intelligence while we ensure the safety of Japanese citizens in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also urge all related nations to do their utmost diplomatic effort to improve the relations.
“ He said Japan remained on track to soon deploy a warship to the Gulf to help safeguard Japanese vessels and oil tankers transiting the area .
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says all of his country ’ s troops and diplomatic staff in Iraq are safe after Iran ’ s firing of missiles at two military bases there .
Around 300 Australian defence personnel are stationed in Iraq .
Morrison said he spoke with President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Iran on Tuesday during a call about the wildfires raging in Australia .
Sepaking to reporters Wednesday , Morrison said in reference to the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani : “ The United States have taken the action that they have to address what has been intelligence that they say that they received , which was putting their interests at risks and under threat.
“ President Donald Trump says “ All is well !
” after more than a dozen Iranian missiles were fired at two bases housing U.S. troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and damage assessments are ongoing but adds , “ So far , so good !
” He says he will be making a statement on the strikes Wednesday morning .
Iranian state TV says the missile strikes were retaliation for the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani , whose death last week in an American drone strike near Baghdad prompted angry calls to avenge his slaying .
Iran ’ s foreign minister is calling Tuesday night ’ s ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops “ proportionate measures in self-defence.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ also tweeted , “ ’ We do not seek escalation or war , but will defend ourselves against any aggression.
” His tweet follows the missile attack in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike last week in Baghdad .
Iran has buried a top Revolutionary Guard general slain by U.S. airstrike in Baghdad after a stampede at his funeral killed 56 and Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases housing American troops in response .
Officials lowered the shroud-wrapped remains of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southeastern city of Kerman just before 6 a.m. Wednesday .
Soleimani ’ s death in the airstrikes has drastically raised tensions between Tehran and Washington .
Iran launched a ballistic missile attack just hours earlier on two Iraqi bases housing American troops .
A U.S. official says there were very few , if any , casualties from Tuesday night ’ s Iranian missile attack on two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops .
The official spoke on condition of anonymity in advance of a Pentagon briefing .
The official says 15 missiles were fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base in Iraq ’ s western Anbar province .
One struck a base in Irbil in Iraq ’ s semiautonomous Kurdish region .
Four missiles failed to hit their targets .
The official says the bases are still being searched for casualties .
Iranian state TV says the missile strikes were retaliation for the U.S. killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani , whose death last week — in an American drone strike near Baghdad prompted angry calls to avenge his slaying .
The Federal Aviation Administration is barring U.S. pilots and carriers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace .
The agency is warning of the “ potential for miscalculation or mis-identification “ for civilian aircraft amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran .
The emergency flight restrictions follow ballistic missile strikes Tuesday on two Iraqi bases that house U.S. troops .
Such restrictions are often precautionary in nature to prevent civilian aircraft from being confused for ones engaged in armed conflict .
The FAA says the restrictions are being issued due to “ heightened military activities and increased political tensions in the Middle East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. civil aviation operations.
” Vice-President Mike Pence has briefed top Democrats in Congress on the Iranian strikes on installations in Iraq holding U.S. forces .
Aides to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer both confirmed the lawmakers spoke with the vice-president by telephone Tuesday .
Justin Goodman , a spokesman for Schumer , says the New York Democrat is closely monitoring the situation and is praying for the safety of service members and other personnel .
Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill tweeted that the speaker returned a call from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House .
Katie Waldman , a spokeswoman for the vice-president , says Pence has been in continuous contact with national security officials and made calls to congressional leadership at President Donald Trump ’ s direction .
The Pentagon is confirming that Iran has launched “ more than a dozen ballistic missiles “ at two targets hosting against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq .
Defence Department spokesman Jonathan Hoffman says “ It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran.
“ He says the attacks “ targeted at least two Iraqi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irbil .
Hoffman says the U.S. is “ working on initial battle damage assessments.
“ Iranian state TV says the attack was in revenge for the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani , whose funeral Tuesday prompted angry calls to avenge his death .

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thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Killing of Iran general risks US gains against Islamic State

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s national security team knew that killing Iran ’ s most powerful general could hurt efforts to mop up and head off any revival of the Islamic State militant group — and that is just what has happened .
Two days after Gen. Qassem Soleimani was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad , the U.S. troops in Iraq to fight the Islamic State are now focused on their own defence , guarding American bases and the U.S. Embassy from an expected Iranian response .
The fight against the militants is now on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achievement is in doubt .
“ When we looked at this operation we knew there would be consequences , ” said Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff .
“ We knew there ’ d be risk.
“ But he said the threat of attack on U.S. interests was too great to not act .
The Islamic State evolved in Syria after U.S. troops withdrew from Iraq in 2011 ; its fighters swept back across the border in 2014 , captured wide swaths of western and northern Iraq and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caliphate.
” A U.S.-led coalition finally ousted the group from the last of its territory in Syria in March 2019 , but thousands of fighters scattered throughout the region and continue to pose a threat .
Defence Secretary Mark Esper agreed on Tuesday that “ the suspension of activities in Iraq ” against IS was foreseen as a possible outcome of killing of Soleimani .
Two days after a missile launched from a U.S. drone killed the general in Baghdad on Jan. 3 , shortly after he arrived , the U.S.-led military coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years-long partnership with Iraqi forces against IS remnants .
The focus shifted to protecting coalition troops and the U.S. Embassy , in anticipation that Iran would try to avenge Soleimani ’ s death by attacking .
Ketti Davison , a retired Army intelligence officer with experience in Iraq , said there is no doubt that the fight against the militants has been undercut .
“ The counter-ISIS campaign was already strained , ” said Davison , an intelligence expert at the Institute for the Study of War .
The effort in Syria has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October , complicating U.S. co-operation with Kurdish fighters and giving the Russian military a wider role in the country .
Just Tuesday , Russian President Vladimir Putin showed up in Damascus for a meeting with President Bashar Assad .
Official statements during the previously unannounced visit made no mention Soleimani , but the timing was conspicuous .
The Iraq campaign also has been sidetracked by recent civil unrest that diverted the attention of Iraqi security forces previously focused on IS .
“ The counter-ISIS mission is truly at risk , not just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , adding , “ It ’ s hard to see how we can stay on the offensive with our Iraqi partners to defeat ISIS in this kind of circumstance.
” To complicate matters further , the U.S. military presence in Iraq forms the logistical support foundation for U.S. efforts in neighbouring Syria .
The U.S. has 650-750 troops in eastern Syria working with a local group known as the Syrian Democratic Forces to continue the fight against the Islamic State .
It was unclear Tuesday the extent to which the suspension of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will limit operations in Syria .
Esper said he has received no indication from commanders of a “ material impact ” in Syria .
Trump on Tuesday called Soleimani “ a monster ” who deserved to be killed , adding that Soleimani was planning “ a very big attack.
” He and others have said U.S. intelligence showed that danger clearly , but they have not provided details .
And in the aftermath , the durability of the defeat of IS in doubt , and the extremist group has new breathing room .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration developed and began executing the strategy that eventually eliminated the IS group ’ s hold on large portions of eastern Syria and northern and western Iraq , Trump has insisted he deserves full credit for the territorial defeat .
He has made it a feature of his reelection campaign , but national security experts say the group ’ s remnants in Syria as well as Iraq are still a threat and could stage a comeback .
That is why the U.S. and its coalition partners have remained in Iraq .
Iran ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. out , giving it a freer hand there .
Rep. Elissa Slotkin , a Michigan Democrat and a former Pentagon and CIA official , said Soleimani was the architect of that Iranian strategy .
If the Iraqi government ends up expelling U.S. troops , Soleimani will have achieved his goal , she said .
“ If we do indeed get officially asked to leave Iraq , we will need robust diplomacy to outline a plan with the Iraqi government that maximizes pressure on ISIS and allows us time to safely withdraw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost the U.S. in blood and treasure , ” Slotkin said Monday .
Germany , Canada and some other U.S. allies have moved some of their troops out of Iraq , citing an increased security risk , but Esper said he is pleased by the commitments of allied governments to remaining in the counter-IS coalition .
He took to Twitter to thank Italy for keeping forces in Baghdad , where tensions are running high .
The U.S. had about 5,200 troops in Iraq before the Soleimani killing , mostly to train and advise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IS fighters who are attempting to reconstitute .
The U.S. troop total is now in flux as some trainers are flown out of the country and additional security forces come in .
Those movements led to an international incident Monday when a U.S. officer seemed to announce that U.S. forces were withdrawing , prompting Milley and Esper to address reporters at the Pentagon to deny there was any withdrawal plan .
The Iraqi Parliament on Sunday passed a nonbinding resolution calling for the expulsion of all foreign forces .
On Tuesday , Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abdul-Mahdi , said the United States has no choice but to pull its troops out of the country .
Trump , however , told reporters in the Oval Office that he has no intention of withdrawing yet .


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Sworn in as prime minister, Spain’s Sánchez readies Cabinet

MADRID - Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez took the oath as Spanish prime minister Wednesday , a day after his proposal @ @ @ @ @ government narrowly won a parliamentary confidence vote with support from smaller parties .
With the @ @ @ @ @ VI , Sánchez is ending months of political deadlock in the eurozone ’ s fourth-largest @ @ @ @ @ announce the members of his administration next week , the Socialist party said in a @ @ @ @ @ is set to include members of the anti-austerity United We Can party as a junior @ @ @ @ @ including party leader Pablo Iglesias as deputy prime minister .
The Socialist-led coalition faces the @ @ @ @ @ rein in separatist tensions in the northeastern Catalonia region and keeping economic growth amid a @ @ @ @ @ Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the @ @ @ @ @ our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more @ @ @ @ @ Now


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Iran strikes back at US with missile attack at bases in Iraq

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran struck back at the United States early on Wednesday for killing its most powerful military commander , firing a barrage missiles at two Iraqi military bases that house American troops in what the Iranian supreme leader said was a “ slap ” against America ’ s military presence in the region .
The retaliatory move is another dangerous escalation that could draw the region deeper into turmoil , despite insistence by Washington and Tehran that neither side wants war .
U.S. and Iraqi officials said there were no casualties among their forces .
Iran ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear that Iran ’ s ballistic missile strikes were in revenge for the U.S. killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani , whose death last week in an American drone strike in Baghdad prompted angry calls to avenge his slaying and drew crowds of Iranians , said to number in the millions , to the streets to mourn him .
“ Last night they received a slap , ” Khamenei said in a speech after the missile strikes .
“ These military actions are not sufficient ( for revenge ) .
What is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America in this region comes to an end.
“ Despite the heightened rhetoric , there were some indications that there would not be more immediate retaliation on either side .
‘ All is well !
’ President Donald Trump tweeted shortly after the missile attacks , adding , ‘ So far , so good ’ regarding casualties .
Moments earlier , Iran ’ s foreign minister tweeted that Tehran had taken “ & concluded proportionate measures in self-defence , ” adding that Tehran did “ not seek escalation “ but would defend itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising steadily in the Middle East after Trump ’ s decision to unilaterally withdraw America from Tehran ’ s nuclear deal with world powers .
The killing of Soleimani and the strikes on the Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops marked the first time in recent years that Washington and Tehran have attacked each other directly rather than through proxies in the region .
It raised the chances of open conflict erupting between the two rivals , who have been at odds since Iran ’ s 1979 Islamic Revolution and the subsequent U.S. Embassy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chaos , a Ukrainian airplane with 176 people crashed after takeoff just outside Tehran on Wednesday morning , killing all on board , Iranian state TV and Ukrainian officials said .
The Boeing 737-800 had taken off from Imam Khomeini International Airport , bound for the Ukrainian capital , Kyiv , and mechanical issues were suspected .
The plane carried 167 passengers and nine crew members from different nations .
Ukraine ’ s foreign minister , Vadym Prystaiko , said there were 82 Iranians , 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians on board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the nine crew .
The rest were Swedish , Afghan , German and British nationals .
The U.S. Federation Aviation Administration had earlier warned of a “ potential for miscalculation or mis-identification ” for civilian aircraft in the Persian Gulf amid in an emergency flight restriction .
The agency has barred U.S. pilots and carriers from flying over areas of Iraqi , Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace .
Wednesday ’ s missile strikes came as the U.S. continues to reinforce its own positions in the region and warns of an unspecified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waterways , which are crucial routes for global energy supplies .
U.S. embassies and consulates from Asia to Africa and Europe have also issued security alerts for Americans .
U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf that host thousands of American troops are also concerned of an outbreak of direct conflict and retaliation from Iran .
The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have called for de-escalation .
“ The situation is not currently a war situation , ” UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al-Mazrouei told reporters Wednesday , stressing that Iran is a neighbour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more tension in the region .
Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard warned the U.S. and its regional allies against retaliating over the missile attack on the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq ’ s western Anbar province .
The Guard issued the warning via a statement carried by Iran ’ s state-run IRNA news agency .
“ We are warning all American allies , who gave their bases to its terrorist army , that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After the strikes , a former Iranian nuclear negotiator posted a picture of the Islamic Republic ’ s flag on Twitter , appearing to mimic Trump who posted an American flag following the killing of Soleimani and others Friday .
Ain al-Asad air base was first used by American forces after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein , and later saw American troops stationed there amid the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria .
It houses about 1,500 U.S. and coalition forces .
The U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base in Irbil in Iraq ’ s semi-autonomous Kurdish region .
“ As we evaluate the situation and our response , we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel , partners and allies in the region , ” said Jonathan Hoffman , an assistant to the U.S. defence secretary .
The Iranians fired a total of 15 missiles , two U.S. officials said .
Ten hit Ain al-Asad and one the base in Irbil .
Four failed , said the officials , who were not authorized to speak publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security officials said at least one of the missiles appeared to have struck a plane at the Ain al-Asad base , igniting a fire .
There were no immediate reports of casualties from the attacks , according to the officials , who spoke on condition of anonymity as they had no permission to talk to journalists .
About 70 Norwegian troops also were on the air base but , again , no injuries were reported , Brynjar Stordal , a spokesperson for the Norwegian Armed Forces told The Associated Press .
Trump visited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 kilometres ( 60 miles ) west of Baghdad , in December 2018 , making his first presidential visit to troops in the region .
Vice-President Mike Pence also has visited the base .
As Iran reels from Soleimani ’ s death and the loss of life on the plane crash , it is also contending with aftermath of a deadly stampede that broke out Tuesday at Soleimani ’ s funeral killed 56 people and injured more than 200 , Iranian news reports said .
Shortly after Wednesday ’ s missile attack , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the ground as mourners wailed at the grave site in his hometown of Kerman .
There was no information about what set off the crush in the packed streets , and online videos showed only its aftermath : people lying apparently lifeless , their faces covered by clothing , emergency crews performing CPR on the fallen , and onlookers wailing and crying out to God .
Hossein Salami , who commands the Revolutionary Guard , earlier addressed a crowd of supporters in Kernan and vowed to avenge Soleimani .
“ We tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they take another action we will set ablaze the places that they like and are passionate about , “ Salami said .
Soleimani was laid to rest between the graves of two former Guard comrades killed in Iran ’ s 1980s war with Iraq .
They died in Operation Dawn 8 , in which Soleimani also took part .
It was a 1986 amphibious assault that cut Iraq off from the Persian Gulf and led to the end of the war that killed 1 million .
The funeral procession in major cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Soleimani , seen by Iranians as a national hero for his work leading the Guard ’ s expeditionary Quds Force in the face of U.S. pressure .
The U.S. blames him for killing U.S. troops in Iraq .
The Trump administration alleges he ’ d been plotting new attacks just before he was killed .
Many Sunni Muslims in the region , however , view him as a destabilizing figure who commanded dangerous and deadly Shiite proxy militias .
Soleimani led forces supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad in that country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted Tehran to abandon the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers while in Iraq , pro-Iranian factions in parliament have pushed to oust American troops from Iraqi soil .
Gambrell reported from Dubai , United Arab Emirates .
Associated Press writers Aya Batrawy in Dubai , Matthew Lee , Lolita C. Baldor and Zeke Miller in Washington , Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad and Zeina Karam in Beirut contributed .

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


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Car bomb kills 3, wounds 6 at checkpoint in Somali capital

NAIROBI , Kenya - A Somali official says a car bomb has killed three people and wounded six others at @ @ @ @ @ .
Salah Omar , a spokesman for the Mogadishu mayor , says the blast occurred @ @ @ @ @ searches at a checkpoint .
He said the bomb attached to the vehicle was remotely @ @ @ @ @ extremist group claimed responsibility .
The group often targets Somalia ’ s capital .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Commercial airlines reroute flights amid U.S.-Iran tensions

NEW DELHI - Commercial airlines on Wednesday rerouted flights crossing the Middle East to avoid possible danger amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran .
The flight restrictions reflected fears that the conflict between the longtime foes could ratchet up following Iranian ballistic missile strikes Tuesday on two Iraqi bases that house U.S. troops .
Those strikes were retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike near Baghdad last week .
Paris-based Air France said it had suspended all flights over Iran and Iraq airspace indefinitely .
Australian carrier Qantas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perth , Australia , route to avoid Iran and Iraq airspace until further notice .
The longer route meant that Qantas would have to carry fewer passengers and more fuel to remain in the air for an extra 40 to 50 minutes .
Malaysia Airlines said that “ due to recent events , ” its planes would avoid Iranian airspace .
Singapore Airlines also said that its flights to Europe would be re-routed to avoid Iran .
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said it was barring American pilots and carriers from flying in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Persian Gulf airspace .
The agency warned of the “ potential for miscalculation or mis-identification “ for civilian aircraft amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran .
Such restrictions are often precautionary in nature to prevent civilian aircraft from being confused for ones engaged in armed conflict .
The FAA said the restrictions were being issued due to “ heightened military activities and increased political tensions in the Middle East , which present an inadvertent risk to U.S. civil aviation operations.
” Following the FAA , India ’ s Directorate General of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid Iranian , Iraqi and Persian Gulf airspace .
German airline Lufthansa said it had cancelled its flight from Frankfurt to Tehran on Wednesday and another flight Saturday in Erbil in light of the current situation .
Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines had also cancelled service to Erbil .
The Russian aviation agency , Rosaviatsia , also issued an official recommendation for all Russian airlines to avoid flying over Iran , Iraq , the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman “ due to existing risks for the safety of international civil flights.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S7 , said it would reroute its twice-a-week flight from the Siberian city of Novosibirsk to Dubai .
Russian carrier Ural Airlines was working up alternative routes for their flights to Bahrain , Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah to avoid flying over Iran ’ s airspace , the carrier ’ s spokeswoman said Wednesday .
At least two Kazakh airlines — Air Astana and SCAT — were considering rerouting or cancelling their flights over Iran following the crash of a Ukrainian plane that killed 176 people .
The plane had taken off from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital when a fire struck one of its engines , said Qassem Biniaz , a spokesman for Iran ’ s Road and Transportation Ministry .
Kazakhstan ’ s officials said that Air Astana , the country ’ s flagship carrier , “ is currently holding a meeting on whether to reroute or ban ” flights .
SCAT , one of the largest airlines in Kazakhstan , told Russia ’ s Interfax news agency that they were also considering rerouting flights .
United Arab Emirates-owned budget airline flydubai said it had cancelled a scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but was continuing flights to Basra and Najaf .
Emirates airline flights between Dubai and Baghdad were cancelled .
“ The safety of our passengers , crew and aircraft is our number one priority and will not be compromised , “ Emirates said in a statement .
Qatar Airways , however , said its flights to Iraq were operating normally .
“ The safety of our passengers and employees is of the highest importance , and we continue to closely monitor developments in Iraq , “ the airline said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrier , said Wednesday it was not planning to suspend or reroute daily flights between Baku , the country ’ s capital , and Tehran .
Associated Press writers Daria Litvinova in Moscow , Angela Charlton in Paris , Rod McGuirk in Canberra , Australia , Frank Jordans in Berlin and Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Donald Trump pressed for details on threat that prompted strike on Iran general

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump faces one of the greatest tests of his presidency after Iran launched ballistic missiles at Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops .
It was Iran ’ s most brazen direct assault on America since the 1979 seizing of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran .
The strikes pushed Tehran and Washington perilously close to war , and put the world ’ s attention on Trump as he weighs whether to respond with more military force .
The president huddled with his national security advisers on Tuesday night , but offered no immediate indication of whether he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ All is well !
” and announced plans to address the nation on Wednesday morning .
The Iranian strikes came days after Trump authorized the targeted killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani , the head of Iran ’ s elite Quds Force .
Iran had pledged to retaliate , though its actions did not appear to result in any American casualties , according to a U.S. official .
The missiles targeted two bases — one in the northern Iraqi city in Irbil and the other at Ain al-Asad in western Iraq .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump an opening to de-escalate the mounting tensions with Iran and pull the nation back from the brink of war .
Trump , who is facing reelection at the end of the year , campaigned for president on a promise to keep the United States from engaging in “ endless war.
“ Still , Trump ’ s rhetoric in recent days has been menacing .
Just hours before Tuesday ’ s missile strikes , the president told reporters in the Oval Office : “ If Iran does anything that they shouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be suffering the consequences , and very strongly.
” Rep. Eliot Engel , D-N.Y. , the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee , said the administration needs to quickly “ extricate us from what could lead into a full-fledged war with terrible casualties.
” Engel said he feared the situation ” spirals out of control.
“ The fallout for Trump ’ s order to kill Soleimani has been swift .
Iran announced that it would no longer be bound by the 2015 nuclear agreement and vowed to retaliate against the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq ’ s parliament also voted to expel U.S. troops from Iraq , which would undermine efforts to fight Islamic State militants in the region and strengthen Iran ’ s influence in the Mideast .
The counterattack by Iran came as Trump and his top advisers were under pressure to disclose more details about the intelligence that led to the American strike that killed Soleimani .
Trump said Tuesday that his decision saved American lives and that members of Congress would get a briefing on the reasons for the U.S. attack .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said of the Iranians .
So far , Trump and top national security officials have justified the airstrike with general statements about the threat posted by Soleimani , who commanded proxy forces outside Iran and was responsible for the deaths of American troops in Iraq .
But the details have been scarce .
“ He ’ s no longer a monster .
He ’ s dead , ” Trump said .
“ And that ’ s a good thing for a lot of countries .
He was planning a very big attack and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other people and we stopped him and I don ’ t think anybody can complain about it.
” Soleimani was targeted while he was at an airport in Baghdad with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis , a veteran Iraqi militant who also was killed .
Trump said they weren ’ t in Baghdad to discuss vacation plans or visit a “ nice resort , “ but were there to talk over “ bad business.
” The lack of detail didn ’ t sit well with Democrats , who recall how President George W. Bush justified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hussein of having what turned out to be non-existent weapons of mass destruction .
Lawmakers in recent days have been pressing for more details about why Trump ordered the killing — a decision that previous administrations passed up because of fears it would unleash even more violence .
Soleimani travelled often and relatively openly , with visits to Baghdad more frequent in recent months .
He also often showed up in Syria , including along the border between Iraq and Syria .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Bob Menendez , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee , have called on Trump to declassify the written notification he sent to Congress after the strike .
The notification was required under the War Powers Resolution Act of 1973 , which requires the president to report to Congress when American forces are sent into hostile situations .
“ The president must come to Congress and present clear and compelling intelligence as to why the strike against Soleimani was absolutely necessary , “ Menendez said in a speech on the Senate floor .
“ In the wake of all its misleading statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the president by himself does not have the authority to launch a war against Iran.
” Trump stressed that the strike was in retaliation for Iranian attacks and that the U.S. is prepared to attack again — “ very strongly.
” He also said that while he eventually wants to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq , now is not the time because it would allow Iran to gain a bigger foothold there .
Trump ’ s top national security officials made several public appearances on Tuesday to further defend the strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was active plotting to put American lives at risk , ” and Iraqi lives too , said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
Asked if the threat was imminent in days or weeks , Defence Secretary Mark Esper said : “ I think it ’ s more fair to say days , for sure.
” Esper said the intelligence was precise — “ razor thin.
” He said top Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate plus the chairmen and vice chairmen of the intelligence committees in both chambers were getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to the decision to kill Soleimani .
He said other lawmakers will be provided general details about the attack .
He said Soleimani was in Baghdad to co-ordinate additional attacks against the U.S. “ To somehow suggest that he wasn ’ t a legitimate target , I think , is fanciful , ” Esper said .
Democratic lawmakers were not yet convinced it was the right decision .
Sen. Dianne Feinstein , D-Calif. , called the U.S. strike on Soleimani a mistake and said , “ I have yet to see how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posing an even greater threat against the United States and our interests.
“ Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report .

Deb Riechmann And Zeke Miller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--California governor targets homeless crisis in budget, order

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - California ’ s governor said Wednesday that he is seeking $ 750 million in part to help pay rent for people facing homelessness in the most populous state ’ s latest attempt to fight what he called a national crisis .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom planned to sign an executive order Wednesday creating the fund , two days before he presents his second annual budget proposal to the state Legislature .
The state ’ s worsening affordable housing and homelessness problem has prompted anger and outrage from citizens and repeated criticism from President Donald Trump aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The governor also directed the state to provide 100 travel trailers and modular tent structures to cities and counties that meet certain criteria .
The trailers and tents would be used for temporary housing and to provide related health and social services .
He also announced a multi-agency “ strike team “ to help local governments address homelessness .
The new fund could include not only state taxpayer money but donations from philanthropic organizations and the private sector .
The money would go to providers to pay rent , pay for affordable housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care homes .
Newsom said a year ago that he wanted to build housing on surplus state property .
His new order directs his administration to identify some of those properties that can be used by local governments or nonprofits to shelter homeless individuals on a short-term emergency basis , s o long as it doesn ’ t delay the development of affordable housing .
He said the state will measure local governments ’ success in moving people off the streets as a requirement for receiving more state assistance .
“ Californians are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal , state and local — do more to get people off the streets and into services — whether that ’ s emergency housing , mental health services , substance abuse treatment or all of the above , ” Newsom said in a statement .
He said compassion for those who are homeless “ isn ’ t allowing a person suffering a severe psychotic break or from a lethal substance abuse addiction to literally drift towards death on our streets and sidewalks.
” To that end , he said he is also seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase spending on preventative healthcare through the state ’ s Medicaid program .
The money , which he expected to eventually reach $ 1.4 billion , would go to prevent things that he said can lead to homelessness , including aiding tenants and helping people find housing .
A portion could even go to rent assistance if it helps individuals lower their high use of healthcare services .
Another nearly $ 25 million , eventually growing to more than $ 364 million , would go to test programs in three of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deemed incompetent to stand trial for criminal offences into community programs instead of state mental hospitals .
Last year , Newsom signed a state budget that gave $ 650 million to local governments and agencies for things like rental assistance and emergency shelters .
Of the $ 650 million , $ 275 million goes to the state ’ s 13 most populous cities , $ 175 million to county governments and $ 190 million to continuing care programs .


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Erdogan, Putin to launch new gas line, talk regional crises

ISTANBUL - The Turkish and Russian presidents are meeting in Istanbul to inaugurate the dual natural gas line connecting their countries that will open up a new export path for Russian gas into Turkey and Europe .
Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin are also expected to discuss Syria and Libya , where the two leaders support opposing sides , while addressing regional tensions in Iraq and Iran , which have escalated with the American killing of a top Iranian commander .
With TurkStream , Russian gas will pass through the Black Sea to Turkey .
Together , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Black Sea , along with the Russian and Turkish onshore pipes , will have the capacity to carry 31.5 billion cubic meters ( 1.1 trillion cubic feet ) of natural gas annually .
Russia is the top gas supplier to Turkey , which relies on imports for its energy needs , transporting gas through another pipeline under the Black Sea called Blue Stream and the onshore West Line through Ukraine .
Relations remain tense between Moscow and Kyiv with years of conflict and TurkStream allows Russia to bypass Ukraine by opening up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
From Turkey , Russian gas will reach southern and southeastern Europe through new and existing lines .
Erdogan and Putin talk and meet often , co-operating on trade , energy and defence industries , while engaging in negotiations on the Syrian civil war and now also on Libya .
Backed by Russia , the Syrian government ’ s all-out offensive to retake Idlib —the last rebel-held stronghold in Syria— has pushed hundreds of thousands of civilians towards the closed Turkish border , risking a major new refugee flow to Turkey .
Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria where he met President Bashar Assad .
Turkey has supported rebels opposing Assad in the country ’ s eight-year civil war .
War-torn Libya is now another location where the two leaders will try their diplomatic influence and negotiations .
Turkey has moved to send Turkish soldiers and weapons to support the weak U.N.-recognized Tripoli-government while Russia has backed the rival eastern-based forces of Gen. Khalifa Hifter .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Indonesia president visits islands also claimed by China

JAKARTA , Indonesia - Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Wednesday reaffirmed his country ’ s sovereignty during a visit to a group of islands at the edge of the South China Sea that China claims as its traditional fishing area .
Widodo , accompanied by top military officials , toured Natuna Islands on a naval ship in a move designed to send a message to Beijing .
“ Natuna is part of Indonesia ’ s territory , there is no question , no doubt , ” Widodo said in a speech after the trip .
“ There is no bargaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a meeting with local administration officials and fishermen , discussing issues including development of the remote islands , about 1,100 kilometres ( 680 miles ) north of the capital , Jakarta .
His visit came a week after China ’ s foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang in a news briefing in Beijing insisted that Chinese fishermen are free to conduct activities in their traditional fishing ground , which partly overlaps with Indonesia ’ s exclusive economic zone .
“ Whether the Indonesian side accepts it or not , nothing will change the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests over the relevant waters , ” Shuang said .
Shuang ’ s statement drew a nationwide indignation in Indonesia and prompted the military to beef up its forces at the islands .
Although China has been making such claims for years , recently dozens of Chinese fishing boats , escorted by its coast guard vessels , were reportedly making more aggressive moves in the area and ignoring Indonesia ’ s warnings to leave .
Indonesia ’ s military spokesman Maj. Gen. Sisriadi said scores of warships and fighter jets had been deployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also to activate a maritime information centre as part of the country ’ s efforts to monitor foreign incursions .
“ We are on full alert , ” said Sisriadi , who goes by a single name .
“ Today , none of the foreign vessels has been detected violating Indonesia ’ s sea borders for fishing.
” China ’ s “ nine dash line , ” which it uses to roughly demarcate its ambitions for maritime boundaries that cover most of the South China Sea , overlaps with a section of Indonesia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Natuna Islands .
Indonesia , the world ’ s largest archipelago nation with more than 17,000 islands , has taken a tough stance against illegal fishing since Widodo took office in 2014 .
It has sunk more than 500 illegal fishing vessels since October 2014 , many with explosives .
China has been embroiled in territorial disputes with smaller neighbours including Vietnam and the Philippines over islands , reefs and lagoons in the South China Sea .
Beijing has constructed seven man-made islands and equipped them with military airstrips and missile batteries in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militarization of one of the world ’ s busiest waterways .


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Fears of Sanders win growing among Democratic establishment

DES MOINES , Iowa - Increasingly alarmed that Bernie Sanders could become their party ’ s presidential nominee , establishment-minded Democrats are warning primary voters that the self-described democratic socialist would struggle to defeat President Donald Trump and hurt the party ’ s chances in premier House , Senate and governors ’ races .
The urgent warnings come as Sanders shows new signs of strength on the ground in the first two states on the presidential primary calendar , Iowa and New Hampshire , backed by a dominant fundraising operation .
The Vermont senator has largely escaped close scrutiny over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the quirky 78-year-old ’ s ability to win the nomination .
But less than a month before Iowa ’ s kickoff caucuses , the doubters are being forced to take Sanders seriously .
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel , previously a senior aide to President Barack Obama , warned Democrats that Sanders ’ status as a democratic socialist and his unwavering support for “ Medicare for All ” won ’ t play well among swing voters in the states that matter most in 2020 .
“ You need a candidate with a message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in battleground states , ” Emanuel said in an interview .
“ The degree of difficulty dramatically increases under a Bernie Sanders candidacy .
It just gets a lot harder.
” The increasingly vocal concerns are coming from a number of political veterans tied to the Obama administration and the 2020 field ’ s moderate wing , including those backing former Vice-President Joe Biden , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet .
In some ways , the criticism is not surprising .
Sanders has spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s political and economic systems , creating a long list of political adversaries along the way .
Many people connected to Hillary Clinton , for example , still blame Sanders for not working hard enough to support her after their long and bitter presidential primary feud in 2016 .
Some Democrats still accuse him of not being enough of a team player .
Sanders ’ chief strategist Jeff Weaver dismissed the growing criticism as a reflection of the strength of his candidacy .
He raised more money than any other Democratic candidate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it from small-dollar donors — and he ’ s considered a legitimate contender to win Iowa and New Hampshire next month .
“ People in establishment Washington are terrified of Bernie Sanders , ” Weaver said .
“ The truth of the matter is their centrist tacking over the years has led us to the place where someone like Donald Trump can get elected.
” Less than four weeks before Iowa ’ s Feb. 3 caucuses , Sanders ’ critics are making a concerted effort to turn up the volume .
The ranks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with preserving the party ’ s majority in the House and expanding its minority in the Senate and governors ’ mansions across the country .
California Rep. Ami Bera , a leader in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ’ s “ frontline ” program to protect vulnerable House members this fall , warned that a Sanders nomination would force more than 40 Democratic candidates in competitive districts — most of which were carried by Trump four years ago — “ to run away from the nominee.
” Specifically , Bera cited Sanders ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replace the nation ’ s private insurance system with a government-run Medicare for All system .
“ You have to take Sen. Sanders seriously , “ said Bera , who has endorsed Biden .
“ Those are going to be tough positions for our members to run on.
” Montana Sen. Jon Tester , who led the Senate Democrats ’ campaign arm the last time Trump was on the ballot , warned that Republicans “ are really good at making elections about who ’ s at the top of the ticket.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s pretty damn red .
There is no doubt that having ‘ socialist ’ ahead of ‘ Democrat ’ is not a positive thing in the state of Montana , “ Tester , who has not endorsed any 2020 candidate , said of Sanders .
” He can overcome that , but I think it ’ s something he ’ s going to have to do.
” Several Sanders critics noted that he has largely escaped intense scrutiny throughout the campaign , in part because some assumed that Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate who would cannibalize his support .
With Warren ’ s candidacy struggling to maintain momentum , however , those assumptions are now being questioned .
“ He has now emerged as somebody who ’ s got the ability to win the nomination , ” said former Obama aide Ben LaBolt , who isn ’ t aligned with any 2020 campaign but opposes Sanders .
LaBolt seized on Sanders ’ short list of accomplishments over three decades in Congress .
Over that time , the senator wrote just a handful of bills that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camp insists he ’ s effected meaningful change in and out of Washington .
“ He ’ s more concerned about shouting in the wilderness to make an ideological point than getting things done , ” LaBolt said .
Sanders is also facing lingering questions about his age , having suffered a heart attack late last year .
He is the oldest candidate in the race , and , if elected , he would be the oldest president in U.S. history .
Former Colorado Sen. Gary Hart , who is supporting Bennet ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single out any of the candidates for criticism .
But he said Sanders wouldn ’ t be the strongest nominee and suggested it was fair to take Sanders ’ age into account .
“ I think health has become an issue , whether we like it or not , ” Hart , 83 , said in an interview .
“ I ’ m older than Sen. Sanders , so I can say things like that .
I think it ’ s time for generational change.
” Marshall Matz , who was a policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed 1972 bid for president , was more direct in his warning for Democrats .
If they nominate Sanders , he said , the party should expect the same landslide loss that McGovern suffered decades ago to President Richard Nixon .
“ I think he would not just lose but would lose badly — and I don ’ t think the country can afford that , ” Matz said , noting that McGovern generated large crowds and enthusiasm just as Sanders has .
Indeed , on the ground in Iowa , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position as caucus day approaches .
Josh Kennedy , a 36-year-old Sanders supporter from West Branch , Iowa , said he had previously been curious about Warren but hadn ’ t been impressed by her on the campaign trail .
He ’ s back on board with Sanders .
“ You know exactly what you get with him , ” Kennedy said .
Sanders drew consistently large crowds as he crisscrossed the state over the New Year holiday .
His campaign said he spoke to nearly 6,000 supporters across 16 events , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Des Moines party on New Year ’ s Eve .
The supporters turned out in rural areas as well .
Tracy Freese , chair of the Grundy County Democratic Party and a Sanders supporter , said she counted around 250 people at the Grundy Center Community Hall for Sanders last weekend , a number she called “ incredible.
” “ To put that many people in a room , in a small red county , for Bernie was crazy on a Saturday , ” she said .
Catch up on the 2020 election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Steve Peoples And Alexandra Jaffe - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--US judge rules survivors can sue over deadly Tennessee fire

GATLINBURG , Tenn. - Survivors of a historically deadly Tennessee wildfire that killed 14 people can sue the National Park Service for failing to warn them of the danger , a federal judge has ruled .
The fire began in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg over Thanksgiving week in 2016 .
Greg Salansky , the park ’ s fire management officer , decided to try to contain the fire rather than attack it directly despite forecasts of high winds dry conditions , The Knoxville News Sentinel reported .
The blaze ultimately left more than a dozen people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and caused an estimated $ 2 billion in losses .
The U.S. Department of Justice , which is representing the Park Service , has argued that citizens don ’ t have the legal right to challenge how government workers chose to handle the fire , because those decisions are “ discretionary.
” But the survivors ’ attorney , Gordon Ball , argued the Park Service ’ s own fire management plan required Salansky to notify local leaders and those living nearby about the blaze .
He argues Salansky didn ’ t do this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ no immediate threat “ to the community .
Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas Phillips agreed with Ball , ruling the Park Service ’ s own plan made warning residents and leaders mandatory , not discretionary , the newspaper reported Tuesday .
Victims can sue on the grounds that the Park Service is liable for failing to warn them , Phillips ruled .
However , they can ’ t sue based on the approach the Park Service took to fighting the blaze , he added .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Family’s fortress no match for rapacious Australian fires

BALMORAL , Australia - With flames climbing as high as a 15-story building and menacing his supposedly fireproof home on three sides , Justin Kam ran to the laundry room and opened the door .
Inside was fire .
That ’ s not supposed to happen , he thought .
It was clear his family ’ s fortress had been breached and they were in mortal danger and needed to get out .
“ Once the fire had penetrated the structure , that was the signal : Time to get out .
You can ’ t save it , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer and we really would ’ ve been a statistic.
“ They escaped — just barely — but found themselves among 2,000 homeowners whose houses have burned down during what has been been a catastrophic fire season Down Under , full of apocalyptic images that have focused the world ’ s attention on climate change .
The blazes have killed at least 25 people , scorched an area twice the size of the U.S. state of Maryland and killed hundreds of millions of animals and birds .
The fires are expected to flare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kam and his wife , Helena Wong , had built their home in the New South Wales town of Balmoral with steel framing , reinforced glass so thick you would need a sledgehammer to break it and retaining walls made of rock , all to protect them from Australia ’ s notorious wildfires .
Their defences turned out to be no match for a rapacious fire so hot it evaporated their outdoor furniture , leaving behind ghostly imprints reminiscent of those after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima .
Justin and Helena had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people 20 years ago and thought they had found their slice of paradise .
Their house overlooks a valley filled with eucalyptus trees .
Kangaroos hop along their veranda , and a wombat dug a burrow under their deck .
Helena began breeding rare chickens .
They knew the fires would come , and had successfully fought two before .
On Dec. 21 , Justin was ready , watching the progress of the flames from his roof with binoculars .
The couple and their 16-year-old son , Gabriel , who was on Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wetting down the areas around the house .
The had filled buckets , emptied gas cylinders , put on their smoke masks and left two vehicles running in the driveway , just in case .
But this fire was like nothing they had ever seen .
A wall of flame came up the valley .
A fireball rose 60 metres ( 200 feet ) into the sky .
The flames were so hot they were swirling , and not only moving with the wind , but also against it .
The family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the house only to find the flames approaching from a different direction .
“ It operated like a military tactician , ” Justin said .
“ It would hit you from the front , and while you ’ re occupied with that , it would turn around and hit you from the flanks.
” The fire killed a half-dozen lizards that took refuge in a pot of water and all of Helena ’ s chickens .
When the flames burst into the house , they melted a champagne bottle , fusing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knife .
As the family members ran from their house , Helena ’ s shoes melted and embers landed on her shoulders .
She believes they made it out by no more than 30 seconds .
The back of their car had melted , so they jumped into their truck and drove up their driveway to the end of their street .
But there was nowhere to go from there .
They were surrounded by flames .
After what might have been five minutes or 10 , the fire front moved on and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where others were taking shelter .
Among them was Rosemary Doyle , whose own house had burned down .
The fire station itself was under threat , and people began to pray , even the atheists among them .
The power went out , and Doyle crawled out from the bathroom , thinking : Not today .
Not yet .
It ’ s not my time .
On Tuesday , Brendon O ’ Connor , the town ’ s volunteer fire captain , said that while the fire had moved on from Balmoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes , he doesn ’ t know when it will stop .
“ Either when the good Lord opens up the heavens and gives us weeks of rain , or it burns to the coastline , ” he said .
“ They ’ re really the options .
It really is too large to put out .
Anything that we ’ re doing isn ’ t working.
” O ’ Connor on Tuesday attended the funeral for one of two volunteer firefighters killed by a falling tree while driving to Balmoral to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Helena returned to their burned-out home , they found a piece of pink chalk and used it to write on their wall , “ We ’ ll be back !
” But it will be a long struggle .
They are finding it difficult to navigate through all the red tape , and they didn ’ t have insurance on their house .
Justin , a woodworker who built all the family ’ s furniture , said that was because they had other financial priorities , such as school fees and looking after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan in place , but still , it spanked us like little naughty children , ” Justin said .
“ That ’ s Mother Nature for you .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Official: Military helicopter crash kills 2 in Afghanistan

KABUL - An Afghan military helicopter crashed on Wednesday in the country ’ s western Farah province , killing the two pilots on board , a defence ministry official said .
The Mi-35 chopper crashed around 11 a.m. in the district of Pur Chaman , said Rohullah Ahmadzai , the ministry ’ s spokesman .
The helicopter was en route from the provincial capital , the city of Farah , to the district headquarters when it went down , he said , adding that a technical problem cause the crash .
An investigation was underway .
In November , two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helicopter crashed in eastern Logar province .
The U.S. military at the time said preliminary reports did not indicate it was caused by enemy fire , though the Taliban claimed to have shot down the helicopter — a claim the U.S military dismissed as false .
The month before , at least seven Afghan army personnel and crew died when their helicopter crashed in northern Balkh province .
The cause of the crash at the time was said to be a technical problem .
The Taliban now control or hold sway over practically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near-daily attacks targeting Afghan and U.S. forces , as well as government officials — even as they hold peace talks with a U.S. envoy tasked with negotiating an end to what has become America ’ s longest war .
Scores of Afghan civilians are also killed in the crossfire or by roadside bombs planted by militants .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-08--EU promises to try to save Iran nuclear deal despite setback

BRUSSELS - The European Union said Wednesday it “ will spare no efforts ” in its attempts to keep alive an international deal preventing Iran from developing atomic weapons .
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said her foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell will continue to work “ in the midterm ” to reach out to all participants in the global deal in the hopes that the 2015 nuclear agreement can still be saved despite a rollback on commitments from Tehran .
Von der Leyen also reiterated the need to de-escalate the tension in the region , especially after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American bases in response to a U.S. strike that killed its top general .
“ The use of weapons must stop now to give space for dialogue , “ she said .
“ We are called upon to do everything possible to rekindle talks .
There can not be enough of that.
” Speaking alongside von der Leyen , Borrell urged all parties involved in the growing tensions to eschew more military action .
“ The latest rocket attack on airbases in Iraq used by U.S. and coalition forces , among them European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escalation and increased confrontation .
It is in no one ’ s interest to turn up the spiral of violence even further , ” he said .
Borrell has invited Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif to Brussels for talks , but a date for his visit has yet to be set amid a frenzy of diplomatic activities .
The EU foreign ministers have organized a special meeting on Friday to discuss the ongoing crisis .
Iran struck the nuclear deal in 2015 with the United States , France , Germany , the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal , formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action , has however been on life support since U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally abandoned it in 2018 , triggering sanctions that have hurt Iran ’ s struggling economy .
Since then , Tehran has gradually rolled back its commitment to the deal .
Borrell said the Iran nuclear deal is “ today more important than ever because this is the only place where we can sit together with the Russians and Chinese to talk on a multilateral basis about the many risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s one of the most important tools of nonproliferation and regional security.
“ After its top general was assassinated in the U.S. drone attack , Iran announced over the weekend that it would no longer respect limits set on how many centrifuges it can use to enrich uranium .
Zarif said the move was a “ remedial step ” taken within the framework of the nuclear deal and he said it could be reversed .


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--House to vote Thursday on curbing Trump actions against Iran

WASHINGTON - The House will vote Thursday on a measure limiting President Donald Trump ’ s ability to take military action against Iran as Democratic criticism of the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general intensified .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , announced the planned vote in a one-page statement that said last week ’ s drone strike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani was “ provocative and disproportionate.
“ The Democratic war powers resolution seems certain to pass over solid Republican opposition .
A similar proposal by Sen. Tim Kaine , D-Va. , faces an uphill fight in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispute between the two parties , it was unclear whether Thursday ’ s vote would be a step toward binding Trump ’ s hands on Iran or a symbolic gesture of opposition by Democrats .
Republicans say the proposal — a special type of resolution that does not get the president ’ s signature — does not have the force of law .
Democrats say that under the 1973 War Powers Act , it would be binding if also approved by the Senate .
The matter has not been definitively decided by federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortly after a briefing on Iran Wednesday by top administration officials that many Democrats criticized as lacking specific justification for the killing .
Iran retaliated early Wednesday local time by launching missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house American troops .
No casualties were reported .
“ Members of Congress have serious , urgent concerns about the Administration ’ s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran and about its lack of strategy moving forward , “ Pelosi said in her statement .
“ Congress hereby directs the President to terminate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to engage in hostilities in or against Iran or any part of its government or military “ unless Congress declares war on that country or enacts legislation authorizing use of force to prevent an attack on the U.S. and its forces , the five-page resolution says .
“ I think it ’ s extremely important that we as a country , if we are going to -- either intentionally or accidentally -- slide into war , that we have a debate about it , ’ ’ said freshman Rep. Elissa Slotkin , D-Mich. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Slotkin is a former CIA analyst and Pentagon official who served in Iraq .
“ I want to understand ... what ’ s your strategy ?
’ ’ she said , referring to the Trump administration .
” How do you know you ’ re succeeding and not just escalating us into something more and more dangerous ?
We are owed concrete , specific details on strategy.
’ ’ The showdown between the White House and Capitol Hill was the latest example of Trump ’ s willingness to break the norms in Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders ahead of the attack that killed the Iranian general and afterward sent Congress a notification explaining the rationale , but kept it classified .
Congress has allowed its war powers role to erode since the passage of Authorization for Use of Military Force in 2001 to fight terrorism after the 9-11 attacks , and passage of another AUMF for the invasion of Iraq in 2002 .
Fallout from those votes deeply divided Congress and the nation , with many lawmakers , particularly Democrats , now saying they were mistakes .
Yet Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether to repeal or change those authorities .
Trump , facing one of the greatest tests of his presidency , said Wednesday that Iran appeared to be “ standing down ” and said the U.S. response would be to put in place new economic sanctions “ until Iran changes its behaviour.
“ The strikes by Iran had pushed Tehran and Washington perilously close to all-out conflict and put the world ’ s attention on Trump as he weighed whether to respond with more military force .
Republicans have largely supported Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within his power to take out Iran ’ s architect of proxy operations against Americans in the Middle East .
The U.S. considered Soleimani a terrorist .
“ How much is enough ?
How many more Americans did Soleimani need to kill before somebody supports taking him out ?
’ ’ asked Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise , the No .
2 Republican in the House .
The world is a safer place without Soleimani in it , he added .
Democrats were unconvinced that the threat posed by Soleimani was imminent or that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in good faith .
By not disclosing many details of the threat , Trump was asking the American public to trust the very intelligence reports he has often disparaged , Democrats said .
Some Republicans also criticized the briefing by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other top officials .
Sen. Mike Lee of Utah said it was “ probably the worst briefing I ’ ve seen , at least on a military issue , “ in the nine years he ’ s served in the Senate .
Lee called it “ distressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embolden Iran if lawmakers debated the merits of further military action .
He walked into the briefing undecided , Lee said , but left it favouring the war powers resolution being offered by Kaine .
“ It is not acceptable for officials within the executive branch of government ... to come in and tell us that we can ’ t debate and discuss the appropriateness of military intervention against Iran , ” Lee said .
“ It ’ s un-American , it ’ s unconstitutional , and it ’ s wrong.
” Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation to repeal the 2002 Iraq authorization of force and a separate bill to prohibit funding for military action against Iran not authorized by Congress .
Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro and Padmananda Rama contributed to this story .

Matthew Daly And Alan Fram - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Capital murder charges filed in Kansas City bar shooting

KANSAS CITY , Kan. - Charges against two men accused in a shooting at a crowded Kansas bar that left four people dead and five injured have been upgraded to capital murder , giving prosecutors the option of seeking the death penalty .
The amended charges filed Wednesday against Hugo Villanueva-Morales and Javier Alatorre in the Oct. 6 shooting at Tequila KC Bar in Kansas City also include : one count of attempted murder ; six counts of aggravated battery ; one count of aggravated assault ; and one count of criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he has not yet decided whether to pursue the death penalty .
Police have said the shooting stemmed from an earlier dispute at the bar , after which the men returned with guns and opened fire .
Officers had responded to reports of a disturbance at the bar two hours before the shooting .
Alatorre was arrested shortly after the shooting but Villanueva-Morales fled and was arrested in Mexico Dec. 12 .
Villanueva-Morales could face more charges in reference to his flight but Dupree said he wanted to concentrate on the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Georgia State Patrol: Woman killed in crash with school bus

CARROLLTON , Ga. - The driver of an SUV died after crashing head-on into a school bus Wednesday morning , @ @ @ @ @ bus and its driver weren ’ t seriously injured , authorities said .
The Georgia @ @ @ @ @ as 53-year-old Sherry Penn , of Temple , news outlets reported .
The agency said @ @ @ @ @ crossed the centre-line of Ga. 113 while negotiating a curve and struck a Carroll County @ @ @ @ @ was taken to an Atlanta hospital and later died .
The bus driver and the @ @ @ @ @ at the scene and released , a spokeswoman for the Carroll County School System said @ @ @ @ @ of the child on the bus were notified .
The crash occurred in an area @ @ @ @ @ kilometres ) west of Atlanta .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Lawsuit filed after six people found dead in Vegas fire

LAS VEGAS - The sister of one of six residents found dead after a Las Vegas apartment building fire filed a wrongful death lawsuit Wednesday against the property owner , who officials say had been been cited in the past over missing smoke alarms and an emergency exit that was bolted shut .
The suit filed by attorneys for Deborah Cihal Crawford , the sister of victim Tracy Ann Cihal , is the first after the Dec. 21 fire that also injured 13 people at the aging Alpine Motel Apartments .
Fire officials said people jumped from third-story windows to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downtown site had complained about substandard conditions , and told firefighters they used kitchen stoves to stay warm because the building lacked heat .
City fire and code enforcement reports released Tuesday listed defects in the fire alarm system , fire doors that did not close properly , and security bars that lacked emergency releases .
Attorney Dominic Gentile , representing property owner Adolfo Orozco and his company , Las Vegas Dragon Hotel LLC , didn ’ t immediately respond to messages about the fire and code enforcement reports or the lawsuit filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal action also claims negligence and seeks unspecified damages greater than $ 50,000 .
In a statement , Deborah Crawford ’ s attorneys , Ben Wilson and Rahul Ravipudi , called the injuries and deaths inexcusable , preventable and the result of “ pure indifference to human life.
“ “ The owners and managers of the Alpine ... appear to have been far more concerned about taking money from their tenants than they were about their safety , ” the lawyers said .
“ The most basic , minimum standards of living and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other victims of this tragedy.
” Fire officials said the fire apparently started around a stove in a first-floor apartment before dawn after a night with outdoor temperatures in the 40s .
Officials said about 50 people lived at the 41-unit complex .
It was built in 1972 and is now near a downtown entertainment district that includes bars and bistros , offices , storefront churches and vacant lots .
Fire spokesman Tim Szymanski said three people were found dead in the building and three others outside after the fire was extinguished .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It wasn ’ t immediately clear if anyone died falling or jumping from windows .
Las Vegas police opened a homicide investigation and have not disclosed preliminary findings .
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson declined Wednesday to comment .
It was the deadliest fire in Las Vegas since 1980 , when 87 people died and more than 700 were injured in a blaze at the MGM Grand Hotel , now Bally ’ s , on the Las Vegas Strip .
Associated Press writer Paul Davenport in Phoenix contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Mississippi moms question state as they bury slain inmates

HATTIESBURG , Miss .
- Manslaughter isn ’ t supposed to be a death sentence .
Nor is burglary .
Nor is armed robbery , selling cocaine or stealing a vehicle .
But that is what the mothers of three inmates say was ultimately given to their sons , all of whom were killed in prison violence last week .
As they plan their children ’ s funerals , they are demanding answers .
They want to know what happened , and why .
All three prisoners were slain by fellow inmates at Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisons elsewhere in the state .
The outbreak of violence has brought national attention to problems that have long plagued Mississippi ’ s overstretched prison system .
The mothers were told by their sons ’ fellow inmates that their deaths were gruesome .
“ He was beat .
He was stabbed .
His chest , stomach .
...
He has , well , he had , a lot of bruises and things on him , “ says Jeffrie Holliman of Hattiesburg , mother of 32-year-old Roosevelt Holliman , who died Jan. 2 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Keon ” Gates , says she ’ s been told not to look at the body of her 25-year-old son after he was repeatedly stabbed on Dec. 31 .
But she says inmates with contraband cellphones sent her graphic pictures and descriptions of what happened .
“ All the information I ’ ve gotten has come from inside , “ says Gates , a Southaven resident .
Denorris Howell ’ s body was so covered in blood that Sunflower County Coroner Heather Burton initially announced he had been stabbed on Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d suffered a different kind of neck wound .
Relatives of all three inmates say they have few answers from prison officials , and they question whether guards acted properly .
“ They ’ re not releasing any information , ” Rotonia Gates says .
“ It seems like they ’ re trying to hide something.
“ The Mississippi Department of Corrections has provided few answers to repeated questions from The Associated Press about the cause and manner of the prisoners ’ deaths and how the department has responded .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story or stories , “ spokeswoman Grace Simmons Fisher said in an email Wednesday .
” Thank you for asking.
” Advocacy groups have asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate .
They have criticized state lawmakers and officials for writing laws that they say have resulted in Mississippi having the third-highest incarceration rate in the U.S. Prison officials themselves say they have only had enough money to fill half of available guard posts , and they say the pay is far too low .
The starting salary for guards is $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die at Parchman .
Rotonia Gates says Keon was her “ knee baby , ” the second-youngest of her five children .
She describes a smart child who got into trouble if teachers didn ’ t push him in school .
Eventually , that mischief led to worse trouble : burglarizing houses .
But Rotonia Gates says she had hope that her son was ready to change his ways and was encouraged by her interactions with him when he was paroled .
The parole turned out to be a mistake , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison .
He was expected to be paroled again this spring .
Gates says she doesn ’ t know if her son was a gang member , and bristles at prison officials attributing his death to gang violence .
But she knows conditions at the prison were bad .
She says her son didn ’ t have a mattress to sleep on and got sick because rain poured into the prison .
Roosevelt Holliman ’ s sister , Theresa Holliman , says photos taken on cellphones obtained illegally by the prisoners show rats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You just see them laying on the ground , basically worse than animals , ” she says .
She says she also was told that some of the inmates had no heat .
In July , prison officials asked the state for more than $ 22 million to reroof and renovate a 1,400-bed complex known as Unit 29 , writing in a budget request that it had “ deteriorated to a point that it is no longer safe for staff or inmates.
” Gates and Wilkins both say their sons had pleaded for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they died in the violence .
Wilkins says Howell talked to her hours before his death .
“ He was telling me , ‘ Mom , get us some help , I ’ m fearing for my life , I ’ m fearing for my life .
I need help now .
Please get someone , ’ “ Wilkins says .
The relatives also question whether guards contributed to their sons ’ deaths , since inmates were supposed to be confined to their cells or bunk areas .
The Mississippi Department of Corrections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about whether officials are investigating guard conduct .
A number of state prison guards in the past have been charged with bringing in contraband drugs and c ellphones and have been accused of aiding gangs .
“ How can this have happened ?
“ asks Gates .
“ What can we do to prevent this ?
The families need relief .
Somebody ’ s going to have to answer for this .
That ’ s too many deaths , and for what ?
”

Jeff Amy And Stacey P. Jenkins - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Doctor: Scans show Alabama governor cancer-free

MONTGOMERY , Ala. - Medical scans show Alabama Gov .
Kay Ivey is free of the lung cancer she was diagnosed with last year , her office said Wednesday .
Ivey , 75 , received a follow-up examination Tuesday after being treated with radiation for Stage 1 lung cancer .
In a statement issued through the governor ’ s office , Dr. Alex Whitley of Central Alabama Radiation Oncology said the cancer appears to be gone .
He said the imaging “ demonstrates an excellent response to treatment.
“ Whitley said additional scans would be done in the future , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be cured.
” The Republican governor announced in September that doctors had found a small malignancy in her lung during a routine exam and that she would undergo radiation treatments .
Ivey said Wednesday that she was “ profoundly grateful for this good news “ and thanked God , her medical team and citizens of the state .
“ I have been humbled by your support during my recovery , and it is my life ’ s highest honour to serve as your governor , “ Ivey said in a statement .
Ivey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer staging when she announced the illness in September , but described it as a small , malignant spot on her lung .
The statement issued Wednesday indicated she had been diagnosed was Stage 1 lung cancer .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Impeachment standoff deepens, testing McConnell and Pelosi

WASHINGTON - The standoff over President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial deepened Wednesday as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said there will be “ no haggling ” with Democrats as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi demands for more details and witnesses .
McConnell ’ s Senate majority has the leverage Republicans need to launch Trump ’ s trial toward swift acquittal of the charges , but Pelosi ’ s reluctance to transmit the articles of impeachment leaves the proceedings at a standstill .
What started as a seemingly minor delay over process and procedures is now a high-stakes showdown between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rare impeachment trial , only the third in the nation ’ s history .
“ There will be no haggling with the House over Senate procedure , “ said McConnell , R-Ky. , who met later Wednesday with Trump at the White House .
“ We will not cede our authority to try this impeachment .
The House Democrats ’ turn is over.
” Three weeks have passed since the House impeached Trump on the charge that he abused the power of his office by pressuring Ukraine ’ s new leader to investigate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in military assistance for the U.S. ally as it counters Russia at its border .
Trump insists he did nothing wrong , but his defiance of the House Democrats ’ investigation led to an additional charge of obstruction of Congress .
Senators from both sides are eager to serve as jurors for Trump ’ s day in court .
The trial will be conducted in the Senate , where Republicans have a thin majority .
But even as McConnell spoke from the Senate floor , Pelosi , D-Calif. , was giving no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his terms .
In a closed-door meeting with the House Democratic caucus , she spoke instead about the crisis in the Middle East , with Iran ’ s retaliatory ballistic missile attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq , according to several Democrats in the room .
The impeachment timeline is complicating the political calendar , with the weekslong trial now expected to bump into presidential primaries .
Several Democratic senators are running for the party nomination .
Returning to Washington from the campaign trail , Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, told reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan .
“ I have no doubt that she will get this right , ” Warren said .
” Some things are more important than politics , and the impeachment of a president is certainly one of those .
No one is above the law , not even the president.
” Another 2020 hopeful , Sen. Cory Booker , D-N.J. , said : “ Those articles will come over here for a vote in due time.
” The showdown is expected to be resolved this week , lawmakers said .
Pelosi wants McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details of his trial proposal , according to a letter to colleagues .
She wants to know how much time will be devoted to the trial and other details about the “ arena ’ ’ before announcing her choice of House managers to try the case in the Senate , according to Democrats familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to discuss it .
“ Sadly , Leader McConnell has made clear that his loyalty is to the President and not the Constitution , ” Pelosi wrote to colleagues late Tuesday .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ unfair.
” The confrontation over a Senate trial had been building for weeks .
But McConnell gained ground when he announced Tuesday that he has support from the majority of senators to start a trial structured like the last one , against President Bill Clinton in 1999 .
Those proceedings also began without an agreement on witnesses .
It takes 51 votes for agreement on the trial proceedings , and with Republicans holding a 53-47 Senate majority McConnell has a slight advantage if he can hold GOP senators together .
Democrats are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few Republicans to support their demands .
McConnell , who has resisted calling new witnesses , expects a speedy trial that will end with Trump acquitted of the charges .
He complained about Pelosi ’ s “ endless appetite for these cynical games ’ ’ and said it will be up to senators to decide if they want more testimony .
On the Senate floor Wednesday , Democratic leader Chuck Schumer promised he would force votes on witnesses , requiring senators to choose whether they want to hear from Trump former national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When the Senate has votes on witnesses and documents , my Republican colleagues will have to answer to not just the president , ” Schumer said .
“ The American people do not want a coverup.
” Some Senate Democrats have said the time has come for Pelosi to send the articles so the trial can begin .
Pelosi has yet to choose House impeachment managers for the trial , a politically sensitive next step with many lawmakers vying to be candidates .
But aides downplayed any riff between the leaders , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say on Trump ’ s impeachment .
Schumer , who talks daily with Pelosi , said the speaker is doing “ a very good job and she is seeking to maximize our ability to get facts and evidence.
” Pelosi told House leaders in a private meeting Tuesday that she believed the decision to delay the articles was working as a strategy to apply pressure on the Senate for a more fulsome trial , according to those in that meeting .
“ People are united , “ said Democratic Rep. Mike Thompson of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucus .
Republicans countered that Democrats rushed to impeach and then delayed the process .
At their own lunch Wednesday , Republican senators were privately split on next steps , with some seeking ways to compel Pelosi to act while others were content to let impeachment slip .
Associated Press writers Darlene Superville , Matthew Daly and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .

Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick, Alan Fram And Laurie Kellman - The Associated Press