thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Biden fights for momentum in Democrats’ shifting primary

SELMA , Ala. - An emboldened Joe Biden is trying to cast himself as the clear moderate alternative to progressive Bernie Sanders as the Democrats ’ shrinking presidential field races toward Super Tuesday .
One of Biden ’ s leading moderate rivals , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , dropped out of the campaign Sunday just 24 hours after Biden scored a resounding victory in South Carolina , his first of the 2020 roller coaster nomination fight .
While other rivals appeared undeterred , Biden pressed his case during a round of national television interviews that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his resounding primary victory in South Carolina : The former vice-president was forced to rely upon free media coverage because he was understaffed , underfunded and almost out of time as he fought to transform his sole win into a national movement .
Biden vowed to improve his campaign operation , his fundraising haul — and even his own performance — in an interview on ABC ’ s “ This Week.
” He warned of a “ stark choice ” between him and Sanders , while making the case he was the candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot and in states beyond those voting next week .
Biden added a swipe at one of Sanders ’ signature lines during an appearance on “ Fox New Sunday ” : “ The people aren ’ t looking for revolution .
They ’ re looking for results.
“ The newfound confidence came at a crossroads in the Democratic Party ’ s turbulent primary season .
Sanders remained the undisputed front-runner .
But the rest of the field was decidedly unsettled , even after Biden ’ s South Carolina blowout and Buttigieg ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York billionaire Mike Bloomberg could create problems for Biden as the race speeds toward Super Tuesday , when 14 states from Maine to Alabama to California hold Democratic elections as the 2020 primary moves into a new phase .
No longer will individual states hold primaries every week .
Starting Tuesday , and most Tuesdays through early June , batches of states will vote at the same time in what has essentially become a national election .
Biden claimed a handful of new endorsements and fundraising successes on Sunday in his quest to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsement would come from former President Barack Obama , who has a relationship with most of the candidates and has talked with several in recent weeks as primary voting has begun .
He spoke with Biden after his South Carolina victory , but still has no plans to endorse in the primary at this point .
But a handful of high-profile political strategists with ties to the former president encouraged Biden ’ s rivals — including Bloomberg — to quit the race to allow anti-Sanders ’ Democrats to unify behind Obama ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have seen the writing on the wall for at least the last week , ” said Rufus Gifford , who held top fundraising posts on both of Obama ’ s campaigns and was part of Biden ’ s fundraising operation .
“ It ’ s clear the Democratic alternative to Bernie Sanders is Joe Biden.
” Text messages reviewed by The Associated Press revealed an outpouring of interest in Biden from donors supporting other candidates , including Buttigieg and Elizabeth Warren .
Biden announced he took in $ 5 million immediately after his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best single day of fundraising over the last year .
But in an example of Biden ’ s challenge ahead , Sanders said Sunday he raised an eye-popping $ 46.5 million for February .
That compared to $ 29 million for Warren and $ 18 million for Biden over the same period .
Sanders , who dominated the money race for much of the year even though he did not court wealthy donors , said it was not the overall fundraising haul that should impress but the enthusiasm of working people fueling his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a stronger grassroots movement than we do , ” Sanders said on CBS ’ s “ Face the Nation.
” “ That ’ s how you beat Trump.
” Biden allies conceded that the post-South Carolina fundraising surge would have little impact on Super Tuesday .
“ Super Tuesday is too close , ” said former Pennsylvania Gov .
Ed Rendell , a Biden supporter .
“ Fortunately , Joe Biden has been on the national scene for 35 years .
He has less need to advertise.
” Barry Goodman , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominent member of the Democratic National Committee , said he ’ d heard from about “ a dozen or so ” regular party donors who had been on the sidelines and now wanted to support Biden .
He said he had personally targeting at least 20 Bloomberg supporters who had been sitting on their checkbooks at Bloomberg ’ s request .
“ If Mike had known what was going to happen last night in South Carolina , he ’ d never have gotten in , ” Goodman said .
As he exited the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was acknowledging reality : “ The path has narrowed to a close for our candidacy.
“ Buttigieg didn ’ t endorse any of the remaining candidates , though he and former Biden traded voicemails on Sunday .
Buttigieg has spent the past several weeks warning that nominating progressive leader Bernie Sanders to take on President Donald Trump would be risky.Biden ’ s other rivals showed no interest in getting out of the race .
In fact , some vowed to keep fighting no matter what happened on Super Tuesday .
Warren campaign manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a floor battle at the Democratic National Convention this summer if no candidate emerged from the primary season with a clear majority , which was possible even if someone had a large delegate lead .
“ The convention in Milwaukee is the final play , ” Lau wrote in a Sunday memo .
And Bloomberg , who this week will be on the ballot for the first time , insisted that he was not going anywhere before Tuesday ’ s primaries .
“ I ’ m optimistic , “ he told voters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House hopefuls gathered for ceremonies commemorating civil rights heroism .
Yet Bloomberg received a mixed reception as he spoke from the pulpit of Selma ’ s Brown Chapel AME Church .
Multiple parishioners stood and turned their backs to the New York billionaire neared the end of his 10-minute speech .
That was after the pastor told the congregation that Bloomberg initially said he was too busy to attend because he had to “ beat Donald Trump.
” Biden declined to ask rivals to bow out when given the opportunity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tell another candidate to get out of the race , ” Biden said on Fox .
Through four primary contests , the AP allocated at least 58 delegates to Sanders , including two added Sunday as South Carolina ’ s remaining votes dribbled in .
Biden vaulted past Buttigieg into second place with at least 50 delegates — shrinking Sanders ’ lead from what had been 30 delegates before South Carolina to eight .
Buttigieg , Warren and Sen. Amy Klobuchar remained stuck at 26 , eight and seven , respectively .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more about momentum more than math .
Super Tuesday states offer a trove of 1,344 new delegates based on how candidates finish .
California alone offers 415 , which is more than double the amount of delegates allocated through Iowa , New Hampshire , Nevada and South Carolina .
As Biden and Bloomberg courted African Americans in Alabama , Sanders spent his Sunday rallying thousands of supporters in California , the crown jewel of Super Tuesday .
He predicted victory there and attacked Biden ’ s record on foreign policy , trade and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ My point here is not just to be negative about Joe , “ Sanders said .
“ My point here is to ask you , ‘ What campaign is going to beat Donald Trump ?
’ ” Peoples reported from Washington and Barrow reported from Columbia , South Carolina .
Associated Press writers Brian Slodysko , Will Weissert , Hope Yen , Julie Pace and Seth Borenstein in Washington contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground @ @ @

Steve Peoples, Bill Barrow And Alexandra Jaffe - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Disgruntled ex-guard takes dozens of hostages in Manila mall

MANILA , Philippines - Philippine police surrounded a shopping mall in Manila on Monday after a recently dismissed security guard opened fire and took dozens of people hostage , starting a standoff that began before noon and was still ongoing in the evening , an official said .
Mayor Francis Zamora of San Juan in the Philippine capital said the gunman , who was armed with a pistol , shot one person at the V-Mall .
The victim was in stable condition at a nearby hospital .
Zamora said the suspect was a disgruntled former security guard at the shopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was removed as a guard , ” Zamora told reporters , adding that the man tried but failed to convince fellow guards to join him .
Aside from a pistol , the hostage taker yelled that he had a grenade , but authorities could not immediately confirm that , Zamora said .
“ We have evacuated all the people in the shopping centre and we ’ re in a lockdown here in the entire mall , ” he said .
An initial police report said the hostage taker , who was identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official before rushing to the second floor of the complex , where he was holding dozens of mostly employees in an office .
The report said “ more or less 50 staffs “ were being held hostage , but it did not provide other details .
Zamora said about 30 to 40 people were being held , adding that his estimate was based on the size of the administrative office were they were being held .
The suspect was complaining of “ unequal treatment , ” the police report said .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job in recent weeks without notifying management , Zamora said .
He said the hostages were fine and added that authorities were trying to resolve the situation without further violence .
The suspect used his cellphone to deliver a message to the guards and the media , expressing his anger over a change in his work hours and accusing his superiors of corruption .
In a bid to appease the hostage taker , six officers in charge of overseeing the mall ’ s security apologized to the suspect at an early evening news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resigned or offered to quit .
“ I ’ m asking for his forgiveness , and because of this , I ’ ll resign from my job so this crisis will come to an end , ” said Oscar Hernandez , one of the security officers .
Earlier in the day , more than a dozen SWAT commandos were seen entering the mall , their assault rifles ready .
Other policemen stood by outside , along with an ambulance .
The shopping complex , popular for its restaurants , shops , bars and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residential enclave , a golf club and the police and military headquarters in the bustling metropolis of more than 12 million people , where law and order have long been a concern .
Three years ago , a gunman stormed a mall-casino complex in Manila , shot TV monitors and set gambling tables on fire , killing 36 people who were mostly suffocated by the thick smoke .
The gunman stole casino chips before he fled but was found dead in an apparent suicide in an adjacent hotel at the Resorts World Manila @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guests and shoppers to flee to safety , was claimed by the Islamic State group , but Philippine authorities rejected the claim , saying the attacker was not a Muslim militant but a heavily indebted gambler .
Associated Press journalists Kiko Rosario in Bangkok and Joeal Calupitan in Manila contributed to this report .

Jim Gomez And Aaron Favila - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Child dies as migrants rush to cross Greek-Turkish border

KASTANIES , Greece - Greek police fired tear gas at migrants trying to push into Greece from Turkey through the land border Monday , and a child died when a dinghy boat capsized during a sea crossing , after Turkey opened its frontier for migrants and refugees to enter Europe .
The child ’ s death , reported by the Greek coast guard , was the first since thousands of migrants began massing at the frontiers with Greece over the weekend after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced an easing of restrictions on those wishing to cross to Europe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an official on Thursday , marked a dramatic departure from a previous policy of containing the hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants in Turkey .
Erdogan apparently aims to pressure Europe into offering Turkey more support in dealing with the fallout from the Syrian war to its south .
Erdogan said Monday that Western leaders had started to call him urging him to reverse the border opening .
He said he told them , “ It ’ s done , the doors are open now .
You will have your share of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon “ the number of people going to the border will be expressed in millions.
” Thousands of migrants on Monday tried to find a way across Turkey ’ s land border into Greece , which has made clear its borders will remain closed .
Dozens managing to pass through either border fences or fording the river there .
As Greek police fired tear gas , a group of several hundred holding white flags shouted “ peace , peace , ” asking to be let into Greece .
Others were trying to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey ’ s decision to ease border restrictions came amid a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive into Syria ’ s northwestern Idlib province .
That offensive has killed dozens of Turkish troops and led to a surge of nearly a million Syrian civilians fleeing toward Turkey ’ s sealed border , threatening a dramatic new influx of displaced into a country that already hosts 3.5 million Syrian refugees .
Fighting on the ground in Idlib continued Monday , with heavy clashes between Syrian government forces and Turkish-backed fighters .
Syrian troops retook the strategic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Damascus-Aleppo highway , although violence continued nearby .
The Kremlin said Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet in Moscow on Thursday for talks on Idlib .
The Greek coast guard said 48 migrants on a dinghy heading to the island of Lesbos , accompanied by a Turkish patrol vessel while in Turkish waters , deliberately overturned their boat once in Greek waters , triggering a rescue operation Monday morning .
The coast guard said they rescued the migrants , including two children who were hospitalized , one of them unconscious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a boy aged around 6 or 7 , failed , the coast guard said .
The other child was considered out of danger .
Their nationality was not immediately available .
Greek authorities said that in the 24 hours from 6 a.m. local time Sunday , they thwarted 9,877 attempts to cross the northwestern land border , either through the fence or across the Evros River , which runs along the frontier .
Authorities arrested 68 people and charged them with illegal entry .
Therose Ngonda , a 40-year-old woman from Cameroon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the river .
Speaking in the morning , her feet still wet from the river crossing , she said she had been told migrants had 72 hours from Friday to leave Turkey .
She got on one of dozens of buses and minibuses that have been ferrying people from Istanbul to the border , among about 2,000 people , including Syrians and families with young children .
Ngonda said she was put into the river on the Turkish side of the border .
“ They told me ‘ go that way ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with what has all the markings of an organized campaign by Ankara to push people through its borders .
The government has sent Greek army and police reinforcements to the land border with Turkey , saying it was suspending all asylum applications for a month and would return those entering the country illegally without registering them .
The army announced a 24-hour live-fire exercise along the border for Monday , declaring the area dangerous and banning any movement of people or livestock during the exercise .
Police said migrants were concentrated at 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a relatively quiet night .
Over the weekend , Greek authorities used tear gas , water cannon and stun grenades to push back efforts by the crowd to push through the border .
They also said Turkey had fired tear gas at Greek authorities on the Greek side .
Afghan university student Karimi Khalmahammad , 22 , also managed to make it across .
He said he had spent time inside a Taliban prison in Afghanistan and now hoped to make it to Germany .
But many of the new arrivals were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crossing and were being driven away in white vans .
Greek islands near the Turkish coast also saw a major increase in arrivals from Turkey .
The coast guard said that in the 24 hours until Monday morning , 977 people had reached the islands in dinghies , most of them on Lesbos but also on Chios , Samos and some of the smaller islands .
On Lesbos , local anger at the migration situation boiled over , with some residents preventing people , including young children and babies , from disembarking from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Elsewhere on the island , they prevented buses from taking new arrivals to Lesbos ’ massively overcrowded migrant camp of Moria .
The new arrivals spent the night on the beach , where they remained on Monday morning .
Those arriving near the island ’ s main town of Mytilene were being taken to the island ’ s main port for processing there in makeshift facilities instead of Moria .
Turkey ’ s communications director , Fahrettin Altun , said Sunday the fighting in Idlib was directly linked to Turkey ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Europe .
He said Ankara had changed its focus to preparing for the possibility of new arrivals from Syria “ instead of preventing refugees who intend to migrate to Europe.
” Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov was heading to Ankara on Monday to discuss the migrant situation with Erdogan .
He said a new migrant wave would threaten stability as Europe struggles to deal with the new coronavirus .
Bulgaria has deployed additional national guard and border police on it 250-km ( 155-mile ) long border with Turkey to stave off a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karakachanov said so far there in no direct migrant pressure from Turkey but 400 troops are ready to be deployed immediately at the border in case of attempted illegal border crossings .
Becatoros reported from Athens .
Associated Press writer Veselin Toshkov in Sofia , Bulgaria , Andrew Wilks in Ankara , Turkey and Vaggelis Papadonis in Lesbos , Greece , contributed to this report .

Costas Kantouris And Elena Becatoros - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Services honour life of fallen South Carolina deputy

SUMTER , S.C. - A sheriff ’ s deputy in South Carolina who was shot and killed in the line of duty was remembered as a man who loved his community and his family .
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon for Sumter County Deputy Cpl .
Andrew Gillette , news outlets reported .
Gillette , 36 , was fatally shot Feb. 25 while trying to serve an eviction notice .
Hundreds of people , including family , friends and members of the law enforcement community , gathered in Sumter for the service .
“ I promise you I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s brother , Steve Gillette said after wiping back tears .
The fallen deputy leaves behind a wife and a child .
“ Many people will call Cpl .
Gillette a hero because of how he died , ” said Sheriff Anthony Dennis .
“ Yes , he was indeed a hero .
But not only because of how he died , but because of how he lived.
” Gillette served for 12 years in the U.S. Air Force and had been a deputy in Sumter County since 2013 .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was identified as the man who shot and killed Gillette , according to news outlets .
Hasty , 56 , shot Gillette in the chest , Dennis said .
Gillette was wearing a protective vest .
Other deputies returned fire , killing Hasty .
No other deputies were hurt in the exchange of gunfire .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-02--EU-UK trade talks kick off amid threats and deadlines

BRUSSELS - Long-awaited trade talks between the European Union and Britain kick off Monday amid deep tensions over Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s threat to walk away from the talks if not enough progress is made within four months .
Britain became the first country to ever leave the EU on Jan. 31 .
Monday ’ s talks mark the start of a process aimed at securing its commercial , fishing and other ties with the world ’ s biggest trading bloc .
All that has to be concluded by the end of this year , according to Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with other countries take years to conclude , there is real time pressure on the negotiators .
This week ’ s negotiations will take place in Brussels .
The EU will be represented by the European Commission , which has supervised the Brexit process and which negotiates international trade agreements on behalf of the 27 member countries .
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said that no deal can provide the frictionless trade that membership provided .
The first round of talks will run until Thursday and are set to centre mostly on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the substance of an agreement is expected .
The teams are expected to meet every 2-3 weeks , alternating between Brussels and London .
Half a dozen or so rounds of negotiations are expected to take place by the end of June .
That will be a crucial moment in the discussions .
Under the divorce agreement signed last year , Britain must decide by then whether it wants to extend a transition period that is aimed at smoothing its departure from the bloc , of which it was a member of for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he won ’ t be asking for any extension to the transition period beyond the end of this year .
That effectively means that in the event of no deal this year , Britain and the EU will then trade on terms outlined by the World Trade Organization , which would see tariffs and other restrictions imposed .
During the transition , Britain effectively remains within the EU ’ s economic orbit , including its single market for trade in goods and services , even though it has left its political institutions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Brexit campaign in the June 2016 referendum , and said leaving the EU would restore his country ’ s sovereignty .
London ’ s negotiating mandate states : “ we will not agree to any obligations for our laws to be aligned with the EU ’ s , or for the EU ’ s institutions , including the Court of Justice , to have any jurisdiction in the U.K. ” The EU has said it won ’ t be pressured by Johnson ’ s demand to wrap up a trade deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is keen to ensure that his government does not secure an agreement that could give Britain a competitive advantage .
EU negotiators want Britain to sign up to a swathe of EU regulations , including environmental standards , workers ’ rights and state aid rules .
The first potential big tussle may well be on fishing rights .
Johnson says Brexit means that Britain takes control of its waters .
The EU , meanwhile , wants to make sure its fishing fleets still have access to British waters , in much the same @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Japanese justice official visits Lebanon over fugitive Ghosn

BEIRUT - Japan ’ s deputy justice minister met top officials in Lebanon Monday over the case of former Nissan ’ s fugitive ex-boss Carlos Ghosn who fled to his home country late last year while on bail in Japan and awaiting trial .
Ghosn was arrested in late 2018 and is facing charges of under-reporting income and breach of trust .
He says he is innocent .
He led Nissan for nearly 20 years .
State Minister of Justice Hiroyuki Yoshiie met President Michel Aoun as well as the Lebanese ministers of justice and foreign affairs .
Yoshiie did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is scheduled to hold a news conference later in the day .
Aoun ’ s office said in a tweet after the meeting that they discussed mutual relations and ways of developing them “ in addition to matters that are of interest for both countries.
” The tweet did not mention Ghosn who made his first public appearance in Lebanon in early January saying he fled a “ nightmare ” that would not end and vowed to defend his name wherever he can get a fair trial .
On Friday , Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was dispatching the official to Beirut to explain the Japanese criminal justice system and improve co-operation .
She said Japan hoped Lebanon would gain “ a proper understanding of the Japanese criminal justice system.
” Japan and Lebanon do not have an extradition treaty and it ’ s unlikely Lebanon would agree to send Ghosn back to Japan to face trial .
Mori acknowledged that there were “ various environments ” and laws that underpin each country ’ s stance .
Nissan , maker of the Leaf electric car and Z sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the justice official ’ s trip that it hoped Ghosn would return to Japan to stand trial , “ so that all the facts can be properly established under Japan ’ s judicial system.
” Having spent months in detention and struggled to gain his release on bail under stringent conditions , Ghosn said he fled in the belief he could not get a fair trial in Japan .
Japan has requested Ghosn ’ s return through Interpol and issued an arrest warrant after his escape .
Lebanese prosecutors issued a travel ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hand in his French passport following an Interpol-issued notice against him .
Nissan ’ s sales have plunged recently , and it sank into losses for the last fiscal quarter .
The brand is widely considered to have been tarnished by the controversy around Ghosn .
Last month , Nissan filed a civil damage lawsuit against its fugitive ex-chief , seeking 10 billion yen ( $ 90 million ) in damages .
The claim added the costs of what Nissan called Ghosn ’ s “ corrupt practices , ” such as rent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jets and payments for the internal investigation into wrongdoing .


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Inside the final month of Buttigieg’s historic campaign

WASHINGTON - He opened February by sharing victory with one of the Democratic Party ’ s best-known figures and ended it with a humbling defeat at the hands of another .
Yet Pete Buttigieg ’ s unlikely path over the last 30 days exceeded virtually everyone ’ s expectations of his presidential ambitions , except perhaps his own .
The former mayor of Indiana ’ s fourth largest city , an openly gay 38-year-old whose name most voters still can ’ t pronounce , formally suspended his White House bid Sunday night .
He did so acknowledging that he no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Party ’ s presidential nomination , even after finishing in the top four in each of the first four contests of the 2020 primary season .
“ By every historical measure , we were never supposed to get anywhere at all , ” Buttigieg reminded his hometown crowd , which was disappointed and hopeful at the same time .
The crowd interrupted his speech with chants of “ 2024.
” Buttigieg began the month effectively in a first-place tie with progressive powerhouse Bernie Sanders in Iowa ’ s presidential caucuses .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gay candidate to earn a presidential delegate , never mind becoming the first to finish on top in any presidential primary contest .
He won over Iowa as a fresh-faced Democrat with a pragmatic Midwestern message backed by an aggressive strategy to reach voters in overlooked rural communities .
And if not for the state ’ s chaotic struggle to report its results , the Feb. 3 contest could have vaulted him to further heights .
Buttigieg and his competitors pivoted quickly to New Hampshire , where he was a decided underdog in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a former vice-president .
Yet the mayor from nearly 1000 miles ( 1,600 kilometres ) away showed surprising strength again .
He nearly tripled Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren ’ s vote total and finished just one percentage point behind Sanders , the winner .
“ You know , he very nearly pulled it off , ” said David Axelrod , who served as the senior adviser to former President Barack Obama and was at times an unofficial Buttigieg booster .
Axelrod cited Iowa ’ s reporting fiasco and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factors that limited Buttigieg ’ s rise .
“ If those two things would have been different , we would be having a different conversation now , ” he said .
Questions about Buttigieg ’ s appeal with voters of colour loomed over strong finishes in overwhelmingly white Iowa and New Hampshire , however .
And as soon as the race shifted into more diverse terrain , Buttigieg ’ s star began to fade .
In Nevada , he finished in third place behind Sanders and former Vice-President Joe Biden , even as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And by the time the race moved to South Carolina a week later , Buttigieg ’ s weakness with African American voters was painfully exposed .
He failed to hit double digits in the first-in-the-South contest on Saturday , scoring a distant fourth place in a state in which more than half of Democratic primary voters were not white .
Less than two hours after holding what would be his final rally in Raleigh , North Carolina , Buttigieg was hunkered on the phone in a hotel near Americus , Georgia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign , people familiar with the conversation said .
On the phone with him were communications strategist Lis Smith , senior strategist Michael Halle , pollster Katie Connolly , media adviser Larry Grisalano , deputy campaign manager Hari Sevugan and longtime campaign manager Mike Schmul , according to aides familiar with the conversation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share internal discussions .
Having laid out a narrow but viable path to the nomination through an uncertain state-by-state fight , advisers painted a picture of a difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buttigieg should speak , the candidate , known for an understated deliberative style , noted effectively that if the conversation had reached that point the decision was pretty clear .
Though there were details to work out about how to handle his appearances on Sunday news programs , the conversation quickly turned to the logistics of pulling down his Texas campaign events scheduled for Sunday and how to arrange for the speech in South Bend .
When discussion during the call turned to a possible endorsement , the team decided it might detract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ references to Buttigieg ’ s ground-breaking campaign and his eye on the future .
It marked a humbling end to a history-making month for the young Democrat , who could wait another 10 presidential elections to run again and still be the same age as the man who knocked him out of the race .
Buttigieg ’ s decision reflected the urgency of the moment as establishment Democrats feared Sanders ’ rise might be unstoppable unless the party ’ s moderate wing united behind Biden ’ s candidacy .
It also reflected the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former Rhodes scholar who worked for the McKinsey & Company management consulting firm soon after finishing his Ivy League education .
“ The truth is the path has narrowed to a close for our candidacy if not for our cause , ” Buttigieg told supporters in South Bend .
“ We must recognize that at this point in the race , the best way to keep faith with those goals and ideals is to step aside and help bring our party and country together.
” He didn ’ t endorse any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though he and Biden traded voicemails on Sunday .
Buttigieg has spent the past several weeks warning that nominating Sanders would be risky .
And as the first openly gay candidate to seriously contend for the presidency , he nodded to the historic nature of his campaign .
He kissed his husband , Chasten , as he walked onto the stage and offered a message for children who might be watching .
“ We send a message to every kid out there wondering if whatever marks them out as different means they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Buttigieg said .
“ To see that someone who once felt that exact same way can become a leading American presidential candidate with his husband by his side.
” “ He ’ s 38 years old , ” the former Obama strategist said .
“ He ’ s vaulted himself into the national conversation .
He obviously has work to do on some things that -- some weaknesses we ’ ve seen in this election -- but whenever there is a conversation again about Democratic candidates , he ’ ll be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a remarkable achievement , given where he started a year ago.
” Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Steve Peoples And Thomas Beaumont - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Israelis vote in 3rd election in a year focused on Netanyahu

JERUSALEM - Israelis were voting Monday in the country ’ s unprecedented third election in less than a year to decide whether longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stays in power despite his upcoming criminal trial on corruption charges .
Netanyahu , the longest serving leader in Israeli history , has been the caretaker prime minister for more than a year as a divided Israel has weathered two inconclusive elections and a prolonged political paralysis .
With opinion polls forecasting another deadlock , Netanyahu is seeking a late surge in support to score a parliamentary majority along with other nationalist parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term in office , and fifth overall .
He faces a stiff challenge once again from retired military chief Benny Gantz , whose centrist Blue and White party is running even with Netanyahu ’ s Likud on a campaign message that Israel ’ s longtime prime minister is unfit to lead because of the serious charges against him .
Both parties appear unable to form a coalition with their traditional allies .
With the prospect of a unity government between them seemingly off the table after a particularly nasty campaign , Monday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a preamble to another election .
“ I hope that today marks the start of a healing process , where we can begin living together again , “ Gantz said upon voting in his hometown of Rosh Ha ’ ayin in central Israel , warning voters not to “ get drawn in by the lies or by the violence ” after the acrimonious election campaign .
There was little fanfare in the days leading up to the vote , with a noticeable absence of campaign posters on the streets and public rallies that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With voter fatigue clearly a factor , turnout could prove to be decisive .
Election day is a national holiday in Israel and the country usually boasts one of the highest voter turnouts among Western democracies .
But the second repeat vote and fears of the new coronavirus , which has so far has been kept largely in check , look to hinder turnout .
Israel set up some 15 stations to allow voting by hundreds of Israelis who have been ordered to remain in home-quarantine after possible exposure to the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under control .
Today we ’ ve taken all the precautions that are necessary , people can go and vote , with complete confidence , ” Netanyahu said , after placing his vote in Jerusalem .
Netanyahu has tried to portray himself as a statesman who is uniquely qualified to lead the country through challenging times .
Gantz has tried to paint Netanyahu as divisive and scandal-plagued , offering himself as a calming influence and an honest alternative .
Gantz says he favours a national unity government with Likud , but only if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the corruption charges against him .
Netanyahu , who still enjoys widespread support in his party , insists he must remain prime minister in any unity deal .
With his career on the line , Netanyahu has campaigned furiously .
He ’ s taken a hard turn to the right in hopes of rallying his nationalist base , promising to expand and annex West Bank settlements .
In a campaign that has been marked by ugly smears , Netanyahu ’ s surrogates have spread unfounded allegations claiming Gantz is corrupt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The most recent attempt appears to have backfired .
Recordings have revealed Netanyahu lied on live television about not being involved in a plot to secretly record a Gantz consultant disparaging his boss .
Channel 12 aired audio Sunday night of Netanyahu speaking to the rabbi who clandestinely recorded the Gantz adviser and discussing when it would be leaked to the media .
Netanyahu is desperate to score a narrow 61-seat majority in parliament with his hard-line religious and nationalist allies before heading to trial two weeks later .
Netanyahu has failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but with a strong hold on power he could seek other avenues to derail the legal proceedings against him .
Netanyahu goes on trial March 17 for charges of bribery , fraud and breach of trust stemming from accusations he accepted lavish gifts from billionaire friends and promised to promote advantageous legislation for a major newspaper in exchange for favourable coverage .
He vowed he will prove his innocence in court .
Opinion polls forecast similar results to the previous two stalemates , and the deadlock raises the possibility of a fourth election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lieberman once again looms as a potential kingmaker , with neither Netanyahu nor Gantz able to secure a parliamentary majority without his support .
Lieberman has not committed himself to either candidate , though he has promised there will not be a fourth election .
Polling stations opened across the country at 7 a.m. Monday with exit polls expected at the end of the voting day at 10 p.m. ( 20:00 GMT ) Official results are projected to come in overnight .
That ’ s when the real jockeying may get underway , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is responsible for choosing a candidate for prime minister .
He is supposed to select the leader who he believes has the best chance of putting together a stable coalition .
The honour usually goes to the head of the largest party , but not necessarily .
Just as important is the number of lawmakers outside his own party who recommend him to the president .
Rivlin ’ s selection will then have up to six weeks to form a coalition .
If he fails , another candidate then has 28 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that effort fails , new elections would be forced .
It ’ s a procedural process that remained hypothetical for Israel ’ s first 70 years of existence until it played out after the last election in September .
Should results match current opinion polls , and all the major player stick to the campaign promises , it may well repeat itself .
“ This is usually a holiday , but to be honest I have no festivity in me just a sense of deep shame before you , the citizens of Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his ballot .
“ We don ’ t deserve this .
We don ’ t deserve another horrible and filthy campaign like the one that ends today and we don ’ t deserve this endless instability .
We deserve a government that will work for us .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Sanders in the Senate: An outsider plays the inside game

WASHINGTON - Senators often talk about Bernie Sanders in diplomatic tones , the way relatives discuss a certain family member with hushed pause .
He ’ s passionate , they say politely .
Independent .
Or , just Bernie being Bernie .
The senator returns the favour at the weekly Democratic luncheons .
Sanders addresses his Senate colleagues with the high-volume urgency of his campaign rallies .
One senator said Sanders essentially yells at them .
It ’ s an awkward if familiar relationship in the otherwise insular world of the Senate .
One that ’ s often infuriating but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the dynamic between the democratic socialist from Vermont , who never officially joined the Democratic Party , and the senators he spends his days with in Washington as he wages a revolution for the presidency .
Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Ill. , the assistant party leader , said what voters expect from Sanders on the campaign trail is “ verbatim exact ” with what senators have heard for the past decade in the Senate .
“ That ’ s the one thing that stands out when it comes to Bernie : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of why he ’ s here and what he wants to achieve , ” Durbin said .
“ I think that ’ s part of his appeal -- particularly to young people who like this kind of commitment , constancy of purpose.
” His has been an approach that has stuck to fixed positions and yielded mixed results .
Sanders ’ legislative achievements are notable but few .
He holds a seat at the party leadership table , but so do many others .
The compromises he has struck — on “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — are not the revolutionary kind that wow the campaign trail but more incremental changes .
He has a grumpy , blunt persona , which longtime colleagues have come to expect .
For Democrats straining to unseat President Donald Trump , retain majority control of the House and win back the Senate , the prospect of Sanders at the top of the ticket has gone from a curiosity to a code-red reality check .
His liberal proposals for “ Medicare for All , ” free college and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ’ s Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abounds : Will the Sanders brand of liberalism tap a new strain of energized Americans to the polls or repel the very voters Democrats need to seize power ?
Would Sanders at the top of the ticket help or hurt Democrats in the Senate ?
“ I don ’ t know the answer to that , ” Durbin said .
Sanders arrived in Washington as a congressman , serving 15 years in the House before sweeping into the Senate on the 2006 election that delivered Democrats the majority .
He has always been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a philosophy beyond where most Democrats stand politically .
He ’ s not quite an outsider , like Ted Cruz or Rand Paul , who were Washington unknowns when they riled their Republican colleagues with tactics that left them alienated at times with few friends .
But as Sanders strides through the halls , grunting curmudgeonly responses to greetings , his white hair flying about , he is definitely an outlier , albeit one now closing in on the party ’ s nomination .
His rivals , including some of his fellow senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn the revolution into governance .
They scoff at his legislative record and question what he has to show for his time in office .
“ Bernie , in fact , hasn ’ t passed much of anything , ” charged former Vice-President Joe Biden , himself a former senator , at last week ’ s debate .
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar boasts of the 100 bills she has marshalled into law .
Even Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , a Sanders ally , declared on the debate stage that she would make the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Sanders sponsored 678 pieces of legislation in the Senate , and only two bills became law , one renaming a Vermont post office after Reconstruction-era congressional leader Thaddeus Stevens .
But that ’ s not the full story of Sanders ’ legislative record .
Sanders ’ signature achievements are not necessarily campaign slogans .
He secured Community Health Center provisions in the Affordable Care Act as a compromise , of sorts , after having tried unsuccessfully to include a Medicare-like public option for consumers who buy their own health insurance .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his perch as chairman of the veterans committee to pass the veterans ’ choice bill into law , a congressional response to the wait crisis at the Veterans Affairs facilities that enabled veterans to see private health care providers .
Last year , Trump vetoed legislation to end the U.S. role in the Saudi-led war in Yemen , yet it remains a watershed moment as Congress for the first time invoked its authority under war powers to put a check on the White House .
Sanders was a leader on the bill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try to halt military action in Iran .
Allies say Sanders is pushing the party toward policies many Democrats support in their hearts , if not on paper , and his accomplishments show how outside activism can yield results inside the Capitol — an outsiders ’ insider .
Senators say he is simply acting as they would expect .
“ He actually truly believes in what he advocates , ” said Montana Sen. Jon Tester , a former campaign chairman for Senate Democrats .
“ It would not have been my choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anybody ’ s name at the top of the ticket .
But he did it because he believes in it.
” Asked last week if Sanders would be easier for Trump and Republicans to beat , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell demurred .
“ I think Republicans speculating about which Democratic candidate will be easiest to beat would be a bit foolish , ” the Kentucky Republican said .
“ I ’ ll leave it up to the Democrats to pick.
” One of Sanders ’ breakout moments came in December 2010 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approve an extension of expiring George W. Bush-era tax cuts , including those for wealthier Americans .
Democrats were smarting after midterm election losses that delivered the tea party Republicans to the House .
Sanders strode onto the Senate floor and delivered “ The Speech , ” as it would later be reprinted as a book title , an hourslong lecture on income inequality and the struggles of working-class Americans that resonates today on the campaign trail .
He cruised to reelection in Vermont with 71 % of the vote in 2012 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most favoured incumbents .
From there , he would launch his failed 2016 presidential run — and a movement .
Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer counts Sanders as a friend .
They share an alma mater , James Madison High School in Brooklyn — Sanders running track , Schumer playing basketball — and quick , blunt New York dialect .
Schumer would invite the new senator out for plates of Chinese food at Hunan Dynasty , a Hill landmark , and brought Sanders into his widening leadership team after the 2016 election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeal Obamacare , Schumer called on Sanders to galvanize opposition across the country , according to a person familiar with their relationship but unauthorized to discuss it who spoke on the condition of anonymity .
Schumer and Sanders stood together at the Obamacare event in Michigan , the insider relying on the outsider to change the dynamics under the dome .
Key Republicans helped turn back the bill that summer , a stunning defeat for Trump and McConnell .
One former Trump rival , Florida Sen. Marco Rubio , a 2016 GOP presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what Sanders is proposing , particularly his affinity with Cuba .
But he likes Sanders — they worked together on a veterans bill — and knows his resume is broader than a list of bills passed .
“ I just don ’ t think that ’ s what people are voting on this election , ” Rubio said .
“ We ’ re experiencing what by all accounts should be a time of happiness -- our economy ’ s growing , wages are climbing , economic growth is significant — yet everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so you ’ ve found an expression of that in this campaign.
” Of Sanders , he said : “ He ’ s the most unorthodox person in the race , and we ’ re in an era that doesn ’ t reward orthodoxy.
” Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Merkel seeks to reassure migrant groups after racist attacks

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel met representatives of migrant groups Monday to reassure them that her government takes the @ @ @ @ @ several attacks by far-right extremists in recent months .
A 43-year-old German man shot dead @ @ @ @ @ in the Frankfurt suburb of Hanau last month .
Merkel said her government had already @ @ @ @ @ following last year ’ s shooting at a synagogue in Halle and “ we hope @ @ @ @ @ effect.
” But she added that “ this doesn ’ t change the way you @ @ @ @ @ wanted to hear from migrant groups what else the government can do to reassure “ @ @ @ @ @ regardless of their skin colour or faith ” that their fundamental rights will be protected @ @ @ @ @ Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up @ @ @ @ @ today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Virus kills member of council advising Iran’s supreme leader

TEHRAN , Iran - A member of a council that advises Iran ’ s supreme leader died Monday after falling sick from the new coronavirus , state radio reported , becoming the first top official to succumb to the illness that is affecting members of the Islamic Republic ’ s leadership .
The death of Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi came as Iran announced the virus had killed 66 people among 1,501 confirmed cases in the country .
Iran has the highest death toll in the world after China , the epicenter of the outbreak .
Mirmohammadi died at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state radio said .
He was 71 .
The council advises Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , as well as settles disputes between the top cleric and parliament .
His death comes as other top officials have contracted the virus in Iran .
Those sick include Vice-President Masoumeh Ebtekar , better known as “ Sister Mary , ” the English-speaking spokeswoman for the students who seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and sparked the 444-day hostage crisis , state media reported .
Also sick is Iraj Harirchi , the head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus who tried to downplay the virus before falling ill. Iran has reported 978 confirmed cases of the new virus with 54 deaths from the illness it causes , called COVID-19 .
Across the wider Mideast , there are over 1,150 cases of the new coronavirus , the majority of which are linked back to Iran .
Experts worry Iran ’ s percentage of deaths to infections , around 5.5 % , is much higher than other countries , suggesting the number of infections in Iran may be much higher than current figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , himself addressing journalists by teleconference over concerns about the virus , acknowledged the challenges remaining for the Islamic Republic .
“ We will have two difficult weeks ahead , ” he said .
Trying to stem the outbreak of the new coronavirus , Iran also on Monday held an online-only briefing by its Foreign Ministry .
China as well has held similar teleconference briefings .
Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi opened the online news conference addressing the outbreak , dismissing an offer of help for Iran by U.S. Secretary of State Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen some of the worst tensions since its 1979 Islamic Revolution in recent months , culminating in the American drone strike that killed a top Iranian general in Baghdad and a subsequent Iranian ballistic missile counterattack against U.S. forces .
“ We neither count on such help nor are we ready to accept verbal help , ” Mousavi said .
He added Iran has always been “ suspicious ” about America ’ s intentions and accused the U.S. government of trying to weaken Iranians ’ spirits over the outbreak .
Judiciary chief Ebrahim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical supplies for profit in the country , urging prosecutors to show “ no mercy for hoarders.
” “ Hoarding sanitizing items is playing with people ’ s lives and it is not ignorable , ” Raisi said .
Raisi also urged officials to grant “ maximum ” leave to prisoners .
Activists have raised concern about the spread of the new coronavirus in Iran ’ s prisons .
The British Embassy meanwhile has begun evacuations over the virus .
“ Essential staff needed to continue critical work will remain , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event that the situation deteriorates further , the ability of the British Embassy to provide assistance to British nationals from within Iran may be limited.
” While Iran has closed schools and universities to stop the spread of the virus , major Shiite shrines have remained open despite civilian authorities calling for them to be closed .
The holy cities of Mashhad and Qom in particular , both home to shrines , have been hard-hit by the virus .
Shiites often touch and kiss shrines as a sign of their faith .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ disinfectants .
Police have arrested one man who posted a video showing himself licking the metal enclosing the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad , the most-important Shiite saint buried in the country , according to reports by semiofficial news agencies .
In the video , the man said he licked the metal to “ allow others to visit the shrine with peace of mind.
” Meanwhile Monday , the virus outbreak saw itself dragged into the yearslong boycott of Qatar by four Arab nations over a political dispute .
A prominent columnist at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter falsely described the virus as being a plot by Qatar to hurt the upcoming Expo 2020 world ’ s fair in Dubai and Saudi Arabia .
Noura al-Moteari later described the tweet as “ satire “ to The Associated Press after it gained widespread attention .
The Dubai Media Office similarly described the tweet as being written in a “ cynical style ” while distancing the Arabic-language daily from al-Moteari .
“ Noura is a freelance writer and is not an employee of Al-Bayan nor does she represent the publication ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That being said , this has no relevance to any social media policy being practiced by the publication nor the state.
” The tweet comes after Qatar expressed disappointment Sunday that nearly all of its Gulf neighbours snubbed invitations to attend the weekend peace signing ceremony between the U.S. and the Taliban .

Nasser Karimi And Jon Gambrell - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--China pledges support for US-Taliban peace agreement

BEIJING - China on Monday pledged its support for the U.S.-Taliban peace agreement in Afghanistan and called for the “ orderly and responsible “ withdrawal of foreign troops to avoid a power vacuum and possible terrorist resurgence .
Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the reconciliation process should be “ Afghan-led and Afghan-owned , “ despite the Taliban ’ s refusal thus far to negotiate directly with Afghanistan ’ s elected government .
China shares a narrow border with Afghanistan and is wary of crime and violence spilling over into its volatile Xinjiang region , which is on a virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China has also provided aid to the Afghan government and is seeking to profit by helping develop the country ’ s deposits of copper and other minerals .
China ’ s desire for stability and concerns about the spread of extremism are partly at odds with its desire to see its chief rival , the United States , leave the region , which it considers part of its sphere of influence .
As a result , it has sought to build influence with both the government in Kabul and the Taliban .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Taliban and believe it is of a positive significance for the final political resolution of the Afghan issue , “ Zhao said .
“ China believes that foreign troops stationed in Afghanistan should be withdrawn in an orderly and responsible way , which will ensure a steady transition in the Afghan situation , avoid a security vacuum , and leave no chance to terrorist organizations strengthening themselves.
“ Zhao said China was willing to “ continue to be a supporter , mediator and facilitator of the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties with Afghanistan ’ s successive governments since the toppling of the Taliban government by the U.S. more than 18 years ago .
The U.S. on Saturday signed a peace agreement with the insurgents to end the costly war and bring American troops home , opening the way for the first negotiations between the militants and the troubled Afghan government , which is dependent on U.S. and other foreign backing .
The agreement envisions Afghan government representatives at the negotiating table with the Taliban , but only in the role of ordinary Afghans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taliban cutting ties with terrorist groups such as al-Qaida , something it ’ s unclear the militants are willing or able to do .


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Egypt sentences 37 to death including top militant leader

CAIRO - An Egyptian court on Monday sentenced to death 37 defendants , including one of the country ’ s most high-profile militants , following their conviction of terrorism-related charges .
The Cairo Criminal Court said the defendants were charged with belonging to a local affiliate of the Islamic State group spearheading an insurgency in Egypt ’ s Sinai Peninsula .
Among those sentenced to death was Hisham el-Ashmawi .
The militant leader is a former army officer and was captured in Libya late in 2018 by forces loyal to Libyan Gen. Khalifa Hifter , a close ally of Egypt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to death in November for his participation in scores of attacks on government targets .
Egypt has been fighting for years militants in the restive northern Sinai area and the vast Western Desert .
The men are among more than 200 defendants accused of carrying out more than 50 militant attacks that included killing high-ranking police officers and bombings that targeted the Egyptian capital ’ s police headquarters .
The charges include a 2013 assassination attempt on the Egyptian interior minister .
The court also sentenced 61 defendants to life in prison , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 to 5 years in prison .
Monday ’ s verdict can be appealed before a higher court .
For years , Egypt ’ s security forces considered el-Ashmawi the country ’ s most wanted militant for his intelligence value .
Egyptian authorities linked el-Ashmawi , who is in his 40s , to several major attacks , including devastating assaults on security forces near Egypt ’ s porous desert border with Libya .
Before he fled to Libya , el-Ashmawi helped found Ansar Beit al-Maqdis , a jihadi organization based in northern Sinai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Egyptian army in 2011 — transformed the tiny group into a well-organized guerrilla band that later inflicted painful blows on security forces in Sinai .
Beit al-Maqdis swore allegiance to the extremist Islamic State group in November 2014 and is now known as “ Welayet Sinai , ” or the province of Sinai .
El-Ashmawi did not declare his allegiance to IS , which at that time was at the peak of its power and controlled about a third of both Iraq and Syria .
In an audio recording released in 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ el-Ashmawi allied himself with the Islamic State group ’ s rival , al-Qaida , led by Egyptian militant Ayman al-Zawahri .
After fleeing to Libya , he tried to establish himself among Islamic militants and extremists in the country ’ s east .
He created al-Mourabitoun , a militant group blamed for most of the attacks in Egypt ’ s remote Western Desert , such as a 2017 ambush that killed nearly 30 Christian pilgrims on their way to a monastery .
Despite government efforts for years to contain the insurgency in Sinai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military overthrow of a freely elected but divisive Muslim Brotherhood president .
Since then , the government has granted police forces and courts sweeping powers in response to Islamic militant attacks .
Egyptian authorities have held mass trials and sentenced hundreds of people to death .
Human rights observers have repeatedly criticized such mass sentencings in Egypt and called on authorities to ensure fair trials .


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--2020 Watch: How long will Joe Biden’s moment last?

WASHINGTON - Presidential politics move fast .
What we ’ re watching heading into a new week on the 2020 campaign : The Democrats ’ 2020 nomination fight is at a crossroads .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders remains the front-runner .
And with former Vice-President Joe Biden ’ s resounding victory in South Carolina , Biden can now make a credible case that he is the strongest Sanders alternative — especially now that Pete Buttigieg is out .
But will the party ’ s moderate wing unite behind him ?
The moderate lane is still somewhat crowded even after Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg ’ s looming presence .
On the eve of Super Tuesday , we ’ re about to learn whether this truly is a two- or three-person race or if Sanders will build an insurmountable delegate lead .
Either way , this could be headed to the convention .
How long will Biden ’ s moment last ?
Biden probably had the best night of his political career Saturday in South Carolina .
He scored his first win of 2020 , which actually marked his first primary victory over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard part .
Biden has little organization , paid advertising or time to help turn the South Carolina landslide into an equally strong showing on Tuesday , when 14 states , one U.S. territory and Democrats abroad weigh in on the race .
Also standing in his way : Bloomberg , who draws from a similar pool of voters and will be on the Super Tuesday ballot as well .
How will Bloomberg ’ s billions stand up ?
At last count , Bloomberg had spent more than half a billion dollars on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot .
That investment will finally be tested on Tuesday , when a series of states representing one third of 2020 ’ s presidential delegates have the option of picking Bloomberg ’ s name .
That ’ s even as some establishment Democrats are quietly calling for him to quit the race to allow for the anti-Sanders vote to consolidate behind Biden .
Where do Buttigieg ’ s votes go ?
Buttigieg surprised everyone by suspending his campaign Sunday evening in the wake of Biden ’ s South Carolina victory and his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buttigieg earned just 3 % of the non-white vote , according to AP VoteCast .
Conventional wisdom suggests that much of the former South Bend , Indiana , mayor ’ s vote share would go to Biden , an ideological ally .
But these things are never quite so simple .
Buttigieg had definite overlap with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who drew from the same collection of educated , suburban white voters .
And of course , fellow Midwesterner Amy Klobuchar , a senator from Minnesota who barely registered in South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes .
It ’ s also fair to wonder how much support Buttigieg was poised to win as the race becomes nationalized .
Polls suggested he may have struggled to hit the 15 % threshold in several Super Tuesday states , so there may not be as much to go around as his rivals hoped .
Who gets out next ?
Even after billionaire Tom Steyer and Buttigieg ’ s weekend departure , there are still six Democrats in the race .
And four of the six have yet to finish better than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four primary contests .
For the record , that ’ s Bloomberg , Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii , Klobuchar and Warren .
History suggests most of these candidates would be out of the race by now .
If the trend holds on Super Tuesday , we could see the field down to two or three by this time next week .
Will Sanders ’ Latino support put him over the top ?
California and Texas offer by far the largest trove of delegates .
It just so happens that both states also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s good news for Sanders .
The question is how good .
Tio Bernie ( Uncle Bernie in Spanish ) dominated the Nevada caucuses last week on the backs of the Hispanic vote .
If Hispanic voters stick by Sanders on Tuesday in the two states that matter most , he could build an insurmountable delegate lead .
President Donald Trump insists that there ’ s no reason to panic about the coronavirus , yet the public health threat — and the related Wall Street slump — creates a high-stakes leadership test just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Few issues will matter more to voters this year than their health and the economy .
That creates incredible pressure on Trump to get this situation right .
Buttigieg ’ s abrupt departure was a surprise .
And it marks a big step forward in Biden ’ s fight to emerge as the leading Sanders alternative .
But as long as Bloomberg stays in , Biden ’ s comeback is far from certain .
2020 Watch runs every Monday and provides a look at the week ahead in the 2020 election .
Catch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--India’s riot toll rises to 46 as capital remains on edge

NEW DELHI - The death toll in India ’ s capital from riots last week between Hindus and Muslims rose to 46 , officials said Monday , a day after false rumours of new violence led to panicked calls to police in many parts of the city .
The riots in New Delhi began over a disputed new citizenship law , which led to clashes in which hundreds were injured and houses , shops , mosques , schools and vehicles were set on fire .
Tensions between Hindu hard-liners and Muslims protesting the Hindu-first policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months when the violence exploded a week ago Sunday , the eve of U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s state visit to India .
Apart from a single tweet after the riots had almost ended , Modi has been publicly silent on the violence .
His powerful home minister , Amit Shah , has accused opposition parties of inciting the riots by spreading misinformation about the citizenship law , which fast-tracks naturalization for religious minorities from several neighbouring countries but not Muslims .
The rumours spreading on Sunday included reports of armed groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and houses being set on fire .
The panic subsided when police reached out to both Hindu and Muslim religious leaders and asked them to help maintain calm in their neighbourhoods .
Police also issued statements and some lawmakers took to the streets to reassure people that the situation was normal .
On Monday , India ’ s top court agreed to hear cases filed by riot victims accusing leaders of Modi ’ s Bharatiya Janata Party of hate speech .
Some of the victims accuse Kapil Mishra , a local leader of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delhi state assembly seat in recent elections , of stoking the violence .
Mishra had demanded at a rally that police shut down a Muslim-led protest in the city or else he and his followers would do it themselves .
Hours later , Hindus and Muslims fought each other with guns and swords , metal rods and axes , leaving the streets where the rioting occurred resembling a war zone .
The violence had largely subsided by Wednesday , but the Indian capital has remained on edge .
Most of the dead and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their homes in fear .
The main opposition Congress party on Monday demanded that Home Minister Shah resign .
Shah controls the city ’ s police force , which has been accused of aiding Hindu mobs in the clashes .
Police have denied the allegations .
Senior Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi protested near Parliament as party supporters demonstrated on the streets outside .
Many were detained by police after they burned an effigy of Shah .
Authorities are yet to provide an official account of what sparked the violence .
Police spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated questions about how many of the hundreds of people detained in the riots had been charged .
The violence is the latest in a long line of communal clashes that date to the British partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947 , when the country was split into secular , Hindu-majority India and the Islamic state of Pakistan .


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--People with albinism issued with protective alarms in Malawi

BLANTYRE , Malawi - On a sunny February day , Catherine Amidu looked downcast .
The protective alarm she received in October had not been working for close to two weeks , she said .
The 17-year-old with albinism survived an attempt on her life in 2017 when unknown attackers whisked her from her Malawi home in the middle of the night but quickly abandoned her when villagers intervened .
She now sees the new keychain-like alarm as the best way to alert others in case of another attack .
“ Without it , it means I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ What will I do when the people return to finish what they started ?
” People with albinism in several African countries live in fear of being abducted and killed because of the widespread but mistaken belief that their body parts carry special powers .
Because of the superstition surrounding people with albinism , their body parts can be sold for thousands of dollars .
Amidu ’ s home district of Machinga has more people with albinism than anywhere else in Malawi , with over 3,000 .
The southern African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ albinism , representing 0.8 % of the total population , according to the national statistics office in 2018 .
The vulnerability of people with albinism is compounded by poverty and superstition .
Since 2014 , at least 26 people with albinism in Malawi have been killed while 11 remain missing , according to the national Association of Persons with Albinism .
On Feb. 24 , the United Nations office in Malawi condemned a new attack in which a 92-year-old woman with albinism was assaulted by people who cut off two of her toes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such attacks and killings during election tensions last year .
At the request of the Association of Persons with Albinism , President Peter Mutharika last year appointed a commission of inquiry to investigate the abductions and killings .
Its results have not yet been released .
To help address the concerns , the Malawi Police Service in September began distributing personal security alarms .
Authorities say the sound the alarm produces when a pin is pulled alerts people in nearby neighbourhoods to assist whenever a person with albinism is in danger .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distributed to people with albinism , Malawi ’ s finance minister , Joseph Mwanamvekha , told parliament on Feb. 21 .
Catherine ’ s mother , Chrissy Stephano , said the alarms offer hope but shortcomings exist .
She said her daughter is lucky that the local chapter of the Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi managed to bring her a spare gadget about two weeks after the original one failed .
“ One time , the alarm ran out of batteries and I took it to police for charging , only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same day .
The problem is that it does not have any accessories like an electric charger one can use to recharge , ” Stephano said .
Mercy Mleme , secretary of the local chapter of the Association of Persons with Albinism , acknowledged the problems .
“ Being a rural area , we do not have electricity .
Even in a case where we had power , most persons with albinism live in the remotest of areas and can not manage to charge their gadgets , ” Mleme said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves because the alarms do not provide enough security .
We also have told them to walk with company and in groups made up of people they rely and trust.
” In a low-tech alternative to the alarms , the association has encouraged people with albinism to buy whistles to help alert neighbours in case of emergency .
Abdulrazak Baison , chairman of the association ’ s chapter in Machinga , said they were sidelined when the personal alarms were handed out .
“ We can not even say how many alarms have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them without involving us , ” he said .
He warned that some people were putting too much faith in the alarms and encouraged them to maintain any previous security measures .
“ Those that had people accompanying them in their houses for security at night should not stop because they have received alarms .
The community surrounding the house of a person with albinism should always be alert , ” Baison said .
Inspector Chance Chifumbi , the community policing officer for Malawi ’ s southern region , said access to batteries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem .
“ Apart from sounding the alarm , they also are supposed to flash the light wherever they are hiding so that people notice where they are , ” she said .
“ Instead of using it for the intended purpose , they are using the flashlight to light up their houses due to poverty .
They are no longer buying candles and paraffin to light their homes , but use the flashlights on the alarms .
This generally reduces the life of the batteries and affects the gadget ’ s durability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have run out of power.
” In an effort to provide further security for children with albinism , the Association of Persons with Albinism has been helping to send them to boarding schools by finding donors to pay for their school fees .
The government is also sponsoring almost 90 students with albinism , the finance minister told parliament .
In addition , the government plans to build a house for people with albinism in each of Malawi ’ s 193 constituencies .
As of February , Nsanjama Private Primary School in Zomba @ @ @ @ @ @ @ albinism .
“ Security is much better here at school compared to the situation I left at home , ” said 14-year-old Chisomo Mina Godfrey , one of the students .
“ I would like to be a lawyer so that I can represent persons with albinism in court , considering the challenges they face .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--France’s Louvre stays shut amid staff fears of virus spread

PARIS - The Louvre Museum was closed again Monday as management was meeting with staff worried about the spread of the new virus in the world ’ s most-visited museum .
Most of the Louvre ’ s 9.6 million visitors last year came from other countries , and the museum that houses the Mona Lisa and other treasures welcomes tens of thousands of people every day .
The French government has banned any indoor gatherings larger than 5,000 people to prevent the spread of the virus , and Louvre workers worried about their own safety blocked the museum from opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours in hopes of getting in .
A Louvre official said a meeting was under way Monday morning with staff representatives , one of several meetings to be held throughout the day to determine the next steps .
It was unclear if the museum would open later in the day .
France has reported 130 cases of the virus , and more than half of France ’ s regions now have at least one case .
Workers have asked for masks and health checks on visitors .
Union representative Christian Galani questioned why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new ban on large indoor gatherings , telling The AP , “ You will easily admit that the Louvre Museum is a confined space and that it receives more than 5,000 people a day.
” Culture Minister Franck Riester argued on France-Info radio that Louvre visitors move from room to room , which doesn ’ t present the same risk as a closed concert hall , for example .
Follow other AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Q&A: What’s next for the Tokyo Olympics as virus spreads?

TOKYO - The spreading virus from China has been reported in more than 60 countries and puts the Tokyo Olympics at risk .
The Olympics are to open on July 24 — less than five months away .
The Paralympics follow on Aug. 25 .
IOC President Thomas Bach , in an interview last week limited to Japanese media , said the “ IOC is fully committed to have the opening ceremony there on July 24th in Tokyo.
” He declined to speculate about a postponement , cancellation , or any combination of those possibilities .
Bach told the Japanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to add fuel to the flames of speculation there in any way.
” An Irish bookmaker last week began taking bets : 4/6 the opening ceremony will not go ahead in Tokyo as scheduled , or 11/10 that it will .
In gambling terms , that means it ’ s slightly above 50-50 that it will .
Senior IOC member Dick Pound last week suggested Tokyo and the IOC had roughly until the end of May to announce a decision .
Pound , a former International Olympic Committee vice-president , said there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks were nearly constant with the World Health Organization .
He has characterized the virus as the “ elephant ” in the room , likening the fight against it to “ the new war.
” “ You just don ’ t postpone something on the size and scale of the Olympics , ” Pound told the Associated Press .
“ There are so many moving parts ; so many countries , so many different seasons and competitive seasons , television seasons .
You can ’ t say : ‘ We ’ ll do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big , big , big decision and you just can ’ t take it until you have all the reliable facts on which to base it.
” The virus has caused more than 3,000 deaths , the vast majority in China .
Japan has reported 12 deaths with almost 1,000 cases .
Q : WHAT ’ S THE NEXT THING TO WATCH ?
A : Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto is holding a teleconference on Wednesday with the IOC executive board in Switzerland .
The 14-member board along with Bach made the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the torch relay , which is set to open March 26 in Fukushima prefecture , northeast of Tokyo .
The event is heavily sponsored by Coca-Cola and Toyota .
It might face crowd limits the way Sunday ’ s Tokyo Marathon did .
Preseason baseball games are being played in empty stadiums , soccer ’ s J-League has suspended play , and a large Sumo event will be held without fans .
Training for Tokyo ’ s 80,000 unpaid volunteers has been postponed until at least May .
A month ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by the spread of the virus .
He has become more cautious with his words since then .
Q : WHAT ’ S UP WITH THE TEST EVENTS ?
A : There are 18 remaining test events .
Many are small and involve only Japanese athletes , a chance for organizers to test venues and logistics .
Two in the next several weeks are planned to have non-Japanese attending : Paralympic wheelchair rugby on March 12-15 , and a gymnastics meet on April 4-6 .
They ’ ll be watched to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be put in place , although many don ’ t call for fans in the first place .
Officials announced on Monday that an Olympic baseball qualifying event was postponed from April to June .
It will be held in Taiwan as scheduled , but on June 17-21 instead of April 1-5 .
The World Baseball Softball Conference said it was because of “ player , personnel and spectator health and safety measures against the spread of the coronavirus.
” Olympic qualifiers have been moved from China .
Bach said that many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China and training elsewhere : the table tennis team is in Qatar , the women ’ s basketball team is in Croatia , and wrestlers are in Serbia .
“ We have managed to move qualification competitions and tournaments within weeks from China to other countries where the safety of the athletes could be ensured , “ Bach said .
Q : IOC MEMBER POUND MENTIONED LATE MAY AS A DEADLINE .
IS THAT FIRM ?
A : Pound is a senior IOC member .
But he was speaking as a rank-and-file member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deadline to decide on Tokyo ’ s future .
The call will be made by the IOC executive board , the WHO , and local organizers..
It seems reasonable that a decision will have to be made with two months to go .
The Olympics have thousands of moving parts .
Sponsors who have paid billions must activate ad programs .
More than 11,000 Olympic athletes and 4,400 for the Paralympics have to know their training schedules .
Add to that : flights , hotel reservations , catering , ticketing , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IOC ’ s income of $ 5.7 billion in a four-year cycle is from broadcast rights .
Tokyo is officially spending $ 12.6 billion to organize the Olympics , although a national audit board says it ’ s twice that much .
Pound said all of the alternatives had major drawbacks : pushing the start back a few months , postponing until 2021 , moving events to scattered venues or another city , or an outright cancellation .
The modern Olympics dating from 1896 have been cancelled three times during the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1976 , 1980 and 1984 .
Q : WHAT IS THE MOOD IN JAPAN ?
A : It ’ s uncertain and stressful , prompting some fear and hoarding in shops .
On the other hand , daily life seems about normal , perhaps with fewer commuters on Tokyo ’ s trains and more people wearing masks .
The government has asked all schools to close for more than a month .
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been criticized for getting started late fighting the virus .
He announced a 270 billion yen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid package on Saturday .
He said the country was at a critical juncture to determine whether it can keep the outbreak under control ahead of the Olympics .
“ Frankly speaking , this battle can not be won solely by the efforts of the government , ” Abe said .
“ We can not do it without understanding and co-operation from every one of you , including medical institutions , families , companies and local governments .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Syrian troops retake key northwestern town from rebel forces

BEIRUT - Syrian government forces and their allies retook early Monday a key northwestern town days after losing it to rebel forces , pro-government media and an opposition war monitor said .
The town ’ s recapture comes after escalating and direct clashes between Syrian and Turkish forces that could signal a new stage in the war .
Turkey backs fighters in Syria ’ s Idlib province , where the last remaining rebel forces in the country are holed up , and has sent thousands of troops into the area .
The fighting has also sparked one of the war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost one million Syrian civilians fleeing toward the sealed Turkish border .
Syrian activists said Turkish drone strikes killed more than 90 Syrian government forces and allied fighters .
Turkey has lost 54 soldiers in February , including 33 killed Thursday in a single airstrike .
Outraged , Turkey ’ s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his country ’ s European borders were open Saturday for thousands of migrants and refugees as he sought to pressure Europe to help Turkey handle the fallout from the war in Syria .
The new gains at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last segment of a highway that links the capital Damascus and the major northern city of Aleppo under government control .
The highway was reopened late last month before insurgents seized Saraqeb , which sits on the highway , last week .
On Sunday , Turkish troops shot down two Syrian warplanes after the Syrian military downed a Turkish drone , a major escalation in the direct conflict between Syrian and Turkish forces .
The government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media said Syrian troops and their allies regained control of Saraqeb after fighting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Human Rights said troops captured the town under the cover of airstrikes by the Russian air force .
Syrian government forces have captured dozens of villages since they launched a Russian-backed offensive in Idlib in early December leaving hundreds of civilians dead and displacing more than 950,000 triggering a humanitarian crisis .
Amid the rising tensions bewteen Turkey and Russia ’ s ally Syria , Turkish broadcasters reported that Erdogan would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on March 5 .
The trip was later confirmed in a message to journalists @


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Dutch terror trial starting for deadly Utrecht tram shooting

UTRECHT , Netherlands - A terrorism trial starts Monday for a Dutch man of Turkish descent who allegedly opened fire on a tram in the central city of Utrecht last year , killing four people .
Prosecutors have charged Gokmen Tanis with four counts of murder with terrorist intent and three counts of attempted murder as well as making a terrorist threat against 17 people over his alleged role in the shooting spree on March 18 , 2019 .
He faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if convicted .
The attack on a public transport network shocked the Netherlands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terror attacks that have hit nearby nations Belgium and France .
The Dutch terror threat level in Utrecht was briefly raised to the highest level and people were warned to stay indoors as police swarmed through the city hunting down the shooter .
Tanis was arrested in Utrecht the same day as the shooting .
Prosecutors said last year that Tanis left a hand-written note in a getaway car that said in Dutch : “ I ’ m doing this for my religion .
You kill Muslims and you want to take our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t succeed .
Allah is great.
” Prosecutors say Tanis , who acted alone , confessed last year .
He was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation ahead of his trial .
Prosecutors last year described Tanis as a repeat offender , a drug user and “ difficult person , ” but said their previous investigations had not uncovered evidence he was plotting a terror attack .
The trial is scheduled to run for four days this week .


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Numerous weapons found after UPS worker threatened shooting

SUNNYVALE , Calif. - A UPS worker suspected of threatening a mass shooting at the company ’ s facility in Silicon Valley has been arrested after investigators found numerous firearm and ammunition at his home , police said Monday .
Thomas Andrews , 32 , surrendered late Sunday after leading officers on a brief car pursuit on U.S. 101 , Sunnyvale police Capt .
Dan Pistor said .
Authorities began searching for him a few hours earlier when someone reported that he sent threatening text messages to his employer at the United Parcel Service facility in Sunnyvale , “ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ text messages , ” Pistor said .
“ I definitely think we avoided a tragedy.
” When officers on patrol spotted Andrews ’ car , they tried to pull him over but he didn ’ t comply .
The suspect kept driving for several miles on U.S. 101 before stopping in San Jose , Pistor said .
“ Initially he indicated he wanted to fight with the officers , but then he surrendered without injury , ” Pistor said .
Detectives who searched Andrews ’ apartment in Sunnyvale found 20,000 rounds of ammunition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , three handguns and body armour .
Several backpacks containing ammunition were found by the front door , Pistor said .
Andrews was booked for investigation of making criminal threats , evading police , driving under the influence and several counts of weapons violations .
It ’ s not immediately known whether he has an attorney who could speak for him .
Investigators were trying to determine how Andrews obtained the weapons .
Pistor said Andrews was upset at his employer , but he didn ’ t know the specifics of his grievances @


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--Reordered Democratic field to test Sanders in California

LOS ANGELES - Four years after a bitter loss in California ’ s presidential primary , Bernie Sanders is banking on a comeback that could be a capstone moment for the state ’ s progressive wing .
Sanders declared that “ the struggle continues ” on the night of his 2016 loss in California to eventual nominee Hillary Clinton .
He returns in 2020 as the leading Democratic candidate , with a string of recent polls showing him having a wide advantage over rivals in the state that delivers the primary season ’ s biggest payload of delegates .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he tallied 46 per cent of the vote here in his losing 2016 run .
But Sanders ’ is also facing unpredictable factors , not least of which is who actually votes .
Some of Sanders ’ strongest supporters , including young people and Hispanics , tend to be among the least reliable voters and they are trailing other groups in mail-in ballots returned so far .
At the same time , moderate Democrats are clearing the field for South Carolina primary winner Joe Biden in an urgent attempt to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democratic socialist who centrists fear could doom the party in November .
Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg are backing Biden after ending their campaigns .
California billionaire Tom Steyer exited the race Saturday .
State election rules intended to increase participation make it likely that ballot-counting could continue for weeks in close contests .
Another unknown : untested former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg , who has spent tens of millions of dollars in advertising in the most populous state , is on the ballot for the first time on Super Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with presidential contests .
Four years ago , many Sanders supporters were dejected after his defeat and suspicious of an election process they believe tilted unfairly to Clinton .
But his sprawling volunteer corps regrouped , and a candidate once considered on the political fringe has this year accumulated more delegates than any other Democrat so far .
“ We were so mistreated at the ( 2016 Democratic ) convention , for him to win California , it would basically thrill us , ” said Michael Thaller , a former chair of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and longtime Sanders supporter .
The swift reordering of the Democratic contest could provide an opening for Biden , who has been lagging in state polls .
And he might have another hidden advantage : California prides itself on being the birthplace of the next great thing , but in politics , its voters sometimes look backward and favour the familiar .
For example , in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary , California delivered a comfortable victory for Clinton , who eventually lost the nomination to Barack Obama .
Sanders has long considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he capped the California primary campaign with a pair of large rallies Sunday in San Jose and Los Angeles .
But his rivals are looking for delegates , too .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is expected to speak Monday in a heavily Hispanic neighbourhood near Los Angeles , and Biden planned to be back Tuesday .
President Donald Trump , who lost California by over 4 million votes in 2016 , faces only token opposition Tuesday .
Meanwhile , congressional and legislative candidates fanned out pursuing votes , including in a series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play into control of Congress .
It ’ s possible the primary could attract about half of the state ’ s nearly 21 million registered voters .
Early voting began in February , and about 22 per cent of 16 million mail-in ballots had been returned as of Monday , according to nonpartisan Political Data Inc .
Anyone who already voted for Klobuchar , Buttigieg or Steyer can ’ t change their vote .
The long-running tension between the Democratic Party ’ s progressive wing and its centre-left establishment has defined the presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years in many races in California .
A Sanders victory would signal a continuing shift to the political left in which voters embrace his “ revolution ” that includes tuition-free college , breaking up big banks and revamping an economy that has produced a yawning divide between the very wealthy and workaday Americans .
Sanders has made inroads with people of colour , especially Hispanics , said Sanders pollster Ben Tulchin .
In Nevada , support from Latinos , black people and union members , among others , helped him handily win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together a multiracial , diverse coalition that is putting Bernie in a strong position ” to win California and a trove of delegates , Tulchin said .
California has more than 400 delegates on the line , the most of any state , which are partly divvied up in what amounts to 53 separate elections in congressional districts .
A candidate must win 15 per cent of the vote in a district to qualify for at least one delegate .
Sanders has pushed back against suggestions that his agenda is pulling the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t think so , I honestly don ’ t , ” the Vermont senator told California Democrats at a convention last year .
Progressive activist and Sanders supporter Joe Macaluso said the senator ’ s strong standing in the state was the culmination of years of political organizing .
The result : a broad grassroots movement that ’ s battle-tested from the 2016 campaign .
“ This is group of experienced activists and organizers in California that ... money can ’ t buy , ” Macaluso said .


thetorontostar--2020-03-02--UN envoy for Libya resigns as truce appears to crumble

CAIRO - The U.N. envoy for Libya announced his resignation on Monday , as a fragile cease-fire in the North African country continued to crumble .
Ghassan Salame tweeted he was stepping down as special representative for Libya because of his health .
Salame was appointed in July 2017 , and had recently been mediating three-tiered talks between Libya ’ s warring sides on economic , political and military tracks .
His goal had been to end the violence and troubles that have wracked oil-rich Libya since 2011 , when an international military coalition helped rebels overthrow longtime autocrat Moammar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 69 , said he had tried to “ unify the Libyans , curb foreign interference and protect the country ’ s integrity.
” “ My health no longer allows this rate of stress , ” he said , adding that he had asked U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to relieve him of his post .
Salame ’ s resignation came as a surprise to many U.N. Security Council members who was expected to brief members next week .
“ It ’ s a pity , “ said Russia ’ s deputy U.N. ambassador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a well-placed person with great experiences but we need to learn the details.
” China ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Zhang Jun , the current Security Council president , said : “ We do appreciate the efforts he has made in promoting a peace process , a political process , and in bringing an end to the conflict there .
But we also know there are many difficulties.
“ Last month , the council endorsed a 55-point road map to end the war in Libya that 12 key leaders agreed to at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zhang said the U.N. should remain committed to supporting a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned peace process “ and trying to stop outside interference.
“ Guterres praised Salame ’ s efforts and would discuss “ the way to ensure a smooth transition so as not to lose any momentum on the gains that have been made , “ said U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric .
Salame resigned amid an escalation in fighting in Libya , and just days after he announced the near breakdown of a shaky truce between the country ’ s two rival governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s east and south , while a U.N.-backed but weak administration holds a shrinking area of the west , including the capital Tripoli .
A patchwork of armed groups and foreign countries support either side .
The Tripoli administration is backed by Turkey , and to a lesser degree , Qatar and Italy .
Hifter on the other side receives backing from the United Arab Emirates and Egypt , as well as France and Russia .
Salame ’ s stint was affected by relentless bouts of Libyan fighting , said Jelal Harchaoui @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute of International Relations , “ Salame is a credible and talented diplomat , but it in the end , the role of UN special envoy can not and won ’ t achieve any tangible progress as long as foreign states remain so brazenly disingenuous vis-à-vis the UN as an institution , ” he said .
While hosting diplomatic talks in Geneva last week , Salame had exposed a rift within the delegations representing the Tripoli government and the eastern-based government , which is allied with ex-general Khalifa Hifter .
Salame revealed Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from both sides ” had walked away from the table .
Hifter ’ s forces have been waging an offensive to wrest control of the capital since April .
The fighting for Tripoli has ground down to a stalemate while causing hundreds of civilian casualties .
Hifter ’ s forces had shelled the capital Friday , forcing the city ’ s only functioning airport to close .
Later that day , Salame said progress in the negotiations was impossible “ when the cannon is doing what it is doing right now.
” Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Nations contributed .