thetorontostar--2020-01-30--The Latest: European plane begins evacuation trip to China

BEIJING - The Latest on the outbreak of a new virus from China ( all times local ) : A passenger plane has left Portugal en route to China to pick up about 350 Europeans from a virus-hit region .
The A380 plane took off Thursday morning from a former military airport in Beja , southeast of Lisbon .
Captain Antonios Efthymiou said it would pick up doctors and additional crew in Paris before heading to Hanoi , Vietnam , and then China .
He told Portuguese media it would bring back about 350 Europeans of various nationalities .
Efthymiou @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mission.
” He said the crew would take special medical precautions , but he did not elaborate .
Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva said the flight was co-ordinated between European Union countries and Chinese authorities .
The United States and Japan have made similar flights to evacuate their citizens from the city of Wuhan , where illnesses from a new coronavirus have been concentrated .
South Korea has confirmed two more cases of a new virus , including the first locally spread case .
The new cases reported Thursday bring South Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new coronavirus that has sickened thousands in China .
South Korea ’ s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said a 56-year-old man was infected after contacting an earlier patient .
The other new case was a 32-year-old man who returned from a business trip to the Chinese city of Wuhan , the epicenter of the outbreak , on Jan. 24 .
Both men are in isolation and undergoing treatment .
Spain ’ s national airline Iberia says it is halting its three weekly round-trip flights between Madrid and Shanghai because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement late Wednesday that the suspension would start Friday and continue through the month of February , and could be extended .
It said ticketed passengers could change their flight dates or be reimbursed .
Iberia said it would seek alternative arrangements for those passengers looking to complete booked return journeys within the suspension period .
Spanish health authorities said they were finalizing preparations to evacuate some 20 Spanish citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan , the epicenter of the virus outbreak .
They will be quarantined in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has no confirmed cases of the virus so far .
Cambodia ’ s leader has urged citizens to remain calm about the new virus from China , which has been confirmed in a single case of a visitor from Wuhan , while threatening to kick out reporters or officials seen wearing a face mask .
Prime Minister Hun Sen said in a live televised address Thursday that people should not be scared because the real illness they faced was fear , based on inaccurate information on social media .
“ The prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why should you be wearing a mask here , ” he said .
Hun Sen , who very actively posts on his own Facebook account , was critical about misinformation about the virus that had spread on that platform in Cambodia .
India ’ s health ministry says it has detected its first case of the novel coronavirus in the southern state of Kerala .
A student who had been studying at Wuhan University tested positive for the virus .
The ministry says in a statement that the student has been kept in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital .
It ’ s not clear when the student returned to India from China .
Passengers who have travelled to China recently are being screened for symptoms in at least 20 Indian airports .
The health ministry says that isolation wards have been identified in different hospitals across the country in order to prepare for a potential outbreak .
The Indian government said Wednesday that it is planning to operate two flights to evacuate Indians from Hubei in China and isolate them for 28 days in the Indian capital of New Delhi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was planning to airlift only those who don ’ t appear to have symptoms of the flu in order to minimize the risk of the infection spreading .
The Philippines has confirmed its first case of a new virus that has infected thousands in China .
Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the 38—year-old Chinese woman had travelled to the Philippines from Wuhan , China , via Hong Kong on Jan. 21 .
She sought treatment on Jan. 25 due to a mild cough .
Duque said at a news conference the woman was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently has no symptoms .
The outbreak of the new type of coronavirus surfaced in the central city of Wuhan in December .
Korean Air says it will cut or suspend some of its flights to mainland China starting on Sunday as demands decrease amid a growing coronavirus crisis .
South Korea ’ s largest airline on Thursday said it will suspend flights from Incheon International Airport to Huangshan , Zhangjiajie , Changsha and Kunming as well as flights from Busan to Beijing and Nanjing and from Jeju to Beijing .
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Incheon to Beijing , Qingdao and Shenyang and from Busan to Qingdao and Shanghai .
Korean Air had operated four flights a week to the Chinese city of Wuhan , the epicenter of the outbreak , before suspending them on Jan. 23 .
The company says flights to Wuhan will continue to be grounded at least until March 27 .
On Wednesday , Asiana Airlines , South Korea ’ s second-largest carrier , said it will suspend flights to the Chinese cities of Guilin , Changsha and Haikou starting next month .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is urging “ closer co-ordination ” with Chinese authorities to help identify people travelling from China to African nations who might have the new virus .
The statement on Wednesday came as the World Health Organization expressed concerns about “ weaknesses ” in disease surveillance and control in parts of Africa .
The Africa CDC acknowledged the problem earlier this week , saying it ’ s possible there are already cases on the continent .
No cases in Africa have been confirmed , but a growing number of suspected cases in several countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say protesters have thrown plastic water bottles and paper cups at the country ’ s vice health minister to oppose plans to quarantine Wuhan evacuees in their neighbourhood .
The rally took place Wednesday in the southern town of Jincheon , where residents protested the government plan to isolate in their neighbourhood some of the South Koreans who will be evacuated from the Chinese city at the centre of a new virus .
Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip visited the area to explain the plan .
Police said Thursday it wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrown at him .
Photos showed some protesters grabbing Kim ’ s arms while his upper jacket was partially ripped .
Officials say Kim was apparently unhurt and attended a parliamentary committee meeting on Thursday .
A Japanese official says 13 of 210 evacuees who returned from the virus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan to Tokyo had cough , fever or other health issues and are expected to be sent to designated hospitals .
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga says Japan is negotiating to evacuate some 300 more citizens and their families from Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the former regional director for the World Health Organization who now heads Japan Community Health Care Organization , said that two evacuees who tested positive for the virus without showing any symptoms could have spread the disease further .
He urged Japanese health authorities to step up surveillance measures based on that assumption .
Japan has confirmed 11 cases , including two suspected human-to-human transmissions in people who had not visited China .
New Zealand ’ s government is chartering a plane from national carrier Air New Zealand to get people home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says the plane will take up to 300 passengers .
He says officials are working through operational requirements with authorities from both countries and that the flight is still subject to approval from China .
He says any spare seats would be offered to Australian or Pacific island citizens .
New Zealand officials are preparing to isolate incoming passengers for up to two weeks .
Singapore meanwhile says it flew back 92 of its citizens from Wuhan on Thursday .


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Europe sends evacuation flight to China to bring 350 home

LISBON , Portugal - An A380 passenger plane left southern Portugal on Thursday en route to China where it will pick up hundreds of Europeans who want to escape the new virus that has put a large swath of central China in a lockdown .
The plane took off from a former military airport at Beja , 200 kilometres ( 120 miles ) southeast of Lisbon carrying just its pilots and crew .
Captain Antonios Efthymiou said the flight would go first to Paris , where it would pick up a team of doctors and extra crew , before heading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Portuguese media it would bring back about 350 Europeans .
Efthymiou described the flight as “ a humanitarian mission.
” He said the crew would take special medical precautions , but he did not elaborate .
China has reported 170 deaths from the virus and at least 7,700 infections .
More people have now been infected by this coronavirus in China than were sickened there during the 2002-2003 SARS outbreak .
In Europe , there have been 10 confirmed cases of the virus : five in France , four in Germany and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Augusto Santos Silva said the flight was co-ordinated between European Union countries and Chinese authorities .
The flight , operated by Portuguese charter company Hi Fly , used the airport in Beja because it is the only one in Portugal big enough to handle the widebody aircraft .
Meanwhile , Spain ’ s Iberia national airline said it is halting the three return flights a week it runs between Madrid and Shanghai because of the coronavirus health alert .
The company said the suspension would start Friday and continue through the month of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That followed moves to halt or reduce flights to China by other European airlines , including British Airways , Lufthansa , Austrian Airlines , Swiss , Air France and KLM .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Battle of Britain fighter pilot Paul Farnes dies at 101

LONDON - Paul Farnes , one of the last remaining Battle of Britain fighter pilots who helped protect the U.K. during World War II , has died .
He was 101 .
Farnes , who was a wing commander during the war , died at his home Tuesday , the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust said late Wednesday .
He had been the last surviving pilot who had been officially designated an “ ace ” because of the number of enemy aircraft he downed .
He was one of roughly 3,000 airmen who fought the German Luftwaffe in the skies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was vulnerable to invasion by Nazi forces .
The group was honoured by wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill who said “ never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
” Farnes was also the last remaining member of the group who was healthy enough to attend a memorial day event last year .
Farnes was “ very proud ” of his Distinguished Flying Medal , the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust said .
He was responsible for the destruction of six enemy planes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the probable destruction of another .
In 2015 , Farnes and others received spontaneous applause at a service in their honour at Westminster Abbey .
“ It was very emotional today because , when we walked out of the abbey , the audience applauded and it ’ s never happened before at the annual service and I was very moved by it , ” he said at the time .
“ It is amazing that the Battle of Britain has caught on with the public and I am very proud to have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Royal Air Force in 1958 .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Germany: nurse suspected of drugging 5 babies with morphine

BERLIN - A nurse at a German hospital has been arrested on suspicion that she administered morphine to five young babies , who were later found by staff with life-threatening breathing difficulties , officials said Thursday .
The five babies at the University Hospital in the southwestern city of Ulm all suffered breathing problems at roughly the same time early on Dec. 20 .
Hospital staff intervened quickly and officials said the children , who were between a day and a month old at the time , aren ’ t expected to suffer permanent damage to their health .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the urine of the babies and alerted police .
Investigators concluded that the powerful painkiller must have been given to them during a night shift Dec. 20 and questioned the medical staff who were on duty .
They found a syringe containing what appeared to be breast milk in a locker at the ward belonging to one of the nurses , prosecutor Christof Lehr told reporters .
Tests concluded that the liquid contained morphine .
The young woman was detained , and Lehr said she denies the giving the babies morphine .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept in custody pending possible charges of attempted manslaughter .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Nintendo profits up on healthy Switch demand for Christmas

TOKYO - Japanese video game maker Nintendo Co. reported Thursday a 29 % rise in quarterly profit , as its earnings got a lift from solid demand for the Switch console during the year-end shopping season .
Kyoto-based Nintendo ’ s October-December profit totalled 134 billion yen ( $ 1.2 billion ) , up from 104 billion yen the same period a year earlier .
It raised its full year Switch sales forecast to 19.5 million machines , up from 18 million projected earlier .
The Switch is a hybrid game machine that works both as a console and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consoles have been sold since sales began about three years ago .
That number includes the handheld Switch Lite , launched in September , which is a compact and lightweight version , meant for on-the-go playing .
Nintendo , which makes Super Mario and Pokemon games , said Switch game software like “ Pokemon Sword ” and “ Pokemon Shield ” have sold briskly , as well as “ Luigi ’ s Mansion 3 ” and “ Super Mario Maker 2.
” It also said Nintendo Switch sales in China , which began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it will continue to offer games for mobile devices , not just its own consoles like the Switch and 3DS , to attract more consumers .
Income from its mobile operations rose nearly 11 % over the nine months through December , compared to the previous year , according to Nintendo .
Nintendo is also branching into other businesses , such as its own branded stores , an event space in Tokyo which has already opened and a Nintendo park set to open at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka , central Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes to cash in on its rich content with products like Pikachu dolls and other merchandise featuring Nintendo characters .
Nintendo raised its annual profit forecast to 210 billion yen ( $ 1.9 billion ) , up 8 % from the previous year , and better than an earlier projection for 180 billion yen ( $ 1.7 billion ) profit .
It kept unchanged its sales forecast for the fiscal year through March at 1.25 trillion yen ( $ 11 billion ) , up 4 % on year .

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thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Amnesty Int’l: Asia seeing growing repression, resistance

BANGKOK - Authoritarian governments in Asia are undermining human rights and demonizing their critics , but they face a rising tide of protest from young people who defy grave risks to protest such repression , Amnesty International said in its annual report on the region .
The human rights group ’ s annual survey of the Asia-Pacific region , released Wednesday , said India and China , the two most populous nations , are trying to impose their “ own bleak , domineering vision on the continent , perceiving minorities as a threat to ‘ national security.
’ “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that in Asia , “ we saw an escalation of the repression in many countries .
But we also saw an increase in the resistance and protest , often led by young people from Hong Kong to India , from Myanmar to Thailand , ” Nicholas Bequelin , regional director for Amnesty International , told The Associated Press .
“ We saw increased mobilization by young people to defend their rights .
Demand accountability , justice , action on climate and rights for all , “ Bequelin said .
The effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding public officials and corporations accountable is a worrying trend , it said .
But anti-government protests in Hong Kong and elsewhere showed an abiding will to resist repression , it said .
Some highlights from the report .
RISING REPRESSION : Chinese leader Xi Jinping ’ s push to vanquish dissent and impose the absolute control of the ruling Communist Party has intensified persecution of human rights defenders and others , the report said .
In China and across South and Southeast Asia , governments are increasingly forthright in silencing their opponents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for even peaceful protests and introducing laws that punish online dissent , it said .
It noted that many such governments also attack their critics with sophisticated social media tactics , smearing them as treasonous .
Companies are shielded from accountability to the public by leaders who defend them for the sake of economic growth , it said .
They also are quick to resort to using lawsuits to penalize whistleblowers and others who speak out .
VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIGENOUS GROUPS AND OTHER MINORITIES : Chinese authorities subjected Uighurs , Kazakhs and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ western Xinjiang region to intense surveillance , arbitrary detentions and forced indoctrination .
In Sri Lanka , anti-Muslim violence broke out after Easter Sunday bombings that killed more than 250 people , mainly Christians , in three churches and three hotels .
Across the region , all governments need to make more headway in protecting and empowering indigenous populations , the report said .
ARMED CONFLICT : In Afghanistan , more than 2,500 people died and 5,676 people were injured from January to September , mainly in attacks using homemade explosive devices that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against minority ethnic groups .
In Myanmar , the military carried out war crimes in Kachin , Rakhine and Shan states , as internal strife continued , the report said .
REFUGEES and MIGRANTS SPURNED : The report also noted Australian detentions of refugees and asylum seekers and turning boats of people fleeing their home countries back to sea .
In Japan , where refugees rarely are granted asylum , the government has not yet ratified the Migrant ’ s Convention to protect rights of a growing population of foreign workers .
DISAPPEARANCES @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalists , human rights defenders and members of the Shiá Muslim community were among the hundreds of people who were “ disappeared “ by security forces , often detained without charges or trial , the report said .
Laws against sedition and defamation were used to curtail media freedoms , while anti-blasphemy laws were used to persecute some people and justify human rights abuses .
Governments in the Philippines and other countries combating drug abuse and trafficking were responsible for killings of thousands of people , usually from poor and marginalized communities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have gained momentum in many places , but most prominently in Hong Kong , where months of demonstrations that began peacefully but turned violent have been met with excessive force , including beatings of non-resisters and misuse of tear gas and rubber bullets , the report said .
Demonstrations against India ’ s Citizenship ( Amendment ) Act that excluded Muslim refugees from acquiring Indian citizenship through fast-track naturalization prompted the government to walk back plans to conduct a nationwide citizenship registry to identify illegal foreign nationals , though 25 people died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In India , as well as many other places , journalists often were targeted while trying to cover such protests .
SIGNS OF PROGRESS : The report noted many improvements , including the decision by the International Criminal Court to order an investigation into abuses committed by Myanmar ’ s military against Rohingya Muslims , some 700,000 of whom have fled to Bangladesh .
But Bangladesh authorities have also targeted Rohingya in smear campaigns that have fomented violence against the refugees , it said .
In some countries , such as Japan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genders and crack down on sexual harassment are making headway , it said .
Taiwan legalized same-sex marriages , and South Korea ’ s constitutional Court ruled that criminalization of abortion was unconstitutional .
In Malaysia , the coalition government is striving to deliver on campaign promises to improve protection of human rights , though it rejected proposals to better safeguard LGBTI and indigenous people , the report said .
“ There are positive signs across the region , “ Bequelin said .
“ But generally , they don ’ t come from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from activists who stand up to defend their rights .
”

Elaine Kurtenbach - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Warplanes kill 10, strike hospital in Syrian offensive

BEIRUT - Warplanes struck a town in a rebel-held enclave in northwestern Syria , killing at least 10 people , including some who were fleeing the attack , opposition activists and a rescue service said Thursday .
The attack , believed to have been carried out by Russian warplanes backing a Syrian government offensive , also put a local hospital out of service , they said .
The late Wednesday night assault on Ariha , a town in Idlib province , comes as the rebel-held enclave is under intense fire amid Syrian government advances on the area that had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the death toll from the airstrikes was at least 10 civilians .
The rescue Syrian Civil Defence , known as the White Helmets , said 11 people , including a child , were killed when the Russian warplanes hit a road used by displaced people trying to leave Ariha .
Both the Observatory and the White Helmets said a local hospital and a bakery were struck .
The Ariha hospital , known as al-Shami , was no longer functional , the Observatory said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including a doctor , a White Helmet volunteer , three women and two children , the rescuers said .
The U.N. Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock described to the Security Council on Wednesday the dire conditions in the rebel-held areas .
At least 20,000 people were displaced in the last two days , he said , adding that 115,000 left their homes in the past week , bringing total of those uprooted by the violence since December to 390,000 .
“ Many families are moving multiple times .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe , only for the bombs to follow , so they are forced to move again , “ he said .
“ This cycle is all too familiar in northwest Syria.
” In the Russian-backed offensive , Syrian troops captured Maaret al-Numan , one of the largest and most strategic rebel-held towns in Idlib province on Wednesday .
The town , which had been in rebel hands since 2012 , sits on the highway linking Damascus with Aleppo and is considered critical to President Bashar Assad ’ s forces .
It was mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The government offensive now appears to be eyeing Saraqeb , a town to the north , which if captured , would secure the government ’ s hold on the highway .
The fighting in Idlib has driven hundreds of thousands of civilians from their homes , mainly toward the border with Turkey and other rebel-held areas .
The push to control the highway has angered Turkey , which backs the Syrian opposition and has deployed troops to observation points inside Idlib to monitor an earlier cease-fire negotiated with Russia .
Turkey ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not loyal to agreements over Idlib and added that he is in contact with the Russians to urge them to stop the bombing in Idlib “ or our patience will run out.
” Farther north , government forces began an offensive on the western suburbs of Aleppo in an attempt to push insurgents away from Syria ’ s largest city .
Syria ’ s nearly nine-year conflict has killed close to half a million people and displaced half of the population , including more than 5 million who are now refugees , @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Indian police detain man for firing during student protest

NEW DELHI - Indian police on Thursday detained a man who fired a shot near a university in the capital of New Delhi where students were protesting a new citizenship law that excludes Muslims .
Chinmay Biswal , a senior police officer , said the police were investigating the incident , which left one student with hand injuries .
An eyewitness said the man fired the shot when the police tried to overpower him .
Ahmed Azeem , a Jamia Millia Islamia University spokesman , said the man with the pistol challenged the protesters as they started marching from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s independence leader Mohandas Gandhi on his death anniversary .
The man ’ s name wasn ’ t immediately released .
As he was taken away by the police , the man told reporters that he was named “ Ram Bhakt Gopal ” .
Ram Bhakt means a devotee of the Hindu god Rama .
A man with a Facebook account under the same name live streamed himself near the campus on the networking site shortly before firing his pistol .
Gandhi was shot dead by a Hindu extremist during a prayer meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was considered sympathetic toward Muslims during the partition of the Indian subcontinent by British colonialists in 1947 into secular India and Islamic Pakistan .
Protests against a citizenship law that provides fast-track naturalization for those fleeing religious persecution from several countries , but not Muslims , have brought tens of thousands of people from different faiths and backgrounds together across the country , in part because the law is seen by critics as part of a larger threat to the secular fabric of Indian society .
Protests of the law in Delhi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamia University , where after a bus was set on fire police pursued protesters , shooting teargas canisters into the campus library and beating students with batons .
The law approved by Parliament on Dec. 11 allows Hindus , Christians and other religious minorities from Muslim-majority Bangladesh , Pakistan and Afghanistan who are in India illegally to become citizens .
Leaders of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party say Muslims were excluded because persecution on religious grounds isn ’ t possible in Muslim-majority countries .
Critics have slammed the legislation as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which guarantees equal protection for all , and have called it the latest effort by the Modi government to marginalize the country ’ s 200 million Muslims .
Modi has defended the law as a humanitarian gesture .
Dozens of petitions challenging the law are pending with the Supreme Court .


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Cambodian leader blasts online misinformation about virus

PHNOM PENH , Cambodia - Cambodia ’ s leader urged people Thursday to remain calm about the new virus from China while threatening to kick out reporters or officials seen wearing a face mask .
Prime Minister Hun Sen said in a live televised address that people should not be scared because the real illness they faced was fear , based on inaccurate information on social media .
“ The prime minister does not wear a mask , so why should you be wearing a mask here , ” he said .
Hun Sen , who very actively posts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus on the social media site .
He said the scarier illness was the irresponsible sharing of stories online that caused people without understanding of the virus to panic .
Hun Sen appeared to be referring to unverified social media reports about sicknesses and deaths from the virus in Cambodia .
The Southeast Asian country has reported one confirmed case , a Chinese man who travelled from the city hardest-hit by the outbreak .
Hun Sen also announced he would not ban direct flights between Cambodia and China , saying that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy of the country , which hosts many Chinese investors and tourists .
People should not discriminate against the Chinese , he said .
China ’ s own efforts to curb travel were an effective measure against the disease , Hun Sen said .
Several foreign airlines have cut or stopped flights to China on their own initiative .
Beijing is the main foreign supporter of Hun Sen ’ s authoritarian government , supplying major amounts of aid and investment .
Cambodia in turn supports China ’ s position on issues such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s territorial claims overlap with other governments .
Hun Sen turned to a traditional saying to make the point that none of his countrymen have been reported to have caught the illness .
“ Why would we need to be afraid of tiger ’ s dung since we are not scared of the tiger ?
“ he said .
” There is no one who died , and not a single Cambodian contracting the virus , it happened only to a Chinese man.
“ The man , who had travelled to Cambodia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hun Sen said .


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Australia defends plan to create island quarantine camp

CANBERRA , Australia - Australia ’ s government on Thursday defended its plan to send citizens evacuated from the epicenter of China ’ s novel coronavirus emergency to a remote island used to banish asylum seekers and convicted criminals , despite warnings that that some Australians would prefer to stay in China .
Australia is preparing to send potentially hundreds of its citizens rescued from Hubei province to a quarantine camp on remote Christmas Island .
The Indian Ocean island has been used by the government in a widely condemned policy of banishing asylum seekers who attempt to arrive by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Peter Dutton said notorious Christmas Island struck the right balance between supporting Australians stranded in China and protecting the wider Australian population from the potentially deadly disease .
“ The reality is people need to be accommodated somewhere for up to 14 days , ” Dutton told reporters in Canberra .
“ I can ’ t clear out a hospital in Sydney or Melbourne or Brisbane .
I don ’ t have a facility otherwise that we can quickly accommodate for what might be many hundreds of people and Christmas Island is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
The Australian Medical Association , the nation ’ s leading medical advocate , said the Australians would be better quarantined on the Australian mainland .
“ We feel that the repatriation to Christmas Island -- to a place previously the focus of populations under enormous mental and physical trauma and anguish -- is not a really appropriate solution , ” the association ’ s president Tony Bartone told Nine Network television .
But Dutton dismissed that criticism as based on doctors ’ longstanding opposition to the government using Christmas Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accommodate thousands of exiled refugees that Australia refuses to accept .
The United Nations has condemned Australia ’ s indefinite banishing of asylum seekers to island camps as inhumane , stoking violence and mental illness .
Christmas Island was also chosen because of its prison-like facilities to house foreign criminals who face deportation after serving sentences in Australian prisons .
The facilities currently house only a family of four Sri Lankan asylum seekers who are fighting deportation .
Dutton said the family and Christmas Island locals would be kept separate from the quarantined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been scathing of the island ’ s re-purposing as a quarantine site , which the opposition argues is the government attempting to justify the millions of dollars spent on the facilities ’ existence .
Australians in China say Australian officials have told them they will need to pay 1,000 Australian dollars ( $ 673 ) and agree to go to Christmas Island to be repatriated .
Australian Wenbo Yu , whose wife and two children are in Wuhan , said his family was considering rejecting Australia ’ s evacuation offer .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan , ” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. “ Compared to Wuhan , we believe Christmas Island is even more unpredictable , ” he added .
Sydney physiotherapist Bon Lee has been stranded in the provincial capital Hubei since last week .
He did not know if he would be prepared to take his wife and year-old daughter to Christmas Island to get back to Australia .
“ Christmas Island for 14 days is a long time , ” he told Nine Entertainment newspapers .
“ It ’ s a drastic measure.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thompson condemned the plan , saying in a text message : “ Create convict settlement for innocent people , now we ’ ll be a leper colony .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Avalanche at Japan ski resort, 1 feared dead, 7 survive

TOKYO - An avalanche at a ski resort on Japan ’ s northern island of Hokkaido on Thursday hit a group of eight foreign skiers , likely killing at least one .
The avalanche occurred when the group was skiing outside of a designated course near the Tomamu ski resort in central Hokkaido , according to the nearby Shimukappu village office .
One skier who escaped from the snow called police asking for help , said village official Atsushi Tada .
The caller said one of them , a French man in his 40s , was feared dead , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their conditions were not available .
Rescuers from the Hokkaido prefectural police were to head to the site for their rescue , although the operation may be hampered by risks of another avalanche in the area .
Tada said nationalities and other details of the seven survivors were not known .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Arrests at LA church allege marriage, immigration fraud

LOS ANGELES - Federal agents raided a Philippines-based church in Los Angeles Wednesday in a human trafficking investigation that led to arrests of three church leaders in what prosecutors said was a decades-long scheme to trick followers into becoming fundraisers and arrange sham marriages to keep them in the U.S .
The local leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church was arrested on immigration fraud charges in the early morning bust along with a worker who confiscated passports of the victims of the scheme and another who handled finances , the U.S. attorney ’ s office said .
Workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the FBI that they had been sent across the U.S. to work long hours soliciting donations year-round for the church ’ s charity and were beaten and psychologically abused if they didn ’ t make daily quotas , according to an affidavit filed in support of the charges .
Some described having to live in cars at truck stops .
The immigrants essentially became full-time workers , sometimes referred to as “ miracle workers , ” in a crusade to raise money for the non-profit Children ’ s Joy Foundation USA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their homeland .
But the complaint said most of the money raised was used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyle of church leader Apollo Quiboloy .
The church claims a membership of 6 million people and backed the 2016 candidacy of President Rodrigo Duterte , a close friend of Quiboloy .
Duterte has used the group ’ s radio and TV program in southern Davao city to express his views on issues way back when he was mayor of the southern port city .
Quiboloy claims to be “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October last year claimed he stopped a major earthquake from hitting the southern Philippines .
Between 2014 and the middle of last year , $ 20 million was sent back to the church in the Philippines , the FBI said .
“ Most of these funds appear to derive from street-level solicitation , ” according to the affidavit by FBI Special Agent Anne Wetzel .
“ Little to no money solicited appears to benefit impoverished or in-need children.
” Calls to the church for comment were not immediately answered .
Guia Cabactulan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. , was arrested in Van Nuys with Marissa Duenas , 41 , who allegedly handled fraudulent immigration documents , prosecutors said .
Amanda Estopare , 48 , who allegedly enforced fundraising quotas , was arrested in Virginia .
Cabactulan and Duenas are expected to make initial court appearances Thursday in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana , said Thom Mrozek , a spokesman for the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles .
Estopare was ordered held after a hearing in Norfolk , Virginia , and expected back in court Monday .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period between top fundraisers and church members who were U.S. citizens .
In addition to raiding the church ’ s Van Nuys compound , agents were conducting searches at other Los Angeles-area locations and at two places in Hawaii linked to the church .
Two years ago , a leader of a Hawaii branch of the church was arrested smuggling cash onto a private plane in Honolulu bound for the Philippines with Quiboloy on board , according to court records .
Investigators said Felina Salinas declared she was carrying $ 40,000 .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 9,000 in Australian currency stuffed in socks in her carry-on suitcase , according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Honolulu .
U.S. law requires that travellers declare currency in excess of $ 10,000 .
Prosecutors said a witness saw Salinas and Quiboloy order church members to smuggle hundreds of thousands of dollars in black socks packed in suitcases from California to the Philippines in 2013 and 2014 .
A defence lawyer questioned the credibility of the witness in the Hawaii case .
“ I have a woman who says she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Philippines , then she said it was two or three million , “ attorney Michael Green said , according to Hawaii News Now .
“ She says it was put in socks .
They must have parishioners with size 18 feet because the socks must have been really big.
” Associated Press Writer Jim Gomez in Manila , Philippines , contributed to this story .


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Kentucky Kingdom begins hiring for 2020 season

LOUISVILLE , Ky. - An amusement park in Kentucky has begun looking for seasonal help .
The park said it @ @ @ @ @ positions , including lifeguards , ride operators and water park technicians with some ability in @ @ @ @ @ a minimum age requirement of 14 .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Volcano victims were well-known Indian Americans in Atlanta

WELLINGTON , New Zealand - An American husband and wife have now both died from injuries suffered in a New Zealand volcanic eruption , authorities said Thursday , leaving behind twin 6-year-old girls and an 11-year-old boy .
Pratap Singh battled for 50 days before dying from his burns on Jan. 28 , police and family members said .
His wife Mayuari died at the same Auckland hospital five weeks earlier .
The couple ’ s nephew Vick Singh wrote a powerful statement about their lives and their ordeal , describing how they were loved in their community and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety equipment .
Known as Paul and Mary , the Atlanta-area couple had been visiting New Zealand ’ s White Island volcano with dozens of other tourists on Dec. 9 when it erupted , scalding them with super-heated water from below the crater surface .
Twenty-one people have died .
In all , 47 people were visiting the island at the time , and many still remain hospitalized with severe burns .
“ I visited Paul and Mary every day since Dec. 10 while they were at the Middlemore Hospital , the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , slow and agonizing painful , “ Vick Singh wrote .
He said Mary suffered burns to 72 % of her body and Paul to 55 % of his body , with doctors describing him as a fighter after he underwent numerous surgeries and treatments .
Singh said Paul , 49 , was an entrepreneur who was well-known in the Indian American community in Atlanta for his philanthropy and social service .
“ His unmatched exuberance and unconditional love for everyone around him will forever be missed , “ Singh wrote .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guardian , best brother , best uncle , best volunteer and the best friend anyone could wish.
” He described Mary , 42 , as an ambitious professional and supermom who would meticulously hand-make delicious meals from various cultures , whether it was Indian , American , Italian or Mexican .
He said the pair created a central hub for all their family and friends .
Singh said volcano tourism operators around the world needed to provide heat-resistant clothing , safety glasses , helmets and masks .
“ Proper safety equipment would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tour operator White Island Tours has so far declined to comment in detail on what went wrong that day .
Tourists who had visited the island immediately before the eruption told The Associated Press they were provided with minimal safety equipment such as hard hats and optional gas masks , which they could wear if they had trouble breathing .
Singh also said tour operators needed to properly assess the geothermic activity and fully disclose all the risks .
New Zealand authorities are investigating the circumstances around the disaster .
Many have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island after authorities raised its alert level three weeks before the eruption .
Singh said he wanted to keep promoting the devoutly religious couple ’ s mission to provide support to children in need across the world .
“ We miss them dearly and their memories are going to stay fresh in our hearts and minds for the times to come , ” Singh wrote .
“ This changes everything , a new normal might be impossible to achieve for our family .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Trump’s defence shifts to not ‘impeachable’ even if true

WASHINGTON - In a striking shift from President Donald Trump ’ s claim of “ perfect ” dealings with Ukraine , his defence asserted at his Senate trial that a trade of U.S. military aid for political favours — even if proven — could not be grounds for his impeachment .
Trump ’ s defenders relied on retired professor Alan Dershowitz , a member of their team , who told senators that every politician conflates his own interest with the public interest .
“ It can not be impeachable , ” he declared Wednesday .
Democrats pressed hard to force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testify , but Republicans appeared intently focused on bringing the impeachment trial to a vote of acquittal , possibly in a matter of days .
Even new revelations from former national security adviser John Bolton were countered by the president ’ s lawyers , who used Wednesday ’ s unusual question-and-answer session to warn off prolonging the proceeding , insisting senators have heard enough .
Democrats argued Bolton ’ s forthcoming book can not be ignored .
It contends he personally heard Trump say he wanted military aid withheld from Ukraine until it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son , Hunter Biden — the abuse of power charge that is the first article of impeachment .
The vote on calling witnesses is expected by Friday .
As Chief Justice John Roberts fielded queries , Texas Republican Ted Cruz asked if it mattered whether there was a quid pro quo ?
Simply , no , declared Dershowitz , who said many politicians equate their reelection with the public good .
“ That ’ s why it ’ s so dangerous to try to psychoanalyze a president , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same , “ he retorted .
Some might be acceptable , some not .
“ And you don ’ t need to be a mind reader to figure out which is which .
For one thing , you can ask John Bolton.
” With voting on witnesses later this week , Democrats , amid the backdrop of protesters swarming the Capitol , are making a last-ditch push to sway Republicans to call Bolton and others to appear for testimony and ensure a “ fair trial.
“ Trump faces charges from the House that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , jeopardizing Ukraine and U.S.-Ukraine relations by using the military aid as leverage while the vulnerable ally battled Russia .
The second article of impeachment says Trump then obstructed the House probe in a way that threatened the nation ’ s three-branch system of checks and balances .
Over two days , senators are grilling the House Democrats prosecuting the case and the Republican president ’ s defence team .
Dozens of questions were asked and answered Wednesday in five-minute clips , with senators under orders to sit silently without comment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished shortly past 11 p.m. and were expected to keep going Thursday .
Democratic leader Chuck Schumer asked whether the Senate could really render a fair verdict without hearing from Bolton or acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney , both potential eyewitnesses to Trump ’ s actions .
“ Don ’ t wait for the book .
Don ’ t wait ’ til March 17 , when it is in black and white to find out the answer to your question , ” Schiff told the Senate .
That publication date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House on Wednesday released a letter to Bolton ’ s attorney objecting to “ significant amounts of classified information “ in the manuscript , including at the top secret level .
Bolton and his attorney have insisted the book does not contain any classified information .
The White House action could delay the book ’ s publication if Bolton , who resigned last September — Trump says he was fired — is forced to revise his draft .
GOP senators are straining to balance the new revelations with pressure for quick acquittal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders that calling Bolton as a witness could entangle the trial in lengthy legal battles and delay Trump ’ s expected acquittal .
White House lawyers made exactly that point .
Attorney Pat Philbin said in response to the Democrats ’ first question , “ This institution will effectively be paralyzed for months.
” That was echoed by others .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell huddled privately with senators for a third consecutive day , acknowledging he didn ’ t yet have the votes to brush back Democratic demands for witnesses now that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Republicans said they were making progress .
Republican ideas for dealing with Bolton and his book were fizzling almost as soon as they arose — among them , “ swapping ” witnesses with Democrats or issuing a subpoena for Bolton ’ s manuscript .
Most Republican senators don ’ t want to extend the trial by calling Bolton , and most Democrats would rather avoid dragging the Bidens further into the impeachment proceedings .
The Bidens were a focus of defence arguments , though no evidence of wrongdoing has emerged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump told him he wanted to withhold military aid from Ukraine until it helped with investigations into Biden .
That assertion , if true , would undercut a key defence argument and go to the heart of one of the two articles of impeachment against the president .
“ I think Bolton probably has something to offer us , “ said Sen. Lisa Murkowski , R-Alaska .
She met privately Wednesday with McConnell .
Trump disagreed in a tweet Wednesday in which he complained that Bolton , after he left the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nasty & untrue book .
All Classified National Security.
” The uncertainty about witnesses arises days before crucial votes on the issue .
In a Senate split 53-47 in favour of Republicans , at least four GOP senators must join all Democrats to reach the 51 votes required to call witnesses , decide whom to call or do nearly anything else in the trial .
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine tried to give fresh momentum to a one-for-one witness deal , saying it ’ s “ very important that there be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to select a witness or two.
” But Democrats dismissed those offers .
Collins , Murkowski and Utah Sen. Mitt Romney signalled an interest in calling Bolton or other witnesses , and questions and answers at times appeared directed at them .
Schiff ’ s response to Dershowitz focused on one particular senator : He asked his audience to imagine what would have happened if then-President Barack Obama asked the Russians to dig up dirt on then-candidate Romney , the GOP ’ s 2012 presidential nominee ?
Romney , standing at the back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mention of his name .
Far from voiding the last election , Schiff said , impeachment is protecting the next one , in 2020 , from any future Trump efforts to ask foreign governments to intervene .
Republicans tried to engage the president ’ s defence , at times raising the profile of the still anonymous government whistleblower whose complaint about Trump ’ s July 25 call with Ukraine sparked the impeachment inquiry .
Democrats kept focus on the case for Trump ’ s conviction and removal , which would require 67 votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At times , there were telling exchanges .
In one , the White House team could not fully respond when Collins and Murkowski asked if Trump had ever pursued Biden investigations before the former vice-president announced his presidential bid in 2019 .
Philbin argued that relying on foreign information in a U.S. campaign isn ’ t necessarily a campaign law violation , drawing objections later from Democrats .
Sen. Mark Warner , D-Va. , who said he was “ flabbergasted.
” In another , Dershowitz acknowledged he has changed his thinking on what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ refining ” his views .
As the long night drew to a close , so did Schiff ’ s remarks , warning senators they were lowering the bar for Trump , dressing it up with legalese .
“ Corruption is still corruption , ” he said .
One person watching from the sidelines Wednesday was Lev Parnas , the indicted associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani .
Parnas arrived at the Capitol but could not enter the Senate with his court-ordered electronic-tracking device .
He has turned over evidence for the investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Associated Press writers Alan Fram , Andrew Taylor , Matthew Daly , Laurie Kellman and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .

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


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Los Angeles high-rise that caught fire lacked sprinklers

LOS ANGELES - A 25-story West Los Angeles apartment tower that caught fire , forcing firefighters to pluck stranded people from the rooftop and a ledge , had no sprinklers even though the same building burned seven years ago , authorities said .
Flames swept through apartments on the seventh floor of the Barrington Plaza on Wednesday morning .
Eleven people were treated , mostly for smoke inhalation .
Seven of them , including a 3-month-old child , were sent to hospitals , mostly with smoke inhalation .
In addition , two firefighters received minor burns as , using bottled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartment where the blaze began .
“ These firefighters were literally driven to their bellies halfway through that hallway , ” fire Capt .
Erik Scott said .
Tenants described trying to move down crowded , smoky stairwells .
Cecilee Mathieson tried to push past in her rush from her 25th floor penthouse .
When she reached the floor on fire , she could see the orange glow under the door .
“ I really thought I was going to die today , ” Mathieson said hours later .
Some turned back and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helicopters moved in to rescue 15 people .
Rescuers lowered themselves on cables to haul them to safety because the 1961 building had no rooftop helicopter landing site .
A ladder was used to rescue a man who clung to the outside of the building as flames raged in nearby apartments .
Scott said the 30-year-old man was “ hanging out of the window on the ledge due to the intense heat inside of that building unit.
” At first , Scott said , it appeared to firefighters that the man was threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ were able to calm that individual down ” and rescue him , although he was hospitalized in critical condition .
Firefighters gave CPR to another 30-year-old man who was taken to the hospital in grave condition .
There was no immediate update on his condition .
Hundreds of firefighters doused the fire but the entire building was red-tagged leaving 339 tenants displaced until at least Thursday morning when inspectors could check its safety .
The building ’ s owners rented blocks of hotel rooms to temporarily house residents , Scott said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire two blocks away when the blaze broke out sometime after 8 a.m. on Wilshire Boulevard on the edge of the tony Brentwood section of the city , allowing a rapid response .
The other fire was unrelated and caused by a welding accident , police said .
Gavyn Straus was swimming in the pool in the courtyard when he saw black smoke waft by .
As the smoke grew rapidly , Straus knew it was no kitchen fire and he ran into the building dripping wet to alert staff .
A woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so he hopped on an elevator with a maintenance man to alert residents on the 8th floor , where they thought the fire was coming from .
A man who had been sleeping answered the first door they pounded on and they realized they were above the blaze and ran for the stairs .
They were overwhelmed with smoke when they opened the door to the burning floor below .
“ It was a black wall , ” Straus said hours later as he stood barefoot on the sidewalk , still wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draped over his shoulders and goggles around his neck .
“ Someone ran out from that side and they were completely covered in black char and they could barely breathe.
” The person said their friend was still inside , but Straus said he couldn ’ t help because he couldn ’ t see anything and it was too hot .
Instead , he ran to the 21st floor , where he lives , to alert friends and other tenants he knew .
No alarm had yet been sounded and he was surprised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as people ate breakfast unaware of the danger below .
“ Get out , there ’ s fire , get out , ” he yelled .
More than 330 firefighters took about 90 minutes to knock down the blaze , which Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas termed suspicious .
However , Los Angeles police Capt .
Randall Goddard said investigators hadn ’ t determined whether the fire was set by accident or on purpose and determining that could take “ quite some time.
” The fire left windows blown out and heavy black smoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building .
Residents who fled in whatever they were wearing or could quickly get into — some in pyjamas and exercise clothes — gathered on nearby street corners and looked up as helicopters hovered and hoisted rooftop evacuees and a small white dog to safety .
The building passed a fire inspection in June but it lacked internal fire sprinklers , which weren ’ t required when it was built , Scott said .
The complex has 240 units that range in rent from $ 2,350 to $ 3,695 per month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why sprinklers weren ’ t installed after a 2013 fire in the building injured several people and displaced more than 100 .
“ They should have put sprinklers in after the fire , ” Liz Bowers told the Los Angeles Times .
Bowers said the building has many apartments that are used as Airbnb rentals and she has long complained to the building managers about the short-term tenants .
“ They let everybody smoke , ” she said .
“ You get all these people coming into party and smoke pot .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building owners did not immediately return messages seeking comment .
Associated Press writers John Antczak , John Rogers and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report .

Brian Melley And Stefanie Dazio - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Kohler to pay $20M penalty for California engine emissions

KOHLER , Wis. - Kohler Co. has agreed to pay a $ 20 million civil penalty to resolve allegations that emissions from its small spark-ignition engines violated the Clean Air Act and California law .
The Wisconsin-based company reached the agreement Thursday with the Department of Justice , the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board .
Regulators say the alleged violations involved Kohler ’ s manufacture and sale of millions of small , non-road , non-handheld spark-ignition engines that did not conform to certification applications Kohler was required to submit to the EPA and the California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that more than 144,000 of the engines also were equipped with a fueling strategy known as a “ defeat device ” designed to cheat emissions testing standards .
Small , spark-ignition engines are used in lawn mowers , ride-on mowers , commercial landscaping equipment and generators .
The engines in question were sold from 2010 to 2015 .
“ Today ’ s settlement holds Kohler accountable for flouting federal law , and evens the playing field for others in the regulated community who invest in compliance programs designed to prevent illegal and harmful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Justice Department ’ s Environment and Natural Resources Division .
Kohler says the company voluntarily and promptly reported the issues when the company became aware of them in late 2015 .
The company says it took steps to “ swiftly correct the issues , ” and does not admit any liability in the settlement .
“ It has always been Kohler ’ s intent to comply with relevant regulations , ” the company said in a statement Thursday .
“ Kohler Engines is committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Under the settlement , Kohler will retire what regulators allege were unlawfully generated emission credits , reducing air pollution by about 3,600 tons .
In a separate agreement resolving California-only claims , Kohler will pay an additional $ 200,000 civil penalty and fund a program that will supply $ 1.8 million worth of solar-battery generators to low-income residents of California who live in areas where power is shut off to lessen wildfire risk .
Kohler , a privately owned company based in Kohler , Wisconsin , said it already has taken steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures , introduce new management structure and oversight processes , and further strengthen its training programs .
The company says all of Kohler ’ s products sold since 2016 are in compliance with regulations .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo: Bankruptcy imminent

BUFFALO , N.Y. - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo faces near certain bankruptcy after posting a $ 5 million loss in 2019 , and with a barrage of lawsuits from the clergy misconduct scandal still pending , according to a financial report released Thursday .
” In response to the magnitude of the number of claims , lawsuits and alleged damages , the ( Central Administrative Offices ) has determined that a filing of a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code is imminent , “ the diocese ’ s 2019 financial report said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of New York ’ s eight dioceses to seek bankruptcy protection .
The Rochester diocese filed for Chapter 11 protection in September .
Nationwide , more than 20 dioceses have sought bankruptcy protection in a sexual misconduct reckoning that has spanned nearly two decades .
The report cited lower revenue from donations and investments as hundreds of alleged child victims of clergy abuse have come forward with claims .
It was the second consecutive yearly loss for the diocese of 163 parishes and missions across eight counties .
It lost $ 1.8 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has paid out about $ 18 million — including $ 1.5 million from the sale of the bishop ’ s mansion — to more than 100 victims under an independent compensation program established in 2018 .
It faces more than 220 new lawsuits filed since August , when New York ’ s Child Victims Act suspended the statute of limitations to give childhood victims one year to pursue even decades-old allegations of abuse .
Filing for bankruptcy protection , the report said , “ best allows the CAO to manage the claims adjudication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as to ensure the equitable treatment of all claimants.
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thetorontostar--2020-01-30--American evacuated from China quarantined at California base

RIVERSIDE , Calif. - One of the Americans evacuated from a Chinese city at the centre of a new virus outbreak was quarantined after trying to leave a military base where the group is being monitored for signs of illness , California officials said Thursday .
The individual was one of 195 Americans held at the base and being watched for symptoms of the virus that has sickened thousands and killed more than 170 people .
Most cases are in China , but the outbreak has spread to more than a dozen countries , and the World Health Organization declared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Riverside County ordered the person , who indicated a desire to leave March Air Reserve Base and tried to do so Wednesday night , quarantined for two weeks unless medically cleared sooner , said Jose Arballo Jr. , a spokesman for the county ’ s public health agency .
It can take up to 14 days for someone who is infected to develop symptoms , health officials believe .
None of the Americans housed at base have shown symptoms of the virus since their arrival , Arballo said .
He did not identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how they tried to leave the base 60 miles ( 96 kilometres ) east of Los Angeles .
The order was issued “ as a result of the unknown risk to the public “ because the person had not undergone a complete health evaluation , the agency said in a statement .
After the plane chartered by the U.S. government arrived at the base Wednesday with the evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan , federal officials dodged questions from reporters on whether people would be allowed to leave before a three-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They said only that officials would have “ discussions ” if any of them asked to leave the base before three days .
The U.S. on Thursday confirmed the country ’ s first case of person-to-person spread of the virus .
The man who got the virus is married to a Chicago woman in her 60s who got sick from the virus after she returned from a trip to Wuhan .
Other countries evacuating their citizens from China are taking a harder line than the U.S. to stop the virus from spreading back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Japan , Singapore and others are quarantining people for up to 14 days .
Quarantines are used to separate and limit the movement of people exposed to an illness to see if they get sick .
But their use has sparked controversy in the past , with critics arguing they should not be used unless medically justified because they limit individuals ’ freedom .


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--NY judge postpones trial for two months for Epstein guards

NEW YORK - A judge on Thursday postponed for two months the trial for two jail guards charged with failing to make required checks on Jeffrey Epstein in the hours before his death .
U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres moved the date from April to June 22 after defence lawyers said they needed more time to prepare for trial .
The lawyers had sought a six-month delay .
Guards Tova Noel and Michael Thomas have pleaded not guilty to lying on prison records to make it seem they had checked on the financier before his Aug. 10 death at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York City ’ s medical examiner has ruled the death a suicide .
Epstein died while he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges that alleged he sexually abused teenage girls at his Manhattan mansion and Florida home .
Montel Figgins , a lawyer for Thomas , told the judge he planned to argue that the indictment against the guards should be tossed because the government unjustly prosecuted the guards rather than superiors or others who may have committed crimes .
Outside court , Figgins said he would file papers with the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They set these guards up for failure , ” he said .
“ I think we ’ re going to be able to demonstrate that there are numerous other officers found to have not filled out papers properly .
They didn ’ t lose their jobs .
Nothing happened to these people.
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thetorontostar--2020-01-30--2 moderates, Biden and Buttigieg, diverge on strategy to win

WAUKEE , Iowa - Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg have the same goal : emerging from the Iowa caucuses as the moderate alternative to progressive rival Bernie Sanders .
But they ’ re deploying increasingly divergent strategies to get there .
While Biden spent Thursday laser-focused on his consistent campaign message of drawing a contrast with President Donald Trump on character and morality , Buttigieg for the first time called out his opponents by name .
At a campaign event in Decorah , Buttigieg dismissed what he characterized as Biden ’ s assertion that it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on someone new ” and argued against what he said was Sanders ’ pitch for “ a kind of politics that says you ’ ve got to go all the way here and nothing else counts.
” “ History has shown us that the biggest risk we could take with a very important election coming up is to look to the same Washington playbook and recycle the same arguments and expect that to work against a president like Donald Trump , who is new in kind , ” the former mayor of South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in Waukee , Biden leaned into his critique of the president ’ s temperament and outlined the contrast he ’ d make with the president in the general election on policy issues including health care and climate change .
“ In November , America will have the chance to answer the question : Does the character of a president matter ?
” Biden said .
“ I don ’ t believe we are the dark , angry nation that Donald Trump sees in his tweets in the middle of the night.
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to unite behind a clear standard-bearer .
While the former vice-president remains atop the field in many national polls , his support has slipped some in the early primary states , and he heads into Monday ’ s Iowa caucuses without a commanding lead over the field .
Buttigieg and even Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , both of whom have framed themselves as moderate consensus builders from the Midwest , have had bigger crowds than Biden at events across Iowa over the past week and believe they have an opportunity to peel off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
And with Sanders gaining traction in Iowa , there ’ s a growing sense of urgency for moderates to come out of the first few primaries united behind a candidate .
“ There ’ s just not enough fear out there yet ( about Sanders ) , and I worry if he looks extremely strong after Iowa or New Hampshire , then it might be a little too late , ” said Matt Bennett , a co-founder of the centrist Democratic think-tank Third Way .
Buttigieg has hesitated until now to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did repeatedly question Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren last fall on how she planned to propose financing a policy to provide health insurance to all Americans .
And while his pivot to associating Biden and Sanders specifically with the “ arguments from before ” was noticeable , Buttigieg ’ s aides signalled that a pivot to a more direct contrast between the candidates was long-planned as he has approached the dramatic closing of the competitive Iowa campaign .
The final thrust , at least as long as Buttigieg moved within contention in Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which he faces as a 38-year-old former mayor of a city of 100,000 , on its head by making the better-known candidates seem risky .
It ’ s a way especially of setting himself apart from Biden , whom Buttigieg ’ s team sees voters considering as well as the younger newcomer in the still-fluid race for Monday ’ s caucuses .
Biden , for his part , remained largely focused on Trump on the trail Thursday , only hinting Buttigieg ’ s comments were on his mind when he issued a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop .
“ We can ’ t let this Democratic race slide into a negative treatment of one another .
...
The temptation is too much for some , ” he noted , a reference perhaps as well to Sanders , who has attacked Biden over his Iraq War vote and support for reforming Social Security in recent weeks .
“ We have differences , “ Biden added .
” We can argue about these differences .
We have to be able , when we come out of this , to unite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Buttigieg ’ s comments during a brief stop for ice cream in Pella , Biden brushed them off , suggesting that his opponent may be looking for an edge in the vote .
“ I don ’ t know what Pete ’ s talking about .
He ’ s a good guy , and I ’ m not gon na get into — he must be deciding things are getting a little tight , ” he said with a smile .
Asked what he saw as his biggest contrast with Buttigeg , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve gotten more than 8,600 votes in my life ” — a reference to the fact that Buttigieg won his 2015 mayoral race with just over 8,500 votes .
The refusal to engage with his opponents on the stump reflects a long-standing strategy from the Biden campaign to focus largely on drawing a general-election contrast with Trump on his temperament and character , which they believe highlights some of his main advantages with voters : that he ’ s seen by many as the strongest Trump challenger and that voters can connect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level .
Iowa Democratic strategist Matt Paul , who ran Hillary Clinton ’ s Iowa campaign in 2016 , said he was “ surprised ” it ’ s taken the candidates this long to go after one another by name — and he warned that Buttigieg ’ s comments could backfire .
“ I ’ ve actually been surprised , with this many people in the field , with a race as undefined and as fluid as it ’ s been , that others didn ’ t try and find that contrast earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out contrasts this late because you do have to be careful , and in Iowa — especially if it gets personal — there tends to be blowback , ” he said .
Indeed , some voters at Biden ’ s events said they didn ’ t like the negativity among Democratic candidates .
Patricia Cooke , a 75-year-old retiree from Newton who had been deciding between Biden and Buttigieg but leaning towards Biden , compared Buttigieg ’ s comments to when Warren sparred with Sanders on stage at the last debate , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ I don ’ t like that .
it just doesn ’ t make them look good .
They should focus on Trump , ” she said .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Alexandra Jaffe And Thomas Beaumont - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Man formally charged with killing wife, 3 children

KISSIMMEE , Fla. - Prosecutors have formally charged a man with killing his wife and three children at their Florida home near Walt Disney World .
Four charges of second-degree murder were filed Wednesday against Anthony Todt , 44 , in Osceola County court .
A conviction could mean life in prison .
Todt might still face the death penalty if the charges are increased to first-degree murder .
Florida law requires a grand jury indictment for capital crimes .
State Attorney Aramis Ayala ’ s office said in a statement Thursday that the second-degree murder charges were filed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jury can be convened .
Todt was arrested earlier this month after his wife , Megan , and their children , Alek , Tyler and Zoe , were found dead at the Celebration home .
An autopsy found that the wife and sons had been stabbed .
The family ’ s dog was also killed .
Officials believe they had been dead since late December .
The bodies were found when federal agents and deputies went to the house to serve an arrest warrant .
Todt was already being investigated by the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health and Human Services for health care fraud , according to court documents unsealed earlier this month in Connecticut federal court .
Authorities say he needed the money to pay off personal loans .
Online records in New York state court showed Todt and his Colchester , Connecticut-based clinics were facing debts to creditors .
According to agents , Todt and the clinics submitted claims to Medicaid and private insurers for physical therapy services that weren ’ t given to patients .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Man exonerated of rape after 25 years in prison. Now what?

NEW YORK - A New York man who spent 25 years in prison for a violent rape he did not commit said he lost his youth and now , at 60 , does not know what kind of a future lies ahead .
“ I am free , but I am broke and I can ’ t get a job , ” Rafael Ruiz said during an interview with The Associated Press .
Ruiz was exonerated Tuesday in state Supreme Court in Manhattan of sexual assault charges after he was accused of taking part in the violent gang rape of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was 25 when he entered prison .
He served the entirety of the sentence and was released in 2009 , but it took 10 years more to demonstrate his innocence and get exonerated .
Now , the Bronx native born to Puerto Rican parents does not know if he will sue for wrongful conviction , he said .
The rape victim in the case had told officials that a man named “ Ronnie ” had driven her to a building in a public housing complex in East Harlem .
She said this man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the building and then up to the roof where she was raped and beaten by at least three men .
One of Ruiz ’ s brothers lived in the same building , which Ruiz visited often .
The victim identified Ruiz in a photo array of possible suspects as one of the men involved in her assault , even though he had not fit her original description .
The woman had initially said all of her attackers were black , but Ruiz is Hispanic .
Ruiz was offered a plea deal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prison but he maintained his innocence and went to trial .
He was convicted and sentenced to eight to 25 years in prison .
During his time in jail , his parents and several siblings died , Ruiz said .
Prison was a violent place , where he always had to watch his back , he said .
He was in four different prisons and a medium-security correctional facility in New York state .
“ For 37 years I thought about that moment , ” he said , referring to his exoneration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t able to find work because of his conviction so he did off-the-books maintenance and cleaning jobs while he lived with his sister Maria in the Bronx .
He said it was also hard to find a wife because of his life story .
“ I don ’ t want to keep anger in my head .
I don ’ t want to keep hate , ” he responded when asked whether he still feels those feelings .
William Tendy , a lawyer who assisted Ruiz while he was in prison , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the startling discovery that around the time of the crime a woman lived across the hall from Ruiz ’ s brother and had a boyfriend named “ Ronnie.
” Tendy concluded that the victim identified the wrong apartment on the 16th floor .
Tendy referred the case to the Innocence Project .
The non-profit and the New York County District Attorney ’ s Office ’ s Conviction Integrity Program arranged for DNA testing of the victim ’ s sexual assault kit , which took a long time to find .
Ruiz ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not match .
Seema Saifee , senior staff attorney at the Innocence Project , said that no one has been able to find “ Ronnie , ” for whom there is no last name .
That , however , is a different case than Ruiz ’ s , who is now trying to move on .
“ I feel like a 1-year old , like a baby , ” he said .
“ I am going back into society again , to catch up .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--UC Berkeley Law School strips itself of racist namesake

BERKELEY , Calif. - The law school at the University of California , Berkeley has stripped itself of a 19th century namesake who espoused racist views that led to the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act .
John Boalt ’ s name was removed from a school building Thursday after a three-year process .
University officials say this is the first time UC Berkeley has removed a facility ’ s name due to the character or actions of its namesake .
The name removal comes as institutions around the country re-assess the people honoured with their monuments , streets and buildings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ statue long deemed racist by Native Americans .
“ It ’ s incredibly important to confront racist symbols , like John Boalt ’ s name on a building , because these symbols act to reinforce the history of white supremacy in our institutions , ” said Paul Fine , a university professor and co-chair of the Building Name Review Committee .
Oakland attorney John Henry Boalt was never a student or teacher at the law school , but after he died in 1901 , his widow Elizabeth Josselyn Boalt put up money to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Students and alumni have long referred to themselves as Boalties and the law school was casually referred to as Boalt Hall .
It wasn ’ t until 2017 that attorney and UC Berkeley law lecturer Charles Reichmann found Boalt ’ s racist writings and publicized them .
Boalt had moved to California from Nevada in the 1870s , at a time when Chinese immigration was rising to meet labour demands .
And as president of the influential boys-only Bohemian Club , he delivered an address in 1877 arguing that the Chinese could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The movement filtered up and in 1882 , Congress enacted the Chinese Exclusion Act .
University officials say this is the second time the University of California system has removed a benefactor ’ s name .
In 2018 , UC Irvine removed the Ayala name from two buildings after an internal investigation substantiated sexual harassment claims against Francisco J. Ayala .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Estranged husband accused of killing Jennifer Dulos dies

HARTFORD , Conn. - A Connecticut man charged with murdering his missing wife amid a contentious divorce case died Thursday following an apparent suicide attempt , his lawyer said .
Fotis Dulos , 52 , had been hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning since Tuesday , when he was found unresponsive inside a vehicle in the garage of his house in Farmington , Connecticut .
He was pronounced dead on Thursday , attorney Norm Pattis said .
“ To those who contend that Mr. Dulos ’ death reflects a consciousness of guilt , we say no , “ Pattis said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Greece , was accused of killing Jennifer Dulos , who has not been seen since she dropped their five children off at school in New Canaan in May .
Her body has not been found despite extensive searches .
Fotis Dulos had denied any role in her disappearance .
The children , who ranged in age from 8 to 13 when their mother vanished , have been staying with their maternal grandmother in New York City .
On the day Fotis Dulos was found stricken , he had been facing an emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent back to jail .
The company that originally posted the $ 6 million bond had learned that two properties offered as collateral were subject to foreclosure and a third was overvalued .
Police officers who went to check on Dulos because he was late for the hearing saw through a garage window that he was in medical distress .
Emergency responders forced their way into the garage and initiated CPR .
A lawyer for Dulos and others initially said he had died before saying a pulse had been found .
Dulos was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and transferred to the Jacobi Medical Center in New York City for hyperbaric treatment .
Pattis said late Wednesday that his client ’ s condition was “ dire.
” His family was travelling from Greece to be with him , according to his defence lawyers .
Fotis Dulos was under house arrest and alone at the house at the time of the apparent suicide attempt , Farmington police said .
He had been arrested Jan. 7 on murder and kidnapping charges , capping a lengthy investigation in which he emerged early as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when Dulos was charged initially with evidence tampering and hindering prosecution , said that he and a girlfriend were seen on video surveillance driving in Hartford around the time Jennifer Dulos was reported missing .
The man was seen tossing garbage bags into more than 30 trash bins in the area that were later determined to have items with Jennifer Dulos ’ blood on them .
Items in the garbage bags included clothing belonging to Jennifer Dulos and plastic zip ties that later tested positive for her DNA .
In filings in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she was worried for her safety and that of the couple ’ s children .
In the arrest warrants , police suggested a possible financial motive , saying Fotis Dulos was $ 7 million in debt and would have had some access to the children ’ s trust funds if Jennifer Dulos died .
Fotis Dulos denied that allegation .
Police allege Fotis Dulos lay in wait at Jennifer Dulos ’ home in New Canaan for her to return after dropping the children off .
Authorities say Fotis Dulos attacked the woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bloody crime scene , and drove off with her body .
Dulos had pleaded not guilty to the charges .
Fotis Dulos ’ former girlfriend , Michelle Troconis , and his friend , attorney Kent Mawhinney , are both charged with conspiracy to commit murder .
Police said they helped Fotis Dulos try to cover up the killing , including by creating bogus alibis .


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Election officials get training before 2020 voting begins

WASHINGTON - When state election officials gathered ahead of the last presidential election , major topics were voter registration , identity theft and ballot design .
This year , the main theme is election security .
The change since 2016 underscores how election security has become a top concern with presidential nominating contests set to begin next week .
Kicking off Thursday ’ s meeting was a training exercise co-ordinated by the Department of Homeland Security .
Election officials from 44 states joined officials with 11 federal agencies and representatives from more than a dozen voting technology companies to participate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep votes secure .
“ We ’ ve come a long ways , ” said Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate .
“ That ’ s the strength of doing these tabletops : putting everyone in the same room so we have that contact and preparing for whatever scenarios might come up.
” The vast majority of panels at the biannual meetings of the National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors are dedicated to cybersecurity , from what states can do to disrupt hacking attempts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ m not aware of any other mission , any other issue , where we are this closely aligned , ” said Christopher Krebs , director of Homeland Security ’ s cybersecurity agency .
” There is zero daylight between the things we are doing .
We are intensely focused on election security efforts.
” States have been scrambling to shore up cybersecurity practices at the state and local level , train election officials and upgrade old and vulnerable voting equipment ahead of this year ’ s presidential election .
This comes as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Russia , Iran , China and North Korea remain a threat to interfere in U.S. elections .
In 2016 , Russia launched a sweeping and systematic effort to undermine U.S. democracy by weaponizing social media , stealing and leaking campaign documents and scouring the nation ’ s state and local election systems for vulnerabilities .
Experts say it ’ s possible that Russia and other hostile nations opted to sit out the 2018 midterms in preparation for this year ’ s high-stakes presidential contest .
After facing tough criticism for a lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Homeland Security has been focused on enhancing cyber defences of the nation ’ s election systems , installing channels with state and local election officials to share threat information , providing cybersecurity resources such as security reviews and holding trainings like the one on Thursday .
Monday marks the first official nominating contest of the presidential election , with voters in Iowa choosing their pick of the Democratic presidential contenders .
The Department of Homeland Security and the Democratic National Committee have been working to help the Iowa Democratic Party protect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participated in training exercises in Iowa and plans to have an online communication portal activated on Monday to respond to any issues that might arise .
The Democratic National Committee will also have a team of cybersecurity experts in Iowa for Monday ’ s caucuses to identify and respond to any concerns .
A key concern will be any attempts to influence the public with disinformation , such as location or time changes for caucus events or false reports of problems checking in or accessing caucus sites .
The DNC team will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public confidence in the results .

Christina A. Cassidy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Venezuela’s Guaidó angles for Trump meeting at end of trip

CARACAS , Venezuela - Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó wraps up an international tour with a rally in Miami on Super Bowl weekend with the looming question whether the opposition leader can score an important meeting with President Donald Trump .
Guaidó ’ s ability to win face time with Trump in a symbolically important meeting will test the young political leader ’ s standing with his most important international ally .
“ If Trump does not meet with Guaidó , that would raise serious questions about the administration ’ s continuing commitment to Venezuela ’ s interim president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington-based Inter-American Dialogue think-tank .
“ It might well be interpreted that Trump is hedging on Guaidó.
” With his support down at home , Guaidó launched the second year of his so-far unsuccessful campaign to remove President Nicolás Maduro by defying a travel ban and slipping out of Venezuela seeking to shore up backing from leaders in Colombia , across Europe and Canada .
Venezuela has been a top priority in Latin America for the Trump administration , which was a year ago the first among nearly 60 governments to throw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Maduro a “ dictator , “ and hit the state-run Venezuelan oil firm PDVSA with sanctions among other financial measures designed to push out the socialist leader .
However , Maduro remains in control , having faced down a coup attempt , a brief renewal of mass anti-government protests and U.S. sanctions .
At various stops on his international trip , Guaidó has met with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and White House adviser Ivanka Trump , the president ’ s daughter , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. president .
He missed Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland , arriving a day after the U.S. president left .
The two will both be in Florida this weekend , but it is unclear whether Guaidó is on the guest list for Trump ’ s Super Bowl party at his Mar-a-Lago club — or invited to any other meetings .
A Trump-Guaidó meeting is under consideration and would likely take place this weekend in south Florida , according to two people , including a senior U.S. official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the discussions spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren ’ t authorized to discuss the U.S. president ’ s plans .
Shifter said the lack of a Trump-Guaidó session would demoralize the Venezuelan opposition that has counted on Washington for unwavering support .
It would also be puzzling to U.S. allies like Colombia and Brazil , which have worked in concert with the U.S. in fully backing Guaidó , he said .
Guaidó has not delivered the change in Venezuela that the Trump administration and the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still Venezuela ’ s most popular political figure , Shifter said .
“ Trump may be frustrated and believe he was misled on Venezuela , ” Shifter said .
“ But there is little cost in meeting with Guaidó as the democratic struggle enters a new , very difficult , phase.
” Guaidó emerged from the opposition in January 2019 to become the first viable challenger in years to Maduro , the hand-chosen successor of the late charismatic leader Hugo Chávez .
The economy continues to shrink after two decades of socialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s largest oil reserves .
The political and social crisis is driving mass migration as Venezuelans abandon a country with shortages of reliable water , food , electricity , gasoline and medical care , among basic services .
Guaidó claimed presidential powers as leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly , vowing before cheering masses in Caracas ’ streets to overthrow Maduro and restore democracy .
However , his plan hitched on flipping the military ’ s loyalty from Maduro , something that hasn ’ t happened .
Maduro today appears emboldened .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ patrol the streets on motorcycles , blocking Guaidó and allied lawmakers from entering their legislative hall .
Intelligence police occupied Guaidó ’ s office space after he left on his foreign tour .
“ The biggest clown ever in Venezuelan or world politics declared himself as president , ” Maduro said in a celebratory address on the anniversary of Guaidó claim to power .
“ Who the hell elected you ?
” At the time , Guaidó was in Europe posing for photos with world leaders including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angela Merkel .
In Canada , he met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau .
Guaidó wrote an op-ed published Thursday in the Miami Herald saying he was in the U.S .
He thanked Trump , U.S. lawmakers and their counterparts in Europe and throughout the Americas for all they have done for Venezuela .
“ They have helped Venezuela in our time of greatest need , and no Venezuelan will ever forget that , ” he wrote .
“ Their commitment has been extraordinary , but on behalf of our people , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s planned rally Saturday in Miami is expected to draw a large number of Venezuelans in the biggest diaspora of expatriates living in the United States .
It ’ s also a politically important swing-state for Trump .
Guaido might then make the risky move of returning home , although his team has not released details of this plans .
He completed a similar international tour a year ago , returning without hassles on a commercial flight that landed in Venezuela ’ s main airport outside Caracas .
A coalition of allied foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solidarity .
Risa Grais-Targow , a Venezuela analyst for the Eurasia Group , said aggression by Maduro against the opposition in recent weeks — such as blocking them from their congressional meeting hall — shows Maduro is pushing the limits to see if the international community is still watching .
“ There ’ s a potential for Maduro to be more aggressive toward Guaidó , ” Grais-Targow said .
“ It seems to me he ’ s feeling much more confident in his position today than he was , certainly , six months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goodman contributed to this story from Bogota , Colombia .


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Key questions asked during Trump’s impeachment trial

WASHINGTON - The questions from senators at President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial continued by the dozens on Thursday , with lawmakers inquiring about foreign election interference , the scope of presidential power and other areas that cut to the heart of the case now nearing its conclusion .
Several sought clarity on answers delivered a day earlier , including arguments from White House lawyers that foreign involvement in an election isn ’ t automatically inappropriate and that presidents acting in what they think is the national interest enjoy broad latitude in what they do .
A look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SEN. SHERROD BROWN , D-OHIO , and SEN. RON WYDEN , D-ORE : “ If President Trump remains in office , what signal does that send to other countries intent on interfering with our election in the future and what might we expect from those countries and the president ?
“ — The question came in response to an argument a night earlier from deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin , who said foreign involvement in an election isn ’ t by itself illegal if it ’ s simply bringing to light credible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those comments instantly angered Democrats , and Thursday ’ s question from the senators pointedly noted that FBI Director Chris Wray has said anyone with information about foreign election interference should immediately contact law enforcement .
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries , a New York Democrat and House impeachment manager , said he was shocked by Philbin ’ s suggestion that there could be scenarios in which it was acceptable to receive dirt on an opponent from a foreign national .
“ This is not a banana republic .
It ’ s the democratic republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s wrong , “ Jeffries said .
____ SEN. MIKE BRAUN , R-IND.
, and SEN. JOHN BARRASSO , R-WYO .
: “ The House managers said the country must be saved from the president and he does not have the best interests of the American people and their families in mind .
Do you wish to respond to that claim ?
— The question was part of a long-running effort by Republicans to paint the impeachment as a partisan effort to oust the president rather than a fact-finding mission .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ — defence of the president from Trump attorney Eric Herschmann , who rattled off a series of what he said were the administration ’ s accomplishments , including the killing by the U.S. military last fall of Islamic State founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi .
“ If all that is solely , solely in their words , for his personal and political gain and not in the best interest of the American people , then I say , God bless him , “ Herschmann said .
“ Keep doing it .
Keep doing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managers stop “ harassing “ him and his aides with letters and investigations , Herschmann added , “ maybe we can get even more done.
” SEN. SUSAN COLLINS , R-MAINE , SEN. MARCO RUBIO , R-FLA. , SEN. MIKE CRAPO , R-IDAHO , and SEN. ROY BLUNT , R-MO .
: “ Are there legitimate circumstances under which a president could request a foreign country to investigate a U.S. citizen , including a political rival , who is not under investigation by the U.S. government ?
If so , what are they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present case ?
” — Any question from Collins is important because she is among the Republicans whose perspective on both witnesses and acquittal are being closely watched for clues .
In this question , she appears to be grappling with whether there are instances in which conduct similar to Trump ’ s — who asked Ukraine ’ s leader to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and his son — might be reasonable .
Rep. Adam Schiff , the lead House impeachment prosecutor , said he could not imagine such a circumstance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ affirmatively and aggressively sought to investigate his rivals.
“ Philbin contended that Trump didn ’ t specifically ask Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for a general investigation into the Bidens , but instead to look into the firing of a Ukraine prosecutor at the same time that Hunter Biden served on the board of a Ukraine gas company .
He said it could be “ perfectly legitimate “ to seek an investigation overseas into someone suspected of violating the laws of that country .
SEN. KRYSTEN SINEMA , R-ARIZ. , SEN. JOE MANCHIN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-ARK.
, SEN. SUSAN COLLINS , R-MAINE : “ Will the president assure the American public that private citizens will not be directed to conduct American foreign policy or national security policy unless they have been specifically and formally designated by the president and the State Department to do so ?
” — The lead-up to the question referenced the Logan Act , an obscure and virtually dormant law that prohibits private citizens from negotiating without authorization with foreign powers .
The question — posed by senators of both parties — also made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuliani , the president ’ s personal lawyer and a central figure in the impeachment saga for his efforts to press Ukraine for the investigations the president wanted and for the ouster of the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine .
Philbin took exception to the question , saying there was “ no conduct of foreign policy being carried on here by a private person.
” Giuliani ’ s outreach to Ukraine was not formal foreign policy , Philbin argued .
And in any event , he said , presidents since George Washington have relied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to carry messages to other countries and to function as a go-between .
Associated Press writer Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report .