thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Trump to unveil his Middle East peace plan amid skepticism

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is set to unveil his administration ’ s much-anticipated Middle East peace plan in the latest American venture to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict .
Odds of it taking shape , though , appear long , given the Palestinians ’ preemptive rejection of the plan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’ s shaky political standing .
For both men , the White House summit looks to be a welcome diversion .
Trump is expected to present the proposal alongside Netanyahu at noon Tuesday .
The event comes the day Trump ’ s impeachment trial continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had planned a hearing to discuss Netanyahu ’ s request for immunity from criminal corruption charges .
Netanyahu withdrew that request hours before the parliamentary proceedings were set to begin , saying in a statement he had “ decided not to let this dirty game continue.
“ But Israel ’ s parliament , the Knesset , is still expected to meet even after the withdrawal .
The body had been set to likely vote against immunity , dealing Netanyahu a blow .
The Mideast peace proposal is expected to be very favourable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a chance to “ make history ” and define Israel ’ s final borders .
Netanyahu ’ s political challenger Benny Gantz has spoken in glowing terms about Trump and his initiative .
Trump insists it has a chance despite skepticism .
“ It ’ s been worked on by everybody , and we ’ ll see whether or not it catches hold .
If it does , that would be great , and if it doesn ’ t , we can live with it , too .
But I think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said alongside Netanyahu on Monday , when he also hosted Gantz at the White House .
A key element will be whether the proposal includes an American approval to any Israeli annexation of the West Bank .
In the run-up to Israel ’ s March 2 election , Netanyahu has called for annexing parts of the West Bank and imposing Israeli sovereignty on all its settlements there .
Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war , and the Jordan Valley in particular is considered a vital security asset .
Reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s plan could include the possible annexation of large pieces of territory that the Palestinians seek for a future independent state .
American approval could give Netanyahu the type of cover to go ahead with a move that he ’ s resisted taking for more than a decade in power .
But Netanyahu leads a caretaker government ahead of the country ’ s third election in less than a year , and such a far-reaching move , under the cloud of criminal corruption indictment no less , could lack public legitimacy .
Such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hard-line nationalist supporters but would almost certainly torpedo the viability of an independent Palestinian state and likely infuriate neighbouring Jordan .
In 1994 , Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty , the second between Israel and its Arab neighbours after Egypt .
The Palestinians seek the West Bank as the heartland of a future independent state and east Jerusalem as their capital .
Most of the international community supports their position , but Trump has reversed decades of U.S. foreign policy by siding more blatantly with Israel .
The centerpiece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel ’ s capital and moving the American Embassy there .
He ’ s also closed Palestinian diplomatic offices in Washington and cut funding to Palestinian aid programs .
Those policies have proven popular among Trump ’ s evangelical and pro-Israel supporters and could give him a much-needed boost from his base as the Senate weighs whether to remove him from office and as he gears up for a reelection battle this year .
Jared Kushner , a Trump adviser and the Republican president ’ s son-in-law , has been the architect for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s tried to persuade academics , lawmakers , former Mideast negotiators , Arab governments and special-interest groups not to reject his fresh approach outright .
But the Palestinians refuse to even speak to Trump , calling him biased in favour of Israel , and they are calling on Arab representatives to reject the Tuesday event at the White House .
The Palestinian leadership has also encouraged protests in the West Bank , raising fears that the announcement in Washington could spark a new round of violence .


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Hong Kong to cut rail links as virus from China spreads

BEIJING - Hong Kong ’ s leader announced Tuesday that all rail links to mainland China will be cut starting Friday as fears grow about the spread of a new virus .
Chief Executive Carrie Lam , wearing a green surgical mask , said both the high-speed rail station and the regular train station would be closed .
She stopped short of a total closing of the border but said that flights from the mainland would also be reduced .
China ’ s death toll from a new viral disease that is causing mounting global concern rose by 25 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States and other governments prepared to fly their citizens out of the locked-down city at centre of the outbreak .
The total includes the first death in Beijing , the Chinese capital , and 24 more fatalities in Hubei province , where the first illnesses from the newly identified coronavirus occurred in December .
Asian stock markets tumbled for a second day , dragged down by worries about the virus ’ s global economic impact .
The U.S. Consulate in the central Chinese city of Wuhan , where authorities cut off most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contain the disease , was preparing to fly its diplomats and some other Americans out of the city on Wednesday .
Japan and South Korea said they would send planes to Wuhan this week to evacuate their citizens .
France , Mongolia and other governments also planned evacuations .
China ’ s increasingly drastic containment efforts began with the suspension of plane , train and bus links to Wuhan , a city of 11 million people .
That lockdown has expanded to 17 cities with more than 50 million people in the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended the Lunar New Year holiday by three days to Sunday to reduce the risk of infection by keeping offices and factories nationwide closed and the public at home .
Authorities in Shanghai , a global business centre and home to 25 million people , extended the holiday in that city by an additional week to Feb. 9 .
U.S. health officials expanded their recommendation for people to avoid non-essential travel to any part of China , rather than just Wuhan and other areas most affected by the outbreak .
Mongolia closed its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was strengthening quarantine measures .
Hong Kong and Malaysia are barring visitors from Hubei .
Chinese travel agencies were ordered to cancel group tours nationwide .
There were 1,771 new cases confirmed in China on Monday , raising the national total to 4,515 , according to the National Health Commission .
It said 976 people were in serious condition .
The government has sent 6,000 extra medical workers to Wuhan from across China , including 1,800 who were due to arrive Tuesday , a commission official , Jiao Yahui , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boy was delivered by surgery in Wuhan after his 27-year-old mother was hospitalized as a “ highly suspected ” virus case , state TV reported .
The mother , who has a fever and cough , was 37 weeks pregnant , or two weeks less than a standard full term .
Doctors wore protective masks and clothing for the delivery Friday at Union Hospital .
“ It was unlikely for her to be able to give natural birth , ” said the hospital ’ s deputy director of obstetrics , Zhao Yin .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mother would suffer less pressure in her lungs and she could get better treatment.
” Also Tuesday , the Education Ministry cancelled English proficiency and other tests for students to apply to foreign universities .
The ministry said the new semester for public schools and universities following Lunar New Year was postponed until further notice .
The Hong Kong government announced some government offices would remain closed until at least Monday and non-essential public employees were allowed to work from home .
Chinese financial markets were closed for the holiday , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sydney all declined .
Beijing ’ s official response has “ vastly improved ” since the 2002-03 SARS outbreak , which also originated in China , but “ fears of a global contagion are not put to bed , ” said Vishnu Varathan at Mizuho Bank in Singapore .
Airlines , resorts and other companies that rely on travel and tourism suffered steep losses .
Prices of gold and bonds rose as traders moved money into safe haven holdings .
The Shanghai Stock Exchange , one of the world ’ s busiest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trading after the holiday by three days to Monday .
Scientists are concerned about the new virus because it is closely related to other diseases including SARS , which killed nearly 800 people .
So far , the new coronavirus doesn ’ t seem to spread as easily among people as SARS or influenza .
Most of the cases that spread between people were of family members and health workers who had contact with patients .
That suggests the new virus isn ’ t well adapted to infect people .
China has reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Macao , and more than 45 cases have been confirmed elsewhere in the world .
Almost all involve mainland Chinese tourists or people who visited Wuhan .
On Tuesday , Taiwan said two 70-year-old tourists from Wuhan had been confirmed to have the disease , raising its total to seven cases .
Thailand reported six members of a family from Hubei were new cases , raising its total to 14 .
Germany confirmed its first case late Monday .
Infections also have been confirmed in the United States , Japan , South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Nepal , France , Canada , Australia and Sri Lanka .
The five American cases — two in southern California and one each in Washington state , Chicago and Arizona — are people who had recently arrived from central China .
Health officials said they had no evidence the virus was spreading in the United States and they believe the risk to Americans remains low .
During the SARS outbreak , Chinese authorities were criticized for reacting slowly and failing to disclose information .
The government has responded more aggressively to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals , one with 1,500 beds and another with 1,000 , for the growing number of patients .
The first is scheduled to be finished next week .
The coronavirus family includes the common cold but also more severe illnesses such as SARS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome .
The new virus causes cold- and flu-like symptoms , including cough and fever , and in more severe cases , shortness of breath and pneumonia .
The virus is thought to have spread to people from wild animals sold at a Wuhan market .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals and urged people to stop eating meat from them .

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada
Postal Code


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Airbus nears settlements with US, UK, French investigators

PARIS - Airbus said Tuesday it has reached potential settlement deals with authorities in the U.S. , Britain and France investigating alleged fraud and bribery .
If the plea deals are approved by courts in all three countries , that would end four years of investigations that have damaged the European plane maker ’ s reputation and bottom line .
The settlements would also mean executives wouldn ’ t have to face trial .
Airbus did not disclose details of how much it could pay to settle the cases , but it could reach billions of euros .
British and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bribery related to Airbus ’ use of outside consultants to sell planes .
U.S. authorities are also investigating Airbus ’ compliance with American arms trafficking regulations .
Airbus said in a statement Tuesday it has “ reached agreement in principle ” with the investigating bodies , but released no details .
It said the potential settlement agreements must be approved by courts in the three countries .
Airbus , one of Europe ’ s leading manufacturers , has suffered financially because of the investigations , and has promised to cut out middlemen from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutor ’ s office and British Serious Fraud Office started investigating in 2016 , and the U.S. Department of Justice joined in 2018 .
The Airbus investigation was one of the first and biggest cases led by the French financial prosecutor ’ s office , which has only reached five settlements since it was created in 2014 .
The largest plea deal was with Google , which agreed to pay 500 million euros to settle a tax fraud claim .
If the French plea deal is confirmed , Airbus must pay out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Ex-C. African Republic leader insists return is peaceful

BANGUI , Central African Republic - Former Central African Republic President Francois Bozize insists he has returned from exile with peaceful intentions , even as concerns are growing that he will run in the upcoming presidential election .
Bozize , who came to power in a coup and ruled for a decade , was ousted by a coalition of rebel groups in 2013 , leading to years of inter-communal conflict .
Fears have grown in recent weeks about Central African Republic ’ s fragile political stability as Michel Djotodia , the rebel leader who ousted Bozize , also recently returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday since returning in mid-December , Bozize said his party will decide on whether he is their candidate .
“ As far as I am concerned , until proof to the contrary , nothing prevents me from being a candidate , ” he told journalists .
The election is set for December .
“ I returned in a spirit of appeasement and search for peace , contrary to what some propaganda has tried to be spread in recent days , ” he added .
The U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions on Bozize the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former leader of “ engaging in or providing support for acts that undermine the peace , stability or security of CAR.
“ Bozize has called for those sanctions to be lifted and said he believes he can run again for office either way .
The former president still has numerous supporters in the capital , Bangui , who recall his rule as a more peaceful era than the violence that followed his ouster .
Rebels who still control large swathes of the country , though , would deeply oppose his return to politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied playing a role in the bloodshed that erupted in December 2013 , distancing himself from the militia known as the anti-Balaka that tried to overthrow the mostly Muslim rebel coalition known as Seleka that ousted him from power .
“ I ’ ve always said that the anti-Balaka movement happened after me .
The result was that the country was set on fire and blood , ” he said .
“ It was not me who convened the Seleka in the Central African Republic .
It was not me who crossed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “

Hippolyte Marboua - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--UN food agency says aid looted in Yemen’s Houthi-held area

CAIRO - The U.N. food agency said Tuesday that one of its warehouses in the Houthi-controlled part of Yemen had been looted .
The World Food Program statement described the culprits simply as “ militias ” and said 127.5 tons ( over 115,000 kilograms ) of aid were stolen in the northern province of Hajja .
A senior aid worker , however , said Houthi militiamen were behind the looting .
The worker spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisal .
Millions of Yemenis live just a step away from famine and rely on food aid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ food aid to areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthi rebels last June , amid accusations they were diverting aid from the war-torn country ’ s hungriest people .
The Houthis denied the accusation .
Aid deliveries resumed in August .
Across Yemen , factions and militias on all sides of the conflic t have blocked food aid from going to groups suspected of disloyalty , diverted it to front-line combat units or sold it for profit on the black market , The Associated Press reported in December 2018 .
The WFP confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance to 12 million people every month .
The agency spoke out repeatedly last year about aid diversion at the hands of Houthis and accused them of impeding its operations .
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been at war with Yemen ’ s internationally recognized government since 2014 , when the Houthis took control of the capital , Sanaa .
That move prompted a coalition of Gulf Arab countries , led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates , to begin a military campaign the following year in support of the internationally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting between the Saudi-led military coalition and Houthi rebels in Yemen has killed and wounded hundreds of people over the past week , officials and tribal leaders said Monday .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Harvey Weinstein NYC sex assault trial picks up pace

NEW YORK - The closely watched # Metoo era rape trial of Harvey Weinstein is moving at a faster pace than predicted , with three more of his accusers expected to testify against the disgraced movie mogul before the end of the week .
A slate of secondary witnesses are due on the witness stand Tuesday to testify before a Manhattan jury about records related to the investigation of Weinstein .
The rest of the week could see two women testify about alleged “ prior bad acts ” by Weinstein — called “ Molineux ” witnesses — followed by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a hotel in 2013 .
A final Molineux witness would testify next Monday , completing the bulk of a prosecution case that began last Wednesday when there was an expectation that the trial could stretch into March .
On Monday , a second woman at the heart of the case , former “ Project Runway ” production assistant Mimi Haleyi , wept at times as she detailed her allegation that Weinstein forced oral sex on her at his New York City apartment in 2006 .
“ I did reject him , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get off the bed , he would push me back and hold me down , “ she told jurors , adding that she told Weinstein she was menstruating in an attempt to deter him .
Haleyi , now 42 , testified that she thought , “ I ’ m being raped , ” and considered different options .
“ If I scream rape , will someone hear me ?
” she said she wondered .
Lawyers for the 67-year-old Weinstein have insisted any sexual encounters were consensual and zeroed in on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the alleged assaults .
One of his attorneys , Damon Cheronis , showed jurors a friendly email Haleyi sent Weinstein after they ran into each other at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008 .
On cross-examination , Haleyi conceded she ’ d been in contact with Weinstein “ not often , but yes occasionally , ” and that she sent the 2008 email after a newspaper article reminded her of a conversation they had weeks before the alleged assault .
Last week , “ Sopranos ” actress Annabella Sciorra testified that Weinstein overpowered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartment in the mid-1990s .
While outside the statute of limitations for criminal charges , Sciorra ’ s allegations could be a factor as prosecutors look to prove Weinstein has engaged in a pattern of predatory behaviour .
The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they have been victims of sexual assault , unless they agree to be named as Haleyi and Sciorra have .

Tom Hays And Michael R. Sisak - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--‘Like I’m trapped’: Africans in China lockdown see no escape

JOHANNESBURG - The normally bustling supermarket in Wuhan was deserted , looking more foreign than ever .
Khamis Hassan Bakari walked the aisles and saw just two other shoppers , and fear sank in .
“ Everybody is scared .
Scared of seeing anyone , ” the 39-year-old Tanzanian doctor said , as authorities around the world scramble to contain the new virus that began in the industrial Chinese city of 11 million .
“ You don ’ t even want the supermarket to touch the products you buy.
” Bakari spoke with The Associated Press this week from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s astonishing lockdown of more than 50 million people continues .
Transport links have been cut .
Streets are largely empty .
Lunar New Year festivities have fallen flat .
With thousands of foreigners stranded in Wuhan , and with richer countries like the United States and Japan preparing to evacuate some citizens , the PhD student has become a leader for hundreds of African peers with little chance of a similar escape .
“ I ’ m feeling like I ’ m trapped here , ” said one Ethiopian student at Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave only his first name , Abel .
He , like other students , cited worries that angering Chinese or their country ’ s authorities could lead to retaliation , like loss of scholarships .
Beijing ’ s push to expand its influence on the youthful African continent means Africans now make up the second-largest population of foreign students in China , behind those from elsewhere in Asia , according to China ’ s education ministry .
In 2018 African students numbered more than 80,000 .
More than 4,000 are estimated to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected this .
No one knows how long the lockdown will last , or all the ways the virus can spread .
The southern African nation of Botswana has openly worried about its students ’ supplies of water and food .
Kenya ’ s government has had to defend itself against accusations it was not helping its students .
So Bakari and a small committee of fellow doctors from his East African country regularly send updates on social media about the outbreak to the more than 400 Tanzanian students in Wuhan , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China .
“ They don ’ t have a clue what is going on , ” Bakari said .
And , because the updates are largely in Swahili , the lingua franca of East Africa , many beyond his country can follow them , too .
“ Together we are one family , ” the association tweeted Tuesday , encouraging fellow Africans to follow precautionary measures .
The concerns are real .
Even Africa ’ s most developed economy , South Africa , has signalled it will not evacuate citizens .
On Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to university instructions , warning that leaving without permission “ can have far-reaching consequences.
” Morocco ’ s King Mohammed VI , however , has ordered his government to repatriate 100 nationals of the north African nation from Wuhan .
Speaking by phone , Bakari sounded remarkably relaxed , even chuckling , as he described life under lockdown .
“ For me as a doctor , I know how to cope with the stress , ” the specialist in nuclear medicine said .
“ So we have initiated a way of going through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calm , the Tanzanian committee has recommended this : Exercise at least 20 minutes a day — and don ’ t spend too much time online .
The committee looked into an online video showing an ill Congolese student at a Chinese hospital that quickly led to fears he had the virus .
“ But that guy , he actually had kidney stones , ” Bakari said .
“ We don ’ t have a foreign student here in Wuhan suffering from the virus , we haven ’ t heard of any case.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Wuhan University of Science and Technology had warned students against sharing videos , photos or messages about the virus on WeChat , the popular Chinese messaging app , threatening to cut their WiFi connections if they do .
Students were only trying to learn about the situation , said the student , adding that he wants to leave China the moment transport links are restored .
“ This is not the time to be adventurous , ” Ghana ’ s ambassador to China , Edward Boateng , has warned .
“ Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The African diplomatic corps in Beijing has been exploring options to help students , reaching out to the U.N. migration agency and others .
Another Tanzanian on the grassroots committee , Dr. Hilal Kizwi , described a situation “ full of panic ” especially for newer African students who don ’ t yet speak Chinese .
The new virus started out like a flu , he said .
Then authorities told him and others doing their residency at a local hospital to be careful and cover their mouths .
Patients started dying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Supplies of masks and other items ran low .
Finally , students were told to no longer report to work .
“ It ’ s like I ’ m locked up in a cell , ” Kizwi said shortly after his evening prayers .
“ The only thing I have is to talk to my family : ‘ I ’ m safe , I ’ m doing fine.
’ ” And he was , until he heard a local doctor had died of the virus .
When he ventured outside after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of one .
Students have reached out to Tanzania ’ s embassy about leaving Wuhan and were told authorities were working on it , Kizwi said .
“ But I don ’ t expect it.
” There is little to do .
Police are constantly monitoring people who are out and about , his countryman Bakari said .
Most supermarkets and pharmacies are closed .
The one shop at his and Kizwi ’ s school , Tongji Medical College , quickly sells out every day .
Bakari said the Tanzanian committee has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all universities in Wuhan so students can report on any shortages or which campuses are being especially helpful .
Some students are given thermometers and visited every day for a temperature check , Bakari said .
At his school , they are given face masks daily .
“ Our university gave us supplies the day before yesterday , ” he said , including two boxes of chocolate , cookies , sugar , cooking oil and bottles of water .
“ Today there ’ s new information that if we want to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask the local community .
They have provided us with a phone number and we call them to ask for transport or supplies , if possible.
” He complimented Chinese authorities on their response : “ We really appreciate what they ’ re doing.
” But Bakari said he has no plans to go out again .
With his new stash from his supermarket visit of fruit , vegetables , legumes and milk powder — to help combat protein deficiency now that eating eggs , fish or meat is not an option since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — he has settled into his role as an investigator , semi-therapist and amateur media outlet .
This new reality can be tiring .
But “ actually we don ’ t sleep these days , ” he said .

Cara Anna And Elias Meseret - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Amid impeachment and Iowa, 2020 top tier jilts New Hampshire

MANCHESTER , N.H. - New Hampshire isn ’ t used to being neglected .
The most prominent candidates in the 2020 presidential race spent months last year making their case to New Hampshire voters , but many of the White House hopefuls have been largely absent from the state in January amid the Senate impeachment trial and the upcoming Iowa caucuses .
Iowa may come first , but if the contest delivers a muddled result , or multiple candidates claim victory , New Hampshire could serve either as a crucial case maker or a critical blow to the remaining candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary comes Feb. 11 , eight days after Iowa ’ s first-in-the-nation caucuses , allowing for what is expected to be a packed week of frenzied last-minute campaigning in the state .
Heading into that week , however , New Hampshire has been less of a focus after a 2019 filled with candidate appearances that evolved from intimate house parties to larger rallies .
In recent days , voters have been more likely to see a surrogate for some of the top-tier candidates stumping in New Hampshire than the candidates themselves .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t been around , ” said JoAnn Fenton , a Democratic activist in Keene who is leaning toward supporting Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar .
Other than former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , most of the candidates in the top tier have had five or fewer events in New Hampshire since the start of the year .
Joe Biden has held only two formal campaign events for voters in New Hampshire this month but has had more than 20 in-person events in Iowa , according to his campaign .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former vice-president skipped taking questions from the crowd in the town hall format New Hampshire voters are fond of in favour of extensive time on the rope line visiting with admirers .
He also stopped by a Manchester campaign office during last week ’ s trip .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren held four events in New Hampshire this month , and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders held five over a two-day visit .
A Sanders campaign spokesperson said he ’ s done 21 Iowa events this month , while a Warren staffer referred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the senator attending 15 January events in Iowa .
And Klobuchar , who has had 25 events in Iowa this month , has visited New Hampshire only once in January for a college convention appearance .
That ’ s left the candidates ’ campaigns , and an army of surrogates , to fill in .
Last week alone saw prominent figures like Massachusetts congressman Joe Kennedy III visit the state in support of Warren , while Ben & Jerry ’ s ice cream co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield campaigned for Sanders .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been here an awful lot ... not just over the course of the past several weeks , but over the course of years , ” said Kennedy , a close Warren ally .
“ People know her here.
” Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and businessman Andrew Yang have been among the most prolific campaigners in New Hampshire since the start of the year along with fellow long shots Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and former Massachusetts Gov .
Deval Patrick .
Of the senators remaining in the race , Bennet has spent the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placing his slim presidential odds on the state .
On Sunday , he was the only senator in New Hampshire as Klobuchar , Warren and Sanders had already bolted to Iowa to focus their energy there while away from the impeachment trial .
Asked if he thought the top tier was ignoring New Hampshire , Bennet said , “ I think they have , and it ’ s one of the reasons I ’ m here.
” “ I think New Hampshire wants to meet candidates and see candidates and have conversations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the chance to ask questions and have those questions answered , ” Bennet said .
While New Hampshire has a history of humbling front-runners and producing historic upsets or comebacks , even voters who have been attending recent candidate events have indicated they ’ re leaning toward a particular candidate but are not yet fully committed .
Some in New Hampshire , like Molly Forgaard , have noticed a drop in attention .
At this point , the 25-year-old independent voter supports Buttigieg but is “ open to having my mind changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a New Hampshire resident , I like being able to see all the politicians in person , and I am a little bummed that I haven ’ t gotten to see as many as I would like because they ’ ve been over in Iowa , ” Forgaard said .
“ But I do also think that Iowa and New Hampshire ’ s outsized influence in the election is kind of unfair.
” Even one of the most veteran Democrats in the state found it was hard to say how important the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it depends on the outcome .
“ If it ’ s a draw , if everyone is within one or two points of each other , I think there ’ s no winner , so it could be that , ” said Bill Shaheen , a Democratic National Committee member from New Hampshire who recently endorsed Biden .
“ New Hampshire has the potential of being important , but it also has the potential of being , hey , people haven ’ t made up their mind yet.
” Associated Press writer Sara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Asian demand for face masks soars on fears of Chinese virus

TOKYO - Panic and pollution drive the market for protective face masks , so business is booming in Asia , where fear of the virus from China is straining supplies and helping make mask-wearing the new normal .
Demand for face masks and hand sanitizing liquid has soared , as both local residents and visitors from China stock up on such products as a reassuring precaution .
Factories are rushing to boost production as the number of infections and deaths from the new virus first found in the central Chinese city of Wuhan climbs .
In some parts of Asia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandatory , for now .
“ Sales of disinfectant products and hygiene masks have been rising since last week .
First Chinese tourists came to our store to buy these products to bring back with them .
They bought in bulk , like two or three boxes per person , ” said Varumporn Krataitohg , an employee of the NanBhesaj drugstore in central Bangkok .
The outbreak began before the Chinese Lunar New Year , when tens of thousands of Chinese tourists visit Thailand , Japan and other parts of Asia .
Demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this past weekend ’ s Chinese New Year , said Varumporn .
“ Now we are out of disinfectant gel for hands .
The maker just sent just new lots this morning and by noon we were sold out , ” she said .
“ People keep coming and asking for these products.
” Japanese often wear surgical masks to protect against colds , flu or hay fever .
Shelves of some stores were scooped bare as Japanese health officials confirmed four cases of the virus .
Christine Yuuki , a 25-year-old tourist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shopping in Tokyo for masks for friends and family back in China .
“ In China , masks are very expensive , ” she said , adding that one little pack of masks costs more than 100 yuan ( $ 14 ) .
“ They are cheaper here and easier to buy.
” Iris Ohyama , a major maker of household goods and home appliances , said Monday its mask sales last week had tripled from week before .
It has asked some workers at one of its two factories in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Year holiday and get back to work , it said .
Stocks of masks ran out quickly at outlets of South Korea ’ s biggest 24-hour convenience store , CU , at airports , bus terminals and other transportation hubs .
Sales of soap , hand sanitizers and mouthwash more than doubled , said CU ’ s parent company , BGF Retail .
Overall , though , there were no immediate signs of major shortages in South Korea , which has reported four cases of the illness .
In Taiwan , likewise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks and that current daily production capacity of 1.88 million face masks could be boosted to 2.44 million to meet any spike in demand .
Seven cases of the virus have been confirmed on the island , which has imposed a month-long ban on exports of two types of surgical masks to ensure they ’ ll be availabile .
Everyday use of surgical masks , once mainly confined to Japan and parts of China affected by major dust storms or smog , has expanded in recent years , mainly because of worsening air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reported no cases of the virus , the recent eruptions of the Taal volcano have prompted many to wear masks to protect against ash .
Cambodia registered its first new virus case on Monday and launched a campaign to give away 1 million masks to people entering the country at Poipet , on its border with Thailand .
Indonesia , Asia ’ s third most populous country after China and India , has not confirmed any cases of the virus .
At the request of its embassy , it ’ s sending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indonesians living there , said Agus Wibowo , a spokesman for the Health Ministry .
In Bangkok , consumers are faced with choosing between N95 masks , which many residents have worn during recent weeks of heavy air pollution , or plain surgical masks that can help block transmission of the virus and are more breathable .
Thailand , a favourite Chinese vacation destination , has 14 confirmed cases of the illness , the highest national total outside China .
While some stores were temporarily sold out , especially in places frequented by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolute shortage of masks , said Prayote Pensut , the deputy director general of the Thai Commerce Ministry ’ s Internal Trade Department .
Whether or not masks do much to prevent the virus from spreading , they seem to reassure many .
Wuhan is “ pretty much contained , “ said Ian Zhao , a 30-year-old engineer from Shenzhen who was visiting Bangkok ’ s ornate Grand Palace .
So , “ you just don ’ t worry about it too much , wash your hands , put on masks , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it ’ s mostly fine.
” Peck reported from Bangkok .
Associated Press Writers Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul , Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo , Jim Gomez in Manila , Philippines , Busaba Sivasomboon and Tassanee Vejpongsa in Bangkok , Sopheng Cheang in Phnom Penh , Cambodia , and Niniek Karmini in Jakarta , Indonesia contributed to this story .

Haruka Nuga And Grant Peck - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Trump lawyers raise defences as pressure grows for witnesses

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s legal team is raising a broad-based attack on the impeachment case against him even as it mostly brushes past allegations in a new book that could undercut a key defence argument at his Senate trial .
Former national security adviser John Bolton writes in a manuscript that Trump wanted to withhold military aid from Ukraine until it committed to helping with investigations into Democratic rival Joe Biden .
That assertion matters because Trump and his lawyers have repeatedly insisted that he never tied the suspension of security aid to political investigations .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swift end to the impeachment trial , as Democrats demanded witnesses and some Republicans expressed openness to the idea .
It also distracted from hours of arguments Monday from Trump ’ s lawyers , who declared anew that no witness has testified to direct knowledge that Trump ’ s delivery of aid was contingent on investigations into Democrats .
Bolton appeared poised to say exactly that if summoned by the Senate .
“ We deal with transcript evidence , we deal with publicly available information , “ attorney Jay Sekulow said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is charged with abusing his presidential power by asking Ukraine ’ s leader to help investigate Biden at the same time his administration was withholding hundreds of millions of dollars in security aid .
A second charge accuses Trump of obstructing Congress in its probe .
Republicans are to conclude their arguments Tuesday .
On Monday , Trump ’ s attorneys , including high-profile lawyers Ken Starr and Alan Dershowitz , launched a historical , legal and political attack on the entire impeachment process .
They said there was no basis to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions as appropriate and assailed Biden , who is campaigning for the Democratic nomination to oppose Trump in November .
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi devoted her presentation to Biden and his son Hunter , who served on the board of a Ukraine gas company when his father was leading the Obama administration ’ s diplomatic dealings with Kyiv .
The legal team argued that Trump had legitimate reasons to be suspicious of the younger Biden ’ s business dealings and concerned about corruption in Ukraine and that , in any event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine committing to investigations the Republican president wanted .
Trump has sought , without providing evidence , to implicate the Bidens in the kind of corruption that has long plagued Ukraine .
Though anti-corruption advocates have raised concerns , there has been no evidence of wrongdoing by either the former vice-president or his son .
Democrats say Trump released the money only after a whistleblower submitted a complaint about the situation .
Starr , whose independent counsel investigation into President Bill Clinton resulted in his impeachment — he was acquitted by the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ age of impeachment.
“ Impeachment , he said , requires an actual crime and a “ genuine national consensus ” that the president must go .
Neither exists here , Starr said .
“ It ’ s filled with acrimony and it divides the country like nothing else , “ Starr said of impeachment .
“ Those of us who lived through the Clinton impeachment understand that in a deep and personal way.
” Dershowitz , the final speaker of the evening , argued that impeachable offences require criminal-like conduct — a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said “ nothing in the Bolton revelations , even if true , would rise to the level of an abuse of power or an impeachable offence.
“ “ Purely non-criminal conduct , including abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , are outside the range of impeachable offences , “ Dershowitz said .
Elizabeth Warren , a presidential campaigner like Biden but also a Senate juror , told reporters she found Dershowitz ’ s arguments “ nonsensical.
” Even as defence lawyers laid out their case as planned , it was clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate over whether to seek witnesses .
Trump ’ s legal team has rejected Bolton ’ s account , and Trump himself denied it .
“ I NEVER told John Bolton that the aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations into Democrats , including the Bidens , “ Trump tweeted .
” If John Bolton said this , it was only to sell a book.
” Republican senators face a pivotal moment .
Pressure is mounting for at least four to buck GOP leaders and form a bipartisan majority to force the issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ John Bolton ’ s relevance to our decision has become increasingly clear , ” GOP Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah told reporters .
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said she has always wanted “ the opportunity for witnesses ” and the report about Bolton ’ s book “ strengthens the case.
” At a private GOP lunch , Romney made the case for calling Bolton , according to a person unauthorized to discuss the meeting and granted anonymity .
Other Republicans , including Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania , said if Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hear from at least one of their witnesses .
Some Republicans want to call the Bidens .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell didn ’ t know about Bolton ’ s book , his office said .
But the GOP leader appeared unmoved by news of the Bolton book .
His message at the lunch , said Indiana GOP Sen. Mike Braun , was , “ Take a deep breath , and let ’ s take one step at a time.
” Once the president ’ s team wraps up its arguments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to both sides .
By late in the week , they are expected to hold a vote on whether or not to hear from any witnesses .
While Democrats say Bolton ’ s revelations are reminiscent of the Watergate drip-drip-drip of new information , Republicans are counting on concerns subsiding by the time senators are asked to vote .
They are being told that if there is agreement to summon Bolton , the White House will resist , claiming executive privilege .
That would launch a weekslong court battle that could drag out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP senators would rather avoid .
Trump and his lawyers have argued repeatedly that Democrats are using impeachment to try to undo the results of the last presidential election and drive Trump from office .
Democrats , meanwhile , say Trump ’ s refusal to allow administration officials to testify only reinforces that the White House is hiding evidence .
The White House has had Bolton ’ s manuscript for about a month , according to a letter from Bolton ’ s attorney .
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said : “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverup in the face.
“ Rep. Adam Schiff , who leads the House prosecution team , called Bolton ’ s account a test for the senators .
“ I don ’ t know how you can explain that you wanted a search for the truth in this trial and say you don ’ t want to hear from a witness who had a direct conversation about the central allegation in the articles of impeachment , ” Schiff said on CNN .
Bolton ’ s account was first reported by The New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a person familiar with the manuscript .
“ The Room Where It Happened ; A White House Memoir ” is to be released March 17 .
Joe Biden , campaigning in Iowa , said he sees no reason for testimony by him or his son .
“ I have nothing to defend .
This is all a game , even if they bring me up , “ he told reporters .
” What is there to defend ?
This is all -- the reason he ’ s being impeached is because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me and they wouldn ’ t .
Come on.
” Associated Press writers Alan Fram , Mary Clare Jalonick , Andrew Taylor , Matthew Daly , Laurie Kellman and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .

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


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--The Latest: Japan sends plane to China to evacuate citizens

BEIJING - The Latest on the outbreak of a new virus from China ( all times local ) : Japan is sending its first chartered flight to China to evacuate Japanese citizens from Wuhan , the city at the centre of a deadly viral outbreak .
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday that the evacuees will be allowed to go home after quarantine procedures at the airport , but asked them to remain in their houses for about two weeks .
Officials say the plane , which is leaving Japan on Tuesday , will also take face masks , hazmat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and foreign residents who remain in the worst-affected province .
Residents of the central Chinese city of Wuhan , confined to their apartments either by choice or by order , are making the best of the situation as their city remains in lockdown amid the outbreak of a new , dangerous virus .
On Monday night , that involved residents of some high-rise apartment buildings joining together , at least in spirit , from their balconies and windows to sing the national anthem and other songs .
The anthem ’ s refrain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” or “ Rise up , rise up , rise up !
” echoed between the towers of skyscrapers in the city of 11 million , where streets have grown eerily quiet as families try to avoid contact with others who might be infected .
Others shouted “ Wuhan , fight !
” echoing the chants heard from protesters in Hong Kong , where anti-government demonstrations have stretched on for months after officials sought approval for an unpopular extradition legislation .
The death toll from the virus has topped 100 and more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which can cause pneumonia and other severe respiratory symptoms .
More than 50 million people in Wuhan and nearby cities are being kept in place in the most far-reaching disease control measures ever imposed .
In South Asia , where two cases of a novel coronavirus have been reported , countries have intensified preventive efforts to monitor and contain a potential outbreak .
In Sri Lanka , authorities said Tuesday that a Chinese national with the virus wasn ’ t in critical condition .
Sri Lanka ’ s Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to airlift from Wuhan would be quarantined at a military base in the former garrison town of Diyatalawa in the central highlands of Sri Lanka , about 200 kilometres ( 124 miles ) from the capital Colombo .
He said that the students would be kept in isolation “ for two weeks.
” Nepal confirmed its first case on Friday -- a student , who had been studying in Wuhan and had returned home to Nepal during the Chinese New Year holidays .
Earlier this week , the government-run National Public Health Laboratory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an isolated ward was set up at the Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kathmandu for patients .
The Nepalese government has also set up a health desk at the country ’ s only international airport in Kathmandu to check on passengers arriving from China .
Although Bangladesh has reported no case of infection , Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked for arrangements for the “ return of Bangladeshi nationals , if willing , from China , ” the country ’ s junior minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 3,000 passengers from China at Bangladesh airports hadn ’ t identified any cases .
With airport screenings underway , Indian authorities had no reported cases on Tuesday .
Raveesh Kumar , spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs , tweeted that the government had “ begun the process for evacuation of Indian nationals ” from the affected area in China and was working out logistics with Beijing .
The Chinese Embassy in Copenhagen is demanding that one of Denmark ’ s largest newspaper apologize for a cartoon on the outbreak of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an insult to China.
” The chief editor at Jyllands-Posten , Jacob Nybroe , said the cartoon , which shows the Chinese flag with what resembles viruses instead of stars , “ didn ’ t intend to mock or ridicule China.
” “ We can ’ t apologize for something we don ’ t think is wrong , ” Nybroe said on the newspaper ’ s website .
“ As far as I can see , there are two different types of cultural understanding here.
” The embassy expressed its “ strong indignation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was printed Monday , “ is an insult to China ” and “ crossed the bottom line of civilized society and the ethical boundary of free speech and offends human conscience.
” China has confirmed more than 4,500 cases of a new virus , with more than 100 deaths .
Most have been in the central city of Wuhan where the outbreak began in December .
In September 2005 , the Jyllands-Posten published 12 cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad that caused outrage among Muslims around the world .
Islamic law generally opposes any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it plans to send chartered planes to China on Thursday and Friday to bring home some 700 South Koreans who wish to return home from Wuhan , the city at the centre of a new coronavirus outbreak .
Lee Tae-ho , South Korea ’ s second vice minister of foreign affairs , said Tuesday that the dates of the flights could change depending on consultations with the Chinese government .
He says South Korea will also use the flights to take 2 million masks and other equipment to China to help with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wuhan has informed applicants for the flights that they would be isolated for two weeks at designated medical facilities after returning to South Korea , which experts say is the maximum incubation period of the illness .
Thailand ’ s Public Health ministry says six more people have tested positive for a new virus , raising to 14 the number of cases in the country .
Sukhum Kanjanapimai , the ministry ’ s permanent secretary , said Tuesday all six cases are Chinese tourists from Hubei province who entered Thailand several days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is the epicenter of the viral outbreak .
The new cases are two women and four men age 6 to 60 .
Five of the six new cases are family members .
All six were admitted to a hospital in Nonthaburi province .
Japan says China has agreed to accept one plane flying from Tokyo to Wuhan to bring home some of the 650 Japanese who say they want to leave the Chinese city at the centre of a viral outbreak .
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the plane departing Tokyo later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 people Wednesday morning .
He said Japan has been talking with the Chinese government about such arrangements as it explores “ all possible options ” to bring the Japanese people in Wuhan home .
Several countries are trying to make similar arrangements for their citizens after China locked down Wuhan and several other cities due to the outbreak of a new virus that has infected thousands .
Germany has confirmed its first case of the new virus that has infected thousands of people in China .
The health ministry in the southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man from Starnberg , south of Munich , is “ in a clinically good condition.
” Officials said the man is being medically isolated and people who were in close contact with him are being informed about possible symptoms and hygiene measures .
The ministry said it considers the risk to the general population in Bavaria to be “ low.
” Authorities planned to hold a news conference in Munich on Tuesday where they would release further details .
Nearly all of the dozens of cases outside China are among people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan where the outbreak began last month .
North Korea said it ’ s taking “ emergency steps ” to prevent the spread of a new virus from neighbouring China .
The North ’ s main Rodong Sinmun newspaper said Tuesday the country is strengthening quarantine measures at airports , ports and border areas and conducting a medical surveillance of those who return from overseas trips .
The paper also says North Korea ’ s health authorities have “ urgently ” produced related hygiene documents and distributed them to medial facilities .
North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of the new coronavirus .
China has confirmed thousands of cases , and other countries have confirmed the virus in dozens of people who travelled from the central Chinese city where the outbreak began last month .
Tour operators in Beijing said last week North Korea had banned foreign tourists as a precaution against the virus .
China on Tuesday reported 25 more deaths from a new viral disease as the U.S. government prepared to evacuate Americans from the city at the centre of the outbreak .
Authorities reported 24 deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was detected in December , and one in Beijing , the Chinese capital .
No national total was immediately announced but with 81 deaths reported through Monday , that would make the toll at least 106 .
The Chinese government has locked down whole cities in Hubei , isolating some 50 million people in a sweeping anti-disease effort .
The U.S. Consulate in Wuhan , the city at the centre of the outbreak , was preparing to fly its diplomats and some other Americans out of the country .
Japan , Mongolia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuations .


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Endangered Maui birds to be moved in effort to save species

HONOLULU - Scientists will decide whether to establish a captive breeding program on the U.S. mainland in an attempt to prevent the extinction of a bird species only found on Maui , officials said .
A decision about the plan to save the endangered kiwikiu is expected at a meeting of project partners Thursday , The Hawaii Star-Advertiser reported Monday .
A non-profit bird facility on the mainland has expressed interest in a kiwikiu captive-breeding program , officials said .
The U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service , one of the project partners , did not immediately respond to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Maui parrotbill , the population of yellow and olive-green forest birds has dwindled to fewer than 300 .
The Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project halted a program to establish a population on the windward slopes of Maui ’ s Haleakala volcano after mosquito-borne avian malaria killed 10 of 13 birds set to be released in October , including one that died before it was set free .
The final three are missing and presumed dead .
Recovery project officials hope the program on the mainland will buy time for the Maui parrotbill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new ways to deal with the growing number of mosquitoes moving higher in forest elevation as Hawaii ’ s climate grows warmer .
“ We have only a small window to do anything , ” Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project Coordinator Hanna Mounce said .
The kiwikiu has suffered over the last century from habitat loss , invasive species , disease .
and predators .
Once found throughout low and highland forests of Maui and Molokai , the species has been relegated to the higher elevations of windward Haleakala , officials said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shrink as climate change accelerates and mosquitoes carrying avian malaria move higher up the mountain , officials said .
Following the bird deaths last year , the project officials conducted a mosquito abundance survey of the release area and found a seven-fold increase since the previous survey .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Alaska animal groups to clear stray dogs from Native village

BETHEL , Alaska - Two animal groups plan to help a southwestern Alaska village clear out all its stray dogs , officials said .
Bethel Friends of Canines and Alaskan Animal Rescue Friends hope to catch and remove the wandering animals from Tuntutuliak Jan. 31 , Alaska ’ s Energy Desk reported .
After volunteers vaccinate the dogs , some will be given to homes in Bethel while most will be transported to Anchorage , officials said .
“ It ’ s such a high volume of dogs that we ’ re expecting to bring in that we ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescue partners in Anchorage , ” Bethel Friends of Canines Vice-President Theresa Quiner said .
Tuntutuliak residents should keep their pets inside during the sweep so they are not mistaken for strays , co-ordinator Jesslyn Elliott said .
The organizations said the village ’ s traditional council contacted them with a request to help remove the dogs .
Council members could not immediately be reached for comment .
The stray roundup will involve the participation of partners including airlines and veterinarians .
Ravn Air Group , Grant Aviation Inc. and Northern Air Cargo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the area and donate space to fly the dogs to Anchorage , while a website has been set up to help collect funding for the effort .
Stray dogs are a well-known problem in rural villages and Bethel Friends of Canines also plans to co-ordinate a spay and neuter clinic in Tuntutuliak during the first week of March , Quiner said .
“ People don ’ t have ready access to spay/neuter services , so the inevitable result is that there ’ s a lot of puppies being born , ” Quiner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Hungary: Warning shots fired as migrants try to cross border

BUDAPEST , Hungary - A security guard fired three warning shots when several dozen migrants tried to enter Hungary Tuesday through a border crossing with Serbia , Hungarian police said .
Police said they were able to stop most of the 60-70 migrants from entering Hungary , while four were caught at the scene and detained .
The border crossing at the southern village of Roszke had been closed for the night when the attempt occurred .
Officials described the incident , which took place at the same location as a September 2015 riot by migrants when Hungary closed its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wire , as an “ extraordinary and violent ” attempt to breach the border .
Hungarian authorities have been pointing to a noticeable increase in past months in the number of migrants coming north through the Balkans and trying to enter Hungary .
Many rely on human traffickers and are trying to make their way to Western Europe .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Qatar emir names new prime minister from within royal court

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - Qatar ’ s ruling emir accepted the resignation of the country ’ s prime minister on Tuesday and appointed in his place another member from the ruling Al Thani family who has deep experience in the royal court .
Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued a royal decree naming Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani as the new prime minister and interior minister .
The emir also accepted the resignation of Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani .
The report by the state-run Qatar News Agency did not elaborate further on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In posts on Twitter , outgoing Sheikh Abdullah expressed appreciation to the the emir for his confidence throughout his service , but did not give details on why he was stepping down .
The new prime minister , Sheikh Khaled , has long been an insider with close ties to the country ’ s emir .
He has been in charge of the emir ’ s royal court , or diwan , since November 2014 , according to the royal court ’ s website .
He served in numerous posts within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a close U.S. ally and host to thousands of American troops at the vast al-Udeid air base , the forward headquarters of the U.S. military ’ s Central Command .
Qatar shares a massive underwater gas field with Iran , and the two countries also have close ties .
The tiny peninsula-nation is set to host the World Cup in 2022 .
Qatar is being boycotted by neighbouring Gulf Arab states Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain , as well as Egypt .
They cut ties with Doha in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its relations with Iran .
Sheikh Abdullah had been prime minister and interior minister since 2013 .
In recent months , he had embarked on two closely watched visits to Saudi Arabia to attend regional summits .
In the first visit in May , the emir dispatched Sheikh Abdullah to Mecca , where a stern-faced and brief handshake with Saudi Arabia ’ s King Salman highlighted Qatar ’ s fallout with its Gulf neighbours .
Months later in December , the prime minister received what appeared to be a warmer welcome in Riyadh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with King Salman in what was viewed as an attempt to possibly ease the tensions .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Israeli, German presidents visit Jewish school in Berlin

BERLIN - Israeli President Reuven Rivlin is visiting a Jewish high school in Berlin as part of a three-day trip @ @ @ @ @ German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier were meeting on Tuesday with students at the Moses Mendelssohn high @ @ @ @ @ the 18th century German-Jewish philosopher .
Founded in 1778 , the school currently has 414 @ @ @ @ @ of whom are Jewish .
The school was used by the Nazis as a deportation @ @ @ @ @ 1942-1945 .
Rivlin ’ s visit to Germany comes after he and Steinmeier both attended @ @ @ @ @ Auschwitz of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp .
Get @ @ @ @ @ your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our @ @ @ @ @ top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Global stocks mixed as China virus worries deepen

TOKYO - European shares and U.S. futures were higher after another day of losses in Asia on Tuesday as worries deepened over the expanding outbreak of a new virus in China .
France ’ s CAC 40 rose 0.5 % to 5,894.94 , while Germany ’ s DAX rose 0.4 % to 13,258.01 .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 was up 0.4 % at 7,443.00 .
U.S. shares were set to drift higher with Dow futures gaining 0.3 % at 28,554.00 .
S & P 500 futures rose 0.3 % to 3,248.10 .
In China , the government said more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the virus and 106 have died in the outbreak of a novel coronavirus centred on the city of Wuhan , an industrial hub along the Yangtze river .
The illness can cause pneumonia and other severe respiratory symptoms , and Chinese authorities have extended the Lunar New Year holiday and ordered Wuhan and some other cities nearby to stop public transport and try to prevent people from travelling to help contain its spread .
The virus has spread to a dozen countries , including the U.S .
Besides the threat to people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are worried about how much damage the virus will do to profits for companies around the world .
Even if they ’ re thousands of miles away from Wuhan , foreign companies have plenty of customers and suppliers in China , the world ’ s second-largest economy .
Investors have been rattled by the potential for a wider impact from the outbreak .
“ How long and how deep the correction lower will last , depends both on the success of China ’ s efforts to control the viral spread , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeffrey Halley of Oanda said in a commentary .
Markets in Hong Kong , Taiwan and mainland China were closed Tuesday for Lunar New Year holidays , while South Korea ’ s benchmark tumbled 3.1 % to 2,176.72 as it reopened after its own holidays .
Japan ’ s Nikkei 225 index lost 0.6 % to 23,215.71 , while Australia ’ s S & P ASX/200 slipped 1.4 % to 6,994.50 .
India ’ s Sensex lost 0.5 % to 40,966.86 .
Singapore ’ s benchmark dropped 1.7 % , Jakarta ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ erased earlier losses to fall 0.7 % .
Overnight , a sell-off on Wall Street gave the Dow its first 5-day losing streak since early August and handed the S & P 500 its worst day since early October .
The latest bout of selling on Wall Street came after China announced a sharp rise in cases of the virus .
Investors are also dealing with a heavy week of corporate earnings .
Apple will report financial results on Tuesday .
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and Starbucks will also report .
Boeing , McDonald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also among some of the biggest names reporting earnings throughout the week that includes 147 S & P 500 companies .
ENERGY : Benchmark crude oil gave up 23 cents to $ 52.91 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
Brent crude oil , the international standard , fell 39 cents to $ 58.19 .
CURRENCIES : The dollar fell to 108.84 Japanese yen from 108.89 yen on Monday .
The euro strengthened to $ 1.1023 from $ 1.1019 .


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Federal agency would protect coalfields habitat for crayfish

CHARLESTON , W.Va. - A federal agency has proposed designating habitat areas for two protected crayfish species in the coalfields of Kentucky , Virginia and West Virginia .
The proposal announced in a statement Monday by the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service would protect 362 stream miles for the Big Sandy crayfish and 83 miles for the Guyandotte River crayfish .
The Guyandotte crayfish is listed as an endangered species and the Big Sandy crayfish as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act .
According to the Center for Biological Diversity , the Guyandotte River crayfish has lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is now only found in two streams in Wyoming County , West Virginia .
The Big Sandy crayfish , whose range has been reduced by more than 60 % , is found in the upper Big Sandy watershed in southern West Virginia , southwestern Virginia and eastern Kentucky .
The environmental group had alleged in a 2018 lawsuit that the species were being harmed by sediment from coal mining operations that disturbed their stream habitat .
The lawsuit said the Fish and Wildlife Service wasn ’ t acting fast enough in designating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require the Fish and Wildlife Service to be consulted if projects are planned in those areas .
“ These protections throw a lifeline to these rapidly vanishing crayfish , which are being snuffed out by coal-mining pollution , ” centre attorney Perrin de Jong said in a statement .
“ Protecting the habitat of these unique species will not only help prevent their extinction , but safeguard water quality for people too.
” The designation does not establish a formal conservation area or set aside lands and does not affect land ownership .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment for 60 days , after which the Fish and Wildlife Service will make a final decision .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Another endangered Northwest orca missing, feared dead

SEATTLE - Another endangered orca is missing and presumed dead in the Pacific Northwest , a large male who had fathered many of the population ’ s calves in the past three decades .
The whale , born in 1977 and known as L41 or by the nickname Mega , was not with his family when researchers encountered them last Friday , the Center for Whale Research said .
He was last seen last summer , and he appeared thin then .
Shari Tarantino , president of the Orca Conservancy , said L41 ’ s death would leave just 72 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population of orcas that frequents the waters between Washington and Canada .
That ’ s the fewest since the mid-1970s , after more than 50 were captured for aquarium display or killed in the process .
The whales have struggled with pollution , vessel noise and most significantly a dearth of their preferred prey , Chinook salmon .
Researchers say they are on the brink of extinction .
Three were presumed dead last summer .
A bright spot is that researchers saw L124 , also known as Tofino , a newborn first spotted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week .
It ’ s an important milestone for calves to survive their first year because mortality rates are high .
According to genetic research published in 2018 , L41 fathered 20 orcas with 11 different females , The Seattle Times reported .
He and one other whale , J1 , fathered most of the calves born to the southern resident population since 1990 .
J1 was born in 1950 and died in 2011 .
Deborah Giles , a research scientist with University of Washington ’ s Center for Conservation Biology and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said that made Mega an important member of the population .
“ Even if he didn ’ t come out of the water so you could see his saddle patch , he was easy to recognize , ” Giles said .
“ I am going to miss seeing him.
” Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Biden won’t say whether Sanders could unify Dems as nominee

MUSCATINE , Iowa - Former Vice-President Joe Biden wouldn ’ t say Tuesday whether he thinks Bernie Sanders could effectively unify the Democrats if the Vermont senator wins the party ’ s presidential nomination .
“ I ’ m not going to make judgments now , ” Biden told reporters in Muscatine , six days before the Iowa caucuses .
“ I just think that it depends upon how we treat one another between now and the time we have a nominee.
” Yet Biden also said the Democrats have to unite as a party to defeat President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic nominee , regardless of who it is .
At some stops along the campaign trail , Biden has pledged to “ work like hell ” to help any of his rivals defeat Trump .
The Biden campaign said Tuesday afternoon that the former vice-president would support the eventual nominee .
Yet tensions are rising between Biden and Sanders on the campaign trail .
The two men reflect the larger ideological battle between a Democratic establishment in which Biden has spent his career and the progressive left that has surged in influence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 .
The two have jousted over their records on Social Security , foreign policy and trade .
Sanders recently apologized to Biden after one of the senator ’ s high-profile supporters penned a column asserting that Biden has a “ corruption problem.
” And Biden has ratcheted up his suggestions in recent days , without naming Sanders , that the party will lose big in November if it makes a sharp leftward turn .
Asked later Tuesday whether he can defeat Sanders , a democratic socialist elected in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nodded and then boarded his campaign bus .
Biden is in the middle of his final tour of the state before the Monday caucuses begin Democrats ’ 2020 voting .
Sanders is balancing his campaign with Trump ’ s Senate impeachment trial on Capitol Hill .
Polls ahead of the Iowa caucuses suggest Sanders and Biden are in a tight race with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend , Indiana .
Sanders has confidently predicted victory in Iowa and in the Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party establishment is “ nervous ” about his strength .
His advisers argue that such momentum would dent Biden ’ s long-standing advantage in most national polls of Democratic voters .
Biden ’ s advisers maintain that the state is a toss-up , and they ’ ve said for months that the former vice-president doesn ’ t have to win in Iowa because he maintains a wide advantage among nonwhite voters who will have strong sway over states that vote after Iowa and New Hampshire .
Last week , Sanders ’ 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton , initially refused to say whether she would endorse the Vermont senator if he wins the 2020 nomination — “ I ’ m not going to go there yet , “ she said — and she offered a broad condemnation of his style of politics .
Later , she walked back her comments , saying her No .
1 priority was “ retiring Trump ” and that “ as I always have , I will do whatever I can to support our nominee.
” Corrects to reflect that Biden was questioned on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee , not whether Biden would support Sanders if he ’ s the nominee .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--High court rules in favour of Somali man facing deportation

BOSTON - Massachusetts ’ high court has ruled in favour of a Somali man in a case that tested efforts by Boston ’ s top prosecutor to protect immigrants from being deported for non-violent crimes .
Supreme Judicial Court Justice David Lowy ruled Tuesday that a lower court judge must honour Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins ’ decision to drop a misdemeanour larceny charge against 28-year-old Osman Bilal .
Rollins said Bilal , who pleaded guilty and served a year of probation nearly a decade ago , had paid his debt to society and shouldn ’ t be punished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked so hard to take accountability for their actions and turned their life around , I will not sit idly by when cruel and extreme collateral consequences impede their ability to move beyond their past , “ Rollins said in a statement .
” No one is their worst moment.
” Bilal , whose family had arrived in Massachusetts as refugees in 2007 , said he was “ speechless “ in a statement provided by his lawyer .
“ This has been a long and tortured road for Mr. Bilal and there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Kelly Cusack , his lawyer , added .
Rollins ’ office had recently sought and received a new trial for Bilal , then promptly dropped the charges , which stemmed from his 2011 arrest for stealing jewelry from a Boston street vendor .
The legal manoeuvr was meant to help Bilal renew his green card and avoid deportation .
But Boston Municipal Judge Michael Coyne reversed his order granting the new trial and reinstated Bilal ’ s conviction just days after initially ruling on the case .
Coyne complained that Bilal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had “ intentionally misled ” the court .
Rollins petitioned the high court , arguing that Coyne overstepped his authority in reversing the decision .
In legal filings , Rollins ’ office said prosecutors made it clear to Coyne that they sought to vacate Bilal ’ s conviction so he could avoid “ extreme and unjust collateral consequences from cruel federal immigration laws.
” According to Rollins office , Bilal ’ s family fled Somalia when he was an infant .
He lived for years in a refugee camp in Saudi Arabia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and later becoming legal permanent resident .
After his 2011 arrest , Bilal turned his life around and is now a sous chef at a restaurant in Boston ’ s popular North End , supporters said in letters filed with the court .
Lowy , in his order Tuesday , said there was “ sufficient basis ” to grant Bilal a new trial , noting Coyne had available to him “ the defendant ’ s case file , an explanation of the significant immigration consequences of the defendant ’ s plea , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also noted that declining to prosecute a case is at the discretion of prosecutors , not the court .
Rollins , a Democrat , was elected Boston ’ s top prosecutor in 2018 on a campaign promise not to prosecute nonviolent offences like drug possession , shoplifting and trespassing that she says disproportionally hurt poor and black communities .
Among the new policies she also instituted was reviewing any cases where defendants were seeking to have their convictions vacated due to “ unjust immigration consequences.
” Rollins has had other prominent clashes with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision not to prosecute many counterprotesters arrested for minor infractions at a “ Straight Pride Parade ” in Boston last year .


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Sanders’ Social Security ‘adjustments’ undercut Biden attack

DES MOINES , Iowa - As a congressman in the 1990s , Bernie Sanders expressed an openness to making “ adjustments “ to the tax and benefit structure of Social Security .
He also praised an overhaul of the social safety net program signed into law by President Ronald Reagan that reduced benefits and increased taxes on working families .
Sanders ’ presidential campaign and allies have highlighted similar remarks by Joe Biden to attack the former vice-president and make the explosive charge that Biden was an outspoken proponent of slashing the program .
With Iowa ’ s first-in-the-nation presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders ’ remarks from decades ago are surfacing as a counterpunch to the criticism of Biden , as the two top candidates in the Democratic race escalate a feud over the nation ’ s most popular entitlement , an issue that has particular reach among older voters .
Sanders , a democratic socialist , is a favourite of progressives who admire him for his convictions and consistency on issues .
But when it comes to Social Security , it appears that wasn ’ t always the case .
In 1994 , after Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time since the Eisenhower era , they brought a renewed focus on fiscal restraint and deficit reduction .
Biden and Sanders both bowed to those pressures in some respect .
Today , Social Security ’ s long-term finances are sagging under the weight of the ballooning number of baby boomers who are collecting benefits .
The options available to sustain the program ’ s financing also remain the same : Benefits can be cut , taxes can be raised or a combination of the two can be enacted .
Sanders ’ allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of the term “ adjustments “ — a word they say was deployed as a euphemism for cuts .
Yet Sanders himself used the word in an election-year opinion article about Social Security that ran in The Burlington Free Press in 1996 .
“ As our population ages , “ Sanders wrote , “ it is clear that we will have to make incremental adjustments in Social Security taxes and benefits — as Congress has done in the past.
” At the time , the primary legislative fixes to Social Security financing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That includes a major 1983 bill signed into law by Reagan that came as the program was on the brink of insolvency .
It raised taxes on working families , froze benefit increases for six months and gradually raised the age at which retirees can receive full benefits from 65 to 67 .
During a 1999 press conference , Sanders went further , praising the 1983 law as a good example of people coming together to enact a solution without draconian changes .
“ We should remember that in 1982 , Social Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few months — of not being able to pay out all benefits owed to Americans , “ Sanders said at the time .
“ And then people came together and said of course we want to save Social Security .
They worked together , and they did.
” Sanders ’ campaign disputed the idea that his remarks were a sign of approval for reduced Social Security benefits .
They say he has a lengthy record of opposing cuts to the program and has instead supported tax increases or spending reductions to other programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the quotes , stripped of this broader context , present a deceptive version of Sanders ’ actual beliefs .
That ’ s the same rebuttal Biden ’ s campaign has invoked in response to attacks by Sanders and his allies .
“ We ’ re not going to play a game of semantics one week before the Iowa caucuses , especially on an issue so important to working families , “ said Sanders spokesman Mike Casca .
“ The vice-president over and over again worked with Republicans in Washington to try to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For decades , Sen. Sanders did the exact opposite.
” The comments , however , are another example of something Sanders said in the past that clashes with the present .
Earlier this month Bloomberg News reported that Sanders said during his 1996 campaign that the Social Security system had been “ adjusted before , and adjustments will have to be made again.
“ He declined to say at the time what “ adjustments ” he supported .
Recently , CNN unearthed a video of Sanders voicing his approval for a 1994 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an era of mass incarceration that disproportionately locked up black men .
Sanders has since said that he regrets voting for the “ terrible “ bill .
But at the time , he praised it for striking a balance between making more money available for police and jails while funding crime prevention efforts .
Biden , who has been attacked over his vote for the bill , has also apologized for supporting the measure .
The back-and-forth with Sanders over Social Security highlights Biden ’ s evolution over a long public career , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tenure as centrist senator and deal maker .
Biden ’ s campaign points to a long list of legislation he supported that increased Social Security benefits .
But as an influential legislator who had a hand in passing major bills , he also was willing to enter negotiations with Republicans by considering a reduction in cost-of-living increases .
Often these changes were presented as a way to cut costs that would save the program .
During a 1996 candidate debate , for example , he floated the possibility of reducing cost-of-living increases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the Democratic Party moved leftward — a development that tracks along ever-widening income and wealth inequality — Biden has moved with it .
“ There will be no compromise on Medicare and Social Security , period .
That ’ s a promise , ” Biden said Jan. 20 at the Black & Brown Forum in Des Moines .
As Sanders , a Vermont senator , has risen in the polls , he and his allies have sought to turn Biden ’ s past remarks about Social Security against him .
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and transcripts of his past remarks .
In some cases , what appears to be a sweeping statement by Biden lack crucial context .
One of the principal examples is a clip from a 2018 speech in which Biden discussed in favourable terms then-House Speaker Paul Ryan ’ s comments that a rising deficit demanded action on the popular entitlement programs .
The video , circulated on Twitter by a top Sanders adviser , omits Biden ’ s larger criticism over how Ryan handled the 2017 tax cuts and subsequent budget debates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a U.S. senator from Delaware in 1995 and presidential candidate in 2007 show him explaining his support for a more austere federal budget , including putting Social Security and Medicare “ on the table.
” “ When I argued that we should freeze federal spending , I meant Social Security , as well , ” Biden said during a 1995 speech on the Senate floor .
“ I meant Medicare and Medicaid .
I meant veterans ’ benefits .
... And I not only tried it once , I tried it twice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I tried it a fourth time.
” The remarks were delivered in support of a federal balanced budget amendment that ultimately failed to win approval and did not relate directly to legislation that would have cut or frozen Social Security spending — or any other specific program .
Yet as Biden himself acknowledged at the time , Social Security would likely have faced cuts if such a measure had been approved .
He has moved far from that position now .
“ What I ’ d do is I make sure that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said earlier this month when a voter in Iowa asked him about the program .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Brian Slodysko And Bill Barrow - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--AP source: McConnell says he can’t yet block new witnesses

WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told senators privately Tuesday he does not yet have the votes to block new witnesses in President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
McConnell convened a closed-door meeting of GOP senators shortly after Trump ’ s legal team made its closing arguments in the trial , the third and final day of defence proceedings punctuated by revelations from John Bolton , the former national security adviser .
A Republican familiar with the meeting was not authorized to describe it by name and requested anonymity .
The GOP leader faced a handful of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before any potential witness vote would be taken .
A decision to call more witnesses would need 51 votes to pass .
With a 53-seat majority , Republicans can only afford to lose three Republicans to prevent more debate over witnesses .
McConnell has been trying to prevent a prolonged trial .
Republicans were warned that subpoenaing testimony from Bolton or other witnesses could run quickly into legal challenges that could drag out for weeks .
But Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , has said he wants to hear what Bolton has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , also want to hear from more witness .
The White House has blocked its aides from appearing in the impeachment proceedings and would almost certainly claim some sort of executive privilege or national security objections over Bolton testifying .
One closely watched Republican , retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee , told reporters as he exited the private meeting he would wait for the next few days of the trial and make his decision .
Some senators have discussed trying to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side would call a witness — for example , Bolton and Hunter Biden , the son of former Vice-President Joe Biden whose work in Ukraine has been referenced by Trump ’ s team in the impeachment proceedings .
Such a deal , so far , has had few takers as most Republicans don ’ t want to hear from Bolton and few Democrats want to draw the Bidens into the impeachment proceedings .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--GOP doesn’t have votes to block Bolton, McConnell concedes

WASHINGTON - Republican leaders do not yet have the votes to block Democrats from summoning John Bolton or other witnesses at President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell conceded to fellow GOP senators late Tuesday .
It could be a major hurdle for Trump ’ s hopes to end the trial with a quick acquittal .
McConnell gave the news to senators , according to a Republican familiar with a closed-door meeting of GOP senators and granted anonymity to discuss it .
McConnell convened the meeting shortly after Trump ’ s legal team made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats are demanding several witnesses , especially Bolton , Trump ’ s former national security adviser who writes in a forthcoming book that Trump told him he wanted to withhold military aid from Ukraine until it helped with investigations into Democratic rival Joe Biden .
That ’ s the crux of one major article of impeachment against the president .
There are still several days before any potential witness vote would be taken .
A decision to call more witnesses would require 51 votes to pass .
With a 53-47 majority , Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The news came as Trump ’ s legal team argued forcefully against the relevance of testimony from Bolton and concluded their defence as the Senate braced for debate on witnesses .
While scoffing at Bolton ’ s manuscript , Trump and the Republicans have strongly resisted summoning Bolton to testify in person about what he saw and heard as Trump ’ s top national security adviser .
Senate Republicans spent two days behind closed doors discussing ideas to satisfy those who want to hear more testimony without prolonging the proceedings -or jeopardizing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost steam , and Democrats showed no interest .
Chuck Schumer , the Senate ’ s top Democrat , called a proposal for senators to be shown the manuscript in private , keeping Bolton out of public testimony , “ absurd.
“ “ We ’ re not bargaining with them .
We want four witnesses , and four sets of documents , then the truth will come out , “ Schumer said .
‘ Senators are being warned that if they agree to call Bolton to testify or try to access his book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , beginning a weeks-long court battle over executive privilege and national security .
That had seemed to leave the few senators , including Sen. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts , Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , who have expressed a desire to hear new testimony without strong backing .
Also , other Republicans including Sen. Pat Toomey want reciprocity -- bring in Bolton or another Democratic witness in exchange for one from the GOP side .
Some Republicans want to hear from Biden and his son , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company when his father was vice-president .
A day after the defence team largely brushed past Bolton , attorney Jay Sekulow addressed the controversy head-on by dismissing his manuscript — said to contradict a key defence argument about Trump ’ s dealings with Ukraine — as “ inadmissible.
“ “ It is not a game of leaks and unsourced manuscripts , “ Sekulow said .
The argument built on a separate one Monday night from Trump attorney Alan Dershowitz , who said that nothing in the manuscript — even if true — rises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sekulow also sought to undermine the credibility of Bolton ’ s book by noting that Attorney General William Barr has disputed comments attributed to him by Bolton .
The legal team also delved into areas that Democrats see as outside the scope of impeachment , chastising former FBI Director James Comey and seizing on surveillance errors the FBI has acknowledged making in its Russian election interference probe .
Trump ’ s attorneys argued that the Founding Fathers took care to make sure that impeachment was narrowly defined , with offences clearly enumerated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be set this low , “ Sekulow said .
“ Danger .
Danger .
Danger .
These articles must be rejected .
The Constitution requires it .
Justice demands it.
” Before consideration of witnesses , the case now moves toward written questions , with senators on both sides getting 16 hours to pose queries .
By late in the week , they are expected to hold a vote on whether or not to hear from any witnesses .
“ I don ’ t know that the manuscript would make any difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Roy Blunt of Missouri , a member of GOP leadership .
And some Republicans said they simply don ’ t trust Bolton ’ s word .
Rand Paul of Kentucky called Bolton “ disgruntled ” ’ and seeking to make money off his time at the White house .
John Kelly , Trump ’ s former White House chief of staff , told an audience in Sarasota , Florida , that he believes Bolton .
White House officials privately acknowledge that they are essentially powerless to block the book ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact if they believe it violated the confidentiality agreement Bolton signed against disclosing classified information .
Trump is charged with abusing his presidential power by asking Ukraine ’ s leader to help investigate Biden at the same time his administration was withholding hundreds of millions of dollars in security aid .
A second charge accuses Trump of obstructing Congress in its probe .
Trump and his lawyers have argued repeatedly that Democrats are using impeachment to try to undo the results of the last presidential election and drive Trump from office .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , Cipollone played video clips from House Democrats during the presidential impeachment of Bill Clinton — including several who are now managers of the Trump impeachment trial — in an attempt to depict them as hypocritical for sounding the alarm then about the partisan dangers of impeachment .
“ What they are asking you do is to throw out a successful president on the eve of an election , with no basis , and in violation of the Constitution , “ Cipollone said .
“ Why not trust the American people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots ?
” Democrats , meanwhile , say Trump ’ s refusal to allow administration officials to testify only reinforces that the White House is hiding evidence .
The White House has had Bolton ’ s manuscript for about a month , according to a letter from Bolton ’ s attorney .
No matter the vote on witness , acquittal still seems likely given that Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate and conviction would require a two-thirds majority .
According to data compiled by C-SPAN , the House managers used just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three days , while the White House team used almost 12 hours , or half their time .
Associated Press writers Alan Fram , Mary Clare Jalonick , Andrew Taylor , Matthew Daly , Laurie Kellman and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Key points in Trump’s Mideast peace plan

JERUSALEM - The Mideast peace plan announced by President Donald Trump on Tuesday supports the Israeli position on nearly all of the most contentious issues in the decades-old conflict .
Where previous presidents tried to cajole Israel and the Palestinians into compromising on thorny issues like the borders of a future Palestinian state , the status of Jerusalem and the fate of refugees , Trump ’ s Mideast team largely adopted the Israeli position .
As a result , the Palestinians have angrily rejected the plan , and the international community appears unlikely to rally around it .
Here is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 50-page proposal : The peace plan says Israel will have to make “ significant territorial compromises ” and that a Palestinian state should have territory “ reasonably comparable in size to the territory of the West Bank and Gaza pre-1967 , “ when Israel seized those territories , along with east Jerusalem , in a regionwide war .
The plan provides for mutually agreed land swaps .
But a “ conceptual map ” released with the plan shows a disjointed Palestinian state , with Israeli and Palestinian enclaves linked to their respective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pragmatic transportation solutions , ” including bridges , tunnels and roads .
The Jordan Valley , which accounts for around a fourth of the West Bank , “ will be under Israeli sovereignty.
” The peace plan would leave most of annexed east Jerusalem , including its Old City and holy sites , under Israeli control while allowing the Palestinians to establish a capital on the outskirts of the city outside Israel ’ s separation barrier .
It said Jerusalem ’ s holy sites , sacred to Jews , Christians and Muslims , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understandings governing the flashpoint holy site known as the Al-Aqsa mosque compound to Muslims and the Temple Mount to Jews would remain in place .
The plan allows Israel to immediately annex virtually all its settlements in the occupied West Bank , which are viewed as illegal by the Palestinians and most of the international community .
It would freeze settlement construction in areas earmarked for the future Palestinian state during the period of negotiations , but those areas are already largely off-limits to settlement activity .
“ Not a single settlement will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Itamar is equal to Tel Aviv , ” he said , referring to a Jewish settlement in the heart of the West Bank .
Under the plan , Israel “ will maintain overriding security responsibility “ for the state of Palestine , which will be “ fully demilitarized.
” The Palestinians will have their own internal security forces but Israel will control the borders and monitor all crossings .
A “ Crossings Board ” made up of three Palestinians , three Israelis and a U.S. representative will oversee the crossings and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its obligations under the plan if the Gaza Strip , which is currently ruled by the Islamic Hamas movement , is transferred back to the full control of the Palestinian Authority or another entity acceptable to Israel .
Hamas and all other militant groups in Gaza must disarm and the territory must be fully demilitarized .
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were forced out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war around its creation .
Those refugees and their descendants now number around 5 million and are scattered across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the “ right of return ” to former properties , something Israel has always rejected , saying it would destroy Israel ’ s Jewish character .
The peace plan says “ there shall be no right of return by , or absorption of , any Palestinian refugee into the state of Israel.
” It says refugees can live in the state of Palestine , become citizens of the countries where they live or be absorbed by other countries .
It says the U.S. will try to provide ” some compensation “ to @ @


thetorontostar--2020-01-28--Louisiana riding mower trespass arrest nabs Utah fugitive

BAYOU BLUE , La .
- A man accused of riding a mower on someone else ’ s land turned out to be a fugitive from Utah who had lived in Louisiana for more than a decade , living without an ID and working only for cash .
Lafourche Parish deputies stopped 49-year-old Richard Schleininger in Bayou Blue — where residents had recently complained about trespassers — after seeing him ride his mower past several “ no trespassing ” signs , Sheriff Craig Webre said in a news release Tuesday .
He said Schleininger had lived in Bayou Blue for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hiding in plain sight , ” the sheriff said .
“ Other than an animal complaint he made in 2014 , we had no other interaction with him until his arrest .
He also only worked odd jobs for cash , and by avoiding traditional employment , he was never forced to verify his identity.
” He carried no ID and gave a false name when arrested Jan. 8 but fingerprints identified him as Schleininger , wanted in Bountiful , Utah , on aggravated assault and felony theft charges from 2003 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was released from jail Jan. 9 on $ 1,000 bond but was taken back into custody Jan. 23 after Utah authorities notified the sheriff ’ s office that they plan to extradite him .
Lt. Brennan Matherne , a sheriff ’ s office spokesman , said he did not know whether Schleininger has an attorney who could speak for him .
In Lafourche Parish , he faces charges of criminal trespassing and resisting an officer .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now