thetorontostar--2020-01-10--UN authorizes cross-border aid to Syria only from Turkey

CAMEROON , Cameroon - The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution Friday limiting the delivery of cross-border humanitarian aid to Syria to just two crossing points from Turkey to the mainly rebel-held northwest as Russia demanded — a vote which potentially cuts off assistance from Iraq to over one million Syrians in the northeast .
The divided 15-member council was facing Friday ’ s expiration of its mandate to deliver aid across borders , and the possibility of a halt to all cross-border aid .
The U.N. humanitarian office says it has been supporting 4 million Syrians — 2.7 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the northeast .
The vote was 11-0 with four abstentions : Russia , China , the United States and the United Kingdom .
Since 2014 , the Security Council has authorized the delivery of aid on a yearly basis through four border crossings — Bab al-Salam and Bab al-Hawa in Turkey , Al Yarubiyah in Iraq , and Al-Ramtha in Jordan .
Germany , Belgium and Kuwait , backed by the U.S. , Britain , France and other council nations initially wanted to add a new crossing point and extend the mandate for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.N .
Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said last month that cross-border aid was meant to be a temporary response to the eight-year Syrian conflict and the situation on the ground has changed .
He said the Jordan crossing point hasn ’ t been used “ for a lengthy period of time ” and the volume through the Iraqi crossing “ is insignificant ... and could be done from Syria ” so only the Turkish crossing points are needed .
The Western nations and others insisted , however , that the Iraqi crossing point was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of medicine and surgical supplies to the northeast .
Russia joined the war in 2015 , when the Syrian military appeared close to collapse .
Since then , and mainly because of Russia ’ s blanket air support , the Syrian government has largely won the civil war militarily , and has retaken control of most of the country from rebel fighters .
Syrian government forces recently launched an offensive in northwest Idlib province , the last rebel stronghold , which is dominated by al-Qaida-linked militants and is also home to 3 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the growing risk of a humanitarian catastrophe along the Turkish border .
In the northeast , Syrian Kurds established an autonomous zone in 2012 and were U.S. partners on the ground in fighting the Islamic State extremist group .
Turkey launched an offensive in October against Syrian Kurdish militants , which drew widespread international criticism .
The U.S. was criticized for abandoning its Kurdish allies .
Two cease-fires brokered by the U.S. and Russia required Kurdish forces to withdraw from the Turkish border and for Turkey to halt its offensive .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to a head on Dec. 20 .
Germany , Belgium and Kuwait , who were drafting the resolution to renew cross-border deliveries , were willing to compromise on the two crossings in Turkey and one in Iraq , and to meet another Russian demand for cross-border authorization to be limited to just six months .
But diplomats said Russia , Syria ’ s closest ally , refused to budge .
Russia and China vetoed the resolution that would authorize deliveries through three crossings , which was supported by 13 of the 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sponsored by Russia and China which would have authorized only two crossing points in Turkey .
It was defeated because it failed to get the required nine “ yes ” votes for adoption .
Negotiations by Security Council experts and four meetings of the five veto-wielding permanent members — the U.S. , Russia , China , Britain and France — failed to find a compromise , diplomats said .
This week , Germany and Belgium circulated a revised draft still calling for three crossing points .
Russia circulated an amended draft still calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday ’ s deadline and the possibility of cutting off all cross-border aid , Germany and Belgium revised their draft resolution again on Friday to limit deliveries to just the two Turkish crossing points .
Britain ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Karen Pierce said it was “ deeply regrettable ” that the resolution authorizing aid deliveries through four border crossings which Russia allowed to pass for five years has “ now been politicized ” by Moscow .
“ Two crossings for six months is an inadequate response to the situation on the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have been most active in limiting the number of crossings and the length of time the crossings can be used , they bear the responsibility for what happens to those people in the northeast.
” According to the U.N. , 40 per cent of all medical , surgical and health supplies to the northeast along with water and sanitation supplies are delivered through the Al Yarubiyah crossing point in Iraq .
Pierce said if the Syrian government takes over these deliveries , aid must be given out based on U.N. humanitarian principles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for Syrian President Bashar Assad .
She said the Security Council must keep asking for information from the United Nations , relief organizations and others on the ground “ about what is actually happening to those Syrian communities who this aid would previously have reached.
” “ And if we find those communities are suffering even more , then to call that out in the council , ” Pierce said .
U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock told the Security Council in November that the U.N. provided 1.1 million people with food through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number in January .
“ There is no alternative to the cross-border operation , ” Lowcock said .
“ There is no Plan B .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-10--Stomach illness outbreak at Yosemite prompts major clean-up

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK , Calif. - Federal health officials are inspecting Yosemite National Park ’ s food service areas after at least a dozen people have fallen ill with stomach issues .
The National Park Service and the U.S. Public Health Service told the San Francisco Chronicle they launched an investigation after employees and visitors reported the problems this month .
Federal officials said they haven ’ t identified the illness or the origin of the outbreak .
Park officials said those who had gotten sick are getting better or already recovered .
Federal officials were working with Aramark , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants , snack shops and hotels , to clean up and disinfect food service facilities in the park , including the famous Ahwahnee Hotel , Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman said .
“ The park is reminding all employees and visitors to wash their hands frequently and stay home if they experience any symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness , ” Gediman said in a statement .
A message seeking comment from a spokesman for Aramark has not been returned .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-10--Crowd in Mexico burns man after body of 6-year-old found

MEXICO CITY - An angry crowd in the Mexican state of Chiapas killed a man after the body of a @ @ @ @ @ his house , prosecutors said Friday .
State prosecutors said the man was killed Thursday @ @ @ @ @ of Cacahoatán , located near the Mexico ’ s southern border with Guatemala .
They @ @ @ @ @ ’ s body in the same area .
Local media reported the man had been @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors ’ office said in a statement that mob justice would not be tolerated , @ @ @ @ @ cases are rare .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-10--Ruling barring discharge of HIV-positive airmen upheld

RICHMOND , Va. - An injunction barring the Trump administration from discharging two Air Force members who are HIV-positive was upheld Friday by a federal appeals court panel that called the military ’ s rationale for prohibiting deployment of service members living with HIV “ outmoded and at odds with current science.
“ The airmen sued in 2018 , arguing that major advancements in treatment mean the airmen can easily be given appropriate medical care and present no real risk of transmission to others .
A U.S. District Court judge in Maryland issued a preliminary injunction after finding that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and “ outdated ” policies .
The ruling Friday from a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals means the injunction will remain in place while the men challenge their discharges at a trial .
The Department of Justice said the Air Force determined that the two airmen could no longer perform their duties because their career fields required them to deploy frequently and because their condition prevented them from deploying to the U.S. Central Command ’ s area of responsibility , where most airmen are expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military operations in the Middle East , North Africa and Central Asia , prohibits personnel with HIV from deploying without a waiver .
While acknowledging that treatment decreases the risk of transmitting HIV , the DOJ argued that the risk is amplified on the battlefield where soldiers often come into contact with blood .
An attorney for the airmen argued during a hearing in September that the odds of transmitting HIV in combat are infinitesimal and should not limit their deployment or lead to their discharge .
In its written ruling , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deployment may have been justified at a time when HIV treatment was less effective at managing the virus and reducing the risk of transmission .
“ But any understanding of HIV that could justify this ban is outmoded and at odds with current science .
Such obsolete understandings can not justify a ban , even under a deferential standard of review and even according appropriate deference to the military ’ s professional judgments , “ Judge James Wynn Jr. wrote in the unanimous ruling .
A spokeswoman for the Department of Justice declined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say whether it will appeal .
The DOJ could ask for a rehearing before the full 4th Circuit Court or could appeal the panel ’ s ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court .
Scott Schoettes , counsel and HIV Project Director for Lambda Legal , one of the groups that brought the lawsuit , said the ruling means the Trump administration can not discharge any airmen based on their HIV-positive status while the lawsuit is pending .
“ If there was some other legitimate reason they could discharge someone , but not not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ I think it ’ s really important that the 4th Circuit not only made it clear that there wasn ’ t a justification for discharging these individuals , but there was also no good reason not to allow them to deploy.
” The airmen are not named in the lawsuit and are referred to by pseudonyms , Victor Voe and Richard Roe .
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema , who issued the injunction , will decide the merits of the case at trial .
The case will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-01-10--US employment remains strong, 145,000 jobs added in December

WASHINGTON - U.S. employers added 145,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate held steady at 3.5 % , signalling that the job market remains strong at the start of 2020 even if hiring and wage gains have slowed somewhat more than a decade into an economic expansion .
Friday ’ s snapshot from the Labor Department showed hiring slipped from robust gains of 256,000 in November , which were given a boost by the end of a strike at General Motors .
For the year , employers added an average of roughly 175,000 jobs per month , compared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Annual wage growth fell in December to 2.9 % , down from an annualized average of 3.3 % a year earlier , a possible sign that some slack remains in the labour market and that unemployment could fall even further from its current half-century low .
The picture of a slowly-but-steadily improving economy – plus low inflation – likely gives the Federal Reserve comfort in keeping interest rates low , which has been a boon to stock markets .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed Friday with a slight loss of 0.3 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29,000 in the morning .
“ We ’ re starting 2020 in very good shape , ” said Gus Faucher , chief economist at PNC Financial Services .
“ We should see continued economic expansion throughout 2020 driven by consumers.
” The state of the job market has become a pivotal division between President Donald Trump and his Democratic challengers .
Trump can campaign on the low unemployment rate and job growth as he seeks a second term .
Democrats , seeking to oust him , will point to wages that have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans coping with high costs for medical care and higher education .
This is the last jobs report before the Iowa caucus in February that will serve as a first step for choosing the Democratic presidential nominee .
The prospect of a stable job market , a pick-up in global growth , supportive central banks , an easing of trade tensions and U.S. economic growth of around 2 % should be a positive for this year .
“ We really have the wind at our backs going into 2020 , ” said Julia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employment marketplace ZipRecruiter .
Yet job growth has failed so far to translate into substantially better hourly pay .
There is the potential that wages jumped in January as many states adjusted their minimum wages .
Some businesses in competitive industries are already taking steps to prepare for wage competition this year .
The Big Blue Swim School based in Chicago vies with day cares , learning centres and gyms for its instructors .
The chain has five sites employing on average 30 people and plans to open five more schools this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to dramatically boost wages in order to attract staff for that expansion .
“ We gave all of our front-line employees a 10 % or 11 % raise because of the fear we have about the wage pressures in the economy , ” said CEO Chris Kenny .
“ We can ’ t meet our business goal without great staff.
” Irina Novoselsky , CEO of the jobs site CareerBuilder , said that more employers are offering non-wage benefits such as the chance to work remotely to potential workers and becoming less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The major fact that is pushing the trend is the labour shortage in America , ” she said .
“ Companies are being forced to provide that flexibility.
” The U.S. economy added 2.1 million jobs last year , down from gains of nearly 2.7 million in 2018 .
Hiring may have slowed because the number of unemployed people seeking work has fallen by 540,000 people over the past year to 5.75 million .
With fewer unemployed people hunting for jobs , there is a potential limit on job gains .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to gains in consumer spending .
Retail sales during the crucial holiday shopping improved 3.4 % compared to the prior year , according to Mastercard SpendingPulse .
This likely contributed to a surge of hiring in retail as that sector added 41,200 jobs in December .
The leisure and hospitality sector — which includes restaurants and hotels — added another 40,000 jobs .
Health care and social assistance accounted 33,900 new jobs .
Still , the report suggests a lingering weakness in manufacturing .
Factories shed 12,000 jobs in December , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gains of 58,000 in November .
Manufacturing companies added just 46,000 jobs in all of 2019 .
Manufacturing struggled last year because of trade tensions between the United States and China coupled with slower global economic growth .
Safety problems at Boeing have also hurt orders for aircraft and parts and that could restrict hiring at factories in 2020 .
While the jobs report painted a healthy picture of the economy , the manufacturing sector took a blow Friday as the Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems announced layoffs for 2,800 workers in Kansas .


thetorontostar--2020-01-10--Pelosi to send impeachment to Senate for historic trial

WASHINGTON - Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House will take steps next week to transmit the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump , ending a three-week standoff but confronting the Senate with only the third trial in U.S. history to remove a chief executive .
In a letter to her Democratic colleagues , Pelosi said Friday she was proud of their ‘ ’ courage and patriotism “ and warned that senators now have a choice as they consider the charges of abuse and obstruction against the president .
“ In an impeachment trial , every Senator takes an oath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Constitution and laws , ’ ’ ’ Pelosi wrote .
“ Every Senator now faces a choice : to be loyal to the President or the Constitution.
” The trial could begin next week .
The Constitution gives the House the sole power to impeach a president , but the Senate the ability to render a verdict when it convenes as the Court of Impeachment .
Pelosi was particularly upbeat Friday as she strode through the Capitol , despite the mounting pressure on her to quit delaying the trial .
Her decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader Mitch McConnell does not fully bring closure to the question of whether the Senate will consider new witnesses , as some want , shifting pressure on senators to decide .
Trump swiftly signalled his intention of blocking any testimony from John Bolton , the brash former national security adviser who could be a wildcard witness in the trial .
Bolton has said he would appear before the Senate if he received a subpoena .
At the same time , a key centrist GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine , whose vote is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was in discussions with other Republicans on a strategy that would allow the Senate to hear new testimony .
While the rules of Senate trial remain unsettled , the outcome is not .
Trump is widely expected to be acquitted of the charges that he abused power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden , then obstructed Congress in its investigation .
No president has ever been removed by the Senate .
“ Ridiculous , ” Trump told Fox News ’ Laura Ingraham about the speaker ’ s gambit .
“ Nancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successful speaker of the House in the history of our nation , ” he said .
Asked if he would invoke executive privilege to block Bolton ’ s testimony , Trump said , “ Well I think you have to for the sake of the office.
“ Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , who has been working closely with the White House on strategy , said Friday afternoon that the Senate is “ anxious to get started.
” Republicans have the leverage , with a slim 53-47 Senate majority , if McConnell can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy .
So far , they are supportive of modeling the trial after the one used in the last presidential impeachment , of Bill Clinton , 20 years ago .
It set out a path for starting the trial and voting on witnesses later .
Despite McConnell ’ s wishes for a speedy trial , some Republicans in his caucus have indicated that they are open to witnesses .
It takes just 51 senators to set the rules , and Democrats have been trying to win over wavering GOP senators to vote with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am hopeful that we can reach an agreement on how to proceed with the trial that will allow the opportunity for witnesses for both the House managers and the President ’ s counsel if they choose to do so , “ Collins said .
“ It is important that both sides be treated fairly.
” Since the House vote on Dec. 18 to impeach the president , the showdown between Pelosi and McConnell , the two power centres in Congress , has consumed Capitol Hill and scrambled the political dynamics .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate until she knew there would be a fair trial with witness testimony .
She also asked McConnell for details on the trial structure she could decide who to appoint as impeachment managers .
McConnell rebuffed all over her demands .
On Friday , Pelosi ended the stalemate by saying she had asked House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler to be prepared to bring to the floor next week a resolution to appoint managers and transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate .
She did not announce a date for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial would start soon .
“ We ’ ll get about it as soon as we can , ” he said .
Transmittal of the documents and naming of House impeachment managers are the next steps needed to start the Senate trial .
Yet questions remain in the Senate on the scope , format and duration .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is eager to test Senate Republicans , especially those like Collins who are up for re-election in 2020 , with votes to compel testimony from Bolton , acting White House chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have so far resisted appearing before Congress .
“ Senate Democrats are ready for the trial to begin and will do everything we can to see that the truth comes out , ” Schumer said .
Bolton , who was present for several of the internal White House discussions about Ukraine policy that were at the heart of the Democrats ’ impeachment case , is among the most compelling of four witnesses suggested by Schumer .
The former national security adviser clashed with the president ’ s Ukraine policy , saying he didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any “ drug deal ” being cooked up .
He called Trump ’ s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani , who others have testified was orchestrating an alternative foreign policy outside of official channels , a “ grenade ” that was going to go off .
Chuck Cooper , an attorney for Bolton , declined to comment .
The House impeached Trump in December on the charge that he abused the power of his office by pressuring Ukraine ’ s new leader to investigate Democrats , using as leverage $ 400 million in military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counters Russia at its border .
Trump insists he did nothing wrong , but his defiance of the House Democrats ’ investigation led to an additional charge of obstruction of Congress .
On a July telephone call with Ukraine ’ s new president , Trump asked his counterpart to open an investigation into Democrat Joe Biden , who is running for his party ’ s presidential nomination , and his son Hunter while holding up military aid for Ukraine .
A Ukrainian gas company had hired Hunter Biden when his father was vice-president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man on Ukraine .
There is no evidence of wrongdoing by either Biden .
It ’ s still unclear who Pelosi will appoint as impeachment managers to prosecute the case in the Senate .
Nadler , D-N.Y. , and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , will most likely lead the team .
What was more certain is that the group will be more diverse than the 1999 team in Clinton ’ s trial , who were all male and white .
Pelosi is expected to ensure the managers are diverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ geographically .
Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman , Alan Fram , Andrew Taylor , Darlene Superville and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .

Lisa Mascaro And Mary Clare Jalonick - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-10--Texas governor to reject new refugees, first under Trump

HOUSTON - Texas will no longer accept the resettlement of new refugees , becoming the first state known to do so under a recent Trump administration order , Gov .
Greg Abbott said Friday .
Abbott ’ s announcement could have major implications for refugees coming to the United States .
Texas has large refugee populations in several of its cities and has long been a leader in settling refugees , taking in more than any other state during the 2018 governmental fiscal year , according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees .
Since the 2002 fiscal year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refugees , second only to California , according to the Pew Research Center .
In a letter released Friday , Abbott wrote that Texas “ has been left by Congress to deal with disproportionate migration issues resulting from a broken federal immigration system.
” He added that Texas has done “ more than its share.
” Abbott argued that the state and its non-profit organizations should instead focus on “ those who are already here , including refugees , migrants , and the homeless — indeed , all Texans.
” It wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might affect any pending refugee cases .
Refugee groups sharply criticized the Republican governor .
Ali Al Sudani , chief programs officer of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston , predicted that some refugees with longstanding plans to come to Texas would have flights rescheduled or delayed .
Al Sudani settled in Houston from Iraq in 2009 and now works to resettle other refugees .
“ You can imagine the message that this decision will send to them and to their families , ” Al Sudani said .
“ It ’ s very disappointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this is not the Texas that I know.
“ Texas Democratic Party spokesman Abhi Rahman also criticized Abbott , saying refugees “ are not political pawns and bargaining chips to advance anti-immigrant policies.
” President Donald Trump announced in September that resettlement agencies must get written consent from state and local officials in any jurisdiction where they want to help resettle refugees beyond June 2020 .
Trump has already slashed the number of refugees allowed into the country for the 2020 fiscal year to a historic low of 18,000 .
About 30,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous fiscal year .
Governors in 42 other states have said they will consent to allowing in more refugees , according to the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service , which works with local agencies throughout the U.S. to resettle refugees .
The governors who haven ’ t chimed in are all Republicans and are from Alabama , Georgia , Florida , Mississippi , South Carolina , and Wyoming .
Fierce debates have occurred in several parts of the country , including North Dakota and Tennessee , over whether to opt into refugee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican governors have been caught between immigration hardliners and some Christian evangelicals who believe helping refugees is a moral obligation .
LIRS is also part of a lawsuit challenging the order .
A federal judge on Wednesday heard arguments on a request by resettlement agencies to prevent the Trump administration from enforcing it .
Krish O ’ Mara Vignarajah , LIRS ’ CEO , called Abbott ’ s decision “ a devastating blow to a longstanding legacy of refugee resettlement in the state.
” Local officials in Houston , Dallas , and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in refugees over the governor ’ s objection , she said .
“ There are some refugee families who have waited years in desperation to reunite with their family who will no longer be able to do so in the state of Texas , ” she said .
Abbott has tried to stop refugees before , declaring in 2015 that Texas would not welcome people from Syria following the deadly Paris attacks that November .
At the time , the administration of former President Barack Obama continued to send refugees to Texas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were opposed to it .
Al Sudani , of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston , pointed out that even if refugees are resettled in a different state , they can travel freely within the U.S. and move wherever they choose .
“ Literally you can take the bus the next day and come to Texas , ” he said .
This version corrects the month that President Donald Trump issued his executive order to September .


thetorontostar--2020-01-10--Administration touts 100th mile of border wall under Trump

YUMA , Ariz. - Trump administration officials on Friday touted the 100th mile ( 161st kilometre ) of border wall to be built since the president took office as crossings have continued to drop .
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf responded to critics who say the new construction is only replacing old fencing .
The new , 30-foot ( 9 metre ) walls do replace other barriers , but those were shorter and easier to cross .
Wolf said he ’ s confident the administration will build or start to build 400 to 450 miles ( 644 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the year .
“ The wall system you see behind me is an undeniable impediment to smugglers , traffickers and other criminals who have exploited our lack of effective border infrastructure to smuggle drugs , illicit goods and engage in human trafficking , ” Wolf said .
He spoke in Yuma , Arizona , a far-flung region of the Southwest near California that ’ s seen dramatic highs and lows in illegal border crossings over the past two years .
Most of those crossing are families .
Officials in Yuma are building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wall along the Colorado River , where the Border Patrol says most migrants crossed .
Yuma ’ s nearly 97 % drop in the number of families since May is partially because the area ’ s adoption of the Remain in Mexico program , which forces asylum-seekers to wait south of the border while their cases wind through court .
On Monday , the Yuma Sector began implementing a program first tested in El Paso , Texas , that fast-tracks asylum claims but is being challenged in federal court .
The Prompt Asylum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Customs and Border Protection custody while their cases are decided within 10 days .
Immigrant rights activists say it puts migrants , especially children , at risk by keeping them in facilities where allegations of abuse and mistreatment run rampant .
Associated Press reporter Astrid Galván in Phoenix contributed to this report .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-10--Boeing travails begin to ripple, 2,800 jobs lost in Kansas

WICHITA , Kan. - Problems for Boeing and its troubled 737 Max aircraft , which appear to be growing deeper , have begun to ripple outward , with a major supplier announcing Friday that it will lay off more than 20 % of its workforce in Kansas , where it is based .
The announcement of 2,800 layoffs at a major employer in Wichita , the state ’ s biggest city , came a day after documents became public showing that Boeing employees raised doubts about the safety of the 737 Max , apparently tried to hide problems from federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designing and overseeing the jetliner .
The layoffs threaten to damage a state economy that has been solid for months , with low unemployment and better-than-anticipated state tax collections .
Democratic Gov .
Laura Kelly and the Republican-controlled Legislature have been able to boost spending on public schools and services , and the layoffs are likely to come up during the state ’ s annual session , which starts Monday .
Spirit AeroSystems is the largest employer in Wichita , which bills itself as the “ Air Capital of the World ” due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More than 40 aerospace companies , most of them in and around Wichita , provide parts and services for the production of the 737 Max .
The governor ’ s administration had been considering the use of the state ’ s fund for unemployment benefits to pay part of the salaries of Spirit workers so they could remain in their jobs .
Spirit ’ s announcement also came on the same day that the jobs report shows U.S. manufacturers cut payrolls by 12,000 in December , compared to estimates for a gain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 737 Max , including the fuselage .
Contracts with Boeing for the Max represents more than half of Spirit ’ s annual income .
“ The difficult decision announced today is a necessary step given the uncertainty related to both the timing for resuming 737 production and the overall production levels that can be expected following the production suspension , ” Spirit AeroSystems CEO Tom Gentile said in a prepared statement .
Employees will be paid for a 60-day notice period .
Affected employees will leave the company beginning Jan. 22 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject of voluntary buyouts with employees .
The company suspended production of fuselages and other parts for the Max on Jan. 1 , after Boeing ordered Spirit to suspend shipments .
Spirit plans to implement smaller workforce reductions this month for its plants in Tulsa and McAlester , Oklahoma .
Cornell Beard , president of the local branch of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers , said the union was meeting with the company to find ways to lessen the impact of the situation as much as possible .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the workers at Spirit AeroSystems who have dedicated their lives to making this company a leader in aerospace .
Machinists members and their families in this community have some tough decisions in front of them , “ Beard said .
The company said it has taken steps to lessen the impact by transferring some 737 Max employees to other programs and facilitate job fairs to help laid-off employees .
Spirit ’ s stock price was down in midday trading Friday .
It already had lost more than 20 % of its value since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Moody ’ s Investors Service on Friday put Spirit ’ s credit rating under review for a possible downgrade .
Spirit is one of four Boeing suppliers being reviewed by Moody ’ s , which said much depends on how long the shutdown lasts .
Dozens of smaller aerospace companies are also beginning to shed jobs .
Sen. Jerry Moran , a Kansas Republican , said he will work with business leaders and Trump administration officials to see that the layoffs have a “ short-term impact.
” He said he has spoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the layoffs .
He said he also spoke this week with the incoming Boeing CEO and the FAA ’ s administrator about doing everything necessary to get the 737 Max back safely in the air .
“ The layoffs announced today at Spirit AeroSystems have dealt a harsh blow not only to the company but also to Spirit suppliers and subcontractors , ” he said .
“ I plan to continue working with the administration and Department of Defence to showcase the capabilities of Wichita manufacturers in an effort to diversify the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region.
” Aerospace employment in Kansas peaked in 2008 , followed by a continual decline until 2017 , said Jeremy Hill , director of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University .
Kansas then had a big ramp-up in aerospace jobs in 2018 and 2019 .
“ We are losing a lot of that growth and we are back at our bottom , ” Hill said .
The loss of the 2,800 Spirit jobs is expected to have an impact of just under 5,800 jobs in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other aerospace manufacturers in the supply chain have been announcing layoffs .
The average aerospace worker makes $ 81,000 annually , and the loss of the 2,800 jobs accounts for lost wages of $ 220 million , assuming those workers are not rehired within 12 months , Hill said .
Kansas Gov .
Laura Kelly promised an “ all-hands-on-deck approach across state government ” to help Spirit , its workers and other affected businesses .
She said state Labor Secretary Delia Garcia would be in Wichita in the coming days to lead the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with local and federal agencies .
“ We stand in lockstep with the workers and companies affected , ” Kelly said in a statement .
Rep. Ron Estes , whose congressional district includes Wichita , said he will continue to work with the Federal Aviation Administration “ to ensure grounded aircraft causing these furloughs can safely return to the skies without any unnecessary delays.
” Rep. Sharice Davids , a Kansas Democrat who serves on the House Transportation Committee , descried the newly released messages from Boeing employees to deceive the public and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public safety concerns these messages raise , Boeing ’ s callousness has now cost thousands of Kansans their livelihood and endangered the economy of our state , which is dependent on aerospace , ” Davids said in a statement .
Kansas ’ other senator , Republican Pat Roberts , issued his own statement of support for the workers , saying : “ While these furloughs will affect a large part of the aerospace workforce in Wichita , I know the community is prepared to assist in every way possible .
Wichita is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am committed to making sure that does not change.
” John Hanna in Topeka , Kansas , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-10--Trump ups Iran accusations: Four US embassies targeted

WASHINGTON - Confronted by persistent questions about his military action in the Middle East , President Donald Trump and his top officials offered a string of fresh explanations Friday , with Trump now contending Iranian militants had planned major attacks on four U.S. embassies .
Just hours earlier , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said the U.S. didn ’ t know when or where attacks might occur .
Trump and other officials insisted anew that Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani had posed an imminent threat to the U.S. , but they rebuffed repeated attempts to explain what they meant by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced additional sanctions against Iran , which he had promised after a barrage of missiles fired by the Islamic State against American bases in Iraq earlier this week .
Those Iranian missiles , which caused no casualties , were prompted in turn by the U.S. drone strike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani last week in Baghdad .
That U.S. assault set off a chain of events that may have included the downing of a Ukrainian jetliner , possibly by an Iranian missile , and calls by the Iraqi government to expel U.S. troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House , Trump issued an executive order adding additional U.S. sanctions to the already long list his administration had imposed in an effort to force Iran to accept a new agreement that would curb its nuclear program and to halt support for militant groups throughout the Middle East .
Trump declared the U.S. was holding Iran responsible for attacks against the United States as well as a threat to U.S. service members , diplomats and civilians — an apparent reference to the justification for killing Soleimani .
“ The United States will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destructive and destabilizing behaviour , ” he said .
But Trump and others faced continuing questions over their claims of an “ imminent ” threat .
Members of Congress said Pompeo and other officials did not provide sufficient detail or justification in briefings this week .
Define what you mean by imminent , Pompeo was asked Friday at a White House news conference .
“ I don ’ t know exactly which minute , “ Pompeo said .
” We don ’ t know exactly which day it would have been executed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soleimani himself was plotting a broad , large-scale attack against American interests and those attacks were imminent.
” Both Pompeo and Trump had said U.S. embassies were threatened .
The secretary of state broadened it to include “ American facilities , ” including military bases throughout the region .
“ This was going to happen , and American lives were at risk , “ he said .
Trump was gave a more worrisome number but still no specifics in a later comment .
“ I can reveal that I believe it probably would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told Fox News in an interview taped Friday and scheduled to air later that night .
He spoke amid revelations by U.S. officials that the American military had tried , but failed , to kill another senior Iranian commander on the same day that Soleimani was killed .
The targeting of Abdul Reza Shahlai was apparently part of an effort to cripple the leadership of Iran ’ s Quds force , which the U.S. has designated a terror organization along with the larger Islamic Revolutionary Guard Force .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and disproportionate , “ a nd other members said they were unconvinced after a closed-door briefing on the intelligence .
“ President Trump recklessly assassinated Qasem Soleimani , “ said Rep. Pramila Jayapal , a Washington state Democrat .
” He had no evidence of an imminent threat or attack.
” The new sanctions were in immediate response to Iran ’ s firing of a barrage of missiles at American bases in neighbouring Iraq this week after to the killing of Soleimani .
No one was injured .
The larger U.S. goal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement on limiting its nuclear program .
In 2018 , Trump withdrew from the nuclear agreement signed under President Barack Obama that traded curbs on the program for the easing of sanctions .
Since then , the administration has added additional economic measures that have created hardship in Iran and brought its oil revenue to historic lows but have failed to bring the Iranian government to the negotiating table .
The sanctions added Friday include measures aimed at eight senior Iranian officials involved in what Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin called “ destabilizing ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Tuesday ’ s missile barrage .
Those measures , which would freeze any assets the officials have in U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit financial transactions with them , are largely symbolic since such senior figures are unlikely to have assets under American control after decades of hostility between the two nations .
But other measures announced Friday could have a significant effect on strategically important sectors of the Iranian economy , said Ben Davis , chief research officer at research and data analytics firm Kharon .
The executive order grants the administration power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the construction , manufacturing , textile or mining sector on a global financial blacklist .
It also targets 17 of the largest steel and iron manufacturers — one of the few growth spots in the hobbled Iranian economy — along with three foreign companies , including two based in China , under secondary sanctions .
“ It sends a signal to other foreign firms that continue to do business with Iranian steel producers that this is off limits , ” said Davis , a former Treasury Department official .
Adnan Mazarei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute for International Economics , said the sanctions will hurt an Iranian economy that was forced to cut fuel subsidies earlier this year , triggering nationwide protests , but they also will make it harder for government to negotiate with the U.S. “ This will be seen as another sign that the US government can not be taken at its word when it says it wants to negotiate , ” Mazarei said .
Mnuchin insisted the sanctions are working and have deprived Iran of tens of billions of dollars .
“ They would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region and to enable them to do more bad things , ” he said .
“ And there ’ s no question , by cutting off the economics to the region , we are having an impact.
” Associated Press writer Chris Rugaber contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-10--Man burned as huge wildfire forms during Australia crisis

BURRAGATE , Australia - Two wildfires have merged to form a massive inferno in southeast Australia , and man suffered serious burns protecting a home during a night of treacherous conditions during the nation ’ s unprecedented fire crisis .
Authorities were assessing the damage Saturday after firefighters battled flames fanned by strong winds through the night and lightning strikes sparked new blazes in New South Wales and Victoria , Australia ’ s most populous states .
Conditions were milder Saturday and forecast to remain relatively benign for the next week .
“ In the scheme of things , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said Saturday .
New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told reporters that officials were “ extremely relieved ” the fires were not been more destructive overnight .
A man suffered burns protecting a home and was airlifted to a Sydney hospital in serious condition to undergo surgery , Fitzsimmons said .
Several firefighters received minor burns , and one suffered shortness of breath but were not admitted to a hospital , he said .
With no heavy rain expected , the 600,000-hectare ( 2,300-square-mile ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Victorian border is expected to burn for weeks , officials said .
The fire crisis in southeast Australia has killed at least 26 people , destroyed more than 2,000 homes and scorched an area twice the size of the U.S. state of Maryland since September .
It also has brought accusations that Prime Minister Scott Morrison ’ s conservative government needs to take more action to counter climate change , which experts say worsens the blazes .
Thousands of protesters rallied late Friday in Sydney and Melbourne , calling for Morrison to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tougher action on global warming .
The protesters carried placards saying , “ We deserve more than your negligence , ” “ This is ecosystem collapse ” and “ We can ’ t breathe , ” referring to wildfire smoke that has choked both cities .
Australia is the world ’ s biggest exporter of coal and liquid natural gas .
Australians are also among the worst greenhouse gas emitters per capita .
On Friday , thousands of people in the path of fires fled to evacuation centres , while some chose to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their homes .
Evan Harris , who lives in the New South Wales rural village of Burragate , said police and fire crews told him he should leave his cottage because of the threat , .
He told them he wasn ’ t going anywhere .
Burragate was choked with smoke for several hours Friday and was directly in a fire ’ s path .
A fire strike team and several members of the Australian Army arrived to try to save properties , and they were prepared to hunker down in a fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the end , the winds died down and so did the fire .
But crews worry the flames will flare up again during a fire season that could continue for months .
Harris said he likes to live off the grid in his remote home , which is made from mud bricks .
He has no electricity , instead using batteries to power the lights and a small wood burner to heat water .
The cottage itself has a warm and cozy feel .
And Harris feels like he has a point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survives , I think it will be a bit of a wake-up call for people , ” he said .
“ That maybe people should start building like this , instead of over-exorbitant houses.
” Harris prepared for the blazes by tacking sheets of iron over his windows and clearing the area around the house of grass and shrubbery that might have caught fire .
He dug a hole away from the cottage to house his gas canisters .
Harris said he was disappointed in the environmental destruction and that people should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that indigenous Australians previously lived .
“ This is a result of the human species demanding too much of the environment , ” he said of the wildfires .
Associated Press reporter Rod McGuirk in Canberra , Australia , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-10--Agreement reached in 30-year-old school desegregation case

HARTFORD , Conn. - An agreement reached Friday in a long-running school desegregation case in Connecticut ’ s capital city will put the district on a path to ending 30 years of litigation , state officials said .
The settlement includes new measures to reach diversity goals and allows for judicial oversight to end once they are shown to produce opportunities in diverse school settings for all Hartford families .
“ We are eager to do our part to shift the conversation from litigation to education , ” Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona said .
The Sheff v. O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit challenging racial and economic segregation and inequalities between Hartford schools and suburban schools against then-Gov .
William O ’ Neill .
The plaintiffs were black , Latino and white families from Hartford .
The case was named after Milo Sheff , one of the main plaintiffs , and his mother , Elizabeth Horton Sheff .
In 1996 , the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled the extreme racial isolation of Hartford students violated the state constitution .
“ Today in this courtroom we took a step forward , ” said Horton Sheff .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doors for more students to get access to an education that they thoroughly — by constitution of the state — have privilege to.
” The state legislature created a network of magnet schools and school choice options to attract a mix of city and suburban children .
The new agreement calls for adding as many as 1,052 seats in magnet schools , with nearly 600 set aside for Hartford students , and dedicating more than $ 1 million to boost enrolment at certain magnet schools .
The new agreement , the subject of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through June 2022 .
“ It ’ s about 10,000 students overall have applied this year , ” said Deuel Ross , senior counsel at the NAACP legal defence fund .
“ About 3,500 of those students are Hartford students.
” Suburban districts that increase the number of open choice seats by 20 % for Hartford students will also receive additional funding .
There will also be corrective action plans for schools that do not meet diversity goals and a revised lottery system for magnet schools aimed at ensuring socioeconomic diversity .
Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for America , a non-profit organization that supports local news coverage , in a partnership with The Associated Press for Connecticut .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-01-11--2 Aussie wildfires merge into inferno; man seriously burned

BURRAGATE , Australia - Two wildfires merged to form a massive inferno in southeast Australia on Saturday , near where a man suffered serious burns protecting a home during a night of treacherous conditions during the nation ’ s unprecedented fire crisis .
Authorities were assessing the damage after firefighters battled flames fanned by strong winds through the night and lightning strikes sparked new blazes in New South Wales and Victoria , Australia ’ s most populous states .
Conditions were milder Saturday and forecast to remain relatively benign for the next week .
“ In the scheme of things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said .
New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told reporters that officials were “ extremely relieved ” the fires were not been more destructive overnight .
A man suffered burns protecting a home near Tumbarumba in southern New South Wales and was airlifted to a Sydney hospital in serious condition to undergo surgery , Fitzsimmons said .
Several firefighters received minor burns , and one suffered shortness of breath but were not admitted to a hospital , he said .
With no heavy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million-acre ) blaze t hat formed overnight when two fires joined in the Snowy Mountains region near Tumbarumba close to the Victorian border is expected to burn for weeks , officials said .
The fire crisis in Australia has killed at least 26 people , destroyed more than 2,000 homes and scorched an area larger than the U.S. state of Indiana since September .
It also has brought accusations that Prime Minister Scott Morrison ’ s conservative government needs to take more action to counter climate change , which experts say worsens the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday in Sydney and Melbourne , calling for Morrison to be fired and for Australia to take tougher action on global warming .
The protesters carried placards saying , “ We deserve more than your negligence , ” “ This is ecosystem collapse ” and “ We can ’ t breathe , ” referring to wildfire smoke that has choked both cities .
Australia is the world ’ s biggest exporter of coal and liquid natural gas .
Australians are also among the worst greenhouse gas emitters per capita .
On Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fires fled to evacuation centres , while some chose to ignore evacuation orders and stayed to defend their homes .
Evan Harris , who lives in the New South Wales rural village of Burragate , said police and fire crews told him he should leave his cottage because of the threat , .
He told them he wasn ’ t going anywhere .
Burragate was choked with smoke for several hours Friday and was directly in a fire ’ s path .
A fire strike team and several members of the Australian Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they were prepared to hunker down in a fire station if the flames overran them .
In the end , the winds died down and so did the fire .
But crews worry the flames will flare up again during a fire season that could continue for months .
Harris said he likes to live off the grid in his remote home , which is made from mud bricks .
He has no electricity , instead using batteries to power the lights and a small wood burner to heat water .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel .
And Harris feels like he has a point to make .
“ If this house survives , I think it will be a bit of a wake-up call for people , ” he said .
“ That maybe people should start building like this , instead of over-exorbitant houses.
” Harris prepared for the blazes by tacking sheets of iron over his windows and clearing the area around the house of grass and shrubbery that might have caught fire .
He dug a hole away from the cottage to house his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappointed in the environmental destruction and that people should be paying attention to the more sustainable way that indigenous Australians previously lived .
“ This is a result of the human species demanding too much of the environment , ” he said of the wildfires .
Associated Press reporter Rod McGuirk in Canberra , Australia , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-11--Oman names culture minister as successor to Sultan Qaboos

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - Oman announced Saturday culture minister Haitham bin Tariq Al Said as the new ruler of the Gulf Arab country , ending speculation over the mystery of who would succeed longtime ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said .
The announcement on Omani state television was read over footage showing thousands gathered in the capital , Muscat , for the funeral of Sultan Qaboos who ruled the country for 50 years and did not have any children .
His choice of successor was a closely guarded secret believed to have been known only to the sultan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oman , but also represents a new beginning with a new leader , ” a presenter on the state TV said soberly .
Qaboos , the Middle East ’ s longest-ruling monarch , came to power when he deposed his father in a 1970 palace coup .
He was known internationally for his diplomatic balancing in the Persian Gulf .
Under his leadership , Oman often served as a facilitator of talks between adversaries , including I ran and the U.S. Oman is a close ally of Washington and viewed as a valuable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age of 79 from an illness that was never publicly disclosed or confirmed .
For years , he ’ d sought treatment in Germany where he spent eight months between 2014 and 2015 .
Following Islamic tradition , the sultan was buried before nightfall .
His successor is a career diplomat whose role as minister of national heritage and culture helped project Omani influence .
Local media in the Gulf reported Sultan Haitham is a cousin of Qaboos .
He previously spent 16 years in various roles with the foreign ministry .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s undersecretary for political affairs and its secretary general .
He has sometimes also chaired meetings of the Cabinet .
The new sultan was selected in an intricate process that was broadcast on state TV after Qaboos ’ burial .
The country ’ s Defence Council , in the presence of the Royal Family Council , was shown opening a sealed letter in which Sultan Qaboos names his choice for successor .
The Defence Council then read the contents of the letter aloud before all those present in the meeting , announcing Haitham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s heir .
According to Oman ’ s succession laws , the letter is to be opened if the Royal Family Council can not agree on a successor within three days .
The Al Said family has ruled Oman since the eighteenth century .
The quick announcement of a successor and the unsealing of the letter suggest the ruling family wanted to quickly name a successor .
The speed and manner in which a successor was named could help project a sense of unity , continuity and stability as tensions run high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran and the United States .
In Muscat , soldiers stood guard along the streets and troops stood with machine-guns atop SUVs as Omanis gathered along a highway to see the motorcade that was carrying the sultan ’ s body for burial .
Thousands also gathered at the Sultan Qaboos Mosque where funeral prayers were held before his burial .
The mosque is an architecturally stunning complex of white marble and manicured gardens that reflects how the sultan modernized his country without eschewing its cultural heritage or building towering skyscrapers like other neighbouring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state TV played recitation from the Qur ’ an and then broadcast the unsealing of the letter by the Defence Council and the subsequent inauguration of Sultan Haitham at a palace in Muscat .
The new sultan is known in international policy circles because of his interactions with world leaders and other royals .
For example , he greeted Prince Charles and his wife Camilla when the British royal couple arrived in Oman in 2016 .
This experience “ was considered to have provided him with the necessary political gravitas and foreign policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post-Qaboos era , ” said Sigurd Neubauer , a Middle East expert , in an analysis for The Arab Gulf States Institution in Washington .
Oman ’ s delicate foreign policy balancing act is expected to remain unchanged under the new sultan , according to analysts .
Sultan Qaboos shaped Oman ’ s policy of non-interference , refusing to join the Saudi-led coalition at war in Yemen and keeping the country ’ s border with Yemen open throughout the conflict .
He also did not join a Saudi and Emirati-led boycott of neighbouring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both Saudi Arabia and Iran .
Last year , the sultan hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a surprise visit .
It marked the first visit by an Israeli leader in more than 20 years to the tiny Gulf state , further cementing Oman ’ s unique strategic ability to be a facilitator and even mediator amid fractured Mideast states .
A top diplomat in the United Arab Emirates described Qaboos as a “ wise and inspiring leader “ and extended his country ’ s sincere condolences to the people of Oman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mourning .
“ Today we lost a historic and renaissance figure of high class with the death of Sultan Qaboos , “ UAE ’ s Minister of State or Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash wrote on Twitter .
In the United States , former President George W. Bush issued a statement saying that he and former first lady Laura Bush are saddened by the sultan ’ s death .
“ He was a stable force in the Middle East and a strong U.S. ally .
His Majesty had a vision for a modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he willed that vision into reality , ” Bush said , adding that he and his wife visited him in Muscat last fall .


thetorontostar--2020-01-11--Back at work: N Ireland lawmakers return after 3-year halt

LONDON - Legislators returned to Northern Ireland ’ s assembly Saturday for the first time in three years , after a deal was struck to restore the divided region ’ s mothballed power-sharing government .
Lawmakers were gathering in Belfast to choose a coalition executive , led by the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party and the Irish nationalists Sinn Fein .
After three years of acrimony that left Northern Ireland with a stack of unresolved issues and a growing public-sector crisis , the parties agreed Friday to a deal brokered by the U.K. and Irish governments to revive the regional government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.K. along with England , Wales and Scotland — has been without a functioning administration since the power-sharing government set up after a 1998 peace accord fell apart in January 2017 over a botched green-energy project .
The rift soon widened to broader cultural and political issues separating Northern Ireland ’ s British unionists and its Irish nationalists , the two communities whose conflicting identities and aspirations fueled years of violence in which more than 3,000 people died .
Since 2017 , Northern Ireland has been run by civil servants with limited powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been put on hold -- all in the shadow of the U.K. ’ s impending departure from the European Union on Jan. 31 , which has serious implications for the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic , an EU member .
Northern Ireland has the U.K. ’ s only land border with an EU member country and Brexit will challenge the status of the currently invisible frontier .
That could potentially push Northern Ireland into a closer embrace with its southern neighbour , Ireland , so both the DUP and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happens next .
Northern Ireland also faced a Monday deadline to restore the government or be required to hold a new election for the assembly that could see Sinn Fein and the DUP lose ground to less intransigent parties .
With that deadline looming , the parties agreed to return to government .
“ We now have the basis to restore power-sharing , and we ’ re up for that , “ Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald said Friday .
DUP leader Arlene Foster — who is likely to become Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she held before the government collapsed — called the agreement “ a fair and balanced deal.
” The smaller SDLP and Alliance parties also said they would return to the assembly .
The new agreement addresses divisive social and cultural issues in Northern Ireland , as well as the increasingly parlous state of its public finances .
It includes measures to protect the Irish language , which is important to nationalists , as well as the Ulster Scots tongue that is the heritage of British unionists .
The deal also promises U.K. government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland ’ s cash-strapped public services .
Northern Ireland ’ s health service has been has been particularly hard hit by the political vacuum , and nurses have staged a series of strikes to protest staffing shortages and eroding salaries .


thetorontostar--2020-01-11--The Latest: Sweden: Iran must take full responsibility

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - The latest on Iran-related developments ( all times local ) : Germany ’ s foreign minister has called on Iran to take the appropriate measures following what he said was the “ catastrophe ” of it inadvertently shooting down the Ukrainian plane near the Iranian capital .
Heiko Maas told Funke Mediengruppe media on Saturday : “ It ’ s important that Iran has brought clarity .
Now it should take the appropriate measures in the further investigation of this horrible catastrophe so that something like this can not happen again.
” Maas said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our thoughts are with the victims and their families in all the affected nations.
” An Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander says his unit accepts “ full responsibility ” for the accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane .
In an address broadcast by state TV on Saturday , Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh says that when he learned about the downing of the plane , which killed all 176 passengers on board , “ I wished I were dead.
” Iran ’ s armed forces say they mistook the passenger plane for a hostile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ballistic missile attack on two military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops .
That attack was retaliation for the killing of Iran ’ s top general , Qassem Soleimani , in an American airstrike in Baghdad .
Ukraine ’ s prime minister says Iran ’ s admission that it unintentionally shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet near the Iranian capital isn ’ t the end of investigating the catastrophe .
The admission “ is an important step in the investigation process , which is still ongoing , ” Oleksiy Honcharuk said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our experts are continuing to work at the scene of the tragedy with the aim of a detailed investigation of the causes and the final establishment of the truth.
” Iran ’ s supreme leader has offered condolences and called for an investigation after his country ’ s armed forces acknowledged that they accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane .
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday expressed his “ deep sympathy ” to the families of the 176 victims , and called on the armed forces to “ pursue probable shortcomings and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot down the passenger plane after it took off from Tehran , amid heightened tensions stemming from the U.S. airstrike that killed Iran ’ s top general .
The military says it mistook the plane for a hostile target after launching a ballistic missile attack on two bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq .
The head of the Ukrainian airline whose jetliner was shot down by an anti-aircraft missile in Iran says he was sure all along that that the company was not at fault .
Iran on Saturday acknowledged that it shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier , killing all 176 people aboard , after repeated denials from Iranian officials .
“ We did not for a second doubt that our crew and our plane could not have been the cause of this terrible , awful air catastrophe , ” airline president Evgeniy Dikhne said on Facebook .
“ They were our best guys and girls .
The best.
” Ukraine ’ s president says Iran must take further steps , including an official apology , following its admission that one of its missiles shot down an Ukrainian passenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement Saturday that Ukraine expected from Iran “ assurances “ of a “ full and open investigation , bringing the perpetrators to justice.
” He added that Ukraine expected the “ paying of compensation ” and “ official apologies through diplomatic channels.
” He also expressed hope for the continuation of the crash investigation without delay .
A team of Ukrainian investigators is in Iran .
“ Our 45 specialists should get full access and co-operation to establish justice , ” he said .
Iran announced Saturday that its military “ unintentionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing all 176 aboard .
The statement came Saturday morning and blamed “ human error ” for the shootdown .
The jetliner , a Boeing 737 operated by Ukrainian International Airlines , went down on the outskirts of Tehran during takeoff just hours after Iran launched a barrage of missiles at U.S. forces .
Iran had denied for several days that a missile downed the aircraft .
But then the U.S. and Canada , citing intelligence , said they believe Iran shot down the aircraft .
The plane , en route to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 167 passengers and nine crew members from several countries , including 82 Iranians , at least 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians , according to officials .


thetorontostar--2020-01-11--China reports 1st death from new type of coronavirus

BEIJING - Health authorities in a central Chinese city on Saturday reported the country ’ s first death from a new type of coronavirus , as the government braced for the Lunar New Year travel boom amid concerns over a possible outbreak similar to that of the SARS virus in the early 2000s .
The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said seven other people were in critical condition among a total of 41 who were suffering from pneumonia caused by a “ preliminarily determined new type of coronavirus ” as of Friday .
That was down from the earlier figure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition and at least two had been released from a hospital .
The patient who died was identified as a 61-year-old man who had been hospitalized after suffering shortness of breath and severe pneumonia .
The commission said the man , who died Thursday , also suffered from abdominal tumors and chronic liver disease and had been a frequent customer at a food market on Wuhan ’ s outskirts linked to the majority of cases .
China says the cause of the Wuhan outbreak remains unknown , but has sought to quash speculation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the SARS epidemic , which killed hundreds in 2002 and 2003 .
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses , some of which cause the common cold .
Others found in bats , camels and other animals have evolved into more severe illnesses .
Common symptoms include a runny nose , headache , cough and fever .
Shortness of breath , chills and body aches are associated with more dangerous kinds of coronaviruses , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
China ’ s transport ministry says it plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and buses and prevent transmission of diseases during the 40-day travel rush centred on the Lunar New Year , also known as the Spring Festival , which falls this year on Jan. 25 .
“ The emergence of the epidemic may cause panic among people , especially in areas where people are concentrated during the Spring Festival travel period , “ the ministry ’ s chief engineer , Wang Yang , told reporters at a news conference Thursday .
“ In order to further ensure the health of passengers , our ministry attaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and will focus on the disinfection monitoring and protection measures in areas with a large number of passenger travel volume , including transportation hubs , passenger stations and cargo hub plant stations , “ Wang said .
Possible cases of the same illness have been reported in Hong Kong , South Korea and Taiwan involving recent travellers to Wuhan .
Health authorities elsewhere in China have yet to announce similar cases , despite the high population density around Wuhan and its role as a travel hub for central China .
University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quoted by the city ’ s official news agency as saying that the genetic makeup of the novel coronavirus was 80 % similar to SARS as it had been found in bats , civet cats and humans .
Yuen said that it was unclear whether the virus could further change to become more lethal , as the SARS virus had , but that Hong Kong had a robust system for detecting more severe problems among patients .
“ So we have to take every measure and closely monitor the situation , ” Yuen @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-01-11--India demolishes buildings for violating environmental norms

KOCHI , India - Authorities in southern Kerala state on Saturday razed down two high-rise luxury apartments using controlled implosion in one of the largest demolition drives in India involving residential complexes for violating environmental norms .
The razing of the illegal apartments built very close to a posh lakeside in the state ’ s Maradu district took place after a court last year ordered their demolition for violating laws that prohibit construction within a certain distance from the sea , rivers , lakes and other water bodies .
The apartments were a pale shadow of their former luxurious appearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away at the buildings , reducing them to a bare skeletal frame .
The buildings came down crashing in seconds as a thick cloud of smoke spread to around 200 metres ( yards ) .
Almost 2,000 people in nearby residential areas were evacuated prior to the demolition , which was witnessed by scores of people who recorded the event on their mobile phones .
The remaining two buildings will be demolished on Sunday .
The court ’ s order last year had come as a shock to more than 300 apartment owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demolition were exhausted , they resorted to protests and hunger strikes .
Finally , when the administration snapped power supply , they were forced to vacate their homes .
Hours before the demolition , some of the residents also flocked to the site for one last view of their former homes .
Environmental experts have raised concern the demolition of the four structures will have a huge impact on the Vembanadu Lake , which is an ecologically sensitive area .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-11--Under pressure, Iran admits it shot down jetliner by mistake

OTTAWA—Iran announced Saturday that its military ‘ unintentionally ’ shot down a Ukrainian jetliner , killing all 176 aboard .
The statement came Saturday morning and blamed “ human error ” for the shootdown .
Iran had denied for several days that a missile downed the aircraft .
But then the U.S. and Canada , citing intelligence , said they believe Iran shot down the aircraft .
A military statement carried by state media said the plane was mistaken for a “ hostile target ” after it turned toward a “ sensitive military centre ” of the Revolutionary Guard .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of readiness , ” it said , amid the heightened tensions with the United States .
“ In such a condition , because of human error and in a unintentional way , the flight was hit , ” the statement said .
It apologized for the disaster and said it would upgrade its systems to prevent such “ mistakes ” in the future .
The statement also said those responsible for the strike on the plane would be prosecuted .
Earlier , a frustrated Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne said that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two visas to Canadian officials looking to fly to Tehran , short of the 12 needed to make their own assessment about the cause of the devastating crash .
A team of 10 Global Affairs officials was waiting in Ankara , Turkey , Friday and two investigators from the Transportation Safety Board were on their way to join them , all hoping to get to Tehran to probe the cause of the crash and provide consular services , such as the repatriation of the Canadian victims .
The Boeing 737-800 jet operated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departed Tehran ’ s airport bound for Kyiv .
Champagne said Friday that the number of Canadian victims had been revised to 57 , down from the 63 that was initially reported by the airline .
In all , 138 passengers were ultimately bound for a connecting flight to Canada .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday that evidence from “ multiple sources ” indicated that the plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile .
The TSB said it had two investigators headed overseas but cautioned that Canada ’ s involvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined.
” But to help press for answers , Canada will lead an international group of countries that had citizens on the flight — Ukraine , Sweden , Afghanistan and the U.K. — to “ speak with one voice , ” Champagne said .
Canada will create its own emergency task force comprising senior officials to support victims ’ families and loved ones .
And he said Trudeau has tasked Toronto-area MP Omar Alghabra to work directly with the family members .
Earlier , Iran denied any responsibility , rejecting allegations that one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What is obvious for us , and what we can say with certainty , is that no missile hit the plane , ” Ali Abedzadeh , head of Iran ’ s national aviation department , said Friday .
He pressed countries nations such as Canada to reveal evidence to back their claims the crash was caused by a hostile act .
The crash came amid heightened military tension in Iran after that country unleashed a missile attack on two Iraqi bases housing U.S. and coalition forces , retaliation for Washington ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both the U.K. and the U.S. say they have reached a similar conclusion as Canada that a missile was the cause .
“ We ’ re going to let the investigation play out before we make a final determination , ” U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a White House briefing Friday .
Pompeo , who spoke with Champagne Friday , said the U.S. and others would take “ appropriate actions ” once the results of the probe are known .
Yet Iranian authorities have apparently cleaned up the accident site , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrutinize the debris field .
CBS journalist Elizabeth Palmer said on Twitter that a network crew visited the site Friday .
“ Virtually all pieces of the plane were removed yesterday , say locals .
Scavengers now picking site clean .
No security .
Not cordoned off , ” Palmer wrote .

Nasser Karimi And Joseph Krauss - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-11--Fire engulfs nursing home in Croatia, at least 6 dead

ZAGREB , Croatia - A fire engulfed part of a nursing home in northern Croatia early Saturday , killing at least six people , authorities said .
The blaze erupted around 5 a.m. in a privately-run nursing home in the village of Andrasevac , 30 kilometres ( 20 miles ) north of Zagreb , the capital .
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire .
“ Unfortunately , according to initial information we have received , six people died , “ Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic told reporters after arriving on the scene .
“ At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have enough information to be able to say anything else.
” “ We need to wait until the authorities finish their job , “ Plenkovic added .
Croatian media said the fire erupted in a wooden building close to the main building of the nursing home .
N1 TV said about 20 people were staying there when the fire broke out .
Police said the fire was put out quickly , but they could not immediately enter the charred building to conduct the probe .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-11--UK seeks extradition of US woman over teen’s death in crash

LONDON - Britain has sparked a diplomatic standoff with Washington by requesting the extradition of a U.S. woman charged over a road crash that killed a U.K. teenager .
The British government said late Friday it had formally asked for Anne Sacoolas to be sent to the U.K. to face a charge of causing death by dangerous driving .
The U.S. State Department called the request “ highly inappropriate ” because it says Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity at the time of the crash .
Harry Dunn , 19 , died in August after his motorbike collided with a car driven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British military base in central England used by U.S. forces .
Sacoolas , whose husband was an intelligence officer at the base , claimed diplomatic immunity and returned to the U.S. soon afterwards .
Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations , families of diplomats are granted immunity from arrest or detention .
British prosecutors , however , maintain that immunity does not apply to dependants of consular officials based outside London .
Dunn ’ s family has urged Sacoolas to return and face British justice , and met with U.S. President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
Despite the cool U.S. response , the Dunn family said the extradition request was a “ huge step towards achieving justice for Harry.
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thetorontostar--2020-01-11--Malta’s Labor Party picks new chief after reporter’s slaying

VALLETTA , Malta - Malta ’ s Labor Party was choosing a new leader Saturday to replace Prime Minister Joseph Muscat , who announced his resignation amid increasing demands at home and abroad for accountability following the assassination of an anti-corruption journalist .
Around 17,500 Labor Party members were eligible to choose between two contenders Saturday : Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne , 56 , and Labor lawmaker Robert Abela , 42 .
The victor will automatically become prime minister .
Results were expected early Sunday , with the new leader to address the nation Sunday afternoon .
Muscat has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new Labor leader .
Both candidates have acknowledged that recent weeks have been “ difficult ” for Malta , stopping short of criticizing Muscat but pledging to work to restore Malta ’ s reputation abroad and citizens ’ confidence in the rule of law .
In a farewell speech Friday , Muscat said he was paying “ the highest political price for a dark episode ” by stepping aside , a reference to the car-bomb slaying of Daphne Caruana Galizia in October 2017 .
He said he was proud that under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged with the killing .
Muscat announced his resignation Dec. 1 after his chief of staff , Keith Schembri , was arrested and questioned in connection with the killing .
Schembri was later released but is still under investigation .
Caruana Galizia was known for her unrelenting reporting on corruption at the highest levels in Maltese politics and business , for loose financial and banking rules have made Malta an attractive place for money launderers .
She had reported threats shortly before her death .
Three men are facing trial for carrying out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominent Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech , has been charged with complicity in the murder .
He denies wrongdoing .
Muscat has served as Malta ’ s prime minister for 6 1/2 years , and leaves Labor with a comfortable majority in Parliament .
His decision to quit did not allay public protests against the government .
In the wake of the journalist ’ s killing , European lawmakers sent two delegations to Malta to investigate rule of law on the island nation .
And legal experts from Europe ’ s top human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better checks and balances since the prime minister ’ s powers eclipse those of other institutions .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-11--12 migrants found dead, 21 rescued at sea off western Greece

ATHENS , Greece - Greece ’ s coast guard says 12 migrants have been found dead in the Ionian Sea @ @ @ @ @ rescued after their boat took in water and sank .
Searchers are looking for more @ @ @ @ @ sea rescues came southwest of the Greek island of Paxos , a coast guard spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ speaking on customary condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation .
“ The initial @ @ @ @ @ were in the boat , ” he said .
The coast guard said someone from @ @ @ @ @ 112 emergency number at 9:15 a.m. Saturday .
At least four merchant ships , six @ @ @ @ @ helicopter were searching for survivors amid calm seas .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-11--NATO: US army vehicle hit by roadside bomb in Afghanistan

KABUL - A roadside bomb hit a U.S. army vehicle Saturday in Afghanistan , both NATO and Afghan officials confirmed , without providing any details .
Qari Yusouf Ahmadi , a Taliban spokesman , immediately claimed responsibility for the attack saying it occurred in the southern Kandahar province .
In a short statement , a NATO spokesman said that officials were still “ assessing the situation and will provide more information as it became available.
” An Afghan official said the attack had taken place in the Dand district of Kandahar province .
The official was not authorized to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that there is no report on any possible casualties .
The Taliban now control or hold sway over roughly half of Afghanistan .
The militants continue to stage near-daily attacks targeting Afghan and U.S. forces , even as they hold peace talks with the U.S. Scores of Afghan civilians are also killed in the crossfire or by roadside bombs planted by militants .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-11--Tornadoes hit Missouri, Oklahoma, as severe storms move east

DALLAS - Tornadoes destroyed homes in Arkansas and Missouri and also caused damage in Oklahoma as severe storms threatened much of the South over the weekend , officials said .
The national Storm Prediction Center said more than 18 million people in Louisiana , Arkansas , Texas and Oklahoma were at an enhanced risk of storms Friday , including from strong tornadoes , flooding rains and wind gusts that could exceed 80 mph ( 129 kph ) , the speed of a Category 1 hurricane .
The area included several major Texas cities including Dallas , Houston and Austin .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ widespread flash flooding .
Dallas police said one person died when a car flipped into Five Mile Creek west of downtown Dallas about 7 p.m .
In Louisiana , Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator told KTBS-TV that a man was killed when a tree fell on his Oil City home .
Earlier in the afternoon , a tornado destroyed two homes near Fair Play , Missouri , about 35 miles ( 56 kilometres ) northwest of Springfield .
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said no injuries were reported .
Shortly before 3 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the roof of a home near Tahlequah , Oklahoma , about 60 miles ( 96 kilometres ) southeast of Tulsa .
No injuries were reported there either .
What the NWS described as “ a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado ” roared through parts of Logan County , Arkansas , about 45 miles ( 72 kilometres ) east of Fort Smith on Friday night .
At least three homes were destroyed by the Arkansas tornado , said Logan County Emergency Management Coordinator Tobi Miller , but no injuries were reported .
Downed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
Miller said the tornado skirted her home in Subiaco , Arkansas .
She said she heard but couldn ’ t see the rain-wrapped twister in the dark .
Ahead of the storms , Dallas ’ Office of Emergency Management asked residents to bring in pets , outdoor furniture , grills , “ and anything else that could be caught up in high winds to reduce the risk of flying debris.
“ “ Trampolines are very easy to loft into the air during high winds , “ said Matt Hemingway , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Shreveport , Louisiana .
“ Anything outside that could be blown around could become a projectile.
” “ We ’ re pretty much right in the crosshairs , “ Hemingway said of Shreveport .
“ Damaging winds are our biggest concern because of the widespread nature of that threat , with tornadoes not far behind that.
” Such strong winds are a key concern in an area at greatest risk : A zone that includes parts of Texas , Oklahoma , Louisiana and Arkansas , the Storm Prediction Center warned .
Weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a dire forecast for the area is only issued two to four times each year , on average .
“ We could see some very strong tornadoes — possibly those that may stay on the ground for some time — not just the brief spin-up tornadoes , ” Hemingway said .
Tornado watches Friday night covered parts of eastern Texas , northwestern Louisiana , southern Missouri and much of Arkansas .
In Texas , Gov .
Greg Abbott said boats , helicopters , medical and rescue teams had been placed on standby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ask that all Texans keep those in the storm ’ s path and all of Texas ’ first responders in their prayers as they deal with the effects of this storm , “ Abbott said in a statement .
Wicked weather also will pose a threat to Alabama and Georgia as the system moves eastward on Saturday , forecasters said .
Alabama Gov .
Kay Ivey said Friday the state was making necessary preparations ahead of the potential weather .
“ At the state level , we continue to closely monitor this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preparations , ” Ivey said in a statement .
“ I encourage all Alabamians to do the same , stay weather aware and heed all local warnings.
” On Alabama ’ s Gulf Coast , Baldwin County cancelled school activities including sporting events that were scheduled for Saturday .
The weather service warned of flooding and the potential for 10-foot-high ( 3-meter-high ) waves on beaches , where northern visitors escaping the cold are a common sight during the winter .
Heavy rains also could cause flooding across the South and part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at or near flood levels because of earlier storms , and heavy rains could lead to flash flooding across the region , forecasters said .
Parts of Texas , Oklahoma , Arkansas , Mississippi , Tennessee , Kentucky , Missouri , Illinois and Indiana were under flash flood watches on Friday in anticipation of the drenching rains .
Martin reported from Atlanta .
Associated Press Writer Jay Reeves in Birmingham , Alabama , contributed to this story .

Terry Wallace And Jeff Martin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-11--IS claims Pakistan mosque bombing as death toll rises to 15

QUETTA , Pakistan - Pakistani officials raised the death toll from a mosque bombing in the country ’ s southwest to 15 people on Saturday , as the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack .
The powerful explosion ripped through a mosque in Quetta , the provincial capital of Baluchistan province , during the evening prayers on Friday .
It killed a senior police officer and 13 others .
The bombing also wounded another 20 worshipers .
Quetta police chief Abdur Razzaq Cheema said another victim of the mosque bombing died of serious wounds in the city hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said two other victims were in critical condition .
The Islamic State group said the attack a suicide bombing it had carried out targeting Afghan Taliban .
The IS posted its claim on a IS Pakistan Telegram channel .
Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammad Yousuf Ahmadi in a statement denied any of his group ’ s members had been present at the mosque .
A number of militant groups operate in Baluchistan province , where a secessionist group has waged a low-level insurgency for years .
Pakistan ’ s government claims it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-11--Refugees shot dead in Tripoli forced out of UN facility

KHARTOUM , Sudan - Two Eritrean asylum-seekers were shot dead in the Libyan capital , Tripoli , days after the U.N. refugee agency pressed them to leave its facility citing overcrowding .
The UNHCR confirmed the deaths in a statement Friday saying it ’ s “ deeply saddened ” by the Thursday deaths in Tripoli .
Three refugees told The Associated Press that the men were among dozens forced out of the UNHCR-run Gathering and Departure Facility 10 days ago .
The three spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution .
The facility was promoted as an “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers of refugees increased , the U.N. offered money and pressed new arrivals to leave .
The slain refugees were among those who accepted the money and left .
They were among thousands held in Libya ’ s detention centres where abuses are rampant .
The country is a major waypoint for migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East to Europe .
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