thetorontostar--2020-02-18--Soggy neighbourhoods under flash-flood warning in Mississippi

RIDGELAND , Miss .
- Forecasters expected more heavy rains in parts of the flood-ravaged South on Tuesday , prolonging the misery for worried people who still can ’ t get back in homes surrounded by water .
Some of the hardest-hit areas were under a flash flood watch , as the National Weather Service said as much as 2 inches ( 5 centimetres ) of rain , and even more in some spots — was expected to fall in a short amount of time in central Mississippi .
The national Weather Prediction Center in College Park , Maryland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a band from eastern Louisiana across central parts of Mississippi and Alabama and into far west Georgia .
Authorities around Mississippi ’ s capital city of Jackson warned hundreds of residents not to return home until they get an all-clear following devastating flooding on Monday .
The receding flood left muddy water marks on the sides of cars at the Harbor Pines Mobile Home Community in suburban Ridgeland , not far from where managers of the Ross Barnett Reservoir have been trying to contain the swollen Pearl River .
Water still surrounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the water level had fallen 2 feet ( 0.6 metres ) or more since Monday .
Anxious to get back into the home she evacuated on Thursday , Gloria Vera couldn ’ t reach her trailer because it was still surrounded by as much as 5 feet ( 1.5 metres ) of water .
She didn ’ t yet know if water got inside .
“ I took nothing from the house when I left , only the clothes I am wearing , “ Vera said in Spanish .
Dorothy Freeman felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water and she was able to get back in long enough to feed her cat and pick up personal items including her Bible .
“ I ’ m praying for the people in the Jackson area that were hit even harder than us , ” said Freeman , 87 , who has lived in the community 21 years .
Crews were going lot-to-lot to check the duct work beneath mobile homes to determine how many had been inundated by water .
The power remained off as a precaution and it wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
A near-record rainy winter led to agonizing choices for reservoir managers , who have had to release water that worsens flooding for some people living downstream while saving many other properties from damage .
The intensity and frequency of extreme rain events that fuel major flooding have increased in the Southeast , according to the most recent National Climate Assessment , released by the White House in 2018 .
Southern states are particularly vulnerable to increasingly heavy rains , according to the report , which cites four floods that each did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between 2014 and 2016 .
In the Savannah , Tennessee , area , two houses slid down a muddy bluff just below the Pickwick Dam on Saturday as the Tennessee Valley Authority released more than 2.5 million gallons ( 9.5 million litres ) per second , adding to the anguish for owners of about 75 flooded properties downstream .
Hardin County Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Melvin Martin said the landslide claimed not only two houses , whose residents got out safely , but also about 100 yards ( 91 metres ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of the homes down by the river are vacation homes that were built on stilts , Martin said .
Boat captain Sam Evans , who lives in a historic riverboat on Pickwick Lake , says this year ’ s flooding is among the worst he ’ s seen .
Navigating the Tennessee River by boat , he ’ s watched the banks gradually erode , and said it was only a matter of time before the bluff gave way .
“ It has slowly been eroding and it finally let go , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
The area suffered a devastating flood in 2003 , but then about 14 years passed without a catastrophe , and developers got busy selling riverfront properties , Evans said .
He thinks the buyers weren ’ t fully aware of the danger .
“ Out-of-towners came in that didn ’ t do their homework , ” he said .
“ Here comes a flood and it wipes them out ... Buyer-beware when you buy below the dam .
“ Things changed about three years ago , he said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last three years , about the same time every year , ” Evans said .
Darrell Guinn , a manager at the TVA River Forecast Center , said Tuesday that the river system is now at level where it can absorb more rain without further impacting flooded areas .
Sprawling fields turned into large lakes throughout West Tennessee , including in the small town of Halls , where a cold rain fell steadily Tuesday .
A Tennessee Department of Transportation crew worked to close state Highway 88 outside Halls , as water began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Highway 51 and the Mississippi River .


thetorontostar--2020-02-18--Trump to use ‘big voice’ to boost GOP on 4-day Western trip

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he ’ s ready to use his “ big voice ” to bolster Republicans ’ 2020 campaign hopes as he heads west for a four-day visit mixing policy and politics .
Trump ’ s trip will be packed with big-dollar fundraisers , a trio of campaign rallies meant to energize his base and a sprinkle of official presidential events where he can showcase administration actions and offset some of his travel costs .
The trip to California , Nevada , Arizona and Colorado is an unusually long domestic trip for Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bed but is stepping up his political travel now that his impeachment trial is over .
He was expected to raise $ 14 million at two California campaign fundraisers , according to a Republican official familiar with the planning of the events .
That money will be split among his campaign , the Republican National Committee and 22 Republican state parties .
Trump will spend his overnights in Las Vegas just as Democrats have descended on the state ahead of a debate there Wednesday and Nevada ’ s Democratic caucuses on Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ states with vulnerable Republican senators — Cory Gardner of Colorado and Martha McSally of Arizona .
Both stood by Trump during the Senate ’ s impeachment trial .
Trump also announced that he will soon head to South Carolina to campaign , likely the day before Democrats in the state hold their primary on Feb. 29 .
“ Look — we have a big voice , and we might as well use it , ” Trump told reporters before departing Washington .
In Los Angeles on Tuesday , Trump is also set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ for an update on their efforts to prepare for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games , ” the White House said .
He is scheduled to attend a campaign fundraiser in Beverly Hills before continuing to Las Vegas , where he is expected to stay at his private hotel just off the Las Vegas Strip .
On Wednesday , Trump will fly to Rancho Mirage , California , to billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison ’ s estate , which includes a private golf club , where his campaign is hosting a golf outing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barack Obama at the course , which , like others in the arid Coachella Valley , has faced scrutiny for high water usage .
Trump will then visit Bakersfield , California , the hometown of House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy , “ to speak with hardworking farmers in the Central Valley about efforts to dramatically improve the supply and delivery of water in California and other Western states , ” the White House said .
Trump will then hold a rally in Phoenix before returning to Las Vegas .
On Thursday , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graduation Ceremony held at the Las Vegas police headquarters , the White House said , adding that the president intends to focus on efforts “ to provide previously incarcerated Americans with second chances.
” He will hold another rally in Colorado Springs , Colorado , before flying back to Las Vegas .
He will hold a final rally in Las Vegas on Friday .
The trip comes as he is stepping up his campaign activity before the November election and as pro-Trump groups raised a combined $ 60 million in January , shattering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to Los Angeles , Trump used Twitter to poke at the city ’ s mayor , Eric Garcetti , for publishing a video last week assuring undocumented immigrants that the city police force does not co-ordinate with federal immigration enforcement .
“ The Mayor ’ s efforts to shield illegal aliens endangers the lives of the public and law enforcement who have to go into the field to apprehend those released , ” Trump tweeted .
“ He shouldn ’ t be urging illegals to beat the system , he should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” Before departing , Trump also could not help but tweak his Democratic presidential rivals , and he feigned concern that Democratic front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders is getting a raw deal from party leaders .
The Democratic National Committee announced earlier Tuesday — following a change of debate qualification rules — that former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg has qualified for Wednesday ’ s debate in Nevada .
The billionaire is self-financing his campaign and has faced criticism from Sanders and other Democratic rivals that he ’ s attempting to buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Always be careful what you wish for , and I ’ m not wishing for anything , ” said Trump , who insists he doesn ’ t have a preferred Democrat he ’ d like to face in November .
“ Whoever it is , I ’ ll be very happy.
” Not long after his comment , Trump on Twitter belittled Bloomberg , accused him of breaking campaign laws by buying support of Democratic politicians with campaign contributions , and puffing that he wound ’ t mind facing the former mayor in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I would rather run against you !
” Trump posted .

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thetorontostar--2020-02-18--Police: Girl, 6, was killed by neighbour who then killed self

COLUMBIA , S.C. - A 6-year-old girl who disappeared from her front yard after school was killed by a neighbour who then killed himself , authorities said Tuesday .
Faye Marie Swetlik died of asphyxiation just hours after she was abducted , Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher told reporters Tuesday , refusing to say if she was strangled or suffocated .
Faye ’ s body was found nearly three days later in woods near her home and had been put there just hours earlier , Fisher said .
Between that time , investigators had spoken with the suspect .
Coty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few doors down from the girl .
They saw nothing to suggest the girl was ever there , Cayce Public Safety Director Byron Snellgrove said .
Reporters asked Snellgrove if investigators knew where the girl was .
“ We do not know at this time , “ Snellgrove said .
Shortly after the girl ’ s body was found , authorities said , they were called to Taylor ’ s home where he was found dead on his back porch , covered in blood .
Taylor , 30 , slit his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released after Tuesday ’ s news conference , in which the coroner only wanted to talk in front of cameras about the girl .
Fisher also refused to release any details about the condition of the girl ’ s body ordisclose any other way she might have been injured out of respect for her family .
Snellgrove also didn ’ t talk about why Taylor , with no criminal record , would have kidnapped the girl .
He said last week that Taylor did not know the girl or her family .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ link the residence , the deceased male and Faye to that location , “ Snellgrove said .
The girl was last seen alive playing in her Cayce front yard after getting off the school bus on Feb. 10 .
More than 200 officers searched over three days for her , knocking on every door in her neighbourhood and checking every vehicle going in and out .
They knocked on Taylor ’ s door , too , the day before he killed himself , Snellgrove said .
“ He was co-operative and gave consent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those agents did not see anything that alerted them to believe he had knowledge or was in any was involved in Faye ’ s disappearance at that time , “ Snellgrove said .
The clue that cracked the case came from a trash can .
Investigators followed a trash truck going around the neighbourhood Thursday and sifted through every can as it was emptied .
Inside Taylor ’ s can , Snellgrove said , they found a rain boot matching one Faye was wearing and a ladle full of dirt .
Snellgrove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area and personally found the girl ’ s body which was “ moved in shadow of the night.
” Taylor had a roommate who was not home much while the girl was missing , said Snellgrove , adding the roommate appeared to know nothing about the abduction .
“ It appears ( Taylor ) is the sole perpetrator of the crime , “ Snellgrove said of Taylor .
The girl ’ s disappearance shocked Cayce , a town of about 13,000 just west of Columbia , the state capital .
Several prayer vigils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after her body was found .
More than 100 people came out in pouring rain for a candlelight vigil Tuesday evening at Cayce City Hall .
Many wiped away tears as Snellgrove lit the first candle and city council members passed the flame around .
Snellgrove appeared to choke up while announcing the girl ’ s death just hours after finding her body .
“ This was not just an investigation or a case to us .
Faye Swetlik quickly grabbed all of our hearts , ” Snellgrove said Tuesday .
The girl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August and made an immediate impact , bringing sunshine as she bounded into school for breakfast and finding a bunch of friends , Princpal Hope Vrana said at the vigil .
“ Everyone quickly grew to love her smile , her joyful spirit and her very kind heart.
, “ Vrana added .
A public memorial for Faye will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at Trinity Baptist Church in Cayce .
Fisher said her heart broke for the girl ’ s family , who lost a child as she simply played in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Faye will remain in my heart forever , “ the coroner said .
This version of the story corrects to say the coroner said the girl was asphyxiated , but did not give details


thetorontostar--2020-02-18--US border clampdown forces Venezuelan teen into Mexico alone

HOUSTON - A Venezuelan teenager has been forced back to Mexico by U.S. government authorities who denied her claims that she was fleeing political repression and violence , even after they accepted the same claims from her father .
The teenager , who is being identified by only her first name , Branyerly , is living alone in Matamoros , Mexico , across from Brownsville.According to her attorney , U.S .
border agentson Monday and Tuesday denied her requestsnot to be sent back under the Trump administration ’ s so-called “ Remain in Mexico ” program for migrants .
Branyerly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under another Trump policy , a ban on most asylum claims at the southern border for people who came through a “ third country.
” But in January , an immigration judge allowed her father , Branly , into the U.S. by granting what ’ s called withholding of removal , which requires meeting a higher legal standard .
That same judge denied withholding for Branyerly , who was 17 when she originally arrived at the borderand is now 18 .
Both she and her fathersay the immigration judge , Monica Thompson Guidry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing and asked her relatively few .
The final result came as a shock to both of them .
She tried to request parole Monday at one of the bridges connecting Brownsville and Matamoros .
She was taken into an office on the U.S. side briefly , then told to return to Mexico .
“ I already lived one nightmare in Venezuela and another here , ” Branyerly said .
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has overseen an economic collapse and political turmoil that ’ s led to hundreds of thousands of people seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
President Donald Trump in his State of the Union address this month called Maduro a “ socialist dictator ” and said “ all Americans are united with the Venezuelan people in their righteous struggle for freedom.
” But many Venezuelans seeking refuge in the U.S. have been barred by a series of Trump administration policies clamping down on asylum .
“ It ’ s not only ironic but it smacks of speaking out of both sides of your mouth , ” said Jodi Goodwin , Branyerly ’ s attorney .
Branly says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a job that would have required him to support the ruling party .
After he turned down the job , Branly says , he started receiving threatening calls at his home , saying his wife and daughter would be kidnapped .
He and his wife left Venezuela for the U.S. in early 2019 , leaving their daughter with a family friend .
But she was soon threatened as well .
So Branly returned to Venezuela to find Branyerly , then travelled with her through Mexico to the southern U.S. border .
They arrived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birthday , and were placed into the “ Remain in Mexico ” program until their January hearing .
Goodwin said Branyerly was in a “ particularly vulnerable situation ” as the daughter of a known political activist .
“ She is vulnerable as a migrant .
She is vulnerable as a child .
She is vulnerable as a woman , ” Goodwin wrote in her request to U.S. Customs and Border Protection that Branyerly be allowed into the U.S. while her immigration case continues .
“ In other words , there are any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy to tell that she is vulnerable being alone in Mexico.
” As Branly spoke about his daughter ’ s plight in Mexico and the guilt he feels , he began to weep .
His voice choked up .
“ What I care about is my daughter , ” he said .
“ How did they do it for me but not my daughter ?
I don ’ t understand .
I don ’ t understand .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-18--Tennessee Dems push to move up presidential primary

NASHVILLE - Tennessee would be the first state in the nation to hold a presidential primary , freeing it from having to compete for attention on Super Tuesday , under a new bill .
Democratic state lawmakers touted the need for the change on Tuesday , arguing that the Volunteer State has a more diverse voter base than Iowa and New Hampshire —the first two states to kick off the presidential primaries every four years .
“ We feel very strongly that Tennessee in many ways would better represent the nation as a whole demographically , and for other reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first primary in the country , ” said state Rep. Jason Powell , a Democrat from Nashville .
According to the legislation , Tennessee ’ s presidential primary would become the first in the nation by moving it from March 3 toJan.2 , bypassing high-profile early voting statessuch as Iowa , New Hampshire , Nevada and South Carolina .
Scrutiny overwhich state getsto host its presidential primary first has increased during the 2020 election as the Democratic Party ’ s once robustlydiverse fieldof potential challengers to Republican President Donald Trump has dwindled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire have state populationsthat are approximately 90 % white .
Tennessee is roughly 75 % white .
The United States is 60 % white .
“ I think we make a good case .
Are we the most diverse in the nation ?
Certainly not , but we certainly are much more diverse than Iowa or New Hampshire , ” said state Sen. Raumesh Akbari , a Democrat from Memphis .
Powell saidlawmakersspecifically selectedJan.2 because of a New Hampshire election law stipulating that its secretary of state must , if necessary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least seven days before any similar election in other states .
That means New Hampshire would have to dip into 2023 if it wanted to host a primary electionbefore Tennessee in the 2024 presidential race .
It ’ s unclear , however , if the move would be supported by national Republican and Democratic leaders .
It ’ s also unknown if the legislation will find much support inside Tennessee ’ s Republican-dominant Statehouse .
The legislation currently does not have any GOP co-sponsors .
Tennessee ’ s Democratic Party is holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that states have been punished when they attemptedtosidesteprules outlined by the Democratic National Committee .
“ In previous years , when other states have violated the rules by leapfrogging the set schedule , they have been penalized by losing all their delegates , leaving their voters with no voice at the national level , “ spokeswoman Emily Cupples saidin a statement .
In 2008 , both Florida and Michigan defied national party leaders by holding their primaries in January , despite rules calling for states to hold such elections later in the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost delegate votes at the Democratic and GOP nominating conventions .
Nearly a quarter of primary delegates are up for grabs in the March 3 Super Tuesday contests , with 73 of those coming from Tennessee .
Just seven other states will have more delegates than Tennessee on Super Tuesday .


thetorontostar--2020-02-18--Bloomberg makes debate stage, facing Dem rivals for first time

Billionaire Mike Bloomberg has qualified for the upcoming Democratic presidential debate , marking the first time he ’ ll stand alongside the rivals he has so far avoided by bypassing the early voting states and using his personal fortune to define himself through television ads .
A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll published Tuesday shows Bloomberg with 19 per cent support nationally in the Democratic nominating contest .
The former New York City mayor , who launched his presidential campaign in November , will appear in Wednesday ’ s debate in Las Vegas alongside former vice-president Joe Biden , senators Bernie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and former South Bend , Ind.
, mayor Pete Buttigieg .
Fellow billionaire and philanthropist Tom Steyer is still hoping to qualify .
Bloomberg ’ s campaign said that it was seeing “ a groundswell of support across the country ” and that qualifying for Wednesday ’ s debate “ is the latest sign that Mike ’ s plan and ability to defeat Donald Trump is resonating with more Americans.
” “ Mike is looking forward to joining the other Democratic candidates on stage and making the case for why he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unite the country , ” Bloomberg campaign manager Kevin Sheekey said in a statement .
The Democratic National Committee recently changed its rules for how a candidate qualifies for the debate , opening the door for Bloomberg to be on stage and drawing the ire of some candidates who dropped out of the race for failing to make prior stages .
The candidates were previously required to receive a certain number of campaign contributions to qualify , but Bloomberg , who is worth an estimated $ 60 billion ( U.S. ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event will be a stark departure from Bloomberg ’ s highly choreographed campaign .
He ’ s poured more than $ 300 million into television advertising , a way to define himself for voters without facing criticism .
While he ’ s campaigned in more than two dozen states , he does not take questions from voters and delivers a standard stump speech that lasts less than 15 minutes , often reading from a teleprompter .
He encounters the occasional protester , including one who jumped on stage recently in Chattanooga , Tenn. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democracy .
This is a plutocracy !
” But his friendly crowds usually quickly overwhelm the protesters with chants of “ We like Mike !
” Bloomberg is likely to face far more direct fire in the debate .
His fellow Democratic contenders have stepped up their attacks against him in recent days , decrying him for trying to “ buy the election ” and criticizing his support of the “ stop-and-frisk ” tactic while mayor of New York City that led police to target mostly black and Hispanic men for searches .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ trail with his fellow Democrats .
He decided to skip the first four voting states of Iowa , New Hampshire , Nevada and South Carolina in favour of focusing on the 14 states that vote on March 3 and the contests that come afterward .
He rarely mentions his rivals by name , though his campaign is centred on the idea that none of them can beat President Donald Trump .
And Bloomberg , more than anyone , has predicated his campaign on a potential Biden collapse .
He ’ s been aggressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a core demographic for Biden ’ s campaign .
Biden said he doesn ’ t think “ you can buy an election.
” “ I ’ m going to get a chance to debate him on everything from redlining to stop and frisk to a whole range of other things , ” Biden told reporters last week .
The poll released Tuesday shows Sanders leading in the Democratic primary contest , at 31 per cent support nationally .
After Bloomberg at 19 per cent , Biden is at 15 per cent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at nine per cent and Buttigieg at eight per cent .
Steyer is at two per cent , and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is at less than one per cent , with five per cent undecided .
The telephone survey of 527 Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents was conducted by the Marist Poll at the Marist Institute for Public Opinion .
It has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.4 percentage points .


thetorontostar--2020-02-19--Sri Lanka says it will withdraw from UN rights resolution

COLOMBO , Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka ’ s prime minister said Wednesday that the government has decided to withdraw from co-sponsorship of a 2015 U.N. Human Rights Council resolution calling for the investigation of allegations of war crimes committed during the island nation ’ s long civil war .
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa ’ s announcement comes days after the U.S. State Department imposed a travel ban on Sri Lanka ’ s army commander , Shavendra Silva , and his family over alleged human rights violations in the final stages of the civil war in 2009 .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fair this is , “ Rajapaksa said .
“ Even though this collective punishment has been meted out on the grounds that the army commander had committed violations of human rights , no one knows what these allegations are.
” Rajapaksa said the resolution has enabled other countries to blame members of Sri Lanka ’ s armed forces for being human rights violators .
According to a 2015 report by the office of the U.N. high commissioner for human rights , Silva had been tasked with freeing Puthumattalan , one of the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The investigation cited witnesses as saying the army unit he was leading shelled a hospital and a U.N. hub .
Silva has denied targeting hospitals in his statement to a government-appointed commission , saying that the facility was being used to treat rebel fighters , the report said .
Foreign ministry officials could not be immediately reached Wednesday for comment on Rajapaksa ’ s announcement .
Sri Lanka co-sponsored a resolution at the U.N. Human Rights Council along with 11 other countries calling for the investigation of allegations of wartime atrocities by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebels , who were fighting for a separate homeland for Sri Lanka ’ s ethnic Tamil minority .
The U.S. , Britain , Australia and Germany were also among the co-sponsors .
As Sri Lanka ’ s president , Rajapaksa oversaw a military campaign that crushed the Tamil Tigers in May 2009 to end the 26-year civil war .
According to conservative U.N. estimates , some 100,000 people were killed in the war .
The government of Rajapaksa ’ s successor , Maithripala Sirisena , co-sponsored the resolution in 2015 , but current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Mahinda Rajapaksa , promised to withdraw from the resolution ahead of the presidential election last November .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-19--Trump commutes Rod Blagojevich’s sentence during controversial clemency spree

CHICAGO - Rod Blagojevich returned home to Chicago early Wednesday , shaking hands and signing autographs after President Donald Trump cut short the 14-year prison sentence handed to the former Illinois governor for political corruption .
Blagojevich landed at O ’ Hare airport hours after walking out of a Colorado prison where he served eight years , promising to work for judicial and criminal justice reform while maintaining his innocence .
Blagojevich , 63 , hails from a state with a long history of pay-to-play schemes .
He was convicted in 2011 of crimes that included seeking to sell an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate seat and trying to shake down a children ’ s hospital .
Trump , who announced clemency for 11 people on Tuesday , called Blagojevich ’ s punishment excessive .
“ That was a tremendously powerful , ridiculous sentence in my opinion and in the opinion of many others , ” Trump told reporters in Washington .
Blagojevich told WGN-TV he learned of his commutation when other inmates told him they saw it on the news , insisting he “ had no inkling it was coming.
’ ’ Trump had said repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking executive action in Blagojevich ’ s case , only to back away from the idea .
“ I ’ m profoundly grateful to President Trump and it ’ s a profound and everlasting gratitude , ” Blagojevich told WGN .
“ He didn ’ t have to do this , he ’ s a Republican president and I was a Democratic governor.
” Blagojevich was rushed by media and supporters as he exited the airport in Chicago early Wednesday , signing a few autographs before getting into a white SUV and speeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Chicago ’ s Ravenswood neighbourhood .
There he was rushed through a crowd of journalists and supporters to his front door .
The silver-haired former governor stopped briefly on his porch and said he was happy to be home with his wife and children before disappearing into the house , where he and his family planned a “ homecoming press conference ” later Wednesday .
Blagojevich was famously fastidious about his dark hair as governor , but it went all white because hair dyes are banned in prison .
Some in Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday that setting Blagojevich free was a mistake .
Trump “ has abused his pardon power in inexplicable ways to reward his friends and condone corruption , and I deeply believe this pardon sends the wrong message at the wrong time , ” Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said in a written statement .
“ In a state where corrupt , machine-style politics is still all too common , it ’ s important that those found guilty serve their prison sentence in its entirety , ” said the chairman of the Illinois GOP , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he saw similarities between efforts to investigate his own conduct and those who took down Blagojevich .
“ It was a prosecution by the same people — Comey , Fitzpatrick , the same group , ” Trump said .
He was referring to Patrick Fitzgerald , the former U.S. attorney who prosecuted Blagojevich and now represents former FBI Director James Comey , whom Trump fired from the agency in May 2017 .
Comey was not at the FBI or anywhere in the Department of Justice during the investigation and indictment of Blagojevich .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 114-1 to impeach Blagojevich , and the state Senate voted unanimously to remove him , making him the first Illinois governor in history to be removed by lawmakers .
He entered prison in March 2012 .
Blagojevich ’ s wife , Patti , went on a media blitz in 2018 to encourage Trump to step in , praising the president and likening the investigation of her husband to special prosecutor Robert Mueller ’ s probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election — a probe Trump long characterized as a “ witch hunt.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even in a state where four of the last 10 governors have gone to prison for corruption .
Judge James Zagel — who sentenced Blagojevich to the longest prison term yet for an Illinois politician — said when a governor “ goes bad , the fabric of Illinois is torn and disfigured.
” After his Dec. 9 , 2008 , arrest while still governor , Blagojevich became known for his foul-mouthed rants on wiretaps .
On the most notorious recording , he gushed about profiting by naming someone to the seat Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve got this thing and it ’ s f -- -- -- golden .
And I ’ m just not giving it up for f -- -- -- nothing.
” Prosecutors have balked at the notion long promoted by Blagojevich that he engaged in common political horse-trading and was a victim of an overzealous U.S. attorney .
After Blagojevich ’ s arrest , Fitzgerald said the governor had gone on “ a political corruption crime spree ” that would make Abraham Lincoln turn over in his grave .
A joint statement from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s trial , none of whom work in the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Chicago anymore , stopped short of criticizing Trump ’ s decision .
But they highlighted the convictions , including for trying to shake down the children ’ s hospital , saying , “ Mr .
Blagojevich remains a felon.
” Mueller — a subject of Trump ’ s derision — was FBI director during the investigation into Blagojevich .
Trump expressed some sympathy for Blagojevich when he appeared on “ Celebrity Apprentice ” in 2010 , before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump “ fired ” Blagojevich as a contestant , he praised him for how he was fighting his criminal case , telling him , “ You have a hell of a lot of guts.
” Blagojevich ’ s first trial ended with the jury unable to reach a verdict , except for a single conviction , for lying to the FBI .
At his second trial in 2011 , Blagojevich testified , describing himself as a flawed dreamer grounded in his parents ’ working-class values .
He sought to humanize himself to counteract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recordings played in court .
He said the hours of FBI recordings were the ramblings of a politician who liked to think out loud .
He was convicted on 18 counts .
The 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago in 2015 tossed out five of the convictions , including ones in which he offered to appoint someone to a high-paying job in the Senate .
“ I didn ’ t do the things they said I did and they lied on me , ” Blagojevich , a one-time contestant on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Celebrity Apprentice , ” told WGN-TV as he walked through the airport greeting travellers who welcomed him home .
The appeals court ordered the trial judge to resentence Blagojevich but suggested it would be appropriate to hand him the same sentence , given the gravity of the crimes .
“ I ’ ve made a whole bunch of mistakes but I didn ’ t break any laws , ” Blagojevich told ABC 7 Chicago in Denver before boarding his Tuesday night flight .
“ I crossed no lines .
And the things I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was routine politics and the ones who did it are the ones who broke the laws and the ones who frankly should meet and face some accountability.
” Follow Michael Tarm on Twitter at https : //twitter.com/mtarm .
Associated Press Writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report .
Follow the AP ’ s coverage of the Rod Blagojevich case : https : //www.apnews.com/RodBlagojevich .


thetorontostar--2020-02-19--Erdogan criticizes EU move to enforce arms embargo on Libya

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday criticized the European Union ’ s decision to launch a new maritime effort focused on enforcing the U.N arms embargo around Libya , accusing European nations that agreed to launch the new operation of “ interfering in the region.
” Erdogan also hailed a decision by Libya ’ s U.N.-supported government to withdraw from talks with rivals following an attack on the sea port of the Libyan capital , Tripoli .
EU foreign ministers had agreed earlier this week to end Operation Sophia , the bloc ’ s naval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch a new maritime effort focused more on the implementation of the U.N. arms embargo around Libya .
Operation Sophia was set up in 2015 as tens of thousands of migrants headed across the sea from North Africa to Europe .
Its aim was to crack down on migrant smugglers , but also to enforce the arms embargo , which is routinely being flouted .
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said several European countries had offered to take part in the new operation .
“ I want to specifically mention that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make any decision concerning Libya , ” Erdogan said .
“ The EU is trying to take charge of the situation and interfere.
” “ You have no such authority , ” Erdogan said , addressing the EU .
He made the comments during a speech to legislators from his ruling party in Parliament .
Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 , when a civil war toppled long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi , who was later killed .
Relentless turmoil subsequently engulfed the oil-rich country , which is now split between rival governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each backed by an array of foreign countries apparently jockeying for influence in order to control Libya ’ s resources .
The U.N.-supported government in Tripoli backed by Turkey and Qatar .
On the other side are eastern-based forces of commander Khalifa Hifter , which rely on military assistance from the United Arab Emirates and Egypt , as well as France and Russia .
Fighting between the country ’ s factions has intensified over the past year .
Recently , Ankara sent hundreds of Syrian fighters , including militants affiliated with groups such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to fight on behalf of the Tripoli-based government to defend the city from Hifter ’ s offensive .
The Turkish leader also voiced support to Tuesday ’ s decision by the Tripoli-based government to suspend its participation in U.N.-brokered talks in Geneva , following an attack by Hifter forces on the city ’ s port .
“ At the moment , the legitimate government based in Tripoli has withdrawn from the ( negotiating ) table and this is a positive decision , it is a rightful decision , it is the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that Turkey would continue the Tripoli-based government to “ establish dominance ” over the whole of the country .
Hifter ’ s forces claimed they hit a weapons and ammunition depot at the port on Tuesday “ in order to weaken the combat capabilities of the mercenaries who arrived from Syria ” to fight alongside Tripoli-based militias .
The Geneva talks between Libya ’ s warring sides had resumed earlier on Tuesday in a bid to salvage a fragile cease-fire in the North African nation .
The current cease-fire was brokered by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deescalate the fight for control of Tripoli , but both sides have repeatedly violated the truce .

Suzan Fraser And Samy Magdy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-19--Iran’s FM says his meeting with US senator spooked Trump

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran ’ s foreign minister said Wednesday that he believes his recent meeting with a U.S. senator had spooked the Trump administration because it was an opportunity to talk directly to “ the American nation.
” Mohammad Javad Zarif met last week with Sen. Chris Murphy on the sidelines of an international security conference in Germany .
The Connecticut Democrat defended the meeting on Tuesday after his actions were questioned in conservative media , and as President Donald Trump suggested they may have violated U.S. law .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he hoped anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. position with Iran .
“ Trump and Pompeo are afraid of a senator hearing facts from the Iranian foreign minister , ” Zarif said , speaking to reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting .
He said this wasn ’ t his first face-to-face chat with an American lawmaker in the last 20 years .
It was not immediately clear which senators he ’ d met with .
Murphy said meeting Zarif was important because it is “ dangerous not to talk to one ’ s enemies , “ adding : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are our adversary.
” Tehran and Washington came close to an open conflict in January , when a U.S. drone strike in Iraq killed Iran ’ s top general .
Iran retaliated with missile strikes on a base housing U.S. troops in Iraq .
Tensions have been escalating steadily since 2018 , when Trump pulled the U.S. out of Tehran ’ s nuclear deal with world powers .
The Trump administration reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran as part of its “ maximum pressure campaign ” on the Islamic republic .
On hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it sounded as though Murphy had violated an obscure , little-used federal law known as the Logan Act , which bars private citizens from conducting official diplomacy .
Pompeo said the U.S. has long designated Iran a state sponsor of terrorism , and pointed out Iran ’ s recent accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger jet over Tehran .
Pompeo has criticized other Americans for meeting with Zarif , including his immediate predecessor , John Kerry .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-19--China revokes 3 Wall Street Journal reporters’ credentials

BEIJING - China on Wednesday said it has revoked the press credentials of three reporters for the U.S. newspaper Wall Street Journal over a headline for an opinion column deemed racist by the government .
The expulsions come after the Trump administration on Tuesday designated five state-run Chinese news outlets that operate in the United States as “ foreign missions , ” requiring them to register their properties and employees in the U.S. China said it reserves the right to respond to what it called a mistaken policy .
The headline on the Journal ’ s opinion column referred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the country the “ Real Sick Man of Asia.
“ Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the Feb. 3 op-ed by Bard College Professor Walter Russel Mead “ smears the efforts of the Chinese government and people on fighting ( the virus ) epidemic.
” “ The editors used such a racially discriminatory title , triggering indignation and condemnation among the Chinese people and the international community , ” he said in a statement .
He said the expulsions came after the Journal refused demands to “ make an official apology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The term “ sick man of Asia ” was originally used to describe China more than a century ago when it suffered internal divisions and was forced to accept unequal treaties with Western powers .
Like most foreign media , the Wall Street Journal is unavailable within China and its website and stories are blocked by online censors .
It did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment .
The Foreign Correspondents ’ Club of China issued a statement expressing “ deep concern and strong condemnation “ of the Chinese move .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ three reporters had any involvement with the opinion piece or its headline .
“ The action taken against The Journal correspondents is an extreme and obvious attempt by the Chinese authorities to intimidate foreign news organizations by taking retribution against their China-based correspondents , “ the statement said .
It said the expulsions are the latest case of growing “ harassment , surveillance and intimidation from authorities.
” China has in recent years refused to issue or renew credentials for foreign journalists , but this is the first time in decades that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expelling them from the country .
That reflects a new hard line in foreign affairs in which China has sought to exact economic and diplomatic costs from companies and countries that don ’ t follow its policies over Taiwan , Hong Kong , Tibet , human rights and other sensitive issues .
President and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping has repeatedly stated that China will make no concessions when it comes to national territory , sovereignty or dignity .
In one recent case , China cut commercial ties with the U.S. National Basketball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rockets team tweeted support for Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters whom China has derided as separatists .
The Journal identified the three journalists as Deputy Bureau Chief Josh Chin , reporter Chao Deng — both U.S. citizens — and reporter Philip Wen , an Australian .
They have been given five days to leave the country , according to Jonathan Cheng , the Journal ’ s China bureau chief .
Last fall , Chinese authorities declined to renew the press credentials of Beijing-based Journal reporter Chun Han Wong , a Singaporean , one month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a story detailing an Australian investigation into the alleged links of Xi ’ s cousin to high-stakes gambling , money laundering and suspected organized crime .
“ We resolutely oppose certain foreign journalists ’ evil intention to smear and attack China , ” China ’ s foreign ministry said in a response to questions about Wong ’ s status at that time .
Following the publication of Mead ’ s opinion column this month , a foreign ministry spokeswoman lashed out at him , saying he should be “ ashamed of your words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your ignorance.
“ In an opinion piece on its website , the Global Times newspaper published by the ruling Communist Party said the expulsions and Washington ’ s actions against the five Chinese media outlets were “ not entirely coincidental “ and implied a strong connection between the two .
“ Taken together , they reflect that the ideological clash between the U.S. and China is intensifying , “ the newspaper said .
Washington said it determined the five outlets are directly controlled by the Chinese government and Chinese Communist Party , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five are China ’ s official Xinhua News Agency , China Global Television Network , China Radio International , the China Daily Distribution Corporation , which distributes the newspaper of the same name , and Hai Tian Development USA , which distributes the People ’ s Daily newspaper , the officials said .
Xinhua and China Global Television were directed two years ago by the Justice Department to register as foreign agents in the United States , although it is not clear if either ever did .
Several Russian news outlets , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar directions from the Justice Department .
China ’ s foreign ministry responded to the move by demanding the U.S. “ immediately cease its wrongful actions ” and said it reserves the right to “ make a further response .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-19--Virologist: Tokyo Olympics probably couldn’t be held now

TOKYO - A respected Japanese virologist on Wednesday said if the Tokyo Olympics were tomorrow , the games probably couldn ’ t be held because of the fast-spreading virus from Wuhan , China .
“ We need to find the best way to have a safe Olympics , “ Dr. Hitoshi Oshitani said , speaking at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan .
“ Right now we don ’ t have an effective strategy , and I think it may be difficult to have the Olympics ( now ) .
But by the end of July we may be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olympic organizing committee and the International Olympic Committee have repeatedly said over the last few weeks that they are following the advice of the World Health Organization and that the games will go on .
But with every passing day , the impact of the virus seems to spread , and so does the fallout : Olympic qualifying events are cancelled or postponed , travel gets difficult , and athletes and families are left wondering .
Not to mention sponsors and broadcasting networks that have invested billions of dollars in the Olympics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ only been cancelled during wartime , and in 1980 and 1984 they went on with boycotts .
Oshitani , a former adviser with the WHO who worked on the SARS outbreak almost 20 years ago , was hopeful but sowed some uncertainty about the July 24-Aug. 9 Olympics .
“ I ’ m not sure ( of ) the situation in Japan at the end of July , ” he said , answering in English .
“ But probably we will not have large outbreaks in Japan in July.
” Oshitani said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of outbreak taking place in Africa or other parts of Asia and having cases imported into Japan .
He said if that happened “ it may get difficult to have ” the Olympics .
But he also suggested Japan might be able to handle it .
“ So what we have to do now is try to prevent such a thing from happening , ” he added , saying the Japanese government should support countries so they don ’ t have “ that kind of situation.
” The viral outbreak has infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reported 2,004 deaths among 74,185 cases on the mainland , mostly in the central province of Hubei .
Only one death in Japan has been attributed to the virus .
Earlier in the week , Shigeru Omi , a former regional director of the WHO and an infectious disease expert from Japan , also said he could not be sure about the Olympics .
“ Whether the outbreak will last until the Olympic date or not depends upon the virus and the societal effort and joint international community , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can predict whether we can contain the virus or put an end to this outbreak before the Olympics start .
That ’ s anybody ’ s guess.
“ He added it was not a “ big question mark , but there is a question mark.
” In the spotlight are 19 test events that Japan is to hold beginning next month , a chance for organizers to practice in competition mode and an opportunity for potential Olympic athletes to check out Japan .
In a cancellation Wednesday , the Kyodo news agency reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled out of a training camp in Japan ’ s central Aichi prefecture .
Dozens of sports events have been called off around Asia in the wake of the outbreak , including the indoor world track and field championships next month in Nanjing , China , and the Formula One race in April in Shanghai .
Organizers announced last week that next month ’ s Tokyo Marathon will be limited to elite runners and wheelchair athletes .
About 38,000 runners had been expected to participate in one of the world ’ s largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-19--ICC judges OK trial for alleged Islamic extremist from Mali

THE HAGUE , Netherlands - International Criminal Court judges on Wednesday rejected an appeal by an alleged Islamic extremist from Mali who argued that the charges against him were not serious enough to merit standing trial at the global court .
The decision clears the way for the trial of Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud to start later this year for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Timbuktu , including torture , rape and persecution .
Prosecutors allege Al Hassan was responsible for the torture and mistreatment of the people in the ancient Sahara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2013 while it was occupied and ruled by Islamic extremists .
Al Hassan allegedly was a key member of Ansar Dine , an Islamic extremist group with links to al-Qaida that held power in northern Mali at the time .
Prosecutors say Ansar Dine imposed a brutal regime on Timbuktu residents including public floggings , amputations and forced marriages .
At a hearing last year , the court ’ s Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda told judges Al Hassan was the de facto chief of the Islamic police and “ played an essential and undeniable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the armed groups throughout the period of occupation of Timbuktu.
” His trial is scheduled to start July 14 .
Set up in 2002 , the ICC is a court of last resort established to prosecute grave crimes when local authorities can not or will not take legal action .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-19--Turkish court to issue verdict in rights activists’ trial

ISTANBUL - A group of human rights activists delivered their final statements in their own defence on Wednesday before a court in Istanbul hands down a verdict in their closely-watched trial on charges of belonging to or aiding terror groups .
The case against Amnesty International ’ s former Turkey chairman and 10 other activists heightened concerns about Turkey ’ s treatment of human rights defenders and helped sour Turkey ’ s relations with European nations , notably with Germany .
The trial comes a day after Turkish prosecutors ordered a prominent philanthropist , Osman Kavala , detained for alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just hours after a court acquitted him on terrorism-related charges and ordered his release from jail after 840 days .
Human Rights Watch called the decision to re-arrest Kavala “ vindictive and lawless.
“ Ten activists — including Amnesty International Turkey director Idil Eser , German citizen Peter Steudtner and Swede Ali Gharavi — were detained in a police raid in July 2017 , while attending a digital security training workshop on Buyukada island , off Istanbul .
The 11th activist , Amnesty ’ s former Turkey chairman , Taner Kilic , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Izmir .
All of the defendants have since been released pending a verdict in the trial .
Ten defendants were charged with aiding terrorist organizations , including Kurdish and left-wing militants and the network led by a U.S.-based cleric , which the Turkish government blames for the 2016 coup attempt and has designated as a terror group .
Kilic is accused of membership in cleric Fethullah Gulen ’ s network .
The accusation was based on his alleged use of an encrypted mobile messaging application .
Officials say the application was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network to communicate with each other .
Gulen denies allegations that he engineered the coup attempt .
All 11 defendants have rejected the accusations against them .
Hundreds of supporters arrived at the courthouse in support of the activists .
Feray Salman , Human Rights Joint Platform called the trial “ a sort of a punishment process for human rights defenders ... and for human rights.
“ In a statement released before the trial , Amnesty International called on the court to acquit the defendants “ for justice to be done.
“ “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let alone imprisoned or prosecuted , ” Amnesty said .
Germany ’ s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it was watching closely the case against Kilic and the “ Istanbul 10.
” Turkey has arrested some 77,000 people and has dismissed around 130,000 others from state jobs since the coup .
The crackdown was initially launched to deal with the alleged coup-plotters , but critics say it was expanded to include other government opponents , including human rights defenders .
The activists ’ trial coincided with the release of stinging report by Council of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dunja Mijatovic , urging Turkish authorities to respect the independence of the judiciary , and to stop targeting human rights defenders , whom she said were being prosecuted for conducting “ legitimate activities.
” The report said : “ The Commissioner notes a widespread pattern of judicial actions targeting human rights defenders , which amount to a misuse of criminal proceedings to silence them and to discourage civil society engagement.
” Separately , Mijatovic also criticized philanthropist Kavala ’ s re-arrest saying the new charges brought against him had “ no credibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I call on the Turkish judiciary and the Council of Judges and Prosecutors to assume their responsibility , by not giving a judicial confirmation to such abuses of criminal proceedings , and by reigning in such prosecutors , “ she said .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday appeared to approve of Kavala ’ s re-arrest , denouncing “ attempts to acquit him.
“ He described the 2013 anti-government protests as being a “ heinous attack similar to military coups and terrorism “ that allegedly cost the country billions of dollars @

Robert Badenbieck And Suzan Fraser - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-19--Passengers begin leaving after ship’s virus quarantine ends

YOKOHAMA , Japan - About 500 passengers left the cruise ship Diamond Princess on Wednesday at the end of a much-criticized two-week quarantine aboard the vessel , docked in Japan , that failed to stop the spread of the new virus among passengers and crew .
The quarantine ’ s flop was underlined as authorities announced 79 more cases , bringing the total on the ship to 621 .
Results were still pending for some other passengers and crew among the original 3,711 people on board .
Japan ’ s government has been questioned over its decision to keep people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have called a perfect virus incubator .
The Diamond Princess is the site of the most infections outside of China , where the illness named COVID-19 emerged late last year .
Many foreign governments say they won ’ t let passengers from the ship return unless they go through another quarantine period , so it was striking to see passengers disembark , get into taxis and disappear into Yokohama , where the ship is docked .
Japanese soldiers helped escort some passengers , including an elderly man in a wheelchair who wore a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers got on buses to be transported to train stations .
Some people still in their cabins waved farewell from their balconies to those who had already been processed .
“ I ’ m a bit concerned if I ’ m OK to get off the ship , but it was getting very difficult physically , ” a 77-year-old man from Saitama , near Tokyo , who got off with his wife , told Kyodo News .
“ For now , we just want to celebrate.
” Those disembarking with negative virus tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are free to walk out and go home on public transportation , Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said Wednesday .
He said the plan was approved by experts at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases .
Passengers are only asked to watch their health carefully for a few days and notify local health authorities if they have any symptoms or worries , he said .
Some passengers said on Twitter they received health forms asking if they had symptoms such as a headache , fever or coughing .
Passengers who tested negative and had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body temperature checked before leaving .
About 500 passengers who planned to leave on Wednesday had all left the ship by evening , and Japanese officials are to spend the next three days conducting the disembarkation of about 2,000 others .
The Diamond Princess was quarantined in Yokohama near Tokyo after one passenger who left the ship earlier in Hong Kong was found to have the virus .
Even though Japanese officials insist the number of infected patients is levelling off , cases on the ship continue to mount daily .
On Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day after 99 others were found to be infected .
Crew members , who couldn ’ t be confined to their rooms because they were working , are expected to stay on the ship .
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said a more controlled health watch for the crew members is starting now because they can be spread out and kept in isolation by using vacated passenger rooms .
He acknowledged that crew members were not in adequate quarantine until now , but said they took as many preventive measures as they could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Princess Cruises , said in a statement Tuesday that people who tested positive recently were still on the ship as they waited for transportation to hospitals .
The safety and transport logistics for moving hundreds of people will test Japanese officials .
The United States evacuated more than 300 people over the weekend who are now in quarantine in the U.S. for another 14 days .
South Korea earlier Wednesday returned seven people from the cruise ship , placing the six South Koreans and one Japanese family member into quarantine .
Other foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chartered flights sent from Canada , Australia , Italy and Hong Kong .
Suga has defended Japan ’ s handling of the quarantine .
“ In the beginning , the United States expressed gratitude for the Japanese side .
And there are many Americans who chose to stay on the ship , “ he said .
The U.S. government said Americans who remained on board instead of returning on chartered flights can not return home for at least two weeks after they come ashore .
Other governments picking up passengers have similar policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible exposure to the virus while on board the Diamond Princess .
Japanese health officials say the 14-day quarantine on the ship was adequate , noting that all but one of more than 500 Japanese who earlier were flown back from the centre of the virus in China and initially tested negative were virus-free at the end of their 14-day quarantines .
The officials also defended the precautions taken on the ship .
About 1,000 crew members were told to wear surgical masks , wash their hands , use disinfectant sprays and stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entertainment areas after Feb. 5 , when the first group of 10 infections was reported and the start of the 14-day quarantine was announced .
Passengers were instructed to stay in their cabins and not walk around or contact other passengers .
Those in windowless cabins could go out on the deck for about an hour each day .
The quarantine was largely for passengers because crew members kept sharing double rooms and continued to serve guests by delivering food , letters , towels and amenities , and entering passenger cabins for cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a crew mess hall .

Mari Yamaguchi And Foster Klug - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-19--China’s virus centre vows no patient unchecked as cases fall

BEIJING - Inspectors in protective suits went door-to-door Wednesday in the epicenter of China ’ s viral outbreak to try to find every infected person in the city hit worst by an epidemic that is showing signs of waning as new cases fell for a second straight day .
Wuhan , where the new form of coronavirus emerged , was in the final day of a campaign to root out anyone with symptoms whom authorities may have missed so far .
“ This must be taken seriously , “ said Wang Zhonglin , the city ’ s newly minted Communist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new case is found ( after Wednesday ) , the district leaders will be held responsible.
” His remarks were published on Hubei ’ s provincial website , alongside the declaration , “ If the masses can not mobilize , it ’ s impossible to fight a people ’ s war.
” Mainland China reported 1,749 new cases and 136 additional deaths .
While the overall spread of the virus has been slowing , the situation remains severe in Hubei province , whose capital is Wuhan .
Infections in Hubei constitute more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 74,185 total cases and 95 % of its 2,004 deaths , according to data from China ’ s National Health Commission .
Cities in Hubei with a combined population of more than 60 million have been under lockdown since the Lunar New Year holiday last month , usually the busiest time of the year for travel .
Authorities put a halt to nearly all transportation and movement except for quarantine efforts , medical care , and delivery of food and basic necessities .
“ Wartime ” measures were implemented in some places , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The stringent measures have followed public fury over Hubei authorities ’ handling of the outbreak when it began in December .
The risk of human-to-human transmission was downplayed , and doctors who tried to warn the public were reprimanded by police .
Wuhan residents reported overcrowding in hospitals and futile attempts to seek treatment .
Many countries have also set up border screenings and airlines have cancelled flights to and from China to prevent further spread of the disease , which has been detected in around two dozen countries and caused about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Five deaths have been reported outside the mainland — in Hong Kong , Taiwan , Japan , the Philippines and France .
China ’ s top diplomat arrived in Laos on Wednesday for an emergency meeting with counterparts from Southeast Asian countries , which have expressed alarm over the viral outbreak .
Foreign Minister Wang Yi was expected to discuss the crisis with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations over dinner Wednesday in the Laotian capital of Vientiane , then hold broader formal talks the following day .
Six countries in the 10-nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
In Hong Kong , a spokesman for Princess Margaret Hospital reported the city ’ s second death out of 62 cases .
Media reported the victim was a 70-year-old man with underlying illnesses .
Passengers began leaving the Diamond Princess cruise ship after the much-criticized two-week on-board quarantine in Japan ended on Wednesday , with 79 more virus cases confirmed for a total of 621 — the most in any place outside of China .
South Korea evacuated six South Koreans and a Japanese family member from the ship , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More than 300 American passengers were evacuated earlier and are being quarantined in the United States , including at least 14 who had tested positive for the virus .
On Tuesday , the U.S. government said the more than 100 American passengers who stayed on the ship or were hospitalized in Japan would have to wait for another two weeks before they could return to the U.S .
Passengers from the MS Westerdam , another cruise ship , have tested negative for the virus , Cambodia ’ s Health Ministry announced Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s passengers had already left Cambodia after the ship docked last week , only to have one woman test positive for the virus when she arrived in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia .
The discovery that the 83-year-old American woman harboured the virus caused the suspension of plans to send home the other passengers still in Cambodia .
The dispersal of those who had already left for various countries has caused concern that they might be undetected carriers of the virus , and health authorities in several nations were tracing them to take protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is at a critical time , “ Chinese President Xi Jinping said during a phone call Tuesday evening with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , according to Chinese state media .
Likewise , U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told The Associated Press in an interview in Lahore , Pakistan , that the viral outbreak “ is not out of control , but it is a very dangerous situation.
” He said that “ the risks are enormous and we need to be prepared worldwide for that.
” Outside Hubei , other localities have imposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbourhoods in Beijing have placed limits on the number of people per household who can go out , and those who do must carry exit-entry cards .
In Shanghai , police detained a man for 10 days for repeatedly leaving his house and taking public transportation when he was supposed to be under quarantine at home .
Despite such warnings , Beijing was showing signs of coming back to life this week , with road traffic at around a quarter of usual , up from virtually nothing a week ago .
While most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed , others had reopened .
China may postpone its biggest political meeting of the year , the annual congress due to start in March , to avoid having people travel to Beijing while the virus is still spreading .
One of the automotive industry ’ s biggest events , China ’ s biannual auto show , was postponed , and many sports and entertainment events have been delayed or cancelled .
The U.S. also upgraded its travel advisory for China to Level 4 , telling its citizens not to travel to anywhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China to attempt to depart by commercial means .
“ In the event thatthe situation further deteriorates , the ability of the U.S. Embassy and Consulatesto provide assistance to U.S. nationals within China may be limited .
The United States is not offering chartered evacuation flights from China , “ the notice said .
“ We strongly urge U.S. citizens remaining in China to stay home as much as possible and limit contact with others , including large gatherings .
Consider stocking up on food and other supplies to limit movement outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. previously flew out scores of its citizens on charter flights from Wuhan but does not have any further plans to do so , it said .
China said it was expelling three Wall Street Journal reporters over a headline for an opinion column that referred to the current virus outbreak in China and called the country the “ Real Sick Man of Asia.
“ In a statement Wednesday , foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the Feb. 3 op-ed piece by Bard College Professor Walter Russel Mead “ smears the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on fighting ( the virus ) epidemic.
” Long sensitive to its portrayal in global media , China has been pushing a narrative of transparency and tight control over the current outbreak , while emphasizing the sacrifices made by its health workers and ordinary citizens .
Associated Press writers Kathy Gannon in Lahore , Pakistan , Sopheng Cheang in Phnom Penh , Cambodia , and Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia , and researcher Yu Bing in Beijing contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-19--Syria’s Aleppo airport resumes flights for 1st time in years

ALEPPO , Syria - A Syrian commercial flight landed at Aleppo airport on Wednesday from Damascus , marking the resumption of internal flights between Syria ’ s two largest cities for the first time since 2012 .
The flight carrying Syrian officials and journalists was a symbolic message from President Bashar Assad ’ s government , days after its forces consolidated control over the northwestern province of Aleppo and seized the last segments of the strategic M5 highway linking Aleppo to Damascus .
The motorway between Syria ’ s two biggest cities was being repaired and was scheduled to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in eight years .
Backed by heavy Russian air strikes , government forces have been on the offensive for weeks to recapture the Aleppo countryside and parts of neighbouring Idlib province in northwestern Syria , the last rebel-held areas in the country .
The advances have sent hundreds of thousands of Syrian civilians fleeing towards the border with Turkey in one of the biggest single displacements of the war , now in its eighth year .
Escaping the bombs , many of them left with their belongings piled up on vehicles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open fields and under trees in freezing temperatures near the Turkish border .
The U.N. has put the number of those displaced since Dec. 1 at more than 900,000 civilians — more than half of them women and children .
The military campaign has also killed hundreds of civilians and disrupted aid distribution , with the bitter winter compounding the suffering .
The Syrian Air flight landed at Aleppo airport after a 40-minute flight from Damascus and was received on the ground by a military band at the tarmac .
Syrian warplanes flew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and celebration .
Earlier in the day , Syrian TourismMinister Rami Radwan Martiniand Transport Minister Ali Hammoud opened the airport for business .
Hammoud said the opening of the airport is a “ great joy “ for Syrians and a “ dream ” for the ministry .
The airport has been closed since 2012 due to fighting , after Aleppo fell into rebel hands .
Backed by Russia and Iran , the Syrian army drove the rebels from Aleppo in December 2016 , after a crushing years-long siege and bombardment campaign .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fanfare but was closed again due to security concerns .
The government ’ s offensive in Idlib has strained ties between Ankara and Moscow , which support opposing sides of the Syria war but for the past few years have been closely co-ordinating their moves in Idlib province .
A truce reached between the two countries collapsed in late 2019 , leading to the current Russian-backed offensive .
Turkey arms and trains the Syrian opposition and has sent thousands of troops and military reinforcements to Idlib in recent weeks in an effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That has led to rare clashes between Turkish and Syrian troops with fatalities on both sides .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that time was running up for Syrian government forces to retreat from Syria ’ s northwestern Idlib province and warned of an “ imminent ” Turkish intervention to force the retreat .
Erdogan spoke a day after a top Turkish official said talks between Russian and Turkish delegation meant to reduce tensions in Idlib did not yield a “ satisfactory result ” for Ankara .
The official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue talks .
Turkey is pressing Russia to force the Syrian government to retreat to positions they held before the advance in Idlib and Aleppo .
“ We are delivering our final warnings .
We have not reached the desired results as yet.
” Erdogan said , addressing legislators from his ruling party in Parliament .
“ The operation in Idlib is a matter of time .
We could enter ( Idlib ) suddenly one night.
” Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara , Turkey , and Zeina Karam in Beirut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been corrected to show that Syria ’ s tourism minister is Radwan Martini , not Bishr al-Yazigi .


thetorontostar--2020-02-19--Iran reports its first 2 cases of the new coronavirus

TEHRAN , Iran - Iranian authorities confirmed on Wednesday two cases of the new coronavirus , the first in the country , the semi-official ISNA news agency reported .
The report did not elaborate on the nationality of the two people infected .
ISNA quoted an official in the country ’ s health ministry , Kiyanoush Jahanpour , as saying that “ since last two days , some suspected cases of the new coronavirus were found.
” Jahanpour did not say how many people were suspected of having the virus , which causes the illness that the World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ origin late last year and the coronavirus that causes it .
He said the two confirmed cases were detected in the central province of Qom .
The new virus emerged in China in December .
Since then , more than 70,000 people have been infected globally , with more than 2,000 deaths being reported , mostly in China .
The new virus comes from a large family of what are known as coronaviruses , some causing nothing worse than a cold .
It causes cold- and flu-like symptoms , including cough and fever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortness of breath .
It can worsen to pneumonia , which can be fatal .
First detected in China , the virus is believed to have originated in a type of wild animal sold at a Chinese market to be consumed as food .
Iran has applied safety measure on arrival flights at its airports to control a possible spread of the virus .
Elsewhere in the Middle East , nine cases have been confirmed in the United Arab Emirates , all involving Chinese national , while Egypt ’ s Health Ministry confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Health Ministry only identified its sole case as a foreigner who is carrying the virus but not showing any serious symptoms .
The ministry said the person was hospitalized and in isolation .
It did not specify the person ’ s nationality or what port of entry he or she arrived at in Egypt .
The case in Egypt was also the first on the African continent .
Experts and African leaders have expressed concern that should the virus spread there , it might wreak havoc among less developed countries with @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-02-19--Greece, US hold live-fire drill after major base deal

LITOCHORO , Greece - At the foot of Mount Olympus , army aviation forces from Greece and the United States are taking part in a live-fire exercise with attack helicopters , marking deepening defence ties between the two countries .
Greece is ramping up military co-operation — and procurements — from allies France and the U.S. , wary of worsening relations with neighbour Turkey over disputed sea and air space boundaries and drilling rights in the East Mediterranean .
Wednesday ’ s training exercise , watched by the Greek army chief and the U.S. ambassador to Greece , was held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a landmark defence agreement giving American forces expanded access to Greek military bases .
After a financial crisis that lasted nearly a decade , the Greek military is upgrading its F-16 fighter fleet and modernising its navy , while seeking stronger military ties with traditional allies as well as Turkey ’ s regional rivals , including Israel , Egypt , and Saudi Arabia .
“ Greece is already involved in enhancing and upgrading its defence capability with critical procurement decisions , ” Panagiotis Tsakonas , a professor of international relations and security studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press .
“ The rule is to make the best use of limited resources — to get the most bang for our buck , and that is something that we are continuing to do , ” he said .
The revised Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement between Greece and the U.S. was signed in October by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a visit to Athens and ratified last month .
It provides for increased joint U.S.-Greece and NATO activities at Greek military bases and facilities in Larissa , Stefanovikio , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greece , as well as infrastructure and other improvements at the Souda Bay U.S. naval base on the island of Crete .
“ The U.S.-Greece relationship is stronger than it has ever been , ” U.S .
Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt said .
“ Our defence ties and our defenceco-operation is an essential component of that .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-19--Pompeo to raise case of US doctor on trial in Saudi Arabia

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday he planned to raise U.S. concerns about human rights during a visit to Saudi Arabia , in particular the case of a Saudi-American doctor facing trial there who was barred from leaving the kingdom and allegedly tortured .
Pompeo was scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and will remain there until Friday , before departing to Oman , a close U.S. ally that has ties with both Saudi Arabia and Iran .
Pompeo said that during his time in Saudi Arabia , he will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about security issues , threats posed by Iran , the economic relationship between the two countries , and issues of human rights .
When asked by a reporter whether he would specifically raise the case of Saudi-American doctor Walid Fitaihi , Pompeo said : “ I ’ m sure I ’ ll bring up that issue and a wide range of human rights issues , as well.
” “ In each of the visits I ’ ve had to the kingdom during my time both as CIA director and as secretary of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these issues that matter a lot to the American people , ” Pompeo said .
A day before Pompeo was scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia , the two lead Congressmen in the House Foreign Affairs Committee wrote to Pompeo to urge him to raise the case of Fitaihi with Saudi government officials .
Fitaihi , a Boston-area physician , was detained in Saudi Arabia in November 2017 during an unprecedented anti-corruption crackdown initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that targeted senior princes , ministers and businessmen .
Some 200 people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for weeks , and even months , and forced to sign over billions of dollars in assets to the government during the shakedown , which helped the young crown prince consolidate power .
Fitaihi was released from detention last summer , but he and seven members of his family , all of whom are U.S. citizens , have been barred from leaving Saudi Arabia while he stands trial , the congressmen said .
It is unclear what specific charges Fitaihi faces .
Democratic representative Eliot Engel of New York and Republican representative Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Fitaihi was held without charge for almost two years .
Ahmed Fitaihi has told members of Congress that his father was beaten , electrocuted and subjected to other forms of torture and allowed little contact with his family during his detention .
Fitaihi returned to his native Saudi Arabia in 2006 , where he helped found a hospital built by his family and became a popular motivational speaker on television .
Saudi Arabia has come under increased scrutiny for its alleged human rights abuses under the crown prince .
The prince ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 .
A critic of the crown prince , Khashoggi was living in exile and writing about the prince ’ s crackdown on critics and activists when agents who worked for the Saudi prince killed and dismembered him inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul .


thetorontostar--2020-02-19--Jury back for second day of deliberations in Weinstein trial

NEW YORK - Jurors are returning Wednesday for a second day of deliberations in a rape trial that could send Harvey Weinstein to prison for the rest of his life .
The panel of seven men and five women had lots of questions Tuesday as they started weighing charges in the closely watched # MeToo case .
They asked for the legal definition of terms like consent and forcible compulsion and wanted to see evidence including an email Weinstein sent to a private spy agency in 2017 listing certain accusers he feared would come forward as “ red flags.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raping a woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and forcibly performed oral sex on another woman , TV and film production assistant Mimi Haleyi , in 2006 .
But the way the verdict form is designed , they ’ ll likely be spending a lot of time weighing actress Annabella Sciorra ’ s account of a mid-1990s rape .
While her allegation is too old to be charged on its own because of the statute of limitations in effect at the time , the law allows prosecutors to use her allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a sexual predator .
That charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison .
Early in Tuesday ’ s deliberations , jurors sent a note seeking clarity on why Weinstein wasn ’ t charged with other crimes stemming from Sciorra ’ s allegation .
“ You must not speculate as to any other charges that are not before you , ” Judge James Burke instructed , adding that jurors must consider “ only the charges that are before you.
” Prosecutors built their case around testimony from the women involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were not part of the case but were allowed to take the witness stand because they say Weinstein used the same tactics on them .
Weinstein ’ s lawyers contend the acts were consensual .
They focused on friendly , flirtatious emails some of the women sent to Weinstein and further meetings some of them had with him after the alleged assaults .
The Associated Press has a policy of not publishing the names of people who allege sexual assault without their consent .
It is withholding the name of the rape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether she wishes to be identified publicly .


thetorontostar--2020-02-19--Las Vegas debate a major test of Bloomberg campaign’s gamble

LAS VEGAS - Mike Bloomberg will confront the greatest test of his presidential campaign when he faces five Democratic rivals in a debate in Las Vegas that could fundamentally change the direction of the party ’ s 2020 nomination fight .
The debate debut for the billionaire former mayor of New York is poised to offer fresh insight into whether his unconventional campaign strategy — bypassing early voting states such as Nevada and spending hundreds of millions of dollars to spread his message on the airwaves — is sustainable .
Wednesday night ’ s debate comes at a pivotal point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling to unify , with some increasingly looking to Bloomberg to become the clear alternative to progressive Bernie Sanders .
And lest there be any doubt , all the participants expect a hostile reception for Bloomberg , who formally registered as a Democrat in 2018 and has faced relatively little national scrutiny in his surprisingly swift rise from nonpartisan megadonor to top-tier presidential contender .
“ He is going to have a giant target on his back from all sides , ” said Democratic strategist Brian Brokaw .
“ It ’ ll either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apart very quickly .
...
The stakes are just incredibly high for him.
” The stakes are high for others as well just days before Nevada ’ s next-up presidential caucuses , the third contest in the Democrats ’ chaotic 2020 primary season .
After more than a year of campaigning , there is little clarity in their urgent search for a nominee to run against President Donald Trump in November .
Longtime establishment favourite Joe Biden , a former two-term vice-president , is fighting to breathe new life into his flailing campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottom of a moderate muddle with former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar .
Sanders , a Vermont senator , has emerged as the progressive wing ’ s clear preference after two contests as Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is struggling to regain energy around her campaign .
Some Democrats fear that the conditions are ripe for a bare-knuckles brawl on national television that could carve new scars into a divided Democratic Party that must ultimately come together this fall if it hopes to deny the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s rivals have already indicated they will lean into his explosive comments on race and gender in addition to their charge that he ’ s using a fortune earned from a career on Wall Street to buy the presidency .
Bloomberg ’ s rise in national polls has been fueled almost exclusively by an unprecedented national advertising campaign , carefully controlled campaign events and a sprawling national organization that has likely already cost him more than half a billion dollars .
Alexandra Rojas , executive director of the Sanders-allied Justice Democrats , called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment of accountability.
” “ It ’ s going to be a chance to finally bring scrutiny to Bloomberg ’ s record as a Republican plutocrat , ” she said .
Bloomberg has been preparing for the debate behind closed doors for weeks , including prep sessions that feature senior aides playing his leading competitors .
They expect him to come under attack early and often from multiple rivals .
His team was working to lower expectations ahead of his performance , suggesting his debate skills are rusty after more than a decade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t been on a debate stage since 2009 .
His team notes he never faced more than one rival at a time over three elections for New York City mayor .
Despite the challenges , senior adviser Tim O ’ Brien signalled that Bloomberg welcomed a fight against Sanders , whom the campaign perceives to be the race ’ s clear front-runner .
“ I think you ’ re going to see us go toe-to-toe with Bernie Sanders on important issues , ” O ’ Brien said in an interview , raising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record on criminal justice and gun control .
Sanders welcomed the fight as well .
The Vermont senator railed against Bloomberg and “ a system that allows billionaires to buy elections , ” while campaigning in Nevada on the eve of the debate .
“ Here is the message : Anyone here worth $ 60 billion , you can run for president , and you can buy the airwaves .
My friends , that is called oligarchy , not democracy.
” While the same age and race , Bloomberg and Sanders are ideological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s richest men , having generated a net worth estimated at $ 60 billion after a career on Wall Street .
He has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to combat climate change and gun violence and promote immigration reform in recent years , yet he takes a decidedly pragmatic approach that celebrates incremental improvement backed by data .
Sanders has a net worth estimated at $ 2.5 million thanks to book sales and the value of his home , but he has spent a lifetime in politics as an uncompromising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transform the nation ’ s politics and economy .
He measures his success largely by the impact he ’ s had on the public debate , which has warmed to his calls for a $ 15 minimum wage , universal health care and sweeping action on climate change .
Voters will not formally judge Bloomberg ’ s performance until next month .
He is not technically competing in Nevada ’ s Saturday caucuses or any of the four primary contests scheduled for this month , preferring to invest his time and resources in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March .
In the modern era , such a strategy has never worked .
Yet it ’ s never been attempted by someone as wealthy as Bloomberg , who has already invested more than $ 400 million into a national advertising campaign and hired more than 2,000 campaign staffers .
The focus on Bloomberg on the debate stage , of course , means there will be less oxygen for others at a critical moment .
Buttigieg essentially tied in Iowa with Sanders and was a narrow second-place finisher in New Hampshire , yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 38-year-old ’ s limited experience and ability to assemble a multiracial coalition to defeat Trump .
Buttigieg needs a strong performance to help blunt Bloomberg ’ s momentum .
Klobuchar surged into the top tier of the race with a strong debate performance in New Hampshire .
But with a significantly smaller national brand , she faces lingering questions about the strength of her organization and appeal among minority voters .
Warren may have the most to gain Wednesday night , having been pushed from the top tier after a bad performance in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She remains popular with her party ’ s far-left wing , though it ’ s unclear if or when she will win a primary contest .
And Biden is betting everything on a comeback fueled by minority support in Nevada and South Carolina in the next two weeks .
A top Biden official described the former vice-president as eager to confront Bloomberg on the debate stage .
But Biden is also targeting Sanders .
He previewed one line of attack over the weekend , seizing on Sanders ’ support for a 2005 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden also hammered his strength with the powerful Culinary Union , which hasn ’ t endorsed a candidate but claimed that Sanders ’ “ Medicare for All ” proposal would threaten their current health care coverage .
Amid the infighting , Democratic National Committee member Robert Zimmerman fears that his party may lose sight of its chief mission in 2020 : defeating Trump .
“ It ’ s going to get much nastier , ” Zimmerman said of Wednesday ’ s debate .
“ The candidates have an obligation to unite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to get there by throwing around charges of racism and personal slurs.
” Associated Press writers Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento , Calif. , and Alexandra Jaffe in Washington contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-19--UK inflation jumps higher, reducing likelihood of rate cut

LONDON - Consumer price inflation in Britain jumped higher in January , official figures showed Wednesday , undermining the case for the central bank to cut interest rates as it had been expected to do .
The annual inflation rate rose to 1.8 % from 1.3 % in December , the national statistics agency said , an unusually sharp increase that was due to changes in volatile electricity prices but also to more expensive services .
The jump is likely to temper expectations that the Bank of England might cut rates , which tends to help economic growth but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inflation to be near 2 % .
Policymakers at the central bank had hinted in recent weeks that they might have to trim the benchmark interest rate as economic growth remains lacklustre — the British economy did not grow at all in the fourth quarter amid deep uncertainty over Brexit and a general election in December .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s Conservatives won that vote and Britain left the European Union at the end of January .
Analysts note that while energy prices are volatile , there was a steady increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which makes up the biggest part of Britain ’ s economy .
“ This upward trend in domestically-generated inflation should remain intact over the coming months , ” ensuring that the central bank holds off interest rate cuts this year , said Samuel Tombs , chief U.K. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-19--US woman who hid baby arrested in Philippines for kidnapping

MANILA , Philippines - An American woman charged with human trafficking for allegedly attempting to smuggle a 6-day-old baby out of the Philippines inside a sling bag was arrested on an additional count of kidnapping , authorities said .
Jennifer Talbot from Utah , who was out on bail while facing the human trafficking charge , was presented to reporters in Manila on Wednesday by officials from the National Bureau of Investigation , a government anti-crime investigative agency .
Talbot wore an orange shirt and had a mask on , with her left arm in a sling .
She pulled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I object to this press conference without my attorney and the embassy present.
” Talbot had planned to board a Delta Air Lines flight to the United States with the baby on Sept. 4 , according to prosecutors .
After discovering the baby , airline staff called immigration personnel , who arrested Talbot at the airport .
The baby was turned over to government welfare personnel .
The prosecutors said that Talbot presented an affidavit at the airport , allegedly from the baby ’ s mother giving consent for the newborn to travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been signed by the mother .
Officials said no government travel approval had been issued for the baby , prompting them to file human trafficking charges last year against Talbot .
Talbot also violated at least two other laws , kidnapping and illegal detention , the prosecutors said .
Talbot was served with an arrest warrant for kidnapping on Monday while she was attending a court hearing related to the trafficking charge .
There is no bail available for kidnapping .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-19--China, Southeast Asia hold emergency meet on viral outbreak

VIENTIANE , Laos - China ’ s top diplomat arrived Wednesday in Laos for an emergency meeting with counterparts from Southeast Asian countries , which have expressed alarm over a viral outbreak that started in China .
Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to discuss the crisis with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations over dinner Wednesday in the Laotian capital of Vientiane then hold broader formal talks the following day .
Six countries in the 10-nation bloc have confirmed cases of the new virus that causes COVID-19 .
China and the United States have separately engaged the ASEAN bloc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an array of interests , from promoting trade and investment to addressing thorny security issues like the long-seething South China Sea territorial disputes .
Wang did not speak to reporters at Vientiane ’ s airport but he and the ASEAN ministers were expected to issue a joint statement after the meeting on Thursday .
China and Southeast Asia among other regions could face deeper economic losses if travel restrictions and other drastic actions taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 drag on after being detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected globally , with more than 2,000 deaths being reported mostly in China .
ASEAN leaders expressed “ serious concerns over the outbreak ” in a joint statement this week and added that the epidemic “ poses severe challenges to the well-being of the peoples and the development of our respective countries and the region and the world.
” They pledged to intensify “ timely sharing ” of information within the bloc and with China and the World Health Organization .
While affirming policies of maintaining ASEAN economies and borders open , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to co-ordinate and standardize measures to ensure proper health inspection at borders and entry points of ASEAN member states.
” Alarm over the contagion has prompted Malaysia to bar the transit of cruise ship passengers after an American woman from the MS Westerdam tested positive for the virus .
She was among 145 passengers who flew from Cambodia to Malaysia on Friday .
The Westerdam was turned away from four Asian ports before Cambodia allowed it to dock in Sihanoukville .
Other engagements by China and ASEAN have been affected by the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomats involved in negotiating a regional “ code of conduct ” to prevent clashes in the disputed South China Sea was postponed in Brunei early this month , according to two Southeast Asian diplomats , who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to discuss the matter publicly .
China was to host a meeting with four ASEAN members located along the Mekong River but moved the talks to Laos this week due to the outbreak and sought a separate meeting with all its member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two diplomats said .
Laos has not reported any infection , along with Indonesia , Brunei and Myanmar .
The rest of ASEAN , including Singapore , Thailand , Malaysia , Vietnam , the Philippines and Cambodia , have had varying numbers of confirmed infections .
The first fatality outside mainland China had been in the Philippines .


thetorontostar--2020-02-19--Spain rescues 24, continues search for 53 migrants at sea

BARCELONA , Spain - Spain´s maritime rescue service said Wednesday that it rescued 24 migrants near the Canary Islands off the northwest coast of Africa but was still looking for 53 people in two migrant boats that have been reported missing in the area for at least two days .
A maritime rescue service plane was deployed early Wednesday to search for the boats in waters between the Spanish island of Gran Canaria and Dakhla on the Western Sahara coast , authorities said , but bad weather was complicating the search .
Among the 24 migrants rescued late Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Canary Islands ’ emergency service said on its Twitter account .
They were brought to a port on Gran Canaria island , one of seven in the Canary Islands archipelago .
Spanish authorities had originally begun searching for some 140 missing people aboard five migrant boats after they received several alerts Monday afternoon .
Following rescues carried out by both Morocco and Spain , the service said Wednesday it had narrowed the search down to two boats carrying 26 and 27 people , respectively .
The deadly Atlantic route from northwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly popular among migrants desperate to reach European soil following an increase in migrant controls in western Mediterranean routes between Morocco and mainland Spain further north .
More than 1,000 migrants reached the Canary Islands from Jan. 1 to Feb. 15 , compared to 66 in the same period last year , according to Spain ’ s Interior Ministry .
At least 210 people perished on that route in 2019 , the International Organization for Migration said .
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