thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Democrats face an important test in Nevada caucuses

LAS VEGAS - Just past the roulette wheel and slot machines , the smoky bars and blinking lights , Nevada Democrats are preparing to weigh in on their party ’ s presidential nomination fight .
Seven casino-resorts on the Las Vegas Strip stand among 200 caucus locations statewide that will host the presidential caucuses on Saturday , the third contest in a 2020 primary season that has so far been marred by chaos and uncertainty in overwhelmingly white , rural states .
The exercise of democracy inside urban temples of excess is just one element that distinguishes the first presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more importantly , test the candidates ’ strength with black and brown voters for the first time in 2020 .
“ Nevada represents an opportunity for these candidates to demonstrate their appeal to a larger swath of our country , ” said state Attorney General Aaron Ford , a Democrat who is not endorsing a candidate in the crowded field .
Nevada ’ s population , which aligns more with the U.S. as a whole than the opening elections in Iowa and New Hampshire , is 29 % Latino , 10 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pacific Islander .
The vote comes at a critical moment for the Democratic Party as self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders emerges as the clear front-runner and a half dozen more moderate candidates savage one another for the chance to emerge as the preferred alternative to Sanders .
The ultimate winner will represent Democrats on the ballot against President Donald Trump in November .
Yet on the eve of the caucuses , questions lingered about Nevada Democrats ’ ability to report election results quickly as new concerns surfaced about foreign interference in the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed reports that he had been briefed by U.S. officials about a month ago that Russia was trying to help his campaign as part of Moscow ’ s efforts to interfere in the election .
“ It was not clear what role they were going to play , ” Sanders said .
“ We were told that Russia , maybe other countries , are going to get involved in this campaign.
” He added : “ Here ’ s the message to Russia : Stay out of American elections.
” Despite the distraction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed by strong support from Latinos and rank-and-file union workers who have warmed to his fiery calls to transform the nation ’ s economy and political system to help the working class .
In a fiery speech the night before the caucuses , Sanders lumped the “ Democratic establishment ” in with the corporate and Republican establishment , saying they can ’ t stop him .
He said the establishment was “ getting worried ” about a multiracial coalition that wants higher wages and health care .
The outlook was dire for virtually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there was skepticism about Pete Buttigieg ’ s ability to win over a more diverse set of voters after strong finishes in overwhelmingly white Iowa and New Hampshire .
It was the opposite for Joe Biden , who struggled in Iowa and New Hampshire but looked to Nevada ’ s voters of colour to prove he still has a viable path to the nomination .
The two women left in the race , Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar , were fighting for momentum , hoping to benefit from a sudden surge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Billionaire Tom Steyer has invested more than $ 12 million of his own money on television advertising in Nevada , according to data obtained by The Associated Press , which details the extent to which several candidates have gone all-in ahead of Saturday ’ s contest .
The pro-Warren Persist super PAC , created in recent days , is spending more money in Nevada this week than any other campaign or allied outside group .
Persist , which hasn ’ t yet disclosed any donors and can not legally co-ordinate with Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 902,000 this week in Nevada television on her behalf , according to spending data obtained by The AP .
That ’ s more than Klobuchar ’ s and Biden ’ s campaigns have spent over the entire year .
New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg , who dominated the political conversation this week after a poor debate-stage debut , won ’ t be on the ballot .
He ’ s betting everything on a series of delegate-rich states that begin voting next month .
“ I think right now predicting who ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wild guess , “ former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in an interview .
” And if I were a gambler , which I ’ m not , I wouldn ’ t be betting on who ’ s gon na win here in Nevada.
” The political world , meanwhile , hoped there would be a winner at all .
Saturday ’ s caucuses are the first since technical glitches and human errors plagued Iowa ’ s kickoff caucuses .
Nearly three weeks later , state Democratic officials have yet to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projected confidence in their process , although Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez this week refused to commit to releasing the full results on the day of the vote .
He said a number of factors , including early voting and potentially high turnout , could affect the tabulation and timing of results .
In addition , Nevada , like Iowa , reports three sets of data from the multistage caucus process .
“ We ’ re going to do our best to release results as soon as possible , but our North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Perez told The Associated Press this week .
The state party has added to its responsibilities by offering early voting – something Iowa did not attempt .
Nevada voters have been eager to partake , given the alternative is to spend significantly more time voting at a chaotic caucus site .
The party said nearly 75,000 Democrats cast early ballots , and a majority were first-time caucus-goers .
In 2016 , a total of 84,000 Nevada voters participated in the Democratic caucuses .
A small , but significant number of the ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 36,000 ballots that were cast through Monday , 1,124 ballots were voided largely because voters forgot to sign them , according to the state party , which did not release the final numbers .
Party officials said they were reaching out to these voters and encouraging them to caucus in person on Saturday .
Campaigning in Las Vegas on the eve of the caucuses , Trump sought to raise doubts about the process .
“ I hear their computers are all messed up just like they were in Iowa .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to count their vote , “ Trump charged .
“ They ’ re going to tell you about health care .
They ’ re going to tell you about our military and jet fighters and the missiles and rockets , but they can ’ t count votes.
” Amid such concerns , Nevada Democrats tried to stay focused on the candidates and the issues they represent .
Reid , who at 80 years old remains one of the most powerful Democrats in the state , predicted that Sanders ’ signature health care policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not win support in Congress .
Yet he said he thinks the fiery Vermont senator could bring Democrats together .
“ I have no doubt that if Bernie Sanders is the nominee , the party will unite behind him and beat Trump , ” Reid said .
___ Peoples reported from Washington .
AP writers Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta and Nicholas Riccardi contributed .


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--The Latest: Sanders defiant about Democratic establishment

LAS VEGAS - The Latest on the 2020 presidential campaign ( all times local ) : Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is lumping the “ Democratic establishment ” in with the corporate and Republican establishment and saying they can ’ t stop him .
Sanders is the favourite in Saturday ’ s Nevada caucuses after winning New Hampshire and essentially tying for first in Iowa .
His rivals and some party centrists have become alarmed that the self-declared democratic socialist could win the nomination as his opponents split the non-Sanders vote .
Sanders is an independent who caucuses with Democrats .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the party .
On Friday night he went further yet .
He said the establishment was “ getting worried ” about a multiracial coalition that wants higher wages and health care .
“ When we stand up together , they ’ re not going to stop us , ” Sanders told a crowd in a Las Vegas park .
Sen. Amy Klobuchar capped a day of campaigning across Nevada by telling a crowd in Reno she ’ s the best candidate for those who are tired of extremes and want someone with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Minnesota Democrat started Friday morning in Las Vegas and travelled to rural Elko before making one final plea for support in Reno before Saturday ’ s first-in-the West presidential caucuses .
Klobuchar says she has a track record of being able to work not just with Democrats but also Republicans and independents to find common ground .
She said it takes real courage to be willing to stand next to someone you don ’ t always agree with to find solutions .
She told about 200 people Friday night in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if they are “ tired of the noise and nonsense in our politics , and the extremes — you ’ ve got a home with me.
” Joe Biden is making his last pitch to supporters before seeking a badly needed boost for his campaign in Nevada ’ s Saturday caucuses .
The former vice-president excoriated President Donald Trump while speaking in front of about 250 supporters at a Las Vegas middle school , citing the president ’ s downplaying of U.S. intelligence conclusions that Russia interfered in the 2016 election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ affect “ who becomes the nominee in the Democratic Party , ” a reference to reports Friday that intelligence officials have concluded Russia is trying to interfere and help Trump ’ s re-election and to boost the candidates of Sen. Bernie Sanders .
Biden said that though Trump was impeached , he wasn ’ t removed from office and “ he thinks he has free reign to do anythIng at all.
” Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg says he ’ ll never know the struggles that people of colour endure but as president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who do .
The former mayor of South Bend , Indiana was asked by a voter at his last campaign rally before the Nevada caucuses why polls show him lagging with voters of colour .
Buttigieg says he ’ ll never have the experience of a black man watched suspiciously in the mall or a black woman denied pain medication at a hospital .
“ That ’ s the promise that I will make — that I will always show up .
I will always listen .
I will always learn and these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my white house just as they are in my campaign , ” Buttigieg told more than a 1,000 people in a middle school gym in Las Vegas .
Buttigieg focused his closing message to Nevada voters on a call to unity , saying “ we ’ ve got to put forward a nominee who can bring as many Americans as possible into a majority that can defeat Donald Trump.
” He lobbed an implicit criticism at Bernie Sanders , saying Americans shouldn ’ t have to choose between a revolution and the status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last pitch to Nevada voters , saying Senate filibuster should be eliminated if lawmakers , like Senate leader Mitch McConnell , keep blocking gun control that many Americans support .
Warren was holding a town-hall style event Friday in Las Vegas before the state ’ s voters become the first in the West to decide on a Democratic nominee .
With the site of the biggest mass shooting in modern U.S. history about 5 miles away , Warren mentioned rival presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders by name in her comments about the obstacles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other people who are running for president -- and I say this just as a factual statement -- like Bernie , who say they want to make real change but they will not roll back the filibuster , keep in mind what that means , ” Warren said .
“ They have given a veto to the gun industry.
” There were about 500 people at the event , according to Warren ’ s campaign .
The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer says it has reached a tentative deal to unionize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The California billionaire climate activist ’ s campaign announced Friday it had reached an agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2325 .
Steyer ’ s campaign says a majority of field staff agreed to be represented by IBEW Local 2325 , and the negotiated agreement will be subject to ratification by campaign staff .
Labour support for candidates is expected to play a critical role in Saturday ’ s Nevada caucuses , and lobbying for union backing has been spirited .
Staffs of several Democratic campaigns have unionized as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the eventual nominee ’ s general election matchup with President Donald Trump .
Other campaigns that have organized include Sens .
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren , former Vice-President Joe Biden and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg .

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thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Six questions before the Nevada caucus

Six questions before the Nevada caucus

LAS VEGAS - The Nevada caucus , the third contest in the Democratic presidential race , is Saturday .
Here are six questions going into that fateful vote .
HOW WELL DOES SANDERS DO ?
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has high expectations going into the caucus .
He is leading national polls and his campaign has a huge footprint in Nevada , a state he narrowly lost to Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
But Sanders also had lofty prospects going into New Hampshire last week because he won that state by 22 points in the 2016 primary , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
Nothing ’ s guaranteed Saturday , especially in Nevada , whose young caucuses ( this is only their fourth iteration ) are unpredictable .
If Sanders wins , he solidifies front-runner status heading into South Carolina next week and , more important , into critical Super Tuesday primaries on March 3 .
But if something goes wrong , or he only barely pulls out a win , it will intensify questions about whether the self-declared democratic socialist can extend his support beyond his fervent base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Sanders and Joe Biden have long held themselves out as the champions of organized labour .
Nevada will offer a fresh test of their appeal .
The Culinary Union , which represents many of the workers in the casino and hotel industry , is one of the most powerful political forces in the state .
Its endorsement was coveted by all of the candidates , but the union decided to not endorse .
In 2008 , the union ’ s decision to back Barack Obama was critical to his success in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ natural ally , many union members prize the health care that comes with their jobs as a result of their membership and do not embrace Sanders ’ plan for “ Medicare for All ” .
Biden has hammered on this point , as he critically needs union members ’ backing .
Nevada Democrats have been heartened that their experiment with early caucus voting led to nearly 75,000 people marking preference cards in four days of initial balloting before the main event Saturday .
That ’ s close to the 84,000 who voted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa , Democrats hope Nevada shows their voters are enthusiastic enough about the election to defeat President Donald Trump in November .
Some Democrats hope Nevada surpasses the 118,000 who showed up at the 2008 caucuses when Obama faced Clinton .
But Democrats should be careful about declaring victory based on raw numbers .
There are more Democrats in fast-growing Nevada now than in 2008 , when more than one-quarter of all Democrats participated in the caucus .
The number of caucus participants needed for 2020 to surpass that 2008 rate would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairs portion of the primary .
Normally , at the end of each contest , at least some candidates have to drop out due to poor performance and lack of funds .
It hasn ’ t worked that way so far because the field has been so evenly split , but that can ’ t last forever .
Will Nevada be the end of one of the six main candidates ?
If not , will a disappointing finish in the state hasten an eventual exit ?
Even if someone drops out , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg , waiting on the ballot on Super Tuesday states , making it likely Democratic voters will still have numerous choices going into the busiest stretch of primary season .
This is not necessarily a good thing .
WHAT DO MINORITY VOTERS DO ?
After two early states that are overwhelmingly white — Iowa and New Hampshire — Nevada may change the picture .
The state is among the most diverse in the nation .
And even though caucuses require a greater investment of time , which can make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event will feature a far more diverse electorate .
The problem is there is no reliable polling or data that will tell us how different demographic groups split .
That ’ s because highly transient Nevada is notoriously difficult to survey .
Still , by studying precinct level data , analysts and campaigns will glean indications of how candidates did .
Will Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar be able to broaden their appeal to Latinos , African Americans and Asians ?
Will Sanders , as he has been hoping , assemble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onto the minority voters that were once presumed to propel him to the nomination ?
Nevada demographically resembles the diverse array of states scheduled to vote on Super Tuesday , when nearly one-third of the total delegates in the contest are up for grabs .
It may hint at what lies ahead in the race .
DID THE DEBATE HAPPEN IN TIME FOR WARREN ?
Many months ago , Nevada politicos viewed Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren as the Democrat to beat in their state .
She assembled a team of operatives to push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was expected to resonate with Nevada ’ s working-class Democrats .
But then Warren ’ s national position began to erode , and she limped into Nevada a political afterthought .
That changed on Wednesday night when Warren delivered a powerful debate performance highlighted by her skewering of Bloomberg .
She saw an avalanche of money and attention .
But a huge share of Nevada had already voted by then .
After weathering a disappointing fourth-place showing in New Hampshire , which borders her home state , Warren desperately needs a win .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ kid ?

Nicholas Riccardi - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Afghan deal will be hard to assess, fraught with pitfalls

WASHINGTON - Hopes for ending America ’ s longest war hinge on maintaining a weeklong fragile truce in Afghanistan that U.S. officials and experts agree will be difficult to assess and fraught with pitfalls .
What if one militant with a suicide vest kills dozens in a Kabul market ?
Or , if a U.S. airstrike targeting Islamic State insurgents takes out Taliban members instead , does that destroy the deal ?
The agreement , which took effect Friday , calls for an end to attacks around the country , including roadside bombings , suicide attacks and rocket strikes between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But in a country that has been wracked by violence for more than 18 years , determining if the agreement has been violated will be a tough task .
And there are a number of other groups and elements in the country that would love to see the deal fall through .
“ The reason this is a challenge is this is a very decentralized insurgency , ” said Seth Jones , a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and an Afghanistan expert .
“ There are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any militia commander , element of the Taliban , the Haqqani network , and other local forces who don ’ t want to see a deal , to conduct violence.
” The Haqqani network is an insurgent group linked to the Taliban .
According to one defence official , any attack will be reviewed on a “ case-by-case ” basis .
And much will depend on how well U.S. military and intelligence officials in Afghanistan can quickly determine two things : Who was responsible for the attack , and can any of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly the group ’ s leaders who have been participating in the negotiations .
The Taliban issued a statement late Friday saying their military council has instructed commanders and governors to stop all attacks against foreign and Afghan forces .
The council has a web of commanders and shadow governors across the country .
U.S. officials have made it clear that “ spoilers ” — such as militants associated with the Taliban who are not in favour of the peace talks — could launch an attack in a deliberate attempt to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. military has tried to get a good layout of where all the insurgent groups are operating so it will be able to determine where any attack comes from and who likely was responsible .
And U.S. military officials said they were prepared and ready to make quick assessments .
If successfully implemented , the weeklong “ reduction in violence ” agreement , which began at midnight Friday local time ( 1930 GMT , 2:30 p.m. EST ) , will be followed by the signing of a peace accord on Feb. 29 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18-year war and begin to fulfil one of President Donald Trump ’ s main campaign promises : to bring U.S. troops in Afghanistan home .
The U.S. will continue to have surveillance aircraft and other assets overhead to monitor events and help to determine who is responsible for any attack .
One senior U.S. official also said that the U.S. , Afghans and Taliban will have a channel through which they will be able to discuss any issues that arise .
Another U.S. official said that communications between the groups will allow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deny involvement with an attack .
But in all cases , officials said the U.S. military — led by Gen. Scott Miller in Afghanistan — will be responsible for investigating incidents and figuring out who is at fault .
The officials all spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the private negotiations .
Once Miller reaches a conclusion , officials said it will be up to the White House and State Department to make a final determination about whether an attack constitutes a violation of the truce and if it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Pentagon has made it clear that U.S. troops may continue to conduct operations against Islamic State and al-Qaida militants as needed .
But officials also noted that all sides want the peace agreement to be successful , so they will try to avoid anything that might scuttle it .
The Pentagon has said for months that it is poised to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan from the current number of more than 12,000 to 8,600 .
That reduction is likely to be triggered once the peace agreement is finalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take several months for any troop cuts to begin .
Jones expressed some skepticism , saying the Taliban has expressed little interest in laying down arms or integrating into a government run by someone other than the group itself .
“ This is a first down , we ’ re at the 10-yard line , ” said Jones .
“ We have 90 more to go and I don ’ t know that we ’ ll ever get the touchdown.
” The agreement mapping out a plan for peace follows months of negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have broken down before .
Both parties , however , have signalled a desire to halt the fighting that began with the U.S. invasion after the Sept. 11 , 2001 , attacks by Osama bin Laden ’ s Afghanistan-based al-Qaida network .
The only other cease-fire the Taliban had agreed to was for three days in 2018 over the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr .
Then fighting ceased completely and Taliban and Afghan security forces were even filmed taking selfies together and laughing .
The Taliban military leaders chastised its fighters at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the enemy .
AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee in Washington and Kathy Gannon in Islamabad contributed .


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Bloomberg says three women can be released from nondisclosure agreements

WASHINGTON - Mike Bloomberg said Friday he ’ d free three women from confidentiality agreements that bar them from speaking publicly about sexual harassment or discrimination suits filed against him over the last three decades .
The billionaire former mayor of New York also said his company , Bloomberg LP , will no longer use such agreements “ to resolve claims of sexual harassment or misconduct going forward.
” His remarks come after days of intense scrutiny over the treatment of women at the company he ’ s led for three decades , and amid pressure from Democratic presidential rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share their claims publicly .
Warren hammered Bloomberg over the issue in the recent debate , his first time facing his rivals .
The announcement Friday highlights his efforts to remove a vulnerability ahead of the next debate , on Tuesday in South Carolina , and refocus his campaign ahead of March 3 , known as Super Tuesday , when he will be on the ballot for for the first time .
Bloomberg didn ’ t automatically revoke the agreements , but told the women to contact the company if they would like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s willing to open up relate specifically to comments he ’ s alleged to have made .
His company reportedly faced nearly 40 lawsuits involving 65 plaintiffs between 1996 and 2016 , though it ’ s unclear how many relate to sexual harassment or discrimination .
Bloomberg said in a statement he ’ d done “ a lot of reflecting on this issue over the past few days.
” “ I recognize that NDAs , particularly when they are used in the context of sexual harassment and sexual assault , promote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and contribute to a culture of women not feeling safe or supported , ” it continued .
But his move only prompted more criticism from his rivals .
“ That ’ s just not good enough , ” Warren said while campaigning Friday in Las Vegas , a day before the Nevada caucuses .
“ If there are only three , then why didn ’ t he sign a blanket release ?
” A spokeswoman for former vice-president Joe Biden ’ s campaign said Bloomberg ’ s action “ tells the public nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If Mayor Bloomberg wanted to release all current and former Bloomberg LP employees from NDAs , he surely could have done so — and he still can and should , “ Biden ’ s deputy campaign manager , Kate Bedingfield , said in the statement.Bloomberg ’ s Friday statements mark a stark departure from his remarks about the agreements in this weeks debate .
He called the agreements “ consensual ” and said women who complained “ didn ’ t like a joke I told.
” The remarks were viewed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MeToo era , which has prompted far more serious scrutiny of sexual harassment and innuendo by men in the workplace .
Bloomberg is one of the country ’ s richest men , worth an estimated $ 60 billion .
It was the first time Bloomberg was truly put on the spot in an otherwise choreographed campaign , where he ’ s been promoting his message via television advertising and scripted speeches rather than debates and town halls with voters .
One of the women covered by Bloomberg ’ s announcement is Sekiko Sekai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint against Bloomberg and his company in 1995 .
She did not respond to a phone message seeking comment on Friday .
Garrison ’ s complaint , reviewed by the Associated Press , was filed when she was about 30 and alleged Bloomberg told her to “ kill it “ when she told him she was pregnant with her first child .
The lawsuit details several other alleged personal interactions with Bloomberg and describes a misogynistic corporate culture where women were typically paid less than men , subject to routine sexual harassment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the alleged incident , Garrison said Bloomberg approached her near the office coffee machines and asked about her married life .
When she told him she was pregnant with her first child , he said “ kill it , ” in a serious monotone .
He allegedly then repeated it and called her “ number 16 , ” a reference to the number of pregnant women employees .
Bloomberg has denied making the remarks .
But Garrison said he left her a voicemail apologizing and calling the remark a joke .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ P. Josephs , who filed the 1995 complaint on Garrison ’ s behalf , told AP on Thursday that she later handed the case off to another attorney .
Josephs said she was then told that Garrison had settled the case against Bloomberg for a “ six-figure sum ” and signed a nondisclosure agreement .
A longtime Bloomberg aide confirmed that case was one of the three agreements Bloomberg mentioned in his statement , in which an NDA was signed that directly related to Bloomberg .
The other two cases never went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said his company would undertake a review of its policies on equal pay and promotion , sexual harassment and discrimination and the use of “ other legal tools ” that prevent cultural change .
He also pledged to push policies if elected president that expand access to childcare and reproductive health and guarantee 12 weeks of paid leave .
“ I will be a leader whom women can trust , ” he said .
Ronayne reported from Sacramento .
Associated Press reporters Michael Biesecker in Washington , Michelle R. Smith in Providence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Las Vegas contributed .

Alexandra Jaffe And Kathleen Ronayne - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Helicopter pilot in Bryant crash had FAA violation in 2015

LOS ANGELES - The pilot of a helicopter that crashed into a Southern California hillside , killing Kobe Bryant and eight others , was reprimanded five years ago for flying without permission into airspace while he had reduced visibility , according to a Federal Aviation Administration enforcement record .
Ara Zobayan was counselled by an FAA investigator after he violated FAA rules by crossing into busy airspace near Los Angeles International Airport on May 11 , 2015 , according to the record , which was first reported Friday by the Los Angeles Times .
The record doesn ’ t indicate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time .
Zobayan , 50 , died Jan. 26 when his helicopter plunged at high speed into a hillside in Calabasas , northwest of Los Angeles .
Zobayan had been trying to climb above a cloud layer when the aircraft banked left and plunged 1,200 feet ( 366 metres ) at high speed .
There has been speculation that the pilot became disoriented in the foggy weather .
The crash remains under investigation .
The crash also killed Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter , Gianna , along with six others .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 public memorial at Staples Center in Los Angeles .
At the time , Zaboyan was chief pilot for the charter service Island Express Helicopters Inc .
He was flying for the same company during the 2015 incident .
According to the FAA report , Zobayan ’ s helicopter was near the Hawthorne , California , airport and heading north when he asked the LAX tower for permission to cross LAX airspace .
Zobayan was told that weather conditions didn ’ t meet the minimum for pilots using visual flight rules — that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was asked whether he could maintain “ VFR conditions.
” Zaboyan replied that he could “ maintain special VFR ” — meaning he sought permission to fly by sight in less-than-optimal visibility .
When air traffic control denied the request and told him to stay clear of the area , Zobayan replied that he could “ maintain VRF “ but during the conversation , the helicopter entered the airspace , according to the record .
Zobayan contacted authorities and his company after the incident and was co-operative .
But an FAA investigator faulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review current weather at LAX , which would have allowed him time to communicate earlier with the tower in order to receive clearance , according to the record .
The report said Zobayan “ admitted his error , took responsibility for his action , and was willing to take any other necessary steps toward compliance.
” “ There are no indications that this is a repeated incident and there are no signs that this incident is a trend with Mr. Zobayan , “ the report said .
Zobayan was counselled “ on operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather minimums , proper planning , reviewing weather , and anticipating required action , ” the report said .
“ He was co-operative and receptive to the counselling.
“ Island Express Helicopters Inc , reported that it conducted additional ground and flight training with Zaboyan .
Veteran helicopter pilots were divided over the severity of the FAA violation , the Times reported .
“ I don ’ t know a single pilot out there who hasn ’ t violated a rule , ” Shawn Coyle said .
“ If that ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then I would say he ’ s pretty safe.
” But former Island Express pilot Kurt Deetz said entering LAX airspace without approval can be dangerous because of the possible presence of commercial jets .
He also questioned Zaboyan ’ s communication with air traffic controllers .
“ You can ’ t request special VFR and then they deny you and you say , ‘ Oh wait a minute , actually I ’ m VFR ’ , ” he told the Times .
“ That ’ s not how it works .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VFR as opposed to VFR was cloudy .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Anchors Aweigh: Historic ship to be part of naval museum

LAKE CHARLES , La .
- The USS Orleck has made its home in Lake Charles for the past decade but will soon make a 16-hour trip to Port Arthur , Texas , then trek for a week to Jacksonville , Florida , to join the Jacksonville Naval Museum .
The Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association intends to have the USS Orleck DD-886 as its main attraction for museum-goers and ship enthusiasts everywhere .
The ship came to Lake Charles in May of 2010 , and was open to the public by April of 2011 .
“ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to save the ship , ” said Ron Williams with the USS Orleck Naval Museum .
“ I ’ m sad to see the ship leave Lake Charles and Louisiana , but in order to save it ... we ’ re happy in that regard that we ’ re able to do that .
It ’ s a positive story ... in the fact we can continue the odyssey and save it for future generations .
“ The important thing to know is we plan ( to have ) the ship remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 , ” he said .
“ I encourage people to come out and see the ship before we have to close it to finish doing what we need to do.
” The USS Orleck will remain open to the public through March 1 .
After that , only museum members and volunteers will be allowed on certain areas of the ships .
Marine surveyors and members of the Coast Guard have visited the ship to prepare for repairs .
Most of the work will be done externally to ensure the safety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being moved .
The USS Orleck will be towed to Port Arthur where it will be dry-docked for a good cleaning , some hull repairs , other minor repairs , a fresh coat of haze gray paint and whatever other superficial needs necessary to be berthed in Jacksonville .
The ship is being prepared internally by volunteers that are packaging artifacts and securing documents among other things .
According to the Jacksonville Naval Museum website , the Coast Guard will require the ship to be water tight for sea .
The issues lie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the tug boats on both phases of the tow .
A GoFundMe was set up .
By helping with the tow package , it frees up funds for additional work in the yards .
The Naval Museum ’ s website also stated that if the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association does not take possession of the USS Orleck DD-886 , all donations raised from the GoFundMe for the tow will be used to save historical items such as documents , equipment and displays from the ship for use by other museum ships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of donation , donate the ship to the other organization , ” Williams said .
“ It ’ ll be good for the support of the ship , going there , especially the resources they have as a naval town.
” The USS Orleck website will remain active after the transfer .
Challenges of keeping this historic ship in Lake Charles include the costs of dredging , the exposure to storms in its current location , and the fact it has no permanent dock on the lakefront .
“ It ’ s hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you don ’ t have a permanent dock to raise against — to say ‘ this is where it ’ s gon na go ’ , ” Williams said .
If everything goes according to plan , the projection is the USS Orleck will be in Jacksonville ’ s Naval Museum by late April .
“ You plan , and you execute , but if you have issues you adjust , ” said Williams when asked about the uncertainty of this timeline .
Such instances as bad weather could cause the date to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support the ship ... by making donations to take care of the operation expenses .
Although we ’ re a non-profit and we have volunteers , we have things we need to cover as we go through this insurance and supplies to get ready for dry-dock , ” implored Williams .
He encourages people to contact about volunteer opportunities , questions about the ship , or applying for membership .

Kathleen Hilliard, The American Press - AP Member


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--San Diego sheriff agrees to share immigration information

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego County Sheriff ’ s Department will share records of people who were criminally arrested with immigration authorities , becoming the first local law enforcement agency in five states to comply with unusual demands for information , authorities said Friday .
In recent weeks , U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued ‘ administrative subpoenas ’ — signed by an immigration official , not a judge — to state and local law enforcement agencies in Colorado , Connecticut , New York , Oregon and California .
Sheriff Bill Gore ’ s announcement , in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came less than a week after ICE issued four subpoenas , the only ones so far in California .
The agency is the first in all five states to comply with the requests , ICE spokeswoman Lauren Mack said .
The demands for information are among several recent moves by the Trump administration against what it considers “ sanctuary ” jurisdictions , which adopt laws and policies to limit co-operation with immigration authorities .
“ While the Sheriff ’ s Department does not enforce immigration laws , we are obligated to comply with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement read .
The department said a state law that sharply limits co-operation with immigration authorities does not explicitly address subpoenas .
It said previous requests for information have been voluntary .
“ A federal subpoena creates a mandatory legal obligation and is not ‘ co-operation , ’ ” the statement read .
Monika Langarica , an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego & Imperial Counties , said the state law that the sheriff ’ s department cited , the California Values Act , clearly prohibits sharing non-public personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department should require court-issued subpoenas .
“ ICE ’ s issuance of subpoenas , and Sheriff ’ s Office ’ s potential compliance , endanger public safety and community trust , ” she said .
The office of California ’ s Democratic attorney general , Xavier Becerra , declined to comment .
Gore is a Republican elected to an officially nonpartisan position and a former head of the FBI ’ s San Diego office .
He isn ’ t known as a firebrand on immigration .
Robert Brewer , the U.S. attorney in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s department complied with two subpoenas that were due this week .
Information on two others is due next week .
ICE issued its latest round of subpoenas Friday to several agencies in Oregon — the Oregon State Police , Hillsboro Police Department , Wasco County Sheriff ’ s Office and Clackamas County Sheriff ’ s Office .


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--The Latest: Some caucus precincts tell of trouble reporting

LAS VEGAS - The Latest on the 2020 presidential campaign ( all times local ) : Nevada ’ s Republican party Saturday awarded all 25 of its delegates to President Donald Trump .
The Nevada party had already cancelled its caucuses .
Instead , the state Republican committee voted by acclimation to give Trump all of its delegates at the same time as Democrats were tallying caucus votes , according to party ex ecutive director Will Sexauer .
No other Republican qualified for the balloting by the state committee , Sexauer said .
This gives Trump 86 of the 87 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governor William Weld won one delegate in Iowa .
South Carolina , which votes next Saturday , also had cancelled its primary .
Its delegates will not be bound to any candidate .
Pete Buttigieg is trying to fundraise off the recent revelation that Russia may be trying to help the campaign of his rival , Sen. Bernie Sanders .
News broke Friday that intelligence officials briefed Sanders a month ago about the apparent Russian meddling effort .
Sanders called on the Russians to stop , but also used the occasion to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which first to report it .
He suggested that the story could have been timed to hurt him in the Nevada caucuses on Saturday .
Buttigieg ’ s campaign said in a fundraising email Saturday that Sanders ’ response was “ deeply troubling ” but also “ telling of the kind of politics we ’ re in for in Bernie ’ s vision of the future.
” The email went on to suggest Sanders would foment what it called “ more conspiracy theories , more attacks undermining the free press when they write @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more attacks on anyone who doesn ’ t agree with you 100 % of the time.
” Nevada Democrats have discovered an anomaly as they count up caucus votes at the site on the campus of the University of Nevada , Reno : one of the precincts doesn ’ t have any voters .
Amy Travis , a Bernie Sanders supporter from a neighbouring precinct , was given the task of filling in the “ zeroes ” next to all the candidates names in precinct 7321 .
She thought it was strange that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting or at Saturday ’ s caucus .
So she got out her phone and found a map of the precinct to find it consists entirely of a 600-acre county park just west of the UNR campus .
Austin Daly , the site leader at the UNR campus , says he thinks there used to be two houses in the precinct along the edge of San Rafael Park .
But he says they might be vacant now or at least aren ’ t occupied by residents who wanted to cast a ballot in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precinct ’ s lone delegate to the county convention will be recorded as “ uncommitted.
” Once they get to the county convention , a delegate will be elected to that uncommitted slot .
Bernie Sanders has moved on to Texas , where he addressed about 1,500 supporters in El Paso as the results came in from the Nevada caucuses .
Early voting is already underway in Texas , one of the Super Tuesday states holding contests March 3 .
Before his El Paso campaign event , Sanders visited a memorial for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left 22 dead and about two dozen injured .
That ’ s according to a local politician who addressed the crowd before Sanders took the stage .
Another 2020 contender , Mike Bloomberg , also said he visited the memorial before his rally this month .
A national co-chair of Elizabeth Warren ’ s presidential campaign says the Massachusetts senator ’ s finishes in some of the first voting contests are not reasons to count her out .
Rep. Ayanna Pressley told The Associated Press on Saturday that Warren ’ s strengths have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unconcerned about prior finishes or poll numbers .
Warren finished third in Iowa and fourth in New Hampshire .
As voters caucused Saturday in Nevada , Pressley said she believed Warren would surprise voters in the states that follow , like South Carolina and the Super Tuesday states .
Pressley is spending several days campaigning for Warren in South Carolina before its primary in a week .
Votes are being cast in the Nevada presidential caucuses .
It ’ s the first presidential contest in the West and the first to test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with black and Latino voters .
Altogether , 200 locations are hosting caucuses .
Among them are seven casino-resorts on the Las Vegas Strip .
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is a Democrat who ’ s not endorsing a candidate .
He says the state “ represents an opportunity for these candidates to demonstrate their appeal to a larger swath of our country.
” All eyes are on the process after the lead-off Iowa caucuses yielded a muddy result marked by error .
What happens at a Nevada caucus site if two candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to one precinct leader , it comes down to the luck of the draw .
Several hundred voters and about a dozen observers were crowded into a site on the campus of the University of Nevada in Reno when things got underway .
The temporary precinct captain , Becky Cohen , explained the process and said everything will be transparent , with results at each stage written on poster boards stuck to the walls .
She closed by holding up a deck of cards and saying , “ If there ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we do .
It ’ s Nevada.
” Several of the Democratic presidential candidates are out among the voters as the Nevada caucuses get underway .
Pete Buttigieg greeted supporters at a Las Vegas caucus site shortly before the start .
The former South Bend , Indiana , mayor shook hands and exchanged small talk with those gathered at a south side high school .
Buttigieg nodded to Nevada ’ s diversity compared with the predominantly white states of Iowa and New Hampshire that have already held contests .
He says Nevada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a broad base of support .
Buttigieg has been dogged by low polling numbers with minorities , particularly black voters .
Elizabeth Warren swung by a suburban Nevada caucus site to pose for pictures with supporters and offer doughnuts to volunteers .
She ducked inside for a moment and called out to voters still waiting in line to caucus .
She said : “ Thank you for participating in democracy.
” At Rancho High School , a 38-year-old Las Vegas resident , community organizer and political activist was changing her voter registration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lashonda Marve-Austin said : “ I ’ m black , so I don ’ t want a candidate that just wants to do the right thing for black people .
I want them to do the right thing for all the people .
She added : “ And then I ’ m poor , so I don ’ t want them to just do the right thing for poor people , I want them to do what ’ s right for people overall.
” The chairman of the Democratic National Committee is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go smoothly and won ’ t repeat the problems that muddied the results in Iowa .
The hours ahead will show whether he ’ s correct .
Tom Perez spoke to reporters Saturday at a caucus site at the Bellagio hotel and casino on the Las Vegas strip .
He says the goal in Saturday ’ s caucuses is to release the results as soon as possible but “ first and foremost , to get it right.
“ Perez says the popularity of early voting made processing those votes difficult but party officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nearly 75,000 people participated in a four-day early voting period that ended on Tuesday .
Their choices will be added to results of Saturday ’ s in-person caucusing .
Perez says the party has trained more than 3,000 people to carry out the caucuses , with training going on as recently as Friday .
Before the sun started peeking out behind the clouds in late morning , Elizabeth Warren volunteers were shielding Nevada caucus goers for the rain with umbrellas as they entered a caucus location at a high school on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to be light and there was no line at the registration tables an hour before caucuses were supposed to start .
In one room with about a dozen caucus-goers standing around chatting , about half the attendees were wearing Pete Buttigieg buttons .
One Buttigieg supporter , 54-year-old Sue Thornton , said she worried the poor weather in the morning and the early vote may have cut into caucus-day turnout .
She said in 2016 , lines were out the door when she showed up to caucus .
Thornton works in food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She said she was interested in Buttigieg from the start and his performance in the campaign sealed her support .
She says : “ I am a sucker for a nerd and a geek , and he fits the bill .
... Stays calm and collected .
Speaks seven languages , for goodness ’ sake.
” Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren says her presidential campaign has raised $ 14 million in the past 10 days .
In a tweet , the Democratic hopeful says the haul is double what the campaign had hoped to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday ’ s Nevada caucuses .
It ’ s unclear how much came in since Wednesday night , when Warren savaged New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg during the Democratic debate in Las Vegas .
Warren ’ s disappointing fourth place finish in her neighbouring state of New Hampshire was considered potentially fatal to her campaign .
But her supporters believe she can build on her strong debate performance and find a path to victory .
The money will help .
Nevada Democrats say they added 10,000 people to their rolls during four days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The state party announced Saturday , hours before presidential caucuses were set to begin , that more than one out of 10 early voters took advantage of same-day registration and became Democratic voters .
Nevada ’ s caucuses are open only to Democrats but people can register as Democrats or switch their affiliation as they show up to vote .
Democrats outnumber Republicans in Nevada and had about 610,000 active registered voters through the end of January .
The political focus Saturday is on the 200 locations across Nevada that are hosting presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contest on the 2020 election calendar as Democrats try to determine which candidate will take on President Donald Trump in November .
Nevada will test the candidates ’ strength with black and Latino voters for the first time in 2020 , after contests in overwhelmingly white Iowa and New Hampshire .
Questions linger about Nevada Democrats ’ ability to report election results quickly as new concerns surface about foreign interference in the U.S. election .
Saturday ’ s caucuses are the first since technical glitches and human errors plagued Iowa ’ s kickoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their process but it ’ s not certain full results will be released on the day of the vote .
The state party added to its responsibilities by offering early voting — something Iowa didn ’ t attempt .
President Donald Trump is mocking a recent intelligence briefing given to the House intelligence committee about Moscow ’ s interference in the 2020 race .
He ’ s claiming that House Democrats are saying Russia wants Bernie Sanders to win .
Democratic presidential candidate Sanders said Friday that U.S. officials told him about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to help his campaign , just as Russia did on Trump ’ s behalf in 2016 .
There actually are conflicting accounts about what the briefers told the House intelligence committee about Russia ’ s intentions .
One intelligence official said members were not told in the briefing that Russia was working to aid Trump directly .
But advancing Sanders ’ candidacy could be seen as beneficial to Trump ’ s reelection prospects .
Trump tweeted sarcastically that Nevada Democrats , voting in Saturday ’ s caucuses , need to be careful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A busload of volunteers for Pete Buttigieg is on its way to South Carolina from Indiana to knock on doors for him in the campaign for the Democratic presidential primary a week away .
His campaign says 18 volunteers are coming from South Bend and Gary to spread the word on the former South Bend mayor .
They ’ ll also attend Sunday church services before heading back .
Buttigieg and other contenders are in Nevada for that state ’ s caucuses Saturday .
The candidates are expected to spend much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the last of the four early-voting contests .
Their debate in Charleston on Tuesday will be the final one before that primary and the March 3 Super Tuesday contests .


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Voting underway as Nevada Democrats weigh in on 2020 fight

LAS VEGAS - Bernie Sanders led Nevada ’ s presidential caucuses based on early returns Saturday as the fiery progressive pushed for a second straight victory in the Democrats ’ 2020 nomination fight .
Sanders has emerged as the front-runner in party ’ s national race , even as establishment-minded Democrats raise concerns about the self-described democratic socialist ’ s ability to defeat President Donald Trump this fall .
A half-dozen more-moderate candidates are fighting to become the preferred Sanders ’ alternative , yet all were trailing Sanders based on the early returns .
In a show of confidence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Texas , which offers one of the biggest delegate troves in just 10 days on Super Tuesday .
The progressive senator told cheering supporters in El Paso that Trump is “ a pathological liar running a corrupt administration.
” He also called Trump “ a religious bigot.
” The Nevada verdict represents the third in a primary season that will span all 50 states and several U.S. territories , ending only at the party ’ s national convention in July .
But with two more rounds of voting scheduled over the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s massive delegate haul -- the party may identify a consensus candidate long before the convention .
Sanders and his allies were increasingly confident .
In Nevada , he had strong support from Latinos and rank-and-file union workers who have warmed to his calls to transform the nation ’ s economy and political system to help the working class .
There was skepticism about Pete Buttigieg ’ s ability to win over a more diverse set of voters after strong finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire .
Joe Biden , who struggled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s voters of colour to prove he still had a viable path to the nomination .
Sens .
Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar also were fighting for survival , hoping to benefit from outside money from newly created super PACs .
New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg , who dominated the political conversation this week after a poor debate-stage debut , wasn ’ t on the ballot .
He ’ s betting everything on a series of delegate-rich states that begin voting next month .
Billionaire Tom Steyer spent more than $ 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advertising in Nevada , according to data obtained by The Associated Press .
There were still questions about when final results from Saturday ’ s voting might be released under the complicated new caucus reporting process .
“ Our goal is to get results as soon as possible , ” said Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez .
“ But also , first and foremost , to get it right.
” Meanwhile , Nevada ’ s Republican party formally awarded all 25 of its delegates to Trump .
The state GOP had already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee voted by acclimation to give the Republican president all of its delegates as Democrats were tallying caucus votes , according to party executive director Will Sexauer .
On the Democratic side , hundreds of uniformed housekeepers and casino workers at noon streamed into the Bellagio , one of seven casino-resorts on the Las Vegas Strip among 200 locations statewide hosting caucuses .
Nevada is the third contest on a 2020 election calendar marked by chaos and uncertainty after the opening votes in Iowa and New Hampshire , overwhelmingly white , rural states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West is testing the candidates ’ strength with black and Latino voters for the first time in 2020 .
“ Nevada represents an opportunity for these candidates to demonstrate their appeal to a larger swath of our country , ” said state Attorney General Aaron Ford , a Democrat who is not endorsing a candidate .
Nevada ’ s population aligns more with the U.S. as a whole , compared with Iowa and New Hampshire : 29 % Latino , 10 % black and 9 % Asian American and Pacific Islander .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and human errors plagued Iowa ’ s caucuses .
Nearly three weeks later , state Democratic officials have yet to post final results .
Party Chairman Perez said a number of factors , including early voting and potentially high turnout , could affect the tabulation and timing of results .
In addition , Nevada , like Iowa , reports three sets of data from the multistage caucus process .
On Friday , party leaders issued a memo clarifying that , while caucus leaders could still use an online form to submit results from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dedicated hotline to call and text in results as their primary form of reporting .
In Iowa , overwhelmed phone lines caused caucus leaders to wait on hold for hours , contributing to the delay in reporting the results .
Nevada Democrats brought in extra help from other state parties to help handle the reporting Saturday night .
Early voting was likely to pose another challenge .
State party officials said that 74,611 ballots were cast during the four-day early voting period , and a majority were first-time caucus-goers .
In 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Democratic caucuses .
At the Bellagio caucus site , 41-year-old Christian Nielsen , a scuba diver for the Cirque du Soleil show “ O , ” said he was backing Sanders because he believes the country needs a “ major change in the White House.
” “ We need somebody in the White House who has been on the right side of history for their entire career , somebody who stands with the working class , and will make things more fair for everybody , ” Nielsen said .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line was three hours long .
He said the sign-in process at the Bellagio was quick and painless .
Peoples and Jaffe reported from Washington .
Associated Press writer Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta , Ken Ritter and Nicholas Riccardi in Nevada and Brian Slodysko in Washington contributed to this report .

Steve Peoples, Michelle L. Price, Jonathan J. Cooper And Alexandra Jaffe - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Security adviser: I’ve seen no intel of Moscow helping Trump

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s national security adviser said he ’ s seen no intelligence indicating that Russia is doing anything to try to help get the president re-elected .
Robert O ’ Brien ’ s comments were released Saturday in a transcript of an interview with ABC ’ s “ This Week with George Stephanopoulos “ set to air on Sunday .
“ The national security adviser gets pretty good access to our intelligence , “ O ’ Brien said .
“ I haven ’ t seen any intelligence that Russia is doing anything to attempt to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brien ’ s comment came after he was asked about media reports that an intelligence professional told members of the House intelligence committee that it was Russia ’ s aim to favour Trump in the election .
Some officials familiar with the classified briefing said lawmakers were told that Russia was taking steps that would help Trump .
And Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders acknowledged Friday that he was briefed last month by U.S. officials about Russian efforts to boost his candidacy .
A senior intelligence official with knowledge about the briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday that the handful of U.S. election security briefers did not tell House intelligence committee members that Russia was “ aiding the re-election of President Trump.
” The official , who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the classified briefing , said some of the lawmakers reached conclusions that had not been made by the briefers .
O ’ Brien said he had not seen any intelligence or analyses indicating that Russia was aiding Trump and neither had top leaders in the intelligence agencies .
“ All I know is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House hearing were unhappy with the hearing and said that there was no intelligence to back up what was being said , ” O ’ Brien said .
“ But here ’ s the deal : I don ’ t even know if what ’ s been reported as being said ( by the briefers ) is true .
You know those are leaks coming out of that hearing.
” O ’ Brien also denied reports that Trump became angry when he was told about the briefing and that he confronted former acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replaced him with current U.S. ambassador to Germany , Richard Grenell .
O ’ Brien said Trump was not angry with Maguire and would have liked Maguire to stay in government in a different role .
He said Maguire ’ s time as acting director of national intelligence was up in early March and the White House needed an individual — someone who had already been confirmed by the Senate — to temporarily replace him .
“ Ambassador Grenell is there for a temporary period of time , ” O ’ Brien said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announce a nominee to be quickly confirmed by the Senate as full-time director .
The president has said he is considering three or four candidates .


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Charter bus rollover kills 3, injures 18 outside San Diego

PALA MESA , Calif. - A charter bus swerved on a rain-slicked Southern California highway and rolled down an embankment Saturday , killing three people and injuring 18 others , authorities said .
Several passengers were thrown from the bus , and one of the dead was trapped under the vehicle after it landed on its roof shortly after 10 a.m. off Interstate 15 in Pala Mesa , an unincorporated community about 45 miles ( 72 kilometres ) north of San Diego , North County Fire Protection District spokesman John Choi said .
“ There were no seat belts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another person who died was trapped inside the bus , he added .
The wounded were taken to three hospitals with varying injuries , Choi said .
A California Highway Patrol officer told the San Diego Union-Tribune thatone of the patients was in critical condition and three others suffered major injuries .
The bus driver suffered minor injuries and remained at the scene .
He apparently swerved and lost control of the bus , Officer Mark Latulippe said .
The bus was going from Los Angeles to San Ysidro , the San Diego @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the officer said .
Passengers included adults and children .
Authorities have not released the name of the bus owner .
Rescue crews were concerned that the bus may slide farther down the embankment and had to secure the vehicle before using ropes to pull up the victims to the roadside , Choi said .
Crews planned to pull the bus from the embankment and recover the body pinned under it , he said .
The crash caused southbound traffic on I-15 , a major route connecting San Diego to inland regions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for miles .
This story has been corrected to show that the crash happened off Interstate 15 , not State Route 76 .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Alaska bars, breweries propose bill rewriting alcohol laws

JUNEAU , Alaska - An agreement was reached over drinks between a bar association and a brewing association in Alaska that could rewrite alcohol laws and change how people enjoy their beverages across the state .
The agreement produced a bill that would bring changes for brewery , winery and distillery tasting rooms , including clarification on which events could be held on their premises , KTUU-TV reported .
The Alaska Cabaret , Hotel , Restaurant and Retailers Association ( CHARR ) , the biggest trade association representing bars , and the Brewers Guild of Alaska , an association representing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week after yearslong conflict over the difference in licenses prices between bar and brewery owners .
The bill would increase the time tasting rooms could stay open from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. , maintain daily drink limits in tasting rooms , allow venues to hold four live music concerts each year and set rules in place so fundraisers , brewery tours and art shows would be in statute and could not be changed by regulation .
“ It reflects eight years of hard work , ” Brewers Guild of Alaska President Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the Senate Finance Committee and will next head to the Senate for a full vote .
“ We sat down , had a beer , came to common ground , made some compromises , and we ’ re all happy with what the bill looks like now , ” said Evan Wood , the co-owner of Devil ’ s Club Brewing in Juneau .
Legislation would also increase limits on new breweries opening in the state unless given an exemption by the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Board .
“ What ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that friction between new breweries and existing license holders , ” bill sponsor and Republican state Sen. Peter Micciche said .
Bar owners often pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for a license and many have resented breweries serving alcohol after paying much less for their licenses , Micciche said .
Brewery owners have argued that the cost of buying manufacturing equipment is also expensive .
The bill could have a huge impact on bar owners , said Republican state Rep. Louise Stutes in opposition to the bill .
But if CHARR , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community are onboard , she said she won ’ t oppose it .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Italy towns close down amid virus case clusters, 2 deaths

CODOGNO , Italy - A dozen towns in northern Italy effectively went into lockdown Saturday after the deaths of two people infected with the new virus from China and a growing cluster of cases with no direct links to the origin of the outbreak abroad .
The secondary contagions prompted authorities in some Lombardy and Veneto towns to close schools , businesses and restaurants and to cancel sporting events and Masses .
The mayor of Milan , Italy ’ s business capital and the regional capital of Lombardy , shuttered public offices .
A 78-year-old man infected with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performed on a 77-year-old woman in Lombardy came back positive , though it wasn ’ t clear if illness from the virus caused her death .
Hundreds of residents and workers who came into contact with 79people who tested positive were put into isolation pending results of their tests .
Civil protection crews set up a tent camp outside a closed hospital in Veneto to screen medical staff for the virus .
In the town of Codogno , where the first patient identified in the northern cluster was in critical condition , closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street practically a ghost town .
The few people out wore face masks , which were coveted items after selling out at pharmacies .
Late Saturday , civil protection officials said 79 people had contracted the virus , including the two who died and one who was cured .
Of the remaining 76 , 54 were in Lombardy , 17 in Veneto , two in Emilia Romagna , two in Lazio — a Chinese couple from Wuhan — and one in Piemonte .
Lombardy government authorities said the region ’ s cases were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t travelled to China , but it remained unclear how he was infected .
Ten towns in Lombardy received orders to suspend nonessential activities and services .
Veneto regional president Luca Zaia said Saturday that the contagion showed that the virus is transmitted like any flu and that trying to pinpoint a single source for the cases or to establish a link to China no longer were effective containment measures .
“ You can get it from anyone , “ he told reporters .
“ We can expect to have cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected carriers .
While the virus isn ’ t particularly lethal , it can be for the elderly or people with existing conditions , he said .
The man who died in Veneto , for example , did not meet the main risk factors for the virus when he was diagnosed with pneumonia two weeks ago : he hadn ’ t travelled to China or come into contact with anyone who did .
Therefore , the ill man wasn ’ t originally tested for the virus .
He was only tested after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment , and by then it was too late , according to Francesca Russo , the head of healthcare for the Veneto region .
Along with eight other infected people , the man who died formed a cluster in his hometown of Vo ’ Euganeo , population 3,300 .
Russo expressed relief that to date , none of the hospital personnel who treated him has tested positive .
Lombardy health and welfare ministry chief Giulio Gallera said that region ’ s cases also comprised a traceable cluster , but officials were still stumped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person to fall ill had met with a man who returned from China on Jan. 21 , but he testednegative for the virus and has been ruled out as the source.Other people acquired their infections from the 38-year-old sick patient either through contact with him or the hospital in Codogno where he first received treatment Feb. 18 .
More than 250 tests were completed in Lombardy , though hundreds more were being processed , including among the man ’ s colleagues at a Unilever plant near Codogno where he worked , Gallera said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s possible the numbers will increase , ” he said .
National and regional officials approved an ordinance that put 10 Lombardy towns in effective lockdown around Lodi , southeast of Milan , after the region reported a quadrupling of cases Friday .
But individual cities outside the area covered by the ordinance , such as Cremona , issued their own restrictions after confirming there were local cases .
In Milan itself , however , life was largely continuing on as usual : Inter Milan was still scheduled to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Serie A soccer league , and Milan Fashion Week was wrapping up , even though chatter about the rising numbers accompanied the runway shows .
‘ ’ It doesn ’ t seem to me in this moment for what regards our sector , our fashion week , that there are signs of danger , ’ ’ Carlo Capasa , president of the Italian National Fashion Chamber , told The Associated Press .
‘ ’ We are tranquil and prudent.
“ However , the world ’ s largest eyewear trade fair , MIDO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Milan show until June because of the outbreak .
Despite the alarm , authorities urged calm and tried to balance precautionary closures with the economic reality of regions highly dependent on tourism and commerce .
Hotel reservations in Venice were down one-third during the first weekend of Carnival , though floods in the lagoon city late last year likely scared off visitors .
“ This is not an Italian ‘ Wuhan , ’ ’ “ insisted Ivana Jlenic , president of the federation of Italian tourism and travel agencies , Fiavet .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just be alarmist.
” In Rome , doctors at the Spallanzani infectious disease hospital treating the first three people in Italy found to be infected with the virus - a Chinese couple from Wuhan and an Italian who contracted the virus in China - reported encouraging news in the otherwise bleak day .
The Italian patient , who tested positive for the virus two weeks ago , was cleared to leave the hospital , while one of the Chinese visitors tested negative for the first time .
Separately Saturday , 19 Italians who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a virus-stricken cruise liner in Japan landed at Rome ’ s military Pratica di Mare airport .
They had been stranded on the Diamond Princess since Feb. 5 .
Following the first health checks and decontamination process , the passengers were transferred to the military campus of Cecchignola where they will spend a 14-day isolation period .
Britain also welcomed home passengers from the Diamond Princess : 32 British and other European passengers landed at a British military base in southwest England .
They will be quarantined for 14 days at Arrowe Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 80 other Britons evacuated from Wuhan , the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak , have already spent time in isolation .
Four U.K. nationals from the Diamond Princess who tested positive for the virus are being treated at hospitals in Japan .
Britain has nine confirmed cases of the virus .
Associated Press sriter Luca Bruno reported this story in Codogno and AP writer Nicole Winfield reported from Rome .
AP writers Colleen Barry in Milan and Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report .

Luca Bruno And Nicole Winfield - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Trump was furious cruise ship passengers with coronavirus were brought back to U.S.

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump was infuriated that 14 U.S. citizens who had tested positive for coronavirus were permitted to return this week to the United States , said two senior administration officials .
The decision took the president , a self-declared “ germophobe , ” by surprise .
Officials at the State Department decided to bring back the citizens , who had been quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan , after consulting with a senior official at the Department of Health and Human Services .
But officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention objected , concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans being evacuated from the ship , could spread the virus .
News organizations reported on the decision on Monday , and the passengers arrived in the United States that day .
Trump , furious at not having been briefed on the Americans who had tested positive , relayed his anger to Alex Azar , the health and human services secretary , and other top officials .
They then alerted the White House interagency task force on the coronavirus , which Azar oversees .
One official said Trump views shutting the borders to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country safe and wants to be seen as managing a proper response .
The top State Department official on the task force is Stephen Biegun , the deputy secretary of state .
During the early legs of a four-day trip to the West Coast meant to bolster his re-election effort , Trump paid close attention to Fox News ’ coverage of the Diamond Princess that played aboard Air Force One .
Word of Trump ’ s anger had already begun circulating among officials on Tuesday morning .
The Washington Post first reported on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during an Ebola crisis in Africa , Trump , who was then a private citizen , angrily demanded that the Obama administration cancel flights and bar anyone infected with the virus from entering the country — including American medical workers who had gone to Africa to help .
“ KEEP THEM OUT OF HERE !
” he wrote in a July 31 tweet after learning that one American medical worker would be evacuated to Atlanta from Liberia .
“ The U.S. can not allow EBOLA infected people back , ” Trump wrote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ People that go to far away places to help out are great — but must suffer the consequences !
” There have been at least 634 infections and two deaths from the Diamond Princess , which Japanese officials kept in isolation for two weeks at a port in Yokohama .
That effort at a quarantine contributed to the virus ’ rapid spread among passengers .
The cluster from the ship is the largest concentration of coronavirus cases outside China , warranting its own category in data compiled by the World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedure for 328 passengers aboard the Diamond Princess on Sunday night .
All had been examined by American medical experts and showed no symptoms of the coronavirus , Dr. William Walters , managing director of operational medicine at the State Department , and Dr. Robert Kadlec , assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Department of Health and Human Services , said on Monday during a conference call with reporters .
But as those passengers were bused to Haneda Airport in Tokyo early Monday morning , Japanese officials told American counterparts that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back positive , Walters said .
The tests had been conducted two to three days earlier , but U.S. officials , believing the timing of the results would be “ unpredictable ” because of the volume of testing being done in Japan , began the evacuation without having all results in hand .
American passengers who had already tested positive or who had displayed symptoms had been sent to hospitals in Japan , Walters said .
After they learned that 14 passengers had tested positive , U.S. officials decided that the entire group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to protocols the officials had developed for evacuees , Walters said .
That meant continuing to transport those who had tested positive but putting them in isolation — behind sheets of plastic about 10-feet tall — at the rear of the two planes flying them back to the United States .
Walters said on Monday that he and Kadlec reviewed the possible options after learning of the test results .
“ Then the question was simply this : Are these evacuees ?
” Walters said .
“ And do we follow our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was yes on both accounts.
” Kadlec added , “ We had additional expertise and experienced eyes on these people and monitoring through the flight.
” The planes landed at Travis Air Force Base in California and Lackland Air Force Base in Texas .
Most of the 14 passengers who had tested positive were then flown to Omaha , Nebraska for treatment and monitoring by experts at the University of Nebraska .
Since then , Japanese officials have informed U.S. officials that several other passengers among the 328 brought back had also tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. officials said at least 34 people inside the United States have the virus — 18 of them from the Diamond Princess .
All of the 34 cases have been linked to overseas travel .
There has been no sign yet of the virus spreading among communities in the United States .
The State Department is closely monitoring U.S. citizens on board another cruise ship in Cambodia , the Westerdam , as well as Americans who have disembarked and are in hotels in Phnom Penh , the capital of Cambodia .
Those Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point .
One 83-year-old American woman from the ship travelled to Malaysia and tested positive for coronavirus .
Williams said Monday that 92 U.S. citizens were still on board the Westerdam , while another 260 were in hotels in the Cambodian capital .
About 300 U.S. citizens had left the country , but “ only after testing by the government of Cambodia ’ s Ministry of Health , ” he said .
When asked whether the United States was thinking about arranging evacuation flights for the hundreds of Americans in Cambodia or elsewhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer .
He said the State Department was “ following very closely ” the situation of U.S. citizens in places where coronavirus is prevalent and of citizens who are “ having difficulty in returning to the United States because of the disruptions in the international airline industry , and flights , and so forth.
” Separately , State Department officials say that thousands of Russia-linked social media accounts are spreading disinformation about the coronavirus , including a conspiracy theory that the United States is behind the outbreak .
American monitors first identified the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the assessment on Saturday .
“ Russia ’ s intent is to sow discord and undermine U.S. institutions and alliances from within , including through covert and coercive malign influence campaigns , ” said Philip T. Reeker , the acting assistant secretary of state for Europe and Eurasia .
“ By spreading disinformation about coronavirus , Russian malign actors are once again choosing to threaten public safety by distracting from the global health response .
”

Edward Wong - The New York Times,Katie Rogers


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--3 Arizona students returning from car event killed in crash

PHOENIX - Three Arizona high school students enrolled in an automotive technology program were killed when a college van went off a highway on the way back from a professional drag racing event near Phoenix , officials said Saturday .
The van crashed Friday night on U.S. 70 near Pima , a rural community about 135 miles ( 217 kilometres ) east of Phoenix , the state Department of Public Safety said in a statement .
An adult was driving the van carrying seven high schoolers and one college student , the DPS said .
Two 16-year-old boys from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a 17-year-old boy from the tiny town of Duncan were ejected and killed when the van veered over the centre line , went off the highway and rolled , the DPS and college officials said .
The driver and five other students suffered injuries that weren ’ t life-threatening .
None of the identities of the victims were released .
The high school students were enrolled in the Gila Institute for Technology , a state-funded joint education district serving Graham and Greenlee counties and were considered part-time Eastern Arizona College students , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
McBride said the students were part of a group travelling in two vans as they returned from a National Hot Rod Association event in suburban Phoenix .
“ It would be directly relatable to what they were studying at the program , “ McBride said .
He said he didn ’ t know whether the adult driver was a college employee .
The cause and circumstances of the crash were under investigation , but it didn ’ t appear drug or alcohol impairment was a factor , the DPS said .
College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths were a “ tragic loss “ and the school was offering counselling for those needing support .
“ We join the entire Gila Valley community in prayer for the families and friends of these students and send our heartfelt condolences to them , “ Haynie said in a statement .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-22--In Brazil, fear of spreading police protests during Carnival

RIO DE JANEIRO - A violent police strike in northeastern Brazil has shed light on dissatisfaction among cops elsewhere in the country , with some forces threatening to protest as rowdy Carnival celebrations start .
The strike by military police demanding higher salaries in the state of Ceara , and which led to a senator being shot , is a headache for President Jair Bolsonaro , a staunch supporter of police forces who has pledged to curb violent crime .
“ Of course , police strikes could spread , ” said lawmaker Guilherme da Cunha of the state of Minas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % salary increase this year after threatening to strike .
“ From the moment people who have a monopoly on firearms discover the strength it has , there is a risk.
” In Ceara , violent crime has risen sharply during the police strike , with at least 88 people killed over three days , according to online news site G1 , citing state officials .
Bolsonaro has sent hundreds of national guard forces and 2,500 soldiers to maintain order .
During the strike , Sen. Cid Gomes was shot in the chest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through a police protest .
He is in stable condition .
Earlier that day , masked officers forced businesses to close , occupied barracks and damaged police vehicles .
Mayors in several of the state ’ s small cities — 30,000 inhabitants or less — cancelled Carnival celebrations .
In Paracuru , where authorities were expecting 40,000 revelers a day , the mayor said he was no longer able to ensure security in his city ’ s streets .
Even though police strikes are illegal in Brazil , other states are at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public security experts told The Associated Press .
In Alagoas state , civil police , in charge of investigating crimes , have been on strike for two weeks .
“ The governor has made a lot of empty promises to the military police .
At some point , that bomb can explode , ” said lawmaker Davi Maia , who has met police in Congress to discuss their demands .
In Paraiba , military police organized a 12-hour strike on Feb. 19 .
In Santa Catarina , public security agents threatened to slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations to an extent but avoiding illegal strikes .
In Rio , one association of municipal guards , who police city parks and properties , began a strike Saturday , during Carnival .
Police strikes aren ’ t new , according to Ilona Szabó , co-founder of a security research centre , the Igarapé Institute .
A study by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul showed that between 1997 and 2017 , Brazil had 715 police strikes , but only 52 by military police .
“ More than ever Brazil needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Szabó said .
Many believe police officers are emboldened by the 2018 elections , in which Bolsonaro and other fervent law-and-order supporters were elected .
A former army captain , Bolsonaro supported the armed forces during his 30-year legislative career and has said police who kill on duty should be decorated .
Many Brazilians states ’ finances are in the red , with public servants often receiving partial or delayed salaries .
Carnival celebrations often prove a good opportunity for public servants , including police , to pressure authorities , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tourists and party-goers at Carnival are often targeted by pick-pockets .
In the state of Sao Paulo , police have arrested 240 suspects as part of a carnival security operation .
Last year , public security officers in Minas Gerais also chose February to threaten the newly elected administration of Gov .
Romeu Zema Neto with strikes if he didn ’ t readjust their salary .
“ The government was pressured to choose between a terrible , and least worst option , “ said state lawmaker da Cunha .
Police shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invade the governor ’ s office , according to witnesses who asked that their names not be used because of safety fears .
As part of the negotiations , the governor obtained an agreement that the increase be postponed one year , meaning the proposal only landed this month in the state ’ s legislative assembly .
The news of a 42 % salary increase spread rapidly , boosting similar requests in Ceara and other states , and angering governors who have resisted threats of illegal protests .
“ Minas Gerais granted this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not paying salaries , and is in a situation of bankruptcy , “ said Ignacio Cano , co-ordinator of the Violence Analysis Laboratory at the State University of Rio de Janeiro .
“ It says a lot about the moment the country is going through , and the strength that public forces are acquiring , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Togo election could see president extend family’s long rule

LOME , Togo - The West African nation of Togo held a presidential election Saturday that was expected to result in the incumbent winning a fourth term despite years of calls by the political opposition for new leadership .
President Faure Gnassingbe became president in 2005 following the death of his father , who seized power in 1967 .
Under the country ’ s current law , Gnassingbe could remain in office until 2030 , if he keeps getting re-elected .
The president ’ s party predicted an all but certain victory for him Saturday .
“ Given the level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain that this enthusiasm will also be reflected in the polls , ” ruling party spokesman Gilbert Bawara said .
But months of anti-government protests in 2017 , with about 20 people killed , were a sign of impatience with the family ’ s hold on power .
Opposition candidates alleged there was organized fraud in the elections , saying that several opposition delegates were prevented from voting .
There were also accusations that people voted with old cards .
Provisional election results were expected in the coming days .
The Independent National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the provisional results .
While the day remained calm , shortly after vote counting began Saturday evening , the home of opposition candidate Agbeyome Kodjo and two of his major supporters were surrounded by members of the military .
The minister of security , Gen. Damehame Yark , said the move was made to ensure their security .
The election was observed by 26 international observation missions and more than 30 Togolese civic groups .
However , Togo ’ s government this week expelled an organization based in the United States that promotes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. government criticized the exclusion of the National Democratic Institute .
“ We are deeply troubled by the Togolese government ’ s actions to restrict nonpartisan election monitoring , ” National Democratic Institute President Derek Mitchell said .
“ We remain steadfast in our commitment to support the Togolese people ’ s desire for democracy and ability to monitor their elections in accordance with internationally recognized principles of transparency.
” The head of Togo ’ s electoral commission , Tchambakou Ayassor , told journalists Friday that the government had justification to “ withdraw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We clearly indicated in a statement to this organization that there were reasons to believe this organization was preparing to disrupt the electoral process , ” Ayassor said .
In addition , the electronic vote-counting system will not be used because “ while deploying these devices it came to our attention that there was a heightened risk of the systems being hacked , which we suspect had the aim of manipulating the results , ” Ayassor said .
Gnassingbe enacted a law last year that limits presidents to two 5-year terms .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his previous three terms are not counted in the limit on his tenure .
He called on voters to renew confidence in him to guarantee peace and security in Togo amid a growing extremism threat in the West African region .
He also promised to improve the health , education and agricultural sectors .
There were six other presidential candidates , including Jean-Pierre Fabre , 67 , with the National Alliance for Change , who came in second in the 2010 and 2015 elections .
Fabre contested the 2015 election result that gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I had the victory stolen from me the previous times .
It will not happen again , ” Fabre said while campaigning .
“ Go out massively on Feb. 22 to sanction this regime and choose those who are really capable of managing the country.
” Opposition groups chose not to support any one candidate in hopes of the election going to a second round .
Some observers worried that Saturday ’ s first-round vote would not be transparent and fair .
“ Let ’ s be realistic !
None of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first round if the election is truly transparent .
But it is up to opponents to work to minimize fraud , “ said Spero Mahoule , a member of the Collective of Associations Against Impunity in Togo .
More than 3.6 million people are registered to vote in Togo , which has a population of nearly 8 million .
The election was held against the backdrop of rising prices for basic necessities , weak health systems and an education system in which teachers continually threaten strikes .
Unemployment among young people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Petesch in Dakar , Senegal , contributed to this report .

Didier Assogba And Lekan Oyekanmi - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Education group lawsuit accuses ex-leader of stealing $200K

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - An educational organization that promotes the oil , gas , mining and timber industries in Alaska has sued its former executive director , accusing her of stealing more than $ 200,000 .
Alaska Resource Education filed the civil complaint Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Alaska against Michelle Brunner , who led the organization until 2017 .
The complaint accuses Brunner of stealing money through unauthorized payroll and bonuses , improper credit card charges for personal expenses , and direct bank transfers .
The organization is seeking $ 187,000 in funds it has identified and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet quantified from Brunner and her husband , the complaint said .
“ We have no comment at this time , ” Michelle Brunner told the Anchorage Daily News in a text message .
The complaint alleges the couple , who now live in Arizona , shared a checking account that received some of the stolen funds that were used to pay for vacations , wine club memberships and a house .
The complaint comes after some questionable records were discovered when Brunner left , group executive director Ella Ede said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our educational partners and the public that we have done everything possible to ensure the organization ’ s financial integrity and fiduciary responsibility going forward , ” Ede said .
She said the group filed a report with Anchorage police and an investigation was opened .
Alaska Resource Education teaches thousands of public school students from elementary to high school about the state ’ s natural resources , Ede said .
Its board of directors include employees from some of the state ’ s industry leaders , including ConocoPhillips , Usibelli Coal Mine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Alaska Railroad .
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