thetorontostar--2020-02-11--New Hampshire hopes to clarify unsettled Democratic contest

MANCHESTER , N.H. - Democrats are hoping that voters in New Hampshire will reset the party ’ s presidential nomination fight on Tuesday and bring clarity to a young primary season that has been marred by deep dysfunction and doubt .
Since the chaotic Iowa caucuses failed to perform their traditional function of winnowing the race , it now falls to New Hampshire to begin culling the Democratic field , which still features almost a dozen candidates .
For Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , the vote is an opportunity to lock in dominance of the party ’ s left flank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iowa could severely damage progressive rival Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who faces the prospect of an embarrassing defeat on her near-home turf .
While Sanders marches forward , moderates are struggling to unite behind a candidate .
After essentially tying with Sanders for first place in Iowa , Pete Buttigieg , the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , begins his day as the centrist front-runner .
But at least two other White House hopefuls — former Vice-President Joe Biden and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar — are competing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could delay the nomination contest if it continues .
More than a year after Democrats began announcing their presidential candidacies , Democrats are struggling to coalesce behind a message or a messenger in their desperate quest to defeat President Donald Trump .
That ’ s raising the stakes of the New Hampshire primary as voters weigh whether candidates are too liberal , too moderate or too inexperienced — vulnerabilities that could play to Trump ’ s advantage in the fall .
During the final day of campaigning , many voters said they still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
University of New Hampshire pollster Andy Smith predicted that as many as 20 % of voters would make up their mind on Election Day with twice as many deciding over the last three days .
“ Historically , New Hampshire is known to shift late , ” he warned those with expectations .
New Hampshire ’ s secretary of state predicated record-high turnout on Tuesday .
If that doesn ’ t happen , Democrats will confront the prospect of waning enthusiasm following weak turnout in Iowa last week and Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Hampshire on Monday night , sought to inject chaos in the process .
The Republican president suggested that conservative-leaning voters could affect the state ’ s Democratic primary results , though only registered Democrats and voters not registered with either party can participate in New Hampshire ’ s Democratic presidential primary .
“ I hear a lot of Republicans tomorrow will vote for the weakest candidate possible of the Democrats , ” Trump said Monday .
“ My only problem is I ’ m trying to figure out who is their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re all weak.
” Another complication that could affect turnout : weather .
Forecasts call for a light wintry mix or rain and snow in some parts of the state , which could make travel treacherous .
Biden — and the Democratic Party ’ s establishment wing — may have the most to lose on Tuesday should the former two-term vice-president underperform in a second consecutive primary election .
Biden has earned the overwhelming share of endorsements from elected officials across the nation as party leaders seek a relatively “ safe ” nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance between Democratic voters and their party leaders appears to be growing .
After finishing in a distant fourth place in Iowa , Biden acknowledged he would likely “ take a hit ” in New Hampshire .
The dark prediction during Friday ’ s debate disappointed New Hampshire loyalists like state House Speaker Steve Shurtleff , who endorsed Biden less than a month ago but spoke about him over the weekend as if he were already eliminated from contention .
“ I hope the vice-president does well , and I hope he can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to say , ” Shurtleff said in an interview .
“ The sad thing for me personally is that he ’ s such a terrific individual.
” He noted that no Democrat has ever become the party ’ s presidential nominee without finishing first or second in New Hampshire .
Biden ’ s campaign , meanwhile , sought to cast New Hampshire as one small step in the path to the presidential nomination , with contests coming up soon in more diverse states that award more delegates like Nevada and South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage among minority voters .
“ We plan to be competitive , but the reality is we always said this was going to be a fight .
We have to let this full process play out , ” Biden senior adviser Symone Sanders said .
“ Regardless of what happens on Tuesday , we plan to move forward.
“ The stakes were dire for Warren as well in a contest set just next door to her Massachusetts home .
She has positioned herself as a mainstream alternative to Bernie Sanders but is suddenly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klobuchar fights to peel away female support .
Warren sought to project confidence on Monday , telling reporters she ’ s “ been counted down and out for much of my life.
” “ You get knocked down , “ she said .
“ You get back up.
” Buttigieg , young and with no governing experience beyond the mayor ’ s office , is trying to emerge as the leading Biden alternative for his party ’ s moderate wing .
His team —- with 75 paid staffers , 15 campaign offices scattered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteers leaders heading the get-out-the-vote teams -- has added volunteers since Iowa , aides said .
Buttigieg has aggressively courted moderate Democrats , independents and what he calls “ future former Republicans ” as he tries to cobble together a winning coalition , just as he did in Iowa , where he finished in a near tie with Sanders for the lead .
Kim Holman was one of 1,800 people who crowded into , and spilled out of , Elm Street Junior High School ’ s gym in Nashua over the weekend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ m still kind of on the fence .
I love Pete ’ s energy and his passion , ” the 52-year-old personal trainer said .
“ It does make me a little nervous he ’ s so new to politics.
” In the days leading up to Tuesday ’ s primary , Buttigieg has come under increasing attack from Biden and Klobuchar , who seized on his lack of experience .
And from the left , Sanders attacked Buttigieg ’ s reliance on big-dollar donors , which sparked jeers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ supporters .
Buttigieg seemed unfazed by the attacks .
He barely altered his stump speech as he crisscrossed the state , calling on voters to “ turn the page ” to a new generation of leadership .
Sanders , meanwhile , has been one of the only candidates to explicitly predict victory in New Hampshire , where he defeated Hillary Clinton by more than 20 percentage points four years ago .
Like Buttigieg , his confidence is connected to the strength of his organization .
He proclaimed repeatedly in recent days that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday alone , a significant number given that the state expects fewer than 300,000 people to vote Tuesday in the Democratic primary .
Sanders spent the eve of the primary courting his most passionate supporters , young voters , at two college campuses .
At a Monday night rally at an arena on the University of New Hampshire campus , a band pumped up the crowd with a cover of The Who ’ s “ My Generation , ” before Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , a leading figure among young progressives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strokes closed out the night before the audience of thousands .
“ Brothers and sisters , we are making history in this campaign , ” Sanders declared at one event in Hudson .
Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Rochester , N.H. , contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Steve Peoples, Kathleen Ronayne, Thomas Beaumont And Hunter Woodall - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Utah congressional delegation opposes Zion park reservations

ST. GEORGE , Utah - Utah ’ s congressional delegation has signed a letter opposing the proposed use of a reservation system for Zion National Park .
The National Park Service plans to move forward with a capacity study that could result in a mandated reservation system for the park in southwest Utah , The Spectrum reported Monday .
The letter to Interior Secretary David L. Bernhardt was signed by U.S. Sens .
Mike Lee and Mitt Romney and U.S. Reps .
Rob Bishop , John Curtis , Ben McAdams , and Chris Stewart .
Park officials have sought ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of park visitors jumped from an estimated 2.8 million in 2010 to more than 4.3 million in 2018 .
Among the proposals is a reservation system requiring visitors to register before being allowed entry , especially during peak-season periods when the park ’ s main canyon traffic backs up to the neighbouring town of Springdale .
Zion is the fourth most visited national park in the country .
If the park service study concludes a reservation system is necessary , “ it would likely result in reduced visitation and negative economic impacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter identified alternatives including improved public outreach , state and local investment in trails and shuttle system changes .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Brazil prosecutors seek to block new head of indigenous body

RIO DE JANEIRO - The Brazilian federal prosecutor ’ s office filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to suspend the appointment of a former missionary as head of the government body responsible for protecting uncontacted and recently contacted indigenous groups .
The suit asks for the suspension of Ricardo Lopez Dias ’ naming to the post , citing an “ evident conflict of interest ” and a possible reversal in Brazil ’ s long-established no-contact policy with such indigenous communities .
The lawsuit also alleges a threat of “ genocide and ethnocide ” for indigenous people .
Funai had no immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that to pick Dias , the indigenous affairs agency known as Funai , had to change its internal regulations and remove a prior requirement that meant the unit ’ s co-ordinator-general had to be a career public servant .
The suit says the move weakens Funai ’ s “ institutional capacity to protect self-determination and the lives of indigenous peoples.
” In recent interviews before his nomination was made official by the Justice Ministry last Wednesday , Dias said he would not seek to evangelize indigenous groups .
But his work in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New Tribes non-profit group has worried activists and human right defenders .
Currently called Ethnos360 , the Florida-based group sends missionaries from local churches around the world , many to indigenous territory .
Brazil officially counts 28 groups of isolated indigenous peoples in the Amazon and the administration of President Jair Bolsonaro has said that indigenous groups should be integrated into Brazilian society .
The president also believes their protected lands can hinder the country ’ s full economic potential .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Hill collapses, roads flooded, dam eroded by Southern rains

BIRMINGHAM , Ala. - A Tennessee hillside collapsed , roads were flooded and rivers were rising across the Southeast on Tuesday after a day of heavy rains that once again threatened a Mississippi lake where a dam previously was in danger of failing .
The National Weather Service said minor to moderate flooding was expected from central Mississippi to north Georgia following downpours .
The Tennessee River was predicted to crest about 7 feet ( 2.1 metres ) above flood level at Perryville , Tennessee , on Sunday .
Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park in eastern Tennessee , tons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 70-foot ( 21-meter ) high hillside and blocked the northbound side of a U.S. 441 spur linking the tourist towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge , the National Park Service said .
At least 45 dump truck loads will be required to clear the road , officials estimated , but no injuires were reported .
Multiple roads were covered with water or washed out because of rainfall that exceeded 5 inches ( 7.6 centimetres ) in spots across central Alabama , and forecasters said totals could reach 6 inches ( 15.2 centimetres ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed in parts of Alabama , Mississippi and Louisiana because of flash flooding .
A flood watch stretched from eastern Texas to Mississippi , and parts of Alabama were under flood warnings .
North of Birmingham in Cullman , the sheriff ’ s office said Deputy Adam Clark and his police dog were badly injured in a wreck during heavy rains overnight .
The cause of the crash was under investigation .
In eastern Mississippi , officials in Starkville said the water at Oktibbeha County Lake had once again reached a critical level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mudslide that put the earthen dam in danger of failing .
Pumps had been used to lower the lake level by about 8 feet ( 2.4 metres ) since mid-January , but officials said the water had risen to an even higher than before because of recent storms .
“ It has risen over 8.5 feet from our low elevation during pumping and continues to rise , ” said a statement by Kristen Campanella , emergency management director in Oktibbeha County .
Officials also were monitoring the site of a potential dam failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emergency Management Agency said a 40-acre ( 16-hectare ) lake in a subdivision was leaking around a culvert and washing away dirt , threatening four homes and a church .
Five homes were evacuated after a levee breach in Leake .
Elsewhere in Mississippi , 25 homes had been damaged and four people were hurt in wrecks caused by vehicles hydroplaning on wet roads , according to the state .
The damage was worst in Yazoo , where a dozen people were displaced from homes .
The Tennessee Valley region has received 550 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past seven days , James Everett , senior manager of the Tennessee Valley Authority ’ s River Forecast Center , said in a briefing .
Rainfall averaged around 6 inches ( 15 centimetres ) across the valley , but some places got as much as 9 inches ( 23 centimetres ) .
“ We ’ re getting a brief break in rainfall today , but we expect it to pick up tomorrow through Thursday , ” Everett said .
To manage all of the water , the TVA will continue storing water in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downstream , Everett said .
The agency plans to adjust its strategy for water storage and flows depending on how much more water falls on the already saturated ground , he said .
Isolated tornadoes and winds in excess of 60 mph ( 97 kph ) are possible in some areas of the South after nightfall Wednesday , the National Weather Service said .
With the weather system moving eastward , West Virginia Gov .
Jim Justice instructed emergency officials to be ready for flooding in addition to high water that already had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Associated Press reporter Jeff Martin in Atlanta contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Libya’s oil corporation: blockade losses exceed $1.3 billion

CAIRO - Economic fallout continues from the shutdown of Libya ’ s vital oil fields , with losses surpassing $ 1.3 billion , the national oil corporation announced Tuesday .
The latest contest over oil assets in Libya started last month , when powerful tribes loyal to eastern-based forces laying siege to the capital , Tripoli , seized large export terminals and choked off major pipelines .
The brazen move came just days before Germany hosted a high-profile international summit aimed at ending end Libya ’ s long-running conflict .
Allies of Khalifa Hifter ’ s eastern forces , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and eastern Libya , are looking to gain political leverage and cripple the embattled U.N.-backed government in Tripoli by slashing a main source of its revenue .
The Tripoli government controls only a shrinking corner of the country ’ s west .
But it enjoys a different advantage : its control over Libya ’ s Central Bank , which holds the country ’ s oil revenue .
The opaque finances of the bank has drawn sharp criticism .
Hifter ’ s forces accuse the bank of diverting oil assets to pay Syrian mercenaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporation has also called repeatedly for increased transparency .
In a statement this week , the cash-strapped bank reported it had not received any oil revenues for the month of January .
With that income gone , it said it would postpone the payment of all government salaries .
The Tripoli government ’ s finance ministry rolled out a series of vague reforms Tuesday toward “ regulating ” its management systems to “ ensure fiscal prudence.
” The announcement reflected mounting pressure on the government to hold its public financial institutions accountable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenues has been going on for years .
Even so , recent losses are dramatic .
The national corporation said current production , which has collapsed to roughly 183,000 barrels a day from about 1.2 million , is at the lowest point since the 2011 uprising that ousted and killed long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi .
The corporation reiterated its warning that the blockade is quickly depleting fuel that supplies Libyan power stations .
The tribal groups closed yet another pipeline over the weekend , exacerbating a looming fuel crisis , the statement added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waging an offensive on Tripoli since April .
An aspiring strongman with an anti-Islamist bent , the commander has drawn the support of the United Arab Emirates and Egypt , as well as France and Russia .
On the other side , Turkey , Italy and Qatar back the Tripoli administration .
The international sponsors have pledged to uphold a widely flouted U.N. arms embargo and push a cease-fire .
Regardless , weapons keep pouring into the war-ravaged country in what U.N. chief Antonio Guterres has bluntly called “ a scandal.
” Powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have come under criticism for failing to take a strong stance .
In a meeting with the Tripoli government ’ s interior minister late Monday , U.S. envoy to Libya Richard Norland “ reaffirmed U.S. support for ongoing efforts by Libyan authorities to dismantle and disarm militias , “ which he said pose a “ serious threat ” to national unity .
The statement ’ s apparent reference to disbanding armed groups defending Tripoli strongly evokes Hifter ’ s previous demands .
Despite ostensible American recognition for the U.N.-backed government , President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spring after he launched his assault on the capital .


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Warrant: Chaplain charged after sex act with SC inmate

GREENWOOD , S.C. - A prison chaplain in South Carolina was arrested Tuesday after an inmate performed a sex act on him in his office at a women ’ s prison , authorities said .
Jefferson Kwamina-Crystal , 65 , of Spartanburg , was charged with first-degree criminal sexual misconduct with an inmate , according to an arrest warrant from the Corrections Department .
Kwamina-Crystal had voluntary oral sex with the inmate between August and December in his office at the Leath Correctional Institution in Greenwood where he was a chaplain , authorities said .
Kwamina-Crystal was fired after his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
State law prohibits consensual sexual acts between prison employees and inmates because of the authority the employees have over the prisoners .
Kwamina-Crystal is charged with a felony and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted .
It wasn ’ t known if Kwamina-Crystal has a lawyer .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Judge dismisses lieutenant governor’s libel suit against CBS

ALEXANDRIA , Va. - A judge on Tuesday tossed out a libel lawsuit filed by Virginia Lt. Gov .
Justin Fairfax against a television network he accused of slanted reporting on sexual assault allegations against him .
U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga in Alexandria dismissed the lawsuit .
But he declined to grant CBS ’ request that the network be awarded attorney ’ s fees , disagreeing with the network ’ s contention that the lawsuit amounted to an abuse of the legal process .
Fairfax sued CBS for $ 400 million in September , after the network aired exclusive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Meredith Watson , who accused him of sexual assault more than 15 years ago .
Fairfax says the encounters were consensual and argued in the lawsuit that the network reported the allegations in a way that insinuated his guilt .
CBS lawyers defended the network ’ s journalism and accused Fairfax of using the lawsuit to attack his accusers .
In a statement Tuesday , Fairfax said he will appeal the dismissal to the 4th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond .
“ Since these false , fabricated and politically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ago at the precise moment it was speculated I would rise to Virginia ’ s Governorship , I have been denied any meaningful opportunity to establish the truth , clear my name and get justice .
I will not stop until I do and can put an end to this political smear campaign.
” The allegations against Fairfax , a Democrat , came in February 2019 when Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam faced calls to resign after a blackface photo emerged on his yearbook page .
But the allegations against Fairfax blunted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s resignation .
Both Northam and Fairfax have remained in office , as has Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring , who acknowledged around the same time that he had worn blackface in college .
Trenga , in a 30-page opinion , said Fairfax failed to meet the “ actual malice ” standard for a libel claim by a public figure .
Trenga noted in his ruling that CBS reported Fairfax ’ s claims of innocence , and that CBS journalists regularly reached out to Fairfax and his spokeswoman to get their side of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made by CBS News journalists after the women ’ s interviews with Gayle King implied that the accusations against him were true , including a comment by CBS This Morning co-host Norah O ’ Donnell after Tyson ’ s interview that it “ feels like she was forced.
” Trenga , though , said that in the context of the entire broadcast , he did not view CBS ’ reporting as slanted against Fairfax .
“ Most basically , none of the CBS This Morning co-hosts state that Fairfax did in fact commit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed he committed the assaults .
In fact , at the conclusion of each interview , King , in studio and surrounded by her co-hosts , promptly announces Fairfax ’ s assertions of innocence , including that he passed a polygraph exam , ” Trenga wrote .
But Trenga disagreed with CBS ’ contention that Fairfax ’ s lawsuit was an abuse of the legal process and an attempt to silence his accusers , and that he should be required to pay CBS ’ legal fees as punishment .
Instead , Trenga concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to be legitimate : ‘ “ namely , a public vindication and restoration of his reputation.
” Fairfax has said he felt compelled to file suit try to clear his name after the allegations were made .
He said he has taken a lie-detector test and begged for police to investigate to no avail .
The libel lawsuit , he said , provided the next best way to prove his innocence .


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Honduran national police chief accused of money laundering

TEGUCIGALPA , Honduras - Honduran authorities arrested the head of the national police Tuesday , accusing him and his wife of money laundering .
Officials arrested Leonel Luciano Sauceda and his wife , Patricia Sbeltlana Estrada , on money laundering charges .
They said in a statement that the couple was arrested at a home in Tegucigalpa , the capital , and that authorities seized two cars and financial documents .
Both were held in preventive custody at a military barracks after appearing before a judge .
César Bonilla , their lawyer , expresed confidence that the case would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said evidence will disprove prosecutors ’ claims and show his clients ’ innocence .
Sauceda began his career with the national police in 1992 and was appointed head of police just two weeks ago .
A special commission established to clean up the country ’ s police ranks said later Tuesday in a statement that before his appointment , he had been properly vetted .
But according to investigators , there was no accounting for 13 bank accounts and 13.8 million lempiras , or roughly $ 560,000 , that Sauceda had in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They say his wife also had 10 bank accounts with roughly 2.7 million lempiras , or $ 110,000 , for which the origin couldn ’ t be traced .
Authorities say they don ’ t know where the couple got the cash they used for some of the items that were seized .
Top police officials in Honduras have been accused of crimes in the past .
Last year , a Honduran court convicted Jorge Alberto Barralaga , the former No .
2 in the police force , of money laundering .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of being involved in drug trafficking in the U.S .
Even President Juan Orlando Hernández has been investigated in the U.S. in connection with alleged drug trafficking and money laundering ; he denies any wrongdoing .
Charges weren ’ t filed against the president , but his brother , Juan Antonio “ Tony “ Hernández , a former congressman , was found guilty in a U.S. court last October of drug conspiracy , weapons charges and lying to the Drug Enforcement Administration .
U.S. prosecutors said the drug conspiracy was protected by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that convicted Mexican drug lord Joaquín “ El Chapo ” Guzmán aided the conspiracy by giving $ 1 million in bribes to Juan Antonio Hernández to pass along to his brother .
Sauceda ’ s arrest is the first since the end of an anti-corruption mission in Honduras last month led by the Organization of American States , which was commissioned in 2015 to strengthen the country ’ s justice institutions .
The mission was led by a group of international lawyers and investigators who uncovered non-profit organizations that worked as fronts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commission helped a Honduran court sentence ex-First Lady Rose Elena Bonillo to 58 years in prison for embezzlement last year .
Bonilla was married to ex-president Porfirio Lobo .


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Baltimore public defenders want police ‘credibility’ list

Baltimore ’ s public defenders have asked a judge to help them get a list of city police officers who the city ’ s top prosecutor says have credibility issues .
In recent court filings , prosecutors and public defenders have battled over State ’ s Attorney Marilyn Mosby ’ s public comments about a list of more than 300 officers with potential integrity issues , The Baltimore Sun reported on Tuesday .
Mosby presented the list in December to a state policing commission formed to identify department issues that fostered a corrupt police unit .
“ The Baltimore State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s practice of prosecuting people without disclosure of its secret compromised integrity list constitutes malicious , bad faith prosecution , ” wrote public defenders Sarah Gottlieb and Deborah Levi .
In a Feb. 7 reply , Assistant State ’ s Attorney Matthew Pillion wrote that defence attorneys are entitled to view materials of individual officers if they are pertinent to a defendant ’ s case .
They aren ’ t entitled to a list of all officers flagged , Pillion wrote .
“ Defendant fails to explain even remotely how a list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his case would make it less likely that he committed the crime of which he is accused or change the punishment he would receive upon conviction , ” Pillion wrote .
The dispute is set for a hearing on Feb. 20 in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City .
Mosby has said her office had identified 305 officers “ with integrity issues and or allegations of integrity issues that would in essence put them in jeopardy from testifying.
” The office has since clarified that it is not , however , a list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not call , but rather officers for whom disclosures must be made to defence attorneys .
New deputy commissioner Brian Nadeau , a retired FBI supervisory agent , said that he believed that only 22 officers among the hundreds flagged should be precluded from testifying .
Of the others , Nadeau said : “ Nobody on that list that I wouldn ’ t have working on the street , making cases.
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Virginia House passes major renewable energy legislation

RICHMOND , Va. - The Virginia House passed sweeping energy legislation Tuesday that would overhaul how Virginia ’ s utilities generate electricity and , supporters say , move the state from the back of the pack to the forefront of renewable energy policy in the United States .
Critics , though , warned that the legislation , drafted privately by a group that included industry representatives and environmental advocates , strips state regulators of some oversight and leaves ratepayers on the hook for what could be excessive costs .
The measure , called the Clean Economy Act , lays out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % renewable generation .
The House version would demand that goal be met by 2045 and the Senate ’ s version sets a deadline of 2050 , codifying a goal Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam issued in an executive order in September .
The Senate was expected to vote on a separate version of the measure later Tuesday .
Differences between the two versions will have to be worked out before the measure can be sent to Northam , whose administration has been involved in negotiating the bill .
In a floor speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the bill “ transformative , ” saying it would propel Virginia “ into the future and into the top tier of states in terms of climate and energy policy.
” The legislation paves the way for an enormous expansion of solar and offshore wind generation plus battery storage , and sets an energy efficiency standard that utilities must meet .
It also includes language that would add Virginia to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative , a carbon cap-and-trade program .
Both the House and Senate versions would effectively block new fossil fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state officials study whether a permanent ban should be enacted .
The House version contains a provision that says if state officials determine by 2028 that the greenhouse gas reductions are not on target , then there will be a moratorium on the issuance of fossil fuel-fired generating facilities by 2030 .
Bill sponsors said in committee hearings that hundreds of hours of negotiations had gone into crafting the legislation .
Participants in those talks included Dominion Energy , influential environmental groups including the Virginia League of Conservation Voters and the Southern Environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Advanced Energy Economy , a national association of businesses .
The lawmakers carrying the measure have said it will help address climate change by moving Virginia toward a carbon-free future while creating thousands of good-paying jobs at the same time .
The bill clears the way for the development of up to 5,200 megawatts of offshore wind , which is costlier than other forms of renewable energy , by declaring it in the public interest .
Dominion currently has a small pilot project underway and has previously announced plans for a 220-turbine project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a race is underway among East Coast states jockeying for a spot in a supply chain expected to develop for the nascent offshore wind industry .
They say Virginia could reap thousands of new , high-paying manufacturing and construction jobs , a boost to the state ’ s port , and billions of dollars in private investment while supporting an industry that will help the environment .
But critics are raising concerns about the price tag .
“ In this century , we now have technologies to produce electricity that are clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former utility executive who does consulting work for Virginia environmental groups and reviewed the legislation , wrote in an email .
“ This bill encourages the ‘ clean ’ but loses the ‘ cheap.
’ “ Attorney General Mark Herring ’ s office has cautioned lawmakers that language in the bill expressly eliminates the State Corporation Commission ’ s role in determining whether “ enormous costs ” of implementing its plans are reasonable and prudent and therefore can be passed along to customers .
“ In our view the legislation will prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accomplish the Commonwealth ’ s clean energy goals in a manner consistent with ratepayer protections , “ Senior Assistant Attorney General Meade Browder told a Senate committee considering the bill .
An SCC analysis of one version of the bill found that the typical residential customer would likely see an increase of $ 23.30 a month between 2027 and 2030 .
The legislation currently includes provisions intended to protect low-income people from seeing a rate increase .
Some Democrats opposed the overall legislation , saying it didn ’ t go far enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed back too , raising concerns about cost and the shift away from coal .
The legislation has gone through numerous changes since it was first introduced and more are expected .
Even those who helped craft it have expressed confusion about what it does or does not contain .
On Monday , Sullivan introduced amendments to fix a litany of typos in the bill that passed out of committee .

Sarah Rankin And Alan Suderman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--AP VoteCast: After Iowa, many NH Dems worry about fairness

WASHINGTON - Only 14 % of New Hampshire Democrats said they were “ very confident ” that the process for picking a presidential nominee would be fair , a sign of possible doubts lingering in voters minds ahead of the state ’ s Tuesday primary .
The trouble in tabulating results after last week ’ s Iowa caucuses , an issue that has yet to be fully resolved , may have rattled the faith of some voters amid uncertainty about who is the Democratic front-runner .
Close to half of New Hampshire Democrats were “ somewhat confident ” that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 in 10 were not confident about the fairness of the primaries and caucuses , according to preliminary results from AP VoteCast .
AP VoteCast is a wide-ranging survey of more than 3,000 Democratic primary voters in New Hampshire conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago .
A muddled field of candidates came out of the nation ’ s first nomination contest in Iowa , with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg running neck and neck in state delegate equivalents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity to provide some clarity regarding their status , as well as the viability of the campaigns of former Vice-President Joe Biden , Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar .
Broader questions about fairness in U.S. society have been a central concern for the Democratic candidates .
An overwhelming share of New Hampshire Democrats — nearly 8 in 10 — view the economy as unfair .
But there is little consensus on which candidate would do the best job of stewarding the world ’ s largest economy .
Sanders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy they say caters to billionaires , separately proposing wealth taxes to fund programs for the middle class and poor .
About 2 in 10 say Sanders is most capable on the economy and nearly as many say that of Warren .
But there are also New Hampshire Democrats who want to put the economy in the hands of one of the two billionaires seeking the nomination .
Roughly 1 in 10 say they trust former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg , who is worth more than $ 60 billion and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About the same amount choose billionaire investor Tom Steyer .
Roughly 1 in 10 say Buttigieg would be best able to handle the economy .
New Hampshire Democrats take a different perspective on which candidate is best on foreign policy .
About a third say Biden is the best candidate on that issue , followed by 2 in 10 preferring Sanders and 1 in 10 choosing Buttigieg or Warren .
AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Hampshire was conducted for seven days , concluding as polls closed .
Interviews were conducted in English or Spanish .
The survey is based on interviews with a random sample of registered voters drawn from the state voter file .
The margin of sampling error for voters is estimated to be plus or minus 3.0 percentage points .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Josh Boak And Hannah Fingerhut - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Gymnast says she was pressured to skip Nassar complaint

LANSING , Mich. - A woman testified Tuesday that she reported abuse by sports doctor Larry Nassar in 1997 but backed off and even apologized after being pressured by a Michigan State University gymnastics coach .
Larissa Boyce said Kathie Klages warned her that any complaints about Nassar could cause trouble .
She said she convinced herself that she misunderstood what Nassar was doing with his hands during treatments for injuries .
“ I said , ‘ I ’ m sorry , it ’ s all my fault , ’ ” said Boyce , who was 16 years old in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back up on his table and I continued to be abused by him.
” Klages is on trial in Ingham County court , charged with lying in 2018 to police who were investigating what Michigan State officials knew about Nassar long before scandal emerged in 2016 .
Klages denied knowing that Boyce and another teen had complained to her .
“ Please remember , ladies and gentlemen , this is a case about memory .
Kathie Klages ’ memory , ” defence attorney Takura Nyamfukudza told jurors during his opening statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government thinks she should have remembered.
” Klages suddenly retired as gymnastics coach in 2017 , a day after she was suspended for defending Nassar to her team .
More than 300 victims , mostly young women and girls , say Nassar molested them under the guise of treatment for back problems and other injuries .
He worked at Michigan State and USA Gymnastics and also saw athletes who were referred to him .
Nyamfukudza said Michigan prosecutors apparently weren ’ t satisfied with Nassar ’ s decadeslong sentences for assault and decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Assistant Attorney General Danielle Hagaman-Clark said Klages denied recalling complaints about Nassar because she wanted to protect herself .
“ Telling the truth matters , ” Hagaman-Clark said in her opening statement .
“ Telling the truth when it is the most difficult matters.
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Man accused of subway stabbing says victims were aliens

OAKLAND , Calif. - The man accused of stabbing to death a woman and injuring her sister on a train platform in the San Francisco Bay Area testified in his trial Tuesday , saying he believed the women were aliens and part of a gang that had kidnapped his grandmother .
“ I stabbed both of the females in the crew , because I believed they would not give my grandmother back , ” John Lee Cowell , 29 , said from the witness stand in Alameda County court , the San Francisco Chronicle reported .
Cowell has pleaded not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 killing of 18-year-old Nia Wilson and the stabbing of her sister , Letifah Wilson , who was seriously injured .
During his testimony Tuesday , he said he has a history of mental illness and heard voices in his head .
But he could not remember what those voices told him .
Just before the fatal stabbing on July 22 , 2018 , Cowell rode the train from Concord to the MacArthur station in Oakland along with Nia Wilson and two of her sisters .
During direct examination , Cowell spoke about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the three women were “ pointing to other passengers while staring at me.
” He added that he felt “ threatened by three black females .
They were together ... threatening to assault my grandmother.
” Surveillance footage of the entire 25-minute ride shows no interaction between Cowell or any of the sisters .
Cowell is charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder for the double stabbing .
Police and prosecutors said the knife attack was unprovoked , while friends and family members of Nia Wilson have said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the women ’ s race .
The Wilson sisters are black , and Cowell is white .
Cowell testified that about a week before the train ride with the Wilson sisters , he had been punched in the face by a black female .
Prosecutor Butch Ford pounced on Cowell ’ s mention of the sisters ’ race , specifically asking the defendant if he stabbed the women because they were black females .
Ford asked if it was true that Cowell attempted to pick a fight with another black female on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from what he said was a transcript of footage from the bus ride , Ford asked Cowell if he told he woman , “ You ’ re trying to throw something on me , you little n— ?
” Several people in the spectator gallery gasped at the racial slur .
Cowell ’ s attorney , Christina Moore , objected , saying the statement was never introduced into evidence and was inaccurate .
“ That ’ s being fabricated by Mr. Ford , ” Moore said , before calling for a sidebar with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , Nia Wilson ’ s sisters , Tashiya and Letifah , recalled the horrific moments after the stabbing as their little sister bled out on the train platform .
“ I looked at her like , ‘ What ’ s going on ?
’ ” Tashiya Wilson , 22 , told the courtroom through tears , adding that Nia was clutching her neck .
“ I just see blood on her hands.
” Police said Cowell pulled a hood over his head and put on sunglasses just before the attack .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the station ’ s parking lot to avoid arrest .
He was taken into custody a day later at BART ’ s Pleasant Hill Station .


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--China’s virus crisis hits global flows of letters, parcels

PARIS - Postal operators in the United States , China and elsewhere say the suspension of flights to slow the spread of a deadly new virus is having a major impact on global flows of letters and parcels .
In a note seen by The Associated Press , the U.S .
Postal Service informed its counterparts around the world on Tuesday that it is “ experiencing significant difficulties ” in dispatching letters , parcels and express mail to China , including Hong Kong and Macau , “ because most of its supplier airlines have suspended their flights “ to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ” until sufficient transport capacity becomes available , ” it would no longer accept mail from other countries that transits via USPS to China , Hong Kong and Macau .
That would start immediately , the note said .
The Postal Service told AP that hiatus only affected transit mail and not letters and parcels posted in the United States .
It also said it could no longer guarantee timely delivery of priority mail to China and Hong Kong .
In another , separate note seen by the AP , Singapore Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no longer accepting letters , parcels and express mail items destined for China , “ until sufficient transport capacity becomes available.
” The notes were shared with postal services around the world via the Universal Postal Union , a U.N. agency headquartered in Switzerland that is a main forum for postal co-operation between its 192 member countries .
In a statement to the AP , the UPU said that the suspension of flights because of the virus “ is going to impact the delivery of mail for the foreseeable future.
” “ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Postal Union is carefully monitoring the operational situation , and is in constant contact with postal operators to ensure any backlog is cleared in the shortest possible time , ” it said .
The Chinese mail service , China Post , said it is disinfecting postal offices , processing centres , and vehicles to ensure the virus doesn ’ t travel via the mail and to protect postal staff .
The virus does “ not survive for long on objects .
It is therefore safe to receive postal items from China , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UPU .
Letters , parcels and express mail that do still make it to China will be delivered “ via non-face-to-face methods , ” the note said .
It said the crisis is also impacting mail that transits China to other destinations .
The affected countries include North Korea , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Mongolia , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan and Vietnam .
The note said China Post will temporarily store undelivered transit mail “ and will transport it to the destination countries when these transport options are once again available.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport and delivery during this period , ” it said .
Other countries have also reported virus-related postal disruptions .
South Africa ’ s postal service has warned of delays in receiving letters or parcels from China because of flight suspensions .
In Austria , the APA news agency says the Austrian postal service is no longer sending letters or packages to China but that Austrians can still receive mail from China .
In Sweden , PostNord also says letters can no longer be sent from there to China .
AP journalists Jan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cara Anna in Johannesburg ; and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed .
Read all the AP stories about the coronavirus outbreak that emerged from China at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--OU investigates after professor uses racial slur in class

NORMAN , Okla. - The University of Oklahoma says it is looking into an incident in which a journalism professor used a racial slur during a class on Tuesday .
Peter Gade , director of graduate studies at OU ’ s Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication , used the slur while arguing that it was equally offensive as the term “ Boomer , ” according to a statement from Interim President Joseph Harroz Jr. “ While the professor ’ s comments are protected by the First Amendment and academic freedom , his comment and word choice are fundamentally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The use of the most offensive word , by a person in a position of authority , hurt and minimized those in the classroom and beyond.
” The remark came during a classroom discussion in which Gade said a student ’ s comment about journalists connecting to younger generations was akin to using the phrase , “ OK , boomer , “ according to an account in the student newspaper , the OU Daily .
Gade , the Gaylord Family Endowed Chair at OU , has been on the faculty since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to messages seeking comment .
The university has grappled with a number of racially charged incidents in recent years .
Last year , two students were involved in a video in which one women wore blackface and used a racial slur .
The university also severed ties with a fraternity in 2015 after several members took part in a chant caught on video that used racial slurs and referenced lynching .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Venezuelan opposition leader Guaidó returns home after tour

CARACAS , Venezuela - Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó returned home Tuesday , arriving on a commercial flight to the nation ’ s main airport near Caracas without any major incidents after a risky international tour that included a White House meeting with President Donald Trump .
Inside the terminal , a woman threw what appeared to be a soft drink can dousing Guaidó , who later walked from the airport pumping his right hand over his head .
Outside , an aggressive crowd shouted “ Dirty traitor !
” and “ Get out !
” while some threw traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away .
Guaidó backers shouted his name in support : “ Guaidó !
Guaidó !
” Guaidó launched the trip with the goal of redoubling his backing in Washington and Europe to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro .
The trip ’ s high-point came with a meeting inside the Oval Office with Trump , after the U.S. president recognized him as the “ legitimate president of Venezuela.
“ “ I ’ m bringing with me the commitment of the free world willing to help us recover democracy and freedom , ” Guaidó said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin a new moment.
” The opposition leader rose to prominence a year ago , claiming presidential powers , contending that Maduro ’ s rule is illegitimate after fraudulent election in 2018 .
He won backing from the United States among more than 50 other nations .
Guaidó left Venezuela in mid-January , defying a travel ban ordered by the government-friendly supreme court that put his safe return in jeopardy .
In addition to his stop in Washington , Guaidó met European leaders including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , French President Emmanuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guaidó urged them to increase their support for for Venezuelans trying to shrug off two decades of socialist rule that has left the country broken as millions have emigrate .
Officials in the Trump administration have said they are considering ways to exert more pressure to force out Maduro .
On Friday , the administration hit the Venezuelan state-run airline CONVIASA with sanctions .
On his return , Guaidó urged Venezuelans to remain unified and to take the streets again , demonstrating their will to end the socialist government that the opposition leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on state-TV later Tuesday to announce new public busses and expanded routes , but he didn ’ t mention Guaidó or the opposition leader ’ s return .


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Maine Legislature sustains governor’s veto of sports betting

PORTLAND , Maine - Maine lawmakers did not muster enough support Tuesday to override a veto of a sports betting proposal , and the governor urged lawmakers to “ slow down “ and see how it plays out in other states .
The 85-57 vote in the Maine House fell short of a two-thirds majority needed to become law over the objection of Democratic Gov .
Janet Mills , who vetoed the bill last month .
“ The House of Representatives made the right decision .
It is in the best interest of our state to slow down , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and to use those experiences to better inform our approach to this issue , “ the governor said in a statement .
The Senate voted to override the veto by a single vote last week .
But the vote was marked by controversy when a Republican senator said she had voted the wrong way by mistake .
Sen. Lisa Keim , of Dixfield , realized her error after the vote had closed and it was too late to be reconsidered .
In the end , that didn ’ t matter .
Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s sponsor , said he was pleased that his proposal was supported by a majority of both chambers but disappointed that it came up short .
Additional proposals will be submitted next year , he said , and he predicted lawmakers will become more comfortable with the idea as other states move forward .
“ The big thing is that people are doing this illegally now .
They ’ re going to continue to do this illegally .
Maine won ’ t get any taxes from it , and Maine people won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Luchini , of Ellsworth .
The bill would have allowed casino operators , off-track betting facilities , Native American tribes and harness racing tracks to host sports betting with wagering taxed at 10 % .
Online and mobile betting would have been permitted at a higher tax rate of 16 % .
The governor said previously that revenues haven ’ t lived up to expectations in some places that have legalized sports betting .
She said other concerns included marketing to younger gamblers and future expansion to other types of betting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 states have adopted sports betting since a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2018 opened the door to legalized betting on sporting events , said Daniel Wallach , co-founding director of the Sports Wagering and Integrity Program at the University of New Hampshire School of Law .
In New England , New Hampshire and Rhode Island allow sports betting , and proposals are pending in Connecticut , Vermont and Massachusetts , Wallach said .
The defeat of the sports betting proposal in Maine and the lack of a law in Massachusetts both benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wallach said .
“ Eventually , Maine and Massachusetts will get there but New Hampshire will enjoy a short-term boost , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Steyer’s wife moves to S. Carolina for rest of 2020 campaign

COLUMBIA , S.C. - Illustrating the focus Tom Steyer ’ s presidential campaign is putting on South Carolina , the Democrat ’ s wife has stepped down from her banking job and relocated to the state for the rest of her husband ’ s 2020 bid .
Kat Taylor is renting a home in the state ’ s capital city and moved in over the weekend , the California billionaire ’ s campaign told The Associated Press on Tuesday .
She looks to become more involved in campaigning efforts there and have a base of operations on the East Coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in support of my husband , because of that I came to Columbia to show my full support , ” Taylor said in a statement .
She said it ’ s important to her to let people know that the couple stands for “ providing clean air and clean water , access to affordable healthcare , job creation , affordable housing , and investing in the future of our youth.
” First on the agenda Tuesday afternoon was a meeting with college students at the home to discuss Steyer ’ s proposals to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ universities .
The state ’ s Feb. 29 primary is the first contest in the South on the 2020 election calendar and serves as an important gauge of black support .
Black voters make up two-thirds of the Democratic electorate in South Carolina .
Steyer ’ s campaign said Taylor had stepped down from her role as CEO of Beneficial State Bank to take a more active role in her husband ’ s campaign , planning to stump across South Carolina and the Super Tuesday states , as well as to help with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took our wedding vows , we made a commitment to leave everything on the table in a fight for a better world .
Our money , our time , our energy , our access .
Everything , ” Taylor said .
Steyer was spending Tuesday in Nevada .
He has banked much of his campaign on success there and in South Carolina , the first two states where nonwhite voters play important roles in presidential preference votes .
Steyer had South Carolina to himself Sunday and Monday as the rest of the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that state ’ s Tuesday ’ s primary .
In a last-minute schedule switch , former Vice-President Joe Biden ’ s campaign said he would be going to Columbia on Tuesday evening , along with his wife , Jill .
Steyer has been investing heavily in gaining ground among South Carolina ’ s black voters , who have been thought of as a “ firewall ” of support on which Biden ’ s campaign is relying .
Steyer has flooded South Carolina airwaves with millions of dollars in ads , building a robust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more campaign events than any other candidate still in the race .
Meg Kinnard can be reached at https : //twitter.com/MegKinnardAP Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--5 accused of trying to trade in sanctioned Iranian oil

DALLAS - Five men have been arrested and charged with trying to trade in Iranian oil in violation of U.S. trade sanctions .
In a statement issued Tuesday , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Philadelphia , Zhenyu Wang , Robert Thwaites and Nicholas James Fuchs , all of Dallas ; Daniel Ray Lane of McKinney , Texas ; and Nicholas Hovan of New York City are charged with conspiracy and violating U.S. economic sanctions on Iran .
The criminal complaint alleges that since last July , the five had tried to buy oil illegally from Iran to sell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint alleges that they planned to make two shipments of oil per month with an expected profit of $ 28 million per month .
U.S. Attorney William McSwain said in a statement that the sanctions violations would jeopardize U.S. security .
If convicted , each of the men could be sentenced to up to 25 years in federal prison and fined up to $ 1.25 million .
It was unclear from federal records where the five were being detained or if they had attorneys to speak for them .
A message to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately returned .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Possible jurors questioned in Mississippi case of 8 killings

HERNANDO , Miss .
- Attorneys questioned potential jurors Tuesday for the death penalty case of a Mississippi man accused of killing eight people .
It was the second day of jury selection in the trial of Willie Cory Godbolt .
It was not immediately clear when the 12 jurors and three alternates would be chosen by .
Investigators said Godbolt went to his in-laws ’ home in south Mississippi ’ s Lincoln County in May 2017 and argued with his estranged wife and her family over the couple ’ s two children .
A deputy was called , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deputy , Godbolt ’ s mother-in-law and two other people .
After that , Godbolt shot and killed four other people at two other homes , police said .
Godbolt , now 37 , said “ I ’ m sorry ” while a reporter was recording him after the shootings .
Jurors and alternates were being chosen in north Mississippi ’ s DeSoto County .
They will be taken about 285 miles ( 460 kilometres ) south to hear the trial at a courthouse in Magnolia , which is near Lincoln County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four counts of capital murder , four counts of murder , one count of attempted murder , two counts of kidnapping and one count of armed robbery .
He has remained in custody since his arrest on May 28 , 2017 , hours after the shootings .
One of his attorneys has said Godbolt is unlikely to use an insanity defence .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--States weigh fetal-remains bills amid abortion debate

SALT LAKE CITY - A law requiring abortion and medical providers to cremate or bury fetal remains passed the state Senate Tuesday in Utah , one of several states considering similar measures that abortion-rights advocates say stigmatize the procedure .
The proposals come after the U.S. Supreme Court last year upheld a similar Indiana law signed by then-Gov .
Mike Pence .
Supporters say the requirements , which also apply to miscarriages at medical facilities , would be more dignified and create space if people need to grieve .
“ If you believe that an unborn child is a human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terminated dealing with the remains is important , ” Republican sponsor Utah Sen. Curtis Bramble said .
His proposal would allow , but not require , a woman to choose whether a fetus is buried or cremated .
It now goes to the Utah House .
Coming in the wake of restrictive new abortion bans passed in several states around the country , advocates say fetal-remains laws can chip away at access to abortions and create shame for patients .
Similar bills regulating the disposal of fetal remains have been introduced in six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Missouri , Ohio , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , according to the Guttmacher Institute , a research group that supports abortion rights .
Two of those , Pennsylvania and Ohio , have also passed through one chamber .
New regulations have also been discussed in Tennessee , and Indiana is weighing an amendment to its 2016 law .
Planned Parenthood there has said the law will likely increase expenses for abortions .
Indiana was one of four states that passed fetal-remains laws in 2016 and 2017 , after anti-abortion activists released undercover video of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fetal tissues .
The videos sparked anger from conservatives around the country , but investigations cleared the group of wrongdoing .
Laws in Texas , Louisiana and Arkansas have been blocked amid lawsuits .
In Utah , fetal remains are now turned over to processors who handle disposal of human tissue or other medical waste .
The state ’ s Planned Parenthood chapter says that method is safe and effective .
They argue a woman could request remains be cremated or buried instead under current law .
“ We fully support women who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make whatever choice is right for them in the aftermath of that experience , ” said Lauren Simpson with a left-leaning group that opposes the bill , Alliance for a Better Utah , in a statement .
But “ the true purpose of this bill is to chip away at women ’ s reproductive rights .
”

Lindsay Whitehurst - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-12--Syria: US troops open fire on locals in northeast, killing 1

BEIRUT - Syrian media said Wednesday that a Syrian civilian was killed and another was wounded when U.S. troops opened fire on locals who had tried to block a U.S. convoy from driving through a checkpoint in a village in the country ’ s northeast .
The state SANA news agency said the locals had gathered at the army checkpoint in the village of Khirbet Ammu , east of the town of Qamishli , pelting the U.S. convoy with stones and taking down a U.S. flag from one vehicle .
At that point , U.S. troops fired with live ammunition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report said .
There was no immediate comment from the U.S.-led coalition to the report , which could not be independently confirmed .
SANA said the incident occurred after Syrian troops stopped a U.S. convoy of four vehicles travelling on the road , and hundreds of people gathered at the checkpoint to prevent it from continuing on its way .
The U.S. troops opened fire and after a civilian was killed and another wounded , the residents attacked the convoy and damaged four vehicles , SANA said .
State-run Al-Ikhbariya TV aired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flying a U.S. flag standing on a rural road while a car appeared to be blocking its way .
Locals were walking past the U.S. armoured vehicle and at least two soldiers were seen inside , one stepping down as civilians approached .
One civilian was tearing a U.S. flag as he approached the soldier .
The TV said protests spread , preventing reinforcements from coming to help the U.S. convoy .
The report said the wounded civilian and was being treated at the Qamishli hospital .
Al-Ikhbariya and the Kurdish-affiliated Rojava Information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the village where the incident occurred , saying there were direct clashes between U.S. troops and locals in Khirbet Ammu .
The state-run TV said there were reports of a U.S. casualty , adding that troops withdrew from the area .
Hundreds of U.S. troops are stationed in northeastern Syria , working with their local partners from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to fight against the Islamic State group .
Russian and Syrian government troops are also deployed in the area .
A confrontation involving American and Syrian government troops would escalate tensions @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-02-12--UK suspends Commonwealth funding over cronyism claims

LONDON - Britain has suspended its funding of the body that runs the Commonwealth over allegations of cronyism at the 54-nation international group .
Britain ’ s Foreign Office said Wednesday it was putting the annual 4.7 million pound ( $ 6.1 million ) contribution to the Commonwealth Secretariat on hold .
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland , who was Britain ’ s attorney general under a previous Labour government , has been accused by auditors of misusing procurement rules to award a contract to a company run by a friend .
The Commonwealth , made up largely of nations that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to uphold and promote “ democracy , human rights and the rule of law.
” But the organization , whose member states are home to 2.4 billion people , has long been criticized as weak and ineffective .
The Foreign Office said Britain has “ set a number of conditions on U.K. funding ” for this financial year .
“ These include conditions relating to ensuring that the Secretariat ’ s procurement policy and its implementation are in line with international best practice , ” it said .
Australia and New Zealand have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the auditors ’ claims .
The Commonwealth Secretariat did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press .
It told the BBC that it “ does not comment on private exchanges with its member countries.
” “ The Secretariat complies fully with the audit process and implements recommendations accordingly , ” it said .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-12--Rights group: Italy-Libya deal puts migrants in danger

CAIRO - Human Rights Watch warned on Wednesday that Italy ’ s renewed support for the Libyan coast guard is putting migrants in danger who are returned to squalid detention centres in the North African country .
Italy sees the Libyan coast guard as key to stemming a huge influx of migrants crossing the Mediterranean into Europe .
The war in Libya , where rival militias are vying for control , has made the challenge of handling the migrant flows worse .
The New York-based watchdog urged Italy to suspend all funding and training for the coast guard until Libya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country .
About 5,000 migrants are languishing in dozens of filthy Libyan centres , where rape , torture and other abuses run rampant .
“ Italy can ’ t paper over its complicity in the suffering of migrants and refugees who fall into the hands of the Libyan Coast Guard , ” said Judith Sunderland , associate director of the Europe and Central Asia division at Human Rights Watch .
The U.N. refugee agency reports that the coast guard has picked up and returned roughly 40,000 migrants to war-ravaged Libya since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The total number of migrants intercepted in the past month rose 121 % from the same period last year .
Italy recently extended its contentious deal supporting the Libyan coast guard , drawing sharp criticism from humanitarian groups .
In an interview with The Associated Press , Italy ’ s foreign minister revealed that Rome has asked Libya to modify the accord to give humanitarian groups some responsibility for migrants intercepted by the coast guard .
The proposal ’ s details remain vague .
Sunderland described the suggested changes as “ tweaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italian authorities should insist on the closure of detention centres , direct its resources to supporting safe alternatives to detention , increase evacuations from Libya , including directly to Italy , and resume a leadership role in saving lives at sea , ” she said .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-12--Bernie Sanders holds slight lead in New Hampshire as presidential field narrows

MANCHESTER , N.H. - Bernie Sanders won New Hampshire ’ s presidential primary , edging moderate rival Pete Buttigieg and scoring the first clear victory in the Democratic Party ’ s chaotic 2020 nomination fight .
In his Tuesday night win , the 78-year-old Sanders , a self-described democratic socialist , beat back a strong challenge from the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend , Indiana .
The dueling Democrats represent different generations , see divergent paths to the nomination and embrace conflicting visions of America ’ s future .
As Sanders and Buttigieg celebrated , Amy Klobuchar scored an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road out of New Hampshire as the primary season moves on to the string of state-by-state contests that lie ahead .
Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden posted disappointing fourth and fifth place finishes respectively and were on track to finish with zero delegates from the state .
The New Hampshire vote gives new clarity to a Democratic contest shaping up to be a battle between two men separated by four decades in age and clashing political ideologies .
Sanders is a leading progressive voice , having spent decades demanding substantial government intervention in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy .
Buttigieg has pressed for more incremental change , preferring to give Americans the option of retaining their private health insurance while appealing to Republicans and independents who may be dissatisfied with Trump .
Their disparate temperaments were on display Tuesday as they spoke before cheering supporters .
“ We are gon na win because we have the agenda that speaks to the needs of working people across this country , ” Sanders declared .
“ This victory here is the beginning of the end for Donald Trump.
” Buttigieg struck an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a campaign that some said shouldn ’ t be here at all has shown that we are here to stay.
“ Both men have strength heading into the next phase of the campaign , yet they face very different political challenges .
While Warren made clear she will remain in the race , Sanders , well-financed and with an ardent army of supporters , has cemented his status as the clear leader of the progressive wing of the party .
Meanwhile , Buttigieg must prove he can attract support from voters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination .
And unlike Sanders , he still has multiple rivals in his own ideological wing of the party to contend with .
They include Klobuchar , whose standout debate performance led to a late surge in New Hampshire and a growing national following .
While deeply wounded , Biden promises strength in upcoming South Carolina .
And though former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg was not on Tuesday ’ s ballot , he looms next month when the contest reaches states offering hundreds of delegates .
After a chaotic beginning to primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped New Hampshire would help give shape to their urgent quest to pick someone to take on Trump in November .
At least two candidates dropped out in the wake of weak finishes Tuesday night : moderate Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and political newcomer Andrew Yang , who attracted a small but loyal following over the past year and was one of just three candidates of colour left in the race .
The struggling candidates still in the race sought to minimize the latest results .
Warren , who spent months as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as she faced cheering supporters : “ Our campaign is built for the long haul , and we are just getting started.
“ Having already predicted he would “ take a hit ” in New Hampshire after a distant fourth-place finish in Iowa , Biden essentially ceded the state .
He travelled to South Carolina Tuesday as he bet his candidacy on a strong showing there later this month boosted by support from black voters .
Still , history suggests that the first-in-the-nation primary will have enormous influence shaping the 2020 race .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has ever become the party ’ s general election nominee without finishing first or second in New Hampshire .
Sanders and Buttigieg were on track to win the same number of New Hampshire delegates with most of the vote tallied , with Klobuchar a few behind .
Warren , Biden and the rest of the field were shut out , failing to reach the 15 % threshold needed for delegates .
The AP allocated nine delegates each to Sanders and Buttigieg and six to Klobuchar .
The action was on the Democratic side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Republican primary .
He was facing token opposition from former Massachusetts Gov .
Bill Weld .
With most of the vote in , Trump already had amassed more votes in the New Hampshire primary than any incumbent president in history .
His vote share was approaching the modern historical high for an incumbent president , 86.43 % set by Ronald Reagan in 1984 .
Weld received about 9 % of the vote of New Hampshire Republicans .
The political spotlight quickly shifts to Nevada , where Democrats will hold caucuses on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Warren and Sanders , plan to visit other states in the coming days that vote on Super Tuesday , signalling they are in the race for the long haul .
Peoples reported from Washington .
Associated Press writers Seth Borenstein and Zeke Miller in Washington , Will Weissert , Holly Ramer and Thomas Beaumont contributed from New Hampshire .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Steve Peoples, Kathleen Ronayne And Hunter Woodall - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-12--Transgender felons seek to ease state rules on name changes

HARRISBURG , Pa. - A Pennsylvania court this week will consider a legal challenge by three transgender women to a two-decade-old state law that prohibits people who have committed serious felonies from ever changing their names .
Commonwealth Court will hear oral arguments Thursday in the lawsuit brought by plaintiffs who live as women but are unable to change their masculine first names because of a 1998 state law designed to prevent fraud .
Pennsylvania law requires anyone convicted of a felony to wait at least two years after completion of their sentence to apply for a name change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felonies are permanently barred from changing their names .
People have a fundamental right to control their own names , and that can ’ t be overridden by a legal presumption that felons are engaging in fraud when they seek a name change , the women ’ s lawyers wrote in a court filing in May .
Those who may not change their names are forced “ to speak and write an undesired name in order to travel , vote , pay taxes or simply conduct their daily lives , ” they argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow for a system under which a person has no opportunity to show that they are seeking a name change for a non-fraudulent purpose , “ such as to reflect a gender transition , the plaintiffs ’ lawyers said .
The state attorney general ’ s office , which represents the defendants in the case , said the law was meant to enhance public safety and welfare and argued there is no fundamental right to a name change in the state constitution .
State Attorney General Josh Shapiro issued a statement Tuesday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutionality of Pennsylvania laws , “ despite my personal opinion.
” “ I understand that being required to live with a name that doesn ’ t represent who you really are creates a myriad of hardships , ” Shapiro said .
In a filing seeking dismissal , the attorney general ’ s office argued “ the restrictions are rationally related to the valid concern that people with serious felony convictions may seek to assume a new identity in order to avoid detection and escape the consequences of their convictions.
” The lawsuit does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , only the section that prevents felons from going to court to show their name change is not designed for a fraudulent purpose .
Patrick Yingling , a lawyer for the women , said Tuesday that they desire self-expression through their names , but that they also want to avoid harassment , abuse and violence .
“ If they can ’ t get their name changed , they need to show an identification card that presents an undesired name that doesn ’ t match their gender identity or appearance , ” Yingling said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ‘ out ’ themselves as transgender on a regular basis , sometimes in situations in which they do not feel comfortable doing so.
” A 2015 survey of nearly 1,200 transgender residents of Pennsylvania , conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality , found that 30 % of respondents who had shown an ID with a name or gender that did not match they way they present themselves to the world had experienced harassment , been denied benefits or service , were asked to leave , or were assaulted .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come up all the time for these folks , ” said Mara Keisling , the centre ’ s executive director .
The Legislature in 1998 unanimously amended the Name Change Act to require judges to send the state police an applicant ’ s fingerprints and name change petition before granting it .
It also created the two-year waiting period for all felons , and a permanent bar for serious felonies such as murder , rape , violent sex crimes , some assaults and kidnapping .
The law is being challenged by Chauntey Mo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2008 aggravated assault conviction ; Alonda Talley , who was convicted in 2009 of aggravated assault ; and Priscylla Renee Von Noaker , who did 10 years in prison on a 1987 rape conviction , according to the plaintiffs ’ filings .
All three kept their previous or similar surnames .
Yingling said he was not sure whether they were living as women when they committed their crimes .
They are suing the state , along with the Department of State and Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar .
After oral arguments in Pittsburgh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could rule for either side or determine that a hearing is needed to present evidence .


thetorontostar--2020-02-12--AP VoteCast: Young, liberal voters key to Sanders’ NH win

WASHINGTON - Bernie Sanders won the young , the liberal and the disaffected in New Hampshire .
Their votes were enough to deliver him a victory in Tuesday ’ s Democratic primary , while Pete Buttigieg earned a slight edge among more moderate and conservative voters , with Amy Klobuchar close behind .
The New Hampshire Democratic primary revealed a mountainous ideological divide among Democrats , as voters try to identify which candidate will be most effective in challenging President Donald Trump in November ’ s general election .
A majority of voters who considered themselves “ very liberal ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 78-year-old Vermont senator , who has championed universal government health care and high taxes on the wealthy , also won support from voters younger than 45 and had a slight advantage among those without a college degree .
Roughly 3 in 10 of those who deemed the U.S. economic system “ very unfair “ favour Sanders to oversee the world ’ s leading financial power .
But about 6 in 10 New Hampshire Democrats identified as moderate or conservative .
Buttigieg , the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend , Indiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of voters .
Roughly another quarter of moderate voters went with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , while about 1 in 10 went for former Vice-President Joe Biden .
AP VoteCast is a wide-ranging survey of more than 3,000 Democratic primary voters in New Hampshire conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago .
The scrum of conflicting ideologies could set up a bruising round of election contests in the weeks ahead as Democratic voters choose whether it is better to lean into an overtly liberal contender or embrace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nominee is picked , it is unclear whether the Democrats can fully set aside their differences and bond back together .
Only 15 % of New Hampshire Democrats said they were “ very confident ” that the process for picking a presidential nominee would be fair , a sign of possible doubts lingering in voters ’ minds at the state ’ s Tuesday primary .
The trouble tabulating results in last week ’ s Iowa caucuses , an issue that has yet to be fully resolved , may have rattled the faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the Democratic front-runner .
The skepticism was clearest among Sanders ’ backers , with about 6 in 10 saying they had little or no confidence in the Democratic primary process .
Majorities of voters for every other top Democratic contender described the primary process as fair .
The results from AP VoteCast suggest that Sanders ’ younger and generally more liberal supporters distrust their fellow Democrats , a potential reflection of the Vermont senator losing the 2016 nomination to Hillary Clinton .
Matthew Gage , a 40-year-old EMT attending a Sanders party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was angered by the use of super delegates in the 2016 election and remains “ suspicious ” that the process is fair this time around .
This year , he said , “ I have more confidence only because there ’ s more eyes watching them and they know they can ’ t hide stuff.
” Yet after months of campaigns and debates , New Hampshire voters are still settling on the ideal moderate choice .
Of the state Democrats who made a decision in the days before the primary , about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The only clear candidate on the outs in a state that is largely white and older was Biden .
He departed Tuesday for South Carolina , where there is a significant population of African American voters who will test which candidate appeals most to a diverse electorate that was largely absent from the opening two contests .
Voters see liabilities in many of the Democrats vying to run against Trump .
About 6 in 10 said a candidate with strongly liberal views would have difficulty competing with the incumbent president , evidence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the electability argument outside their base of supporters .
But roughly 6 in 10 also said a gay nominee — Buttigieg — would face greater hardship in the general election .
Still , New Hampshire Democrats say they are willing to rally around their party ’ s nominee .
At least 6 in 10 said they would be satisfied with Buttigieg , Klobuchar , Sanders or Warren as their presidential candidate .
Fewer — half — said they would be pleased if Biden became the nominee .
Broader questions about fairness in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Democratic candidates .
An overwhelming share of New Hampshire Democrats — nearly 8 in 10 — view the economy as unfair .
But there is little consensus on which candidate would do the best job of stewarding the world ’ s largest economy .
Yet among the roughly 2 in 10 who believe the economy is fair , there was an opening for a Democrat whose name was not on the ballot in New Hampshire .
These voters gave a slight edge on leading the economy to Mike Bloomberg , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal fortune in excess of $ 60 billion .
Associated Press writer Kathleen Ronayne in Manchester , New Hampshire , contributed to this report .
AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News .
The survey of 3,111 voters in New Hampshire was conducted for seven days , concluding as polls closed .
Interviews were conducted in English or Spanish .
The survey is based on interviews with a random sample of registered voters drawn from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sampling error for voters is estimated to be plus or minus 3.0 percentage points .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-12--Iranian minister apologizes over mock spacesuit post

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran ’ s information minister apologized Wednesday for posting a photo on Twitter of what appeared to be a Halloween-type costume representing a spacesuit , in an effort to promote the idea of a manned space program for his country .
The official IRNA news agency quoted Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi , Iran ’ s information and communications technology minister , as saying his department ’ s advertising team “ undeniably made a mistake in choosing the image “ and expressed his apologies to “ the people and space scientists ” of Iran .
The photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account and depicting what looks like costume of a spacesuit with an Iranian flag sowed on the front , caused a stir on social media , with many Iranians turning to sarcasm and commenting about the fake spacesuit .
After his apology , Jahromi removed the photo from his account .
The timing of the minister ’ s faux pas was also unfortunate .
An Iranian rocket failed to put a satellite into orbit on Sunday , the latest setback for a program the U.S. claims helps Tehran advance its ballistic missile program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launches last year , of the Payam and Doosti satellites , as well as a launchpad rocket explosion in August .
Also , a fire at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in February 2019 killed three researchers , authorities said at the time .
Jahromi acknowledged the unsuccessful launch in a tweet shortly after the news broke on state TV , comparing it to a “ few samples of US launch failures “ and insisting that Iran ’ s space program was unstoppable .
The failed launch had been planned amid celebrations ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran ’ s 1979 Islamic Revolution .
Iran routinely unveils technological achievements for its armed forces , its space program and its nuclear efforts during this time .
It also came against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. since President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from Tehran ’ s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers in May 2018 .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-12--2 Ohio State football players accused of rape, kidnapping

COLUMBUS , Ohio - Two Ohio State University football players were booked into jail early Wednesday on charges of rape and kidnapping , police said .
Police charged defensive players Amir I. Riep and Jahsen L. Wint , both 21 , late Tuesday , The Columbus Dispatch reported .
They are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning .
The woman told police she was hanging out with Riep at an apartment he shares with Wint on Feb. 4 when they began to engage in consensual sex , according to an affidvait .
The woman stopped and told Riep she didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then entered the room and asked if he could join .
Wint then allegedly grabbed the woman by her neck and raped her , she said in the affidavit .
Reip held the woman down with his body while Wint forced oral sex .
The woman pushed Wint away , according to the affidavit , but he again forced her to have oral sex .
After several minutes , they stopped and Riep told the woman that she needed to say what happened was “ consensual on a video recording while laughing at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Riep then told the woman she needed to shower before driving her back to her home .
“ We are aware that two of our students have been arrested and criminally charged , “ Ohio State spokesman Ben Johnson said in a statement to the Associated Press .
“ They have been suspended from all activities involving the football program .
We will share more information when available.
” Riep is a 6-foot-1 , 185-pound cornerback entering his senior season for Ohio State ’ s top-5 football program , while Wint is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to court documents and the university ’ s athletics website .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-12--India takes foreign envoys to disputed Kashmir

SRINAGAR , India - India took more than 20 foreign diplomats on a visit to disputed Kashmir on Wednesday , the second such trip since Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s Hindu nationalist government stripped the region of its semi-autonomous status last summer .
India ’ s foreign ministry in a statement said the envoys would meet representatives of the civil society , including youth from different ethnic and religious communities , local business and political leaders , civil administration and representatives of mainstream media .
The delegation included envoys from Germany , Canada , Bulgaria , Nigeria , France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Afghanistan , Austria , Uzbekistan , Poland and some members of the European Parliament .
They ’ ll stay in the region for two days .
The diplomats were driven in a motorcade amid tight security from the airport to a luxury hotel at a high-security zone .
They also went for a boat ride in the Dal Lake in Srinagar .
Tahir Qadiry , an Afghan diplomat , told reporters after the boat ride that “ everything is normal and alright here .
We saw children on the way to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normalcy.
” All schools and colleges in the Himalayan region are closed for winter vacations since December , and it wasn ’ t clear what Qadiry was referring to .
He also tweeted that the the envoys “ are interacting with the traders , businesswomen & entrepreneurs in Srinagar about the status of business & tourism.
” However , social media sites including Twitter continue to be blocked in Kashmir on security grounds even though authorities restored the slow-speed Internet on mobile phones in January .
India has been organizing visits for foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s semi-autonomous status in August last year .
The move was accompanied by a harsh crackdown , including tens of thousands of additional troops in the already heavily militarized region , a sweeping curfew , and thousands of arrests .
Authorities have since eased several restrictions , including some Internet services .
Outside access to the region , however , remains limited , with no foreign journalists allowed .
Wednesday ’ s visit of the envoys comes before Modi ’ s trip to Brussels for the India-European Union summit on March 13 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ smokescreen to trick the international community into believing that everything is fine in Kashmir and to support the Indian viewpoint , ” said Abdul Rashid , a Kashmiri trader .
Abrar Ahmad , a student , said that “ such delegations must come out of the high-security zones to know what Kashmiris are facing and what they want.
” Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan but claimed by both in its entirety .
The two countries have fought two wars over control of the region .
India accuses Pakistan of arming and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kashmir ’ s independence or its merger with Pakistan since 1989 .
Islamabad rejects India ’ s charge and says it only provides moral and diplomatic support .
About 70,000 people have been killed in the armed uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown .


thetorontostar--2020-02-12--Impasse at Jewish museum in Warsaw approaches turning point

WARSAW , Poland - A long stalemate over the future independence of Warsaw ’ s landmark Jewish history museum is building toward a crucial turning point after the former director — who won a competition for a second term but whom Poland ’ s populist government refuses to reinstate — offered to renounce the job .
Dariusz Stola announced Tuesday that he was willing to give up his legal right to be director of the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews if an agreement can be found “ for the institution ’ s further functioning “ because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institution and “ the threats that it continues to face.
” An emergency meeting of museum donors and other stakeholders was to take place Wednesday to decide the next step .
The impasse over the leadership of the museum has dragged on for nearly a year , creating anxieties about the future of one of the world ’ s most prominent Jewish museums .
Already some donors have suspended donations and the lack of a permanent director has impeded long-term planning .
The museum -- which tells the 1,000-year history of Jewish life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a symbol of how young democratic Poland sought to celebrate its multicultural past and revive the Jewish civilization that was nearly destroyed by Nazi Germany .
Under creation for two decades , the museum opened in 2013 and its permanent exhibition in 2014 .
Today its troubles are a sign of how much has changed under a populist government willing to flout democratic norms — in this case its obligation to abide by the results of the competition that Stola won — and snub international partners .
The greatest concern , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to direct its own independent course under a nationalist government in Warsaw that has been placing loyalists who share its conservative and patriotic vision at the helm of museums and other cultural institutes .
Emile Schrijver , chairman of the board of the Association of European Jewish Museums , called the situation “ a clear case of political intervention in a museum that was very successful.
” He said he had written to the Polish culture minister in hopes of persuading him to keep Stola as director , but to no avail .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization , “ Schrijver , who is also general director of the Jewish Cultural Quarter and Jewish Museum in Amsterdam , told The Associated Press .
” The fact that a democratic process is being frustrated by political opportunism is a disgrace.
” In a country where most museums are fully state-controlled , POLIN is a unique private-public partnership with three co-founders who all still have a say in the museum ’ s management : the national government , the city of Warsaw and a private Jewish historical association that represents private donors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a distinguished historian who has managed the museum from the opening of the exhibition in 2014 until last year , during which time it has won multiple awards and drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world each year .
He enjoys the support of both the city , which is run by a liberal opponent of the national government , and the many donors who say that having a top-notch scholar at the helm is necessary for the museum to remain a world-class institution .
Stola ’ s first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although the government was opposed to his reinstatement , it agreed with other partners to hold a competition and to honour its results .
Stola won that in May but to date Culture Minister Piotr Glinski refuses to allow him back .
Since last February , the former deputy director , Zygmunt Stepinski , has served as acting director .
But according to museum statutes , an acting director can only serve one year , and his term is approaching its end later this month .
Stola ran afoul of the Polish authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That includes laws that have given the government near complete control over the judicial system — changes that have alarmed the European Union — and a Holocaust speech law in 2018 that was seen by some as an attempt at historical whitewashing and sparked a major diplomatic spat with Israel and the U.S .
The situation has dismayed many of the museum ’ s benefactors , including Tad Taube , who was born in Krakow in 1931 and managed to escape the Holocaust by fleeing Poland months before the German invasion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estate investor in the San Francisco area , Taube has invested millions of dollars in POLIN and raised millions more from other American donors .
Taube has invested his energy and money in POLIN and other Jewish revival projects in Poland because he had grown concerned that the Holocaust was crowding out general awareness of the previous centuries of Jewish learning and culture in Poland — which was once the home of Europe ’ s largest Jewish community and numbered 3.3 million before the Holocaust .
He called Stola , who is Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director we could ever get for that museum.
” “ He has been responsible for all the positive things : the awards , the incredible attendance , he ’ s a star , and it ’ s kind of mind numbing to think we would get rid of the star that made it all happen , ” Taube said .
“ A museum in order to be an educational institution that traffics in truth can not be controlled by an outside party .
Once it loses its independence , all of its work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect , “ Taube said .
” You can not rob a museum of its independence and expect to serve the public interest and retain the public trust .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-12--Italy’s Senate to decide whether to lift Salvini’s immunity

ROME - The Italian Senate is deciding Wednesday whether to allow former Interior Minister Matteo Salvini to be prosecuted — as he demands to be — for alleging holding migrants hostage for days aboard a coast guard ship instead of letting them immediately disembark in Sicily last summer .
Salvini , a senator , says lifting his immunity and being on trial for alleged kidnapping is tantamount to defending Italy from illegal migrants , who the opposition populist leader blames for crime and for taking away jobs from Italians .
The result of the Senate vote is expected on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and allies in the opposition , the motion could pass , leaving him open for trial .
Any conviction could bring a prison sentence ranging from six months to 15 years .
Last month , fellow senators from Salvini ’ s right-wing League party , following their leader ’ s wishes , voted in a Senate commission in favour of lifting the immunity .
Prosecutors in Sicily had investigated Salvini for alleged kidnapping for keeping the 131 rescued migrants for six days aboard the Gregoretti , an Italian coast guard vessel , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of several standoffs that played out in the Mediterranean Sea while Salvini waged a crackdown on migrant rescue ships as interior minister and deputy premier in Premier Giuseppe Conte ’ s first government .
Eventually , the prosecutors shelved the case .
But another judicial body , the Tribunal of Ministers , decided to proceed .
Salvini ’ s League is now in the opposition after he pulled his party out of Conte ’ s government in August in a failed bid for an early election .
Coming to Salvin ’ s defence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition senator from ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi ’ s centre-right party .
“ Italians are on the side of Salvini “ for trying to stop illegal immigration , ” Sen. Daniela Santanche said .
Opinion surveys have tagged Salvini as one of Italy ’ s most popular leaders .
League Sen. Erika Stefani opened the debate by insisting that Conte ’ s government had shared and facilitated Salvini ’ s crackdown on migrants rescued at sea from Libya-based trafficker ’ s boats .
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