thetorontostar--2020-01-14--Wisconsin appeals court puts voter rolls purge on hold

MADISON , Wis. - A Wisconsin appeals court on Tuesday put on hold an order to immediately remove up to 209,000 names from the state ’ s voter registration rolls , handing Democrats who had fought the move a victory in the battleground state .
The appeals court sided with the bipartisan state elections commission in putting the brakes on removing any voters while the court fight continues .
It also put on hold a ruling from Monday in which a judge found the commission and its three Democratic members in contempt for not proceeding with removing the voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the fast-moving case and means there will be no immediate change to the state ’ s voter registration rolls .
There are a number of elections coming soon , including a February primary for a state Supreme Court seat , a primary in the special election to fill the 7th Congressional District seat and races for a host of local offices .
Wisconsin ’ s presidential primary is April 7 .
The issue is unlikely to be resolved in court before the presidential election .
The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deactivation of the targeted voters .
The league describes itself as non-partisan , but it has been on the same side as Democrats on voter access issues .
A conservative law firm that brought the case — the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty — had wanted the purge to happen immediately , even though the elections commission raised concerns about the accuracy of data used to identify voters who would have their registrations deactivated .
The law firm ’ s president , Rick Esenberg , didn ’ t directly address the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What is true yesterday is true today , “ he said .
” The Wisconsin Elections Commission isn ’ t following state law and we look forward to making that case in the Court of Appeals.
” The case is being closely watched , as Wisconsin is among a group of swing states being targeted by both Democrats and President Donald Trump this year .
Trump narrowly won Wisconsin in 2016 by fewer than 23,000 votes , putting even more of a focus on every voter in the state .
Trump was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a rally in Milwaukee , kicking off what is expected to be an intense fight to win Wisconsin .
The voter purge lawsuit argued that the state elections commission broke the law when it did not remove voters from the rolls who did not respond within 30 days to a mailing in October indicating they may have moved .
The commission wanted to wait until after the November 2020 presidential election before removing anyone because of inaccuracies found while previously attempting to identify voters who may have moved .
Even if a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can register again later or on Election Day when they show up at the polls , assuming they have the required documentation .
Republican commissioners at the Tuesday meeting voted to send another mailer to the targeted voters in May , telling them they would have their registrations deactivated if they didn ’ t respond within 30 days .
It failed on a deadlocked 3-3 vote , with all Democrats against .
“ It ’ s terrible and terribly disgusting the other commissioners won ’ t do anything to clean up this list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Democratic member Mark Thomsen said no voter should be targeted for removal until next year , as the commission originally planned .
” We ’ re making a mockery of ourselves , “ he said of the commission ’ s renewed discussion of removing voters .
Because voters who moved were concentrated in more Democratic parts of the state , liberals argued that the lawsuit was meant to lower turnout on their side .
Republicans countered that it was about reducing the likelihood of voter fraud and making sure that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote from their previous addresses .
A judge last month sided with conservatives and ordered the removal of the voters .
When the bipartisan elections commission deadlocked on proceeding with the purge , the judge on Monday found it and its three Democratic commissioners in contempt , and again ordered the voters ’ names removed .
Hours later , a divided Wisconsin Supreme Court declined to take the case .
That shifted the fight back to the appeals court , which sided with the elections commission on Tuesday and put the judge ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three-judge panel in the 4th District of the appeals court — Michael Fitzpatrick , JoAnne Kloppenburg and Jennifer Nashold — issued the ruling .
They said they would have a follow-up order later that explains their reasoning , but that they wanted to act quickly given the contempt order and the commission ’ s meeting .
Nashold was elected to the court last year after running unopposed .
Fitzpatrick also ran unopposed and was first elected in 2017 .
Kloppenburg has been on the appeals court since 2012 and also ran unsuccessfully twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support .


thetorontostar--2020-01-14--Rebounding Atlantic City casinos see $3.3B revenue in 2019

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thetorontostar--2020-01-14--Lawsuit: Ex-Volvo worker fired because he wasn’t Swedish

CHARLOTTE , N.C. - A Romanian-born former employee at Volvo was left out of business talks , turned down for a promotion and ultimately fired because he wasn ’ t Swedish , according to a lawsuit .
Luke Diventi is suing Volvo Group North America LLC for job discrimination , The Charlotte Observer reported on Tuesday .
Volvo Group is the trucking arm of its Swedish-based parent company AB Volvo .
Divent ’ s lawsuit alleges violations of the Civil Rights Act and seeks at least $ 25,000 in damages .
Attorneys for both sides didn ’ t immediately respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the complaint , Diventi worked for Volvo Group at its headquarters in Greensboro , North Carolina , for seven years as a lead project manager .
Attorneys for Diventi said in the complaint that Volvo habitually gave preferential treatment to its Swedish-born workers in Greensboro , including speaking in Swedish in open group meetings and during business discussions .
The only suggestion for how Diventi could improve his job performance was to “ become more Swedish in his interactions with coworkers , ” the lawsuit said .
Diventi began complaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mid-2018 , according to the complaint , which said Volvo Group reportedly “ escalated its efforts to impede his performance ” in response .
They denied his request to go on a business trip to Volvo ’ s headquarters in Gothenburg , Sweden , Diventi ’ s attorneys said , and offered it instead to a Swedish employee .
Shortly thereafter , Diventi applied for a promotion and was interviewed but ultimately turned down , the lawsuit said .
A Swedish employee subsequently received it .
Diventi told his manager in October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaints of discrimination to upper-level managers .
He was put on administrative leave the next day , the lawsuit said .
Diventi was fired in November and a person from Sweden took over his job duties , according to the complaint .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-14--Climate is changing. Investing needs to, too, says BlackRock

NEW YORK - A changing climate means dramatic risks for the world — and for investments too , the chief of the world ’ s largest investment manager said Tuesday .
To prepare for and protect against those risks , BlackRock CEO Laurence Fink said in his influential annual letter to CEOs that his firm , which manages roughly $ 7 trillion for investors , will make a series of moves putting climate change and sustainability at the centre of its investing approach .
Among them , BlackRock will cut out investments in some coal producers from some of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustainability-focused funds that it offers , and vote against companies at shareholder meetings when they ’ re too slow in disclosing and mitigating their impact on the environment .
“ Climate change has become a defining factor in companies ’ long-term prospects , ” Fink wrote in his letter , adding that he believes “ we are on the edge of a fundamental reshaping of finance ” because of it .
Fink predicted that the changes in how capital is deployed will come “ more quickly than we see changes to the climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most anticipate.
” In fact , the shift is already underway .
Investors poured a net $ 20.6 billion into sustainable funds across the industry last year , nearly quadruple the record set a year earlier , according to Morningstar .
Investors , particularly younger ones , increasingly say they want their money invested with an eye toward sustainability .
The total dollars are still small relative to the entire industry — investors plugged a total of $ 413.9 billion into all taxable bond funds last year , while yanking $ 41.3 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the trend is clear and accelerating .
Fearful of losing out on those dollars — and the fees that they produce — investment companies are rushing to meet the surging demand .
BlackRock and other huge asset managers are generally behind smaller competitors when it comes to sustainability , said Danielle Fugere , president of shareholder-advocacy group As You Sow .
BlackRock , State Street , Vanguard and others have been criticized for not doing more about the environment .
Besides protests outside its Manhattan headquarters , BlackRock has also heard criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could better address climate change .
Because of its size and reach , any shift in focus by BlackRock could alter the industry .
It is a major shareholder in thousands of companies through its popular exchange-traded funds that track various indexes , as well as its funds run by stock-picking managers .
But Fugere said Tuesday ’ s announcement is only a first step .
“ The words are significant , and the words show leadership , “ Fugere said .
“ But that ’ s not enough .
We have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to see it quickly .
There is no time .
Australia is burning up .
California is burning up.
” The wildfires in parts of Australia and California and other recent disasters have shown big institutional investors that climate change is just as much a threat to their returns in the near term as over the coming decades .
“ The physical risks have become so immediately clear and stark , ” said Amy Borrus , deputy director of the Council for Institutional Investors , whose members include pension funds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than $ 4 trillion .
“ Many institutional investors will welcome these steps by BlackRock , “ she said .
“ More and more public funds are coming around to the view that sound environmental , social and governance practices are not just about making the world better but about fundamentally creating and preserving shareholder value.
” This approach to investing comes after a yearslong evolution for the industry , which began with simple funds that bluntly excluded stocks deemed as harmful , such as gun makers or tobacco stocks .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at environmental , social and governance issues broadly as part of their analysis of any investment .
It ’ s known as “ ESG ” investing , and proponents say it aids investors ’ returns , not just their consciences , because it helps them avoid risky stocks and big potential losses .
Companies with poor records on environmental issues are more likely to face big fines , for example .
For all the noise made by Fink ’ s announcement , the reaction in the stock market was muted on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 were down , but not as much as some other corners of the market .
Coal stocks were mixed .
In his letter , Fink said companies and investors have a role to play in the transition to a low-carbon world , but governments will ultimately need to lead the way .
Some movement has begun .
The European Union on Tuesday unveiled a plan to dedicate a quarter of its budget to tackling climate change and to help shift 1 trillion euros ( $ 1.1 trillion ) in investment towards making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next 10 years .
The Europe Investment Plan will be funded by the EU budget and the private sector .
It aims to deliver on European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen ’ s Green Deal to make the bloc the world ’ s first carbon-neutral continent by 2050 .
“ It will be interesting to see whether BlackRock ’ s high profile move will have any impact on policy , ” Borrus said .
“ Government can do much more in the long run on climate change than investment flows.
” AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Brussels .


thetorontostar--2020-01-14--UK says it has struck deal to save troubled airline Flybe

LONDON - The British government said Tuesday it had reached a deal to save the struggling regional airline Flybe .
Though full financial details were not revealed , shareholders backed a plan to inject an undisclosed cash sum into the airline , whose network includes more than half of British domestic flights outside of London .
The government also said it will involve a review of a tax slapped on flights that many airline groups have long complained restricts growth .
Flybe , which also has a major presence at airports such as Aberdeen , Belfast City , Manchester and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year to 170 destinations across the continent .
Flybe chief executive Mark Anderson welcomed the deal as a “ positive outcome for the U.K. ” that will allow the airline “ to focus on delivering for our customers and planning for the future.
” Sky News had reported earlier that senior ministers were discussing whether Flybe could defer this year ’ s estimated air passenger duty bill of 106 million pounds ( $ 138 million ) for three years , which would give it the chance to see through a potentially difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inject cash into the carrier as part of the deal .
Britain ’ s Treasury chief , Sajid Javid , said he welcomed Flybe ’ s confirmation it will “ continue to operate as normal , safeguarding jobs in the U.K. and ensuring flights continue to serve communities across the whole of the U.K. ” He said the review of the air passenger duty , which adds some 26 pounds ( $ 34 ) to all domestic return flights or more for longer flights or those in premium cabins , will “ help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The tax is expected to be worth 3.7 billion pounds to the Treasury in 2019-20 .
The Treasury said the review will aim to bolster regional connectivity in the U.K. while meeting the country ’ s climate commitments to meet net zero carbon emissions by 2050 .
Before the announcement , Greenpeace ’ s U.K. policy director Dr Doug Parr said any cuts to the tax would represent a “ poorly thought-out policy that should be immediately grounded.
” The government , he added , “ can not claim to be a global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , then making the most carbon-intensive kind of travel cheaper the next.
“ A consortium of Virgin Atlantic , Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital bought Flybe in February 2019 .
Known as Connect Airways , it paid just 2.2 million pounds for Flybe ’ s assets but pledged to inject cash into the airline to turn it around .
Flybe has struggled with a series of issues , including the weakening of the pound in light of Britain ’ s pending departure from the European Union .
The weaker pound hurts airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars but take in revenue in pounds .
It is the second U.K.-based airline in four months to face failure .
Thomas Cook went bust in September .
The British Airline Pilots ’ Association welcomed Tuesday ’ s deal that will secure the jobs of 2,400 Flybe staff .
“ The government is to be applauded for stepping up to the plate to help one of the few remaining independent U.K. airlines and a vital one at that , ” a spokesman said .


thetorontostar--2020-01-14--Officials: Jet fuel lands on Los Angeles school playgrounds

CUDAHY , Calif. - Fuel dumped by an airliner making an emergency return Tuesday to Los Angeles International Airport due to an engine problem fell onto three schools , causing minor irritation to 40 children and adults , officials said .
The incident occurred around noon in the Cudahy area of southeastern Los Angeles County , about 13 miles ( 21 kilometres east of the airport .
Video showed fuel streaming from the low-flying jet and people in a schoolyard scurrying for cover .
Los Angeles Unified School District police Sgt .
Rudy Perez said 28 students and adults were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others at 93rd Street Elementary , but none needed to be taken to hospitals .
Jordan High was also affected but no one was treated there , he said .
Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Henry Narvaez said the fuel had dissipated by the time it reached the ground but the children and adults could smell it .
Narvaez said the patients complained of mild skin irritation and were treated with soap and water .
There were no evacuation orders for the immediate area .
The school district said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone complaining of “ skin irritation or breathing problems ” and that its environmental health and safety office also responded .
Park Avenue sixth-grader Diego Martinez said he and his classmates were outside for physical education class when they saw the airplane flying low overhead .
“ It was very close , ” he said .
Shortly afterwards the air filled with the pungent odor of fuel .
“ It was very strong , the odor , ” the 12-year-old said .
Diego wasn ’ t doused but some of his friends complained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that Delta Air Lines Flight 89 headed to Shanghai , China , declared an emergency after leaving Los Angeles International Airport , returned and landed without incident .
The FAA said it was looking into the reports of schoolchildren being affected .
Delta Air Lines said in a statement that Flight 89 “ experienced an engine issue requiring the aircraft to return to LAX .
The aircraft landed safely after an emergency fuel release to reduce landing weight.
” The FlightAware website ’ s track of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the ocean and made an immediate turn back toward land and circled back over Southern California to approach the airport from the east .
AP reporters John Antczak and Chris Weber contributed to this report from Los Angeles .


thetorontostar--2020-01-14--Senate Republicans plan vote on US-Mexico-Canada trade act

WASHINGTON - Republicans controlling the Senate are taking advantage of delays in President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial to speed up a vote on a modified North American trade pact .
Thursday ’ s expected vote promises sweeping bipartisan support for legislation implementing the terms of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement .
It would replace the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement , which Trump and many lawmakers blames for shipping U.S. manufacturing jobs to Mexico .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , announced the vote at his weekly news conference Tuesday .
The Senate vote would follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month and would send the legislation to Trump for his signature .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi played a central role in modifying the pact further to assuage allies in organized labour , such as AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka .
The agreement is projected to have only a modest impact on the economy .
But it gives lawmakers from both parties the chance to support an agreement sought by farmers , ranchers and business owners anxious to move past the months of trade tensions that have complicated spending and hiring decisions .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his presidential run in 2016 as he tried to win over working-class voters in states such as Michigan , Ohio , Wisconsin and Pennsylvania .
The new pact contains provisions designed to nudge manufacturing back to the United States .
For example , it requires that 40 % to 45 % of cars eventually be made in countries that pay autoworkers at least $ 16 an hour — that is , in the United States and Canada and not in Mexico .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-14--Plan to cut U.S. troops in West Africa draws criticism from Europe

BRUSSELS—A Pentagon proposal to greatly reduce U.S. forces in West Africa faced criticism from allies on Tuesday , with French officials arguing that removing U.S. intelligence assets in the region could stymie the fight against extremist groups .
U.S. officials said they were proceeding nonetheless .
While no final decision has been made on how many troops will be transferred from Africa and the Middle East as the Pentagon refocuses its priorities to confront “ great powers ” like Russia and China , America ’ s top military officer said the United States needed to shift its forces to better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A. Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , acknowledged that the proposal was “ causing some anxiety.
” But he said that the United States needed to seriously re-examine its military footprint in Africa , and the Middle East and Latin America after that , given the heightened focus on China .
Milley ’ s comments came ahead of a NATO military chiefs ’ meeting in Brussels , where he also sought to lay out the United States ’ rationale for killing Iran ’ s top military commander , Gen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Soleimani , who was the head of Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard ’ s Quds Force , has raised questions from America ’ s military allies about whether commanders of sovereign countries are now fair game for drone strikes .
The Pentagon is also asking Europe to do more in the Middle East .
After the killing of Soleimani , President Donald Trump called for NATO to step up efforts to train Iraqi forces to fight the Islamic State group in their country — a point that Milley elaborated on at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European allies could help in Iraq , he said , was to provide ballistic missile defence systems at bases that house troops from the U.S.-led coalition that has been fighting the Islamic State group .
Iran fired several ballistic missiles at two such bases in Iraq last week , though no one was killed .
The Pentagon ’ s discussions of a large-scale pullback from West Africa include abandoning a recently built $ 110 million drone base in Niger and ending assistance to French forces battling militants in Mali , Niger and Burkina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-14--North Dakota lawmaker blames opponents for anti-Islam posts

BISMARCK , N.D. - A Republican state lawmaker in North Dakota said he doesn ’ t know how a pair of anti-Islam posts appeared in his Facebook feed , and speculated Tuesday that his account may have been hacked by political opponents .
The Fargo Forum first reported on the posts Tuesday , saying a post shared from Rep. Jim Kasper ’ s account reads : “ The whole world has one common problem ( : ) Islam.
” “ I don ’ t know how the hell it got there and I took it down immediately , “ Kasper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night on his Facebook page .
“ It ’ s political season and the time to do political tricks has started .
It ’ s a sad state of affairs this stuff has to happen.
” According to the newspaper , another post shared from Kasper ’ s account read : “ Minnesota ’ s Twin Cities are lost ” to “ the Islamic Movement.
” Kasper , of Fargo , posted an apology Tuesday on his private Facebook page .
He said he has about 4,000 Facebook friends , most of whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Facebook friends may access his page .
“ I have all kinds of Facebook friends : conservatives , liberals , libertarians and atheists , ” said Kasper , who owns an insurance business and has served in the state House since 2001 .
Kasper said he was deleting some of his Facebook friends on Tuesday , and was having his computer checked for security breaches .
“ I ’ m going to be much more cautious on the security of my Facebook now , ” he said .
Kasper , who often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his jacket pocket , is one of the most conservative lawmakers in the GOP-led Legislature .
He unsuccessfully pushed legislation last year aimed at giving North Dakotans more power over their personal data online .
The measure would have allowed people to ask companies what personal data has been collected and how it has been shared .
It also would have allowed residents to demand the data be deleted and not collected in the future .
The bill was amended to study the issue first .


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Protests take toll on Hong Kong tourism

Protests take toll on Hong Kong tourism

HONG KONG - Visitor numbers to Hong Kong fell by nearly 40 % in the second half of last year amid clashes between police and anti-government protesters .
The Hong Kong Tourism Board said Wednesday that the numbers of those visiting the Asian financial hub started to drop off in July as protests against proposed legislation allowing extradition to China gathered pace .
For the last six months of 2019 , visitor numbers fell by 39 % against the same period a year before .
Overall , arrivals were off by 14 % for the entire year .
The protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police and since major opposition wins in district council elections in November .
Hong Kong ’ s economy fell into recession , its reputation as one of the world ’ s safest cities tarnished by the violence driven largely by anger over China ’ s perceived encroachments over rights retained by the former British colony when Beijing took control in 1997 .
The extradition legislation was withdrawn , but the protest movement morphed to include demands for greater democracy and an investigation into police tactics .
Financial Secretary Paul Chan told a forum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 2019 would fall to -1.3 % , a stark loss for the centre of trade , travel and finance .
Tourism , catering and retail industries suffered the biggest losses , with store receipts falling by 26 % in October and November against the same months in 2018 .
However , the tourism board ’ s Chairman Y.K .
Pang was quoted as saying in a Wednesday news release that he had “ every confidence “ in Hong Kong ’ s resilience and appeal as a world-class travel destination .
The board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special offers covering hotels , flights , shopping and attractions .
In a further sign of the stress the protests have placed the city under , Secretary for Home Affairs Lau Kong-wah announced the cancellation of the annual Lunar New Year fireworks show “ based on the public safety concern.
” The holiday is the most important among Chinese communities around the world and this year falls on Jan. 25 .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Lebanon: 59 arrested after protest clashes near central bank

BEIRUT - Lebanese security forces arrested 59 people , the police said Wednesday , following clashes overnight outside the central bank as angry protesters vented their fury against the country ’ s ruling elite and the worsening financial crisis .
The hours-long clashes that erupted on Tuesday evening also left 47 policemen injured , the security forces said , as some protesters smashed windows on private banks in Beirut ’ s key commercial district .
Earlier on Tuesday , protesters rallied outside the central bank in the bustling Hamra neighbourhood , denouncing the bank governor and policies they say have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woes .
The rally turned violent as protesters tried to push their way through the security forces deployed outside the bank .
In over five hours of pitched street battles , security forces lobbed volleys of tear gas at the protesters , who responded with rocks and firecrackers .
Some protesters , using metal bars and sticks , smashed windows on commercial banks and foreign exchange bureaus nearby .
The clashes marked an end to a lull in the three-months-long protests .
Lebanon is facing its worst economic troubles in decades .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world , it imports almost all basic goods but foreign currency sources have dried up .
The local currency has lost over 60 % of its value — dropping for the first time in nearly three decades from a fixed rate of 1,507 pounds to the dollar to 2,400 in just the past few weeks .
Meanwhile , banks have imposed informal capital controls , limiting withdrawal of dollars and foreign transfers in the country .
In three months of protests , this was the first time the commercial centre of Beirut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The area , which is also home to theatres and restaurants , was left deserted except for protesters , police and smoke from the tear gas .
Traffic resumed Wednesday and shops and banks reopened as pavements were cleared of smashes glass .
Outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri , who resigned shortly after the protests first began in mid-October , said the violence in Hamra was “ unacceptable “ and an aggression on the heart of the capital .
He urged for an investigation .
A new prime minister designate was named in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form a new government .


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Environmental issues top worries for those heading to Davos

LONDON - Environmental issues make up the top five risks to the global economy for the coming decade , organizers of next week ’ s World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos said Wednesday .
Citing a survey of hundreds of key decision-makers , the WEF pointed to potentially catastrophic trends like global warming and the extinction of animal species — underscoring how the environment has surged up the international policy-making agenda ahead of risks like cyberattacks , recession and nuclear proliferation .
The concerns are especially acute , it added , at a time of growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the trade war between the United States and China .
“ The political landscape is polarized , sea levels are rising and climate fires are burning , “ said Borge Brende , president of the World Economic Forum .
“ This is the year when world leaders must work with all sectors of society to repair and reinvigorate our systems of co-operation , not just for short-term benefit but for tackling our deep-rooted risks.
” Brende said the world has a decade to deal with the climate emergency , and that not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be akin to “ moving deckchairs on the Titanic.
“ The 750 global experts and decision-makers questioned in the Global Risks Report 2020 identified economic disputes as the number one risk to the global economy this year .
For the longer-term outlook , however , environmental concerns accounted for the top five risks .
The findings illustrate how environmental issues have become more important to the public and to policymakers , particularly over the past year , which has seen high-profile campaigning efforts from the likes of Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term risk cited in the report was the possibility of extreme weather events , such as floods or storms .
The others were the failure to properly plan for climate change , man-made environmental disasters such as oil spills , major biodiversity loss , and natural disasters such as earthquakes or tsunamis .
“ There is mounting pressure on companies from investors , regulators , customers , and employees to demonstrate their resilience to rising climate volatility , “ said John Drzik , chairman of Marsh & McLennan Insights , which along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report .
“ High profile events , like recent wildfires in Australia and California , are adding pressure on companies to take action on climate risk at a time when they also face greater geopolitical and cyber risk challenges.
” Though there ’ s been a shift toward populist and nationalist politics around the world , Drzik said that those in the “ executive suite “ are under mounting pressure from customers , employees , investors , rating agencies or regulators to tackle climate issues .
The trend was highlighted this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firm , which manages some $ 7 trillion for investors , will put climate change and sustainability at the heart of its investing approach .
“ When your stakeholders align , I think there is an impact on CEOs whatever their underlying philosophy ... As pressure mounts , you get more of a response , “ Drzik said .
The annual gathering of the business and political elites in Davos can help in that process , he said , as it assembles “ the influencers from the sectors that have to work together.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized over the years by those who say it ’ s just a talking shop for leaders flying in their private jets to enjoy some winter snow .
Adrian Monck , the WEF ’ s managing director , defended his organization ’ s stance when it came to climate issues .
He noted that most people who go to Davos go up the mountain from Zurich by train .
He also pointed out that the WEF has carbon-offsetting programs and that biofuels are available at Zurich Airport to those who opt to jet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we take very seriously , ” he told a press briefing in London .
“ There is nothing worse than an organization identifying a risk and doing nothing about it.
” U.S. President Donald Trump , who has taken a more unilateralist approach to international issues than his predecessors , is likely to be one of the main points of interest next week , alongside Thunberg who is appearing at the forum for the second year running .


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Iran warns Europe as diplomat says officials ‘lied’ on crash

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran ’ s president warned Wednesday that European soldiers in the Mideast “ could be in danger ” after three nations challenged Tehran over breaking the limits of its nuclear deal .
Tehran ’ s top diplomat meanwhile acknowledged that Iranians “ were lied to ” for days following the Islamic Republic ’ s accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian jetliner that killed 176 people .
President Hassan Rouhani ’ s remarks in a televised Cabinet meeting represent the first direct threat he ’ s made to Europe as tensions remain high between Tehran and Washington over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deal in May 2018 .
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif ’ s admission , which came at a summit in New Delhi on Wednesday , represents the first time an Iranian official referred to earlier claims from Tehran that a technical malfunction downed the Ukraine International Airlines flight as a lie .
The shootdown — and subsequent days of denials that a missile had downed it — sparked days of angry protests in the country .
The current tensions between Iran and the U.S. reached fever-pitch two weeks ago with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the powerful Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
The general had led Iranian proxy forces abroad , including those blame for deadly roadside bomb attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq .
Iran retaliated with a ballistic missile strike targeting Iraqi military bases housing U.S. forces early last Wednesday , just before an anti-aircraft battery shot down the Ukrainian airliner taking off from Tehran ’ s Imam Khomeini International Airport .
Amid all of this , Britain , France and Germany launched the so-called “ dispute mechanism ” pertaining to Iran ’ s 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before his Cabinet , Rouhani showed a rarely seen level of anger in his wide-ranging remarks Wednesday .
“ Today , the American soldier is in danger , tomorrow the European soldier could be in danger , ” Rouhani said .
” We want you to leave this region but not with war .
We want you to go wisely .
It is to your own benefit.
” European forces have been deployed alongside Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan .
France also maintains a naval base in Abu Dhabi , the capital of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has opened a base in the island nation of Bahrain .
Rouhani separately criticized Europe ’ s “ baseless ” words regarding the nuclear deal .
Iran had been holding out for Europe to offer a means by which Tehran could sell its oil abroad despite U.S. sanctions .
However , a hoped-for trading mechanism for other goods hasn ’ t taken hold and a French-pitched line of credit also hasn ’ t materialized .
After Soleimani ’ s killing , Iran announced it would no longer abide by any of the nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been designed to keep Tehran from having enough material to be able to build an atomic bomb if it chose .
However , Iran has said it will continue to allow the United Nations ’ nuclear watchdog access to its nuclear sites .
Rouhani on Wednesday also reiterated a longtime Iranian pledge that Tehran doesn ’ t seek the bomb .
The European nations reluctantly triggered the accord ’ s dispute mechanism on Tuesday to force Iran into discussions , starting the clock on a process that could result in the “ snapback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran .
The Europeans felt compelled to act , despite objections from Russia and China , because every violation of the deal reduces the so-called “ breakout time ” Iran needs to produce a nuclear bomb , Britain ’ s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told parliament .
Under the deal ’ s limits , experts believed Iran needed a year to be able to have enough material for a weapon .
Zarif , speaking in New Delhi at the Raisina Dialogue , blamed U.S. “ ignorance ” and “ arrogance ” for “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , he also acknowledged the anger Iranians felt over the plane shootdown .
“ In the last few nights , we ’ ve had people in the streets of Tehran demonstrating against the fact that they were lied to for a couple of days , ” Zarif said .
Zarif went onto praise Iran ’ s military for being “ brave enough to claim responsibility early on.
“ However , he said that he and Rouhani only learned that a missile had down the flight on Friday , raising new questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilian government has in its Shiite theocracy .
Iran ’ s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard , which shot down the aircraft , knew immediately afterward its missile downed the airline .
The Guard is answerable only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , who is expected to preside over Friday prayers in Iran for the first time in years over anger about the crash .
But there was a sense that the chance for immediate further retaliation by Iran against the U.S. may have lifted .
Hossein Salami , the head of the Guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ war project was closed since the people stood ” against American pressure .
“ Now , we are moving toward peace , ” Salami said .
That contradicted Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh , the head of the Guard ’ s aerospace program , who blamed the U.S. in part for the shootdown and vowed further revenge .
“ Certainly these consecutive blows will continue and we will avenge the blood of these martyrs on them , ” said Hajizadeh , who only days earlier apologized and said “ I wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranian state media said the British ambassador to Iran , Robert Macaire , had left the country .
Macaire left after being given what the state-run IRNA news agency described as “ prior notice , ” without elaborating .
Britain ’ s Foreign Office insisted Macaire ’ s trip to London was “ routine , business as usual ” and was planned before his arrest in Tehran .
It said he planned return to Iran .
Macaire had been held after attending a candlelight vigil Saturday in Tehran over Iran shooting down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into an anti-government protests and Macaire left shortly after , only to be arrested by police .
In Ukraine , forensic analysts expect to start decoding next week the flight data recorders recovered from the downed plane .
The recorders , known as black boxes , have yet to be transported to Ukraine .
Gambrell reported from Dubai , United Arab Emirates , and Schmall from New Delhi .
Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London and Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv , Ukraine , contributed to this report .

Nasser Karmi, Jon Gambrell And Emily Schmall - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--China blasts human rights report, praises current situation

BEIJING - China has blasted a report from Human Rights Watch that accused it of constructing a surveillance state at home while seeking to silence critics abroad .
Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang on Wednesday said he had not read the report but that such documents routinely “ turned a blind eye on facts and confused right and wrong with no objectivity at all.
“ Geng said the Chinese people had the final say on the state of human rights in the country , which he described as “ in the best period of history.
“ Under strongman leader Xi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party has stepped up campaigns to crush political critics and extend its control over academia , religion and civil society .
In recent years , Beijing has also been accused of seeking complete control over students and other Chinese living abroad , as well as influencing media and politicians in countries such as Australia and the U.S. On Tuesday , the head of Human Rights Watch , Kenneth Roth , accused China of carrying out “ the most intense attack on the global system for enforcing human rights since that system began to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held a news conference at the United Nations Correspondents Association in New York after being denied entry to Hong Kong , the semi-autonomous Chinese city where he had been scheduled to release the rights group ’ s annual report .
China has designated Human Rights Watch as one of the organizations it accuses of fomenting months of anti-government protests in Hong Kong .
To avoid a global backlash against surveillance , internet censorship and oppression at home , Beijing is trying to undermine international institutions designed to protect human rights , Roth said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights violations , “ no other government flexes its political muscles with such vigour and determination to undermine the international human rights standards and institutions that could hold it to account , ” he said .
China is accused of locking up more than 1 million Uighurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities in its northwestern Xinjiang region in camps where they are subjected to political indoctrination and pressured to give up their religion .
China denies any abuses and calls the camps centres for job training and de-radicalization .
Roth also referred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong ’ s limited freedoms in the “ one country , two systems ” framework under which it returned to Chinese rule in 1997 .
Clashes between police and anti-government demonstrators that began in June have been fueled largely by concerns that Beijing is eroding civil liberties guaranteed to the former British colony under the terms of its handover .
A Hong Kong government spokesman said in response that “ one country , two systems “ has been “ fully and successfully implemented , ” and that the local government is committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman , who was not identified by name , said the government remains committed to allowing universal suffrage in elections for the territory ’ s chief executive and legislature .
Beijing has retained the right to vet candidates in the elections .
Violence was solely the result of police “ carrying out enforcement actions in strict accordance with the law , “ the spokesman said .
He said foreign organisations “ should not interfere in any form “ in Hong Kong ’ s internal affairs .


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Young activists bid to join climate case at top German court

BERLIN - Nine young climate activists are seeking to join a lawsuit before Germany ’ s top court that aims @ @ @ @ @ do more to combat global warming .
The activists are backed by environmental groups such @ @ @ @ @ ’ s current plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55 % over the next @ @ @ @ @ enough .
Their lawyer , Remo Klinger , told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday that @ @ @ @ @ s Federal constitutional Court to add their lawsuit to a pending case submitted in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ are being breached .
Environmental groups accuse the German government of shying away from “ @ @ @ @ @ significantly cut emissions of planet-heating carbon dioxide , such as introducing a universal speed limit @ @ @ @ @ polluting cars and easing regulations for on-shore wind farms .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Police in North Macedonia find 36 migrants packed in truck

SKOPJE , Macedonia - Police in North Macedonia found 36 migrants who are believed to have entered the country illegally @ @ @ @ @ truck during a routine check .
The driver was arrested .
Police said Wednesday that @ @ @ @ @ the southern town of Strumitsa on Tuesday .
They said the three dozen people in @ @ @ @ @ , nine Afghans , three Pakistanis , two Iraqis and one person from Cameroon .
@ @ @ @ @ a migrant detention centre in the border town of Gevgelija pending deportation to Greece .
@ @ @ @ @ from Greece through the Balkans and on to Europe ’ s prosperous heartland has been @ @ @ @ @ still use smugglers to make their way north .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Qatar seeks to mediate amid tensions after US strike in Iraq

BAGHDAD - Qatar is seeking to play a mediating role amid escalating tensions following a U.S. drone strike that killed a top Iranian general in Iraq and brought the region to the brink of an all-out war involving Washington and Tehran , the Qatari foreign minister said Wednesday .
Speaking on an official visit to Baghdad , Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said Qatar was making contacts with regional and international countries in order to de-escalate tensions .
His visit to Iraq comes days after Qatar ’ s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani visited Tehran .
“ Qatar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is trying to decrease tensions .
We have made international contacts for more consultations with our brotherly and sisterly countries , ” al-Thani said in a joint press conference with Iraq ’ s Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammed al-Hakim .
“ Today we see signs of decreased tensions and we hope this will continue.
” Al-Thani was scheduled to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi and President Barham Saleh later Wednesday .
“ We discussed ways of decreasing tensions in our region and we have our common efforts and joint efforts together with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our talks , ” said al-Hakim .
“ Our talks concentrated on Iraq not being a scene for fighting.
” Tension soared following a U.S. drone strike early this month that killed a top Iranian general , Qassem Soleimani , and senior Iraq milita commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis .
Iran retaliated by firing a barrage of missiles that hit two bases in Iraq where American troops are based , but caused no casualties .
Tensions soared further after Iran , just hours following the missile attacks , mistakenly shot down an Ukrainian passenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , killing all 176 people on board .
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ATLANTA (AP) — A day after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, as the country was still reeling from the violent attempt to halt the…


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Treason trial begins of Cambodia opposition leader Kem Sokha

PHNOM PENH , Cambodia - The trial of a top Cambodian opposition leader charged with treason began Wednesday , more than two years after he was arrested in what is widely seen as a politically motivated prosecution .
Kem Sokha was head of the Cambodia National Rescue Party when he was arrested in September 2017 on the basis of an old video showing him at a seminar where he spoke about receiving advice from U.S. pro-democracy groups .
He could be imprisoned for up to 30 years if found guilty .
His party was dissolved by Cambodia ’ s Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis .
The actions were seen as intended to ensure victory by long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen ’ s Cambodian People ’ s Party in the 2018 general election by eliminating the only credible opposition force .
Cambodia ’ s courts are considered to be under government influence .
“ I know strongly that I am totally innocent so I have to go to the court and challenge the charge and demand that they drop the case , ” Kem Sokha told The Associated Press on Wednesday .
“ I have never done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop the charges.
” It was unclear whether the public would get a fair account of Kem Sokha ’ s testimony , as the court had earlier announced there would be no room for journalists in the courtroom .
Chan Chen , one of Kem Sokha ’ s lawyers , told reporters after the morning court session that the case ’ s political nature requires that it be solved by talks among politicians rather than in court .
“ My colleagues and I know that Kem Sokha ’ s case is one about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and needs to be solved through political means , ” he said , alluding to a past political settlement that ended a civil war with the communist Khmer Rouge .
The morning session was occupied by legal formalities as evidence was introduced for the trial .
Chan Chen said that when the video clip was introduced , the defence noted that it was an abbreviated , edited version of their client ’ s remarks , and they would be presenting a complete version .
The human rights group Amnesty International called for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ After two years held in arbitrary detention , the authorities have not presented a shred of credible evidence to support a charge of treason , ” said Nicholas Bequelin , the group ’ s regional director .
“ The non-existent crime was politically manufactured to further the suppression of the opposition party .
The Phnom Penh Court must acquit Kem Sokha to bring an end to this mockery of justice , ” he said .
The trial begins at a politically delicate time for Hun Sen , as Cambodia faces likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hun Sen has been in power for 35 years and has vowed to serve two more 5-year terms in office .
His party swept all the seats in the National Assembly in the 2018 polls , but drew condemnation from human rights groups and Western nations , which charged that the election was neither free nor fair .
The EU began a process that could result in its withdrawal of preferential duty-free and quota-free status for imports from Cambodia because of deficiencies in labour and human rights .
It is due to announce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action could badly hurt the Cambodia economy , which depends heavily on exports of low-cost textiles and footwear .
The EU accounts for almost half of Cambodia ’ s exports .
Cambodia is one of several developing nations with whom the EU has an “ Everything But Arms ” — or EBA — program granting preferential access to the European market for products other than weapons .
Hun Sen has publicly said he won ’ t let Cambodia be pushed around and its low-cost export industries can survive without the benefit of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year allowed Kem Sokha to be freed on bail after a period of tightly restricted house arrest , but he is still banned from political activity .
The opposition party ’ s co-founder , Sam Rainsy , has been in self-imposed exile since 2015 , avoiding prison for a defamation charge along with a slew of other legal charges brought by the government .
Kem Sokha ’ s trial is expected to take up to three months , meeting twice a week , said Phnom Penh Municipal Court President Taing Sunlay , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of America .
Opposition supporters were warned against provocative activities during the trial .
A few dozen supporters gathered outside the court , which was guarded by police .
This story corrects the defence lawyer ’ s name to Chan Chen instead of Chan Chan .


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--US-China pact signing to ease tension but leaves much undone

WASHINGTON - After 18 months of economic combat , the United States and China are set to take a step toward peace Wednesday .
At least for now .
President Donald Trump and China ’ s chief negotiator , Liu He , are scheduled to sign a modest trade agreement in which the administration will ease some sanctions on China and Beijing will step up its purchases of U.S. farm products and other goods .
Above all , the deal will defuse a conflict that has slowed global growth , hurt American manufacturers and weighed on the Chinese economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ little to force China to make the major economic reforms — such as reducing unfair subsidies for its own companies —that the Trump administration sought when it started the trade war by imposing tariffs on Chinese imports in July 2018 .
The U.S. has yet to reveal details of the agreement , though U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has said they would be made public Wednesday .
Most analysts say any meaningful resolution of the key U.S. allegation — that Beijing uses predatory tactics in its drive to supplant America ’ s technological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks .
And skeptics say a satisfactory resolution may be next to impossible given China ’ s ambitions to become the global leader in such advanced technologies as driverless cars and artificial intelligence .
“ The signing of the Phase 1 deal would represent a welcome , even if modest , de-escalation of trade hostilities between China and the U.S. , ” said Eswar Prasad , a Cornell University economist and and former head of the International Monetary Fund ’ s China division .
“ But it hardly addresses in any substantive way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tensions between the two sides , which will continue to fester.
’ ’ In a letter to Trump on Tuesday , the top Senate Democrat , Chuck Schumer of New York , complained that the Phase 1 deal appeared to make “ very little progress in reforming China ’ s rapacious trade behaviours and seems like it could send a signal to Chinese negotiators that the U.S. can be steamrolled.
’ ’ The thornier issues are expected to be taken up in future rounds of negotiations .
But it ’ s unclear when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much progress before the November U.S. election .
“ Phase 2 -- I wouldn ’ t wait by the phone , ’ ’ said John Veroneau , who was a U.S. trade official in the George W. Bush administration and is now co-chair of the international trade practice at Covington & Burling .
“ That is probably a 2021 issue.
’ ’ Under the Phase 1 agreement , which the two sides reached in mid-December , the administration dropped plans to impose tariffs on an additional $ 160 billion in Chinese imports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , existing tariffs on $ 110 billion of good from China .
For its part , Beijing agreed to significantly increase its purchases of U.S. products .
According to the Trump administration , China is to buy $ 40 billion a year in U.S. farm products — an ambitious goal for a country that has never imported more than $ 26 billion a year in U.S. agricultural products .
The deal may be most notable for what it doesn ’ t do .
It leaves in place tariffs on about $ 360 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protectionism that would have been unthinkable before Trump took office .
Chad Bown of the Peterson Institute for International Economics calculates that the Phase 1 agreement will leave nearly two-thirds of Chinese imports covered by Trump ’ s tariffs .
Beijing ’ s retaliatory tariffs affect more than half of American exports to China .
The average U.S. tariff on Chinese imports has risen from 3 % in January 2018 to 21 % now .
High tariffs between the world ’ s two biggest economies , Bown says , are now “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argues that the Phase 1 deal is a solid start that includes Chinese commitments to do more to protect intellectual property , curb the practice of forcing foreign companies to hand over sensitive technology and refrain from manipulating their currency lower to benefit Chinese exporters .
In advance of the Phase 1 signing , in fact , the Treasury Department on Monday dropped its designation of China as a currency manipulator .
And by maintaining significant tariffs on Chinese imports , the administration retains leverage to force Beijing to abide by its commitments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has failed to do for decades .
“ We ’ ve never punished them before , ” said Derek Scissors , China specialist at the American Enterprise Institute .
“ If you don ’ t have tariffs , you can write down anything you want , and the Chinese will cheat.
’ ’ The administration contends that , however narrow the Phase 1 agreement may be , it represents a significant breakthrough .
“ Across the board , it ’ s a really , really good deal for the United States , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
“ And it will work if reformers in China want it to work .
And if that happens , great .
If it doesn ’ t happen , ( the pact ) is fully enforceable ... We expect them to live up to the letter of the law .
We ’ ll bring cases -- we ’ ll bring actions against them if they don ’ t. ’ ’ Scissors said the trade war has already delivered a benefit for Trump , even if it hasn ’ t forced Beijing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Trump ’ s tariffs have reduced Chinese exports to the United States and narrowed America ’ s trade deficit with China .
The president has long lambasted the U.S. trade gap with Beijing as a sign of economic weakness , though many economists disagree .
A wide trade deficit can actually reflect economic strength because it means that a nation ’ s consumers feel prosperous and confident enough to spend freely — on imported goods as well as on home-grown goods .
So far this year , the U.S. deficit with China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 16 % , or $ 62 billion , to $ 321 billion compared with a year earlier .
And the deficit will narrow further if Beijing lives up to its pledges to buy dramatically more American imports .
Trump ’ s tariff hikes have proved to be a headwind for China ’ s economy , which was already slowing , though the damage has been less than some forecasters expected .
Chinese global exports eked out a 0.5 % increase in 2019 despite a plunge in sales to the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exporters responded to Trump ’ s tariff hikes by shipping goods to the United States through other countries and by stepping up sales to Asia , Europe and Africa .
The government reported double-digit gains in 2019 exports to France , Canada , Australia , Brazil and Southeast Asia .
Economists said the tariff war slowed Chinese growth , which hit a multi-decade low of 6 % in the quarter ending in September , by as little as 0.6 percentage point .
Weak domestic demand and the cooling of a construction boom inflicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the U.S. government to think they could defeat China by exerting extreme pressure , ” said Tu Xinquan , director of the China Institute of WTO Studies at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing .
“ As an economy with a massive size , China will gradually absorb such external shocks.
” “ China didn ’ t get everything they wanted out of this deal , and the U.S. has obviously not got the structural changes in the Chinese economy they wanted , ” said Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a substantial increase in exports and a reduction in the bilateral trade ( deficit ) , which I think the Trump administration will clearly see as a win .
”

Paul Wiseman And Joe McDonald - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--China: Possible that new virus could spread between humans

BEIJING - The possibility that a new virus in central China could spread between humans can not be ruled out , though the risk of transmission at the moment appears to be low , Chinese officials said Wednesday .
Forty-one people in the city of Wuhan have received a preliminary diagnosis of a novel coronavirus , a family of viruses that can cause both the common cold and more serious diseases .
A 61-year-old man with severe underlying conditions died from the coronavirus on Saturday .
While preliminary investigations indicate that most of the patients had worked at or visited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman may have contracted the virus from her husband , the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said in a public notice .
The commission said the husband , who fell ill first , worked at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market .
Meanwhile , the wife said she hasn ’ t had any exposure to the market .
It ’ s possible that the husband brought home food from the market that then infected his wife , Hong Kong health official Chuang Shuk-kwan said at a news briefing .
But because the wife did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s also possible that he infected her .
Chuang and other Hong Kong health officials spoke to reporters Wednesday following a trip to Wuhan , where mainland Chinese authorities briefed them on the outbreak .
The threat of human-to-human transmission remains low , Chuang said , as hundreds of people , including medical professionals , have been in close contact with infected individuals and have not been infected themselves .
She echoed Wuhan authorities ’ assertion that there remains no definitive evidence of human-to-human transmission .
The outbreak in Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or severe acute respiratory syndrome .
SARS is a type of coronavirus that first struck southern China in late 2002 .
It then spread to more than two dozen countries , killing nearly 800 people .
Associated Press videojournalist Katie Tam in Hong Kong contributed to this report .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Mozambique’s Nyusi begins 2nd term amid violent challenges

MAPUTO , Mozambique - Mozambique ’ s President Filipe Nyusi was sworn in for a second and final term Wednesday after five turbulent years in office amid two armed insurgencies .
Nyusi , 60 , won re-election in October with 73 % of the vote , while the opposition alleged irregularities .
The president of Portugal , Mozambique ’ s former colonial power , and the leaders of Angola , South Africa and Zimbabwe were among the dignitaries who attended the open-air inauguration in downtown Maputo , capital of the southern African country of 30 million people .
Ossufo Momade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had protested Nyusi ’ s reelection as unfair , did not attend the ceremony .
“ Five years ago , in a ceremony like this , I announced I would be president of all Mozambicans , “ said Nyusi .
” I renew this promise , to work for the Mozambique we all dream for .
Our agenda is to develop Mozambique .
Our agenda is that this development is not done at the cost of injustice , conceit , or inequality.
” The crowning achievement of Nyusi ’ s first term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed in August with the armed opposition Renamo .
Instead , it triggered fresh violence in central Mozambique by dissidents unhappy with the terms of the accord .
More than 15 armed attacks on vehicles in central Mozambique have been reported in recent months , killing 21 people .
Nyusi ’ s government is also battling to contain deadly attacks in the northernmost province of Cabo Delgado by extremists reportedly linked to the Islamic State group .
An estimated 300 people have been killed , including by beheading , since the attacks began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s home province , is home to two giant natural gas projects worth billions of dollars that Mozambique hopes will transform it into a middle-income country .
Work has begun on one of the projects , which changed ownership last year from U.S.-based Anadarko to French oil major Total , with the aim to start producing liquified natural gas before Nyusi ’ s mandate ends in late 2024 .
The second project , led by ExxonMobil , is set to reach a final investment decision this year .
Nyusi is expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
International investors will be watching closely to see if the finance minister , Adriano Maleiane , will be replaced .
Maleiane has guided the economy through exceptional difficulties following the discovery of $ 2 billion in debt taken on by three state-linked security companies , with government guarantees whose validity has been contested .
Maleiane ’ s predecessor as finance minister , Manuel Chang , has been in a South African prison for more than a year contesting extradition to the United States to face charges in connection with the deals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ first-ever sovereign eurobond after it failed to make the first payment .
The inauguration comes as the rainy season again brings flooding to parts of Mozambique , which was hit last year by two major cyclones in less than two months , causing hundreds of deaths and major destruction .
Recovery continues and widespread hunger has been a concern in the hard-hit rural areas .
Last week , the U.N. migration agency said the latest flooding destroyed the temporary shelters of almost 200 households that had been resettled in the central provinces of @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--‘Amazing’: New embryo made of nearly extinct rhino species

JOHANNESBURG - Researchers say they have successfully created another embryo of the nearly extinct northern white rhino in a global effort to keep the species alive .
Just two animals remain , and both are female .
The viable embryo is just the third to be created in a lab with eggs taken from the females and inseminated with frozen sperm from dead males , according to Wednesday ’ s statement .
The embryos are stored in liquid nitrogen to be transferred into a surrogate mother — a southern white rhino — in the coming months .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to reverse the tragic loss of this subspecies through science , ” said Kenya ’ s wildlife minister , Najib Balala , in the statement by the Kenya Wildlife Service and conservationists from Kenya , the Czech Republic , Germany and Italy .
The ultimate goal is to create a herd of at least five animals that could be returned to their natural habitat in Africa .
That could take decades .
The two remaining female northern white rhinos , Najin and Fatu , are hosted by Kenya .
The three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Fatu .
“ Now the team will make every effort to achieve the same result for the 30-year-old Najin before it is too late for her , ” said Thomas Hildebrandt with the Leibniz Institute for Zoo & Wildlife Research in Germany .
The procedure has proven to be safe and can be performed regularly before the animals become too old , the new statement said .
The next step is to select female southern white rhinos among those at Kenya ’ s Ol Pejeta Conservancy to serve as a surrogate mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Decades of poaching have taken a heavy toll on rhino species .
The animals are killed for their horns , which have long been used as carving material and prized in traditional Chinese medicine for their supposed healing properties .
The last male northern white rhino was a 45-year-old named Sudan , who gained fame in 2017 when he was listed as “ The Most Eligible Bachelor in the World ” on the Tinder dating app as part of a fundraising effort .
Sudan , named for the country where he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 because of age-related ills .


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Sudan reopens airspace after end of armed mutiny; 2 killed

CAIRO - Sudan said it reopened its airspace on Wednesday after an armed revolt from within its security forces shut down the capital ’ s airport for hours and left at least two people dead .
In a press conference , Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan , head of the country ’ s ruling transitional council , announced that “ life has returned to normal , ” following a tense stand-off between the armed forces and rogue intelligence officers who had fired shots in the air to demand better severance benefits .
However , airport authorities in neighbouring Egypt said that as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained suspended over security concerns .
The burst of unrest paralyzed street life in several parts of the capital , Khartoum , along with another western city .
Videos circulated on social media showing vast deployment of security forces and heavy exchanges of gunfire .
The armed forces will “ not allow any coup to occur , ” said Burhan , adding that it ’ s a “ shame that weapons were raised in the faces of the people.
” The army quickly quelled the short-lived mutiny with “ minimal losses , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief of staff on Wednesday .
The clashes killed two people and injured four others , including two officers , he added .
In a separate statement , the doctors ’ union in Sudan reported that a father and his two children were killed when an errant artillery shell struck their home in a Khartoum suburb .
The father was killed instantly , it said , and his 19-year-old daughter and 25-year-old son died on the way to the hospital .
The different death tolls could not immediately be reconciled .
After trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over their arms , the military stormed and retook the headquarters of an intelligence agency “ using the least amount of force possible , ” al-Hussein said .
The mutiny was the latest twist in Sudan ’ s fragile democratic transition after three decades of authoritarian rule under former President Omar al-Bashir .
A sweeping protest movement ousted al-Bashir in April and led to the creation of a joint military-civilian government last summer .
During the transitional period , Sudan is devising ways to reorganize its armed forces .
The program , al-Hussein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ branch and merging it with a paramilitary unit known as the Rapid Support Forces , notorious for their brutal suppression of insurgencies in Sudan ’ s restive provinces .
Unrest ensued as angry intelligence officers , who were dismissed without receiving what they considered fair compensation , took to the streets .
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok described the mutiny as “ discord ” aimed at “ cutting off the nation ’ s transition to building a solid democracy .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Warren makes debate case: Democratic woman can beat Trump

DES MOINES , Iowa - Elizabeth Warren made a forceful case for a female president and stood behind her accusation suggesting sexism by progressive rival Bernie Sanders in a Democratic debate that raised gender as a key issue in the sprint to Iowa ’ s presidential caucuses .
Sanders vehemently denied Warren ’ s accusation , which threatened to split the Democratic Party ’ s left flank -- as well as the senators ’ longtime liberal alliance -- at a critical moment less than three weeks before voting begins .
“ Look at the men on this stage .
Collectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren exclaimed on Tuesday night .
“ The only people on this stage who have won every single election that they ’ ve been in are the women.
” An incredulous Sanders responded : “ Does anybody in their right mind think a woman can ’ t be elected president ?
” he asked .
“ Of course a woman can win.
“ There was a final moment of tension between Sanders and Warren after the debate ended .
Having shaken the hands of her other competitors , Warren was shown in video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With the Democratic field tightly bunched among four leading candidates , the debate offered an opportunity for separation .
But none of the six candidates on stage had the kind of moment likely to reshape the race in the final weeks before voting starts .
Instead , the debate was generally marked by a focus on weighty issues of foreign policy , climate change and how to provide health care for all Americans .
Even when disputes emerged , most candidates quickly pivoted to note their larger differences with President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday night campaigning in Wisconsin , a state that is critical to his reelection effort .
He tried to encourage the feud between Sanders and Warren from afar .
“ She said that Bernie stated strongly that a woman can ’ t win , “ Trump said .
“ I don ’ t believe that Bernie said that , I really don ’ t .
It ’ s not the kind of thing Bernie would say.
” Despite such prodding , the debate stage drama was far from the explosion some Democrats feared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variety of topics , disagreeing with each other but generally avoiding personal attacks .
Sanders did step up his attacks on former Vice-President Joe Biden over his past support of the Iraq War and broad free-trade agreements .
Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota , who was mired in the middle of the pack , seized on Warren ’ s shifting positions on health care .
Billionaire Tom Steyer acknowledged making money from investments in the fossil fuel industry , but highlighted his decade-long fight to combat climate change , an issue that came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , sometimes struggled for attention in a debate that often featured points of conflict between his rivals .
Perhaps his strongest moment came when he described how , as a military veteran who is vocal about his faith , he could stand up to Trump in a general election .
“ I ’ m ready to take on Donald Trump because when he gets to the tough talk and the chest thumping , he ’ ll have to stand next to an American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bone spurs made him ineligible to serve , “ Buttigieg said .
“ And if a guy like Donald Trump keeps trying to use religion to somehow recruit Christianity into the GOP , I will be standing there not afraid to talk about a different way to answer the call of faith and insist that God does not belong to a political party.
” Questions surrounding war and foreign policy dominated early on .
Sanders drew a sharp contrast with Biden by noting his own opposition to a 2002 measure authorizing military action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invasion “ the worst foreign policy blunder in the modern history of this country.
“ “ I did everything I could to prevent that war , ” Sanders said .
“ Joe saw it differently.
“ Biden acknowledged that his 2002 vote to authorize military action was “ a mistake , ” but highlighted his role in the Obama administration helping to draw down the U.S. military presence in the region .
Several candidates condemned Trump ’ s recent move to kill Iran ’ s top general and his decision to keep U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to get combat troops out , ” declared Warren , who also called for reducing the military budget .
Others , including Buttigieg , Biden and Klobuchar , said they favoured maintaining a small military presence in the Middle East .
“ I bring a different perspective , “ said Buttigeg .
” We can continue to remain engaged without having an endless commitment to ground troops.
” The debate featured just six candidates , the fewest of any such forum this cycle after escalating party rules prevented other candidates from participating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single candidate of colour appeared on stage .
Every candidate was white , and four were men .
That was a stark contrast from the earlier days of the 2020 contest , which featured the most diverse field of candidates in history .
The party is trying to navigate broader debates over how to reflect and embrace the crucial role women and minority voters will play in 2020 .
To defeat Trump this fall , Democrats need to ensure black , Latino and suburban voters are excited to vote for them against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the final moments the senators in the race will participate in a campaign-related event before returning to Washington to sit as jurors in Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
Those proceedings are likely to begin by the end of the week , making it difficult for senators running for president to spend time with voters Iowa in the contest ’ s final days .
“ Some things are more important than politics , ” Warren said .
“ I will be there because it is my responsibility.
” Peoples and Superville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Barrow in Des Moines contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Alexandra Jaffe, Steve Peoples And Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Police: Mafia ripped off EU for millions in farm aid

ROME - Italian authorities allege say crime clans of the Sicilian Mafia have defrauded the European Union of more than 10 million euros ( $ 11 million ) in agricultural aid .
Officers from the Italy ’ s paramilitary Carabinieri and financial police fanned out across Sicily at dawn Wednesday to execute 94 arrest warrants .
National anti-Mafia Prosecutor Federico Cafiero de Raho said thousands of hectares ( acres ) of farmland in eastern Sicily fraudulently qualified for aid .
Some of the land in the alleged fraud scheme is within the Nebrodi public parkland , a hilly region popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a notary public were arrested with suspected mobsters near Messina .
In past years , farmers who refused to be involved with fraudulent practices reported threats from Cosa Nostra .
Authorities planned to give details at a news conference in Messina later Wednesday .
Suspects were arrested for investigation of belonging to the Mafia or aiding it , extortion and fraud involving public funds , among other accusations .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Pakistan: 21 more bodies recovered in avalanche-hit Kashmir

MUZAFFARABAD , Pakistan - Search teams aided by Pakistani troops pulled out 21 more bodies from homes destroyed by this week ’ s avalanches in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir , raising the overall death toll due to severe winter weather to 160 for Pakistan and Afghanistan , officials said Wednesday .
Rescuers were racing against time to reach scores of people believed still to be trapped inside their homes , buried under avalanches triggered by heavy snowfall in Pakistan-administered Kashmir .
With many roads still blocked by snow , authorities were using helicopters to evacuate those injured .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Neelum Valley , where the 21 bodies were retrieved , said Ahmad Raza Qadri , a minister for disaster management .
He said that since Sunday , 76 people have been killed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir in weather-related incidents .
Another 45 people were killed in Pakistan ’ s southwestern Baluchistan and eastern Punjab provinces .
Avalanches are common in Kashmir , which is divided between Pakistan and India and claimed by both in its entirety .
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan flew to Kashmir on Wednesday to visit the avalanche-hit areas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir , where several people , including women and children , were being treated after being rescued from Neelum Valley and elsewhere .
In Afghanistan , the situation was returning to normal on Wednesday , following days-long heavy snowfall , rains and flash floods that killed 39 people and damaged about 300 homes there since Sunday .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-15--UK inflation at lowest since late 2016, stokes rate cut talk

LONDON - Inflation in Britain has fallen to its lowest level since late 2016 , official figures showed Wednesday , in a development that is likely to heighten expectations that the Bank of England will cut interest rates later this month .
The Office for National Statistics said consumer prices rose by 1.3 % in the year to December , down from 1.5 % the previous month .
The consensus in financial markets was that there would be no change in the rate .
The statistics agency said the main downward pressure on inflation came from accommodation services and clothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate-setters , including outgoing Governor Mark Carney , have hinted that the main interest rate could be cut from 0.75 % at the next policy meeting on Jan. 30 given lacklustre growth largely due to Brexit uncertainty and below target inflation .
The central bank is tasked with setting interest rates to achieve an inflation rate of 2 % .
Following the release of the inflation figures , the pound dropped slightly to below $ 1.30 .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Spain: Search for missing person after chemical blast

BARCELONA , Spain - Authorities in northeastern Spain on Wednesday resumed the search for a worker who is missing since @ @ @ @ @ petrochemical plant killed one person and injured eight others .
The regional firefighters for Catalonia @ @ @ @ @ through the night to combat the massive fire near the city of Tarragona on the @ @ @ @ @ investigation indicated the force of Tuesday night ’ s blast killed an individual in a @ @ @ @ @ of metal struck his residence .
The injured were workers at the plant .
Fire @ @ @ @ @ that the fire is under control and that there is no danger to the exterior @ @ @ @ @ are investigating the cause of what they describe as a “ chemical accident.
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thetorontostar--2020-01-15--World shares slip on jitters over China-US trade deal

BANGKOK - World shares were mostly lower on Wednesday as conflicting reports raised concerns over the likely outcome of a trade deal to be signed by the U.S. and China .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 edged 0.1 % higher to 7,628.81 , while the CAC 40 in Paris was flat at 6,039.14 .
In Germany , the DAX lost 0.1 % to 13,441.33 .
Wall Street looked set for a quiet start , with the future contract for the Dow down 0.2 % at 28,882.00 .
The S & P 500 future edged 0.1 % lower to 3,283.20 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Chinese and U.S. officials will sign a preliminary trade agreement in Washington on Wednesday that will stave off a further escalation of tensions between the two biggest economies .
However , concern over whether the deal will stick overshadowed that optimism after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the deal will not reduce any punitive tariffs imposed on imports from China until after the two sides reach a further agreement .
“ The only way the president will be reducing the tariffs is if there is a ‘ Phase 2 ’ part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforceable , “ Mnuchin said in an interview on Fox News .
Meanwhile , a report said that the Trump administration was preparing to propose a rule that would tighten restrictions of U.S. sales of technology to China ’ s Huawei Technologies .
It is unclear if the deal to be signed on Wednesday takes such issues into account .
“ The US – China trade deal is like watching a live show in the theatre of the absurd , “ Ipek Ozkardeskaya of Swissquote Bank said in a commentary , noting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately .
“ The risk here is that the double-standard agreement could provide a weak basis for the future negotiations , impair the benefits , or even spoil the deal.
” Japan ’ s Nikkei 225 index lost 0.5 % to 23,916.58 while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong dropped 0.4 % to 28,773.59 .
The Shanghai Composite index gave up 0.5 % to 3,090.04 .
In South Korea , the Kospi slipped 0.4 % to 2,230.98 .
Shares also fell in Taiwan and in Southeast Asia .
But the S & P @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an intraday record high to 6,994.80 .
The modest trade pact that President Donald Trump and China ’ s chief negotiator , Liu He , are scheduled to sign does ease some sanctions on China .
Ahead of the signing , the U.S.. Treasury Department dropped the U.S. designation of Beijing as a currency manipulator .
Mnuchin said that was because the trade deal includes a “ fully enforceable “ chapter on currency policies .
Beijing , meanwhile , will step up its purchases of U.S. farm products and other goods .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , investors hope it will prevent further escalation in the conflict that has slowed global growth , hurt American manufacturers and weighed on the Chinese economy .
With the trade issue potentially entering a new phase , attention is shifting to corporate earnings .
Wall Street expects corporate profits for S & P 500 companies in the last three months of 2019 to be down by 2 % .
That would be the first time that earnings for the S & P 500 would have declined four quarters in a row since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FactSet .
In other tradeing , benchmark crude oil lost 32 cents to $ 57.91 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
It gained 15 cents on Tuesday , to $ 58.23 per barrel .
Brent crude oil , the international standard , gave up 33 cents to $ 64.16 per barrel .
It gained 29 cents on Tuesday to $ 64.49 a barrel .
The dollar slipped to 109.88 Japanese yen from 109.97 yen on Tuesday .
The euro rose to $ 1.1132 from $ 1.1128 .

Elaine Kurtenbach - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Small plane crashes between homes in Utah neighbourhood

SALT LAKE CITY - A small plane crashed Wednesday in a Utah neighbourhood but appears to have narrowly avoided hitting any townhomes .
Images from a KSL-TV helicopter show smoke coming from the plane in Roy .
Debris from the plane could be seen on the roof of one home .
Video posted online from the scene shows wreckage on fire , with flames a few feet high topped by black smoke on a street with houses on both sides .
Messages left with police were not immediately returned .
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer said preliminary information shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short of a runway .
The cause was not immediately known and there was no information on injuries .
Roy is about 30 miles ( 48 kilometres ) north of Salt Lake City .
The crash occurred near a small airport in Ogden in an area that has seen other plane crashes in recent years .
A small plane crashed near Roy in November after hitting a billboard .
Two people on board , a commercial pilot and a student , were injured .
The same plane had made an emergency landing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small plane made an emergency landing on a nearby state highway in September 2017 .
Neither of the two people aboard was seriously injured .
In July 2017 , two couples on vacation were killed when their small plane crashed .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Murder indictments handed down in deadly Houston drug raid

HOUSTON - A grand jury has indicted two former Houston police officers — including one who is facing murder counts — for their roles in a deadly January 2019 drug raid that killed a couple , prosecutors announced Wednesday .
The indictments follow similar charges that were filed in August by the Harris County District Attorney ’ s Office .
Ex-officer Gerald Goines was indicted on two counts of felony murder .
The grand jury also indicted Goines and his former partner , Steven Bryant , on charges of tampering with a government record .
The Jan. 28 , 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged Goines , 55 , who was shot during the raid , lied in a search warrant that a confidential informant had bought heroin at the home .
Goines later acknowledged there was no informant and that he bought the drugs himself , authorities said .
Bryant , 46 , is accused of providing false information in a report after the raid that supported Goines ’ story about a confidential informant .
Killed in the shooting were 58-year-old Rhogena Nicholas and 59-year-old Dennis Tuttle .
Their family and friends have continuously dismissed allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found small amounts of marijuana and cocaine in the home but no heroin .
Goines ’ attorney , Nicole DeBorde , was critical of the prosecution ’ s decision to file charges first without sending the case to a grand jury .
“ Only the prosecutors who brought the charges are allowed to go in to the grand jury and it is not a surprise that the grand jury stamped off on the charges the DA originally brought .
We look forward to our day in court , “ DeBorde said .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an email seeking comment on Wednesday .
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said the indictments concluded the first phase of her office ’ s investigation .
Two other grand juries are expected to continue investigating over the next six months to determine if charges will be filed against any other officers involved in the raid , as well as possible additional charges against Goines and Bryant .
Ogg said the actions of all 11 members of the narcotics squad involved in the raid are being reviewed , both in the drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the raid , prosecutors have been reviewing about 14,000 cases handled by the Houston Police Department ’ s narcotics division , including at least more than 2,000 tied to Goines and Bryant .
Goines is also facing accusations that he provided false testimony that led to the wrongful conviction of a man in another drug case from 2008 .
“ Our charge is to find justice for these victims and all the people of Harris County whose trust has been betrayed by these officers , ” Ogg said .
“ Our officers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the good work that they do ... by corrupt police officers.
“ Goines and Bryant are also facing federal charges in connection with the drug raid .
Both men were relieved of duty after the shooting and later retired .
Goines faces up to life in prison if convicted of felony murder , while Bryant faces up to two years in jail if convicted of tampering with a government record .


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Risky cracks open up around erupting Philippine volcano

A tangle of cracks has opened up around an erupting volcano in the Philippines that has triggered hundreds of earthquakes and urgent pleas for residents to evacuate areas at risk of dangerous fissures and ashfall .
Police locked down three towns near Taal Volcano , 65 kilometres south of Manila , to prevent residents from returning home .
More than 82,000 people are sheltering in evacuation centres , the head of the military 's task force on Taal said .
Still , thousands have refused to leave their homes or drifted back , even as the volcano spews plumes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being considered to be placed under lockdown , the military said .
Soldiers and police were also deployed to patrol vacated areas to prevent looting .
`` Hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days , '' the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in a 5 p.m. bulletin , repeating warnings since Sunday , when Taal entered a period of intense unrest .
New cracks were observed in a dozen towns , along with the drying up of portions of the nearby Pansipit River , the agency said .
Satellite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been drained and new vent craters have been formed , it added .
That 's a sign that magma could be rising from underground , said the agency 's chief , Renato Solidum .
Taal Volcano , which lies in the middle of a lake , is a tourist attraction and is among the country ’ s most active volcanoes .
A 65-year-old woman died of cardiac arrest while evacuating from the town of Talisay on Monday , the Office of Civil Defence said Wednesday .
Dark grey , steam-laden plumes have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eruptions precipitated 53 volcanic earthquakes in the 11 hours through 4 p.m. Wednesday , adding to the hundreds reported earlier in the week , the volcanology agency said .
`` Such intense seismic activity probably signifies continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice , which may lead to further eruptive activity , '' the agency added .
Farm damage from the eruption , including rice , corn , coffee , cacao and bananas , has reached 577.59 million pesos ( $ 11.4 million ) , the Agriculture Department said .
Mass fish deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volcano .
It 's difficult to predict how long the volcano could remain at the current heightened level of activity , said Mario Aurelio , director of the National Institute of Geological Sciences at the University of the Philippines .
Previous eruptions suggest it could persist for weeks to months , he said .
`` This eruption is unlike before , '' said 80-year-old Lucia Masambique , who was living in a village on the lakeside of the Taal Volcano when it last erupted in 1977 .
She did n't have to evacuate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 20 are taking refuge in a school in the inland city of Santo Tomas in Batangas -- their second move since the eruption .
They will have to transfer again by Saturday because students will need the rooms for exams .
The economic impact of the eruption is estimated at 7.6 billion pesos ( $ 195 million ) so far in Batangas province where the volcano is located , Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a mobile-phone message .
Its effect on first-quarter growth will likely be `` insignificant , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Philippine stock index fell 1.7 per cent on Wednesday to its lowest since Dec. 19 , while the peso fell 0.3 per cent to 50.715 against the U.S. dollar .
President Rodrigo Duterte in a briefing on Tuesday told local officials that the national government will help meet the evacuees ' needs .
The government has `` more than enough funds '' to support affected localities , Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said separately .
Between 2000 and 2016 , natural disasters in the Philippines caused more than 23,000 deaths and affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asian Development Bank .
The socioeconomic damage was about $ 26 billion with average annual damage estimated at $ 1.6 billion , it said .

Andreo Calonzo - Bloomberg,Claire Jiao,Ditas Lopez


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Rep. Kirkpatrick of Arizona seeking treatment for alcoholism

PHOENIX - U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick of Arizona said Wednesday that she ’ s taking time off from her congressional duties to seek treatment for alcohol dependence after a “ serious ” fall last week .
Kirkpatrick , a Democrat whose swing district in southern Arizona has been targeted by Republicans in the November election , said she ’ s “ finally seeking this help after struggling to do so in the past.
“ “ I am ready to admit that I , like countless other Americans , suffer from this disease , ” Kirkpatrick said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have brought me success in life — have not been enough to win this battle.
” Kirkpatrick fell in Washington and went to a hospital with multiple cracked ribs and spinal fractures and required staples in her head , her spokeswoman , Abigail O ’ Brien , told the Arizona Daily Star .
In her statement , Kirkpatrick described alcohol dependence as “ the underlying cause of my fall.
” With physical therapy , she said she can fully recover .
O ’ Brien estimated the congresswoman would be out for three weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she has “ the full expectation and desire to return to work stronger and healthier and to continue serving my beloved Arizona.
” She said her staff would continue representing constituents and she would publicly disclose her position on all the recorded votes she misses .
She missed a Thursday vote on a resolution asserting that President Donald Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran .
Kirkpatrick , 69 , has positioned herself as a moderate in Congress , representing parts of Arizona for most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative areas .
She currently represents a swing district in Tucson and southeastern Arizona that Republicans are targeting in the 2020 election .
Seven Republicans have filed paperwork to challenge Kirkpatrick in November .
She previously represented a different swing district in northern and eastern Arizona before she ran unsuccessfully against Republican Sen. John McCain in 2016 .
McCain ’ s widow , Cindy McCain , who has been open about her own struggles with addiction to prescription pain pills three decades ago , said on Twitter that she ’ s “ sending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RepKirkpatrick.
” Before her first run for Congress in 2008 , Kirkpatrick was a state lawmaker , prosecutor and attorney .
Rep. Paul Gosar , a Republican who unseated Kirkpatrick in a 2010 House race , tweeted that he ’ s keeping her in his thoughts .
Kirkpatrick won the seat back after Gosar switched to a different district for the 2012 election .
“ There are many stressors in this business and at every reception and dinner alcohol is provided , ” he wrote .
“ It ’ s easy — too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wish god speed to my colleague , my friend and my fellow Arizonan .
God bless you Ann.
“

Jonathan J. Cooper - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-15--Sheriff: 3 face accusations of caging children in Alabama

OPELIKA , Ala. - A southeast Alabama mother , grandmother and grandfather accused of locking children in wooden cages have been arrested , a sheriff said Wednesday .
Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones announced the arrests of Pamela Deloris Bond , 66 ; James H. Bond , 69 ; and Kylla Michelle Mann , 30 , AL.com reported .
All three live in Smiths Station .
Sheriff ’ s investigators looking into information on possible child abuse went to the home and made contact with four children , ages 11 , 10 , 4 and 3 .
While at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that had lids that locked .
Investigators said they learned that the children had been locked in the cages multiple times .
Investigators said an 8-month-old child also lives at the home but was not there when deputies arrived .
All five children have been placed in state Department of Human Resources custody .
The suspects have been charged with two counts of aggravated abuse of a child less than 6 years of age and two counts of reckless endangerment .
Additionally , Pamela Bond is charged with one count of tampering with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Mann was set at $ 122,000 .
Bail for Pamela Bond was $ 123,000 .
Online records were unavailable Wednesday afternoon and it was unclear if they had an attorney who could comment on their behalf .
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