thetorontostar--2020-02-06--Walmart shooting suspect charged with federal hate crimes

WASHINGTON - The man accused of killing 22 people and wounding two dozen more in a shooting that targeted Mexicans in the border city of El Paso , Texas , has been charged with federal hate crimes .
Patrick Crusius , 21 , has been charged with 90 counts under federal hate crime and firearms laws for his role in the Aug. 3 shooting that authorities said was aimed at scaring Hispanics into leaving the United States , according to an indictment unsealed Thursday .
Federal prosecutors were expected to announce the charges against Crusius of Allen , Texas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ El Paso .
Crusius is facing the death penalty on a state capital murder charge .
He pleaded not guilty last year .
The shooting happened at a time when immigration officials were trying to manage a crush of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border and there was political battle over their treatment .
El Paso was the epicenter of the influx .
President Donald Trump has made cracking down on immigration a hallmark of his administration and the polarizing topic makes headlines around the world .
Eight Mexican nationals were among the victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeting people because of their “ actual and perceived national origin.
” The Walmart store is popular with shoppers from nearby Ciudad Juarez , Mexico , just on the other side of the Rio Grande from El Paso .
David Lane , a Colorado-based lawyer representing Crusius in the federal case , said Thursday morning that he had not yet seen the indictment but hopes federal prosecutors don ’ t to seek his client ’ s execution .
“ Part of the evolution of our society involves understanding that justice is not synonymous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential humanity in all of us and brutalizes us all , ” Lane said .
“ Part of my job here is to hopefully convince the Department of Justice that they are not the department of vengeance.
” The federal grand jury that indicted Crusius found his alleged crimes came “ after substantial planning and premeditation.
“ He bought a Romanian-made AK-47-style rifle and 1,000 rounds of hallow point ammunition online more than six weeks before he drove 10 hours overnight from his grandparents ’ house in a Dallas suburb to El Paso @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the indictment .
The federal indictment comes as El Paso marks the six-month anniversary of the shooting .
Last weekend , the commuter town of San Elizario planted 22 oak trees in honour of the victims .
Local news outlets aired remembrances .
The federal charge follows Crusius ’ state indictment last fall on a capital murder charge , which could also bring a death sentence .
He has been held without bond since the shooting and kept isolated from other prisoners , on suicide watch for at least two months after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the attack , saying , “ I ’ m the shooter , ” and that he was targeting Mexicans , according to an arrest warrant .
In court documents , prosecutors said Crusius published a screed online shortly before the shooting that said it was “ in response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas.
” It cited , as inspiration , a mass shooting in Christchurch , New Zealand , that killed scores of Muslim residents of that country .
The document parroted some of Trump ’ s immigration policy rhetoric .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Beto O ’ Rourke , who was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination this year , accused Trump of promoting harmful stereotypes and fueling the idea that the increase in migrant crossings was a co-ordinated “ invasion ” by Latinos .
The president has denied inciting violence .
The charges being announced Thursday are the latest by federal prosecutors following high-profile violent incidents .
The Justice Department has brought federal hate crimes charges against a man suspected in a Hanukkah machete attack in New York in December that wounded five people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a synagogue in Pittsburgh last year ; and a man who killed a woman when he drove into a crowd of protesters at a 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville , Virginia .
Attanasio reported from El Paso , Texas .
Associated Press Writer Jake Bleiberg in Dallas and Adam Kealoha Causey in Oklahoma City contributed to this report .

Michael Balsamo And Cedar Attanasio - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-06--Sheriff: 3 dead in plane crash in Louisiana

CHATHAM , La .
- A small plane crash in Louisiana on Thursday afternoon has left three people dead , @ @ @ @ @ Parish Sheriff Andy Brown told news outlets the plane was heading from Jackson , Mississippi @ @ @ @ @ Louisiana .
It crashed north of Chatham on Louisiana Highway 34 .
The Monroe Regional @ @ @ @ @ the plane around 2:10 p.m. Brown said there were three people on the plane .
@ @ @ @ @ three were killed .
The plane was a Cessna .
Further details regarding the crash @ @ @ @ @ .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from @ @ @ @ @ for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots @ @ @ @ @ Up Now

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada
Postal Code


thetorontostar--2020-02-06--San Francisco official, businessman make court appearance

SAN FRANCISCO - A San Francisco official known around town as “ Mr .
Clean ” and a charity-promoting restaurateur whom federal officials say conspired to line their own pockets at the expense of taxpayers ’ trust appeared in court Thursday for the first time since their arrest last week .
The FBI arrested public works director Mohammed Nuru and restaurateur Nick Bovis on Jan. 27 , saying the men schemed in 2018 to bribe a San Francisco airport commissioner for prime restaurant space at San Francisco International Airport .
The commissioner did not take the $ 5,000 bribe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 56 , appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim for bond hearings Thursday .
They are each free on $ 2 million bail and have started paperwork to secure those bonds with personal property .
The men are longtime friends , but they did not speak to each other in court Thursday .
Nuru left the courtroom with his lawyer , Ismail Ramsey , who declined comment .
Bovis and his lawyers huddled in the cafeteria after the hearing .
They also declined comment .
Before the hearing , however , Michael Stepanian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good man .
“ He wants to get to the bottom and put this behind him .
He understands what he did , but there ’ s legal aspects and fact aspects you have to put together to make a determination “ on criminality , Stepanian said .
The U.S. attorney ’ s office for Northern California says the two participated in a scheme “ to defraud the public of its right to the honest services of a public official through bribery or kickbacks “ in violation of their duty .
Nuru goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because since 2012 he has overseen the city ’ s department of public works , which is responsible for cleaning streets , and he was a deputy there before that .
The department also handles the design and construction of city facilities and has a project portfolio of more than $ 5.6 billion .
He is on paid leave .
Mayors and other city leaders depended on Nuru ’ s crews to clean up streets before public events , which he did without being asked .
Critics say his department was heavy-handed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sidewalks may have sparkled for photo ops , but they didn ’ t stay that way for long , they say .
Bovis runs a Christmas toy drive for needy children .
He is the owner of several businesses , including Lefty O ’ Doul ’ s , a popular sports bar forced out of its longtime Union Square spot in 2017 .
The grand re-opening of Lefty ’ s at Fisherman ’ s Wharf in 2018 was attended by Mayor London Breed , other elected leaders and Nuru .
The corruption allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Breed and others professing outrage and ignorance that cozy , illegal back-scratching could happen in their city .
The city attorney and controller offices are investigating .
Supervisors have called for an outside audit .
The fallout continues as journalists scramble to connect the dots in a hefty 75-page indictment where unnamed contractors , developers , executives and employees are referenced in conversations caught on surveillance .
The San Francisco Examiner reported Thursday that Bovis was accused of diverting charitable contributions from contractors who had business before Nuru for a lavish holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public works employees .
The donations to “ Lefty O ’ Doul ’ s Foundation for Kids “ were meant to benefit children .
Prosecutors say Nuru accepted lavish gifts from people with city business , including a $ 2,000 bottle of wine and travel from a wealthy Chinese developer seeking to build a large mixed-use building in San Francisco .
“ Thank you very much for all your generosity while we were in China .
We had a great vacation and my daughter had a wonderful time .
I will do my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets completed , ” he wrote to the developer in November 2018 , according to the complaint .
Nuru took deeply discounted or free help fixing up his vacation home in rural Northern California , prosecutors say .
They say he worked to help Bovis on city bids for portable toilets and container-type portable housing for the homeless .
Bovis also sought Nuru ’ s help in trying to score restaurant space at the $ 2 billion Transbay Transit Center .
“ I encourage the city attorney and controller to follow every lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and to make policy recommendations to help prevent future wrongdoing , “ Breed said in a statement this week .


thetorontostar--2020-02-06--Brazil judge rejects hacking accusation against Greenwald

SAO PAULO - A judge in Brazil ’ s capital on Thursday dismissed accusations that journalist Glenn Greenwald was involved in hacking phones of officials , following weeks of criticism that his prosecution would infringe on constitutional protections for the press .
Prosecutors last month levelled accusations that Greenwald helped a group of six people hack into phones of hundreds of local authorities , saying his actions amounted to criminal association and illegal interception of communications .
Since last year , Greenwald ’ s online media outlet The Intercept Brasil has published a series of excerpts from private conversations on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sérgio Moro .
The attempt by prosecutors to criminalize Greenwald ’ s work had prompted swift backlash from national and foreign journalist associations , freedom of expression advocates and Brazil ’ s national bar association .
Those groups said prosecutors were abusing their power to persecute Greenwald , an attorney-turned-journalist who lives with his husband and children in Rio de Janeiro .
Greenwald ’ s lawyers called the allegations “ bizarre ” and said they challenged a previous ruling in the case by the Brazilian Supreme Court protecting freedom of the press .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge , Ricardo Leite , invoked that earlier ruling by Supreme Court Justice Gilmar Mendes , who barred investigations of Greenwald and The Intercept Brasil in relation to the alleged hacking .
“ My feeling is that the decision of Justice Gilmar Mendes adopted a wide and extensive sense and it does include the interpretation of blocking any action of investigation by the state , both in the investigation phase and in the judicial one , ” Leite wrote in his decision .
While rejecting the claims regarding Greenwald , Leite accepted those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will now face charges as defendants .
The journalist said in a statement that he welcomes “ the fact that this investigation will not move forward , ” but adds that he believes “ this decision is insufficient to guarantee the rights of a free press.
” “ We seek a decisive rejection from the Supreme Court of this abusive prosecution on the grounds that it is a clear and grave assault on core press freedoms .
Anything less would leave open the possibility of further erosion of the fundamental freedom of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
He said his news outlet would continue to publish reports based on material obtained from the source .
The Intercept also welcomed the ruling , with reservations .
“ As federal police investigators affirmed last year , he did nothing wrong , ” said Betsy Reed , The Intercept ’ s editor-in-chief .
“ However , the ruling is narrow and procedural , based on the injunction issued by a Supreme Court minister last year.
” The leaked excerpts published by The Intercept Brasil purport to show that Moro , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors he was overseeing in a vast corruption investigation .
That probe led to the imprisonment of numerous business executives and politicians on corruption charges , including former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva .
Da Silva was released from jail in November because he has appeals pending .
While many Brazilians hail Moro as a hero , others believe he unfairly targeted Da Silva and other top leftist figures .
Moro is now a key member of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro ’ s Cabinet .
In Greenwald ’ s case , Brazil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the same evidence that formed the basis for the allegations against the journalist and determined there was no wrongdoing .

Mauricio Savarese And David Biller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-06--SC juvenile prison director promises to improve conditions

COLUMBIA , S.C. - The leader of South Carolina ’ s juvenile prisons promised Thursday to work with federal officials who determined young inmates civil rights are being violated because they aren ’ t protected from fights and assaults and are put in isolation too often .
The U.S. Department of Justice ordered South Carolina juvenile prison officials to begin making seven changes in the Department of Juvenile Justice in less than two months or face a lawsuit , according to the report from the federal agency ’ s Civil Rights Division released Wednesday .
The report said young inmates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in isolation for offences as minor as playing cards or drawing tattoos on each other with ink pens .
South Carolina officials also fail to get young prisoners mental health help when they threaten to harm or kill themselves , federal investigators said .
In 11 months ending last May , the Department of Juvenile Justice reported 134 fights and 71 assaults in a prison population of just over 100 inmates .
The report said 99 injuries were reported , or a prisoner hurt an average of every third day .
Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the problems started before he took over the agency .
But he also said Thursday all of that is unacceptable .
“ Our young people should be provided all the necessary educational , rehabilitative , and vocational services to have a bright , prosperous future as citizens of South Carolina , “ Pough wrote in a lengthy statement .
“ Youth altercations and the excessive use of confinement are directly in conflict with our vision for DJJ and do not align with national best practices for long-term rehabilitation or reduce recidivism.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked fo r more than $ 23 million in additional money in next year ’ s budget for his agency to increase salaries , renovate jails and upgrade security cameras .
Some of the changes are simple .
Federal investigators want South Carolina to severely limit the use of isolation cells , which are almost all concrete with a small window painted over so the inmate can ’ t see outside .
The inmates stay inside the isolation cell 23 hours a day and get little access to education or other programs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting up “ relaxation rooms , ” where inmates can voluntarily go and cool down , Pough said .
The report also said the state needs to develop a screening system to find juveniles most at risk of being attacked in prison and create a special housing unit for them with the same education and other opportunities .
South Carolina ’ s main juvenile prison in Columbia is also poorly designed because guards can not see the entire unit at one time and the prisoners are familiar with gaps both in the sight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The report also calls for South Carolina to train its guards in juvenile prisons .
Many do not know the proper way to restrain teenagers .
The staffing at the state ’ s juvenile prisons needs to improve as well .
From September 2017 to May 2019 , the system lost 63 employees even though the inmate population rose slightly .
South Carolina juvenile prison officials also need to take better care of inmates who threaten suicide or harm themselves , the report said .
Currently , those inmates are often sent into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The report suggests getting those inmates to a psychiatric hospital for help .
Pough said DJJ has already received money to create a youth home for inmates with severe mental illnesses and will work with the state Department of Mental Health to find better solutions for all prisoners with mental heath problems .


thetorontostar--2020-02-06--DNC chair calls for ‘recanvass’ of Iowa results after delays

WASHINGTON - The chairman of the Democratic National Committee on Thursday called for a “ recanvass ” of the results of the Iowa caucuses , saying it was needed to “ assure public confidence “ after three days of technical issues and delays .
With 97 % of precincts reporting , Pete Buttigieg , a former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders are nearly tied for the lead , and both candidates have declared themselves victorious .
The Associated Press said Thursday that it is unable to declare a winner in the contest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns , the Iowa Democratic Party has yet to report results from some satellite caucus sites , from which there are still an unknown number of state delegate equivalents to be won .
The state party apologized for technical glitches with an app that slowed down reporting of results from Monday ’ s caucuses and has spent the week trying to verify results .
However , it was unclear if the party planned to follow the directive of the national leader to recanvass those results , a process that would likely require state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at more than 1,600 caucus sites to ensure the calculations were done correctly and matched the reported results .
Iowa chairman Troy Price suggested in a statement Thursday that he would only pursue a recanvass if one was requested by a campaign .
The caucus crisis was an embarrassing twist after months of promoting Iowa as a chance for Democrats to find some clarity in a jumbled 2020 field .
Instead , after a buildup that featured seven rounds of debates , nearly $ 1 billion spent nationwide and a year of political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner and no official results .
Campaigning in New Hampshire , Sanders called the Iowa Democratic Party ’ s management of the caucuses a “ screw-up “ that has been ” extremely unfair “ to the candidates and their supporters .
“ I really do feel bad for the people of Iowa , ” said Sanders , who added that it was “ an outrage that they were that unprepared.
” Iowa marked the first contest in a primary season that will span all 50 states and several U.S. territories , ending at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July .
As first reported by The New York Times , numerous precincts reported results that contained errors or were inconsistent with party rules .
For example , the AP confirmed that dozens of precincts reported more final alignment votes than first alignment votes , which is not possible under party rules .
In other precincts , viable candidates lost votes from the first alignment tally to the final , which is also inconsistent with party rules .
Some precincts made apparent errors in awarding state delegate equivalents to candidates .
A handful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than they had available .
A few others didn ’ t award all of theirs .
The trouble began with an app that the Iowa Democratic Party used to tabulate the results of the contest .
The app was rolled out shortly before caucusing began and did not go through rigorous testing .
The problems were compounded when phone lines for reporting the outcomes became jammed , with many callers placed on hold for hours in order to report outcomes .
Party officials said the backlog was exacerbated by calls from people around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared intent on disrupting the process .
“ There was a moment in the night where , it became clear , ‘ Oh , the phone number just became available to the entire country , ’ ” said Iowa state Auditor Rob Sands , who was answering calls for the party .
“ It was a pretty big problem.
” “ The Democrats , they can ’ t count some simple votes and yet they want to take over your health care system , “ Trump said at a White House event Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Think of that — no , think of that.
” The chaos surrounding the reporting breakdown seems sure to blunt the impact of Iowa ’ s election , which typically rewards winners with a surge of momentum heading into subsequent primary contests .
But without a winner called , Democrats have quickly turned their focus to New Hampshire , which holds the next voting contest on Tuesday .
The results released so far show Buttigieg and Sanders locked in an exceedingly close contest .
They lead Sen. Elizabeth Warren , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy Klobuchar .
The two early leaders , Buttigieg and Sanders , are separated by 40 years in age and conflicting ideology .
Sanders , a 78-year-old self-described democratic socialist , has been a progressive powerhouse for decades .
Buttigieg , a 38-year-old former municipal official , represents the more moderate wing of the Democratic Party .
Buttigieg is also the first openly gay candidate to earn presidential primary delegates .
Sanders narrowly lost the Iowa caucuses in 2016 to Hillary Clinton and pushed the party to make changes to the process this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of results : a tally of candidate support at the start of the caucuses , their levels of support after those backing candidates with less than 15 % got to make a second choice and the number of state delegate equivalents each candidate receives .
The AP will determine a winner based on state delegates .
Given the tight race , former DNC Chairwoman Donna Brazile said the party needs to “ get this right ” so the eventual nominee isn ’ t saddled with questions of legitimacy .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared for the various mishaps that can take place when you try to do something new and different , ” she said .
Party activist John Deeth , who organized the caucuses in Iowa ’ s most Democratic county , Johnson , said he welcomed a recanvass and would help as needed .
“ It makes sense to look everything over again and get it right , ” he said .
Deeth said that he believed the review would uncover some data entry errors as well as some math and rounding errors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Volunteers running the precincts did their best , he said , but likely made some minor mistakes .
Peoples reported from New York .
Associated Press writers Ryan J. Foley in Iowa City , Iowa , Will Weissert in Manchester , N.H. , Bill Barrow in Atlanta , and Stephen Ohlemacher and Emily Swanson in Washington contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Steve Peoples, Julie Pace And Brian Slodysko - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-06--Associated Press unable to declare winner of Iowa caucuses

DES MOINES , Iowa - The Associated Press said Thursday that it is unable to declare a winner of Iowa ’ s Democratic caucuses .
With 97 % of precincts reporting from Monday ’ s caucuses , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg leads Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders by three state delegate equivalents out of 2,098 counted .
That is a margin of 0.14 percentage points .
However , even as the Iowa Democratic Party ’ s effort to complete its tabulation of the caucus results continues , Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez on Thursday asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recanvass .
That is not a recount , but rather a check of the vote count to ensure the results were added correctly .
Perez sought the recanvass following days of uncertainty about the results reported by the Iowa Democratic Party , which includes technology problems with the mobile phone app used by the party to collect results from caucus sites , an overwhelming number of calls to the party ’ s backup phone system and a subsequent delay of several days of reporting the results .
The Iowa Democratic Party suggested it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request , issuing a statement that said it would conduct a recanvass if one was requested by one of the candidates .
Further , the party has yet to report results from some satellite caucus sites , from which there are still an unknown number of state delegate equivalents to be won .
“ The Associated Press calls a race when there is a clear indication of a winner .
Because of a tight margin between former Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders and the irregularities in this year ’ s caucus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine a winner at this point , “ said Sally Buzbee , AP ’ s senior vice-president and executive editor .
The AP will continue to report and review the results from the Iowa Democratic Party as it completes its tabulation , as well as the results of any potential recanvass or recount .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign @ @


thetorontostar--2020-02-06--Lawsuit accuses school officials of ignoring sexual hazing

DAMASCUS , Md .
- The parents of three Maryland high school students who were sexually assaulted by their football teammates sued county school officials Thursday , saying they ignored warnings about the attack because of the school ’ s esteemed football program .
The suit , filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court , accuses Damascus High School officials of neglect , ignoring threats and mishandling the assaults because of the successful football program , news outlets reported .
In 2018 , three junior varsity football players were sexually assaulted in a team locker room , authorities said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a hazing ritual .
Four players indicted in the case pleaded guilty last year to involvement in the assault .
The lawsuit said coaches and administration were aware of the hazing ritual going back to 2016 .
It said officials neglectfully left the locker room unsupervised for up to an hour a day despite knowing their had been previous assaults .
Officials also ignored a threat by a player charged in the attack who had 12 school suspensions in previous years and who had been accused of sexual harassment , the lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school officials learned of the attack , they downplayed what happened and delayed calling authorities and parents .
“ They placed winning above the health and safety of some of their most vulnerable students , ” said William H. “ Billy ” Murphy , one of the attorneys representing the families .
At the time , the varsity team had the longest active winning streak in the nation at 51 games .
The lawsuit names the board of education , a former principal of the school , two former coaches and a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school system said Thursday morning officials will review the lawsuit before commenting .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-02-06--Man body-slammed by police sues Chicago, officer

CHICAGO - A 29-year-old man who was knocked unconscious when a Chicago police officer body slammed him onto a street curb sued the city and the officer on Thursday , saying the officer should have known the manoeuvr was dangerous because he is trained in martial arts .
The officer detained Bernard Kersh at a South Side bus stop on Thanksgiving for drinking alcohol in public .
During the arrest — which was videoed by a bystander and captured on a police body camera — the officer ’ s actions left Kersh with serious head , neck and shoulder injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cook County Circuit Court .
Prosecutors later filed aggravated battery and other charges against Kersh , accusing him of spitting into Officer Jerald Williams face .
During a December hearing , prosecutors said “ a substantial amount of spit ” got in the officer ’ s eye and some into his mouth .
The officer is a mixed martial arts fighter , known in fighting circles by the nickname “ Bacon and Eggs ” Williams , the lawsuit says .
“ His body is a lethal weapon , ” Stroth said , referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training .
The bystander video released by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability shows the officer suddenly lifting Kersh high off his feet , then slamming his body hard onto the pavement .
The back of Kersh ’ s head appears to strike the curb and he is immediately motionless .
The officer also threw a forearm strike to Kersh ’ s head after he passed out , the lawsuit says .
The body slam and officers ’ response to it , raise doubts about the Police Department ’ s commitment to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their jobs , Stroth said .
A plan approved by a federal judge last year highlights years of excessive force by officers , especially in minority communities .
Chicago ’ s law department , which would represent the city and the officer in the litigation , declined comment on the lawsuit .
Kevin Graham , the Chicago police union ’ s president , defended the officer in a December statement , saying “ his actions were well within department use-of-force guidelines.
” Mayor Lori Lightfoot has also said the investigation of the incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As is standard procedure , the officer was stripped of his police powers while COPA reviewed the case .
Recently released police body-cam video shows officers picking up Kersh ’ s limp body and placing him in a squad car .
One unidentified officer is heard saying emergency responders heading to the scene should slow down because “ nobody ’ s hurt.
” Another says an ambulance was called for the officer who was spit on , not for Kersh .
Kersh was hospitalized after the body slam but discharged hours later .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ severity of his injuries .
Kersh ’ s lawyers say their client has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and , in a condition he had before the body slam , is blind in one eye .
Kersh had been charged at least 25 times previously , mostly for theft , but once for punching an officer and once for spitting at an officer .
The two-count civil complaint asks for more than $ 100,000 in damages and other payments , but it doesn ’ t specify an amount .


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Doctor’s death unleashes mourning, fury at Chinese officials

BEIJING - The death of a doctor who was reprimanded for warning about China ’ s new virus triggered an outpouring Friday of praise for him and fury that communist authorities put politics above public safety .
In death , Dr. Li Wenliang became the face of simmering anger at the ruling Communist Party ’ s controls over information and complaints that officials lie about or hide disease outbreaks , chemical spills , dangerous consumer products or financial frauds .
The 34-year-old ophthalmologist died overnight at Wuhan Central Hospital , where he worked and likely contracted the virus while treating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak .
“ A hero who released information about Wuhan ’ s epidemic in the early stage , Dr. Li Wenliang is immortal , ” the China Center for Disease Control ’ s chief scientist , Zeng Guang , wrote on the Sina Weibo microblog service .
Police in December had reprimanded eight doctors including Li for warning friends on social media about the emerging threat .
China ’ s supreme court later criticized the police , but the ruling party also has tightened its grip on information about the outbreak .
Weibo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messages below Li ’ s last post .
A post by one of Li ’ s coworkers , an emergency room nurse , said the freezing Wuhan weather was “ as gloomy as my mood.
” “ To you , we are angels and so strong .
But how strong a heart can watch the people around me fall one by one without being shocked ?
” wrote Li Mengping on her verified account .
Others placed blame for the deaths on Chinese officials , not an animal species from where the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who made trouble for the doctor should face consequences .
The most pointed online comments were quickly deleted by censors .
The ruling party has faced similar accusations of bungling or thuggish behaviour following previous disasters .
They include the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome , a 2005 chemical spill that disrupted water supplies to millions of people in China ’ s northeast , sales of tainted milk that sickened thousands of children and the failure of private finance companies after the global economic crisis .
In each case , officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay release of information members of the public said they needed to protect themselves .
The party often responds by allowing the public to vent temporarily , then uses its control of media and the internet to stifle criticism .
Critics who persist can be jailed on vague charges of spreading rumours or making trouble .
On the streets of Beijing , the capital , residents expressed sadness and said that China should learn from Li .
“ He is such a nice person , but still didn ’ t pull through , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left do not dare to speak out .
Alas , I don ’ t know what to say.
” Some online comments Friday hinted at broader dissatisfaction with the party and Chinese President Xi Jinping , who has tightened controls on society since taking power in 2012 .
The most powerful Chinese leader since at least the 1980s , Xi gave himself the option of remaining president for life by changing the Chinese constitution in 2018 to remove a two-term limit .
Referring to one of Xi ’ s propaganda initiatives , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ My ‘ Chinese Dream ’ is broken.
” In Wuhan , local leaders were accused of telling doctors in December not to publicize the spreading virus in order to avoid casting a shadow over the annual meeting of a local legislative body .
As the virus spread , doctors were ordered to delete posts on social media that appealed for donations of medical supplies .
That prompted complaints authorities were more worried about image than public safety .
Li was detained by police after warning about the virus on a social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The latest episode is unusually awkward for the ruling party because Li was a physician , part of a group who are regarded as overworked , underpaid heroes who are China ’ s line of defence against a frightening new disease .
“ He showed a responsible attitude toward the society , “ said Cai Lin , a Beijing resident .
” He is honest and faithful .
So I think the whole society should reflect on this.
” The World Health Organization , which has complimented China ’ s response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Li Wenliang .
We all need to celebrate work that he did on ” the virus .
The official propaganda apparatus tried Friday to mollify the public .
“ Some of Li Wenliang ’ s experiences during his life reflect shortcomings and deficiencies in epidemic prevention and control , ” said state television on its website .
The Chinese ambassador to Washington , Cui Tiankai , said in Twitter , a service the ruling party ’ s internet censorship blocks the public from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of Dr. Li Wenliang .
He was a very devoted doctor .
We are so grateful to him for what he has done in our joint efforts fighting against # 2019nCoV.
” The government announced a team from Beijing would be sent to Wuhan to investigate “ issues reported by the masses involving Dr. Li Wenliang.
” AP researchers Chen Si in Zhengzhou and Yu Bing in Beijing contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--UK woman loses challenge aimed at restoring her citizenship

LONDON - A U.K. woman who as a teenager ran away to join the Islamic State group lost a legal challenge Friday aimed at restoring her citizenship , which was revoked on national security grounds .
Shamima Begum , one of three east London schoolgirls who travelled to Syria in 2015 , resurfaced at a refugee camp in Syria last year and told reporters she wanted to come home .
But her apparent lack of remorse has triggered criticism in Britain and the family has expressed its own shock at her lack of repentance .
Former Home Secretary Sajid Javid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission .
She argued she is not the citizen of another country and that Javid ’ s decision left her stateless .
But the tribunal ruled in Javid ’ s favour on Friday .
Judge Doron Blum said the decision did not breach the Home Office ’ s “ extraterritorial human rights policy by exposing Ms Begum to a real risk of death or inhuman or degrading treatment.
’ ’ The tribunal ruled that she was “ a citizen of Bangladesh by descent , ’ ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney , Daniel Furner , said the decision was baffling and would be appealed .
Begum ’ s family has long argued that she has never had a Bangladeshi passport and that she was from the U.K. Begum , now 20 , was one of three schoolgirls from Bethnal Green Academy who left their homes and families to join IS after boarding a flight from Gatwick Airport to Istanbul .
Begum claims she married Dutch convert Yago Riedijk 10 days after arriving in IS territory , with all three of her school friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She gave birth to three children while in Syria , all of whom died .
Although it ’ s unclear whether Begum has committed a crime , her case has thrown into sharp relief larger questions about how Western societies will deal with others who joined IS , but want to return to their home countries now that the extremist group has collapsed .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Jet at Thai airport rolls into towing vehicle, killing man

BANGKOK - A plane being towed to a Bangkok airport boarding gate came loose and ran into a ground vehicle @ @ @ @ @ worker , an airport official said .
A second worker was injured when the loose @ @ @ @ @ rolled into the tractor , said Sumpun Kutranon , general manager at Don Mueang Airport @ @ @ @ @ had to replace its damaged plane for the passengers to board the flight to the @ @ @ @ @ Thammarat .
The airline said an autopsy and an investigation into the cause of the @ @ @ @ @ It said the airline would offer assistance and compensation to the family of the dead @ @ @ @ @ said an initial investigation found that a tow bar had become unhooked .
Get more @ @ @ @ @ inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters @ @ @ @ @ stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Bad weather moves into Eastern states; 5 dead in South

BIRMINGHAM , Ala. - Nearly 150,000 homes and businesses in the southeastern United States were without power early Friday after a powerful storm raked the region .
At least five people were killed .
Florida bore the brunt of the power outages , with nearly 75,000 , according to poweroutages.us .
The Carolinas , Georgia and Virginia also reported outages , and tornado watches and warnings were in effect Thursday night from northern Florida up through North Carolina .
The National Weather Service advised early Friday that the storm system was strengthening in the mid-Atlantic region , bringing snow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed mobile homes in Mississippi and Alabama , caused mudslides in Tennessee and Kentucky and flooded communities that shoulder waterways across the Appalachian region .
Rain kept falling over a path of splintered trees and sagging power lines that stretched from Louisiana into Virginia .
School districts cancelled classes in state after state as bad weather rolled through .
Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency Thursday evening because of heavy rains and extreme flooding .
More than 500 people in southwestern Virginia were displaced by flooding and needed rescue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
Meanwhile , the Tennessee Valley Authority warned that people residing near rivers and lakes should prepare for rapidly changing water levels .
The TVA is managing rising water behind 49 dams to avert major flooding , but with more rain expected next week , the agency may have to release water downstream , said James Everett , senior manager of the TVA ’ s river forecast centre in Knoxville , Tennessee .
Authorities confirmed five storm-related fatalities , in Alabama , South Carolina , North Carolina and Tennessee .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as high winds destroyed two mobile homes near the town of Demopolis , Alabama , the Storm Prediction Center reported .
The victim , Anita Rembert , was in one of the homes with her husband , child and two grandchildren , said Kevin McKinney , emergency management director for Marengo County .
A man was injured but the children were unhurt , he said .
High winds there left roadsides strewn with plywood , insulation , broken trees and twisted metal .
The National Weather Service was checking the site for signs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least four people dead and numerous authorities pleaded with motorists to avoid driving where they couldn ’ t see the pavement .
A driver died in South Carolina when a tree fell on an SUV near Fort Mill , Highway Patrol Master Trooper Gary Miller said .
The driver ’ s name wasn ’ t immediately released .
In North Carolina ’ s Gaston County , Terry Roger Fisher was killed after his pickup truck hydroplaned in heavy rain , plunged down a 25-foot ( 8-meter ) embankment and overturned in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrol said , according to news outlets .
An unidentified man died and two others were injured Thursday when a car hydroplaned in Knoxville , Tennessee , and hit a truck , police said in a news release .
And in Tennessee , 36-year-old teacher Brooke Sampson was killed and four people were injured when a rain-soaked tree fell on a van carrying Sevierville city employees , officials said .
The crash , though still under investigation , appeared to have been weather-related according to preliminary information , said Tennessee Highway Patrol spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , forced rescuers to suspend their search for a vehicle missing with a person inside it in north Alabama ’ s Buck ’ s Pocket State Park .
The vehicle quickly disappeared Wednesday in waters too dangerous for divers to search .
“ As the car started shifting because of the water we noticed what appeared to be an arm reaching out , ” witness Kirkland Follis , who called 911 , told WHNT-TV .
Associated Press staffers Rogelio Solis in Pickens , Mississippi ; Jeffrey Collins in Columbia , South Carolina ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Jeff Martin and Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta ; Adrian Sainz in Memphis , Tennessee ; Becky Yonker in Louisville , Kentucky ; John Raby in Charleston , West Virginia ; Kevin McGill in New Orleans ; and Jonathan Drew in Raleigh , North Carolina contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--China probes virus alarm doctor death, cruise ships shunned

BEIJING - China ’ s top Communist Party investigators are looking into “ relevant issues raised by the public ” about a whistleblower doctor who was threatened by police after publicizing his concerns about the new virus and has now died from it .
The party ’ s announcement Friday came as the death toll in mainland China rose to at least 636 .
The outbreak has now infected more than 31,200 people worldwide .
Cruise ship passengers faced more woe as Japan reported 41 new cases on a quarantined ship and turned away another .
President Xi Jinping spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who said the U.S. was working closely with China to help .
Xi urged the U.S. to “ respond reasonably “ to the outbreak , echoing complaints that some countries are overreacting by restricting Chinese travellers .
Those complaints come even while China keeps around 50 million residents of the hardest-hit city of Wuhan and surrounding areas under indefinite quarantine .
A look at the latest developments : Following an online uproar over the government ’ s treatment of Dr. Li Wenliang , the ruling Communist Party said it was sending an investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised by the public ” regarding the case .
Li , 34 , was one of eight medical professionals in Wuhan who tried to warn colleagues and others when the government did not .
He wrote on his Weibo microblog account that on Dec. 3 he saw a test sample that indicated the presence of a coronavirus similar to SARS , which killed nearly 800 people in a 2002-2003 outbreak .
Li wrote that after he reported seven patients had contracted the virus , he was visited on Jan. 3 by police , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitting to having spread falsehoods and warning him of punishment if he continued .
Li wrote that he developed a cough on Jan. 10 , fever on Jan. 11 and was hospitalized on Jan. 12 , after which he began having trouble breathing .
His death was confirmed early Friday , prompting a deluge of messages of mourning and outrage at the way he and the seven others were treated .
Even the staunchly pro-government Global Times newspaper weighed in , noting that the eight whistleblowers ’ treatment “ was evidence of local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deadly virus.
” Japan confirmed 41 new cases of the virus on the quarantined Diamond Princess , adding to 20 escorted off the ship earlier .
The nearly 3,700 passengers and crew still on board remain under 14-day quarantines .
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said foreign passengers on another ship , Holland America ’ s Westerdam , won ’ t be allowed into Japan .
He said suspected virus patients were on board , but the Seattle-based operator denied anyone had virus .
The ship with more than 2,000 people was currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s outer islands , and was seeking another port , said Overseas Travel Agency official Mie Matsubara .
“ Everyone is starting to reject the ship and we are getting desperate , ” she said .
“ We hope we can go somewhere so that passengers can land.
” At least four other cruise ships , two foreign and two Japanese-operated , are headed to Japan by the end of the month , Transport Minister Kazuyoshi Akaba said , urging port authorities around the country to turn them away .
China ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. to “ respond reasonably “ to the virus outbreak in a phone call with President Donald Trump .
“ A people ’ s war against the virus has been launched , “ Xi was quoted as saying by broadcaster CCTV , using timeworn communist terminology .
“ We hope the U.S. side can assess the epidemic in a calm manner and adopt and adjust its response measures in a reasonable way.
” Beijing has complained that the U.S. was flying its citizens out of Wuhan but not providing any assistance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great discipline is taking place in China ” and Xi was leading strongly in the fight against the virus .
Xi said China has “ made the most comprehensive and strict measures of prevention and control ” and the efforts are “ gradually yielding positive results.
“ WUHAN RESIDENTS SAY GETTING HELP NOT EASY Wuhan has added thousands of treatment beds by building two new hospitals and adapting gymnasiums and other spaces where patients can be treated in isolation .
Thousands of additional military and civilian medical workers have been sent to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine area speak of a medical system completely overwhelmed .
Chen Jiaxin , 22 , told The Associated Press by phone from Wuhan that his father fell ill on Jan. 28 but had to return home because no hospital would accept him .
When he called for an ambulance after his father ’ s fever spiked on Thursday morning , Chen said he was told 400 people were waiting ahead of him .
“ We were just told to wait and wait , “ Chen said .
Mother-of-two Rong Qin , 32 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by local officials that even those with a positive diagnosis have to wait for beds .
“ As far as I know , there have already been many people queuing up for help , “ wrote Rong , whose 67-year-old father has been feeling unwell and is awaiting his test results .
“ What I am hoping now is to put my father in a public quarantine facility so that he doesn ’ t pass the infection on to other family members , “ Rong wrote .
Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo .
Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japan , contributed to this report .

Ken Moritsugu And Mari Yamaguchi - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Macron seeks leading role in post-Brexit EU nuclear strategy

PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday advocated a more co-ordinated European Union defence strategy in which France , the bloc ’ s only post-Brexit nuclear power , and its arsenal would hold a central role .
Addressing military officers graduating in Paris , Macron set out his country ’ s nuclear strategy in a bid to show leadership one week after nuclear-armed Britain officially exited the EU .
Macron highlighted how France sees its nuclear weapons as a deterrent against attacks from belligerent foes , though he conceded France ’ s nuclear might is diminished after its military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear weapons .
But the speech aimed to project strength , as Macron refused to sign any treaty at this stage to further reduce the French arsenal , announced an increase in military spending and positioned himself as the driving force for a united EU -- using France ’ s military clout to make his point .
Macron also touted the French military ’ s role in spots such as Africa ’ s Sahel , where he has just pledged an additional 600 troops to fight extremists .
The central idea in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a boosted Europe-wide role for the French nuclear arsenal in a more co-ordinated European defence policy .
Macron said it the strategy would prevent Europe “ confining itself to a spectator role “ in an environment dominated by Russia , the United States and China .
“ Europeans must collectively realize that , in the absence of a legal framework , they could quickly find themselves exposed to the resumption of a conventional , even nuclear , arms race on their soil , ” Macron warned .
His remarks come at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordinarily look to the United States for help in a nuclear standoff , worry about Washington ’ s retreat from the multilateral stage .
This could create new tensions within NATO , where Macron ruffled feathers last year by saying the lack of U.S. leadership is causing the “ brain death ” of the military alliance .
Last year , Russia and the US pulled out of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces ( INF ) treaty — dating from the era of the Soviet Union — and each blamed the other for its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ INF treaty , Macron said he wanted the Europeans to propose their own “ international arms control agenda together.
” Friday ’ s speech was part of Macron ’ s long-running push for a stronger European defence , as U.S. President Donald Trump has pulled away from European allies and admonished them to pay more for their own protection .
Macron explained his vision as “ an offer of dialogue ” and “ service ” to Europeans to assert their autonomy “ in defence and arms control .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Egypt frees pro-democracy activist imprisoned for four years

CAIRO - Egypt on Friday freed a pro-democracy activist who spent over four years in prison and rose to local prominence as one of the faces of the country ’ s 2011 uprising , his lawyer said .
Ramy Sayed , 31 , had co-ordinated protests for the April 6 youth movement , a group that helped catalyze the Arab Spring uprising in Egypt that toppled autocratic President Hosni Mubarak .
In October 2015 , Sayed was convicted of taking part in an unauthorized demonstration , as well as related charges such as rioting and disturbing the peace .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 years in prison , lawyer May Hamed said .
“ Four and a half years in prison with empty charges against him , he didn ’ t think he would ever be freed , ” she said , adding that Sayed was back at his family ’ s home in Cairo on Friday morning .
The government has enforced a strict ban on public demonstrations since President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi rose to power in 2013 .
Sayed ’ s pardon , issued last week , came as part of a customary prisoner release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a fraught holiday , coinciding with the anniversary of the 2011 uprising .
El-Sissi , who took power in the wake of protests against the democratically elected but divisive Islamist president , Mohammed Morsi , has sought to stifle public commemoration of the uprising .
The Ministry of the Interior pardoned a number of prisoners last week and released 498 inmates on parole .
A ministry statement said the prisoners had been pardoned for humanitarian reasons , in line with the government ’ s “ desire to modernize punitive policies , provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been qualified to re-enter society.
” Rights groups have criticized Egypt ’ s justice system for violations of due process , and point to mass presidential pardons as further proof of unlawful detentions .
Multiple human rights lawyers said they were not aware of any political detainees ordered released in the past week other than Sayed .
El-Sissi has waged an unprecedented crackdown on dissent in recent years , arresting thousands —both secular-leaning activists and Islamist opponents — and rolling back freedoms won after the 2011 uprising .
Mubarak was sentenced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of anti-government protesters in the 2011 uprising but was later retried and subsequently acquitted and released in 2017 .
Last month , one of his sons tweeted that the 91-year-old former president had undergone an unspecified surgery .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--India to continue rebel peace accord push in troubled areas

GAUHATI , India - India ’ s prime minister said on Friday that his government will continue its peace push in the insurgency-wracked northeastern region bordering China and Myanmar where accords with key rebel groups have led to the surrender of thousands of fighters in recent weeks .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said decades of violent insurrection ended in the Bodo tribal heartland in Assam state following the signing of the January 27 agreement by the government with the rebel group , National Democratic Front of Bodoland .
He addressed hundreds of thousands of people , mostly Bodo tribespeople , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 250 kilometres ( 150 miles ) west of Gauhati , the state capital , celebrating the signing of the peace accord .
They included several hundred rebels from the National Democratic Front of Bodoland who turned out in their olive-green fatigues after surrendering to government forces at a ceremony on January 30 .
Leaders of the four factions that comprise the NDF welcomed the prime minister with traditional scarves on the dais , but they did not speak .
On Jan. 28 , Gobinda Basumatary , one of the leaders who signed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring peace after three decades .
Since enough of autonomy is given to us as part of the accord , the demand for a separate Bodo state is no longer necessary.
” On Thursday , the Bodo tribespeople lit up 70,000 oil lamps in their homes rejoicing in relief from long-simmering land and ethnic disputes in the region .
“ I can understand your feelings when you decided to bid adieu to your guns , bombs and pistols and return to normal life .
I will ensure that no thorn shall hurt you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Modi said .
The government plans to provide technical skills to those who surrendered to take up jobs in the near future .
Dozens of rebel groups have been fighting the government and sometimes each other for years in seven states in northeast India .
They demand greater regional autonomy or independent homelands for the indigenous groups they represent .
The rebels accuse the federal government of exploiting the region ’ s rich mineral resources but neglecting the local people .
Modi told the rally on Friday that insurgency was on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was trying to reach similar deals with insurgent groups mainly in Nagaland and Manipur states .


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--The Latest: Singapore raises health alert due to virus cases

BEIJING - The Latest on a virus outbreak that began in China ( all times local ) : Singapore has raised its public heath alert status to orange and says three new cases of a virus have no clear source of infection .
The health ministry said Friday the three new cases were in Singaporeans who have no travel history to China nor links to previous cases but two of them visited Malaysia last month .
It said the city state , which now has 33 cases , has “ planned for such a scenario involving community spread ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is advising large events be cancelled or attendees strictly screened .
Employers are required to conduct daily health checks such as checking workers ’ temperatures , and it urged companies to plan for further steps such as allowing staff to telecommute or segregating workers .
The ministry previously said it was investigating a business conference last month where attendees appear to have contracted the virus .
A Malaysian and two South Koreans who attended the meeting tested positive , and Britain said Friday that its third confirmed case was a man who attended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the man attended the same conference at the Grand Hyatt Singapore , which disinfected public areas upon learning of the cases .
One of the 56 Italians repatriated this week from Wuhan , the epicenter of the viral outbreak in central China , has tested positive for the disease .
Health officials in the Lazio region that includes Rome say the patient has been moved from a military facility to the Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases in the capital , where two Chinese tourists with the virus are being treated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 29-year-old unmarried researcher .
A plane carrying Canadian citizens from Wuhan , China , has landed in Vancouver .
The evacuation flight organized by the Canadian government is refuelling in Vancouver before flying to a military base in Ontario .
Several dozen more Canadian passengers left China on board a United States government flight that departed a few hours later .
All 176 evacuees from Wuhan will spend 14 days under quarantine at Canadian Forces Base Trenton , where they will be monitored to see if they have contracted the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. 12 .
The Asian Development Bank says it will distribute $ 2 million to strengthen measures to detect and respond to the virus in China , Cambodia , Laos , Myanmar , Thailand and Vietnam .
The bank said Friday that the money will pay for diagnostic and laboratory equipment and for improved outbreak surveillance and response , especially in rural areas .
The viral outbreak that began in China ’ s central Hubei province has infected more than 31,400 people worldwide .
China confirmed 31,161 cases and 636 deaths as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been confirmed outside mainland China , including two deaths in Hong Kong and the Philippines .
China ’ s official news agency says President Xi Jinping has urged the U.S. to “ respond reasonably “ to the virus outbreak in a phone call with President Donald Trump .
China ’ s foreign ministry has previously complained that the U.S. was flying its citizens out of the worst-hit city of Wuhan but not providing any assistance to China .
More generally , China has said other countries , many of whom have imposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , should follow WHO recommendations on reacting proportionately to the threat .
The White House says Trump “ expressed confidence in China ’ s strength and resilience in confronting the challenge “ of the outbreak in his conversation with Xi .
Communist Party newspaper Global Times says Xi told Trump China has “ full confidence and capability to overcome “ the outbreak and that the “ long-term positive trend of the Chinese economy remains unchanged.
” Japan ’ s fourth chartered flight has returned to Tokyo from Wuhan , the epicenter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrying 198 Japanese evacuees and their Chinese spouses .
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters Friday that so far nobody was seen having obvious symptoms of the coronavirus infection .
He says they will be all screened at a hospital before being sent to a government facility near Tokyo for quarantine .
At 86 , Japan now has the highest number of cases outside mainland China .
On Friday , Japan reported 41 more cases aboard a quarantined cruise ship .
Art Basel Hong Kong , a major cultural and business event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid the virus outbreak .
The annual art fair , which drew more than 80,000 people last year , had been scheduled to take place from March 19 to 21 .
Organizers say “ our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected around the world .
We remain committed to Hong Kong and look forward to welcoming you to the next edition of Art Basel Hong Kong , which will take place March 25 to March 27 , 2021.
” It ’ s the latest in a range of cultural , academic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , Hong Kong and elsewhere because of the outbreak .
Tourism is also down considerably and internal travel within China off by around 70 % .
Hong Kong has reported 22 cases of the virus and has ordered a 14-day quarantine for all travellers entering the city from mainland China starting Saturday .


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Heavy rain, floods lash eastern Australia, help with fires

CANBERRA , Australia - Heavy rains lashed parts of the wildfire and drought-stricken Australian east coast on Friday , bringing some flooding in Sydney and relief to firefighters still dealing with dozens of blazes in New South Wales .
New South Wales is the state hardest hit by wildfires that have killed at least 33 and destroyed more than 3,000 homes in an unprecedented fire season that began late in a record-dry 2019 .
New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said he was optimistic the rain will help extinguish some blazes over the coming days .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state , with 17 of those not contained .
“ The rain is good for business and farms as well as being really good for quenching some of these fires we ’ ve been dealing with for many , many months , ” he said .
“ We don ’ t want to see lots of widespread damage and disruption from flooding , but it is certainly a welcome change to the relentless campaign of hot , dry weather , “ he added .
Firefighters can ’ t contain major blazes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The rain forecast to move southwest from the northeastern coast over the next week would be the first substantial soakings to reach dozens of fires that have spread for weeks .
Heavy rain and flash-flooding warnings extend across most of the New South Wales coast .
Authorities say they rescued six people stranded from flood water in New South Wales since Wednesday .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Plaque marking site of slave auctions missing in Virginia

CHARLOTTESVILLE , Va. - A plaque marking the site of slave auctions was reported missing and vandalism was found nearby in a Virginia city where a deadly white nationalist rally was held in 2017 .
An employee with WVIR-TV told police Thursday that one of the two markers in Charlottesville ’ s Court Square had been removed , the television station reported , and the city confirmed the disappearance in a news release from city spokesman Brian Wheeler .
The marker was built into a sidewalk and had recently been criticized for being illegible , The Daily Progress reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ 1619 , ” which was written with what appears to be dirt from beneath the location of the marker , the news release said .
The number signifies the first year Africans were brought to Virginia as slaves .
Police said Thursday that it was unclear whether the sidewalk plaque was taken “ for protection ” or if it was stolen .
Another marker on the wall of a nearby building had been damaged and was taken down by its tenants , Wheeler said .
Police said the vandalism was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parks.
” Statues of Confederate generals Thomas “ Stonewall ” Jackson and Robert E. Lee have been repeatedly vandalized in Charlottesville parks .
The Lee statue in particular became a rallying point for white nationalists , including the hundreds who flocked to Charlottesville in August 2017 to protest its planned removal .
James Alex Fields Jr. , an avowed white supremacist , admitted deliberately driving his car into counterprotesters who showed up to demonstrate against the white nationalists .
Fields was convicted in the death of anti-racism activist Heather Heyer and for injuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life in prison plus 419 years , but court records show he plans to appeal his convictions .
The case stirred racial tensions around the country .
The parks where the statues are located were renamed : Lee Park became Emancipation Park and Jackson Park became Justice Park .
The parks were again renamed in 2018 to Market Street Park and Court Square Park , respectively .
A reward of up to $ 1,000 was offered to anyone with information leading to an arrest in connection with the missing plaque .
Get more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Democrats prepare for New Hampshire debate as urgency rises

MANCHESTER , N.H. - The Democratic Party ’ s seven strongest presidential contenders are preparing for what could be the fiercest debate stage clash of the 2020 primary season as candidates look to survive the gauntlet of contests that lie ahead .
The field has been shaken and reshaped by chaotic Iowa caucuses earlier this week , and Friday ’ s debate in New Hampshire — coming four days before the state ’ s primary — offers new opportunity and risk for the shrinking pool of White House hopefuls .
Two candidates , Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Midwestern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the top targets , having emerged from Iowa essentially tied for the lead .
Those trailing after the first contest — including former Vice-President Joe Biden , Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar — have an urgent need to demonstrate strength .
Billionaire activist Tom Steyer and New York entrepreneur Andrew Yang , meanwhile , are fighting to prove they belong in the conversation .
The rapidly evolving dynamic means that the candidates have a very real incentive to mix it up with their Democratic rivals in the 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not get another chance .
“ This is the time when voters are eager for candidates to show they can compare and contrast , but also show they ’ re in it to win it , ” said Democratic strategist Lily Adams , who worked on California Sen. Kamala Harris ’ unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign .
“ Expect it to get more feisty.
” Indeed , it was a debate at this same stage in New Hampshire four years ago on the Republican side that then-New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie devastated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambitions with a well-timed take-down .
Rubio never recovered , making it easier for Donald Trump to emerge as his party ’ s presidential nominee .
The stakes are particularly high this week for Biden , who has played front-runner in virtually every one of the previous seven debates but left Iowa in distant fourth place .
While reporting irregularities have blunted the impact of the Iowa contest , Biden ’ s weakness rattled supporters who encouraged him to take an aggressive tack Friday night .
One of Biden ’ s more prominent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Demers , said this is the time to fight .
“ People want to see the fire , they want to see fight and they want to see the differences , ” he said .
Lest there be any doubt about his intentions , Biden adopted a decidedly more aggressive tone with his rivals in the days leading up to Friday ’ s debate , having largely avoided direct attacks against other Democrats for much of the last year .
But Wednesday in New Hampshire , the former vice-president went after Sanders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to beat Trump .
On Sanders , Biden seized on the Vermont senator ’ s status as a self-described democratic socialist .
And on Buttigieg , he knocked the 38-year-old former mayor ’ s inexperience .
Biden also conceded the obvious — that his Iowa finish was underwhelming at best .
He called it a “ gut punch “ before embracing the underdog role : ” This isn ’ t the first time in my life I ’ ve been knocked down.
” The seven-person field also highlights the evolution of the Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more than two dozen candidates and has been effectively whittled down to a handful of top-tier contenders .
There are clear dividing lines based on ideology , age and gender .
But just one of the candidates on stage , Yang , is an ethnic minority .
Two African Americans and the only Latino candidate were forced from the race even before voting began .
The only black contender still in the running , former Massachusetts Gov .
Deval Patrick , did not meet the polling or fundraising thresholds to qualify for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s struggles , there are several subplots to watch .
The debate is the first since a progressive feud erupted on national television between Sanders and Warren .
The Massachusetts senator refused to shake her New England neighbour ’ s hand and accused him of calling her a liar moments after the Jan. 14 meeting in Iowa .
The pointed exchange threatened to cause a permanent fissure in the Democratic Party ’ s far-left flank .
Warren has embraced her gender as a political strength in the weeks since , highlighting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ era and her own record of defeating a male Republican to earn a seat in the Senate .
That said , she stressed unity at campaign stops in recent days : “ We ’ ve got to pull together as a party .
We can not repeat 2016 , “ she said .
She even points to her sprawling campaign organization to prove her dedication to party unity , noting that aides from rival candidates no longer in the race have chosen to work for her .
“ I have an open campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday at a community college in Nashua .
” An inclusive campaign , a campaign that invites people in.
” Yet Warren has been willing to attack before .
Aside from the post-debate skirmish with Sanders , she seized on Buttigieg ’ s fundraising practices in past meetings .
While Warren and Sanders as presidential candidates have sworn off wealthy donors , Buttigieg and the rest of the field have continued to hold private finance events with big donors , some with connections to Wall Street .
In fact , Buttigieg took the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week to hold three fundraisers with wealthy donors in the New York area .
Buttigieg should expect to be under attack Friday night , said Joel Benenson , a debate adviser to Buttigieg last year and a prominent Democratic pollster .
“ He ’ s got to be prepared for incoming from the people behind him , who are going to be punching up and trying to take votes away , ” Benenson said .
“ He ’ s got to be prepared to counterpunch , as well , and push back strenuously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s responding , ” he added .
“ If they draw sharp contrasts , he has to , as well.
“ Associated Press writers Will Weissert in Manchester , N.H. , and Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines , Iowa , contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Trump’s acquittal confronts Dems with election year choices

WASHINGTON - Donald Trump ’ s impeachment ended with a reminder of why House Speaker Nancy Pelosi resisted the idea for so long — an acquittal everyone saw coming , followed by a bombastic presidential victory lap and a bump in his poll numbers just as the 2020 campaign officially began .
Now Democrats have to decide how to navigate the legislative and political landscape that they ’ ve helped reshape .
Pelosi ’ s nationally televised ripping of her copy of Trump ’ s State of the Union address Tuesday night underscored the acrid atmosphere that will make partisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislative compromises were always going to be hard this election year , but the impeachment fight only deepened partisan bitterness and made progress less likely .
“ Because we have to , “ No .
2 House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland said when asked how Congress and Trump could co-operate on health care and other issues .
He added , “ I ’ d be foolish to be optimistic because we have not done that so far.
” Democrats must also decide how vigorously to continue investigations , including into impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to pressure Ukraine ’ s leaders to bolster his reelection by seeking dirt on rival Joe Biden .
The GOP-controlled Senate acquitted Trump on Wednesday of both articles of impeachment , with Utah Sen. Mitt Romney the sole lawmaker defying party lines .
Former White House national security adviser John Bolton could still have damaging information about Trump and has expressed a willingness to testify if subpoenaed .
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler , D-N.Y. , told reporters Wednesday that House panels would likely summon Bolton and pursue other Trump probes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lawless president , you have to bring that to the fore , you have to spotlight that , “ Nadler said .
Even as they consider the path ahead , neither Pelosi nor Democrats controlling the House are second-guessing their decision to impeach Trump .
Pelosi stood as a bulwark against impeachment for months as pro-impeachment sentiment rose steadily in her caucus , but when Trump ’ s dealings with Ukraine came to light in September , the floodgates were forced open .
“ Once Ukraine happened , we had no choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peter Welch , D-Vt. “ And had we not ( acted ) , “ Welch added , ” there would have been a huge price to pay politically.
” While that ’ s a popular view with Democrats ’ dominant liberal wing , many think an overemphasis on Trump investigations risks feeding the Republican narrative that overreaching Democrats are obsessed with pursuing him .
They also worry about detracting from Democrats ’ focus on pocketbook issues that helped them capture House control in the 2018 elections .
“ I ’ m hoping that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the big show is let ’ s work for the American people “ on issues like health care and infrastructure , ” said Rep. Lou Correa , D-Calif. , co-chairman of the Blue Dog Coalition , which represents around 25 moderate House Democrats .
Assessing impeachment ’ s political impact ahead of November ’ s elections is at least as fraught .
Democrats say say despite Trump ’ s acquittal , the trial trained prolonged attention on his sordid behaviour and lashed GOP senators to him with their votes absolving him .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of GOP senators in swing states like Colorado , Maine and Arizona .
“ This reinforced the view that Trump is unethical and lacking in integrity , “ said Democratic pollster Geoffrey Garin .
“ And it ’ s exposed a number of Republican senators as hacks beholden to the president and Mitch McConnell , ” the Senate majority leader from Kentucky whom Democrats love to target .
Republicans counter that the effort has electrified GOP voters just months before Election Day , citing a Gallup Poll showing Trump with a 49 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his presidency .
They say Pelosi made tactical errors that exposed Democrats ’ impeachment drive as a blatantly political exercise , in the process weakening more than two dozen House Democrats from Trump-won districts .
“ The President has his highest approval rating since he ’ s been in office , “ said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. “ I can tell you as a poll watcher who ’ s looking at polls in certain Senate races every one of our people in tough races , every one of them , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the impeachment trial started.
” Republicans were especially critical of House Democrats ’ decision to not fight more in the courts to obtain testimony and documents .
Democrats said they dropped such efforts because Trump could have forced legal battles lasting months , effectively derailing the impeachment effort .
Republicans said that decision made it easy to portray Democrats as caring less about a serious investigation than politics .
“ You didn ’ t even bother to pull all the levers , “ said Scott Jennings , a longtime political adviser to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been no way to prevent Republicans from complaining that the investigation was political and lacked sufficient evidence .
“ They ’ d have said that if you ’ d produced volumes more evidence , ” said John Lawrence , Pelosi ’ s chief of staff for eight years ending in 2013 .
And while Democrats collected compelling evidence against Trump , they made the mistake of thinking they ’ d win by appealing broadly to voters , said Brendan Buck , a GOP consultant who ’ s advised congressional leaders .
Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP ’ s core conservative supporters , a tactic that has driven Trump ’ s presidency .
“ Democrats seemed to play by the old rules and the president played by the new rules , ” Buck said .
One moderate House Democrat said Democrats facing difficult reelection fights from Trump-leaning districts think Pelosi made tactical decisions that could jeopardize them .
That includes her one-month delay in formally sending the House ’ s impeachment articles to the Senate .
That fed the GOP argument that the effort was political , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anonymity to describe private conversations .
This Democrat said lawmakers also recoiled at Pelosi ’ s decision to sign the impeachment articles and distribute pens as mementos to colleagues .
The Democrat said voters in their districts often cited that televised ceremony as evidence that impeachment was politically motivated .
“ They ran as , ‘ I ’ m not just a regular Democrat , I ’ ll reach across party lines , ’ “ said former Rep. Tom Davis , R-Va. , who once ran the House GOP ’ s campaign organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president like this.
” One thing many from both parties agree on : By November , impeachment could well be superseded by other issues and will likely be conflated into an overall referendum on Trump .
“ My honest guess is that the public will very rapidly turn to kitchen table issues , ” said former Rep. David Obey , D-Wis .

Alan Fram And Andrew Taylor - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--To win New Hampshire, Warren has to go through Sanders

MANCHESTER , N.H. - Elizabeth Warren ’ s path to victory may have to go through fellow progressive Bernie Sanders .
And after Sanders ’ strong showing in Iowa , that path became far more difficult heading into Tuesday ’ s New Hampshire primary .
The challenge for Warren is to somehow outshine Sanders in a state where he has a long record of enthusiastic and durable backing .
There isn ’ t much daylight between them to do that on the big issues that most excite the Democratic Party ’ s liberal wing : universal , government-run health insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan , tuition-free college and aggressive plans to fight climate change .
Sanders , a Vermont senator , also has a yawning financial advantage .
His campaign announced raking in $ 25 million in January alone — more than seven times the fundraising goal of $ 3.5 million that Warren set for herself over the same period .
Sanders ’ strong performance in Monday ’ s Iowa caucuses could mean a fundraising bump for him , while Warren will have a harder time exciting donors about her third-place finish in Iowa .
Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 1,000 staffers in 31 states and says she has the sprawling political organization to compete nationwide .
But maintaining such a large staff is costly and , even if she can afford it , having the most impressive ground game of any candidate didn ’ t help her much in Iowa .
Warren , nonetheless , insists her campaign “ is built for the long haul.
” “ I see Iowa as showing them our team can work , ” she said when asked about her political ground game producing underwhelming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there all over the state and bringing in volunteers , and the Iowa team is now leaving Iowa and going to other parts of the country.
” But Warren has also cancelled $ 350,000 in planned television advertising for later this month in Nevada and South Carolina , which vote after New Hampshire .
She said it wasn ’ t a change in strategy but rather “ about the fact that we completely finance our campaign through grassroots , and I just want to be careful about how we spend our money.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large fundraisers and relied instead mostly on small donations made online — a model similar to Sanders ’ .
That means Warren ’ s core supporters can keep donating to her in modest amounts for the long haul , though some may not want to without seeing results .
Her campaign says it softens the financial blow from having a large staff and payroll by not spending money on things other candidates are , like outside pollsters , consultants or advertisers .
It acknowledged cancelling some advertising but pointed to a digital ad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then-President Barack Obama praising Warren ’ s work as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau , a watchdog agency the senator considers one of the highlights of her career .
Tying Warren to Obama is taking a page out of the playbook of Joe Biden , who has made his work as vice-president during the administration a centerpiece of his 2020 White House bid .
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has also started airing a new ad showing his association with Obama .
Rebecca Katz , a New York-based progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren might eventually have to compete in a Democratic primary where there can only be one winner , direct competition is still a long way off .
“ Progressives have plenty of time to pick the candidate that they want , ” Katz said .
“ The path for the moderates in this race is much more complicated than it is for the progressives .
There are two progressives and at least four moderates.
” Some of Warren ’ s top allies now see room for her support to grow , arguing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top three in Iowa gives her a chance to appeal to Democrats who were holding out for someone more “ electable ” to beat President Donald Trump in November ’ s general election .
” Warren beats Pete and Warren beats Sanders if this gets down to one-on-one match-ups -- because voters across the party are inspired by her , “ said Adam Green , co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee .
” The challenge in the next few weeks is making the case that Warren is the best combination of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who can defeat Trump.
” The longer it takes for her to make that case , the more pressure Warren could face .
Still , Derrick Crowe of the progressive group Peoples ’ Action , which has endorsed Sanders , said many on the left don ’ t view backing Sanders as a slight to Warren .
“ I do think that we want to make sure that , as the race goes on , the progressive lane is the strongest lane , “ Crowe said .
” We want those progressive ideas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In the meantime , Warren won ’ t say she needs a first-place finish in New Hampshire .
“ This isn ’ t about the numbers as much as it is about the people , the enthusiasm , “ she said .
Sanders , whose strong tactical organization in Iowa helped propel him , has demonstrated to an even greater degree that he is playing a long game .
He said he would have liked to have seen higher turnout in Monday ’ s Iowa caucuses but was heartened to see that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had increased , calling it a “ good start.
” Sanders trounced Hillary Clinton by 22 points in New Hampshire during the 2016 Democratic presidential primary and has already predicted victory in New Hampshire and Nevada .
Vermont borders New Hampshire , but so does Massachusetts , meaning both Warren and Sanders are known political commodities .
Sanders is expanding television advertising in Nevada and plans to spend $ 5.5 million on TV and digital advertising in 10 states .
He ’ s also vowing to win the largest state voting March 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , thanks in no small measure to inroads he has made with Latino voters .
So far , Sanders and Warren have had a few moments of friction , like when Warren accused Sanders of calling her a liar after a recent debate .
But both have stressed unity .
Warren even recalls Sanders ’ protracted primary battle with Clinton in proclaiming , “ We ’ ve got to pull together as a party .
We can not repeat 2016.
” Two areas in which Warren has drawn a contrast with Sanders are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many former staffers from candidates who left the race and in saying she can beat Trump as a woman .
She had pointed out that female candidates have done better in recent cycles than their male counterparts , especially in 2018 , when they helped Democrats retake the House .
“ In 2020 , “ Warren says , “ we can and we should have a woman president.
” Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Carmakers adjust to virus turmoil; Uniqlo, Burberry take hit

BEIJING - Automakers are considering whether to reopen factory lines in China and counting the costs from the virus outbreak in China , while Japanese fashion brand Uniqlo reports half its shops in China are closed .
Here is a look at the latest developments on how the virus is affecting global business : AUTOMAKERS : Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. said Friday that sales in China in January by the company and its local partners fell 11.8 % from a year earlier to 118,143 vehicles due to the virus outbreak and the extension of the Lunar New Year holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening most of its factories in China on Monday but would wait until at least Feb. 14 for facilities in and around Wuhan , the city at the centre of the outbreak .
Toyota said it was keeping its factories in China closed for an extra week , through Feb. 16 , and will decided then whether to resume production .
Toyota Motor Corp. has 12 plants in China , including four vehicle assembly plants .
Honda Motor Co. said its three auto-assembly plants in Wuhan would stay closed through Feb. 13 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it has closed 350 stores , or about half , of its 750 stores in China , to comply with shutdowns of public transportation and closures of malls .
Parent company Fast Retailing says about 20 % of its sales come from China .
British firm Burberry , which gets about 40 % of its revenue from China , says the impact has been significant .
It shut 24 of 64 stores in China , and told the FT footfall had dropped as much as 80 % .
The impact in Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which had halved sales there in the last quarter .
COSMETICS : L ’ Oreal joined the growing list of beauty product brands expressing concern over the potential blow to sales due to travel restrictions that are vastly reducing demand from travels shopping at duty free shops .
The company said it expected a “ temporary impact ” on Asia ’ s beauty market , but that past experience suggests that “ after a period of disturbance , consumption resumes stronger than before.
“ Get more of the Star in your inbox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Maldives to enhance security for tourists after stabbings

COLOMBO , Sri Lanka - The Maldives government plans to increase security for tourists after suspected Islamic extremists stabbed three foreigners in the Indian Ocean nation .
The National Security Council was working with the police and other agencies to find out more about the attack , its motives and the perpetrators , the president ’ s office said .
Six suspects have been arrested in connection with the wounding of two Chinese nationals and an Australian .
The three were stabbed outdoors in separate attacks Tuesday on Hulhumale Island , adjoining the airport island in the capital region .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a hospital .
The security council met with tourism industry representatives Thursday to consult about enhancing security in areas frequented by tourists , the statement from the president ’ s office said .
It wasn ’ t specific about the measures that were planned .
Police ire as also investigating the authenticity of a video circulated on social media in which a masked man claims responsibility for the attacks .
Maldives is an Indian Ocean archipelago , known for its expensive luxury island resorts .
With a population of about 400,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was known to have contributed the highest number of foreign fighters per capita in Syria .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Shrinking country: Serbia struggles with population decline

BLAGOJEV KAMEN , Serbia - Uros Trainovic remembers when his small mining village in eastern Serbia was a vibrant home to 200 families , had a school of its own , a doctor and a shop .
How times have changed .
Now , 60-odd years later , it ’ s a ghost village with just eight residents .
The transformation of Blagojev Kamen is not unique in a country that experienced years of war and sanctions in the 1990s following the break-up of Yugoslavia .
In a twist of historical irony , one of the causes behind those years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Greater Serbia out of the ashes of the former Yugoslavia .
Near-empty villages with abandoned , crumbling houses can be seen all over Serbia — a clear symptom of a shrinking population that is raising acute questions over the economic well-being of the country .
The decline is happening so fast it ’ s considered a national emergency and the United Nations has stepped in to help .
“ This village used to be full of people , I used to go to school here , ” the 71-year-old Trainovic recalls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so sad that everybody left ... now there are only few of us and there are no young people any more.
” However it ’ s measured , the numbers look stark .
According to the World Bank , Serbia ’ s population of just below 7 million is projected to fall to 5.8 million by 2050 .
That would represent a 25 % fall since 1990 .
The Serbian government says the Balkan country is effectively losing a town each year , and that as many as 18 municipalities have fewer than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people less each day.
“ Population changes are a fact of life across Europe , but the problem is acutely different in Central and Eastern Europe where the low fertility rates that are commonplace in developed countries combine with high migration rates and low immigration more akin to developing nations .
The economic knock-on effects on a country striving to join the European Union are evident and amount to billions of dollars in the short term .
In the longer run , there are also costs related to the fact that a smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contribute more to support the ranks of those of pensionable age .
The U.N. Development Program and the U.N. Population Fund have assembled a group of seven international experts of different backgrounds and specialities to help out .
The members visited Serbia last month for a fact-finding mission .
Wolfgang Lutz , an Austrian expert in demographics at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis , or IIASA , said the main problem is related to the make-up of those leaving Serbia rather than the overall population decline .
“ We see that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more highly skilled , the more highly motivated mobile people who are leaving and that is certainly a drain of the human capital , ” he told The Associated Press in an interview .
Reflecting the decades of crisis are villages like Blagojev Kamen .
It had flourished when a nearby gold mine kept the area alive before and after World War II , but its fortunes have sunk as the mine closed down in the mid-1990s .
Trainovic said there are still gold and other minerals in the mine but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ One of my sons is in Germany and the other one is in Austria , ” he said .
“ They visit often but they have nothing to return to.
” Serbia ’ s government has tried to buck the trend , offering financial benefits for couples with multiple children , state-backed IVF , the renovation of schools and day care centres , aid to families in rural areas or backing for businesses in villages .
Ruth Finkelstein , an assistant professor from Columbia University who is an expert on aging and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also strive to find a role for its growing elderly population .
“ Room after room , people focus only on the young people , ” she said .
It ’ s not only Serbia that is worried .
Serbia ’ s neighbour Croatia , which currently holds the European Union ’ s rotating six-month presidency , has made the “ pressing issue of demographic challenges ” a priority .
Croatia ’ s rural areas have been emptying at an alarming rate while more than 15 % of Croatia ’ s 4.2 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bulgaria and Ukraine are two others enduring population declines .
Stjepan Sterc , a prominent Croatian demography expert , thinks the efforts to deal with the problems so far across the Balkans are not enough and that the tax system has to be more focused on reversing the trends .
“ Demography should be recognized as the essence of economic development so that the most important encouragement tool is directed toward it , ” he said .
Lutz , who directs the World Population Program for the IIASA , said small countries can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve seen a lot of pessimism , I ’ ve seen a lot of panic even about what is happening , ” he said .
“ The challenge is to convert this ... into some action that is positive , making this a more revitalized , more vibrant society again , that looks into the future .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Palestinians deny US charges of incitement, blame Trump plan

JERUSALEM - The Palestinians on Friday rejected U.S. allegations of incitement after a day of clashes and attacks left three Palestinians dead and more than a dozen Israelis wounded .
They instead linked the violence to President Donald Trump ’ s Mideast initiative , which heavily favours Israel on all the most contentious issues of the conflict and would allow it to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank .
“ Those who introduce plans for annexation and apartheid and the legalization of occupation and settlements are the ones who bear full responsibility for deepening the cycle of violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saeb Erekat said in a statement .
He was responding to remarks delivered the day before by Jared Kushner , Trump ’ s son-in-law and the architect of the Mideast blueprint , who had blamed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the latest violence .
“ Don ’ t call for days of rage and encourage ( your ) people to pursue violence if they ’ re not getting what they want , ” Kushner said on Thursday .
after briefing the U.N. Security Council on the plan .
He said Abbas “ was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Palestinian people , but he locked himself into a position ” by rejecting it before it came out .
Erakat said Abbas will soon bring his own plan to the Security Council , one that he said is rooted in international law and based on a two-state solution along the 1967 lines .
The Palestinians want an independent state in the West Bank , east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip , territories seized by Israel in the 1967 war .
They view Israel ’ s settlements in the West Bank and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some 700,000 people — as a major obstacle to peace .
Most of the international community views the settlements as illegal .
The Trump plan would allow Israel to annex all its settlements as well as the strategic Jordan Valley .
It would give the Palestinians limited autonomy in several chunks of territory with a capital on the outskirts of Jerusalem , but only if they meet nearly impossible conditions .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has eagerly embraced the plan .
The Palestinians have adamantly rejected it , but Abbas has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with Israel to combat militant groups in the parts of the West Bank where Israel allows them to operate .
Abbas has threatened to cut off security co-ordination in response to the Trump plan , but is not believed to have done so .
Abbas ’ forces are not allowed to operate in Jerusalem , where two of the three attacks took place Thursday , or near the West Bank settlements .
He has no control over the Gaza Strip , where the Islamic militant group Hamas seized power from his forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Israel on security is deeply unpopular among Palestinians , many of whom see it as serving the Israeli occupation .