thetorontostar--2020-09-24--Owner of fire-stricken ship to pay $1.8M for Sri Lankan help

COLOMBO , Sri Lanka - The owner of a large oil tanker that caught fire off Sri Lanka ’ s coast has agreed to pay $ 1.8 million to the island nation for its help in extinguishing the blaze , an official said Thursday .
MT New Diamond , which was carrying nearly 2 million barrels of crude oil , was damaged by two fires over a week in early September .
Last week , Attorney General Dappula de Livera submitted an interim claim of $ 1.8 million for services provided by the Sri Lankan navy , air force , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the ship caught fire on Sept. 3 .
Greece-based Porto Emporios Shipping Inc. is the registered owner of the 20-year-old vessel .
Nishara Jayaratne , the co-ordinating officer in the Attorney General ’ s Department , said the owner agreed to pay the claim in full .
She said the attorney general is expected to present another claim of about half a million dollars for additional services rendered to the ship .
She said an interim report on environmental damage has also been submitted to the ship ’ s owner , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be presented after the final report is complete .
The owner ’ s agreement to pay came nearly a week after a Sri Lankan court ordered the ship ’ s Greek captain to appear in court on Sept. 28 after the attorney general directed police to name him a suspect in the fire .
Experts have been working to salvage the ship , which remains in Sri Lankan waters .
The tanker was transporting crude oil from the port of Mina Al Ahmadi in Kuwait to the Indian port of Paradip , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refinery .
The initial fire killed one Filipino crew member and injured another , while 21 other crew members escaped uninjured .
The 21 crew members , including the captain , are staying in a coronavirus isolation centre for seafarers .
This story has been updated to CORRECT the name of the ship , MT New Diamond not MV New Diamond .

Bharatha Mallawarachi - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-24--Small hamlet named Swastika keeps name, despite complaint

SWASTIKA , N.Y. - The rural upstate New York hamlet of Swastika is keeping its name , despite a complaint that it symbolizes the hate and intolerance of the Nazi regime .
The unincorporated crossroads in the Adirondack Mountain town of Black Brook , about 35 miles ( 56 kilometres ) south of the U.S.-Canada border , has been known as Swastika for more than a century .
But town council members considered a name change after a visitor from New York City said it was offensive , and disrespectful to the memory of the World War II veterans buried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Alcamo said he was bicycling through the area this summer when he came upon Swastika .
“ I was stunned that the people who live there wouldn ’ t have a meeting and pick a different name sometime after 1945 , if not prior , ” Alcamo said Thursday .
“ We regret that individuals , from out of the area , that lack the knowledge of the history of our community become offended when they see the name , ” Black Brook supervisor Jon Douglass wrote in an email Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that the board represents , it is the name that their ancestors chose.
” The symbol has been indelibly linked to Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party since the 1930s , though crosses with arms bent at 90-degree angles have adorned art for thousands of years before the Holocaust in which 6 million Jews were killed .
The town ’ s name comes from the Sanskrit word meaning well-being .
State Sen. James Skoufis questioned in a tweet Thursday whether the debate would ’ ve looked different if one of the council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for legislation .
“ Since the town board won ’ t do the right thing , I ’ ll be introducing legislation prohibiting use of the name , ” Skoufis said .
One of the four council members who voted to keep the name , Howard Aubin , told the Adirondack Daily Enterprise that “ only an intolerant person ” would assume the name is connected to Nazis .
Douglass said the name came from settlers in the 1800s .
The Press-Republican of Plattsburgh related a different story in a 1977 article that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural community was once known as Goodrich Mills , but became known as Swastika in 1913 after that name appeared on the local post office .
Douglass , who did not take part in the vote , told NPR people have requested the name be changed several times before , including after World War II .
“ And some of the residents that were from that area actually fought in World War II and refused to change the name just because Hitler tried to tarnish the meaning of swastika , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes the town will reconsider at some point .
In April 2019 , the Cherry Hills Village City Council in Colorado voted unanimously to drop the name “ Swastika Acres ” from a subdivision .

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thetorontostar--2020-09-24--Groups decry proposal to roll back Alaska forest protections

JUNEAU , Alaska - The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to exempt the country ’ s largest national forest from a ban on timber harvests and road building in roadless areas , a move conservation groups denounced Thursday .
The U.S. Department of Agriculture , under which the Forest Service falls , announced Thursday the upcoming release of a final environmental review identifying a preferred alternative to exempt the Tongass National Forest from the so-called Roadless Rule .
Once the review is released , at least 30 days must pass before a final decision is made .
The Tongass , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 64,750 square kilometres ) in southeast Alaska , is one of the largest , relatively intact temperate rain forests in the world , and a majority of the Tongass is in a natural condition , “ unlike most other national forests , ” the Forest Service has said .
The state in 2018 , under then-Gov .
Bill Walker , asked the federal government to consider the exemption and members of Alaska ’ s congressional delegation last fall lauded a draft proposal that listed an exemption as a preferred alternative .
Supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to federal lands for such things as timber harvests and development of minerals and energy projects .
Critics say it could adversely affect wildlife , contribute to climate change and hurt tourism and recreation opportunities .
Randi Spivak , public lands director at the Center for Biological Diversity , in a statement said the federal proposal could pour “ gasoline on the inferno of climate change .
These towering ancient trees take enormous amounts of carbon out of the air and we need them now more than ever .
We ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giants standing for centuries to come.
” The U.S. Department of Agriculture said 9.2 million acres , or about 55 % of the forest , currently are designated as roadless areas .
Kate Glover , an attorney for Earthjustice , said her organization has long defended the Tongass as part of litigation , “ and we will use every tool available to continue defending this majestic and irreplaceable national forest .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-24--Justice Dept. expected to file antitrust action vs. Google

WASHINGTON - The Justice Department is expected to bring an antitrust action against Google in coming weeks , focusing on its dominance in online search and whether it was used to stifle competition and hurt consumers , a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press Thursday .
The department also is examining Google ’ s online advertising practices , said the person , who could not discuss an ongoing investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity .
Antitrust officials at the department briefed state attorneys general Thursday on the planned action against Google , seeking support from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Google ’ s conduct .
The anticipated lawsuit against Google could be the government ’ s biggest legal offensive to protect competition since the groundbreaking case against Microsoft almost 20 years ago .
Lawmakers and consumer advocates accuse Google of abusing its dominance in online search and advertising to stifle competition and boost its profits .
Spokespeople for Google , whose parent company is Alphabet Inc. , and headquarters is in Mountain View , California , declined comment Thursday .
Google has maintained that although its businesses are large , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company says its services face ample competition and have unleashed innovations that help people manage their lives .
Most of its services are offered for free in exchange for personal information that helps Google sell its ads .
For over a year , the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission have pursued sweeping antitrust investigations of big tech companies , looking at whether Google , Facebook , Amazon and Apple have hurt competition , stifled innovation or otherwise harmed consumers .
And a bipartisan coalition of 50 U.S. states and territories , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , announced a year ago on the steps of the Supreme Court that they were investigating Google ’ s business practices .
They cited “ potential monopolistic behaviour.
” Now with 40 days to the presidential election , the Justice Department is approaching legal action against Google and soliciting the support of state attorneys general on an issue of rare bipartisan agreement .
Support from the states would bolster the Justice Department ’ s case against Google .
The Trump administration has long had Google in its sights .
A top economic adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago that the White House was considering whether Google searches should be subject to government regulation .
Trump himself has often criticized Google , recycling unfounded claims by conservatives that the search giant is biased against conservatives and suppresses their viewpoints , interferes with U.S. elections and prefers working with the Chinese military over the Pentagon .
The company has denied the claims and insists that it never ranks search results to manipulate political views .
Antitrust regulators in Europe have cracked down on Google in recent years by imposing multibillion-dollar fines and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other things , the regulators found that Google forced smartphone makers to install Google apps , thereby expanding its reach .
Google has since allowed more options for alternative browser and search apps to European Android phones .
Google controls about 90 % of global web searches .
Its dominance in online search and advertising enables it to target millions of consumers for their personal data .
Google dwarfs other search competitors such as Microsoft ’ s Bing and Yelp , and has faced harsh criticism in the past for favouring its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ search results .
Google also owns the leading web browser in Chrome , the world ’ s largest mobile operating system in Android , the top video site in YouTube and the most popular digital mapping system .

Michael Balsamo And Marcy Gordon - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-24--Girl dead, 3 family members hurt in Oklahoma house explosion

OKLAHOMA CITY - A girl was killed and her parents and brother were injured when their home in Oklahoma City exploded Thursday morning , fire officials said .
The coroner has identified the girl as Berklee Maguire , 14 .
Her parents and brother were hospitalized with burns , said District Fire Chief Benny Fulkerson .
The explosion occurred just before 7 a.m. in northeast Oklahoma City and destroyed the home while also damaging at least three nearby houses , Fulkerson said .
“ When we arrived there was no active fire , it was a completely levelled home with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Fulkerson said .
Neighbour Patti Wommer said Shawn Maguire , the girl ’ s father said he plugged in a coffee pot , received a shock and the house exploded .
“ We heard Shawn , the dad crying because he couldn ’ t find his family and he couldn ’ t see .
We helped him through the street .
Another neighbour helped the mother , the wife .
And another neighbour helped the son .
And then we couldn ’ t find the daughter , ” Wommer said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal log lighter in the fireplace , said Nicholas Nadeau , safety code enforcement officer with the Oklahoma State Liquified Petroleum Gas Administration , which is leading the investigation .
The device had a faulty pilot safety shutoff and the pilot light went out , filling multiple rooms with propane gas vapour , he said .


thetorontostar--2020-09-24--California is ready to pull the plug on gas vehicles

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - California will ban the sale of new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks in 15 years , Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday , establishing a timeline in the nation ’ s most populous state that could force U.S. automakers to shift their zero-emission efforts into overdrive .
The plan won ’ t stop people from owning gas-powered cars or selling them on the used car market .
But in 2035 it would end the sale of all new such vehicles in the state of nearly 40 million people that accounts for more than one out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. California would be the first state with such a mandate while at least 15 other countries have already made similar commitments , including Germany , France and Norway .
Newsom used the hood of a red , electric-powered Ford Mustang Mach-E to sign an executive order directing state regulators to develop new regulations to meet the deadline .
He urged Californians to “ pull away from the gas pumps “ and encouraged other states to join California for the good of the environment and public health .
“ If you want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mitigate the rise of sea level , if you want to mitigate a loss of ice sheets around the globe , then this is a policy for other states to follow , ” Newsom said .
While environmental groups cheered the announcement , the oil industry panned it and the automakers ’ industry group sought a middle ground , saying it ’ s committed to increasing zero-emission vehicles but through co-operation among governments and businesses , not by mandates .
Meantime , White House spokesman Judd Deere said flatly : “ President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And Larry Kudlow , Trump ’ s economic adviser , labeled it a “ very extreme “ position that he doesn ’ t think other states will follow .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s campaign didn ’ t comment directly on Newsom ’ s plan .
But spokesman Matt Hill said Biden believes electric vehicles can create “ good-paying union jobs , dominate a fast-growing market worldwide , and meet the demands of the climate crisis.
” Tailpipe exhaust from cars , pickups , tractor-trailer rigs and other transportation are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and California has by far the most cars on the road than any other state .
In 2017 , the federal government said California emitted 266.5 million tons ( 241.8 million metric tons ) of carbon dioxide from the burning of petroleum .
That ’ s about the same as the total emissions from Egypt , which has 2.5 times the population .
Newsom says his order will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 % .
But he stressed the benefits went beyond the environment , saying electric cars and trucks are “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to dominate it.
” California is already home to 34 companies that make either electric vehicles or chargers and components for those vehicles .
Those companies include Tesla , the world ’ s top-selling electric vehicle maker .
Some auto industry analysts warned the timeline could be too fast for technology to catch up to customer ’ s expectations .
Battery life and manufacturing costs are still issues that haven ’ t been resolved , said IHS Markit principal analyst Stephanie Brinley , who studies the North and South American auto markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for cheaper batteries with higher energy density , but they are well into the future , she said .
“ Even if you get a battery like Tesla is talking about , it ’ s going to take time and money to get there , ” Brinley said .
Jessica Caldwell , executive director of insights at the Edmunds.com auto pricing site , said Newsom ’ s announcement “ does seem like this is a significant shot fired against ” the internal combustion engine that is likely to trigger high-level meetings at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward electric vehicles but didn ’ t expect a zero-emissions mandate in 15 years .
Ford Motor Company said it agreed with Newsom that it ’ s time to take action to address climate change .
But the Alliance for Automotive Innovation , which represents Ford and most other automakers , said markets can ’ t be built with mandates and bans .
The oil and gas industry , meanwhile , criticized Newsom for holding a news conference on Wednesday in front of nearly $ 200,000 worth of electric cars “ as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cars and trucks would soon be unwelcome in our state.
” “ Big and bold ideas are only better if they are affordable for us all , ” said Cathy Reheis-Boyd , president of the Western States Petroleum Association .
“ Our industry and the energy we provide will be the part of any solution.
” Mary Nichols , chairwoman of the California Air Resources board tasked with writing regulations for the plan , said electric vehicles will be more affordable in 15 years and everyone will benefit from cleaner air .
California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate laws in the country , putting it at odds with the Trump administration and it ’ s more relaxed regulatory approach to environmental policy .
The federal government has tried to end California ’ s authority to set emission standards for cars and trucks , a move the state is fighting in court .
About a dozen states follow California ’ s lead on auto emissions standards that are more restrictive than federal rules .
If those states follow suit on zero-emission vehicles , it could have a huge impact on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those states appeared with Newsom at an event on Wednesday sponsored by the U.S .
Climate Alliance .
They praised California ’ s move , but they gave no immediate indication they would join it .
“ We ’ re going to be with you , the auto industry is going to be with you , as we move to zero emissions vehicles , ” Connecticut Gov .
Ned Lamont said .
Newsom ’ s order on Wednesday also targeted medium and heavy duty commercial trucks , saying he wants those to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ where feasible.
” On the oil production side , Newsom called on the state Legislature to end new fracking licenses by 2024 .
Fracking is a technique that allows energy companies to extract huge volumes of oil and gas from shale rock deep underground .
It involves injecting high-pressure mixtures of water , sand or gravel and chemicals into rock .
Fracking opponents says the chemicals involved threaten water supplies and public health .
“ Newsom can ’ t claim climate leadership while handing out permits to oil companies to drill and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the Center for Biological Diversity ’ s Climate Law Institute .
“ He has the power to protect Californians from oil industry pollution , and he needs to use it , not pass the buck.
” Associated Press writers Tom Krisher in Detroit , Ellen Knickmeyer in Oklahoma City and Seth Borenstein and Kevin Freking in Washington , D.C. , in contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-09-24--Police say man grabbed deputy’s gun before fatal shooting

LOS ANGELES - The sheriff in Southern California ’ s Orange County released a grainy photograph Thursday that he said showed a Black man grabbing at a deputy ’ s gun during a struggle on the ground that ended with the fatal shooting of the man .
Sheriff Don Barnes said the photo was a frame of a video taken by a hotel surveillance camera that captured the incident Wednesday afternoon in the oceanside city of San Clemente .
Two deputies attempted to stop the man , identified as Kurt Andras Reinhold , 42 , as he tried to cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the three struggled , Barnes said surveillance video showed that Reinhold appeared to try to release the gun from a deputy ’ s holster , though the sheriff said it ’ s not clear if he was able to get it out .
Barnes said video from a witness recorded a deputy yelling “ he ’ s got my gun !
” four times .
One deputy then fired two shots and Reinhold died at the scene .
Barnes declined to release any video , saying he didn ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviewed by investigators .
He also said he didn ’ t yet know why the two veteran officers on the department ’ s homeless outreach unit tried to stop Reinhold on the street .
Reinhold was homeless and had been in San Clemente for about a month .
Police made multiple attempts to get him help but he declined , Barnes said .
Reinhold ’ s death came the same day as the decision not to charge Kentucky police officers for Breonna Taylor ’ s death .
Taylor , a Black woman and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple times by white officers in Louisville after one of them was shot while bursting into her home during a narcotics investigation in March .
The decision prompted protests in many cities , including Los Angeles .
On Thursday morning , about 50 people protested Reinhold ’ s killing and tried to block traffic in San Clemente , about 60 miles ( 967 kilometres ) south of LA .
Four were arrested after they refused to get out of the street and a fifth was booked on a vandalism charge for scratching a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Barnes acknowledged Reinhold ’ s death came at a tenuous time for the country .
“ Given the current climate of police and community relations , I understand that this conversation is going to be a difficult one around this incident , ” he said at a news conference .
He offered condolences to Reinhold ’ s family and asked anyone who plans to protest or mourn to do so peacefully .
The two deputies are 8- and 13-year veterans who are part of a 25-member unit that attempts to engage with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service programs for mental health , drug addiction or other issues .
They are trained in de-escalation and crisis intervention .
A video shot by a citizen and posted by Southern Orange County Black Lives Matter shows the early stages of the confrontation between the unidentified deputies and Reinhold .
He is seen trying to walk past the deputies as they stand in the middle of a street .
He is heard shouting “ stop touching me !
” and pushes away the hand of a deputy who orders him to sit on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reinhold , and both deputies tackled him to the sidewalk , where all three begin to wrestle .
Vehicles driving along the street block the camera ’ s view of the struggle as one shot rings out , then another about five seconds later .
Barnes said deputies are taught to try to gain compliance without violence .
He said the tackling of Reinhold was “ not something we want to see happen.
” The deputies have been placed on leave and the Orange County district attorney is investigating .
Ed Obayashi , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a deputy sheriff in Plumas County , said Reinhold appeared to be aggressive and unwilling to comply with the deputies ’ commands .
To Obayashi , Reinhold seemed to be advancing toward the deputies in a hostile manner and it looked like one deputy kept touching him to keep a safe distance between them .
“ He ’ s just trying to keep him at bay and also at the same time , guide him toward the sidewalk and out of the street , ” Obayashi said after watching the social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more reasoning or rationalizing , trying to convince this individual.
” When Reinhold allegedly grabbed the deputy ’ s gun , “ that ’ s life and death , “ Obayashi said , noting that it made sense that the other deputy would fire his weapon in response .
“ There are no absolute solutions or law enforcement responses that fit every situation , “ he said .
” There ’ s no one-size-fits-all .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-24--Trump promotes health care ‘vision’ but gaps remain

CHARLOTTE , N.C. - More than three-and-a-half years into his presidency and 40 days from an election , President Donald Trump on Thursday launched what aides termed a “ vision ” for health care heavy on unfulfilled aspirations .
“ This is affirmed , signed , and done , so we can put that to rest , ” Trump said .
He signed an executive order on a range of issues , including protecting people with preexisting medical conditions from insurance discrimination .
But that right is already guaranteed in the Obama-era health law his administration is asking the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi dismissively said Trump ’ s “ bogus executive order on pre-existing conditions isn ’ t worth the paper it ’ s signed on.
” Democrats are betting heavily that they have the edge on health care this election season .
Trump spoke at an airport hangar in swing-state North Carolina to a crowd that included white-coated , mask-wearing health care workers .
He stood on a podium in front of a blue background emblazoned with “ America First Healthcare Plan.
” His latest health care pitch won accolades from administration officials and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Executive orders issued close to elections are not the same thing as actual policies , ” said Katherine Hempstead , a senior policy adviser with the nonpartisan Robert Wood Johnson Foundation , which works on a range of health care issues , from coverage to quality .
Trump ’ s speech served up a clear political attack , as he accused Democrats of wanting to unleash a “ socialist nightmare ” on the U.S. health care system , complete with rationing .
But Democratic nominee Joe Biden has rejected calls from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government-run plan for all .
Instead , the former vice-president wants to expand the Affordable Care Act , and add a new public program as an option .
Trump returned to health care amid disapproval of his administration ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and growing uncertainty about the future of the Obama-era law .
In a rambling speech , he promised quality health care at affordable prices , lower prescription drug costs , more consumer choice and greater transparency .
His executive order would also to try to end surprise medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will have a better and less expensive plan that will always protect individuals with preexisting conditions , ” Trump declared .
But while his administration has made some progress on its health care goals , the sweeping changes Trump promised as a candidate in 2016 have eluded him .
The clock has all but run out in Congress for major legislation on lowering drug costs or ending surprise bills , much less replacing the Affordable Care Act , or “ Obamacare.
” Pre-election bill signing ceremonies on prescription drugs and surprise medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if challenging — goals for the president .
No longer .
Trump ’ s speech Thursday conflated some of his administration ’ s achievements with policies that are in stages of implementation and ones that remain aspirational .
Democrats are warning Trump would turn back the clock if given another four years in the White House , and they ’ re promising coverage for all and lower drug prices .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Trump ’ s executive order would declare it the policy of the U.S. government to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the ACA is declared unconstitutional .
However , such protections are already the law , and Trump would have to go to Congress to cement a new policy .
On surprise billing , Azar said the president ’ s order will direct him to work with Congress on legislation , and if there ’ s no progress , move ahead with regulatory action .
However , despite widespread support among lawmakers for ending surprise bills , the White House has been unable to forge a compromise that steers around determined lobbying by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and commentator Robert Laszewski said he ’ s particularly puzzled by Trump ’ s order on preexisting conditions .
“ So , after 20 years of national public policy debate and hard-fought congressional and presidential approval , how does Trump conclude he can restore these protections , should the Republican Supreme Court suit overturn them , with a simple executive order ?
” asked Laszewski .
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said the president ’ s order is not the equivalent of Obama ’ s law .
“ Should the administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law , the executive order will offer no guaranteed patient protections in its place , ” said Lisa Lacasse , the group ’ s president .
Prescription drug inflation has stabilized when generics are factored in , but the dramatic price rollbacks he once teased have not materialized .
In his speech the president highlighted another executive order directing Medicare to pay no more than what other nations pay for medications , but it remains yet to be seen how that policy will work in practice , if it can overcome fierce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Medicare recipients will soon receive a card that they can use to save $ 200 on medications .
“ I will always take care of our wonderful senior citizens , “ he promised .
More broadly , the number of uninsured Americans started edging up under Trump even before job losses in the economic shutdown to try to contain the coronavirus pandemic .
Various studies have tried to estimate the additional coverage losses this year , but the most authoritative government statistics have a long time lag .
Larry Levitt of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guess is “ several million.
” Meanwhile , Trump is pressing the Supreme Court to invalidate the entire Obama health law , which provides coverage to more than 20 million people and protects Americans with medical problems from insurance discrimination .
That case will be argued a week after Election Day .
The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has added another layer of uncertainty .
Without Ginsburg , there ’ s no longer a majority of five justices who previously had voted to uphold the ACA .
Democrats , unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmation of a replacement for Ginsburg , are ramping up their election-year health care messaging .
It ’ s a strategy that helped them win the House in 2018 .
A recent Kaiser Foundation poll found Biden had an edge over Trump among registered voters as the candidate with the better approach on making sure everyone has access to health care and insurance , 52 % to 40 % .
The gap narrowed for lowering costs of health care : 48 % named Biden , while 42 % picked Trump .
Trump was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swing to several battleground states , including the all-important Florida .
There , he held a rally in Jacksonville and was scheduled to court Latino voters at a roundtable in Doral on Friday .
Then he ’ ll fly to Atlanta , Georgia , to deliver a speech on black economic empowerment .
He ’ ll end the day with another rally in Newport News , Virginia .
The scramble to show concrete accomplishments on health care comes as Trump is chafing under criticism that he never delivered a Republican alternative to Obamacare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the healthcare party — the Republican Party — and nobody knows that , ” he said Thursday .
“ The news doesn ’ t talk about it .
”

Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar And Jill Colvin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-24--Biden’s Scranton vs. Park Ave. appeal targets working class

Joe Biden stood on the floor of a Wisconsin aluminum plant this week , shed the trappings of his decades in national politics and then took aim at the billionaire New Yorker he wants to evict from the Oval Office .
“ I ’ ve dealt with guys like Donald Trump my whole life , who would look down on us because we didn ’ t have a lot of money or your parents didn ’ t go to college , ” Biden said , recalling his boyhood roots .
“ Guys who think they ’ re better than you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve ever gotten in their life and squander it.
” Biden has long cultivated his persona as “ Middle-Class Joe ” with “ hardscrabble ” roots , but as he turns to the closing stretch of his third presidential bid , the Scranton , Pennsylvania , native is personalizing his pitch as he tries to undercut one of the president ’ s core strengths .
“ The truth is , ” Biden said , “ he never really respected us.
” It ’ s at once a demonstration of Biden ’ s personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s pride in his own family history as mostly working-class Irish Catholics .
But , most importantly as voters begin casting early ballots , it ’ s a carefully tailored message aimed at voters who ’ ve abandoned Democrats in recent elections and helped Trump flip a band of Rust Belt states to fashion his own presidential victory map .
The strategy goes beyond the headlines from Democrats ’ 2018 midterm success , when college-educated whites in metro areas swelled the congressional ranks of suburban Democrats and handed the party a House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state legislative seats around the country .
Now Biden and his advisers believe his profile , combined with Trump ’ s liabilities , allows Democrats to capitalize on their new base without forsaking their old one .
“ There are so many people in our party who have just said , ‘ screw the white working class , they don ’ t matter anymore and we can ’ t get them because they ’ re all racist , ’ blah , blah , blah , ” said Paul Maslin , a Democratic pollster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God Joe Biden is not running that kind of campaign .
He knows better.
” Trump advisers , for their part , see the president as having enough of an upper hand among the white working class to be reelected .
Still , it wouldn ’ t take much of a shift for Biden to win states like Wisconsin , Michigan or Pennsylvania that the president carried by less than 1 percentage point in 2016 , and Trump certainly seems mindful of that prospect .
“ Joe Biden ’ s devoted his career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your border , dragging us into endless foreign wars , ” Trump told a crowd in Wisconsin recently .
In Pittsburgh , Trump accused Biden of stealing his proposals to shore up American manufacturing .
And in Nevada , he went directly at Biden ’ s biographical pitch , casting the lifetime politician according to his resume and not his roots : “ I did more in 47 months as president than Joe Biden did in 47 years.
” Pitting working Americans against the wealthy ruling class in presidential politics didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Franklin Roosevelt ’ s Depression-era New Deal , Democrats have claimed the mantle of the nation ’ s labour force , with Biden being the latest nominee boasting a litany of labour union endorsements .
From Richard Nixon ’ s victories onward , Republicans answered as defenders of a “ silent majority ” battling a “ coastal elite , ” figures like Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco , 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry of Massachusetts and 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton , who ’ d decamped to New York after her Arkansas-native @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House .
President Barack Obama survived GOP attacks on him as an “ elitist , ” winning two terms with Biden as his running mate .
But Trump accelerated the shift to the GOP and overcame his own Manhattan pedigree with his “ Make America Great Again ” slogan and “ America First ” pitch on foreign policy , immigration and international trade .
His appeal was illuminated in the anti-immigrant cry at his 2016 rallies : “ Build the wall !
Build the wall !
” He upset Clinton in Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80,000 votes combined , stretched out surprisingly wide victory margins in Ohio and Iowa and made Minnesota uncomfortably close for Democrats .
Nationally , 64 % of white voters without a college degree backed Trump in 2016 , according to a Pew Research Center analysis of the electorate , while 28 % supported Clinton .
Among white college graduates , Clinton led 55 % to 38 % .
In Wisconsin , recent polls suggest Trump is leading modestly among white voters without a college degree .
A Washington Post-ABC News survey found white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump over Biden , by a 54 % -44 % margin .
A New York Times/Siena poll found a slight advantage for the president , 50 % -39 % .
To be sure , Biden makes policy arguments as he tries to appeal to those voters .
The Democrat juxtaposes his tax plans , which would impose higher burdens on the wealthiest Americans , with Trump ’ s calls for more cuts .
He casts Trump as judging the economy by the stock market alone .
Biden also blasts Trump for trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic and for failing in recent weeks to win congressional approval for additional aid to shore up the economy still reeling from COVID-19 .
And he chides the president for stoking racial divisions and pitting white workers against nonwhites fighting in the same economy .
But those lines of attack don ’ t differ fundamentally from what Clinton tried four years ago .
Maslin , the Democratic pollster , pointed to the personal core of Biden ’ s pitch as a key distinction .
“ I really do view this campaign as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Biden said last week at a CNN town hall , nodding to his Pennsylvania boyhood home and Trump ’ s adult life in Manhattan , where the president built his branding empire , complete with the skyscraper emblazoned with his name .
Biden insisted in Wisconsin that his background , so much closer culturally to working-class Americans , means he actually will deliver on what was Trump ’ s initial appeal for so many voters .
“ I know many of you were frustrated .
You were angry , ” Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You believed you weren ’ t being seen , represented , or heard .
I get it .
It has to change , and I promise you this : It will change with me.
” Biden even added a dig at the long list of Ivy League-educated figures spanning both major parties , from Trump and his University of Pennsylvania business degree to the Columbia and Harvard-educated Democrat , Obama , who gave Biden the biggest break of his political life .
“ I say it ’ s about time that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Biden , a University of Delaware graduate , in Wisconsin .
“ Because you know what ?
If I ’ m sitting there , you ’ re gon na be sitting there , too .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--HBCU president: Student’s BB gun suspension should be voided

HARVEY , La .
- The president of a historically Black college has asked a Louisiana school superintendent to revoke the punishment of a fourth grader who was suspended from school because his teacher saw a BB gun in his room during a virtual lesson .
Dillard University President Walter Kimbrough urged Jefferson Parish Superintendent James Gray to reconsider the punishment of Woodmere Elementary student Ka Mauri Harrison , who was suspended for six days and almost expelled , news outlets reported .
A school behaviour report said Ka Mauri , who is Black , was taking a test in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his brother walked into the room and tripped over a BB gun that was lying on the floor .
The brothers share a room .
The report said Ka Mauri left his seat , out of view of the teacher , and returned with “ what appeared to be a full-sized rifle in his possession.
” The teacher tried to talk to Ka Mauri , but his computer was muted and he was subsequently kicked out of the class , the report said .
Kimbrough said Ka Mauri ’ s punishment exceeded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action may harm Ka Mauri in the future .
Kimbrough wrote a letter to Gray expressing his understanding of the difficulties schools are facing during the pandemic .
However , he wondered whether the school system had adequate policies for situations like Ka Mauri ’ s .
School Board member Simeon Dickerson seconded that , saying that the school should have backed off once they realized it was a BB gun .
Both men urged Gray to hold another disciplinary hearing , remove the suspension from Ka Mauri ’ s record , update @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public apology .
Gray wouldn ’ t comment on Kimbrough ’ s letter .
A school system spokesperson said nothing has changed regarding Ka Marui ’ s suspension .
Other school board members also wouldn ’ t comment .
“ You have this overcriminalization of Black boys , ” Kimbrough said .
“ As the father of an 11-year-old boy , I want my son to be viewed through a lens of innocence if he makes a mistake , and not have to worry about him being suspended or expelled , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--London officer shot dead while detaining suspect at station

LONDON - A British police officer was shot dead inside a London police station early Friday while detaining a suspect , who also sustained a gunshot wound .
London ’ s Metropolitan Police force said the officer was shot at the Croydon Custody Center in the south of the city just after 2 a.m .
He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead .
The 23-year-old man being detained is in critical condition in a hospital .
The force said no police weapons were fired .
It is rare for police officers to be shot and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strict firearms laws .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other senior politicians expressed shock at Friday ’ s death .
“ We owe a huge debt to those who risk their own lives to keep us safe , “ Johnson said .
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said , “ My heart goes out to the family of this brave officer , who has paid the ultimate price for helping to keep Londoners safe.
” “ When a colleague dies in the line of duty the shockwaves and sadness reverberates throughout the Met and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commissioner Cressida Dick .
“ Policing is a family , within London and nationally , and we will all deeply mourn our colleague.
” The force has launched a murder inquiry and the independent police watchdog is also investigating .
The last London police officer killed in the line of duty was Constable Keith Palmer , who was stabbed to death in March 2017 during a vehicle and knife attack outside Parliament .


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Mali swears in transitional president and vice-president

BAMAKO , Mali - Mali ’ s transitional president and vice-president were sworn into office Friday , more than a month after a coup in the West African nation .
The induction ceremony in the capital , Bamako , took place as Mali remains under sanctions by the 15-nation West African regional bloc , ECOWAS , and amid uncertainty about details of the transition period .
Former Defence Minister and retired Col. Maj. Bah N ’ Daw is the new transitional president while Col. Assimi Goita , head of the junta that staged the Aug. 18 coup , is Mali @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , along with a prime minister who will be chosen in the coming days , are to lead the transitional government to elections in 18 months .
Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan attended the ceremony as representative of ECOWAS , which had pressed for a quick return to a civilian government .
The regional group held days of talks with the junta and other political and civil groups in Mali to encourage a return to democacy .
ECOWAS has closed borders to Mali and stopped financial flows and has said it will only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the transitional plan .
Jonathan has been positive about the junta ’ s proposals .
“ We are happy with what is happening in the Mali .
The young soldiers who took power are working in the direction of the recommendations of the heads of state of ECOWAS , “ he said upon arrival in Bamako Wednesday .
He has not made any further statement .
ECOWAS ambassador to Mali , Hamidou Bolly , said a civilian prime minister and the lifting of sanctions are likely .
However , there are many other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the transition government , including a safeguard that the vice-president can not replace the transitional president in the case of incapacity or resignation .
ECOWAS has also demanded the dissolution of the junta , which calls itself the National Committee for the Salvation of the People .
Baba Dakono , a researcher at the Citizen ’ s Observatory on Governance and Security , said that at this point it seems “ that the junta wants to do things well and move quickly after the ceremony.
” More importantly , he said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : improved governance , an end to impunity and insecurity .
The previous government , elected after an earlier coup in 2012 , did not fulfil its vows to be accountable , he said .
“ The 2012 transition did not live up to those expectations and that ’ s likely why we ended up in this new transition , ” he told The Associated Press .
The M5-RFP opposition coalition , which staged the massive demonstrations that paved the way for the junta ’ s coup , has been cautious about backing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a civilian transition for the good of the people .
They refused to back the transitional charter earlier this month and didn ’ t take part in discussions to name the transitional president .
Mountaga Tall of the M5-RFP said that they are still in talks with the junta over some points , including who will be the prime minister and the formation of a transitional council that will be the legislative body during the transition .
The opposition coalition has suggested it could return to protests if they are unhappy with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body has been relatively lenient toward the junta , Andrew Lebovich , Policy Fellow , European Council on Foreign Relations , told AP .
“ ECOWAS has so far appeared a step or two behind the situation at each level of mediation , even going back before the coup , ” said Lebovich .
“ The fact that they ’ ve accepted this outcome without other provisions in place and without even waiting for the designation of a transitional prime minister shows a strong desire to move forward with the transition , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintain a high degree of control over the process.
” ECOWAS could threaten to renew sanctions , but this path is unlikely if the transition appears to meet the majority of their conditions , he said .
The fate is unclear of 13 government officials who were detained at the time of the coup .
U.N. leaders have called for the release of the officials who were detained on the night of the coup .
Former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has since been released and flown to the United Arab Emirates for medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ECOWAS .
There has been widespread concern that the upheaval in Mali will set back efforts to contain the country ’ s growing Islamic insurgency .
After the earlier coup in 2012 , Islamic extremists grabbed control of major towns in northern Mali .
Only a 2013 military intervention led by the former colonial power France pushed extremists out of those towns .
France and a U.N. force have continued to battle the extremist rebels , who operate in rural areas and regularly attack roads and cities .
“ The coup has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that occurred after the 2012 coup , ” said Lebovich , although nearly two dozen security force members have been killed in recent extremist attacks .
The junta has repeatedly stated they want to continue to work with the international security partners .

Baba Ahmed And Carley Petesch - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Portland protesters set fire at police building, 14 arrested

PORTLAND , Ore. - Protesters in Portland late Thursday set fire to plywood attached to the front door of a police union building in Oregon ’ s largest city and clashed with officers , who made 14 arrests , police said in a statement .
Images posted online showed flames erupting outside the doors of the Portland Police Association office .
Some protesters managed later to get on the roof of the building , police said in a statement Friday .
The protesters who were detained were arrested on charges ranging from disorderly conduct to interfering with officers and trespassing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people hurled several firebombs at officers during a demonstration over a Kentucky grand jury ’ s decision to not indict officers in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor , police said .
The city has had nearly four months of near nightly protests over racial injustice and police brutality .
Deputy Police Chief Chris Davis said Wednesday night ’ s demonstrations were the most violent that Portland has experienced since the death of George Floyd , a Black man who died in Minnesota after a white officer held a knee to his neck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — who has been criticized for dismissing cases against hundreds of protesters — condemned the violence and called for calm .
U.S. agents with the Federal Protective Service , who were guarding a federal courthouse nearby , offered assistance during the demonstration and Portland police accepted because it was an “ emergency need in the moment , ” Davis told reporters Thursday .
The right-wing group Proud Boys plans a rally in Portland this Saturday to support President Donald Trump and the police .


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Madrid resists government pressure to extend soft lockdown

MADRID - Authorities in Madrid are expanding restrictions on movement to a further eight areas of the Spanish capital , which is leading the country ’ s contagion curve , despite a recommendation from the national government that the partial lockdown should apply to all the city .
Over 850,000 residents in 37 neighbourhoods have been confined this week to their areas unless they have a reason to go elsewhere , while maximum capacity in shops and restaurants has been reduced and parks closed .
Those limitations will now be expanded to 160,000 more people in areas where more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for the new virus in the past two weeks — the highest rates in Europe — the Madrid regional government announced Friday .
Throughout Madrid and its surrounding region , gatherings are already limited to a maximum of 6 people .
In a hastily organized press conference , national Health Minister Salvador Illa said that the Spanish government was recommending tougher measures , including a partial lockdown , for the whole of Madrid and its 3.3 million residents .
He also said that the threshold of contagion incidence to decide which suburban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants , which is roughly twice the national average .
Saying that “ shortcuts are not valid , ” Illa told reporters : ” I don ’ t want to hide that very tough , complicated weeks are ahead of us , but we are going to succeed if we do what we need to do.
“ The limitations in Madrid have been protested by locals who claim that they are being targeted because they live in poor neighbourhoods with denser population and worse infrastructure than more affluent areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transportation to get to work .
Politicians at both national and regional levels have been at odds over the response since the first day of the pandemic , although they recently agreed to negotiate a co-ordinated response to the worrying outbreaks in Madrid .
The truce lasted less than a week , with Friday ’ s competing press conferences conveying a message of disagreement and political blame-exchange .
Antonio Zapatero , deputy health chief of the Madrid region , said that he wanted to continue working with the central government to contain the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see if the current restrictions are having any effect .
“ What we do , we do it based on technical criteria , ” Zapatero said , adding that “ If decisions need to be taken , Madrid will take them.
” Both officials , Zapatero and Illa , agreed on recommending all citizens stay at home as much as possible , even for work , and limiting trips out to those that are really necessary .
In the streets of one of the newly affected neighbourhoods , García Noblejas , residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think the measures are sufficient .
It should be done all over , the virus has spread everywhere , “ said Eneda Rodríguez , a 62-year-old cook .
Cecilia Quilomba , 52 , who works as a cleaner , agreed .
“ We should not think selfishly and close everything so that this ends.
“ But José Antonio Jiménez , a 48-year-old musician said that rather than being subjected to limitations , “ what people need to do is to take precautions at all times , be it here or other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cumulative coronavirus caseload over 700,000 with the worry focusing in Madrid and its surrounding region , where more than one third of the new infections are happening .
The total death toll since the start of the pandemic reached 31,118 on Thursday .
Because of limited testing and missed cases , among other factors , the figures don ’ t capture the true extent of the damage wrought by the virus .
Similarly to the UK , Spain struggled earlier this year to implement an effective “ find , test , trace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the return to activity following the first wave of the pandemic , a team of experts who compared the strategies of rolling back lockdowns in nine Asian and European countries found in an article published this week in the medical journal The Lancet .
Iain Sullivan and Alicia León contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Queen Elizabeth II to trim costs as COVID-19 hits income

LONDON - Britain ’ s Queen Elizabeth II and her family are facing a 35 million pound ( $ 45 million ) hit from the coronavirus pandemic , partly due to a shortage of tourists , the monarch ’ s money-manager said Friday .
Releasing the royal household ’ s annual accounts , Keeper of the Privy Purse Michael Stevens said a lack of income from visitors to royal buildings was likely to bring a general funding shortfall of 15 million pounds ( $ 19 million ) over three years .
He said the impact of the pandemic is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 25.4 million ) shortfall in a 10-year , 369-million-pound program to replace antiquated heating , plumbing and wiring at Buckingham Palace , the queen ’ s London home .
Officials have said the palace ’ s aging infrastructure , which had its last major upgrade after World War II , is at risk of a catastrophic failure if it ’ s not replaced .
Stevens said the royal household would not ask for more government money but would “ look to manage the impact through our own efforts and efficiencies.
” Buckingham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freeze and a halt to hiring .
The accounts show that the monarchy cost British taxpayers 69.4 million pounds ( $ 88.2 million ) in the year to the end of March , an increase of 2.4 million ( $ 3.1 million ) on the previous financial year .
The accounts also show that Prince Harry and his wife , Meghan , paid an undisclosed sum to reimburse the public purse for rent and refurbishment of their Frogmore Cottage home near Windsor Castle .
The exact sum will appear in next year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the home were 2.4 million pounds ( $ 3.1 million . )
Harry , 36 and the former Meghan Markle , 39 , married at Windsor Castle in May 2018 .
The couple announced early this year they were quitting royal duties and moving to North America , citing what they said was the unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media .
They recently bought a house in Santa Barbara , California .
Harry and Meghan signed a lucrative deal this month to produce nature series , documentaries and children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--J-pop stars Arashi release English surprise before hiatus

SEOUL , Korea , Republic Of - Japanese pop sensation Arashi has a big surprise for fans as they near their planned hiatus at year ’ s end : a collaboration with Bruno Mars on their first all-English single .
The band told The Associated Press the multi-Grammy Award-winning musician delved into their back catalogue to understand their unique sound while working on the single that was released last week .
“ He took into consideration that we are going on hiatus , ” said Jun Matsumoto , adding he feels their song , “ Whenever You Call , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ those who do not know about us.
” “ We have been releasing music only in Japanese , ” Sho Sakurai explained .
“ In that sense , foreign audiences who can understand Japanese could recognize us .
But this time we sang the song in English .
Bruno provided us the opportunity to reach out to a foreign audience.
” The group , which also includes Satoshi Ohno , Masaki Aiba and Kazunari Ninomiya , embodied their name — Arashi means storm — by becoming one of Japan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than two decades .
Their greatest hits album “ 5x20 All the BEST !
!
1999-2019 ?
sold 3.3 million copies and was last year ’ s bestselling album worldwide , surpassing both BTS and Taylor Swift .
The band has released over 400 songs , sold over 41 million records and performed for 14 million people , according to their label , and they ’ ve also had parts in movies , Japanese dramas and shows , and commercials .
Despite their success , Arashi shocked fans by announcing their hiatus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of this year .
The Netflix documentary about the band shows it wasn ’ t an easy decision .
In “ Arashi ’ s Diary -Voyage- , ” Sakurai said his hands were “ trembling ” as he wrote down potential options , including disbanding and hiatus .
Naturally , questions about their life after hiatus have been dogging the band , but they said they don ’ t really know .
“ I haven ’ t been exactly thinking about it ( the future ) nor have time to think about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or four months will be an extremely busy time for us so we are unable to think that far , ” Aiba told AP .
Sakurai hinted the members might not pursue solo music careers after the hiatus .
“ There are things that won ’ t be accomplished if there aren ’ t these five members .
To simply put , it ’ d be like singing , dancing , connecting through music , et cetera , ” he said .
“ I think these things are difficult to pursue individually.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their career , Aiba fondly recalled concerts in Japanese National Stadium and Hawaii .
Matsumoto described a trip to Los Angeles around two years ago , when they revisited and took identical photos at places they visited 20 years ago .
With about three months left until their hiatus , the band is keeping busy despite the coronavirus pandemic .
Matsumoto said the band is considering a livestreaming concert .
“ I want to deliver our music to as many people as possible , so we are working hard on it , ” @ @ @ @ @

Juwon Park And Chisato Tanaka - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Sculpture of John Paul II with rock, red water makes waves

WARSAW , Poland - A new statue that depicts the late pope St. John Paul II throwing a rock into red water has provoked debate in his native Poland and revived memories of a 1999 Italian sculpture that showed him crushed under a rock , to which the new work was intended as a counter-statement .
The statue by Polish artist Jerzy Kalina , titled “ Poisoned Well , ” was inaugurated Thursday in front of Warsaw ’ s National Museum to mark 100 years since the much-loved pope ’ s birth on May 18 , 1920 .
Kalina , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ museum ’ s fountain relates to John Paul II ’ s efforts in the 1980s to help free Poland from communism , which is symbolized by the red colour the water has from a red fabric placed on the fountain ’ s bottom .
The artist , the creator of many works dealing with the Catholic faith and church , said he also wanted to send a “ warning against multiplying forms of red revolution ” and encourage the return to the “ clear well.
” He was apparently referring to the gradual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But some critics associated the art work with blood and violence .
The sculpture also drew ridicule on social media , with some commenters comparing the life-sized likeness of the canonized pope toting a rock to a cartoon figure .
The museum said the installation was Kalin ’ s response to “ La Nona Ora , ” Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan ’ s sculpture that showed the pope as “ feeble old man ” pinned to the ground by a huge meteorite .
Cattelan ’ s work , which was displayed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrespectful and provoked a huge outcry .
Kalina said at the inauguration ceremony for his installation that he had been angry with himself for not responding to “ Cattelan ’ s provocation ” sooner .
“ But now I have opposed Cattelan ’ s pope , crushed under a huge boulder , a helpless pope , with a figure of a strong pope , a strongman , who lifts the boulder over his head and is ready to hurl it into the waters of the poisoned well of a symbolic red hue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a monument to the victims of the 2010 plane crash in Smolensk , Russia , that killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 95 other people .
The 2018 black granite steps leading into the sky and symbolizing an airplane gangway were also at the centre of heated controversy over their huge black form and location in Warsaw ’ s prestigious downtown Pilsudski Square .
Born as Karol Wojtyla in the southern Polish city of Wadowice , John Paul II served as pope from October 1978 until his death in April 2005 .
Critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church failed to bring priests who sexually abused children to account .
Recent documentaries in Poland describing stories of the victims have provoked a public debate and spurred the church into taking steps to protect children and to punish the perpetrators .

Monika Scislowska - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Reporter arrested after deputies’ shooting won’t be charged

LOS ANGELES - A radio reporter taken into custody while covering a demonstration the night two Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies were shot will not be criminally charged , the county ’ s district attorney ’ s office said Thursday .
Josie Huang , a journalist for NPR affiliate KPCC , was slammed to the ground by deputies and accused of interfering with the arrest of a protester outside a hospital Sept. 12 .
After she was released from jail , Huang tweeted she was “ filming an arrest when suddenly deputies shout ‘ back up.
’ Within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There was nowhere to back up.
” In cellphone video of the incident , Huang can be heard shouting , “ I ’ m a reporter .
...
I ’ m with KPCC ” as she tumbles to the pavement .
She said she was wearing a press pass .
Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Huang , 39 , was too close to the deputies during the man ’ s arrest .
But the Los Angeles County ’ s District Attorney ’ s Office said “ it does not appear that she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but merely trying to record ” the incident .
“ Ms .
Huang was in a public area filming a protest .
When asked to back up , she is almost immediately grabbed by deputies and taken to the ground , giving her little if any time to comply , ” prosecutors wrote in a memo declining to file criminal charges .
The Sheriff ’ s Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
A letter from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press condemning the arrest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be dropped was signed by 64 media organizations , including The Associated Press .


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Judge dismisses suit against Fox over Trump affair story

NEW YORK - A Manhattan judge has tossed out a defamation lawsuit against Fox News brought by the former Playboy model who took a $ 150,000 payoff to squelch her story of an affair with a pre-presidency Donald Trump .
Karen McDougal had alleged in the suit filed late last year that Fox host Tucker Carlson slandered her by calling the payout “ a classic case of extortion.
” U.S. District Court Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil ruled on Thursday that McDougal failed to prove that Carlson was accusing her of an actual crime in a way that would back up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the on-air remarks “ rhetorical hyperbole and opinion commentary intended to frame a political debate , and as such , are not actionable as defamation , ” the judge said in a written ruling .
In an email to The Associated Press , McDougal zeroed in on the part of the ruling that found her claim didn ’ t meet the legal standard showing there was malice by Carlson .
“ I believe reporting something you know is a lie as ‘ news ’ or ‘ undisputed facts ’ is the very definition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A statement from Fox called the decision a victory both for the network and “ all defenders of the First Amendment.
” McDougal has said she had an affair with Trump in 2006 and 2007 .
He denied it .
As the Republican ran for office in 2016 , National Enquirer parent company American Media Inc. paid McDougal $ 150,000 for the rights to her story , which it never published .
The company eventually acknowledged the purchase was a “ catch-and-kill ” manoeuvr to help the presidential prospects of Trump .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cohen ended up pleading guilty to campaign finance violations in connection with payments to silence McDougal .
AMI , in a deal to avoid federal prosecution , admitted to making the payment “ in concert ” with the Trump campaign .
Carlson was discussing the Cohen case on Dec. 10 , 2018 , when the host recounted what he called “ undisputed ” facts : that two women had “ approached Donald Trump and threatened to ruin his career and humiliate his family if he doesn ’ t give them money.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case of extortion , ” Carlson added .
The decision siding with Fox on Thursday called it “ the kind of pitched commentary that one expects when tuning in to talk shows like Tucker Carlson Tonight , with pundits debating the latest political controversies.
“


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Orders for big-ticket US manufactured goods up weak 0.4%

WASHINGTON - Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods increased just 0.4 % in August following a much larger @ @ @ @ @ .
The Commerce Department reported Friday that the August advance marked the fourth consecutive increase @ @ @ @ @ the 11.7 % surge seen in July .
Economists had expected a slowdown after big @ @ @ @ @ in the spring due to the coronavirus shutdowns .
However , the 0.4 % August @ @ @ @ @ A key category that tracks business investment plans was up 1.8 % in August after @ @ @ @ @ in July and 4.3 % in June .

Martin Crutsinger - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--EU police searching office of Kosovo war veterans group

PRISTINA , Kosovo - European Union security police stormed the offices of a war veterans association in Kosovo , apparently to get hold of international prosecutors ’ files from a war crimes investigation that the association said it received anonymously , according to witnesses and veterans .
Members of the veterans ’ association , which represents the former ethnic Albanian separatists who fought Serbian troops in a 1998-1999 war for independence , said police from the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo , or EULEX , prevented them from going into the association ’ s offices on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s secretary , told reporters that police officers speaking different languages , including Kosovar police forces , had entered the offices in Pristina .
An Associated Press video journalist observed police officers telling journalists to move away from the entrance .
EULEX did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the police operation .
Earlier this week , the war veterans group said that for the third time in two months an unknown person had provided war crime files from a special international court in The Hague , Netherlands , probing alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and after the Balkan nation ’ s war .
The veterans said they would make the files public .
Christopher Bennett , spokesman of the Specialist Prosecutor ’ s Office at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers , said that releasing the documents would be “ undermining the proper administration of justice ” and a criminal act .
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers is looking into allegations that Kosovo Liberation Army members committed war crimes and crimes against humanity .
On Thursday The Hague-based court arrested a former KLA commander on charges including torture of detainees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a compound in Kosovo .
He was taken to the court ’ s detention centre in Netherlands .
Kosovar President Hashim Thaci , former parliamentary speaker Kadri Veseli , and others have been charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes , including murder , enforced disappearances , persecution and torture .
Both men have denied committing any crimes .
A pretrial judge hasn ’ t made a decision on whether to proceed with their case .
The 1998-1999 war for Kosovo ’ s independence from Serbia left more than 10,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Kosovo , and more than 1,600 people remain unaccounted for .
The fighting ended after a 78-day NATO air campaign against Serbian troops .
Kosovo , which is dominated by ethnic Albanians , declared independence from Serbia in 2008 , a move recognized by many Western nations but not Serbia or its allies Russia and China .

Florent Bajrami And Llazar Semini - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Japan’s newly minted prime minister steps into UN limelight

TOKYO - Considered something of a lightweight on foreign policy issues , Japan ’ s new prime minister has spent much of his career in the shadows , supporting previous leader Shinzo Abe with backroom bureaucratic manoeuvrs and in largely scripted , sometimes prickly dealings with the media .
That will change Saturday morning ( Friday afternoon at the United Nations ) when Yoshihide Suga makes his very public debut , albeit virtually and in a prerecorded video , at the U.N. General Assembly , the world ’ s premier international gathering of leaders .
Don ’ t expect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resounding rhetoric or wildly innovative ideas to improve Japan ’ s rocky ties with the nations it terrorized in WWII or its decades-long economic malaise .
Much as he ’ s done domestically in the week and a half that he ’ s been prime minister , Suga is eager to emphasize that he ’ ll continue the foreign policy efforts Abe championed in his nearly eight-year rule , the longest of any Japanese prime minister .
Continuity won ’ t necessarily thrill Japan ’ s Asian neighbours .
Many have been hoping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hawkish Abe , who regularly questioned the narrative of Japan as a war criminal .
Suga ’ s cautious approach is largely due to his lack of experience on the world stage , in part because his job as chief cabinet secretary required him to manage disasters and other crises at home .
But it also may be linked to his temperament .
“ He is not a visionary , ” according to Jeff Kingston , director of Asian studies at Temple University Japan .
He is “ a capable lieutenant who will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because of the constraints on travel and face-to-face contact caused by the coronavirus pandemic , Suga also won ’ t be able to pursue the personal diplomacy that Abe favoured and “ will muddle along rather than breaking any new ground , ” Kingston said .
Suga maintains that he was involved behind the scenes on big foreign policy issues and in building relationships with foreign leaders .
Much as Abe did , Suga will emphasize ties with the United States , Japan ’ s top ally .
He ’ s also eyeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a string of prime ministers , including resolving the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea , with which Japan still has no diplomatic ties .
Suga has praised Abe ’ s skills in forging personal ties with U.S. President Donald Trump , something he said that he might not be able to do as well .
Abe ’ s close relationship with Trump , much marveled at in the Japanese press , was said to be key to keeping U.S.-Japan ties firm .
And Suga may have played a bigger part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known .
In recent comments published in Bungei Shunju magazine , Suga said he was the one who insisted on establishing ties with the Trump side when nobody was seriously expecting a Trump victory .
Suga has also long worked on issues related to North Korea , as well as the contentious issue of U.S. military bases on Okinawa .
“ What ’ s important , “ Suga said , “ is an eye that can see the big picture.
” Behind-the-scenes operations are one thing , but questions still abound about whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key diplomatic or defence posts , will be able to navigate the much more visible arena of high-stakes global diplomacy .
His lack of foreign policy experience is a worry even among his party colleagues , said Tsuneo Watanabe , a Sasakawa Peace Foundation senior research fellow who is an expert on Japan-U.S. relations .
That said , Suga has good contacts with the country ’ s powerful bureaucrats and with skilled policy advisers in the Foreign Ministry , Watanabe said .
His approach will probably “ be pretty much the same as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stronger security alliance with the United States while balancing economic ties with China , Watanabe said .
Among the other strong pieces of evidence that Suga wants foreign policy continuity with Abe is his appointment of Nobuo Kishi , Abe ’ s younger brother and a military hawk , as defence minister .
Suga will face perhaps his biggest challenge in trying to settle ties with South Korea .
The countries ’ trade and political relations plummeted under Abe after Seoul claimed that Abe was whitewashing Japan ’ s historical crimes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to serve the long-term interest and avoid further deterioration of the Japan-South Korea relations , now is the time to explore the chance for a reset in relations , ” Kazuhiko Togo , a former diplomat and a visiting professor at Kyoto Sangyo University , wrote in a recent East Asia Forum article .
At the very least , Suga “ is not as reviled in Seoul as Abe , so that might create an opening , ” Kingston said , although much will depend on how Seoul handles things , as Tokyo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In some ways , the virtual setup of this year ’ s U.N. General Assembly might benefit Suga .
He has “ vast experience ” dealing with scripted media situations , but he is also “ sullen and prickly with tough questions , “ Kingston said , and when he eventually travels as prime minister , he , like Abe , could get in trouble with a more assertive foreign press because he “ will not be able to get away with the evasive tactics he favours.
” Abe , Kingston said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years in office , and “ Japan remains at risk in its neighbourhood , so Suga can ’ t do much worse on the foreign policy front.
” Foster Klug , AP ’ s news director for Japan , the Koreas , Australia and the South Pacific , has covered Asia at UNGA since 2005 .
Follow him at www.twitter.com/apklug .
Follow longtime Tokyo correspondent Mari Yamaguchi at www.twitter.com/mariyamaguchi

Foster Klug And Mari Yamaguchi - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Belarus detains opposition leader’s lawyer amid protests

KYIV , Ukraine - Authorities in Belarus detained a lawyer representing a top opposition activist who was jailed this month amid mass protests against the country ’ s authoritarian president , who won a sixth term in a disputed election .
The lawyer , Lyudmila Kazak , went missing on Thursday , with police confirming later in the day that she had been detained .
According to Kazak ’ s lawyers , she faces administrative charges of participating in an unauthorized rally and resisting a police officer .
Kazak was defending Maria Kolesnikova , a key member of a council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push for a new presidential election .
Kolesnikova is facing charges of undermining state security that could bring a five-year prison term , if she is convicted .
Kazak relayed several messages Kolsenikova sent from jail , encouraging protesters to continue anti-government rallies that have rocked Belarus for nearly seven weeks .
“ Freedom is worth fighting for .
Do not be afraid to be free , ” one such message said .
“ I do not regret anything and would do the same again.
” Kolsenikova has said Belarusian security forces drove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to make her leave the country , but that she tore up her passport .
She alleged officers threatened to kill her .
Her lawyer ’ s detention followed the arrest of Yegor Martinovich , chief editor of popular independent news outlet Nasha Niva .
Martinovich is accused of slander against a government official , and faces up to three years in prison .
Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have been protesting daily since the Aug. 9 presidential election .
Official results extended the 26-year tenure of President Alexander Lukashenko , giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko ’ s strongest opponent , Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya , got 10 % support .
Both opposition members and some poll workers say the vote was rigged , and the United States and the European Union condemned the election as neither free nor fair .
Many European countries refused to recognize Lukashenko as the legitimate leader after his unexpected inauguration earlier this week .
Anti-Lukashenko protests have rocked the country daily since the election , with the largest rallies in Minsk attracting up to 200,000 people .
In the first days of protests , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rubber bullets to disperse crowds .
Several protesters died , many were injured and nearly 7,000 were detained .
The response to street demonstrators intensified again this week , with police detaining hundreds and injuring many .
Despite the crackdown , protests continued in Minsk on Friday , with groups of people in different parts of the capital forming human chains of solidarity and singing songs .
Daria Litvinova in Moscow contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Mom’s remains go missing after being mailed to wrong address

JACKSONVILLE , Fla. - A Kentucky woman is sending out what she calls an “ urgent plea ” after a box containing her mother ’ s cremated remains went missing after she mailed it to her sister in Florida .
On Sept. 9. , Amy Redford of La Grange , Kentucky , sent the box via the U.S .
Postal Service to what she thought was her sister ’ s address in Jacksonville , The Florida Times-Union reported .
The box , which bore a bright red label saying , “ CREMATED REMAINS , ” was delivered the next day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Redford didn ’ t know .
Redford has talked to postal inspectors and the apartment manager to piece together a timeline .
The tenant took the box when the mail carrier knocked on the door , but seemed in a hurry because she was taking an online test , Redford told the newspaper .
When the woman realized the box wasn ’ t for her , she put it outside so the mail carrier could take it .
Now it ’ s missing .
Redford said she hopes someone will see her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ word out as much as possible is my best strategy , so that ’ s sort of what I ’ ve been hoping for , ” Redford said .
“ Somebody might see something , somebody might know something.
” She ’ has emailed trash companies in Jacksonville , who ’ ve pledged to keep an eye out for the package , the newspaper reported .
She has also talked to postal service employees in Kentucky .
“ They have done an amazing job here , they literally have been in contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ As a matter of fact , I now have the postmaster ’ s cellphone number.
” “ I just want to put her in peace , ” Redford told the newspaper .
“ I don ’ t want my mother to end up in some landfill somewhere .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Terror probe opened after 2 wounded in Paris knife attack

PARIS - French terrorism authorities are investigating a knife attack that wounded at least two people Friday near the former offices of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris , authorities said .
A suspect has been arrested .
The area in eastern Paris remained cordoned off by police two hours after the attack .
Children were being sequestered in nine schools while police worked to determine no other suspects were on the run , according to education and police officials .
It is unclear what motivated the attack or whether it was linked to Charlie Hebdo , which moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 Islamic extremist attack that left 12 people dead .
Police cordoned off the area , including the former Charlie Hebdo offices , after a suspect package was noticed nearby , but the package was found to be harmless and no explosives were found , according a police official .
An investigation was opened into “ attempted murder in relation with a terrorist enterprise , ” according to an official at the prosecutor ’ s office .
Authorities did not release the identity of the suspect arrested in the area of the Bastille @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was in his 30s or 40s with an axe in his hand who was walking behind a victim covered in blood ...
I cant tell you how many victims there was , I just saw one , ” witness Kader Alfa told The Associated Press at the scene .
AP reporters saw officers flooding into the neighbourhood , near the Richard Lenoir subway station .
The two people confirmed injured worked for documentary film company Premieres Lignes , according to founder Paul Moreira .
He told BFM television that the attacker fled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s staff members were evacuated .
Moreira said a man in the street “ attacked two people who were in front of the building , didn ’ t enter the building , and who attacked them with an axe and who left.
“ He said the company had not received any threats .
A Paris police official said that while authorities initially thought two attackers were involved , they now believe it was only one person , who was detained .
The official said police were still searching the area while they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced that four people were wounded in the attack , but the official told The Associated Press that there are in fact only two confirmed wounded .
Police could not explain the discrepancies .
Police did not release the identities of the attacker or the wounded , who are in “ absolutely urgent ” condition , the official said .
The official was not authorized to be publicly named .
French Prime Minister Jean Castex cut short a visit to a suburb north of Paris to head to the Interior Ministry to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hebdo attacks is currently underway across town .
Murmurs broke at the terrorism trial of 14 people , including 3 fugitives , accused of helping the attackers in the January 2015 killings , as the news filtered through .
The widows of the Charlie Hebdo attackers are scheduled to testify Friday afternoon .

Angela Charlton And Oleg Cetinic - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Israeli leaders bicker as virus lockdown goes into effect

JERUSALEM - Israeli lawmakers can not agree on legislation governing a tightened nationwide lockdown that took effect Friday , prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to propose a state of emergency that would halt weekly demonstrations against him .
Earlier this week , the Cabinet agreed to tighten the country ’ s second lockdown in response to a surge in coronavirus cases .
The government has ordered all nonessential businesses to close and people to remain within 1,000 metres ( yards ) from home for at least the next two weeks .
The orders went into effect Friday afternoon but must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliament , where lawmakers are bitterly split over restrictions on political demonstrations and public prayers during the ongoing Jewish High Holidays .
Netanyahu and his allies have pushed for restrictions on the weekly demonstrations held in recent months outside his official residence .
The protests are focused on his handling of the coronavirus as well as his indictment on a series of corruption charges .
“ The law can not be passed today with 4,000 amendments from the opposition , ” Netanyahu ’ s right-wing Likud party said in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s obsession with allowing the festival of the ‘ demonstrations.
’ ” Israel shuts down on Friday evenings for the weekly Jewish Sabbath , and will not reopen until Tuesday , following the solemn Yom Kippur holiday .
“ As it won ’ t be possible to complete the legislation by next Tuesday , Likud has proposed regulations for a state of emergency for several days to prevent mass demonstrations , “ it said .
That proposal was rejected by Benny Gantz , Netanyahu ’ s main rival-turned-partner in the coalition government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat the virus but has been hobbled by infighting .
“ The decision on a stringent lockdown was designed to stop the spread of the virus , not to block protests or communal prayer , “ he said in a statement .
” We will keep pushing the legislation within the rules of democratic process and will prevent using emergency regulations that are focused solely on protests , prayers , or any other specific target.
” Israel ’ s ultra-Orthodox leaders — key political allies of Netanyahu — have objected to restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities of discriminating against them while allowing the street protests to continue .
Critics counter that a far larger number of Israelis participate in prayers and that they are still often held indoors , where transmission is much more likely .
Others have accused Netanyahu of using the lockdown as a pretext to end the demonstrations against him , allegations the prime minister has said are “ absurd.
” Israel was praised for its initial response to the outbreak last spring , when it moved quickly to seal its borders and close businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast in May , and since then there has been a surge of cases .
Israel is currently reporting more than 7,000 new cases a day in a nation of just 9 million people — one of the most severe outbreaks in the world on a per capita basis .
Israel has reported more than 210,000 cases since the pandemic began , including 1,405 deaths .
It currently has more than 60,000 active cases , including 700 patients in serious condition .


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Germany: No probe of column on police that angered minister

BERLIN - German prosecutors said Friday they won ’ t open an investigation of a newspaper column that disparaged police and infuriated the country ’ s interior minister , finding that it was covered by the right to freedom of expression .
Berlin prosecutors looked into the matter after receiving more than 150 criminal complaints about the column published in June by the left-leaning Tageszeitung newspaper , which was headlined “ All cops are unfit for work “ and suggested that police officers would be better off working on garbage dumps .
They concluded that , despite its “ extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covered by the right to free speech .
It can be seen as a “ pointed article in the context of the current public discussion about ‘ police violence ’ and racism inside the police , “ they added in a statement .
In June , Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said he would file a criminal complaint against the column ’ s author , but backed off the threat amid heavy criticism after Chancellor Angela Merkel intervened .
Earlier this month , Germany ’ s independent press watchdog also ruled that the column @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The German Press Council found that the column had addressed structural problems within the police force , such as far-right extremism , violence and racism , in a satirical way .
Seehofer said that the council ’ s verdict was “ intolerable ” because it played down what he considered libelous comments about the police .


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Media rights group denounces arrest of Pakistani journalist

ISLAMABAD - An international media rights group on Friday voiced concern over the brief arrest of a Pakistani journalist this week for allegedly carrying weapons while reporting on a court case in the capital , saying Pakistani authorities should investigate the misuse of law in order to stop the harassment of media workers .
In a statement , the International Federation of Journalists said Ehtisham Kiyani was arrested Wednesday “ on false charges for allegedly bearing weapons in Islamabad ’ s High Court.
” Kiyani , who works for the Pakistani TV station Channel 24 , denied the charges and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest from fellow journalists .
His arrest was the latest in what appears to be a crackdown on journalists in Pakistan .
It came two weeks after authorities arrested a journalist , Bilal Farooq , in the port city of Karachi on charges of spreading hateful content against the military on social media .
Two other journalists , Asad Tooq and Absar Alam , were recently charged with sedition .
Pakistani authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday .
The International Federation of Journalists said the “ arbitrary arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and false charges is an abuse of power and the law and a direct violation of journalist rights.
” Kiyani was arrested while covering a corruption case against Maryam Nawaz , the daughter of the country ’ s ailing former prime minister , Nawaz Sharif .
Sharif has been in London since last November , when he was released on bail to seek medical treatment abroad .
He was previously sentenced to seven years in prison on corruption and money laundering charges .
Although Pakistan ’ s government insists it supports freedom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often accuse the country ’ s military and its agencies of pressuring media outlets to quash critical coverage .


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Japan’s new PM says stable Japan-China ties key to region

TOKYO - New Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed in talks Friday to work closely together by holding high-level meetings including summits , but did not discuss the possibility of a visit by Xi to Japan .
“ I told ( Xi ) that the stability of Japan-China relations is crucial , not only for the two countries but also for the region and for international society , ” Suga told reporters after their phone conversation .
His talks with Xi late Friday were his first since taking office just over a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resigned due to poor health .
A planned visit by Xi to Japan last April was indefinitely postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The plan had triggered protests even within Japan ’ s governing party because of China ’ s tightening of controls over Hong Kong and its assertive actions in regional seas .
“ We did not discuss ( Xi ’ s ) possible visit to Japan , ” Suga said .
However , the leaders agreed to hold summits and other high-level meetings to co-operate in bilateral , regional and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the two Asian rivals have improved recently as China faces heightened tensions with the United States .
But Japan sees China ’ s military development and increasingly assertive stance in the East and South China Seas as a major security threat .
Chinese coast guard vessels routinely violate territorial waters around the Japanese-controlled southern islands of Senkaku , which China calls Diaoyu and also claims .
China ’ s official Xinhua News Agency said that Xi noted the improvement in relations and said that China stands ready to work with the Suga @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas such as trade and to handle sensitive issues , including historical ones .
Japan ’ s military invasion of China in the 1930s and 1940s remains a sore spot between the two .
Earlier Friday , Suga also held talks by phone with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed his intention to work together to achieve a “ free and open Indo-Pacific ” aimed at checking China ’ s maritime assertiveness .
On Thursday , Suga held talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and urged him to take actions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compensation issues .
Associated Press writer Ken Moritsugu in Beijing contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-09-25--Family demands release of evidence in Breonna Taylor’s case

LOUISVILLE , Ky. - Breonna Taylor ’ s family demanded Friday that Kentucky authorities release all body camera footage , police files and the transcripts of the grand jury proceedings that led to no charges being brought against police officers who killed the Black woman during a raid at her apartment .
The decision disappointed and angered those who have been calling for justice for Taylor for six months , and protesters vowed to stay in the streets until all the officers involved are fired or someone is charged with her killing .
A diverse group , including Taylor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday evening .
The protests have been peaceful , though at one point , police in riot gear fired flash bang devices to turn back those streaming through a street .
Two were arrested .
Earlier , Taylor ’ s lawyers and family expressed dismay that no one has been held accountable for her death .
“ I am an angry Black woman .
I am not angry for the reasons that you would like me to be .
But angry because our Black women keep dying at the hands of police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s mother , Tamika Palmer , wrote in a statement read by a relative .
She stood close by wearing a shirt that said , “ I ( heart ) Louisville Police ” with bullet holes in the heart emoji .
In her statement , Palmer said the criminal justice system had failed her , and state Attorney General Daniel Cameron was just the final person in the chain , following the officer who sought a no-knock warrant as part of a drug investigation , the judge who signed it and police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The warrant was connected to a suspect who did not live there , and no drugs were found inside .
Taylor was shot multiple times by white officers after her boyfriend fired at them , authorities said .
He said he didn ’ t know who was coming in and fired in self-defence , wounding one officer .
Cameron , the state ’ s first Black attorney general , said the officers were not charged with Taylor ’ s killing because they acted to protect themselves .
The grand jury indicted one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired gunshots into a neighbouring home that didn ’ t strike anyone .
He has been fired .
“ I hope you never know the pain of your child being murdered 191 days in a row , ” said Bianca Austin , who wore her niece ’ s emergency medical technician jacket as she read Palmer ’ s statement .
Family attorney Sam Aguiar said that since Cameron is done investigating , all the videos should be released , noting that he has seen dozens , most of which are not public .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ve seen so much piecemeal stuff come out throughout the case , ” he said without giving specifics .
Gov .
Andy Beshear , a Democrat , has also called on the Republican attorney general to release what evidence he can .
Cameron said through a spokeswoman that he understood the family ’ s pain .
“ Everyone is entitled to their opinion , but prosecutors and Grand Jury members are bound by the facts and by the law , ” spokeswoman Elizabeth Kuhn said in a statement .
As Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was handled , a man accused of shooting and wounding two officers during protests Wednesday appeared in court .
The officers were expected to recover .
A not-guilty plea was entered for Larynzo D. Johnson , 26 , and bond was set at $ 1 million .
Attorney Zac Meihaus called the streets “ a war zone ” when the shooting happened and said it is difficult to “ pinpoint ” if Johnson fired the shots in question .
A prosecutor replied that a gun was recovered from Johnson , and there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Taylor ’ s case has become a rallying cry for protesters nationwide who are calling out racism and demanding police reforms .
Protesters marched through Louisville with a purple banner bearing Taylor ’ s name Friday .
They danced and chanted , “ Bow for Breonna.
” Some handed out pizza or water , while others tried to register voters .
Juanita Baker , an attorney for Taylor ’ s family , said she hopes the size and diversity of the crowd sends a message to political leaders .
“ Solidarity is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ These are the people voting you in or out of office , or who will one day run against you .
You better take note.
” One protester , Victoria Gunther , was so outraged she travelled more than 600 miles ( 965 kilometres ) from Reading , Pennsylvania , to take to the streets in Louisville .
“ I ’ m a Black woman — that could have been me , that would have been my family , ” she said .
“ We are disrespected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t matter .
That ’ s why I ’ m here , to say we do matter.
“ The police presence was light until protesters neared the city ’ s East Market section , a few blocks from the banks of the Ohio River .
About a dozen police cruisers were parked under a highway overpass , and officers with clubs and face shields formed a semi-circle blocking protesters ’ path .
Police told people to move to the sidewalk .
Officers deployed two flash bang rounds into the air , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
After that , and past the nighttime curfew , people gathered at the square and then a church , where officers weren ’ t seen .
The previous night , at least 24 people were arrested during protests that authorities said resulted in some vandalism .
State Rep. Attica Scott , a Louisville Democrat , was among them , saying she was arrested just before a curfew .
“ It ’ s clear that this alphabet soup of law enforcement that ’ s here in Louisville , both local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are preparing for battle , for war against the people they are supposed to protect and serve , ” she said Friday after a night in jail .
The curfew in Louisville will last through the weekend , and the governor has called up the National Guard for “ limited missions.
” Associated Press writers Jeffrey Collins in Columbia , South Carolina and Bruce Schreiner , Rebecca Reynolds Yonker , Dylan Lovan and John Minchillo in Louisville , Kentucky , contributed .
Hudsbeth Blackburn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America is a non-profit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .
This story has been updated to correct that the officer charged by the grand jury is accused of firing into a neighbouring apartment , not more than one .

Claire Galofaro, Piper Hudspeth Blackburn And Angie Wang - The Associated Press