thetorontostar--2020-01-23--Chicago police end effort to predict gun offenders, victims

Chicago police have ended a program that sought to predict people most likely to be victims or perpetrators of gun crime , according to a watchdog report released Thursday that warned the department of serious flaws in the approach .
The police department implemented the method in 2012 , using a formula developed by researchers at the Illinois Institute of Technology and backed by $ 3.8 million in federal grants .
Department spokesman Luis Agostini confirmed Thursday that the department decided to end the program after researchers at the non-profit RAND Corporation reviewed it last year .
The formula created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to commit or be victimized by a shooting .
It relied on several factors including age during an individual ’ s latest arrest , the number of times someone was the victim of a shooting , battery or assault and their total number of arrests for unlawful weapons .
Early versions of the formula also used gang affiliation and narcotics arrests to calculate risk scores ; the report says those criteria were later removed .
The higher your score , the more likely you were considered to become a victim or perpetrator of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Victimization Risk Model , “ previously known as the “ Strategic Subject List.
” Police departments around the country have been criticized for similar programs aiming to predict where crime will occur and who is likely to commit it , particularly by civil rights advocates who fear the “ predictive ” policing strategies will prompt unwarranted police attention on minority communities .
In Chicago , the program became an often cited part of a police strategy to combat violence , particularly after a spike in violent crime in 2016 including 773 homicides .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ custom notification ” program , which sent police and outreach workers to meet with people deemed to be at risk of becoming a victim or perpetrator of gun violence .
But the scores also appeared in arrest records and were used to identify people for targeted busts .
The Chicago Sun-Times reported in 2017 that the list included people who were never charged with a violent crime or illegal gun possession after a lengthy legal battle with the department to obtain a version of the list .
Inspector General Joseph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department provided notice in August that it planned to stop using the program when federal grant money ran out a month later .
According to the report , 313,513 individuals had been scored using the model by March .
Ferguson ’ s office ’ s found the program was too dependent on arrest records , making some scores unreliable .
For instance , the report said someone arrested for a non-violent misdemeanour would be scored while someone wounded in a shooting but never arrested would not be .
Relying on arrest records also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for which they had not been convicted , “ the report said .
Ferguson ’ s office found the police department failed to train officers and commanders about the meaning of the scores and failed to update the totals between August 2016 and January 2019 .
“ While these particular risk models have now been decommissioned , there are critically important and widely applicable lessons to learn here about the importance of careful data handling and thoughtful , purpose-driven policies and training , in ongoing and future efforts to harness data that predicts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferguson said in a statement .
The researchers , who noted they did not have detailed information about the formula , concluded that the program may be capable of identifying people at higher risk of becoming victims of gun violence .
But they noted that the scores quickly get outdated and are time-consuming to keep updated , ill-suited for a police department seeking to use the information to prevent violent crime .
“ We will continue investing in technology that supports our collective mission , ” Agostini said .
He said that includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities , known as Strategic Decision Support Centers .
The centres are staffed by police and data analysts , who use surveillance video , gunshot detection systems and other information to help guide patrol officers on the streets and develop strategies to prevent gun violence .
The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois said the inspector general ’ s findings demand more disclosure about technology still in use by the department .
“ Transparency is critical to the ongoing effort to create faith in policing in Chicago , ” said Karen Sheley , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Practices Project .
“ Unregulated , sophisticated , powerful databases involving hundreds of thousands of names only harm that trust .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-23--Greek high court upholds Vinnik extradition order to France

ATHENS , Greece - A Greek high court on Thursday rejected Russian bitcoin fraud suspect Alexander Vinnik ’ s final appeal against his extradition to France , ending a more than two-year legal tug-of-war between three countries seeking to put him on trial .
Vinnik ’ s Greek lawyer , Zoi Konstandopoulou , said her client was flown to France hours after the Council of State ’ s decision , citing his lawyer in France .
She said he had been taken to a hospital as he was on the 35th day of a hunger strike protesting the prospect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities were unable to confirm lat Thursday that Vinnik had been sent to France .
Earlier , the Council of State upheld last month ’ s decision by Justice Minister Konstantinos Tsiaras that Vinnik should be extradited first to France , then to the U.S. and finally to his native Russia .
Vinnik , 39 , was arrested in the summer of 2017 while on a family holiday in northern Greece , at the request of U.S. authorities .
They accused him of laundering billions of dollars through BTC-e , one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which he allegedly operated .
He denies wrongdoing and had asked to be extradited to Russia , where he faces lesser charges .
Greek court officials have said France wants to put him on trial for alleged cybercrime , money laundering , membership in a criminal organization and extortion .
Vinnik has been on a hunger strike since Tsiaras ’ decision just over a month ago — his second hunger strike since he was first ordered jailed in Greece pending conclusion of the exhausting and legally complex triple extradition case .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Athens strongly protested the extradition order to France .
The Russian bid to put him on trial came shortly after Vinnik ’ s arrest on the U.S. request , while France made its own request later .
Greek courts had approved all three requests , and the final decision was taken by the justice minister .
The Council of State ruled Thursday that the minister had full authority to decide on the order of the extraditions when dealing with conflicting requests .
It also noted that were Vinnik to be extradited first to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsequent extradition to any other country .
Vinnik says says he acted as a technical consultant to the BTC-e platform and had no knowledge of any illegal activity .

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thetorontostar--2020-01-23--Democrats are making a compelling case against Trump, but who is listening?

WASHINGTON , DC—When he appeared as a witness for the prosecution , Sen. Lindsey Graham was out of the room .
So he wasn ’ t there to see a video clip of himself , taken from the 1998 impeachment of Bill Clinton , explaining that constitutional “ high crimes and misdemeanours ” don ’ t require any violations of criminal law to be impeachable .
While the debate about whether new witnesses will be allowed during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump remains a key question , the Democrats presenting the case against Trump have made ample use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the record in a TV-friendly way .
Graham wasn ’ t the only steadfast Trump supporter to have his words broadcast from the witness stand : on Thursday , Attorney General Bill Barr , FBI Director Christopher Wray , former Trump Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert , and even lawyer Alan Dershowitz , who is on Trump ’ s impeachment defence team , saw themselves appear onscreen as part of the prosecution case .
And , of course , Trump himself , repeatedly .
It has been part of a polished and persuasive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the team sent over by the House of Representatives .
“ The way the House managers are using video clips to tell the story of # Ukrainegate despite Trump ’ s stonewalling is truly brilliant , ” Harvard constitutional law professor Lawrence Tribe tweeted about the legal performance on Wednesday .
“ ( Rep. Adam Schiff ) is a one-man master class in effective advocacy .
He ’ s spellbinding without showboating , clear as a bell without being boring , educational without being condescending , and piercingly logical without being pedantic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet .
Over two days of extended argument , Schiff and the other members of his team have outlined a clear chronology of events , explained complicated intergovernmental communications and shown how the law applies to “ a corrupt scheme to secure foreign help with his re-election — in other words , to cheat , ” as Schiff put it .
They outlined how the president ’ s own words , the public statements of those around him , and the testimony of those who worked on his behalf paint a clear picture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked the government of Ukraine to announce it was opening two investigations that would have helped him politically .
Then he withheld , first , a White House meeting with Ukraine ’ s president and then approved military aid to the country in order to pressure the country to comply .
The Democrats have shown how alarmed Trump ’ s political and career diplomatic staff were at this , how they viewed it as improper .
“ This conduct is not America First , ” Rep. Jerry Nadler said Thursday .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from America ’ s founders and testimony from expert witnesses , Nadler said this was inviting foreign interference to corrupt an election , “ precisely the kind of abuse the framers had in mind when they wrote the impeachment clause.
” Rep. Sylvia Garcia tackled the conspiracy theories Trump was requesting investigations into , demonstrating they had been thoroughly discredited by Trump ’ s own staff , American intelligence authorities and Ukrainian authorities .
Trump and his Republican allies have targeted Hunter Biden , the son of Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and China , making baseless claims of corruption .
Garcia characterized the theories as Russian propaganda that Trump had bought into or adopted out of convenience .
It has been a theme of the presentations that other than Trump himself , the chief beneficiary of the president ’ s actions has been Russia , helping both its disinformation campaign in the U.S. and its war against Ukraine .
The Trump defence has yet to respond — they ’ ll get their own three days to present their case beginning Saturday .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed remarkably effective .
Anyone watching at home might find it surprisingly compelling .
What about those in the room ?
As might be expected , Democrats have offered praise , while Republican reactions have been more mixed .
Republican Sen. John Kennedy told a New York Times reporter , “ I ’ ve learned a lot .
Everybody has .
Senators didn ’ t know the case .
They really didn ’ t. ” Many more Republicans have been taking the line that there is nothing new in the presentation — which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they should join the calls to allow new witnesses .
Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell , for his part , sent a clear message on Wednesday when he reportedly dozed off in his seat .
The same message , perhaps , as Graham leaving the room during his moment onscreen .
On the other hand , Graham congratulated Schiff on doing a good job .
“ He ’ s well spoken , did a good job of creating a tapestry , taking bits and pieces of evidence and emails and giving a rhetorical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Graham explained to reporters in the hall outside the chamber Thursday .
However , anyone thinking the impressive lawyering might change Graham ’ s mind would have to first assume his mind is open to changing .
Previously , he said of impeachment , “ I will do everything I can to make it die quickly .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-23--Mississippi governor tours prison rocked by deadly violence

JACKSON , Miss .
- Mississippi ’ s new governor says he and the i nterim corrections commissioner toured a troubled state prison to see conditions and to try to understand what led to an outburst of deadly violence in recent weeks .
Gov .
Tate Reeves said Thursday that he and the commissioner , Tommy Taylor , also toured an empty prison that the state owns .
The Republican governor , who took office Jan. 14 , said it ’ s possible that the state could move some inmates into the empty prison in the central Mississippi town of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managed by a private company , and Reeves said it could be again .
But he said no plans have been made to move prisoners and no timeline is set .
“ We know that there are problems in the system , ” Reeves said .
“ We don ’ t want to hide them .
We want to fix them.
” At least 10 inmates have died in Mississippi prisons since late December , most of them in violent confrontations at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman — one of the prisons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have attributed some of the violence to clashes between gangs .
Two inmates died by hanging , and prison officials said one of those was alone in a cell with the lock jammed from the inside .
A Department of Corrections statement said the other hanging appeared to be a suicide .
Reeves said the state is taking immediate steps to try to improve living conditions at Parchman , which he described as “ terrible.
” Multiple health department inspections have shown problems there , such as broken sinks and toilets , holes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mildew in showers .
Reeves said the Walnut Grove prison is newer and more solidly built than some of the buildings at Parchman .
For example , the cell walls at Walnut Grove are made of poured concrete while some of the cell walls at Parchman are made of cinder blocks .
Reeves said it would be more difficult for inmates to chip holes into the solid concrete walls to hide contraband items .
Reeves said inmates have found ways to jam the locks on some cells at Parchman , contributing to security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been put on 12-hour shifts to ensure leaders are always present at Parchman , Reeves said .
He said prison guards are being screened for indications that they might be involved in gangs .
A Mississippi Bureau of Investigation agent has been assigned to work at Parchman to uncover criminal activity among inmates or employees that might have contributed to the violence , Reeves said .
Prison officials are evaluating whether some prisoners should be moved to a different level of security — either higher security if they are more of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less of one .
“ A lot of these things will seem like common sense , ” Reeves said .
“ That ’ s because they are .
They ’ ve been needed for a long time , but we are starting from where we are.
“ Reeves said that during his tour of Parchman , he was near prisoners but did not speak with them .
He said he was accompanied by security officers .
Department of Corrections officials have repeatedly told lawmakers in recent years that prison guards are underpaid and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs .
They also requested more money to improve some of the buildings at Parchman .
Budget writers turned down those requests .
Reeves was lieutenant governor the past eight years and was one of the top budget writers .
Asked Thursday about his role in setting prison budgets , Reeves said he ’ s not looking back but is focusing on fixing problems going forward .
“ I ’ ve been appalled by things that I ’ ve learned in the last week , but proud of the potential that I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to rebuild , ” Reeves said .
“ We ’ ve got a long way to go , but I can tell you with confidence that everyone in our administration is taking this very , very seriously .
I ’ m not here to make empty promises .
The issues within the department didn ’ t happen overnight , and they won ’ t be fixed overnight .
”

Emily Wagster Pettus - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-23--Trump: Mideast peace plan likely rolled out in days

JERUSALEM - President Donald Trump said Thursday that he ’ ll likely release the long-awaited White House Mideast peace plan before his meeting early next week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main political rival Benny Gantz .
“ It ’ s a great plan .
It ’ s a plan that really would work , “ Trump told reporters on Air Force One en route to a Republican Party meeting in Florida .
He said he was surprised that both Netanyahu and Gantz were willing to take a break from campaigning for the March 2 elections to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They both would like to do the deal .
They want to see peace , “ Trump said .
” Look , Israel wants peace , Palestinians want peace .
They all want peace .
Not everyone wants to say it.
” He said his administration has talked briefly to the Palestinians , who have rejected the administration ’ s peace plan before it even comes out .
“ We ’ ve spoken to them briefly .
But we will speak to them in a period of time , ” Trump said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ incentive to do it .
I ’ m sure they maybe will react negatively at first , but it ’ s actually very positive to them.
” Vice-President Mike Pence announced the invitation for Netanyahu and Gantz to visit during at a meeting with the prime minister in Jerusalem after addressing an international forum Thursday on the Holocaust .
He said that at Netanyahu ’ s request , the invitation was also issued to Gantz , a former army chief .
The plan is expected to strongly favour Israel , and is unlikely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is seen as undermining the prospect of a two-state solution .
“ We have had no better friend than President Trump , ” Netanyahu said .
“ With this invitation , I think that the president is seeking to give Israel the peace and security that it deserves.
” The Palestinians rejected Trump ’ s peace efforts after he recognized disputed Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved the U.S. Embassy there in May 2018 .
The Palestinians want east Jerusalem , which Israel occupied in the 1967 war and annexed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this deal is announced with these rejected formulas , the leadership will announce a series of measures in which we safeguard our legitimate rights , and we will demand Israel assume its full responsibilities as an occupying power , ” said Nabil Abu Rdeneh , a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas .
He appeared to be referring to oft-repeated threats to dissolve the Palestinian Authority , which has limited autonomy in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank .
That would force Israel to resume responsibility for providing basic services to millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. administration from crossing the red lines , ” Abu Rdeneh said .
Israel ’ s Channel 12 TV , citing Israeli officials , said the plan is expected to be extremely favourable toward Israel and offer it control over large parts of the occupied West Bank .
The Palestinians seek the entire territory , which was also captured by Israel in 1967 , as the heartland of a future independent state .
Most of the international community supports the Palestinian position .
Netanyahu has said he plans to annex the Jordan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the West Bank , which would all but extinguish any possibility of creating a viable Palestinian state .
Netanyahu has tried to make that the cornerstone of his campaign for reelection following unprecedented back-to-back elections last year that left him in a virtual tie with Gantz , with neither able to cobble together a ruling coalition .
The deadlock was deepened by Netanyahu ’ s indictment last year on serious charges of bribery , fraud and breach of trust stemming from three long-running corruption investigations .
Netanyahu has asked Israel ’ s parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s meeting could produce an awkward scene .
Gantz has made Netanyahu ’ s indictment the focus of his campaign to oust the prime minister .
And his Blue and White party is leading an effort in parliament to block Netanyahu ’ s immunity request before the election .
At the same time , they will be joined by an impeached president who is being tried in the Senate .
The U.S. was believed to be holding back on releasing the peace plan until Israel had a permanent government .
Those calculations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israeli politics looks to be further prolonged .
Trump may also be looking for a boost from evangelical and pro-Israel supporters as the Senate weighs whether to remove him from office after he was impeached last month , and as he gears up for a reelection battle this year .
Pence was among dozens of world leaders in Jerusalem on Thursday for the World Holocaust Forum .
Many of the participants , including Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron , also paid visits to the Palestinians in the West Bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the visiting French and Russian presidents to support the Palestinian position when the plan is published .
“ He asked them to refuse and act against any Israeli annexation of Palestinian lands , ” said the official , speaking on condition of anonymity because he was discussing closed meetings .
While the plan is expected to be friendly to Israel , it could still face opposition from Netanyahu ’ s hard-line partners .
Defence Minister Naftali Bennett , leader of the ultranationalist Yamina party , called Trump a “ true friend ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before a “ historic opportunity.
” But he said his party would not allow the transfer of any land to Palestinian control or for a Palestinian state to be established .

Ilan Ben Zion And Joseph Krauss - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-24--Houston building explosion shakes city, scatters debris

HOUSTON - A large explosion at an apparent industrial building in Houston early Friday was felt for miles ( kilometres @ @ @ @ @ scattered in the area and damaged nearby homes .
The Houston Fire Department said one @ @ @ @ @ hospital because of the blast .
The explosion shook other buildings about 4:30 a.m. , @ @ @ @ @ a boom felt across the city .
A fire burned following the explosion smoke was @ @ @ @ @ .
The explosion appeared to be centred on an industrial building and some nearby homes @ @ @ @ @ tweeted that they were responding and officers were blocking off streets in the area .
@ @ @ @ @ a firefighter asked a KTRK-TV reporter to move away because of potential hazards .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-24--Tokyo Olympics reach 6-months-to-go mark with some fireworks

Tokyo put on a flashy fireworks display on Friday to mark the 6-months-to-go milestone for this year ’ s Olympics .
The show took place high above a barge stationed in Tokyo Bay that supports a massive replica of the five Olympic rings , a reminder the games are almost here .
Japan residents needed to enjoy the fireworks .
These may be the last for awhile .
More than 70 summer festivals across Japan featuring traditional fireworks shows have been cancelled or have changed their dates .
The Associated Press counted at least 56 festivals that said the Tokyo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , citing a shortage of police and security guards that have been assigned instead to the Olympics and Paralympics .
The Olympics are a massive security drain .
Tokyo organizers say 50,850 police , private security , military , volunteers , coast guardsmen and emergency services personnel are needed .
Organizers show a budget of $ 800 million for security — $ 500 million in public money .
The cost is surely much higher with some security expenditures not represented in the Olympic budget .
The Olympics are even impacting Hiroshima in western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ festival on the scenic island of Miyajima has been cancelled .
“ Many of the local authorities , including the Hiroshima prefecture police , coast guard and private security companies , will be mobilized to the Olympic venues and areas around them , which makes it very difficult to ensure safety on Miyajima island , “ the Hiroshima prefecture tourism bureau said in a statement .
The summer fireworks festivals share a special place in Japanese culture , much like July 4th celebrations across the United States .
Tokyo has brought forward several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ display on the Sumida river .
The city of Saitama , north of Tokyo , has decided to cancel its 150-year-old fireworks festival because it conflicts with Olympic golf .
And in Kamakura , known for its giant Buddha statue , July fireworks are off because logistics clash with Olympic sailing .
The Tokyo Olympics are unprecedented in many ways .
Ticket demand for Japan residents exceeds supply by at least 10 times ; probably 20 times .
Local sponsorship is just over $ 3 billion , at least two times larger than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.43 billion national stadium by Kengo Kuma is a jewel .
It ’ s green and wood exterior feels like it ’ s been there forever , promising to be the centerpiece — much the way Kenzo Tange ’ s Yoyogi Gymnasium was for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics .
“ Assuming there is no disaster with the heat or so forth , the Olympics will be well-handled , ” David Leheny , a political scientist at Waseda University in Tokyo , said in an interview with the AP .
“ They are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the chaos of getting from place to place than most Olympics .
They will probably be handled better in a lot of ways .
And Japan can be charming.
“ Japan is officially spending $ 12.6 billion to put on the Olympics , but the national audit bureau puts the figure closer to 3 trillion yen — about $ 28 billion .
What ’ s a developed country like Japan getting for its money ?
“ Japan risks getting eclipsed if all people talk about is both the rise of China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or three lost decades , “ Leheny said .
“ This is an opportunity to host the Olympics and showcase a Japan that puts on a first-rate show .
To represent Japan as a place that is technologically savvy , but culturally distinctive and filled with creative people.
” The other mission is to convince the world that Fukushima prefecture has recovered .
The area , roughly 250 kilometres ( 150 miles ) northeast of Tokyo , was devastated by the 2011 earthquake , tsunami and the meltdown of three nuclear reactors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing .
There is resentment in the northern prefecture , and in neighbouring prefectures , that some of the billions spent on the Olympics could have aided recovery .
Some residents fear the Olympics will be used to draw a line under the disaster .
“ There is a sense that once the Olympics are over , Japan can start cutting off subsidies to those hurt by the disaster , ” Leheny said .
Tokyo summers are hot and humid with temperatures often touching 35 degrees C ( 95 degrees F ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ kilometres ( 500 miles ) north to Sapporo , angering Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike .
Water in Tokyo Bay where the triathlon and marathon swimming will be held is also very warm — about 30 degrees C ( 86 degrees F ) and right at the limit set by swimming governing body FINA .
Greater Tokyo ’ s rail system if famously efficient and is the best way to get around the urban area of 35 million .
But expect it to be stressed during the Olympics .
Professor Azuma Taguchi at Chuo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at twice capacity and the Olympics could be the breaking point .
Taguchi ’ s study predicts 15 stations will experience greater than 200 % capacity , and some will reach 400 % at peak hours .
Some railways have designated special oshiya , or “ pushers , ” to pack commuters into rush hour cars — often wearing white gloves .
Tsunekazu Takeda stepped down 10 months ago as the head the Japanese Olympic Committee amid a vote-buying scandal that French investigators suspect helped Tokyo land the Olympics .
Takeda acknowledged he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in payments to a Singapore consulting company , Black Tidings , and its head Ian Tan Tong Han .
The payments came just before Tokyo was picked in 2013 by the IOC .
French investigators have linked Black Tidings to Papa Massata Diack , one of the sons of powerful former IOC member Lamine Diack of Senegal .
Lamine Diack was known to have influence over Olympic voters in Africa .
Russia is facing a four-year Olympic ban for manipulating doping data .
It has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months .
The sanctions imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency forbid the use of the Russia team name , flag or anthem .
However , some Russians are still expected to compete as neutral athletes in Tokyo — as they did at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang .
No one knows how many .
The IOC has warned athletes against hand gestures or political signs on the medal podium .
The IOC says the games should not be politicized .
Expect it anyway .
Some athletes side with the IOC .
Others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to curb their civil liberties .
Some have pointed out that restricting speech is itself a political act .
The IOC is , in fact , highly political with an observer seat at the the United Nations .
It has intervened frequently in high-profile political disputes , including North and South Korea .

Stephen Wade And Mari Yamaguchi - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-24--Vandals set fire to mosque in east Jerusalem

JERUSALEM - Israeli police said Friday they are investigating after a “ room was ignited ” in a mosque on @ @ @ @ @ Hebrew graffiti was found on an outside wall .
The graffiti was hard to make @ @ @ @ @ been left by ultranationalist Israelis .
One part read , “ Demolishing ( for ) @ @ @ @ @ “ an apparent reference to the dismantling of settler outposts in the West Bank .
@ @ @ @ @ Arab neighbourhood of Beit Safafa , in annexed east Jerusalem .
Israel captured east Jerusalem @ @ @ @ @ in the 1967 Middle East war .
The Palestinians want both areas as part of @ @ @ @ @ Israeli nationalists have been implicated in past attacks on Palestinians and their property in the @ @ @ @ @ .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from @ @ @ @ @ for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots @ @ @ @ @ Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-01-24--Thousands turn up for ‘million’ Iraq rally against US troops

BAGHDAD - Thousands rallied in Baghdad on Friday to demand that American troops leave the country , though their numbers fell short of the “ million-man ” march called for by an influential Shiite cleric amid heightened anti-U.S. sentiment after a U.S. drone strike earlier this month killed a top Iranian general in the Iraqi capital .
Since mid-morning , large crowds gathered on the Muslim day of prayers as loudspeakers blasted “ No , no America !
” at a central square in Baghdad .
A child held up a poster reading , “ Death to America .
Death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rally had failed to reach the critical numbers called for by the radical cleric , Muqtada al-Sadr .
Apparently seeking to show control , al-Sadr ’ s supporters did not engage in altercations with security forces or target the separate , anti-government protests in neighbouring Tahrir Square , a possibility feared by activists in the lead-up to Friday ’ s march .
Officials and experts said the rally was the cleric ’ s attempt to capitalize on brewing anti-American feeling and show he had the upper-hand on the Iraqi street as negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next prime minister stumble on .
Roads and bridges leading to the heavily fortified Green Zone , the seat of Iraq ’ s government and home to several foreign embassies , including the U.S. Embassy , were blocked off by concrete barriers .
Iraqi security forces stood guard , blocking access to the gates to the zone .
There was a heavy security presence as the protesters , mostly Shiites hailing from the capital but also Iraq ’ s southern provinces , walked on foot to an assembly point in Baghdad ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wearing symbolic white shrouds .
Al-Sadr , whose party won the most number of seats in the May 2018 parliament elections , had called for a “ million-man ” demonstration to demand the withdrawal of American troops following the U.S. drone strike near Baghdad ’ s airport that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and senior Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis , sparking the ire of Iraqi officials from across the political spectrum .
According to U.S. military officials , rather than draw down , Americans have poured 20,000 additional troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington describes as an escalating threat from Iran .
There are around 5,200 U.S. troops in Iraq , where they help train and assist Iraqi forces in the fight against the Islamic State group .
Iran has long sought the withdrawal of American forces from neighbouring Iraq , but the U.S. strike that killed Soleimani in Baghdad has added new impetus to the effort .
In a statement Friday , al-Sadr — whose followers fought U.S. troops after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion to oust dictator Saddam Hussein — issued a list of conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The list includes cancelling existing security agreements , closing U.S. military bases , ending the work of American security companies and closing off access to Iraqi airspace .
If the conditions were met , the statement said , “ the resistance will temporarily stop until the last soldier leaves Iraq , ” al-Sadr said , referring to American troops .
Al-Sadr , once a huge thorn in the side of the American occupation after the 2003 invasion , derives political capital from his ability to call on supporters to clog streets and paralyze @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s rally came at a critical time as rival political blocs are jockeying over the selection of a premier to replace outgoing Adel Abdul-Mahdi .
It was supported by mainstream Shiite parties , including that of al-Sadr ’ s political rival Hadi al-Ameri , who heads the Fatah bloc in parliament , as well as the Popular Mobilization Units , an umbrella group comprised of an array of militias , including Iran-backed groups .
Al-Sadr “ proved once again he can amass the crowds to take them to the street , cleverly prevented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” tweeted Farhad Alaadin , head of the Iraqi Advisory Council and a former presidential adviser .
In response to a public outcry over the U.S. airstrike that killed Soleimani and al-Muhandis , Iraq ’ s parliament passed a non-binding resolution this month , calling on the government to expel foreign troops from the country .
Kurdish and most Sunni lawmakers boycotted the vote .
“ The American forces should leave , ” said an 18-year-old protester , Amer Saad .
“ I am ready to fight against the Americans if Muqtada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Popular Mobilization Units also closed off roads leading to the protest site , in both Karada and Jadriya neighbourhoods of Baghdad .
In Tahrir Square , anti-government protesters carefully eyed al-Sadr ’ s anti-U.S. rally but no confrontation took place .
As the anti-U.S. demonstration dwindled away by the early afternoon , the anti-government protesters remained in their sit-in .
“ I am not against the Sadrist movement ’ s demonstrations today , but if Moqtada asks for the exit of the Americans and non-intervention , he should raise the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honest , ” said one of the anti-government protesters , Yahya Mohammed .
In neighbouring Iran , Ali Shamkhani , the secretary of Iran ’ s Supreme National Security Council , said the Baghdad march on Friday was a “ countdown “ to expelling U.S. forces .
“ It indicated that Iraqi people are the flagship on the path of expelling the U.S. from the region , ” he said .
Cleric Mohammad Hassan Abutorabifard who led Friday prayers in the Iranian capital , Tehran , told worshipers that Iraqis at the rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s killing .
“ The legitimacy of the West-appointed puppet rulers in the region has totally collapsed , ” he said .
Associated Press writer Nasser Karimi in Tehran , Iran , contributed to this report .

Qassem Abdul-Zahra And Samya Kullab - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-24--Now on Trump’s team, Dershowitz says, ‘I haven’t changed’

WASHINGTON - Alan Dershowitz was in line at Mar-a-Lago ’ s lavish Christmas Eve buffet last month when President Donald Trump stopped to chat .
The retired Harvard law professor had already been asked by Trump ’ s legal team to assist with the defence at his impeachment trial and , with the case opening in a matter of weeks , the Republican president wanted to know : Was he on board ?
“ He said , ‘ Everybody wants to do this thing , but I want you , ’ “ Dershowitz recalled in an interview with The Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included O.J .
Simpson , Claus von Bulow and Mike Tyson , ultimately said yes , joining a legal team that , starting Saturday , will present the defence at only the third impeachment trial of a American president in history .
Trump ’ s attorneys say Dershowitz and Ken Starr , the former independent counsel during President Bill Clinton ’ s impeachment , will have “ discrete functions that they will be addressing “ at trial .
Dershowitz ’ s task is to make the argument — widely rejected among scholars — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dershowitz joked Thursday that if he sounded sniffly , it was because he ’ d been buried in musty history and law books to prepare .
While it ’ s just another high-profile case in a career full of them , Dershowitz ’ s defence of Trump has befuddled associates , friends and former students , who struggle to make sense of his forceful advocacy for the president and who fervently disagree with the legal positions he ’ s taken and even the facts he ’ s advanced in Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one law professor who studied under Dershowitz , Frank Bowman at the University of Missouri , described his views on impeachable offences .
A longtime Harvard Law School colleague , Laurence Tribe , wrote in a Washington Post opinion piece that the argument “ has died a thousand deaths “ but nonetheless “ staggers on like a vengeful zombie.
” Some , meanwhile , have seized on video of a 1998 interview when Dershowitz expressed virtually the opposite view of what he ’ s saying now about an impeachable offence requiring a crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s nothing inconsistent or unusual about the positions he ’ s taking .
Though he ’ s been a vocal defender of Trump the last three years , he insists it ’ s not about this particular president .
Rather , he ’ s trying to prevent impeachment from being weaponized into a “ partisan process , “ where any president can be removed over non-criminal abuses of power .
“ I ’ ve always taken positions that are principled and often unpopular and often in defence of people I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , citing his defence of Neo-Nazis who wanted the right to march through Skokie , Illinois .
“ I haven ’ t changed at all .
I ’ ve had the same consistent policy of defending people I don ’ t like , people I do like , without regard to party , without regard to partisanship.
“ Nancy Gertner , a retired federal judge in Boston who has known Dershowitz for years , says it ’ s true that he hasn ’ t changed — he still gravitates toward the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he thinks will prove how principled he is.
“ But she says it ’ s impossible to reconcile his statements on behalf of Trump , and his extraordinarily expansive view of presidential authorities , with the civil libertarian bent he ’ s expressed over the decades and his stated opposition to unchecked government power .
Some of what she ’ s heard him say is “ horrifying.
“ “ I ’ ve known him for a very long time , “ she said .
“ I ’ ve never seen anything like this.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ against impeachment in a book , Dershowitz has defended as lawful some of Trump ’ s most scrutinized actions .
In op-eds and TV appearances , he has accused special counsel Robert Mueller of partisan bias , ridiculed the idea Trump could have obstructed justice by firing his FBI chief and said presidents enjoy more power than kings .
“ A civil libertarian should be concerned about deploying the levers of power for the wrong purposes , “ said Gertner , who is now a senior Harvard law lecturer .
“ These are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions to garner attention to put him in the position that he now is in , which is to represent the president.
” Harvey Silverglate , a friend of Dershowitz ’ s for more than 50 years , said his positions on Trump clearly make him unpopular “ among the legal intelligentsia nationwide.
“ But he said Dershowitz specializes in cases where the defence is difficult or unique , and the client unpopular .
Though Trump may not be an underdog in the conventional sense , Silverglate wrote in an email , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of case , challenge and client for which Dershowitz is perfect — a high-profile assault on an individual who has powerful enemies and who is being ‘ prosecuted.
’ “ Dershowitz says he ’ s convinced that the same people criticizing him would be applauding him if he was prosecuting the House impeachment case .
The attacks , he said , have been “ ferocious.
“ He calls it a “ shoe on the other foot test.
” “ People say I ’ m not a constitutional lawyer because they don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Dershowitz said .
“ They say I ’ m too old , I ’ m a has-been.
” Trump has watched Dershowitz defend him on Fox News for years , sometimes tweeting links to the lawyer ’ s statements that he finds especially helpful .
Through the Mueller investigation and into impeachment he has been enamoured with the possibility of assembling a legal dream team .
But White House aides cautioned Trump against bringing Dershowitz onto his team , concerned that Dershowitz was a self-promoter whose showboating style wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They also feared Dershowitz ’ s ties to Jeffrey Epstein and the surrounding legal drama would be a distraction for the defence .
Trump overruled them .
According to one person familiar with the decision , Trump wanted the appearance of a bipartisan defence team .
And he has always valued attorneys who can make the case to the public on Fox News , his preferred platform .
By the time of their Christmas Eve conversation , Dershowitz had already been approached about a role on the team .
But his wife , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mar-a-Lago , was more apprehensive , concerned he ’ d lose his independence .
Trump sought to offer reassurance on that point , saying that while he appreciated that concern , it was nonetheless important to consider “ how important this was for the future of the country and for precedent and all that , “ Dershowitz recalled .
Within days , his participation was settled .
“ People have already said that my arguments will be bonkers or errant nonsense , “ Dershowitz said .
“ My only point is : Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out a very serious constitutional argument .
Maybe you ’ ll agree with it or maybe you won ’ t , but let ’ s have a debate on the merits .
”

Eric Tucker And Zeke Miller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-24--Norway PM forms minority govt after populists’ departure

COPENHAGEN - Norway ’ s prime minister on Friday presented her revamped centre-right government , four days after the populist Progress Party pulled out of the coalition over the decision to repatriate an Islamic State group-linked woman from a detention camp in Syria .
Erna Solberg , who heads a three-party minority government with her own Conservatives , the centrist Liberal Party and the Christian Democrats , tapped a new finance minister to replace Progress Party leader Siv Jensen , whose party left the coalition Monday .
Jensen said her anti-immigration party felt it had not been consulted when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 29-year-old Norwegian woman of Pakistani descent reportedly travelled to Syria in 2013 and married a Norwegian foreign fighter there who was later killed in fighting .
The woman , who was not identified , was arrested last weekend upon her return and placed in an Oslo hospital with her children , one whom is reportedly ill. She had refused to let the sick child travel alone to Norway , which then allowed her to travel from a Kurdish-controlled camp where all three had been detained since March 2019 .
Solberg said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favouring getting the woman and her children home .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-24--US rejects extradition request from UK over fatal road crash

LONDON - The British government on Friday condemned a decision by the United States not to extradite an American woman involved in a fatal road accident .
Anne Sacoolas has been charged by British prosecutors with causing death by dangerous driving over the crash that killed 19-year-old motorcyclist Harry Dunn .
Dunn died in August after his motorbike collided with a car driven by Sacoolas outside RAF Croughton , a British military base in central England used by U.S. forces .
Sacoolas , whose husband was an intelligence officer at the base , returned to the U.S. soon after .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunity when she was in Britain , and to send her to face criminal charges would set “ an extraordinarily troubling precedent.
” British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab called the U.S. decision “ a denial of justice.
” “ I called the U.S. ambassador earlier to express the government ’ s disappointment about this decision , “ Raab said , adding that U.K. officials are “ urgently considering our options.
” Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations , families of diplomats are granted immunity from arrest or detention .
British prosecutors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apply to dependants of consular officials based outside London .
Dunn ’ s family has urged Sacoolas to return and face British justice , and met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington as part of their campaign .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-24--Matteo Salvini seeks power in Rome through regional victory

MILAN - Matteo Salvini is betting that the road to Rome runs through Emilia-Romagna .
The right-wing populist leader is campaigning hard for his League to take control of the wealthy northern region that has been a left-wing stronghold since World War II .
While winning Emilia-Romagna would be heavy on symbolism , Salvini ’ s real goal is to use a victory to destabilize the weak coalition in Rome , and take power nationally .
‘ ’ If Salvini will win in Emilia-Romagna , we will have a governmental crisis , ’ ’ said Emiliana De Blasio , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LUISS University .
Salvini has pulled out all the folksy stops to connect with voters in the region , centred around the city of Bologna , which beyond a reputation as the centre of Italy ’ s red belt is also renowned for its food and hospitality .
Salvini has sniffed a Parmesan cheese wheel , kissed a salami and hugged the statue of a fictional communist mayor , Peppone , the leftist foil to the town ’ s priest Don Camillo in beloved comic stories and films about the fraught political healing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bet Peppone would vote for the League , ” Salvini wrote earlier this month under an Instagram photo of himself hugging the bronze statue in Brescello , a town of 5,600 where the League has been gaining strength .
“ You have no idea how many old communists have told me in these days : Those from the Democratic Party prefer bankers to workers .
This time I am voting for you !
” Despite favourable job ratings and a strong local economy , Democratic Party incumbent regional president Stefano Bonaccini has found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vote .
His opponent is a little-known League politician , Lucia Borgonzoni , who lost the 2016 Bologna mayoral race .
But it is Salvini , the firebrand former interior minister , who has been the face of the League ’ s campaign .
The League ’ s growing strength in Emilia-Romagna was already clear in last year ’ s European elections , when it was the top-vote getter , beating the Democratic Party by 2 1/2 % .
The League ’ s strength has not gone unchallenged .
A growing grass-roots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Bologna in an effort to counter what they see as Salvini ’ s anti-institution , anti-migrant rhetoric .
Some 40,000 Sardines gathered in Bologna this weekend in a bid to halt Salvini ’ s rise .
“ I hope that what comes out is a strong desire to keep the right out of Emilia-Romagna , ” said Luisa Volpelli , a Sardine protester , in Bologna .
“ They say we are not doing well , that we are fed up with our government .
No , we are one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy .
We want to keep out these people that throw mud and tell lies.
” Salvini prompted fresh outrage in recent days when he rang the intercom at the home of a 17-year-old Tunisian , accusing the teen of being a drug pusher .
The teen is threatening to sue for defamation , while angry reactions have come from Tunisia .
In what is widely seen as a bid for populist voter sympathy , Salvini also instructed his party to vote in favour of lifting his immunity to face trial for not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy last summer .
While a League victory can not prompt the government to fall automatically , the 5-Star Movement-Democratic Party coalition that was put together to block Salvini ’ s clumsy power grab in the summer remains shaky and could fall on any number of pretexts .
It has failed , for example , to come to decisions on a number of outstanding industrial issues — like how to save Alitalia , the future of a failing steel mill in the south and whether to revoke a lucrative highway management contract with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bridge collapse in Genoa .
The coalition has been further weakened by Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio ’ s resignation this week as political leader of the 5-Star Movement — a casualty of the movement ’ s waning popularity with voters , poor performance in other recent regional elections and a string of defections by its own lawmakers .
The outcome of Sunday ’ s vote in Emilia-Romagna could well turn on whom 5-Star voters back — left with a weak last-minute candidate of their own — and how strong turnout is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is especially strong .
“ A government afraid of its own shadow may go into political meltdown next week , “ said Wolfango Piccoli of the consultancy Teneo .
And even if the government manages to hold on , he said , the Democratic Party itself would suffer a major blow “ to its credentials as a reformist force and an effective local administrator.
” The League is also expected to win another regional vote on Sunday , in Calabria , which Salvini briefly represented as senator .
Trisha Thomas in Rome and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-24--China building a hospital to treat virus, expands lockdowns

BEIJING - China is swiftly building a 1,000-bed hospital dedicated to patients infected with a new virus that has killed 26 people , sickened hundreds and prompted unprecedented lockdowns of cities during the country ’ s most important holiday .
On the eve of the Lunar New Year , transportation was shut down Friday in at least 10 cities with a total of about 33 million people .
The cities are Wuhan , where the illness has been concentrated , and nine of its neighbours in central China ’ s Hubei province .
“ To address the insufficiency of existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Friday notice , the city is constructing a hospital modeled after the Xiaotangshan SARS hospital in Beijing .
The facility will be a prefabricated structure on a 25,000- square-meter ( 270,000-square-foot ) lot , slated for completion Feb. 3 .
The SARS hospital was built from scratch in 2003 in just six days to treat an outbreak of a similar respiratory virus that had spread from China to more than a dozen countries and killed about 800 people .
The hospital featured individual isolation units that looked like rows of tiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other public spaces were eerily quiet in Wuhan on the second day of its lockdown .
Masks were mandatory in public , and images from the city showed empty shelves as people stocked up for what could be an extended isolation .
Train stations , the airport and subways were closed ; police checked incoming vehicles but did not entirely close off roads .
Hospitals in Wuhan were grappling with a flood of patients and a lack of supplies .
Videos circulating online showed throngs of frantic people in masks lined up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said their family members had sought diagnoses but were turned away at hospitals that were at capacity .
At least eight hospitals in Wuhan issued public calls for donations of masks , googles , gowns and other protective medical gear , according to notices online .
Administrators at Wuhan University People ’ s Hospital set up a group chat on the popular WeChat messaging app to co-ordinate donations .
The “ Fever Control Command Center ” of the city of Huanggang also put out a call for donations publicized by the state-run People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies , medicine and disinfection equipment .
The notice added that at the moment they wouldn ’ t accept supplies from foreign countries .
Authorities were taking precautions around the country .
In the capital , Beijing , major public events were cancelled , including traditional temple fairs that are a staple of Lunar New Year celebrations .
Beijing ’ s Forbidden City , Shanghai Disneyland and a slew of other tourist attractions have been closed indefinitely .
The number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus has risen to 830 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have died , including the first two deaths outside Hubei and the youngest recorded victim .
The health commission in Hebei , a northern province bordering Beijing , said an 80-year-old man died there after returning from a two-month stay in Wuhan to see relatives .
Heilongjiang province in the northeast confirmed a death there but did not give details .
While the majority of deaths have been older patients , a 36-year-old man in Hubei was admitted to the hospital earlier this month after suffering from fever for three days .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 23 .
Initial symptoms of the virus can mirror those of the cold and flu , including cough , fever , chest tightening and shortness of breath , but can worsen to pneumonia .
The coronavirus family includes the common cold as well as viruses that cause more serious illnesses , such as SARS and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome , or MERS , which is thought to have originated from camels .
The Wuhan outbreak is suspected to have begun from wild animals sold at a food market in the city .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The vast majority of cases have been in and around Wuhan , but people who visited or had personal connections to infected people were among the scattered cases counted beyond the mainland .
South Korea and Japan both confirmed their second cases Friday and Singapore confirmed its third .
Cases have been detected in Hong Kong , Macao , Taiwan , the United States , Thailand and Vietnam .
Many countries are screening travellers from China and isolating anyone with symptoms .
The World Health Organization decided against declaring the outbreak a global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase resources to fight a threat but its potential to cause economic damage makes the decision politically fraught .
Chinese officials have not said how long the shutdowns of the cities will last .
While sweeping measures are typical of China ’ s Communist Party-led government , large-scale quarantines are rare around the world , even in deadly epidemics , because of concerns about infringing on people ’ s liberties .
Recalling the government ’ s initial coverup of SARS , many Chinese are suspicious of the case numbers reported by officials .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pledge transparency .
China ’ s cabinet , the State Council , announced Friday that it will be collecting information on government departments that have failed in their response to the new outbreak , including “ delays , concealment and under-reporting of the epidemic.
” Across China , a slew of cancellations and closures dampened the usual liveliness of Lunar New Year .
One Beijing subway station near a transport hub conducted temperature checks at its security checkpoint Friday .
Some security personnel were clad in full-body hazardous material suits .
Schools prolonged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ministry of Education to not hold any mass gatherings or exams .
Transport departments will also be waiving fees and providing refunds for ticket cancellations .
Associated Press researcher Henry Hou and video journalist Dake Kang contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-24--Death toll from storm in Spain reaches 12, more missing

MADRID - Authorities in Spain say the death toll from a storm that devastated the eastern part of the country this week has risen to at least 12 with rescuers searching for several missing persons .
Emergencies services for the northeastern Catalonia region said late Thursday that a fourth death caused by storm Gloria in the region had been confirmed .
That took the national count to at least 12 .
Rescuers were still searching Friday for three missing people in the Balearic Islands and for a fishing boat with six on board that has gone missing off Spain ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a Spaniard are feared to have been swept away by high waves on the island of Ibiza , authorities said .
Another Spaniard is missing on the nearby island of Mallorca .
Government official Lucrecio Fernández said an overnight search by Spanish rescuers for the missing fishing boat is continuing with the assistance of a Moroccan frigate .
The storm has lasted for six days , accompanied by heavy winds , snow and hail .
Weather authorities said the worst of it had passed on Wednesday , although some areas of southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rain and winds .
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is meeting with his Cabinet on Friday to discuss aid for the hardest-hit regions .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-24--New strikes, protests as France unveils retirement bill

PARIS - The Eiffel Tower shut down Friday as French unions held last-ditch strikes and protests around the country on the day the government unveils a divisive bill redesigning the national retirement system .
Travellers faced renewed disruptions on regional trains and the Paris subway on the 50th straight day of record strikes , and some schools and other public services also faced walkouts .
The Eiffel Tower closed exceptionally , and the Versailles chateau and Louvre Museum warned visitors of potential disruptions .
The number of striking workers and halted trains dropped considerably this week after the government made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope Friday ’ s actions will revive opposition to President Emmanuel Macron ’ s signature reform .
Union activists gathered in eastern Paris Friday and marched through other cities , hoping to derail the plan .
But Macron ’ s government is moving ahead with it anyway , presenting it at a Cabinet meeting Friday .
Then it goes to parliament , where Macron ’ s centrist party has a large majority and is all but sure to approve it .
Macron sees the changes as central to his plan to adapt France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He argues that the old system was unfair , outdated and too costly for a country with growing life expectancy .
Unions say the new plan threatens hard-won workers rights and will hurt the poorest workers .
The plan will streamline France ’ s 42 retirement systems into a single points-based system for all workers , public and private sector alike , and abolish special provisions allowing certain workers to retire as early as their 50s .
It will also introduce a minimum pension .
The government backed down on plans to raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 62 to 64 , at least for now .
Instead , Prime Minister Edouard Philippe agreed to negotiate with unions starting next week on a way to make the new retirement system financially sustainable — and that ’ s likely to require eventually raising the retirement age .
That ’ s among many details that remain undecided and will be announced by the government later .
The government has also negotiated deals with various sectors – including pilots , members of the military and police — who will still be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points system will come into place starting in 2022 for the youngest workers , and then gradually for older workers .
It will only affect those born after 1974 .


thetorontostar--2020-01-24--Germany’s Merkel in Turkey for talks with Erdogan

ISTANBUL - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that the “ environment of chaos ” in Libya threatens to affect the whole Mediterranean basin and urged international pressure to force the head of Libya ’ s eastern-based forces to abide by a tentative truce .
Erdogan made the comments as he attended the opening ceremony of a Turkish-German university ’ s new campus with German Chancellor Angela Merkel , who hosted a peace conference for Libya in Berlin on Sunday that resulted in a temporary cease-fire .
“ The success of the ( Berlin ) plan depends on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ It is important that pressure is exerted on ( Gen. Khalifa Hifter who leads the eastern-based forces ) and his supporters , ” he said , referring to an attack and threats from Hifter ’ s forces that shut down Tripoli ’ s Mitiga International Airport earlier this week .
Hifter ’ s forces , which control the east and much of southern Libya , receive support from the United Arab Emirates and Egypt , as well as France and Russia .
Turkey supports the Tripoli-based government , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Qatar and Italy .
Talks between Erdogan and Merkel were expected to also focus on the future of a migration deal between Turkey and the European Union that helped decrease refugee flows to Europe .
The number of migrants entering Europe from Turkey rose significantly last year as people fleeing conflict in Syria and Afghanistan arrived in Greece , leading to deteriorating conditions in overcrowded camps on the eastern Aegean islands .
Spearheaded by Germany , the EU agreed in 2016 to grant Turkey up to 6 billion euros ( $ 6.6 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other incentives to persuade the government in Ankara to stop migrants departing for Greece .
Erdogan frequently accuses the EU of not fulfilling its side of the deal and has in the past threatened to “ open the gates ” for migrants to head to Europe .
He says his country can not be expected to shoulder the burden of hosting more than 3.6 million Syrian refugees and wants European support to settle Syrian refugees in a so-called “ safe zone ” in northern Syria .
European nations are reluctant to back such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s visit also comes amid rising tensions with the EU over Turkey ’ s attempts to drill for natural gas in waters in the eastern Mediterranean where EU-member Cyprus says it has exclusive economic rights .
Cyprus last week denounced Turkey as a “ pirate ” state that flouts international law .
Turkey insists it ’ s protecting its rights and interests , and those of breakaway Turkish Cypriots , to the region ’ s energy resources .
It says it ’ s carrying out drilling activities as part of an agreement @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-01-24--15-year-old Gauff upsets ‘19 champ Osaka at Australian Open

MELBOURNE , Australia - Coco Gauff plays nothing like what her age — still just 15 — or her ranking — 67th and rapidly rising — would suggest .
Everyone keeps finding out that no matter an opponent ’ s experience or accolades , no matter the stakes or the stage , Gauff plays with determination and delivers the goods .
Gauff became the youngest player in the professional era to eliminate the reigning women ’ s champion at the Australian Open , beating former No .
1 Naomi Osaka 6-3 , 6-4 in the third round at Melbourne Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during her on-court interview , Gauff turned into a rather typical teen , joking about wanting to take “ a selfie for Instagram ” with Rod Laver , the 11-time major champion after whom the stadium is named .
“ Honestly , like , what is my life ?
Like , oh , my gosh !
” Gauff told the crowd .
“ Two years ago , I lost first round in juniors and now I ’ m here .
This is crazy.
” She is also the youngest player to beat a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tour-level match since Jennifer Capriati did it at 15 in 1991 .
“ You don ’ t want to lose to a 15-year-old , you know ?
” Osaka said .
It was the second significant result of Day 5 in Melbourne : In the same quarter of the bracket , 23-time major champion Serena Williams lost to 27th-seeded Wang Qiang 6-4 , 6-7 ( 2 ) , 7-5 earlier .
Gauff pulled this off with some big serving , consistent groundstrokes and by letting Osaka largely be her own undoing .
Osaka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 .
This was a rematch from the third round at the U.S. Open last September ; Osaka won that one in straight sets , then consoled a crying Gauff afterward and encouraged her to speak to the fans .
“ Her serve is way better , ” Osaka said .
“ I feel like I wasn ’ t really swinging freely , and she was.
” So , Naomi , could you have done something differently ?
“ Put the ball in the court , ” came the reply .
Osaka , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapid ascent to the top of tennis , claiming the trophies at the U.S. Open in 2018 and Australian Open in 2019 to rise to No .
1 in the WTA rankings .
She is only 22 herself .
Seems old by comparison , of course .
There were the occasional signs that Gauff is not a fully formed player — or person — just yet .
For example , leading by a set and a break , serving at 1-0 , 40-15 , Gauff double-faulted twice in one game to get broken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rare lapse , though — and one to be expected at this stage of her life and career .
One reminder of just how young Gauff is : Most of the entrants in this year ’ s junior Australian Open are older than she is .
Another : She is taking online classes and said she ’ s been given permission to turn in homework late , “ considering the circumstances.
” Yet another : She doesn ’ t have an official driver ’ s license quite yet , stuck practicing behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permit .
Her play is far beyond her years .
Her composure , on and off the court , is remarkable .
That all helped Gauff become the first American in 30 years to reach at least the third round in each of her first three major appearances .
Her next opponent will be either No .
14 seed Sofia Kenin or Zhang Shuai , who were scheduled to meet later Friday night .
So late , in fact , that Gauff said she would have to pass on scouting their match because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”


thetorontostar--2020-01-24--World markets gain as China closes down for Lunar New Year

BANGKOK - Global share prices were mostly higher on Friday as China began a week-long Lunar New Year festival that is being overshadowed by the outbreak of a new virus that has killed 25 people and sickened more than 800 .
Germany ’ s DAX jumped 1.3 % to 13,562.46 while the CAC 40 in Paris surged 1.4 % to 6,055.08 following reports of improvements in manufacturing data .
In Britain , the FTSE 100 also gained 1.4 % , to 7,615.12 .
Wall Street likewise looked set for an upbeat open , with the future contracts for the S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Industrial Average up 0.3 % .
Manufacturing data for the Eurozone reported Friday suggested demand is stabilizing despite weakness in some regions .
As authorities confirmed more cases of the new virus first reported in the central Chinese city of Wuhan , investors continued to monitor developments in the international effort to keep it from spreading further and potentially harming the global economy .
Japan ’ s Nikkei 225 index rose 0.1 % to 23,827.18 and in Hong Kong the Hang Seng gained 0.2 % to 27,949.64 in a shortened session .
Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up 2.5 points to 7,090.50 , while the Sensex in India rose 0.6 % , to 41,622.97 .
Markets were closed in Shanghai and the rest of mainland China , South Korea , Malaysia and Taiwan .
The World Health Organization decided Thursday against declaring the viral outbreak in China a global emergency for now .
Such a declaration could result in trade and travel restrictions and other economic damage .
Fears of such a possibility have weighed on global markets this week , driving up demand for U.S. government bonds and safe-play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the anticipated China growth fallout against the backdrop of the current global growth recovery .
While the calculus is not coming up roses , it ’ s far from a state of global market panic , “ Stephen Innes of AxiCorp said in a commentary .
“ Still , if risk aversion starts to spread beyond China ’ s borders and starts to affect more than the usual suspect ’ s luxury , travel , and tourism , then we will likely see a more significant dive in the broader global indices , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indexes closed mostly higher Thursday , as gains in technology and industrial companies offset declines elsewhere in the market .
Bond prices rose , pulling the yield on the 10-year Treasury lower to 1.73 % from 1.77 % late Wednesday .
Benchmark crude oil gained 1 cent to $ 55.60 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
It fell $ 1.15 to settle at $ 55.59 a barrel on Thursday .
Brent crude oil , the international standard , lost 3 cents to $ 62.01 per barrel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 62.04 a barrel overnight .
Gold fell back , losing $ 5.10 to $ 1,560.30 .
Silver was unchanged at $ 17.83 per ounce and copper fell 4 cents to $ 2.73 per pound .
The dollar rose to 109.57 Japanese yen from 109.49 yen on Thursday .
The euro weakened to $ 1.1038 from $ 1.1056 .

Elaine Kurtenbach - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-24--She was fighting corruption in Ukraine when she was attacked with acid. Critics say the case raises

She was fighting corruption in Ukraine when she was attacked with acid. Critics say the case raises hard questions for Canada

KYIV , UKRAINE—When a critical mass of mostly young Ukrainians brought down a corrupt government in a wave of protests in 2014 , Katya Gandziuk ’ s friends never imagined she would end up murdered four years later for exposing corrupt officials .
They had fought in Kyiv ’ s main square , the Maidan , and some died for a vision of a new Ukraine less tied to Russia and the country ’ s corrupt Soviet past .
And they won , at least that battle .
Today , however , that vision is no sure thing .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented electoral victory on an anti-corruption ticket less than a year ago , daring to expose corruption remains a dangerous , even deadly business .
Gandziuk , a prominent anti-corruption activist , was murdered for it and those who ordered the killing safely evade justice .
Gandziuk ’ s close friend Kateryna Mola came face to face with that impunity on a recent afternoon in Kyiv , picking up her phone to find a video that made her stomach turn .
Staring back at her was the man widely believed to have ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack in 2018 .
A friend of hers had spotted him shopping in a ritzy commercial district in the Ukrainian capital and captured the video .
It was almost a year since the daylight attack outside her home in the eastern port city of Kherson , on the banks of the Dnieper river , and her friends and family were still coming to terms with its savagery .
It also raised questions for Canada , which in 2017 opened the door for Canadian defence contractors to export weapons to Ukraine despite concerns from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels of corruption , which Ukrainian human rights groups have linked to Gandziuk ’ s murder .
On a late July morning , a man ran up behind the 33-year-old and doused her with a litre of sulphuric acid as she left home for the city council office , where she worked as an adviser to the mayor .
Minutes later , in an ambulance racing to the hospital , she messaged friends photos of the burns via WhatsApp , saying she didn ’ t think they were that bad .
They were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head and run down her back , arms and legs , ultimately covering nearly 40 per cent of her body .
At the hospital , her friend Roman Sinitsyn remembers her doctors saying they had never seen such extensive chemical burns and had to pull out their textbooks to brush up on treatment .
Within days , they transferred Gandziuk to a Kyiv military hospital for more advanced care .
There , she endured nearly a dozen painful surgeries over three months before dying of her injuries on Nov. 4 , 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspicuous figure in Kherson , one of the last stops along the route from Kyiv to the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula .
In her unique perch as a city official and activist , she gained a reputation for brazenly calling out local and regional officials for alleged corruption in sharply worded Facebook posts .
They earned her a profile and credibility among Kherson ’ s reform-minded set , but made her enemy number one for the targets she exposed .
In the lead-up to the attack , she accused the regional governor and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man in the video , of covering up an illegal logging scheme .
Her friends believe it was the straw that broke the camel ’ s back and spurred her killers to action .
News of Gandziuk ’ s death galvanized a Ukrainian public already resentful of rampant government corruption .
Protests erupted in Kyiv and other cities .
In the face of public anger , then-president Petro Poroshenko promised to bring the killers to justice .
Western governments took notice , too .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke out , as did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s foreign affairs minister .
Freeland took to Twitter , calling Gandziuk ’ s death a “ tragic loss , ” and demanded that her killers be brought to justice .
Canada ’ s ambassador to Ukraine visited Gandziuk in hospital .
But with the international spotlight fading over the last year , the investigation has floundered .
Five men were handed sentences ranging from three to six years for carrying out the murder on orders .
Gandziuk ’ s father , Viktor , has called the sentences “ laughable , ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduced as part of a secret plea agreement without the elder Gandziuk ’ s knowledge .
No one has been tried for ordering the murder .
In the year since her death , the case has become emblematic of Ukraine ’ s struggle to bring the rule of law to bear on the everyday lives of Ukrainians .
Gandziuk ’ s mourners are not alone .
Joining them in their search for justice are the survivors of dozens of other attacks against Ukrainian anti-corruption activists and the families of other murdered victims .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ human rights groups have documented 55 attacks against anti-corruption activists and four murders .
Human rights groups say the attacks are enabled by a pattern of corrupt relationships between criminals and local authorities common across Ukraine enables the violence .
“ These attacks are often connected with criminal and semi-criminal circles on the local level merged with local authorities , the prosecutor ’ s office , and the police , ” said Tetiana Pechonchyk .
Pechonchyk , the head of ZMINA Human Rights Center , a Kyiv-based human rights organization , added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s illegal acts to maintain the ability to illicitly profit from their official positions .
The continued prevalence of this kind of corruption puts Canada , a close ally of Ukraine , in an awkward position .
In 2017 , after studying whether Canada should provide Ukraine with lethal weapons in its war against Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine , the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence recommended that Ukraine should first show it was “ actively working to eliminate corruption in all levels of government.
” But as Canadian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , organizations who monitor international corruption suggest that has yet to be done .
Ukraine placed 120th out of 180 on Transparency International ’ s latest Corruption Perceptions Index .
Despite repeated promises over the last five years from Ukrainian politicians to prosecute corrupt high-level officials , not a single one has been convicted of corruption-related crimes .
In October , the International Monetary Fund froze talks with Ukraine over a crucial $ 5 billion ( U.S. ) loan because of stalled progress on a corruption case involving the theft of $ 5.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bank blames two previous owners for stealing the money , including notorious Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky .
The fund has since reopened talks after promises to regulate the banking sector more strictly .
But since his election earlier this year , President Zelenskiy has been trailed by criticism that he is too close to Kolomoisky , and has not moved quickly enough to recover the missing billions .
Kolomoisky ’ s personal lawyer now serves as the president ’ s chief of staff , even though this man is not legally permitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kolomoisky himself , who is under investigation by the FBI for financial crimes , had been in self-imposed exile from Ukraine , but returned shortly after Zelenskiy ’ s election win .
He is also the owner of the television network on which Zelenskiy rose to fame .
Ukrainian civil society groups say Gandziuk ’ s murder should be seen as part of this wider trend of stalled progress on corruption .
High-level officials , including the head of Kherson ’ s regional parliament , are suspected of involvement in the plot to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Slidstvo.info obtained phone records showing that in the days before and after the attack , another suspected collaborator was in contact with local prosecutors and police .
He has since fled the country , leading to suspicion that the police warned him his arrest was imminent .
Even the man in the video , Vladislav Manger , has seen his charges lessened , and the case has been lost in seemingly endless postponements , leading Katya Gandziuk ’ s friends to doubt he will ever face justice .
Sipping a cappuccino at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roman Sinitsyn worries how a trial might play out in Ukraine ’ s corrupt judicial system .
Manger is wealthy , he says , and Ukraine ’ s courts are notorious for judges taking money in exchange for favourable verdicts .
Judicial reform is considered among the most disappointing failures of Ukraine ’ s reform process .
But human rights groups say the murders and attacks go beyond the problem of corrupt local officials .
To them , the corruption that enables the violence reaches high into the Ukrainian government , and one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the failure to properly investigate them : Interior Minister Arsen Avakov .
In his ministerial post overseeing police , Avakov has been widely criticized for blocking substantive reforms meant to root out police corruption .
In May 2019 as Zelenskiy assembled his new cabinet , Transparency International Ukraine and at least 19 other human rights and transparency organizations launched an appeal to have Avakov removed and for western countries to level sanctions against him .
They allege that Avakov and Ukraine ’ s then-general prosecutor are guilty of a “ silent coverup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” for the attacks and murders for having blocked police reforms meant to weed out corruption .
Those reforms , meant to clean up Ukraine ’ s national police force , only made it as far as the Patrol Police , the force responsible for traffic enforcement and street patrols .
While considered a moderate success , and financed in part by the Canadian government , these reforms left detectives and chiefs in the upper ranks of the national police force , where experts say the potential for corruption is greatest , untouched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to seriously reform the police , because the leaders of the country and of law enforcement wanted to keep all their corrupt schemes going , ” said Pechonchyk , the human rights advocate .
Avakov is no stranger to corruption allegations .
Beyond accusations of attacks on activists , he has been tied to violent far right militias , which he denies , and stands accused of interfering in a criminal case against his son .
In 2018 Ukraine ’ s main anti-corruption investigation agency , the National Anti-Corruption Bureau , arrested Avakov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embezzlement charges related to a deal to sell equipment to the Ukrainian military at inflated prices .
Following the arrest , the interior ministry , which has no official connection to the younger Avakov or the case against him , inexplicably issued a press release attacking the charges as politically motivated .
The case was later controversially closed by Ukraine ’ s special anti-corruption prosecutor , who has himself been reprimanded for improperly interfering in corruption investigations .
Artem Sytnyk , the anti-corruption bureau ’ s director , told the Star in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s son was strong , and that there was “ no legal reason why the case was closed.
” After the prosecutor dropped the case , a violent mob ransacked the anti-corruption bureau ’ s Kyiv offices .
Sytnyk would not directly blame Avakov for the violence , citing a lack of evidence , but a cryptic post appeared on the bureau ’ s website soon after the incident , appearing to accuse him of complicity .
It alleged that the attack was connected to “ a close relative of the Minister of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the ( bureau ) detectives.
” It also accused the police , nominally under Avakov ’ s control , of standing aside and allowing the mob to break into the building , destroy furniture and threaten employees .
In another instance of alleged retribution , police launched an investigation into the forensic expert whose opinion was used to build the case against Avakov ’ s son .
The expert , Nadia Bugrova , believes Avakov is abusing his position as a powerful minister to take revenge on her .
At the interior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player .
He is deeply involved in negotiations to end the five-year-long war with Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine , a sign of his privileged place in Zelenskiy ’ s government .
But why he remains there despite his seemingly compromising past is a source of consternation , bewilderment and conspiracy theories among the Ukrainian public .
According to Serhiy Shvets , a member of parliament from Zelenskiy ’ s Servant of the People party , even members of his own party were against his appointment .
On the eve of the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , Zelenskiy assembled MPs to address the controversy around Avakov .
Zelenskiy “ explained that he knows the problems connected with this person , but for a few reasons , he asked us to vote for him as a member of cabinet.
” Despite initially agreeing to an interview in Kyiv , Minister Avakov ’ s office later cancelled , citing his busy schedule , and has not responded to emailed questions .
Gandziuk ’ s friends and supporters want countries like Canada to say something about Avakov .
“ Push the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We need to get rid of him , ” Sinitsyn said , adding that it would be “ impossible ” for Ukraine to build strong , honest law enforcement bodies with Avakov in power .
Canada does not seem ready to do that .
In July 2019 , Global Affairs Canada and Minister Freeland hosted Avakov in Toronto at a conference to promote reform in Ukraine .
He appeared as a speaker on a panel about fighting corruption , and hobnobbed with Canadian cabinet ministers .
“ Good to meet Ukrainian Interior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dinner honouring Ukraine ’ s new President Volodymyr Zelenskyy , ” Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan commented on a photo of himself and Avakov posted to Facebook on July 2 .
For some observers , Avakov ’ s attendance was at odds with Canada ’ s public statements on fighting corruption in Ukraine .
“ Canada invested so much effort and money to the reform of law enforcement , ” Pechonchyk said .
“ And then ( Avakov ) is invited to Toronto to a reform conference sponsored by the Canadian government to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s ridiculous .
He is anti-reform.
” The Department of National Defence refused to comment on the July conference or on Ukraine ’ s progress on corruption and how it might influence the defence relationship between the two countries .
A 2017 DND intelligence assessment , however , shows the latest available example of internal thinking on Ukraine ’ s progress on corruption .
It paints a brief but grim picture .
Under the heading “ little progress , ” the heavily redacted intelligence assessment from the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international engagement in support of Ukrainian anti-corruption measures and socio-economic reforms have not produced any momentum beyond meeting the minimal required steps necessary to secure international assistance.
” It was obtained by the Star using access-to-information laws .
A spokesperson for the Department of National Defence declined to answer questions about whether the intelligence assessment is representative of current thinking inside the department , saying only that “ an intelligence assessment provides an understanding of a situation at a particular time ; it is not an official position.
” “ It would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a foreign country ’ s political situation , ” the spokesperson , Andrée-Anne Poulin , added .
A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada , which hosted the conference , also refused to comment on Avakov ’ s presence , saying only that the conference “ provided an opportunity for Ukraine and its friends and partners to reaffirm their full political and practical commitment to robust reforms — including in the fight against corruption.
” The department also declined to comment on whether it had considered sanctions such as those requested by Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act — Known as the Sergey Magnitsky Law — allows Canadian MPs to level sanctions against foreign officials responsible for corruption and human rights violations .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ’ s December mandate letter to the new minister of foreign affairs , François-Philippe Champagne , includes an order to “ build the Magnitsky sanctions regime to ensure increased support for victims of human rights violations.
” But regardless of corruption , Ukraine is indeed in military trouble .
Any dilemma Canada faces in arming Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country is in desperate need of military aid as it seeks to deter Russia from further aggression .
Since the double onslaught of Russia ’ s annexation of the Crimean peninsula and fomenting a war in Ukraine ’ s east , where Russian-backed separatists still hold territory , the government has struggled to keep the country together .
Consequently , when U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut off hundreds of millions in military aid last summer unless Zelenskiy announced investigations into Democrat Joe Biden and his son , the president and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and were reportedly ready to capitulate .
Canada , for its part , stood up for Ukraine early on , at first providing military training , equipment and aid money , before allowing Canadian arms manufacturers to apply to export lethal weapons to Ukraine as of December 2017 .
Global Affairs Canada says that since 2014 , Canada has committed more than $ 785 million in assistance to Ukraine .
In 2018 , the latest year for which figures are available , $ 5.2 million worth of controlled weaponry was exported to Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ worth of firearms and their parts .
Not included in those figures is a deal reported by Ukrainian media last November for Winnipeg-based PGW Defence Technologies to sell an expected $ 1 million in sniper rifles to the Ukrainian government .
Zelenskiy also recently expressed interest in buying light-armoured vehicles from Canada .
Leading up to Canada opening the door to weapons exports , several experts told the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence that military aid is badly needed to deter further Russian aggression .
Fifteen thousand Ukrainians have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Canadian human rights and disarmament groups , however , opposed allowing arms exports , citing the checkered human rights record of Ukrainian security forces dating back to violent crackdowns on protesters in 2014 .
Global Affairs Canada told the Star all applications to export weapons are judged on a “ case-by-case basis ” against criteria that include human rights considerations .
Canada ’ s contribution , however , is unlikely to tip the balance .
Ukraine ’ s future , for better or worse , is expected be decided in negotiations among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that began in December .
But for Ukrainians fighting to expose corruption , their human rights are not cards to be played or discarded in a geopolitical poker game .
And as the weapons continue to flow and negotiations continue , they are fighting not to be forgotten .
On a cool , wet evening almost a year after Gandziuk ’ s death , many of them gather at a protest outside the president ’ s office in Kyiv to demand justice for Gandziuk .
Among the hundreds assembled , some hold placards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others plastered with photos of Gandziuk .
Gandziuk ’ s friend Kateryna Mola is there , chatting quietly with friends .
As she speaks with this reporter , the crowd erupts in a chant : “ Who killed Katya Gandziuk ?
” Despite the display of support , Mola is downcast .
“ There are not as many people here as I ’ d hoped.
” Katya ’ s father , Viktor , is here , too .
Leaving the protest in a car with a reporter , he looks out on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and scores died , for closer ties to Europe and a western-oriented Ukraine governed by the rule of law .
“ I used to drive this route to visit Katya in hospital , ” he said .
Looking back to the beginning of Zelenskiy ’ s term , he remembers his optimism about the new president ’ s promise to find Katya ’ s killers and fight corruption .
But as time drags on , his confidence has waned .

Corbett Hancey - Michener-Deacon Investigative Journalism Fellow


thetorontostar--2020-01-24--Top EU officials sign Brexit deal in closed door ceremony

BRUSSELS - The leaders of two of the European Union ’ s main institutions on Friday signed the divorce agreement governing Britain ’ s departure from the bloc next week , sealing the penultimate step in Brexit at a ceremony held without media access .
European Council President Charles Michel tweeted photos of the overnight signing with the president of the EU ’ s powerful executive commission , Ursula von der Leyen , in the presence of their Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier .
Both institutions rejected repeated media demands for access to what is a small but legally significant step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has ever left the world ’ s biggest trading bloc .
Time stamps on the official photos show that the ceremony took place at around 2 a.m. local time ( 0100 GMT ) .
“ Charles Michel and I have just signed the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU , opening the way for its ratification by the European Parliament , ” Von der Leyen tweeted about six hours after the signing .
“ Things will inevitably change but our friendship will remain .
We start a new chapter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted in reference to ties with Britain , also hours after the signing ceremony , adding : “ I can ’ t wait to write this new page together.
” Britain ’ s delayed and disputed Brexit bill became law in the country on Thursday , removing the last U.K. obstacle for it to leave on Jan. 31 , more than 3 1/2 years after voters narrowly opted to do so in a June 2016 referendum .
The EU Parliament is expected to ratify the Brexit divorce deal next Wednesday just days before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the assembly ’ s influential constitutional affairs committee voted in favour by a large margin on Thursday .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-24--Legal chaos deepens in Poland in new challenge for the EU

WARSAW , Poland - Legal chaos has deepened dramatically in Poland following the passing of legislation that will allow the government to fire judges whose rulings it does not like — even when those rulings respect EU law .
That development , and the government ’ s defiance of a Supreme Court resolution , have created a crisis that threatens the functioning of the entire European Union legal system .
Laurent Pech , a professor of European law at Middlesex University , London , wrote on Twitter on Friday : “ As of yesterday # Poland is no longer a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ...
Process of de facto exit from EU legal order has begun.
” This comes after more than four years of efforts by the governing populist party , Law and Justice , to take control of the country ’ s system of courts and public prosecution , eroding the independence of most branches of the judicial system .
In a recent meeting with reporters in Warsaw , Pech said that Poland ’ s unraveling of judicial independence is having an impact on the entire legal order , with Poland also refusing to comply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice .
Polish judges are also EU judges who are expected to give fair rulings to international companies operating in Poland , he said .
“ No one will invest in a country where essentially the rulings of the Court of Justice regarding the judicial branch are simply openly ignored , ” Pech added .
Poland ’ s Senate , which is controlled by the opposition , had rejected the bill that gives the power to fine or fire judges .
But the upper house only had the power to delay the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
It goes next to the president , who supports it .
The government argued early in its tenure that it needed to purge judges who were part of an untouchable “ caste , ” including holdovers from the communist era .
Critics , however , point out that there are very few judges still working today who began under communist rule , which ended 30 years ago .
Lately the government has said it seeks to end “ anarchy ” in the system — an anarchy that opponents say has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation passed Thursday has been condemned by the EU , the United Nations and the Council of Europe , the continent ’ s largest human rights body .
Amnesty International has said it would end the separation of powers in the young democracy .
Also Thursday , the Supreme Court — which has maintained a large degree of independence from the government thanks to EU intervention — declared that judges appointed by Law and Justice to a new judicial body are illegitimate .
The government , in turn , called the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zbigniew Ziobro said the Supreme Court carried out “ a gross violation of the law and its so-called resolution has no legal effects.
” One deputy minister , Janusz Kowalski , said he “ couldn ’ t care less ” what 60 Supreme Court judges ruled because “ they are not an authority to me .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-24--Dutch traveller arrested at Cairo airport over illegal drugs

Cairo airport authorities arrested a Dutch passenger of Egyptian decent on Friday , saying he was carrying illegal drugs in @ @ @ @ @ , who landed from Amsterdam earlier in the morning , was stopped and a search @ @ @ @ @ 60 grams ( 2 ounces ) of three different types of psychoactive drugs .
They @ @ @ @ @ the party drug MDMA widely known as ecstasy , as well as 60 pills of @ @ @ @ @ Gamal Abdel-Fattah , a senior official at the Customs Authority .
The passenger , who @ @ @ @ @ detained and faces legal charges , Abdel-Fattah added .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-24--NFL player Antonio Brown turns himself in at Florida jail

FT. LAUDERDALE , Fla. - NFL free agent Antonio Brown turned himself in at a Florida jail on Thursday night following accusations that he and his trainer attacked another man .
Brown , 31 , arrived at Broward County Jail around 10 p.m. , as first reported by TMZ .
The wide receiver , wearing turquoise pants and a matching blazer buttoned over a green jacket , initially walked out of the jail a few minutes after arriving , but then returned after conferring with his lawyer , WFOR-TV reported .
In a Wednesday news release , Hollywood police said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of burglary with battery , burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and criminal mischief .
Officials responded Tuesday afternoon to a disturbance call where the alleged victim said Brown and his trainer , Glenn Holt , hit him near Brown ’ s Hollywood home .
Holt was arrested and charged with one count of burglary with battery , but officials couldn ’ t make contact with Brown at the time .
Brown didn ’ t respond to WFOR-TV ’ s request for on-camera comment , but his lawyer , Eric Schwartzreich , indicated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ He ’ s innocent of these charges .
Hopefully we ’ ll get bond tomorrow and he ’ ll be acquitted of all charges , ” Schwartzreich said .
Brown , who is a free agent , played nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers .
He was traded to the Oakland Raiders last year but released before ever playing a regular season game following several off-the-field incidents .
He was then signed by the New England Patriots , who released Brown in September after a second woman in 10 days accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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