thetorontostar--2020-02-20--Police: Minnesota recycling plant fire under control for now

BECKER , Minn. - Firefighters battling a stubborn fire that has been burning for days at a metal recycling plant in a small Minnesota community have got the blaze under control , police said Thursday .
The fire at the Northern Metals plant in Becker has been belching noxious , billowing smoke since it began Tuesday morning .
Becker Police Chief Brent Baloun said the cause of the fire remains unknown .
The Becker Police Department posted on Facebook Thursday that “ major progress “ has been made and that fire crews report the fire is “ under control at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hot spots in the debris pile .
Firefighting crews used heavy equipment to separate a portion of a burning stack of vehicles in hopes that the blaze would eventually die out .
The strategy was intended to protect nearby buildings .
Police said Thursday that the fire break was “ holding its place , “ and that officials were monitoring air quality .
Over 100 fire departments responded to help back up local firefighters ’ need for water supply , Assistant Becker Fire Chief Tom Wark , the incident commander , told reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a team effort for the majority of the fire departments in the state , ” Wark said .
Authorities said no one has been reported hospitalized because of the fumes and no firefighters have been hurt .
The city of 4,500 people requested help from the National Guard , the state Pollution Control Agency and the Health Department .
Residents have not been asked to evacuate , but should stay away from the immediate area of the fire , police said .
Becker is about 50 miles ( 80 kilometres ) northwest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation from Minneapolis to Becker last year after the Pollution Control Agency ordered it shut down because of high levels of air pollution and inaccurately recorded pollution .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-20--Family of man killed by trooper seeking more than $10M

HARTFORD , Conn. - Relatives of a black Connecticut man killed by a state trooper are seeking more than $ 10 million in wrongful death damages from state and local police , according to legal notices filed Thursday .
Lawyers for the family of Mubarak Soulemane , 19 , asked the state claims commissioner for permission to sue the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and top state police officials including Public Safety Commissioner James Rovella for $ 10 million .
They also filed notice with the town of West Haven that they intend to sue the town and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of money .
The attorneys and family on Thursday also called on the state to convene a grand jury for a criminal investigation into the fatal shooting .
“ I want justice .
I want justice , ” Soulemane ’ s mother , Omo Mohammed , said in an interview Thursday .
“ I want this policeman to go to jail for killing my son.
” West Haven ’ s counsel , Lee Tiernan , said the town ’ s policy is not to comment on pending litigation .
The claim will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjuster , he said .
State police said Soulemane carjacked a vehicle in Norwalk on Jan. 15 before leading troopers on a chase on Interstate 95 into West Haven .
Officials said Soulemane struck two state police cruisers and a civilian ’ s vehicle before troopers stopped his vehicle by boxing it in .
West Haven police also responded to the scene .
State police body camera videos show a West Haven officer smashing out the passenger door window of the stolen car before a trooper shoots Soulemane with a stun gun , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trooper , Brian North , who is white , then fired his handgun seven times through the driver ’ s door window when Soulemane displayed a knife , state police said .
Soulemane ’ s family has said he was a community college student who had schizophrenia .
Relatives , clerics and civil rights advocates have called the shooting criminal and unnecessary .
It was the third fatal shooting by police in Connecticut since the new year began .
“ Clearly ... the video shows the police officer was in no imminent danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the car , ” said civil rights attorney Sanford Rubenstein , who is representing Soulemane ’ s family .
“ More important than money damages is that this police officer be held accountable for his actions.
” North has been assigned to desk duty while investigations into the shooting are pending .
Another protest over Soulemane ’ s killing was being planned for Friday .
Hawk Newsome , chairman of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York , called Soulemane ’ s death an “ execution.
” “ Another black man is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of the law enforcement community , ” Newsome said .
“ We ’ re demanding that the prosecutors and elected officials indict this officer for murder .
We want him jailed immediately .
”

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thetorontostar--2020-02-20--As climate changes, activists struggle for Kansas’ attention

TOPEKA , Kan. - Environmentalists are struggling to get lawmakers to even discuss climate change as a serious issue in Kansas , where some leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature question the widespread scientific consensus that human activity is dangerously warming the planet .
States such as Virginia , Minnesota and California are pursuing goals for eventually getting all of their electricity from renewable resources .
But Kansas proposals aimed at reducing electricity use , making state office space more energy efficient and encouraging farmers to capture and store greenhouse gases have languished without committee hearings .
Environmentalists had to schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month outside of lawmakers ’ regular meetings .
Even more galling for them , a House committee ’ s first foray Thursday into environmental policy was a hearing on a business-backed measure to bar cities and counties from banning single-use plastic bags or straws .
Some Republicans worry about the costs of pursuing initiatives for consumers , farmers and businesses , questioning whether Kansas could effectively lessen the problem .
But some of them doubt it ’ s a problem compelling enough to address and express opinions at odds with most scientists ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cycles , and it ’ s a natural cycle , “ said House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins , a Wichita Republican .
“ They think that the globe is warming .
And guess what ?
If you go back through history , it did , and then it cools down , and then it warms and then it cools down.
” Rabbi Moti Rieber , executive director of the Kansas Interfaith Alliance , said lawmakers have avoided tackling climate change in recent years “ as the situation continues to get worse.
” Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government says have affected Kansas over the past 40 years , more than half , or 37 , occurred in the past decade , even with damage figures adjusted for inflation .
“ It ’ s frustrating beyond belief , “ Rieber said during the hearing on the bill dealing with plastic bags .
” We ’ re fiddling while the world burns.
” Oil and natural gas production remain an important industry in Kansas , but it ’ s also made big strides on clean energy because of a wind-farm boom over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to 40 % of the state ’ s power , only a little less than coal-fired plants do , according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration .
Two decades ago , coal-fired plants generated more than 70 % .
And carbon dioxide emissions in 2017 were 12 % lower than they were in 1980 , according to federal statistics .
But Sierra Club lobbyist Zack Pistora said Kansas could eventually get all of its electricity from renewable resources because its use of solar now is minimal .
Virginia lawmakers are working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2050 , while a 2018 California a law sets the marker for 2045 .
“ If we don ’ t recognize that we need to do something about this , I feel like the costs are just going to get greater , ” Pistora said .
Democratic Gov .
Laura Kelly is concentrating on making the state ’ s energy policy office independent of the commission that regulates utilities , arguing that a separate agency would be better able to draft a long-term energy plan .
She issued an executive order last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejection by the full chamber , which would block the move .
Kelly ’ s chief of staff , Will Lawrence , told a Senate committee this week that Kelly is pursuing an “ all of the above ” energy strategy and sees energy as “ economic development.
” “ People feel the discussion of climate change will be taking away things from people when we really want to concentrate on , how can we best adapt to what ’ s happening ; how can we be positive ?
“ said Francisco , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Kansas campus .
The leaders of the House and Senate utilities committees said the potential costs of initiatives versus their potential benefits is a key issue .
They said they don ’ t want to take steps that , for example , increase the costs of farmers ’ tractors by tens of thousands of dollars for small improvements in pollution controls .
“ Kansans are also very practical , ” said Senate Utilities Committee Chairman Ty Masterson , a Wichita-area Republican .
“ They want to do something that makes economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Susan Wagle , a Wichita Republican , questioned whether it ’ s practical for Kansas to pursue climate change as an issue without emissions reductions by foreign nations .
Wagle is a candidate for the U.S. Senate and recently criticized a new GOP congressional climate plan , arguing that it is “ kind of silly ” to propose spending “ a lot of taxpayer dollars ” when China ’ s and India ’ s greenhouse gas emissions would more than cancel out any benefits .
“ I believe the climate is changing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consensus on , an agreement on , what the cause factors are or the resolution , ” Wagle said .
“ As long as there is not agreement in the scientific community and among all the major nations for what should be done , it ’ s all for naught.
“


thetorontostar--2020-02-20--Alaska needs broad review of aviation safety, officials say

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - Alaska needs a comprehensive review effort to improve aviation safety because its aviation fatal and non fatal accident rates are far higher than the national average , the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday .
The NTSB issued a safety recommendation to the Federal Aviation Administration calling for the formation of a group focused on safety to better review , rank and integrate Alaska ’ s unique aviation needs into the FAA safety enhancement process .
“ We need to marshal the resources of the FAA to tackle aviation safety in Alaska in a comprehensive way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a prepared statement .
“ The status quo is , frankly , unacceptable.
” Alaska ’ s aviation accident rate was 2.35 times higher than the rest of the nation from 2008 to 2017 , the NTSB said .
The fatal accident rate in the Alaska was 1.34 times higher than the national average , according to NTSB statistics .
The latest fatal crash occurred Feb. 6 .
A pilot and four passengers died when a Yute Commuter airplane crashed near Tuntutuliak in southwest Alaska .
Aviation safety in Alaska has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The board in August 2017 met in Anchorage in a rare investigative hearing outside Washington , D.C. , to increase awareness of “ controlled flight into terrain ” accidents , in which an airworthy aircraft is flown unintentionally into ground or water .
The hearing focused on an Oct. 2 , 2016 , crash of a Hageland Aviation Services airplane into a mountain between the southwest Alaska villages of Quinhagak and Togiak , two tiny communities off the road system .
The crash killed two pilots and a passenger .
The two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities , are not connected to the state road system .
Flying is a way of life to reach such destinations .
The challenge is increased by the need to cross mountain ranges , open water or regions where weather changes quickly .
Alaska also lacks infrastructure that is routine in other parts of the country , including technology that can provide certified weather information .
Without certified weather information , flying under instrument flight rules is prohibited and must be conducted under visual flight rules .
Flying at an altitude of 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under visual rules .
Testimony at the 2017 hearing indicated that pilots sometimes turn off an airplane ’ s Terrain Avoidance and Warning System to avoid repeated alerts or hard warnings when an aircraft drops to 700 feet ( 215 metres ) .
The FAA has initiatives to improve Alaska aviation safety .
But the “ silo-like ” nature of the FAA ’ s sprawling organization makes it difficult to develop a comprehensive plan for a statesuch asAlaska , Sumwalt said .
The FAA in statement provided by spokesman Allen Kenitzer said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety initiatives in Alaska and strongly supports bringing together stakeholders to identify safety risk areas and potential solutions .
“ The FAA will carefully review the recommendation that the NTSB issued today , ” the agency said .
The NTSB recommendation was prompted in part by a September meeting in Anchorage in which aviation groups discussed how flying safety could be improved .
The September discussion focused on aviation regulations that cover charter and business flights .
Participants discussed improving pilot training and consistently managing weather risks .
But the challenges apply to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ All pilots must deal with Alaska ’ s challenging geography and weather , ” Sumwalt said .
“ We need to give them all the tools and resources to do so safely.
” The FAA in its response said it holds pre- and post-season discussions with air tour operators to discuss safety lessons learned from recent operations .
The FAA has deployed 230 weather cameras throughout Alaska , providing pilots with visual weather information and updates every 10 minutes .
The FAA continues to work with the National Weather Service to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and forecast programs for 157 Alaska airports , the agency said .


thetorontostar--2020-02-20--Appeals court keeps block on Mississippi 6-week abortion ban

JACKSON , Miss .
- A federal appeals court is keeping a block on a Mississippi law that would ban most abortions as early as about six weeks — a stage when many women may not even know they are pregnant .
A panel of the 5th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals made the decision Thursday , finding that the law is unconstitutional because it would ban abortion before the point of viability , when a fetus could survive outside of the womb .
The appeals court judges agreed with a district court judge who blocked the law from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was signed by then-Gov .
Phil Bryant , a Republican .
The only abortion clinic in Mississippi sued the state after Bryant signed what would have been one of the strictest abortion laws in the U.S. , banning most abortions once fetal cardiac activity can be detected , which can be at about six weeks .
The clinic said it provides abortions until 16 weeks .
With the addition of conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court in recent years , several states have been enacting laws aimed at spurring court challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ v. Wade , the court ’ s landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide .
Thursday ’ s decision was the second time in recent months that the conservative 5th Circuit has blocked a Mississippi abortion law .
In December , a panel of the appeals court kept a block on a 2018 Mississippi law that would have banned most abortions at 15 weeks , before viability .
The state asked the full appeals court to reconsider that decision .
In January , the court said it would not do that .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two months the 5th Circuit has told Mississippi that it can not ban abortion , ” Hillary Schneller , senior staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights , said in a statement Thursday .
“ Despite the relentless attempts of Mississippi and other states , the right to legal abortion remains the law of the land.
” In its decision Thursday , the appeals court said the Mississippi clinic and attorneys for the state disagree on when fetal cardiac activity can be detected , with the clinic saying it can happen at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can happen at six to 12 weeks .
“ But all agree that cardiac activity can be detected well before the fetus is viable , ” the appeals court wrote .
“ That dooms the law .
If a ban on abortion after 15 weeks is unconstitutional , then it follows that a ban on abortion at an earlier stage of pregnancy is also unconstitutional.
” It was not immediately clear Thursday whether Mississippi will appeal the ruling on the six-week ban .
State officials said in January that they want the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15-week ban .

Emily Wagster Pettus - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-20--Kia recalls SUVs, vans; electrical problem can cause fires

DETROIT - Kia is joining its affiliate Hyundai in recalling thousands of vehicles in the U.S. because water can get into a brake computer , cause an electrical short and possibly a fire .
The Kia recall covers nearly 229,000 Sedona minivans from the 2006 through 2010 model years .
Also covered are Sorento SUVs from 2007 through 2009 .
Kia is telling owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the problem can be fixed .
The company says in documents posted Thursday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that moisture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ computer and cause an electrical short and possible fires .
Kia has reports of seven fires , but no injuries .
The problem can happen even if the engine is turned off .
The recall is another in a series of problems that the South Korean automakers have had with engine fires during the past few years .
Past problems have triggered investigations by the U.S. road safety agency .
Dealers will install a relay in the main electrical junction box to stop power from going to the brake computer when the engine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start April 10 .
Earlier this month , Hyundai recalled nearly 430,000 small cars due to the same problem .
That recall covered certain 2006 through 2011 Elantra and 2007 through 2011 Elantra Touring vehicles .
Both companies said the rate of fires is low , but Hyundai is not recommending that the cars be parked outside .
Hyundai said in documents that it has three reports of fires and no related injuries .
Last April , NHTSA opened two new investigations into fires involving Hyundai and Kia vehicles after getting complaints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injuries .
The agency granted a petition seeking the investigations by the non-profit Center for Auto Safety , a consumer advocacy group .
The investigations , one for Hyundai and the other for Kia , cover noncrash fires in almost 3 million vehicles from the affiliated automakers .
The probes cover the 2011 through 2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe , the 2011 through 2014 Kia Optima and Sorento , and the 2010 through 2015 Kia Soul .
The complaints came from consumers and from data provided by both automakers .
NHTSA had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fires into a 2017 investigation that examined recalls of Hyundai and Kia vehicles for engine failures .
It opened the new probes “ based on the agency ’ s analysis of information received from multiple manufacturers , consumer complaints and other sources.
” Engine failure and fire problems with Hyundais and Kias have affected more than 6 million vehicles since 2015 , according to NHTSA documents .
So far , Hyundai and Kia have recalled about 2.4 million vehicles to fix problems that can cause fires and engine failures .
In addition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improvement campaign ” covering another 3.7 million vehicles to install software that will alert drivers of possible engine failures and send the cars into a reduced-speed “ limp ” mode if problems are detected .


thetorontostar--2020-02-20--New Zealand killer of British backpacker sentenced to life

WELLINGTON , New Zealand - The New Zealand man convicted of murdering a British backpacker he met on a dating app has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years .
Grace Millane was strangled to death on her 22nd birthday in December 2018 .
She had met the man through the dating app Tinder and went out for drinks with him before returning to his hotel apartment in central Auckland , where he killed her .
He stuffed her body into a suitcase , drove to a forest and buried it in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week later .
The name of the 28-year-old man is being kept secret for now by court order , a restriction that ’ s sometimes imposed in the New Zealand judicial system for reasons such as another pending trial .
Defence lawyers had claimed the death was accidental after the pair engaged in consensual erotic choking that went too far .
A jury in November rejected that argument and found the man guilty .
Murder typically comes with a life sentence in New Zealand , so at stake at Friday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of years the killer would serve in jail before becoming eligible for parole .
Prosecutors had argued for 17 years while defence lawyers said 12 was reasonable .
Judge Simon Moore ended up agreeing with prosecutors , saying the naked photos the man took of Millane after her death were correctly described as depraved and underscored his total lack of empathy toward her .
Earlier , the victim ’ s mother Gillian Millane told the court via video link that the killer had ripped a hole in her heart by stealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She died terrified and alone in a room with you , “ Gillian Millane said , according to the New Zealand Herald .
The man in the dock kept his head bowed , rubbed his face and had his eyes closed , the newspaper reported .
Grace Millane ’ s death shocked many in New Zealand , which prides itself on welcoming tourists and where many people travel abroad themselves .
Hundreds of people attended candlelight vigils after she died , and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke about New Zealanders feeling “ hurt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their country .
Tourism is one of New Zealand ’ s largest industries , accounting for more than 20 % of foreign exchange earnings and about 6 % of the overall economy .
The case has been closely followed in Britain as well .


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Israel says cruise passenger flown home from Japan has virus

JERUSALEM - One of the 11 Israelis who were flown home after being quarantined on a cruise ship in Japan has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus , the first case to be reported inside Israel , the Health Ministry said Friday .
The Israeli cruise ship passengers , who had all initially tested negative , arrived on a charter plane overnight .
They were met by medics in protection suits and immediately taken to the Sheba Hospital near Tel Aviv , where they will be kept in quarantine .
Another four Israelis were hospitalized in Japan after testing positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has infected more than 76,000 people in 27 countries and caused more than 2,200 deaths since it was first reported in China ’ s Hubei province in December .
The Diamond Princess ship docked at a Yokohama port has the most COVID-19 cases outside of China , with 634 confirmed by late Thursday .
Two former passengers have died .
Dozens of foreign passengers were flown back to their home countries on flights chartered by their governments .
Israel has cancelled all flights to and from China , and is requiring Israelis returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Singapore or Thailand to be quarantined at home for two weeks .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Five GOP-led states seek to block Equal Rights Amendment

NASHVILLE - Five Republican-led states are seeking to block an effort by three Democratic-led states to see the Equal Rights Amendment is adopted into the U.S. Constitution .
The five states — Tennessee , Alabama , Louisiana , Nebraska and South Dakota — filed a motion on Thursday to intervene in a lawsuit filed by Virginia , Nevada and Illinois .
All five rescinded their approvals of the ERA amendment before a congressionally mandated ratification deadline more than 40 years ago , Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery said Thursday .
“ Tennessee has an interest in ensuring that its vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Slatery said .
Virginia recently became the 38th state to ratify the measure designed to guarantee women the same legal rights men enjoy .
“ Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex , ” it says .
constitutional amendments must be ratified by three-quarters of the 50 states , or 38 .
But the ERA ’ s future is uncertain , in part because the ratification deadline set by Congress expired so long ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ archivist of the United States , David Ferriero , who announced that he would “ take no action to certify the adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment.
” The three Democratic attorneys general sued Ferriero , arguing that the deadline , first set for 1979 and later extended to 1982 , is not binding .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-21--IS supporter pleads guilty to St. Paul’s Cathedral bomb plot

LONDON - ABritish woman who supported the Islamic State group pleaded guilty Friday to plotting to bomb St. Paul ’ @ @ @ @ @ Amira Shaikh , 36 , from Middlesex in southeast England , admittedto the preparation of @ @ @ @ @ terrorist publications .
She spoke at a hearing at Central London Criminal Court .
Prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ someone who could prepare explosives and went on a reconnaissance trip to scope out the @ @ @ @ @ shared terrorist documentsthroughgroups using the Telegram messaging app between August 2019 and October 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ May 12 .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-21--US: Taliban’s ‘reduction of violence’ deal to start tonight

ISLAMABAD - A senior U.S. State Department official says the seven-day “ reduction of violence “ deal promised by the Taliban will begin “ tonight , ” without specifying the exact time .
That will start the countdown to the signing of a peace agreement between the Taliban and the United States at the end of the month .
That peace agreement , to be signed in Doha , Qatar , on Feb. 29 , will pave the way for a withdrawal of U.S. troops and intra- Afghan negotiations .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the peace agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cease-fire .
“ We are preparing for the signing to take place on February 29 , “ Pompeo said in a statement .
“ Intra-Afghan negotiations will start soon thereafter , and will build on this fundamental step to deliver a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire and the future political roadmap for Afghanistan.
” The State Department official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the deal .
The Taliban could not immediately be reached for comment .
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Kathy Gannon And Matthew Lee - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Trump apparently not a fan of ‘Parasite’ movie

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is apparently not a fan of “ Parasite , “ his biggest complaint being that the movie was made in South Korea .
Trump started talking about the Academy Awards during a campaign rally in Colorado Springs , Colorado , on Thursday .
Parasite was named best picture , becoming the first non-English-language film to get the top honour .
“ What the hell was that all about ?
“ Trump said .
“ We ’ ve got enough problems with South Korea with trade .
On top of that , they give them best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good ?
I don ’ t know.
” Neon , the U.S. distributor for the subtitled film , shot back on Twitter : “ Understandable .
He can ’ t read.
“ The audience booed when Trump mentioned the Academy Awards and then cheered when he said : “ Can we get like ‘ ’ Gone with the Wind ’ back please ?
‘ Sunset Boulevard , ’ so many great movies.
“ “ Parasite “ tells the story of how a family of four poor , unemployed people living in a slum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residing at a luxurious mansion before things unravel violently and tragically .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Council of Europe urges Italy to halt co-operation with Libya

ROME - The Council of Europe is urging Italy to suspend its co-operation with the Libyan coast guard , saying migrants who are picked up at sea and returned to Libya face serious human rights violations in its wretched detention centres .
The council ’ s human rights commissioner , Dunja Mijatovic , acknowledged in a Feb. 13 letter that Italy had proposed new terms to a 2017 migration agreement with Libya that contain more provisions to guarantee migrants ’ rights are respected .
But given there is no indication if or when those provisions will be implemented , Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coast guard altogether , Mijatovic wrote .
Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio acknowledged “ there is room for improvement ” to the 2017 accord .
But he insisted that Italy ’ s engagement with the Libyan authorities had saved lives , with the number of deaths along the central Mediterranean route falling from an estimated 2,853 in 2017 to 743 last year .
“ Figures as such tell us that we have to keep working along this direction , rather than disengaging from the country , ” he wrote in a response Feb. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released Friday by Mijatovic ’ s office .
Italy for years has been criticized internationally for its support of the Libyan coast guard , which has involved the provision of patrol boats and training of its crews .
Human rights groups have documented widespread abuses in Libyan detention camps where returning migrants are taken , including torture and rape .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Iran votes in parliament elections that favour conservatives

TEHRAN , Iran - Iranians were voting for a new parliament Friday , with turnout seen as a key measure of support for Iran ’ s leadership as sanctions weigh on the economy and U.S. pressure isolates the country diplomatically .
The disqualification of more than 7,000 potential candidates , most of them reformists and moderates , raised the possibility of lower-than-usual turnout .
Among those disqualified were 90 sitting members of parliament who had wanted to run for re-election .
Also looming over the election is the threat of the new coronavirus and many voters headed to the polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday confirmed two new deaths from the virus , which first emerged in China in December , bringing the total death toll in Iran to four , from among 18 confirmed cases .
The first two patients that died were elderly citizens in the city of Qom .
Concerns over the spread of the virus prompted authorities in Iran to close all schools and Shiite seminaries in Qom .
Iran ’ s leadership and state media urged voter participation , with some framing it as a religious duty .
Supreme Leader Ayatollah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mosque near his Tehran office shortly after polls opened at 8 a.m. and urged Iranians to the polls .
“ Anyone who cares about Iran ’ s national interests should participate in the election , “ he said .
Earlier in the week , Khamenei said high voter turnout will thwart ” plots and plans ” by Americans and supporters of Israel against Iran .
“ Enemies want to see what the results of the U.S. maximum pressure are , ” he said , referring to U.S. sanctions and pressure from Washington that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sell its oil abroad , forcing its economy into recession .
After the disqualifications , around 7,000 candidates were left vying for a place in the 290-seat chamber across 208 constituencies .
After casting his ballot , Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on the nation to stage another “ victory ” by massive voting .
“ Our enemies will be disappointed more than before , ” Rouhani said .
On the eve of the vote , the Trump administration ratcheted up its campaign of pressure on Iran by imposing sanctions on two senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body of clerics and judges that decides which candidates may run in elections .
The U.S. also sanctioned three members of Iran ’ s elections supervisory committee , saying all those targeted were responsible for silencing the voice of the Iranian people by rejecting thousands of people from running .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized the election as a “ sham ” and a vote that “ is not free or fair.
” One of the sanctioned officials , Guardian Council ’ s spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei , described Washington ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegitimate sanctions , ” dismissing the measure as just another example of America ’ s “ regional tyranny.
” Tensions with the United States could strengthen hard-liners by reinforcing long-held distrust of the West .
A parliament stacked with hard-liners could favour expanding the budget for the Revolutionary Guard Corps , which has been sanctioned by the U.S .
It could also tilt public policy debates toward hard-liners who are opposed to engagement with the U.S .
The crisis with between Tehran and Washington spiked after a U.S. airstrike in January killed Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The strike led to a tense confrontation in which Iranian forces accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane after it took off from Tehran , killing all 176 people on board .
Most of those killed were Iranian .
The shoot-down , and attempts by officials to initially conceal the cause of the crash sparked public anger and protests in Iran .
The election is being held at a time of growing economic hardship .
Iranians have seen the price of basic goods skyrocket , inflation and unemployment rise and the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. from Iran ’ s nuclear agreement with world powers and imposed sanctions .
The economic woes faced by ordinary Iranians fueled anti-government protests in November .
International human rights groups say at least 300 people were killed in the protests .
The parliament in Iran does not have power to dictate major policies , but it does debate the annual budget and the possible impeachment of ministers .
Power in Iran ultimately rests with Khamenei , who has final say on all key matters .
Local TV stations broadcast images from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles ) south of the capital , Tehran , showing women and men , some wearing face masks for protection , lining up in separate lines to vote on Friday .
Qom is a popular religious destination and a centre of learning and religious studies for Shiite Muslims from inside Iran , as well as Iraq , Pakistan and Afghanistan and Azerbaijan .
The Tehran governor tried to calm fears over the new virus , saying voters didn ’ t have to mark their fingers with ink after voting .
Using the ink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the official IRNA news agency .
“ People should not be worry about spreading coronavirus , ” he added .
Current parliament speaker Ali Larijani decided to step down after 11 years and is not running for reelection , though he was shown voting in his city of Qom on Friday .
Mohammad Baqher Qalibaf , the former mayor of Tehran who is also the former head of the Revolutionary Guard air force , is seen as one of the front-runners to succeed Larijani .
The current parliament , elected in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and moderates , with the rest of the chamber split between independents and hard-liners .
Some 90 current lawmakers were also barred from running in Friday ’ s election .
Nearly 58 million Iranians , out of a population of more than 80 million , are eligible to vote .
Every Iranian above the age of 18 can vote .
Turnout has been over 50 % in previous parliamentary elections .
In 2016 , it was nearly 62 % .
The polls close at 6 p.m. , though polling stations have in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give people more time to cast their vote .
Friday is a day of rest in Iran , as is the case across most Muslim countries .
Initial results are expected to be announced on Saturday .
Presidential elections are expected to take place in 2021 .
Associated Press writer Aya Batrawy in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Outpouring of worldwide support for bullied Australian boy

PERTH , Australia - Devastated after again being targeted at school for his dwarfism , a sobbing Quaden Bayles repeatedly told his mother that he wanted to die .
The 9-year-old Australian ’ s deep distress went viral on social media after his mother , Yarraka Bayles , posted a six-minute video clip .
“ This is what bullying is doing and I want people to know how much this is hurting us as a family , ” she says in the video , which has been viewed more than 19 million times .
“ This is the impact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just wants to go to school , get an education and have fun.
” Her appeal sparked an outpouring of worldwide support for the bullied boy , including from celebrities and athletes .
Australian actor Hugh Jackman said “ you are stronger than you know , mate ” and urged people to “ be kind ” to each other , while Eric Trump — the son of U.S. President Donald Trump — said the video was “ absolutely heartbreaking.
” “ This is one of the hardest videos I ’ ve watched , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote on Twitter .
“ No place in the world for bullies.
” A GoFundMe page started by American comedian Brad Williams has raised more than $ 140,000 in an effort to send Bayles on a trip to Disneyland in California .
“ This isn ’ t just for Quaden , this is for anyone who has been bullied in their lives and told they weren ’ t good enough , ” said Williams , who has the same dwarfism condition of Achondroplasia .
Bayles , who is Aboriginal Australian , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onto the field in their rugby league clash with the Maori All Stars in Queensland on Saturday .
“ We could never have dreamt in our wildest dreams that it would ’ ve gone worldwide and created such a media frenzy , ” Yarraka Bayles told reporters on Friday .
“ There are way too many people suffering in silence and my heart goes out to those families that have already lost their children to bullying .
It ’ s an international crisis and it demands urgent attention.
” Get more of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest news from the Star .
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Tristan Lavalette - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Iran reports 2 more deaths, 13 new cases of new coronavirus

TEHRAN , Iran - Iranian health authorities on Friday reported two more deaths from the new virus that emerged in China and said the fatalities were from among 13 new confirmed cases of the virus in Iran .
The report by the semiofficial Mehr news agency came as Iranians voted in nationwide parliamentary elections .
After authorities reported two earlier deaths this week , the death toll from COVID-19 , the illness caused by virus , stands at four in Iran .
So far , 18 cases have been confirmed in Iran , including the four who died .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jahanpour , said the newly detected cases are all linked with city of Qom where the first two elderly patients died on Wednesday .
Jahanpour said the new cases were either from Qom or had visited the city recently .
He said four of them have been hospitalized in the capital , Tehran , and two in northern province of Gilan .
Concerns over the spread of the virus , which originated in central China , prompted authorities in Iran to close all schools and Shiite seminaries in Qom , about 130 kilometres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also , earlier news reports said Iran had recently evacuated 60 Iranian students from Wuhan , the Chinese city at the epicenter of the epidemic .
The students were quarantined upon their return to Iran and were discharged after 14 days without any health problems .
Qom is a popular religious destination and a centre of learning and religious studies for Shiite Muslims from inside Iran , as well as Iraq , Pakistan and Afghanistan and Azerbaijan .
It is also known for its cattle farms .
Iran once relied heavily on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese companies have continued doing business with Iran in the face of U.S. sanctions .
Unlike other countries — such as Saudi Arabia , which barred its citizens and residents from travelling to China — Iran has not imposed such measures on travel there .
The new virus emerged in China in December .
Since then , more than 76,000 people have been infected globally , with more than 2,200 deaths being reported , mostly in China .
The new virus comes from a large family of coronaviruses , some causing nothing worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and flu-like symptoms , including cough and fever , and in more severe cases , shortness of breath .
It can worsen to pneumonia , which can be fatal .
The World Health Organization recently named the illness it causes COVID-19 , referring to both coronavirus and its origin late last year .
There have been few virus cases in the Middle East so far .
Nine cases have been confirmed in the United Arab Emirates , which is a popular tourist destination , and one case in Egypt .
Of the nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationals , one is a Filipino and another an Indian national .
Iran ’ s neighbour Iraq , which has reported no cases of the virus , took measures to contain it by suspending visas on arrival for Iranian passport holders and direct flights between the two countries .


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Thai court orders popular opposition party dissolved

BANGKOK - Thailand ’ s constitutional Court on Friday ordered the popular opposition Future Forward Party dissolved , declaring that it violated election law by accepting a loan from its leader , charismatic 41-year-old Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit .
The court also imposed a 10-year ban on the party ’ s executive members holding political office .
The ruling against the party comes just ahead of a no-confidence debate in Parliament set to begin Monday against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and several Cabinet members .
The opposition party has been an irritant to the government and the conservative forces in Thai society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reformist positions and popularity .
It placed a strong and surprising third in a general election last March and currently holds 76 seats in the House of Representatives .
It was founded in March 2018 as Thailand was heading toward an election after a period of military rule that began with a 2014 coup .
“ The constitutional Court ’ s decision to dissolve the Future Forward Party and to ban its leadership from politics for a decade does great damage to Thailand and its institutions , ” said Michael Montesano , co-ordinator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ISEAS-Yusof Isak Institute in Singapore .
“ Killing off a party that had channeled the vision and priorities of large numbers of young Thai voters sends a signal that those voters ’ interests have no legitimacy in the electoral arena.
” There are 16 members of the party ’ s executive committee , 11 of whom are members of Parliament and lose their seats .
The party ’ s remaining 65 lawmakers can take part in the upcoming no-confidence debate , but must find a new party within 60 days to keep their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the 11 empty seats will be filled .
Hundreds of supporters had gathered at the party ’ s headquarters to watch the court ruling .
Many shed tears after the verdict was read and held up signs including : “ Love Thanathorn , ” “ We can wait for 10 years .
Keep on fighting , ” and “ The people created FFP , don ’ t rob us of our future !
” The case was referred to the constitutional Court by the Election Commission , which in December determined that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law by accepting a 191 million baht ( $ 6 million ) loan from Thanathorn , its co-founder and chief .
The commission said it considered the loan tantamount to a donation , which is limited by law to 10 million baht ( $ 316,000 ) .
The party ’ s main defence was that the law makes no mention of loans .
Thanathorn is a billionaire whose family fortune was made in the auto parts industry .
“ This is a setback for the opposition parties but may be a political disaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kevin Hewison , professor emeritus at the University of North Carolina and veteran Thai studies scholar .
” Political uncertainty could potentially destabilize a regime already struggling with several crises and a moribund economy.
” The party ’ s travails are rooted in political battles that Thailand suffered from 2006 to 2014 , including two coups and massive street protests involving contending groups , police and the military .
The coups and a series of rulings by the courts were widely seen an attempt to shore up the old ruling class led by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power was challenged by the rise of billionaire populist Thaksin Shinawatra , who was ousted as prime minister by a 2006 coup and now lives in exile.. Thai courts appeared to consistently tilt against Thaksin ’ s supporters and others opposed to the status quo .
They dissolved Thaksin ’ s Thai Rak Thai Party and its immediate replacement .
Another Thaksin-linked party was dissolved ahead of last year ’ s election .
According to Hewison , since the 2006 coup , the constitutional Court has become highly politicized .
“ Its decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been directed to weakening opposition political parties and to strengthen regimes that represent military-backed interests , ” he said in an email interview .
“ Since the 2014 coup , the court has come to be seen as working hand-in-glove with the regime and virtually a processing terminal for its preferences .
This undermines the rule of law and the judiciary more broadly , ” he said .
Associated Press journalists Preeyapa T. Khunsong and Tassanee Vejpongsa contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Intel officials say Russia boosting Trump candidacy

WASHINGTON - Intelligence officials have warned lawmakers that Russia is interfering in the 2020 election campaign to help President Donald Trump get reelected , three officials familiar with the closed-door briefing said Thursday .
The warning raises questions about the integrity of the presidential campaign and whether Trump ’ s administration is taking the proper steps to combat the kind of interference that the U.S. saw in 2016 .
The officials asked for anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence .
They said the briefing last week focused on Russia ’ s efforts to influence the 2020 election and sow discord in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first reported by The New York Times and The Washington Post.A senior administration officialsaid the news infuriated Trump , who complained that Democrats would use the information against him .
Over the course of his presidency , Trump has dismissed the intelligence community ’ s assessment of Russia ’ s 2016 election interference as a conspiracy to undermine his victory.The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the private meeting .
One day after the Feb. 13 briefing to the House Intelligence Committee , Trump berated the then-director of national intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week that Maguire would be replaced by Richard Grenell , a Trump loyalist .
U.S. intelligence agencies say Russia interfered in the 2016 election through social media campaigns and stealing and distributing emails from Democratic accounts .
They say Russia was trying to boost Trump ’ s campaign and add chaos to the American political process .
Special counsel Robert Mueller concluded that Russian interference was “ sweeping and systematic , ” but he did not find a criminal conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign .
Republican lawmakers who were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNI ’ s chief election official , Shelby Pierson , pushed back by noting that Trump has been tough on Russia , one of the officials said .
While Trump has imposed severe economic sanctions on Russia , he also has spoken warmly of Russian leader Vladimir Putin and withdrawn troops from areas , like Syria , where Moscow could fill the vacuum .
He delayed military aid last year to Ukraine , a Russian adversary — a decision that was at the core of his impeachment proceedings .
The Times said Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made before the panel ’ s chairman , Rep. Adam Schiff , who led the impeachment proceedings .
Trump on Thursday formally appointed Grenell , the U.S. ambassador to Germany , to replace Maguire as the new acting director of national intelligence .
Maguire was required to step down soon under federal law governing acting appointments .
The Times cited two administration officials as saying the timing , after the intelligence briefing , was coincidental .
Grenell ’ s background is primarily in politics and media affairs .
He lacks the extensive national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as previous holders of the position overseeing the nation ’ s 17 intelligence agencies .
His appointment does little to heal the president ’ s fraught relations with the intelligence community , which Trump has derided as part of a “ deep state ” of entrenched bureaucrats that seek to undermine his agenda .
The administration has most notably feuded with the intelligence community over the Russian interference and the events surrounding Trump ’ s impeachment .
Pierson told NPR in an interview that aired last month that the Russians “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to candidates going into 2020 .
But we do not have evidence at this time that our adversaries are directly looking at interfering with vote counts or the vote tallies.
” Pierson , appointed in July 2019 by then-Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats , works with intelligence agencies like the CIA , the FBI , the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to identify anyone seeking to interfere with U.S. elections .
Pierson told NPR that the U.S. doesn ’ t know exactly what the Russians are planning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a Russia problem .
“ We ’ re still also concerned about China , Iran , non-state actors , hacktivists and frankly — certainly for DHS and FBI - even Americans that might be looking to undermine confidence in the elections.
” At an open hearing this month , FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Judiciary Committee that Russia was engaged in “ information warfare ” heading into the November election , but that law enforcement had not seen efforts to target America ’ s infrastructure .
He said Russia is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to divide the American public .
Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani , Deb Riechmann and Zeke Miller in Las Vegas contributed to this report .

Mary Clare Jalonick And Michael Balsamo - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Ukraine’s PM warns protests of China evacuees may resume

NOVI SANZHARY , Ukraine - A Ukrainian village where residents clashed with riot police and threw rocks at buses while protesting the local quarantine of people evacuated from China is under control but the unrest may continue , Ukraine ’ s prime minister said Friday .
The daylong protests broke out after the government announced that more than 70 evacuees would spend two weeks in a sanatorium in the village of Novi Sanzhary to make sure they weren ’ t infected with the virus from China .
Several hundred villagers put up road blocks , burned tires and hurled stones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the city of Wuhan , the epicenter of the virus outbreak .
Ukrainian Health Minister Zoryana Skaletska voluntarily joined the evacuees for the 14-day quarantine to help assuage local residents ’ concerns .
Nine police officers and one civilian were hospitalized as a result of Thursday ’ s turmoil , and 24 protesters were detained .
Addressing Ukraine ’ s parliament Friday , Prime Minister Oleskiy Honcharuk warned that “ provocations may continue ” in order to “ create panic , undermine trust of the people , sow discord among us.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the information war “ and said there was no reason for Ukrainians to fear for their safety .
The evacuees are safe as well , he said .
Hundreds of Ukrainian National Guard troops guarded the sanatorium Friday , with more officers on standby , the Interior Ministry said .
Local police actively patrolled the area , and so far no protests were reported .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Lesotho’s PM fails to show in court to face murder charge

MASERU , Lesotho - Lesotho ’ s prime minister failed to show up in court on Friday to be charged with murder in the killing of his estranged wife , and police said he might have gone to neighbouring South Africa for an undisclosed ailment .
Prime Minister Thomas Thabane ’ s current wife , Maesaiah , also has been charged with murder in the 2017 death of Lipolelo Thabane .
She had briefly fled the kingdom for South Africa , avoiding a police summons .
Deputy Commissioner of Police Paseka Mokete , who led the investigation , said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister had gone to South Africa for a medical check-up .
“ I have spoken to Thabane ’ s lawyer and he told me he is not aware of the prime minister ’ s whereabouts , ” Mokete said .
“ We are now waiting for him to return so that he can be charged.
” It would be premature to seek an arrest warrant for the prime minister as police did when Maesaiah Thabane refused to honour a police summons last month , Mokete said .
On Thursday , Mokete confirmed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would appear at Maseru Magistrates Court to face a murder charge and an attempted murder charge in connection with a shooting of a friend of Lipolelo Thabane .
Thomas Thabane is the first sitting prime minister in Lesotho to be charged with any crime .
He has announced he would step down by the end of July , if not sooner , amid pressure from the ruling party , which says he is no longer fit to rule .
Lipolelo had been estranged from Thabane , who had filed for divorce when she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the night of June 14 , 2017 .
Her friend , Thato Sibolla , who was travelling with her in the car , escaped with gunshot wounds and has since fled to South Africa in fear for her life .
The attack occurred just two days before Thabane was sworn in for his second stint as prime minister .
Maesaiah Thabane , who also is charged with attempted murder , is out on bail and will appear in court on March 17 .
Scores of people , including politicians from Thabane ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to witness proceedings but were left disappointed .


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Germany to raise police presence after racist shooting

BERLIN - Germany ’ s top security official said Friday that authorities will step up the police presence throughout the country and keep a closer watch on mosques and other sites after the racially motivated shootings that killed nine people .
A 43-year-old German man fatally shot the victims of immigrant backgrounds in the Frankfurt suburb of Hanau on Wednesday night before killing his mother and himself .
The man , identified as Tobias Rathjen , left a number of rambling texts and videos espousing racist views and claiming to have been under surveillance since birth .
Interior Minister Horst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies he consulted Thursday agreed to increase the law enforcement presence around the country .
Seehofer said there would be more surveillance at “ sensitive sites , “ including mosques , and a high police presence at railway stations , airports and borders .
The attack came amid mounting concern about far-right extremism reflected in earlier attacks and the rise of the anti-migrant party Alternative for Germany , or AfD .
Thousands of people gathered in cities across Germany on Thursday evening to hold vigils for the shooting victims as calls grew for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A top official in the centre-left Social Democratic Party , a junior partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s governing coalition , accused AfD of providing ideological fodder to people like the Hanau shooter .
“ One person carried out the shooting in Hanau , that ’ s what it looks like , but there were many that supplied him with ammunition , and AfD definitely belongs to them , ” Lars Klingbeil told German public broadcaster ARD on Friday .
Parts of Alternative for Germany already were under close scrutiny from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The party has rejected all responsibility for far-right attacks , including an anti-Semitic attack on a synagogue and the killing of a regional politician last year .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-21--China suspends more penalties on US goods after trade truce

BEIJING - China on Friday suspended more punitive tariffs on imports of U.S. industrial goods in response to a truce in its trade war with Washington that threatened global economic growth .
Financial markets have welcomed announcements by both sides of reductions in penalties on each other ’ s goods , though they have yet to resolve much of the conflict that erupted in 2018 over Beijing ’ s technology ambitions and trade surplus .
Goods affected by the latest reduction include industrial components and medical and factory equipment , according to the Finance Ministry .
It gave no details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said penalties were suspended for one year , effective Feb. 28 .
Under their “ Phase 1 ” agreement signed in January , Washington agreed to cancel additional tariff hikes and Beijing committed to buy more American farm exports .
U.S. officials said China also committed to addressing complaints about its technology policies .
Last week , the Trump administration reduced penalties on some Chinese imports .
In an earlier tariff cut , China announced Feb. 6 it would reduce duties on $ 75 billion of U.S. goods as part of a trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Stress, rumours, even violence: Virus fear goes viral

TOKYO - You might have heard that the fear of a new virus from China is spreading faster than the actual virus .
From earnest officials trying to calm a building panic .
From your spouse .
From the know-it-all who rattles off the many much more likely ways you ’ re going to die : smoking , car accidents , the flu .
None of it seems to matter .
As the number of casesrises — more than 76,000 and counting — fear is advancing like a tsunami .
And not just in the areas surrounding the Chinese city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vast majority of coronavirus infections .
Subway cars in Tokyo and Seoul look more like hospital wards , with armies of masked commuters shooting dirty looks at the slightest cough or sneeze .
A restaurant owner in a South Korean Chinatown says visitors have dropped by 90 % .
You ’ ve probably got a better chance of winning the lottery than buying face masks in parts of Asia .
Conferences and events have been disrupted from Beijing to Barcelona to Boston .
Quarrels in Japan ; riots in Ukraine .
Rumours that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as masks emptied East Asian store shelves of paper goods .
“ Fear is a very strong emotion , and the prevailing fear over the new coronavirus drives people to do things irrationally without thinking straight , ” said Bernie Huang , 31 , a high school teacher in Taipei , Taiwan , who resisted the city ’ s now-easing toilet paper buying spree .
If you take the long view , panic has marched in lockstep with pandemic for as long as history has been recorded .
The plague that devastated Athens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Death that eradicated much of Europe in the 14th century .
And , more recently , AIDS , Ebola , SARS , MERS , swine and bird flu .
Scientists , statisticians and people well away from the line of fire may scoff , but the fear , which is spread by word of mouth and , more rapidly , through online posts , is real .
“ Fear can do more harm than the virus , ” Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in response to panic buying of toilet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the government raised a risk alert over the new virus .
It ’ s perhaps most keenly felt in the places where crowds gather : churches , shopping areas , schools .
In the Philippines , nearly half of the pews were empty for recent Sunday Masses in many churches .
At a Protestant church in northern Seoul , officials switched entirely to online worship after it was found that a virus patient had attended services days before he tested positive .
The huge Lotte Department Store in Seoul closed for several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a Chinese tourist with the virus visited .
It reportedly lost about 20 billion won ( $ 16.9 million ) in revenue , based on figures by financial analysts .
A mobile trade fair in Barcelona was cancelled .
PlayStation maker Sony pulled out of a video game conference in Boston over “ increasing concerns ” related to the virus .
Organizers said the event will go on next week but “ with enhanced cleaning.
” At Namdaemun , Seoul ’ s largest traditional market , businesses saw huge drops in sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have visited the area last month .
“ Merchants say their businesses are now dying , ” said Chun Yong-bum , head of an association of thousands of merchants at Namdaemun .
The South Korean Education Ministry recently issued an advisory to universities to postpone the March start of the upcoming semester because of worries that thousands of Chinese students will return to schools from abroad .
South Korean President Moon Jae-in expressed worries that “ excessively bloated fear ” was hurting South Korea ’ s economy by suppressing public consumption and leisure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asia — the upcoming Summer Olympics in Tokyo — has been beset by fear , too .
Although he later backtracked , Tokyo Olympic CEO Toshiro Muto said recently that he was “ seriously worried ” the virus could disrupt the Olympics and Paralympics .
“ One thing I am noticing at the moment is fear is spreading quicker than the virus , and it is important that we quell that fear , ” said Craig Spence , the spokesman for the International Paralympic Committee .
In Japan , fear and the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cruise ship in the port of Yokohama , where thousands of passengers and crew were quarantined for two weeks as hundreds of people on board tested positive for the virus .
One quarantined passenger hung a banner that read : “ No information ...
Stressed .
Many bad rumours.
” The internet foments many of those rumours .
In Malaysia , a social media rumour that mandarin oranges carry the virus caused some initial panic until health officials debunked it .
When news broke that a journalist who reports on Japan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was in self-quarantine , a web edition of the Weekly Post tabloid magazine declared : “ Coronavirus has sent shockwaves to the prime minister ’ s office.
” Fear , and possibly a dark sense of humour , may also help explain some odd behaviour : images of people using orange peels as face masks ; children in strollers wrapped in what looks like dry cleaning plastic .
In Taiwan , people began stocking up on toilet paper and napkins after a rumour on the internet said they could be used as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Yang Bo-ken , deputy director of the government ’ s Industrial Development Bureau .
Taiwan ’ s Criminal Investigation Bureau recommended the prosecution of three women on allegations they used the popular LINE social media service to suggest using table napkins , sanitary napkins and toilet paper as a mask substitute , a bureau spokesperson said .
The fear has also led to lawlessness .
In Kobe , Japan , 6,000 surgical masks were reported stolen from a hospital .
Several hundred residents fearing infection in Ukraine clashed for hours with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a building where more than 70 people evacuated from China because of the virus were to be quarantined .
Two passengers on a subway in Fukuoka , Japan , quarreled after a man not wearing a mask started coughing , prompting the man next to him to press an emergency alarm , Kyodo News reported .
“ Fear is spreading among passengers .
We plan to promote cough etiquette , such as wearing facial masks , ” a city transport official told the news agency .
In Hong Kong , where people queued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three people with knives allegedly robbed a deliveryman outside a supermarket of precious toilet rolls reportedly worth more than 1,000 Hong Kong dollars ( $ 128 ) .
Governments have not always known how to handle the situation .
Eight Samoan citizens were refused entry at the nation ’ s airport and sent back to Fiji reportedly because they ’ d transited through Singapore , which the government labels a “ high risk ” country , according to the Samoa Observer .
And when a Canadian teen collapsed at a building in Kuala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hazmat suits arrived .
The health ministry later said it was a precautionary measure and the teen was virus free .
AP journalists Kim Tong-hyung , Jung-yoon Kim and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul , South Korea ; Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo ; Ralph Jennings in Taipei , Taiwan ; and Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia ; contributed to this story .
Foster Klug is AP ’ s News Director for the Koreas , Japan , Australia and the South Pacific .
He has covered Asia since 2005 .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-21--China’s count of new virus cases drops, deaths exceed 2,200

BEIJING - China reported another fall in new virus cases Friday as health officials expressed continued optimism over containment of the outbreak that has caused more than 2,200 deaths but has grown elsewhere .
Containment of the illness has been a struggle far from the epicenter in central China .
South Korea ’ s capital banned street rallies and the government sent help to a city where cases have surged .
Hong Kong reported a new infection in a police officer .
Newly reported infections in China have fallen for days , although changes in how health authorities have counted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the epidemic .
“ The downward trend will not be reversed , ” Ding Xiangyang , deputy chief secretary of the State Council and a member of the central government ’ s supervision group , said on Thursday .
China ’ s count of 889 cases in the previous 24 hours brought its total to 75,465 .
The 118 newly reported deaths raised the total to 2,236 .
More than 1,000 cases and 11 deaths have been confirmed outside the mainland .
People in the country were mourning a doctor who succumbed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement from the district in which he worked in Wuhan , the city where the virus emerged .
Peng Yinhua , a respiratory and intensive care physician , was infected last month while treating patients with the illness .
Chinese media reported that Peng was 29 years old , which would place him among the youngest to die from COVID-19 .
Most of the fatalities have been people aged 60 and over with underlying medical conditions , according to a report from China ’ s Center for Disease Control and Prevention .
Peng @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newspaper , which said he postponed his wedding to help fight the epidemic , working day and night to accommodate the influx of patients .
Officials have been sacked in hardest-hit Hubei province and other areas after more than 500 cases were diagnosed in prisons , Justice Ministry official He Ping told reporters at a daily briefing .
He and other public security officials reiterated that legal measures would be brought against those defying demands to wear masks and other containment measures .
China last week began recording cases without waiting for laboratory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
But on Thursday it returned to counting only lab-confirmed positive cases and discounted some cases where the lab tests came back negative .
The changes are sure to aggravate observers who say consistency is key to understanding COVID-19 ’ s path .
On Thursday , South Korea reported its first fatality from the virus and Japan said two former passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship had died .
With more than 600 cases , the ship had the most cases outside China .
Hong Kong counted its first case in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 69 cases with two deaths .
The 48-year-old officer who tested positive had been at a dinner Tuesday with 59 other police officers , who were placed in quarantine , the force said on its Facebook page .
It also urged officers to pay attention to hygiene to reduce the risk of transmission .
In Australia , two people who were flown back home as the 14-day quarantine on the Diamond Princess was about to end tested positive for the virus despite clearing multiple screenings before the flight .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests over the next few days , ” Australian Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said .
The two new cases take the total number in Australia to 17 .
Of those , 10 people have recovered .
Some 170 Australian passengers , most aged in their 60s and 70s , will be quarantined for an additional two weeks after leaving the Diamond Princess .
Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato told reporters that Australia , like the U.S. , brought home a mixture of passengers who had tested negative and others whose status was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to immediately jump to conclusion over when or how they had contracted the virus.
” Kato said passengers who returned home on U.S. and Australian flights had left before completing the Japanese quarantine process , which began Wednesday and ends Friday .
Associated Press writers Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia , Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo andYanan Wang in Beijingcontributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Thousands light up joints during Hindu festival in Nepal

KATHMANDU , Nepal - Hindu holy men were joined by devotees and the public Friday at a revered temple in Kathmandu where they lit up marijuana cigarettes during an annual festival despite prohibition and warnings by authorities .
Hundreds of police officers patrolled the forested area around the Pashupati temple , which was crowded with cannabis smokers celebrating the Shivaratri festival .
A group of ruling party lawmakers has recently filed a petition to legalize the farming and use of marijuana .
“ There is a ban on smoking marijuana but at the same time it is a centuries-old tradition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said police officer Suman Khadka , adding that no arrests were made .
During the festival , devotees visit temples of Hindu god Shiva .
Currently , the use of marijuana is punishable by prison sentences of up to a month for users and 10 years for traffickers .
“ There is really no harm in smoking marijuana , it has been proven to have medical use too , “ said Bimal Giri , a factory worker who bought joints for 50 rupees ( 44 US cents ) each from a Hindu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marijuana and other narcotics in the 1960s , when hippies made their way to the Himalayan nation .
Shops and tea houses used to advertise and sell it legally .
However , marijuana was outlawed in 1976 .
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Binaj Gurubacharya - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Algeria on cusp of change as protest movement marks one year

ALGIERS , Algeria - Algeria ’ s peaceful “ smile revolution ” unseated the long-time president of Africa ’ s largest country along with his powerful entourage and struck hard at the corruption they bred .
But a year later , the pro-democracy movement is still holding its weekly marches , hoping to make further dents in the establishment .
This North African nation , whose powerful army has shadowed its rulers — or ruled outright — in an opaque system of governance since independence from France in 1962 , is on the cusp of a new era , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like .
The unprecedented movement of young and old behind the nationwide protests is due to hold its 53rd consecutive week of marches Friday , marking the start of a second year of weekly events .
Authorities in Algeria , a gas-rich nation that has failed to adequately provide for its booming population of youth , know they can no longer ignore the citizens they represent .
New President Abdelmadjid Tebboune , once part and parcel of the old guard , recently referred to the “ blessed and peaceful popular uprising , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be a national holiday .
He has also promised deep reforms .
“ I have decided to go far with radical change to break with bad practices , give political life morals and change the mode of governance , ” Tebboune said in an interview with French Le Figaro daily published Thursday .
He said a promised revamped constitution , with input from outside , would be put to a referendum and could be in place by this summer .
Pro-democracy movements have sprung up in other Arab countries , notably Lebanon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as long as Algeria ’ s or were marked by violence .
Algeria , a strategic partner of the West in fighting terrorism , appears set on an inexorable path to change , analysts and activists say .
“ Algeria has rediscovered its unity , its dignity , ” said Samir Belarbi , 48 , who spent more than four months in jail for his involvement in the movement .
“ The system is collapsing , but the movement must go on , remaining peaceful and joyful until the end — which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of march participants like Belarbi , drawing criticism from Amnesty International .
“ They arrested me thinking they would weaken the ( pro-democracy movement , ) but it ’ s made up of hundreds of thousands of Algerians ... and it continues , ” Belarbi said .
The spontaneous protests began with scattered demonstrations in several Algerian towns , filmed and posted on social media .
These led to a large demonstration in Algiers , the capital , on Feb. 22,2019 .
The trigger was the announcement that then-President Abdelaziz Bouteflika would seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — despite a 2013 stroke that had left him a nearly invisible leader .
After Bouteflika ’ s stroke the country was thought to be really run by the president ’ s younger brother , Said Bouteflika , who served as special counsellor and allegedly empowered oligarchs who enriched themselves through corrupt practices .
The powerful army chief , Ahmed Gaid Salah , denounced Said Bouteflika and his cronies as “ the gang.
” Said Bouteflika was convicted of plotting against the state and sentenced to 15 years in prison .
Convicted with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top intelligence chiefs .
The clean-up , which included top industrialists , was ordered by Gaid Salah , the army chief who served as quasi-leader after Bouteflika stepped down in April — in the protest movement ’ s first victory .
Gaid Salah effectively ran the country , filling an authority vacuum and suggesting a Dec. 12 presidential election to replace a weak interim government in place for eight months .
Tebboune , once a Bouteflika faithful , was elected although protesters abstained .
Gaid Salah died less than two weeks later .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state .
Some experts view the protest movement as a birthing station for a new generation of leaders to replace the old guard and an outmoded conception of governance .
They see legislative elections at the end of the year as a prime forum for members of the pro-democracy movement to try to renew the political class from within .
“ People know that to change the political scene , it ’ s not only about protesting , ” said Louiza Ait Hammadouche , a political science professor at Algiers University .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said a commentator for the daily newspaper Liberte , Mustapha Hamouche .
The marches have allowed youth “ to discover peaceful debate , the exchange of ideas , everything forbidden by the system , ” he said .
“ These will be the future Algerian leaders .
That ’ s the enormous accomplishment of this movement .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Lake Placid celebrates its Olympic past, and eyes its future

LAKE PLACID , N.Y. - The benefits of a miracle have been reaped in Lake Placid for 40 years .
The plan now is to keep those miracles — and miracle-seekers — coming .
Parts of Lake Placid ’ s sports landscape are largely under construction again these days , a plan that walks a tightrope between preserving the area ’ s natural beauty and small-town charm while also finding ways keep the village a major player on the global winter-sports map and being modern enough to keep drawing athletes to town .
Tourism is a $ 1.2 billion industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it still fueled by the memory of the U.S. hockey team beating the Soviet Union as the “ Miracle on Ice “ highlight of the 1980 Olympic Games .
“ It ’ s a special place , ” said two-time Olympic alpine skiing medallist Andrew Weibrecht , who now helps his family operate the famed Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa in Lake Placid .
“ Between all the venues and the Olympic Training Center , having that level of athletes all together in one place , training together even though they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports , it brings everyone up.
” The trick now is to keep people coming to Lake Placid .
And state officials are investing tens of millions to make sure that happens — a plan to keep the 1932 and 1980 Olympic village vital , unlike many other past Winter Olympic sites are mostly forgotten .
Bobsled and skeleton athletes are heading to Lake Placid next year for their world championships , and they ’ ll be greeted by a new base lodge — under construction now — and an indoor ice push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play host to World Cup racing again next winter , as it does most every year in Lake Placid .
And there ’ s been a major push to get ready for the 2023 World University Games , where more than 2,000 athletes are expected .
The state has earmarked well over $ 100 million toward Lake Placid in the last couple of years for new facilities and improving existing ones — everything from the ski jumps to nordic trails to the Olympic Center itself .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for $ 147 million more to back an “ upgrade and modernization plan to support improvements to the Olympic facilities and ski resorts.
” Cuomo touts the investments as ways to promote tourism , economic growth and job creation .
But upgrading what ’ s already in Lake Placid also protects the village ’ s legacy .
“ It ’ s a shame that the state and a lot of places in this country don ’ t understand how beautiful this gem is because it is internationally special , ” Cuomo said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the state , within the country .
It is internationally special and generations before us understood that.
” Consider the Mount Van Hoevenberg complex , a few miles outside of the village .
Crews are working there throughout the frigid winter to build the next phase of Lake Placid ’ s venue offerings — the base lodge near the bobsled track , a revamped biathlon facility , better trails and more .
What ’ s happening in Lake Placid is a far cry from what ’ s taking place at some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Winter Olympic host : Sarajevo ’ s bobsled track is now a bullet-riddled , graffiti-covered remnant of war ; Calgary ’ s bobsled track from 1988 was closed last year and parts of it have since been demolished ; Nagano ’ s track from 1998 is closed , and so is the Cesana Pariol track from 2006 .
Even Pyeongchang , which played host to the most recent Winter Olympics two years ago , has drawn criticism for overestimating what the long-term tourism payoff would be .
It is simply bustling , 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a while , you can be sitting on the bench of the rink and you look around and think , ” said retired USA Luge star Erin Hamlin , a world champion and Olympic medallist .
“ It ’ s a special place , for sure.
” There are movements every few years to form a committee and explore another Olympic bid , but those efforts are mostly nostalgic .
The Olympics are simply too big in their current form to be hosted by a small village , and if there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , ironically , could be directed at Lake Placid because interest in the Winter Games soared after what happened in 1980 .
Sarajevo in 1984 had 19 % more athletes than Lake Placid did .
Calgary , in 1988 , had 33 % more athletes than Lake Placid .
By the time the Olympics got to Albertville in 1992 , the number of competitors was up 68 % over 1980 .
Nagano in 1998 had more than double the athletes from 1980 , and the Beijing Games in 2022 could be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which would roughly triple Lake Placid .
Sports have been added since , the television deal is now measured in billions instead of millions and the evolution of security for both athletes and spectators make the logistics of another Olympics in a place like Lake Placid — where there ’ s basically one main drag through the centre of town — impossible .
Everything else , like World Cups , world championships and the World University Games , remain within reach and have been clearly prioritized .
Lake Placid has been a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a century , and has no plans on giving up that spot anytime soon .
“ You look at all the roles that everyone played within this community to make that Olympics happen , ” said figure skater Scott Hamilton , who carried the U.S. flag into the opening ceremony in 1980 .
“ Sarajevo was bigger and then you got into Calgary , which was gigantic and it just sort of like spiked .
But I think Lake Placid and what happened here really ignited greater interest in the Winter Olympics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the miraculous things that happened.
” If Lake Placid gets its way , more miracles await .


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Sanders condemns Russian influence in election

WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said Friday he was briefed by U.S. officials “ about a month ago ” that Russia has been trying to help his campaign as part of Moscow ’ s efforts to interfere in the 2020 presidential election .
“ It was not clear what role they were going to play , ” Sanders said during a campaign stop in California .
“ We were told that Russia , maybe other countries , are going to get involved in this campaign.
” The Vermont senator continued : “ Here ’ s the message to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Sanders ’ response was a sharp contrast from that of President Donald Trump , who has pushed back at the assessment of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia has interfered in elections on his behalf .
Minutes before Sanders condemned Russian interference , Trump dismissed reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin was trying to help him as well as “ a rumour ” started by Democrats .
Federal investigators in 2018 charged 13 Russians in a covert social media campaign that prosecutors said was aimed at dividing public opinion on hot-button social issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican candidate Trump in the 2016 election while also denigrating Hillary Clinton , the eventual Democratic nominee .
Organizers of that Russian effort circulated an outline of themes for future social media content , with instructions to “ use any opportunity to criticize Hillary and the rest ( except Sanders and Trump—we support them ) , ” according to the indictment .
Campaigning Friday in Las Vegas , Trump told supporters that he heard Democrats were trying to “ start a rumour ... that Putin wants to make sure I get elected.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t he want to see who the Democrat is going to be ?
Wouldn ’ t he rather have , let ’ s say Bernie ?
“ Trump asked .
Sanders and his wife , Jane , in 1988 spent their honeymoon in the Soviet Union , Trump noted .
Sanders told reporters he had seen some of Russia ’ s “ tweets and stuff , ” which he said were aimed at sowing divisions .
“ They try to divide us up , ” Sanders said of the Russians .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re doing .
They ’ re trying to cause chaos , they ’ re trying to cause hatred in America .
It ’ s an ugly business and all of us have got to say , sorry , you ’ re not going to do this in this election.
” Sen. Elizabeth Warren said her campaign has not received a briefing from intelligence officials , while billionaire philanthropist Tom Steyer ’ s campaign said it was briefed “ months ago ” but didn ’ t give any details .
Sanders appeared to suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timing of the revelations , which were first reported by The Washington Post .
“ One day before the Nevada caucus , why do you think it came out ?
” he said , adding sarcastically : “ It was The Washington Post ?
Good friends.
” AP writers Eric Tucker and Aamer Madhani in Washington and Meg Kinnard in Columbia , S.C. , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--FBI agents search home, business of Tennessee state senator

MEMPHIS , Tenn. - Federal authorities in Tennessee conducted searches Friday at the home and business addresses of Democratic state Sen. Katrina Robinson , the FBI said .
Federal Bureau of Investigation spokesman Joel Siskovic confirmed that agents executed search warrants at two locations in Memphis .
They are listed as addresses for Robinson ’ s residence and her nursing school , Healthcare Institute Inc .
The FBI declined to discuss any additional details of the searches and the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Memphis said it “ will not comment on the nature or progress of any FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No one responded Friday to a knock on the door of the school , which sits in a strip mall in southeast Memphis .
Robinson didn ’ t immediately return phone and email messages seeking comment .
Her legislative office forwarded a request to a Senate Democratic Caucus spokesman .
“ We ’ ve been made aware of the investigation and have received no indication that it relates to the legislature or her legislative service , ” said Brandon Puttbrese , spokesman for the Senate Democratic Caucus .
“ Because the investigation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional statements and will defer any further questions to Sen. Robinson ’ s attorney.
“ Puttbrese also said the caucus ’ thoughts are with Robinson and her family .
Robinson was elected to the state Senate out of a Memphis district in 2018 .
Edward L. Stanton II of Butler Snow LLP emailed a statement saying only that he had been retained by Robinson “ in connection with today ’ s events.
” The school ’ s website says it received a $ 1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program focused on geriatric populations and educational programs .
The school was founded in January 2015 .
Its certified nursing assistant program was introduced that July .
The school also includes phlebotomy and electrocardiographic technician instruction .
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Adrian Sainz And Jonathan Mattise - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--1 killed in shooting at Idaho senior complex, suspect dead

BOISE , Idaho - An 87-year-old man opened fire on three women at a senior citizens apartment complex in southwestern Idaho , killing one and injuring two others before fatally shooting himself , police said Friday .
Authorities said Roger Nordberg opened fire shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday at the Portstewart Senior Apartments in Caldwell as part of a long-running dispute with two of the women .
Police said he killed 76-year-old Darline Queen , who was also a resident .
Another resident , 79-year-old Juanita Pressler , was injured .
Former resident Kathleen Schlemmer , 58 , was visiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the injured women were in stable condition at hospitals .
A police officer who responded to the shooting was also shot , but authorities declined to provide details .
The officer was treated at a hospital and released .
Police said Schlemmer in 2019 had a protective order against Nordberg , but it had expired .
Caldwell Police Chief Frank Wyant said Nordberg had disputes with Queen and Schlemmer for at least a year , at least partly involving Nordberg having the volume too loud on his TV sometimes .
Wyant said Nordberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catwalk above an area where the women were sitting when they had some kind of an exchange .
Wyant said Nordberg retrieved a 9 mm handgun , apparently from his apartment , and returned to the catwalk where he fired five times at the women sitting below .
Wyant said each woman was hit with one shot , while two shots missed .
Authorities say police arrived within three minutes , but released few other details .
Wyant said Nordberg didn ’ t fire at officers .
“ He did not exchange gunfire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Sheriff Kieran Donahue said the Caldwell police officer who was injured received a gunshot wound .
He declined to provide more information .
A team that investigates officer-involved shootings has been assembled and is investigating .
Two Caldwell police officers have been placed on paid administrative leave .
Police said Nordberg ’ s body was found on the second floor in a common room adjacent to his apartment .
Caldwell is part of the Boise metropolitan area and has a population of about 54,000 .


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Alaska House Republicans confirm Prax to open seat

JUNEAU , Alaska - House Republicans voted Friday to confirm Glenn “ Mike ” Prax to a seat vacated when @ @ @ @ @ last month .
In a statement , House Minority Leader Lance Pruitt said Prax received @ @ @ @ @ .
Prax was among the nominees that Republicans in Wilson ’ s North Pole district @ @ @ @ @ Dunleavy for consideration .
His appointment by Dunleavy was subject to approval by House Republicans @ @ @ @ @ member of the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly .
Dunleavy previously appointed him to the @ @ @ @ @ Accountancy and Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission .
Dunleavy spokesman Jeff Turner has said Prax could @ @ @ @ @ confirmed as a legislator .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-21--AP Exclusive: DEA agent accused of conspiring with cartel

MIAMI - A once-standout U.S. federal narcotics agent known for spending lavishly on luxury cars and Tiffany jewelry has been arrested on charges of conspiring to launder money with the same Colombian drug cartel he was supposed to be fighting .
Jose Irizarry and his wife were arrested Friday at their home near San Juan , Puerto Rico , as part of a 19-count federal indictment that accused the 46-year-old Irizarry of “ secretly using his position and his special access to information ” to divert millions in drug proceeds from control of the Drug Enforcement Administration .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DEA to have one of its own engaged in such a high level of corruption , “ said Mike Vigil , the DEA ’ s former Chief of International Operations .
” He jeopardized investigations .
He jeopardized other agents and he jeopardized informants.
“ Federal prosecutors in Tampa , Florida , allege the conspiracy not only enriched Irizarry but benefited two unindicted co-conspirators , neither of whom is named in the indictment .
One was employed as a Colombian public official while the other was described as the head of a drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the godfather to the Irizarry couple ’ s children in 2015 , when the DEA agent was posted to the Colombian resort city of Cartagena at the time .
When The Associated Press revealed the scale of Irizarry ’ s alleged wrongdoing last year , it sent shockwaves through the DEA , where his ostentatious habits and tales of raucous yacht parties with bikini-clad prostitutes were legendary among agents But prior to being exposed , Irizarry had been a model agent , winning awards and praise from his supervisors .
After joining the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entrusted with an undercover money laundering operation using front companies , shell bank accounts and couriers .
Irizarry resigned in January 2018 after being reassigned to Washington when his boss in Colombia became suspicious The case has raised concerns within the DEA that the conspiracy may have compromised undercover operations and upend criminal cases .
“ His fingerprints are all over dozens of arrests and indictments , ” said David S. Weinstein , a former federal prosecutor in Miami .
“ It could have a ripple effect and cause courts to re-examine any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his wife posted $ 10,000 bond each and were released .
The DEA referred comment to the Justice Department and messages to Irizarry ’ s attorney were not immediately returned .
A lawyer for the star witness in the case , a former DEA informant who was handled by Irizarry , celebrated the charges .
Gustavo Yabrudi was given a 46-month sentence last year for his role in a multimillion-dollar money-laundering conspiracy .
“ Mr .
Yabrudi has been waiting for almost two years for this day , ” said Leonardo Concepcion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the puppet masters who pulled his strings and abused their authority over him are made to answer for their actions.
” Starting around 2011 , Irizarry allegedly used the cover of his badge to file false reports and mislead his superiors , all while directing DEA personnel to wire funds reserved for undercover stings to accounts in Spain , the Netherlands and elsewhere that he controlled or were tied to his wife and his co-conspirators .
He ’ s also accused of sharing sensitive law enforcement information with his co-conspirators .
The DEA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Irizarry and potential red flags that came up during his screening process .
Irizarry was hired by the DEA despite indications he showed signs of deception in a polygraph exam , and had declared bankruptcy with debts of almost $ 500,000 .
Still , he was permitted to handle financial transactions after being hired by the DEA .
In total , Irizarry and informants under his direction handled at least $ 3.8 million that should ’ ve been carefully tracked by the DEA as part of undercover money laundering investigations .
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the co-conspirators , but the indictment details at least $ 900,000 that was paid out from a single criminal account opened by Irizarry and an informant using the name , passport and social security number of a third person who was unaware their identity was being stolen .
Proceeds from the alleged scheme funded a veritable spending spree .
It included the purchase of a $ 30,000 Tiffany diamond ring , a BMW , three Land Rovers and a $ 767,000 home in Cartagena as well as homes in south Florida and Puerto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living .
To hide his tracks , Irizarry allegedly opened a bank account in someone else ’ s name and used the victim ’ s forged signature and Social Security number .
It also funded the purchase in Miami of a 2017 Lamborghini Huracan Spyder on behalf of a family member of co-conspirator 2 .
A red Lamborghini with the same vehicle ID named in the indictment belongs to Jenny Ambuila , who was arrested last year in Colombia along with her father , Omar Ambuila , a customs agent in the port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for cocaine and contraband goods used to conceal the proceeds of narcotics sales .
Before her arrest , Ambuila shared photos and videos of herself on Facebook posing next to the red sports car , which is valued at more than $ 300,000 .
The indictment was handed up a week after another former DEA agent was sentenced to four years in federal prison for his role in a decade long drug conspiracy that involved the smuggling of thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico to New York .

Joshua Goodman And Jim Mustian - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Man accused of fatally stabbing girlfriend at Airbnb

SAN JOSÉ , Costa Rica - A man was arraigned Friday in the alleged fatal stabbing of his girlfriend at the Airbnb rental home they shared in the San Francisco Bay Area , then leaving in her car with all of his belongings .
Ryoichi Fuseya , 25 , appeared Friday in Santa Clara County Superior Court on one count of murder with a weapon enhancement for allegedly using a knife in the killing .
Fuseya is a Japanese national , sheriff ’ s officials said .
The body of Yuiko Takaoka was found around 4 p.m. Tuesday in San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputies arrived at the home , they spoke with the owner , who told them he rented out the back cottage to Fuseya and Takoaka .
Deputies said they found Takaoka “ covered under some blankets on a bed with a large amount of dried blood and major trauma under her chin , ” the Mercury News of San Jose reported .
Sheriff ’ s Sgt .
Michael Leslie wrote in a report that Takaoka ’ s Toyota Prius was missing from the home and was eventually found at the home of Fuseya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s statement does not include a motive for the killing .
Attorney Geoff Rawlings , who is representing Fuseya , declined to comment on the charges Friday .
Fuseya was arrested Wednesday after less than an hour of questioning and has been in custody since .
Airbnb has sought to to crack down on some guests in the wake of a Halloween shooting that killed five people at an Airbnb rental in a San Francisco suburb .
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