thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Prosecutor meets with family of driver shot by Park Police

FAIRFAX , Va. - A new prosecutor in Virginia says he is investigating the death of a motorist killed by U.S. Park Police after a chase .
Commonwealth ’ s Attorney Steve Descano met Thursday with family members of Bjian Ghaisar , who was shot and killed in 2017 in Fairfax County .
In November , federal prosecutors said they would not prosecute the officers who shot Ghaisar .
The decision angered Ghaisar ’ s supporters , including public officials who faulted the FBI and Park Police for a lack of transparency during the two years they investigated the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , Descano issued a statement saying he is evaluating whether to pursue state charges .
“ Our investigation into this important case is now fully underway and we ’ re making progress , “ said Descano , who took office earlier this month .
“ We ’ ve been working tirelessly to comb through evidence and work towards a final determination on how to proceed.
” Park Police officers Lucas Vinyard and Alejandro Amaya fired approximately nine shots at Ghaisar after a chase on the George Washington Parkway in November 2017 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who played a supporting role in the pursuit , shows Ghaisar leading officers on a stop-and-go chase .
Officers opened fire after Ghaisar stopped a third time and again began manoeuvring past officers who had drawn their weapons .
The chase began after authorities say Ghaisar left the scene of a crash in which he had been rear-ended .
Descano previously served as a member of a police civilian review panel in Fairfax County that was formed in response to accusations of excessive force by local police .
He said he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case , and promised to be transparent and communicative about his investigation .
“ It ’ s important to me that this family , like the family of any victim , knows we are doing what we can to carefully investigate this , follow the facts , and take appropriate action .
Making this determination is a top priority for me , ” he said .
Roy Austin , attorney for the Ghaisar family , said it was Descano who issued the invitation to the Ghaisar family to meet .
“ Importantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made it clear that he would keep us regularly informed and he would make sure to contact the family about any significant developments to ensure that they would not first learn what is happening from the media , ” Austin said in a statement .


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Telescope reveals details of sun’s turbulent surface

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, Jan. 30 , 2020 '' , '' lastreplicatedepoch '' :1580428743901 , '' type '' : '' Story '' , '' body '' : [ { `` type '' : '' text '' , '' text '' : '' NEW YORK - A telescope in Hawaii has produced its first images of the sun , revealing its turbulent gas surface in what scientists called unprecedented detail .
They show the surface covered with bright cell-like areas , each about the size of Texas , that result from the transporting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The telescope can reveal features as small as 18 miles ( 30 km ) across , according to the National Science Foundation , which released the images Wednesday .
Further observations will help scientists understand and predict solar activity that can disrupt satellite communications and affect power grids , the foundation said .
The telescope is on the island of Maui .

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thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Klobuchar proposes plan to prevent, address global outbreaks

CHICAGO - Democratic presidential hopeful Amy Klobuchar released a plan Thursday to prevent and respond to global outbreaks like the new virus that has sickened people in China and spread to more than a dozen countries , including the U.S .
The World Health Organization has declared a global emergency , saying the number of cases spiked more than tenfold in a week .
China , which first informed WHO of cases of the new virus in December , has reported more than 7,800 cases including 170 deaths .
Eighteen other countries have reported cases .
Klobuchar said she would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks before they become pandemics , increase stockpiles of existing vaccines and invest in the development of new vaccines .
The Minnesota senator also would recommit the U.S. to the Global Health Security Agenda , an Obama administration initiative to respond to the threat of infectious diseases ; work with organizations like WHO to help at-risk countries and regions improve local health services ; and fully fund departments and agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren offered her own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC ’ s budget under President Donald Trump , including to emergency funds and programs formed after the 2014 Ebola crisis in West Africa .
In an email , Klobuchar ’ s campaign said the new virus is a “ a stark reminder of the persistent threats posed by infectious diseases ” and touted the senator ’ s work to secure funding to fight Ebola and address the spread of the Zika virus , which was mainly spread by tropical mosquitoes .
Klobuchar is working to break into the top tier of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Iowa caucuses , when voters will have the first say in who should be the party ’ s nominee .
She has been trailing Warren , former Vice-President Joe Biden , Sen. Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana .
Klobuchar ’ s campaign has seen larger crowds and increased enthusiasm in recent weeks , and she has qualified for next week ’ s debate in New Hampshire .
But she is also hampered by Senate impeachment hearings , which have kept Klobuchar and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final days of campaigning in Iowa .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Trump to create post to focus on solely human trafficking

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump plans to expand the White House domestic policy office by appointing an individual to focus exclusively on combating human trafficking , The Associated Press has learned .
Trump is expected to create the position by executive order Friday after he addresses a human trafficking summit at the White House .
A candidate has yet to be identified for the new post on the Domestic Policy Council , according to a White House official , who added that Trump wants to fill the slot quickly with someone detailed from another government agency .
The White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s plans before his Friday announcement and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity .
Trump has sought to elevate human trafficking since taking office by speaking publicly about the issue and inviting reporters into his White House meetings with victims and anti-trafficking advocates .
A partner in the effort is Ivanka Trump , the president ’ s daughter and senior adviser .
During a visit to Atlanta this month , she compared trafficking to “ modern-day slavery ” and said the White House is committed to ending it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Friday ’ s summit .
She said Thursday in a statement to the AP that the coming executive order will provide additional resources to combat human trafficking .
“ From funding for prevention education programs , to enhanced intelligence-level co-ordination , to fighting child pornography , to a new full-time position within his White House ’ s Domestic Policy Council , the president is using all tools at his disposal to ensure that the end of modern-day slavery becomes a reality.
” Under the executive order , according to the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tasked with creating a website to serve as a clearinghouse where law enforcement officials , victims , advocates and others can get information on government-wide efforts to combat human trafficking .
Federal departments and agencies will also be asked to propose legislative and executive actions to help law enforcement officials track the sharing - in real time - of child sexual abuse material on the internet .
The Justice and Homeland Security departments will also be directed to work with the Education Department to fund prevention education programs for the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Wisconsin teacher charged with trying to record students

MADISON , Wis. - A Wisconsin high school teacher who led students on business club trips pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal child pornography charges for allegedly using hidden cameras to secretly record students .
The teacher ’ s attorney said authorities haven ’ t recovered “ a single picture.
” David Kruchten , a teacher at Madison East High School , sat stoically during an initial court appearance attended by more than two dozen high school students and their parents , with many of the students crying audibly .
Kruchten , dressed in a T-shirt and sweat pants with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to look at them .
The students left the courtroom without talking to reporters .
Kruchten ’ s attorney , Joseph Bugni , said he ’ ll build a defence around authorities ’ failure to recover any images from Kruchten ’ s devices .
“ We don ’ t have a single picture that was recovered .
...
This is an anomaly I will exploit to the fullest , ” he said .
Prosecutors didn ’ t address the issue at the court hearing and were not doing interviews on the case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the discovery of hidden cameras that were planted in the Minneapolis hotel room of students he was chaperoning on a business club trip .
Kruchten was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday and arrested at his home in the Madison suburb of Cottage Grove on Thursday morning , according to U.S. Attorney Scott Blader .
Kruchten , 37 , was placed on leave in December after the students found the hidden cameras and the investigation was launched .
Kruchten ’ s license to teach in Wisconsin was listed as being under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but no other details were provided on a public database .
Kruchten has taught in the Madison district since 2008 , most recently as a business education and marketing instructor , according to his LinkedIn biography .
He was listed as the assistant girls tennis coach on the high school ’ s website .
If convicted , Kruchten faces 15 to 30 years in federal prison on each of seven counts .
“ This indictment alleges criminal conduct that is an unconscionable betrayal of trust , ” state Attorney General Josh Kaul said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue working to ensure that there is full accountability for the crimes alleged in this case.
” The indictment charges Kruchten with six counts of attempting to produce child pornography involving six different minors on Oct. 27 , 2019 , and one count of attempting to produce it with a seventh minor on Jan. 20 , 2019 , using hidden recording devices that had been moved across state lines .
It was not immediately clear where the alleged recordings that led to the charges were made .
The state Department of Justice previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involving the business club , other than the one in December to Minneapolis .
The Hennepin County Attorney ’ s Office in Minnesota says it is reviewing the case involving the hidden cameras in the hotel , but charges have not yet been filed related to that trip .
There were at least five occasions where there were hidden devices in rooms that Kruchten was in control of , said Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman .
She said Kruchten refused to turn over recording devices to law enforcement in Minneapolis after being seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
“ This is not an isolated event , ” she said .
The judge denied Bugni ’ s request to allow Kruchten to return home to his wife and two children , ages 3 and 5 , while the case is pending .
Bugni argued that Kruchten was not a risk to leave given that he went nowhere for the past two months even while he knew he was under investigation .
Kruchten is also not a risk to the community , his attorney said .
“ This is a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Peter Oppeneer , the federal magistrate judge who presided over the hearing , said he didn ’ t want to release Kruchten before he could be interviewed and a pretrial report was completed.Kruchten will remain in jail pending his next court appearance on Wednesday .
“ This news is incredibly disturbing to the ( school district ) family and our community , ” said interim Madison school superintendent Jane Belmore in a statement .
She said the district will do everything it can to offer support to both students and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Ginni Rometty, 1st female CEO at IBM, to step down in April

ARMONK , N.Y. - Ginni Rometty , the first female CEO in IBM ’ s century-long history , is leaving the helm in April .
Rometty will remain IBM ’ s executive chairwoman until the end of the year .
Her departure caps nearly 40 years with a technology giant famous for its conservative corporate culture .
Rometty became IBM CEO eight years ago after previously overseeing sales and marketing .
IBM said Thursday that Arvind Krishna will take over as CEO starting April 6 .
He has been IBM ’ s senior vice-president for cloud computing and cognitive software @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company .
IBM has been trying to revitalize its business to become a leader in cloud technology .
Cloud computing , in which services are delivered over the internet from remote computers , has become a growing portion of IBM ’ s revenue .
But the company has been overshadowed by top cloud rivals Amazon , Microsoft and Google in competing to sell its internet-based computing services to businesses .
In a risky effort to catch up to the competition , IBM announced in 2018 that it planned to spend $ 34 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Red Hat .
It was the biggest acquisition in IBM ’ s century-long history -- one which the company says Krishna was a “ principal architect ” in making happen .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Testimony coming? Abrupt acquittal? Trump trial edges on

WASHINGTON - Senate jurors peppered President Donald Trump ’ s defenders and accusers with final questions at his impeachment trial Thursday ahead of a crucial vote on calling witnesses , the focus shifting from details of the charges to whether it was time to simply acquit and conclude the trial .
The vote on witnesses , expected Friday , could lead to an abrupt end of the trial with the expected acquittal .
Or , less likely , it could bring weeks more of argument a s Democrats press to hear testimony f rom former national security adviser John Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included soaring pleas to the senators who will decide Trump ’ s fate , to either stop a president who Democrats said tried to cheat in the 2016 election and will again , or to shut down impeachment proceedings that Republicans insisted were never more than a partisan attack .
“ Let ’ s give the country a trial they can be proud of , ” said Rep. Adam Schiff , the lead prosecutor for House Democrats .
Americans , he said , know what it takes for a fair trial and won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump attorney Eric Herschmann countered that Democrats are only prosecuting the president because they can ’ t beat him in the 2020 election .
“ We trust the American people to decide who should be our president , ” Herschmann said .
“ Enough is Enough .
Stop all of this.
” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is toiling to keep Friday ’ s vote on schedule even as the trial is unearthing fresh evidence from Bolton ’ s new book and raising alarms among Democrats and some Republicans about a Trump attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day-after tweet , Trump attorney Alan Dershowitz , complained about the portrayal of his testimony Wednesday when he said a president is essentially immune from impeachment if he believes his actions to be in the “ national interest.
” That idea left even some of Trump ’ s top allies backing away , including Dershowitz himself .
“ They characterized my argument as if I had said that if a president believes that his re-election was in the national interest , he can do anything , ” the retired professor said Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as anyone who actually heard what I said can attest.
” His words Wednesday night : “ Every public official that I know believes that his election is in the public interest .
And if a president does something which he believes will help him get elected is in the public interest , that can not be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment.
” Asked about it as one of the first questions Thursday , Democrat Schiff , said , “ Have we learned nothing in the last half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lessons of the Nixon era to warn of a “ normalization of lawlessness ” in the Trump presidency .
“ That argument - if the president says it it can ’ t be illegal - failed when Richard Nixon was forced to resign , “ Schiff told the senators .
“ But that argument may succeed here , now.
” Trump was impeached by House last month on charges that he abused his power like no other president , jeopardizing Ukraine and U.S.-Ukraine relations .
Democrats say Trump asked he vulnerable ally to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 election interference , temporarily halting American security aid to the country as it battled Russia at its border .
The second article of impeachment says Trump then obstructed the House probe in a way that threatened the nation ’ s three-branch system of checks and balances .
“ This is not a banana republic , ” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries , D-N.Y. , rejecting the White House counsel ’ s suggestion there was nothing wrong with seeking foreign election interference .
Democrats played a video showing the many times Trump called on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics , voicing his own belief such information could be helpful in a campaign .
The president has argued repeatedly that his dealings with Ukraine have been “ perfect.
” Even though McConnell has not yet locked down the votes , the calendar he engineered at the start of the trial two weeks ago is now proving immovable as Democrats are pressing hard to force the Senate to call more witnesses to testify .
Republican Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine , Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
But their votes may not be enough .
In a Senate split 53-47 with a Republican majority , at least four GOP senators must join all Democrats to reach the 51 votes required to call witnesses , decide whom to call or do nearly anything else in the trial .
Chief Justice John Roberts , presiding over the chamber and fielding senators ’ questions for the trial , could break a tie , but that seems unlikely .
The chief justice did exercise authority Thursday with a stunning rebuttal to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky designed to expose the name of the still anonymous whistleblower whose complain about Trump ’ s phone call with Ukraine ’ s new president led to the impeachment inquiry .
Roberts had communicated through his staff to McConnell ’ s office that he did not want to read the whistleblower ’ s name , according to a Republican unauthorized to discuss the private conversation and granted anonymity .
“ The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted , “ he said .
Senators have dispatched with nearly 100 queries Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final argiuments .
Trump ’ s team says the House ’ s 28,000-page case against the president and the 17 witnesses — current and former national security officials , ambassadors and others who testified in the House proceedings — are sufficient .
Instead , Trump ’ s lawyers focused some of their time Thursday refloating allegations against Biden and his son , Hunter Biden , who served on the board of a gas company in Ukraine while his father was vice-president .
Rep. Val Demings , D-Fla. , responding to one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell the Senate about Trump ’ s efforts to “ shake down ” Ukraine for his own campaign .
Democrats argued Bolton ’ s forthcoming book can not be ignored .
It contends he personally heard Trump say he wanted military aid withheld from Ukraine until it agreed to investigate the Bidens — the abuse of power charge that is the first article of impeachment .
Trump denies saying such a thing .
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer acknowledged it ’ s “ an uphill battle ” to bring four GOP senators to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re still hopeful.
” The White House has blocked its officials from testifying in the proceedings and on Wednesday it released a letter to Bolton ’ s attorney objecting to “ significant amounts of classified information “ in the manuscript , including at the top secret level .
Bolton resigned last September — Trump says he was fired — and he and his attorney have insisted the book does not contain any classified information .
Associated Press writers Alan Fram , Andrew Taylor , Matthew Daly , Laurie Kellman and Padmananda @ @ @ @ @ @

Lisa Mascaro, Eric Tucker And Zeke Miller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-30--Gavel time: Will chief justice expand his impeachment role?

WASHINGTON - Chief Justice John Roberts is the picture of judicial modesty at President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial , wearing his unadorned black robe and wielding an ivory gavel as he presides over the Senate .
So far he has played a limited role in the proceedings , but some hope that will change as the trial ends its second week , and that he will take a more active role — possibly even calling witnesses himself or breaking a tie vote .
But whatever powers Roberts has as the trial ’ s presiding officer , it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do anything to grab the spotlight .
Roberts , who celebrated his 65th birthday this week , has led the Supreme Court for the past 14 years .
Appointed by President George W. Bush , he almost always sides with his fellow conservatives in the Supreme Court ’ s majority on contentious cases that divide the court along ideological lines .
But on a few key occasions he has sided with liberals : to save President Barack Obama ’ s health plan , for example , and more recently to keep the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 census .
That track record tantalizes both Republicans and Democrats who have wondered what would happen if Roberts is called on to be more of a force in the proceedings .
On Thursday , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , suggested he could be a key decision-maker .
“ I would hope that the senators if it comes to a tie , or if there ’ s a question of hearing testimony , or receiving documents would leave it up to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would think that they would have confidence in the Chief Justice of the United States , “ she said .
So far , however , Roberts ’ tasks have been largely ministerial and unglamorous .
He swore in senators at the start of the trial .
He gavels the Senate in daily .
He ensures speakers keep to their allotted time .
And on Wednesday and Thursday he read questions senators directed to House impeachment managers and Trump ’ s lawyers .
In one not-in-the-script moment Thursday , however , he refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul , R-Ky. , about the anonymous whistleblower whose complaint ultimately led to Trump ’ s impeachment by the House .
Roberts ’ staff previously told Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s staff that the chief justice does not want to read the name aloud , according to a Republican familiar with the exchange who demanded anonymity to discuss it .
Earlier , as the trial began , Roberts drew attention when he admonished House prosecutors and Trump ’ s defence team that they should , essentially , watch their words after one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jerrold Nadler , D-N.Y. , charged that the White House lawyers were lying .
“ I think it is appropriate at this point for me to admonish both the House managers and the president ’ s counsel , in equal terms , to remember that they are addressing the world ’ s greatest deliberative body , ” Roberts said .
He asked them to “ avoid speaking in a manner and using language that is not conducive to civil discourse.
” What role he plays going forward is an open question .
Lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts has the power to break a tie if lawmakers split 50-50 or even , on his own , to call witnesses .
One Democrat , Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland , has proposed a vote to let Roberts decide what witnesses and evidence should be considered .
The Senate rejected the idea once , but Van Hollen says he will seek another vote later in the trial .
But the chief justice ’ s past statements suggest a desire to steer very clear of politics .
In one of the frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he told senators that judges should be like baseball umpires , impartially calling balls and strikes .
A little over a year ago , he pushed back when Trump described a judge who ruled against the president ’ s asylum policy as an “ Obama judge.
” In response to a question from The Associated Press , Roberts said : “ We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges , Bush judges or Clinton judges .
What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them.
” In his current role as the trial ’ s presiding officer , Roberts is uniquely isolated .
Surrounded by a bubble of security , he arrives in the Senate most days a few minutes before he opens .
Much of the Senate goes into a “ hold ” when he is arriving , departing , or moving about the Capitol , meaning others must stay where they are .
During lunch and breaks , Roberts retires to the ornate Vice-President ’ s Room just off the Senate floor , a chamber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s defence team and the prosecutors .
Roberts does have one role that brings welcome relief to both parties at the end of long trial days .
When McConnell says the Senate is adjourned for the day , Roberts taps the gavel , something he doesn ’ t do across the street at the Supreme Court .
Then he exits , again surrounded by security with the building frozen .
Often he is smiling .

Jessica Gresko And Laurie Kellman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Avalanche in Turkey wipes out rescue team; 13 dead overall

ANKARA , Turkey - A second avalanche slammed into a mountain road in eastern Turkey on Wednesday , killing at least eight rescue workers and leaving 20 others buried under the snow , a local mayor said .
The emergency crew had been sent to the site to find two other people missing in a previous avalanche .
Some 300 emergency service workers were called to a highway near the mountain-surrounded town of Bahcesehir , in Van province , which borders Iran , after an avalanche struck late Tuesday , killing five people .
Meki Arvas , mayor of Bahcesaray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescue workers .
Gov .
Mehmet Emin Bilmez said 25 emergency service members were rescued from under the snow and hospitalized Wednesday .
There was no further information on their conditions .
The first avalanche buried a snow-clearing vehicle and a minibus , killing five people and leaving two others missing .
The vehicle ’ s operator and seven passengers escaped alive .
The second avalanche struck Wednesday as 300 emergency workers were searching for the two missing victims , private NTV television reported , adding that fog and heavy snow were hampering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agency said the operator , Bahattin Karagulle , was trapped beneath the snow for some 25 minutes before he managed to break a window and escape .
The agency quoted him as saying that he walked toward a village before he was picked up by a vehicle and managed to seek help .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Coronavirus deaths in China rise to 490; Japan confirms 10 new cases on cruise ship

TOKYO - Large white sheets covering them head-to-knee , people infected with a new virus were led by gloved and masked officials Wednesday off a Japanese cruise ship , while the rest of the 3,700 people on board faced a two-week quarantine in their cabins .
In Hong Kong , more than 3,600 people on another cruiser were to be screened after it was banned by Taiwan amid growing worry about the spread of an outbreak .
The ships are caught up in a global health emergency that seems to worsen by the day .
The little-understood coronavirus has killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , but it has also spread panic and anger around the world as the cases grow .
As thousands of hospital workers in Hong Kong went on strike to demand the border with mainland China be closed completely , the city announced that all people entering from the mainland , including Hong Kong residents , must be quarantined for 14 days .
Tokyo Olympics organizers , meanwhile , said they are increasingly worried about the disruption the virus is causing ahead of the games , which open in less than six months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control measures and called on other nations not to go overboard in their responses .
Countries “ can assess the epidemic situation in an objective , fair , calm and rational manner , respect authoritative and professional WHO recommendations , understand and support China ’ s epidemic control efforts , ” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chenying said at an online news conference on Wednesday .
“ Fear is worse than any virus.
” To reduce the danger of exposure for health workers , Beijing is seeking to develop a robot to administer throat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all schools will delay reopening until at least the end of February , rather than mid-month as originally planned .
The exact date will depend on how the outbreak develops .
As examples of anti-Asian discrimination mount , U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for “ international solidarity ” and support for China and other countries hurt by the virus .
He urged a stop to any stigmatization of innocent people .
In the port city of Yokohama , just outside Tokyo , health workers , some in protective white jumpsuits , transferred 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a Japanese coast guard boat next to it .
The 10 , covered in sheets to protect their identities from cameras , were taken to a dock and put on ambulances bound for hospitals for treatment in isolation .
Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said all the people on board will be quarantined on the ship for up to 14 days under Japanese law .
The ship had 2,666 passengers and 1,045 crew members .
Tests were pending on 273 people who had symptoms or had contact with a man who was diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Hong Kong .
Paul and Jacqui Fidrmuc from the Australian city of Cairns told Australia ’ s Nine Network that they are grateful they have a balcony in the cabin where they ’ re confined .
“ We ’ re here for a long haul .
I think it is going to get a little bit testing , obviously .
But I don ’ t know .
What do we do ?
We couldn ’ t jump out of the boat ; that ’ s a bit cold , ” Jacqui Fidrmuc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told the network he hadn ’ t eaten since the previous night .
“ I ’ m a diabetic and I ’ m insulin dependent .
If I do not receive food soon , I will be in a diabetic coma , but it ’ ll be too bloody late.
” The Hong Kong ship passengers were being screened after three passengers on a previous voyage were diagnosed with the virus .
The territory ’ s beleaguered leader , Carrie Lam , also announced that two terminals — including the terminal where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — will be shut down .
Also in Hong Kong , hospital workers were striking to demand the border with mainland China be shut completely to ward off the virus .
Hospitals said they had to cut some services due to striking workers ’ absences .
Lam criticized the strike and said the government was doing all it could to limit the flow of people across the border .
Almost all land and sea links have been closed , but the striking workers want the border shut completely .
“ Let ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire public health system above all other things , “ she said .
The latest mainland China figures showed an increase of 65 deaths from the previous day , all the new deaths from Wuhan .
The number of new cases increased to 24,324 , a rise of 3,887 from the previous day .
Outside mainland China , at least 220 cases have been confirmed , including two fatalities , one in Hong Kong and another in the Philippines .
The infections on the cruise ship raised Japan ’ s total to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported recent cases among people who had not been to China , raising concerns about how easily the virus might be spreading in other places .
To treat the thousands of patients in its hard-hit central region , China built a new hospital in a matter of days and converted a gymnasium , exhibition hall and cultural centre .
Patients were being moved into a 1,000-bed hospital with prefabricated wards and isolation rooms in Wuhan .
A 1,500-bed hospital also specially built for virus patients opens Thursday .
The hospitals made from converted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms have a total of 3,400 beds , the simple cots placed in tight rows in cavernous rooms without any barriers between them .
One man , Fang Bin , said he saw wards so crowded during a visit to the city ’ s No .
5 Hospital on Saturday that some patients were forced to sit on the ground .
With the epicenter of the outbreak , Wuhan , cut off by rail , air and road to try to contain the virus , the United States and other countries were organizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the central Chinese city .
Two of the latest planes returned to Russia and New Zealand on Wednesday , with the returnees quarantined for the maximum incubation period of the virus .
Dr. David Heymann , who led the World Health Organization ’ s response to the SARS outbreak , said it ’ s too early to tell when the new coronavirus will peak , but that it appears to still be on the increase .
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries outside China to share more data on infections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only 38 % of cases .
“ Without better data , it ’ s very hard for us to assess how the outbreak is evolving or what impact it could have and to ensure we ’ re providing the most appropriate recommendations.
” Associated Press writers Edie Lederer at the United Nations , Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia , Rod McGuirk in Canberra , Australia , Alice Fung in Hong Kong , Ken Moritsugu in Beijing , Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul , South Korea and Nick Perry in Wellington , New @ @ @ @ @ @

Foster Klug And Mari Yamaguchi - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Sudan’s PM rattled by meeting of country’s leader, Netanyahu

CAIRO - Sudan ’ s prime minister appeared rattled Wednesday by the meeting this week between the head of his country ’ s transitional council and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , insisting that all decisions related to Sudan ’ s foreign affairs “ should be made ” exclusively by his Cabinet .
Prime Minister Abddalla Hamdok ’ s remarks were latest in a flurry of comments from government officials , Sudanese political parties and public figures who were stunned by the meeting , which was kept secret until Netanyahu announced during a visit to Uganda that he had met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Israel and Sudan were working towards normalizing relations .
For Israel , it was a major diplomatic breakthrough with a Muslim-majority African state .
Hamdok ’ s government said it wasn ’ t consulted and only learned of the meeting through the media .
Burhan is Sudan ’ s de facto leader and heads its military-civilian transitional council established following autocrat Omar al-Bashir ’ s ouster in a popular uprising that ended his 30-year rule last April .
“ The road to meaningful change in Sudan is riddled with challenges and obstacles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we must understand that abiding to legal institutional roles and responsibilities is key to building a truly democratic state.
” “ The transitional government as a whole must ensure accountability , responsibility and transparency in all decisions made , ” he added .
Hamdok however welcomed Burhan ’ s statement later on Tuesday that Sudan still backs the Palestinian people ’ s aspirations to have their independent state .
Khartoum has been a longtime member of the Arab League and joined other members at a meeting in Cairo on Saturday in rejecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that heavily favours Israel and all but extinguishing Palestinian hopes for their own state .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Democrats’ response to Trump turns to working-class worries

WASHINGTON - Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer used Democrats ’ response to President Donald Trump ’ s State of the Union address to swivel from impeachment to working-class voters ’ worries , saying her party is focusing on easing health care costs and other pocket-book concerns .
Whitmer mentioned Trump ’ s impeachment trial only briefly near the end of her nearly 11-minute speech Tuesday .
She sprinkled in passing references to his behaviour , such as , “ Bullying people on Twitter doesn ’ t fix bridges — it burns them.
“ But she spent the bulk of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and people ’ s struggles to pay their bills , issues that helped her party win House control in 2018 .
“ It ’ s pretty simple .
Democrats are trying to make your health care better .
Republicans in Washington are trying to take it away , ” Whitmer said from Michigan ’ s East Lansing High School , which her daughters attend .
Her remarks were nearly overshadowed by an extraordinary gesture moments earlier by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif .
Seated directly behind Trump in the House chamber , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by theatrically tearing her copy of his remarks , dramatizing the bitter gulf between the two sides as this year ’ s presidential and congressional election campaigns commence .
Democrats won House control in 2018 by lambasting unsuccessful efforts by Trump and congressional Republicans to repeal President Barack Obama ’ s health care law .
Democrats say they will concentrate on health care in this year ’ s campaign as well , including opposing an administration-backed federal lawsuit aimed at declaring Obama ’ s statute unconstitutional .
Trump ’ s impeachment has dominated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarkable confluence of events , the GOP-run Senate was set to acquit him Wednesday , less than 24 hours after his address .
“ As we witness the impeachment process in Washington there are some things each of us , no matter our party , should demand , “ Whitmer said .
“ The truth matters .
Facts matter .
And no one should be above the law.
” Democrats ’ selection of Whitmer , 48 , underscored their determination to improve their performance in the Midwest in November ’ s elections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 11,000 votes by appealing to lower-earning workers , winning a state that hadn ’ t voted for the GOP presidential candidate since 1988 .
Trump also won over enough working-class white voters to score slender victories in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and to win Ohio handily .
Reaching out to those voters , Whitmer acknowledged their struggles to afford transportation , student loans and prescription drugs .
“ Michigan invented the middle class , “ she said .
“ So , we know if the economy doesn ’ t work for working people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Whitmer ’ s prominent role also highlighted her party ’ s outreach to women , who ’ ve soured on Trump ’ s belligerent style and whose growing support helped Democrats make big gains in suburban districts in 2018 .
Whitmer was elected governor easily that year over a Trump-backed Republican , and she ’ s been mentioned as a potential vice-presidential nominee .
In Democrats ’ Spanish-language response , freshman Texas Rep. Veronica Escobar focused on health care and workers ’ struggles to get by .
Speaking from a community centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the Mexican border , Escobar also described last August ’ s mass killing there by a shooter she said “ used hateful language like the very words used by President Trump to describe immigrants and Latinos.
“ Escobar also touched on Trump ’ s impeachment , saying that he ’ d jeopardized the next election and threatened national security with his efforts to pressure Ukraine , an ally fighting Russian-backed insurgents , to produce damaging information on political rival Joe Biden .
“ We Democrats will continue to fight for truth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is above the law , “ Escobar said .
Associated Press writer Cedar Attanasio in El Paso , Texas , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Baltimore’s problems in focus as primary winners look ahead

BALTIMORE - Democrat Kweisi Mfume says that if he regains the seat in Congress he once held in a heavily Democratic Baltimore area district , cutting violent crime in the city and its suburbs will be his top concern .
Mfume and Republican Kimberly Klacik won special primaries Tuesday for the congressional seat that was held by the late Elijah Cummings , who died in October .
In a district where Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 4 to 1 , the Democratic nominee will be the heavy favourite heading into the April 28 special general election .
The majority-black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inner city that have struggled with drugs and violent crime as well as more well-to-do communities in the suburbs .
“ The first thing I want to do is to find a way to drive down this level of violent crime and gun violence .
There are too many victims , “ Mfume said in an interview after his primary victory speech .
” There are too many murders and there ’ s too much fear.
” Baltimore had 348 homicides last year — the fifth straight year of more than 300 murders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most violent year ever per capita .
Violent crime also has risen in other parts of the 7th Congressional District .
“ The murder rate in Baltimore County doubled in the last 12 months , ” Mfume said .
“ In Howard County , we ’ re seeing things that we hadn ’ t seen before , so I think most citizens are concerned about that , gun violence and crime .
I am.
” Mfume stepped down in 1996 to lead the NAACP after serving five terms as a congressman and repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his victory speech .
Diya Hafiz-Slayton yelled over the noise of the crowd at Mfume ’ s victory gathering in Baltimore to say she was thrilled he had won and cited his experience as a main reason for supporting him .
“ He ’ s from Baltimore .
That is exciting to us , and we need that in Baltimore right now .
We know that when he gets to Congress he ’ s going to hit the ground running , ” she said .
For the GOP , Klacik gained attention last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trash in Baltimore prompted President Donald Trump to tweet that the district is a “ disgusting , rat and rodent infested mess ” where “ no human being would want to live.
” Klacik has pointed to a federal program known as opportunity zones as a way of helping struggling parts of the district .
The program , which is supported by the president , aims to spark private investment in distressed communities with tax incentives for people who invest in real estate projects and operate businesses in designated low-income communities .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes with the administration , with the community , anyone that wants to help and push this , “ Klacik said at the debate in January .
A crowded field of 24 Democrats and eight Republicans were on the ballot .
Mfume dominated in Baltimore city , taking more than 50 % of the vote , and he captured more than 40 % in Baltimore County .
In Howard County , he was among the top three vote-getters , with Maya Cummings and Terri Hill .
Klacik won decisively in all three counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in fundraising , raising about $ 266,000 , according to federal campaign finance reports filed in the middle of last month .
Klacik led in fundraising for the GOP primary with about $ 48,860 , according to filings .
Whoever wins the special general election will serve the rest of Cummings ’ term through Jan. 3 , 2021 and have to stand for reelection in November to keep the seat .
Cummings , who won 12 terms in Congress , died in October at age 68 .
The civil rights activist ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some voters .
“ Those are big shoes to fill , ” said Baltimore resident Kyle Baylor , who voted for former Cummings aide Harry Spikes .
Clarksville resident Laura Shovan , 50 , said Cummings was “ such an important part of our community.
” “ It ’ s not just the seat .
It ’ s that it was Elijah Cummings ’ seat , ” Shovan outside a polling site in Highland .
The Democratic candidates included Cummings ’ widow , Maya Rockeymoore Cummings , a former chairwoman of the Maryland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state legislators who live in the district .

Brian Witte And Regina Garcia Cano - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Pelosi shreds Trump’s speech. Right there on the podium.

WASHINGTON - And then she tore up the speech .
No sooner had President Donald Trump finished his State of the Union address than House Speaker Pelosi ripped the paper it was printed on in two .
Right there , on camera , behind Trump ’ s back .
As he stepped down , she ripped again .
Then a third time .
And a fourth .
If Trump knew about the American carnage going on behind him , he didn ’ t react as he left .
But Pelosi was on her turf , with a deep understanding of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t finished .
In case any confusion remained , Pelosi held up what remained of the address to her family in the gallery , in full view of reporters .
“ It was a manifesto of mistruths , ” Pelosi told reporters as she left the Capitol .
The ripping was not planned , according to a person close to the Democratic speaker who was unauthorized to speak publicly .
Republicans dismissed her display , on the eve of Trump ’ s acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial , as a tantrum .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ any plans for attracting independent voters , “ Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said .
“ Pelosi and the Democrats sat on their hands through all of the good news for Americans in that speech.
” “ This speech was about American heroes and American workers , “ tweeted Steve Scalise of Louisiana , the Republican vote-counter .
” She decided THAT was worth literally tearing apart.
” Tearing the speech gave Pelosi the last visual word over Trump , who had spoken to the House from a position of strength .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force of the Republican Party behind him .
She is leading a party in the throes of a divisive presidential nomination fight that had botched the kickoff Iowa caucuses only the night before .
The House had impeached Trump on her watch .
But the Senate was poised to acquit him .
From the start , the event was awkward because the history between those two was so icy .
They had not spoken since October , when Pelosi pointed at Trump over a White House conference table , suggested that Russia controls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump was returning to the very chamber where he was impeached , standing before the same Democrats who have called him unfit for office and sought to oust him .
He stepped to the podium and handed navy blue folders containing his speech to Pelosi and Vice-President Mike Pence .
Photos from that moment show that Trump mistakenly handed Pence ’ s copy to Pelosi .
The outside reads in gold letters : “ The President of the Senate of the United States.
” That ’ s Pence ’ s title .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump did not acknowledge it , instead turning around to begin his speech .
Pelosi , famous for casting shade , especially on Trump , gave a look .
For 78 minutes , Trump went on to extol a “ Great American Comeback ” on his watch , just three years after he took office decrying a land of “ American carnage ” under his predecessor .
Pelosi read through her copy as he spoke .
Trump bestowed the Medal of Freedom on Rush Limbaugh to raucous applause and a glum reception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans , the best is yet to come , ” he finished .
Pelosi had already gathered the papers for her big ripping finish , which she later said was “ the courteous thing to do , considering the alternative.
” The moment was a less joyful echo of last year ’ s State of the Union , when Pelosi stole the show with a smirk-and-clap , eye to eye with Trump .
Then , Democrats were triumphant after election gains that flipped the House from Republican control and put Pelosi back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night , Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez arrived on the scene wearing a white caped pantsuit and sat prominently at the centre of the Democratic section .
Tuesday night , on the eve of Trump ’ s acquittal , the congresswoman skipped the speech altogether .
“ After much deliberation , I have decided that I will not use my presence at a state ceremony to normalize Trump ’ s lawless conduct & subversion of the Constitution , ” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted a few hours before the speech .
“ None of this is normal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Follow Kellman and Mascaro on Twitter at http : //www.twitter.com/APLaurieKellman and http : //twitter.com/LisaMascaro This story has been corrected to show Limbaugh was given the Medal of Freedom , not the Medal of Honor .

Laurie Kellman And Lisa Mascaro - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Trump uses State of Union to campaign; Pelosi rips up speech

WASHINGTON— Standing before a Congress and nation sharply divided by impeachment , President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address Tuesday to extol a “ Great American Comeback ” on his watch , three years after he took office decrying a land of “ American carnage ” under his predecessor .
The first president to run for reelection after being impeached , Trump received a raucous but divided response from Congress with Republicans in the House of Representatives chanting “ Four More Years ” while Democrats stood mute .
“ America 's enemies are on the run , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the America 's future is blazing bright , '' Trump declared .
“ In just three short years , we have shattered the mentality of American decline and we have rejected the downsizing of America ’ s destiny .
We are moving forward at a pace that was unimaginable just a short time ago , and we are never going back ! ''
Setting a yardstick for success and then contending he 'd surpassed it , Trump has now gone from an inaugural address that decried “ American carnage ” to extolling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering the nation 's economic success as a chief rationale for a second term .
Trump spent much of the speech highlighting the economy 's strength , including low unemployment , stressing how it has helped blue-collar workers and the middle class , though the period of growth began under his predecessor , Barack Obama .
And what Trump calls an unprecedented boom is , by many measures , not all that different from the solid economy he inherited from President Barack Obama .
Economic growth was 2.3 % in 2019 , matching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended a decade ago in the first year of Obama 's eight-year presidency Trump stressed the new trade agreements he has negotiated , including his phase-one deal with China and the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement he signed last month .
The main suspense was whether he would address the charges against him .
Trump spoke from the House of Representatives , on the opposite side of the Capitol from where the Senate one day later was expected to acquit him largely along party lines .
The first half of his nationally televised speech was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial that has consumed Washington in favour of a recitation of accomplishments and promises .
Yet the partisan divide within Washington was embodied by the woman over his left shoulder , visible in nearly every camera shot : House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
Trump appeared no more cordial .
When he climbed to the House rostrum , he did not take her outstretched hand but it was not clear he had seen her gesture .
Later , as Republicans often cheered , she remained in her seat , at times shaking her head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a Trump-era news cycle that seems permanently set to hyper-speed , the breakneck pace of events dominating the first week of February offered a singular backdrop for the president 's address .
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts , who has presided in the Senate over only the third impeachment trial in the nation ’ s history , was on hand again Tuesday night — this time in his more customary seat in the audience .
Trump stood before the very lawmakers who have voted to remove him from office — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the Senate trial comes to a close .
The leading Senate Democrats hoping to unseat him in November were campaigning in New Hampshire .
A frequent thorn in Trump 's side who authorized the impeachment proceedings that charged the president with abusing the power of his office to push Ukraine to investigate a political foe , Pelosi created a viral image with her seemingly sarcastic applause of the president a year ago .
In advance of his address , Trump tweeted that the chaos in Iowa 's Monday leadoff caucuses showed Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to run the government .
Among Trump 's guests in the chamber : Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó , who has been trying for months to win face time with Trump , his most important international ally .
The president offered Guaidó exactly the sort of endorsement he ’ s been looking for as he struggles to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power .
Trump called Guaidó “ the true and legitimate president of Venezuela.
” “ Mr .
President , please take this message back to your homeland , ” Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Venezuelan people in their righteous struggle for freedom !
Socialism destroys nations .
But always remember , freedom unifies the soul.
” Trump entered the night on a roll , with his impeachment acquittal imminent , his job approval numbers ticking upward and Wall Street looking strong .
In the closest historical comparison , Bill Clinton did not mention his recent impeachment when he delivered his State of the Union in 1999 .
In his address a year ago , Trump did remain on message , making no mention of how Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech during the longest government shutdown in the nation ’ s history .
Trump spent much of the speech highlighting the economy 's strength , including low unemployment , stressing how it has helped blue-collar workers and the middle class , though the period of growth began under his predecessor , Barack Obama .
And what Trump calls an unprecedented boom is , by many measures , not all that different from the solid economy he inherited from President Barack Obama .
Economic growth was 2.3 % in 2019 , matching the average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade ago in the first year of Obama 's eight-year presidency Trump stressed the new trade agreements he has negotiated , including his phase-one deal with China and the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement he signed last month .
While the White House said the president would have a message of unity , he also spent time on issues that have created great division and resonated with his political base .
He attacked Democrats ’ health care proposals for being too intrusive and again highlighted his signature issue — immigration — trumpeting the miles of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also dedicated a section to “ American values , ” discussing efforts to protect “ religious liberties ” and limit access to abortion as he continues to court the evangelical and conservative Christian voters who form a crucial part of his base .
The Democrats were supplying plenty of counter-programming , focusing on health care — the issue key to their takeover of the House last year .
Trump , for his part , vowed to not allow a “ socialist takeover of our health care system ” a swipe at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his Democratic challengers .
Many female Democrats were wearing white as tribute to the suffragettes who helped win the vote for women , while a number in the party were wearing red , white and blue-striped lapel pins to highlight climate change , saying Trump has rolled back environmental safeguards and given free rein to polluters .
Several Democratic lawmakers , including California Rep. Maxine Waters and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , announced in advance of the speech that they would be skipping it , with the high-profile New York freshman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my presence at a state ceremony to normalize Trump ’ s lawless conduct & subversion of the Constitution . ''
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer was delivering the party 's official response and , in excerpts released ahead of the speech , was to draw a contrast between actions taken by Democrats and the president 's rhetoric .
“ It doesn ’ t matter what the president says about the stock market , '' Whitmer says .
“ What matters is that millions of people struggle to get by or don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the month after paying for transportation , student loans , or prescription drugs .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Indonesian acquitted of blasphemy for taking dog into mosque

CIBINONG , Indonesia - An Indonesian woman who doctors say should receive psychiatric treatment was acquitted Wednesday of blasphemy charges for taking a dog into a mosque .
Suzethe Margareth was released after a panel of three judges at Cibinong District Court in West Java province absolved her of the charges because of her mental health .
“ The defendant can not be convicted because of her inability to take responsibility as she has psychiatric disorders , ” presiding judge Indra Meinantha Vidi said in the ruling , “ What she has done was part of her mental illness.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A video that circulated online in Muslim-majority Indonesia last July shows a dog running around a mosque in the West Java district of Bogor while a visibly upset Margareth argues with shocked worshipers .
Angered conservative Muslims pressured police to bring the case to court .
Blasphemy is a criminal offence in Indonesia with a maximum penalty of five years in prison .
Rights groups have long called for abolishment of the law , which is used to persecute Christians and other religious minorities .
Amnesty International said the case was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s priority should be her well being .
Her actions may have felt insensitive , but these issues can be resolved peacefully , it is not a matter for the courts , ” said the group ’ s executive director in Indonesia , Usman Hamid .
The dog , which was chased out of the mosque , died a day later when it was hit by a car as members of an animal welfare group tried to capture it .
In 2018 , a court in Sumatra sentenced a woman who complained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s loudspeakers to 18 months in prison for blasphemy .
She was released on parole in May .
Mobs burned and ransacked at least 14 Buddhist temples in Tanjung Balai , a port town on Sumatra , in a July 2016 riot following reports of the woman ’ s comments .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Youth parole officer kept job amid child abuse investigation

CONCORD , N.H. - A former employee of a New Hampshire youth detention centre continued working with children in a state job for nine months after police began investigating allegations that he held a boy down while colleagues raped him in 1998 .
James Woodlock went on leave from his position as a juvenile probation and parole officer in November 2017 , well after David Meehan told police he had been abused in the 1990s at what was then called the Youth Development Center in Manchester , the state ’ s only juvenile detention centre , the state attorney general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The attorney general ’ s office is investigating .
Woodlock , who hasn ’ t been charged criminally , declined to comment when a reporter visited his home .
Officials won ’ t say whether he is leave is voluntary , whether he is being paid or what , if any , action they took before he went on leave .
They also won ’ t say when they learned of the allegations , though law enforcement officials said that in general , such notifications happen as soon as possible unless a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All that should be part of the attorney general ’ s investigation , said Lyn Schollett , executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence .
“ The prospect that an abusive adult continued to work with children for decades is incredibly alarming , “ she said .
“ It speaks to the need for ongoing training and oversight of any institution where children live.
” As a juvenile probation and parole officer , Woodlock would have supervised paroled youths , conducted presentencing investigations and monitored parental compliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posted job description .
Such officers also have the authority to arrest youths who violate the law or are fugitives .
Four months after his initial leave , Woodlock resumed work with the same job title , but in an administrative office at the Division of Children , Youth and Families , which oversees the detention centre .
The state would not say whether that role involved work with children .
He went out on leave again July 23 , a day after two former counsellors at the centre were indicted on dozens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the state attorney general ’ s office announced a broad criminal investigation into the centre ’ s staff and operations from 1990 to 2000 .
Kate Spiner , a spokeswoman for the office of Attorney General Gordon MacDonald , confirmed Woodlock ’ s employment status and said he is among the defendants in a class-action lawsuit filed Jan. 11 that alleges decades of abuse at the facility .
The state is “ undertaking a full-scale investigation to ensure justice is served , “ Gov .
Chris Sununu told the AP .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibit us from talking about individual cases , the Attorney General has assured me the Department of Justice will leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of every single allegation , “ Sununu , a Republican , said in an email .
It ’ s unclear when Woodlock left the Youth Development Center job and became a juvenile probation and parole officer , but publicly available payroll records indicate he has been in the latter position since at least 2009 .
Five years ago , he was among six state workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leadership and Service in Juvenile Justice.
“ But that ’ s not how Meehan remembers him .
Meehan , who spent four years at the centre starting in 1995 when he was 14 , alleges that Woodlock participated in beating him , held him down during rapes and told him he had “ simply misunderstood events ” when he spoke up during a group counselling session .
“ It is frightening to know that this man has been continuously employed by the state and working with this vulnerable population of children since Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Meehan ’ s attorney , Rus Rilee .
Meehan , now 38 , is the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit targeting Woodlock , the two former counsellors facing criminal charges , three other former workers , the detention centre itself and the agencies overseeing it .
His attorneys represent 35 other men and women who say they were the abused as children by male and female staffers from 1982 to 2014 .
Rilee declined to say whether their allegations also involve Woodlock .
“ Any allegations made by my other clients against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal investigation , “ he said .
The centre , established in the 1850s as a “ house of reformation , ” is now called the Sununu Youth Services Center , after former Gov .
John H. Sununu , father of the current governor .
Though its population has dropped to about 30 residents in recent years , it once held upward of 100 children and has come under regular scrutiny over the years .
A lawsuit alleging overcrowding in the 1980s led to rules requiring youths to be released before completing their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for new residents .
In the mid-1990s , the centre paid thousands of dollars in fines for violating the terms of that settlement .
In 2000 and 2001 , the Division of Children , Youth and Families spent seven months investigating 25 complaints of abuse and neglect at the centre , including a boy who said he lost the tip of his finger when staff members slammed a door on it and others who accused staff members of wrapping boys ’ heads in towels and slamming them against pool tables .
It concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cases .
Former Rep. Patricia Dowling , who led the House Children and Family Committee , remembers the allegations of physical abuse , including a staffer putting a hard ball in a sock and using it to hit a teenager .
“ I never heard the word sexual abuse .
I heard physical abuse , mental abuse , but never , ever sexual abuse , ” said Dowling , a Republican from Derry .
Joe Diament , who served as commissioner of the Department of Youth and Development Services from 2001 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous leaders had good intentions but were running the facility like an adult prison .
He abolished practices such as having the teens wear orange clothing like adult prisoners and handcuffing them when they moved between buildings , and he oversaw efforts to redesign the facility .
Acknowledging there was “ a little too much manhandling ” by staff before he took over , he said the number of complaints about physical violence dropped after he made it very clear he wouldn ’ t tolerate it .
“ It ’ s certainly not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over time , but it ’ s an awfully long period of time and it looks like someone ’ s just casting a wide net , ” he said in a phone interview .
“ I ’ m not saying it didn ’ t happen , but during my tenure none of those concerns came to my desk .
And none of them appeared in the system we set up with an ombudsman.
” More recently , the Disability Rights Center , an advocacy group , has conducted investigations into the use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2018 , it alleged that staff at the centre routinely violated state law in using dangerous face-down restraint methods , including breaking the arm of a 14-year-old boy with severe anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder .
State officials called those allegations unfounded and irresponsible , but they ring true to Michael Sanborn , of Claremont , who had a 14-year-old foster son who was sent to the Youth Development Center in 1999 .
He never heard any allegations of sexual abuse but remembers typing up a list of 18 incidents he witnessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son that would have cost him his foster care license .
“ Whenever they went into the rooms to search them , they used to have to face the wall , and if you turned around — my guy was a nervous kid — as soon as he did they ’ d slam him against the wall , ” Sanborn said in a phone interview .
Boys who were locked in their rooms urinated out the windows when they weren ’ t allowed to use the bathroom .
During one visit , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If they give them pants , they ’ ll run away , ” he said his son told him .
Sanborn has lost touch with his former foster son , but not the memories of his mistreatment .
“ You ’ ve touched on some anger that will never go away , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Rhode Island governor backs Michael Bloomberg for president

PROVIDENCE , R.I. - Billionaire presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg snagged his first endorsement from a governor on Wednesday , as Rhode Island Gov .
Gina Raimondo called him the right leader to take on President Donald Trump .
Raimondo , a longtime political ally of Bloomberg ’ s , was due to appear with him at a morning event in Providence to officially endorse him , the Bloomberg campaign told The Associated Press .
Raimondo will also act as a national campaign co-chair .
“ Mike is a problem-solver with a long track record of delivering results , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , ” Raimondo said in a written statement provided by the campaign .
“ From fighting gun violence , to addressing climate change , to combating the opioid crisis and more , Mike understands the issues that impact our lives every day .
We can not risk another four years of President Trump ’ s destructive policies , and I know that Mike is the right leader to take him on.
” Raimondo was among the prominent Democrats to whom Bloomberg ’ s team reached out before the news broke in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House run .
At the time , she was head of the Democratic Governors Association and held back from endorsing him , but she praised his record and called him a friend .
The two have known each other since 2010 , when Bloomberg was the independent mayor of New York City and Raimondo first ran for public office to be general treasurer .
Raimondo , a former venture capitalist , called Bloomberg her political idol during that campaign .
Later , Bloomberg backed Raimondo ’ s gubernatorial aspirations when she ran and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s first female governor .
She told The Providence Journal in December that Bloomberg ’ s candidacy was “ a long shot ” and that “ it is a hard time in this age of income inequality for a Democrat to be a billionaire.
” But she also praised Bloomberg ’ s record and called him “ the American dream , ” having grown up the son of a bookkeeper in a suburb of Boston .
Bloomberg launched his campaign in late November , saying he wanted to “ defeat Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game.
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Michelle R. Smith - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Afghan media outlets protest curtailed access to information

KABUL - An Afghan media watchdog urged the government on Wednesday to heed a demand for more media freedoms after 30 local media outlets said in a joint statement that authorities were increasingly curtailing their access to information .
Sayed Ikram Afzali , the head of Integrity Watch Afghanistan , said there is a good law in place guaranteeing the media ’ s ability to work and access information but that the government has failed to provide enough funding and institutional support to implement the law .
The joint media statement , unveiled at a protest rally in Kabul on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relentless violence across the country .
Afghan forces , backed by U.S. allies , continue to fight the Taliban , who today control or hold sway over nearly half of Afghanistan .
The Taliban stage near-daily attacks targeting government forces and officials , as well as those seen loyal to the government , and scores of civilians get killed in the crossfire , as well as in anti-Taliban operations by the Afghan forces .
The U.N. has called for all sides in the protracted conflict to take better care to avoid civilian casualties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaged in on-again-off-again talks with the Taliban , led by U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad , to find a negotiated end to Afghanistan ’ s 18-year war that would allow the U.S. to bring home about 13,000 American soldiers .
“ Throughout my tenure as the chief information commissioner , I have witnessed the media ’ s access to information being restricted by key government institutions , ” said Afzali .
“ Unfortunately , the trend continues.
“ Abdul Mujeeb Khalvatgar , head of the Nai Supporting Open Media group , said that access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last five years and that the situation is now critical .
“ If there is no access to information , then the nature of the media as a tool of freedom of expression will vanish , “ he said .
Even as authorities concur that access to information remains a pervasive challenge for Afghanistan , they justify existing limitations by the persistent dangers and violence the country faces and warn that a return of the Taliban regime could do away with many hard-won freedoms .
Afghanistan is among the most dangerous countries in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee reported that five journalists were killed in 2019 in the country .
The year before , 17 journalist and media workers were killed in Afghanistan , when a total of 121 cases of violence against journalists and media workers were reported .
“ There will be no set-back in our freedom , our gains in freedoms and women ’ s rights are irreversible .
They have been our red-lines in our talks with the Taliban , ” Sediq Sediqqi , spokesman for Afghan President Asharf Ghani , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , saying also that a joint government-media commission and a trust fund for journalists have been created in the past years .
Tuesday ’ s statement by the 30 media outlets said they were “ deeply concerned about the deterioration in access to government-related information in Afghanistan , ” and called on the international community and the government to protect the free flow of information .
The media groups said all Kabul government institutions have shortcomings when it comes to providing access to information but they singled out the Supreme Court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Directorate of Security Directorate as the worst offenders .
Also , the Ministry of Finance , the Central Bank and the Ministry of Defence were high on the same list .
The media protest took place in front of the Ministry of Information and Culture where the government had promised to build a monument to slain journalists three year ago .
Work on the monument has yet to start .
U.S. Chargé d ’ Affaires Ross Wilson urged the Afghan government to “ work with the press to make Afghan democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resource of any free and open society , “ Wilson said .
During an attack in April 2018 , nine journalists who rushed to the scene of an explosion in Kabul were killed by a second suicide bomber who waited .
A tenth journalist was killed the same day , shot in eastern Khost province .
Associated Press writer Tameem Akhgar in Kabul , Afghanistan , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Siemens earnings dip on weakness in autos, energy industries

BERLIN - Orders and earnings at industrial conglomerate Siemens were lower than a year earlier in the October-December period , the company said Wednesday , weighed down by weaker performances in the auto and energy sectors .
Siemens said orders for the period , its fiscal first quarter , were down 2 % at 24.76 billion euros ( $ 27.4 billion ) .
Net profit declined 3 % to 1.09 billion euros .
It pointed to “ sharply lower large volume from large orders ” at its mobility business and a similar issue with the gas and power business .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion euros .
The Munich-based company confirmed its full-year outlook for “ moderate growth in comparable revenue , net of currency translation and portfolio effects.
” CEO Joe Kaeser said that “ after a powerful finish in fiscal 2019 , the first quarter started slowly as expected.
” He said that “ the weak performance across our energy businesses reinforces our priorities , ” with the company planning to carve out its gas and power division and add its 59 % stake in Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy to create a new entity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off before the end end of the fiscal year .
As Siemens held its annual shareholder meeting in Munich on Wednesday , protesters outside the venue demonstrated against the company ’ s decision to stand by a contract linked to a coal mine in Australia that climate activists had called for it to drop .
Siemens on Dec. 10 signed the contract to supply signalling systems for a rail link between the Carmichael coal mine and a port .
The vast mine is owned by Indian company Adani , and the contract is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kaeser said last month , after promising to review Siemens ’ participation , that he had concluded the contract had to go ahead .
“ You can ’ t win with such issues , because the aspiration many people have ... is legitimate , “ Kaeser said Wednesday .
“ But an aspiration alone does not create solutions.
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thetorontostar--2020-02-05--The Latest: Hong Kong to quarantine people from mainland

BEIJING - The Latest on a virus outbreak that began in China ( all times local ) : Hong Kong ’ s leader says all people entering the semi-autonomous territory from the mainland , including Hong Kong residents , will be required to undergo 14 days of quarantine because of the outbreak of a new virus .
Carrie Lam said the measure will take effect on Saturday to allow Hong Kong day travellers to make necessary arrangements .
She also said two cruise terminals — including one where a cruise ship is currently under quarantine — will be shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more quarantine facilities in addition to three current camps .
Lam said the government has been vigilant and isn ’ t shying away from introducing stringent measures to stem the spread of the virus .
Thousands of medical workers have gone on strike in the territory to demand that the border with the mainland be completely shut , but the city government has kept two crossings open , in part to allow food from the mainland to enter .
Lam said she remains optimistic that the city can overcome the epidemic but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our differences and get our act together.
” Russia and Uzbekistan have evacuated hundreds of people from China , most of them from the epicenter of a viral outbreak in the city of Wuhan .
All evacuees will be quarantined for 14 days .
In Russia , two military planes with a total of 144 people — Russians and nationals of Belarus , Ukraine and Armenia — landed in Tyumen on Wednesday .
The Defence Ministry says none of the evacuees has shown signs of being infected with the virus .
Russia has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese nationals who are hospitalized in two different regions of Siberia .
Uzbekistan evacuated 250 nationals from Beijing on Tuesday and another 84 from Wuhan on Wednesday .
Uzbekistan hasn ’ t reported any cases of the new virus so far .
A Hong Kong official says about 3,600 people on board a cruise ship that was turned away from a Taiwanese port will be quarantined until they are checked for a new virus .
The World Dream ship , operated by Genting Cruise Lines , was refused entry at Kaohsiung port on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voyage were later diagnosed with the new coronavirus .
Port health official Leung Yiu Hong says 90 % of current passengers are from Hong Kong and no one is from mainland China .
He says more than 30 crew members with symptoms such as fever , cough or sore throat will undergo tests .
Leung said everyone will undergo temperature screening and must fill in a health declaration form .
They won ’ t be allowed to leave until the tests are done .
Leung said the length of the quarantine or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health tests .
This item corrects the number of passengers and crew .
A charter flight carrying New Zealanders home from Wuhan has landed in Auckland .
On board are 190 passengers evacuated from the Chinese city at the centre of the virus outbreak .
They include 98 New Zealand citizens or residents , 35 Australian citizens or residents , and others from Pacific nations including Papua New Guinea , East Timor and Samoa .
Most of the passengers will be taken by bus to a military facility where they will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Australians are to be transferred directly onto another flight .
Also on board are eight British , one Dutch and 1 Uzbek .
There are no confirmed cases in New Zealand .
A plane from Thailand also flew back home 138 Thais home from Wuhan .
Officials in hazmat suits greeted the passengers at U-Tapao airport and took them to a navy compound where they will be quarantined for 14 days .
Health officials in Thailand have confirmed six more cases for a total of 25 .


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Turkey demands Syrian army exit rebel areas, threatens force

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkey ’ s president threatened Wednesday to use force against Syrian government forces if they don ’ t pull back to an earlier cease-fire line in northern Syria by the end of the month .
Recep Tayyip Erdogan ’ s remarks to members of his ruling party followed rare direct clashes Monday between Turkish and Syrian troops inside Syria , which killed several Turkish and Syrian personnel .
Syrian President Bashar Assad ’ s forces have been advancing deeper into the northwestern province of Idlib , the country ’ s last rebel stronghold , since December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the rebels — has a dozen military observation posts in Idlib province , which borders Turkey .
“ If the ( Assad ) regime does not retreat to areas behind the observations posts , Turkey will be forced to take matters into its own hands , ” Erdogan said .
He said two of the Turkish observation posts are now behind Syrian lines .
The observation posts were set up as part of an agreement reached in 2018 with Russia — a main supporter of Assad — to monitor a cease-fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the Syrian forces must retreat during a late-night phone call on Tuesday .
“ This is a new era in Syria .
Nothing can remain the same where the Turkish soldier ’ s blood has been shed , ” he said , in reference to Monday ’ s deadly clashes .
“ If our soldiers ’ safety can not be ensured in Idlib , no one can deny our right to ensure it ourselves , ” he said .
Shelling by Syrian government forces killed seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the Turkish retaliation killed at least 13 Syrian troops .
Erdogan also called for the withdrawal of Syrian Kurdish forces from regions near Turkey ’ s border .
He threatened to resume a Turkish military offensive that was launched into northern Syria last year against Kurdish militias there .
Turkey regards the U.S.-allied Kurdish forces as terrorists because of their links to Kurdish insurgents across the border in Turkey .
But the Kurdish-led forces inside Syria had also partnered with the U.S. as a valuable ally against the Islamic State group .


thetorontostar--2020-02-05--2 suspected rebels, India soldier killed in Kashmir fighting

SRINAGAR , India - Two suspected rebels and an Indian paramilitary soldier were killed in brief fighting in disputed Kashmir on Wednesday , officials said .
Government forces detained a suspected militant after the fighting .
Paramilitary officer Pankaj Singh said three militants arrived on a motorbike and fired at a patrol party on the outskirts of Kashmir ’ s main city of Srinagar .
Singh said the soldiers gunned down two of the militants .
The third militant tried to escape and was caught after a chase , he said .
The officer said soldiers recovered a pistol and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shootout .
There was no independent confirmation of the incident .
India and Pakistan each claim the divided Himalayan territory of Kashmir in its entirety .
India accuses Pakistan of arming and training the rebels , a charge denied by Islamabad .
Rebels have been fighting Indian control since 1989 .
Most Kashmiris support the rebels ’ demand that the territory be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country , while also participating in civilian street protests against Indian control .
About 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-05--UK investigates after ex-PM bodyguard leaves gun on plane

London ’ s Metropolitan Police are investigating after former Prime Minister David Cameron ’ s bodyguard reportedly left his gun @ @ @ @ @ The Daily Mail newspaper reported that the weapon found on a trans-Atlantic flight was handed @ @ @ @ @ Sun reported that passports belonging to Cameron and the officer were also found .
Police @ @ @ @ @ the matter that took place Monday and that the officer involved has since been removed @ @ @ @ @ We are taking this matter extremely seriously and an internal investigation is taking place , @ @ @ @ @ statement .
As a former British prime minister , Cameron is entitled to security provided @ @ @ @ @ .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-05--Israel hits Hamas targets in Gaza after renewed rocket fire

JERUSALEM - Israel struck Hamas militant targets in Gaza early Wednesday in response to rocket fire toward Israeli communities overnight , the military said , the latest flare-up following the release of the Trump administration ’ s Mideast plan , which the Palestinians have fiercely rejected .
The military said it targeted a Hamas weapons manufacturing site ; no casualties were reported in Gaza .
The exchange comes amid an uptick in cross-border rocket and “ explosive balloon ” launches from the Hamas-controlled territory , as well as violent protests in the West Bank .
The Gaza Strip has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an informal truce between its Hamas rulers and Israel , but tension has increased since President Donald Trump unrolled his favourable plan for Israel last week .
Under the plan , Israel would be allowed to annex all Jewish settlements in the West Bank , as well as the strategic Jordan Valley .
The Palestinians were offered limited self-rule in Gaza , parts of the West Bank and some sparsely populated areas of Israel in return for meeting a long list of conditions .
The Palestinians , as well as much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the West Bank and annexed east Jerusalem — territories seized by Israel in the 1967 war — as illegal and a major obstacle to peace .
Hamas had recently curbed rocket fire from Gaza and rolled back weekly protests along the frontier that had often turned violent .
In return , Israel eased the blockade it imposed with Egypt on Gaza after the Islamic militant group seized power from forces loyal to the Palestinian Authority in 2007 .
Hamas rejected the Trump plan and vowed that “ all options are open ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group is not believed to be seeking another war with Israel .
In the West Bank , Palestinians have held scattered protests in recent days condemning the Trump initiative , burning U.S. and Israeli flags and posters of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu .
Firebombs have been hurled at Israeli troops , with one exploding on a solider , who was only lightly wounded .
The Israeli military has thus far instructed its troops to “ contain ” the protests and not respond forcefully , for fear that any Palestinian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Following the latest rocket fire , the military said it viewed the incident with “ great severity and is prepared for various scenarios.
” Also Wednesday , the Palestinian Authority announced it has stopped importing Israeli vegetables , fruits , beverages and mineral water — the latest step in a brewing trade war with Israel that began in September , when the Palestinians decided to stop importing beef from Israel .
The P.A .
claimed most of the 120,000 heads of cattle the Palestinians import monthly from Israel was itself imported and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abroad .
However , the Palestinians are likely trying to detach their economy from dependence on Israel .
Shortly after the September announcement , Israeli cattle ranchers saw a drop in their market and pressured Israeli authorities to take action .
Defence Minister Naftali Bennett retaliated with a counter ban on Palestinian beef and other products , triggering the Palestinians to expand their boycott as well .
The Palestinian minister of economy , Khaled al-Osaily , said the latest decision was meant to pressure Israel into revoking its ban on importing vegetables .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Israel some $ 300 million worth of fruits and vegetables while exporting only $ 55 million .
“ We told them this decision has come as a response to the Israeli decision and will be revoked the moment they ( Israelis ) back off , ” al-Osaily said .
“ We have chosen these products since we have an alternative or we can live without them.
” Associated Press writer Mohammed Daraghmeh in Ramallah , West Bank , contributed to this report .