thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Saudi Arabia executes man who attacked Spanish performers

RIYADH , Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia on Thursday executed a Yemeni man found guilty of attacking a Spanish dance troupe and wounding three people on stage before a stunned audience in the capital last year .
The Interior Ministry announced the execution in a statement and identified the man as 33-year-old Yemeni national Emad Abdelqawi al-Mansouri .
He was sentenced to death in late December , a swift six weeks after the attack in Riyadh in mid-November .
The troupe from Spain had been performing at a park in Riyadh on the evening of Nov. 11 when a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a knife .
It marked the first such incidence of violence since the kingdom began loosening restrictions on entertainment around two years ago .
The Specialized Criminal Court , established to try terrorism cases in Riyadh , found al-Mansouri guilty on a number of charges , including stabbing performers and a security guard , intimidating the public , tampering with national security , creating chaos and terror and attempting to derail entertainment activities in Saudi Arabia .
The court also found the man guilty of acting on the orders of a senior al-Qaida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the alleged al-Qaida leader was not made public .
The court ruled that a second suspect , who was not identified , be sentenced to 12.5 years in prison .
He was found guilty of aiding and abetting the attacker and sending money to al-Qaida in Yemen .
State-owned news media outlets aired footage the night of the attack showing security as they ran on stage to capture the suspect .
Other state-linked media outlets shared footage online of a man running on stage and apparently attacking the performers from behind as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performed a dance .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-16--UK set to extend lockdown amid signs outbreak nearing peak

LONDON - The U.K. government was poised Thursday to extend a nationwide lockdown for several more weeks , as health officials said Britain ’ s coronavirus outbreak — one of Europe ’ s worst — is nearing its peak .
Authorities were expected to announce an extension of restrictions on movement and business activity after a meeting of the government ’ s crisis committee , COBRA .
Before the official announcement , British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said “ it is too early to make a change ” to the lockdown the government ordered on March 23 to slow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pubs , restaurants and most shops are closed , and most people are allowed to leave home only for essential errands or exercise .
“ I understand those who are calling for an end to the lockdown or some kind of exit strategy to start now , but I think it ’ s just too early for that , ” Hancock said .
As of Wednesday , 12,868 people had died in U.K. hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus .
The figure does not include deaths in nursing homes and other settings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.K. is “ probably reaching the peak overall ” but that officials are “ not yet at the point where we can say confidently and safely this is now past the peak.
” For now , extending the lockdown has wide public and political support .
But as other European countries cautiously ease their restrictions , Britain ’ s Conservative government faces pressure to explain when and how the country will reopen .
“ We agree the measures need to remain in place , but to maintain morale and hope , people need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Keir Starmer , leader of the opposition Labour Party .
“ The silent pressures on communities across the country can not be underestimated.
” The government ’ s response to the pandemic has been complicated by the absence of Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who has not returned to work after spending a week in a London hospital being treated for COVID-19 , including three nights in intensive care .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is filling in while Johnson recuperates , but the government is wary of making big decisions until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have accused U.K. officials of unnecessary secrecy .
The government ’ s decisions on virus measures are based on advice from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies , a panel of scientists whose full membership list has not been made public .
The government cited security reasons for not divulging the information .
One of the group ’ s members , epidemiologist Neil Ferguson , said “ significant ” social distancing will have to be maintained until there is a vaccine for the coronavirus — a development that could be over a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also require vastly expanded testing for the virus , so that people who are ill , and their contacts , can be isolated or quarantined .
Ferguson said that without broad testing , “ our estimates show we have relatively little leeway.
” “ If we relax measures too much then we ’ ll see a resurgence of transmission , ” he told the BBC .
“ What we really need is the ability to put something in their place .
If we want to open schools , let people get back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmission down in another manner.
” Britain ’ s government has been criticized over many aspects of its response to the pandemic , including a limited amount of testing and delays in getting protective equipment to medics and care workers .
The government insists it is rectifying those mistakes .
It has vowed to conduct 100,000 tests a day by the end of April -- a more than five-fold increase on current rates .
The government also is accused of neglecting staff nursing home employees and residents .
Virus-related deaths at nursing homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not included in the government ’ s daily tallies , although the total number is released separately once a week .
In the latest release , 10 % of all deaths involving COVID-19 occurred outside hospitals , a figure that is expected to grow .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

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thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Police: Officer wounded, suspect killed in Missouri shooting

JEFFERSON CITY , Mo .
- An officer has fatally shot a person who shot and wounded another officer following a police chase in Missouri , authorities said Thursday .
The wounded Jefferson City officer , who was wearing a protective vest , was shot in the chest and was in stable condition after being taken to a hospital , police said in a news release .
The pursuit started about 10:20 p.m. Wednesday after Jefferson City officers investigating a weapons offence tried to stop a vehicle in connection with previous shootings , and the driver of the vehicle wouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got out of the vehicle and fled on foot .
According to a preliminary investigation , officers pursued them into a wooded area and during a struggle one of the people fired at officers , wounding one of them .
Another officer returned fire , killing the person , police said .
The second person hid in the wooded area and was later taken into custody .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-16--China denies US allegations it’s testing nuclear weapons

BEIJING - China on Thursday denied allegations in a U.S. State Department report that it was secretly testing nuclear weapons in violation of its international obligations .
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing that the allegations about Chinese nuclear testing in the department ’ s Nuclear Compliance Report were “ totally unfounded countercharges that confuse right and wrong.
” “ China has always performed its international obligations and commitments in a responsible manner , firmly upheld multilateralism , and actively carried out international co-operation , ” Zhao said .
“ The U.S. accusation against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is totally unfounded and not worth refuting.
” The 2020 Compliance Report issued Wednesday accused China of failing to adhere to its non-proliferation commitments and suspend nuclear testing by maintaining a “ high level of activity ” last year at its Lop Nur test site in the far northwestern region of Xinjiang .
China has pledged not to test nuclear weapons , but like the U.S. and several other nations has yet to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty .
China is an acknowledged nuclear power but claims it possesses only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintained by the U.S. and Russia .
Zhao on Thursday pointed to the U.S. withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and other agreements as grounds for discounting Washington ’ s accusations .
China , in contrast , has “ made important contributions to upholding the international arms control and non-proliferation regime , as well as safeguarding international peace and security , ” Zhao said .
He also said the U.S. had yet to destroy its stock of chemical weapons and was continuously bolstering its armed forces in a manner that “ undermines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obstructed the process of international arms control and disarmament.
” “ So , it is not qualified to be a judge or referee in this regard , ” Zhao said .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Some leaders use pandemic to sharpen tools against critics

BANGKOK - Health concerns were on artist Danai Ussama ’ s mind when he returned to Thailand last month from a trip to Spain .
He noticed that he and his fellow passengers did not go through medical checks after arriving at Bangkok ’ s airport , and thought it worth noting on his Facebook page .
The airport authorities denied it , lodged a complaint with police , and he was arrested at his gallery in Phuket for violating the Computer Crime Act by allegedly posting false information — an offence punishable by up to five years ’ imprisonment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 3,000 ) .
Danai told The Associated Press that his Facebook post , though public , was really meant just for a small circle of 40 to 50 people .
Instead it went viral .
He believes the government is afraid its opponents would use his observation as proof it was failing the fight against the coronavirus , and acted against him as a warning to others .
As governments across the world enact emergency measures to keep people at home and stave off the pandemic , some are unhappy about having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage of the crisis to silence critics and tighten control .
“ COVID-19 poses significant threats to government and regime security as it has the potential to expose poor governance and lack of transparency on issues that affect every citizen in a given country , ” said Aim Sinpeng , an assistant professor of political science at the University of Sydney .
“ As the pandemic is a global issue and is constantly on the news around the world , governments have a harder time controlling messages to the public without exposing how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other countries around the world , ” she said in an email interview .
In Cambodia , where Prime Minister Hun Sen has been in power for 35 years , human rights group LICADHO has documented 24 cases of people being detained for sharing information about the coronavirus .
They include four supporters of the dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party .
Human Rights Watch also reported the arrest and questioning of a 14-year-old who expressed fears on social media about rumours of positive COVID-19 cases at her school and in her province @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safeguard the girl ’ s privacy .
Hungary ’ s Prime Minister Viktor Orban may have been the most adroit at exploiting the health crisis .
His country ’ s Parliament granted him the power to rule indefinitely by decree , unencumbered by existing laws or judicial or parliamentary restraints .
One aspect of the law ostensibly passed to cope with the coronavirus calls for prison terms of up to five years for those convicted of spreading falsehoods or distorted facts during the emergency .
“ The global health problems caused by COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s health and lives , ” acknowledged Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic .
“ This includes combating disinformation that may cause panic and social unrest.
” But she said , “ regrettably some governments are using this imperative as a pretext to introduce disproportionate restrictions to press freedom .
This is a counterproductive approach that must stop .
Particularly in times of crisis , we need to protect our precious liberties and rights.
” Lawmakers in the Philippines last month passed special legislation giving President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutal war on drugs that has left thousands dead , has been fiercely belligerent toward critics .
The new law makes “ spreading false information regarding the COVID-19 crisis on social media and other platforms ” a criminal offence punishable by up to two months in jail and fines of up to 1 million pesos ( $ 19,500 ) .
At least two reporters have been charged by police with spreading false information about the crisis .
“ It is feared that Duterte will use his increased authority to quell dissent and further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Aries Arugay , associate professor of political science at the University of the Philippines .
Egypt expelled a correspondent for the British newspaper The Guardian over a report citing a study that challenged the official count of coronavirus cases .
Iraq suspended the operations of the Reuters news agency for three months and imposed a fine of about $ 20,800 for reporting that the actual number of infections and deaths was vastly more than the government acknowledged .
Reuters stood by its story .
In Serbia , police briefly detained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lack of protective equipment and “ chaotic ” conditions at a large hospital complex .
The clinical centre said her article “ disturbed the public and hurt the image of the health organization.
” The government also closed its daily coronavirus news conferences for journalists , asking them to send their questions by email .
It said it ’ s meant to stop the spread of the virus but rights groups and independent media decried it as a form of censorship .
A state of emergency invoked in late March gives Thailand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers to fight COVID-19 , including censoring the media .
More than a dozen people in Thailand are reported to have been arrested on charges related to spreading coronavirus misinformation .
Thailand ’ s top public health experts deserve credit for their sincere efforts to counter misinformation , said Joel Selway , an associate professor of political science at Brigham Young University , who has published a book on politics and health policy in developing countries .
“ This doesn ’ t mean that the Prayuth-led government would not also take advantage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
Artist Danai , who said he will contest the charge against him , admits to regrets over writing his Facebook post about his airport arrival .
“ If I had known that I would be in so much trouble like this , I wouldn ’ t have written it.
” he said .
“ I have never been arrested nor gone to court before .
I was handcuffed and slept overnight in a police station cell .
I was devastated , actually .
It affects my family and myself .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have wanted to write it anyway.
” Associated Press correspondents Pablo Gorondi in Budapest , Hungary ; Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade , Serbia ; Sopheng Cheang in Phnom Penh , Cambodia ; Busaba Sivasomboon in Bangkok , and Jim Gomez in Manila , Philippines , contributed to this report .

Grant Peck And Preeyapa T. Khunsong - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Israeli president asks parliament to choose prime minister

JERUSALEM - Israel ’ s president Thursday asked the Knesset to choose a new prime minister , giving parliament three weeks to agree upon a leader or plunge the country into an unprecedented fourth consecutive election in just over a year .
President Reuven Rivlin made the move after his prime minister-designate , former military chief Benny Gantz , and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to reach a power-sharing deal by a midnight deadline .
The bitter rivals had pledged to form an “ emergency ” government to steer the country through the coronavirus crisis , which has ravaged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But after weeks of talks , including a final 48-hour extension granted by Rivlin , the president said he had lost confidence in their chances of striking a deal .
“ I am informing you that I do not see the possibility of forming a government and I entrust the formation of a government to the Knesset , ” he wrote in a letter to parliament .
“ I hope that the Knesset members will be able to form a majority in such a way that a government can be formed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth round of elections.
” The decision by the president , a figurehead position that oversees post-election coalition talks , does not rule out a deal between Netanyahu and Gantz .
After the deadline passed , Netanyahu ’ s Likud and Gantz ’ s Blue and White said they would continue their negotiations Thursday .
Netanyahu also said he had invited Gantz to another meeting in the evening .
They now have a final three-week deadline to wrap up a deal .
Otherwise , the Knesset would dissolve and trigger another election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leverage .
With Gantz no longer holding the presidential “ mandate ” to put together a coalition , Netanyahu could search for other options .
A total of 59 lawmakers have endorsed Netanyahu , leaving him just shy of a majority in the 120-seat parliament .
While continuing to speak to Gantz , he may also try to lure two lawmakers from his opposition in hopes of putting together a narrow government .
The Knesset could hypothetically choose a third candidate as prime minister .
But there do not seem to be any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of 61 lawmakers .
A deal between Gantz and Netanyahu would require major compromise by both men .
During three bitter campaigns over the past year , Gantz vowed never to serve in a government under Netanyahu , who has been indicted on a slew of corruption charges .
The long-serving Netanyahu , meanwhile , would likely be forced to step aside halfway through the term and allow Gantz to serve as prime minister in a rotating power-sharing deal .
Last month ’ s election , just like campaigns last September and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But with a slight majority of lawmakers endorsing him , Gantz was given the first shot at building a coalition .
Although his backers are deeply divided , they were united in their animosity toward Netanyahu , and he began to move forward with legislation that would have disqualified the indicted Netanyahu from serving as prime minister in the future .
But with the virus crisis worsening , and his own shaky alliance fraying , Gantz made an about-face late last month and accepted an offer from Netanyahu to pursue a joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The move drew heavy criticism from Gantz ’ s supporters and caused his Blue and White alliance to crumble , leaving him with a faction of only about half its original size .
Israel has reported over 12,500 cases and at least 130 deaths from the outbreak .
Netanyahu and Gantz appeared close to a rotation deal last week .
But negotiations stalled , reportedly over a demand by Netanyahu to have more influence over judicial appointments .
Netanyahu is awaiting trial on charges of bribery , breach of trust and fraud .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself as a victim of a media and judicial witch hunt .
After three nasty campaigns , plenty of distrust and bad blood remain .
Despite his calls for unity , Netanyahu may actually be angling for another election to capitalize on what has generally been regarded as his capable handling of the coronavirus crisis .
A poll published late Monday on Channel 12 TV showed Netanyahu ’ s Likud surging in support and easily securing him re-election .
It also would allow him to remain in the prime minister ’ s post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight his looming trial .
Citing the coronavirus crisis , Netanyahu ’ s hand-picked justice minister has already delayed the trial by shuttering most of the court system .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Bangladesh rescues 382 Rohingya drifting at sea for weeks

DHAKA , Bangladesh - Bangladesh ’ s coast guard has rescued 382 starving Rohingya refugees who had been drifting at sea for weeks after failing to reach Malaysia , officials said Thursday .
The U.N. refugee agency received them from the authorities , UNHCR said in a statement .
The refugees , mostly women and children , were attempting to land on Bangladesh ’ s coast in the Teknaf area in Cox ’ s Bazar late Wednesday night , said Lt. Cmdr .
M. Sohel Rana , the local head of the coast guard .
Officials gave varying accounts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who are living in refugee camps in Bangladesh after fleeing ethnic and religious violence in Myanmar .
Rana said the refugees started their journey for Malaysia about two months ago and had been drifting at sea for weeks .
“ They failed to reach Malaysia and returned , ” he said .
A.B.M .
Masud Hossain , police superintendent in Cox ’ s Bazar , said the refugees were lured by traffickers and the owner of the boat was a Myanmar Buddhist .
Others said the rescued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence official who talked to at least 10 refugees at the scene said they came from camps in Cox ’ s Bazar .
He spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media .
The official said that the boat had attempted to land in Malaysia at least seven times .
He said one refugee told him that several people had died on the journey .
Local media reported that up to 28 people died but officials could not confirm it .
The United News of Bangladesh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of starvation .
The UNHCR could not confirm those reports either .
Spokeswoman Louise Donovan told The Associated Press in an email that the refugees were being transported to designated quarantine facilities , and to receive medical attention .
“ The UNHCR is grateful to the government and local authorities for enabling the safe disembarkation of close to 400 Rohingya refugees from a distress boat near Teknaf overnight , as well as to the local community for their quick action to provide immediate support , ” she said .
“ We understand these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sea for nearly two months in harrowing conditions and that many of them are extremely malnourished and dehydrated .
Our primary concern is for people ’ s immediate health and first aid needs , ” she said .
She said they would enter a 14-day quarantine as a precaution against the coronavirus .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists begin prisoner swap

KYIV , Ukraine - Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine began a prisoner exchange on Thursday , according to the Ukrainian president ’ s office and separatists .
The exchange comes as part of an agreement brokered last year at a summit of the leaders of Ukraine , Russia , Germany and France .
The aim is to take confidence-building steps that could lead to an end of the six-year war in eastern Ukraine , which has killed more than 14,000 people and aggravated tensions between Russia and the West .
Ukraine hopes to take back 19 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two separatist entities in the rebel-controlled east , according to a statement from the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy .
It was not immediately clear how many rebels would be released in total .
It was the third prisoner exchange since Zelenskiy was elected in a landslide last year on promises of ending the conflict , which began in 2014 .
“ The current exchange demonstrates the effectiveness of the president ’ s strategy and compliance with the agreements reached at the summit , ” the statement read .
Separatist officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they turned over nine Ukrainians on Thursday in exchange for 10 rebels .
They said one more rebel refused to return to rebel-controlled Donetsk .
Another exchange , with the self-proclaimed Luhansk People ’ s Republic , is scheduled for Thursday afternoon .
The last major prisoner swap between separatist rebels and Ukrainian forces took place in December 2019 , with the two sides exchanging 124 rebels for 76 Ukrainians .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Trump says new guidelines aim to lift some restrictions

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said he ’ s prepared to announce new guidelines allowing some states to quickly ease up on social distancing even as business leaders told him they need more coronavirus testing and personal protective equipment before people can safely go back to work .
The industry executives cautioned Trump that the return to normalcy will be anything but swift .
The new guidelines , expected to be announced Thursday , are aimed at clearing the way for an easing of restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus , while keeping them in place in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain with governors .
“ We ’ ll be opening some states much sooner than others , ” Trump said Wednesday .
But in a round of calls with business leaders earlier in the day , Trump was warned that a dramatic increasing in testing and wider availability of protective equipment will be necessary for the safe restoration of their operations .
The new guidelines come as the federal government envisions a gradual recovery from the virus , in which disruptive mitigation measures may be needed in some places at least until a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be reached until next year .
Trump said at his daily briefing that data indicates the U.S. is “ past the peak ” of the COVID-19 epidemic , clearing the way for his plans to roll out guidelines to begin to “ reopen ” the country .
He called the latest data “ encouraging , ” saying the numbers have “ put us in a very strong position to finalize guidelines for states on reopening the country.
” Dr. Deborah Birx , the White House coronavirus task force co-ordinator , added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation “ improving ” but that Americans had to recommit to social distancing to keep up the positive momentum .
She said nine states have fewer than 1,000 cases and just a few dozen new cases per day .
She said those would likely be the first to see a lifting in social distancing restrictions at the direction of their governors under the guidelines set to be released Thursday .
Birx said the White House was particularly concerned about Rhode Island , noting it is now seeing a surge in cases from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several weeks ago from cases from New York .
Trump consulted dozens of high-profile CEOs , union officials and other executives via conference calls Wednesday .
He received a mixed message from the industry leaders .
They , too , said they want to get the economy going but had worries about how to safely do so .
In a tweet midway through Trump ’ s round of conference calls with the executives , the president said the participants were “ all-in on getting America back to work , and soon.
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozens of leading American companies raised concerns about the testing issue , according to one participant who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the private discussion .
Another person who participated in Wednesday ’ s calls said it was stressed to Trump that expansion of testing and contact tracing was crucial , as well as guidelines for best practices on reopening businesses in phases or in one fell swoop .
The participant said those on the call noted to the administration that there was about to be a massive rush on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now shuttered will need the protective equipment to keep their employees and customers safe .
Trump was told “ the economy will look very different and operations will look very different , ” one participant said .
Mark Cuban , the billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks , was among several representatives from major sports leagues to speak with Trump .
During a Fox News Channel interview ahead of the calls , he credited the president with gathering some of the “ best of the best ” to help shape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Still , Cuban did not embrace Trump ’ s push to reopen parts of the economy May 1 .
“ This is such a moving target that I think the biggest mistake we can make is rush to a decision , ” said Cuban , who previously had been critical of Trump ’ s response to the pandemic .
“ But I ’ m going to help him in every way I can , whatever he needs me to do.
” The panel , which Trump dubbed the new Great American Economic Revival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump a measure of cover .
If cases surge once restrictions are lifted , as many experts have warned , Trump will be able to tell the public he didn ’ t act alone and the nation ’ s top minds — from manufacturing to defence to technology — helped shape the plan .
Rich Nolan , president and CEO of the National Mining Association , who participated in one of the calls with Trump , said there was also discussion about tax relief as well as “ making sure that people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe coming back to work.
” “ I think you ’ ll see steps to reopen the country at different rates in different states in the not too distant future , ” Nolan said .
The launch of the council was not without hiccups .
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka didn ’ t know until he heard his name announced in the Rose Garden on Tuesday that he would be part of the advisory group , according to Carolyn Bobb , a spokeswoman for the union .
“ We were not asked , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ just announced.
” Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan said Trump has appointed some “ smart people ” to his task force who could offer state leaders helpful guidelines as they negotiate the way forward .
“ There are certain roles that only the federal government can play and should play , but I think the governors are going to make their own decisions within those recommended guidelines , ” Hogan said .
Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in Washington , Brian Witte in Annapolis , Maryland , and Cathy Bussewitz in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Chicago .

Zeke Miller, Aamer Madhani And Kevin Freking - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Asia Today: Singapore spike, China has 12 new domestic cases

BANGKOK - Foreigners working in Singapore ’ s trade-dependent economy and living in crowded dormitories now account for half of the tiny city-state ’ s virus cases after new infections spiked for a third day .
Its number of coronavirus infections has jumped by 1,167 since Monday .
While successfully managing its first wave of infections , Singapore overlooked its vast population of foreign workers who live in dormitories that typically house up to 20 men sharing kitchens , toilets and other facilities .
Tens of thousands of the workers from Bangladesh , India and other poorer Asian countries are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been moved to alternative sites to reduce crowding .
The 447 new coronavirus cases raise Singapore ’ s total to 3,699 .
The Health Ministry said in a statement late Wednesday that the significant rise in cases among foreign workers was expected partly due to ongoing tests at the dormitories .
About a fifth of total cases were detected in one single dormitory .
The city-state of nearly 6 million people imposed a partial lockdown until May 4 , and made it mandatory for people to wear masks outside of their homes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have died so far from the virus .
In other news around the Asia-Pacific region : — TWELVE NEW DOMESTIC CASES IN CHINA : China reported 46 new virus cases , 34 of them brought from outside the country .
Three new domestic cases were recorded in the capital Beijing , which has been enforcing strict quarantine and social distancing measures .
Four were reported in Heilongjiang province , where a new flare-up has occurred among Chinese citizens crossing the border from Russia .
China has now reported a total of 3,342 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS WHO REVIEW : The Australian foreign minister says she agrees with the U.S. that the World Health Organization needs to be reviewed , but Australia continues to support the agency ’ s valuable work in the Pacific .
President Donald Trump has directed his administration to freeze WHO funding , claiming it didn ’ t deliver adequate early reports on the coronavirus .
Foreign Minister Marise Payne told Seven Network television : “ We share some of the concerns of the United States and I do think there are areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require review .
— PARLIAMENT COULD RETURN TO NORMAL : Australia is planning a business-as-usual week of Parliament in May in an indication that the country is weathering the pandemic better than the government had feared .
Parliament ’ s schedule was scrapped a week into March and a scaled-down assembly has sat on only two days since to pass billions of dollars in emergency economic stimulus measures .
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Thursday he will discuss with the opposition and state leaders arranging for lawmakers to return to Canberra for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obstacles include a shortage of domestic flights and most states demanding interstate travellers quarantine in hotels for two weeks .
— PHILIPPINE HEALTH CHIEF IN TROUBLE : The majority of Philippine senators have demanded the immediate resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III for what they say is his leadership failure , negligence and inefficiency that led to the mishandling of the pandemic .
They say the problem is endangering the lives of health workers and the Filipino people .
The Philippines has the most number of infections in Southeast Asia as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
— SOUTH KOREA ELECTION TURNOUT : South Korea ’ s ruling liberals scored a strong victory in parliamentary elections with the highest turnout in nearly three decades .
Social distancing and other measures were in place at polling booths during Wednesday ’ s vote .
Polls beforehand had indicated public approval for the current government ’ s handling of the outbreak , which including aggressive testing to identify and isolate those infected .
South Korea confirmed 22 new cases , raising the country ’ s total tally to 10,613 with 229 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern began outlining how New Zealand ’ s lockdown might be eased starting next Wednesday .
Primary schools would reopen , but attendance would be voluntary .
Some businesses could reopen , including drive-through and delivery restaurants .
Retail stores would remain closed and large gatherings would still be banned .
Lawmakers will decide Monday whether to proceed with easing the restrictions .
New Zealand reported just 15 new cases , a number that has dropped significantly .
— DEBT FREEZE : The G-20 group of the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nations ’ debt obligations immediately so the poorest nations can focus their spending on healthcare and assistance to vulnerable people to contain the virus and its impacts .
The G-20 did not specify how many countries would benefit , but French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said 76 countries were eligible .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--China, Europe show restarting virus-hit economies not easy

BEIJING - As countries consider how to restart economies that have been halted by the coronavirus , the early experiences in China and parts of Europe show it will be no easy task .
Workers back on the job are wary of spending much or going out .
Shoppers are staying away from the few stores reopening .
Masks and social distancing measures are not fading .
And pervasive is the fear the virus could return if lockdowns meant to stop its spread are eased too much , too quickly .
Still , leaders are anxious to reopen factories , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic damage from the pandemic that has infected more than 2 million people and claimed more than 137,000 lives .
Some Chinese cities tried reassuring consumers by showing officials eating in restaurants .
In the U.S. , people have begun getting relief checks to help them pay the bills .
Rome ’ s streets were largely deserted despite some stores reopening .
In Vienna , clothing store owner Marie Froehlich said her staff was happy to be back after weeks cooped up at home .
But dependent largely on tourism , she expects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to normal .
“ Until then , we are in crisis mode , ” she said .
Truck salesman Zhang Hu in Zhengzhou , China , is back at work but his income plummeted because few people are buying 20-ton rigs .
“ I have no idea when the situation will turn better.
” In the U.S. , with many factories shut down , American industrial output shriveled in March , registering its biggest decline since the nation demobilized in 1946 at the end of World War II .
Retail sales fell by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to be far worse .
President Donald Trump said he ’ s prepared new guidelines for easing social distancing , even as business leaders told him more testing and personal protective equipment were essential first .
Troubling data indicate the worst may still be to come in many parts of the world .
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging stepped-up efforts to prepare Africa , warning that the continent “ could end up suffering the greatest impacts.
” Singapore ’ s outbreak has jumped more than 1,100 cases since Monday .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a first wave of infections , but the new cases are occurring among workers from poorer Asian countries who live in crowded dormitories and work in the tiny city-state ’ s trade-dependent economy .
In Brazil , a war of words has broken out over President Jair Bolsonaro ’ s lackadaisical approach to the virus .
“ We ’ re fighting against the coronavirus and against the ‘ Bolsonaro-virus , ’ ” Sao Paulo state Gov .
João Doria told The Associated Press in an interview , adding that he believes the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The U.S. began issuing one-time payments this week to tens of millions of people as part of its $ 2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package .
But another part of the relief package , a $ 350 billion paycheque protection program aimed at small businesses , is running dry after being open for only a matter of days .
Negotiations were accelerating in Washington over a $ 250 billion emergency request to help .
The U.S. has recorded more than 30,000 deaths — the most in the world — and over 600,000 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count .
Still , the nightmare scenarios projecting a far greater number of deaths and hospitalizations have not come to pass , raising hopes from coast to coast and prompting stronger calls for easing of restrictions .
Foreign leaders , meanwhile , rushed to the defence of the World Health Organization after Trump vowed to halt U.S. payments to the U.N. agency for not sounding the alarm over the virus sooner .
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the WHO is needed now more than ever : “ Only by joining forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no borders.
” — An investigation by The Associated Press found that six days of delays by China in alerting the public to the growing danger in mid-January set the stage for the global disaster .
— The death toll in Iran is probably almost twice the official figure of about 4,800 as a result of undercounting and because some patients were not tested , a parliamentary report said .
The explosive allegation was buried in a footnote in the 46-page document .
— New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said people must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , such as on the street or subway platforms .
Perry reported from Wellington , New Zealand .
Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Nick Perry And Joe McDonald - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--New Zealand firefighter killed on his farm by stag

WELLINGTON , New Zealand - A New Zealand firefighter was killed by a stag that attacked him on his farm .
Police said the man was attacked Wednesday evening at his property in the town of Makarewa and suffered fatal injuries .
Police said the stag was euthanized and a coroner would investigate the man ’ s death .
Ben McLean had been a volunteer and professional firefighter for 43 years , according to the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union .
It said McLean ’ s own colleagues had been called out to respond to the attack .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleagues and will be remembered as a true character of the Invercargill brigade , ” National Secretary Wattie Watson said in a statement .
In a 2018 interview with news organization Stuff , McLean said he had always wanted to work for his town and had attended several thousand fires .
“ We do the best we can , “ he said at the time .
McLean helped fight a house fire the night before his death , Stuff reported .
It is currently the mating season for deer in New Zealand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggressive and combative .
It is rare for deer to kill people .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Donation will expand, rename University of Maine art museum

ORONO , Maine - A pair of longtime Maine residents has donated more than $ 1 million to the University @ @ @ @ @ its art museum .
The museum has been renamed the Linda G. and Donald N. @ @ @ @ @ of Maine , college officials said .
The Zillmans , who now live in New @ @ @ @ @ million to expand the former University of Maine Museum of Art .
The university said @ @ @ @ @ to the University of Maine Foundation for the construction and operation of five new galleries @ @ @ @ @ the museum ’ s collection of more than 4,000 works of art , the university @ @ @ @ @ Maine System Board of Trustees approved the expansion plans last month .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Japan issues arrest warrant for Nissan ex-chair’s wife

Tokyo prosecutors obtained an arrest warrant Tuesday for former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn ’ s wife on suspicion of perjury , adding to the couple ’ s legal troubles in the country where he once was revered as a star executive .
The move against Carole Ghosn , who is not in Japan , followed her husband ’ s flight to Lebanon last week while he was out on bail awaiting trial for alleged financial misconduct .
Prosecutors said in a statement that Carole Ghosn gave false testimony to a Tokyo court last year in her husband ’ s case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company to another that allegedly caused losses to Nissan .
She also denied knowing various people , or meeting with them , and the statements were false , they said .
The allegations cited were unrelated to Ghosn ’ s escape .
Carole Ghosn was not immediately available for comment but earlier she told The Associated Press after her questioning in court that she considered the questions trite and unsubstantial .
She was banned from meeting with her husband after his release on bail because of fears she might help tamper with evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extradition treaty .
Japanese justice officials acknowledge that it ’ s unclear whether the two can be brought back to Japan to face charges .
They said they were still looking into what could be done .
The Lebanese presidential palace said Tuesday that President Michel Aoun met with Japanese ambassador Takeshi Okubo , the first known meeting between the president and a Japanese diplomat since Ghosn arrived in the country on Dec. 30 .
A statement released by Aoun ’ s office said Okubo called for more co-operation from Lebanese authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” on relations between the two countries .
Okubo said the Japanese government and people “ are extremely worried ” about the case , especially the way Ghosn left Japan and entered Lebanon , according to the statement .
Japan ’ s chief government spokesman said Japanese officials have told Lebanon that Ghosn left the country illegally and that they are seeking co-operation in finding out what happened .
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the situation must be handled carefully .
Lebanese Justice Minister Albert Serhan told the state-run National News Agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his “ stay on Lebanese territories ” is legal .
Serhan said Lebanon has not yet received any requests from Japan regarding an arrest warrant for Carole Ghosn .
Prosecutors in Japan have said they did not want Carlos Ghosn to be granted bail because they saw him as a flight risk .
“ With his abundant financial power and multiple foreign bases worldwide , it would be easy for the defendant Ghosn to flee from Japan , ” they said in a statement .
Earlier Tuesday , Ghosn ’ s former employer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was still pursuing legal action against him despite his escape .
The Japanese automaker said in a statement that Ghosn engaged in serious misconduct while leading the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance .
“ The company will continue to take appropriate legal action to hold Ghosn accountable for the harm that his misconduct has caused to Nissan , ” it said , without giving details .
Ghosn managed to skip bail and leave the country despite surveillance while he was staying at a home in Tokyo .
Japanese news reports Tuesday gave new details of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone , met two men at a Tokyo hotel , and then took a bullet train to Osaka before boarding a private jet hidden inside a case for musical equipment .
Japanese Justice Minister Masako Mori told reporters that measures were being taken to make sure all cargo and luggage are inspected at regional airports , including those for private jets , to prevent a recurrence .
Japanese major business daily Nikkei reported , without citing sources , that dozens of people in various countries helped to plan Ghosn ’ s clandestine departure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first word from the company since Ghosn ’ s flight last week .
The automaker and Japanese prosecutors allege Ghosn misstated his future compensation and diverted company assets for personal gain .
He says he is innocent .
Ghosn has not appeared in public since arriving in Lebanon .
He is expected to give his side of the story in a news conference planned for Wednesday in Beirut .
Earlier , he said the allegations against him were concocted by Nissan , Japanese authorities and others who wanted to block efforts toward a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alliance partner Renault SA .
Ghosn said in a statement last week that he wanted to escape “ injustice.
” Critics of the Japanese judicial system say his case exemplifies its tendency to move too slowly and keep suspects in detention for too long .
Nissan said in its statement that an investigation is ongoing in France , and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has found some wrongdoing .
Ghosn has not been charged in France or the U.S. Mori and other Japanese officials have defended the nation ’ s judicial system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an “ unjustifiable “ crime .
Mori said each nation ’ s system has its own way of making arrests and granting bail .
The scandal over Ghosn ’ s case has tarnished Nissan ’ s image and created a leadership vacuum at a time when the automaker ’ s profits and sales are tumbling .
Ghosn ’ s successor Hiroto Saikawa also resigned last year amid financial misconduct allegations related to questionable income .
“ Nissan will continue to do the right thing by co-operating with judicial and regulatory authorities wherever necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although Ghosn is unlikely to face trial in Japan , Greg Kelly , another Nissan former executive , is still facing charges of under-reporting Ghosn ’ s future compensation .
He says he is innocent .
Kelly , an American , who is out on bail , has not been charged with the breach of trust allegations Ghosn is also facing .
Nissan has also been charged as a corporate entity .
The company says it won ’ t fight the charges and will pay the required fines .
Associated Press Writers Zeina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this report .
Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter at https : //twitter.com/yurikageyama


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Death of Iran general spurs anxiety over fate of US hostages

WASHINGTON - The killing of a top Iranian general has ratcheted up the anxiety of families of Americans held in Iran , one month after the release of a New Jersey student had given them hope .
The Trump administration has made a priority of bringing home hostages held abroad , but the prospect of a forthcoming resolution for the handful of captives in Iran seems to have dimmed with the two nations edging dangerously close to conflict and warning of retaliatory strikes and continued agitation .
“ He wasn ’ t safe before now , but now he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joanne White , whose son , Navy veteran Michael White of Imperial Beach , California , has been imprisoned since July 2018 while visiting a girlfriend in Iran .
“ I don ’ t know if anyone is going to retaliate.
” Iran has vowed revenge for the airstrike that killed Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani — the U.S. accused him of plotting new attacks just before his death — and has moved to abandon the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers .
The Trump administration , while saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ captive in Iran , has said it ’ s prepared to respond to any attacks from the Islamic Republic .
The tensions are the worst in 40 years and are in contrast to the diplomatic breakthrough that resulted in December ’ s release of Princeton University graduate student Xiyue Wang in exchange for the U.S. freeing a detained Iranian scientist .
Crushing U.S. sanctions on Iran remain in place , but the release suggested Tehran could be open to using additional American captives as bargaining chips for future negotiations .
Weeks earlier Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Nations that it had a “ missing person “ file on former FBI agent Robert Levinson , who vanished in the country in 2007 .
One of his daughters , Sarah Levinson Moriarty , told reporters last month that she considered the notice from Iran a significant development and an acknowledgment that the country had her father and knew where he was .
Even so , there were already concerns about how recent protests in Iran tied to spiking gas prices were going to affect the fate of Western prisoners .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Babak Namazi said he has tried to stay even-keeled in the more than four years that his brother , Siamak , has been imprisoned in Iran .
His father , Baquer , is in a highly restrictive medical furlough there .
Both are being held on what the family says are manufactured charges of collaborating with the United States .
“ From the lens that I look through of how things affect my family and getting them home safely and expeditiously , when we ’ re in a period of detente , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Namazi , who is based in Dubai .
Though he has felt at times as if his loved ones were on the cusp of being released , he also has endured periods of escalating tension between the two countries .
Those moments make him uneasy since the freedom of his father and brother is “ very much dependent on both sides being able to talk to each other.
“ “ I ’ ve had to learn , very painfully , not to get my hopes up as much as I want to until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ At the same time , I ’ ve had to teach myself not to get too despondent because , if I don ’ t have hope , how can I go on ?
It ’ s my honest feeling now.
” He said he saw a silver lining in President Donald Trump ’ s statement on Twitter that “ Iran never won a war , but never lost a negotiation !
“ and is hopeful that means the two sides are open to easing and even humanitarian gestures .
Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago said the Wang swap could lead to a dialogue between Washington and Tehran over prisoners , said on NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press “ on Sunday that “ I love these families ” and that he knows they ’ re “ suffering greatly.
“ “ We continue to work on that process , to get every American held anywhere in the world , including by the kleptocrats and theocrats in Iran , to get them to return American hostages .
We will never give up on that mission , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is particularly concerned about her son , who was convicted of insulting Iran ’ s supreme leader and posting private information online .
She said her son , who was sentenced to 10 years in prison , is ill with cancer and recently complained to her that he was starving in prison .
She said he has long been a Trump supporter and , when it came to the president ’ s impeachment , “ he told me to tell the Democrats to leave Trump alone.
“ White , who lives in Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what to make of the Trump administration ’ s assertion that Soleimani was planning imminent attacks at the time of his death .
“ It ’ s something he ’ s going to have to answer , “ she said of Trump .
“ I know he ’ s going to have to answer to that .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--US stocks open lower as investors monitor Iran trensions

NEW YORK - Stocks are opening slightly lower on Wall Street as investors continue to closely monitor tensions between the U.S. and Iran .
Oil prices gave up some of their recent big gains after a U.S. drone killed Iran ’ s top general .
U.S. officials were bracing for Iran ’ s response to the killing .
Gold touched its highest price in nearly seven years on Monday and was holding steady Tuesday .
The S & P 500 fell 4 points , or 0.1 % , to 3,241 .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 50 points , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Technology stocks bucked the downward trend .
The Nasdaq edged up 11 points , or 0.1 % , to 9,080 .
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE .
AP ’ s earlier story follows below .
Global stocks stabilized Tuesday and the price of oil edged off three-month highs , though investors remained cautious over rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran .
U.S. officials were bracing for Iran ’ s response to the killing by a U.S. drone of its most powerful general , Qassem Soleimani .
Noting heightened levels of military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preparing for a possible “ tit-for-tat ” attack on an American military leader .
In Europe , Germany ’ s DAX advanced 0.8 % to 13,231 while the CAC 40 in France climbed 0.3 % to 6,033 .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 edged 0.2 % higher to 7,589 .
Futures for the S & P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were roughly unchanged .
“ The positive sentiment is likely to continue for the remainder of the day as the underlying drivers of the stock market rally , the search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reassert themselves , “ Jeffrey Halley of Oanda said in a commentary .
“ Only geopolitical headlines surprises from the Middle East are now likely to derail the rally.
” In Asia , most benchmarks rose , with Japan ’ s Nikkei 225 index adding 1.6 % to 23,575.72 .
Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng picked up 0.3 % to 28,322.06 , while the Shanghai Composite index gained 0.7 % to 3,104.80 .
In South Korea , the Kospi rose 1 % to 2,175.54 .
Australia ’ s S & P ASX @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shares fell 0.6 % in Taiwan but rose in most of Southeast Asia .
Gold was steady Tuesday after touching its highest price since April 2013 on Monday as investors sought safety amid fears the antagonisms could lead to war .
It was down 10 cents at $ 1,568.70 per ounce .
Gold has historically performed well in times of military conflict and has climbed more than $ 40 since before Soleimani ’ s killing .
Oil prices gave up some of their recent big gains on Tuesday , with benchmark U.S. crude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to $ 62.86 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
It gained 22 cents to $ 63.27 per barrel on Monday .
Brent crude , the international benchmark , lost 51 cents , or 0.5 % , to $ 68.40 per barrel .
On Monday it added 31 cents to $ 68.91 per barrel .
In currency trading , the dollar rose to 108.45 Japanese yen from 108.33 yen on Monday .
The euro slipped to $ 1.1168 from $ 1.1194 .
Apart from waiting for next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States and Iran , several big economic reports are on the schedule this upcoming week that could move markets .
The headliner is Friday ’ s jobs report from the government .
Solid jobs growth has helped support the U.S. economy , even as trade wars hurt manufacturing around the world .
Economists expect Friday ’ s report to show that employers added 155,000 jobs last month .
The healthy job market is one of the reasons the S & P 500 soared to its second-best showing in 22 years in 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ world to shield the economy from the pain of trade wars also were big factors .


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Venezuela opposition blocked from congress amid standoff

CARACAS , Venezuela - A caravan of Venezuelan opposition lawmakers led by Juan Guaidó was blocked by security forces from entering the congress building on Tuesday .
The opposition leader recognized by the U.S. as Venezuela ’ s rightful president was stopped by dozens of national guardsmen .
Venezuela ’ s opposition is facing its biggest test yet after government-backed lawmakers announced they were taking control of what Guaidó supporters have described as the nation ’ s last democratic institution .
Guaidó has served as president of the National Assembly for the last year and used it as his platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to be re-elected as the legislature ’ s leader Sunday but was blocked along with several other lawmakers from entering congress .
Former opposition ally Luis Parra declared himself the National Assembly ’ s leader , claiming to have won the votes of 81 lawmakers .
The opposition refutes that tally and says 100 lawmakers , a majority , voted for Guaidó in a legislative session held at a Venezuelan newspaper .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Man accused in Austin stabbings dies after fall, police say

AUSTIN , Texas - The man accused of stabbing two people inside an Austin restaurant , killing a manager , has died of injuries he sustained after jumping from the roof of the building , police said .
The attack happened Friday morning on a busy downtown avenue of restaurants and apartments just south of the Texas Capitol .
Police were called to a coffee shop on a report of a man standing outside with a large rock and threatening people , Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said Monday .
When an officer arrived , two people were holding down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dylan Woodburn .
But as the officer prepared to detain Woodburn , the officer ’ s duty belt came undone , Manley said .
The officer put down a set of handcuffs and Woodburn broke free , the police chief said .
In the chaos , Woodburn ran into the nearby Freebirds World Burrito , took a knife from the restaurant and fatally stabbed the restaurant ’ s kitchen manager , 34-year-old Johnathan Aguilar , as well as a second employee , Manley said .
Woodburn then climbed to the building ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground , police said .
He was taken to a hospital but Manley said he died Friday night .
A person also was injured in the coffee shop .
Witnesses told the Austin American-Statesman that Woodburn hit a patron on the back of the head with a coffee mug .
The police chief said Monday an internal investigation was underway .
“ We want to know the circumstances under which the officer ’ s duty belt came free , ” Manley said .
“ Obviously , that is something that we do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide our officers with the best equipment , and we expect our equipment to perform appropriately .
That ’ s why we ’ re conducting this review.
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thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Russia’s Putin visits Syria to meet Assad, a key Iran ally

DAMASCUS , Syria - Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Syria on Tuesday and met with officials including President Bashar Assad , Syrian state media and a Kremlin spokesman reported .
Putin ’ s visit is the second to the war-torn country , where his troops have been fighting alongside Syrian government forces since 2015 .
The visit comes amid heightened tensions between Iran — a key Syrian ally — and the United States , following the killing of a top Iranian general in a U.S. airstrike in neighbouring Iraq .
Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani ’ s death has sparked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
U.S. troops are based in eastern Syria , making the country a potential site of conflict with Iran .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin visited the Russian command post in Damascus and met President Bashar Assad there .
The two leaders were presented with military reports on the situation in different regions of Syria .
In his conversation with Assad , Putin said that “ a huge distance has been covered in terms of restoring Syria ’ s statehood and territorial integrity , ” Peskov said .
State news agency SANA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s visit only saying that he met with Assad in a Russian military base in the capital .
The last time Putin visited Syria was in 2017 when he declared that mission for Russian troops has been accomplished .
Russia has been a main backer of Assad and has tipped the balance of power in his favour over the past four years with government forces now in control in most of the country .
Syria ’ s conflict that began in March 2011 has left more than 400,000 people dead .
Last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighters in western Iraq and eastern Syria killing 25 and wounding dozens others .
The U.S. government warned ships of an unspecified threat from Iran across all the Mideast ’ s waterways , crucial routes for global energy supplies .
Meanwhile , the U.S. Air Force launched a drill with 52 fighter jets in Utah , just days after President Donald Trump threatened to hit 52 sites in Iran .


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--South Africa train passengers stranded for more than a day

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa ’ s state-owned passenger rail operator has apologized for stranding riders on a train from Johannesburg to Cape Town for more than a day as food reportedly dwindled and carriages began to stink .
A statement by the Shosholoza Meyl division says the train was scheduled to arrive in Cape Town on Monday evening but instead is expected to arrive near midnight Tuesday .
The journey between South Africa ’ s most well-known cities is popular with tourists and usually lasts roughly 20 hours .
The train departed Sunday .
The statement says alternate transport had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers to their destinations .
The rail operator blames locomotive failures for the “ unpleasant experience ” and says a rescue locomotive was then held up by rail maintenance along the route .
South Africa ’ s commuter trains , especially more local ones , have seen a number of accidents and incidents in recent years .
Some of the country ’ s state-owned businesses have been struggling amid mismanagement , corruption and a weak economy .
Those include the state-owned power utility Eskom and state-owned South African Airways .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Weinstein jury selection to start in NY; new charges in LA

NEW YORK - A stooped Harvey Weinstein shuffled into court with a walker Tuesday for the start of jury selection at the disgraced Hollywood mogul ’ s sexual assault trial in New York , the morning after prosecutors in Los Angeles brought charges against him .
Potential jurors in Harvey Weinstein ’ s New York sexual assault trial are set to fill a courtroom Tuesday as the former movie titan ’ s legal problems deepen with new charges in Los Angeles .
The jury selection could take weeks as prosecutors , Weinstein ’ s lawyers and the judge find people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a high-profile case that has fueled societal pressure for accountability for sexual misconduct .
The trial involves charges that Weinstein raped a woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and forcibly performed a sex act on another woman in the city in 2006 .
Weinstein , 67 , has said any sexual activity was consensual .
“ In this great country , you are innocent until proven guilty , “ his lawyer Donna Rotunno said Monday .
Across the street from the courthouse , women who say they were sexually harassed or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undeserving of anyone ’ s pity .
“ This trial is a cultural reckoning regardless of its legal outcome , ” said Sarah Ann Masse , a performer and writer who said Weinstein once sexually harassed her in his underwear during a job interview .
The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly .
Once one of Hollywood ’ s most powerful producers , Weinstein has now been accused of sexual assault , harassment and misconduct by dozens of women , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former company .
The allegations began surfacing publicly in October 2017 and sparked the # MeToo movement , as well as investigations in multiple places .
Los Angeles prosecutors charged Weinstein Monday with sexually assaulting two women there on successive nights during Oscar week in 2013 .
Lawyers for Weinstein had no immediate comment on the new charges , though he has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing .
Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey said the timing of the charges was unrelated to the New York trial .
She said the case took more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women were reluctant to provide all the information necessary , and the filing happened on the first business day when all the necessary people could gather .
There is some connection between the cases , though : One of the Los Angeles accusers is expected to testify in the New York case to help prosecutors establish what they say was Weinstein ’ s pattern of forcing himself on young actresses and women trying to break into Hollywood .
Weinstein is expected to appear in court in California after his New York trial , @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Bomb hits security forces in SW Pakistan; 2 dead, 12 wounded

QUETTA , Pakistan - A powerful roadside bomb exploded near a vehicle carrying Pakistani security forces , killing two soldiers in the southwestern city of Quetta , the capital of the restive Baluchistan province , a police official said Tuesday .
The bombing wounded 12 people , including security forces , said local police chief Abdul Wali .
He said some of the wounded were in critical condition at local hospitals .
Hizbul Ahrar , an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban , claimed responsibility for the attack .
Both Sunni and Shiite Muslim militia groups operate in the area .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s minority Shiite Muslims , has left hundreds dead in recent years in Baluchistan .
The province is also the scene of a low-level insurgency by separatists demanding more autonomy and a greater share in the region ’ s natural resources such as gas and oil .
The province shares a long border with Afghanistan and Iran .
Last May , a bombing at a mosque in Quetta killed two people , including the prayer leader , and wounded 28 worshipers .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-07--US prepares for possible Iranian reprisal after drone strike

WASHINGTON - U.S. officials braced for Iran to respond to the killing of its most powerful general , noting heightened military readiness in the country and preparing for a possible “ tit-for-tat ” attempt on the life of an American military commander .
They warned ships across Mideast waterways crucial to global energy supplies about the “ possibility of Iranian action “ against U.S. maritime interests in the region .
President Donald Trump ordered the Jan. 2 strike against Gen. Qassem Soleimani , the head of Iran ’ s elite Quds Force , after the death of an American contractor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrations of Iran ’ s public mourning period for Soleimani and a state TV report of a deadly stampede at his funeral , officials believe the next steps by America ’ s longtime foe will determine the ultimate course of the latest crisis .
While officials say American intelligence isn ’ t clear on whether Iran ’ s latest military moves are designed to bolster Tehran ’ s defences or prepare for an offensive strike , the U.S. is continuing to reinforce its own positions in the region , including repositioning some forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ major ” attack of some type within the next day or two .
On Monday , Defence Secretary Mark Esper said no decision had been made about withdrawing troops from Iraq .
Pro-Iranian factions in the Iraqi Parliament have pushed to oust American troops following Soleimani ’ s killing on Iraqi soil .
Esper spoke to reporters after a letter from a U.S. Marine general circulated that seemed to suggest a withdrawal had been ordered in response to a vote by the Iraqi Parliament over the weekend .
“ There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq , “ Esper said .
On Tuesday , the U.S. Maritime Administration put out the warning for ships , citing the rising threats after Soleimani ’ s killing .
Oil tankers were targeted last year in mine attacks the U.S. blamed on Iran .
Tehran denied being responsible though it did seize oil tankers around the crucial Strait of Hormuz , the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20 % of the world ’ s crude oil travels .
Soleimani ’ s death , which has sparked major protests , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence , has raised the prospect of a wide and unpredictable conflict in the Middle East and escalated tensions between Iran and the U.S .
Meanwhile , the U.S. said it would not issue a visa to Iranian foreign minister Mohammed Javad Zarif to attend a U.N. meeting this week .
The U.S. , which has severely restricted the movements of Iranian diplomats in New York in the past , contends there was not enough time to process the visa request .
The two nations have careened from one flare-up to another since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign against Iran shortly after taking office .
He abrogated the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed crushing economic sanctions , both steps aimed at preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and deterring the sort of regional aggression spearheaded by Soleimani .
Two U.S. officials , speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal discussions , said targeting Soleimani was not representative of a wholesale shift in American policy toward Iran , despite Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ’ s comments on Sunday that the U.S. was targeting Iran ’ s “ actual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proxy allies .
Trump has repeatedly contended that he is not seeking “ regime change ” in Iran , as has been pushed by some of his more hawkish advisers .
Still , Trump ’ s strike against Soleimani , a revered figure in Iran whose death sparked large displays of anger and grief , was a risky decision his Republican and Democratic predecessors opted not to take out of concern it would draw the U.S. and Iran closer to conflict .
U.S. officials are also aware that Iran could try to strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tit-for-tat ” move , potentially a military commander .
One official said some Iranian ships have spread out , and while the intent isn ’ t immediately clear , they could move rapidly to attack .
The U.S. military has increased protection of its forces , particularly in Iraq .
Officials said a number of the recently deployed soldiers from the 1st Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division had moved into Iraq from Kuwait in order to increase security for Americans there .
The U.S. military has stopped all training of Iraqi forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
As of Monday , officials said , there had not been a broadly distributed order or recommendation to increase security at military installations worldwide .
Instead , decisions were being left up to the commanders .
The U.S. military ’ s concern about its vulnerability to Iranian attack in the Persian Gulf region has been at a heightened state since about May , when the administration reported it was getting intelligence indications that Iran was planning attacks on U.S. interests in Iraq and elsewhere in the region .
The Pentagon sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , and in July it worked out an arrangement with the government of Saudi Arabia to send U.S. forces to a large base deep in the Saudi desert , in less obvious range of Iranian missiles .
The main hub for American military air operations throughout the Middle East is located at al-Udeid air base in Qatar – within easy range of Iranian missiles .
American forces also are stationed in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait .
The Navy ’ s 5th Fleet , which operates throughout the region , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill in the U.S. , Democrats prepared largely symbolic resolutions under the War Powers Act to limit the president ’ s military actions regarding Iran .
In a letter to House Democrats , Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the airstrike on Soleimani “ provocative and disproportionate ” and said it had “ endangered our servicemembers , diplomats and others by risking a serious escalation of tensions with Iran.
” Congress , which has the sole power to declare war , has complained that Trump did not provide advance notice of his airstrike in Baghdad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required by the War Powers Act to notify Congress after the deadly drone strike .
The document was classified , and no public version was released .
Senators will receive a briefing Wednesday on the situation , according to a person familiar with the meeting .
Pompeo , Esper , CIA Director Gina Haspel and Army Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , are expected to speak .
The House is also expected to be briefed this week .
White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway , speaking Monday on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaints from Democrats about notification as a “ partisan action.
” Pelosi said the notification “ raises more questions than it answers .
This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing , manner and justification of the Administration ’ s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran , ” she said .
In remarks to reporters Monday , Gen. Milley insisted that the intelligence on which Trump based his decision to kill Soleimani called for urgent action .
“ I ’ ll stand by the intelligence I saw , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been made public because they are classified .
He said the intelligence showed Soleimani was plotting attacks and that the U.S. would have been negligent not to act .
“ It was imminent , ” he said , “ and it was very , very clear in scale and scope .
Did it exactly say who , what , when and where ?
No , but he was planning , co-ordinating and synchronizing significant operations against U.S. military forces in the region , and it was imminent .
”

Lolita C. Baldor, Robert Burns And Zeke Miller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Hong Kong to add mystery illness to reportable diseases

Hong Kong ’ s health chief said Tuesday that a respiratory illness whose cause remains unknown will be added to an official list of diseases that medical practitioners are required to report to the government .
The disease — an unidentified form of viral pneumonia — has sent 59 people to the hospital in the mainland Chinese city of Wuhan , in central Hubei province .
As of Sunday , seven were in critical condition , while the rest were stable .
Municipal authorities have ruled out SARS , the severe acute respiratory syndrome that killed 700 people in 2002 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of 15 patients were being treated Sunday for symptoms including fever and respiratory infection after recent visits to Wuhan .
It is not clear whether they have the same illness as the Wuhan patients .
Speaking at a news conference , the health chief , Sophia Chan , said the “ severe respiratory disease associated with a novel infectious agent ” will be added to a list of reportable infectious diseases in Hong Kong ’ s Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance .
The regulation enables the government to take stronger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as tuberculosis and chicken pox .
Actions under the ordinance could include enforcing quarantines or limiting the movement of people who are suspected to have infections .
“ Under the amendment , medical practitioners will have to report suspected cases as well as carry out appropriate investigations and follow-ups to the Center for Health Protection under the Department of Health , “ Chan said .
The U.S. Consulate General in Wuhan issued a health alert Tuesday for the pneumonia outbreak , warning travellers to Wuhan to avoid animals , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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Alice Fung And Yanan Wang - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Stampede kills 40 at funeral for Iranian general slain by US

TEHRAN , Iran - A stampede broke out Tuesday at a funeral for a top Iranian general killed in a U.S. airstrike , and at least 40 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession , two Iranian news agencies reported .
The stampede took place in Kerman , the hometown of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani , as the procession began , said the semi-official Fars and ISNA news agencies , citing Pirhossein Koulivand , head of Iran ’ s emergency medical services .
There was no information as to what had set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people lying apparently lifeless , their faces covered by clothing .
Emergency crews performed CPR on others as people wailed in the background , crying out to God .
“ Unfortunately as a result of the stampede , some of our compatriots have been injured and some have been killed during the funeral processions , “ Koulivand said .
The news agencies gave the death toll of 40 , with 213 injured .
Soleimani ’ s burial was later delayed , with no new time given .
Authorities cited concerns about the massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the delay , the semi-official ISNA news agency said .
A procession in Tehran on Monday drew over 1 million people in the Iranian capital , crowding both main thoroughfares and side streets in Tehran .
Such mass crowds can prove dangerous .
A similar stampede , though on a much smaller scale , struck the 1989 funeral procession for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini , killing at least eight people and injuring hundreds .
Soleimani ’ s death in a drone strike on Friday has sparked calls across Iran for revenge against America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East .
The U.S. government warned ships of an unspecified threat from Iran across the region ’ s waterways , crucial routes for global energy supplies .
Meanwhile , the U.S. Air Force launched a drill with 52 fighter jets in Utah , just days after President Donald Trump threatened to hit 52 sites in Iran .
Earlier in the day , Hossein Salami , the new leader of Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard , vowed to avenge Soleimani ’ s death as he addressed a crowd of supporters gathered at the coffin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We tell our enemies that we will retaliate but if they take another action we will set ablaze the places that they like and are passionate about , “ Salami said .
“ Death to Israel !
” the crowd shouted in response .
Israel is a longtime regional foe of Iran .
The funeral processions in major cities over three days have been an unprecedented honour for Soleimani , viewed by Iranians as a national hero for his work leading the Guard ’ s expeditionary Quds Force .
The U.S. blames @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accused him of plotting new attacks just before he was killed in the drone strike near Baghdad ’ s airport .
Soleimani also led forces supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad in that country ’ s civil war , and he also served as the point man for Iranian proxies in countries like Iraq , Lebanon and Yemen .
His slaying already has pushed Tehran to abandon the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers as his successor and others vow to take revenge .
In Baghdad , the parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American troops from Iraqi soil , something analysts fear could allow Islamic State militants to mount a comeback .
In his eulogy to the crowd , Salami praised Soleimani ’ s work , describing him as essential to backing Palestinian groups , Yemen ’ s Houthi rebels and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria .
As a martyr , Soleimani represented an even greater threat to Iran ’ s enemies , Salami said .
According to a report on Tuesday by the semi-official Tasnim news agency , Iran has worked up 13 sets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s killing .
The report quoted Ali Shamkhani , the secretary of Iran ’ s Supreme National Security Council , as saying that even the weakest among them would be a “ historic nightmare ” for the U.S .
He declined to elaborate , “ If the U.S. troops do not leave our region voluntarily and upright , we will do something to carry their bodies horizontally out , “ Shamkhani said .
The U.S. Maritime Administration warned ships across the Mideast , citing the rising threats .
“ The Iranian response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unknown , but there remains the possibility of Iranian action against U.S. maritime interests in the region , ” it said .
Oil tankers were targeted in mine attacks last year that the U.S. blamed on Iran .
Tehran denied responsibility , although it did seize oil tankers around the crucial Strait of Hormuz , the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20 % of the world ’ s crude oil travels .
The U.S. Navy ’ s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said it would work with shippers in the region to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fleet “ has and will continue to provide advice to merchant shipping as appropriate regarding recommended security precautions in light of the heightened tensions and threats in the region , ” 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr .
Joshua Frey told The Associated Press .
Meanwhile , Iranian Gen. Alireza Tabgsiri , the chief of the Guard ’ s navy , issued his own warning .
“ Our message to the enemies is to leave the region , “ Tabgsiri said , according to ISNA .
The Guard routinely has tense encounters with the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s parliament , meanwhile , has passed an urgent bill declaring the U.S. military ’ s command at the Pentagon and those acting on its behalf in Soleimani ’ s killing as “ terrorists , “ subject to Iranian sanctions .
The measure appears to be an attempt to mirror a decision by Trump in April to declare the Revolutionary Guard a “ terrorist organization.
” The U.S. Defence Department used the Guard ’ s designation as a terror organization in the U.S. to support the strike that killed Soleimani .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done by a special procedure to speed the bill to law , comes as officials across the country threaten to retaliate for Soleimani ’ s killing .
The vote also saw lawmakers approve funding for the Quds Force with an additional 200 million euros , or about $ 224 million .
Also Tuesday , Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the U.S. had declined to issue him a visa to travel to New York for upcoming meetings at the United Nations .
As the host of the U.N. headquarters , the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend such meetings .
“ This is because they fear someone will go there and tell the truth to the American people , ” Zarif said .
“ But they are mistaken .
The world is not limited to New York .
You can speak with American people from Tehran too and we will do that.
” The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Solemani will ultimately be laid to rest between the graves of Enayatollah Talebizadeh and Mohammad Hossein Yousef Elahi , two former Guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dawn 8 in Iran ’ s 1980s war with Iraq in which Soleimani also took part , a 1986 amphibious assault that cut Iraq off from the Persian Gulf and led to the end of the bloody war that killed 1 million people .

Nasser Karimi, Amir Vahdat And Jon Gambrell - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--Plea agreement reached for man who claimed to be missing kid

CINCINNATI - A federal court filing shows that a plea agreement has been reached in the case of a 24-year-old Ohio man who claimed to be a missing Illinois child .
No details were made public immediately on the terms .
U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett has a Wednesday status conference set in the case of Brian Michael Rini , of Medina , Ohio .
Barrett postponed a June trial after questions were raised about Rini ’ s mental state , but on Oct. 31 he found him competent to stand trial .
A court transcript of the Oct. 31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had discussed settling the case before trial .
Richard Monahan , a federal public defender , told the judge the talks were likely to be fruitful .
He didn ’ t respond immediately to a message Tuesday seeking comment .
Rini earlier pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated identity theft and lying to FBI agents .
He would face up to eight years in prison if convicted on those charges .
He ’ s been held without bond since last April , and was evaluated last summer at a federal facility in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the streets of Newport , Kentucky , last April 3 .
Police said he told them he was Timmothy Pitzen , an Aurora , Illinois , boy who disappeared in 2011 at age 6 .
Authorities said Rini told them he had just escaped captors who sexually abused him .
Federal authorities said they were suspicious after he refused to be fingerprinted .
DNA testing quickly revealed his true identity .
A federal magistrate had cited Rini ’ s lack of a permanent address , past mental health issues and “ a lengthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age 13 .
In 2017 , Rini was treated at an Ohio centre for people with mental health or substance abuse problems , according to court papers .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-07--AP sources: Pompeo says he won’t run for Kansas Senate seat

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that he won ’ t run for an open Senate seat from Kansas this fall , two people close to McConnell said .
Pompeo ’ s decision complicates Republicans ’ chances of holding what should be a guaranteed seat in the deep red state as they battle to retain their slim Senate majority in November ’ s elections .
The news , disclosed on Monday , came days after the U.S. used an airstrike authorized by President Donald Trump to kill Qassem Soleimani , Iran ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that country ’ s elite Quds Force .
Iran has vowed revenge on the U.S. , spurring an international crisis that makes this an awkward time for Pompeo to leave his post and seek elective office .
Pompeo indicated he will not run in a conversation with McConnell on Monday afternoon , the two people said .
The people spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe a private talk .
Others familiar with the matter said Pompeo met with McConnell , R-Ky. , on Capitol Hill .
A former congressman from Kansas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state in recent months , and many Washington Republicans had expressed a belief that he would be a candidate .
If he ran , he was considered all but certain to prevail in the Aug. 4 GOP primary and the November general election .
Candidates have until June 1 to file for the Kansas Senate race , leaving a theoretical door open for Pompeo to reconsider .
Republicans worry that without him , former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach , a polarizing conservative with hard-right immigration views , could win the GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kobach is the party ’ s choice he would alienate moderate voters and lose the general election , repeating the defeat he suffered in 2018 , when he was the Republican candidate for governor .
Trump carried the state by nearly 21 percentage points in 2016 .
Republicans consider retaining the Kansas seat crucial in this fall ’ s voting , when they will defend their 53-47 Senate majority .
GOP senators in Arizona , Colorado , Maine and North Carolina face potentially tight reelection contests , while Doug Jones of Alabama is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Kansas seat is being vacated by GOP Sen. Pat Roberts , 83 , who ’ s served in the Senate since 1997 and , before that , in the House since 1981 .
Pompeo , 56 , finished first in his class at West Point , served in the Army and earned a law degree from Harvard .
He was in his fourth House term when he resigned in 2017 to become Trump ’ s first CIA director .
In 2018 , he replaced the fired Rex Tillerson atop the State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump ’ s most trusted advisers .
McConnell and other top Republicans have been eager for Pompeo to run for the Senate .
Just last month , Trump called Pompeo “ a tremendous guy doing a tremendous job “ and said if he thought the Kansas seat were in peril for Republicans , ” I would sit down and talk to Mike.
” To many , that suggested Trump had given Pompeo a green light to run .
Feeding the buzz , Pompeo kept his old House campaign committee alive , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of June that could be used for a Senate race .
That ’ s a significant amount to start with in an inexpensive-media state like Kansas .
But one person said Pompeo had never signalled to his State Department colleagues that he wanted to run and told several that he didn ’ t want to .
Kobach ’ s opponents in the GOP primary include Rep. Roger Marshall , state Senate President Susan Wagle and Dave Lindstrom , a businessman and former Kansas City Chiefs football player .
The leading Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a retired Kansas City-area anesthesiologist who switched from the GOP at the end of 2018 .
Pompeo ’ s conversation with McConnell was first reported by The New York Times .
AP reporters Matthew Lee in Washington and John D. Hanna in Topeka , Kansas , contributed .

Alan Fram And Lisa Mascaro - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--The Latest: US says ‘will not tolerate’ latest Iran threats

TEHRAN , Iran - The U.S. national security adviser says America “ will not tolerate “ the latest threats by @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general last week in Baghdad .
He told @ @ @ @ @ “ Fox and Friends ” on Tuesday that Iran ’ s threats against Americans , @ @ @ @ @ “ have been around for 40 years ” since the Iranian revolution .
He says @ @ @ @ @ situation carefully .
He ’ s also defending the drone strike that killed the Iranian @ @ @ @ @ which the Trump administration says the operation was based , calling the information “ very @ @ @ @ @ the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-07--2 men accused of gluing winning numbers onto lotto ticket

FLOWOOD , Miss .
- Authorities in Mississippi say two men attempted to scam the state lottery commission by submitting @ @ @ @ @ the winning numbers glued onto it .
Odis Latham , 47 , and Russell Sparks @ @ @ @ @ Monday and charged with offences including uttering counterfeit instrument over $ 1,000 .
The state @ @ @ @ @ about the fake ticket earlier that morning , Sgt .
Adam Nelson said .
Officers @ @ @ @ @ an altered $ 100,000 ticket that appeared to have the winning numbers glued onto it @ @ @ @ @ of Columbus , were set to appear in court Tuesday .
It ’ s unclear @ @ @ @ @ Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the @ @ @ @ @ our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more @ @ @ @ @ Now


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--12 climate activists on trial for stunt at Swiss bank office

GENEVA - A dozen climate activists have gone on trial for storming a Credit Suisse office in Lausanne , Switzerland , and playing tennis inside , part of a protest against the bank ’ s investments in fossil fuels .
In a trial billed as the first of its kind in Switzerland , the environmentalists from the “ Lausanne Action Climate ” group entered the courtroom Tuesday in suburban Renens with a number of supporters on hand outside holding up placards and chanting .
The defendants are standing trial after refusing to pay fines handed down after the incursion at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November 2018 .
Inside , wearing tennis dress , the activists whacked tennis balls - an allusion to Credit Suisse pitchman Roger Federer - and urged him to break his connection with the institution .
The group says Credit Suisse is one of the top banks worldwide to invest in fossil fuels , making available more than $ 7.8 billion to nearly four dozen companies that are “ extreme ” users of dirty fossil fuels and multiplying 16-fold its financing for coal from 2016 to 2017. Credit Suisse said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its loan portfolios with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and has recently announced in the context of its global climate strategy that it will no longer invest in new coal-fired power plants.
” It added that while it respects freedom of expression , it does not tolerate unlawful attacks on its branches .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-07--U.S. won’t grant Iran foreign minister visa for UN visit

WASHINGTON - The U.S. won ’ t issue Iran ’ s foreign minister a visa to travel to the United Nations later this week , contending there was not enough time to process the request .
Mohammed Javad Zarif told “ CBS This Morning ” on Tuesday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo informed the U.N. secretary general , who in turn relayed to Zarif , that “ they didn ’ t have time to review my request.
” A U.S. official confirmed Tuesday that the application couldn ’ t be processed in time .
The official wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed the matter on condition of anonymity .
Zarif ’ s trip would have been an opportunity for him to discuss the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general in Baghdad last week .
That targeted killing has escalated tensions with Iran , which has vowed to retaliate .
It ’ s not clear that Zarif ’ s request has been formally rejected , however , which would trigger legal technicalities that could affect future visa applications .
The State Department cited visa confidentiality laws that bar the release of such information with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak to reporters Tuesday morning .
At the White House Tuesday , national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien told “ Fox & Friends , ” “ I don ’ t think Secretary Pompeo thought that this was the right time for Mr. Zarif to come to the United States.
” “ This is because they fear someone will go there and tell the truth to the American people , ” Zarif said earlier Tuesday .
“ But they are mistaken .
The world is not limited to New York .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we will do that.
” Zarif had applied for the visa in order to speak to a U.N. Security Council session Thursday about the importance of upholding the U.N. charter .
“ Whenever he comes to New York , he spreads propaganda , ” O ’ Brien said .
“ I actually find it somewhat ironic that Mr. Zarif wants to take advantage of the diplomatic niceties of being able to come to New York and come to the U.N. when his revolution was born in the taking of 52 American diplomats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 444 days .
...
He can certainly call in to the meeting or he can participate by video teleconference and his voice will be heard if he wants to be heard.
” Under its obligations as the host country of the U.N. headquarters , the U.S. is required in most circumstances to issue visas to foreign officials for meetings at the world body .
However , there are exceptions and the U.S. has severely restricted the movements of Iranian diplomats in New York in the past .
It has also moved to bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notably the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court .
Associated Press reporter Darlene Superville contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-07--New sheriff named after predecessor accused of plot to kill

OXFORD , N.C. - A new sheriff has been appointed in a North Carolina county where its suspended sheriff is accused of trying to urge someone to kill a deputy .
Charles R. Noblin Jr. will take the oath of office Wednesday in Granville County , news outlets reported .
Sheriff Brindell Wilkins has been suspended with pay since September .
Wilkins was indicted on felony justice obstruction charges over allegations that he discussed killing a former deputy .
Prosecutors said that in 2014 , deputy Joshua Freeman planned to publicly release a recording of Wilkins making “ racially offensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as sheriff was announced in a joint statement from the Granville County Board of Commissioners and the Granville County Sheriff ’ s Office , news outlets reported .
Officials say it should not be read as a statement of Wilkins ’ guilt or innocence .
“ We wish to remind the public that Brindell B. Wilkins , Jr. remains innocent until proven guilty , ” a statement said according to WRAL-TV .
“ The actions taken are to insure the continued , effective operation of the Granville County Sheriff ’ s Office until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal proceedings against him are concluded.
” Noblin is an 18-year veteran of the sheriff ’ s office and is currently over its Civil Division , officials said .
Chief Deputy Sherwood Boyd filled in after Wilkins suspension .
He ’ s expected to be sworn in as Noblin ’ s chief deputy .
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