thetorontostar--2020-02-07--French researchers in Iranian jail petition to get married

TEHRAN , Iran - Two French researchers held for months in a Tehran prison on charges of violating Iran ’ s state security laws have petitioned prison authorities to allow them to get married , their lawyer said Friday .
The two — Fariba Adelkhah Adelkhah and Roland Marchal , both in their 60s — filed separate requests to Evin prison authorities , according to their lawyer , Saeid Dehghan .
He also expressed concerns for Adelkhah ’ s deteriorating health amid a hunger strike that she has been on since December .
Iranian officials disclosed last July that Adelkhah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominent anthropologist who often travelled to Iran for research on post-revolutionary Iranian society , had been arrested on espionage charges .
Those charges were later dropped but security-related charges remain against her .
Adelkhah ’ s fellow researcher Marchal was arrested as he tried to visit her , France revealed in October .
He is being held in a men ’ s ward in Evin on charges of spreading propaganda .
In December , France summoned Iranian envoy to Paris , saying it considered the months-long detention of Adelkhah and Marchal “ unacceptable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to visit them .
Dehghan told The Associated Press that the French Embassy has had consular access only to Marchal .
Iran doesn ’ t recognize dual nationality for its citizens .
He said a decision on whether his clients will be allowed to get married is expected next week .
They have been partners for 38 years in France , he added .
“ If permitted to marry , they will be able to meet and see each other inside the prison , “ he said , explaining that Iranian laws prohibit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on hunger strike to protest her and Marchal ’ s detention .
“ She remains on hunger strike , her legs are weak and she walks with difficulties , “ the lawyer said and added , without elaborating , that “ her kidneys have faced some problems.
” Iran is holding several foreign and dual nationals , including five U.S.-Iranian nationals .
A prisoner exchange in December saw Tehran Iran free a Chinese-American scholar from Princeton who had been held for three years on widely criticized espionage charges .
It was seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the U.S .
However , it came prior to the U.S. killing of Iran ’ s top general in Iraq in January , which has dramatically escalated tensions between Washington and Tehran .
Earlier , two Australians were freed in October while Australia freed an Iranian in what appeared to be a prisoner swap .
This story has been corrected to show that of the French couple , only the woman holds dual Iranian-French nationality .


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Poll pitch for India’s capital plays up growing divisions

NEW DELHI - Campaigning for a crucial state election in India ’ s capital has reached a fever pitch as members of the Hindu nationalist-led government call for violence against minority Muslims and invoke the spectre of arch-nemesis Pakistan to reverse course after a pair of losses in recent state polls .
Critics call the incendiary religious appeals a tactic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s Bharatiya Janata Party to win at the polls and divert attention from the sluggish economy , which expanded at a 4.5 % annual pace in the last quarter , its slowest rate since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been seen as a referendum on the ruling party ’ s response to nearly two months of protests across India against a new citizenship law that fast-tracks naturalization for some migrants of neighbouring countries living in the country illegally of all South Asia ’ s major religions except Islam .
Modi ’ s party had anticipated a windfall in state elections after a landslide victory in national polls last year .
A move last summer to revoke disputed Kashmir ’ s semi-autonomy and put the Muslim-majority region under lockdown , and the passage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won him praise from supporters but little reward at the polls .
BJP lost two important state elections last year .
The election in New Delhi , where 14.6 million voters are likely to cast ballots on Saturday , pits Modi ’ s party against the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party , or “ common man ” party , whose pro-poor policies have focused on fixing state-run schools , provided free healthcare and waived bus fare for women during the five years it has been in power .
A win would likely embolden Modi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could further dent his image as an unstoppable political force .
During the campaigning that ended Thursday , Modi and other senior party leaders have focused their ire on a 45-day long sit-in led by Muslim women who have been blocking a highway for weeks through New Delhi ’ s Shaheen Bagh , a working-class neighbourhood , to protest the citizenship law .
Modi has referred to the protesters as part of a “ political design ” and a “ conspiracy.
” “ This dog-whistle is basically a signal to his faithful to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lens of a well-cultivated prejudice against Muslims , ” said Shuddhabrata Sengupta , an artist and curator and longtime Modi critic .
Other BJP leaders , however , have been more blatant .
A member of Parliament from Modi ’ s party cautioned at a public rally that the sit-in demonstrators would “ enter people ’ s homes , rape women and then kill them off.
” Another minister characterized the protesters as “ traitors ” and led a crowd in chanting the slogan “ shoot them.
” Last week , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As the police took him away , a video of the incident showed him saying : “ In our country , only Hindus will prevail.
” The man was immediately arrested and was in police custody .
For the Delhi election campaign , Modi tapped the top elected official of India ’ s largest state of Uttar Pradesh , Yogi Adityanath , a Hindu monk who is known for his anti-Muslim rhetoric .
Adityanath recently told a crowd assembled in Uttam Nagar , a densely-populated neighbourhood in the capital , that Aam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delhi ’ s top elected leader , was dividing the country .
“ Whenever Kejriwal is happy , Pakistan is happy too , ” he said .
The BJP has over the years amplified its Hindu nationalist agenda fuelled by Modi ’ s extraordinary popularity .
By contrast , Kejriwal and the AAP have emphasized good governance , and a push to improve education and healthcare since its inception in 2013 .
In 2015 , it went on to win a historic mandate in Delhi and beat the incumbent Congress party by bagging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress , a third party in contention for Saturday ’ ’ s polls , has run a lacklustre campaign and is expected to fare poorly .
But Congress , AAP and other opposition parties have banded together to denounce the BJP ’ s “ communal polarization.
” Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga , a BJP candidate and party spokesman , told The Associated Press that “ nationalism is one of our main agenda and we will speak against those who plan to break India.
” Campaigning in the acrimonious election has also garnered admonishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which oversees the polls .
It banned two star campaigners from Modi ’ s party for 72 hours for hate speech .
Sanjay Kumar , a political scientist at the New Delhi-based Centre for the Study of Developing Societies , said many of the remarks made by politicians in the run-up to the polls qualified as such .
And many Delhi voters blame the commission for failing to curb the rhetoric .
“ The election commission should be more willing to recognize the threat posed by statements that are communal-driven , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @

Sheikh Saaliq And Aijaz Hussain - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Trump criticizes West Virginia Democrat on impeachment votes

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Friday criticized Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia for voting guilty on two articles of impeachment , aiming to weaken the senator ’ s political standing in a state Trump carried by a whopping 42 percentage points in 2016 .
Trump tweeted that he was “ very surprised & disappointed “ with Manchin ’ s votes .
He claimed no president has done more for the state .
Trump asserted in a subsequent tweet that Manchin was “ just a puppet “ for the Democratic leaders in the House and Senate .
Manchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment vote Wednesday that the evidence presented by House managers clearly supported the charges brought against the president .
“ I take no pleasure in these votes , and am saddened this is the legacy we leave our children and grandchildren , “ Manchin said .
“ I have always wanted this president , and every president , to succeed , but I deeply love our country and must do what I think is best for the nation.
” In West Virginia , the Republican leader of the state Senate said “ there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shock “ after Manchin ’ s vote .
“ You can not walk this back , ” said Senate President Mitch Carmichael .
“ I think he yielded to the pressure of the national Democrats to stay united on this issue with the Washington liberal establishment.
” Manchin remained publicly undecided on impeachment until essentially the last minute , saying he wanted to get all the evidence he could before casting his vote .
He stirred speculation about his intentions when he floated the idea of censuring the president , though the move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and again when he said that Hunter Biden would be a relevant witness in the trial .
West Virginia Sen. Roman Prezioso , the Democratic minority leader of the state Senate , said it ’ s often hard to know where Manchin is going to come down on an issue .
“ Anyone who knows him knows he ’ s not a puppet , ” Prezioso said .
“ He ’ s an independent voice , he ’ ll make a decision predicated on the facts.
” Manchin is serving his second term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also served as the state ’ s governor .
He and Trump appeared to have a warmer relationship than the president has with most Democratic lawmakers .
Trump invited him to the White House in August when the president presented former basketball player Bob Cousy with the Medal of Freedom .
A month later , Manchin was again at the White House when Trump presented the Medal of Freedom to another former basketball great , Jerry West .
Republicans have gained the upper hand in West Virginia in recent decades .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Senate in the 2018 elections in a tight race against a Trump-backed challenger .
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito , a West Virginia Republican who voted against impeachment , told Fox News on Thursday that people in the state are “ rather mystified ” by Manchin ’ s vote .
“ I just feel that probably Senator Schumer just pulled the noose a little tight and said ‘ come on , everybody , we ’ re going to jump off this cliff together , ’ and back here , West Virginians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .

Kevin Freking And Anthony Izaguirre - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Assistant basketball coach guilty of assault for fatal punch

NEW YORK - A former Wake Forest University assistant basketball coach has been convicted of assault for fatally punching a man in New York City .
A jury in Queens criminal court found Jamill Jones guilty of misdemeanour assault on Thursday for the punch that killed 35-year-old Sandor Szabo in August 2018 .
The New York Post reported that Jones showed no emotion when the jury delivered the guilty verdict , and that Szabo ’ s friends and family members tearfully consoled each other .
“ I am so relieved it ’ s over , ” said Donna Kent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m ready to sleep and move on .
This has been my life for 18 months.
” Jones , 37 , of Kernersville , North Carolina , faces up to one year in prison at his sentencing next month .
Authorities said Szabo , who may have been intoxicated , banged on the window of Jones ’ SUV on Aug. 5 , 2018 .
Police said Jones got out , punched Szabo and sped off .
Szabo fell and hit his head .
He never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement that Szabo banged on the rear window of Jones ’ vehicle and may have shattered the glass .
Still , she said , Jones could have driven away or called 911 .
“ Instead , he retaliated by getting out of his car and punching the victim , ” Katz said .
“ This was a death that could have been avoided , sparing the victim ’ s family the loss of a loved one.
” Jones was placed on leave by Wake Forest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was left with Jones ’ attorney .
Szabo was visiting New York from Boca Raton , Florida .
He was vice-president for sales at What If Media Group , a digital media company based in Fort Lee , New Jersey .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Administration ends antitrust probe of 4 automakers,  Calif.

WASHINGTON - The Trump administration has ended its antitrust probe into a deal between California and four of the world ’ s biggest automakers , after failing to find that the companies ’ conduct violated the law .
The Justice Department ’ s investigation , which started last fall , had aimed to determine whether antitrust laws were violated by Ford , Honda , Volkswagen and BMW in reaching the July deal with California .
Under the deal , the automakers planned to comply with pollution and related mileage requirements established by California that are tougher than the federal standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Department didn ’ t find conduct violating the law and has closed the investigation , a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Friday .
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren ’ t authorized to speak publicly .
In September , the administration revoked California ’ s authority to set auto mileage standards , asserting that only the federal government has the power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy .
Top California officials and environmental groups took legal action to stop the rollback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antitrust powers to target political opponents with the investigation .
A top Justice Department official defended the probe before Congress and denied any political motivation or influence from the White House .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , a Democrat , said Friday that the Justice Department ’ s “ trumped-up charges were always a sham — a blatant attempt by the Trump administration to prevent more automakers from joining California and agreeing to stronger emissions standards.
“ Newsom called the closing of the probe “ a big loss for the president and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s authority to set its own , tougher emissions standards dates back to a waiver issued by Congress during passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970 .
The state has long pushed automakers to adopt more fuel-efficient passenger vehicles that emit less pollution .
About a dozen states and the District of Columbia also follow California ’ s fuel economy standards .
The deal struck by the state and the automakers bypassed the administration ’ s plan to freeze emissions and fuel economy standards adopted under President Obama at 2021 levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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Marcy Gordon And Michael Balsamo - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Rescues by chopper, front loader as flood hits northwest US

PORTLAND , Ore. - Residents in the foothills of the towering Blue Mountains in rural northeast Oregon were plucked from their flooded homes by helicopter and others rode to safety in the bucket of a front-end loader as relentless rain and melting snow pushed multiple rivers over their banks .
An earlier heavy snowfall in the mountains combined with two days of steady rain and warming temperatures to unleash floodwaters on the city of Pendleton and rural , mountain foothill communities to its east late Thursday and Friday .
The Umatilla River crested just before 10 p.m. Thursday at more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nearly four times the average height for that date .
Rivers all around the region overran their banks , setting records as they went .
Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown declared a state of emergency in Umatilla , Wallowa and Union counties late Friday to help communities deal with the severe flooding .
The declaration means Oregon can mobilize the National Guard if needed Authorities were still conducting search and rescue operations Friday with two helicopters , trying to reach residents still boxed in by high water in rural communities like Gibbon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chaotic scene from late Thursday , when rescue personal had to improvise to get the last few residents out of a rapidly flooding area of Pendleton using heavy machinery usually used for road maintenance .
“ The last few residents that we evacuated , we used a front-end loader and put them in the bucket .
The current was pretty heavy , and there were a lot of obstructions underwater , ” Pendleton Police Chief Stuart Roberts said .
“ It was difficult to navigate.
” A breach in the levee sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wastewater treatment plant , Roberts said .
Residents on wells were advised to boil their water .
Authorities in Umatilla County had used 35,000 sandbags by Friday and another 50,000 were en route from Portland , Oregon , about 210 miles ( 337 kilometres ) to the west .
Evacuation shelters were open in Pendleton and on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation , which was also hit hard by the flooding .
All but a nine-mile ( 14-kilometre ) stretch of I-84 was once more open Friday after much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
About a five-mile ( 8-kilometre ) stretch of the freeway — which links Idaho and Oregon — will be closed for up to a week because of damage from the flooding , said Tom Strandberg , a spokesman for the Oregon Department of Transportation .
“ There ’ s now a river running between the median , so it ’ s interesting — but at least the freeway is open now except for that detour , ” he said Friday in a phone interview .
Resident Chantel Fuller told the East Oregonian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until it filled her home in a matter of hours .
Her neighbours ’ home in rural Thorn Hollow was underwater , and other neighbours were stranded , she said .
“ Our neighbours are stuck in their house and my husband and a friend went to go help them out and now they ’ re stuck on the roof .
I ’ ve never seen it like this , ” she said in a video clip posted on the newspaper ’ s website .
“ It flooded good last year — which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it — and this year tops ( that ) .
” The four were rescued .
But the rescuers themselves had to spend the night there because of a fuel issue with the helicopter and were pulled out on Friday , Umatilla County Sheriff Terry Rowan said .
The Oregonian/OregonLive reported 10 total rescues , but Rowan could not confirm that number .
Elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest , officials braced for more flooding and landslides from relentless rains .
Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee issued an updated emergency proclamation for 20 counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecast to continue into the weekend .
King County Executive Dow Constantine signed an emergency declaration Thursday to speed up response .
A small number of National Guard troops were assisting residents near hard-hit Carnation , Washington .
Seventeen rivers in western Washington had reached flood stage , authorities said .
Near Walla Walla , Washington , just north of the Oregon border , the Mill River crested at more than 20 feet ( 6.10 metres ) , setting a record , the National Weather Service said .
In western Washington , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Route 18 west of Issaquah on Thursday night , blocking the highway for hours .
No one was injured .
People living in an apartment building in Issaquah were evacuated Thursday after Issaquah Creek breached its banks and began running under the building .
Snow levels will drop and heavy snow is expected in the Cascade Mountains through Saturday morning , the National Weather Service said .
Winds are expected to pick up , too , they said .
Snow is also expected in the Blue Mountains , but lower temperatures should stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rivers were expected to drop below flood stage by Saturday morning , authorities said .


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Man convicted in 2012 deaths of 2 Louisiana deputies

EDGARD , La .
- A man accused of killing two sheriff ’ s deputies in Louisiana during a bloody gun battle in 2012 was convicted of first-degree murder Friday .
A jury quickly found 35-year-old Kyle Joekel guilty after testimony and final statements in his trial concluded .
Jurors will next decide whether to impose a sentence of death or life in prison .
Deputies Brandon Nielsen and Jeremy Triche were killed during the shootout at a trailer park in St. John the Baptist Parish .
Two deputies who survived the gunfight testified that they witnessed the shooting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an AK-47 and shot him at close range .
Defence attorneys argued that another man — Brian Smith , who is being held in a mental hospital and has been deemed incompetent for trial — fired the shots .
Joekel and Smith were members of the anti-government extremist group Sovereign Citizens , according to prosecutors .
Brian Smith ’ s father , Terry Smith , is charged with first-degree murder in the deputies ’ deaths but is serving life in prison for rape in an unrelated case .
Pleading guilty as accessories years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an account in The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate , were another of Terry Smith ’ s sons , Derrick Smith ; Terry Smith ’ s wife , Chanel Skains ; and Brian Smith ’ s girlfriend , Britney Keith .
The suspects were arrested after an early morning assault on another deputy , Michael Scott Boyington , led to the deadly shootout in the mobile home park in Laplace , a suburb west of New Orleans .
Boyington was shot and wounded at the entrance of a parking lot used by contract workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refinery .
He was working off-duty on a security detail at the lot .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Buttigieg says he’s raised $4M since strong showing in Iowa

WASHINGTON - Pete Buttigieg said Friday that he has raised $ 4 million since the Iowa caucuses , an impressive haul for a candidate looking to capitalize on his strong showing to continue building a national political brand .
The campaign of the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , announced that it had collected $ 4 million since one minute after midnight on Tuesday .
The results from Monday ’ s caucuses are too close for The Associated Press to call .
In figures released Thursday by the state party , Buttigieg leads Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both candidates have declared victory .
It ’ s another sign of strength for Buttigieg , who was unknown in national politics a year ago and has risen to become a front-runner in the Democratic primary .
He is offering a centrist message and promising a fresh approach to politics as a 38-year-old Washington outsider .
Buttigieg ’ s campaign also said it was launching digital ads in Nevada and South Carolina starting on Saturday .
Those states vote after New Hampshire , which holds the nation ’ s first primary on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 25 million in January and is planning to use his flush campaign account to add staff and increase television and online advertising in states that vote on “ Super Tuesday ” on March 3 .
Their twin strong finishes in Iowa have also increased tensions between Sanders and Buttigieg .
Appearing at a “ Politics and Eggs ” breakfast at Saint Anselm College in Manchester , New Hampshire , on Friday , Sanders read a series of headlines about wealthy donors backing Buttigieg .
“ I like Pete Buttigieg .
Nice guy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are in a moment where billionaires control not only our economy but our political life.
” Channeling an old folk ballad , Sanders added : “ This campaign is about ‘ Which Side are You On , ’ ” then quipped , “ I will not sing for you.
” Sanders questioned whether candidates taking big checks from corporate interests would be willing to stand up to them and suggested the larger issue may not come up on Friday night , when he and other Democratic presidential candidates debate in Manchester .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a debate .
They ’ ll ask me 500 questions about this issue , that issue .
That ’ s fine .
We got ta hear the answers , ” Sanders said .
“ But it ’ s deeper than that : Which side are you on ?
” Buttigieg ’ s campaign said Friday that during the first week of February , he had raised more money online than in all but two months of last year .
Sanders also relies heavily on funds raised online , mostly from small donors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been 30,000 new donors since Feb. 4 and a third of all donations came from first-time donors .
It had raised $ 1 million in the past 24 hours , as Sanders began swiping more openly at Buttigieg .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Teen pleads guilty to murder in Colorado school shooting

CASTLE ROCK , Colo. - The younger of two students charged in a school shooting in suburban Denver that killed @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
Alec McKinney , 16 , pleaded guilty to 17 felonies , including a @ @ @ @ @ a plea deal , the 18th Judicial District Attorney ’ s office said .
In @ @ @ @ @ that McKinney would be prosecuted as an adult in the May 7 , 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ Ranch that killed Kendrick Castillo , 18 .
Devon Erickson , 19 , has pleaded @ @ @ @ @ charges McKinney faced in the shooting .
Erickson ’ s lawyers have portrayed McKinney as @ @ @ @ @ to participate .
Castillo was among the students who rushed Erickson after authorities say he @ @ @ @ @ a classroom .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Judge upholds Maryland ban on pet stores’ sale of cats, dogs

COLLEGE PARK , Md .
- A federal judge on Friday threw out a lawsuit that challenged Maryland ’ s newly enacted ban on the sale of dogs and cats by retail pet stores , a statute billed as a check against unlicensed and unsanitary “ puppy mills.
” Four pet stores , a dog breeder and a dog broker sued in August to block the law , which took effect Jan. 1 .
Maryland was the second state after California to pass such restrictions on the sale of dogs and cats .
The law bans pet stores from selling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collaborate with animal welfare groups to “ showcase ” dogs from shelters , animal control units and “ local breeders.
” U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander , who also denied the plaintiffs ’ request for a preliminary injunction blocking the law ’ s enforcement , said she found ample evidence that state lawmakers had a “ rational basis ” for enacting the statute .
“ Protecting consumers , reducing financial support for mill breeders , and encouraging pet adoption are indisputably legitimate state interests , ” she wrote in her 79-page decision .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers improperly tried to harm pet stores by siding with animal-rights groups .
“ This argument is without merit .
Siding with one group does not necessarily signify hostility towards another , ” the judge wrote .
The pet stores have said the ban will put them out of business .
One of the plaintiffs , Just Puppies , closed “ for a period ” after the law took effect last month , said plaintiffs ’ attorney Jonathan Kagan .
The ban already has “ significantly impacted ” the stores that have stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court ruling , he added .
Kagan couldn ’ t immediately say if his clients would appeal the ruling .
“ We ’ re still trying to digest it , ” he said .
Maryland ’ s law encourages animal welfare organizations to collaborate with retail pet stores to showcase cats and dogs for adoption or purchase from “ local breeders , ” according to a summary of the legislation prepared by state analysts .
The pet stores argued the ban is unconstitutional , violating the Commerce Clause and the Equal Protection Clause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the legislation ’ s intent to facilitate sales from local breeders discriminates against out-of-state breeders and brokers .
The judge said the law is a “ poorly drafted statute ” that doesn ’ t define the terms “ showcase ” and “ local breeders.
” But she agreed with the state that the law does not carve out a special exception for local breeders to sell cats or dogs through pet stores or preclude out-of-state breeders and brokers from showcasing their animals in pet stores .
“ As such , the Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out-of-state breeders and brokers , ” Hollander wrote .
The lawsuit also said animal welfare organizations have made unfounded claims that pet stores are fueling the growth of puppy mills .
The suit claimed the ban effectively shifts the sale of puppies from regulated retailers to unregulated sources , such as sellers placing ads on the internet or in newspapers .
“ Internet pet sales have a notoriously high incidence of fraud and scams which will only increase against Maryland residents once the ban takes effect , ” the suit said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support plaintiffs ’ belief that , in effect , the cure is worse than the disease.
“ “ But , whatever the Act ’ s soundness , that is a judgment committed to the legislature , ” Hollander added .
Gov .
Larry Hogan , a Republican , signed the legislation into law in April 2018 after the state Senate unanimously approved it and the House passed it , 129-8 .
The defendants include the state Senate ’ s finance committee and Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh , whose office will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first law of this kind took effect in January 2019 in California .
Unlike Maryland ’ s blanket ban on the sale of dogs and cats by pet stores , California law prohibits pet stores from selling a dog , cat or rabbit unless it came from an animal shelter or rescue group .
Some local governments , including in Maryland , already have enacted similar measures .
Maine also recently enacted a law prohibiting the sale of cats and dogs in stores , and New York is contemplating a pet store ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted .

Michael Kunzelman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--No handshakes at meet and greet? Tech show adapts to virus

LONDON - A major European technology trade fair has a low-tech idea for reducing virus risks : go hands-free .
Organizers of this month ’ s Mobile World Congress show are advising attendees to adopt a no-handshake policy , threatening to dampen visiting executives ’ ability to meet and schmooze customers .
Show organizers also plan to step up cleaning and disinfecting and make sure speakers don ’ t use the same microphone .
Some companies , meanwhile , are pulling out or scaling back plans .
MWC is an important networking and lobbying opportunity for mobile industry executives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s the world ’ s biggest wireless industry trade fair , held in Barcelona , Spain , on the other side of the globe from the virus outbreak ’ s Chinese epicenter .
More than 100,000 people were expected to attend this year , with about 6 % from China .
The coronavirus has now infected more than 31,400 people globally and killed more than 630 , most of them in China .
The latest turmoil for MWC came Friday when Sweden ’ s Ericsson , a major supplier of telecom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the Feb. 24-27 event because it feared the health and safety of employees and customers “ can not be ensured.
” While there ’ s little sign of a mass exodus in the works , the departure of Ericsson is a blow to the show because it ’ s one of the biggest exhibitors .
South Korean tech company LG also withdrew earlier in the week .
Other companies are adjusting or scaling back their plans to adapt to travel and quarantine measures .
The Chinese tech giant Huawei , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the show .
Eric Xu , serving a six-month term as rotating chairman , is scheduled to hold a media briefing by video because he ’ s unable to get to Spain with enough time to undergo the two-week self-quarantine period .
Jean-Baptiste Su , principal analyst at Atherton Research in San Jose , California , said he ’ s decided not to attend because of virus worries .
“ I just didn ’ t want to take a chance , “ he said .
“ ” It ’ s that bad.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China , and “ we don ’ t know much about how the transmission of the virus works.
“ He added that people he knows at big Silicon Valley companies are “ on the fence ” about attending , and their employers say it ’ s OK if they don ’ t want to .
Ericsson said it decided to withdraw after “ an extensive internal risk assessment.
“ “ Ericsson has thousands of visitors in its hall each day and even if the risk is low , the company can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees and visitors , “ the company said .
Dropping out might affect Ericsson ’ s business , though the damage would be limited , said Richard Fogg , CEO of tech-focused public relations agency CCgroup who has attended Mobile World for 17 years .
More important is the signal it sends .
“ Ericsson could be the start of a domino rally , “ Fogg said .
“ It gives smaller vendors permission to potentially pull from attending.
” However , he said there was not much discussion among his clients yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also a factor because exhibitors have already paid their fees .
The show ’ s organizers , GSMA , said it regretted and respected Ericsson ’ s decision to pull out .
“ Ericsson ’ s cancellation will have some impact on our presence at this time and will potentially have further impact , ” the group said .
Organizers and local authorities have been scrambling to contain worries about the virus this week .
Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau said MWC will go ahead “ in a completely normal way ” despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope there are no more announcements like those “ by Ericsson and LG , ” Colau told Catalan television channel TV3 on Friday .
“ I am told that all necessary precautions are being taken ” so that the event can be held as safely as possible , she said .
Mats Granryd , director general of the GSMA , told The Associated Press on Wednesday , before Ericsson ’ s announcement , that he doesn ’ t “ foresee this ( as ) more than a sort of a blip.
” Microsoft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — for now .
“ The safety of our employees is a top priority and we will evaluate the situation and adjust plans as necessary , ” the company said .
But LG said Tuesday that it was dropping out to remove “ the risk of exposing hundreds of LG employees to international travel which has already become more restrictive as the virus continues to spread across borders.
” A day later , Chinese tech company ZTE said it was scrubbing the press launch for its new devices .
ZTE also said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand daily and making sure it ’ s staffed by employees from countries outside China , mainly from Europe .
Granryd said a few small Chinese companies based in Wuhan , China , where the virus first emerged , have also pulled out .
Barry Hatton in Lisbon , Portugal , and Matt O ’ Brien in Providence , Rhode Island , contributed to this report .
For all of AP ’ s tech coverage , visit https : //apnews.com/apf-technology


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Accusations follow EPA’s ouster of California regional boss

WASHINGTON - The Environmental Protection Agency abruptly pushed out its top regional official for California and other points West , touching off an unusual public dispute between the two over the reason why .
Mike Stoker , the EPA ’ s chief for California and other far West states and territories since 2018 , said he got a call Wednesday from senior agency officials in Washington telling him to resign .
The flare-up marks the latest political road bump for the Trump administration in California , a Democratic stronghold leading the ranks of states fighting the president on environmental and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his farewell note to regional EPA staff , which Stoker provided to The Associated Press , Stoker said he believed his repeated clashes with the agency ’ s headquarters over unspecified “ policy and non-policy items ” helped prompt his removal .
But Stoker also wrote that he had been warned recently “ that it wasn ’ t going unnoticed how many Democrat members in Congress were commending me for the job I was doing ” on a contaminated site in San Francisco and other environmental issues in his region .
Aides for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat , confirmed Friday that she had praised his work.. “ Many thanks for your commitment to the clean up and transfer of the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard , ” Pelosi wrote in a June , 28 , 2018 letter to Stoker .
“ Your work to ensure public health , hold a transparent process that engages the public ... is critical and greatly appreciated.
” EPA spokeswoman Corry Schiermeyer in Washington disputed Stoker ’ s account of the reason for his dismissal , however .
In a statement Friday , Schiermeyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bosses to “ work in a bipartisan way.
” Instead , the EPA spokeswoman pointed to what she said was excessive travel and poor decision-making .
“ We ... had to relieve him for severe neglect and incompetent administration of his duties .
His excuses and stories are simply all made up and we can not allow them to go without response , ” Schiermeyer said in the statement .
Stoker called that “ 100 per cent false , “ saying Friday he had never gotten any reprimand from his EPA bosses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ included posts in agriculture and in state and local government .
A supporter of candidate and then President Donald Trump , Stoker is credited with originating the chant “ Lock her up ” at Trump rallies , in regard to Hillary Clinton .
His stint at San Francisco-based EPA Region 9 came at a time when the Trump administration has been accused of trying to weaponize the EPA and some other federal agencies to punish California and other states for opposition to administration policies .
Last fall , for instance , Trump accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human waste from drug addicts and homeless people to wash out into the Pacific Ocean .
San Francisco officials insisted that its sewage treatment system prevented any contamination , but the EPA followed up with warnings alleging violations of the Clean Water Act .
Stoker ’ s heavy travel in the EPA job had prompted a review by the agency ’ s independently funded Office of the Inspector General .
The EPA watchdog in 2019 tallied his 35 trips for an eight-month period throughout California and the West and as far as American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 43,875 .
Stoker was travelling on half of his work days for the period , the watchdog office said .
The EPA at the time defended Stoker ’ s trips , calling them appropriate for an official presiding over a far-flung region .
EPA spokespeople did not respond Friday when asked why they now objected to Stoker ’ s travel .
A senior attorney for an environmental group active in California on Friday said Stoker had been at the centre of the Trump EPA ’ s efforts against the state .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protecting the environment , so good riddance , ” Hollin Kretzmann , senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity , said .
The region ’ s deputy administrator , Deborah Johnson , takes over as acting head .


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Healthy US job market: How big a political edge for Trump?

WASHINGTON - U.S. hiring jumped last month , and many more people were encouraged to look for work , showing that the economy remains robust despite threats from China ’ s viral outbreak , an ongoing trade war and struggles at Boeing .
The strong job growth gives President Donald Trump more evidence for his assertion that the economy is flourishing under his watch .
It may also complicate the argument his Democratic presidential rivals are making that the economy isn ’ t benefiting everyday Americans .
The Labor Department said Friday that employers added a robust 225,000 jobs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a half-million Americans , feeling better about their job prospects , streamed into the job market .
Most found jobs .
But those that didn ’ t were newly counted as unemployed , and their numbers raised the jobless rate to 3.6 % from December ’ s half-century low of 3.5 % .
Seven Democratic presidential candidates were to debate later Friday in New Hampshire .
Leading contenders , notably Sens .
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren , have built campaigns around the argument that the middle class has been mostly left out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served the wealthy .
The outcome of the presidential race could hinge in part on whether enough voters agree that inequality and rising costs for services such as health care , housing and college education outweigh the benefits from nearly 11 years of economic growth .
“ Democratic primary voters are very open to messages about the economy doing badly , ” said Jason Furman , a top economic adviser to former President Barack Obama , said .
Furman added , though , “ I don ’ t know that that would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” As the election intensifies , views of the economy remain broadly polarized .
According to a Pew Research Center survey released Friday , 81 % of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say the economy is excellent or good .
Only 39 % of Democrats and those leaning Democratic say so .
The public overall , Pew notes , holds a more positive view of the economy than at any point in the past 20 years .
Fifty-seven per cent say they think it is excellent or good , up from 32 % in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point to several positive trends in Friday ’ s jobs report , though his Democratic opponents can cite some evidence for their contrasting views , too .
Robust hiring has picked up from earlier this year , when the trade war with China raged , and is helping remedy one of the economy ’ s key weaknesses : Even as the unemployment rate fell from a peak of 10 % in 2009 , millions of Americans were discouraged about finding a job and stopped looking for one .
Some returned to school or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yet that trend has nearly reversed itself since 2016 .
The proportion of Americans in their prime working years — ages 25 through 54 — who either have a job or are looking for one has reached its highest point since September 2008 , just before the recession intensified .
Economists typically focus on the prime-age population because it filters out the effects of retirement among the vast baby boomer generation .
Trump officials are also stressing that the job market is now benefiting a wider range of demographic groups .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asians , young people , women — all ... are either at their all-time employment lows or very nearly so , ” Larry Kudlow , the White House ’ s top economic adviser , said Friday .
Trump has also been touting a “ blue collar boom , ” though the evidence for that is mixed .
Manufacturers lost jobs in January for the third time in four months .
The employment report shows that if there is such a boom , it is among construction and transportation and warehouse workers , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hiring .
These jobs often pay less than factory jobs of the past .
Wages are also a mixed bag .
Hourly pay rose 3.1 % in January from a year earlier , a decent pace but below a peak of 3.5 % reached last summer .
The last time the unemployment rate fell below 4 % , in the late 1990s , wages were rising much faster — about 4.5 % annually .
Still , pay is picking up for many low-income workers , a trend that Trump has repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of workers , wages rose 4.6 % year-over-year in December , the most recent month for which data is available , compared with 3 % for the richest quarter , according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta .
Those outsize gains began in 2015 and have been fueled in part by higher minimum wages in many states .
Yet there are many soft spots in the economy that Democrats can work with , Furman said .
For example , a Congressional Budget Office report in December concluded that Trump ’ s 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The CBO , a nonpartisan institution , forecasts that the richest 1 % of Americans will enjoy roughly triple the gains in after-tax income compared with the bottom fifth .
Nor has the economy ’ s growth reversed long-running wealth disparities .
Federal Reserve data shows the top 1 % owned more than 32 % of the nation ’ s housing and financial wealth , up slightly from when Trump was inaugurated .
Despite the economic strength evident in Friday ’ s job report , analysts warn that hiring could slow in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report was compiled before the spread of the coronavirus , which has sickened thousands in China , closed stores and factories there and led many international businesses to suspend operations involving China .
And Boeing ’ s decision to halt production of its troubled 737 MAX appear to has yet to affect overall job growth .
But some Boeing suppliers have announced layoffs that could be felt in next month ’ s jobs report .

Christopher Rugaber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Brewery reopens Detroit taproom after lawsuit settlement

DETROIT - A brewery reopened a Detroit taproom months after settling a racial discrimination lawsuit by a black former employee .
Founders Brewing Co. began serving drinks and food again to customers at the taproom just north of downtown on Thursday .
Tracy Evans was fired as an events and promotions manager .
He later accused the company in a 2018 lawsuit of tolerating a “ racist internal corporate culture , ” and said he was called the N-word .
Founders was criticized after a taproom general manager refused to say in a deposition that Evans is black .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not disclosed .
The taproom also closed in late October , and the company ’ s diversity and inclusion officer resigned .
Some retailers and venues stopped selling Founders products .
“ We ’ re just looking at getting better , ” co-founder Dave Engbers told the Detroit Free Press .
“ The beer we brew today is great , but the beer we brew a year from now is going to be better .
The way we manage is strong .
I think we ’ re going to be stronger in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has hired a consultant to put together a plan focused on inclusion to get employee input and create focus groups and diversity committees .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-07--New UK  envoy to US wants expanded ties and talks with Trump

LONDON - Britain ’ s new ambassador to the United States said Friday she looks forward to expanding the traditional security and economic partnership between the two nations to new areas like artificial intelligence and to having talks with President Donald Trump , who has always been “ gracious and friendly ” to her .
Karen Pierce , a veteran diplomat who is currently Britain ’ s ambassador to the United Nations , was named to the new post Friday .
She said she thinks the “ special relationship ” between the United Kingdom and the United States will stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the European Union , “ because some of what binds us together , particularly on the security side , is deep and enduring and it ’ s also two-way.
” She recalled U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ’ s recent statement in London that British intelligence has helped prevent attacks on American soil .
Pierce , 60 , will replace Kim Darroch , whose critical portrayal of the Trump administration led to an embarrassing trans-Atlantic spat and his resignation from the Washington ambassadorial post in July .
Trump expressed fury when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Britain ’ s Mail on Sunday newspaper , called the U.S. administration ’ s policy toward Iran “ incoherent , ” said the president might be indebted to “ dodgy Russians , ” and questioned whether the White House “ will ever look competent.
” Trump tweeted that Darroch was “ wacky “ and “ a very stupid guy.
” Pierce said in an interview with The Associated Press at Britain ’ s U.N. Mission after her appointment was announced in London that she has been “ lucky ” to have met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prime minister and the U.N. Security Council , stressing how “ gracious ” he was .
While “ one would always be nervous meeting a head of state , ” Pierce said , she looks forward to conversations with Trump about all the areas “ our countries care about so much.
” One critical issue will be Britain ’ s need to strike a trade deal with the United States following its EU exit .
Pierce said there are also areas “ where we disagree , ” some where disagreements are “ quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that affects the overall health of the relationship.
” Britain and the U.S. disagree about the Iran nuclear deal that Trump pulled the U.S. out of , the Paris climate agreement that the U.S. also exited and Chinese tech giant Huawei ’ s 5G network , which the U.K. opted not to ban as the Trump administration sought .
Pierce recalled that when she served at the British Embassy in Washington in the 1990s , there was “ a big gulf ” between the U.S. and Europe over Bosnia and the Balkan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leak into all different aspects of relations.
” “ I ’ m not seeing that now , ” she said .
“ Obviously I will do my best to put the British point of view across and do my best to narrow differences .
But I think it ’ s also about exploiting opportunities for both America and for Britain in this relationship.
” In the announcement of her appointment , British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said , “ It is a time of huge opportunity for the friendship between the U.K. and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pierce will take forward this exciting new chapter in our relationship.
” Pierce , who was the first woman to be Britain ’ s U.N. ambassador and will be the first woman to be its U.S. ambassador , said she doesn ’ t think Trump will be disappointed she was chosen rather than Nigel Farage , the Brexit Party leader who is Britain ’ s leading champion of Trump .
The U.S. president had said Farage would make a “ great ambassador.
” Pierce said she is looking ahead to expanding U.K.-U.S. relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honour anywhere to represent your country , but to be able to do that in Washington ... at a really important time in Britain ’ s development of the nation , I have to say I ’ m slightly overwhelmed , but I am really , really looking forward to it , ” she said .
America is really “ a land of opportunity , ” Pierce said , “ and now we ’ ve left the European Union I want to find out those new opportunities and exploit them , use them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.K. but also for the benefit of America.
” She pointed to “ a whole swath of new areas ” including in science , artificial intelligence and cyber .
“ If you take something like the creative industries , we export something like over $ 100 million , some estimates say $ 200 million to the United States , ” Pierce said .
“ We don ’ t just export British villains .
So , I think that ’ s an area to really push forward on.
” Pierce said she also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and feels the U.S. election campaign will be an opportunity for her “ to get to know America.
” “ America ’ s demographic has been changing , ” she said .
“ There are some people who perhaps don ’ t know how deep the relationship with Britain has been and the potential is for the future .
So , it ’ ll be my job to reach all the parts of America.
” Britain has had two women prime ministers — Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May — and Pierce said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China and Russia .
Has the glass ceiling been cracked for female British diplomats ?
“ We ’ re not there yet but we ’ re well on our way , ” Pierce said .
She expressed hope that seeing women diplomats and those from underrepresented groups in top jobs will encourage more people “ to give it a go , because I have been very lucky and I ’ m determined to repay that luck.
” Associated Press writer Danica Kirka reported in London and AP writer Edith M. Lederer reported from @ @ @ @

Danica Kirka And Edith M. Lederer - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Nevada union warns members of Sanders, Warren health plans

LAS VEGAS - Nevada ’ s most influential union is sending a subtle message to its members discouraging support for Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren over their health care stances even though the union has not yet decided if it will endorse a candidate in the Democratic presidential race .
The casino workers ’ Culinary Union , a 60,000-member group made up of housekeepers , porters , bartenders and more who work in Las Vegas ’ famed casinos , began distributing leaflets in employee dining rooms this week that push back against “ Medicare For All , ” the plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a government-run health insurance system .
The leaflet said “ presidential candidates suggesting forcing millions of hard working people to give up their healthcare creates unnecessary division between workers , and will give us four more years of Trump.
” Health care is one of the biggest issues for the union , whose members have fought and negotiated for robust plans .
With voting in Nevada ’ s presidential caucuses scheduled to start in just over a week , the union ’ s message to stand firm against the health care plans could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are considering voting for those who would unravel the union ’ s crowning achievement .
The union ’ s national affiliate , Unite Here , is staying neutral in the contest , but five of Unite Here ’ s affiliate unions based in California announced Friday they were backing Sanders .
Another affiliate , Unite Here Local 11 out of Southern California , announced in January it was backing both Sanders and Warren .
The Culinary Union ’ s leaflet does not name Warren or Sanders or cite Medicare for All , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates have made .
The leaflet says some politicians promise “ you will get more money for wages from the company if you give up Culinary Health Insurance , ” but those politicians “ have never sat at our bargaining table or been on a 24/7 6 years , 4 months and 10 days strike line , ” a reference to an action taken by Culinary and other unions in 1991 against the Frontier Hotel and Casino that became one of the longest labour strikes in U.S. history .
“ We will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the leaflet said .
A copy of the leaflet , written in English and Spanish , was provided to The Associated Press by the union .
The Nevada Independent first reported on the leaflet Friday .
Culinary Union spokeswoman Bethany Khan said the leaflet is not a sign of whether the union will endorse and said the union is not organizing against any candidates .
She said the leaflet “ just presented members with facts.
” “ We always lay out facts to members .
That ’ s our responsibility , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that union members will make the ultimate decision .
“ Everything in the leaflet is what we have told each candidate .
They know what our message is , “ she said .
The issue has been at the forefront of town halls that the union has held in Las Vegas with the candidates , including Warren and Sanders , and many union members and leaders made it clear they don ’ t want to give up their health plans .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Game .
”

Michelle L. Price - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Pedestrian dies of injuries suffered in Anchorage crash

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - A pedestrian struck by a car last month in south Anchorage has died of her injuries @ @ @ @ @ police that Lillian Pete , 55 , had died , police spokesman M.J. Thim said @ @ @ @ @ at around 5:30 p.m. Jan. 22 .
A man driving a car attempted to exit @ @ @ @ @ Dimond Center mall and struck Pete .
The driver remained at the scene and co-operated @ @ @ @ @ or charges were filed immediately after the accident .
The crash closed lanes of Dimond @ @ @ @ @ Highway .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Man pleads guilty to killing his wife on cruise to Alaska

JUNEAU , Alaska - A man pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder in the beating death of his wife during a 2017 family cruise to Alaska .
During Friday ’ s hearing Kenneth Manzanares acknowledged details of a plea agreement he ’ d earlier signed , which said he beat his wife , Kristy Manzanares , after she told him during an argument that she wanted a divorce .
Kenneth Manzanares , of Santa Clara , Utah said he hit his wife with a closed fist , saw blood and hit her again but had no memory after that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined Kristy Manzanares had died from blunt force trauma to her head and face .
U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Burgess set sentencing for late May .
Under the agreement , Manzanares waived the right to appeal his conviction but reserved the right to appeal the “ reasonableness ” of an eventual sentence .
No one spoke from Kristy Manzanares ’ family Friday ; a line had been set up by the court for her parents to listen by phone .
Friday ’ s change of plea hearing largely involved questioning by Burgess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and plea .
According to the plea agreement , an adult daughter of the couple and an unidentified minor who had been told by Kenneth Manzanares to leave the cabin where the couple was arguing tried to re-enter when they heard Kristy Manzanares scream .
From a balcony , they saw Kenneth Manzanares atop his wife , hitting her , and the adult daughter went for help , the document states .
When Kristy Manzanares ’ brothers and father arrived , they saw her husband pull her toward the balcony , the document @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her back into the room .
Security and medical personnel attempted to perform life-saving measures before she was pronounced dead , according to the document .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-07--Michael Avenatti considering testifying at extortion trial

NEW YORK - California lawyer Michael Avenatti may decide to testify at his New York trial on charges that he tried to extort Nike for millions of dollars , his lawyer said Friday .
Attorney Scott Srebnick said he ’ ll file arguments Saturday asking a judge to exclude any questions about allegations that Avenatti cheated porn star Stormy Daniels out of book proceeds or clients in Los Angeles out of millions of dollars .
Srebnick said whether the judge grants the request will be a factor in whether Avenatti testifies at his trial on charges that he tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nike with threats that he ’ d otherwise publicize misdeeds by Nike executives and knock billions of dollars off the value of the company ’ s shares .
The prosecution is expected to end presentation of its evidence against Avenatti on Monday .
Avenatti is scheduled to face trial in April in New York on criminal charges related to his handling of the book proceeds for Daniels and a trial in May in Los Angeles on charges that he cheated clients and others out of millions of dollars .
Avenatti was a frequent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represented Daniels in lawsuits against President Donald Trump .
Prosecutors say he used his fame and media clout as leverage to try to extract millions of dollars from Nike while he was facing debts of at least $ 11 million .
Avenatti maintains that he did nothing wrong and that his dealings with Nike in March 2019 were consistent with what lawyers do every day in negotiations on behalf of clients .
For Avenatti ’ s defence presentation next week , his lawyers also want to call several Nike employees or lawyers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-07--‘Serious discussions’ about DNC changes, top Democrat says

WASHINGTON - A top Democrat in Congress said Friday the party ’ s future under Tom Perez is under scrutiny amid fallout from the Iowa caucuses and the winnowing of the presidential primary field to the exclusion of candidates of colour .
Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina , the third-ranking House Democrat , stopped short of saying Perez must go as leader of the Democratic National Committee .
“ That ’ s a decision for him , ” he said .
But the highest-ranking African American lawmaker in the House said during an interview with C-SPAN ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play such an outsize role as an early vote state and that debate rules left “ very raw feelings ” within the Congressional Black Caucus after the exit of black presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris and Cory Booker .
“ There are some serious discussions taking place here on Capitol Hill as to what ought to happen at the DNC , ” Clyburn said in the interview .
“ ’ Iowa should be in the mix , but we shouldn ’ t launch the entire campaign with such a small sampling with what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Previously , the DNC chairman has defended the rules setting minimums for polling and the number of individual donors , noting that the party started at a low threshold last June and gradually raised the requirements over time .
All 20 slots were filled in the first two debates , and two stages were required for much of the fall .
Perez argued throughout that any candidate unable to meet the progressively higher marks like wasn ’ t likely to defeat President Donald Trump in November .
Some party officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still represented on the stage via their support for candidates like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice-President Joe Biden .
The two white men have consistently drawn strong support among non-white voters , according to most polls of Democratic voters nationally .
Clyburn , who fought for years to push South Carolina onto the early primary calendar , signalled he may make his own endorsement ahead of the Feb. 29 primary .
Close with Biden , Clyburn is worried about the impact that Sanders , a self-described democratic socialist , would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential nominee , particularly in more conservative areas .
Clyburn also suggested that Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg , a former mayor in Indiana , still faces “ significant challenges “ with South Carolina ’ s black voters , who make up a sizable section of the primary electorate in the Palmetto state .
At the same time , he said he ’ s proud of his grandson , a Buttigieg supporter who appeared in an ad for the campaign .
A photo of Clyburn himself also flashed in the ad , which Clyburn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As Sanders and Buttigieg surged in Iowa , Biden ’ s hopes could rest on South Carolina , which votes fourth among the early states .
The candidates face off Tuesday in New Hampshire ’ s primary and Feb. 22 in Nevada ’ s caucuses before heading to South Carolina .
Associated Press writer Bill Barrow contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-07--More planes with quarantined China passengers arrive in US

SAN DIEGO - Hundreds more people evacuated from the virus zone in China began arriving Friday at military bases across the U.S. to begin a two-week quarantine .
There were no signs of illness among those who flew into Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio , said Dr. Jennifer McQuiston , deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control ’ s division of high consequence pathogens and pathology .
She said fewer than 100 people , including babies , will stay at Lackland , she but did not have an exact number .
The plane arrived from the Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak of the new coronavirus .
It was scheduled to drop off more people later Friday in Omaha , Nebraska .
A military base in San Diego also received Americans who will be quarantined .
Earlier evacuation flights to California have brought people to March Air Reserve Base in Southern California and Travis Air Force Base between San Francisco and Sacramento .
U.S. officials said at a news conference in Washington on Friday that more than 800 people have been brought to the United States from Wuhan on recent flights .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and monitored for any signs of illness .
The new virus is in the coronavirus family that includes Middle East respiratory syndrome , or MERS , and severe acute respiratory syndrome , or SARS .
It causes fever , cough , shortness of breath and , in severe cases , pneumonia .
It has sickened more than 31,000 people and killed more than 600 , virtually all in China .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-09--Dave McCoy, who gave skiers Mammoth Mountain, dies at 104

BISHOP , Calif. - Dave McCoy , who transformed California ’ s Mammoth Mountain from a remote Sierra peak into a downhill destination for skiers and snowboarders from around the world , has died at 104 .
Rusty Gregory , former chief executive of the resort , said McCoy “ died peacefully in his sleep ” at his home in the eastern Sierra Nevada community of Bishop .
The mountain about 150 miles ( 241 kilometres ) southeast of Sacramento was the focus of McCoy ’ s life for more than six decades , the newspaper said .
He oversaw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation of 3,000 workers and 4000 acres ( 1,619 hectares ) of ski trails .
A notice of McCoy ’ s death posted Saturday on the Mammoth website simply said , “ Thank you , Dave McCoy , for everything.
” Mammoth was one of the three most-visited ski resorts in 2018 , drawing about 1.21 million skiers and boarders .
McCoy first recognized the potential of the mountain the late 1930s while working as snow surveyor for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power .
In 1937 , McCoy parked his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , jacked up the rear of the car and lashed one end of a rope to the back wheel and the other to a tree .
He charged 50 cents a person for what became the first rope tow on the mountain .
Dave married his wife , Roma , in 1941 .
They opened a mom-and-pop ski business , using one of his motorcycles as collateral to buy a used portable rope tow for $ 86 .
With the help of friends , McCoy worked through blizzards , droughts and economic downturns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skiers up the mountain and groom the snow , the Times said .
McCoy secured a year-to-year permit from the U.S. Forest Service to run a portable tow across the eastern Sierra .
Still , no one but McCoy envisioned Mammoth , which then was home for no more than a dozen permanent residents , as a major resort .
“ People told me it snowed too much , ” he recalled in an interview with the Times .
“ It was too stormy , too high and too far away.
” After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , laid concrete , raised ski lift towers and manoeuvred cranes .
Many of the operation ’ s special tools , cranes , rigs , engines and snow cats were built from scratch in McCoy ’ s garage .
In 1955 , Mammoth Mountain erected a high-capacity lift with 86 double chairs that were diesel-driven and carried 900 skiers an hour — at the time , the largest of its kind in the state .
In the adjacent community of Mammoth Lakes , McCoy and his staff launched a water district , volunteer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school , skiing museum and college .
Untold numbers of people received employment , financial help , even property from McCoy over the years , the newspaper said .
Bob Roberts , spokesman for the California Ski Industry Association , told the newspaper that McCoy was a “ visionary who was pivotal in the development of the sport in the West.
” In 1996 , Vancouver-based Intrawest Corp. bought a significant stake in the operation and moved to make the area more upscale by building a Craftsman-style hub of lodging , entertainment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In October 2005 , McCoy announced plans to sell a controlling interest in the resort to Starwood Capital Group for $ 365 million — then the largest ski resort sale in history .
At one point during the signing of more than 100 pages of documents believed to have brought him $ 80 million , McCoy openly wept , according to the newspaper .
“ We did something here that everyone said would be impossible , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-02-09--Coronavirus death toll surpasses SARS, with 811 confirmed fatalities

BEIJING - China ’ s virus death toll rose by 89 on Sunday to 811 , passing the number of fatalities in the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic , but fewer new cases were reported in a possible sign its spread may be slowing as other nations stepped up efforts to block the disease .
Some 2,656 new virus cases were reported in the 24 hours ending at midnight Saturday , most of them in the central province of Hubei , where the first patients fell sick in December .
That was down by about 20 % from the 3,399 new cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That means the joint control mechanism of different regions and the strict prevention and control measures have worked , ” a spokesman for the National Health Commission , Mi Feng , said at a news conference .
Also Sunday , new cases were reported in Japan , South Korea , Vietnam , Malaysia , the U.K. and Spain .
More than 360 cases have been confirmed outside mainland China .
“ Dramatic reductions ” in the pace of the disease ’ s spread should begin this month if containment works , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University ’ s Center for Infection and Immunity .
He assisted the World Health Organization and Chinese authorities during the outbreak of SARS , or severe acute respiratory syndrome .
Warmer weather will reduce the virus ’ s ability to spread and bring people out of enclosed spaces where it is transmitted more easily , Lipkin said in an online news conference .
However , he said , if new cases spike as people return to work after the Lunar New Year holiday , which was extended to reduce the risk of spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll know we ’ re in trouble.
“ The new U.K. case was the nation ’ s fourth , while Spain reported its second , as European authorities sought to contain the spread of the virus by tracking down people who came into contact with those infected .
Both of the new cases were acquired during trips to France , officials said .
The new U.K. case is a known contact of a previously confirmed case there , the country ’ s Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said , adding that experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacts.
” In Spain , authorities were working to identify everyone who came into contact with a British man whose case was detected in Mallorca , a popular vacation island in the Mediterranean Sea , Spain ’ s National Microbiology Center said .
The fatality toll passed the 774 people believed to have died of SARS , another viral outbreak that originated in China .
The total of 37,198 confirmed cases of the new virus vastly exceeds the 8,098 sickened by SARS .
Japan reported six more cases among 3,700 passengers and crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bringing the number of infections on the vessel to 69 .
The new cases are an American passenger in her 70s and five crew members — four Filipinos and a Ukrainian .
South Korea reported a new case in a 73-year-old woman whose relatives visited Guangdong province in southern China , raising its total to 27 .
The family members , a 51-year-old South Korean man and a 37-year-old Chinese woman , were confirmed infected later Sunday .
Vietnam reported its 14th case .
The Health Ministry said she is a 55-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Hanoi , where six earlier patients were found to be infected .
Malaysia reported its 17th case .
The 65-year-old woman ’ s son-in-law was diagnosed earlier with the virus .
Spain confirmed its second case in Mallorca , a popular vacation island in the Mediterranean .
The first case was a German tourist diagnosed a week ago in the Canary Islands off northwest Africa .
The 1,800 passengers and 1,800 crew members of the cruise ship Dream World were released from quarantine after Hong Kong authorities said tests of the crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolated after eight mainland Chinese passengers were diagnosed with the disease last month .
Port official Leung Yiu-hon said some passengers with symptoms tested negative but there was no need to test all of them because they had no contact with the infected Chinese passengers .
Meanwhile , Hong Kong began enforcing a 14-day quarantine for arrivals from mainland China .
The territory ’ s chief executive , Carrie Lam , has refused demands by some hospital workers and others to seal the border completely .
The mother of a physician who died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video released Sunday she wants an explanation from authorities who reprimanded him for warning about the virus in December .
The death of Li Wenliang , 34 , prompted an outpouring of public anger at Wuhan officials .
Some postings left on his microblog account said officials should face consequences for mistreating Li .
“ My child was summoned by the Wuhan Police Bureau at midnight .
He was asked to sign an admonishment notice , “ Lu Shuyun said in the video distributed by Pear Video , an online broadcast platform .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they don ’ t give us an explanation.
” The video shows flowers in her home with a note that says , “ Hero is immortal .
Thank you.
” A 1,500-bed hospital built in two weeks in Wuhan , the city of 11 million people at the centre of the outbreak , accepted its first patients on Saturday , the government announced .
Another 1,000-bed hospital built in 10 days opened last week .
The government of the surrounding province of Hubei it will pay subsidies to farmers , other food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to companies that donate to anti-virus work , the official Xinhua News Agency said .
It said overtime for employees of companies making medical supplies will be subsidized .
China ’ s leaders are trying to keep food flowing to crowded cities despite anti-disease controls and to quell fears of possible shortages and price spikes following panic buying after most access to Wuhan and nearby cities was cut off .
Two more flights from Wuhan carrying American citizens , permanent residents and close relatives landed in the United States , the State Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 800 Americans have been evacuated from Wuhan .
A plane landed Sunday in Britain carrying 200 people from Wuhan .
Officials said Britain ’ s second evacuation flight carried 105 British nationals and 95 citizens of other European countries and family members .
The passengers will be quarantined at a hotel for 14 days .
Dozens of repatriated Brazilians , some waving small Brazilian flags , landed Sunday morning at an airbase in the state of Goias , where they will spend the next 18 days in quarantine .
A charter flight carrying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 29 adults and one infant will be quarantined for 14 days .
Elsewhere in China , the industrial metropolis of Chongqing in the southwest told residential communities to close their gates and check visitors for fever .
The government said the spread of the virus through “ family gatherings ” had been reported in Chongqing but gave no details .
France closed two schools and tried to reassure vacationers in the Alps after five Britons contracted the virus at a ski resort .
France stepped up a travel alert , recommending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ imperative reasons.
” Italy recommended students returning from China stay home from school for two weeks after the government reported three cases .
The WHO director-general said it will send experts to China starting Monday or Tuesday .
Asked whether that will include members of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus replied , “ We hope so.
” Associated Press writers Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia ; Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul , South Korea ; Yves Dam Van in Hanoi , Vietnam ; Yuri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lisbon contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-09--The Latest: Rain an unwelcome guest as Oscar carpet begins

LOS ANGELES - The Latest on the 92nd Academy Awards , which are being bestowed Sunday at the Dolby Theatre ( all times local ) : The Oscars red carpet has started with an unwelcome guest — hard rain and a blast of cold air .
Rain was a possibility for Sunday , so the carpet is protected with a large tent .
But just as stars like Billy Porter and Tamron Hall arrived , the skies above the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood opened up in a downpour .
The position of some camera crews had them just outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tarps and plastic to protect their gear .
“ Oh my God the tent is leaking , ” said one photographer who noticed a hole over the massive Oscars sign .
Harried staff are running around with squeegees trying to bump excess water off the tent .
Temperatures were in the high 50s on Sunday , which is considered cold in Los Angeles .
The downpour didn ’ t dampen the red carpet looks of early arrivals , including Porter .
The “ Pose ” star wore a glistening , gold metallic top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skirt depicting the interior of the Cupola Room at Kensington Palace .
— Nekesa Mumbi Moody and Lindsey Bahr ( @ nekesamumbi and @ ldbahr on Twitter ) The Oscars are here , already .
After the shortest awards season in decades , the 92nd annual Academy Awards will get underway Sunday evening at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles .
The red carpet is being rolled out two to three weeks earlier than usual in a bid to freshen up a ceremony and potentially boost ratings .
Fittingly for a fast race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has risen to the top of the heap .
After winning nearly every major precursor award , Sam Mendes ’ “ 1917 ” is the favourite for best picture .
But many believe the Korean thriller “ Parasite ” has a chance at an upset .
The ceremony begins at 8 p.m. EST , telecast live on ABC .


thetorontostar--2020-02-09--Outrage after gunman ambushes NYC police twice in 12 hours

NEW YORK - A gunman was taken into custody Sunday after he ambushed police officers in the Bronx twice in 12 hours , wounding two in attacks that ignited outrage from officials who blamed the violence on an atmosphere of anti-police rhetoric .
The man , whose name was not immediately released , was captured after he walked into a police station in the Bronx and started shooting shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday .
His shots struck a lieutenant in the arm and narrowly missed other police personnel before he ran out of bullets , lay down and tossed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the same man approached a patrol van in the same part of the Bronx late Saturday and fired at two officers inside , wounding one before escaping on foot , police said .
Despite multiple shots fired in both incidents , nobody was killed , and all are expected to recover , police said .
“ It is only by the grace of God and the heroic actions of those inside the building that took him into custody that we are not talking about police officers murdered inside a New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shea said at a news conference .
The officer injured in the first shooting , Paul Stroffolino , was released from the hospital Sunday to applause from a sizable contingent of fellow officers .
The officer , a bandage visible on his neck , gave a thumbs-up to the crowd .
Shea called the gunman a “ coward “ and said he had a lengthy criminal history , including a 2002 shooting and carjacking in which he also fired a gun at police officers .
Shea said the man was paroled from prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The commissioner also lashed out at criminal justice reform activists who have held demonstrations against excessive force by police in recent months , including a large protest in Grand Central Terminal .
He suggested the protests helped create an anti-police environment .
“ These things are not unrelated .
We had people marching through the streets of New York City recently , ” Shea said .
“ Words matter .
And words affect people ’ s behaviour.
” Shea didn ’ t offer any evidence that the gunman in this weekend ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was influenced by them .
Mayor Bill de Blasio , who won office partly on a promise to reform overly aggressive policing of minority communities , also suggested that anti-police sentiment had gotten out of hand .
“ Anyone who spews hatred at our officers is aiding and abetting this kind of atmosphere ; it is not acceptable , “ de Blasio said .
“ You could protest for whatever you believe in , but you can not vilely attack those who are here to protect us .
It creates this kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assaults on police officers sitting in their patrol vehicles .
In 2017 , a gunman killed Officer Miosotis Familia as she sat in her patrol vehicle in the Bronx .
In 2014 , two officers , Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu , were shot dead in their patrol car in Brooklyn by a man upset about recent police killings of unarmed black men .
The killings of Ramos and Liu had also followed large street protests and some officers blamed de Blasio for expressing solidarity with the demonstrations , and turned their backs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert Gangi , executive director of the Police Reform Organizing Project advocacy group , said it was “ irresponsible “ for Shea and de Blasio to say the violence this weekend was linked to the recent demonstrations , which he said involved activists ” protesting in a legitimate fashion.
“ Of the gunman , though , Gangi said there is “ no defence for a lunatic who opens fire on police.
“ The first attack happened just before 8:30 p.m. Saturday , when the gunman walked up to the van asking the officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grazing Stroffolino , who was behind the wheel , in the chin and neck and narrowly missing an artery .
Stroffolino and his partner for eight years , Brian Hanlon , a friend since middle school , hit the gas to get away .
Neither fired a shot .
Police released a photograph of the suspected shooter and were combing the city for him when he walked into the police station co-ordinating the manhunt , strolled to the desk and pulled a gun .
The wounded lieutenant returned fire but missed , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room just in time to avoid the pursuing gunman .
Two security cameras captured video of the chaotic scene .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said in a tweet Sunday he was “ horrified by the multiple attacks ” on police .
“ NY ’ s law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe , “ he wrote .
” These attacks are heinous.
“ President Donald Trump immediately used the shootings to assail New York ’ s Democratic mayor and governor .
“ I grew up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many years , got to watch how GREAT NYC ’ s ‘ Finest ’ are .
Now , because of weak leadership at Governor & Mayor , stand away ( water thrown at them ) regulations , and lack of support , our wonderful NYC police are under assault .
Stop this now !
” he tweeted .
The attacks happened in the Bronx ’ s 41st Precinct , a once crime-plagued district whose former headquarters was infamously branded “ Fort Apache “ and was the subject of a 1981 film starring Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the neighbourhood has gotten much safer .
There were five killings reported in all of last year and 164 robberies , down from 44 killings and 1,095 robberies in 1990 .

Sophia Rosenbaum And Deepti Hajela - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-09--Police: Texas teen killed by bully he had stopped earlier

ARLINGTON , Texas - Police in Arlington , Texas , say a 16-year-old boy was fatally shot by another teen who the victim had stopped from bullying another boy a few days earlier .
Police Officer Christopher Cook told reporters Friday that Samuel Reynolds had said “ he started having some trouble with the suspect ” in the days after stopping the suspect from bullying a smaller boy .
During a Friday night vigil for Reynolds outside Arlington High School , student Russell Laniyan said Reynolds once gave him shoes during a soccer game so he could play while Reynolds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just encourages us to go out and to be like Sam and to follow the example that Sam has set for us , ” Laniyan said during the vigil .
Cook said the shooting was captured on security video and a .40 calibre shell casing was found at the scene , but the weapon has not been located .
“ How did he get the gun ?
That ’ s something we want answers for , “ Cook said .
“ We ’ re sick and tired of children in our community coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using them in these types of manner.
” Police said the suspect is being held in a juvenile detention centre on a pending murder charge , but it isn ’ t known whether he will tried as a juvenile or an adult .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-09--Klobuchar pushes to keep defying expectations in campaign

MANCHESTER , N.H. - Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar titled her 2015 memoir “ The Senator Next Door , ” but in New Hampshire , her rivals include two congressional colleagues who actually come from neighbouring states .
Klobuchar has lagged well behind not just Sens .
Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts for most of the year , but former Vice-President Joe Biden and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg as well .
But buoyed by a strong debate performance and surge of cash , she heads into the final days before Tuesday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side .
“ We exceeded expectations in Iowa , we ’ re going to the debate stage in Nevada .
I think a lot of people have written me off a few times , and every single time we defied them .
And in New Hampshire , there ’ s absolutely no doubt we ’ re seeing a surge , ” she told The Associated Press after a rally Manchester on Sunday .
“ It feels good.
” Klobuchar has been struggling for attention and fundraising dollars for much of the last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A fifth-place finish in Iowa , which neighbours her home state , might have been a death knell for another candidates , but she benefited from confusion over the results and extraordinarily low expectations to move on to New Hampshire .
On Sunday , her staff initially set up about 250 chairs ahead of her rally at Southern New Hampshire University , then scrambled to remove most of them to accommodate a capacity crowd of more than 700 .
Klobuchar had spent the morning stopping by several diners , and predicted such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would pay off .
“ I know this is grassroots territory , where they listen to candidates , ” said Klobuchar , who admitted having “ competitive feelings ” about her rivals who were on the campaign trail while she and other senators were in Washington for President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
“ But now I ’ m out there , and I ’ m in every corner , ” she said .
In Durham on Saturday , Annie Merrill was wearing a green scarf matching Klobuchar ’ s campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made up her mind .
“ I love her manner .
She ’ s gentle , yet forceful , and I think that ’ s what we need , ” said Merrill , a retired human resources manager in her 70s .
But she ’ s also considering Buttigieg , and said electability weighs heavily on her choice .
“ I hate to say this , but I need to defeat Donald Trump .
I don ’ t want to make an election just about one person , but it ’ s pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul Burkett , 54 , a lawyer from Bow , said he ’ s done with being a “ tactical voter ” and instead was backing Klobuchar simply because she would be the best president .
“ I don ’ t think she ’ ll come in first or second , but third is in reach .
And I do think there are three tickets out of New Hampshire , given what happened in Iowa and the political science experiment Michael Bloomberg is running , “ he said .
For much of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back of the pack in fundraising and had just under $ 5 million in reserve at the end of 2019 .
But after Friday ’ s debate she took in more than $ 2 million in less than two days , a lifeline that will allow her to forge on in contests ahead .
“ We have what it takes to go to Nevada and beyond , but to do that , I ’ m gon na need you , ” Klobuchar told supporters in Manchester .
“ So please give me your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let ’ s go for broke , let ’ s barnstorm this state over the next two days , and we will do well in New Hampshire !
” Her debate performance included a harsh takedown of Buttigieg , and she continued voicing concern about his lack of experience when a reporter asked her about him on Sunday .
“ Shouldn ’ t we step back and look at who has the experience to lead especially when we have a brand newcomer in the White House right now ?
Maybe we should look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , work across the aisle , not just have a talking point , not just saying it well but actually getting it done , “ she said .
Klobuchar declined to say what she would consider “ doing well ” in New Hampshire , but supporter Cheryl Archambault is hoping for a third , or even second-place finish .
Archambault , 62 , said she had initially favoured Biden but later began leaning toward Klobuchar .
The senator ’ s debate performance cemented her decision , she said .
“ She ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ na sell you a bag of goods she ’ s not gon na deliver .
I really hear that loud and clear from her , ” she said .
Associated Press writers Brian Slodysko in Washington and Steve Peoples in Hanover , N.H. , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-09--Spain, UK see new virus cases; French focus on ski resort

LISBON , Portugal - French medical authorities tested scores of children and their families Sunday for the new virus from China , zeroing in on a ski resort in the Alps that appeared linked to new infections in Britain and Spain .
The U.K. announced its fourth case of the new virus and Spain announced its second case Sunday , and officials said both infections were acquired during trips to France .
Five British citizens , including a 9-year-old boy , contracted the virus in the French Alpine town of Contamines-Montjoie after staying in the same chalet as a British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a business trip to Singapore in January .
Six other British people staying in the chalet have all tested negative , according to the head of France ’ s national health agency , Jerome Salomon .
Salomon told reporters that 45 children and family members in the area underwent tests Sunday , and none of the tests so far came back positive for the new coronavirus .
As a precaution , authorities planned to close three local schools where the boy had spent time .
French Health Minister Agnes Buzyn visited the ski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tourists , saying they can “ live normally ” there because there ’ s a “ very weak risk ” of catching the virus .
But the fact that the British business traveller could infect others days later in the French Alps without knowing it underscored the potential for the outbreak to spread further .
The new coronavirus cases reported Sunday brought the total in Europe to 39 infections in nine countries .
European authorities acted to contain the spread of the virus by tracking down people who had come into contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Italian health authorities in Tuscany were trying to re-trace the steps of a Taiwanese couple who stayed four days in a Florence hotel .
They flew to Hong Kong and then to Taiwan on Feb. 1 and were later confirmed to have the virus .
The new British case is a known contact of a previously confirmed case there , U.K. Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said , adding that “ experts ... continue to work hard tracing patient contacts.
“ In Spain , authorities were working to identify everyone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose case was detected in Mallorca , a popular vacation island in the Mediterranean Sea , Spain ’ s National Microbiology Center said .
The man , who lives on the island , contracted the virus at the end of January at a French ski resort , according to Fernando Simón , head of Spain ’ s Coordination Center for Health Alerts and Emergencies .
H e did not say whether it was Contamines-Montjoie , but the only other cases of the virus in France are in Paris and Bordeaux , nowhere near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not identified , is healthy but was being kept in isolation in Palma de Mallorca , Simón told a news conference in Madrid .
His wife and two daughters tested negative .
In Britain , a plane evacuating more than 200 people from the Chinese city at the centre of the epidemic landed Sunday at RAF Brize Norton .
British officials said it brought back 105 British citizens and family members , as well as 95 European citizens and family members .
In a carefully co-ordinated ballet of secure planes and buses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The British passengers were taken to a hotel-conference centre in Milton Keys , where they will be quarantined for 14 days .
Families will remain in isolation for the first 48 hours , but will have access to Netflix , magazines , books , baby equipment including highchairs , children ’ s toys and games , mobile phones , and tablets for reading , games , and the internet .
Some 20 people from Germany on the British flight were taken to Berlin , along with another 17 European evacuees who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netherlands , Austria and Romania on special flights .
Thirty-five French citizens on the British flight were flown to southern France and were immediately taken into quarantine .
The French government had already repatriated hundreds of Europeans and Africans from Wuhan .
Eight Italians on the British flight — including two babies — were flown to Italy and transferred to a Italian military hospital in Rome to be quarantined .
Aboard the same flight to Italy were also seven Danes , three Swedes and two Greeks .
The virus death toll in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of fatalities in the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic , and officials said nearly 37,200 people have been infected there .
Charlton reported from Paris .
Sheila Norman-Culp in London , Geir Moulson in Berlin and Frances D ’ Emilio in Rome contributed to this story .

Barry Hatton And Angela Charlton - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-09--Man accused of killing hotel worker seeks lawsuit dismissal

DARIEN , Conn. - A Connecticut man charged with killing a hotel worker he says attacked his family on the Caribbean island of Anguilla is seeking dismissal of a lawsuit filed against him .
Scott Hapgood , of Darien , says a hotel worker , Kenny Mitchel , 27 , of Dominica , showed up at his family ’ s room unannounced during their April vacation , demanded money and attacked them .
Mitchel died , and Hapgood , who said he acted in self-defence , was charged with manslaughter .
Mitchel ’ s estate filed a wrongful death suit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lawsuit , Mitchell died as a result of Hapgood pinning Mitchel , then applying force and pressure to his neck .
Hapgood ’ s attorney Michael Conroy denied nearly all allegations laid out in the Mitchel estate lawsuit , according to court documents filed on Thursday .
Conroy requested the civil action be dismissed and a variety of damages and his attorney ’ s fees to be paid by Mitchel ’ s estate .
Hapgood filed a lawsuit in January against Auberge Resorts where the attack occurred .
In the lawsuit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employ Mitchel at the upscale Malliouhana resort despite his arrest three weeks before his death on a rape charge , and that the arrest should have made him ineligible to continue to work on Anguilla , a British territory .
An autopsy report showed Mitchel died of positional asphyxia and received blunt force injuries to his torso and other areas .
A Hapgood family spokesman previously said a toxicology report found that Mitchel had cocaine in his system .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-09--Jury: Death penalty for man in Louisiana deputies’ killings

EDGARD , La .
- A man convicted of killing two Louisiana sheriff ’ s deputies during a bloody gun battle showed little reaction Sunday as a jury decided he should receive the death penalty , a newspaper reported .
The decision came two days after Kyle Joekel was convicted at trial in St. John the Baptist Parish , The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate reported .
Jurors found 35-year-old Joekel guilty of two counts of first-degree murder .
Deputies Brandon Nielsen and Jeremy Triche were killed during a 2012 shootout at a trailer park in Laplace , a suburb west of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on another deputy , Michael Scott Boyington , led to the deadly shootout .
Prosecutors said Joekel stood over Triche with an AK-47 and shot him at close range .
Defence attorneys argued that another man — Brian Smith , who is being held in a mental hospital and has been deemed incompetent for trial — fired the shots .
Joekel and Smith were members of the anti-government extremist group Sovereign Citizens , according to prosecutors .
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