thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Russian team in Turkey for more talks on Syria’s Idlib

ANKARA , Turkey - A Russian delegation returned to Turkey on Monday for further talks over rising tensions in Syria ’ s northwestern Idlib province , after an initial round last week failed to yield results , Turkey ’ s foreign minister said .
An airstrike in a nearby rebel-held region , meanwhile , killed nine people including children , opposition activists said .
Syrian President Bashar Assad ’ s forces , backed by Russian air cover , have been advancing into the last rebel-held areas of Idlib and nearby Aleppo countryside , seizing dozens of towns and sparking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fleeing from their homes toward safer areas near the border with Turkey .
Most of the displaced are living in open-air shelters and temporary homes in freezing winter conditions close to the border .
Half of the displaced are believed to be children .
The fighting led to the collapse of a fragile cease-fire that was brokered by Turkey and Russia in 2018 .
The two countries back opposing sides in the Syrian war : Turkey supports the Syrian rebels , while Russia has heavily backed the Syrian government ’ s offensive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops into Idlib province in the past week .
The buildup and the continued government advances sparked a rare clash on Feb. 3 between Turkish and Syrian soldiers that killed eight Turkish military personnel and 13 Syrian troops .
Turkey has warned Syria to retreat to the cease-fire lines that were agreed in 2018 .
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkish and Russian delegations exchanged proposals over the situation in Idlib during a first meeting in Ankara on Saturday .
On Monday , the Russian team returned to Ankara from a visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ If a compromise had been reached there would have been no need for today ’ s meeting , ” Cavusoglu told reporters .
He said the Turkish and Russian leaders could step in if no compromise is reached .
Syria ’ s military has vowed to keep up its campaign .
The early morning airstrike on the village of Ibbin in Aleppo province killed nine people , including six children , according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , an opposition war monitor , and the Step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At least 10 people were also wounded in the airstrike .
The Syrian government ’ s campaign appears to be aimed at securing a strategic highway in rebel-controlled territory for now , rather than seizing the entire province and its the densely populated capital , Idlib .
The government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media released a map of the area of fighting showing that Syrian troops only have 15 kilometres ( 9 miles ) left from seizing full control of the strategic highway , know as M5 .
The highway links the national capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north , which has for years been divided between government and opposition forces .
Meanwhile , a car bomb exploded Monday in a Syrian town controlled by Turkey-backed opposition fighters , killing at least four people and wounding 15 others , Turkey ’ s state-run Anadolu Agency reported .
The attack was the latest in a series of explosions in Turkish-controlled regions that have killed and wounded scores of people .
Turkey has blamed the attacks on on the Syrian Kurdish militia , known as the People ’ s Protection Units .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the town of Afrin , which Turkey took control of following a military incursion in 2018 , Anadolu reported .
It said some of the wounded were in serious condition , adding that the death toll was likely to rise .
The Turkish offensive has aimed at pushing Kurdish fighters away from the border .
Those Kurdish fighters had been key U.S. allies in the fight against the Islamic State group .
Turkey considers the Syrian Kurdish fighters terrorists linked to a Kurdish insurgency within Turkey .

Suzan Fraser And Bassem Mroue - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Shrinking country: Serbia struggles with population decline

BLAGOJEV KAMEN , Serbia - Uros Trainovic remembers when his small mining village in eastern Serbia was a vibrant home to 200 families , had a school of its own , a doctor and a shop .
How times have changed .
Now , 60-odd years later , it ’ s a ghost village with just eight residents .
The transformation of Blagojev Kamen is not unique in a country that experienced years of war and sanctions in the 1990s following the break-up of Yugoslavia .
In a twist of historical irony , one of the causes behind those years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Greater Serbia out of the ashes of the former Yugoslavia .
Near-empty villages with abandoned , crumbling houses can be seen all over Serbia — a clear symptom of a shrinking population that is raising acute questions over the economic well-being of the country .
The decline is happening so fast it ’ s considered a national emergency and the United Nations has stepped in to help .
“ This village used to be full of people , I used to go to school here , ” the 71-year-old Trainovic recalls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so sad that everybody left ... now there are only few of us and there are no young people any more.
” However it ’ s measured , the numbers look stark .
According to the World Bank , Serbia ’ s population of just below 7 million is projected to fall to 5.8 million by 2050 .
That would represent a 25 % fall since 1990 .
The Serbian government says the Balkan country is effectively losing a town each year , and that as many as 18 municipalities have fewer than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people less each day.
“ Population changes are a fact of life across Europe , but the problem is acutely different in Central and Eastern Europe where the low fertility rates that are commonplace in developed countries combine with high migration rates and low immigration more akin to developing nations .
The economic knock-on effects on a country striving to join the European Union are evident and amount to billions of dollars in the short term .
In the longer run , there are also costs related to the fact that a smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contribute more to support the ranks of those of pensionable age .
The U.N. Development Program and the U.N. Population Fund have assembled a group of seven international experts of different backgrounds and specialities to help out .
The members visited Serbia last month for a fact-finding mission .
Wolfgang Lutz , an Austrian expert in demographics at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis , or IIASA , said the main problem is related to the make-up of those leaving Serbia rather than the overall population decline .
“ We see that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more highly skilled , the more highly motivated mobile people who are leaving and that is certainly a drain of the human capital , ” he told The Associated Press in an interview .
Reflecting the decades of crisis are villages like Blagojev Kamen .
It had flourished when a nearby gold mine kept the area alive before and after World War II , but its fortunes have sunk as the mine closed down in the mid-1990s .
Trainovic said there are still gold and other minerals in the mine but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ One of my sons is in Germany and the other one is in Austria , ” he said .
“ They visit often but they have nothing to return to.
” Serbia ’ s government has tried to buck the trend , offering financial benefits for couples with multiple children , state-backed IVF , the renovation of schools and day care centres , aid to families in rural areas or backing for businesses in villages .
Ruth Finkelstein , executive director at the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and professor of urban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Serbia should also strive to find a role for its growing elderly population .
“ Room after room , people focus only on the young people , ” she said .
It ’ s not only Serbia that is worried .
Serbia ’ s neighbour Croatia , which currently holds the European Union ’ s rotating six-month presidency , has made the “ pressing issue of demographic challenges ” a priority .
Croatia ’ s rural areas have been emptying at an alarming rate while more than 15 % of Croatia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abroad .
Bulgaria and Ukraine are two others enduring population declines .
Stjepan Sterc , a prominent Croatian demography expert , thinks the efforts to deal with the problems so far across the Balkans are not enough and that the tax system has to be more focused on reversing the trends .
“ Demography should be recognized as the essence of economic development so that the most important encouragement tool is directed toward it , ” he said .
Lutz , who directs the World Population Program for the IIASA , said small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ ve seen a lot of pessimism , I ’ ve seen a lot of panic even about what is happening , ” he said .
“ The challenge is to convert this ... into some action that is positive , making this a more revitalized , more vibrant society again , that looks into the future.
” This story has been corrected to show that Ruth Finkelstein is the executive director at the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and professor of urban public health at Hunter College/CUNY , not an @ @ @ @ @ @

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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Kashmir journalists accuse Indian police of muzzling press

NEW DELHI - Journalists in disputed Kashmir urged the Indian government on Monday to allow them to report freely and expressed concern about alleged police harassment since the region ’ s semi-autonomy was rescinded in August amid an unprecedented lockdown .
The Kashmir Press Club , an elected body of journalists in the region , said security agencies were using physical attacks , threats and summons to intimidate journalists .
The group said the government should “ ensure freedom of speech and expression as guaranteed in the constitution instead of muzzling the press.
” On Saturday , police summoned two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a strike call issued by the pro-independence Jammu-Kashmir Liberation Front .
The Kashmir Press Club denounced the police action .
“ The harassment and questioning of journalists in Kashmir on flimsy grounds ” by the police is “ a damning verdict on the appalling condition in which media is operating , ” the group said in a statement .
It also criticized restrictions on the internet and surveillance by police , calling them “ tools designed and aimed to ensure only the government-promoted version is heard.
” India ’ s decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in August brought journalism to a near halt in Kashmir .
A communications shutdown affected media operations , and most newspapers published in Srinagar , the region ’ s main city , have been unable to issue online editions .
Foreign journalists have been denied permission to visit the Himalayan region .
India is ranked 140th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders , a global media watchdog .
The conflict over Kashmir began in the late 1940s , when India and Pakistan won independence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over their rival claims to the region .
Since 1989 , a full-blown armed rebellion has raged in the Indian-controlled portion seeking a united Kashmir — either under Pakistani rule or independent of both countries .
India accuses Pakistan of training and arming the rebels , a charge Islamabad denies .
About 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and an Indian military crackdown .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Death toll rises as storm moves eastwards across Europe

BERLIN - A strong winter storm that has battered Europe with hurricane-force winds and heavy rains has killed several people and caused severe travel disruption on Monday .
There were reports of deaths directly linked to the storm with three drivers , one in the southwest of the Czech Republic , one in the north of Slovenia , and another in southern England , killed after their cars were hit by falling trees .
Two people also died in Poland after the storm ripped off a roof of a ski rental equipment building in the mountain resort of Bukowina Tatrzanska @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sent it hurtling onto people standing near a ski lift , police said .
Two others were injured too .
In Sweden , one man drowned after the boat he and another person were sailing in on the southern lake of Fegen capsized .
The victim was washed ashore and later died .
The other person is still missing , according to the Aftonbladet daily .
Britain , which bore the brunt of the storm on Sunday , was assessing the damage and working to get power restored to 20,000 homes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Scotland , the respite is set to be brief with forecasts of blizzards and snow .
“ While Storm Ciara is clearing away , that doesn ’ t mean we ’ re entering a quieter period of weather , ” said Alex Burkill , a meteorologist at the Met Office .
“ It ’ s going to stay very unsettled.
” In the wake of the storm , many parts of the country were mopping up after a month and a half ’ s rainfall fell in just 24 hours in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some 110 flood warnings remained in place across the country .
The River Irwell burst its banks in northwest England and residents were evacuated .
In the Scottish town of Hawick , which borders England , a guest house and bistro collapsed into the River Teviot on Sunday .
No one was injured .
Britain ’ s transport networks remained disrupted with flights , ferries and trains all seeing cancellations and delays .
Some ferries across the English Channel were making crossings after being closed down on Sunday .
P & O Ferries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were possible on Monday .
British Airways said in a statement that there will be a “ minor knock-on effect ” to Monday ’ s schedule .
“ We ’ re getting in touch with those affected , and have brought in extra customer teams to help them with a range of options including a full refund or an alternative flight between now and Thursday , ” the airline said .
The storm has now largely passed through France , though meteorologists warned that the Mediterranean island of Corsica could see winds as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Waves lashed the northern coast , and high winds blew a truck onto its side on the A2 highway that links Belgium with France .
Up to 130,000 homes were without electricity Monday morning , stretching from Brittany , in western France , through Normandy and the northern regions .
In Germany , utility companies were also scrambling to restore power to some 50,000 homes in northern Bavaria early Monday .
Train travel across Europe ’ s biggest economy was also severely disrupted , leaving many commuters unable to get to work .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ resuming long-distance rail services in the north of the country but warned travellers to expect further disruptions .
Airlines cancelled hundreds of flights from German airports .
The storm , which was dubbed Sabine in Germany , also led to school closures in several cities and regions , including Germany ’ s North Rhine-Westphalia state , where several people were injured by falling branches and toppling trees .
Meteorologists expect gusts up to 140 kilometres per hour ( 87 mph ) in mountainous areas of southern Germany later Monday .
About 96,000 households @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republic and at least seven flights from Prague ’ s international airport were cancelled , including the flights to Zurich , Munich , Frankfurt , Duesseldorf , London and Amsterdam .
An Airbus A320 operated by Qatar Airways was diverted from Prague to Vienna after the pilots were not able to land early Monday .
Dozens of train routes were blocked due to trees on the tracks , while other trains are delayed .
Jovana Gec in Belgrade , Serbia , Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen , Denmark , Vanessa Gera in Warsaw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prague , Czech Republic contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--German leader Merkel’s party in crisis as successor quits

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s designated successor unexpectedly threw in the towel Monday , plunging her conservative party into deeper crisis as it struggles to agree on its future political direction after losing votes to the far right .
Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer told leading members of the Christian Democratic Union that she won ’ t be seeking the chancellorship in next year ’ s election , upending Merkel ’ s plans to hand her the reins after more than 15 years in power .
Merkel ’ s spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters in Berlin that Germany ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to run for a fifth term in 2021 , despite the latest development .
Kramp-Karrenbauer ’ s announcement reflects the growing split with the Christian Democrats exposed last week in its handling of the election of a governor in the state of Thuringia .
There regional party lawmakers voted with the far-right Alternative for Germany party to oust the left-wing incumbent , ignoring advice from Berlin leadership .
The move broke what is widely regarded as a taboo in post-war German politics around co-operating with extremist parties .
It was unclear how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier plans for her succession .
A shift to the right in Merkel ’ s centre-right party could trigger a break with Merkel ’ s junior coalition partners in Germany ’ s federal government , the centre-left Social Democrats , and increase the chances the country will hold the next general election early .
Among the names currently being bandied around as future party leaders were Health Minister Jens Spahn and Friedrich Merz , who were beaten to the leadership by Kramp-Karrenbauer in December 2018 .
Armin Laschet , the governor of North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , is also being mentioned as a possible contender .
While Spahn and Laschet are considered centrists in the Merkel tradition , Merz has tried to appeal to the conservative wing of the party that has flirted with the far-right Alternative for Germany .
A lawyer and former party veteran , Merz was sidelined by Merkel before she became chancellor in 2005 .
The far-right Alternative for Germany party welcomed Kramp-Karrenbauer ’ s resignation , as did Germany ’ s former domestic intelligence chief , Hans-Georg Maassen , a vocal figure on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since his ouster in 2018 .
Peter Altmaier , Germany ’ s economy minister and a close Merkel ally , said the Christian Democrats were in “ an unusually serious situation.
” Current polls have Merkel ’ s conservative block holding steady at about 28 % support nationally , followed by the left-leaning Greens at about 22 % .
Yet the Social Democrats are struggling with only about 14 % support , about the same as the far-right Alternative for Germany .


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--UK calls virus “serious” health threat; will detain people

LONDON - Britain has declared the new coronavirus that emerged from China a “ serious and imminent threat to public health ’ ’ and announced new measures Monday to combat the spread of the disease .
The U.K. Department of Health and Social Care said people with the virus can now be forcibly quarantined and will not be free to leave .
It named two British hospitals as isolation facilities for those affected and designated the Chinese city of Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province where the virus first emerged as a “ infected area.
” “ The incidence or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and imminent threat to public health , and the measures outlined in these regulations are considered as an effective means of delaying or preventing further transmission of the virus , ” the agency said in a statement .
It added that the changes were designed to ensure the health and safety of both patients and medical workers who came into contact with infected people .
The change comes after a British man who caught the virus at a business conference in Singapore in January appears to be linked to at least seven other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens , including a 9-year-old boy , contracted the virus in the French Alpine ski town of Contamines-Montjoie after staying in the same chalet as the British man .
French medical authorities tested scores of children and their families Sunday from the area for the new virus and temporarily closed three schools where the boy had spent time .
China on Monday said 908 people had died of the virus on the mainland and over 40,170 had been infected .
More than 360 cases have been confirmed outside mainland China , including two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Britain has only four of Europe ’ s 39 confirmed virus cases but it is a key travel hub between Asia and Europe .
In addition , over 500 EU citizens have been repatriated from China to the continent since the outbreak started .
British authorities sought to reassure the public on Monday .
“ Our infection control procedures are world-leading and the NHS ( National Health Service ) is well prepared to deal with novel coronavirus , ” the agency said .
“ This measure will rightly make it easier for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country.
” The European Union commissioner for crisis management said the new coronavirus will be discussed Thursday at an emergency meeting of health ministers from the 27-member bloc .
Speaking Monday in Brussels , Janez Lenarcic said the new virus is spreading with great speed and poses a “ serious danger for public health.
” The EU commission has allocated 10 million euros ( $ 10.9 million ) for research into the virus .
Lenarcic said the EU will continue to offer China assistance to stop the epidemic .
The Danish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world ’ s shipping container business is losing about 2.4 billion kroner ( $ 351.5 million ) a week because of the virus , mainly because of the drop in transported containers in and out of China , according to industry site Maritime Danmark .
Sea-Intelligence reports the drop is about 350,000 containers per week .
Read all the stories about China ’ s new coronavirus at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak .
Sam Petrequin in Brussels and Jan Olsen in Copenhagen contributed .


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--China virus cases rise again, 66 more on ship in Japan

BEIJING - China reported a rise in new virus cases Monday , denting optimism that disease control measures including isolating major cities might be working , while the operator of a cruise ship in Japan reported dozens of new cases .
Britain declared the virus an “ imminent threat ” and said it would forcibly detain infected people if necessary .
France tested 45 children and their parents after five British tourists contracted the virus at a ski resort .
More Chinese workers and shoppers went back to offices and markets following the Lunar New Year , which was extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus might spread .
Hong Kong cancelled an arts festival including two concerts by the Boston Symphony Orchestra .
China reported consumer inflation spiked to an eight-year high in January , possibly boosted by panic buying and hoarding as word of the outbreak and anti-disease measures spread .
The mainland death toll rose by 97 to 908 in the 24 hours through midnight Sunday and 3,062 new cases were reported .
That was up 15 % from Saturday and broke a string of daily declines .
A government spokesman had said Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The fatality toll has passed the 774 people believed to have died in the 2002-03 epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome , another viral outbreak that originated in China .
The total of 40,171 cases on the mainland vastly exceeds the 8,098 sickened by SARS .
More than 440 cases have been confirmed outside mainland China , including two deaths in Hong Kong and the Philippines .
China has built two hospitals and sent thousands of extra doctors , nurses and other health care workers to Wuhan , the city of 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the epicenter of the outbreak .
Most access to Wuhan was suspended Jan. 23 .
Restrictions have spread to cities with a total of 60 million people .
Global stock markets slid following warnings that investor optimism that the disease and its economic impact were being brought under control might be premature .
The operator of a cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama , near Tokyo , said an additional 66 cases were found aboard .
That is in addition to 70 reported earlier .
Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said the Japanese government was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Diamond Princess , which would require them to remain aboard until results are available .
Health authorities are scrambling to deliver medicine requested by more than 600 passengers .
“ We are doing the utmost to keep everyone in good health , “ Kato said .
The British government declared the virus a “ serious and imminent threat to public health , ” which it said gives authorities powers to forcibly detain infected people if necessary .
The change comes after a British man who caught the virus in Singapore in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least seven other confirmed cases in Europe .
Five Britons , including a 9-year-old boy , contracted the virus in the French Alpine ski town of Contamines-Montjoie after staying in the same chalet as the British man .
French medical authorities tested 45 children and their families Sunday from the area and temporarily closed three schools where the boy spent time .
More Chinese went back to work following the Lunar New Year holiday , which was extended to discourage travel in an attempt to contain the virus .
Zhang Peng , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , went to the office for the first time since the holiday .
The company checked employees for fever and handed out masks .
“ I thought the situation is fairly good now , “ Zhang said .
“ I went to work by subway today and underwent various checks in the station .
And my company did a good job of prevention and control.
” Iris Ke , who works for an advertising company , said she plans to wait until next week to go back to the office .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of self-protection , ” said Ke .
“ Life goes on anyway .
How come we stop going outside or stop working simply because of fear of disease ?
We can ’ t do that.
” At the Sanyuanli market in Beijing , the Chinese capital , shoppers in face masks mixed with delivery drivers who were collecting orders of meat , fruit and vegetables .
Stalls were stocked with pork , mutton , seafood and vegetables .
“ The number of customers here is down a lot , maybe by more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who sells walnuts , cashews and other specialties .
“ But you can see a lot of people calling in orders , so we ’ re slowly getting busy again.
” Consumer inflation spiked to an eight-year high of 5.4 % over a year earlier in January , driven by a 4.4 % rise in food costs , the government reported .
Food prices rose 1.4 % from the previous month .
“ It appears that supply disruptions and hoarding due to the coronavirus outbreak helped to keep food prices elevated during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they would normally drop back , ” Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said in a report .
China ’ s central bank announced a 300 billion yuan ( $ 43 billion ) fund to make low-interest loans to producers of medicine and medical supplies or other companies involved in fighting the virus .
Over the weekend , the government promised tax cuts and subsidies to farmers , supermarkets , producers of medical supplies and companies that contribute to anti-disease work .
China ’ s leaders are trying to keep food flowing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to quell fears of possible shortages and price spikes following panic buying after most access to Wuhan and nearby cities was cut off .
Organizers of the Hong Kong Arts Festival cancelled all of its more than 120 planned music , dance and drama performances , including two concerts by the Boston Symphony Orchestra .
The festival was due to start this week and run through mid-March .
AP video journalist Liu Zheng and Associated Press Writers Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo , Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia , and Danica Kirka @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Israeli court sentences radical Islamic cleric to 28 months

JERUSALEM - An Israeli court on Monday sentenced a radical Islamic cleric to 28 months in prison for “ inciting to terror ” in a series of speeches he made after a deadly attack in 2017 on Israeli police at a contested Jerusalem holy site .
Raed Salah , head of the outlawed northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel , was convicted in November on incitement charges for exhorting others to follow the example of the gunmen who killed the two Israeli policemen in that attack .
The attack , carried out by two Arab citizens of Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount , triggered a flareup of deadly violence between Israeli forces and Palestinians .
The cleric has denounced the charges against him as false and said following his sentencing that all the proceedings in the case were “ far from the truth.
” Salah has had repeated run-ins with Israeli authorities .
He completed a nine-month prison sentence earlier in 2017 for “ incitement to violence ” and “ incitement to racism.
” Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan tweeted that Salah ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and inciters belong in prison for a long time and not in the Knesset , “ Israel ’ s parliament .
Salah ’ s organization , the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel , counts an estimated 20,000 members , but its support is broader among Israeli Arabs and it has has also gained popularity by running a network of charities , kindergartens , health clinics and social services — a model that has been established elsewhere in the Middle East and beyond by the Muslim Brotherhood group , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel outlawed the group in 2015 , accusing it of inciting Arabs to violence .
Members of Israel ’ s Arab minority , who make up about 20 % of the population , have citizenship but suffer widespread discrimination in jobs , housing and social services .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Gunmen on motorcycles attack police post in northern Benin

COTONOU , Benin - Men armed with rifles and machetes attacked a police station in Benin ne ar the border with troubled Burkina Faso , raising fears that Islamic extremist violence could be encroaching even further south , officials said .
One policeman was killed and another wounded in the attack in the village of Mekrou-Djimdjim at dawn on Sunday and the gunmen then set fire to the building , according to a statement by a police spokesman .
The attack took place near one of the wildlife areas known as W National Park straddling the borders of northern Benin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pendjari National Park further west , two French tourists were kidnapped last May and their guide was killed .
Observers have expressed growing fears that Islamic extremist groups could be extending their reach further south .
Islamic militants grabbed hold of the major towns in northern Mali in 2012 , only to be dispersed by a French-led military intervention the following year .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--2020 Watch: On eve of New Hampshire, is Mayor Pete for real?

MANCHESTER , N.H. - Presidential politics move fast .
What we ’ re watching heading into a new week on the 2020 campaign : Chaos in Iowa has sparked a deep sense of anxiety among Democrats , who hoped the kickoff contest would provide clarity and evidence of excitement at the official starting line of the 2020 primary season .
Results were unclear , and turnout disappointed .
Instead , New Hampshire voters on Tuesday are under the weight of deepening concerns about Democratic enthusiasm and glaring flaws in their leading presidential candidates .
The stakes are greatest for longtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren , who can not afford to fall out of the top two in a second consecutive contest as Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg aim to tighten their grip on front-runner status .
At the same time , Amy Klobuchar threatens to break into the top tier at another candidate ’ s expense .
Not in New Hampshire , but very much part of the race , Mike Bloomberg waits for Super Tuesday .
And President Donald Trump is loving it .
A former two-term vice-president , a three-term Minnesota senator and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampshire .
Don ’ t tell us you predicted that the former municipal official would be a top candidate on the eve of the state ’ s primary .
But that ’ s exactly what ’ s happening as Buttigieg appears to be cruising in the so-called moderate lane of voters seeking a more “ electable ” centre-left candidate .
The energy around Buttigieg ’ s candidacy is real .
So , too , is the lack of it around Biden , who entered the race as the establishment favourite .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday has prompted a second look at Sen. Amy Klobuchar .
This could end up being a dream scenario for Buttigieg and a nightmare for Biden .
Is the neighbours ’ primary already over ?
For much of the last year , Democrats in New Hampshire were expecting two tracks in their presidential primary : a competition between the two neighbouring senators , Sanders and Warren , and a competition among everybody else .
Now , polling suggests that Sanders is dominating the neighbours ’ primary as Warren struggles .
She insists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long haul , but it ’ s difficult to imagine her generating the kind of financial support she needs to stay in the race much longer without a stronger-than-expected finish on Tuesday .
Perhaps as much as the muddled mess connected to Iowa ’ s reporting failures , Democrats are nervous about the turnout in last week ’ s kickoff caucuses , which is an important marker of enthusiasm for the party .
Iowa officials predicted turnout would rival 2008 , when a record 238,000 people showed up for the Democratic contest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ That hurts .
In New Hampshire , longtime Secretary of State Bill Gardner has projected Democratic turnout will hit 292,000 , which would be slightly higher than the 289,000 Democrats who voted in the 2008 primary .
Should Democrats fail to meet projections in a second consecutive contest that will call into question the conventional wisdom about Democratic enthusiasm in the Trump era .
Can Trump stay out of his own way ?
Trump enters the week at a new high point in his turbulent presidency .
He took a vitriolic victory lap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong employment report and cheered on Democrats ’ disarray .
Gallup reported his approval rating at 49 % , which for any other president would be decent , but it actually marks the polling firm ’ s highest number for Trump ’ s entire presidency .
But Trump has a talent for getting in his own way when times are good .
Democrats are hoping for another unforced error , even as the reality begins to set in that the Republican president is well-positioned to win reelection .
Will the case for Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we know of at least one who ’ s feeling pretty good right now : Bloomberg .
People scoffed at the New York billionaire ’ s plan to skip the first four four primary contests , but all of a sudden we ’ re starting to hear from some actual voters — not political pundits or donors — who see Bloomberg as a viable long-term option .
The former New York City mayor , of course , has faced virtually zero scrutiny as a presidential candidate , having been excluded from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters at his highly produced events .
But for those Democrats concerned about a 2020 field led by Sanders and Buttigieg , Bloomberg ’ s stock is ticking up .
Warren has suddenly become an afterthought in the 2020 primary , even after finishing a strong third in Iowa .
The stakes are enormous for the Massachusetts senator on Tuesday .
With a home-field advantage , she was supposed to compete for the top spot in New Hampshire .
Yet if polls are to believed , she ’ s slipping dangerously .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampshire , where can she ?
2020 Watch runs every Monday and provides a look at the week ahead in the 2020 election .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Irish election produces an earthquake as Sinn Fein tops poll

DUBLIN - Ireland ’ s political parties were scrambling to adjust to a new reality Monday , after an earth-shaking election that saw the left-wing nationalist party Sinn Fein win the biggest share of votes .
Sinn Fein , the party historically linked to the Irish Republican Army and its violent struggle for a united Ireland , received 24.5 % of the first-preference votes in Saturday ’ s election .
That bested Fianna Fail and Fine Gael , the two centrist parties that have governed Ireland since it won independence from Britain a century ago .
Fianna Fail received 22.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the party of incumbent Prime Minister Leo Varadkar , got 20.9 % .
Sinn Fein ’ s left-wing proposals for tackling Ireland ’ s housing crisis and creaking healthcare system proved a powerful draw for young voters in a country that is still dealing with aftershocks of the 2008 global financial crisis , which hammered its debt-driven “ Celtic Tiger ” economy .
Vote counting was resuming Monday to fill all the seats in the 160-Dail , the lower house of Ireland ’ s parliament .
Ireland uses a proportional-representation system in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last , with the lower preferences of elected or defeated candidates redistributed among their rivals .
It ’ s highly unlikely that any party will get the 80 seats needed for a majority in parliament .
That makes some form of coalition inevitable , but forming a stable alliance looks tough .
Both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael said before the election that they would not go into a coalition with Sinn Fein because of its links to past violence .
But as the scale of Sinn Fein ’ s surge became clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ I ’ m a democrat.
” “ I listen to the people .
I respect the decision of the people , ” he told Irish broadcaster RTE .
The IRA was responsible for murders , bombings and other violence for decades during the “ Troubles ” in the U.K. region of Northern Ireland .
More than 3,500 people were killed during decades of conflict between forces that sought to reunify Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland and those who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the U.K .
Supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been more than 20 years since Northern Ireland ’ s 1998 peace agreement and 15 years since the IRA announced the end of its violent campaign .
Sinn Fein already sits in government in Northern Ireland as part of a power-sharing arrangement created by the peace process .
“ This vote for Sinn Fein is for Sinn Fein to be in government , for Sinn Fein to make a difference , for Sinn Fein to be tested , for Sinn Fein to deliver , ” party leader Mary Lou McDonald said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is interested in delivering a programme for government .
That is about getting to grips with the housing crisis and solving it , getting to grips with the crisis in health and giving families and workers a break and giving a new lease of life to government .
”

Jill Lawless And Nicolae Dumitrache - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Schumer wants to protect whistleblowers amid Trump payback

WASHINGTON - Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer is calling on the nation ’ s 74 inspectors general to protect government whistleblowers amid President Donald Trump ’ s ouster of key government officials in the impeachment probe .
In a letter Monday to the Defence Department inspector general , Schumer said Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman has been “ viciously attacked “ by the Republican president after “ bravely stepping forward to tell the truth.
” Vindman , a White House national security council official when he testified before the House impeachment inquiry , was removed Friday and reassigned .
Vindman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yevgeny Vindman , also was asked to leave his job as a White House lawyer .
Also out Friday was Gordon Sondland , who had been Trump ’ s ambassador to the European Union .
Sondland was among 17 people who provided public and private testimony in the impeachment proceedings .
The firings , alongside efforts to name the still anonymous government whistleblower whose complaint about Trump ’ s call with Ukraine sparked the impeachment probe , demand attention , Schumer said .
Similar letters are being sent to all 74 IGs calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigate any “ instances of retaliation against anyone who has made , or in the future makes , protected disclosures of presidential misconduct to Congress or Inspectors General.
“ Federal employees have rights , including under the whistleblower law , that ensure they are protected through the inspector general offices and are able to provide information to Congress , as part of the legislative branch ’ s oversight role .
The White House has stood by the dismissals .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Australian Parliament to call for Israel to return principal

CANBERRA , Australia - The Australian Parliament is expected to pass a motion calling for Israel to immediately extradite a former school principal wanted on dozens of charges of child sex abuse .
The motion was introduced Monday by lawmakers from both the government and opposition in the House of Representatives and increases pressure on Israel to end a legal wrangle over Israeli Australian dual citizen Malka Leifer that has drawn out over six years .
Several government and opposition lawmakers argued in favour of the motion , but the vote will be held at a later date .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I say to anyone , both in Australia and Israel , that anyone who is assisting further delays is choosing to help an adult evade consequences after they ’ ve robbed children of innocence and dignity , ” Josh Burns , an opposition lawmaker who proposed the motion with government lawmaker Dave Sharma , told Parliament .
“ Anyone who who is helping Leifer should be held to account as well , ” he added .
Leifer , now 52 , fled Australia in 2008 as child abuse allegations surfaced from her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ultra-Orthodox Jewish school in Melbourne during the previous five years .
Australia requested her extradition in 2014 on 74 charges of child sex abuse and more than 60 Israeli court hearings have followed .
The Jerusalem District Court last month granted Leifer ’ s attorneys ’ request to review a psychiatrists ’ ruling that she is fit to stand trial for extradition .
Sharma , who introduced the motion with Burns , said the government and Parliament “ will not rest until justice is done in this case.
” “ We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but enough is enough , ” Sharma , a former Australian ambassador to Israel , said in a statement .
“ To our friends in Israel we say : It is time to act .
Do the right thing and support justice for victims in both our countries , ” Sharma said .
The motion names three alleged victims : sisters Dassi Erlich , Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper .
The Associated Press does not usually identify alleged victims of sexual abuse , but the sisters have spoken publicly about their allegations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is important that this issue remains outstanding in the minds of the Israeli legal and political establishment , ” Erlich said in a statement .
“ We feel validated and encouraged that this frustrating process will not be ignored by Australia until the extradition is honoured by Israel , ” she added .
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said after meeting Erlich and Meyer at Parliament House in October that he would raise with the Israeli government the need for a quick resolution to the extradition process .
In Israel last month , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lied about suffering a mental condition and said she was fit to stand trial .
The Israeli Justice Ministry said in light of those findings it would move to expedite her extradition .
But a week later , the court granted the request of Leifer ’ s attorney to question the psychiatric panel ’ s ruling .
Cross-examinations of the psychiatrists are expected to take place in February or March .


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Thai city copes with sorrowful fallout from mass shooting

NAKHON RATCHASIMA , Thailand - Authorities in northern Thailand began releasing bodies to relatives Monday after security forces cornered and killed a soldier who carried out the country ’ s worst mass shooting in an hourslong siege at a shopping mall .
The soldier killed 29 people starting with his commanding officer in a stunning tragedy that began Saturday and ended Sunday morning when security forces shot dead the heavily armed attacker in Terminal 21 Korat , an airport-themed mall in Nakhon Ratchasima .
The gunman , Sgt .
Maj. Jakrapanth Thomma , 31 , was infuriated at a land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother-in-law , as far as authorities have been able to determine .
She was another of his victims .
The death toll surpassed Thailand ’ s last major attack on civilians , a 2015 bombing at a shrine in Bangkok killing 20 people that was allegedly carried out by human traffickers in retaliation for a crackdown on their network .
Messages of sympathy for the latest tragedy were sent by several countries .
The U.S. Embassy said it “ stands with the people of Thailand , saddened by tragic events in Nakhon Ratchasima.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims Sunday night in a vigil led by Buddhist monks at the city ’ s town square .
They lit candles and chanted .
“ We are here today to pray in order to send the souls of those who die to heaven , and we ask the spirits to accept those souls .
So those souls can be holy , be in heaven with goodness and beauty , “ said artist Suwanee Natewong .
Many of the 58 wounded are still in bad condition .
The Public Health Ministry sent a mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deceased cope with their losses .
Survivors and victims ’ families at the city ’ s hospitals recounted their ordeals .
Cpl .
Korakot Ampanngeun said he had been ordered to block a road so no one could go toward the gunman .
“ So I was signalling to oncoming traffic , when I turned around and saw him .
If I had not , I would not have survived , ” he recalled .
“ I tried to run and find somewhere to hide .
But I could only take two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — ‘ bang.
’ My leg just went and I couldn ’ t walk .
A good Samaritan helped carry me away.
” High school student Nachote Chotiklang said he was in his mother ’ s car as she passed the gunman ’ s vehicle .
The assailant “ got out of the car and fired into the window .
At that , I ducked down and didn ’ t do anything until I felt that car hit something .
It hit a tree.
” When the teenager was asked what happened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Another man explained that she had died .
Rachanon Kanchanamethi was riding a motorbike home when the gunman fired at him .
The 13-year-old middle school student was his family ’ s only child .
His father spoke at the first day of his son ’ s Buddhist funeral .
“ I don ’ t want to lose him like this , ” Nuttawut Kanchanamethi said .
“ This is too sudden .
We had plans for him , growing up .
That ’ s all .
We didn ’ t impose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to continue taking care of him , but I no longer have that opportunity , ” he said , breaking into sobs .
The bodies of security personnel began to be flown Monday morning to the capital , Bangkok , for funerals .
Nakhon Ratchasima was not prepared for killing on such a scale .
The public hospital ’ s lone forensic doctor is performing autopsies before the bodies are released to families for cremation , but families were told he can only do six per day , so some won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones until Tuesday .
Associated Press journalists Tassanee Vejpongsa , Busaba Sivasomboon and Grant Peck in Bangkok contributed to this story .

Emily Schmall And Preeyapa T. Khunsong - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Buttigieg on defence as rivals aim to blunt his momentum

DOVER , N.H. - Pete Buttigieg has been on defence all weekend as his Democratic presidential rivals attacked him on everything from his struggle to connect with black voters to accepting campaign contributions from large donors in an effort to blunt any momentum heading into Tuesday ’ s New Hampshire primary .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , who essentially tied with Buttigieg in last week ’ s Iowa caucuses , blasted the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , for taking contributions from the very wealthy , suggesting Buttigieg won ’ t stand up to “ Wall Street tycoons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren voiced similar criticism , telling ABC ’ s “ This Week “ that “ the coalition of billionaires is not exactly what ’ s going to carry us over the top.
” Former Vice-President Joe Biden told the same program that Buttigieg hasn ’ t been able to “ unify the black community.
“ The volley of criticism Sunday was fresh evidence that Buttigieg , who was virtually unknown in national politics a year ago , has become an early front-runner in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phase of the campaign that will test how Buttigieg responds to the pressure , especially as the contest moves to more racially diverse states where he has struggled to gain traction .
Buttigieg hit back at Biden , who on Saturday lamented comparisons between the former mayor and former President Barack Obama .
“ Oh , come on , man , “ Biden told reporters .
“ This guy ’ s not a Barack Obama.
” “ Well , he ’ s right , I ’ m not , “ Buttigieg responded on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union.
” “ And neither is he .
Neither is any of us running for president.
” He later offered an oblique critique of Sanders ’ combative call for revolution .
“ Let ’ s remember we ’ re facing the most divisive president of our time , which is why we can ’ t risk dividing Americans further , ” Buttigieg told more than 1,800 people at an event in Nashua , New Hampshire .
Later in Dover , he declared himself the candidate on the rise .
“ We are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of New Hampshire , thanks to you , ” he told a crowd of several hundred .
While responding to some of the attacks , Buttigieg didn ’ t escalate any feuds on Sunday .
That could help him maintain the energy of his optimistic Iowa campaign in which he portrayed himself as above the Washington fray .
“ Part of the reason why he ’ s doing well is he ’ s got a pretty sunny and upbeat presentation , ” said David Axelrod , a former senior adviser to Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s smart to handle it the way he ’ s handling it .
We still don ’ t know what the impact any of this will have.
” But in a sign of potential hurdles ahead for Buttigieg , even voters in an overwhelmingly white state like New Hampshire said they wanted to see evidence that he could build relationships with people of colour .
Kim Holman of Brookline , New Hampshire , said she was undecided but leaning toward Buttigieg ’ s “ energy and passion.
” Yet his struggle so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her decision .
“ It ’ s definitely a concern .
New Hampshire is a super-white state , ” the 52-year-old personal trainer said .
“ I ’ m hoping he resonates more with people of colour.
” Buttigieg ’ s standing has posed a challenge to Sanders .
The two contenders represent opposite ideological wings of the party , yet Sanders is under pressure to show that he can unify Democrats if he is the nominee .
With that in mind , the progressive Vermont senator has sought to qualify his criticisms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Plymouth laughed at the mention of Buttigieg , Sanders interjected , “ We ’ re not here to denigrate Pete.
“ But Sanders nonetheless proceeded to blast Buttigieg ’ s ties to large donors .
And one of his most prominent surrogates , former Ohio state Sen. Nina Turner , ripped into both Buttigieg and billionaire former Mayor Michael Bloomberg at a separate event later Sunday .
She slammed Buttigieg for fundraising with billionaires in a wine cave featuring a Swarovsky crystal chandelier .
And she laid into Bloomberg for skipping the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funded by hundreds of millions of dollars of his personal fortune .
“ Whose side are you on ?
” she repeatedly asked the crowd to cheers .
There were other awkward moments Sunday during the final stretch of the New Hampshire campaign .
During a rally in the state capital of Concord , Warren declared , “ It ’ s up to you , Massachusetts.
“ During an event in Hampton , a woman asked Biden to explain his underperformance in Iowa .
He said it was a good question , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a caucus .
When she said she had , Biden responded , “ No , you haven ’ t “ and proceeded to call her “ a lying , dog-faced pony soldier.
” The audience laughed during the exchange .
The chaos from the Iowa caucuses lingered over the New Hampshire contest .
Problems with an app led to delays in results and prompted questions about the accuracy of the vote count .
Nearly a week after the caucuses , The Associated Press hasn ’ t declared a result .
In an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Union “ on Sunday , Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez said he was “ mad as hell ” about the situation .
Associated Press writer Kathleen Ronayne in Plymouth , N.H. , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Chinese women win again in Olympic qualifying tournament

SYDNEY , Australia - The Chinese women ’ s soccer team has won back-to-back games in the Olympic qualifying tournament after spending almost two weeks quarantined in an Australian hotel because of concerns over the coronavirus outbreak .
China scored five first-half goals in a 5-0 win over Taiwan on Monday to follow up on a 6-1 win over Thailand last Friday in the Asian zonal qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics .
China will next face Australia on Thursday in a game likely to decide top spot in Group B .
China is already assured of finishing in the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home-and-away playoffs against the top two teams from Group A for two places at the Olympics .
Tang Jiali opened the scoring in the fifth minute against Taiwan before Wu Haiyan ’ s goal in the 25th sparked a four-goal burst in 10 minutes , including a pair from Wang Shanshan , to take control of the game .
Jia Xiuquan , head coach of China ’ s women ’ s team , was impressed with the wins .
“ We have faced some difficulties since we arrived here in Australia , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press .
“ The team are not in the best shape but we are strong in mentality and we are strong in teamwork.
” China had been scheduled to host the qualifiers in Wuhan , the epicenter of the deadly viral outbreak , and then in Nanjing before the tournament was re-located to Australia for health and safety reasons .
The squad and staff spent almost two weeks confined to a hotel in Brisbane , Queensland state , before arriving in Sydney on the eve of their match against Thailand .
Four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 Asian Football Confederation player of the year , Wang Shuang .
The viral outbreak that began in China has infected more than 40,600 people globally .
China reported 908 deaths among 40,171 confirmed cases on the mainland .
More than 440 cases have been confirmed outside mainland China , including two deaths in Hong Kong and the Philippines .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--2 Russian children killed in speedboat collision in Thailand

BANGKOK - Two Russian children died in a collision of two speedboats off a Thai resort island Monday .
The @ @ @ @ @ and a 6-year-old girl .
Twenty other passengers from the boats that collided off Phuket @ @ @ @ @ check their condition , police said .
The boats were carrying 34 passengers in total @ @ @ @ @ tourists , Marine Police Region 8 chief Col. Prasert Srikhunrat said .
Police said the @ @ @ @ @ heading to the Royal Phuket Marina to pick up tourists when it was struck by @ @ @ @ @ tourists at a bay on the east side of the island .
Police are investigating @ @ @ @ @ .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Maryland detectives shot during chase released from hospital

BALTIMORE - Two police detectives in Maryland who were shot and wounded by a homicide suspect have been released from the hospital .
Anne Arundel County Detectives Scott Ballard and Ian Preece were at “ home recovering with their families , ” the police department announced Sunday on social media .
A video appeared to show a line of law enforcement vehicles honouring the officers .
The detectives were shot last week while trying to capture the suspect in the fatal shooting of Christopher Lawrence Jones , 44 , who was found dead Wednesday in a Glen Burnie home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Pasadena , Maryland , was charged with first-degree murder in Jones ’ shooting death and attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of the detectives , news outlets reported .
Willis acknowledged killing Jones and shooting the detectives , according to charging documents .
Police said the detectives noticed Jones ’ car had been stolen while investigating the homicide Wednesday .
The detectives found the stolen car and Ballard attempted to make a traffic stop but was shot .
Preece continued to pursue the vehicle but was struck in a shootout with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a manhunt .
Willis was ordered to be held without bond Friday .
His public defender said Willis waived his right to attend the bail review , news outlets reported .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Iraqi officials: US will grant vital Iran sanctions waiver

BAGHDAD - The United States has signalled to Iraq its willingness to extend sanctions waivers enabling the country to continue importing vital Iranian gas and electricity imports , three Iraqi officials said this week , a move that would be a key test of Baghdad-Washington ties .
The decision comes amid strained U.S.-Iraqi ties following last month ’ s Washington-directed airstrike in Baghdad that killed a high-profile Iranian general and a senior Iraqi militia leader .
A previous waiver , granted in October , is set to expire on Feb. 13 .
The three officials said the U.S. State Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conveyed its readiness to extend the waiver for another three months — if Iraq is able to formulate a timeline by the end of the week , detailing a plan to wean itself off Iranian gas dependence .
“ The American side has announced to us their readiness , ” said one of the officials .
The officials interviewed are all senior members of Iraq ’ s government , including one who is close to the negotiations with the Americans .
They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becomes official .
There was no immediate comment from U.S. officials .
The Iraqi officials said the new waiver would be a test of Baghdad-Washington ties after tensions soared following a Jan. 3 U.S. airstrike near the Baghdad airport that killed a top Iranian general , Qassem Soleimani , and senior Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis .
Since then , Iraqi Shiite political leaders have pushed a non-binding resolution through parliament to pressure the government to oust U.S. troops from the country .
Washington has responded to Iraq ’ s requests to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even threatening primary sanctions that could cripple Iraq ’ s economy .
Tensions have cooled in recent weeks , with both sides stepping back from saber-rattling rhetoric .
rival Iraqi blocs in parliament have also selected a prime minister-designate , Mohammed Allawi , to replace outgoing Premier Adel Abdul-Mahdi .
Iraq remains highly dependent on Iranian natural gas to meet electricity demands , especially during the scorching summer months when imports account for a third of consumption .
Late payments by Baghdad for Iranian power and gas have resulted in interruptions in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that was one factor that lead to destabilizing protests in the southern oil-rich province of Basra .
The U.S. waiver enable Iraq to avoid penalties while paying Iran billions of dollars for energy imports .
It has been granted successively since November 2018 , when the Trump administration re-imposed sanctions on Iran .
Washington has used the threat of sanctions as leverage to push the Iraqi government to build up domestic power supplies and reduce dependence on Iran .
Iraq currently flares vast quantities of gas because it lacks the infrastructure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas fields in Anbar and Diyala provinces but development of those suffered major setbacks after the Islamic State group overran the areas in the summer of 2014 .
The threat of sanctions had presented Iraqi officials with a difficult choice : end a vital source of electricity or be denied access to U.S. currency .
Iraq has billions of dollars in oil revenue at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York .
Oil accounts for 90 % of Iraq ’ s state revenue .
The Iraqi Cabinet moved toward placating Washington ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late January , by approving six oil contracts awarded by the Oil Ministry in April 2018 that would boost domestic gas supply in over two years , according to a Cabinet statement on Jan. 23 .
The contracts were passed , “ within the framework of the government ’ s efforts to enhance self-sufficiency in energy and reduce dependence on imported gas , ” the statement said .
Iraq ’ s caretaker government approved the contracts , which would include fields that could produce over 750 million standard cubic feet of gas per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
“ We expect to sign soon , ” said an industry official from one of the three companies awarded the contracts .
The official spoke on condition of anonymity in order not to compromise ongoing talks with the government .

Qassim Abdul-Zahra And Samya Kullab - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Nepal lawmakers seek to legalize growing, using marijuana

KATHMANDU , Nepal - Ruling party lawmakers have proposed legalizing marijuana in Nepal , where it has been used for generations and was famed during the counterculture ‘ 60s .
Forty-six members of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal filed the proposal in Parliament to legalize the production and use of marijuana , party lawmaker Birod Khatiwada said Monday .
He said the Himalayan country ’ s mountainous terrain is suitable for the crop and allowing farmers to grow it would greatly benefit those who are impoverished .
“ Legalizing marijuana will help the poor farmers and since most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for making it illegal in the first place , have already ended the prohibition , Nepal should also lift the ban , ” Khatiwada said .
The proposal must be debated in Parliament before any changes are made to existing laws .
Nepal was famed for use of marijuana and other narcotics in the 1960s when hippies made their way to Nepal .
Shops and tea houses used advertise and sell it legally .
Nepal made it illegal in 1976 with the Narcotic Drugs Control Act .
Users are jailed for a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 10 years .
Marijuana have been used in Nepal for generations .
Although it is illegal , it is almost freely smoked during the festival of the Hindu god Shiva , which is scheduled for later this month .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Texas officer charged with manslaughter in fatal shooting

BELTON , Texas - A Central Texas police officer was charged Monday with manslaughter for the fatal shooting of an unarmed man during a traffic stop , officials said .
Temple Officer Carmen DeCruz was charged with the second-degree felony in the Dec. 2 shooting of Michael Dean , Bell County District Attorney Henry Garza said in a statement .
His bond was set at $ 500,000 .
He was placed on paid administrative leave after the shooting .
If convicted of the charge , DeCruz could face two to 20 years in prison .
Police in Temple , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 112 kilometres ) northeast of Austin , have said little about the shooting and consistently referred questions to the Texas Rangers , who submitted the findings that led to the charge .
Dean was black , while jail booking records list DeCruz as American Indian .
DeCruz tried to stop Dean ’ s PT Cruiser for speeding on the night of Dec. 2 , but the 28-year-old didn ’ t stop and a “ short pursuit ensued , ” according to a police report dated Dec. 30 and sent to the Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also referred to “ an altercation of some sort between “ the men but didn ’ t elaborate , and the charging document doesn ’ t reference it .
An arrest affidavit filed Monday said that once Dean was stopped , DeCruz went to the passenger side window and demanded that Dean shut the motor off and hand over the keys .
The affidavit said DeCruz reached for Dean ’ s keys with his left hand while holding his handgun with his right , finger on the trigger .
When DeCruz pulled back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discharging the weapon into Dean ’ s head .
DeCruz then pulled Dean from the passenger side of his car .
He and other responding officers administered first aid until paramedics arrived , but Dean was dead at the scene , the affidavit stated .
“ Michael Dunn was shot in the temple through a closed door seconds after being pulled over for a minor traffic violation , ” Merritt said in a statement .
“ We are demanding that the appropriate charges be pursued , ” he added .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Alaska to pay $550K settlement to family of deceased inmate

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - The state of Alaska agreed to pay $ 550,000 to settle a negligence claim by the family of a man who died in jail , court documents said .
Joseph Murphy suffered a fatal heart attack in 2015 while he was being held in Juneau ’ s Lemon Creek Correctional Center , The Anchorage Daily News reported Sunday .
An investigation found Murphy had a heart condition but was denied medication by guards .
Murphy ’ s family filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit in 2017 , naming the state , corrections officers and a nurse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolved the claims against all parties except the nurse Jill Robinson .
Murphy was not charged with a crime at the time of his death , but was taken into a “ protective hold ” with a 0.16 % blood-alcohol level , twice the legal limit .
State law permits police to detain people who can not take of themselves for up to 12 hours .
The investigation found Murphy was held longer than 12 hours .
The investigation found Murphy died within 90 minutes of being denied medication by guards , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t care , you could die right now and I don ’ t care.
” Mark Choate , the attorney representing the family , said the settlement was “ a negotiated resolution with the state that allows us to continue with what we think is the most significant claim , against the nurse.
” The nurse failed to render aid to Murphy , Choate said .
Allegations that Robinson caused Murphy ’ s death , failed to render aid or withheld medication are “ simply false , “ said attorney John Teimessen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a single brief encounter with Mr. Murphy prior to her shift during which she offered him ambulance transport back to the emergency room .
He refused her offer , ” Tiemessen said .
Murphy was in no apparent distress during his short meeting with Robinson , he said .
She relayed his complaints to the corrections staff so they could continue to monitor him .
“ No medication was withheld from Mr. Murphy .
Mr. Murphy did not have any cardiac history or medication noted on his paperwork or on his person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the emergency room .
Mr. Murphy did not relate any cardiac history or mention any medication during his brief encounter with Nurse Robinson , ” Tiemessen said .
“ Unfortunately , Mr. Murphy had his third heart attack and died shortly after she met him .
The nearly complete blockage of his coronary artery combined with his preexisting heart damage ultimately proved fatal.
” Her attorneys are reviewing the settlement and are concerned that state officials may have violated their duties under a collective bargaining agreement to defend and indemnify her , Tiemessen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in court filings .
The corrections department ’ s main concern is ensuring the safety and well-being of inmates and staff , spokesperson Sarah Gallagher said .
“ We deal with a very high-risk population , and we do everything we can to try and prevent tragic events like this from occurring , ” Gallagher said .
Murphy worked for the National Park Service in Kotzebue and served in the Alaska Army National Guard with a deployment to Iraq in 2005 , according to his obituary .


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Feds suing NJ, Seattle county over ‘sanctuary’ policies

WASHINGTON - The Justice Department is filing suit against the state of New Jersey and King County , Washington — home to the city of Seattle — over “ sanctuary ” policies that hinder federal immigration officers , Attorney General William Barr said Monday .
Barr , speaking to a group of law enforcement officers at the National Sheriffs ’ Association conference in Washington , said law enforcement officers are being “ put in harm ’ s way by these ideologically driven policies.
” The lawsuits were the latest effort by the Trump administration to punish localities with sanctuary policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. illegally — as the president heads into his reelection campaign .
“ Today is a significant escalation in the federal government ’ s effort to confront the resistance of sanctuary cities , ” Barr told the audience to roaring applause .
Some cities , like New York , have put laws in place that prohibit the sharing of information with immigration officials .
Immigration officials have sent subpoenas to Denver and New York City over requests for information on immigrants about to be released from jail , and have petitioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a highly unusual act that could end up with local law enforcement officials held in contempt if they don ’ t comply .
In New York , Homeland Security suspended “ trusted traveller ” programs that speed their re-entry into the U.S. over a law that prohibits state officials from sharing motor vehicle data with immigration officers .
The Justice Department ’ s lawsuit against New Jersey alleges that the state is violating federal law by prohibiting state and local law enforcement from sharing information about inmates who are in the U.S. illegally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County over a policy that prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from using King County International Airport for deportation flights .
The attorney general said the Justice Department would be “ robustly supporting ” Homeland Security to use “ all lawful means , ” including federal subpoenas , to obtain information about suspects they are seeking to deport .
“ These policies are textbook examples of misguided ideology triumphing over commonsense law enforcement , and it is the public and the police who pay the price , ” Barr said .
Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punish sanctuary cities .
In 2017 Jeff Sessions , then attorney general , said such cities would not receive grant money unless they gave federal immigration authorities access to jails and provide advance notice when someone in the country illegally is about to be released from prison .
A federal judge blocked the punishment from being enforced , and the cities got the money .
Federal authorities have tried lawsuits before , suing the state of California over its sanctuary law in 2018 .
A federal appeals court rejected the bulk of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Monday he was hopeful the government would win before the Supreme Court .
That hasn ’ t stopped Trump from criticizing the policies and noting , in bloody detail , certain cases where immigrants in the U.S. illegally have committed crimes .
On Monday , speaking to the nation ’ s governors , Trump said that it was essential the country comply with immigration enforcement requests .
“ Jurisdictions that adopt sanctuary policies and instead release these criminals put all of Americans in harm ’ s way , ” Trump said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , different feelings , different everything .
But sanctuary cities are causing us a tremendous problem in this country .
We have stone-cold killers that they don ’ t want to hand over to us and then they escape into communities and they cause , in some cases , tremendous havoc.
” But studies have shown immigrants are less likely to commit crime than U.S. citizens .
Barr also said Monday that federal officials were “ meticulously reviewing the actions of certain district attorneys who have adopted policies of charging foreign nationals with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoiding the federal immigration consequences of those nationals ’ criminal conduct.
” He also highlighted a lawsuit filed a few weeks ago against California ’ s governor and attorney general over a state law prohibiting private prisons .
In the run-up to the co-ordinated messaging campaign , a directive from headquarters encouraging “ robust local media engagement from every district ” caused unease among some public affairs officials in the U.S. attorneys ’ offices , according interviews and to correspondence reviewed by The Associated Press .
Some in jurisdictions that aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ host events because they did not think the matter pertained to them , and others were concerned that a public announcement could agitate relations with local law enforcement agencies that depend on the co-operation of immigrant communities , according to people familiar with the matter who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity .
But officials sent a note later reassuring districts they were under no obligation to hold a public event .
Some still did : Nebraska U.S. Attorney Joe Kelly held a news conference Monday to highlight the benefits of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the federal government to enforce immigration laws .
Kelly said public safety can be jeopardized if local officials refuse to co-operate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and not notify federal officials when illegal immigrants are arrested .
“ Each year , many Americans fall victim to crimes committed by illegal aliens because certain officials choose to prioritize their own ideologies over their sworn obligation to uphold the law , ” Kelly said .
“ We don ’ t have any of those problems here in the state of Nebraska.
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joint statement , and some held news conferences , criticizing the state ’ s new “ green light law ” that allows immigrants to get drivers licenses without legal status .
“ Our citizens , lawful permanent and temporary residents , visitors and undocumented immigrants deserve better , and so do those who serve and protect them , “ the statement said .
In Chicago , federal prosecutors planned a tweet but no news conference .
Meanwhile , local officials in Erie County , New York , levelled criticism of the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a news conference of their own .
Robert Restaino , the mayor of Niagara Falls , called for the Republican delegation to persuade the Trump administration to change the decision .
“ If a conversation has to be had on the other issues , then please , engage in that conversation .
Don ’ t penalize New York businesses and don ’ t cripple communities that are trying to make sure that they can grow and continue to grow in their local economy , ” Restaino said .
Associated Press writers Eric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buffalo , New York ; Ryan Tarinelli in Albany , New York ; Michael Tarm in Chicago ; and Josh Funk in Omaha , Nebraska ; contributed to this report .

Michael Balsamo And Colleen Long - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Feds seek 7 to 9 years in prison for Trump ally Roger Stone

WASHINGTON - Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to sentence President Donald Trump ’ s Trump confidant Roger Stone to serve between 7 and 9 years in prison after his conviction on witness tampering and obstruction charges .
Stone , who is scheduled to be sentenced next week , was convicted in November of a seven-count indictment that accused him of lying to Congress , tampering with a witness and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign co-ordinated with Russia to tip the 2016 election .
He was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to be convicted of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert Mueller ’ s Russia investigation .
In a sentencing memorandum filed Monday evening , prosecutors asked for Stone to serve between 87 and 108 months in federal prison , in accordance with federal sentencing guidelines .
Such a sentence would send a message to deter others who might consider lying or obstructing a congressional probe or tampering with witnesses .
They charged in the filing that Stone “ decided to double – and triple – down on his criminal conduct by tampering with a witness for months in order to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone ’ s actions were not a one-off mistake in judgment .
Nor were his false statements made in the heat of the moment .
They were nowhere close to that , ” prosecutors wrote in the court papers .
Stone has denied wrongdoing and consistently criticized the case against him as politically motivated .
He did not take the stand during his trial and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in his defence .
The evidence presented in the trial didn ’ t directly address Mueller ’ s conclusion that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia to tip the outcome of the 2016 presidential election in Trump ’ s favour .
But it provided new insight into the scramble inside the Trump campaign when it was revealed in July 2016 that the anti-secrecy site WikiLeaks was in possession of more than 19,000 emails hacked from the servers of the Democratic National Committee .
Witnesses in the case testified that Trump ’ s campaign viewed Stone as an “ access point ” to WikiLeaks and tried to use him to get advance word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prosecutors alleged Stone lied to Congress about his conversations about WikiLeaks with New York radio host and comedian Randy Credico — who scored an interview with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in 2016 , when he was avoiding prosecution by sheltering in the Ecuadoran embassy in London — and conservative writer and conspiracy theorist Jerome Corsi .
During the 2016 campaign , Stone had mentioned in interviews and public appearances that he was in contact with Assange through a trusted intermediary and hinted at inside knowledge of WikiLeaks ’ plans .
But he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Credico testified that he told Stone to work through his own intermediary .
Earlier testimony revealed that Stone , while appearing before the House Intelligence Committee , named Credico as his intermediary to Assange and pressured Credico not to contradict him .
After Credico was contacted by Congress , he reached out to Stone , who told him he should “ stonewall it ” and “ plead the fifth , ” he testified .
Credico also testified during Stone ’ s trial that Stone repeatedly told him to “ do a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reference to a character in “ The Godfather : Part II ” who lies before Congress .
Prosecutors also charged that Stone had threatened Credico ’ s therapy dog , Bianca , saying he was “ going to take that dog away from you .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--No charges in police shooting of man who livestreamed chase

MINNEAPOLIS - No charges will be filed against five police officers who fatally shot a man who livestreamed himself being chased by police , then got out of his car and threatened officers with a knife , a Minnesota prosecutor announced Monday .
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said the officers from the Minneapolis suburbs of Edina and Richfield were justified in using deadly force against Brian Quinones-Rosario in September because the 30-year-old man threatened them with a knife and refused to drop it .
His younger brother said at the time that Quinones had been having suicidal thoughts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reacted angrily to the news and posted a series of profanity-laced messages on Facebook .
In one , she wrote in all capital letters : “ False reports , false statements , and the ultimate cover up.
” According to Freeman ’ s report , Quinones intentionally committed traffic violations on Sept. 7 to get police to stop him , and he knew he was being pursued .
The report says once Quinones got out of his car , he “ moved aggressively ” toward the officers with the knife and created an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or great bodily harm.
” Richfield Officer Dylan Schultz used a stun gun on Quinones but it did not stop him .
All five officers — Schultz , Edina police Officers Nicholas Pedersen and Benjamin Wenande , and Richfield police Officers Macabe Stariha and Joseph Carroll — fired their weapons .
Eighteen shots were fired ; seven hit Quinones .
Freeman said the officers ’ use of deadly force was “ necessary , proportional , and objectively reasonable ” in the face of the threat and no charges are warranted .
The video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Quinones ’ life shows him calmly driving a car and listening to music , running at least one red light .
Quinones , who is from Puerto Rico but had lived in Minnesota for many years , can be seen glancing in the rearview mirror , and sometimes rapping along with the music before he gets out of the car with what appears to be a knife .
Before starting the livestream , he posted on Facebook , “ So sorry.
” Squad car video released Monday shows Quinones driving erratically as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually stops and Quinones walks toward Pederson with what looks like a knife raised in his right hand and the blade pointed at the officer .
Pedersen backs away with his gun aimed at Quinones , shouting “ Drop the knife !
Drop it !
Drop the knife !
” The prosecutors ’ report says Quinones clenched his teeth and said , “ Do it !
Do it !
“ as he walked in front of Pedersen .
Video recorded by Schultz ’ s squad car shows Schultz running toward Quinones and using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves toward Schultz .
The prosecutors ’ report says Quinones shouted “ Kill me , kill me !
” though The Associated Press could not make that out in the video .
It appears that the initial shots are fired while Schultz is deploying his stun gun , and two second later officers fire again , multiple times .
Quinones falls to the ground and drops the knife .
Toxicology tests revealed Quinones was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol .
The report says Quinones ’ wife was at the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following him and that she believed he was suicidal .
In one of her posts on Facebook Monday , Ashley Quinones wrote in all capital letters : “ Your reports contradict themselves ...
Were we watching the same video ?
?
?
Also , I was there !
!
!
You cant lie to me !
!
!
“ Quinones ’ shooting sparked a protest and raised questions about whether police were too quick to shoot , and whether they could have used another means to stop him or help him if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area has had several police-involved shootings in recent years that have sparked angry protests , including the 2016 killing of a black driver , Philando Castile , by a police officer in the Twin Cities suburb of Falcon Heights .
Castile ’ s girlfriend streamed the immediate aftermath of the shooting live on Facebook .


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--With Democrats in New Hampshire, Steyer has SC to himself

WINNSBORO , S.C. - With the Democratic presidential field focused on New Hampshire ’ s first-in-the-nation primary Tuesday , billionaire Tom Steyer has South Carolina all to himself .
The climate activist has wagered much of his 2020 campaign on Nevada and South Carolina , the first two states with significant nonwhite populations to hold presidential preference votes in 2020 .
Former Vice-President Joe Biden has deep support in South Carolina , but Steyer has been working to make inroads , particularly among the black voters who make up most of the state ’ s Democratic electorate .
Over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s held more events here than any other candidate still in the field .
On Sunday night , dozens of people showed up in downtown Winnsboro , a central South Carolina city of about 3,000 , to see Steyer , eat free barbecue and listen to music .
Two hip-hop acts warmed up the crowd .
Afterward , several women sang a gospel song as Steyer took photos with supporters .
A town hall was planned for Monday night after meet-and-greets during the day .
“ I ’ m here because it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s really important for us to do well , for me to do well , ” Steyer told reporters Sunday .
“ If you want to be a Democratic candidate for president , you ’ ve got to appeal to everybody across the country , and you ’ ve got to appeal to the diverse Democratic Party coalition.
” Surrogates from other campaigns have visited the state recently as their candidates stump in New Hampshire .
Last weekend , several women from the activist collective Black Womxn For campaigned in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Dr. Victoria Dooley , a health care activist , stumped for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond of Louisiana , co-chairman of Biden ’ s campaign , planned to hold a South Carolina “ launch ” party in Columbia on Tuesday night .
“ Steyer has spent more time on the ground in South Carolina than any other candidate , ” said Henri Thompson , a South Carolina consultant who worked on Steyer ’ s campaign for two months last year .
“ More than spending money , Steyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina , especially African American voters here.
” The money has gotten attention .
For months , Steyer has flooded South Carolina airwaves with millions of dollars in ads , introductions that have made him recognizable to audiences who had likely never heard of him .
With 2 1/2 weeks to go until the Feb. 29 primary , that will only increase : Steyer ’ s campaign has more than $ 672,000 in airtime booked in the state .
Steyer is also activating a ground organization his campaign says it has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff of more than 100 , Steyer ’ s campaign planned to hold 100 events leading up to the South Carolina primary , an effort a chief organizer said will keep Steyer visible , even as he campaigns elsewhere .
“ This is the place where the polls have shown that he is gaining traction , ” said Mary Geren , who joined the campaign after working as the regional director of Cory Booker ’ s unsuccessful 2020 effort .
“ All the work that he ’ s been doing since he entered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s just finally starting to pay off.
” After Monday night ’ s event , Steyer planned to head to Nevada for a bus tour ahead of the caucuses .
He ’ s yet to qualify for the Feb. 19 debate there , and on Monday , he called on Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez to expand the qualification polling window .
After Sunday night ’ s block party , Allen Pearson jumped at the chance to shake Steyer ’ s hand as he walked down the street in Winnsboro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote , ” said Pearson , who was initially backing Biden but shifted to Steyer after what he saw as a strong debate performance on Friday .
“ I like Joe Biden .
But I ’ m leaning on Steyer now .
But I don ’ t know — I ’ ve got a long time to figure it out.
” Meg Kinnard can be reached at https : //twitter.com/MegKinnardAP This story has been corrected to show that Winnsboro has a population of about 3,000 , not 23,000 .
Catch up on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Bail hearing postponed in 1987 child abduction case

HARTFORD , Conn. - Court officials in Canada on Monday postponed a bail hearing for a man accused of abducting his toddler son in Toronto in 1987 and living on the lam in the U.S. for three decades .
The hearing for Allan Mann Jr. was scheduled for Monday in Toronto but was postponed to Wednesday , a court official said .
He remains detained .
Police say Mann kidnapped his son during a court-ordered visitation in Toronto in 1987 .
He fled to the U.S. and obtained fake identities for him and his son , officials say .
Mann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October 2018 , two years after Toronto police and U.S. marshals launched a new effort to find him .
Mann ’ s relatives provided key information , officials said .
He pleaded guilty in August to illegally obtaining U.S. government benefits and was sentenced to 18 months in prison .
He was extradited from New York City to Toronto last Wednesday after his prison sentence ended .
Toronto police charged him with abduction .
Mann ’ s son , now in his 30s , grew up believing his mother had died shortly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were reunited shortly after Mann ’ s arrest .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Pentagon: 109 troops suffer brain injuries from Iran strike

WASHINGTON - The number of U.S. service members diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries has shot up to more than 100 , the Pentagon said Monday , as more troops suffer the aftereffects of the Iranian ballistic missile attack early last month in Iraq .
The department said the latest total is 109 military members who have been treated for mild TBI , a significant increase over the 64 reported a little over a week ago .
The number of injuries has been steadily increasing since the Pentagon began releasing data on the injuries about a week after the Jan. 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pentagon officials have warned that the number would continue to change .
The department said 76 of the service members have returned to duty , while 26 are in Germany or the United States for treatment , and another seven are on their way from Iraq to Germany for evaluation and treatment .
Defence Secretary Mark Esper told Pentagon reporters more than a week ago that the department was studying ways to prevent brain injuries on the battlefield and to improve diagnosis and treatment .
Army Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s possible , in some cases , that symptoms of TBI from the Iranian missile attack won ’ t become apparent for a year or two .
He said the Army is in the early stages of diagnosis and therapy for the troops .
In a statement Monday , Pentagon press secretary Alyssa Farah credited medical professionals with provide care “ which has enabled nearly 70 per cent of those diagnosed to return to duty .
We must continue to address physical and mental health together.
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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Trump looks to ‘shake up the Dems’ with New Hampshire rally

MANCHESTER , N.H. - Eager to put on a show of force in a general election battleground state , President Donald Trump aimed to rattle Democrats on Monday with a rally in New Hampshire on the eve of the state ’ s first-in-the-nation primaries .
Trump , on a high after his acquittal last week on impeachment charges , couldn ’ t resist taking a dig at the Democrats for lingering uncertainty over the outcome of the party ’ s kickoff caucuses last week in Iowa , where the results are still under dispute .
“ Will be in Manchester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big Rally .
Want to shake up the Dems a little bit - they have a really boring deal going on , ” Trump tweeted .
“ Still waiting for the Iowa results , votes were fried .
Big crowds in Manchester !
” It ’ s a tried-and-tested tactic for Trump : Scheduling counter-programming to divert attention from Democratic debates and other major moments , keeping him in the spotlight and building supporters ’ enthusiasm in the months before Election Day .
And though it won ’ t be the same show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozens of Trump ’ s surrogates , including officials from across all levels of government , flooded the state of Iowa , the Trump campaign made its presence known in New Hampshire before the state ’ s Democratic primaries .
Vice-President Mike Pence and Ivanka Trump , the president ’ s daughter and senior adviser , got to the state ahead of the president to do some campaigning .
Also being deployed by the president ’ s re-election campaign were Republican Sens .
Lindsey Graham and Rand Paul , House Republican Whip Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sununu and Trump ’ s former campaign manager , New Hampshire resident Corey Lewandowski .
The marquee event was to be Trump ’ s rally , held in front of a massive crowd at a downtown arena .
Images of bundled-up supporters camped outside the SNHU Arena in Manchester as early as Sunday broke through the news coverage of the Democratic primary .
As Air Force One touched down in New Hampshire , a stream of TrumpWorld luminaries — including Vice-President Mike Pence and first son Donald Trump Jr. — preceded the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always loomed large in Trump ’ s political lore as the first nominating contest he won during 2016 ’ s heated Republican primaries .
He was about to take the stage at a rally in Manchester that October when news broke that the FBI was re-opening its investigation into Democrat Hillary Clinton ’ s emails , breathing new life into his then-struggling campaign .
And it was the site of the penultimate rally of the 2016 contest — an extravagant send-off just hours before a post-midnight rally in Michigan .
Though Trump narrowly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four years ago , his team believes it is one of the few states that could flip to red in November .
Democrats in the state had a different view .
“ It ’ s obvious that Trump and the RNC are desperate to put New Hampshire in play after losing the state by 3,000 votes in 2016 .
But we ’ ll make sure that Granite Staters know that he has broken his promises to his state and he will lose here again in November , ” New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relished the idea of dominating the stage in New Hampshire and stealing some of the media oxygen from the Democrats .
Advisers hoped that Secret Service moves in downtown Manchester to secure the area for the president ’ s arrival would make it harder for Democratic candidates and their supporters to transverse the state ’ s largest city in the hours before the primary ’ s first votes are cast .
At least for now , similar counter-programming rallies have not been planned for the next two nominating states , Nevada and South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days after Trump was acquitted by the Senate after becoming just the third president in U.S. history to be impeached .
Before his departure , Trump was still stewing at Democrats as well as Sen. Mitt Romney , the lone Republican to vote to convict him .
At a White House meeting with more than 30 governors from around the country , he slammed Democrats for “ wasting time ” on impeachment and teasingly asked Utah Gov .
Gary Herbert : “ How ’ s Mitt Romney ?
You can keep him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ With his reelection effort heating up , Trump also suggested he ’ s trying to turn the page and notch a couple of legislative victories before November .
The president said he was hopeful that Democrats would work with him to pass an infrastructure bill as well legislation to lower prescription drug prices , despite the rancour and divisions .
Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Washington and Holly Ramer in Manchester contributed to this report .

Jill Colvin And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Kobe Bryant’s widow expresses grief, anger in online post

LOS ANGELES - Vanessa Bryant expressed grief and anger in an Instagram post Monday as she copes with the deaths of her husband Kobe Bryant , their daughter Gigi and seven other people in a helicopter crash last month .
“ My brain refuses to accept that both Kobe and Gigi are gone , ” she wrote .
“ It ’ s like I ’ m trying to process Kobe being gone but my body refuses to accept my Gigi will never come back to me .
It feels wrong .
Why should I be able to wake up another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t being able to have that opportunity ?
!
I ’ m so mad .
She had so much life to live.
“ Bryant said she realizes she has to remain strong for her three surviving daughters , Natalia , Bianka and Capri .
“ I know what I ’ m feeling is normal .
It ’ s part of the grieving process .
I just wanted to share in case there ’ s anyone out there that ’ s experienced a loss like this , ” she wrote .
“ God I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be over .
Praying for all of the victims of this horrible tragedy .
Please continue to pray for all.
” The social media post included a video feature from Slam Magazine about Kobe Bryant coaching their daughter Gianna ’ s basketball team .
Bryant was killed when the helicopter carrying him , his daughter and seven others crashed into a mountainside in Calabasas , California , while flying to a girls basketball tournament at his Mamba Sports Academy on Jan. 26 .
A public memorial for Orange Coast College baseball coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and daughter Alyssa was scheduled Monday .
Also killed in the crash were pilot Ara Zobayan and Bryant friends Christina Mauser , Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton .
Bryant announced last week that a “ celebration of life ” memorial will be held on Feb. 24 at the Staples Center to honour her late husband and 13-year-old Gianna .
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