thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Montana justices hear arguments about immigration detainers

HELENA , Mont .
- The ACLU of Montana is asking the state Supreme Court to rule state law does not allow local law enforcement officers to arrest people for alleged civil violations of federal immigration law .
The court did not immediately rule after hearing arguments Wednesday .
The ACLU filed a lawsuit against Lincoln County in October 2018 , after Agustin Ramon — a dual resident of Mexico and France — was arrested for stealing prescription medication from a neighbour ’ s house in Eureka in August 2018 .
His bail was set at $ 25,000 , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sheriff said he would comply with a Department of Homeland Security request to detain Ramon on their behalf for another 48 hours after any potential release date .
Ramon pleaded guilty to burglary in January 2019 , was given a six-year deferred sentence and deported to France .
He spent 203 days in jail .
The ACLU is appealing a ruling by District Judge Matthew Cuffe , who rejected a request for a temporary restraining order and an injunction that sought to prevent Lincoln County from detaining Ramon if he posted bond .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ because Ramon is no longer being held .
A similar effort to obtain a restraining order in Gallatin County was denied by District Judge Holly Brown , who said inmate Luis Soto-Lopez hadn ’ t posted bail so he wasn ’ t being jailed on the immigration hold .
Soto-Lopez then posted his $ 500 bail on a misdemeanour charge in March 2019 and was quickly turned over to federal immigration officials .
Brown then declared the case moot because Soto-Lopez was no longer in the county ’ s custody .
That case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s case is decided .
The ACLU argued Wednesday the Supreme Court should still rule on the merits of the Ramon ’ s case because it is of public importance , the same thing could happen to someone else and it is likely to evade judicial review during the 48 hours a suspect could be detained .
“ Plaintiffs like Mr. Ramon are in a catch-22 — facing expedited transfers to federal custody , but only able to show those transfers are unlawful by pursuing the deliberative judicial process , “ the ACLU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are highly unlikely to have their valid legal claims adjudicated by the court while still in custody.
” Attorney Maureen Lennon with the Montana Association of Counties , which is defending Lincoln County , argued the Supreme Court should rule the case moot because Ramon never posted bond , so he wasn ’ t held on the detainer , and the court can provide no remedy to him .
The issue has been raised in two counties and does not rise to the level of public importance , Lennon said .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Justice Laurie McKinnon said .
“ And one individual who ’ s freedom is deprived is significant for this court to take interest in.
” “ The issue is gone .
He is deported , “ Lennon responded .
“ This is about : Is this a significant public concern at this point on this record ?
Otherwise it ’ s just an advisory opinion.
” “ An authoritative determination by the court on the merits of the case would actually help folks like the Lincoln County sheriff , “ ACLU of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing .
“ The primary purpose of litigation challenging immigration detainers is ... to make sure that these folks aren ’ t being unlawfully arrested and ... to provide guidance to county officials so that they can do the right thing.
” Department of Justice Attorney Francesca Genova argued , in support of Lincoln County , that the court should uphold the sheriff ’ s co-operation with immigration detainers , which are recognized under federal law .
Lawsuits in Colorado and Massachusetts led to rulings that officers had no authority under state state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some local governments have made damage payments and some settled immigration detainer cases before lawsuits were filed , the ACLU notes .
“ I don ’ t think this is any secret that this is a whistle stop along the way the ACLU is going from state to state to get state courts , based on state law , to find these immigration detainers unlawful , ” Lennon said .
“ If we ’ re going to be faulted for representing people in need and marginalized folks who are being held illegally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m perfectly happy to take , ” Rate said after the hearing .
This story has corrected the name of the district judge to Matthew Cuffe ,


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--World Bank sees modest global 2020 rebound but trade a risk

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Martin Crutsinger - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-01-08--2020 hopeful Bloomberg unveils rough sketch of economic plan


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Defiant fugitive ex-Nissan boss vows fight to clear his name

BEIRUT - Nissan ’ s fugitive ex-boss Carlos Ghosn made his first public appearance Wednesday since being smuggled out of Japan last week , saying he fled a “ nightmare ” that would not end and vowed to defend his name wherever he can get a fair trial .
Ghosn spoke to a room packed with journalists for more than two hours in the Lebanese capital , where he arrived after jumping $ 14 million bail despite supposedly rigorous surveillance — a bold and improbable escape that embarrassed Japanese authorities and has allowed him to evade trial on charges of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and at times rambling , he described conditions of detention in Japan that made him feel “ dead ... like an animal ” in a country where he asserted he had “ zero chance ” of a fair trial .
“ For the first time since this nightmare began , I can defend myself , speak freely and answer your questions , ” Ghosn said .
“ I didn ’ t run from justice , I left Japan because I wanted justice.
“ But he made clear the question most on the minds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : An account of the daring international escape that saw him spirited from Japan to Turkey and from there to Beirut .
Media reports have said that he slipped out of his Tokyo residence alone , despite being under 24-hour surveillance .
He met two men at a hotel , and then took a bullet train to Osaka before boarding a private jet hidden inside a musical equipment case .
He flew to Istanbul and was then transferred onto another plane bound for Beirut , where he arrived Dec. 30 .
With big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghosn brought his case to the global media in a performance that at times resembled a corporate presentation .
His one thought before fleeing , he said : “ You are going to die in Japan or you are going to get out.
” Ghosn said he knew the escape attempt would be “ disastrous ” if it didn ’ t work .
But “ there was a little chance I succeed .
I played it , and I ’ m very happy for making that choice , ” he told French TF1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victim of “ persecution ” by a rigged Japanese justice system and described the decision to escape as “ the most difficult in his life , ” even though he said he was used to “ mission impossible.
” He said he made up his mind when —aside from denying him evidence , visits from his wife and holding him in solitary confinement for over 130 days— the judges kept postponing his trial .
It was set to begin in April , but he was told it would be postponed again .
Ghosn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plot linked to a decline in the financial performance of Nissan Motor Co. as the Japanese automaker resisted losing autonomy to French partner Renault .
Ghosn had been in favour of an alliance between Nissan and industry ally Renault , of which he was also chairman .
He denied Wednesday he was seeking a full merger .
Ghosn also attacked Japanese prosecutors , saying they were “ aided and abated by petty , vindictive and lawless individuals ” in the government , Nissan and its law firm .
He said it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are destroying Japan ’ s reputation on the global stage.
” He went on to dismiss all allegations of financial wrongdoing against him as “ untrue and baseless.
” “ I should never have been arrested in the first place , ” he said .
“ I ’ m not above the law and I welcome the opportunity for the truth to come out and have my name cleared.
” In a swift reply , the Tokyo public prosecutor ’ s office said : “ Defendant Ghosn ’ s allegations that the prosecution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office is categorically false and completely contrary to fact.
” Ghosn , who holds Lebanese , French and Brazilian citizenship , said he would be ready to stand trial “ anywhere where I think I can have a fair trial.
” He declined to say where that might be .
He thanked the Lebanese authorities for their hospitality and defended its judicial system , which has long faced accusations of corruption and favouritism .
The French government initially appeared to stand by Ghosn — as did Renault when it kept him on before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But in recent days French officials have hardened their stance , calling Ghosn a “ defendant like any other “ and saying he should face justice in a court of law .
Ghosn said Wednesday he didn ’ t need anything from France , but when asked if he felt abandoned by it , he responded : “ How would you feel if you were in my place ?
” There was no reaction from the French government or Renault to Ghosn ’ s remarks .
However , union members at Renault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tumble over the past year , said Ghosn “ did not produce any factual , verifiable evidence for his defence.
” Fielding reporters ’ questions as he switched from English to French to Arabic to Portuguese , Ghosn appeared at times bitter and at others relaxed as he joked with the roomful of journalists and some friends .
Lebanon last week received an Interpol-issued wanted notice — a non-binding request to law enforcement agencies worldwide that they locate and provisionally arrest a fugitive .
Lebanon and Japan do not have an extradition treaty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require Lebanon to arrest him .
Lebanese authorities have said Ghosn entered the country on a legal passport , casting doubt on the possibility they would hand him over to Japan .
At the request of the Japanese government , Interpol published the notice on its website Wednesday as Ghosn was giving his news conference .
Signalling that Ghosn ’ s legal troubles may not be over , Lebanon ’ s chief prosecutor summoned the ex-auto executive to his office Thursday over the Interpol notice .
Separately , he faces possible legal action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after two Lebanese lawyers submitted a report to the Public Prosecutor ’ s Office saying the trip violated Lebanese law .
The two neighbouring countries are technically in a state of war .
At Wednesday ’ s news conference , Ghosn apologized to the Lebanese , saying he never wished to offend anyone when he travelled to Israel as a French national after Nissan asked him to announce the launch of electric cars there .
On Tuesday , Tokyo prosecutors obtained an arrest warrant for Ghosn ’ s Lebanese wife Carole on suspicion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his escape .
However , Japanese justice officials acknowledge that it ’ s unclear whether the Ghosns can be brought back to Japan to face charges .
Nissan , meanwhile , said it was still pursuing legal action against Ghosn despite his escape .
And in France , Renault alerted French authorities after an investigation found that Ghosn personally benefited from “ an exchange worth 50,000 euros “ related to a philanthropic accord signed with the Palace of Versailles .
Prosecutors are investigating but Ghosn is not charged with any wrongdoing in France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors raided a Japanese lawyer ’ s office Ghosn had visited regularly before he fled .
Japanese media reports said prosecutors had likely seized the computer to track down how Ghosn escaped and who might have helped him .
Of the trajectory that brought him from house arrest in Tokyo to a reunion with his family in Beirut , the fallen auto industry executive told reporters Wednesday : “ The nightmare started with when I saw the face of the prosecutor and ended with the face of my wife.
” Associated Press writers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to this report .

Sarah El Deeb And Zeina Karam - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Ex-boyfriend in GoFundMe scam faces federal indictment

NEWARK , N.J. - A New Jersey man who has already pleaded guilty in state court to participating in an online donation fraud scheme involving a homeless veteran was indicted Wednesday on federal charges .
Mark D ’ Amico faces a total of 16 counts of conspiracy , wire fraud and money laundering , the U.S. attorney ’ s office said in a release .
Federal investigators initially levelled the charges against the 40-year-old Bordentown resident in October .
Last month , D ’ Amico pleaded guilty in state court to misapplication of entrusted property and will serve a five-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D ’ Amico ; his ex-girlfriend , Katelyn McClure ; and homeless veteran Johnny Bobbitt made up a story in late 2017 about Bobbitt giving $ 20 to help McClure when her car ran out of gas in Philadelphia , prosecutors said .
The group solicited donations through GoFundMe , purportedly to help Bobbitt , and did newspaper and television interviews .
The trio eventually raised more than $ 400,000 in donations .
Authorities began investigating after Bobbitt sued the couple , accusing them of not giving him the money .
The federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised in the campaign was spent by March 2018 , with large chunks spent by McClure and D ’ Amico on an RV , a BMW , and trips to casinos in Las Vegas and New Jersey .
McClure and Bobbitt have already pleaded guilty to federal and state charges .
Authorities have alleged D ’ Amico was the ringleader and concocted the story .
A message was left with his attorney Wednesday evening .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Democrats seek more details on what led Trump strike on Iran

WASHINGTON - The Trump administration made its case on Capitol Hill for killing a powerful Iranian general , but Democrats said Wednesday ’ s classified briefings were short on details and left them wondering about the president ’ s next steps in the volatile Mideast .
Democrats said that by not disclosing many details of the threat that prompted the U.S. to kill Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani , President Donald Trump is asking the American public to trust the very intelligence reports he has often disparaged .
Top Trump administration officials have repeatedly stressed that the undisclosed intelligence about imminent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action — that the president would have been negligent not to strike Iran .
But Democrats want more information about what led Trump to kill Soleimani — a man whose hands were “ drenched in both American and Iranian blood , ” according to Trump .
“ Trust us .
That ’ s really what it all boils down to , “ Rep. Eliot Engel , D-N.Y. , the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee , said after a classified briefing top administration officials gave members of the House .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust me ’ is a satisfactory answer for me , “ Engel said .
In contrast , Sen. Jim Risch , the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , called the Senate ’ s meeting “ one of the best briefings ” he ’ s had as a member of Congress .
He said the information was “ crystal clear.
” Some Republicans joined Democrats in criticizing the administration ’ s presentations .
Sen. Mike Lee , R-Utah , said it was “ probably the worst briefing I ’ ve seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the nine years I ’ ve served in the United States Senate.
” He said he found it “ insulting and demeaning ” for administration briefers to warn lawmakers against debating the merits of further military action against Iran because that would only embolden Tehran .
“ It is not acceptable for officials within the executive branch of government ... to come in and tell us that we can ’ t debate and discuss the appropriateness of military intervention against Iran .
It ’ s un-American , it ’ s unconstitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Lee said , adding that he now planned to support a war powers resolution introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine , D-Va .
The House is expected to vote this week on a similar resolution to limit Trump ’ s military actions regarding Iran .
Defence Secretary Mark Esper said he thought the congressional briefings offered lawmakers a compelling argument that the intelligence supported the strike on Soleimani .
But he noted that only eight lawmakers — the top four lawmakers in the House and Senate and chairmen and vice chairmen of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only members of Congress who are authorized to see all the intelligence .
“ One of the challenges , of course , is not everybody has , in fact most members of Congress do not have , access to the intelligence that I think was the most compelling , ” Esper said .
“ That ’ s just simply the nature of the intelligence , and it ’ s restricted to the Gang of Eight.
” Democrats also are skeptical of the timing of the strike , which comes in the run-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of a presidential election year .
It ’ s the same skepticism that some Republicans expressed in 1998 when they accused President Bill Clinton of using military strikes on Iraq to interrupt and delay a pending impeachment resolution against him .
A top defender of the president , Rep. Mark Meadows , R-N.C. , said afterward that “ there ’ s no question ” the killing was justified .
Asked if she was convinced by the briefing that Iranian attacks were imminent before the Soleimani strike , Sen. Marsha Blackburn , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My questions were answered and satisfied.
“ “ There were so many important questions that they did not answer , ” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. Rep. Gerry Connolly , D-Va. , called the briefing “ profoundly unconvincing ” and said “ no case was made “ that the Iranian attacks were imminent .
” I leave this ( briefing ) more troubled than I went into it.
” The White House so far has ignored calls to declassify the written notification that Trump sent to Congress after the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War Powers Act .
Some lawmakers have said it was ” vague “ and inconsistent with details other administrations have provided Congress about military operations .
They wondered why it had to be classified in the first place .
One lawmaker , who has read the classified notification Trump sent Congress , and another individual familiar with it said the two-page document did not describe any imminent , planned attacks or contain any new information .
The lawmaker , who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the classified document , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks that have been reported publicly .
It ’ s unclear if more detailed information about the intelligence that led to the strike on Soleimani will ever be publicly released .
“ Whereas the gravity of the situation requires a clear explanation of the Iranian threat to Congress and the public , disclosure of any possible classified information does risk exposing sources and methods which could then leave us blind to Iran ’ s next threat to U.S. lives , ” ’ said Norman Roule , former national intelligence manager for Iran at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Intelligence .
The lack of casualties from Iran ’ s retaliatory strikes Tuesday on Iraqi bases housing American troops could tamp down Democrats ’ demand for more information , but it might not silence critics who think Trump only embraces U.S. intelligence that fits his agenda .
While in office , Trump has repeatedly disagreed or refused to accept U.S. intelligence assessments on a range of key national security topics , including Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election , Iran ’ s compliance with the nuclear deal and the role of Saudi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi .
Associated Press writers Lolita C. Baldor , Alan Fram , Dustin Weaver , Laurie Kellman , Lisa Mascaro , Matthew Daly and Mary Claire Jalonick contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Kentucky photo ID bill backed by top election official

FRANKFORT , Ky. - Kentucky ’ s new secretary of state formed a quick alliance with Senate Republicans on Wednesday in pushing for a bill to require that people present official photo identification to vote in elections .
Secretary of State Michael Adams , a Republican who took office this week , said the bill reflects his agenda of strengthening election security and enhancing public confidence in the election process .
Adams is the first Republican in nearly a decade to serve as the state ’ s chief election official .
And the move comes a couple of months after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gubernatorial race .
The measure , introduced Tuesday on the opening day of this year ’ s legislative session , drew immediate pushback from a civil liberties group arguing it would make it harder for many people to vote , including the disabled , minorities and elderly .
“ There is no evidence that in-person voting fraud is a problem in Kentucky , “ said Corey Shapiro , legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky .
In a review during last year ’ s campaign , Adams said Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to prison for election fraud in Kentucky between 2006 and 2014 .
But he also acknowledged that none of the cases dealt with voter impersonation .
Still , the lack of a state law requiring photo identification as a condition to vote is a flaw that needs to be fixed , the bill ’ s supporters said .
“ We have a gap here and this is one of the simple steps that we can take immediately to close this gap , “ said Republican Sen. Robby Mills of Henderson , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states currently have strict photo ID laws in effect , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures .
The bill number attached to Mills ’ proposal — Senate Bill 2 — is an indication that the measure is a priority of Republican leadership in the GOP-dominated Senate .
Beshear told reporters he hasn ’ t had a chance to fully review the measure .
The Democratic governor said policymakers should make it easier , not harder , for people to vote .
“ I just want to make sure that there aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Beshear said Wednesday .
Republicans hold supermajorities in both the House and Senate , giving them considerable leverage in overriding any potential vetoes by Beshear .
Last month , Beshear signed an executive order to restore voting rights for more than 140,000 nonviolent offenders who have completed their sentences .
The bill ’ s supporters noted that a photo ID already is required for many other transactions , including opening a bank account , cashing a check or picking up sports tickets at will-call .
Adams praised the bill ’ s sponsors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the measure fair and reasonable .
The bill would allow adults to obtain a no-fee , standard personal ID card if they don ’ t have a valid driver ’ s license , Mills noted .
That card could be used by eligible voters .
Shapiro countered that the alternate IDs would be costly for the state to create .
Adams estimated the cost to the state could be in “ the low six figures.
“ Adams , who succeeded a Democrat in the secretary of state ’ s office , campaigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for voting .
College and military photo IDs also could be used to gain access to the voting booth .
The bill also would allow Kentuckians to vote without a photo ID if they provide an affidavit showing a “ reasonable impediment “ to getting a photo ID .
Shapiro said the bill was the wrong approach to dealing with Kentucky ’ s “ restrictive “ voting policies .
“ If the Senate truly cared about improving our democratic processes , they would make it easier to vote by increasing access to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours polls are open , “ he said in a statement .
If it becomes law , the measure would take effect in this year ’ s November election , when President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are expected to be atop the ballot in Kentucky .
Adams said he didn ’ t want to have it pushed into effect for the May primary election .
“ I want enough time to put the public on notice of this new requirement , “ Adams said .


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Judge denies DNA test for Georgia inmate facing execution

BRUNSWICK , Ga. - A judge refused Wednesday to order DNA tests on a gun used to kill a convenience store cashier more than 30 years ago , rejecting arguments from defence attorneys who said the results could spare a Georgia inmate from execution next week .
Jimmy Fletcher Meders , 58 , is scheduled to receive a lethal injection Jan. 16 for the 1987 slaying in coastal Glynn County .
Superior Court Judge Stephen Scarlett of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit ruled after a two-hour hearing that “ overwhelming evidence ” supported Meders ’ conviction for the murder of cashier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorneys for the state in finding Meders ’ lawyers failed to prove that seeking DNA tests wasn ’ t merely a tactic to delay his execution .
“ The defence has failed to establish that the requested DNA tests would result in a reasonable probability that the defendant would have been acquitted ” had such a test been available at the time of Meders ’ 1989 trial , Scarlett said .
One of Meders ’ attorneys , Michael Admirand , argued a successful test matching DNA to another man who accompanied Meders to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on what was otherwise a case based on “ he said , they said “ testimony .
He said that would show Meders deserves a new trial .
The gun remains in a sealed evidence bag in custody of the Glynn County court clerk .
A DNA expert , Mark Perlin , testified even three decades later there would likely be skin cells on the weapon that could be used for DNA extraction .
“ We have a man who is about to lose his life in eight days and we don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trigger , ” Admirand said .
“ The gun is downstairs .
We could do this in a matter of weeks.
” Admirand said he planned to appeal the judge ’ s ruling to the Georgia Supreme Court .
Three witnesses at Meders ’ 1989 trial identified him as the killer : Meders ’ employer , Randy Harris , and two other men , Bill Arnold and Greg Creel .
Meders spent the afternoon of Oct. 13 , 1987 , drinking alcohol with the other men .
After leaving Harris and driving around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arnold ended up at a convenience store about 2:30 a.m. the next morning .
When the men left , Anderson was dead from gunshots to the chest and head .
More than $ 30 had been taken from the cash drawer .
Creel testified he was warming up sausage biscuits in the store ’ s microwave when he heard gunshots and bolted outside , where Arnold waited in a car .
The men said Meders came out of the store with a revolver in his hand and offered them a share of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ register .
Harris , who wasn ’ t at the store , testified Meders confessed to him afterward that he had killed a man for $ 38 .
Testifying in his own trial , Meders insisted it was Arnold who shot the cashier .
He accused Harris of planting the gun police later found under Meders ’ bed .
It was Harris who suggested police look there .
Sabrina Graham , an assistant Georgia attorney general , argued that the DNA evidence Meders sought wouldn ’ t change other key evidence used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still overwhelming evidence of his guilt of this crime , ” Graham told the judge .
Meders owned the revolver used to kill Anderson .
He didn ’ t mention the gun to police when first asked about any firearms he owned , and he initially denied being at the convenience store .
Police found $ 1 and $ 5 bills in Meders ’ wallet that matched “ bait money ” the store manager kept in the register after writing down the serial numbers .
That allowed the money to be traced in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meders was the only person found with any of the stolen cash .
The store ’ s manager testified between $ 31 and $ 38 had been stolen — matching the amount that Harris said Meders had mentioned in his confession .
No one but Meders was ever charged in the case .
In a separate court filing that ’ s still pending , Admirand has argued that Meders ’ death sentence violates the state and U.S. constitutions because sworn statements from every living trial juror show that they would have imposed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parole if that had been an option at the time .
He argued statewide sentencing data shows that juries no longer impose death sentences in cases like Meders ’ .
Meders also has a clemency hearing scheduled before the state Board of Pardons and Paroles on Jan. 15 , the day before his scheduled execution at the state prison in Jackson .


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Man charged with shooting, injuring Minnesota officer

WASECA , Minn. - Prosecutors in southern Minnesota charged a man with attempted murder on Wednesday , alleging he shot and gravely injured a police officer who was responding to a report of a suspicious person .
Tyler Robert Janovsky , 37 , was charged in Waseca County District Court with three counts of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer .
Authorities allege Janovsky shot Waseca Officer Arik Matson in the head as Matson and other officers responded to a call of a suspicious person with a flashlight in a backyard Monday night .
Matson , 32 , remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is accused of shooting at two other officers — Sgt .
Timothy Schroeder and Officer Andrew Harren .
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Matson and Schroeder returned fire , and Janovsky was hit twice .
He suffered non-life-threatening injuries and remained hospitalized Wednesday .
Online court records do not list a defence attorney who could speak on Janovsky ’ s behalf .
According to the criminal complaint , the Waseca officers were called to a residential area at about 8 p.m. Monday on a report of a suspicious person in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with Janovsky while he was on the back balcony of a house .
Harren went through the house onto the balcony to get Janovsky , but Janovsky fled — going onto the roof of an attached garage and crossing to the other side of the house , facing the front driveway .
The complaint says Janovsky fired at Harren and missed .
Janovsky then fired at Matson , who was in the driveway , and shot him in the head .
Janovsky was wanted on drug-related charges .
Three weeks earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pseudoephedrine pills , other drugs and a handgun .
A search warrant affidavit says a brother warned Janovsky , and he fled out a basement door .
Janovsky has several previous convictions , including for burglary , drug crimes and for making terrorist threats .
He also was convicted of one count of being an accessory to murder in the 2001 strangulation of a 21-year-old man .
The Star Tribune reported that Janovsky admitted driving another man to the victim ’ s home and waiting outside during the killing .
The charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ammunition or a firearm after a conviction of a crime of violence .
Matson has been with the Waseca Police Department since 2013 and is assigned to patrol .
He is also a member of a regional drug investigative SWAT team and worked in a program designed to keep kids away from drugs , Chief Penny Vought said .
Early in his career , Matson worked at the Freeborn County Sheriff ’ s Office and was on night patrol with his father , Tim Matson , who was then a corporal with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lea Tribune reported in 2010 .
Waseca is a city of about 9,400 located 70 miles ( 110 kilometres ) south of Minneapolis .


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--US, Iran step back from the brink; region still on edge

WASHINGTON - The U.S. and Iran stepped back from the brink of possible war on Wednesday as President Donald Trump signalled he would not retaliate militarily for Iran ’ s missile strikes on Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops .
No one was harmed in the strikes , but U.S. forces in the region remained on high alert .
Speaking from the White House , Trump seemed intent on deescalating the crisis , which spiraled after he authorized the targeted killing last week of Iran ’ s top general , Qassem Soleimani .
Iran responded overnight with its most direct assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Embassy in Tehran , firing more than a dozen missiles at two installations in Iraq .
The Pentagon said Wednesday that it believed Iran fired with the intent to kill .
Even so , Trump ’ s takeaway was that “ Iran appears to be standing down , which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.
“ Despite such conciliatory talk , the region remained on edge , and American troops including a quick-reaction force dispatched over the weekend , were on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ besieged the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad , and Tehran ’ s proxies in the region remain able to carry out attacks such as the one on Dec. 27 that killed a U.S. contractor and set off the most recent round of hostilities .
Hours after Trump spoke , an ‘ incoming ’ siren went off in Baghdad ’ s Green Zone after what seemed to be small rockets “ impacted ” the diplomatic area , a Western official said .
There were no reports of casualties .
Gen. Mark Milley , the chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned that it was “ perhaps too early to tell ” if Iran will be satisfied that the missile strikes were sufficient to avenge the Soleimani killing .
“ We should have some expectation , ” Defence Secretary Mark Esper added in a Wednesday briefing , “ that Shiite militia groups , either directed or not directed by Iran , will continue in some way , shape or form to try and undermine our presence there , ” either politically or militarily .
There is no obvious path to diplomatic engagement , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximum pressure ” campaign of economic sanctions .
He said the new , unspecified sanctions would remain in place “ until Iran changes its behaviour.
“ Iran ’ s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the overnight strike was not necessarily the totality of Iran ’ s response .
“ Last night they received a slap , ” Khamenei said .
“ These military actions are not sufficient ( for revenge ) .
What is important is that the corrupt presence of America in this region comes to an end.
” Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidency , credited the minimized damage to an early warning system “ that worked very well “ and said Americans should be “ extremely grateful and happy ” with the outcome .
The strikes had pushed Tehran and Washington perilously close to all-out conflict and left the world waiting to see whether the American president would respond with more military force .
Trump , in his nine-minute , televised address , spoke of a robust U.S. military with missiles that are “ big , powerful , accurate , lethal and fast.
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not want to use it.
“ Iran for days had been promising to respond forcefully to Soleimani ’ s killing , but its limited strike on two bases — one in the northern Iraqi city in Irbil and the other at Ain al-Asad in western Iraq — appeared to signal that it , too , was uninterested in a wider clash with the U.S. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that the country had “ concluded proportionate measures in self-defence.
“ Trump , who is facing reelection in November , campaigned for president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States from “ endless wars.
“ On Wednesday , he said the United States was “ ready to embrace peace with all who seek it.
” That marked a sharp change in tone from his warning a day earlier that “ if Iran does anything that they shouldn ’ t be doing , they ’ re going to be suffering the consequences , and very strongly.
“ Members of Congress were briefed on the Iran situation Wednesday afternoon in closed-door sessions on Capitol Hill , where Democrats and some Republicans expressed dissatisfaction with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drone strike on Soleimani .
Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah said it was “ probably the worst briefing I ’ ve seen , at least on a military issue , in the nine years I ’ ve served in the United States Senate.
” He said it was “ distressing ” that officials suggested it would only embolden Iran if lawmakers debated the merits of further military action .
He and Sen. Rand Paul announced their support of a largely symbolic war powers resolution to limit Trump ’ s military action regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the briefing that the House would vote Thursday on a war powers resolution of its own .
Trump opened his remarks at the White House by reiterating his promise that “ Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.
“ Iran had announced in the wake of Soleimani ’ s killing that it would no longer comply with any of the limits on uranium enrichment in the 2015 nuclear deal crafted to keep it from building a nuclear device .
The president , who had earlier pulled the U.S. out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment of calm to call for negotiations toward a new agreement that would do more to limit Iran ’ s ballistic missile programs and constrain regional proxy campaigns like those led by Soleimani .
Trump also announced he would ask NATO to become “ much more involved in the Middle East process.
” While he has frequently criticized NATO as obsolete and has encouraged participants to increase their military spending , Trump has tried to push the military alliance to refocus its efforts on modern threats .
Like the U.S. troops in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their training of Iraqi forces and their work to combat the Islamic State .
Soleimani ’ s death last week in an American drone strike in Baghdad prompted angry calls for vengeance and drew massive crowds of Iranians to the streets to mourn him .
Khamenei himself wept at the funeral in a sign of his bond with the commander .
Milley and Esper told reporters that a total of 16 missiles were fired from three locations in Iran .
Eleven hit the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq ’ s western Anbar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irbil in Iraq ’ s semi-autonomous Kurdish region .
The missiles were described as likely short-range with 1,000- to 2,000-pound warheads .
Four failed to detonate , they said .
Milley added that the Pentagon believes that Iran fired the missiles with the intent “ to kill personnel.
” He praised early warning systems , which detected the incoming ballistic missiles well in advance , providing U.S. and coalition forces adequate time to take shelter at both bases .
He described the damage to tents , parking lots and a helicopter , among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Officials also said that the U.S. was aware of preparations for the attack .
It ’ s unclear if any intelligence identified specific targets or was more general .
Ain al-Asad was first used by American forces after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein , and it later was used by American troops in the fight against the Islamic State group .
It houses about 1,500 U.S. and coalition forces .
Trump visited it in December 2018 , making his first presidential visit to troops in the region .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Irbil in November .
Trump spoke of new sanctions on Iran , but it was not immediately clear what those would be .
The primary agencies involved in implementing such penalties – the departments of Commerce , State and Treasury – do not preview those actions to prevent evasion .
Since withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal , the administration had already imposed harsh sanctions on nearly every significant portion of Iran ’ s economic , energy , shipping and military sectors .
Wednesday ’ s efort to deescalate the conflict came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin , appealed for restraint .
The fallout for Trump ’ s order to kill Soleimani had been swift .
Iraq ’ s Parliament voted to expel U.S. troops from Iraq , though Trump said they would not be leaving .
Trump and top national security officials have justified the Soleimani drone strike with general statements about the threat posed by the general , who commanded proxy forces outside Iran and was responsible for the deaths of American troops in Iraq .
Associated Press writers Deb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lolita Baldor , Darlene Superville , Alan Fram and Padmananda Rama in Washington and Sarah El Deeb in Beirut contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Capital murder charge filed in Kansas fire that killed 3

KANSAS CITY , Kan. - A capital murder charge was filed Wednesday against a man suspected of setting a fire @ @ @ @ @ estranged girlfriend and two of her children .
Ismael Caballero also was charged with second-degree @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 30 fire that killed 32-year-old Yazmine Rodriguez-Santilla , 14-year-old Amerikha Rodriguez and 10-year-old Jean @ @ @ @ @ City , Kansas , home , Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree said .
Caballero @ @ @ @ @ the fire .
He was originally charged with three counts of first-degree murder and two @ @ @ @ @ said the capital murder charge allows him the option of seeking the death penalty but @ @ @ @ @ that decision and will speak to family members of the victims before he does .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Harry and Meghan’s likely move to Canada could cost them millions, report says

With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announcing Wednesday that they are stepping down as senior members of the royal family , working to become “ financially independent ” and relocating halftime to North America , their dramatic decision raises plenty of questions , including : Where will they live and what will they live on ?
Will the Duke and Duchess of Sussex move to Canada , where they spent much of their long holiday break ?
If so , where in Canada ?
British Columbia ?
Will they also keep Frogmore Cottage at Windsor Castle , which underwent $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birth of their son , Archie , last May ?
Harry and Meghan stunned royal fans — and reportedly the royal family — with their announcement , which is unprecedented in modern history .
On their official Instagram Wednesday evening , the couple said they had decided “ after many months of reflection and internal discussions ” to transition this year to “ a progressive new role ” within the royal family .
“ We intend to step back as ‘ senior ’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her Majesty The Queen , ” the announcement read .
As has been rumoured for many months , the couple also plan to move away from the United Kingdom — at least for part of the year .
They said they want to “ balance ” their time between Harry ’ s home country and somewhere in North America , U.S.-born Meghan ’ s home continent .
Harry and Meghan said this “ balance ” will allow them to raise their son “ with an appreciation for the royal tradition ” while also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to focus on the next chapter , including the launch of our new charitable entity.
” No doubt , the “ space ” they are talking about refers to living in a country without the aggressive British tabloid press , which has appeared to take delight in regularly filing negative reports about the couple and about the former TV actress individually .
But the “ space ” could also mean getting away from the royal family — or the constraints of being so closely tied to the family .
For its survival , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public favour , which means it must operate within certain constraints , especially when it comes to media relations .
Harry and Meghan could also have been looking for “ space ” from an institution that they evidently don ’ t believe has sufficiently appreciated their potential to use their global fame for worthy causes .
The BBC reported that no other member of the royal family had been consulted before Harry and Meghan issued their statement and reported that Buckingham Palace is “ disappointed.
” The palace then released a statement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage .
We understand their desire to take a different approach , but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.
” The couple remain patron of all the same charities as before and will spend much of 2020 shaping their soon-to-be-launched # SussexRoyal foundation to respond to the pressing needs of the modern world .
Similarly , Harry and Meghan ’ s statement doesn ’ t address specifics , including where in North America the couple will base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charitable foundation they hope to launch .
Speculation rests on them either moving to Toronto — where Meghan filmed her TV series “ Suits ” and where they enjoyed their early secret courtship — or to Vancouver .
The couple holed up in a $ 14 million oceanfront mansion on nearby Vancouver Island over the Christmas holidays .
But the couple ’ s desire to become financially independent seems necessary , given that they could lose “ millions ” if they quit being royals , according to an analysis by the Daily Mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” means they stop doing the day-to-day work of senior royals , they could immediately lose access to the estimated $ 10.5 million a year from the Sovereign Grant that is divided between Harry and William .
This grant is funded by the taxpayer .
The Daily Mail also said the couple would be responsible for covering the cost of their staff , that includes a private secretary and a nanny for Archie .
That cost is around $ 1.3 million a year .
But Harry and Meghan will hardly be destitute .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be “ financially independent.
” Harry ’ s net worth is said to be close to $ 40 million , which includes about $ 26 million he inherited from his late mother , Princess Diana , the Daily Mail said .
Meanwhile , Meghan has a net worth of around $ 5 million , from the $ 50,000 per episode she earned while on “ Suits.
” But another source of income for Prince Harry is the annual allowance in the millions of pounds that he receives from Prince Charles ’ s $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charles is hardly likely to cut his son off from this source of income , the Daily Mail said .
Another valuable asset the couple probably won ’ t lose is Frogmore Cottage , which was a gift from the queen , the Daily Mail said .
But if Harry and Meghan buy a new home across the Atlantic , whether in Toronto , Vancouver , her hometown of Los Angeles or someplace else , they ’ ll have to cover that cost themselves , the Daily Mail and the Sun said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have to cover the costs for their security , the Daily Mail said .
The couple are assigned six Metropolitan Police bodyguards , who each earn more $ 130,000 per year .
They are expected to require police protection for the rest of their lives , whether they or the British government pays .
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail that a move to Canada will be a huge and costly “ undertaking.
” “ They will have to find a location that wants you , the security costs would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Fitzwilliams said .


thetorontostar--2020-01-08--Baby gray whale swims with mother off Southern California

DANA POINT , Calif. - A baby gray whale heading south with its mother was spotted swimming alongside dolphins and @ @ @ @ @ California coast .
Crew members on a whale-watching boat recorded video of the pair in @ @ @ @ @ metres ) of water near Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point on Tuesday .
Capt @ @ @ @ @ Wharf ’ s Ocean Adventure estimated that the calf was just a day or so @ @ @ @ @ still see the fetal folds on it behind the blowhole , ” he said of @ @ @ @ @ told the Orange County Register he followed the pair as white-sided dolphins stopped feeding to @ @ @ @ @ The dolphins and whales were then joined by a group of sea lions .
The @ @ @ @ @ lagoons of Baja , Mexico .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-09--Booker: Impeachment trial could be ‘big blow’ to my campaign

WASHINGTON - Sen. Cory Booker said a looming impeachment trial and other pressing issues in Washington could deal a “ big , big blow ” to his Democratic presidential campaign by keeping him away from Iowa in the final weeks before the Feb. 3 caucuses .
Booker is one of five senators running for the Democratic nomination who face the prospect of spending the lead-up to the first-in-the-nation caucuses in the Senate chamber as jurors in President Donald Trump ’ s trial instead of barnstorming Iowa .
The challenge for Booker is particularly acute , given that he has struggled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates and needs a strong showing in Iowa to keep his campaign going .
“ It ’ s going to be a challenging four weeks in the caucus for us , ” Booker said in an interview on The Associated Press ’ “ Ground Game ” podcast .
“ If we can ’ t raise more money in this final stretch , we won ’ t be able to do the things that other campaigns with more money can do to show presence.
” The New Jersey senator wouldn ’ t say how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay competitive in Iowa , including through television advertising , if he ’ s marooned in Washington during a Senate trial .
His campaign has been candid about previous fundraising struggles , announcing in September that he could be forced to end his campaign unless he raised $ 1.7 million in 10 days .
He cleared that bar and stayed in the race .
Yet Booker ’ s standing remains tenuous .
He failed to meet the polling requirements for the last Democratic debate and has not qualified for next week ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa , where his campaign has plunged significant resources , would make it difficult for him to continue in the race .
“ If our pathway to victory ever closes off , I ’ m not staying in , ” said Booker , who predicted he would “ upset expectations in Iowa.
” “ Whether that ’ s one , two , three , four , I don ’ t know .
But we will definitely upset expectations , ” he said .
Booker spoke to the AP on Wednesday just after attending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the intelligence used to justify last week ’ s targeted killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
Like most Democratic senators , and a small group of Republicans , Booker said he was unconvinced by the administration ’ s argument that an imminent threat against Americans justified the killing .
The hastily scheduled briefing prompted Booker to cancel events in Iowa to return to Washington .
His schedule for the rest of the month is also in limbo as congressional leaders haggle over how and when to launch the Trump impeachment trial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that is literally dozens of events we won ’ t be able to do , ” Booker said .
Other candidates facing the same predicament are Sens .
Bernie Sanders , Elizabeth Warren , Amy Klobuchar and Michael Bennet .
Booker has repeatedly sidestepped opportunities to draw sharp contrasts with some of his rival candidates , saying he doesn ’ t want the party ’ s eventual nominee to be weakened by the time they face off against Trump in the general election .
Booker said he also has genuine friendships with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with others during the course of the grueling campaign .
He singled out Joe Biden for an assist in his relationship with actress girlfriend Rosario Dawson .
Booker said Dawson called the former vice-president one of his “ best wingmen ” after Biden sang his praises when they met at a recent primary debate .
“ A solid to him for being one of the most persuasive arguments that Rosario Dawson should double-down in her relationship with me , ” Booker said of Biden .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-09--UN-supported Libya government welcomes civil war truce calls

CAIRO - Libya ’ s United Nations-supported government has welcomed Russian and Turkish calls for a ceasefire amid the country ’ s ongoing civil war , though its rivals appeared cool to the intervention and refrained from endorsing the idea Thursday .
The Tripoli-based government led by Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj released a statement late Wednesday expressing its full support of “ any serious calls for the resumption of the political process and the elimination of the spectre of war.
“ The calls for a stop to the fighting came amid a flurry of diplomatic activity by European powers Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin released a joint statement after a meeting in Istanbul calling for a Jan. 12 ceasefire to the battles between forces loyal to Sarraj ’ s government and the eastern-based Libyan National Army , commanded by ex-general Khalifa Hifter .
Hifter ’ s forces have yet to officially respond to the Russian-Turkish ceasefire calls .
Brig .
Gen. Khaled al-Mahjoub , head of the LNA mobilization department told The Associated Press that military operations are ongoing around Tripoli and the coastal city of Misrata .
He said that any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commander Hifter can decide on.
” Libya is currently governed by dueling authorities in the east and in the west .
The east-based government , backed by Hifter ’ s forces , is supported by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt , as well as France and Russia .
The western , Tripoli-based government receives aid from Turkey , Qatar and Italy .
The fighting has threatened to plunge Libya into violent chaos rivaling the 2011 conflict that ousted and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi .
In their joint statement , the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions of their suggested ceasefire .
“ It is more like a statement of intent from Russia and Turkey , rather than a deal that is certain to materialize , ” said Claudia Gazzini , a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group in Rome .
She said that any Tripoli-approved truce would require Hifter to withdraw from areas surrounding Tripoli , which is unlikely to happen .
Since the outbreak of the conflict in April , the Tripoli-based government known as the Government of National Accord has expressed its willingness to enact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiating table only if its rivals halt their offensive .
In recent weeks , the fighting has intensified around Tripoli as Erdogan has vowed to send troops to back Sarraj .
Turkey ’ s parliament authorized the deployment of troops last week .
Turkey has already begun sending Turkish soldiers to Libya for training and co-ordination .
The Turkish offer of military support is meant to counter that which Russia has been providing Hifter .
An agreement between Erdogan and Putin could mean that both will scale down their involvement to avoid further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that some military aid helping Hifter is withdrawn , there is no longer a need for Turkey to deploy massively , “ said Gazzini .
The Turkish decision to send reinforcements to Tripoli has elicited strong responses from European governments including Italy , Sarraj ’ s main European backer .
Earlier this week , the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and the foreign ministers of Britain , France , Germany and Italy condemned Turkey ’ s plans to deploy troops to Libya .
In another diplomatic push , Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , in Brussels , Sarraj met with European Council President Charles Michel and European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell .


thetorontostar--2020-01-09--Statue mocking Donald Trump torched in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA , Slovenia - A wooden statue mocking U.S. President Donald Trump was burned to the ground Thursday in Slovenia , the birthplace of his wife Melania , authorities said .
The nearly eight-meter ( 26-foot ) high construction , erected last year in a village in northeast of Slovenia , showed Trump with his trademark hair style , blue suit , white shirt and a long red tie .
His right arm — fist clenched — was raised high like that of New York ’ s Statue of Liberty .
Slovenian police are looking for the arsonist .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened a red-painted mouth and shark-like teeth used to appear .
“ Like all populists , the statue has two faces , ” its creator , Tomaz Schlegl , said when he unveiled the statue last August .
“ One is humane and nice , the other is that of a vampire.
” Although the construction quickly became a tourist attraction , some local villagers were unhappy with its appearance , pledging to torch it by Halloween , Oct. 31 .
It had to be moved to another village in the area .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the statue ended up , said that unknown arsonists burned it .
He said the torching of the statue “ is symbol of intolerance toward artistic projects in our society.
” It ’ s not the first time in Slovenia that a member of the Trump family has been carved in wood .
A life-size sculpture of the U.S. first lady cut from the trunk of a linden tree was unveiled in her hometown of Sevnica last June , drawing mixed reactions from residents .
The first lady , born Melanija Knavs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when she started modeling .
She settled in New York in 1996 and met Trump two years later .
There are mixed feelings about Melania in Slovenia where hopes were high that she would promote her picturesque Alpine home country after Trump took office .
But she has rarely mentioned Slovenia in her public appearances , and hasn ’ t visited the small central European country since Trump ’ s inauguration .


thetorontostar--2020-01-09--India takes envoys from 15 countries to visit Kashmir

SRINAGAR , India - Envoys from 15 countries including the United States arrived in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Thursday , the first visit by New Delhi-based diplomats since the government stripped the region of its semi-autonomous status and began a harsh crackdown five months ago .
The diplomats were driven by Indian authorities in a motorcade amid tight security from the airport to the military headquarters in Srinagar , where they were briefed on the security situation , an army officer said .
He spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to reporters .
They also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some Kashmiri politicians , said Raveesh Kumar , India ’ s External Affairs Ministry spokesman .
The objective of the visit , organized by the Indian government , was for the envoys to see first-hand “ how things have progressed and how normalcy has been restored to a large extent ” in Kashmir since August , Kumar told reporters in New Delhi .
India ’ s Hindu nationalist-led government ended Muslim-majority Kashmir ’ s semi-autonomous status in August .
The move was accompanied by a harsh crackdown , with New Delhi sending tens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already heavily militarized region , imposing a sweeping curfew , arresting thousands and cutting virtually all communications .
Authorities have since eased several restrictions , lifting roadblocks and restoring landlines and cellphone services .
Internet service is yet to be restored in the Kashmir valley .
They have encouraged students to return to school and businesses to reopen , but top political leaders from the region continue to be under arrest or detention .
Outside access to the region remains limited , with no foreign journalists allowed to visit since the clampdown began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Parliament members had visited the region , which is claimed by both India and Pakistan in its entirety .
Diplomats representing the United States , Bangladesh , Vietnam , Norway , the Maldives , South Korea , Morocco , Niger , Nigeria , Argentina , the Philippines , Fiji , Uzbekistan , Peru and Togo comprised the delegation visiting Thursday .
The offices , shops and businesses were open in Srinagar on a cold winter day , but the diplomats did not stop to talk to people as they moved to different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fly to Jammu , the winter capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir , later Thursday and return to the Indian capital on Friday after spending a day there .
Kumar said more such visits to Kashmir by New Delhi-based diplomats were likely in the near future .
Jairam Ramesh , a leader of the opposition Congress party , on Thursday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s government for not yet allowing Indian political leaders to visit the troubled region .


thetorontostar--2020-01-09--Turkey says 4 of its soldiers killed in northeast Syria

ISTANBUL - Turkey ’ s defence ministry says four Turkish soldiers have been killed in northeastern Syria .
The ministry said the soldiers were killed in a car bombing attack Wednesday while they were conducting road checks .
The Turkish military death toll stands at 20 since October , when Turkey launched an offensive against Syrian Kurdish militants .
Turkey considers the Syrian Kurdish People ’ s Protection Units , or YPG , terrorists for their links to a decades-long Kurdish insurgency inside Turkey that has killed tens of thousands .
The same fighters were the United States ’ partners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State group .
Syrian Kurds established an autonomous zone in war-torn Syria ’ s northeast in 2012 .
Ankara has repeatedly said it would not allow a “ terror corridor ” along its borders and conducted two other cross-border military operations in northern Syria to break apart YPG-held territory .
On all three offensives , the Turkish military has worked with Syrian opposition fighters , who have been accused of atrocities .
Ankara ’ s campaign in October — the so-called Olive Branch operation — drew widespread international criticism and the U.S. was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had helped fight IS .
Two ceasefires , brokered by the U.S. and Russia , required the Kurdish force to withdraw away from the Turkish border for Turkey to halt its offensive .
Joint Russian and Turkish patrols were established .
While the Turkish defence ministry did not assign blame for Wednesday ’ s car bomb attack , it has previously accused the Kurdish militants of similar attacks .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-09--The Latest: EU official to Iran: Avoid ‘irreversible acts’

TEHRAN , Iran - A top European Union official is urging Iran ’ s president to avoid “ irreversible acts @ @ @ @ @ Iran nuclear deal aimed at preventing the country from developing nuclear weapons .
The European @ @ @ @ @ ’ s president ahead of a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers Friday to assess @ @ @ @ @ and Iran .
A European Council statement Thursday says Iran ’ s leader says his @ @ @ @ @ “ close co-operation ” with the EU .
After the U.S. killed Iran ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Tehran announced it would no longer respect limits on how many centrifuges it can use @ @ @ @ @ more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star @ @ @ @ @ newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-01-09--Hungary to keep troops unless Iraq govt decides to end deal

BUDAPEST , Hungary - Hungary ’ s prime minister said Thursday that his country will keep its troops stationed in @ @ @ @ @ Mideast country stands by the agreement between the two governments .
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor @ @ @ @ @ Cabinet meeting that plans were in place should the Hungarian troops need to be evacuated @ @ @ @ @ “ immediately ” if Iraq pulls out of the agreement .
Hungary has been member @ @ @ @ @ currently has about 150 troops in Iraq ’ s Kurdish region .
Hungarian troops are @ @ @ @ @ around the world , carrying out mostly tasks like peacekeeping and partnership building .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-09--Lebanon issues travel ban for fugitive ex-Nissan chief Ghosn

BEIRUT - Lebanese prosecutors have issued a travel ban for fugitive ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn , following an Interpol-issued notice , a judicial official said Thursday .
The travel ban comes after Ghosn was interrogated by prosecutors for nearly two hours over the notice about the charges he faces in Japan over financial misconduct .
Lebanon last week received the Interpol-issued wanted notice , which is a non-binding request to law enforcement agencies worldwide that they locate and provisionally arrest a fugitive .
At the hearing , Ghosn was asked to provide an address he resides at in Lebanon and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , the judicial official said .
It was not immediately clear what legal procedures would follow .
Lebanon and Japan do not have an extradition treaty , and the Interpol notice does not require that Lebanese authorities arrest him .
The authorities say Ghosn entered Lebanon on a valid passport , casting doubt on the possibility they would hand him over to Japan .
Interpol can not compel Lebanon to arrest Ghosn and it will be up to the local law enforcement authorities to decide what to do .
On his first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghosn on Wednesday railed against the Japanese justice system , accusing it of violating his basic rights and disputing all allegations against him as “ untrue and baseless.
” He told a press conference in Beirut that he doesn ’ t trust he would have a fair trial in Japan but said he was ready to face justice anywhere else .
Ghosn , a French , Lebanese and Brazilian national , showed up in Lebanon on Dec. 30 , after an audacious and improbable escape from surveillance in Japan .
Lebanese officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passport and a Lebanese identification card .
While a travel ban restricts Ghosn ’ s movement , it also offers him a degree of protection by Lebanese authorities who would presumably ensure he complies with the ban .
France also doesn ’ t have an extradition treaty with Japan .
According to the official , who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters , Ghosn was currently being interrogated on a separate report against him over a 2008 visit to Israel .
Lebanon and Israel are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submitted a report to the Public Prosecutor ’ s Office saying the trip violated Lebanese law .
Ghosn ’ s lawyer , Carlos Abou Jaoude confirmed that his client was questioned in the two separate cases — the Interpol notice and the Israel trip .
He told reporters Ghosn was confident in the Lebanese judicial system , At Wednesday ’ s press conference , Ghosn apologized to the Lebanese , saying he never wished to offend anyone when he travelled to Israel as a French national after Nissan asked him to announce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors , who arrested him in late 2018 , said Ghosn had “ only himself to blame ” for for four-month-long detention and for the strict bail conditions that followed , such as being banned from seeing his wife .
“ Defendant Ghosn was deemed a high-profile risk , which is obvious from the fact that he actually fled , ” they said .
Ghosn thanked the Lebanese authorities for their hospitality and defended its judicial system , which has long faced accusations of corruption and favouritism .
He said he would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think I can have a fair trial.
” He declined to say where that might be .
With big gestures and a five-part slide presentation , Ghosn brought his case to the global media in a performance that at times resembled a corporate presentation .
Combative , spirited , and at times rambling , he described conditions of detention in Japan that made him feel “ dead ... like an animal ” in a country where he asserted he had “ zero chance ” of a fair trial .
He said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , was interrogated day and night for hours , appeared in handcuffs and a leash around his waist and was denied rights to see his wife for months .
In his 150-minutes conference Wednesday , Ghosn attacked Japanese prosecutors , saying they were “ aided and abated by petty , vindictive and lawless individuals ” in the government , Nissan and its law firm .
He said it was them , not him , “ who are destroying Japan ’ s reputation on the global stage.
” On Tuesday , Tokyo prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Lebanese wife Carole on suspicion of perjury , a charge unrelated to his escape .
However , Japanese justice officials acknowledge that it ’ s unclear whether the Ghosns can be brought back to Japan to face charges .
Nissan has said it was still pursuing legal action against Ghosn despite his escape .


thetorontostar--2020-01-09--Investigators find carbon monoxide leaks in public housing

DURHAM , N.C. - Inspectors discovered that about 40 % of apartments at a North Carolina public housing community where residents have been hospitalized and two babies have died had appliances that were emitting carbon monoxide , a housing authority official confirmed .
Durham officials inspected 70 occupied apartments at McDougald Terrace and identified furnaces , hot water heaters and stoves that were emitting carbon monoxide and needed to be replaced in 28 of those units , the authority ’ s chief executive officer Anthony Scott said during a news conference Wednesday .
The housing authority evacuated about 200 households @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , and it may need to evacuate the remaining 160 units depending on additional results from Wednesday ’ s inspections , Scott said .
Carbon monoxide is a colorless , odourless and potentially poisonous gas that can cause illness and in cases of prolonged exposure , death , the Mayo Clinic explains .
Officials have said they can ’ t rule out the gas ’ role in the deaths of two babies at McDougald Terrace in November and December .
Autopsies are still being completed .
About a dozen other adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated for exposure to the gas since mid-November , The News & Observer reported .
McDougald Terrace was built in the 1950s and is Durham ’ s largest public housing community , the newspaper said .
It has failed multiple federal inspections , according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development .
Scott said the low inspections scores show the housing authority ’ s properties “ are in bad shape.
” He added that decades of underfunding have contributed to the situation .
The housing authority said it has reached out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help in replacing the appliances , but does not yet have an estimate on how much the repairs will cost or how long they will take .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-09--Iran says jet tried to turn back after takeoff, as Ukraine probes many theories in airline crash

TEHRAN , Iran - The crew of a Ukrainian jetliner that crashed in Iran , killing all 176 people on board , never made a radio call for help and were trying to turn back for the airport when their burning plane went down , an initial Iranian investigative report said Thursday .
Ukraine , meanwhile , said it considered a missile strike as one of several possible theories for the crash , despite Iran ’ s denials .
The Iranian report suggests that a sudden emergency struck the Boeing 737 operated by Ukrainian International Airlines early on Wednesday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran .
Investigators from Iran ’ s Civil Aviation Organization offered no immediate explanation for the disaster , however .
Iranian officials initially blamed a technical malfunction for the crash , something initially backed by Ukrainian officials before they said they wouldn ’ t speculate amid an ongoing investigation .
The crash came just a few hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack against Iraqi military bases housing U.S. troops amid a confrontation with Washington over it killing an Iranian Revolutionary Guard general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Ukrainian International Airlines took off at 6:12 a.m. Wednesday , after nearly an hour ’ s delay at Tehran ’ s Imam Khomeini Airport , the main airport for travellers in Iran .
It gained altitude heading west , reaching nearly 8,000 feet , according to both the report and flight-tracking data .
Then something went wrong , though “ no radio messages were received from the pilot regarding unusual situations , ” the report said .
In emergencies , pilots typically immediately contact air-traffic controllers .
Eyewitnesses , including the crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described seeing the plane engulfed in flames before crashing at 6:18 a.m. , the report said .
The crash caused a massive explosion when the plane hit the ground , likely because the aircraft had been fully loaded with fuel for the flight to Kyiv , Ukraine .
The report also confirmed that both of the so-called “ black boxes ” that contain data and cockpit communications from the plane had been recovered , though they sustained damage and some parts of their memory was lost .
It also said that investigators have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as causing the crash .
Oleksiy Danilov , secretary of Ukraine ’ s Security Council , told Ukrainian media that officials had several working theories regarding the crash , including a missile strike .
“ A strike by a missile , possibly a Tor missile system , is among the main ( theories ) , as information has surfaced on the internet about elements of a missile being found near the site of the crash , ” Danilov said .
He did not elaborate on where he saw the information on the internet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier on Thursday currently await permission from Iranian authorities to examine the crash site and look for missile fragments , Danilov said .
The Tor is a Russian-made missile system .
Russia delivered 29 Tor-M1s to Iran in 2007 as part of a $ 700 million contract signed in December 2005 .
Iran has displayed the missiles in military parades as well .
Iran did not immediately respond to the Ukrainian comments .
However , Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi , the spokesman of the Iranian armed forces , denied a missile hit the airplane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ semiofficial Fars news agency .
He dismissed the allegation as “ psychological warfare ” by foreign-based Iranian opposition groups .
Ukraine has a grim history with missile attacks , including in July 2014 when one such strike downed a Malaysian Airlines flight over eastern Ukraine , killing all 298 people aboard .
Danilov also said other possible causes under consideration included a drone or another flying object crashing into the plane , a terrorist attack or an engine malfunction causing an explosion .
However , no terror group has claimed responsibility for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers and nine crew members from several countries , including 82 Iranians , at least 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians , according to officials .
The crash just before dawn scattered flaming debris and passengers ’ belongings across a wide stretch of farmland .
Many of the passengers were believed to be international students attending universities in Canada ; they were making their way back to Toronto by way of Kyiv after visiting with family during the winter break .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he planned to call Iranian President Hassan Rouhani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Undoubtedly , the priority for Ukraine is to identify the causes of the plane crash , ” Zelenskiy said .
“ We will surely find out the truth.
” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 138 of the passengers were bound for Canada..
The flight also included a family of four and newlyweds , too .
The manifest listed several teenagers and children , some as young as 1 or 2 .
The crash ranked among the worst losses of life for Canadians in an aviation disaster .
The flag over Parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Trudeau vowed to get to the bottom of the disaster .
“ Know that all Canadians are grieving with you , ” he said , addressing the victims ’ families .
Ukrainian officials , for their part , initially agreed with Iranian suspicions that the 3 1/2-year-old plane was brought down by mechanical trouble but later backed away from that and declined to offer a cause while the investigation is going on .
While the cause of the tragedy remained unknown , the disaster could further damage Boeing ’ s reputation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over two deadly crashes involving a different model of the Boeing jet , the much-newer 737 Max , which has been grounded for nearly 10 months .
The uproar led to the firing of the company ’ s CEO last month .
Boeing extended condolences to the victims ’ families and said it stands ready to assist .
Gambrell reported from Dubai , United Arab Emirates , and Litvinova from Moscow .

Amir Vahdat, Jon Gambrell And Daria Litvinova - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-01-09--Man dies in Germany years after co-worker poisoned his lunch

BERLIN - A young man in Germany has died four years after being poisoned by a co-worker and falling into a coma .
The state court in Bielefeld , which convicted the suspect in the case last year , confirmed the death on Thursday , German news agency dpa reported .
It said the 26-year-old ’ s parents spoke about their son ’ s suffering during a trial last year .
A 57-year-old man , identified only as Klaus O. for privacy reasons , was sentenced to life in prison last March after the court in Bielefeld , 330 kilometres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , found him guilty of attempted murder .
The defendant , who has appealed the verdict , had peppered co-workers ’ food with mercury and other substances over several years , leaving one in a coma and two others with serious kidney damage .
He was arrested in May 2018 after surveillance video showed him putting a suspicious powder on a colleague ’ s sandwich at their workplace in the town of Schloss Holte-Stukenbrock .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-09--China’s economy czar going to Washington to sign trade deal

BEIJING - China ’ s economy czar will visit Washington next week for the signing of an interim trade deal , the government said Thursday .
Vice Premier Liu He , Beijing ’ s chief envoy in talks with Washington over their tariff war , had been expected to attend the signing but the Commerce Ministry ’ s statement was the first official confirmation .
Washington postponed planned tariff increases following the announcement of the “ Phase 1 ” deal in October .
But earlier punitive duties imposed by both sides on billions of dollars of each other ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade and threatening to chill economic growth .
Liu will lead a delegation to Washington from Monday through Wednesday , said ministry spokesman Gao Feng .
Under the “ Phase 1 ” deal , Beijing agreed to buy more American farm goods and Washington ’ s chief negotiator , Robert Lighthizer , said it would make changes to respond to complaints about its industrial policies .
Details have yet to be announced and Chinese officials have yet to confirm any regulatory changes or the size of purchases of American soybeans and other exports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jitters by announcing conciliatory steps including postponing planned tariff hikes .
Beijing also has resumed purchases of soybeans , the biggest American export to China , and pork .
Washington , Europe , Japan and other trading partners complain Beijing steals or pressures foreign companies to hand over technology .
Washington is pressing China to roll back plans for state-led creation of global competitors in robotics and other industries that its trading partners say violate its market-opening commitments .
President Donald Trump announced last month he would sign the “ Phase 1 ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after that to start the second stage of talks .
Trump hailed the interim agreement as a step toward ending the tariff war , but Beijing has been more measured in its public statements .
Economists say concluding a final settlement could take years .
Potential hurdles include Chinese insistence that U.S. tariff hikes be cancelled once an agreement takes effect .
The Trump administration says some must remain in place to ensure Beijing carries out any promises it makes .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-09--Fugitive Ghosn brings global attention to Japanese  justice

TOKYO - Though former Nissan Chairman Ghosn is unlikely to stand trial in a real court , he has made himself a key witness in putting Japan ’ s justice system on trial .
In his first public appearance after fleeing to Lebanon , Ghosn lambasted unfair detention and bail conditions , said he was presumed guilty and had “ zero chance ” of a fair trial in a system rigged against him .
“ I didn ’ t run from justice , I left Japan because I wanted justice , “ the former auto industry icon said at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With little chance they can extradite him , Japanese authorities struck back with words Thursday .
Tokyo prosecutors , who arrested him in late 2018 , said Ghosn had “ only himself to blame ” for being detained 130 days before being released and for the strict bail conditions like being banned from seeing his wife .
“ Defendant Ghosn was deemed a high-profile risk , which is obvious from the fact that he actually fled , ” they said .
Justice Minister Masako Mori denounced Ghosn ’ s comments as erroneous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime rate to a judicial system rooted in “ its history and culture.
” Ghosn ’ s remarks , however , highlighted many of the issues human rights advocates call problematic in Japan ’ s justice system .
Because of Japan ’ s extremely low crime rate , how suspects are treated is surprisingly unknown to Japanese , who tend to trust authoritative figures and assume no one gets arrested without a reason .
In Japan , suspects can be detained in solitary confinement without charge for up to 23 days .
Charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Suspects are routinely grilled for hours each day without a lawyer present .
Critics call the detention conditions mental torture .
Japan ’ s conviction rate is higher than 99 % , a number that critics , including Ghosn , say indicates unfairness .
Japanese officials insist the conviction rate is so high because they don ’ t make mistakes and only guilty people are prosecuted .
At the same time , they insist there ’ s presumption of innocence .
It ’ s an entrenched system that not only leads to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are guilty , says Tokyo defence lawyer Seiho Cho , who has been trying to change the system .
“ They really believe that this system is functioning efficiently and correctly , ” he said .
Cho said Ghosn was a high-profile case and the way regular suspects get treated is worse .
Those who insist they are innocent especially are detained longer , some for hundreds of days .
Bans on contact with family members are also common , he said .
The ban in Ghosn ’ s case cited the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An arrest warrant was issued this week for Carole Ghosn on suspicion of perjury .
Carlos Ghosn argued the ban on contact with his wife was illogical because he was allowed to meet with other family members , implying the decision was meant to wear him out .
His decision to escape was driven by his desire to be with his wife , he said .
The preparation for Ghosn ’ s trial had already taken a year , and the date for his trial was undecided .
He was charged with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust in diverting Nissan Motor Co. money for personal gain , the two separate charges complicating and prolonging his trial process .
If convicted , he could face 15 years in prison .
Prosecutors also can appeal district court decisions , prolonging the process for defendants .
“ Even when they are eventually exonerated , they have already lost so much , ” Cho said , noting some suspects have lost their jobs , their reputation , even their families .
Among the famous cases of wrongful convictions is Iwao Hakamada , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNA evidence won his release from death row in 2014 .
He had been questioned , beaten and bullied by police daily in detention and confessed to murdering a family of four , but asserted his innocence when his trial began .
Frenchman Mark Karpeles was arrested in 2015 after his bitcoin exchange collapsed .
He spent 11 months in detention , although he was eventually cleared of embezzlement and fraud allegations .
He got a suspended sentence , meaning no additional jail time was required , on a conviction on charges of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Karpeles said he was an innocent victim of hackers .
A true-life story of a man who refused to sign a confession that he groped a woman on a crowded commuter train became a popular 2007 movie .
The film depicts a five-year legal battle for exoneration , highlighting the burden of proof of innocence was on the accused rather than police and prosecutors proving guilt .
Although Ghosn has drawn attention to the system ’ s possible flaws , Cho was worried about a backlash , with release on bail getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making progress , but this could set us back , ” said Cho .
For example , with the idea of introducing an electronic tether , which Japan lacks and Ghosn had proposed to get bail , fewer people could end up getting bail , and , on top of that , get electronically monitored .
Interpol has published a wanted notice for Ghosn but it is non-binding .
Chief government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said whether Ghosn would be extradited was Lebanon ’ s decision but that Japan would co-operate with international organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice system can be operated appropriately.
” Jacques Deguest , an expert on Japanese law and business , thinks Ghosn ’ s case is so embarrassing for Japan it may discourage some non-Japanese from wanting to invest or live in Japan .
“ Prosecutors are regarded as guardians and protectors of Japanese culture , ” said Deguest , an investor , lawyer and consultant .
Their super-efficient , but often brutal , practices have resisted change , but sometimes pressures from abroad can bring about change in Japan , Deguest said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces people to be uncomfortable with the status quo and forces them to move on , ” he said .
“ This Ghosn case is great in terms magnitude because it has the power to put the external pressure on Japan that we all love , ” Deguest said .
Ghosn was careful not to blame the people of Japan for what he called the nation ’ s injustices .
He led Nissan for two decades , steering the automaker back from near-bankruptcy to a thriving brand , although sales and profits have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people on the streets who spotted him while he was out on bail would come up to him .
They would tell him , he said in Japanese , “ Ghosn-san gambatte kudsai , ” using the honorific for his name , saying : “ Hang in there .
”


thetorontostar--2020-01-09--AP Explains: The pathogen behind China’s pneumonia outbreak

BEIJING - Since late last year , people in the central Chinese city of Wuhan have been infected with a viral pneumonia whose cause was unknown .
The outbreak raised the spectre of another SARS epidemic , which killed hundreds in 2002 and 2003 .
A preliminary investigation has now identified the respiratory disease as a new type of coronavirus , Chinese state media reported Thursday , citing scientists handling the investigation .
As of Sunday , local authorities reported 59 patients with the illness .
Seven were in critical condition , while the rest were stable .
Eight were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t exhibit any more symptoms for several days .
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that was first identified in humans in the mid-1960s .
Some are a cause of the common cold , while others found in bats , camels and other animals have evolved into more severe illnesses , such as SARS and MERS .
The family derives its name from the Latin word “ corona , ” meaning a halo or crown , which the viruses resemble when viewed under an electron microscope .
HOW ARE CORONAVIRUSES SPREAD AND @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread through coughing or sneezing , or by touching an infected person .
Common symptoms include a runny nose , headache , cough and fever .
Shortness of breath , chills and body aches are associated with more dangerous kinds of coronavirus , according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention .
The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said some of the infected patients ran businesses in a seafood market that is being suspended and investigated .
As the present illness does not not transmit readily between people , it ’ s possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market .
IS IT ANYTHING LIKE SARS ?
While SARS , or severe acute respiratory syndrome , also belongs to the coronavirus family , Chinese state media say the illness in Wuhan is different from coronaviruses that have been identified in the past .
Earlier laboratory tests ruled out SARS and MERS ( Middle East respiratory syndrome ) , as well as influenza , bird flu , adenovirus and other common respiratory pathogens .
SARS emerged as a novel coronavirus in 2002 , first infecting people in southern China , then spreading to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 8,000 people were sickened and more than 700 died .
No new cases have been reported since 2004 .
Another form of coronavirus has caused MERS , an illness that began in Jordan and Saudi Arabia in 2012 before spreading to about two dozen other countries .
It has resulted in more than 800 deaths , with the majority reported from Saudi Arabia .
WHAT HAPPENS NOW ?
Chinese researchers made their preliminary determination by using an isolate from one positive patient sample to conduct gene sequencing of the virus , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a World Health Organization representative to China .
“ Preliminary identification of a novel virus in a short period of time is a notable achievement , ” Galea said .
But more must be done before scientists can reach a definitive conclusion .
Xu Jianguo , the leader of the expert group that made the preliminary assessment , told Xinhua state news agency that they will conduct pathogenic and epidemiological research over the next several weeks to confirm that it is indeed a new coronavirus .
AP Medical Writer Mike Stobbe in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-01-09--Nationwide protest in France over pensions as talks continue

PARIS - Rail workers , teachers , doctors , lawyers and others joined a nationwide day of protests and strikes Thursday to denounce French President Emmanuel Macron ’ s plans to overhaul the pension system .
As the government and unions pushed on with crucial negotiations about the changes , street protests were staged in Paris and other French cities , with railway strikes entering their sixth week .
The Eiffel Tower was shut as employees joined the protest movement .
Paris metro traffic was severely disrupted , except for two automatic lines running normally .
The national rail company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of five were running .
Regional trains were also affected and many schools were closed .
Unions have also called on workers to block road access to major ports , including in the southern city of Marseille .
Talks between the government and workers unions resumed Tuesday but no compromise has so far been reached .
A new round of negotiations focusing on the financing of the new pension system is scheduled for Friday .
Macron has asked his government to find a quick compromise with reform-minded unions .
So far , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to raise the full retirement age from 62 to 64 , the most criticized part of the proposals .
The changes aim to unify France ’ s 42 different pension schemes into a single one .
Under specific pension schemes , some people , like railway worker , are allowed to take early retirement .
Others , like lawyers and doctors , pay less tax .
Unions fear people will have to work longer for lower pensions , and polls suggest at least half of French people still support the strikes .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-09--US soccer defender Dest leaving Ajax training camp in Qatar

AMSTERDAM - Ajax and United States defender Sergino Dest is leaving the Amsterdam club ’ s winter training camp in Qatar , amid high tensions in the Mideast , the club announced on Thursday .
Ajax said Dest asked to leave the camp because “ he did not feel comfortable.
” The club said it “ understood the request and honoured it.
” He will continue training with the club ’ s juniors in Amsterdam .
Ajax is in Qatar — the 2022 World Cup host — for training and two friendlies during the Dutch league winter break .
Dest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day after Iran launched missile attacks on two military bases in Iraq that house U.S. troops .
The missiles were a retaliation following an American drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani , the leader of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard ’ s powerful Quds Force .
Dest , who has a Surinamese-American father and Dutch mother , decided last year to play for the United States instead of the Netherlands .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-09--Norway to take 600 migrants moved from Libya camps to Rwanda

COPENHAGEN - Norway says it will take 600 asylum seekers recently evacuated to Rwanda from Libyan detention centres as the Scandinavian country wants to stop the sometimes deadly smuggling of migrants across the Mediterranean Sea .
“ For me it is important to send a signal that we will not back smuggling routes and cynical backers , but instead bring in people with protection needs in organized form , ” Justice and Immigration Minister Joaran Kallmyr said in a statement emailed Thursday to The Associated Press .
“ Therefore , the government has decided to collect 600 quota refugees from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from the transit reception in Rwanda in 2020 , ” he added .
Many of the asylum seekers are from Horn of Africa nations .
Since the 2015 massive influx of migrants to Europe authorities , especially the European Union , have been trying to stop refugees and other migrants from crossing the Mediterranean while trying to reach Europe .
Thousands of people have died at sea .
Many set off from Libya ’ s coast .
As part of an agreement signed between Rwanda , the African Union and the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East African country hosts a camp for people who have been evacuated from often chaotic , overcrowded detention centres in Libya .
Some 800 are currently staying at an emergency transit centre in Rwanda ’ s Bugesera district .
So far Norway and Sweden have offered to take some of them , according to Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta , who said Wednesday that Sweden has already taken in seven .
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thetorontostar--2020-01-09--European legal experts eye Poland’s new law limiting judges

WARSAW , Poland - Law experts are holding talks in Poland on a controversial draft law that would give politicians the power to fire or fine judges in defiance of Europe ’ s principle of judicial independence .
Three members of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe were meeting Thursday with Poland ’ s Senate speaker , Tomasz Grodzki , who is critical of the law and has invited the commission to opine it .
Proposed by Poland ’ s right-wing government , the law was adopted by the lawmakers last month but still needs approval from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slim majority , including the speaker .
The Senate is to take it on in mid-January and Grodzki has suggested it could reject the bill or send it back to the lower hose for improvement .
The European Union has urged Polish authorities to suspend the bill , but the government argues it need to bring order to what it claims is a “ chaotic ” justice system .
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