thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Memorial for baseball coach, family killed in Bryant crash

ANAHEIM , Calif. - A public memorial will be held for three members of a family who died along with Kobe Bryant and others when a helicopter carrying the group to a youth basketball tournament crashed in foggy weather outside Los Angeles .
The service will be held Monday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim for Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli , his wife , Keri , and teenage daughter Alyssa , who played basketball on Bryant ’ s youth team .
Altobelli , 56 , won more than 700 games at Orange Coast during his more than two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team .
The American Baseball Coaches Association named him its coach of the year last year after he guided the Pirates to their fourth state title .
The coach known as “ Alto ” also managed the Brewster Whitecaps for three seasons in the Cape Cod Summer League .
Among the players he coached there were New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and New York Mets infielder Jeff McNeil .
His daughter attended Ensign Intermediate School in Newport Beach , which retired her basketball jersey .
She hoped to someday attend the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player , Sabrina Ionescu .
Altobelli is survived by a son , J.J. , who is a scout with the Boston Red Sox , and a 16-year-old daughter , Lexi .
Bryant , his daughter Gianna and seven other people died Jan. 26 when the helicopter crashed into a hillside outside Los Angeles .
Also killed in the crash were Bryant friends Christina Mauser , who helped coach the girls ’ team , Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton , and the helicopter pilot , Ara Zobayan , A public memorial for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other victims of the crash is scheduled for Feb. 24 at Staples Center .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--‘Satanist’ Kansas soldier pleads guilty to bomb plot charges

TOPEKA , Kan. - A 24-year-old an Army infantry soldier described by prosecutors as a Satanist who hoped to overthrow the U.S. government pleaded guilty Monday to distributing information through social media about building a bomb and making napalm .
Jarrett William Smith , a private first class stationed at Fort Riley , Kansas , and previously at Fort Bliss , Texas , admitted during a court hearing to providing information about explosives in September to an FBI undercover agent .
Smith signed a formal plea agreement with federal prosecutors and then entered his pleas verbally during a half-hour court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He wore an orange prison jumpsuit and black athletic shoes and alternated between “ Yes ” and “ Yes , sir ” in answering questions from Crabtree .
“ Did you provide this information with the intent that the person would use it ?
” Crabtree asked him .
Smith also had faced a third felony charge of threatening to burn down the house of a far-left-leaning “ antifa ” member in Michigan , but that charge is to be dismissed under the plea agreement .
The two other charges dealt with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fort Riley starting in July 2019 .
Smith initially pleaded not guilty to all three charges in September but notified Crabtree last month that he would change his plea .
The two charges to which he pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $ 250,000 fine .
Crabtree set his sentencing for May 18 .
An attorney for Smith , federal public defender Rich Federico , did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment after Monday ’ s hearing .
In his plea agreement , Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to others ” through social media about how to build improvised explosive devices and that he spoke to others about his desire to travel to Ukraine to fight with “ a violent , far-right paramilitary group.
” Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Mattivi said during a court hearing in September that Smith planned to overthrow the government , with attacking a news organization as a first step .
An FBI affidavit said Smith suggested to the undercover agent targeting an unidentified major news organization with a car bomb , and CNN reported that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ familiar with the investigation .
The affidavit said the FBI undercover agent asked Smith if there was anyone in Texas to target for “ fire , destruction and death , ” and that Smith mentioned “ Beto , ” an apparent reference to former Texas Rep. Beto O ’ Rourke , who was running at the time for the Democratic presidential nomination .
The affidavit said that Smith told another FBI agent before his arrest that his goal was to create “ chaos.
” Mattivi said in September that Smith told the agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glory of his Satanist religion , ” though he provided few other details , other than saying that Smith liked ” black metal “ music designed to attract people to Satan .
An FBI affidavit in September alleged that Smith discussed a plan to kill “ antifa ” activists and described how to build a bomb that could be triggered by calling a cellphone .
The affidavit identified the Ukrainian paramilitary group as Azov Battalion and said Smith was mentored by someone who had fought with a similar group there , Right Sector @

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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Guilty plea to federal charges in black church burnings

LAFAYETTE , La .
- The aspiring ‘ black metal ’ musician who was arrested in a series of fires set at African American churches in Louisiana last spring pleaded guilty Monday to federal and state criminal charges .
The U.S. Attorney ’ s Office said in a news release that Holden Matthews pleaded guilty to three counts of intentional damage to religious property , a federal hate crime .
He also pleaded to one count of using fire to commit a felony .
He entered the pleas in federal court in Lafayette .
Sentencing on the federal charges is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleaded guilty in state court in St. Landry Parish to six related state charges and sentencing was set for May 26 , Assistant District Attorney Don Richard told The Associated Press .
Investigators said Matthews had shown interest in “ black metal , ” an extreme sub-genre of heavy metal music .
“ Matthews admitted to setting the fires because of the religious character of these buildings , in an effort to raise his profile as a Black Metal ’ musician by copying similar crimes committed in Norway in the 1990s , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His self-promotion included taking pictures and videos of two of the burning churches and posting them to Facebook , the release said .
Matthews faces a minimum 10-year federal prison sentence , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office said .
The charges carry a maximum total sentence of 70 years — 20 for each of the hate crimes and 10 for the use of fire in a felony .
The federal plea agreement said the St. Landry Parish District Attorney ’ s Office agreed it would not seek a sentence higher than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in state court and would ask that the state sentence be served at the same time as the federal one .
Matthews , 21 at the time of his arrest last year , is white and the destruction of the three historic black churches in St. Landry Parish evoked memories of civil rights-era terrorism .
But race is not mentioned as a factor in the charges .
The indictment said the fires were set “ because of the religious character ” of the properties .
Three churches were burned in a span of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , in an area roughly 140 miles ( 225 kilometres ) west of New Orleans in St. Landry Parish .
Matthews ’ father is a parish sheriff ’ s deputy .
The first fire was at the St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre .
Days later , the Greater Union Baptist Church and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas were burned .
Each was more than 100 years old , with mostly black congregations .
The churches were empty at the time of the fires , and no one was injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : three state hate crime charges plus two counts of simple arson of a religious building and a count of aggravated arson of a religious building .
In a statement later Monday , Louisiana ’ s governor deplored the church burnings .
“ These unthinkable acts deprived three church communities of not only their places of worship , but their sense of security.
“ Gov .
John Bel Edwards said .
“ Holden Matthews ’ actions came from a place of hate and intolerance and the charges he has pled guilty to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his crimes .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--How crucial is New Hampshire win? It depends on whom you ask

ROCHESTER , N.H. - In the waning hours before New Hampshire ’ s first-in-the-nation primary voting begins , Democratic presidential candidates took varied approaches to the expectations game as they look to advance deeper into what could be an extended nominating fight .
Bernie Sanders showed the same confidence Monday he displayed ahead the Iowa caucuses last week , which ended with a split decision between the Vermont senator and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend , Indiana .
“ If we win here tomorrow , I think we ’ ve got a path to victory for the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rindge .
Former Vice-President Joe Biden , once the national front-runner , tamped down expectations amid prospects of a second consecutive disappointing outcome before the race turns to more racially diverse states he believes can restore his contender status .
“ This is just getting started , ” he told CBS on Monday .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts fell somewhere between those approaches , vowing to make a comeback but not predicting victory as she tries to slice off chunks of Sanders ’ progressive base and Buttigieg ’ s core of college-educated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ ve been counted down and out for much of my life , ” Warren told reporters Monday , referring back to a 2017 Senate debate when Majority Leader Mitch McConnell admonished her .
“ Nevertheless , she persisted , ” Warren said , quoting McConnell ’ s remark that became a rallying cry for liberal women .
“ You get knocked down .
You get back up.
” Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , the biggest surprises of the 2020 contest so far , looked to extend their rides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for two campaigns with overwhelmingly white bases .
The scramble highlights a perilous point for Democrats as they look for a challenger to President Donald Trump .
No would-be nominee has yet forged a strong coalition across the party ’ s racial , ethnic and ideological factions .
The situation is muddled further by the vote-tabulation melee in last week ’ s Iowa caucuses that left both Sanders and Buttigieg claiming victory , even as neither reached 30 % of the vote in a fractured field .
Trump , meanwhile , is eager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic slate as he heads to Manchester for a Monday evening rally to continue his victory-and-vengeance tour following Senate votes that acquitted him on two impeachment charges .
Trump lost New Hampshire in 2016 by fewer than 3,000 votes out of more than 743,000 cast , and the state is among several his reelection campaign believes it can flip in November .
Trump ’ s supporters began lining up in New Hampshire on Sunday , and the crowd only grew despite freezing , wet weather .
The president managed a similar scene in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drawing thousands of boisterous supporters who contrasted with a lower-than-expected caucus turnout for Democrats .
Against that backdrop , Biden insisted Monday that he remains well-positioned for the nomination and to defeat Trump in November .
He pointed to endorsements from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Michigan ’ s legislative black caucus that he ’ s gotten since the Iowa caucuses .
“ I ’ m still leading nationally , ” Biden told CBS , referring to months of national polls .
It ’ s far from certain , though , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position in the coming weeks .
Biden ’ s fortunes could turn on voters like Pat Barrick , a 70-year-old independent who said she was once solidly with Biden but now is also considering Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who finished just behind Biden in Iowa and has since seen a bounce in New Hampshire .
“ He matches my values , ” Barrick said of Biden .
“ I just don ’ t know if he can win.
” Indeed , no Democrats have separated themselves from the pack .
Sanders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims to national support .
But Sanders , a democratic socialist , has virtually no support from the party ’ s centre-left core , and some establishment figures openly fret about Sanders leading the ticket in November .
Buttigieg draws large crowds with his calls for generational change , but the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , hasn ’ t demonstrated significant support from African American or Latino voters , who will become significant parts of the Democratic electorate in the states that follow New Hampshire .
Several of Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have started hammering his comparatively thin resume .
In Plymouth on Monday , a top Buttigieg backer met that criticism directly to open a Buttigieg event .
“ Pete Buttigieg has more executive experience than Barack Obama did before he was president , ” said Gary Hirshberg , an influential New Hampshire Democrat who was a key early supporter of Obama ’ s 2008 campaign .
Racial diversity is also a question for Klobuchar .
She could deliver Biden a new blow if she leapfrogs him in New Hampshire , but it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national reach to capitalize on any newfound momentum heading toward the March 3 Super Tuesday slate , when more than a third of Democrats ’ approximately 4,000 pledged delegates will be up for grabs .
In Nashua on Monday , Klobuchar declared 2020 “ a decency test ” for the nation .
Loosely quoting the 19th-century author Alexis de Tocqueville , she said , “ America … may not be the most enlightened nation , but America is always a country that finds a way to repair its faults.
” Warren , meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalition , and she ’ s added a relatively new argument in New Hampshire by pitching herself as the candidate who can best unify the party .
But she and Biden face a potential money crunch if donors are spooked by Tuesday ’ s results .
Beyond New Hampshire , billionaire Michael Bloomberg continues plowing hundreds of millions of dollars into Super Tuesday states , while skipping the first four February contests .
Bloomberg ’ s centrist candidacy hinges largely on Biden underperforming and the proposition that neither Buttigieg nor Klobuchar can fill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced new staff investments in Utah and Colorado , bringing his national footprint to 2,100 staffers , with 18 states boasting at least 40 employees .
Despite the questions facing the Democratic field , New Hampshire Democratic Chairman Ray Buckley said he remains optimistic about their chances of toppling Trump , even going so far as to welcome the president ’ s Monday visit .
“ His ego can ’ t stand the idea of something going on and he ’ s not in the middle of it , ” Buckley told reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before , and I believe it ’ s going to backfire on him this time.
” Barrow reported from Atlanta .
Associated Press writers Holly Ramer in Manchester , N.H. , Thomas Beaumont in Plymouth , N.H. , Hunter Woodall in Gilford , N.H. , Michael Casey in Nashua , N.H. , and Alexandra Jaffe in Des Moines , Iowa , contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Will Wiessert, Kathleen Ronayne, And Bill Barrow - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Hollywood barriers fall in milestone Oscars for ‘Parasite’

LOS ANGELES - Before Bong Joon Ho ’ s “ Parasite ” made history as the first non-English best picture winner in Academy Awards history , he made a modest plea to American moviegoers : Don ’ t be afraid of subtitles .
Accepting the award for best foreign-language film at the Golden Globes last month , the South Korean filmmaker , who has worked in both Seoul and Hollywood , said : “ Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles , you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.
” Reflecting on those words backstage at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several of his statuettes , Bong wondered whether those boundaries were already breaking .
He had good reason to .
In a thrilling and raucously applauded upset , the revolutionary win for “ Parasite ” ended a more than nine-decade English-language monopoly on cinema ’ s top prize .
“ People were already overcoming these barriers through streaming services , YouTube , social media , ” said Bong through his translator .
“ In the environment that we currently live in , I think we ’ re all connected .
Naturally we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ language film or not , it doesn ’ t really matter.
” Hollywood ’ s reach has long extended to all corners of the globe , but it has less frequently returned the favour .
It ’ s an exporter , not an importer .
Even though the American film industry was built largely by immigrants , on Oscar night , its gaze has usually been turned inward .
But that ’ s changing , and nothing showed it more than the weekend ’ s incredible double-feature of winners .
Before “ Parasite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director Lulu Wang ’ s “ The Farewell “ triumphed at Saturday ’ s Film Independent Spirit Awards .
Wang ’ s family drama stars an all-Asian cast and was filmed in both Mandarin and English “ The Farewell , ” one of the most successful indie films at the box office last year , also won best supporting performance by a female actor , for Chinese actress Zhao Shuzhen .
Wang thanked Film Independent for “ honouring a woman from China who a lot of people earlier in the year could barely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was , in many ways , an extraordinary exception to the norm .
The film , a ferocious tragicomedy about a family of grifters who leech onto a wealthy family , inspired nearly universal praise for its cunning construction and for the utter command of Bong , whose last two films ( “ Okja , ” for Netflix ; “ Snowpiercer , ” for The Weinstein Company ’ s Radius label ) were largely English .
Its mastery was simply too much for voters to deny .
And the affable Bong , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American filmmakers he has frequently praised on his way to Oscar glory , was already widely respected throughout Hollywood — just as he is in Korea , where his films are regularly blockbusters .
( “ Parasite ” has grossed $ 35.5 million in the United States and Canada but $ 72 million in South Korea . )
Bong was appreciated , too , for successfully staring down Harvey Weinstein in a battle over the final cut of “ Snowpiercer.
” When “ Parasite ” made its debut at the Cannes Film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so overwhelming that Alejandro Iñárritu ’ s jury said its choice for the Palme d ’ Or was unanimous .
The indie distributor Neon , led by Tom Quinn , prepared “ Parasite ” for an underdog , multi-category Oscar campaign , one aided by a historic win at the Screen Actors Guild Awards .
But “ Parasite ” is also part of a continuum .
It was only the 11th foreign-language film ever nominated for best picture but the third in the last decade , following “ Amour ” and “ Roma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeating “ Green Book.
” The silent 2012 winner “ The Artist ” was also a French production .
And before Bong took best director on Sunday , only two of the last 10 directing winners were American-born .
At a time when the national discourse often signals different attitudes about national borders , the Oscars have pushed in the other direction .
On Monday , the Asia Society said of the win for “ Parasite ” : “ Without question , this is a bridge-building moment.
” The film ’ s victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
A headline in South Korea ’ s biggest newspaper , Chosun Ilbo , blared : “ Can you believe that ‘ Parasite ’ won the Academy best picture ?
It rewrote the Academy ’ s 92-year-old history.
” Yet some were less enthusiastic about the film academy ’ s newly global purview .
A widely discussed post on Mother Jones on Monday lamented reading film subtitles .
Conservative BlazeTV host Jon Miller on Twitter criticized Bong ’ s acceptance speech , spoken largely in Korean and translated by an interpreter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ America , ” wrote Miller .
But few films have inspired the kind of celebration that “ Parasite ” did at the Dolby Theatre , where the crowd greeted the film ’ s best picture win with thunderous applause .
For some , the film ’ s win was a tremendous relief and a much-needed counterpoint to an Oscars field that was otherwise notably lacking in diversity .
“ Parasite ” also followed the much-debated win last year for “ Green Book , ” a film many saw as racially retrograde .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beautiful and films from everywhere deserve to be on that stage winning the academy ’ s highest honour , ” said Ava DuVernay .
The lack of acting nominations for DuVernay ’ s “ Selma ” led , in part , to the # OscarsSoWhite backlash of 2015 .
Since then , the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has worked to diversify its largely white and male ranks , a process that ’ s led to the induction of many more international members .
“ These awards should be global and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Antonio Banderas , a best actor nominee for Pedro Almodóvar ’ s Spanish language drama “ Pain & Glory , ” on the red carpet before Sunday ’ s ceremony .
“ These past two years , joining the academy have been 1,500 members .
This is a very powerful injection of international members , which give power to the academy , which pretends to be global.
” The movie business has never been more global .
Overseas ticket sales last year exceeded $ 30 billion for the first time .
Hollywood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to appeal to movie audiences worldwide .
China is expected to surpass the U.S. at the world ’ s top movie market this year .
With America ’ s moviemaking supremacy increasingly on the wane , the Oscars are likely to only further expand their scope in the future .
And not just because of international productions , but homegrown ones , too .
At last month ’ s Sundance Film Festival , Korean-American filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung ’ s tender autobiographical tale about his upbringing in rural Arkansas , “ Minari , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producers of his immigrant drama ( made by Brad Pitt ’ s Plan B production company ) urged him to prize authenticity over what ’ s typically commercial .
“ Make this as Korean as possible , ” Chung said he was advised .
His movie is largely in Korean with , gasp , subtitles .
Backstage at the Oscars , Bong was still staggered by his film ’ s awards when he tried to articulate their significance .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s necessary to separate all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Asia , Europe or the U.S. , “ said Bong .
” If we pursue the beauty of cinema and focus on the individual charms that each piece has then , I think , we will naturally overcome these barriers .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Immigration officials go to court to get Denver records

DENVER - U.S. immigration officials are asking a federal judge to force Denver to turn over information about four men accused of crimes who are subject to deportation after the city refused to comply with its order to do so .
In a continued escalation of the conflict between federal officials and so-called sanctuary cities , U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement filed a complaint in Denver federal court Thursday asking that a judge enforce administrative subpoenas it issued to the Denver ’ s sheriff department last month for information such as addresses , identification and arrest reports on the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of seeking the information for “ political reasons , “ Denver said it would not comply unless a judge determined that the orders were appropriate .
Denver officials declined to comment on the latest move by ICE on Monday , as did the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for Colorado , which is representing ICE in court .
According to ICE , all four men have been deported multiple times .
One of the men from Mexico was arrested in Denver for sexual assault , another for vehicular homicide and a third for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Honduran man was arrested on domestic violence charges .
Three of the men have been released from the jail , and one was still being held .
Denver jail officials notified ICE before the three were released .
But there was not enough time for ICE agents to get to the jail before they were freed , according to the ICE court filing .
In a letter last week explaining the city ’ s refusal to comply with the subpoenas , Chad Sublet , the attorney for Denver ’ s Department of Safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the state and federal database to which the city feeds information .
He pointed out that ICE had already accessed biometric data like fingerprints about the men that the Denver jail had shared when the four men were booked .
However , in its court filing , ICE said the database often does not have updated address information and only very basic information about criminal allegations .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Jury being chosen for trial of man charged with killing 8

HERNANDO , Miss .
- Jury selection started Monday in north Mississippi for the death penalty trial of a man accused of killing eight people on the other end of the state in May 2017 .
Willie Cory Godbolt , now 37 , said “ I ’ m sorry ” while a reporter was recording him after the shootings in south Mississippi ’ s Lincoln County .
The dead included a sheriff ’ s deputy and Godbolt ’ s mother-in-law .
Jurors were being chosen at the DeSoto County Courthouse in Hernando , which is near Memphis , Tennessee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 460 kilometres ) south to hear the trial at a courthouse in Magnolia , which is near Lincoln County .
Godbolt has pleaded not guilty to four counts of capital murder , four counts of murder , one count of attempted murder , two counts of kidnapping and one count of armed robbery .
He has remained in custody since his arrest on May 28 , 2017 , hours after the shootings .
One of his attorneys has said Godbolt is unlikely to use an insanity defence at trial .
Investigators said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Bogue Chitto and got into an argument with his estranged wife and her family over the couple ’ s two children .
A deputy was called , and a witness said Godbolt shot and killed the deputy , Godbolt ’ s mother-in-law and two other people .
After that , Godbolt shot and killed four other people at two other homes , police said .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Little Rock schools close for 2 days over teacher sick calls

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
- Little Rock ’ s schools shut down for two days starting Monday after hundreds of staff members called in sick , though the local teachers ’ union hinted that the absences are tied to ongoing complaints about the state ’ s control of the district .
The Little Rock School District announced late Sunday afternoon that it had cancelled classes for the first two days of the week after more than 250 staff members called in sick .
The 23,000-student district said the number of absences nearly doubled from recorded absences the previous week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and look forward to our students and staff returning to school healthy and ready to finish the school year strong !
” the district said in a Facebook post announcing the closure .
The district said it ’ s using the days off to do additional cleaning to prevent the flu ’ s spread .
The decision comes after other Arkansas school districts closed because of the flu .
Little Rock last week closed two elementary schools for two days because of a large number of sick students .
Flu activity has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Health says at least 36 people have died from the flu this season .
Arkansas took over Little Rock ’ s schools in 2015 because of lagging test scores at several schools .
Teachers last year went on a one-day strike because of the takeover and their loss of collective bargaining rights .
The state Board of Education has voted to return the district to a local school board that will be elected in November , but with the state maintaining some authority .
The union said Sunday night that it couldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual educators because of privacy laws , but noted how hard the flu has hit the district .
Little Rock Education Association President Teresa Knapp Gordon , however , also called the state ’ s takeover part of a “ confirmed sickness “ in the district .
“ We are sick of more than five years of state control that by the state ’ s own measures has left our students worse off than before the state takeover , ” Gordon ’ s statement said .
“ The state ’ s treatment plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of educators , ban this community from having a say in who leads our schools , and prohibit any treatment of disordered district contracts that rob resources from our students.
“ The district on Monday said it hoped teachers would never abuse sick leave and that the union ’ s statement “ would not be used as justification to disrupt the learning environment.
” The district has said the missed days will be made up later .
The absences follow other moves by the state that have drawn teachers ’ ire , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be given non-renewal notices for the upcoming year if they can ’ t find other jobs within the district .
Three of the schools are closing and the fourth is converting to a magnet school .


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--Trump, Manchin trading barbs as impeachment feud boils over

CHARLESTON , W.Va. - A post-impeachment spat between President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin has sunk to name-calling and insults .
The moderate Democrat took to cable news Monday to hurl barbs at the president after a weekend of back-and-forth that ignited when Trump criticized Manchin for voting to impeach him from office .
“ I expect every American , and myself , would like my president and our president to act like a responsible adult , and he ’ s not , ” Manchin told CNN .
“ And I hope he does , for the sake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does.
” The feud began Friday evening when Trump tweeted that he was “ very surprised & disappointed “ with Manchin ’ s impeachment votes and that no president has done more for West Virginia .
In a subsequent tweet , Trump said Manchin was “ just a puppet ” for the Democratic leaders in the House and Senate .
The president ’ s comments were seen as a move to weaken the senator ’ s standing in West Virginia , where Trump won nearly 70 % of the vote in the 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired back via Twitter , saying “ no Democrat has worked harder in a bipartisan way in the hopes that you would succeed.
” He added that West Virginia residents “ know exactly ” who has worked day and night for the last five years to secure their health care and pensions , and “ it wasn ’ t you.
” Trump then followed up on Sunday , tweeting “ they are really mad at Senator Joe Munchkin in West Virginia .
He couldn ’ t understand the Transcripts.
” In another interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Manchin responded to Trump ’ s new nickname for him .
“ Well , first of all , the munchkin — I ’ m taller than him , I think I ’ m a little bigger than he is , not heavier , he ’ s much heavier than me but I ’ m a little taller than him so I guess he ’ s got that a little bit off , ” Manchin said .
Trump was acquitted by the Senate on Wednesday on charges that he abused his office after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses for the impeachment trial .
In announcing his decision on the impeachment vote Wednesday , Manchin said the evidence presented by House managers clearly supported the charges brought against the president .
“ I take no pleasure in these votes , and am saddened this is the legacy we leave our children and grandchildren , “ Manchin said .
“ I have always wanted this president , and every president , to succeed , but I deeply love our country and must do what I think is best for the nation.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and Manchin appeared to have a warmer relationship than the president has with most other Democrats .
The senator noted in his interviews Monday that he ’ s one of the rare people on the other side of the political aisle willing to work with the president .
He was also invited to the White House when the president presented former basketball player Bob Cousy with the Medal of Freedom and was present when Trump presented the Medal of Freedom to another former basketball great , West Virginia native Jerry West .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday said the senator hasn ’ t spoken with Trump since the president ’ s tweets on Friday .
Manchin was previously governor of West Virginia and is serving his second term as U.S. senator .
He won the second term in 2018 after a tight race against a Trump-backed challenger .
The president has also taken aim at other lawmakers who voted to impeach him , including U.S. Sen. Doug Jones , an Alabama Democrat , as well as U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney , a Utah Republican .
During a meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House on Monday , Trump got a question from Utah ’ s governor and before answering the question , said : “ How ’ s Mitt Romney ?
You can keep him .
We don ’ t want him .
”

Anthony Izaguirre - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-10--The Latest: Warren says she’s been counted out before

CONCORD , N.H. - The latest on campaigning for the 2020 election ( all times local ) : Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is vowing not to give up on her presidential run as she faces increasingly bleak prospects in a state so close to her own .
Speaking to reporters aboard her campaign bus in Rochester , New Hampshire , on Monday , Warren said , “ Look , I ’ ve been counted down and out for much of my life.
” She added : “ You get knocked down , you get back up .
And you keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , it ’ s about the people who are counting on me.
” Polls show Warren falling in New Hampshire , which holds its primary Tuesday and neighbours her home state .
She ’ s refused to predict victory or call it a must-win , instead insisting , “ It ’ s a very fluid moment in the primary.
” Warren added : “ The best evidence of that is how good the predictions have been over the last year , who was supposed to be in this race today and who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t , and a lot of people who were supposed to have locked it up by this point are not here.
” Elizabeth Warren is stressing that she ’ s been prevailing in fights that looked “ unwinnable ” all her life , as she revamps her message ahead New Hampshire ’ s first-in-the nation presidential primary on Tuesday .
The Massachusetts senator told hundreds of supporters at the opera house in Rochester , New Hampshire , on Monday that her mother told her she would never go to college , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a debate scholarship .
She says many top Democrats saw the 2012 race against incumbent Republican Sen. Scott Brown as running into a “ buzz saw.
” After she jumped into it , she says she “ got knocked on my fanny multiple times , ” only to win rather comfortably .
Warren says many people see the election in November against President Donald Trump with similarly long odds .
But she says , “ This is about winning unwinnable fights.
” She added , “ People think that folks with the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know what they ’ re up against .
It ’ s folks with persistence who are going to win.
” Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders says a victory in the New Hampshire primary would put him on a path to capture the Democratic presidential nomination .
Sanders told a crowd at a college on Monday that he believes he has a strong chance of victory here as well as in the states that come next : Nevada , South Carolina and California .
“ Not only is the whole country looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world is looking at New Hampshire , “ Sanders said .
“ What is New Hampshire going to do ?
” Sanders says he ’ s hoping for the largest voter turnout in the history of the primary .
Turnout in the Iowa caucuses was lower than expected .
It ’ s a different message than former Vice-President Joe Biden is spreading .
Biden and his campaign are downplaying the importance of victory in New Hampshire , saying that Biden will perform strongly in the next contests regardless .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to set expectations of victory .
Sanders is spending the final day before the primary visiting two college campuses and speaking to volunteers .
He ’ ll close out the day with a concert featuring the band The Strokes .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Egypt frees labour activist, has him report to police weekly

CAIRO - Egypt has freed a detained labour activist who criticized the government and spent about five months in detention , but he will have to report at least once a week to the police , a rights lawyer said Tuesday .
Activist Kamal Khalil walked free from a police station late on Monday , a week after a court ordered his conditional release , according to Gamal Eid , the head of the Arab Network for Human Rights Information .
Khalil will have to periodically report to a nearby police station and he still faces charges of disseminating false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s unclear if the case will go to trial .
“ Membership in an outlawed group ” is Egyptian government parlance for having ties to a range of outlawed groups , including the Muslim Brotherhood , an Islamist organization that authorities labeled a terrorist group and banned in 2013 .
Police arrested Khalil in September from his home in Cairo in the wake of corruption allegations against the Egyptian military and President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi made by an Egyptian businessman living in exile , without providing evidence .
The entrepreneur , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went viral on social media , large-scale misuse of public funds in the building of luxurious hotels , presidential palaces and a tomb for el-Sissi ’ s mother , who died in 2014 .
El-Sissi has angrily dismissed the allegations as “ sheer lies and defamation.
” He portrayed Ali ’ s videos as an attempt to weaken Egypt and undermine the public ’ s trust and confidence in the military and its leader .
Ali ’ s videos provoked scattered protests in Cairo and several provinces in September .
Security forces arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrations , according to rights groups .
Hundreds were later released .
Khalil was among those detained .
Since leading the military ’ s 2013 overthrow of elected but divisive Islamist president , Mohammed Morsi , after mass protests against his year-long rule , el-Sissi has overseen a crackdown on dissent .
Thousands of Islamists have been jailed along with secular , pro-democracy advocates , and tight controls of the media have been imposed .
Freedoms won in a popular 2011 uprising have been rolled back .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Teargas, protests in Beirut ahead of Cabinet confidence vote

BEIRUT - Lebanese security forces fired tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters who were blocking roads near the parliament building in Beirut , where the new Cabinet was to expand on its policy statement on Tuesday ahead of a confidence vote by lawmakers .
The meeting is being held amid a crippling economic and financial crisis , Lebanon ’ s worst in decades .
Police threw a tight security dragnet around the area , and special forces and riot policemen quickly opened roads that were closed by protesters trying to prevent Cabinet ministers and legislators from reaching parliament .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the protesters .
The meeting is scheduled to begin before noon and last until Wednesday .
As the meeting got underway , Prime Minister Hassan Diab read the 16-page government statement on a rescue plan to get Lebanon out of its economic and financial crisis , the worst since the end of the 1975-90 civil war .
Lebanon has been gripped by anti-government protests since October .
Demonstrators are calling for sweeping reforms and an end to a political class they deem as corrupt and incompetent , blaming it for the rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the resignation of the former prime minister , Saad Hariri .
A group of protesters surrounded the car of one Cabinet minister , Demianos Kattar , as he was on his way to the nearby government headquarters , pelting it with eggs pounding it with their fists before an army and police force pushed them away .
Security forces fired tear gas in another street leading to parliament , where protesters were able to remove part of a giant concrete wall .
In other streets , troops forced protesters from the middle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Near one of the entrances , government supporters attacked some of the protesters in order to force them to open the way .
Security forces separated the two sides .
The Lebanese Red Cross said 18 injured people were taken to hospitals while 140 others were treated on the spot .
According to a copy , the government ’ s “ emergency rescue plan ” includes reforms in the judicial , financial and administrative fields , as well as fighting corruption and fixing the country ’ s finances .
Lebanon has one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , standing at more than 150 of the GDP and worsening over the past years with no economic growth and high unemployment .
In the statement read by Diab , the prime minister said “ painful ” measures are needed now and that it would be difficult to extricate Lebanon from the crisis once “ we reach total collapse.
” No plan would succeed unless interest rates are reduced in order to revive the economy and reduce the debt , “ he said .
“ Those who think that they can escape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Diab said .


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Africa shouldn’t need to beg for climate aid: Bank president

ADDIS ABABA , Ethiopia - Africa shouldn ’ t have to beg for help in addressing climate change , the president of the African Development Bank said Tuesday , adding that polluting global powers “ have to pay.
” Akinwumi Adesina told The Associated Press in an interview on the sidelines of the African Union summit that the financing promised to African countries to cope with the consequences of climate change “ needs to be put on the table.
” Africa ’ s more than 1.2 billion people stand to suffer the most from global warming while contributing to it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the least equipped to deal with its effects , according to experts .
Parts of Africa are warming at a faster pace than elsewhere , and climate experts have said warming Indian Ocean waters have contributed to more powerful cyclones and the worst locust outbreak in decades in East Africa .
African heads of state are increasingly blunt about the dangers ahead and the need for the rest of the world , including top polluters such as China and the United States , to step up and contribute to Africa ’ s efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be climate justice , ” Adesina said .
The African Development Bank is increasing its own climate financing to 40 % of its total investments , he said , with such financing having doubled from $ 12.5 billion to $ 25 billion .
Half of that money is for climate adaptation .
“ Africa shouldn ’ t be in a situation wherein it is begging , ” Adesina said .
“ We are not going to deal with climate change by talking about it.
” Africa has 15 % of the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ shoulder nearly 50 % of the estimated global climate change adaptation costs , “ the bank said , noting the continent has seven of the 10 countries considered most vulnerable to climate change : Sierra Leone , Nigeria , Chad , Central African Republic , South Sudan , Ethiopia and Eritrea .
And yet “ to date , energy-related CO2 emissions in Africa represented around 2 % of cumulative global emissions , ” the International Energy Agency said last year .
“ Major emitting countries and industrial sectors have a particular responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guterres told the African Union summit .
“ If they don ’ t deliver , all our efforts will be in vain.
” When asked about South Africa , sub-Saharan Africa ’ s most developed economy and one of the world ’ s most dependent economies on coal , Adesina said the nation isn ’ t alone in such investments .
“ I always hesitate when people try to blame Africa for what others are still doing , “ he said .
“ The rest of the world has invested in coal … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coal .
The issue is , it is going to take time for them and others to make energy transitions.
” The African Development Bank is no longer going to “ make a single dollar of investment on coal projects , ” Adesina said .
“ But it is going to take time to wean themselves off that.
” He said the bank is investing heavily in renewable energy projects in countries like Kenya and Morocco .
A collection of African civil society groups last week urged African governments to end fossil fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects .
Adesina also discussed the resource-rich continent ’ s growth , saying that “ Africa has everything it needs to become a global superpower.
“ ” “ Our work is how we can help African countries to use these blessings .
We are investing heavily in projects that help nations use their resources , like in oil and gas and agriculture , “ he said .
One limited resource is water , and two of Africa ’ s most powerful nations , Ethiopia and Egypt , have been locked in a dispute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ethiopia says will help pull many in the country out of poverty and boost development but Egypt says will endanger its share of the Nile River waters .
The two countries , along with Sudan , are set to continue negotiations this week in Washington .
“ Anywhere in the world where you have shared water resources , there are always tensions , ” Adesina said .
“ I have every confidence that they will find mechanisms of equal sharing of this resource .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Head of German Catholics says he’ll step down at end of term

BERLIN - The Roman Catholic cardinal who leads the German Bishops ’ Conference said Tuesday he plans to step down at the end of his term in March .
Cardinal Reinhard Marx , 66 , said in a letter to fellow bishops in Germany that he would not seek a second term leading the conference due to his age and because he wants to spend more time at the diocese of Munich and Freising , where he serves as archbishop .
“ I think it is time for the younger generation to take over , ” Marx wrote .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are more frequent changes ... .
I enjoyed the job as head of the German Bishops ’ Conference very much , but there is a time for everything.
” The German Bishops ’ Conference will elect a new head during its general assembly in March .
Marx said he would continue to actively support the work of the Bishops Conference , especially on the German Catholic Church ’ s two-year “ synodal path ” initiative .
The synodal path is a period of discussions and meetings by the Bishop ’ s Conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Central Council of Catholics , on the topics of the worldwide Catholic Church ’ s sexual abuse crisis , the position of women in the church , the priesthood and sexual morality .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Budgets boost plans to deepen Mississippi River in Louisiana

WASHINGTON - The Army Corps of Engineers plans to spend more than $ 85 million this year on a project to deepen the main channel of the Mississippi River in Louisiana .
U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana announced the funding in a news release Monday .
It comes after the Corps endorsed the dredging project in 2018 .
President Donald Trump ’ s proposed budget for fiscal year 2021 includes another $ 45.7 million for the dredging project , The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported .
The project was expected to cost nearly $ 240 million , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Increasing the depth of the channel from about 45 feet ( 13.7 metres ) to 50 feet ( 15.2 metres ) would allow several southeast Louisiana ports to accept large cargo ships built to take advantage of the Panama Canal ’ s expansion .
The Corps estimates the project could benefit the nation ’ s economy by $ 127.5 million per year on average , the newspaper reported .
The average annual cost to maintain the deepened channel is estimated at $ 17.7 million .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shabalala dies at 78

JOHANNESBURG - The founder of the South African multi-Grammy-Award-winning music group Ladysmith Black Mambazo , Joseph Shabalala , has died at age 78 , the state broadcaster reported Tuesday .
Shabalala died at a hospital in the capital , Pretoria , Tuesday morning , his family confirmed to local media .
He is world-known for his leadership of the choral group founded in 1964 that shot to world acclaim , collaborating with Paul Simon on the “ Graceland ” album and others .
The haunting , often a cappella singing style known as isicathamiya helped to make the group one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performers on the world stage .
The South African government in a tweet extended its condolences .
“ Rest in peace , you have fulfilled your purpose , ” it said .
The death was announced as the country prepared to mark 30 years since the release of Nelson Mandela from prison , which led to the end of the country ’ s brutal system of racial oppression known as apartheid .
Shabalala retired from Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 2014 but made occasional appearances at its events .
He had been hospitalized several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Ladysmith Black Mambazo ) is on tour in the U.S. , but they have been informed and are devastated because the group is family , ” manager Xolani Majozi told local media outlet Timeslive .
Majozi said the group would cut its trip short and return to South Africa .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Malian president acknowledges talk with extremist leaders

BAMAKO , Mali - Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has confirmed that his government is in contact with al-Qaida-linked extremist leaders as the West African country faces some of the worst violence since its crisis began in 2012 , according to an interview with French media .
While attending an African Union summit in Ethiopia , Keita also confirmed that Mali ’ s military would soon be returning to the northern rebel stronghold town of Kidal , where it has not had a presence in six years .
Keita told Radio France Internationale and France 24 that he had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , by one means or another , we can achieve some sort of appeasement.
” He added on Monday : “ Because the number of deaths in the Sahel today is becoming exponential .
And I think it is time that certain paths were explored.
“ “ We in Mali have tried the challenge of an inclusive national dialogue , and among our recommendations is this aspect , “ he said .
” Why not try contact with those who we know are pulling the strings of the situation in Mali ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he had allowed former President Dioncounda Traore to meet with extremist leaders Amadou Koufa and Iyad Ag Ghali .
Both were prominent leaders of the Malian extremist group Ansar Dine before a French-led military intervention in 2013 .
They are now under the banner of an al-Qaida-linked group known as JNIM .
Keita described Ag Ghali as a “ courteous , pleasant man ” back in the day when the two had crossed paths in the capital , Bamako .
“ I don ’ t know that he has remained that man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Keita told the French media outlets .
The French-led military operation in 2013 ousted extremists from control of the major towns in northern Mali including Kidal .
The militants dispersed into the desert where they regrouped and have now expanded their reach significantly into central Mali and beyond .
Mali ’ s army recently came under an unprecedented number of attacks on its outposts that killed hundreds of soldiers .
The government went so far as to shut down some of its most isolated and vulnerable military camps as part of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the interview , Keita said the military was on its way back to Kidal , one of the key stipulations of a 2015 agreement between the government and several rebel groups that has faced many setbacks in implementation .
Nearly 600 soldiers of the Malian army , made up of former rebels and regular army soldiers , began travelling to Kidal on Monday .


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--UK man linked to virus spread thanks doctors for recovery

LONDON - A businessman from England who contracted the new virus from China and may have spread it through his wide travels thanked Britain ’ s National Health Service after he recovered .
Steve Walsh issued a statement Tuesday after being the focus of intense media coverage once it became apparent that he may have unwittingly helped to spread the new coronavirus to Europe .
Walsh had come into contact with the virus after a business trip to Singapore in January .
He then went to a ski resort in the French Alps , potentially infecting other people before he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I would like to thank the NHS for their help and care , ’ ’ Walsh said .
“ Whilst I have fully recovered , my thoughts are with others who have contracted coronavirus.
’ ’ Five Britons who stayed with Walsh at a chalet in the Alps have been diagnosed with the virus , including a 9-year-old boy .
Another man who stayed at the French ski resort was discovered infected after returning home on the Spanish island of Mallorca .
His case prompted French health authorities to test 61 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resort and temporarily close some schools there , but they all tested negative .
Walsh said as soon as he realized he had been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus , he spoke to his doctor and public health authorities .
“ I was advised to attend an isolated room at the hospital , despite showing no symptoms , and subsequently self-isolated at home as instructed , ” he said .
“ When the diagnosis was confirmed , I was sent to an isolation unit in hospital , where I remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my family was also asked to isolate themselves.
’ ’ The virus has infected more than 42,000 people globally and killed over 1,000 , with the overwhelming majority of cases in China .
It is unclear exactly how it is transmitted , but experts think it is spread mostly by droplets when people cough or sneeze .
Health officials warn it can take up to 14 days for those who have been exposed to show symptoms .
Most people have only mild symptoms such as a fever and runny nose .
But some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severely ill have been mostly over 60 with other health problems .
Walsh flew to Singapore for a Jan. 20-22 event sponsored by his employer , Servomex .
The company , based in the town of Crowborough , 35 miles south of London , makes industrial sensors sold around the world .
In a statement , Servomex said it was working with public health authorities “ to ensure the welfare of our staff and communities and wish anyone with the virus a quick and full recovery.
” Read all the AP stories about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Trump campaigns as a 2nd Amendment warrior

WASHINGTON - After the Parkland school shooting in Florida two years ago , President Donald Trump chided Republican lawmakers for being too “ scared ” of the National Rifle Association to tighten gun laws — then backed away from the idea .
After back-to-back mass shootings in Ohio and Texas in 2019 , Trump embraced calls for “ strong background checks ” — only to backpedal once again .
Now , as he primes the pump on his 2020 reelection effort , Trump is going all-in on embracing the mantle of gun rights champion , a stark turn from earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the idea of pushing Congress to enact stricter gun laws .
There was no public discussion of tighter gun laws when Trump welcomed Parkland families to the White House for a private meeting on Monday , four days before the two-year anniversary of the rampage that left 17 dead .
Instead , administration officials unveiled a website intended to help educators , parents and law enforcement address threats to school safety .
In recent weeks , Trump has repeatedly warned supporters at his rallies that Democrats “ will take your guns away.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Ralph Northam a “ whack job ” as gun rights advocates protested the Democratic governor ’ s moves to tighten gun laws in the aftermath of a mass shooting in Virginia Beach .
Drawing a straight line from gun rights to presidential politics , Trump tweeted that Democrats in the state “ will take your guns away .
Republicans will win Virginia in 2020 .
Thank you Dems !
“ And on Monday night , as he came to the apex of an hourlong campaign speech in New Hampshire , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bear arms as being as precious as the rights to privacy , free speech and religious freedom .
Campaign officials believe the effort could help put states like Minnesota , New Mexico and New Hampshire in play .
For that to happen , Trump will need to draw even more rural and white men to the polls -- key groups that helped drive his 2016 surprise victory .
Trump ’ s advisers believe his consistent efforts to spotlight his credentials as a Second Amendment warrior can help him draw a contrast with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top tier of Democratic candidates have made bolstering gun restrictions a key part of their platforms .
Mike Bloomberg , a former New York City mayor , has poured millions of dollars from his own fortune into supporting a series of gun control advocacy groups .
Former Vice-President Joe Biden served as the Obama administration ’ s point man on the president ’ s failed push for sweeping gun reform laws following the Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , who got a D- grade from the NRA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for not being tough enough on gun restrictions .
“ Democrats have shown they don ’ t respect the Second Amendment , which will be one of many contrasts drawn during the campaign , ” Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said .
After spending more than $ 50 million in support of Trump ’ s 2016 election victory , the NRA is likely to have less impact on this election cycle , said Robert Spitzer , a professor of political science at the State University of New York-Cortland whose research focuses on American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group has been mired in financial difficulties , internal strife within the organization ’ s leadership , and probes by the New York attorney general ’ s office that threaten the group ’ s tax-exempt status .
Trump ’ s joint campaign committees and the Republican national party committee had $ 195 million in cash on hand at the close of 2019 , making the NRA ’ s money less significant this election cycle .
But with a hard gun-rights pitch , Trump appears to be strategizing that he could persuade some voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come back to the ballot box to vote for him .
“ He really is doubling down not on the broadening of his base but for pushing for higher turnout among his people , ” Spitzer said .
“ One of the keys in 2016 , but not the only one , was that turnout among rural white voters was a little higher than predicted .
This pitch , he figures , will help him get there.
” Trump and fellow Republicans are likely to face a deluge of spending from gun control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resonate with on-the-fence suburban voters .
Everytown for Gun Safety , an umbrella group of gun control advocacy organizations funded by Bloomberg , recently announced that it would spend $ 60 million to beat gun rights proponents on the state and federal level in 2020 .
The group has not said how much it would spend on the presidential race , but thus far has budgeted $ 1.25 million to help reelect North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro , both Democrats .
It also plans to spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward beating two Republican senators , Cory Gardner of Colorado and Martha McSally of Arizona .
Gun control advocates feel emboldened after the 2018 midterm elections in which more than 30 NRA-backed Republican candidates lost their races .
“ His tactic has been to say incendiary things about guns to whip up the base , but he and the NRA haven ’ t been able to pass any of the gun lobby ’ s priority legislation — even with a Republican Congress for two years , ” said Shannon Watts , founder of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Everytown for Gun Safety coalition .
When Trump met with members of the group Stand with Parkland on Monday , administration officials highlighted the school safety website .
Stand with Parkland backed the creation of the website — but it also has urged Congress to require universal background checks on gun purchases .
Asked if there was disappointment in the president backing away from taking on background checks , one Parkland parent who met with Trump , Max Schachter , said the president ’ s efforts should not be minimized .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can be done , ” said Schachter , whose 14-year-old son , Alex , was among the victims at Parkland .
“ But let ’ s not let perfection be the enemy of good.
” On the campaign trail , Trump ’ s dire warnings about what might happen to American gun owners if a Democrat wins the White House have become a regular line in his speeches , reliably drawing boos and hisses for his to-be-determined opponent .
At a recent campaign rally in Iowa , Trump again turned his attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November claimed majorities in both houses of the legislature and secured the first unified Democratic government in the commonwealth in 26 years .
“ In the state of Virginia they want to take your guns away , can you believe it ?
” Trump said .
“ I love Virginia .
Of all states , they want to take your guns away .
The Democrats .
Not going to happen.
” He offered similar dark predictions to a friendly crowd last month in New Jersey , saying the gun control effort in Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday night , he reassured New Hampshire supporters that his administration is “ going to protect your Second Amendment , by the way .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Thailand yields to virus fears, bars docking of cruise ship

BANGKOK - Thai health authorities have barred a cruise ship from docking that has already been turned away by the Philippines , Taiwan and Japan out of concern over a new virus , although no cases have been confirmed on board .
The chief of the Department of Disease Control , Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai , said Tuesday that the Public Health Ministry had rejected a request from the crew of the MS Westerdam to dock at Laem Chabang in eastern Thailand .
He said the ministry will further consider how to deal with the ship ’ s situation .
It began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shipowner Holland America Line says there are no known cases of the virus on board .
The virus has caused problems for the cruise industry .
Japan ’ s health ministry has confirmed 135 cases of the disease aboard Carnival Corp. ’ s Diamond Princess , which is docked in Yokohama , Japan .
The ship ’ s 3,700 passengers and crew are expected to remain under quarantine until at least Feb. 19 .
Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakulhad indicated on his Facebook page several hours before the official announcement that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He posted his declaration after Holland America announced it was sailing to Laem Chabang , where passengers would disembark on Feb. 13 to take flights home from Bangkok .
The announcement by the shipowner attracted much attention among Thai social media users .
Holland America had already announced that passengers would receive a complete refund .
It said a scheduled departure of the Westerdam on Feb. 15 from Yokohama had been cancelled and planned departures after Feb. 28 were being assessed .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Swedish star fronts skateboarding’s move to mainstream

MALMO , Sweden - Oskar Rozenberg nonchalantly drifts around the skate park before unleashing a series of high-energy tricks — mounting a wall , sliding down a railing with his arms outstretched , vaulting a stairwell , accelerating into a ramp and giving it some air .
“ I ’ m just warming up , ” the two-time skateboarding world champion and Olympic hopeful says over his shoulder as he floats away .
His long , dark hair flowing beneath his black cap and over his hoodie , the 23-year-old Rozenberg is in his element — and in his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line , every dip and every hollow of the indoor park to satisfy his creative needs .
He gets particularly excited talking about his current favourite trick , the backside nose blunt .
“ You go up on the edge of the quarter pipe , you do a backside 180 turn and you land on the nose .
Then you pop in , back into the transition , ” Rozenberg said .
“ It ’ s such a flowy trick .
It ’ s just vibey.
” If that ’ s akin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be six months from now .
Skateboarding is coming to the Olympics for the first time at this year ’ s Tokyo Games and Rozenberg , a stand-out Swede in a field mostly dominated by Americans and Brazilians , might be its breakout star .
“ Oski , ” as he is fondly referred to , is a skateboarder best known for his outrageous creativity and for thinking on his feet — or , in his case , his wheels .
He will arrive in Tokyo as the world champion of the Vans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Salt Lake City in September .
“ He is spontaneous , ” said John Magnusson , who works for the Swedish Skateboard Association and will be Rozenberg ’ s coach in the run-up to the Tokyo Games .
“ He maybe has the first two tricks planned and then he goes for whatever .
When Oski flows it all together , he is unbeatable because he is that good.
” Rozenberg ’ s strength may yet prove to be his weakness when it comes to the Olympics .
The edgy , rebellious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about to enter the mainstream , joining the more structured world of traditional sports .
It will freshen up the Olympics , for sure , and appeal more to younger viewers , but will the popularization of skateboarding mean it loses its counter-cultural status ?
There are also concerns that judging in the Olympics will be more about box-ticking rather than a desire for expression and creativity , potentially dampening its appeal — and the medal chances of Rozenberg , with his off-the-cuff style .
He thinks , however , that skateboarding being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more positives than negatives.
“ “ It pushes the sport into a different direction it hasn ’ t really been in before , ” Rozenberg said .
“ It ’ s kind of new territory .
“ A lot of other sports are about jumping a centimetre longer or a centimetre higher than what you did last year .
But skateboarding is the opposite of that .
There is so much you can do .
I think it will actually bring a new aspect to sports.
” Rozenberg first came across skateboarding at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was on a bike ride with his father and bumped into friends at the newly built skate park in Malmo — Stapelbaddsparken .
He tried it out , went back the next day , and “ was there every day for four years.
” “ I think what attracted me the most was the group of people and how everyone took care of each other , and how all of a sudden I was able to hang out with people five or 10 years older than me , ” Rozenberg said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Everyone was just hanging out.
” He liked the easy-going nature of skateboarding .
“ When I was playing football , I remember being a bit sick of it , always having to come to practice on time and do this or that in practice , ” he said .
“ Skateboarding was the complete opposite … It ’ s like everything was on your own conditions.
” Rozenberg attended a one-of-a-kind high school — Bryggeriets Gymnasium — that had skateboarding on the curriculum and was located inside one of the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this background means he has a “ different story ” to the big skaters from America who grew up in California and had “ all the best skate spots , all the best parks , all the contacts that you need in terms of sponsors.
” “ I think a lot of skaters who are coming up right now who are from Europe are adding a new dimension to skateboarding , ” he said .
“ The skate spots here are so different to the skate spots in America , so that naturally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type of skater.
” Rozenberg ’ s idols include Tony Hawk , a skateboarding pioneer from the 1980s who had a series of computer games — one of which Rozenberg remembers completing on one New Year ’ s Eve .
Another is modern-day American skater Grant Taylor .
“ He was the coolest guy in my eyes , ” Rozenberg said of Taylor .
“ Some skaters only specify in one skating but he did it all .
His style is unexplainable.
” Up-and-coming skaters might be saying similar things about Rozenberg , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s most popular competitors and likely attracted him to Nike , one of his many sponsors .
“ I try to put together a line in my head , ” he explains as he goes through his typical routine .
“ It might be a line I have been thinking about as I was standing on the platform , like ‘ Oh , that could be cool to do that there.
’ Or it might be a line I actually did , a line I stumbled upon and I was like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really good line.
’ “ A lot of times , especially when I pull off a good contest run , I figure it out literally at the last moment .
On certain occasions , I figured it out while I have been doing the run , like spontaneously , and it just works out.
” With qualification events to come in Peru , China and the United States , Rozenberg is on course to qualify for the Olympics and compete in the park tournament that will feature 20 skaters .
He will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes in Tokyo .
“ Skateboarding is at its best when you get that ‘ no one expected that ’ feeling .
That ’ s what Oski is good at .
He can bring that something that no one thought about , ” Magnusson said .
“ Some people , you already know what they are going to do when they drop in .
But Oski doesn ’ t even know himself what he is going to do .
And that ’ s his strength .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Philippines notifies US of intent to end major security pact

MANILA , Philippines - The Philippines notified the United States on Tuesday it would end a major security pact allowing American forces to train in the country , in the most serious threat under President Rodrigo Duterte to their 69-year treaty alliance .
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a tweet that Manila ’ s notice of termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement was received by the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Manila .
The termination would take effect after 180 days unless both sides agree to keep it .
Locsin signed the notice on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often criticized U.S. security policies while praising those of China and Russia despite the Philippine military ’ s close historic ties with its American counterpart .
The U.S. Embassy in Manila acknowledged receipt of Manila ’ s notice and said Washington “ will carefully consider how best to move forward to advance our shared interests.
” “ This is a serious step with significant implications for the U.S.-Philippines alliance , ” the embassy said in a statement .
“ Our two countries enjoy a warm relationship , deeply rooted in history .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two peoples.
” In a Senate hearing last week , Locsin warned that abrogating the 1998 security accord with Washington would undermine Philippine security and foster aggression in the disputed South China Sea .
U.S. military presence in the strategic waterway has been seen as a crucial counterweight to China , which claims virtually the entire sea .
Locsin proposed a review of the agreement to fix contentious issues , including criminal jurisdiction over erring American troops , instead of abrogating it .
Philippine defence and military officials did not immediately issue any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatened to terminate the security agreement after Washington reportedly cancelled the U.S. visa of a loyal ally , Sen. Ronald dela Rosa , who was linked to human rights violations when he first enforced the president ’ s deadly anti-drug crackdown as the national police chief in 2016 .
Thousands of mostly poor suspects have been killed under the bloody campaign Duterte launched when he took office in mid-2016 , alarming the U.S. and other Western governments and human rights watchdogs .
Duterte gave the U.S. a month to restore dela Rosa ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not publicly reacted to the Philippine leader ’ s demand .
Duterte said in a speech late Monday that President Donald Trump has moved to save the agreement but added that he rejected the idea .
He accused the U.S. of meddling in Philippine affairs , including seeking the release of opposition Sen. Leila de Lima , whom he has accused of involvement in illegal drugs .
She has dismissed the allegation as a fabricated charge meant to muzzle dissent .
“ America is very rude .
They are so rude , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate hearing what he said were the crucial security , trade and economic benefits the accord provides .
The U.S. is a longtime treaty ally , a major trading partner and the largest development aid provider to the Philippines .
The accord , known by its acronym VFA , legally allows the entry of large numbers of American forces along with U.S. military ships and aircraft for joint training with Filipino troops .
It specifies which country will have jurisdiction over American soldiers , who may be accused of crimes while in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former American colony .
A separate defence pact subsequently signed by the allies in 2014 , the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement , allows the extended stay of U.S. forces and authorizes them to build and maintain barracks and warehouses and store defence equipment and weapons inside five designated Philippine military camps .
A Filipino senator and former national police chief , Panfilo Lacson , said terminating the treaty would reduce the two allies ’ 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty “ to a mere paper treaty as far as the U.S. is concerned.
” Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to terminate the treaty , which the Senate ratified , should have the chamber ’ s consent .
U.S. State Department Assistant Secretary R. Clarke Cooper said in a telephone news conference Monday that abrogating the pact would put at risk more than 300 military engagements , including joint trainings , this year between the allies .
“ All the engagements , all the freedom of navigation operations , all the exercises , all the joint training , having U.S. military personnel in port , on the ground , on the flight line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mechanism that allows that , ” he said .
“ That ’ s why the VFA is so important.
” Terminating the VFA would affect the joint exercises and other activities with U.S. forces “ which the Philippine military and law enforcement agencies need to enhance their capabilities in countering threats to national security , ” Locsin said .
The U.S. provided more than $ 550 million in security assistance to the Philippines from 2016 to 2019 , Locsin said , adding that there may be a “ chilling effect on our economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its security alliance with Washington .
American forces have provided intelligence , training and aid that allowed the Philippines to deal with human trafficking , cyberattacks , illegal narcotics and terrorism , Locsin said , citing how U.S. military assistance helped Filipino forces quell a disastrous siege by Islamic State group-aligned militants in southern Marawi city in 2017 .
U.S. military presence in the South China Sea has also been a deterrent to aggressive actions in the disputed waters , Locsin said .
China , the Philippines , Vietnam and three other governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Duterte first threatened to abrogate the VFA in late 2016 after a U.S. aid agency put on hold funds for anti-poverty projects in the Philippines .
He has walked back on such threats but his government ’ s action on Tuesday is the most serious indication of his intent to set back military ties with the U.S. Aside from threatening to end the VFA , Duterte has said he will ban some critical U.S. senators from entering the Philippines .
Duterte has also barred Cabinet officials from travelling to the U.S. and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join a special meeting the U.S. leader will host for leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in March in Las Vegas .


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--UK economy flat-lines in Q4 amid Brexit and election clouds

LONDON - Uncertainty related to Brexit seems to have weighed heavily on the British economy during the final quarter of 2019 as output flat-lined , official data showed Tuesday .
In its first assessment of the quarter as a whole , the Office for National Statistics said increases in the services and construction sectors were offset by another poor showing from manufacturing , particularly the motor industry .
As a result , the economy stagnated following an upwardly revised 0.5 % growth performance in the third quarter .
Overall , the British economy grew by 1.4 % in 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s rate of 1.3 % .
That annual performance was slightly better than anticipated and largely due to the fact that the previous two quarterly performances were revised higher .
The statistics agency noted that growth has been “ particularly volatile ” throughout 2019 , in part reflecting “ changes in the timing of activity “ related to the U.K. ’ s delayed exit dates from the European Union .
Brexit wasn ’ t the only reason behind the flat performance .
Like other major economies in Europe , Britain has been hurt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States and China , which has hobbled global growth .
“ The noisy U.S.-China trade negotiations and downturn in global trade and manufacturing further added to business and household anxieties , ” said Kallum Pickering , senior economist at Berenbeg Bank .
Compared with other countries , Britain actually didn ’ t do that badly — the nearby 19-country eurozone economy only expanded by 0.1 % during the quarter , with France contracting during the period .
Britain officially left the EU on Jan. 31 but was meant to have done so on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a high degree of uncertainty that prompted many firms , particularly those in the industrial sector such as car manufacturers , to tweak with their production schedules .
That was evident in the quarterly manufacturing figures , which showed a 1.1 % quarterly decline in output , with many firms holding back production around the time of the Oct. 31 Brexit departure date , which was subsequently extended by three months .
The quarterly stagnation was widely anticipated in light of the uncertainty that was dominant at the time .
During the October-December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of one of its biggest political crises in decades that eventually led to a general election on Dec. 12 .
The victory for Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s Conservative Party ended the uncertainty over whether Britain would actually leave the European Union as he had the numbers in the House of Commons to drive through his withdrawal agreement with the bloc .
There will now be interest to see if the economy starts to rebound this year .
“ The sharp reduction in domestic political uncertainty since the election ... should enable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first quarter ( of 2020 ) , ” said Samuel Tombs , chief U.K. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics .
Some evidence did emerge in Tuesday ’ s report to suggest that the greater clarity that emerged with the election has helped shore up the economy .
The statistics agency said the economy grew by 0.3 % in December , offsetting the previous month ’ s decline .
Monthly figures though can be volatile so the increase should be treated with caution .
Brexit uncertainty has been largely to blame for Britain ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country voted to leave the EU in June 2016 .
Firms have been holding back investment amid fears that Britain would leave the EU without a divorce deal and consumers have become cautious .
Some Brexit uncertainty remains as it ’ s still not clear what the economic relationship between Britain and the EU will look like beyond the end of this year .
Britain is now in a transition period through the end of the year during which time it will remain part of the EU ’ s tariff-free single market and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t request an extension to that transition period and that 11 months represents ample time to secure a comprehensive new trade deal between Britain and the EU for goods and services .


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Vandals damage dozens of cars in Arab village in Israel

JERUSALEM - Vandals slashed the tires of dozens of vehicles in an Arab town in northern Israel and spray painted slogans on buildings warning of Jewish-Arab “ assimilation , ” Israeli police said Tuesday .
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the suspects fled the area and police units had opened an investigation and collected evidence from the scene .
The slogans in the village of Jish read : “ Jews wake up , stop the assimilation.
” Police said the incident was being treated as a suspected hate crime .
It appeared to be the latest case of the so-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationalist Israelis have been known to carry out against Arabs in recent years .
Most have been directed at Palestinians in response to militant attacks or perceived efforts by Israeli authorities to limit settlement expansion , while others have targeted Christian and Muslim sites .
In December , vandals slashed the tires of over 160 vehicles and sprayed slogans such as “ Arabs=enemies ” in a Palestinian neighbourhood of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem .
It was unclear what motivated Tuesday ’ s incident .
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack and vowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to the fullest extent of the law.
” He said : “ We will not accept any attacks on our citizens.
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--UN experts meet to fast-track drugs, vaccines for new virus

GENEVA - The World Health Organization convened a group of experts Tuesday to fast-track promising tests , drugs and vaccines to help slow the outbreak of a new virus that emerged in China and has spread to two dozen other countries .
The new coronavirus was only identified late last year in the Chinese city of Wuhan and there are no licensed drugs or vaccines .
Diagnostic tests have been developed by several laboratories , but there are no rapid tests available .
To date , the virus has infected more than 42,000 people and killed 1,007 , with 99 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two dozen other countries have reported 393 cases of the virus , with one death in the Philippines .
At least 60 million people in central China are in a government-ordered lockdown aimed at halting the spread of the virus and health authorities around the world are racing to track down the contacts of infected people .
In Japan , more than 3,700 people remain quarantined aboard a cruise ship in Yokohama , south of Tokyo , after dozens of passengers tested positive for the virus .
“ It ’ s hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this virus — which has come to captivate the attention of media , financial markets and political leaders — was completely unknown to us , ” said WHO ’ s director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus .
The U.N. health agency said there were still many critical but unanswered questions about the virus , including what animals it came from , how exactly it is spread between people and how best to treat infected patients .
“ To defeat this outbreak , we need answers to all those questions and more , ” Tedros @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be months or even years before any approved treatments or vaccines are developed .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Modi’s party sees likely defeat in New Delhi elections

NEW DELHI - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s Hindu nationalist party was facing a stunning defeat by a regional party Tuesday in elections in the national capital that were seen as a referendum on Modi ’ s policies such as a new national citizenship law that excludes Muslims .
Saturday ’ s New Delhi legislative elections pit Modi ’ s Bharatiya Janata Party against the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party , or “ common man ’ s ” party , whose pro-poor policies focused on fixing state-run schools and providing cheap electricity , free health care and bus transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power .
Modi and Home minister Amit Shah appealed to majority Hindus by focusing on national issues such as the citizenship law , which triggered widespread protests , at the expense of problems facing the capital ’ s millions of residents .
With more than 75 % of the votes counted , the Aam Admi Party , or AAP , was leading in 63 of the 70 constituencies and the BJP in seven , the Election Commission said .
The Congress party , led by Sonia Gandhi , was unlikely to win any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Modi ’ s prestige , coming less than eight months after he led the BJP to a resounding victory in national elections .
The party won all seven of the capital ’ s parliamentary seats in those polls .
The victory will be a major boost for AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal , the 51-year-old incumbent New Delhi chief minister and anti-corruption crusader .
Kejriwal joined hundreds of his supporters in celebrating the party ’ s performance .
In a brief speech .
he said the election “ has given birth to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development ’ ’ meeting people ’ s basic needs .
There was no immediate reaction from the BJP ’ s top leadership .
Kejriwal launched his party in 2012 and campaigned to rid the Indian political system and government of corruption and inefficiency .
The party ’ s symbol — a broom— and its promise to sweep the administration of graft struck a chord with New Delhi nearly 20 million people .
In the 2015 elections , Kejriwal ’ s party won 67 seats and the BJP three .
Modi and Home Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unseat the AAP and capture power in New Delhi .
The BJP last ruled New Delhi in the 1990s .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Coast guard catches and returns 81 migrants off Libyan coast

CAIRO - The Libyan coast guard apprehended 81 migrants off the coast of Libya and returned them to the capital of the war-ravaged country , the U.N. migration agency said Tuesday .
The International Organization for Migration said that the coast guard plucked the migrants , among them 18 women and four children , from the Mediterranean late Monday .
Back in Tripoli , the agency offered the migrants emergency medical assistance .
It was not clear where the migrants were from .
The U.N. refugee agency reported last week that the total number of migrants intercepted by the Libyan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 121 % from the same period last year .
Libya , which sits on Africa ’ s Mediterranean coast , has become a major conduit for migrants seeking refuge in Europe from war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East .
The European Union , looking to keep the migration crisis off its shores , trains and funds Libya ’ s coast guard to catch the jam-packed boats and return them to the country , where migrants often land in detention centres run by the interior ministry of Libya ’ s U.N.-backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuses , face criticism from human rights groups over their dangerous conditions , especially as fighting between eastern-based forces and the Tripoli government creeps close to the centres .
Late Monday , 15 migrants were released from Abu Salim detention centre in Tripoli following “ indiscriminate shelling ” in the vicinity , the IOM said .
Hundreds of migrants had moved into Abu Salim after fleeing another detention centre , housed within a large military complex , which came under attack last July .
That airstrike killed at least 50 people and injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deadliest assaults on civilians in the war and turning a spotlight on the many perils migrants face in facilities near the front lines .
In its statement Tuesday , the IOM reiterated that co-ordinates of detention centres filled with civilians are known to the warring sides .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Australian court rules indigenous people can’t be deported

CANBERRA , Australia - Australia ’ s highest court ruled Tuesday that the government can ’ t deport Aboriginal people as part of its policy of ridding the country of foreign criminals .
The High Court ruled in a 4-3 decision that indigenous Australians can not be deported even if they do not hold Australian citizenship .
Lawyers welcomed the legal recognition of the original Australians ’ unique place in a country that was claimed by Britain in the 18th century without a treaty .
The Australian government was assessing the surprise ruling ’ s implications on immigration policy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ two men who were born overseas but identified as being from indigenous tribes : Brendan Thoms and Daniel Love .
Thoms , 31 , was released after 501 days in immigration detention within hours of the court ruling that his indigenous status entitled him to live in Australia .
“ Brendan has had 500 sleepless nights worrying he could be deported at any time , and that is now thankfully at an end , ” his lawyer Claire Gibbs said .
“ He is very happy to have been released and to now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last , ” she added .
Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge said the Home Affairs Department would review other cases that might be affected by the precedent .
“ The High Court delivered a significant judgment today which has implications for our migration programs , ” Tudge said .
The court had “ created a new category of persons ” that was neither an Australian citizen nor a non-citizen , he added .
The government attempted to deport the men on character grounds in 2018 after they served prison sentences for violent crimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deporting some criminals who have lived in Australia since where were children but had never become citizens .
The court found that Thoms , 31 , who was born in New Zealand to an indigenous Australian mother , was an Aboriginal Australian .
Thoms had lived in Australia since he was 6 , is accepted as a member of the Gunggari tribe and is recognized as a native title holder of their traditional land .
But a majority of judges was not convinced that Love , 40 , was indigenous and was accepted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was born in Papua New Guinea to an indigenous Australian father and has lived in Australia since he was 5 .
His lawyers say he will provide more evidence of his Aboriginality and another trial could be held to decide the issue .
Both Love and Thoms were placed in immigration detention and threatened with deportation on their release from prison after serving sentences for unrelated crimes .
Love has had his visa restored since his lawyers initiated court action in 2018 and lives on the Gold Coast .
Thoms had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 months since he completed a six-month prison sentence .
The court found Aboriginal Australians have a special cultural , historic and spiritual connection to Australia which is inconsistent with them being considered “ aliens ” in the meaning of the Australian constitution .
Gibbs said the government had used its constitutional powers to deal with aliens “ inconsistently , unfairly and , now we ’ ve proven , unlawfully.
” “ This case isn ’ t about citizenship .
It ’ s about who belongs here , who ’ s an Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Australian community , ” Gibbs told reporters outside court .
“ The High Court has found that Aboriginal Australians are protected from deportation .
They can no longer be removed from the country that they know and that they have a very close connection with , ” she added .
Gibbs said both Love and Thoms would sue the government for wrongful detention .
“ Both of my clients have suffered severe embarrassment about being Aboriginal men in immigration detention and they ’ ve been subject to a lot of ridicule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s been a very , very tough time for them both.
” Mary Crock , professor of public law at Sydney University , described the decision as “ radical.
” She noted the case arose from Australia ’ s increasingly tough policies of deporting non-citizens who break the law , some to countries where they don ’ t speak the language or have any real connections .
“ I see it as a very positive development , ” Crock said .
“ The case only went to the High Court because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deport so many different people .
I can ’ t think of another country that has gone as far as we have towards locking up and then trying to deport people who literally have no other country that they deeply belong to , ” she added .
The Law Council of Australia , the nation ’ s top lawyers ’ group , welcomed the court ’ s confirmation that the “ question of membership of Aboriginal societies is outside of the legislative power of the Australian Parliament.
” Indigenous Australians make up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most disadvantaged minority group in a range of measures .
Indigenous Australians die younger than other Australians and are overrepresented in prisons .


thetorontostar--2020-02-11--Ireland faces wrangling as Sinn Fein aims to form government

LONDON - Final results in Ireland ’ s general election show three parties in a virtual tie for seats , signalling weeks of tense negotiations ahead to form a coalition government .
With all votes counted Tuesday , the centre-right Fianna Fail party had 38 seats in the 160-seat Dail , the lower house of parliament .
Sinn Fein won 37 and Fine Gael , the centrist party led by incumbent Prime Minister Leo Varadkar , took 35 .
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party would try to form a government with independent lawmakers and smaller left-wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Greens .
Saturday ’ s election produced a breakthrough for the left-wing , nationalist Sinn Fein , which has been long shunned by the other parties because of its historic links to the Irish Republican Army and decades of violence in Northern Ireland .
Sinn Fein ’ s radical proposals for tackling Ireland ’ s housing crisis and creaking healthcare system proved a powerful draw for young voters in a country that is still dealing with aftershocks of the 2008 global financial crisis , which hammered its debt-driven “ Celtic Tiger ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote share but ran fewer candidates than Fianna Fail and Fine Gael — a miscalculation that could cost the party its chance to govern .
With no party anywhere near the 80 seats needed for a majority in parliament , some form of coalition appears inevitable , but forming a stable alliance could be tough .
“ I think it would be a mighty thing to have a Sinn Fein Taoiseach ( prime minister ) and also a woman , perhaps , in the job , ” McDonald said .
But there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assemble a stable coalition , even with the support of smaller parties .
The election result was a major blow for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael , which have dominated Irish politics since the country won independence from Britain a century ago .
Both parties said before the election that they would not go into a coalition with Sinn Fein because of its links to past violence .
But they may now reconsider that commitment .
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