thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Bloomberg says three women can be released from nondisclosure agreements

WASHINGTON - Mike Bloomberg said Friday he ’ d free three women from confidentiality agreements that bar them from speaking publicly about sexual harassment or discrimination suits filed against him over the last three decades .
The billionaire former mayor of New York also said his company , Bloomberg LP , will no longer use such agreements “ to resolve claims of sexual harassment or misconduct going forward.
” His remarks come after days of intense scrutiny over the treatment of women at the company he ’ s led for three decades , and amid pressure from Democratic presidential rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share their claims publicly.Warren hammered Bloomberg over the issue in the recent debate , his first time facing his rivals .
The announcement Friday highlights his efforts to remove a vulnerability ahead of the next debate , on Tuesday in South Carolina , and refocus his campaign ahead of March 3 , known as Super Tuesday , when he will be on the ballot for for the first time .
Bloomberg didn ’ t automatically revoke the agreements , but told the women to contact the company if they would like to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s willing to open up relate specifically to comments he ’ s alleged to have made .
His company reportedly faced nearly 40 lawsuits involving 65 plaintiffs between 1996 and 2016 , though it ’ s unclear how many relate to sexual harassment or discrimination .
At this week ’ s debate in Nevada , Bloomberg called such nondisclosure agreements “ consensual ” and said women who complained “ didn ’ t like a joke I told.
” The remarks were viewed by some as out-of-touch with the post- # MeToo era , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sexual harassment and innuendo by men in the workplace .
Bloomberg is one of the country ’ s richest men , worth an estimated $ 60 billion .
It was the first time Bloomberg was truly put on the spot in an otherwise choreographed campaign , where he ’ s been promoting his message via television advertising and scripted speeches rather than debates and town halls with voters .
Bloomberg said in a statement he ’ d done “ a lot of reflecting on this issue over the past few days.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they are used in the context of sexual harassment and sexual assault , promote a culture of silence in the workplace and contribute to a culture of women not feeling safe or supported , ” it continued .
One of the women covered by Bloomberg ’ s announcement is Sekiko Sekai Garrison , 55 , who filed a complaint against Bloomberg and his company in 1995 .
She did not respond to a phone message seeking comment on Friday .
Garrison ’ s complaint , reviewed by the Associated Press , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged Bloomberg told her to “ kill it “ when she told him she was pregnant with her first child .
The lawsuit details several other alleged personal interactions with Bloomberg and describes a misogynistic corporate culture where women were typically paid less than men , subject to routine sexual harassment and demoted or fired if they complained .
In the alleged incident , Garrison said Bloomberg approached her near the office coffee machines and asked about her married life .
When she told him she was pregnant with her first child , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a serious monotone .
He allegedly then repeated it and called her “ number 16 , ” a reference to the number of pregnant women employees .
Bloomberg has denied making the remarks .
But Garrison said he left her a voicemail apologizing and calling the remark a joke .
She resigned from the company .
Lawyer Bonnie P. Josephs , who filed the 1995 complaint on Garrison ’ s behalf , told AP on Thursday that she later handed the case off to another attorney .
Josephs said she was then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Bloomberg for a “ six-figure sum ” and signed a nondisclosure agreement .
A longtime Bloomberg aide confirmed that case was one of the three agreements Bloomberg mentioned in his statement , in which an NDA was signed that directly related to Bloomberg .
The other two cases never went to court and are not public .
On Friday , Bloomberg said his company would undertake a review of its policies on equal pay and promotion , sexual harassment and discrimination and the use of “ other legal tools ” that prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push policies if elected president that expand access to childcare and reproductive health and guarantee 12 weeks of paid leave .
“ I will be a leader whom women can trust , ” he said .
Ronayne reported from Sacramento .
Associated Press reporters Michael Biesecker in Washington and Michelle R. Smith in Providence , Rhode Island , contributed .

Alexandra Jaffe And Kathleen Ronayne - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--In Nevada, Biden casts Sanders, Bloomberg as party posers

LAS VEGAS - As the Democratic presidential primary advances toward Super Tuesday , Joe Biden wants voters to choose a loyal Democrat .
Preferably him , of course , but mostly just not Bernie Sanders or Mike Bloomberg .
The former vice-president , needing a boost after disappointing finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire , framed both primary rivals as insufficient Democrats during an interview Friday on the eve of the Nevada caucuses .
Sanders , who claims the label of “ democratic socialist , ” once toyed with running in a primary against then-President Barack Obama in 2012 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and former New York mayor who was a Republican and then independent before finally declaring himself a Democrat .
Both men , Biden told The Associated Press , misrepresent their relationships with Obama , the nation ’ s first black president who tapped Biden , then a Delaware senator , to be his running mate in 2008 .
“ You can spend a billion dollars , and I guess he spent but what $ 400 million so far , whatever it is , ” Biden said of Bloomberg ’ s eye-popping personal investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But you can ’ t hide your record , ” Biden continued , pointing specifically to Bloomberg ’ s “ stop-and-frisk ” policy that , when he was mayor , effectively allowed New York police to detain disproportionate numbers of non-white residents , mostly young men , without probable cause .
On Sanders , Biden cited a recent Atlantic magazine article that cast Sanders ’ consideration of a primary campaign against Obama as serious enough that Harry Reid , the powerful Nevada Democrat who was then Senate Democratic leader , stepped in personally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew he talked about someone should primary Barack for a second term , like he thought Barack wasn ’ t , I guess , socialist enough or whatever , ” Biden said , adding that he didn ’ t previously know about Reid ’ s apparent move to step in .
“ The paint is being peeled back here a little bit , ” Biden said .
“ And I think they ’ re entitled to those opinions .
I don ’ t mean they ’ re bad because of that .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved Barack , man .
He did a great job , ’ is simply not turning out to be the case.
” Sanders has led all candidates in the first two nominating contests and appears to have strong support in Nevada .
Bloomberg isn ’ t competing in any February contests , instead directing his unprecedented personal spending in the 14 states that vote on March 3 .
His “ Super Tuesday ” strategy hinges on Biden , once the national front-runner , slipping out of contention .
That makes Nevada critical for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fifth in New Hampshire .
“ I think we ’ ll do well ” in Nevada , Biden said Friday , forgoing a detailed assessment of where he must finish .
Though Bloomberg is not on Saturday ’ s ballots , Biden relished that his fellow candidate had a rough experience in his first debate this week in Las Vegas .
Biden said the debate exposed the irony of the “ stop-and-frisk ” policy alongside Bloomberg ’ s ubiquitous ads depicting the former mayor alongside Obama .
The former president , still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t endorsed any candidate , including Biden .
Obama has been mentioned prominently in several candidates ’ ads and arguments , though no one has matched the breadth of Bloomberg ’ s recent Obama ads .
Bloomberg did not support Obama ’ s election in 2008 ; he wrote a relatively tepid endorsement late in the 2012 campaign , and former Obama aides have noted that Bloomberg often criticized Obama , including his 2010 health insurance overhaul .
The former president ’ s aides say he ’ s talked to any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counsel and plans to support the eventual nominee enthusiastically .
Biden has said he speaks regularly to Obama , but he declined Friday to say whether he asked the former president to publicly clarify that he has not endorsed Bloomberg .
Nevada and the South Carolina primary on Feb. 29 have always been key to Biden ’ s path to the nomination .
Iowa and New Hampshire are both overwhelmingly white and not heavily unionized .
Biden ’ s base within the Democratic coalition is union members , older African Americans and older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could still be majority white , but narrowly so , and it ’ s heavily unionized , especially in the casino and tourism industry .
South Carolina ’ s electorate , meanwhile , could be as much as two-thirds African American .
Biden ’ s connection to Obama , in turn , is part of his pitch to African Americans , especially .
“ What happens in Nevada will determine what ultimately happens in South Carolina , and so forth through Super Tuesday , ” said Amanda Loveday , a prominent South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporting Biden .
“ I mean , he ’ s said it : He has to get first or second in Nevada to be seen as viable coming into South Carolina .
And I think he will.
” Those dynamics have made Biden simultaneously more aggressive and more comfortable over the last week of campaigning in Nevada , aggressive out of necessity , more at ease with clearly friendly audiences .
His schedule is peppered with “ back of the house tours ” where he meets with casino workers along Las Vegas Strip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ “ Medicare for All ” single-payer health insurance plan as a threat to the insurance plans the powerful Culinary Union secured via collective bargaining .
He ’ s punched at Sanders for backing a 2005 law that granted civil immunity to gun manufacturers , a notable provision to Nevadans who recall the worst mass shooting in modern American history , which occurred in Las Vegas in 2017 .
Speaking to Latino campaign volunteers , Biden noted that “ 99 % of Latinos ” haven ’ t voted yet .
At an African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this week , Biden recalled his mother once chiding him for wavering when Obama offered him a spot on the ticket in 2008 .
“ I have a very persuasive mother , ” he said .
Later , at a Black History Month festival , he promised an emcee a role in inaugural festivities if he wins .
And then , at a legislative Black Caucus gala , he grew serious .
“ Look me over , folks , ” he said .
“ Gim me a shot .
I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Michelle L. Price And Bill Barrow - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Man guilty of killing 2 who tried to stop his slurs on train

PORTLAND , Ore. - A man accused of fatally stabbing two people who prosecutors say tried to stop his racist tirade against two young black women on a Portland , Oregon , commuter train was convicted of murder Friday after an emotional trial that featured testimony from both women and the sole survivor of the attack nearly three years ago .
Jurors found Jeremy Christian , 37 , guilty of the deaths of Taliesin Namkai-Meche and Ricky Best .
He also was convicted of attempted murder for stabbing survivor Micah Fletcher and assault and menacing for shouting slurs and throwing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another light rail train the day before the May 26 , 2017 , stabbings .
A judge last year dismissed charges of aggravated murder — which carries a potential death sentence — because of a new Oregon law that narrows the definition of aggravated murder .
The stabbings ’ racial undertones shook Portland , which prides itself on its liberal and progressive reputation but also grapples with a racist past that included limits on where black families could live and a neo-Nazi community so entrenched that the city was once nicknamed “ Skinhead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a black teen was run down and killed by a white supremacist in a Portland suburb convenience store parking lot — a case that also grabbed headlines .
In the days after the stabbing , photos and video surfaced showing that Christian had recently attended — and spoken at — a rally hosted by a far-right group called Patriot Prayer , whose periodic political events were already causing tension in the city .
He was captured on camera making the Nazi salute while wearing an American flag around his neck and holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his prolific posts slammed Portland as a place so politically correct that his right to free speech was constantly under assault .
Those beliefs were front and centre in the courtroom , too , when Christian told the judge on the first day of trial that he would wear his jail-issued blue uniform instead of a suit because to do otherwise would be like lying .
“ I don ’ t care how much time I spend in prison , ” he said .
“ All I care about is the public gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the train.
” According to prosecutors , Christian boarded the train during the evening commute on May 26 , 2017 , and began shouting racist , anti-Muslim and xenophobic slurs at the two young black women .
One was an immigrant from Somalia and wore a Muslim headscarf .
Some witnesses said Christian in his outburst made a slicing motion across his neck and mentioned decapitating people .
As his tirade continued , Christian grabbed Namkai-Meche ’ s cellphone and threw it to the ground .
Defence attorneys argued that Namkai-Meche had first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tirade , which made him feel cornered .
Authorities say another passenger , Fletcher , stood up to intervene and got into a shoving match with Christian , who was taunting the men to “ do something ” to stop him .
Christian then took out a 4-inch ( 10-centimetre ) folding knife and stabbed Fletcher and Namkai-Meche , prosecutors said .
Authorities say he also stabbed a third passenger , Ricky Best , who was standing nearby .
Namkai-Meche and Best died at the scene of stab wounds to the neck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Christian stabbed the men 11 times in 11 seconds .
He would later tell a court-appointed psychologist during mental health evaluation that he felt like he was on “ auto-pilot , ” according to court records .
He was arrested a few blocks away .
Christian ’ s defence attorneys Gregory Scholl and Dean Smith argued that Christian had acted in self-defence and felt threatened by Namkai-Meche and Fletcher .
An expert witness for the defence testified that Fletcher , in particular , escalated the situation by getting within 6 feet ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian pulled out his knife .
During trial , detective Michelle Michaels read from a transcript of Christian ’ s comments shortly after he was arrested .
“ There ’ s no way I can explain what happened , ” he said .
“ Except both of those people would be alive if they ’ d kept their hands to themselves .
Or got off the train or allowed me to have my free speech.
“


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Bright lights, big stakes for Democrats in Nevada

LAS VEGAS - Just past the roulette wheel and slot machines , the smoky bars and blinking lights , Nevada Democrats are preparing to weigh in on their party ’ s presidential nomination fight .
Seven casino-resorts on the Las Vegas Strip stand among 200 caucus locations statewide that will host the presidential caucuses on Saturday , the third contest in a 2020 primary season that has so far been marred by chaos and uncertainty in overwhelmingly white , rural states .
The exercise of democracy inside urban temples of excess is just one element that distinguishes the first presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more importantly , test the candidates ’ strength with black and brown voters for the first time in 2020 .
“ Nevada represents an opportunity for these candidates to demonstrate their appeal to a larger swath of our country , ” said state Attorney General Aaron Ford , a Democrat who is not endorsing a candidate in the crowded field .
Nevada ’ s population , which aligns more with the U.S. as a whole than the opening elections in Iowa and New Hampshire , is 29 % Latino , 10 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pacific Islander .
The vote comes at a critical moment for the Democratic Party as self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders emerges as the clear front-runner and a half dozen more moderate candidates savage one another for the chance to emerge as the preferred alternative to Sanders .
The ultimate winner will represent Democrats on the ballot against President Donald Trump in November .
Yet on the eve of the caucuses , questions lingered about Nevada Democrats ’ ability to report election results quickly as new concerns surfaced about foreign interference in the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed reports that he had been briefed by U.S. officials about a month ago that Russia was trying to help his campaign as part of Moscow ’ s efforts to interfere in the election .
“ It was not clear what role they were going to play , ” Sanders said .
“ We were told that Russia , maybe other countries , are going to get involved in this campaign.
” He added : “ Here ’ s the message to Russia : Stay out of American elections.
” Despite the distraction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed by strong support from Latinos and rank-and-file union workers who have warmed to his fiery calls to transform the nation ’ s economy and political system to help the working class .
The outlook was dire for virtually everyone else .
Long before voting began , there was skepticism about Pete Buttigieg ’ s ability to win over a more diverse set of voters after strong finishes in overwhelmingly white Iowa and New Hampshire .
It was the opposite for Joe Biden , who struggled in Iowa and New Hampshire but looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prove he still has a viable path to the nomination .
The two women left in the race , Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar , were fighting for momentum , hoping to benefit from a sudden surge of outside money from newly created super PACs .
Billionaire Tom Steyer has invested more than $ 12 million of his own money on television advertising in Nevada , according to data obtained by The Associated Press , which details the extent to which several candidates have gone all-in ahead of Saturday ’ s contest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent days , is spending more money in Nevada this week than any other campaign or allied outside group .
Persist , which hasn ’ t yet disclosed any donors and can not legally co-ordinate with Warren ’ s campaign , has invested $ 902,000 this week in Nevada television on her behalf , according to spending data obtained by The AP .
That ’ s more than Klobuchar ’ s and Biden ’ s campaigns have spent over the entire year .
New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg , who dominated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate-stage debut , won ’ t be on the ballot .
He ’ s betting everything on a series of delegate-rich states that begin voting next month .
“ I think right now predicting who ’ s going to win here in Nevada would be a wild guess , “ former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in an interview .
” And if I were a gambler , which I ’ m not , I wouldn ’ t be betting on who ’ s gon na win here in Nevada.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be a winner at all .
Saturday ’ s caucuses are the first since technical glitches and human errors plagued Iowa ’ s kickoff caucuses .
Nearly three weeks later , state Democratic officials have yet to post final results .
Nevada Democrats have projected confidence in their process , although Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez this week refused to commit to releasing the full results on the day of the vote .
He said a number of factors , including early voting and potentially high turnout , could affect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition , Nevada , like Iowa , reports three sets of data from the multistage caucus process .
“ We ’ re going to do our best to release results as soon as possible , but our North Star , again , is accuracy , ” Perez told The Associated Press this week .
The state party has added to its responsibilities by offering early voting – something Iowa did not attempt .
Nevada voters have been eager to partake , given the alternative is to spend significantly more time voting at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 75,000 Democrats cast early ballots , and a majority were first-time caucus-goers .
In 2016 , a total of 84,000 Nevada voters participated in the Democratic caucuses .
A small , but significant number of the ballots cast early were disqualified .
Of the more than 36,000 ballots that were cast through Monday , 1,124 ballots were voided largely because voters forgot to sign them , according to the state party , which did not release the final numbers .
Party officials said they were reaching out to these voters and encouraging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Campaigning in Las Vegas on the eve of the caucuses , Trump sought to raise doubts about the process .
“ I hear their computers are all messed up just like they were in Iowa .
They ’ re not going to be able to count their vote , “ Trump charged .
“ They ’ re going to tell you about health care .
They ’ re going to tell you about our military and jet fighters and the missiles and rockets , but they can ’ t count votes.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay focused on the candidates and the issues they represent .
Reid , who at 80 years old remains one of the most powerful Democrats in the state , predicted that Sanders ’ signature health care policy , “ Medicare for All , : could not win support in Congress .
Yet he said he thinks the fiery Vermont senator could bring Democrats together .
“ I have no doubt that if Bernie Sanders is the nominee , the party will unite behind him and beat Trump , ” Reid said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta and Nicholas Riccardi contributed .

Steve Peoples, Michelle L. Price And Jonathan J. Cooper - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Picketing, pigeons, politics: Scenes from the Nevada caucus

LAS VEGAS - Candidates have hustled past tourists and slot machines to ask housekeepers and cooks for their votes in the back of flashy casinos.They ’ ve made their pitches over plates of tamales , tacos and soul food .
They ’ ve walked a picket line in the street with union workers .
And then , with unsurprising showmanship , there was that flock of pigeons with tiny MAGA hats .
If Nevada has one job in the Democratic primary , it ’ s to offer something different .
And in many ways it has delivered .
As the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , gone was the earnestness of Iowa and tradition of New Hampshire and in its place was racial diversity , a new unpredictability and the muscle of urban , union politics .
“ Nevada is truly a state that represents the rest of the country , ” former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said , famous for his Nevada cheerleading and early primary state trash talk .
“ It ’ s not like Iowa where you have no diversity ... New Hampshire is a state that has no diversity.
” It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s more representative population — it is 29 % Latino , 10 % black , 9 % Asian American and Pacific Islander and 49 % white — will result in a dramatic scramble of the pecking order set by Iowa and New Hampshire .
In the past , Nevada Democrats have twice been a tiebreaker in two-person contests .
In this crowded field of candidates , the state ’ s input isn ’ t expected to reorder the race .
Still , the Silver State campaign has delivered on some of its promises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trail , offering up scenes that are hard to imagine happening elsewhere .
There was Elizabeth Warren ordering a boba tea at a cafe in Las Vegas ’ Chinatown .
Tom Steyer hosting a Black History Month concert with former members of R & B groups En Vogue and Boyz to Men .
Bernie Sanders ’ face plastered on a mobile billboard driving through heavily Latino neighbourhoods —- the kind promotion typically used to advertise strip joints and acrobatic shows .
President Donald Trump couldn ’ t resist getting in on the action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sleeping at this gleaming hotel tower on the Las Vegas Strip .
Tourists booed and cheered as they watched his motorcade cruise along a Las Vegas Strip eerily cleared of traffic after a rally in Phoenix on Wednesday .
He had another on Friday in Las Vegas .
On Saturday , seven casino-resorts on the Las Vegas Strip will be among 200 locations hosting sites for the state ’ s Democratic caucuses .
( This state doesn ’ t blink at allowing the democratic process in adult playgrounds devoted to gambling and overindulgence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top of the presidential campaign calendar is still new , added ahead of the 2008 election .
That means caucuses here don ’ t come with the same traditions and voters haven ’ t become habituated to seeing the candidates at their neighbourhood parks and high schools .
“ Dude , we just touched Bernie !
” two University of Nevada-Las Vegas students yelled to a third shortly after Sanders wrapped up a campus rally .
Campaigns have had to be creative in pursuit of voters who can be hard to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process and , sometimes , behind a gate .
Traditional organizing tactics like door-knocking and phone-banking are tough in Nevada , where people move so often that records of addresses and phone numbers are regularly out of date .
So many Nevadans don ’ t have landlines that the former Mayor Pete Buttigieg ’ s campaign relied more on text messaging rather than phone banking , said Olivia Bercow , a campaign spokeswoman .
The campaign found it tricky to do routine canvassing in the locked apartment complexes and gated communities in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters to organize friends and neighbours , helping them get inside .
They ’ ve also looked to find locals where they hang out — at their church , the “ first Fridays ” art walk , open mic nights , a Dia de los Muertos celebration or a salsa dancing class .
But there ’ s one place you don ’ t go , campaigns learn quickly .
“ If you go to the Strip thinking that you ’ re going to talk about Pete , most people you find don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Its not a great use of time.
” Natalie Montelongo , a senior strategist for Massachusetts ’ Sen. Elizabeth Warren ’ s campaign , said organizing in the state “ requires creativity and grit.
” In a state with strong labour , among the most coveted group of voters are the casino workers ’ Culinary Workers Union , Local 226 .
While they are sometimes unnoticed by the millions of tourists frequenting casinos , the workers who keep the hotels humming , the drinks flowing , the rooms clean and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60,000-member majority-female , majority-Latino group that presidential candidates have aggressively courted .
Even though the union ’ s leaders have said the group is not endorsing , candidates are still working to woo the union ’ s politically engaged members .
Warren and former Vice-President Joe Biden were among the candidates touring the casino ’ s employee dining rooms during the week .
On Wednesday , nearly all of the candidates carried signs and chanted as they joined picketing union members in front of a towering casino-hotel that ’ s been locked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union .
Warren wore red , “ as the workers do.
“ Biden wrapped an arm around the union ’ s leader , Geoconda Argüello-Kline , and former South Bend , Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg , Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and billionaire businessman Tom Steyer carried signs that said “ No contract , no peace.
” Nearby , a troupe of dancers dressed as a bartender , cook , server , cocktail waitress , housekeeper and janitor danced in unison .
There was little peace at the Wednesday debate , the most combative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feature former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg .
Although Bloomberg isn ’ t competing in the Nevada caucus he tooknearly as many blows as Trump , who spent the night down the street .
As Trump appeared in the city , so too did a group of pigeons with tiny red “ Make America Great Again ” hats like those worn by by Trump ’ s supporters on their heads .
One pigeon had a tiny blond wig similar to Trump ’ s distinctive hair .
A self-proclaimed “ underground radical group ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Pigeons , United To Interfere Now ) , told the Las Vegas Review-Journal they released the pigeons as an “ aerial protest piece “ in response to the 2020 Democratic debate as “ a gesture of support and loyalty to President Trump.
” They also hope to elevate the stature of the pigeon , the group said .

Michelle L. Price And Jonathan J. Cooper - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Ex-inmate charged with sending poison to California prison

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - An Eastern European man who authorities say sent a Christmas card to the Unabomber has been indicted on charges of mailing packages of a potentially deadly poison to a California state prison , officials said Friday .
A federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted Vladislav Victorvic Timoshchuk on charges of mailing two envelopes containing ricin to Pelican Bay State Prison in July .
One was addressed to the warden and came with note warning in all capital letters that it was “ laced with deadly ricin powder.
” The other was to a purported prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release that inmate .
Timoshchuk , 34 , was himself once a California inmate but was deported to Belarus after his release .
From 2016 into 2018 , officials at Pelican Bay intercepted from Belarus to members of a prison gang , including to the inmate who recently was sent the ricin .
In 2017 , the Anaheim Police Department investigated a threat demanding the release of that same inmate if authorities wanted to avoid the “ execution ” of a school student each day until he was released .
Last year the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ card from Belarus to Theodore Kaczynski , the Unabomber , in which authorities say Timoshchuk claimed responsibility for the threats to Anaheim schools and discussed his plan to mail ricin to the United States .
Kaczynski carried out a series of mail bombings that killed three people and injured 23 before his arrest in 1996 , and is now serving a life sentence in Colorado .
Thursday ’ s indictment charges Timoshchuk only with the two mailings to Pelican Bay .
He could face up to life in prison if he is convicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for use as a weapon , with lesser charges for mailing threatening communications and mailing a dangerous substance .
He is not in custody and federal prosecutors would not say if they expect him to be taken into custody in Belarus or returned to the United States for prosecution .
Belarus does not have an extradition treaty with the United States .
Timoshchuk was never housed at Pelican Bay State Prison , according to California prison officials .
He was sent to prison in 2006 on multiple charges from San Diego and Yolo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battery on a peace officer .
He was paroled in 2011 .


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Supervisor told police U-M doctor didn’t deny abuse claims

ANN ARBOR , Mich. - A former University of Michigan student who reported in 2018 that a doctor at the school had molested him during medical exams decades ago says he complained at the time to his wrestling coach and the school ’ s athletic director about the sexual abuse , according to documents released Friday by the prosecutor ’ s office .
The student also recalled Dr. Robert E. Anderson being known as “ Dr .
Drop your drawers Anderson “ by athletes in the 1970s , according to the documents released to The Associated Press by prosecutors who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations against Anderson .
The records summarize police interviews beginning in 2018 with multiple former students reporting sexual abuse by the doctor and people who worked with him at the university ’ s Health Service and athletic department .
Anderson was the director of the University Health Service from 1968 until 1980 and served as a team physician for various sports at Michigan until his retirement in 2003 .
He died in 2008 .
The university ’ s president this week apologized to “ anyone who was harmed ” by Anderson .
Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the school announced that it had launched an investigation into the doctor ’ s behaviour following abuse allegations from five former patients .
The documents released by the Washtenaw County prosecutor ’ s office show that a former Michigan wrestler wrote to Athletic Director Warde Manuel in July 2018 with details about repeated fondling during medical exams decades earlier .
The name of the wrestler was redacted in records released to The Associated Press .
In a four-page letter , the former wrestler accused the doctor of touching his penis and testicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rectum “ too many times for it to have been considered diagnostic or therapeutic for the conditions and injuries that I had.
” The first time this happened was during his freshman year in 1972 , when he went to the doctor for treatment for facial cold sores , according to the letter .
The wrestler saw the doctor several more times for that condition and was inappropriately touched each time , he wrote .
“ I didn ’ t like it , but I didn ’ t really pay much attention to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He was the doctor and it never occurred to me that he was enjoying what I was not.
” The wrestler said the doctor touched him again during his junior season after he dislocated an elbow .
“ I found it strange that I needed a penis and hernia check , ” he wrote .
The wrestler told Manuel that athletes on at least two other sports teams knew about Anderson ’ s conduct while he was at the school .
Bill Johannesen , who coached the Michigan wrestling team in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ none of his athletes told him they were violated by a doctor , he did remember them “ laughing ” and “ joking ” about one particular doctor who told them to “ take your pants down ” for a “ hurt elbow.
” Asked by police to recall the doctor ’ s name , Johannesen said : “ Dr .
Anderson.
” Another member of the Michigan wrestling team in the 1970s told police that the doctor gave him a rectal exam when he went for treatment of an ankle injury .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents .
The former wrestler told police that he felt abused but that “ as an 18-year-old kid , you don ’ t think to question stuff like that.
” According to one police report , Tom Easthope , a former vice-president of student life , told police he thought he had convinced Anderson to resign from the university decades ago .
Easthope said he heard from activists that Anderson was assaulting people during medical exams and decided to fire him .
He said the doctor didn ’ t deny the allegations against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to allow Anderson to resign and believed he had gone into private practice until university police contacted him in 2018 .
Police who spoke to Easthope said he was “ visibly shaken ” when he learned that Anderson didn ’ t leave the university until he retired decades later .
“ Easthope thought Dr. Anderson was gone , gone for good , ” investigators wrote in a search warrant for a malpractice insurance company ’ s records on Anderson .
The report doesn ’ t say when Easthope said he believed Anderson resigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 , 1980 , said Anderson was stepping down as director of the Health Service and returning to a senior physician role .
The release also said Anderson would remain director of athletic medicine and physician to the school ’ s athletic teams .
The nearly 100 pages detailing the police investigation also include interviews with people who said they had not heard any complaints about Anderson .
Among them was Russell Miller , who was an athletic trainer when Anderson worked with the Michigan football team .
He told police that Anderson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the police report , Miller said when Anderson left his job as director of Health Services , then-athletics director Don Canham worked out a deal so Anderson could work with the football team .
Miller said Anderson served as a primary care physician for most of the football staff and their families .
Miller said the thought of Anderson being investigated “ shatters him , “ according to the police report .
Authorities also contacted the state ’ s licensing and regulatory affairs agency and found that it had received a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May 1994 .
The records don ’ t describe the outcome of the complaint , which was closed within 10 months , and the agency ’ s records on the case were purged seven years later .
But an agency official managed to find the name of a man who filed the complaint and provided that to the detective .
When the detective reached out , the complainant said : “ I am glad someone finally called to look into this.
” The man , whose name is redacted in the records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a student at the University of Michigan starting in 1973 .
Once he went for a routine physical at a campus health centre , and during that Anderson fondled him to the point of ejaculation .
He said Anderson “ did not appear to react to this , nor did he say anything , ” according to the detective ’ s summary of the interview .
The man finally filed the complaint decades later because “ I couldn ’ t live with myself , ” the detective wrote .

Larry Lage, Reese Dunklin, Kathleen Foody And Mike Householder - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Greyhound to stop allowing immigration checks on buses

SEATTLE - Greyhound , the nation ’ s largest bus company , said Friday it will stop allowing Border Patrol agents without a warrant to board its buses to conduct routine immigration checks .
The company ’ s announcement came one week after The Associated Press reported on a leaked Border Patrol memo confirming that agents can ’ t board private buses without the consent of the bus company .
Greyhound had previously insisted that even though it didn ’ t like the immigration checks , it had no choice under federal law but to allow them .
In an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would notify the Department of Homeland Security that it does not consent to unwarranted searches on its buses or in areas of terminals that are not open to the public — such as company offices or any areas a person needs a ticket to access .
Greyhound said it would provide its drivers and bus station employees updated training regarding the new policy , and that it would place stickers on all its buses clearly stating that it does not consent to the searches .
“ Our primary concern is the safety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are confident these changes will lead to an improved experience for all parties involved , ” the statement said .
U.S. Customs and Border Protection , which includes the Border Patrol , did not immediately return a call seeking comment .
Greyhound has faced pressure from the American Civil Liberties Union , immigrant rights activists and Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson to stop allowing sweeps on buses within 100 miles ( 160 kilometres ) of an international border or coastline .
In many cases , the buses being checked were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Critics say the practice is intimidating and discriminatory and has become more common under President Donald Trump .
Border Patrol arrests videotaped by other passengers have sparked criticism , and Greyhound faces a lawsuit in California alleging that it violated consumer protection laws by facilitating raids .
“ We are pleased to see Greyhound clearly communicate that it does not consent to racial profiling and harassment on its buses , “ Andrea Flores , deputy director of policy for the ACLU ’ s Equality Division , said in an email .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greyhound is sending a message that it prioritizes the communities it serves.
” The Border Patrol has insisted that it does not profile passengers based on their appearance , but instead asks all passengers whether they are citizens or in the country legally .
The agency says the bus checks are an important way to ferret out human trafficking , narcotics and illegal immigration .
Some other bus companies , including Jefferson Lines , which operates in 14 states , and MTRWestern , which operates in the Pacific Northwest , have already taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Flores said the ACLU would continue to push others to follow suit .
The memo obtained by the AP was dated Jan. 28 , addressed to all chief patrol agents and signed by then-Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost just before she retired .
It confirms the legal position that Greyhound ’ s critics have taken : that the Constitution ’ s Fourth Amendment prevents agents from boarding buses and questioning passengers without a warrant or the consent of the company .
“ When transportation checks occur on a bus at non-checkpoint locations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or she gained access to the bus with the consent of the company ’ s owner or one of the company ’ s employees , ” the memo states .
An agent ’ s actions while on the bus “ would not cause a reasonable person to believe that he or she is unable to terminate the encounter with the agent.
” Greyhound previously argued that case law , including a 1973 Supreme Court ruling , did not extend the Fourth Amendment ’ s protections to commercial carriers .


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Iowa Democrats agree to Buttigieg, Sanders limited recount

DES MOINES , Iowa - The Iowa Democratic Party is agreeing to recount the results in about two dozen of almost 1,700 precinct caucuses as part of the ongoing process to resolve the weeks-long question of who won Iowa ’ s tarnished presidential caucuses .
Campaign officials for former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders asked for a combined 23 precincts to be recounted .
That happened after the state party invited campaigns to request recounts in light of results of a recanvass which showed Buttigieg finishing a tiny fraction of a percentage point ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial results , which showed Buttigieg with a slightly larger lead , were thrown into question after a recanvass of the contest showed mathematical errors .
It ’ s the latest chapter in an ongoing story of uncertainty about the caucuses , after a technical problem with an electronic reporting app prevented hundreds of volunteer caucus leaders in many of the 1,675 precincts from reporting their results .
The breakdown kept the state party from reporting final results for three days after the Feb. 3 kickoff presidential contest , stalling some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary .
That uncertainty has kept The Associated Press from calling the race , and has led to the resignation of Troy Price , who , as chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party , was responsible for the execution of the internationally watched lead-off presidential nominating event .
The recount is to be conducted by independent administrators beginning on Feb. 25 under the supervision of a state party committee and representatives of the Buttigieg and Sanders campaigns .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Venezuela’s Maduro taps DC firm to fight US sanctions

MIAMI - A top official for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro ’ s government has hired a Washington law firm that also represents Turkey , taking over from another legal team that backed out last month following an outcry from critics who accused it of collaborating with a repressive regime .
Lawyer Bob Amsterdam declined to comment on the nature of work for Maduro ’ s Inspector General Reinaldo Muñoz , other than saying it would focus on sanctions and human rights issues .
He said Friday that the same U.S. sanctions on the Maduro government put strict limits on what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his client .
But he vigorously defended the decision of Amsterdam & Partners to represent Muñoz , brushing aside calls from Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott and others for lawyers to stay far away from Maduro ’ s “ brutal regime.
” “ We aren ’ t going to bend to the political dictates of Florida , ” Amsterdam said .
“ But I don ’ t like it when people are denied representation.
” This is the Maduro government ’ s second attempt in less than a month to find a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Trump administration in pushing for dialogue and an end to sanctions .
The previous firm , Foley & Lardner , backed out of a $ 12.5 million , five-month contract after Scott in a letter urged his Senate colleagues to boycott the firm .
In a filing with the U.S. Justice Department on Friday , Foley said it had transferred to Amsterdam & Partners all funds - a little more than $ 1 million - it has received from its client .
Foley had hired influential lobbyist Robert Stryk as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t clear if the former congressional aide whose business has boomed under the Trump administration would also work with Amsterdam .
When contacted Friday , Scott reiterated that he would not work with anyone who represents Muñoz or Venezuela .
“ Senator Scott will not stand for this , ” his office said in a statement .
“ He will urge every one of his colleagues to stand with him against anyone who willingly represents a dangerous dictator.
” Foley & Lardner had agreed to represent Muñoz and in turn hired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steep criticism from Maduro critics .
Amsterdam , a Canadian lawyer , heads a law firm with offices in Washington and London .
In the past , it has represented a mix of repressive governments hostile to the U.S. as well as clients persecuted by authoritarian governments .
Since 2015 , he ’ s assisted Turkey in seeking the extradition of a U.S.-based cleric and political enemy of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
Turkey ’ s government is a staunch economic and political ally of Maduro .
Amsterdam has also represented exiled Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was briefly arrested in Moscow by authorities loyal to President Vladimir Putin on the night the billionaire was sentenced to eight years in prison .
He also represented former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra .
A decade ago , he represented Venezuelan banker Eligio Cedeño , who had been accused of helping businessmen defraud the central bank of tens of millions of dollars .
Once freed on bail , he immediately fled to the U.S. , where he remains in exile .
In retaliation , then-President Hugo Chávez jailed the judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reiterated his support for Juan Guaidó , the opposition leader recognized by nearly 60 nations as Venezuela ’ s rightful leader , recently meeting with him in Washington and inviting him to the State of the Union address .
But the opposition has struggled to revive momentum and draw supporters to the streets as Maduro maintains his grip on power .
Several attempts at dialogue , including one last year sponsored by Norway , have fizzled .
Meanwhile , the U.S. continues to pursue a strategy of economic pressure , hitting Russian-controlled Rosneft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Casimiro , with aggressive financial measures designed to cut Maduro off from a lifeline .


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Trump not a ‘Parasite’ fan, praises ‘Gone with the Wind’

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is apparently not a fan of Oscar winner “ Parasite , “ his biggest complaint being that the movie was made in South Korea .
Trump started talking about the Academy Awards during a campaign rally in Colorado Springs , Colorado , on Thursday night .
“ Parasite ” was named best picture , the first non-English-language film to get the top honour .
“ What the hell was that all about ?
“ Trump said .
“ We ’ ve got enough problems with South Korea with trade .
On top of that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Was it good ?
I don ’ t know.
” Neon , the U.S. distributor for the subtitled film , shot back on Twitter : “ Understandable .
He can ’ t read.
“ Meanwhile , Trump praised decades-old Hollywood movies , one of which was set during the time of slavery in the U.S .
The audience booed when Trump mentioned the Academy Awards and then cheered when he said : “ Can we get like ‘ Gone with the Wind ’ back please ?
‘ Sunset Boulevard , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not let it go on Friday when he addressed another crowd of supporters at a rally in Las Vegas .
“ Look , I get along great with South Korea , but you know I never saw that one before , ” Trump said .
“ Parasite “ tells the story of how a family of four poor , unemployed people living in a slum basement apartment comically infiltrates a wealthy family residing at a luxurious mansion before things unravel violently and tragically .
The movie made history Feb. 9 , the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international film category , and the first foreign language film to win best picture .
The wins put a diverse film front-and-centre during a ceremony that had been criticized for its lack of diversity in several categories , with only one actor of colour nominated and no women recognized in the directing category .
Those omissions came amid efforts by both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , which hosts the Oscars , and the broader industry to have more diversity in its films and filmmakers .
Known for liberal leanings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s conservative base .
Many have seen the best picture win as a sign that the film industry will become more global , a shift that ’ s already playing out in box-office receipts .
Before the coronavirus outbreak , it was expected that China would become the world ’ s No .
1 film market , surpassing North America .
Trump has a record of criticizing Asian leaders , particularly South Korea ’ s , going so far as to mock them with a fake Asian accent .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to No .
1 among topics trending on Twitter Thursday night .
The 1939 antebellum epic , based on Margaret Mitchell ’ s novel , follows belle Scarlett O ’ Hara at her Georgia plantation home as the South braces for the Civil War .
The movie went on to become a hit and snagged eight Academy Awards , including best picture .
But in the last few decades , the movie has been criticized for its romanticized portrayal of slavery , with its main characters oblivious to the horrors experienced by those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a complicated history in Hollywood .
Hattie McDaniel became the first African American performer to win an Oscar , the supporting actress award for her portrayal of Mammy , an oft-criticized character .
McDaniel was criticized by the NAACP for frequently playing maids onscreen .
At the time , she defended herself and said she often was able to influence directors into toning down or omitting racist elements .
For the film ’ s 75th anniversary in 2014 , Warner Bros. included in a home video re-release a 30-minute documentary that candidly assessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mammy ’ s status as a slave is ignored .
The re-assessment of the film hasn ’ t waned .
Memphis ’ Orpheum Theatre in 2017 ended its annual screenings of it after 34 years , saying it could no longer “ show a film that is insensitive to a large segment of its local population.
” Associated Press writers Anthony McCartney in Los Angeles and Terry Tang in Phoenix contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Wells Fargo to pay $3B to resolve probes into fake accounts

LOS ANGELES - Wells Fargo agreed Friday to pay $ 3 billion to settle criminal and civil investigations into a long-running practice whereby company employees opened millions of unauthorized bank accounts in order to meet unrealistic sales goals .
Since the fake-accounts scandal came to light in 2016 , Wells has paid out billions in fines to state and federal regulators , reshuffled its board of directors and seen two CEOs and other top-level executives leave the company .
Wells Fargo ’ s reputation has never fully recovered from the sales scandal , even four years later .
The $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million civil payment to the Securities and Exchange Commission , which will distribute those funds to investors who were impacted by Wells ’ behaviour .
“ Wells Fargo traded its hard-earned reputation for short-term profits ” said U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna for the Central District of California .
Before the scandal broke , Wells Fargo was considered to have a sterling reputation among the big banks .
Bank executives referred to its branches as “ stores , “ and once had a policy of trying to get each Wells Fargo customer to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Behind the scenes , Wells ’ top management was pushing sales goals that were both aggressive and unrealistic .
Bank employees were berated for not making bloated quotas , leading sometimes to mental health breakdowns , and ultimately resulting in many employees gaming Wells Fargo ’ s sales system in order to meet the targets .
For example a number of Wells Fargo customers , notably the elderly , were signed up for online banking when they did not have Internet access .
The behaviour by Wells ’ employees caused damage to customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them money in fees .
The documents that lay out the charges against Wells Fargo lean heavily on the behaviour of “ Executive A , “ described as the head of Wells ’ community bank business and the regional bank division from 2002 until 2017 .
Carrie Tolstedt held those positions during that time period .
Tolstedt was aware of employees using fraudulent means to achieve sales goals as early as 2004 , according to the DOJ .
“ I just want ( Executive A ) to be constantly aware of this growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in an email in 2004 .
“ Ms .
Tolstedt acted appropriately and in good faith at all times , and the effort to scapegoat her is both unfair and unfounded , ” said Enu Mainigi , a lawyer for Tolstedt .
The settlement with the Department of Justice covers Wells Fargo as a company , and the DOJ could still go after individuals for violating bank laws .
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency , one of the nation ’ s bank regulators , fined several of Wells ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their role in the scandal .
Former chief executive John G. Stumpf was fined $ 17.5 million and agreed to a lifetime ban from the banking industry .
The OCC sued Tolstedt for $ 25 million for her role in the scandal , a suit that Tolstedt ’ s lawyers have said they intend to fight .
Current Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf , who started the job only a few months ago , has staked his early reputation on resolving all of the bank ’ s legal questions .
He has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did under previous management was unacceptable .
“ The conduct at the core of today ’ s settlements — and the past culture that gave rise to it — are reprehensible and wholly inconsistent with the values on which Wells Fargo was built , “ Scharf in a statement .
Despite Scharf ’ s comments , Wells ’ problems are far from over .
Wells Fargo remains under probation with the Federal Reserve , which has restricted the bank ’ s ability to grow assets or expand until the Fed believes Wells has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That probation , which started two years ago , was only expected to last a year and there are no signs that it will end soon .
Further this $ 3 billion settlement doesn ’ t resolve the bank ’ s problems related to auto insurance and mortgages , which happened in the years following the sales practices scandal .
Those issues remain under investigation by state and federal authorities .

Ken Sweet And Stefanie Dazio - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Minnesota shuts down recycling plant, site of massive fire

MINNEAPOLIS - The state of Minnesota on Friday shut down a metal recycling company where a fire burned for days and sent up plumes of smoke .
The state cited “ imminent and substantial danger ” to the public , the Star Tribune reported .
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an administrative order prohibiting Northern Metal from accepting any scrap metal at its plant in Becker , site of the fire .
The order also prohibits the company from accepting scrap metal at its previous facility in north Minneapolis , where it still has many junked cars stored .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he is considering placing a 30-year hold on Northern Metal ’ s recycling permit .
Speaking at a forum organized by the University of Minnesota ’ s Humphrey School of Public Affairs , Walz said he is looking at ways to hold Northern Metal responsible for pollution caused by this week ’ s fire at its plant in Becker , in central Minnesota .
Walz told the audience that he does not trust Northern Metal “ to do the right thing , ” KMSP-TV reported .
The Democratic governor said state regulators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold .
On Feb. 11 , a week before the Becker fire erupted , fire inspectors cited Northern Metal ’ s former facility in north Minneapolis for a variety of code violations related to its outdoor storage practices , the Star Tribune reported , citing inspection records .
The Becker Police Department reported in a Facebook post that initial air tests have found no hazardous chemicals .
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency took additional air samples Thursday ; results released Friday found nothing unusual in the types and levels of volatile organic compounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results will be available soon , the agency said .
Additional monitors set up Friday for particulate matter found nothing that raised concern , with levels similar to those in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area .
Northern Metal did not immediately return phone calls from The Associated Press for comment Friday .
But Republican state Sen. Andrew Mathews of Milaca , whose district includes Becker , said in a statement Friday that Northern Metal “ is fully co-operating ” with the state fire investigation , the MPCA and local public health officials .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permitting from the state is irresponsible and an overreaction , ” Mathews said .
A state fire marshal investigator was at the scene Friday .
The cause of the fire is still under investigation .
Police said Thursday that firefighters had the blaze under control , but the fire flared late Thursday , sending more smoke over Becker .
Classes in Becker were cancelled Thursday but resumed Friday .
On Friday , police said firefighting efforts have been turned over to a private company hired by Northern Metal .
The fire has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be extinguished by the end of the weekend , police said .
Residents of the city of 4,500 people have not been asked to evacuate , but should stay away from the immediate area of the fire , police have said .
Becker is about 50 miles ( 80 kilometres ) northwest of Minneapolis .
Northern Metal moved its shredding operation from Minneapolis to Becker last year after the Pollution Control Agency ordered it shut down because of high levels of air pollution and inaccurately recorded pollution .
This story has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Metal instead of Northern Metals .


thetorontostar--2020-02-21--Appeals court won’t hear more appeals of Sheldon Silver case

NEW YORK - Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver lost his bid Friday to get a federal appeals court to reconsider its decision to uphold part of his corruption conviction .
The 2nd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals in a brief order closed the door on a request to have a three-judge panel that decided his appeal or the full 2nd Circuit reconsider the case .
A 2nd Circuit panel in Manhattan recently upheld his conviction but ordered a resentencing after reversing his conviction on some charges .
A lawyer for the 76-year-old Silver declined comment , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case .
The Manhattan resident was first convicted in 2015 on bribery and extortion charges .
After that verdict was overturned on appeal , Silver was convicted again in 2018 .
He was sentenced to seven years in prison .
His 2018 sentencing came after he was convicted the second time of trading favours to collect nearly $ 4 million in fees to help a cancer researcher and real estate developers .
In a recent ruling , the 2nd Circuit tossed out charges related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases to a law firm .
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Ryanair CEO criticized for singling out Muslim men as threat

LONDON - Ryanair chief executive Michael O ’ Leary is facing criticism for suggesting Muslim men should be singled out for extra scrutiny at airports .
The boss of the Irish budget carrier told Saturday ’ s Times of London that families with young children should not be subjected to airport security checks because there was “ zero ” chance of them being bombers .
He said terrorists “ will generally be males of a Muslim persuasion.
” “ Thirty years ago it was the Irish , ” he said .
“ If that is where the threat is coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Muslim Council of Britain called the comments “ racist and discriminatory.
” Tell Mama , a charity that monitors hate incidents against Muslims , said O ’ Leary ’ s “ flippant ” comments could harm Ryanair ’ s business .
Labour Party lawmaker Khalid Mahmood said O ’ Leary was “ being very blinkered and is actually encouraging racism.
“ O ’ Leary has a history of provocative remarks that keep Ryanair ’ s name in the headlines .
In a wide-ranging interview with the Times , O ’ Leary branded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” complained that airlines unfairly got the blame for climate change , and said requirements that Ryanair ’ s Dublin offices have disabled access to all floors were “ nonsense.
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thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Italian towns on lockdown after 2 virus deaths, clusters

ROME - A dozen towns in northern Italy were on effective lockdown Saturday after the new virus linked to China claimed a first fatality in Italy and sickened an increasing number of people who had no direct links to the origin of the virus .
The secondary contagions prompted local authorities in towns in Lombardy and Veneto to order schools , businesses and restaurants closed , and to cancel sporting events and Masses .
An initial ordinance penned by the health minister imposed an effective lockdown on 10 towns around Lodi , southeast of Milan .
But individual cities outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cremona , issued their own restrictions cancelling school after confirming cases .
State-run RAI television reported a 78-year-old man , one of two people in the Veneto region to have been infected , died Friday .
Italian news agencies ANSA and LaPresse also reported the death , citing the Veneto regional president , Luca Zaia .
The numbers of infected were in constant flux , after Lombardy reported an initial quadrupling of cases on Friday bringing Italy ’ s total to at least 19 .
Authorities planned a news conference later Saturday to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged calm , but acknowledged that the clusters were alarming given people were being infected who had no known contact with anyone directly related to China .
The first man to be confirmed as infected had met with someone who had returned from China but remains without symptoms .
Separately Saturday , 19 Italians who spent more than two weeks quarantined on a virus-stricken cruise liner in Japan landed at Rome ’ s military Pratica di Mare airport .
They had been stranded on the Diamond Princess since Feb. 5 .
Following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the passengers were transferred to the military campus of Cecchignola where they will spend a 14-day isolation period .
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Luca Bruno And Nicole Winfield - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Israeli police shoot, kill alleged stabbing attacker

JERUSALEM - Israeli police said officers shot and killed a man on Saturday after he allegedly tried to carry out a stabbing attack on a soldier outside Jerusalem ’ s Old City .
The suspect was not immediately identified , but is believed to have been a Palestinian .
Amateur footage showed a man in blue jeans and a black jacket lying still on the ground at the Lion ’ s Gate , on the eastern side of the Old City .
Israeli medics said that Israeli security forces , while firing on the suspect , had lightly wounded a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the attacker was armed with a knife and approached an officer who responded to the attack .
The Old City is home to holy sites sacred to Jews , Christians and Muslims , including the flashpoint compound known as the Al-Aqsa mosque to Muslims and the Temple Mount to Jews .
Tensions there have been high in recent years , and clashes often erupt between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces over the entrance to the site .
The Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Gaza Strip — lands Israeli captured in the 1967 Mideast war .
However , the newly released U.S. peace plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would leave most of annexed east Jerusalem , including the holy sites , under Israeli control , with current understanding regulating worship to remain in place .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Iran’s hard-liners take early lead in Tehran after vote

TEHRAN , Iran - Iranian state TV on Saturday announced the first partial results from the country ’ s parliamentary elections , indicating a strong showing by hard-liners in the capital Tehran , although authorities have not released full results or the all-important turnout figure .
Voters had limited options on Friday ’ s ballot , as more than 7,000 potential candidates had been disqualified , most of them reformists and moderates .
Among those disqualified were 90 sitting members of Iran ’ s 290-seat parliament who had wanted to run for re-election .
Although the final tally was still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signal widespread dissatisfaction with the state of the economy and the ways in which the government has handled a range of crises .
State TV , without providing the number of votes , announced the names of the leading candidates in Tehran ’ s 30 parliamentary seats .
All were hard-liners led by Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf , who is expected to be the next parliament speaker .
Looming over the election was the threat of the new coronavirus .
Many voters headed to the polls with face masks on , and some pharmacies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid the election-day rush .
So far , there have been five coronavirus deaths from among the 28 confirmed cases in Iran , including two deaths on election day .
Another fatality was reported on Saturday , although the exact time was not specified .
By comparison , the 2016 parliamentary election saw 62 % turnout .
On Friday , election officials kept the polls open an extra five hours in an effort to boost turnout .
Iran ’ s leadership and state media had urged people to show up and vote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duty .
A parliament stacked with hard-liners could tilt public policy debates away from engagement with the United States .
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have been high since 2018 , when President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from Iran ’ s nuclear agreement with world powers , and imposed sanctions that have forced Iran ’ s economy into recession .
Iranians have seen the price of basic goods skyrocket , inflation and unemployment rise and the local currency plummet .
The economic woes faced by ordinary Iranians fueled anti-government protests in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 300 people were killed in those protests .
A more hard-line parliament could also favour expanding the budget of the Revolutionary Guard Corps .
The Guard ’ s elite Quds Force , responsible for the Islamic Republic ’ s campaigns abroad , was formerly led by Iran ’ s top general , Qassem Soleimani .
He was killed by the U.S. airstrike in January .
That strike led to a tense confrontation in which Iranian forces accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane after it took off from Tehran , killing all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those killed were Iranian .
The shoot-down , and attempts by officials to initially conceal the cause of the crash , sparked public anger and protests in Iran .
A more hard-line parliament could lead to increased social and cultural restrictions as well .
Pressure from conservatives in recent years has led authorities to ban concerts and block Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Iran now says 5 dead out of 28 infected with new coronavirus

TEHRAN , Iran - Iranian health authorities on Saturday reported a fifth death from the new virus that emerged in China , and said the fatality was from among 10 new confirmed cases of the virus in Iran .
The death occurred Friday , health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said on state TV .
Two other people had died earlier Friday from COVID-19 , the illness caused by virus .
Authorities reported two deaths previously this week .
So far , 28 cases have been confirmed in Iran , including the five who died .
The deaths came as Iranians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many voters went to the polls wearing face masks , and some pharmacies ran out of masks and hand sanitizer amid the election-day rush .
Jahanpour said that of the 10 newly detected cases , two were in the capital of Tehran and eight were in the city of Qom .
That ’ s where the first two elderly patients died on Wednesday .
He said the two patients in the capital had visited Qom or had links with the city .
Minoo Mohraz , an Iranian health ministry official , had said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Chinese workers who work in Qom and travelled to China.
” She did not elaborate .
A Chinese company has been building a solar power plant in Qom .
Elsewhere in the region , Saudi Arabia announced that citizens and residents of the kingdom are not permitted to travel to Iran following the spread of the virus there .
Anyone previously in Iran will only be permitted entry to the country after the 14-day incubation period of the virus has passed .
The decision , while not specifically mentioning Iranian nationals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Mecca and Medina for Islamic pilgrimages , effectively barring them from entry to Saudi Arabia .
The kingdom has already barred its citizens and residents from travel to China .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-22--At Trump’s India rally, Modi bets on bolstering his image

AHMEDABAD , India - A festive mood has enveloped Ahmedabad in India ’ s northwestern state of Gujarat ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s meeting there on Monday with President Donald Trump , whom he ’ s promised millions of adoring fans .
The rally in Modi ’ s home state may help displace his association with deadly anti-Muslim riots in 2002 that landed him a U.S. travel ban .
It may also distract Indians , at least temporarily , from a slumping economy and ongoing protests over a new citizenship law that excludes Muslims .
But beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , experts expect little of substance to be achieved for either side .
“ For Modi , Trump ’ s visit to India offers a useful distraction from the domestic political tumult playing out across the country , ” said Micheal Kugelman , deputy director of the Asia Program at the U.S.-based Wilson Center .
“ I don ’ t think the visit will have much impact on domestic politics in either country.
” To welcome Trump , who last year likened Modi to Elvis Presley for his crowd-pulling power at a joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Gujarat government has spent almost $ 14 million on ads blanketing the city that show them holding up their hands , flanked by the Indian and U.S. flags .
It also scrambled to build a wall to hide a slum along a road that Trump and first lady Melania Trump will take , caught stray dogs , planted exotic trees and is rushing to finish a cricket stadium in time for Trump ’ s arrival .
The buzz around the event has resonated in Ahmedabad , a city of 7.2 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Gujarati tea seller ’ s son who went on to hold India ’ s highest office , and those who angrily remember his term as the state ’ s chief minister , when at least 1,000 people were killed in the anti-Muslim riots .
Trump has said Modi has promised between 6 million and 10 million people will turn up for their rally in the city , although authorities expect closer to 100,000 .
A big trade deal that both sides had hoped to sign also seems increasingly unlikely .
India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range of defence and strategic issues with the U.S. , but Indian tariffs remain a major sticking point .
“ We ’ re not treated very well by India , ” Trump recently told reporters .
Still , with India ’ s economy registering its worst slowdown in a decade , expectations of a trade deal remain high in India .
“ It would be embarrassing if the two countries can not manage to strike a modest deal , ” said Joshua White , who served in former President Barack Obama ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for South Asian affairs at the National Security Council .
The India-U.S. relationship , apart from trade tensions , has also experienced strain because of Washington ’ s desire to use India as a geopolitical buffer with China , while at the same time some members of Congress are criticizing its actions in disputed Kashmir .
A recent letter from four senators to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned the Modi government ’ s decision to scrap the semi-autonomy and statehood of Kashmir , India ’ s only Muslim-majority region , last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between India and Pakistan , both of which claim Kashmir , an offer India has repeatedly rejected .
While experts aren ’ t optimistic that any substantial gains will be achieved by the visit , they see plenty of parallels between the leaders ’ planned rally in Ahmedabad , dubbed “ Namaste Trump , ” which translates to “ Greetings , Trump , ” and last year ’ s “ Howdy Modi ” event in Houston .
With flashy Bollywood musical and dance numbers , the Houston rally was the Indian-American diaspora ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landslide reelection victory in 2019 .
But beneath the extravaganza , it was a political rally for the two nationalist leaders , organized by a non-profit with Hindu nationalist links .
This grand style of event , likely to be replicated in Ahmedabad , could provide Trump an opportunity to appeal to Indian-American votes in the U.S. presidential election , experts say .
“ By participating in such a huge event , “ Kugelman said , Trump can go back home and “ make a pitch to Indian-Americans , many of whom originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , the visit could mean more .
Modi has long been trying to bolster his image as a respected leader on the world stage .
The visit by Trump could be viewed as endorsing his Hindu nationalist policies that have contributed to a slew of recent losses by his party in state elections .
“ President Trump ’ s visit will be taken as a personal vote of confidence in Modi , and a signal that the United States is willing to overlook his party ’ s increasingly assertive and troubling majoritarianism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously hosted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his home state while pitching the implementation of Gujarat ’ s development model across India .
Bringing world leaders to Gujarat is a tactic to “ pull crowds in his home turf , ” said Ajay Umat , a senior journalist in Gujarat who has reported on Modi for the last 30 years .
“ He loves to make an exhibition , ” Umat said .
“ What better place than his own state ?
“ Muslim leaders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was the state ’ s chief minister , did little to stop the 2002 anti-Muslim riots , a charge he has denied .
Suspicions that Modi quietly supported the riots led the U.S. to deny him a visa , which has since been reversed .
While government investigators eventually ruled there was no evidence to charge him , the shadow of the riots continues to hang over Ahmedabad .
A few days before the two leaders ’ visit , Salim Mohammad sat in his modest house in Naroda Patia , a dingy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the riots .
Mohammad said Modi ’ s invitation to the U.S. president to a city which experienced communal riots “ under his watch ” was like a “ reopening of wounds.
” “ But I am not surprised , ” Mohammad said .
“ After all , both leaders are of the same ideology .
They both promote divisive politics.
“


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Man charged after prayer leader stabbed at London mosque

LONDON - British police have charged a 29-year-old man over the stabbing of an official at one of London ’ @ @ @ @ @ prayers .
Daniel Horton is due in court Saturday to face charges of grievous bodily @ @ @ @ @ bladed article .
Police say they do not think the attack was terrorism-related .
Raafat @ @ @ @ @ his 70s , was stabbed in the shoulder as prayers began Thursday at the London @ @ @ @ @ as the muezzin , the person who calls Muslims to prayer .
He was treated @ @ @ @ @ returned to attend prayers Friday .
Maglad said he forgave his attacker .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ very sorry for him , ” he said .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Pakistan says 5 militants killed in shootout; 2 arrested

PESHAWAR , Pakistan - Pakistani security forces said Saturday that five suspected militants were killed in an overnight raid in the country ’ s northwest , and that two other militants were arrested in a separate operation .
Senior counter-terrorism officer Tahir Khan said the shootout took place at a compound in the working-class suburb of Mathra near Peshawar , the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province .
He said the militants belonged to a banned group and that security forces found suicide vests , sub-machine-guns and other weapons at the scene .
Two militant commanders from the Sajna group of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were captured in a second Friday-night raid , according to counter-terrorism officer Mohammad Ajmal .
The operation took place in Tank district , which serves as a gateway to the mountainous South Waziristan district , a former militant stronghold .
Pakistan has carried out a number of operations in the country ’ s rugged northwest in recent years .
The government has repeatedly claimed the areas were cleared of insurgents , but violence there has continued .
Militant groups in northwest Pakistan are often interlinked with those across the border in Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s progress at reining in terror critical , particularly as the U.S. is setting the stage for signing a peace deal with the Afghan Taliban next week .
Terror attacks in Pakistan dropped by more than 85 % over the last decade , from nearly 2,000 attacks in 2009 to fewer than 250 in 2019 , according to Pakistani think tanks .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-22--US leads training exercises in Africa amid focus on Sahel

THIES , Senegal - Crouching in the sparse brush , manoeuvring into formations through a divide , and then shooting at a target , about 10 soldiers from Burkina Faso are among a select group of African soldiers being trained to battle West Africa ’ s fast-growing extremist threat .
They are carrying out drills as part of the U.S. military-led annual counterterrorism exercise in West Africa , which this year takes place in the shadow of possible U.S. troop cuts in Africa although extremist attacks in the region have reached a worrying new level .
A Pentagon decision on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Africa is pending as part of a global review with the aim of better countering Russia and China .
More than 1,500 service members from the armies of 34 African and partner training nations have assembled for the Flintlock exercises in Senegal and Mauritania , the two countries in West Africa ’ s sprawling Sahel region that so far have not been hit by violence from extremists linked to al-Qaida or the Islamic State group .
The U.S. Africa Command , which organizes the two weeks of training , defers questions about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It has said European nations should step up to help France ’ s 5,000-strong force leading the counterterror fight in the Sahel , the region just below the Sahara Desert .
French leaders have appealed to Washington to keep U.S. troops in place .
Senegalese Foreign Minister Amadou Ba during a visit this week by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made it clear the region is under threat .
“ We hope they will continue to support in security areas .
We hope they will continue to support us in training and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces .
Extremists know no boundaries , Col. Magatte Ndiaye , a spokesman for Senegal ’ s armed forces , told The Associated Press .
“ We must have a synergy of international action to face this threat , ” he said .
“ We have trust in the Americans , ” he added .
“ They are aware of the situation and I ’ m sure they ’ ll take a decision that makes good sense.
” Security in the Sahel region continues to deteriorate and requires international participation , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Air Force Brig .
Gen. Dagvin Anderson .
“ It ’ s not just a U.S. or Western effort .
It takes partnerships across the international community , and it takes close partnership within the region in order to be effective , ” he said .
Extremists don ’ t respect borders , so intelligence sharing is vital , he said .
That involves building trust and relationships across borders : “ Ultimately , that ’ s what leads to stability , and that stability is what we need.
” But a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sahel , has suffered from insufficient funding .
In Burkina Faso , which has seen a growing number of attacks as extremists move over the border from Mali and Niger , the military has been accused by human rights groups of abuses in counterterror efforts that risk alienating young people and sending them to join the extremists .
Burkina Faso ’ s military needs more training to fight against growing extremism , said Lt. David Ouedraogo , who leads the group of Burkinabe soldiers training as special forces .
His forces will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremists ’ expansion southward toward the capital .
“ We must always adapt and continue training , ” he said as his team ran drills led by the Dutch .
“ The threat has changed ... the attacks on positions , the attacks on military camps and on civilians .
This is all a threat that has grown against our country.
” Once-peaceful Burkina Faso has seen a rising number of attacks since Islamic extremists became active in the country in 2015 .
Hundreds have been killed and more than a half-million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There ’ s less freedom to move ... and it all affects the morale “ of residents , he said .
“ It ’ s important ... to find stability.
” Capt .
Sam Okenarhe of Nigeria ’ s Brigade Strike Force faces a more entrenched threat from Boko Haram , whose insurgency has lasted more than a decade , and an offshoot called the Islamic State West Africa Province .
“ We all know that terrorism is not something that our country faces alone , so definitely it ’ s very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intervention in it , ” he said as his force received training from the U.K. ’ s Royal Marines .
There are signs , though , that U.S. military interest in the Sahel could be waning .
Late last year the U.S. switched to a strategy of merely trying to contain extremist groups in the region instead of weakening them , according to a new report by the Pentagon inspector general .
However , the U.S. ambassador to Mauritania , Michael J. Dodman , countered the idea that the U.S. is pulling out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fight against terrorism in West Africa or in the Sahel , or frankly , anywhere in the world , ” he said last week in a phone press conference .
“ We continue to modify what we ’ re doing “ said Dodman .
” We try to stay on top of the situation and try to build up the capacities of the countries in the region , who are the ones who are really going to be the key to defeating the threat that comes from extremists .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Togo vote could see Gnassingbes extend decades-long rule

LOME , Togo - The West African nation of Togo is voting Saturday in a presidential election that is likely to see the incumbent re-elected for a fourth term despite years of calls by the opposition for new leadership .
President Faure Gnassingbe ’ s family has been in power for more than five decades , and his ruling party says a win is all but certain .
“ Given the level of mobilization , we are convinced and certain that this enthusiasm will also be reflected in the polls , ” said Gilbert Bawara , spokesman for the ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 , with about 20 people killed , were a sign of impatience with the family ’ s hold on power .
Togo ’ s government this week expelled a key U.S.-based election observer group , weakening efforts to monitor for any irregularities .
The United States has criticized the expulsion .
“ We are deeply troubled by the Togolese government ’ s actions to restrict non-partisan election monitoring , ” said the president of the National Democratic Institute , Derek Mitchell .
“ Despite the government ’ s actions , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Togolese people ’ s desire for democracy , and ability to monitor their elections in accordance with internationally recognized principles of transparency.
” Tchambakou Ayassor , president of Togo ’ s electoral commission , countered in remarks to journalists on Friday : “ We had to withdraw the accreditation of one organization .
And we clearly indicated in a statement to this organization that there were reasons to believe this organization was preparing to disrupt the electoral process.
” In addition , the electronic vote-counting system will not be used because “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our attention that there was a heightened risk of the systems being hacked , which we suspect had the aim of manipulating the results , ” Ayassor said .
In power since 2005 following the death of his father , Eyadema , who seized power in 1967 , Gnassingbe now has the right to remain in office if elected until 2030 .
In May he enacted a law limiting presidents to two five-year terms , but because it is not retroactive , his previous three terms are not counted .
Gnassingbe has called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to guarantee peace and security in Togo amid a growing extremism threat in the West African region .
He also promised to improve the health , education and agricultural sectors .
He faces off against six other candidates including Jean-Pierre Fabre , 67 , with the National Alliance for Change , , who came in second in elections in 2010 and 2015 .
Fabre contested Gnassingbe ’ s 2015 win with about 56 % of the votes .
“ I had the victory stolen from me the previous times .
It will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigning .
“ Go out massively on Feb. 22 to sanction this regime and choose those who are really capable of managing the country.
” Opposition groups have chosen not to support a single candidate in hopes that voting in the nation of nearly 8 million people goes to a second round .
But some observers worry that Saturday ’ s vote won ’ t be transparent and fair .
“ Let ’ s be realistic !
None of the candidates can win this presidential election in the first round if the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to opponents to work to minimize fraud , “ said Spero Mahoule , a member of the Collective of Associations Against Impunity in Togo .
Worries are high as well that internet service could be cut .
More than 3.6 million people are registered to vote in what many hope will be a calm election .
The vote is being held against the backdrop of rising prices for basic necessities , weak health systems and an education sector in which teachers continually threaten strikes .
Unemployment among young people is increasing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Lekan Oyekanmi in Lome contributed .


thetorontostar--2020-02-22--Germany admits there’s a far-right problem, but what to do?

BERLIN - As Germany ’ s president expressed his sympathy and shock during a candlelight vigil for nine people killed by an immigrant-hating gunman , a woman called out from the crowd , demanding action , not words .
But the country ’ s leaders are struggling to figure out how to counter a recent rise in right-wing hate , 75 years after the Nazis were driven from power .
The shooting rampage Wednesday that began at a hookah bar in the Frankfurt suburb of Hanau was Germany ’ s third deadly far-right attack in a matter of months and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Germany , or AfD , has become the country ’ s first political party in decades to establish itself as a significant force on the extreme right .
In the wake of the latest spasm of violence , Chancellor Angela Merkel denounced the “ poison ” of racism and hatred in Germany , and other politicians similarly condemned the shootings .
The rampage followed October ’ s anti-Semitic attack on a synagogue in Halle and the slaying in June of a regional politician who supported Merkel ’ s welcoming policy toward migrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official , Interior Minister Horst Seehofer , said the trend goes back further , noting a 2016 attack on a Munich mall against migrants and a years-long cross-country killing spree against foreigners by a group calling itself the National Socialist Underground .
“ Since the NSU and the rampage in Munich through today , an extreme-right trail of blood has run through our country , ” he said .
Extremism is no new phenomenon in modern-day Germany , where the Red Army Faction and other radical-left groups waged a campaign of kidnappings and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 90s , and where some of the key Sept. 11 plotters lived and schemed before heading to the U.S. to attend flight school ahead of the 2001 attacks .
Germany has strict laws prohibiting any glorification of the Nazis , with bans on symbols like the swastika and gestures like the stiff-armed salute , and denial of the Holocaust is illegal .
But security officials have frequently been accused of being “ blind in the right eye , ” for intentionally or inadvertently overlooking some far-right activity .
That was said to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was able to kill 10 people , primarily immigrants , between 2000 and 2007 in attacks written off by investigators as organized crime .
It was only after two NSU members died in 2011 in a botched robbery that the group ’ s activities were uncovered .
Mehmet Gurcan Daimaguler , an attorney who represented victims ’ families at the trial of an NSU member , said German authorities need to give more than “ lip service ” to fighting racism .
“ We haven ’ t really begun yet a real fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons , for me , clearly is the victims , ” he said .
“ The victims of Nazis are not members of the German middle class , but Muslims , migrants , LGBT people , immigrants .
As long as the victim pool , so to say , was limited to minorities , it was not considered a real threat for society.
” Seehofer said that has changed , noting increased resources are being devoted to fighting far-right crime , including the addition of hundreds of new federal investigators and domestic intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been passed , and the Cabinet approved a bill just this week , before the Hanau attacks , to crack down on hate speech and online extremism .
Under the bill , which is awaiting passage in parliament , internet companies would have to report a wide range of hate speech to police , and retweeting such material to a wide audience , or explicitly condoning it publicly , could be subject to prosecution .
“ We are not blind in any eye , ” Seehofer said .
Still , with national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grappling with strategies to confront AfD and blunt its appeal to disgruntled voters .
The AfD does not espouse violence , but many are accusing the party of producing a climate where right-wing extremism can flourish .
The 7-year-old party now has members in all 16 state parliaments and is the largest opposition party nationally , though with less than 13 per cent of the vote in the last election .
“ One can not see this crime in isolation , ” said Norbert Roettgen , one of several members of Merkel ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chancellor when her term ends next year .
“ We need to fight the poison that is being dragged into our society by the AfD and others.
” Alexander Gauland , an AfD leader , accused Roettgen and others of trying to exploit the Hanau violence for political advantage .
“ Everything that we know is that it was a totally crazy person , ” Gauland said .
The gunman , 43-year-old Tobias Rathjen , posted rambling writings and videos online ahead of the attacks , advocating genocide and espousing theories about mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in trouble for downplaying the Nazi era as a speck of “ bird poop ” in German history , said Rathjen had probably never heard any of his speeches , and he rejected any connection between the bloodshed and his party ’ s anti-migrant platform , as did several other AfD leaders .
But Seehofer said the power of words can not be discounted .
“ I can ’ t deny that a statement that Nazism is a speck of bird poop in history provides this fertile soil , ” Seehofer said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , in my view , mess up heads , and something bad comes from messed-up heads far too often.
” Holger Muench , head of the BKA , Germany ’ s equivalent to the FBI , said the threat from mentally disturbed people has grown in recent years , as they latch on to ideas often found online and turn violent .
“ The fact that there are mentally ill people in society , that is unchanged for the most part , ” he said .
“ But the fact that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view that makes them a risk to serious acts of violence , that is changing.
” No evidence has emerged to link Rathjen to the AfD .
But people in Hanau were quick to suggest at least an indirect connection .
Dieter Hog watched as the police descended upon Rathjen ’ s house after the shootings and said he didn ’ t know his neighbour or what might have motivated him .
“ But it might be the seed of Mr. Hoecke , ” he said , referring to Bjoern Hoecke , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memorial to the victims of the Nazi Holocaust a “ monument of shame.
” And Hatice Nazerzadeh , the woman who yelled at German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier during the candlelight vigil , said that with the party ’ s ascent , attacks are becoming common .
Parts of AfD are already under close scrutiny by Germany ’ s domestic intelligence agency , but she said more should be done .
“ The core problem is the AfD , ” said Nazerzadeh , whose cousin was shot in the head by Rathjen and killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is legal , racism is legal.
” _____ Daniel Niemann in Bonn and Christoph Noelting in Hanau contributed to this story .