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Amid push for foreign registry, many say other measures needed to fight interference

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:57 GMT

OTTAWA — For more than a year, Canada has been mulling the creation of a foreign agent registry to fight interference in the country’s democratic processes.The Liberal government and even some firm supporters of the idea acknowledge such a registry would be just one of several tools to prevent hostile actors from meddling in Canadian affairs.Others say it doesn’t belong in the toolbox at all.The rationale for establishing a registry stems from the fact states may engage in interference to advance their political goals, and can employ people to act on their behalf without those individuals disclosing who they’re helping.Some believe requiring such people to formally register with the government they are trying to influence — with the threat of fines or even prison time for failing to comply — can make these dealings more visible to the public.Allegations of Chinese interference in the last two federal elections — suggestions fuelled by anonymous leaks to the media —...

Russian ballistic missiles strike Ukraine’s largest cities, killing at least 4 people

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:57 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s two largest cities came under attack from Russian hypersonic ballistic missiles on Tuesday morning, killing at least four people and injuring almost 100, officials said, as the war approached its two-year milestone and the Kremlin’s forces stepped up their winter bombardment of urban areas.Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on his Telegram channel that four civilians were killed and 92 injured in the capital, Kyiv, and in northeastern Kharkiv as hypersonic Kinzhal missiles that can fly at 10 times the speed of sound slammed into city blocks.Since Sunday, Zelenskyy said, the Kremlin’s forces have launched about 170 Shahed drones and “dozens of missiles of various types” against Ukrainian targets. Most were aimed at civilian areas, he said.The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal is an air-launched hypersonic ballistic missile. Russian forces rarely use such expensive missiles against Ukraine due to their limited stocks. The attacks created a desola...

Harriette Cole: I was shocked to learn what my son does at school

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:57 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a single mother, and I recently discovered that my 12-year-old son has been engaging in bullying behavior at school.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: Find the right life story to make your new year better Advice | Harriette Cole: I hurt my leg and have to stay home, and I can’t stand it Advice | Harriette Cole: College got weird, and I’m not sure I want to go back Advice | Harriette Cole: How do I get my wife’s friend to stop with the divorce talk? Advice | Harriette Cole: I feel like I ruin the vibe at parties I received a call from his teacher expressing concerns about his interactions with classmates and some reported incidents.I am shocked and disappointed because I’ve always tried to instill values of kindness and empathy in him. I never thought my child would be the one causing harm to others.I’ve talked to him about it, and he seemed remors...

Miss Manners: We saw what was happening and fled the New Year’s party. Was that rude?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:57 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I attended a New Year’s Eve party with about four other couples. At 10:30, people started leaving, and I quickly came to realize my husband and I would be the last remaining guests.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: Which fork should I use on rude people? Advice | Miss Manners: I’m hearing more vulgar talk from women. Have the rules changed? Advice | Miss Manners: What can I do when people refuse to hear my needs? Advice | Miss Manners: She’s playing the victim, but it was her rudeness that set me off Advice | Miss Manners: A teen went missing at the mall and it ruined our evening I was afraid it would be rude to be the only ones there and have the hosts feel obligated to continue to entertain just us until after midnight. So my husband and I also got our coats and left just behind the other guests, leaving our hosts with an empty house.Was it right to leave and ...

What to know about the launch of the new, simplified FAFSA

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:57 GMT

A new, simplified application for federal financial aid has been released, with the goal of making the process easier. The new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA, became available over the weekend.USA Today Money and Personal Finance Reporter Medora Lee joined WTOP Anchor Anne Kramer on Monday to talk about the launch of the new form and the reason behind the change.Source

Japanese TV reports a plane has caught fire on the runway of Tokyo’s Haneda airport

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:57 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese TV reports a plane has caught fire on the runway of Tokyo’s Haneda airport.Source

Hermoso testifies in sexual assault case after kiss at Women’s World Cup final

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:57 GMT

MADRID (AP) — The Spanish player kissed on the lips by the soccer president at the Women’s World Cup final appeared in court on Tuesday to testify in the sexual assault case against the former official.Jenni Hermoso was at the Madrid court to give her version of the kiss by Luis Rubiales following Spain’s victory over England in the final in Sydney in August.The incident sparked outrage across the soccer world and ignited one of the worst crises in the history of the sport in Spain. It also led to a boycott of the national team by the World Cup-winning players, and to the eventual resignation of Rubiales despite his denial of wrongdoing and his allegation that the kiss was consensual.Hermoso was expected to reiterate in court her allegations that the kiss was unwanted and Rubiales and his staff tried to pressure her and her family to downplay the incident that tarnished Spain’s first Women’s World Cup title.The testimony was expected behind close doors. Spanish media said Herm...

Live updates | Fighting in central and south Gaza after Israel says it’s pulling troops out

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:57 GMT

Israel’s army said several thousand troops would be taken out of Gaza in the coming weeks, though it has not said publicly whether the withdrawal reflects a new phase of the war. But the move is in line with the plans that Israeli leaders have outlined for a low-intensity campaign, expected to last for much of the year, that focuses on remaining Hamas strongholds. Still, fierce fighting was ongoing Tuesday in central and southern Gaza. Most of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have fled to the southern portion of the cramped enclave, with more than 85% of the population driven from their homes.About 1,200 people were killed after Hamas raided southern Israel on Oct. 7, with around 240 people taken hostage. More than 21,900 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and children, have been killed since the start of the war, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants among the dead. Currently: — Israel’s Supreme Court ove...

Jordin Sparks, Seth Meyers, Audra McDonald headline January entertainment in DC

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:57 GMT

Is your New Year’s resolution to get out and about town a little more often?A new year also brings a new month of fun events around the D.C. area. We’re helping you mark your calendar with our January Entertainment Guide:January Entertainment GuideJan. 2-6: “The Snow Maiden” at Synetic TheaterJan. 2-7: “Ragtime” at Signature TheatreJan. 2-7: “The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe” at Adventure TheatreJan. 2-14: “As You Like It” at Shakespeare TheatreJan. 2-14: “Swept Away” at Arena StageJan. 2-14: “Fat Ham” at Studio TheatreJan. 2-21: “Frozen” at The Kennedy CenterJan. 4-14: “How to Be a Korean Woman” at Theater JJan. 5: The Warped Tour Band at The FillmoreJan. 5-6: Ricky Skaggs at The BirchmereJan. 5-6: Aaron Lewis at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town RacesJan. 7: Golden Globes on CBSJan. 7: Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood at Capital One HallJan. 10: Tool at CFG Bank ArenaJ...

Powerful earthquakes leave at least 48 dead, destroy buildings along Japan’s western coast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:57 GMT

A building falls on the ground following an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. A series of major earthquakes started a fire and collapsed buildings on the west coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu. (Kyodo News via AP) A building falls on the ground following an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. A series of major earthquakes started a fire and collapsed buildings on the west coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu. (Kyodo News via AP) WAJIMA, Japan (AP) — A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan have left at least 48 people dead and damaged thousands of buildings, vehicles and boats. Officials warned that more quakes could lie ah...