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Foreign interference public inquiry to be led by Quebec judge: sources

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

The federal government has chosen a Quebec judge to head a public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference in Canada’s affairs.Two government sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss matters not yet made public, confirmed that Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie-Josee Hogue will lead the probe.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who is also the minister for democratic institutions, is set to announce the public inquiry on Thursday.Opposition parties have been demanding a public inquiry for months over allegations the Liberals failed to properly monitor and respond to attempts by foreign states, especially China, to meddle in Canada’s affairs.The Liberals initially named former governor general David Johnston as a special rapporteur to examine the issue and promised to follow his recommendations, including if he called for a public inquiry.Johnston recommended against an inquiry, saying the fact that so ma...

The president of a Japanese boy band company resigns and apologizes for founder’s sex abuse

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — The head of a powerful Japanese talent agency resigned Thursday and made an apology punctuated by repeated, lengthy bows, nine days after an internal investigation concluded that its founder had sexually abused hundreds of young performers over decades.Julie Keiko Fujishima announced she was stepping down as president of Johnny & Associates, the agency founded by her late uncle Johnny Kitagawa, and promised to contribute to a compensation fund from her own fortune. “This is what my uncle committed, and as a niece, I want to take responsibility,” Fujishima said solemnly.Fujishima said the alleged sex abuse had really happened and that she would stay on the company’s board to see through a victim compensation program.A group of men who accused Kitagawa of raping them as children said they were pleased the company apologized, but some had reservations.“The wounds in my heart will not heal,” Yukihiro Oshima told reporters. “But I feel a little better.”Fujishima remains ...

Lebanese premier warns Syrian refugees pose a danger to the small nation’s balance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Over a thousand Syrian refugees each week fleeing to Lebanon from their country’s worsening economic and financial conditions “could create harsh imbalances” in the small Mediterranean nation, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati warned Thursday.Over the past months, thousands of Syrian citizens made it to Lebanon through illegal crossing points seeking a better life. But Lebanon is going through its own four-year meltdown, with a drowning economy pinning its hopes on tourism and crumbling infrastructure where electricity and water cuts are widespread.In the early years after conflict broke out in Syria in March 2011, Lebanon received hundreds of thousands of refugees. That changed in later years, especially after Lebanon’s economic crisis broke out in October 2019. The Syrian conflict has killed half a million people and displaced half the country’s pre-war population of 23 million, including more than 5 million Syrians who fled the country, mostly to neighbori...

Polish director demands apology from justice minister for comparing her film to Nazi propaganda

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Film director Agnieszka Holland demanded an apology from Poland’s justice minister after he compared her latest film, which explores the migration crisis at the Poland-Belarus border, to Nazi propaganda.Holland said Wednesday that she planned to bring defamation charges against Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro unless she receives an apology within seven days. She also demanded that he make a charitable donation of 50,000 Polish zlotys ($11,600) to an association that helps Holocaust survivors.Holland’s feature film, “Green Border,” explores a migration crisis that has played out along Poland’s border with Belarus over the past two years. It takes a sympathetic approach toward the migrants from the Middle East and Africa who got caught up as pawns in a geopolitical standoff.It also looks critically at the way Poland’s security services pushed back migrants who were lured to the border by Belarus, an ally of Russia.Ziobro slammed the film earlier this...

Pets are our faithful companions, but the costs to care for them can add up

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Pets provide joy and companionship, but costs can add up quickly, especially if you’re a first-time owner and don’t know what to expect.Many prospective dog or cat owners only focus on the positive aspects of bringing a furry friend into their lives. And there are countless reasons why pets are great. But it’s also important to have realistic expectations so you don’t face sudden expenses that could hurt your financial stability. “It’s important to be able to choose a pet that is going to fit your budget and your lifestyle the best,” said Dr. Wendy Hauser, a veterinarian who founded her own consulting company.When Melissa Chavez decided to get a toy poodle named Milo in the summer of 2020, she had an idea of the costs but was surprised by how fast they added up. Like many others during the pandemic, she saw her stay-at-home schedule as a perfect opportunity to get a puppy.“I’ve never had any dogs before, so I think everything was a learn...

Rescue efforts are underway for an American caver who fell ill while exploring deep cave in Turkey

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish and international cave rescue experts are working to save a 40-year-old American speleologist who became ill and is trapped more than 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) into a cave in southern Turkey.Mark Dickey became sick during an international expedition in Morca cave in southern Turkey’s Taurus Mountains, according to the European Cave Rescue Association. He has gastrointestinal bleeding and has been unable to leave the cave on his own, the association said on its website.It described Dickey as “a highly trained caver and a cave rescuer himself” who has participated in many international expeditions. He is secretary of the association’s medical committee.Turkish disaster relief agency AFAD and rescue team UMKE are working with Turkish and international cavers on a plan to hoist Dickey out of the cave system, the rescue association said.Marton Kovacs of the Hungarian Cave Rescue Service said the cave is being prepared for his safe extraction. Narrow passages...

BRP reports second-quarter profit and revenue up from year ago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

VALCOURT, Que. — BRP Inc. reported its second-quarter profit and revenue rose compared with a year ago, helped by solid consumer demand for its recreational vehicles.The Ski-Doo and Sea-Doo maker says it earned $338.7 million or $4.26 per diluted share for the quarter ended July 31, up from $237.7 million or $2.94 per diluted share a year earlier.Revenue for the quarter totalled $2.78 billion, up from $2.44 billion in the same quarter last year.On a normalized basis, BRP says it earned $3.21 per diluted share in its most recent quarter, up from a normalized profit of $2.94 per diluted share a year earlier.In its guidance, the company says it now expects normalized earnings for its full year in a range of $12.35 to $12.85 per diluted share, up from its earlier expectations for a range of $12.25 to $12.75 per diluted share.BRP also updated its revenue guidance for its full year to forecast growth of seven to 10 per cent compared with its earlier expectations for growth of nine to 12 p...

Thursday Forecast: Temps in low 70s with light rain

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Cloudy Thursday with isolated showers off the lake. Winds: N 5-10 G15. High swim risk until 10 p.m. High: 71. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Mostly cloudy tonight with isolated showers. Winds: N 5-10. Low: 60.Friday Forecast: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of lake effect showers. Winds: NNE 5-10. High: 71.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

COVID spike casts spotlight on America’s elderly political leaders

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

(The Hill) - A new surge in COVID infections and hospitalizations — and first lady Jill Biden's positive test — is putting a focus on the lingering risks of the coronavirus, particularly for an elderly political class in America.The White House on Tuesday said President Biden, 80, will resume wearing a mask when indoors and near infected people. Biden has tested negative to date, and experienced "mild" symptoms when he was infected in 2022.Biden is one of several elderly politicians in key positions of power. He's likely to face GOP front-runner former President Trump, who will be 79 by Election Day next November, in what would be the oldest presidential match-up in history.The average age of senators is 65, the highest on record. Senate Republicans are led by 81-year-old Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.), who has twice made headlines this year for freezing while speaking to reporters.Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is 90, and has experienced severe health complications after a prolonged ...

Record September heat... but rain on the way

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's happening. Rain & cooler weather. It won't be today. And not tomorrow either. But soon. And we can't wait.Record heat next four daysAfternoon highs return to the triple digits in Austin for the 76th time this year today. In addition to the heat, the humidity will be a player in today's forecast, leaving most of us with heat index values 102°-109°. A Heat Advisory has been re-issued for most of the area.Daily records are expected to fall again Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon. And not only will we rewrite daily records, we'll be making our way into the top 3 hottest temperatures ever recorded in the month of September.Forecast heat index values Thursday afternoonHottest September temperatures on record in AustinWetter, milder weather next weekNow... let's get to the good stuff. A shift in the heat dome, an early-season cool front and a little moisture from a Pacific hurricane will help bring up rain chances early next week.This could be the most benefic...