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South Korea says Russian support likely enabled North Korea to successfully launch a spy satellite

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:00:13 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea has concluded that Russian support likely enabled North Korea to put a spy satellite into orbit for the first time this week, and will know whether it is functioning properly by early next week, officials said Thursday.The launch has deepened regional animosities, with both Koreas threatening to breach a past reconciliation deal and taking hostile actions along their heavily armed border.After two launch failures earlier this year, North Korea said it successfully placed its “Malligyong-1” satellite into orbit on Tuesday night. South Korea’s military has confirmed that the satellite entered orbit, but said it needs several more days to verify whether it is working properly.In a closed-door briefing, South Korea’s spy agency told lawmakers on Thursday that Russian assistance was likely the main reason the launch was successful, according to lawmakers who attended the meeting.The National Intelligence Service cited Russian President Vladimir Putin...

In political shift to the far right, anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders wins big in Dutch elections

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:00:13 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders won a huge victory in Dutch elections, according to a near complete count of the vote early Thursday, in a stunning lurch to the far right for a nation once famed as a beacon of tolerance.The result will send shockwaves through Europe, where far-right ideology is on the rise, and puts Wilders in line to lead talks to form the next governing coalition and possibly become the first far-right prime minister of the Netherlands.With nearly all votes counted, Wilders’ Party for Freedom was forecast to win 37 seats in the 150-seat lower house of parliament, two more than predicted by an exit poll when voting finished Wednesday night and more than double the 17 he won at the last election.“I had to pinch my arm,” a jubilant Wilders said.Political parties were set to hold separate meetings Thursday to discuss the outcome before what is likely to be an arduous process of forming a new governing coalition begins Friday.Despite his...

No terrorism link in Niagara Falls crash, no explosive materials found: FBI

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:00:13 GMT

The FBI says a deadly car crash and explosion at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing between New York state and Ontario shows no sign of terrorist involvement and there were no explosive materials at the scene, and the case has been turned over to the Niagara Falls Police Department as a traffic investigation.Details of what led to the crash remain scarce, with security camera video released by the U.S. government showing the car speeding through an intersection, hitting a low median and flying through the air into a line of vehicle checkpoint booths on the American side of the crossing.Federal Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc says both Canada and the U.S. are taking the “violent circumstance” very seriously, but stresses it is “simply not responsible” to speculate on what caused the incident without more accurate information.The crash and subsequent explosion prompted the closure of three other area border crossings between Ontario and western New York ...

Israel-Hamas, Ukraine wars to feature prominently in EU-Canada Summit beginning today

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:00:13 GMT

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — A major meeting between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the leaders of the European Union begins today in Newfoundland and Labrador’s capital city of St. John’s.The war unfolding in Gaza between Israel and Hamas militants is expected to feature prominently in the two-day EU-Canada Summit, particularly after the two sides announced a truce-for-hostages deal on Wednesday.European Union officials say a declaration supporting a two-state solution that would result in a sovereign Palestinian state existing alongside Israel will likely be a significant part of the summit’s joint statement, which is expected at the end of the event’s discussions.The officials, who offered a briefing to journalists on the condition that they not be named, said the ongoing war in Ukraine is expected to be a big part of discussions, too.Trade, climate and energy are also on the agenda, as Atlantic Canada angles to become a major supplier of hydrogen fuel to E...

Despite ceasefire, Toronto man says his family needs Canadian help to get out of Gaza

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:00:13 GMT

MONTREAL — With one of his sons in a Gaza hospital, Toronto resident Nahed El-Khalidy said the recently announced ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is good news, though it came too late to save his daughter’s life. El-Khalidy said his daughter Caroline, 27, was killed Monday when an Israeli airstrike hit a building near her location in Gaza. The blast, which left his 17-year-old son Mahmoud seriously injured, came one day after the teenager was turned back at the Egyptian border as he tried with other family members to escape to Canada.He said his son needs medical care that isn’t currently available in Gaza amid shortages of medicine and electricity, and he wants the Canadian government to help.“He needs surgery urgently, now,” El-Khalidy said in an interview Wednesday. “He needs oxygen and there’s no oxygen … he can’t open his eyes, he can’t move his hands.”The four-day truce announced Wednesday will free dozens of Israeli hos...

‘This is my life’: Buffy Sainte-Marie pushes against doubts over Indigenous ancestry

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:00:13 GMT

Buffy Sainte-Marie is pushing back on a news report that questions her Indigenous heritage, maintaining she has never lied about her identity. The iconic singer, songwriter and activist says the recent CBC report was full of mistakes and omissions. In her first public statement since it was published, Sainte-Marie calls the story an attack on her character, life and legacy.“Being an ‘Indian’ has little to do with sperm tracking and colonial record keeping: it has to do with community, culture, knowledge, teachings, who claims you, who you love, who loves you and who’s your family,” Sainte-Marie, 82, said in a written statement to The Canadian Press.Chuck Thompson with CBC said in an email Wednesday the broadcaster stands by the story and the evidence was fairly presented. CBC reported in October that it found Sainte-Marie’s birth certificate, which says she was born in 1941 in Massachusetts. The document lists the baby and parents as white and includes a signature of an attend...

Stock market today: World shares are mixed, with markets in Japan and US closed for holidays

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:00:13 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — World shares were mixed on Thursday after a modest advance on Wall Street that kept the market on track for a fourth straight weekly gain. Markets in Japan and the U.S. are closed for holidays. Oil prices initially fell about $1 a barrel after OPEC postponed until next week a meeting to discuss production cuts. The oil cartel has been maintaining a tight market for crude oil with production cuts. It is expected to extend those cuts after oil prices have fallen after a spike in the summer to almost $100 a barrel. Germany’s DAX gained 0.1% to 15,969.49 and the CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.1% at 7,266.18. Britain’s FTSE 100 edged 0.2% higher to 7,080.48. The futures for the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average were virtually unchanged. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 rose 0.4% and the Dow rose 0.5%. The Nasdaq gained 0.5%. Trading was muted ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. U.S. markets will open for half a day of trading on Friday.In Asia, Hon...

Daily horoscope for November 23, 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:00:13 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Aries.Happy Birthday for Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023:You are honest, entertaining, adventurous and charming. You rarely back down from a challenge. This is a year of change, which means you must be flexible and ready to act fast. Trust your intuition. Expect to travel and expand your horizons. Let go of whatever holds you back.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Many of you might encounter travel restrictions or difficulties with red-tape situations related to travel, especially when dealing with authority figures. Do be aware of this. Never underestimate the power of courtesy. Patience will be your best friend today. Tonight: You win!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★Issues related to banking, shared property, inheritances or insurance matters might be a thorn in your side today. This is not an ideal day to make your pitch to get help from others, to borrow money or to get a mortgage. People will say, R...

Children’s rights: What does the EU do to protect children? 

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:00:13 GMT

Find out about the measures taken by the EU and the European Parliament to protect children and promote their well-being, Society.Children’ rights and protection as an EU priorityThe protection and promotion of children's rights has been a principal objective for the EU and the European Parliament, enshrined in Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union and in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.Parliament works closely with the European Commission, EU agencies, the Council of Europe and national bodies to safeguard the rights of children and ensure their rights through legislation.The Parliament has appointed a co-ordinator on children's rights, who acts as a central contact point to monitor and ensure that their rights are included in EU policies and legislation.With the 2021-2024 EU strategy on child rights adopted in March 2021, the EU aims to combat poverty, social exclusion, discrimination and any kind of intimidation.The EU has agreed on a European Child Guarantee, which aims...

Harriette Cole: How to reboot when Thanksgiving stress sets in

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:00:13 GMT

DEAR READERS: Happy Thanksgiving! I love this time of year for so many reasons.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: What do I do about an ex-friend who’s trying to undermine my work? Advice | Harriette Cole: My newfound love of reading is disrupting my life Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m on the road to burnout and I can’t see a solution Advice | Harriette Cole: I felt like a loser so I quit my job after a week. Now things are even worse. Advice | Harriette Cole: My mom is putting up a huge fight about my college decision, but it’s my life For many of us, the weather has changed, and there is a crispness in the air. It’s time to cozy up in warm sweaters and blankets.Being together with loved ones is paramount for families and friends at this time of year. Indeed, this weekend has long been heralded as the busiest travel weekend of the year. We drive, fly and take trains and...