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Putin marks anniversary of annexation of Ukrainian regions as drones attack overnight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:39 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday insisted that the residents of four Ukrainian regions that Moscow illegally annexed a year ago “made their choice — to be with their Fatherland.”In an address released in the early hours to mark the first anniversary of the annexation, Putin insisted that it was carried out “in full accordance with international norms.” He also claimed that residents of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions had again expressed their desire to be part of Russia in local elections earlier this month, in which Russia’s Central Election Commission said that the country’s ruling party won the most votes.The West has denounced both the referendum votes carried out last year and the recent ballots as a sham. The votes were held as Russian authorities attempted to tighten their grip on territories Moscow illegally annexed a year ago and still does not fully control.A concert was held in Red Square on Friday to mark the annive...

Israeli soldiers kill a Palestinian man in West Bank, saying he threw explosives

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:39 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian man in the West Bank late Friday, Palestinian health officials said, the latest death in a monthslong surge of violence in the occupied territory. The Israeli military said that soldiers had shot two Palestinians who hurled Molotov cocktails at an army post near the West Bank city of Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian authority.The Palestinian Health Ministry said the soldiers killed Muhammad Rumaneh from the hardscrabble Amari refugee camp in Ramallah. It did not identify his age, saying that Israeli authorities were withholding his body. Israeli officials have suggested in the past that holding onto the bodies of Palestinians slain in security incidents can deter attacks and prevent the exaltation of assailants at funerals that often draw giant crowds of protesters.In lieu of a funeral, residents of Ramallah called for a general strike Saturday to pay tribute to Rumaneh. Student groups at the prominent Birzeit Univ...

Turkey’s premier film festival is canceled following a documentary dispute

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:39 GMT

Turkey’s oldest film festival has been canceled amid controversy surrounding a politically sensitive documentary about the aftermath of a 2016 coup attempt.Antalya Mayor Muhittin Bocek announced the cancellation of the city’s Golden Orange Film Festival on Friday night, a day after the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry withdrew its support for the event. The ministry objected to the film “Kanun Hükmü” or “Decree,” a documentary which focuses on the hardships of a teacher and doctor who were dismissed from their jobs following an attempted coup in Turkey on July 15, 2016.“It is extremely sad that in such an important festival, the power of art is used to make propaganda for the FETO terrorist organization through the perception of victimhood,” the Culture Ministry said in a statement.FETO is an acronym the Turkish government uses for a movement led by U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the government blames for the failed coup. Gulen denies any involvement. More than 13...

Federal Court ruling sets back health workers seeking psilocybin mushroom access

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:39 GMT

VANCOUVER — Megan McLaren thought her future career was in law enforcement, but her path radically shifted thanks in part to psychedelic drug therapy, she says.McLaren left a civilian position with the Vancouver Police Department in 2019 for a job in counselling with the Surrey School District and is now a registered clinical counsellor with a practice in Squamish, B.C.When the pandemic hit and her position was cut from the school district, she began researching psychedelics, eventually signing up for a three-month group therapy program involving the use of ketamine in mid-2021. McLaren said she was suffering from depression and grief after the death of her mother, and while she came out of the experience still grieving, she was no longer depressed. Now, she and dozens of other health care professionals across the country are fighting the federal government in court for legal access to psychedelics, namely psilocybin mushrooms, in order to offer such therapeutic treatments in their ...

Canada marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with events across country

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:39 GMT

OTTAWA — Communities are gathering across Canada today to recognize the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The federal holiday recognizes the legacy of Canada’s residential school system and its harms to Indigenous Peoples. In Ottawa, residential school survivors and Indigenous leaders are set to attend a commemorative event on Parliament Hill beginning at noon.There are also events taking place across the country, including powwows in Victoria, Winnipeg and Toronto.The Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg is offering free admission today, as is the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa.In Montreal, a rally and march starts at 1 p.m. featuring speakers and drummers. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2023.The Canadian Press

Illinois semitruck accident kills 1, injures 5 and prompts ammonia leak evacuation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:39 GMT

TEUTOPOLIS, Ill. (AP) — A semitruck carrying ammonia overturned in an Illinois county, spilling the chemical and causing an evacuation of area residents Friday night, police said.The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office said the accident happened less than 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) east of Teutopolis near an intersection of Route 40 and residents were evacuated from the area and provided shelter, WCIA-TV reported.Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes told the television station that one person was killed and five people were transported for emergency medical care with unknown injuries,Rhodes said a hazardous materials unit was at the scene and additional details about the accident were not immediately available, WCIA reported.Teutopolis is about 92 miles (148 kilometers) southeast of Springfield, the capital of Illinois.The Associated Press

Miss Manners: Am I out of line in asking people not to hide during video meetings?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:39 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the etiquette of videoconferencing — or is it videoquette?Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: I confronted the bride about the exclusion, and she got defensive Advice | Miss Manners: I was annoyed by the fuss over the cost of my dinner Advice | Miss Manners: They stormed off and forgot the cooler. Do I have to keep it for them? Advice | Miss Manners: What am I allowed to say about a stranger’s hair? Advice | Miss Manners: My husband doesn’t understand why I was so mad at his friend As I’m sure you and your readers are aware, since the pandemic, many business meetings continue to be held on videoconferencing platforms. As someone who wears hearing aids, I’ve actually found this to be a huge boon! Being able to see everyone straight-on as they speak and discreetly adjust the volume as needed has made such meetings much less stressful for me. I am ...

Dear Abby: My friend was upset by this playdate incident involving his son. Was I wrong?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:39 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My grandson’s friend’s father, “Jake,” and I have been friends for many years.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My snappy response about my invalid wife apparently offends people Advice | Dear Abby: My husband’s young crush is back in town, and I’m not supposed to say anything Advice | Dear Abby: She caused me so much pain, and now she wants back in my life Advice | Dear Abby: He won’t buy a bed. Should I date him anyway? Advice | Dear Abby: I’m offended that my friend doesn’t want my medical advice There was an incident that arose when his son came over to hang out with my grandson. They are both 11. I had previously made plans to go somewhere, so I left the boys with my son and his wife, my grandson’s uncle and aunt.Jake became very upset and told me it was unacceptable that I left his son with my family. I had talked to Jake̵...

Shutdown specials: DC-area restaurants out with deals for federal workers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:39 GMT

In the event of a government shutdown, D.C.-area bars and restaurants are posed to offer deals and specials to ease the impending financial burden.If a deal isn’t agreed upon, the following specials would start on Sunday, Oct. 1:American Ice Co.Northwest D.C.’s American Ice Co. will be offering a combo of regular or veggie swachos and a Narragansett pitcher for $25. It isn’t requiring official government IDs.Brighton DCBrighton DC, located at The Wharf, said it’s offering a 10% discount on all food items and will have a special $10 “Red, White, and Blew It” punch.El Rey DCThe El Rey on U Street in Northwest D.C. is offering a deal of three tacos for $10 and you don’t need a government ID.El Rey VAThe El Rey on Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia, will be having a happy hour from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday to Thursday. It will have $8 house margaritas, sangria, michelada and select draft beers for $5.50. It’s also offering $2 off nach...

Taiwanese sisters take gold in women’s doubles tennis at the Asian Games

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:39 GMT

HANGZHOU, China (AP) — Taiwanese sisters Chan Yung-jan and Chan Hao-ching took gold Saturday in women’s doubles tennis at the Asian Games and are now looking ahead to next year’s Olympics in Paris.Chan Yung-jan told reporters after beating Lee Ya-hsuan and Liang En-shuo, also Taiwanese, in the final that even though she’s the older one at 34, 30-year-old Chan Hao-ching is “like the big sister.”“But I need to make her calm down a little bit,” she added.She said their different personalities complement each each other on the court.“We’re so different — she is very brave and goes in with her instincts a lot,” she said. “And me, I need to watch her back and make sure that she can do whatever she wants and that makes us a very good combination.”The sisters won 6-4, 6-3.With five Asian Games gold medals now under her belt, Chan Yung-jan said she was hopeful she would be able to add an Olympic gold to her collection next year.“I want to enjoy this gold first,” she s...