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WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI has agreed to pay more than $22 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging female recruits were singled out for dismissal in training and routinely harassed by instructors with sexually charged comments about their breast size, false allegations of infidelity and the need to take contraception “to control their moods.”

The payout to 34 women dismissed from the FBI’s training academy in Quantico, Virginia, still subject to approval by a federal judge, would rank among the biggest lawsuit settlements in the history of the bureau.

“These problems are pervasive within the FBI and the attitudes that created them were learned at the academy,” said David J. Shaffer, the lawyer for the women. “This case will make important major changes in these attitudes.”

Filed in 2019, the lawsuit contends that female recruits had been subjected to a hostile working environment in which they were judged more harshly than their male peers and “excessively targeted for correction and dismissal in tactical situations for perceived lack of judgment” and subjective “suitability” criteria.

One of the women said she was admonished to “smile more” and subjected to repeated sexual advances. Another said that an instructor leered at her and stared at her chest, “sometimes while licking his lips.”

“Through passive tolerance,” the lawsuit said, “the FBI has intentionally allowed the Good Old Boy Network to flourish unrestrained at the FBI Academy.”

The FBI did not immediately comment on the settlement. Many of the allegations in the lawsuit were confirmed in a 2022 internal watchdog report. Men still make up some three-quarters of the bureau’s special agents despite efforts to diversify in recent years.

Among the provisions of the settlement was that the FBI would offer the plaintiffs a chance to continue training toward becoming agents and “guaranteed placement,” for those who pass, in one of their top three preferred field offices. The bureau also has agreed to a review by outside experts who will work to ensure that female recruits face a fair evaluation process.

Some of the women have moved on to other careers, Shaffer said, adding “the FBI has deprived itself of some genuinely exceptional talent.”

Paula Bird, a lead plaintiff in the case who is now a lawyer, said that while the experience has been “disillusioning,” she was “pleased that this settlement will bring a measure of justice to the women who were unfairly dismissed.”

The lawsuit came amid a flurry of sexual misconduct claims within the bureau that included several against senior FBI officials identified in an Associated Press investigation who quietly left the bureau with full benefits even after allegations against them were substantiated. Those claims ranged from unwanted touching and advances to coercion. In one case, an FBI assistant director retired after the inspector general’s office concluded he harassed a female subordinate and sought an improper relationship with her.

In response to AP’s reporting, the FBI announced a series of reforms, including a 24/7 tip line, intended to take a tougher stand against agents found to have committed misconduct and help accusers.

The latest settlement comes less than six months after the Justice Department announced a $138.7 million settlement with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against the sports doctor Larry Nassar.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Canada has climbed into second place in World Rugby’s women’s rankings, thanks to its 46-24 weekend win over No. 4 France at the WXV tournament.

The Canadians’ rise came at the expense of reigning World Cup champion New Zealand, which dropped to third after losing 29-27 to Ireland in the final match of Sunday’s opening triple-header at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver.

Ireland moves up one rung to No. 6, dropping Australia to seventh in the new rankings. Canada takes on Ireland on Saturday in Langley, B.C.

The Black Ferns, who had been exclusively in the top two in the first eight years of the World Rugby rankings, have fallen to third for the second time in four months. The first time was also due to the Canadian women, who moved into second in late May before slipping to third in mid-July with the Black Ferns retaking No. 2.

England remains No. 1 after thumping the eighth-ranked United States 61-21 in the other WXV 1 game Sunday.

France and Scotland complete the top five.

Italy moves up one spot to No. 9, just above the U.S., with Wales falling to No. 10.

Canada is hosting the top division of the three-tiered WXV tournament, now in its second year.

Ireland has jumped from winning WXV 3 last year to the top tier, thanks to its third-place finish in Six Nations play.

The Canadian women finished second in the inaugural WXV 1 competition won by top-ranked England in New Zealand.

WXV 1 features the top three teams from the 2024 Pacific Four Series (Canada, New Zealand and the U.S.) and Women’s Six Nations Championship (England, France and Ireland).

WXV 2 is currently taking place in South Africa with a field consisting of Scotland, Australia, Italy, Wales, No. 11 South Africa and No. 12 Japan.

WXV 3 is in Dubai with No. 13 Spain, No. 14 Fiji, the 16th-ranked Netherlands, No. 17 Samoa, No. 18 Hong Kong and No. 25 Madagascar.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2024.

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MONTREAL – The union representing longshore workers at the Port of Montreal began a three-day strike at two terminals.

The Maritime Employers Association confirmed the work stoppage began Monday morning at 7 a.m. ET at the Viau and Maisonneuve Termont terminals.

The strike is expected to last until Thursday morning.

The union local, which is affiliated with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, had said about 350 members would be part of the job action.

The longshore workers’ contract with the Maritime Employers Association expired on Dec. 31.

The association issued a statement on Sunday saying it has tried “all possible means” of avoiding the strike. It said neither mediation nor an emergency meeting with the Canada Industrial Relations Board were fruitful.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.