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Serbian president says the real reason for US sanctions against Serbian spy chief is his Russia ties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:40 GMT

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia’s president said Wednesday the real reason why the country’s intelligence chief is facing U.S. sanctions is his position toward Russia and not corruption allegations.The U.S. on Tuesday imposed sanctions on Aleksandar Vulin, accusing him of involvement in illegal arms shipments, drug trafficking and misuse of public office. The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said Vulin used his public authority to help U.S.-sanctioned Serbian arms dealer Slobodan Tesic move illegal arms shipments across Serbia’s borders. Vulin is also accused of involvement in a drug trafficking ring, the Treasury said. “Sanctions have not been imposed on Aleksandar Vulin for any crime, corruption or anything,” Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic said. “The sanctions were imposed because of his position toward the Russian Federation.”Serbia is a candidate for European Union membership, but has maintained friendly relations with Moscow.Vulin, who is openly...

In the news today: B.C. port strike could end pending approval of mediator terms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:40 GMT

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed on what you need to know today…Labour minister asks mediator for terms to end B.C. port strikeThe federal labour minster has asked mediators for terms to end the B.C. port strike within 24 hours.Seamus O’Regan issued a statement saying the scale of this disruption shows how important the relationship between the B.C. Maritime Employers Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada is to our national interest.He says that once he has received the terms from the mediator, he will forward them to both sides and they will have another 24 hours to decide whether to ratify the principles of the deal. Trudeau meeting with Ukrainian president at NATO summitPrime Minister Justin Trudeau is sitting down with Volodomyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit this morning, a day after the Ukrainian president blasted the alliance for failing to extend a clear invite to his country.Wh...

ACL injuries are keeping stars out of the Women’s World Cup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:40 GMT

Some of the biggest names in the game won’t be playing in the Women’s World Cup because of what feels like an epidemic of ACL injuries — and players are asking why. Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema, England’s Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, Canada’s Janine Beckie and rising U.S. star Catarina Macario are among those sidelined for the tournament starting July 20 in Australia and New Zealand. “I think it’s a multifaceted issue. I don’t know if I’m the expert in it, even though I’ve experienced it,” said U.S. midfielder Andi Sullivan, who tore her ACL in college at Stanford. “There’s so many different factors that could contribute to that and I think we are a little bit behind on the research as to why, so hopefully now the prevalence will kind of wake people up,” Sullivan added. “This is an issue we need to pay attention to and look more into preventing and how to handle it better.”Last year it was estimated that nearly 60 players in the world’s top pr...

China-based hackers breached Western European government email accounts, Microsoft says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:40 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — A China-based hacking group has breached email accounts linked to government agencies in Western Europe, Microsoft Corp. says.In a blog post published Tuesday, Microsoft said the group, which it identified as Storm-0558, focuses on acts such as espionage and data theft.The group gained access to email accounts affecting about 25 organizations including government agencies and to accounts of individuals linked to these organizations, and had gone undetected for about a month until customers complained to Microsoft about abnormal mail activity.“We assess this adversary is focused on espionage, such as gaining access to email systems for intelligence collection,” Charlie Bell, Microsoft’s executive vice president of security, said in a separate Microsoft post.The hackers carried out the breach by forging authentication tokens — a piece of information used to verify the identity of a user — required to access the email accounts. Microsoft has since dealt with the ...

‘It’s my heart’: Hope House provides much-needed service in Inuvik

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:40 GMT

INUVIK, N.W.T. — Several people wander into Hope House at lunchtime for a warm bowl of caribou stew, fresh baked bread and reprieve from the early July heat in Inuvik, N.W.T. The drop-in centre, which serves underhoused and disadvantaged people in the western Arctic community, offers a washroom, food, mental health supports and a space to relax. People can also use a laptop to search for employment and get basic home supplies.Sharon Rogers, the senior front-line community worker at Hope House, said it bridges the gap between the two shelters operating in Inuvik. The town has a homeless shelter, which does not allow people who are intoxicated to stay, and a warming shelter, which is open to those under the influence of alcohol or drugs.“This was kind of like the in-between if they need somewhere to go,” Rogers said, noting the region experiences harsh winters.“It’s very well needed.”The centre, which opened in October, was developed by Peggy Day, Susan P...

Bank of Canada to announce interest rate decision today, rate hike anticipated

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:40 GMT

OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada is set to announce its latest interest rate decision this morning along with new economic projections. Forecasters are widely anticipating an increase of one quarter of a percentage point, which would bring the central bank’s key rate to 5 per cent.The central bank raised interest rates last month, ending an previous pause on rate hikes.It cited concern over a string of hot economic data, which suggested to its governing council that interest rates were not high enough to cool the economy and bring inflation down.Economists say another rate hike is likely today, given the labour market is still tight and inflation pressures are still high. Canada’s annual inflation rate fell to 3.4 per cent in May, but less-volatile measures suggest prices are still rising rapidly. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2023.The Canadian Press

More than 1,000 Canadians take CRA to court over pandemic payments — and some win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:40 GMT

In late 2021, Tressa Mitchell was dealing with doctor’s appointments for her ailing mother when she got a call from the Canada Revenue Agency seeking information to verify her eligibility for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Mitchell, who has a lung condition, took time off work as a cashier in Saskatchewan. Like thousands of Canadians, she collected CERB for several months during the global public health crisis.The rollout of the pandemic relief payments saw billions doled out to individuals and businesses on a pay-now-ask-questions-later basis.But the verification process was far from perfect.The government’s subsequent attempts to claw back pandemic funds from those it now deems ineligible set the stage for more than 1,000 battles in Federal Court between claimants and the Canada Revenue Agency.A review of dozens of such cases show many involve self-represented litigants, in what one law professor described as “profoundly u...

Argentina turns its attention to youth divisions in search of a Messi-like player in women’s soccer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:40 GMT

AREQUITO, Argentina (AP) — In a tiny dressing room, the sound of soccer boots hitting the floor gets more intense as kick off time approaches. Socks are pulled up and shirts are tucked in as the coach gives the order to go out and play. Many families watch and applaud from wooden stands as 12-year-old Candelaria Cabrera takes her place in the midfield. Before long, Candelaria opens the scoring with a left-foot shot for Huracán de Chabas in what eventually ends as a 2-2 draw with Alumni.The game is part of a regional women’s soccer league in the south of the Argentine province of Santa Fé. Until recently, there were no female teams or tournaments there. And then came Candelaria’s struggle to keep playing, which was a turning point in Argentina’s women’s soccer.Back in 2018, when she was seven, Candelaria was the only girl playing in the boys league where she lives. After a regional sports regulation forbid mixed teams in youth divisions, she and her family had to fight for her ...

Daily horoscope for July 12, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:40 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today until 11 p.m. PDT. The Moon is in Taurus.Happy Birthday for Wednesday, July 12, 2023:You are caring, empathetic and concerned about what’s happening with others. You’re a steadfast and loyal friend. This is a powerful year; it’s time to receive recognition and reap the benefits of your previous hard work. Expect a promotion, prize, award or some kind of acknowledgement. Bravo!ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★★Business and commerce are favored today, especially business related to the arts, the entertainment world, professional sports and children. If shopping, you might buy something beautiful that really appeals to you, most likely an impulse purchase. (Keep your receipts.) Tonight: Work.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★★Family relations are warm and friendly today, which means this is a lovely day to entertain at home. You will also enjoy making an effort to redecorate or make your home look more at...

Russia downs missiles over Crimea and regions bordering Ukraine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:40 GMT

Russian air defence systems shot down four missiles on Sunday (9 July), Russian officials said, one over the annexed Crimean peninsula and three over Russia's Rostov and Bryansk regions that border Ukraine.A cruise missile was shot down near the city of Kerch on the Crimean peninsula without inflicting any damage or casualties, Russia-installed Governor Sergei Aksyonov wrote on the Telegram messaging app. He did not specify where the missile had been launched from.Crimea was annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, but is internationally recognised as part of Ukraine.Local officials said traffic movement on the Crimean Bridge that links the peninsula to the Russian mainland was restored after an apparent suspension. No reason for the traffic halt was given.In another incident, air defences shot down a Ukrainian missile over Russia's Rostov region, Governor Vasily Golubev said on Telegram. "There were no casualties. The debris partially damaged the roofs of several buildings," Golubev...