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

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:29 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 10:55:29 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 10:55:29 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 10:55:29 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 10:55:29 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 10:55:29 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 10:55:29 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...

Switching smokers to vaping central to UK public health

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:29 GMT

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has stressed the importance of his government’s ‘swap to stop’ programme for improving public health. It promotes vaping as a much safer alternative to smoking cigarettes and is part of a strategy that encourages adults to make informed choices rather than imposing bans that leave them with limited options, writes Political Editor Nick Powell.When Prime Minister Sunak was challenged at Westminster on how the UK’s National Health Service could be relieved of ever-growing pressures, he put anti-smoking policy at the centre of his reply. In the UK, it’s recognised that long-term adult smokers are unlikely to quit without being offered a safer alternative that satisfies their craving for nicotine.“On smoking, the ‘swap to stop’ programme is trying something quite proactive … quite innovative”, he said. “There is such persuasive evidence from that programme and the schemes that we have done on a smaller scale that if you can help existing adult smokers to sw...

Miss Manners: I’m fed up with being told I’m using offensive words

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:29 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m a politically liberal person with like-minded friends. Occasionally, in the course of a conversation, a friend advises me that my use of a word or phrase is unacceptable.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: I drove three days, then she said there was no room for me Advice | Miss Manners: She’s supposed to be a friend, but she drops innuendo about my marriage Advice | Miss Manners: Is it tacky to bring pastries when I turn in my son’s school application? Advice | Miss Manners: Is it your hair? Or is it because you’re kinda mean? Advice | Miss Manners: I was smacked down for complaining about the gauche bachelor party Apparently, terms I should no longer use include previously neutral terms such as “depressing,” “battle,” “minefield,” “the poor,” “the disabled” and also “field,” as in ac...

Dear Abby: My wife says I’m too sensitive about her lovers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:29 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been together more than 20 years. Our relationship grew stale over time, and a couple of years ago, she decided to leave me. However, over the few years, even though she has had several lovers, we have started to get close again.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: What can I do about my husband’s embarrassing sneeze? Advice | Dear Abby: My ex-wife says these kids are my grandchildren. I’m not so sure. Advice | Dear Abby: My brother has cut all ties, and I don’t even know what I did Advice | Dear Abby: I don’t want to make my husband jealous but I’m excited about this new hobby Advice | Dear Abby: I don’t want to live like this, but there’s that ‘for better or worse’ thing The problem is, I really love her and want her back as my girlfriend, but she sees this as a casual relationship, which leaves me feeling hurt. For exam...