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Kyiv is said to have launched a major push against Russian forces in southeastern Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:09 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Kyiv has launched a major push to dislodge Russian forces from southeastern Ukraine as part of its weeks-long counteroffensive, committing thousands of troops to the battle in the country’s southeast, according to Western and Ukrainian officials and analysts.The surge in troops and firepower has been centered on the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, a Western official said late Wednesday.The official was not authorized to comment publicly on the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.Fighting has intensified in recent weeks at multiple points along the 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) front line as Ukraine deploys Western-supplied advanced weapons and Western-trained troops against the deeply entrenched Russian forces who invaded 17 months ago.Ukrainian officials have been mostly silent about battlefield developments since they began early counteroffensive operations, though Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said troops are advancing toward the city of Melitopo...

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russian defense minister to discuss military cooperation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:09 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to discuss military issues and the regional security environment, state media said Thursday, illustrating North Korea’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine as the isolated country celebrated the 70th anniversary of an armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said Kim and Shoigu talked Wednesday in the capital, Pyongyang, and reached a consensus on unspecified “matters of mutual concern in the field of national defense and security and on the regional and international security environment.”During the meeting, Shoigu conveyed to Kim a “warm and good letter” signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, KCNA said. The report did not specify the military matters that were discussed.North Korea has been aligning with Russia over the war in Ukraine, insisting that the “hegemonic policy” of the U.S.-led West for...

England hopes to be sharper in its next Women’s World Cup match after underwhelming opener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:09 GMT

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Katie Robinson knows England left many unimpressed with its underwhelming 1-0 victory against overmatched Haiti in its opening match at the Women’s World Cup.England is still tied with Denmark atop the Group D standings, regardless of how they played against Haiti, and that’s all that really counts to Robinson.“Every game at a World Cup is going to be difficult,” Robinson said. “Most importantly, we got the three points, and that’s all that matters right now.”Well, what actually matters next is Friday’s match against Denmark in Sydney, where the top spot in the group is up for grabs as both teams try to advance to the knockout round. It is the first meeting between the two teams at the Women’s World Cup, although they faced off three previous times at the European Championship.England defeated Denmark twice in 1984, but the Danes were the winner in 2005, the last time the two nations faced in international play. They met in a frie...

Europe’s central bank is set to pile on another rate increase. Is it the last in a record series?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:09 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank is set to raise interest rates at least one more time to fight inflation, even as worries about recession fuel speculation that Thursday’s hike could be the last in its yearlong campaign to ease price hikes by making borrowing more expensive for companies and consumers.ECB President Christine Lagarde has all but promised an increase as the bank’s governing council meets in Frankfurt, where interest rates are decided for the 20 European Union countries that use the euro. Higher rates, she said last month, are needed to squelch inflation that is proving more persistent than anticipated, underlining that “we cannot waver, and we cannot declare victory yet.” Like the U.S. Federal Reserve, the ECB is approaching the end of its rate increases, leading analysts to focus on whether it will raise rates again at its September meeting or call a halt. The Fed raised its key rate on Wednesday for the 11th time in 17 months, and Chai...

In the news today: New federal cabinet role, Pat Carney dead at 88

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:09 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…Specifics of citizens’ services cabinet job murkyPrime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet shuffle created a new citizens’ services job for rookie minister Terry Beech, but it still appears unclear exactly what that job will entail.When asked what “citizen’s services” is after he was sworn in, Beech said it will include some elements of Employment and Social Development Canada. But he admitted he hadn’t been fully briefed. The Prime Minister’s Office says the new minister will work across the government to focus on anything that touches Canadians directly, including passport applications. Former senator Pat Carney dead at age 88Former senator, MP and journalist Pat Carney has died at the age of 88.She was first elected to the House of Commons in February 1980 in the riding of Vancouver Centre.Her website says Carney...

What is citizens’ services, and what should be expected from the new minister?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:09 GMT

OTTAWA — As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reorganized his front bench Wednesday in a massive federal cabinet shuffle, he also created a single new job: minister of citizens’ services.But when the minister appointed to the new role was asked what exactly citizens’ services is, he wasn’t entirely clear. “This is really where the rubber hits the road in providing services to citizens right across the country,” newly appointed cabinet minister Terry Beech said Wednesday, less than an hour after he was sworn in. Some elements of Employment and Social Development Canada will be under his purview, as well as “a bit of digital governance,” he said. When pressed for details, he admitted he wasn’t sure on the specifics.“I met with my deputy minister about five minutes ago. She handed me a piece of paper with a whole bunch of bullet points on it,” he explained. “I’m gonna get fully briefed and to provide you much more fuls...

B.C. judge allows cannabis ‘fire sale’ to stave off CRA destruction threat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:09 GMT

A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has approved the bulk sale of more than 1,200 kilograms of cannabis by a company after the Canada Revenue Agency threatened to destroy it. In a ruling released online this week, the court allowed Tantalus Labs Ltd. to move ahead with a hasty sale of its remaining inventory of cannabis flower after the CRA planned to destroy the product at its facility in Maple Ridge, B.C. The agency had earlier declined to renew the company’s excise tax licence due to financial difficulties, which saw Tantalus shed the bulk of its employees at the end of June due to looming insolvency. Without the licence, the company would’ve been unable to sell its remaining inventory and potentially recover more for creditors, including its main lender and the CRA itself. As the date of its licence expiry approached, the company had to go to court for approval of the sale of its remaining inventory on what bankruptcy trustee Ernst & Young called a “fire...

Canada Goose launches second-hand, trade-in program in Canada

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:09 GMT

TORONTO — Your next Canada Goose coat might be on its second life by the time it gets to you.The Toronto-based, luxury apparel company announced Thursday that it is bringing Generations, a platform allowing consumers to shop for and trade in pre-loved pieces from the brand, to Canada.Pieces available for trade-in or purchase through Generations will range from the company’s popular parkas and outdoor vests to snowsuits, snow pants, trench coats and even fleece and knitwear.The program is being launched to further Canada Goose’s commitment to sustainability but also cater to the growing number of people seeking second-hand goods, Carrie Baker, the company’s president, said.“The resale market is growing like crazy, even faster than just regular commerce, and for us, it really taps into our target demographic,” she said.Baker has seen statistics suggesting 80 per cent of consumers under the age of 30 shop for pre-loved goods, but interest in purchasing sec...

Daily horoscope for July 27, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:09 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. EDT today (3 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Scorpio into Sagittarius.Happy Birthday for Thursday, July 27, 2023:You are a keen observer of the human condition and insightful about others around you. However, you can appear detached because you’re careful. Exciting changes will take place this year that might bring you more personal freedom. Stay flexible so you can pursue new opportunities. You might travel.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★You might be surprised by something related to shared property, banking, taxes, debt or an inheritance. Quite likely, things will go your way today. Romance might hold unexpected delights. Accept invitations to party. Enjoy fun activities with kids. Tonight: Escape!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★Be accommodating and cooperative with others today, because very likely, someone will throw you a curveball. Go carefully and think before you react. Ju...

Six convicted of murder for 2016 Brussels bombings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:09 GMT

A Belgian court convicted six men of murder and two others of terrorism charges on Tuesday (25 July) after the country's largest ever trial involving the 2016 Islamist bombings in Brussels that killed 32 people.The six, of 10 facing charges, were found guilty of murder and attempted murder in a terrorist context for their part in the twin bombings at Brussels airport and third bomb on the city's metro on 22 March, 2016.They and two others were also convicted of participating in the activities of a terrorism organisation. Two men were acquitted.Separate hearings to determine sentences will be held in September.The trial revived painful memories for the roughly 1,000 victims registered to attend. They include those who lost loved ones or were injured, and witnesses to the bombings."Yes, this will help turn a page," said Pierre Bastin, who lost his daughter Aline in the metro bombing, when asked if the verdicts would help him deal with his grief.Pierre-Yves Desaive, who was close to th...