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Macklem warned premiers about dangers of putting BoC’s independence at risk

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:56 GMT

OTTAWA — Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem warned premiers who publicly asked the central bank to not raise interest rates last month that their requests could undermine the institution’s independence. The premiers of Ontario, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador wrote to Macklem ahead of the Bank of Canada’s Sept. 6 rate decision, outlining concerns about the effects of higher rates on their residents and asking the central bank not to raise its key rate further.In a Sept. 13 letter, Macklem warned that instructions or requests from elected officials could give the impression that the Bank of Canada’s independence is at risk.The response was dated one week after the central bank governing council opted to hold its rate steady. Though Macklem acknowledged that higher interest rates are making life challenging for Canadians, he also noted that inflation, which higher interest rates are intended to combat, hurts the most vulnerable people in society. The...

Cyprus police say they have dismantled the third people smuggling ring in as many months

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:56 GMT

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Police in Cyprus said Tuesday they had arrested 10 Syrian men in an operation that has dismantled the third people smuggling ring bringing migrants to the east Mediterranean island nation in as many months.The operation centered in the southwestern district of Paphos, where a combined force of 130 officers carried out 17 search warrants, arresting 10 suspects while five more are being sought, police spokesman Christos Andreou told The Associated Press. Some 160,000 euros ($170,897) were found in the possession of one of the suspects.Police said the ring operated since June 2019. The suspects face charges including conspiracy, participation in a criminal organization and people smuggling.The latest arrests brings to 22 the number of people suspected of being part of smuggling rings.According to police, 7,914 migrants illegally reached Cyprus from the beginning of the year until mid-October, while 8,694 where either deported, voluntarily left or relocated to oth...

Daily horoscope for October 24, 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:56 GMT

Moon Alert: After 4:45 a.m. EDT today (1:45 a.m. PDT), there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The Moon is in Pisces.Happy Birthday for Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023:You are dramatic, hardworking and intense. Because you take whatever you do seriously, you shine in your profession. This year is about exciting changes and increased personal freedom. Stay flexible so you can suddenly explore new directions. Seek out new opportunities. Travel is likely.ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★★★This is a fabulous day to schmooze with others. Enjoy time with friends and organizations. It’s also an excellent day for financial discussions regarding wills, inheritances and the wealth of your partner. You might see ways to boost your own earnings or get richer! Tonight: Solitude.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★★★This is one of the best days of the month for you, which is why you look fabulous in the eyes of others. In fact, some people will know personal details about your private life. Nev...

Podcast: How to promote statistical literacy?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:56 GMT

In the latest episode of the Eurostat podcast series Stats in a Wrap, we explore statistical literacy, unravelling what it takes to truly understand data. Join our host, Jonathan Elliott, as he sits down with an array of experts: Juliane von Reppert-Bismarck from the media literacy organization Lie Detectors and Konstantina Michalopoulou and Romina Brondino from Eurostat’s Dissemination and User Support Unit. Additionally, representatives from three national statistical institutes - Gundega Kuzmina from Latvia, Jukka Hoffren from Finland, and Ana Beljan Ščuric from Croatia - share their insights.In this episode, we will explore the vital importance of statistical literacy in understanding official statistics and examine how to effectively communicate statistical concepts to a wide range of audiences. Our guests will share innovative approaches to empower students and teachers to critically analyse news and engage with statistics.Listen to the other episodes on the Eurostat website, ...

Harriette Cole: I’ve been extremely on edge, and I need a quiet solution

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:56 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: Recently, I have been extremely stressed out, and I do not know what is causing it. However, I do know that accelerated schoolwork and a busy schedule tend to make me feel more anxious than I already do.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: My best friend asked to date my crush, and I don’t know what to say Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m not cut out for this class, and the professor isn’t making it any easier Advice | Harriette Cole: She came to my photoshoot, and I’m sure she made a bad impression Advice | Harriette Cole: My boyfriend freaked out in the haunted house. Am I dating a coward? Advice | Harriette Cole: I asked my sister to watch my teen, and she broke my trust I am trying to find simple grounding techniques to help calm me down when I feel really on edge. I tried counting and deep breathing, but they do not always help me.I have read that you practice...

Miss Manners: I want to abandon this ‘Mom’ business after my mother-in-law’s bad behavior

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:56 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My in-laws are socially conservative and very traditional. For the five years my now-husband and I dated, I was expected to refer to them as “Mr. and Mrs. Lastname,” a formality that made me feel distant and unwelcome, especially when my parents asked my husband to call them by their first names nearly immediately.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: The bride’s dress code for wedding guests strikes me as pretentious Advice | Miss Manners: I tried to take the edge off her short-notice cancellation, and she blew up at me Advice | Miss Manners: A stranger sent a letter blasting me. Must I respond? Advice | Miss Manners: How do I bring up the problem of the neighbor’s cats? Advice | Miss Manners: The bride hung up on me, and her mother was rude, too. Was I in the wrong? However, near the wedding, my in-laws began to switch their correspondence sign-offs to “...

Phillies host the Diamondbacks in decisive NLCS Game 7

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:56 GMT

Arizona Diamondbacks (84-78, second in the NL West during the regular season) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (90-72, second in the NL East during the regular season)Philadelphia; Tuesday, 8:07 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Brandon Pfaadt (3-9, 5.72 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 94 strikeouts); Phillies: Ranger Suarez (4-6, 4.18 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 119 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -171, Diamondbacks +145; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies and the Arizona Diamondbacks take the field in a decisive Game 7 of the NLCS.Philadelphia has a 90-72 record overall and a 49-32 record in home games. The Phillies have the fourth-ranked team batting average in the NL at .256.Arizona is 84-78 overall and 41-40 in road games. The Diamondbacks have the 10th-ranked team ERA in the NL at 4.48.The teams meet Tuesday for the 14th time this season. The Phillies lead the season series 7-6.TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Schwarber has 47 home runs, 126 walks and 104 RBI while hitti...

4 suspected North Korean defectors found in a small boat in South Korean waters

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:56 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Four North Koreans were found in a small wooden boat in South Korean waters on Tuesday in what is likely a rare case of North Koreans taking a risky sea voyage to flee to the South, Seoul officials said.More than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to avoid poverty and political oppression since the late 1990s. A vast majority of them have come via a land route with China, and defecting by sea is uncommon because it’s more dangerous.A South Korean coast guard ship found the boat south of the two Koreas’ eastern sea border on Tuesday morning, after a report by a fishing boat. The four people on board identified themselves as North Koreans, coast guard officials said.South Korea’s military said it secured the custody of the North Koreans in coordination with the coast guard, after chasing their boat along the sea border. A military statement said the North Koreans were suspected of defecting to South Korea but gave no further details.South Korean pu...

DC Council members introduce first-of-its-kind bill to provide funding for local news outlets

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:56 GMT

D.C. Council members Janeese Lewis George of Ward 4 and Brianne Nadeau of Ward 1 introduced a bill Monday that would allocate government funding to the District’s local news outlets, based on input from residents — a program that, if passed, would be the first of its kind in the country.The Local News Funding Act would set aside 0.1% of D.C.’s annual budget (about $11.5 million, based on the current budget, according to the bill) to the development of a Local News Grant Program, which would go toward media outlets that report local news.Every registered voter in D.C. would receive “news coupons” to devote to their preferred outlets and the number of coupons each outlet receives would determine its share of the grant money.In a news release from her office, Lewis George called strong journalism “indispensable for a healthy democracy and an accountable government,” but said issues like declining revenue, layoffs and discontinuations have limited out...

DC woman’s dog, who survived the car crash that killed her mom, stolen at gunpoint

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:56 GMT

A D.C. woman whose dog was stolen at gunpoint this weekend said an area animal shelter has agreed to pick up her dog — a 14-year-old West Highland Terrier named Max, who suffers from health issues — if the thieves find it in their hearts to surrender him.Zaleena Ahmed of Northeast D.C. said the Humane Rescue Alliance in Arlington, Virginia, has offered to serve as a neutral party in recovering Max.“He’s on the later end of his life. So I’m sure this is traumatic for him … and who knows what circumstances he’s being cared for, so I’m just really worried about him,” Ahmed told WTOP.Ahmed was walking Max on Saturday night near her Fort Totten home in the 300 block of Galloway Street NE when a gunman demanded the dog. When she resisted, police said, she was beaten by the gunman, who stuffed the dog into a waiting car with a driver who sped away.“I’ve just been thinking about why people do bad things … so I’ve just been hoping that ma...