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Statistics Canada to release August jobs data this morning

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:57 GMT

OTTAWA — Canadians will get a read on the health of the jobs market this morning as Statistics Canada gears up to release the August Labour Force Survey. The jobs market has been showing signs of softening in recent months, with the unemployment rate climbing to 5.5 per cent as of July, marking the third straight monthly increase. The labour market stalled in July, according to the reporting agency, but wage growth has continued to be strong — a point of contention for the Bank of Canada as it tries to wrestle inflation back to its two per cent target. Average hourly wages accelerated to five per cent in July. On Wednesday, the Bank of Canada decided to maintain its overnight rate at five per cent, influenced by signs that the economy is weakening. Last week, Statistics Canada reported the domestic economy contracted in the second quarter, taking many economists by surprise. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 8, 2023.The Canadian Press

Home sick: How hybrid workplaces and employees can navigate flu season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:57 GMT

While many workplaces have shifted to hybrid setups coming out of the pandemic, employment experts say workers should be cautious about using that added flexibility to work from home when feeling sick.It’s a situation that some observers of remote work trends predict could become more prevalent as companies increasingly make their hybrid arrangements permanent.“There is a bit of a return to … people’s comfort level with doing things while not feeling 100 per cent, but that’s not everybody by any means,” said John Trougakos, a University of Toronto professor of organizational behaviour and human resources management.With a current uptick in COVID-19 cases in Canada linked to two new variants, along with the usual cold and flu season, employment lawyer Brittany Taylor said it’s crucial that both employers and employees take the time now to consider how to handle sick days.“I’m expecting as we get into the fall these issues are goin...

Grocery store workforce stands to benefit from gains made by Unifor with Metro strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:57 GMT

As Metro workers at 27 Toronto-area grocery stores return to work after a month-long strike, experts and union representatives say their new collective agreement raises the bar for grocery store workers across the country.“It’s the workers’ time to be recognized for what they’ve given to these companies,” said Kim Novak, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union Local 1518 in British Columbia. More than 3,700 Metro workers went on strike at the end of July after rejecting their first tentative agreement, fighting for better pay. On Aug. 31, they voted ‘yes’ on a second agreement, which included front-loaded wage gains beginning with a $1.50 hike.The Unifor-Metro deal helps set a floor for future agreements, though they won’t be identical, said Stephanie Ross, an associate professor in the school of labour studies at McMaster University. “They’re going to … these next tables with a victory in their pocket,” she said.Unifor has made it cl...

Daily horoscope for September 8, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:57 GMT

Moon Alert: After 1 a.m. EDT today there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The Moon is in Cancer.Happy Birthday for Friday, Sept. 8, 2023:You have strong opinions and are fiercely determined, which is why it’s good that you have excellent communication skills. It’s important to focus on family and service to others this year. Obviously, take care of yourself first. Time for a makeover? Explore classes and new training.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Keep your eyes open for amazing opportunities that might begin at work today or in a work-related culture. A tiny seed of an idea today could grow into any kind of success in the future. Believe in yourself. Anything is possible! Tonight: Family discussions.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★★This is a fantastic day to socialize! No matter what you’re doing, whether you have a champagne purse or a beer wallet, get out and socialize! Meet a friend for coffee, lunch or dinner. Meet the gang at happy hour. Enjo...

Commission adopts reporting rules on banks' exposure to shadow banking

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:57 GMT

The European Commission has adopted technical standards to be used by credit institutions when reporting their exposures to shadow banking entities, as required by the Capital Requirements Regulation. These standards set out criteria for the identification of shadow banking entities, ensuring the harmonization and comparability of exposures reported by credit institutions. The standards will also provide supervisors with robust data to assess banks' risks in relation to non-banking financial intermediaries. This will reinforce the prudential framework, allowing for an improved transparency of the material linkages between the traditional banking sector and the shadow banking sector.Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union Commissioner Mairead McGuinness said: “Non-bank financial institutions have grown during recent years. Some have built up considerable leverage and liquidity mismatches and, as highlighted by the recent losses in the banking sector involvin...

Miss Manners: Is it OK to trick them into diving with great white sharks?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:57 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I graduated with my Ph.D. two years ago. My friends have been asking me nonstop to come for a visit. However, every time I visit, they just want to go bar-hopping, something I am not a fan of.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: What to say to a stranger who wants to touch you Advice | Miss Manners: We aren’t invited to the shower but our co-worker wants gifts from us anyway Advice | Miss Manners: My husband was upset by my request at the restaurant Advice | Miss Manners: Am I really ‘trying too hard to be liked’? Advice | Miss Manners: Please decree that people should not knock on a bathroom door Now they are saying if I come visit, they will do something I want, as long as there is a low risk of getting sick, injured or killed. They said no to roller coasters and skydiving.I have found an option to go cage-diving with great white sharks, no scuba certification req...

Dear Abby: I’m worried about my 12-year-old’s serious dating

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:57 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My 12-year-old daughter has a girlfriend she’s been “dating” for about eight months.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: This boy makes me so happy. Must we break up because of his parents? Advice | Dear Abby: I thought I’d get over my husband’s misdeed but it haunts me Advice | Dear Abby: She decided I can’t be near her children Advice | Dear Abby: The wedding is on hold, but the bride is apparently keeping my money Advice | Dear Abby: When he thought I was dying, he revealed his role in this painful deception They’re not sexually active, and they only see each other socially a couple of weekend days every month, but they do FaceTime with each other every day. From what I can gather, they are also attached at the hip during school hours.My concern is the length of this relationship. I remember when I was their age I had a crush on a different boy pract...

Commanders preview: A new era of Washington football kicks off with high anticipation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:57 GMT

It was an offseason 24 years in the making — an offseason of change. The Washington Commanders kick off a new era of football on Sunday with a new ownership group, a new starting quarterback and a new offensive coordinator.“There’s been a buzz all offseason for this team,” wide receiver Terry McLaurin said.Head coach Ron Rivera enters his fourth season at the helm of this franchise, and even without new ownership, it would be a pivotal one for him.Rivera has posted a 22-27-1 record in his three years, but this could be his best roster yet. That being said, there’s something he has yet to do during his tenure — getting off to a fast start. Players and coaches have repeatedly said that it’s one of the main focuses heading into the season, now it’s time to do it. The Burgundy and Gold have started 2-6, 2-6 and 1-4 in Rivera’s three years.With Josh Harris and the new ownership group evaluating everything this year, a slow start is something that...

Sue Bird is returning to international basketball as ambassador for 2026 World Cup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:57 GMT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Sue Bird loves telling this story. She’s on a plane, flying home from the Athens Olympics, and a flight attendant approached to ask if the pilot could see her gold medal. The next thing Bird knew, the medal was being passed up and down the aisles so everyone could touch it.She was an ambassador of the game on that flight. And now the title is official.FIBA formally introduced Bird, the now-retired U.S. great, on Friday as the global ambassador for the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup that will be played in Berlin. Bird takes the role from Pau Gasol, who served as ambassador for the 2022 women’s tournament in Sydney.“What’s really symbolic about that moment is when you’re representing your country, it’s not just you,” Bird said in Manila, where the men’s World Cup is wrapping up this weekend. “It’s not just a team or a city. It is the entire thing and it really hit me in that moment. And I was very fortunate to be in five World Cups to also that feel...

El primer experimento del rover Perseverance de la NASA para producir oxígeno en Marte llegó a su fin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:57 GMT

(CNN) — El primer experimento para producir oxígeno en otro planeta llegó a su fin en Marte tras superar los objetivos iniciales de la NASA y demostrar capacidades que podrían ayudar a los futuros astronautas a explorar el planeta rojo.El dispositivo del tamaño de un microondas llamado MOXIE, o Experimento de utilización de recursos in situ de oxígeno en Marte, se encuentra en el rover Perseverance de la NASA.El experimento comenzó hace más de dos años, unos meses después de que el rover aterrizara en Marte. Desde entonces, MOXIE ha generado 122 gramos de oxígeno, equivalente a lo que respira un perro pequeño en 10 horas, según la NASA. El instrumento funciona convirtiendo parte del abundante dióxido de carbono de Marte en oxígeno.Durante el pico de su eficiencia, MOXIE produjo 12 gramos de oxígeno por hora con una pureza del 98% o mejor, que es el doble de los objetivos de la NASA para el instrumento. El 7 de agosto, MOXIE operó por decimosexta y última vez, habiendo cumplido...