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Auditor General Slams CRA Call Centres for Inaccurate Tax Guidance

  Auditor General of Canada Karen Hogan holds a press conference at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. The Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) call centres are failing to provide Canadians with reliable tax information, according to a new report from Auditor General Karen Hogan. Between February and May 2025, Hogan’s office placed test calls to CRA contact centres and found that agents gave accurate and complete answers to individual tax questions only 17 per cent of the time . While responses to business tax or benefits inquiries were somewhat better, accuracy reached just 54 per cent , with completeness hovering around 30 per cent. The report also highlighted long wait times. Despite the CRA’s target of answering 65 per cent of calls within 15 minutes, only 18 per cent of calls met that standard. In June, fewer than five per cent were answered within the promised timeframe, with average waits stretching to more than half an hour  Hogan criticized t...
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History in the Making: Botswana Unearths 2,492-Carat Diamond

 

In a remarkable discovery, Botswana has unearthed the largest diamond found in over a century. The colossal 2,492-carat stone was recently revealed at a viewing ceremony in Gaborone, the country’s capital. This extraordinary find, weighing approximately half a kilogram, marks a historic moment for Botswana and the diamond industry.

The as-yet-unnamed diamond was presented to the world by Botswana’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi. His awe-struck reaction—“It is overwhelming. I am lucky to have seen it in my time”—captures the significance of this remarkable gem. Senior government officials were equally amazed, gathering to take a closer look at the fist-sized wonder.

The diamond was recovered from the Karowe Mine in central Botswana by Lucara Diamond Corp., a Canadian mining company. Using advanced X-ray technology, Lucara identified this “exceptional” rough diamond, which remains intact and of high quality. While its value is yet to be determined, it already holds a place in history as the largest diamond found in 119 years.

For context, the famous Cullinan Diamond, discovered in South Africa in 1905, weighed 3,106 carats and was cut into gems that now adorn the British Crown Jewels. Botswana, known for its natural diamond production, continues to make headlines with its remarkable finds. As the second-biggest producer of natural diamonds globally, the country has consistently unearthed some of the world’s most significant stones. 

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