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Europe’s anti-corruption group says Cyprus must hold politicians more accountable amid distrust

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:43 GMT

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The Council of Europe’s anti-corruption group said Monday that Cyprus needs to hold those at the highest echelons of executive power and law enforcement more accountable to counter an overwhelming public perception of widespread corruption.The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) said in a report that Cypriot laws appear strong on paper but are undercut by institutional flaws including numerous anti-corruption bodies that lack coordination, resources and authority.According to GRECO, Cyprus needs a stronger system of accountability in government to prevent influence-peddling and to stymie the risk of politicians serving the interests of big business and the wealthy.Efforts to combat this relationship between government and private interests are “narrow in scope,” it said, adding that more transparency is needed regarding politicians’ assets and that people need better access to information.The group lauds Cyprus for passing new ...

Top European diplomats meet in Kyiv to support Ukraine as signs of strain show among allies

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:43 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Some of Europe’s top diplomats gathered Monday in Kyiv in a display of support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion as signs emerge of political strain in Europe and the United States about the war.The foreign ministers from the European Union’s 27 member countries converged on the Ukrainian capital for an unannounced informal meeting that officials said would review the bloc’s support for Ukraine and discuss Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proposed peace formula.EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the foreign ministers’ first joint meeting outside EU borders sent a signal that EU support is “unwavering” and underscored the EU’s commitment to Ukraine.The United States, the EU and the United Kingdom have provided massive military and financial support to Ukraine, enabling it to stand up to the Kremlin’s attack. The assistance is crucial for Ukraine’s weakened economy and has so far been open-ended.But uncertainty has set in over how long...

In the news today: Manitoba politicians make final pitch before tomorrow’s election

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:43 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…Last push for politicians before Manitoba electionManitoba politicians are making their final pitches to voters today in advance of tomorrow’s provincial election.The Progressive Conservatives are expected to release full details of their platform, after having released weekly tallies of the costs of their promises.Opinion polls have suggested the NDP are in a lead over the incumbent Tories, although Leader Wab Kinew has urged his supporters to not take anything for granted.Voters head to polls in Quebec byelectionResidents of the hotly contested Quebec City riding of Jean-Talon are voting in a byelection today.Coalition Avenir Québec’s Joelle Boutin triggered the byelection when she quit politics this summer.Premier François Legault went door knocking in the riding one week ago with his candidate, Marie-Anik Shoiry.Shoiry is facing off against Pasc...

Winners of recent Manitoba elections have seen sizable majority governments

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:43 GMT

WINNIPEG — A Manitoba election is scheduled for Tuesday. Here is a look at Manitoba elections and governments over the past 20 years:New Democrats, 2003The NDP under then premier Gary Doer wins a second consecutive term with a larger majority, capturing 35 of the 57 legislature seats. The New Democrats secure longtime Progressive Conservative strongholds in suburban Winnipeg. Party leader Stuart Murray steps down two years later after lukewarm support in a party leadership review. He is replaced by Hugh McFadyen.New Democrats, 2007The NDP under Doer wins a third consecutive majority with 36 seats. Two years later, Doer leaves the premier’s office to become Canada’s ambassador to the United States. The New Democrats select Greg Selinger, Doer’s longtime finance minister, to lead them into the next election.New Democrats, 2011Under Selinger, the NDP wins a fourth consecutive mandate and captures a party-record 37 seats. The Progressive Conservatives get 44 per cent o...

CAQ looks to hang on to hotly contested Jean-Talon riding in Quebec byelection today

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:43 GMT

QUEBEC — Residents of the hotly contested Quebec City riding of Jean-Talon are voting in a byelection today.Coalition Avenir Québec’s Joelle Boutin triggered the byelection when she quit politics this summer.Premier François Legault went door knocking in the riding one week ago with his candidate, Marie-Anik Shoiry.Shoiry is facing off against Pascal Paradis of the Parti Québécois, whose party is polling second to the CAQ provincewide.Leftist Québec solidaire is represented by Olivier Bolduc, who finished second to Boutin in last year’s general election.The Quebec Liberals have put up Élise Avard Bernier in the riding, which was a former stronghold for the party before Boutin’s byelection win in 2019.More than one-fifth of eligible voters — 22 per cent — cast early ballots on Sept. 24-25.The Coalition Avenir Québec holds 89 seats in the 125-seat legislature, followed by the Liberals at 19, Québec solidaire with 12 and the PQ with three. There is one Independent mem...

Promise tracker: What Manitoba’s main parties would do if they win the election

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:43 GMT

WINNIPEG — Manitobans go to the polls on Tuesday. Here’s a look at some of the promises announced by the province’s three major parties over the past month:Progressive Conservatives— Stand firm in the government’s decision not to search the Prairie Green landfill for the remains of slain First Nations women Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, citing safety concerns.— Cut in half the rate applied to the bottom personal income-tax bracket, saving the average person earning $50,000 in annual income $1,900 per year when fully implemented in 2028. — Remove the federally imposed carbon price on the natural gas portion of hydro bills.— Eliminate the land transfer tax for first-time homebuyers, saving about $5,700 on the average home.— Spend $120 million over four years to recruit health-care workers.— Provide up to $10 million in capital funding to develop of a First Nations-operated addiction centre in Winnipeg.  New Democrats— Commit to searching the Prairie Green landfil...

Imperial, Alberta regulator knew for years about tailings seepage at mine: documents

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:43 GMT

EDMONTON — Documents filed by Imperial Oil Ltd. show the company and Alberta’s energy regulator knew the Kearl oilsands mine was seeping tailings into groundwater years before a pool of contaminated fluid was reported on the surface, alarming area First Nations and triggering three investigations.“They knew there was seepage to groundwater,” said Mandy Olsgard, an environmental toxicologist who has consulted for area First Nations.“The (Alberta Energy Regulator) and Imperial decided not to notify the public and just manage it internally.”Imperial said in a statement that seepage was anticipated in Kearl’s original design. Spokeswoman Lisa Schmidt said the company has kept both the regulator and area communities informed.“We have been working to address the areas of shallow seepage from our operating lease area,” she said. “We recognize there are concerns regarding water quality, and we take this very seriously.”Alberta Ener...

Homeowners brace for mortgage payment shock amid higher-for-longer rate outlook

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:43 GMT

TORONTO, Australia — From ultra-low interest rates that led to a huge spike in real estate demand to the speed with which interest rates shot up to levels not seen in a generation, it’s been hard to keep up with the shifting landscape for mortgage holders.Now, with interest rates increasingly expected to stay higher for longer, many of the homeowners who locked in low rates years ago are likely bracing themselves for financial pain as their mortgage comes up for renewal. “Each month that passes, roughly two per cent of mortgage holders face renewal at sharply higher interest rates,” Royce Mendes, managing director and head of macro strategy at Desjardins, wrote in a Sept. 19 note to clients.Borrowers with fixed rates are expected to see an average payment increase of between 14 per cent and 25 per cent next year compared with early 2022 costs, according to the Bank of Canada. In 2025 and 2026, payments should rise between 20 per cent to 25 per cent.Those with full variable rates hav...

NextGenerationEU: Commission disburses second payment of €2.76 billion to Romania under the Recovery and Resilience Facility

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:43 GMT

The 29 September payment of €2.76 billion in grants and loans was made possible by Romania's fulfilment of 49 milestones and targets linked to the second instalment. They cover key reforms in the areas of the green and digital transition, such as the adoption of the decarbonisation law and the entry into force of the law for the governance of cloud services deployed in the public sector. Romania has also put forward reforms to improve its public policy delivery, promote tourism and culture, develop human resources in the health sector, improve tax collection and the sustainability of pensions, modernise the education system's infrastructure, as well as to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and the fight against corruption.Payments under the RRF are performance-based and contingent on Romania implementing the investments and reforms outlined in its recovery and resilience plan.On 16 December 2022, Romania submitted to the Commission a second request for payment of €2.8bn un...

Miss Manners: At what age should one start picking up the tab?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:43 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Without being rude, how do I convey to my adult, employed children that it is OK for them to pick up the tab once in a while when grabbing a meal of convenience?Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: Am I out of line in asking people not to hide during video meetings? Advice | Miss Manners: I confronted the bride about the exclusion, and she got defensive Advice | Miss Manners: I was annoyed by the fuss over the cost of my dinner Advice | Miss Manners: They stormed off and forgot the cooler. Do I have to keep it for them? Advice | Miss Manners: What am I allowed to say about a stranger’s hair? I’m not talking about an invitation to dinner, but the times when, after a long day of whatever, we decide to order delivery together. Or when we are out shopping and it gets to be lunchtime. They have this general expectation that the elder will pay the bill.We can all afford it, but...