Pep Guardiola denies rumours of a rift with Kevin De BruyneNoneNDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his party will not support a Liberal plan to give Canadians a GST holiday and $250 unless the government expands eligibility for the cheques, saying the rebate leaves out “the most vulnerable.” The Liberals announced a plan last week to cut the federal sales tax on a raft of items like toys and restaurant meals for two months, and to give $250 to more than 18.7 million Canadians in the spring. RELATED: Freeland says the two-month GST holiday is meant to tackle the ‘vibecession’ Speaking after a Canadian Labour Congress event in Ottawa, Singh says he’s open to passing the GST legislation, but the rebate needs to include seniors, students, people who are on disability benefits and those who were not able to work last year. Singh says he initially supported the idea because he thought the rebate cheques would go to anyone who earned under $150,000 last year. But the so-called working Canadians rebate will be sent to those who had an income, leaving out people Singh says need the help. The government intends to include the measures in the fall economic statement, which has not yet been introduced in the House of Commons. The proposed GST holiday would begin in mid-December, lasting for two months. It would remove the GST on prepared foods at grocery stores, some alcoholic drinks, children’s clothes and toys, Christmas trees, restaurant meals, books, video games and physical newspapers. A privilege debate has held up all government business in the House since late September, with the Conservatives pledging to continue a filibuster until the government hands over unredacted documents related to misspending at a green technology fund. The NDP said last week they had agreed to pause the privilege debate in order to pass the legislation to usher in the GST holiday. Singh said Tuesday that unless there are changes to the proposed legislation, he will not support pausing the debate. The Bloc Québécois is also pushing for the rebates to be sent to seniors and retirees. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024.
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Los Alamos Chief Engineer Joins Nuclear Fusion Startup Fuse to Lead Federal BusinessRobert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump's pick to head the U.S. health department, is scheduled to travel to Romania next week. His visit coincides with a meeting with Calin Georgescu, a far-right candidate who secured a surprising lead in Romania's presidential elections. The recent election results, which placed Georgescu in a favorable position for the Dec. 8 run-off, could potentially alter Romania's political landscape and its pro-Western orientation. However, the results face a recount ordered by Romania's top court, creating uncertainty ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for the same weekend. Kennedy's trip to Bucharest will also include the launch of his book on the coronavirus pandemic, featuring a preface by Georgescu. The Romanian television station, Realitatea, announced it is partnering the event, slated for Dec. 5, but Kennedy's team has yet to confirm the meeting's details. (With inputs from agencies.)
Ruben Amorim warned “the storm will come” eventually as Manchester United’s head coach tried to temper expectations ahead of the trip to Arsenal. The 39-year-old has been a breath of fresh air since succeeding Erik ten Hag, with his personality and approach, coupled with promising early performances, bringing hope back to Old Trafford. Amorim has been touched by his warm welcome but repeatedly urged fans to avoid jumping the gun, having followed a draw at Ipswich with home wins against Bodo/Glimt and Everton. Wednesday’s trip to Arsenal is comfortably his biggest challenge yet and victory would see United move within three points of the Premier League title contenders. Put to Amorim it will be hard to manage expectations if they won in the capital, the head coach said: “I would like to say different things, but I have to say it again: the storm will come. “I don’t know if you use that expression, but we are going to have difficult moments and we will be found out in some games. “And I know that because I’m knowing my players and I know football and I follow football, so I understand the difference between the teams. “We are in the point in that we are putting simple things in the team, without training, and you feel it in this game against Everton, they change a little bit the way they were building up. “They are very good team, and we were with a lot of problems because we cannot change it by calling one thing to the captain. A midweek trip to the capital awaits 🚆 #MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/1e6VrILJW3 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 3, 2024 “So, we don’t have this training, so let’s focus on each game, on the performance, what we have to improve, trying to win games. And that is the focus. “I know it’s really hard to be a Manchester United coach and say these things in press conferences. We want to win all the time. No matter what. “We are going to try to win, but we know that we are in a different point if you compare to Arsenal. “So, it is what it is and we will try to win it and we go with confidence to win, but we know that we need to play very well to win the next football match.” The trip to Arsenal is the second of nine December matches for United, who are looking to avoid suffering four straight league defeats to the Gunners for the first time. The Red Devils have not won a Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium since 2017, but Amorim knows a thing or two about frustrating Mikel Arteta’s men. Arsenal thrashed Sporting Lisbon 5-1 in the Champions League last week, but in 2022-23 he led the Portuguese side to a Europa League last-16 penalty triumph after a 1-1 draw in London made it 3-3 on aggregate. “Arsenal this year, they play a little bit different,” Amorim said. “They are more fluid. “For example, two years ago when we faced them with Sporting, you knew how to press because you can understand better the structure. “Now it’s more fluid with (Riccardo) Calafiori and (Jurrien) Timber in different sides. One coming inside, the other going outside. Also (Martin) Odegaard changed the team, and you can feel it during this season. “So, you can take something from that game, especially because I know so well the opponent so you can understand the weakness of that team. “But every game is different, so you take something, but you already know that you are going to face a very good team.” This hectic winter schedule means Amorim sidestepped talk of January transfer business ahead of facing Arsenal, although he was more forthcoming on Amad Diallo’s future. The 22-year-old, who put in a man of the match display in Sunday’s 4-0 win against Everton, is out of contract at the end of the season, although the club holds an option to extend by a year. Diallo has repeatedly spoken of his desire to stay at United and it has been reported an agreement is close. Amorim said: “I think he wants to stay, and we want him to stay. So that is clear and we will find a solution.”No. 7 Tennessee 36, Vanderbilt 23Published 5:27 pm Tuesday, November 26, 2024 By Data Skrive If you’re looking for the best wager to make among the 16 NFL matchups in Week 13, we’re on the Buccaneers at -6 in terms of the point spreads. Don’t stop there, though — continue reading, because we have plenty more tips, which you could use in a parlay. Take advantage of our predictions to make your NFL picks this week. BetMGM has all the information you need to begin betting on the NFL. LAC-ATL | SEA-NYJ | IND-NE | MIA-GB | PIT-CIN Make smart decisions . Use those stats when making your NFL picks and place your bet on BetMGM. Catch every NFL touchdown with NFL RedZone on Fubo. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .
Loopholes in the law are allowing “dark money” to infiltrate UK politics, with almost £1 in every £10 donated to parties and politicians coming from unknown or dubious sources, analysis reveals. Cash from companies that have never turned a profit, from unincorporated associations that do not have to declare their funders, and banned donations from overseas donors via intermediaries are all entering the system, according to research by Transparency International (TI). Foreign governments are also donating millions in the form of flights, food and hotel stays. The gifts and hospitality from governments including those of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan are allowed, even though all other types of donations must come from a permissible UK source. “It is increasingly clear that this loophole presents a reputational and security risk to our democracy,” TI said. The findings are revealed in a report by the campaign group to be published this week. TI researchers analysed 78,735 donations worth £1.19bn reported to the Electoral Commission between 2001 and 2024. They found that £115m came from unknown or “questionable” sources – equivalent to almost £1 in £10 donated to parties from private sources. Of the £115m from unknown or questionable sources, more than two-thirds – £81.6m – went to the Conservatives , partly explained by the party’s greater reliance on private donors than Labour, which gets more from membership fees and unions. In response, the Electoral Commission, which regulates political finance in the UK, said reform was needed to “strengthen the system further”. A spokesperson said: “We stand ready to work with government and parliament on delivering improvements.” The analysis, seen by the Observer, also reveals that the total donated privately to parties has risen dramatically, from £30.6m in 2001 to £85m in 2023. Meanwhile, between March 2001 and July 2024, £48.2m was given to UK politicians and parties by donors alleged or proven to have bought privileged access, influence or honours; £42m came from donors alleged or proven to have been involved in other corruption, fraud or money laundering; £38.6m came from unincorporated associations that have not reported the source of their income, despite parliament introducing new transparency rules in 2010; £13m came from donors alleged or proven to be intermediaries for foreign funds or a hidden source; and £10.9m was from companies that have not made sufficient profits to support the political contributions they made. Beyond financial donations, the researchers analysed transparency registers since 2001, finding that MPs have accepted £11.6m of visits abroad, including £4.5m from foreign governments, parliaments and regime-linked groups. Among the biggest funders of overseas trips was Qatar, which spent £460,000 on gifts and hospitality for UK politicians, mostly in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup; Saudi Arabia, which spent £400,000; Bahrain, which spent £200,000; and Azerbaijan, which spent £140,000. TI said this was possible due to a “gap in legislation which allows foreign governments, including hostile states, to court UK politicians through all-expenses-paid overseas visits”. Other comparable democracies such as that of the US have explicit rules to manage the funding of overseas trips funded by foreign governments. In some cases, politicians went on to promote the interests of the governments that gave them gifts and hospitality. In 2022, the Observer revealed how Alun Cairns, then chair of the Qatar all-party parliamentary group (APPG), made a Commons speech praising Qatar before the World Cup . The former Tory MP had received £9,323 worth of donations from the Qatari government in 2022 for two trips to Qatar. A statement via Cairns from the since dissolved Qatar APPG said it played an “active role in scrutinising all aspects of UK-Qatar relations, including human rights, ethics, education, energy and infrastructure”. TI’s analysis further reveals how companies can donate even if they have no clear record of doing business in the UK. They must be registered with Companies House, incorporated in the UK and should be “carrying on business here”. But TI said this was a “low bar” because while political parties are supposed to check for suspicious activity, such as a company being dormant, there is no ban on accepting money from them. Another “loophole” means that since 2010, unincorporated associations – groups with no legal entity or requirement to disclose their funders – have donated huge sums to UK political parties and MPs. This includes private clubs linked to both the Conservatives and Labour . Campaigners say the findings show the UK’s vulnerability to “undue influence from large donors, suspicious and corrupt individuals and foreign governments”.A briefing from Spotlight on Corruption this year concluded that “our electoral finance laws are riddled with loopholes and the enforcement regime is not robust enough”. Yet despite longstanding concerns, the UK government’s response appears to have gone in the wrong direction. Sign up to Observed Analysis and opinion on the week's news and culture brought to you by the best Observer writers after newsletter promotion In the period covered by the TI analysis, it increased the threshold for reporting donations by 136%. In 2022, changes made by the Elections Act 2022 under the Conservatives stripped the Electoral Commission of its ability to prosecute criminal offences and gave ministers the power to set its strategic and policy priorities. It also changed the rules on unincorporated associations so they are now not required to register with the Electoral Commission at all unless they donate more than £37,270 in a year, despite a 2021 warning from the committee on standards in public life that they could be a backdoor route for foreign money to influence UK elections. Duncan Hames, director of policy at TI, said the findings showed the need for urgent reform, including an end to funding from unincorporated associations and shell companies and lower election spending limits to reduce reliance on private donations. “Gaps in political finance rules are failing to stop money from questionable sources being funnelled into our politics,” he said. “We need tighter spending rules, reforms to bring dark money out of the shadows and more accountability for those who abuse the system. We just don’t whose money it really is.” Jess Garland, director of research at the Electoral Reform Society, said: “The concern is that if the current rules aren’t updated, we will end up with a politics for sale to the highest bidders.” The Electoral Commission said independence and impartiality were “core to what we do” and that it had a duty to “monitor and secure compliance with the donation rules”. “We will take enforcement action where necessary,” a spokesperson said. It added that while current laws provide transparency over the source of political donations, “reforms are needed to strengthen the system further”, including a requirement for enhanced due diligence checks and laws preventing donations from companies that have not made a UK profit. It also said it was ready to work with politicians to deliver improvements, including “providing expert advice on the workability and impact of any proposed legislative changes”. Labour has previously committed to protect democracy by reforming the UK’s political finance laws, saying in its manifesto: “We will protect democracy by strengthening the rules around donations to political parties” – but is yet to say exactly how. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which oversees electoral integrity, was contacted for comment.Brazil's ten-man Botafogo win Copa Libertadores