11 super game
She takes the most Christmassy Uber and the driver surprises her with a letter: “it’s creepy”
A former model who attended parties hosted by Sean 'Diddy' Combs has admitted "all of the emotions that I felt in the past just came flooding back" after he was denied bail for a third time . The 55-year-old rapper is currently being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center as he awaits federal trial. Combs was arrested in September on charges including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has vehemently denied all allegations against him and pleaded not guilty in court. The Bad Boy Records founder was denied bail again earlier this week. Following the decision, Precious Muir said she "cried tears of joy." P Diddy demands 'young, fresh faces' as he screams and swears in resurfaced video Khloe Kardashian begs pal to be quiet as she brags about 'butt naked' Diddy party in resurfaced clip Speaking exclusively to The Mirror US, she said, "I cried tears of joy, all of the emotions that I felt in past just came flooding back, finally our voices are being heard. So thankful for this outcome, it’s like a sense of relief. It would have made me feel extremely uneasy to know that he wasn’t behind bars." The former Playboy Bunny suggested Combs' alleged victims may have been "fearful in speaking out against him" if he had been granted bail. She continued, "Take his name anyway for a moment and just describe his alleged crimes over decades and what he has currently been accused of doing whilst in prison, no other Perpetrator would get bail. He doesn't deserve special treatment." Diddy had been accused of witness tampering by prosecutors. US Attorney Damian Williams and his legal team wrote a letter following the rapper's latest bail request, which was obtained by The Mirror US. It said, "The bail package presented by the defendant does not come close to ensuring the safety of the community, including from the defendant's ongoing efforts to obstruct this case, nor does it adequately protect from risk of flight. For all of these reasons, the defendant’s renewed application for bail must be denied." The prosecution claimed in the letter Diddy's "obstructive acts" have shown a "persistent, brazen effort to improperly interfere with this criminal case." They then gave examples of the rapper's alleged obstruction, including using "multiple unauthorized means of communications" while in jail. "Even after defense counsel represented that the defendant had stopped using ContactMeASAP, he has continued to use the ContactMeASAP account of at least one other inmate, sending messages to a family member as recently as November 24, 2024," Williams wrote. The US Attorney also alleged that while at the MDC , Combs has "instructed family members and third parties to contact multiple potential victims and witnesses." The letter accused Diddy of giving these instructions via "unauthorized means of communication" and by using "coded language." Judge Arun Subramanian said in his decision to deny bail, "The Court finds that the government has shown by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community." Precious said she has "found some hope again in the American Justice System," following the decision. Diddy's defense team issued a letter to Judge Subramanian prior to the decision as they argued the "nonstop drumbeat of negative publicity has destroyed his reputation and will make it virtually impossible for him to receive a fair trial." Their letter continued, "Mr. Combs is not required to sit idly by and acquiesce to all of this. He has a right to a fair trial and a constitutional right to speak out on his own behalf. The government’s arguments that asking his children to post birthday wishes on Instagram and that he is not entitled to publicly express his opinion that this prosecution is racially motivated are, quite simply, an unconstitutional effort to silence him." In a statement shared with The Mirror US, Combs attorneys added, "He has unwavering faith in the facts and in the fairness of the judicial process. In court, the truth will come to light, demonstrating that the claims against Mr. Combs are without merit." The Mirror US has approached Combs' attorneys for further comment. Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sport and entertainment stories. DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.Trump's Team Cites Fetterman's Truth Social Post As Reason To Dump Hush Money CaseBy many accounts, Thailand consistently ranks among the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change. The oft-cited Global Climate Risk Index by GermanWatch ranked Thailand's long-term climate risk in 2021 as 9th in the world. Thailand is one of the 10 most flood-affected countries in the world, and the risks it faces are expected to increase. In Thailand, "the number of people affected by an extreme river flood could grow by over 2 million by 2035–2044, and coastal flooding could affect a further 2.4 million people by 2070–2100", according to the 2021 climate risk country profile, published by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Climate change not only threatens all key sectors of Thailand's economy, but its critical infrastructure in many areas is highly exposed to worsening climate scenarios, particularly the risks of heat stress, more intense and frequent floods, and land subsidence. As one of the world's most unequal countries in terms of income and wealth equality, what is more worrisome is that vulnerable groups in Thailand are likely to be the most disproportionately affected by climate change. Rural communities still dependent on agriculture and already saddled with high debt will face increased risks of crop damage and lower yields from floods and/or droughts, low-income urban residents face increased risk of property damage and loss of livelihoods from floods, and low-pay workers who work outdoors face increased risk of health hazards from higher temperatures. These potential climate impacts have clear implications on the health and wellbeing of the populace, and the income inequality and economic competitiveness of the country means that Thailand needs significant financing for climate adaptation. Such "adaptation finance" should be considered worthwhile investments, not expenses, since its purpose is to help avoid or reduce climate change's social and economic impacts. Financing this adaptation to climate change is complex because successful activities are highly context-specific -- financing better disaster preparedness requires a different approach from financing climate-smart agriculture, for example. However, we can estimate the overall scale of adaptation financing needed by looking at potential losses and damages from climate change. In 2021, for example, the Climate Economics Index of insurance giant Swiss Re estimates that Thailand's cumulative losses from climate change could amount to 19.5% of GDP by 2050, up from the 2018 level, if the world's average temperature rises 2C, and 42.6% of GDP under a 3.2C rise. Given Thailand's 2018 GDP of US$507 billion (17 trillion baht), the 19.5% cumulative loss estimate under the 2C rise scenario translates to $99 billion between 2018-2050. Adaptation investment totalling less than this amount is, therefore, worth making if it can help avoid such losses. Given the volatility and uncertainties inherent in climate risks, a precise calculation may be impossible, but this kind of ballpark estimate is still helpful in gauging the size of adaptation finance that would be needed. The amount of climate adaptation finance in Thailand remains minuscule compared to the financing needs. For an ongoing research project, our research team at Climate Finance Network Thailand (CFNT) compiled publicly disclosed data from different sources of funds and found that the total financing in Thailand that went into climate adaptation activities between 2018-2024 amounted to only 14 billion baht, most of which was spent by the government in various conservation projects (which helps reduce climate change impacts on ecosystems), promoting climate-smart rice farming with support from the Green Climate Fund, flood diversion canals, and disaster risk reduction programmes. Thailand is not alone in facing a significant financing gap between climate adaptation needs and actual investments. The Adaptation Gap Report 2023 by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates the current adaptation finance gap worldwide at $194-366 billion per year. The report suggests several ways to increase adaptation financing, including "domestic expenditure and international and private sector finance. Additional avenues include remittances, increasing and tailoring finance to small and medium enterprises, and reforming the global financial architecture. The new Loss and Damage fund will also need to move towards more innovative financing mechanisms to reach the necessary scale of investment." Meanwhile, in September, the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance, or "the Lab" in short, launched a report titled "A Decade of Climate Finance Innovation: Impact Lessons from the Lab". The Lab was founded in 2014 by the UK, German, and US governments as a global public-private initiative to "identify, design, and support the piloting of new climate finance instruments with the aim of unlocking billions of dollars of fresh private investment for climate change mitigation and adaption in developing countries". Members of the Lab include leaders from governments, pension funds, investment banks, project developers, and development finance institutions. During its first decade, the Lab's portfolio of climate finance solutions has mobilised over $4 billion through 78 innovative financing instruments in emerging markets around the world, including $1.6 billion from the private sector. I believe the Lab's success stories in spurring private investment in climate adaptation are highly instructive and applicable for Thailand. Thailand needs the private sector to engage in climate financing. Despite the country's well-developed and sophisticated private sector, financial markets, and financial institutions, the involvement of the private sector and private financial institutions in adaptation financing has been nearly nonexistent. I pick three of these strategies depicted in The Lab's report and rank them in the order of urgency that I believe suits Thailand's context. 1. Capacity-building reduces pipeline risk and creates investment incentives. Many promising climate adaptation projects in Thailand are conceived and run by government officials, civil society and philanthropic organisations or local community members. They, or people who assist them with access to finance, need more technical skills to create and maintain monitoring systems to measure and report climate adaptation outcomes. They also need certain financial know-how to secure loans and manage climate adaptation finances. Funders, especially grant-based, should provide technical assistance for the entire duration, ranging from initial planning to ensuring that projects can be operated and monitored in the long run. Access to credible and actionable climate risk data, particularly water stress maps and heat stress maps under different climate scenarios, is among the first steps that are necessary to incentivise private investment in climate adaptation since companies will be spurred to action if they see more clearly how climate change will likely affect their business. Therefore, technical assistance and investments in the gathering, analysis, and distribution of climate risk data should also form an integral part of climate finance capacity building in Thailand. 2. Blended finance mitigates risks and unlocks private capital. Many risks, such as political instability and revenue risks, are common barriers to private investment in developing countries, including Thailand. The growing field of structuring "blended finance", or using public and philanthropic funds to mobilise private capital, helps alleviate the concerns of private investors and allows different types of investors with different risk appetites to work together for a common goal. There should be many opportunities for structuring blended finance for climate adaptation in Thailand, given the well-developed financial markets and financial intermediaries, a small but growing number of impact investors, the need for a more cost-effective deployment of the government budget, especially in response to climate-related disasters, and the clear climate-adaptation needs. 3. Aggregated portfolios better meet the needs of larger private investors. Small projects often find it difficult to attract larger investors due to high transaction costs and low per-transaction returns. Bundling several projects into a single investment package can make them more attractive and achieve the necessary economies of scale for larger investors. In India, the Lab-supported Sustainable Energy Bonds (SEBs) bundled small loans for rooftop solar and energy efficiency retrofits to spread their fixed costs and create an appealing value proposition for debt investors. CFNT explored a similar concept in our research report, "Here Comes Everybody: Boosting Residential Solar Financing with Crowdfunding Models in Thailand", which was launched in October. Sarinee Achavanuntakul is Head of Research at Fair Finance Thailand and Director of Climate Finance Network Thailand (CFNT).
The New Mexican The Empty Stocking Fund is a 43-year-old project of The New Mexican . Each year, hundreds of people receive aid from the fund during the holiday season to help cover rent payments, medical bills, utility costs, car repairs, home improvements and other needs. Who it helps: Applicants, who must live within 50 miles of Santa Fe and must provide documents that provide proof of their identity, are considered without regard to race, age, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation. Applications for aid are currently on pause because of overwhelming demand. 2024 goal: $475,000; however, there are already over $500,000 in requests. This holiday charity project, which began in 1981, is administered by the Santa Fe Community Foundation. To donate: Make your tax-deductible donation online by visiting santafecf.org/funds/empty-stocking-fund . In person, visit the Santa Fe Community Foundation at 501 Halona St., or The Santa Fe New Mexican, 150 Washington Ave., Suite 105, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contributions can also be mailed to Empty Stocking Fund, C/O Santa Fe Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1827, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1827. Donors can request to remain anonymous. Anonymous: $25 Anonymous: $25 Anonymous: $25.77 Anonymous: $25.77 Anonymous: $30.93 Anonymous: $50 Anonymous: $51.55 Janie Alderman: $100 Amy and John Amos: $150 Keith K. Anderson and Barbara G. Lenssen: $250 Architectural Alliance, LLC: $500 Margaret Armstrong: $100 JoAnn and Bob Balzer: $250 Joseph and Lori Baros — in loving memory of Dora Baros: $200 Barbara Belding: $100 The Benjamin Family — in loving memory of Jill Benjamin, Nate Blaser and Luke Griscom Benjamin: $500 Christian and Candace Benyei: $250 Joy Berkley and Lisa Moroz: $200 Steven Berkshire and Eileen Swinehart: $25.77 Ellen and Paul Biderman: $250 Adrienne and Steve Bing — in honor of brothers Chris and Mike: $200 Bruce and Cynthia Bolene: $1,000 Ted and Jami Borek: $500 Eva and Edward Borins — in honor of Madelynn and Charlie Johnston: $250 M. Brandes: $309.28 Sheila Brown — in loving memory of Craig Othmer, by his family: $500 Christina Bruce: $100 Reagan and Jennifer Burkholder: $200 Cumulative total: $216,809.33CHICAGO — It took 32 seconds of national embarrassment for George McCaskey, Kevin Warren and Ryan Poles to finally concede what everyone else already knew. And even when the Chicago Bears brain trust decided they no longer could justify keeping Matt Eberflus as head coach of their team, they still waited until he conducted one more news conference — telling us everything was fine and he was preparing for next week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers — before they actually pulled the trigger. Remember, this is an operation worth an estimated $6.4 billion, not a local hardware business trying to decide whether a store clerk should be let go for putting the wingnuts and screws in the wrong aisle. Fittingly, the Bears were the Bears until the last drop. “It’s been a normal operation,” Eberflus said Friday morning on a Zoom call with reporters before being Zoomed out of the NFL. The sad part is the Bears truly believe they are a normal operation when it’s quite obvious they’re the laughingstock of football. Who else would let Eberflus continue to fail time and time again after he repeatedly proved he wasn’t fit for the job. His .304 winning percentage was third-worst in Bears history, ahead of only John Fox (.292) and Abe Gibron (.274). And at least Abe had Melody to help take our minds off all the losing. (Google it, kids.) Eberflus’ days had been numbered since the Hail Mary loss to the Washington Commanders. The 19-3 loss to the lowly New England Patriots on Nov. 10, in which he and his team were booed off the field, would’ve been a perfect time to say sayonara. The Bears had eight games remaining to try to salvage the season, and at 4-5 there was still some hope it could be done. But, no, the McCaskeys don’t fire head coaches in season, we’ve been told a thousand times. Instead they got rid of the sacrificial goat, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who was replaced by Thomas Brown. Fans would have to suffer through three more brutal endings before George McCaskey finally got it into his head that this marriage was not going to work. The Thanksgiving Day clock blunder will be remembered as the fatal blow, of course, because we all watched in a collective stupor as the clock ticked down and Caleb Williams kept barking out signals, seemingly oblivious to the fact the game was about to end. Even your Aunt Martha, who doesn’t know a football from a drumstick, was yelling: “What is he doing, for crying out loud?” It made for an unforgettable Thanksgiving, with everyone in the living room calling for Eberflus’ head. Then came the “everything is fine” news conference Friday morning that made it appear as though the Bears were actually trying to gaslight their fans. I’m not sure what made McCaskey agree to change the long-standing policy — whether it was Jimmy Johnson’s rant or a tweet by The Wieners Circle — but whoever it was should get a medal of valor for saving the city from a mass mental breakdown. We all saw this coming, except perhaps the Three Amigos: McCaskey, Warren and Poles. That still doesn’t make it any more palatable. The Thanksgiving hangover firing bookends the most famous “hiring” in Bears history, when Mike McCaskey told the media Dave McGinnis would be the head coach before actually informing McGinnis, thus losing both the coach and the rest of his own dwindling credibility. That embarrassing moment would be the lowlight of Mike McCaskey’s career, just as this will be remembered as George’s unshining moment. How will Eberflus be remembered? Was he a poor man’s Pedro Grifol or a poorer man’s Jim Boylen? Until Thursday’s debacle, perhaps the moment that best epitomized the Eberflus era was, during a lopsided loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in October 2023, when he threw the red challenge flag after the Bears scored a meaningless touchdown late in the game. He meant to throw it before the play, but Eberflus was never one to react quickly to any situation. And because there wasn’t any video replay of the actual touchdown, it was no harm, no foul. What comes next for Bears fans is the hard part. Do they trust these executives to hire the right replacement? Almost as much as they trust Mayor Brandon Johnson to manage the city budget. The easiest solution is to throw money at Bill Belichick and see if he bites. If Williams is truly a game-changing quarterback then it makes sense to give the keys to the guy who coached the greatest quarterback of his generation. But making sense is not really the Bears’ thing, so expect them to go for someone they don’t have to give any real power to and will be blander than their last five coaches combined. Someone disposable by 2027. It’s just normal operating procedure at Halas Hall. ©2024 Chicago Tribune. Visit chicagotribune.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "dateCreated": "2024-12-25T00:40:53+02:00", "datePublished": "2024-12-25T00:40:53+02:00", "dateModified": "2024-12-25T00:40:49+02:00", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22825/opinions/the-season-for-reflection-giving-africa-a-fair-chance", "headline": "The season for reflection: Giving Africa a fair chance", "description": "As the year draws to a close, the holiday season offers a moment to pause and reflect on our shared humanity and collective responsibility. It is a time to...", "keywords": "", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22825/opinions/the-season-for-reflection-giving-africa-a-fair-chance" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/25/67115.jpg", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/25/67115.jpg" }, "articleBody": "As the year draws to a close, the holiday season offers a moment to pause and reflect on our shared humanity and collective responsibility. It is a time to reconsider the global imbalances that define our world and to explore how generosity, not just in spirit but in action, can address these inequalities. For Africa, a continent brimming with potential yet burdened by systemic challenges, this season should serve as a reminder of the urgent need for equitable partnerships and meaningful support from the global community. Africa’s challenges are as vast as its opportunities. The continent is home to 1.4 billion people, a majority of whom are under the age of 25. This youthful energy could power industries, drive innovation, and transform economies, yet it is stifled by limited access to resources, infrastructure deficits, and a lack of investment in human capital. Compounding these challenges are the climate crisis, economic shocks, and persistent inequities in the global financial system. These issues demand global attention, not as acts of charity, but as investments in a shared and sustainable future. One of Africa’s most pressing needs is access to financing for development and climate resilience. Despite contributing less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, African nations bear the brunt of climate change, with extreme weather events threatening livelihoods and economies. Yet, Africa receives only a fraction of global climate finance – just 11 per cent of what is needed annually. This glaring imbalance highlights the need for a new approach to global support, one that moves beyond empty pledges to deliver meaningful action. Debt-for-nature swaps, increased access to concessional financing, and mechanisms such as green and blue bonds offer pathways to unlock much-needed funds without exacerbating debt burdens. Economic justice is another area where the global community can step up. African nations lose an estimated $100 billion annually to illicit financial flows, including tax evasion by multinational corporations. This figure nearly matches the total annual aid received by the continent. Reversing this trend requires stronger international collaboration to enforce transparency, close loopholes, and ensure that Africa’s wealth benefits its people. The West must take greater responsibility in regulating global financial practices that undermine Africa’s development, treating this issue as a shared global priority. Beyond financial support, knowledge and technology transfers are vital. Africa is poised to benefit immensely from advancements in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and sustainable agriculture. However, these sectors require significant investment in capacity building and technology access. Western nations, with their resources and expertise, have a crucial role to play in bridging this gap. Supporting Africa’s renewable energy transition, for example, not only addresses climate change but also opens avenues for economic growth, job creation, and improved energy access for millions. The concept of giving, at its core, extends beyond material support – It involves the sharing of opportunities, knowledge, and respect. It requires addressing the structural inequities that perpetuate poverty and exclusion. For Africa, this means fostering partnerships rooted in equity, where African voices are central to decision-making processes, and solutions are co-created to meet the continent’s unique needs. This reflective season is also a reminder of Africa’s intrinsic contributions to the world. From its cultural wealth to its natural resources, Africa is not just a recipient of global goodwill but a vital player in global progress. The continent’s growing fintech sector, its strides in healthcare innovation, and its leadership in conservation efforts demonstrate that Africa’s solutions often have global relevance. Recognising and amplifying these contributions is a form of giving that benefits everyone. As we contemplate the idea of giving this season, let it be more than a momentary gesture. Let it inspire long-term commitments to creating a fairer, more inclusive global community. For the West, this means revisiting its role in global inequities and embracing its responsibility to act, not out of guilt or charity, but out of a shared vision for a sustainable future. Whether through fair trade practices, investment in African industries, or meaningful climate action, the potential to give Africa a fair chance lies within our grasp. This season is a reminder that the greatest gift we can offer each other is the possibility of a better future. For Africa and the world, this begins with action—deliberate, equitable, and transformative. Let this be a season not only of reflection but also of resolve to turn generosity into lasting change. The author is an applied economist.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "JP Fabri" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }The US attorney general tried to block Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams from fundraising in the country in 1995 over a belief the IRA was still trying to source weapons, newly released records show. Janet Reno, the attorney general at the time, had previously opposed then-US president Bill Clinton 's decision to grant visas for Mr Adams and former IRA chief Joe Cahill in 1994 - months after the IRA declared a ceasefire. Mr Adams was president of Sinn Fein , which was regarded as the political wing of the IRA paramilitary group, between 1983 and 2018, but has always denied being a member of the IRA. Mr Clinton overruled Ms Reno by giving him a three-month visa, which included permission to raise funds for the party - a move that provoked anger from then-UK prime minister John Major . The US attorney general's continuing opposition is revealed by the annual release of documents from the National Archives in Dublin . In a February 1995 letter to Mr Clinton's national security advisor Tony Lake, she expressed frustration "by the latest effort" to modify restrictions that stopped Mr Adams raising money from Irish American donors, having looked at the matter "barely six weeks" earlier. "No evidence has been brought to my attention (since) that suggests progress has been made towards the disarmament and demobilisation of the IRA," she told Mr Lake. More on Ireland Northern Irish police once questioned man because he had showered, declassified documents show Ireland's weavers fight to save Donegal tweed from foreign imposters Man found dead after being questioned over suspected murder of Irish schoolboy Kyran Durnin Related Topics: Ireland Israel United States "In addition, I am aware of evidence that suggests that (the IRA) has continued to identify potential sources for arms procurement and to make inquiries concerning availability and terms of purchase." She also said the State Department, the US Treasury and the US Department of Justice had "recently intensified their efforts and public commitments to combatting international terrorism", which "could be undermined by removing the Adams visa restriction at this time". The Sinn Fein leader applied for a visa that included fundraising permission on 22 February 1995, which Mr Clinton granted because of the progress he felt had been made. "We have made clear our expectation that all and any funds raised will be used for legitimate political party purposes which serve to reinforce Sinn Fein's commitment to the peace process," a US note held in the Irish state papers shows. Follow our channel and never miss an update According to other newly-released documents: Tony Blair effectively told then UUP leader David Trimble to "get lost" over a plan to hold a referendum on Irish reunification in 2002. Diplomatic delays tied up the return of a portrait of Daniel O'Connell - an Irish nationalist campaigner known as The Liberator - for more than two years, after concerns that the Irish parliament was only receiving a copy of the original. The Irish government took a dim view of some of the proposed candidates to lead key negotiations leading into the Good Friday Agreement, describing some as ineffective politicians, bad lawyers and in one case having a "bitchy temperament". Netanyahu's visit to establish diplomatic ties Separate files shed new light on then deputy foreign minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's visit to Dublin in 1990, years before he became Israeli prime minister, in a bid to establish a diplomatic presence. In a meeting with then Irish foreign affairs minister Gerry Collins, he suggested there was a "natural feeling of sympathy towards Israel among the Irish people". But he said relations had not been helped by Irish soldiers who had been killed in Lebanon while serving with UN peacekeeping forces - many of which had been blamed on Lebanese militias supported by Israel. Be the first to get Breaking News Install the Sky News app for free An Israeli embassy in Ireland was opened in December 1993, but Israel recently announced its closure . The Israeli foreign minister accused Ireland of "antisemitic rhetoric" and of crossing "every red line in its relations with Israel". Ireland has recognised Palestinian statehood and announced an intention to intervene in South Africa's case against Israel for genocide at the International Court of Justice. Irish premier Simon Harris has rejected the claims and accused Israel of "distracting" from the deaths of children in the Gaza conflict.
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Article content The newly-elected provincial government has brought forward an affordability bill focused on reducing taxes and offering incentives, as promised in the Saskatchewan Party’s fall election platform. The Saskatchewan Affordability Act was introduced onto the floor of the legislative assembly Monday afternoon. The act contains 13 “affordability commitments,” said the government in a news release. At the heart is a move to raise the personal, spousal and child tax exemptions, as well as the seniors supplement, by $500 over the next four years. This was one of the first big pledges made by Premier Scott Moe on the election trail back in October. Finance Minister Jim Reiter said the affordability act responds to concerns heard during that campaign about rising cost-of-living pressures. “We know these issues are not unique to our province, but we are taking action to make life more affordable for all Saskatchewan residents and families, while ensuring we still maintain a strong economy,” Reiter said in the release. The minister teased the bill last week after it was mentioned in the throne speech at the outset of the 30th legislative sitting. The act also includes adjustments to the following other tax credits : raising the low-income tax credit by five per cent each year over the next four years; raising the disability tax credit, the disability tax credit supplement for children under 18, and the caregiver tax credit by 25 per cent each; doubling the active families benefit and increasing the qualifying income threshold; boosting the post-secondary graduate retention program’s benefits by 20 per cent, bringing the average rebate for a four-year degree to $24,000 from $20,000; increasing the provincial first-time homebuyers’ credit by 50 per cent; raising the amount of savings possible from the home renovation tax credit to $420 per year, and $525 per year for seniors. All tax credits impacted under the act will also be subject to tax indexing to offset inflation and avoid bracket creep for Saskatchewan residents, said the release. “The Saskatchewan Affordability Act will reduce income taxes for every resident, family and small business in our province,” said Reiter in the release. Opposition Leader Carla Beck speared the bill during question period, citing Reiter’s statement from last week that taxpayers wouldn’t see any of these savings in hand until 2026. “That’s more than a year from now for Saskatchewan families to wait,” she said. “If this government had been listening, they’d understand that Saskatchewan people cannot wait until 2026 to get the relief they need.” Beck asked why Sask. Party MLAs moved to block emergency bills proposed last week by the Opposition to immediately pause the 15-cent provincial gas tax and the provincial sales tax on groceries as temporary measures. The emergency actions failed as walk-on bills because the government used its majority to stop debate on adopting the NDP’s proposals from the fall campaign. Reiter countered that “PST isn’t on groceries” and repeated — as he told the media last week — that the act’s measures will be more impactful as they “are permanent.” “We are taking affordability measures very, very seriously,” said Reiter. — with files from Jennifer Ackerman, Alec Salloum and the Saskatoon StarPhoenix’s Michael Joel-Hanson lkurz@postmedia.com The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark leaderpost.com and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe. Share this Story : Saskatchewan government introduces new 'affordability' measures Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn TumblrUK, Italy, Japan launch joint venture to develop next-generation fighter jet