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Rep. Matt Gaetz is threatening to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy. It won’t be easy

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:43:17 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — “How would you be different as speaker, compared to Mr. Boehner?” a reporter asked then-House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy in September 2015 as the California Republican pursued, and eventually gave up, his first attempt at the speakership. McCarthy laughed while standing next to outgoing Speaker John Boehner — who had just stepped down after facing a threat of removal — and joked that he was from a different generation and wouldn’t be as tan.Eight years later, McCarthy is finding that there are fewer differences between them as he faces a conservative revolt against his speakership.“If somebody wants to remove (me) because I want to be the adult in the room, go ahead and try,” McCarthy told reporters Saturday. And his critics, namely Rep. Matt Gaetz, plan to do just that. On Sunday, the far-right Republican from Florida threatened to use a procedural tool — called a motion to vacate — to try and strip McCarthy of his office as soon as this week after...

The UAE holds a major oil and gas conference just ahead of hosting UN COP28 climate talks in Dubai

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:43:17 GMT

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Emirati president-designate of the upcoming United Nations COP28 climate talks called on oil and gas companies on Monday to be “central to the solution” to fighting climate change, even as the industry boosts its production to enjoy rising global energy prices.The call by Sultan al-Jaber highlights the gap between climate activists suspicious of his industry ties and his calls to drastically slash the world’s emissions by nearly half in seven years to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) compared with pre-industrial times. “That is our North Star. It is in fact our only destination,” al-Jaber said. “It is simply acknowledging and respecting the science.”However, he added: “We must do this while also ensuring human prosperity by meeting the energy needs of the planet’s growing population.”Al-Jaber serves as the CEO of the state-run Abu Dhabi Oil Co., which has the capacity to pump 4 million barrels...

A big fire in a police headquarters in northeastern Egypt injures at least 38 people

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:43:17 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — A huge fire broke out early Monday in a police headquarters in northeastern Egypt, injuring at least 38 people, the Health Ministry said.The blaze ripped through the multistory police headquarters in the Suez Canal province of Ismailia, according to Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry.He said 12 of the injured were treated at the site, while 26 others were taken to hospitals, all but two suffering from breathing difficulties. Seven of the injured were treated and discharged, he said.It was not immediately clear how many police were in the building at the time of the blaze, which severely damaged the building according to local media.Videos circulated on social media showed flames and black smoke pouring from the building.The cause of the blaze was not immediately known. The state-run MENA news agency said firefighters managed to put out the fire.Safety standards and fire regulations are poorly enforced in Egypt and have been linked to many death...

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

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:43:17 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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:43:17 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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:43:17 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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:43:17 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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:43:17 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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:43:17 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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:43:17 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...