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☆ Canada's Trudeau denies report that Liberals told to drop candidate over China ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Steve Scherer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Chinese government preferred Han Dong, a Chinese Canadian, over another Chinese Canadian Liberal, who was passed over in favor of Han, said Global News, a national broadcaster, citing anonymous security sources in a story posted online. The article said the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) urged Trudeau's "team" to rescind Han's candidacy. "Dong is an outstanding member of our team and suggestions that he is somehow not loyal to Canada should not be entertained," Trudeau told a news conference in Mississauga. The Chinese embassy in Ottawa did not immediately respond to a request to comment on the Global report. Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by Alistair Bell and Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Trailblazing former UK House of Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd dies
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( William James | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] FILE PHOTO-British Speaker of the House of Commons Betty Boothroyd looks on during her visit to State Duma lower house of parliament October 14. LONDON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Betty Boothroyd, the trailblazing first female Speaker in Britain's House of Commons, has died aged 93, drawing tributes from across parliament for her distinctive, firm-but-fair style honed over a five-decade political career. She remains the only woman to serve as Speaker in the House of Commons. After retiring from the House of Commons in 2000, she was made a member of parliament's House of Lords upper chamber where she continued to contribute to political debate into her nineties. Tributes to Boothroyd poured in from across the political divide, hailing her formidable parliamentary presence and her personal warmth.

[1/2] Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes questions from media, at the SEIU Healthcare union office in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada February 22, 2023. Trudeau, speaking to reporters in Toronto, said the blocking of news in Canada was an issue "bothering" him. Facebook has also raised concerns about the legislation and warned it might be forced to block news-sharing on its platform. The legislation passed Canada's House of Commons in December and is currently in the unelected upper chamber of the parliament, which rarely blocks legislation the lower house clears. Both eventually struck deals with Australian media companies after a series of amendments to the legislation were offered.

☆ Google tests blocking news content for some Canadians
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 22 (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) Google is rolling out tests that block access to news content for some Canadian users, the company confirmed on Wednesday, in what it says is a test run of a potential response to the government's online news bill. "We're briefly testing potential product responses to Bill C-18 that impact a very small percentage of Canadian users. We run thousands of tests each year to assess any potential changes to Search," a Google spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters. A spokeswoman for Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said Canadians will not be intimidated and called it disappointing that Google is borrowing from Meta's playbook. Tech giants need to be more transparent and accountable to Canadians," the spokeswoman said.

☆ England's prized soccer league to face regulation and tough new ownership rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Fans of Chelsea Football Club protest against the European Super League outside Stamford Bridge on April 20, 2021 in London, England. LONDON — The U.K. government on Thursday confirmed plans to set up an independent regulator to oversee soccer clubs following a slew of controversies around acquisitions, new tournament plans and allegations of financial rule-breaking. It follows widespread fan opposition to plans for a new European Super League in 2021. Rights groups have previously insisted that potential Premier League club owners should be subjected to human rights probes. Currently, the rules prohibit prospective owners that have previous criminal convictions or breaches of major football regulations.

OTTAWA, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem said on Thursday that the economy remains overheated and the jobs market is too tight, as he kept the door open to future interest rate hikes. On Jan. 25, the Bank hiked its key interest rate to 4.5%, the highest level in 15 years, and became the first major central bank to say it would hold off on further increases as long as prices eased as forecast. "The Canadian economy remains overheated and clearly in excess demand and this continues to put upward pressure on many domestic prices," Macklem said. "The tightness in the labor market needs to ease, wage growth needs to moderate and service price inflation needs to cool" or else more interest rate hikes will be needed, he added. At its last policy meeting, the Fed lifted its benchmark overnight interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to the 4.50% to 4.75% range.

☆ A new high-altitude flying object shot down over Northern Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to media in the House of Commons foyer on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada February 1, 2023. "Earlier today, President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Trudeau on the unidentified, unmanned object in North American air space," according to a statement from the White House. According to U.S. Northern Command, recovery operations continued Saturday on sea ice near Deadhorse, Alaska. In a statement, the Northern Command said there were no new details on what the object was. Additional debris was pulled out Friday, and operations will continue as weather permits, Northern Command said.

☆ Ukrainian President Zelenskiy begins tour of Europe in London
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Jillian Kumagai | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle (L) holds the helmet of one of the most successful Ukrainian pilots inscribed with the words "We have freedom, give us wings to protect it," which was presented to him by Ukrainian President Volodymyr...moreSpeaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle (L) holds the helmet of one of the most successful Ukrainian pilots inscribed with the words "We have freedom, give us wings to protect it," which was presented to him by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as he addressed parliamentarians in Westminster Hall, London, Britain, February 8, 2023. Stefan Rousseau/Pool via REUTERSClose

☆ China weighs in on the war in Ukraine, pushing Europe to stop trying to get Kyiv a 'complete victory' over Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( John Haltiwanger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

China warned the West against pushing for Ukraine's "complete victory" over Russia. "We are quite concerned about people talking about winning a complete victory on the battlefield," Fu went on to say. China has not condemned the war, but it also hasn't offered clear or full-throated support for Russia. The West has warned China against providing material support to Russia as the fighting in Ukraine rages on. His comments on the war in Ukraine came as Kyiv continues to push for more advanced weapons from Western countries.

☆ Canadian lawmakers back resettlement of 10,000 Uyghur Muslims
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser attends a press conference with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada April 6, 2022. REUTERS/Blair GableOTTAWA, Feb 1 (Reuters) - The Canadian parliament on Wednesday unanimously voted in favor of a non-binding proposal for the resettlement of 10,000 Uyghur Muslim refugees from China's Xinjiang region into Canada over two years. "Canada will always do its part in helping those in need of protection," Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said in a statement. In 2021, Canada became one of the first countries to label China's treatment of the Uyghurs genocide. Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Nick Clegg led Meta's decision to reinstate Trump to Facebook and Instagram. Here's how the former UK deputy prime minister charmed his way into Mark Zuckerberg's inner circle.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Philip Webster | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +18 min

Nick Clegg has risen quickly to become one of Mark Zuckerberg's closest confidants at Meta. Clegg, a former UK deputy prime minister, led the decision to reinstate Donald Trump to Facebook. It was updated on February 16, 2022 following the news that Nick Clegg had been promoted to the role of President for Global Affairs. In a challenging economic climate, the Lib Dems and their Conservative coalition partners voted to raise tuition fees. Nick Clegg (left) and Chris Huhne appearing on the BBC's "The Andrew Marr Show" in October 2007.

☆ UK car production is at its weakest since 1956. And the industry is losing the EV race
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

London CNN —UK car manufacturing hit a 66-year low in 2022, as the closure of two plants, a global shortage of semiconductors and the effect of Covid lockdowns in China on auto supply chains crippled output. “The relationship between the UK and the EU, especially as you electrify, is still fundamental to the success of UK car manufacturing,” he said. UK factories made a record 234,066 electric vehicles in 2022, almost a third of all UK car production. Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India’s Tata Motors (TTM), are also positive about the prospects for electric vehicle manufacturing in the United Kingdom. “Our continued investment in our UK facilities … will herald an exciting new era of electric car production in the UK,” the company said.

☆ Rogers-Shaw on cusp of final nod for protracted C$20 bln deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Maiya Keidan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The bureau late on Tuesday accepted the verdict of the Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) and said it would not pursue an appeal. Its decision is widely seen as paving the way for the C$20 billion ($14.98 billion) transaction to clear ahead of its Jan. 31 deadline. It now awaits final clearance from Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, who has previously expressed support for the transaction if certain conditions are met. The House of Commons industry committee in March said the deal should not proceed, though, its recommendations are non-binding. Rogers-Shaw have agreed to sell Freedom Mobile, a wireless business owned by Shaw, to Quebecor Inc (QBRb.TO) in order to alleviate competition concern.

☆ Rogers-Shaw on cusp of final nod for protracted C$20 bln deal, shares rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Maiya Keidan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Its decision is widely seen as paving the way for the C$20 billion ($14.98 billion) transaction to clear ahead of its Jan. 31 deadline. It now awaits final clearance from Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, who will be considering the transfer of Freedom Mobile Inc's spectrum license to Quebecor Inc's Videotron unit. "This is essentially a done deal, barring any surprises from Minister Champagne," Aaron Glick, analyst with New York-based investment firm Cowen, told Reuters. The House of Commons industry committee in March said the deal should not proceed, although its recommendations are non-binding. Rogers-Shaw have agreed to sell Freedom Mobile, a wireless business owned by Shaw, to Quebecor Inc (QBRb.TO) in order to alleviate competition concern.

☆ Canada Looks Poised to Pass Law on Forced Labor
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Richard Vanderford | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Canada could require that companies report on their efforts to stop goods made with forced labor from entering their supply chains, adding to momentum among Western governments to tackle the practice. Pending legislation would compel many companies to report on steps taken to prevent or reduce the use of forced labor in their supply chains by detailing, among other things, parts of the supply chains where forced labor might be occurring and the company’s due-diligence procedures. We are consuming products that contain forced labor.”With the passage of S-211, Canada would join several other Western governments in trying to stop businesses’ use of forced labor. Canada’s legislation would apply more broadly than, for example, France’s law, having an impact on some companies with as few as 250 employees. Photo: AssentCanada pledged in the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, which became effective in 2020, to block the import of goods made with forced labor.

☆ Tech bosses could face jail after UK government backs down over online harm
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta Platforms Inc., left, arrives at federal court in San Jose, California, US, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Tech bosses could be jailed if their platforms repeatedly fail to protect children from online harm after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government agreed a deal with lawmakers to avoid the prospect of a first parliamentary defeat. The rebels had tabled an amendment proposing jail sentences of up to two years for tech bosses for failing to protect children from content such as child abuse and self-harm. After days of negotiations between the government and the lawmakers, the two sides reached an agreement with ministers promising to introduce an amendment along similar lines. A spokeswoman for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

☆ UK review of 'golden' visas for millionaires finds links to corruption
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Andrew Macaskill | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The government first commissioned the visa's review in 2018 after the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Britain. Russian oligarchs and newly-minted Chinese entrepreneurs have flocked to London over the past two decades, snapping up everything from opulent homes to soccer clubs. Under the programme, foreigners who invested 2 million pounds in assets in Britain could apply for permanent residency after five years in the country. Investing 10 million pounds allowed an application after two years. In total, more than 12,000 golden visas have been granted, including more than 2,500 to Russians, according to government data.

☆ A long-term illness crisis is threatening the UK economy
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Leon Neal/Getty ImagesLONDON — Along with sky-high inflation and energy costs, a Brexit-related trade tailspin and a recession in progress, the U.K. economy is being hammered by record numbers of workers reporting long-term sickness. Unlike other major economies, recent U.K. data shows no sign that these lost workers are returning to the labor market, even as inflation and energy costs exert huge pressure on household finances. The U.K. avoided mass job losses during the Covid-19 pandemic as the government's furlough program subsidized businesses to retain workers. "The U.K. was particularly vulnerable because of austerity — NHS waiting lists were rising sharply, and performance/satisfaction was falling sharply, well before the pandemic," Portes said. However, the report noted that this isn't a recent phenomenon, and the waiting list has been growing rapidly since 2012.watch now

☆ Not a 'panacea': UK lawmakers play down hydrogen's role in net-zero shift
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Anmar Frangoul | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Hydrogen has a part to play in the U.K.'s shift to a net-zero economy but its role will likely be restricted to certain sectors, according to a report from an influential committee of U.K. lawmakers. Some call the resulting hydrogen "green" or "renewable" if the electricity used in the electrolysis process comes from a renewable source such as wind or solar. Big plans, big challengesOver the past few years, major economies and businesses have looked to the emerging green hydrogen sector to decarbonize industries integral to modern life. "Of course, green hydrogen is still an infant industry, its production is currently too cost-intensive compared to fossil fuels," he said. "So it requires an extra effort to make green hydrogen projects ...

☆ UK lawmakers warned of cyber-attacks and possible harassment from Iranian operatives
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Nina Dos Santos | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —British lawmakers have been warned to be on alert for cyber-attacks and possible harassment from Iranian operatives, according to correspondence sent to lawmakers in both the upper and lower chambers last month. The correspondence is part of a growing chorus of warnings about the potential actions of Iranian operatives in Britain as tensions rise between the two countries. Earlier in the month, UK lawmakers received guidance on how to prevent digital snooping. Iran has sanctioned several UK lawmakers, including the country’s security minister. Iranian security forces have also allegedly threatened journalists working in Britain.

☆ U.K. Tax Change to Yield Higher Costs, but Much-Needed Certainty for Companies
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Jennifer Williams-Alvarez | Nina Trentmann | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Now, under a new prime minister, the government is pledging fiscal austerity, accompanied by an increase in the corporate tax rate to 25%. Photo: Agence France-Presse/Getty ImagesWith the latest change, the corporate tax rate has flip-flopped four times in less than a year. The tax increase, from the current rate of 19%, will apply to companies with annual profit of more than £250,000, equivalent to more than $307,000. We know it is increasing to 25%.”The U.K. government’s change brings the corporate tax rate in line with those of other large economies. Photo: Jason Alden/Bloomberg NewsU.K. companies’ costs are rising on multiple fronts.

☆ U.K. Tax Change to Yield Higher Costs, But Much-Needed Certainty For Companies
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Jennifer Williams-Alvarez | Nina Trentmann | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

OTTAWA, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Inflation in Canada remains too strong, and higher interest rates will be needed to cool the overheating economy, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem said in testimony at the House of Commons on Wednesday. "Inflation has come down in recent months, but we have yet to see a generalized decline in price pressures," Macklem said. The Bank of Canada raised rates by 50 basis points last month, lifting the policy rate to 3.75%, the highest since 4% seen in January 2008. Conservative lawmakers pressed Macklem to explain what the bank should have done differently to avoid the spike in inflation. Macklem reiterated that "with hindsight", the bank would have started tightening monetary policy sooner, adding the bank would review how monetary tools have worked during this period.

OTTAWA, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Canadian inflation remains high and broad based and more interest-rate increases will be needed to cool the overheating economy, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem said in testimony at the House of Commons on Wednesday. "Inflation has come down in recent months, but we have yet to see a generalized decline in price pressures," Macklem said. After a strong job gain report for October, Canada's annual inflation rate held steady that same month at 6.9%, still far above the central bank's 2% target, while core inflation measures were mixed, data showed last week. The Bank of Canada raised rates by 50 basis points last month to fight inflation, lifting the policy rate to 3.75%, the highest since 4% seen in January 2008. Money markets have fully discounted a further 25 basis points of tightening by the Bank of Canada at its next policy decision on Dec. 7 and see a 20% chance of a larger move of 50 basis points.

☆ Morning Bid: On the fence
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Steve Scherer | David Ljunggren | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The market has been looking, almost clamouring, for signs of slowdown in the pace of interest rate hikes. And so, the dollar remains on guard, Asian equities mostly tracked Wall Street gains and gold stayed flat . The tentativeness among investors is in stark contrast with the soccer world, which remains in shock after Saudi Arabia came from behind to beat Lionel Messi's Argentina in the World Cup. The central bank warned the economy might have to spend an entire year in recession to bring inflation under control. The first bankruptcy hearing for FTX showed that the collapsed crypto exchange has been the subject of cyberattacks and had "substantial" assets missing.

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