HALIFAX - A letter from the federal integrity commissioner says the chief executive of an economic development agency in Cape Breton is being investigated for alleged patronage appointments. Mario Dion, commissioner of the Office of Public Sector Integrity, wrote that his office launched the inquiry into four hirings by John Lynn, chief executive of Enterprise Cape Breton Corp., following a complaint by Liberal MP Gerry Byrne.

G8 leaders called Tuesday for a peace conference on Syria to be held as soon as possible but deep divisions remained as Russia stood by its embattled Middle East ally. At the end of two days of tough talks in Northern Ireland, the leaders agreed to push for a transitional government in Syria that could include members of President Bashar al-Assad's regime who switched sides.

G8 leaders agreed on Tuesday to eradicate the payment of ransoms for hostages kidnapped by "terrorists" in an attempt to remove one of the key incentives for extremists. The world's most industrialised nations also called on companies to follow their lead in refusing to pay for the release of abducted employees. British Prime Minister David Cameron, the summit host, had been keen to push the deal because funds raised by ransom payments are a substantial source of funding for terror groups, especially those in north Africa.

ALBANY, N.Y. - New York regulators have reached agreement for Deloitte Financial Advisory Services to pay $10 million and cease consulting for one year at state-regulated banks to settle an investigation into misconduct. The probe involved Deloitte's work for the New York branch of Standard Chartered Bank in 2004 and 2005. The company says it will work with regulators to establish best industry practices.