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Greece in crisis over state TV closure

Agence France-PresseJune 12, 2013 10:32
Greece was in the grip of a new political crisis on Wednesday as the government faced a storm of public protest and a general strike over the shock shutdown of state broadcaster ERT. The broadcaster's television and radio stations were abruptly pulled off air late Tuesday and its 2,700 staff suspended as part of the conservative-led coalition government's deeply unpopular austerity drive. "The ERT lockup amounts to a coup d'etat," leading union GSEE said in a statement it announced a 24-hour general strike on Thursday, the third in the crisis-hit country this year.

Britain's Labour seeks to win back trust on economy

June 7, 2013 09:25
By Peter Griffiths LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour Party sent a message to skeptical voters on Thursday that it can be trusted to run the economy and balance the books, promising to focus on tight spending and a cap on the welfare budget if it wins the next election. In a speech designed to restore Labour's economic credibility and counter Conservative taunts that it is the "Welfare Party", leader Ed Miliband set out plans for stricter controls on the vast benefits bill.

UK's Labour vows iron discipline on budget

June 3, 2013 09:00
By William Schomberg LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour party sought to convince voters on Monday it is fit to run the economy by promising "iron discipline" on spending and announcing cuts to some welfare benefits if it wins the 2015 election. Ed Balls, Labour's would-be finance minister, said he would scrap winter fuel subsidies for the richest pensioners, shaving just a fraction off Britain's welfare budget but signaling his party is determined to show it can cut social spending.

Artists insulted by heritage minister's broadside against NDP MP, former actor

The Canadian PressMay 30, 2013 19:31
OTTAWA - In its zeal to deflect attention from the Senate expenses scandal, the Harper government has managed to antagonize some of Canada's most prominent arts and culture luminaries. This year's winners of the Governor General's performing arts awards were in the gallery of the House of Commons today as Heritage Minister James Moore fended off opposition queries about Sen. Mike Duffy's invalid expense claims. Moore deflected most questions by raising instances of alleged ethical lapses by various NDP and Liberal parliamentarians.

Manitoba NDP convention told provincial sales tax hike a good thing

The Canadian PressMay 25, 2013 15:57
BRANDON, Man. - Manitoba New Democrats have been told the next election campaign is already underway, and the decision to raise the provincial sales tax is a positive, not a negative. Liam Martin, the premier's chief of staff, told the NDP's annual convention today this year's budget move to raise the tax "smoked out" Opposition Leader Brian Pallister. Martin says Pallister's response — calling for spending cuts instead of a tax hike — is a huge opportunity for the NDP politically. Martin says the cuts would mean fewer front-line workers and cuts to public services.

Policies, subsidies: Manitoba New Democrats hold annual convention

The Canadian PressMay 25, 2013 04:45
BRANDON, Man. - Manitoba New Democrats are holding their annual convention in Brandon this weekend amid controversies over taxes and political subsidies. Recent opinion polls suggest the NDP is struggling after 13 years in power, and there has been public outcry over the government's plan to raise the provincial sales tax in July. Delegates will debate policies on everything from education to the environment, but as always, the outcomes are not binding on the government. Party officials may also discuss how much of a new public subsidy the NDP will accept.

Legislature to reconvene this summer to pass balanced budget: Christy Clark

The Canadian PressMay 23, 2013 17:46
VANCOUVER - Passing a balanced budget, going on a trade mission to Asia, and establishing labour peace with teachers are among B.C. Premier Christy Clark's top priorities as she announced she will recall the legislature this summer. Speaking to her newly elected caucus members as well as defeated candidates for the first time since the Liberals' come-from-behind election win last week, Clark said the party must now make good on its campaign promises. "So this summer, we're going to call back the legislature," she told party members in a hotel ballroom Thursday.

NDP asks parliamentary committee to look into appointees' Tory ties

The Canadian PressMay 22, 2013 18:03
OTTAWA - The federal New Democrats are asking a parliamentary committee to look into political appointments to the new Social Security Tribunal. New Democrat MP Chris Charlton put forward a motion Wednesday asking the human-resources committee to examine the qualifications of several appointees with Conservative ties.

Premier Wynne to focus on byelections after winning NDP support for budget

The Canadian PressMay 21, 2013 04:30
TORONTO - Premier Kathleen Wynne says she's pleased the New Democrats will support her budget and avert a provincial election. Now that the threat's over, she says she'll look at dates for two byelections in London and Windsor. The seats were vacated in February by former cabinet ministers Dwight Duncan and Chris Bentley. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says her party will prop up the minority Liberals for now because they've met enough of her demands. Horwath says Wynne didn't give them everything they wanted, but it's enough to gain NDP support.

Election threat eases as NDP encouraged by Wynne's response to budget demands

The Canadian PressMay 17, 2013 12:01
TORONTO - Threats of a June election in Ontario eased considerably Friday when the New Democrats said they were "encouraged" by Premier Kathleen Wynne's response to their series of post-budget demands. Even though the minority Liberal government included a list of NDP ideas in the May 2 budget, party leader Andrea Horwath issued three additional demands that she said were necessary for her support.
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