Section: Macleans (Canada)
Tories pressing for more details from allies on Iran nuclear deal
OTTAWA – A skeptical Harper government will be pressing some of Canada’s closest allies about their deal to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The Canadian Press has learned that Prime Minister Stephen Harper will likely discuss the Iran agreement this weekend while he and President Barack Obama are in Panama for the Summit of...
The Long Way Down
Let’s overlook everything else going on in the economy today and just look at oil, oil, and more oil (a lot more oil.) Yesterday, amidst news of the third-largest oil and gas merger ever (between Royal Dutch Shell and BG), oil prices hit a swift high for the year – and then promptly dropped nearly six per cent, on news that U.S. stockpiles...
NGO accuses Ukraine separatists of executing captured soldiers
KIEV, Ukraine – Amnesty International said Thursday that it has evidence that Russian-backed separatists in east Ukraine have executed several captured government soldiers in gross violation of international humanitarian law. The human rights group said in a statement that footage it has seen shows at least four Ukrainian soldiers – now confirmed...
Valentina Lisitsa, free speech, and the problem with philanthropy
Ukraine-born classical pianist Valentina Lisitsa performs live on stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London on June 19, 2012. (Andrew Cowie/AFP/GettyImages) Let’s talk about this piano soloist and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. I know a conductor who swore in rehearsal and, if the musicians who were present have anything to say about it, he...
Joe Oliver: ‘Budgets do not balance themselves’
Darren Calabrese/CP For the record, prepared notes for Finance Minister Joe Oliver at the Economic Club of Canada on April 8: Good morning everyone. Let me begin by thanking Colleen Johnston for that kind introduction, and the Economic Club of Canada for hosting me today. It’s great to be back. I find myself speaking before one of the few...
Comments cost Ukraine pianist gig with Toronto symphony
TORONTO – Ukrainian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa will not perform with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra this week because of what the TSO calls “provocative comments.” In a statement purportedly written by the pianist and posted on Facebook Monday, Lisitsa wrote about the people of Ukraine “raising in fury against their corrupt rulers.” But she...
Ukrainian president lifts objections to autonomy referendum
KIEV, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Monday publicly lifted his objections to a referendum that could give more powers to the restive regions engulfed in more than a year of warfare, reversing his government’s previous position. Russia-backed separatists, however, dismissed Poroshenko’s gesture as meaningless. The...
Eastern Europeans take up military training against Russia threat
WARSAW, Poland – NATO aircraft scream across eastern European skies and American armoured vehicles rumble near the border with Russia on a mission to reassure citizens that they’re safe from Russian aggression. But these days, ordinary people aren’t taking any chances. In Poland, doctors, shopkeepers, lawmakers and others are heeding...
The Pope’s Easter message: ‘We ask for peace, above all’
Pope Francis leaves St. Peter’s square at the Vatican after he celebrated an Easter mass, Sunday, April 5, 2015. (AP Photo) VATICAN CITY — The following is the Vatican’s official English-language translation of Pope Francis “Urbi et Orbi” Easter message, which he delivered Sunday in Italian from the central balcony of St....
Government confirms Canadians have been evacuated from Yemen
OTTAWA – The federal government is confirming that an undisclosed number of Canadians have been taken out of Yemen, amid Russian state media reports that the Kremlin had helped them leave. Foreign Affairs spokesman John Babcock said in an email on Saturday they are aware that Canadians departed from Yemen safely. Russian news agency TASS reported...
