DRUMMOND VILLE | Members of Éric Duhaime’s Conservative Party are not closed to the idea of ​​adopting more autonomous positions, but the possibility of a more nationalist turn is worrying and might even lead some to slam the door.

• Also read: The winners and losers of 2022

• Also read: Towards an “identity” and “autonomous” vision for the Quebec Conservative Party?

The shadow of a nationalist shift hung over the Quebec Conservative Party’s General Council held in Drummondville on Saturday.

“We have to find a way to unite and not divide,” said the head of the party’s political commission, Karim Elayoubi, acknowledging that the issue is fueling sentiment in conservative ranks.

The QMI agency revealed Thursday that influential members of the PCQ are lobbying for the adoption of more “identity” and “autonomist” positions. Some even want the party to take inspiration from Alberta’s sovereignty law, which would give the province the power to suspend the application of federal laws and regulations on its territory.

A lawyer who is “astute on constitutional matters” will also deal with the matter, Mr Elayoubi said. “We will come to you with an opinion and we will also see what members think about it.”

Cold

Unclosed to a gesture of autonomist affirmation, several conservative activists are cold to the idea of ​​adopting more nationalist stances. “We’ll have to see what we mean by that, it seems everyone in Quebec wants to be a nationalist,” said Jonathan Poulin, a former party candidate in Beauce-Sud and a former liberal activist.

“It is certain that I will see if I stay or not as the party takes positions closer to the PQ and PQ 2.0, the CAQ,” confides Mathieu, an activist in La Peltrie, Quebec.

“If they do that, I’ll consecrate my camp!” slices Dan, another party member.

Not in “business of the referendum”

Éric Duhaime believes that these differences of opinion do not endanger the internal cohesion of the party. According to him, those who want to change the identity of the PCQ are a minority in their ranks. “According to surveys, there are about 13 percent sovereignists here, which is still little compared to the CAQ,” he explained in an interview.

“This is a significant group in the party, but we must be very clear (…) that we are not dealing with the referendum,” he added.

Only in the English part of his speech to his supporters did Mr. Duhaime address the issue. “Yes, we are a nationalist party, but we want to stay in Canada, there is no doubt about that. We need to make sure that all Quebecers are with us, including non-Francophones and Anglophones,” he said in Shakespeare’s language.

reform of the electoral system

The main item on the agenda was the issue of reform of the electoral system. “Regardless of political affiliation, everyone challenges me to say that it makes no sense that more than half a million Quebecers are not represented in the National Assembly,” Éric Duhaime told a press crowd.

However, according to the Conservative leader, it is still too early for his political party to take an official position on this issue. “There are many possible models that we have to examine first,” he said.

Former President of the National Assembly Jean-Pierre Charbonneau gave a speech on the need to reform the electoral system.

“I will tell you: if you are not satisfied with the result of the last election, the fact that you do not have a deputy with 14% of the vote, there is only one reason, because the mode of voting has not changed and that the prime minister didn’t keep his word,” he said to a press crowd a few minutes before his speech.

The majority of PCQ members present already seemed to believe that reform of the electoral system was relevant. “Anyone who knows politics knows we have to do this!” exclaimed Gilbert, who campaigns for the Conservatives in Johnson’s constituency.

reports

The National Council was also an opportunity to explain to the members “what will change after the autopsy after the elections”, emphasized Cédric Lapointe.

Thus, each Committee Chair will take stock of the file for which he is responsible. It will focus in particular on financing and communication, but also on the political orientation of the party.

A Léger poll on Saturday showed support for the PCQ remained stable. One in ten Quebecers would still vote for Eric Duhaime’s party, down a percentage point since the last poll.

The start of meat export is planned for 2023. Credit: Colprensa

This Saturday, December 17th, the National Institute for Food and Drug Control (Invima) and the Colombian Institute of Agriculture (ICA) announced the successful completion of a visit by the Cuban regime’s health authorities to allow the export of beef. Pork, poultry, dairy and meat products of Colombian origin to this country.

The Technical Mission of the National Center for Animal Health of Cuba (Cenasa) consisted of four auditors who reviewed the inspection, surveillance and control systems of Colombian meat products during a 20-day visit between November and December.

Along with local health and agricultural authorities, these Cuban officials visited 28 export companies, as well as Invima’s central and regional offices and Invima and ICA laboratories. They also passed through the seaport of the city of Barranquilla and the border areas. They also visited an animal feed factory and some farms dedicated to animal husbandry.

In addition, the auditors were informed about the different functions of these two units. The ICA also presented the visitors with the current status of dealing with official animal diseases and its coordination with Invima for the treatment of suspected cases.

According to the joint statement by the ICA and Invima, the Cuban regime’s auditors were satisfied with the supervision of the Colombian health authorities as well as with the controls of the export companies. With this approval, it is possible “to get closer to confirming the approvals for the export of the products to be tested”.

It is therefore expected that the Cuban regime’s health system will deliver the positive results of this fact-finding visit by February 2023. This would enable export companies to send meat products to the island.

The Colombian authorities are also working on models for export hygiene certificates, which will be used To shipments to Cuba, “which contain the hygiene declarations that export companies and their products must comply with in order to enter the Cuban market”.

This announcement comes a day after Agriculture Minister Cecilia López reiterated that the agricultural sectors of Colombia and Venezuela are ready to work together and that this result will be “a great future for our populations who need new opportunities”.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Colombia exported $149 million worth of agricultural products to Venezuela between January and October 2022, an increase of 118% over the same period in 2021, which was $68.6 million.

“This is a step forward in Latin American integration, coexistence between brother nations. The agricultural sector is ready, Colombian politics will find common ground with their counterparts in Venezuela, not only with the state but also with the private sector,” said the minister.

According to the national government, the main products currently exported from Colombia to Venezuela are: confectionery, palm oil, sugar and cocoa preparations.

The Ministry of Agriculture also reported that both governments have been working on animal and plant health issues for several weeks.

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Published on: 16.12.2022 – 12:11

His face has gone around the world. Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, died on September 16, 2022 after being arrested by vice squads in Tehran for wearing an unlawful headscarf. Since then, popular anger has inflamed the streets of Iran. In contrast, the regime is multiplying arrests, torture and death sentences. Many demonstrators fled this repression and found refuge in neighboring Iraqi Kurdistan.

Kurdistan is now the refuge of these new exiles. Faced with the regime’s brutality, more and more Iranians are crossing the border to join the Kurdish commandos in overthrowing the mullahs’ regime.

Among them are women who are determined to fight it. In order to meet them, one must cross the Kurdish mountains and reach a secret location just a few kilometers from the Iranian border.

New to the experienced commando are Sadia, 18, and Nour, 25, who are training in the use of weapons. Both are Iranian. One is Kurdish, the other is not. They arrived two weeks ago and are wanted by the authorities for demonstrating against the regime following the death of Mahsa Amini.

>> Read also: Protesters executed in Iran: “The regime is ready to kill and it wants to make it known”

Weapons and Poems Against Brutality

While waiting to return to Iran to fight for their freedom, they address a poem to Iran, their country:

“Against this killer state. This killer state that’s afraid of bare pens. This killer state shooting at our people.

He’s trying to stop us, fearing our voices will be heard beyond those borders.

Despite the cold and rain, amidst the noise of bombs and rockets, the sun has risen and with it hope.

For this hope our people gave their blood for years.

Freedom, independence, we’ll bring you back from this occupied state.”

Other exiles do not take up arms and silently resist for freedom… and also to find peace. In Iraqi Kurdistan, this is what Iranian families who left their country in a hurry and have now settled in makeshift, isolated and humble dwellings are looking for.

Advertiser leaks, massive layoffs, cascading terminations, cacophony over new features, suspended journalist accounts: since its takeover in late October, the social network Twitter has rocked at the heart of the Elon Musk storm.

• Also read: Musk says he will reactivate suspended journalists’ Twitter accounts

• Also read: White House calls Musk’s attacks on Anthony Fauci ‘incredibly dangerous’

“The Bird Is Free”

On October 27, 2022, controversial billionaire Elon Musk announced he would buy Twitter for $44 billion after a saga spanning more than six months. “The bird is free,” he tweeted, alluding to the station’s logo.

“Twitter is in good hands now,” says former President Donald Trump, who was banned from the platform after the Capitol attack in early 2021.

On the contrary, associations fear that Elon Musk will open the floodgates to misinformation and hate speech.

The European Union warns on the 28th that Twitter must comply with its new digital regulations, which oblige the major platforms to moderate their content.

Elon Musk tries to reassure by promising an upcoming ‘Content Moderation Council’.

Advertisers hesitate

Following the acquisition, General Motors temporarily stopped paying for ads on Twitter, becoming the first major advertiser to question its presence on the network, 90% of whose revenue comes from advertising.

Other companies follow, such as American giants General Mills (Cheerios and Häagen-Dazs) and Mondelez International (Oreo cookies), or even Volkswagen and Audi.

Eight dollars to verify his account

On November 1, Elon Musk announced the upcoming launch of an eight-dollar monthly subscription for users who want their accounts certified as authentic and less exposure to ads.

Account certification was previously free and only accessible to certain profiles, such as government, corporate, media, political, cultural or sporting personalities, etc.

wave of layoffs

On the 4th, a wave of layoffs begins at Twitter, affecting around 50% of its 7,500 employees worldwide.

“Unfortunately, there is no other choice when the company is losing more than four million dollars a day,” Elon Musk defends himself.

Cacophony around Twitter Blue

On the 9th, great cacophony surrounds the launch of the new Twitter Blue on iPhone, the paid subscription to authenticate your account.

For 48 hours, many accounts pretend to be celebrity or corporate accounts, from basketball player LeBron James to Nintendo. These impersonations prompt Twitter to ban Twitter Blue on the 11th.

Warning from US authorities

On the 10th, the US Competition Authority (FTC) issued a rare warning: “We are following recent developments on Twitter with great concern. No CEO or company is above the law.”

The FTC advises that Twitter risks significant fines for violating privacy and data protection regulations. However, many employees aware of these regulations have left Twitter.

Ultimatum and cascading descents

On the 16th, the billionaire issues an ultimatum to his employees who survived the first wave of layoffs. They must commit to “working long hours at high intensity” before the next day, or they will be fired.

According to several American media, hundreds of them choose to leave the country.

Trump’s account restored

On the 19th, after a subscriber survey, Elon Musk decided to unban Donald Trump’s Twitter account.

In doing so, he announces the en masse reinstatement of suspended accounts — provided they haven’t broken the law — and the end of the fight against COVID disinformation.

The EU warns him on the 30th and urges him to fight disinformation.

Kanye West suspended

On December 2, Twitter suspended American rapper Kanye West’s account for “inciting violence,” revealing the limits of the absolute freedom of expression advocated by Elon Musk.

On the same day, during a state visit to the United States, French President Emmanuel Macron said he had a “clear and frank discussion” with Elon Musk in New Orleans, specifically on “content moderation”.

Paid subscription, continued

After several tests, on the 12th, the billionaire launched a new paid subscription formula for Twitter, including account authentication.

Suspension of journalist accounts

On the 15th, Twitter blocked the accounts of several journalists covering the social network and its new owner. Some of them had tweeted the day before Twitter’s decision to suspend the account that automatically reported Elon Musk’s private jet routes.

The EU immediately threatened the latter with “sanctions”. “We have a problem with Twitter,” Berlin notes.

Kathie Lee Gifford is going to be a grandma again! Their daughter Cassidy is pregnant with a “little peanut arriving in June 2023.”

By Alesia Stanford

Published: 21:08 GMT, 17 December 2022 | Updated: 21:09 GMT, 17 December 2022

Kathie Lee Gifford is going to be a grandma again.

Former Today host’s daughter Cassidy shared the good news on social media with a sweet photo of two larger stockings and a much smaller one hanging by the fireplace.

“A whole lot more to praise Jesus for this Christmas,” wrote the 29-year-old mother, “our little peanut is arriving in June 2023.”

Big news: Cassidy Gifford, 29, announced the news that awaited her with a sweet photo of stockings on the coat and wrote: ‘A whole lot more to praise Jesus for this Christmas. Our little peanut will arrive in June 2023’

She followed the announcement with a reference to the Bible verse Jeremiah 1:5, which reads: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I have made you a prophet to the nations.’

Kathie Lee, 69, shared the big news on her Instagram feed, writing: “I am beyond thrilled with my beloved girl @cassidygiff and @letsgetweirda.”

“What a sweet blessing this is for our family”

Delighted: Kathie Lee, 69, said she was “absolutely thrilled” by the good news. “What a sweet blessing for our family” (pictured in New York in May 2019)

Lifelong friends: Cassidy and her husband Ben Weirda, 32, have been married since 2020 but have known each other for most of their life and became friends after meeting for a family vacation

Famous friends sent their congratulations. Lacey Chabert wrote: “Such wonderful news! Congratulations! ❤️” and actress Katie Sarife followed with awww congratulations!!!! So happy for you! ♥️’

Roma Downey sent her own congratulations: “So happy for you guys ❤️.”

Cassidy and her husband Ben Weirda, 32, tied the knot in 2020 but have known each other for most of their lives. “Our moms met through a mutual friend in the Florida Keys, and my family used to go on vacations. Her children were the same age as my brother and I. You don’t always get along with your family friends’ kids, but we get along well,” she told People.

Family: The former Today anchor shares son Cody and daughter Cassidy with her late husband, NFL great Frank Gifford

Cassidy is the youngest daughter of Kathie Lee and her late husband, former NFL star Frank Gifford.

Ben’s grandparents founded the Prince automobile empire in Michigan, and he is the nephew of former Secretary of Education Betsy De Vos and Blackwater founder Erik Prince.

The new little one will join her older cousin Frank Michael, who is the son of Cassidy’s older brother Cody, 32, and his wife Erika Brown Gifford, for around six months.

More to love: The new little one will join his older cousin Frank Michael on Grandma’s lap at around six months old. Frank is the son of Cassidy’s older brother Cody (32) and his wife Erika Brown Gifford