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Europe Scorched by Record Heatwave: France and Italy Take Emergency Measures

As a blistering heatwave tightens its grip on Europe, countries are scrambling to protect citizens from soaring temperatures and mounting health risks. France has shuttered over 1,350 schools  and closed the top floor of the Eiffel Tower as temperatures surged past 40°C (104°F)  in several regions. Sixteen French departments are now under the highest heat alert, with authorities urging people to stay hydrated and indoors during peak hours. Meanwhile, Italy has imposed restrictions on outdoor work , particularly in agriculture and construction, during the hottest parts of the day. Cities like Rome, Milan, and Venice are under red alerts, with hospitals reporting a spike in heat-related illnesses. The Mediterranean Sea has also hit record highs, with waters in Spain’s Balearic Sea reaching 30°C , up to 6 degrees above average. Scientists warn that Europe—already warming at twice the global average —is facing increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves due to climate change. New ...

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"CRA Duped Again: Ontario Construction Tax Credit Scam Costs Millions"

 

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has once again fallen victim to a tax credit scam, this time involving Ontario's construction tax credit scheme. According to sources, the CRA mistakenly paid out tens of millions of dollars to scammers who used fake businesses to claim tax credits for non-existent renovations and construction projects.

The scheme, which began in 2020, allowed businesses to claim tax credits for building or renovating commercial facilities. However, the CRA failed to verify the claims, accepting them without review and paying out the credits without proper scrutiny. This oversight has resulted in significant financial losses, with the exact amount still being calculated but estimated to be in the tens of millions.

Minister of National Revenue Marie-Claude Bibeau has defended the CRA's fraud detection systems, calling them "robust," despite the repeated failures. The CRA has declined to comment on how the scam was missed and has not disclosed specific details about their monitoring strategies.

The Ontario finance ministry has stated that the CRA is responsible for administering the tax credits on behalf of the province, including conducting audits. Both the federal and provincial governments are now working together to address non-compliance and implement measures to minimize fraud in the future.

This latest incident raises questions about the effectiveness of the CRA's fraud detection systems and the accountability for the financial losses incurred.



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