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Farmers’ Fury Erupts in Greece Over EU Subsidy Delays

                                         Protesting farmers push against riot police in Nikaia, near Larissa, Greece    Greek farmers clashed with police on Sunday in central and northern regions of the country as anger mounted over the delayed payment of European Union agricultural subsidies. The protests, centered around Nikaia near Larissa, saw hundreds of farmers blocking highways with tractors and demanding immediate government action. The unrest stems from an estimated €600 million shortfall in EU aid following a corruption scandal that has triggered investigations by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Authorities allege that some farmers falsified land and livestock ownership records to secure subsidies, leading to a freeze in payments while the probe continues. Police responded with tear gas and barricades as demonstrators attempted to...
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Boxing Day Sales See Smaller Crowds Despite GST Break

 

Retailers across the country experienced smaller crowds and cautious spending on Boxing Day this year, despite the federal government's GST holiday. While the tax break, which makes a variety of items GST-free for two months, did attract some shoppers, many consumers remained hesitant due to ongoing cost of living concerns.

Shoppers at Fairview Mall in Toronto, like Nakul Singal, took advantage of the deals but expressed that the tax break alone wasn't enough to offset the high costs of living**. Singal mentioned, "It's good to shop around during this time, but we're still struggling with expenses, especially housing.

Retail Council of Canada's Matt Poirier noted that businesses faced challenges implementing the tax break on short notice, and some older payment systems struggled to adapt.  An RBC Economics report also indicated that retail spending slowed in November, with holiday spending slightly below 2023 levels over the Black Friday weekend.

Despite these challenges, some retailers, like GameStop in north Toronto, saw an influx of customers eager to benefit from the tax holiday. Assistant store manager Joey Comia-Orellano said, "We've been getting shoppers before Boxing Day, and we expect it to get busier as consumers look to save with Boxing Day deals combined with the tax break."

Overall, while the GST break provided some relief, it wasn't enough to fully counteract the economic pressures faced by many Canadians.




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