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Jeneroux’s Defection Pushes Carney Closer to Majority

                                                      MP Matt Jeneroux Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government has moved one seat nearer to a majority after Edmonton MP Matt Jeneroux crossed the floor from the Conservatives to join the governing caucus. Jeneroux, who had previously announced plans to resign, instead opted to align himself with Carney’s agenda, becoming the latest in a string of Conservative MPs to defect. Carney welcomed Jeneroux publicly, highlighting his experience and announcing that the Alberta MP will serve as a special adviser on economic and security partnerships. The move spares the government a byelection in Edmonton and adds further momentum to the Liberals’ recent gains, which have included multiple high‑profile floor crossings.  Jeneroux’s decision underscores shifting political dynami...

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Cyprus Leaders Discuss Opening New Crossing Points Along 1974 Ceasefire Line


 Leaders of war-divided Cyprus said on Monday they supported opening further crossing points along the 1974 ceasefire line splitting the island to meet popular demand, and would work with the United Nations towards that objective. President Nikos Christodoulides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar discussed the modalities of new checkpoints at a rare meeting hosted by the United Nations in the divided capital Nicosia. 

Despite mutual support for further openings, the leaders did not announce any immediate measures to ease movement across the truce line, indicating continued disagreements. The leaders believe that the opening of new crossing points is critical to promote people-to-people contacts, strengthen economic ties, and build trust. 

Another meeting is scheduled in the coming days to continue discussions. The push for additional checkpoints follows months of negotiations focused on where and how many checkpoints should open in addition to the nine crossings used by thousands daily along a 180-km (116-mile) ceasefire line. 

It is estimated that more than a million people use the checkpoints to cross each year either for employment, education, or personal reasons. The first pedestrian crossing was opened in April 2003 after almost three decades of isolation. 

Greek Cypriots say they do not object to opening one checkpoint advocated by Turkish Cypriots in the east of Nicosia, the island's ethnically-split capital. They say that in a spirit of reciprocity, Turkish Cypriots should agree to opening a checkpoint which Greek Cypriots want. 

The leaders' joint statement emphasized the importance of opening new crossing points to promote people-to-people contacts, strengthen economic ties, and build trust. 




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