Five stories in the news today, July 16

Five stories in the news today, July 16 from The Canadian Press:

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SOURCES: SENATOR FACES SECOND ETHICS PROBE

Former Conservative senator Don Meredith faces a second ethics probe after an investigation into his office unearthed allegations of harassment and bullying, The Canadian Press has learned. More details about the unproven allegations are expected to be made public today. Meredith is already under investigation by the Senate’s ethics officer after published allegations last month that he had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl.

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LEADERS TO DISCUSS ENERGY AT NEWFOUNDLAND MEETING

Energy issues are expected to take centre stage at a meeting of provincial and territorial leaders today in Newfoundland and Labrador. Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall launched a vigorous defence of the energy industry on Wednesday, saying he is growing concerned that oil and gas development is increasingly being viewed as a liability by the rest of the country.

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BANK OF CANADA CUTS RATE, OUTLOOK

The Bank of Canada cut its key interest rate on Wednesday by a quarter of a percentage point to 0.5 per cent, sending the Canadian dollar tumbling to its lowest levels in years. The central bank also trimmed its outlook for economic growth from 1.9 per cent earlier this year to 1.1 per cent. The announcement prompted the big banks to lower their prime rates to 2.70 per cent.

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ABOUT 1,000 SASKATCHEWAN EVACUEES GOING HOME

More evacuees were homeward bound after officials determined wildfires and smoke were no longer threatening some communities in northern Saskatchewan. Premier Brad Wall said about 1,000 residents would return to the region and he anticipated others would soon follow. About 13,000 people were forced out of their homes in at least 50 communities since wildfires forced the evacuations nearly there weeks ago.

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FACEBOOK PAINTS PROFILE OF POLITICAL PARTISANS

You might say they’re a little bit country, a little bit Christian. That’s the profile that emerges of Conservative party supporters based on the books, music, movies and television shows they “like” on their Facebook pages. Facebook Canada has analysed the cultural preferences of Canadians who indicate support for one of the federal political parties. And it’s found that Conservatives have little in common with Liberals, New Democrats and Greens.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS …

— Merouane Ghalmi, a Montreal man who signed a terrorism-related peace bond in March, is scheduled to return to court.

— The case of Guido Amsel, accused of sending letter bombs to his ex-wife and two law firms in Winnipeg, is due back in court.

— In Montreal, Defence Minister Jason Kenney will announce the name of the Royal Canadian Navy’s fifth patrol ship for the Arctic.

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