Articles by Robin Arthur
White House accuses Syria of chemical attacks
The White House accused Syria’s government for the first time, April 25, of using chemical weapons in its civil war, but administration officials called for a broader United Nations investigation and edged away from saying Damascus had crossed a “red line” that might trigger U.S. intervention.
Canada wooing foreign entrepreneurs with new Start-up Visa
The world’s best and brightest entrepreneurs from around the world, with ideas for new business ventures and financial backing from Canadian investors, can apply to the brand-new Start-Up Visa Program as of April 1, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced mid April.
M&M drawing youth to its inclusive media internships
Multimedia and Multiculturalism (M&M) a national initiative that connects diverse communities with media organizations in Canada is now looking to recruit high school students into its media internship program. Maureen Juma, the Halifax Regional Coordinator told students at the Sacred Heart School of Halifax that M&M’s objective is to make the country’s media inclusive.
UN plan to save 2m kids from pneumonia and diarrhea in poor countries
The United Nations launched in April a global plan to combat two of the leading killers of children under five, potentially saving two million youngsters each year who would otherwise die from pneumonia and diarrhoea in low- and middle-income countries.
Côte d’Ivoire`s turbulence leaves country awash in arms
Côte d’Ivoire’s recent turbulence – including the ouster of president Henri Konan Bédié in 1999, a long-running insurgency and deadly poll unrest in 2011 – has left the country awash in arms, which have contributed to human rights abuses, widespread crime and persistent insecurity.
Japan warns of reacting with force if China lands on disputed islands
Japan would respond with force if China attempts to land on the disputed Senkaku Islands, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in Parliament late April. Abe was responding to a question about what he was prepared to do if Chinese ships sailing close to the islands – called the Diaoyu Islands by the Chinese – tried to land, a BBC report said.
Latin America’s social conflict spurred by inequality
The Latin American countries afflicted by the greatest amount of social conflict are also those suffering from broad inequality and limited capacity to manage unrest, according to a United Nations report launched late April.
Serbia, Kosovo reach landmark accord brokered by EU
Serbia and Kosovo have reached a landmark accord opening up the hope that this would help usher in a future of peace and stability in the Balkans. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon lauded the `landmark` agreement between leaders of Serbia and Kosovo resulting from the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue facilitated by the European Union.
Adult Learners Week kicks off with inclusion of diverse societies
The Nova Scotia Adult Learner’s Week kicked off in April promoting learning across the spectrum of life from April 6 to 14 at several locations across the province. The scope of learning ranged from film screenings by emerging filmmakers – ACALATV to a discussion on End of Life Law and Policy in Canada and Abroad, and stories from learners.
Obama brokers Israeli rapprochement with Turkey but makes little progress on Palestinian issue
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized late March to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, ending a nearly three-year-long feud in a phone call brokered by President Barack Obama. Obama said that “the timing was right” for Israel and Turkey to begin repairing diplomatic relations, which were frozen when Israeli naval commandos raided a Turkish ship, Mavi Marmara, that was attempting to break an Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip; nine Turkish nationals on board were killed.
