Article Archive for August 2009
Syria receptive to U.S. advances
Syrian analysts and officials are applauding Washington’s decision to send an ambassador to Damascus after a four-year absence. The move, these observers say, reflects awareness by the new American administration of the important role Syria plays in bringing peace and stability to the Middle East.
Gettysburg address recalled at July celebrations in Halifax
The Consul General of the United States of America, Harold D. Foster and Cheryl Tlam hosted a reception in Halifax in July to celebrate the 233rd anniversary of US Independence.
Somalia may see turning point in fighting as Al Shabab suffers military setback
Al-Shabab, Somalia’s Islamist opposition group, has suffered its first serious military setback in fighting in the capital, Mogadishu, in July, giving the government a much-needed morale boost, say analysts.
“Whether the tide has turned against them is too early to tell but they have taken a beating a Somali observer, who requested anonymity, said, according to IRIN, a UN news agency.
Bosnian Serb cousins convicted of war crimes, burning of Muslim women
The United Nations tribunal set up in the wake of the Balkan conflicts in the 1990s has convicted two Bosnian Serb cousins of war crimes, including the burning alive of scores of Muslim women, children and elderly men, an act the court said ranks among “the worst acts of inhumanity that an individual may inflict upon others.”
Tensions calming down in Lebanon after explosion—UN
The tensions that had flared up lately in southern Lebanon have begun to ease, a top United Nations official said late July, adding that all sides have expressed their commitment to restore stability to the area.
“We see the situation as calming down,” the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Michael Williams, said following his meeting in Beirut with the country’s Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh.
New immigrants driving housing demand, according to Scotia Economics
Canadian immigrants are narrowing the homeownership gap with their Canadian-born counterparts, according to the latest Real Estate Trends report released late July by Scotia Economics.
New program connecting newcomers with employers launched
The Halifax Connector Program (HCP) which is designed to connect newcomers and employers was launched by the Greater Halifax Partnership (GHP) on July 20 at the World Trade and Convention Centre.
US marines winning over Afghans
It’s not often that the arrival of foreign troops is welcomed by local residents. But so far, that’s the reaction U.S. Marines have received as they launch a major offensive against the Taliban in Helmand province. Part of the change in attitude may be due to the fact that the Marines so far have kept their promise of protecting civilians while hunting down the enemy.
Costa Rican boats allowed to travel along border river—UN court
Costa Rican tourist and commercial boats have the right to travel along the river that defines part of its border with Nicaragua, but Nicaragua has the right to regulate the river traffic, the United Nations’ top court ruled late July.
