Article Archive for September 2009
It’s too early to get cold feet on Afghanistan
Even before Afghans went to the polls on 20 August, Americans were getting queasy about U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. At the time of this writing, the election results are still unclear. But with 60,000 U.S. troops in the country and a chance that their commanders will request more, a recent Washington Post-ABC poll indicated 51 percent of Americans said they believed it was not worth fighting a war there. Seventy percent of the doubters are Democrats, which must give President Obama pause. And only 24 percent of Americans would back sending more forces.
UN expert condemns child ‘slavery’ in Haiti
Thousands of Haitian unpaid child labourers are trapped in a “modern form of slavery,” an independent United Nations human rights expert said late August.
Cholera will return to Zimbabwe—MSF
The return of cholera to Zimbabwe is not a matter of if, but when, said Rian van de Braak, head of mission of the medical NGO Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). In an interview published on its website on 19 August, Van de Braak commented, “The threat is definitely not over. Everyone expects cholera to be back, at the latest with the next rainy season [in September or October], because the root causes of the outbreak [in 2008] have not been addressed adequately yet.”
PEI launches publication on its immigrant entrepreneurs
A landmark publication compiled by two UPEI researchers showcasing immigrant entrepreneurs on Prince Edward Island, was officially launched recently by Alan Campbell, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning
Nova Scotia introduces new immigration option
A new immigration option for Nova Scotia is designed to attract young newcomers who will benefit the province’s economy. The new stream is for non-dependent children of immigrants already living in the province under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program.
Permanent resident card has new look, enhanced security features
Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney has announced the implementation of the redesigned permanent resident card, which is already in circulation.
“Thanks to state-of-the-art security features, this redesigned permanent resident card will help prevent the …
Canada’s income gap growing—new immigrants lose ground
Canada is the ninth largest economy on the planet, performing better than G7 nations on many economic fronts, but the lion’s share of economic growth is going to the richest 10 per cent according to recent studies by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
An auspicious month for world religions
September looks to be especially auspicious, as many of the world’s major religions observe significant dates and celebrations throughout the month
Greek-Turkish Cypriot leaders report good progress in talks
The United Nations reported “good progress” in the latest round of talks between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders in efforts to unify the Mediterranean island.
Iran rulers’ move to tighten grip may erode legitimacy legitimacy
More than two months after a disputed presidential election threw Iran’s ruling class into turmoil, the country’s leaders are showing themselves increasingly unwilling to compromise with their critics, a trend analysts say could mean even tougher steps against would-be reformers in the future.
