Article Archive for June 2010
Experts say war unlikely between North, South Korea
North Korea’s decision late May to sever all ties with South Korea and threaten military action in disputed waters following the torpedoing of a South Korean warship confronts President Barack Obama with another international crisis that his administration doesn’t want or need.
Multicultural Fest at Halifax seaport to star 500 performers, 30 cultural groups
The 26th Nova Scotia Multicultural Festival 2010 gets underway on July 2, 3 and 4 at a new site. The event will be staged at the Halifax Waterfront (Seaport) opposite Pier 21.
Government’s PR card processing backlog, refugee reform criticized
As the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration is studying ways to revamp the system and upgrade its efficiency, layoffs are in the pipeline for Citizenship and Immigration (CIC) staff in Sydney. Megan Leslie, MP for Halifax told Touch BASE that “jobs are being eliminated although there is an incredible backlog of PR (Permanent Resident) cards waiting to be processed.”
Loneliness, adjustment issues confront newcomers says CH’s mental health unit
Capital Health’s (CH’s) Community Mental Health Unit held an Open House on May 4, at its Bayers Road centre to share with the media and others their work in mental health care. On hand was a team of case managers, psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers, community mental health nurses, licensed practical nurses, and psychiatrists.
Singhalese and Tamils can live together says talk show host
Shamindri Hordagoda left Sri Lanka to join her husband, Charith, in Halifax at the peak of her career in the media. But it was also a time when Sri Lanka’s battle with Tamil separatists was at its peak.
Ban tells world to adopt a new approach to bring peace to Somalia
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the world, late May, to adopt a new approach to bring peace to Somalia, telling an international conference on the Horn of Africa country that a failure to act now risks expanding the violence to its neighbours and beyond.
Muslim separatists in Philippines agree to negotiate with new government
Muslim separatists blamed for years of conflict and displacement on the southern island of Mindanao have agreed to help the government rid the area of unexploded ordnance and landmines.
Can Europe learn from Canada?
It’s all the rage in Europe at the moment, and it bites. As I’m sure you’ve been reading, Greece is in pieces. Spain is slowly unravelling, and Portugal is not far behind. Germany, France – everyone has their economic woes. This then, will be the summer of discontent in Europe.
Castro’s talks with Church mark political shift in Cuba
Raul Castro’s talks with the Catholic Church on political prisoners have sparked hopes, skepticism and assertions that he’s taking a risk by recognizing the church as a mediator in Cuban affairs.
Syria’s bold show of defiance, puts world at loss about Assad’s motives
When the Obama administration came to power, it began to dismantle the diplomatic “box” that had been built around Syria, a box meant to isolate it for its destabilizing behavior in Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian territories. Administration officials argued that the international will to pressure Syria no longer existed and that an attempt at distancing it from Iran was worthwhile.
