International News

Religions converge on millennial celebrations

For the first time in 33 years  because Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Hindu holidays occur within days of each other.  Hindus have Pancha Ganapati, a five-day festival commencing on the 21st of December in honor of the five-faced elephant God. Hanukah marks the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem. Jews had only enough oil to light the Temple for one day but it burned for eight- a miracle commemorated with the lighting of the menorah over the eight days of the holiday which began on the 21st of December. Eid El-Fitr (Feast of the fast breaking) is the three day holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar beginning with the sighting of the new lunar month. Christmas, the celebration has a fixed day for most western denominations that commemorate the birth of Jesus on  the 25th of December. Some eastern churches mark Christmas on the January 7th. It is hoped that this convergence will inspire harmonious coexistence and widespread peace.

Washington, DC. - Marathon to the White House

Thirty-six days after Americans cast their votes for an American president, one has finally been named. The former Texas-governor George W. Bush spent the closest and most bitterly contested election campaign proclaiming that he is a uniter not a divider. While his Democratic rival Albert Gore, Jr. won the popular vote by more than 300,000 votes, but lost the presidency by Electoral College votes by a final count of 271-267. The 54 year-old son of former president George Bush is the first son of a US president to move into the oval office in 176 years. He is only the second son to win the oval office, the first being John Quincy Adams elected in 1821 son of John Adams, but was defeated after a single term.

Al Gore mentioned that "now it is time to recognize that what unites is greatest than that which divides us." He lost by just 537 contested votes in Florida state and following the federal Supreme Court in Washington's decision to end hand counts of Florida county votes. George W. Bush's first cabinet appointments mark a courageous and grave move towards diversifying executive government. With this, America is now talking about bipartisanship, post-election healing, and unity - a dialogue that we hope can extend beyond the national borders of the US.         

Germany/Turkey - Love Story hopes to heal historic rift

Yemen -  Queen of Sheba's historic temple unearthed

International archeologists have recently made extensive progress in the unveiling of the sand-covered 3000-year-old temple of Queen Sheba in Yemen. This massive structure (70x90 meters) has received international attention and interest ever since the first explorations of the area began in the 1800s. The Mahram Bilqis, or Temple of the Moon God, was used during the reign of Queen Sheba, and might prove to be as great a discovery as that of the pyramids in Giza or Acropolis in Athens - while some researchers believe it could become known as the eighth wonder of the world. The project of totally unearthing the temple is still in progress, and it is estimated to take at least 10 years and cost around $12 million US! Despite this project involves very painstaking work, the research team are optimistic the desert sands have preserved the temple very well. One evidence to such optimism is that 2000-year-old frankincense found while digging still carries its fragrant scent. Lead researcher on the project, Prof. Glanzman, notes on the project saying, as soon as the sand is removed, "the adrenalin starts to flow"!

United Kingdom - Queen Mother celebrates 100th birthday (CP)

A bashful and soft-spoken Queen Mother turned a century-young in August. She is often acknowledged for her resolve and support of her husband, the late King George VI, during the Second World War and for being the first reigning sovereign to visit the Commonwealth of Canada in 1939.  Along with a large ceremony at Buckingham Palace, the Queen Mother was honored with several insignias from several world leaders, but most notable was the prestigious Order of Canada. Governor-General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson presented the Queen Mother with the award, making her only the fifth non-Canadian to receive the award. Other notables include former South African President Nelson Mandela and Canadian-born economist John Galbraith.       

United Nations - Saudi Arabian woman appointed to top post (Reuters & Staff)

The United Nations Saudi Arabian UN official was appointed to hold a top post within the organization. Ms. Thoraya Obaid, 55, a long-time UN official was selected to head the UN Population Fund, is the first Saudi Arabian woman to hold such a prestigious position in the multinational organization. This appointment can be seen as a move towards increasing gender equity within UN posts and sub-organizations. Other analysts believe Ms. Obaid's achievement is a motive is a stride for human rights gender empowerment in her home country. In addition to Ms. Obaid's appointment, the UN High Commission for Refugees has a new commissioner, the former Dutch (Netherlands) prime minister Ruud Lubbers.

UNICEF - World to scramble for $80-billion children's fund

According to the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, in its annual published survey, The State of the World's Children,  announced that the international community must gather $80-billion in total funds to have a chance in providing the world's children with basic living subsistence resources. The report asserts that the first three years of a child's life are considered fundamental to physical, mental and social development. Current statistics show this age group is most needy. The report's figures include the following: 

• More than 100 million children worldwide never go to school

• Over 20 million children are displaced, dislocated and dispossessed by conflict.

• Approximately 177 million children suffer from stunted growth, primarily due to malnutrition in pregnant mothers

• One in every 10 children is disabled

• Eleven million children under the age of 5 died in 2000 of preventable diseases.

Colombia - Freefalling doctors provide free medical services 

In modern efforts by regional and international organizations to provide healthcare services to the geographically or economically deprived, the thirty-year-old Colombian Civil Air Patrol's medical wing has been a veteran in this faculty. A nominee for the coveted National Peace Prize, the team of 49 pilots and 260 doctors and medical staff who operate free of charge, are finally being recognized for their-much aid to the rural and isolated regions of the country that are not catered to by the instruments of national healthcare. While the Civil Air Patrol's operations have existed throughout guerilla insurgency and the drugs wars, they have been largely quiet about their work. Providing simple health care and occasionally delivering advanced surgical techniques to peasants and the economically disadvantaged, their experience is now being used as model for other services worldwide      

Uganda - Canadian doctor honored indirectly in the Gemini TV Awards

The heroic story of Dr. Lucy Teasdale, the Canadian surgeon who contracted AIDS while treating patients in Uganda. Along with providing entertainment, the drama educates the viewers on the deteriorating living conditions, including the dramatic increase in AIDS, in Uganda and other developing countries and about the ongoing Canadian humanitarian efforts in these places. The biographical TV drama, Dr. Lucille: The Lucy Teasdale Story, attracted the attention of many viewers, and its very dramatic storyline, receiving Gemini Awards for best TV movie and best writing. These two awards bring the movie's total to five prizes, making it the most honored production in the 2000 Gemini Awards.

Kuwait - Down Syndrome Award

The Founder of the Kuwait Medical Genetics Centre (KMGC), Dr. Sadika A. Al-Awadi, MD, FRCPE, was recently awarded the Down Syndrome Award for her major contribution in both Down Syndrome research and care. She ascertained more than 2,000 patients of different nationalities, published more than 200 papers as authors & co-author, and established the Kuwait Down Syndrome Association. She also helped coordinate educational and awareness programs to the public about Down Syndrome. She has been elected before as fellow of both the International and European Down Syndrome Societies. The country's ministry of public health and the medical association are organizing a scientific conference this year, celebrating the 20th anniversary for the establishment of the KMGC.

Kenya - Fossil feud holds secret to hominid evolution (Reuters)

Dalhousie graduate Martin Pickford discoveries of five separate male and female fossils in Kenya raised controversies. He announced in Nairobi that his French team has found the oldest fossilized remains of a human ancestor, claimed to be one and a half million years older than the oldest found hominid remains in neighboring Ethiopia. A fossil that old will be a critical piece of evidence in unraveling one of the key mysteries of evolutionary science. On the other side of the feud, Prof Andrew Hill, head of the anthropology department at Yale University and paleoanthropologist in charge of a research project in Kenya since 1968, stated that Mr. Pickford's fossils came from a site that his Yale team has exclusive research rights for. The Tugen hills in the Baringo district's famed Rift Valley in the mid-east region of the country is where Prof. Hill claims he has legal permits from Kenyan Museums to excavate. Mr. Pickford has another problem with the head of the paleontology at the National Museums of Kenya who mentioned that all the fossils found in Kenya are the museum's property and must be preserved under the museums' auspices. The battle for the six-million-year-old Kenyan hominid fossil finds is attracted much attention worldwide.

Netherlands - Dutch first to legalize euthanasia (Reuters/AP/Globe & Mail)

Holland is the first nation in the world to take a decisive stand on the question of what some refer to as "mercy-killing." Under a new law that Dutch legislators passed in November, doctors will be legally allowed to assist in the suicide of adult patients who face unremitting from illness and unbearable suffering. Interestingly, while the law imposes strict guidelines and circumstances that limit its applicability, it can only be used in conditions when patients are not terminally ill. The issue of euthanasia has been topic of much controversy and debate in most western countries. In the past three years, a court in the United States sentenced Dr. Jack Kevorkian to fifteen years in prison for committing numerous counts of euthanasia. While in Canada, cases such as that of Mr. Latimer and Ms. Rodriguez put euthanasia in the headlines and aroused critical debate on the issue. It is not clear whether Holland's move will instigate similar rulings elsewhere.

Canada - Canadian elections signal 'high' times for Marijuana Party

Montrealer Marc-Boris St-Maurice and his compatriots have created a buzz in Canada with the founding of the Marijuana Party that aims to legalize and decriminalize the drug in the country's provinces. The marijuana missionaries ran in the nationwide elections with candidates in a total of 73 ridings. Surprisingly, St-Maurice's party attracted many voters and received a final count that amounted to 2% of the total votes cast in these 73 ridings. The party is strongest is the Montreal, Quebec where it competed for positions in 21 ridings, placing ahead of other parties including the National Democratic Party (NDP). Interestingly, the Globe & Mail, Canada's national newspaper reported that polls show eight in 10 Canadians support marijuana use for therapeutic purposes and one in two support recreational use. Other movements to legalize marijuana exist in most western countries, with notables including the American Green Party and the Marijuana Reform Party.  

Tunisia - Pan-Arab Orthopedic Association Congress 
(Prof. Mahmood K. Booz/Dr. Bahaa Fateha)

[From R-L] Prof. Masoud al-Tayeb (President Tunis Orth. Assoc.),  HE Dr. Alhadi Mhenni.(Minister of Public Health, Tunis),  HE Dr.  Faisal Mousawi (Minister of Health, Bahrain) and Dr. Salah Eddin  Karra (President Tunis Pan Arab Orth.Congress)

The Pan-Arab Orthopedic Association meets on an annual basis with its convention being held in a different Arab country. Last year's 1999 convention saw the congregation meet in Lebanon. This year, the meeting was held from September 27-29 in the beautiful city of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Orthopedic surgeons from around the region meet to discuss orthopedic problems of the community. Guest lecturers are invited from different parts of the world, east and west to enrich the scientific atmosphere and introduce new technology. The convention provides members with a unique opportunity to meet each other, and learn more about the host country. Tunisia being centrally located at the cross-roads between Europe and Africa, shows a lot of culture, archeology, and architecture dating back to the Phoenician, Greek, and Roman times as well as the contemporary Arabs heritage. Professor A. Dhieb gave the opening lecture on the pioneering role of Arab Surgeons over a period of ten centuries. In Tunis, history is blended with the landscape beauty of sea, terrain, desert and olive groves to give a special flavor that spans past and present. The 2001 association convention will be held in Damascus, Syria.

Iran - Colossal Persian carpet debuts in Omani mosque (AP)

A three-year effort to by some 500 Iranian weavers has heralded one of the largest carpets ever made. The hand-woven oriental piece spans an area of 5,040 square meters. Upon its completion, the 22-tonnes carpet was shipped to the Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman where it will be placed in a new mosque to occupy an area the size of a football field. The Director of the government-owned Iran Carpet Company mentioned to the Associated Press that the retail price of the 1.7-billion-knot carpet is $7.8-million. Noteworthy, Persian carpets are recognized as some of the most intricate and elegant pieces, often selling for exorbitant amounts of money. 

Canada - YMCA recognizes business consultant with coveted Peace Medal

In 1981, the YMCA World Council adopted a "Statement of Peace" and decided to observe an annual Peace Day. Now YMCAs in 27 countries celebrate this day. Canada, on the other hand, is unique in celebrating a World Peace Week, an occasion that originated in 1984. During the third week in November, YMCA Associations across Canada promote activities and help people explore peace from a personal, community and international perspective. The idea of a YMCA Peace Medallion originated in 1987 with associations today awarding Peace Medallions to individuals and groups who, without special resources, demonstrate in their lives the values expressed in the 1981 World Alliance of YMCA's Statement on Peace. Mr. Bob Stewart, a 49-year-old chartered accountant and management consultant of Okotoks (Alberta) received the prestigious award for the year 2000. Stewart has been active as a peace promoter since the 1996 Rotary International Conference in Calgary. From that moment onward, he has made it a personal initiative to motivate business's of their role in creating a culture of peace in the community. Along with Mr. Arthur Millholland who also received the YMCA Canada Peace Medal, Stewart has demonstrated an effort and dedication to world peace.

Canada - First Arab Genetic Database (AGD) in final stages

The 21st century is marked with a growing interest in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of genetic disorders. Optimists look to the Human Genome Project for answers to the many puzzles. The Arab world, a region of the world characterized by high inbreeding and plethora of autosomal recessive disorders, faces specific challenges in the immediate future. The first Arab Genetic Database (AGD), a project that will document all reported genetic disorders among the 250 million Arab populations in 22 countries, hopes to answer some of these puzzles. AGD is currently approaching completion and will see the light within the next few months. Prof. Ahmed S. Teebi, the Head of Clinical Genetics at the University of Toronto, is spearheading this project. The preparation and data-collection for this ambitious project required visits to most Arab countries and took close to four years to come to fruition. He explained to the Ambassadors that this novel database contains 200 new syndromes. Doctors working in and with Arab populations will benefit tremendously from this valuable resource. Prof. Teebi is the founder of MEGA (Middle East Geneticists of America) and the editor of the pioneering 1998 reference text entitled "Genetic Disorders Among Arab Populations." 

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