INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Canada - The Honourable University of Ottawa Chancellor

Michaelle Jean was recently named Chancellor of the University of Ottawa. After 5 years serving at Trudeau Hall as Governor-General. When she began this term, Canada lost 6 soldiers in Afghanistan, but when she left, Canada surpassed 150 victims. She considered the military families as part of her family. After the problems that happened in her native home of Haiti, she became UNESCO’s Special Envoy to the Caribbean nation and replaced the international community to support her homeland’s crippling earthquake two years ago. She said aid is good during a crisis situation but we must be sure to focus beyond relief to what is sustainable. The people in Haiti want to get out of dependence of their total dependence on international aid since jobs are crucial in a nation where more than half of the population is under the age of 25. She honored a non-profit group named Equitas that gives human rights training for Haitians and others around the world. The trainees then go back to their countries to try and affect change. She insists that Haiti's want to get out of the cycle of dependence and aid. Ms. Michaelle Jean continue helping victims of domestic violence, she worked in battered women’s shelters in Quebec for 8 years. The University of Ottawa ranks among Canada’s top 5 universities for research intensity in the humanities. Recently Prof. Constance Backhouse was honored with the prestigious award by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for her achievement in research on feminism and history of women and visible minorities in the Canadian legal system.

North Korea - The Leader's Half-Brother's New Book

The eldest brother of the new North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, has predicted the regime would soon fail. According to a new book, the author says this data is based on emails and interviews with Kim Jong-Nam, the half-brother of the new leader. The book entitled, My father, Kim Jong Il, and Me, is written by Yoji Gomi, a Japanese journalist with the newspaper Tokyo Shim Bun, who said he exchanged emails with Jung-Nam over the past seven years, and published by Bungei Shunju.  The late leader's eldest son now divides his time between Beijing and Macao. According to the book, he is said to criticize the hereditary transition of power in his communist country, describing his half-brother, Kim Jong-Un, as a symbolic figurehead, noting that “the power elite that have ruled the country will continue to be in control.”

Global—Canada trains Qatari women

With 2000 students, the College of the North Atlantic-Qatar (CAN-Q) is the largest Canadian campus outside Canada. It was originally contracted to offer training to its students in the oil and gas industry and then branched out to health sciences and creative writing under reform minded Emir Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani to revolutionize its post-secondary education. Qatari students receive training with life-like simulators in the college in their country in the education lab with their instructors. When the respiratory health program received accreditation last year, it became the first of its kind outside of North America. Four respiratory therapist with this qualification work in Qatar now. Dr. Lynn Daly who teaches in the program said, “our students are changing the profession here.”

Australia—Contraceptive Pills for Catholic Nuns

Dr. Kara Britt and Dr. Roger Short published in the Lancet medical journal about modern contraceptive pills as prophylactic against breast, ovarian and uterine cancer, all of which are more common with women who don’t have children. In the first half of the 20th century a study of nuns in the US concluded that their death due to cancer is higher than other women. In1970, it was recognized that the lack of childbearing increased their incidence of cancer. The overall mortality in women who use the pill is 12% lower than those women who have never used it. And the risk of developing ovarian and endometrial cancers fall by 40-50%. Although the Catholic Church condemns all forms of contraception, will they accept giving the nuns these pills as a preventative measure against cancer?

Afghanistan - Female boxers from Kabul

Afghan sisters Shabnam and Sadaf Rahimi challenge taboo and threats to their lives in hopes of bringing Olympic glory for their country. Both are taking on the fight for women's rights quite literally. They practice at the Ghazi stadium, once a place used for public punishment by the Taliban to those who challenged their rules and values. A time when women's sports were banned. Many in the Afghan conservative society still consider fighting a taboo for women, and those who defy that, face serious threats. The sisters said, "We want to show the world that Afghan women can be leaders too; then they can do anything - even boxing." Their biggest hope is to reach the 2012 Olympic Games in London, where women's boxing will debut as a medal sport. No Afghan woman has ever won a medal at any Olympic games. The Rahimi sisters are aiming to win the first gold medal for them and their country at an international competition when they compete in Tajikistan this year.

Libya -The Son of the King of Kings

The capture of Saif el-Islam Gaddafi, 39, the son of former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi (the King of the Kings of Africa) will face war crimes court at the Hague, the Netherlands or in his country, Libya His father had dismissed the rebels as rats. He discharged as the alleged murderer against humanity associated with the brutal attacks against civilians when the protest movement began on February 17, 2011. A year ago, some considered him a reformer who was attempting to take his country to the direction of democracy. His father would likely have made him heir to the presidency of Libya - similar to the situation that was unfolding in neighboring Egypt with Gamal Mubarak, had President Hosni Mubarak not been ousted from power in February 2011. The Libyan tyrant’s son had two faces. He spoke as a reformer but his loyalty lay with his father’s regime. He lives with two Bengal tigers, Freddo and Barney. He discussed theories of democracy and his dissertation thesis at LSE is about the role of civil society in the development of global governance institutions which was said to be heavily plagiarized. He had also apologized for the Lockerbie bombing and arranged compensation for the victims. On the other hand, during the armed rebellion in Libya, Saif el-Islam dismissed that there would be political parties in Libya - echoing a defense of his father’s mantra of, "we don’t have individuals, we have tribes. Tribes are parties."

Canada—Anti-polygamy Law

Canada’s 121-year old law against polygamy is consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that condemns multiple marriages that encourages abuse of women, endangers children and creates an underclass of dangerously ostracized young men. Winston Blackmore, the famous polygamist from British Columbia, is against this law and has publicly condemned it. Including academics, local residents and affidavits filed by law enforcement officers who participated in a 2008 compound in Texas with ties to the BC compound.

Russia--Million believers visit Virgin Mary relic

Braving freezing temperatures,  thousands stood in line to see and kiss a new St. Mary relic. The virgin Mary Cincture, is a belt that followers believe the virgin wore until her death. The believers are convinced that kissing the relic will bring them blessings and good fortune.  The line of people stretched almost 4 km despite below freezing temperatures . Mobile canteens were set up to feed the pilgrims, and heated city buses lined the embankment to offer respite from the cold, resulting in some of the worst traffic jams in years. The relic is a highly revered Orthodox piece of antiquity credited with fertility-boosting powers.

Canada—Unique National Art Center Performances

The nine show lineup include national, international and aboriginal performance. Peter Hinton, the artistic director of the English theater in Ottawa said it is absolutely unique since it includes all aboriginal cast performing King Lear and other Shakespeare classics. The National Arts Center will feature Alberta Marionette Ronnie Burkett’s latest creation “Penny Plan” a gothic thriller and Daniel MacIvor’s “Communion” part of the Nova Scotia’s artist’s trilogy centered on women’s lives. The season includes “Salt-Water moon” by Netherlander’s David French as well as “Oliver!” based on Charles Dickens's classic. The work of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen will be included as well as Quebec playwright Michael Nadeau.

Ukraine—Seven year prison for Ukraine opposition leader

A supporter of imprisoned PM Yulia Tymoshenko holds her picture during a rally in Kiev in December. A court has been hearing an appeal of a case against her regarding a gas deal with Russia. The 51 year old lady was transferred to a hospital with back pains and did not attend the hearing. Many of her supporters believe the sentence is politically motivated. Following the decision, Yulia Tymoshenko embraced her husband outside court in Kiev.

Canada--Healthy food with low sodium

Canada’s Health Minister are calling on the government to develop programs to reduce the amount of sodium Canadians consume daily. Provincial ministers asked Leona Aglukkaq to collaborate with them to reduce childhood obesity and blood pressure and other disorders linked to high sodium diets and to focus on promoting healthier lifestyles.

In 2010 a task force made some recommendations for national reduction of sodium in an attempt to reduce intake by a third by 2016. The average Canadian consumes 3400mg of sodium daily, well above the 2300mg that health experts said is a limit before health problems begin.

Global-Van Gogh and his Iris

At least 45 paintings from around the world including six from the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam will be displayed by the National Gallery of Canada in Toronto. Iris is one of the works expected to be seen in this exhibition. This painting is thought to have been finished in the spring of 1889. He painted it when he was living in an asylum.

Canada—Debating Assisted Suicide Law

A Vancouver judge finished a hearing a test case launched by Gloria Taylor, a terminally-ill BC woman to obtain permission to help end her life. The case is much more than just a reply of the unsuccessful challenge mounted by Sue Rodriguez in 1993. The legalization of assisted suicide is now in place in several countries Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg and Colombia as well as several states in the US.

USA - Halal Whiskey Hits Market

ArKay Beverages, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is marketing the first alcohol free whiskey. There are a lot of non-alcoholic beer but this is the first non-alcoholic spirit. The beverage which has 0% alcohol and looks exactly like traditional whiskey. It is made from mixing water with glycerol and flavors such as caramel water, potassium sorbate, aspartame and other ingredients. A number of alcohol free beers and wines have emerged to by of the share of the halal market, such as Spain Vincero wine and Germany’s Granmalt non-alcoholic beer. Malaysia’s Muslims are advised against consuming halal beer because it was found that there was .5% above the .01% that was deemed permissible.

Global—New treatment for Parkinson’s

Dr. Lorenz Studer, the stem cell biologist at the institute for cancer research in New York published an important study in the journal Nature. He found that brain cells that die off in Parkinson’s disease have been grown from stem cells and grafted in the brains of mice and rats in a new step towards treatment of the disease in humans. The difficulty according to researchers has often been the ability to coax stem cells into becoming brain cells that produce dopamine. However, this breakthrough suggests it may be possible to transplant in humans if conditions are met. Dr. Studer said “We now have the right cells but to put them into humans they need to be grown in a special facility not a laboratory.”

Canada—Improving Native People’s Health

Dr. Janet Smylie is a pioneer doctor of Metis communities, Four Nations and Inuit. Looking for new ways of connecting aboriginal peoples to the health care system to try and reduce the incidence of disease among these communities. Her approach is focused on creating a center for child and family health in . She was recently name the recipient of the prestigious National Aboriginal Achievements Award which recognizes individual accomplishments for the aboriginal peoples. She focused on ways to provide help for families and young people. She noticed high incidence of asthma among first nations children, poverty, illness and insecurity surrounding food and housing. She believes the revitalization of aboriginal midwifery services would help ensure that children start life on the right foot as well as proper culturally-based parenting techniques.

Global - Mo Ibrahim Prize

Pedro Verona Pires, the former president of Cape Verde, a small island nation of 500,000 inhabitants was the winner of the Sudanese Telecom Billionaire Mo Ibrahim award. It goes to a democratically elected African leader who has retired from office after accepting constitutional term limits. Previous winner were former president Festus Mogae of Botswana and Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique. The prize committee was impressed by his ability to manage the difficult transition from one-party autocracy to multi-party democracy.

Norway - The Nobel Swedish Poet

Tomas Transtromer is the first Swede since 1974 to win a Nobel Literature Prize. More than 20 years after stroke limited his speech and movement leaving him with right hemiplegia but has not affected the power of his writing. He is 80 years of age. In his nation, cultural accomplishments are rarely recognized globally except for Henning Mankell and Steg Larsson or the music of 1970’s band ABBA. He has been nominated often since 1993. Other nominees for this year’s prize were Syrian poet Adonis, Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, and even US singer Bob Dylan.

Saudi Arabia - When Women Say No

Fourty-eight hours after King Abdullah announced to his Shura Council of Advisors last September that women could have the right to stand for office and nominate candidates in municipal elections a Saudi court convicted a woman of driving without government permission. As women’s rights took a step forward, they also took a great leap backwards. The lady was sentenced to 10 lashes with a whip. Shaima Ghassania, 30 years old was found driving in Jeddah last July. Her intention was to violating the autocratic system along with other women who got behind the wheel in Jeddah and other cities. Philip Lother, deputy director of Amnesty International, Middle East division, said “If they are still going to be flogged in trying to exercise their right to unrestricted movement, then the king’s much-trumpeted decision amounts to nothing.” He said that the court ruling is a major step back. In 1990 fourty prominent women organized a unique protest, they drove their cars slowly towards the center of the city. They were arrested and those with jobs were dismissed from their position. They and their husbands were banned from travel outside the kingdom for two years. The names of the violators were announced from the mosques across the country and described as whores. The king’s modest reforms are faced with the louder more religious voices calling for maintaining the subservient role for women. As a sign of goodwill from the King, he pardoned the woman from the sentence. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that bans women from driving.

Global - Eating oily fish fights stroke

Oily fish like sardines contain the highest level of Omega-3 fatty acids. It is a food associated with health benefits protection from heart disease, diabetes type II, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, even prostatic cancer. A new study suggested to eat fish a few times each week to lower the risk of stroke. There are about 50,000 strokes in Canada annually. This study was published in “Stroke” combined the results of 15 studies among 383,838 subjects concluding that eating oily fish three times a week reduced the chances of stroke by 6-12%. Fatty fish such as sardines, salmon, trout, herring, and mackerel are good sources of omega 3 fats. Interestingly,

Dr. Mark Sorette, a chemistry professor at Universite de Moncton and Canada Research Professor in cellular lipid metabolism over the past four years discovered a new food source rich in Omega-3 oils. He has the potential to develop a new source especially since there is a diminishing amount in fish.

Canada— The first female medical examiner

Dr. Anny Sauvageau is Alberta’s first female chief medical examiner in her office in Edmonton, she tries to look for the reason behind obscure deaths--natural, accidental, homicide or suicide? She is the face of a changing profession, one increasingly led by highly-trained professionals and even more by women. The 39 year old forensic pathologist is on the receiving end of every unexplained death. External exams takes 15 minutes and autopsies will take an hour or more in an attempt to identify the cause of death.

India -- Making Snakes Less Deadly

The World Health Organization estimates that up to five million people suffer from snakebites each year, resulting in 300,000 cases of permanent disability and about 100,000 deaths.  In a recent study, Dr. David Warrell, emeritus doctor of tropical medicine at Oxford University, found that 46,000 people die every year from snakebites in India alone - a far cry from the mere 2,000 such deaths officially reported. In many cases, deaths due to snake venom go underreported because of failed association. One of the reasons the victims of snake bites sometimes die is due to the failure to identify the snake species and matching it up with the appropriate anti-venom. Also most victims arrive at the health clinic by the time they have exhibited serious symptoms and the damage is irreversible. So the best way to fight snake bites is to have early response, extensive and detailed testing and have the antidotes in plentiful quantities. Because there are no uniform guidelines, hospitals cause delay before the patient is put on effective treatment. Many people bitten turn to snake charmers or traditional healers for supposed treatment, who often are quacks, and the patient dies. There have been few new developments in treating snake bites in recent years. The first tests are for the bite of the Russel viper a leading cause of bites across South Asia.

Italy—Benetton kissing campaign causes stir

The Italian clothing company, Benetton created a series of fake photos featuring prominent adversarial figures kissing on the lips. One of these shows Pope Benedict and Sheikh of Al-Azhar El-Tayeb French-kissing, another with President Obama and Chinese President Hu-Jintao, President Abbas and Netanyahu,Kim-Jung Ill and Lee Myung Bak. Vatican spokesperson said it was an “unacceptable manipulation.” Benetton said the photos, part of what they called the UNHATE campaign, were symbolic images of reconciliation with a symbolic touch of ironic hope and constructive provocation.”

USA-Drug helps Frogs Switch Sexes

Some studies show that male frogs can be turned to females by exposing them to small amounts Atrazine at critical point in their development. Dr Tyrone Hayes, a professor of integrated biology in California invited thirty two scientists from North and South America, Europe and Japan, to the new study that was published in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The study says that the research reveals an association between exposure to chemicals and development of gonads in various animals. European countries have already banned the drug. The African-clawed frog is genetically male but life-long exposure to the drug transformed it to a female and successful reproduced with other males.

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