WINDSOR, Ont. — Police and animal welfare officials are investigating
after more than 140 dead cats were found in two downtown apartments in
Windsor, Ont.
Sgt. Matt D’Asti says 124 dead cats were found in a freezer and
refrigerator in one apartment, along with 50 other cats that were alive.
He says the apartment was filthy and covered in feces and urine.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/12/14/more-than-140-dead-cats-found-in-two-windsor-ontario-apartments/
Saturday, December 15, 2012
New border security deal has made Canadians, Americans safer and better off: U.S. ambassador
OTTAWA — Canadians and Americans are safer and better off as a result of the perimeter security deal signed last December by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama, says the U.S. ambassador to Canada.
David Jacobson pointed to two initiatives he said have increased efficiency at the border – reduction in wait times at airports because of the NEXUS trusted traveller program and mutual recognition of air cargo that means less missing baggage on connecting flights.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/12/14/new-border-security-deal-has-made-canadians-americans-safer-and-better-off-u-s-ambassador/
‘Rhetoric isn’t enough’: After Obama’s tearful call for ‘meaningful action,’ could latest tragedy be gun-control tipping point?
WASHINGTON — The question surfaces each time a mass murder unfolds: Will this one change the political calculus in Washington against tougher gun control?
The answer, after the Virginia Tech killings, the attempted assassination of Gabby Giffords, the Colorado movie-theater attack, the Wisconsin Sikh temple shootings, and more: No.
But now?
The massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., the bloodiest attack against youngsters in the nation’s history, stands as a possible tipping point after Washington’s decade-long aversion even to talking about stricter gun laws.
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3931059392211172013#editor/target=post;postID=1421328672683862549
Sirte-Benghazi Railway Mooted 12/12/2012 13:39:00
Libya
is indicating that it would like to resume the construction of the
Sirte-Benghazi railway interrupted by hostilities in the country,
Alexander Saltanov, the vice-president of Russian Railway told
journalists in Moscow.
Russian Railways were reportedly building the Sirte-Benghazi railroad that was to run along the Mediterranean coast and join several large cities. Later it was to become part of an international transport corridor in the north of Africa. However, due to last year's conflict in Libya that began in February 2011 and eventually ousted the former Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, Russian Railways had to suspend the construction. |
|||
European Union Trains Libyan Experts on Explosive Ordnance Disposal 13/12/2012 09:39:00
The
European Union, jointly with the Libyan Ministry of Defence and the
Libyan Armed Forces, recently organised a pilot course to train Libyan
security experts on how to collect and destroy unexploded ordnance. The
course, over 26 days, was run by Danish Church Aid.
On December 9 the successful students received their diplomas from EU Deputy Head of Office Khaldoun Sinno, EU Defense Advisor B. Gen. Luigi Scollo, B. Gen. Mansour Abo Hjar Chief of Libyan land force, Col. Jamal Shablik, Libyan Engineering School Commanding Officer, Col. Mohammad Na'airiyah Chief of Training Department, Col. Yusuf Abd El Jawad, Libyan Armed Forces Defence General Staff LMAC, and Mr. Knut Furunes, DCA Manager, during a ceremony at Hamza Camp in Tripoli. Mr. Emad Abdulbaki from UNSMIL also attended. Handing over the diplomas to the successful participants, EU Deputy Head of Office Sinno underlined that: “The European Union is deeply committed to creating a safe environment for all Libyans. You should be proud of your efforts and your newly gained skills, which will contribute to a safer Libya.” Background The recent conflict has left many areas in Libya scattered with unexploded ammunition, creating a serious risk for civilians on a daily basis. The Libyan army has started to collect and destroy these unexploded ordnances with the financial support from the European Union. This project is part of the wider effort by the EU and its Member States to contribute to a more secure environment for Libyan people. In partnership with the Libyan authorities and other international partners, the European Union is seeking to provide more than EUR 10 million over the next years to deal with remnants of war and unexploded ordnances. These efforts will assist in building a national capacity to clear unexploded ordnances through hands-on training and mentoring |
|||
Libyans in Malta Demand Removal of 'Gaddafi Loyalists' from Government 12/12/2012 18:04:00
For the umpteenth time, a number of Libyans living in Malta Wednesday
organised a protest in front of the Libyan Embassy and the Maltese
capital, Valletta demanding demanding the removal of people with strong
ties to the Gadaffi regime from the Libyan government, and changes in
the Libyan embassy personnel in Malta.
They said that the only changes in the Libyan embassy in Malta since the end of last year's conflict have been cosmetic. The only real change in the embassy, they said, was the the flag.
The Libyan community in Malta was also protesting over the way violent militias are governing and terrorising the country since the February 17 Revolution saying that Libya is being run by the military militias based in Misurata and other parts of the country.
Libyans in Malta, other protesters in the main cities of Libya and throughout most of the European countries insist that if militias and Gaddafi loyalists are not removed from places of authority in Libya, last year's revolution would have been in vain and people would have shed their blood for nothing.
At the end of the protest, the Libyan community in Malta presented Mohammed M A Elghirani, the Libyan Charge d'Affairs in Malta a letter in order for him to forward to the Libyan government, now being led as Prime Minister Dr Ali Zidan.
http://www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=9618
They said that the only changes in the Libyan embassy in Malta since the end of last year's conflict have been cosmetic. The only real change in the embassy, they said, was the the flag.
The Libyan community in Malta was also protesting over the way violent militias are governing and terrorising the country since the February 17 Revolution saying that Libya is being run by the military militias based in Misurata and other parts of the country.
Libyans in Malta, other protesters in the main cities of Libya and throughout most of the European countries insist that if militias and Gaddafi loyalists are not removed from places of authority in Libya, last year's revolution would have been in vain and people would have shed their blood for nothing.
At the end of the protest, the Libyan community in Malta presented Mohammed M A Elghirani, the Libyan Charge d'Affairs in Malta a letter in order for him to forward to the Libyan government, now being led as Prime Minister Dr Ali Zidan.
http://www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=9618
Libya Urges Niger to Extradie Son of Former Dictator, Saadi
Saadi, the former Libyan dictator's second son, currently taking refuge in Niger
Libya
has reiterated its call for the extradition of the former dictator
Gaddaf'is second son, Saadi from Niger, which has granted him asylum
since September last year on so-called humanitarian grounds.”
A Libyan government statement issued after a visit to Niamey by Libyan Prime Minister Dr Ali Zidan noted “the threat posed by the presence in Niger of members of the former Libyan regime,” and “renewed its request for the extradition of those wanted people” The statement said Libya had insisted that the former regime officials should not be extradited to any third country, and stressed in the statement that “their trial in Libya would comply with international law.” Meanwhile, Niger’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Bazoum told AFP.has been reported saying, that so far they have not decided anything, and that consultations should continue, based on the terms of the Libyan request and existing provisions in international law. Three of Gaddafi’s sons were reported killed in the 2011 uprising that eventually overthrew the former dictator from power after more than four decades of iron-fit rule. Several key members of the Gaddafi clan managed to escape from Libya during the conflict, while heir apparent Seif al-Islam, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court has been detained in Libya. The dictator's wife Safiya are believed to be in Algeria where she was given a safe haven along with Gaddafi's oldest son, Mohammad, her son Hannibal, and his daughter Ayesha. Saadi found shelter in neighbouring Niger when his father’s regime was crumbli |
||
Conference On Truth and Reconciliation in Tripoli 14/12/2012 11:26:00
A
two-day conference on truth-seeking and reconciliation in Libya rounds
up today in Tripoli, bringing together Libyan officials and activists as
well as experts from both Libya and abroad rounds up Friday in Tripoli
The conference, “Truth and Reconciliation in Libya: the Way Forward”, was organised by the Fact- Finding and Reconciliation Commission and the Human Rights Committee of the General National Congress, in partnership with the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The participants have been discussing the relevance and challenges of truth-seeking, the role of victim groups as well as the legal and institutional framework required for truth-seeking. The conference has also been looking at the role of the Fact-Finding and Reconciliation Commission and that of tribal leaders in reconciliation. Libyan Justice Minister Salah Marghani, Deputy Head of the Fact-Finding and Reconciliation Commission Hussein Yaseer, GNC member Amina Al-Megheirbi, and Libyan activists as well as experts from countries such as South Africa, Peru and Tunisia attended the opening session. The special representative of the Secretary-General for Libya Tarek Mitri noted in his address the increased interest of the new authorities in national reconciliation and the civil society’s eagerness for launching the process without delay. “Reconciliation is necessary for establishing security and launching human development,” Mr. Mitri said. “This process, if managed well and without haste or partisanship, can set the broad lines of a new social contract, which is the cornerstone of the new constitution.” He stressed that seeking the truth and justice and moving down the path of reconciliation is not a call for amnesty for past crimes and does not morally equate between the aggressor and the victim, but rather it is a call to combat the tendency towards revenge and collective punishment. The Special Representative said Libyans can benefit from experiences of other countries that hve gone through similar circumstances, and encouraged dialogue and broadening of its scope to various sectors of society. Mr. Mitri said the United Nations will continue to offer assistance at the Libyans’ request. “Continuously reminding of the importance of reconciliation and contributing to providing favourable conditions for it are at the heart of our duties as a United Nations mission tasked with providing support for Libya in its democratic transition,” he said. |
||
Susan Rice Withdraws from Race for US Secretary of State Becoming an Indirect Victim of Attack on Benghazi US Consulate 14/12/2012 09:40:00
Susan Rice, the US ambassador to UN who has withdrawn her name for consideration as US Secretary of State
Susan Rice, 48, the US ambassador to the United Nations, has withdrawn her name for consideration for the position of US secretary of state to become yet another indirect victim of the September 11 attack on the US consulate in Benghazi that killed former US ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.
Rice, 48, has been the US Permanent Representative to the UN since 2009. Her decision to withdraw her name for consideration of becoming America's top diplomat replacing current Hillary Clinton who will step down from her post in January, is seen as having dealt a political blow to President Barack Obama.
Citing "lengthy and disruptive" process, for her decision, Rice, who is very close to the US President pulled out of the running to avoid a revival of the bitter row over the death of America's ambassador to Libya.
The envoy had been the target of Republican attacks on the administration's handling of the raid on the US consulate in Benghazi.
"Those of you who know me know that I'm a fighter, but not at the cost of what's right for our country," Rice wrote on Twitter Thursday.
In her letter to the US President, Rice said: "If nominated, I am now convinced that the confirmation process would be lengthy, disruptive and costly to you and to our most pressing national and international priorities".
Rice, who seems to have become "a huge political liability for the Obama administration" said she was saddened by the partisan politics surrounding her prospects.
Meanwhile, reacting to Rice's decision, President Obama said in a statement: "Today, I spoke to Ambassador Susan Rice, and accepted her decision to remove her name from consideration for Secretary of State. For two decades, Susan has proven to be an extraordinarily capable, patriotic, and passionate public servant."
He went on to say that Rice's decision to withdraw her name had reflected her strength of character and an ability to rise above politics.
Susan Rice, 48, the US ambassador to the United Nations, has withdrawn her name for consideration for the position of US secretary of state to become yet another indirect victim of the September 11 attack on the US consulate in Benghazi that killed former US ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.
Rice, 48, has been the US Permanent Representative to the UN since 2009. Her decision to withdraw her name for consideration of becoming America's top diplomat replacing current Hillary Clinton who will step down from her post in January, is seen as having dealt a political blow to President Barack Obama.
Citing "lengthy and disruptive" process, for her decision, Rice, who is very close to the US President pulled out of the running to avoid a revival of the bitter row over the death of America's ambassador to Libya.
The envoy had been the target of Republican attacks on the administration's handling of the raid on the US consulate in Benghazi.
"Those of you who know me know that I'm a fighter, but not at the cost of what's right for our country," Rice wrote on Twitter Thursday.
In her letter to the US President, Rice said: "If nominated, I am now convinced that the confirmation process would be lengthy, disruptive and costly to you and to our most pressing national and international priorities".
Rice, who seems to have become "a huge political liability for the Obama administration" said she was saddened by the partisan politics surrounding her prospects.
Meanwhile, reacting to Rice's decision, President Obama said in a statement: "Today, I spoke to Ambassador Susan Rice, and accepted her decision to remove her name from consideration for Secretary of State. For two decades, Susan has proven to be an extraordinarily capable, patriotic, and passionate public servant."
He went on to say that Rice's decision to withdraw her name had reflected her strength of character and an ability to rise above politics.
Egyptians vote into the night in divisive referendum
Lyse Doucet reports on the long queues at Egyptian polling stations
Voting has been extended
by four hours in Egypt's controversial referendum on a new constitution,
due to the strength of the turnout.
Opponents say it is poorly drafted and overly favours Islamists.
The opposition National Salvation Front coalition has accused the Muslim Brotherhood of trying to rig the vote.
However, the ballot, which is staggered over Saturday and a second day of voting in a week's time, appears to be going smoothly.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20737073
Two killed by rockets fired at Peshawar airport
At least two people have been killed after militants fired rockets at Peshawar airport in north-west Pakistan, officials say.
More than 20 others were injured after the rockets landed in residential areas close to the airport.
Security forces at the airport are reported to have fired back.
Peshawar is located on the edge of Pakistan's tribal region, the major sanctuary for al-Qaida and Taliban militants.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20742260
More than 20 others were injured after the rockets landed in residential areas close to the airport.
Security forces at the airport are reported to have fired back.
Peshawar is located on the edge of Pakistan's tribal region, the major sanctuary for al-Qaida and Taliban militants.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20742260
Obama calls for 'meaningful action' after gunman kills 26 including 20 children at Connecticut school (with video)
The suspect, 20-year-old Adam Lanza, was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound
Talk with kids about school massacre, make them feel safe, limit exposure to media: Experts.
School children wait for their parents at the Sandy Hook firehouse following a mass shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. (AP Photo/The Journal News, Frank Becerra Jr.)
The killings at a Connecticut elementary school left parents struggling to figure out what, if anything, to tell their children.
President Barack Obama said he and his wife, Michelle, would tell their daughters that they love them and hug them a little tighter. Experts say that's a good example to follow. Parents also should allow children to talk about their feelings in the coming days while sheltering them from the 24/7 media coverage of the event, they say.
A man gunned down more than two dozen people Friday, most of them kids at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school. The shooter was among the 28 people left dead, apparently from a self-inflicted wound.
Mountie was speeding without siren or emergency lights before fatal crash
Const. Adrian Oliver was killed after his cruiser collided with a truck at the intersection of 64th Avenue and 148th Street in Surrey.
Photograph by: Wayne Leidenfrost, PNG , PNG
Const. Adrian Oliver was speeding without his sirens or emergency lights on at the time of a head-on collision that killed him last month, according to an ongoing Surrey RCMP investigation.
Oliver, whose funeral was attended by more than 2,000 RCMP officers and thousands of mourners, was trying to find a recently stolen pickup truck, according to the GPS and video data uncovered in the preliminary investigation.
The Surrey RCMP’s Criminal Collision Investigation Team will continue to try to “clearly establish what may have been occurring just prior to the collision,” Surrey’s top Mountie Supt. Bill Fordy said in a news release Friday evening.
Photos: 28 dead in Connecticut school shooting, including 20 children
Twenty-year-old gunman Adam Lanza killed 26 people, including 20 young children, at a U.S. school where his mother worked Friday in one of the worst school shootings in the country’s history.
CAS_Sponsor_SunPlus_12042012 Canada officially becomes first country to withdraw from Kyoto agreement
OTTAWA — Canada has officially withdrawn from the Kyoto climate agreement.
The death notice comes years after the Stephen Harper government made clear it rejected the terms that were negotiated by the Jean Chretien government in 1997.
According to the agreement, Canada would reduce its greenhouse gases 6% below 1990 levels by 2012.
Environment Minister Peter Kent pointed to the fact the United States and China - the two largest carbon emitters - never signed on as reason to abandon the agreement. And one year ago Canada officially announced its repudiation of it, becoming the first country in the world to do so.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May - an environmentalist and fiscal conservative - called it a "day of shame".
http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/12/14/canada-officially-becomes-first-country-to-withdraw-from-kyoto-agreement
Supply teacher tells Ottawa children there's no Santa 4
OTTAWA - Angry parents were forced into serious damage control Tuesday night and Wednesday morning after a group of children were told by their teacher that Santa is “a myth.”
The travesty took place in a Grade 4 classroom at St. Andrew Catholic School in Barrhaven.
According to parent Troy MacFarlane, his 9-year-old daughter explained the confusing news at breakfast Wednesday.
http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/12/14/supply-teacher-tells-ottawa-children-theres-no-santa
Top court upholds Canada's anti-terror laws
OTTAWA - Canada's top court has upheld this country's anti-terror laws as constitutional.
In two 7-0 decisions, the Supreme Court dismissed the arguments of three men who were ensnared in counterterrorism investigations.
The men argued Canada's definition of "terrorist activity" is unconstitutional and contravenes the rights to life, liberty and security of the person and freedom of religion and expression.
In the first ruling, dealing mainly with the case of convicted terrorist Momin Khawaja, the judges rejected the argument that Canada's definition of terrorism is too broad, saying the definition is clear enough someone would have to knowingly contribute to terrorist activity to be convicted under the provision.
The appellants argued it could net innocent individuals on the periphery of terrorist groups, from family members of alleged terrorists to lawyers defending them in court.
http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/12/14/top-court-upholds-canadas-anti-terror-laws
Girl raised in Winnipeg among Newtown shooting victims
NIPEG - A Winnipeg girl is among the victims of Friday's shooting rampage in Connecticut.
Ana Marquez-Greene, 6, and her older brother Isaiah attended Linden Christian School in Linden Woods, before moving with their parents to Newtown in July and enrolling at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the fall. Both children were inside the school when the shooter opened fire.
Ana was among the 20 children killed in the mass shooting. Her brother, reportedly a Grade 3 student, escaped without physical harm.
http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/12/14/girl-raised-in-winnipeg-among-newtown-shooting-victims
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)