Mar 07

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HEIGHT= 31256 ><NOBR><div>  <A NAME="top"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><IMG SRC="5e4a5c200.png" border=0 width="92" height="32" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <B>Past Articles:</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="626" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#FFCC80" BORDERCOLORDARK="#CC9900" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="50"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="50" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="50" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="50" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="50" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD 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BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1194.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jan 12"><U><B>Jan/12</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1193.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dec 11"><U><B>Dec/11</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1192.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Nov 11"><U><B>Nov/11</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><div> <A HREF="id1191.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Oct 11"><U><B>Oct/11</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1190.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sep 11"><U><B>Sep/11</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1185.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Aug 11"><U><B>Aug/11</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><div> <A HREF="id1184.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jul 11"><U><B>Jul/11</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 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09"><U><B>Sep/09</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Aug 09"><U><B>Aug/09</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><div> <A HREF="id1121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jul 09"><U><B>Jul/09</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1120.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jun 09"><U><B>Jun/09</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1115.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="May 09"><U><B>May/09</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><div> <A HREF="id1114.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Apr 09"><U><B>Apr/09</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1104.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mar 09"><U><B>Mar/09</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1103.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Feb 09"><U><B>Feb/09</B></U></A></div> 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VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1077.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jun 08"><U><B>Jun/08</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1072.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="May 08"><U><B>May/08</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><div> <A HREF="id1071.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Apr 08"><U><B>Apr/08</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1060.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mar 08"><U><B>Mar/08</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1044.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Feb 08"><U><B>Feb/08</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1043.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jan 08"><U><B>Jan/08</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1038.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dec 07"><U><B>Dec/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1037.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Nov 07"><U><B>Nov/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><div> <A HREF="id1032.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Oct 07"><U><B>Oct/07</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1026.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sep 07"><U><B>Sep/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1025.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Aug 07"><U><B>Aug/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><div> <A HREF="id1020.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jul 07"><U><B>Jul/07</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1015.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jun 07"><U><B>Jun/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1009.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="May 07"><U><B>May/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><div> <A HREF="id1007.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Apr 07"><U><B>Apr/07</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id986.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B>Mar/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id979.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Feb 07"><U><B>Feb/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id978.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jan 07"><U><B>Jan/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B>These "Articles" are dated from March 1st, 2007 - March 31st, 2007.</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="368" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#top_mountie_suspended_more_allegations_emerge" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Top Mountie suspended, more allegations emerge</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 31/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#adult_pornography_websites_won_t_end_in___xxx_" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Adult pornography websites won't end in '.XXX'</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 30/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#committee_hears_stunning_allegations_about_rcmp" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Committee hears stunning allegations about RCMP</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 29/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#committee_largely_rewrites_tories__clean_air_act" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Committee largely rewrites Tories' Clean Air Act</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 28/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#minister_calls_for_probe_into_ont__lottery_agency" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Minister calls for probe into Ont. lottery agency</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 27/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#ont__ombudsman_to_outline_olg_probe_findings" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Ont. ombudsman to outline OLG probe findings</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 26/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#cdn__troops_facing_increased_insurgent_attacks" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Cdn. troops facing increased insurgent attacks</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 25/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#company_to_probe_toxin_found_in_tainted_pet_food" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Company to probe toxin found in tainted pet food</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 24/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#food_importer_recalls_olives_fearing_botulism" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Food importer recalls olives fearing botulism</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 23/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#canadians_convinced_that_global_warming_exists" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Canadians convinced that global warming exists</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 22/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#acquitted_air_india_suspect_sues_government" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Acquitted Air India suspect sues government</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 21/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#anna_nicole_judge_cited_for_smoking_pot_in_park" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Anna Nicole judge cited for smoking pot in park</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 20/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#budget_to_focus_on_social_programs_for_provinces" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Budget to focus on social programs for provinces</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 19/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#pet_deaths_prompt_food_recall_in_north_america" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Pet deaths prompt food recall in North America</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 18/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#leaked_memo_calls_for_tory_donations" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Leaked memo calls for Tory donations</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 17/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#iranian_refugee_grateful_to_finally_leave_airport" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Iranian refugee grateful to finally leave airport</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 16/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#alberta_leads_provinces_in_ghg_releases_study" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Alberta leads provinces in GHG releases: study</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 15/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#lawyers_tell_ctv_how_they_ll_defend_conrad_black" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Lawyers tell CTV how they'll defend Conrad Black</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 14/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#canada_s_population_grows_by_impressive_5_4_" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Canada's population grows by impressive 5.4%</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 13/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#o_connor_meets_with_afghan_rights_commission" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  O'Connor meets with Afghan rights commission</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 12/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#rallies_held_across_canada_in_support_of_kyoto" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Rallies held across Canada in support of Kyoto</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 11/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#boston_lead_singer_brad_delp_dead_at_55" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Boston lead singer Brad Delp dead at 55</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 10/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#draft_eu_green_energy_deal_sets_ambitious_targets" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Draft EU green energy deal sets ambitious targets</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 09/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#gov__gen__michaelle_jean_visits_afghanistan" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean visits Afghanistan</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 08/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#at_least_21_dead_in_indonesian_airliner_accident" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  At least 21 dead in Indonesian airliner accident</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 07/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#canada_tops_world_popularity_poll_israel_is_last" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Canada tops world popularity poll, Israel is last</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 06/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#stock_markets_across_asia_and_europe_plunge" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Stock markets across Asia and Europe plunge</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 05/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#b_c__city_residents_protest__balcony_rapist_" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  B.C. city residents protest 'balcony rapist'</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 04/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#spielberg_unknowingly_bought_stolen_rockwell_work" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Spielberg unknowingly bought stolen Rockwell work</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 03/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#ont__storm_causes_power_outages_and_travel_delays" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Ont. storm causes power outages and travel delays</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 02/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#c__difficile_outbreak_in_two_gta_hospitals" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  C. difficile outbreak in two GTA hospitals</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 01/03/07</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> =======================</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="705" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="707"><div>  <A NAME="top_mountie_suspended_more_allegations_emerge"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 156 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Top Mountie suspended, more allegations emerge</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Fri. Mar. 30  2007  22:37  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 31st, 2007</div> <div> <B>The RCMP has suspended a senior Mountie in charge of human resources, as more details emerge of alleged fraud in the force's pension system.</B></div> <bR> <div> Deputy Commissioner Barb George had earlier resigned and her job performance is now under a code of conduct review, according to an internal memo.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b598a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Barb George, RCMP Deputy Commissioner.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 447 WIDTH="707"><div> George could not be reached for comment Friday. But in February, in front of a Parliamentary committee, she was asked about the removal of investigators from the case, including Staff-Sgt. Mike Frizzell.</div> <bR> <div> "It was neither (former RCMP commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli) nor me who had anything whatsoever to do with the removal of Sgt. Frizzell," said George.</div> <bR> <div> She testified that Frizzell left for "health reasons."</div> <bR> <div> Meanwhile, fellow investigator RCMP Chief Supt. Fraser MacAulay was sent to the Department of Defence for two years. But George called that a simple coincidence.</div> <bR> <div> On Wednesday, MacAulay suggested otherwise when he testified before the commons public accounts committee.</div> <bR> <div> "We had a lengthy conversation on the issues again and she explained to me how naïve I had to be to think anyone was going to stand beside me in this type of situation, and to tell the truth," he said.</div> <bR> <div> MacAulay also alleged: "For the past few years, the RCMP has had a small group of managers who, through their actions and inactions, are responsible for serious breaches in our core values, the RCMP code of conduct and even the Criminal Code."</div> <bR> <div> Ron Lewis, a retired RCMP staff sergeant, spoke of a "culture" created by several senior executives "where it was a danger for employees to report wrongdoings."</div> <bR> <div> "While trying to expose these wrongdoings, which were both criminal and code of conduct violations, I had face to face meetings and complaints up to and including Commissioner Zaccardelli," alleged Lewis.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 365 WIDTH="540"><div> "I was met with inaction delays, roadblocks, obstruction and lies. The person who orchestrated most of this cover-up was Commissioner Zaccardelli."</div> <bR> <div> Zaccardelli has denied the allegations.He resigned as RCMP commissioner in December after delivering contradictory testimony to another Commons committee about the Maher Arar affair.</div> <bR> <div> Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day has announced an independent investigation into the allegations, saying he is expecting a public report within eight to 12 weeks.</div> <bR> <div> <U>CTV News has learned that the allegations include the following</U>:</div> <div> Of the 65 people who worked at the pension division, 49 were related to senior RCMP members. In some cases, the nepotism involved entire families.</div> <bR> <div> Senior RCMP members used pension funds for golfing trips to destinations like St. Andrew's-by-the-Sea, N.B.</div> <bR> <div> <U>In one email exchange, resort employees at St. Andrew's-by-the-Sea explained an unusual billing structure</U>:</div> <div> "The purpose of this is to hide the golf rates in the room rates and to expense the golf," the email reads.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b599a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> RCMP Chief Supt. Fraser MacAulay speaks with Canada AM on Friday.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="b59aa0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Interim RCMP Commissioner Bev Busson holds a news conference in Ottawa at RCMP headquarters Thursday March 29, 2007, in Ottawa. (CP / Fred Chartrand)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 542 WIDTH="707"><div> Critics have called for a full judicial inquiry, but Day has countered that would take too long.</div> <bR> <div> "We want answers now, we want answers immediately," he said. "I'm seriously concerned with the information that was presented yesterday at the public accounts committee."</div> <bR> <div> Nevertheless, on Friday, Liberal leader Stéphane Dion continued to call for a judicial inquiry.</div> <bR> <div> "The Conservatives want an investigator who is accountable only to Cabinet, so that they can control the process for political gain," Dion said. "But what is needed is a full public inquiry that is transparent and free to get to the bottom of the issue."</div> <bR> <div> MacAulay hopes the controversial allegations won't tarnish the reputation of RCMP members.</div> <bR> <div> "We have 24,000-plus employees that are providing great public safety to this country, and it's a great organization. This is a small blip," he said.</div> <bR> <div> "The key for me is that we stay steadfast and get to the bottom of it and then move forward. We'll be a better organization hopefully down the road, and at the end of the day, this will just be a very painful couple of days."</div> <bR> <div> The complaints about the mismanagement of the pension fund go back to May 2003, when the RCMP launched its own investigations. The scandal then grabbed public attention following a report from the Auditor General's office.</div> <bR> <div> In her November 2006 report, Fraser wrote about fraud and abuse allegations in the management of the RCMP's pension and insurance plans, stemming from 2003.</div> <bR> <div> In June 2005, the Ottawa Police Service announced that its 15-month investigation had found abuses of the pension and insurance plans, nepotism, wasteful spending, and override of controls by management.</div> <bR> <div> No criminal charges have ever been laid in the matter.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff w<I>ith a report by CTV's Graham Richardson in Ottawa</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="adult_pornography_websites_won_t_end_in___xxx_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 126 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Adult pornography websites won't end in '.XXX'</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Fri. Mar. 30  2007  07:03  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 30th, 2007</div> <div> <B>LISBON, Portugal -- The agency that sets the Internet addressing guidelines influencing how people navigate the Web defeated a proposal Friday to give adult websites their own ".xxx" domain.</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="b591a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 372 WIDTH="707"><div> Many in the adult-entertainment industry and religious groups alike had criticized the plan, which the Canadian government also warned this week could leave the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers in the tricky business of content regulation.</div> <bR> <div> The 9-5 decision by ICANN's board came nearly seven years after the proposal was first floated by ICM Registry LLC. It was the third time ICANN has rejected such a bid. One member abstained from voting.</div> <bR> <div> "We are extremely disappointed by the boards action today," said Stuart Lawley, ICM's president and chief executive. "It is not supportable for any of the reasons articulated by the board, ignores the rules ICANN itself adopted for the RFP, and makes a mockery of ICANN by-laws' prohibition of unjustifiable discriminatory treatment."</div> <bR> <div> He added that ICM would pursue the matter energetically.</div> <bR> <div> Many of the board members said they were concerned about the possibility that ICANN could find itself in the content regulation business if the domain name was approved. Others criticized that, saying ICANN should not block new domains over fears like that, noting that local, state and national laws could be used to decide what is pornographic and what is not.</div> <bR> <div> Other board members said they believed that opposition to the domain by the adult industry, including Web masters, content providers and others, was proof that the issue was divisive and that ".xxx" was not a welcome domain.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff w<I>ith a report from The Associated Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="committee_hears_stunning_allegations_about_rcmp"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 126 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Committee hears stunning allegations about RCMP</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Wed. Mar. 28  2007  23:04  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 29th, 2007</div> <div> <B>Some senior RCMP personnel have made allegations of a high-level coverup in their attempts to investigate the misuse of group insurance and pension funds at the national police force.</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="b532a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 372 WIDTH="707"><div> "The RCMP -- right up at the top -- to make allegations of corruption, mismanagement, falsifying minutes and so on within the RCMP? We were astounded," John Williams, the Alberta Conservative MP who chairs the House of Commons public accounts committee, told CTV News.</div> <bR> <div> The committee heard Wednesday from Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers about an investigation that has been going on for years into possible misuse of millions of dollars in members' insurance and pension funds at the RCMP.</div> <bR> <div> There have been no criminal charges so far and very few senior RCMP people have been affected.</div> <bR> <div> During their Wednesday testimony before a House of Commons committee, some current and former officers pointed the finger at former RCMP commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli, among others, for what they say is a coverup.</div> <bR> <div> "While trying to expose these wrongdoings, which were both criminal and code of conduct violations, I had face to face meetings and complaints up to and including Commissioner Zaccardelli," said Ron Lewis, a retired RCMP staff sergeant.</div> <bR> <div> "I was met with inaction delays, roadblocks, obstruction and lies. The person who orchestrated most of this cover-up was Commissioner Zaccardelli."</div> <bR> <div> RCMP Chief Supt. Fraser MacAulay added: "For the past few years, the RCMP has had a small group of managers who, through their actions and inactions, are responsible for serious breeches in our core values, the RCMP code of conduct and even the Criminal Code."</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 211 WIDTH="540"><div> The officers alleged that Zaccardelli and others blocked investigations and removed some who were asking uncomfortable questions.</div> <bR> <div> In blaming the leadership, Lewis said, "A culture was created by several senior executives where it was a danger for employees to report wrongdoings."</div> <bR> <div> Williams made the following observation to CTV News: "The orders from the top seem to be, 'Stay quiet, don't say a word, we're the RCMP, we have to be clean or look like we're clean' -- and they're not clean."</div> <bR> <div> "The public accounts committee has to assess where we're at and where we go from here," Williams told CTV Newsnet on Wednesday.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b533a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Then-Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli appears before the Commons Public Safety committee in Ottawa Thursday, Sept. 28, 2006. (CP / Tom Hanson)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 414 WIDTH="707"><div> CTV News tried to reach Zaccardelli for comment but was unsuccessful.</div> <bR> <div> CTV's Graham Richardson said from Ottawa that Zaccardelli will likely be called to testify in the coming days, given that his name came up repeatedly on Wednesday.</div> <bR> <div> He said deputy commissioner Barbara George has stepped down from her position as head of human resources for the RCMP on Wednesday but will move to another job.</div> <bR> <div> "All members of that committee seemed very overwhelmed by what they heard. They seemed out of their depth. We're hearing they're going to call for a public inquiry," Richardson said.</div> <bR> <div> "They need a judge to look at this. They simply don't feel qualified to do that."</div> <bR> <div> <B>Auditor General's report</B></div> <bR> <div> The allegations stem from a matter already investigated by the Auditor General's office. However, the officers who testified Wednesday said the auditor's timeframe only covered one year, but the problems were spread over several years.</div> <bR> <div> In her office's November 2006 report, Auditor General Sheila Fraser wrote about fraud and abuse allegations in the management of the RCMP's pension and insurance plans that stemmed from 2003.</div> <bR> <div> "In June 2005, the Ottawa Police Service announced that its 15-month investigation had found abuses of the pension and insurance plans, nepotism, wasteful spending, and override of controls by management," the report said.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 475 WIDTH="707"><div> "Significant unnecessary or wasteful expenditures resulted, including money spent for work of little value. The Crown counsel advised that there was 'no reasonable prospect of conviction on criminal charges'. However, two senior officials of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) resigned, and the RCMP considered disciplinary action against others," the report said.</div> <bR> <div> At the time of that audit, the pension fund had a value of $12.4 billion. The insurance plan had about $30 million on deposit, it said.</div> <bR> <div> Among the report's findings:</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The NCPC (National Compensation Policy Centre) Director established consulting contracts valued at over $20 million, overriding controls to avoid competitions for the contracts. These contracts resulted in some work of questionable value being performed, and excessive fees for administrative services of little or no value being charged to the pension plan. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">About $3.4 million in improper expenses were charged to the plan </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">"An estimated $1.3 million was charged to the pension and insurance plans to pay for commissions or products that provided little or no value, and for excessive payments to employees' friends and family members hired as temporary staff." About $270,000 of that had been repaid. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The RCMP persuaded the insurance carrier to subcontract work to a second firm to administer insurance plans on behalf of the RCMP. As a result, there was no competition for a $4.6 million contract.</div> <bR> <div> The RCMP found there were grounds to proceed with disciplinary proceedings against four of its members and civilian employees, but didn't do so because too much time had elapsed, the report said.</div> <bR> <div> "The former Director of NCPC told us that, to his knowledge, RCMP staffing and contracting policies and practices were followed," the report said.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff w<I>ith a report from CTV's Graham Richardson in Ottawa</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="committee_largely_rewrites_tories__clean_air_act"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 126 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Committee largely rewrites Tories' Clean Air Act</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Tue. Mar. 27  2007  19:37  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 28th, 2007</div> <div> <B>OTTAWA -- The opposition parties have united to drastically revamp the Conservative government's clean air legislation, making it virtually unrecognizable from its original form.</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="b51fa0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 480 WIDTH="707"><div> The new version forged by the opposition majority on the House of Commons environment committee includes a commitment to international carbon trading as called for by the Kyoto Protocol. Prime Minister Stephen Harper is vehemently opposed to that provision of the climate treaty.</div> <bR> <div> When the Commons committee on Bill C-30 finishes its work, probably by the end of the week, the government's centrepiece environmental legislation will barely resemble the notions that emerged from the Conservative policy shops just a few months ago.</div> <bR> <div> Whether the Conservative government accepts those changes when the legislation returns to the Commons or uses them to trigger an election call has become the subject of fevered speculation in Ottawa.</div> <bR> <div> The opposition parties ended months of squabbling to unite after some bitter wrangling that pitted Liberals versus New Democrats and BQ members while the Conservatives enjoyed the spectre of a divided opposition.</div> <bR> <div> What ultimately united opposition MPs was the desire to overhaul the government's legislation.</div> <bR> <div> "What we're really doing here is rewriting the bill entirely," said Liberal environment critic David McGuinty, as the committee concluded a four-hour meeting on the legislation.</div> <bR> <div> The revised bill will contain a commitment to international emissions carbon trading under the Kyoto Protocol. The government has rejected that as a scheme to send billions of taxpayers dollars abroad for Russian hot air.</div> <bR> <div> It will provide for a "green investment bank" where companies that can't meet their targets will pay $30 per tonne penalties. The companies would be able to get the money back by achieving compliance within two years.</div> <bR> <div> The opposition parties appeared on track to include a reaffirmation of the Kyoto emissions-reduction targets which the prime minister has repeatedly rejected as unachievable.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 519 WIDTH="707"><div> Conservative committee members raised numerous procedural questions as the committee pushed through clause-by-clause study.</div> <bR> <div> "I think they're really trying to delay this so they can unleash an election and try to allege that all the opposition parties are trying to wreak economic havoc on the country," said McGuinty. "It will be a campaign of fear."</div> <bR> <div> Time after time the beleaguered Conservative committee members were out-voted by the Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois.</div> <bR> <div> The revised bill will create a quandary for the prime minister since it contradicts some of his most forcefully stated positions on dealing with climate change.</div> <bR> <div> The Tories have refused to say whether the vote on the revised bill will be deemed a confidence matter. If it is, the government could fall when the bill is passed.</div> <bR> <div> There were some hints that the Conservatives might be softening in their opposition to the Kyoto Protocol. Brian Jean, representing Fort-McMurray-Athabaska, said he would not rule out a commitment to the Kyoto targets.</div> <bR> <div> "The reality is ... there is a need to act right now and we need to look at all options to reduce greenhouse gases," he said. </div> <div> But fellow Conservative Mark Warawa, parliamentary secretary to Environment Minister John Baird, said the party's opposition to the Kyoto targets has not changed.</div> <bR> <div> NDP environment critic Nathan Cullen was ecstatic at the committee's progress. "In the last four hours there's been more movement on real changes than there has been in four months," he said.</div> <bR> <div> Aaron Freeman of Environmental Defence said there is still a stark divide on the issue of Kyoto, but the opposition parties are working well together."We see some encouraging signs today."</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff w<I>ith a report from The Canadian Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="minister_calls_for_probe_into_ont__lottery_agency"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 180 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Minister calls for probe into Ont. lottery agency</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Tue. Mar. 27  2007  10:42  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 27th, 2007</div> <div> <B>A scathing report about dishonest retailers and lax control at the Ontario Lottery Corporation has prompted calls from the provincial government for a police investigation.</B></div> <bR> <div> The minister responsible for the OLG wants the Ontario Provincial Police to probe deeper into allegations that lotto ticket sellers win a disproportionate number of prizes and the provincially run corporation did little to stop it.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b519a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> An OLG retailer is seen at an outlet cashing a ticket for a consumer.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 157 WIDTH="707"><div> "I've instructed that all files, all information that the ombudsman reviewed, be turned over to the Ontario Provincial Police for their review," David Caplan, minister of public infrastructure renewal said Monday.</div> <bR> <div> It was a turbulent day for OLG. Earlier in the day, Ontario ombudsman Andre Marin released a scathing report into the allegations, saying that "confidence in our lotteries is shattered."</div> <bR> <div> Marin found that at least 247 lottery retailers have made dishonest claims in the past eight years, resulting in millions of dollars of payouts. Marin said the "buddy-buddy" relationship between the corporation and retailers caused OLG to turn "a blind eye" to the allegations.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 206 WIDTH="540"><div> The ombudsman's report, titled "A Game of Trust," made 23 recommendations, including the creation of an external group to provide oversight for OLG. All the recommendations were accepted by the provincial government.</div> <bR> <div> "I think the ombudsman quite rightly points out this is a flaw in the set-up of the corporation and the way it was originally put together and why he recommends we have an outside regulatory and adjudicator ability and process independent of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation," Caplan said Monday.</div> <bR> <div> He added that he agrees with the ombudsman's assessment of OLG and the recommendations Marin made. Caplan added that he wants to quickly set up meetings between Marin and others to get the "proper regulatory regimes" in place.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b51aa0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Ontario Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan responds to the report from Queen's Park in Toronto on Monday, March 26, 2007.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 124 WIDTH="707"><div> In an advertising campaign launched Tuesday morning by OLG, the corporation committed to follow Marin's recommendations, plus recommendations made in a KPMG review and audit of the corporation.</div> <bR> <div> Finally, OLG says it will embrace "a corporate culture based on putting customers first while instilling our corporate values and operating philosophies in our employees."</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff w<I>ith a report from  toronto.ctv.ca</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="ont__ombudsman_to_outline_olg_probe_findings"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 126 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Ont. ombudsman to outline OLG probe findings</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Mon. Mar. 26  2007  07:55  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 26th, 2007</div> <div> <B>A report into allegations of rigged lottery games and stolen jackpots at Ontario's lottery corporation is set to be released on Monday, fresh on the heels of the CEO's sudden resignation.</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="b511a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 666 WIDTH="707"><div> Ontario's ombudsman Andre Marin has been looking into the allegations against Ontario Lottery and Gaming since October of last year. His probe was prompted by a television report suggesting that retailers win a disproportionate number of prizes.</div> <bR> <div> Marin has not given many hints into what his investigation discovered but said over the weekend that he hopes the provincial government will implement all of his recommendations.</div> <bR> <div> The provincial minister responsible for OLG has scheduled a news conference to follow the release of Marin's report. Premier Dalton McGuinty said Sunday that he is determined to rebuild confidence in the lottery system.</div> <bR> <div> While lottery customers and the government wait to hear Marin's recommendations, shake-ups have been occurring inside OLG.</div> <bR> <div> CEO Duncan Brown stepped down Friday. It was a "mutual agreement" on the part of Brown and the corporation, according to an OLG statement.</div> <bR> <div> But opposition parties say Brown is a scapegoat. NDP Leader Howard Hampton said the government gave Brown a large severance package to take the fall and stay quiet about it.</div> <bR> <div> Conservative Leader John Tory said Brown's resignation was so sudden that the public deserves to know details, including what was included in the severance package.</div> <bR> <div> Marin is expected to deliver a damning report about OLG and its efforts to investigate allegations of fraud and theft.</div> <bR> <div> It has been a troubling period for the publicly operated lottery corporation. Earlier this month, CTV News revealed that OLG was pulling more than three million "Super Bingo" scratch cards from the marketplace after a complaint that buyers could simply spot winning tickets.</div> <bR> <div> Before that, there were accusations that ticket retailers were winning a disproportionate number of jackpots.</div> <bR> <div> The lottery corporation implemented several new measures to prevent frauds from occurring, including the requirement that ticket holders sign their tickets before having them checked by retailers.</div> <bR> <div> But the efforts did not put the controversy to rest.</div> <bR> <div> The ombudsman's report will be released at 11 a.m.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff w<I>ith a report from  toronto.ctv.ca</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="cdn__troops_facing_increased_insurgent_attacks"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 254 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Cdn. troops facing increased insurgent attacks</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Sun. Mar. 25  2007  15:50  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 25th, 2007</div> <div> <B>GHUNDY GHAR, Afghanistan -- With a loud thud, a roadside bomb erupts beneath a Coyote armoured vehicle in clear sight of Canadian troops dug in on a dusty, sunbaked hill overlooking green poppy fields.</B></div> <bR> <div> "I-E-D!" soldiers shout as they point toward a cloud of greasy blackish-grey smoke rising from the improvised explosive device just over a kilometre away.</div> <bR> <div> Members of the battle group's reconnaissance squadron fall silent until radios crackle with word that their comrades are safe.</div> <bR> <div> The bomb blew one of the Coyote's eight wheels off.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b50fa0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Troops of the Royal Canadian Regiment battle group take part in a sweep for Taliban in the Zhari district west of Kandahar city, Afghanistan, March 25, 2007. Canadian troops are encountering more roadside bombs but no stand-up fights with the Taliban.(CP / John Cot)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 732 WIDTH="707"><div> "Starting about a week ago we have been finding IEDs on all the roads around here pretty much every single day,'' said Maj. Steve Graham of the Royal Canadian Dragoons.</div> <bR> <div> "The fact there has been a spike of IEDs tells me that the places we are going and things we have been doing are starting to hit closer to the areas the Taliban have been working in.''</div> <bR> <div> Roadside bombs, random rocket attacks and suicide bombers are the main dangers Canadian troops face so far this year in their efforts to bring security to Kandahar province.</div> <bR> <div> The pitched battles in the Panjwaii area last summer, where Canadian and Afghan forces along with NATO air power killed hundreds of Taliban, have forced the insurgency underground.</div> <bR> <div> Graham, whose force is lodged deep in a dangerous part of Zhari district, said their goal is to help the Afghan army and police stabilize the area.</div> <bR> <div> The squadron conducts presence patrols and meets with village elders in the lush agricultural zone between the main highway and the Arghandab river -- the main watercourse in the parched province.</div> <bR> <div> The idea is that the show of force and the friendly diplomacy will help win the people over into supporting the Afghan government.</div> <bR> <div> But the sprawl of mud-brick buildings, poppy fields and grape vineyards is an insurgent infiltration route toward Kandahar city and was once part of the Taliban's power base.</div> <bR> <div> Fighting such a faceless enemy is frustrating for the soldiers of the Gagetown, N.B.-based Royal Canadian Regiment battle group.</div> <bR> <div> "They are not going to stand up and fight,'' said Graham, who is from Winnipeg.</div> <bR> <div> "We have been here for a month and not once has anyone stopped to point a rifle at us. They are working in very small numbers. The only way they are going to have any effect against us is by hiding mines in the roads or lobbing rockets at us from three kilometres away.''</div> <bR> <div> The challenges faced by the soldiers at Graham's outpost perched on the edge of the Red Desert are shared by all Canadian forces in the Kandahar region.</div> <bR> <div> Military maps are pockmarked with ugly black dots topped with red flames -- each symbol marking the location of a roadside bomb detonation.</div> <bR> <div> Last week, one Canadian soldier was wounded when a bomb-detection dog, tired at the end of a long day, actually sat down on a device, setting it off.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 729 WIDTH="707"><div> In the last few days the battle group has come across four IEDS.</div> <bR> <div> The troops, who drive around in armoured Coyotes, LAV-3s and RG-31s, are well-shielded from roadside bomb blasts, but the danger is still there.</div> <bR> <div> The soldiers appear to take the threat in stride.</div> <bR> <div> Some, such as Capt. Mark Sheppard of India company, even joke about close calls.</div> <bR> <div> "We were driving flank security on this road and our LAV drove over a double-stack of Chinese anti-tank mines,'' said Sheppard during a break in a patrol near Sangsar, a Taliban hot spot in Zhari district.</div> <bR> <div> "They use two saw blades separated by inner-tubes. When the weight of the LAV comes on they touch the circuit and you go boom. But it didn't go off -- so it's all good.''</div> <bR> <div> Some of the troops are more fatalistic.</div> <bR> <div> "There is nothing you can do about it,'' said one private from Charlie company at a checkpoint as Afghan National Army troops swept a village for Taliban.</div> <bR> <div> "You just hope that it isn't you.''</div> <bR> <div> Rockets have also been fired at the battle group's task force in Maywand district and at Canadian forces in Ma'h Sum Ghar. There were no injuries.</div> <bR> <div> No one takes the threat for granted.</div> <bR> <div> Troops in vehicles radio each other with reports of farmers digging too close to roads.</div> <bR> <div> Villagers, fed up with losing their own people to the indiscriminate weapons, sometimes tell the Canadians about roadside bombs.</div> <bR> <div> Like the heat and ever-present dust, IEDs are another ugly fact of life in Afghanistan.</div> <bR> <div> "To be blunt, if every time a vehicle hit an IED, if every time a soldier died there was talk about us pulling out of here, it would just encourage the Taliban to keep doing it more,'' Graham said.</div> <bR> <div> "The fact is we have to show them that it doesn't matter what they do to us, we are here until the job is done."</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff w<I>ith a report from The Canadian Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="company_to_probe_toxin_found_in_tainted_pet_food"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 239 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Company to probe toxin found in tainted pet food</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Fri. Mar. 23  2007  22:19  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 24th, 2007</div> <div> <B>The possibility of tampering in pet food blamed for the deaths and illness of animals in the U.S. and Canada is remote, officials with Menu Foods said Friday, after it was confirmed that a toxic substance had been found in their products.</B></div> <bR> <div> Chief executive of Mississauga, Ont.-based Menu Foods, Paul Henderson, said that officials had identified that the products being recalled are from two U.S. manufacturing facilities.</div> <bR> <div> The two plants where the tainted "cuts and gravy" style food came from are still in operation, Henderson said. They are located in Emporia, Kan., and Pennsauken, N.J.</div> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b50da0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Pebbles, a 7-year-old Yorkshire terrier who is battling kidney failure after eating dog food that was later recalled, is cared for at Collett Veterinary Clinic in the Sylmar area of Los Angeles Wednesday, March 21, 2007. (AP / Reed Saxon)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 107 WIDTH="707"><div> When asked whether the firm would provide compensation for medical bills for sick pets, Henderson said "to the extent that we identify that the cause of any expenses incurred are related to the food, Menu will take responsibility for that."</div> <bR> <div> However, the company was not yet certain how a toxic subtance had made its way into the pet food.</div> <bR> <div> "How did this substance get in to our products? At this stage, we don't know," Henderson said.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 169 WIDTH="540"><div> Henderson told reporters that the company will begin testing all suspect raw materials through a process of elimination but denied that Menu Foods had been negligent.</div> <bR> <div> "Some raw material has entered our supply chain that did not meet the quality that had been represented," Henderson told reporters at an afternoon press conference in Toronto.</div> <bR> <div> He also sought to reassure the public that there was no reason to suspect the contamination affected any products beyond the ones identified in the recall.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b50ea0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Paul Henderson, CEO of Menu Foods, holds a press conference Friday.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 488 WIDTH="707"><div> The company had spoken to nearly 200,000 consumers, Henderson said.</div> <bR> <div> "They are scared. Some of them, like myself, are angry,'' Henderson said. "We are grateful for their patience.''</div> <bR> <div> Earlier in the day, New York state officials said that traces of aminopterin, an ingredient used in rat poison, were found in tests of food samples suspected of causing kidney failure in cats and dogs.</div> <bR> <div> Officials from the New York State Department of Agriculture confirmed reports that rat poison has been found in pet food products blamed for the deaths and illnesses of as many as 16 animals in the U.S. and Canada.</div> <bR> <div> State agriculture commissioner Patrick Hooker said tests are now being conducted on individual materials in the pet food.</div> <div> "This is a long step in a process that will lead us to know what has happened and how it has happened," Hooker said.</div> <bR> <div> Aminopterin, now banned in the U.S., has been used as a cancer treatment drug, an abortive and a rat poison.</div> <bR> <div> The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said the investigation into the pet deaths focused on wheat gluten imported from China.</div> <bR> <div> Wheat gluten itself would not cause kidney failure, but a common ingredient could have been contaminated, the FDA said.</div> <div> A Friday report from ABC News stated that the rodenticide had been used on wheat that was imported from China by Menu Foods.</div> <bR> <div> The pet food company then used the grain in close to 100 brands of dog and cat food.</div> <bR> <div> New York Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker, and representatives from Cornell University's diagnostic lab said that information was beyond the scope of their investigation, and it would be up to Menu Foods to determine the source of the poison.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 645 WIDTH="707"><div> They confirmed the toxic substance had been identified in the pet food, but said they were far from learning how it go there.</div> <bR> <div> The scientists have not yet determined how much poison made it into the supply, but said they have come up with a minimum amount of 40 parts per million.</div> <bR> <div> There have been varying reports about the number of pets that have died as the result of eating contaminated food. The scientists wouldn't give an estimate, but when pressed by a reporter, Dr. Donald Smith said "based upon what we've heard in the last couple of days, 16 seems like a low number."</div> <bR> <div> Experts say the effects of the poison could be reversed once the type and source of the toxin are confirmed.</div> <bR> <div> "It is possible to get injections of folic acid which could potentially reverse the harmful effects," veterinarian Bernie Caplan said.</div> <bR> <div> Last week, Menu Foods ordered a recall of the affected products in Canada and the U.S. after receiving reports that dogs and cats were becoming sick, and in some cases dying.</div> <bR> <div> The massive recall affected roughly 60 million cans and pouches of pet food, sold under 91 brand names such as Iams and Eukanuba, and through major retailers including Safeway, Wal-Mart and PetSmart.</div> <bR> <div> Meanwhile, a national class-action lawsuit has been launched in an Ontario court on behalf of pet owners who purchased the affected products.</div> <bR> <div> The claim is seeking compensation for anyone who purchased products that were manufactured at the company's Emporia, Kan. plant between Dec. 3, 2006, and March 6.</div> <bR> <div> The lawsuit alleges the company failed to implement proper quality control measures and testing before bringing the products into Canada.</div> <bR> <div> Henderson told The Canadian Press the company first received reports of illnesses and deaths due to kidney failure in late February when customers began reporting problems.</div> <bR> <div> Later, during testing this month, the company was notified that some of the animals had become sick from the "cuts-and-gravy'' style food, which prompted the investigation.</div> <bR> <div> The company estimates the recall could cost as much as $40 million.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 271 WIDTH="707"><div> <B>Recall information:</B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Menu Foods recall information <B>1-866-895-2708 or 1-866-463-6738 </B></div> <bR> <div> <U>Here are the lists of</U>:</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Recalled cat foods</U></A>, or type in the address bar the following locatio - http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.htmland </div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Recalled dog foods</U></A>  or type in the address bar the following locatio - http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.htmland</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Menu Foods is experiencing a high volume of calls. They ask people to keep trying if the line is busy.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The affected foods are canned or foil-pouch foods.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Veterinarians recommend that concerned pet owners stop feeding their pets any of the foods on the product lists and switch to either a dry pet food or another brand.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff w<I>ith a report from CTV's Denelle Balfour</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="food_importer_recalls_olives_fearing_botulism"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 147 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Food importer recalls olives fearing botulism</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Fri. Mar. 23  2007  06:54  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 23rd, 2007</div> <div> <B>A food importer is voluntarily recalling Marcella's Garden brand olives from stores across Canada saying the products may contain botulism.</B></div> <bR> <div> Excelsior Foods says the olives possibly containing the potentially deadly bacteria were distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="b500a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 348 WIDTH="707"><div> The product was sold in 600-millilitre plastic tubs with a best-before date of July 31, 2007.</div> <bR> <div> The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is involved in the investigation but so far no reported illnesses have been linked to the olives.</div> <bR> <div> Experts warn that food contaminated with the bacteria may not look or smell spoiled.</div> <bR> <div> In severe cases, botulism can be fatal. Otherwise, it can cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, headache, double vision, dry throat, respiratory failure and paralysis.</div> <bR> <div> <U>The affected products include</U>: </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Baresana Olives, lot 009/6, UPC 0 62136 90067 8. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Calabrese Olives, lot 012/6, UPC 0 62136 90070 8. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Cerignola Olives, lot 011/6, UPC 0 62136 90069 2. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Jumbo Stuffed Olives, lot 011/9, UPC 0 62136 90071 5. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Kalamata Olives, lot 005/6, UPC 0 62136 90066 1. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Nocellara Olives, lot 010/6, UPC 0 62136 90068 5. </div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="canadians_convinced_that_global_warming_exists"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 170 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Canadians convinced that global warming exists</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Thu. Mar. 22  2007  08:57  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 22nd, 2007</div> <div> <B>Canadians are convinced that global warming exists and that it is having a negative impact on day-to-day living, says a new poll.</B></div> <bR> <div> The Angus Reid survey says 77 per cent of Canadians are convinced that global warming is a problem. Only two per cent flatly reject the notion that the earth's climate has changed.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b4faa0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> CTV graphic detailing the results from the Angus Reid survey on environmental views.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 563 WIDTH="707"><div> Thirty per cent of Canadians feel that climate change is a pressing issue in this country and that it should be given almost as much attention as health care.</div> <bR> <div> About 70 per cent of respondents believe that theories about global warming are "true science," 12 per cent think they're "junk science" and 19 per cent are not sure.</div> <bR> <div> Men (17 per cent) were more likely than women (seven per cent) to identify global warming as junk science.</div> <bR> <div> Views about global warming also vary from province to province.</div> <bR> <div> Only 69 per cent of Albertans are convinced that the phenomenon is real in contrast to 83 per cent of Quebecers.</div> <bR> <div> Overall, 47 per cent of Canadians said they regularly encourage others to be more environmentally conscious.</div> <bR> <div> About one-third of Canadians, 32 per cent, feel climate change is the most important issue facing humanity. A higher number, 54 per cent, feel it is no more important than other issues like HIV/AIDS, poverty or terrorism.</div> <bR> <div> A second report from the poll will be released next week dealing with Canadian behaviour towards climate change.</div> <bR> <div> The Canadian Press reported on some additional findings of the report that suggests wealthy, educated Canadians are worried about global warming but not enough to give up some of life's luxuries.</div> <bR> <div> The results show a majority of Canadians are still unwilling to switch to fuel-efficient vehicles or to lower their thermostats at home.</div> <bR> <div> Spending less time in the shower or cutting down on air travel were also things that those polled did not want to give up.</div> <bR> <div> The survey polled 3,698 Canadian adults between March 6 and 19, 2007. The margin of error for the total sample is 1.6 per cent, 19 times out of 20.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with files from The Canadian Press</I> </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="acquitted_air_india_suspect_sues_government"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 217 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Acquitted Air India suspect sues government</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Wed. Mar. 21  2007  07:52  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 21st, 2007</div> <div> <B>Ripudaman Singh Malik, acquitted two years ago on charges relating to the Air-India bombing, is suing the Attorneys-General of B.C. and Canada, reports </B><I><B>The Globe and Mail</B></I><B>.</B></div> <bR> <div> Malik, who at one time was a wealthy businessman in B.C., said he has lost both his reputation and life savings since being charged in 2000.</div> <bR> <div> In a filing in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Malik claims unspecified damages "for malicious prosecution, wrongful imprisonment, breach of the Plantiff's Charter rights, </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b4f8a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Ripudaman Singh Malik leaves a B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver with his supporters after he was found not guilty on March 16, 2005 in the bombing of Air India flight 182 in 1985. (CP / Richard Lam)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 542 WIDTH="707"><div> Conspiracy to Injure, negligent performance of duty and damage to the Plantiff's reputation in connection with the Plaintiff's wrongful prosecution."</div> <bR> <div> Malik was charged along with Ajaib Singh Bagri, of Kamloops, on eight counts -- including first degree murder and planting bombs on airplanes -- in connection to Air India Flight 182 that was downed off the coast of Ireland on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people on board.</div> <bR> <div> The pair was also jointly charged with a second count of first-degree murder in connection to the explosion of another bomb at the luggage terminal of Japan's Narita airport.</div> <bR> <div> Both men were acquitted on all counts.</div> <bR> <div> During their trial, the prosecution alleged that the bomb used in the explosion was loaded aboard the flight in Vancouver and that Malik and Bagri were key players in the plan.</div> <bR> <div> Malik claimed during the trial that he had exhausted his savings of several million dollars on his defence. He then received money from the Crown for his case.</div> <bR> <div> A B.C. cost analysis report from 2005 found that the 19-month mass murder trial cost Canadian taxpayers almost $60 million -- $30.27 million of which was funded by the B.C. government and $27.51 million by Ottawa.</div> <bR> <div> Estimates suggested Bagri and Malik owed $9.7 million and $6.4 million respectively.</div> <bR> <div> The B.C. government wants both Bagri and Singh to repay the money that was used for their defence.</div> <bR> <div> Malik's lawyer, David Unterman, declined to comment on Tuesday.</div> <bR> <div> A government spokesman told <I>The Globe</I> that the writ would have to be studied before any response could be made.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="anna_nicole_judge_cited_for_smoking_pot_in_park"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 197 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Anna Nicole judge cited for smoking pot in park</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Tue. Mar. 20  2007  08:37  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 20th, 2007</div> <div> <B>HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- A judge who had a secondary role in the recent Anna Nicole Smith proceedings was charged with smoking marijuana in a city park, police said Monday.</B></div> <bR> <div> Lawrence Korda was smoking marijuana while sitting under a tree Sunday, police said. Three officers who were training there saw Korda and field-tested the cigarette, said Capt. Tony Rode, a police spokesman.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b4dea0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Anna Nicole Smith attends the Mao Magazine and Mao Space opening night party in this Sept. 7, 2004 file photo in New York. (AP / Jennifer Graylock, file)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 323 WIDTH="707"><div> The judge was not arrested. He was given a misdemeanor citation to appear in court.</div> <bR> <div> "Judge Korda was not given special treatment because of his status as a circuit court judge," Rode said. "He was provided with a notice to appear. That's exactly what 99 percent of other offenders would have been given for this type of offense."</div> <bR> <div> A message left by The Associated Press at the judge's chambers after hours Monday was not immediately returned.</div> <bR> <div> The fight over control of the former Playboy Playmate and reality TV star's body began in Korda's courtroom. It ended up being heard by Circuit Judge Larry Seidlin, who carved his own slice of celebrity from the televised hearings with his relentless one-liners and blubbering announcement of his decision.</div> <bR> <div> Seidlin allowed a court-appointed advocate for Smith's infant daughter decide where Smith should be buried, and the lawyer decided it would be in the Bahamas.</div> <bR> <div> Korda later heard brief arguments in a related case, seeking to determine the biological father of the baby. He ruled that a Bahamian court had jurisdiction over the child's custody.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from The Associated Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="budget_to_focus_on_social_programs_for_provinces"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 217 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Budget to focus on social programs for provinces</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Mon. Mar. 19  2007  08:10  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 19th, 2007</div> <div> <B>Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is expected to release a budget today that will give $4 billion to provinces for social programs, with a possible spring election on the horizon.</B></div> <bR> <div> "Almost everybody who is walking and breathing in this country will get something in this budget," Robert Fife, CTV's Ottawa bureau chief, told Canada AM on Monday.</div> <bR> <div> But he added that "people who will not be happy are probably those in the environmentalist movement. Environmentalists were expecting billions of dollars to go towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and you're not going to see that kind of money."</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b4d9a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty smiles after a pre-budget photo-op at a sporting goods store in Whitby, Ont. on March 18, 2007. (CP / Frank Gunn)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 743 WIDTH="707"><div> The core of the budget will likely be the $4 billion aimed at satisfying provinces, including richer equalization payments for so-called "have-not" provinces like Quebec.</div> <bR> <div> "Watch for the transfer payments. That's where the bulk of the money is for: post-secondary education, health and infrastructure," Flaherty told CTV's <I>Question Period</I> on Sunday.</div> <bR> <div> CTV News has learned details about some of the other tax relief and spending initiatives: </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">$3 billion in tax breaks aimed at general tax relief, helping the working poor get off social assistance and fitness tax credits for families with children. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Seniors will see a special tax credit as well as pension income-splitting </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Corporations will also get a $1 billion tax cut, and </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Investors should see capital gains taxes reduced </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Prime Minister Stephen Harper has already announced about $1.5 billion in environmental spending. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Sources tell CTV News that the budget will provide incentives for buying energy-efficient cars. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Cities will continue to receive a share of federal gas taxes. </div> <bR> <div> "The Harper government has been smart. They have already laid out, over the past few weeks, some announcements on the environment," said <I>Question Period</I> host Jane Taber on Monday.</div> <bR> <div> "As well, they gave a billion dollars in money to Saskatchewan farmers, because I think there's a worry in this budget that the Saskatchewan and Newfoundland premiers may not be as happy with the money that goes to the provinces."</div> <bR> <div> <B>Opposition reaction</B> </div> <bR> <div> "If it turns out to be accepted by the opposition, terrific. If they decide they don't like it, I think the Canadian people will decide they like it," Flaherty said.</div> <bR> <div> Liberal Leader Stephane Dion told <I>Question Period</I> the budget didn't have to be perfect.</div> <bR> <div> "If it is a budget not as good as we would like it but it's say acceptable -- not detrimental to the Canadian people -- we may vote for it," he said.</div> <bR> <div> "Everybody in the NDP is focused on getting some results out of the Parliament as long as it's sitting," said NDP Leader Jack Layton.</div> <bR> <div> All three opposition parties -- the Liberals, NDP and Bloc Quebecois -- would have to vote against the budget to defeat it.</div> <bR> <div> In a rousing speech to about 5,000 supporters in Toronto on Saturday night, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he didn't want an election, but was "ready and willing" to fight one on his government's record.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from CTV's Robert Fife</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="pet_deaths_prompt_food_recall_in_north_america"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 163 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Pet deaths prompt food recall in North America</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Sun. Mar. 18  2007  08:43  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 18th, 2007</div> <div> <B>The deaths of several pets in the U.S. has prompted an Ontario-based pet-food supplier to recall some of its premium dog and cat foot.</B></div> <bR> <div> Menu Foods, one of North America's largest suppliers of pet food, is recalling dog food sold throughout North America under 48 brands and cat food sold under 40 brands including Iams, Nutro and Eukanuba.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="b4d6a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 432 WIDTH="707"><div> The recall follows complaints that one dog and several cats south of the border died of kidney failure after eating the foods.</div> <bR> <div> Paul Henderson, the CEO of the Toronto-area company, says it's not clear what the problem is and the recall is precautionary.</div> <bR> <div> "We're not entirely sure what has happened,'' Henderson said in an interview with the Canadian Press.</div> <bR> <div> "We've undertaken a battery of technical tests . . . and all of those tests have failed to identify any issues at all with our product."</div> <bR> <div> The company is based in Streetsville, west of Toronto.</div> <bR> <div> A complete list of the recalled products along with product codes, descriptions and production dates was available from the Menu Foods website at <B>http://www.menufoods.com/recall.</B></div> <bR> <div> The company also designated two phone numbers that pet owners could call for information -- (866) 463-6738 and (866) 895-2708 -- but callers kept the lines busy for much of Saturday.</div> <bR> <div> Menu Foods says it will spend as much as $40 million to recall some of the products it sells through stores such as Wal-Mart and Safeway.</div> <bR> <div> <B>'Cuts-and-gravy'</B> </div> <div> The recall covers the company's "cuts and gravy" style food, which consists of chunks of meat in gravy, sold in cans and small foil pouches from Dec. 3 to March 6.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 393 WIDTH="707"><div> Concerns from the U.S. about the food began filtering back to Menu Foods through toll-free customer lines starting at the end of February.</div> <bR> <div> Menu Foods produced more than one billion containers last year, including products to 17 of the top 20 retailers in North America for sale under store labels such as Master Choice, Compliments and Select and manufactures for several national brands.</div> <bR> <div> Two other companies -- Nestle Purina PetCare Co. and Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. -- said Saturday that as a precaution they were voluntarily recalling some products made by Menu Foods.</div> <bR> <div> Many stores that sold the affected brands frantically pulled packages off shelves.</div> <bR> <div> Company spokesperson Sarah Tuite has said the recalled products were made using wheat gluten purchased from a new supplier, which has since been dropped for another source. Wheat gluten is a source of protein.</div> <bR> <div> U.S. Food and Drug Administration spokesperson Julie Zawisza said it's still too early to determine what could have affected the food. She said that even if wheat gluten is the source "it doesn't necessarily mean the wheat gluten per se. It could be another substance associated with the wheat gluten."</div> <bR> <div> Menu Foods said it has beefed up the testing of all raw materials and finished goods.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with files from The Canadian Press and the Associated Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="leaked_memo_calls_for_tory_donations"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 184 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Leaked memo calls for Tory donations</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Sat. Mar. 17  2007  15:12  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 17th, 2007</div> <div> <B>Details of an internal Tory memo surfaced on Thursday asking party members to contribute "urgent" funds for an election that could start within days.</B></div> <bR> <div> Despite Prime Minister Stephen Harper's insistence he doesn't want to campaign anytime soon, party insiders say an election could be called after the federal budget is tabled on Monday.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b4d0a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Prime Minister Stephan Harper speaks during a press conference in King City, Ont. on Wednesday.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 855 WIDTH="707"><div> "We need to be ready to campaign within the next week,'' said the document written by Irving Gerstein, chair of the Conservative Fund Canada.</div> <bR> <div> "Without your help, we may need to cut back on major parts of our campaign plan. That's why I'm making an urgent appeal today to our most loyal supporters.''</div> <bR> <div> The document was obtained after it was sent to a former Conservative member who still receives party correspondence.</div> <bR> <div> Gerstein is requesting donations of $75 or $150 to ensure the party's plans for the first few days of the campaign run smoothly.</div> <bR> <div> "We may have only a little time left to finalize our finances for the first few days of the upcoming election,'' Gerstein wrote. </div> <div> He concluded the memo with yet another urgent plea to loyal supporters.</div> <bR> <div> "We are in a campaign readiness status right now,'' Gerstein wrote.</div> <bR> <div> "There could be an election very soon. Please act now and send the most generous contribution you can today.''</div> <bR> <div> While the memo touts an impending campaign, calling a federal election would go against Harper's promise of fixed election dates.</div> <bR> <div> A Strategic Counsel poll, released on Friday, conducted for CTV News and The Globe and Mail suggests the three major parties are in a stalemate with the same support results as the last time an election was called.</div> <bR> <div> Harper's Tories had the support of 36 per cent, while the Liberals garnered 31 per cent, according to the survey of 1,000 Canadians conducted March 10-13. The NDP had 15 per cent and the Green Party 10 per cent.</div> <bR> <div> The poll of 1,000 Canadians has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points, 19 times in 20.</div> <bR> <div> However, if an election is called all parties would face considerable challenges.</div> <bR> <div> Liberal Leader Stephane Dion is busy organizing his party around new platforms and working on his language skills.</div> <bR> <div> The NDP are struggling to garner more support to cement their position above the Green Party and the Parti Quebecois is busy with the final leg of campaigning for the provincial election on March 26.</div> <bR> <div> The only way for Harper to ensure an election is called would be to present a budget filled with measures his opposition could never support.</div> <bR> <div> On Friday, Dion said his party will base their budget vote on whether three pivotal issues are dealt with which include economic competitiveness, social justice, and environmental sustainability.</div> <bR> <div> "We will assess what to do with this budget when we will see it,'' Dion told the Canadian Press.</div> <bR> <div> "We're only hoping that this budget will be everything that this last budget wasn't.''</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with files from The Canadian Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="iranian_refugee_grateful_to_finally_leave_airport"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 156 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Iranian refugee grateful to finally leave airport</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Fri. Mar. 16  2007  09:01  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 16th, 2007</div> <div> <B>An Iranian refugee who spent 10 months living in Moscow's international airport with her two children is grateful to finally arrive in Canada.</B></div> <bR> <div> Zahra Kamalfar arrived in Vancouver late Thursday. Apparently overcome by emotion, she collapsed on her way out.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b4c3a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Zahra Kamalfar is emotional upon her arrival in Canada on Thursday.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 215 WIDTH="707"><div> "Now I see freedom," a visibly shaken Zahra Kamalfar told reporters. "I can see again the sky, the moon, the sun."</div> <bR> <div> Before leaving, she reportedly had to face one more obstacle: the RCMP questioned her about an allegation she had smoked on her flight. The RCMP did not name Kamalfar specifically, and released her without charges.</div> <bR> <div> Two years ago, Kamalfar attempted to leave Iran and head for Canada via Russia and Europe. She was arrested during a stopover in Germany and sent back to Moscow.</div> <bR> <div> Russian authorities attempted to deport her and her two children, Davood and Anna, say her supporters.</div> <bR> <div> "The Russians wanted to deport the family back to Iran, but they didn't have any ID documents or travel documents, so they couldn't," Kamalfar's lawyer Negar Azmudeh told Canada AM Friday.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 337 WIDTH="540"><div> "And as a pressure tactic on Zahra and her children to sign applications for travel documents, they had first confined them to a hotel room. And then to increase the pressure, they moved them to the public area of the transit lounge, where they were for the past 10 months."</div> <bR> <div> Kamalfar was eventually granted status by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). She was initially turned down but, on appeal, her lawyers succeeded after presenting new information.</div> <bR> <div> While her case was under review last summer, she was prevented from leaving the Moscow airport. She lived there with her children for 10 months, sleeping on the floor, bathing in public washrooms and receiving food donated from the Russian Aeroflot airline.</div> <bR> <div> The UNHCR made numerous requests to the Russian government to house the family while the case was under review but no action was taken. A Russian migration official confirmed to CTV News that it was because, contrary to local law, she failed to file for refugee status within 24 hours of landing in Russia.</div> <bR> <div> "The situation that they were in was both humiliating and very, very difficult," Azmudeh said.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b4c4a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Zahra Kamalfar and her son Davood at Moscow's international airport.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="b4c5a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Zahra Kamalfar and her children Davood and Anna at Moscow's international airport.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 269 WIDTH="707"><div> "They were roughed up by the airport authorities from time to time. And just a couple of weeks ago, Zahra fell ill and her son was suffering from an eye infection and there was no medical intervention. So overall, it was very, very difficult."</div> <bR> <div> A lobbying effort led by the International Federation of Iranian Refugees finally produced results when, this week, the Canadian government agreed to accept the family as legitimate refugees.</div> <bR> <div> "We are all extremely grateful to the Canadian public and the Canadian authorities for finally pushing things through," Azmudeh said.</div> <bR> <div> Kamalfar reportedly plans to live in Vancouver, already home to about 30,000 Iranians.</div> <bR> <div> The situation was similar to the case of another Iranian, Mehran Karimi Nasseri, who lived at the international airport in Paris from 1998 to 2006 after his refugee status papers were stolen.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with files from The Canadian Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="alberta_leads_provinces_in_ghg_releases_study"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 147 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Alberta leads provinces in GHG releases: study</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Thu. Mar. 15  2007  08:12  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 15th, 2007</div> <div> <B>Almost 40 per cent of all greenhouse gases pumped into the atmosphere by Canada in 2005 were produced by industries in Alberta, according to a new study.</B></div> <bR> <div> The survey was put together by Toronto-based conservation group Environmental Defence and the Canadian Environmental Law Association, The Globe and Mail reports.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="b4b9a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 409 WIDTH="707"><div> The study, which was based on an analysis of pollution data filed by companies to Environment Canada, found that Alberta businesses led the provinces in GHG emissions.</div> <bR> <div> The oil-rich province was well ahead of second-place Ontario, whose industries released 28 per cent of the nation's climate warming gases.</div> <bR> <div> The study, set to be released Thursday, shows that Alberta is the far-and-away leader in emissions of the pollution that is believed to fuel climate change.</div> <bR> <div> When it comes to a company-by-company breakdown Alberta is also in the lead, with seven of the nation's 10 biggest polluters calling the oil-rich western province home.</div> <bR> <div> The list includes plants run by Syncrude Canada Ltd. and Suncor Energy Inc., as well as five generating stations powered by fossil fuels.</div> <bR> <div> Ontario has two of the top 10 -- the Ontario Power Generation station in Nanticoke, which has the dubious position of being Canada's largest single source of carbon dioxide emissions, and the number five-ranked Lambton OPG plant.</div> <bR> <div> Both plants burn coal to produce electricity -- a dirty energy source that Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has vowed to eliminate.</div> <bR> <div> All major companies in Canada are required to file emissions data with Environment Canada each year, showing how much pollution they release.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 391 WIDTH="707"><div> Aaron Freeman, policy director at the Toronto-based Environmental Defence conservation group, said Alberta's lead is likely to increase in coming years as the result of oil sands developments slated for construction and Ontario's promise to shut down coal-plants.</div> <bR> <div> "You'd see a growing cleavage between Alberta and the rest of Canada," Freeman told The Globe.</div> <bR> <div> The study also found the following:</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">In 2005, Alberta's industries led the country in releasing conventional air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particle pollution;</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Saskatchewan -- a province that relies heavily on coal to produce electricity -- released more GHGs in 2005 than all the businesses in Quebec -- a province with a population almost seven times as large;</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">About half of Canada's GHG emissions are released by industries -- and environmental groups are pushing the government to crack down on those releases by passing tougher regulations.</div> <bR> <div> The Conservative government has essentially abandoned the Kyoto Protocol target for Canada -- a 6 per cent cut in GHG emissions below 1990 levels by 2012. Instead, Environment Minister John Baird has spoken about implementing intensity-based targets that would increase energy efficiency per unit, but put no cap on total emissions.</div> <bR> <div> Earlier this year, B.C.'s provincial Liberal government announced a plan to cut GHG emissions by 10 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="lawyers_tell_ctv_how_they_ll_defend_conrad_black"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 217 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Lawyers tell CTV how they'll defend Conrad Black</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Wed. Mar. 14  2007  08:49  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 14th, 2007</div> <div> <B>With his Chicago accent and disheveled hair, Eddie Genson seems like the complete opposite of Conrad Black's Toronto-based lawyer, Eddie Greenspan.</B></div> <bR> <div> But the two men told CTV News they have a great deal of respect for one another, and will fight hard to prove Black's innocence when his trial starts Wednesday.</div> <bR> <div> The former chief executive of Hollinger International is charged with mail and wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice, racketeering and tax violations. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in jail.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b4aca0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Conrad Black leaves a U.S. federal court in Chicago in this Jan. 12, 2007 file photo. (AP / Charles Rex Arbogast)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 372 WIDTH="707"><div> "The climate for political people, the climate for corporate people stinks," Genson told CTV News in an exclusive interview. "And as a result of that, he's going to have a very difficult time getting a trial of his peers."</div> <bR> <div> Genson has partly blamed the media for creating that climate, and said he hasn't spoken to the local Chicago newspapers for weeks.</div> <bR> <div> "Papers love to see famous people go down. Papers like to see business people made fun of and criticized, and it's like a snowball running down a hill," he said.</div> <bR> <div> Rather than Black allegedly misusing company money to finance his lavish lifestyle, Genson said the real focus of the trial will be David Radler, who he described as a "Judas" figure.</div> <bR> <div> Radler is Black's former associate, former president and chief operating officer of the Hollinger group and former publisher of the <I>Chicago Sun-Times</I>. He pleaded guilty to mail fraud and is expected to testify against Black, in exchange for a reduced sentence.</div> <bR> <div> "David Radler cut a deal and the deal basically is going to wind up giving him six months in jail," said Genson.</div> <bR> <div> "David Radler's hundreds of millions of dollars in newspapers that he's in charge of, either through himself or through his daughter, are still collecting money. He's cut a deal where maybe he'll serve six months in jail in exchange for that he has to say Conrad knew about (the allegedly illegal activities)."</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 393 WIDTH="540"><div> While Genson may be direct and forceful, Greenspan is soft-spoken and chooses his words carefully. But both men agree that Black's lifestyle should be left out of the trial.</div> <bR> <div> "The life that (the prosecution lawyers) want to present to the jury through the way (Black) spends his money, the way he enjoys himself in order to say to that jury, 'We hate the guy,' I think it's going to backfire," said Greenspan.</div> <bR> <div> "I don't think any of that matters in a fraud trial."</div> <bR> <div> He added he would do his best to avoid referring to his client by his British title, Lord Black of Crossharbour.</div> <bR> <div> "I have no intention of using the name Lord ever. I have no intention of invoking the House of Lords, or the word Lord, or the word Lady," said Greenspan.</div> <bR> <div> "I think what the prosecution wants to do it to inflame the jury, to offend the jury, and I have no idea why it's being used."</div> <bR> <div> <B>Lawyers have long friendship</B></div> <bR> <div> Greenspan said he has known and admired Genson for a long time.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b4ada0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> 'The climate for political people, the climate for corporate people stinks,' Eddie Genson told CTV News in an exclusive interview.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="b4aea0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> 'I have no intention of using the name Lord ever. I have no intention of invoking the House of Lords, or the word Lord, or the word Lady,' said Eddie Greenspan.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 344 WIDTH="707"><div> "My daughter had worked for Genson for six years and I got to know him in Chicago," said Greenspan.</div> <bR> <div> "She graduated from law school in Chicago and worked for him, and we became friends. This opportunity arose and I was looking for a Chicago counsel, and there really was no question. It was a done deal."</div> <bR> <div> Genson said the two men have a lot in common, despite appearances.</div> <bR> <div> "He's a little more cerebral than I am, I think, but we're kindred spirits," said Genson. "Generally, I talk about a problem and it turns out he had the same one ... it's a good fit."</div> <bR> <div> But although both men are in Chicago, Genson said they have divided up work on the case and are largely focusing on their own tasks.</div> <bR> <div> "People have different foibles. I don't like getting a haircut and I don't like pumping gas -- I regard those two activities as a complete waste of anybody's time," said Genson.</div> <bR> <div> "And sitting down and telling another lawyer what I'm going to do ranks right up there with haircuts and filling your gas tank."</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff w<I>ith a report by CTV's Lisa LaFlamme in Chicago and files from The Canadian Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="canada_s_population_grows_by_impressive_5_4_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 163 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Canada's population grows by impressive 5.4%</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Tue. Mar. 13  2007  09:00  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 13th, 2007</div> <div> <B>New census data released today shows Canada has the fastest population growth of any Group of Eight industrialized country. And most of that is coming from immigrants.</B></div> <bR> <div> The 2006 census data, released Tuesday by Statistics Canada, finds that newcomers made up fully two-thirds of Canada's robust increase over the last five years. Canada's native-born population meanwhile grew by only a fraction between 2001 and 2006.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b4a2a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Canada's 2006 population and the percentage increase since 2001.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 505 WIDTH="707"><div> The influx of more than a million immigrants helped push the country's population to 31.6 million.</div> <bR> <div> Figures show an overall population growth of 5.4 per cent, up from four per cent in the previous five-year census period, which was the slowest half-decade in modern Canadian history.</div> <bR> <div> If trends continue, Canada could get to the point where immigration will become the only source of growth. That likely won't happen until after 2030 when the peak of the baby boomers reaches the end of their lifespans.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other highlights from the 2006 census:</B> </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The national population on census day, May 16, 2006, was 31,612,897. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The country's fertility rate is at 1.5 kids per woman -- far below the 2.1 needed to replace the dying population. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Two provinces were primarily responsible for the country's growth: Ontario and booming Alberta </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Most of Alberta's growth was due to Canadians from other provinces moving there for work. Ontario's 6.6 per cent increase came mostly from immigration. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Newfoundland and Labrador (-1.5 per cent) and Saskatchewan (-1.1) were the only two provinces that lost population since the last census. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">For the first time, the population of the three territories totaleds more than 100,000. Part of the growth can be explained by Nunavut's high fertility rate, which is double the national average. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">More than two-thirds of the country's population lives in or around 33 major urban centres. Fewer than 20 per cent of Canadians were living in small towns and rural areas in 2006. </div> <bR> <div> The 2006 census was the first to allow Canadians to opt out of having their personally identifiable material become public 92 years after it's collected. Instead, many chose to keep their information from being released in 2098.</div> <bR> <div> Nationally, 56 per cent of respondents agreed to the release of their personally identifiable census information in 2098. </div> <div> The remainder either chose No or gave no reply.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="o_connor_meets_with_afghan_rights_commission"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 378 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>O'Connor meets with Afghan rights commission</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Mon. Mar. 12  2007  06:51  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 12th, 2007</div> <div> <B>Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor met with the head of the Afghan Human Rights Commission on Monday in an attempt to defuse a controversy over the treatment of battlefield detainees.</B></div> <bR> <div> "He has even gone to an Afghan prison today to personally see the conditions that some of the detainees would be put in," said CTV's Tom Clark in Afghanistan.</div> <bR> <div> O'Connor also held extensive meetings with Canadian staff in an effort to fully understand how the prisoner transfer process works, said Clark.</div> <bR> <div> Meanwhile, Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier made a surprise visit to Kandahar on Monday and will join up with O'Connor.</div> <bR> <div> The pair will tour the frontlines of Canada's mission in the region, said Clark.</div> <bR> <div> Earlier this month, Canada finalized a deal with the Afghanistan Human Rights Commission to monitor the treatment of Taliban detainees handed over by Canadian troops to the government of Afghanistan.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b498a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Minister of National Defence Gordon O'Conner arrives at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. (Sgt. Craig Fiander / Joint Task Force Afghanistan Roto 3)</div> <div> <IMG SRC="b499a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Gen. Rick Hillier is seen on the NATO base in Kandahar, Afghanistan.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 557 WIDTH="707"><div> "I want to look the man in the eyes and I want to be confirmed that they are going to do what they say they are going to do," O'Connor said Sunday of his meeting with the commission head in Kandahar. "I just want an assurance from him that they will monitor and inform us of any abuses."</div> <bR> <div> The co-operative effort was announced just days after news broke that three Afghan prisoners who are considered key witnesses in a probe into allegations of abuse by Canadian soldiers disappeared.</div> <bR> <div> The disappearance evoked strong criticism of Canada's prisoner handover agreement.</div> <bR> <div> O'Connor was also criticized for claiming that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) monitored the treatment of the detainees and that they would report back to Canadian officials if anything was wrong.</div> <bR> <div> The ICRC denied the claims, saying they would never tell Ottawa about any abuses.</div> <bR> <div> Simon Schorno, a spokesman for the ICRC, told <I>The Globe and Mail</I> that the Red Cross can only make known its assessments or interventions to the government whose facilities it is visiting. Under its own charter, the ICRC is not allowed to disclose findings to third parties.</div> <bR> <div> O'Connor said the detainee issue isn't the main reason for his trip to Kandahar. The former army brigadier general said he wants to visit Canadian troops stationed in Afghanistan -- especially the soldiers serving in the battle group involved in Operation Achilles.</div> <bR> <div> "I want to see what challenges they are facing," he said. "It is basically to get on the ground and talk with the troops." </div> <div> O'Connor and Hillier are also expected to make an announcement, said Clark.</div> <bR> <div> Since Canadian troops first arrived in Afghanistan in 2002, 45 Canadian soldiers have been killed.</div> <bR> <div> The most recent death occurred last Tuesday when Cpl. Kevin Megeney, of Stellarton, N.S, was killed in his tent at the Kandahar base in a mysterious shooting.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with files from CTV's Tom Clark and The Canadian Press in Afghanistan.</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="rallies_held_across_canada_in_support_of_kyoto"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 217 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Rallies held across Canada in support of Kyoto</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Sun. Mar. 11  2007  13:09  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 11th, 2007</div> <div> <B>Calling it a "grass-roots" rally in support of the Kyoto Protocol, Brennan Louw scrambled during the final few moments before speeches and performances in support of the plan for combating climate change.</B></div> <bR> <div> Sunday's rally started as an idea with Louw and grew to become six events in cities across Canada.</div> <bR> <div> Just moments before it was set to start, Louw was giving interviews and still drumming up interest in the rally.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b496a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> People gathered at Nathan Phillips Square, in front of Toronto City Hall,to hear speeches from people representing environmental groups and political parties.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 811 WIDTH="707"><div> "We're just trying to mobilize as many people as possible to let the government know that Canada expects strong action on climate change, and that we want to do it in the context of the Kyoto Accord," Louw told CTV.ca by telephone from the site of Toronto's rally.</div> <bR> <div> People began gathering in Nathan Phillips Square just before noon to hear speeches from people representing environmental groups and political parties. There was also a long list of performers slated to participate in the event.</div> <bR> <div> The Toronto Rally for Kyoto started with Louw, who works as a musician and private music teacher, but grew to be endorsed by a long list of environment and labour organizations. In a very short period of time, others in Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Lethbridge and London decided to organize similar events in those cities for Sunday.</div> <bR> <div> "I just decided about four months ago that this needed to be done," Louw said.</div> <bR> <div> "I have an amazing team of volunteers who've helped out to get this happening ... It's just a grass-roots group, it's just individuals who care."</div> <bR> <div> Canada signed on to the Kyoto Protocol on April 28, 1998. Over four years later the Liberal government of the day ratified the agreement. Then in April 2005 the government tabled a Kyoto plan.</div> <bR> <div> But the government lost power in the Jan. 23, 2006 election and the new Conservative government took a different tack.</div> <div> When Stephen Harper's Conservative government tabled their Clean Air Act this past fall, it did not even mention the word "Kyoto."</div> <bR> <div> A non-binding vote in Parliament on Feb. 5 to reaffirm the nation's commitment to Kyoto passed 161-115 with government members voting against it.</div> <bR> <div> A Liberal MP's private member's bill calling on Canada to respect Kyoto targets also passed with a vote of 161-113.</div> <div> Harper has said his government will respect the bill.</div> <bR> <div> But people like Louw hope Sunday's rallies will keep the issue top-of-mind for Ottawa.</div> <bR> <div> "We certainly want the government to know that this is what Canadians are after," Louw said.</div> <bR> <div> He rejects the idea that there could be viable alternatives to Kyoto, saying the protocol took nearly two decades for the international community to complete.</div> <bR> <div> "So at this point to say let's not follow Kyoto, lets find something else is kind of ludicrous. It's an international problem; it needs to be dealt with by an international mechanism."</div> <bR> <div> But Louw is not taking sides in the political debate raging in Ottawa's halls of power. He said both the Conservative and Liberal parties have not done enough.</div> <bR> <div> "Canada has a horrible, horrible record on this and that's what we aim to change."</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with files from toronto.ctv.ca</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="boston_lead_singer_brad_delp_dead_at_55"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 238 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Boston lead singer Brad Delp dead at 55</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Sat. Mar. 10  2007  08:08  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 10th, 2007</div> <div> <B>ATKINSON, N.H. -- Brad Delp, the lead singer for the band Boston, was found dead Friday in his home in southern New Hampshire. He was 55.</B></div> <bR> <div> Atkinson police responded to a call for help at 1:20 p.m. and found Delp dead. Lt. William Baldwin said in a news release that there was no indication of foul play.</div> <bR> <div> "There was nothing disrupted in the house. He was a fairly healthy person from what we're able to ascertain," Police Chief Philip Consentino told WMUR-TV.</div> <bR> <div> Delp apparently was alone at the time, Baldwin said.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b490a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Boston lead singer and guitarist Brad Delp performs at the Outdoor Star Arena at Ameristar Casino and Hotel in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in this file photo taken July 24, 2004. (AP / The Daily Nonpareil, Ben DeVries)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 306 WIDTH="707"><div> The cause of death remained under investigation. Police said an incident report would not be available until Monday.</div> <bR> <div> Delp sang on Boston's 1976 hits "More than a Feeling" and "Long Time." He also sang on Boston's most recent album, "Corporate America," released in 2002.</div> <bR> <div> He joined the band in the early 1970s after meeting Tom Scholz, an MIT student interested in experimental methods of recording music, according to the group's official Web site. The band enjoyed its greatest success and influence during its first decade.</div> <bR> <div> The band's last appearance was in November 2006 at Boston's Symphony Hall.</div> <bR> <div> On Friday night, the Web site was taken down and replaced with the statement: "We just lost the nicest guy in rock and roll."</div> <bR> <div> A call to the Swampscott, Mass., home of Boston guitarist Barry Goudreau was not immediately returned Friday night.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with files from The Associated Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="draft_eu_green_energy_deal_sets_ambitious_targets"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 217 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Draft EU green energy deal sets ambitious targets</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Fri. Mar. 09  2007  08:53  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 9th, 2007</div> <div> <B>Leaders of the European Union have reached a historic agreement to reduce greenhouse gases and transition to renewable sources of energy in the ongoing fight against climate change.</B></div> <bR> <div> The ambitious plan will see EU nations commit to a binding agreement to achieve a 20 per cent share of renewable power from sources such as wind energy and solar power.</div> <bR> <div> On Friday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel was hammering out the final details of a draft statement that will go before a summit of EU leaders for approval.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b486a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, rings a bell to signify the start of a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels on Friday. (AP / Yves Logghe)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 157 WIDTH="707"><div> The Associated Press reports that the agreement promises energy solidarity between the EU nations if an energy supply crisis were to occur -- a stipulation demanded by Poland.</div> <bR> <div> It also met a requirement set out by the Czech and Slovak members, with a phrase that states nuclear energy meets the growing global concerns about safety of supply.</div> <bR> <div> The statement also establishes a staggered starting line for member nations, stating that "differentiated national overall targets should be derived ... with due regard to a fair and adequate allocation taking account of different national starting points."</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 384 WIDTH="540"><div> Merkel told reporters the document makes the EU a "world pioneer" in the fight against greenhouse gases - the pollution caused by the burning of non-renewable fuel sources and seen as the chief culprit of global warming.</div> <bR> <div> "This text really gives European Union (energy) policies a new quality and will establish us as a world pioneer," Merkel told reporters as she arrived at the talks Friday.</div> <bR> <div> One day earlier, the 27 EU members agreed to cut GHG emissions by 20 per cent over 1990 levels by 2020. They also said they would raise that goal to 30 per cent if major polluters like the U.S. and China signed onto the pact.</div> <bR> <div> Some of the poorer EU nations, including Slovakia and Poland, raised concern about the details of the plan, claiming they could not afford to invest in expensive alternative energy sources such as wind.</div> <bR> <div> They pushed for the staggered starting line, saying countries with developed alternative energy programs should go beyond the 20 per cent target, while struggling nations would receive more time to meet the objective.</div> <bR> <div> "Not all countries will be able to achieve this threshold," said Polish President Lech Kaczynski, adding that Poland would accept mandatory targets only if they were tailored to individual nations.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b487a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Leaders pose for a group photo at an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday March 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe)</div> <div> <IMG SRC="b488a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> People look at a climate change installation built by Friends of the Earth outside of the EU summit in Brussels on Friday. (AP / Geert Vanden Wijngaert)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 215 WIDTH="707"><div> The French, Czechs, Bulgarians and Slovaks all argue that nuclear energy should be included in the EU's plans to switch to a low-carbon economy -- a feature opposed by Denmark, Austria and Ireland.</div> <bR> <div> Merkel will host a meeting of the Group of Eight industrialized nations in June, and is pushing the EU to challenge Canada, the U.S., Russia and Japan, among others, to join the emissions-cutting efforts.</div> <bR> <div> She argues that true progress will only be made if nations outside the EU join the fight.</div> <bR> <div> "Europe only produces 15 percent of global CO2," Merkel said. "The real climate problem will not be solved by Europe alone."</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with files from The Associated Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="gov__gen__michaelle_jean_visits_afghanistan"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 378 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean visits Afghanistan</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Thu. Mar. 08  2007  06:47  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 8th, 2007</div> <div> <B>Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Thursday after arriving in Kabul for a surprise visit to the war-ravaged country.</B></div> <bR> <div> Jean is scheduled to meet with soldiers, RCMP teams, aid workers, diplomats and other Canadians involved in the mission.</div> <bR> <div> "Canada is proud to be among the 37 countries restoring stability and supporting reconstruction efforts,'' Jean said in a statement.</div> <bR> <div> "The work that has been accomplished in so little time is promising and we are proud to support the Afghani people on this difficult, sometimes painful, journey. On behalf of all Canadians, I wish the Afghani people peace, prosperity and happiness."</div> <bR> <div> Jean will also meet with leading Afghan women to help mark International Women's Day.</div> <bR> <div> "She said there was no better place to emphasize and highlight the issue than by coming here to Afghanistan and speaking to the women of Afghanistan about what progress can be made in this country," said CTV's Tom Clark in Afghanistan.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b47ba0fa0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="250" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Governor General Michaelle Jean inspect a guard of honour before their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday. (AP / Shah Marai)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 290 WIDTH="707"><div> Amnesty International has called the violence against women and girls in Afghanistan a pervasive issue.</div> <bR> <div> "The women of Afghanistan may face the most unbearable conditions, but they never stop fighting for survival. Of course, we, the rest of the women around the world, took too long to hear the cries of our Afghani sisters, but I am here to tell them that they are no longer alone. And neither are the people of Afghanistan," said Jean.</div> <bR> <div> Jean has twice been denied permission to visit Afghanistan because of security concerns.</div> <bR> <div> "The conditions have to be just right and security has to be just right," said Clark.</div> <bR> <div> The visit coincides with Operation Achilles, the alliance's largest-ever offensive in Afghanistan.</div> <bR> <div> It also comes two days after a Canadian reserve soldier was killed in a non-combat shooting in his tent at the Kandahar air field.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with files from The Canadian Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="at_least_21_dead_in_indonesian_airliner_accident"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 225 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>At least 21 dead in Indonesian airliner accident</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Wed. Mar. 07  2007  06:50  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 7th, 2007</div> <div> <B>A packed Indonesian airliner crash-landed and caught fire on Wednesday, killing at least 21 people trapped inside the wreckage.</B></div> <bR> <div> More than 115 passengers were able to escape through emergency exits as fire ripped through the plane.</div> <bR> <div> "Before the plane landed it was shaking. Suddenly there was smoke inside the fuselage, it hit the runway and then it landed in a rice field," local Islamic leader Dien Syamsudin told El-Shinta, a local radio station on the island of Java.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b470a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> An Indonesian Air Force personnel stands guard near the wreckage of a Garuda Indonesia Airways jetliner which caught fire upon landing at Adisucipto airport in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on Wed., Mar. 7, 2007. (AP / Ali Lutfie)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 124 WIDTH="707"><div> "I saw a foreigner. His clothes were on fire and I jumped from the emergency exit. Thank God I survived."</div> <bR> <div> The Garuda Airlines Boeing 737-400 had been flying from Jakarta to Yogyakarta on the central part of the island of Java and was preparing to land. The plane was carrying 140 passengers and crew.</div> <bR> <div> Transport Minister Hatta Radjasa told reporters in Yogyakarta that 21 people on board had died. He said two people remain unaccounted for and that two of the dead were Australians.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 465 WIDTH="540"><div> It is possible that some passengers may have escaped the wreckage and walked away without being officially accounted for.</div> <bR> <div> About 19 foreigners were on board the flight including nine Australians. Five of the Australians have been accounted for, said Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.</div> <bR> <div> Downer has been in Indonesia for several days, attending a counterterrorism conference.</div> <bR> <div> The Australians -- journalists and diplomatic staff -- were travelling in conjunction with a visit from Australia's foreign affairs minister, Scott Bolitho, reports the Associated Press.</div> <bR> <div> "It is a terrible tragedy," Australia's Prime Minister John Howard told a news conference. "Many lives have been lost, and our love and sympathy and condolences go to those who are suffering distress and grief."</div> <bR> <div> Howard said that 49 people might be dead, although it isn't clear how he came by that figure.</div> <bR> <div> Capt. Yos Biantoro, who was at the scene, told El-Shinta he saw "at least eight corpses piled up at the front of the plane." </div> <div> Airport firefighters took about two hours to extinguish the blaze.</div> <bR> <div> Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered an investigation into the crash. He has directed his security minister to examine possible "non-technical" causes, said spokesman Andi Mallarangengeng -- an apparent reference to sabotage.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with files from The Associated Press</I></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b471a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Indonesian Air Force personnel spray water at the wreckage of a Garuda Indonesia Airways jetliner which caught fire upon landing at Adisucipto airport in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, March 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Clara Prima)</div> <div> <IMG SRC="b472a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> In this image taken off from Metro TV, shown are firefighters and rescuers stand around the rudder of an Indonesian commercial jetliner at an airport in Jogyakarta, central Java, on Wednesday morning March 7, 2007. (AP / Metro TV)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="canada_tops_world_popularity_poll_israel_is_last"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 147 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Canada tops world popularity poll, Israel is last</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Tue. Mar. 06  2007  08:20  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 6th, 2007</div> <div> <B>Canada is ranked No. 1 in a new world popularity poll that looked at attitudes toward 12 major nations. Israel received the worst rating of the group.</B></div> <bR> <div> The survey polled more than 28,000 people for the British Broadcasting Corp.'s World Service, asking them to rate 12 countries as having a positive or negative influence on the world. The </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="b467a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 592 WIDTH="707"><div> countries on the list included: Britain, Canada, China, France, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, North Korea, Russia, the United States, and Venezuela.</div> <bR> <div> Canada was viewed positively by 54 per cent of respondents while 14 per cent held a negative image.</div> <bR> <div> Israel had the worst rating with only 17 per cent sharing a positive view of the country and 56 per cent with a negative rating. For Iran, 18 per cent were positive and 54 per cent negative.</div> <bR> <div> The United States had the third highest negative rating with 51 per cent citing the country as negative and 30 per cent positive. North Korea had a slightly better rating than the U.S. -- 48 per cent negative and 19 per cent positive.</div> <bR> <div> Japan and France followed Canada with the best rankings. Britain, China and India were all viewed more positively than negatively.</div> <bR> <div> Meanwhile, Russia had more negative than positive responses while opinions on Venezuela were evenly split.</div> <bR> <div> The 27-member European Union received a 53 per cent positive rating and a 19 per cent negative rating.</div> <bR> <div> "It appears that people around the world tend to look negatively on countries whose profile is marked by the pursuit of military power," said Steven Kull, director of the University of Maryland's Program on International Policy Attitudes, which conducted the research along with pollster GlobeScan.</div> <bR> <div> "Countries that relate to the world primarily through soft power, like France and Japan and the EU in general, tend to be viewed positively," he told the Associated Press.</div> <bR> <div> About 1,000 people in 27 different countries including the U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China, India, Brazil, Mexico and Australia were surveyed. As well, four predominantly Muslim countries -- Egypt, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia -- and two countries with large Muslim populations -- Lebanon and Nigeria -- were polled.</div> <bR> <div> The respondents were interviewed in person and over the phone from November to mid-January. Depending on the country, the margin of error ranges from 3.1 per cent to 4.9 per cent.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with files from The Associated Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="stock_markets_across_asia_and_europe_plunge"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 196 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Stock markets across Asia and Europe plunge</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Mon. Mar. 05  2007  07:56  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 5th, 2007</div> <div> <B>TOKYO -- Markets in Asia and Europe fell again Monday, extending their slide into a second week as investors worried about a possible global slowdown dumped stocks that had surged in recent weeks.</B></div> <bR> <div> Also sparking jitters was the yen's jump to a three-month high against the dollar as investors reversed so-called yen-carry trades. A decline in this trading practice, which involved borrowing money at Japan's ultra-low interest rates to invest in higher-yielding assets elsewhere, could hurt global liquidity. </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b45fa0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> An electronic signboard shows the drop of Hong Kong's blue chip Hang Seng Index Mon., Mar. 5, 2007. (AP / Lo Sai Hung)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 281 WIDTH="707"><div> In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index fell for a fifth day, tumbling 575.68 points, or 3.34 per cent, to 16,642.25 points, dragged down by major exporters such as Canon Inc., Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE - news). and Toyota Motor Corp., whose earnings are eroded by a stronger yen. Since reaching a nearly seven-year high last Monday, the Nikkei index has slid 8.64 per cent.</div> <bR> <div> Markets in Hong Kong, Australia, the Philippines, Malaysia, India and South Korea all fell sharply Monday, continuing their declines from last week, when a 9 per cent plunge in Chinese stocks on Tuesday triggered a sell-off on Wall Street and other global markets.</div> <bR> <div> European markets also opened lower Monday, with Britain's benchmark FTSE 100 down 1.5 per cent in early trading, France's CAC 40 sliding 1.8 per cent and Germany's DAX sinking 2.1 per cent.</div> <bR> <div> "I don't know where the domino effect will stop," said Jose Vistan, research director at AB Capital Securities in Manila, Philippines, where the benchmark index sank 4.5 per cent. "Emotions are the ones driving share prices right now."</div> <bR> <div> Hong Kong's Hang Seng index tumbled 4 per cent to its lowest since mid-December. Australia's stock market -- which had hit records last month -- fell for a fifth day, sinking 2.3 per cent.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 416 WIDTH="540"><div> South Korea's benchmark index dropped 2.7 per cent and Indian stocks were down nearly 4 per cent.</div> <bR> <div> "When there's such a big market move in such a short period of time, there's that element of surprise and confusion," said Teruhisa Ishikawa, section chief for investors information at Mizuho Investors Securities Co.</div> <bR> <div> Funds and institutional investors tend to go on a selling binge to trim losses in reaction to such market moves, he said, adding that what was ahead was still unclear.</div> <bR> <div> In China, the Shanghai Composite index fell a more modest 1.6 per cent, but foreign-currency denominated "B shares" tumbled after officials denied rumours those stocks might be merged with the mainstream Chinese-currency "A shares."</div> <bR> <div> A lack of market-boosting news as the Chinese national legislature began its annual session also appeared to sap buying enthusiasm.</div> <bR> <div> Some analysts see the market sell-off as a healthy correction for markets that had risen too far, too fast. China's market had doubled in value last year, for example. In Malaysia, stocks had surged 17 per cent since the start of the year. Even after losing more than 10 per cent since last week, they have only fallen back to their lowest since Jan. 12.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b460a0610.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="353" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> An investor looks at stock prices at a private stock market gallery in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Mon., Mar. 5, 2007. (AP / Vincent Thian)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 339 WIDTH="707"><div> Yutaka Miura, senior analyst at Shinko Securities in Tokyo, warned that much still depended on what happens overnight in U.S. and European markets, as well as what happens to the dollar.</div> <bR> <div> Investors fretted over signs that international investors were unwinding yen-carry trades, which involve borrowing the yen in Japan, where benchmark interest rates are now 0.5 per cent to buy assets with greater yields in other currencies.</div> <bR> <div> With the yen's recent appreciation, the profits from those carry trades are eroded, prompting some investors to return yen loans, strengthening the Japanese currency.</div> <bR> <div> "Yes, there was some unwinding of yen-carry trades among short-term players, but basically traders in Tokyo were selling the yen because foreign players wanted to buy it," said Tohru Sasaki, Chief FX Strategist with JP Morgan Chase Bank.</div> <bR> <div> While the Bank of Japan raised interest rates last month, rates here are still far lower than rates in the U.S. or Europe, making the yen carry trade still an attractive strategy, analysts said.</div> <bR> <div> The yen's appreciation accelerated as its gains triggered stop-loss buy orders early Monday, sending the dollar as low as 115.47 yen in morning trade, its lowest level since Dec. 8.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with files from The Associated Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="b_c__city_residents_protest__balcony_rapist_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 147 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>B.C. city residents protest 'balcony rapist'</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Sat. Mar. 03  2007  23:05  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 4th, 2007</div> <div> <B>Paul Douglas Callow has been on the run since he was released from prison on Feb.23. Now some residents of New Westminster, B.C. want the so-called "Balcony Rapist" out of their community as well.</B></div> <bR> <div> Local residents held a rally on Saturday to pressure politicians to do something about Callow.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="b459a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Paul Callow</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 70 WIDTH="707"><div> Callow, 52, served 20 years in prison for a series of brutal knife-point rapes in Toronto during the 1980s. He stalked young women and used their unlocked balconies as entry into their homes.</div> <bR> <div> Angry protesters chanted slogans such as, "Hey, hey, ho, ho: Paul Callow's got to go."</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 373 WIDTH="540"><div> Mayor Wayne Wright assured residents that police were monitoring Callow around the clock.</div> <bR> <div> "We are under big pressure here. What we need is for you to help us, not be going against us. And if it's out of ignorance, I won't stand for it," Wright said.</div> <bR> <div> He added, "Do I feel 100 per cent confident Paul Callow will not hurt anyone in New Westminster right now? Absolutely, Absolutely."</div> <bR> <div> Upon learning that Callow was in the area, city council called an emergency meeting on Friday afternoon.</div> <bR> <div> Callow was run out of Surrey B.C. by a group of 60 angry residents after his location was disclosed.</div> <bR> <div> He was outed again on Friday night, this time by CTV News, when he was found at a New Westminster shelter.</div> <bR> <div> Callow has been given a series of strict conditions he must adhere to. He requires permission to become intimate with a woman, to move from the province, and to stay out past 11 p.m. unless he's working.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b45aa0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> New Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright assured residents that police were monitoring Callow around the clock.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="b45ba0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> 'We don't want any further victims,' MP Peter Julian told CTV News on Saturday.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 451 WIDTH="707"><div> He is prohibited from possessing "methods of restraint" such as tape, rope or electrical wire; he must not contact his victims; he can't use drugs or alcohol; and he is not allowed to own any kind of weapon.</div> <bR> <div> "We don't want any further victims. We want to make sure every single one of those 17 requirements are respected, because if he violates one, it's a red flag that he's at a higher risk of offending," MP Peter Julian told CTV News on Saturday.</div> <bR> <div> One of Callow's victims, identified only as "Jane Doe", told CTV News upon his release in February she believes restrictions on his actions may lead him to re-offend.</div> <bR> <div> "I'll tell you what would make me show a lot more faith: if the Balcony Rapist ... had a place to go and prospects, versus you give him $80, a one-way ticket to nowhere and a whole list of things he cannot do," Doe said.</div> <bR> <div> Doe won a landmark case against the Toronto police more than 10 years after Callow attacked her. She argued that investigators failed to warn women living where the attacks occurred.</div> <bR> <div> A judge ruled that investigators had essentially used her as "bait" to capture the rapist.</div> <bR> <div> Callow was denied parole on numerous occasions while in prison. He had to serve the entirety of his sentence.</div> <bR> <div> <I>The Globe and Mail</I> reported on Saturday that Callow dropped out of treatment and counselling programs while incarcerated. His most recent parole hearing heard Callow had been found with hash oil and drug paraphernalia.</div> <bR> <div> His parole report stated intoxicants acted as an enabler for Callow when he stalked and sexually assaulted women.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from CTV's Shannon Paterson</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="spielberg_unknowingly_bought_stolen_rockwell_work"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 337 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Spielberg unknowingly bought stolen Rockwell work</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Sat. Mar. 03  2007  08:23  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 3rd, 2007</div> <div> <B>LOS ANGELES -- Norman Rockwell paintings often resonate because of their depictions of everyday life, but the life of one of his paintings has been anything but mundane.</B></div> <bR> <div> "Russian Schoolroom," a Rockwell painting stolen from a gallery in the St. Louis suburb of Clayton, Mo., more than three decades ago, was found in Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg's art collection, the FBI announced Friday.</div> <bR> <div> Spielberg purchased the painting in 1989 from a legitimate dealer and didn't know it was stolen until his staff spotted its image last week on an FBI Web site listing stolen works of art, the bureau said in a statement.</div> <bR> <div> After Spielberg's staff brought it to the attention of authorities, an FBI agent and an art expert from the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino inspected the painting at one of Spielberg's offices and confirmed its authenticity Friday morning. Early FBI estimates put the painting's value at $700,000, officials said.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b455a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Special Agent Frank Brostrom, then regional coordinator of the FBI's Art Crime Team, points out a few features on a reproduction of Norman Rockwell's painting 'Russian Schoolroom,' that was stolen in 1973, at the FBI headquarters in St. Louis, on March 30, 2006. The FBI has recovered a painting that looks to be the Rockwell work stolen from suburban St. Louis more than three decades ago. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 681 WIDTH="707"><div> Spielberg is cooperating with the FBI and will retain possession of the Russian Schoolroom until its "disposition can be determined," the bureau said.</div> <bR> <div> "The second anybody said, 'I think we have that painting,' (our) office got a hold of the FBI," said Spielberg's spokesman, Marvin Levy.</div> <bR> <div> The oil-on-canvas painting shows children in a classroom with a bust of communist leader Vladimir Lenin. It was nabbed in a gallery heist and then resurfaced briefly in legitimate art forums before disappearing again. At the time of the theft, the work was 16 inches by 37 inches.</div> <bR> <div> Mary Ellen Shortland, who worked at the long-closed Clayton Art Gallery, recalled Friday that someone from Missouri paid $25,000 for the painting after seeing it during a Rockwell exhibition featuring mostly lithographs.</div> <bR> <div> The client agreed to keep it on display, she said, but a few nights later someone smashed the gallery's glass door and escaped with the painting.</div> <bR> <div> "That was all they took. That's what they wanted, that painting," Shortland recalled.</div> <bR> <div> The gallery refunded the client's money, and there was no sign of the work for years. Then in 1988, it was auctioned in New Orleans.</div> <div> In 2004, the FBI's newly formed Art Crime Team initiated an investigation to recover the work after determining it had been advertised for sale at a Rockwell exhibit in New York in 1989.</div> <bR> <div> It wasn't immediately known whether Spielberg purchased the painting at that New York exhibit.</div> <bR> <div> Spielberg is a longtime Rockwell collector. He helped found the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass., where he is also on the board of trustees.</div> <bR> <div> "He's certainly one of the collectors of Rockwell," said Levy, who wasn't sure how many of the artist's paintings Spielberg owns. "We have a few in our office on the Universal lot."</div> <bR> <div> Rockwell's works often capture moments from everyday life, such as a boy watching his father shave, family members saying grace over a Thanksgiving turkey or a young girl having a dress fitting.</div> <bR> <div> The artist died at age 84 in 1978. While "Russian Schoolroom" appeared in Look magazine, the artist is best known for the covers he did for The Saturday Evening Post. More than 300 Rockwell creations appeared on the cover of the publication.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with files from The Associated Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="ont__storm_causes_power_outages_and_travel_delays"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 298 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Ont. storm causes power outages and travel delays</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Fri. Mar. 02  2007  08:42  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 2nd, 2007</div> <div> <B>A snowstorm blasting Ontario, which is causing widespread power outages and travel delays, has given way to freezing rain and strong winds.</B></div> <bR> <div> Power lines have been knocked down, leaving 75,000 people without electricity in Toronto.</div> <bR> <div> The Toronto fire department has also been inundated with reports of downed power lines and branches strewn across roadways.</div> <bR> <div> In Walkerton, Ont. about 9,000 customers are in the dark.</div> <bR> <div> Residents in Owen Sound, Meaford Collingwood and along the Lake Huron shoreline have also reported outages.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b452a06e0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="110" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> This NOAA satellite image taken Fri., Mar. 2, 2007 at 2:45 a.m. EST shows a long line of clouds extending from the Great Lakes, through the Northeast, and along the Southeast Coast. This line is associated with a frontal system from a strong storm that is producing heavy rain, freezing rain, and even some snow from the Northeast through the Southeast. (AP / WEATHER UNDERGROUND)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 362 WIDTH="540"><div> The weather has also delayed or cancelled flights at Toronto's Pearson International Airport. So far 100 flights have been cancelled for Friday.</div> <bR> <div> Airline officials are advising passengers to call ahead Friday to check the status of flights.</div> <bR> <div> The flight cancellations may result in delays at airports across the country, say officials.</div> <bR> <div> On Thursday, two young children -- seven-year-old Anita Hiebert and her six-year-old brother Pancho -- were killed in a traffic accident on an icy highway near London, Ont., in Listowel.</div> <bR> <div> The car carrying the children and their mother, Christina Hiebert, collided with a tractor-trailer. Christina Hiebert is in critical condition in a London hospital.</div> <bR> <div> Ontario Provincial Police say the blinding storm has already caused hundreds of collisions.</div> <bR> <div> Forecasters said the city can expect more terrible weather Friday just before the morning commute, with freezing rain turning back into heavy snow.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b451a0500.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="80" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The storm knocked out power in the Cambridge, Ont. area overnight, but it returned in the early morning on Fri., Mar. 2, 2007. (Brad Young for CTV.ca)</div> <div> <IMG SRC="b453a0730.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="115" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Freezing rain coated much of southern Ontario overnight, causing downed power lines and fallen tree branches. (CTV.ca / Amanda Taccone)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="c__difficile_outbreak_in_two_gta_hospitals"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 163 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>C. difficile outbreak in two GTA hospitals</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Thu. Mar. 01  2007  08:22  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: March 1st, 2007</div> <div> <B>Several cases of C. difficile infection have been identified in two separate outbreaks in the Greater Toronto Area, with one of the bacterial strains being linked to a deadly variant that killed sufferers in Quebec.</B></div> <bR> <div> CTV News learned Wednesday that a small group of patients at Scarborough Hospital's General Division have been diagnosed with C. difficile.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b445a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 33 WIDTH="707"><div> "There are probably three people in the house who have this, (are) getting better or still quite symptomatic," infection control manager Joanne Braithwaite said Wednesday.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 314 WIDTH="540"><div> Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, 14 patients at a Mississauga hospital were identified as having the infection. Out of four people who tested positive for the bacterium after death, one was carrying the tough-to-beat strain which wrecked havoc in Quebec.</div> <bR> <div> Officials at Mississauga's Trillium Health Network have not been able to determine if C. difficile was responsible for the four recent deaths.</div> <bR> <div> In response to this recent outbreak, officials at Trillium have implemented a plan to "minimize" the number of infections and reduce the chances of spreading the bacterium.</div> <bR> <div> Similar efforts are reportedly in place at Scarborough General. Officials there say the bacterium did not spread there from Mississauga and no one in Scarborough has died.</div> <bR> <div> Clostridium difficile is a common bacterium in hospitals. But in recent years, strains of the bug have become stronger and more resistant to antibiotics.</div> <bR> <div> Last year, a committee set up by Ontario's chief coroner found that C. difficile was behind 10 </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="b446a0780.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that causes diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions, such as colitis.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="b448a06e0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="110" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Scarborough General Hospital.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 178 WIDTH="707"><div> deaths at a Sault Ste. Marie hospital. The committee investigated 26 deaths, which were thought to be related to the bacterial infection.</div> <bR> <div> In recent years, hospitals in Quebec have struggled with numerous outbreaks. As recently as December, a person died in a Montreal-area facility due to C. difficile bacteria, bringing the toll at Honore-Mercier hospital to 16.</div> <bR> <div> The Quebec government ordered a coroner's inquest into the deaths. An internal report at the hospital cited poor hygiene for the outbreak.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from toronto.ctv.ca</I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <A HREF="#top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>