Canadian Citizenship Dept: The Canadian action comes an investigation by a Hong Kong newspaper found that bogus "consultants" are teaching Chinese women how to hide their pregnancies and how to apply for Canadian visitor or student visas, according to Vancouver Sun. "We condemn the practice of circumventing our laws to game the system, leaving Canadians taxpayers with the bill. This is unfair and not right." Citizenship and Immigration Canada is poised to crack down on so-called "passport babies" or "birth tourism" - the practice of travelling to Canada to give birth so that child can have Canadian citizenship. "We are aware of crooked consultants who encourage pregnant women to illegally travel to Canada to give birth and gain access to Canada's considerable benefits," Citizenship and Immigration spokeswoman Candice Malcolm said Sunday. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Political Uncertainty Dept: China's economic miracle of the last 30 years, which has created about one million millionaires and up to 300 billionaires, has also created an environmental wasteland and great political uncertainty, according to Vancouver Sun. And as the Communist party prepares later this year to begin the process of transferring power to the fifth generation of leaders since the revolution of 1949, some would-be emigrants say they don't believe things can continue as they are and there are two overriding reasons driving thou-sands of China's wealthy to emigrate: desire for a better lifestyle, and lack of faith in the ruling Communist party. In surveys and interviews many of China's new rich say they feel insecure. They know that in a country without the rule of law and a dictatorial one-party regime, their wealth can be seized or otherwise taken away from them at any time. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Candice Malcolm Dept: "We are aware of crooked consultants who encourage pregnant women to illegally travel to Canada to give birth and gain access to Canada's considerable benefits," Citizenship and Immigration spokeswoman Candice Malcolm told Postmedia News on Sunday, according to Vancouver Sun. The government will introduce changes to the citizenship laws in the next year, Ms. Malcolm said and citizenship and Immigration Canada is poised to crack down on "passport babies" or "birth tourism"--the practice of travelling to Canada to give birth so that child can have Canadian citizenship--as a media report out of China reveals a ring of consultants who coach pregnant women to do exactly that. "We condemn the practice of circumventing our laws to game the system, leaving Canadians taxpayers with the bill. This is unfair and not right." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Michigan Vote Dept: The Michigan showdown will be a warmup to the one looming March 6 in neighbouring Ohio, one of the 10 states that hold nominating contests on what is know as Super Tuesday, according to CTV. A candidate needs 1,144 delegates to secure the nomination and romney and Santorum are virtually tied heading into the critical Michigan vote where the outcome could further boost Romney's tenuous front-runner position or upend the race for the party's nomination to challenge President Barack Obama in November. Michiganders vote on the same day as Arizona Republicans. Polls show Romney with a clear lead in the conservative far-Western state. Romney currently leads in the race to amass the most delegates with 123. Santorum has 72, while former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich and Texas Rep. Ron Paul have 32 and 19, respectively. The totals include endorsements from Republican National Committee members who will automatically attend the party's national convention and can support any candidate they choose. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Acceptance Speech Dept: It was a stirring reminder, instantly hailed at the Los Angeles ceremony and around the globe, of the human side behind rising geopolitical animosity, according to CTV. Farhadi, who wrote and directed "A Separation," alluded to the tensions over his home country in his acceptance speech and in a humble speech amid tense times, Asghar Farhadi accepted Iran's first Oscar for best foreign film as a chance to celebrate a culture "hidden under the heavy dust of politics." The acclaimed domestic drama "A Separation" is the first Iranian film to win the award. The only other Iranian movie ever nominated was 1997's "Children of Heaven," which was defeated by Italy's "Life Is Beautiful." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Rick Santorum Dept: WASHINGTON - Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, battling furiously for the most conservative perch before the critical Michigan primary vote on Tuesday, also are looking just over the horizon a bonanza of delegates in the 10-state nominating contests that fall on one day just a week later, according to Winnipeg Free Press. The Michigan showdown will be a warmup to the one looming March 6 in neighbouring Ohio, one of the 10 states that hold nominating contests on what is know as Super Tuesday and republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, right, walks with driver Brian Vickers, left, as they pass a race car sponsored by Romney's rival Rick Santorum before the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. AP Photo/Terry Renna Romney and Santorum are virtually tied heading into the critical Michigan vote where the outcome could further boost Romney's tenuous front-runner position or upend the race for the party's nomination to challenge President Barack Obama in November. Michiganders vote on the same day as Arizona Republicans. Polls show Romney with a clear lead in the conservative far-Western state. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Medical Appointments Dept: That's why Rupert's Land Caregiver Services offers the Ring-A-Ride Program. For a small fee to cover mileage, seniors enrolled in the program can request a return ride to medical appointments, shopping trips and visits with spouses who are now living in personal-care homes, according to Winnipeg Free Press. "I had a mother who had Alzheimer's and I could have done with some respite care but that sort of service didn't exist then," explained White. "I wanted to be able to give a bit back by giving some respite care to some people." Getting around town can be tough for Winnipeg seniors, particularly in the winter months. Buses don't provide door-to-door service. Sidewalks are icy. Cabs are expensive. Joan White, a 62-year-old retiree, has been a volunteer driver with the program for the past three years. She initially came to the agency wanting to do volunteer respite care -- looking after an ailing or dependent individual while the caregiver takes a break to run errands or go to appointments. She said she knows first-hand the challenges and difficulties individuals in the caregiver role can face. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canada Dept: "We are aware of crooked consultants who encourage pregnant women to illegally travel to Canada to give birth and gain access to Canada's considerable benefits," Citizenship and Immigration spokeswoman Candice Malcolm told Postmedia News on Sunday, according to Winnipeg Free Press. The government will introduce changes to the citizenship laws in the next year, Malcolm said and citizenship and Immigration Canada is poised to crack down on so-called "passport babies" or "birth tourism" -- the practice of travelling to Canada to give birth so that child can have Canadian citizenship -- as a media report out of China reveals a ring of consultants are coaching pregnant women to do exactly that. "We condemn the practice of circumventing our laws to game the system, leaving Canadians taxpayers with the bill. This is unfair and not right." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Housnia Ibrahim Dept: Family reunification may be a cornerstone of Canada's immigration program but for Housnia Ibrahim, it's an impossible dream, according to Winnipeg Free Press. "I am feeling very hurt," said Ibrahim Sunday. "Why did they do that to me?" she asked, still not understanding why her daughter can't be with her when she's worked so hard and waited so long and phil Hossack / Archives Housnia Ibrahim holds a portrait of Mouluka. On Friday, her 30-year-old dream of being reunited with her daughter ended when the Immigration and Refugee Board dismissed her appeal. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Piya Dept: National Police spokesman Maj. Gen. Piya Uthayo said that two men and one woman were found Sunday during a search of an apartment in the capital that had been rented by an Iranian woman who is also wanted in the case, according to Winnipeg Free Press. Piya said the three being questioned Monday had not yet been arrested and bANGKOK - Thai investigators questioned three more Iranian citizens Monday for possible links to an alleged bomb plot that was discovered in Bangkok on Valentine's Day. The alleged plot was discovered after an accidental explosion ripped through a Bangkok house that police said had been used by the would-be bombers. All three men seen fleeing the house have been detained, and Thai authorities have issued arrest warrants for two more Iranians who are believed to have returned to Tehran. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.