Prime Minister Stephen Harper: In fact, several high-profile Tories including Prime Minister Stephen Harper have spoken out on these issues for years, according to Huffington Post. Baird said he is concerned the legislation will be enforced during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and called the law an "incitement to intolerance, which breeds hate. And intolerance and hate breed violence." While John Baird was accused this week of alienating the conservative base by denouncing anti-gay laws in other nations, support for gay rights abroad is actually nothing new for the Harper Conservatives. REAL Women of Canada, a privately-funded and socially-conservative group, slammed the foreign affairs minister this week for saying he has been working behind the scenes to persuade Russia to ditch a controversial anti-gay law. The legislation bans "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" and imposes fines on those holding gay pride rallies. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Matamoros, Mexico: Re: Thompson, Matamoros: There's a link Aug. 9 . Don Marks offers a simplistic analysis of the problems facing places like Matamoros, Mexico. The drug trade does not originate in Mexico. It largely originates in South America and Mexico is the transition country through which much of it passes into the U.S. and Canada. Send a Letter to the Editor , according to Winnipeg Free Press. To send a letter for consideration on our Letters page: Fill out our online form at the link above, or Email letters@freepress.mb.ca, or Fax 204 697-7412, or Mail Letters to the Editor, 1355 Mountain Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2X 3B6. Mexican tragedy The Free Press welcomes letters from readers (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

entertainment industry: LONDON From Hollywood to Broadway, the entertainment industry is using its star power and financial muscle to raise a storm of protest over the anti-gay legislation in Russia that is battering the image of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, according to The Chronicle Herald. With stars and activists using their high-profile platform to bring the issue to global attention, the gay rights crackdown in Russia has exploded into a hot-button controversy that is challenging Olympic leaders like no other since the protests over Tibet and human rights before the 2008 Games in Beijing and Actor-playwright Harvey Fierstein, British writer-actor Stephen Fry and Star Trek actor George Takei are among those who have publicly condemned the new law, fueling an uproar that is overshadowing preparations for the Feb. 7-23 Olympics. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

natural gas reserves: Doha, the Qatari capital, is thriving with a huge GDP from enormous natural gas reserves and an enlightened, forward-looking ruling family that invests huge sums in the infrastructure of its country, according to The Chronicle Herald. Being familiar with the region and having worked with the College of the North Atlantic in the past, he accepted the job as president in the summer of 2010 and The College of the North Atlantic-Qatar, situated in Doha, is celebrating its 10th anniversary and a surprising number of Nova Scotians have moved to Qatar to embrace the opportunities in this modern-day boom town. College president Ken MacLeod is from Reserve Mines in Cape Breton. MacLeod worked internationally for many years as director of international programs and partnerships for Cape Breton University, most notably establishing a branch campus in Cairo, Egypt. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Russia: London 2012 , according to Winnipeg Free Press. LONDON - From Hollywood to Broadway, the entertainment industry is using its star power and financial muscle to raise a storm of protest over the anti-gay legislation in Russia that is battering the image of the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Two men take part in a kiss-in in front of the Russian Consulate in Antwerp, Belgium on Friday, Aug. 9, 2013. Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community participated in the kiss-in to raise awareness regarding their rights. A bill that stigmatizes Russia's gay community and bans the distribution of information about homosexuality to children was overwhelmingly approved by the lower house of parliament in Moscow in June. AP Photo/Virginia Mayo Complete coverage of the Paralympic games in London. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Vladimir Putin: WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Barack Obama said Friday he was reassessing the tense U.S. relationship with Russia because of a growing number of issues on which the two countries differ, and he called on Russian leader Vladimir Putin to "think forward as opposed to backward" and abandon a Cold War mentality. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Those officials said they had made some tangible progress on the push for a political solution to the crisis in Syria, among other issues. OLIVIER DOULIERY / MCT Barack Obama: end Cold War thinking TRIBUNE MEDIA MCT Obama's comments at a White House news conference came two days after cancelling a planned summit with Putin next month. Meanwhile, Secretary of State John Kerry and Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel ended talks with their Russian counterparts to see where co-operation is possible. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Chinese dragon heads: There are 50 teams from across Alberta competing in this year's event, which sees competitors racing to paddle a long boat decorated with Chinese dragon heads and tails, according to CBC. Participants are raising money for charities and several politicians will also enter the race to help raise money and The Calgary Dragon Boat Festival is underway at North Glenmore Park and will run until Sunday. "It's not professional at all, although we've got some teams that are very dedicated to the sport and train quite a bit," said organizer Joe Connelly. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Suim Choi: Suim Choi, 26, responded to a job posting for an assistant beverage manager position for the Hilton hotel chain in the U.K, according to CBC. After sending a $200 money order, she was told something went wrong and was asked to send credit card information instead. Choi says she was charged about $350 on the card and A Vancouver woman who fell for a job recruitment scam on the Internet is warning others to be careful after she was defrauded more than $500. She completed a written interview, was told she was hired, and signed an employment contract. She was then instructed to send money to pay for a police record check in the U.K. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Albert Pujols: Then, shortly after midnight Saturday morning, the company that has put Clark and co-host Kevin Slaten on the air abruptly announced they will not be returning after just seven shows, according to The Star. Late Friday night Pujols released a statement through his agency, MVP Sports Group, and went on the offensive and ST. LOUIS Former Cardinals icon Albert Pujols said late Friday that he plans to sue former Cardinal Jack Clark , as well as those connected with the St. Louis radio station on which he appears, for Clarks on-air steroids allegations about Pujols. At least twice in the first week of a program that made its debut Aug. 1, Clark said that former Pujols trainer Chris Mihlfeld told him in 2000 that he shot him up with steroids. Both were working in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization at the time. Clark also has made other steroids allegations about Pujols, attributing them to comments Mihlfeld had made to him more than a decade ago. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Calgary Public Library: This is by no means an exhaustive list, so feel free to add your own suggestions in our comment section below. Afrikadey 2013 World Music Festival, according to CBC. Friday night features an artists symposium at the Calgary Public Library. Pannelists Dare Alade, Casiro Nhussi and Malcolm Mooney will discuss the inspiration, interpretation and activism behind their art. There will also be a question and answer session with the audience and Another summer weekend in Calgary means there are lots of options on the arts and entertainment scene. The annual Afr kadey festival is already underway in Calgary. It's a celebration of the music, food, arts and culture of Africa. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.