Philippines typhoon: BEIJING, China - The outpouring of international aid to the Philippines makes China's contribution for typhoon relief look like a trickle: even Swedish furniture chain Ikea and beverage giant Coca-Cola have done more than the world's second-largest economy. That won't help Beijing's campaign to win over neighbours with its soft power. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Another Chinese rival, Japan, on Friday pledged another $20 million in aid, raising its total to $30 million, and offered to send troops, ships and planes. A man looks over near the front page of a Chinese newspaper showing a photo of the typhoon damage in the Philippines and the white characters on blue which reads "U.S. and Europe hype up Chinese aid to Philippines as 'Not Generous' ", at a newsstand in Beijing, China, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013. The outpouring of international aid to the Philippines makes Chinas contribution for typhoon relief look like a trickle - and that wont help Beijings campaign to win over neighbors with its soft power. AP Photo/Ng Han Guan Related Items Articles Philippines typhoon death toll jumps by more than 1,200, now stands at 3,621 China has pledged less than $2 million in cash and materials, compared to $20 million provided by the United States, which also launched a massive military-driven rescue operation that includes an aircraft carrier. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canadian Red Cross: Premier Christy Clark says the provincial government will match public monetary donations to the Canadian Red Cross given before Dec. 9, up to $300,000. , according to Huffington Post. There are about 100,000 Filipino-Canadians living in B.C, according to the statement. The government of B.C. is promising $300,000 for Typhoon Haiyan relief aid in the Philippines. "So many British Columbians have roots in the Philippines family or friends the storm has left homeless, missing or waiting to be rescued," said Clark in a statement issued this morning. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Employment Minister Jason Kenney: Employment Minister Jason Kenney announced Thursday the government is giving $4 million to projects to speed up credential recognition in Canada, according to Huffington Post. In some instances, the project will allow foreign-trained nurses to start their assessment process before they even get to Canada, he said. EDMONTON - The federal government is trying to make it easier for foreign-trained nurses to have their credentials recognized by governing bodies. "We have too many foreign-trained nurses coming to Canada who end up working as hotel maids and too many foreign-trained physicians who end up driving cabs," Kenney said Thursday at a training facility at Edmonton's NorQuest College. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Thaksin Shinawatra: Thai Airways said it was investigating if one of its employees committed the ethical breach, which came during Thailands latest round of mass street protests against Thaksin. The former prime minister was ousted in a 2006 military coup but remains at the centre of a long-running political crisis, according to 660 News. By Friday, the photo was the buzz of Thai-language web forums, with some commentators criticizing the ethics of posting private flight details and others questioning if the Shinawatra sisters were fleeing the political heat at home and BANGKOK The daughters of Thailands self-exiled former leader Thaksin Shinawatra have criticized an online leak of flight details showing they flew first-class to London with eight suitcases. But they denied they were following their fathers footsteps and fleeing the country. A photograph posted online of a computer check-in terminal shows the names, seats and ample baggage allowance of Thaksins two daughters, Pintongta, 31, and Paetongtarn, 27. It was posted late Thursday, shortly after their flight left Bangkok. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

industrial production: Manufacturing output rose 0.3 per cent last month, up from 0.1 per cent in September, the Federal Reserve reported Friday. Factory output is the biggest component of industrial production, which also includes mining and utilities, according to 660 News. Manufacturing has been gaining strength in recent months. Output has risen in five of the past six months. And factories have stepped up hiring over the past three months, according to the governments October employment report released last week and WASHINGTON U.S. factories increased production for a third straight month in October, as stronger output of primary metals and furniture offset declines in auto production. Overall industrial production fell 0.1 per cent after a 0.7 per cent September gain. The mining sector, which includes oil and gas drilling, declined 1.6 per cent after six months of gains. Utility output fell 1.1 per cent. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Typhoon Haiyan: Manitoba will expedite the processing of immigration applications under the provincial nominee program PNP from areas of the Philippines struck by Typhoon Haiyan. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. "We have seen the devastation that Typhoon Haiyan has caused in the Philippines and we want to do whatever we can to help ease the burden for families recovering from its impact," Premier Greg Selinger said. As the sun sets, it lights the sky over the area devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, in Tacloban, central Philippines, Friday, Nov. 15, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms on record, hit the country's eastern seaboard Nov. 8, leaving a wide swath of destruction. Current PNP applications will be processed within the next two weeks, compared with the three to six months it would normally take to process files. New applications will be processed on a priority basis. Related Items Articles Slideshow: Typhoon Haiyan Canadian medics will soon be working at Philippines evacuation centre Filipino community rallies for typhoon victims Bring Filipino refugees to Manitoba Philippines typhoon death toll jumps by more than 1,200, now stands at 3,621 Cut off from home after typhoon, overseas Filipino workers scramble for news, gather aid Canada sends disaster team to Philippines Columns Philippines' early warning (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Typhoon Haiyan: Canada announced Wednesday it would, upon request, prioritize the processing of immigration applications from Filipinos who have been "significantly and personally affected" by Typhoon Haiyan. , according to Huffington Post. But even though her home and neighbourhood were blown away, she has since discovered 15 members of her family survived, including her teenage daughter, Samantha. A Filipino woman working in Surrey, B.C., is returning to the Philippines with the hope Canada will fast track a visa for her daughter, who survived devastating Typhoon Haiyan. Nenita Yap, who works as a nanny, lost her mother, sister, and some of her nieces and nephews in the typhoon; they are all missing and presumed dead in Tanauan City in the province of Batangas. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Angela Lansbury: Angelina Jolie, Steve Martin, Angela Lansbury and Italian costume designer Piero Tosi will receive Oscar statuettes at Saturday's Governors Awards, where they'll be feted by the likes of Anthony Hopkins and Tom Hanks in front of an audience of the entertainment elite, according to Times Colonist. Here's what each of the honorees had to say about their upcoming Oscars: LOS ANGELES, Calif. - It's an Oscar ceremony with dinner, drinks and no commercial breaks: For the fifth consecutive year, the motion picture academy will present its honorary Academy Awards at a private, untelevised, black-tie dinner. "This event is a celebration of film, and it is really the beginning of Academy Awards season," said Paula Wagner, who is producing the ceremony. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Philip Riteman: I m writing this column on Remembrance Day, always a thought-reflecting time for me, according to The Chronicle Herald. Last Tuesday evening, I went to listen to Philip Riteman speak about his horrific experiences in Nazi concentration camps during the Second World War. You could have heard a pin drop as Riteman relived the unspeakable traumas he endured and And it follows Holocaust Remembrance week. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

John Doherty: Refugee claimants feel pressure, Nov. 10, according to The Star. John Doherty , Toronto Re: Refugee claimants feel pressure, Nov. 10 Thanks for this article. This is further explanation as to why so many Roma have disappeared from Parkdale. The federal government is using every tool to prevent Roma from exercising their rights. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.