Valerie Amos: "This is the largest amount we've ever had to request at the start of the year," said Valerie Amos, the U.N.'s humanitarian chief. "The complexity and scale of what we are doing is rising all the time." , according to Times Colonist. About half of the requested $12.9 billion in aid some $6.5 billion would go toward delivering food, shelter and health care in Syria and neighbouring countries affected by the war. GENEVA - The United Nations said Monday it will need nearly $13 billion in aid in 2014 to reach at least 52 million people in 17 countries, including the millions of Syrians who have been displaced by their civil war. The aid is to be provided by 500 organizations, including the main U.N. agencies for food, refugees and children. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Sangah Rhee: Minseo Kim, 45, and her daughter, Sangah Rhee, 2, came to Canada via South Korea in early 2013 and were granted asylum by the Immigration and Refugee Board in April, according to The Star. When I passed the refugee hearing, I cried for joy, Kim, a kindergarten teacher from Pyongyang, said through an interpreter. When I received the decision of the government appeal, I cried for sadness and A recent decision by the refugee appeal tribunal to side with Ottawa and overturn a North Korean womans refugee status has sent shockwaves among asylum seekers who fled the Communist regime. However, Immigration Minister Chris Alexander successfully appealed the decision with the boards newly established refugee appeal division, arguing that Kim and Rhee should not be recognized as refugees because North Koreans are automatically South Korean citizens. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Nelson Mandela: They came through the frigid weather Sunday night, hundreds of sons and daughters of Africa, to pay tribute to a teacher who had brought the world a universal message of humanity. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Deji Salami centre dances with KB Fujumelody at an event celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela at the Ethiopian Cultural Centre on Sunday evening. JOHN WOODS / Photo Store Related Items Articles Cousin, friends: Fake signer at Mandela memorial was among a mob that burned 2 men to death Grief floods out at Mandela's burial Evans Coffie performs Sunday at the Ethiopian Cultural Centre, celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela. Photo Store It was standing room only at the second Mandela tribute this weekend, held at the Ethiopian Cultural Centre on Selkirk Avenue. Enlarge Image (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty: The CBC has reported Flaherty confronted Jason Kenney in the House of Commons last month after the employment minister called for Rob Ford's resignation, according to Huffington Post. According to the CBC, the two men had to be separated by colleagues and OTTAWA - Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is saying little about a report that he had sharp words with a cabinet colleague for criticizing Toronto's embattled mayor, but hinted it had to do with political turf. The broadcaster cited unnamed cabinet and caucus sources as saying Flaherty swore at Kenney and told him to shut up about Ford, who the finance minister has called a personal friend. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Orioles Community Centre: Volunteers get together at the Orioles Community Centre for a 24-hour bike-repair marathon. More than 250 bicycles were repaired for children whose families can't afford to buy one for Christmas. MIKE DEAL / Photo Store , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Volunteers organized by WRENCH, which stands for Winnipeg Repair, Education and Cycling Hub, were able to refurbish more than 250 bikes during its third annual Cycle of Giving bike-building marathon during the weekend. Volunteers get together at the Orioles Community Centre for a 24-hour bike repair marathon. Over 250 bicycles were repaired for children whose families can't afford to buy one for Christmas. Enlarge Image More than 250 children whose families wouldn't be able to afford to buy a bike will be getting refurbished ones under the Christmas tree thanks to an army of volunteers at a 24-hour bike-repair marathon. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Ashton Rodenhiser: MAHONE BAY When Ashton Rodenhiser was pregnant with her now eight-month-old daughter, she had a lot of questions, according to The Chronicle Herald. I was spending a lot of time personally thinking about what I believe in. I was feeling a bit torn, growing up believing one thing and then not really believing that anymore and not having an avenue to explore other beliefs. Its something I was having a really hard time exploring on my own, the 26-year-old said and Who would this person inside her become? How would she raise her? Would her child go to Sunday School as she had? (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

red umbrellas: The reality is sex workers are 60 to 100 times more likely to be assaulted than anyone else, said Marion Little, executive director of PEERS. , according to Times Colonist. Supporters will carry red umbrellas from the legislature grounds at 6 p.m. to AIDS Vancouver Island at 715 Johnson St., where a vigil, speeches and burlesque performance will be held. When Victorians see fellow citizens carrying red umbrellas in remembrance of sex workers around the world through downtown on Tuesday, they should think of the safety of their own streets as well, event organizers say. The non-profit group provides advocacy and outreach for Victoria sex workers and is helping to organize Red Umbrella Day on Tuesday, the international day to end violence against sex workers. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Theas Diner: "I hate to say this, but there's some racism going on in this town, Milt Stegall told a crowd of reporters at Theas Diner, according to CTV. The owner of Theas Diner announced her diner will relocate to Winnipeg at the end of the year. She says she's been the target of racist incidents, including one where someone purporting to be with the Ku Klux Klan replied to an online job posting and A Winnipeg Blue Bomber legend visited Morris on Saturday after recent accusations of intolerance were leveled at the town. It's very unfortunate. You know, I've been through racism my entire life. I saw it with my father." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Glen Paul: Paul says he didn't start his training with a specific plan to end up in the mining industry, but there he was at the New Afton project near Kamloops, which at the time was still two years away from full production, according to CTV. "It was slightly overwhelming, because I've never been to a mine before, I've never seen one," says Paul, 24, who grew up on the Kamloops Indian Band reserve and was connected to the job through the B.C. Aboriginal Mine Training Association and VANCOUVER -- Glen Paul still remembers his first week on the job at a copper-gold mine in British Columbia's Interior -- a position, he says, he landed three years ago as a "fluke" after taking a course to operate heavy machinery. By his second day, he was standing underground for an orientation of the mine site. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Strategic Forecasting, Inc.: OTTAWA - At least 13 Canadian government agencies have had subscriptions with U.S. private intelligence firm Strategic Forecasting, Inc. or Stratfor, sometimes dubbed a shadow CIA, newly released WikiLeaks emails indicate. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. The same cache of leaked emails indicates Canadian federal agencies have purchased at least half a million dollars in Stratfor services. The home page of the Stratfor website is seen on a computer monitor in London on Jan. 11, 2012. At least 13 Canadian government agencies have had subscriptions with U.S. private intelligence firm Strategic Forecasting, Inc. or Stratfor, sometimes dubbed a shadow CIA, newly released WikiLeaks emails indicate. Stratfor came under fire recently after a leaked company document prepared for an oil company outlined ways to counter activist groups, such as Greenpeace, who oppose Canada's oil-sands development. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP - Cassandra Vinograd Stratfor came under fire recently after a leaked company document prepared for an oil company outlined ways to counter activist groups, such as Greenpeace, who oppose Canada's oil-sands development. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.