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.

World Economic Situation and Prospects: In its annual economic report, the U.N. said the world experienced subdued growth for a second year, estimating growth in 2013 at 2.1 per cent, according to Times Colonist. According to the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2014, a protracted recession in countries using the euro has finally ended, U.S. economic growth strengthened somewhat, and China and India experienced moderate increased growth after two years of backsliding and The United Nations on Wednesday predicted that the global economy will grow by at least 3 per cent annually in the next two years following signs of improvement in many regions. But the U.N. forecast economic growth of 3 per cent in 2014 and 3.3 per cent in 2015, based largely on this year's third quarter performance. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Bobby Virk: Russ Jones said Wednesday he found no political interference in the government's decision to pay $6 million in legal bills for former ministerial aides Dave Basi and Bobby Virk, who pleaded guilty to four charges including breach of trust and accepting benefits in connection with the sale of Crown-owned BC Rail, according to Huffington Post. His 50-page report examined 26 indemnity agreements and VICTORIA - British Columbia's auditor general says the Liberal government's system of paying the legal bills of government officials and employees facing criminal or civil matters isn't perfect, but it's principled and legal. Jones said between 1996 and 2011, B.C. governments spent more than $11 million on special indemnity agreements approved for just over 100 people, of which $6.4 million went to defend Basi and Virk. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Wall Street Journal: From the beginning of the Syria crisis almost three years ago, the Obama administration has found reasons to remain aloof. Every option for U.S. involvement arming moderate rebels, enforcing a no-fly zone, carving out humanitarian corridors entailed risks. But every imperfect option for action must be weighed against the risks of inaction: What happens if the United States fails to help shape or contain a dangerous situation? In that framework, its instructive to look at just one days news from the region: Syrian government helicopters on Monday dropped "barrel bombs" on residential neighborhoods in the nations largest city, rebel-controlled Aleppo. The bombs "are typically packed with screws, scrap metal, old car parts, blades and explosives," an activist told the Wall Street Journal. Scores of people were killed, including at least 28 children. In Geneva, the United Nations launched an appeal for a record-setting $6.5 billion to help Syrians who have lost their homes and livelihoods and are being starved by government forces. In a nation of 22 million people, eight million are in need of humanitarian assistance, Valerie Amos, U.N. undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, said, according to Winnipeg Free Press. "This is the future threat," one expert told The Posts Joby Warrick. "These are the children of al-Qaida." In Iraq, "suicide bombers and gunmen killed scores" as that nation tipped back "into its deadliest levels of violence in five years," Reuters reported. Iraqs regression has numerous causes, including the prime ministers intransigence and President Obamas withdrawal of all U.S. troops, but no factor looms larger than the spillover from al-Qaidas growing presence in Syria. Al-Qaida-inspired violence also spread westward, the Wall Street Journal reported, as "Sunni extremists have stepped up attacks on the Lebanese army... undermining the armys attempts to assert its authority around the country." The United States has spent $1 billion trying to bolster that army since 2006, the Journal noted. As far away as Bulgaria, an influx of Syrian refugees is fueling resentment and the rise of far-right, nationalist political forces, PBS "NewsHour" reported and A Syrian opposition fighter watches over as heavy fighting sparks out in the neighbouring village of Kafr Nabuda in the Idlib province countryside, Syriaa, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday called on the U.N. General Assembly to move swiftly to approve a U.S.-Russia deal to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons, saying there is no time to argue with those who remain unconvinced that the Syrian regime carried out a chemical attack last month that killed hundreds. AP Photo CP "As we look towards the fourth year of this appalling crisis, its brutal impact on millions of Syrians is testing the capacity of the international community to respond," Ms. Amos said. The Washington Post reported that extremist factions allied with al-Qaida, which now control swaths of Syrian territory, are training children as young as 10 as combatants. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird: Baird told The Canadian Press that Snowdens actions have compromised global security, according to Globe and Mail. Technology Tech CEOs all smiles, but privately give Obama an earful on NSA snooping National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden should abandon his bid for asylum in Brazil and surrender himself to the United States, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Wednesday. I think I probably agree with the Obama administration on this one, Baird said. I think hes done significant damage to national security, of the free world. More Related to this Story (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Christine Melnick: Winnipeg NDP MLA Christine Melnick was removed from cabinet in part because she lied about her involvement in a decision to invite immigrants and immigrant service groups to a debate in the legislature last year, Premier Greg Selinger said Tuesday. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Assistant deputy minister Ben Rempel sent out hundreds of invitations to attend a legislative debate on April 19, 2012, concerning Ottawas plans to wrest control from the province of immigrant support services the federal government funds. Christine Melnick. In a year end interview with the Free Press , Selinger said he did not know of Melnicks deception until after the provincial Ombudsman launched an investigation into a senior bureaucrats handling of the affair. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Edward Snowden: RIO DE JANEIRO National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden wrote in a lengthy open letter to the people of Brazil that hes been inspired by the global debate ignited by his release of thousands of National Security Agency documents, and that the NSAs culture of indiscriminate global espionage is collapsing, according to The Chronicle Herald. He said he d be willing to help the South American nation investigate NSA spying on its soil, but could not fully participate in doing so without being granted political asylum, because the U.S. government will continue to interfere with my ability to speak and In the letter, released widely online, Snowden commended the Brazilian government for its strong stand against U.S. spying. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Chris Cochrane: Q League brass blind, according to The Chronicle Herald. In a couple of recent columns, Chris Cochrane mentions the lack of insight or sight by the powers to be in the Q league. I played and coached and when I was disgusted with some of the referees, I became one and (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Fung Lam: Chinese thirst for milk powering dairy producers, according to Globe and Mail. Where to find the best Asian food in Las Vegas The World News The idea came to Fung Lam in a moment of desperation. The New York-born American and his business partner were in Shanghai, exhausted after nearly a year of trying to launch a new salads-and-sandwiches restaurant. Months of walking streets, identifying neighbourhoods, buying equipment and negotiating rent had produced just short of nothing. More Related to this Story Australian kangaroo exporters look to hop into meat-hungry China (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Devyani Khobragade: Devyani Khobragade, Indias deputy consul general in New York, is accused of submitting false documents to obtain a work visa for her Manhattan housekeeper. Indian officials said she was arrested and handcuffed Thursday as she dropped off her daughter at school, and was kept in a cell with drug addicts before posting $250,000 bail, according to 660 News. Khobragade was placed in the available and appropriate cell, the statement said. Absent a special risk or separation order, prisoners are typically placed in general population, the statement said and NEW DELHI The arrest and strip search of an Indian diplomat in New York City escalated into a major diplomatic furor Tuesday as Indias national security adviser called the womans treatment despicable and barbaric. In a statement, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Khobragade was subjected to the same booking procedures as other prisoners, including being strip searched viewed in India as the most disturbing part of the arrest and locked up with other female defendants. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.