alonzo: Guatemalan prosecutor Hilda Pineda said Lopez Alonzo was a truck driver for the elite Guatemalan army unit that carried out the killings in Las Dos Erres, according to Metro News. She said he guarded women and children being held inside a church while other soldiers interrogated and killed the men, who were accused for stealing missing guns. Victims' relatives hope Santos Lopez Alonzo will be held accountable for the onslaught that wiped out the small village of Las Dos Erres in 1982. Pineda, who presented the charges before a judge, said Lopez Alonzo is accused of murder and crimes against humanity. The now-64-year-old Lopez is among four former soldiers accused in the massacre who were arrested after heading to the United States. During the hearing, Lopez Alonso listened closely as they read out the names of the more than 200 people killed. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

bikes: As demand for bike donations grew, Gilles Remillard, a retired farmer, began buying bikes off of Kijiji, according to CTV. He then turned their garage into a bike shop to polish up rusty bikes and fix broken ones in order to donate them. Gilles and Huguette Remillard decided to donate bicycles to the Refugee and Immigration Community Organization of Manitoba after they met a refugee family in their community from the Ivory Coast. There are really no words to express their faces, Huguette Remillard told CTV Winnipeg. According to Gilles Remillard, they like to deliver them so they can see the children faces when they see their new bikes for the first time. The Remillard not only buy and fix up the bikes but all deliver them to the recipients. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

community leaders: There is a weariness in the room; they have been here before explaining what they do to journalists, researchers, other police officers, community leaders, social workers, parents, according to Toronto Star. The list goes on. Three members of the East Jutland Police department sit around the table. A lot of this isn't rocket science, I guess . . . . Supt. Article Continued Below I said that. Allan Aarslev, the designated spokesman, cuts me off. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

facts: But recent attacks in Europe have shown it getting even faster, according to CBC. In one recent case, involving a migrant to Germany, as fast as 48 hours. For Western jihadis who have carried out attacks, that transition has always been quick, frequently as short as six weeks. And yet the overwhelming majority of those who adopt extremist ideology will never put their thoughts into action. Those two facts combine to make it extremely difficult to identify potential dangerous extremists and turn them from their path. The person who is truly threatening is a needle concealed in a haystack of passive couch-jihadis and Twitter warriors. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fight government: As Syria death toll grows, so does indifference He says he faced a terrible choice: the government demanded he join the army to fight the rebels, while the rebels insisted he fight the government. "And in both sides, we are killing each other, we are Syrians," he says. "So I choose not to kill anybody and I leave the country." But where to go Most of his friends ended up in European or Middle Eastern refugee camps — safe, but essentially imprisoned. "Canada and Brazil, they are the only two countries they are giving Syrians a safe way to make a new life," Abjada says, according to CBC. Alex Cuelho, a priest who runs the shelter for refugees at Sao Joao Batista church, says the tide of public opinion seems to be turning against them. He spends most of his days in a dusty church courtyard perched over his Portuguese phrase book. "How did I get here Ya!" he laughs. "It was a little bit … complicated." When Syria civil war tore apart his city of Aleppo three years ago, he says, his brother was arrested and tortured. "Fifteen days, horrifying, torturing, abusing, and he did not see the sunlight," Abjada says. Abjada is one of more than 2,200 Syrians who have settled in this country of 200 million. The church has become a way station for close to 30 refugees. Brazil has accepted the third-most Syrians in the Americas behind Canada and the U.S. He arrived this year via Turkey, and has been staying at Sao Joao Batista, a small church in the Botafogo neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ilhan erdem: He has been accused in Turkish media reports of having ties to Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric the Turkish government accuses of masterminding the coup, according to Huffington Post Canada. Gulen, a former ally-turned-critic of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has denied any involvement. John McCallum addresses a news conference in Vancouver, Aug. 17. Another Turkish Canadian, Ilhan Erdem, was also arrested last month at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. More than 17,000 of them — including soldiers, police, judges and journalists — have been formally arrested to face trial. Since a state of emergency was declared in the failed coup aftermath, some 35,000 people have been detained for questioning. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

omran daqneesh: It how you stay attached to the person in charge of your safety, according to Hamilton Spectator. Adults are adults; children are children. His right arm had been wrapped around his rescuer back, the way children small hands always cling to the shoulder blades of adults. Adults protect children. Omran Daqneesh, five years old but small for his age, looked old and grey. That the way it is, and that why what follows should bring a wave of help and protection from Canadians. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

re condos: By Linda Givetash The Canadian Press Sat., Aug. 20, 2016 VANCOUVER—The transformation of Vancouver Chinatown, fuelled by a changing population, crisis of affordability and ripe potential for new development, has left some locals calling it either a dying neighbourhood or one under threat of gentrification, according to Toronto Star. As the city begins to review the impact of its economic revitalization strategy for the neighbourhood, which ended last year, community members are at odds whether Chinatown direction is what they want. Vancouver Chinatown grapples with growing pains of affordability and development. With all the developments that are happening in the area, they're condos for the most part and they're not being catered to the residents that live there right now, said Yuly Chan, a member of the Chinatown Action Group. Article Continued Below While the area has grown with waves of immigration and development over the decades, it remains one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Vancouver. Just because people are poor, or are income assistance, it doesn't mean they can be pushed out of their own Chinatown is one of the oldest in the country, established in the late 1880s when early Chinese immigrants, many of them railway workers, settled in the area near what is now the downtown core. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

revitalization strategy: While the area has grown with waves of immigration and development over the decades, it remains one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Vancouver, according to The Chronicle Herald. According to 2006 census data, the median income for the area was $17,658 compared with $47,299 for the city as a whole. As the city begins to review the impact of its economic revitalization strategy for the neighbourhood, which ended last year, community members are at odds whether Chinatown direction is what they want. "With all the developments that are happening in the area, they're condos for the most part and they're not being catered to the residents that live there right now," said Yuly Chan, a member of the Chinatown Action Group. "Just because people are poor, or are income assistance, it doesn't mean they can be pushed out of their own neighbourhood." Vancouver Chinatown is one of the oldest in the country, established in the late 1880s when early Chinese immigrants, many of them railway workers, settled in the area near what is now the downtown core. A more recent report by First Call B.C. found that the child poverty rate in Chinatown in 2013 was a staggering 59 per cent. The strategies allowed for taller buildings in select areas of Chinatown to bring more residents into the neighbourhood, with the catch of requiring developers to contribute new amenities like community centres in return for the extra height on new construction. A three-year economic plan, in conjunction with a longer term neighbourhood plan, was introduced by the city in 2012 to address concerns about the growing number of closing storefronts in Chinatown, city planner Karen Hoese said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

rodeo: The rocker new role involves fundraising, expanding library services and overseeing a new digital media studio planned for the library, according to CBC. Egan–also a new dad with a 14-month-old son–jokes that he "clean-shaven and wearing slacks for the first time in 25 years." The Minnesota-born transplant has been with Blue Rodeo for more than 17 years and, before that, with the band Wilco. The 60-year-old says it wasn't an easy decision but that he couldn't refuse an offer to help build up the community in his southern Ontario home. Egan last gig with Blue Rodeo is set for Saturday in Toronto at the CNE, but he doesn't rule out performing with them again one day. "It takes a lot for somebody to leave Rodeo," Egan said Friday from his new office at the Kitchener library. It almost like the mob -- this is your second family. Dream job' "As you can imagine, it the dream job and after 17 1/2 years it almost impossible to leave. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

root cause: Or at least a great excuse, according to Toronto Star. Going home to visit Grandma will have a whole new price tag. Terrorists are the root cause of this action as much as dollar signs. It is not the single working person who will suffer but families. Not everyone has a Hydro One CEO salary or a Canadian Senate write-off.I can only pray that Britain does not join this greedy move and impose similar restrictions. Forking out an additional $640 dollars will make the next trip home in my family case questionable. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

alan kurdi: First, it was the stories, according to Huffington Post Canada. We were in awe of the grit: one day running barefoot through a crowded refugee camp in Kenya, the next, running the 800m in Rio. There are some compelling reasons that we loved Team Refugee at the 2016 Summer Olympics. The guts: swimming your own rescue boat to shore and then winning your heat at the world most celebrated games. Almost a year ago to the day, three-year old Alan Kurdi washed up dead on the shore of Turkey. Then it was the public acknowledgement of a painful year for the 65 million refugees who have crossed dangerous borders in overcrowded boats, carried all their belonging in their arms and left loved ones behind. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

alberta economy: I was interested to hold these in Alberta because, as you know, Alberta economy is not in the greatest shape, according to CTV. So I was interested to hear what people attitudes would be towards immigration. McCallum spoke with the media at the Harry Hays building on Friday morning and announced that there has been overwhelming support for more immigrants to enter Canada from everyone he spoken to so far. I can tell you in this group this morning and also in Edmonton, there a strong consensus that they are in favour of more immigrants, not less immigrants. Immigration will also be important for Canada when the economy rebounds and businesses are looking for workers to fill empty positions. The federal government says that Canada aging population is creating a gap in the workforce and immigration is the key to growing the labour force. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

atlantic: Supreme Court seat could still go to Atlantic Canada, says Casey Keep Atlantic representation on top court, says Canadian Bar Association Atlantic Canada being treated like a 'backwater' with Supreme Court snub: Lisa Raitt Justin Trudeau outlines selection process for new Supreme Court justices Traditionally, when a justice retires the appointment goes to someone from the same region of the country, according to CBC. Justice Thomas Cromwell of Nova Scotia will retire next month but there now no guarantee his replacement will come from Atlantic Canada. Nicole O'Byrne, an associate professor at the University of New Brunswick faculty of law, told Information Morning Fredericton the change represents "a huge change in direction by the government." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has opened nominations for a soon-to-be-vacant Supreme Court of Canada seat to all regions and asked a new non-partisan hiring advisory board to ensure Canada ethnic diversity on the Supreme Court bench is reflected in its recommendation. Justice Thomas Cromwell has announced he will retire in September. The mandate calling for diversity on the court creates a particular problem for Atlantic Canada, said O'Byrne. "It difficult because the challenge here is Atlantic Canada is one of the least ethnically diverse areas of the country," said O'Byrne. "It just so happens that as the government has decided to change directions on diversity, the next spot open on the court is one that represents typically a region of the country that is not ethnically diverse as other areas of the country." O'Byrne said the makeup of the court has been criticized in recently for not reflecting the true diversity of the country. O'Byrne said the constitutional convention has been to maintain a balance of three justices from Ontario, three from Quebec, two from Western Canada and one from Atlantic Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

bill graveland: It might not be good for him or his family if we talk about details of this case in public, Immigration and Refugees Minister John McCallum said Friday, according to Toronto Star. But there are many such cases that arise and we are doing our best to provide support. By Bill Graveland The Canadian Press Fri., Aug. 19, 2016 CALGARY—Canada immigration minister says it best if he doesn't say much about a Canadian imam who was jailed in Turkey shortly after last month failed coup. Calgarian Davud Hanci was arrested for allegedly helping orchestrate the coup attempt. Gulen, a former ally-turned-critic of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has denied any involvement. He has been accused in Turkish media reports of having ties to Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric the Turkish government accuses of masterminding the coup. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

bureau facilities: The federal prison population has been declining due to changes in sentencing policies over the past three years, reducing the need for private prisons, according to Huffington Post Canada. U.S. President Barack Obama holds a news conference at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. August 4, 2016. "Private prisons served an important role during a difficult period, but time has shown that they compare poorly to our own Bureau facilities,'' Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates wrote in a memo to the acting director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The decision announced by the Justice Department comes after an audit this month found that private facilities have more safety and security problems than the government-run prisons. As private prison contracts come to an end, the bureau is not to renew the contract or it should at least "substantially'' reduce its scope, Yates wrote. As of December 2015, private prisons held more than 22,000 prisoners -- or about 12 per cent of the total federal prison population, according to an inspector general report released earlier this month. The federal government started to rely on private prisons in the late 1990s due to overcrowding. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

kids: Summer camp, for many Canadian kids, is almost seen as a rite of passage, according to CTV. The sponsor asked me, 'You want to go camping ' I said yes, why not said Dayeh. Fourteen-year-old Dayeh, from Aleppo, Syria, arrived in Canada with his mother and sister, and was given the chance to attend summer camp after his sponsor approached him. Multiple camps throughout Ontario offered free spots in their camps to the Ontario Camps Association this summer. Kids were able to choose from day and overnight camps, one week and multi-week camps and different activity-specific camps. The association then matched refugee kids between the ages of 4-15 to camps that they wanted to attend, for free. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

carolyn: Agriculture Minister Lawrence Mac Aulay, according to The Chronicle Herald. Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale. Immigration Minister John McCallum. Treasury Board President Scott Brison. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

coup aftermath: Gulen, a of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has denied any involvement, according to Hamilton Spectator. Another Turkish Canadian, Ilhan Erdem, was also arrested last month at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. He has been accused in Turkish media reports of having ties to Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric the Turkish government accuses of masterminding the coup. Since a state of emergency was declared in the failed coup aftermath, some 35,000 people have been detained for questioning. McCallum, in Calgary for a roundtable on immigration, said it is difficult to comment on an individual case because of privacy concerns. More than 17,000 of them — including soldiers, police, judges and journalists — have been formally arrested to face trial. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

coup aftermath: Another Turkish Canadian, Ilhan Erdem, was also arrested last month at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, according to The Chronicle Herald. Since a state of emergency was declared in the failed coup aftermath, some 35,000 people have been detained for questioning. Gulen, a former ally-turned-critic of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has denied any involvement. More than 17,000 of them — including soldiers, police, judges and journalists — have been formally arrested to face trial. Hanci wife, Rumeysa, said in an interview this week that she hasn't been able to get an explanation from Turkish authorities about what her husband is accused of doing. McCallum, in Calgary for a roundtable on immigration, said it is difficult to comment on an individual case because of privacy concerns. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

indian woman: I had no curves as an awkward pre-teen, according to Huffington Post Canada. I was told I wouldn't look good in a saree and at a time when Bollywood stars weren't super thin, I didn't feel like I would grow into what I thought was a "normal" body of an Indian woman. I never considered myself to be "too skinny," but I remember being reminded by South Asian aunties, including my mom of course, of how I looked. As a child of immigrants being raised with these values, I believed this was how South Asians -- and the rest of Toronto -- talked about bodies. Arti as a child. The words "fat" and "skinny" were thrown around my community like "hello" and "goodbye." It wasn't considered rude to call someone fat, it wasn't awkward to tell someone they gained weight to their face; and instead of focusing on eating healthily or exercising, I would hear people suggest skipping meals and fad diets like it was a one-stop easy fix. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

privacy concerns: Another Turkish Canadian, Ilhan Erdem, was also arrested last month at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, according to Metro News. Since a state of emergency was declared in the failed coup aftermath, some 35,000 people have been detained for questioning. Gulen, a former ally-turned-critic of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has denied any involvement. More than 17,000 of them — including soldiers, police, judges and journalists — have been formally arrested to face trial. Hanci wife, Rumeysa, said in an interview this week that she hasn't been able to get an explanation from Turkish authorities about what her husband is accused of doing. McCallum, in Calgary for a roundtable on immigration, said it is difficult to comment on an individual case because of privacy concerns. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

refugee children: The couple spend several hours each day fixing and polishing used bikes they buy online and then donate them to refugee children who don't have one, according to Metro News. It started back in May when the couple donated their first bikes to a refugee family who came from Ivory Coast. Gilles and Huguette Remillard have donated more than 100 bikes through the Immigration and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba. Once other refugee children saw the bikes demand for donations grew. They now say they are fulfilling their dream in Winnipeg. Huguette Remillard says donating the bikes to the children is very rewarding."They all want bikes, it like a swarm of bees," she said Friday. "The smile on those kids' faces is worth more than a dollar."The couple always wanted to travel to Africa to help families in need but when Huguette had a stroke in 1994 they had to put their dream and their trip on hold. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

rodeo: The rocker new role involves fundraising, expanding library services and overseeing a new digital media studio planned for the library, according to Hamilton Spectator. Egan — also a new dad with a 14-month-old son — jokes that he "clean-shaven and wearing slacks for the first time in 25 years." The Minnesota-born transplant has been with Blue Rodeo for more than 17 years and, before that, with the band Wilco. The 60-year-old says it wasn't an easy decision but that he couldn't refuse an offer to help build up the community in his southern Ontario home. Egan last gig with Blue Rodeo is set for Saturday in Toronto, but he doesn't rule out performing with them again one day. "It takes a lot for somebody to leave Rodeo," Egan says Friday from his new office at the Kitchener library. "As you can imagine, it the dream job and after 17 1/2 years it almost impossible to leave. But I got an offer I couldn't refuse." Egan says the library gig is a natural extension of his charity work. It almost like the mob — this is your second family. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

security check: He had to do it before his visitor visa ran out on Jan. 9, 2016, according to CBC. Receipt for Dec. 11 package He has a receipt showing he sent off the package on Dec. 11. It not on." Last November Clark paid $550 for a physical, got a security check through London, and filled out the many documents required to apply for an open work permit and landed immigrant status. Another receipt for Jan. 29, 2016, indicates the day CIC sent his package back to him, saying he was missing a signature. Matthew and Katherine Clark wedding photos. He signed it, and sent it back to them the same day. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canadian passport: At different times, Interpol notices spelled his name differently and transposed his surname and forename, according to The Waterloo Record. CTV News has reported that he living with relatives in Kitchener and is driving a transport truck. Ravishankar Kanagaraja, 45, is wanted for terrorism by Sri Lanka authorities, according to a notice by Interpol, the international police organization. Lawyer Paul Copeland says he represented Kanagaraja a few years ago when the federal government tried to revoke his Canadian passport based in part on the Interpol notice. Copeland could not confirm where Kanagaraja is living. The government ended its action when the passport expired. "They just stopped," Copeland said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.