independence day: Those steps have included joining the European Union and NATO in 2004 and becoming a respected member of most of the world most important organizations, like the United Nations, according to The Chronicle Herald. Last week, Kersti Kaljulaid, 46, a former EU budget auditor, mother of two and a grandmother was elected president of Estonia. The swearing in this month of the country first woman president and the opening of a national museum in the university city of Tartu marked more steps in the tiny country evolution since the split with the USSR in 1991. Next year Estonia will assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union and in 2018 it will celebrate its 100th Independence Day on Feb. 24. In recent years, Estonia has placed great emphasis on innovation, particularly in the area of computerization and it now prides itself in operating an e-government and having initiated electronic voting in Europe and developing Skype. Independence was interrupted by Soviet and German occupations after 1940. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

men basketball: The BCA also dissolved in large part because of a lack of funding, according to Hamilton Spectator. The AAE mission was to promote minorities in leadership positions in major college sports, where they account for 14 per cent of head coaches in men basketball and 12 per cent in women basketball, according to AAE statistics. The AAE announced the decision Friday, two years after it was formed as part of an NCAA-steered restructuring of the Black Coaches and Administrators organization. The AAE was separate from the National Association for Coaching Equity and Development, which was founded last year independent of the NCAA and is funded by dues from the coaches and private donations. By The Associated Press (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

game: They were really excited, said Ossama Nasrallah, the Vice President of Student Affairs for the Saint Mary University Students Association . We prepared our Husky Patrol to go there and bring all the Syrian refugees, according to Metro News. Nasrallah is part of the Enactus 360 Project, a group of SMU students whose goal is to help empower refugees through programs and workshops. Francis Xavier University. They're still new here… they're trying their best every day to learn the language, and it not easy for them, he said. Rebecca Dingwell/For Metro Before the game, students and children played in the "fun zone."Nasrallah helped translate some reactions to the game. Before the game there was a barbeque with Halal food options and activities to participate in. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

saaq statistics: That success rate drops to 48 per cent for Spanish speakers and 38 per cent for Arabic speakers, according to statistics from January 2015 to September 2016, according to CBC. Not getting licence called barrier to immigrant integration, advocates say Quebec City shopowner Saroj Kumar Chhetri says he heard dozens of customers complain about failing the SAAQ written theory exam. According to the SAAQ statistics, about 70 to 80 per cent of francophones passed the written theory exam for a driver licence in the last five years. Chhetri opened his dépanneur two years ago mostly for newcomers looking for clothes, toys and food from their home countries. So it doesn't give the sense," said Without a driver licence, many immigrants have a harder time finding jobs and decide to leave Quebec altogether, Chhetri says. He said many of his customers have told him the exam questions weren't clear. "They are using like a Google translator. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

san: On the second night of back-to-back games, Casey decided to rest his big guns, according to Hamilton Spectator. But the young players got no slack from the coach, who lamented a defensive effort that he called "non-existent." "Our rotations, our tags, our defensive disposition," said Casey. "We had no defensive focus tonight whatsoever. Fred Van Vleet scored 31 points to lead the Raptors in a 122-105 pre-season win over San Lorenzo de Almagro, taking another step closer to clinching his spot on the Raptors' roster. And that what I was looking for. Jerome Meyinsee scored 20 points, while Gustavo Nicolas Aguirre scored 17 to top San Lorenzo, who won Argentina top pro league last season. So tonight I didn't see a lot, so still everything is in flux." Norman Powell added 17 points, including a couple of big dunks, while Pascal Siakam had 16, and Jakob Poeltl finished with 12 points and a team-high six rebounds. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

brian mentuck: Trent Miner stopped 27 shots from the Hawks . In Kenora, Ont., Ryan Heino recorded two goals and two assists, while Eric Lemoine had four helpers as the Yellowhead Chiefs improved to 5-0-0-0 with a 7-4 win over the host Thistles . Chad Nychuk found the back of the net twice, with Brian Mentuck, John Belcher and Benoit Mowbray adding singles, according to Brandon Sun. Reese Jones stopped 26 shots for the Chiefs. Nolan Twerdoclib, Tate Popple, Drayson Collyer and Christian Halls scored for Brandon in the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League contest. Meanwhile, in Manitoba Female Midget Hockey League play in Hartney, the Westman Wildcats dropped to 1-1-1 with a 2-1overtime loss to the Pembina Valley Hawks . Ashton Bell had the marker for the Wildcats, with Paige Hubbard picking up the assist. Kaitlyn Slator made 22 saves for Westman.» The Brandon Sun Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition October 15, 2016 (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

equal-opportunity dissing: The Trump ski shows him wearing a button with the message "#1 most disliked," while Clinton is wearing a "#2 most disliked" button, according to Guelph Mercury. The Clinton ski features police tape, for those who think she a walking crime scene, while the Trump ski features a border wall, for his widely panned anti-illegal immigration plan. The Burlington Free Press reports that Renoun, in Burlington, has introduced the pair showing intricate artwork, with equal-opportunity dissing of both candidates. But at more than $2,000 a pair, the skis may be only for moguls. By The Associated Press (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

half-day forum: Ahmed Taris, 36, stepped forward, according to The Waterloo Record. So did many in the crowd of about 100 who had gathered for a free half-day forum on labour laws and workplace safety in their new country. Federal Immigration Minister John McCallum started shaking hands and posing for photos with appreciative Syrian refugees, now new Canadians, who filled a meeting hall at the Christian Labour Association of Canada member centre in Hespeler. They surrounded McCallum, held up their phones and clicked away countless selfies. A government minister was here to speak to him. This was a big deal to Taris, one of 1,200 Syrian refugees to settle in Waterloo Region as Canada welcomed an initial wave of 25,000 between last November and March. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

rupp arena: Similar events took place at Michigan State, Arizona, Maryland, Iowa State and Connecticut among other schools, according to The Waterloo Record. Coming off a loss in the NCAA championship game on a last-second 3-pointer to Villanova, the Tar Heels held their "Late Night" event featuring the men and women basketball teams in front of a crowd of more than 15,000 fans at the Smith Center. From North Carolina "Late Night With Roy" event to Kentucky "Big Blue Madness" that drew a packed crowd to Rupp Arena, Friday night featured a busy schedule of Midnight Madness-style events around the country that stand as the ceremonial kickoff to the 2016-17 season. Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams drew a standing ovation as he walked onto the court ahead of player introductions for a veteran squad, while the players quickly commenced with a series of skills contests and dancing for fans before capping the night with an intrasquad scrimmage. "I think we've had a pretty good structure out there: guys knew where to go," Tar Heels junior Theo Pinson said. "It was good playing in front of a crowd, to get used to it for the freshmen and us getting the feel of it again. The school also unveiled a new scoreboard above centre court and a newly designed playing court, part of renovations at Rupp Arena for its 40th anniversary. It was fun." In Lexington, Kentucky, the Wildcats stepped out on the blue carpet to offer the first look at John Calipari latest heralded freshman class. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

san: On the second night of back-to-back games, Casey decided to rest his big guns, according to The Waterloo Record. But the young players got no slack from the coach, who lamented a defensive effort that he called "non-existent." "Our rotations, our tags, our defensive disposition," said Casey. "We had no defensive focus tonight whatsoever. Fred Van Vleet scored 31 points to lead the Raptors in a 122-105 pre-season win over San Lorenzo de Almagro, taking another step closer to clinching his spot on the Raptors' roster. And that what I was looking for. Jerome Meyinsee scored 20 points, while Gustavo Nicolas Aguirre scored 17 to top San Lorenzo, who won Argentina top pro league last season. So tonight I didn't see a lot, so still everything is in flux." Norman Powell added 17 points, including a couple of big dunks, while Pascal Siakam had 16, and Jakob Poeltl finished with 12 points and a team-high six rebounds. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ali raza: Some people had seen Tasleem in their Lahore slum with a Christian man, according to Hamilton Spectator. She was 18, a good Muslim girl, out in public with a man. Even now, they laugh at how easy it was to make him lose his temper. Even though the man had converted to Islam out of love for her, this couldn't be allowed. "Some guys got to know that his sister was having a relationship," says Ali Raza, a co-worker at the mill. "They would say: 'Can't you do anything What is the matter with you You are not a man.'" Raza can barely contain a smile as he talks about the hours spent needling Rajhu. "He used to tell us, 'If you don't stop, I will kill myself. He raises his voice to compete with the sounds of the coal-powered mill, and workers blackened by its dust gather to listen. Stop!'" Raza says. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

mom: Nearly one-metre tall, what stands out about the balikbayan box is its size, according to Huffington Post Canada. The cardboard cube came up to my mom hip and loomed over me as a kid. Al: Growing up in a Filipino-Canadian household, buying canned luncheon meats in bulk signaled it was time to send a balikbayan box — a Filipino tradition of sending care packages. A photo posted by bossko_Sam on Sep 29, 2016 at 2:18pm PDT This is pretty much what my mom shopping trips looks like. When my mom immigrated to Canada, she picked up the practice from her fellow Overseas Filipino Workers working in department stores. This typical balikbayan shopping haul is from Instagram user Samlanie. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canada ambassador: Failure is part of any successful career and we, all of us as Conservatives, have a lot to learn from last year experience." Chris Alexander speaks in the House of Commons on May 25, 2015, according to Huffington Post Canada. Alexander said he was motivated to join the race because he believes in public service, first in his 18 years as a diplomat and then as a member of Parliament. It tough to lose," he told CBC News Network Power & Politics. "Failure is part of life. And despite losing his seat in the last election, he said, he has a "federal vision that is larger than the one on offer, certainly, in the current government." Alexander served as Canada ambassador to Afghanistan before joining the Conservative Party and running for Parliament. That meteoric rise, however, was derailed during a lacklustre election campaign that began with Alexander accusing Power & Politics host Rosemary Barton of ignoring the plight of Syrian refugees in a now infamous televised exchange. He was promoted to immigration minister, and his political ascendancy promised to be long and fruitful. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

eric tucker: Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said Curtis Wayne Allen, 49; Patrick Eugene Stein, 47; and Gavin Wayne Wright, 49, are members of a group calling itself the Kansas Security Force, according to Toronto Star. The arrests were the culmination of an eight-month FBI investigation that took agents deep into a hidden culture of hatred and violence, Beall said. By Eric Tucker And Roxana Hegeman Associated Press Fri., Oct. 14, 2016 WICHITA, KAN. — Three members of a Kansas militia group were charged Friday with plotting to bomb an apartment building filled with Somali immigrants in the western Kansas meat packing town of Garden City. The suspects conspired to detonate a bomb at a Garden City apartment complex where Somalis were among the roughly 120 residents, he said. If convicted, the men could be sentenced up to life in federal prison without parole. react-text: 145 Gavin Wright, left, and Curtis Allen are two of the three members of a Kansas militia group. The men, who were arrested in Liberal on Friday morning, performed surveillance of the apartment building and prepared a manifesto, Beall said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

finance portfolio: Raitt has already made up her mind about her political future, but has so far held off from officially announcing whether or not she'll run for the Conservative leadership, according to Hamilton Spectator. It is widely assumed within Ottawa circles that the Milton MP is already in the race. In a statement early Friday morning, Raitt said she was stepping aside to ensure "full attention" is paid to the file while she continues "discussions on the future leadership of the party." "I thank Rona Ambrose and our for trusting me to serve as finance critic over the course of the last year," Raitt wrote. Her move to the cheap seats in the House of Commons, away from the finance portfolio she seem to relish, is the strongest public indication yet to support those whispers. Raitt would enter an already crowded field to replace former prime minister Stephen Harper, the only leader the modern Conservative Party has ever known. Raitt could not immediately be reached for comment. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

friday afternoon: Yellowknife group approved to sponsor family of Syrian refugees " We are seeking a much better life over here," said Mustafa, who asked that his family last name not be used, through a translator at a press conference held Friday afternoon at City Hall, according to CBC. Mustafa and his family shop for winter clothes at Yellowknife Weaver and Devore Friday afternoon. The federal government matched the family with a sponsorship group of Yellowknife citizens last January. Mustafa, his wife and four young children arrived in Yellowknife Thursday, after making the long journey from Beirut, where they've been living since they fled Syria in 2012. " We are focusing on the future of our kids because in Lebanon there was no future at all," he said. As for the cold northern weather, the family spent Friday afternoon shopping for winter gear and getting settled in a new apartment the sponsorship group has been outfitting since January. Mustafa added that his four young children "are all excited about going to school," and are looking forward to playing "football soccer ," the family favourite sport. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

andrew scheer: The pediatric orthopedic surgeon, first elected as an MP in 2011, was the first to file her paperwork in April, according to National Observer. Maxime Bernier. Declared and registered:Kellie Leitch. The Quebec MP and former cabinet minister registered a few days after Leitch and has already outlined several key policy positions. The former Speaker of the House of Commons started his campaign at the end of September. Andrew Scheer. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

court appearance: Their first court appearance is Monday, according to Brandon Sun. Prosecutors said the men don't yet have attorneys. The arrests were the culmination of an eight-month FBI investigation that took agents "deep into a hidden culture of hatred and violence," Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.A complaint unsealed Friday charges Curtis Wayne Allen, 49; Patrick Eugene Stein, 47; and Gavin Wayne Wright, 49, with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction. Publicly listed phone numbers for the men couldn't immediately be found. The complaint alleges group members chose the target based on their hatred for Muslims, people of Somali descent and immigrants — and out of a desire to inspire other militia groups and "wake people up."The FBI began a domestic terrorism investigation of the group in February, and a confidential source attended its meetings in southwestern Kansas. The men are members of a small militia group that calls itself "the Crusaders," and whose members espouse sovereign citizen, anti-government, anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant extremist beliefs, according to the complaint. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

finance portfolio: Raitt has already made up her mind about her political future, but has so far held off from officially announcing whether or not she'll run for the Conservative leadership, according to The Waterloo Record. It is widely assumed within Ottawa circles that the Milton MP is already in the race. In a statement early Friday morning, Raitt said she was stepping aside to ensure "full attention" is paid to the file while she continues "discussions on the future leadership of the party." "I thank Rona Ambrose and our for trusting me to serve as finance critic over the course of the last year," Raitt wrote. Her move to the cheap seats in the House of Commons, away from the finance portfolio she seem to relish, is the strongest public indication yet to support those whispers. Raitt would enter an already crowded field to replace former prime minister Stephen Harper, the only leader the modern Conservative Party has ever known. Raitt could not immediately be reached for comment. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigrant community: That because of the growing immigrant community in the city, around 700, plus more than 500 new Syrians that are relying on the Saint John YMCA for settlement services, according to CBC. Angelique Simpson, the vice president of Newcomer and Community Connections at the Saint John YMCA, says the group ran out of space at the regional Y. "The number of clients that we've been serving at the regional Y has surpassed the space available to us there, especially the classroom space," said Angelique Simpson, the vice president of Newcomer and Community Connections at the Y. Big demand for language training Language courses were the immediate problem. "We tried to figure out how we were going to fit them all into language, because that was the first most essential piece that they told us they really wanted," said Shilo Boucher, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Saint John. The Greater Saint John YMCA Newcomer and Community Connections has moved to a new location to help meet the increased demand for services. So the Y has moved into its services into a new location at Hilyard Place on Main Street, a campus with more classrooms for language classes, and a new computer lab to help students find jobs. The new facility features more classrooms for language instruction, and a computer lab. "Trying to build bridges between what they're already here with in terms of talent pool, where there are existing gaps in the job market," said Simpson. "Because we do know that jobs are available in New Brunswick, but they're in specified sectors." Keeping the newcomers in province Retaining the immigrants in the province is the key goal, and the YMCA wants to get the word out to employers that there are many well-trained and educated potential employees available for work. "We have a number of high level learners from all around the world in our programs," Simpson said. "Whether they are provincial nominees, whether they are just new immigrants that have come here for a variety of maybe family or social or economic reasons, that we do serve a very diverse and mixed clientele." Even with the new location, and continuing to use the space at the regional Y, the organization expects all its classrooms to continue to be crowded, with more newcomers on the way in the near future. The space was also designed to include more room for social events, to allow opportunities for the Y to invite in potential employers. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

lauri korpikoski: Lauri Korpikoski, another newcomer, and Stephen Johns also scored for the Stars, and Antti Niemen stopped 33 shots — 16 in a strange first period. "Antti was excellent," coach Lindy Ruff said. "That first period, we had some bad decisions, gave up some odd-numbered rushes, made some uncommon bad decisions, gave up three 2-on-1s where he made real good saves." Anaheim finished the first period with a 17-1 shots on goal advantage, and spent 8 minutes on the power play, according to The Chronicle Herald. But the game was tied 1-1 with Johns scoring on Dallas' only shot before Cogliano had a short-handed goal. "They came out flying. Roussel scored the tie-breaking goal on the next shift, and only 22 seconds after Andrew Cogliano second goal for Anaheim had tied the season opener early in the third period, and Dallas went on to a 4-2 victory over the Ducks on Thursday night. "Rous made a good yell, I knew he was backdoor, and I just whacked it over there, and he a guy that going to work hard for that puck," Cracknell said. "And he puts it in ... and we get that lead right back." Cracknell later scored a goal that included a secondary assist from Roussel on the Stars' third line. "If you look at the scoresheet tonight, it was some of their foot soldiers," Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle said. I think we were just a little too wound up, all pretty juiced up and excited," Johns said. "In the second and third, we settled down and played our system and got back to the way we know how to play." Cogliano had a breakaway after an open-ice turnover by Jason Spezza, and scored on the rebound after his initial shot ricocheted off Niemi. "I got lucky. ... I kind of knew he wanted to go across the ice, I got a stick on it and made a shot and was able to pick up the rebound," Cogliano said. The Stars had a conference-high 109 points while winning the Central Division before losing in the second round of the playoffs to the St. Ducks goalie John Gibson had 16 saves in the opener matching the Western Conference two defending division champions. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

one-child policy: It will peak at 1.45 billion in 2029, compared with a peak of 1.4 billion in 2023 if the "one-child" policy that restricted most urban couples to one child and rural couples to two if their first was a girl had continued, according to the study, published in the medical journal Lancet, according to CTV. China brought in the policy in 1979 with the aim of limiting a surging population and promoting economic development. With 1.37 billion people, China currently has the world largest population. It was revised over the years to allow more couples to have an additional child, until the government allowed all married couples to have two children beginning this year, mainly to combat an aging population. The study says it assumes that the total fertility rate, or births per woman, will rise from the current 2.01 in rural areas and 1.24 in urban areas to 2.15 and 1.67, respectively, in the next decade. One of the study authors, Zeng Yi of Peking University, said that it was the first such analysis to fully consider rural-urban differences and the effects of migration when quantifying the impact on population growth. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

police officers: It was later reported that the animal was registered as a boxer but it is not clear if this was to mislead authorities, according to Globe and Mail. The situation seemed out of control and politicians were called upon to do something. Police officers killed the dog, which they identified as a pit bull. As usual in Quebec, the provincial government set up a committee to look into the matter, but Montreal fiery Mayor Denis Coderre decided he would act quickly for public-safety purposes. Public opinion is largely on his side, as are doctors who have attended to injured children. If a pit bull ban is good for Ontario, it should be good for Montreal, too. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

policy forum: Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains speaks at a conference in Ottawa on Oct. 12, 2016, according to Huffington Post Canada. Bains is asking the business community to help sell immigration as something that can increase prosperity and opportunity for Canadians. Navdeep Bains says newcomers create jobs in Canada and is urging people to see immigration not as a social issue, but as a key driver of economic growth. He says people need to understand that bringing in newcomers will give the country a competitive advantage. Bains made the comments today while speaking to business leaders at a economic summit in Ottawa sponsored by the Public Policy Forum. "I need your help, and the help of many in this room, to change that conversation, because I can tell you I'm hitting a bit of challenge within government in having this conversation." "The honest truth is there is still reluctance around immigration policy," Bains said. "When we want to talk about immigration and we say we want to bring more immigrants in because it good for the economy, we still get pushback." He asked his audience to pitch in. "I need your help, and the help of many in this room, to change that conversation, because I can tell you I'm hitting a bit of challenge within government in having this conversation." Some worry that immigration might be viewed negatively because there is high unemployment in some parts of the country. "Overall, how do we explain it to Canadians Because they'll view it as somebody taking away their jobs." They'll create more jobs' That what needs to change, he said. "I think we need to change the conversation to say, it not a social policy it an economic policy. The minister says the government has to do a better job of telling that story. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

mr: I would say that most of the people involved the volunteers were retired, he said, according to Globe and Mail. Mr. It very time consuming. Taylor, who is 73 and has come from a career filled with project-oriented work, elaborated, I'm not a professional do-gooder. In September, Mr. It not something I sought out. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

syrian refugees: Francis Xavier, according to The Chronicle Herald. A group of Saint Mary alumni has organized a pre-game fun zone and barbeque — including Halal food options —beginning at 12:30 p.m. for the attendees to enjoy. The Saint Mary Huskies have invited a group of Syrian refugees to watch their homecoming game Saturday afternoon against St. The Syrians will be given Huskies cheer gear to give them an authentic football experience. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.