birther: She also reflects on early struggles in her marriage to Barack Obama as he began his political career and was often away, according to Vancouver Courier. She writes that they met with a counsellor a handful of times, and she came to realize that she was more in charge of her happiness than she had realized. She also denounces Trump's birther campaign questioning her husband's citizenship, calling it bigoted and dangerous, deliberately meant to stir up the wingnuts and kooks. article continues below Trending Stories On This Spot Step into Vancouver's history with this free walking tour app Gangs of Vancouver Where to mark Remembrance Day in Vancouver How to become a Trans Link busker in Vancouver In her memoir Becoming, set to come out Tuesday, Obama writes openly about everything from growing up in Chicago to confronting racism in public life to her amazement at becoming the country's first black first lady. This was my pivot point, Obama explains. Obama writes that she assumed Trump was grandstanding when he announced his presidential run in 2015. My moment of self-arrest. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

people: He said in an interview that Canada's recent spike in irregular migrants is nothing compared to the millions of refugees who pour every year into much poorer countries. ; Likewise, the migrant caravan making its way through Mexico toward the United States, numbering in the low thousands of people, is small compared to the vast migrations borne in recent years by countries like Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey, which have taken in over five million Syrian refugees, according to National Observer. A lot of the media debate that we often see is that there are hordes of people coming to the industrialized world that's absolutely not true, Turk said. Volker Turk, an Austrian in charge of refugee protection for the UN, was in Ottawa this week to meet with Canadian border officials. North America has largely been shielded from the true global crisis of 68.5 million displaced persons in the world fleeing war and conflict, he said. Political rhetoric whipping up public concern over the asylum-seekers has been rising in recent weeks, led by politicians in both Canada and the United States. I think it's important to put everything in perspective and to bear in mind that when people talk about a 'crisis' these days, these crises are far away from North America or from Europe, they are taking place often in the poorest countries in the world who need our support, need our solidarity and who need also our humanity. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

core supporters: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, or AOC to her core supporters, is the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, according to Rabble. This Bronx-born, 29-year-old millennial of Puerto Rican descent is a proud member of the Democratic Socialists of America. That's exactly what this is, not a campaign or an election day, but a movement, a larger movement for social, economic and racial justice in the United States of America. She marks a critical inflection point in American electoral politics. While Republicans increased their majority in the U.S. Senate, the Democrats took control of the House of Representatives. Amidst the backdrop of white nationalist violence linked to the presidency of Donald Trump, the 2018 midterm elections are ushering in a slate of elected officials representing the country's diversity more than ever before. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

elections: Without the excitement of a presidential campaign, midterm elections are usually sleepy affairs where the incumbents regularly win, according to Rabble. For example, brothel owner Dennis Hof was elected to Nevada District 36 Assembly on Tuesday, despite the fact he died on October 16. So why are the U.S. Democrats so happy In such a huge election -- involving 46 state elections as well as the federal House of Representatives and one-third of the federal Senate -- it's hard to get the big picture. In Trump Country, 70 per cent of the voters decided they would rather vote for a dead pimp than a live Democrat. Rather, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, they organized locally within their own party and won at the party primary level, with unexpected challenges to unwary incumbents. So calcified are midterms that many of the new Democratic stars had no opponent from the other party in the actual election. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

everything right: That will now be optional, so workers can choose to sue in court and present their case in front of a jury, according to CTV. It mirrors a change made by ride-hailing service Uber after complaints from its female employees prompted an internal investigation. Google bowed to one of the protesters' main demands by dropping mandatory arbitration of all sexual misconduct cases. The probe concluded that its rank had been poisoned by rampant sexual harassment. We recognize that we have not always gotten everything right in the past and we are sincerely sorry for that. Google's leaders and I have heard your feedback and have been moved by the stories you've shared, CEO Sundar Pichai said in an email to Google employees. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

pittsburgh synagogue: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walks with Ana Maria Gordon, who was four-years-old when she travelled on the MS St, according to Toronto Star. Louis, after their remarks at a reception following the formal apology for the fate of the ship carrying Jewish refugees in 1939, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Nov. 7. Trudeau said Holocaust deniers still exist and anti-Semitism remains a problem in Canada, noting the latest numbers from Statistics Canada show Jews are the most frequent targets of religiously motivated hate crimes. Justin Tang / THE CANADIAN PRESS The prevalence of anti-Semitism in contemporary society showed itself almost two weeks ago when a gunman killed 11 worshippers inside a Pittsburgh synagogue simply because they were Jewish, Trudeau said. I pledge to you all now we will do more, Trudeau said, without providing more details. The ensuing days have seen countrywide vigils and calls for the government to do more through a federal program that funds security improvements at places at risk of hate-motivated crimes, such as synagogues. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

grinch: Opens Friday at theatres everywhere. 90 minutes, according to Toronto Star. GThe three words that best describe The Grinch are as follows, and I quote Who woulda thunk Who woulda thunk that Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosier, the latest filmmakers to big-screen Dr. Directed by Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosier. Seuss's Yuletide classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, would find equal if unspoken inspiration from another holiday perennial, A Charlie Brown Christmas Article Continued Below This curious incarnation of the Grinch, enthusiastically voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, reveals the seasonal meanie to be more Charlie Brown lonely boy than Christmas-hating misanthrope. Sound like a certain round-headed kid you know Other Peanuts comparisons can be made Cindy Lou Who Cameron Seely who is a lot more than two, comes across as Peppermint Patty, the can-do kid, while her pal Groopert Tristan O'Hare is just a thumb and blanket shy of being deep-thinker Linus. He's green with envy, yearning for Christmas fellowship he never really knew and struggling to understand the joy of others. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

helmut oberlander: In addition, Judge Michael Phelan sharply limited any possibility that Oberlander, 94, could take the case to the Federal Court of Appeal, according to CTV. Phelan said he was mindful his decision determines rights of appeal. In a ruling this week, a Federal Court judge lifted a stay on his earlier decision that the government had been reasonable in stripping citizenship from Helmut Oberlander. One of Oberlander's lawyers said on Thursday that next steps were uncertain. The Ukraine-born Oberlander, who came to Canada in 1954 and became a citizen six years later, has steadfastly maintained he was just 17 when he was forced on pain of execution to join the Nazi death squad Einsatzkommando 10a, known as Ek 10a. We don't have instructions at the moment about what he's going to do, Barb Jackman said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fort: On the eve of the U.S. midterm elections earlier this week, Norman Snowshoe of Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories, a Gwich'in community north of the Arctic Circle, posted the following on Facebook I'm Canadian, according to Rabble. Why am I so interested in U.S. politics Oh yeah, the fate of Porcupine Caribou lies in the hands of the biggest idiot to ever hit the planet!! Fort McPherson lies on the east bank of the lower Peel River, just east of the N.W.T.-Yukon border. And Norman Snowshoe of Fort McPherson dreads what could be coming. At an equivalent degree of latitude in eastern Canada it would be on tree-less tundra. There are two stores in the town of fewer than a 1,000 people, where you can buy high-priced canned and packaged goods and freezer-burnt fruit and vegetables. In McPherson, however, you look out to dense forests of spruce, pine, willow and birch. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

wednesday afternoon: The amount of women that are now in these great positions is phenomenal, according to Toronto Star. Robin Vargas, pictured in Halifax outside his workplace on Wednesday, says he's hopeful a blue wave will come over the U.S. and bring real political change. I'm ecstatic, Robin Vargas, 34, said Wednesday afternoon during a break from his insurance job in Halifax. Fadila Chater / For Star Metro Halifax On Tuesday, Americans went to the polls to vote in the country's midterm elections. I really liked how we had some key figures in the Senate run who really opened minds and opened eyes to what the possibilities could be, Vargas said. And it proved to be a pivotal moment in the country's political landscape, Vargas said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

historica canada: She says it's important people understand that thousands of Indigenous people fought in the two world wars but, when they returned home, they were not treated like their non-Indigenous comrades, according to Vancouver Courier. POLL FINDS BUMP IN REMEMBRANCE DAY INTERESTA new survey suggests Canadians of all generations are more likely to honour military veterans by attending a Remembrance Day ceremony this year. It was started in 1993 in Winnipeg when organizer and Indigenous veteran Randi Gage says they faced racism and resistance. A poll commissioned by Historica Canada found a 10-per-cent spike in the number of respondents who planned to take part in a ceremony in 2018 compared to 2017. CANADA NOT FACING ASYLUM- UNHCRNeither Canada nor the U.S. is experiencing a crisis in asylum claims, says the United Nations' assistant high commissioner for refugees. The online poll, conducted by Ipsos, found plans were relatively consistent across demographics but millennial respondents expressed the most consistent enthusiasm for attending Remembrance Day events. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

indian immigrant: RIP My Mentions, according to NOW Magazine. Kondabolu is a comic navigating current U.S. politics from an Indian-American lens, as seen on his Netflix stand-up special Warn Your Relatives. Comedian Hari Kondabolu immediately tweeted his condolences RIP Apu. He's also the man behind The Problem With Apu, a documentary taking The Simpsons to task for its stereotypical depiction of an Indian immigrant with an exaggerated accent, voiced by Hank Azaria. The Simpsons struggled with how to respond to the conversation Kondabolu stirred. In an appearance on Totally Biased, Kondabolu described Azaria's voice work as a white guy doing an impression of a white guy making fun of my father. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

stories arby: In addition, Judge Michael Phelan sharply limited any possibility that Oberlander, 94, could take the case to the Federal Court of Appeal.article continues below Trending Stories Arby's is opening in Metro Vancouver soon Vision Vancouver will not run a mayoral candidate for first time in party's history'Bella Dolls' Is Vancouver ready for a sex doll brothel Eight Vancouver daycares part of B.C.'s low-cost childcare program Phelan said he was mindful his decision determines rights of appeal, according to Vancouver Courier. One of Oberlander's lawyers said on Thursday that next steps were uncertain. In a ruling this week, a Federal Court judge lifted a stay on his earlier decision that the government had been reasonable in stripping citizenship from Helmut Oberlander. We don't have instructions at the moment about what he's going to do, Barb Jackman said. The squad was responsible for killing close to 100,000 people, mostly Jewish. The Ukraine-born Oberlander, who came to Canada in 1954 and became a citizen six years later, has steadfastly maintained he was just 17 when he was forced on pain of execution to join the Nazi death squad Einsatzkommando 10a, known as Ek 10a. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

amy mcgrath: Barbara Comstock went down to defeat to prosecutor Jennifer Wexton, while Clinton-era cabinet member Donna Shalala toppled television personality Maria Elvira Salazar. ; But an important battle in Trump-friendly Kentucky went to the Republicans as incumbent Andy Barr held off a strong challenge from Amy McGrath, a former fighter pilot, putting a dent in Democratic promises of a so-called blue wave, according to National Observer. For weeks, pollsters have been projecting that the Republicans would lose control of the House but maintain control of the Senate, the result being a divided Congress that would untether some of Trump's most vociferous political challengers. In their bid to turn 23 seats and claim a majority in the 435-seat House of Representatives, two key races went to the Democrats early Virginia Rep. As the night progressed, it shaped up precisely that way. True to form, both sides declared victory. Projections showed the Democrats poised to turn as many as 35 seats, even as their aspirations of an even more impressive breakthrough gradually faded away. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

arts fighter: The other is Democrat Sharice Davids, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation and former mixed martial arts fighter, who bested four-term Republican incumbent Rep, according to Vancouver Courier. Kevin Yoder in Kansas. She crushed Republican challenger Anthony Pappas in their battle for a House seat in New York following her decisive upset primary win earlier this year over incumbent Democrat Jow Crowley.article continues below Trending Stories Vancouver Art Gallery reveals new wooden concept design Vision Vancouver will not run a mayoral candidate for first time in party's history Richmond's off-street prostitution rings highlighted by deportation case Vancouver transit police looking for suspect in alleged hate crime Deb Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna, carried the Democrat flag in a New Mexico district to become one of the first two Indigenous women ever elected to Congress. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, an Ecuadorian immigrant in Florida, narrowly defeated Republican rival Carlos Curbelo for a House seat by capitalizing on her opponent's pledge to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Jared Polis, previously a Colorado member of the House of Representatives, became the first openly gay man to be elected a U.S. governor, defeating Republican gubernatorial nominee Walker Stapleton. She also described a spartan childhood as a recent arrival in the U.S., working her way through high school while her mother worked two jobs and studied English on the weekends. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

calgary photographer: The new library, just five minutes away from the shelter, seemed like a great way to Shouting to get out of the centre for the day and get used to being back in Calgary, according to Toronto Star. Thomas Limequeco, a local Calgary photographer, was one of the new Central Library's many visitors this week after a busy opening weekend. Having just moved back to Calgary from Lethbridge, Shouting says he is staying at the Calgary Drop-In Centre in the East Village until he can find a place to live. Andrew Jeffrey / Star Metro Calgary It's important to have somewhere to go to read a book, go on a computer, just chill out, Shouting says. It's my first time being at the library too. It's awesome to get away from there and sit around here. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

governor tuesday: The blue wave that some had feared from Election Day never fully materialized, according to CTV. The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Trump's presidency showed the limits of his hard-line immigration rhetoric in America's evolving political landscape, where college-educated voters in the suburbs rejected his warnings of a migrant invasion. But the GOP added to its Senate edge and prevailed in some key races for governor Tuesday, beating back the potential of big Democratic gains across the board. But blue-collar voters and rural America embraced his aggressive talk and stances. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California, who would be in line to become the next speaker, spoke of a new day in America. The new Democratic House majority will end Republican dominance in Washington for the final two years of Trump's first term with major questions looming about health care, immigration and government spending. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

hijab-wearing member: She will be the first hijab-wearing member of Congress, according to Toronto Star. Ilhan Omar, newly elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket, speaks to a group of supporters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in November. In her victory speech, Omar's first words were As-salam alaikum a standard Muslim greeting that means peace be upon you and then alhamdulillah, or all praise to God. She and Rashida Tlaib are the first two Muslim women to win seats in Congress. The women show a bit of the diversity of Muslims in the United States, one of the country's most diverse groups. KEREM YUCEL / AFP/GETTY IMAGES Tlaib won Michigan's 13th Congressional District and Omar won Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, replacing the first Muslim member of Congress, Keith Ellison, who Tuesday became the state's attorney general. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

holocaust deniers: The prevalence of anti-Semitism in contemporary society showed itself almost two weeks ago when a gunman killed 11 worshippers inside a Pittsburgh synagogue simply because they were Jewish, Trudeau said, according to CTV. The ensuing days have seen countrywide vigils and calls for the government do to more through a federal program that funds security improvements at places at risk of hate-motivated crimes, such as synagogues. Trudeau said Holocaust deniers still exist and anti-Semitism remains a problem in Canada, noting the latest numbers from Statistics Canada show Jews are the most frequent targets of religiously motivated hate crimes. I pledge to you all now we will do more, Trudeau said, without providing more details. The head of Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, Avi Benlolo, said it is up to governments to take serious measures that help counter hate crimes against minority groups. Shimon Koffler Fogel, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said in a statement that his organization would work with the government on the details of the pledge and on other practical policies to combat anti-Semitism in all its forms today. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

interest stories: I admit to being inspired by stories of people rationing their food so that they can share it with the people in the caravans, according to Rabble. However, I also know that we need to support these communities, and organizations in them, because they are strapped and the migration will not be letting up. There are articles with inspiring human interest stories, like this one, about the reactions of ordinary villagers in the Chiapas to the advance of migrants. Therefore I decided to use my rudimentary Spanish and started searching for organizations helping the many migrant caravans which make their way through Mexico. Some of these links are to websites in Spanish. If you know of others please send them my way by emailing toolkit at rabble.ca. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

richard florida: We are a powerful global city with lots of assets to build on, says Richard Florida, who spoke Wednesday at the Urban Land Institute Toronto's symposium on Toronto urbanism, according to Toronto Star. Lorne Bridgman He went on to say the toughest issue the municipality is grappling with is the sheer size the city and the Greater Toronto region and the area needs to see itself as united in order to tackle these challenges. Speaking Wednesday at Urban Land Institute Toronto's symposium on Toronto urbanism, Florida, one of the world's leading urban thinkers and a professor at the University of Toronto's school of cities and Rotman School of Management, said Toronto is an incredible city but one that faces significant challenges including housing affordability, a worsening class divide and woeful traffic congestion. Once you pass the mark of 5 or 6 million people as a metropolitan region, up to that point you can grow by urban sprawl, but somewhere you hit a wall and you can no longer grow or scale in the same traditional way, he told the audience at Evergreen Brick Works, which included urban planners, architects and builders. Article Continued Below We're going to have to make similar decisions now, and those decisions will make or break us, he said. He referred to Greater New York, which has a population of almost 25 million and made significant investments many decades ago, including on subways and rail connections. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

weimar: Weimar was born with a decision to have Freikorp soldiers fire on civilians, according to Rabble. Over 12,000 died before the revolution was finally suppressed, and throughout its tenure Weimar promoted the anti-communist and anti-Slavic rhetoric that would later be taken up by the Nazis. The first shots were fired in early December. Jones' book on the revolution was written in English, though the German title In the beginning was violence is more to the (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ftouhi: Jurors heard opening statements Wednesday in the trial of Amor Ftouhi, a Tunisian who was living in Montreal, according to Vancouver Courier. He's charged with three crimes at the Flint airport in 2017, including an act of terrorism.article continues below Trending Stories Vancouver Art Gallery reveals new wooden concept design Vision Vancouver will not run a mayoral candidate for first time in party's history Richmond's off-street prostitution rings highlighted by deportation case Vancouver transit police looking for suspect in alleged hate crime Federal prosecutor Jules DePorre said Ftouhi saw himself as a martyr who wanted to kill Americans until he himself was killed. A U.S. prosecutor says a Montreal man accused of stabbing a police officer at a Michigan airport was willing to die if he could have seized the victim's gun and attacked others. Ftouhi's lawyer didn't make an opening statement. The trial opened Tuesday with jury selection. Ftouhi says he is innocent. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

german doctor: Opens Friday November 9 . See listing, according to NOW Magazine. Rating NNNNChristian Petzold has become known for gripping films in which characters struggle over their identities and allegiances. Subtitled. In Barbara, an East German doctor has to decide whether to take the risk of crossing the border to the west. These films have stories that power along in ways that make the tensions palpable. In Phoenix, Holocaust survivor Nelly, post-plastic-surgery to her face, returns to confront the husband who turned her in to the Nazis, not sure whether she wants to be recognized. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ms st: Louis returned to Germany and the passengers scattered in Europe, according to National Observer. More than 250 of them died in the Holocaust.A handful of surviving passengers from the St. The apology is months in the making and will focus on the decision by the government of William Lyon Mackenzie King in 1939 to reject an asylum request from more than 900 German Jews aboard an ocean liner that was nearing Halifax. ; Instead, the MS St. Louis are to be in the House of Commons when Trudeau rises to issue the apology later this afternoon. What they hope instead is that the prime minister makes a bold statement about anti-Semitism and commits to fight it, such as with a plan to tackle hate speech online. But the shooting deaths of 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue almost two weeks ago have reframed the prime minister's plan for the apology and Jewish leaders expect Trudeau to say something more than that the Canadian government is sorry for a decision made decades ago. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

supreme court: My faith in America is igniting again.I'm heartened by the unusually strong voter turnout that sent more women than ever to Congress, according to National Observer. The new cohort includes the first two Indigenous women elected to Congress and the first Muslim member of Congress. The lack of a Democratic hold on the House, Senate, or Supreme Court over the past two years has created the zero accountability situation that gave Trump free reign. ; I'm feeling so much relief and new hope this morning. As a dual citizen of Canada and America, I'm feeling happy to see steps forward for women in government across the border. This is the beginning, not the end for both. And, although some of the Democrats' shining lights might not have won this time Stacey Abrams, competing for the governor's race in Georgia may ask for a recount and Beto O'Rourke was narrowly defeated by Ted Cruz in Texas they'll be back. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.