Bible Quotation for today

Isaiah 9/12-20: "12 The Syrians in front, and the Philistines behind; and they will devour Israel with open mouth. For all this, his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them, neither have they sought Yahweh of Armies.  Therefore Yahweh will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day.  The elder and the honorable man is the head,  and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.  For those who lead this people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are destroyed.  Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is profane and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.  For wickedness burns like a fire. It devours the briers and thorns; yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke.  Through the wrath of Yahweh of Armies, the land is burnt up; and the people are the fuel for the fire. No one spares his brother.  One will devour on the right hand, and be hungry; and he will eat on the left hand, and they will not be satisfied. Everyone will eat the flesh of his own arm:  Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Latest analysis, editorials, studies, reports, letters & Releases from miscellaneous sources

Is Najib Mikati preparing a comeback/By Michael Young/The Daily Star/April 01/13
 

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for April 01/13

Pope appeals for end to Korea tensions in first Easter message

U.S. cardinal defends Catholic stance on gay marriage

Future MPs back in Lebanon after talks with Hariri

Syrian shelling hits Lebanon's Akkar
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea: Neutral Cabinet needed to supervise polls
President Michel Sleiman : Polls should be held on time ‘at any price’

One Killed, 2 Wounded in Chouf Shooting between PSP, Tawhid Party Supporters

Abductors free man kidnapped in Bekaa Valley

Report: Hussein Jaafar's Kidnappers Won't Release him without Full Ransom

SCC's Gharib Risks Losing Job for Participating in Protests, Skipping Teaching Days

Qaouq: New Govt. Mustn't Stab Resistance in the Back, March 14 Blinded by Lust for Power
Canada’s largest student association endorses BDS

Suleiman Franjieh says Syria’s Assad in good health
Syria accuses rebels of setting fire to oil wells
Lebanese Democratic Party leader MP Talal Arslan to consult Jumblatt before nominating PM

Hallelujah, Jesus Has Risen
By: Elias Bejjani
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/54180
If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable” (Corinthians15/19)
On this holy day, of Resurrection, we are ought to be aware that for our prayers to be looked upon and heard by Almighty God, we are required to reconcile with with all others on whom we have inflicted pain and injustice, and treated them with an evil manner. To please the Lord we are required to genuinely, heartily and overtly perform all required acts of repentance for all our mischievous conducts and wrongdoings. We are required to pray and pray and pray.

Pope appeals for end to Korea tensions in first Easter message
By Philip Pullella/VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis, appearing before more than 250,000 people for his first Easter Sunday address, called for world peace, respect for the environment and a diplomatic solution to the crisis on the Korean peninsula. In his "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message, he also appealed for a resumption of peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, an end to the civil war in Syria and political solutions to conflicts in several African countries. The former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, who has made defense of nature an early hallmark of his pontificate, also condemned the "iniquitous exploitation of natural resources" and urged everyone to be "guardians" of creation. Francis delivered his message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica - the same spot from where he first appeared to the world as pope after his election on March 13 - to a crowd estimated by the Vatican at more than 250,000. "Peace in Asia, above all on the Korean peninsula: may disagreements be overcome and a renewed spirit of reconciliation grow," he said, speaking in Italian. North Korea said on Saturday it was entering a "state of war" with South Korea. Tensions have been high since North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered a third nuclear weapons test in February, breaching U.N. sanctions and ignoring warnings from North Korea's sole major ally, China, not to do so.
People thronged the open jeep that carried Pope Francis around at the end of a Mass. He stopped to accept a jersey with his "Bergoglio" name on it from fans of an Argentine football club and to comfort a handicapped man.
Francis, who has brought a more simple and personal style to the papacy, said the message of Easter is that faith can help people transform their lives by letting "those desert places in our hearts bloom".
GUARDIANS OF CREATION

"How many deserts, even today, do human beings need to cross?! Above all, the desert within, when we have no love for God or neighbor, when we fail to realize that we are guardians of all that the creator has given us and continues to give us," he said. Earlier, at a Mass in a square bedecked by more than 40,000 plants and flowers, he wore relatively simple white vestments, as opposed to his predecessor Benedict, who preferred elaborate robes. The huge crowd spilled out of St. Peter's Square and into surrounding streets. They included many who had come to see a pope counted on to rehabilitate a Church marred by scandals to do with sexual abuse of children and allegations of corruption. "It's a new pope and new beginning," said Tina Hughes, 67, who came to Rome with her family from Nottingham, England to see the pope. "I think he brings something special. He connects with people. I feel good about him." Francis, who took his name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who is revered as a symbol of austerity and the importance of respecting nature, said the world was "divided by greed looking for easy gain". He condemned human trafficking and violence linked to drug trafficking. Easter Sunday, the day Christians believe Jesus was resurrected from the dead three days after his crucifixion, was the culmination of four hectic days of activity for the pope, during which he instituted several novelties. On Holy Thursday, two women were included among the 12 people whose feet he washed and kissed during a traditional ceremony that had previously been open only to men. Francis again showed on Sunday that he would carry out his papal duties his own way. The Vatican had prepared a list of brief Easter greetings for him in 65 languages - identical to those read by his predecessors - but he decided not read them, and spoke only in Italian. Instead of moving into regal papal apartments, he is still living in the Vatican guesthouse where he stayed during the conclave that elected him as the first non-European pope in 1,300 years.(Editing by Mark Heinrich)

U.S. cardinal defends Catholic stance on gay marriage
March 31, 2013/Daily Star/WASHINGTON:A leading US cardinal defended Catholic opposition to gay marriage during an Easter Sunday interview, saying that sometimes the church by its nature must be "out of touch."
The interview came days after the US Supreme Court held oral arguments on the question of same-sex marriage, which is legal in nine states but not recognized nationally because of a 1996 federal law defining marriage as between a man and a woman. "Sometimes by nature, the Church has gotta be out of touch with concerns, because we're always supposed to be thinking of the beyond, the eternal, the changeless," Cardinal Timothy Dolan told ABC News's "This Week." "Our major challenge is to continue in a credible way to present the eternal concerns to people in a timeless attractive way." "And sometimes there is a disconnect -- between what they're going through and what Jesus and his Church is teaching. And that's a challenge for us."When asked what he would tell a gay couple who said they loved Jesus, loved the church and loved each other, he replied: "Well, the first thing I'd say to them is, 'I love you, too. And God loves you. And you are made in God's image and likeness. And we want your happiness. And you're entitled to friendship.' "But we also know that God has told us that the way to happiness, especially when it comes to sexual love -- that is intended only for a man and woman in marriage, where children can come about naturally."
He went on to say that the church must do more to ensure "that our defense of marriage is not reduced to an attack on gay people. And I admit, we haven't been too good at that."
US public opinion has shifted dramatically in recent years towards greater support for gay marriage. A Quinnipiac University poll released earlier this month found that US Catholics support gay marriage by a larger margin than ordinary Americans despite Church teachings that forbid it. The poll found 54 percent of Catholics support same-sex marriage while just 38 percent are opposed, compared to a 47-43 percent margin among all American voters. Both margins represent a reversal from the 36-55 percent opposition among all voters the polling group found as recently as July 2008.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea: Neutral Cabinet needed to supervise polls
March 31, 2013 /The Daily Star/BEIRUT: Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea reiterated Sunday his call for the formation of a “neutral Cabinet” to oversee the upcoming elections scheduled in early June.
“The elections should not be canceled and they require a Cabinet that cannot be but neutral to oversee the upcoming polls,” Geagea told the Free Lebanon radio station. “This government should include economic experts who can address the poor economic situation we have reached in the country,” he added. Lebanon’s parliamentary elections face a great risk of postponement with political rivals still unable to reach a consensus on a new electoral law. Although President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister Najib Mikati have signed a decree for holding the elections on June 9 based on the “1960 law,” figures from both sides of the political divide oppose holding the polls under the old voting system.Geagea also said Sunday that there was a possibility of renaming Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to head the future government.
However, he said he ruled out that all members of the March 8 coalition would want Mikati to be named as prime minister-designate. “I do not think all sides of the March 8 team are in support or renaming Mikati,” Geagea said. Geagea also congratulated the Lebanese people on the occasion of Easter, describing the recent government resignation as a “small gift” to Lebanon. Cabinet resigned on March 22 over internal disputes, paving the way for a political change in the country.  The president has set April 5 and April 6 as the dates for parliamentary consultations to name the prime minister-designate, who will then form a new government.

Syrian shelling hits Lebanon's Akkar
Now Lebanon/Shells fired on Syrian territory during clashes hit outside the northern Lebanese border towns of Dababiya, Al-Nour and Hakar Jenine, the National News Agency reported late Sunday. Lebanon’s border regions with Syria in Akkar and parts of the Beqaa have come under increased shelling as clashes have intensified between rebels and regime troops along both country’s borders.

Lebanese Democratic Party leader MP Talal Arslan to consult Jumblatt before nominating premier
Now Lebanon/Lebanese Democratic Party leader MP Talal Arslan announced that he would consult with fellow Druze chief Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt before he decides on who to nominate for the premiership."I will nominate someone for the premiership after I hold consultations with Jumblatt on the matter. We hope to reach an understanding on the issue of the government,” the National News Agency quoted him as saying Sunday.Arslan warned that the process to form a new government might be a long one. His comments come amid President Michel Suleiman’s legally binding call for Lebanon’s parliamentary bloc to meet with the president on April 5 and 6 to discuss a nominee for the premiership that Najib Miqati stepped down from last week.

President Michel Sleiman : Polls should be held on time ‘at any price’
March 31, 2013/The Daily Star/BEIRUT: President Michel Sleiman reiterated Sunday the need for holding elections on time, saying not doing so would be a “big sin,” and voiced opposition to extending the mandate of Parliament as the country prepares for parliamentary consultations to name the next prime minister. Sleiman also said the next government would be tasked with overseeing the upcoming elections and safeguarding Lebanon from the repercussions from the crisis in neighboring Syria. “If holding the elections based on the ‘1960 law’ is a big mistake, not holding the polls and extending [Parliament’s terms] is a big sin,” he told reporters after meeting Cardinal Beshara Rai in Bkirki. “The [parliamentary] elections must be held on time at any price,” he said. Many of the political parties in the country oppose the so-called ‘1960 law,’ – a qada-based, winner-takes-all voting system used in the 2009 parliamentary elections – but have yet to agree on a new voting system to replace it. Weeks before the resignation of the government, Sleiman and the country’s prime minister signed a decree calling for the elections to be held on June 9 on the basis of the “1960 law,” in a move that was slammed by the March 8 alliance. Last week Sleiman suspended Cabinet sessions after ministers failed to pass the formation of an elections committee to oversee the upcoming elections on the basis of the “1960 law.” The March 8 coalition regarded the formation of the committee as a step toward holding the polls under the “1960 law.”
The president, who has described the divisive law as “dead but waiting to be buried,” acknowledged Sunday that the vast majority of Lebanese opposed the “1960 law” but said they were just as keen on holding the polls.
“Most of the Lebanese do not want the ‘1960 law’ but all the Lebanese want the elections and want to [see] the rotation of power,” he said. His comments come a day after Rai accused some lawmakers of secretly seeking to hold the elections based on the “1960 law.” Sleiman, who later attended an Easter Mass, also said he opposed extending the mandate of Parliament. “I will not sign a decree to extend the term of Parliament,” he said. Talk of extending the Parliament’s term has surfaced in recent weeks given the lack of consensus on a proposal to replace the amended version of the 1960 law. Sleiman blamed Lebanon’s political rivals and Parliament for the political deadlock in the country and insisted he would not go for extending the terms of current lawmakers.
“Extension [of Parliament] is something that is rejected,” he said, adding: “There is nothing that prevents holding the elections on time.” Commenting on the formation of a new government, Sleiman said the next Cabinet would be tasked with “holding the elections, preserving civil peace and security in Lebanon and limiting the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on the country.”The president has set April 5 and 6 as the dates to poll parliamentary blocs and independent lawmakers on their choice for a new prime minister-designate, who would in turn form a Cabinet. Sleiman Sunday also separated the question of resuming National Dialogue among rival political leaders and the issue of forming a new government. “[National] Dialogue is a separate issue to the formation of the Cabinet and I will call for a Dialogue session,” he said. Some parties in the country have argued that National Dialogue should be a prelude to the formation of the next government. However, sources close to the president have told The Daily Star that Sleiman favors nominating a prime minister-designate first, followed by a resumption of National Dialogue, and the formation of the Cabinet.

Suleiman Franjieh says Syria’s Assad in good health
March 31, 2013 /The Daily Star/BEIRUT: Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh denied over the weekend media reports that there was an assassination attempt against Syrian President Bashar Assad.
“[Assad] is in excellent health,” Franjieh said on the Marada Movement website Saturday.According the site, Franjieh’s comments came after the close ally of Assad contacted the Syrian leader and the two discussed reports “surrounding President Assad and that there had been an assassination attempt.”“What some media agencies and online sites are reporting about an attempted assassination are rumors,” Franjieh told the website.

Abductors free man kidnapped in Bekaa Valley
March 31, 2013/The Daily Star/BEIRUT: A man who was kidnapped for a ransom earlier this week in the Bekaa Valley was freed over the weekend by his kidnappers, the state-run National News Agency reported.
The kidnappers of Amer Abu Shahine, who was snatched Wednesday in the village of Douris in Baalbek, freed him Saturday night, the NNA said. The agency said the there was no payment of ransom, which the kidnappers had set last week at $600,000. Instead, it added, authorities had managed to pressure the abductors to set Abu Shahine free. A wave of kidnapping-for-ransom incidents has swept the country in the past few months, prompting police and security authorities to step up measures to curb the growing trend. Over 50 people are in custody for their suspected involvement in abductions in the country.

3 wounded in Chouf shooting, suspect handed in
March 31, 2013/The Daily Star/BEIRUT: A man involved in a shooting that reportedly left three people wounded in the Chouf, Mount Lebanon, has been handed over to authorities, the Progressive Socialist Party said over the weekend. The National News Agency reported earlier Saturday that three people were wounded in a shooting in the Chouf town of Bekaata. It said the shooting was the result of a dispute between PSP supporters and their rivals in the Arab Tawhid Party. In a statement, the Arab Tawhid party said the shooter was a security official from the PSP, identifying him as Ayman al-Fatayri. Fatayri, according to the statement, opened fire on Arab Tawhid supporters after the latter had been involved in a dispute with a restaurant owner in the area. Fatayri later fled the scene and headed to Mukhtara, it added. For its part, the PSP said it handed over the gunman involved in the incident to authorities. “The shooter has been handed over to relevant authorities in order for the law to take its course,” a PSP statement said late Saturday. The PSP said the incident was the result of “a personal [dispute] and has no political or factional links.” The party also voiced commitment to internal stability. “Internal stability is a principle that the Progressive Socialist Party is committed to, now more than ever,” the statement said.

Syria accuses rebels of setting fire to oil wells
March 31, 2013/Daily Star/BEIRUT: Heavy shelling in a neighborhood in the northern city of Aleppo sent civilians fleeing for their lives on Sunday, and the state news agency accused rebels trying to topple the government of setting fire to three oil wells. Syria's civil war has battered the country's infrastructure and torn its social fabric. After more than two years of conflict, neither President Bashar Assad's regime nor the rebels fighting for his ouster appear close to victory. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said civilians were vacating the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood of Aleppo under heavy shelling by government forces. Rebels took over parts of the neighborhood late last week and were still clashing with Assad's troops who are trying to push them out. The Observatory, which relies on a network of contacts inside Syria, said four people, including two children, were killed in the shelling. In the east, the state news agency, SANA, said rebels had set fire to three oil wells in the province of Deir al-Zour, causing a daily loss of 4,670 barrels of oil and 52 cubic meters of natural gas. It accused "terrorists," the government's term for rebels, of setting the fires after fighting among themselves about how to divide the oil. Rebels battling Assad have seized large areas of territory in Syria's oil-rich east, including a number of oil fields. Although they lack the ability to exploit them, their loss represents a setback to the cash-strapped government they are trying to overthrow.
SANA said rebels have burned a total of nine wells in recent months. The three set ablaze on Sunday are the only ones still burning. Also on Sunday, the government and the opposition blamed each other for killing a group of people found dead near the Lebanese border.The Observatory said the bodies of 11 people, including eight women, were found near the town of Talkalakh in Homs province. The group said they were killed when government forces stormed the area. But SANA blamed rebels for the "massacre," saying they stormed the area, killed 10 people and looted homes and shops.
In another development, the head of the Syrian opposition's umbrella body said the group's military chief planned to visit Arab countries to solicit military aid. The trip follows a declaration last week by the Arab League that its member nations have a "right" to aid the Syrian opposition. Mouaz al-Khatib, the head of the Syrian National Coalition, told the Qatari daily Al Sharq of Gen. Salim Idris's travel plans, but did not say which countries he would visit. Syria's conflict began in March 2011 with protests calling for Assad's ouster. It has since become a civil war, with hundreds of independent rebel groups across Syria fighting Assad's forces. The government says the war is an international conspiracy to weaken Syrian being carried out by terrorists on the ground. The U.N. says more than 70,000 people have been killed.

Future MPs back in Lebanon after talks with Hariri
March 31, 2013/The Daily Star /BEIRUT: A Future Movement delegation returned to Lebanon Sunday from Saudi Arabia following talks with former Prime Minister Saad Hariri. The delegation, including MPs Fouad Siniora, Bahia Hariri and Nouhad Mashnouq, returned to Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport at 2.30 p.m.Deputy Speaker Farid Makari and Mohammad Shatah, the Future Movement leader’s advisor, were also members of the delegation to return from Riyadh. Meanwhile, caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abu Faour and MP Nehmeh Tohme, both of the Progressive Socialist Party, left Sunday afternoon on a private plane headed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Is Najib Mikati preparing a comeback?
March 28, 2013/By Michael Young/The Daily Star
Having endured the ministers named by Michel Aoun for two years, Prime Minister Najib Mikati deserves our admiration. And yet his decision last week to resign has set Lebanon on a dangerous path, despite calls for a resumption of the dialogue sessions. Particularly worrisome is that the country has a tight timetable to name a government. If elections are postponed, then parliament’s term will have to be extended. For this to occur, any constitutional amendment must go through the government, which at present functions only in a caretaker capacity. That means that if there is no government by June when elections are scheduled to begin, Lebanon could find itself without a government and parliament. Yet it’s also true that constitutional constraints have never prevented political compromises from being reached. So was Mikati’s resignation a scheme to return to power in a stronger incarnation? The prime minister assumed that he would be politically finished in his community if he didn’t fight to keep at his post the director-general of the Internal Security Forces, Ashraf Rifi, like him a Sunni from Tripoli, and a popular one at that. The principal target of Mikati’s exasperation was Aoun, whose ministers have been consistent thorns in Mikati’s side during his premiership.
Lebanese leaders are now examining the advantages in resuming the National Dialogue sessions. Their stated ambition is to discuss an election law and the formation of a new government. But even though dialogue must resume, the fact is that the focus on a new government leaves considerably less room to negotiate a new election law.
Nor is there any agreement over the role the next government must play. If the priority is elections, then the government would serve in an interim capacity to organize elections until a new team takes over once the voting ends. On the other hand if a compromise over elections is viewed as unlikely, then expect a stronger government of national unity, which would serve for a longer period of time and whose primary duty would be to address domestic discord until agreement is reached over an election law acceptable to all. In an interview with this newspaper, Mikati said he would only agree to head the latter type of government. He explained this by saying “I have political ambitions, I am not going to lie to you.” In other words, Mikati is implicitly recognizing that it may be best to hold off on elections for now, while concentrating on establishing a government of national unity under his leadership, or as he put it in his resignation statement, a government of national salvation. Mikati appears to be correctly reading the political landscape. There are simply not that many other Sunnis who can lead a government today. But it’s also true that whomever the Future bloc endorses, will probably be tasked with forming a government. The reason is simple: March 14 will go along with the choice, and Walid Jumblatt, who can swing the majority to March 14 will not seek a new rift with Saad Hariri and a majority of Sunnis by choosing someone else. Among the few names circulating is that of Adnan Kassar. He was economy minister in Omar Karami’s government of 2004 and a minister without portfolio in Saad Hariri’s government of 2009. He is best know as the president of Fransabank.
Kassar may be the right man to lead a temporary government that would organize elections, but he would not work as prime minister of a more substantial national unity government if elections are delayed. Kassar is perceived as a technocrat, not someone with the political clout allowing him to wrestle with the likes of Aoun and Hezbollah and generate confidence in political stability. Nor would the Sunnis, eager for a stronger leader, consider him the best choice. In the absence of Saad Hariri, who says that his personal security prevents him from returning to Lebanon, Future may opt for someone from its ranks, such as Bahia Hariri or Fouad Siniora. Hariri, given her political path, would be an interesting choice, and it is one that might calm Sunni-Shiite tensions in Sidon, a front line in contact between the two communities. Siniora, on the other hand, would be regarded by Hezbollah as a confrontation candidate, since the party remembers with great bitterness its relationship with him when he was prime minister during the 2006 war and afterward.
As for Mohammad Safadi, the finance minister, it is difficult to envisage that March 14 or Jumblatt would select him. That leaves few other viable options among the Sunnis. Mikati, understanding this, perhaps planned his resignation as a step on the way to forming a more harmonious government he would lead. Given his willingness to confront Hezbollah and Aoun, he could be more palatable to March 14, which this time might well join a national unity government. One scenario is currently making the rounds. A petition signed by 69 parliamentarians has been presented to the parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, to hold a parliamentary session to vote on raising the retirement age of security chiefs. This would resolve the Rifi problem, and allow the extension of the mandate of the Army commander, Jean Kahwagi, who is also set to retire soon. In exchange, the 1960 law would be formally scrapped and a consensus would emerge around Mikati to lead a new government, this time with March 14 backing.
There is something here for everybody. But can this arrangement work? If it does, Mikati’s gamble would have been a success, a convenient way to break free from the Aounist albatross around his neck. But we can kiss goodbye to elections for the time being. All those demanding that they take place on time should read the signs. There will probably be no voting in Lebanon this coming June.
*Michael Young is opinion editor of THE DAILY STAR. He tweets @BeirutCalling.

Canada’s largest student association endorses BDS
By JTA03/31/2013/J.Post/York University student association latest to join trend of Canadian student federations supporting anti-Israel platforms. York University campus in Toronto. The largest student association in Canada passed a resolution endorsing the global boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel. With the passage late last week of the resolution, York University's student association joins two others in Canada - the University of Toronto and Concordia University graduate student associations - in endorsing the BDS campaign, according to the York University Excalibur .The campaign calls for universities to divest from holdings in companies that do business with Israel and to cut ties with Israeli academics. The vote by the council of the York Federation of Students was 18-2 in favor and was advocated for by the Students Against Israeli Apartheid at York. Jewish student groups at York complained that they were not given advance notice of the vote and had little time to prepare an argument against the resolution.
In comments to the Excalibur, Safiyah Husein, a vice president of the York Federation of Students, portrayed the resolution as uncontroversial. "Indeed, not everyone supports reduced tuition fees, equity campaigns, or sustainability work, but we know the majority of our members believe this work is vital and important," Husein said. Chaim Lax, president of Hasbara@York, said his group was disappointed and called the resolution “fundamentally racist, and a possible violation of [York’s] anti-discrimination codes.”The York Federation of Students resolution will have no actual bearing on the university's investment portfolio.
"York University uses best practices in developing its policy on investments, and this is built on advice from major investment consulting firms," York spokeswoman Janice Walls told the Canadian Jewish News.
The student federation represents over 52,000 undergraduate students at York, Canada's third-largest university.

Canada Strengthens Relations with Jordan
March 31, 2013 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:
“Canada’s close and important relationship with Jordan is further enhanced by today’s inauguration of Canada’s new embassy building here in Amman. It was an honour to be able to do this alongside my Jordanian counterpart, Nasser Judeh. He is a dear friend and a true partner in this region.
“Jordan has consistently demonstrated a leadership role in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, and it continues to lead in the face of the ongoing crisis in Syria. Jordan’s generosity in hosting an influx of Syrian refugees is a model for all. Some 2,000 desperate Syrians arrive in Jordan daily. Accepting them is not without sacrifice or risk domestically. It is done in the finest tradition of promoting human dignity.
“And so, Canada is pleased to assist Jordan in meeting this challenge. Today, I am pleased to announce we are making available more than $13 million in bilateral aid to help Jordan deal with the immediate and pressing humanitarian and security needs brought on by the Syria crisis.”
 

No money, no media

Now Lebanon/KABUL - Democracy in Afghanistan is a fragile undertaking. Trust in the elected parliament and president Hamid Karzai is low, and corruption is widespread and not exactly a secret. Elections in the past have been marred by irregularities and rigging.
One of the few bright spots is the fourth estate. Fertilized by generous donor support, more than 60 TV and 150 radio stations, as well as hundreds of newspapers have blossomed in the Afghan media landscape. In a country of 30 million this is exponential growth. But with the country facing a sharp reduction in aid money after 2014, many predict that it is the quality press that will be the first to decline.
"After 2014 all independent media will face a hard time," says Shah Hussain Murtazawi, vice editor of the country's biggest daily newspaper 8AM, referring to the scheduled withdrawal of most international troops and the expected drop in international aid. "No newspaper has reached economic self-sustainability."
Most media cover fewer than five percent of their running costs through advertisement revenue. The remaining money comes from direct grants or sponsored media campaigns by international donors. The Afghan economy has not grown enough to create a profitable advertisement market. A copy of 8AM costs about $0.20 USD at a circulation of 15,000. With a staff of about 70 reporters and editors earning an average of $500 USD, the newspaper has a serious financing gap.
"Last week there was a meeting of about 100 independent media organizations to talk about strategies for the time after 2014," says Murtazawi. "Our options are cutting down the coverage area, cutting down the staff, cutting the salaries." In the past months the newspaper already stopped distribution in the Northern provinces Kunduz and Badakhshan. More are to follow.
8AM has received national and international awards for its work. "Before there was no reliable source of information. Now the trust in the media is so high that people [prefer to] come to us instead of going to the courts." Several times the newspaper published corruption cases, and in doing so, forced the government to take action.
In the provinces outside Kabul most people turn to radio stations. Days-long power cuts and high illiteracy rates leave radio the only available source of information.
"Local media is especially vulnerable to take-over from politicians and warlords," says Najibullah Amiri, editor-in-chief of Salam Watander, Afghanistan's biggest radio station. "They want to use the media for their own propaganda."
Founded in 2003, Salam Watander has its base in Kabul. It produces hourly newscasts in Dari and Pashto, the country's two official languages. Additionally, its 15 local correspondents produce reports and analyses. All this Salam Watander provides to its 53 local partner radio stations. Through these, their programs reach about 17 million Afghans.
Lately the radio station directed international media attention to the case of Sahar Gul. Underage and forced into marriage, Gul was tortured for months because she refused to work as a prostitute. The story created a worldwide media echo chamber. The pressure led the government and judiciary to take action. But despite such high exposure, Salam Watander is dependent on international aid money.
The only exceptions to this rule are several TV stations that generate enough advertisement revenue to sustain themselves. But these are in the hands of influential businessmen with connections to the political class. With presidential elections scheduled for 2014, this is clearly a problematic setup.
"We are really worried about the future," says newspaper editor Murtazawi. "We might survive, but our influence shrink, while others will be taken over by warlords and politicians. This is going to deepen the ethnic tensions in our country."