Politics

Breaking News Politics

Problems For The People Of Syria

There is trouble in another country in the Middle East. Since January, people in Syria have been protesting against their president, Bashar al-Assad. They want him to step down. They want democracy and a better life for themselves.

The leader is fighting back. Last Monday al-Assad sent thousands of troops to a city called Daraa, in Syria, to stop the people from protesting. His army set up in the centre of the southern city and placed people with rifles, called snipers, on rooftops to shoot anyone they thought was against the president. al-Assad took this step after some politicians in the area quit their jobs to show they were not happy with the president’s leadership.

Arts Politics

Canada Rocks 4 Japan

Since the earthquake in Japan last month, people around the world have wanted to help. Many people have helped by donating money, clothing, or food.

Artists in Canada and the United States have come up with ways to raise money for Japan. There have been many music concerts in both countries. Recently in Toronto there were three: Canada Rocks 4 Japan, Hope Blossoms Benefit Concert, and Eternal Sunrise Japan Benefit.

A “benefit concert” means that the musicians perform for free, and most of the money made from ticket sales goes to Japanese families affected by the earthquake.

Breaking News Politics

Gadhafi Allows Aid But Motives Questionable

Two months ago, the people of Libya protested in the streets to demand that Moammar Gadhafi step down as leader because of his dishonest government and his poor treatment of the people. Instead of leaving, Gadhafi gathered Libyan-government troops and attacked protesters all over the country. Several United Nations countries brought troops and weapons of their own to help the protesters (the “rebels”) and now the fight has become very dangerous for everyone. It is likely to last a long time.

On Monday Gadhafi made a deal with the United Nations to let food and medicine into the Libyan city of Misrata.

News Politics

Libyan Rebels Reject “Roadmap To Peace”

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has accepted a plan to end the war in his country, but the rebels who want him out of power say they will never accept such a plan.

Last Sunday, the president of South Africa and several other African leaders met with Gadhafi to talk to him about a “ceasefire” which would stop the fighting. They called the plan a “roadmap to peace.” They asked the countries that are helping the rebels to stop their attacks on Gadhafi’s targets in order to give the peace plan a chance to succeed.

News Politics

Leaders To Speak To Canadians

On May 2, Canada is having a federal election. Before an election, the candidates work hard to let Canadians know what their ideas are and what they will do for the country if they win the election. They’re trying to get people to vote for them by speaking directly to Canadians.

One of the most important ways in which they can get their ideas across is a “debate.” There will be a debate on Tues., April 12 in English at 7 p.m. EST. There will be another debate with the same people but in French, on Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST

News Politics

Portugal Asks For Money To Help Pay Its Debts

Last week, Portugal asked the European Union to help it pay its debts. They did it because they owe so much money – €80-billion, or more than $109-billion Canadian dollars. (€ is the symbol for euros, the money used in many countries in Europe.)

Portugal is the third country in Europe to ask for this kind of help recently. The first country was Greece and the second was Ireland.

All three country’s leaders have suffered for their decisions about their country’s money.

News Politics

Your Political Primer To The Canadian Election

There will be a federal election in Canada on May 2.

Every Canadian who is 18 years or older and is registered to vote – even people in prison or who are out of the country – may vote.

Although there are many people who are up for election, there are five main ones—one of whom will win.

Each person who is up for election is a member of a different “political party.”

A “political party” is a group of people who all think the same way about things. They think the same way about how a country should be run, how it should spend its money and what is most important.

News Politics

Canadian Election To Be Held May 2

This is an historic time in Canadian politics.

Last Friday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the government’s budget. A “budget” is a list of how the government will spend the country’s money. It’s an important document because it outlines all of the things the government will do for the people in the country.

All of the political parties voted on whether or not they accepted the budget. The Conservatives (Stephen Harper’s party), the Liberals, the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Bloc Quebecois (BQ) all voted.

Breaking News Politics

Protests In Libya Turn Violent

The people of Libya want rid of their leader, Moammar Gadhafi. He has been a brutal dictator for many years and they want him to step down.

They have been taking to the streets in protest.

However, Gadhafi (pronounced Ga-daf-fee)* refuses to leave. He said that he is “loved” by the Libyan people and he will never go.

Breaking News Politics

Mayor Ford Looking Into Fishy Spending

In Toronto, as in many large cities, there are lots of people who cannot afford to live in a house or an apartment.

To make it easier for people to afford housing, the city offers low-priced apartments.There are more than 100,000 people in Toronto who live in low-cost housing.

Those apartments are managed by a department of the city called the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC). The people at TCHC are supposed to use our tax money to buy houses and apartments that are then rented at a low cost by people who haven’t got a lot of money. It’s big responsibility.