At the risk of angering Beijing, Obama told the exiled spiritual leader that he backs the preservation of Tibet’s culture and supports human rights for its people. He also gave encouragement to the Dalai Lama’s request for talks with the Chinese government
Meetings between the Dalai Lama and U.S. presidents became standard fare under former president George H.W. Bush nearly 20 years ago. But the choreography is always delicate and closely watched because of China’s sensitivity.
Defence minister quits over false attack
DUBLIN, Ireland – Ireland’s defence minister has resigned from his post after falsely accusing a political rival of running a brothel – and then denying in court that he made the slanderous comment.
Defence Minister Willie O’Dea insisted his sworn statement didn’t amount to perjury. He retracted it after a journalist produced an audio recording of his brothel claims.

See the full article from “Daily Gleaner”

… More Images »  The Shaughnessy Village in Montrealhas one of the largest concentrations of historic homes in Montreal, but it’s a dump and it’s getting worse. Sammy Forcillo, the councillor for the area, pauses at the abandoned Seville Theatre on Feb. 17, 2010.Photograph by: Dave Sidaway, Montreal Gazette
MONTREAL – A derelict stretch of Ste. Catherine St. W. that includes the remnants of the Seville Theatre should be razed by its owner and turned into a green space until the company is ready to build on the site, the city councillor for the area says.
The carcass of the old theatre and the rest of the boarded-up block between Chomedey and Lambert Closse Sts. is like a magnet for drug-dealing, prostitution and graffiti, Sammy Forcillo, who was elected in November as councillor in the Peter-McGill district that covers western downtown, said this week while on a tour of the neighbourhood with The Gazette.

See the full article from “Montreal Gazette”

Nine people face charges over a series of violent crimes committed in the West Island last summer as two rival street gangs clashed over drug trafficking turf.
Three of the nine were already behind bars yesterday as Montreal police conducted the second phase of Project Ondée, focusing on last year’s violence in the West Island.
Among those in custody is Jonathan Klor, 22, of Pierrefonds, who faces three counts of attempted murder, and charges of conspiracy to commit murder and living off the avails of prostitution. This is in addition to weapons offences with which he was charged in August.
Five other men were arrested yesterday. Another was still being sought late in the day.
Klor already has a criminal record that includes a conviction for a kidnapping in the West Island in 2007. According to a recent parole decision, Klor was identified as a member of a Montreal street gang referred to as the Dipset.

See the full article from “Montreal Gazette”

n a city not short of film festivals, Cinema du Parc has concocted the Montreal International Romantic Film Festival, which runs from February 12th to 18th. Capitalizing on the craze for chocolate hearts and roses that are bound to sell by the ton this weekend, the films range from American classic Casablanca to contemporary New York, I Love You, to the online indie hit Sita Sings the Blues, among others. Personally, my pick for Valentine’s weekend would be Cinema du Parc’s preview screenings of Götz Spielmann’s Revanche (pictured above) – an admittedly seedier choice for Valentine’s Day. This story about a con-man dating a prostitute has been getting very positive buzz since its Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film last year. The above choices are sure to impress your date or significant other more than going to the obviously vaccuous Valentine’s Day film, also opening this week.

See the full article from “Midnight Poutine (blog)”

This sentiment reflects a last-minute shift in mood here. Despite continued protests — some 1,500 rallied downtown Friday afternoon — many Vancouverites seem willing to put aside their concerns, at least for the next two weeks.
“The banners have gone up and lots of visitors are arriving,” said David Anderson, a University of British Columbia professor who has monitored public reaction. “There’s the perception that some sort of party is about to ensue.”
As local gossip blogger Lainey Lui put it: “There’s a buzz that’s definitely building.”
This love-hate relationship makes sense in a city where political affiliations divide almost equally between the Liberal and New Democratic parties, adding fuel to a history of public debate.
In other words, people here tend to argue, albeit in a politely Canadian manner.
This time, much discord focused on spending a projected $5.6 billion for a brief spectacle instead of helping the troubled Eastside, where homelessness, addiction and prostitution abound.

See the full article from “Los Angeles Times”

Regardless of who carries Canada’s torch, Vancouver is prepared to showcase itself to the world. This postcard-pretty city of 2.2 million people was gaining momentum Thursday afternoon along the bustling streets downtown and with large murals welcoming some 800,000 athletes, visitors and media.
More than 90 countries will compete in some 330 events between today and Feb. 28. A record 1.6 million tickets have been purchased. It’s a good thing considering some $1.75 billion has been spent getting Vancouver ready, plus another $900 million for security. The final tab could be more than $5 billion.
Canada can spend all the money in the world, but it’s not going to stop people protesting about the Olympics. Many have whined about local and provincial governments spending so much dough on sports when Vancouver is littered with drug- and prostitute-infested neighborhoods and homeless across the city.

See the full article from “Buffalo News”

Someone deliberately set a newspaper afire in the pedestrian tunnel at the Pointe Claire train station on Donegani Ave. last Saturday, causing one woman to be treated at a hospital for breathing problems.
“The fire caused little damage but a lot of smoke,” Montreal Police Constable Liliana Belluci said.
The incident occurred between 4:30 and 4:52 p.m.
The woman, who suffered from asthma, was overcome by the smoke.
The investigation continues.
Slow down on service roads: Police are reminding motorists that the speed limit on highway service roads is 50 km/hr. and that fines and penalties have significantly increased under excessive speeding regulations which call for hefty fines, loss of demerit points and in some cases, even the suspension of a driver’s license and temporary loss of a vehicle.
Station 8
Serving Lachine
Two Lachine men have been charged with pimping in connection with a prostitution ring in Montreal.

See the full article from “Montreal Gazette”

And although polls indicate that Canadians are over-the-top excited about the Games, the pavilion their government erected — bought for $10 million from an American firm — has been described as a dud that could be mistaken for a M.A.S.H. tent or temporary public toilet. Andy Yan, an urban planner with one of Vancouver’s most respected architectural firms, couldn’t help but note that the Saskatchewan and Quebec pavilions put the national effort to shame.
And that doesn’t even get to the controversies over the $900-million security bill, VANOC’s continued determination to go after any unauthorized reference — good or bad — to the Olympics, the dearth of snow on Cypress Mountain, pimps trafficking humans into Vancouver for the sex trade, or the decision by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to prorogue Parliament so MPs wouldn’t be distracted by the Games, then offer to address the B.C. legislature that went into session just as the Games began.

See the full article from “StarPhoenix”

Deibert: Name me three songs on your iPod that if someone you really wanted to impress was coming over, youâd delete from your playlist.
Marquardt: Probably all my techno music. Probably all my gangsta rap, like NWA (laughs). And I think Iâve even got a couple country songs that I would delete off there.
Deibert: Valentineâs Day is just around the corner. Share if you can, the PG-version if need be, the most romantic gift or gesture that youâve ever pulled off.
Marquardt: Probably last year. I fought in England (at UFC 85). On Valentineâs Day, I surprised my wife with a trip to Venice and Ireland (to) go after my fight.
Deibert: Thatâs pretty pimp. Last year, you were in line for a title shot and (UFC president) Dana (White) kind of stood you up (giving the match to Vitor Belfort instead). Have you ever been stood up on a date?

See the full article from “Montreal Gazette”

That’s not how we roll here. You see, there are really two Canadas, just as there are two kinds of bears you might meet hiking in our great wilderness. If you come across a grizzly bear, you should lie down and pretend to be dead. But if you stumble across a black bear, you must run for your life. Or perhaps it’s the other way around. The point is that there are two kinds of bears and either way you’re in a lot of trouble.
Outside the happy Olympic village, you’ll find that other Canada — a dark and edgy place. Just wander down to Vancouver’s seedy Downtown Eastside neighborhood where you’ll find homeless people, prostitutes and addicts “jonesing” for illegal drugs just as you would in any midsize American city. To help you find your way, there is even a government information center there with free pamphlets to answer all of your questions. So if you want to “see where the action is” or “take a walk on the wild side,” please go downtown and visit “our government information center.”

See the full article from “New York Times”