HIV Vaccine

Canadian scientists get green light for trials on groundbreaking HIV vaccine

A potential HIV vaccine is under review by the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration). The team led by Dr. Chil-Yong Kang, a virologist at the University of Western have been working on the vaccine since 1987 and are very excited.

After they get the go ahead they will be able to begin testing on humans because so far, in the lab, the vaccine have had no negative effects on rats and monkeys.

A vaccine like this could save millions of lives with 2.3-2.8 million people becoming infected every year. Hundreds in Canada alone. Between Nov. 1, 1985 and Dec. 31, 2009, there were 69,844 positive HIV tests reported in Canada.

Rising Price of Food

High prices are here to stay

Attawapiskat

Attawapiskat Human Rights and Housing Problems

The problems within Attawapiskat are not very complicated, but the responsibility to solve these problems are. The very obvious problem is in housing and quality of life of natives; more than 100 people have been living in wood-frame tents, repurposed garages and sheds, and two large trailers that were donated by the De Beers mining. Another issue is the lack of a school for the children of this settlement. Unfortunately this community is also troubled with alcoholism, a problem that was introduced by the DeBeers mining company after 2005.

The entire community is falling apart now and everyone is desperate to find someone to hold responsible so that they can be saved. Though not legally bound to help the native reserve the federal government claimed to have already sent $90 million dollars to Attawapiskat and blames local band council for misusing the money and taking much f it for themselves. The Council has responded claiming that they never received the money that they were promised.

The provincial government is technically responsible for education within its province but is not willing to pay for Attawapiskat's new school because the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is responsible for education of First Nations. However the department does not feel they have enough power or money to get anything done without the help of the government.

At the same time DeBeers has made promises that they have not kept. An Impact Benefit Agreement was signed in 2005 by both Attawapiskat community members and De Beers Canada outlining financial compensation, training and job opportunities for aboriginals and additional building materials, if available, would be given to the community. Blockades were set up Feb 6 when community felt De Beers was not living up to the agreements set out in an impact benefit agreement (IBA) signed by the mining company and the community : zero tolerance for racism and discrimination, pay equity, a new school, and housing in the community.

The community's pleas for new school and for support have been ignored by all parties involved. Is Canada doing the First Nation's wrong by not paying millions more? We have done great injustices to our natives like many other nations have to their own, but is it a corporation this time and are they responsible?


       

Still waiting in Attawapiskat: Will Canada fail the next generation of Fisrt Nations students -Canadian Geographic

Kim Jong-Il's Death

Kim Jong-Il's death brings new opprotunities- and new perils- to the U.S.

Globalization of Trade, Capital, and Now Talent

Immigration undergoes a sea of change

As countries continue to suffer economic problems and people face lack of jobs, the topic of immigration is under review. But unlike in the past, immigration is no longer a problem and countries as a whole are being viewed in a whole different way.

The lines of what is a country is being blurred. It is becoming a more virtual idea rather than a physical community. Because of this it makes sense that the idea of immigration would change as well. Talented people are adopting a nomadic life style, not calling one country thier home. Or if they have a home it is one of many and they do thier business in an entirly differet one.

Doing business in other countries is what sparks interest. It is just another step of globablization. Talent is being spread and shared across the world. Immigration is now a way to circulate information and ideas around the globe.

India in particular is on board and ready to surf this new wave of change. They are using it effectively and the rest of the world too is starting to get look at the options and opprotunites that will come with this face of globalization.

Immigration may no longer be something countries fear during economic hard times, but rather something they will welcome even more.