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China is now the economic top dog on the planet.

According to the Gaurdian, China’s customs administration released figures stating the country’s imports and exports reached three point eight seven trillion dollars.

The US came at three point eight two according to the American commerce department.

The figures show Beijing’s dependence on foreign markets.

The US market remains twice the size and more self contained.

The Americans also dominate trade in services.

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A new Quebec study was made public on Monday.

The study is called: Les élèves du primaire à risque de décrocher au secondaire: caractéristiques à 12 ans et prédicteurs à 7 ans

According to the Montreal Gazette, the study shows multiple problems that are beyond students’ control can get in the way of their success.

Pope Benedict XVI will step down from his position after almost eight years of work as the head of the Catholic Church.

According to BBC News Pope Benedict XVI stated that he felt that his old age was effecting his abilities to fulfill his papal duties.

He also stated that his doctor warned him of how some of his papal duties may further decline his health.

Pope Benedict XVI`s resignation will be the first papal resignation in almost 600 years.

The Vatican stated that a new Pope should be elected sometime before Easter.

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It looks like free tuition will be on the agenda after all at the upcoming summit on higher education.

According to the Gazette, Premier Pauline Marois promised the P.Q. youth wing that a discussion on free tuition will take place at the higher education summit later this month.

Marois called the discussion of free tuition a "healthy debate" on this issue.

Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica have declared states of agricultural emergencies after a fungus called Coffee rust has caused trees to lose their leaves and produce fewer beans.

According to the BBC, coffee is Guatemala's main export meaning that hundreds of thousands of jobs are at stake. So far 70 per cent of the country’s crops have been infected.

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Canada needs to review its policies on tariffs and import taxes according to a report done by a committee of Canadian senators.

The report’s main focus was why Canadians pay more for the same product than Americans said the CBC.

The report listed transportation costs, a small Canadian market and tariffs as the main reasons for the price discrepancies.

CSU councillor Ramy Khoriaty has resigned from his position due to a conflict of interest.

According to the Link, Khoriaty temporarily worked for the CSU directing Orientation Week while remaining on the council.

A CSU standing regulation disqualifies a person from holding or taking office if they become a Student Union employee after taking office.

Engineering and computer science representative, Khoriaty claims he did not know that he was violating CSU policy.

Canada's Environmental watchdog has expressed concern over fracking in a report tabled in the House of Comons on Tuesday.

According to CBC News, Environmental Commissioner Scott Vaughan tabled the report in his final act as auditor of Canadian environmental regulations.

Vaughan's report details how environmental protection may not be keeping up resource development. He points to the field of offshore oil and gas with two boards in Atlantic Canada who are not prepared for a potential spill.

The federal government told Vaughan that fracking is an emerging issue and is looking into it in depth.

By:  futureatlas.com