CJLO News: October 27th 2010

Student groups are protesting as Concordia plans to resign its exclusive beverage contract with PepsiCo Friday. This is according to Sustainable Concordia and the Concordia Student Union. The protest will take place at one-thirty Wednesday outside of the John Molson building.The alleged contract will continue to give Pepsi exclusive rights over selling drinks on campus. Pepsi has been Concordia’s only drink supplier for the past thirteen years.

Student groups TAP Thirst, Sustainable Concordia and the CSU have been outspoken about not renewing the contract. They want bottled water off campus and more than one beverage supplier. The CSU is disappointed in being left out of the negotiation process. They say the issue is a lack of transparency and communication. They want administration to communicate with student groups to avoid rumours and situations like this one.

Spokespeople for Concordia student groups were to meet with Nestlé today to discuss their bid. The meeting was scheduled by Concordia in an effort to include students in the process. Neither the school’s administration nor Pepsi have commented on the alleged surprise signing.

Written by: Joel Balsam

In her fall report Tuesday Auditor General Sheila Fraser faulted the Department of National Defence for bungling the purchase of new helicopters. The costs have risen to eleven billion dollars. Fraser said the government understated the complexity of the purchases. The Cyclone helicopters were ordered in 2004. The Chinooks were ordered five years later. They're destined to be used in military operations and maritime patrols.

But the delivery of the machines is years behind schedule. Fraser is worried that with the delays and cost increases, national defence might have to cut spending elsewhere. She warned that budgets for training and operations might be affected. Defence minister Peter MacKay says that Fraser's recommendations will be taken into account. He blamed the extra costs the “canadian-ized” features that are being added to the helicopters, like de-icing. Fraser's job is to investigate government work when there has been mismanagement of public funds.

The auditor general's report also looked at the government's attempt to stimulate the economy in 2009. Fraser reported that forty-seven billion dollars in stimulus money was distributed well and on time.

Written by: Sarah Deshaies

In international news, Saddam Husain's former foreign minister is being sentenced to death by hanging.Tariq Azziz was convicted of persecuting members of Shia religious parties. However, he has denied harming anyone, saying his sentence is “guilt by association.” Groups speaking out against the sentencing include the Vatican and Amnesty International.The Vatican has gone so far as to declare it would do anything possible to stop the execution.

A date has not been set and Azziz still has recourse to appeal. Although, if the appeal fails, Azziz will be hanged within thirty days of that decision.

Written by: Gareth Sloan

And lastly, former Argentine president Nestor Kirchner has died at the age of sixty. Kirchner died early Wednesday morning after being admitted to hospital. Over the past year he has undergone two major surgeries. Both surgeries removed blockages in major arteries. As of this time of this report exact medical details are not available.

Kirchner served as president from two-thousand and three to two-thousand and seven. He was succeeded as president by his wife Christina Kirchner. Nestor Kirchner was expected to run for the presidency again in twenty eleven.

Written by: Gareth Sloan