News

August 3, 2011

Read by Emily Brass

Produced by Nikita Smith

Stories by Dominique Daoust, Alina Gotcherian, Nikita Smith


Syrian Troops Move in Hama

Syrian troops in the city of Hama have advanced deeper in to the city taking up new positions. The move comes a day after 24 people were killed by Syrian forces on the first day of Ramadan.

The troop presence is thought to be a preventive measure to stop protests during Ramadan. During the month large crowds of Muslims gather for prayer, the government fears these could turn in to large protests.

Since protests began in March against President Bashar Assad's regime, 1700 civilians have been killed activists say.

The Syrian government disputes the number and blames foreign conspirators for the turmoil.


August 1st 2011

News read by Tommy Marshall and produced by Sofia Gay.

Stories written by Chris Hanna, Jacqueline Di Bartolomeo and Sofia Gay.


Concrete slab collapses in Ville-Marie tunnel

A slab of concrete fell onto the Ville Marie Expressway on Sunday morning. A beam fell onto the eastbound side of the highway around 9 a.m. No one was injured.

The Ville Marie tunnel is used by more than 100,000 cars every weekday.

The tunnel will remain closed between De La Montagne and Panet streets.

Engineers are studying the structure and need to determine whether emergency repairs are required. They are also trying to figure out what caused the collapse.


Harper condemns Syrian raids

Stephen Harper has spoken out about the raids that killed a hundred and forty people in Syria on Sunday. 
He says the Canadian government condemns the actions of the Syrian security forces. He says the Syrian president has to choose between giving the citizens reform or stepping out of the way.
The Syrian army raided cities across the country on Sunday, leaving civilian bodies scattered on the roads. Their target was protestors who are trying to oust the Syrian president.

Insanity ruling not likely for Breivik

The head of the panel mandated to review the psychiatric state of Anders Behring Breivik says the suspect is unlikely to declared insane.

Dr. Tarjei Rygnested is the head of the Norwegian Board of Forensic Medecine. He’s also at the head of the board that will review Breivik’s psychiatric evaluation, the man accused of killing 77 people in Norway on July 22nd.


News July 29th 2011

Read by Josh Nemeroff

Produced by Erica Bridgeman

Stories written by Michael Lemieux, Danny Aubry and Nikita Smith


Teenager claims stole 7 cars in 10 days

A fifteen year old boy has been accused of stealing seven cars in ten days.

The boy was arrested after a high-speed chase in Montreal. The chase began with the boy leading the police on Highway forty, across the Charles de Gaule Bridge. The chase ended after the boy crashed into three parked cars near the Place Versailles shopping mall. Fortunately for the Repentigny police, they knew the boy who they chased.

The boy confessed to stealing the cars after he was arrested and faces charges of theft.


Cancer Clinic Cuts Staff

Montreal’s largest private breast cancer treatment clinic has cut one quarter of its staff. Ville Marie Medical and Women's Health Centre says the decision was necessary because it was unable to recover nearly $1.5 million it lost in fraud.

Ben Driss, the clinics former Chief Financial Officer is accused of siphoning the money since he was hired in 2005.

The centre’s managing director has said service to patients will not be affected by the cuts. Most of the cuts were to support staff, not doctors.


July 27th, 2011

Read by Emily Brass

Produced by Carlo Spridigliozzi    

Stories written by Nikita Smith


Mayor of Kandahar Dies in Suicide Attack

The mayor of Kandahar is dead after a suicide attack by a member of the Taliban. 

A man with explosives hidden in his turban grabbed Mayor Ghulam Haider Hamidi as he left his office. After seizing the mayor, the man triggered his explosives. Hamidi and a nearby citizen were killed instanstly. 

Hamidi was set to speak to citizens protesting the demolition of 200 illegal houses in the city's slum of lowe-Wala. Lowe-Wala is considered a stronghold for Taliban supporters. 


Montreal: We Need Help with the Homeless

Montreal wants Quebec's help in dealing with the city's homeless. Mayor Gerald Tremblay wrote to Premier Jean charest asking for more money and resources to deal with the growing number of homeless people in the city. 

The request comes after a homeless man was shot to death by police after wielding a knife downtown in June. Members of social services programs say the tragedy highlights the need for health services to provide care for the homeless. 

The province's wriiten response to the city said it will consider the request.


Quebec Gets it's Own Judge Judy

Anne-France Goldwater is set to be Quebec's very own Judge Judy. The Montreal lawyer will be the star of L'Arbitre, a French version of the popular American court show. Goldwater will mediate small-claims disputes on the show. It will air in September on the V network.

Producers say the show will focus on humour and resolving issues. It will pay out settlements Goldwater deems fit, to a maximum of $7,000. 

Goldwater sees herself as a younger and fresher version of the American judge. She said, "Judy Sheindlin is gettnig a little long in the tooth."


Electronic Recycling Blitz hits Montreal

Don't know what to do with your old iphones and outdated electronics? The city of Montreal has a solution for you. 

It's launching a three-day blitz where old electronics can be safely recycled. Organizers want to keep hazardous materials from landfill sites on the island. 

People have until July 30th to drop off old cellphones, computers, televisions, and other devices at the 19 collection points across the island. Information on where to find a collection site near you can be found on the city's website.


Obama Addresses Debt Danger

Last night president Barack Obama gave a special address to the United States on the very real and very dangerous threat of defaulting on their debt that his country is looking at. In a rare prime-time address Obama warned American citizens of the dangers of defaulting and why the problem has not been addressed.

Unless action is taken, the United States will default on its debt one week from now. Congress has been working on raising the debt ceiling, a routine decision they have done numerous times since 1970, so that the US can borrow more money to pay off its bills.


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