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Most sexual assault victims lack confidence in cops, courts, Justice survey says

The Canadian PressMay 5, 2013 16:30

HALIFAX - A majority of sexual assault victims have little to no confidence in the police, the courts or the criminal justice system, according to a new government survey that echoes what advocates have been saying for years. The responses in the Justice Canada survey indicate that two-thirds of the men and women who took part had no faith in the justice system, the process of filing a complaint against their abuser and the prospect of seeing a conviction.

Obama: US places great weight on its trading relationships with Latin America

The Canadian PressMay 4, 2013 03:00

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica - Wrapping up a three-day trip to Latin America, President Barack Obama on Saturday emphasized the "enormous importance" he says the U.S. places on its trading relationships with countries in the region and said improving those ties will help them compete in a 21st century world. "If we do not have effective integration in our hemisphere, if we don't have the best education systems, the best regulatory systems, if we don't co-ordinate our activities, then we're going to fall behind other regions in the world," Obama said. "I'm confident that we can compete."

Top US gun group opens meet in combative mood

Agence France-PresseMay 3, 2013 21:01

The National Rifle Association styled itself Friday as the champions of fundamental freedoms in the United States as it kicked off its annual convention in a combative mood. More than 70,000 members of the nation's premier gun rights organization have flocked to Texas for the three-day gathering, hard on the heels of the defeat of new federal gun laws in the US Senate.

Two teens take lives over unfinished homework

Agence France-PresseMay 3, 2013 13:30

Two teens in eastern China committed suicide after "failing to complete homework assignments" state-run media said on Friday, in an extreme case highlighting the immense pressure schoolchildren can face. In a highly competitive education system that emphasises rote learning and passing exams, Chinese students spend on average 8.6 hours a day in class and can expect several more hours of assignments afterwards.

Premier Redford tells schoolkids to beware of such opponents as Wildrose party

The Canadian PressMay 2, 2013 16:32

EDMONTON - Premier Alison Redford is warning schoolchildren to beware of the Opposition Wildrose party because, she says, it is committed to letting Alberta die on the vine. "We will not take the approach of the Opposition, which is a build-nothing approach," Redford told dozens of elementary children looking up at her while seated in a semicircle at her feet on Thursday. "The truth is, either we want a world-class education system or we don't."

US gun rights lobby meets in Texas in fighting mood

Agence France-PresseMay 2, 2013 16:30

The National Rifle Association (NRA) opens its annual meeting in gun-friendly Texas on Friday with its leadership determined to fight off any fresh attempt to tighten the nation's gun laws. More than 70,000 people are expected at the three-day gathering in Houston, taking place a little over two weeks after the US Senate rejected President Barack Obama's proposal for universal background checks on gun buyers. "The NRA doesn't do pep rallies," said NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam, dismissing suggestions that the 142nd NRA convention will be a time for celebration.

ECB rate cut: method and record

Agence France-PresseMay 2, 2013 08:45

The European Central Bank lowered its key interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 0.50 percent on Thursday. The ECB's "refi" rate is the rate at which the central bank provides the bulk of liquidity for the banking system via its regular weekly refinancing operations. There are also two other key interest rates -- on the deposit facility, which banks may use to make overnight deposits with central banks in the eurozone, and on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks from euro countries.

Pakistan Movement for Justice vows to 'change Pakistan'

Kyodo News InternationalMay 2, 2013 08:00

A prominent leader of Pakistan's Movement for Justice, a potential third force in the country's politics, says his party will "change Pakistan" and make the country corruption-free if it comes to power in next week's general election. "Change has already arrived. Our party has already won the hearts and minds of the people. What remains is winning the elections," Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (Pakistan Movement for Justice) President Javed Hashmi said in a recent interview with Kyodo News at an election office in Islamabad.

Minister eyes scholarship for short-term overseas study

Kyodo News InternationalMay 1, 2013 15:15

Education minister Hakubun Shimomura unveiled Wednesday a plan for the government to provide scholarship to help high school graduates take part in short-term overseas study programs that would fill the period after graduation if universities shift their admissions to fall. In a speech delivered in Washington, Shimomura said, "There will be a half-year period after (students) graduate in March until fall admission to university. The state will provide grants to those students going abroad during that period."

Protesters leave Mexican university building after 12-day occupation

Agencia EFEMay 1, 2013 13:31

Mexico City, May 1 (EFE).- The 14 masked individuals who occupied the office of the president of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, or UNAM, for 12 days to protest the expulsion of five students and demand changes at the institution abandoned the building on Wednesday. The demonstrators, who never identified themselves, accepted an offer Tuesday night from UNAM officials to have talks on May 9.