Busting an Alzheimer's theory

By macleans.ca - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 12:27 PM - 0 Comments

For nearly two decades, scientists have believed that brain inflammation contributes to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia—and countless clinical trials have attempted, unsuccessfully, to demonstrate how anti-inflammatory drugs could help. Now, researchers in Germany and the U.S., have discovered that inflammation of the microglia, which are brain cells, is not associated with Alzheimer’s or dementia after all. The team suggests that a loss of microglia is what actually contributes to the brain deterioration. The next step is to find out what causes the microglia to degenerate. That could lead to studies on how to keep these brain cells alive and healthy as a means of staving off brain disease.

ScienceDaily

Russia uses its veto

By macleans.ca - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 12:26 PM - 1 Comment

Russia has vetoed a plan to extend the stay of 160 UN troops stationed in Georgia. This comes despite pressure from the U.S. and other countries who want to monitor the region after Russian forces invaded last August. Georgian officials say Russia wants observers expelled so it can continue with a secret military build-up in the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions. Russia has already shown it’s willingness to go against international opinion— it broke a treaty with France by openly moving more troops to the region in April.

The Guardian

Double-doubles, but no lattes in Detroit

By macleans.ca - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 12:23 PM - 0 Comments

Just how badly are Detroit’s fortunes sinking? In a city of nearly one million, there are only four Starbucks stores left. There is no Chrysler or Jeep dealership within the city limits. Residents are even finding it hard to locate a place to buy groceries—there is no national grocery chain operating in Detroit. Retail is fleeing the city as the auto industry collapses and white collar jobs disappear. The city’s declining tax base also makes it an unattractive place to do business as services are cut: police response times are slower, snow is cleared less frequently, and trash is picked up less often. One of the few retail stores that seems to be doing well: a new Tim Hortons’ franchise that opened downtown.

The Wall Street Journal

Skin cancer cream helps wrinkles: Study

By macleans.ca - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 12:22 PM - 0 Comments

A cream that treats precancerous forms of squamous cell carcinoma, one of the two most common types of skin cancer, might also leave you with younger-looking skin. According to U.S. researchers, Valeant Pharmaceuticals’ cream Efudex made skin look smoother, more evenly toned, and erased brown spots. Generically known as fluorouracil, the cream has been around for many years; it seems to create a wound healing response that causes an increase in collagen production, which smooths out wrinkles. But the cream isn’t without negative side effects; soon after it’s applied, skin appears red and inflamed. “Patients look really bad,” Dr. Dana Sachs of the University of Michigan told Reuters. “Their skin is red. I’ve heard people describe it as looking like raw hamburger meat.” Afterwards, however, pre-cancers are gone and skin quality appears to be improved. In the study, 21 people aged 56 to 85 with actinic keratoses (a precancerous form of squamous cell carcinoma) and sun damage used the cream twice daily on the face for two weeks. The team looked at changes in the skin, taking facial biopsies over a six-month period. Not only did they see better skin texture, softer skin and fewer wrinkles; skin also appeared more even toned.

Reuters

A vicious circle

By Aaron Wherry - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 12:14 PM - 0 Comments

Shauna Sylvester laments for our democracy.

While I think most Canadians want a federal government that sets national standards, promotes Canadian interests, values and assets in the global arena and provides leadership in addressing the social and environmental challenges we face as a nation, these young people have willingly forfeited their role in trying to mandate the government to perform these functions. It’s like we are caught in a negative feedback spiral.

As confident as ever

By Martin Patriquin - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 12:10 PM - 0 Comments

I post the following as a counterpoint to the current smell of language politics wafting about the coming St Jean Baptiste festival, which I’ll write about later.

This summer, Université de Montréal will be more English than ever, thanks largely to Jacques Parizeau’s former right hand man.

As a bona fide member of the Anglo media, and who thus spends far too much time obsessing over our least favourite obsession, it’s nearly impossible for me to think that Jean-François Lisée would ever be responsible for bringing more English to anything in Quebec. He is a lifelong sovereignist (he has one of these over his desk to remind you of it), having served as political advisor to Parizeau during 1995 referendum, as well as to Lucien Bouchard. He remains a force within the PQ, consulted often on party policy. A smart cookie, in other words, who is very dedicated to the cause. And yet here he is, championing la langue des bloques at the bastion of Quebec higher education. 

Continue…

It’s ‘wife camp’ for 10-year-olds

By Joanne Latimer - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 12:10 PM - 62 Comments

Two years ago, concert pianist Wonny Song attended a reception in Paris. The host’s 13-year-old daughter greeted guests at the door and made proper introductions. “She could speak to ambassadors, artists, business people—everyone. It really made an impression,” recalls Song, vice-director of the Lambda School of Music and Fine Arts in Montreal.

Inspired by this encounter, Song is starting a new summer program for girls. The goal of Make-over Camp is to instill poise, grace and confidence in girls between the ages of 10 and 14. For two weeks, they will learn to improve their posture, voice, table manners, conversation skills, wardrobe choices, makeup application, hostessing skills and music appreciation. “We see a lot of young ladies who can benefit from a makeover program,” said Angela Chan, director of Lambda and co-creator of the camp. “They need to develop their presence.” Marc McCreavy, an industrial designer and interior decorator, will teach the girls how to host events and decorate a table. “It’s important to learn about appropriate topics of conversation and appropriate attire,” he said.

Continue…

What’s so great about Jon & Kate?

By Jaime Weinman - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 12:05 PM - 5 Comments

Why did almost 10 million people watch the season premiere of TLC’s Jon & Kate Plus 8, the reality show about a couple raising eight children? Well, some of those viewers were driven to the show after reading all the tabloid stories alleging that Jon, the man of the house, had an affair; in an age when tabloids are cross-pollinated with reality TV, we couldn’t help tuning in to see the Pennsylvania couple admit that their marriage was in trouble. And yet the show didn’t start with Jon and Kate Gosselin discussing the peril of their marriage or denying that they’d had affairs. It began as the episodes usually begin, with their kids, announcing to us that “we’re turning five!”, laughing, jumping, and mugging for the camera. The real reason Jon & Kate has sustained itself for five seasons is that the eight Gosselin children are the real stars; it’s the only show left on television about the joys, fears and silliness of small children.

Jon and Kate’s eight-year-old twins and five-year-old sextuplets aren’t perfect kids: they play with their food, burp, call each other names and make each other cry. But unlike the horrible children on other reality shows like Supernanny, the Gosselin kids are always portrayed as sympathetic and sweet. They’re also presented as individualized characters, starting with an early episode in which Jon and Kate defined the personalities of each child, calling one “our professor,” another one “Mommy’s helper.”

Continue…

Real competition is back!

By Chris Rivers, Takeoffeh.com - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 12:03 PM - 1 Comment

Let’s not jump for joy yet but the green shoots of airline competition in Canada may finally be ready to bloom into a crop that could be a bonanza for the Canadian consumer.

Since the demise of Canadian Airlines and its absorption into Air Canada, there have been several attempts by the likes of Jetsgo, Harmony, Roots Air and Canjet to take on the scheduled air dominance of Air Canada. Sadly, none of them succeeded. WestJet, on the other hand, has not only survived but seems to be emerging as a bonafide challenger to Air Canada. Continue…

Ottawa’s ‘sexy’ scandal

By Aaron Wherry - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 12:02 PM - 0 Comments

Lisa Raitt understands. It frustrates her. But she knows what it means to be in a position like hers—the authority, the scrutiny, the scorn, the conflict. “There were people who called politicians in Ottawa and demanded that I be fired. I don’t know who. Nobody ever names names . . . I wish they would,” she once told a reporter. “I don’t mix personalities with business, and I don’t want to seem like I am whining. I’m not whining, but it does bug me. But I don’t hold any grudges. This is the big leagues.”

Of course, that was nearly six years ago, when Raitt was in charge of the Toronto Port Authority. Long before she got to Ottawa. Even longer before she and a close aide went to a network television studio in the capital to explain the government’s handling of a national health crisis, arriving with a binder full of confidential briefing notes and leaving without it. This time, Raitt stood and faced her accusers in person, the Speaker naming names as he introduced one opposition MP after another who wanted the natural resources minister fired. Raitt stood and, as she has many times since being elected the MP for Halton last fall, answered calmly and confidently, her assurances only periodically peppered with a patronizing put-down. “Mr. Speaker, I am a little concerned with the language being utilized by the member opposite,” she lamented after the NDP’s Thomas Mulcair had referred to her disgraced assistant as subservient. “The people who work for us on the Hill work very hard.”

Continue…

Of all the committees on the Hill, the CHRC wound up here? Liveblogging the Subcommittee on Int'l Human Rights

By kadyomalley - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 12:00 PM - 18 Comments

ITQ has to admit that she’s a little bit curious as to how, exactly, officials from the Canadian Human Rights Commission wound up on the witness list at the  Subcommittee on International Human Rights, which begins its study of “human rights commissions” this afternoon. It’s not that she doesn’t think it’s a worthy topic — goodness knows there’s enough confusion and controversy surrounding the issue — but doesn’t this particular committee usually stick to topics with an international focus? Human rights in China, persecution of religious minorities in Iran, the possible repatriation of Omar Khadr – you know, that kind of thing? Maybe the CHRC is just here to help MPs get their bearings on the various raisons d’etre of CHRC’s global counterparts. Nevertheless, she’ll be there for today’s meeting, which will also include an appearance by Alan Borovoy, general counsel to the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

12:20:05 PM
Greetings, fans of chronically undercovered committee meetings chaired by the perpetually effervescent Scott “Not The Evil One. Wait, Which One Do You Consider The “Evil” One Again?” Reid! ITQ managed to make it to the Reading Room just before the macadamia cookies ran out, and can report there is a sizeable contingent of witnesses and onlookers on the scene already — from what she can overhear of the ongoing convesations, there are at least a half dozen or so representatives from the CHRC, including deputy chief commissioner David Langtry, Sebastien Sigouin and Monette Maillet; Alan Borovoy is also present and accounted for, but beyond that, I’m not entirely sure who’s who.

So far, I’m the only reporter here — although that could be due to my pathological punctuality — and a few MPs are starting to arrive, including Russ Hiebert, who was responsible for the motion that established this particular study, and the NDP’s Wayne Marston. For the Bloc, we have – or will have, according to the nameplates, Eve-Mary Thai Thi Lac, and Mario Silva and Irwin Cotler will be up for the Liberals. On the government side, we have David Sweet – who I remember quite fondly from the Khadr hearings – and – wait, is that Bob Rae? It is! I wonder whose spot he’s taking?

Anyway, w should be getting underway soon.

12:37:28 PM
And – here we go!

Continue…

A recount is called, but Iran’s mass uprising continues

By macleans.ca - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 11:48 AM - 6 Comments

Iran’s ruling Guardian council announced Tuesday that it was prepared to conduct a partial recount of the ballots cast in Friday’s controversial election. However, the reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi rejected the offer, calling on Iran’s leaders to annul the election outright. The news comes after the country’s state radio confirmed that seven people were killed in the mass protests against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s first-ballot victory. Thousands of protesters amassed in Tehran again on Tuesday, despite Mousavi’s call for his supporters to stay home. They’ve been met by thousands of supporters of the government. Iranian officials have responded to the mass uprising with a crackdown on foreign journalists in the country, cancelling all foreign press credentials. Iranian journalists were told to report the news from their offices rather than from the scene of the protests.

State TV footage of pro-government rally

Footage of yesterday’s protests

The Big Picture‘s photo gallery

Associated Press

The New York Times

Al Jazeera

London Times

Ideas men

By Aaron Wherry - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 11:45 AM - 0 Comments

The Mark has taken lately to publishing short essays by MPs who have ideas about things. The latest is Mario Silva on literacy. Previously there was Garry Breitkreuz on the gun registry and Jim Maloway on air travel.

From such noble intentions are a thousand ill-fated private members’ bills born.

Madoff's victims get it all off their chest

By macleans.ca - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 11:34 AM - 0 Comments

Bernie Madoff’s victims are having their say, and it¹s not pretty. The dozens of pre-sentencing impact statements filed with a U.S. District Court in Manhattan urge the judge to throw the book at the 70-year-old financial fraudster, and brim with vitriol. “Thief,” “monster” and “psychopathic, lying egomaniac” are just some of the terms used to describe the man who made $50 billion disappear in smoke.

The Guardian

It's complicated

By Aaron Wherry - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 11:33 AM - 10 Comments

Before yesterday’s eventfulness, Carolyn Bennett’s office sent over a manifesto of sorts on the medical isotope shortage.

Now, as a general rule, most problems of any consequence can be solved with a five-point plan. In rare cases is the six-point plan necessary. Almost never does anyone bother going for seven points. And so it perhaps says something of our current situation that Dr. Bennett’s plan goes all the way to ten.

Full text, for the sake of discussion, after the jump. For fun, the Prime Minister might consider printing it off, signing his name at the bottom and handing it to Mr. Ignatieff when they meet today. Continue…

Obama gears up to fight global warming

By macleans.ca - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 11:33 AM - 0 Comments

A U.S. government report warns of catastrophic results‹from famine to deadly hurricanes and economic meltdown‹if quick action isn¹t taken on climate change. The report also outlines the climate patterns Americans have already been seeing, shorter and milder winters with stronger storms and a more dangerous hurricane season. The report¹s release is part of the Obama administration’s plan to gain support for its climate change agenda, which top democrats hope to pass through Congress by June 26.

The Guardian

A reminder: When you take a meeting with the abyss, the abyss takes a meeting with you

By Paul Wells - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 10:48 AM - 101 Comments

Let’s see, let’s see…if only there were a book somewhere that gave us insight into the strategy Stephen Harper adopts when he meets other party leaders. Oh wait — here’s one now:

The two leaders met on April 9, 2002. Each man played to type. Clark suggested a process. Harper suggested a solution. Clark lost. In the course of that ninety minutes in a Parliament Hill meeting room, his political career suffered its final blow.

Clark suggested that the two parties set up committees that would meet for four months to discuss possible kinds of co-operation: working together in the Commons, joint policy development, some kind of electoral method to make sure the two parties didn’t split the right-of-centre vote at the next election. What outcome did he expect from all this? To Clark it was an alien question. A well-designed process, by its nature, reaches proper outcomes. In the meantime everyone could trust-build. Clark was big on trust-building. And just in case trust was too slow to build, each would maintain “the option for both of us to continue to build our political parties.” So Clark was offering a long process of unknowable outcome whose central eature was a lack of commitment on either partner’s part.

Harper’s counter-porposal was elegant. And a little vicious. He proposed that the two parties begin sitting together as a combined caucus immediately — as in, within the next couple of days. As for the forthcoming election, they should agree then and there not to run candidates against each other in any riding, then work backward from that goal to find a worthwhile mechanism. Clark was appalled…. “I did not, naturally, find the suggestion… to be a serious proposal,” he told reporters afterward.

What is the point of this story? What information pertains? A few things, methinks: Continue…

Photo Gallery: Iran in revolt

By macleans.ca - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 10:40 AM - 4 Comments

Wake up with Iggy

By Aaron Wherry - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 10:14 AM - 3 Comments

The Liberal leader talks to Canada AM, trailed by Tony Clement, who is now possibly stalking him. More debate of how to define words like “begin” and “spent” ensues.

Netanyahu's dilemma

By macleans.ca - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 10:00 AM - 0 Comments

A new moment seems to be dawning in the Middle East. Barack Obama’s carefully crafted speech in Cairo was widely applauded in the region, suggesting U.S. influence is on the rise. Lebanon’s elections brought a pro-Western alliance to power, not Hezbollah extremists. Iran is in turmoil over plausible claims that the regime in power stole recent elections from its moderate opposition. Given the shifting political landscape, how long can Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resist Obama’s pressure to bend on the Palestinian question? This comprehensive article considers Bibi’s dilemma.

Spiegel

'No, come on'

By Aaron Wherry - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 9:47 AM - 9 Comments

Federal budget, page 10, presented January 27. “Canada is in recession today. Measures to support the economy must begin within the next 120 days to be most effective.”

Tony Clement, asked yesterday by Tom Clark to explain how much money has been spent, 139 days later. “No, come on. The fact of the matter is this is a stimulus package for two years. So once you announce a particular project, I announced money for the University of Ottawa, for instance. Now they’ve hired the construction firm that’s going to deliver the new building and they’ve hired the construction workers and the money is in train for being spent. But nobody expects that all extra $12 billion of infrastructure is going to be spent between March and June. That’s impossible.”

If this is the project to which he refers, construction is slated to begin next month.

UPDATED: Aieee! Elections kill stimulus spending! (Or, as it turns out, not.)

By kadyomalley - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 7:47 AM - 38 Comments

So, remember how ITQ was wondering about the oft-repeated talking point that voting down the estimates would bring the stimulus cash rollout to a screaming halt? Canadian Press was on the job, y’all:

Ignatieff v. Harper: The Bout to Knock the Other Guy Out

By Scott Feschuk - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 6:02 AM - 35 Comments

I enjoyed yesterday – all that back-and-forth political brinksmanship. It was just like watching a tennis match but without the athleticism, the precision or the me falling asleep bored.

I believe it’s fair to say that Michael Ignatieff got at least some fairly decent reviews for his tactics and for his performance, which surprises me, because he’s completely set himself up for failure.

Stephane Dion may be gone from a leadership role, but his legacy of hysterical threats followed by ignoble climbdowns lives on, affecting our perception of his successor. This government is terrible, it is horrible, it is an abomination unto God himself – and we are totally going to do something about it, eventually, somewhere down the road, maybe spring-ish. But now we dance!

Having issued an ultimatum (#37 in the Liberal series – collect them all!), Ignatieff will look all weak and Diony if he declines to pull the trigger without “getting” something tangible in return. The problem is that he hasn’t really asked for anything.

You’re skeptical, but think about it. He’s asked Continue…

The nation addresses Iggy

By Aaron Wherry - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 12:37 AM - 2 Comments

Sort of. Roy MacGregor, on behalf of This Country, surveys the scene.

While it didn’t seem dramatic enough for those on the Hill who have come to believe they, not Torontonians, live at the centre of the Canadian universe, it needs to be said that most of the rest of the country lost absolute interest in such dramatics over this past ridiculous winter.