Political outsider Stefanos Kasselakis wins race to lead Greece’s Syriza


Helena Smith in Athens
Sun, 24 September 2023 

Photograph: Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images

Stefanos Kasselakis, an outsider with no previous experience of politics in Greece, has emerged the victor of an electric race to lead the leftwing Syriza, the country’s main opposition party.

The Greek-American entrepreneur, who announced his candidacy for the post barely four weeks ago, attained 56.69% of the vote against 43.31% for Efi Achtsioglou, a former labour minister who had long been viewed as the favourite. Kasselakis’ win now makes him one of the most powerful people in Greece.

Amid jubilant scenes outside Syriza’s headquarters in Athens, the 35-year-old told supporters: “Today light won and hope collectively, hope for the future … I am not a phenomenon. I am the voice of a society and I’m not going to let you down. Tomorrow the hard work begins.”

A shipping executive in the US, Kasselakis stepped into the race when Aléxis Tsípras, the party’s president for the past 15 years, announced he would be stepping down after Syriza’s double defeat in general elections held in May and June. The prime minister from 2015 to 2019, Tsipras had kept a “neutral” stance, refusing to endorse either candidate after Kasselakis’ unexpected win in the first round last week.

As the results rolled in late Sunday, the businessman’s victory was described as both stunning and unprecedented.

Some 133,600 voters cast ballots at an estimated 537 polling stations nationwide with Syriza cadres describing the turnout as not only impressive but indicative of the desire to see a newly reinvigorated and strong opposition party facing a government intent on demolishing hard-won rights.

Kasselakis, who is not known to have had any links with Syriza before this year, moved to Athens only months ago, settling in the capital with his American husband Tyler McBeth. He called over to McBeth, a nurse by training, to join him as he addressed the crowd, referring to his partner as “my personal family”. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for welcoming him and embracing him,” he said smiling as supporters shouted “Stefanos change everything”.

The Greek-American has signalled that he will apply root-and-branch change to Syriza, a progressive alliance that includes Marxists, Euro-communists, ecologists and social democrats. He has stated that if the party ever wants to taste power again it should “just copy the US formula as soon as possible” by transforming into a “big tent” US-style Democratic party.

In an opinion piece published in July the entrepreneur, who moved to Massachusetts as a teenager, called his decision to engage in Greek politics “a brief interlude between two chapters in my business career”.

Among the array of policy priorities proposed by the businessman were “drastic” tax relief for private and public sector employees, the separation of church and state, judicial reforms, citizenship for migrant children born and brought up in Greece and legalising same-sex marriage. But his failure to produce a detailed programme has been criticised as indicative of an approach both opaque and overarching.

“This is the end of leftwing Syriza as we know it,” Stelios Kouloglou, a Syriza MEP told the Guardian. “That party died tonight. Kasselakis will make huge changes and in the future case studies will be conducted because what he has pulled off is so stunning. He appeared almost from nowhere and now is in charge. It’s crazy, a scenario that no one would have believed a few months ago.”

Traditional leftists in the party, he said, were in “complete shock”.

Confirming that changes were inevitable, Evangelos Antonaros a former MP with the ruling centre-right New Democracy party, who ran with Syriza at Tsípras’ request in May, said: “We support Kasselakis because he wants to move the party towards the centre, the ground that Syriza lost in the last election. It will be re-established with open minds and open doors.”

The new Syriza leader has repeatedly said that he is better placed to defeat prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, citing what he has described as his “better English and finance and business” knowledge.

ALBERTA
Siksika Nation female relay racer takes center stage at CIFF


CBC
Sun, September 24, 2023 

Shot mostly on location on Siksika Nation, 'Before the Sun' also follows Red Crow to relay races in Enoch Cree Nation, near Edmonton, and in Casper, Wyo., in the U.S.

 (Submitted by CIFF - image credit)

Of the hundreds of films being screened at the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) this year, one star's talent especially close to home.

Aitamaako'Tamisskapi Natosi: Before The Sun, follows a 23-year-old young woman from Siksika Nation named Logan Red Crow, as she prepares to participate in one of the most dangerous horse races in the world at the Calgary Stampede.

That sport is relay racing, a competition born out of Indigenous horse traditions across the prairies where riders riding bareback complete several laps of a track switching horses each time, often flying through the air to do so.

Red Crow is one of a small number of female riders in the sport dominated by men. Before The Sun showcases not only her skill at her craft, but also her connection to her father, her family and the ancestral lands she grew up on.

Banchi Hanuse, who directed the film, said that once she heard Red Crow's story, she knew she had to share it.

"Who she was and what she cared about stood out to me as just this amazing, fierce person … I wanted to know her," said Hanuse.

"I'm not Siksika, I'm Mowachaht from the west coast. I'm used to being around fish, not horses but I felt so strongly about this story, and I hope we did it justice."

Shot mostly on location on Siksika Nation, the film also follows Red Crow to relay races in Enoch Cree Nation, near Edmonton, and in Casper, Wyo., in the U.S.

Hanuse said she's excited to be part of the larger representation of Indigenous films and directors at CIFF — Before the Sun joins several other indigenous-led films at the festival this year.

Brian Owens, CIFF's artistic director, said that inclusion is something the festival continues to prioritize.

"This year we have a great selection of indigenous films, a lot of them actually directly tied to Alberta."

Lucille Wright, Red Crow's aunt, attended CIFF's premiere of Before the Sun on Sept. 23 at Eau Claire Market in downtown Calgary. She said seeing her niece up on the screen is an inspiration.

"For me it's a living legacy, because she comes from a strong family, [the] Three Sons Clan and she represents all of the women in Siksika," said Wright.

"She's breaking that barrier, especially as a lady warrior, and she was raised on a ranch, and that's her lifestyle."

As for Red Crow, she didn't make it to the red carpet — she was busy competing in a relay race in Lethbridge.

The second screening of Aitamaako'Tamisskapi Natosi: Before The Sun will take place on Sept. 30.

Simone Biles speaks out on ‘racism’ in viral Gymnastics Ireland video: ‘Broke my heart’

By Dylan Svoboda
Published Sep. 24, 2023

Simone Biles spoke out Friday in response to a viral video that featured a black female gymnast being passed over for a medal at an Irish gymnastics event, tweeting, “There is no room for racism in any sport or at all !!!!”

Over the weekend, a clip from a March 2022 medal ceremony at a Gymstart event in Dublin circulated on social media, which featured a group of young gymnasts waiting in line for their awards, with the athlete in question skipped.

The incident set off a frenzy on social media, with Biles, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, weighing in.

“I would love to see @Simone_Biles reach out to this girl if she’s able,” an X user tweeted.

Biles then replied: “When this video was circulating, her parents reached out. It broke my heart to see, so I sent her a little video


“There is no room for racism in any sport or at all !!!!”

Fellow U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles also addressed the incident, which she deemed “hurtful on so many levels.”

A viral video posted on Twitter shows an incident at a GymSTART event in March 2022 when a young female gymnast was not given a medal alongside other girls competing at a Gymnastics Ireland.Twitter

“Gymternet pls help me find this little girl… This is beyond hurtful on so many levels, I need you guys to find her pls… asap,” the Olympian posted Friday on her X account.

Gymnastics Ireland released a statement Friday on the matter.

“Gymnastics Ireland immediately contacted the family to express its regrets and to assure them that the incident would be investigated,” the organization said in a statement.

“… The official in question accepted fully that what had happened had not been acceptable but stressed that it had not been intentional. The official concerned said that upon realizing the mistake they immediately rectified it and ensured that the competitor concerned was presented with her medal before she left the Field of Play (FoP).

Jordan Chiles (right) also addressed the incident on social media.AP

Simone Biles.JOHN G MABANGLO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The statement added how the official “expressed deep regret for what they described as an honest error.”

“A written apology provided by the identified individual has since been issued to the competitor and her family,” the statement read.

The Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF) and Gymnastics Ireland have also been in contact, according to the Daily Mail, with Gymnastics Ireland stating: “We remained engaged with the GEF through the autumn and winter months during which time our internal process was suspended. In February, we agreed to resume internally and proceed to the next stage of our process.”

Gymnastics Ireland fails

REFUSES  to apologise despite row over medal snub for black girl

Emma Graham-Harrison in Dublin
Sun, 24 September 2023 


Gymnastics Ireland suppressed a personal apology letter to a young gymnast whose treatment at a medal ceremony sparked international outrage, and have refused to acknowledge or tackle systemic racism in the sport, her family say.

Video of the event in March 2022 shows a judge handing out participation medals to a line of young gymnasts, but ignoring the only black girl. A photographer, coach and other officials look on without intervening, with an audience of hundreds in the stands.

Despite the official setting, Gymnastics Ireland officials declined to attend mediation, effectively casting the incident from March 2022 as a purely personal dispute between the family and one woman, the gymnast’s family said.


GI, the sport’s national governing body, did not make any commitment in public statements to investigate the incident, implement anti-racism policies, or improve protection for athletes of colour. For 18 months, it did not apologise to the family.

“Its unbelievable that you treat a little girl this way,” her mother told the Guardian. “It’s a systemic problem, because when you [GI] don’t speak out, the message is that you are happy for it to go on.”

Her mother is not being named to protect the privacy of the girl, who is a minor, and because of concerns the family could become targets of racist abuse. The official in question has denied any racist behaviour, and had wanted to apologise to the family for the snub. The girl did eventually receive a medal.

Soon after the incident, Simone Biles, the American gymnast considered by many to be the greatest of all time, contacted the family and sent the girl a private video message of support. This month the footage went viral again and Biles went public with a message of support for the girl and condemnation of her treatment.

It “broke my heart to see … There is no room for racism in any sport or at all,” she said on X, formerly Twitter. Her teammate Jordan Chiles, an Olympic silver medalist, also condemned the video. “This is beyond hurtful on so many levels.”

As international outrage mounted, GI put out a statement saying it had “expressed concern” to the family, and “issued” a written apology from the judge. That was widely misreported as an institutional apology from GI. “I don’t understand why media kept saying they offered an apology,” the gymnast’s mother said.

GI said on Sunday they had initially handled the incident as a “member-to-member complaint”, and “only recently became aware that the family wanted a public apology” from GI. The board sent a letter of apology to the family on Sunday, and would make it public on Monday, they added.

In response, the girl’s mother said the letter came too late and did not address core concerns, saying: “After this horrendous incident, who wouldn’t think they should apologise? They have just sent me a letter this evening. It took well over a year, and after millions of people internationally have been disgusted by the incident.

“It is useless to me, because they are not addressing the issues of racism and safety. I would love to hear them say things like ‘the next black child who comes into gymnastics will be safe’. There is nothing like that.”


During mediation, the girl’s mother discovered that the judge had written a long personal apology within days of the competition, and sent it to the GI official who was liaising with the family. It was never passed on.

Instead they were given a two-line unsigned apology, addressed “to whom it may concern” a year after the incident. The mother did not consider it an appropriate response to her daughter’s treatment, and had chosen not to share it with her. “They need to explain why that [original apology] was withheld,” the mother said.

She has contacted the police because she is concerned the publicity, particularly after the statement from GI on Friday, could make the family a target.

The institution appears focused on protecting their reputation, now the video has been seen by millions of people around the world, rather than young athletes like her daughter, she added. “We were not consulted before the statement went out. I’m even more scared … They are simply trying to vindicate themselves.”

The statement from GI said: “The official in question accepted fully that what had happened had not been acceptable but stressed that it had not been intentional.

“The official concerned said that upon realising the mistake they immediately rectified it and ensured that the competitor concerned was presented with her medal before she left the field of play.

“The official also expressed deep regret for what they described as an honest error and requested the opportunity to apologise in person to the competitor and her family,” it added. “This request was initially declined.

“A written apology provided by the identified individual has since been issued to the competitor and her family.”

Ken McCue, a long-term campaigner against racism in sport who has helped the family, said the failures of the GI to protect the girl and tackle racism in the sport were compounded by wider indifference from Ireland’s sporting and political authorities.

“We got no domestic support from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, the Irish Olympic Federation or Sport Ireland,” said McCue, who is co-founder of Sport Against Racism Ireland.

“We only got international support from San Jose Gymnastics team, Simone [Biles] and Harry Edwards.”

It even took international pressure for mediation to begin, the family said. The judge initially declined to attend, and GI said they could not force her to take part. After the family contacted the Switzerland-based Gymnastics Ethics Federation, mediation was agreed.

However it became clear in the process that GI did not plan to participate as an institution, and were instead treating the incident as a personal failure by one individual, the girl’s mother said.

“All of a sudden, after a couple more emails, Gymnastics Ireland wasn’t on the email address list.” She raised the issue, but got no response, and at mediation found it was only the judge, her father and mediators. “When it was clear no one from GI coming, I considered walking out.”

GI said they “went to great lengths over the extended period to encourage participation in the mediation by both parties” and only recently “became aware that the family had expected an official representative from GI to be present at the mediation”.

The girl’s mother ultimately decided to stay, and discovered that soon after the incident the judge had written a long personal apology and sent it to the Gymnastics Ireland official who was liaising with the family. It was never passed on.

She became aware of the first letter, written in March 2022 soon after the incident, when the woman asked if the family had received it. “I didn’t believe her initially. But her email account showed the woman had sent a more detailed apology letter, and Gymnastics Ireland had withheld it from me.”

'You get what you believe:' Jully Black champions Black talent at the Legacy Awards

The Canadian Press
Sun, September 24, 2023 



TORONTO — R&B singer Jully Black spoke through tears as she saluted those who supported her with an impassioned speech at the Legacy Awards on Sunday, where an ebullient crowd celebrated Black heroes including Tonya Williams, Director X and the late Oscar Peterson.

The platinum-selling Juno Award-winning Black received the Icon Award for her global influence.

“In the words of Alicia Keys, you don’t get what you ask for, but you get what you believe.... There was a time I believed I was washed up, done and irrelevant,” Black said to a captivated crowd at Toronto’s History venue where the second annual bash was held.

“But in the words of Faith Jenkins, I’d start over as often as necessary because I’m not starting from scratch, I’m starting from experience.”

Black was among several stars honoured at the annual Legacy Awards with singer Keshia Chanté hosting the celebration, broadcast on CBC and CBC Gem.

Actors and brothers Shamier Anderson and Stephan James founded the event to spotlight exceptional Black Canadians.

Soap star-turned-activist Williams, who gained fame on “The Young and the Restless” and went on to found the Reelworld Screen Institute and the Reelworld Foundation, was this year's winner of the Visionary Award for her philanthropic work.

In her speech, Williams underscored the crucial role Black storytellers play in shaping narratives that authentically reflect the Black experience. She stressed why it matters who tells them.

"I have heard primarily white male producers, writers and directors who appropriate our stories say it shouldn't matter who tells the story," Williams said to an audience of rapt onlookers.

"Stories about the trauma of Black people, Indigenous, Asian, South Asian people of colour are the stories that win awards, and whoever tells those stories are more likely to win those awards.... You know what happens to those who win those awards? Doors open for them."

Williams founded Reelworld in 2000 to draw attention to underrepresentation of racially diverse and Indigenous talent in mainstream media, both in front of and behind the camera.

Meanwhile, Julien Christian Lutz, professionally known as Director X, received the Trailblazer Award for his influential contributions to music videos and visual esthetics.

Lutz built a deep catalogue of music video credits, including Drake's "Hotline Bling," Rihanna's "Work" and Usher's "U Got It Bad," that dovetailed into feature films and television, including the upcoming Global drama, "Robyn Hood."

Lutz took the opportunity to underscore Canadianachievements, urging the enthusiastic audience not to take it all for granted.

"It wasn't long ago we were fighting for our rights as human beings, so stand up, Black Canada, hold your head high," he said.

Congolese-Canadian singer Lu Kala was honoured with the Emerging Artist Award and Hamilton-native WNBA star Kia Nurse was presented with the Legacy Athlete Award.

Kala, whose music leans into genres of dance, R&B, rock and soul, spent 15 weeks in the top 15 of Top 40 radio in Canada with her single “Pretty Girl Era.”

"As a Black woman in pop music, I’ve often been the only one in the room, so being surrounded by my community tonight means so much to me,” Kala said with a wine glass raised in one hand and her award in the other. “I hope to inspire Black kids to break down the barriers and build their own legacy.”

Nurse accepted her award from her sister Tamika, making sure to express her gratitude to her family.

“At the heart of my village lies the people who deserve the most," said Nurse, who thanked her husband and sister who stood next to her on stage.

"Thank you for sticking with me Tamika, without you, there is no me. I picked up a basketball when I was four years old because (she) was Michael Jordan, this is who I wanted to be,” she said, gesturing towards Tamika.

Nurse represented Canada in the Olympic Games, clinched gold medals in the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in 2017 and 2015, and was a WNBA all-star starter in 2019. Off the court, Nurse provides basketball analysis on TSN and founded the basketball academy Kia Nurse Elite to offer opportunities to young women.

Quebec comedian and TikTok creator Tiawon the Digital Creator Fan Choice award.

The awards broadcast featured rousing live performances honouring late pianist and composer Peterson and closed with young rappers Taaylee G, Tamir, YSN Fab and Zach Zoy delivering their take on the 1998 rap anthem "Northern Touch," originally performed by Rascalz, Checkmate, Kardinal Offishall, Thrust and Choclair.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2023.

Noel Ransome, The Canadian Press

Ford workers in Canada ratify agreement, set precedent for other automakers

The Canadian Press
Sun, September 24, 2023 



TORONTO — The union that represents 5,600 workers at Ford Motor Co. of Canada confirmed Sunday its members had ratified a three-year contract with the automaker, setting the pattern for upcoming talks with General Motors and Stellantis.

Unifor and Ford reached a tentative agreement Tuesday after extending a strike deadline by 24 hours. At the time, the union said the three-year deal addressed all issues raised by members for this round of bargaining.

On Sunday, the union said the wage increases amounted to the highest ever negotiated in bargaining with an automaker in Canada. In all, 54 per cent of union members who voted endorsed the proposed collective agreement, which includes a general wage increase of 15 per cent over three years.

Lana Payne, national president of Unifor, issued a statement saying the deal will mean tremendous gains for autoworkers.

"Your bargaining team pushed Ford of Canada on every front to deliver a contract that fundamentally transforms pension plans, provides protections during the (electric vehicle) transition and includes the highest wage increases in the history of Canadian auto bargaining," Payne said.

"We know this is a challenging time for all workers and this agreement tackles the affordability issues so many face today."

The contract calls for a wage increase of 10 per cent in the first year, two per cent in the second year and three per cent in the final year.

Meanwhile, the base rate for hourly wages will increase by 25 per cent for those with a skilled trade, the union said. The deal also includes a reactivated cost-of-living allowance, a $10,000 bonus, two new paid holidays and pension improvements.

That means a Ford worker with one year seniority will see their wages increase from $25.75 to $46.13 by the end of the three-year deal, which includes the cost-of-living allowance, the union said.

Jim Stanford, a labour economist and director of the Centre for Future Work, said the wage increases are the most generous gains in the history of the Canadian union.

"To have a 10 per cent increase in the base is unprecedented, and there are other wage provisions that have to be considered," he said in an interview Sunday, adding that another provision will ensure new hires start at more than $30 an hour.

There are also provisions for more investment in the Ford engine plant in Essex, Ont., and "special (electric vehicle) transition measures" for Unifor members who could lose their jobs as changes are made to the assembly plant in Oakville, Ont.

On the pension front, Stanford highlighted Ford's decision to transfer Unifor members currently enrolled in the defined-contribution plan into a more stable defined-benefit plan.

"We could see that precedent picked up by other industries," he said, adding that most private-sector companies have spent the past 30 years trying to get out of defined-benefit plans. Stanford said higher interest rates have made these plans more affordable.

"This could be the beginning of a trend. where more private-sector employers start to look at DB plans again."

Stanford said the union's success reflects the fact that the big automakers remain highly profitable at a time when automation and the high productivity of their workers has helped reduce labour costs to only five per cent of total operating costs.

With the Ford deal ratified, Unifor can now try to replicate that agreement at the other big automakers, General Motors and Stellantis, which includes Chrysler and Dodge among its brands. The union has yet to announce which automaker it will select for bargaining.

In the U.S., workers at General Motors and Stellantis plants have been participating in limited strikes, and on Friday expanded the work action to 38 locations in 20 states.

The new Ford contract in Canada will help the United Auto Workers union in the U.S., Stanford said.

"These are two separate countries and two separate unions with separate histories," he said. "Now that Ford has an agreement with Unifor (in Canada) ... I think that will help the UAW reach a very good settlement south of the boarder as well."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2023.

— By Michael MacDonald in Halifax.

The Canadian Press

CANADA

Jewish group demands apology after MPs honoured man who fought for Nazis

KYK/UCC UKRAINIAN NATIONALISTS 

SUPPORT UKR NAZI'S

The Canadian Press
Sun, September 24, 2023 


OTTAWA — Several Jewish advocacy organizations condemned members of Parliament on Sunday for giving a standing ovation to a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.

During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Ottawa on Friday, MPs in the House of Commons honoured 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, who fought for the First Ukrainian Division.

Hunka was invited by Speaker Anthony Rota, who introduced him.

"I am very proud to say that he is from North Bay and from my riding of Nipissing—Timiskaming," the Ontario MP said.

"He is a Ukrainian hero, a Canadian hero, and we thank him for all his service."

MPs cheered and Zelenskyy raised his fist in acknowledgement as Hunka saluted from the gallery during two separate standing ovations.

The First Ukrainian Division was also known as the Waffen-SS Galicia Division or the SS 14th Waffen Division, a voluntary unit that was under the command of the Nazis.

The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies issued a statement Sunday saying the division "was responsible for the mass murder of innocent civilians with a level of brutality and malice that is unimaginable."

"An apology is owed to every Holocaust survivor and veteran of the Second World War who fought the Nazis, and an explanation must be provided as to how this individual entered the hallowed halls of Canadian Parliament and received recognition from the Speaker of the House and a standing ovation," the statement said.

Rota released a statement late Sunday afternoon saying he recognized an individual in the gallery on Friday, and that he has "subsequently become aware of more information which causes me to regret my decision to do so."

"I wish to make clear that no one, including fellow parliamentarians and the Ukraine delegation, was aware of my intention or of my remarks before I delivered them," he wrote.

"I particularly want to extend my deepest apologies to Jewish communities in Canada and around the world."

The statement does not make clear what Rota is apologizing for, and it does not name Hunka or give any details about what information Rota learned about him since Friday.

B'nai Brith Canada CEO Michael Mostyn said it is beyond outrageous that Parliament honoured a former member of a Nazi unit, saying Ukrainian "ultra-nationalist ideologues" who volunteered for the Galicia Division "dreamed of an ethnically homogenous Ukrainian state and endorsed the idea of ethnic cleansing."

"We understand an apology is forthcoming. We expect a meaningful apology. Parliament owes an apology to all Canadians for this outrage, and a detailed explanation as to how this could possibly have taken place at the centre of Canadian democracy," Mostyn said.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, which represents Jewish federations across the country, said it is deeply troubled by the incident.

"Canada's Jewish community stands firmly with Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression. But we can't stay silent when crimes committed by Ukrainians during the Holocaust are whitewashed," the group said in a statement published Sunday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Members of Parliament from all parties rose to applaud Hunka. A spokesperson for the federal Conservatives said the party was not aware of his history at the time.

In a second written statement released late Sunday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre laid the blame at the feet of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"No parliamentarians (other than Justin Trudeau) had the opportunity to vet this individual’s past before he was introduced and honoured on the floor of the House of Commons. Without warning or context, it was impossible for any parliamentarian in the room (other than Mr. Trudeau) to know of this dark past," Poilievre said.

The leader of the Bloc Québécois, Yves-François Blanchet, however, refrained from blaming anyone for the incident on Sunday, and called it a "collective error."

"Let us think first of the people of the Jewish community and of all the communities who were victims of Germany in the Second World War. These are the people we need to think about. For the rest, it’s a mistake," he said.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office repeated Rota's assertion that he alone invited Hunka.

"Parliament and the Speaker’s office is independent from the prime minister and the Prime Minister’s Office," Mohammad Hussain said in a written statement Sunday.

"The Speaker had his own allotment of guest seating at Friday’s address, which were determined by the Speaker and his office alone."

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said in a statement Sunday evening he also shares concens about "the individual honoured with a standing ovation," adding, without naming Hunka, that he was not a guest of the party and the NDPs were not aware of his "association with the Nazi regime."

"This event has caused harm to the Jewish community and for that, I am sorry," Singh said.

"We must all stand together against the rising tide of antisemitism."

Monuments to honour the First Ukrainian Division have caused controversy in recent years.

In 2021, a statue of Ukrainian military leader Roman Shukhevych and a monument to the fighters of the Waffen-SS Galicia Division in Edmonton were vandalized by someone who spray painted them with the words "Actual Nazi."

The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center said at the time that it had been advocating for their removal for decades.

In 2020, a monument to the Waffen-SS Galicia Division in Oakville, Ont., was vandalized in a similar way.

The decision to admit Ukrainian immigrants who had served in the SS Waffen Division in the post-war period was contentious, with Jewish groups arguing they should be barred from the country.

The International Military Tribunal in Nuremburg declared the SS to be a criminal organization, including the SS Waffen in that declaration.

The Waffen-SS Galicia Division surrendered to the British army in 1945, and just over 8,000 men were moved to the United Kingdom in 1947.

In 1950, the federal cabinet decided to allow Ukrainians living in the U.K. to come to Canada "notwithstanding their service in the German army provided they are otherwise admissible. These Ukrainians should be subject to special security screening, but should not be rejected on the grounds of their service in the German army."

In 1985, then-prime minister Brian Mulroney called for a royal commission to examine whether Canada had become a haven for war criminals.

The Deschênes Commission found there were about 600 former members of the Waffen-SS Galicia Division living in Canada at the time. But Justice Jules Deschênes said membership in the division did not itself constitute a war crime.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2023.

Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press

LA REVUE GAUCHE - Left Comment: Search results for HOLODOMOR 

On Canada Project 

Opinion:    

'What is Canada doing to protect LGBTQ+ people living in Canada?'

Last month, Canada issued a safety warning for Queer folks traveling to U.S., but stuff is scary for Trans & Queer folk in Canada too

On Canada Project
Wed, September 20, 2023 


It’s scary for Queer & Trans folks in Canada right now too

On Canada Project is a social advocacy group made up of neighbourhood nerds who are here to dismantle the status quo and champion change in our lives.

—

Last month, the Canadian federal government issued a safety warning for Queer folks traveling to certain parts of the USA.

Look we get why the Feds would issue an advisory- just look at this map of America.

Look we get why the Feds would issue an advisory- just look at this map of America.

Reminder, The Liberals hold a minority government in Canada. In our opinion, Liberals allyship with the Queer and Trans community isn’t as progressive as what this moment requires, but it is still more than what we could expect from Conservatives and Right-Wing politicians in Canada.

But here’s the thing - things are scary for Queer & Trans folks in Canada right now too.

It’s scary for Queer & Trans folks in Canada right now too

The Saskatchewan government prioritized "parental rights" over the human rights of students in new legislation this year.

It's scary for Queer & Trans folks in Canada right now too

This new parental inclusion policy effectively requires schools to out kids under 16 to their parents before changing the students' pronouns at school.

It’s scary for Queer & Trans folks in Canada right now too

Let’s get on the same page - “Parental Rights” is a dog whistle for anti-human rights.On Canada Project

"Dog whistles" in politics refer to coded language. Politicians use dog whistles to communicate messages that appeal to particular constituents without alienating others. By using coded language, they can signal positions on controversial topics without making overt statements that might draw public scrutiny or backlash.

Some of the reasons why politicians use dog whistle politics include plausible deniability, testing the waters, divide and conquer techniques, and mobilizing their base.

The complexity lies in the term's ability to be all things to all people, thereby enabling the politician to broaden their appeal while also activating a base that may have more exclusionary beliefs.

It's scary for Queer & Trans folks in Canada right now too

So it’s great that we’re issuing a travel advisory to protect Canadians traveling to the USA, but what is Canada doing to protect people living in Canada?

Canada has a next-level PR game, and our leaders use it to deflect criticism on the world stage all the time - just think about our country’s ‘multicultural, diverse’ branding vs the actual lived experiences of migrants and BIPOC in Canada.

And using “parental rights” to soften the blow of policies and beliefs that are decidedly anti-queer and anti-trans is no different than how U.S. states are saying the quiet part out loud with ‘Dont Say Gay’ bills and barring gender-affirming healthcare.

It's scary for Queer & Trans folks in Canada right now too

The far-right in Canada is using the language of “parental rights” intentionally, to covertly cover up their crimes against basic human rights.

It's scary for Queer & Trans folks in Canada right now too

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Italy criticises Germany for funding migrant charity groups

Reuters
Updated Sun, September 24, 2023 


ROME (Reuters) - A German plan to finance charities helping migrants in the Mediterranean causes difficulties for Italy, defence minister Guido Crosetto said on Sunday, as Rome tries to enforce tougher measures to stem the flow of sea arrivals.

Following reports in Italian media, a spokesperson for the German foreign ministry said on Friday that Berlin was implementing a parliamentary financial support programme for both civilian sea rescue and projects on land.

"We have received several applications for funding. The review of the applications has already been completed in two cases," the spokesperson told Reuters, saying the funding amounted to between 400,000 and 800,000 euros ($426,000-$852,160) for each project.

Italy's Crosetto told daily La Stampa that Rome regarded the German move as "very serious", adding his government was instead committed to fighting the human smugglers he said should be treated as "international criminals."

"Berlin pretends not to realise that, in doing so, it causes difficulties to a country that in theory should be a friend," said Crosetto, a senior member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party.

Germany's foreign ministry said rescuing people at sea is a "legal, humanitarian and moral duty".

Latest interior ministry data shows over 132,000 migrants have reached Italy by boat so far this year against around 69,000 in the same period of 2022.

On Saturday, charity SOS Humanity said in a statement it would receive around 790,000 euros from the German government.

Italy, which takes a hard-line against illegal immigration, said this week it would increase the number of detention centres to hold migrants ahead of their possible repatriation and lengthen the time they could be detained.

The government also ruled they will have to pay to avoid detention while their request for protection is being processed, drawing strong criticism from human rights groups.

($1 = 0.9388 euros)

(Reporting by Angelo Amante in Rome and Friederike Heine in Berlin; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarsie)

UK

Oxford asylum seeker charity boss reacts after Home Secretary's latest comments

Oxford Mail reporter
Sun, 24 September 2023

Mark Goldring of Asylum Welcome (left) and Home Secretary Suella Braverman Pictures: PA Media (Image: PA Media)

The head of an Oxford-based charity set up to welcome refugees to the country said there was ‘nothing new’ as the Home Secretary suggested a shake-up of international rules to address the migrant crisis.

Suella Braverman questioned whether legal frameworks created more than 50 years ago were still ‘fit for purpose in an age of jet travel and smartphones’.

She has previously said she personally wants the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights, signed in 1950, claiming it had hampered the government’s efforts to introduce tougher policies – including sending some asylum seekers to Rwanda.

“Illegal migration and the unprecedented mass movement of people across the globe is placing unsustainable pressures on America, the UK, and Europe,” Ms Braverman said.

The Home Secretary was speaking ahead of a speech in Washington later this week setting out her assessment of the challenges of global migration.

READ MORE: Real life dating app swindler met victim in Oxford

Mark Goldring, director of Oxford-based Asylum Welcome, told the Oxford Mail that there was ‘nothing new’ in Ms Braverman's latest comments.

“It’s a continuation of the hostile environment where, really, the only policy is if we sound nasty we’ll put people off coming and our problems will be resolved,” he said.

Asked what impact Ms Braverman’s words and the headlines had on asylum seekers supported by the charity, Mr Goldring said: “People are very confused because it’s hard to work out what’s rhetoric and what is reality.”

One asylum seeker currently housed in a hotel at the Kassam Stadium complex had been due to speak at Asylum Welcome’s annual general meeting earlier this week, he said.

But shortly before the event, the man received a notification he would be transferred to Dorset-moored mega barge Bibby Stockholm when people could be moved onto the floating accommodation.

Mr Goldring said of the devastated man: “He was in no fit state to talk to anybody and had to withdraw from the event. The emotional pressure is significant.”

On Sunday, chairman of campaign group Migration Watch UK, Alp Mehmet said Ms Braverman was right to ‘call out the conventions’ and suggested the UK should withdraw from the ECHR and the United Nations Refugee Convention if reforms were not made.

“We have long been saying that both the Refugee Convention and ECHR are outdated and ill-suited to modern challenges,” Mr Mehmet said.

However, Refugee Council chief Enver Solomon said: “What we need is a fair process for people who come here in search of safety and protection.”

The government should be addressing the ‘real issues’ in the asylum system, such as the backlog in processing asylum claims.

Hollywood writers reach 'tentative' deal to end strike over AI and compensation

Sky News
Updated Sun, 24 September 2023 


A "tentative" deal has been reached to end a long-running strike by writers in Hollywood.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced the deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the group which represents studios, streaming services and producers in negotiations.

A statement from the WGA said: "We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA, which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language.


"We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional - with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership."

The three-year contract agreement - settled on after five days of renewed talks by negotiators from the WGA and the AMPTP - must be approved by the guild's board and members before the strike officially ends.

Read more on Hollywood strikes: How much of a threat is AI?

The terms of the deal were not immediately announced.

The statement added: "To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorised to by the Guild.

"We are still on strike until then. But we are, as of today, suspending WGA picketing. Instead, if you are able, we encourage you to join the SAG-AFTRA picket lines this week."

The agreement comes just five days before the strike would have become the longest in the guild's history, and the longest Hollywood strike in decades.

About 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America walked off the job on 2 May over issues of pay, the size of writing staffs on shows and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creation of scripts.

In July, the SAG-AFTRA actors' union started its own walkout which is yet to be resolved.

It said in a statement: "SAG-AFTRA congratulates the WGA on reaching a tentative agreement with the AMPTP after 146 days of incredible strength, resiliency and solidarity on the picket lines.

"While we look forward to reviewing the WGA and AMPTP's tentative agreement, we remain committed to achieving the necessary terms for our members.

"We remain on strike in our TV/Theatrical contract and continue to urge the studio and streamer CEOs and the AMPTP to return to the table and make the fair deal that our members deserve and demand."