Act now, Canada, or lose your reproductive rights

In April, when New Brunswick's Morgentaler Clinic announced it would be forced to close, the barriers to accessing abortion in the Maritimes came to national attention. Now, with the New Brunswick election on September 23 and the federal election coming in 2015, reproductive justice activists across Canada are hoping to keep the momentum going for change.

This Saturday, September 20, will mark a National Day of Action for Reproductive Justice, with rallies set for cities across Canada in solidarity with activists in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, who are demanding equal access to a full range of reproductive health care, including abortion.

Chris Christie Defends NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is playing defense for embattled NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Christie said Thursday evening he strongly believes Goodell should stay in his job despite mounting criticism over his handling of a domestic violence incident involving former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice.

Christie hailed Goodell as an outstanding and honest man with great integrity. The two worked together during the lead-up to the Super Bowl.

He said Goodell had admitted he made a mistake in the way he handled the case but that he should be judged on the totality of his work.

Christie made the comments during an appearance on New Jersey 101.5 FM's "Ask the Governor" call-in show on Thursday evening.

Some female lawmakers in the state have called on Goodell to resign.

Original Article
Source: huffingtonpost.com/
Author: AP | By JILL COLVIN

Obama Is Wrong That ISIS Is 'Not Islamic'

"We are fighting an ideology, not a regime." - U.S. Secretary Of State John Kerry

"Now let's make two things clear: ISIL is not 'Islamic.' No religion condones the killing of innocents, and the vast majority of ISIL's victims have been Muslim. And ISIL is certainly not a state. It was formerly al-Qaeda's affiliate in Iraq, and has taken advantage of sectarian strife and Syria's civil war to gain territory on both sides of the Iraq-Syrian border. It is recognized by no government, nor the people it subjugates. ISIL is a terrorist organization, pure and simple. And it has no vision other than the slaughter of all who stand in its way." - U.S. President Barack Obama

Three Labour Lessons from the Teachers' Strike

According to BC Teachers' Federation president Jim Iker, credit for moving forward in the public school strike goes to the "courageous stand that teachers took for the future of public education." Thanks to teachers, our public school system is stronger. And thanks to the BCTF and other unions, we've learned some valuable lessons about the positive role that unions can play in defending the rights of all workers and to ensure that public programs that benefit everyone remain strong.

Strike Ends as Teachers Accept Contentious Contract

After 20 months of negotiations and six months of administrative action, strike votes, and eventually picket lines, B.C. teachers voted overwhelmingly in favour of accepting a negotiated contract.

"Our turnout was huge," BC Teachers' Federation president Jim Iker said last night, referring to the 31,741 teachers who turned out to vote, 86 per cent of whom voted yes to the deal. "This vote actually had more people voting than in our last four ratification votes."

India, China Vow Cooperation As Troops Face Off

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian and Chinese troops faced off at their countries' unmarked border in the Himalayas on Thursday as their leaders were promising to boost economic cooperation and substantially increase Chinese investment in India's infrastructure at a rare meeting.

The long-festering border dispute is a stark reminder of the complicated relationship between the Asian giants as they try to increase trade and investment.

Republican Campaign Ads Fear-Mongering Over ISIS Threat

The threat of terrorism is once again being featured on the campaign trail.

Republicans in particular are putting America's military conflict in the Middle East front and center in television ads less than two months before the midterm elections, calling into question their opponents' willingness to confront Islamic State extremists that beheaded two U.S. journalists earlier this summer.

Americans With Disabilities Are More Likely To Be Poor, Report Finds

Americans with disabilities are more likely to be poor than any other demographic group, and their average income in 2012 was about $6,000 less than people without disabilities, according to a report released Thursday.

The report, "Fulfilling the Promise: Overcoming Persistent Barriers to Economic Self-Sufficiency for People with Disabilities," was released by retiring Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), whose Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee was scheduled to hold a hearing on the topic.

Forget A Perfect SAT -- What Colleges Really Want Are International Students

When UCLA freshmen arrive on campus in two weeks, an estimated 1 in 10 will be from outside the United States.

UCLA is among the schools with the highest international student enrollment in the nation, and it has rapidly increased its percentage of foreign students in the last several years. This year's projected total is up from 2008, when just 2.3 percent of the freshman class was international, according to figures provided by the school.

With Eye on 2016, Christie Resists Climate Change Plan

WASHINGTON — As Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey explores a 2016 presidential campaign, he is under growing pressure from his State Legislature to rejoin a regional cap-and-trade program that would limit New Jersey’s carbon emissions — and likely hurt his chances for the Republican nomination.

Mr. Christie, who withdrew from the program in 2011 as he first considered running for president in 2012, remains adamant that New Jersey not participate in the nine-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, even though the majority of state legislators say it would be in New Jersey’s economic and legal interests. Business groups remain divided on the plan. “No, I would not think of rejoining it,” Mr. Christie told reporters during a recent trip to Mexico. “I think it’s a completely useless plan.”