Richmond Hill student, 16, discovers new hope for cystic fibrosis treatment

Richmond Hill student, 16, discovers new hope for cystic fibrosis treatment: Amanda Kwan, The toronto star

Marshall Zhang had dreamed of one day working in the field of science, but after discovering a new combination of drugs that could possibly be used to as a treatment for cystic fibrosis, the 16-year-old Richmond Hill student says he has gained a new perspective of the field. “Until recently, I’ve known the disease from a scientific point of view,” said Zhang, a Grade 11 student at Bayview Secondary School. “But knowing the facts is not the same as talking to people with diseases.” Cystic fibrosis is a debilitating and potentially fatal condition that causes thick mucus to build up in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The discovery lead him to first place at the 2011 Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge, a competition where student compete with the help of a mentor.

I feel this is an amazing discovery, especially due to the fact that it is so close to home. If this discovery was made by some guy in China who had been working on the project for months, but it's just a kid! I feel this is amazing and he has a great future ahead of him. Hopefully this discovery will help those with cystic fibrosis and maybe will lead others to better and bigger things for the condition.

http://www.healthzone.ca/health/newsfeatures/article/991725--richmond-hill-student-16-discovers-new-hope-for-cystic-fibrosis-treatment?bn=1

'His innocence will be established,' Strauss-Kahn's wife says

'His innocence will be established,' Strauss-Kahn's wife says: Coleen Long, The toronto star

62 year old IMF Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn was charged Sunday with attempting to rape a New York hotel maid, in a scandal that upends his plans to run for president of France and throws leadership of the global lender into turmoil at the height of the European debt crisis. A hotel maid, 32, alleged Strauss-Kahn sexually assaulted her in his $3,000-a-night suite at the luxury Sofitel near Times Square on Saturday, police spokesman Paul Browne said. The IMF chief was charged with a criminal sexual act, unlawful imprisonment and attempted rape. His lawyer Benjamin Brafman said he will plead not guilty. IMF spokesman William Murray said John Lipsky, the IMF's first deputy managing director, would lead the organization in an acting capacity in Strauss-Kahn's absence.

I am not going to say if I think he did or didn't do it, but how stupid do you have to be to try and rape a maid when you're trying to become the president of France? As well if someone is paying $3,000 a night, I'm sure he can afford an escort it he was really feeling lonely. As well, he pled guilty, maybe because he knows he's innocent, maybe because he knows how good a lawyer he has? What do you think?


http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/991622--his-innocence-will-be-established-strauss-kahn-s-wife-says

Slave Lake evacuated as wildfire rages in Alberta

Slave Lake evacuated as wildfire rages in Alberta: Rob Drinkwater, the toronto star

Sunday evening thousands of Slave Lake residents were fleeing there homes as strong winds spread an out of control wildfire into the town. As hundreds of buildings were destroyed the town advised all residents to leave, it was a general evacuation. Staff-Sergeant Mike Proctor of Slave Lake RCMP said later “probably 30 per cent of the structures” had been destroyed by the fire. Doris Stapleton of the RCMP stated there's been no lose of life or injuries they're aware of. All of the highways leading out were closed and two of the main roads were as well closed, but one road, the one leading to Athabasca was open and residents were advised to use it. When the fire hit the town it was nine square kilometers in size and planes couldn't fly over do to the thick smoke the fire was producing. Because of the difficulty to put it out, 200 firefighters from B.C. and Ontario are coming to help.

I think, Obviously, This is terrible and I feel terrible for the residents of Slave Lake, but more importantly i feel proud of the people helping out. Most fire out west, especially wildfires are put out by planes dropping water on them, but since no planes can fly over, it is especially difficult to put it out. As well the firefighters coming from other provinces to help out, I feel are very brave and dedicated.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/991866--slave-lake-evacuated-as-wildfire-rages-in-alberta?bn=1

History still in the making 10 years after 9/11: Michelle Shepard, the toronto star

Sam Cannizzaro, father of Brian Cannizzaro, isn’t doing very well generally since losing his 30-year-old son. Brian, who followed in his footsteps and became a firefighter. Brian was one of 343 men the NYPD Fire Department lost on Sept. 11, 2001. Sam Cannizzaro is one of the many Americans who's emotions have been running high since the US navy seals killed Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in a compound near Pakistan's capital. With the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks coming this September, this news will change the way it is celebrated. According to various polls, the president’s approval rating jumped as much as 10 per cent this week. Those firefighters lucky enough to be on duty Thursday spent nearly an hour having lunch with Obama and said he was very down to earth. But the death of the Al Qaeda’s leader and Obama’s visit did not bring Cannizzaro relief or change his mind about much. “I hate that word closure. What does it mean?” he asked. “I think about Brian every single minute of every day and always will."

I think that on the tenth anniversary that nothing will really be different because although bin Laden is dead, that isn't what everyone wanted and it doesn't fix the fact of how many people died that day, especially those that gave their life helping others. I feel Sam Cannizzaro has very good point that bin Laden's Killing does nothing for him, maybe it might ease others, but for him and others who lost someone close on September 11, 2001, it does nothing. I feel this won't change much in the afghan war as it was only a matter of time until something like this happened, what with the recent awareness of security. Do you think this will change anything to do with the current war?

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/987869--history-still-in-the-making-10-years-after-9-11

Ontario law means dentists who treat their spouses are guilty of sex abuse

Ontario law means dentists who treat their spouses are guilty of sex abuse: Theresa Boyle, the Toronto star

An Ontario law states that dentists who treat their spouse cannot have sex. This is the current law of the land in Ontario, one that many dentists are secretly flouting and call in "stupid." Dentist Larry Pedlar, who hast been treating him wife for 50 years at his Burlington office, learned if he were to continue this, he would loose his license for 5 years. He is 72 years old. Even though this law has tremendous consequences, many still continue to treat their spouses, but just keep it quiet. Ontario health minister, Deb Matthews says, "Whatever changes the province may make, protection of patients form sexual abuse by health professionals will continue to be the top priority."

I, like many others, think this law is ridiculous, and has no explanation of why it is a law. As well, the point that IF spouses are have sex, they cannot treat each other is just plain stupid. The only spouses who aren't having sex is severely old people, extremely religions people, or if a couple is separated, but not divorced. I think there is a simply way to fix this, without taking away the comfort of these sex abuse laws for other patients.

http://www.healthzone.ca/health/newsfeatures/article/977389--ontario-law-means-dentists-who-treat-their-spouses-are-guilty-of-sex-abuse?bn=1

Brampton man killed while trying to stop a robbery

Brampton man killed while trying to stop a robbery, Gloria Er-Chua, the Toronto star

Kearn Nedd was always known as a great guy and he was acting completely in character when he stepped in to try to stop a robbery. The 28-year-old Brampton resident was fatally shot in the chest Saturday afternoon as he tried to help someone who was being attacked, Peel police said. “He was trying to be a good citizen and do what’s right. He was always the type of guy that would help somebody in need. He wasn’t the type of guy that would just walk away,” Nenad Cvejic said. The banquet hall was hosting an event that involved gambling and two suspects allegedly tried to rob one of the winners, sources said. Nedd stepped in to stop the robbery, but was shot, sources added.

i think this is a great, yet terrible story. I feel terrible for Nedd and obviously he was a great guy who was loved by many. At the same time, a man stepped in to stop a robbery, and gave the ultimate sacrifice for someone he didn't even know. Doing what you feel is right and paying the consequences is a truly courageous and honourable act to do. What a noble and Good hearted man he must have been.

http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/article/976155--brampton-man-killed-while-trying-to-stop-a-robbery?bn=1

Justice served by Barry Bonds verdict

Justice served by Barry Bonds verdict: Cathal Kelly, toronto star

Perhaps the least celebrated of type of sports hero is “the guy who got away with it” — whether “it” is a garden-variety cheat or a federal racketeering charge. Barry Bonds was so close to being that guy. Instead, a deeply divided California jury could find agreement on one point Wednesday — that Bonds was criminally evasive in his testimony to a grand jury on the subject of whether he knowingly took steroids. He was found guilty of one count of obstructing justice, a felony count that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years. Based on previous convictions in the BALCO case, Bonds is unlikely to see the inside of a prison cell. Nobody watching baseball over the past 15 years can seriously doubt that Bonds was on something — either that, or suffering from late-stage elephantitis of the chest, neck and jaw.

I would like to start by saying if an athlete has been found guilty by using performance enhancers, I believe all of his personal records and achievement should be stripped of these things. I remember watching Bonds' all time record for number of Home runs, passing Hank Aaron. Now that we are certain Bonds was using performance enhancers during this stretch, it should be taken away. As well i feel terrible for Hank Aaron.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/974490--kelly-justice-served-by-barry-bonds-verdict?bn=1