Women-only food sites open in Haiti
The World Food Program’s aid workers in Haiti have begun handing out food coupons that only women are eligible to redeem. The move followed reports that young men were swarming aid trucks and pushing ahead of others. Furthermore, studies have shown that Haitian women tend to take care of household food supply. Three weeks after the tragic Jan. 12 earthquake, food aid is being distributed at 16 sites around Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
Human trafficking awareness event on campus
On Jan. 18, former RCMP officer Marty Van Doren delivered a lecture on the causes, realities, and impact of human trafficking in Canada to a group of Guelph students. Entitled “Not for Sale,” the presentation included a variety of perspectives and proposed solutions to this little-known social problem.
Canada files emissions target with UN
Canada gave its emissions reduction target to the United Nations on Saturday Jan. 30, only one day in advance of the deadline stipulated by December’s Copenhagen Accord. As promised, Environment Minister Jim Prentice followed the lead of the United States and set the target at a 17 per cent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions over 2005 levels to be achieved by 2020. The European Union made a much larger pledge, to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent compared to 1990 levels in just a decade.
Taylor Swift, Beyonce sweep music’s biggest awards night
The 52nd annual Grammy Awards were dominated by Beyoncé, who picked up a record-breaking six Grammys including Song of the Year for ‘Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).’ Taylor Swift accepted honours for both album and country album of the year for Fearless. Other highlights of the night included a rendition of ‘Glitter in the Air’ by P!nk, punctuated with stunning acrobatics, and a mash-up featuring Lady Gaga and Sir Elton John that culminated in a performance art extravaganza complete with blue body paint. Canadian acts included the country ensemble Lady Antebellum and the up-and-coming rapper Drake, who performed the finale alongside Eminem and Lil’Wayne.
Compiled by Genna Buck