OVER THE EDGE NEWSPAPER. SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 En Somme news from around the world in an easy-to-use package LOCAL: Prince George business B&B Music burned down on September 3. The shop, which has been open since 1949, will be reopened as soon as possible, Ar- son is suspected in the blaze. Visits to Barkerville have been down about 10% during the summer, CEO Judy Campbell has announced, The his- toric town, near Quesnel, will have most of its attractions open until September 30, during which time it is hoped that a number of promotions will make up for the decrease. NATIONAL: Tofino businessman Chris Le Fevre has paid $50,000 to truck water into his city, which has been hit by record dry season this summer. Health Canada has postponed mak- ing a decision about Vancouver's safe injection site, In a release on the govern- ment agency's website, Health Minister Tony Clement said a final decision will be made by Dec. 31 of 2007, after fur- ther studies are completed. In the mean- time, the site will remain open. The Dalai Llama was in Vancouver last week, advocating human rights such as free education. Carol Gwilt’s sentencing has been postponed while the Crown examines new evidence. Gwilt, who previously owned a marijuana cafe in Vancouver, was found guilty of possession of mari- juana for the purpose of trafficking. The Toronto Ditrict School Board has introduced a new census which asks high school students to declare their sexual orientation-- choices include straight, gay, lesbian, transgendered, bi- sexual, queer, and two-spirited. “The call for more troops for the mission in the south shows that it’s not succeed- ing,” - NDP Leader Jack Lay- ton, in response toa NATO request for more troops in Afghanistan. Liberal leader hopeful Michael Ignati- eff has revealed his stance on Afghan- istan, saying that Canadians have made a “moral promise” which they cannot back out of. He dismissed a proposal from NDP leader Jack Layton that Canada pull out and focus on peaceful negotiations. Prime Minister Stephen Harper ap- peared before a special Senate commit- tee last Thursday to make the case for Senate reform. The Bloc Quebecois has decided to support the Conservative government's NEWS 3 softwood lumber deal with the US, re- moving the last potential source of ma- jor resistance, The NDP in Quebec have proposed that Canada become a republic and re- move the Queen as the constitutional head of state. WORLD: Cuban President Fidel Castro made his first public appearance on Cuban television in the almost three weeks that have passed since he temporarily hand- ed over power to his brother Raoul. The occasion was a visit from Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, who has re- cently made stops in Russia and China; among other countries. FORBES Fidel Castro Japanese scientists have created a ro- bot capable of “tasting,” identifying vari- ous wines, cheeses, and hors doeuvres. CNN anchor Kyra Phillips made the news when, during a televised speech by US President George W. Bush, she left her microphone on during a trip to the washroom. English Prime Minister Tony Blair has announced that he plans to retire within the next year. Blair has served as PM for the last ten years as head of the Labour Party. The European Union and Iran have participated in a series of talks over Iran's nuclear program. Candidates have been revealed for the position of director general of the World Health Organization, and finalists will be chosen in November. The position became open when previous leader, Dr. Lee Jong-wook, died last May. Sudanese foreign minister Ali Ahmed has declared that African Union peace- keepers would leave Darfur unless the UN refuses to enter the fray. The United States has begun the process of handing over control of Iraqi troops to local authorities. US President George W. Bush has ad- mitted that the CIA has run anumber of secret jails in foreign countries. Included in this system were the “masterminds” of the September 11 attacks. The family of Steve Irwin have de- clined the offer of a state funeral for the “Crocodile Hunter” star. Irwin, who rose to fame as an enthusiastic TV conserva- tionist, died at age 44 after being pierced by a stingray. A hospital in Dublin is conducting an investigation into why a dead man con- tained a plastic bag with someone else's heart and lungs. The government of Pakistan signed a peace agreement with pro-Taliban mil- itants. It is hoped this will end five years. of clashes on the Afghan border. A Polish cardinal has revealed that priests working for the Polish secret ser- vice spied on Pope John Paul II during the Cold War, under orders from Mos- cow, Pyramids have been discovered in the Ukraine which may be older than those found in Egypt. This will take years to verify, however, ENTERTAINMENT: Andre Agassi’s professional career has come to end. The 36-year-old tennis player went out with a loss in the third round of the U.S. Open, followed by a four-minute standing ovation, French soccer player Zinedine Zidane has finally revealed the nature of the insult that caused him to headbutt Italian player Marco Materazzi during the World Cup final on July 9. When Materazzi tugged on Zidane’ jetsey, Zidane said he would give him the jer- sey after the match, to which the Italian replied he would prefer Zidane's sister. Canadian soccer will be taking on the world-- virtually. Ontario resident Matt Wood will be going to Italy and Mexico to participate in the World Cyber Games in the FIFA Soccer 2006 division. -Rosie O'Donnell made her debut on the View last week, replacing Star Jones, who left amidst controversy last June. Suri Cruise, the daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, made her public debut on the cover of Vanity Fair. VER Apparently rappers arent the only ones with high-profile feuds, After biographer Bevis Hiller became upset over the attention being given to A.N. Wilson's book about English poet John Betjeman, he decided to take action into his own hands. Hiller, who had previ- ous published a biography on Betjeman, UNBC Land Size Doubles sent his rival a fake love letter. The letter was published in Wilsons book, since he didn’t notice that the first letter of each sentence spelt “A.N. Wilson is a s---.” Take that, Jay-Z. American Idol star Clay Aiken may be named to the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, an appointment that would be made by George W. Bush. Elton John has said that he wants to do a hip-hop record with stars such as Dr, Dre, Kanye West, and Pharrell Wil- liams. 50 Cent has expressed interest in the project, saying “Elton John has in- credible talent.’ Donald Trumps employee and Ap- prentice co-star Carolyn Kepcher has been fired. It is thought the reason for the dismissal is a result of her not spend- ing enough time on her job of running Trump's golf courses. The most controversial season of Sur- vivor begins this on Thursday the 14th, as the four competing teams will be div- ided by race, Also in reality TV, Canadian Lukas Rossi will be competing in the season finale of Rock Star to be the lead singer of the “superband” Supernova. ANNA M. GRADOWSKA STAFF WRITER On July 20th of this summer, ne- gotiations between the province, the Lheidli T’enneh First Nations and UNBC yielded 248 hectares of new land for the UNBC campus. During treaty negotiations, the Lheidli T’enneh identified 370 hec- tares of land on Cranbrook Hill to be part of the new agreements, leaving the remaining Crown land to become available for UNBC’s expansions. The boundaries were redrawn to meet the needs of both the university and the band. “The agreement that has been reached for the land next to the UNBC campus, within traditional Lheidli Tenneh territory, is unique in British Columbia,’ said Premier Gordon Campbell. “This is another example of embracing opportunities as we build a new relationship with First Nations across the province. When we work together, we can improve the quality of life for Ab- original people ~ and for all British Columbians — so our communities can become stronger.” “The lands behind us will serve as a teaching and research laboratory that will bring faculty and students together in a number of academic areas, includ- ing biology, forestry, ecology, recrea- tion and a host of others,’ said UNBC president Dr. Don Cozzetto at the announcement. “It's just a tremendous opportunity for both our students and for faculty.’ The new 248 hectares includes a greenway corridor and an extensive trail system available for public recrea- tion, and the land is ideal for outdoor labs and instruction, and can provide an excellent location for mountain pine beetle studies, The new land is worth $2.5 million, a new contribution from the provincial government, who cur- rent funded $38 million in UNBC operation just in this year. It is widely agreed that the new agreement brings new opportunities for UNBC and a strengthened rela- tionship with the First Nation's band.