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From the Summer 2002 Issue
THE WORLD
OH CANADA! &
BEYOND
Teen News Briefs from Across
The Country & The Globe
Chinese
Suicide Rates Higher For Females, Rural Residents
A recent study shows that suicide among Chinese
females is 25% higher than Chinese males. The study also
shows that the suicide rate triples in rural areas of China
as opposed to urban areas. That opposes western countries
statistics in which the male suicide is 3.6 times greater
than women says Li Xianyun, a medical from a Beijing hospital.
The age groups mostly affected are between the ages of 15
to 34.
(source: Reuters Health)
Nicotine
Laced Lollipops...Hey man, can I bum a sucker?
In the United States, critics are complaining
about the appeal that nicotine-laced lollipops may have
on children. Available over the Internet and at select pharmacies,
the lollipops, which are intended to help smokers quit,
are being sold without Food and Drug Administration approval
in flavours such as watermelon, apricot and eggnog. "An
addictive drug shouldn't be sold as a lollipop without through
review by the FDA," said California Democrat Henry
Waxman. He is concerned with the effects salicylate, an
unapproved form of nicotine found in the lollipop may have
on children's livers.
(Reuters)
Driving
Exam Violence In France
Would you want to wait a day before knowing
the results of your driving exam? If you're a driving student
in France you might. Extra precautions are being considered
as candidates are attacking driving examiners who fail them.
One transport ministry official said examiners have been
attacked in their vehicles and have been threatened with
death or rape, often at gunpoint. France is already implementing
a notification system in some areas. This system informs
candidates by post whether or not the learner plates can
be removed 24 hours after the exam has been performed.
Gee
Here's a Surprise...Failed Love Leads To Depression
New research is suggesting that teenage romance
can lead to depression in later adolescence. The University
of North Carolina surveyed 54 girls, focusing on the age,
compassion and intimacy of their first relationship and
their current levels of depression.
The results showed that girls with unsatisfied levels of
intimacy and companionship from their first relationships
are more likely to be depressed later in their adolescence.
"Maybe it's more the experience during that first relationship,
not just the age," said author of the survey Susan
Levy to Reuter's health.
(Source: Reuters Health)
Eight Year Old Suspended For Driving
To School
An 8-year-old Florida boy has been suspended
from for 10 days after driving himself to school. The boy's
classmates caught him parking a stolen 2002 Ford Focus after
missing the bus to school.
As ironic as it seems the youngster claims that his uncle
was giving him driving lesson, regardless of the fact that
he could barely see over the dashboard. No charges have
been filed against the boy, as police did not see him operate
the vehicle.
Gay
Teen Sues School in Toronto
A gay high school student, has launched a
lawsuit against his principal after he was banned from attending
the prom with his boyfriend. Marc Hall, 17, argues that
school administrators violated his rights under the Charter
of Rights and Freedoms by "discriminating against him
on the basis of his sexual orientation and publicly taking
the position that they are justified in treating him in
a discriminatory fashion, thereby encouraging others to
do likewise in other contexts." Hall is seeking $100,000
in damages.
(Sources: National Post, Canadian Press)
No
Drugs But Boy Still Suspended in Ottawa
A 15-year-old boy suspended from school because
a police dog smelled marijuana on his jacket retained one
of Ottawa's top criminal lawyers, saying he won't let the
school board trample his rights. Chris Laurin -- who had
no drug in his possession -- wants the Ottawa-Carleton Catholic
School Board to apologize and erase the suspension, or face
a lawsuit. Even though they didn't find any drugs -- and
the vice-principal admitted she couldn't smell marijuana
on the jacket -- Chris was suspended and sent home.
(Source: National Post, Ottawa Citizen)
Ordered
to Take Blood Transfusions in Calgary
A judge has ruled a 16-year-old Jehovah's Witness must continue
receiving blood transfusions against her will. Jehovah's
Witnesses refuse to accept blood transfusions basing their
stance on Biblical scriptures. They say forcing blood on
them is the spiritual equivalent of rape. Judge Kent ruled
the girl is being manipulated by her family and her church
and said, "Her life has been sheltered and she has
not yet reached that stage where she can question her faith."
(Source: National Post)
Teen
Sentenced to Die by Stoning in Sudan
A pregnant teenager convicted of adultery
has been sentenced by a Sudanese court to death by stoning,
a method of execution that has experienced a comeback in
radical Muslim countries recently. Abok Alfa Akok, 18, a
tribeswoman from western Sudan, must face the brutal penalties
imposed under shariah-based legal codes that mandate public
amputations and executions.
Human Rights Watch has appealed to the Sudanese President,
asking him "to prevent this cruel and inhuman punishment
from being exercised against her."
(Source: United Press International)
Students
Face Drug Testing, Thailand
Thai students face nationwide compulsory
urine tests in an attempt to curb a growing drug-use epidemic.
The trafficking and consumption of methamphetamine -- a
cheap illegal stimulant -- is fast becoming Thailand's top
social problem. Interior Minister Purachai Piumsombun said
that schools and colleges would not punish those found to
be drug users, instead, students would be rehabilitated
and their records kept confidential.
(Source: BBC News)
Teen
Hackers Turn Cybercops, India
The National Cyber Cop Committee of India
- which has been set up by the software industry - is to
be advised by a group of hackers, between the ages of 14
and 19 in order to crack down on cyber-crime. "They
will tell us where our soft spots are - where government
and industry websites are most vulnerable, thus helping
us strengthen our e-security," said Mr. Dewang Mehta,
president of India's National Association of Software and
Service Companies (Nasscom).
(Source: BBC News Online)
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