CUP

Ishmael N. Daro — CUP Opinions Bureau Chief

SASKATOON (CUP) — WikiLeaks released its latest trove of classified U.S. government documents amid dire warnings from officials that the release would hurt national security and jeopardize important international relationships.

The greatest effect so far, however, has been to reaffirm how much information governments collect and how little of it reaches the public.

Ali Churchill — The Gateway (University of Alberta)

Calyn Pettit — The Sputnik (Wilfrid Laurier University)

Alexandra Posadzki — CUP Ontario Bureau Chief

TORONTO (CUP) — For Jeff Cook buying textbooks is like bargain hunting. He employs a variety of methods to obtain his texts, from scouring the library reserves to scoring online access through the public library.

“When I can I will get them used,” said Cook, a fourth-year student at the University of Toronto.

For the first time this fall, some students will have an alternative method of obtaining their books as textbook rental programs are launched at a few universities across Canada.

WATERLOO, Ont. (CUP) —Dante Ryel has lost seven pounds since Parliament resumed. Living only on a diet of water and supplements, he’s fasting until he can get commitment from a senator to sponsor Bill C-311 — the Climate Change Accountability Act.

“I’m extremely concerned about climate change,” said Ryel, “and the issue is becoming more and more critical as time goes on.”

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (CUP) — For the second year in a row, the office of the Governor General is running a mentorship program like no other — by pairing young Canadians with recipients Order of Canada.

Now in its second year, students participating in the Order of Canada Mentorship Program are calling it an “incredible opportunity.”

In 2008, Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean initiated the program to pair young Canadian adults between the ages of 18 to 25 with recipients of the Order of Canada.

By: Zara Urvashi Ramaniah — The Muse

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. (CUP) — Diamonds have been coveted since they were first discovered, and have been connected to conflict, power and curses ever since.

The Koh-i-Noor is probably the most infamous diamond. Discovered in India in one of the earliest mines, it was once the largest diamond in the world. It boasts a long and bloody history and now lies — fittingly, considering its past — in the Tower of London, taken from India as a spoil of war and worn by Queen Victoria as a brooch.

By Chance McAllister The Strand (Victoria College, University of Toronto) TORONTO (CUP) – Earlier this year, a Toronto Star investigation found that sometimes all one has to do to get a degree is pay money. The Star had reporters go through some programs at small colleges across the GTA. They found that success could be had in the form of a degree without having to learn much of anything. This, it turns out, can be done at many bogus colleges for a tuition fee.

By Tannara Yelland, The Sheaf (University of Saskatchewan) SASKATOON (CUP) – If you see an army of moustaches this month, just remind yourself it’s for the greater good.

“Movember,” as it has grown to be called, supposedly began in 2003 when a group of friends sat drinking in Melbourne, Australia, and a discussion sprang up about bringing back the glory days of the moustache. To legitimize their dubious fashion decision the men raised money for charity in conjunction with their moustache growing.