News for Youse: Home prices same as last year, Xi Jinping rises, and Bernie Smith dies

by The Georgia Straight Staff on November 15th, 2012 at 8:35 AM

1 of 1 2 of 1

Canadian housing prices The Canadian Real Estate Association has reported that actual—and not seasonally adjusted—home sales were down 0.8 percent in October across the country from the same month a year ago. The average home price rose 0.02 percent from October 2011.

Fare hike won't fix transit funding Langley City mayor Peter Fassbender, vice chair of the Mayors' Council, has told CKNW Radio that an upcoming 10 percent transit-fare increase won't address the transportation authority's funding shortfall.

Feds face reckoning on housing Wellesley Institute housing expert Michael Shapcott has told the Straight that the Harper government will have to answer to the United Nations Human Rights Council for its failure to keep a promise in 2009 to improve housing conditions for Canadians.

De Genova motion ruled out of order The Vision Vancouver–controlled park board has refused to hear a motion by NPA commissioner Melissa De Genova to hold a public-consultation meeting with presidents of Vancouver community-centre associations.

BP fined $4.5 billion One of the world's largest oil companies, BP, has consented to paying $4.5 billion and pleaded guilty 11 counts of misconduct in connection with a 2010 blowout and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which killed 11 workers.

Xi Jinping leads China As expected, Communist veteran Xi Jingping, 59, has been named the successor to Chinese president Hu Jintao. Xi will also head the military and serve as the party's general secretary.

Middle East tensions rise Fears of a new Mideast war are rising after three Israelis were killed from rocket fire from Gaza, which followed an Israeli attack that killed 15 Palestinians, including a top military commander.

Keira Knightley's wedding plans British actor Keira Knightley has told Ellen DeGeneres that she is so terrified about her upcoming marriage that she has gone online to learn more about how to plan her wedding with Klaxons keyboardist James Righton.

Bernie Smith dies One of the Vancouver Police Department's most famous officers, Whistling Bernie Smith, has died at the age of 89. After retiring from the VPD, he was president of the Social Credit Party.