Mumbai Bomb Blasts
See Mumbai Police list of persons killed and injured at
http://www.mumbaipolice.org/images/news_cp/blast/blast.htm
See Announcements section for details of Public Meeting at Queen's Park, July 25, 2006 to pay homage to the victims.

Peace moves with Pakistan hit after blasts-India PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/18/AR2006071800697.html
Reuters
Tuesday, July 18, 2006; NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Tuesday India would have to review its relations with Pakistan after last week's Mumbai blasts but that the two countries needed to live in peace.
"I think the dialogue process has suffered," Singh said. "I wouldn't say a setback, but it is inevitable in the light of this ghastly tragedy, we should reflect on our relations with Pakistan."
Singh was quoted on NDTV channel as making the comment to reporters on his way back from the G8 summit in Russia.
A series of bomb blasts targeting Mumbai's crowded railway network killed over 180 people and Indian authorities suspect the attacks may have been organized by the Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Police in Mumbai also believe home-based Muslim groups could be involved. Hundreds of people, mostly minority Muslims, have been questioned and dozens detained.
An angry India postponed talks between the foreign secretaries of the two nations due in New Delhi to review progress in a tentative peace process, saying the atmosphere in the wake of the blasts was not conducive.
New Delhi accuses Pakistan of not doing enough to curb the activities of anti-India militant groups on its soil, a charge which Islamabad denies.
Singh said peace was vital for the progress of the region.
"But I have said more than once, I have always believed the destiny of the people of South Asia are closely inter-linked," he said. "Both our countries need peace and stability."

Humanitarian Situation in Gaza and Lebanon - World Vision Statement
Excerpts
MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 19 /CNW/ - "World Vision is gravely concerned with the deteriorating humanitarian situations in Gaza, Lebanon and northern Israel, particularly the condition of children.
World Vision condemns the use of armed violence, especially as directed against civilians, and urges all parties to declare an immediate ceasefire. It is the most vulnerable - children and other civilians - who experience the greatest suffering in these situations. Since June, no fewer than 20 children in Gaza have been killed, adding to the 121 Israeli and 734 Palestinian children killed since September 2000. In the recent fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, several children have been killed on both sides, many more have been injured, and an untold number are living in fear. We mourn for all those killed and are deeply concerned with the lasting impact of this violence on the affected populations.

It is the responsibility of all parties to this conflict to protect the rights of children in conflict situations. Both Israel and Lebanon have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which stipulates that States Parties have an obligation under international humanitarian law to take all feasible measures to ensure protection and care of children who are affected by an armed conflict. In addition to the States Parties, non-state actors should be held accountable for actions or omissions that abrogate these rights.

World Vision programs benefit thousands of children in Gaza and Lebanon. Our staff members in both situations are doing their utmost to continue to serve these children, along with their families and communities, but humanitarian access has been severely limited. In Gaza, where children are the majority of the population, our staff members confirm reports from UNICEF and other international bodies that describe the severe psychological and physical stress children are experiencing. We are seriously concerned that the destruction of infrastructure and shortages of food could lead to outbreaks of water-borne and other diseases. In Lebanon, the ongoing destruction of infrastructure and the targeting of civilian areas have caused great suffering. In both situations, the rights of children to food, clean water, health care and protection from violence are being abrogated.

We are equally concerned with the rights of Israeli children to protection, and with the physical and psychological impact of rocket attacks on children in northern Israel.

Condo craze continues with 41 per cent increase
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2006/19/c7925.html?view=print
New condo sold every four minutes in June

TORONTO, July 19 /CNW/ - There were more new high-rise condominium suites sold in the Greater Toronto Area in June than ever before as condo sales smashed the all-time record for market share, Desi Auciello, president of the Greater Toronto Home Builders' Association, said today.

"With an all-time high 2,397 new high-rise condos sold in June, home buyers were snapping up a new condo every four minutes the sales offices were open," said Auciello.
High-rise unit sales were up a whopping 41 per cent while total new home sales were up just two per cent as a result of an offsetting 28 per cent decline in low-rise (single-detached, semi-detached and townhome) sales.

According to RealNet Canada Inc., the association's independent source of new home market information, an astounding six out of every ten (60 per cent) new homes sold in June were high-rise suites.

"Frankly, we never thought we'd see the day when low-rise product would represent the minority of our sales, particularly to this extent," Auciello stated. The previous high-rise market share peak was 46 per cent while the annual average (2005) is 42 per cent.

Auciello attributed the continuing condo craze to affordability and choice. "As house prices rise, home buyers seeking a toehold in the market are obviously turning in increasing numbers to the condo market," said Auciello, noting that the RealNet new home price index for high-rise condos ($314,370) is $80,000 less than for low-rise homes ($393,398).