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Hosted by: Catlin Spencer

Stories by: Saturn De Los Angeles, Chloe Deneumoustier, Alyssa Tremblay & Aisha Samu

Produced: Jenna Monney-Lupert

Students in Arizona will be required to express love of country under God if bills introduced by two lawmakers are passed, reports Huffington Post.

Republican state representative Bob Thorpe’s proposal would require all high school seniors to “support and defend” the U.S. Constitution under oath.

Republican state representative Steve Smith’s proposal would require all 1^st to 12^th graders in public school to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

Currently the bill does not exempt atheist students or students of other faiths.

Some believe that forcing a religious declaration to graduate from high school violates the Constitution.

Thorpe believes that reciting the Constitutional oath will inspire students to learn more about the history of the United States.

Arizona public schools have to reserve time every day to recite the pledge but students can choose not to participate.

Critics argue that if the bills are passed, many lawsuits will follow.

STORY WRITTEN BY: AISHA SAMU

By: montreal_bunny

Although yesterday’s flood in Montreal continues, the city is stating that there has not been a second break in the water pipes. Montreal’s press representative, Phillippe Sabourin says that the last valve connecting to the broken 48-inch diameter pipe has yet to be closed.  Currently, 95 per cent of the flow has stopped, while the city is still working on the other 5 per cent.

However, Jacques-Alain Lavallée, another city official, has stated that there was a second smaller break that was connected to the McTavish reservoir. Sources say that a phone call made by The Daily to Lavallée was transferred to Sabourin.

At the same time McGill University has stated that the water pouring down University comes from a break in an 8-inch pipe close to the original fracture.  

Sabourin has stated that although there may be some confusion around the matter, Service de l’eau has confirmed that there is no second break although water is still flowing. 

Many buildings at McGill remain flooded, causing classes to either be cancelled or relocated.

Michael Di Grappa, VP of Administration and Finance at McGill said that while some buildings will re-open by the weekend, others will take months before they re-open. Grappa also anticipates repairs to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

Parliament has officially resumed from its winter break amid the shouts of Idle No More demonstrators on Monday.

According to the CBC, protesters marched on Parliament Hill in a show of solidarity for aboriginals’ land and rights. They wish the federal government to change their policy towards indigenous people.

In the House of Commons, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and NDP Member Roméo Saganash were vocal of their support with the movement.

Saganash tabled a bill that would require federal legislation to “be compatible with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples.”

Meanwhile, Mulcair challenged Prime Minister Stephen Harper “to consult, and to listen, on the environmental protection of First Nations lands and waters.”

But Harper instead defended his upcoming legislation, saying the federal government has made “unprecedented” investments for the infrastructure on reserves.

Also, Government House leader Peter Van Loan said the government will not change or scrap its controversial C-45 omnibus bill the leaders of Idle No More were denouncing.

Flickr Photo by: olegala

STORY WRITTEN BY: GREGORY WILSON