Canadian journalist Ken Peters who works for the Hamilton Spectator will be before the courts on January 21, 2008 to appeal his contempt of court case. Media freedom to keep their confidential sources a secret may hang in the balance.

CEP, Canada's largest media union Vice President Peter Murdoch says of the case, "We believe it is time the courts in Canada reflect the reality that journalists often need protection for their sources if they are to raise issues vital to public safety and ethical government."

Peters landed himself court time after refusing to divulge his sources revolving around a story that included allegations of serious misdoings at a local retirement home.

After initiating an international campaign to save the life of her Iranian namesake, human rights activist, Bodog Music recording artist and former Miss Canada Nazanin Afshin-Jam received confirmation Sunday that the murder charge against 19-year-old Nazanin Fatehi has been dropped.

Nazanin Afshin-Jam's relentless campaign included a petition signed by 330,000 people, countless speeches and rallies worldwide and months on the media circuit as well as support from the International Committee Against Execution, Amnesty International, Canadian members of Parliament, the European Union and the United Nations. The effort appears to have been successful and Nazanin Fatehi may be released from prison within a week.

Fatehi was sentenced to death for murder by a court in Iran after she stabbed, in self-defense, one of three men who attempted to rape her and her 15-year-old niece in a park in Karaj, a suburb of Tehran, in March 2005. She was 17 at the time. On June 1, 2006, following extensive international pressure and news coverage, the Head of Judiciary, Ayatollah Shahroudi, announced a stay of execution and a new trial.

Hundreds of British Columbians will unfortunately learn this holiday season that it's not just Santa who comes to visit at Christmas. That 'clatter on the lawn' that you hear may be the sound of a 'smash 'n grab' in progress.

According to BCAA Insurance, it's the combination of how much we spend and what we buy that makes this one of the busiest times of year for theft claims. "Nowadays many presents are high in value but also light and portable, making them ideal targets for thieves," says Brooke Hanson, BCAA's home insurance product manager. "What's more, many of these gifts are left in full view under the Christmas tree."

Based on recent and past years' claims, BCAA Insurance reports that the ten most stolen items are: jewellery, digital cameras, home theatre equipment, MP3 players/iPods, CDs, DVDs, cash, gift certificates, video games, and computer equipment.