Newsmakers

The higher a woman's education level, the less likely she would be to marry an older man, according to a recent study by Dr. Zheng Wu (sociology). In The National Post (June 15), Wu said that the age gap between Canadian husbands and wives is narrowing. "Nowadays, women are more in the labour force, so they can support themselves, they are economically independent. They don't have to choose someone who is significantly older than themselves."

"The last thing Africa needs are more promises from us, more commitments," said Dr. Gordon Smith (global studies) in the Times Colonist (June 19), of the G-8 leaders' multibillion-dollar deal to help Africa. The plan calls for more aid and support to African countries, but Smith, who was Prime Minister Chrétien's top adviser during the 1995 G-7 summit in Halifax, says it needs more work and detail. "We've come to the point where unless we're serious that we're going to follow through on a promise," he says, "you're better not to make it."