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News

Bravery Awards Given By Canada’s Governor General

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Since 1972, the Governor-General of Canada has given out special awards to people for risking their lives to help someone else.

One of them is the Medal of Bravery, which is awarded to someone who has done something very brave in a dangerous situation.

In December, Governor-General David Johnston handed out 39 Medals of Bravery.

One bravery medal was awarded to a woman who helped rescue nine people from an Orillia, Ontario retirement home that was on fire.

Another medal was given to a teenager in British Columbia who saved his friend’s life by tackling a dangerous person.

Three people received a Star of Courage during the ceremony.

The Star of Courage is given to people who have been extremely brave even when it meant possibly putting themselves in danger.

The act of bravery doesn’t have to happen in Canada and the brave person doesn’t have to be Canadian, for them to be eligible for a medal.

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Animals News Science

Endangered Animals Making A Comeback In Canada

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Seven Canadian species that were once considered endangered or nearly extinct are beginning to flourish again, thanks to efforts by conservationists.

Canadian Geographic magazine reported in its December 2013 issue that populations of endangered whooping cranes, North Pacific humpback whales, eastern wild turkeys, swift foxes, sea otters, wood bison and peregrine falcons have increased in recent years.

Most of them are no longer considered endangered.

Several factors contributed to the disappearance of these species, including loss of habitat, pesticides, disease and over-hunting.

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News

Extreme Weather In Many Cities Over The Holidays

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Many cities in North America experienced extreme weather during the 2013 holiday season.

On Dec. 22, Toronto was struck by an ice storm which caused trees to become covered with large amounts of ice.

Although it was often beautiful, it was also destructive.

Many of the trees couldn’t support the weight of the ice and branches came crashing down.

Some of the branches took out power lines, so hundreds of thousands of people in the city were without power for hours or days.

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News

Take Our Fun Quiz: 2013 In Review (Part I)

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How much do you know about the news that happened in 2013?

Take our quiz and see how much you remember about these stories from the past year. The link beside each question will take you to the TKN article that will give you the answer.

1) First Nations, Inuit and Metis people came together to form a movement for peaceful protest. What did the group call itself?

2) Chris Hadfield is famous for _____________. (Note: There are many possible correct answers for this one — fill the blank with what you know about Hadfield.)

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News

Man Donates Entire $40-Million Lottery Prize To Charity

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If you hit the jackpot in a lottery, what would you do?

Last May Tom Crist, from Calgary, Alberta, was on the golf course with some friends when he got a phone call from the Western Canada Lottery organization.

They told him he had the winning ticket, and he’d won a lot of money.

He’d won $40 million.

Crist ended the call and he went right back to playing golf.

He didn’t tell anyone what had happened. He put it out of his mind.

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Lighter

Bad Manners Will Cost You Extra In This French Café

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A café in France has found a way to encourage politeness.

The more polite you are, the less you have to pay for your coffee.

A cup of coffee at La Petite Syrah cafe costs a whopping €7 (seven Euros, or more than $10).

However, you can bring the price down if you’re nice to the server.

If you say please when you order (or s’il vous plait in French) the price comes down to €4,25 (about $6.18).

And if you say hello as well (“bonjour, un café, s’il vous plait”) the price comes down to a much more reasonable €1,40 (just over $2).

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News Politics

“A Great Tree Has Fallen” – Nelson Mandela Laid To Rest

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The father of South Africa was laid to rest on Sunday.

Nelson Mandela was an international icon who fought for peace and reconciliation.

During his life, he affected millions of people. He helped bring about the elimination of “apartheid” in South Africa.

Mandela died on December 5 at the age of 95.

On Sunday, he was given a state funeral, in his home village of Qunu, followed by a private graveside ceremony.

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News

Canada Post To Phase Out Home Delivery In Cities

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Canada Post is phasing out home delivery.

People, particularly those living in urban areas, won’t have their mail delivered directly to their home.

They’ll have to do what most people in rural areas already do—get their mail from a “community mailbox.”

Canada Post says about two-thirds of people in Canada already get their mail this way.

It will be about five years before home delivery is completely phased out.

The elimination of home delivery service is one of a number of things Canada Post is doing to save money.

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News

Pope Francis Chosen As Time’s Person Of The Year

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Time Magazine has named Pope Francis its “Person of the Year” for 2013.

The magazine has been handing out the honour each year since 1927.

Time chose the pope “for his strong leadership, humility and concern for the poor.” They said he has “brought new energy to the church.”

On March 13, 2013, the Catholic Church chose Argentinian-born Jorge Mario Bergoglio to be its new pope; he later selected the name Pope Francis.

The pope lives simply, in a modest apartment. He drives around in a 30-year-old vehicle, although he could—as past popes have done—own expensive cars.

Pope Francis, 77, strongly believes in helping the poor.

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News Politics

Nelson Mandela Memorialized By Prime Ministers, Presidents, Royalty, Citizens, Celebrities

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The skies wept over thousands of mourners gathered yesterday in a soccer stadium in South Africa to remember Nelson Mandela.

Canada’s Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, attended along with four former prime ministers: Jean Chretien, Kim Campbell, Joe Clark and Brian Mulroney. Also in attendance was Shawn Atleo, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Leaders of many other nations attended the memorial service to commemorate “the father of South Africa,” who passed away on Thursday at the age of 95.

But it was U.S. president Barack Obama that brought the crowd to its feet in a standing ovation with his words of praise for Mandela:

He makes me want to be a better man. He speaks to what’s best inside of us. After this great liberator is laid to rest, and when we’ve returned to our cities and villages and rejoined our daily routines, let us search for his strength, let us search for his largeness of spirit somewhere inside of ourselves.

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