Weekly News Recap: April 18, 2025
Weekly News Recap: April 18, 2025
HomeSpace Society CEO Bernadette Majdell speaks at a press event in Calgary on Monday, March 4, 2024. Calgary Herald
Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. -- Colin Powell
SOME GOOD NEWS
Dying US man uses his last months for community service in all 50 states (The Guardian) A beautiful idea. "A Texas man who recently learned he likely had fewer than 18 months to live amid his battle with cancer is using the time he has left trying to voluntarily perform community service – including feeding people who are unhoused – in each of the US’s 50 states."
VIDEO: When an earthquake hit, these elephants formed a protective circle around their youngest (CBC) This is incredible to watch. "Mkhaya, a seven-year-old elephant at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, can rest easy knowing her family has her back. When a 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck the area on Monday, Mkhaya's herd wasted no time forming a protective barrier around her, known as an 'alert circle.' The phenomenon, captured on video, has zoo staff beaming about the African elephant herd's sharp instincts, effective communication skills and strong family connection."
Man making miniatures of every pub in Edinburgh has his work cut out for him (CBC) Well, it's a hobby. "Artist Keith Crawley's goal is to make tiny replicas of every pub in Edinburgh. That's a tall order for a Scottish city that boasts, according to some local tourism sites, at least 385 of them."
VIDEO: Norwegian snowboarder goes orbital to land historic quad flip in Swiss Alps stunner (CBC) #Whaaat "Norwegian snowboarder Oyvind Kirkhus made history over the last week at Switzerland's Swatch Nines by landing the world's first switch backside quad 1620, a gravity-defying manoeuvre that left even its creator in disbelief. 'I was in disbelief when I was riding away. I didn't think that I would actually manage to do it, but I did it,' said Kirkhus, who completed the mind-bending trick against the stunning backdrop of the Schilthorn mountains."
VIDEO: The School of Canine Massage (Vimeo) I am hiding this video from my dog. All kidding aside, this is really lovely. "At a unique training program in Southern California, people heal dogs and dogs heal people."
TOP TEN STORIES OF THE WEEK
I.R.S. Said to Be Considering Whether to Revoke Harvard’s Tax-Exempt Status (New York Times) "The Internal Revenue Service is weighing whether to revoke Harvard’s tax exemption, according to three people familiar with the matter, which would be a significant escalation of the Trump administration’s attempts to choke off federal money and support for the leading research university."
VIDEO: US ballerina Ksenia Karelina reunites with fiancé as she returns from Russian prison (YouTube) I heart this. "A US ballerina jailed for 12 years in Russia after donating $51 to a charity supporting Ukraine reunited with her fiancé in an emotional embrace as she landed at Joint Base Andrews in [Maryland.]"
VIDEO: Cree man's dream of a Walmart bag ribbon shirt becomes reality thanks to crafty uncle (CBC) SASKATCHEWAN STORY This is full-circle culture. "A vision in a dream relayed from nephew to uncle has spawned a unique fashion statement: a ribbon shirt made out of reusable Walmart shopping bags. Chase Meechance, a member of Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, had a dream of being at powwow grounds and seeing people around him in ribbon shirts made of Walmart shopping bags. After watching a livestream of his uncle beading and making powwow regalia, Meechance decided to reach out."
VIDEO: Eggs are so expensive that some Americans are decorating potatoes this Easter (CBC) "Hippity, hoppity, Easter's on its way, but people in the U.S. may have to think outside the basket this year. Eggs tend to be a staple for Easter celebrations, whether they're being decorated with bright paints, rolled across the lawn of the White House, deviled and displayed on a platter, or baked into quiches and served with brunch. But with U.S. egg prices still stubbornly high amid an outbreak of bird flu in laying hens that led to a severe egg shortage, many Americans are looking for alternatives to some of their favourite traditions. Last month, U.S. egg prices increased again to reach a new record-high average of $6.23 US per dozen, or $8.73 Cdn."
1,900-year-old Roman papyrus details elaborate tax evasion scheme, research suggests (CBC) Even in Roman times, court reporting was a thing. "If you thought you would find few parallels between today's world and the world of 2,000 years ago, or you feel like you're the only one dealing with taxes on seemingly everything, think again. According to a recent analysis of a 1,900-year-old papyrus from ancient Rome, taxes and tax evasion have existed for millenia."
The U.S.-China trade war is escalating. But China may have more leverage than the U.S. thought (CBC) "Modern U.S.-China trade is dominated by tech products and electronics, everything from iPhones to computers to batteries. But [...] there are enormous exports of crucial industrial inputs that will be very difficult for the U.S. to replace because China controls much of the world's production. For example, in a retaliatory measure, it banned exports of certain critical minerals earlier this month. The ban covers seven rare earth elements and magnets used in defence, energy and automotive technologies."
'A dire need': Calgary Affordable Housing Foundation launches with plans for 140 new units (Yahoo News) CALGARY STORY Congrats to all the launch of this important initiative. "The Calgary Affordable Housing Foundation officially launched operations [...] while announcing multiple projects that will add 140 units to the city’s affordable housing supply."
Calgary Public Library launches $1M book campaign to address rising demand, inflation (Calgary Herald) CALGARY STORY Congrats on this launch. "Calgary Public Library CEO Sarah Meilleur [...] and Calgary Public Library Foundation CEO Tracy Johnson [...] promoting the library’s new Fifth Book fundraiser campaign [...] Due to a nearly 20 per cent increase in the average price of books, the library can now afford only four books for every five it previously could."
VIDEO: How a flagship American conference in Vancouver is coping with political chaos (CBC) VANCOUVER STORY "The American conference known for its short, often inspiring talks on technology, entertainment and design is in Vancouver, bringing some of the brightest and most creative thinkers — along with those with very deep pockets — to Canada, at a time when much of the world is in chaos due to the U.S. administration."
Lethbridge Polytechnic announces more layoffs & program closures (Lethbridge News Now) LETHBRIDGE STORY "Just three months after announcing the closure of its English Language Centre, Lethbridge Polytechnic says it has had to make more cuts. President and CEO Brad Donaldson says the post-secondary institution is facing a budget shortfall of around $8 million due to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reducing the number of international student visas that can be approved."
SEVEN LIFE AND CAREER HACKS
Spring Clean Your Life (Valet Magazine) It's that time.
Is it finally safe to ditch your phone case? I put it to the test (BBC) I have regularly gone without a case. I still think it's risky.
VIDEO: Every Eye In The Animal Kingdom | WIRED (YouTube) This is a 36 minute video. I bet you can't stop watching it (I couldn't).
Why the best time to solve problems might be the middle of the night (Fast Company) This happens to me. A lot.
Prosecco explained: How it’s made, its flavors, and perfect pairings (The Manual) Mmmm...more please.
The 3 Swiss Cities That Will Change How You See Switzerland (The Observer) A stunning country.
One Man’s Hunt for the Perfect Newsboy Cap (GQ) Ha. I love my newsboy caps.
TOP THREE GIFTS OF THE WEEK
A transformational $5 million donation for the creation of the Zhao‑Ionescu Chair (MBAM) MONTREAL STORY "The Foundation of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) wishes to underscore the immense generosity of Alex Ionescu and Vickie Zhao. Their $5,000,000 donation will serve to create the Zhao-Ionescu Chair, which will fund the MMFA's position of Chief Curator in perpetuity."
Record $100 million university donation aims to back women like Anandikaa (SBS) "The program has been made possible by a record $100 million donation from the Khuda Family Foundation, the largest ever received by a university in NSW. It is supported by tech founder and Bangladeshi migrant Robin Khuda."
Romero House to expand thanks to $1.1M donation (Yahoo News) ST JOHN STORY "A $1.1-million donation for Romero House will mean more space and more services at the soup kitchen’s Brunswick Drive location in Saint John. Romero House director Evelyn McNulty was all smiles Thursday afternoon during a short press conference where it was announced McWane Inc. – Clow Canada had donated $1.1 million to the soup kitchen to extend the site’s current location."
LAST WEEK'S MOST POPULAR STORIES
VIDEO: #TheMoment an endangered tortoise became a first-time mom at almost 100 (CBC)
Girl Claims Victory in Campaign to Urge Department Store to Include Pockets in Girls Pants (Good News Network)
VIDEO: Ovechkin scores No. 895, surpassing Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record (CBC)
LeBron James becomes first male athlete with a Ken doll (BBC)
VIDEO: A biotech company has, sort of, revived the long-extinct dire wolf (CBC)
Largest gifts in college history celebrated at 2025 NC Gala (Niagara College)
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