Weekly News Recap: June 20, 2025

Weekly News Recap: June 20, 2025

A rendering of the new $52-million science building at Yukon University in Whitehorse. A groundbreaking ceremony was held last week and construction is expected to be complete by fall 2027. (Yukon University)

An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind. -- Mahatma Gandhi

SOME GOOD NEWS

TOP TEN STORIES OF THE WEEK

  1. VIDEO: Sole survivor of Air India crash has an incredible story — but he's not unique (CBC) #Miracle "These are some of the reactions online and in headlines around the world about Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the Air India crash that killed 241 people on board and several more on the ground after the plane crashed minutes after takeoff. The Dreamliner struck a medical college hostel when it crashed in a ball of fire into a residential area of the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad."

  2. Social media overtakes TV as main source of news in US, analysis finds (The Guardian) It had to happen. "Social media has overtaken television as a source of news in the US for the first time, according to a comprehensive analysis of media consumption confirming the rapid rise of 'news influencers'. In a watershed moment for the US media, 54% of Americans said they received news from social media, according to the research carried out after President Trump’s second inauguration. Half said they sourced news from the once all-powerful TV networks."

  3. The Legacy Gift that Started Major Change at The Confluence (Nation Talk) CALGARY STORY "Anneliese Weber, long-time Confluence volunteer and donor, arranged to leave the legacy gift before her death in July 2023—her dedication to supporting the organization made it possible to hire Star Crop Eared Wolf, a Niitsitapi artist from the Kainai Nation, as The Confluence’s first full-time curator in 20 years."

  4. $52M Yukon University science building to emphasize Indigenous knowledge (Canadian Inquirer) WHITEHORSE STORY Congrats on this significant achievement. ViTreo is proud to have worked with Yukon University on its fundraising. "Yukon University’s new $52-million science building will be a space where Western science can blend with Indigenous world views, school officials say. Work on the new facility is now underway."

  5. Nina Kuscsik, Marathoner Who Broke Gender Barriers, Dies at 86 (New York Times) A true athlete and trailblazer. "Overcoming male resistance as a voice for equality, she was the first woman to enter the New York City Marathon and the first official female winner of the Boston race."

  6. VIDEO: Calgary Zoo sees baby boom (City News) CALGARY STORY #Cute "The Wilder Institute/ Calgary Zoo is seeing a ‘baby boom’ with numerous animals born into their care this year, including some that are critically endangered."

  7. YMCA Calgary withdraws from running Cochrane recreation centre (Yahoo News) CALGARY STORY "YMCA Calgary announced Friday it has pulled out of running a Cochrane recreation facility amid widespread concern from residents. In a news release, the organization said it has withdrawn from the request for proposal process to manage and operate the SLS Centre, following 'careful reflection and conversations' with the Town of Cochrane and Rocky View County."

  8. VIDEO: Funding to protect oceans falls far short of what UN says is needed (CBC) We need more. "A UN push for investment to protect the world's oceans yielded around $10 billion US ($13.6 billion Cdn) in deals at a conference last week, way below the estimated annual need as many investors sought clearer regulations on ocean management before committing funds."

  9. VIDEO: Canadians spend billions on cosmetics each year, but dermatologists say only a fraction of products are needed (CBC) CANADIAN STORY "Still, most of us know that the average anti-wrinkle cream won't actually turn back the clock, but it's not always clear how much cosmetics actually influence our skin health."

  10. Cheerios lovers, brace yourselves: 3 flavors are gone—here’s why (Fast Company) This! This is a tragedy. "Cereal lovers, beware: You may not like what you are about to read. General Mills, the maker of the popular breakfast cereal Cheerios, has sadly decided to discontinue three of its flavors: Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Oat Crunch, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios, and Honey Nut Cheerios Minis."

SEVEN LIFE AND CAREER HACKS

  1. Popular Toilet Paper Question Answered by Scientist (Men's Journal) So, over the top or from the bottom?

  2. British pubs have their own set of rules. Here’s what you need to know (CNN) Who knew there were so many different pubs? (Not me)

  3. Scientists Discover Startling Trick to Defeat Insomnia (Futurism) Eat your fruits and veggies.

  4. Shower Gel vs. Body Wash: Are They Actually Different? + How To Choose (mindbodygreen) Some pros and cons on bar soap versus body wash as well.

  5. VIDEO: How do clouds get their shapes? (Popular Science) I knew you would want to know.

  6. We Need a New Term for ‘Pet Owner’ (Chandrayan Gupta) I have used the term guardian for years.

  7. Love Is Not a Feeling (Thought Thinkers) A great article.

TOP THREE GIFTS OF THE WEEK

  1. Toronto retiree makes surprise $1M donation to Hamilton non-profit to support learning centre in Liberia (CBC) HAMILTON STORY "A Hamilton non-profit has received a major boost for a 'first-of-its-kind learning centre' it has built in the West African country of Liberia — a surprise gift of $1 million to help expand the facility. Empowerment Squared held its annual celebrations on May 24 and invited Tony Anderson — one of its major donors — to thank him for his support over the years, including donations made to Phase 1 of the learning centre, Leo Nupolu Johnson, the organization's founder and chief empowerment officer said. 'Shockingly, [I'm] still recovering from that, he pulled out a cheque of $1 million in support of the effort, given the milestone that we have been able to achieve,' Johnson told CBC Hamilton."

  2. Bob Rennie donates $22.8 million in art to the National Gallery of Canada: 'We want the works to be shown' (Vancouver Sun) CANADIAN STORY "Vancouver real estate marketer Bob Rennie is starting to think about his legacy, and where to place some of the 4,000-plus works in his art collection. The National Gallery of Canada appears to be at the top of his list. [The] Ottawa institution announced Rennie and his family had donated 61 works to the gallery, valued at $22.8 million."

  3. RIBA announces £1m donation from the Sandys Trust to support architecture students (Specification Online) "The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced a remarkable donation of £1 million from the Sandys Trust to establish an endowment to support architectural education."

LAST WEEK'S MOST POPULAR STORIES

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