The collision of a relief vessel and a munitions carrier in Halifax Harbour on December 6, 1917 caused the world's largest man-made explosion before Hiroshima. The Halifax Explosion brought the reality of World War I to the homefront in Canada. Nearly 2000 people were killed, 9000 injured and 6000 people were left homeless. Adding to the disaster, the day after the Halifax Explosion one of the worst blizzards ever recorded in Halifax began, and lasted for six days.

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Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk is back on earth after a Canadian record stay of 189 days in space. After his six-month stay on the International Space Station, he and two crewmates landed safely in an icy field of grass in northern Kazakhstan on December 1, 2009. Helicopters were grounded because of the weather conditions, so Thirsk was loaded by stretcher onto a heavy-duty vehicle, where he slept for the four-hour ride to Moscow to be reunited with his family. It is expected that it will take Thirsk three weeks or so to be able to get back to normal activities after so long a stretch in space, and it will probably be another six months to a year before his bone mass is back to normal.

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At this time of year your mailbox is probably full of appeals for charitable donations. If you're feeling a little jaded by the number or requests you get, maybe it's time to do a little research and find an organization that really moves you to part with your cash, time or expertise. The benefits can go far beyond a tax deduction - you can make a difference to someone's life, solve a community problem, meet new people, develop your skills, or just find a way to say thanks for the good things that have happened in your life. This article suggests some places to find a Canadian charity or cause that strikes a chord in your heart.

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The Public Health Agency of Canada is reminding Canadians travelling to warmer climates to take precautions to avoid getting malaria. Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by parasites spread by the bites of infected mosquitoes. Malaria occurs in many popular Canadian tourist destinations, including Belize, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Mexico. The World Health Organization has list of the malaria situation by country.

For more information on the precautions to take against malaria, check this Malaria Travel Health Notice.

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