I was first introduced to the concept of a niche in Grade 9 science.
Ecologically speaking, a niche is an organism’s role in the natural environment that makes use of its strengths. This definition can be adapted to and applied in our society as well, such as in the school environment.

Pedestrians are increasingly sustaining injuries as a result of talking or texting on cell phones while walking, the New York Times reported Jan. 17.
Those who chat and text while walking often experience minor injuries like sprained ankles or bruises from bumping into stationary objects like poles or parked cars.

My involvement with the Journal over the past three years has taught me a lot.
For starters, no matter how hard you try to write the perfect article, there is always bound to be someone who’s got a problem with it.

Transport Canada has warned airlines and airports to operate on “high alert” following the Dec. 25 attempted bombing aboard a Northwest Airlines flight, the Globe and Mail reported Jan. 12. The reminder to be vigorous with screening measures comes as a result of concerns that more terrorists trained in Yemen may be headed to North America.

Around this time of year, some people are starting to think about buying Christmas presents for their loved ones.
Maybe they’ll go
all-out and spend hundreds of dollars on some gadget or jewellery that will lose its novelty within the first few weeks.

The much-anticipated Queen’s Centre opened on Tuesday morning, providing equipped workout spaces, common areas for study and a new and improved food court.
The pristine facilities are an exciting addition to Queen’s campus. The Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC) improves upon the PEC’s fitness environment by leaps and bounds, offering state-of-the-art equipment with features like individual television screens installed on cardio machines.

Many Canadian food manufacturers who are under political pressure to reduce the salt content of their products believe Canadian consumers are to blame for the prevalence of salty foods, the Globe and Mail reported Nov. 19.

Jen Kwok’s “Date An Asian” may have been meant as a playful song, but its critique of mainstream North American culture rings true.
“Where my Punjabis at? Where my Filipinos at? Where my bubble tea-drinkers at?” Kwok croons in her self-described Mariah Carey-esque video.

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is planning to increase its fares starting in Jan. 2010, the Globe and Mail reported Nov. 16. If the fee increase is approved, individual adult fares will rise from $2.75 to $3.00.
The TTC is also putting forth a motion to extend discounted rates for high school students to include university and college students.

It’s an exciting time for football fans. No doubt you’ve already heard by now that the Gaels beat the McMaster Marauders in the OUA semifinals and will be competing against Western for the Yates Cup this Saturday. If waves of Facebook events ranging from pre-game drinking parties to T-shirt sales are any indication, this weekend is going to be wild.

Canada’s federal prisons are experiencing a shortage of mentalhealth professionals, CBC News reported Nov. 9.
Fewer health professionals means initiatives that are important, but not urgent—like rehabilitation programs—tend to be overlooked at the expense of more pressing problems like suicide attempts.

As today is the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street, I can’t help but remember everything the likes of Big Bird and company taught me in my early childhood years.
I really learned a lot from the folks on Sesame Street. After all, it was the Cookie Monster who taught me that the word “cookie” does indeed start with the letter C.