Dr. Henry Morgentaler speaks at a press conference in Toronto. (John Lehmann/Canadian Press)

THE MOST VIEWED

• SAT. Covering Canada: The best, worst and strangest foreign covers of Canadian songs
• SUN. Nuclear explosions could be key to spotting fake paintings
• MON. Murder charge laid in boy's death on Manitoba reserve
• TUE. Morgentaler among those named to Order of Canada
• WED. Firefighters spray Ottawa River water on children during health warning
• THUR. B.C. priest returning Order of Canada over Morgentaler
• FRI. Toronto police, corrections officers arrested in connection with grow-ops

Order of Canada controversy

Dr. Henry Morgentaler, a long-time advocate for women's right to legal abortions in Canada, was presented with the Order of Canada this week. But, like much of the publicity that has followed the man who is arguably one of the country's most famous physicians throughout his life, the award caused an uproar between anti-abortion and pro-choice groups.

While women's rights groups said the honour was well-deserved, the federal government of prime Minister Stephen Harper distanced itself from the award, saying recipients were chosen by a panel appointed by the governor general's office. The Roman Catholic archbishop of Toronto, Thomas Collins, went further, saying the country's highest honour had been "debased." The story garnered more than 750 comments on CBC.ca.

Your comments: Dr. Morgentaler named to the Order of Canada

Morgentaler 'honoured' by Order of Canada; 'federal government not involved'

I repeat, no change in Iraq policy: Obama

Statements by Barak Obama this week caused a stir among the Republican camp. They accused the U.S. Democratic presidential candidate of changing his position on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. Obama had been quoted many times as saying he envisioned a 16-month removal of the troops, but on Thursday, he told reporters that he would "continue to refine" his policies after his upcoming visit to Iraq. Annoyed that some reports said it was a shift in policy, Obama told reporters later on Thursday that he was puzzled. "I've given no indication of a change in policy. I haven't suggested that we're moving in a different direction."

Obama denies shift in Iraq policy

Report card woes

On Monday, the Conference Board of Canada came out with some grim news, saying that once again, Canada had dropped in the board's rankings of the world's most economically viable countries — falling to ninth place out of 17. Canada's commitment to innovation and its environmental record were slammed by the group, receiving a D and C grade, respectively. The country fared better on health care, the economy, education and the social environment, scoring Bs in all categories, but overall, not a report card to cheer about.

Canada losing ground, Conference board says

Hostages finally freed

Former hostage Ingrid Betancourt embraces her son, Lorenzo, right, and daughter, Mélanie, in Bogota on Thursday. (Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press)

After years of being held deep in the jungles of Colombia by the leftist rebel group FARC, a group of 15 captives was set free Wednesday by military commandos disguised as members of the FARC. Among the rescued hostages was Colombian politician and former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, who had been held for six years with little hope. At a press conference in Bogotá soon after the dramatic rescue, Betancourt, who has joint Colombian and French citizenship, called for the release of the approximately 700 hostages still being held in Colombia.

'Today, I cry with joy': Betancourt on returning to France

Hillier steps down

The top post in Canada's military changed hands Wednesday. Gen. Rick Hillier officially stepped down as chief of the country's defence staff. The "soldier's soldier," who was known for his staunch support of the members of the military, told those assembled at the official ceremony that Canada's troops are "absolute national treasures." He will be replaced in July by Winnipeg native Gen. Walter Natynczyk, who is currently vice-chief of defence staff. Natynczyk has been described as a consummate professional who has garnered international respect.

'It has been my privilege to have served you': Hillier on retirement

Canada's next top soldier a 'gentleman general'

Ontario nursing homes not up to par

Ontario nursing homes were in the spotlight this week for less-than-stellar care, including abysmal conditions and poor treatment in some of the institutions. A report done by the Canadian Press found that three-quarters of the institutions do not meet the province's 400 standards. Among the findings: many clients were restrained and weren't given enough baths per week. The report suggested better funding to hire more workers and recommended moving seniors into smaller, community-type residences.

Ontario nursing homes poorly staffed, more likely to restrain residents: experts

Rogers iPhone incites fury

Rogers Communications Inc. was targeted by angry customers after it announced that the Apple iPhone would be available in Canada July 11 at higher rates than those paid by customers in other countries. The basic Rogers monthly plan begins at $60, plus a system access fee of $6.95, and gives subscribers 150 daytime minutes and 400 megabytes of data usage. In the United States, a $69.99 US plan with AT&T Inc. offers 450 daytime minutes plus unlimited data usage. An online petition against the rates, called ruinedphone.com, had gathered 18,000 signatures as of July 2.

Rogers draws fire for iPhone rates

TALKING POINTS

A man in the United States who was born a woman and underwent gender reassignment surgery gave birth to a baby girl this week. Thomas Beatie, 34, who achieved widespread fame as the first man to give birth, had his breasts removed a decade ago but kept his uterus in case he wanted to have a child. Beatie and his wife of five years, Nancy, who wasn't able to conceive, used a sperm bank and home insemination. Beatie said that contrary to some media reports, the baby was not born by caesarean section.

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A Canadian search-and-rescue dog has been deemed the world's "most clone-worthy" canine after his owner won an essay-writing competition. Trakr is a 15-year-old German Shepard who helped recover the last survivor from the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. He will be cloned by California-based company BioArts International at the South Korean lab of the Sooam Biotecch Research Foundation, which is the partner organization on the project.

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Those sweet, unparalleled sounds associated with the Stradivarius violin may be attributed to growth rings in the wood used to make the instruments. Modern violin makers have been unable to recreate the sounds of the Stradivarius, and researchers are now suggesting that may be because of differences in the wood used to make the violins in the 1700s and the wood used today.

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