Submitted by Kerri Brock

About: I'm on the board of directors for the Women's Healthy Environments Network, a non-profit, charitable organization that works with communities on prevention initiatives addressing environmental health links.

My story: I became involved with WHEN seven years ago at a Sustainability Network breakfast. I was recruited in a way, based on my marketing skills. The moment I heard that WHEN's mission was to raise awareness of the links between our environment and our health, they had me. Ever since I was a little Brownie, I knew that there was some connection, but didn't know enough of the science behind it to articulate why.

Submitted by Dr. Antonio Avina

About: I am a rheumatologist, currently doing a PhD at the University of British Columbia. I am also a Research Scientist at the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) here in Mexico. I was on leave to conclude my PhD studies in Canada.

My story: I arrived in Mexico City Friday morning at 8 a.m. from Vancouver. What's been happening in Mexico City been a progressive build-up of fear in the community. At the beginning things were uncertain, with a lot of misinformation floating around. However, once the WHO (World Health Organization) took control of the situation, the community feels clear that there is a treatment for this problem. As this was something that was not known in the first days, things have calmed.

Submitted by Yvon Loiselle

About: I'm a teacher in a private school in the city of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico's city of industry.

My report: Last night, the state's sub-secretary of health, along with several top authorities on epidemiology did a panel-style report for citizens of my state. As of today schools across the country — from nursery/daycare through elementary, middle, "prepa" (high) and universities are closed until May 6th.

This decision was made by the state governor, José Natividad González Parás, on Sunday, April 26th.

The economic implications go far, since parents have nowhere to leave their children and many must make the decision to stay home, despite the possible penalty of being docked pay.

Submitted by Bilaal Rajan

About: Toronto-based author, fundraiser and UNICEF Canada Ambassador Bilaal Rajan is 12 years old and has raised almost $5 million for programs worldwide. During National Volunteer Week (April 19 to 25), he spent seven days without shoes to better understand what millions of underprivileged children in the Global South go through every day.

My Take: For the past few years, I have participated in the 5 km World Partnership Walk in Toronto, which raises funds to fight global poverty. It always makes me think of what children in developing countries, many of whom cannot afford shoes, must experience. As a UNICEF Canada Children's Ambassador, I visited countries in South-East Asia and Africa and met with children who walk miles every day barefoot to fetch water, work on their farm lands, go to school, or perform other chores.

Submitted by Bruce McDermid

Last week Conquest Vacations shut down its tour operations effective immediately. Many Canadians were stranded abroad and presented with large hotel bills while on vacation.

Bruce McDermid and his wife just arrived back in Canada after receiving a massive hotel bill and being stranded in Mexico.

Watch as Bruce recounts their emotional journey below.

Submitted by Lisa Boudreau

About: Lisa Boudreau's friends and family were aboard CanJet Flight 918. The Canadian charter plane was hijacked in Jamaica. Most of the flight's scheduled 174 passengers had not yet boarded the flight when the situation developed on the tarmac, although an unknown number of passengers were briefly held hostage before being released.

Full story.

She recently spoke with her friend Chantal Ferguson who was on board. She shares her experience below.

Submitted by Donna Saslove

About: Donna Saslove recently opened a dress and shoe store called Original on Queen Street West in Toronto. Despite the current economic climate, Donna is optimistic about the store's future and the future of retail in Canada.

My take: Even if there is a recession, it does not exist in here. I don't expect it to have an effect after prom season.

In a recession, you still will buy something that makes you feel good. We feel confident about opening the store at this time because there is nothing quite like it.

In separate speeches Tuesday, U.S. President Barack Obama and Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said there may be some breaks appearing in the dark economic clouds.

Bernanke pointed to some recent improvement in data on home and auto sales, home building and consumer spending as the source for his more optimistic view.

In Canada businesses remain gloomy about their prospects over the next year in the face of the global recession, although they're not quite as negative as three months ago, the Bank of Canada says.

The only good news in the spring survey was that expectations weren't as bleak as three months ago, when the winter survey recorded the lowest sentiment level since the surveys began in 1997.

What are you seeing around you? Are there any sign s out there that the economy might be getting better?

Submitted by Gerard Power

The death toll in Monday's devastating earthquake in central Italy could be as high as 150, an official with Italy's Civil Protection Agency told CBC News. The medieval city of L'Aquila was hardest hit by the pre-dawn quake that rocked the Apennine mountains. The quake struck about 110 kilometers northeast of Rome at 3:32 a.m. local time Monday.

Full story.

About: Gerard Power is an Ottawa lawyer, who is married to an Italian-Canadian from the Abruzzo region of Italy. He and his wife have been visiting family in the area. He shares his account of the deadly quake below.

New York Governor David Paterson has confirmed that "12 or 13" people were killed at an immigrant services centre in Binghamton today, as a gunman stormed the building and took dozens of people hostage.

Local residents have turned to Twitter to provide updates and seek consolation as the situation unfolds.

Here's what they're saying.