<p>Why grammar aficionado Ellen Jovin travelled to 50 U.S. states to explore the finer points of the English language -- one conversation at a time.</p><p>Canada pledges billions to boost Arctic defence; an American veteran describes being fired from his job by email; the mayor of Laval, Quebec reacts, after several mayors invited to the White House are disinvited; and how a Canadian teen ended up in a Polish prison, accused of being a Russian spy.</p>