- Pro-Palestinian demonstrators at UCLA were attacked by counter-demonstrators with planks, pepper spray, and fireworks on Tuesday night. Security guards apparently did nothing, while the police showed up but left after allegedly coming under attack while attempting to help an injured person. Some video here. Meanwhile in New York dozens were arrested; at Indiana University some professors were arrested along with students. On the other hand, Australian National University is investigating claims by some Jewish students that protesters used Nazi salutes and made death threats. Meanwhile in Montreal, a judge has denied a request by some students for an injunction against the protest encampment at McGill University. And in Vancouver, a protester was arrested and faces possible hate crime charges for allegedly being the person in this video.
- The first stage of Canada's dental care plan begins today. Coverage is available for those 70 and older; applications are being accepted for those in the 65-69 age group as well.
- A poll commissioned by NPR and PBS reveals that Democrats and Republicans are both very concerned about the future, but to nobody's surprise they are concerned for very different reasons. The poll also found that among registered voters, 50% favour Biden while 48% favour Trump; a more promising statistic, though, is the fact that among those who say they are "definitely" voting, Biden's lead is somewhat greater (52%-47%). Biden's lead is also a lot higher among older voters, but quite narrow among younger ones.
- Interestingly, an evangelical pastor in Charlotte, NC is not pulling his punches in calling Trump's Bible a "ploy" and "blasphemous". I do hope he has a bulletproof vest.
- A scientist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, who specializes in invasive species, says that it's possible to eradicate zebra mussels from a body of water as long as they're caught early.
- A psychologist called as an expert witness by Jeremy Skibiki's defense team claims that it's impossible for a juror who's heard of the case to be impartial, and that the case should thus be tried by a judge alone. If that is true, then you might as well do away with juries entirely. This is the same team that previously commissioned a public opinion poll whose methodology has been called into question, though. They're also trying to claim that he's not criminally responsible due to mental illness.
- In Georgia, thousands are protesting against a bill before the country's parliament which requires any organization that gets more than 20% of their funding from outside the country to register as "foreign agents". Many are pointing out similarities to a similar law in Russia. There has reportedly been violence by the police against protesters, and the chair of the main opposition party was apparently among those beaten.
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