News roundup, 10 July 2024

- Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado has said publicly what many people have been thinking for some time - that Joe Biden cannot beat Donald Trump. And even Nancy Pelosi, who is no spring chicken herself, is hinting that Biden should reconsider his decision to stay in the race. Even longtime supporter George Clooney is calling for him to withdraw.

- Some jurisdictions in the US are looking at introducing mask bans, blaming masks for "emboldening" protesters to commit acts of vandalism or violence. Notably, this includes some relatively progressive cities such as New York and Los Angeles, which seems strange until you consider that it's largely a measure against pro-Palestinian demonstrators. The fact that COVID-19 infections seem to be on the rise ought to make them reconsider, but since no politician seems to want to admit that...

- The Israelis bombed a crowd of people watching a soccer game at a school playground, killing at least 31 people. No doubt they'll claim to have prevented a terrorist attack or something.

- The Manitoba government is extending funding for the remainder of the summer for the crackdown on retail crime. Justice Minister Matt Wiebe acknowledges, however, that simple crackdowns aren't enough; you also need to address the root causes.

- The City of Winnipeg is looking to tighten boarding standards for vacant buildings to prevent break-ins and resulting fires, as well increasing the related fees. They are also looking at speeding up the process to seize such buildings so that they (or at least the land they're on) can be put to good use actually housing people.

- A pastor whose wife had her seat upgraded when he didn't reportedly lost his temper and hit her in the head. He has been charged with assault.

- Chinese authorities have arrested a man who allegedly tried to smuggle 100 live snakes in his pants.

News roundup, 27 June 2024

- The  American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) spent nearly $15 million to ensure that New York Democratic member of Congress Jamaal Bowman was defeated in a primary. They succeeded.

- Denmark may become the first country in the world to apply carbon taxes to livestock emissions, beginning in 2030. By way of compensation, farmers will be able to an income tax deduction and will be able to access funding to change their operations to reduce their emissions. New Zealand had similar plans, but the new rightwing government there scrapped them earlier this month.

- Climate activists in Germany are taking the government to court for failing to take adequate action on climate change, after one of the coalition partners, the neoliberal Free Democrats, managed to get proposed legislation watered down.

- A wax sculpture of Abraham Lincoln in Washington, DC has partially melted due to the ongoing heatwave. Given that many of the people who fiercely resist climate action also would probably like to undo Lincoln's signature achievement, there's something symbolic about this.

- North Carolina's Democratic governor Roy Cooper has vetoed a bill that would outlaw wearing a mask in public in most cases; unfortunately the Republicans will probably be able to override the veto. The ostensible justification for the bill is as an anti-crime measure; Cooper says he vetoed the bill partly because of insufficient protection for medical users, but mostly because of a campaign finance provision tacked onto it. More alarming is that relatively liberal New York State is considering similar legislation, largely because of allegations that over-zealous pro-Palestinian protesters are using them. Even without actual bans, many people across the US report harassment and discrimination over mask wearing.

- The first ever sample return mission from the far side of the Moon has been successful as China's Chang’e 6 spacecraft landed successfully in Inner Mongolia.

- Prosecutors have recommended against charging the bus driver in last year's disastrous crash near Carberry, Manitoba that killed 17 people. Apparently the driver suffered a severe brain injury in the accident and is likely never going to be in any condition to be interviewed by police. I guess the survivors, and families of the dead, can take comfort in the fact that he's already effectively serving a life sentence.

- A house in Transcona was destroyed in an explosion yesterday that also severely damaged neighbouring homes; however nobody appears to have been injured; neighbours believe the sole resident of the house was not home at the time.