Canada
"Doomed for death and destruction": Pierre Poilievre on BC drug decriminalization pilot program
B.C.’s three-year drug decriminalization pilot project became a hot topic last week when Premier David Eby requested the Criminal Code exemption be modified to allow police to intervene in illicit public drug use once again. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was ejected from the House of Commons on Tuesday for refusing to withdraw and apologize for saying it is a “wacko policy from a wacko prime minister.” Global BC's Richard Zussman spoke with Pierre Poilievre about his thoughts on drug policy, safe supply diversion and bail reform for violent offenders.
Memo to corporate Canada - fire your lobbyist
Pierre Poilievre: At the most, the Chamber of Commerce, Business Council, and Canadian Federation of Independent Business hold pointless luncheons and meetings and write op-eds or record interviews that almost no one sees. As leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, I refuse to meet the aforementioned groups. They tell me what I already know.
Who’s afraid of Mark Carney?
Stephen Maher: Poilievre’s people say confidently that they would love to run against Carney, that he would be a perfect symbol of the regime they wish to replace, but they are behaving like they are worried, and for good reason. Carney is an astonishingly successful person, a smooth and thoughtful public speaker with decades of experience at the highest level of economic management. If he takes over, he could jettison unpopular Trudeau policies and present a fresh face to the electorate, offering safe hands. Or … he could be a disaster, brittle, smug, and inclined to lecture, presenting himself as a potential CEO, not a leader. We can’t know unless or until he runs.
The Provinces
Electricity operator CEO was pressured to support Alberta renewables pause
Internal emails show the head of the Alberta Electric System Operator was 'not comfortable' with government’s plan to pause renewables. He was told to 'support the minister without reservation' You may wish to watch this video, posted on X by Globe reporter Emma Graney, of Premier Danielle Smith insisting the AESO insisted on the 'pause'.
Danielle Smith, big government's unlikely fan
The NDP opposition calls her recent power-centralizing legislation an attempt to "control everything, everywhere, all at once." At the other end of the ideological spectrum, there's disappointment from Drew Barnes, the three-term MLA for Wildrose and the UCP says that she's "sprinkling money and favours everywhere."
Manitoba NDP, firmly in control of legislature, enters annual convention free of controversy
Just over six months after Wab Kinew was sworn in as Manitoba's premier, members of the provincial NDP will spend the next three days at the Fairmont Hotel for a convention that functions mainly as an extended victory lap, said Christopher Adams, a political studies professor at the University of Manitoba.
Elsewhere
A group of Republicans has united to defend the legitimacy of US elections and those who run them
Republican officials who believe in the legitimacy of elections have formed a group that's pushing back on the election lies and conspiracy theories that have persuaded a large share of their party that elections can't be trusted.
London mayor race: Labour's Sadiq Khan to secure record third term
Sadiq Khan, the Labour Party’s mayor of London, has romped to victory, securing a record third straight term at City Hall, on another hugely disappointing day for the U.K.’s governing Conservatives ahead of a looming general election.
Misinformation surges on social media as India votes
Claims circulating online recently have misstated details about casting a ballot, claimed without evidence that the election will be rigged, and called for violence against Muslims.
A candidate for Germany's key party was beaten up while campaigning for European elections
A candidate for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party in next month’s European elections was beaten up and seriously injured while campaigning in an eastern city.
For most people, politics is about fitting in
Nate Silver: How do people formulate their political beliefs? By which I mean: how do they decide what politically-salient facts they believe to be true and which causes they identify with? This seems like an incredibly important question if you’re trying to understand and project the course of public opinion (and even more important if you’re seeking to shape public opinion). And yet, I rarely see these sort of epistemological questions discussed among people who cover politics for a living.
Mick Jagger Slams Louisiana Gov. at JazzFest, Gets Zinged Back Over Age
Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger slammed Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry over his regressive policies during Jazz Fest set, Landry responded with age joke.
Media
Over 100 far-right militias are coordinating on Facebook
Individuals across the US with long-standing ties to militia groups are creating networks of Facebook pages, urging others to recruit “active patriots” and attend meetups, and openly associating themselves with known militia-related sub-ideologies like that of the anti-government Three Percenter movement. They’re also advertising combat training and telling their followers to be “prepared” for whatever lies ahead.
The epistemic injustice in conflict reporting: Reporters and ‘fixers’ covering Ukraine, Israel, and Palestine
Johana Kotišová: I argue that the collaboration between foreign and local media professionals is sometimes marked by identity-prejudicial credibility deficit granted to local media professionals because of their affective proximity to the events they cover. This epistemic injustice mirrors other power vectors and the dominant journalistic professional ideology that values disinvolvement, distance, and detachment.
Threads now lets you control who can quote your posts
Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri announced the update this weekend, saying he hopes it will “help keep Threads a more positive place.” Users can choose to turn off quotes entirely or limit them only to people they follow.
Reader Notes
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Science and tech
How Do I Prepare My Phone for a Protest?
Before going to a protest, demonstrators or observers should note that their cellphones may subject them to surveillance tactics by law enforcement. If your cellphone is on and unsecured, your location can be tracked and your unencrypted communications, such as SMS, may be intercepted. Additionally, police may retrieve your messages and the content of your phone if they take custody of your phone, or later by warrant or subpoena
How to Record the Screen (With Sound) on Your iPhone or iPad
Need to capture exactly what’s on your screen? Apple's built-in Screen Recording tool can help you create a video of your screen activity or grab a screenshot.
