Canada must take action to counter an international surge of hate towards transgender and non-binary people, says activist Celeste Trianon. Writing for the Winnipeg Free Press, Trianon observes that she is receiving messages from friends who feel unsafe amid rights rollbacks across the country, citing the example of Quebec Conservative Party leader Éric Duhaime’s anti-drag petition, which has gained 40,000 signatures. Trianon calls for Canada to reinforce its leading position on LGBTQ rights, welcoming the refugees that will soon be generated by global hate.
At least three people were killed and two others were wounded in a mass shooting in a Kansas City nightclub on Sunday. The incident is at least the fifth mass shooting in the US over the weekend. It also brings the number of mass shootings to more than 230 in the US in 2019, meaning that on average a mass shooting has occurred every day. Kansas City police have yet to identify a suspect in the shooting. The US experienced 372 mass shootings in 2015, 383 in 2016, 346 in 2017 and 337 in 2018.
Winnipeg made skyscraper history 120 years ago with tower once tallest in Canada
CBC
23-05-21 18:06
The Union Bank Building, western Canada's first skyscraper, has survived for over a century on the corner of Main and William Avenues, Winnipeg, as the skyline of the city has grown and changed around it. Completed in 1904, the building stands 11 storeys tall, with a steel skeleton and terracotta facade unique to Western Canada. Heritage Winnipeg fought to save the building from demolition when it became vacant but finally succeeded when Red River College Polytech took up residence, restoring the tower as a gastronomy school and residence.
Scott entering 2024 race with endorsement, and prayer, from Thune
Washington Post
23-05-22 00:35
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has announced his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, hoping to challenge 2024 front-runner Donald Trump. He made his candidacy official at a rally in his home state on 7 June, and was led in prayer by Sen. John Thune of South Dakota. Earlier this month, Scott gained support from South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds. Scott joins a list of candidates including Trump, former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson and radio host Larry Elder. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is also strongly considering entering the race, particularly to challenge Trump.
Democrats have increased criticism of the US Supreme Court, claiming the court's conservative justices are corrupt, partisan and extreme. Last year, only 25% of Americans said they had a lot of confidence in the court, down from 50% as recently as 2002, according to Gallup. The Republican-appointed justices have pursued an ambitious agenda that overrules public opinion, according to the Democrats, while most of the nine justices refuse to address questions about their ethical standards. Republicans believe Democrats are being sore losers, trying to subvert legitimate court decisions they disagree with. However, Democrats hope to lay the groundwork for laws which could constrain the court’s authority or change its makeup. Republicans refused to allow Barack Obama to fill a court opening in his final year in office, then paved the way for Donald Trump to fill three positions. The Democrats’ criticism seeks to damage the court’s credibility with other political leaders and the public, making it uncomfortable for the justices to issue unpopular rulings.
On Monday, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen is expected to sign a bill that would ban abortions at 12 weeks of pregnancy. The bill would restrict gender-affirming medical care for those under 19 starting on October 1. The bill passed after hours of debate in Nebraska's unicameral legislature. Opponents have vowed to sue to try and block the law. Bills restricting gender-affirming care have been passed in at least 17 other states with more proposals pending. Medical groups and advocates say such restrictions threaten health and further marginalize transgender youth.
A group of Chinese nationals in Florida has filed a lawsuit against the state over a law which bans Chinese citizens from purchasing property around military installations or "critical" infrastructure sites. The American Civil Liberties Union is supporting the legal challenge, saying the law violates the US Constitution and the Fair Housing Act and will have a disproportionately negative impact on Asian buyers. The move is part of a wider concern around foreign investment in US agricultural land, with six states enacting restrictive laws this year alone.
Javier Baez hit a bases-clearing double in the 10th inning to earn the Detroit Tigers an 8-5 win against the Kansas City Royals. Baez said it felt "incredible" to make good contact with the ball, having had two earlier hits with a combined exit velocity of about 112mph. Meanwhile, the Tigers with eight or more walks in consecutive games for the first time since June 2016. Matt Vierling also had a good game with three hits, including a home run, and four RBI. The Tigers and Royals will play the second game of the series on Tuesday.
