Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 5h

Keith Gerein: "Alberta's malnourished restaurant inspection system has become indigestible" edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...

Keith Gerein: Alberta's malnourished restaurant inspection system has become indigestible

Alberta must make upgrades to its restaurant inspection system to improve transparency for diners and impose stricter enforcement on bad eateries

edmontonjournal.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 5h

“Scammers in B.C. and Ontario are preying on new victims by pretending to sell the beloved Girl Guide cookies.” nationalpost.com/news/canada/...

Scammers pretending to sell Girl Guide cookies prompt consumer warnings in B.C. and Ontario

B.C. Girl Guides issued a warning about scammers after social media users complained about trying to purchase the cookies online

nationalpost.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 1d

I did not know Bob Mould called Smashing Pumpkins the “grunge Monkees”, but reading it now made me chuckle. www.loudersound.com/bands-artist...

"He said, ‘Kid, it’s a smash! You gotta trust me!’ I thought he was crazy." The Smashing Pumpkins classic Billy Corgan thought was "stupid" - and that his own label boss had to talk him round on

Praise be for the persuasive powers of the music exec who brought Corgan round to his way of thinking

www.loudersound.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 1d

My ranking is so different. I will not write it out, but Grace Under Pressure is “worst” and Hemispheres is best. I know why people diss Hold Your Fire, but it is high on my list. Snakes & Arrows was best since Moving Pictures, and Counterparts was best in between www.loudersound.com/features/rus...

Every Rush album ranked from worst to best

Prog rock heroes Rush have amassed an immense discography over a 50-year career... and now they're hitting the road again

www.loudersound.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 1d

Don Braid: “As I reported recently, administration told elected councillors they can’t personally talk to officials about problems in their wards.

“Like everyone else, they need to try 311.

“That doesn’t just show disregard for council. It’s contempt.” calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...

Braid: Big talk, bold promises from candidates who won't tackle the real problem — city hall itself

The Calgary mayoral debate was a dismal affair with windy promises from candidates who created the problems in the first place.

calgaryherald.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 1d

Bill Kaufmann: “Restoration of the Erlton Chinese Cemetery, a resting place for many of the pioneers from that Asian country who helped build Calgary and Western Canada, has been completed.” calgaryherald.com/news/local-n...

Crucial chapters of city's past preserved with restoration of Calgary's Chinese cemetery

The Erlton Chinese Cemetery was restored with the help of a Feng Shui expert.

calgaryherald.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 1d

“‘Keystone XL has become some weird meta-meme in the place of actual progress in Canada’s oil industry. Never built, but never fully dead, always there when someone needs it,’ energy economist Rory Johnston, founder of the Commodity Context newsletter, wrote on X.” calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...

Varcoe: Return of the zombie pipeline — As Halloween looms, fresh talk arises of reanimating Keystone XL

Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed Keystone XL during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday.

calgaryherald.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 1d

“Venezuela’s Maria Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.

“She won ‘for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy’...” www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...

Maria Corina Machado wins 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

Venezuelan opposition leader recognized for promoting a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy

www.theglobeandmail.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 1d

"In a related story OKAY! (okay) BLUE JAYS! (blue jays) LET’S! PLAY! BALL!" www.thebeaverton.com/2025/10/pent...

Pentagon warns Toronto ‘dangerously close’ to winning World Series

WASHINGTON D.C. - Following last night's elimination of the New York Yankees, the United States Department of War has advised the White House that the Toronto Blue Jays are "perilously close" to acqui...

www.thebeaverton.com

1

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 2d

Matthew Lucky: "We need to trust science in the right way, which entails maintaining a healthy understanding of the very real limits of what it can say." www.promarket.org/2025/10/09/h...

The Political Economy of Distrust in Science - ProMarket

Skewed incentives and the distribution of resources toward corporations have undermined the integrity of scientific research and contributed to the public’s distrust in expertise. Matt Lucky explores ...

www.promarket.org

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 2d

I am writing this list before reading the list in the article. If I had to summarize Rush’s career in 10 songs, they would be: substack.com/@wallsandbri...

Ben Atkinson, PhD (@wallsandbridges)

I am writing this list before reading the list in the article. If I had to summarize Rush’s career in 10 songs, they would be: “Working Man” from Rush: This is the song that started their ascent, whe...

substack.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 2d

Same cities, but more dates in each one (except Mexico City which is still just one date). blabbermouth.net/news/rush-an...

RUSH Announces Additional Dates On 'Fifty Something' Tour Due To Incredible Demand

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees, Grammy Award-nominated icons, and RUSH co-founders Geddy Lee (bass, keys, vocals) and Alex Lifeson (guitar, vocals) recently announced their return to the stage f...

blabbermouth.net

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 2d

Max Fawcett: “It’s hard enough to get a pipeline built in Canada... But Alberta Premier Danielle Smith seems determined to make it nearly impossible.” www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/09/o...

Danielle Smith wants a fight with Canada, not a new pipeline

Alberta's premier has opened the door in her party and province to separatists. Now, she's claiming that other people are the ones threatening Canada's future.

www.nationalobserver.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 2d

“Invoking in the Notwithstanding Clause to pass a law is often what happens when rolling around on the ground and crying doesn’t work. So the renaming of the Charter brings our legislative procedures in line with how it is currently practised...” www.thebeaverton.com/2025/10/pm-c...

PM Carney announces Charter of Rights to be renamed Charter of Optional Ideas

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Mark Carney held a press conference today to announce a renaming of the “Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms”, the document that enshrined our foundational set of rights in...

www.thebeaverton.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 2d

An excellent piece in Asia Times from one of my former students, Ghin Shoute.

“For developing nations, trade is not a chess piece in a geopolitical contest—it’s a lifeline. They are the invisible casualties of this economic conflict.” asiatimes.com/2025/08/wwii...

WWIII without bullets: everyone loses in Trump’s trade war - Asia Times

As US President Donald Trump enters his second term, his aggressive trade policy has reignited what many are calling a global economic conflict—a de facto

asiatimes.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 2d

Satire.

"EDMONTON – After meeting with Mark Carney to discuss pipeline construction, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has vowed to hold her breath until the Prime Minister gives her absolutely everything she asked for during negotiations." www.thebeaverton.com/2025/10/dani...

Danielle Smith announces plans to hold her breath until she gets what she wants

EDMONTON – After meeting with Mark Carney to discuss pipeline construction, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has vowed to hold her breath until the Prime Minister gives her absolutely everything she ask...

www.thebeaverton.com

2

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 3d

Just got an e-mail from Google telling me that they will change my region from “Canada” to “United States — Oregon” in 30 days, unless I change it back. They seem to be taking Trump’s annexation threats a little too seriously.

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 3d

Just got an e-mail from Google telling me that they will change my region from “Canada” to “United States — Oregon” in 30 days, unless I change it back. They seem to be taking Trump’s annexation threats a little too seriously.

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 4d

"...German drummer Anika Nilles. The band will begin their Rush Fifty Something tour in Los Angeles next June, and Nilles will be behind the kit, having previously plied her trade with the likes of Jeff Beck, folk rocker Tom Liwa and jazz-rockers Panzerballett." www.loudersound.com/bands-artist...

Geddy Lee was talking about Anika Nilles two years ago

Geddy Lee has also revealed how German drummer Anika Nilles became Rush's choice for their first live shows in more than a decade

www.loudersound.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 4d

Tony Keller: “It’s starting to sound like the Black Knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, who after his arms are chopped off insists that ‘it’s just a flesh wound.’” www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...

Opinion: When Mark Carney visits Donald Trump, the best outcome might be none at all

In the long run, the hope may be that Mr. Trump becomes so preoccupied with other issues that he mostly forgets about us

www.theglobeandmail.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 4d

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson will be getting back together for a very limited tour next summer! Anika Nilles, who was in Jeff Beck’s band, will be the drummer, and they will have a keyboard player, too. Only two dates for Canada, and naturally they will be in Toronto. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVze...

Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson Oct 2025 Rock Hall Event re Rush Legacy and 2026 Tour, with Geoff Edgers

YouTube video by Rush

www.youtube.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 4d

For anyone in Calgary, you can find the candidates for Mayor, Councillors, etc. at the following link. You can also figure out your ward number here. This is a great site because it also provides contact information and websites for all candidates, as well. www.calgary.ca/content/elec...

Mayor and councillor candidates: 2025 General Election

Mayor and councillor candidates in the 2025 Calgary General Election.

www.calgary.ca

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 5d

Alex Lifeson: “There seems to be a waning in the support that the Ukraine is getting from the West… One of their most powerful allies isn't doing anything and, in fact, sides with Russia on a lot of it. Thank you, Mr. Trump." blabbermouth.net/news/rushs-a...

RUSH's ALEX LIFESON Opens Up About His Serbian Heritage, Love Of History

In a new interview with the Hear 2 Zen podcast, RUSH guitarist Alex Lifeson — who was born Aleksandar Živojinović in 1953 in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada and was raised in a Serbian immigrant fami...

blabbermouth.net

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 6d

Jason Markusoff: “Yedlin readily acknowledges that education and health are provincial responsibilities, and out of city hall's hands. But that speaks to the need for the provincial and federal governments to help assure a booming city has the resources to succeed...” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

ANALYSIS | Calgary is racing to 2 million people. Will next council prepare for it? | CBC News

City's population has hit 1.6M far faster than expected. City hall will face pressure to manage continued growth and the strains that come with it.

www.cbc.ca

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 6d

"Volunteers are expected to be out in Saskatoon and Regina this month to co-ordinate the latest point-in-time (PiT) count, which had previously taken place at least once every three years." nationalpost.com/news/saskatc...

Regina and Saskatoon moving to yearly homeless counts in 2025

Amid a growing crisis across the country, Saskatchewan's two major cities plan to conduct homeless counts every year starting this fall.

nationalpost.com