Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 21h

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 · 21h

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 · 1d

"...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 · 1d

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 · 1d

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 · 1d

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 · 2d

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 · 3d

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 · 3d

"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

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

ICE might be present at Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance, Trump advisor claims faroutmagazine.co.uk/ice-bad-bunn...

Trump advisor claims ICE could attend Bad Bunny's Super Bowl

A Trump advisor has warned that it is highly likely that ICE will be present at the Super Bowl show, where Bad Bunny is set to perform.

faroutmagazine.co.uk

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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 7d

Last Wednesday, FreshCo’s flyer preview advertised 3-9kg turkeys for $0.99/lb (Western Canada, limit=2). My head exploded as I had not seen that price in years, but later changed to $1.66/lb (no limit).

Maybe posted a future sale price too early? agrifoodanalyticslab.substack.com/p/thanksgivi...

Thanksgiving Turkey Gets Cheaper, but the Sides Are Stuffing Your Wallet

This year’s Thanksgiving dinner may cost virtually the same as last year, but the story lies beneath the surface.

agrifoodanalyticslab.substack.com

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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 7d

Hegseth apparently considers the VP and the President's two oldest sons to be “Nordic Pagans” and “unprofessional beardos”. www.404media.co/in-unhinged-...

In Unhinged Speech, Pete Hegseth Says He's Tired of ‘Fat Troops,’ Says Military Needs to Go Full AI

The Secretary of War lectured America’s generals on fitness standards, beards, and warriors for an hour.

www.404media.co

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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD

Danny K @dannykpolitics.bsky.social · 7d

WATCH: Ted Cruz says “How about we all come together and stop attacking pedophiles”

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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 7d

Don Braid: “McAllister looked like a privileged government man speaking power to truth. And he raised a question: Is this how they think of students in the premier’s office?” calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...

Braid: Student speaks out at Alberta Next session, gets referred for a spanking

Braid: A top Alberta government official said a student who tried to ask a question about the teacher strike should get a parental spanking.

calgaryherald.com

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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 7d

“If those in or near poverty are working low-wage jobs just above the minimum wage — or not working at all — then minimum wage increases won’t address or improve their situation.

“…we should also see a clearer strategy to target poverty and unemployment.” calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...

Breakenridge: Higher minimum wage won't solve poverty, but it's a start

The province bears responsibility for ensuring the policy is focused on driving joblessness and poverty rates downward.

calgaryherald.com

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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 7d

"When you eliminate...obviously false excuses, you’re left with the obviously true one: the grocery giants in this province would really, really like to keep making all the profit from alcohol sales without even the slightest bit of environmental or social reciprocity." www.tvo.org/article/anal...

TVO Today | Current Affairs Journalism, Documentaries and Podcasts

www.tvo.org

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 7d

“Moderator sorry for saying teen should be spanked at Smith’s Alberta Next panel” www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...

Moderator sorry for saying teen should be spanked at Smith’s Alberta Next panel

Apology came after 16-year-old boy tried to ask the panel about the pending provincewide teachers’ strike

www.theglobeandmail.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 9d

We discuss drawbacks of flying cars and solutions to these drawbacks. Afterward, we suggest ways to use this technology, what infrastructure they require, and how they are powered. Finally, we consider what some researchers have identified as the ideal flying car. rideon.substack.com/p/come-fly-a...

Come Fly Away with Us As We Take A Gander at Flying Cars

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads" ("Back to the Future")

rideon.substack.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 10d

The Jimmy Kimmel blackout is over after Sinclair, Nexstar back down | Hanomansing Tonight www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw5D...

The Jimmy Kimmel blackout is over after Sinclair, Nexstar back down | Hanomansing Tonight

YouTube video by CBC News

www.youtube.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 11d

Awesome! www.fangoria.com/jason-voorhe...

You (Yes, You!) Can Now Get A Jason Voorhees Chia Pet

It may not be a new FRIDAY THE 13TH movie, but this Jason Voorhees Chia Pet is a very real thing you can now own.

www.fangoria.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 12d

Heavy Music Collective Wants to Fix Music Royalties — and Metallica Are Buying In www.metalsucks.net/2025/09/24/h...

Heavy Music Collective Wants to Fix Music Royalties — and Metallica Are Buying In

It's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it...

www.metalsucks.net

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 12d

Hoekstra says Canada is completely to blame for our problems with U.S. He argues the U.S. never tariffed CUSMA items, except when it did, but at the same time it did not tariff them… except when it did. Canada simply does not appreciate what Daddy is doing for us. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra on trade, tariffs and talks between the two countries

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra sat down at the Global Business Forum to talk trade, tariffs and the state of relations.

calgaryherald.com

Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD

Dr Lindsay Tedds @lindsaytedds.bsky.social · 12d

There are going to be lots of arm chair opinions on the value of essential public services from people who don’t use or rely on a certain public service today. Perhaps take a pause and listen to those who do for a change. Your couple a bucks a year to pay for said service might not seem so horrible

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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 12d

U.S. ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra can bite me. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTIG...

Hoekstra lashes out at suggestion Trump uninformed

YouTube video by The Canadian Press

www.youtube.com

Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 12d

"Furious postal workers have walked off the job in a second nationwide strike in under a year after Ottawa announced sweeping changes to Canada Post, including the end of home mail delivery." www.thestar.com/business/pos...

Postal union launches nationwide strike after Ottawa gives Canada Post the OK to end home delivery

CUPW leadership is "outraged" after Canada's public works minister cited "unsustainable" losses to justify restructuring of the Crown corporation

www.thestar.com