ICYMI: May 25-31
Blogroll
Story of the Week
New B.C. Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay promises to unite party after identity crisis, Justine Hunter, Globe and Mail (May 31)
About 25,000 Conservative members voted in the leadership race. The five candidates on the ballot offered a range from centrists who promised to appeal to the broad centre-right in British Columbia, to those who offered a strict conservative vision.
Ms. Findlay is a lawyer and former minister of national revenue under then prime minister Stephen Harper. Her husband, Brent Chapman, is already a member of the B.C. Conservative caucus. Mr. Chapman was elected in Surrey South by a wide margin in 2024 after apologizing for remarks in which he described Palestinian children as “inbred walking, talking, breathing time bombs.”
During the leadership contest, Ms. Findlay attacked another contender, MLA Peter Milobar, over the fact that his wife is Indigenous, suggesting that puts him in a conflict of interest.
Mr. Milobar, a former B.C. Liberal, placed last in the race, and refused to comment Sunday on his future with the caucus. Ms. Findlay said she had been speaking with him.
“We’re looking forward to working together.”
Alberta
Danielle Smith’s constitutional adviser quit post after promoting separatist petition, Jason Markusoff, CBC News (May 25)
When will Liberal prime ministers realize appeasing Alberta will never work? Linda McQuaig, Toronto Star (May 28)
We asked all 47 Alberta UCP MLAs how they will vote in the fall referendum. Here is what they said (and didn’t say), Matthew Black, Edmonton Journal (May 29)
‘Calm down’ — Danielle Smith stands up to Alberta separatists wanting to punt her, Rick Bell, Calgary Herald (May 29)
Canada
Ontario doctor cautioned over MAID complaints can continue practice under supervision, regulator rules, Kathryn Blaze Baum and Nancy McDonald, Globe and Mail (May 25)
Aboriginal title can’t apply to private land, Supreme Court of Canada decides, Canadian Press (May 28)
False eviction letter fans the flames of anti-Indigenous racism in BC, Marc Fawcett-Atkinson, Canada’s National Observer (May 28)
Canada’s deal with U.S. data giant Palantir is ‘legitimate,’ defence minister says, Alex Ballingall, Toronto Star (May 28)
Protesters out in force to demonstrate against CANSEC arms show, Matteo Cimellaro and David Pugliese, Ottawa Citizen (May 28)
Global Affairs Canada Keeps Israel’s ‘Antisemitism’ Lobbying Secret, Alex Cosh, The Maple (May 28)
Canada responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity says international forum, Jesse Staniforth, APTN News (May 29)
Canada prices carbon far below the damage it causes, Paul Kershaw, Globe and Mail (May 29)
U.S.
CBS News ousts top 60 Minutes producer as part of broader shake-up, Jeremy Barr, The Guardian (May 28)
Trump appointees push $250 banknote with his portrait, Jonathan O’Connell, Washington Post (May 28)
World
The Most Accurately Predicted Genocide in History, Michelle Shephard, The Walrus (May 2026 issue)
Delcy’s ‘gatekeeper’: sources say ex-Trump official Claver-Carone holds keys to Caracas, Max Blumenthal, The Grayzone (May 25)
Senegal’s leadership row mounts as parliament speaker resigns, Paul Njie, BBC News (May 25)
Russia overspends on Putin’s war in Ukraine by $28bn, Max Seddon and Anastasia Stodnei, Financial Times (May 28)
Israeli and Russian forces added to UN blacklist for sexual violence in conflict zones, Farnoush Amiri and Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press (May 28)
Javier Milei to privatise Argentina’s $10-a-night workers’ hotels, Ciara Nugent, Financial Times (May 28)
Russian official warns Europe to brace for more drone incidents after Romania episode, Guy Falconbridge, Reuters (May 29)
Right-Wing Firebrand Surges Into Colombia Runoff, Shaking Political Establishment, Juan Forero, Wall Street Journal (May 31)
Middle East
Trump links Abraham Accords to any Iran deal, Doina Chiacu and Humeyra Pamuk, Reuters (May 25)
Israeli fire kills six-year-old girl and a woman in Gaza, medics say, Nidal al-Mughrabi, Reuters (May 25)
Benjamin Netanyahu orders Israeli forces to take control of 70% of Gaza, James Shotter, Financial Times (May 27)
Israeli minister confirms goal of large-scale expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, Emma Graham-Harrison, The Guardian (May 28)
Iranian dissident news network received £650mn of debt relief, Arash Massoudi, Cynthia O’Murchu, Daniel Thomas and Euan Healy, Financial Times (May 28)
Ex-Trump Campaign Chief Funnelled Millions of Israeli Government Money to His Longtime Allies’ Companies, Nick Cleveland-Stout and Jacqueline Sweet, The Intercept (May 28)
Israel Captures Crusader Castle as It Expands Invasion of Lebanon, Anat Peled, Wall Street Journal (May 31)
Israeli authorities refuse to return massive trove of Oct 7 video. What are they hiding? Michelle Witte, The Grayzone (May 31)
Tech
Pope Leo Warns of Risks From A.I. in 42,300-Word Encyclical, Motoko Rich, Elisabetta Povoledo and Elizabeth Dias, New York Times (May 25)
The SpaceX IPO is the clearest sign yet of a bull market at its peak, Ian McGugan, Globe and Mail (May 30)
Culture
Gad Saad Is Very Mad That His Books Are Bad and Sad, Matt McManus, Jacobin (May 29)