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Courage, mystery, and death: Facts and Opinions about Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee dies, age 89, by Bill Trott, February 19, 2106 Harper Lee, who wrote one of America’s most beloved literary classics, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and surprised readers with a second book about racial injustice in the U.S. South after living a largely reclusive life for decades, died at the age of 89. Harper Lee: a life of great courage, by Richard Gray, February 19, 2016 Harper Lee showed real courage throughout her life – not least, by writing a book that went against the tide of majority white opinion in the American South at the

Antonin Scalia

Updated Saturday Feb. 20 The death on Feb. 13 of Justice Antonin Scalia, leader of the conservative wing of America’s Supreme Court,  may be one of those rare events on which history pivots. And given the court’s oversized influence on world affairs, at a critical time for the environment, finance and human rights, the impact will be global. Scalia died at a Texas ranch where he was vacationing. He was 79, and the longest-serving justice on the court, appointed when Ronald Reagan was president. Scalia was legendary for acerbic, eloquent, and sometimes sarcastic opinions. His unexpected death is a blow for the court’s conservative faction. Their majority meant they prevailed in rulings with repercussions far beyond American borders; one world-changing example was this month’s 5-4  ruling against

Matters of Facts, and Opinions, this week

F&O’s fresh sheet this week includes the eclectic, the interesting, the fun stuff, several thought-provoking essays — and startling or stunning images. Bon appétit. In Arts: Deepa Mehta: pushing boundaries with Beeba Boys All of Deepa Mehta’s major films have caused controversy, including the latest, Beeba Boys. Just released,  Beeba Boys (kind of a Sikh Sopranos) depicts the stylish, violent  world of  second- and third-generation Indian gang-bangers in metro Vancouver.  The topic is timely, but not one that the local South Asian communities particularly want aired.  Deepa Mehta is used to pushing people’s boundaries. Schiff sonatas score, Super Bowl blanked. By Rod Mickleburgh While gazillions tuned into the greatest

Facts, and Opinions, that matter this week

The Year of the Monkey begins today, on the Chinese New Year, and so we begin the year with a report about the new year as the world’s biggest consumer holiday: Chinese New Year, the world’s biggest consumer festival, by Qing Shan Ding. North Korea is in the news after firing a rocket that left a trail of anger, from the UN Security Council to its neighbours. We have the news report — plus select  columns and reports from our archives for context: North Korean rocket leaves trail of anger, by Ju-min Park and Louis Charbonneau. Related: North Korea’s Kim glories in reign of terror, Column North Korea’s black market the new normal Report Dark North Korea  (F&O blog

Facts, and Opinions, that matter: from Zika to America’s “Arab Spring”

The World Health Organization declared the Zika virus “a Public Health Emergency of International Concern” today. The WHO cited a suspected, though not yet scientifically proven, link between infection during pregnancy and microcephaly, the way the disease is spreading to vulnerable people, and the lack of vaccines and tests were also given as reasons. Zika is spread by common mosquitoes, and is thought to have arrived in the Americas two years ago from areas of Africa where it’s endemic. It’s suspected to be the culprit behind  3,700 babies reportedly born with abnormally small heads —  microcephaly — in Brazil, the country hardest  hit in the Americas. Said WHO, “A coordinated international response is needed to improve surveillance,

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