Musings

By Ed Cara A close-up illustration of abnormal tau tangles, in blue, which play a debated role in Alzheimer’s disease. Illustration: National Institute on Aging, NIH (Flickr) The field of Alzheimer’s research is one filled with disappointment. Just last week, yet another drug failed its Phase 3 clinical trial, continuing the 15-year-long losing streak since a truly new Alzheimer’s treatment was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. But a team of scientists this week say they’ve found early evidence—in mice—that an existing class of drugs can attack Alzheimer’s and similar disorders from a different angle than previous failed attempts. Read more at Gizmodo

By GENEVIEVE SCARANO The Night King in 'Game of Thrones.' (Photo Credit: HBO) The final season of Game of Thrones is almost here, and fans are wondering when the Night King and his Army of the Dead will arrive at Winterfell. Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss recently spoke about the Night King’s purpose and why he is essential to the fantasy series. Read more at Geek.com

By MEGAN GEUSS The bill would strip any federal funds for exiting the agreement. The Capitol Building in Washington DC. On Wednesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) joined Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) in announcing the Climate Action Now Bill, which is intended to stop the United States from exiting the Paris Agreement. President Donald Trump vowed to pull out of the Obama-era agreement in 2017, saying that its terms would unnecessarily harm US industry. Read more at Ars Technica

Ontario premier said Blair broke the law by releasing confidential material Brad Blair, who was fired earlier this month, filed the $5-million lawsuit over comments by Ontario Premier Doug Ford that Blair had violated the Police Services Act. (Ontario Provincial Police) A former high-ranking Ontario Provincial Police officer is suing Premier Doug Ford for defamation. Brad Blair, who was fired earlier this month, filed the $5-million lawsuit at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on March 15 over comments by the premier that Blair had violated the Police Services Act. Ford's comments followed Blair asking the courts to force the provincial ombudsman to investigate the appointment of Ron Taverner, a longtime friend of the premier as OPP commissioner, raising concerns about political interference. Taverner later withdrew his name from consideration for the position. Read more at CBC News

OTTAWA – Last month, NDP Deputy Critic for LGBTQ2+ Issues, Sheri Benson, wrote to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau imploring him to respond to petition e-1833, which garnered 18, 200 signatures from Canadians supporting a federal ban on the harmful practice of conversion therapy for minors in Canada. Last week, the Liberal government confirmed that they would not seek a federal solution to this human rights issue. Read more at Canada’s NDP

NDP Agriculture and Agri-Food Critic, Alistair MacGregor and NDP International Trade Critic, Tracey Ramsey, issued the following statement: “Canada’s hardworking canola farmers and our canola industry are in crisis. It is vital they not pay the price for Canada’s current diplomatic problems with China. Read more at Canada’s NDP

The environmental commissioner will be out of a job next week after the government eliminates her office. FRANK GUNN/CANADIAN PRESS Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Dianne Saxe releases a report at the Ontario legislature in Toronto on Jan. 30, 2018. TORONTO — Ontario's environmental commissioner issued dire warnings Wednesday about the "frightening'' state of climate policy in the province as she delivered her office's last report. The Progressive Conservative government announced last fall that it was eliminating the office of the environmental commissioner and merging its functions with the auditor general. In delivering a report on energy conservation, Dianne Saxe said Ontario is heading in the wrong direction on the environment. Read more at Huffington Post