PLANET IN PERIL

Winnipeg Free Press WINNIPEG - Green Party leader James Beddome wasn't the least bit subtle Wednesday about what he thinks of the Pallister government's red tape reduction bill. "This bill stinks!"  Beddome declared to a rally on the steps of the Manitoba legislature. "It's part of a Conservative agenda that tells us all regulation is bad," Beddome said. "Government efficiency means don't do our homework; if there's no data, there's no problem." Environmental activists led by the Wilderness Committee and Hog Watch Manitoba protested Bill 24, an omnibus bill going to public hearings sometime later this month, warning that within its reductions to regulations were changes that would allow the expansion of industrial hog barns that would further jeopardize the health of Lake Winnipeg. Speakers could not agree on  how many sets of regulations are threatened by red tape reduction - 12, 14, and 15 were all cited - bu

CBC news Commissioner Julie Gelfand says stronger leadership needed to move beyond ‘endless planning mode.’ Story here. PinP photo.

Nation of Change "Whether this is a question of negligence or intent, it is completely unacceptable for government bodies to pass off industry analysis as their own." Story here. A crop-duster sprays pesticides  on a crop in Manitoba.   PinP photo.

EcoWatch The Air Force has dispatched big spray planes to control pests which they claim pose a health risk to rescue workers around Houston. Sadly, those "pests" include the good ones, like bees. Story here.

NATIONAL OBSERVER Are Harper-style funding cuts to science beginning to be felt again, even under the Liberals’ watch? Story here.

Dallas News WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump declared a national day of prayer on Sunday as the Gulf Coast reels from Hurricane Harvey, following the lead of Texas, where on Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott declared Sunday a day of prayer. Story here. RELATED: Texas official declines aid offer from Quebec, asks for prayers instead.

TheTyee Days before deadline to lay provincial charges, authorities have not completed investigation. Story here.

Manitoba Co-Operator Manitobans will pay a carbon tax, but how much may depend on the courts. Details here.

George Monbiot Another deadly tree disease threatens these islands, but the government will do nothing to keep it out. Details here.

VANCOUVER SUN The largest, most expensive project in B.C. history continued to degenerate into a political mess Wednesday, after B.C.’s Green party leader crashed a media briefing on the proposed $9-billion Site C dam and publicly rebuked top B.C. Hydro officials for misleading numbers. Story here.

OXFAM Deadly famine is already affecting 100,000 people in parts of South Sudan and threatens to extend to Yemen, Somalia and northeast Nigeria. Widespread famine across all four countries is not yet inevitable, but G7 leaders need to act now with a massive injection of aid, backed with a forceful diplomatic push to bring an end to the long-standing conflicts that are driving this hunger crisis.  Details here. Africa is no stranger to famine. Except now, the crisis is even worse and more widespread than it was in 2011.  That's when this image, depicting famine refugees in the Horn of Africa, was taken. Andy Hall/Oxfam

Common Dreams "Exxon applied for waiver from sanctions on Russia. Among departments who must approve: State Department, run by company's ex-CEO" Story here.

The Hill Times The recent release of the Canadian budget is a real opportunity for our current government to send a message to the rest of the world - that, despite the current political climate, we take our environment seriously.  Story here. Lake Superior, Minnesota. EPA photo.

Nation of Change "We cannot stand by and allow oil and gas companies to ruin our climate and pollute our land, water and sacred cultural sites." Story here.

CBC news Province says neighbourhood is safe, but residents and environmental researcher disagree. Story here.

Manitoba Co-Operator Government tables 'red tape reduction' amendments . Story here.

  Dear Larry, Stop Trump's attacks on the EPA.  Give $15 or more today! If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately: Express Donate: $15 Express Donate: $25 Express Donate: $50 Or, donate another amount Donald Trump is aiming to cut the EPA by more than 30%. He’d slash more than 3,000 staff. And he’d starve the agency of the resources it needs to protect our air, water, and climate. Attacking the EPA is one of Trump’s top priorities in his budget proposal. But his plan has to go through Congress. That means we can still stop these cuts to the EPA -- but we need your help! Help stop Trump’s massive cuts to the EPA: Give $15 to Friends of the Earth Action today! If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately: Express Donate: $15 Express Donate: $25 Express Donate: $50 Or, donate anoth

YaleEnvironment360 Logging in Malaysia. Photo credit:  Stephen Codri gton n Malaysian activist Bill Kayong fought to save native forest lands from logging and oil palm development. Like a troubling number of environmental campaigners around the world, he paid for it with his life.  Second in a series .