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5 things you absolutely must know today

Every morning, we scour the Internet and vet what we believe are the five things you absolutely need to know for the day. Join this mailing list to receive 5 things you absolutely must know today every morning, Monday to Friday, by 8 a.m.  

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Underdog Bowman takes Winnipeg’s top spot with 47.5 per cent

Brian Bowman, from Winnipeg’s Charleswood neighbourhod, with no political experience, has won the city’s top job, receiving 47.5 per cent of the vote. His win was seen as an upset by the many who rallied behind runner-up Judy Wasylycia-Leis, whose appointment by the people as Winnipeg’s new mayor was all but certain, according to many polls leading up to Election Day Wednesday. In her concession speech, she called the campaign a roller coaster, adding, “I will continue to fight with every breath to build a stronger city, a city that works.” Bowman entered the mayoralty race with a forecasted three per cent of the vote. And somehow, through a mess of strategic voting, social media wizardry, and the heavy-hitting endorsements of Mark Chipman, Obby Khan, and Gary Filmon, the 42-year-old privacy lawyer beat mainstay politician Wasylycia-Leis. Robert-Falcon Ouellette came in third, and gave a fantastic concession speech; Gord Steeves, fourth; David Sanders, fifth; Paula Havixbeck, sixth; and Michel Fillion, seventh. And for those of you who read yesterday’s 5 things, Morris Olafson is the reeve for the R.M. of Stanley. [Source: Winnipeg Free Press] 

Canada introspects after gunmen kills soldier in Ottawa

A gunmen walked up to soldier Nathan Cirillo, who was standing guard at the National War Memorial, killed him with a long-rifle, then entered Parliament through the main doors of Centre Block, fired a bunch of rounds, and was eventually shot to death by House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers. The news forced Canada inward. It forced Canadians inward. As brute and as frank as the incident was, what’s existentially and introspectively frightening is the unavoidable fact that they person who did this was a living, breathing human being, and we are left to reconcile that we share that with him. “Attacks on our security personnel and on our institutions of governance are by their very nature attacks on our country, on our values, on our society,” Mr. Harper said. “But let there be no misunderstanding. We will not be intimidated. Canada will never be intimidated. In fact this will lead us to strengthen our resolve.” U.S. President Barack Obama called Harper to offer condolences and support. And the world did the same, in various ways supporting Canada in its weakest moment. This is good to see. And is a side of humanity we’re all happy to share in. [Source : Globe and Mail]

Back to the Future franchise tours live performance

That the Back to the Future franchise is not going to churn out a fourth is both welcome and unfortunate news. And it’s news we’ve had some time to come to terms with, as writer and producer Bob Gale spilled the beans in an interview last week. But what is new and exciting for BTTF fans is that for its 30th anniversary next year, Universal will tour a show involving screenings of the movie set to a live, orchestral performance of the film’s iconic score, composed by Alan Silvestri. Dates and locations have yet to be released, but keep watch. [Source: Death and Taxes]

Boko Haram implicated in more abductions

Nigerian militant group Boko Haram has been implicated in the abduction of dozens of women and girls from two villages in the country’s north-eastern Adamawa state. Residents in the area point the finger at the militant group, but officials have yet to confirm the abductions or Boko Haram’s involvement. Residents say the incident took place a day after a ceasefire between Boko Haram and the military was reached last Friday. Nigerian officials are also hoping the militant group will keep its promise to release the 200 girls seized in April. Negotiations between government and Boko Haram, which translates toWestern education is forbidden, will resume this week in the neighbouring country of Chad. [Source: BBC]

Genome of 45,000-year-old man helps identify human mutations over time

Scientists have mapped the genome of a person who was alive 45,000 years ago. It’s the oldest such map ever attained. Settle down, everyone. We know this is very exciting. The next oldest genome map is that of a 24,000-year-old boy, according to Janet Kelso, co-author of the study released today in Nature. Scientists sampled bone material found on a river bank near Siberia’s Ust’-Ishim settlement. “We found that this Ust’-Ishim individual is equally closely related to present-day Asians and to early Europeans,” said Kelso. The discovery of a human presence in Siberia 45,000 years ago also reveals that migrations into Eurasia weren’t solely from the south, debunking previous research indicating it was. “There’s more to this genome than its humanity, however. As it turns out,” writes the Verge, “the Ust-Ishim man’s genome contains longer Neanderthal DNA segments than ours do today. This, Kelso says, doesn’t mean that he was “more Neanderthal” than we are — the amount of Neanderthal ancestry present in his genome is similar to ours — but it does hint that our own Neanderthal DNA segments were once longer than they are today and reduced in size over generations.” Kelso added that having this genome map on hand will provide a new way of tracking human mutation rates over time.  [Source: The Verge]

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