Pop… goes their world

Confronting racism: Photos challenge negative stereotypes

For one night only, KC Adams' anti-racism campaign had a pulse.

The nearly two dozen models who posed for her Perception portrait series were on hand Thursday for its official launch in the foyer of Manitoba Hydro's downtown headquarters. It's hoped they'll give the campaign a life of its own and shed light on Winnipeg's racism troubles.

The goal is to counter common media portrayals of aboriginal people -- as a burden on taxpayers, as victims of crime and poverty, as homeless panhandlers -- and instead show them as the normal, middle-class people that many Métis, First Nations and Inuit people are.

Each model has two pictures -- one where they're not smiling accompanied by a negative stereotype, and another where they're smiling and described as mothers, fathers and business people who are focused on the community.

Wildfires in Brazil’s Amazonas state worsen air quality in Manaus

SAO PAULO (AP) — Smoke from wildfires disrupted daily life in Brazil's largest Amazon region city of Manaus on Friday as the country's dry season approached its peak.

The city, the capital of Amazonas state, suspended in-person work at municipal administrative offices, citing worsening air quality. Public school classes were canceled, and residents were urged to wear face masks.

The city said in a statement that the concentration of pollutants averaged 196 micrograms per cubic meter, which is considered an unhealthy level way above the normal range of about 3 to 9.

“For several days, Manaus has been affected by heavy smoke from fires in municipalities elsewhere in Amazonas state and in other states,” the city said. “The serious situation extends beyond the capital and threatens the health and quality of life of thousands of families.”

Pop… goes their world

It’s 45 years and counting for the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Without exception, you are guaranteed great music, good times and, interestingly, lots of bubbles. Turns out those temporary playthings have incredible staying power, as a quick search through our archives can attest. If you are heading out to Birds Hill Provincial Park for this week’s festivities, don’t forget to bring along the soapy staple that has been there from the beginning.

Fust sisters reunite as Bisons’ campaign gets set for tip-off

Izzi Fust is in a better place.

Don’t get it twisted; this isn’t an obituary, far from it. The standout third-year forward feels as lively on a basketball court as she has in years.

After spending the first two years of her university career with the Regina Cougars, Fust returned home this summer and is gearing up for her first season with the Manitoba Bisons.

Her homecoming came one year after older sister Kyu made the jump from Regina to Manitoba.