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Episode 569
Introducing the metaverse, crisis in Afghanistan, Stuff the British Stole, Islamic influence in Dune and more
Day 6 for Saturday, Oct. 22, 2021.
Frank Herbert's Dune novels were heavily influenced by Middle Eastern, Islamic cultures, says scholar
The main character in Frank Herbert's seminal 1965 science fiction classic Dune is named after a mythological Greek figure. But some readers might be surprised to learn the book contains ample references to Middle Eastern and Islamic culture.
Afghans urgently need financial aid to survive winter, says longtime humanitarian
Much of Afghanistan's international aid was cut off in mid-August when the Taliban took hold of the country. Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, warns of dire consequences if aid doesn't flow into the country immediately.
Riffed from the Headlines: 23/10/2021
Riffed from the Headlines is our weekly quiz where we choose three riffs linked by one story in the news. Guess the story that links the riffs and you could win a Day 6 tote bag.
Episode 568
Mourning unvaccinated deaths, a trillion-dollar coin, goalie mask artists, reviewing State of Terror & more
Day 6 for Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.
An Albertan reconciles happy memories with her unvaccinated father's death
Amid a fourth wave that has largely affected unvaccinated Albertans, Trudy Ballard reflects on the moments she shared with her dad leading up to his death at the hands of COVID-19.
Inside the colourful world of goalie-mask art
Goalie masks boast some of the most beautiful and creative designs in sports — and it's due in large part to the work of talented artists like Sylvie Marsolais of Sylabrush and Steve Nash of Eyecandy Air.
Analysis
Could a trillion-dollar coin solve the U.S. debt ceiling crisis?
As another showdown over the debt ceiling looms, experts say the whole thing could be put to rest by simply minting a $1 trillion coin.
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Why vinyl record prices have hit head-spinning highs
Veteran music broadcaster Alan Cross walks us through the issues causing vinyl record prices to spike — and why people eyeing upcoming box sets might want to brace for some nasty sticker shock.
Louise Penny and Hillary Clinton team up for new novel State of Terror. But should you read it?
State of Terror may be 2021's most intriguing crossover; it was co-authored by former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and award-winning Canadian writer Penny Louise. But is it worth the read? Our book columnist Becky Toyne has her say.
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Yuta Watanabe's rise and what it means for Japanese basketball
Japan isn't exactly a hotbed of basketball fandom, but as Sports Illustrated's Aaron Rose explains, Yuta Watanabe of the Toronto Raptors could be the spark that changes that.
Riffed from the Headlines: 16/10/2021
Riffed from the Headlines is our weekly quiz where we choose three riffs linked by one story in the news. Guess the story that links the riffs and you could win a Day 6 tote bag.
Episode 567
Facebook's very bad week, Ted Lasso's visual effects, WNBA gets vaccination right, the mascot whisperer & more
Day 6 for Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.
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Facebook is caught in another scandal and this one might stick, says expert
April Falcon Doss, executive director of the Georgetown Institute for Technology Law and Policy, says that Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen has laid out a blueprint for reforming technology companies to a more receptive group of legislators.
Media outlets must take stronger action against harassment of journalists, says former radio host
Supriya Dwivedi, a former Global News host who has endured sometimes violent harassment online, says that any statements in favour of protecting journalists from hate must include targeted action.
How Ted Lasso used visual effects to create an authentic matchday atmosphere
Ted Lasso is known for many things — but few people know it for its visual effects. Barnstorm VFX's Lawson Deming explains how his team brought the fictional AFC Richmond to life.
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While other leagues struggle, the WNBA has had a near-perfect player vaccination rate for months
In June, the WNBA became the first professional sports league to reach near-total vaccination with 99 per cent of players vaccinated at that point. Months later, the league still leads the pack.
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Meet the mascot consultant who was the original Phillie Phanatic — and helped create Gritty
In 1978, Dave Raymond was a college student and an intern with the Philadelphia Phillies when he was asked to perform as the team’s new mascot, the Phanatic. He was a huge hit, and he says the connection with the audience and the work he did has changed his life.
50 years ago, Oregon state officials blew up a whale — and led a news reporter to infamy
In November 1970, Oregon highway officials decided the only way to dispose of a beached whale was to explode it with dynamite. Then-reporter Paul Linnman covered the event, and ended up in a shower of blubber. Five decades later, it's an experience he hasn't forgotten.
Riffed from the Headlines: 09/10/2021
Riffed from the Headlines is our weekly quiz where we choose three riffs linked by one story in the news. Guess the story that links the riffs and you could win a Day 6 tote bag.
Episode 566
Rapid COVID-19 tests, Cindy Blackstock, new Cystic Fibrosis drug, Germany's anchor centres and more
Day 6 for Oct. 2, 2021.
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The case for making rapid COVID-19 tests more widely available
Dr. Raywat Deonandan, an epidemiologist at the University of Ottawa, says there’s a good case for making rapid antigen tests more widely available at this moment in the pandemic.
Groundbreaking new cystic fibrosis drug offers Montreal teacher a new lease on life
Trikafta was approved for use in Canada last June. In late September, four provincial governments — Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta — announced they would cover the treatment's hefty price tag of around $300,000. For people like Chelsea Gagnon, that's welcome news.
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'It's not just in the past': Cindy Blackstock says Canada must account for ongoing harm of Indigenous youth
A federal court judge upheld a human rights tribunal ruling that ordered the federal government pay billions of dollars to First Nations children and their families. Cindy Blackstock has been fighting this case since 2007 and says it shows that the fight for truth and reconciliation needs to address what’s still happening today.
Afghan refugees seeking asylum await decision in Germany's controversial anchor centres
Germany has promised residency permits to around 2,600 Afghan refugees, but the asylum seekers have been asked to wait for their cases to be reviewed inside so-called anchor centres. Proponents say the centres can expedite the asylum process, but critics argue they are unsafe and harm mental health.
