The Current

A New York Times investigation found that hundreds of law enforcement agencies in the U.S., Canada and elsewhere are using a highly efficient facial recognition software from a shadowy company that extracts billions of photos from public sites like Facebook and Instagram.

Dr. Allison McGeer, an infectious disease specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, says health authorities around the world have learned important lessons from the SARS outbreak that will help manage the current coronavirus outbreak in China.

Canadian mathematician John Mighton, founder of the charitable organization JUMP Math, says math could be the key to solving big social and political problems.

Today on The Current: The death toll from a coronavirus outbreak in China has risen to 6, should Canadians be concerned? Then, we discuss privacy concerns around facial recognition technology that lets you upload a picture of someone’s face, and find other images of them online, leading to their name or home address. And finally, Canadian mathematician John Mighton says if we got over our fear of math, we could build a better world.

Huawei Canada's Alykhan Velshi told The Current that Huawei was not involved in operating technology that helped with the surveillance and detention of Muslims in China's Xinjiang province, saying, 'we sell technology all around the world, but we don't operate it.'

Today on The Current: As the extradition hearing for the Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou begins in Vancouver, and two Canadians remain in a Chinese prison under harsh conditions, we ask why Canada should trust Huawei to build our 5G network. Plus, we talk to Newfoundlanders dealing with the aftermath of #Snowmaggedon2020, where about 90 cm of snow has fallen since Friday.

Former Manitoba reservist Patrik Mathews' alleged involvement in a U.S. neo-Nazi group is "not entirely shocking," according to an investigative reporter who tracks far-right movements.

Thousands of activists are protesting Australia's climate policies while much of the country is still on fire; American authorities have nabbed three men they say were part of the neo-Nazi group The Base, including Canadian ex-reservist Patrik Matthews; A series of events in the U.S. Democratic race are a reminder of the challenges facing women candidates, including in Canada; Joel Stein makes the (hilarious) case for elitism.

Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying law is under review, after a Quebec court ruled parts of it are too restrictive. Some advocates say the mental capacity threshold to access MAID pushes people to receive it earlier than they'd ideally like, but others warn about risks of widening access.

A petition calling for koalas to be introduced to New Zealand in order to save the species from extinction following massive wildfires ravaging Australia is being met with skepticism from ecologists.

Today on The Current: We discuss the government’s review of Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying law, and the very personal stakes wrapped up in the legislation. Then, an ecologist weighs in on a petition to save koalas from Australia’s bushfires, by relocating them to New Zealand. Plus, Peace by Chocolate CEO Tareq Hadhad tells us how it feels to become a Canadian citizen, four years after he came here as a Syrian refugee. And finally author Leslie Jamison discusses obsession, the promise and limits of empathy, and what sobriety has brought to her writing.

Craig Avery and Clarence Hynes were born on the same day, in the same hospital in Come by Chance, N.L. They believe they were switched at birth, and have been left with many unanswered questions.

A Canadian litigation lawyer who is offering his services to the families of those killed in the downing of Ukrainian International Airlines flight PS752 says the best way to get compensation for the loss of their loved ones is to charge the Iranian government for "perpetrating a terrorist act." 

Today on The Current: We listen to the incredible story of Clarence Hynes and Craig Avery, two Newfoundland men who believe they were switched at birth in 1962. Then, our national affairs panel looks at the investigation into Iran’s shooting down of flight PS752, and a Canadian lawyer tells us that suing Iran may be the best way for families to secure compensation. Finally, we look at the cheating scandal engulfing Houston Astros, and ask if cheaters ever do prosper.

Amna Saleem, a writer based in Glasgow, says "relentless" attacks with "coded racism for black women" contributed to Prince Harry and Meghan's decision to step away from royal duties.

Our new series The Fix looks at people solving the problems in our world today, starting with the harmful plastic in our oceans. We talk to Newfoundland diver Shawn Bath, who has pulled 20,000 lbs of trash from the sea, and ask ecology expert Chelsea Rochman what more can be done.

April Reign, an activist and the creator of #OscarsSoWhite, spoke to The Current about why she feels the lack of diverse films and performers nominated for Academy Awards just doesn't cut it in 2020.

The surge of crystal meth use, and the disruptive symptoms that come with it, may be leading Canada into a drug emergency on top of the existing opioid crisis.

Today on The Current: What prompted Harry and Meghan to step back from royal duties? Plus, our new series The Fix looks at people solving the problems in our world today, starting with the harmful plastic in our oceans. Then, we discuss diversity at the Academy Awards with the woman who coined the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite; and CBC reporter Nicole Ireland explores the rise of meth in Canada.

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino says the government "will not rest" until there is accountability for the families of Canadians killed in flight PS752.

Daniel Levitin, professor emeritus of psychology and neuroscience at McGill University, has published a new book on the science of helping the brain stay sharp into old age.

On the 10th anniversary of the earthquake that killed both her parents, Dominique Anglade, a member of Quebec's National Assembly, reflects on that tragedy and what her parents gave to Quebec and to her.