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Beirut explosion could lead to 'real aftershock' of political change: Rami Khouri
Journalist Rami Khouri says the explosion in Beirut is the latest "body blow" to the Lebanese, after successive crises have hit their country.
Why the pandemic might change queer spaces
Following the closure of queer spaces across the country, a researcher based in London, U.K. suggests that remaining venues might become more inclusive following the pandemic.
The Current for Aug. 5, 2020
Today on The Current: Calls for systemic change after Beirut explosion, Queer spaces closing under financial stress of COVID-19, Episode three of CBC podcast Unlocking Bryson’s Brain
Biden could choose Black woman as running mate, making her 'presumptive favourite' in future race: analyst
Political analyst Rebecca Sive says putting a Black woman on the ticket could help Biden in key states where "Black women are a significant group of voters who really care and really turn out."
No Easy Answers
Return to school raises concerns for parents and teachers
Kids will be back in schools across Canada in a month, but how will that happen safely? Today we start No Easy Answers — our new series on education in the time of COVID-19 — hearing from a parent and a teacher about their concerns.
The Current for Aug. 4, 2020
New series No Easy Answers looks at how we can safely return kids to school, Joe Biden set to reveal his running mate, Episode two of CBC podcast Unlocking Bryson’s Brain
What was that podcast I heard on The Current?
All summer long, The Current is bringing you the best of CBC podcasts. Here's what we're playing on air, and where to find episodes online.
Survey
Podcast listeners, The Current wants to hear from you
We want to know more about you, your listening habits, what you want from us — and how your podcast listening habits have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic — so we’ve put together a survey.
High school grads face uncertain future as they prepare for university amid pandemic
A month from now — in normal times — university and college dorms would be filling up with students, but high school graduates are facing a number of unknowns as they prepare to attend their first year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Current for August 3, 2020
High school grads prepare for higher education amid pandemic, Unlocking Bryson's Brain - "The Mystery Disease"
Migrant worker says he was fired from Ontario farm, faced deportation after voicing COVID-19 fears
A migrant worker says he was unfairly fired from Scotlynn Farms in southwestern Ontario and threatened with deportation after speaking out about the conditions on the farm following the death of his bunkmate from COVID-19.
Q&A
Australia's wildfires killed or displaced more than 3 billion animals, report says
Nearly three billion koalas, kangaroos and other native species are estimated to have been killed or displaced during Australia's devastating wildfires. The University of Sydney's Chris Dickman explains the findings of a new study on the loss of biodiversity.
Polio vaccine set off wave of relief, and a wave of resistance. COVID-19 era may be similar, says Jill Lepore
The New Yorker's Jill Lepore takes a look back at how the polio vaccine saved lives and changed the course of history, and how resistance to it may be repeated in the era of COVID-19.
The Current for July 31, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau grilled over WE Charity scandal, Migrant worker fired, facing deportation after voicing COVID-19 fears, Migrant workers need more protections, lawyer says, 3 billion animals killed, displaced during Australian wildfires
Q&A
Face mask or shield? It's all down to personal preference, health expert says
As provinces and municipalities continue to re-open and enforce mandatory face coverings, questions are being over which type is the best at curbing the spread of COVID-19 — a face mask or shield.
How music pulled Richard Antoine White out of homelessness to tuba stardom
Richard Antoine White, the first African American to earn a doctorate in music for tuba performance, recounts what it was like to grow up black and homeless in Baltimore as the son of an alcoholic mother — and how, through music, that childhood did not come to define the rest of his life.
The Current for July 30, 2020
U.S. lawmakers grill the Big Tech CEOs, Local spikes of COVID-19 more likely than “second wave,” Are face shields an alternative to masks?, From homelessness to elite classical tuba player
Education experts call for outdoor classes to increase student safety amid COVID-19 pandemic
As politicians and school boards grapple with the challenge of how to safely reopen schools in the fall, some education experts are suggesting a simple solution — hold class outside.
Let kids' car seats into secondhand market to help poorer families, urges author
What happens to all your stuff after you drop it off to a Goodwill store? In his new book, journalist Adam Minter takes a deep dive into the global secondhand economy, and argues prolonging the useful life of our products will help the environment.
The Current for July 29, 2020
WE co-founders testify before House finance committee, How WE controversy will affect entire charity sector, Holding class outdoors amid pandemic, A journey through the secondhand economy
WE Charity worker says organization sacrificed ethical integrity to serve as vessel for 'corporate interests'
A WE Charity worker says he and his team were encouraged to prioritize the interests of corporations whose operations did not fit into the organization’s ethical structure over that of its charitable work.
The Current for July 28, 2020
WE Charity prioritised "corporate interests" over ethical integrity, worker says, Zero-waste movement should not take a back seat during the COVID-19 pandemic, Card games and socialising could be key in ageing gracefully
Q&A
COVID-19 pandemic should not interrupt efforts to curb plastic waste, advocacy group says
The zero-waste movement should not take a back seat during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Environmental Defence. Ashley Wallis, plastics program manager for the environmental advocacy group, says the pandemic has increased people's reliance on single-use plastics, but it doesn't have to be that way.
The Current for July 27, 2020
How Donald Trump's upbringing shaped his "dangerous leadership" style, Vancouver starts to lift care-home restrictions, MLB players take a knee with Black Live Matter protests, making a difference for Downtown Eastside's Indigenous people
'Unstable and easily manipulated:' U.S. president's upbringing shaped his leadership, says niece Mary Trump
The niece of U.S. President Donald Trump describes her uncle as being “incompetent and in a position he is incapable of holding” and that inability to perform his job properly is endangering the country’s political stability.
