The Current

In his new book, former U.S. president Barack Obama reflects on the “outsized expectations” of his election as the country’s first Black leader, as well as how living up to those expectations wasn’t always possible.

Barack Obama says he's confident that after four turbulent years, Canada-U.S. relations will be restored to a more stable course under president-elect Joe Biden. Obama made the comments in a wide-ranging interview in which he also discussed whether the current president is a racist and the need to repair the U.S. image internationally.

Former U.S. president Barack Obama says the biggest challenge for president-elect Joe Biden will be to bridge the vast political divide that exists in the country and find areas of potential compromise with those who continue to support Donald Trump, without whom he can't govern. Watch excerpts from his full interview with The Current.

Former U.S. president Barack Obama on racism in the Trump era, U.S.-Canada relations, a Biden presidency and his new book A Promised Land. Plus, an investigation from CBC's The Fifth Estate reveals new details of the shooting rampage that started in Portapique, N.S., and what law enforcement knew.

It’s hard enough to complete the Ironman competition as is, but Chris Nikic did something that had never been done before — he became the first person with Down syndrome to finish the triathlon. Guest host Rosemary Barton spoke to him and his father about the achievement.

Today on The Current: National affairs panel on winter and rising COVID-19 cases in Canada, Chris Nikic becomes first person with Down Syndrome to complete Ironman triathlon, The pros and cons of Sweden’s approach to the pandemic, André Picard on the possibility of school closures.

Proposed changes to Canada’s medical assistance in dying law have been described as an existential threat to dignity by some disability advocates, who argue their communities need greater assistance in living instead. But others see it as a necessary balance between autonomy and security.

Today on The Current: Medical assistance in dying and people living with disabilities, Jessica J. Lee wins $60,000 award for memoir Two Trees Make A Forest, Gates Foundation CEO on vaccine access, Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit and women in chess.

Author and journalist Rick Westhead on the story of Joe Murphy, the former Edmonton Oilers player who went from winning the Stanley Cup to living homeless. Westhead says Murphy’s story is part of a bigger discussion about brain injury and mental illness — one the National Hockey League must address.

Today on The Current: Could ‘COVID Zero’ be possible for Canada?, Concern over delay to White House transition, Odeuropa project aims to bring you the smells of the past, How former Edmonton Oilers player Joe Murphy went from winning the Stanley Cup to living homeless.

In his new book, public policy expert Seth Klein argues Canada must mobilize to fight climate change in the same way the country did to fight climate change.

As Nunavut prepares to enter a two-week lockdown period, Lorne Kusugak, the territory’s health minister, is positive residents will overcome the disease. But despite his confidence, concerns prevail among some Nunavummiut.

Today on The Current: Nunavut entering lockdown as COVID-19 cases spike; Seth Klein on fighting climate change like it's WWII; Dr. David Fajgenbaum details the drugs treating COVID-19; Edmonton illustrator Kyle Charles on drawing for Marvel Comics’ Indigenous Voices.

Dr. Darren Markland, an intensive care physician in Edmonton, says the measures to fight the spike in COVID-19 cases 'are half-hearted and not effective,' despite the fact the second wave was predicted months ago.

A recent viral video shows a former ballerina — living with memory loss — coming to life as she hears music from Swan Lake. But who is she? Alastair Macaulay, former dance critic for the New York Times, looked into her life.

Today on The Current: Doctors and nurses describe ‘dread’ as COVID-19 cases risk overwhelming hospitals; Is devastation of spring’s first wave repeating itself in long-term care homes?; Mystery behind viral video of woman with dementia dancing to Swan Lake; Fears over growing conflict in Ethiopia.

With The Iron Lady prominently featured in the new season of Netflix's The Crown, British historian June Purvis discusses the complicated legacy of Britian's longest serving prime minister.

With COVID-19 case counts surging across the country, the second wave of the pandemic is becoming increasingly politicized, says a political reporter for the Globe and Mail.

Today on The Current: The politicization of COVID-19 in Canada; Margaret Thatcher takes centre stage on Season 4 of The Crown; and Willie O’Ree on breaking the colour line.

Raptors president Masai Ujiri says he is hopeful the team can return to Toronto for the new season set to begin Dec. 22, 2020. He noted it will be difficult, but the NBA is trying to lead a return to the new normal amid the pandemic.

The parents of a Nova Scotia toddler who went missing this spring have spent the last six months coping with an added torment: thousands of people on social media accusing them of being responsible for their child’s disappearance.