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The Current for Jan. 21, 2022
Today on The Current: How the lasting effects of COVID-19 are affecting survivor Jessica Sewell; watching the developments between Russia and Ukraine; and how the nursing crisis could clear the way for internationally-educated nurses to work in Canada.
Advocates urge federal government to commit to a national school lunch program
Remote learning has cut off school meal programs that are vital for kids from low-income families. Canadian communities are stepping in to fill that void — but they're calling on the federal government to implement a national school lunch program to help.
The Current for Jan. 20, 2022
Today on The Current: Matthew Cardinal on living with COVID-19’s lasting impact; Montreal pharmacist sets up vaccine clinic for immunocompromised; why an Indigenous man dreaded telling his grandma he’s a priest; and calls for a national school lunch program.
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Quadriga CEO's widow on his death, the missing crypto millions — and what she did and didn't know
When Quadriga CEO Gerald Cotten died suddenly in 2018, the passcodes for his cryptocurrency exchange died with him. His clients were locked out of about $250 million, and investigators later found widespread fraud.
The Current for Jan. 19, 2022
Today on The Current: Quadriga CEO's widow discusses his death and the missing crypto millions; Canada’s role in reducing Russia-Ukraine tensions; and hockey legend Willie O'Ree's No. 22 jersey retired by Boston Bruins.
Q&A
No legal reason stopping Guantanamo Bay closure, but it will take political will: law prof
This month marks 20 years since the opening of a U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay. Despite repeated, failed U.S. presidential promises to close it, law professor Ramzi Kassem says there's no legal reason stopping Joe Biden from shutting the prison down.
The Current for Jan. 18, 2022
Today on The Current: New book shines light on who betrayed Anne Frank to the Nazis; Pfizer's COVID treatment drug won’t end pandemic by itself, says doctor; new podcast looks into disappearance of four-year-old Michael Dunahee; and what will it take to close Guantanamo Bay?
Woman living with multiple sclerosis for 20 years says latest research offers hope for answers
Multiple sclerosis has affected millions of people worldwide. But a new Harvard study has provided compelling evidence that it’s triggered in part by the Epstein-Barr virus.
The Current for Jan. 17, 2022
Today on The Current: New research suggests Epstein-Barr virus may help trigger multiple sclerosis; teachers keeping kids on track in online learning, despite endless disruptions; and how Alexa McDonough blazed a trail for women in Canadian politics,
Canada could lead a coalition to force change at Facebook, says whistleblower Frances Haugen
Former Facebook employee turned whistleblower Frances Haugen disclosed thousands of documents about the social media giant last year, and testified before U.S. senators that it chooses profits over the safety and well-being of its users.
Shortened sentence for Helen Naslund 'highly significant' for abused women: experts
Helen Naslund was sentenced to 18 years for killing her abusive husband in Alberta — but this week, a judge cut that sentence in half. Experts say the decision is a step in the right direction for the law when it comes to cases involving abuse victims.
The Current for Jan. 14, 2022
Today on The Current: The provinces' latest COVID-19 measures; Alberta top court slashes prison sentence for woman who killed abusive husband; new documentary looks into plane that disappeared over Yukon in 1950; and Shawn Bath’s mission to clean up Newfoundland's harbours.
Can't sleep? Here are some tips to tackle pandemic-induced insomnia
Have you had trouble sleeping since the pandemic started? Sleep experts Dr. Elliott Lee and Luc Beaudoin give us some advice on how to catch some Zs.
Federal government must regulate Canadian mining companies operating overseas, says activist
When Canadian mining companies operate overseas, their work is overseen by local authorities, not by the Canadian government. Some activists want the federal government to regulate those operations in order to protect Indigenous peoples in those countries.
The Current for Jan. 13, 2022
Today on The Current: Facebook whistleblower says Canada could lead coalition to force change at social media giant; advocates say low-income and racialized communities need more support in Omicron surge; and how to deal with pandemic-related insomnia.
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Drafting Chile's new constitution in the wake of calls for social reform
After months of popular protests calling for social reforms, 155 people have been given the responsibility of drafting Chile’s new constitution. Fernando Atria is one of those people — and he speaks to us about the necessity of drafting a new constitution for the country.
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The ethical questions surrounding animal-to-human organ transplants
Animal rights advocates have raised questions after the transplant of a genetically modified heart of a pig into the chest of a critically ill man.
The Current for Jan. 12, 2022
Today on The Current: The ethical questions surrounding animal-to-human organ transplants; Dry January and people’s changing relationship with alcohol; understanding Quebec’s new medical tax; drafting Chile’s new constitution in the wake of calls for social reform.
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Canadian author Lawrence Hill on tackling big issues for little readers
Canadian author Lawrence Hill tells us about the joy and challenge of writing his new children's book, Beatrice and Croc Harry, and how he tackled big social issues for young readers.
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The impact of Omicron on kids, and easing vaccine hesitancy among parents
How sick might children get if they catch the Omicron variant? Matt Galloway talks to pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Fatima Kakkar, and Professor of community health sciences Michelle Driedger about the risks, and how to address vaccine hesitancy.
The Current for Jan. 11, 2022
Today on The Current: The impact of Omicron on kids, and easing vaccine hesitancy among parents; Canadian author Lawrence Hill on tackling big social issues for young readers; and calls for the federal government to regulate Canadian mining companies operating overseas.
Meet the Ontario teen building DIY air purifiers for seniors and small businesses
Shiven Taneja, 14, is building DIY air purifiers for people in his Mississauga, Ont., neighbourhood. He's so far built around 20 of the boxes, called Corsi-Rosenthal boxes, since starting the project in mid-December.
The Current for Jan. 10, 2022
Today on The Current: The pandemic’s impact on mental health in Canadian workplaces; what’s driving recent violent protests in Kazakhstan; and families renew call for justice two years after downing of Flight PS752.
Nina Lee Aquino wants to solve the world's problems through theatre in new position
The newly appointed artistic director of the National Arts Centre English Theatre in Ottawa is hoping to use her position to change the world through theatre.
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Canadian children's singer Raffi highlights half-hour of fun on The Current
Some of our younger listeners might be stuck at home, but we — and some of our friends — have some ideas to help them have some fun. We’ve got music with Canadian children’s singer Raffi; storytelling with author Emil Sher; and mindfulness exercise with early childhood educator Michelle Candelaria.
