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Should medical assistance in death be accessible for people with mental illness? Experts weigh in
Proposed changes to medical assistance in dying will have an impact on advanced consent and remove the requirements that natural death must be 'reasonably foreseeable,' but would continue to disqualify those whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness.
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 Feb. 27, 2020
Today on The Current: We discuss riots and violence on the streets of New Delhi, India, prompted by protests against a new citizenship law that critics say discriminates against the country's Muslim population. Then, we look at proposed changes to medical assistance in dying, that repeal the requirement that a person's natural death be "reasonably foreseeable," and continue to disqualify those whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness. And finally, we speak to Richard Antoine White, who started life as a homeless kid, and became an elite classical tuba player.
How should you talk to your child about coronavirus? Start by asking if they're worried, says pediatrician
Have your children asked about coronavirus? Dr. Hirotaka Yamashiro tells us how to talk to your children — and ease their anxiety — about the virus.
How Canada's scientific community is moving forward after 'unbelievable' losses in Flight 752
A former student and research assistant of one of the many members of Canada's scientific community killed in the downing of Flight 752 says his team wants to continue the work of their former lab head.
The Current for Feb. 26, 2020
Today on The Current: The cancelled application to build the Frontier Teck oilsands mine has prompted fresh debate over resource and climate policy — our national affairs panel takes the pulse in Alberta. Plus, author Mark Bittman discusses whether plant-based "meat" is the food of the future, or just another junk food. Then, we talk to people continuing the work of the Iranian-Canadian scientific minds lost in the downing of Flight 752. And finally, Dr. Hirotaka Yamashiro advises how you should talk to your kids about the coronavirus, and ease any anxiety they may have.
'It means everything and nothing': How #MeToo may have played into Harvey Weinstein conviction
Without pressure from the #MeToo movement, Globe and Mail reporter and author Robyn Doolittle says that Harvey Weinstein likely wouldn't have been found guilty of sex crimes.
Teck quitting Frontier oilsands mine a failure of federal leadership: ex-B.C. premier Christy Clark
Former B.C. Premier Christy Clark says a failure of federal leadership led to Teck Resource’s decision to walk away from the $20bn oilsands mine — but not everyone agrees.
The Current for Feb. 25, 2020
Today on The Current: Former B.C. Premier Christy Clark says a failure of federal leadership led to Teck Resource’s decision to walk away from the $20bn oilsands mine — but not everyone agrees. Plus, after Harvey Weinstein was found guilty, what happens next for the #MeToo movement, both globally and here in Canada? And finally, as more coronavirus cases are reported outside of China, what can be done to help countries with less robust health systems respond to the problem?
Everyday sounds could be damaging your hearing, says author
New Yorker writer and author of Volume Control: Hearing in a Deafening World David Owen says people need to pay more attention to things that could damage their hearing because it is easier than ever to cause hearing loss with everyday activities.
These Gospel for Asia donors gave every spare dollar to the global charity, but now say they were misled
The organization Gospel for Asia raises money for items such as chickens, goats, blankets and wells to help remote villages in India and surrounding countries. But some former members of the group have questioned whether all of the funds are going where they were intended to.
The Current for Feb. 24, 2020
Today on The Current: After weeks of rail blockades, the Ontario Provincial Police have begun to remove demonstrators from the Mohawks of Tyendinaga camp near Belleville, Ont. We hear what’s happening at the scene, and ask what the path forward looks like. Plus, the federal government has announced plans to ease the mortgage stress-test, but one potential homebuyer says all that does is make it easier for him to take on more debt. We ask two experts to discuss the pros and cons of the new plan.
Reinvestigation of Malcolm X killing speaks to 'contradictory dynamic' many black people experience: scholar
Decades after civil rights activist Malcolm X was gunned down, his assassination is being reinvestigated. Pan-African Studies scholar Ricky L. Martin says the problems with this investigation are representative of issues many black Americans face in their dealings with the justice system.
'Time has come for those barricades to come down,' Bill Blair says of Wet'suwet'en blockades
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair joins The Current's Matt Galloway to discuss when the RCMP will leave Wet'suwet'en territory in B.C., and the prospect of lifting the anti-pipeline blockades that have paralyzed much of Canada’s rail system.
The Current for Feb. 21, 2020
Today on The Current: After nine people were shot dead at two shisha bars in a suspected far-right attack in Germany, questions are swirling about rising Islamophobia in the country and the political power of the extreme right. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair discusses when the RCMP will leave Wet'suwet'en territory in B.C. Amazon boss Jeff Bezos says he'll spend $10 billion US to fight climate change — but big-money philanthropy can be full of controversy. And the investigation into the assassination of civil rights activist Malcolm X has been re-opened; we speak to Pan-African studies scholar Ricky L. Jones about what this means, and Malcolm X's legacy.
Diamond Princess coronavirus quarantine was 'fundamental failure,' says Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer
Some Canadians who were on the Diamond Princess cruise ship are preparing to fly home, but dozens more are infected with coronavirus and staying in Japan for treatment. Did the quarantine on the ship just make things worse?
The Current for Feb. 20, 2020
Today on The Current: Some Canadians are flying home, but some are staying behind — did the coronavirus quarantine on the Diamond Princess cruise ship just make things worse? Plus, we hear how efforts to clean up the ocean are being helped by a generous donation from the family of Lindsay Petten, an experienced diver who died late last year. Then, a doctor in Syria warns of a looming humanitarian crisis as hundreds of thousands of civilians flee bombing. And finally, we hear from farmers and business people under pressure because of the ongoing rail blockades.
Rail blockade protesters 'dragging our name through the mud,' says Wet'suwet'en woman
The Wet'suwet'en protests against a proposed pipeline have drawn support across the country, but are solidarity protesters always welcome? Two Wet'suwet'en members give their perspectives.
The Current for Feb. 19, 2020
Today on The Current: Our national affairs panel discusses how the Liberal government is handling rail blockades over a proposed pipeline on Wet'suwet'en territory; and two Wet'suwet'en members give us their perspectives on whether solidarity protesters should join the demonstrations. Plus, the Human Screenome Project wants to find a better way to track our screen time, and the impact it has. And finally to recline, or not to recline? That is the question after a video of a man hitting the reclined airplane seat of a woman in front of him went viral, and kicked off a debate about air travel etiquette.
Little concrete action in Trudeau's blockade speech, says Indigenous policy analyst
Russ Diabo, an Indigenous policy analyst and member of the Mohawk Nation at Kahnesatake, said he was disappointed in the lack of action in Trudeau's speech in the House of Commons about the Indigenous rail blockades.
The Current for Feb. 18, 2020
Today on The Current: In the second week of rail blockades over a proposed pipeline on Wet'suwet'en territory, what should the Liberal government do to resolve the stand-off with protesters? Plus, as pressures mount over class sizes and the quality of education, we'll look at why some parents are now choosing private over public schools. And finally, documentary The Believers looks at religious charity Gospel for Asia, which is facing allegations that money raised for the poor in India isn't going where it's supposed to.
In a fast-paced world, walking is a 'radical' act, says Norwegian explorer
Norwegian author and explorer Erling Kagge believes walking is a radical act that can unleash your creativity, help you know yourself better, and even help you to create more time in your life.
Experts call for global ban on live animal markets, wildlife trade amidst coronavirus outbreak
China issued a temporary ban on wild animal last month as it works to contain the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. But some scientists and experts say it doesn't go far enough and are urging governments around the world to take action.
Talk to your sons about sex the way you would about table manners: often, says author
Author Peggy Orenstein has spent decades researching and writing about girls and sex. In her latest book, she turns her attention to boys.
The Current for Feb. 17, 2020
Today on The Current: In the midst of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, many scientists are calling for China to make their ban on the wild animal trade permanent. Then, author and philosopher Erling Kagge explains why, in a world of running, we need to learn to slow down and walk. Plus, a conversation with journalist Peggy Orenstein on her book, Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent, and Navigating the New Masculinity.
