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Latest episodes from RCI | English : Interviews

  China on the UN Human Rights Council raises concern (interview)

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2020 9:10


With China now being appointed to the Human Rights Council and the ‘consultative group’ there is concern by several countries that human rights abuses will not be investigated or properly condemned. China has itself has regularly been accused of abuse… »

What to do, or not do, in times of financial uncertainty

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2020 6:26


Stock markets are tumbling, people are losing huge value on their investments as panic selling sets in. The drop in value is such that automatic systems have halted trading on at least a couple of stock markets. But what should… »

Coping with Covid, federal government pledges $1 Billion

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2020 8:09


With the declaration of a Covid-19 pandemic, and the first recorded death from the virus in Canada, the federal government pledged a billion dollars to both fight the virus and mitigate the effects on society. Ian Culbert, is the executive-director… »

Recording vanishing history in Manitoba

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2020 7:39


For a biology professor in Winnipeg, an interest in history has become almost equivalent to a full-time passion. Gordon Goldsborough (PhD) is a professor of biological sciences at the University of Manitoba, and president of the Manitoba Historical Society. Away… »

Efforts to bring female voices to journalism in Africa and the Middle East

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2020 9:06


For too long, women’s voices and perspectives have been silent in much of world. The Canadian group Journalists for Human Rights is changing that. The group is launching an ambitious multi-year programme in several African countries to train female journalists… »

Air pollution- a silent pandemic

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2020


As the world fights a battle with the Covid-19 virus, researchers point out that deaths from air pollution constitute a lesser realised but very serious chronic threat worse than most diseases. Researchers estimate that some 8.8 million premature deaths annually… »

Sanctuary off Nova Scotia: a home for whales who spent lives in aquariums

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2020 4:45


A U.S.-based conservation group has chosen a site off the Nova Scotia coast to build a retirement home for entertainers who have brought joy to hundreds of thousands at the expense of their own mental and physical health. Ladies and… »

Tension as migrants mass at Greek border

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2020 7:23


Turkey has said it can no longer support the mass influx of migrants from Syria and elsewhere. It says it will no longer keep them from attempting to cross into Greece and Bulgaria as they seek to head into European… »

Fraud, identity theft increasing, Canadians seem complacent

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2020 8:02


The agency which tracks all types of fraud in Canada estimates the cost of mass marketing fraud, (phone, internet, mass mailing, e-mail, personal contact) to be almost $130 million per year. This is what is reported, but apparently only a… »

Federal politician takes the gun licence course

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2020 8:40


In Canada where the often bitterly heated debate about firearms has been raging on and off for decades, a federal politician decided he needed to be informed by fact, not opinion. Tako Van Popta is the Conservative Member of Parliament… »

Facial recognition technology; privacy questions growing

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2020 9:29


It has been revealed that facial recognition technology is being ‘tested’ by many police agencies in both Canada and the U.S. There are concerns that its use may contravene Canadian privacy laws, and who may be using it beyond police… »

New hope for improved recovery from stroke

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2020 11:04


Canadian research and development of a new drug has shown great potential to help patients in their recovery from stroke by reducing brain cell damage. Dr. Michael D Hill (MD  MSc, FRCPC) is a professor of Neurology at the University… »

International survey indicates trust in key institutions declining

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2020 10:31


Do you trust government to do the right thing for their citizens? Do you trust the media to tell the story truthfully and fully? Do you trust business on environmental issues, or NGO’s on their claims and efforts. The latest… »

Canadian scientist chosen to work on Mars geological mission

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2020 8:04


Some of the mysteries of the red planet are going to be uncovered as part of a NASA mission to Mars. A large rover will be sent into space this year with the goal to collect rock and soil samples.… »

Book: From ‘Dirt to Dinner’-Teaching children about where food comes from

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2020 7:24


Where does food come from? Do kids really know? It’s an interesting question and the fact is that as society becomes more urbanised, more children don’t realize that food, their hamburgers, bread, eggs, milk, breakfast cereal etc, originates on a… »

Survey: New office work space trends are actually counter-productive

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2020 7:00


Open-office and unassigned work desks, i.e., not dedicated to a particular person but open to anyone who needs a spot, are relatively recent office trends. A new survey finds that a majority of workers find such ideas unappealing and that… »

Author Desmond Cole on the Black experience in Canada

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2020 14:25


Toronto resident Desmond Cole, is an activist and journalist. He wrote an article in 2015 about the many times he had been stopped by police and interrogated on the street. The article in Toronto Life was a spark that brought… »

It’s World Radio Day!

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2020 20:01


In 2011 UNESCO declared February 13th to be World Radio Day, which was adopted by the U.N General Assembly as an ‘international day’ the following year. This year the theme is diversity. Radio Canada International joined with four other broadcasters… »

Climate change, human activities, and increasing disease exposure

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2020 7:37


Its seems that as climate changes, particularly warming in the northern hemisphere, new diseases are also appearing to infect humans. But climate change is not the only reason Dr Courtney Howard (MD, CCFP-EM) is president of the Canadian Association of… »

Are increasing theatrics turning politics into a reality show?

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2020 9:52


Does it seem like our politicians are more than ever dressing for a theatrical effect, or have you seen them using props, or employing theatrical gestures and language? In Toronto, Laura Levin (PhD), associate professor in the Theatre Department of… »

Is our morning coffee in danger?

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2020 8:06


Apparently a fungus is attacking coffee trees and reducing the harvest.  This is mostly in central and south America where some of the best beans come from. Stuart McCook (MS, PhD), a professor of history, and assistant vice-president international at… »

5G-In the rush to the internet of things, is human health at risk?

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2020 9:22


Around the world countries and companies are rushing to embrace and develop the so-called 5G network. This will be needed for the massive amounts of data transfer as more and more devices become connected to the internet, from cars, to… »

Promising HIV/AIDS research and treatment using antibodies, not drugs

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2020 7:52


Uses natural antibodies, not drugs A small-scale trial study has shown promise in the fight against HIV. The study involves use of natural white blood cell antibodies to help fight the virus. Dr. Daniel Kaufmann (MD) is a professor in… »

More Canadian content, and streaming services should pay

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2020 6:37


An independent panel reviewing electronic media in Canada has released a long awaited report. Canada’s Broadcast Act hasn’t been updated since 1991,  well before the arrival of the internet and streaming services like Netflix, Prime, Crave, Apple, Spotify and Amazon… »

The issue of Huawei, national security and 5G

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2020 9:36


The U.K. has just announced it will permit a partial use of Huawei technology in development of its 5G network. Other countries have banned Huawei over security concerns.  Canada is still debating its position on Huawei. Stephanie Carvin (PhD) is… »

75 years after horrors of the Holocaust, anti-Semitism continues

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2020 7:42


This week saw the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the biggest of the Nazi death camps, camps where a total of about six million Jews were murdered. The hope was that the lesson was learned that myths, mistrust, and… »

A new study shows pressures of recreational ocean fishing

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2020 5:20


While several studies in recent years have highlighted dangerous levels of fishing on many ocean species, they do not include the effects of recreational fishing. A new study by an international team of scientists estimates some 900,000 tonnes of fish… »

Some millionaires ask World Economic Forum to tax them more

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2020 8:01


While many average earners complain of taxes, a group of the world’s wealthiest is saying they should be taxed more. The disparity in earnings between the wealthiest and the middle and lower classes is such that some of those uber-rich… »

Canada’s new national climate change research institute

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2020 5:55


Announced this week, Canada has a new agency to look into the various issues of climate change. Non-partisan and arms-length from the government which is funding it, the agency will partner with experts in a variety of fields of research… »

At long last love: Larry Walker’s going to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2020 11:06


As usual, he was right on the edge, but in the end he prevailed–pretty much like he always did on a baseball field. Walker becomes the first position player from Canada ever to be elected to the Hall and the… »

Concerns about a new respiratory virus as it turns deadly

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2020 5:50


China has reported about 200 cases of a new coronavirus originating in the city of Wuhan  which has caused the deaths of six people so far. It also is now reportedly spread from person to person, vastly increasing concerns. The… »

Kerfuffle in the Catholic Church

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2020 8:54


A new book is being released called “From the Depths of Our Hearts”. It’s sparked a bit of controversy within the Roman Catholic church. It seems to push a conservative message about celibacy, and includes an essay by retired Pope… »

Medical Assistance in Dying: Canada re-examining laws

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2020 11:09


Viewed by some as ‘too restrictive’, Canadian laws around medically assisted dying are under review. The government is asking Canadians to submit their views on the laws and what might be changed. Arthur Schafer is founding director of the Centre… »

PS752: How could Iran have made such a terrible tragic mistake?

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2020 8:52


After initially denying they were at fault, Iran quickly backtracked saying the shot down the passenger jet by mistake? But with modern sophisticated systems how could a large, slow moving, and climbing jetliner be mistaken for a “hostile” fighter jet… »

Indigenous rites: Teaching or imposition? Legal decision in school case

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2020 10:12


In 2015 and 2016, children in a British Columbia elementary school took part in a First Nations smudging ceremony and prayer. A mother objected saying the school obliged her children to take part in a religious ceremony and a later… »

Drinking and driving in Canada: crunching the numbers

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2020 9:13


We’ve all seen it, we all know it when we see it, and we’ve all most certainly wondered just how downright stupid our species can so often be. For most of us, witnessing the insanity of drunken driving, is something… »

The situation in Iran

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2020 7:14


With the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, the entire mid-east situation is in turmoil. Hundreds of thousands are turning out in the streets of Tehran and other major centres, to mourn the general. But was there more behind the… »

NATO emergency meeting over killing of top Iranian general

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2020 10:44


After the U.S. drone strike on Friday that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, and several other important Iranian military or militia leaders on Iraqi soil. U.S. President Trump said Soleimani’s “reign of terror” was over.  The U.S. action appears to… »

And now for something completely different–sports in 2019

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2019 13:09


Looking back on 2019–a year lacking Olympics, another year missing a Canadian-based Stanley Cup champion, a year with a less than stellar performance by the Canadians at the Women’s World Cup of Soccer. What are we left with? How about… »

Animal rights activists looking for more victories in 2020

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2019 5:51


Animal rights activists, a determined lot at any time, are looking back at their gains in 2019 and feeling pretty good about both themselves and the animals they seek to protect. The year, according to the executive director of Animal… »

Global warming and economic effects of dwindling lake freezing

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2019 7:26


In 2015 a study of over 200 lakes around the world (containing a total of half the world’s freshwater supply) showed a clear warming trend. At the time, it was suggested that this is affecting drinking water quality, fish habitat,… »

DNA and disease, not necessarily related, not an accurate predictor

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2019 6:40


A new analysis of hundreds of studies covering two decades of studies related to genetics and about 200 diseases. The result may come as a surprise to many.  It finds, in most cases, little correlation between a genetic mutation and… »

Supreme Court dismisses case involving ailing elephant in Edmonton zoo

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2019 6:10


The Supreme Court of Canada will not hear a case involving a 44-year-old ailing elephant, dashing the hopes of animal activists and likely confining her to the Edmonton Valley Zoo for the rest of her days. Zoocheck Canada has been… »

Anti phone-spam/scam regulation for Canada

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2019 6:40


It’s a worldwide problem that nets scammers untold wealth from unsuspecting and trusting phone users. Telephone scams, along with simple spam, have been increasing dramatically in the last couple of years, and now the Canadian government is ordering companies to… »

International student’s passport ordeal touches people across Canada

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2019 6:42


Pretty much every one of us has been there–though likely not to anything resembling this nth degree–so maybe that’s why the plight of Leonard Mawora has touched so many. Mawora, a 26-year-old accounting and finance student, was set to complete… »

Think tank backs PM on massive tree planting possibilities

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2019 5:37


A prominent green economy think tank is backing the federal government’s promise to plant two billion trees over the the next 10 years to combat climate change, saying the plan is feasible. A new study by the Smart Prosperity Institute… »

Smart speakers and privacy: helpful, but gathering data on you as well

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2019 8:02


Smart speakers with their voice assistants are becoming more and more common, and many might find their way under a Christmas tree this year. But for all the assistance and helpful information they may provide, they could also be gathering… »

Special Parliamentary committee to study relations with China

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2019 8:04


Following the actions of China internationally and in respect of the diplomatic and trade dispute still ongoing with this country, Canada will strike an all party committee to study and  recommend policy regarding dealings with China. Colin Robertson is a… »

Can you nap (way) too much? An expert explains

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2019 5:02


It’s pretty much conventional wisdom that an afternoon nap is good for you–a credo that a lot of people around the world have lived by for years. A new study published in September of Swiss adults aged 35 to 75… »

New airline passenger rules set to kick in…will they work?

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2019 7:25


Transport Minister Marc Garneau was at Ottawa International Airport today to remind travellers that a new set of airline travel regulations take effect on Sunday. It was a redux of last July when Garneau announced passenger-rights rules that required airlines… »

National Farmers Union exploring changes needed to help save the planet

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2019 7:13


A new report from the National Farmers Union says that combining new technologies with old-fashioned mixed farming methods would be an effective weapon in the battle against human-driven climate change, as well go a long way toward saving the farming… »

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