The Sunday Edition — July 15, 2018
On to this week's episode with guest host Nahlah Ayed:
U.S. diplomat questions Trump's belief in the free world on eve of meeting Putin
Ambassador Daniel Fried met Vladimir Putin several times himself during his four decades of experience in the foreign service. The former senior director of the National Security Council and former U.S. Ambassador to Poland tells us he wants to be optimistic about the Helsinki summit, but is concerned the U.S. will fall into Putin's traps.
Why one school board believes studying music is essential for all
In many places, there are bitter public clashes over cuts to music programs in the schools. But not in Windsor, Ontario. Its Catholic school board has made the unusual commitment that every child will get the chance to study music with teachers who know a lot more than how to whistle a tune. "We live in a world with music. So not to give it to them gives them a great disservice." David Gutnick's documentary is called,Just Notes and Rhythms.
"Abandoned by my country," Former hostage in Syria says Canada let him down
In 2013, Syrian rebels abducted Canadian lawyer Carl Campeau while he was working for the UN, and kept him hostage for eight months. Neither the UN nor the Canadian government would pay ransom for his release. Although he managed to escape, he continues to live in fear and feels abandoned both by his country and his employer.
Think the "5-second rule" means it's okay to eat food you dropped on the floor? Think Again!
It's common wisdom. If you pick up food within 5 seconds of dropping it, it's safe to eat. Donald Schaffner, a food scientist at Rutger's University in New Jersey, has put the theory to the test. This is part of our occasional series, Think Again.
A mother's heart melts when a puppy penetrates a 'no pets' family
"Until one has loved an animal", wrote the great French author Anatole France, "a part of one's soul remains unawakened". That may well be true. But there are many people who are quite content to have their souls remain asleep, at least in the pet department. They don't want animals in their lives. Period. Our own Talin Vartanian used to be one of those people. Her essay is called A Penny For Your Love.
Making bagpipes great again
Traditional bagpipe bands are in serious decline, as their players age out and die. Young people are just not interested in learning an instrument that is, let's face it, the butt of many jokes. The Niagara Regional Police Pipe Band is bucking the trend, with weekend get-togethers to help young enthusiasts master the pipes. The program — and Maureen Brosnahan's documentary — are both called A Big Noise.
Debut novel about Tamil asylum-seekers reveals Canada's 'split personality' about refugees
Award-winning Newfoundland writer Sharon Bala was born in Dubai to Sri Lankan parents, and immigrated to Canada as a child. Her debut novel, The Boat People, is about a group of Sri Lankan refugees who arrive in Canada only to face deportation and accusations of terrorism. It was also a contender in this year's edition of Canada Reads.
A cafe table of one's own
For "digital nomads", a welcoming coffee shop is hard to find. Gabriel Dancause knows just how how hard. So he decided to open a business that welcomes freelance knowledge workers in the "gig economy." The idea is to buy the time, not necessarily the coffee. David Gutnick's documentary is called The Anti-Office.