China ended its international adoption program. Prospective parents want Canada to intervene

China ended its international adoption program. Prospective parents want Canada to intervene

The Current24:51China suddenly ends international adoptions A Quebec man and his wife are devastated after China suddenly stopped most international adoptions, dashing their hopes of adopting a little boy they’ve spent years getting to know.  “We feel that we have a special connection with him,” said Pierre LeMay from Quebec City.  “We receive pictures, we … Read more

Endangered Vancouver Island marmot numbers get a boost

Endangered Vancouver Island marmot numbers get a boost

Wildlife researchers are optimistic for the future of the critically endangered Vancouver Island marmot species, after they counted a record 86 wild-born pups this summer. The Vancouver Island marmot, which is endemic to its namesake, is one of the country’s most endangered species. The Marmot Recovery Foundation estimates there were fewer than 30 in the wild about 20 years … Read more

When India’s vulture population collapsed, half a million human deaths followed: study

When India’s vulture population collapsed, half a million human deaths followed: study

As It Happens6:42When India’s vulture population collapsed, half a million human deaths followed: study Vultures may not be the most popular animal in the world, but the work they do is essential for human life, a new study has found. New research attributes 500,000 human deaths in India over the course of five years in the … Read more

Will the AI chatbot wave come for the federal government?

Will the AI chatbot wave come for the federal government?

Delayed air passengers, disgruntled phone customers and even hungry people craving a slice of pizza increasingly find their pleas to private companies being answered by artificial intelligence. Soon Canadians who need to reach out to the federal government could also find themselves talking to an employee who’s been helped by non-human assistants. Ottawa is working … Read more

DFO seeks feedback on draft of Atlantic salmon strategy

DFO seeks feedback on draft of Atlantic salmon strategy

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is seeking feedback on a draft of its national strategy on Atlantic salmon. The goal of the strategy is to restore and maintain Atlantic salmon populations and habitats. The deadline to submit feedback on the draft is July 30, with the department aiming to publish it by the fall. “We hope that the strategy will bring back … Read more

Killer whales are ramming boats for fun, scientists say. A new report offers ways to protect mariners

Killer whales are ramming boats for fun, scientists say. A new report offers ways to protect mariners

Quirks and Quarks11:40Killer whales are likely ramming boats because they’re bored and having fun When Renaud de Stephanis sees killer whales surround his boat off the coast of Spain, he isn’t afraid — he’s excited because it’s a chance to get some research done. When asked how often his boats have been hit by the … Read more

Passenger dead, 30 injured as Singapore Airlines flight hits severe turbulence, officials say

Passenger dead, 30 injured as Singapore Airlines flight hits severe turbulence, officials say

One passenger died and 30 were injured after a Singapore Airlines flight from London hit severe turbulence en route on Tuesday, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, officials and the airline said. “Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. We deeply apologize for the traumatic experience that our … Read more

Canada’s biggest documentary festival says it’s dying. Documentarians worry they’re next

Canada’s biggest documentary festival says it’s dying. Documentarians worry they’re next

A misunderstood and mistreated killer whale. An investigation into the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and American gun culture at large. An inconvenient truth about the future of planet Earth in the face of devastating climate change. If you go by overwhelmingly successful films like Blackfish, Bowling for Columbine and An Inconvenient Truth, it might seem like documentaries are … Read more

Jay Baruchel explains why he wants to live in Canada ‘as crazy as that sounds’

Jay Baruchel explains why he wants to live in Canada ‘as crazy as that sounds’

Jay Baruchel has always defined himself by his love for Canada. The Ottawa-born, Montreal-bred actor lives in Toronto now, where he intends to stay, but even when he started building his career in Hollywood at 18, he was known for his unabashed patriotism. “I went there proud to be Canadian and being there made me … Read more