Weekend Listen: Honey, come meet the new neighbours...on Mars

One of Earth's closest planetary neighbours could be harbouring life of its own.That's the finding concluded from what a rock sample, collected by NASA's Perseverance Mars rover, obtained during its time out there. Researchers say that a biosignature was potentially found within the sample, indicating a sign of past or current life on the planet.Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks to Dr. Mariek Schmidt, a professor at Brock University, and one of the several Canadian researches a part of NASA's team to discuss how her and the team made the discovery, and how it compares to how life on our planet began. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Being its victim stings pretty bad, but is the hurt worth a criminal record?One - or several - speed camera vandals took to the streets of Toronto this past week, making their mark and message on radar technology loud and clear, damaging 16 over the span of one night. And not to mention, the vandals' most sacred target, the Parkside Drive camera that was vandalized 7 times in less than a year. Ontario's Premier denounced the radar technology, calling it a cash grab, and saying he wants them gone from cities. However, safety advocates are sounding the alarm on Ford's comments, calling them dangerous and out of touch.Although dozens of citizens took to social media to share their gratitude for the vandals' Robin Hood-esque style, it begs the question of how far can criminal activity be mimicked and celebrated before it goes too far?Host Richard Southern speaks to Jacqueline Helfgott, a criminology and forensics professor at Seattle University to break down the intersection of media, crime, and notoriety that perpetrates what she calls 'copy-cat crime'. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Russia is being accused of provoking Poland and its NATO allies, after multiple drones violated its airspace during a Russian aerial attack on Ukraine.As NATO fighter jets engaged potential enemy targets in allied airspace, Prime Minister Donald Tusk activated Article 4, signaling his country considered its territorial integrity and security under threat.But regardless of whether the infiltration by Russia was deliberate or accidental, Western officials have few doubts the Kremlin is testing NATO’s resolve.Host Caryn Ceolin is joined by Tim Sayle, associate professor of history and director of the International Relations Program at the University of Toronto, to discuss how the latest incursion raises the stakes between Russia and the security alliance, and what comes next. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

A little screen time while on the toilet doesn't hurt anybody......the key word here is 'little'.A recent study published in the medical journal, PLOS, shows that those who bring their smartphone with them to do some scrolling while using the bathroom, tend to sit on the toilet longer, increasing their risk for hemorrhoids. Yes, it could be a dagger in the heart for those who see their phone-toilet time as a moment of solitude, however, there are ways you can still enjoy your scrolling while protecting yourself - literally.Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Trisha Pasricha, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the senior author of the study to discuss how you can make the right choices while conducting business. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

There are still calls for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to step down as the U-S Secretary of Health and Human Services after an intense and – at times – combative hearing in Washington.Kennedy has been criticized by people in his own party – and his own family – for some of the decisions he has made around health care since being sworn in earlier this year.And some of his decisions could impact Canada and Canadians.Host Kris McCusker speaks to Dr. Kashif Pirzada – a Toronto-based emergency physician and co-chair of the Canadian Covid Society about how Kennedy could change things on this side of the border – decades after the introduction of vaccines brought in a different kind of change. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Woodrow Wilson’s hidden stroke. Franklin Roosevelt’s hidden wheelchair. John F. Kennedy’s chronic back pain. There is a historical tendency to obscure the health problems of American presidents from public view.But justifiable question surrounding how far loyal aides and the White House will go to conceal the full picture of the president’s health – and the media’s role in uncovering it – are increasingly being raised following President Joe Biden’s medical decline.Washington journalists find themselves grappling yet again with the fair, but sensitive issue, after unfounded speculation about Donald Trump’s health – and impending death – recently spread online.Host Caryn Ceolin is joined by American author, presidential historian and journalist Garrett Graff to discuss how the president’s health should be covered in an age as volatile as now. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Finding a job is difficult for anyone right now, but especially for a certain sector.Young people are having difficulty finding work. In fact, the youth unemployment rate this summer has been up to nearly 15%.A new study is taking a look at the root causes and offering some possible solutions.Host of In This Economy!? Mike Eppel speaks to L.J. Valencia, one of the co-authors of the Desjardins report. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Prime Minister Mark Carney and his inner circle gathered in Toronto this week for a two day cabinet ‘planning forum’ to set priorities ahead of the Fall sitting of Parliament.At the strategy session, Canadians learned the upcoming budget will be focused on both austerity and investment, and more developments have been revealed in our trade talks with the Trump administration.Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with CityNews Political Reporter Glen McGregor, who covered the cabinet meeting and shares his insights. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Your social media feeds are probably littered with back to school pictures, kids smiling ear to ear. Unfortunately, while we all hope for a positive experience for the next generation, the sad reality is that our youth are facing issues that need attention now.The newly released Raising Canada report says more than 70 per cent of Canadian youth aged 12 to 17 experienced bullying in the last year (with cyberbullying on the rise), and more than 13 per cent of children were living in poverty by the end of 2024 – and these numbers are growing.Host Melanie Ng speaks with Sara Austin, CEO and founder of Children First Canada. The organization is urging immediate action from policy-makers, especially as the fall parliamentary session gets underway. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

The Alberta government has reversed its July order for schools to remove books and other materials that contain explicit sexual content.The pause came after several critics spoke out against the Edmonton Public school board's list of the more than 200 titles it planned on pulling from its library shelves.But Premier Danielle Smith and Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides didn't seem to hit the pause button because of those outcries, nor did they indicate how long it should last.Host Maria Kestane speaks to Sean Amato, Alberta political reporter for CityNews, to discuss the potential of the ban rematerializing as the new school year continues to settle in, and who else - other than Margaret Atwood - Premier Smith is looking for support from. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter