Why Musk is spending big on the US Midterms

Since US President Trump took office, he vowed the Russian invasion into Ukraine would end within 'minutes'. Almost two years later, and ceasefire talks remain murky. Within recent weeks, true colours have seemed to seep through diplomacy, including a diesel deal between the US and Russia - something Trump frames a way to lower cost of oil for Americans. Not only do Ukrainians have to deal with Russia's growing purse, but also with internet connectivity issues thanks to Starshield's service slowdown. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Arne Kislenko, a history professor at Toronto Metropolitan University to discuss how vulnerable Ukraine is to Trump's personal agenda, and how deadly year six of the war could look like if the US continues to cozy up to Russia. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Abu Dhabi's crown prince is in Ottawa for meetings as Canada and the United Arab Emirates work to cement their trade ties, the federal government is set to introduce changes today to Canada's medical assistance in dying law, new municipal governments are ready to get to work in Ontario after municipal elections last night, and a Montreal man and his fugitive racoon are back in the spotlight for a trip to get it vaccinated against rabies. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Elon Musk is spending big this US Midterm election cycle, just like he did during the 2024 presidential election. Although this time, he's more lowkey about it. He isn't one to join President Trump in the Oval Office with his son in tow, or wear a DOGE hat as he prances around the White House. This time, it's quiet donations to the tune of hundreds of millions into Super PACs like Texas PAC or the Senate Leadership Fund. Host Maria Kestane is speaking to Paris Marx, host of the Tech Won't Save Us podcast and author of Hyperscale: The Ambition and Excess of Big Tech’s Data Empires. They discuss Musk's stake in the Texas Senate race and whether he's aware of his political unpopularity.  We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: former President Barack Obama took aim at U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods, one of the four soldiers killed in the fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright is being remembered as a dedicated brother and friend, British Columbia's Premier-Designate Lorne Doerkson has a long to-do list as he laid out his priorities just one day after his party was elected with about two-thirds of the province's 93 seats in the legislature, and the Ontario-born voice artist behind Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig, has died - Eric Bauza was 46. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

British Columbians have chosen Lorne Doerkson as their next Premier. His victory follows a snap-election call by former Premier David Eby late last month, after Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigned from her role as leader of the BC Conservative Party after some three months on the job. Doerkson was since tapped to become interim leader of the party.Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Andrew MacLeod, the BC legislative bureau chief with The Tyee, to discuss how Doerkson and his majority government will meet British Columbians where they're at, what this means for the province's relationship with Indigenous communities, and whether or not Eby is regretting his snap-election call.  We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show 'In This Economy?!'.Family-owned farms have been at the heart of Canada's economy for decades, and as they grapple with rising costs and a changing economic landscape, the idea of foreign capital may be enticing if executed properly.Host Mike Eppel speaks to Kent Willmore, Founder and CEO of Crescero Natural Capital, a farmland asset management company. They discuss what future institutional investors have in Canadian farming and agriculture, and how to balance family-run operations with the need for capital.  We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Canada's chief trade negotiator to the United States says Donald Trump will still be U.S. President after the midterm elections and will still drive trade policy. Canada's deepening ties with Europe could help fill some of the massive gaps left by the U.S. pulling back from foreign aid. Proposals that would limit access to provincial services based on immigration status are on track to narrowly pass in Alberta's referendum. The mother of a Canadian soldier killed at a military base in Alberta is remembering her son as passionate and loving.  We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When was the last time you host a dinner party? Not for special occasion, just for the sake of it. How about the last time you went to one? Odds are, it's been awhile. With generations living in smaller homes, drinking less, and with less expendable income, they're becoming a rarer occurrence. But with the demise of the dinner party, what else are we losing?Host Catherine Jette is speaking with Cathrin Bradbury, a columnist for the Toronto Star, about what the dinner party was and what we're losing as a society as we push its existence to the fringes. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Carney is warning Stelco that it could face legal action if it fails to meet its employment commitments, the federal government will add $1-billion to help build a road to the Ring of Fire region in Northern Ontario, New Brunswick's biggest ocean port is getting a major upgrade, and today marks 12 years since a terrorist attack at the national war memorial and Parliament Hill that shook the country. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Protests have erupted across Europe, as activists seek for radical political and societal change.In France, young people are looking to improve school conditions and access to education. Similar to those in Albania, Italy, and Serbia, where protesters are revolting against government corruption and the cost-of-living crisis.Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Paul Waldie, European correspondent for the Globe and Mail to discuss the impact of Gen Z grass-roots movements, how governments could respond to their protesting populations, and when we could see the violence come to an end.  We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.