The Big Story

The eastern Germany state of Saxony-Anhalt has elected far-right populist party, Alternative for Germany (AfD) in last week's election. The party was three seats shy of forming a majority, so they must now look to other parties to form a coalition, or poach individual outside members to join their party. Germany's domestic intelligence agency has classified the AfD as an extreme right group, shielded against entering mainstream politics by use of the country's firewall agreement. However, this victory puts the firewall at threat. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Jordan Leichnitz, Canada Director for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation to discuss the rise in far-right groups across Europe and how North American politics is affected by this election win.

Plus: The Canada investment summit is underway, new poll finds federal Liberals lead over Conservatives, Google is bringing age assurance tech to Canada, remembering George Chuvalo, and Canada's new sanctions on West Bank settlers.

Canada recently joined the UK and France in sanctioning all settler trade with the West Bank. In a joint-statement written by the three Prime Minister's, Israel's advancement of the E1 settlement, as well as the ongoing violence in the occupied strip jeopardizes the possibility of a two-state solution. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Jon Allen, the former Canadian ambassador to Israel and a senior fellow at the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History at the University of Toronto. They discuss whether or not Israel could announce counter sanctions on Canada like they did with the UK, and how the Canada-Israel relationship has hit an all-time low.

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!" The trade dispute with the US rages on, our closest ally and for many decades, our closest trading partner. But it wasn’t always like that. Going back in history shows we’ve been in this position with the U-S before, and Canada found a way through without giving up our sovereignty. Host Kris McCusker speaks to Joy Nott, Partner - Trade & Customs with KPMG Canada – about the week that was and where the trade drama could go from here – with a few interesting history lessons along the way.

Plus: Commemoration ceremonies in the U.S. and Canada, Trump and Carney are talking, the Houthis capture a strategic island, and what happened to our attention spans?

Plus: Ukraine's President is in Canada, Trump's pledge ahead of the midterms, August broke heat records, TIFF begins, and the age of technological imperialism.

Canadians have been keeping their elbows up for well over a year, but after logging on to Google Maps or Apple Maps and seeing 'Lake America' while in Canada, the feeling of despair doesn't seem too far fetched. Beit Facebook, Instagram, Google, X, Amazon, US tech giants take up lots of retail space within our digital presence, and sometimes they seem unescapable. Host Maria Kestane is speaking with Vass Bednar, Managing Director at the the Canadian Shield Institute, about how the U.S. government can have global reach through control of the tech giants, something Bednar calls 'digital imperialism'.

Plus: A preview to fall, new iPhone unveiling, the most searched slang words, and Canada's digital defences are lagging. Now what?

Earlier this year, Ottawa announced a commitment towards ensuring digital sovereignty, but what exactly does that look like? More data centres? AI within more government sectors? Modernizing hospital and school board technology? Host Maria Kestane speaks to David Shipley, CEO and Co-founder of Beauceron Security to discuss how strengthening our cyber security will improve our digital defence, and how Canadians can show up in the fight for maintaining Canadian digital sovereignty.

Plus: A new report on threats facing Canadian children, a Canadian tourist rescued in Australia, Hawaii is under a state of emergency, and how economic hardship increases gender-based violence.