Beyond the Headlines

As the climate crisis intensifies, the need for comprehensive climate education in schools has never been more urgent. However, in Canada, climate awareness and sustainability are not consistently integrated into the national curriculum. Where climate change is addressed, it is often confined to science classrooms, leaving gaps in students' understanding of the social, ethical, and policy dimensions of the crisis. A truly modernize...

Tech oligarchs have risen to dominate global politics and public discourse, posing grave threats to democracy and governance. Under Donald Trump’s presidency, the consolidation of power among Silicon Valley elites has exacerbated critical challenges, including the spread of misinformation, the weaponization of social media, and the unchecked development of artificial intelligence. These forces have not only deepened political polar...

South Korea finds itself at a critical turning point as President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment exposes deep challenges to its democratic framework. Allegations of misconduct and debates over the potential use of martial law highlight the fragility of democratic accountability and the lasting influence of authoritarian legacies. At the same time, the country’s history of transformative grassroots activism, including the Candlelight P...

The Gaza war has triggered widespread geopolitical repercussions, placing Lebanon at a critical juncture. Regional instability has intensified, exacerbating tensions between Hezbollah and Israel despite a recently brokered ceasefire. Israel’s continued military presence in southern Lebanon raises urgent questions about sovereignty, security, and the viability of peace agreements in this volatile region.

Lebanon faces mounting chal...

How can policymakers, businesses, and individuals navigate the new era of Artificial Intelligence development? What should we do to ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI systems? In which directions should regulations be moving? In this episode, we discuss how we can shape the future of AI by improving regulations to navigate and mitigate its potential risks; with the guidance of this week's special guests.

Canada has one of the most developed education systems in the world, while the University of Toronto has been ranked as the top university in Canada and 17th globally. Higher education obtained from one of the best universities in the world can open many doors to a promising future. In this episode, we explore how policymakers can enhance education to support cross-border learning, expand research partnerships, and foster cultural ...

As the world undergoes transformative shifts, the international liberal order—once the cornerstone of global governance—is facing unprecedented challenges. Mistrust in multilateral institutions, reconfigured global supply chains, and the advent of a new digital age are reshaping the rules of engagement. In this week’s episode of Beyond the Headlines, we explore the pressing questions of whether the liberal order can endure, what al...

The 2025 federal election comes at a critical juncture for Canada, with national conversations focusing on major challenges such as the rising cost of living, climate action, infrastructure development, and government transparency. These pressing issues are shaping the platforms of candidates and nomination contestants alike as they propose solutions to address Canadians' most urgent concerns.

Affordability remains a top priority f...

One's identity frequently serves as a cornerstone for one's sense of belonging, often intertwined with their traditions and heritage. The case of Iberian Jews compelled to convert to Christianity, underscores their remarkable duality and resilience required to uphold their traditions and beliefs. These covert observances, deemed as Judaizing, were punishable by severe penalties, including execution by Inquisitional authorities in S...

India is playing an increasingly important role on the global stage, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. Now the world's most populous country, India is in the midst of its largest general elections, with a staggering 969 million eligible voters, making it the biggest election the world has ever seen.

While experiencing rapid economic growth and projected to become the world's third-largest economy by 2030, India is also facing ...

In our upcoming episode, we embark on a journey through the intricate realm of sustainable innovation and carbon markets, illuminating their profound significance in sculpting a pathway towards a net-zero future in the 21st century. As the spectre of climate change looms large, confronting humanity with unprecedented environmental challenges, the imperative to curtail carbon emissions has emerged as a paramount concern. Against thi...

In a day and age where technological innovation and information processing systems are driving economic development in society, there exists a frontier that promises to redefine the very fabric of computation. Welcome to Quantum Computing. In today’s Beyond the Headlines Podcast join us as we unravel and explore the future of how the principles of Quantum computing can revolutionize the way we process information. From groundbreaki...

In today’s episode, we delve deep into the critical issues surrounding gender equality in Canada, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We explore the major challenges and developments in gender equality, paying special attention to the disturbing rise in gender-based violence during this period and how it varies across different regions in the country. Our conversation then extends to examining areas where Canada sho...

*Trigger Warning: This episode includes content dealing with upsetting, sensitive, and potentially triggering themes including institutionalized modes of oppression, sexual violence, and violence against children.

Today’s episode delves into the history and enduring consequences of Canada's residential school system. With a focus on understanding the systemic abuses inflicted upon Indigenous children and communities, we examine t...

This episode examines China’s dramatic transformation over recent decades, transitioning from rapid economic growth and liberalization, particularly post its 2001 WTO accession, to a phase of increased tensions with Western nations. This shift, amidst rising geopolitical tensions and internal policy shifts, demands a deeper, more nuanced understanding that goes beyond traditional top-down analyses. The focus is on a bottom-up appro...

It has now been two years since Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine. Last year, in February 2023, there was a prevailing sense of optimism and hope as the Ukrainian armed forces were able to hold back the Russian advance and even reclaim large swaths of territory. Now, 12 months later, that sense of optimism has been diminished to a great extent. Disappointing results from the Ukrainian fall counteroffensive along with stiff Ru...

The global decline in fertility rates poses significant challenges for socio-economic structures, with Canada experiencing a notable decrease that mirrors this worldwide trend. This reduction in birth rates leads to an aging population, straining healthcare, pension systems, and altering workforce dynamics. In Canada, the fall in fertility rates necessitates a reevaluation of immigration policies to counterbalance demographic shift...