Psychology

Many survivors of Myanmar’s devastating quake in March still live in leaky tents

Grant Peck, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Many survivors of Myanmar’s devastating quake in March still live in leaky tents

Grant Peck, The Associated Press 4 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

BANGKOK (AP) — Two months after a deadly earthquake ravaged much of central and northeastern Myanmar, recovery is just inching along, with huge numbers of people living in temporary shelters while facing the heavy rainfall and strong winds of monsoon season.

The 7.7 magnitude March 28 quake caused significant damage to six regions and states, including the capital Naypyitaw and Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city. The confirmed death toll from the disaster has reached 3,740, with 5,104 injured, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Friday.

Bodies are still being found

As the task of rebuilding grinds along, the grim work of recovering the dead is continuing.

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Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

An empty field is seen after clear collapsed building caused by strong earthquake in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)

An empty field is seen after clear collapsed building caused by strong earthquake in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)

To the margins of our rivers, our marginalized

Rebecca Chambers 5 minute read Preview

To the margins of our rivers, our marginalized

Rebecca Chambers 5 minute read Friday, May. 30, 2025

It’s not surprising that in the not-quite-public spaces on the margins of Winnipeg's rivers live the marginalized, the people not quite suited, for whatever reason, to a life away from its shores.

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Friday, May. 30, 2025

A large encampment along the embankment of the Assiniboine River at the end of Spence Street off of Balmoral Street. (Mike Deal / Free Press)

A large encampment along the embankment of the Assiniboine River at the end of Spence Street off of Balmoral Street. (Mike Deal / Free Press)

CDC removes language that says healthy kids and pregnant women should get COVID shots

Mike Stobbe, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

CDC removes language that says healthy kids and pregnant women should get COVID shots

Mike Stobbe, The Associated Press 4 minute read Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — The nation's top public health agency posted new recommendations that say healthy children and pregnant women may get COVID-19 vaccinations, removing stronger language that those groups should get the shots.

The change comes days after U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women.

But the updated guidance on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website sends a more nuanced message, saying shots “may” be given to those groups.

“The announcement from earlier this week sounded like CDC was going to fully withdraw any statement that could be construed as a recommendation for these vaccines in these populations,” said Jason Schwartz, a Yale University health policy researcher. “It's not as bad as it could have been."

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Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

FILE - A sign marks the entrance to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, on Oct. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

FILE - A sign marks the entrance to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, on Oct. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Mother of jailed Egyptian democracy activist hospitalized after resuming hunger strike

Associated Press, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Mother of jailed Egyptian democracy activist hospitalized after resuming hunger strike

Associated Press, The Associated Press 3 minute read Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025

LONDON (AP) — The mother of a pro-democracy activist imprisoned in Egypt is seriously ill in a London hospital after resuming a hunger strike aimed at pressing for her son’s release, her family said Friday.

Laila Soueif was admitted to St Thomas’s Hospital on Thursday night with dangerously low blood sugar levels.

“A couple of hours ago I thought we were going to lose her,” her daughter, Sanaa Souief, said outside the hospital. “The bottom line is, we’re losing her.”

She added: “(Prime Minister) Keir Starmer needs to act now. Not tomorrow, not Monday, but right now.”

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Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025

FILE - Laila Soueif, who has been on hunger strike for more than 129 days seeking the release of her son Alaa Abdel Fattah from prison in Egypt, sits outside Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

FILE - Laila Soueif, who has been on hunger strike for more than 129 days seeking the release of her son Alaa Abdel Fattah from prison in Egypt, sits outside Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

Oreo maker Mondelez sues Aldi, alleging grocery chain copies its packaging to confuse customers

Dee-ann Durbin, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Oreo maker Mondelez sues Aldi, alleging grocery chain copies its packaging to confuse customers

Dee-ann Durbin, The Associated Press 3 minute read Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

Snack food maker Mondelez International is suing the Aldi supermarket chain, alleging the packaging for Aldi's store-brand cookies and crackers “blatantly copies” Mondelez products like Chips Ahoy, Wheat Thins and Oreos.

In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Illinois, Chicago-based Mondelez said Aldi’s packaging was “likely to deceive and confuse customers” and threatened to irreparably harm Mondelez and its brands. The company is seeking monetary damages and a court order that would stop Aldi from selling products that infringe on its trademarks.

Aldi didn't respond to messages seeking comment. The U.S. branch of Aldi, which is based in Batavia, Illinois, was named in the lawsuit.

In the lawsuit, Mondelez displayed side-by-side photos of multiple products. Aldi’s Thin Wheat crackers, for example, come in a gold box very similar to Mondelez's Wheat Thins. Aldi’s chocolate sandwich cookies and Oreos both have blue packaging. The supermarket's Golden Round crackers and Mondelez’s Ritz crackers are packaged in red boxes.

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Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

This combo of images shows, top row from left, Mondelez's products Nutter Butter, Chips Ahoy! and Oreo cookies; bottom row from left, shows Aldi’s products, Peanut Butter Creme, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Original Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Vanilla Filing, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Glenview, Ill. (AP Photos/Nam Y. Huh)

This combo of images shows, top row from left, Mondelez's products Nutter Butter, Chips Ahoy! and Oreo cookies; bottom row from left, shows Aldi’s products, Peanut Butter Creme, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Original Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Vanilla Filing, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Glenview, Ill. (AP Photos/Nam Y. Huh)

Flin Flon, Man., virtually deserted, thousands more evacuees expected as fires rage

The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

Flin Flon, Man., virtually deserted, thousands more evacuees expected as fires rage

The Canadian Press 6 minute read Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

WINNIPEG - Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says thousands more evacuees are expected and the city of Flin Flon is virtually deserted as wildfires continue to rage in his province.

Kinew told a Friday news conference that the mayor, councillors, health-care staff and other officials have had to depart Flin Flon.

"The only folks remaining on the ground are firefighters and folks in the office of the fire commissioner and RCMP, who are there to battle the blaze," Kinew said.

"We do expect some very, very challenging conditions in Flin Flon and in the surrounding community."

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Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

Jennifer Chretien and her husband Rob Burroughs sit with their dogs Taco and Gunner on their truck outside of a reception centre for evacuees of the wildfires in northern Manitoba at the Century Arena in Winnipeg, Thursday, May 29, 2025. The couple drove from Flin Flon as evacuations were ordered, and will be spending the night at the community centre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

Jennifer Chretien and her husband Rob Burroughs sit with their dogs Taco and Gunner on their truck outside of a reception centre for evacuees of the wildfires in northern Manitoba at the Century Arena in Winnipeg, Thursday, May 29, 2025. The couple drove from Flin Flon as evacuations were ordered, and will be spending the night at the community centre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

Dive-bombed or not, Vancouverites are still pro-crow, researchers say

Nono Shen, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

Dive-bombed or not, Vancouverites are still pro-crow, researchers say

Nono Shen, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

VANCOUVER - Along her journey towards understanding Vancouver's crows, psychology professor Suzanne MacDonald says she made a friend.

It's a crow that brings her gifts after she set up a bird feeder at her home in the neighbourhood of Kitsilano.

Once, it was a barnacle-covered shell, which MacDonald treasures. Other times, it was "bits of garbage" that MacDonald doesn't fancy much, though she "appreciates the sentiment."

"I think he definitely recognizes me. When other people go out on my patio, he doesn't come to them. He knows me," said MacDonald.

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Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Celina Slaght, a medical volunteer, feeds a fledgling crow at the Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C., in Burnaby, B.C., on Thursday, May 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Celina Slaght, a medical volunteer, feeds a fledgling crow at the Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C., in Burnaby, B.C., on Thursday, May 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Residents, advocates say trust issues, strict rules, red tape keep encampments up

By Scott Billeck 6 minute read Preview

Residents, advocates say trust issues, strict rules, red tape keep encampments up

By Scott Billeck 6 minute read Friday, May. 30, 2025

Tents, tarps, and makeshift shelters line the beaten path along the Assiniboine River near Balmoral Street in West Broadway — a community hidden in plain sight.

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Friday, May. 30, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

A large encampment along the banks of the Assiniboine River at the end of Spence Street at Balmoral Street.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
                                A large encampment along the banks of the Assiniboine River at the end of Spence Street at Balmoral Street.
                                MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS A large encampment along the embankment of the Assiniboine River at the end of Spence Street off of Balmoral Street. Reporter: Scott Billeck 250528 - Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

Oilers defenceman Stecher understands Scheifele’s pain: ‘Still affects me day to day’

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

Oilers defenceman Stecher understands Scheifele’s pain: ‘Still affects me day to day’

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

DALLAS - Edmonton Oilers defenceman Troy Stecher felt for bereaved Mark Scheifele when the Winnipeg Jets centre suited up for an NHL playoff game with the knowledge his father had just died.

Stecher's father Peter died of diabetes complications at age 65 in 2020, shortly before the defenceman entered the NHL's summer playoff bubble with the Vancouver Canucks.

Scheifele scored Winnipeg's lone goal in Saturday's Game 6 loss to the Dallas Stars — Edmonton's opponent in the Western Conference final — after learning his father, Brad, had just died at age 68.

"A lot of respect for him," Stecher said Friday before Game 2 of the conference final.

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Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

Vegas Golden Knights' Brett Howden (21) is checked by Edmonton Oilers' Troy Stecher (51) during third period round 2, game 4 NHL Stanley Cup playoff action in Edmonton, Monday, May 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Vegas Golden Knights' Brett Howden (21) is checked by Edmonton Oilers' Troy Stecher (51) during third period round 2, game 4 NHL Stanley Cup playoff action in Edmonton, Monday, May 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Leader of neo-Nazi “murder cult” extradited to the US from Moldova

Jake Offenhartz, The Associated Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 23, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — The leader of an eastern European neo-Nazi group has been extradited to the United States from Moldova following his arrest last summer for allegedly instructing an undercover federal agent to dress as Santa Claus and hand out poisoned candy to Jewish children and racial minorities, prosecutors said.

Michail Chkhikvishvili, a 21-year-old from the republic of Georgia, was arraigned Friday before a federal judge in Brooklyn on multiple felonies, including soliciting hate crimes and acts of mass violence.

He pleaded not guilty through an attorney, Samuel Gregory, who requested his client receive a psychiatric evaluation and be placed on suicide watch while in custody. Gregory did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Prosecutors described Chkhikvishvili, who also goes by “Commander Butcher," as the leader of the Maniac Murder Cult, an international extremist group that adheres to a “neo-Nazi accelerationist ideology and promotes violence and violent acts against racial minorities, the Jewish community and other groups it deems ‘undesirables.’”

Paul Reubens tells his story in ‘Pee-wee as Himself.’ Here’s how it came together after his death

Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Paul Reubens tells his story in ‘Pee-wee as Himself.’ Here’s how it came together after his death

Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press 6 minute read Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025

Paul Reubens did not tell his director that he was dying.

On July 31, 2023, the news of Reubens' death came as a shock to documentary filmmaker Matt Wolf, who had spent a year trying to convince him to make the ambitious two-part documentary “Pee-wee as Himself,” now streaming on HBO Max, and over 40 hours interviewing him on camera.

But in 2023, the project was in danger of falling apart: The two had been at an impasse for a while over the issue of creative control and they’d finally found a way forward. He had one last interview scheduled, set for the first week of August. Then the texts started coming in. Wolf sat there shaking.

They’d spoken about everything — Reubens' childhood, his complicated relationship with fame, his ambitions, his commitment to his alter-ego Pee-wee Herman, his sexuality, his arrest — except the fact that he’d been battling cancer for the past six years. But after the initial shock, a renewed purpose set in.

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Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025

This image released by HBO Max shows Paul Reubens in a scene from the documentary "Pee-Wee As Himself." (HBO Max via AP)

This image released by HBO Max shows Paul Reubens in a scene from the documentary

Nearly one in three non-profit workers burnt out and food insecure, survey suggests

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Nearly one in three non-profit workers burnt out and food insecure, survey suggests

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

A survey of 1,116 employees at non-profit organizations across Canada indicates more than one-third of workers regularly feel burnt out and exhausted.

The Changemaker Wellbeing Index, published Thursday, says 36 per cent of workers said they were struggling with issues such as anxiety, poor job satisfaction and insufficient household incomes.

The survey was conducted between Feb. 21 and March 14 by Toronto-based Environics Research on behalf of media company Future of Good.

Thirty-four per cent of respondents at community non-profits said they were food insecure, and 20 per cent said they were likely to quit in the next six months.

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Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

Anouk Bertner, executive director of Future of Good, is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Future of Good

Anouk Bertner, executive director of Future of Good, is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Future of Good

Increase in sextortion cases prompts call for legislation to combat predators

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Preview

Increase in sextortion cases prompts call for legislation to combat predators

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Thursday, May. 8, 2025

The spike in online sextortion cases in Winnipeg has alarmed police and augmented advocates’ calls for Canada to begin regulating social media platforms to help protect children from predators.

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Thursday, May. 8, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

Jacques Marcoux, with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, says the Winnipeg Police Service’s online exploitation stats are not surprising, as this type of crime is rampant.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
                                Jacques Marcoux, with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, says the Winnipeg Police Service’s online exploitation stats are not surprising, as this type of crime is rampant.

Little pictures, big ears, and bad examples

Jordan Laidlaw 5 minute read Preview

Little pictures, big ears, and bad examples

Jordan Laidlaw 5 minute read Monday, Apr. 28, 2025

One of the pillars of a thriving democratic society is exemplified through the civil conduct of our elected political leaders. The ethos of honesty, humility, and empathy are becoming increasingly relinquished in lieu of posturing public vitriol and moral indifference.

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Monday, Apr. 28, 2025

Alex Brandon / The Associated Press

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on April 17, as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick listens.

Alex Brandon / The Associated Press
                                U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on April 17, as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick listens.

Don’t like a columnist’s opinion? Los Angeles Times offers an AI-generated opposing viewpoint

David Bauder, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Don’t like a columnist’s opinion? Los Angeles Times offers an AI-generated opposing viewpoint

David Bauder, The Associated Press 6 minute read Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

In a colorful commentary for the Los Angeles Times, Matt K. Lewis argued that callousness is a central feature of the second Trump administration, particularly its policies of deportation and bureaucratic cutbacks. “Once you normalize cruelty,” Lewis concluded in the piece, “the hammer eventually swings for everyone. Even the ones who thought they were swinging it.”

Lewis' word wasn't the last, however. As they have with opinion pieces the past several weeks, Times online readers had the option to click on a button labeled “Insights,” which judged the column politically as “center-left.” Then it offers an AI-generated synopsis — a CliffsNotes version of the column — and a similarly-produced opposing viewpoint.

One dissenting argument reads: “Restricting birthright citizenship and refugee admissions is framed as correcting alleged exploitation of immigration loopholes, with proponents arguing these steps protect American workers and resources.”

The feature symbolizes changes to opinion coverage ordered over the past six months by Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, who's said he wants the famously liberal opinion pages to reflect different points of view. Critics accuse him of trying to curry favor with President Donald Trump.

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Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

FILE - The Los Angeles Times building is seen in downtown Los Angeles on Feb. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

FILE - The Los Angeles Times building is seen in downtown Los Angeles on Feb. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

Global extremism, as close as your keyboard

Editorial 4 minute read Preview

Global extremism, as close as your keyboard

Editorial 4 minute read Monday, Mar. 31, 2025

An arrest in Winnipeg has provided yet another reminder of just how much extremist attitudes have spread across the world.

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Monday, Mar. 31, 2025

File

The internet is bringing hate into homes.

File
                                The internet is bringing hate into homes.

Conservative MPs beat Liberals, NDP on online engagement, study finds

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Conservative MPs beat Liberals, NDP on online engagement, study finds

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025

OTTAWA - A new study from McGill University says Conservative MPs far outpace their Liberal and NDP counterparts in online engagement, partly due to the their voices being amplified on X.

The report from McGill’s Media Ecosystem Observatory found in 2024, online posts from federal Conservative MPs garnered 61 per cent more engagement — likes, shares and comments — than those from Liberal and NDP MPs combined.

It found that engagement with Conservative politicians on X has increased 52 per cent since Elon Musk, a key ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, took over the platform previously known as Twitter in 2022.

The report looked at online posts from all members of Parliament on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and TikTok between January 2022 and November 2024.

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Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025

The opening page of X is displayed on a computer and phone in Sydney, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Rick Rycroft

The opening page of X is displayed on a computer and phone in Sydney, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Rick Rycroft

Anti-racism activist hopes to make our communities mutually respectful

AV Kitching 7 minute read Preview

Anti-racism activist hopes to make our communities mutually respectful

AV Kitching 7 minute read Monday, Feb. 24, 2025

Dr. Rehman Abdulrehman is a clinical and consulting psychologist at Clinic Psychology Manitoba. He has a consulting and coaching firm called Lead with Diversity, he is the assistant professor with the department of clinical health psychology at the University of Manitoba and he has just written his first book, Developing Anti-Racist Cultural Competence, which aims to help people develop practical skills, insight and better empathy when working with diverse groups.

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Monday, Feb. 24, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

Rehman Abdulrehman believes we are seeing obvious examples of racism all over the world these days.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
                                Rehman Abdulrehman believes we are seeing obvious examples of racism all over the world these days.

Psychologist sues Shared Health, U of M

Tyler Searle 5 minute read Preview

Psychologist sues Shared Health, U of M

Tyler Searle 5 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024

A psychologist recruited to care for sick youths claims she was “pressured to engage in misconduct and other violations of professional standards” and then fired without cause when she complained to the provincial regulator.

The allegations are detailed in a lawsuit filed this week against Shared Health and the University of Manitoba in Court of King’s Bench.

According to the lawsuit, Dr. Michelle Keiski lodged a complaint with the Psychological Association of Manitoba in September 2022 to raise the alarm over issues inside the Max Rady College of Medicine, including the misreporting of studies and data, and staff providing services they are not qualified to deliver.

Keiski, a clinical psychologist, was placed on administrative leave one month after filing the complaint and later terminated without cause, the lawsuit said.

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Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024

PHIL HOSSACK / FREE PRESS FILES

A psychologist recruited to care for sick youths filed a lawsuit this week against Shared Health and the University of Manitoba in Court of King’s Bench.

PHIL HOSSACK / FREE PRESS FILES
                                A psychologist recruited to care for sick youths filed a lawsuit this week against Shared Health and the University of Manitoba in Court of King’s Bench.

U of M expands clinical psychology program to address Manitoba shortage

Erik Pindera 4 minute read Preview

U of M expands clinical psychology program to address Manitoba shortage

Erik Pindera 4 minute read Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024

The University of Manitoba is expanding its clinical psychology program this fall in an effort to boost the number practising in the province, where the per capita rate is among the lowest in Canada.

The number of seats in the U of M’s masters and doctoral clinical psychology program has been increased to 12 for September, up from eight in previous years, with a plan to expand to 16 seats next fall.

“It’s going to mean better access to psychological care for Manitobans. It doesn’t seem like a big number … but really, we’re doubling our program,” said Kristin Reynolds, associate professor and clinical training director in the U of M’s psychology department.

“Where we now have 50 students in the program, from the first year of the masters to more senior years in doctoral studies, in the years to come, we’ll have more like 100.”

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Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024

PHIL HOSSACK / FREE PRESS FILES

The number of seats in the U of M’s masters and doctoral clinical psychology program has been increased to 12 for September, up from eight in previous years, with a plan to expand to 16 seats next fall.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES
                                A University of Manitoba nursing student was suspended for the rest of the school year after making a series of social media posts condemning Israel’s actions in its conflict with Palestine.

Manitoba bans cellphones for K-8 students

Maggie Macintosh 5 minute read Preview

Manitoba bans cellphones for K-8 students

Maggie Macintosh 5 minute read Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024

Manitoba has announced a ban on cellphones in elementary schools and strict rules to silence devices and keep them out of sight during Grade 9-12 lessons next month.

Kindergarten to Grade 8 students will be barred from using phones at any point in the school day, including during lunch and recess.

High schoolers will be asked to leave their phones in their locker, with a teacher or at the principal’s office when classes are in session.

Teenagers can access their devices on breaks and when a classroom teacher approves usage for educational purposes.

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Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

Education minister Nello Altomare shows new school signage (related to the cell phone ban) in his office at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

	
Education minister Nello Altomare shows new school signage (related to the cell phone ban) in his office at the Manitoba Legislative Building on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. 

For Carol story.

The price of political polarization

Allan Levine 5 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 3, 2024

If you follow X (Twitter) as I do, scrolling through hundreds of posts a few times a day, you can’t help but conclude that the political divide in both the U.S. and Canada, between Democrats and Republicans and between Liberals and Conservatives, has become wider and more extreme than it has ever been.

Some doctors sneak education into their online content to drown out misinformation

Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Some doctors sneak education into their online content to drown out misinformation

Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

TORONTO - When Dr. Siobhan Deshauer makes online videos, her primary goal is to demystify medicine. Her secondary goal?

"I call it 'smuggling in education,'" said the physician and YouTuber, who boasts nearly a million subscribers on the platform. "You're coming for this mystery and this excitement, but I'm smuggling in some topics that I think are really important and that I'm passionate about."

Some experts say one of the best ways to fight a rising tide of medical misinformation on social media is to drown it out with captivating content backed by science, and Deshauer, an Ontario-based internal medicine and rheumatology specialist, is among a growing cohort of doctors and researchers doing just that.

Take one of her medical mystery videos, for example. In it, Deshauer tells the story of a woman who had lead poisoning. Doctors took ages to figure out what was causing her symptoms, but ultimately realized they were a result of lead in the Ayurvedic supplements she was taking.

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Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Some experts say one of the best ways to fight a rising tide of medical misinformation on social media is to drown it out with captivating content backed by science, and Dr. Siobhan Deshauer, an Ontario-based internal medicine and rheumatology specialist, is among a growing cohort of doctors and researchers doing just that. Deshauer's channel on YouTube is shown in a photo illustration made in Toronto, Friday, March 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini

Some experts say one of the best ways to fight a rising tide of medical misinformation on social media is to drown it out with captivating content backed by science, and Dr. Siobhan Deshauer, an Ontario-based internal medicine and rheumatology specialist, is among a growing cohort of doctors and researchers doing just that. Deshauer's channel on YouTube is shown in a photo illustration made in Toronto, Friday, March 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini

Cellphones have messages about learning

Ken Clark 4 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024

Distractions. I recall, decades ago, two high school lads riveted by the random outcomes of a surreptitious, they thought, game of cards, rather than attuned to my teaching of the Canada Food Guide. Message received — think about how I teach the Canada Food Guide.