Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with The Economist Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom about tensions between Iran and Israel, humourist and public speaker Fran Lebowitz opines on the art of conversation, economist Mike Moffatt explores how far the federal Liberals' pre-budget promises may go toward fixing Canada's housing crisis, and lawyer and Slate journalist Dahlia Lithwick tees up Donald Trump's first criminal trial.

For decades, Fran Lebowitz has earned fans and fuelled ire for sharing her opinion on... well, just about everything. Ahead of her latest speaking event in Toronto, the writer, humourist and public speaker joins Piya Chattopadhyay to share what's on her mind lately, from the spread of disinformation, to why she doesn't suffer FOMO [fear of missing out] as someone who's got no time for the internet, and why she'd make a great mayor of her beloved New York.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Russia reporter Catherine Belton about the country's presidential election and what six more years of Vladimir Putin in power could mean for Russia and the world; Canadian researcher Karen E. Fisher and Zaatari refugee camp resident Mohammad Shwamra discuss a new cookbook that highlights the history and culture of Syrian refugees; tech observers Kate Knibbs, Taylor Owens and Philip Mai offer their analysis on the prospect of a TikTok ban, online harms legislation and Kate Middleton's royal photo bomb; and former NBA star Rex Chapman shares his journey through addiction.

Its been nearly impossible to scroll past the scrutiny of social media giants this past week, after the United States House of Representatives passed a bill that could lead to a ban of TikTok with Canada now assessing its own review of the app. The social sphere shakeup comes on the backdrop of new online safety legislation and a royal photo bomb that's raising big questions about disinformation online. Piya Chattopadhyay is joined by WIRED senior writer Kate Knibbs; Taylor Owen, director of McGill University's Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy; and Philip Mai, co-director of Toronto Metropolitan University's Social Media Lab for their analysis on it all.

An internal report obtained by CBC [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/nato-canadian-armed-forces-europe-1.7135390] found that only 58 per cent of the Canadian Armed Forces would be able to respond if called upon in a crisis, and almost half of the military's equipment is unavailable and unserviceable. Guest host Duncan McCue speaks with defence experts about Canadas NATO commitments, and pollster Shachi Kurl about what Canadians expect of the countrys military spending.Then, OpenAIs Sora can generate lifelike videos from text prompts. The process feels magical to some, but its also raising concerns about the use of AI in disinformation campaigns, particularly as the 2024 U.S. election approaches. Disinformation expert Zeve Sanderson tells us what voters should be watching for.And the federal government has unveiled its long-awaited plan to cover drug costs for all Canadians, starting with diabetes medications and birth control. But as the pharmacare plan rolls out, questions about whether provinces and territories will buy in and where health-care dollars are spent are emerging.Also, a bald eagle nest has been discovered in Toronto; and CBC Musics Paolo Pietropaolo on jazz singer Eleanor Collins.

OpenAIs Sora can generate lifelike videos from text prompts. The process feels magical to some, but its also raising concerns about the use of AI in disinformation campaigns, particularly as the 2024 U.S. election approaches. Disinformation expert Zeve Sanderson tells us what voters should be watching for.