The Best of The Simi Sara Show - Wed Jul 17th 2019

Chapter 1

🔥🔥 Hot question of the day 🔥🔥

Vote in @MikeSmythNews's 🔥 question of the day:

Some Metro Vancouver Mayors say local transit projects, like the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain and the Massey Tunnel replacement, should be prioritized ahead of high-speed rail to Portland.

Which do you think should be given greater priority?

High-speed Cascadian rail

Local transit projects

Both equally important

 

Chapter 2

New Westminster Mayor says local transit projects should be prioritized ahead of high-speed rail to Portland

On Tuesday's show, we told you about the support by Vancouver Mayor, Kennedy Stewart, for a high-speed rail line connecting Vancouver to Portland, Oregon. The cost would run into the tens of billions, but revenue from fares would be expected to cover costs by 2055. 

But other Mayors are speaking out - saying that perhaps we need to focus on other transit projects first.

Guest: Jonathan Cote

New Westminster Mayor

 

Chapter 3

‘El Chapo’ sentenced to life in prison, after 25 years of drug trafficking

That was Ariana Fajardo (Fah-hard-oh), U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida this morning.

Joaquin Guzman, the Mexican drug lord better known as El Chapo was sentenced to life in prison today by a federal judge in Brooklyn, New York.

Guzman spent 25 years running a cartel trafficking billions of dollars of drugs . He was eventually captured and extradited to the US after a series of prison escapes and a lengthy manhunt spanning decades.

Guest: Douglas Century

Journalist and co-author of Hunting El Chapo: The Inside Story of the American Lawman Who Captured the World's Most Wanted Drug-Lord

 

Chapter 4

Keep the RCMP in Surrey campaign says it now has more than 11,000 signatures

The Keep the RCMP in Surrey campaign is hailing a “significant milestone”, saying it now has more than 11,000 signatures from local residents who are opposed to the creation of a municipal police force.

They now hope to have 50,000 signatures collected by the fall.

Ivan Scott, creator of the petition, spoke to Mike Smyth on the show today.

Guest: Ivan Scott

Creator of the Keep The RCMP In Surrey petition

 

Chapter 5

Here’s what made the 1990s such a fascinating decade

The 1990s was a decade full of scandal, memorable television and film, and stories that are still shared today.

Now, a new Curiouscast podcast explores how the 1990s left its mark on history.

Guest: Kathy Kenzora

Host of the History of the 90s podcast on Curiouscast

 

Chapter 6

Gas prices inquiry begins

The public inquiry into the high gas prices in BC began this morning. 

Over the first of four days of hearings, four oil and gas companies are expected to answer questions over what has led to volatile prices at the pump.

Premier John Horgan called for the inquiry in May when prices reached more than $1.70 a litre. Several companies have refused to share their retail margins with the commission.

Guest: Neetu Garcha

Global News reporter

 

Chapter 7

Face App sparks privacy concerns 

If you’re wondering why your social media feed is being flooded by photos of wrinkle-enhanced celebrities and friends, you can thank FaceApp.

Celebrities such as Drake, LeBron James, Gordon Ramsey and the Jonas Brothers have all posted pictures of themselves with wrinkly skin, glasses, and greying hair… and those pictures created a landslide of popularity for the app. 

 As of 11 a.m. this morning, FaceApp was the top trending free offering in Apple’s App Store… and according to reports, FaceApp has altered photos for more than 80 million users since its 2017 release.

However, as fun as the app may be, cyber security analysts have some major concerns about the app. I spoke to Domninc Vogel, founder and Chief Strategists of Cyber SC, about the viral app and the privacy issues.

Guest: Claire Allen 

CKNW Contributor

 

Chapter 8

Space Week: how human-made satellites have changed the way we communicate, and so much more

Human-made satellites have changed the way we live our lives, in less than a century.

Mike Smyth speaks to Chris Gainor, President of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, to find out more about their significance and how they’re used every single day.

Guest: Chris Gainor

President of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada

Chapter 1

🔥🔥 Hot question of the day 🔥🔥

Vote in @MikeSmythNews's 🔥 question of the day:

Some Metro Vancouver Mayors say local transit projects, like the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain and the Massey Tunnel replacement, should be prioritized ahead of high-speed rail to Portland.

Which do you think should be given greater priority?

High-speed Cascadian rail
Local transit projects
Both equally important

 

Chapter 2

New Westminster Mayor says local transit projects should be prioritized ahead of high-speed rail to Portland

On Tuesday's show, we told you about the support by Vancouver Mayor, Kennedy Stewart, for a high-speed rail line connecting Vancouver to Portland, Oregon. The cost would run into the tens of billions, but revenue from fares would be expected to cover costs by 2055. 

But other Mayors are speaking out - saying that perhaps we need to focus on other transit projects first.

Guest: Jonathan Cote

New Westminster Mayor

 

Chapter 3

‘El Chapo’ sentenced to life in prison, after 25 years of drug trafficking

That was Ariana Fajardo (Fah-hard-oh), U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida this morning.

Joaquin Guzman, the Mexican drug lord better known as El Chapo was sentenced to life in prison today by a federal judge in Brooklyn, New York.

Guzman spent 25 years running a cartel trafficking billions of dollars of drugs . He was eventually captured and extradited to the US after a series of prison escapes and a lengthy manhunt spanning decades.

Guest: Douglas Century

Journalist and co-author of Hunting El Chapo: The Inside Story of the American Lawman Who Captured the World's Most Wanted Drug-Lord

 

Chapter 4

Keep the RCMP in Surrey campaign says it now has more than 11,000 signatures

The Keep the RCMP in Surrey campaign is hailing a “significant milestone”, saying it now has more than 11,000 signatures from local residents who are opposed to the creation of a municipal police force.

They now hope to have 50,000 signatures collected by the fall.

Ivan Scott, creator of the petition, spoke to Mike Smyth on the show today.

Guest: Ivan Scott

Creator of the Keep The RCMP In Surrey petition

 

Chapter 5

Here’s what made the 1990s such a fascinating decade

The 1990s was a decade full of scandal, memorable television and film, and stories that are still shared today.

Now, a new Curiouscast podcast explores how the 1990s left its mark on history.

Guest: Kathy Kenzora

Host of the History of the 90s podcast on Curiouscast

 

Chapter 6

Gas prices inquiry begins

The public inquiry into the high gas prices in BC began this morning. 

Over the first of four days of hearings, four oil and gas companies are expected to answer questions over what has led to volatile prices at the pump.

Premier John Horgan called for the inquiry in May when prices reached more than $1.70 a litre. Several companies have refused to share their retail margins with the commission.

Guest: Neetu Garcha

Global News reporter

 

Chapter 7

Face App sparks privacy concerns 

If you’re wondering why your social media feed is being flooded by photos of wrinkle-enhanced celebrities and friends, you can thank FaceApp.

Celebrities such as Drake, LeBron James, Gordon Ramsey and the Jonas Brothers have all posted pictures of themselves with wrinkly skin, glasses, and greying hair… and those pictures created a landslide of popularity for the app. 

 As of 11 a.m. this morning, FaceApp was the top trending free offering in Apple’s App Store… and according to reports, FaceApp has altered photos for more than 80 million users since its 2017 release.

However, as fun as the app may be, cyber security analysts have some major concerns about the app. I spoke to Domninc Vogel, founder and Chief Strategists of Cyber SC, about the viral app and the privacy issues.

Guest: Claire Allen 

CKNW Contributor

 

Chapter 8

Space Week: how human-made satellites have changed the way we communicate, and so much more

Human-made satellites have changed the way we live our lives, in less than a century.

Mike Smyth speaks to Chris Gainor, President of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, to find out more about their significance and how they’re used every single day.

Guest: Chris Gainor

President of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada