Unknown Speaker 0:02 You're listening to Ryerson Broadcast News. Unknown Speaker 0:08 Thank you for tuning in to Downtown Sound. We're recording live from Ryerson University. Unknown Speaker 0:12 I'm Chelsea Shim. Unknown Speaker 0:13 I'm Wes Murray and here are today's top headlines. Unknown Speaker 0:16 Premier Dalton McGuinty makes his decision on federal politics, Unknown Speaker 0:19 Italian scientists face jail time for failing to predict an earthquake, Unknown Speaker 0:23 And first and update on the serial sex attacks in Toronto's West end. A Toronto judge has denied bail to a 15 year old boy charged in connection with a series of West End sex assaults. Police arrested him Saturday with the help of female undercover police officers. There have been 14 assaults since mid August. What does that mean exactly? Jason St. Jacques tried to find out. Unknown Speaker 0:47 For weeks women in the West End have worried about a serial sexual attacker, the attacker, the 15 year old suspect is now in custody and isn't a rapist. Constable Wendy Drummond explains that police have a pretty wide definition of sexual assault. Unknown Speaker 1:02 Sexual assault is any unwanted touching. And that can be anywhere from a kiss as far as and up to including penetration. Unknown Speaker 1:13 Why don't the police use more specific words rape, touching, flashing? Drummond says it's a very sensitive issue. And police don't want to discourage women from reporting any abuse. Unknown Speaker 1:25 Sexual assault is a situation it's it's one of the most personal crimes and we understand that there is hesitation in reporting these type of crimes and sometimes there's a bit of a time delay. When we issue a public safety alert. There is the potential for more victims to come forward. Unknown Speaker 1:42 But that's not how most public thinks. Bailey Pournelle is a Ryerson University student. Unknown Speaker 1:47 Well, the police would say anything unwanted unwanted touching, but for me as a girl in downtown Toronto, I get just as uncomfortable when I have men yelling at me from across the street or following me home. So last year, I actually did have to go to the cops because I had a guy that was following me home, I guess. Once I feel unsafe and like doing things that anyone would normally do, that's when I would go to the cops I guess. Unknown Speaker 2:18 Police say that reports of sexual assault are down 10% from last year in spite of the problems in the Christie Pits area, but they say that isn't going to make them any less vigilant across the entire city. For downtown Sound, I'm Jason St. Jacques. Unknown Speaker 2:34 A woman has died in hospital after being stabbed repeatedly in the torso an arm. The attack happened early this morning and cabbagetown near Wellesley East in Parliament at around 7am people heard screams coming from the alley where the victim was being attacked. A witness said his friend used an umbrella to fend off the suspect who had a knife. Police confirm the attacker was scared off by at least one other person. Unknown Speaker 2:56 The silence is golden but not for much longer on the TTC. In the next two years, cell phone service could become available on station platforms. councilors will vote tomorrow on a complex deal that would net the TTC $25 million and Australian company would install service in 61 Underground stations. The TTC says some commuters can hardly wait. But surveys show that other savor their few minutes of silence a day and don't want to have someone and don't want to have to listen to someone else. Unknown Speaker 3:26 The TTC has announced its benign extension project won't be completed before the fall of 2016 and $2.6 billion subway line was supposed to launch in December 2015. She says TTC says it took longer than expected to agree on station designs, figure out how to relocate utilities and get funding approvals young universities but Dinah line is being extended 8.6 kilometers from downsview station to the Vaughan metropolitan area with six new stations along the way. Unknown Speaker 3:56 Mayor Rob Ford says he won't tear down the Gardiner Expressway despite serious safety concerns discovered by an engineering firm. For once Ford and city councilor Adam Vaughn agree, they say to 60 year old highway is safe. Meanwhile, Ford seems more concerned that the city staff waited six weeks to tell them about the report. Unknown Speaker 4:16 Restaurant owners are being asked to weigh in on a proposed extension of the non smoking ban. Toronto council wants to force smokers to butt out on restaurant patios and in public doorways. Lauren Ward has the story. Unknown Speaker 4:31 Grady's pub in Boys Town is packed on Friday nights that manager john john so he claims worries that his customers will disappear. If they can't light up outside. It's gonna Unknown Speaker 4:43 lose my business. Just because majority of the people that do certain patterns are smokers. If they see non smoking, it's there rather prefer sitting on their own patio instead of coming into a patio on the street where they can't really smoke. Unknown Speaker 4:57 The Toronto's Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David David McEwen doesn't care about John John's problem. He says that patios are exactly what he wants to target in a proposed extension to the public smoking ban. Unknown Speaker 5:11 Patios is a place where other non smokers and smokers congregate. That's where we can try to reduce the impact of secondhand smoking and reducing the impact of social exposure to smoking for young people and people who are trying to quit. Unknown Speaker 5:24 Yesterday's City Hall announced it will be asking restaurants and the public what they think of clearing out smokers from more public areas, and not all restaurant workers are against the idea. Omar, a waiter who declined to give his last name says he's tired of being exposed to secondhand smoke, Unknown Speaker 5:43 For sure it's bad for us because we have to smoke the smoke too. I would love to see no smoker on any public areas. Unknown Speaker 5:51 Even smokers say the changes could be better for restaurant goers like this woman huddled under a pub awning. Unknown Speaker 5:58 I think that if you have places where there are people smoking and people not smoking and they're eating food, then it's preferable not to have smoking when you're eating your food. I wouldn't be offended. Unknown Speaker 6:10 Council hasn't said how long the consultation process will last. This is Lauren Ward for Downtown Sound. Unknown Speaker 6:18 It's official Dalton McGuinty announced today he will not run for leadership of the Federal Liberal Party. He says he's done with politics altogether. McGuinty said the key factors in his decisions were the conflicting timing of the federal and provincial leadership races and a long term commitment required to rebuild the party. The Federal liberals went only 34 seats in the 2011 election. Unknown Speaker 6:42 New Democrat MP Romeo second now she's taking time off to treat his alcoholism. Air Canada kicked him off a flight on Friday, saying he was too drunk to fly. The flight from Montreal to Valdor Quebec was delayed for half an hour as he was escorted off the plane so I can actually apologize to the other passengers and the flight crew yesterday. He said it stress and the death of his friend and mentor Jack Layton as factors contributing to his drinking problem. Unknown Speaker 7:07 XL foods is trashing 1800 recalled meat products. hundreds of tons of beef were dumped at a landfill site near Brooks, Alberta. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the meat samples in fact tested negative for eco lie during a recent inspection. wildrose party leader Danielle Smith tweeted the meat should be salvaged and used to feed the hungry. NDP Leader Brian Mason responded that Smith is not taking the safety risks seriously. Unknown Speaker 7:34 In international news, yesterday Italian court sentance six scientists and one bureaucrat to six years in jail for manslaughter their crime under estimating a 6.3 killer earthquake in 2009. They were also ordered to pay almost $12 million in damages to survivors of the quake, which killed more than 300 people. The scientific community is horrified seismologist Tom Jordan had a commission on the earthquake. Unknown Speaker 7:57 This particular prosecution is going to have a very chilling effect on scientists willingness to kind of step out and try to communicate what they know or don't know about hazards to the public and to decision makers that have to take action. Unknown Speaker 8:13 The men are expected to appeal their sentence. Unknown Speaker 8:16 This final debate in the US presidential race aired last night and surprise surprise, commenters gave it mixed reviews. The main point of discussion was foreign policy, including Syria, Libya and China. Flash poll suggests President Barack Obama won the debate showing more experience. But many commentators agree that he and Republican candidate Mitt Romney are starting to sound a lot like. Obama has become more firm and assertive while Romney sounds softer, perhaps shifting focus to the female vote. The two apparently agree on key issues, including the use of drone strikes to kill militants, a commitment to Israel in dealing with Iran's nuclear ambitions. The winner on the social media front was almost definitely Obama, who got the internet buzzing with this comment, Unknown Speaker 9:03 And maybe hasn't spent enough time looking at how our military works. You mentioned the Navy, for example, and that we have fewer ships than we did in 1916. Well, Governor, we also have fewer horses and bayonets because the nature of our military has changed. Unknown Speaker 9:18 One important thing missing from the debate was the European Economic Crisis. Environmentalists were also upset that no one mentioned climate change. Both candidates will now increase their travel and spending in a final race to November the six Unknown Speaker 9:32 New developments in Gaza the Emir of Qatar is visiting Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh today. It's the first time a head of state has visited the coastal territory since Hamas took power in 2007. The Emir has promised $400 million in economic aid to Gaza. This is not good news for some other players, including Israel, the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Syria Hamas is former patron. Unknown Speaker 9:55 A Taliban ambush killed 10 Afghan soldiers in the western province of Arat today, five policemen including the district commander, and five soldiers died during the combat. The Afghan troops were ambushed while searching for a group of insurgents who had set up a roadblock in the area. Unknown Speaker 10:13 This morning, the Vatican announced that it will postpone its delegation to Syria. A spokesman says that because of the gravity of the situation there, the peace mission will not continue this week as planned. A top police official was murdered in Beirut on Friday and Lebanon is blaming serious government. Pope Benedict, Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone announced the mission late last week, Unknown Speaker 10:34 And more Syrian news, government forces killed at least 20 women and children in a bakery in Aleppo this afternoon. Video footage showed decapitated bodies and scattered bread loaves. Street fighting has continued on a daily basis ever since rebels tried to capture the city last month. Unknown Speaker 10:50 Indian officials submitted a clemency plea to India's president from a gunman in the 2008 Mumbai attack. Prisoner Mohammed Kasab was one of the 10 terrorists who killed 166 people in a three day attack because I was sentenced to death in 2010 for waging war against India, murder and terrorist attacks. Unknown Speaker 11:08 A resident at a nursing home in Taiwan has confessed to starting a fire that killed 12 people in injured 60. Hospital officials say the victim died of smoke inhalation. Many of them were bedridden and too weak to escape. The accused patients said he set fire because he was unhappy about his own illness. Unknown Speaker 11:27 At a world meeting yesterday, Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister lashed out at Iran. John Barrett Calderon's intolerance towards religious minorities unacceptable. He attacked what he called the country's hatred of Jewish people and its support for terrorist groups. He added that this is why Canada suspended relations with Iran last month. Delegations from Iran and Uganda accuse Canada of interfering in their internal affairs. Unknown Speaker 11:50 BBC News night hosts Jeremy Paxman is the latest person person to clash with Conrad black. During interview that aired last night on BBC, black called a host a priggish gullible British fool after Paxton called him a criminal. In the interview, black mentioned he plans to return to a seat in the House of Lords. Lord Black of Cross Harbor was released from a US prison last spring, after serving three years for fraud and obstruction of justice. Unknown Speaker 12:17 A co urt martial in Esquimalt BC has found a captain guilty of sex offenses against two teenage cadets. They convicted Captain Daniel Moriarity of sexual exploitation, sexual interference, sexual assault, and behaving in a disgraceful manner. The charges involved the 16 year old girl and a boy who was 15 when the assaults began. Unknown Speaker 12:36 A New York court says lap dancing is not a form of art and does not qualify for a tax break. It says lap dances do not promote culture in the same way as ballet. The club Night Moves sued for exemption from sales tax under a clause that exempts music and dance performance. judges who dissented the majority opinion said state law does not distinguish between highbrow and lowbrow dancing Unknown Speaker 13:01 Fake Rolexs, fake Apple computers, fake Barbies and now fake ketchup. Yes, officials have found a fake ketchup factory in Dover, New Jersey. They were called in after hundreds of ketchup bottles marked simply Heinz started exploding in a large warehouse. Simply Heinz is made with sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. The operation was repackaging regular Heinz ketchup as the more expensive simply Heinz. The heat of the warehouse caused the product to ferment and eventually explode. Unknown Speaker 13:27 The body of Lincoln Alexander is back in Hamilton today, so that his hometown can say goodbye to him. But his coffin lay at Queen's Park from Sunday afternoon until Monday night to let Toronto pay its respects. Gabby Rodriguez has a story. Unknown Speaker 13:42 Lincoln Alexander or Linc as he liked to be called died Friday at the age of 90. He was the first black Member of Parliament and the first black cabinet minister in Canadian history. He also served as Ontario's lieutenant governor from 1985 to 1991. Yesterday he lay in Queens parks main foyer and a closed casket draped with the Canadian flag. Many of his memorabilia were on display in the legislature's main hallway. Alexander earned many medals and hats for services to the police, firefighters and the military. people lined up to pay their respects when Fred berry benefited from one of Alexander's countless good deeds. Unknown Speaker 14:21 I'm here today because of the kindness Mr. Lincoln Alexander shown me in 1987. My daughter applied for an educational grant to go to McGill University. The grant was denied. I went to my local MPP and he was not able to help me. So I wrote Mr. Alexander letter, and in less than a week that grant was approved. Unknown Speaker 14:44 Gilbert Karthi met Alexander once while he was in office and was struck by the MPs character. Unknown Speaker 14:49 Right away. You saw the quality of leadership and him. Someone who, you know took an undivided interest in you when he spoke. He met at a wonderful dinner. He walked, you know with majesty Unknown Speaker 15:03 On the way to Hamilton late last night the motorcade made a special trip down the Lincoln M Alexander Parkway, named for a man who never did get his driver's license. Dozens sit on the Garth street overpass to pay their respects. A state funeral will be held Friday in Hamilton. I'm Gabby Rodriguez for Downtown Sound. Unknown Speaker 15:21 That will be it for our news today. I'm Chelsea shin. Unknown Speaker 15:24 And I'm Wes Murray. Stay tuned for current affairs. Unknown Speaker 15:39 Good afternoon. Unknown Speaker 15:40 I'm Erica Grecia. Unknown Speaker 15:41 And I'm Nicole Servenus Unknown Speaker 15:43 and we are here to Unknown Speaker 15:44 guide you through the current. Today we catch up with two experts who shed light on a controversial topic, the right to die. Unknown Speaker 15:52 Canadian law says you don't have that right. One of our experts thinks that's wrong. Unknown Speaker 15:57 We also have your top stories in health sports, business and entertainment. Unknown Speaker 16:02 Gloria Taylor was the first Canadian to win the right to a doctor assisted suicide. Now the BC Supreme Court is battling with right to die organizations and anti euthanasia groups. Dr. wil Johnston is a family doctor in Vancouver, who strongly opposes physician assisted suicide. He appealed the court's decision and believe it sets a dangerous precedent. Nicole spoke with Dr. Johnston today to find out why. Unknown Speaker 16:28 I wanted to ask you if you could tell me a little bit about physician assisted suicide? Unknown Speaker 16:34 Yes, right now, of course, the overwhelming principles behind medical care are to first do no harm, and to always intend the well being of the patient. And so, physician assisted suicide is a departure from this strong medical principle by suggesting that the physician should write a suicide prescription for the patient. And it it unfortunately morphed seamlessly into into euthanasia where there's direct killing of the patient. Because in our rights based culture, the moment the patient is not able to lift the poison to their lips themselves. There is a there is a a race based claim made, that the physician should also be able to directly kill the patient at a time of their choosing, Unknown Speaker 17:33 Then is it still wrong to end someone's life when they're suffering and they're ready to die? Unknown Speaker 17:39 We have a medical system which pretty well reassures us that we're not going to die in uncontrolled pain, symptom control at the end of life is actually very, very good. It's interesting that the people who take advantage of the assisted suicide law for instance, in Oregon, where that was where they were, the little bit of information we know about Oregon, shows us that people are not choosing to die because they're in uncontrolled pain. That is not the issue. People are choosing to die because they are afraid of, of loss of control. And they are afraid of pain, not necessarily that they're in pain. When we talk about choice, what we're really doing is we're enhancing the choices and the people who who would arrange your death. And we have to really question whether your own choices, your own autonomy is going to be enhanced by giving more power to the medical system, and to the people around you who could arrange your death. And this may not seem an issue to the person who feels who feels that totally on top of their situation. But I can tell you that there are a lot of older people in particular, who take their cues very closely for the people around them, and who are who are vulnerable to to undue influence from people around them. Unknown Speaker 19:05 Would you say that was the case with Gloria Taylor when she declared the right to die with dignity, which is not outlawed? Unknown Speaker 19:14 This is our concern. That Gloria Taylor lives a life under a media spotlight. Every every statement, every motive was was closely examined. It's not likely that Gloria Taylor was under the influence of others and steering her towards the wish for suicide. And it is clear that at the end, she died quickly of an infection. She which is far more likely way for people to died and then by committing suicide. She didn't need that change in the law, to have the maximum life that was available to her. The fact of the matter is that that the laws are there for a very good reason. The The difficulty in determining for instance, whether a certain death was was voluntary, is magnified when someone standing beside the person's body can say, well, they meant to die. This was a this was a suicide, I was only helping out. Unknown Speaker 20:18 Thank you so much, Dr. Johnson for speaking with me today. I hope you have a good day. Unknown Speaker 20:22 Thank you for being interested in this problem, Nicole. Bye Bye. Unknown Speaker 20:28 Russell Ogden is a criminologist and the director of the farewell foundation for the right to die. After extensive research, Russell believes that Canadians should have the legal right to choose death. His foundation seeks to support people considering suicide. But Russell says he never counsels or AIDS them in committing the act. Erica spoke to Russell to learn more. Unknown Speaker 20:51 Can you describe what you do as a supporter of those considering suicide? Unknown Speaker 20:54 Well, I've been studying this this subject area for more than 20 years, in the course of that research, I've learned something I've learned that there needs to be a more humane approach. You know, this is an issue of, of life and death. So about early 2011, for colleagues, and myself, who are all like minded, launched this nonprofit organization that we call the farewell foundation for the right to die. The Foundation has prepared some rules that we call the procedures for attending at a self chosen death. A self chosen death is basically an assisted suicide. It's carefully planned, and it's attended by compassionate people who will support people when they are dying, because we believe that nobody should have to die alone, these deaths are reported to law enforcement. And we now have a team with the foundation that will attend at carefully planned, self chosen depth. Unknown Speaker 21:56 Now why would someone come to you rather than go to their family or friends? Unknown Speaker 22:00 Well, people do actually go to their their families and their friends for support. But sometimes families and friends are closed minded to what can be a really difficult discussion. And that's where we come in. What we try to do is include family members and loved ones in talking about self chosen death. Now, it's also true that some people come to us without family members, we have many members who are very, very old, and they are really quite alone after living a very long life. And so again, that's where we come in, we can provide a compassionate sounding board for this kind of conversation. Unknown Speaker 22:38 And what do you say to these people who come to you? Unknown Speaker 22:41 Well, we let them know that we're in a position to hear them, we're not in a position to judge them. And we're also not in a position where we will impose any kind of will on them, so we're not going to make them live. We're also not going to make anybody die. We're really here to listen to provide a compassionate presence to be non judgmental. And ultimately, if people do elect to proceed to a self chosen death, we're prepared to attend it that and ensure that it happens in a way that is compassionate that people don't have to die alone. Unknown Speaker 23:18 What do you say to those who say that what you're doing is actually promoting suicide? Unknown Speaker 23:23 Well, I would say that what we're doing is quite the contrary, we are paradoxically, kind of suicide intervention or prevention. Many people who come to us are just so relieved to be able to have a safe and non judgmental conversation. They they feel better, they they live longer, they are pulled back from impulsive kinds of decisions that they might make. And they're grateful for being able to have a conversation where they're not judged where they can express themselves. Unknown Speaker 23:56 And what are the chances that the Canadian laws on suicide will be changing? Unknown Speaker 24:00 Well, I would say the chances of a change in law are very good. We've already had the BC Supreme Court rule that section 241, which is the the law that imposes an absolute prohibition on assisted suicide, unconstitutional. That case is proceeding to an appeal at the BC Court of Appeal that begins in March of 2013. But it's in the air, you know, we've had a lot of change in this country. In the last couple of decades, we've had same sex marriage, we've had enhancement of gay rights. So I think that the the issue of the right to choose the time and the manner in which we can die is not that far away. I think the times are changing. Unknown Speaker 24:42 Okay, thank you very much, Russell. Unknown Speaker 24:44 Thank you, Erica. Unknown Speaker 24:46 If you're having trouble paying attention in class or at work, you may be considered taking ADD or ADHD drugs to boost your focus. But before you ask your doctor to write you a prescription, you might want to consider the very serious side effects of associated with these drugs. Roxana Picanu has a story. Unknown Speaker 25:04 So you're in a coffee shop, just hunkering down in a squashy chair with your coffee, getting ready to get some work done, when all of a sudden Are you distracted by the coffee grinder or the loud laugh? No. Then the good news is you probably don't have a DD or ADHD. But if you're not still with me, you could have attention deficit disorder. Statistics Canada says that 5% of Canadians have a DD if you're one of them, you're also probably not going to get any work done at the coffee shop. Not with so many distractions. Unknown Speaker 25:38 Unless, of course you're already taking medication for the disorder. Peter Owen, a college dropout has been dealing with ADD his entire life, but he's been taking Adderall xR on and off for the last five years. He says he only takes it when he has work to get done because it has serious side effects. Unknown Speaker 25:55 From the onpoint of taking the Adderall, it is a very strong stimulant. There's no possible way you can sleep or calm down. Many many days. I take it in the morning, about 8am and I wouldn't be able to fall asleep until the next morning probably around 2. Unknown Speaker 26:10 Colin Farber is a graduate in history from Waterloo University. His degree owes a lot to the combination of Ritalin and Concerta he started taking for ADD seven years ago. Now he's also stopped taking his medication unless he's facing a major deadline for his research work. The reason? Also terrible side effects. Unknown Speaker 26:30 My emotions were dulled, my appetite was dulled. I didn't feel like myself in any way. Unknown Speaker 26:36 Both men are now taking Adderall xR, which is the mildest drug of the bunch, and only when they face special stresses. In fact, they both have techniques they use to focus without the help of drugs. Unknown Speaker 26:47 Recently, I've been using caffeine which is a very similar mental stimulant to Adderall. It doesn't have the physical effects, but the mental effects which are needed caffeine does deliver. Unknown Speaker 26:58 Whenever I have something that really needs to get done I take very occasional doses of like Ritalin. Adderall is the other one. Unknown Speaker 27:03 But Adele Garegous, the pharmacy manager of Glen dairy pharmacy says occasional use isn't a great idea. The ADD and ADHD drugs have to be taken correctly in order to work. Unknown Speaker 27:15 Usually it has to be taken at the same time every day. With the certain dosw the people sometimes find that if they get higher dose, they get better. This is not an idea. Unknown Speaker 27:25 He says that patients and parents should communicate more with their doctors and pharmacists. That's the only way to get rid of the unwanted side effects but he admits that doctors should be better informed about the risks of the drugs they prescribe. garrigan says people should be particularly careful with stimulants and antidepressants like these, Unknown Speaker 27:44 Most of the antidepressant medication may cause depression. This is fact there is no certain kind of antidepressant does not cause depression. Unknown Speaker 27:53 A Toronto Star investigation led by David Bruiser found that a lot of children on ADD drugs are suffering from extreme side effects. They include delusions, mania, and depression, sometimes so severe it can lead to suicide. The drugs involved are Ritalin, bifenton concert Strattera, and the list goes on. This naturally has parents worried and frustrated. Sandy Owen is Peter Owens mother. Unknown Speaker 28:18 Oh, that'd be horrible. I can't imagine being a parent. And having that happen at all. It's just, that would be really, really hard to live with.There are other forms I'm sure of non medication, that would be much much better for children with ADD. Unknown Speaker 28:33 but Garagas says that if doctors prescribe these drugs, it's still his job to make sure patients know the risks. He also believes that some patients should consider medical supervision to make sure they find the drug that works best for them. Bottom line, if something feels off, it probably is. Unknown Speaker 28:50 So we advise the for the first week for example, they may have certain side effect. It's understandable because the medication does not give the full power unless after four to six weeks. So yes, we advise the patient that you may have side effects please tolerate it. If you are not able to tolerate it in this case, go back to the doctor. He may adjust or change the dosing. Unknown Speaker 29:11 Until more is known about why these drugs can produce such different results, Adele says communicating any problems to your doctor is essential. He says one of the biggest mistakes people make is stopping their treatment on their own. Unknown Speaker 29:24 Don't increase it or decrease it or stop it completely without doctor advice. Unknown Speaker 29:29 It can be frustrating to try out different prescriptions until one works but because different people react differently to medications it's the best idea until you find your own way of dealing with the ADD or ADHD. But people like Peter and Colin say they'll be playing it safe for now and not taking medication at all. Peter has found that caffeine and meditation work for him. He says that he appreciates his doctor's opinion. But ultimately what goes into his body is his choice. The medications just weren't a good fit for him. I'm Roxanna Beckeanu for Downtown Sound. Unknown Speaker 30:05 Coming up in health, stay off this week's one report suggests that a sugary diet can make you stupid, monster Energy drinks may be linked to five deaths. Angela Hoyos has this story. Unknown Speaker 30:22 This is Angela Hoyos with all of your health headlines. Even if you have a sweet tooth, you may want to think twice about devouring that sugary treat. A report out of UCLA suggests that consuming sugar doesn't just make you fat, it can also make you stupid. neurosurgery Professor Fernando Gomez Pena says a high fructose diet disrupts the brain's cognitive abilities, and that leads to poor learning and memory retention. Research has already proven that sugary diets can lead to obesity, diabetes and a fatty liver. And more good news. It's fall that wonderful season that brings warm sweaters falling leaves and influenza. But this year many people are planning to pass on getting their vaccinations. Roxanna Boucherno has the story. Unknown Speaker 31:08 Well, it's that time of year again, the flu is back in town and infecting as many people as it can. Everywhere you go, you hear coughing, sneezing, and nose is being blown. So will you be getting the flu vaccine this year? Unknown Speaker 31:22 I've never taken it never bothered to and I've been alright. Unknown Speaker 31:25 I don't think I've only gotten my flu shot like maybe twice in my life. So I mean, I didn't get it last year or the year before. So I don't want to point. Unknown Speaker 31:34 the free vaccine will be available at vaccine clinics across the city starting October 25. But a lot of people are passing on the shot this year. Unknown Speaker 31:43 I don'tthink it makes a difference, actually. I really don't I know people have gotten the flu whether without the shots. Unknown Speaker 31:49 There's even more mixed feelings about the shot among healthcare workers. Camillia Modren as a registered nurse, she thinks healthy adults don't need the vaccine. Unknown Speaker 31:58 But no, it's not you have to depends on the individual if they choose to. Now you don't have to have it depends on the individual. Unknown Speaker 32:08 But the Ministry of Health is pushing for immunization. It says children under five and adults over 65 are at a greater risk of developing flu complications and should be getting the shot. The ministry doctor, Dr. David McEwen says the annual immunizations are important to protect people around you who are in the risk group. Unknown Speaker 32:27 If you have a parent or a relative or a neighbor, who is more likely to get sick and die from the flu, then it's a good thing for you to get immunized, so you don't pass it on to them. Unknown Speaker 32:37 One thing both McEwen and Modren agree on, if you work in a public environment, you should be getting the shot. But if you do choose to pass on the shot, Modren recommends getting enough rest, avoiding stress and washing your hands. I'm Roxana Beckianou for Downtown Sound. Unknown Speaker 32:53 Thanks Roxanna. It's energizing. It gives you adrenaline, but could it kill you. The US Food and Drug Administration is investigating reports of five deaths that may be associated with Monster Energy drinks, monsters being sued by the family of a 14 year old Maryland girl with a heart condition. She died after drinking two cans of its Monster Energy Drink in 24 hours. Monster says it's drink was not responsible for the girl's death. Parents you may want to take out that XBox and TV from your kids bedrooms. A new study from the University of Alberta found that children who go to bed with one or more screens in their bedrooms are more likely to be overweight. The study surveyed over 3000 grade five students in Alberta. And that's it for your health news. Thanks for tuning in. Unknown Speaker 33:52 In sports after winning the deciding seventh game and their six elimination game in a row, the San Francisco Giants are headed to the World Series to face the Detroit Tigers. Shipping off to Boston former G's bench boss john Farrell was introduced as a new manager of the Boston Red Sox today. Lance Armstrong is no longer a seven time Tour de France champion, Narooden Karani gets the cycling community's reaction to Armstrong's fall from greatness after being found guilty of using performance enhancers. Unknown Speaker 34:39 That was the call last night from Joe buck as the San Francisco Giants took the NLCS away from the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh and final game of the series. Matthew Kane and the Giants bullpen shut out the Cardinals heavy hitters in the pouring rain and sell to a nine zip win and game seven against the defending World Series champs. Giant second baseman Marco Scutaro Recorded 14 hits in the series, which was enough to earn them the MVP title. With the win. The giants are set to face the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. Game one starts on Monday in San Fran. Sticking with baseball, the Boston Red Sox introduced ex Blue Jays bench boss John Farrell as their new manager today. Farrell was pitching coach and Beantown from 2007 until 2010. The deal saw a pitcher David Carpenter join Farrell in Boston. All the Blue Jays acquired versatile infielder Mike Alvarez. But now, let's take a look at some younger athletes. Hundreds of competitors at the London Olympics we're teenagers, our own Shannon Kuzicz has the story of one even younger athlete who hopes to get to the Olympics as early as possible. Unknown Speaker 35:50 It starts as a dream, a dream that takes hours of hard work and dedication, a dream that millions Chase and only few achieve. But those few athletes who turn their Olympic dreams into reality, say it was the best moment of their lives. At eight years old, Emma Pimental is well on her way to becoming an Olympic gymnast. Since the age of two, she has quickly moved from recreational to pre-national level, her coaches see a spark in her one that successful athletes tend to have. Unknown Speaker 36:27 to do anything to maybe when they act on it.Like a like a in China in the Canadian. Unknown Speaker 36:38 Emma trains five days a week. On top of that she has been competing since the age of six. Emma's mom says she lives and breathes gymnastics, especially when the Olympics or on. The recent London Olympics are a good example. Unknown Speaker 36:53 She was just so into it. There were like six or seven other kids in the car at the cottage, but she was just so determined. And everybody was getting ready to go to the beach. And she's like, I'm not going to the beach. I'm watching this and she was just watching it and then at the end of it she just aspire to be one of those girls. Unknown Speaker 37:10 While she is only eight. That aspiration might not be too far away. The youngest ever Olympian was a 10 year old Greek gymnast Demetrius flounders, he won a bronze medal at the 1896 Olympics. But today's age restrictions mean no one that young can ever compete at the Olympics again. In 1996, the International Federation of gymnastics raised the age limit for the Olympics to 16. This was to help protect athletes from potentially dangerous injuries. Nonetheless, athletes around the globe are preparing to peak by starting early Emma's coach, Amanda, former competitive gymnast knows the importance of training young, Unknown Speaker 37:52 We look for young athletes. So we ideally like for the girls to start at about five years old, five or six years old. And the reason for that is because building the fundamentals for the sport at a young age, helps them with their long term success. It teaches them about body awareness. It builds strength and flexibility at an age where they're really too tiny to do a lot of skills. It's difficult. It's very, very hard to convince parents to do the hours when kids are that young. But you know those that do see the long term potential and understand that their kids really like just have a safer, healthier longer career In the long term. Unknown Speaker 38:29 For Emma training 22 hours a week seems to be paying off she is encouraged to eat fruits, vegetables and protein to stay competition ready. Emma says she gets nervous before she competes but so to the Olympians, so it's okay, Unknown Speaker 38:40 am I getting it?Right get my feet in any getting any length, he Chi, Unknown Speaker 38:57 But behind the success is support. Emma's parents pack her lunches, they help her with homework, they drive her to and from practices and they watch her competitions on weekends. Unknown Speaker 39:08 It was really really hard at first to just get accustomed to the new schedule. But now I think we got the flow. Got it working out. You know she she does four hours a night when she's training during the week. And on Sunday. She does six hours. So I it was hard at first but I think we're used to it now. Unknown Speaker 39:30 I'll pick her up before gymnastics, and we'll spend like an hour working on homework and stuff and then she'll come to the gym. Then she'll train and she'll come home and she'll wash up maybe get caught up in some more homework or whatever and then off to bed next day and do it all over again. We kind of have this cycle now it's good. Unknown Speaker 39:48 This cycle is key to Emma's fast improvements or parents teamwork make it easier to work with Amanda on a daily basis. Unknown Speaker 39:56 We're here to support her and we are just in love with watching her go through her dreams, something we really didn't get to do with kids. So we're living through her. And it's amazing to watch how fast she's grown and how much she's loving it and excited to see where she will go with this. Unknown Speaker 40:15 Emma's dream is not even that far away. Hundreds of athletes at the London Olympics were 15 years old, more than 30 others were even younger. So even though Emma has to be 16 to compete for Canada as a gymnast, she could already be halfway toward making her dream a reality. For Downtown Sound, I'm Shannon Kuzicz. Unknown Speaker 40:40 But not all athletes qualify as role models. Today, Lance Armstrong essentially disappeared from the history of competitive cycling. Downtown sounds nerdy and cranny checks out the reaction Toronto cycling community, Unknown Speaker 40:52 UCI would ban Lance Armstrong from cycling, and usually I would strip him of his seven Tour de France titles. Unknown Speaker 40:59 So boom, Lance Armstrong is no longer a seven time Tour de France winner. He was officially stripped of his titles and banned from the sport yesterday. Members of Toronto cycling community are not surprised. doping has plagued the professional cycling for many years. Mark Romaso raced competitively from 2004 to 2010. He thinks cycling will ride out this scandal. And I think that cycling in North America will have taken a hit but I think Cycling is a sport internationally. Unknown Speaker 41:29 It's gonna keep on going. This isn't the first doping scandal. This is not the first legend to fallen. Unknown Speaker 41:35 Armstrong never tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. But his decision not to fight the charges against him are widely seen as an admission of guilt. Mark Romero, Unknown Speaker 41:45 Regardless of his his admission are not. Guilty. I think people just want to hear him say they want to put them up, make bleed, make him grovel, just like everybody else that comes out. write some memoir about how they dope and how they feel terrible about it. For me, it doesn't matter if he admits actually explicitly admits his guilt or not because it's just as guilty in my mind. Unknown Speaker 42:05 And Armstrong isn't alone. This morning, Stephen Carryard, one of Armstrong cycling teammates also admitted to using performance enhancing drugs. For Downtown Sound. I'm Nardeen Korane Unknown Speaker 42:17 Thanks Nardeen. And now in hockey news, the NHL lockout hits day 38. With both sides holding strong, the NHL has canceled 135 games so far this season, and you can bet there will be more. Since the lockout AHL farm teams are gaining some well deserved attention. The Toronto Marlies season ticket sales and attendance have skyrocketed. The Marlies' raveled down the queue ew to face off against the Hamilton Bulldogs on Friday night. Puck drops at 730 That's it for sports today. I'm Dylan Ricola. Thanks for joining us. Unknown Speaker 42:57 Today in business interest rates are at a standstill, Ottawa makes an important takeover decision and Toronto vacancies continue to drop. Unknown Speaker 43:12 Good afternoon. I'm Shannon Kuzicz. And yours your business update. The Bank of Canada is softening its position on raising interest rates is leaving the benchmark rate in an ultra low 1% for the 25th consecutive month. In other National Business News. The Malaysian oil and gas company PETRONAS is appealing Ottawa's recent decision to block its takeover bid for progress energy resources. Our Own Business reporter Mike Duncan has more on the story. Unknown Speaker 43:41 The decision was a shocker. Last Friday, Ottawa blocked a $6 billion takeover of Calgary based progress energy. The bid came from Petronas, a Malaysian oil gas company. The ruling sentence talks humbling. Robert mark is the director of Canadian investor for McDougall, McDougall and MacTier. Unknown Speaker 43:59 We don't really have a proper sense of what the government is trying to achieve here. You know, like what their their true reasons for doing this are. But I think on its on it on its face. I think there's still a high possibility that this will get approved. Unknown Speaker 44:18 Federal industry minister Christian Parodi said the deal did not meet the government's criteria for a net benefit to Canada, Victoria's had demanded 100% ownership of progress energy. Laura Lau is the Senior Vice President of Toronto investment fund manager, the Brompton group, she says Ottawa is putting future investment in Canadian companies at risk. Unknown Speaker 44:40 of future investment. So that's why the government realizes we do need foreign investment because you know what Petronas would put in liquefied natural gas and oil sands are all multi multi billion dollar projects and Canada simply does not have enough money to do it. by it. Unknown Speaker 45:01 The government has granted the two parties an additional 30 days to amend their proposal. I'm Michael Duncan for Downtown News. Unknown Speaker 45:07 Here in Toronto vacancy rates are lower than they have been in decades. As the demand for office space continues to rise, so does the cost of rent. Net rental rates are now just below the record setting levels that led up to the 2008 recession. But some prices are falling. You might have noticed that fuel in your car has gotten cheaper in the last few days. Well, experts predict gas prices may drop even lower. By the end of the year, they expect to see 99 cents a liter in the Toronto area. This will be the first time winter gas prices fell below the dollar in two years. On to technology. If you thought the iPhone five was the latest trend, think again. Apple is set to announce a pint sized version of the iPad tablet this week. The new product is expected to fill the gap between the iPhone and the existing iPad. And finally, Tim Hortons hopes to reduce lineups with touchless debit interact flash will be placed at 2300 Tim Hortons locations across Canada by the end of the month. The new system allows customers to put their cards in front of a scanner and pay directly from their bank accounts. And that's your business update. Until next time for Downtown Sound I'm Shannon Kuzicz. Unknown Speaker 46:27 Today in arts and entertainment Latino advocates crying foul over Disney's latest Princess, the sizzling Iron Man trailer finally drops and we take a look at the latest Bond film. We also have the scoop on this year's International Festival of authors. Here's Brian Boudreau with your weekly culture fix. Unknown Speaker 46:51 Disney is in hot water with Latino activists over its latest Princess Sophia. The Hispanic influence Princess will start in the made for TV film Sophia the First but Latino advocacy groups are unhappy about her blue eyes, red hair and fair skin. Disney stands by its latest addition to its royal repertoire saying she has a mixed heritage and less controversial news the International Festival of authors is running at Harbor front this week. Jackie Hunter has the scoop. Unknown Speaker 47:21 Last night at the International Festival of authors nominees for the Governor General's Award for English fiction read from their works, but it wasn't an entirely happy occasion. One of the nominees Tomasz to boozy said he had to struggle even to get his novel seat 13 published, Unknown Speaker 47:37 It was rejected by a lot of places that already had an American publisher. I had pretty much decided that that was it. I wasn't going to try anymore. Unknown Speaker 47:46 Nominee Robert Huff revealed that the international success of his previous novels has yet to spread to Canada. Unknown Speaker 47:52 Like I've sold a lot of books outside of Canada, but I've never actually had a book kind of catch on in Canada.I think Brock Dr. Brinkley will be my first. My first novels sold more copies in Poland than it did here. Unknown Speaker 48:04 A prestigious award like the Governor General's isn't enough to guarantee sales these days. But Tobosey says it's still a great time to be a Canadian writer. Unknown Speaker 48:12 There is no longer any anxiety around what is Canadian literature. That's when national literature is actually starts to bloom. Unknown Speaker 48:22 The Governor General's Award winners for English fiction will be announced next month. For Downtown Sound. I'm Jackie Hunter. Unknown Speaker 48:29 Okay enough highbrow stuff. Marvel has finally released the first trailer for the much anticipated Iron Man three. Unknown Speaker 48:36 Nothing's been the same New York. experienced things. And then there are over 100 people want to kill me. Unknown Speaker 48:45 Lesson number one, heroes, there is no such thing. Unknown Speaker 48:52 The last voice is the Mandarin's one of Tony Stark's most formidable enemies, but eager fans will have to wait till May next year to witness the epic showdown. 007 fans have a much shorter wait with the latest bond feature arriving in theaters next month. Skyfall promises a return to the classic elements of the bond franchise which is celebrating its 50 year anniversary. Unknown Speaker 49:15 Just look at you chasing spies. Unknown Speaker 49:20 England the Empire. Unknown Speaker 49:24 MI6 Unknown Speaker 49:28 So old fashioned. Everybody needs a hobby. Unknown Speaker 49:31 So what's your? Unknown Speaker 49:32 Resurrection. Unknown Speaker 49:34 Fans of the British MI6 agent should check out tifs designing double oh seven exhibit at Bell lighthouse which gives an inside look at the films over the years. Well that's all folks until next time for Downtown Sound. I'm Brian Boudreau. Unknown Speaker 49:54 Thanks for tuning in to this week's edition of downtown sounds current affairs. I'm Erica Grisha. Unknown Speaker 49:59 And I'm Nicole Servenus. We hope you join us next week to ride the current with us.