Your World Tonight

Wildfires have been sweeping through Los Angeles for five straight days. Whole neighbourhoods have been turned to ash. Despite a brief lull in the winds, they are expected to pick back up - and firefighters are still having difficulty containing the flames. Also: After a string of disappointing seasons, the Rideau Canal has opened for public skating this winter. Its the earliest opening of the skateway since 2018. But as Canada experiences warmer winters, the future of the skateway is unpredictable. And: A team of scientists in Antarctica is studying a chunk of ice drilled from deep below the earth's surface. They're hoping ancient particles within the ice will help to understand the history and future of Earth's climate. Plus: An apartment building in Iqaluit destroyed by fire, homelessness crisis in Ontario, and more

The people of Los Angeles are pulling together as the fires burn on the outskirts of the city — volunteers, donation centres, and families helping families. But the city is also seeing some of the worst of human nature — scam texts, looting, and selfishness. Police have imposed curfews and sent in the National Guard to stop looting, and the FBI is investigating after a water bomber provided by Quebec was struck by a civilian drone. And: The disaster in L.A. is highlighting another problem: insurance. Many people in the area lost their insurance coverage because it got too expensive, or companies refused to renew it. It’s a concern elsewhere too — including Canada — as climate change makes some residential areas too risky to insure. Also: The Liberals have set some of the rules for their leadership campaign. A few people have declared their intentions to run, but another cabinet minister says she’s out: Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly. There are still no details about whether there will be a convention, or how the voting will happen, but one thing we do know… the new leader and next prime minister will be chosen by March 9th. Plus: Trump given an unconditional discharge, inauguration in Venezuela, banks bail on net zero pledge, and more.

Two of the fires in Los Angeles are still zero per cent contained. Beyond the smoke and flames, there are worries about water quality, and electricity. And fighting an urban wildfire has its own challenges — including fire hydrants that aren’t able to provide enough water for the scale of the destruction. Canada has offered help. And: A CBC investigation shows Loblaws and other grocery stores are selling underweighted meat — meaning it’s not as heavy as they are charging for. They are including the packaging in the weight, which is not allowed. Also: Parents across Canada got a warning this week that their kids’ information was exposed in a cyber attack. We look at the way schools across the country are vulnerable to online hacking. Plus: Norovirus on the rise in Canada and the U.S., anger over a rape case in India, newcomers looking for housing, and more.

Fires are out of control around Los Angeles. Tens of thousands of people have been told to evacuate. Thousands more are on standby. There have been deaths and injuries, and over 1000 homes and businesses have been lost. Hurricane force winds have prevented firefighters from getting control of the fires. The weather has shifted over time, so instead of fire seasons, officials now talk about a year of fire. And: Two days after Justin Trudeau said he would leave, the Liberal party caucus met and talked about what’s next. One big name has already said he won’t run: Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc. The main concern for whoever does step up: How to deal with the Donald Trump administration in the U.S. Also: Canada’s government isn’t the only one trying to respond to Trump. Greenland is trying to make it clear: The territory is not up for grabs. Yesterday, Trump would not rule out using military force to take it over. Plus: How does Meta’s change of heart on fact-checking affect Canada? How can doctors who move here find work? And more.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he is prepared to use economic force to take over Canada. He says the U.S. is spending billions a year to protect Canada, and it would make sense to make it the 51st state. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted on X: “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.” Trump also wouldn’t rule out using the military to take over Greenland and the Panama Canal. And: The federal Liberals are setting the rules for a leadership race, now that Justin Trudeau is stepping down. We’ll have a look at who might run, and what’s ahead for the party. The Conservatives are taking the opportunity to say that no matter who runs for Liberal leader, the ideas will be the same, and it’s time for change. Also: Tuberculosis cases are on the rise in some Canadian cities. Health researchers say TB is affecting newcomers because of lower vaccination rates and wider infection rates in their home countries. Plus: Earthquake in Tibet kills more than 120, Saskatchewan goes after wild pigs, and more.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau now says he isn’t the best choice to lead the Liberals into the next election, and he will step down as soon as the party picks another leader. That leader will also automatically become prime minister. There are warnings the party constitution could leave the campaign open to foreign interference. Trudeau says his main regret from his time in office is not getting electoral reform done. Opposition leaders Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh say it’s time for a federal election. Several premiers have already signalled their biggest concern: that the federal government needs to keep its eye on relations with the U.S. Plus: Flu numbers are up in Canada, Elon Musk wades into UK politics, and more.

Authorities in the U.S. say their investigation into the deadly car ramming attack in New Orleans is crossing international borders. F-B-I officials are looking into two trips the attacker made, including one to Ontario. Also: A Liberal caucus meeting is just days away, and questions are swirling in Ottawa about the Prime Minister and whether he'll stay or go. And: When Hollywood wants to create authentic-looking Vatican costumes, they go to Ety Cicioni, the head tailor for the Swiss Guard. We take a look inside his studio. Plus: A grieving mother orca carrying her dead calf, A former French president goes on trial, a preview into this year's Golden Globes and more.

A food bank in Edmonton is planning a massive expansion to meet a growing demand for its services. Advocates are hoping the new year, and a potential federal election, could turn the page on Canada's food insecurity crisis. Also: In Winnipeg, paramedics and firefighters were off the job for thousands of hours last year due to psychological injuries. And while those workers take time to recover, the understaffed system is put under further strain, creating a cycle of burnout. And: The arrest of an Italian journalist in Iran is straining relations between the two countries. Some observers believe the timing of her imprisonment is not a coincidence. Plus: Americans pay their respects to former president Jimmy Carter, the latest developments of political turmoil in South Korea, and more.

The U.S. Surgeon General says alcoholic drinks should come with a warning label about the risk they carry of causing cancer. Vivek Murthy also wants the guidelines on alcohol consumption limits reassessed. He says people need to be better informed before buying the drinks so they can weigh the cancer risk. His proposal for a label requires an approval from the U.S. Congress. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is back in Ottawa and pressure is mounting for him to go. He made a brief public appearance to sign a book of condolences for former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, who died days ago, but he didn’t say anything. And: U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson was reelected to the top job. But only by a hair. He was able to flip two holdouts and won reelection with the minimum number of votes needed: 218. Also: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol avoided arrest on Friday after an almost six-hour standoff between investigators trying to detain him and presidential guards. He is the first sitting president in South Korea to have an arrest warrant issued for him. He is under criminal investigation for insurrection for his short-lived martial law decree. Plus: The latest on the New Orleans attack, and is Siri listening in on your conversations?

The FBI says it now believes the suspect in the New Orleans truck attack acted alone. A 42-year-old army vet ploughed his truck into a crowd, killing 14 people. The attacker was apparently inspired by ISIS. The group was at one point considered defeated in the Middle East, but has been actively recruiting people online. Even in Canada, where RCMP arrested an 18-year-old for planning to travel and join the group outside the country. Police say so far there is no evidence of a connection between the New Orleans attack and an explosion outside a Trump tower in Las Vegas. Police say a man inside a Tesla Cybertruck likely shot himself just before the vehicle exploded. The blast injured seven people nearby. And: A B.C. teen is out of intensive care after contracting avian flu. She went into the hospital in November, and was on supplemental oxygen for over a month. There is still no information on how she contracted it, but there is no evidence that anyone else was infected. Also: Jurassic footmark: About 200 dinosaur footprints have been discovered in a quarry north of London, England. The prints belong to cetiosaurs and megalosaurs, which lived 160 million years ago. The footprints are big enough for the archaeologists to sit in, and should give them information about how dinosaurs walked, and maybe even where they were going. Plus: The popularity of Nordic spas, and should you try that new year’s detox diet?

In a matter of weeks, Donald Trump will be sworn in as president of the United States. And he's poised to trigger what many think will be a rapid-fire series of drastic changes. It's not an over-statement to say people around the world are watching closely. And: A ground-breaking global study on diabetes has found that rates doubled over the past 30 years. And millions of people aren't getting the treatment they need. Also: Menopause has long been a taboo topic in the medical community. But that's starting to change. As doctors are having more open conversations about dealing with menopause, health care companies are marketing a growing list of remedies that offer relief - but don’t always work. Plus: Settler violence in the West Bank, professional women’s hockey, and more.

The Quebec Liberal caucus is the latest to decide that Justin Trudeau should step down as leader. A recent opinion poll shows his popularity at an all-time low. What’s next for the prime minister? And: Alberta introduces a tax on electric vehicles. The province says EVs are harder on roads than gas-powered vehicles because of their heavy batteries, and the money will help with maintenance. EV advocates say gasoline vehicles impose a different cost on society — by polluting the air and environment. Also: Most of Puerto Rico has no power after a grid failure. The cause is likely malfunctioning equipment. Puerto Rico’s energy infrastructure was heavily damaged by Hurricane Maria in 2017. It’s struggled to get back to full strength ever since. Plus: Exoskeletons for kids with mobility issues, tracking seniors electronically, a look back at the year in climate news, and more.

South Korea's acting president orders an inspection of the country's entire airline operation system, after the deadliest air disaster in the country. Families of victims say they aren’t getting enough information about what happened. Some experts are saying a bird strike alone shouldn’t have been enough to bring down such a large plane. And: Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter will lie in state before his funeral January 9th. World leaders are reacting after his death at 100 was announced yesterday. His legacy includes an accord between Israel and Egypt — which could inspire hope for future deals in the region. Also: Our warming climate means winter just doesn’t pack as much of a punch as it used to. And warmer conditions mean trouble for something quintessentially Canadian: being able to skate outside. Cities are being forced to adapt or admit defeat entirely. Plus: Bird flu in pet food, U.S. Republicans fight over immigration policy, a golden age for women’s sport, and more.

A look back at recent stories all about animals on this special edition of Your World Tonight. We look at efforts to protect wildlife around the world: saving frogs from a deadly fungus in California, building homes for birds in India, the controversy over proposed development in an Albanian wetland, and contaminated water being blamed for the deaths of rhinos in Zimbabwe. Plus: More and more vet clinics are owned by large corporations instead of independent vets, the skyrocketing price of donkeys in Pakistan, and wildlife-spotting tourists cause traffic jams in Canada's national parks that are dangerous for both people and bears.

After a decade of war has devastated Syria's agriculture industry, farmers are hoping to regrow their crops... and they're turning to a concrete bunker in Norway to do it. The Global Seed Vault houses seeds from more than 60 countries, safeguarding them against war and natural disaster. Syria is the first country to make a withdrawal to restore the plants it lost. And: British grocery stores are being increasingly targeted by organized crime, with thieves stealing whole shelves of food and drink to resell. Stores are turning to GPS tags, undercover security guards, and specialized police units to protect their staff and products. Also: The Michelin Guide is considered the foremost authority on fine dining. But it doesn't just review high-end restaurants. It granted one of its coveted stars to a street-side taco stand in Mexico City, leading to long lineups as foodies from around the world came looking for a taste of authentic — and delicious — Mexican food. Plus: A mayor invites residents on walks to discuss local issues and stay healthy, South India's disappearing Iranian cafés, and Sweden's candy obsession.

Indian investigators accuse Canadian colleges of human trafficking. Indian law enforcement agencies say they have evidence of links between dozens of colleges in Canada and two "entities" in Mumbai accused of illegally ferrying students across the Canada-U.S. border. And: Federal ministers head to Florida to talk to Donald Trump’s team. Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly are trying to convince the incoming administration not to impose tariffs on Canada when Trump comes to power. Also: Conservatives say they can bring forward a non-confidence motion and bring down the government before the end of next month. And Liberals make plans for a possible change in leadership. Plus: The U.S. says Russia may have brought down an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, population boom in Cochrane, Alberta and more young people listening to classical music.

Whether it's from governments, schools or from mom and dad, there's increasing pressure on big tech companies to do more to protect kids from the dangers that lurk online. And this year some major players announced some major changes. And: Canadians are not using public transit as much as they did before the pandemic. But in one Ontario town, ridership has doubled. And it's because riding the bus doesn't cost anything. Also: You may remember the mysterious disappearance of that famous photo of Winston Churchill. The one snatched from the wall of an Ottawa hotel, and replaced with a fake. A long international investigation found it years later, in Italy. The portrait of the legendary British prime minister was recently returned to its rightful place. Plus: scurvy is making a comeback, involuntary addiction treatment, and the Band Aid reboot controversy.

Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants for six activists based overseas, including two Canadians. Joseph Tay and Victor Ho are wanted for national security offences such as secession, subversion and collusion with foreign forces. It is part of a move by Hong Kong to crack down on political dissent after massive anti-government protests in 2019. And: New data on holiday shopping trends shows there may be fewer gifts under the tree this year. Research by the Angus Reid institute, finds Canadians are taking a cautious approach to spending this holiday season. Also: You may be keeping a close eye on the skies tonight in hopes of spotting Santa. But astrophysicists have their attention glued to something a little further away. The Parker Solar Probe came the closest anything human-made ever has, to touching the sun. Plus: Housing the homeless in Manitoba, why thousands of whales die every year and what’s being done about it, and the dangers of driving with LED lights.

The U.S. House Ethics Committee says a former Florida congressman, and President-elect Donald Trump’s first choice for attorney general, paid tens of thousands of dollars to women for drugs and sex. Matt Gaetz has denied wrongdoing. He had withdrawn himself from consideration for A.G. in November. The report closes a nearly five-year investigation into Gaetz. And: Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to the murder of health insurance CEO, Brian Thompson. Mangione faces 11 state charges, including murder and terrorism. Thompson was shot dead on December 4 outside a hotel in New York. It was followed by a five-day manhunt. Also: Honda and Nissan are in talks to merge by 2026, which would create the world's third-largest auto company, after Toyota and Volkswagen Plus: Ottawa proposes new rules on airlines, why more options to learn music are striking a chord with students, and how climate change could soon cause a double-double take with coffee drinkers.

As the future of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership remains uncertain, sources tell CBC News a majority of Liberal MP's in Ontario believe Trudeau should step down as the party's leader. Also: From Toronto to Montreal, we look into what's behind a worrying trend of jewelry store smash and grab robberies. And: The Nordman Fir is one of the most sought after and expensive Christmas trees in Europe - earning the nickname "the Rolls Royce of Christmas trees". But now, they're selling at rock bottom prices. Plus: Donald Trump demands the return of the Panama Canal to the U.S., Italy's oldest wine making school, and more.