The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/01/13 at 06:00 EST

Episode Date: January 13, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/01/13 at 06:00 EST

Hi, it's Thomas LeBlanc, host of CELINE Understood, a deep dive into the cultural, political, and economic alchemy that created CELINE D'Als. And there are more seasons of Understood. Follow our feed to learn more about other big stories in the news like the rise and fall of crypto king Sam Bankman Freed, or the controversy behind another notable Quebec institution, Pornhub. And if you're already a follower, thanks! Please tell your friends about us. The confirmed number of fatalities from the ongoing LA wildfires has now reached 24. And while around the clock efforts continue to get all the blazes in the city under control,

the weather forecast is today delivering some bad news. The strong winds that initially helped fuel these fires are returning. Steve Funderman has the latest. It is the last thing people here in Los Angeles want right now, but the predicted stronger winds have arrived. LA County Fire Chief Anthony Morrone. We know that elevated critical fire weather conditions will continue through Wednesday. These winds will keep the fire threat in Los Angeles County

very high. Fire crews have been placed in areas believed to be vulnerable. They are prepared to deal with any new fires the fire. The fire crews are in the area of the fire control center. We're in the area of Los Angeles County, very high fire crews have been placed in areas believed to be vulnerable. They are prepared to deal with any new fires or rekindling of a previously

extinguished fire. This man hopes and thinks the worst is over. The situation is definitely under control. I don't feel like we're in any jeopardy. The winds are expected to last until Wednesday, but as strong as these winds will be, they are not expected to equal the strength of those last week, which resulted in the massive loss of homes and other structures. Steve Futterman for CBC News, Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Ottawa continues to coordinate with the provinces to deliver more resources to Los Angeles. Emergency preparedness minister Harjeet Sajjan says 60 firefighters from Alberta and British Columbia could be deployed in LA as early as today. And Sajjan says Canadian officials are working to identify more resources to send as well. This on top of the aircraft already delivered by Alberta, BC, Quebec and Ontario. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith met over the weekend in Mar-a-Lago, Florida with Donald Trump. The visit comes amid Trump's ongoing tariff threats and just a week from his return to the White House.

Sam Sampson reports. Standing near the ornate archways of Mar-a-Lago, Danielle Smith smiles and shakes Donald Trump's hand. In another photo under sunny skies, Smith stands by Trump, who wearing a bright red make America great again ball cap. Smith says their conversation was friendly and constructive, mentioning the jobs Americans have because of Alberta's exports. Mount Royal University political scientist Laurie Williams says communication is key when Donald Trump is threatening 25 percent tariffs. Smith is the first premier to travel to Mar-a-Lago and meet with Trump since he was elected in

November. Ontario premier Doug Ford went on American network shows to talk trade. And Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with his U.S. counterpart late last year. In her written statement, Smith said Canada and the U.S. are proud, independent nations and there's a need to preserve our independence while growing a critical partnership. Sam Samson, CBC News, Edmonton. As of today, it's going to cost you a lot more to mail a letter here in Canada. Canada Post is increasing the cost of a single stamp by 29 cents.

Nisha Patel has more. This is the largest I've seen for letter rates. Donald Chang owns a convenience store in Windsor, Ontario. He says the price of postage usually goes up by a few cents. This latest hike is much steeper. People are surprised and a little angry that they look at it as a big money grab. Canada Post is raising the price of mailing a domestic letter with a single stamp jumping from $1.15 to $1.44. The corporation says it's facing cost pressures and the new rates will bring in $80 million

this year. But small business owners like Kat Pasquatch are worried. We're looking at increases of over a dollar per package and given the volume of packages that we send, it is going to be significant. Canada Post has lost more than three billion dollars since 2018 and the strike made matters even worse. While workers are back on the job, the corporation still hasn't reached a new labour deal with its union. Nisha Patel, CBC News, Toronto.

And that is World This Hour. For news anytime, go to our website cbcnews.ca. For CBC News, I'm Joe Cummings.