The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/08/07 at 17:00 EDT

Episode Date: August 7, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/08/07 at 17:00 EDT

Why does the internet suck so much right now? Has online porn changed sex forever? And what's left to know about Bitcoin? These are the kind of questions answered on CBC's Understood, a podcast that bridges business, technology, and culture. Understood looks deeper than the daily headlines. It gives you the big story in just four episodes. Want to know more? Know it now.

Find the latest season wherever you get your podcasts. I'm CBC News, The World This Hour. I'm Gina Louise Phillips. In Newfoundland and Labrador, officials have issued new evacuation orders as wildfires continue to threaten a number of communities. The Premier is also planning to hike fines for disobeying firebans because too many people are ignoring them. Jessica Singer has the latest. Officials in Newfoundland and Labrador are calling the province a tinderbox. Three wildfires have been burning out of control for days. forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes and cabins.

And a province-wide fire ban has been put in place. But not everyone is following the rules. Firefighters have responded to eight bonfires in St. John's over the past few days. An angry Premier John Hogan says he's going to increase fines for breaking a fire ban to a minimum of $50,000. For people who were disobeying the laws, not paying attention, doing this, recklessly or selfishly, those are the people that we want to punish for violating the law and putting other people's lives at risk. While there is no rain in the forecast firefighting crews hope dropping winds will help. Jessica Singer, CBC News, St. John's. Edmonton Police have charged

the chief of the Soutina First Nation with two counts of historical sexual assault. Roy Albert Whitney is accused of assaulting one male in 1994 and a second male in 2005. Both complainants are from the Soutina First Nation. Police are encouraging anyone with similar allegations to come forward. Winnipeg police have charged one of their own officers with a range of offenses. The constable is accused of drug trafficking and taking an intimate picture of a deceased woman, among other allegations. Cameron McIntosh has the story. These are very serious allegations. Winnipeg Police Chief, Gene Bowers, calls the allegations troubling and damaging. We can't ask for trust. We have to earn it. Constable Elston Bostick, a 22-year member of the

force facing 18 charges over allegations including drug trafficking, breaking and entering, theft at a crime scene, tampering with traffic tickets, even indignity to human remains. Allegations brought to light by another officer says Deputy. chief, Cam McKidd. As a member of our service had the integrity to come forward with concerns. Three other officers face related charges. None of the allegations have been proven in court. Bostick was first arrested and initially charged last November,

just months after receiving the Governor General's medal for exemplary service. Cameron McIntosh, CBC News, Winnipeg. U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs on dozens of countries are now in effect. Right now we're living. the nightmare that we had hoped wouldn't come to be. You kind of like wake up in the morning and you're like, no, that wasn't real. Swiss businessman Sasha Davidoff is among many people bracing for the economic impact. Like Canada, Switzerland failed to reach a trade deal before the White House's imposed deadline.

The U.S. will now tax imports from that country at close to 40%. Trump has announced eight trade agreements over the past five months, although details are scarce. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent today hinted that the window for more details, deals, rather, may be closing. The trade deals are largely done, and now we can really hone in on the affordability. U.S. markets appeared to shrug off the new tariff regime

with stocks opening higher this morning. Japan saw more than a million more deaths than births last year, It's the steepest population decline in recorded history for the Asian country. The new data shows that for each baby born, more than two people died. The island nation also deals with a rapidly aging population, with people 65 and older, making up nearly 30% of the country. For years, Japan has tried to incentivize women to have more children with government programs. Those efforts have largely failed, with younger people dealing with a high cost of living

and a demanding work culture. For CBC News, I'm Gina Louise Phillips.