The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2026/01/02 at 14:00 EST

Episode Date: January 2, 2026

The World This Hour for 2026/01/02 at 14:00 EST

All right, what are we talking about? A new year means a fresh start. Okay, make a list for the year and take charge of your life in 2026. Look, I'm not talking about your to-do list. I'm talking about your watch list. Cross off Family Feud Canada, St. Pierre, and this hour has 22 minutes. There's no excuses. Dream big people. Enjoy all your favorite shows on CBC TV or stream anytime on CBC Gem. Mike drop. From CBC News, the world this hour. I'm Kate McGilfrey. Swiss authorities are investigating whether building regulations were followed after a deadly fire tore through a ski resort bar. 40 people were killed and 150 and others injured in yesterday's incident. It marks one of the country's worst civilian disasters in recent decades. Valle, Attorney General Beatrice Pilou, says the fire likely started with sparklers placed on champagne bottles that were brought too close to the ceiling.

From there, the fire spread rapidly. Pilu says officials will assess the installation of foam in the ceiling, but urge the public not to jump to conclusions. There are several nationalities among the dozens injured, including French, Italian, and Serbian citizens. U.S. President Donald Trump says he is in perfect health. Trump made that declaration in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. The president's age, energy, and well-being have been an increasing focus for months now. The CBC's Willie Lowry reports from Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump says he consumes 325 milligrams of aspirin a day as a blood thinner,

more than his doctor advises, and more than is generally recommended. The revelation is one of several from a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal. questions have swirled over Trump's health for months. At 79, he is the oldest person ever elected president, but he has repeatedly boasted about his health and mental acuity. In October, after an MRI, he said this. And in December, he said, I think I'm sharper than I was 25 years ago.

Trump blamed bruising that is often seen on his right hand on his aspirin consumption, and he said he uses makeup to conceal it. He also denied falling asleep during meetings, saying photos that seemingly showed him asleep in public were captured while he was blinking. Willie Lowry, CBC News, Washington. Prime Minister Mark Carney is headed to Paris next week for a meeting with other Ukrainian allies. They'll be discussing the status of peace negotiations with Russia and firming up commitments to support Ukraine once a deal is signed. Kiev remains under intense pressure from the Trump administration to make concessions to Russia to enable a deal. In his New Year's address, the Ukrainian president affirmed that its country wants peace, but not at any cost.

Archaeologists and First Nations are concerned about a new Ontario law. It's aimed at streamlining building approvals, but some worry, it gives the minister the power to erase history with the mere stroke of a pen. Colin Butler reports. They're essentially rewriting our history. Tobermori-based archaeologist Scarlett Genesis says no good can come of this. I think it's bad when government tries to control our heritage. But control is exactly what the province quietly gave itself with Bill 5. Elected officials can now grant exemptions for projects they call priorities.

The Ontario Home Builders Association wouldn't go on air, but told CBC in an email, the law promises faster approvals while still responsibly protecting heritage. Indigenous rights lawyer Aaron Detler says there's nothing responsible about it. It doesn't matter if it's the most sacred site known to any particular First Nation, because the priority has been given to developers. Skipping assessments could also halt projects when burials or artifacts are found. Experts warn of political favoritism at the cost of 13,000 years of history,

especially when decisions about the past are being made in the present by politicians. Colin Butler, CBC News, London, Ontario. And Canadian basketball star, Shea Gilgis Alexander, has been named sportsperson of the year by Sports Illustrated. The NBA star comes from Hamilton, Ontario, and he's coming off a run of major awards, including the NBA's most valuable player and the Canadian press male athlete of the year. KLGS Alexander led his team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, to an NBA championship win last season. And that is The World This Hour.

You can listen to us wherever you get podcasts. We update every hour, seven days a week. For CBC News, I'm Kate McIllery. Thank you.