The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2026/01/02 at 17:00 EST

Episode Date: January 2, 2026

The World This Hour for 2026/01/02 at 17:00 EST

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from cbc news the world this hour i'm kate mcgilvery the fire that killed 40 people in switzerland was likely started by sparklers attached to champagne bottles the fatal fire tore through a ski resort bar on new year's eve injuring nearly 120 people many of them critically john northcott reports for the first time we're getting a true sense of the breadth of countries affected by this tragedy 71 of the victims are from Switzerland, but there are many from France, Italy, as well as Serbia, Bosnia, Poland, and Luxembourg. One woman at the scene is pleading for anyone who may have seen her son. If you've seen him in hospitals or at the morgue, she says, please contact me. I don't know how severe his burns are or if he's recognizable.

All I want is my son. We're also getting some greater clarity as to the cause of the fire, with officials saying what eyewitnesses have been saying all along that large lit sparklers in champagne bottles being carried through the club got too close to the ceiling, setting off a fire that spread rapidly. John Northcott, CBC News, London. Officials in North Carolina say they've foiled a terrorist plot inspired by ISIS. He was preparing for jihad, and innocent people were going to die.

U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson says the 18-year-old suspect had been radicalized online. He planned an attack on a grocery store and a fast food restaurant. Ferguson says the suspect then shared his plans with two FBI agents, who he believed were ISIS operatives. He said he was going to wear a Kevlar vest and attack people with knives and hammers. And, of course, he talked about when he was going to carry out this attack, which was New Year's Eve. The suspect was arrested on Wednesday and was charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terror organization.

Tesla has lost its crown as the world's best-selling electric vehicle maker. The biggest EV producer is now China's B.Y.D. Tesla's sales dropped 9% last year compared to the year before and declines being chalked up to expiring tax breaks, stiff competition, and customers turned off by Elon Musk's right-wing politics. Musk had earlier dismissed the softening numbers. He says Tesla's future lies with other ventures, like energy storage and robots.

Venezuela's president appears to be offering an olive branch to the U.S. government. If you want to conversar seriamente, del an accord of combat against the narcotrafico, we're ready. Nicholas Maduro says Venezuela is ready to have serious talks about combating drug trafficking. For months, the Trump administration has been attacking alleged drug boats in the Caribbean. The CIA also recently targeted a port facility on Venezuelan land, marking an escalation in the U.S. pressure campaign.

Maduro insists his government is friendly to the U.S., adding the country is ready to accept American investment in Venezuelan oil. And thousands of Ontario public sector workers are being called back to the office full-time. The provincial government insists it will boost local businesses and improve productivity, but many workers say the change will hurt their performance, not help it. Michelle Song has the story. We were shut for nine months straight. Wayne Cowley owns a bar in downtown Toronto.

His business took a major hit during the pandemic. And he since saw a lull in customers, as many people were still working from home. Now, Cowley is looking forward to seeing Ontario Public Service Workers going back to the office full time. When everyone's moving, you're spending money. Good for businesses, but less so for employees. According to the union, representing half of Ontario Public Service workers. Ops you. J.P. Hornick is the union president. All of these people are more productive in a work from home or hybrid environment. When we also look at the type of office space they're returning to,

it's not adequate. The province says they've reviewed all their offices and found the majority of them do have enough room. But the union says members tell them they're concerned about space. Michelle Song, CBC News, Toronto. And that is the world this hour. For CBC News, I'm Kate McIllery. Thank you.