The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2026/01/05 at 03:00 EST

Episode Date: January 5, 2026

The World This Hour for 2026/01/05 at 03:00 EST

This ascent isn't for everyone. You need grit to climb this high this often. You've got to be an underdog that always over-delivers. You've got to be 6,500 hospital staff, 1,000 doctors, all doing so much with so little. You've got to be Scarborough. Defined by our uphill battle and always striving towards new heights. And you can help us keep climbing.

Donate at lovescarbro.cairbo. From CBC News, the world this hour. I'm Neil Hurland. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro will appear in a New York court today. He was arrested over the weekend in a daring U.S. raid and is now facing narco-terrorism charges. Last night, U.S. President Donald Trump warned more countries, including Mexico, Cuba, and Colombia. Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he's not going to be doing it very long, let me tell you.

Trump also repeated his desire for the U.S. to take over Greenland, a move the Danish territory, has rejected. The watchdog agency meant to ensure Canada's intelligence and security agencies aren't breaking the law is sounding the alarm over liberal budget cuts, the national security and independent. Intelligence Review Agency has been asked to find savings of 15%. As Catherine Tunney reports, it's warning those cuts could lead to important national security issues, falling through the cracks. We will have to reduce the degree of scrutiny that we conduct. Craig Forsy's is Vice Chair of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency,

one of the watchdog bodies that keeps tabs on Canada's secretive intelligence and security organizations, making sure spies and Mounties are behaving. above board. But the watchdog says liberal cuts are putting that work at risk. It's been asked to cut close to $6 million from its budget by 2029. For CES says that will likely mean fewer

reviews going forward with a lighter touch. At a time when the government is trying to pass legislation, that would make it easier for CES and the RTCMP to get private electronic information. We may not be able to follow every thread to the extent that we currently do. And both

those outcomes would be regrettable. and I think perilous. Public safety minister Gary Nandes Sangri says he'll work with Ansira, but made it clear, cuts are coming. Catherine Taney, CBC News, Ottawa. Some women in Quebec's gas bay region are being forced to drive several hours to give birth. Many hospitals have had to reduce service

in their obstetrics units. Franco Minyaka has more. Camille Arsenault never imagined she'd be so far from her family when she gave birth to her first child. When her water broke, she headed for the nearby hospital in Mariah. But because of a staffing shortage, she was transferred to Chandler, a two-hour ambulance right away, to give birth. The hospital in Mariah isn't the only one that saw its obstetrics unit temporarily shut down.

The one in St. Anne-Dermont was closed for more than half of 2025, and it's closed again now until January 7th. Jean-Saint-Pierre with the Regional Health Authority says the unit could be closed every other week. He says nurses interested in obstetrics usually choose to work elsewhere because there are so few births in the region. Sante, Quebec says it is aware there are issues. It says it's looking to see whether obstetric services should be reorganized. Frank Ominiaka, CBC News, Montreal. In homes across Pakistan, gold has long symbolized wealth and tradition. Worned for weddings and important social occasions, gold jewelry is now beyond the reach of many.

Skyrocketing prices are making silver the new choice. Here a Mustafa reports from Islamabad. In Islamabad's jewelry markets, the once familiar sound of jingling gold bangles is fading. Shops that once bustled with customers during wedding season are now quiet. As gold prices hit record highs, a new tradition is taking hold. Silver is now the first choice for many. Duros say they haven't seen demand like this in decades. Heritage designs and silver are back in fashion and are widely loved in our culture.

For generations, gold has been a trusted investment in Pakistan, worn, gifted and safe. Gold prices planned sharply last year, rising from around 2,600 US dollars in ounce in January to more than 4,000 US dollars by October. In response, dealers are adapting. Hiramusufo for CBC News, Islamabad. world this hour. For CBC News, I'm Neil Hurland.