The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2026/01/05 at 20:00 EST

Episode Date: January 6, 2026

The World This Hour for 2026/01/05 at 20:00 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 Stephanie Skanderas. Osted Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and his wife have pleaded not guilty to drug and weapons charges. Their first court appearance in New York came two days after they were captured in a U.S. military operation. Karen Paul's reports. Crowds protest outside the courthouse. Inside, when asked for his plea on drug trafficking and other charges, Nicolas Maduro told the judge he was innocent, not guilty. He said he'd been kidnapped and is still president of Venezuela.

That is, one of the arguments his defense lawyer will make, saying there are questions about the legality of what he's calling Maduro's abduction because he is immunity as head of a sovereign state. Maduro and his wife will remain in custody for now. Their next court hearing is March 17th. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump says his administration is now running Venezuela. We're in charge. Maduro's vice president, Dalsi Rodriguez, was sworn in this morning as Venezuela's new interim president,

but Trump has already warned her she needs to comply with U.S. wishes or face consequences more serious than Maduro's. Karen Paul's, CBC News, Washington. We need to push back and let him know that this is not for him. Danes in Copenhagen are expressing alarm over Trump's repeated suggestions the U.S. could take control of Greenland. Trump said on Air Force One overnight that he will revisit the possibility in a few weeks. Greenland is self-governing, but falls under the administration of Denmark. On social media, Danish Prime Minister Mehta Fredrickson told the U.S. to stop the threats. Former Deputy Prime Minister Christia Freeland says she'll step down as an MP in the coming weeks.

Her announcement comes the same day she took on a new role as an unpaid economic advisor to Ukraine's government. Tom Perry reports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calls Christia Freeland highly skilled, with extensive experience in attracting investment and implementing economic transformation. Freeland has taken on a new role as an unpaid economic advisor to Zelensky's government, which prompted conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong to post a message on social media, saying, Freeland cannot continue to serve as an MP, while at the same time advising a foreign government. Freeland later posted a message of her own, saying she'd step down from her role as Ottawa's representative on Ukrainian Reconstruction and give up her seat in Parliament in the coming weeks. All this coming, as Prime Minister Mark Carney touches down in Paris for a meeting of countries backing Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Tom Perry, CBC News, Ottawa.

Calgary's mayor is urging residents to cut their water use because it might save lives. The city's main feeder for its water system broke last week. Aaron Collins says more. If our water use continues on the current trend unsustainably, there is potential loss of life. Calgary's mayor not pulling punches. Jeremy Farquhar says without change, firefighters may not have the water to fight fires. And Farcas says residents need to get used to using less water long term. Today we're living in a different reality. Today we're living in a new normal of one or conservation.

Calgary's feeder main ruptured nearly a week ago flooding the Trans-Canada Highway. It's the second time the pipe has burst in 18 months. The mayor says the pipe will now have to be replaced. Right now under the streets, there is a ticking time bomb. This bear's paw of feeder main served Bulgarians for many years, but right now it is at end of life. Farkas says that completely replacing the pipe will take two years. He hopes this latest, short-term fix will be done in a little over a week. Erin Collins, CBC News, Calgary. Canada has secured a bronze medal at the World Junior's hockey championship in Minnesota with a 6-3 victory over Finland.

Canada ended up playing for third after losing to Chequia in the semifinals. The third straight year, Canada's fall into that country. Chequia and Sweden will play for gold later tonight. It's the first podium game not to involve either Canada or the U.S. in a decade. And that is the world this hour. For CBC News, I'm Stephanie Scandaris.