World Report - December 2: Tuesday's top stories in 10 minutes

Episode Date: December 2, 2025

Breaking News: Assembly of First Nations adopts emergency resolution calling for oil tanker ban to be upheald along British Columbia's northern coast, and for immediate withdrawal of the Canada-Alberta memorandum of understanding. US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff in Moscow to push Ukraine peace plan with Russian President Vladmir Putin. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says his country wants "peace with soveriegnty" as Trump Administration considers nexts moves in Caribbean. Kids Can Press condemns social media post from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth depicting Franklin the Turtle as member of US military. Hong Kong inquiry into deadly apartment complex fire aims to reform construction industry. Tobacco-free nicotine pouches like Zyn are supposed to only be sold in pharmacies, but our reporters were able to buy them illegally at corner stores across Canada. 

Hey Canada. It's me, Gavin Crawford, host of Because News. Each week, I put comedians on the spot with a pop quiz about the headlines. This week, we're talking about the monster of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's own making, Wayne Gretzky's incredible pronunciation skills, and the one kind of Christmas toy experts are all calling dangerous. Miguel Revis, Emma Hunter, and Gene Yune are here, so laugh along as we try to make sense of the headlines. Follow Because News on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for free. This is a CBC podcast. This is World Report. Good morning. I'm Marcia Young. We begin in Ottawa where the Assembly of First Nations is pushing back against new pipeline proposals. Here is National Chief, Cindy Woodhouse, Neepanak. Canada is at a crossroads in its relationship with First Nations. Our rights are being threatened in new ways, but we are not afraid.

Far from it. First Nations across this country are stronger than we have ever been. Moments ago, the AFN adopted an emergency resolution. It calls for the immediate withdrawal of the Canada-Alberta Memorandum of Understanding. And it calls for the oil tanker ban to be upheld along British Columbia's northern coast. Olivia Stefanovic has more. It's a slap in the face of British Columbians. To many First Nations, we're very concerned. This isn't the issue. Terry Tiji was. hoping the annual Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa would start on. But the regional chief of British Columbia says the Assembly of First Nations has no other choice.

Now that Ottawa is working with Alberta to greenlight new oil pipelines to the West Coast. Well, certainly I think there's a lot of mistrust here. I think the coastal First Nations people have a right to be concerned. Dave Lemoush is the president of the eight Métis settlements in Alberta. He says the communities want to buy an ownership stake in any potential new pipeline. But he says BC chiefs need to be part of building the project. And if that doesn't work, then you look at alternatives. To get approval, Prime Minister Mark Carney says there must be full partnership,

equity ownership and economic benefits for First Nations. Conditions he's expected to be pressed on when Carney speaks and takes questions from AFN chiefs this afternoon. No. Olivia Estefanovich, CBC News, Ottawa. Russian President Vladimir Putin is issuing warnings ahead of today's talks in Moscow. Speaking moments before he is to sit down with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Putin says that while Russia does not want a war with Europe, it is ready to fight right now. as he continues to call on European allies for help, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky says

he's expecting to hear from U.S. officials as soon as they wrap up Moscow meetings. And speaking through a translator, while visiting Ireland, Zalinski revealed more information about the amended U.S. proposal. There are now 20 points that were developed in Geneva, and they were worked upon additionally and finalized in Florida. Some things still need to be worked out

From what time? Standing next to Zelensky, Ireland's Prime Minister, Mihal Martin, says whatever is in this deal, Vladimir Putin cannot be allowed to succeed. President Putin has shown a complete indifference to the value of human life and to international laws and norms. Even as efforts to bring the war to an end advance, he seeks to gain advantage at the negotiating table

by intensifying Russia's reliance. endless onslaught on the front line and on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Tomorrow, NATO foreign ministers will be meeting in Brussels. The results of today's discussions in Moscow are expected to dominate the discussions there. The White House is determining next steps in its operation against what it calls drug traffickers in the Caribbean and against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Washington claims he leads a cartel, U.S. security officials discussed military options yesterday evening

in the Oval Office. But as Washington amasses more forces in the Caribbean, the reaction from Latin American countries has been divided. Manuel Rareda has the details. At an event with community leaders Monday, Venezuela and President Nicolas Maduro called for peace

in the region and danced to a remix of one of his speeches. But Maduro seems to be losing support from regional leaders, with some accusing his authoritarian government of supporting drug traffickers and forcing millions of Venezuelans to flee into neighboring countries. Last week, the government of Trinidad and Tobago signed a deal with Washington that will enable the U.S. to set up a radar station on the Caribbean island.

While the Dominican Republic signed another agreement that will enable U.S. military planes to refuel at one of its bases. Analysts say that the U.S. could use airports in Trinidad or the Dominican Republic. public to support a potential attack on Venezuela. But the political message these deals send is also important, says former U.S. diplomat Eric Farnsworth. Because it shows that the hemisphere is not united in rejecting U.S. activities and that in fact there is support for what's happening. Countries headed by left-wing governments like Brazil and Colombia are still staunchly opposed to the U.S. military buildup. But Farnsworth says that other nations in the region are considering

whether they are better off with Maduro in office or whether his removal could suit their national interests. Manuel Rueda for CBC News, Bogota. U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Heggseth, is still fending off allegations. He ordered a second strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea, and he's finding himself in more trouble

for daring to suggest he has the support of a beloved Canadian character. Hey, it's Franklin You remember Franklin, the turtle. He is the main character in a series of children's books that were turned into an animated TV show, a symbol of kindness, empathy, and inclusion.

On Sunday, Hegsteth posted his own version of a Franklin book online. Franklin targets narco-terrorists. It shows a gentle Canadian turtle decked out in U.S. combat gear riding a military helicopter and firing a rocket. In a statement to CBC News, a spokesperson for Kids Can Press, said the author and illustrator both condemn this use of Franklin's image.

Hong Kong says it will set up an independent inquiry to determine how last week's apartment complex fire began and to make recommendations to prevent a fire like it from happening again. John Lee is Hong Kong's chief executive. He says he hopes an inquiry. brings your form to the construction industry? Yes, it is a tragedy. Yes, we have identified failures. That is exactly why we must act seriously

to ensure that all these loopholes are plucked. The fire started in the netting and scaffolding around the buildings and spread to seven high rises. 156 people are now confirmed dead, 15 people have been arrested for suspected a manslaughter. Tobacco-free nicotine pouches are meant to help adults quit smoking, but experts say more and more youth are using them. The small white packets are tucked between a person's upper lip and gums.

The nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream. Last year, Health Canada restricted their sale to pharmacies to keep them away from young people. But as Ithelmusa reports, CBC News found pouches being sold illegally in corner stores across the country. Hi, do you guys have any Zinn? In corner stores across Canada, you can find unauthorized nicotine pouches readily available for sale in all sorts of flavors. And dose is much higher than the 4 milligram limit set by Health Canada. Clearly there needs to be more enforcement.

David Hammond is a health policy expert at the University of Waterloo. When you have gummy bear flavors, or cola or some of these marketing messages, it's not something a 50-year-old smoker looks to use to help them to quit. It's something a 15-year-old grabs on their way to the party. Despite Health Canada's stricter rules last year, limiting sales to pharmacies and to adults only, we found all sorts of nicotine pouches,

different brands, flavors, and strengths available for sale in stores and online. I was, like, completely demotivated. Queen's University student Ashley Bisswanger started using nicotine pouches as a way to stop vaping, and she worked her way up to taking 50 milligram pouches eight times a day. I'd be in class like thinking about them. I would be like driving, thinking about them, like my entire, I wanted to go home to use them. Her reaction is not surprising to Dr. Nicholas Chattie, a pediatrician who specializes in addiction.

The younger a person is exposed to nicotine, the higher risk of eventually developing dependence. We are also seeing through research that nicotine has some impacts on how the brain develops. Health Canada says it's managed more than 300 cases. since last August related to the sale or advertising of unauthorized nicotine pouches, including on-site visits and seizing products. Ivel Musa, CBC News, Toronto. That is World Report. I'm Marcia Young.