World Report - May 10: Sunday's top stories in 10 minutes

Episode Date: May 10, 2026

Canadian passengers have departed the Canary Islands as part of a high-stakes evacuation of a cruise ship hit by a fatal hantavirus outbreak.Canada’s spy chief warns the upcoming Alberta sovereignty referendum is a "ripe" target for Russian disinformation.Israel's ban on Palestinian workers has hit the two-year mark, leaving the West Bank economy in a tailspin as foreign labour fills the void.Vancouver is the latest city to test autonomous food delivery robots — a move sparking a fierce debate over sidewalk accessibility and the future of service jobs.Sir Elton John was celebrated in Toronto last night as the latest Glenn Gould Prize Laureate, joined on stage by a lineup of Canada's top musical talent.A brutal avalanche season is forcing backcountry skiers to rethink their relationship with risk — as shifting winter patterns make the mountains more unpredictable.

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No, not today. Looks like people are starting to know Beneva pretty well. You're stronger with the right partner, Beneva. This is a CBC podcast. This is World Report. Good morning, I'm John Northcott. That is the sound of an evacuation flight, lifting off from the Canary Islands with Canadians on board.

They're part of a high-stakes operation to clear a cruise ship crippled by a deadly Hanta virus outbreak. While those disembarking are not showing symptoms, Spanish health minister Monica Garcia says the situation is being managed with, extreme caution. All the passengers remain asymptomatic. The boat has arrived at

6.30 p.m. The entire operation is proceeding normally. Passengers were ferried directly to the airport and ordered to leave all luggage behind to prevent any further spread. While they head for home, the crew remains on board to sail the vessel to the Netherlands for disinfection.

The head of Canada's spy agency is weighing in on the potential for foreign interference in an Alberta sovereignty referendum. In a rare interview with CBC Radio's The House, the director of CISIS says there is reason to be concerned about outside actors trying to fuel division. Catherine Cullen has more. Foreign interference has been a concern of CIS,

well, basically since its existence, but certainly over the last few years. A key part of the work done by Canada's spy agency is tracking and disrupting that interference. And CIS director Dan Rogers says when it comes to a potential Alberta referendum, the agency is prepared to investigate. A referendum like the one in Alberta that may have a divisive effect on society

is rife for amplification or for the sort of disinformation or foreign interference that we've seen from players like Russia in the past. Rogers won't say directly whether that interference is happening right now, saying he can't comment on ongoing investigations. But he notes there are reports from academics and other public institutions that have called out Russian disinformation. It is very consistent with what we've seen from Russia in the past. But Alberta's Premier has also weighed in.

She says she believes people in Alberta are smart enough to look at a number of different viewpoints and figure things out. But Danielle Smith also rejects the suggestion of foreign interference. My public safety minister has been in touch with the RCMP, and he read their statement in the legislature last week, saying that there is no credible evidence that we're seeing any state actors who are interfering in our politics. Roger says it's hard to predict whether foreign interruption. interference might increase in the lead-up to a potential fall sovereignty referendum, but he does say Albertan should be mindful of Russia's history of spreading disinformation.

He says it's something the spy agency will certainly be vigilant about. Catherine Cullen, CBC News, Ottawa. And you can hear more of that interview on the House wherever you get your podcasts. Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank say they are struggling just to survive. More than two years ago, Israel canceled over 100. thousand work permits that allowed Palestinians to earn a living inside its borders. Israel calls the ban a necessary security measure, but it's created a massive labor shortage and a growing sense of desperation. CBC's Tom Perry has more from Ramallah.

In a video released last month by Israeli police, 70 Palestinian men are discovered in the back of a garbage truck at a checkpoint between Israel and the occupied West Bank. It's believed the men were trying to sneak into Israel to work illegally. Mahmoud Bezi knows how desperate some Palestinians are. He used to work as an electrician in Israel but was shut out when the Israeli government canceled more than 100,000 work permits for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank after the attacks of October 7, 2023. Inside Israel, the government has brought in tens of thousands of foreign workers

to fill the gaping hole in. its labor force. At this work site in Tel Aviv, crews from Uzbekistan and other countries are putting up a new multi-story structure. Bili Rubin, the contractor in charge, says these new hires bring new challenges. When you have Chinese workers, Russians, Indians, everyone speaks a different language, she says. Foreign workers who need to be brought in and housed in Israel are more expensive, driving up costs, but for now, Israel isn't softening its stance, with Palestinian workers still shut out.

Tom Perry, CBC News, Ramallah. Most ski hills across the country are now closed, but diehard backcountry skiers are still hitting the mountains. This past season has been a deadly one in many parts of the world, and warming temperatures are believed to be adding to the threat of avalanches. Molly Siegel from CBC's Climate Solutions show what on Earth has the story of one skier who barely made it out alive. I looked up and there was this wall of avalanche coming towards me.

Whistler-based Hannah Hughes was on vacation in Norway in early March when an avalanche swept her away while backcountry skiing. It was like being hit by truck. So much force. Scientists can't make a direct link between avalanches and climate change. But Pascal Haggaly with the avalanche research program at Simon Fraser, University in Burnaby, BC, says warming winters are affecting ski conditions. Conditions will just be different than they used to be, typically, in the future, and we have to

be ready for that. He points to Europe, where snow conditions this past ski season have been variable, 143 people dying in avalanche-related incidents, much more than the average of 100 fatalities a season. At home, Avalanche Canada reported 13 people died in the last season. It's what motivates Haggley and his colleagues to study how well the public is understanding avalanche forecasts and danger ratings. My objective is to make sure people know what they're getting into. How much longer will we have ski seasons? There's so much change. At home in Whistler, BC, Hannah Hughes has had a lot of time to think about her own relationship. relationship with backcountry skiing and risk.

I make decisions in the backcountry to never get caught in an avalanche. And obviously now I have been and I never want to be in another one. Molly Siegel, CBC News, Vancouver. And you can hear Molly's full story this morning at 11 o'clock on CBC Radio's What on Earth with host, Laura Lynch. Vancouver has a new plan to allow high-tech food delivery robots. The industry says automation will make service faster and cheaper. But critics argue the robots create new hazards

for seniors and people with disabilities. Tanya Fletcher has more on the debate over who really owns the sidewalks. Food delivery robots, the size of a big cooler with unmistakable cartoon-like eyes, have been approved by the city of Vancouver for a six-month pilot project.

Counselor Mike Clause. It's a way of doing something that's automated and hopefully more affordable in the long run. But critics point to potential privacy concerns with robot cameras in very public. places. And opposing city counselor, Sean Orr, says there are also disability concerns. People are

asking for safer sidewalks, smoother sidewalks, more accessible sidewalks. And our response is, what if we filled them with little delivery robots? The food delivery robots could begin operating in downtown Vancouver as early as this fall. Tanya Fletcher, CBC News, Vancouver.

And finally, Sir Elton John is now officially a Glenn Gould Prize laureate. A star-studded evening honored the legendary artist last night, and the CBC's Christine Pugeline was there and has this story. The night kicked off with an homage to Elton John's piano roots, a performance by 18-year-old Canadian pianist Ryan Wang, followed by a bold rendition of I'm Still Standing by Jeremy Dutcher. John personally selected the artists and the set list, and Canada's top talent, including

Sarah McLaughlin, Diana Crawl, and the beaches delivered show-stopping takes on his greatest hits. A visibly moved Elton John took to the stage to offer a heartfelt thank you to Canada. Grateful for my family, my husband, my children, and my Canadian friend, and Canada in general. Thank you for this incredible... Beyond the main prize, John hand-picked an artist for the protege award. Rising Canadian opera singer Emily Danjillo, who received a $25,000 prize. The gala also honored his humanitarian work, including the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The finale brought everyone on stage, including the Man of the Hour himself.

A rendition of the beloved classic Goodbye Yellow Brick Road brought the house down. A night of glam, gratitude, and unforgettable performances honoring the 15th laureate of the Glenn Gould Prize, Elton John. Christine Faglian, CBC News, Toronto. And that is the latest national and international. News from World Report. Remember, for news anytime, go to our website, cbcnews.ca, including a lot more on Sir Elton John, the latest recipient of the Glenn Gould Prize. I'm John Northcott. Thanks for spending part of your weekend with us here at CBC News.

For more CBC podcasts, go to cBC.ca.ca slash podcasts.