Your World Tonight - Dry Canada, wildfire dangers linger, mRNA research cuts, and more

Episode Date: August 6, 2025

Water restrictions, bans on hiking and driving…. communities across the country are implementing measures because of the dry weather, and the threat of wildfire.And: Fires can be deadly — and new research shows the dangers last long after the flames are out. The study shows evidence of lung damage, depression, even death… months, or even years later.Also: How U.S. cuts to mRNA research could affect how we fight future pandemics and other diseases.Plus: Where Canadians are choosing to travel, devastating flooding in India, ambitions of nuclear disarmament 80 years after Hiroshima bombing, and more.

My group chat thinks I'm the smart one, but I have a cheat code. I take 10 minutes each morning and listen to World Report. Knowing what's happening in the world helps me feel connected and make better informed decisions. But endless doom scrolling is not my idea of fun. So I just listen to World Report on my commute, get informed, and get on with my day. World Report, the day's top stories in 10 minutes, wherever you get your podcasts. is a CBC podcast. Unprecedented multi-year drought conditions,

not just this year, but dryness that's added up over multiple years. The true north, strong and free, is extremely hot and dry. Across the country, drought conditions and a summer heat wave have Canadians looking for relief, from farmers to campers, Communities are conserving water, banning fires, watching the temperature go up and waiting for rain to fall. Welcome to your world tonight. I'm Paul Hunter. It's Wednesday, August 6th, just before 6 p.m. Eastern. Also on the podcast. Just because the fire's over doesn't mean that our health care system doesn't need to continue to be vigilant and attentive to those that have been impacted by the fire weeks, months, and even years after.

After burn, the lingering and life-changing health risks being linked to wildfires. From lung damage to depression, new research tracks residents who escape the heat but not the harm. And while homes and businesses can be rebuilt, this can last a lifetime. And people are still travelling at the same rate they were. They're just choosing different destinations. A new itinerary for Canadian travellers avoiding the US and heading, all over the map. In nearly every region of the country,

Canadians are coping with extreme heat and drought. For some, it's uncomfortable or unprofitable. For others, it's unbearable. From growing wildfires to diminishing water reserves, Nicole Williams has more on the impact the hot weather is having. It's been too dry for too long, for too much of the country.

Environment Canada, climatologist David Phillips, says it's those dry conditions currently wreaking havoc across the country, many regions getting a fraction of the rainfall they got last year. Everybody is in the deficit situation with regards to moisture. In Newfoundland and Labrador, there are at least three ongoing fires

which have forced hundreds of people to evacuate their communities. The province asking people to avoid burning anything outdoors while emergency crews tried to manage the worsening situation. Minister of Public Safety, John Hage. It's fair to say the province is a tinderbox at the moment. People really need to be extremely careful. This situation sucks. Nova Scotia officials are asking people there to do the same.

At the height of camping season, in addition to a fire ban, the province is also prohibiting hiking and driving in wooded areas over concerns of dry conditions. Premier Tim Houston. Summer is one of the best times in Nova Scotia, and we all look forward to getting outdoors and enjoying our scenic beauty that surrounds us. I get that. And I'm right there with you as Nova Scotians. The extreme dry conditions have also triggered a number of low water advisories in Nova Scotia and eastern Ontario, including by the South Nation Conservation Authority near Cornwall. Kat Watson is the coordinator of early warning systems. and watershed plans and says people need to be careful about how much water they use. So it's the first indication that there could be concerns with water supply. So not only are the tomatoes affected, but all the crops throughout the farm. Dan Crystallitis runs a farm just south of Ottawa.

He says this year's yield has taken a major hit. Our snap bean crop, which is behind me, we're seeing about a third of what we normally get. He says it's taking more time and more, more. money to keep everything irrigated. Ryan Ness with the Canadian Climate Institute says it's all part of a larger pattern. Unprecedented multi-year drought conditions, not just this year, but dryness that's added up over multiple years. In BC, cooler temperatures and scattered showers this week are finally helping firefighters

combat the dry conditions and resulting wildfires for now. But warmer and drier weather is expected to return by the end of the week. and forecasters predict those same conditions are expected to continue in many parts of the country for the rest of August. Nicole Williams, CBC News, Ottawa. The harm caused by wildfires is often immediate, burned buildings and scorched forests, but some damage takes longer to materialize. New research is casting light on how the fires impact the human body and mind, health problems that can last long after the flames are out.

Jennifer Yun has the details. China is on fire. It's been two years since wildfires leveled parts of Maui, Hawaii. It was one of the deadliest fires in U.S. history. But new research suggests even for those who survived, health effects lingered. A study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association followed almost 1,200 survivors after the fire. Even months after the flames were extinguished, many had trouble breathing. Take a deep breath in.

Good. Keep going. More, more, more, more. Researchers used a spirometry test to see how well survivors can breathe. One in five couldn't use their lungs at full capacity. When we have these more sensitive tests, I'm not surprised that they're picking up a decrease in lung function. Dr. Courtney Howard is an emergency room physician in Yellowknife, a city that was fully evacuated two years ago under threat of wildfires. This study, she says, is only the latest in a growing body of research showing just how bad wildfires can be for our health. We know from the different disease processes that we'll see more asthma exacerbations,

we'll see more heart attacks, we'll see more cardiac arrests. There were also serious mental health impacts. Half of those followed showed signs of depression. The true toll of uncontrolled fires may even include deaths that aren't officially recognized. Another study, also in JAMA today, looked at the Los Angeles wildfires this past January. The official death toll is 30. That's a massive undercount, just study co-author Andrew Stokes. We estimated an excess mortality toll of 440 deaths far above the official estimate.

He says that number includes indirect deaths from the wildfires, like delays in healthcare, or the effects of breathing in toxic smoke from cars and buildings with chemicals in them. The mix of pollutants that are released are different. Today across Canada, forests are burning. McGill epidemiologist Scott Weikenthal says the fumes from those. Those fires are different from the urban flames in L.A. But that isn't to say that there aren't health effects of those exposures as well. The studies are a call to action, says Johns Hopkins epidemiologist Sonia Angel.

In a JAMA editorial, she's urging governments to prepare for the long-term health impacts. Just because the fires over doesn't mean that our health care system doesn't need to continue to be vigilant and attentive to those that have been impacted by the fire weeks, months, and even years after. Others want governments to address the root causes of extreme weather events by curbing emissions and fighting climate change. Jennifer Yun, CBC News, Toronto. Coming right up, with war raging in the Middle East, Canadian researchers report a rise in Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism here at home.

And 80 years after nuclear devastation, Hiroshima marks a grim anniversary as a beacon of peace in a world gripped by conflict. In Gaza, the desperation of hungry Palestinians is intensifying by the day. Hundreds of people fight over a palette of airdropped rations. The UN says the territory has been pushed to the brink of famine by nearly two years of war and ongoing aid restrictions. At least 20 people were killed overnight

when a swarm of people caused a supply truck to overturn. The UN is also warning against further military action in Gaza. Israel's government will discuss its future plans for Gaza tomorrow. The devastating conflict in the Middle East reverberates around the world, and in this country, more signs of that spillover are in a new report on Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism. It found a rise in incidents following the shocking Hamas attacks on Israel and amidst the ongoing war in Gaza.

Rafi Bujicanan has the details. We've seen a culture of swift demonization. Nadia Hassan says she's only seen it get worse in the last two years. She's the chair of the Islamophobia research hub at York University in Toronto. Its new report documents dozens of Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian incidents since October 23. What is deeply painful for many of the people that we consulted for this report is the erasure of the horrific realities of Palestinians in Gaza and the silencing of those who seek to exercise their most basic democratic rights to make it visible.

Outside the Israeli embassy and army, Ottawa, a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators has been protesting this week about the war in Gaza. As soon as you say you're Palestinian, you're associated with terror. One man does it while wearing a scarf covering his face along with a baseball cap and sunglasses. He does not want to reveal his name. He says he's been in the crosshairs of the campaigns the report warns about. We were at the mall and I have a little sticker in the back of my car that says you know, free Palestine with a little kufi and it was reported online with my license plate number.

The York University study also cites numbers such as those from statistics Canada, mentioning a 94% increase in hate-motivated crimes against Muslims and a 52% increase in hate-motivated crimes against Arabs and West Asians in Canada in 2023. Someone smeared feces on the front door of our center. Abdul Rahman Amud is with the Islamic Care Center in Ottawa. He says it has had it. own issues. A place of worship, support, and refuge was treated with the kind of contempt meant to degrade and to dehumanize. The report has recommendations for different levels of

government. They include coming up with a definition of anti-Palestinian racism, a form of discrimination that is distinct from Islamophobia, and also recognizing May 15th as Naqba Day. Palestinians describe Israel's declaration of independence in 1948 as a catastrophe, which led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people during the war over the creation of the country, while Israel contests the assertion that it forced out Palestinians. The Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs says Ottawa should focus on other measures, like increasing security supports for vulnerable communities, criminalizing the glorification of terrorism and ensuring police enforce the law.

The federal government has not answered questions about how it might deal with the recommendations. Raffi Mujikan, Yon CBC News, Orwa. Donald Trump has doubled the U.S. tariff on goods from India to 50%. The president says the hike is because the country is buying oil from Russia. Trump says the money is fueling the war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Narenda Modi says he was forced to buy energy from Russia when other supplies were diverted to Europe after the war started. The U.S. tariffs are expected to take effect in 21 days.

Russia is under a more immediate U.S. deadline. The president wants the Kremlin to reach a ceasefire with Ukraine by Friday or face more American sanctions. Washington's special envoy, Steve Whitkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin about a peace deal today in Moscow. The Kremlin called the talks useful and constructive. The White House says another meeting, one between Trump and Putin, could happen as soon as next week. mounting global tension is the backdrop for a solemn anniversary tonight. Hiroshima, Japan is marking 80 years since the city was devastated by a nuclear bomb, a turning point in history. But as conflict rages decades later, there are questions about nuclear disarmament and whether it's a viable path forward. Chris Reyes has more. Silence in the sounds of the sounds of

the peace bell filled a city still grieving the horrors of nuclear war 80 years later. From the peace park in Hiroshima, Japan, they marked the exact minute the atomic bomb was dropped, unleashing a destruction never before seen. More than 130,000 people killed, more than 60,000 instantly. Devastating injuries still linger. We must not repeat the tragedy, says the Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishibat. At a gathering in London to honor the lives of those affected by the bombings renewed calls for a world free of nuclear weapons. Hannah Kemp Welch is the vice chair of the London chapter of the campaign for nuclear disarmament. We really want countries to uphold their commitment to stoppiling nuclear weapons and to sign up to the Global Ban Treaty.

Darya Dolzikova is a research fellow of nuclear policy in London. She says getting rid of weapons altogether is complicated in the current state of politics. How do we make sure that additional states don't see nuclear weapons is the only way to ensure their security? But I think that also needs to be balanced against the reality of the threats that we're facing. The message of Hiroshima comes at a time of conflict and tensions between nuclear powers. The question, how to prevent further escalation. In recent weeks, Russia and the U.S., the world's two. two biggest nuclear powers have exchanged veiled threats over the use of nuclear weapons.

In today's unstable world, survivors of the atomic bombings worry their message is fading. Many of them are in their 80s. From another memorial in Norway, Masako Wasada is pleading for the world to hear their wisdom. If nuclear weapons are used for the third time, there will no longer by anyone left alive to happily observe the effect and the consequences. Messages of peace may be everywhere in Hiroshima today, but resident Kozo Morien says Japan still needs to acknowledge a harsh reality. Japan is surrounded by three nuclear-powered countries, he says, China, North Korea, and Russia,

so I think it's necessary for us to strengthen our defense capabilities to prevent the use of nuclear weapons. day full of reminders of nuclear destruction, a world grapples with how to prevent another devastating disaster. Chris Reyes, CBC News, London. They were credited for saving lives and helping end the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the future of mRNA vaccines is in danger. The United States is cutting research and development funding, a move that will make it harder to use the technology to treat other serious diseases or fight a future pandemic. Science correspondent Anandrom reports. Barter reviewed 22 MRNA vaccine development

investments and began canceling them. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has made anti-vaccine claims in the past, announcing that the technology behind COVID vaccines won't be funded anymore. As the pandemic showed us, MRNA vaccines don't perform well, the vaccine paradoxically encourages new mutations and can actually prolong pandemics as the virus constantly mutates to escape. Yeah, so none of that is actually true. The vaccines managed to keep many, many people out of the hospital. Angela Rasmussen is a virologist at the University of Saskatchewan. Experts see this decision as a bad bet against a life-saving Nobel Prize-winning technology

that pulled humanity through a long pandemic, and the health secretary is wrong about what makes them longer. Viruses mutate when they replicate, and they replicate when they spread. The best way to prevent a virus from spreading is to make sure those people are protected against the virus by vaccination. The jabs that protected billions, including children and the elderly, took testing, clinical trials, mass production, and distribution. But it was all possible in less than a year because of this novel technology. MRNA technology makes it really possible to rapidly respond. to a novel emerging virus.

Which means this funding loss, $500 million U.S. is a bet against fighting future infectious diseases and possibly more. Dr. Peter Hotez is co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development. MRNA technology is looking really exciting for next generation cancer immunotherapeutic. So will this throw cold water on a whole big effort that we're pursuing as well? Beyond the exciting potential, HOTES also sees a potential chilling effect on pharmaceutical companies. The U.S. is still the single largest vaccine market. If the U.S. is made an executive decision not to support advanced purchase of MRNA vaccines,

then it's not clear to me whether the companies will want to pursue this. We're prioritizing the development of the safer, broader vaccine strategies, like a whole virus vaccines. Experts also say RFK Jr.'s bet on traditional vaccine technology is a bad one. It's not that these vaccines don't work. They do, but they don't work as well as MRNA vaccines. Canadians are involved in MRNA research. It's not clear how much this funding hit will affect global development. But experts warn that this is just part of a wider effort by Donald Trump's administration

to cut back on scientific investment, money in this case that would pay off massively in the form of life-saving vaccines. Onondrom, CBC News, Toronto. In northern India, at least 200 people are missing after devastating flash flooding. sudden surge of mud and water tore through a small Himalayan village, sweeping away entire homes in a matter of seconds. Sasha Petrissik reports. Water still carves its way across grassy valleys and rocky hillsides.

Huge rivers of gray mud-filled villages, leaving rooftops as the only signs of once-bustling communities in the Indian Himalayas. This is the location of the mudslide at the Dharali village. A man videotapes the destruction of a small town in the Uttarkashi region. The complete mid portion of the village has got swept out. Locals describe a deluge of rain and walls of water crashing through on Tuesday, as much as 10 centimeters falling in an hour in what they call a cloudburst. It was terrifying, says Sumitra Todji.

people didn't even have time to run. Rescuers struggle to get around boulders, blocking roads, or to cover ground where access has been torn away altogether by landslides. The rescue continues unabated, says Pushkar Singh Dami, the state chief of Uttarakhan province. But the weather is bad and bridges have been damaged, so it's hard to get there. India is in the middle of monsoon season, with rain expected but becoming heavier by the year, says Tian Gan, a climate impact specialist at the University of Alberta.

And that's what we are observing right now because of global warming impact. The Himalayas are more vulnerable, he says, because like Arctic areas, the loss of snow cover makes them heat up even faster. You're going to have more and more severe floods, flash floods, severe weather, more downpour of heavy rainfall, and I don't think India is prepared for that. For years, environmental groups have warned that deforestation makes landslides more deadly, have worried that dams alter the course of rivers that flow into the Ganges, making them unpredictable. The situation is dangerous and very horrifying, says Roshan, a local resident, and say many, it could get even worse, as more rain is in the forecast. Sasha Petrissik, CBC News, Toronto. They're forgetting Florida and skipping Vegas. At a time of tension with the United States,

Canadians are packing their bags for new destinations. So where exactly are they headed? Julia Wong maps out the trade war travel plans and how tourism operators are taking advantage. Edmonton's Kelly Burkwist has taken a U.S. trip every year. When was your last trip to the United States? It would have been last year's summer. Burquist briefly considered another trip this year,

but says the ongoing trade war sparked a change. Now, if they're going to do that to us, I don't want to give any money to them. Now she's planning a big trip in 2026 to the Balkan countries in southeastern Europe. I could have easily done a Mississippi River cruise. As of right now, I'm just putting all that aside until we kind of see where things are going.

Burquist isn't the only one taking her dollars to other international destinations. Data provided by Flight Center Canada to CBC News shows travel spending by Canadians from May to July was up more than 100% in Buenos Aires, Osaka, Copenhagen, and Curacao, compared to last year. Aruba and Lisbon have also seen more than 60% growth. At this Vancouver Flight Center,

manager Andrew Stafford says more flight options, promotional campaigns, and exchange rates play a role. But he says tensions with the U.S. are also top of mind for clients. People are still traveling at the same rate they were. They're just choosing different destinations. And Stafford says Canadians are attractive tourists. They're generous, they're friendly, they're good travelers and good guests in everyone's country in general. So yeah, I think it's a demographic that people really want to have traveling more.

Mari Val Group is a Canadian-owned hotel chain in Mexico, with three all-inclusive resorts. After the recent trade war began, it saw 15,000 more Canadians at its hotels compared to 2024. Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Salvador Ramos, says the company is doubling down. We have digital campaigns in 20 different cities in Canada at the moment. So how coveted are Canadian travelers right now? It's a market that we love, that we care for. Those feelings are important for travelers, says Wayne Smith, Director of the Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Research at Toronto Metropolitan University.

What we're seeing at this point is that Canadians want to go to places where they feel like they're welcome and they're going to be safe. Meaning it could leave a chill on U.S. tourism, like for Berggrist, who doesn't expect to travel to the U.S. anytime soon. Even if things go back to normal, I think it's going to take a bit to adjust for us to trust them again. And until then, she and many others plan to spend their time. travel dollars elsewhere. Julia Wong, CBC News, Edmonton. We end tonight with a shot that most golfers never get to make. Maybe a once-in-a-lifetime experience for some,

but for a young Saskatchewan golfer, it happened twice in one summer. That's ready to add it. 13-year-old Crosby Jackman from Moose John, teeing off the other day. Sixth hole, par three, pitching wedge, about a hundred yards out, golfing by himself, but with a camera rolling. That's because back in July, Jackman hit his first ever hole in one.

Some friends were there to see it, but this time, no witnesses. Hold up, my heart just dropped. Oh, my heart's anything. Please be in. It's in. It's in. It's in. Even without the video proof, you'd probably give Jackman the benefit of the doubt. He started golfing at age two, mentored by his grandmother who represented Saskatchewan at the national championships and who still plays competitively. Golf runs in the family.

And after the shot, he had to tell Mom. Called me and he was, Mom, I got another one, and I got it on video. And he sends me the video. I couldn't even believe it. So I always say, I honestly don't think he understands that age 13, people will never get a hole in one, let alone see a hole in one. let alone see a hole in one. So for him to have two and have one on video is pretty cool. Jackman's plan is for low scores on the course and high grades in school.

He wants to go to university on a golf scholarship. And in the meantime, maybe a third hole in one this summer? Who knows? After all, it's only August. Thanks for being with us. This has been your world tonight for Wednesday, August 6th. I'm Paul Hunter. Take care.

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