Your World Tonight - Three years of Sudan war, surveillance pricing, Waymo autonomous taxis in Toronto, and more

Episode Date: April 15, 2026

Sudan has faced three years of relentless civil war. The number of displaced people continues to grow along with famine and violence.And: They’re watching what you click, what you buy — and quietly changing the price. Companies use so-called “surveillance pricing” to change what they’re charging. Some Canadians say that’s not fair.Also: Waymo is eyeing Toronto as a potential new home for its driverless taxis. The California tech company plans to apply to a pilot program for autonomous vehicles.Plus: Live Nation monopoly ruling, Carney meets with majority caucus, Iran deadlines, and more.

So when you were growing up, how would you have felt about having a famous parent? I mean, maybe your gut reaction is, oh, great, you know, get access, you get money. If you ask Dan Levy, who you might know from Schitt's Creek, he'll tell you that it wasn't what it was cracked up to be. In fact, it was a point of pain between him and his dad, the comedy legend Eugene Levy. So Dan will tell you why he felt that way and how they worked through it. Hear that conversation now. Just search for Q with Tom Power wherever you get your podcasts. This is a CBC podcast.

Every year we see increasing number of people in acute need of assistance, food, health, clean water, nutrition, protection services. We are speaking about 33.7 million people in acute need. The UN and international humanitarian groups warn of a growing catastrophe, and Canada announces new aid as Sudan's bloody civil war enters its fourth year. This is Your World Tonight. I'm Stephanie Skandaris. It's Wednesday, April 15th, coming up on 6 p.m. Eastern. Also on the podcast, We feel good about the prospects of a deal. The president mentioned that in his interview yesterday. And it's obviously in the best interest of Iran to meet the president's demands. I think he's made his red lines in these negotiations very clear. The White House suggests the U.S. and Iran could be back in peace talks soon. All while the U.S. Navy hikes up pressure in the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran, threatens more shipping routes. Sudan is marking a grim anniversary today,

three years of relentless civil war. And as famine, violence, and displacement deepen across the country, Canada is pledging millions in new funding for aid. Itl Mousa has more on the state of the crisis and why some fear it'll only worsen. At this displacement camp in North Darfur, families uprooted by Sudan's deadly civil war have found refuge.

Khadija, a mother of eight, says things got so dire back home, her children sometimes went without food. Carl Skow is with the UN World Food Program. Three years of war in Sudan have created the world's largest humanitarian crisis. The conflict has ravaged livelihoods,

uprooted communities, and driven millions of people into hunger. In some regions, child malnutrition has hit what experts are calling catastrophic levels. According to the UN, 19 million people are facing acute hunger, and some 14 million have been forced to flee their homes. Sudan descended into a civil war three years ago after a brutal power struggle erupted between the Sudanese armed forces and a paramilitary breakaway group called the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF. Abder Rahman Ali, with the NGO Kare Sudan, says

things are only getting worse. Every year we see increasing number of people in acute need of assistance, food, health, clean water, nutrition, protection services. It is estimated that more than 150,000 people have been killed. Reports of atrocities, including mass killings, torture, abductions, and widespread sexual violence against women and girls have become commonplace. Marie-Ele-Len-Vernay is with the United Nations High Commission. Commissioner for Refugees in Khartoum. I think one of the reason why sexual violence is so prevalent is because the perpetrators

feel that nothing's going to happen to them. Today at an international donor conference in Berlin, Canada committed $120 million in new aid funding. But there are fears the U.S.-Israel war with Iran could continue to disrupt the delivery of those critical humanitarian shipments. Price of importing any kind of basic assistance, emergency shelters, tents, anything that we have to distribute still to all the people who are newly displaced. The prices are clearly going up already. Which could deepen a humanitarian crisis that has already reached disastrous levels. Idlemous, CBC News, Toronto.

There may be new momentum to restart talks between the U.S. and Iran. mediators are reportedly setting up a second round of discussions as U.S. President Donald Trump signals the war could be in its final days. Katie Simpson has more from Washington. The U.S. has announced a formal blockade of Iranian ports in coastal areas. This is the radio message. The U.S. says its Navy is sending to ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The White House sharing the audio as it declares its new blockade is working.

If you do not comply with this blockade, we will. U.S. Central Command saying that over the past 48 hours, no vessels have made it to or from Iranian ports, including nine ships that complied with American orders to return to shore. Iran considers this a hostile act, which it says puts the already fragile ceasefire in jeopardy. In a message read on Iranian state TV, the regime threatened to retaliate by blocking more shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Sea of Oman. The intense public posturing comes as all sides consider another formal round of peace talks. Those discussions are being had, but nothing is official until you hear it from us here at the White House.

White House press secretary Caroline Levitt confirmed the Trump administration is open to more in-person talks and that if additional meetings happen, they would be hosted again by Pakistan. We feel good about the prospects of a deal and it's obviously in the best interest of Iran to meet the president's demands. A mix of allies and regional partners are also encouraging more face-to-face discussions, with Pakistani officials traveling to Iran and Saudi Arabia in an attempt to lay the groundwork for more talks, while the Turkish president says he's involved too. We are making the necessary suggestions to reduce tensions, extend the ceasefire and continue negotiations, said President Erdogan. That ceasefire expires next week.

So far, neither side has agreed to. extension. Peace talk stalled after Iran said it did not trust American negotiators, while President Donald Trump blamed Iran for refusing to abandon its nuclear ambitions. If they don't, we're not making a deal, okay? So there's no deal. This whole thing about it was is really about no nuclear. They cannot have a nuclear weapon. America's partner in this war, Israel, says it is fully aligned with the U.S. when it comes to objectives and goals. In a video statement to the nation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's attacks on Hezbollah and Lebanon will continue, even as there are talks with Lebanese officials about a pause in the fighting there.

He also says Israel is prepared for any scenario going forward should the ceasefire with Iran fail. Katie Simpson, CBC News, Washington. Pope Leo spent Wednesday in Cameroon on the second leg of his four-country trip in Africa. But even at a distance, his verbal spat with U.S. President Donald Trump hasn't gone away. Leo is appealing for peace in all world conflicts, including the U.S. operation in Iran, while the White House tells him to stay in his lane. Chris Reyes explains. In Yehunde, Cameroon, Pope Leo is half a world away from the ongoing public war of words he's having with the Trump administration.

Here, the crowd seem only interested in the Pope's messages of peace and hope. A woman in that crowd, Hermini and Dizi says, We believe that through the Pope's visit, hearts will be touched. Pope Leo, making it clear that is part of the mandate of his 10-day visit to the African continent. In two days in Algeria, I think we've really had a wonderful opportunity to, if you will, continue to build bridges, to promote dialogue. But in the U.S., Pope Leo's home country, the Trump administration has not let up on pushing back against the first American leader of the Catholic Church. Weighing in today, Speaker Mike Johnson, who backed President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.

Earlier this week on truth social, Trump called the Pope weak on crime and terrible on foreign policy. A pontiff or any religious leader can say anything they want. But obviously if you wait into political waters, I think you should expect some political response. And I think the popes received some of that. On Monday, Vice President J.D. Vans had this message for Pope Leo while speaking to Fox News. Stick to matters of what's going on to the Catholic Church and let the President of United States stick to dictating American public policy. Catholic historian Massimo Fagioli says the escalation of wars around the world is exactly what's forcing the Pope to become more vocal. Pope Leo's comments came after Trump's post that an entire civilization would die if a deal in Iran was not reached.

It prompted the Vatican two weeks ago to raise the volume of their interventions because they were really afraid of an escalation of the war in Iran. Since trading barbs with the Pope, Trump has since posted AI images of him as a religious figure, including one today of Jesus hugging him. This conflation of a very messianic American politics and of a Vatican who's having the function of restraining this happens at the time when there are two Americans. This is extraordinary. Pope Leo has said he's not afraid of speaking out against the Trump administration, but neither is he looking to continue to debate him in public. So far in his visit to Cameroon, the Pope has not mentioned Trump, only saying that the world, needs to keep hearing messages of peace. Chris Reyes, CBC News, New York.

Coming right up at the first caucus meeting since getting their majority, the liberals planned their road ahead while the conservatives rallied around leader Pierre Palliev. And they ran a monopoly. That's what a U.S. federal jury decided in a high-profile case involving two of the biggest companies

in the world of live entertainment. Later, we'll have this story. Would you trust a taxi, with no human steering the wheel. This experience may feel futuristic, but the needs to buckle up is the same as always. Autonomous vehicle company Waymo may be bringing that service to Canada,

but customers have questions before they jump on board. I probably wouldn't because I'm just scared that there's going to be a technical issue. I'm Nisha Patel in Toronto, what the experts say about the challenges and opportunities of driverless cars. That's coming up on Your World Tonight. A U.S. federal jury says Live Nation and its subsidiary ticket master have operated as a monopoly.

Live Nation entertainment has some stake in the vast majority of concert venues in the U.S. And the jury found it used that influence to strangle competition. The CBC's Dave Seglins has been following this story. So, Dave, what does this mean for the company? Well, Live Nation, I mean, they could face huge financial penalties. We know that just on this news, the stock price dropped 6% today. But really at stake is this bigger question. Will Live Nation and its box office arm ticket master will they be broken up,

no longer allowed to operate as a single company? We have to think back, it was a big deal in 2009 when they were allowed to merge. They signed what was called a consent decree promising that they would not drive up prices or abuse their size at the expense of the public. Well, skip forward to two years ago when the Department of Justice brings this antitrust lawsuit. It was launched by 40 states, the federal DOJ. That was the complaint, Live Nation and Ticketmaster abusing their monopoly. And today the jury agreed finding the world's largest entertainment company is in fact stifling competition.

A harmful monopoly, they've decided. With revenues of $25 billion a year, they own venues around the world. They manage tours of some of the biggest artists, you'll know, you two, Cole. old play, Madonna, post Malone, to name a few. And they own the main ticketing instrument, ticket master. So they have all sorts of synergies in their company where they encourage high ticket prices through surge pricing, dynamic pricing, platinum seats. Fans have seen all of this much to their chagrin as prices have gone up.

In a twist, the federal DOJ dropped out of this case a few weeks ago, settled, but 30 states have pushed on wanting the company split up. So a judge today has asked them, we've got the verdict from the jury, yes, it's monopoly, now come forward with formal motions. What is the appropriate remedy? We'll hear that in coming weeks. And all of that happening in the U.S., what does it mean, what could it mean for Canada? Well, if Live Nation and Ticketmaster ultimately divorce in the U.S., it's going to affect Canadian subsidiaries, those around the globe, for sure, it means one of them would be sold off. That could be good news. There could be. more competition. Let's say in the ticketing market, ticket master might have other competitors

move in. But I think we have to keep in mind this is far from over. Live Nation could appeal the verdict. They'll certainly fight any motion to break up the company. And a reminder, this is just one case. There is actually a second lawsuit that was launched last fall by the Federal Trade Commission, alleging deceptive ticket practices. That is also ongoing. So today is a big legal loss for Live Nation, but the battle is going to continue. You mentioned the skyrocketing ticket prices over recent years. The thing that so many people are going to want to know is, is this the thing that brings them back down? This is what the hope is on the part of the states that are pushing for this verdict.

They're hoping that the end result is that this is going to help the consumers. I'm not entirely convinced. I think what we've seen is that fans are willing to pay a lot of money for live entertainment, and the artists and the teams have woken up to that. Dave, thank you. Thank you. The CBC's Dave Seglins in Toronto. There are also growing concerns about the potential rise of another sneaky pricing practice.

This tactic lets retailers use personal data to customize prices. Companies say it makes the shopping experience better. Critics say it only harms your bank account. Senior technology reporter Nora Young explains. The government should ban surveillance pricing. It's a practice the federal NDP calls unfair, a rip-off, and downright creepy. Known as surveillance pricing,

the party today introduced a motion to ban it in Canada. Here's BCMP, Don Davies. Personal data is used by corporations to increase the prices consumers pay, both in store and online. With surveillance pricing, also known as algorithmic personalized pricing, companies use a consumer's personal data

to set different prices for individuals or groups of individuals. So if you're shopping for a crib and they know you've been buying baby food every week, and they know the average income in the neighborhood you live in, you might get a different price than someone else who's idly perusing cribs for future purchase. When suppliers are, you know, collecting your data, analyzing your data, what they are looking

to do, the reason they're doing this is try to get as close as possible to your maximum willingness to pay. Pascal Chapdelin is an associate professor of law at the University of Windsor who researches algorithmic pricing. From a competition law perspective, this is problematic. And how do they get all this personal data? As you were browsing the web, advertising firms and data brokers who, who are recording basically everywhere you go

and then drawing inferences from that. The same thing is happening on your phone. Christo Wilson is a professor of computer science at Northeastern University in Boston, where he researches digital consumer protection issues. This data is then being linked to offline things about you as well. Data brokers will go and get information from public records. Do you own property? What is your name?

And ultimately, there's just these massive dossiers that are built. This kind of pricing has drawn attention of the competition Bureau of Canada, which published results of a consultation on algorithmic pricing in January. The key thing that we really heard from individuals is about a lack of transparency. Brad Callahan is Associate Deputy Commissioner for Policy Planning and Advocacy at the Bureau. He says they also heard from businesses that argue... They might be able to offer or target maybe more price-sensitive consumers and offer a lower price. There have been some high-profile cases of surveillance pricing in the U.S.

example, an investigation found that online grocery delivery platform Instacart experimented with personalized pricing, where American shoppers were offered different prices on the same items at the same store at the same time. But Christo Wilson says it's hard to know how prevalent it is. There are companies collecting this kinds of data and trying to sell this capability as a service, but the extent to which those are being adopted by different e-commerce platforms or retail stores, we don't actually know. Today's NDP motion did receive the unanimous approval sought in the House of Commons. Nora Young, CBC News, Toronto.

The Carney Liberals all smiles today as MPs gathered for their first caucus since clenching a majority Monday. Across the aisle, the Polyev conservatives showing unity, but still facing tough questions about the weeks and months ahead. Olivia Stefanovic has more from Ottawa. Mr. Speaker, what we have over there is inflation of liberal arrogance. Conservative leader Pierre Pahliav, facing off against Prime Minister Mark Carney in question period, for the first time since the Liberals swept Monday's by-elections and welcomed a fifth floor crossing. There are some on the bench's opposite who've been listening, Mr. Speaker.

More than twice the rate of inflation in this country. Securing Carney a majority government and Pollyev, the title of official opposition leader, for the foreseeable future. is united. It's determined. Publicly, conservative MPs from Roman Baber to House leader Andrew Shear are brushing off the recent defections and triple by-election defeat. Our caucus is united

behind Pierre Palli. As conservatives attended their first weekly caucus meeting since Monday's losses, regrouping while the liberals continue to celebrate. A roar of applause greeted Carney at his first caucus meeting since Monday's

triple win. I do have a big ground. The Prime Minister, accompanied by his three newest MPs elect, including Danielle Martin, who won the Toronto riding of University Rosdale, a seat previously held by former Deputy Prime Minister Christia Freeland. So much excitement, so much unity. Martin embraced by Floor-Marlon Gladu, who also attended her first liberal caucus meeting. What a great group. I'm very excited to start building Canada strong for all. Gladu is the fourth MP to defect from the Conservative Party, and there could be more. Liberal sources tell CBC News they're in talks with nine opposition MPs to join government.

Obviously, it's demoralizing when you see your numbers going down and the government's numbers going up. Peter McKay helped found the modern conservative party and went on to hold several high-profile cabinet positions in former Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government. Pierre has, you know, time and has, you know, been able to establish credibility, both through his election performance, his time in the House, his experience. But McKay says Pollyev's fate ultimately rests with the conservative caucus itself and their belief to win the next federal election. McKay ran to become conservative leader in 2020. Asked if he'd consider making another bid, McKay says no. Olivia Estefanovich, CBC News, Ottawa. Canadian military police have charged two members of the Royal Canadian Navy

in relation to the 2025 death of a fellow sailor. Petty officer second class Gregory Applin was aboard an inflatable military boat when it capsized in Halifax Harbor after striking an unlit buoy. Another vessel arrived to rescue Aplin and another crew member. They were taken to hospital where Aplen later died. One member has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and negligent performance of military duties. Another faces criminal negligence causing bodily harm and negligent performance.

Chaos outside a school in southeastern Turkey after another shooting. A 14-year-old student killed at least nine people and injured more than a dozen others before taking his own life. Video shows him entering a corridor and opening fire as students and staff run. for cover. Eight students and one teacher died. 13 were injured. Six are in critical condition. School shootings are rare in Turkey, but it's the second in two days. Yesterday, a former student at a different school injured at least 16 people before killing himself. You're listening to Your World Tonight from CBC News. And if you want to make sure you never miss one of our episodes, follow us on Spotify, Apple, wherever you get your podcasts. Just find the

follow button and lock us in. Driverless taxis could be on their way to Toronto. Waymo, the California Tech Company, is eyeing Toronto as a potential new home. According to the city, Waymo plans to apply to a pilot program for

autonomous vehicles. Nisha Patel explains what that could look like and why some aren't sold. This experience may feel futuristic, but the needs of buckle up is the sane as always. Inside a Waymo autonomous vehicle,

an artificial voice greets riders. The electric car is decked out with cameras and radars and operates entirely without a human driver. Pull the handle twice to exit. Waymo is owned by Google parent company Alphabet. The driverless taxi is hailed through an app. It's available in almost a dozen cities in the U.S. and is expanding fast.

Here I am with my family in L.A. We're going to pick up the Waymo one. The company is testing internationally in London and Tokyo, and Canada could be next. Over the past few months, Waymo has been lobbying government officials in Ontario and BC. The Office of Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow confirmed Waymo plans to apply to the provincial pilot program, though it may take time for the public to get used to the idea. Certainly getting into a vehicle with no driver where the steering wheel turns itself, it's a bit of a culture shock in that. Technology analyst Karmie Levy says the data shows driverless vehicles,

get into fewer accidents compared to humans. They don't drink and drive. They don't road rage. They don't read their smartphones while they're at the wheel scrolling through their feeds. But they're not entirely without incidents. Waymos have made headlines

causing traffic jams during power outages and turning into lanes they're not supposed to. Christoph Sjarnetsky is a professor at the University of Waterloo. You have a system that can handle most of the situations, most of the driving, but now and then it will get stuck. For example, gets into that construction zone,

which is very confusing, and it's not clear how to get out of it. And since Waymos have mostly been operating in warm-weather cities, driving in Toronto could be a challenge. You have, let's say, snowfall, so you don't see things properly. You have slippery roads. Marking can be covered by snow.

You can have snow banks. People drive differently. Outside Union Station in Toronto, some commuters say they jump at the chance to give Waymo a try. I'd get a driverless taxi. I'd be fine with that. I think the technology's there. Others are hesitant. I'm just scared

that there's going to be a technical issue. I just worry it's not going to just make a right decision at the right time. I don't like this idea. Jarnetsky points out Waymo only operates about 3,000 vehicles compared to the nearly 300 million other

cars and trucks on the road in the U.S. I don't think that this is going to be widespread any time, you know, within the next 10 years even. So the road to mainstream adoption may be a long one. Nisha Patel, CBC News, Toronto. Finally tonight? A man displaced by the Israel-Hesbola War in Lebanon

is making a musical plea for peace, and without fail, he does it every day. 68-year-old Abed Sabah lives. in Beirut, inside a van with his adult son. He strums his instrument, known as an Ood, that has communicated people's emotions for 5,000 years. Music always takes me away, says Sabah. The strings reach the hearts of all people. Despite the tough conditions, his performance preparations are precise. There's a water bottle for washing, a jagged piece of meat, to look into, to get his shave just right, and a flawless black tuxedo he dons before greeting his audience in the streets.

Sabah can't influence the peace talks, but he says the Lebanese people that all people deserve to live in peace. And until better days arrive, he plans to keep playing and lifting people up with the sounds of hope. This has been your world tonight for well. Wednesday, April 15th. I'm Stephanie Skanderas. Thank you for being with us. Good night.