Grizzly attack, plan for Ukraine war, absenteeism, and more

Summary

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Your World Tonight (CBC)

Episode Summary: "Grizzly attack, plan for Ukraine war, absenteeism, and more"

Date: November 21, 2025
Hosts: Stephanie Skenderis, Susan Bonner

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Overview

This episode of Your World Tonight wraps up the day's major global and Canadian news stories, focusing on:

• A shocking grizzly bear attack on a BC school group
• Intense political pressure on Ukraine to accept a controversial US peace deal
• Canada–US trade tensions and the fighter jet procurement debate
• New York's mayor-elect’s White House visit amid fiery political rhetoric
• India's 2036 Olympic bid and its challenges
• Mexico’s efforts to find missing persons
• Rising absenteeism among Canadian schoolchildren and its causes
• A spotlight on large-scale Indigenous beadwork art

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Key Stories and Insights

1. Grizzly Bear Attack in Bella Coola, British Columbia

[00:25–04:26]

• Incident Details:
  • During a school field trip near Aqua Salta School (run by the Nuxalk Nation), a grizzly bear attacked, seriously injuring three children and a teacher.
  • The teachers acted heroically, fighting off the bear.
    • Samuel Alexander Schooner (Nuxalk Chief): “Our heroes, you know, that's what they are.” [01:58]
  • The event was unprecedented; the community prides itself on living in harmony with bears.
    • Kirsten Milton (Council): “This was just an unprecedented event that we have never experienced.” [02:47]
  • The group had bear spray and followed safety protocols.
  • Bear attacks involving large groups are extremely rare.
    • Kim Titchener (Bear Conflict Expert): “It's very unusual to have a large group involved like this... large groups tend to scare bears off.” [03:22]
  • BC’s premier is awaiting Conservation Service advice before considering changes to the hunting ban.
• Aftermath:
  • Extra counseling services being offered.
  • Search for the bear continues; community asked to avoid trails.

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2. Ukraine Under Pressure: US-Backed Peace Deal

[04:26–07:34]

• Background:
  • The US (under President Trump) is pushing Ukraine to accept a 28-point peace deal that heavily favors Russian demands, such as conceding Donbas territory and limiting Ukraine’s military. Deadline: Thursday.
  • Ukrainian President Zelensky resists, describing the moment as “one of the most difficult in our history.” [04:52]
  • Accepting the deal means “either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner, the United States.” [04:52]
• International Response:
  • EU’s Ursula von der Leyen: “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.” [06:47]
  • Putin calls Trump’s plan “the basis for a peaceful solution.”
  • Most Ukrainians and Europeans see the proposal as tantamount to surrender.
• Notable Quote:
  • Zelensky: “We did not betray Ukraine then and we will not do it now.” [06:53]

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3. Gaza Humanitarian Crisis

[07:34–08:25]

• Despite an increase in aid since the ceasefire, hundreds of thousands in Gaza still lack enough food. Prices remain out of reach.
  • Martin Penner (World Food Program): “One woman told us that she feels like her whole body is crying out for different kinds of food...”

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4. Canada-US Tensions: Fighter Jets and Trade

[09:25–12:19]

• Context:
  • Trade war continues; Mark Carney’s Liberals struggle to find resolution.
  • Ongoing debate about Canada’s $19B purchase of 88 F-35 jets from the US (Lockheed Martin), amid rhetoric from President Trump and a lengthy review.
    • Defense Minister David McGinty: “The F35 acquisition remains under review...” [10:08]
  • Conservative critics and US officials frustrated by delays.
    • James Bazan: “When will this unnecessary review finally end?” [10:30]
  • US ambassador Pete Hoekstra underscores the deal's significance for future trade.
• Alternatives:
  • Sweden’s Saab Gripen makes a bid, promising 10,000 Canadian jobs.
    • Michael Johansson (CEO): “We are prepared to move technology to Canada and set up shop here...” [11:44]
  • US-Canada trade at a delicate juncture; US VP J.D. Vance criticizes Canadian immigration and leadership online.

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5. New York Mayor-Elect Zoran Mamdani’s White House Visit

[12:19–15:26]

• Backdrop:
  • Mayor-elect Mamdani, branded a “radical leftist” and “communist” by Trump, visits the White House; anticipation of a confrontational meeting.
• Meeting Outcome:
  • To everyone's surprise, the encounter was amicable and focused on shared priorities: fighting crime, building housing, and reducing rent.
    • Donald Trump: “We agree on a lot more than I would have thought. I want him to do a great job.” [13:47]
    • Zoran Mamdani: “[We] focused not on places of disagreement... [but] on the shared purpose that we have in serving New Yorkers.” [14:04]
  • Press presses Mamdani on past comments labeling Trump a “fascist;” Trump remains unfazed.

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6. India’s 2036 Summer Olympics Bid

[15:26–19:35]

• Ambitions and Challenges:
  • New sports venues rapidly being built; Ahmedabad lined up as host city.
  • India’s government points to success with the G20 to bolster its case.
  • Past major events, such as the 2010 Commonwealth Games, were mired in controversy and mismanagement.
  • India faces IOC concerns over governance, high doping rates, and its general Olympic underachievement.
  • Andrew Zimbalist (Economist): “It's extremely rare for any Games to be a good investment...” [18:14]
• Local Hopes:
  • Despite challenges, Indian athletes and supporters hope for a positive sports legacy.

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7. Mexico’s Search for Its Missing

[19:35–22:34]

• Major Exhumation Project:
  • In Mexico City, authorities begin identifying 6,600 buried, unidentified bodies to bring closure to the families of the disappeared.
  • Ana Maria Maldonado, mother searching for her son: “I feel my son could be here...” [19:59]
  • Effort is part of a multi-agency strategy amid a national crisis of 130,000+ missing.
  • Bertha Alcalde Lujan (Atty. Gen.): “We are conscious that the search for disappeared persons is a challenge of great magnitude.”

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8. Mass Abductions in Nigeria

[22:34–23:48]

• Over 200 students and teachers kidnapped from a Catholic school; second such event in a week.
• Ongoing crisis of armed groups kidnapping for ransom.

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9. Rising Student Absenteeism in Canada

[23:48–26:44]

• CBC Investigation:
  • Absenteeism is up in every district studied; some students miss school due to bullying or mental health, not illness.
  • William (student): “Well, it's like bullies exist.” [24:09]
  • Norm De Pasquale (parent): “You don't always get a clear reason... sometimes I'm feeling sick and that maybe that's legit sometimes, maybe it's not necessarily legit.” [24:30]
  • No standardized way to report absences due to bullying.
    • Norm De Pasquale: “There's no button for bullying in the school messenger application.” [25:43]
  • ADHD, anxiety, and lack of accommodations also leading to absences.
    • Courtney McLean (parent): “The stress, it's overwhelming our kids, and my daughter is really, really struggling.” [25:52]
    • Test-taking anxiety, lack of individualized education plans (IEPs) are cited as issues.
  • Solutions suggested: more staff to supervise, better mental health supports.

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10. Indigenous Beadwork Art, Upsized

[26:44–28:17]

• Artist Vanessa Dion Fletcher:
  • Creates large-scale beadwork using pool noodles as beads, making traditional techniques accessible, especially for teaching.
  • Dion Fletcher: “I've taken them all to pools so that people can swim and play with them.” [28:12]
  • Current exhibit at Art Windsor Essex Gallery.

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “These children are going to be around for many, many, many years because of the actions [the teachers] have done.”
  — Samuel Alexander Schooner, Nuxalk Nation [02:14]

• “Now is one of the most difficult moments in our history.”
  — President Zelensky [04:52]

• “We agree on a lot more than I would have thought. I think he's—I want him to do a great job.”
  — Donald Trump, about Zoran Mamdani [13:47]

• “The stress, it’s overwhelming our kids...”
  — Courtney McLean, parent [25:52]

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Timestamps Reference

• Grizzly Attack: 00:25–04:26
• Ukraine Peace Pressure: 04:26–07:34
• Gaza Aid Update: 07:34–08:25
• Fighter Jet Trade & Tensions: 09:25–12:19
• NYC Mayor/Trump meeting: 12:19–15:26
• India Olympic Bid: 15:26–19:35
• Mexico Missing Persons: 19:35–22:34
• Nigeria Abductions: 22:34–23:48
• Student Absenteeism: 23:48–26:44
• Beadwork Art: 26:44–28:17

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Tone & Style

As with all CBC news, the tone is serious yet accessible, blending firsthand accounts, expert commentary, and on-the-ground reporting. The episode moves smoothly between hard news, political analysis, and human interest.

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For the full experience and nuanced reporting, listen to the complete episode on the CBC platform.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

This is a CBC podcast.

[A]

Will you stay in a bear encounter? Please try to stand and talk in a calm voice and not run and become erratic. But with school children, that's extremely difficult. Those children were on a field trip to experience nature near their school in Bella Coola, British Columbia, when a grizzly bear came out of the woods and attacked. Their teachers are being praised as heroes fighting off the bear. But three kids and one of those teachers are seriously hurt. This is YOUR WORLD TONIGHT. I'm Stephanie Scandaris. It's Friday, November 21st, coming up on 6:00pm Eastern. Also on the podcast, if the United.

[B]

States will continue to insist on this plan, it will bring disgrace to the country. It will be violation not only of international law, it will be violation of American values.

[A]

Ukrainian leaders feeling the political pressure to accept a US Peace deal that feels to many like a surrender. The country's president calls the next few days some of the most difficult in Ukraine's history as Washington sets a Thursday deadline. Even as Russia continues its deadly attacks, They say it was unprovoked and unprecedented. A British Columbia first nation is reeling from a grizzly bear attack on a group of school children and their teachers. 4. Four people are hospitalized and some of the injuries are critical. Sam Sampson has the latest.

[B]

Our heroes, you know, that's what they are.

[C]

Samuel Alexander Schooner has nothing but praise for the teachers who fought off a grizzly bear when it attacked a school group yesterday. He's the elected chief counselor of the Nhawk nation where the attack happened.

[B]

These children are going to be around for many, many, many years because of the actions that they've done.

[C]

New Hawk Nation is in Bella Coola, a mountainous region in B.C. about 420 km northeast of Vancouver. As the crow flies, community officials say the group of about 20 students and teachers were on a short afternoon field trip near Aqua Salta School, an independent school run by the Nation. They stopped for lunch on a trail near the river when a bear emerged from the forest and attacked them. The nation says the bear was unprovoked. Kirsten Milton is part of the nation's elected council.

[A]

You know, we live in harmony with the bears here. Our, our staff, our students, our children, our youth. We're all very well aware of how to walk in our bear territory. This was just an unprecedented event that we have never experienced and so all we're trying to do now is focus on the well being of our children. They were doing a lot of the right things, you know, traveling in a group, having bear spray on them.

[C]

Kim Titchener is a Calgary based human bear conflict expert. She says grizzly attacks are rare as it is, but ones that happen without the bear being provoked or surprised in any way are not common at all.

[A]

With even with defensive attacks with grizzlies, it's very unusual to have a large group involved like this because large groups tend to scare bears off. They hear us coming, they get out of the way. We're much more intimidating in large groups. And statistically, when you look at the research of cases where people have been attacked by grizzly bears, they're usually by themselves or with one other person.

[C]

This is the latest grizzly bear attack in B.C. last month a man was killed by a mother grizzly in the East Kootenay region. It's led some to call for a provincial ban on hunting grizzly bears to be lifted, but B.C. premier David Eby isn't making any changes for now.

[B]

Anytime there is a bear attack, the.

[A]

Conservation Service provides advice to government about.

[B]

Anything we can do to prevent similar incidents in the future. And we'll certainly be listening to that advice.

[C]

The community says it's brought in extra clinical and traditional counseling services. While the search for the bear continues, the First Nation asks locals not to go looking for the animal and is providing rides so people can avoid walking in the area. Sam Sampson, CBC News, Edmonton.

[A]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vows he will not betray his country. He says he'll move quickly to offer alternatives to a new U.S. plan to end the war with Russia. The leaked 28 point proposal includes concessions backed by the U.S. and favoring the Kremlin. Many fear it would erode Ukraine's sovereignty, leaving it exposed to future attacks. Chris Brown reports.

[D]

Now is one of the most difficult moments in our history. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky began his video statement underscoring that accepting US President Donald Trump's 28 point plan to end the war with Russia would leave Ukraine badly weakened and vulnerable. Accepting means either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner, the United States, he said. Zelensky appeared to confirm that Trump wants Ukraine's approval by Thursday or else the US could cut off intelligence sharing and other assistance. Trump has made the threat before and also demanded unacceptable compromises of Ukraine before, but this time feels different. Ukraine has suffered key battlefield setbacks in recent weeks in this fourth winter of all out war. Its energy system is being strained by the Russian attacks and Zelenskyy's government is weakened by a corruption scandal, perhaps sensing that Trump is again pushing Zelenskyy to turn over unconquered territory in the Donbass region to Russia and accept limits on the size of its armed forces and having foreign troops in the country, all of which Vladimir Putin has been demanding. Putin issued his own statement saying Trump's proposals could be the basis for what he called a peaceful solution to the war. Many analysts believe Putin's goal has always been less about capturing territory and more about destroying Ukraine's sovereignty, which is why so many Ukrainians see Trump's proposal as toxic. This is a complete surrender, in my opinion, said Taras, a Kyiv hospital worker. European leaders, including EU head Ursula von der Leyen, repeated there should be no deals done over Ukraine's head, a key.

[A]

Principle we have always upheld and that is nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.

[D]

European leaders plan to meet without zelensky at the G20 over the weekend in South Africa to talk about next steps. We did not betray Ukraine then and we will not do it now, zelensky said, referring to the pressure on his country when war broke out to acquiesce to Putin's demands. Why Trump's proposals have continually echoed Putin's demands remains a deeply frustrating mystery for so many in Europe. But zelenskyy spoke to U.S. vice President J.D. vance Friday and indicated he's willing to work to make the path to peace dignified and lasting. Chris Brown, CBC News, London The United.

[A]

Nations says more food is getting into Gaza, but still not enough to satisfy the massive need since since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect a month ago, the World Food Program has brought in 40,000 tons of food. But spokesperson Martin Penner says hundreds of thousands of people urgently need help.

[B]

Markets are coming back to life. Food is there, but prices are still out of reach for most people. So many people still rely on food aid, food parcels, bread from bakeries, hot meals, kitchens. One woman told us that she feels like her whole body is crying out for different kinds of food, different from the canned food and the dry rations that people have been living on for two years.

[A]

Coming right up the fight over fighter jets. Canada has been debating where to buy them, possibly scrapping a US Contract and finding a partner somewhere else. Also, Donald Trump has called him a radical leftist, a communist, a lunatic, questioned his nationality and criticized his religion. But Zoran Mamdani, the incoming mayor of New York, still requested a visit to the White House, and today he got one. Plus, India is going all in on a bid to host the Summer Olympics. Later, we'll have this story.

[E]

Every parent's heard it at some point during the morning rush to get ready for school.

[B]

Some days I just like really don't.

[A]

Want to go in.

[E]

A CBC investigation found it's happening more often, kids calling in sick. I'm Tara Carman in Vancouver, and I'll have that story and the reasons why coming up on youn World. Tonight.

[A]

Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to end the US Trade war, a big part of why he and the Liberals were elected. But there are few signs a deal is coming soon. There are no talks in public. American officials are more bellicose than buddy, buddy. And as Kate McKenna reports, lingering questions about Canada's fighter jet fleet could be one big reason why.

[B]

But that review is definitely underway.

[F]

Fighter jet procurement appears poised for a dogfight amid trade tensions between Canada and the United States. Defense Minister David McGinty says Canada still hasn't decided whether to proceed, buying all 88 F35 jets from the American company Lockheed Martin in a deal signed two years ago.

[B]

The F35 acquisition remains under review and when it's, when it's completed, we'll have much more to say about this.

[F]

The review was announced in March on the heels of the 51st state rhetoric from US President Donald Trump. Conservative defense critic James Bazan says it's time to make a decision.

[B]

The minister of national Defense said the review will be done by the end of last summer. Once and for all, when will this.

[G]

Unnecessary review finally end?

[F]

Canada's waffling on a multi billion dollar deal could affect the future of U s. Canada trade. U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra spoke at a conference earlier this week and was asked what a renegotiated free trade agreement could look like.

[B]

Well, on a number of these issues, we are we're actually waiting to see exactly where the Canadian government is going.

[F]

To come out on pointing specifically to one area the White House is watching closely.

[B]

Like I said on the F35, we've got all kinds of people and companies that are involved from an economic standpoint and a military cooperation standpoint, Hoekstra added.

[F]

Canada has benefited from making parts for previous versions of the F35. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe was in Washington this week and says the future of the fighter jet program looms large.

[B]

You know, that's a current sensitivity between.

[E]

The nation and the two nations.

[D]

Canada and the US with the previous.

[E]

Indication that we were looking at F35s.

[D]

Now looking at, you know, potentially something else.

[F]

The potential alternative is the Swedish made Saab. Gripen CEO Michael Johansson says if the federal government picks them, it could lead to up to 10,000 jobs in Canada.

[B]

We are prepared to move technology to Canada and set up shop here with partnerships with industry.

[F]

Their charm offensive included a royal visit from the Swedish king and queen earlier this week. But trade talks remain stalled between Canada and the US today, Vice President J.D. vance posted on social media criticizing what he called immigration insanity in Canada. He claims living standards in Canada are stagnating and blames leadership. Meanwhile, the federal government has said it's ready to get back to the table. In the meantime, it'll look for ways to increase trade with other countries. Kate McKenna, CBC News, Ottawa.

[A]

In Washington, New York's mayor elect met with the U.S. president in the White House after it wrapped up the Zoran Mamdani and Donald Trump were all smiles. They told reporters they focused on their shared concerns like affordability and serving New Yorkers and not their political differences. Paul Hunter has more from Washington.

[B]

For some reason the press has found this to be a very interesting meeting. The biggest people in the world, they come over from countries nobody cares. But they did care about this meeting.

[H]

On that Donald Trump was bang on the attention in the lead up to his meeting with the new mayor elect of New York City, Zorin Mandani was mega. Dozens of reporters and camera people outside the West Wing and inside the Oval Office expecting fireworks. Trump and Mamdani had after all, traded barbs for weeks in the run up to this. Mamdani a self described democratic socialist, Trump a seriously conservative Republican. Trump's own press secretary yesterday labeling Mamdani a communist. But said Trump Friday, after their much hyped get together, we had a meeting.

[B]

Today that actually surprised me. He wants to see no crime. He wants to see housing being built, he wants to see rents coming down. All things that I agree with. Now we may disagree how we get.

[H]

There with the two side by side in the Oval Office, the apparent camaraderie was remarkable.

[B]

We agree on a lot more than I would have thought. I think he's I want him to do a great job.

[H]

Even Mamdani, said to have been briefed by multiple other Democratic politicians who've dealt with Trump and often been challenged by him, seemed upbeat if on message.

[B]

I think both President Trump and I, we are very clear about our positions and our views and what I really appreciate about the president is at the meeting that we had focused not on places of disagreement, which there are many, and also focused on the shared purpose that we have in serving New Yorkers. We focused on affordability. We focused on the cost of living crisis.

[H]

Given the rhetoric in recent weeks, some reporters seemed keen on pressing for discord, one reminding Mamdani he'd once labeled Trump a fascist. Trump all but laughed.

[I]

Are you affirming that you think President.

[A]

Trump is a fascist?

[B]

I've spoken about. That's okay. You can just. It's easier than explaining it. I don't mind.

[H]

In fairness, Trump himself had said the meeting would be civil, even though he'd also previously called Mamdani a radical left lunatic, no matter whatever was said at the meeting. Indeed, Trump said many times afterward that he was surprised by how it all went. It seems to have gone, in short, very well.

[B]

I expect to be helping him, not hurting him, a big help, because I want New York City to be great. Look, I love New York City. It's where I come from. I spent a lot of years there.

[H]

With that, Trump smiled, shook Mamdani's hand, patted the back of it, and the two went their ways, jaws everywhere else seemingly on the floor. Paul Hunter, CBC News, Washington.

[A]

Delegates at the COP30 summit in Brazil are at an impasse after a new draft deal was published this morning. The new text doesn't contain any plans to transition away from oil and gas and coal. That's angered a group of 30 countries. They've refused to accept any deal that does not commit to develop a roadmap away from fossil fuels. The conference was set to end today, but negotiations will continue until a compromise can be reached. India is the world's most populous country, with one of the fastest growing economies. Now it's reaching for another global distinction, host of the Olympic Games, the 2036 Summer Games, to be specific. There are challenges. India isn't exactly an Olympic powerhouse, and there have been some recent doping scandals. But as Salima Shivji reports, the Indian government thinks it has a shot.

[I]

An early Sunday morning, and the shooting range in Pune in India's western Maharashtra state, is full of young athletes practicing this Olympic spot sport that India excels at.

[B]

And the Indian supporters go crazy to.

[I]

Recognize the bronze medalist, gaining inspiration from India's Manu Bakar, who won two shooting bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Games. That's given a push to India's ambitious bid to host the Olympics for the first time in 2036.

[A]

It'll be a proud moment for India. India has the infrastructure and all exciting.

[I]

The infrastructure is not quite there yet. But in Ahmedabad, the proposed host city in Gujarat state, construction on sports venues is in full swing with a promise to build 10 as India tries to convince officials with the International Olympic Committee that the South Asian country's time has come. A still developing nation with the world's fastest growing major economy. When India's prime minister spelled out the country's goal to land the Games last year, he leaned into a sense of pride. We organized a fantastic G20 summit, Narendra Modi says. It proves we can welcome any major international event on Indian soil. To that end, India's Olympic bid team lobbied hard at the Paris Games, a continuation of a charm offensive that began quietly a year earlier. The government keeps talking about the benefits of hosting the prestigious sporting event, but the risks are also high, and the Games will be declared open in 2010. The Commonwealth Games in Delhi were shambolic, plagued by corruption scandals and massive mismanagement. Now India will get a do over. Ahmedabad has been chosen to host those games in 2030, and you can see.

[B]

Political forces that align.

[I]

But Andrew Zimbalist, an economics professor at Smith College in Massachusetts who's written several books about the business of the Olympics, says it's extremely rare for any Games to be a good investment that can.

[B]

Either be a neutral force or a slightly positive force. But the odds are stacked against it.

[I]

The IOC has reportedly raised concerns over bad governance within the Indian Olympic association, high doping rates and India's dismal record at the Olympics.

[B]

It's party time in India, a meager.

[I]

Six medals in Paris for a country of more than 1.4 billion people. But at the shooting range in Pune, the question marks over India's Olympic bid are overshadowed by the possible benefits, says former World cup champion Shahoo Mane.

[B]

Getting the Olympics, it's the massive stage.

[E]

It would impact the country and the sport in a good way.

[I]

It's a winning proposition for all of the athletes here dreaming of gold and glory at home. Salima Shivji, CBC News, Ahmedabah.

[A]

For decades, Mexico has grappled with a horrible question. What happened to thousands of missing people? The country's president says finding out is a national priority, and she's announced new government initiatives to do that. Jorge Barrera tells us about one project in Mexico City where officials are exhuming bodies and looking for answers.

[G]

I feel my son could be here, says Ana Maria Maldonado. She has been searching for her son for 15 years. Today she is in Mexico City's Pantillon Civil de Dolores Cemetery, which has the city's largest common grave. Bodies that have never been claimed or identified are buried here. Her son Carlos vanished in 2010 aged 34 after he went out to buy a car from someone he met online. I want to know what happened to him, she says. She has gathered with other families of the missing for what Mexico City officials say was the start of the largest project of its kind in Latin America, the exhumation and identification of 6,600 bodies buried since the 1960s.

[B]

We are still crossing information from their names, their characteristics, to the names of the missing persons, and we are still doing that work to obtain the major number of identities possible in this process.

[G]

Luis Gomez Negrete heads the city agency in charge of the search for the city's missing. He says a review of cemetery and missing persons records found hundreds of possible matches triggering this project. This is going to take years, he says. This is part of Mexico City's multi agency strategy to deal with its growing list of the disappeared over 7,000, sixth highest among all jurisdictions in a country with over 130,000 vanished. We are conscious that the search for disappeared persons is a challenge of great magnitude, says Bertha Alcalde Lujan, the city's attorney general. Sofia Lara Alfonso, says her family was notified that her brother was buried in this common grave. Carlos Alfonso was homeless and died in Hospital in 2012. She says the family, which had filed a missing persons report in 2009, was never notified. He was always my best friend since I was a girl, she says. Officials say they don't know exactly how long it will take to identify remains. But for some families who've waited years for answers, knowing this work has finally started gives them just a little bit more hope. Jorge Barrera, CBC News, Mexico City A.

[A]

Christian association says more than 200 students and teachers have been kidnapped from a Catholic school in central Nigeria. It's the second mass abduction at a school in the country in less than a week. On Monday, two dozen girls were taken by gunmen from a school in the Northwest. Armed groups have targeted schoolchildren in the region for ransom since 2014. You're listening to youo 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. These are not the attendance numbers educators or parents want to see. Canadian students are often still bouncing back from pandemic learning loss, but they're missing more schools. CBC has done the homework, and in Every district that provided data, absences are up. As for why, that's harder to figure out. Tara. Carmen has more.

[B]

Okay, William. So, yeah, your backpack, where does that go? In the bag. Got a special computer pouch, right?

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

William Di Pasquale and his parents are packing his backpack for school. But whether he'll actually go is an open question. It's two months into the school year, and William has already missed 10 days of grade seven. The reason?

[B]

Well, it's like bullies exist.

[E]

Bullies, William says, pick on him because he's small for his 12 years and has a facial twitch. William's father, Norm De Pasquale, a former school trustee, says the day after one of these incidents, William will often not want to go to school. But finding out why, take some detective work.

[B]

You don't always get a clear reason. You know, it might be sometimes I'm feeling sick and that maybe that's legit sometimes, maybe it's not necessarily legit.

[E]

William's not alone. CBC requested attendance data from 46 of the biggest school districts in Canada. We heard back from just over half. Only some tracked illnesses, but all showed more absences at all age levels compared with five years ago. Experts told us there's no one reason to explain the increases. More parents working from home and remote learning could be factors, but deteriorating mental health among youth and anxiety caused by things like bullying are likely contributing. According to David Smith, an education professor at the University of Ottawa.

[B]

Every day there are like hundreds or thousands of students who are at a school because of the bullying that they're experiencing.

[E]

These absences could show up as illnesses if a child like William complains of a stomachache. Or they could show up in the data as unexcused if no parent calls the school. CBC's investigation found those absences have also increased in many places. DePasquale isn't sure what to call his son's absences when he reports them.

[B]

There's no button for bullying in the school messenger application.

[E]

For kids whose brains learn differently, school can also be a challenging place to be.

[A]

The stress, it's overwhelming our kids, and my daughter is really, really struggling.

[E]

That's Courtney McLean, a mother of three in Bassano, Alberta. She credits school staff with doing the best they can. But her children struggle with adhd, and her oldest also has anxiety.

[A]

Test taking is a big trigger for a lot of kids with anxiety, and a lot of kids don't have ipps to say, oh, you're allowed to have more time, or you're allowed to have a quiet space. Or you can have noise canceling headphones. The majority of kids have to go in and sit and just do it.

[B]

Nice, then zip up that guy.

[E]

DePasquale says more staff in the schoolyard to keep an eye on things could help his son. But as for making that happen, a difficult ask, he says, with many schools struggling with tighter budgets. Tara Carman, CBC News, Vancouver.

[A]

Finally, when you think of traditional bead work, you probably think small, delicate, colorful. Well, two of those still hold true for indigenous artist Vanessa Dionne Fletcher's work, just not the small part.

[J]

So if you can picture a pool noodle, imagine cutting it into lots of little square pieces so that those pieces look like a giant bead.

[A]

The end product is familiar, just really big.

[J]

And then I'm using the same stitches to do like a woven beadwork. It's really popular for making earrings. They can be kind of seen as giant earrings.

[A]

Dionne Fletcher has to use a special wooden needle and thick string to make her creations. She says she didn't learn beadwork until she was older from other bead artists in her community, and she wanted to find a new way to help continue the tradition.

[J]

We're always trying to try new things and continue the skill and the practices. Because I learned this and I'm often teaching beadwork, I was always looking for ways to make the beads bigger so the students could see the stitches and understand them and they're like, physically easier to hold.

[A]

Dion Fletcher says that makes it more fun. Also fun, the fact the artwork isn't just meant to be looked at.

[J]

I've taken them all to pools so that people can swim and play with them.

[A]

Dionne Fletcher's pool noodle art is currently not getting wet. It's on display at the Art Windsor Essex Gallery. And that's your world Tonight for Friday, November 21st. Thank you for being with us. I'm Stephanie Scandaris. Good night.

[D]

For more cbc podcasts, go to cbc ca podcasts.