Your World Tonight (CBC)
Episode Summary: "Grizzly attack, plan for Ukraine war, absenteeism, and more"
Date: November 21, 2025
Hosts: Stephanie Skenderis, Susan Bonner
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
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.
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]
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...”
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.
- Sweden’s Saab Gripen makes a bid, promising 10,000 Canadian jobs.
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.
- To everyone's surprise, the encounter was amicable and focused on shared priorities: fighting crime, building housing, and reducing rent.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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]
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
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.
For the full experience and nuanced reporting, listen to the complete episode on the CBC platform.
