Indigenous cultural items returned, B.C. mill closures, Removing a rusting ship from a Newfoundland waterfront, and more

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Your World Tonight (CBC)

Episode Date: December 6, 2025
Hosts: Stephanie Skenderas & Susan Bonner

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Overview

This episode of Your World Tonight dives into major stories from Canada and around the world, focusing on the repatriation of Indigenous cultural items from the Vatican, closures of BC mills amid trade tensions, protests against US military action in Venezuela, efforts to reduce wildlife-rail collisions, heightened security at German Christmas markets, and the long-awaited removal of a derelict ship in Newfoundland. There’s also a special segment on Michael Bublé performing at the Vatican.

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Indigenous Cultural Items Returned from the Vatican

[00:40 – 05:18]

• Main Focus:
  62 cultural items belonging to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis are returned to Canada after a century in the Vatican.

Key Discussion Points

• Repatriation Journey:
  • The artifacts arrived at Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport, a culmination of years of negotiation involving the Vatican, Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), and Indigenous leaders.
  • Dwayne Smith, lead negotiator and CEO of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, highlighted the Vatican’s global influence by this act:

    “Yes, this is a significant shift. The Vatican has demonstrated globally... We want [the Canadian government’s] support to continue to pursue the repatriation of Indigenous artifacts, wherever they may be.” — Dwayne Smith ([03:06])

• Community Sentiment:
  • Relief, gratitude, and hope permeated among community members and leaders at the airport.
  • Recognition that the journey is ongoing, as "many more items remain far from their ancestral homes."
• Next Steps:
  • Items moved to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau.
  • Upcoming unveilings by Indigenous organizations; specific destinations for all items are undecided, highlighting a call for proper facilities and partnerships with governments.
• Looking Forward:
  • Continued efforts to repatriate objects still held in the Vatican and in museums worldwide.
  • Uncertainty about the total number and location of other Indigenous artifacts.

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US Strikes in the Caribbean & Global Protests

[05:20 – 08:13]

• Main Focus:
  US military operations targeting boats deemed connected to drug trafficking near Venezuela have resulted in controversy and global protests.

Key Discussion Points

• Civilian Impact & Political Response:
  • Over 80 killed since September in US strikes; lawmakers shown classified footage of attacks:

    “You have two individuals in clear distress... who are killed by the United States.” — Rep. Jim Himes ([06:34]) “What I saw... was one of the most troubling things I’ve seen in my time in public service.” — Rep. Jim Himes ([06:47])

• Public Outcry:
  • Demonstrators in Washington and globally protest US actions and warn of escalating violence:

    “I'm just shocked by what our government is threatening in Latin America, what it's already doing in terms of blowing up these boats without any kind of due process..." — Medea Benjamin, Code Pink ([07:06])

  • Venezuelan President Maduro forcefully responds:

    “Venezuela hasn't been, isn't and will never be a threat to the United States of America.” ([07:31])

• US Position:
  • Secretary Pete Hegseth:

    “If you're working for a designated terrorist organization and you bring drugs to this country in a boat, we will find you and we will sink you.” ([07:47])

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Ukraine Endures More Attacks; Peace Talks Continue

[08:13 – 11:05]

• Main Focus:
  Ongoing Russian bombardments affect Ukraine, even as new peace initiatives are underway.

Key Discussion Points

• Recent Developments:
  • Heavy Russian drone and missile attacks hit civilian infrastructure and energy facilities.
  • Ukraine’s resilience praised by President Zelenskyy:

    “Few countries could stand such enemy attacks... Vile assaults at Ukraine have repelled every day and every night.” ([08:50])

• Efforts for Peace:
  • US officials claim progress in brokering a deal, with ongoing talks in Florida including Trump associates.
  • Marcus Kolga, Macdonald Laurier Institute, expresses skepticism:

    “It appears… that they are there representing the interests of Donald Trump and his family rather than the interests of the United States.” ([10:32])

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Commemoration of the École Polytechnique Massacre

[11:30 – 12:23]

• Summary:
  36th anniversary of the 1989 femicide at Montreal’s École Polytechnique is marked with national remembrance events, stricter gun law calls, and ceremonies nationwide.

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BC Mill Closures: Deepening Forestry Crisis

[12:23 – 15:05]

• Main Focus:
  Multiple mill closures on Vancouver Island and beyond, blamed on low pulp prices and escalating US-Canada trade tensions.

Key Discussion Points

• Economic Impact:
  • Recent closure of Crofton mill means loss of 350 jobs; ripple effects across the forestry ecosystem.
  • Mounting US tariffs (now up to 45%) a major factor:

    “Lumber in these kind of times tends to be a low margin business and these kind of tariffs push us well below... costs." — Harry Nelson, UBC forestry expert ([13:54])

• Policy & Support Measures:
  • BC and Ottawa pledging new financial support (e.g., $500 million in loans) — experts doubt it’s enough:

    “It’ll maybe help a few firms... but it's kind of, in some cases, delays the pain.” ([14:30])

  • Plans to expand export markets and calls for a tougher stance on trade barriers.

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Train-Wildlife Collisions in BC: Counting the Toll

[15:05 – 18:15]

• Main Focus:
  New data highlight hundreds of collisions annually between trains and wildlife, including grizzlies and moose.

Key Discussion Points

• Transparency & Data:
  • From 2020-23, CN reported 340 wildlife collisions; similar story at Canadian Pacific Kansas City.
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Calls for trains to slow in high-risk zones and for warning systems:

    “St. Clair also worked on a warning device... Large animals left the tracks six seconds earlier, but they aren’t being used.” ([17:27])

  • Rail companies cite ongoing evaluation but offer limited answers.

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Germany's Christmas Markets: Security Tightened

[18:15 – 21:25]

• Main Focus:
  Germany increases security at its 3,000 Christmas markets after recent deadly attacks.

Key Discussion Points

• New Measures:
  • Barriers, police, video surveillance, anti-drone tech implemented — Munich increases security spending by 160%:

    “The security measures are now the most important cost factor after there have been several assaults by car.” — Benedikt Brandmaier, Munich tourism ([20:23])

• Community Reactions:
  • Vendors and tourists more alert, but not deterred:

    “It does not take away from the charm at all.” — Ryan Ostrokopf, Calgary ([21:09])

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Newfoundland’s Derelict Ferry to be Removed

[21:55 – 24:53]

• Main Focus:
  Springdale residents celebrate planned removal of the rusting Earl W. Windsor ferry, which polluted the harbour for years.

Key Discussion Points

• Community Concerns:
  • Residents call the vessel a “disgrace” and “ecological disaster”; local government steps in after environmental incidents and owner non-compliance.

    “You’re really putting a blemish on our town by the condition of the waterfront.” — Nadine Evans ([23:42])

• Government Response:
  • Coast Guard takes possession, will scrap the vessel, and expects to recoup costs under polluter-pay provisions.

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Michael Bublé Performs at the Vatican

[25:24 – 26:40]

• Highlight:
  Canadian singer Michael Bublé sings at the Vatican’s annual “Concert with the Poor.”

Notable Moments

• Personal Reflection:

  “I’m really lucky... it’s always good to have your center there and to put your faith in there." — Michael Bublé ([25:39]) “This is really the greatest moment of my life in my career right now.” ([25:57])

• Audience Engagement:
  • Encourages audience participation:

    “This is our moment. So feel free... if you’re even close, it will mean so much to me. Are you ready?” ([26:06])

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Indigenous repatriation:

  “It’s such an honor to welcome back our artifacts, to welcome back our relatives.” — Juanita Taylor ([00:42])

• On Ukraine peace talks:

  “Don’t go into butcher shop halfway when the sausage is being made and complain that you don’t like the looks of the sausage.” — U.S. Ambassador to NATO ([10:09])

• On community pride:

  “It needs to go. It should have been gotten years ago.” — Mike Krich, Springdale ([22:14])

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For those who haven’t listened:

This episode offers a thoughtful breakdown of contemporary Canadian and global challenges, interwoven with community voices and expert analysis. It’s a balanced snapshot of issues ranging from Indigenous rights and economic hardship to public safety and international conflict, wrapped up with a touch of seasonal culture.

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Transcript

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[Reporter/Correspondent]

This is a CBC podcast.

[Juanita Taylor]

It's such an honor to welcome back.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Our artifacts, to welcome back our relatives.

[Juanita Taylor]

As they make their long journey back home.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

62 cultural items belonging to First Nations, Inuit and Metis are one step closer to returning home. The those objects held by the Vatican for a century have landed in Montreal. This is YOUR WORLD tonight. I'm Stephanie Skenderas, also on the podcast. Demonstrators gather outside the White House and in cities around the world in protest of the US Military's buildup near Venezuela.

[Juanita Taylor]

And you're really putting a blemish on our town.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

A small Newfoundland town says bon voyage to a derelict ferry that has been looming over the waterfront for years.

A welcome a century in the making. On the tarmac at Montreal's Trudeau International Airport, dozens of cultural objects belonging to First Nations, Inuit and Metis arriving after being sent by the Vatican. The 62 items are among thousands of objects sent to Rome by missionaries in the 1920s and are back in Canada after years of negotiations with the Catholic Church. But many more items remain far from their ancestral homes. Juanita Taylor joins us with more. Juanita, what was the mood today?

[Juanita Taylor]

Well, Stephanie, it's fair to say Indigenous leaders and people from their communities who were present in that room today expressed a sense of relief, happiness and even gratitude, I would say, you know, years of efforts to repatriate to the items were successful. We saw that today negotiating with the Vatican and the Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops after a complicated history they have with indigenous people, you know, who have endured unfair treatment at a time when colonization changed their way of life. Now, Dwayne Smith, he led the negotiations with the Vatican and the cccb. He's the CEO and chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and he traveled with the items from Rome back to Canada today. Have a listen to what he said at the press conference.

[Interviewee/Expert]

Yes, this is a significant shift. The Vatican has demonstrated globally to many others that have Indigenous artifacts. We have expressed to the Canadian government that we want their support to continue to pursue the repatriation of Indigenous artifacts, wherever they may be.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

So what's next for these items?

[Juanita Taylor]

Well, the cultural items have been transported to Gatineau to the Museum of history. Altogether, five crates carrying 62 cultural objects. We know that next week the Inuva Ellewood Regional Corporation and Inuit Tabari Kanatami will be unveiling 14 objects of Inuit origin. And we also know that the assembly of first nations is choosing to unveil their items in January. But, Stephanie, what we don't know is what exactly is in these crates other than the Inuvialuit kayak. We also don't know yet the final destination of all these 62 items. Now, indigenous leaders today spoke about the need for proper facilities to put these and other items in, calling on partnerships with various governments to work with them in making that a reality someday.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

And this isn't even it, right? There are still many more items still in the Vatican's possession. What's next in this story?

[Juanita Taylor]

Yeah, that's right, Stephanie. And we don't know exactly how many pieces are still at the Vatican that belong to indigenous peoples in Canada. And today, all the national leaders at this press conference, they say they are going to continue working to repatriate more of their cultural objects, you know, that are not only in the Vatican's possession, but also with other museums around the world. Now, details aren't clear yet where in the world these other objects are stored. We don't know when those negotiations will happen. But, Stephanie, the efforts in securing these 62 pieces today, well, that shows that, you know, it can be done for sure.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Juanita, thank you so much.

[Juanita Taylor]

You're welcome.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

The CBC's Juanita Taylor. In Montreal, U.S. defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is defending his country's bombings of boats in the Caribbean Sea. Hegseth is facing growing scrutiny over those attacks which have killed more than 80 people since September. But while the White House continues to dismiss critics of the airstrikes, protesters in Washington and other cities are voicing their outrage. Chris Reyes reports.

[Juanita Taylor]

Not a penny, not a dollar.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

We won't pay for war and slaughter.

[Medea Benjamin]

In Washington, D.C. demonstrators held signs in front of the White House to take a stand in the escalating conflict between the US And Venezuela. One banner reads, hands off Venezuela. No to US Intervention. Endless war.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Shut it down.

[Medea Benjamin]

The protest comes as US Strikes and suspected drug boats in the Caribbean reached new levels of scrutiny earlier this week. Lawmakers were shown classified video of one of those strikes in a closed door congressional briefing. One that questioned Admiral Frank Bradley against allegations that he was told to kill everyone aboard the boats. About the video he watched, Democratic Representative Jim Himes said this.

[Interviewee/Expert]

You have two individuals in clear distress without any means of locomotion with a.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Destroyed vessel who are killed by the United States.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

What I saw in that room was.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

One of the most troubling things I've seen in my time in public service.

[Medea Benjamin]

In Washington, demonstrators expressed their anger at the Trump administration and demanded an end to US Actions against Venezuela. Medea Benjamin is a co founder of the anti war group Code Pink. I'm just shocked by what our government.

[Blue Apron Advertiser]

Is threatening in Latin America, what it's.

[Medea Benjamin]

Already doing in terms of blowing up these boats without any kind of due process, saying they're drug smugglers, but we have no idea. And even if they are, they should be in prison and not at the.

[Tanya Fletcher]

Bottom of the ocean.

[Medea Benjamin]

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro clapping back again this week at a public event, he said.

Venezuela hasn't been, isn't and will never be a threat to the United States of America. In California, embattled US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended President Trump's hardline foreign policy while speaking at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

[Interviewee/Expert]

If you're working for a designated terrorist organization and you bring bring drugs to.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

This country in a boat, we will.

[Natalie Carney]

Find you and we will sink you.

[Interviewee/Expert]

We're fired up, won't take it no more.

[Medea Benjamin]

Some Americans, including those at this protest, anxious about what that means as the possibility of more strikes on Venezuela looms. Trump has said that a land attack could be next. Chris Reyes, CBC News, New York.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

People across Ukraine started the weekend under another heavy Russian bombardment. Drones and missiles hit areas across the country overnight. Ukraine says the strikes targeted civilian energy facilities, but American officials say progress is being made toward ending the Russian invasion. Philip Ly Shanock has the latest.

[Interviewee/Expert]

President Volodymyr Zelensky rallied the troops on this day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, meeting with families of fallen soldiers and shaking hands with men and women defending the nation.

Few countries could stand such enemy attacks, he said. Vile assaults at Ukraine have repelled every day and every night.

Later, Zelenskyy visited wounded soldiers in a hospital in Kyiv, thanking them for their service.

Overnight, Russia launched almost 700 drones and dozens of missiles in a large scale attack on Ukraine's infrastructure. Ukraine's energy minister said facilities in eight regions were struck, causing blackouts. International observers say the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant temporarily lost external power overnight for the 11th time during this war. A railway hub near Kyiv was also severely damaged. Smoke billowed from the shattered station buildings. The state railway company said no one was injured. Olena Komyk's home is near a warehouse destroyed in the attack.

Mr. Trump needs to hear that he's being deceived, she says. You can't bargain with Russia. In Doha, Qatar, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker tells a forum that a U.S. brokered peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is achievable.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

We're closer than we've ever been to peace.

[Interviewee/Expert]

He also took on critics who say the 28 point framework the US presented is a Russian wish list of demands.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Don't go into butcher shop halfway when the sausage is being made and complain that you don't like the looks of the sausage.

[Interviewee/Expert]

In Florida, peace talks continue for a third day with US Special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son in law, Jared Kushner. Marcus Kolga is a senior fellow at the macdonald Laurier Institute. He says he's doubtful the talks will lead anywhere.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

It appears again with Witkoff and Kushner being there, that it is. They are there representing the interests of Donald Trump and his family rather than the interests of the United States, he says.

[Interviewee/Expert]

As the war approaches its fourth anniversary, with Russian forces making gains on the battlefield, Russian President Vladimir Putin is under no pressure to make concessions and will once again let talks drag on with no deal in sight. Philip Li Chenho, CBC News, Toronto.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Still ahead, mulled wine, roasting chestnuts, and more police. Germany implements mandatory security measures at its famed Christmas markets. You'll go to one to see what impact they're having. Coming up on youn World tonight.

In montreal.

Mourners lay bouquets of white roses at a plaque outside Lecole Polytechnique. 36 years ago today, a gunman killed 14 women at the school in an anti feminist attack. The shooting led to stricter gun laws in Canada and the designation of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Events were held across the country to mark the anniversary, including a ceremony on Mount Royal where 15 beams of light were lit to commemorate the women killed that day and all victims of femicide. In British Columbia, another mill is closing because of the U.S. canada trade war. Multiple mills have curtailed operations in recent months, hampering one of the province's key industries. Tanya Fletcher now on the B.C. government's efforts to save its struggling forestry sector.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Devastating news. Gut punching news.

[Tanya Fletcher]

B.C. forest Minister Ravi Parmar reacts to another mill shuttering operations this latest Closure, a fixture on Vancouver island since the 1950s, leaves 350 employees without a job. Domtar says pulp operations at its mill in Crofton, about 70km north of Victoria, have been struggling for a while. The company blames poor pricing for pulp and lack of access to a affordable fiber. Parmer says it reflects the struggling B.C. forestry sector as a whole.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Deeply concerned. Anytime that a pulp mill goes down, it's not just the direct jobs, the 350 direct jobs, but it's the indirect impact. Forestry is an ecosystem and pulp mills are a big factor in that.

[Tanya Fletcher]

It's the latest in a series of cuts and closures at mills and forestry companies around bc. Last month, West Fraser Timber announced it would shutter its mill in 100 Mile House. It cited a shrinking timber supply and mounting U.S. tariffs. Mayor Maureen Pinckney to have a mill.

[Blue Apron Advertiser]

Permanently closed rather out of the blue, we were not really given any heads up is very shocking. So to grow up here being a lumber town and to have, you know.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

The whole hub of activity in our.

[Blue Apron Advertiser]

Community gone, that is very devastating.

[Tanya Fletcher]

U.S. tariffs and duties on Canadian softwood rose to 45% in October, a devastating blow to an industry already, says UBC forestry expert Harry Nelson, we've never really.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Experienced anything quite this drastic. Lumber in these kind of times tends to be a low margin business and these kind of tariffs push us well below the ability of producers to kind of COVID their costs. So it's a fairly grim situation.

[Tanya Fletcher]

The wave of closures prompted a forestry summit in Vancouver a few weeks ago. Provincial and federal politicians created a working group to figure out how best to support BC's forestry sector. Ottawa has since committed more financial financial support, including $500 million in new funding for loans. Nelson says it might only amount to a drop in the bucket.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

You don't want to turn your nose up at any kind of money you can get, but I sort of expect that it'll maybe help a few firms kind of hang on for a while, but it's kind of, in some cases delays the pain. But it's not going to make it go away.

[Tanya Fletcher]

The B.C. government is also opening a forest trade office in the UK to try to boost exports to Europe. Still, the opposition BC conservatives say there's more the province can do. Speed up permits, rebuild the workforce through skills training and take, quote, a real stand on trade barriers and foreign tariffs. Tanya Fletcher, CBC News, Vancouver.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

B.C. conservation officers have called off their search for a bear that attacked a school group in Bella Coola. In total, eight grizzlies have been captured in the search, But DNA analysis determined those bears are not linked to the November attack, which sent three children and one adult to hospital. Meanwhile, grizzlies, moose and other wildlife are among the hundreds of animals struck and sometimes killed by trains in B.C. in recent years. An investigation by CBC News in the Narwhal is shedding light on collisions between trains and wildlife. CBC's Jackie McKay looks at the efforts to lower that number.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

There's a problem out there, there's a problem on our railways, and people have to know that this is happening.

[Blue Apron Advertiser]

Retired locomotive engineer Jim Atkinson has been trying to raise the alarm for years. The former CN employee did everything he could to not hit animals, but sometimes it was unavoidable.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

It's not a very good feeling to run over an animal with a train.

[Blue Apron Advertiser]

The exact number of animals hit by trains each year is hard to know, but journalists at the Narwhal filed a Freedom of Information request to the B.C. government and shared the responses with CBC News Data shows CN Railway reported 340 collision incidents with wildlife such as elk, deer and bears from 2020 to 2023. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway Company's data shows 182 animals in the Kootenays were hit on its rails between 2022 and.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

2023 just feels like an unacceptable number.

[Blue Apron Advertiser]

Wildlife scientist Clayton Lamb stands under a rail bridge where he found a grizzly bear and three cubs killed by a passing train. Lamb has been tracking animals using wildlife collars in the Elk valley of southeastern B.C. for more than a decade.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

There's costs of having people on the landscape and doing things to wildlife, but I think it feels better when everybody's trying to make it better for wildlife.

[Blue Apron Advertiser]

There are things that can help. Biologist Colleen Sinclair has studied the problem around Banff. She says the best thing trains could do is slow down places where they.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Know that collisions are more likely, probably.

[Tanya Fletcher]

To reduce train speed.

[Blue Apron Advertiser]

St. Clair also worked on a warning device that flashes lights and beeps to let animals know a train is coming. It found that large animals left the tracks six seconds earlier, but they aren't being used. The railway companies did not answer a number of our questions, but in a statement, CPKC says it prioritizes practical mitigation strategies. CN says the company is actively evaluating a range of detection devices. Jackie McKay, CBC News, Elk Valley, BC.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Germany's festive Christmas markets draw in millions of visitors each year. This year, along with old favorites like gingerbread and bratwurst, there's something new security barriers and concrete blocks. Freelance reporter Natalie Carney explains.

[Natalie Carney]

It could be argued that no one brings on the Christmas spirit better than the Germans. Every year, the warmth of mulled Wine, roasting chestnuts and festive lights at one of the country's more than 3,000 festive Christmas markets helps soften the bite of arriving winter. These centuries old seasonal traditions date back to the Middle Ages when people would buy supplies at local winter markets for the long cold months ahead. However, after a series of attacks on Christmas markets across Europe in recent years, new traditions are emerging. Increased security measures to avoid a repeat of past horrific events.

Mariam Reichmeyer, who has been selling locally handmade lace ornaments at Munich's Kriskindlmart for years, says after an SUV was driven into the crowds at a Christmas market in the central German city of Magdeburg last year, killing six and injuring over 330 people, she was hesitant about returning.

[Juanita Taylor]

I was doubting a little bit to work it to work here you see a lot of police officers, securities over here.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

It brings out the joy of everything.

[Natalie Carney]

American tourists, Brandon and Lauren Knapp admit they're more alert too.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Well, yeah, everybody's more aware of what's going on, but they're still enjoying their life and participating. Just be smart and be smart. Be cautious of what you're doing.

[Natalie Carney]

All across the country, municipalities and market organizers have implemented mandatory preventative measures on Christmas markets, which pull in roughly 85 million visitors annually.

[Interviewee/Expert]

December is one of the strongest tourist month in munich, with about 1.7 million.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Overnight stays from all over the world.

[Natalie Carney]

Benedikt Brandmaier is the head of tourism for the city of Munich, which has announced a spending increase of 160% to keep all its visitors safe.

[Interviewee/Expert]

The security measures are now the most important cost factor after there have been several assaults by car. This, this is one of the main measures we have newly implemented this year, is that all the roads are controlled and secured in a way that no car can enter when the Christmas market is running. Additional to all other high standard security measures we have kept for years now.

[Natalie Carney]

The city is also staffing those vehicle barriers, increasing police and security presence and adding video surveillance across Munich's roughly 35 Christmas markets. Some cities have also introduced anti drone measures after repeated airspace breaches in Europe. While many appreciate these new safety measures, they won't let fear dampen the festive spirit such as Calgary's Ryan Ostrokopf.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

I have seen the police presence here, but it's not something that I'm concerned about. It does not take away from the charm at all.

[Natalie Carney]

Japanese tourist Satsiko Ito agrees.

[Juanita Taylor]

It seems very safe, very.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Seems to be enjoying and looks happy.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

And I am too.

[Natalie Carney]

Local authorities say these security measures qualify as counter terrorism efforts and are Therefore urging Germany's 16 federal states to share the financial burden. Natalie Carney for CBC News in Munich.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

It is old, rusty and potentially hazardous. Residents of a small Newfoundland town say an out of commission ferry has been a blight on their waterfront for years and they want it gone. Now. The federal government is getting involved. Terry Roberts reports from Springdale.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

It's shameful. I mean, it's a disgrace to the community. Mike Krich says residents of Springdale will celebrate when the captain Earl W. Windsor is finally towed out of the harbour. It needs to go. It should have been gotten years ago. The Canadian Coast Guard is taking possession of the Earl Windsor, which has been slowly rusting at a private dock in this picturesque coastal town of roughly 3,000 residents. The plan is to hire a contractor to take it away, cut it into pieces and dispose of what residents like Kevin Quinlan describe as an eyesore and an embarrassment to the town. What we're looking at behind me is an ecological disaster. The Earl Windsor is 75 meters long, 1600 gross tons. White paint is flaking off its steel hull, which was built more than 50 years ago. It's tied to a crowded private wharf in Springdale and twice prompted an environmental response from the Coast Guard last year when it started taking on water. Thousands of liters of pollutants were pumped from the ship as it was stabilized, all at taxpayers expense. The Coast Guard says owner George Yates has failed to comply with orders to address the risks of pollution. So the government is using the authority granted under the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels act to take possession of the Earl Windsor and have it scrapped. It will cost millions of dollars and take months to complete, but residents like Nadine Evans says it's about time.

[Juanita Taylor]

You're really putting a blemish on our town by the condition of the waterfront.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Yates refused to do a recorded interview, but says he's taking legal action to protect his property. He says the vessel is not abandoned, is tethered securely to the dock, is empty of all hydrocarbons and can be made seaworthy in about a month if the right buyer comes along. The Earl Windsor was once part of the province's ferry fleet before it was retired in 2016. Yates bought it from the government and towed it to Springdale seven years ago. It dominates the town's waterfront and has become a source of irritation for residents, says Quinlan.

[Interviewee/Expert]

Why does he insist on carrying on.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

What I would call environmental pollution? In the town of Springdale, Companies have until December 16 to bid on the contract to dispose of the Earl Windsor. The Coast Guard will oversee and pay for the work. But once the disposal is complete, the Coast Guard says Yates will be expected to reimburse the government under what's known as the polluter pay system. Terry Roberts, CBC News, Springdale, Newfoundland and Labrador.

[Interviewee/Expert]

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

At the beginning of this show, you heard about the cultural objects being returned to indigenous communities in this country from the Vatican. Also today, one of our country's best known performers went there. Michael Buble sang at the Vatican's concert with the poor.

Around 3,000 people who are assisting, hosted by the Vatican and Catholic Charities in Rome, are the primary guests at the annual event, which was live streamed by Vatican Media. Buble spoke ahead of the show about his Catholic faith and upbringing.

[Interviewee/Expert]

I'm really lucky, especially in a business that's as volatile as my business, and it's based so much on ego. I think it's always good to have your center there and to put your faith in there.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

The on stage experience, clearly a moving one.

[Interviewee/Expert]

This is really the greatest moment of my life in my career right now.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Buble asked the crowd to sing along.

[Interviewee/Expert]

This is our moment. This is our moment. So feel free. You don't have to sing the right letters or the right words, but if you're even close, it will mean so much to me. Are you ready?

I.

It's for the way you look at me.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

And ended with one of his signature takes on a classic ballad. Here's more of Michael Buble singing Always On My Mind at the Vatican. On youn World Tonight. I'm Stephanie Scandaris. Thanks for listening.

[Interviewee/Expert]

Cause you were always on my mind.

Were always on my mind.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

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