Iranian protests intensify, flu numbers, women’s Olympic hockey team and more

Summary

Your World Tonight – Episode Summary

Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Stephanie Skenderis (CBC)
Main Topics: Iranian protests, flu season in Canada, Minneapolis ICE shooting, Canada-China trade, women’s Olympic hockey team, latest in robot tech, Ruth Jones McVeigh’s legacy

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Episode Overview

This edition of "Your World Tonight" with Stephanie Skenderis offers a wide-ranging evening news wrap, focusing on intensifying Iranian protests and blackouts, the impact on Canada’s Iranian diaspora, public health updates on the flu, a divisive police shooting in the US, challenges in Canada-China trade relations, the unveiling of the Canadian women’s Olympic hockey team, a look at humanoid robots from the Consumer Electronics Show, and finally, the legacy of folk festival founder Ruth Jones McVeigh.

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Key Segments and Insights

1. Iranian Protests Escalate Amid Blackout

[00:50 – 08:10]

• Massive Unrest and Blackouts:
  Iranian authorities have cut phone and internet access as nationwide protests grow, rooted in a worsening currency crisis and inflation. Calls for regime change have reached new intensity, with Ayatollah Khamenei dismissing protesters as "mercenaries for foreigners."
• International Attention and US Threats:
  US President Donald Trump warns of intervention should violence escalate:

  "If they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved. We'll be hitting them very hard where it hurts." – President Trump ([03:21])

• Rising Death Toll:
  Amnesty International cites dozens killed, with fears of an even harsher crackdown.
• Protesters’ Resolve:

  "What is different this time is that people are no longer deterred by these horrific patterns of gunfire. Despite the deadly crackdown, we have seen the protests growing in size day after day." – Raha Bahraini, Amnesty International ([04:14])

• Canada's Iranian Community:
  With communications cut, Canadian Iranians are anxious and frustrated, recalling previous deadly blackouts (e.g., "Bloody November" 2019).

  "The last time that happened in Iran was...November 2019...within three days, the government after blackout killed at least 1500 people." – Ziba Meshkouri ([06:09])

• Calls for Canadian Action:

  "We should ensure that we're not a safe haven for those that engage in serious human rights abuses." – Kaveh Sharouz, McDonnell Laurier Institute ([07:42])

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2. Global Updates: Syria, Ukraine

[08:10 – 09:17]

• Syria: A fragile ceasefire between Syrian government and Kurdish forces in Aleppo has failed; renewed fighting expected.
• Ukraine: Canada condemns Russia’s repeated use of hypersonic missiles, calling it an "escalation." Debris found near Lviv.

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3. Health: Canada’s Flu Season

[09:46 – 12:32]

• Mixed National Picture:
  Recent Public Health Agency data shows flu positivity rates falling nationally (27% now vs. 33% last month), but with regional variability—BC, Alberta, and Quebec seeing widespread cases.
• Hospitals Facing Strain:

  "Our hospital is full... we're now feeling the impact of a lot of our admissions that resulted from influenza A." – Dr. Kevin Wasco, North York General ([10:16])

• More Intense Illness:

  "They had more symptoms, higher fevers, more intense coughing than what they had previously experienced in past years." – Dr. Laura Sang, Quebec ([11:23])

• Dominant Strain (Influenza A): Not causing more severe illness, but elderly still at high risk for hospitalization.
• Expert Insight:

  "We might see another rise as a result of people coming together during the holiday season." – Trevor Charles, wastewater researcher ([12:13])

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4. US: Minneapolis ICE Shooting Sparks Outrage

[12:32 – 16:13]

• Incident Recap:
  Protests erupt in Minneapolis after an ICE agent fatally shoots Renee Nicole Goode. New bodycam footage intensifies public debate.
• Community Response:

  "Anytime you introduce a militarized force, it ups the tension. And I don't think what we need right now is more people in tactical gear with weapons." – Stacia Goodman, protester ([13:42])

• Investigation Demands:

  "If you've got nothing to hide from, then don't hide from it. Include local experts in the process." – Mayor Jacob Fry ([14:37]) "You need a fair third party review, a party to oversee and ensure that everything is looked at appropriately." – Christopher Darcy, police practices consultant ([15:32])

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5. Canada-China Trade Tensions

[16:13 – 19:04]

• Prime Minister’s Planned Trip to China:
  Mark Carney aims to ease punitive tariffs on Canadian exports (canola, pork, seafood), imposed after Canada joined the US in restricting Chinese EVs.
• Industry Perspectives:

  "What we're looking for is to have the market reopened again." – Chris Davison, Canola Council of Canada ([16:34]) "In the last few years, the Chinese strategy has been to flood the world's Western markets with product made in China." – Flavio Volpe, Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association ([17:36]) "We can't back down, simple as that. They want to come and open a big manufacturing facility and employ uniform employees. Well, let's talk, but don't be shipping cars in not manufactured by Ontarians." – Premier Doug Ford ([18:02])

• Goal: Diversify Canadian trade and reduce reliance on US markets.

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6. National Women’s Olympic Hockey Team Named

[20:40 – 23:20]

• 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics Roster Announced:
  Hockey Canada unveils a team with veteran stars like Natalie Spooner, Marie-Philip Poulin, and Blair Turnbull.

  "When I reflect on the last quad...I am filled with nothing but excitement and confidence about what our team is capable of." – Blair Turnbull ([21:34])

• Underdog Status:
  Despite defending Olympic gold, Canada is seen as an underdog, having lost four recent games to the US.

  "I personally love being an underdog. I love having to fight and having to battle and compete as an underdog." – Blair Turnbull ([22:05])

• Changing Landscape:
  Creation of the PWHL (Professional Women’s Hockey League) gives players more competitive games but less time together as a national team.

  "It's completely different and obviously it's much similar to what the men's group will go through." – Coach Troy Ryan ([22:41])

• Olympic Venue Concerns: Hockey arena in Milan still unfinished, being test-run via domestic championships.

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7. Consumer Electronics Show: Rise of Humanoid Robots

[23:20 – 25:51]

• Robots Go Mainstream?
  CES 2026 featured many “humanoid” robots—factory helpers, coffee servers, even blackjack dealers.
• Industry Hype vs. Reality:

  "It's an exciting time. It's part of the fourth Industrial Revolution that's playing on." – Dan Ives, Wedbush Securities ([24:10]) "There's still a lot of work to do. There is so much that we still do not understand." – Prof. Marie Charbonneau, University of Calgary ([24:48])

• Home Use Still Distant:
  Robots are expensive ($50,000–$150,000), slow (30 sec to fold one towel), and not ready for unpredictable home environments.

  "It has to do it better than we can do it now...relatively inexpensively, and...it can't be a hassle to use right now." – Tech analyst Carmi Levy ([25:27])

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8. Ruth Jones McVeigh: Folk Festival Founder’s Legacy

[26:07 – 28:17]

• Obituary:
  Ruth Jones McVeigh, founder of the Mariposa Folk Festival, dies at 99.

  "A lot of the stuff that's happening politically and sociologically in the world will be translated into folk music, because that's what it is." – Ruth Jones McVeigh ([27:30])

• Impact:
  Mariposa Folk Festival became a key stage for Canadian artists like Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, and Leonard Cohen. McVeigh helped steer the festival through tough times, keeping its focus on music, workshops, and community.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• US President Trump:

  "We will get involved. We'll be hitting them very hard where it hurts..." ([03:21])

• Raha Bahraini, Amnesty:

  "...people are no longer deterred by these horrific patterns of gunfire..." ([04:14])

• Ziba Meshkouri, Iranian-Canadian:

  "...within three days, the government after blackout killed at least 1500 people." ([06:09])

• Blair Turnbull, Team Canada Hockey:

  "I personally love being an underdog..." ([22:05])

• Tech Analyst Carmi Levy:

  "It has to do it better than we can do it now...relatively inexpensively, and...it can't be a hassle to use right now." ([25:27])

• Ruth Jones McVeigh (on folk music):

  "A lot of the stuff that's happening politically and sociologically...will be translated into folk music, because that's what it is." ([27:30])

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Iranian Protests: 00:50–08:10
• Syria/Ukraine Updates: 08:10–09:17
• Flu Season Report: 09:46–12:32
• Minneapolis ICE Shooting: 12:32–16:13
• Canada-China Trade Tensions: 16:13–19:04
• Women’s Olympic Hockey Team: 20:40–23:20
• CES Humanoid Robots: 23:20–25:51
• Ruth Jones McVeigh Tribute: 26:07–28:17

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Tone & Style

The episode maintains a calm, authoritative news style, focused on real people’s voices and expertise, while still delivering concise, accessible reporting on the day’s top stories.

Transcript

[A]

Not every sale happens at the register. Before AT&T business Wireless, checking out customers on our mobile POS systems took too long.

[B]

Basically a staring contest where everyone loses. It's crazy what people will say during an awkward silence.

[A]

Now transactions are done before the silence takes hold. That means I can focus on the task at hand and make an extra sale or two. Sometimes I do miss the bonding time. Sometimes.

[C]

AT&T business Wireless connecting changes everything. This is a CBC podcast. They've done a bad job. They've treated their people very badly and now they're being paid back. So they start killing people like they have in the past. We will get involved. We'll be hitting them very hard where it hurts.

[A]

With US President Donald Trump and the rest of the world watching closely, Iran is facing yet another night of massive protests under intense pressure from Iranians fed up with a currency crisis, crippling inflation and now calling for regime change. But Iran's leaders are digging in, and a crackdown may already be happening. This is the regime has to go for everybody, not only for Iranian, but for the Middle Eastern and Middle Eastern countries and for the peace for the region and all the world. Many in Canada's Iranian community have long called for change, but that hope is mixed with frustration and fear. With communications cut, following developments from afar isn't easy. This is YOUR WORLD Tonight. I'm Stephanie skenderas. It's Friday, January 9th. Coming up on 6pm Eastern, we have full coverage of the events taking place in Iran. We begin with senior international correspondent Margaret Evans. Many in Canada's Iranian community have long called for change, but that hope is mixed with frustration and fear. With communications cut, following developments from afar isn't easy. This is YOUR WORLD Tonight. I'm Stephanie Skenderas. We have full coverage of the events taking place in Iran. We begin with senior international correspondent Margaret Evans.

[D]

Glimpses of what's happening on the ground in Iran finding their way out after authorities cut phone and Internet services last night. This video was uploaded on social media today showing more nighttime demonstrations in Tehran. What began as an economic protest in the capital nearly two weeks ago has spread right across the country, putting extreme pressure on Iran's ruling clerics. Earlier, the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, dismissed protesters as mercenaries for foreigners. He also dismissed US President Donald Trump and his threats of intervention. Let him run his own country if he can, he said. There are all kinds of incidents going on there. But at a press conference in Washington, Trump repeated his warnings.

[C]

If they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved. We'll be hitting them very hard where it hurts. And that doesn't mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts. So.

[D]

Dozens of protesters have already been killed by Iranian security forces, according to Amnesty International. The fear now that an even bigger crackdown is already underway. The sound of heavy gunfire cuts through these images, along with frightened voices. Another video that made it onto social media today.

[A]

Based on the track record of the Iranian authorities, we are extremely concerned that the authorities will carry out another wave of protest bloodshed.

[D]

Raha Bahraini, Amnesty's Iran researcher here in London has tracked past protests.

[A]

What is different this time is that people are no longer deterred by these horrific patterns of gunfire. Despite the deadly crackdown, we have seen the protests growing in size day after day.

[D]

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the late Shah of Iran, deposed by the Iranian Revolution in 1979, released another video urging demonstrators in Iran to keep coming out. I know that you will not abandon the streets, he's saying. Be assured that victory is yours. But that is by no means a certainty yet. And while there is unity in the desire of many protesters to see the demise of the Islamic State, the path towards it remains unclear. Margaret Evans, CBC News, London.

[A]

That communications blackout imposed by the Iranian regime is making it difficult for information to flow out of the country. And that's especially hard for people with close ties. Sarah Levitt speaks with people in Canada's Iranian community who are doing their best to stay connected.

[E]

Standing atop Citadel Hill in Halifax, a group gathers for the second day in a row holding up Iranian and Canadian flags calling for regime change. Ziba Mashkuri was there.

[A]

I hope that we gain from this gathering in is to make awareness to the Canadian people here to listen carefully what we are saying. The existence of Islamic Republic is not only bad for people of Iran and Middle east in general.

[E]

Meshkouri came to Canada five years ago. She says she's worried about the complete communications blackout, scared history will repeat itself.

[A]

The last time that happened in Iran was was in November 2019, which is now famous as Bloody November. Within three days, the government after blackout killed at least 1500 people.

[E]

Yesterday marked the sixth anniversary of Iran shooting down a Ukraine International airlines flight. All 176 people on board were killed, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents.

[C]

Democracy for Iran. Democracy for Iran.

[E]

In London, Ontario, a commemoration became a protest about what's happening now.

[A]

We are here just to raise their.

[E]

Voice Beside Zardosh organized the gathering.

[A]

This is the regime has to go for everybody, not only for Iranian, but for the Middle Eastern and Middle Eastern countries and for the peace for the region and all the world.

[E]

In Toronto, Kaveh Sharouz checks on news from Iran. He's a senior fellow at the McDonnell Laurier Institute and says cutting off all communication is the regime's way of preventing citizens from mobiliz.

[C]

But also it's a way for them to hide their crimes. Videos don't get out of the brutality that they're unleashing. I had been in touch with my family and friends prior to yesterday, but I know that they're participating and I worry about them because the small amounts of news that is trickling out seems to suggest that some real violence and real brutality has been unleashed.

[E]

Sharouz says Canada has a role to play in all this, beyond maintaining Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism.

[C]

A lot of Iranian regime officials have come to Canada over the years. Some of them live here or have their families here. We should ensure that those people are identified and asked to leave. So we ought to ensure that we're not a safe haven for those that engage in serious human rights abuses.

[E]

Many already out protesting in Canada say they'll continue to do so to show solidarity with friends and loved ones in Iran. Sara Levitz, CBC News, Montreal.

[A]

Syrian officials say a ceasefire with a Kurdish group in Aleppo has failed and the army is prepared to retake parts of the city held by the Kurdish forces. Syria's government had announced the ceasefire this morning that was to allow the safe passage for those wanting to leave. The two groups have struggled to implement a deal to merge the Kurdish group into Syria's new government. Prime Minister Mark Carney is condemning Russia's use of a hypersonic missile in Ukraine. This is the second time Russia has fired the Oreshnik missile during the war. It reportedly flies at 10 times the speed of sound. Ukraine says debris from the missile was found in the Lviv area in the west of the country. In a statement, Carney calls it a clear and dangerous escalation. Coming right up. A lot of Canadians were sick over the holidays. New numbers are giving us a better look at flu season. And there's new footage of the deadly Minneapolis shooting recorded by the ICE agent who pulled the trigger. Later, we'll have this story.

[B]

Getting a robot to fold your laundry is no longer a dream.

[A]

Hello, everyone.

[B]

How can I assist you today? And tech companies say this will be a breakout year for humanoid robots.

[C]

It's an exciting time. It's part of the fourth Industrial Revolution. That's playing on.

[B]

I'm Nisha Patel in Toronto. How much is hype and how much is reality? That's coming up on YOUR WORLD tonight.

[A]

New data is painting a mixed picture of Canada's flu season early in the new year. And while there are signs of improvement, it depends on where you live. Jennifer lagrassa breaks down the numbers and what we know about the dominant strain circulating in the country.

[F]

In a Toronto emergency room, patients know they're likely in for an hours long wait.

[C]

Our hospital is full.

[F]

Dr. Kevin Wasco is North York General Hospital's chief of emergency medicine.

[C]

And we're now feeling the impact of a lot of our admissions that resulted from influenza A.

[F]

For some patients, that means waiting on beds in the hallways of the emergency department.

[C]

This has been a particularly rough week at our hospital.

[F]

And they're not the only hospital stretched thin. Ones in southwestern and northern Ontario say they're overwhelmed. But new national numbers are showing some promise. Data from the Public Health Agency of Canada shows that as of early January, slightly more than 27% of influenza tests were positive. That's down from more than 33% last month. But different parts of the country are seeing varying levels of spread. Parts of British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec have widespread activity, whereas others are just at the start of their flu season.

[C]

We still have to see where things go.

[F]

Dr. Mark McKelvey is the medical officer of health with Newfoundland and Labrador's Health Services. The region reported more than 100 about two weeks ago.

[C]

What would be different about this year.

[A]

Compared to last year is that our.

[C]

Cases are going up higher. Earlier they were absolutely miserable.

[F]

Laura Sang is a family doctor in Quebec. She says a lot of her patients, likely sick with the flu, have been down and out longer than usual.

[A]

They had more symptoms, higher fevers, more.

[C]

Intense coughing than what they had previously.

[G]

Experienced in past years.

[F]

Despite this, the main circulating strain, influenza A, doesn't seem to cause more severe illness, according to the World Health Organization. The public health agency of Canada says hospitalizations have stabilized and started to fall and infections are down among younger people. But people 65 years and older are still getting sick and have the highest rate of hospitalization.

[C]

So we're well above average this year.

[F]

In Waterloo, Ontario, Trevor Charles and his team are monitoring wastewater data. It will tell them what one region in the province can expect in the coming weeks.

[C]

We might see another rise as a result of people coming together during the holiday season.

[F]

Health officials say people should get emergency care if they have severe symptoms like difficulty breathing or extreme weakness or in the case of young kids if they have a high fever. Jennifer lagrassa, CBC News, Toronto.

[A]

The governor of Minnesota is calling it a day of unity, but the fact is his state and his country are deeply divided following a fatal shooting involving an ICE agent on Wednesday. Now there's new footage of that incident that has sparked anger and debate across the U.S. katie Nicholson has more.

[G]

Three protesters defiantly stand in the way of a crane erecting a heavy concrete barricade outside the Minneapolis complex where Immigration and Customers Enforcement operates. Not far away, Laird Beaver waves an upside down American flag.

[C]

If you're familiar with the term Minnesota Gneiss, there is still Minnesota gneiss here, but it's waning a little bit and I think our patience is being tried a little bit.

[G]

Many here are wary of what the weekend may bring. The Minnesota National Guard is now poised to step in if tensions boil over after an ICE agent shot and killed 37 year old Renee Nicole Goode. Stacia Goodman, clutching an anti ICE sign, worries the guard's presence could make things worse.

[A]

But anytime you introduce a militarized force, it ups the tension. And I don't think what we need right now is more people in tactical gear with weapons. The people united will never be defeated.

[G]

For the last two nights there have been large anti ICE protests in Minneapolis. Last night, more broke out across the country in Baltimore, Washington and Portland.

[C]

Protect Us Through Strikes where two people.

[G]

Were shot by border agents yesterday, prompting crowds to gather outside an ICE complex in Portland. Oregon officials say the state is investigating the incident. While in Minneapolis the investigation into Wednesday's fatal ICE shooting has been a flashpoint for anger after state officials say they were being shut out of the federal investigation. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry and if you.

[A]

Got nothing to hide from, then don't hide from it. Include local experts in the process. We got nothing to hide from here.

[G]

The local county attorney, Mary Moriarity, also announced her own independent review of the shooting.

[A]

We are asking those in our community who have information or who have video or photos of the event to submit that information to our office.

[G]

Among the evidence to consider video from the ICE officer's phone posted on X shared by Vice President J.D. vance.

[A]

That's fine, dude.

[G]

I'm not mad for shows. Goode speaking to the ICE agent from her car and provides another angle as she turned the steering wheel and drove forward. There are two warring and highly politically charged narratives about what happened that day and why.

[C]

Well, you have to separate yourself from the politics, right?

[G]

Christopher Darcy is a police practices consultant based in Las Vegas.

[C]

You have to look at the incident. And you need independence. You need a fair third party review, a party to oversee and ensure that everything is looked at appropriately.

[G]

And on the street where this firestorm started today, a moment of silence to remember good. Minnesotans asked by their governor to reflect today not on what is wrong, but he said, what is good and right about this nation. Katie Nicholson, CBC News, Minneapolis.

[A]

Mark Carney will likely spend the weekend packing and preparing. There's a lot riding on the prime Minister's next trip. He heads to China next week trying to revitalize a trade relationship and resolve some major disputes over canola EVs and tariffs. Tom Perry has more on what we can expect.

[C]

As of today, we're effectively shut out of the Chinese market, and that's Chris Davison. The president of the Canola Council of Canada says Canadian canola producers have been hurting ever since China decided to target them and their product with punishing tariffs. His hope that Prime Minister Mark Carney can persuade China's leadership to ease off when he visits Beijing next week. We've been very clear from our perspective from, from the onset of these issues that ultimately what we're looking for is to have the market reopened again. China imposed tariffs on Canadian canola pork, seafood and other products after Canada joined the US in 2024 in imposing a 100% tariff on Chinese electric to protect the North American auto sector. Flavio Volpe, president of Canada's Automotive Parts Manufacturers association, says that protection is still needed. In the last few years, the Chinese strategy has been to flood the world's Western markets with product made in China. Volpe says the prime minister needs to keep that in mind during his talks in Beijing. Now the Chinese have successfully put Western jobs against Central Canadian jobs, and the prime Minister of Canada has an unenviable job of having to strike that balance. Ontario Premier Doug Ford this week urged Ottawa to maintain its tariffs on Chinese EVs to Ford. If Chinese automakers want to sell vehicles in Canada, they should build them here. We can't back down, simple as that. They want to come and open a big manufacturing facility and employ uniform employees. Well, let's talk, but don't be shipping cars in not manufactured by Ontarians. Federal agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald will accompany the prime Minister on his China trip, but is saying little about what might come out of it. There's a lot at stake, obviously, in this meeting with the prime minister and going to China. We're working very hard basically around the clock to negotiate with the Chinese government. We'll continue to do that as we move forward. Carney says this trip is part of a broader effort to diversify Canada's trade and make the country less reliant on the US US President Donald Trump has shown his willingness to use tariffs to pressure and punish America's allies, though trade experts warn China has shown it's just as willing to use its own economic might to get its way. Tom Perry, CBC News, Ottawa.

[A]

The federal government is sending in the military to help residents in the Pimichickamac Cree Nation in northern Manitoba. A days long power outage damaged hundreds of homes there. Thousands of residents were also evacuated. The government says a specialized team will help with water treatment, sewage and power generation. 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. The latest jobs numbers show more people looking for work, and that has pushed unemployment higher in Canada. Statistics Canada says unemployment in December was at 6.8%. That's up from 6.5% in November. Canada also created 8,200 new jobs in December. The jobs market remains tough for young people. Unemployment rose half a percent for those aged 15 to 24. The rate for that age range is 13.3%. For Canada's national women's hockey team, the goal, as always, is gold. The main challenge, as always, the United States. The roster for next month's Milano Cortina Olympics has been unveiled. Julia Wong has a look at the squad, what they're up against and why defending their title won't be easy.

[C]

And that will do it.

[A]

The heartbreak is over for Beijing Canada gold.

[E]

It was a golden moment in 2022 that Canada host its women's hockey team will repeat at the Milano Cortina Games.

[C]

And today we will announce a team of exceptional athletes to the women's hockey team.

[E]

Today, Hockey Canada and the Canadian Olympic committee unveiled the 23 player roster. Kathryn Henderson is the President and CEO of Hockey Canada.

[D]

We know that there will be millions.

[C]

Of Canadians cheering them on from coast.

[A]

To coast to coast, including young girls who dream of one day wearing the maple leaf themselves.

[E]

Familiar names include forward Natalie Spooner, Marie Philippe Poulain, captain during the last Olympics and Blair Turnbull, on the team in 2022, now an assistant captain.

[B]

When I reflect on the last quad.

[A]

And I think ahead to Milan, I am filled with nothing but excitement and.

[B]

Confidence about what our team is capable of.

[E]

But some consider the team an underdog against their biggest opponent, the United States.

[A]

An empty net goal to seal the.

[E]

Deal for the Americans after last month's rivalry series when the U.S. swept Canada in four straight games, outscoring the Canadians 24. 7. Turnbull says people need to remember they are the defending Olympic champions.

[B]

I personally love being an underdog. I love having to fight and having to battle and compete as an underdog.

[E]

Hockey analyst Becky Keller the fact that.

[A]

They lost four in a row this season to the U.S. to my way.

[B]

Of thinking, is really of little consequence.

[A]

Not that it's going to be as easy. They don't have the practice time. But I do think this group's got the experience and the belief in themselves.

[E]

The creation of the PWHL has also changed the dynamic for team building. The busy schedule of professional women's hockey has meant less opportunity to bring players together. The last four years have been different than past Olympics, coach Troy Ryan admits, but he isn't phased.

[C]

It's completely different and obviously it's much similar to what the men's group will go through. Centralization is a special time, obviously, but I think when we're evaluating players, we'll take those meaningful games that they're getting either on the NCAA or in the pwhl.

[E]

Meanwhile, with less than one month to go until the Games, the hockey arena in Milan is still incomplete. Despite that today and this weekend, the venue is hosting an Italian hockey championship, a key test before the women's teams hit the ice Feb. 5. Julia Wong, CBC News, Edmonton.

[A]

The Consumer Electronics show has come a long way from TVs and tech gadgets. Wrapping up today in Las Vegas, the stars of this year's show seem to be going everywhere you might go, including the casinos. Nisha Patel explains.

[E]

Hello everyone.

[B]

How can I assist you today at the biggest tech trade show on the continent? Human inspired robots called humanoids were everywhere. They're shaped like people and can now do the things we do for coffee, play ping pong, even deal cards for blackjack.

[A]

I'm gonna deal a card to the player on my left.

[B]

Enthusiasm from the AI software boom has helped drive huge amounts of money towards developing physical AI. Dan Ives, head of technology research at Wedbush securities, believes it's a big opportunity.

[C]

It's an exciting time. It's part of the fourth Industrial Revolution that's playing on.

[B]

Carmaker Hyundai unveiled a humanoid robot called Atlas.

[C]

Please welcome Atlas to the stage.

[B]

The company says Atlas will help assemble cars in its factories by 2028.

[C]

Atlas here has joints that can move 360 degrees this lets ATLAS move even more efficiently than humans, particularly in manufacturing environments where every second counts.

[B]

But some experts suggest humanoids for mainstream consumer use are at least a decade away. Marie Charbonneau is an assistant professor of robotics at the University of Calgary.

[A]

There's still a lot of work to do. There is so much that we still.

[B]

Do not understand, she points out. There's a big difference going from the factory floor to the living room, where children and pets make for a less predictable environment.

[E]

It's going to be a lot more complex to make sure that they can go around the home in a way.

[A]

That'S going to be safe.

[B]

LG Electronics showed off its new home robot called Cloyd, which promises to make breakfast and fold laundry. And while it does seem like it's successful at completing the task, it's slow folding one rectangular towel took a full 30 seconds. Tech analyst Carmi Levy expects it could be years before humanoids are ready for the mass market.

[C]

It has to do it better than we can do it now. It has to do it relatively inexpensively, and it can't be a hassle to use right now.

[B]

Costs vary widely and depend on the humanoid's capabilities. Some from Chinese firm unitree, range from 50 to $150,000.

[C]

It's a much bigger lift to convince consumers they should buy one of these things, and in many cases the technology itself isn't as mature as it should be.

[B]

Humanoids have come quite far, he says, but they're no match for humans just yet. Nisha Patel, CBC News, Toronto.

[A]

Finally tonight, she was the heart and soul of one of North America's longest running annual music events. Ruth Ruth Jones McVey, founder of the Mariposa Folk Festival, has died. Seven seas that run high all those things that don't change come one May. Born in Halifax, Jones McVeigh moved to Orillia, Ontario, in the 1940s, starting the festival in 1961 with her own savings. Mariposa focused on traditional Canadian folk acts like Ian and Sylvia, growing over the years to become a major showcase of some of the biggest names in music.

[F]

I am on a lonely road and I am traveling, traveling, traveling, traveling Looking for something?

[A]

Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot and Bruce Coburn, all performers at Mariposa early in their careers. Jones McVeigh left Orillia in the 1960s to focus on writing. She was a journalist and published several books. When Mariposa struggled in the 1980s, Jones McVeigh returned to Orillia to help keep it going. In 2013, she spoke about the festival's future?

[D]

Well, I hope that it will sort.

[C]

Of, as the expression goes, keep on keeping on.

[A]

A lot of the stuff that's happening politically and sociologically in the world will be translated into folk music, because that's what it is. Over the years, there were changes to venues, format and musical styles. But along with marquee performers, Mariposa still hosts musical workshops, children's programming, crafts and storytelling, maintaining the folk festival vision its founder established more than 65 years ago. Ruth Jones McVeigh was 99 years old. This has been youn World Tonight for Friday, January 9th. I'm Stephanie Skenderas. Thank you for being with us.

[G]

Good night.

[C]

Walls, windows, trees, waves coming through.

[A]

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