Podcast Summary: Your World Tonight

Host: Stephanie Scanderis (CBC)

Date: January 10, 2026

Overview

This episode of Your World Tonight delivers a global roundup of major news stories, exploring unfolding protests in Minnesota over an ICE shooting, the shifting dynamics of guerrilla groups on the Venezuela-Colombia border, humanitarian fallout after Indonesia's devastating cyclone, and more. The show emphasizes context and lived experiences, touching on the consequences of politics and policy for ordinary people.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Minnesota Protests after ICE Shooting

Segment Start: [00:45]

• Thousands have taken to Minneapolis streets after an ICE agent fatally shot a woman, Renee Goode, an event caught on widely circulated cell phone video.
• Protesters demand justice and the withdrawal of ICE from their community, blaming their presence for ongoing "mayhem" and "bad policing."
• The protests remain mostly peaceful, with leaders and police praising restraint, though some clashes and arrests occurred outside hotels housing ICE agents.

Notable Quotes

• “This was murder. All Minnesota people know this and we will not accept this.” — Protester, [00:45]
• “They're bringing mayhem to our streets. This is not a professional policing operation. This is bad policing that we're seeing, and they need to leave.” — Mary Whitehead, protester, [07:30]
• “There are agitators trying to rile up large crowds... Not only have they not taken the bait, they have pushed others back from the brink.” — Mayor Jacob Fry, as paraphrased by Stephanie Scanderis, [06:35-06:49]

2. Iranian Protests and Diaspora Response

Segment Start: [01:17]

• Protests in Iran have intensified amidst a harsh regime crackdown. Internet and communication blackouts make information scarce, with at least 72 killed and over 2,000 detained.
• Iranian Canadians demonstrate in solidarity and anxiously search for news of loved ones.
• There’s debate in Iran's diaspora over leadership, with some calling for exiled royal Reza Pahlavi to spearhead opposition.

Notable Quotes

• “This is not about economy. They dying to say that. This is about freedom.” — Sahela Zarabi, protester, [03:33]
• “The only thing we as Iranian diaspora can do is to try to reach their voice to the world.” — Jalal Afzal, [03:04]
• “Many observers hope if a political transition does come in Iran, that it’s reflective of what the people of Iran want and not outside influences.” — Reporter Volta Shahrock, [04:39]

3. Venezuela-Colombia Border: Guerrilla Groups Respond to U.S. Action

Segment Start: [08:19]

• Following the U.S. attack on Venezuela and capture of President Maduro, regional guerrilla groups (FARC splinters, ELN) are considering alliances against a perceived common U.S. foe.
• Guerrilla leaders see U.S. intervention as a threat to their territories and operations (resource control, drug routes).
• The turmoil has made these groups feel exposed and prompted operational shifts, including moving camps from Venezuela to Colombia.

Notable Quotes

• “Today we face the same enemy,” (referring to the U.S.) — Ivan Mordisco, FARC splinter leader, [08:42]
• “The US government has long funded the Colombian military’s fight against armed groups in the region and it has never led to peace.” — Eliana Zafra, human rights advocate, [10:00]

4. Indonesian Cyclone — Humanitarian Crisis and Government Response

Segment Start: [14:08]

• Six weeks after Cyclone Senior devastated Sumatra, more than 1,100 are dead and hundreds of thousands left homeless; the government's slow response has angered many.
• Environmental damage—mainly deforestation—greatly worsened the scale of flooding and landslides.
• Citizens protest government inaction with white flags and accuse leaders of refusing much-needed foreign help.

Notable Quotes

• “Our teams deliver food by any means possible.” — Farweeza Farhan, local environmental and humanitarian leader, [15:06]
• "Soil has become more vulnerable to landslides because soil cannot hold the water as much as previously, when there is a vegetation, there is a trees in the forest.” — Dion Fiantis, soil scientist, [17:03]
• “The white flag also symbolizes the lack of trust or eroding trust from the people in Aceh toward the central government.” — Madhe Supryatma, Indonesia scholar, [16:32]

5. Canadian Rental Market — Affordability Crisis

Segment Start: [17:34]

• Despite a rise in vacant units due to new builds and lower demand, affordability remains out of reach for many Canadians; high rents mean vacant units sit empty, even as people are homeless.
• Experts state reducing immigration won't solve affordability—what’s needed is a massive boost in lower-cost units.
• Government policies, like density near transit and legalizing multi-unit buildings, are being considered to address the crisis.

Notable Quotes

• “Just adding supply won’t make rents more affordable... the number of rental units in those lower rent ranges are much fewer than the number of households there.” — Steve Pomeroy, housing expert, [19:33]
• “There shouldn’t be so many vacant units when people are couch surfing and there are people on the streets.” — Charlene Henry, tenant advocate, [18:32]

6. Sports & Innovation: Canada’s Wheelchair Curling Team and VR Training

Segment Start: [20:37]

• Canada’s Paralympic wheelchair curling team is using a new, custom VR training simulation to prepare for the 2026 Games in Italy.
• The program, developed in Red Deer, allows athletes to “train together” remotely and visualize the competition venue.
• Virtual recreation for seated users is pioneering, helping not only skill development but mental preparation.

Notable Quotes

• “We have to use technology to be able to make the shots that we want. And that’s the really cool part about the VR. It’s going to be able to take our game to the next level.” — Coach Dana Ferguson, [21:43]
• “...what makes the culture of wheelchair curling unique. It's a completely different environment and it's really great.” — Kalinda Joseph, team member, [23:23]

7. Other Headlines & Human Interest

Greenland & Indigenous Concerns ([10:58])

• U.S. President Trump’s remarks on taking Greenland prompt Inuit leaders to worry about sovereignty and resource exploitation.

Australian Wildfires ([12:42])

• Massive Victoria bushfires force evacuations and destroy property, with no deaths so far.

Philippines Landslide ([13:21])

• A search continues for missing workers after a landslide at a Cebu landfill.

Italy: Rehabilitation Through Gastronomy ([23:51])

• Milan’s “In Galera” — a Michelin Guide-listed restaurant run by inmates — offers high-quality food and a path to reintegration, dramatically cutting reoffending rates.
  • Notable: “Programs like this are rare in Italy’s prison system, but they work. The reoffending rate of those who pass through In Galera, just 17%, is dramatically lower than the national average of 70.” — Megan Williams, [25:14]

8. Local Tribute: Prince George Community Leader Remembered

Segment Start: [27:48]

• Hundreds gather to honor Wesley Mitchell, a Wetsuweten community leader and drum group founder, noting his role in promoting unity, culture, and compassion during the pandemic and beyond.

• "We brought people together in a safe manner." — Wesley Mitchell, [28:42]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Minnesota ICE Protests: [00:45] – [08:19]
• Iranian Protests & Diaspora: [01:17] – [04:39]
• Venezuela-Colombia Guerrilla Shift: [08:19] – [10:58]
• Indonesia Cyclone Aftermath: [14:08] – [17:34]
• Canada Rental Market Crisis: [17:34] – [20:37]
• Wheelchair Curling & VR: [20:37] – [23:51]
• Italian Prison Restaurant: [23:51] – [27:48]
• Wesley Mitchell Tribute: [27:48] – End

Notable Quotes: Quick Reference

| Quote | Speaker/Source | Timestamp | |----------------------------|------------------------------|------------| | “This was murder. All Minnesota people know this and we will not accept this.” | Protester | [00:45] | | “This is not about economy. They dying to say that. This is about freedom.” | Sahela Zarabi (Iran/Canada) | [03:33] | | “Today we face the same enemy.” | Ivan Mordisco (FARC faction) | [08:42] | | “Our teams deliver food by any means possible.” | Farweeza Farhan (Indonesia) | [15:06] | | "Soil has become more vulnerable to landslides..." | Dion Fiantis (Scientist) | [17:03] | | “Just adding supply won’t make rents more affordable.” | Steve Pomeroy (Housing) | [19:33] | | “We have to use technology to be able to make the shots that we want.” | Coach Dana Ferguson | [21:43] | | “Programs like this are rare in Italy’s prison system, but they work.” | Megan Williams | [25:14] |

Episode Tone & Delivery

The episode maintains a balanced news magazine tone, combining empathetic interviews with field reporting. The hosts aim for clarity and depth, giving voice to people directly affected by global events, from protesters and aid workers to athletes and community advocates.