Following a dramatic 48 hours, deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife appear in a New York court on charges of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism while the world waits, and watches for U.S. President Donald Trump’s next move in the escalating conflict.

Also: The view from next door. CBC News touches down in Colombia, as the Venezuelan neighbour ramps up its military presence on the border amid Trump’s threats and Maduro’s weekend arrest.

And: Ukraine taps Chrystia Freeland as an economic adviser, triggering questions about the Liberal MP’s future in the Carney Government.

Plus: Pushback over Ontario’s back-to-work mandate, obesity treatment’s new chapter – in tablet form, the rise in homelessness among seniors, and more.

Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife will appear before a U.S. judge on Monday - their first court appearance in what will be a long legal battle. Meanwhile, Maduro's allies, now in control of Venezuela, say they will not bend to U-S pressure. Now, the Trump administration is making new, direct threats -- warning the regime to cooperate with American demands.

Also: With the removal of Maduro, what happens now to Venezuela's oil reserves? Donald Trump says he wants U.S. oil companies to play a big role in their future. You'll hear what that could mean for Venezuela... and for Canada.

And: A recent report by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship found that one in five immigrants leave Canada within 25 years of landing. It also found the ones that are most likely to leave are highly skilled people. We look at the causes, and what can be done to keep them here.

Plus: Homes in Pimicikamak Cree Nation unsafe to live in, Responsibly disposing of holiday waste, The state of the film industry, and more.

United States armed forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife...after carrying out an overnight assault on the capital, Caracas. Its a stunning culmination of a months long standoff between the two countries. President Donald Trump now claims the country of Venezuela is being run by the U.S.. We have extensive coverage of the days events - including reaction from around the world.

Also: Power has been restored to Pimicikamak Cree Nation in Northern Manitoba, after a four day outage, But the damage to the community is significant...and thousands of evacuees are still out of their homes. 

And: For climate advocates all over the world, 2025 wasn't easy. As the U.S. pulls out of global climate diplomacy and turns more towards fossil fuels - Canada is considering new pipelines and new resource projects. All while attention is shifting away from its decade-long climate plan. So what’s there to look forward to in 2026 when it comes to fighting the climate crisis?

Plus: Swiss bar fire investigation opened, earning money with an EV charger, and more.

Staff Picks from recent stories:

With a new year starting, many of us are trying to change our habits. An Alberta company is interested in shaking up Canadian currency by creating a digital coin, backed by the loonie.

And: Canada is trying to cash in on a shift to renewables and EV technology. One of the metals essential to those industries is copper. It's needed to build batteries, military equipment, and big tech. Two copper mines are on the prime minister's list of major infrastructure projects.

Also: Hundreds of Canadians are diagnosed with dementia every day. It is expected to become an even more pressing health problem as Canada’s population ages. Now researchers are studying a treatment built around sunshine, fresh air and farm animals.

Plus: Infusion centres, technology to remember Vimy Ridge, a year of environmental policy changes, and more.

2025 may go down as the year Canada's relationship with the United States was forever changed. Nearly 11 months into U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war, the economic damage is clear. The remedies are not. Washington correspondent Katie Simpson and senior business correspondent Peter Armstrong look at the prospects for a new free trade deal.

And: Also in 2025, Trump broke the mold and re-cast the U.S. presidency in his own image. He claimed vast new powers, setting aside existing laws and norms. Washington correspondent Paul Hunter on what Trump’s presidency looks like now, and how it may continue into the new year.

Also: Officially, there is a ceasefire in Gaza, but for many Gazans, and for Palestinians in the West Bank, the suffering, the hunger and the violence continue. We’ll look at the state of the peace plan with Israel and what obstacles lie ahead.

Plus: “The weather outside is frightful!” It’s not just a line from a classic holiday song. It’s how climate experts are interpreting the weather data from 2025. “Extreme” was the word of the year: more hot days, more flooding, more drought, and more fires.

Israel may stop dozens of aid organizations from delivering much needed supplies to people in Gaza if they fail to satisfy new personal data requirements.

And: Pimicikamak Cree Nation in Manitoba has been without power or clean water since Sunday and the lights may not come back on until the new year.

Also: Hockey Canada has announced a men’s hockey team roster that will take on the best in the world in February’s Olympics in Italy. NHL players are once again eligible to play for the first time since 2014.

Plus: For the second time in as many years, a major water main in Calgary has ruptured and parts of the city are under a boil water advisory. And thousands of civil servants may not be celebrating the New Year as major government job cuts loom.

Saskatchewan RCMP are searching for two armed suspects after a shooting left one person dead and injured three others.

And: A major escalation in the row between the US and Venezuela. Sources within the Trump administration confirm it targeted a port facility inside Venezuela linked to alleged drug boats.

And: A third straight day of protests in Iran. The national currency hit a record low against the US dollar this week. That’s sparked demonstrations in Tehran and other cities.

Also: A deep sea hunt is underway in hopes of solving one of aviation's greatest mysteries. The search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 begins again… more than a decade after it disappeared over the Indian Ocean.

Russia is accusing Ukraine of targeting Vladimir Putin’s residence, throwing doubt on the progress achieved in reaching a peace deal with Kyiv.

And: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets US President Donald Trump in Florida. The Gaza ceasefire deal is the focus of the talks.

Also: A deadly year on Alberta's roads. Calgary's fatal crashes hit a ten-year high. We'll look at why and what's being done to stop it.

Plus: The Vancouver Whitecaps settle a lawsuit after soccer star Lionel Messi was a no-show at a game. Nearly half a million dollars will be going to kids' sports charities. But fans won’t be getting their money back.

Looking back at more of our favourite stories from 2025:

Putting truth and reconciliation into practice: a special program in Manitoba teaches teachers ways of integrating the concepts into their classroom. And a sacred pipe is returned to a Saskatchewan First Nation after 135 years.

And: As climate change heats up the air and dries out the ground, wine makers turn to methods both high-tech and ancient to protect their vineyards.

Also: In small towns in Ontario and Quebec, hockey is a big deal. The Northern Premier Hockey League boasts professional quality hockey — including retired NHL players — played not for money, but for the love of the game.

Plus: Medical schools try new ways of attracting and training future doctors, the need to keep young people in a popular retirement destination, a hospital drama brings an overlooked group of medical workers to the screen, and more.

Looking back at some of our favourite stories from 2025:

Many of our stories look at environmental challenges and solutions, from reducing the carbon footprint of ships in port, to reducing your own carbon footprint after death. And merchants finding ways to reduce food waste in Nigeria's markets, while others boost local sustainable wool production in Europe.

Also: tackling threats to wildlife. Scientists in B.C. have a new tool to fight a disease which has been devastating bat colonies throughout North America. Meanwhile other animals face a different kid of threat: trains. We look at ways to prevent wildlife from being hit.

Plus: Divers in Lake Ontario went searching for one shipwreck, but found another one much older. The intact wreck is believed to predate Conferderation and could shed light on a little understood part of the region's history.

Staff picks from recent stories: 

If you are heading into the U.S. any time soon, prepare to say 'cheese.' Starting today, authorities there will snap photos of every Canadian crossing the border – no matter if they are coming or going.

Plus: The concerns over a plan to expand the Port of Montreal. It’s one of the projects on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s list of nation-building initiatives, with a multi-billion dollar price tag that some critics say is money misspent. 

And: The rise of agri-tourism, and a look at one Alberta rancher’s plans to save the family farm.

Also: The year in Alberta politics, rice worm worries in Saskatchewan, unlikely ocean alliance, and more.

Data from Statistics Canada shows fewer Canadians travelling to the United States, compared to last year. They’re discouraged by political and economic tensions. But there is a twist. American tourists into Canada seem undeterred. In fact -- their numbers are up.

And: Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canadians need to be prepared for sacrifices. Many are already struggling with affording essentials like groceries. He says he recognizes the pressures Canadians are facing, but there will be no quick fix. 

Also: In Canada's public libraries, e-books are having a moment. Readers are turning to the convenience of digital, and turning the page on print. But this surge in popularity also comes with a price… for the libraries themselves.

Plus: Ukraine offers compromise for peace, Yukon freeze, a look at Kurt Oatway, one of Canada's top Paralympic medal hopefuls, and more.

The U.S. Department of Justice releases another 30,000 documents relating to convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein. Many are heavily redacted. And instead of clarity, the latest file drop is causing more confusion.  

And: It's avalanche season and if you’re heading to Alberta’s backcountry – be prepared. 

Also: It's been illegal to sell it in Canada since the early 90s. Without pasteurization, raw milk can spread harmful bacteria to humans. But there is still a small demand, and some farmers are asking if they can sell it directly from their farms. 

Plus: Women serving in the Canadian Armed Forces will soon get properly-fitting combat uniforms, Vancouver recommends not giving e-scooters to people under 16, wearable tech, and more.

Australians are holding a day of reflection to mark one week since the mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. Thousands gathered near the scene of the attack to honor the 15 lives lost. Some accuse the government of failing to act on threats against the Jewish community. And there are questions about how future attacks like this can be prevented.

Also: The high cost of living is taking its toll on younger Canadians. Financial experts are seeing more young people than ever - and many face different debt obligations compared to previous generations.

And: A breakthrough Canadian TV show is having a breakaway moment. Heated Rivalry tells the story of two gay hockey players in a secret love affair. It’s already taken social media by storm and secured international distribution deals.Now, it's most recent episode is scoring big with viewers.

Plus: Venezuelan oil, Jane Austen's 250th anniversary, The Italian pizzeria giving job opportunites to autistic people, and more.

Labour unions to to the streets across Canada today. They're protesting the repeated use of the Canada Labour Code to end labour disruptions in favour of binding arbitration. Unionized workers argue that federal use of that section of the code is unconstitutional.

Also: Winter doesn't officially begin until Sunday morning - but decidedly winter weather is plowing into parts of the prairies. Deep cold is a regular part of life in the region, but this year's weather has been a bit much - even for Canada's most hardened winter cities.

And: Several high profile Apple executives have left the company in the last few months. Some experts say the departures could have something to do with Apple's failure to take a bite out of AI competition. 

Plus: Growing demand at pet food banks, Young people gravitating to religion, A Scottish castle in need of millions of dollars worth of repairs, and more.

Allegations of kidnappings, hate crimes, and links to a terror group. A Toronto-area police investigation went from allegations of targeting women, to multiple terrorism-related charges.

And: Peak flu season is just around the corner. Alberta health officials say the province’s hospitals are under strain, as Canada experiences a tougher-than-usual influenza season.

Also: Charities say they’re receiving fewer donations this year, as people worry about putting food on the table.

In addition: The U.S. DOJ releases some of the files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Plus: Tree canopy in Vancouver, Putin gives annual address, scam gift cards, and more.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says U.S. President Donald Trump hasn't suggested he will walk away from the North American free trade deal. But the U.S. trade representative has suggested Trump is willing to just throw out the deal signed during Trump’s first term. Carney says they talked earlier this month about timelines for renewing and renegotiating CUSMA.

And: Ottawa and Ontario have agreed it’s time to significantly speed up approvals for infrastructure projects. They're dropping federal impact assessments altogether, and leaving them in the province’s hands. And hoping projects — like mining in the Ring of Fire — will get up and running more quickly.

Also: It’s highly contagious, and can be fatal. So ranch and farm owners in the U.S. and Canada are taking measures to protect their animals from EHV — also known as horse herpes.

Plus: More Epstein file pictures, the effect of atmospheric rivers, the future of Ontario’s Marineland, and more.

Quebec Liberal Party Leader Pablo Rodriguez has resigned, CBC News has learned. Sources say Rodriguez felt he had become too great a distraction for the party. The party has been investigating allegations of illegal campaign donations.

And: The federal Liberals have been gaining MPs after two crossed the floor from the Conservatives. In a year-end interview with CBC’s Rosemary Barton, Prime Minister Mark Carney says more MPs could cross the floor to join the government.

Also: U.S. ski resorts are bracing for a holiday season without the typical boost from Canadian travelers. Canadians have been avoiding travelling to the United States since President Donald Trump launched a trade war and joked about Canada becoming the 51st state.

Plus: Severe weather in B.C., Trump speech to the nation, Minnesota ICE crackdowns, Italian women’s hockey team trains in Canada, and more.

They were inspired by ISIS. Authorities in Australia say the father and son behind the mass shooting at a Hanukkah party on Sunday had ISIS material and believed the group's ideology. The attack on the Jewish community killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more.

And: European Union eases up on its plan to ban gas powered cars. It has been driving the global environmental push for electric cars, with plans to sell only EVs by 2035.

But now, under pressure from car companies and countries, the European Union is shifting gears.

Also: Quebec has expanded its bottle deposit program and that’s turned out to be a good thing for some Ontarians. Residents of Ontario — who do not pay a deposit — are returning bottles in Quebec, for a “refund”.

Plus: B.C. flooding, Israel blocks Canadian delegation from West Bank, Jamaica rebuilds, and more.

New numbers from Health Canada suggest the country is experiencing a wave of flu cases at a level not seen in years. That means hospitalizations are also on the rise. 

And: Prime Minister Mark Carney has chosen Mark Wiseman as Canada’s new ambassador to the U.S. 

Also: Ottawa’s got a new offer to reform the on-reserve child welfare system. It’s willing to spend more than $35 billion, which is substantially less than the $47.8 billion put forward by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government.

Plus: Canadian pocketbooks lighter this holiday season, a look at potential airline labour disputes in 2026, more detail on how Bondi beach attack unfolded, and more.