Escaping B.C.'s wildfires; WestJet deal; Ariana Grande steps back

Escaping B.C.'s wildfires; WestJet deal; Ariana Grande steps back

Author: Global News August 4, 2026 Duration: 26:27
The British Columbia Interior is reeling after several wildfires intensified over the weekend, forcing a number of communities to be evacuated. Heather Yourex-West reports from Cranbrook, B.C. on the race to escape the flames, and how some people were left stranded. Jackson Proskow reports on the fierce wildfires surrounding Spokane, Wash., destroying more than 600 homes, making it the worst disaster in the city's history. New research from McMaster University is highlighting where most of the country's wildfire emissions are coming from. As Jeff Semple explains, the source still smoulders long after the flames are out. Seán O'Shea reports on what's known about the tentative deal between WestJet and its flight attendants, and how frustrated travellers are trying to get to their destinations. The U.S. and Iran are again giving contradicting claims about whether they are in talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Redmond Shannon looks at where negotiations stand, and how U.S. President Donald Trump claims it's Iran's "last chance before decapitation." Touria Izri explains how FIFA president Gianni Infantino is fighting to keep his job, and whom he's reportedly turning to for help. Plus: thank you, next. Felicia Parrillo explains why pop superstar Ariana Grande is taking a pause from public life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Each evening, as the day's events settle into focus, Global National with Dawna Friesen offers a comprehensive summary and thoughtful examination of what matters most. This daily podcast from Global News moves beyond the headlines to deliver context and clarity, guided by the principle that "Story is everything." Host Dawna Friesen and the team provide a distinctive voice, weaving together in-depth analysis and perspective on significant national and international developments. The conversation connects with listeners from coast to coast, turning complex issues into understandable narratives. You'll hear a clear-eyed presentation of the facts, alongside discussions that explore the implications of major political decisions, global conflicts, economic shifts, and compelling human-interest stories shaping Canada and the world. This is a reliable, evening companion for anyone seeking to make sense of the news cycle with depth and journalistic integrity, all delivered in a format designed for listening. Tune in for a coherent and insightful wrap-up of the day's most pressing events.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Global National with Dawna Friesen
Podcast Episodes
Last-minute trade talks; Wildfire forecast; Goats bring udder joy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:12
U.S. President Donald Trump appears ready to hit Canada with new 50 per cent tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods, with thousands of jobs in both countries hanging in the balance. Mackenzie Gray explains where 11th-…
NL-QC energy deal; Remembering Hayden Panettiere [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:37
Quebec and Newfoundland have reached a non-binding deal on sharing energy from Labrador's Churchill Falls plant, which Prime Minister Mark Carney has committed $10 billion to partially support. Heidi Petracek explains ho…
Gas tax pleas; Hurricane Lala slams Hawaii; Movie box office bonanza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:02
The pleas to the federal government for reprieve at the pumps, with the end of the fuel excise tax freeze just weeks away. Plus, Hurricane Lala turns deadly as it skirts Hawaii while inflicting widespread damage. And fro…
E-scooter deaths and injuries; Spying claims; StubHub loses profits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:10
There's alarming new data on how many people across Canada are being killed or injured by electric scooters and electric bikes, which have proven difficult to regulate. Heidi Petracek reports on why deaths and injuries a…
Harrowing escape; Trump's ruse; Rising insolvencies; Count Binface [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:08
Sarah MacDonald reports on one family's frightening race to escape the Bald Ridge fire in B.C., as much uncertainty lies ahead for tens of thousands of evacuees. Jackson Proskow explains how U.S. President Donald Trump s…
Raging B.C. fires; Colombia earthquake; Halifax bomb threat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:25
Raging wildfires near Summerland, B.C. have forced thousands from their homes, with one elderly woman having died while fleeing. How evacuees are also agonizing over what to leave behind. Plus, the desperate search for s…