The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/01/25 at 08:00 EST

Episode Date: January 25, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/01/25 at 08:00 EST

There is no shortage of scam artists and true crime. But I'm guessing you've never heard of one quite like Caitlin Braun. For over two years, Caitlin Braun conned more than 50 birth workers into thinking that she was pregnant. I'm Kathleen Goldtar, and this week on Crime Story, I sit down with Sarah Trelevin, the host of the con, Caitlin's baby. Find Crime Story wherever you get your podcasts. From CBC News, the world this hour, I'm Gina Louise Phillips.

We begin with a new development in the Middle East. Israeli authorities say they have released 200 Palestinian prisoners and detainees as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal. This comes hours after Hamas freed four young female Israeli soldiers from captivity. Cheers erupted in Tel Aviv's hostage square as spectators watched big screens showing Hamas released the four women, all 19 and 20 years old. They smiled and waved as they were transferred into the care of the Red Cross in Gaza. The four are now reunited with family in Israel after being medically assessed. Health workers say they're in good condition despite more than 15 months in captivity. Israel Defense Forces

spokesperson Daniel Higary welcomed them home but had this warning for Hamas. IDF troops will continue to be deployed and operate and to do everything, everything to protect the citizens of Israel. Our mission is not over until every single hostage comes home. In Gaza, Hamas fighters are gathering in a show of support and force. Many of them see today's exchange as a demonstration of Hamas strength. Mayors of Canadian cities on the U.S. border are forming a new partnership. The Border Mayors Alliance is intended to serve as a unified national voice to safeguard communities and to bring a municipal

perspective to an international discussion. Matthew Shoemaker is mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. He says proposed tariffs and a trade war are one issue, but so is any general reduction in cross-border traffic. I know for example if bridge traffic drops as it did in our community during COVID, that has a huge impact on local COVID. That has a huge impact on local retailers. It has a huge impact on gas stations in town. It has a huge impact on hotels. At the municipal level, it's really an on-the-ground economic impact from a reduction in back-and-forth travel.

Shoemaker says, unlike some other border cities, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is much larger than its American neighbor. And he says there is an outsized reliance by the Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, for business and tourism travel by Canadians. He's hoping their relationship doesn't have to change. U.S. President Donald Trump is commenting on the Los Angeles wildfires after surveying the destruction. I don't think you can realize how rough it it is how devastating is until you see it. I didn't realize I mean I saw a lot of bad things on television but the extent of it the size of it we flew over it in a helicopter we flew a few of the areas and it is

devastation it's incredible it's really an incineration. Trump also said he stands behind California 100% adding he's looking at waiving federal permits and tariffs on construction materials needed to rebuild. Trump has threatened to hold back federal aid unless the state changes its water policy. Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney continues to rack up endorsements from federal cabinet ministers. The former central banker currently has 13 ministers backing his campaign. His top rival, Christa Freeland, has five.

In an interview with CBC radio's The House, Freeland said her former colleague's support for Carney doesn't bother her. Central to my campaign to see this is not about liberal elites deciding, this is about the grassroots. It is certainly looking like Mark is the choice of the liberal establishment. It is certainly looking like he is the PMO's candidate. The Prime Minister's office told CBC News that Trudeau and his office are remaining neutral throughout

the liberal leadership race. And that is your World This Hour. Remember, you can listen to us wherever you get your podcasts, updated every hour, 7 days a week. Or you can listen to us anytime on voice-activated devices like Google Home. For CBC News, I'm Gina Luis-Phillips.