The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/02/15 at 05:00 EST

Episode Date: February 15, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/02/15 at 05:00 EST

In Scarborough, there's this fire behind our eyes. A passion in our bellies. It's in the hearts of our neighbors. The eyes of our nurses. And the hands of our doctors. It's what makes Scarborough, Scarborough. In our hospitals, we do more than anyone thought possible. We've less than anyone could imagine.

But it's time to imagine what we can do with more. Join Scarborough Health Network and together, we can turn grit into greatness. Donate at lovescarborough.ca. From CBC News, the World This Hour. I'm Claude Fague. The release of more Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees proceeded today.

Hamas had threatened not to release any hostages this weekend, claiming Israel had breached the ceasefire agreement. Israel had threatened to resume attacks in Gaza if they weren't. Three male hostages, a 29-year-old Russian Israeli, a 36-year-old American Israeli, and a 46-year-old Argentinian Israeli, all taken during the October 2023 attacks, were turned over to the International Red Cross. All three are now back in Israel. In return, Israel released 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

An Ontario veteran on duty the day the maple leaf was first raised on Parliament Hill 60 years ago today is reflecting on the moment he witnessed the country's new national symbol take life. In a letter he wrote to the flag, the retired major says it remains an emblem of Canadian pride. The CBC's Isha Bargava has that story from London, Ontario. My dear flag, I know, I know, it's really unusual for someone to write their flag. That's part of a letter Bruce Stock wrote for the flag's 60th anniversary. The retired veteran from London, Ontario was among thousands of Canadians watching a new flag fly on this day in 1965

in front of the Peace Tower for the very first time. This beautiful giant maple leaf appeared in the whole crowd, went crazy,. I still get chills when I think about it. Now, there's a surge in nationwide patriotism, with former prime ministers urging Canadians to wave the flag as never before, and crowds enthusiastically singing O Canada at sporting events. Merchandise stores from coast to coast to coast are seeing the flag fly off their shelves. Julia Izzotti is with Flying Colours International in Port Coquitlam, BC. Our phones are absolutely ringing off the hook.

The flag shops say they're happy to be a part of this pride. Meanwhile, Stoxx says all Canadians should use today to express gratitude for this country. Isha Bargava, CBC News, London, Ontario. In Vancouver, thousands turned out for the annual Women's Memorial March on Friday, which commemorates missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The march has been held since 1992 when a 26-year-old Indigenous woman, Cheryl Ann Joe, was found murdered on a local Vancouver street. Carol Martin is the Women's Memorial March Committee member and has attended the march for 34 years. We chose Valentine's Day because it's a worldwide day of acknowledging love to your loved ones

and down here there's been so many women dying. The City of Halifax will get 10 new firefighters next year with the possibility of more. On Friday, City Council approved the 98 million dollar Halifax fire and emergency budget. It includes money for 10 firefighters to start next winter, with the consideration of adding an additional 10, bringing the total to 20. Councilor Nancy Hartling. The Tantalan wildfires was 16165 million in insurable damage. The cost of being behind the eight ball can never be overstated.

I think that as a core service we should be continually committed to doing the right thing for the folks in Halifax and for Halifax Regional Fire. The department says it needs the extra positions to reduce response times and medical calls. Well, it's a big night for hockey in Montreal. Tonight Canada faces off with the U.S. at the Four Nations Faceoff Tournament, both countries coming in off opening game victories. For Canadian forward and Halifax native Brad Marchand, a Canadian U.S. showdown on any level brings out the best in all players.

I mean there's no bigger rivalry than Canada, US and hockey. I think they're the games that everybody dreams of playing growing up and you know they're memories that will last a lifetime so we're all really looking forward to it and it can't come quick enough. Puck Drop from the Bell Centre is set for just after 8 p.m. Eastern Time. And that is your World This Hour. For CBC News, I'm Claude Fague.