The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/02/15 at 07:00 EST

Episode Date: February 15, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/02/15 at 07:00 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 is Sour. I'm Neil Kumar. Celebrations are taking place in Tel Aviv as three Israeli men are being released in hostage square.

They've been released by Hamas in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners. It is part of the fragile ceasefire that almost fell apart earlier this week. The CBC's Sasha Petrasek reports from Jerusalem. Well this morning we saw three Israeli hostages released from Gaza, something that people were worried was not going to happen as recently as yesterday or the day before when Hamas was threatening not to release any more hostages and the US was threatening Hamas with all hell if it didn't. But it went according to schedule this morning, three Israelis including an American Israeli

and another Russian Israeli, three men in this case looking better than the hostages looked last week. There was a lot of concern and a lot of criticism of Hamas over that. These did look somewhat better. But there was still a level of games being played, of propaganda being exchanged as part of this. Hamas had a stage, it gave them awards, it made them speak. Sasha Petrusik, CBC News, Jerusalem. An Ontario veteran who was on duty the day the Maple Leaf was first raised on Parliament Hill 60 years ago 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 and 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 Izzati 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, Stocke says all Canadians should use today to express gratitude for this country.

Isha Bhargava, CBC News, London, Ontario. The City of Halifax will get 10 new firefighters next year, with the possibility of more. On Friday, City Council approved the $98 million Halifax Fire and Emergency Budget. It includes money for 10 firefighters to start next winter. There is also consideration of adding an additional 10 firefighters, bringing the total to 20. Here's Councillor Nancy Hartling. The Tantalan wildfires was $165 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 Flyer. The department says it needs the extra positions to reduce response times and medical calls. It's going to be a big night for hockey in Montreal as Canada faces the U.S. at the Four Nations Faceoff Tournament. Both countries are coming off opening game victories with the winner likely locking up top spot. But for Canadian forward and Halifax native Brad Marchand, a showdown between Canada and the US on any level brings out the best in all players. I mean there's 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 you know it can't come quick enough. Puck Drop from the Bell Center is set for just after 8 p.m. Eastern Time. And that is Your World is Sour. For CBC News, I'm Neal Kumar.