The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/02/15 at 08:00 EST

Episode Date: February 15, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/02/15 at 08:00 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. Three more Israeli hostages have been released in Gaza as part of the ceasefire deal.

Three men, one in his 20s, another in his 30s, and a third in his 40s were paraded onto a stage in communists by armed militants, even asked to speak into a microphone before being turned over to the International Red Cross. They were eventually handed over to the IDF. All three were captured during the October 7th, 2023 attacks. In return, Israel will reportedly release over 300 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. In Rome, concerns are growing over the health of Pope Francis. He's spending a second day in hospital

where he's being treated for a respiratory infection. Megan Williams has more on the Pope's condition. The Pope was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital here in Rome Friday morning for what the Vatican called in a statement some diagnostic tests and treatment for bronchitis. A few hours later, the Vatican announced the Pope would be cancelling all appearances at Roman Catholic Holy Jubilee year events for the weekend and Monday. Earlier this month, Francis said at a weekly audience that he had a bad cold, but until yesterday he continued to hold daily audiences, albeit inside his Vatican Santa Marta residence. Last Sunday he led an outdoor mass, though wasn't

able to read aloud the homily. The Pope, who is now 88, has suffered from the flu and other health problems these past couple of years, and as a young man had part of one lung removed. Recently, he's put on weight and appeared bloated, possibly due to water retention from medication he's taking for his lung infection. The Vatican spokesperson said last night the Pope was in good spirits and reading the papers. Megan Williams, CBC News, Rome. European leaders are gathering today in Munich for day two of a global security conference. Concerns about the US administration's approach to the Kremlin are dominating much of the

conversation. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky continues a full slate of meetings aimed at nurturing relationships with key European allies. One of US President Donald Trump's fiercest critics within his own party has some advice for Canadians. And that's to take all the talk of a 51st state with a grain of salt and don't be afraid of him. The CBC's Murray Brewster explains. Canada is going to be a very serious contender to be our 51st state. That has been Donald Trump's message over and over. And it's hard not to take the bait.

He's trying to look tough. He's trying to entertain. Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who voted to impeach Donald Trump after the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, says Canadian political leaders need to keep calm and push back hard in areas where Canada can defend itself, for instance, with counter tariffs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a business audience recently he believes Trump's threats are real while members of his cabinet have downplayed the idea of annexation as something credible.

If we came to him tomorrow and said it's all yours, of course he'd take it. Vincent Rigby, the Prime Minister's former top intelligence adviser says swallowing Canada with its geography, distinct culture and institutions is not something the U.S. is in any way prepared for. Murray Brewster, CBC News, Ottawa. You can hear more on that this morning on The House after the 9 o'clock edition of World Report, 930 Newfoundland or anytime wherever you get your podcasts. The town of Cochrane, Alberta is kicking off a Fire Smart initiative next week.

It says crews will be working to reduce the risk of wildfire damage through vegetation management, field reductions and public education. Fire Chief Sean Pauley says it will include fire break work as well as removing dead downed damaged and diseased trees in some spaces. Definitely a process that we want to make sure it's sustainable over the next 10 years or longer or perpetuity I guess. But we want to make sure it's sustainable over the next 10 years or longer or perpetuity, I guess. But we want to make sure that we're always paying attention to what some of those risks are and how can we reduce them for our citizens and really build out a nice robust program and make FireSmart more of a day-to-day activity than just a once a year type of program.

He says this round is expected to take three to five months. type of program. He says this round is expected to take three to five months. And that is your World is Sour. For CBC News, I'm Neal Kumar.