The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/02/20 at 14:00 EST

Episode Date: February 20, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/02/20 at 14:00 EST

When a body is discovered 10 miles out to sea, it sparks a mind-blowing police investigation. There's a man living in this address in the name of a deceased. He's one of the most wanted men in the world. This isn't really happening. Officers are finding large sums of money. It's a tale of murder, skullduggery and international intrigue. So who really is he? I'm Sam Mullins and this is Sea of Lies from CBC's Uncovered, available now.

From CBC News, the world is our. I'm Tom Harrington. Hamas handed over the bodies of four hostages who were kidnapped during the October 7 attacks. Among them, Shiri Bebus and her two young children, who Amos claims were killed in Israeli airstrike. Sasha Petrusik has more from Jerusalem. Right until this week, many in Israel hoped the Bebas children had survived, says family friend Yifta Cohen.

Shiri and the kids became a symbol. I still hope that they will be alive. A symbol of hope for many in Israel, not knowing how many of the remaining 69 hostages survived 16 months in captivity. A shocking day, a day of grief, says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Many here blame him for dragging out ceasefire negotiations and the hostage releases.

But today, as some gathered in hostage square and others lined the route home for the coffins, the focus was on the youngest ones lost. Sasha Petrusik, CBC News, Jerusalem. Ottawa says it is listing seven transnational criminal organizations as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code. Public Safety Minister David McGinty says the move is part of the fight against fentanyl trafficking. President Donald Trump cited that issue as one of his reasons

for imposing tariffs on Canadian goods. The measures we are taking will help keep fentanyl off Canadian streets and from entering the United States. To speak plainly, we are moving aggressively, using every tool in our toolbox to take the profit out of drug trafficking. The designation essentially freezes a listed group's assets and property, which are also subject to seizure or forfeiture. Less than 1% of the fentanyl seized at the U.S. border last year came from Canada. Ottawa unveiled a new plan for the CBC today. It includes a mechanism that would take funding decisions out of the hands of politicians.

But whether it becomes reality will depend on the outcome of an expected spring election. David Thurton reports from Ottawa. It's now or never the time for any person who wants to be the next Prime Minister to commit to making sure that we have a viable public broadcaster for the next century. Heritage Minister Pascale St-Ange outlining her plan for CBC Radio Canada. A plan that would make the news ad-free and eliminate subscriber fees. St. Ange is also proposing to boost overall public funding, making sure funding is anchored in statutory legislation and not subject to the whims of politicians.

CBC does not belong to the Liberals, it does not belong to the Conservatives, and it does not belong to any other political parties. It belongs to the Canadian people. Conservative leader Pierre Poliev was also asked today about his vision for CBC Radio Canada. We're going to cut wasteful spending, not just there but across the government. Poliev has repeatedly promised to defund the public broadcasters English arm. David Thurton, CBC News, Ottawa. Life Labs workers in B.C. began strike action today.

There will be rotating closures across the province, which the company says could lead to delays at locations that remain open. LifeLabs performs medical tests for patients. The workers are represented by the B.C. General Employees Union, which says they've been without a contract since last April. Key issues include wages, benefits, and staffing shortages. Boston is known as the hub city. Tonight, it's the hub of the hockey world, Canada against the United States in the championship game

of the Four Nations Face-Off Tournament. It's been something probably even more than maybe what people expected as far as the intensity and everything that's been part of it. Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby describing the changing nature of the Canada-US rivalry, fueled by President Donald Trump saying Canada could become the 51st state. It was war on ice last weekend when the teams met in the round robin competition.

There were three fights in the game's opening minutes as the Americans beat the Canadians 3-1. Tonight's final starts at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. And that is your World This Hour. For CBC News, I'm Tom Harrington. Thanks for listening. [♪upbeat music playing.♪