The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/02/22 at 15:00 EST

Episode Date: February 22, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/02/22 at 15:00 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 Karen Hauerluck. The Vatican says Pope Francis is in critical condition after suffering a respiratory crisis this morning. The 88-year-old has been in hospital for more than a week. Megan Williams has the latest from Rome. A Vatican statement says Pope Francis's condition remains critical, meaning he is not out of danger. The Pope experienced a prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis this morning requiring high flow oxygen therapy, and blood tests showed a condition that makes it harder for blood to clot and increases the risk of bleeding.

He also has anemia, a lower than normal red blood cell count, which can cause fatigue and weakness. He was given a blood transfusion. Despite his condition, the Vatican says the Pope remains alert and spent the day sitting in a chair, though in more discomfort than yesterday. For now, it said, the prognosis remains uncertain. The Pope was hospitalized eight days ago for bronchitis that developed into double pneumonia. Megan Williams, CBC News, Rome.

Hamas has released six more hostages and later today Israel will release about 600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. It's the last exchange under the first phase of the ceasefire deal. And as Sasha Petrusik reports, more exchanges will depend on reaching agreement on a second phase. Here in so-called hostage square in the middle of Tel Aviv, a lot of mixed emotions today. Joy of course at seeing the hostages come home, these six, but also a lot of sorrow over the realization that some won't be coming back alive. That became painfully clear this week when four were returned in caskets.

There's now a memorial here with candles and lots of tears. Many people are turning their thoughts to what happens next because this group of six is the last who will be released as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. For the others who remain in Gaza, the 59 hostages, there will have to be a second phase to that agreement. The two sides are in touch with each other. There are talks going on, but it seems very far away from an agreement that would see those other hostages come home. Sasha Petrasek, CBC News, Tel Aviv. Ukraine's military intelligence says Russia is going to claim victory over Ukraine on

Monday, the third anniversary of the invasion. They say Russian propagandists have already been ordered to promote victory narratives that don't mention Russia was the aggressor. Dominic Volitis reports. This Monday marks three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And according to intelligence officials in Kyiv, the Kremlin intends to use the anniversary to declare victory over Ukraine and possibly even NATO. The main intelligence directorate of Ukraine's Ministry of Defence, the GUR, says Russian propagandists have already been instructed to promote so-called victory narratives ahead

of Monday's anniversary. Moscow's aim, it's claimed, is to destabilise Ukrainian society and discredit the country among its Western allies, which provide Kiev with essential military aid. Russia is reportedly hoping the new propaganda campaign will mask its status as the aggressor in the conflict. Moscow has not commented on the claims. Dominic Velaitis for CBC News, Riga, Latvia.

The Associated Press is suing three Trump administration officials over access to presidential events. The White House is banning its reporters after AP chose not to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. The president signed an executive order changing the name. AP says blocking its access is an unconstitutional attack on its freedom of speech. A measles outbreak in rural West Texas is now up to 90 cases, nearly all of them children and teens.

More than two dozen cases had to be hospitalized. Almost all of those with the measles were not vaccinated. And that is Your World This Hour. I'm Karen Hauerlach.