The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/02/23 at 17:00 EST

Episode Date: February 23, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/02/23 at 17:00 EST

Hi there, I'm Steve Patterson, host of The Debaters, and this week we're debating breakup songs. Do they rule? Sound like a fun valentine to you? We've got Canada's best comedians doing what they do all too well. And here's something that you oughta know. We're part stand-up, part comedy competition, and part game show. And we're looking for someone like you to follow us wherever you get your podcasts.

From CBC News, the world is our, I'm Karen Howerlach. Supporters of the center-right Christian Democratic Union are celebrating in Germany. The results in the national election put their party in first place with 28% of the vote under leader Friedrich Merz. The far-right Alternative for Germany party is in second with about 20%, double what they got last time. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Social Democrats are in third in the party's worst results

since the Second World War. None of the parties won a majority, so we'll be negotiating a coalition government. In Kyiv, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky says he will willingly give up the presidency if it means peace for Ukraine and would resign to secure Ukraine's membership in NATO. Zelensky says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with him in Kiev on Monday. Trudeau will also chair a virtual G7 leaders meeting that day. The war in Ukraine is expected to dominate the agenda. Monday marks the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine,

and in communities across Canada today, Ukrainians gathered to remember those who died in the war and are still fighting. Gavin Axelrod reports from Winnipeg. Hundreds have gathered at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights this afternoon in Winnipeg, its standing room only with people packed shoulder to shoulder on the eve of the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. People here are draped in blue and yellow Ukrainian flags and holding posters calling for the end of the war. There will be speeches from dignitaries and

musical performances. We spoke to one couple who have been living in Winnipeg for the last few years. They say the war is always on their minds along with their friends and family who are still at home in Ukraine and those who have been killed in the fighting. Nearly 300,000 Ukrainian refugees are living in Canada. Gavin Axelrod, CBC News, Winnipeg. The Vatican says Pope Francis is still in critical condition in hospital in Rome. But it also says the pope is alert and aware. Francis was admitted to hospital more than a week ago with pneumonia in both lungs. Megan Williams has details.

In his latest health update, the Vatican said the pope's condition is critical. On Sunday, the pope received two units of red blood cells, which helped boost his hemoglobin levels and stabilize his platelet levels. But tests show early signs of kidney failure with the situation for now under control. Francis is awake and alert and took part in a mass inside his hospital room this morning, but he's still on high flow oxygen through nasal tubes.

Meanwhile, visitors at the Vatican expressed their hope that the Pope makes it out of danger. I was shocked. I didn't thought that he was that bad. Said this pilgrim from the Canary Islands. He has been a really good Pope. Our bishop is Pope Francis. This evening a mass was held in one of Rome's basilicas where hundreds prayed for the Pope. Megan Williams, CBC News, Rome. Israeli tanks rolled into Jenin in the occupied West Bank today for the first time in more than two decades.

Israel's defense minister is ordering the military to expand operations in Palestinian refugee camps in the north and destroy infrastructure and any weapons. He says 40,000 Palestinians have left the camps and will not be allowed to return. Israel has been conducting military operations in the region for the past few months. Here at home, Liberal leadership candidates are preparing for two debates. In Montreal this week, presumed frontrunner Mark Carney and rivals Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould and Frank Baylis will take part in the French language debate on Monday night and the English debate on Tuesday night. The results of the leadership vote will be released March 9th.

And that is your World This Hour. For CBC News, I'm Karen Howelluck.