The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/02/23 at 20:00 EST

Episode Date: February 24, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/02/23 at 20:00 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 our. I'm Karen Howerlach. Germany is headed for another coalition government, both with a different leader at the top.

The center-right Christian Democratic Union is in first place after Sunday's national election. Abbie Kuathausen reports. A man who's never held public office before will become the next German chancellor. Friedrich Merz declared victory after his conservatives picked up about 29% of the vote, but he still has to form a coalition with other parties in order to

govern. Merz has already ruled out negotiating with the far-right AFD, which came in second with about 20% support. Thunian is the deputy director at the Jacques Delors Center in Berlin. I think what we really need is quick coalition talks and a stable government. That really is only possible with two parties. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has conceded defeat, but his central left party could still end up in the governing coalition. Meritz has called for speedy talks saying the world will not wait for the

government to be formed as Washington retreats. Abby Koalas in CBC News Berlin. The Vatican says Pope Francis is still in critical condition in hospital in Rome and is showing signs of mild kidney failure. The 88 year old Pope was admitted more than a week ago with pneumonia. The Israel Hamas ceasefire agreement is looking shaky again. Israel's refusing to hand over about 600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees after Hamas freed six more Israeli hostages. Sasha Petrasek has more. Across the occupied West Bank and in Gaza there's frustration and anger from Palestinian families waiting for the release of loved ones held in Israeli jails.

The delay is a huge burden, says Badr Abu Aliya. More than 600 detainees were supposed to be freed in exchange for six Israeli hostages released yesterday. But Israel put a hold on that, saying it doesn't like the way hostages are paraded by Hamas, calling it degrading propaganda. Palestinian officials call it a pretext by Israel. If Israel doesn't, the bodies of four hostages may not be released by Hamas this week. And if the ceasefire collapses altogether, 59 other hostages may not make it out of Gaza.

Sasha Petrusik, CBC News, Jerusalem. This is a generational moment. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is pushing for a stable peace in Ukraine, not only to end the war but deter further Russian aggression. Russia already menaces our waters, our online spaces, even at times our streets. And the economic insecurity that the conflict has caused cost a living crisis. That will only continue unless we have a resolution

that is fair and stable for Ukraine. Instability in Europe always washes up on our shores. Starmor says he supports American calls for Europe to boost its own security. He will meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday. Monday marks the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and 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. It's 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. living in Canada. Gavin Axelrod, CBC News, Winnipeg. And that is your World This Hour for CBC News. I'm Karen Howelluck.