The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/02/24 at 15:00 EST

Episode Date: February 24, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/02/24 at 15:00 EST

1942, Europe. Soldiers find a boy surviving alone in the woods. They make him a member of Hitler's army. But what no one would know for decades, he was Jewish. Could a story so unbelievable be true? I'm Dan Goldberg. I'm from CBC's personally, Toy Soldier, available now wherever you get your podcasts. From CBC News, the world this hour. I'm Tom Harrington. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not ruling out sending Canadian troops to Ukraine as part of a possible ceasefire deal. He was

speaking at a news conference in Kiev alongside the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders. Anna Cunningham has been following the day's developments. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sitting in Kiev today alongside 12 other European leaders delivering their message of support for Ukraine. Trudeau said on defence spending, We're going to have to continue to do more and more in an uncertain world. And if there is a peace deal for Ukraine, Canada will be there.

As to how we will be there, we will work with our neighbours on it, but everything is on the table. He said Canada was releasing the first payment in a $5 billion fund from seized Russian assets and a grant to help Ukraine with energy security, something badly needed after Russian attacks on its gas supplies. The message today from Canada and European leaders in Kyiv was one of united support for Ukraine. Anna Cunningham, CBC News, London. Now to Washington. The push for peace in Ukraine is dominating talks this week

between the US president and two leaders from Europe. The French president is speaking with Donald Trump at the White House today. Emmanuel Macron says their objective is to build a solid and long-lasting peace in Ukraine. Europe is willing to step up, to be a stronger partner, to do more in defense and security for its continent, and as well to be a reliable partner and to be engaged in trade, economy, investment. Trump says he believes the war in Ukraine is nearing its end,

and he believes Vladimir Putin would agree to having European peacekeepers on the ground there after the fighting is over. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits the White House on Thursday. Pope Francis is showing a slight improvement today but doctors say his condition remains critical after he was hospitalized for bronchitis ten days ago. Megan Williams has the latest from Rome. The pope is still critically ill, now with double pneumonia, but the Vatican said his latest tests show he is slightly better than he was over the weekend. On Saturday the pope had a breathing crisis and required a high flow of oxygen that is

still being administered but with a reduced flow. The early signs of kidney failure reported Sunday are no longer cause for concern say doctors. The Pope is eating normally he's able to get out of bed and even called a Catholic parish priest in Gaza as he's often done during the Israeli Hamas war. Here in St. Peter's Square pilgrims express their hope and concern. Yes, we are all, all of us are praying for his good health to get well soon and return back to St. Peter's Basilica. He's very ill and I don't know if he, if he will survive this. Megan Williams, CBC News, The Vatican.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sarr says his country is defending its security in the occupied West Bank. It's military operations taking place there against terrorists and no other objectives but this one. Tanks were sent into the territory for the first time in more than 20 years. The Israeli government is telling soldiers to prepare for an extended stay. Israel says it is fighting Iranian-backed groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, operating in the area's refugee camps. The fighting in the West Bank over the past month has already displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians from their homes. The suspect and the stabbing of a child in Halifax has made a court appearance. The 19-year-old woman faces several charges, including attempted murder.

She allegedly stabbed a six-year-old child yesterday afternoon. Police say the suspect is known to them. She was charged last month with assault in another case. The victim is still in hospital, but police did not provide an update on the child's condition. And that is your World This Hour. For CBC News, I'm Tom Harrington. Thanks for listening.