The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/02/24 at 19:00 EST

Episode Date: February 25, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/02/24 at 19:00 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 this hour. I'm Tom Harrington. The president of France visited Washington today amid an apparent shift in US policy and tone on Ukraine.

Emmanuel Macron says Europe is ready for a bigger role in securing a peace deal with Russia. All of this on the third anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion. Richard Madden has more on the visit from Washington. French President Emmanuel Macron is on a diplomatic counteroffensive at the White House, urging President Donald Trump not to abandon Ukraine, as the U.S. signals it's no longer a willing partner to secure the region. The cost and burden of securing the peace must be borne by the nations of Europe, not alone

by the United States. And Europe must take that central role in its security. So far, Europe has been excluded from U.S.-led peace talks with Russia. Macron says some European countries are prepared to bolster security in Ukraine and possibly send troops to its front lines in a limited role. On Thursday, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit the White House. Trump also hinting Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelky, could visit a few weeks later to sign a deal giving his country's critical minerals to the U.S. in exchange for security

guarantees. Richard Madden, CBC News, Washington. Tensions between the U.S. and Europe were on full display at the U.N. General Assembly in New York. The assembly adopted a resolution backed by Europe calling for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. The U.S. voted against it, putting forward its own draft instead. The American proposal called for a swift end to the war, but made no mention of Moscow's

aggression. The U.S. ended up abstaining from the vote on its own resolution after the text was amended by European countries. 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 Jihadihad 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 Correctional Service of Canada is looking for a prisoner who escaped from a federal prison in Quebec. Not just any prisoner. Ricardo Vilscher is 85 years old and was serving a sentence for second degree murder at the Archambault Institution in Saint-Andre-de-Plan. He was in the minimum security unit, but officials realized he was missing during the noon hour

count today. Vilscher is described as being 5'5 and 123 pounds with grey hair and a scar on his nose. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Quebec Provincial Police. And that is your World This Hour. For CBC News, I'm Tom Harrington. Thanks for listening.