The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/04/17 at 14:00 EDT

Episode Date: April 17, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/04/17 at 14:00 EDT

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 Juliane Hazelwood. The Green Party may not be in tonight's federal leaders debate, but it's the first party to put out a full costed platform ahead of the election. Co-leader Jonathan Pedneau. Our plan isn't just a list of promises, it is a vision. A vision for a Canada that is no longer governed by fear or complacency, but a vision grounded in social justice, in

collective sovereignty and in respect for the planet that we call home. Pedneau says agreeing government would end reliance on fossil fuels by investing in renewable energy also included a commitment to affordable housing by building more than a million new homes along with guaranteed liveable income and universal childcare. Ontario says a new bill will fast-track major resource development projects. Premier Doug Ford says the need for the legislation is urgent because of the economic threats from south of the border. Phil Blishanok has more.

It's not the same rules as usual. We're going to move forward. Premier Doug Ford says mining projects like those in the Ring of Fire, a deposit of critical minerals in the near north, must be fast tracked. President Trump wants to destroy our economy. We can't be caught up in red tape and regulations and dilly-dallying around. The bill would streamline government approval

such as permitting so roads could be built more quickly. It's the benefit of the mining companies, period. New Democrat Salma Maquas says Indigenous communities need to have a say before roads and mines can go forward. When we talk about duty to consult from this government, they do the bare minimum. And that's not good enough. Ford says the new rules won't cut corners on the environment or meaningful consultations with First Nations,

but the two First Nations doing environmental assessments in the area say their work cannot be rushed. Philip E. Shannok, CBC News, Toronto. A search and rescue operation is underway near the Quebec US border. The RCMP and the SQ are searching for a woman and two young children that were reported missing yesterday. The Mounties say they arrested two men and a woman near Trout River for illegally crossing the border from the US. They say that's when they learned about the woman and two children.

Vladimir Zelensky says Ukraine received information that China is supplying artillery and gunpowder to Russia. And the Ukrainian president says Chinese representatives are involved in the production of weapons on Russian territory. China has been a steadfast ally of Russia, but until now it has tried to maintain the appearance of neutrality in the Kremlin's war on Ukraine. At least four people have been killed in Italy in a cable car accident. The cable car in the south of the country is a popular attraction offering views of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples.

Officials say a cable snapped just a week after the destination reopened for the season. In this very galaxy, far, far away, lies a planet that scientists say has a remarkable chemical signature, one that could be made by living organisms. Science reporter Anand Ram has more. This moment in history of science will be viewed as a paradigm shift. Niku Madhusudan isn't shy about what his latest research could mean. He's with the University of Cambridge and suggests new data from a planet more than 120 light years away carries

signs of life. We have found signs of biosignature molecules, both of which are produced uniquely by life here on Earth. The planet K2-18b is thought to be an ocean world. The smelly signal detected is dimethyl sulfide, produced here on Earth by cabbage and marine algae. I understand that publics are necessarily excited. But scientists urge caution.

Yanqin Wu studies the makeup of exoplanets at the University of Toronto. Once the signal is confirmed, we have to figure out whether it's made by life exclusively. Confirmed or not, Wu expects more discoveries like this as the James Webb Space Telescope uncovers endless worlds that we never knew existed. Anand Ram, CBC News, Toronto. And that is your World This Hour. For CBC News, I'm Julianne Hazelweill.