The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/08/18 at 07:00 EDT

Episode Date: August 18, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/08/18 at 07:00 EDT

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Speaking on Fox News, Trump's special envoy, Steve Whitkoff, said Russia's Vladimir Putin has agreed to allow the U.S. and Europe provide robust security guarantees for Ukraine as part of any peace deal. It means that the United States is potentially prepared to be able to give Article 5 security guarantees, but not from NATO, directly from the United States. other European countries. That is big. I mean, really big. Zolensky has described the U.S.'s willingness to participate in security guarantees for Ukraine as a historic decision. Meanwhile, writing on social media ahead of today's big meeting, Trump said Zelensky can end Russia's war if he wants to, and once again ruled out Ukraine joining NATO as part of any peace deal. Dominic Volitus for CBC News, London. Good morning from CBC News. This is the World this hour. I'm Joe Cummings. We just heard there from Dominic Volaitis teeing up today's

meeting in the White House with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, sitting down with President Donald Trump. At the same time, however, at least seven people have been killed in an overnight Russian air strike on Harkiv. That's emergency crews removing the wounded from an apartment building that was targeted in the strike. Harkiv, which is Ukraine's second largest city, is located near the country's northeast border with Russia. It has consistently been the target of drone and missile attacks since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion. We're expecting another chaotic day for travelers

as the labor dispute continues between Air Canada and the union representing its flight attendants. Air Canada says it has a plan to resume flights as of this evening. However, it's not clear at this point whether that will happen. The airline's flight attendants have been defying a back-to-work order from the federal government and have filed a court challenge demanding the right to collect a bargaining. Air Canada says more than 900 flights were canceled yesterday, leaving thousands of travelers scrambling to salvage their travel plans.

Pierre Polyev's name is on the ballot in today's federal election in the federal by-election in the Alberta riding of Battle River Crowfoot. With his political future hanging in the balance, the Conservative Party leader needs a win after losing his home riding in the general election back in April. Josh McLean reports And it will require national leadership to fight for the people here and the way of rural way of life.

Pierre Pollyev looking to win votes in Battle River Crowfoot and the odds are in his favor. It's among the safest conservative writings in the country. Damian Kirk winning handily for the party back in April with more than 82% of the votes. Stepping aside just weeks later to give Pollyev a path back to the House of Commons. Voter Nolan Johnson thinks having a party leader

as a member of parliament could benefit the riding. His focus will be taken more toward Ottawa, but then at the same time, if something needs to happen, in his writing, there's better political pressure. Independent candidate Bonnie Critchley is hoping to capitalize on her local connection, potentially taking votes away from Polyev. Lori Williams is a political scientist at Mount Royal University in Calgary. That could bring his vote share down, and that would not be a good sign for his leadership review in the new year. Josh McLean, CBC News, Calgary. The wildfire burning in Nova Scotia's Annapolis County is growing.

Provincial officials say it is nearly 2,000 hectares in size now and is out of control. Scott Tingley is the province's forest protection manager. These are not favorable firefighting conditions. It's very, very dry. The wind is predominantly out of the south-southwest, and so it is pushing the fire northeast. More than 200 firefighters are on the ground battling the blaze. Tingley says the fire is also moving closer to a number of homes now, but only in communities that have already been evacuated.

Repeating our top story this morning, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is in Washington today for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, and Zelensky is being joined by the Prime Minister of Britain and the President of France and other members of the so-called Coalition of the Willing. It's a group of European leaders committed to support, Ukraine in its war against Russia. And that is the world this hour.