The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/10/17 at 18:00 EDT

Episode Date: October 17, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/10/17 at 18:00 EDT

At Beneva, we know the right partner makes everything better, like hot cocoa and marshmallows. Our experts make life insurance simple and reassuring, with products that cover every chapter. With Beneva, life insurance is easier. From CBC News, The World This Hour, I'm Kate McGilfrey. Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's bid for more America and long-range weaponry hasn't been shut down yet. But the president seems to suggest there hasn't been much progress either. Zelensky had hoped to secure a weapons deal after meeting with Donald Trump in the White House. Katie Nicholson has the latest.

Volodymyr Zelensky had hoped for Tomahawks. He even appeared to suggest a deal. Ukrainian drones in exchange for long-range American missiles. But it was evident early in the meeting that Donald Trump wasn't interested. Hopefully we'll be able to get the war over with without thinking about tomahawks. He pushed instead the idea of mediation. After a closed-door session, Trump left for Florida taking no questions, but posting on social media, that the meeting was cordial and that it's time to stop the killing. Enough blood, he said, has been shed. Trump and Putin spoke on the phone late Thursday. Trump agreed to a meeting with the Russian leader in Budapest. Zelensky told Trump he is open to trilateral talks. We trust United States. We trust. We trust.

President, that he wants to finish this war. And he agreed with Trump, the war must end, so both sides could talk. Katie Nicholson, CBC News, Toronto. In Alberta today, a report into conflicts of interest in the province's health care procurement practices has come out. A judge was asked to look into the situation. He ultimately blamed some employees of Alberta health care services and cleared politicians. Julia Wong explains. The Hawaiian report made it very clear that there was no wrongdoing.

on the part of elected officials, any of their staff, or any of the public servants. Alberta Premier Daniel Smith is standing by her government after the release of a 42-page report examining the procurement of children's medication and private surgical facilities. Retired Judge Raymond Wyatt wrote there were real conflicts of interest, with two former employees involved with the contracts, but senior officials did not investigate, and he found no evidence anyone in government acted improperly. Smith is blaming the health authority.

There are some good questions about why it is HHS decision makers and managers didn't flag some of these issues of conflict of interest. But political science professor Lori Williams from Mount Royal University says the judge's investigation was restricted. He couldn't compel witnesses. He couldn't cross-examine witnesses. Smith says all 18 recommendations will be accepted. Julia Wong, CBC News, Edmonton.

Hamas says it has handed over the remains of another Israeli hostage. The ceasefire agreement for Gaza included a pledge to return 28 bodies or provide information about where they are. Prior to today, nine had been returned to Israel, a delay that had led Israel to threaten to restrict aid into Gaza. Today, the Israeli defense forces said the Red Cross will pick up the coffin before official identification can begin. The union representing striking public service workers in British Columbia has agreed to enter non-binding mediation with the province. The strike is now in its seventh week, with the two sides still far apart on wages. BC Premier David Eby hopes mediation will be able to bridge that gap.

This is a labor action that has hurt businesses, public, and valued government employees that help us deliver for British Colombians every day. And so getting to the table with a mediator, we hope we'll reach a quick resolution. The union says its members will remain on the picket line during the mediation process. The strike has disrupted many BC services, including the justice system, liquor distribution, and some financial aid programs. And Prince Andrew is giving up his royal titles. In a statement today, he says the continued accusations against him distract from the work

of the royal family. Andrew has been under scrutiny for his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein. He says he'll no longer use his royal titles, including Duke of York. But since he's the queen's son, he will continue. to be known as Prince Andrew. This decision was made after discussions with King Charles. It also comes days before the publication of a memoir by his accuser, the late Virginia Jewfrey. And that is your world this hour. Get the latest headlines anytime on our website. For CBC News, I'm Kate McGilfrey.