The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/12/17 at 12:00 EST

Episode Date: December 17, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/12/17 at 12:00 EST

Quincy Cross is in prison for the murder of Jessica Curran. But the story of what happened that night keeps changing. Quincy's attorney did try to flag that. I mean, these attorneys, for the five of them, were really trying to flag. There's something really wrong here. This week on Crime Story, could Quincy Cross be innocent? Find Crime Story wherever you get your podcasts. From CBC News, it's the world this hour.

I'm Joe Cummings. Radio Canada is reporting that Quebec Liberal Party leader Pablo Rodriguez will be resigning. Rodriguez, a former Trudeau cabinet minister, took over the provincial party leadership in June, and in recent weeks, the parties been in turmoil amid claims of illegal campaign. donations. Rodriguez has ordered an internal investigation, and Quebec's anti-corruption police is also looking into the allegations. As the government of Premier Francois Lagos sinks in the polls, Rodriguez has been presenting the liberals as the only viable alternative to the party Quebecois. This says the PQ has been promising to hold a third independence referendum if it

wins the next election. U.S. President Donald Trump says he is ordering a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers sailing into Venezuela. It's being viewed as yet another sign his administration is working toward regime change. Willie Lowry has more. In a lengthy post on social media, Trump said the country was completely surrounded by what he called the largest armada in the history of South America. Trump also ordered a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into and out of Venezuela. He accused the government of being a a designated foreign terrorist organization and demanded that it return oil, land, and other assets that he alleges were stolen from the U.S.

This appears to be a reference to when Caracas nationalized its oil industry in the mid-1970s. Before then, many U.S. companies operated in the country. Trump has openly mused about regime change, and there is bipartisan dislike of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro, who has made it clear that he does not want a war with the U.S. but has shown little interest in stepping down. Willie Lowry, CBC News, Washington. Incidentally, President Trump will be delivering a primetime TV address from the White House. It's set to get underway at 9 o'clock Eastern.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt says the president will be discussing his accomplishments since taking office in January. Canada's Secretary of State for Sport, Adam VanCoverton, says he supports skate Canada's decision to no longer hold any of its major events in Alberta. That decision was made after the Alberta government banned transgender athletes from participating in women's sport. We believe that a sport system that is rooted in fairness and welcoming and is inclusive for all athletes is the best path forward. Vancouverden says all Canadians should have the opportunity to participate in sports, including those in the transgender community. Alberta Premier Daniel Smith

says women and girls deserve the right to compete in a safe and fair environment against other biological females. New safety guidelines issued for Quebec schoolyards are recommending a series of complex rules and daily inspections to cover winter recess. Alexander Silberman explains. A winter tradition in Canadian schoolyards, jumping, sliding, and rolling down big mounds of snow. But now Quebec schools are being encouraged.

to follow a new list of safety rules, including possibly wearing helmets. The guidelines come from a group insurance association, aiming to avoid complaints from parents and potential lawsuits. Snow piles need to be between 1.8 and 3 meters high, with a pitch of around 25%. But Quebec Premier Francois Lagos, argues the idea of wearing helmets in the schoolyard, is excessive. And some experts say outdoor risky play, is an essential part of early childhood development. There are no consequences for schools that don't implement the guidelines. Many trying to strike a balance, keeping kids safe,

while letting a little bit of a tumble still be part of the fun. Alexander Silberman, CBC News, Montreal. And that is the World This Hour. You can listen to us wherever you get your podcast. The World This Hour is updated every hour seven days a week. And for news anytime, of course, go to our website, cbcnews.ca. For CBC News, I'm Joe Cummings.