The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/12/19 at 19:00 EST

Episode Date: December 20, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/12/19 at 19:00 EST

This ascent isn't for everyone. You need grit to climb this high this often. You've got to be an underdog that always over-delivers. You've got to be 6,500 hospital staff, 1,000 doctors, all doing so much with so little. You've got to be Scarborough. Defined by our uphill battle and always striving towards new heights. And you can help us keep climbing.

Donate at lovescarbro.cairbo. bro.ca. From CBC News, the world this hour. I'm Kate McGilfrey. The U.S. Justice Department has released several hundred thousand records relating to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. They're the first documents to come to light under a new law compelling their release. But the DOJ says it's putting out only a portion of them before its midnight deadline.

Karen Pauls has the latest. This is proof of literally everything that we've been. saying Canadian Charlene Rochard is one of the Epstein survivors who pressured lawmakers and U.S. President Donald Trump to force the release of these files. I really want people to know how human trafficking works. This new dump includes photos, many sexual and graphic, naked or topless women with their faces blacked out. There are references to child sexual abuse material, as well, photos of notable people like former president, Bill Clinton, and lots of documents related to the prosecutions against Epstein. Much of it redacted. Rochard says all the files should be released.

We've experienced delays, unanswered questions, and a lack of transparency. The legislation does allow the department to withhold personal information of survivors and information related to ongoing prosecutions. Karen Paul's, CBC News, Washington. Three Toronto men are facing nearly 80 charges, with police alleging they made two separate attempts to kidnap women. They say the suspects were targeting members of the Jewish community and were fueled by hate-motivated extremism. The RCMP's investigation also yielded more charges for one of the men, RCMP, Assistant Commissioner, Matt Peggs. These charges include terrorist financing, participation in the activities of a terrorist group, facilitating terrorist activity, and conspiracy to commit murder. This case demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that those who threaten the safety of communities in Canada will be held accountable.

The Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs says it's urging authorities to take decisive measures to prevent the spread of extremism. The U.S. launched airstrikes-on-targets in Syria today, which Defense Secretary Pete Hegeseth called a Declaration of Vengeance. Two members of the Iowa National Guard and an American translator were killed in an ISIS attack in Syria last weekend. Hexeth says the U.S. targeted ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in response. Vancouver's installing hundreds of new temporary surveillance cameras ahead of the 26 FIFA World Cup. City officials say it's all about public safety. Some privacy experts say it needs closer scrutiny. The province is estimating there will be about 350,000 visitors during the tournament next summer.

Extra cameras have been put up around BC Place Stadium. It's not clear how the cameras will be used. or who will have access to the footage. And like other parts of the country before it, Alberta is experiencing a spike in the number of flu cases. It's putting a strain on hospitals, and as Aaron Collins tells us, it's turning out to be a tougher than usual influenza season.

My husband's had it pretty bad. He had the cough and the chills and all the things. Tis the season for influenza. That's my bus driver. Top of mind outside this Calgary School as the holiday break starts. Yeah, a couple weeks ago, he only had nine kids in his class that day

because there are so many out sick. The flu is hitting hard this year driven by the H3N2 strain. 650 people are in hospital with the flu in Alberta, nearly double last week's total. Lewis Franciscetti is an ER doctor in Edmonton.

There's no if-ends or butts about it. The flu is here with a vengeance. We're in the exponential phase right now. This year's flu shot isn't a good match for the H3N2 strain. Still, doctors are urging people to get vaccinated before gathering for the holidays because it reduces the risk of a severe infection and complications. Aaron Collins, CBC News, Calgary. And that is the world this hour.

You can listen to us any time on voice-activated devices like Amazon Echo or Google Home. For CBC News, I'm Kate McGilfrey. Thank you.