The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/12/23 at 22:00 EST

Episode Date: December 24, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/12/23 at 22:00 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. borough.ca. From CBC News, the world this hour. I'm Neil Hurland. The U.S. Justice Department has released another batch of documents linked to its investigations of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. There are new references to Donald Trump, including how investigators discovered he was on Epstein's private jet, more than they'd previously known.

There's also mention of co-conspirators who were never charged. Their names are redacted. Nima Ramani is a former federal prosecutor in the U.S. It does appear that some of these redactions are excessive. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a lawsuit filed by members of the House of Representatives, particularly Democrats, to see if some of these redactions were excessive and not warranted under the law. And today, U.S. President Donald Trump once again downplayed his connections with Epstein. The lawyer allegedly connected to suspected drug kingpin Ryan Wedding has been granted bail ahead of his extradition hearing. Deepak Parakdar is accused of advising Wedding to kill an FBI witness and aiding an international

drug smuggling network. The CBC's Michelle Song was in court today. Deepak Paradkar, the Toronto area lawyer accused of working with the alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding, has been released on bail as he faces extradition to the U.S. The judge says that although he recognizes that the Attorney General argues Pratkar would likely flee if released. He says because of his age and health conditions, the judge believes it will be difficult for Pradkar to be on the run. The judge also says he has the utmost confidence in Pratkar's surety, his wife, Mandy Taylor, Pratkar. Bail is set for more than $5 million. Pradkar's defense proposed 24-7 house arrest with an electronic monitor and proposed he will not communicate with anyone outside his family.

Pradkar faces five charges in the U.S., including conspiracy to tamper with a witness. If found guilty, he would face life in prison. Michelle Song, CBC News, Toronto. For the federal government in 2024, deportation costs added up to nearly $80 million. The Canada Border Services Agency says last year it removed more than 18,000 people from the country. Experts say that number may go up as Ottawa tightens immigration targets and limits new study and job permits. Evan Dyer reports. The last fiscal year was the busiest for removal since 2012, part of a steady uptick that followed a lull during the pandemic. CBSA says the increase

reflects the larger numbers of non-citizens allowed into the country in recent years, some of whom made asylum claims that were rejected or failed to comply with the conditions of their entry. It cost between $3,000 and $4,000 to remove a person who's willing to leave the country unescorted, but removals requiring a CBSA escort are more than three times as expensive. CBSA says it's currently deporting 400 people a week and is on track to remove over 20,000 people in the current fiscal year. Evan Dyer, CBC News, Ottawa. Environment Canada's warning of extremely cold temperatures in the coming days in parts of Yukon, the Northwest Territories, BC and the prairies. It has Yukon's energy grid

stretch to its limit. People are being told to prepare for power outages. Julian Green reports. There's no sign of that frigid weather descending from the Arctic easing any time soon. The territory's power grid is operating at near capacity, as it has been for days. On Monday, peak demand shattered records never had so much energy been used before. Energy Minister Ted Laking says that pressure needs to be alleviated. He's urging residents to do their part, conserve energy. It is important to know that we're close.

The grid is close, it is strained, and conserving energy is a really good way that folks can help us through this. Laking says blackouts would happen iteratively by neighborhood the idea is to give the system a break. Still, Laking couldn't say when imposed blackouts could happen. The territory is urging residents to put together enough emergency supplies that can last three days. That could include flashlights, candles, and emergency blankets. Julian Green, CBC News, Whitehorse. And that is your world this hour. I'm Neil Hurland.