The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/12/25 at 08:00 EST

Episode Date: December 25, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/12/25 at 08:00 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 Claude Fagg. Merry Christmas and happy holidays. There continue to be many more questions than answers in the ongoing saga surrounding the release of official files relating to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The latest twist came in a late afternoon Christmas Eve announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice, claiming that over a million more documents have suddenly been discovered. The CBC's John Northcod is tracking the developments from London. Yet again, U.S. officials say they're going to need more time to deliver what they now say is the full extent of the Epstein files. In a move that's being described as stunning late on Christmas Eve, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that as many as a million more documents would be released, but it might take weeks to perform redactions to protect victims.

That is likely to do little to satisfy those victims who have fought for transparency all along. not only when it comes to Epstein, but also to those others who were in his circle, and almost a week after a congressionally mandated deadline to make everything they had public. Meanwhile, here in the UK, tabloids are filled with speculation as to what the future holds for the man formerly known as Prince Andrew. The now, Andrew Mountbatten, Windsor, brought down by allegations surrounding his association with Epstein, will be at Royal Lodge in Windsor for his last Christmas, having been ordered out of his residence by his brother, the king.

John Northcott, CBC News, London. There's a new U.S. back peace plan to try and end Russia's war with Ukraine. And for the first time, Ukraine's president is signaling he's ready to compromise on some major sticking points. Vladimir Zelensky says his country is willing to withdraw troops from the front line if Russia does the same. Michael Busserkew is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and says Zelensky may have little choice. I think he's been squeezed into a corner, especially by the Americans who want a quick deal. The problem is with these types of very, very complex peace plans, things cannot be rushed.

The problem, however, that Mr. Zelensky is in, is that the Russians are absolutely pounding Ukraine night after night after night. U.S. President Donald Trump has delivered a pointed Christmas Day message on his social media site. Trump opens the holiday greeting with a direct shot at his opponent saying, quote, Merry Christmas to all, including the radical left scum that is doing everything possible to destroy our country, but are failing badly. From there, Trump goes on to his usual talking points, touting what he considers economic success for his government, highlighting a strong GDP report, a hot run for the stock market in recent months. In the occupied West Bank. Bethlehem's Nativity Church held a

public mass for Christmas this year, the church had refrained from public celebrations for the last two years due to the war in Gaza. As the ceasefire enters its second month, Bethlehem is expected to see the return of pilgrims. The city will be celebrating the day with marching bands. And that is your world this hour. Remember, you can listen to us any time on voice-activated devices such as Google Home. For CBC News, I'm Claude Fagg. Thank you.