The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/12/28 at 18:00 EST

Episode Date: December 28, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/12/28 at 18:00 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. from cbc news the world this hour i'm riley leachuk we begin south of the border where after several hours of negotiations at marlago ukraine's president flotemir zelensky and u.s president donald trump both expressed optimism that a peace deal could be reached to end the war between ukraine and russia we had a really great discussions on all the topics and we appreciate the progress that was made by American and Ukrainian teams in this recent weeks. I really believe we're probably, Mr. President, closer than, by far closer than ever before with both parties. I think they both want to see it happen.

The leaders indicated that there was near agreement on a U.S.-Ukraine security agreement, but Trump said a few thorny issues around territory must be resolved. Trump says he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the day and says, he will speak with him again. The diplomacy comes shortly after Russia launched one of the longest sustained assaults on Ukraine's capital Kiev. Winter rain is lashing the Gaza Strip, flooding camps with displaced Palestinians. The wind was very strong last night, says this man trying to fix his tent in Khan Yunus. A strong weekend storm has soaked blankets and mattresses, clay ovens for cooking are swamped with water.

At least 12 people have died since December 13 from hypothermia or weather-related collapses of war-damaged homes, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. Malaria kills hundreds of thousands of children globally every year, but there's new hope thanks to a new vaccine. A recent study shows it is effective in preventing severe illness. Jennifer Yoon reports. A recent study followed 45,000 children younger than five in three African countries.

It found those who received, three doses of the vaccine, RTSS, were less likely to suffer from severe malaria or be hospitalized with the disease. It's great news in the fight against the disease estimated to kill a child every two minutes, says Dr. Scott Gordon, who leads the malaria vaccine program at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This is further data that really verifies the effectiveness of the vaccine, the safety of the vaccine, as it's being implemented in real-life settings. RTSSS is one of two malaria vaccines. RTSS is one of two malaria vaccines. that are being ruled out across Africa.

But as promising as the vaccines are, it's not cheap and requires four doses. While the manufacturer and Gavi are bringing prices down, Gordon says, countries must continue funding the fight against malaria. Jennifer Yun, CBC News, Toronto. Well, Nick Curios has beaten the world's number one tennis star Arena Sabalinka in what had been controversially billed

a Battle of the Sexes exhibition match in Dubai. Dominic Vallettis brings us that story. It's good. It is Kiryos, who emerges victorious. A sold-out crowd in Dubai for today's Battle of the Sexes exhibition match and a 6-3-6-3 win for Nick Kirios against women's world number one, Arina Sabalenko. I had to work hard. Nothing came easy out there. It was incredibly high level. Build as a modern take on Billy Jean King's famous victory over former Grand Slam winner Bobby Riggs

more than 50 years ago. Today's match had ignited controversy over its relevance and meaning, something Sabalanka was keen to address in the post-match press conference. I showed a great tennis. It wasn't like six-love, six-love. It was a great fight. It was interesting to watch. It brought more ice on tennis. Sabalenko hasn't ruled out a rematch with Kirios, saying she now knows his tactics, meaning any future showdown would be even better than today's. Dominic Volitus for CBC News, Bristol, England. And Canada is turning its attention to tomorrow's game against Denmark at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Minnesota.

The Canadian team has the day off after beating Latvia 2-1 last night in overtime. Canada leads Group B with five points. And that is your world this hour for CBC News. I'm Riley Lechuk. Thank you.