The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/12/30 at 09:00 EST

Episode Date: December 30, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/12/30 at 09:00 EST

There are two kinds of Canadians, those who feel something when they hear this music. And those who've been missing out so far. I'm Chris Howden. And I'm Neil Kuksal. We are the co-hosts of As It Happens. And every day we speak with people at the center of the day's most hard-hitting, heartbreaking, and sometimes hilarious news stories. Also, we have puns.

Here Why As It Happens is one of Canada's longest running in most beloved shows. You can find us wherever you get your podcasts. From CBC News, the world this hour. I'm Claude Faye. The U.S. is escalating its so-called war on drugs, with President Donald Trump confirming what is believed to be the first U.S. operation inside Venezuela. The move follows months of strikes against what the White House calls narco-terrorist boats in the Pacific and Caribbean.

Whitley Lowry reports from Washington. The U.S. targeted a dock on the Venezuelan coast. President Donald Trump says it's where alleged drugboats load up before shipping off for various parts of the world. CNN is reporting that the strike was carried out by the CIA using drones. The strike appears to have taken place just before Christmas. Democratic Senator Chris Coon says he's stunned by the escalation. That President Trump would reveal a covert action like this by bragging about it. Since September 2nd, the U.S. has launched more than 30 strikes. on alleged drugboats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

The U.S. has steadily ratcheted up pressure on Venezuela. Earlier this month, Trump announced a blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, an attempt to cripple the country's main source of revenue, and Trump has openly mused about ousting the country's president, Nicholas Maduro. Willie Lowry, CBC News, Washington. Across Iran, students and citizens are pouring into the streets in protest against soaring prices and collapsing currency. Markets are shutting down, security forces are on high alert,

and the unrest is drawing international attention, including from the U.S. State Department. The CBC's Farzad Fatolazade has the latest. Students from multiple universities in Tehran have joined citizens in the streets. Parts of Tehran's markets remain closed as shopkeepers joined the demonstrations. Security forces have been deployed.

in several cities, including Esfahan, Kermansh Shah, and Shiraz, as tensions rise and clashes occasionally break out. The Iranian government has acknowledged the protests and promised dialogue with leaders. These demonstrations echo earlier protests, including the 2022 nationwide unrest, triggered by the death of Maasah Amini in the custody of Iran's morality police. The Iranian Riyal has plunged to record lows under Western sanctions, driving inflation even higher. President Massoud Peseshkian has announced plans for monetary reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy and protecting purchasing power. Farzad Fatal-Lazade, CBC News, Toronto. The Kremlin is calling for dialogue with Iran and urging all sides to

avoid escalation after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Washington could support another massive strike on Tehran. Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump suggested Iran may be trying to revive its weapons programs, a claim Tehran denies. Well, it's the end of an era in Denmark. The Postal Service is delivering its last letter today, ending a 400-year-old service. The National Post Service is marking the occasion with a campaign video. It memorializes the letter's role in Denmark's history. But Post Nord says the decision to end letter service is based on 2020.

realities. Since 2000, there has been a 90% drop in volume, much of that due to electronic communication. Parcels will continue to be delivered. As for the distinctive red postal boxes, they're being auctioned off with many selling for more than $400 a piece. Team Canada is riding high after a big victory at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Minnesota last night. McKenna calling for it. The lead pass finds McKenna. In comes McKenna. Oh, the movie scores. As seen on TSN, Gavin McKenna of Whitehorse scored his third goal of the game as part of a 9-1 Canada route of Denmark. Canada is looking to make it back to the podium after consecutive quarterfinal exits at the tournament. They'll face off against Finland tomorrow.

And that is your world this hour. For CBC News, I'm Claude Pag.