The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/12/30 at 11:00 EST

Episode Date: December 30, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/12/30 at 11:00 EST

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from cbc news the world this hour i'm claude pig 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 willie lawry reports from washington the u.s targeted a on the Venezuelan coast. U.S. 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 a 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 Farsad Fata Lozade has more.

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 Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran. Morality Police. The Iranian Riyal has plunged to record lows under Western sanctions,

driving inflation even higher. President Massoud Peseshbyan has announced plans for monetary reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy and protecting purchasing power. Farzat Fatal-Azadeh, CBC News, Toronto. The United Arab Emirates says it will withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen following a dramatic confrontation with Saudi Arabia. The move comes after Saudi airstrikes on Yemen's port city of Mukala over what Riyadh says was a weapon shipment for UAE-backed separatists. The UAE has not said when its withdrawal will begin. While 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 Postal Service is marking the occasion with a campaign video.

It memorializes the letter's role in Denmark's history. But Postnort says the decision to end letter service is based on 2025 realities. Since 2000, there has been a 90% drop in volume. Much of that due to electronic communication. Parcel deliveries will continue. As for those red postal boxes, they will be, auctioned off. Team Canada is riding high after a big victory at the World Junior Hockey Championships 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 route of Denmark. Canada is looking to make it to the podium after missing consecutive years, losing out in the quarterfinal both years. Canada will next face off against Finland on New Year's Eve. And that is your world this hour. For CBC News, I'm Claude Haig.