World Report - November 18: Tuesday's top stories in 10 minutes

Episode Date: November 18, 2025

US House of Representatives to vote on the full release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. The Liberal budget passes, Prime Minister Mark Carney will continue to govern. What's next in Ottawa? Former high-ranking Canadian Armed Forces officers defend US-made F-35 fighter jets, as government considers purchasing Gripen-E jets from Swedish firm Saab instead. United Nations Security Council backs US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza. Fewer Canadian Snowbirds say they are heading south of the border this winter. 

In 1983, Paladin Press published a book called Hitman. This book offers specific tips for the aspiring contract killer. Things like where to find employment, how much to charge, basically how to get away with murder, and also not feel bad about it. Ten years later, the book was linked to a triple killing. This week on Crime Story, can a book be an accomplice to murder? Find Crime Story wherever you get your podcasts. This is a CBC podcast.

This is World Report. Good morning. I'm Marcia Young. Survivors of late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein send a direct message to Congress and U.S. President Donald Trump. I am begging every member of Congress, every representative, choose the survivors, choose the children. I beg you, President Trump. Please stop making this political.

It is not about you, President Trump. I voted for you, but your behavior on this issue has been a national embarrassment. They are speaking ahead of today's vote in the House of Representatives on whether or not to release the Epstein files. A decision that now has the backing of the U.S. president. The CBC's Willie Lowry joins me now from Washington. Willie, what are we expecting today? So we expect the House to vote in favor of compelling the Justice Department to release the Epstein files. Even though Republicans hold a slim majority, the fact that this has been a bipartisan effort led by Republican Thomas Massey and Democrat Roe Kana suggests the numbers are there.

President Donald Trump's reversal over the weekend suddenly supporting the release of these files is another indication that the House will likely vote in favor of the release. but don't expect to see the files any time soon. This is just the first of several steps that need to take place before a release of documents. So if it gets passed today, what's next? It would be up to the Senate to even decide if it wants to vote on the bill. It's under no obligation. And so far, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has been mum on the issue. John Barrasso, the second highest-ranking Republican in the Senate,

indicated that they would at least look at the bill. The House is going to vote, try to make a decision, and we'll see if they send something to the Senate. And if they do, we'll take a look at that. But we want transparency and accountability. If the Senate votes on the bill and it passes, it's then up to Trump to sign off on it. And then, finally, the Department of Justice

would be compelled to release the files. There is another way. Trump could circumvent all these votes and simply order the Attorney General to release the documents. Thank you, Willie. My pleasure. The CBC's Willie Lowry in Washington.

Canadians will not be going to another election. Prime Minister Mark Carney's minority liberals will continue to govern. Their budget passed the House of Commons, but it required a handful of abstentions from some key NDP and conservative MPs. Janice McGregor is in our parliamentary bureau. And Janice, the liberals live to fight another day. What now? Marcia, Finance Minister Francois-Ferlis-Champaign is out immediately today with his next flex.

The legislation to actually implement the measures in this budget has been put on notice, meaning we'll soon get to tuck into its actual policy and monetary substance, something that's been, frankly, somewhat overshadowed. Now, that legislation means more confidence votes. But the way this first stare-down ended could be instructive because multiple parties blinked here. Two weeks ago, Elizabeth May was theatrically throwing her. her budget book onto the floor to denounce its climate measures by yesterday, a few words of assurance from the prime minister in question period, enough for her to vote in favor. And both the

New Democrats and the conservatives held back with two MPs abstaining. That means neither can blame the other for propping up the government. Anyone that's watching only Pierre Pauliev's social media saw no acknowledgement of this in his messages to his followers about why most Conservatives voted no on a budget that they insist remains unaffordable, but what opposition parties also couldn't afford was another election. What does the way this unfolded tell you about how things will play out and the House between now and the winter break? Well, today, for example, the House of Commons is debating bail reform legislation.

These are changes, premiers, mayors, as well as the opposition of all demanded. The opposition has a competing private members bill of its own that calls for similar action. enabling the liberals to keep governing, is there an openness, at least on this bill, for a compromise to deal with what's a shared public safety concern if we aren't going to plunge into another election? Will MPs use this time to make progress or are bad feelings running too hot to collaborate just now? Thank you, Janice. You're welcome. The CBC's Janice McGregor in our Parliamentary Bureau. Sweden's King Carl Gustav and Queen Sylvia are being formally welcome to Canada. They are here leading a delegation of Swedish business leaders on a charm offensive,

including representatives of Saab. It is trying to convince the Canadian government to order fewer F-35 fighter jets from the United States and instead by its Gripen E fighter jets. Saab is promising it will create thousands of jobs in Canada. And industry minister Melanie Jolie says the government is, interested in its pitch. I don't believe that we've had enough jobs created and industrial benefits done out of the F-35 contract.

I think it's not enough. I think Canadians expect more, and we should get more. Our colleagues at Radio Canada have learned a dozen former high-ranking officers have written a letter defending the American-made jets. Here is former Chief of Defense Staff Tom Lawson. There just is nothing available in the free world. that comes close to the quality of the F-35.

The F-35 is the only aircraft that provides a way ahead with the operational capabilities that will make it viable for decades to come. Lawson previously worked as a part-time consultant for Loughkeed Martin, but he is no longer affiliated with the company. He says his views on the matter are the same as when he led the Canadian Armed Forces. The United Nations Security Council is backing Donald Trump's plan for Gaza. The blueprint put forward by the U.S. President paves the way for a possible sovereign Palestinian state and an international stabilization force.

But as the CBC's Tom Perry reports, both Israel and Hamas are already raising objections. The draft resolution has been adopted as... The UN Security Council endorsed Donald Trump's plan for Gaza with America's two main rivals. and China abstaining. Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, called the vote a significant step toward a peaceful and prosperous Gaza. This resolution today is just the beginning. An adoption of resolution today demonstrates the overwhelming support for the president's vision. But critics say that vision is unclear. Both Russia and China have pointed out there remain big questions around Trump's plan for

a board of peace with him as chair to oversee a transitional government in Gaza and around Trump's proposal for an international stabilization force to work with Palestinian police to provide security in the territory. Hamas, which still controls Gaza, is supposed to disarm under the peace plan and play no role in any future government. The group has rejected the UN resolution and its calls for an international force to patrol the territory. Israel, meanwhile, has raised concerns about the resolution's mention of a potential pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood. With Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeating his government's position, it stands firmly against any plan to establish a Palestinian state. Tom Perry, CBC News,

Jerusalem. It may not be winter yet, but snowbird season is beginning. This is the time of year. Many Canadians consider heading south of the border to escape the cold. But as Julia Wong reports, it appears fewer people are making the trip this year. It was just gorgeous. I just love to see the boats and it was just a beautiful lifestyle. For 10 years, retiree, Joanne Roe, spent her winters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. But after tariff tensions and annexation threats from U.S. President Donald Trump... That's when I thought I'm getting out of here.

This year, she will go to Mexico instead. Canadian snowbirds normally flock to the sunshine state. But the most recent Florida tourism figures show a 20% drop from the same time last year. Ruffling feathers over how the lucrative snowbird season will go. We really, really welcome the Canadians back with open arms. We want them back. At the beachside Atlantic Hotel and Spa, sales director Amy Faulkner laments their loss.

Canadian occupancy at the hotel is down 5% since the start of 2025, hurting the hotel's bottom line. Because they spend money when they come here, especially in a hotel, room service, dining on the beach, and all of that adds up very quickly and we miss it so very much. That sentiment echoed by Hollywood Florida mayor Josh Levy, who says more than half a million jobs in the state depend on Canadian snowbirds. We see our Canadian visitors at our grocery stores and restaurants and just contributing to the local economy. An economic relationship, the mayor and Florida businesses cope withstand the prevailing winds of politics. Julia Wong, CBC News, Hollywood, Florida.

That is the latest national and international news from World Report. I'm Marcia Young.