World Report - September 21: Sunday's top stories in 10 minutes

Episode Date: September 21, 2025

Prime Minister Mark Carney formally recognizes Palestinian state.UK PM Starmer announces State of Palestine recognition.Palestinians react to statehood recognition.Tens of thousands expected at Charlie Kirk memorial service in Phoenix.Ottawa's 'Buy Canadian' policy to be key feature of November's federal budget.Canadian pumpkin farms fear bad crop ahead of Halloween.

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This is World Report. Good morning, I'm John Northcott. The Canadian government now officially recognizes the state of Palestine. It's a major shift in foreign policy and part of a coordinated effort being made to date together with several other countries. In a statement, Prime Minister Mark Carney says the actions of both Israel and Hamas

have eroded the possibility of achieving statehood through a negotiated settlement. He cites the Hamas attacks on October 7th and Israel's assault on Gaza. Carney says the current Israeli government is working, quote, methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. He adds Canada is committed to a peaceful future for both the state of Palestine and the state of Israel. The announcement comes ahead of this week's United Nations General Assembly. Bob Ray is Canada's ambassador to the UN. The point is, for us, is to say in good faith, we are joining over 145 other countries in recognizing that there are two states, one is the state of Israel, the other is a state of Palestine,

and creating a democratic state and a culture of peace between the two countries is critical. The UK and Australia have also formally recognized Palestinian statehood. Britain's Prime Minister Kier Starrmer made the announcement this morning. We are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution. That means a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state. At the moment, we have neither. Sasha Petrissik is following developments on this story for us. He is in Ramallah.

Sasha, these announcements are certainly being watched closely in the West Bank and Israel. What's the reaction? Well, if the words of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the past few days and weeks as this has gathered steam, if those words that he has used warning Canada, Britain, France, and other countries not to go down this road are any signal, then pretty tough talk is probably what we will be hearing next from Israel. He has described this move as a reward for terrorism. terrorism as a way to repeat what happened on October 7th and that it is not the way to bring

peace, although he has not presented an alternative reaction to that. The other question that many people here are wondering about is what actions will go with that? What will Israel do? And since it controls access to the occupied West Bank and obviously to Gaza, it has a certain ability to prevent the rest of the world from going in and prevent Palestinians from coming out. So this is what we are looking for. And some diplomats that I've been in touch with over the past few days are particularly wondering whether Israel will follow what it did last month

when it sanctioned two Australian diplomats. What that means is it pulled their visas. They were posted here in Ramallah. Now they are not allowed to come into the territory anymore. that all happened in the wake of Australia's announcement that it was considering recognizing Palestinian statehood. So, Sasha, you are there in Ramallah. What are you hearing from people on the ground? Well, most people are really wondering whether this is a practical step that is going to change their lives, change their situation, but some still do see a little bit of light

at the end of the tunnel with these announcements. This is what they had to say to us today. sure it does make different because we need to have two-state solutions. Don't forget, it's our right to have our country. Yeah, I think this move should have been long ago. And other than saying words, I think there should be actual actions that is going to first stop the genocide as going on. Second, actually do some things that's going to prevent the violence that's happening against Palestinians. So officially at least a lot of optimism and on the streets still quite a bit of skepticism. The CBC's Sasha Petrasek in Ramallah. Thanks so much for this, Sasha. My pleasure, John.

Turning to other news, more than 100,000 people are expected to gather in Arizona today for Charlie Kirk's funeral. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to be among the high-ranking politicians attending the service. The killing of the conservative activist set off a fierce battle in the United States and led to Jimmy Kimmel, one of the most popular TV personalities in the country, being taken off the air. Steve Futterman. is in Phoenix with more on how it's playing out at Kirk's Memorial. When tens of thousands of Charlie Kirk devotees gather here today, there will also be many who support Jimmy Kimmel.

I didn't really agree with a lot of things that Jimmy Kimmel said, but that's no reason for somebody to be canceled, in my opinion. That's Jeremy Johnson. He is definitely not a fan of Kimmel's, never watches his show. In some ways, he says this is complicated, but in other ways it isn't. A lot of people have said a lot of horrendous things throughout our, existence as a country, and I'm just grateful that people don't get thrown into prisons or gulags. To be sure, there are many Kirk supporters who have a much different view like this woman.

I don't like it when that freedom of speech causes contention between people, and it divides people. We're all children of God. Have that as our identity. We have seen the same division among politicians. This past week, Donald Trump was in full anti-Kimmel mode. You said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk. And Jimmy Kimmel is not a talented person. He had very bad ratings, and they should have fired him a long time ago. But Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, as conservative as they come, has been cautioning Republicans. What Jimmy Kimmel said was deplorable, but we shouldn't be threatening government power to force him off air.

That's a real mistake. At today's memorial service, it's very possible Jimmy Kimmel's name will be mentioned. And if that happens, he is very likely to be booed. Steve Fuderman, CBC News, Phoenix. CBC News has learned that federal government's by Canadian policy will be a key feature of November's federal budget. It's part of a plan to realign the Canadian economy and make it less dependent on the U.S.

David Thurton reports. It's a very good step in the right direction. We are really happy with that level of support. But, of course, the proof is in the pudding. Catherine Cobden, with the Canadian Steel Producers Association, says her members are awaiting details of Mark Carney's by Canadian policy. The industry now faces a 50% tariff from the United States. This is going to be a hard journey ahead for the steel sector and for our customers,

but it's definitely going to help. CBC News has learned the government intends to implement aspects of the policy as early as November. A source with knowledge of the government's plans but not authorized to speak publicly, says, expect the policy to be fully implemented by the spring of 2026. The source added that funding in November's budget will be a key factor. But as Ottawa continues to work on this policy, concerns are being raised. Fernando Mello is with the Canadian Renewable Energy Association. Unfortunately, not always the most practical of policies because it doesn't always fit

the realities that industries face. Our supply chains are globalized. Solar and wind insulation, depend on government funding and support. The worry among some is an assertive policy might penalize companies who have to source components from away. David Thurton, CBC News, Ottawa. And finally, Canadian farmers say they're struggling to produce an important crop this time of year. Unusual weather over the summer

is affecting this year's harvest of pumpkins. And with Halloween around the corner, growers are feeling a little spooked. Sarah Levitt reports. Here is just a really immature pumpkin. At Black Fox Farm and Distillery in Saskatoon, Barb's definition Cote moves vines aside to show her pumpkin crop in the field. Some are green, others yellow. The ones that are orange are smaller than normal.

The uncooperative weather means the highlight event of the year for the farm is cancelled. It's pumpkin festival. Unfortunately, we had a lot of cool, wet, rainy weather, and pumpkins like hot, dry, especially after they've been, after they've germinated, they need that hot and dry to keep growing. But for some farmers in other places in Canada, it was actually too hot and too dry. According to the Canadian drought monitor, around 70% of the country's farmland has been abnormally dry this summer. We're thinking we could be down as much as 40%. Greg McKenzie is the owner of McKenzie produce in Stratford, Prince Edward Island. Probably 33 years since I've been on this operation.

And there's only been one or two years that by record show a struggle such as this. Farmers say they're always at the mercy of the weather, but many worry the heat and lack of rain will become more and more normal, and Canadians will turn instead to imported pumpkins to satisfy their jacko'-lantern needs. Sarah Levitt's CBC News, Montreal. And that is the latest national and international news from World Reuters. report. Remember for news anytime, go to our website, cbcnews.ca. And if you're enjoying this World Report podcast, and we hope you are, please follow us and tell a friend. It helps to spread

the word. I'm John Northcott. Thanks for spending part of your weekend with us here at CBC News.