Trump/Zelenskyy meet, border security measures, Prince Andrew gives up titles, and more

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Your World Tonight (CBC)

Episode Date: October 17, 2025
Hosts: Stephanie Skenderas, Paul Hunter
Length: ~25 minutes

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Overview

This episode provides an in-depth wrap-up of the day’s major global and Canadian news stories, emphasizing political developments, security, royal scandals, economic trends, and even lighter moments from the world of sports. Key topics include the Trump–Zelenskyy meeting and U.S. arms policy toward Ukraine, Canada’s border security overhaul, Prince Andrew's relinquishment of royal titles, escalating gold prices, St. Lawrence water management, and Canada's contribution to the F35 fighter jet program.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump–Zelenskyy Meet: High Stakes, Low Results

[01:13–05:21]

• Fashion & Diplomacy: Trump’s offbeat compliment on Zelenskyy’s jacket highlighted the contrasting priorities as the Ukrainian leader pressed for advanced U.S. weaponry.
  • “US President Donald Trump may be handing out fashion compliments to Volodymyr Zelensky, but ...what he's really looking for are Tomahawk missiles...” — Stephanie Skenderas [01:13]
• The Ask: Zelenskyy requested Tomahawk cruise missiles to shift the war’s trajectory, a move seen as an escalation by Russia.
  • “American made Tomahawk cruise missiles, weaponry that could strike deep inside Russia, including even Moscow...a potential game changer in the war...” — Paul Hunter [03:03]
• No Clear U.S. Commitment: Trump expressed openness to diplomacy, suggesting Zelenskyy and Putin might both participate in upcoming talks in Hungary but did not commit to providing weaponry.
  • “...would much rather have them not need Tomahawks, would much rather have the war be over...” — Donald Trump [03:45]
  • “I think President Putin wants to end the war or I wouldn't be talking this way...” — Donald Trump [04:20]
• Aftermath: Zelenskyy said the U.S. is trusted but left “empty handed.” Trump, on Truth Social, called for both sides to “just stop fighting and both claim victory.”

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2. Canada’s Border Security: Spending Big, Facing Questions

[05:21–08:39]

• Federal Government Investment: Canada ups its border security budget by over $600 million (on top of $1.3B), planning to hire 1,000 new officers and improve benefits.
  • “The federal government is spending hundreds of millions of dollars hiring more officers, investing in training and insisting it's not just because Donald Trump wants them.” — Stephanie Skenderas [01:55]
  • “...this really is about ensuring Canada's safety and security and our sovereignty. This really is not a response to the US...” — Public Safety Minister Gary Ananda Sangaree [06:11]
• Criticism: Some, including Liberal and Conservative MPs, question the adequacy and timing of the measures.
  • “If they hired another thousand, if they hired another two thousand, they'd still have an incredible backlog.” — Kelly Sundberg, former CBSA officer [07:19]
  • “I'm really at a loss as to why this didn't happen literally months ago.” — Frank Caputo, Conservative public safety critic [08:04]

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3. Trump’s ‘Narco-Terrorist’ Campaign in the Caribbean

[08:39–09:45]

• US Military Strikes: Trump confirms another strike on a suspected narco-sub near Venezuela, his sixth such action.
  • “We attacked a submarine that was a drug-carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs.” — Trump [09:00]
• Survivors & Covert Action: For the first time, survivors are held by the US Navy; CIA covert action also reported within Venezuela.
• Diplomatic Moves: Maduro offering concessions; Trump unmoved: “He’s offered everything. You know why? Because he doesn’t want to f*** around with the United States.” — Trump [09:36]
• Legal Fallout: Trump’s former NSA John Bolton pleads not guilty to mishandling classified info, claiming “weaponization” of justice by Trump.

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4. Prince Andrew: Royal Titles Relinquished Amid Scandal

[11:17–14:09]

• Breaking Point: Facing escalating pressure, Prince Andrew gives up his Duke of York and other titles as his association with Jeffrey Epstein draws renewed scrutiny.
  • “The last time a dukedom was actually taken away from a senior royal was over 100 years ago.” — Anna Cunningham [13:21]
• Timing: Announcement is days ahead of his accuser Virginia Giuffre’s memoir.
• Family Impact: Daughters Beatrice and Eugenie retain titles; ex-wife Sarah Ferguson loses hers.
• Royal Strategy: King Charles wishes to end this saga before his historic visit to the Vatican.

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5. Sport and Social Tensions: Israeli Soccer Fans Banned in UK

[14:09–17:31]

• Controversial Ban: UK authorities ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a game in Birmingham, citing security risks after prior violence.
  • “This is the wrong decision... We'll not allow anti-Semitism on our streets.” — UK PM Keir Starmer [15:12]
• Backlash: Jewish fans liken the ban to discrimination; debate centers on safety vs. anti-Semitism.
  • “This is like putting a big sign outside the stadium saying no Jews.” — Emily Dimari, Maccabi fan [16:11]
• Police Perspective: Decision based on risk assessment, not politics, say UK police.

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6. Economic Pulse: Surging Gold Prices

[17:31–20:54]

• Gold Hits Record Highs: Prices soar to over US$4,300/oz, attributed to global insecurity, inflation, and concerns about asset bubbles.
  • “If you think about gold as a mirror onto the rest of the world, you could really describe it as being the sum of all fears, whether they be geopolitical or economic.” — Veronica Brown, Reuters [19:03]
• Investor Behavior: Despite high prices, retail gold buyers remain active.
  • “As prices are going up, people would buy less gold. But ... we've been the busiest we've ever been.” — Rajan Dunna, Singapore Jewelers [18:26]
• Central Banks Stockpiling: Major buyers include China, India, Turkey.

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7. St. Lawrence River: Emergency Measures to Aid Boaters

[20:54–23:42]

• Low Water Dilemma: Drought leaves boats stranded in the Montreal area; authorities artificially raise water levels temporarily to permit retrieval.
  • “We are raising artificially the level in the St. Lawrence River so that people can take their boat out of the water.” — Jerome Marty, International Association for Great Lakes Research [21:55]
• Temporary Fix: Measure seen as a short-term solution with shipping impacts expected to be minimal.

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8. Canada and the F35 Fighter Jet Program

[23:42–26:56]

• Canadian Industry Involvement: Nova Scotia factory contributes high-tech composite panels; Canada supplies $3M worth of parts per jet.
  • “Anybody I talk to ... are shocked to know that we're manufacturing F35 aircraft parts in Nova Scotia.” — Stephanie Skenderas [24:24]
• Trade Tensions: Some debate over whether to switch to cheaper jets like Sweden’s Gripen; doing so could cost supplier contracts but possibly save billions.
  • “Everything has a price to it.” — Alan Williams, former DND procurement head [25:43]

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9. Sports Moment: ‘Mad Max’ Scherzer’s Defiance

[27:06–28:32]

• Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher Max Scherzer makes headlines:
  • “Jays fans are loving Scherzer’s reaction to an on-field visit from manager John Schneider. ...his nickname is Mad Max, [he] politely told his boss, ‘yeah, that's not happening.’” — Stephanie Skenderas [27:20]
• Celebration: Scherzer’s performance leads to a Jays win; fans like Rebecca Livingston from B.C. revel in representing Canadian pride in Seattle.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump, on peace in Ukraine:
  “I think President Putin wants to end the war or I wouldn't be talking this way... Now all they have to do is get along a little bit.” — Donald Trump [04:20]
• On the gold market as a barometer of fear:
  “You could really describe it as being the sum of all fears, whether they be geopolitical or economic.” — Veronica Brown [19:05]
• On the significance of Prince Andrew’s demotion:
  “It is believed that the last time a dukedom was actually taken away from a senior royal was over 100 years ago.” — Anna Cunningham [13:21]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting: 01:13–05:21
• Canada Border Security: 05:21–08:39
• US Anti-Narcotics Strikes in Caribbean: 08:39–09:45
• Prince Andrew Updates: 11:17–14:09
• Israeli Soccer Fans Ban: 14:09–17:31
• Gold Prices: 17:31–20:54
• St. Lawrence Boating Crisis: 20:54–23:42
• F35 Fighter Jet Contracts: 23:42–26:56
• Blue Jays/Mad Max Sports Segment: 27:06–28:32

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Tone & Language

The reporting is sharp, succinct, and maintains CBC’s signature blend of authority and critical analysis with occasional conversational levity, particularly in the sports wrap-up and offbeat moments (e.g., Trump’s fashion comments).

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For More

Listen directly to “Your World Tonight” for the full detailed reporting and on-the-ground soundbites that characterized each segment.

Transcript

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[Paul Hunter]

This is a CBC podcast.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

And I think he looks beautiful in his jacket. It's beautiful. I hope people notice. It's a good. It's actually very stylish. I like it.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

US President Donald Trump may be handing out fashion compliments to Volodymyr Zelensky, but as the Ukrainian president returns to the White House, what he's really looking for are Tomahawk missiles and more military support to finally end a long and ugly war. This is your world tonight. I'm Stephanie skenderas. It's Friday, October 17, coming up on 6pm Eastern. Also on the podcast, these people will.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Do critical work at our borders, ensuring the smooth movement of people and goods, all the while making sure that illegal goods, guns and drugs are stopped and those who are trafficking are arrested and charged.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

The next frontier of security on Canada's border, the federal government is spending hundreds of millions of dollars hiring more officers, investing in training and insisting it's not just because Donald Trump wants them.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

To.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

The meeting offered the promise of high powered American help for Ukraine and the hope of some insight into the US President's next move with Russia. But tonight, after their latest face to face, Volodymyr Zelensky may be leaving Washington empty handed. Paul Hunter has our top story.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Glad to meet you again, Mr. President. Thank you very much for the invitation.

[Paul Hunter]

Complimentary to US President Donald Trump noting his work toward the ceasefire in the Middle East. And dressed in a dark business suit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sat down in the West Wing Cabinet Room with Donald Trump as Russia's assault on Ukraine raged on back home.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

I'm confident that with your help, we can stop this war.

[Paul Hunter]

So what does with your help mean? The expectation. On Zelensky's ask, American made Tomahawk cruise missiles, weaponry that could strike deep inside Russia, including even Moscow. As the fighting continues in Ukraine, Tomahawks are seen by many as a potential game changer in the war, though Russian President Vladimir Putin has already made clear giving Tomahawks to Ukraine would be seen as a major escalation. Zelensky's view.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

We understand what we need to push Putin to negotiation table, but Trump didn't.

[Paul Hunter]

Offer up any weaponry to Zelensky, at least not publicly.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

So we're going to be talking about Tomahawks and would much rather have them not need Tomahawks, would much rather have the war be over to be honest.

[Paul Hunter]

On that, Trump said Zelensky may well be part of the coming talks in Hungary announced by Trump. After a lengthy phone call yesterday between Trump and and Vladimir Putin, Trump now calls it a potential double meeting, strongly suggesting diplomacy is the way forward. With the focus confronting the ill feelings between Zelensky defending Ukraine and Putin who attacked it.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

I think President Putin wants to end the war or I wouldn't be talking this way. I think he wants to end the war. I think that President Zelensky wants to get it ended. Now we have to get it done. The they don't like each other. They have tremendous bad blood. It really is what is holding up. I think a settlement. I think we're going to get it done now all they have to do is get along a little bit later.

[Paul Hunter]

Outside the White House after closed door meetings, Zelensky told reporters Tomahawks were discussed and while no commitments were made, neither did Trump close the door on them.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

We trust United States, we trust President that he wants to finish this war and it's difficult. How was the meeting?

[Paul Hunter]

For his part, Trump posted on Truth Social afterward that the meeting was interesting, cordial, but that both sides should just stop fighting and both claim victory. No more death, he wrote. Paul Hunter, CBC News, Washington.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

The Kearney government is re upping its pledge to boost Canada's border security. Officials today fanned out across the country heralding a plan to crack down on illegal drugs and guns. While the promise is not new, the hefty price tag attached to it is. And the pushback from critics and the opposition is growing. Olivia Stefanovic reports.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Making communities safer is a top priority for Canada's new government. We promised Canadians we would act decisively and we're delivering.

[Olivia Stefanovic]

Standing in front of the iconic Rainbow Bridge connecting Niagara Falls, Ontario to Niagara Falls, New York, Public Safety Minister Gary Ananda Sangaree outlined why the federal government believes Canada's biggest border investment needs to grow even bigger.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

This really is about ensuring Canada's safety and security and our sovereignty. This really is not a response to.

[Olivia Stefanovic]

The US but liberal MP Wayne Long suggested the announcement is meant to appease Donald Trump.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

I mean, obviously the US has raised concerns with respect to drug trafficking in fentanyl, and this is a part of our response. To also address their concerns, Ottawa already.

[Olivia Stefanovic]

Set aside $1.3 billion to improve border security. Now it's adding more than $600 million. The new money to be announced in the fall budget for five years to hire 1,000 new personnel with the Canada Border Services Agency and make their jobs more attractive. The government also plans to increase CBSA's recruit stipend from $125 to DOL $25 per week and offer improved benefits.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

It's a good start, though. We have a lot of ports of.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Entry that are very short staffed.

[Olivia Stefanovic]

Mark Weber is the president of the Customs and Immigration Union for CBSA employees. He says the next step is to scale up training.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

What we need to do now is actually make the hirings happen.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

If they hired another thousand, if they hired another two thousand, they'd still have an incredible backlog.

[Olivia Stefanovic]

Kelly Sundberg is a former CBSA officer. He says the plan won't fill the existing backlog of border agents or secure all of Canada's ports of entry.

[David Common]

It's quite silly, really.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

We have an 8,900 kilometer border. We need more than two leased Blackhawk helicopters. You can't have one X ray machine or a few dog canine teams here and there.

[Olivia Stefanovic]

Of the 1,000 new personnel that the CBSA is expected to hire over the next few years, Public Safety Canada says 80% will be uniformed officers. The rest will include intelligence officers, investigators and security screeners.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

I'm really at a loss as to why this didn't happen literally months ago.

[Olivia Stefanovic]

The Conservative's public safety critic, Frank Caputo says the government's plan is not good enough.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

And yet this government continually told us, elbows up. Where's that elbows up mentality when it comes to getting people on the border?

[Olivia Stefanovic]

The government already split its border security bill in two to see some changes pass more swiftly. Now it's struggling to get opposition support for resources it promised Canadians on the election campaign trail. Olivia Stefanovic, CBC News, Ottawa.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Donald Trump is showing no signs of letting up his controversial strikes on what he calls a narco terrorist threat. Today he confirmed the US Military carried out another attack on a vessel suspected of carrying drugs in the Caribbean. But for the first time, there were survivors who are being held on a US Navy vessel.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

We attacked a submarine that was a drug carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

This is the latest strike in international waters off the coast of Venezuela. Trump has also revealed there has been covert CIA action within the South American country. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has reportedly offered business concessions to the United States in an effort to de escalate the situation. Trump was asked about those discussions today.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

He has offered everything. He's offered everything. You're right. You know why? Because he doesn't want to around with the United States.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Six strikes killing at least 28 people have now been carried out against vessels in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, Trump's former national security adviser has pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges against him. John Bolton is accused of mishandling classified information. He worked under Trump during his first term but has since become one of his most vocal critics. The investigation was opened in 2022 when Joe Biden was president. In a statement, Bolton says he's a victim of Trump's weaponization of the Justice Department. Coming right up, dropping the Duke. A British royal linked to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein gives up his royal title. And the UK prime minister blasts a decision to ban supporters of an Israeli soccer team from an upcoming game. Later, we'll have this story.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

David.

[David Common]

I'm David Common in Fort Worth, Texas, where the first of Canada's F35 fighter jets are being built.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Canada is definitely a part of this F35 platform.

[David Common]

If the federal government cut short its order of jets, that would impact dozens of Canadian contractors who are helping build it.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Anybody I talk to and say that we're manufacturing F35 aircraft parts in Nova Scotia are shopping to know that that's what we're doing.

[David Common]

Canada's role on an American assembled aircraft. Coming up.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Prince Andrew is giving up his royal titles. He issued a statement saying accusations about him distract from the work of the royal family. CBC London correspondent Anna Cunningham is watching the story. So Anna, why is the prince doing this now?

[Anna Cunningham]

Well, clearly the question of what to do about Prince Andrew has rumbled on for far too long than is comfortable for the royal family. And it appears to have got to breaking point. The timing as well is interesting. It comes just days ahead of the publication of the late Virginia Giuffre, his accuser's memoir that could have some potentially difficult reading for the royals. But also Prince Andrew just kept making headlines. There's been questions over his connection to the late Sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. There was that civil case filed against him by the late Virginia Giuffre, accusing him of committing sexual assault and battery when she was a teenager, something he's always denied. We know that that was a case settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.

[Paul Hunter]

And.

[Anna Cunningham]

And then last year, allegations emerged over his reported meetings with an alleged Chinese spy. But this does now appear to be his most significant public humiliation. The statement saying he discussed it with the king immediate and wider family. And they concluded that the accusations distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal family. So he will no longer be known as the Duke of York, nor a Knight of the Order of the Garter.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

And how are the other members of his family affected? His daughters, for instance, are princesses.

[Anna Cunningham]

They are Beatrice and Eugenie, and they will keep their titles as princesses. But his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, loses her title as the Duchess of York. She now simply will be known as Sarah Ferguson the Prince, though he does remain Prince Andrew because he's a prince by birthright.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

And how significant is this for the royal family?

[Anna Cunningham]

Well, look, I think this is really certainly a moment in history for the royal family. I know that there's royal historians digging away through the archives, and it's believed that the last time a dukedom was actually taken away from a senior royal was over 100 years ago. But, look, put this in the context of the royal family. At the moment, they will have wanted the problem of Prince Andrew concluded swiftly, particularly as the king next week is due to make history himself. He's going to the Vatican. He will pray alongside Pope Leo. And that's the first time that the monarch and a pontiff have done that in some 500 years. So we can assume the king would prefer headlines about that rather than his younger brother.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Okay, Anna, thank you.

[Anna Cunningham]

You're welcome.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

The CBC's Anna Cunningham in London. Hamas has handed over the remains of another Israeli hostage. The ceasefire agreement for Gaza includes a pledge to return 28 bodies or provide information about where they are. So far, 10 have been returned. The delay has led Israel to threaten to restrict aid into Gaza. And a controversial decision about an Israeli soccer team has the attention of the highest levels of the UK Government. Supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv have been banned from a game in England next month. The move is being criticized by the Prime Minister and other senior officials who are calling for it to be reviewed and possibly reversed. Susan Ormiston has more on the ban and the backlash.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

I launched a petition to oppose the Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from coming to Birmingham.

[Ayub Khan]

British MP Ayub Khan in Birmingham urged that fans of an Israeli team be banned from attending a soccer match against Aston Villa next month.

[Paul Hunter]

So I'm very pleased.

[Ayub Khan]

After a police risk assessment, the local safety council supported a ban, saying the match poses a security risk. Part of that calculation were the violent clashes after a match last year in Amsterdam between some Maccabi fans and Palestinian supporters. Over 60 were detained in the melee. But the decision in Birmingham drew a swift rebuke from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This is the wrong decision, he said. We'll not allow anti Semitism on our streets. Under pressure, the local police commissionaire ordered an immediate review as the decision was framed as an anti Semitic attack. A fallout from the Israeli Hamas war. Emily dimari, a former hostage of Hamas and an avid Maccabi fan, posted. This is like putting a big sign outside the stadium saying no Jews. And from another fan in Israel today.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

This time it's Maccabi Tel Aviv. Next time it's another game. Maybe Ukraine, maybe someone else, immigrant. What else?

[Ayub Khan]

In the face of the controversy, the MP in Birmingham is defending the ban.

[Paul Hunter]

Nobody should tolerate anti Semitism, but we.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Cannot conflate anti Semitism when we look at what some of these fans did in Amsterdam and in 2024. I think the Prime Minister should stay.

[Paul Hunter]

Out of operational matters. So I think we need to trust the police.

[Ayub Khan]

Dal Babu, former chief superintendent of the Metropolitan Police, says politics is complicating a risk decision.

[Paul Hunter]

We need to understand that this is based not on politicians views, this is based on intelligence that the police assess and then make that decision.

[Ayub Khan]

For the moment, the game will go on in November and until further notice, Maccabi fans are restricted.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

We do have British fans who are Jewish and who are Maccabi Tel Aviv fans and they're being told that in their own country it is not safe for them to come to watch a football match.

[Ayub Khan]

Jack Angelides, the CEO of the Tel Aviv Football Club, is waiting for a final determination as the British government tries to curtail the controversy. Susan Ormiston, CBC News, London.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

You're listening to your World Tonight from CBC News. And if you want to make sure you never miss one of our episodes, follow us on Spotify, Apple, wherever you get your podcasts, just find the follow button and lock us in. It is seen as a safe investment in uncertain times. And with global uncertainty trending upwards, so is the price of gold. This week saw another record high for the precious metal. Nisha Patel has more on gold's surge in value and how long it could last.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Chains, bangles, sets, and a lot of bullying as well, like gold bars, glittering.

[Neesha Patel]

22 karat gold is flying off the shelves at Singapore Jewelers in Mississauga, Ontario. Owner Rajan Dunna says business lately has been brisk.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

So I've been surprised like as everyone would think, like prices, as prices are going up, like people would buy less gold. But during this time, like we've been the busiest we've ever been.

[Neesha Patel]

The precious metal hit a new record high this week, surging past US$4,300 an ounce. Prices have climbed 10% just this month and 60% since January.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

I'm literally holding maybe three bangles in my hand right now. It's probably worth about $20,000.

[Neesha Patel]

Many investors are buying physical gold like bars, coins and jewelry as a store of wealth. Others are piling into gold mining stocks and exchange traded funds.

[Anna Cunningham]

An awful lot of what we're seeing.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Is about fear right now.

[Neesha Patel]

Veronica Brown covers the global metals market for the Reuters news agency. She says investors have a lengthy list of concerns from the trade war to the US government shutdown to warnings of a bubble in AI stocks.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

If you think about gold as a mirror onto the rest of the world, you could really describe it as being the sum of all fears, whether they be geopolitical or economic.

[Neesha Patel]

Gold has long been seen as a safe haven, an asset that will hold or increase its value during times of economic uncertainty or market turbulence. With a weaker US dollar, it's also considered a way to protect against inflation. Quentin Mai is CEO of Vancouver based gold company West Point Gold.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Because of these mounting worries about debts, until we see a rationalization of the debts, whether it's by raising taxes, cutting spending or just a currency devaluation, I think gold will continue to be a popular choice.

[Neesha Patel]

Central banks led by China, India and Turkey are stockpiling the metal too, as they try to diversify their holdings.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Gold is a finite metal. There are not a lot of gold in the world.

[Neesha Patel]

John Ng is the president of maisonplassement Canada, an investment firm in Toronto. He says prices could see pullbacks in the short term. Back in 2022, gold plunged 20% when the US central bank hiked interest rates to curb inflation.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Nothing goes straight up. Trees don't grow to the sky. There's no question that there are opportunities to take profits. But I believe that gold's in a solid uptrend in a bull market and the best times are ahead.

[Neesha Patel]

Still, no one can say with certainty just how long this gold rush will last. Neesha Patel, CBC News, Toronto.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Along the St. Lawrence river, it was an unusually dry summer, but the area is about to get a massive rush of water. It's needed to help stranded boats stuck in shallow water or exposed lake and river beds. Alison Northcott has more on the operation to get them floating again.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

It's pretty tough, you know, to move the boat around.

[Jerome Marty]

At his marina northeast of Montreal, Yvonne Vanini says the water is far lower than usual, making it hard to get boats out for the winter.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

If you wanted to get out at the exit, there is not enough water, so they are stuck over there.

[Jerome Marty]

It was a dry summer in parts of Quebec, Ontario and the Great Lakes region. With drought conditions and low water levels, boat owners on Lake St. Louis, southwest of Montreal, have been having trouble since July. Some boats are stuck to help. The International Lake Ontario St. Lawrence Riverboard, which manages water levels of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence river, has increased the flow of water to let more of it into Lake St. Louis.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

We are raising artificially the level in the St. Lawrence river so that people can take their boat out of the water.

[Jerome Marty]

Jerome Marty with the International association for Great Lakes Research in Ottawa says two dams, one in Ontario and one in Quebec, will have 500 cubic meters more water per second flowing through them than usual. It's a temporary fix, 36 hours altogether.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

It is certainly not addressing the problem of low water levels that we've seen. It's just one drop here to allow people to do what they need to do before the winter.

[Jerome Marty]

The board says the impact on commercial navigation is expected to be minimal. Marty says the shipping industry has also been affected by low water levels in recent months, with cargo ships forced to reduce their weight to avoid hitting the bottom of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

We are coming live from the wheelhouse of the Kawartha Voyager, presently on Buckhorn Lake.

[Jerome Marty]

For decades, Captain Mark Ackert has taken passengers on cruises along the Rideau Canal and the Trent Severn Waterway. But this year, his company had to change plans and routes because there just wasn't enough water.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

The water levels got to a point that we had to suspend operations for safety concerns of the existing depth on some of the lakes. And we ended up having to bypass four of our fall trips on the Rideau Canal.

[Jerome Marty]

At another marina, Pierre Champoux points to a boat propeller damaged after it hit a rock in low water. Champeaux says the boat's owner was probably in an area he'd been before, but this time hit rocks and got stuck. He hopes the higher water levels will help other boats avoid similar problems. Alison Northcott, CBC News, Montreal.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

It's another twist in the long and complicated saga of Canada's purchase of F35 fighter jets. Trade tension is creating new questions about the contract for the US aircraft. But backing out could have major consequences for Canadian companies. Because the F35s aren't entirely made in America. David Common explains.

[David Common]

It may seem at odds, but just a few minutes drive from Lunenburg street, tranquil and touristy harbor, a factory is helping to build the F35, one of the world's most advanced fighter jets.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Anybody I talk to and say that we're manufacturing F35 aircraft parts in Nova Scotia are shocked to know that that's.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

What we're doing for work.

[David Common]

Yet Miranda Loans runs quality control for the composite panels built here, weapons doors and more, all stealth. So very secretive.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

It's a very complex program with very stringent requirements. So it's very rewarding because it's military.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

And it's proprietary information.

[David Common]

As an originating partner, Canadian firms have had preferential access to help build the F35. The jet's tails come from Winnipeg, simulator parts from Kitchener, wing parts from Delta B.C. not just for the planes built for Canada's air force, but hundreds of others built for customers globally. Three million bucks worth of every F35 comes from Canada.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Canada is definitely a part of this F35 platform.

[David Common]

Chauncey McIntosh is a vice president at Lockheed Martin. We met him in the massive Texas facility where the planes are being assembled. One of the very first of Canada's orders is underway here. Ottawa has committed to buy 16 of them, but has the option to increase that to 88. But with such cross border tension, some argue Canada should cut the order short.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

All I'm saying is let's be truly objective. Everything has a price to it.

[David Common]

Alan Williams once ran procurement for Canada's Department of National Defence. He says Ottawa could still look at a cheaper jet like Sweden's Gripen, which costs less both to buy and operate.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

You save billions of dollars on one thing, you can use it for other things too. So there's a cost to everything.

[David Common]

One cost of going with another plane could be the loss of contracts in Canada to supply parts for the F35. Williams argues that would be more than made up by building parts for another plane.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Well, that would be disappointing. No, that's a government decision.

[David Common]

Canada is also pushing Lockheed Martin to build more of the plan plane in Canada. But if the contract is cut short, Dave Mitchell, senior program manager of defence at Stelia in Lunenberg, says he'd be concerned.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Hopefully we would retain the work before all the other countries that are going to buy the aircraft.

[David Common]

Stelius parts are already on planes used by or built for an array of air forces. Canada's, the U.S. singapore, Israel, and more. David Common, CBC News, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

So we're nearing the end of the program when a host could start to get tired, but are we calling in a your World Tonight reliever?

[Paul Hunter]

Whoa.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

No. No way. Let's go.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

I think Max made his feelings known.

[Paul Hunter]

Very clearly to John Schneider.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Whoa, whoa, Skipper, let's go.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

That's right. I'm channeling my inner Max Scherzer, the Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher against the Seattle Mariners last night. Along with his pitches. Jays fans are loving Scherzer's reaction to an on field visit from manager John Schneider. That usually means a pitcher is done. But the veteran Scherzer, whose nickname is Mad Max, politely told his boss, yeah, that's not happening.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

I thought he was going to kill me. It was great.

[David Common]

You know, there's numbers, there's projections, there's.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Strategy and there's people. So I was trusting people.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

People online are calling the video the Next Heritage Moment. That decision, whoever made it, paid off. Scherzer struck out the next batter and the Jays went on to win. Oh, it was. It was amazing. Like, we thought we wanted to go watch the Jays play in Rogers center, but we're finding that it's actually more exciting to watch them in enemy territory because we're one of the few fans actually cheering for them and we have our Canadian flag and you can feel it in 44,000 fans in the stadium.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

It's awesome.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Rebecca Livingston had a front row seat to it all. The Blue Jays fan from Castlegar, B.C. is part of the loud and proud contingent of Canadians making their presence felt in Seattle, even breaking out in some song as they left the game. This has Been youn World Tonight for Friday, October 17th. I'm Stephanie Skenderas and just like Mad Max, I'm not going anywhere here all weekend. Let's go. For now, Good night.

[Neesha Patel]

Foreign.

[Paul Hunter]

For more CBC Podcasts, go to CBC CA Podcasts.