Alex Ritson
Appearances
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
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Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Frank Gardner. In a separate development, Ukraine's security service says it has uncovered 12 agents spying for Russia who were working to find out where Western-supplied F-16 fighter jets were being hidden. Security officials said they were also suspected of sharing information about the location of air defence systems in the south and north-east of Ukraine.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
The statement said some of those arrested were deserters from Ukraine's armed forces.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
The Italian city of Venice is to replace the glass steps on its famous Slippery Bridge after 14 years of almost daily falls. The US State Department says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end the fighting in Gaza and secure the release of Israeli hostages is within reach. Its spokesman is Matthew Miller.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
There's concern that young people are asking for anti-ageing skincare products intended for much older consumers. MUSIC
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Denmark has freed an anti-whaling activist who'd been detained in Greenland for five months after rejecting a Japanese request for his extradition. Tokyo had accused Paul Watson, a US-Canadian citizen, of damaging a Japanese whaling ship in the Antarctic in 2010 and injuring one of its crew.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Mr Watson's lawyers had accused Japan of trying to silence him and argued that he would not be given a fair trial. Sean Lay asked him how it felt to be released.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Paul Watson, anti-whaling campaigner and founder of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation. A woman from the Philippines who spent nearly 15 years on death row in Indonesia has headed home. Mary Jane Veloso was convicted of taking two and a half kilograms of heroin in a suitcase from Malaysia to the island archipelago in 2010, but she's always claimed that she was duped into carrying the drugs.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Asia Pacific editor Mickey Bristow told me more about the case.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
So she's going to get quite a reception in the Philippines when she gets back?
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Mickey Bristow. For many years, anti-ageing skincare was something only grown-ups had any interest in. Now, very young children are asking for products once intended for much older consumers, but that creates dangers as some of the creams contain potentially harmful ingredients.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
As a result, the largest pharmacy chain in Sweden, Apotec Jartat, is restricting the sale of some skincare products, raising the question, should other countries follow suit? Hannah Mullane investigates. She first spoke to a young British girl who has an interest in such skincare products.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
All previous attempts have collapsed. A Hamas spokesman said the talks were positive and serious and a deal was possible if Israel stopped setting new conditions. A three-stage proposal is on the table. From Jerusalem, our Middle East correspondent Yoland Nell reports.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
That report by Hannah Mullane. The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal complaints against subsidiaries of the tech firm Apple, accusing them of trading in-conflict minerals. Some mines in eastern Congo are run by armed groups accused of committing massacres of civilians. Lawyers have gone to court in France and Belgium, arguing that Apple is complicit in these crimes.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
The details from Will Ross.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Will Ross. Apple says it audits suppliers. Next to Italy. Now, what would Venice be like without its bridges? A network of them cross the city's many islands, but one bridge has remained a point of controversy for locals and tourists alike –
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
It is, of course, the Constitution Bridge, a modern addition to the Grand Canal, which has become notorious for its slippery glass steps, leading to numerous injuries and costly lawsuits. Now, Venice City Council has decided to replace its slippery glass steps with a safer alternative. Ella Bicknell reports.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
And that's all from us for now, but there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. You can also find us on X at Global News Pod. This edition was mixed by Caroline Driscoll. The producer was Liam McSheffrey. The editor is Karen Martin.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
I'm Alex Ritz, and until next time... Goodbye.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Yoland Nel. So what's been the reaction on the ground to the news regarding possible ceasefire developments in Gaza? The BBC has received audio messages from both Gaza and Israel. First, Ailon Kishet from Tel Aviv, who has a cousin that is a hostage in Gaza.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Khaled was injured in a missile attack last month. He got in touch from Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Khaled contacted the BBC afterwards to say he was OK. Previous ceasefire talks have collapsed, so why is there more optimism about this set of talks? I spoke to our Gaza correspondent Rushdie Abu-Aloof, who's currently in Istanbul.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
The UN's special envoy to Syria has warned that unless the country gets urgent support, it could be plunged back into conflict. Geir Pedersen told the UN Security Council that the war there has not ended despite the departure of former President Assad.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Mr Pedersen highlighted recent clashes between Turkish-backed groups and Kurdish forces in the northeast where a US-brokered ceasefire has been extended until the end of the week. Meanwhile, the Israeli government has approved a plan to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
The Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said this was necessary because of what he called the new front that had opened up in Syria. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967. An armistice was signed between the two countries in 1974 and a buffer zone was established.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
But following the fall of President Assad last week, Israeli troops entered the buffer zone and, it was claimed, some crossed into Syrian-controlled territory, although Israel has denied this. Our correspondent Lucy Williamson reports from the Syrian village of Hadar, where she witnessed firsthand the incursion by Israeli troops.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Lucy Williamson reporting. The American TV channel CNN has said a man it filmed being released by rebels from a Syrian prison who claimed to be a civilian was in fact a former intelligence officer with the deposed regime. The man was featured in a widely shared report which showed him being freed from a locked cell.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
I'm Alex Ritson, and in the early hours of Wednesday 18th December, these are our main stories. The US State Department says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end the fighting in Gaza is within reach. Russian politicians have vowed revenge for the assassination of a Russian general on the streets of Moscow. Ukraine said it carried out the attack.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
CNN said local residents had now identified him as a lieutenant in President Assad's Air Force Intelligence Directorate. Our media editor Katie Razzell has more.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
KT Razzle. Ukraine's security services have said they were behind a bomb attack in Moscow which killed a Russian general. The head of the army's chemical weapons division, Igor Kirillov, is the most senior military figure to be assassinated on Russian soil since the conflict with Ukraine began.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Ukrainian security officials said he'd directed the use of banned chemical weapons on the front line and called him a war criminal. The Kremlin described the bombing as terrorism. Our Russia editor Steve Rosenberg sent this report from Moscow.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Steve Rosenberg in Moscow. The UK imposed sanctions on General Kirillov in October. He was accused by Ukraine and its allies of coordinating the widespread and regular use of banned chemical weapons. Our security correspondent Frank Gardner reports.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Does Trump’s return threaten the future of Nato?
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Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Does Trump’s return threaten the future of Nato?
If you enjoyed listening to The Global Story and would like to hear more, there's a new episode every weekday. Just search for The Global Story wherever you get your BBC podcasts and be sure to subscribe or follow. We'll have another edition of The Global News Podcast later. Until then, goodbye.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Does Trump’s return threaten the future of Nato?
Hello, this is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Alex Ritson with your weekly bonus from The Global Story, which brings you a single story with depth and insight from the BBC's best journalists. There's a new episode every weekday. Just search for The Global Story wherever you get your pods and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss a single episode.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Does Trump’s return threaten the future of Nato?
Here's my colleague Katja Adler.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Astronomers prepare for one of the most impressive meteor showers of the year. To the Indian Ocean, where the French territory of Mayotte has been devastated by the worst cyclone to hit the island in 90 years. Cyclone Chaideau brought fierce winds of more than 220 kilometres an hour. French media report at least four people have been killed.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
France's interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, has been holding an emergency summit with ministers. He said the French state was mobilising support.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
At least 12 lawmakers from his People Power Party voted with the opposition to secure the required two-thirds majority. Han Dong-hoon is the party's leader.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Our Africa regional editor, Richard Kegoy, is monitoring developments. He told me around 320,000 people live on the islands.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Richard, Mayotte is France's poorest territory. Many of the houses are literally shacks and they have just been blown away.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
And Richard, the cyclone is now heading west towards the coast of Mozambique as well as affecting parts of Madagascar and Comoros. What more can you tell us?
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Richard Cagoy in Nairobi. Isak Andik, the founder of the multi-billion dollar Spanish fashion retailer Mango, has died at the age of 71 after a hiking accident in northern Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez paid tribute to Mr Andik on social media, praising what he called his hard work and business vision that transformed a Spanish brand into a global fashion leader. Tom Bailey has more.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Tom Bailey Stargazers in parts of North America and Northern Europe will be out in full force this weekend with the hope of catching the annual Geminid meteor shower at its peak. Dozens of shooting stars will grace the night sky, travelling at speeds of more than 240,000 kilometres per hour.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Whilst most meteor showers are associated with comets, the Geminids are very different because they're caused by asteroid debris. Sean Farrington has been finding out more from René Breton, Professor of Astrophysics at the Jodrell Bank Centre in England.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Mr Yoon has now been stripped of his powers and banned from travelling overseas, but he remains president and has vowed to keep on fighting for his political survival. The Prime Minister, Han Duk-soo, has taken over as acting president, promising to stabilise the situation. Our correspondent, Jean McKenzie, sent this report from Seoul.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Yeah, exactly. René Breton from the Geodral Bank Centre for Astrophysics. Malcolm in the Middle is considered one of the most influential sitcoms of the 21st century. First airing in the year 2000, the show captivated TV audiences of more than 20 million people, rivaling The Simpsons.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Its sharp humour and unique storytelling made a household name of Bryan Cranston, who went on to star in the acclaimed crime series Breaking Bad. Now... Eighteen years after the final episode, Malcolm in the Middle is making a return, as Mark Duff reports.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
And that's all from us for now, but there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. You can also find us on X at Global News Pod. This edition was mixed by Joe McCartney and the producer was Ella Bicknell. The editor is Karen Martin.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Jean McKenzie. So, a breakthrough for protesters in Seoul. But for demonstrators in Georgia, their political crisis appears to be deepening. Protests continue in the capital Tbilisi after the Parliament elected Mikhail Kavalashvili as the country's new president. The former Manchester City footballer, known for his nationalist and anti-Western views, was the only name in the contest.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
This demonstrator said Mr Kavalashvili was not fit for office.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
The opposition is calling the election a sham, arguing the government is turning the country towards Russia and away from the EU. The outgoing president, Salome Zurabishvili, said she won't be stepping down, insisting she holds Georgia's only remaining legitimate institution. I got the latest from our correspondent in Tbilisi, Rehan Dimitri.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Alex Ritson, and in the early hours of Sunday, the 15th of December, these are our main stories. The South Korean parliament has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol over his failed attempt earlier this month to impose martial law.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Have we heard anything from Mikhail Kavalashvili? As you say, he's a former Manchester City striker, also played for the Georgian national football team. So he's someone everyone's going to know. Has he put any comment out there? Is he someone who could unite the country?
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Rehan Dimitri in Tbilisi. As Syrians mark a week since the fall of Damascus, Syria's regional neighbours have been discussing their country's future. Joining them was the outgoing US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. Speaking at a news conference after the talks in Jordan, Mr Blinken set out the challenge facing Syria and the wider world.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
The United States says it's in contact with the Islamists who ousted President Assad in Syria, even though they're part of an organisation it regards as terrorists. Cyclone Chaido causes devastation on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte. Also in this podcast... Malcolm!
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Our Middle East analyst Sebastian Ascher watched Mr Blinken speak. He gave this analysis of Saturday's talks.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Sebastian Usher. The Assad regime left behind a network of military bases, once the cornerstone of its grip on the country, now evidence of the most serious human rights abuses. Our correspondent Lucy Williamson has been to see what remains of one of the regime's key airbases. Her report is distressing.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
The early 2000s smash sitcom Malcolm in the Middle is returning to TV screens. Many thousands of South Koreans have been celebrating on the streets of Seoul in freezing temperatures after their parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol because of his failed attempt to impose martial law.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Lucy Williamson. Ceremonies have been taking place in Luxembourg and Belgium today, ahead of the 80th anniversary of one of the key battles of the Second World War. The Battle of the Bulge, a German counter-offensive designed to split Allied forces, began on 16 December 1944. Our Europe Regional Editor Danny Eberhardt has this report.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
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Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
Oscar, Anderson's mum Sarah ending that report from Nkechi Ogbonna in Nigeria. Coming up in this podcast.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
Now, here's an unusual question for you. Where do you think this animal might be from? It's a dolphin, of course, but now researchers have found out that like humans, they have regional accents and can sound very different from one another depending on where they live. The scientists have also developed a way to use artificial intelligence to identify where any dolphins they record are from.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
Dr Julie Oswald from the University of St Andrews Scottish Oceans Institute spoke to my colleague Claire Macdonald.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
His tiny ginger cat helped him stay alive in snowy mountains for eight days and... ..the AI programme that can tell where a dolphin is from by its accent. We begin with a man whose hidden musical talent is helping him turn his life around and supporting others. Earlier this year, Rhys Wynne-Jones was homeless and had gone to a church with friends for something to eat.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
Dr Julie Oswald from the University of St Andrews. Here in the UK, a knitted Christmas tree has been unveiled that's nearly five metres tall and was made as part of a project to reduce loneliness. It began as an idea to bring people of all ages together for weekly meetings in Edinburgh and ended up with knitters from other countries getting involved.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
Cameron Angus Mackay has been speaking to the other people involved.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
That report from Cameron Angus Mackay. It was a story that caught the world's imagination a decade ago, the discovery of a four-year-old girl who'd survived almost two weeks in the Siberian wilderness after getting lost. At the time, she was nicknamed Mowgli after the main character in The Jungle Book, and more recently, her story has been made into a book and a film.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
He sat down at a piano to play and as everyone stopped to listen... a volunteer started filming. The video from Penzance in south-western England went viral on social media and his performance of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody has even been praised by the group's drummer Roger Taylor as dazzling.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
To mark the ten-year anniversary, Karina appeared on Russian TV to talk about her future plans – Isabella Jewell reports.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
Isabella Jewell. On the Happy Pod lately, we've been highlighting unsung local heroes around the world. Stephen Fairhead in London walks for over two hours every day picking up rubbish and cleaning up. After ten years of doing it, he's caught local attention and is now being called a hero on social media.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
Local hero, Stephen Fairhead. And that's all from The Happy Pod for now. We'd love to hear about your happiest moments of 2024 from family events to global stories or any unusual plans you're making for the new year. As ever, the address globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. This edition was mixed by Rob Fanner and the producers were Paul Day and Rachel Bulkeley. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Alex Ritson.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
Now, Rhys has been performing concerts and raising thousands of dollars for charities helping other homeless people. Rhys has been talking to my colleague Evan Davies.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
Rhys Wynn-Jones, who's now moved into sheltered housing and is working towards finding a home of his own. At this time of year, many of us will have put up our Christmas tree or perhaps adorned our house with twinkly lights to bring some festive cheer. But one man in the United States has taken it a step further.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
He's decorated his entire street and it's all in aid of making meaningful memories for his wife, as Rebecca Wood reports.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
Rebecca Wood with that report. A man who got lost in a blizzard in the Carpathian Mountains has survived for eight days with the help of an unusual companion. Vladislav Duda, a journalist fleeing conscription in Ukraine, was found soaking wet and lying in a ravine after managing to text a friend his location.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
His travelling companions had left him behind and rescuers were surprised he'd managed to stay alive with no food, water or shelter. until he unzipped his jacket, revealing a tiny orange cat named Persic, or Peach. Stephanie Prentice spoke to Dan Benger from the Maramures Mountain Rescue Team about one of the most difficult and heartwarming rescues yet.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
This is The Happy Pod from the BBC World Service.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
Mountain rescuer Dan Benga. Nigeria has the highest rate of neonatal jaundice in the world. It's a common condition which causes yellowing of the eyes and skin in newborns, but left untreated can lead to serious health issues like cerebral palsy and brain damage. Now, a project to improve diagnosis and access to treatment has been launched in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub. Project
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
Oscar is named after a young disability activist born in Vietnam who developed cerebral palsy after his neonatal jaundice was missed. Nketchi Ogbonna went to meet some of those involved.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
The homeless man whose piano playing went viral, allowing him to raise money to help others. How love has inspired a husband in Iowa to turn his whole street into a winter wonderland. A remarkable survival story.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
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Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
The new French Prime Minister, Francois Bayrou, has said he faces a mountainous task ahead. He was speaking at a ceremony in Paris as he took over from his predecessor, whose government collapsed after only three months. Mr Bayrou described the situation facing France as dire and referred to the need to tackle the government's budget deficit and debt.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Hugh Schofield reports from the French capital.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Hugh Schofield in Paris. The management consulting firm McKinsey has agreed to a $650 million deal with the US Justice Department to settle criminal charges that it deliberately encouraged America's opioid epidemic. McKinsey, which said that it regretted its role as an advisor on boosting sales to firms, including the maker of the addictive painkiller OxyContin.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
the secret police. It's impossible to overstate its grip on Syrian society. It spied on the Syrian people and others, got Syrians to spy on each other and imprisoned, tortured and often killed anyone who fell foul of the authorities. BBC Arabic's Feras Kalani visited the secretive heart of the Assad state's security apparatus. He told me what he found.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Michelle Fleury reports from New York.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Michel Fleury. Rwanda is bidding to bring the drama and glamour of Grand Prix racing to Africa for the first time since 1993. The Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, put his official seal on the bid as Formula One's governing body, the FIA, held its annual General Assembly in Kigali. These African Formula One fans welcomed the move.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Andrew Benson is the BBC's Formula One correspondent.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Why does Rwanda want a Grand Prix, and what's in it for Formula 1?
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Not everyone in favour, though. I mean, even accusations of sports washing here.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
How important is it for Africa that Formula One comes back for the first time since the early 90s?
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Andrew Benson. Push Part Two, The Rule, is an Indian movie that has earned more than $100 million worldwide in its first week. A big success in the box office then, but the film has been mired in tragedy. Earlier this month, a crush at its premiere in the city of Hyderabad led to the death of a woman and her young son being critically injured.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Shortly after the incident, the lead star, Alu Arjun, put an apology video up on X. I'm going to give him a score. In it, he said he was heartbroken by the tragic incident and that his heartfelt condolences went out to the grieving family. But the family filed a complaint against the actor, which led to his subsequent arrest. Our South Asia regional editor and Barasan Etirajan told me more.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
I mean, just a few days ago, what you've done would be impossible. But you have now been inside the headquarters. What did you see?
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
But what is he accused of doing? I mean, OK, he's the movie star. He turned up. Things went wrong. But it doesn't. I'm just not clear on what the suggested crime is.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Now, are you a fidget? Are you the kind of person who can't sit still, who twiddles their thumbs and plays with their hair or picks their nails or taps their fingers on a desk? Relatively harmless behaviour, you'd have thought. But did you know that it's the kind of behaviour that makes some people, if not mad, extremely angry and disgusted?
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Their reaction is known as misokinesia or misophonia and can be very debilitating. Dr Jane Gregory is a clinical psychologist at Oxford University here in the UK. She's been studying and treating both misokinesia and misophonia and suffers from both conditions herself. She told Julian Marshall how it affects her.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
And that's all from us for now, but there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. You can also find us on X at Global News Pod. This edition was mixed by Chris Kazouris and the producer was Alison Davis. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Alex Ritson.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
So it's an office building with files on everyone. Is it also the kind of place where suspects were taken and mistreated?
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
As you say, you've been inside, you've seen just how recently these files were being updated, and yet the people who were doing that updating, the regime's officers, they've just melted away.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Feras Kalani from BBC Arabic. Meanwhile, mass celebrations continued into the night across Syria on Friday as people across the country marked the downfall of the former president Bashar al-Assad. People in Damascus gathered at the central Umayyad mosque for prayers before the jubilant rallies called by the Islamist rebels who led the armed uprising against the Assad regime.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Our correspondent Barbara Platt-Usher was out and about among the crowds.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Alex Ritson and in the early hours of Saturday the 14th of December, these are our main stories. More secrets of the Assad regime have been emerging as Syrians across the country continue to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Barbara Platt, Usher. With Syria in flux, there are fears that the Islamic State group could take advantage of the country's uncertain future with a resurgence that would also threaten neighbouring Iraq. Between 2014 and 2019, IS, also known as Daesh, imposed Sharia law on a population of 12 million people in Iraq and Syria.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
On an unannounced visit to Iraq, the American Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said the US would do all it could to prevent a resurgence.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Thousands of former fighters and supporters of Islamic State are being held in camps in northern Syria, an area controlled by a Kurdish-led militia alliance, the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF. They're supported by the US but are currently under threat from Turkish-backed rebel groups. Anthony Lloyd is a journalist for The Times who's reported on those camps.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Francois Bayrou has admitted he has a mountainous task ahead as he becomes the fourth prime minister to take office in France this year. The management consulting firm McKinsey has agreed a settlement of hundreds of millions of dollars with the US authorities over its role in the opioid crisis. Also in this podcast.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Anthony Lloyd. Mystery continues to swirl over nearly a month of drone sightings in the United States, sparking fear among residents and furious debate about what the flying objects are and if they're drones at all.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
US authorities have been unable to provide definitive answers over the sightings, saying only that the drones are not believed to pose a danger to the public or national security and suggest that they're actually manned aircraft. Originally, sightings were in New Jersey, but flying objects have since been spotted in New York City and the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
More from our correspondent, Neda Torfik, a resident of New Jersey herself. I asked her if she had witnessed anything unusual.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Yeah, you've personally seen them. So we know for sure something's going on. And yet the White House view seems to be that this isn't a story at all.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
Because it does seem unlikely that the US authorities don't know what's going on unless they just don't want to scare people.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
The mystery of the huge drone spotted in parts of the US but dismissed by the White House. We begin in Syria, where secrets of the Assad regime have been emerging since its overthrow last weekend. For more than half a century, the linchpin of the regime's stranglehold in the country was the General Intelligence Directorate, better known throughout the Arab world as the Muqabarat.
Global News Podcast
The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad
How fidgeting can drive others mad and what psychologists are doing to treat their reaction.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
Salama Ramia. The identity has been revealed of a Chinese businessman at the centre of spying allegations in the UK who had links to King Charles's brother, Prince Andrew. Yang Tung Bao had previously been known only as H6 because of an anonymity order. On Monday, he gave up his challenge to the lifting of that order. allowing himself to be named.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
He was banned from the UK last year by a national security court. Mr Yang has denied breaking the law and said the claim that he was a spy was entirely untrue. The Rao hasn't just embarrassed a royal, but raised questions once again about Chinese state activity in Britain. In Parliament, the Interior Minister, Dan Jarvis, gave this statement about Mr Yang.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
The headlines are especially damaging for the royal family. They always like to appear together on Christmas Day when they go to church at their Sandringham estate. But after Mr Yang's name was revealed, royal sources said that Prince Andrew wouldn't spend Christmas with the king as is customary. Catherine Cracknell heard more about Mr Yang from our political correspondent, Rob Watson.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
A lot has been said in recent years about the plight of the celebrated Italian city of Venice gradually sinking underwater. But it seems Venice's flood barriers installed four years ago to protect against storm surges are also helping to preserve the lowest-lying island in the lagoon. Bacchan, a sandbank previously only above the waterline in the summer...
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
has sprouted vegetation and now exists year-round. It's a favourite spot for locals. Giovanni Cecconi, an engineer who worked on Venice's storm surge barriers, is also a fan.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
Giovanni Cecconi speaking to Paul Henley. A rock-dwelling dragon and a viper with eyelash-style scales are among 234 new species of plants and animals discovered by scientists in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia, according to the Worldwide Fund for Nature. Matthew Amarola-Waller heard more from Mark Wright, Special Advisor on Conservation Science at WWF-UK.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
Mark Wright. And that's all from us for now, but there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. You can also find us on X at Global News Pod. This edition was produced by Judy Frankel and mixed by Caroline Driscoll. The editor is Karen Martin.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
I'm Alex Ritson. Until next time, goodbye.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
Germany's embattled Chancellor Olaf Scholz loses a vote of confidence in Parliament, triggering the early elections he wants. France's President Macron will fly to Mayotte to oversee the relief operation after Cyclone Chido. Also in this podcast, the businessman and close confidant of Prince Andrew, who's accused of spying for China, has been named.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Alex Ritson, and in the early hours of Tuesday 17th December, these are our main stories. We report from the Syrian port city of Latakia, where the rebels, who are now the de facto rulers, are providing law and order.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
Noor, an Alawite in the Takia, ending that report by Quentin Somerville. Syria's central bank has reportedly retained nearly 26 tonnes of gold worth more than $2 billion. The Reuters news agency quoted officials as saying the vaults had been left unscathed by looters after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. With the details, here's Lippa Capellum.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
Lipika Pelham. Germany wasn't scheduled to have its next general election until September 2025, but it's been called early next February after the Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a parliamentary confidence vote. His defeat was expected when his governing coalition collapsed last month after a row over spending in a deepening economic crisis.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
Opinion polls suggest gains for the opposition conservatives in those February elections. Jürgen Hart is an MP from the conservative Christian Democrats.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
Olaf Scholz had made it clear he wanted to lose the confidence vote, as I heard from our Berlin correspondent, Damian McGuinness.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
And hundreds of new species have been discovered in the Mekong region in Southeast Asia.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
And as you indicated, it could go very differently, couldn't it? Because the far-right AFD, Alternative for Deutschland, are polling pretty well.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
Damien McGuinness. Hundreds of adoring fans gathered at Chennai Airport in India to welcome home their teenage chess sensation who last week was crowned world champion. In doing so, the 18-year-old grandmaster, Gukesh Tomaraju, became the youngest person ever To hold the title. From Delhi, our South Asia correspondent Samira Hussain reports.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
We start in Syria where just nine days since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad the people continue to celebrate their newfound freedom. There were celebrations also in the port city of Latakia. But Bashar al-Assad and most of his military and intelligence staff were Alawites.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
Samira Hussain. Still to come, the island in the Venice Lagoon reborn by the city's new flood defences.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
President Emmanuel Macron has said he'll travel to the devastated French Indian Ocean Territory of Mayotte in the coming days after it was hit by winds of over 220 kilometres an hour at the weekend. People living in Mayotte say the French Indian Ocean Territory is unrecognisable following Cyclone Chido. Rachel Wright compiled this report.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
and following recent attacks, some members of Latakia's minority Alawite community say they're now too scared to leave their homes. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, Syria's new de facto rulers, have pledged to protect everyone. Its fighters are patrolling Latakia's streets to try to curb any violence. From there, our Middle East correspondent Quentin Somerville sent this report.
Global News Podcast
The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria
Rachel Wright. Julian Marshall spoke to Salama Ramia, herself a native of Mayotte, who represents the territory in the French Senate in Paris.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
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Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Mystery continues to swirl after nearly a month of unexplained drone sightings over New Jersey and other US states, alarming some residents. But now, a potential development. Two people have been arrested for flying drones near Boston's Logan Airport. I heard more from our Washington correspondent, Rowan Bridge.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
The UN envoy for Syria has called for a swift end to sanctions on his first visit to Damascus since the rebel takeover. A former Israeli prime minister says Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights are an unnecessary confrontation with post-Assad Syria. Also in this podcast...
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Yeah, because you say that their drone was in a backpack. But the other drones that we're talking about, some of them seemingly in whole fleets, some of them are described as being the size of small cars.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Do people think the White House, the Pentagon, etc., really do know what's going on?
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Rowan Bridge. The last five Australians convicted of drug offences in Indonesia as part of what became known as the Bali Nine have returned home after nearly 20 years in jail. Celia Hatton reports.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Celia Hatton. The BBC has gained rare access to the unheard stories of women inside Iran's notorious Evin prison, including accounts of torture and threats of execution. Thousands of women in Iran were arrested after the Women, Life, Freedom movement in 2022. From multiple reliable sources, BBC 100 Women has built a detailed picture of life inside the prison walls
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
revealing the stories of women who continued to protest for their rights despite the risks. Gol Nush Golshani reports, and a warning, some listeners may find some of what follows distressing.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Let's begin in the French overseas territory of Mayotte, just a tiny collection of dots in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique. It's home to around 300,000 people who've just endured one of the worst storms on the archipelago in nearly 100 years.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
That report by Golnoosh Golshani. It's 400 metres thick and larger than many countries. And for most of the past year, it's been stuck in a vortex in the Southern Ocean. But now the world's biggest iceberg, known prosaically as A23A, is on the move again. So what might this mean and where might it head next? To find out, I talked to Andrew Myers of the British Antarctic Survey.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
And because this isn't a climate change story, unusually for this kind of thing, why should we worry about this?
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
In our earlier podcast, we quoted French media reports from soon after the cyclone made landfall on Saturday, stating that four people had been found dead. Now... As we record this podcast, authorities in Mayotte are warning that the death toll from Cyclone Chido will be in the hundreds, if not the thousands. The storm spared no one and nothing.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
And does it pose a threat to people? I mean, I guess it's so big, ships are going to know where it is.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
So what happens next? Where do you expect it to go? And assuming it does melt and go into the sea, does that in itself cause us a problem?
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Andrew Myers of the British Antarctic Survey. And that's all from us for now, but there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. You can also find us on X at Global News Pod. This edition was mixed by Pat Sissons and the producer was Alison Davis.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Alex Ritz, and until next time, goodbye.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Homes, boats and schools were all destroyed, even the capital's hospital. These people in the main city of Mamoudzou were queuing for food and water.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Chido then moved on to hit northern Mozambique with videos on social media showing flooding and uprooted trees near the port city of Pemba. The UNICEF spokesperson in Mozambique, Guy Taylor, is there.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Getting hold of anyone on Mayotte is proving almost impossible. Phone lines and the internet are down. The BBC's Richard Kigoy, who's in Nairobi, has been piecing together what's happened.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
What is the latest on the relief operation?
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
And presumably we're going to have big problems going forward with just basic things like food and medicine.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
And Richard, Chido has now made landfall in Mozambique. What word are we getting about its impact there?
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Richard Kagoi. Israel has said it plans to expand its settlements on the Golan Heights, which it captured from Syria in 1967. The Israeli occupation is considered illegal under international law. It's currently home to about 20,000 Israeli settlers, as well as a similar number of Syrians, mostly Druze Arabs.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Announcing the new plans, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the aim was to double the population. Since the fall of the Assad regime, Israeli forces have already moved further into Syria beyond the UN-monitored buffer zone. The UN says that's a clear violation of Syria's sovereignty. They've also carried out hundreds of airstrikes on military targets linked to the old regime.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Here's Mr Netanyahu speaking earlier.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
The expansion of settlements in the Golan Heights is a move which is firmly opposed by the former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Ehud Olmert speaking to James Menendez. On his first visit to Damascus since the toppling of the Assad regime, the UN envoy for Syria, Geyer Pedersen, has called for a swift end to sanctions to help the country's economy recover. Mr. Pedersen also urged justice, not revenge.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Our correspondent Sally Nabil is in Damascus. She told me how ordinary Syrians are affected by the sanctions.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
There is talk, Sally, of lifting sanctions, but what conditions are going to have to be met for that and also for HTS to no longer be on the list of terrorist organisations?
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
They're making the right noises though, aren't they? And the leader of HTS expressed that he's in no mood for further confrontation.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Sally Nabil. For conservationists in East Africa, protecting the region's lion population remains a constant challenge. Traditional practices like lion hunting among communities such as the Maasai have historically contributed to the problem. But change is underway.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Every two years, in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, the Maasai celebrate their warrior-like athleticism with their own Olympic Games.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Alex Ritson, and in the early hours of Monday, the 16th of December, these are our main stories. Hundreds, possibly as many as a few thousand people, are feared dead in Cyclone Hit Mayotte, where survivors say they're facing drastic conditions.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Twice the size of Greater London, the world's biggest iceberg is on the move again.