Lucy Williamson
Appearances
Global News Podcast
Bibas family funeral takes place in Israel
So there's still quite a lot of clarification that's needed, Yolan. But meanwhile, today we've seen thousands of people line the streets on the road to Kibbutz near Oz because, of course, Shri Bibas and her two sons, they have really become symbols of Israel's hostage ordeal. And I see Yadan Bibas has been delivering a eulogy to his wife. What's he been saying?
Global News Podcast
Trump announces multi-billion dollar AI programme
The fires in the Palestinian village of Al-Funduk were visible from miles away. Plastic and chemicals fuelling the blaze at a gardening centre, torched by Jewish settlers, metres from Mohammed's family house.
Global News Podcast
Trump announces multi-billion dollar AI programme
Dozens of masked men came to the village, escorted, residents said, by Israeli soldiers. They surrounded several homes and torched vehicles and buildings. Earlier this month, three Israelis were killed in a shooting attack by Palestinians on passing vehicles in Al-Funduk. And the release of Palestinian prisoners here this week as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal risks fueling calls for revenge.
Global News Podcast
Trump announces multi-billion dollar AI programme
Some violent settlers see the ceasefire deal as a reward for Hamas and say there's a price Palestinians in the West Bank must pay. The new US president, Donald Trump, has signalled he's less inclined than his predecessor to intervene to stop them, lifting sanctions on extremist settlers as soon as he entered office. Louie Tayem is the mayor of Funduk.
Global News Podcast
Trump announces multi-billion dollar AI programme
In the neighboring outpost of Ramat Gilad, one young man described the tensions between Israelis and Palestinians here as a war without end.
Global News Podcast
Trump announces multi-billion dollar AI programme
Israel's army launched a fresh incursion in the Palestinian city of Jenin within hours. There were reports of at least eight people killed. Hamas responded by calling on Palestinians across the West Bank to confront Israeli forces. Palestinians here, angered by Israel's military confrontation. Jewish settlers, angered by Israel's truce.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
An hour from Damascus, on a Syrian country road, we met Israel's army. Military vehicles and troops in full combat gear on the only route into Hadar village.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Riyad Zaydan lives in Hadar, one of several thousand residents from Syria's minority Druze community, watching Israeli military vehicles move around their village and armoured bulldozers working on a hillside above.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Earlier this week, Israel said it was seizing control of Syrian territory in a demilitarized zone established in a ceasefire agreement 50 years ago. Hadar sits right on the edge of this buffer zone. Parts of the village even jut inside it. Hadar's village head, Jaulat al-Tawil, pointed out the Golan Heights beyond it. Syrian territory that Israel occupied in 1967 and later unilaterally annexed.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Many residents in Hadar have Syrian relatives still living there. On Sunday, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to double the population of Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights, saying it was a response to what he called the new front in Syria. Some here worry that Israel wants to annex more Syrian land.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Israel says its actions in Syria are motivated by the threat from jihadist groups and its incursions would be limited and temporary. There are now Israeli bulldozers working on the hill behind me. And we've also seen Israeli forces at the entrance to the village. The Iran-backed groups that Israel was fighting here have been weakened by the fall of Assad.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Israel is taking advantage of this moment to extend its reach here and deal with new potential threats. A week after President Assad's regime fell, the sense of freedom is tinged with fatalism in Hadar.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Village head Jaulat Al-Tawil says dozens of men died defending the village from militia during Syria's war. His own son was killed by fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamist militia that now runs Syria after sweeping President Bashar al-Assad from power. How does Mr Al-Tawil feel about HTS being in charge now?
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Syria's new Islamist leader, Ahmad al-Shara, has warned that Israel's actions risk unnecessary escalation, saying his country's interim government is not looking for conflict. Syria's long-awaited freedom, already overshadowed by talk of war.
Global News Podcast
China says it won't bow to pressure from Trump tariffs
The court submissions seen by the BBC contain detailed accounts of alleged rape, assault and coercive control from four women in the UK who were suing the influencer and self-proclaimed misogynist. Andrew Tate is accused of pointing a gun in one woman's face and telling her, ''You're going to do as I say or there'll be hell to pay.'' He denies this.
Global News Podcast
China says it won't bow to pressure from Trump tariffs
Another woman says she saw a gun on his sofa but didn't know if it was real. He says he may have had a toy gun. The civil case concerns incidents the women say took place between 2013 and 2015. Some of the women claim he would strangle them and rape them. Andrew Tate denies the allegations, claiming everything was consensual and that he never used violence.
Global News Podcast
China says it won't bow to pressure from Trump tariffs
He is currently under investigation in Romania, accused of rape and human trafficking, which he also denies.
Global News Podcast
UN Secretary-General warns US against 'ethnic cleansing' in Gaza
What had been dismissed as off-the-cuff remarks by the new US president last week appear to have evolved into concrete goals of forced relocation and a new American presence in the region. There's scepticism over whether Mr Trump fully intends to pursue the plan he set out, but the Palestinian representative to the UN, Riyad Mansour, was clear.
Global News Podcast
UN Secretary-General warns US against 'ethnic cleansing' in Gaza
Any question over the presence of Palestinians in Gaza touches sensitive nerves. Many Gazans already identify as refugees from towns and villages now in Israel, and promises of a future Palestinian state have stalled. Donald Trump's comments have delighted Israel's government and the far-right nationalists it relies on.
Global News Podcast
UN Secretary-General warns US against 'ethnic cleansing' in Gaza
some of whom want to see Israeli settlements re-established in Gaza in the wake of the war. Gideon Saar is the Israeli foreign minister.
Global News Podcast
UN Secretary-General warns US against 'ethnic cleansing' in Gaza
More than half a million Gazans have so far returned to northern areas devastated by the war, searching for past lives in the rubble and looking at a future where the visions of a US president meet the realities of the Middle East.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
For them, it's a solution for what they see as a demographic collapse facing countries like the U.S. And whereas many people will see their approach as extreme, there's increasing evidence that their ideas have traction at the heart of the Trump administration. We want more babies to be born in America. We want more babies. We need them. We need them.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
So Malcolm, what about just straight immigration? Bring in more people to America.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
Simone, a really important point that I think listeners would want me to put to you is that when you describe pronatalism, a lot of people are going to think it sounds a lot like eugenics. What's the difference?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
I asked the Collinses something I think they're asked a lot, Nomi, about the children that they're having, the quality of the children. When they are accused of or compared to eugenicists who only want certain races or classes to procreate, they say they're different. They say pronatalists are not like that. But is that true?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
I was asking the Collinses immigration, why a solution wasn't just to bring in more people into America.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
They say their aims are a pragmatic solution to a pending catastrophe. But is there a darker side to their mission to make America procreate again? I'm Lucy Hockings. From the BBC World Service, this is The Global Story. I can speak to our Washington correspondent, Nomia Iqbal. Hi, Nomia. Hey, Lucy, how are you? Hey, good.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
We're speaking to you ahead of the annual natalism conference. You've mentioned it already, Malcolm. It's happening in Austin this weekend. And you are going to be sharing the stage, though, with some eugenics advocates and some people who promote extreme views that you yourself have said you don't agree with, including, I know, Kevin Dolan.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
And he says that eugenics and pronatalism positions are very much aligned. Malcolm, are you comfortable when you have to share a platform like that with someone like Kevin?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
There's been this investigation, Namia, into the organiser Kevin Dolan and they found his pseudonym Twitter account and on that he shares homophobic, racist, anti-Semitic views as well. And you mentioned that great replacement theory. He promotes that conspiracy theory as well and said that eugenics and pronatalism positions are very much aligned.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
How do you think, Namia, the Collinses keep a distance between themselves and these groups when actually they're sharing the same platform with them?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
When Donald Trump entered the White House for a second time this year, Namia, his two top officials in his new administration, J.D. Vance, the vice president, and Elon Musk, are both men who have been very supportive of pro-natalism in the past. Have they actually used their platforms, though, to push pro-natalist ideas?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
You're with us today because a little earlier I had a conversation with a couple, Malcolm and Simone Collins, and we really want your help in putting that conversation into some context.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
The Collinses, though, Nomi, definitely feel like this new Trump administration poses a huge opportunity for them, given what you've just said. You can see why.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
Namia, thanks so much. And you. Thanks so much, Lucy. Pronationalism now has two very powerful advocates right at the heart of government in J.D. Vance, the Vice President, and Elon Musk. Simone, what are your expectations of those two men in office?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
Simone, can you just describe to me where you live with your family and what your family looks like?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
And thanks so much to you for listening. Wherever you're listening in the world, this has been The Global Story. Thanks for having us in your headphones. Goodbye.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
How would you actually define pronationalism?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
So if this is a solution, Simone, pronatalism, what is the main problem that you would say you're worried about?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
So, Nomi, Malcolm and Simone were explaining to me a couple of the ideas that seem very important in their lives. But can you help us understand how their definitions fit into a wider view? They gave us the definition of pronatalism, but it's actually more of an umbrella term, isn't it, for quite a broad range of beliefs?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
What seems to unite all pro-natalists, though, Namia, is this concern with population decline. And Malcolm and Simone talked about this a lot, this idea of demographic collapse. What exactly is that? And are they right to be concerned?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
Naomi, I've been speaking to quite a few people and asking them what their thoughts are around pronatalism. And I'm surprised how many people haven't actually heard of it. How long has it been around for?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
Simone, you're outlining a really big problem as you see it, but part of your solution is intensely personal in that you're having lots of children. Malcolm, how many would you like to have?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
So literally, Simone, you are putting yourself at risk, your life at risk for this. Absolutely.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
Does that frighten you?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
You must worry for her as well, though, Malcolm. This is your wife endangering her life.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
But Malcolm, I know for both of you, it's not just a question of how many children you have. It's kind of the other qualities that that child also has too. And you use a lot of data and you make other considerations when it comes to having a child. Can you talk us through that data?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
Today we're bringing you a conversation I had with a family called the Collinses who joined me from their farmhouse in Pennsylvania. By any measure, they already have a large family.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
What about after the children are born and the names that you choose to give your children? Because you obviously, your approach isn't just before they're born, it's after as well.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
Now, Mia, the Collinses talked about the qualities that they want their children to have. So it's not just about having lots of babies. It's the kind of babies, the qualities that these children have. Is that also quite common among pronatalists?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
So far, Nomia, we've looked at how pronatalism is influencing the Collins' approach to their own family and how they're raising their children. But next, I'm going to ask them about how they think that should apply to families across the U.S.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
But they want many more. That's because the Collinses have a unique approach to family. They're pronatalists.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
You're listening to The Global Story from the BBC World Service. With me is Nomia Iqbal, and I've also been speaking to pronatalists Malcolm and Simone Collins. So we've talked about your personal lives and how you're raising your family, but pronatalism is a part of a movement that you want to start as well.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
How are you planning to scale up this approach that you yourselves are taking and make it something bigger?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
You're encouraging others to do it, though, Malcolm.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Pronatalism - Make America procreate again?
Can I ask you, though, about some of the other solutions that people have to falling fertility, that economic policies, for instance, should just be better, subsidized childcare, tax breaks, housing that's more affordable?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
Can I ask you about the motivation of his children? What do they want to get out of this trial? And is there any money at stake? Because it's always been very unclear what they were left and what his financial legacy was.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
I think most people would agree that Maradona is one of the best footballers we've ever seen. But when you think about him, often what comes to mind is not just his genius on the pitch, it's what he got up to off the pitch. Now you've actually met him quite a few times. Can you share with us what he was like?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
Is there a lot of media attention and just interest in the trial in Argentina?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
What about this viral moment that we've seen already? That's a remarkable moment where we saw this photo that was taken only hours before he died.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
And Marcella, all this emotion around the trial and there are even demonstrators outside the courthouse.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
And do you think this emotion is partly caused and the concern that people have about how he died by the fact that it's just been a really hard couple of years for people in Argentina? the cost of living crisis, spiralling inflation, all these austerity measures as well, that his story and what happened to him also ties in to how people feel about society at the moment as well.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
We've got this far and we've only just mentioned Messi and there is always the comparison there because in the years since his death, Argentina have won this other World Cup and... Some people say that it's Messi that is actually the greatest player ever in the game. Many people feel that way. There is something still, though, about Maradona that has this other dimension to it.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
So do you see any evidence of his legacy declining?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
Marcella, it's a fascinating trial and always so interesting to talk about the legacy of Maradona. We will maybe be back with you in July when the trial wraps up. Thank you. Thank you very much.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
But he was a man of contradictions when it came to his personality as well. Unbelievably talented, a genius, clever, funny, smart, but he could also be a bit nasty and vindictive.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
No one can deny that football genius. Can you remind us of that path on the pitch that took him to international football superstardom?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
What would you say that he represented for Argentinians?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
Marcelo, he was widely admired, of course, but you've already referenced some of the drug abuse that was taking place when he was in Spain. There was quite a lot of controversy around that throughout the later years of his career.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
When Diego Maradona died in 2020, Argentinians took to the streets. united in both grief and celebration of a footballing legend. But it wasn't long before questions were being asked about the circumstances surrounding his death. Now a long-delayed trial involving his medical team is underway, and Maradona is once again the centre of attention.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
It's well documented, his drug abuse, but he was actually banned for 15 months for failed drug tests on two occasions. Once for recreational cocaine in 1991 and then quite famously performance enhancing drugs were found in his system at the World Cup in 1994. I think many of us can bring to mind pictures of him where he is clearly struggling with both his weight and with addiction.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
In 2000 he was in intensive care in a coma after an overdose from cocaine. In 2004 he reportedly had two heart attacks in just one month. And then in 2020, he'd had the surgery, he was at home, and then he died due to a cardiac arrest. It was such a surreal time right around the world because it was at the height of COVID. And you were there in Argentina at the time. What was it like?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
After a shocking photo taken hours before he died went viral, demonstrators descended on the courthouse demanding justice. So years after his death, why is Maradona's legacy still felt so powerfully by Argentinians? With me today is Marcela Mora y Araujo. She's a journalist in Buenos Aires who translated Diego Maradona's autobiography. Marcella, hi, good to have you on the pod. Thank you.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
So we've looked at the complications of Maradona's stratospheric fame and the national outpouring of grief prompted by his death. Next, why questions are being asked about how he died.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina
This is The Global Story. We bring you one big international story in detail five days a week. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen. With me is Marcela Mora y Araujo. Ever since he's passed away, Maradona, there has been this scrutiny, Marcela, over his death. And now we have this long, delayed trial. What is actually being alleged?
Global News Podcast
Mayor of Istanbul dismisses charges against him
It's able to triage whether it thinks that this is a lesion that needs to have further assessment by a specialist or if it thinks it's completely harmless or benign.
Global News Podcast
Mayor of Istanbul dismisses charges against him
When they come in, rather than see a doctor, they have an appointment in a photography hub and the photographer will actually capture some really high quality images, but also use this smartphone with a special dermoscopic lens attachment that's placed on the skin to capture an image of the lesion. And then that's immediately analysed by the AI.
Global News Podcast
Mayor of Istanbul dismisses charges against him
and it's able to triage whether it thinks that this is a lesion that needs to have further assessment by a specialist, or if it thinks it's completely harmless or benign, then it can be discharged back to their GP with monitoring and other advice about skin cancer prevention.
Global News Podcast
Mayor of Istanbul dismisses charges against him
It's early days in terms of using the technology autonomously, but we have been using it with a secondary dermatologist in place for the last two and a half years, which is why we've been able to build confidence around using the technology now, and that it works well for our patients.
Global News Podcast
Mayor of Istanbul dismisses charges against him
And we did some surveys around patient sentiment of the AI at that stage in the pathway, and found that the majority of patients were very accepting of the technology. And actually, a lot of them would rather be seen and analysed by the AI than wait for several weeks to see a dermatologist in person. It's actually assessed over 140,000 different NHS patients.
Global News Podcast
Mayor of Istanbul dismisses charges against him
It's been deployed at 22 different sites across the NHS. And by doing that, we know that we're able to gather really high quality evidence about how it's performing compared with dermatologists in that NHS pathway. So we know it's accurate for the populations in which it's being utilised.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
Meze Military Air Base in Damascus was once a buffer between President Bashar al-Assad and rebel forces. Now the men who protected Assad have gone. The control room, scarred with bullet holes from their last stand. I just climbed to the top of the control tower. See across the whole airbase, deserted by President Assad's forces.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
His old shoes, bombed out planes, live ammunition scattered across it. Israel has been systematically destroying the military equipment left by the Assad regime, worried about who might end up using it. Russian-made aircraft, Israeli bombs, militia backed by Turkey, Iran, the US. This was never just Syria's war, and outside powers still have a stake here.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
On a roof inside the base, the new era is marked by a young fighter from the militia in charge here now, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, slashing at a portrait of Bashar al-Assad until it lies in tatters. Assad's fall has posed unanswered questions about Syria's future, but it's also left unanswered questions from the past.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
The commander here, known as Abu Jarrah, shows us a prison complex where he says 400 women detainees were routinely raped by military intelligence. He takes us down to a room he says was used for torture and shows us a set of wires next to an electrical switchboard. Here they electrocuted prisoners, he tells me.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
These electric cables, the guards put them on the prisoner's body and turned on the power. The prisoner loses his mind and confesses everything. The only thing more painful than finding your parent or child among the records here is not finding them at all. In the building next door, we found the mother of Kurdish prisoner Mahmoud Hussein searching for his face among the photos on the floor.
Global News Podcast
South Korea's president impeached
He's registered here, but we can't find him, she said. May God burn Assad's heart the way he burnt ours. Assad's regime was meticulous in documenting its brutality, but critical evidence here is being lost every day. The detail of what happened to individuals is often hard to find and the desperation of families is growing.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
Is there a credible argument, Matthew, to what some people say, which is that Gascon is being held to a different standard to other people?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
And did she also suffer a bit because she was largely unknown? She doesn't have a big body of work kind of propping her up and her reputation up.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
What about the movie itself, though, Matthew? Should Amelia Parev be condemned the entire movie and judged because of the actions of this one actress?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
Is their heart going to be behind Zoe Saldana, though? Because she seems to have escaped a lot of the controversy. And she's doing well.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
And is it standard that along with all of the effort that she's put in, so has the marketing budget gone with her from Netflix? Like it's really pivoted from Gascon to Zoe Saldana. Is that standard practice?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
Matthew, we think that Sophia Gascon is actually going to go to the Oscars. How does that work? Does she have Netflix backing? Will she have money behind her to help her get ready for the night? I mean, it's an expensive business.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
It will be. And what about her future beyond the Oscars? She's been canceled for now. Can she make a comeback?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
Matthew, great to have you with us on the pod. Thanks so much.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
And thanks so much to you for listening. If you want to get in touch, email us at theglobalstoryatbbc.com, wherever you're listening in the world. See you next time.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
And we are going to be talking about this scandal that is surrounding the lead, Carla Sofia Gascon. But there was already some controversy around the movie before this particular scandal.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
I know that lots of people have seen it. Some, as you've mentioned, have loved it. Some people haven't liked it. It's done really, really well when it comes to nominations for all of the awards. We're in that sort of moment, aren't we, of all the award ceremonies taking place. But would you say in terms of the critics, it's had quite a good response? Yeah.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
It's interesting as you approach the awards season, isn't it, that some movies start to gain a lot of momentum. And this has definitely been one of those, Noor. But it seems to have hit a bit of a snag. Because of these tweets that have emerged that Gascon sent.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
A musical about a Mexican drug boss seeking gender-affirming surgery, Amelia Perez is as ambitious and divisive as it sounds. But it's not the content on screen which is causing most controversy or dominating coverage. Long tipped to be a runaway success at ceremonies throughout awards season,
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
And how did she respond?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
Yeah, it felt like there was a really big backlash and it was pretty quick as well. How have other people who have been involved in the film responded?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
So, Noor, how well known was Cala Sofia Gascon before this movie?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
The best actress category is always so highly anticipated. And Gascon stood a really good chance, it seemed, before all of this, because, you know, the first trans actress to win, it would have been quite a moment. But do you really think this has totally put aside her chances?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
The movie's positive critical reception was strengthened by a wave of nominations, and that momentum seemed unstoppable until the re-emergence of a series of tweets by lead actress Carla Sofio Gascon derailed promoters' plans. Apologies and crisis PR followed, but Gascon was sidelined by the movie's representatives, all but ending her hopes of further personal plaudits.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
Thanks so much, Noor. I know you're off to LA for the Oscars. Have a fabulous time. Thank you. Very excited. So we've heard how the hype around Emilia Perez turned sour. Next, how does this moment compare to other Hollywood scandals of the past? And should a movie be defined by those who make it? Hi, Matthew. Hello. Now tell me, have you seen the movie?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
Yeah, and you had a scoop of your own when it came to this story, Matthew, because it's Netflix that's distributing the film. And you managed to get quite a reaction from the content officer, the chief content officer of Netflix on tape that made headlines all over the world. What did she tell you?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
And after throwing its weight behind co-star Zoe Saldana, the studio has managed to salvage some success. But ahead of the Oscars, debate is growing about how much this scandal has harmed its performance. So today we're asking, should we judge a movie by the actions of one of its stars? With me is Noor Nanji, who's one of our culture reporters here at the BBC. Good to see you, Noor.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
That will come as a surprise to a lot of people. But Matthew, is that just standard practice that they don't do that kind of deep research? I mean, it's not even that deep, is it? It's simply going onto someone's social media account and looking at what they've been up to.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
Yeah, and she's not just a minor character in one of these films. She's a trans actress, which was going to bring a lot of attention for one thing. And she is the lead character. The whole film is built around her.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
This isn't the first time, though, Matthew, that a film has suffered a serious PR hit during awards seasons, though, is it?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
Because it had quite a lot of criticism as well.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
Good to see you. It is one of the most talked about movies of this awards cycle. There's been so much buzz around it. But for anyone who hasn't seen it, what is Amelia Perez all about? That's a good question.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The scandal sinking an Oscars campaign
You know, Matthew won Best Picture and the Oscars, so it survived.
Global News Podcast
Four Israeli hostages and 200 Palestinian prisoners released in Gaza deal
It was a moment of theatre in a theatre of war. Four women, led by Hamas fighters, to a podium in Gaza City. Israeli soldiers, captured by Hamas gunmen 15 months ago, freed live on camera with a signature from the Red Cross. In Tel Aviv, Liri Elbag's friends watched her release, a moment imagined many times, still unreal. CHEERING Tal Dimant is a childhood friend.
Global News Podcast
Four Israeli hostages and 200 Palestinian prisoners released in Gaza deal
In Gaza today, the waiting continued. Families gathered near the coastal road, waiting for Israeli troops to leave and the promise of returning to their homes in the north.
Global News Podcast
Four Israeli hostages and 200 Palestinian prisoners released in Gaza deal
That return is now delayed after Israel accused Hamas of breaching the deal by delaying the release of a civilian female hostage, Abel Yehud, believed to be held by another militia group.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
The ceasefire deal has now passed the final hurdle in Israel's political process and is set to begin on Sunday with the first in a series of prisoner exchanges. Two ministers from far-right parties in the coalition voted against the deal, but the promise of bringing home 33 Israeli hostages won over many others in the cabinet, like Culture Minister Miki Zohar.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
While the three-stage structure of this deal has reassured some politicians, it has caused division and anxiety among some of the hostage families, some fearing that their relatives will be abandoned in Gaza after the first phase is done, others beginning to imagine that their relatives might come home. Daniel Lifshitz's grandfather Oded is one of those due to be released.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Israel says three hostages are expected to be released on Sunday, the first day of the ceasefire, with more small groups freed at regular intervals over the next six weeks. It's also named the first group of Palestinians due to be freed from Israeli jails in return. The deal that hung for so long on politics and logistics, now peopled with names and faces.
Global News Podcast
Night-time curfew imposed in fire-hit areas of Los Angeles
This is a very special example of Stradivarius' violin making because it comes from his golden period between 1700 and around 1720. This dates from 1714, so it's right in the pinnacle of his maturity as a maker. And he innovated in his creations to improve the sound.
Global News Podcast
Night-time curfew imposed in fire-hit areas of Los Angeles
And that's basically what people are looking for with Strad is this magic around the brilliance of the sound coupled with the warmth and the depth of colour, which a great violinist can tease out of an instrument of this quality. This instrument was owned by the renowned Hungarian violinist Joseph Joachim, who was the leader of the modern violin school in a way.
Global News Podcast
Night-time curfew imposed in fire-hit areas of Los Angeles
He collaborated very closely with Brahms, was a friend. He most likely played on the Strad at the world premiere of Brahms' Violin Concerto in 1879, which Brahms wrote for Joachim.
Global News Podcast
Night-time curfew imposed in fire-hit areas of Los Angeles
And he was one of the great 19th century violinists. So having that provenance, knowing that this instrument was owned by Joachim, I mean, it gives one a sort of direct lineage through to the 19th century violin school. And then in the 20th century, it was owned by the Chinese violinist and pedagogue, Si Hon Ma, who was an alumnus of the New England Conservatoire in Boston.
Global News Podcast
Night-time curfew imposed in fire-hit areas of Los Angeles
And he actually bequeathed this instrument to the conservatoire, where it has been played by some of its best students, but with the proviso that it could eventually be sold to fund... a scholarship fund for students attending the Conservatoire. It's a wonderful thing, actually.
Global News Podcast
Night-time curfew imposed in fire-hit areas of Los Angeles
The proceeds will go to support students at the New England Conservatoire, which is an incredibly worthwhile and important mission.
Global News Podcast
Night-time curfew imposed in fire-hit areas of Los Angeles
Take a deep breath and you will be captivated by the Sumerian air blowing in the hills.
Global News Podcast
Anti-Trump protests in all 50 US states
Lucy Duran, remembering Amadou Bagayoko, who's died at the age of 70.
Global News Podcast
Trump blames diversity policies for US air crash
Each exchange, each reunion, bringing a family together. But also bringing Israel and Hamas closer to negotiations over how to extend this ceasefire deal and the conflicts over Gaza's future that's likely to involve.
Global News Podcast
Trump blames diversity policies for US air crash
released from captivity into chaos. Two Israeli hostages bundled through the surging crowd. 80-year-old Gadi Moses and 20-year-old Abel Yehud, released along with five Thai farm workers in Khan Yunis today. After 15 months in captivity, their short walk to freedom, brutally public, painfully long.
Global News Podcast
Trump blames diversity policies for US air crash
In northern Gaza, a separate ceremony for kidnapped soldier Agam Berger, highly controlled and choreographed. Graffiti mocking Israel's military units decorating the stage. The rubble of Jabalia refugee camp, draped in Palestinian flags. Her release was broadcast live on television back in Israel, watched by her childhood friends, among them Bahen.
Global News Podcast
Heathrow shutdown causes travel chaos
So I was on a 5 a.m. flight out of Delhi, which was supposed to land at Heathrow for sort of 10 a.m. And literally exactly halfway through, Captain woke us all up and kind of said, hey, there's been a problem. There's been a fire at Heathrow. And actually, you know, we're going to need to. And we all thought he was going to say land at a different airport.
Global News Podcast
Heathrow shutdown causes travel chaos
What he actually said was, turn around and go back to Delhi. So yeah, it was a bit of a shock to the system to hear we were flying a whole nine hours to end up back where we started.
Global News Podcast
NATO calls for unity as tensions rise with US over Ukraine
After the crisis sparked by President Trump's suggestion that all the remaining hostages held in Gaza should be released this coming Saturday, both Israel and Hamas appear to have climbed back from the brink and endorsed the original terms of the ceasefire agreement they signed.
Global News Podcast
NATO calls for unity as tensions rise with US over Ukraine
Earlier, Hamas confirmed its intention to carry out the agreement, including, it said, the exchange of prisoners according to the specified timetable. That timetable dictates that three more Israeli hostages should be released this Saturday. Israel has also now signalled that it will not break the ceasefire and return to war. if Hamas does release three living hostages by midday that day.
Global News Podcast
NATO calls for unity as tensions rise with US over Ukraine
Israel's defense minister had earlier warned that any resumption of the war in Gaza would be of a new and different intensity and would not end until Hamas had been defeated. There had also been confusion about whether Israel had changed its demands regarding the number of hostages due for release after President Trump's comments.
Global News Podcast
NATO calls for unity as tensions rise with US over Ukraine
The crisis was sparked after Hamas suggested it might postpone the next release of hostages, accusing Israel of violating the deal by not allowing enough tents or aid into Gaza and firing on civilians.
Global News Podcast
South Korean court upholds impeachment of president
Since early March, dozens of residents of Flamstead have reported a bird dive-bombing people from behind. And in particular, tall men. The Harris's hawk has wreaked havoc, disrupting the local postal service and drawing blood from several of its victims. One man resorted to wearing a cycling helmet while out running, just to protect himself.
Global News Podcast
South Korean court upholds impeachment of president
The parish council even issued a warning that the hawk might be euthanised if the disturbances continued. Step forward, the suitably named Steve Harris, who's now captured the bird of prey after it made a home in a tree in his back garden, preventing his children from playing outside.
Global News Podcast
South Korean court upholds impeachment of president
Steve Harris was able to humanely trap the hawk in a cage and it has since been safely removed by a falconer. Since no one knows who owns the bird, its future home remains uncertain. Though one thing is clear, it will be far from the tall men of Flamstead.