Mike Thompson
Appearances
Global News Podcast
EU retaliates as Trump tariffs expand globally
A lot of the manufacturing that we're involved with, you can't turn it on like a light switch. It's not, okay, we were buying this from China, but next week we're going to move everything here and do it here. Very few products can happen like that.
Global News Podcast
Trump and Zelensky agree to future talks
I think if we can nail down these negotiations and move towards these negotiations and in fact put some confidence-building measures on the table... dann wird der Präsident einen schwierigen Blick auf diese Pause nehmen. Wir müssen wissen, dass beide Seiten auf eine partielle, dann permanente Frieden negotieren.
Global News Podcast
Trump and Zelensky agree to future talks
We are having good talks on location for the next round of negotiations, on delegations, on substance. I think we're going to see movement in very short order.
Global News Podcast
Trump tells Congress he's 'just getting started'
Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States...
Global News Podcast
Trump tells Congress he's 'just getting started'
I want to have my son treated. I want him to walk as he did before. We want a ceasefire. I worry about my children who are still there. I was crying all the way here. I'm scared for them.
Global News Podcast
BBC team reaches Khartoum and finds overwhelming destruction
I think it is very significant, Nick, really, because when you look at what the UN has said, that hundreds of thousands of people rely on this bread, which is maybe a sort of bitter bread, then you can see the need. And there are 2.3 million people in Gaza.
Global News Podcast
BBC team reaches Khartoum and finds overwhelming destruction
And we've had, since near the beginning of last month, we've had this blockade imposed by Israel on aid supplies going in, and that includes food, fuel, gas.
Global News Podcast
BBC team reaches Khartoum and finds overwhelming destruction
medicines and that sort of thing so there's all of that side to worry about for people there but obviously with with the food situation the bread is the staple and that hundreds of thousands of people as they said depend on it so it's very worrying and the bread in these bakeries would be heavily subsidized if they have to get the bread from elsewhere prices are going to be particularly high aren't they and the currency is it must be at a premium at the moment actual money in people's pockets
Global News Podcast
BBC team reaches Khartoum and finds overwhelming destruction
And you can imagine after so much conflict how little most people will have to be able to source bread from other places. We've already heard in markets, for instance, that food prices have really rocketed. So scarcity obviously means high prices.
Global News Podcast
BBC team reaches Khartoum and finds overwhelming destruction
Yes, indeed, quite horrifying statistics have come from UNICEF. They're saying that since the end of the ceasefire, 1,000 children have either been killed or wounded. The number of killed is more than 300. And when you look at over 18 months of conflict, they've also said 15,000 children have been killed. Now, that is, of course, according to the figures supplied by the Hamas front.
Global News Podcast
BBC team reaches Khartoum and finds overwhelming destruction
Health Ministry in Gaza. Now, on top of all that, many of these children, their families are living in homes that are severely damaged. Sometimes they're in tents if their homes have been destroyed. So there's all of that. And, of course, over the last two days, we've seen these big evacuation orders issued, both in the north and in the south, the biggest since, in fact, the ceasefire collapsed.
Global News Podcast
BBC team reaches Khartoum and finds overwhelming destruction
So that means more people being displaced yet again.
Global News Podcast
Israel launches waves of strikes on Gaza
Well, ostensibly because Hamas, it says, has refused to extend the ceasefire to mid-April, which is what Israel wanted. And that's part of an American proposal, which also involved releasing five living hostages. But of course, Hamas is saying, look, we want to go straight to phase two. That had already been agreed. But there are other reasons, too.
Global News Podcast
Israel launches waves of strikes on Gaza
If Prime Minister Netanyahu was to agree to a permanent ceasefire, which would be all part of a phase two discussion, he risked then getting members, far right members of his cabinet. leaving, resignations from them which could unseat his government. He's also facing corruption charges himself. These would then come more to a head.
Global News Podcast
Israel launches waves of strikes on Gaza
Members of his top aides are also facing different allegations in terms of supposed suspect connections, ties with Qatar. And there would also be a reckoning at the end of the war for his role in how October 7th, 2023 came about, which so far he's not admitted any responsibility for. So from what you're saying, has this actually strengthened Mr Netanyahu's hand? Well, yes, in many ways it has.
Global News Podcast
Israel launches waves of strikes on Gaza
And of course, at the moment, he has the very firm backing of President Trump, which he didn't have in the same way from President Biden. So he, you know, as I said before, you know, this all does suit his current situation. And when you look, in fact, at the situation now facing Hamas, now, if they were to agree to release all
Global News Podcast
Israel launches waves of strikes on Gaza
all the hostages, which the Americans have said they should be doing, President Trump has said they should be doing. And that would then put them in a position where Israel would come at them anyway, because Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that eliminating Hamas is one of the major war goals, as well as getting hostages back. So what hope now for NEC's fire? It seems over, isn't it?
Global News Podcast
Israel launches waves of strikes on Gaza
Well, it looks that way because I can't see, for the reason I just gave, Hamas agreeing to the sort of terms that are being proposed. So I'm afraid for the moment it looks like things could be going from bad to even worse for the population of Gaza.
Global News Podcast
Myanmar remembers earthquake dead with a minute's silence
Well, there are large areas of the north now that are affected, principally the northeast. And that follows, Israel says, the firing of rockets, which has prompted this. Israel is saying these residents need to then head to Gaza City to shelters there for safety. Now, this comes on top of other evacuation orders issued yesterday. And these involved large parts of the south.
Global News Podcast
Myanmar remembers earthquake dead with a minute's silence
So it's really quite extensive. And in fact, already even yesterday, around a fifth of Gaza was now under an evacuation order. And now that's been increased further by what we just heard today.
Global News Podcast
Myanmar remembers earthquake dead with a minute's silence
It's heading that way. So far, Hamas seems to have held off a little. It's carried on negotiations, which, of course, Israel says it's also doing whilst under fire, as it puts it. But yes, it looks like now Hamas is thinking, well, we're getting panelled. So it's now going to be the time to fight back, because if we don't, it won't really help us anyway.
Global News Podcast
Myanmar remembers earthquake dead with a minute's silence
Well, Hamas still seem to be pushing and mediators are pushing for some resolution to this. Israel says it too wants to have a ceasefire again and that it wants at least half of the hostages released. So far, Hamas has only said it will release around five, including an American hostage, which is particularly aimed at President Trump. But yes, meanwhile, the fighting is continuing.
Global News Podcast
Myanmar remembers earthquake dead with a minute's silence
People are dying, large numbers of them children, as we've been hearing today from UNICEF.
Global News Podcast
Myanmar declares week of mourning as death toll rises following earthquake
I'm going to start off with asking you,
Global News Podcast
Myanmar declares week of mourning as death toll rises following earthquake
The Palestinian Red Crescent says that just over a week ago, an ambulance was sent to pick up casualties from an Israeli airstrike in Rafah City. A support ambulance dispatched to help was shot at, killing two paramedics inside. A convoy of vehicles, including more ambulances, were then sent to the scene. They too came under fire.
Global News Podcast
Myanmar declares week of mourning as death toll rises following earthquake
The Red Crescent says eight of its members were killed, along with six civil defence workers and at least one United Nations employee. The UN has described the incident as a flagrant and severe disregard of international law.
Global News Podcast
Netanyahu issues warning ahead of Gaza ceasefire
It all began with the massacre of more than 1,200 people, more than 800 of them civilians, when Hamas launched a massive attack on southern Israel in early October 2023. Around 250 more were taken hostage and many have since died in captivity.
Global News Podcast
Netanyahu issues warning ahead of Gaza ceasefire
Israel's strike back at Hamas in Gaza has cost far more lives, estimated at almost 47,000 by Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, 60% of them women and children, according to the UN. Almost Gaza's entire population have been displaced, with 9 out of 10 left to live with little food, clean water, medicines or adequate shelter. Cindy McCain is head of the UN's World Food Programme.
Global News Podcast
Netanyahu issues warning ahead of Gaza ceasefire
If the ceasefire holds, Gaza will need to be rebuilt. It's estimated that this huge task will cost somewhere between 50 to 80 billion dollars. Even if that money is found, rebuilding people's shattered lives on both sides of the divide will be an even bigger job. Mike Thompson.
Global News Podcast
US launches wave of air strikes on Yemen's Houthis
President Trump called Abdullah Maiki Muzli Al-Rafai a brutal killer who caused much hardship and death. Iraq described IS's leader in Syria and Iraq as one of the most dangerous terrorists in the world. US Central Command says he was killed in a precision airstrike in western Iraq on Thursday. His body and that of another IS militant are said to have been found wearing unexploded suicide vests.
Global News Podcast
US launches wave of air strikes on Yemen's Houthis
Al-Rafai is believed to have led IS operational planning across the globe. The US still has more than 2,000 troops in Iraq, tasked with countering a resurgence by the jihadist group. Following repeated requests by the Iraqi government, most, if not all, are to be withdrawn by late next year.
Global News Podcast
US launches wave of air strikes on Yemen's Houthis
The Islamic State group lost its last territory in Syria in 2019, but its sleeper cells have continued to launch deadly attacks across the region.
Global News Podcast
Israel checking Hamas claims that new body handed to Red Cross is Shiri Bibas
Here's the bottom line. President Zelensky is going to sign that deal. And you will see that in the very short term. And that is good for Ukraine. And you know what? We have an obligation to you all, the American taxpayer, to recoup the hundreds of billions of dollars...
Global News Podcast
Mike Johnson survives razor-thin vote to remain US House Speaker
A story of love creates a passion, a danger.
Global News Podcast
Mike Johnson survives razor-thin vote to remain US House Speaker
The good news is they're talking again, but sticking points remain. Hamas has said discussions will focus on a complete end to hostilities and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Yet so far, Israel has rejected any deal that guarantees a permanent end to the conflict before its war aims are achieved.
Global News Podcast
Mike Johnson survives razor-thin vote to remain US House Speaker
There are also differences over which hostages would be released by Hamas and the names of prisoners to be freed in exchange by Israel. As pressure for a ceasefire grows, Israel has stepped up its bombardment of the territory with more than 100 people reported killed over the last two days.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
The UN estimates that around half the population are struggling to feed themselves. The infrastructure of the country has been wrecked after years of war. Huge numbers of displaced people, both inside and outside the country. Winter cold starting to bite, little fuel for heating and cooking. You know, overall, desperate situations.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
And of course, the rulers themselves, they can't rebuild the country if these sanctions stay in place.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
Well, I think her view sums up that of a lot of Western leaders. It's pretty much like encouraged by some of the comments, the promises that have been made by HTS's new de facto leader, Ahmed al-Shara. He's promised an inclusive and a tolerant government, but they want to see evidence that he's actually going to keep his word. That's the biggest thing here. And I think if they start to see that,
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
And maybe even actually, possibly slightly before, we could see these sanctions being lifted. Already, some have the U.S. as each, some on humanitarian services and those affecting energy and sanitation, and the EU's to discuss this issue at the end of this month.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
That's a very good question, Valerie. I mean, there's been very little real clarity on this particular issue. Quite a lot about religious minorities, not so much about women. And we even had a comment last month by a senior HTS official saying that women's biological and psychological nature made them unfit for some government jobs. Now, that, of course, sparked widespread alarm.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
And so since then, there's been a lot of sort of careful analysis. words by the new government and no obvious enforcement of Islamic dress codes. But of course, there are requirements here that sanctions can't be lifted without respect for women's rights and some fear that with some extreme members in the makeup of this new government that perhaps leopards can't change their spots.
Global News Podcast
US sends diplomats to Syria
I think basically it's going to be that Ahmed al-Sara is going to do what he says because he's talked about having an inclusive government and protecting the rights of minorities, ethnic and religious groups. But is he going to do that? Particularly, will he do that when he gets what he wants in terms of the government and recognition from the outside world?
Global News Podcast
US sends diplomats to Syria
Well, that's right. Yes. I mean, it's not a bad record in many ways because HTS set up various ministries there and they govern the place reasonably well, I think, in the eyes of many. It was quite an authoritarian regime. Many opponents, critics were imprisoned. There were demonstrations, some earlier this year against HTS.
Global News Podcast
US sends diplomats to Syria
And running an area like Idlib is very different from running an entire country like Syria, which is much, much, much more complicated and difficult, of course.
Global News Podcast
US sends diplomats to Syria
Yes, it is. And he's pushed that quite strongly, that women's rights will be respected. We had on Thursday a demonstration in Damascus because a senior official from HTS had said that women's biological and psychological nature makes them unfit for certain jobs. And that caused a lot of anger and a big demonstration on Thursday. And that wasn't the only issue.