Valerie Sanderson
Appearances
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Will Grant reporting and we'll have more on Trump too later in this podcast. Israeli troops are continuing their operations in the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Ministry of Health says 10 people have been killed since the Israelis began their attack on Tuesday on what they're calling terrorist targets. Dozens of people have been injured.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
A couple of hours before we recorded this podcast, our correspondent Yoran Nel went to a news briefing by the Israeli Defence Forces.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Also in this podcast, we hear from the Mexican border on the mood among would-be migrants following Donald Trump's return to the White House. The extraordinary casualty rate reportedly among North Korean troops fighting for Vladimir Putin in Western Russia. And... The BBC's first football commentary, complete with handy hints for listeners to help visualise what's happening on the pitch.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Yola Nell speaking to Leanna Byrne. It was 98 years ago today, on January 22, 1927, that the BBC broadcast a football match for the very first time. It was a Division One fixture. Back then, that was the top league between Arsenal and Sheffield United at Highbury in London. But there was concern that radio listeners might not be able to follow the action.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Let's have a listen to the commentary by Teddy Wakeland.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
You may have noticed that numbers were being called out at certain points and BBC sports commentator John Murray explains why.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
John Murray. Still to come, Stargate rising, Donald Trump's multi-billion dollar plan to boost AI in the USA. And out of the mouths of babes, Britain's kids choose their word of the year.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Western officials have told the BBC that North Korean troops have suffered enormous casualties in the fighting in the Kursk region of Russia bordering Ukraine. They say that nearly 40% of the 11,000 soldiers sent by Pyongyang to support Moscow in its war with Ukraine have been either killed, wounded or captured. Our security correspondent Frank Gardner is following the story.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Frank Gardner. The war in Ukraine is putting the country's health system under unprecedented pressure. Hospitals are overcrowded and understaffed, making it extremely hard to contain the spread of one of the main global health threats, resistance to antibiotics. It means patients die because the drugs simply don't work.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Prince Harry has had a long and very troubled relationship with tabloid newspapers. He's accused them of hacking into his phone and intruding unlawfully into his private life, and said their behaviour towards him is partly why he left the UK. Now he's received a full and unequivocal apology from the owner of the newsgroup newspapers, which publishes The Sun.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
The BBC's Abduljalil Abdurassilov has visited hospitals in Kiev and Dnipro to see for himself how medical facilities are coping with these challenges.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
In an out-of-court settlement, they agreed to pay him substantial, undisclosed damages. Outside the High Court in London, Prince Harry's lawyer, David Sherborne, read out a statement on his behalf.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Let's return again to Donald Trump and the immediate impact of his return to the White House. One of his most ambitious announcements, made shortly after his inauguration, was of $500 billion of investment in AI infrastructure. Mr Trump said the privately funded venture would be called Stargate and would create 100,000 jobs.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Charles Rowley, a senior reporter at TechCrunch, based in California, gave us his view.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Charles Rowley. President Trump has also made clear his belief in the benefits that tariffs on foreign-made goods could bring to the US economy. He's already said he's considering imposing a 10% tariff on imports of Chinese-made goods, this on top of threats to slap about 25% on all imports from Mexico and Canada, possibly as soon as February.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
For a Canadian reaction, we've been hearing from the country's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson, who's been talking to James Copnell.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Jonathan Wilkinson. Donald Trump has hit the ground running after being sworn in on Monday. Next week, we're going to take stock on how much has changed with a Q&A, that's question and answer special, on his first seven days as the 47th president. So if there's anything you'd like to ask our US experts, please email globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
And if possible, please record your question as a voice note. Finally, and briefly, thousands of children here in the UK have been asked for their word of the year. The word slay was popular, as in, well, I'm sure you know, you greatly impress or amuse me, you slay me.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Other top words included sigma, meaning cool, and skibbity, which comes from a YouTube series and can mean either cool, bad or dumb, depending on the context. AI was popular too, although is that even a word? But most popular of all was the simple one, kindness.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Two children there giving their views on the importance of kindness. There is hope in the world. And that's it 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, send us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. You can also find us on X at Global News Pod.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
This edition was mixed by Daniel Fox. The producer was Mark Duff. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Valerie Sanderson. Until next time, bye-bye.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
The former Labour Party deputy leader Tom Watson, now Lord Watson, also received an apology for unwarranted intrusion from the newspaper group, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch. He's calling on the police and the British Parliament to investigate further. I spoke to our London correspondent Rob Watson. I put it to him that Prince Harry had taken a big gamble in pursuing the case.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Now, as well as Prince Harry, Lord Watson, Tom Watson, the former politician now, is calling for more investigations by the police and parliament, isn't he? So this isn't going to stop here, is it?
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Of course, Rob, a previous tabloid newspaper, the News of the World, it shut down, didn't it, after its phone hacking scandal. Is there a similar risk, do you think, for the Sun?
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Rob Watson. A Dutch court has ordered the government to make big cuts to nitrogen emissions by 2030. The case was brought by Greenpeace and the ruling could have a major impact on the construction industry and put pressure on farmers to reduce the number of livestock they keep. Leanna Byrne spoke to our correspondent in The Hague, Anna Holligan, after the verdict.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Anna Holligan. One of Donald Trump's most contentious acts on returning to the White House on Monday was the executive order he signed, granting a mass pardon to more than 1,500 people charged with storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021. President Trump has defended his actions and also signed an order directing the Department of Justice to drop all pending cases against January 6 suspects.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Pam Hempel was one of those who took part in the attack on the Capitol. She was nicknamed the MAGA Granny on social media and was sentenced to 60 days in jail for her role. She too has been pardoned, but unlike most others, she isn't happy about it and is calling for her pardon to be revoked.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Pam spoke to Victoria Awankunda from her home in Boise, Idaho, about her role on January 6th and her reaction to Donald Trump's pardons.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Valerie Sanderson, and at 1400 Hours GMT on Wednesday, January the 22nd, these are our main stories. Rupert Murdoch's News Group newspapers apologises to Prince Harry and agrees to pay substantial damages for intruding into his private life.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
And he will. He will use them. Pam Hemphill, talking to Victoria Owunkunda. The January the 6th pardon was just one of a raft of executive orders signed by President Trump on his first day back in office. Others are aimed at cutting migration and changing how the US determines who's allowed to live there.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Among them, he's ended birthright citizenship in the US, under which anyone born in the country is automatically entitled to citizenship. He also designated Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Some of the changes are expected to be challenged in the courts, while others, particularly those restricting asylum and legal entry, are already affecting migrants waiting on the Mexican side of the border. A Latin America correspondent will grant reports now from the Mexican border city of Tijuana.
Global News Podcast
Rupert Murdoch newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life
Palestinian officials say at least 10 people have been killed as Israeli troops continue a major military operation in Jenin in the occupied West Bank. In a landmark ruling, a court in the Netherlands orders the government to slash harmful nitrogen pollution caused by farming and burning fossil fuels.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
Rights groups say they believe more than 100 minors have already died and several hundred others remain trapped. Gruesome videos have emerged showing the harrowing conditions underground. Our correspondent in Johannesburg, Manny Jones, told me more.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
Why have they been trapped for so long? I mean, they've been there for, what, two months?
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
Videos have emerged. What do those tell us about what's been happening underground?
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
What's been the reaction there? Because on Friday, the High Court actually ordered the government to get the minors out, didn't they?
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
Mayani Jones in South Africa. Around the world, many people are dealing with daily cost of living pressures, including the price of food and accommodation. In Australia, young people are said to be more concerned with these issues than with climate change and the environment. That's according to a national survey from the Christian charity Mission Australia.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
It's the first time financial pressures have been the key consideration in the annual Youth Survey report, which surveyed 17,400 Australians aged between 15 and 19. In Sydney, Phil Mercer spoke to some young people who are having a hard time.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
Israel and Hamas have both reportedly received the final draft of a deal to end the conflict in Gaza and to release the remaining hostages. Negotiations are ongoing in Qatar, with Israel and Hamas saying progress has been made. But ten members of Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition in Israel say they're opposed to the deal and have sent him a letter opposing a ceasefire.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
That report by Phil Mercer in Sydney. The UK has announced its ambition to be an artificial intelligence superpower. Britain is currently the third largest AI market in the world, after the United States and China.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said he wanted AI to help working people and to boost growth, and he outlined how it might transform areas of the public sector, such as health and education.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
The United States is also concerned about staying ahead in the AI revolution. It's unveiled tough export controls on advanced artificial intelligence chips in an effort to limit access to China. So, could the UK's plan for AI help it rival China and the US? Our artificial intelligence correspondent Mark Chislack went along to listen to the UK Prime Minister's speech.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
At the White House on Monday, the US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, spoke about a possible agreement.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
The BBC's AI correspondent, Mark Chislak. The Peruvian president, Dina Boloarte, has appeared before the country's attorney general after prosecutors said she'd effectively abandoned her role as head of state while having plastic surgery on her nose. Ms Boloarte kept the procedure a secret from Congress for more than a year.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
She insists the surgery was done for health reasons and that she didn't neglect her duties. Anna Hansen of BBC Monitoring told me more.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
And what did she say?
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
She's insisting that she was still at work, wasn't she? I see that her lawyer insists she signed over 90 legal orders during the time when she was apparently having the surgery.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
And there have been other controversies regarding her, haven't there?
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
So what's the view of her in Peru?
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
So she's pretty unpopular?
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
Anna Hanson of BBC Monitoring. As we record this podcast, the residents of the remote Shetland island of Fuller in Scotland are probably still taking part in their New Year celebrations, almost two weeks later than the rest of the world. The quirk is a result of following some of the traditions of the Julian calendar, which is still used by nearly all Eastern Orthodox churches.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
Our Shetland reporter, John Johnston, explains.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
Then President Biden, in the final foreign policy speech of his presidency, made this comment on a possible deal to end the conflict in Gaza.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
And that's it 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, 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. I'm Valerie Sanderson.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
Until next time, bye-bye.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
A Middle East correspondent, Lucy Williamson, reports from Jerusalem.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
Well, our Gaza correspondent, Rushdie Abelouf, has been speaking to a Palestinian source close to negotiations.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
As we heard earlier, President Biden has made his final foreign policy speech as he prepares to leave office next week and hand over power to Donald Trump. After being given a standing ovation from State Department employees, Mr Biden took aim at Iran and China, saying America is stronger on the global stage than it has been in decades.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
He spoke about America's support for Israel and also said the US should not abandon Ukraine following Russia's invasion nearly three years ago.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
Our State Department correspondent, Tom Bateman, watched the wide-ranging speech and gave me his assessment.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
I mean, there were disasters, weren't there? I'm thinking really of Afghanistan.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
Of course, Donald Trump is expected to do things differently. Was there a message there to President-elect Trump from the current president, even though he'll just be in office for another week?
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
Tom Bateman. And staying in the US and in the state of California, firefighters continue to tackle a number of wildfires. They're preparing for the winds to pick up again, and the National Weather Service has issued its most serious warning. So far, 24 people have been confirmed dead. Thousands of fire crews have been deployed to the areas most at risk.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
The mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, gave this statement on Monday.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
The Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hockman addressed the problem of those seeking to profit from the chaos through criminal activity.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
For more on the situation on the ground, our correspondent Emma Vardy sent this report from Los Angeles.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Valerie Sanderson, and in the early hours of Tuesday, the 14th of January, these are our main stories. The White House says negotiators in Qatar are close to securing a Gaza ceasefire deal.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
Emma Vardy in Los Angeles. The Italian fashion photographer Oliviero Toscani, who was behind provocative advertising campaigns for the clothing brand Benetton, has died. He was 82. Oliviero Toscani's work often drew attention to social issues, with one advert featuring a photo of a man dying of AIDS, prompting a boycott of Benetton. Our arts correspondent David Sillitoe looks back at his life.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
David Zillito on the life of the Italian fashion photographer Oliviero Toscani, who's died at the age of 82. Still to come...
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
In the final foreign policy speech of his presidency, Joe Biden says the US will remain the world's predominant superpower and can't walk away from Ukraine. 26 men accused of mining illegally in South Africa have been rescued after spending weeks underground, but dozens more remain. Also in this podcast, remembering the Italian fashion photographer Oliviero Toscani.
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
Residents of a remote part of the Shetland Islands in Scotland have been holding their New Year celebrations almost two weeks later than the rest of the world. But why?
Global News Podcast
Negotiators close to securing Gaza ceasefire deal - White House
In South Africa, the authorities have begun a long-delayed operation to rescue illegal miners who are stuck underground. Some were brought up on Monday after being trapped for weeks in a disused gold mine near Stilfontein, 140 kilometres south of Johannesburg. The authorities were forced to start the rescue following a court order on Friday.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
And what could that mean for the prisoners who haven't been released?
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
Will Grant. The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has promised Ukraine Britain's long-term support on his first trip to Kiev since taking power. His visit, and that of the Italian Defence Minister, was interrupted by explosions and air raid sirens, with the authorities warning of a Russian drone attack. From Kiev, our Eastern Europe correspondent, Sarah Rainsford, reports.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
A tame wild boar is saved from being put down by a campaign to keep the animal with the woman who raised it.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
There have been serious disagreements in Israel's cabinet ahead of a vote to approve the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. The vote is due to take place on Friday, a day later than expected. But Israel's far-right security minister, Itamar Ben-Gavir, has said he'll resign if the government approves the deal, describing it as a reward for Hamas.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
The American film director David Lynch has died at the age of 78. Known for his signature surrealist style on works like Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive and Blue Velvet, David Lynch's family paid homage to him in a statement online, saying there's a big hole in the world now that he's no longer with us. But as he would say, keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
Alice Adderley looks back at his life.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
As the population of Uganda's capital city Kampala continues to grow, so does the pressure on public services such as waste management. The city's only major dump site, Ketezi, is running out of space, and with the city producing an estimated 2,000 tonnes of waste every day, it's at risk of collapsing again, as it did in August 2024, killing more than 30 people.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
The BBC's Agnes Pender meets the volunteers cleaning up Kampala and explores if there are any answers to the city's growing waste crisis.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
North Korea closed its borders in early 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Now, two travel agencies with links to China said they've been told that foreign travelers are being allowed to visit the northeastern North Korean city of Lhasa. It's the first time travelers from places other than Russia can visit the country since before the pandemic.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
I heard more from our Asia-Pacific regional editor, Celia Hatton.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, says he's confident the six-week truce, during which Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners are to be freed, would begin on Sunday as planned. I asked our Middle East regional editor, Seb Asher, for more details on Mr Ben-Gavir's statement and what impact it may have.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
And we're talking about quite small figures, aren't we still?
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
Celia Hatton. And finally, animal rights campaigners in France are celebrating after a tame boar was saved from the threat of being put down. The animal, named Roulette, was raised by a woman who'd found it abandoned as a piglet. But the authorities had refused her permission required to keep a wild animal. Our Europe regional editor, Danny Eberhard, reports.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
Danny Eberhard on A Very Lucky Boar. And that's it 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, 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 Holly Palmer. The producer was Stephanie Tillotson.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
The editor, as ever, is Karen Martin. I'm Valerie Sanderson. Until next time, bye-bye.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
And what effect do you think this might have on the ceasefire deal, which has not yet been ratified by the Israeli cabinet?
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
But do you think it underlines how fragile the deal is? Yes.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
Sebastian Usher. Well, since the deal was agreed, there have been more Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. People on the ground say dozens were killed on Wednesday night, among them many women and children. Our international editor, Jeremy Bowen, sent us this report.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
Jeremy Bowen, we heard there from people in Israel and the occupied West Bank about the uncertainties ahead. But what about in Gaza itself? Well, there were celebrations when a ceasefire deal was announced, but concerns too about what happens next. Our correspondent Rushdie Abu-Alouf has been speaking to people there.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Valerie Sanderson, and in the early hours of Friday, the 17th of January, these are our main stories. Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamir Ben-Gavir, threatens to resign from the government over the Gaza ceasefire deal.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
Rushdie Abu-Aloof. The ceasefire deal allows for 600 truckloads of relief supplies to cross into Gaza every day. Before the war began, 500 trucks would enter the territory daily. But at the beginning of January, it was averaging just 51 per day. Fergal Keane has been travelling with an aid convoy from Jordan.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
We hear from Israel and Gaza on people's fears for their future, with the agreement due to be ratified by Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition on Friday. In Cuba, the jailed dissident, José Daniel Ferrer, is released from prison. Also in this podcast, North Korea opens its borders to tourists from places other than Russia. And we meet the volunteers who are working to clean up the Ugandan capital.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
That report from Fergal Keane. Other news now. The Cuban opposition leader, José Daniel Ferrer, has been freed from jail amid a wave of releases following a deal struck between the Cuban government and President Biden. More than 550 prisoners are to be released in exchange for the island's removal from a U.S. list of states sponsoring terrorism.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
Ferrer was one of the 75 political prisoners jailed in the 2003 government crackdown on dissidents known as Cuba's Black Spring. Our Cuba correspondent Will Grant told us more.
Global News Podcast
Israel delays vote to approve Gaza ceasefire deal
And what about the timing of this? Why has it happened now?
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The fight for the Arctic
We'll have another edition of the Global News Podcast later. Until then, bye bye.
Global News Podcast
The Global Story: The fight for the Arctic
Hello, this is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Valerie Sanderson 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 Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
It's often at times of stress or hardship that comedy comes into its own, sometimes simply as a way of cheering people up. But comedy can also be a way of addressing difficult or painful issues. So it's perhaps no surprise that stand-up comedy seems to be booming in Ukraine amid the war with Russia. In the midst of dark times, Vitaly Shevchenko has been finding out what's making Ukrainians laugh.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
How chess lessons have changed thousands of lives in Uganda. Why Ukrainians are turning to humour.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
Vitaly Shevchenko. Now, do you love your job enough to want to keep doing it when you're in your 90s? Well, a man thought to be Britain's oldest practising criminal barrister or trial lawyer recently celebrated his 90th birthday and says he has no intention of retiring any time soon.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
Noel Philo has been in the job since 1975 and although his caseload has reduced in recent years, his colleagues say he still makes himself available every day. Vitaly Shevchenko. Mr Filo has four children and nine grandchildren, none of whom followed him into the legal profession. But his wife, Liz, is also a lawyer. He told Susie Lawson why he plans to keep on working.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
The 90-year-old lawyer with no plans to retire and the very smelly plant attracting thousands of visitors in Australia. We start with a man who's amassed millions of online followers by offering tips on how to tackle everything from ironing a shirt or making coffee to changing a car battery and fixing a toilet.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
Noel Philo, thriving in the workplace at 90. You may remember a few years ago there was a lot of talk about the Danish word hygge, for which there is no equivalent in the English language. It sums up the cosy feeling that comes from slippers, a fire and perhaps a hot drink.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
Now, another unique happy word, the Welsh hoil, is being used to try to encourage people to experience the particular type of deep joy it invokes by visiting Wales. Alvon Evans from the School of Psychology at Bangor University explains.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
In the last episode, we heard from a woman who's attracted millions of views for her social media posts, sharing simple advice from her grandmother, like getting through tough times by just focusing on taking the next step. Well, Petra from Albuquerque in New Mexico got in touch about her 95-year-old grandmother, Rose, who she calls Yaya.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
Rob Kenny's dad left when he was a teenager, so after raising his own children, he decided he wanted to help others who might need parental advice. Rob, who lives near Seattle in Washington state, started in 2020 during the pandemic. posting a simple video of how to tie a necktie.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
Petra describes Rose as an incredibly strong, creative and independent woman who is a never-ending well of love and wisdom. She sent us this voice note about a time she was living with her in Cleveland a few years ago.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
And that's it from the Happy Pod for now. If like Petra, you've had some great advice from a grandparent that you'd like to share, just send us an email or a voice note to globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. This edition was mixed by Nick Randall. The producers were Holly Gibbs and Rachel Bulkeley. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Valerie Sounderson. Until next time, bye-bye.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
Within days, he'd gone viral, with one viewer calling him the internet dad the world needs, while others said he'd adopted everyone who needs a dad and made them realise dads were supposed to be supportive. His YouTube channel, Dad, How Do I?, now has more than 5 million subscribers. Rob spoke to The Happy Pot.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
Rob Kenny. Now to a man who's helping transform lives in Uganda using chess. The game, which has been around for more than a thousand years, requires the ability to plan ahead, the flexibility to react to your opponent, and a certain ruthlessness to win. Robert Katendi has used it to teach life skills to thousands of disadvantaged children, those with disabilities, and even to prisoners.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
Alan Kasuja went to meet Robert in a restaurant in the armed with a chessboard.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
Wise words, Robert Katendi, and you can hear more on Africa Daily wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Tens of thousands of people in Australia have been rushing to see a rare and famously smelly flower. The Titan Arum plant, housed in the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney, blooms very briefly and only once every few years.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
It's known as the corpse flower for its putrid stench and has a large dark red skirt around a central spike that grows up to three metres tall. As Stephanie Prentice reports, fans had been eagerly awaiting the big moment.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad
This is The Happy Pod from the BBC World Service. I'm Valerie Sanderson, and in this edition, we meet the man described by his millions of fans as the internet dad the world needs.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
The Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, says the first hostages will be released as early as Sunday. The deal has three stages, with the latter phases aiming to bring a permanent end to the conflict. Some Israeli ministers had threatened to quit if the ceasefire was approved, saying it rewarded Hamas. From Jerusalem, here's our Middle East correspondent, Lucy Williamson.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
A Bolivian judge has issued an arrest warrant for the former president, Ivo Morales, after he failed to appear in court over a case alleging he sexually abused a teenage girl. Morales, who's 65, is alleged to have had a child with the teenager in 2016, which would have constituted statutory rape under the country's law. Mr Morales has always denied the allegations.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
With more, here's our South America correspondent, Ione Wells.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Ione Wells. While many people start January with a healthy diet and fitness regime, or at least an attempt at one, one group of people in Malaysia have been given no choice. Police forces there have returned to work to the news that anyone wanting to advance in their career has to have a body mass index of 28 or lower after concerns over weight gain of officers.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Stephanie Prentice explained what's going on.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
But 28, a BMI of 28 is quite high, isn't it? I thought you should pick at about 25.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
And Malaysia is not the first country to do this, is it, to address weight like this?
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Stephanie Prentice. A famous concert venue in London, the Wigmore Hall, has just hosted an unusual musical ensemble. They're called the Orchestra of Futurist Noise Intoners, a group reviving the revolutionary style of the Italian futurist Luigi Rossolo.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
111 years ago, he turned the world of music upside down with a concert in London of newly created instruments which replicate the sound of the city. The rombatore, also known as the rumbler, the gogoliatore, known as the gurgler, and perhaps the most memorable of all, wait for it, the alalatore, or the howler, looked as weird as they sounded.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Well, Luciano Chessa is performing at the Wigmore tonight and is a devotee of Rassolo. He spent years reconstructing not just the sound of the maestro, but his long-forgotten instruments. He told Anita Anand about the first time they were heard more than 100 years ago.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Luciano Chessa and some extraordinary instruments. And that's it 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, 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 Nick Randell. The producer was Isabella Jewell.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Valerie Sanderson. Until next time, bye-bye.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Lucy Williamson. As the deal was discussed in Jerusalem, the fighting continued on the ground in Gaza. Hamas officials say more than 100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes since the deal was first announced on Wednesday. From Jerusalem, our correspondent Fergal Keane reports.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Fergal Keane. More than 170 million TikTok users in the US look set to lose access to the social media platform, one of the most popular short-form video apps in the world, and a major part of the multi-billion dollar influencer economy. It follows a decision by the US Supreme Court to uphold a law signed by President Biden banning the Chinese-owned app over concerns about data collection.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
This was some of the reaction from users in New York.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Our correspondent in Washington, Nome Iqbal, told me more about the ruling and what it means.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Valerie Sanderson, and in the early hours of Saturday, the 18th of January, these are our main stories. The Israeli cabinet has voted to approve a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. The Chinese social media platform TikTok is to be banned from Sunday. So what's the reaction from influencers?
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Now, TikTok has already been banned in countries like India and banned on government devices in countries like Canada, France and indeed here in the UK. So why such concern over it?
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Namahe Iqbal in Washington. Following today's ruling, questions are now being asked about what could possibly replace TikTok, especially in China, where the platform was founded. With her assessment, here's our China media analyst, Kerry Allen.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Coming up in the Global News Podcast, would you listen to an orchestra that sounds like this? BELL RINGS
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office on Monday, January the 20th. But the second time round, his inauguration ceremony will be held indoors because of a forecast of record cold weather. From Washington, our senior North America correspondent Gary O'Donoghue told me more.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
So what form will it take?
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration is to be held indoors because of the cold. Also in this podcast, police officers in Malaysia are being told to slim down or not be promoted. And the Italian orchestra reviving unusual instruments from a century ago. The Israeli cabinet has voted to approve a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
And what about special guests? Because we understand, for example, that the former First Lady Michelle Obama will not be there.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Gary O'Donoghue. During his election campaign, Donald Trump claimed he could end the war in Ukraine in a single day. His envoy to Ukraine now says the war could be ended within 100 days of the president taking office. Almost three years after its full-scale invasion, Russia now controls nearly a fifth of Ukraine's landmass and is continuing to take more territory.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Ukraine's President Zelensky has indicated that land could be given up temporarily for the sake of peace. Amid growing speculation about possible peace talks, our senior international correspondent Orla Gern reports on the mood in Ukraine.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
To the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is currently convulsed in an offensive by the M23 rebel group. Thousands have been displaced as the Rwandan-backed rebels advance. They've already captured the eastern city of Goma. The United Nations says at least 700 people have been killed in the fighting for the city in the east of the DRC. Staffan Djaric is a UN spokesman.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
The rebels are now moving south, heading for Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu. But a Congolese official says their progress has been slowed. BBC reporter Paul Njai is in Gisenyi, on the Rwandan side of the border crossing with the DRC. He told Julian Marshall about the people who are fleeing from the DRC.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
Speaking at the White House on Friday, President Trump said he would deliver on his campaign pledge to impose tough tariffs on imports from China, Canada and Mexico.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
In our earlier podcast, we reported on the debate in Germany's parliament on tougher new immigration rules, proposed by the man tipped to be Germany's next leader, Friedrich Merz of the Conservative Opposition Party, the CDU. On Friday, the German parliament went on to reject the draft legislation. Well, that was the scene in the Bundestag as the law was narrowly defeated by just 12 votes.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
It was controversial in part because the measures included unprecedented powers for the police to arrest migrants. but also because the CDU would have relied on the far-right AFD to get the law through Parliament, breaking a firewall, a previous pledge by all main parties not to work with the AFD. K. Gottschalk, an MP and deputy co-leader of the AFD, gave his reaction to the vote.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
I heard more from our Berlin correspondent, Damien McGuinness.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
And of course, Friedrich Merz, he wants to be the next Chancellor of Germany, doesn't he? And we're just weeks from elections.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
And of course, Germany is such an important country in Europe. So other parts of Europe will be looking, I should think, very worried about what's going on there in the country.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
As we record this podcast, it's still not clear if there'll be any exemptions. But the threat of high tariffs brought this response from the former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, who's currently on the campaign trail to take over as leader of the Liberal Party and as Canadian Prime Minister from Justin Trudeau.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
Damien McGuinness. One of the first hostages released since the start of this month's ceasefire in Gaza was Emily Damari, who is a dual British and Israeli national. She was kept captive by Hamas for 15 months and has told Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer that gunmen held her in buildings that belonged to UNRWA, the United Nations agency that has been aiding Palestinians since 1949.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
I heard more about Emily Damari from our correspondent in Jerusalem, Maria Davis.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
There is going to be another wave of hostage releases, isn't there, due on Saturday. What do we know about this, the fourth wave?
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
We're at Davis. And finally... Why does scratching an itch feel just so very good? Well, we're always told that scratching a bite or a rash can be bad. But a study published in the journal Science has found that the reason it feels good is that it has a benefit. Why? Julian Marshall asked skin immunologist Dan Kaplan, who led the study.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
Professor Dan Kaplan from the University of Pittsburgh. And that's it 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, 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 Martin Baker. The producer was Alison Davis.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Valerie Sanderson. Until next time, bye-bye.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
I spoke to our North America business correspondent Ritika Gupta who's in New York just before the tariffs were due to come into effect.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
Ritika Gupta. As the U.S. introduces further tariffs on Chinese-made goods, Beijing's foreign ministry has warned Donald Trump that a trade war has no winners. An additional 10% is still a long way from the 60% tariffs that Mr. Trump threatened on the campaign trail, and the U.S. president has boasted that he and China's President Xi have a good relationship.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
It's prompted some to ask if Donald Trump has gone soft on China. But the country is still bracing itself. And in the last year, thousands of businesses have moved their production abroad to flee Trump's tariffs. As our China correspondent Laura Bicker reports.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Valerie Sanderson and in the early hours of Saturday, the 1st of February, these are our main stories. The White House says the Trump administration will impose steep new tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China from today.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
The United Nations says fighting between Congolese forces and Rwanda-backed rebels for the city of Goma has killed at least 700 people in less than a week. German MPs have rejected tough immigration measures proposed by the Conservative opposition and backed by the far-right AFD. Also in this podcast, why does scratching an itch feel so good? A new study highlights the benefit of scratching.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
Laura Bicker. In his first interview as America's top diplomat, the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has outlined what President Trump's America first foreign policy actually means, especially for Ukraine.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
Speaking to the news presenter, Megan Kelly, Mr. Rubio said the war must end through negotiation, stating that it would be dishonest to suggest that Ukraine could defeat and take back territory from Russia. President Trump's decision to freeze nearly all US foreign aid is causing major disruption in Ukraine. From Kiev, James Waterhouse.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
James Waterhouse. For more on President Trump and Marco Rubio's plans for Ukraine, I spoke to our Europe regional editor, Danny Eberhard.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
And where does this leave the Ukrainian president, Vladimir Zelenskyy?
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
Danny Eberhard. President Trump has again commented on what caused the collision between an airliner and a helicopter in the skies above Washington on Wednesday. In a post on his Truth Social account, Mr Trump said the military helicopter was flying too high by a lot. He didn't provide any evidence to back up his claim.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
The federal authorities have recovered the black boxes from both aircraft, as Ned Atofik reports.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
For decades, trade wars looked to be a thing of the past. The future instead seemed to belong to globalisation, to China and to the big regional trading blocs. No more. From today, Saturday, the United States says it's imposing tariffs on its three biggest trading partners.
Global News Podcast
Trump implements threatened tariffs
Still to come, a hostage released by Hamas says she was held in UN aid agency ANWA facilities in Gaza.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
Mouad Anafali, the Halo Trust's Syria operations manager. Iran says one of its nationals who was detained in Italy last month has returned home. Mohamed Abedini had been arrested on a US warrant, accused of supplying drone parts to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, or IRGC. His release comes just days after an Italian journalist held in Tehran was freed. Tehran insists the two cases aren't connected.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
Our Europe regional editor Paul Moss explained more about the background to the case.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
One said he didn't know that he was being sent to fight in a war and was told his unit was going on a training exercise. President Zelensky said there may be other options, including the men being allowed to remain in Ukraine if they chose to, as he put it, spread the truth about the war. Last year, Ukraine and South Korea reported that North Korea had sent at least 10,000 troops to Russia.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
And what about the Italian journalist held in Iran who's been freed?
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
And Iran is saying there's no connection between the two releases, despite happening just days apart.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
But will fluoride in water supplies in the U.S. stop when a new Trump administration enters the White House?
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
The Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai has told a summit of Muslim leaders that Afghanistan's Taliban rulers don't see women as human beings. The activist, who campaigns for female education rights, was shot in the face at the age of 15 by the Pakistani Taliban in 2012. Our Pakistan correspondent Azadeh Mashiri reports from Islamabad.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
Our Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford told us more about President Zelensky's proposal.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
The incumbent president of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic, has been re-elected in a landslide victory. Mr Milanovic took three quarters of votes cast in a run-off election against his rival from the governing party, Dragan Primirac. Gaida Lonnie reports.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
Guy Delaney. A task force is being sent to Thailand by Hong Kong's government to try to discover what's happened to a number of people who've disappeared in Southeast Asia. Criminal gangs have been luring people from Hong Kong to Myanmar, frequently via Thailand, to work on telecom fraud scams. Our Asia-Pacific editor, Mickey Bristow, told me more.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
And there's been a warning from the UN, hasn't there?
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that governments often add to water supplies, including currently in the United States. Experts insist the policy has contributed to vastly reducing cavities in teeth. But Robert F. Kennedy Jr., touted as the country's likely new health secretary, is strongly opposed.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
He wants to remove fluoride from US tap water, citing a wide range of potential health risks. So, is he right? Our reporter Phoebe Hobson has been finding out.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
Phoebe Hobson. People in central Kenya have been describing how a piece of space debris crashed into their village. An investigation is taking place into where the large metal ring structure came from, with some saying it was part of a European Ariane rocket. Jason Kay reports.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
That's it 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, send us an email. The address is globalpodcast.bbc.co.uk. You can also find us on X at Global News Pod. This edition was mixed by Derek Clark. The producer was Liam McSheffrey. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Valerie Sanderson.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
So interesting to see if there could be a deal. If as you say, you know, North Korea and Russia have not admitted to deploying these soldiers.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
They're having to ask North Korea to help. Next to the US state of California, where firefighters are battling the huge wildfires in Los Angeles, and the state's governor has introduced emergency measures to help victims. Gavin Newsom has brought in tougher penalties for price gouging and cut red tape for people to rebuild their homes.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
The authorities are also having to deal with the constant threat of looters. LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said one suspected looter was even dressed as a firefighter.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Valerie Sanderson, and in the early hours of Monday, the 13th of January, these are our main stories. Ukraine's President Zelensky has offered to return North Korean soldiers captured fighting for Russia in exchange for Ukrainian troops held in Russia.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
Our correspondent Emma Vardy is in the Altadena neighbourhood at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. It's there that NASA's famed Jet Propulsion Laboratory is situated and where firefighters are struggling to contain the blaze.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
Well, so far at least 16 people are known to have been killed. The total number of residents under evacuation orders has dropped to around 100,000, from a peak of almost 180,000. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has repeated criticism of the officials in charge of tackling the fires, calling them incompetent.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
Our correspondent in Los Angeles, Peter Bowes, has been covering the crisis since it started last Tuesday.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
And how serious a problem is looting?
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
California has introduced emergency measures to cut red tape for fire victims in Los Angeles to help them rebuild their homes quickly and to prevent them from being scammed. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has told a conference of top diplomats that sanctions imposed on Syria should be removed to help it recover from years of civil war.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
And has there been reaction to President-elect Donald Trump's comments criticising the firefighting effort?
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
Peter Bowes. For the first time since Syria's President Bashar al-Assad was toppled on the 8th of December, Syria's new interim rulers have been meeting top Western diplomats at a conference in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Their aim is to get sanctions on Damascus lifted. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, supports their demands.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
But Germany's foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said it wouldn't be wise to remove all sanctions immediately.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
Our Middle East regional editor, Mike Thompson, told me how the sanctions have affected the lives of ordinary Syrians.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
So how much support is there, do you think, among Western leaders to lift sanctions? I mean, we heard there from Germany's foreign minister. What do other Western allies think?
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
Well, you say that Syria's new rulers are promising an inclusive and tolerant government. I mean, have they given any reassurances about women's rights and human rights?
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
Mike Thompson. Staying in Syria and the population there are facing an unprecedented threat from millions of mines and other discarded munitions as they return to their homes. Children are particularly at risk according to a demining charity, the Halo Trust. It says more than 80 people have been killed in the country since President Assad was toppled in late November.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
due to landmines and explosives left in the ground. Last week, two civilians were killed and ten others injured after several mines exploded in the northern provinces of Idlib and Aleppo. Julian Warwicker spoke to HALO's Syria operations manager, Muad Al-Nufali, and asked him how big an issue clearing landmines is at the moment.
Global News Podcast
Zelensky offers exchange of North Korean soldiers
An investigation is taking place in Kenya after a large metal ring structure landed in a village. So, was it from space? Ukraine's President Zelensky has offered to return two North Korean soldiers captured fighting for Russia in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war. Video footage posted online showed the men apparently injured.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
That report from Barbara Pletusher. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, there's been intense fighting in recent months between M23 rebels backed by Rwanda and Congolese government forces. Reports say the rebels are nearing the regional capital of Goma in the east of the country.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
Officials say more than 200 people have been killed in South Kivu province to the south of Goma after the M23 seized several mining towns. The Red Cross has described the numbers of injured as overwhelming. Emmanuel Lampère is from Médecins Sans Frontières, or Doctors Without Borders, and is based in the capital, Kinshasa.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
We start in Lebanon, where a ceasefire has been underway for two months after more than a year of fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia. In the weeks before the ceasefire, Israel had intensified its bombing campaign against Hezbollah targets.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
Our Africa regional editor Richard Kagoi told me how far the rebels had advanced.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
And remind us what this conflict is all about.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
Richard Cagoy. Rupert Murdoch's media company NGN, or News Group Newspapers, is now estimated to have spent upwards of $1.25 billion in damages to those who claim their phones were hacked and their privacy invaded by two of their tabloid newspapers, the News of the World and The Sun.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
The single deadliest attack in nearly two decades took place on 29 September, when an Israeli airstrike destroyed an apartment block in the quiet village of Ein El Delb, killing 73 people. Israel says the building was a terrorist command centre and they were targeting a senior Hezbollah leader.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
Among those targeted, actresses like Sienna Miller, singers like the Spice Girls' Mel B, sportsmen and UK politicians. Another notable victim, of course, was Prince Harry, who was awarded substantial damages on Wednesday after NGN apologised for a serious intrusion and admitted incidents of unlawful activity. Now, another victim, the actor Hugh Grant, is pushing for further accountability.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
Stephanie Prentice told me more.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
But a BBC Eye investigation has found that most of the victims were in fact civilians, many of them children. Ashraf lost his mother and sister in the apartment block.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
Stephanie Prentice. And that's it 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, 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. The producer was Terry Egan. The editor is Karen Martin.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
I'm Valerie Sanderson. Until next time, bye-bye.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
Our senior international investigations correspondent, Nawal Al-Maghafi, told me what they'd found out.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
Nawal al-Meghafi. Meanwhile, 300 kilometres to the south in the occupied West Bank, hundreds of residents are fleeing the city of Jenin in the face of continuing Israeli army operations. Jenin's Palestinian governor says the Israeli military has ordered people to evacuate the refugee camp in Jenin, although Israel disputes this.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
Asil Badoun is the spokesperson for medical aid for Palestinians in the West Bank.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
The tension in Jenin comes against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, with Hamas expected to provide the names of four more hostages to be released tomorrow as part of the agreement that halted the violence there. Our correspondent in Jerusalem, Yolande Nell, told me more about the situation in Jenin.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Valerie Sanderson and at 1400 hours GMT on Friday the 24th of January, these are our main stories. A BBC investigation into the deadliest single Israeli attack in its recent conflict with Hezbollah finds evidence that almost all the 73 people killed were Lebanese civilians.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
Well, we are just a week into that ceasefire that you've been talking about, and we understand hostage names, four more, are set to be announced by Hamas. What do we know about that?
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
Yolanda Nell in Jerusalem. This weekend, Belarus goes to the polls. Five names will feature on the ballot, but it's widely expected that Alexander Lukashenko, who's ruled the country for three decades and is firmly backed by Vladimir Putin, will be re-elected.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
The exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is calling the election a scam that's been carefully orchestrated by the government to hold on to power. Our Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford reports.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
The exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya says the country's presidential election due this weekend is a sham. A court in Pakistan orders a popular social media personality to publish a video every month on animal rights.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
Sarah Rainsford. A court in Pakistan has ordered a popular social media personality to publish a video every month on animal rights as a punishment for unlawfully keeping a pet lion cub. Raja Bhatt is one of the most followed social media influencers in the country. Our South Asia regional editor Anbarasan Etherajan has more.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
and Barisan Ethirajan. A reminder, if there's anything you'd like to know about Donald Trump's first week in power, now is your chance. We're planning to do a special question and answers edition of the podcast, and we need your help. Please send in your questions to globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. Even better if you can record it as a voice note.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
Also in this podcast, the actor Hugh Grant says settlements made to victims like Prince Harry in the phone hacking scandal involving Rupert Murdoch's newspapers don't end there.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
A judge in Kenya has warned he'll imprison the country's police chief for contempt of court on Monday if the officer fails for a third time to show up and account for a recent string of alleged abductions. The disappearance of dozens of young government critics since anti-tax protests last year has provoked a public backlash, although the police have denied any involvement.
Global News Podcast
BBC investigates deadliest single Israeli attack in recent conflict with Hezbollah
Our AFCA correspondent Barbara Petusher reports.