US reinstates naval blockade on Iran

Summary

Global News Podcast (BBC World Service)

Episode Title: US reinstates naval blockade on Iran
Date: July 14, 2026
Host: Charlotte Gallagher

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Episode Overview

This episode covers escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz following the US' reinstatement of a naval blockade on Iran. The episode also touches on global issues including a new European anti-ballistic missile initiative, Hungary's rapid governmental overhaul, a landmark antitrust case in the US media, a high-profile political assassination in the UK, ongoing debates about Spain’s euthanasia law, shifts in the global diamond market, and a Portuguese bookshop's partnership with Dua Lipa to promote banned literature.

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Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. US Reinstates Naval Blockade on Iran

Timestamps: 02:12–06:54

• Escalation in Strait of Hormuz:
  Host Charlotte Gallagher introduces the US’ decision to reimpose a naval blockade on Iran, following multiple strikes and rising military tensions. President Trump announces a 20% charge for all cargo passing through the waterway, positioning the US as a “guardian” of the strait.
• Iran’s Response:
  Iran claims both its own military operations against US targets and attacks on oil tankers in the area. Tehran denounces the blockade and accuses the US of hypocrisy regarding control and fees for transit.
• Expert Analysis by Tom Bateman, Washington Correspondent:
  • The blockade is described as “one of the most provocative” moves by the US, exacerbating Iran’s severe financial and humanitarian pressures.
  • The US charging fees while branding Iranian actions as illegal reveals “contradiction in the American position.”
  • Both sides are engaged in regular attacks, pushing the conflict closer to open warfare.
  • Quote: “...the idea of charging this vast sum for ships passing through appears to be for the birds. But the reality is what it does is, in effect, endorse the concepts that the Americans were saying the Iranians simply couldn’t do as a breach of international law.” — Tom Bateman (05:54)
  • Expert warns of increased risk of grave miscalculation.
• Notable Moment: President Trump asserts,
  • “We’re hitting them very hard...I think in the end we will end up just controlling the whole thing. We’re putting the blockade back. The blockade was probably more effective even than hitting them. But I think the combination is the thing that, that really does.” (03:04)
  • On payment: “Yeah, I want to be reimbursed because we’re protecting a very rich portion of the world. We’re spending money. And so what we’ve done is we are going to be reimbursed for protection.” (03:32)

2. New European Anti-Ballistic Missile Initiative

Timestamps: 06:54–08:52

• Russian Attacks in Kyiv:
  Kiyv suffers another night of Russian missile strikes; European countries announce a joint anti-ballistic missile defense initiative.
• Zelenskyy’s Aim:
  Ukrainian President commits to multi-national cooperation for missile defense with the “Freya anti-ballistic system.”
• Macron’s Stance:
  “We do not seek confrontation with Russia, these tactics will not deter us from our support to Ukraine.” (08:52)
• Notable Moment: Plans for a multinational force to conduct exercises in neighboring countries after the war.

3. Hungary’s Rapid Constitutional Changes

Timestamps: 08:52–13:41

• Political Upheaval:
  The new Hungarian government, led by Peter Modjor, swiftly amends the constitution to remove figures from Viktor Orban’s prior regime. President Tomasz Shuyok faces impeachment.
• Concerns over Due Process:
  David Vig (Amnesty International Hungary) comments on the need for reform but criticizes the hasty procedures: “...some methods...are pretty problematic because they violate due process.” (10:24)
• Debate:
  • Supporters argue change has a democratic mandate.
  • Critics (Vig): “...while the majority in a country may wish a process to be very quick, sometimes it really pays off in the long run to respect due process.” (11:55)
• EU Impact:
  Vig says the EU “were a little bit too quick” in unlocking billions in funding for Hungary, which could undermine the importance of properly implemented reforms. (13:23)

4. US States Challenge Paramount–Warner Brothers Merger

Timestamps: 14:07–16:37

• Legal Challenge:
  12 US states, led by California, contest the merger over concerns it would “weaken competition and have negative repercussions for the industry and consumers.”
• Rob Bonter, California Attorney General:
  • “This merger will mean fewer journalists informing the electorate...fewer documentarians, filmmakers, showrunners, producers, writers and artists shedding light on important stories that too often go untold.” (14:54)
• Legal Expert Rebecca Hoare Allensworth:
  • Acknowledges challenges in antitrust lawsuits but notes states “have a real fighting chance.” (16:22)
• Industry Impact:
  The $110 billion deal could reshape Hollywood’s landscape, affecting both content diversity and prices.

5. UK Political Assassination and Security Concerns

Timestamps: 20:01–23:31

• Ann Widdicombe’s Murder:
  Counterterrorism police take over the investigation, raising fears about the safety of politicians.
• Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood:
  • “Politics is a calling for those of us here, but it should not be a dangerous one.” (20:29)
• Rob Watson, Political Analyst:
  • Notes “exponential rise” in abuse and threats faced by politicians, especially in the era of social media.
  • “...there is a real sense of crisis about the way politicians are treated in this country in terms of their personal security.” (22:34)

6. Division in Spain over Euthanasia Laws

Timestamps: 23:31–27:50

• Personal Story:
  Reporter Linda Presley profiles Monica, a devout Catholic who opposed her mother’s euthanasia request but ultimately helped her find new meaning.
• Legal Debate:
  • Spain’s Supreme Court allows close family to contest euthanasia decisions.
  • Dr. Xavier Bousquet, euthanasia practitioner:
    • “Either we truly believe in personal autonomy or we don’t...I see a profound cruelty in this legal change. The euthanasia process is already difficult...now on top of that, there’s this threat. Will someone sue you or not?” (26:41)
  • Notes that in the vast majority of cases, families are supportive and present during the process.
  • Memorable Quote: “The last words are always thank you.” (27:30)

7. Diamond Market Shifts

Timestamps: 27:50–29:53

• De Beers Halts South African Operations:
  James Campbell explains the drop in natural diamond sales, largely due to lab-grown alternatives and the global cost-of-living crisis.
  • “...if there is a resurgence in marketing, natural marketing around natural diamonds, that will grow...” (29:09)
• Consumer Shift:
  He compares diamond branding to the luxury handbag market, suggesting the “real thing” still carries unique value.

8. Livraria Lello and Dua Lipa: Promoting Banned Books

Timestamps: 29:53–32:03

• Collaboration Launch:
  The renowned Portuguese bookshop partners with pop star Dua Lipa’s book club to highlight literature banned or censored around the world.
• Francisca Pedro Pinto, Livraria Lello:
  • “Just in the U.S. in the past year, over 4,000 books have been banned... The Handmaid’s Tale or the Satanic Verses from Salman Rushdie...”
  • They focus on giving voice to underrepresented stories: “...these are stories that not many people know of and that we believe deserved a special category within this library.” (31:30)
• Notable Moment: Dua Lipa’s involvement aims to bring these books to new audiences.

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Selected Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• President Trump (on blockade & reimbursement):

  • “We’re hitting them very hard... I think in the end we will end up just controlling the whole thing.” (03:04)
  • “Yeah, I want to be reimbursed because we’re protecting a very rich portion of the world. We’re spending money.” (03:32)

• Tom Bateman:

  • “But the reality is what it does is to effect endorse the, the concepts that the Americans were saying the Iranians simply couldn’t do as a breach of international law.” (05:54)

• David Vig (Amnesty International):

  • “...while the majority in a country may wish a process to be very quick, sometimes it really pays off in the long run to respect due process.” (11:55)

• Rob Bonter (California AG):

  • “This merger will mean fewer journalists informing the electorate... fewer documentarians... shedd[ing] light on important stories that too often go untold.” (14:54)

• Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood:

  • “Politics is a calling for those of us here, but it should not be a dangerous one.” (20:29)

• Dr. Xavier Bousquet (on euthanasia):

  • “Either we truly believe in personal autonomy or we don’t... I see a profound cruelty in this legal change.” (26:41)
  • “The last words are always thank you.” (27:30)

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Conclusion

This episode provides a fast-paced, detailed look at unfolding global crises and cultural shifts. The US-Iran standoff takes center stage, with in-depth analysis of its risks and rationale. Broader themes include mounting challenges to democracy and due process (Hungary), the influence of media concentration (US), rising political violence (UK), debates on personal autonomy (Spain), shifting economic preferences (diamonds), and the importance of preserving freedom of expression in literature. Through expert voices, personal stories, and ground reports, the podcast underscores the stakes and sympathies behind today’s global headlines.

Transcript

[Podcast Host/Announcer]

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[Charlotte Gallagher]

This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Charlotte Gallagher and in the early hours Of Tuesday, Thursday, 14th July, these are our main stories. Tensions over the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate with further strikes and demands from President Trump for a 20% charge to use the waterway. And a new European anti Ballistic missile defense initiative is launched as Kyiv suffers another night of Russian attacks. Also in this pod, Hungary's new government pushes through an amended constitution in order to rapidly remove several figures linked to the previous administration.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And the law in Spain recognizes euthanasia as an intensely personal decision. It isn't appropriate for someone else to call that decision into question.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

We hear about the division in Spain over its euthanasia laws. We start in Iran, where the conflict over the Strait of Hormuz continues to escalate. And President Trump says he'll reinstate a naval blockade for a third night in a row. The US Military says it has successfully struck military targets across the country. Tehran says there have been explosions in several locations, including islands in the Gulf. Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guards say they've been hitting oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and American targets in Bahrain. President Trump told journalists in the Oval Office that the US Will act as a guardian of the Strait in return for a 20% charge on all cargo shipped through the waterway.

[Donald Trump]

We're hitting them very hard. We are just going forward. We're attacking them tonight. We're taking on all of their capability for anything having to do with the strait, with the harmless strait. And I think in the end we will end up just controlling the whole thing. We're putting the blockade back. The blockade was probably more effective even than hitting them. But I think the combination is the thing that, that really does.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

But you think a deal is still possible? You think they'll return to that?

[Donald Trump]

Yeah, I think a deal is possible. Sure, I do. They are crazy. And we're not going to put it up. Yeah, I want to be reimbursed because we're protecting a very rich portion of the world. We're spending money. And so what we've done is we are going to be reimbursed for protection.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Well, Iran has responded by saying those comments justify its demand to be able to control traffic and also charge a tariff. Oil prices have risen once again, too. I got more from our correspondent Tom Bateman in Washington.

[Tom Bateman]

It's unclear just how quickly the Americans can get the blockade up and running again. Although, you know, We've heard from U.S. central Command in the region there that this is effectively underway. And I think out of all the things Donald Trump has been saying over the last day or two, this is one of those that will be seen on the Iranian side as one of the most provocative because the naval blockade was causing significant problems for Tehran in terms of what they need and want, which is financing money for reconstruction. And it's, you know, it's one of the biggest pressure points on the regime because people have been suffering not just because of the war, but because of years of sanctions. And so it was a vital interest for the Iranians to get that naval blockade lifted, which was part of the discussions going into this Memorandum of understanding about a month ago. And it's another way in which I think this whole situation is now deteriorating. And it's just a further kind of rung on the ladder of escalation as this entire situation moves back closer to something like a full blown conflict.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Because Iran's reaction to this was quite sarcastic. But do you think in reality they will be very worried about this?

[Tom Bateman]

The sarcasm from Abbas Arachi, the foreign minister, was largely around this issue about charging ships money to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, because remember, the Iranians had been saying for a long time it was their right to charge what they'd called a fee for ships passing through the strait. The Americans had always said, no, this is a toll. It's completely illegal under international law. You can't do that. And they had suggested that under the Memorandum of understanding The Iranians would not do this. But we then saw very clearly the Iranians seeming to suggest they would press ahead with this perhaps at the end of the 60 day period. What we've had from President Trump is President Trump saying the Americans are going to charge, he says a 20% fee on ships to pass the Strait of Hormuz. And he says it is the Americans in control of it. Now that is objectively clearly untrue. The Americans do not have complete control of this Strait of Hormuz and the idea of charging this vast sum for ships passing through appears to be for the birds. But the reality is what it does is to effect endorse the, the concepts that the Americans were saying the Iranians simply couldn't do as a breach of international law. So there's again a lot of contradiction in the American position here. And I think the situation on the ground or on the water now is really serious. I mean, you know, you're seeing almost daily attacks now by both sides. Gulf countries are being struck again by the Iranians. The Americans are escalating the form of military attacks on the Iranians. So I think we're now locked into a cycle where to be honest, I think Tehran is testing to see how far President Trump will go. But the scope now for miscalculation on either side I think is very severe and has the potential to lead to a far more grave escalation of the conflict.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Tom Bateman in Washington. The Ukrainian capital Kyiv has been hit again by Russian ballistic missiles sending residents to air raid shelters with initial reports saying cars and warehouses have been set on fire. Kyiv's mayor said the city's air defenses were operating. But Ukraine has been open about its struggles, struggles in countering Russian missiles because of its lack of U. S made Patriot interceptors. In France on Monday, President Zelenskyy agreed to develop along with nine European countries new air defenses.

[Tom Bateman]

We have launched an anti ballistic program comprising of the Freya anti ballistic system and missile which can become one of our shared major contributions to protecting lives, strengthening Europe and, and enhancing Europe's global capacity to prevent conflicts. You can all see the threat that ballistic missiles now pose in Russia's war against Ukraine. Ballistic missile strikes have become Russia's last resort, effectively its final means of prolonging this bloody war.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

It was part of a meeting of the so called coalition of the willing taking place in Paris alongside Western allies led by President Emmanuel Macron and the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

[Tom Bateman]

Now Putin is on the back foot. He will try to intimidate us once again with more talk of escalation and hybrid attacks Today with EU partners. We are attributing last year's attempted attack on Poland's energy infrastructure to Russia's security services. It is another example of their reckless attempts to undermine European security. So we need to be absolutely clear that whilst we do not seek confrontation with Russia, these tactics will not deter us from our support to Ukraine.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

President Macron also announced that the multinational force for Ukraine, due to be deployed once the fighting has ended, will hold exercises in the coming months in Ukraine's neighboring countries. Three months ago, Peter Modjor secured a huge election victory in Hungary, ending Viktor Orban's 616 year grip on power and what many had seen as his increasingly authoritarian rule. On Monday, the new government pushed through an amended constitution in order to remove several figures linked to that past administration. And top of the list is the President, Tomasz Shuyok. He now just has a few days to sign the amendment or face impeachment. But there are concerns about the speed in which this is all happening. Zhuzona Celanyi, a former MP for the liberal Hungarian Together Party, said the new government had limited options. Very few countries in the world is going through a so called post illiberal restoration of democracy. Actually there is no any other country really in Europe doing this after 16 years. There are a huge number of autocratic holdover appointees basically nominated by Viktor orban's regime for 912 years. Over several cycles these appointees may subvert a new democratic regime. David Vig is the Hungary director for Amnesty International. Tim Franks asked him what he thought about the amended constitution.

[David Vig]

It is really justifiable that changes are needed. Some key figures that were cemented into as late as 2037, they are obstacles to the restoration of rule of law. But while these aims are justified, some methods that were used, that were chosen chosen are pretty problematic because they violate due process.

[Tim Franks]

Give me an example of how due process is going to be violated in your view.

[David Vig]

There is an existing procedure, for example to remove the President of the country. There is an impeachment procedure that in our view could have been used and it's an existing procedure but the governing majority did not choose to use this procedure. But basically by law just write one sentence in a constitutional amendment that in fact terminates the mandate of the president who is the current mandate order without any due process.

[Tim Franks]

Basically one of the arguments that Peter Modgia might make is that look, you know we've got a mandate. We made it very clear going into the election that we wanted to sweep the old system away. We got a huge majority, a super majority. Opinion polls seem to suggest that the overwhelming majority of people surveyed do want the President to be removed from office. We're sort of affecting the democratic will in order to set up a more robust system. I mean, what do you make of that argument?

[David Vig]

Yeah, I think that's correct, that the majority of the people actually want this president to be gone. But in order to set a precedent where the protection of human rights and system of checks and balances can be restored in a way that it actually respects the rule of law is a very important precedent going forward. This new governing majority does have the necessary public support to undertake these measures. The previous consecutive four urban governments that have undermined human rights and rule of law so many times used the exact same arguments that Peter Muder is making right now, referring to the will of the public. So I think when we talk about due process and when we talk about the protection of human rights, it is really important to understand that while the majority in a country may wish a process to be very quick, sometimes it really pays off in the long run to respect due process.

[Tim Franks]

I guess there could be another arbiter of this, which would be the European Union. I mean, they in the past have withheld billions of dollars of funding to Hungary because they've been concerned about the rule of law and about human rights. The EU has pretty much unlocked, I think about $19 billion worth of funding to Hungary since Modja came to power. Do you think that they've acted a bit too hastily?

[David Vig]

I think they were a little bit too quick in approving these measures as I think it is very important to learn from lessons from the past where some legislative measures were not properly implemented as they should be in practice. So I think it was a little bit too early.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

David Vig, speaking to Tim Franks. Why are a collection of US States getting involved in a potential media takeover that's been given the green light by the Department of Justice? California, along with 11 other states says if Paramount takes over Warner Brothers discovery, it would weaken competition and have negative repercussions for the industry and consumers. Stephanie Prentice has this report.

[Stephanie Prentice]

The Clayton Antitrust act was put in place in the US in 1914, designed in part to block anti competitive mergers and now stood in front of the Hollywood sign in la. California Attorney General Rob Bonter used it to explain why he's leading a legal bid to freeze a deal between Warner and Paramount.

[Rob Bonter]

It prevents mergers that may substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly.

[Stephanie Prentice]

The states opposing it say it would extinguish competition in Hollywood and threaten jobs across film, TV and journalism. The latter, they say, will have a negative impact for viewers, an act, in Rob Bonter's words, as a death knell for democracy.

[Rob Bonter]

This merger will mean fewer journalists informing the electorate. It'll mean fewer opportunities for Americans to hear the full breadth of information and opinions on a subject and then come

[Podcast Host/Announcer]

to their own conclusions.

[Rob Bonter]

It'll mean fewer documentarians, filmmakers, showrunners, producers, writers and artists shedding light on important stories that too often go untold.

[Stephanie Prentice]

Paramount and Warner have been competitors for a long time, and the 110 billion dollar deal, the largest of its kind in Hollywood, could give them power on the ground that's never been seen before.

[Rob Bonter]

Now, all of a sudden, that will give them negotiating power and allow them to dictate terms with movie theaters. And it will also give them incredible negotiating power when it comes to licensing of basic cable channels. And they will be able to raise prices, set dictate terms with cable companies, and that means higher prices for people who have satellite or cable tv, higher prices at movie theaters.

[Stephanie Prentice]

The deal will now face delays, but can it be stopped? Rebecca Hoare Allensworth is chair of law at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

I mean, the arguments they bring are serious. They will definitely be taken seriously by the court. And I think it's always hard to win an antitrust lawsuit, especially over the last 40 years.

[David Vig]

The law has really been narrowed by the court's interpretation.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

So I don't want to say that they will win this lawsuit, but I would say they have a real fighting chance.

[Stephanie Prentice]

Paramount CEO has said the scaled up organization will have more money to commission projects and vowed to vigorously defend the merger.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Stephanie Prentice still to come in this

[Francisca Pedro Pinto]

podcast, we do have lots of books that have been censored that have been banned from schools. For example, the Handmaid's Tale or the Satanic Verses from Salman Rushdie.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

How a music megastar has teamed up with a Portuguese bookshop to promote banned literature.

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[Podcast Host/Announcer]

Decisions made in Washington can affect your portfolio every day. But what policy changes should investors be watching? Listen to Washington Wise, an original podcast for investors from Charles Schwab to hear the stories making news in Washington right now. Host Mike Townsend, Charles Schwab's Managing Director for Legislative and Regulatory affairs, takes a non partisan look at the stories that matter most to investors, including policy initiatives for retirement, savings, taxes and trade, inflation concerns, the Federal Reserve, and how regulatory developments can affect companies, sectors and even the entire market. Mike and his guests offer their perspective on how policy changes could affect what you do with your portfolio. Download the latest episode and [e-mail] WashingtonWise or wherever you listen.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

This is the global news podcast British counterterrorism police have taken control of the investigation into the killing of the former government minister Ann Widdicombe. The authorities had previously insisted the attack was not politically motivated. A 28 year old British man arrested on suspicion of murder at the weekend is now also suspected of commissioning or preparing acts of terrorism. Anne Widdicombe, who was 78, was found dead at her remote home on Thursday. In a statement in Parliament, the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood addressed the reality that this is the third British politician attacked and killed in recent years. I know this raises questions about the security of those in public life. I will not be the only one here thinking also of two other beloved members of this House. Politics is a calling for those of us here, but it should not be a dangerous one. And so it is incumbent on the House and the government to work together to protect those who choose to serve. My colleague Valerie Sanderson has been speaking to our British affairs correspondent, Rob Watson.

[Rob Watson]

I think the big development is the idea that over the weekend when the police first said this was a murder, they said they had no information to suggest that it was politically motivated or in some way anything to do with terrorism. That now we have the counter terrorism in the lead. But all the government is saying, all the police are saying is that new information and evidence has emerged for them to give the lead to counterterrorism. But why on earth they've done that? We're still no clearer.

[Stephanie Prentice]

It seems crucial evidence was taken from door cam footage from Ann Widdicombe's home.

[Rob Watson]

Well, I mean, what has been quite striking is the door cam footage of the suspect, who was a 28 year old white male from the north of England, from a long way away from Dan, where the murder happened, where Anne Widdecombe lived. And it seems to show him getting into a red car with a weapon in his pocket. And to that extent, I guess an awful lot of people who've been looking at it say, seems, seems curious that counterterrorism police would be involved in such a case. But there you are, Rob.

[Stephanie Prentice]

Other political figures have been killed in the last 10 years. I'm thinking of the MPs Joe Cox and David Amos. As the Minister said in the House, there is growing concern, do you think,

[Charlotte Gallagher]

about the safety and security of those in public life, as she mentioned?

[Rob Watson]

I mean, growing concern would be an understatement, Valerie. I mean, one of the things that this murder has brought out is the level of concern that politicians have. And it was interesting watching the debate and I watched it quite carefully where Shabana Mahmoud was giving the statement about whether police emergency investigation was the number of politicians, including Shabana Mahmoud, to be fair, talking about the vast increase in threats that they face. And I know from talking to British politicians, they often tell me about the just exponential rise in the level of abuse and threats that they receive, particularly in an era of social media. And so one of the themes in this debate was how could the security of MPs and politicians be improved without somehow putting them behind barriers, keeping them away from the public? But, I mean, I think there is a real sense of crisis about the way politicians are treated in this country in terms of their personal security.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Rob Watson In March this year in Spain, Noelia Castillo died by euthanasia. She was just 25, a young woman who became paraplegic after a suicide attempt that followed a serious sexual assault. Her father fought for two years in the courts to stop the euthanas, but failed. Since then, the Supreme Court has ruled that those with a particularly close connection to the person wanting to die, a family member or a loved one, may have the right to contest that death wish. Our reporter Linda Presley traveled to Spain to meet two people with different takes on the law.

[Monica]

We meet Monica on a cafe terrace in Madrid. She discovered, quite by chance, that her mother had begun the process of asking for euthanasia.

[Narrator/Reporter]

I found out through another family member that relative's pet dog had died from natural causes. She didn't have the dog put to sleep and she said to me, not like your mother who's going to have euthanasia.

[Monica]

Monica, who's in her 40s, didn't want us to meet her mum. She said she's too fragile. So this is solely Monica's version of events. Certainly her mother's health had declined. She'd spent time in hospital, had a stroke and was dependent on carers.

[Narrator/Reporter]

She'd invested a lot of money in rehabilitation, but her soul, her heart, they were very sad. She started saying she wanted to die.

[Monica]

Monica was used to reassuring her mother, telling her that with psychological support, she'd feel better. Now she challenged her mum about the decision to formally apply for euthanasia. Monica's a devout Catholic. She prayed and then she made an appointment to see the doctor who was helping her mother make the request.

[Narrator/Reporter]

I said, my mother's mentally competent, but she's physically disabled and therefore vulnerable. The doctor said she couldn't tell me anything because of data protection. I said, my mom isn't eligible for euthanasia under the law. She isn't suffering intolerably. The doctor said my mother fit the criteria perfectly and that as her doctor, she would make sure the euthanasia happened. If you see someone who's about to jump off a bridge, do you offer them your hand or do you give them a kick? What comes naturally to us as human beings, it's to offer a hand.

[Monica]

And that's what Monica did. And her mum's still alive. She went on holiday with her daughter, withdrew from the euthanasia process and changed doctors. Monica wants Spain's euthanasia law repealed, but she thinks the Supreme Court's recent decision to allow a loved one to contest an adult's application for the right to die is a good first step. Since Spain passed a law legalising euthanasia, the highest number of applications to die have been in Catalonia.

[Donald Trump]

Euthanasia es personalissima.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The law in Spain recognizes euthanasia as an intensely personal decision. It isn't appropriate for someone else to call that decision into question.

[Monica]

Dr. Xavier Bousquet has overseen the euthanasia process for more than 20 patients and he's been present at the deaths of more than a dozen people. He believes it's wrong for the law to take into account the opposition of loved ones. As may now happen, either we truly

[Narrator/Reporter]

believe in personal autonomy or we don't. Healthcare professionals were motivated by compassion. I see a profound cruelty in this legal change. The euthanasia process is already difficult. It's emotionally demanding and now on top of that, there's this threat. Will someone sue you or not?

[Monica]

In only one of some 20 euthanasia cases has Dr. Bousquet seen opposition from a loved one. In the others, he says family are integral to those final moments.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The whole setting is chosen by the patient and the family is there holding their hand. I don't think this will ever become a common way to die. It takes tremendous courage to face death like this. And the patient always says to us, thank you. The last words are always thank you.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Linda Presley. A diamond ring was once a non negotiable purchase for a couple. But fewer and fewer people are now splashing out for the natural stones and the industry is struggling. The diamond giant De Beers is halting production at its biggest South African mine. James Campbell worked for De Beers and told us what's led to the decision.

[P]

Firstly, there is the overall decline in the diamond market itself and that's caused by the advent of lab grown diamonds which have eroded much of the bottom end of the section. And the cost of living crisis which most people are having throughout the world at the mom. Second reason is very much linked to the first one is that not every diamond mine is the same. Some diamond mines produce small numbers of very high quality large diamonds, but others produce much larger qualities of smaller quality diamonds. And Venetia is sadly one of them. So their prices have eroded much more than larger, high quality diamonds. And therefore De Beers has made the decision to put Venetian Mine basically on care and maintenance for two years. And I think that maybe one or two other mines may also have to go on care and maintenance maintenance to allow the industry to recover. I think it all goes to marketing to a large degree. It goes to what does the consumer want when the consumer buys a diamond? And for many, many years, diamonds were seen as the ultimate source of your expression of love. And when you're going to get engaged, you give your partner a diamond engagement ring. But much of that market has been eroded by synthetic diamonds. However, many of us in the diamond industry do believe that if there is a resurgence in marketing, natural marketing around natural diamond diamonds, that that will grow. If you look at Louis Vuitton handbags, for example, you can often not tell a Louis Vuitton handbag just made by a fake manufacturer from a genuine thing. But the owner of that handbag actually knows that this is a real thing. And that's what the diamond market really has to focus on in order to resurrect itself.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

That was James Campbell. Finally, the Livraria Lello is one of the world's most renowned bookshops and a popular tourist attraction in the Portuguese city of. They're now collaborating with the pop star Dua Lipa to sell books that have been banned in some countries. Francisca Pedro Pinto is from the bookshop and has been telling Shaun Lay more about the project.

[Francisca Pedro Pinto]

So we expanded and, and we of course had to have an auditorium, a place where we could host our cultural programming. And we started thinking what books belonged on these shelves. Then we challenged Service 95 book club to create this project with us.

[Podcast Host/Announcer]

And this is the book club that's run by the singer Dua Lipa.

[Francisca Pedro Pinto]

Yes, we wanted this to reach new audiences and we believe that Dua Lipa has the power to do that.

[Podcast Host/Announcer]

Now. Are these books that have been in different places around the world at different times, been banned or censored or indeed removed altogether from bookshelves?

[Francisca Pedro Pinto]

Some of them have. Unfortunately, we're living strange periods. Just in the U.S. in the past year, over 4,000 books have been banned. So that's the highest number ever documented. So we do have lots of books that have been censored that have been banned from schools. For example, the Handmaid's Tale or the Satanic Verses from Salman Rushdie, other types of books that, for example, in the voice category, which are books, but that maybe people haven't heard of. And so we try to brother that voice and amplify it.

[Podcast Host/Announcer]

And when you say voice, these are people's accounts of their own experiences.

[Francisca Pedro Pinto]

Yes. For example Chimamanda with the half of the Yellowson that talks us of the before and Iranian war and how a million people have died of starvation. So these are stories that not many people know of and that we believe deserved a special category within this library.

[Podcast Host/Announcer]

Are you hoping that maybe Dua Lipa herself will visit at some point?

[Francisca Pedro Pinto]

I bet she will. This is now her home as well. These are the books that she helped select to to be represented. I'm sure she will want to visit the manifesto library.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Francisca Pedro Pinto. And that's all from us for now. If you want to get in touch, you can email [e-mail] you can also find us on XBCWorldService. Use the hashtag globalnewspod. Don't forget our sister podcast, the Global Story. This edition of the Global News Podcast was mixed by Chris Cazaris and the producer was Marion Straughan. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Charlotte Gallagher. Until next time.

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Time.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Goodbye.

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