Xi greets Putin in Beijing - days after Trump's China visit

Summary

Global News Podcast – Xi Greets Putin in Beijing: Days After Trump’s China Visit

BBC World Service | Host: Alex Ritson
Date: May 20, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode explores several major international and domestic headlines, with a primary focus on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s high-profile visit to Beijing following Donald Trump’s recent trip to China. The discussion unpacks the current dynamics between Xi Jinping and Putin amid shifting global alliances, Trump’s tightening grip on the Republican Party after a key primary in Kentucky, updates on the Ebola crisis in Africa, controversy over a pro-Palestinian trial in Germany, dramatic football developments in the UK, and a scientific look at mysterious whale sounds.

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Key Segments & Insights

1. Russia and China: The Xi–Putin Relationship

[01:30–06:36]

Main Points

• Red Carpet Welcome: Putin is received ceremoniously in Beijing, echoing Trump’s recent visit, but the dynamic is notably different.
• Strategic Partnership: Xi and Putin have met over 40 times and emphasize their friendship. However, Russia is increasingly seen as the junior partner.
• Historical Context: The trip marks the 25th anniversary of the Russia–China Friendship Agreement, originally signed by Putin himself.
• Shifting Power Dynamics: Russia’s dependency on China has intensified due to Western sanctions following the 2022 war in Ukraine. China now accounts for over a quarter of Russian exports, especially fossil fuels.
• Visit Optics: For Putin, being seen alongside Xi projects strength at home and abroad, as China becomes a center of global diplomacy.

Notable Quotes

• On the Personal Connection:
  “They call each other friends...Back in September, when Vladimir Putin was in Beijing, he addressed Xi as ‘my dear friend’, and Xi called Putin ‘my old friend’... They cooked pancakes together, a sign of friendship – pancakes with caviar.”
  — Steve Rosenberg, [03:32]
• On the Power Balance:
  “It’s not an equal partnership. Russia has become very dependent on China...that money it gets from selling to China has become an economic lifeline [since the Ukraine invasion].”
  — Steve Rosenberg, [05:12]
• On the Significance of the Trip:
  “Being seen with the head of the superpower...that’s a big thing. It’s important for Vladimir Putin.”
  — Steve Rosenberg, [06:11]

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2. Trump’s Dominance in the Republican Party

[06:36–10:28]

Main Points

• Kentucky Primary: Trump-backed candidate Ed Gulrain defeats Thomas Massie, a sitting congressman known for his libertarian leanings and occasional opposition to Trump.
• Trend of Revenge Primaries: Massie follows other Republicans ousted for defying Trump, reinforcing Trump’s control over the party.
• Campaign Spending: The race set a record, with over $33 million in ad outlays, much from Trump-aligned and pro-Israel super PACs.
• Test of Loyalty: Despite voting with Trump much of the time, Massie’s lack of “100% fealty” was enough to cost him the seat.

Notable Quotes

• On Trump’s Influence:
  “It does certainly appear that Trump very much, at least in electoral politics, remains, you know, with a vice-like grip over the base.”
  — Lisa Kashinsky (Politico), [09:59]
• On Massie’s Defeat:
  “He tried to thread that needle where he would wear his breaks with Trump as principled stands and as a badge of honor... But in a time where the president kind of demands, you know, 100% fealty, that definitely was not Thomas Massie.”
  — Lisa Kashinsky, [09:25]

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3. Ebola Outbreak Expands in DRC and Uganda

[10:28–14:39]

Main Points

• Case Surge: WHO virologist warns suspected Ebola cases in DRC could reach 1,000 shortly amid a shortage of testing equipment.
• Urgency Stressed: Dr. Tom Frieden, ex-CDC director, expresses grave concern, citing the potential for months-long, devastating outbreaks if responses are delayed.
• Resource Shortfalls: Frieden criticizes both U.S. and global reductions in health funding and the diminished capacity at CDC and WHO, which impede outbreak containment.
• Structural Challenges: Geographical remoteness, conflict, and Ebola’s rare strain complicate efforts.

Notable Quotes

• Outbreak Severity:
  “I’m extremely concerned. This is a very serious and potentially devastating Ebola outbreak. The world again faces grave risk and needs an urgent response.”
  — Dr. Tom Frieden, [11:19]
• On Diminished Response Capacity:
  “The recent changes are making it much harder for the world to mount the kind of robust response that we mounted a decade ago...and that is even more needed now because we’re really behind the eight ball.”
  — Dr. Tom Frieden, [14:39]

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4. German Trial of Pro-Palestinian Activists

[17:16–22:18]

Main Points

• ‘Ulm 5’ Trial: Five pro-Palestinian activists, including two British citizens, face charges of property destruction and belonging to a criminal organization after breaking into an Israeli arms facility.
• Cross-Border Legal Context: The group is linked to Palestine Action, outlawed as a terrorist organization in the UK but not in Germany.
• Symbolic Weight: The case has catalyzed debate in Germany about balancing its historical support for Israel with handling of protest movements.
• Treatment and Public Reaction: Activists were brought to court in handcuffs behind glass walls, which their families and rights groups denounce as disproportionate. Amnesty International notes the UK ban doesn’t apply internationally.

Notable Quotes

• On Family Concerns:
  “They’ve not harmed anybody and there’s not even a charge of threat of harm. Do you know what I mean? Like, this is a case of property damage and this is how they’re being treated.”
  — Kit (sister of defendant), [19:33]
• On Legal Context:
  “The original ban applied explicitly to Palestine Action UK and had no international usage. We are…concerned by repeated references in this case to the UK ban within German proceedings.”
  — Yasmine Kuder (Amnesty International Deutschland), [20:58]
• On Public Sensitivities:
  “These types of actions are very shocking to the German public... property destruction on an Israeli firm.”
  — Joel Krisetig (Analyst), [21:35]

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5. Premier League Football: Arsenal's Historic Title

[22:18–26:42]

Main Points

• First Title in 22 Years: Arsenal clinch the Premier League, sparking celebrations among fans; their consistent “grit and determination” are highlighted as keys to success.
• Arteta’s Redemption: Manager Mikel Arteta’s philosophy of “trust the process” is praised for reviving the club, culminating in a league and potential Champions League run.
• Manchester City’s End of Era: Pep Guardiola’s likely departure after a “disappointing” season missing the league title, though City still secured two domestic cups.
• Shock Relegation: Southampton expelled from the second-tier playoff final for illegal spying on competitors.

Notable Fan and Analyst Quotes

• On Arsenal’s Triumph:
  “We played with passion, emotion. We did. I feel like we honestly deserve this title the way we’ve been this season... You have scraped the wins, that’s fine.”
  — Louis (Arsenal fan), [22:41]
• On Arteta’s Legacy:
  “When he took over, Arsenal were in disarray... This was a long process and Mikel Arteta’s motto was trust the process. The fans had to get behind this and understand what he was doing.”
  — John Bennett (BBC Sports), [24:16]
• On City & Guardiola:
  “In terms of English football, he has arguably changed the way that football is played in England. So many people have tried to copy his style of football, playing out from the back and almost the tiki-taka style...”
  — John Bennett, [25:47]

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6. Science: Mysterious Ocean Humming Solved

[28:25–32:00]

Main Points

• Eerie Noise Mystery: Unexplained noises heard by villagers and lighthouse keepers are identified as underwater sounds made by humpback whales.
• Scientific Discovery: The sounds—a low-frequency “elephant-like aerial rumble”—travel for miles and were previously undocumented.
• Dual Significance: Beyond aiding whale conservation and ship navigation, the findings intrigue SETI researchers looking for models of non-human communication.

Notable Quotes

• On Whale Communication:
  “There are, you know, when the whales come up to the surface to breathe...they have these explosive respirations. Within those...there’s lots of information about health and emotion that can be embedded in breath.”
  — Fred Sharp (biologist), [29:22]
• On Implications for Alien Communication:
  “We can do better when we’re seeking life in the cosmos by having as many understandings of diverse communication systems here on Earth...”
  — Fred Sharp, [31:07]

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Memorable Moments

• Friendship Pancakes: The anecdote of Xi and Putin cooking pancakes with caviar and Putin gifting Xi a case of ice cream—highlights their personal rapport. [03:32]
• Pregnant Fan Cancels Baby Shower for Parade: Arsenal supporter Amy jokes about skipping her baby shower for the championship parade (“Don’t tell my mum!”) [23:09]
• Southampton’s Scandal: The rare sight of a football club expelled from the lucrative playoff for spying, shocking fans and pundits. [26:46]
• Whale ‘Sneezes’ Heard for Miles: Researcher describes how whale respiration sounds rattle teacups and windows on coastal Alaska, a case of local folklore meeting science. [29:22]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:30] – Start of Xi greets Putin in Beijing coverage
• [03:32] – Steve Rosenberg on Putin–Xi friendship & anecdotes
• [05:12] – Russia’s dependence on China post-Ukraine invasion
• [06:36] – Trump’s power in Republican primaries
• [09:59] – Analysis: Trump’s “vice-like grip” on the party
• [10:28] – Ebola outbreak update, WHO and CDC responses
• [14:39] – Impact of weakened global health infrastructure
• [17:16] – Pro-Palestinian activists’ trial in Germany
• [22:18] – Arsenal’s Premier League win, fan celebrations
• [24:16] – Arteta’s transformation of Arsenal
• [25:41] – Pep Guardiola’s legacy at Manchester City
• [26:46] – Southampton expelled from championship playoffs
• [28:25] – The science behind mysterious ocean sounds

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Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode maintains the BBC’s signature tone: measured, analytical, and accessible. It is rich in global context, balancing hard news (geopolitics, health crises) with human-interest stories (football, scientific discovery). Quotes from guests offer insight and color, while the conversational style grounds complex issues in lived reality.

Listeners gain a nuanced overview of how seismic shifts in world politics, public health, and popular culture play out—underscoring the interconnectedness and unpredictability of current affairs in 2026.

Transcript

[Alex Ritson]

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[Alex Ritson]

This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Alex Ritson and in the early hours of Wednesday, 20th May, these are our main stories. The Russian president gets the red carpet treatment in Beijing. We explore how close the relationship is between Xi Jinping and and Vladimir Putin. Donald Trump tightens his grip on the Republican Party ahead of this year's midterm elections, with his chosen candidate emerging victorious in Kentucky's closely watched primary. Also in this podcast, we have played with passion, emotion.

[Louis]

We played I feel like we honestly deserve this title.

[Amy]

We're just so happy. We can't honestly, we can't put into words.

[Alex Ritson]

To the delight of their fans, Arsenal win their first English Premier league title in 22 years. We start in the Chinese capital, Beijing, where the country's leader Xi Jinping welcomed Russia's President Putin at a ceremony at the Great hall of the People. The two leaders inspected a guard of honor as a band played. They were then cheered by a group of children. It's only a week since President Trump made a similar journey and had a similar welcome. The timing of the two visits is coincidental. Mr. Trump's had originally been due to take place weeks earlier. Nevertheless, the images look good for China's President Xi Jinping. World leaders beating A path to his door, one after another. Mr. Xi and his Russian counterpart have played up their friendship for years, but Mr. Putin is clearly the junior partner, particularly since Russia's isolation from following its full scale invasion of Ukraine. So just how close is the relationship between these two leaders? Steve Rosenberg is the BBC's Russia editor and he's been speaking to Oliver Conway.

[Steve Rosenberg]

They've certainly developed a pretty close relationship and they've certainly had the opportunity to do that. I think the two leaders have met more than 40 times. And yes, they call each other friends. I think back in September when Vladimir Putin was in Beijing, he addressed Xi as my dear friend, and Xi called Putin my old friend. And you know, there are many moments I can remember thinking back over the last few years. The moment when Putin and Xi cooked pancakes together, a sign of friendship, pancakes with caviar. And Vladimir Putin gave Xi a big case of ice cream for his birthday, just to illustrate the friendly relationship between the two men.

[Oliver Conway]

Yeah, I think this is something like Vladimir Putin's 25th visit to China. Now, he won't get any of the

[John Bennett]

pomp, or at least all of the

[Oliver Conway]

pomp that we saw for Donald Trump last week, but I guess he doesn't need that because they are closer allies.

[Steve Rosenberg]

He'll get some of the pomp, I think, for sure. The interesting thing is one of the things he'll be doing in China is reaffirming the Russia China Friendship Agreement that was signed 25 years ago. It's the 25th anniversary. And which Russian leader signed it 25 years ago? Vladimir Putin. It shows how long he's been in power. I mean, the Trump Xi meeting, that summit really made headlines around the world. Quite a rare event. Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping regularly meet, so in that sense, nothing out of the ordinary.

[Oliver Conway]

You Talked about the 25th anniversary of the signing of that friendship agreement, but over those years, the relative strengths of of the two nations have changed substantially.

[Steve Rosenberg]

This is true, yes, words you hear a lot. Cooperation, partnership, no limits, partnership. But actually it's not an equal partnership. Russia has become very dependent on China, particularly since Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine back in 2022. And you remember that tsunami of international sanctions that was imposed on Russia, basically cutting off access to markets in Europe, in the West. And so Russia became heavily reliant on China economically. When you think about it, more than a quarter of Russia's exports are bought by China, including vast amounts of fossil fuel since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. That gives you an idea of how dependent Russia has become for Moscow. This money that it gets from selling to China has become an economic lifeline.

[Oliver Conway]

And what will Vladimir Putin be hoping to get out of this trip specifically?

[Steve Rosenberg]

Well, first of all, let's talk about the optics again. He will want to be seen with the big kid on the block who is clearly Xi Jinping. China has become really the center of global diplomacy when you think about it. The Iranian foreign minister was recently in Beijing, then Donald Trump was in Beijing. Vladimir Putin is coming to Beijing. So being seen with the head of the superpower, that's a big thing. It's important for Vladimir Putin.

[Alex Ritson]

Our Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, and there's a longer interview with Steve on our YouTube channel. Search for BBC News on YouTube and you'll find the global news podcast in the podcast section. There's a new story available every weekday. Donald Trump has tightened his grip on the Republican Party after voters decided not to back a congressman who'd defied the president on a number of issues, including the decision on whether to release the Jeffrey Epstein files and the war in Iran. In primaries in the US State of Kentucky, Thomas Massie lost to challenger Ed Gulrain, who'd been backed by President Trump. The vote in Kentucky's 4th congressional district was being closely watched as a test of Mr. Trump's power within his own party. I spoke to Lisa Koshinsky, which with the news website Politico, and asked her if the result was a surprise.

[Lisa Koshinsky]

It is and it isn't. So this is what we've seen over the past month is President Donald Trump in this revenge tour against state lawmakers in Indiana who opposed his redistricting effort against Bill Cassidy, the senator in Louisiana who had voted to convict him on an impeachment charge in 2021. And that it was Thomas Massie, a longtime thorn in the president's side. Then it was his turn tonight. And what you've seen is Trump, you know, win in almost all of these races. Five of the seven state lawmakers in Indiana, Bill Cassidy failing to make the runoff in Louisiana. Now Thomas Massie losing by a margin that, you know, could be as many as 10 points if kind of where the returns are now hold. So it is par for the course with how this month has gone. But it is a little bit surprising in Kentucky because Massie, he was a very polarizing figure. He had the district really kind of mirrored his liberty libertarian leaning politics, which could have been a boost for him. But he had also made a lot of local enemies and there was just so much money, outside money spent against him. That it would have been very difficult for even a well liked incumbent, which he was not to overcome.

[Alex Ritson]

Yeah.

[John]

The most expensive primary race ever, I'm told.

[Lisa Koshinsky]

Yes. Spending has crossed $33 million. It's the most expensive house primary in ad spending on record. And about 16 or 17 million of that came from MAGA Ky, which was a super PAC that President Donald Trump's political team had kind of stood up to target Massie and from a pair of Pro Israel Super PACs aligned with the RJC and the America Israel Public Affairs Committee. So that was a very powerful force and a very expensive force against Thomas Massie.

[John]

Yeah. And Thomas Massie well seen as a

[Alex Ritson]

thorn in President Trump's side.

[John]

But most of the time he voted

[Alex Ritson]

with the president, didn't he?

[Lisa Koshinsky]

He did. And he tried to kind of thread that needle where he would kind of wear his breaks with Trump as principled stands and as a badge of honor where he was sticking with his conservative principles. And it was the administration that had shifted in his mind. But he did still vote with Trump, you know, a majority of the time. But in a time where the president kind of demands, you know, 100% fealty, that definitely was not Thomas Massie.

[John]

And that message what that Donald Trump has an absolute iron grip on the entire Republican Party.

[Lisa Koshinsky]

That is certainly what it seems. And will this race will be dissected in the margins in the counties and whatever to see kind of if there is any fraying of the coalition. Obviously Republicans are splintering a little bit over foreign interventions over Israel, things like that. But Massie was really leaning on that to boost him to another term and boost him over this challenge. And that didn't work work for him. So it does certainly appear that Trump very much, at least in electoral politics remains, you know, with a vice like grip over the base.

[Alex Ritson]

Lisa Koshinsky from Politico. There's more worrying news on the Ebola outbreak. A virologist with the World Health Organization has told the BBC that in the next few days the number of suspected cases could reach 1,000 in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nixie Guaramede Mualetsi also said that it was hard to measure the full scale of the crisis because of a shortage of testing equipment and there was a backlog of samples waiting to be analyzed. More than 130 people are estimated to have died in the latest outbreak. One person with first hand experience of dealing with Ebola is Tom Frieden, who led the US Centers for Disease Control, the cdc, when there was an epidemic in West Africa. So how worried is he? According to question put to him by

[Tom Frieden]

Tim Franks, I'm extremely concerned. This is a very serious and potentially devastating Ebola outbreak. The world again faces grave risk and needs an urgent response. This outbreak likely spread not just for weeks, but probably for months. By the time it was found and by the time a response started, there are now more than 500 cases in West Africa. The Ebola epidemic, 2014, 2016, there were 40 or 50 cases by the time the response started. The geographic area is broad. We already have cases in Kinshasa and Kampala, which are capital cities. We know that urban Ebola can be very difficult to control. And there are really highly experienced, highly talented, very dedicated doctors, nurses, laboratory specialists, epidemiologists in both DRC and Uganda who are able to stop outbreaks, have stopped Ebola outbreaks before. But time really is of the essence in an Ebola outbreak. Minutes, days, weeks make an enormous difference. What we found in West Africa was that if we got there in days and started outbreak response, the outbreak could be stopped in a couple of weeks. If there was a delay of even one week, that outbreak could go on for months.

[WHO Representative]

The World Health Organization representative for the DRC has said the WHO has been working. I think her words were very well with the US Government on this Ebola outbreak. But she did say that reductions in health funding overall have had a tremendous impact on the organization's ability to counter the disease.

[Tom Frieden]

The Ebola is back and the US Government has spent much of the past year weakening our defenses against it. That includes both the US cdc, which has been frankly under assault by this administration. Close to 3,000 staff have been fired, forced to retire, let go. Most of the directors in the organization are acting or absent. Even the overall director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, who does appear to be working hard to get the CDC back on track and is doing this as a part time job. In addition, the US has not only pulled out of who, it's not only defunded who, it's not only failed to pay its past dues, but it's also abruptly withdrawn dozens of specialists who were seconded or loaned to who. And we're working side by side with them on a range of issues. But I wouldn't rush to put it at the feet of the US government, quite frankly. This is an area that is remote, that is insecure. It's an uncommon strain of Ebola. So the initial tests were negative. The specimens have a long way to travel. It's among the hardest places in the world to do public health work. But I do know that the recent changes are making it much harder for the world to mount the kind of robust response that we mounted a decade ago in the 2014-2016 outbreak. And that is even more needed now because we're really behind the eight ball.

[Alex Ritson]

Tom Frieden speaking to Tim Franks still

[Jamie Kumarasamy]

to come, local villagers and lighthouse keepers telling us about in the night these strange sounds that are rattling their window panes and their dog is hiding under the bed.

[Alex Ritson]

Can you explain an eerie humming noise from the ocean? All of that later in this podcast.

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[Alex Ritson]

This is the global news podcast. In Germany, the trial of pro Palestinian activists is sparking controversy. The five, including two British citizens, are part of Palestine Action. Germany. The UK has proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist group, but Germany has not. The trial of the so called ULM5 could set a precedent for the future where protesters are tried as being members of a criminal organization. The case has sparked a debate about how Germany Traditionally, a strong supporter of Israel is dealing with pro Palestinian protesters. Bethany Bell reports from Germany.

[Bethany Bell]

This video posted on social media shows the activists, known as the Ulm 5, breaking into the Israeli arms company Elbit Systems in Ulm in September. Germany finances Elbit System produces Israel bombs. THEY SHOUT the video shows them destroyers destroying equipment and spray painting the words baby Killers on the walls.

[Amy]

Free, Free Palestine.

[Alex Ritson]

Free, Free Palestine.

[Bethany Bell]

The group is accused of destroying around €1 million worth of property. Prosecutors have accused them of smashing screens, PCs and equipment. They've charged the group with trespassing and with membership of a criminal organization. The activists have also been charged with using symbols of Hamas, which is prescribed as a terrorist organization. In Germany, the prosecution and defence have clashed in court over the way the activists are being treated. Chaotic scenes on the first day of the trial with supporters cheering and shouting. When the activists entered the courtroom, they were handcuffed and put behind a glass wall. Two British citizens are among them, Crow Tricks and Hannah Hailu, known as Zo. The families say the state is trying to make an example of them. Crow's sister Kit told the BBC the charges against them are disproportionate and their treatment unacceptable.

[Kit]

They've not harmed anybody and there's not even a charge of threat of harm. Do you know what I mean? Like, this is a case of property damage and this is how they're being treated.

[Bethany Bell]

Zoe's mother, Nikki Robertson, says the Ulm 5 should be released on bail and given a fair trial.

[Nikki Robertson]

Zoe's got quite sore wrists and that's from being handcuffed, which I'm absolutely disgusted and outraged about. They shouldn't be in those handcuffs anyway. It's completely inappropriate to have brought them into court like that.

[Bethany Bell]

In a statement to the BBC, German prosecutors denied that the charges and treatment were disproportionate. They said they hadn't requested any special conditions of detention and the restrictions were standard under German law. The activists are now on trial in Stuttgart Stamheim, a high security prison. Their lawyers say it gives the impression their clients are dangerous individuals. In the uk, where there have been extensive protests by Palestine Action, it's prescribed as a terrorist group. In February, the High Court ruled that was unlawful. The government is appealing against the decision. Yasmine Kuder from Amnesty International Deutschland says in Germany, Palestine Action is not prescribed as a terrorist organization.

[Yasmine Kuder]

Independently of the ongoing proceedings in the uk, it is important to note that the original ban applied explicitly to Palestine Action UK and had no international usage. We are also deeply concerned by the repeated references in this case to the UK ban within the German proceedings.

[Bethany Bell]

This was former German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2008 in Israel. Germany's Never again doctrine, its special responsibility towards the state of Israel, has shaped its politics and society.

[Joel Krisetig]

Of course, I think these types of actions are very shocking to the German public. You know, property destruction on an Israeli firm.

[Bethany Bell]

Joel Krisetig, an analyst at Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, says Germany's different approach to such cases stems from historical sensitivities due to its role in the Nazi Holocaust. He also said that Germany has seen significantly fewer pro Palestinian protests than the uk.

[Joel Krisetig]

This case kind of, yeah, is the epitome of a harsh crackdown by German authorities on the Palestinian cause.

[Bethany Bell]

If found guilty, the activists face up to five years in prison.

[Alex Ritson]

Bethany Bell after an evening of riveting football drama, the English Premier League title race is over with Arsenal being crowned champions for the first time in 22 years. Years, as you'd expect. Our reporter Nestor McGregor, who's been outside the Emirates Stadium this evening, has met some very happy fans. Here's Louis and Amy.

[Louis]

We have played with passion, emotion. We played. We did. I feel like we honestly deserve this title the way we've been this season. You have scraped the wins. That's fine.

[Amy]

We're just so happy. We can't. Honestly, we can't be.

[Louis]

Now, Amy, I hope I'm not spoiling the news for everyone. You're pregnant. Your baby shower is the day of the parade. Louis, are you going to the parade? I'm going to go to the parade.

[Amy]

I'm going as well.

[Louis]

So the baby shower was cancelled.

[Amy]

Don't tell my mum.

[Alex Ritson]

Arsenal clinched the title thanks to Manchester City. Bournemouth ending in a one all draw, meaning City couldn't surpass the Gunners position. BBC Sports John Bennett has been following their way to the top of the table.

[John Bennett]

It has been nervy for them, but they've saved themselves some real nerves on Sunday because it was set to come down to a game against Crystal palace away from home. They would have been big favorites, but still, it would have been so nervy because they've had this reputation, haven't they, over the last few years of getting so close but yet so far. You think about 2023 when they were first in the title race under Michael Arteta and they finished second a year later, again finished second to Manchester City. A year later they finally finished above Manchester City, but again finished second to Liverpool. So to wrap it up with one game to spare, there will be huge relief for the Arsenal fans. Finally they can celebrate a Premier League title win for the first time since 2004.

[John]

Yeah, something that Mikel Arteta has as a manager waited an awfully long time for. How's it going to be remembered though?

[John Bennett]

Well, in terms of style of play, this Arsenal team have changed, haven't they? It's not the free flowing football that we've seen in the past from Mikel Arteta. It's been based on grit, on determination, on set pieces. But I don't think the Arsenal fans will care about the style. They just wanted the trophy. And I think they will be so proud of the team. But in particular the manager. When he took over, Arsenal were in disarray. Yes, he won the FA cup, but the culture of the club wasn't working. The connection between the fans and the players wasn't there. The quality on the pitch wasn't there. So this was a long process and Michael Arteta's motto was trust the process. The fans had to get behind this and understand what he was doing, like getting rid of a star player like Pierre Emerick Aubameyang because he didn't fit in with his culture. So finally this has paid off. Not only this Premier League title win, but remember they're also in the Champions League final as well. So they've got that to look forward to. This has already been a season to remember, but it could get even better. So the Arsenal fans are absolutely loving life right now after a number of disappointments over the last 22 years.

[John]

A disappointing end to the season for Manchester City, though they didn't manage to catch up. And it seems Pep Guardiola, who's given

[Alex Ritson]

us some very exciting football over the

[John]

years and he's seemingly on his way as head coach.

[John Bennett]

Yes, a disappointing end for him, although we have to remember they did win two domestic cup competitions. And he said last week, even before the English, English FA cup final, which, which they won on Saturday, he said that whatever happens in the title race, this will still have been a very successful season. And what a legacy Pep Guardiola will leave. Not just on Manchester City, but on English football. In terms of Manchester City, 17 major trophies since he took over. And in terms of English football, he has arguably changed the way that football is played in England. So many people have tried to copy his style of football, playing out from the back and almost the tick attacker style that he had. And he launched Barcelona. So an incredible legacy that he leaves. But yes, there will be that disappointment for, for him that he goes without winning one last Premier League title. A competition that he has dominated since arriving in England.

[Alex Ritson]

And some more football drama earlier in the day. John.

[John]

Southampton relegated and expelled from the championship playoffs over spying.

[John Bennett]

This is an astonishing story. So Southampton were in the English second tier playoff final, so they were thinking that they had a game to play 90 minutes away from the Premier League. They were playing Whole City with a chance to go up to be promoted into the Premier League. But they have been thrown out of that game. They won't play in that game. Instead, Middlesbrough will play Whole City in the playoff final. It's because of, to put it in simple terms, yeah, they've been accused of. Of spying. They illegally watched training sessions of three matches. Three opponents, including Middlesbrough, who they played in the playoff semi finals. So they've been found guilty of that. In fact, they've admitted to watching training sessions before three matches this season. So they won't be playing in that playoff final. It really is astonishing news. Expelled from what they call the richest game in English football. Because if you win that playoff final, you get to the Premier League and there is huge TV money that comes into your club. So a massive blow for Southampton.

[John]

Last question, John. Arsenal or PSG in the Champions League final?

[John Bennett]

Oh, it's a tough one. Paris Saint Germain will start as favorites because they won it last year. They have the experience, they have the quality. But there'll be less pressure on Arsenal now. Now that they have the Premier League title already in the trophy cabinet, there'll be less pressure on them. Some of you have been described it as a free hit. I wouldn't go that far. But Arsenal, on their day, with their strong defence, they have a real chance against Paris Saint Germain. Paris Saint Germain, just for me, would be slight favorites, but Arsenal have a chance.

[Alex Ritson]

John Bennett, finally, an eerie noise has been perplexing lighthouse keepers and fishermen for years. Now. Scientists at the SETI Institute in the US say they believe it's the sound of humpback whales perhaps clearing their airways or sneezing. And if you thought that actually sounded like something from an alien movie, you're not alone. Researchers have actually been looking at whale sounds to see if the animals, having evolved over millions of years, could tell us something about how other life forms communicate, including extraterrestrial ones. Jamie Kumarasamy asked Fred Sharp, the biologist who led the research in Alaska, first, how he even heard about this peculiar noise.

[Jamie Kumarasamy]

Some of the local villagers and lighthouse keepers coming to us and telling us about in the night, these strange sounds that are rattling their window panes and rattling teacups and Their dog is hiding under the bed. And can you explain they initially they associated those with the whales and so we have been doing more sort of remote shore based research and indeed there are, you know, when the whales come up to the surface to breathe, they're very large bodied, long deep dives and they have these explosive respirations, the classical there she blows. And within those, like all terrestrial mammals, there's lots of information about health and emotion that can be embedded in breath.

[Fred Sharp]

What is particular about these sounds?

[Jamie Kumarasamy]

Well, one that we're quite interested in is this very low frequency elephant like aerial rumble that we've been able to pick up essentially coming over the horizon at a distance of at least six or seven miles. And so that's very exciting. It doesn't appear in the scientific literature and we're asking, you know, what is the function? Is it, is this a whale to whale communication? Is it some sort of self soothing sound or is there some explanation yet that we're still trying to find out what causes it.

[Fred Sharp]

Is there something particular about the humpback?

[Jamie Kumarasamy]

Well, the humpbacks, yeah, they're baleen whales and they have in their blowhole, their forehead, they have one of these anatomical fat plugs that we believe are used to help prevent water incursion during the deep dive. But when they're up at the surface, these appear to be rattling around and may be put to other uses like clearing sinuses or communication.

[Fred Sharp]

And terms of why these sounds are particularly useful, is it because humans, not having realized before that these were whale sounds, can identify whales greater distances and prevent collisions with ships, that sort of thing?

[Jamie Kumarasamy]

Exactly. They have conservation applications for advising shippers and fishers. Also we consensus them and know that they're out there and also getting insight into their interior lives and correlating those with their underwater sounds. But and of course the SETI institute those for seeking life in the universe. They're very interested in these because they actually tell us a lot about human perceptual shortfalls. If these loud signals coming from animals are routinely heard by passive ocean users, yet have gone undocumented in the scientific literature. Whales that have independently evolved in the oceans, they have very diverse communication systems. And we can do better when we're seeking life in the cosmos by having as many understandings of diverse communication systems here on earth to help us build better search filters when we're peering into the cosmos.

[Alex Ritson]

Fred Sharp and that's all from us for now. If you want to get in touch, you can email us@globalpodcastbc co.uk. you can also find us on X at BBC World Service. Use the hashtag globalnewspod. And don't forget our sibling podcast, the Global Story, which goes in depth and beyond the headlines on one big story. This edition of the Global News Podcast was mixed by Louis Griffin. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Alex Ritson. Until next time. Goodbye.

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