Zelensky fires popular defence minister

Summary

Global News Podcast – Zelensky Fires Popular Defence Minister

Date: July 16, 2026
Host: Pete Ross, BBC World Service

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Overview

This episode of the Global News Podcast focuses on several major international developments, with the lead story covering Ukrainian President Zelensky's surprising dismissal of his popular defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov. Other key topics include rising tensions between the US and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, controversy over President Trump’s Justice Department nominee, global attitudes shifting toward China, Argentina’s dramatic World Cup victory, and new climate and biodiversity stories.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukraine’s Defence Minister Sacked

[01:15–05:56]

• President Volodymyr Zelensky unexpectedly removed Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's youngest and reform-minded defence minister, after just six months in office, despite Ukraine’s recent military momentum, particularly in drone warfare against Russia.
• BBC Monitoring’s Vitaly Shevchenko calls this “a very puzzling decision” given Fedorov’s acknowledged contributions and popularity.
  • Quote (Vitaly Shevchenko, 02:40):
    “It’s a very puzzling decision because just two days ago... Zelensky said that the Ukrainian Army’s position currently is the best ever. And this is to a huge extent thanks to Mykhailo Fedorov, a youthful digital minded reformer.”
• Rumors surround Fedorov’s ouster: clashing with senior military (Oleksandr Syrskyi), upsetting anti-corruption efforts, or spending too much. There’s widespread support for Fedorov and criticism of his replacement, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.
• Fedorov, in a “farewell message,” vows to “continue working as part of the mission to win” and hints, “to be continued.”
• Shevchenko notes public reaction in Ukraine has been one of “consternation” and “shock."
  • Quote (Vitaly Shevchenko, 05:42):
    "Nobody is quite certain why this is happening because people like Mykhailo Fedorov, they are popular, they've been seen as doing really, really well."

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2. US–Iran Escalations in the Strait of Hormuz

[05:56–09:43]

• The US conducted new strikes on Iran’s coastal defense systems; President Trump insists Iran wants a settlement.
  • Quote (Donald Trump, 06:18):
    “They want to settle so badly. They don’t like what we’re doing and they do want to settle. We’ll find out whether or not we settle with them or we just finish it off.”
• Iran’s lead negotiator, Mohamed Bagha Garabad, frames control of the Strait as a matter of “existential war” for national security. New choke points and rocket activity near Oman have further escalated the conflict.
• BBC's Sebastian Usher explains Iran is balancing negotiation and conflict, with hardliners pushing for escalation. Internal economic pressure is rising as oil prices go up and the US blockade is re-imposed.
  • Quote (Sebastian Usher, 07:55):
    “He essentially said that it would be a strategic error to separate negotiation from war. That essentially they go hand in hand.”
• Neither side appears eager for a ceasefire; the official deal is “completely finished.”

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3. US Politics: Justice Department Nominee Grilled

[09:43–13:11]

• President Trump’s pick for Attorney General, Todd Blanche (formerly his personal lawyer), faces a contentious Senate hearing. Questions focus on his independence and involvement with Trump’s pardons and the handling of high-profile cases (Epstein/Maxwell files).
• Blanche denies personal friendship or enmity with Trump, stating:
  • Quote (Todd Blanche, 10:19):
    “I’m his lawyer, was his lawyer, and now I’m the deputy Attorney General… I’m not sure there’s very many people who have ever had a criminal defense attorney who calls that person their friend.”
• Controversy over Blanche's earlier legal decisions, including an apology for unredacted names in released Epstein files.
• BBC’s Tom Bateman highlights Democratic accusations that Blanche would act as "protector-in-chief," using DOJ for retribution; a razor-thin confirmation vote is expected.

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4. Fiction’s Persistent Interest in Female Death and Threat

[13:11–16:07]

• Out of 10 best-selling UK paperbacks, nine feature female deaths; the trend isn’t new, but the “domestic noir” genre is currently booming.
• Crime writer Laura Wilson attributes the popularity partly to women being the main readers, and the paradox of home as both a place of safety and threat.
  • Quote (Laura Wilson, 13:54):
    “Home is the place where we should feel the most safe. And it’s a very good way to explore those anxieties around that.”
• Wilson also observes a shift from stories about “nameless victims” to more character-driven narratives exploring dangers and red flags.

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5. Argentina’s World Cup Comeback and Political Messaging

[18:35–22:51]

• Argentina advances to the World Cup final after a dramatic last-minute 2–1 win over England; fans in Buenos Aires erupt in celebration.
  • Quote (Argentine fan, 19:11):
    “This team represents the passion of all Argentines… a lot of love, a lot of happiness and a lot of celebration today.”
• BBC’s John Bennett describes the game as “a game of two halves,” with Argentina showing grit and “incredible character.” Lionel Messi (age 39) was heavily involved.
• The match was ill-tempered post-whistle and included Argentine players displaying a banner supporting the country’s claim over the Falkland Islands, a controversial moment.
• England’s manager Thomas Tuchel faces criticism for going “ultra-defensive” after taking the lead, repeating past failures.
  • Quote (John Bennett, 21:11):
    “Thomas Tuchel went so negative, ultra defensive… and yes, the criticism has already started."
• Spain will join Argentina in the final; Spain are favorites after an “astonishing performance.”

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6. Pew Survey: Global Attitudes Shifting Toward China

[22:51–24:56]

• Pew Research finds that for the first time, most surveyed countries now have a more favorable view of China than the US.
  • Quote (Tessa Wong, 23:14):
    “25 out of 36 countries surveyed… have actually a strong preference for China over the US, and that's the first time they've seen this flip.”
• While confidence in both leaders is low, Xi Jinping is ranked higher than President Trump.
• Negative perceptions of China persist in Asia-Pacific (e.g., Japan, South Korea, Australia), while positive ones are prevalent elsewhere, especially among less wealthy nations and longtime partners such as Pakistan.
• The polling period coincided with controversial US foreign policy decisions and instability.

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7. France Legalizes Assisted Dying

[24:56–26:32]

• France’s lower house votes to legalize assisted dying under strict conditions after 14 years of debate, as championed by President Macron.
• Criteria: incurable condition, unbearable and unrelievable pain, patient must be informed and able to consent; doctor must approve, and patient may opt out any time.
• Opponents argue the law could pressure vulnerable people, and it will be reviewed by the Constitutional Council.

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8. New Monkey Species Discovered in DRC

[26:32–27:42]

• Scientists confirm discovery of a new Colobus monkey species with orange lips in the Democratic Republic of Congo, based on genetic and bioacoustic evidence.
  • Quote (Victoria Gill, 26:56):
    “The team chose the Latin name Colobus conguensis in recognition of the natural diversity in DRC.”
• The discovery could provide greater protection for the species.

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9. Climate Lawsuit: Port of Rotterdam’s Green Transition

[27:42–31:55]

• Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port and industrial hub, faces a climate lawsuit demanding faster action to cut emissions by 90% by 2030.
• The port describes efforts (hydrogen, carbon capture, renewables), but NGOs are skeptical about genuine change.
  • Quote (Oscar van Veen, 28:45):
    “Sometimes we are just waiting till there is one magic solution that suddenly solves all the climate emissions. Well, I can promise you that won’t be there.”
  • Quote (Oscar van Veen, 30:41):
    “We want our port to be greener.”
• Challenges include international companies possibly relocating to avoid regulations; activists hope a court precedent will spur global change.

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Memorable Quotes

• Vitaly Shevchenko (on Fedorov’s dismissal, 02:40):
  “It’s a shot in the foot.”
• Donald Trump (on Iran, 06:18):
  “They want to settle so badly. They don’t like what we’re doing and they do want to settle.”
• Tom Bateman (on DOJ nominee, 13:11):
  “Another day of hearings to go, other witnesses to hear from, including survivors of Jeffrey Epstein. So still a lot of work for Todd Blanche.”
• Laura Wilson (on domestic noir, 13:54):
  “Home is the place where we should feel the most safe. And it’s a very good way to explore those anxieties around that.”
• John Bennett (on England's manager, 21:11):
  “That’s exactly why he will be getting so much criticism, because Gareth Southgate … did a fantastic job. But he was criticized because they took the lead … but went too defensive. Thomas Tuchel went so negative, ultra defensive with England 1 nil up in this game and arguably went too defensive too early.”
• Tessa Wong (on global views, 23:14):
  “For the first time … more positive views of China, lower confidence in the U.S.”
• Oscar van Veen (on port climate efforts, 28:45):
  “I can promise you that won’t be there [a magic solution].”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:15] – Main headlines and intro
• [01:57] – Ukraine: Defence Minister sacked (Vitaly Shevchenko analysis)
• [05:56] – US–Iran conflict, Strait of Hormuz (Sebastian Usher reports)
• [09:43] – DOJ confirmation hearing, US politics (Todd Blanche grilling)
• [13:11] – Fiction and crime genres: focus on women as victims (Laura Wilson)
• [18:35] – World Cup: Argentina vs England replay and reactions (John Bennett)
• [22:51] – Pew Survey: China vs US perceptions (Tessa Wong)
• [24:56] – France: Assisted dying bill (James Waterhouse)
• [26:32] – DRC: New monkey species discovered (Victoria Gill)
• [27:42] – Climate lawsuit: Port of Rotterdam (Anna Holligan)

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Episode Tone

Authoritative, balanced, and analytical, true to BBC’s global news style, with direct input from correspondents and analysts, and a focus on fact-based reporting and measured expert commentary.

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Transcript

[Podcast Advertiser]

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[Pete Ross]

This is the global news podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Pete Ross and in the early hours of Thursday 16th July, these are our main stories. Ukraine's President Zelensky has sacked his popular defense minister, triggering criticism and some incredulity at a time when Kyiv is taking drone warfare deep into Russia. Iran says it's in an existential struggle with the US and its security is dependent on controlling the Strait of Hormuz. Also in this podcast, Joy in Argentina.

[Podcast Advertiser]

I'm really happy. I'm thrilled. And it ended in victory because Argentina always turns the game around in the

[Pete Ross]

final minutes after the men's national football team defeat England 21 in the semi final of the World Cup. And scientists in the Democratic Republic of Congo say they've discovered a new species of monkey. Being the defence minister of a country at war is a difficult job, but Ukraine's Mykhailo Fedorov seemed to be doing well, leading the military's technology push and winning over the public with a startup inspired management style that flew in the face of the establishment. But after only six months in the role, and with Ukraine on the front foot against Russia, Mr. Fedorov is stepping down. BBC Monitoring's Vitaly Shevchenko told me why he'd been pushed out.

[Vitaly Shevchenko]

Very few people outside the corridors of power in Kyiv know exactly what happened. On the face of it, it's a very puzzling decision because just two days ago, Volodymyr Zelensky, the president, he said that The Ukrainian Army's position currently is the best ever. And this is to a huge extent thanks to Mykhailo Fedorov, a youthful digital minded reformer. At just 35, he was the youngest minister and he's done so much to bring Ukraine to the very edge of digital public services. And he was trying to do the same in the army. One of the things he's achieved, he's greatly increased the role of drones. And as everyone including the Russians will know, this is working rather well for the Ukrainians. There's been various leaks and reports and rumors including that his being so reform mind that he's upset too many apple carts by fighting corruption. Other people say that he has been in conflict with Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander in chief of the Ukrainian Army. Other people say that he's been spending too much money. But the fact is I've seen so many expressions of support for him in Ukraine and outside of Ukraine are saying, well, this is a huge mistake. It's a shot in the foot. And the person who is supposedly going to replace him, the current Interior Minister, IHOR Klymenko, he's got a completely different standing and his image is slightly stodgier.

[Pete Ross]

You've talked about the positive impact that he has had Fedorov on the Ukrainian war effort. What's likely to happen now he's leaving the post?

[Vitaly Shevchenko]

Well, in his farewell message on social media, he's saying that he is planning to continue working as part of what he calls the mission to win. And he says to be continued. On the one hand, six months, especially for the Defense Minister, is such a short time. On the other hand, President Zelenskyy will be keen to to show that he is doing something to continue reforms continue taking Ukraine into the future. But how long, how deep is Volodymyr Zelenskyy's substitution bench is a big question. He can't keep replacing key figures endlessly.

[Pete Ross]

And very briefly, how's this news actually gone down in Ukraine?

[Vitaly Shevchenko]

Consternation, shock. Nobody is quite certain why this is happen because people like Mikhailo Fedorov, they are popular, they've been seen as doing really, really well.

[Pete Ross]

Vitaly Shevchenko, the latest from the Strait of Hormuz now, as the US and Iran continue to wrestle for control there amid escalating strikes from both sides. The US military has announced that on Wednesday night it conducted yet more strikes against Iran's coastal defense system. And President Trump again insisted that Iran wanted to reach a settlement.

[Donald Trump]

The Islamic Republic of Iran is not happy right now, it should have been done 47 years ago. Should have been done at least during the 47 year period, and it wasn't. Other presidents didn't do what was right. They should have done it a long time ago. Would have been much easier. They want to settle so badly. They don't like what we're doing and they do want to settle. We'll find out whether or not we settle with them or we just finish it off.

[Pete Ross]

For its part, Iran's top negotiator has said his country's national security depends on maintaining control of the Strait of Hormuz. I got more from our Middle east analyst Sebastian Usher.

[Sebastian Usher]

What's become even clearer these last five days of escalating attacks is how far Iran is prepared to go to keep that control of the Strait of Hormuz. There's this other channel that's been opened up near Oman and it's essentially fired rockets, missiles to deter ships from going through that rather than the area next to Iran, the one that it has authorized, it approves. And that, of course, has triggered these much stronger attacks by the U.S. what we heard from Iran's chief negotiator, Mohamed Baga Garabad, he made it very clear that that is the matter of national security in terms of an existential war, as he described it, with the U.S. those arrangements, that control must be maintained. So that's where we stand. We already knew this, but every day is making that clearer. What we don't know, obviously, is where this will lead.

[Pete Ross]

And what about pressures from within Iran? They're making these proclamations as escalations day after day. But is there any pressure from anywhere for de escalation?

[Sebastian Usher]

I think what we got a sense of again from what this top negotiator, Mohamed Bagha Galabath was saying, he essentially said that it would be a strategic error to separate negotiation from war. That essentially they go hand in hand. And I think that's how they see it. But he has been seen, I think, more as one of those who is advocating for more negotiation. We know obviously there are hard liners for Revolutionary Guards who've taken an even stronger role within the regime. We know perhaps the supreme leader, the son of Ali Khamenei, he's threatened revenge. How personal that is, how far they're prepared beyond what Gallabath described as the realistic and long term goals and strategy of Iran. Is there also that element that they want revenge, that they want to take this as far as they can? And then you have to look at, you know, the Situation hasn't changed that much for Iran. It's ease. This short period of ceasefire has eased some of the economic pressure briefly on Iran because the blockade was lifted. That US Blockade is now back in place. So that pressure is building. And again, with the Strait of Hormuz now essentially being all but closed again, we've seen a dribble of ships now going through, oil prices rising. So that economic pressure is building on the US And President Trump. And both of those. What we've seen so far may be nothing compared to what in a month or so we'll see in terms of the pressure on both countries. That might be the moment when something will give. At the moment, they both seem capable of continuing what one of my colleagues described as sparring essentially rather than going back to all out war. The moment. Clearly neither side wants to admit that that's essentially what seems to be happening. But this is a very long way from any type of ceasefire. The deal memorandum of understanding now seems completely finished. So where do we go next?

[Pete Ross]

Sebastian Usher, Washington next. And Capitol Hill, where President Trump's choice to lead the Department of Justice, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was grilled at the start of a Senate confirmation hearing. Democrats as well as some Republicans sought to establish just how independent he. Bearing in mind that he used to be the President's lawyer, the Democratic Senator Dick Durbin told Mr. Blanche that Americans deserved someone who would fight corruption rather than satisfy the president's personal grievances. So Mr. Blanche was asked by Mr. Durbin, would he describe the president as a friend?

[Todd Blanche]

I'm his lawyer, was his lawyer, and now I'm the deputy Attorney general. So I met him as his criminal defense attorney. I'm not sure there's very many people who have ever had a criminal defense attorney who calls that person their friend. I now have a.

[Pete Ross]

Well, let me put it this way.

[Donald Trump]

Are you enemies?

[Todd Blanche]

No, we're not enemies at all. No.

[Pete Ross]

President Trump began his second term by pardoning those who'd been convicted of storming the capitol building. On January 6, 2021, Mr. Blanche was asked whether he thought that was the right thing to do.

[Todd Blanche]

The Constitution gives the President the full power to pardon anybody for any reason he wants. And so I don't question President Trump's authority or his decision to do so.

[Pete Ross]

We got more from our Washington correspondent, Tom Bateman.

[Tom Bateman]

One of the big issues that Democrats were pushing Tom Blanche on was the Epstein files, his role in the release of those, and also the fact that he had interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell, the accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein, who was jailed over her role. And after that interview with Todd, Blanche had been moved to a lower security facility. Now, Democrats were really unhappy about that. He said there was no wrongdoing whatsoever. But on the release of the files, he admitted some mistakes, particularly over the fact that the names of some survivors and victims had not been redacted in some files. He apologized for that. The other really big issue here is the critics of the administration and of Tom Blanche believe that his role as a former defense lawyer, a personal defense lawyer to President Trump, has now sort of mutated into this role, leading the justice system as President Trump's protector in chief and masterminding the use of the legal system for retribution to prosecute Mr. Trump's political enemies. Now, he completely denied all of that, but there was still a big push on that from Democrats, which is why many of them are going to clearly oppose and reject his confirmation. But the problem for Mr. Blanche is this is going to be a razor thin vote, it looks like, over his confirmation. So he has to get every Republican on board. There are at least two here, Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, who are skeptics, who don't, won't necessarily vote for him. And we're pushing him hard over the issue of President Trump's so called anti weaponization fund and his role in that legal settlement. Now, again, he said this was all by the book, although he tried to distance himself from the fund. It seems like one of those Republicans was convinced by his answers. But still, this is going to be clearly a very, very tight vote. Another day of hearings to go, other witnesses to hear from, including survivors of Jeffrey Epstein. So still a lot of work for top Blanche clearly to do to try and get this confirmation through the Senate.

[Pete Ross]

Tom Bateman. Out of the 10 best selling fiction paperbacks in the UK this week, nine of them involve the death of at least one female character. The genres range from crime and historical fiction to domestic noir, a sub genre of crime fiction where stories are set at home. This is hardly a new trend. From Daphne du Maurier's novel Rebecca to Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl, a murdered or endangered woman has become one of fiction' most commercially successful genres. So why does fiction keep returning to the same plot? And is it a problem? My colleague James Menendez asked Laura Wilson, a writer of thrillers and psychological crime novels for young adults.

[Laura Wilson]

No, I don't think it's a problem. I think the domestic noir, which is super popular at the moment, it goes back a long way, you know, earlier than Rebecca Wuthering Heights is a domestic noir, if you like. But I think one of the reasons that it's so popular at the moment is because it takes place in and around the home. And statistically, women are the biggest consumers of all fiction, and that's true of crime fiction. And there's this paradox there, which is that home is the place where we should feel the most safe. And it's a very good way to explore that, those anxieties around that.

[Podcast Advertiser]

Yeah, we should make clear that actually, you know, it's not men buying these books about women being murdered or endangered for some prurient reason. I mean, women are buying these books in huge numbers.

[Laura Wilson]

Yes, they make up the majority of sales. But I think that the needle has sort of shifted on this a bit from the time when you got the heroic male detective who was investigating the murder of a woman, which would take place in the first pages. And all we ever knew about this poor woman was that maybe her name and that she was a blonde, a redhead or a brunette, as if those things were personality types and it was just really an excuse for the man to be terrifically heroic. Now I think there's much more thought behind it and it's much more a way for readers to explore these dark emotions and also maybe to understand a bit more about threats and red flags.

[Podcast Advertiser]

And when you're writing, I mean, are these questions going through your mind?

[Laura Wilson]

Yes, constantly. You mentioned earlier about sort of being prurient or unnecessarily sensational, and I think it's very important to steer away from that. But the fact is that crime fiction is one of the best ways of exploring social issues in any kind of fiction. And it is reflecting reality that while men who are murdered will very often get murdered by a stranger, women are often murdered by people who should absolutely be the ones who love and cherish them. So there's this sort of terrifying contradiction at the heart of it.

[Pete Ross]

Laura Wilson still to come in this podcast, a crucial vote in France. As lawmakers approve a landmark assisted dyeing bill.

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[Pete Ross]

This is the global news podcast. Argentina, the defending World cup champions, are in the final again after defeating England 2 1. Football fans and Buenos Aires, many wearing messy shirts, erupted into cheers as a last minute goal cemented the win. Streaks in the Argentine capital which were pressed practically empty while the semi final was being played quickly filled with thousands of supporters keen to celebrate their team's victory once the match had come to an end.

[Podcast Advertiser]

I'm really happy. I'm thrilled. It was an extraordinary, blessed team and it ended in victory because Argentina always turns the game around in the final minutes. Let's go. This team represents represents the passion of all Argentines along with the unity our country stands for. There's a lot of love, a lot of happiness and a lot of celebration today.

[Pete Ross]

The match itself was a tense and ill tempered affair with pushing and shoving after the final whistle between some players from both sides and in a controversial moment, a number of Argentina players celebrated their win on the pitch with a banner in support of their country's claims to the British Falkland Islands. Our sports correspondent John Bennett told It was a game of two halves, an

[John Bennett]

incredible comeback by Argentina yet again. Remember, this is a team that was 2 nil down earlier in the tournament in the knockout stages against Egypt and managed to win 32 this time, 1 nil down, managed to win 2 1. Enzo Fernandez with the equalizer with 5 minutes to go. And then in injury time, Lautaro Martinez with the header across from Lionel Messi, by the way, who is having an incredible tournament at the age of of 39. But this Argentina side, they have the quality, but they also have the will to win. They have amazing character and they have the know how when it comes to these fine margins. They're back in the World cup final and they thoroughly deserve it because it was an incredible response to going 1 nil down after they conceded that goal from Anthony Gordon. He gave England the lead. It was all Argentina, complete domination. And a deserved win in the end.

[Pete Ross]

A deserved win for Argentina and celebrations for them. But for England, obviously on the other side of that, some disappointment. What about the manager, Thomas Tuco? Is he going to be getting some criticism following this game? He was brought in specifically to kind of take England that extra mile, wasn't he? And he's failed to do that.

[John Bennett]

You've hit the nail on the head there, Pete. That's exactly why he will be getting so much criticism, because Gareth Southgate was the previous manager and on paper did a fantastic job. But he was criticized because they took the lead in games but went too defensive. That that was the case in the 2018 World cup semi final. That was the case in the Euros final in 2021. 1 nil up in both games and they ended up losing because they were too negative. Thomas Tuchel went so negative, ultra defensive with England 1 nil up in this game and arguably went too defensive too early. And yes, the criticism has already started from experts, from pundits and the media as to Thomas Tuchel's approach because he was brought in to not be negative to get the better of these fine margins. But yet again, England have fallen short.

[Pete Ross]

England have fallen short, but Argentina making it to the final. They'll be joined by Spain, who booked their place in the final on Sunday yesterday. What a game that's going to be.

[John Bennett]

Yeah, a clash of styles as well, because on the one hand you've got Spain, who as a collective unit have been the best team by far at this World Cup. It was an astonishing performance against a brilliant France side in the first semi final. They completely smothered France. Hardly gave them an opportunity. And now you've got Argentina, who are a brilliant team for different reasons. They have that amazing individual in Lionel Messi and they also have that will to win that character. So a fascinating final I think I would make Spain favorites because of the way they performed in their semi final. But how can you ever write off Argentina when they keep coming up with these incredible comebacks?

[Pete Ross]

John Bennett A new international survey suggests that global perceptions of China are becoming more positive while those of the US Are deteriorating. The study by the Pew Research center also says that more people have greater confidence in China's leader Xi Jinping than the American president, Donald Trump. The BBC's Tessa Wong has been reading the survey.

[Tessa Wong]

25 out of 36 countries surveyed this year that Pew has found they have actually a strong preference for China over the US and that's the first time they've seen this flip. They've also found that when they asked people in many countries what they thought of Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, they found that while most people had low confidence levels in those two leaders, people actually favored Xi a bit more than Trump. So we've got a picture now that shows us, you know, there's low confidence in Trump, worsening views of the US and higher confidence in sea and much more positive views of China. And one analyst I spoke to said this reflects how on edge people are feeling around the world about the volatility of US Foreign policy. So let's bear in mind that this poll was conducted just weeks after Trump's rhetoric about annexing Greenland. The US captured the Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and the US War on Iran that began during the polling period. So that no doubt was on people's minds. And, you know, throughout this time, China has sought to portray itself as a rational actor, a predictable superpower. It's invested a lot in the so called global South. It's invested in technological advancements that have made a real impact across the world, such as electric vehicles and AI. It's quite interesting to see that the most positive views of China, which came from Pakistan, and the most negative views about China, which came from Japan, they're both in Asia Pacific. Other countries, countries that also had quite negative views of China still tend to also be in this region. That's South Korea, Australia and the Philippines. And actually the survey found a pattern across the world. The wealthier the country is, the more negative the view is of China. Still. The one exception is Singapore because it's got a high GDP and also a very positive view of China.

[Pete Ross]

Tessa Wong France has voted to legalize assisted dying for some adults with serious or fatal illnesses. The lower house of the country's parliament passed a bill on Wednesday that has been championed by President Macron since he was elected. For his second term in office. However, opponents claim assisted dying is open to abuse. The bill will have to be examined by the powerful Constitutional Council. Our Paris correspondent, James Waterhouse sent this report.

[James Waterhouse]

Today's vote has been described the culmination of a struggle after 14 years of parliamentary battles. The law will give an adult the right to an assisted death under strict conditions. They would have to have an incurable condition and be suffering from physical pain. The individual must consider that pain unbearable and it must be unresponsive to treatment. They must also be able to express themselves in a free and informed way. A doctor will be responsible for their eligibility and the person can pull out at any point. If those conditions are met. The patient would take a lethal substance themselves or have help if they're physically unable to do so. Under the direction of the Prime Minister, Sebastian Lecornau, the legislation will now be examined by France's powerful Constitutional Council. And opponents say they won't give up, with some arguing the law indirectly discriminates against disabled or vulnerable people who might feel pressured to take their lives in order to not be a burden.

[Pete Ross]

James Waterhouse Researchers working in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo say they've discovered a new species of monkey that has orange coloured lips. It was first photographed back in 2008, but in a paper in the journal PLOS One, scientists have confirmed that it's a genetically distinct species. Here's our science correspondent, Victoria Gill.

[Victoria Gill]

This search started with one blurry photograph of an unusual looking Monkey taken nearly 20 years ago. That led scientists to set out with cameras, microphones and genetic tests that have now confirmed that this primate with black fur and pinkish orange lips, is a distinct species. It belongs to the wider group of Colobus monkeys, plant eating primates that don't have thumbs and that live high in the tree canopy. Its bright facial colouring could be a visual signal, perhaps to help attract a mate. The monkeys also have a unique call to announce their presence in dense forest. The team chose the Latin name Colobus conguensis in recognition of the natural diversity in drc. They hope that now the animals are officially a new species, they can be formally protected.

[Pete Ross]

Victoria Gill. The Port of Rotterdam is Europe's largest freight hub. Built on land reclaimed from the North Sea and long powered by fossil fuels, the port hosts some of Europe's biggest oil chemicals and container terminals. But it now presents itself as an example for green ports, with a climate plan that promises to slash its energy emissions by 90% by 2030. But the sprawling industrial hub faces A new climate lawsuit that questions whether a port of this scale can ever truly turn green. Here's our Netherlands correspondent, Anna Holligan.

[Mark Van Dyke]

The port of Rotterdam has a problem.

[Oscar van Veen]

Our current emissions are 29 million tons of CO2, the equivalent of 60,000 flights return flights from Amsterdam to Los Angeles.

[Mark Van Dyke]

Yeah, we're driving through the vast industrial site with Mark Van Dyke, head of external relations, the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

[Pete Ross]

It's not very good.

[Oscar van Veen]

Sometimes we are just waiting till there is one magic solution that suddenly solves all the climate emissions. Well, I can promise you that won't be there.

[Mark Van Dyke]

Standing on the edge of a grassy verge, the horizon's dominated by cranes, bulk carriers and container stacks. The visible parts of a vast energy and chemicals hub. Just step down a little bit because we don't need to be in this sheltering from the wind. Director of the environmental group Advocates for the Future, Michael van Dersen.

[Pete Ross]

We are not asking to shut down the port immediately. This is a really big industry. We are still as a society very dependent on it.

[Mark Van Dyke]

But he's launched a lawsuit to compel the port to reach its own climate targets faster. Among other things, the port is developing a hydrogen hub in the investing in ON and offshore power. And there's also an effort to mitigate CO2 emissions with carbon capture and storage. So do you think those innovations that they're working on will have any real impact?

[Pete Ross]

To be honest, no.

[Mark Van Dyke]

We've just boarded a gleaming white yacht. Have to get my sea legs back on.

[Oscar van Veen]

Hi, you're on the boat of of the Port of Rotterdam.

[Mark Van Dyke]

Oscar van Veen is the port's director of Innovation.

[Oscar van Veen]

We try to work together with the polluters and slowly phase them out as fast as possible.

[Mark Van Dyke]

Of course it's such a challenge when the core business is so fossil fuel intensive.

[Oscar van Veen]

We say we rather have it gray here than black elsewhere. So fine enough ways to phase it out and face the new energy carriers in.

[Mark Van Dyke]

What do you think will make the biggest difference?

[Oscar van Veen]

As Europe, we have to create a level of playing field. We want our port to be greener.

[Mark Van Dyke]

Do you see innovations being capable of getting to the point where the people who are working in the fossil fuel industry now will have been redeployed into something that's cleaner and greener.

[Oscar van Veen]

Absolutely. There are still be factories, only coals anymore, but it will be hydrogen. Also with the digital transition, with every new technology, people were afraid of their jobs, but that it resulted in more jobs, only different, for instance also AI it can help us do our job better.

[Mark Van Dyke]

But many of the biggest emitters in this port answer to headquarters in the US Or China. If the rules in Rotterdam become too tight, they can simply move. And a contrast in legislation sharpens Rotterdam's concern. And the activists resolve.

[Pete Ross]

If we can get a court to say you really need to do something against climate change, that can set a precedent not only for the Netherlands, but for the world as a whole, the

[Mark Van Dyke]

port insists they are heading in the same direction. The disagreement is over Hai Fi and how radically to change Anna Hooligan.

[Pete Ross]

And that's all from us for now. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at the globalpodcastbc.co.uk. you can also find us on X at BBC World Service. Use the hashtag globalnewspod. And don't forget our sister 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 Daniel Fox, and the producers were Alison Davis and Charles Sanctuary. The editor is Keren Martin. I'm Pete Ross. Until next time. Goodbye.

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