US and Iran trade blows as Khamenei is buried

Summary

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Global News Podcast – July 10, 2026

Episode Title: US and Iran trade blows as Khamenei is buried
Host: Nick Miles (BBC World Service)

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Episode Overview

This episode covers a tumultuous day in international affairs, focusing on escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran as Iran buries its late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was recently killed in US-Israeli strikes. The show features ground reports from Iran, expert analysis on the ceasefire's fragility, updates from Gaza, post-earthquake conditions in Venezuela, a crackdown on romance scams in West Africa, and highlights from the ongoing Football World Cup.

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Main Segments & Key Takeaways

1. US-Iran Escalation Amid Khamenei’s Burial

[01:00-07:00]

• Khamenei’s Funeral:

  • Ayatollah Ali Khamenei laid to rest in Mashad after six days of nationwide mourning.
  • Mourners, officials, and state media openly defiant toward the US.
  • Iranian state media report fresh US strikes on naval facilities and military HQs; Tehran claims retaliation against US bases in nearby Gulf states.

• Public Anxiety in Iran:

  • Iranian voices express exhaustion and fear of renewed war:

    "If war breaks out again, God forbid, what will be targeted this time? People are exhausted… One day there is a ceasefire and the next it's violated." – Iranian citizen [03:03]

• Expert Analysis (Liz Doucet):

  • Underlines ambiguity and misunderstandings in the recent US-Iran ceasefire memorandum:

    "It has been leading to misunderstandings ever since it was signed." – Liz Doucet [03:24]

  • New Iranian leaders are less risk-averse, feeling emboldened post-Khamenei:

    "These new leaders...no longer fear [direct confrontation]." [04:17]

  • Ceasefire in the Middle East increasingly means "lesser fire," not true peace:

    "The UN Secretary General...says a ceasefire in this region now just means, means lesser fire." [04:54]

  • Economic hardship is severe, inflation at 80%, millions of jobs lost. Hardliners now unwilling to negotiate after Khamenei’s death:

    "For all the bravado...they have also suffered extraordinarily in terms of economic and financial losses." [05:46]
    "We don't want this deal with the US—how can you negotiate with a country which has killed our Supreme Leader?" [06:51]

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2. Venezuela Earthquake Aftermath

[07:00–09:45]

• Impact Update (Mimi Swabi):

  • Death toll hits 3,800 and expected to rise; 17 million tons of rubble hamper rescues.
  • Volunteers, not officials, now lead recovery efforts.
  • Social housing complexes' construction is widely condemned.

• Health Crisis:

  • 18,000 homeless, overcrowded camps, rampant risk of disease.
  • Pan American Health Organization warns greatest risk is collapsing healthcare system and poor sanitation.

    "Overcrowding in these camps and a lack of clean drinking water and sanitation. So people who have had their homes completely destroyed are now facing a new crisis…" [08:42]

  • Small glimpses of hope: clowns, salon volunteers trying to restore dignity and normality.

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3. Gaza: Farming Amid Food Insecurity

[09:45–13:53]

• Agricultural Landscape Post-War (Theo White):

  • Only 4% of Gaza's farmland remained intact after the 2024 war; Israeli forces occupy much of the land.
  • Most Gazans rely on aid or expensive, limited markets.

• Seed Bank Initiative:

  • Salama Mohanna and daughter Hanadi run a seed bank to help farmers achieve local food security.

    "We even introduced farmers to heirloom seeds. Local seeds can withstand the drought, pest and harsh weather conditions." – Salama Mohanna [11:11]

  • Destroyed in war, the bank now operates from a tent.
  • Farmer Yousef Alastal lists crops grown and highlights struggle for self-sufficiency.

• Ongoing Challenges:

  • Lack of space, exhausted soil, shortage of farming inputs (seeds, fertilizer).

    "The soil that is available has been reused again and again. The soil itself is exhausted, as are the farmers." [13:19]

  • State and international assistance seen as inadequate.

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4. World Cup Quarterfinals Update

[13:53–17:44 & 25:54–29:06]

• France vs Morocco:

  • France beats Morocco 2-0, progressing to semi-finals.
  • Mixed feelings among Moroccan fans – pride in the team, but disappointment at repeated elimination by France.

    "We had a dream and unfortunately France always stops our dream for some reason." – Moroccan fan [14:41]

• Analysis (Joe Lynskey):

  • France’s forward strength praised; African teams show potential but often fall short in knockout rounds.

    "So much promise, so much potential. The Senegal team...they somehow found a way to lose that game and there have just been too many unfortunate moments..." – Joe Lynskey [16:36]

  • Preview: Spain vs Belgium, with Spain’s defensive strength noted.

• Norwegian "Rowing" Trend:

  • Norway’s team and supporters adopt a Viking-inspired rowing celebration, uniting fans and players.

    "I've never seen Norwegians act the way they are acting like right now. So I think it's that 28 year wait. People are just having a blast..." – Ole Frohlstadt, Norwegian superfan [28:07]

  • The tradition has caught on with royal family, military, even parliament members.

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5. Ukraine Conscription Confrontation

[20:08–21:51]

• Update (Paul Moss):
  • Rise in resistance and violence against military conscription teams in Lviv.
  • Explanations: war-weariness, high casualties, exhaustion of volunteers.
  • 100+ confrontations this year.
  • Fears such incidents may fuel anti-Ukraine propaganda.

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6. Ghanaian Influencer Extradited for Romance Scam

[21:51–24:12]

• Case Details (Thomas Nardi):
  • Frederick Kumi aka "Abu Trika" extradited to US on charges of defrauding elderly Americans using AI-created fake identities, potentially facing 20 years if convicted.

    "He used AI tools to create fake online identities, targeting specifically elderly Americans." – Thomas Nardi [22:49]

  • Part of broader US crackdown on West African romance and inheritance scams.
  • Recent similar convictions, crackdowns ongoing.

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7. Florida Airport Renamed for President Trump

[24:12–25:54]

• Report (Elektra Naismith):

  • Palm Beach International renamed President Donald J. Trump International.

  • Cost: $5.5 million for renaming and signage.

  • Trump’s wider effort to imprint his name on institutions.

  • Mixed reactions from travelers; some proud, some disapproving.

    "President Trump has pursued an ambitious renaming program in his own honor since taking office for his second term." – Elektra Naismith [25:18]
    "DJT is where greatness takes off." – New airport slogan [25:50]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On US-Iran Ceasefire:

  "A ceasefire in this region now just means, means lesser fire." – Liz Doucet [04:54]

• On Gazan Resilience:

  "The soil itself is exhausted, as are the farmers." – Red Cross spokesman [13:19]

• On Norwegian Football Tradition:

  "I've never seen Norwegians act the way they are acting like right now. So I think it's that 28 year wait. People are just having a blast..." – Ole Frohlstadt [28:07]

• On Romance Scams:

  "He used AI tools to create fake online identities, targeting specifically elderly Americans." – Thomas Nardi [22:49]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:00–07:00 — Iran/US escalation, Khamenei funeral, analysis
• 07:00–09:45 — Venezuela earthquake aftermath, health crisis
• 09:45–13:53 — Gaza food insecurity, seed bank initiative
• 13:53–17:44 — France beat Morocco, World Cup analysis
• 20:08–21:51 — Ukraine conscription resistance
• 21:51–24:12 — Ghanaian romance scam, extradition
• 24:12–25:54 — Florida airport renamed for Trump
• 25:54–29:06 — Norway’s "row" football tradition

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Tone & Style

• Language: Clear, factual, measured, and compassionate; includes direct testimonials and expert commentary.
• Approach: Mix of in-depth analysis, human stories, and practical updates; maintains global perspective with sensitivity to the impact of conflict and hardship.

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Summary for New Listeners

This episode delivers an up-to-the-minute picture of deepening US-Iran hostilities following the burial of Iran’s Supreme Leader, weighs the meaning of “ceasefire” in the region, and illustrates the personal toll through the voices of Iranians. Gaza’s battle with food insecurity is brought to life via farmers stubbornly tending exhausted fields. Venezuela grapples with life after disaster, while the World Cup forges unity and heartbreak from Paris to Oslo. Tying the global news thread: scams, shifting political symbols, and growing disillusion in Eastern Europe’s war zones.

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Transcript

[Nick Miles]

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[Nick Miles]

this is the global news podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Nick Miles and in the early hours of Friday 10th July, these are our main stories. Iran's late Supreme Leader is buried as both Tehran and the US continue to breach their ceasefire agreement. We hear from people in Iran about concerns of a return to all out war.

[Various Interviewees and Public]

Also the soil that is available has been reused again and again. The soil itself is exhausted as are the farmers. No seeds, no fertiliser.

[Nick Miles]

We have a special report on the huge challenges Gazans face to farm their way out of chronic food insecurity. And after the deadly quakes in Venezuela, the silent killer fears of disease spreading in the camps for the displaced. Also in this podcast, the Ghanaian man extradited to the US for allegedly running a romance scam and France becomes the first nation through to the semi finals of the football World Cup. We begin in the Iranian city of Mashad where the former Supreme Leader has been laid to rest after a six day funeral procession. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US Israeli strikes at the start of the war. His funeral was marked by open shows of defiance towards Washington by some mourners and many officials as he was laid to rest. Iranian state media reported that the US had targeted naval facilities in Koranak and a military headquarters in Bushehr where one of the country's nuclear plants is located. For its part, Tehran has attacked what it said were US military facilities in neighboring Gulf countries. This Iranian man sent the BBC a voice note,

[Various Interviewees and Public]

if war breaks out again, God forbid what will be targeted this time. People are exhausted by this situation. One day There is a ceasefire and the next it's violated.

[Nick Miles]

Our chief correspondent Liz Doucet has just returned from Tehran. I asked her what she made of the latest violence. Despite the US Iran ceasefire technically still

[Liz Doucet]

being in place, this is yet another reminder one was needed about some of the difficulties in the deal signed last month between the United States and Iran. It was called a memorandum of understanding, 14 points. And it has been leading to misunderstandings ever since it was signed. Take the Strait of Hormuz, Iran reads, and it can find in the text that it has been given some sway over this strategic waterway. When it saw oil tankers moving through the strait closer to the coast of Oman, on a route not decided by Iran, it attacked the oil tankers. That led the United States to accuse Iran of violating the memorandum. Because it says that under the terms of the deal, and it does say it, that there will be a return to the free flow of maritime traffic. In other words, back to the status quo. And Iran has made it clear that if the United States strikes, it will strike back. And this is a measure of how Iran's new leaders who survive the weeks of war, have been emboldened. They are less cautious than the 86 year old Ayatollah Khamenei who most of his life his main goal was to avoid direct confrontation with the United States. These new leaders, having survived it, no longer fear it.

[Nick Miles]

And at what point do these breaches in the ceasefire lead to a total breakdown of it?

[Liz Doucet]

I think we're seeing a redefinition of a ceasefire. President Trump has said, well, a ceasefire in the Middle east is different than elsewhere in the world. The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says that a ceasefire in this region now just means, means lesser fire. Look at what happened to the Gaza deal. Last October, President Trump announced with great fanfare it was the biggest deal in peace in the Middle east in 3,000 years. It was a breakthrough that he brokered, but it was basically the first phase of a ceasefire deal. And since then there's really been no ceasefire. It's not all at war, but it's certainly not a calm in the same way that now President Trump hailed this agreement. It's an important agreement, but it will continue to be not all out war and not permanent peace.

[Nick Miles]

You talked about the new leaders in Tehran being emboldened. But if, as a lot of US hawks on Iran want, America reimposes a blockade. It's one thing having political capital in Tehran, quite another having the economic rug pull from under you.

[Liz Doucet]

For all the bravado of Iran's regime, they have suffered significant military losses. I mean, that's what happens when you go to war against the mighty American army backed up by Israel. But it does not feel it has been defeated. It is still able to wage war to hit back. It still has ballistic missiles and it still has drones. But it has also suffered extraordinarily in terms of economic and financial losses. I was stunned when I went to Iran. Not the most recent trip I've just returned from which focused on the funeral, the trip before that where inflation was a staggering 80%, millions of jobs have been lost and Iranians are really struggling. And Iran leaders know that if they don't want to face unrest among their population again. And for the government to make ends meet, it has to continue negotiating with the United States because if it doesn't negotiate on its nuclear program, it's not going to see a lifting of sanctions, it's not going to see the unfreezing of its assets. And yet what we hear from the hardliners within the ruling system, they're now saying, we don't want this deal with the US how can you negotiate with a country which has killed our supreme Leader, Lise Doucet.

[Nick Miles]

Two weeks on from the two powerful earthquakes that hit northern Venezuela, tens of thousands of people are still living in makeshift camps in parks and public squares. More than 3,000 people died as the buildings came down, but now their health officials say many more could still be at risk because of a disease spread and a lack of drinking water. Our global affairs reporter Mimi Swabi told Janat Jalil. More about what's happening.

[Mimi Swabi]

The latest, according to the interim authorities, is that 3,800 people have been confirmed as killed. But that figure is thought to rise over the coming weeks as many bodies are being pulled out of the rubble. Now, since international rescue teams have largely left rescuing many people, we saw some absolutely miraculous rescues. Nine days, 11 days after these twin quakes hit northern parts of Venezuela, particularly in La Guayra, the Huerta area, the majority of going from rescue to recovery efforts are now being done by volunteers and relatives of family members still very much determined to find their loved ones and extract them from the rubble. Bear in mind, there's about 17 million tons of rubble in the affected area. So huge amounts of devastation with largely little equipment. So these huge social housing complexes are a focus now for many people. There's a lot of anger at the governments, first of all, for their rescue efforts. But now looking and saying actually these housing complexes were not adequately built. They didn't meet safety standards, but very much the efforts at the moment are still on recovering those who are missing. There are tens of thousands of people still missing.

[Joe Lynskey]

Meanwhile, a bit of a health crisis for the many, many people who are displaced.

[Mimi Swabi]

Yeah, There are nearly 18,000 people who are completely homeless, according to the government, but thousands who are displaced. These people have made up kind of makeshift camps. But these camps make diseases and infections very easily transmitted. So that is now a huge concern. And the Pan American Health Organization has come out and said the greatest risk right now for individuals, those who are displaced, those who are vulnerable from the earthquake are the health care system being in disarray. It was a terrible state before these earthquakes hit. And now overcrowding in these camps and a lack of clean drinking water and sanitation. So people who have had their homes completely destroyed are now facing a new crisis in these camps as well. There has been moments of joy. There have been clowns coming in to entertain children and volunteers from beauty salons, for example, going in and giving women pedicures, manicures, doing their hair, trying to kind of give some dignity to people living in these camps, but also a sense of normality. And there have been some beautiful moments of people coming together in these really awful times.

[Nick Miles]

Mimi Swaby when the Donald Trump backed Gaza peace plan came into effect Last October, the UN reported that 4% of Gaza's pre war farmland remained both accessible and undamaged. Eight months on, Israeli forces continue to occupy much of the territory's agricultural land, leaving most Gazans dependent on aid or often unaffordable food markets, with access to fresh fruit and vegetables still limited. The BBC's Theo White reports on one seed bank in central Gaza that's helping locals take control of their own food security.

[Theo White]

Two years of war has not only devastated Gaza's infrastructure, its buildings and roads, but also its ability to feed itself. The food supply is unreliable, prices are high, and even for those who can afford it, there's little choice in what to eat.

[Various Interviewees and Public]

We first started thinking about this project in 2013.

[Liz Doucet]

In 2017, it officially began operating and

[Various Interviewees and Public]

we started distributing seeds to farmers.

[Theo White]

This is Salama Mohanna. In response to the difficulties facing Gaza's food supply, he started a seed bank with his daughter Hanadi, funded by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Salama gives the seeds out to farmers and they return the same number after the harvest. That way, the model keeps working year on year.

[Various Interviewees and Public]

We even introduced farmers to heirloom seeds. Local seeds can withstand the drought, pest and harsh weather conditions.

[Theo White]

His goal is to give farmers what they need to produce a variety of produce locally. When Israeli forces advanced into Gaza in 2024, Salama and Hanadi's home was destroyed along with the original seed bank. Now, from a tent, they have started again. Shelves of seeds line the white tarpaulin walls. Each variety is held in a small container. The war, Hanadi says, has made their project even more important.

[Various Interviewees and Public]

The war pushed most residents of the Gaza Strip toward agriculture, whether farming next

[Ole Frohlstadt]

to tents, in home gardens or in rooftops.

[Various Interviewees and Public]

For those who were not displaced, this was due to the high prices of vegetables in the market and their scarcity.

[Theo White]

Yousef Alastal is one of the farmers working with the seed bank. He stood in blazing sunshine in a golden field of his own barley, but says he grows much more than this

[Various Interviewees and Public]

Right now. I have planted local arugula, parsley. I have planted two types of cow, peas, two types of okra, watermelon, molhi, pumpkin, corn and sunflower.

[Theo White]

Yusuf says he's dedicated a large part of his life to making Gaza more self sufficient.

[Various Interviewees and Public]

The Gaza Strip is besieged and completely closed. Some seeds were close to extinction and some have already disappeared. So we try to preserve them. We achieve self sufficiency.

[Theo White]

But this project accounts for only a tiny fraction of Gaza's food needs. The UK was among a number of countries last month to describe the aid coming into Gaza as insufficient, both in terms of quality and quantity. The Israeli authorities responsible for bringing aid into Gaza told us that, going by UN guidelines, they'd allowed four times the food needed into the territory since a ceasefire with Hamas was struck last year. The International Committee of the Red Cross says the situation isn't good enough. Foreign journalists aren't allowed into Gaza, so I talked to their spokesman in the territory.

[Various Interviewees and Public]

Remotely farming in Gaza, there is very little space. The soil that is available has been reused again and again. The soil itself is exhausted, as are the farmers. And then on top of that, you have the restrictions and what is able to be brought in to support agriculture in Gaza itself. No seeds, no fertilizer, no nursery soil to support new seeds.

[Theo White]

Despite these challenges, Hanadi and Salama's seeds are taking root across Gaza. Farmers in the territory, for now, have options.

[Nick Miles]

Theo White with that report. Now let's bring you up to date with the World Cup. Four years ago, France and Morocco met at the semi final stage, with France going through 2 nil. On Thursday, they met again in the first of the competition's quarterfinals. And sadly for Morocco, it was the same scoreline. And that means France are through to the semi finals. Once again, French fans in Paris took to the streets to celebrate. Up and down and around the Champs Elysees they went. For Moroccan fans at a watching party in Boston. There was a mixture of pride and sadness.

[Various Interviewees and Public]

So, so proud of Moroccan. They really played very good. They did all their best.

[Mimi Swabi]

They were amazing.

[Various Interviewees and Public]

Oh, we feel upset. I'm just like any other Moroccan fan. We had a dream and unfortunately France always stops our dream for some reason.

[Joe Lynskey]

But we're always gonna keep dreaming.

[Nick Miles]

I asked our football correspondent, Joe Lynskey if he thought the match was a bit one sided.

[Joe Lynskey]

Morocco had got past the Netherlands. They'd drawn with Brazil as well in the group stage. They had looked a spirited force in this tournament. And of course they reached the semi finals at the last World cup four years ago. They were the last African team standing of the nine that made it through to the knockouts. But yes, as you say, France made them look ordinary. But they are certainly not. The first team at this World cup to have suffered that fate are Morocco. Because France with those two goals in the second half, the first from Kylian Mbappe, bringing him back level with Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot standings. And Ousmane Dembele, the Ballon d' or holder with the second goal for the French. And those two players really demonstrate the wealth of riches that France have, particularly in those forward positions.

[Nick Miles]

Joe, you mentioned that they were the last of the African nations to go out. Nine African teams got through, as you said, to the knockout stages. What were, what was it that impressed you about the African contingent this time around?

[Joe Lynskey]

Well, we had a mix really of some of the more established nations. Ivory coast actually made it through to the knockouts for the first time. You think back in their history and some of the wonderful players they've had in the past, like Didier Drogba, Kolo and Yaya Toure. It was actually this crop of players that made history for them and fortunately it landed them in the path of Norway. But Yeah, we've had Dr. Congo as well who met England. I think what's been unfortunate for the African sides is many of them kind of ended with a good bit of momentum at the end of the group stage. But then they met European teams and South American teams in the knockouts. And that really is the conundrum they have to solve in African football, I suppose. So much promise, so much potential. The Senegal team, I mean, they finished the group stage so strongly with that 50 win against Iraq that propelled them into the knockouts. Then they led by two goals to nil against Belgium with just five minutes left of that match. They somehow found a way to lose that game and there have just been too many unfortunate moments unfortunately for the African side. But once again we look at the potential and the promise of those sides, you would think that a team could at least equal Morocco's semi final showing in the next edition of this tournament.

[Nick Miles]

Joe, let's just look ahead to the first of the remaining quarter finals. Mouth watering encounter between Spain and Belgium.

[Joe Lynskey]

Yeah, Spain's approach up to now has really been about control. They have yet to concede a goal at this tournament. So far their only slip up of sorts was that 00 draw with Cape Verde in their opener. But that was such a historic moment for that tin African nation. Belgium have the potential, they have the players to cause Spain problems, perhaps be the first team to break through them at this tournament, but Spain have been controlled so far in this tournament. What both of these teams know though is that they will be on a collision course with France in the semi final should they go through Jo Linsky.

[Nick Miles]

Still to come in this podcast. Ahead of their game against England, we look at Norway's morale boosting trend.

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[Nick Miles]

This is the global news podcast. The Ukrainian police have launched a criminal investigation after crowds of people attacked a military conscription team in the western city of Lviv. Officers were attempting to detain a man they suspected of trying to avoid military service. Paul Moss has more.

[Various Interviewees and Public]

There was a time when Ukraine's military recruiters could barely keep up. So many men and women were volunteering to go and fight Russia's invasion. But there's been a marked rise in the number who now resist being conscripted and a rise in the number of confrontations between Ukrainian citizens and those responsible for conscripting them. Perhaps it's just the ever rising death toll which is driving this evasion of military service. Despite recent Ukrainian successes in its airstrikes on Russia, deployment to some frontline infantry units is still seen as a likely one way ticket. And there's also the fact that those most eager to join have now done so. And many of them are now either dead, injured or just suffering complete exhaustion after long and arduous tours of duty. So the conscription teams should maybe not be too surprised to encounter resistance. And Wednesday saw that resistance turn violent. Locals in Lviv apparently took exception to the army officers trying to detain a suspected draft dodger. They overturned the recruiter's car and then attacked a police officer who came to help. There have been more than 100 reported confrontations like this since the start of the year. There were nearly 350 in 2025. The mayor of Lviv warned that Wednesday night scenes could be used as propaganda by those hostile to Ukraine.

[Nick Miles]

Paul moss, in recent years we've reported here on the BBC World Service about the rise of romance scams. They happen around the world, but many originate in West Africa. Now a prominent Ghanaian influencer has been extradited to the United States to face trial for allegedly running such a scam. Frederick Kumi denies the charges. Our correspondent Thomas Nardi in the Ghanaian capital Accra told me more about the allegations he faces.

[Thomas Nardi]

Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trika, a social media influencer, very popular among Ghanaian youth. He's been accused of running a romance scam that defrauded elderly Americans of over $8 million. He's denied those allegations. He was put before court by Ghanaian authorities after he was picked out by a joint US And Ghanaian security operation last year.

[Nick Miles]

Now, Frederick Kumey denies all these allegations, but the allegations suggest that he was doing this.

[Liz Doucet]

How?

[Thomas Nardi]

According to US Prosecutors, he used AI tools to create fake online identity targeting specifically elderly Americans. And he faces up to 20 years imprisonment if he's found guilty. And they had attempted to stop an extradition process that was ongoing in Ghana, but they were unsuccessful. And so on Thursday, Ghanaian authorities succeeded to extradite him to the US with freeze trial.

[Nick Miles]

Now, Thomas, this is part of a wider crackdown by the US Authorities on criminal gangs in West Africa and in other parts of the world.

[Thomas Nardi]

Yes, Washington has been very keen in trying to crack down crim criminal networks operating both in the US and in West Africa targeting vulnerable Americans. And they've succeeded in securing some few prosecutions. They've extradited a few people both in Ghana and Nigeria. Just last week, a popular Ghanaian known as Joseph Kojo Bedu Bwate, popularly known as Dada Joe Remix, pleaded guilty in the US to using romance and inheritance schemes to defraud Americans. And he's agreed to pay over $4.4 million in restitution. And so this an ongoing operation by US authorities and security agencies in West Africa to try to crack down criminal networks that are engaged in this particular practice.

[Nick Miles]

That was Thomas Nardi. The airport at West Palm beach in the U.S. state of Florida has officially been renamed after President Trump. It's believed to be the first time an American airport has been named after sitting president. These passengers in the terminal gave their

[Various Interviewees and Public]

reaction, you know, to have a president

[Liz Doucet]

that lives in our backyard, I mean,

[Various Interviewees and Public]

we might as well honor him. People need to be honored for the

[Liz Doucet]

commitment they've made to our country.

[Mimi Swabi]

The name, because of who it is,

[Various Interviewees and Public]

I don't agree with his way of thinking. I don't think he sets a good

[Grainger Advertiser]

example for the United States. And I'm going to fly in and out of Orleans, Orlando from now on

[Mimi Swabi]

to get to my destination.

[Nick Miles]

Well, the name change was signed into law in March by Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. With more, here's Elektra Naismith.

[Elektra Naismith]

It's been Palm Beach International for over half a century, but now President Donald J. Trump International is officially open for business. The airport said the name change cost five and a half million dollars. It's unclear whether that includes the other signage changes, such as interstate highways. President Trump has pursued an ambitious renaming program in his own honor since taking office for his second term. The court rejected an attempt to add the Trump name to Washington's John F. Kennedy center, but it has been successfully imprinted on everything from a new class of naval battleship to a savings account for children. President Trump is a frequent flier to Palm Beach. It's home to his oceanfront estate, Mar A Lago. Airport officials are keen to assure the other 8 million annual passengers that a safe and reliable experience will remain their core focus. As its new slogan says, DJT is where greatness takes off.

[Nick Miles]

Elektra Naismith. Back now to the World cup, and on Saturday, England will play Norway, who, in one respect at least, are already winners. With this. After their matches, the entire team sits down on the pitch and with a drum to keep time, mimes are rowing action, a nod to their Viking ancestors. A lot of the fans in the stadium join in, too. It's even caught on in their parliament in Oslo. Members of the royal family and the country's Air force pilots have joined in the tribute as well. At the NATO summit in Ankara, the Prime Minister, Yunus Garsdor, warned the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, that history may be on Norway's side.

[Various Interviewees and Public]

45 years ago, Prime Minister Norway played England in the cold occasion and we won. And the radio commentator said, Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me? Your boys took a hell of a beeping.

[Nick Miles]

Meanwhile, the chanter in chief, the Norwegian fan who came up with it, is Ole Frollstadt. He's a schoolteacher who's famous for wearing a Viking helmet, and he's been speaking to the BBC's Tim Franks about its origins.

[Ole Frohlstadt]

That goes 10 plus years back. It's something that I saw from a Norwegian soccer team called Rusenborg and they were yelling Rusenburg on the stadium and they divided their name up in. In three parts by yelling. And that first part that goes really made an impact on the stadium and I fell in love with that part of it many years later. I kept thinking about that ruh sound and we just wanted to use that somehow. And last year when I was working on chants for support a group, I was trying to find something Viking related, something that had history and culture for us. And then all of a sudden I remembered this ruh from many years ago and I realized what that meant. It meant row. And there was the idea.

[Nick Miles]

Yeah, well, there was the idea. But as I say, the question is

[Various Interviewees and Public]

how you then got everybody in your country of 5.6 million to start rowing.

[Ole Frohlstadt]

That's a good question. I've never seen Norwegians act the way they are acting like right now. So I think it's that 28 year wait. People are just having a blast enjoying finally being in the World cup and

[Theo White]

it's, I mean, it must be fantastic for you, not just to see the entire sort of Norwegian contingent in the

[Various Interviewees and Public]

stadium, but also, I mean, the players themselves, they've really got into it, haven't they?

[Ole Frohlstadt]

They have, yeah. And when they did it the first time against Senegal, that was amazing to see. It's just so cool to see how the supporters and the national team are kind of synced in this and we feel very united and I think that's something that is helping the Norwegian team right now. They're being backed no matter what and that we stand together.

[Nick Miles]

Feeling good about Saturday?

[Ole Frohlstadt]

Yes, I do feel good, but it's going to be a very tough game. England is the favorite team to win this one, but I do think anything can happen. It's the quarterfinals and we're in a good flow right now, so we're ready to row.

[Nick Miles]

That was Oehle Frohlstadt and that's all from us for now. But if you want to get in touch, you can email us at globalpodcastbc.co.uk. you can also find us on XBCWorldService. 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 Masoud Ibrahim Hail and the producer was Emma Jones Joseph. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Nick Miles and until next time. Goodbye.

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