Australia: thousands attend Bondi Beach vigil

Summary

Global News Podcast – Detailed Summary

Episode: Australia: thousands attend Bondi Beach vigil

Host: Janet Jalil
Date: December 15, 2025
Source: BBC World Service

---

Episode Overview

This episode of the Global News Podcast reports on a series of major world news stories. The main focus is the aftermath of the Bondi Beach attacks in Australia, which left 15 people dead and many injured. Other prominent topics include tributes to Hollywood director Rob Reiner following his and his wife's deaths, the election of a far-right president in Chile, the global refugee crisis, Delhi’s severe air pollution, Spain’s fine against Airbnb for unlicensed rentals, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, and a trend toward home-growing vegetables in response to food prices.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Australia: Aftermath of the Bondi Beach Attack

Background & Investigation

• Attack Details:
  • 15 people shot dead during a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach by a father and son, Sajid and Naveen Akram.
  • The attack has prompted the government to propose even stricter gun laws.
    • (Janet Jalil, 01:53)

    "The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said his government will move to tighten his country's already strict gun laws in the aftermath of the Bondi beach attacks..."

• Attackers:
  • Sajid Akram (father) was killed at the scene; Naveen Akram (son) is critically wounded and in custody.
  • Naveen had previously been investigated for links to an Islamic State group cell but was not considered an ongoing threat.
    • (Katie Watson, 05:12)

    "The assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence."

Community Reaction & Vigil (03:00 - 07:07)

• Location of Perpetrators:
  • Lived in Bonny Rig, a suburb of Sydney described as peaceful and diverse.
    • (Katie Watson, 03:00)

    "Speaking to the neighbors, they say it's a very mixed area with Asian families and Arab families... people here are shocked at what happened."

• Victims:
  • Included a 10-year-old girl, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, rabbis, a retired police officer, and others.
• Acts of Heroism:
  • Ahmed Al Ahmed disarmed one of the attackers—his father calls him "a hero of Australia."
    • (Ahmed Al Ahmed’s father, 05:34)

    "My son is a hero... his conscience and his soul compelled him to pounce on one of the terrorists and to rid him of his weapon."

• Vigil:
  • Vigils attended by thousands at Bondi Pavilion as expressions of grief and unity.
    • (Katie Watson, 06:22)

    "As the sun's gone down... there's a sea of flowers in the middle with some cards written to those who died... this evening has been one of celebration and remembrance for those who died."

---

2. Tributes and Investigation: Rob Reiner and Wife’s Deaths (07:07 - 10:50)

• Incident:
  • Director Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle found dead, LA police treat as homicides.
  • No suspects detained so far.
    • (Peter Bowes, 08:02)

    "The police did say that they were not seeking anyone as a suspect or person of interest, that no one had been detained and no one questioned."

• Career & Legacy:
  • Known for "This Is Spinal Tap," "When Harry Met Sally," "A Few Good Men."
  • Advocated for causes including climate change, gun control.
    • (Peter Bowes, 09:22)

    "It will certainly be his directing work people will remember him for—some really giant films..."

• Tributes:
  • Former President Obama commemorates Reiner’s deep belief in people's goodness and activism.
    • (Peter Bowes, 10:30)

    "Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen... beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action."

---

3. Chile Elects Far-Right President Jose Antonio Kast (11:28 - 15:04)

• Election Outcome:
  • Jose Antonio Kast wins, becomes most right-wing president since Chile’s return to democracy.
    • (Katie Watson, 11:48)

    "The most right-wing president since democracy was restored in 1990."

• Supporters’ Views:
  • Prioritize security, linking crime to immigration, promise to restore safe streets.
    • (Supporter, 12:02)

    "We're really happy. We're hoping the promises will actually be kept and we'll have security this time."

• Criticism & Concerns:
  • Some fear return to Pinochet-era policies; human rights concerns raised.
    • (Critic, 13:38)

    "We need the government to continue Pinochet's work. Human rights abuses existed, that's true, but as a government it was good. We used to have peace."

• Political Challenges:
  • Pledged mass deportations and border walls, but lacking a majority in Congress may curb ambitions.
    • (Katie Watson, 14:38)

    "With about 336,000 irregular migrants in Chile and no majority in Congress, his policies could prove tricky in practice..."

---

4. Global Refugee Forum & Crises (15:04 - 16:48)

• Context:
  • Over 117 million people currently displaced worldwide, mostly hosted by lower-income countries.
• Challenges:
  • Education and work access limited for refugees; UN agencies face funding cuts, eroding support systems.
    • (Imogen Foulkes, 15:42)

    "Almost half of all refugee children are not in school. Many refugees continue to be denied the right to work..."

---

5. Delhi’s Hazardous Air Pollution & Economic Impact (20:20 - 23:50)

• On-the-Ground Reporting:
  • Severe “grade four” air pollution makes it hazardous to go outside.
    • (Gideon Long, 20:40)

    "The air which I'm breathing is really heavy... it's like I'm standing inside a cloud of dust and smoke..."

• Impact on Daily Life and Economy:
  • Construction halted; businesses and daily wage earners affected; estimated economic loss for Indian businesses is $95 billion annually.
    • (Gideon Long, 21:58)

    "There's been a study... that has put the cost to Indian businesses at around $95 billion each year... Delhi alone loses as much as 6% of its GDP every year as per this study."

---

6. Spain fines Airbnb over Unlicensed Holiday Rentals (23:50 - 26:20)

• Details of the Fine:
  • Spanish Consumer Affairs Ministry fines Airbnb over $75 million for 65,000+ listings lacking appropriate rental licenses.
    • (Katie Watson, 24:24)

    "The Spanish Consumer Affairs Ministry found that more than 65,000 adverts on Airbnb... were basically for unlicensed properties."

• Government's Rationale:
  • Aim to address housing shortages aggravated by mass tourism; Airbnb required to remove unlicensed listings and announce the fine.
    • (Katie Watson, 25:25)

    "The minister said that this is a good move. A few benefit from these rental properties, while many Spanish citizens in hot spots... they're on the brink."

---

7. Russia-Ukraine War: Peace Talks and Attacks (26:20 - 28:23)

• Peace Efforts:
  • Diplomatic meetings in Berlin discuss stalling conflict and Washington’s peace plan; doubts remain over possible compromise with Russia.
    • (Jonathan Beale, 26:50)

    "President Putin has made very, very clear he wants the entire Donetsk region. So that is something that is going to be very hard to resolve for the American negotiating team."

• On the Ground:
  • Ongoing Russian strikes leave half a million in southern Ukraine without electricity, disrupt vital infrastructure and medical supplies.
    • (Vitaly Shevchenko, 27:24)

    "About half a million people remain without electricity in Ukraine's southern Odessa region following a major Russian attack..."

---

8. UK Trend: Growing Dwarf Vegetables at Home (28:23 - 29:47)

• Response to Food Prices:
  • Royal Horticultural Society notes rise in popularity of small, “tabletop” vegetable plants for people grappling with food inflation and limited space.
    • (Guy Barter, 28:54)

    "Mostly these small squashes and tomatoes... because there’s not a lot of top growth, there’s not a lot of root growth either... if it’s got enough light, they pretty much grow themselves."

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ahmed Al Ahmed’s Father, on his son’s heroism:

  "My son is a hero... his conscience and his soul compelled him to pounce on one of the terrorists and to rid him of his weapon." (05:34)

• Janet Jalil, on community mourning in Bondi:

  "But now I fear for them who died. Yeah, it's very sad." (04:02)

• Peter Bowes, on Rob Reiner's legacy:

  "Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen." (10:30)

• Gideon Long, describing Delhi’s pollution:

  "The air which I'm breathing is really heavy. The visibility has dropped sharply, so it's like I'm standing inside a cloud of dust and smoke." (20:40)

• Spanish Government’s rationale for fining Airbnb:

  "This is all part of a crackdown by the Spanish government on trying to regulate its mass tourism and trying to protect... Spanish citizens who themselves are in a housing crisis." (25:25)

---

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Australia: Bondi Beach aftermath & vigil: 01:08–07:07
• Rob Reiner and wife's deaths: 07:07–10:50
• Chile’s election of Jose Antonio Kast: 11:28–15:04
• Geneva Global Refugee Forum: 15:04–16:48
• Delhi’s air pollution crisis: 20:20–23:50
• Spain fines Airbnb: 23:50–26:20
• Russia-Ukraine war update: 26:20–28:23
• UK home vegetable gardening trend: 28:23–29:47

---

Tone & Language

The episode maintains a tone of factual, somber reporting, especially during coverage of tragedies in Australia and the passing of Rob Reiner. Community voices are woven in, showcasing a mix of sadness, resilience, concern, and cautious hope. The coverage is direct, empathetic, and focused on explaining not just what has happened, but also how people and societies are reacting.

---

This summary covers all important topics, highlights crucial moments and quotes, and provides timestamps for easy reference, reflecting the tone and content of the episode for those who could not listen.

Transcript

[Narrator/Host]

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the uk.

[Advertiser/Commercial Voice]

If you've got a move coming up, you really need to look into United Van Lines. The Do It All Moving Specialists. With United Van Lines, you don't worry about a thing. You have a dedicated moving coordinator, qualified drivers and full value protection for your possessions. Compare that to a couple of dudes manhandling your family heirlooms or cramming your things in a container on your driveway. Rather than hope for the best, you deserve a hassle free move. Visit unitedvanlines.com Big moves, small moves all moves Easy Choice Hear that? It's holiday cheer arriving at Ulta Beauty with gifts for everyone on your list. Treat them to fan favorite gift sets from Charlotte Tilbury and Peach and Lily. Go all out with timeless fragrances from ysl, Ariana Grande and Carolina Herrera. And you can never go wrong with an Ulta Beauty gift card. Head to Ulta Beauty for gifts that make the holidays brighter and even more beautiful. Ulta Beauty gifting happens here.

[Janet Jalil]

This is the Global News podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Janet Jalil and at 16 hours GMT on Monday 15th December, these are our main stories. The Australian government moves to further tighten gun laws in the wake of the Bondi beach attacks in which 15 people were killed by two gunmen. Police in Los Angeles are investigating the deaths of the Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife as apparent homicide. Also in this podcast the air which.

[Gideon Long]

I'm breathing is really heavy. The visibility has dropped sharply, so it's like I'm standing inside a cloud of dust in smoke.

[Janet Jalil]

We go to Delhi where once again people are trying to cope with hazardous air quality. The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said his government will move to tighten his country's already strict gun laws in the aftermath of the Bondi beach attacks in which 15 people were shot dead by a father and son. The older man who was killed legally owned several weapons. The younger one, who is critically wounded and in custody, had been investigated in the past for his links to the Islamic state group. But Mr. Albanese said the two men who targeted a Jewish celebration at Bondi beach were not part of a wider extremist cell. The Victims include a 10 year old girl, an 87 year old holocaust survivor, a man who saved his wife's life by shielding her from gunfire, a retired police officer and two Rabb rabbis. With more on the investigation and how people are coming to terms with this attack in a place that they thought was safe, here's our Australia correspondent, Katie.

[Katie Watson]

Watson We've traveled about an hour from Bondi to southwest Sydney, a place called Bonny Rig. Now this is where both gunmen are believed to have lived. This house was one of two that got raided overnight. It's a single story brown bricked house with a terracotta tiled roof with a large carport on the side and a cream fence right out in front. It's a very suburban area, very quiet area. Speaking to the neighbors, they say it's a very mixed area with Asian families and Arab families. It's very Australian as one person put it. But certainly people here are shocked at what happened now.

[Narrator/Host]

Oh my goodness, no, can't be, can't.

[Janet Jalil]

Beat him because I noticed the boy comes out most of the time and.

[Katie Watson]

Bring the rubbish out.

[Gideon Long]

They look normal.

[Katie Watson]

Yeah, they look normal people. A helpful son. Yeah, yeah.

[Janet Jalil]

But now I fear for them who died. Yeah, it's very sad.

[Katie Watson]

Not far away though, another house has been taken over by police officers. I'm standing outside a gray single story house and it's here that the police say the gunman prepared the attack. It's a short term rental property that the two men came to in the weeks running up to the attack. And several police officers have just come out of the house with several large bags of what looks like evidence. They're now driving off. Authorities name the gunman today. Father Sajid Akram, who was shot dead at the scene and his son Naveen Akram, who remains in hospital under armed guard. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, he was examined over close ties to a Sydney based Islamic State cell. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had this to say about the investigation. The sun first came to attention in October20.

[Janet Jalil]

He was examined on the basis of.

[Narrator/Host]

Being associated with others and the assessment.

[Katie Watson]

Was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence. More than 25 people remain in hospital. One of those is a man named Ahmed Al Ahmed, now a hero. After he bravely wrestled the gun off one of the attackers, his dad spoke to the abc.

[Narrator/Host]

My son is a hero. When he saw people lying on the ground and the blood everywhere, immediately his conscience and his soul compelled him to pounce on one of the terrorists and to rid him of his weapon. I feel pride and honor because my son is a hero of Australia.

[Katie Watson]

Among the 15 dead, a 10 year old girl, Matilda, described as bright and joyful. British born Rabbi Eli Schlanger was a father of five, killed two at the Hanukkah event in Bondi. And Alexander Kleitman, a Holocaust survivor, we.

[Narrator/Host]

Know many of them, fellow rabbis in.

[Katie Watson]

The community and fellow community members. Rabbi Yossi Shouchat organized an evening vigil.

[Narrator/Host]

And may I add also many people were innocently participating in an event and their children have seen most horrific and horrible scenes.

[Janet Jalil]

I think it's fair to say that.

[Katie Watson]

We are all shocked as the sun's gone down. The crowds have got bigger here in Bondi Pavilion. There's a sea of flowers in the middle with some cards written to those who died by love. They're remembered and in memory they live reads one another reads, what the world needs now is love, sweet love. Shalom and peace to Australia and the world. And there's a small card to the families and victims. Our hearts break with you. This day has been full of grief, but this evening has been one of celebration and remembrance for those who died.

[Janet Jalil]

That report by Katie Watson. And for more reporting on this story, you can go to YouTube, search for BBC News, click on the logo, then choose Podcasts and Global News Podcast. There's a new story available every weekday. Tributes have been paid to the renowned Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle, who have been found dead at their home. He was 78. She was 68. Los Angeles Police say they're treating the deaths as apparent homicides. Rob Reiner directed much loved films including this Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally and the Princess Bride. He also found fame as an actor. In later life, he became a passionate activist on issues ranging from climate change to gun control. I got more details from our correspondent in Los Angeles, Peter Bose.

[Narrator/Host]

The police are saying relatively little about their investigation at the moment, apart from stressing that it is in its early stages. They have confirmed that two people were found in dead at the Reiner household. They say it'll be up to the Los Angeles coroner to release more information, to formally identify them and to release information about the causes of death. But the police did say that they were not seeking anyone as a suspect or person of interest, that no one had been detained and no one questioned. Now, I don't think we should read too much into that. Again, they were stressing that there are protocols to go through. And at the point that they were giving the news conference, there was certainly little they could say in terms of making information public. So there is a lot more, I think, to learn about this. But we have heard from the family a brief statement saying that it is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michelle and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken, they say, by this sudden loss. And we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.

[Janet Jalil]

And that feeling of heartbreak is a sentiment shared by many. The Los Angeles mayor has been paying tribute to Rob Reiner. Just tell us about his career because he was well known as an actor, but even better known as a director.

[Narrator/Host]

Yes, he started as an, a writer and as an actor on American television, but it will certainly be his directing work that people will remember him for some really giant films. When Harry Met Sally, that late 80s classic, memorable restaurant scene featuring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, A Few Good Men, that was the early 90s. The courtroom drama, stunning performance by Jack Nicholson. It all started for him in terms of directing, really, with that cult classic mockumentary, this is Spinal Tap. That was in the mid-80s. In fact, they've just made a sequel to that. It didn't do particularly well at the box office, but they are just a few of the titles that he will be remembered for as an incredibly versatile filmmaker at home initially on screen himself, but certainly behind the scenes. And then there was a whole new part of his life that people knew and respected him for. And President former President Obama has been talking about this and that was his political work, his social activism. President Obama posting Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife Michelle. He goes on. Rob's achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen. But he says beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.

[Janet Jalil]

Peter Bowes, and as we record this podcast, it's emerged that Rob Reiner's son Nick has been arrested. In our earlier podcast, we brought you the news of the victory of the far right candidate Jose Antonio Cast in Chile's presidential election. In his first speech as President elect, he promised to free Chile from crime, an issue that has dominated the election campaign and helped him to defeat his communist rival. So what do Chileans expect of their new leader? Our South America correspondent Ione Wells reports from the Chilean capital, Santiago.

[Katie Watson]

There's jubilation here at a gathering in Santiago where supporters of Jose Antonio cast have been watching the election result, watching their candidate win. People are waving Chilean flags, taking selfies, some wearing red caps, saying, make Chile great again. After three attempts, Jose Antonio Cass will.

[Gideon Long]

Be the next president of Chile, the.

[Katie Watson]

Most right wing president since democracy was restored in 1990.

[Janet Jalil]

We've been trying to win an election.

[Katie Watson]

For years and finally we did it.

[Janet Jalil]

We're really happy. We're hoping the promises will actually be kept and we'll have security this time. In Chile, you used to be able to go out on the streets and walk around peacefully. Lately, we've experienced a problem with insecurity. The first thing he has to do is sort out the immigration problem.

[Katie Watson]

It's very bad, not only for Chileans.

[Janet Jalil]

But for the immigrants, because they're having.

[Katie Watson]

To wait 2, 4, 5, 6 years for nationality.

[Narrator/Host]

They're not.

[Katie Watson]

They're not being able to work. Jose Antonio Cast has promised radical change in the country. Criminals, delinquents, their lives are going to change. We're going to look for them, find.

[Narrator/Host]

Them, judge them, and then we're going to lock them up. Chile will once again be free from.

[Katie Watson]

Crime, free from anguish, free from fear. We want to welcome migrants, but only.

[Gideon Long]

If they comply with the law.

[Katie Watson]

Chile is one of the safest and more stable countries in South America. But a rise in immigration and organized crime in recent years has concerned many voters. Cast often drew links between the two. Chile's murder rate is now falling, and some studies suggest those born abroad, on average commit fewer crimes. But the percentage perception of growing insecurity motivated some of Cast's supporters.

[Narrator/Host]

We're turning into another Colombia. Lots of terrorism, thieves, robbery. Society is very unsafe.

[Katie Watson]

It may sound harsh to say it.

[Narrator/Host]

But we need the government to continue Pinochet's work. Human rights abuses existed, that's true, but as a government, it was good. We used to have peace.

[Katie Watson]

His critics, though, say the problem is being exaggerated.

[Janet Jalil]

I feel like a false sense of insecurity is becoming widespread in other countries.

[Katie Watson]

There are much worse things happening than here.

[Advertiser/Commercial Voice]

It just doesn't add up for me.

[Katie Watson]

Cast will be the most right wing president since Chile's dictatorship ended, and he has praised the country's former dictator, Augusto Pinochet. The left wing, Jeanette Hara, said democracy had spoken loud and clear and wished Mr. Cast success. Some of her supporters fear a return to Chile's far right past.

[Narrator/Host]

Cast's family helped the dictator Augusto Pinochet. I lived through Pinochet's dictatorship. It was brutal.

[Katie Watson]

Cast had pledged mass deportations, maximum security prisons and a border wall. He set the inauguration in March as a deadline for irregular migrants to leave if they ever want the chance to come back. With about 336,000 irregular migrants in Chile and no majority in Congress, his policies could prove tricky in practice. But supporters say his iron fist approach will bring change.

[Janet Jalil]

That report by Ione Wells in Santiago. Well, as we've been hearing, the issues of migration and of asylum and Refugees have become increasingly divisive, with many countries cutting the support they give to those fleeing violence or persecution. A global forum on refugees is beginning in Geneva today. Hosted by the UN Refugee agency, the meeting is designed to assess what progress is being made in supporting those who have been forced to flee their homes. It brings together government leaders, UN officials, aid agencies and refugees themselves. Imogen Folks reports from Geneva.

[Katie Watson]

A record number of people, more than 117 million, are currently displaced, most of them hosted by low and middle income countries. In the wealthy countries that take the fewest refugees, the issue has become increasingly politicized. The UN refugee agency says fear and division seem to be drowning out compassion. This meeting is supposed to assess international progress to support refugees. The signs are not positive. Almost half of all refugee children are not in school. Many refugees continue to be denied the right to work and funding cuts have forced the UN refugee agency to axe support programs and thousands of jobs. Conflict, displacement and immigration are more complex than they were in 1951 when the refugee Convention was created. But that's not a reason the UN argues to abandon refugees. Instead, it wants fair and durable solutions, solutions for people who have lost everything through no fault of their own.

[Janet Jalil]

Imogen Folks still to come in this podcast, the rental giant Airbnb is given a massive fine by the Spanish government for advertising unlicensed apartments.

[Katie Watson]

There's a fine that's thought to be equivalent to about six times of what the Spanish government has said would be the illegal profit made by Airbnb between the time the company warned against these offending adverts and the time they were taken down.

[Advertiser/Commercial Voice]

New school year, new routines and a calendar that somehow filled up overnight. When life gets hectic, the last thing you want to do is cook from scratch. With all of that cleanup for those busy days, Cauley Power's got your back. Cauliflower makes the food you crave, but made better for you. The best part? You don't have to sacrifice taste or time so you can honor your cravings without compromising. Think thin, crispy cauliflower crust pizzas, all natural chicken tenders coated in cauliflower and crowd pleasing nostalgic pizza snacks. Clean ingredients always ready in minutes. Absolutely full of flavor 100%. Answering the what's for dinner? Question has never been easier. Kullie Power's products are available in freezer aisles nationwide. Visit eatcolipower.com where to buy to find a store near you if you've got a move coming up, you really need to look into United Van Lines. The Do it all moving specialists with United Van Lines, you don't worry about a thing. You have a dedicated moving coordinator, qualified drivers, and full value protection for your possession. Compare that to a couple of dudes manhandling your family heirlooms or cramming your things in a container on your driveway. Rather than hope for the best, you deserve a hassle free move. Visit unitedvanlines.com Big moves, small moves all moves easy choice Ulta Beauty's Big Holiday Beauty Sale is back with up to 50% off. Must have gifts shop irresistible deals like the Shark Beauty Flex Style and Benefit Cosmetics Travel size mascaras with new offers weekly same day pickup or delivery and our trusted associates. We make holiday shopping effortless. Head into Ulta Beauty today. Ulta Beauty Gifting happens here. If you're searching for a gift that creates lasting memories, the story Dream Machine is a wonderful choice. It's perfect for birthdays, milestones or holidays. And each machine comes with easy three enchanting stories to start the journey. There's even a white noise nightlight mode, making it a cozy companion for bedtime. Want to make it even more special? Add story collections sold separately and share the tales you cherished from your own childhood. It's a heartfelt way to connect across generations and spark imagination. Get your little one the gift to make their bedtime magical with enchanting stories and even a white noise nightlight mode to keep them cozy cozy while they sleep. The story Dream Machine is perfect for birthdays, milestones or holidays, and each comes with three stories with more story collections available to share your favorite tales. To make it even more special. Sold separately. You'll find the story Dream Machine at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Costco and LittleTikes.com bring story time to life with the Story Dream Machine.

[Janet Jalil]

The authorities in the Indian capital Delhi, have raised their assessment of air pollution in the city to grade four, the highest possible level. Residents, especially children and people with respiratory problems, have been urged to stay indoors. Our reporter Divina Gupta did venture outside and described what it was like to.

[Gideon Long]

Gideon Long the air which I'm breathing is really heavy. The visibility has dropped sharply, so it's like I'm standing inside a cloud of dust and smoke. If I reach out to it, I can feel this dust in my hands. It's that bad. The longer I stay here, I can feel that there is a tightness in my throat. It's difficult to breathe this air. My eyes will start stinging in a moment as well. This is something which has become a normalized situation for nearly 30 million residents of the city, it happens almost every winter, especially in November and December months, because the weather conditions are such that they trap the pollutants in the air. There's very little wind. So emissions, say, from vehicles or construction or industries, they simply hang in the air, creating this grey kind of atmosphere around. On top of that, there are farmers in neighboring states that burn crops double to clear fields for the next planting season. So that's also adding to the smoke that's drifting straight into the city and creating this kind of toxic air.

[Narrator/Host]

And Davina, obviously this affects everybody in Delhi and the surrounding area, but how specifically does it affect business?

[Gideon Long]

Well, what we do see is that when such conditions become more severe, the government here triggers something called a graded response action plan. Now, it's got a level of restrictions. So right now we are on the fourth stage, which is the most severe restriction. And that means that construction work would stop, so any kind of real estate renovation work stops. So that impacts the daily wages who are involved with this kind of work. You will also see that officers are advised to work in a hybrid working arrangement. So a lot of people have to work from home. Now, that also adds on to the productivity loss that we see. There's been a study by a global consultancy firm, Dahlberg, which has put the cost to Indian businesses at around $95 billion each year. That's around 3% of the GDP because of the reduced productivity, work absences. And then also there is a long and hefty health bill which people with restrictions, respiratory diseases have to pay. So that impacts budgets of families. We also see that consumer economy takes a hit. A lot of people don't want to go to markets to shop. And that's where the consumption sees a fall. And Delhi alone loses as much as 6% of its GDP every year as per this study. So it's got an overall impact on the city's economy and the national economy. And an interesting study by a World bank actually mentioned Gideon, that had India halved its pollution level over the past 25 years in other cities as well, its GDP would have been 4.5% higher. And this was the study done for the year of 2023. So one can figure out that this gap isn't just economic, it's existential, it's real. And the impact of this pollution for people living in this country is also real.

[Janet Jalil]

Davina Gupta Spain is facing a housing crisis with many people in the popular tourist destination blaming the high number of visitors for pushing up costs and pushing locals out of the property market. Now, the rental Giant Airbnb has been given a massive fine by the Spanish government for advertising unlicensed departments. Some of them banned rental properties. Our global affairs reporter, Mimi Swaby told me more about why Airbnb has been hit with fine of more than $75 million.

[Katie Watson]

The Spanish Consumer Affairs Ministry found that more than 65,000 adverts on Airbnb, the housing platform for rentals, were basically for unlicensed properties. In many parts of Spain, you need a license to rent out a property if that's for a short term rent or a longer term rental. So this fine has now been put in place and it can't be appealed by Airbnb. And it's a fine that's thought to be equivalent about six times of what the Spanish government have said would be the illegal Prof. Profit made by Airbnb between the time the company warned against these offending adverts and the time they were taken down. It's also said that Airbnb must also correct the wrongly published adverts, withdraw unlicensed properties and also publicly announce the fine. And this is all part of a crackdown by the Spanish government on trying to regulate its mass tourism and trying to protect, as we've heard, individuals, Spanish citizens who themselves are in a housing crisis.

[Janet Jalil]

And has there been any reaction yet from Airbnb?

[Katie Watson]

From Airbnb, no. But we've heard from the minister that he said that this is a good move. A few benefit from these rental properties, while many Spanish citizens in hot spots like Barcelona and other areas of Spain, they're on the brink. And although mass tourism has driven kind of the buoyancy of the economy, it really has fueled local concern around increasingly scarce and unaffordable housing, as well as changing neighborhoods. And it really is a top priority of this minority coalition government to address the housing crisis. Spain does need tourism. It was the world's second most visited country in 2024 and it hosted around 94 million tourists. And that is actually thought to be surpassed by the end of this year. So even more tourists arriving in Spain. So it's a little bit of a double edged sword. They need tourism on hand, but they also need to protect their own citizens and make sure there is a fair hous rental market for both.

[Janet Jalil]

Mimi Swaby Once again, intensive negotiations are being held on how to end the Russia Ukraine war. Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky has held talks in BERLIN with the U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son in law Jared Kushner to discuss Washington's proposed peace plan. And as we record this podcast, he's expected to meet European leaders, including those of Germany, France and Britain. But as Jonathan Beale explains, there's no easy path to agreement.

[Narrator/Host]

President Putin has made very, very clear he wants the entire Donetsk region. So that is something that is going to be very hard to resolve for the American negotiating team. And the worry, of course, for I think Europe and also Ukraine is that the longer this goes on, the more likely it is that President Trump will lose interest and potentially pull the remaining support, the intelligence support he gives you Ukraine.

[Janet Jalil]

Meanwhile, there's been no let up in Russia's attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure. As Vitaly Shevchenko reports, about half a.

[Narrator/Host]

Million people remain without electricity in Ukraine's southern Odessa region following a major Russian attack on energy infrastructure over the weekend. It also disrupted water and central heating supplies in the southern port city where locals have been forced to use shops and so called resilience centers set up by the government to charge their phones and get warm. Over recent months, Russian attacks have destroyed warehouses supplying the vast majority of Ukraine's pharmacies. Just one strike on a storage facility in the city of Dnipro earlier this month destroyed more than $110 million worth of medicines, or up to 30% of Ukraine's monthly supply. Ukrainian authorities accuse Russia of deliberately targeting hospitals, ambulances, Medicare and rescue workers. Claims Moscow has denied. On the front line, the fiercest fighting has been taking place outside the town of Pokrovsk in eastern Donetsk region, with the Ukrainian authorities reporting 47 Russian assaults there on Sunday alone.

[Janet Jalil]

Vitaly Shevchenko and before him, Jonathan Beale. Now do you worry about rising food prices? Well, here in Britain, the Royal Horticultural Society has predicted that next year more people will be growing tabletop vegetables, bonsai type plants, in small containers which provide fresh produce. They say these dwarf varieties are easy to grow in the house or in window boxes for people who don't have gardens, Guy Barter from the Royal Horticultural Society told us. More.

[Narrator/Host]

Mostly these small squashes and tomatoes. Peppers have been bred to be easy to grow, but because there's not a lot of top growth, there's not a lot of root growth either. So you have to be careful not to forget to water it and give it a bit of feeding once a week. And then if it's got enough light, they pretty much grow themselves. So a patio, a sunny balcony or even the bay window if you're lucky enough to have a conservatory, that's ideal. Anywhere with a bit of warmth and shelter for these summer season crops if you can buy them as seeds, you can get many seeds of the hybrids, of course, but how many plants do you need for a patio? You can buy them as plants or you can buy them as plug plants by post. And then later in the summer at a rather higher cost, you can buy them already grown, but they are very beautiful plants as well. Pepper plant covered in ripening fruit is very attractive, as good as a flower plant. So it's very decorative. And that, that appeals to people too.

[Janet Jalil]

And that was Guy Barter of the Royal Horticultural Society. And that's all from us for now. But there will be a new edition of the Global News podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk. this edition was mixed by Rosenwin Dorell. The producers are Alice Adderley and Oliver Burlau. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Janat Jalil. Until next time. Goodbye.

[Advertiser/Commercial Voice]

What do you think makes the perfect snack?

[Janet Jalil]

Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really.

[Narrator/Host]

Craving it and it's convenient.

[Katie Watson]

Could you be more spec when it's cravenient?

[Janet Jalil]

Okay.

[Narrator/Host]

Like a freshly baked cookie made with.

[Katie Watson]

Real butter, available right down the street at am, pm.

[Janet Jalil]

Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can.

[Katie Watson]

Grab in just a second at a.m. pM.

[Advertiser/Commercial Voice]

I'm seeing a pattern here.

[Katie Watson]

Well, yeah, we're talking about what I.

[Advertiser/Commercial Voice]

Crave, which is anything from am, pm.

[Gideon Long]

What more could you want?

[Janet Jalil]

Stop by AMPM where the snacks and.

[Narrator/Host]

Drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient.

[Katie Watson]

That's cravenience am, PM too much good stuff.