Dozens killed in Iraqi shopping centre fire

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary BBC World Service | Episode: Dozens killed in Iraqi shopping centre fire | Release Date: July 17, 2025

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Tragic Fire in Kut, Iraq Claims Over 60 Lives

At 13:00 GMT on July 17th, a devastating fire engulfed a newly opened shopping center in Kut, Iraq, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 67 lives. The five-story building, which had been operational for merely five days, saw the blaze begin on the first floor above the main shop before it rapidly spread throughout the structure. Aerial footage captured the entire front of the building ablaze, illuminating the night sky as panic-stricken individuals sought refuge on the roof.

Eyewitness and Official Accounts

Our Arabic correspondent, Sali Nabeel (01:37), provided an update on the ongoing rescue efforts:

“Search operations are still ongoing. Some of the bodies are too charred to be identified. Local authorities have been asking people to provide DNA tests so that they can help identify some of the bodies. They will be later moved to another local province where they will be buried.”

Nabeel highlighted the public's outrage over perceived safety lapses:

“A lot of angry questions on social media asking about whether or not adequate safety measures have been put in place, asking why there were no fire exits, why it took so long for the firefighters to contain this tragic scene.” (01:47)

The absence of fire exits was a significant concern, as footage revealed survivors attempting to escape by reaching the roof. Nabeel emphasized the severe heat conditions in Iraq, with temperatures exceeding 50°C, contributing to the high casualty rate:

“It's an exceptionally hot summer in Iraq where degrees are over 50 degrees Celsius. So that kind of explains why the number of casualties has been so high.” (02:23)

Aftermath and Public Sentiment

By daylight, the grim reality of the aftermath became clearer. Emergency services continued their efforts to recover victims, and mourners visited the charred shopping center. Families gathered near hospitals, grappling with loss and accusing the local government of inadequate safety protocols. Nabeel concluded:

“We don't know yet whether or not they have the adequate safety measures to protect people's lives.” (03:26)

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Syrian Government Withdraws from Suwaida Amid Sectarian Strife

Following intense Israeli airstrikes and escalating sectarian violence, Syrian government forces have initiated a withdrawal from the southern province of Suwaida. The region has been a hotspot of conflict, resulting in over 500 fatalities, including civilians, Druze fighters, Bedouin fighters, and more than 200 government personnel.

Interim Presidential Declarations

Interim Syrian President, Ahmed Asharra, addressed the nation, promising to entrust local security to religious elders and factions. He asserted:

“The Syrian people aren't afraid of war, they're ready to fight if their dignity is threatened. The Druze minority's rights will be protected.” (06:02)

Continued Tensions and International Involvement

Middle East correspondent, Yoland Nell (04:46), elaborated on the fragile ceasefire:

“We've heard that it has become calmer since the latest ceasefire was announced, but there are still some militias in the area, sporadic clashes being reported.” (04:46)

The conflict originated from clashes between local Sunni Muslim Bedouin tribes and the Druze community. Israeli forces have been actively engaging in the region, aiming to protect the Druze population and maintain national security interests adjacent to the Golan Heights.

Nell highlighted President Asharra's stance against Israeli intervention:

“He really sees this as being a big threat to the stability of his country. He's accusing Israel of undermining that.” (06:58)

The situation remains volatile, with ongoing disputes over security and governance in Suwaida.

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Ukraine Appoints Yulia Sveridenko as New Prime Minister Amid War Efforts

In a significant political shift, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Yulia Sveridenko as the new Prime Minister, marking his first major cabinet reshuffle since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The former Prime Minister, Denis Michal, transitions to oversee the Ministry of Defense.

Strategic Implications

Kyiv correspondent, Charlotte Gallagher (07:45), explained Sveridenko's pivotal role:

“She has close links to the United States and was instrumental in pushing through the minerals deal that President Trump had been advocating for. Her appointment underscores Zelensky's commitment to maintaining strong US-Ukraine relations.” (07:45)

Michal's focus will now be on bolstering Ukraine's domestic arms production, aiming to increase locally manufactured weapons from 40% to 50% of battlefield supplies. Additionally, Ukraine seeks to enhance drone production capabilities to counter Russian attack drones.

Drone Warfare Escalation

Gallagher provided updates on the ongoing drone conflict:

“Three Ukrainian drones reached Moscow overnight, with the mayor confirming they were shot down. Meanwhile, a Russian airstrike in Donetsk resulted in at least three fatalities and over 27 injuries.” (09:38)

The relentless drone and missile exchanges indicate no immediate prospects for a ceasefire, despite Ukraine's expressed desire for peace.

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Centenarian Anita Laska Valfish Celebrates a Century of Resilience

A poignant segment featured the 100th birthday celebration of Anita Laska Valfish, a renowned cellist and Auschwitz survivor. Valfish's remarkable story of survival and her contribution to music were highlighted during a concert at Wigmore Hall.

Surviving Through Music

In an interview with Nick Robinson, Valfish recounted her harrowing experiences:

“Music saved my life. It was all accidental. I didn't know there was an orchestra in Auschwitz, but when I arrived, I mentioned I played the cello, and they wanted music.” (11:07)

Her role involved playing marches for prisoners recruited to work in nearby factories, a position that afforded her temporary reprieve from the camp's brutal regime.

Reflections on Antisemitism and Legacy

Valfish shared her early memories of rising antisemitism:

“It started off at school when I was about 5 or 6 in 1933. A child said, 'don't give the Jew the sponge.' How quickly, how young you can influence people.” (12:28)

Addressing contemporary issues, she expressed concern over persistent antisemitism:

“It's bigger than ever. If anything goes wrong, it's always the Jews.” (13:19)

Her commitment to sharing her story stems from a desire to preserve history and educate future generations, despite the reticence she faces in discussing her traumatic past.

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Seoul's Deadly Crowd Crush During Halloween Celebrations

A catastrophic crowd crush in Seoul's Itaewon district during Halloween festivities resulted in 159 fatalities. The incident, occurring shortly after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, exposed significant lapses in crowd management and emergency response.

Incident Overview

Seoul correspondent, Jake Kwon (16:03), provided a detailed account:

“The streets were extremely packed. Around 10 pm, the alleyway next to the underground train station became dangerously crowded. The slope funneled people into a narrower space, leading to a deadly crush.” (16:03)

Kwon noted the inadequate presence of police, who were preoccupied with nearby protests and protecting the presidential office, leaving them unable to manage the sudden surge in crowd density.

Government Response and Public Outcry

Initially, only local police were held accountable, sparking outrage among victim families. The new South Korean President, Lee Jae Myung, has since committed to a more thorough investigation:

“One of my primary missions is to ensure that such tragedies are never repeated by holding the responsible parties accountable.” (18:15)

Kwon highlighted the potential legal implications for former President Yoon Sung Yeol, who faces severe charges unrelated to the incident but may be further scrutinized if evidence suggests a broader governmental failure.

Public Sentiment

The Korean public remains deeply affected, with widespread demands for improved safety measures and accountability to prevent future disasters.

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Impact of US Immigration Policies on Tourism

Civil rights organizations in the United States have initiated lawsuits against the Trump administration's aggressive deportation policies, which have stirred significant fears among both residents and tourists.

Tourism Decline Fueled by Hostile Policies

Tour guide Davidson Boswell (19:28) shared his firsthand experiences:

“I've lost about 50% of my income since January. Tourists are having second thoughts about visiting the US due to the hostile immigration climate.” (20:34)

Boswell compared the experience to other welcoming destinations:

“Arriving in places like Dubai feels pleasant and welcoming, whereas at JFK, you queue for hours and face a skeptical demeanor from officials. It feels like something to endure, not a welcome.” (21:12)

The decline in tourism has not only affected tour operators but also impacted local businesses and cultural exchanges, exacerbating economic strains.

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Malian Photographer Nibe Ponzio Brings Art to the Streets

In an inspiring cultural initiative, Malian photographer Nibe Ponzio has taken his artwork to the streets of Bamako by displaying his photos on Sotrama buses. This effort aims to make art accessible to a broader audience beyond traditional gallery spaces.

Artistic Vision and Community Impact

During an interview, Ponzio explained his motivation:

“I wanted to show my photo series to everybody on the street because art galleries can be intimidating. Displaying my work on Sotrama buses allows people from all walks of life to engage with Malian culture.” (22:25)

He emphasized the importance of showcasing positive aspects of Mali to counteract prevalent negative stereotypes:

“It's important to present a positive image of Mali. People outside only hear bad news, so I aim to celebrate our real way of living and cultural richness.” (24:25)

Ponzio's vibrant photos, such as the depiction of young girls celebrating Eid, highlight the beauty and resilience of Malian traditions, fostering cultural pride and international appreciation.

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Coca-Cola's Shift to Cane Sugar in the US Market

Amid health debates and political pressure, Coca-Cola has agreed to replace high fructose corn syrup with real cane sugar in the American market, aligning its US products with those sold in countries like Mexico, Britain, and Australia.

Health Implications and Consumer Perception

US journalist Marie Carpenter (26:40) examined the rationale and impact of this change:

“High fructose corn syrup is used because it's cheaper, but from a health perspective, it's essentially sugar. Whether from corn or cane, the effects are similar.” (26:40)

Carpenter noted that despite the negligible health differences, consumers perceive cane sugar as a superior ingredient:

“People love the flavor of cane sugar and believe it’s better, despite it being similar to high fructose corn syrup in health impact.” (26:40)

This shift also taps into nostalgic sentiments, as traditional cane sugar is associated with the original Coke formulations, appealing to consumer preferences and willingness to pay a premium for perceived quality.

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Conclusion

This episode of the Global News Podcast encapsulates a spectrum of global issues, from tragic events and political upheavals to cultural resilience and corporate strategies. Through detailed reporting and firsthand accounts, the podcast provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the pressing stories shaping our world today.

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Transcript

[Oliver Conway]

You're listening to the Global News podcast from the BBC World Service. Hello, I'm Oliver Conway. We're recording this at 13 hours GMT. On Thursday 17 July, a fire ripped through a new shopping center in Iraq, killing more than 60 people. Syrian government forces pull out of the province of Sueda after days of sectarian violence and Israeli airstrikes. And Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky appoints a new prime minister. Also in the podcast, the Malian photographer display playing his work on local buses.

[Nibe Ponzio]

People don't really know what is Mali and I think Mali is one of the biggest cultures in West Africa. So I really want to show the world.

[Oliver Conway]

And a woman who avoided death by playing cello for the Nazis in Auschwitz turns 100. The shopping center which burnt down in the Iraqi city of Kut overnight is reported to have only opened five days ago. At least 67 people were killed as the blaze swept swept through the five story building. The fire appears to have begun on the first floor above the main shop before quickly spreading. Aerial footage from the scene showed the entire front of the building in flames, lighting up the night sky while a group of people huddled on the roof hoping to be rescued. Today, mourners visited the charred structure. Emergency services have been working to recover bodies from the rubble. I got this update from our Arabic correspondent, Sali Nabeel.

[Sali Nabeel]

Search operations are still ongoing. Some of the bodies are too charred to be identified. Local authorities have been asking people to provide DNA tests so that they can help identify some of the bodies. They will be later moved to another local province where they will be buried. A lot of angry questions on social media asking about whether or not adequate safety measures have been put in place, asking why there were no fire exits, why it took so long for the firefighters to contain this tragic scene. A lot of accusations for the local government for not doing enough to try and minimize the damage and minimize the number of casualties caused by this tragic fire.

[Oliver Conway]

Interesting. You mentioned the lack of fire exits. Some footage from last night showed some people had made their way to the roof of the building hoping to get away. Do we know what happened to them?

[Sali Nabeel]

We don't know exactly whether or not they have been rescued. A lot of details are still very sketchy. But you're right, there were a lot of people trapped on rooftops not knowing where to go. And that again raises the questions whether or not adequate safety measures have been put in place in this mold that was only open a few days ago and you'd expect many people to go there. Explore it. And at the time the fire took place, it's a really busy time in Iraq because we are talking about 9 or 10pm local time where people go shopping, escaping the heat of the morning. It's an exceptionally hot summer in Iraq where degrees are over 50 degrees Celsius. So that kind of explains why the number of casualties has been so high. And we expect it to rise even further as more of the bodies are recovered by the search teams on the ground.

[Oliver Conway]

Yeah. Tell us more about the scene today as daylight reveals exactly what happened.

[Sali Nabeel]

We still have civil defense forces and security forces around the shopping mall. We have bodies being moved to nearby hospitals, families, heartbroken families gathering near the hospitals. A lot of them sobbing, crying, wailing. And again, a lot of accusations are being leveled against the government because we have a lot of malls being built in Iraq recently. But we don't know yet whether or not they have the adequate safety measures to protect people's lives.

[Oliver Conway]

Our Arabic correspondent, Saleet Nabil. After coming under heavy attack by Israeli forces, the Syrian military has begun withdrawing from the southern province of Suwaida. The province has been hit by sectarian violence in recent days. A Syrian Monitor said more than 500 people had been killed, including civilians, Druze fighters, Bedouin fighters, and more than 200 government personnel. The Syrian government has struggled to unite the country after President Assad was overthrown late last year. The interim Syrian president, Ahmed Asharra, says responsibility for security in Suwaida will now be handed to religious elders and local factions and anyone who has abused Druze citizens will be held to account. I heard more from our Middle east correspondent, Yoland Nell.

[Yoland Nell]

We've heard that it has become calmer since the latest ceasefire was announced there, that Syrian government forces have largely withdrawn. But there are still some militias in the area, sporadic clashes being reported. Of course, this all started this latest sectarian violence with tit for t kidnappings and attacks between the local Sunni Muslim Bedouin tribes and the Druze who predominate in this area. They have their own armed factions in this southern province of Suaida as well. When the Syrian government forces intervened ostensibly to restore order, there were also claims that they were clashing, particularly with the Druze militias and in some cases claims to they attacked civilians. We've also got a situation where a number of Israeli Druze and Druze from the Israeli occupied Golan Heights still seem to be in southern Syria. If you look live pictures of what's been going on up along the fence between the Israeli occupied side of the Golan Heights and Southern Syria people have gone to the aid of their fellow Druze, they said members of their families. In many cases, the Israeli government has been calling on residents, citizens of Israel to return, but that obviously hasn't happened in full yet.

[Oliver Conway]

And what do you make of these latest comments from the interim Syrian president?

[Yoland Nell]

He's really been addressing Israel as well as the Syrian people with this televised address, saying that the Syrian people aren't afraid of war, they're ready to fight if their dignity is threatened. And also telling the Druze minority in Syria that their rights will be protected. His government rejecting any attempts, he said, for them to be dragged into the hands of what he called an external party. This comes after those powerful Israeli airstrikes yesterday in Damascus. Of course, Israel has also been attacking government forces in Suaida, saying that that is to protect the Druze there. And also it's acting, it says, in its own national security interest, trying to keep a military Syrian force out of southern Syria, just across the border from where Israel has got its own citizens.

[Oliver Conway]

So is President Al Shirra trying to say to the Israelis, you don't need to get involved. Local people there will control the security in Sweda.

[Yoland Nell]

He really sees this as being a big threat to the stability of his country. He's accusing Israel of undermining that. It's not the first sectarian violence we've seen in Syria since his government came to power late last year after toppling President Bashar Assad. But really, you know, this is being seen as the most serious threat yet to his government's attempts to try to consolidate its power over the country with the different minority groups.

[Oliver Conway]

Nyola Nell in Jerusalem, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has carried out his first major cabinet reshuffle since the start of the full scale Russian invasion in 2022. Yulia Sveridenko is the new prime minister while her predecessor, Denis Michal, takes over the Ministry of Defense. I heard more from our correspondent in Kyiv, Charlotte Gallagher.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Yulia Saradenko, as you mentioned, is going to be the new prime minister of Ukraine. That's the nomination that's been put forward forward by President Zelensky. And she is already a fairly powerful figure within the government here. But crucially, she has close links to the United States. And it was her that really pushed through the minerals deal with the US That President Trump had been asking for, had been wanting. And when it was faltering, she was really the key figure that got that deal done. She's respected by senior US Politicians. So I think her appointment shows how much President Zelensky values that relationship with the United States and wants to keep it on track because it's not always been the easiest relationship, but certainly at the moment, it's very good between the two countries. Ukraine is getting those Patriot defense missiles that it's been asking for, so they want to keep that relationship on the road. Dennis Michal, the current prime minister, he's outgoing now, and he's going to be in charge of defense here. And one of his key priorities will be essentially increasing the number of weapons made inside Ukraine. So President Zelensky says they need to rely more on making weapons in their own country. Currently, about 40% of weapons used on the battlefield are made here. He wants to make that 50%. And they also want to start producing more drones that can intercept the attack drones that are being fired in from Russia. So that's one of the key things they want to be making inside the country.

[Oliver Conway]

And why is President Zelensky carrying out this major reshuffle now?

[Charlotte Gallagher]

I think there needs to be, he believes, a bit of a re energizing of his government after three years of this war to give the government a bit more energy. So this reshuffle, I think, hopefully he thinks will give that. And also I think it shows, as I said, he wants to prioritize the relationship with the United States. And having someone like Yulia Saradenko, who is so close with the US in that key position does really cement that relationship with the United States. States, certainly.

[Oliver Conway]

And what's the latest in terms of the drone war between Russia and Ukraine?

[Charlotte Gallagher]

So three Ukrainian drones actually reached Moscow overnight. The mayor of Moscow says three were shot down over Moscow. And it's not totally unusual to have drones reaching Moscow, but the citizens there have kind of been cushioned from the war in the way that people living in border areas of Russia and people in Ukraine haven't been. So three were shot down over there. We've not heard reports of any injuries or any damage. One came down in Belgorod in Russia as well. One person was killed there in Ukraine. More drones were sent up overnight over Ukraine. And there was an attack in Donetsk yesterday. A Russian airstrike killed at least three people. It came down near a shopping center and flats, killed at least three people, and more than 27 people were wounded. So it certainly doesn't seem like there's much, much move towards a ceasefire on either side. Ukraine says it wants peace, it's looking for peace. But Russia continues to send these attack drones over every night. Hundreds of Drones and of course missiles as well.

[Oliver Conway]

Charlotte Gallagher in Kyiv as we record this podcast. A concert is being held at Wigmore hall, just a few hundred meters away to celebrate the 100th birthday of renowned cellist Anita Laska Valfish. She co founded the English Chamber Orchestra. But as a 16 year old German Jewish girl in the Second World War, she was forced to play for the Nazis in the Auschwitz death camp. She spoke to the BBC's Nick Robinson.

[Anita Laska Velfish]

Music saved my life. It was all, all accidental, you know. I didn't know there was an orchestra in Auschwitz, but when I arrived, you get a sort of interview with another prisoner whose job it is to interview. And when she asked me what was I doing before the wars, I said I used to play the cello, you know. Fantastic.

[Nick Robinson]

So you joined an orchestra?

[Anita Laska Velfish]

Yeah, it saved my life because they wanted music.

[Nick Robinson]

The Nazis wanted music, the camp guards.

[Anita Laska Velfish]

Yeah, we mustn't forget it was the days before television and there was no entertainment other than music. Really.

[Nick Robinson]

So you were expected to entertain the people who were planning to kill you?

[Anita Laska Velfish]

I suppose you can put it like that.

[Nick Robinson]

It's often asked, and forgive me for asking you how much you knew when you went to Auschwitz. Did you know everything that was happening?

[Anita Laska Velfish]

Everything. The moment you go in there, you know everything.

[Nick Robinson]

And so you must have thought your time would come.

[Anita Laska Velfish]

Of course.

[Nick Robinson]

So playing the cello, you thought what just bought you a little time?

[Anita Laska Velfish]

Yes, brought me a little time. Our job was to play marches for the thousands of people who went out to work in the various factories surrounding Auschwitz in the morning and the mountains again in the evening.

[Nick Robinson]

Do you remember when you first realized the Jews were going to be blamed for everything in Germany back in the 30s.

[Anita Laska Velfish]

Didn't take too long. It started off at school when I was about 5 or 6 or 7 in 1933, when Hitler appeared, I was trying to wipe the blackboard and a child said, don't give the Jew the sponge. That's how quickly, how young you can influence people.

[Nick Robinson]

Do you remember telling your mother, your father that this had happened?

[Anita Laska Velfish]

No, I don't. I probably did, but.

[Nick Robinson]

Did they think it would blow over?

[Anita Laska Velfish]

Yes, my father thought it would. The Germans can't be that stupid. But they were that stupid.

[Nick Robinson]

And now when you look at the world, do you fear that antisemitism is.

[Anita Laska Velfish]

Still what you mean, still there? It's bigger than ever. If anything goes wrong, it's always the Jews.

[Nick Robinson]

And what, what's your explanation for that?

[Anita Laska Velfish]

Stupidity. Brainless stupidity of people who react like that.

[Nick Robinson]

When you came here to Britain and music became your life. You chose not to. To talk about what you'd been through, to share what you'd been through.

[Anita Laska Velfish]

I just didn't choose. I was never asked because there is a certain, you know, reticence in, especially in English people I could understand quite well. What do you ask? I hear you've been in a concentration camp. Tell me about it. You know, have you got five months time? I'll tell you what it was like. You know, it was an impossible situation.

[Nick Robinson]

But you, like all concentration camp survivors, you carry the evidence. There's a number, a tattoo.

[Anita Laska Velfish]

It's only Auschwitz. Who did that?

[Nick Robinson]

Did you sometimes have people spot that number?

[Anita Laska Velfish]

Yes, of course. What you got there? Telephone number.

[Nick Robinson]

What about your own children? Was it something you wanted?

[Anita Laska Velfish]

I didn't tell them either. I did not want them to grow up with hatred. Even though the very hateful things happened.

[Nick Robinson]

For people who are not musicians. Can you describe for us the joy the cello playing gave you?

[Anita Laska Velfish]

No, it's not describable. It's just a wonderful thing to do. Concentrate on something that is totally outside the misery of everyday existence.

[Oliver Conway]

Anita Laska Velfish and still to come on the global news podcast, people who.

[Marie Carpenter]

Love it, whether or not it tastes different, whether or not it's healthier, they cannot be convinced that they just prefer this and they'll pay a premium to get it.

[Oliver Conway]

Cane sugar instead of corn syrup. Will it make a difference to Coca Cola? Next to one of the worst disasters in South Korean history, which took place in October 2022, waves are coming in from both sides and more people fell. And I lost my friend and I.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Had to turn around and I told.

[Oliver Conway]

The crowd, you can't come this way. People are dying. Well, 159 people were killed in that crush in Seoul during Halloween celebrations. The authorities and police were blamed for poor crowd management and a slow response. The then president Yoon Sung Yeol rejected calls to resign. But the new president, Lee Jae Myung, is now reopening the investigation. Our correspondent in Seoul, Jake Kwon, told me more.

[Jake Kwon]

This was one of the deadliest event in recent memory. Here it was right after the COVID restrictions were lifting and this was really the first big occasion for people to go out. So especially at Itaewon. This is a district in central Seoul known for its nightlife and Halloween celebrations. So the streets were very, very packed. I remember my friends already avoiding the area and their phones lost signal because they the network couldn't handle the volume. And then at around 10pm, the alleyway right next to the underground train station was dangerously crowded. And this alleyway, it's a slope, and it funnels narrower towards the bottom. So when a few people lost balance, suddenly many people, especially young people, young women especially, were crushed beneath. And there were police that night, but they were mostly tasked with policing protests nearby or guarding the presidential office, which is in the same area.

[Oliver Conway]

Now, they have already looked at what happened. Why are they reopening the investigation?

[Jake Kwon]

So after the incident, there was a police and prosecutorial investigation. The trial is still ongoing, but so far, the top figures in the government, the minister in charge of public safety example, or the sole chief of the police, were left, you know, let off the hook. Only the local district police chief and his subordinates were punished. And this led to some of the families of the victims crying foul and accusing the government at the time of avoiding responsibility. Now, there is a special, special fact finding commission right now that had launched last year, but they could only set up by having no binding power, so no power to summon a witness or to search for evidence. This is why the new government. There is now this full political impetus to launch a probe that actually has a bite.

[Oliver Conway]

Yeah. I mean, could this add to the legal woes of the controversial former President, Yoon Seung Yeol?

[Jake Kwon]

Well, it's going to depend on how far up the probe can go and what kind of evidence it unearths. But if there were any attempts by Mr. Yoon to cover up or shield his officials from punishment, it could add extra legal trouble against him. However, Yun is already facing the biggest legal woe anyone could ever face. I mean, he is accused of treason, leading an insurrection which is punishable only by death or life in prison. So this is probably the least of his worries.

[Oliver Conway]

And what's been the general reaction in South Korea?

[Jake Kwon]

Well, I think a lot of the public feels that whatever happens, this kind of tragedy must never be repeated. I think there were far too many, really, in recent years of these tragedy. I mean, there was the Sewol ferry sinking. There was of course, this Itaewon crush, and Most recently, the 179 people dead after an airplane crashed. And this is why the new president, Lee Ji Myung, is saying that one of his primary mission of this administration will be to make sure that, you know, the government will find answers as to why these things are repeating and make sure that these tragedies are never repeated.

[Oliver Conway]

And I was talking there to Jake Kwon in Seoul. Civil rights groups in the United States are currently suing the Trump administration over its controversial efforts to deport undocumented migrants. Videos of arrests of people at workplaces, in their cars or while out shopping have gone viral. But another video by New York City tour guide Davidson Boswell is also attracting interest. He says a climate of fear is causing tourists to have second thoughts about traveling to the US and told Victoria Uenkunda all about his experience.

[Davidson Boswell]

A country's image is paramount in terms of tourism. You want to have a place that is accepting to all types of people, whatever their skin color or sexual orientation. And if you project an image of exclusivity and prosecution, essentially, tourism tends to flatline, particularly from countries that he picks fights with, I.e. canada, Mexico, places like that. People who do come already say they would not have come if they hadn't have booked their ticket a year in advance. They looked into options to not come, but instead they just went through with it because they couldn't get a refund for their ticket. So I do anticipate this trend to continue as people continue to feel less welcome. I give tours of very vibrant neighborhoods. Chinatown, the financial district, Little Italy. And these neighborhoods are characterized by walking shoulder to shoulder with people. But because of the lack of tourism, the streets are now much emptier.

[Sali Nabeel]

How has all these changes affected your life, your livelihood?

[Davidson Boswell]

I've probably lost about 50% of my income since January. I work for myself. I also work for two different tour companies. One of them completely went out of business last month because the decline in business was that rapid and it was such a self inflicted wound. We didn't need to do this. We did not need to make America such a scary place to come to. But people are paying attention to what's being said and they hear and see the message, which is don't come here. And they're listening.

[Sali Nabeel]

What are some of the experiences that some of the visitors you've had on your guiding tours have told you they've had to go through just to get inside the United States.

[Davidson Boswell]

A lot of people compare it to traveling to different areas of the world. Like, I had a British family of five go on a tour with me a week ago, and they talked about how pleasant it is to arrive in a place like Dubai. They feel very welcomed. But at the airports here, jfk, you queue in line for an hour, two hours after a long flight, and you almost feel herded like cattle. And when you do get up to the front of the queue, you face a very skeptical person who doesn't seem at all pleased that you have arrived. So it's a very abrupt and almost hostile energy that I think A lot of people encounter when they arrive to New York, there's this sense of it's something to be endured getting into America, not something that is like, ah, welcome, you're here.

[Oliver Conway]

New York Tour guide Davidson Boswell, a photographer in Mali, has decided to take his art out onto the streets of the capital, Bamako. Buses in the city known as Sotrama are often brightly decorated with uplifting slogans and pictures of celebrities. Now the inhabitants of Bamako can also see buses adorned with vast artworks by the photographer Nibe Ponzio showing scenes from Malian life. James Copnell spoke to him.

[Nibe Ponzio]

So I wanted to show my photo series to everybody on the street, because when I did exhibition in the past, some people were afraid about coming into the art gallery. I think, like art gallery made a wall to people. So I wanted to show my work on the street because the street link everybody. I really wanted my work to be seen by everybody, by people going to school, people going to work and people going on the market. That's why I show my works on the minibus called Sutrama here.

[Oliver Conway]

And those minibus, those Sutrama, they in some ways are a work of art. Already you might have a picture of a religious figure or of a famous footballer or of a American president on them. So in a way, you're contributing to what is already a sort of living artwork.

[Nibe Ponzio]

Yes. Every day when I'm driving here, I saw this and I see some slogans, some image, and I think art is really part of the Malian scene. So I just wanted to show to people that images are also art and to make them understand what is my work people were really proud of and that the things I wanted, I wanted Malian to be proud of their culture. So people warmly welcomed my exhibition on the, on the bus.

[Oliver Conway]

And when I look at your work more generally, it seems to me that you really want to show the values and the importance of Malian culture, the way people dress, the things they do in everyday life. Is that right?

[Nibe Ponzio]

Yes, I really want to show like the Malian value, the Malian way of life, because people don't really know what is Mali and how people live in Mali. And I think Mali is one of the biggest culture in West Africa. So I really want to show the world.

[Oliver Conway]

Tell us about one of your photos. There are four young girls with sunglasses. Just describe that photo to us, if you could.

[Nibe Ponzio]

This photo is taken on Eid, because I document Eid since four years now.

[Oliver Conway]

Eid, religious festival, holiday.

[Nibe Ponzio]

Yes. And I was completely amazed by the hairstyle, the traditional fabrics, the vibrant color on the children faces. So I wanted to give a tribute to Malian cultural identity. So the background is basin and he's dyed by a technique called Gala. And the children are wearing, I think it's wax, but most of the time they wear Bazaar too, or Borgolon or African fabrics.

[Oliver Conway]

There is quite a lot of negative news about Mali in the world at the moment. Headlines about jihadist groups and coup d' etat and social problems too sometimes. Is it important for you to show another side of Mali to the world?

[Nibe Ponzio]

For me, it's important to show to the people positive image of Mali because people who live outside only have bad news of Mali and we have to rebalance their perspective with good image, celebration and the real way of living of Malian people. So that's why I'm doing my work.

[Oliver Conway]

Malian photographer Nibe Ponzio. Now, Coca Cola may not be that good for you, but it is certainly popular with 1.9 billion of them sold every day. Recent advert for the drink in the United States, it is typically sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. But President Trump says Coca Cola has now agreed to use real cane sugar in the American market, as it does in other countries like Mexico, Britain and Australia. Mr. Trump is a regular drinker of Diet Coke, which uses an artificial sweetener. He even has a button installed in the Oval Office to alert AIDS when he needs a top up. So why all the fuss about the key ingredient in regular Coke? Marie Carpenter is a US journalist who's investigated the health impact of fizzy drinks.

[Marie Carpenter]

The reason high fructose corn syrup is in Coke, the reason it's in so many foods products in the US is that when it started to come onto the market in a big way, starting in the 1980s, 1990s is so much cheaper. The simplest way of saying it from a health perspective, no, I mean it's sugar. Whether you're getting it from high fructose corn syrup or cane sugar or beet sugar, it's still going to have very similar effects on your health. But partisans of this Mexican Coke will tell you that it tastes better. People love the flavor of it. I think a lot of people do think that it may be less harmful. A lot of people don't like the idea of high fructose corn syrup. And there's sort of a less tangible thing about it is, you know, it comes in this retro bottle. I mean, remember when Coke used to come in this sort of narrow waisted glass? Well, it still does in the Mexican Coke. You know. And so it's got this feel, this nostalgic feel. So people who love it, whether or not it tastes different, whether or not it's healthier, they cannot be convinced that they just prefer this and they'll pay a premium to get it.

[Oliver Conway]

Murray Carpenter. And that is all from us for now. But the Global News Podcast will be back very soon. This edition was mixed by Mark Pickett and produced by Oliver Burlau. Our editor's Karen Martin. I'm Oliver Conway. Until next time, goodbye.