European leaders reaffirm support for Ukraine

Summary

Global News Podcast: European Leaders Reaffirm Support for Ukraine
BBC World Service, Released March 28, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of the BBC World Service’s Global News Podcast, host Valerie Sanderson delves into several pressing international issues, ranging from European solidarity with Ukraine to advancements in artificial intelligence within the fashion industry. The episode, structured into clear segments, provides in-depth analysis and firsthand reports on each topic.

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1. European Leaders’ Support for Ukraine

Paris Summit and Key Discussions

European leaders convened in Paris to reinforce their support for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict. The summit, which included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aimed to outline security guarantees for Ukraine post-ceasefire. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized Russia's hesitation in responding to U.S.-led ceasefire proposals.

Keir Starmer [02:07]: “There was absolute clarity that Russia is trying to delay, is playing games and we have to be absolutely clear about that.”

Valerie Sanderson highlights the consensus among European leaders to maintain sanctions against Russia and ensure Ukraine remains strong in negotiations. French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans for a European reassurance force but acknowledged the lack of unanimous support for deploying troops.

Emmanuel Macron [02:44]: “France and Britain would forge ahead with plans for a reassurance force involving several countries.”

Diverging Views within Europe

The initiative faces divisions, with leaders like Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni and Poland’s Prime Minister expressing reluctance to send ground troops to Ukraine despite strong support for the nation. This discord underscores the complexity of forming a unified European defense strategy.

U.S. Perspective and Concerns

British editor Danny Eberhard explains that while Europe seeks to shoulder more of its security responsibilities, the extent of U.S. support for deploying troops remains uncertain.

Greg Muller [03:07]: “Prepare for the worst, my hope is that the Americans will be committed alongside.”

Zelensky’s Stance

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy voiced the need for a clear and actionable plan, questioning the specifics of the reassurance force and expressing skepticism about Russia’s intentions for a genuine peace.

Valerie Sanderson [05:26]: “He was saying that one clear plan is needed on this initiative.”

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2. President Putin’s Strategic Focus on the Arctic

President Vladimir Putin attended the International Arctic Forum in Murmansk, emphasizing the region's strategic importance for Russia. He addressed geopolitical tensions, referencing former U.S. President Donald Trump's speculative plans to annex Greenland.

President Putin [06:56]: “He referenced Donald Trump's plan to annex Greenland.”

Despite historical claims, Putin clarified that Russia has no immediate intentions to intervene in Greenland but remains open to investment cooperation in the Arctic’s abundant natural resources.

Kirill Dmitriev [07:10]: “We are open for investment cooperation in logistics and other areas where it's beneficial to Russia and also beneficial to the US.”

Steve Rosenberg reports that Russia aims to attract U.S. investment to foster dialogue, even as the Ukraine conflict complicates international relations.

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3. Media Crackdown in Turkey: Deportation of BBC Journalist

Amidst widespread protests in Turkey, the government has intensified its crackdown on media freedom. Mart Lohan, a BBC journalist, was deported on allegations of being a threat to public order after covering the unrest.

Impact on Journalists

BBC’s Selin Garrett expressed concern over the broader implications for press freedom in Turkey, noting an increase in detentions and mistreatment of journalists.

Selin Garrett [09:25]: “I think we will be seeing more of these, more of international journalists being not maybe deported, but coming under pressure.”

Celia Hatton underscores that Lohan’s case is part of a larger pattern of repression against media outlets striving to cover the protests:

Celia Hatton [10:37]: “What has happened to Mark is not unique, but of course it is very important.”

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4. Artificial Intelligence in Fashion: H&M’s Digital Twins

Innovation Meets Ethical Considerations

H&M is pioneering the use of artificial intelligence to create digital replicas, or "digital twins," of their real-life models. This initiative aims to streamline marketing efforts while addressing ethical concerns regarding model representation and job security.

Mark Bain [12:28]: “They partnered directly with a number of models and their agencies... to generate AI imagery featuring a realistic image of the model in it.”

By involving models in the creation process and compensating them for their digital likeness, H&M seeks to balance technological advancement with the protection of models' rights.

Mark Bain [13:06]: “It's a way to try to find sort of a path forward in this new age of AI that allows you to use AI while respecting the rights and jobs of the models.”

Consumer and Model Reactions

While the AI-generated images are nearly indistinguishable from real photos, H&M plans to watermark these images to maintain transparency.

Mark Bain [14:39]: “The AI is getting so good that it's become really hard to distinguish between an AI generated image and a real photo.”

Models have expressed mixed feelings, with some finding their digital twins unsettling yet recognizing the innovative approach.

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5. Health Update on King Charles

King Charles faced temporary side effects from ongoing cancer treatment, leading to the cancellation of several public engagements. Royal sources describe the incident as a minor setback in his overall health trajectory.

Akiyoshi Yamamura [25:07]: “The company will start operating the Elizabeth line in London in May.”

Valerie Sanderson recounts the King’s medical history, noting his initial diagnosis in February 2024 and subsequent hospitalizations. Despite health challenges, the King continues his duties from Clarence House, maintaining his involvement in state matters.

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6. Japan’s Evacuation Plan Amid China-Taiwan Tensions

Proactive Measures Against Potential Conflict

In response to escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait, Japan has developed a comprehensive evacuation plan aimed at relocating 120,000 residents from islands near Taiwan. The Sakishima Islands, particularly Yonaguni, are the focal points due to their proximity to Taiwan.

Hayley Walsh [19:03]: “Japan is just thinking ahead.”

The plan includes large-scale drills scheduled for next year, utilizing military and private transportation to ensure orderly and efficient evacuations over six days.

Hayley Walsh [20:04]: “They want to play out what would go into taking 120,000 people off of the Sakishima Islands.”

Cultural Considerations in Implementation

Japanese authorities prioritize minimizing distress by evacuating people in familiar groups. Celia Hatton notes Japan’s meticulous planning approach, akin to their disaster preparedness strategies for earthquakes and nuclear incidents.

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7. Tokyo Metro’s Operation of London’s Elizabeth Line

Bringing Japanese Precision to London’s Transport

Tokyo Metro, in partnership with UK firm Go Ahead and Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo, is set to operate London’s Elizabeth Line. Akiyoshi Yamamura, Tokyo Metro’s president, expressed optimism about replicating Tokyo’s renowned punctuality in London’s transit system.

Akiyoshi Yamamura [23:34]: “Not all of our experiences in Tokyo may work in London, but I believe our system to avoid delays will work.”

Addressing Cultural and Operational Challenges

Challenges include managing labor differences, such as strike actions prevalent in the UK but rare in Japan. Tokyo Metro aims to foster a positive work environment to mitigate potential disruptions.

Celia Hatton [24:14]: “We aim to create an environment where employees enjoy working.”

The collaboration hopes to enhance the efficiency and reliability of London’s newest transport line, despite inherent cultural differences.

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8. Just Stop Oil Ends Campaign of Civil Disobedience

Impact and Legacy of Direct Action

The British environmental group Just Stop Oil has declared an end to its campaign of civil disobedience, which included disruptive actions like blocking roads and vandalizing art to protest against oil dependency.

Hayley Walsh [27:07]: “We have kept 4.4 billion barrels of oil in the ground and our first demand for no new oil and gas licenses is now government policy.”

Response to Legal Repercussions

In response to stringent new laws targeting protest actions, including severe penalties for non-violent civil disobedience, the group adapts its strategy, signaling a shift towards more revolutionary approaches to climate activism.

Just Stop Oil Statement [27:24]: “Nothing short of a revolution is going to protect us from the coming storm.”

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9. The Silent Crisis: Fungi Under Threat

Ecological Significance of Fungi

Dr. Greg Muller from the International Union for Conservation of Nature emphasizes the critical role fungi play in ecosystems. With estimates of over a thousand fungal species at risk of extinction, the loss of fungi threatens plant life and broader environmental health.

Greg Muller [29:14]: “We just need to think about fungi and include them in our conservation actions.”

Consequences of Fungal Decline

Fungi are essential for nutrient and water absorption in plants, forest health, and carbon sequestration. Their decline poses severe risks to agriculture, climate stability, and natural habitats.

Greg Muller [29:48]: “Without these fungi, we’re not going to have our plants, we’re not going to have our forest, our grasslands, or even our crop plants.”

Call to Action

To mitigate this crisis, improved land management and the establishment of protected preserves are necessary. Muller urges increased awareness and inclusion of fungi in conservation efforts.

Greg Muller [30:08]: “We need to do something about it.”

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Conclusion

This episode of the Global News Podcast offers a comprehensive overview of significant global events, from geopolitical strategies and environmental activism to technological innovations and ecological concerns. Through insightful reporting and expert interviews, Valerie Sanderson ensures listeners are well-informed on the multifaceted issues shaping our world.

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Notable Quotes:

• Keir Starmer [02:07]: “There was absolute clarity that Russia is trying to delay, is playing games and we have to be absolutely clear about that.”

• Emmanuel Macron [02:44]: “France and Britain would forge ahead with plans for a reassurance force involving several countries.”

• Greg Muller [29:48]: “Without these fungi, we’re not going to have our plants, we’re not going to have our forest, our grasslands, or even our crop plants.”

• Mark Bain [14:39]: “The AI is getting so good that it's become really hard to distinguish between an AI generated image and a real photo.”

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For more detailed discussions and updates, subscribe to the Global News Podcast and stay informed with the BBC World Service.

Transcript

[Valerie Sanderson]

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the uk.

[Zing Singh]

I'm Zing Singh. And I'm Simon Jack. And together we host Good Bad Billionaire, the podcast exploring the lives of some of the world's richest people. In the new season, we're setting our sights on some big names. Yep, LeBron James and Martha Stewart, to name just a few. And as always, Simon and I are trying to decide whether we think they're good, bad or just another billionaire that's good. Bad Billionaire from the BBC World Service. Listen now wherever you get your BBC podcasts. This is the global news podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Valerie Sanderson and in the early hours of Friday 28th March, these are our main stories. European leaders in Paris reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and agree to keep sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, President Putin is in the Arctic to highlight the region's strategic importance for his country. A BBC journalist is deported from Turkey as the government cracks down on the media following ongoing protests there. Also this podcast, King Charles cancels a day of engagements after suffering side effects from his cancer treatment.

[Mark Bain]

And the AI is getting so good that it's become really hard to distinguish between an AI generated image and a real photo.

[Zing Singh]

How a fashion company is using AI to make artificial twins of real life models. We start in Paris, where European leaders have been meeting to discuss the war in Ukraine. Alongside President Zelensky, the summit sought to set out what security guarantees Europe can offer Ukraine once a ceasefire deal is agreed with Russia, including the possible deployment of military forces. France and Britain are the driving force behind the initiative. And the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was obvious that Russia was dragging its feet in in its response to U. S Led proposals for a ceasefire.

[Valerie Sanderson]

There was absolute clarity that Russia is trying to delay, is playing games and we have to be absolutely clear about that. And that has meant more support for Ukraine to make sure Ukraine is in the strongest possible position both now and in further negotiations. Second, complete clarity that now is not the time for lifting of sanctions. And of course, we discussed further the plans for reassuring the peace, the coalition of the willing and the military and operational plans, whether they're on the land, the air or the sea.

[Zing Singh]

The French President Emmanuel Macron said France and Britain would forge ahead with plans for a reassurance force involving several countries. But he also admitted there was currently no unanimity on sending such a force. The history of Europe, he said, would be at a tipping point if the US Stopped supporting the continent.

[Valerie Sanderson]

We must hope for the best, but.

[Greg Muller]

Prepare for the worst, my hope is that the Americans will be committed alongside.

[Celia Hatton]

Us and that they will provide support.

[Greg Muller]

Or even active participation in all of.

[Zing Singh]

This, because it's good for their European.

[Valerie Sanderson]

Allies, good for NATO and good for all of us.

[Zing Singh]

But we must prepare for a situation.

[Valerie Sanderson]

Where perhaps they will not join us.

[Zing Singh]

So how far along are the proposals for what President Macron is describing as a European reassurance force? I asked our Europe regional editor, Danny Eberhard.

[Valerie Sanderson]

It's a work in progress, Val, very much so. At this stage. What we have there today, for example, among the leaders, there were some that back it so people like Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer of Britain. But there were others who, although they want to show willing in terms of supporting Ukraine, they're not prepared to send troops on the ground in any kind of eventual future ceasefire scenario. So, for example, Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgio Meloni, or Poland's Prime Minister, Poland is obviously a very strong supporter of Ukraine, but Poland does not want to send troops to Ukraine. So there's a lot of division still, although the broad message is still one of solidarity towards Vladimir Zelenskyy and Ukraine.

[Zing Singh]

And how does this so called coalition of the willing fit in with the Trump administration's view on defense spending and Ukraine? Because President Trump and his White House, they don't think European nations are spending nearly enough, do they, of their gd?

[Valerie Sanderson]

Well, this is one way that Europe can show it is willing to take responsibility for its wider security on the European continent. So from that perspective, I think the US welcomes that sort of initiative. It's by no means clear, though, how much support really in the U.S. there is for this proposal, for example, to send troops to Ukraine on the ground. And the backdrop of all this, of course, is that Russia is deeply opposed to any deployment of European or NATO troops to Ukraine. Ukraine, it says it would see that effectively as an act of war and a direct military intervention. So there are still lots of questions about the force itself and also whether in reality it will ever be deployed.

[Zing Singh]

And President Zelensky of Ukraine was at the summit. What was his message?

[Valerie Sanderson]

Well, he was raising some of those questions himself. So he was saying that one clear plan is needed on this initiative. And he talked about questions such as what countries will be involved, was the size and the structure of the force, how would it respond to any threats from Russia and when would they deploy? Would they deploy after a ceasefire? Would they deploy it when the peace settlement is done up? So he also, of course, consistently stressed the idea that Russia does not want peace, a real peace. It's dragging out the war for its own interests. So he is very skeptical, basically, about the whole ceasefire process, although he's taking part in it.

[Zing Singh]

Dani Eberhard and we have another question and answer podcast with our colleagues from UkraineCast coming up soon. So if you've got any questions, please send us an email to globalpodcastbc.co.uk and if possible, please record your question as a voice note. Well, meanwhile, President Putin has been turning his attention to another zone of Russian strategic interest, the Arctic. He was speaking at the International Arctic Forum in the Russian city of Murmansk. Our Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, is there there and sent us this report.

[Valerie Sanderson]

The Arctic feels like a world away.

[Zing Singh]

From the war in Ukraine, but this is a region with its own geopolitical undercurrents and Russian ambitions. At Russia's Arctic Forum, Vladimir Putin warned that geopolitical battles were intensifying.

[Valerie Sanderson]

He referenced Donald Trump's plan to annex Greenland.

[Zing Singh]

But President Putin claimed that idea was not extravagant and had historical roots. He said Russia would stay out of it. What's more, the Russians have an offer for America.

[Valerie Sanderson]

In a region packed with natural resources.

[Zing Singh]

There are deals to be done. Kirill Dmitriev is President Putin's foreign investment envoy. He's already had meetings with US officials. We are open for investment cooperation in.

[Mark Bain]

Arctics, and that could be in logistics.

[Zing Singh]

That could be in other areas where, again, it's beneficial to Russia and also.

[Mark Bain]

Beneficial to the US before deals can.

[Zing Singh]

Be done, the war in Ukraine needs to end. And many people in the west accuse Russia of dragging its feet, of making no concessions or compromise, just laying down conditions. Well, first of all, I'm focused on economics and investment, so I don't comment on political issues. But I think the only thing I can say is that we have a.

[Mark Bain]

Very good dialogue and I think it's very important. US is trying to understand Russian position.

[Zing Singh]

Moscow is confident it can woo Washington with promises of lucrative deals in the Arctic and across Russia. And that confidence is understandable considering how senior US officials have been repeating Kremlin talking points about the war in Ukraine and about Europe. In the words of one Russian newspaper headline I saw recently, American and Russian officials are now speaking the same language. Steve Rosenberg. Turkey has continued a media crackdown over protests at the arrest of President Erdogan's main political rival. Opposition television stations have been ordered to suspend some broadcasts, and the BBC journalist Mart Lohan, who was detained on Wednesday, has now been deported. The authorities said he was a threat to public order. He'd been on temporary assignment in Istanbul to cover the recent protests. Here's some of his reporting.

[Celia Hatton]

What is the Turkey that you want?

[Zing Singh]

Democracy, like pure democracy, as everyone wants.

[Celia Hatton]

Do you feel that this time it could be different?

[Hayley Walsh]

I think it's different. It's make or break time for Turkey.

[Valerie Sanderson]

It is galvanizing the side of Turkey that feels stifled by President Erdogan's authoritarian rule. And they say they are not going to leave these streets until Imam is out of jail and Erdogan is out of power.

[Zing Singh]

Mark Lohan. Well, Joe Inwood spoke to Selin Garrett, a Turkish BBC journalist who worked with Mark Lohan.

[Selin Garrett]

We are all very distraught about what happened to Mark. He is a very dear friend of mine, not only a colleague, but a very good friend of mine as well. He was in detention 17 hours, but he was treated well. He said he wasn't particularly mistreated by the police force. They were having tea at times even. But of course, being on a detention is distressing itself, no matter how you are treated. And the ground that he was reported was, if it was a shock, actually being a threat to public order, the statement said. Apparently I hadn't come across this before as a charge for journalists, but, I mean, given the circumstances on the ground in Turkey and how the authorities are trying to suppress the coverage of the protest for the last week or so, I think we will be seeing more of these, more of international journalists being not maybe deported, but coming under pressure so that the protests on the ground and the public disorder in Istanbul and elsewhere does not get coverage across international media and does not resonate with the audiences across the world.

[Celia Hatton]

And I think it is important to point out to our audiences that it's. Although it's Mark's story, the one that we highlight, this is not unique. This is happening to other journalists.

[Selin Garrett]

And absolutely, you're very right in that actually, this week there were seven journalists who were remanded in custody. They were later released, but pending trial, of course. So there were other reports of journalists being mistreated, even being beaten, being pepper gassed on the face by the police forces. So, no, what has happened to Mark is not unique, but of course it is very important. It's a shame. He lived in Turkey for five years when he was covering Turkey, when he was a Turkey correspondent, and I was the bilingual correspondent for the BBC there. So we were part of the same team. And I know how much he loves the country, how much he loves Istanbul. Actually, he sent a video visiting his neighborhood just on the day he was detained and showing where he lived and paying visits to the cafes around. And he was in love with the country. He was in love with Istanbul. It's a shame that he won't be.

[Zing Singh]

Able to visit Celine Garrett. AI, or artificial intelligence, has already brought great innovation to healthcare, education and finance. Now it's making headway in the fashion industry, where the retailer H and M is to use it to create digital twins of models. The company says it will use the AI doppelgangers in some social media posts and marketing, but only with the permission of models who will be compensated for the use of their image. But there's concern it'll drastically reduce the amount of work available. James Menendez heard more about how it will work from Mark Bain, who's technology correspondent at the Business of Fashion in New York.

[Mark Bain]

It's a little bit unclear at the moment, just because H and M has admitted that it's not totally sure itself. You know, this is sort of uncharted territory. They admit that they don't have all the details worked out yet. What they do say is that they partnered directly with a number of models and their agencies. They essentially took a lot of photographs of the models to capture their bodies down to, like, birthmarks, that sort of thing, as well as their movement patterns. And from that, they're able to use those digital twins, as they call them, to generate AI imagery featuring a realistic image of the model in it.

[Valerie Sanderson]

Yeah, and I'm looking at some of them now, and I mean, you know, it's not a very good photocopy that I have, but on first look, you can't really tell the difference. I mean, why do you think the company's doing it? I mean, the first thought that springs to mind, that this is just a way to save money, isn't it? Yeah.

[Mark Bain]

I mean, if. If you look at history, when companies have a chance to save money through automation and technology, typically they will do it. We've seen that over and over. H and M says that this is not the main priority. So according to the company, they keep an eye on technology, they see that AI is coming, and they were trying to think about how they can use AI while protecting the rights of the models. Because in. In theory, you know, and we've. We've seen other examples of this, like you could just generate images of models without having to involve them. Not necessarily like an exact replica of a human model, but just something that looks like a regular human model, not based on any actual person. They decided that the best approach, according to them, would be to actually invol the models and to give them rights over their digital twins so they actually own their digital twin and can decide when they want to use it. And so according to them, it's a way to try to find sort of a path forward in this new age of AI that allows you to use AI while respecting the rights and jobs of the models.

[Valerie Sanderson]

Just one final thought. I wonder what consumers will make of it, because there is something strange if you suspect or, you know, you're looking at an image, an AI image of a person. I mean, it does create this sort of weird distance sometimes times doesn't does.

[Mark Bain]

And even the models themselves. I spoke to the first model who H and M created a digital twin for, and she described it as a little bit scary, actually, to look at a picture of herself that wasn't really her. I think the thing that's worth noting is that the AI is getting so good that it's become really hard to distinguish between an AI generated image and a real photo. And so in some cases, you know, consumers might look at these things and not even realize they're looking at an AI image. In fact, H and M has said it plans to watermark the images for now to be transparent, to make clear when you're looking at AI.

[Zing Singh]

Technology journalist Mark Bain. Still to come, why man made change is threatening fungi or fungi, the lifeblood of most plants.

[Greg Muller]

The fungi bring in nutrients and water that the plants need. So without these fungi, we're not going to have our plants, we're not going to have our forest, our grasslands, or even our crop plants.

[Zing Singh]

I'm Zing Singh. And I'm Simon Jack. And together we host Good Bad Billionaire, the podcast exploring the lives of some of the world's richest people. In the new season, we're setting our sights on some big names. Yep, LeBron James and Martha Stewart, to.

[Hayley Walsh]

Name just a few.

[Zing Singh]

And as always, Simon and I are trying to do decide whether we think they're good, bad or just another billionaire. That's good Bad Billionaire from the BBC World Service. Listen now, wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Buckingham palace has provided an update on the health of King Charles following his diagnosis of cancer last year. The statement said the king had spent a short time in hospital on Thursday after he experienced temporary side effects from his ongoing medical treatment. His appointments for Friday have been cancelled. The BBC's Ben Schofield has the details.

[Celia Hatton]

Royal sources are telling us that this is a, in their words, most minor bump in the road that is going in the right direction. I'll take you Back to February last year, early February 2024. And that was when King Charles was first diagnosed with cancer. He had spent three nights in the London Clinic, a private hospital hospital in the capital. He was being treated for what was described as a benign enlarged prostate. And it was during that treatment that medics discovered the King also had cancer. Now, it's never been confirmed what type of cancer the King had. It was said that he didn't have prostate cancer, but they've never gone into any other specific politics beyond that. Now, of course, as you might expect, he suspended public duties from then on and didn't resume them until late April last year. It seems from the communications we've had from Buckingham palace this evening, that it is with some regret that he has had to cancel some of his appointments today and also what he was scheduled to do in Birmingham tomorrow. That statement from Buckingham palace talking about the side effects that he has encountered as a result of his treatment. But palace sources say that that's no surprise, that these sorts of side effects are common when it comes to this type of treatment. They say that they are temporary and such issues are not uncommon with many medical treatments. We know that the King spent some time in hospital today. He went back to the London Clinic, which is where. Where he was initially diagnosed and is now recovering at home in Clarence House. He is said to be going through his state papers and making calls from his residence there.

[Zing Singh]

Ben Schofield. With attention focusing on the war in Ukraine and the breakdown of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, another area of the world is preparing for possible conflict. Japan is taking the threat of war between China and Taiwan so seriously that it's made a plan for how it would evacuate 120,000 of its people living on islands close to Taiwan. The government says it'll start conducting evacuation drills next year. I asked our Asia Pacific Regional editor, Celia Hatton, what's prompted the government in Tokyo to act now.

[Hayley Walsh]

I think that Tokyo is becoming increasingly worried by the rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait. It can see for itself, as all of us can see, really, that China is putting increasing pressure on Taiwan. That open talk of a possible invasion of Taiwan is really on the table now. I mean, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry just said itself it's preparing its own military drills with the idea that China could invade in 2027. So that date is being bandied around by the US and now Taiwan. And so I think Japan is very well aware of this, that it wants to protect itself. It has some islands that are quite close to Taiwan. The Sakishima Islands, the closest. One of those particular islands is called Yonaguni. It's only 100km away from Taiwan itself. And so Japan's just thinking ahead.

[Zing Singh]

So tell us about Japanese plans.

[Hayley Walsh]

Well, the Japanese have been planning this on paper in table exercises for quite some time. For a few years now, they've been releasing images of meetings where they have a map on a table in front of them, and they're moving little wooden boats and planes around. But now they want to go one step further and actually, actually rehearse these evacuations. So they want to play out what would go into taking 120,000 people off of the Sakishima Islands and getting them onto Japan's bigger mainland. And what that would take. They estimate it would take them about six days of evacuating about 20,000 people a day using military vessels, coast guard vessels, and also private ferries in conjunction with planes. They would all be taken to ports and airports on Japan's main Kyushu island, and then they'd be dispersed around the country from there. Now, in typical Japanese style, they've really thought ahead about this, and they want to make sure that they evacuate people in groups. So you're always with a group of people that you know, and you'll all be transported to your ultimate destination where you're going to stay for a while with people you know, and that's to minimize distress.

[Zing Singh]

Have they ever done anything like this before?

[Hayley Walsh]

I don't think so. And that's why they're trying to play it out so carefully in terms of what kinds of. Of transportation they use, who they would evacuate first, how they would go about it. And that's why we're going to be seeing these live drills starting next year. You know, I think the hope for everyone is that they wouldn't have to use this. But Japan is a country that is hit by earthquakes. It's a country that's had to deal with nuclear disasters. This is a country that really thinks ahead. And so that's why I think they're really going that extra step in terms of actually going through these live exercises instead of just planning this out on paper.

[Zing Singh]

Celia Hatton later this year, Japan's Tokyo Metro, along with UK rail and bus firm Go Ahead and Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo, will begin operating the Elizabeth Line here in London. It's the newest tube line in the capital, linking a town like Reading and Heathrow Airport in the west through central London to Essex in the East. It took 20 years of planning, construction and delays and finally opened in 2022 train now approaching.

[Valerie Sanderson]

It's your first Elizabeth Line service from.

[Celia Hatton]

Hamilton to Abbey Wood via Canary Fall.

[Zing Singh]

So what can we expect from the new Japanese operator, Andrew Peach? Heard more from our Japanese business reporter, Mariko Oi, who's been talking to the boss of the Tokyo Metro.

[Akiyoshi Yamamura]

I think a lot of commuters in London might be hoping for the punctuality and efficiency of the Japanese Metro. As you might know, the Japanese capital is known for its. It really is a spiderweb of rail and Metro systems. And Tokyo Metro is the biggest operative subway train lines. And despite that, it's incredibly punctual. It's really rare for them to deviate from the schedule. Sometimes they apologize if they leave three seconds too early, that kind of stuff. But I guess the big question is whether or not they can actually do the same in London because of all the differences in system and whatnot. So I put that question to the boss of Tokyo Metro, Akiyoshi Yamamura.

[Celia Hatton]

We provide nine train lines covering 195 kilometers of track between 180 stations in Tokyo. It's a dense network and we carry 6.86 million passengers every day. To operate all the trains on time, we try not to let them stop.

[Valerie Sanderson]

At stations for longer than scheduled.

[Celia Hatton]

Each line has a committee to tackle possible delays. For example, we ring a bell to inform passengers that the door is about to close. We also have strategies to prevent anyone getting caught in the door. We also use a new signalling system called CBTC to minimize the gap between each train. Not all of our experiences in Tokyo may work in London, but I believe our system to avoid delays will work.

[Mark Bain]

And what about the sort of cultural.

[Valerie Sanderson]

Differences between the UK and Japan? Will these two operations be linked up all the time? Say, when there's industrial action, that kind of thing?

[Akiyoshi Yamamura]

Yes, exactly. That was the first thing that I thought of that. You know, it's all good and well, as the boss was just talking about it, trying to copy what worked very well in Tokyo in London. But as you said, in the uk, drivers often go on strike, which is very, very rare in Japan. Obviously, they're very strong unions in the uk, whereas in Japan, you know, they do have unions, but they hardly ever walk out. So, you know, I put that question to Mr. Yamamura as well, about how they're going to navigate this cultural differences between the two countries.

[Celia Hatton]

As for the UK's labour culture, I realize there'll be differences, but along with our partners, Go ahead and Sumitomo, we aim to create an environment where employees.

[Akiyoshi Yamamura]

Enjoy working so that's Akiyoshi Yamamura, the president of Tokyo Metro. The company will start operating the Elizabeth line in London in May. So we'll see how they navigate those cultural differences that we've talked about and whether they can actually really bring that punctuality of Japanese trains to London.

[Zing Singh]

Marika Roy the British environmental activist group Just Stop Oil says it'll end its campaign of civil disobedience. In the past, the group's supporters have disrupted sporting events by bursting bags of bright orange chalk dust, shut down key roads and Most infamously in 2022, two activists threw soup over Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting in gallery in London. This was that moment.

[Celia Hatton]

Security.

[Hayley Walsh]

What is worth more art or life?

[Zing Singh]

Is it worth more than food? Worth more than justice? Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting or the protection of our planet and people? Our climate editor, Justin Rolatt has been following the activities of the group since it was first formed at the end of 2021.

[Valerie Sanderson]

We are hanging up the hy vee's was the message from Just Stop Oil, whose activists have often been seen wearing bright orange safety vests. It was formed in late 2021 by a splinter group which thought the climate campaign group Extinction Rebellion wasn't confrontational enough. Its actions, including slow marches on motorways and throwing soup at works of art, attracted huge attention and a great deal of public anger. And Justo Poyle says its campaign has been successful. Hayley Walsh is an activist with the group. She disrupted a West End production of the Tempest featuring Sigourney Weaver.

[Zing Singh]

We're the most successful anti oil initiative in direction action groups that's been run. We've kept 4.4 billion barrels of oil in the ground and our first demand for no new oil and gas licenses is now government policy. So we've had huge, huge wins.

[Valerie Sanderson]

But the activities of Just Stop Oil and other direct action climate groups brought a tough response from the authorities. New laws were introduced criminalizing new forms of protest, such as locking on, chaining yourself to something and tunneling underground. Just Stop Oil activists have received the longest sentences ever handed down for non violent civil disobedience. But the group says this doesn't mean its members will give up campaigning. It says it's creating a new strategy. Nothing short of a revolution is going to protect us from the coming storm.

[Zing Singh]

Just Stop Oil, says Justin Rolat. Scientists are warning that man made actions are posing an existential threat to fungi or fungi as they say in the United States. The organism are an important part of our ecosystem. And the International Union for Conservation of Nature is warning that more than a thousand varieties could face extinction. Dr. Greg Muller coordinates the fungal program at the organization, and he told me more about the research.

[Greg Muller]

Fungi are super important for the environment, and they're at risk for many of the same things that are problems for animals and plants. Loss of habitat, changes in climate and. And overuse. And so those are all issues that fungi face. We're finding that fungi are challenged all over the world. We're seeing it in western Africa, in northern United States, in Sweden and northern Europe, and in South America. So every place fungi occur, they're seeing challenges.

[Zing Singh]

And how many types of fungi are there?

[Greg Muller]

There's about 155,000 described species, but we estimate that there could be as many as 2 million out. We just have a lot more work to do.

[Zing Singh]

And if they disappear, or if some of these thousands of species disappear, what effect does that have on the environment?

[Greg Muller]

Almost every plant depends on an intimate relationship with these fungi. The fungi bring in nutrients and water that the plants need. So without these fungi, we're not going to have our plants, we're not going to have our forest, our grasslands, or even our crop plants. And also they're super important for sequestering carbon, so they would be a major impact on climate change.

[Zing Singh]

What does it mean if they die off? Because what you're telling us is that they are the lifeblood of most plants on our planet.

[Greg Muller]

That's very correct. So the plants depend on these fungi, and everything that depends on the plants therefore depend on the fungi as well.

[Zing Singh]

So how can this be stopped?

[Greg Muller]

In some cases, it's just better land management. It's reducing loss of habitat, it is setting up preserves where they might be protected. So those are some of the actions that are really needed. We just need to think about fungi and include them in our conservation actions. Currently, they're usually not considered, and we need to change that. Until recently, we didn't think fungi were under threat. The idea was that they're doing fine. And so the results we just put out shows that fungi do need attention. They are under threat, and we need to do something about it.

[Zing Singh]

Dr. Greg Muller. And that's it from us for now. But there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk. you can also find us on XBCWorldService. Use the hashtag lobalnewspod this edition was produced by Judy Frankel and mixed by Holly Palmer. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Valerie Sanderson. Until next time, bye Bye. I'm Zing Singh. And I'm Simon Jack. And together we host Good Bad Billionaire, the podcast exploring the lives of some of the world's richest people. In the new season, we're setting our sights on some big names. Yep, LeBron James and Martha Stewart, to name just a few. Andazar Always. Simon and I are trying to decide whether we think they're good, bad or just another billionaire that's Good. Bad Billionaire from the BBC World Service. Listen now wherever you get your BBC podcasts.