Global News Podcast – Fatal Shooting at Texas ICE Facility

BBC World Service | Host: Alex Ritson | September 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of the Global News Podcast delivers timely and in-depth analysis of major breaking news stories from around the world. The main focus is the deadly shooting at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. The episode also covers Syria’s unprecedented address at the UN, China’s new climate goals, NASA’s upcoming lunar mission, the US housing crisis, and more.

1. Fatal Shooting at Texas ICE Facility

Segment Start: 01:25

• Incident details:
  A fatal shooting occurred at an ICE center in Dallas, Texas. One detainee was killed, two others critically injured. The gunman died from a self-inflicted wound.

• Forensic evidence:
  A bullet marked "Anti ICE" was found at the scene, suggesting a targeted attack (01:55).

• Political Response:

  • Ted Cruz (Republican Senator, Texas):
    Emphasized growing violence against ICE and CBP.

    "This is the third shooting in Texas directed at ICE or CBP. This must stop. To every politician who is using rhetoric, demonizing ICE and demonizing CBP. Stop. To every politician demanding that ICE agents be doxxed and calling for people to go after their families. Stop. This has very real consequences." (02:28)

  • Donald Trump (Former US President):
    Blamed the "radical left" for inciting violence and promised executive action.

    “[The shooting is] incited by the radical left… I’ll be signing an executive order to dismantle what he called domestic terrorism networks.” (03:05)

• Details from David Willis (North America correspondent):

  • The gunman, Joshua Juan (29), fired from a rooftop at the building and a nearby van (04:05).
  • Bullet casings bore anti-government messages.
  • None of the ICE agents were hurt; the victims were three migrants, with one dead and another in critical condition (04:38).
  • No motive has been officially disclosed, despite political claims.
  • Contextualizes incident as part of a recent spate of violence, referencing the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk (05:25).

• Analysis:
  The shooting has become quickly politicized, with calls for restraint in public rhetoric but accusations flying in both directions amid rising political violence nationally.

2. Syria Returns to the UN Stage

Segment Start: 07:35

• Historic moment:
  Syria’s interim President Ahmed Al Sharar addressed the UN General Assembly—the first Syrian head of state to do so in nearly 60 years.

• Background:
  Al Sharar, former leader of the Islamist al-Nusra Front, overthrew Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, ending nearly 14 years of civil war.

• Speech Highlights:

  • Called for the complete lifting of international sanctions, describing them as "shackling the Syrian people."
  • Promised accountability for sectarian violence and emphasized Syria’s new era of "peace, prosperity, and development."
  • Spoke in solidarity with Gaza and condemned ongoing Israeli strikes.

• Orla Guerin (Senior international correspondent) on Damascus Reaction:

  “His speech was broadcast live in the main square in Damascus, accompanied by fireworks in the night sky. Ahmed Al Shirah said his country had transformed from exporting crisis to providing an opportunity for regional peace.” (09:34)

• General David Petraeus (Former CIA Director) on Al Sharar:

  • Recognized the significance of Al Sharar’s journey—from being detained by US forces to leading Syria (10:58).

  “He has a surprising mastery of the economic situation there with considerable detail. I hope that … Congress of the US will follow through as well and lift the sanctions.” (11:24)

  • Petraeus acknowledged lingering skepticism due to past violence but commented Al Sharar is "saying all the right things" and should be supported unless proven otherwise (12:17).

  “It's not words, as always, it's deeds. And I do think it's in our interest, our national interest, to do everything we can to enable him to succeed, at least until he proves that he does not any longer warrant our support.” (12:50)

3. China’s New Climate Emissions Target

Segment Start: 14:20

• President Xi Jinping's announcement at the UN:
  China will reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7-10% by 2035 from peak levels, with ambitions to exceed that.

  "China will by 2035 reduce carbon economy wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7% to 10% from peak levels, striving to do better." (15:02, Interpreter)

• Implied Critique of the US:
  President Xi called green transformation "the trend of our times," appearing to critique US climate policy backsliding.

• Expert Analysis by Matt McGrath (Environment correspondent):

  • The target is lower than many hoped, but "10% of China's emissions is four times the UK's annual emissions."
  • China is ahead of its own targets for renewable energy expansion.

  "In 2020, they promised that they would install 1,200 gigawatts…by 2030, and they achieved that last year. So they’re six years ahead of schedule." (16:37)

  • Optimism remains for further over-performance on renewables despite the modest emissions target.

  “…while the headline target may be less than people expected, I think there's a lot of hope that they will overachieve, particularly on the renewables…” (17:32)

4. NASA’s Artemis Mission: Return to the Moon

Segment Start: 18:32

• Upcoming mission:
  NASA plans to send a four-person crew on a 10-day Orion spacecraft mission around the moon as soon as February.

• Crew Composition:
  Three Americans and one Canadian. The spacecraft is named "Integrity".

• Crew insights:

  • Victor Glover (Pilot): Emphasized solitude and awe of passing around the moon’s far side.
  • Christina Cook (Mission specialist):

    “…depending on the illumination of the far side of the moon, … we could see parts of the moon that never have had human eyes lay upon them before. And believe it or not, human eyes are one of the best scientific instruments that we have.” (20:02)

  • Jeremy Hansen (Canadian astronaut): First time in space, expects "a bit of an adjustment." (21:05)
  • Reid Wiseman (Commander): Described the project as a "magical mission."

5. US-Colombia Tensions Over Caribbean Airstrikes

Segment Start: 23:00

• Context:
  US airstrikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean killed at least 14 people. Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the attacks.

• Key Quote:

  “There is no need to kill anyone… Why launch a missile if you could simply stop the boat and arrest the crew? That's what one would call murder.” (23:40) “…launching missiles over sovereign waters outside the United States is an act of tyranny. And what is happening there is a tyranny.” (24:16)

• Legal ramifications:
  Petro calls for investigation if Colombians are among the victims, citing a possible breach of international law.

6. The American Dream: A Homeownership Crisis

Segment Start: 26:20

• Feature story:
  In a report from Monica Miller, the struggle of American first-time homebuyers highlights a nationwide housing affordability crisis.

• Real experiences:

  • Robert & Megan McKenna (Home buyers): Described the exhausting process and frequent setbacks.

    “I finally get to a number that I'm happy with. I can see myself living in it. And then you get the news: hey, guess what? You didn't get this one.” (27:38)

  • Diane Loomis (Real estate agent):

    “You don't have the time to process here… start thinking because it may not be there tomorrow.” (28:02)

  • Andrew Kay (Developer): Cited regulatory hurdles and tariffs as obstacles to new construction.

• Policy & politics:
  Bipartisan movement in Congress to address affordability, expand housing, and reduce red tape.

  • Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina):

    “Solving this problem has got to be paramount for decision makers all across the spectrum of government and frankly, in the private sector as well.” (29:52)

7. Mining Rescue in Colombia

Segment Start: 32:25

• Event Recap:
  All 23 miners trapped in a collapsed mine in northwest Colombia were rescued after 48 hours underground (32:35). Emotional reunions with family captured on social media.

8. The Bayeux Tapestry’s Risky Journey

Segment Start: 33:12

• Background:
  Plans are underway to loan the 70-meter-long, nearly 1,000-year-old tapestry from France to the UK.

• Concerns & Solutions:
  Experts question the artifact’s fragility; a dry-run with a replica will test if transportation is viable.

• Historian Dr. David Musgrove:

  "They're going to get some sort of linen artefact, which is the same extent as the tapestry, 70 meters. They're going to put it into some sort of vibration damping case and they're going to drive it to the Eurotunnel and I assume across to the UK from there." (33:55)

Notable Quotes

• Ted Cruz:

  “This is the third shooting in Texas directed at ICE or CBP. This must stop… To every politician who is using rhetoric, demonizing ICE and CBP, stop.” (02:28)

• Gustavo Petro:

  “Launching missiles over sovereign waters outside the United States is an act of tyranny. And what is happening there is a tyranny.” (24:16)

• Christina Cook (NASA):

  “We could see parts of the moon that never have had human eyes lay upon them before—and believe it or not, human eyes are one of the best scientific instruments that we have.” (20:02)

Episode Flow

• Fatal shooting at Dallas ICE facility and political fallout
• Syria’s new leadership milestone at the UN, with insights from policymakers and military leaders
• China’s incremental but substantial climate targets
• NASA’s Artemis mission: The new lunar crew and mission goals
• US-Colombia diplomatic row over lethal anti-narcotics strikes
• The ongoing US housing affordability crisis and emerging policy responses
• Colombian mining rescue
• Challenges of transporting the Bayeux Tapestry

This episode of the Global News Podcast offers succinct, critical global reporting, expert interviews, and on-the-ground perspectives, connecting urgent events in America to wider global dynamics with clarity and breadth.