Global News Podcast (BBC World Service)

Episode: Hong Kong fire kills at least 128 people

Date: November 28, 2025
Host: Celia Hatton

Episode Overview

This episode delivers breaking news coverage of the devastating high-rise fire in Hong Kong that has claimed at least 128 lives. The podcast also addresses major global developments including new US immigration policy after a tragic National Guard shooting, severe flooding in Southeast Asia, historic protections for sharks and rays, Pope Leo’s unifying visit to Turkey, Wikipedia’s founder’s response to online criticism, a viral story about Austrian nuns, and a tribute to Scottish fashion icon Pam Hogg.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catastrophic Hong Kong High-Rise Fire

(00:50 – 06:38)

• Incident recap: The fire started Wednesday in a high-rise housing complex and tore through seven buildings, leaving at least 128 dead and about 200 missing. Rescue efforts have ended.
• Fire alarm failures: Faulty smoke alarms in multiple blocks contributed to the disaster.
  • “We found that these fire alarms were malfunctioning. We will be taking enforcement actions over this.” – Celia Hatton reading from the fire chief’s statement (03:04)
• Government Response: Several arrests have been made, and an official investigation has started, expected to take 2-4 weeks.
• Community grief & anger: Local reporter Danny Vincent notes:
  • “There was always an expectation amongst some people at least that the death toll would rise. … But there was also a sense of anger ... Many people are beginning to ask questions. They want to know why this fire happened, why it spread so quickly, if anything is being hidden.” (03:57)
• Red Cross support: Aid workers are supporting families dealing with shock and loss.

Notable Quote

"This is really a test for the government. They want to wait to see what information comes out, but they also are concerned that perhaps someone should be held accountable for this."
— Danny Vincent (05:42)

2. US National Guard Shooting & Immigration Policy

(06:38 – 10:24)

• Incident: Two US National Guard soldiers were shot, one killed, by a 29-year-old Afghan national. President Trump has announced a permanent pause on migration from Afghanistan and 18 other countries.
• Expert reaction:
  • Jeremy McKinney (American Immigration Lawyers Association president) emphasizes the tough vetting process:

    "These Afghans that cooperated with our military underwent the most intensive screening process and vetting process of any immigrant..." (07:26)

  • He expresses concern migrants are being scapegoated.
• Policy Impact: Affected countries include Cuba, Haiti, Somalia, Venezuela, among others. Anticipates increased re-screening or revocation of statuses but doubts it will enhance security.

3. Southeast Asia Floods & Landslides

(10:24 – 13:47)

• Scale of disaster: Over 140 dead in Thailand and 170+ in Sumatra, Indonesia, with deadly flooding also affecting Vietnam, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.
• First-person account:

  "The water started to rise in the morning ... then suddenly it got so high and fast. My house has a second floor, so we evacuated upstairs." (10:56)

• Challenges: Difficult access, food shortages, rising costs. Aid delivery is hampered by geography and ongoing flooding.
• Historical context:
  • Astutestra Ajung Rastri: "Southeast Asia just experienced one of the worst floods in the region... rain like this never happened in the past decades." (13:02)
• Regional impact: Tens of thousands displaced; situation continues to worsen.

4. Major Conservation Victory for Sharks & Rays

(13:47 – 16:25)

• Convention Result: 70 species given stronger protection via CITES, with species like whale sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks moved to the highest protection (Appendix 1).
• Expert reaction from marine biologist Luke Warrick:
  • “Many of these 70 species are already critically endangered or endangered with extinction. … This is kind of one of the last chances we have to save them.” (14:23)
  • “For the first time, CITES has recognized that some species shouldn’t be traded anymore.” (14:57)
• Enforcement: Applies to international trade; individual countries still set own domestic policy.

Notable Quote

“We really need these species to be treated like marine wildlife, like whales and turtles, and not as a food resource.”
— Ben James (15:21)

5. Pope Leo’s Historic Unity Visit to Turkey

(17:00 – 23:16)

• Symbolic act: Pope Leo marks 1700 years since the Nicene Creed's creation by standing with Patriarch Bartholomew, Orthodox and Catholic leaders reciting the creed together.
• Message of unity:

  “We must strongly reject the use of religion for justifying war, violence, or any form of fundamentalism or fanaticism. Instead, the paths to follow are those of fraternal encounter, dialogue and cooperation.”
  — Pope Leo (20:43)

• Ecumenical significance: First visit to the site by a pope; fulfills Pope Francis’s unfulfilled intention.
• Regional religious importance: Raises Christian-Muslim dialogue in Turkey; upcoming travels include mass in Istanbul and visit to Lebanon.

6. Wikipedia’s Jimmy Wales on Threats, AI, and Right-Wing Criticism

(16:37 – 26:45)

• AI concerns: Wikipedia community is vigilant about AI-generated (and sometimes false) content:

  "The community is already saying they see some AI slop coming in... if you tried to do it in some sort of massive wholesale way ... the community would just block you very quickly."
  — Jimmy Wales (23:47)

• Criticism from right-wing activists and Elon Musk:
  • On bias accusations:

    “The only way to make that seem true is if you think the Wall Street Journal and the Telegraph and the Economist are left wing rags. … There are some sites ... frowned on as sources, but it has nothing to do with their political leanings. It just has to do with that they're not very good.” (25:05)

  • On Musk and alternative encyclopedias:

    “I'm not that worried about it. I mean, his approach doesn't look very promising to me. … We know that it's not possible.” (25:45)

  • On funding and independence:

    “Every time Elon rants about us, we see a surge in donations. … Elon's not as powerful as he may think he is.” (26:14)

7. Austrian Nuns’ Standoff with the Church Goes Viral

(26:45 – 28:55)

• Backstory: Three elderly nuns who returned (with outside help) to their convent after being placed in a care home now have a large online following. The church allows them to stay if they give up social media.
• Social Media Fame: Videos showed one nun boxing and wielding a sledgehammer; their resistance captured public attention.
• Current Status: Nuns have not accepted the church’s condition yet.

8. Remembering Pam Hogg, Maverick Scottish Fashion Designer

(28:55 – 32:35)

• Life and work: Known for bold, colorful, body-conscious designs and worn by icons like Lady Gaga, Bjork, and Rihanna.
• Influence & Legacy:
  • “Her clothes ... were pieces of walking art. They weren’t just sort of trend oriented, mass produced ... they were made with love from her.”
    — Karen Franklin (30:18)
  • “Pam just had a kind of magical lust for life and she visually was very stunning ... She just was one of those people with charisma. But it wasn't superficial ... it was underpinned by a very .. pro social motivation for just and fairness.” (29:25)
• Iconic Style: Famous for “lycra fitted catsuits worn with platform shoes...that kind of countercultural, post-punk, rock and roll of fashion." (31:41)
• Personal story: Her father’s inventive gifts inspired her creativity and individuality.

Notable Quotes

• “We want them to feel that they're not alone. Although it's a very painful process...but our team...are accompanying them.”
  — Eliza Chung, Hong Kong Red Cross (03:41)
• "It's a sad day for our country because one of these soldiers has died. But it's an especially sad day for migrants in this country because once again, they're being scapegoated."
  — Jeremy McKinney (07:26)
• "This is scapegoating, pure and simple."
  — Jeremy McKinney (09:22)
• "Aid coming to that area is very difficult. ... the price is also doubled. So it's very difficult."
  — Astutestra Ajung Rastri (12:03)
• “This is kind of one of the last chances we have to save them [endangered sharks and rays].”
  — Luke Warrick (14:23)
• "We must strongly reject the use of religion for justifying war, violence, or any form of fundamentalism or fanaticism."
  — Pope Leo (20:43)
• "Funding is from the general public and every time Elon rants about us, we see a surge in donations. So it's a lot of noise. But Elon's not as powerful as he may think he is."
  — Jimmy Wales (16:37, 26:14)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:50] — Hong Kong Fire coverage begins
• [03:57] — Danny Vincent reporting from Hong Kong
• [06:38] — US National Guard Shooting & Migration response
• [10:24] — Southeast Asia Floods and Landslides
• [13:47] — CITES shark and ray protection breakthrough
• [16:37] — Wikipedia’s role, AI risks, and right-wing criticism
• [17:00] — Pope Leo’s Turkey visit & Christian unity
• [26:45] — Viral Austrian nuns’ story
• [28:55] — Pam Hogg tribute

Tone and Language

The episode maintains the BBC’s signature calm, neutral, and empathetic journalistic tone. Quotes from reporters, interviewees, and guests are clear and direct, reflecting the seriousness of the news topics, but the episode includes moments of warmth and personal reflection, especially in the tribute to Pam Hogg and the discussion about the nuns.

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