IDF says it will investigate the deaths of Palestinian civilians near an aid distribution centre in Gaza on Tuesday

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary

Episode Title: IDF says it will investigate the deaths of Palestinian civilians near an aid distribution centre in Gaza on Tuesday
Host: Jackie Leonard, BBC World Service
Release Date: June 4, 2025

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1. Israeli Military Investigates Deaths of Palestinian Civilians in Gaza

In the early hours of June 4th, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced an investigation into the deaths of 27 Palestinian civilians near a U.S.-backed aid distribution center in Rafah, Gaza. This marks the third such incident in three consecutive days, escalating tensions in the region.

Israeli Response:
David Mensah, a government spokesman, initially denied that Israeli forces had intentionally targeted civilians. He stated, “IDF troops had fired warning shots towards people who were approaching them” [00:37].

Incident Details:
According to the transcript, the IDF claims that several individuals deviated from approved access routes near the aid distribution site. Jackie Leonard reports, “From the aid distribution site … our troops diligently issued warning shots” [02:07], further explaining that those who continued to advance were met with additional fire.

Palestinian Perspective:
Local officials and witnesses have expressed outrage and despair. A Palestinian civilian shared, “What did we do wrong? We're not connected to Hamas or any political leaders” [03:02]. Another said, “These people need help. This needs to stop. It's not a political message, it's a humanitarian message” [03:49].

UN Involvement:
UN human rights chief Volker Turk called for an independent investigation, suggesting that the killings might constitute war crimes. The U.S. has acknowledged the need for improvements in the relief efforts in Gaza [03:52].

Field Report:
Sebastian Usher, the Middle East regional editor, provided on-ground insights from Jerusalem. He highlighted conflicting narratives between Palestinian eyewitnesses and the Israeli military. Usher mentioned, “The Palestinians … put the blame 100% on Israeli troops” [04:11], while noting that the IDF spokesman has only promised an investigation without offering detailed explanations.

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2. Political Turmoil in the Netherlands: Geert Wilders and Coalition Government

Geert Wilders, a far-right leader, has destabilized the Netherlands' coalition government by demanding stricter anti-immigration measures. His refusal to comply led to the collapse of the coalition, prompting Prime Minister Dick Schoof to resign.

Wilders' Demands and Consequences:
Wilders insisted on new immigration policies, declaring he would bring down the government when his demands were not met. His coalition partners responded by criticizing his actions as “irresponsible” and prioritizing personal agendas over national interest [09:18].

Election Prospects:
Despite the government's collapse, polls indicate a tight race between Wilders' party (PV) and the Green Left. Anna Holligan, the correspondent in The Hague, noted, “According to the latest polls, the hard right, his party, the PV and the green left seem to be neck and neck” [09:18].

Upcoming Elections:
With the resignation of Prime Minister Schoof, snap elections are expected in autumn. The political landscape remains uncertain as Wilders positions himself as the next prime minister, supported by a divided electorate seeking stability [10:36].

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3. South Korea's Presidential Election: Lee Jam Young's Victory and Challenges

Lee Jam Young has emerged victorious in South Korea’s presidential election, securing his position as the next leader amid promises to unite a deeply divided nation following recent political unrest.

Victory and Promises:
Lee Jam Young, the opposition candidate, pledged to bridge the nation's divisions after a convincing win. In his victory speech, he committed to restoring confidence in democracy and addressing key challenges such as economic growth, international relations, and national security [13:47].

Public Sentiment:
At Lee's victory party in Seoul, Shaima Khalil reported a festive yet charged atmosphere. Supporters chanted, “for real this time and let's win together,” reflecting hope and a desire for genuine change [14:10].

Challenges Ahead:
Lee faces significant obstacles, including an ailing economy, balancing relationships with major powers like China and the U.S., and addressing the nuclear threat from North Korea. Additionally, unifying the polarized society remains his most urgent task [15:06].

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4. China Censors Tiananmen Square Anniversary

June 4th marks the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, an event that the Chinese government continues to suppress through stringent censorship, particularly on social media platforms.

Censorship Measures:
Carrie Allen, a China media analyst, explained that subtle indicators like the number “46” are monitored and censored. Posts mentioning anniversaries or using related emojis, such as cakes and candles, are meticulously removed to prevent any commemoration [17:00].

Impact on Public Memory:
Despite the passage of decades, censorship remains unrelenting. Traditional vigils in places like Hong Kong have ceased following the introduction of the national security law in 2020, instilling fear among activists and the general populace [17:33].

Global Media Influence:
China has expanded its media reach globally through outlets like CGTN, which propagate state-approved narratives and further suppress discussions about Tiananmen, even abroad [17:33].

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5. Ukraine Sabotages Kerch Bridge Linking to Russia

Ukraine's security service (SBU) successfully sabotaged the Kerch Bridge, a crucial supply route connecting Russia to occupied Crimea, without causing civilian casualties.

Operation Details:
Paul Adams reported that the SBU planted over 1,000kg of TNT underwater, targeting the bridge’s foundations. Although the bridge was temporarily closed, it reopened shortly after an initial detonation, followed by a second, unconfirmed explosion later in the day [06:45 - 07:57].

Strategic Importance:
The Kerch Bridge, inaugurated by President Putin in 2018, symbolizes Russia's annexation of Crimea. Previous attacks on the bridge have disrupted Russian supply lines, and this latest operation demonstrates Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to undermine Russian infrastructure [07:37 - 08:12].

Broader Implications:
Despite limited immediate impact, Ukraine's ability to conduct such operations keeps the Kremlin off balance, highlighting Ukraine’s resilience and strategic ingenuity in the face of Russia’s military might [08:10 - 08:41].

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6. Elon Musk Criticizes Donald Trump's Tax and Spending Bill in the US

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has publicly condemned President Donald Trump's proposed tax and spending bill, labeling it a “disgusting abomination” that would significantly increase the national deficit.

Musk's Critique:
During a strong statement, Musk argued that the bill would "swell what was already a gigantic government deficit" [10:36]. He further admonished House Republicans who voted for the bill, saying, “shame on those who voted for it” [11:29].

Government Response:
The White House maintained its stance, with a spokesperson stating, “the president would not change his position on what he calls the big beautiful bill” [12:34]. Despite Musk’s opposition, the bill includes substantial tax cuts for the wealthy, increased defense and immigration spending, and is projected to add trillions to the deficit over the next decade [12:38].

Political Dynamics:
Musk's criticism adds complexity to Republican legislative achievements, especially as the bill incorporates some of Trump’s key campaign promises. The administration faces a delicate balance in addressing Musk’s influential stance while pushing forward its agenda [12:34 - 13:47].

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7. Syria's Stability Concerns Following Pentagon Withdrawal and Dismantling of Security Forces

The reduction of U.S. military presence in Syria and the dismantling of Assad’s security forces have led to significant instability, raising fears of potential insurgencies.

Pentagon Withdrawal:
Thomas Barak, the US Special Envoy for Syria, announced the reduction of the US military presence to a single base, following the Pentagon's decision to halve the 2,000 troops stationed in Syria [19:49].

Impact on Former Soldiers:
Tim Whewell reports on the plight of approximately 500,000 former Assad regime soldiers who were dismissed after the rebel takeover. Many struggle to find employment, with former officer Talal expressing, “We knew what was going on was really unfair” and fearing repercussions for his family if he speaks out [22:03 - 23:31].

Risk of Insurgency:
Nanar Hawash of the International Crisis Group warns that excluding and repressing these former soldiers could fuel insurgency, drawing parallels with Iraq's post-Saddam era where ex-soldiers joined extremist groups like ISIS [24:17 - 26:04].

Current Situation:
With limited prospects for reintegration and ongoing political instability, Syria faces the risk of renewed conflict and challenges in maintaining national security [23:31 - 26:04].

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8. India: Tragic Death of a 10-Year-Old Dalit Girl and Healthcare Struggles

The death of a 10-year-old girl from the Dalit community in Bihar has sparked national outrage, highlighting the severe issues of sexual abuse and inadequate healthcare for marginalized communities in India.

Incident Overview:
Sanjay Dasgupta reports that the girl suffered horrific abuse and was delayed in receiving medical treatment. Her family alleges she was kept in an ambulance for three hours before being admitted to a major hospital, only after political intervention [26:04 - 28:27].

Healthcare Challenges:
Dasgupta emphasizes the disparity between India's private and public healthcare systems. Public hospitals in regions like Bihar are often understaffed and lack essential resources, exacerbating the vulnerability of marginalized communities [28:27 - 29:10].

Social Issues:
The Dalit community faces systemic discrimination, with women and girls being particularly vulnerable to sexual violence. Statistics reveal a 45% increase in reported rapes against Dalit women between 2015 and 2020, translating to approximately 10 incidents daily [26:51 - 27:26].

Hospital's Stance:
Officials from Patna Medical College have denied allegations of negligence, maintaining that any delays were unfounded [28:20].

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9. Philippines Declares HIV Surge a National Emergency

The Philippines Health Ministry is considering declaring a national emergency in response to a dramatic 500% increase in HIV cases since 2010, largely affecting young men.

Current Situation:
Mickey Bristow, the Asia Pacific editor, reported an average of 57 new HIV cases daily, primarily among men under 34 who have sex with men [29:10 - 30:32].

Contributing Factors:
Key reasons for the surge include societal stigma surrounding HIV, which deters individuals from seeking testing and treatment. Additionally, the Catholic-dominated society discourages condom use, and the rise of online dating apps has facilitated more casual and frequent sexual encounters without adequate protection [29:31 - 31:09].

Government Response:
Declaring a national emergency would prioritize the issue, unlock funds, and enhance education campaigns about safe sex practices. Health Minister emphasized the availability of treatments that can prolong lives, stressing the need for increased awareness and diagnosis [30:42 - 31:45].

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10. Panama's Banana Industry: Chiquita Layoffs Amid Strikes

Chiquita, the world’s largest banana producer, faces significant layoffs in Panama amidst ongoing strikes. Workers are protesting new social security laws that reduce pension benefits.

Strike Details:
Alistair Smith of BananaLink explained that the national strike, initially led by teachers and construction workers, saw banana workers join in solidarity against reforms perceived to undermine their social security and pension systems [32:27].

Economic Impact:
Chiquita, a major employer in Panama, has announced large-scale layoffs due to the inability to resolve the strikes. This affects a century-old company, with banana exports constituting about one-seventh of Panama’s total exports [33:07 - 33:42].

Future Prospects:
The government deems the strikes illegal, attributing the layoffs to workers' intransigence. However, the strikes reflect deep-seated grievances and could have profound implications for Panama’s economy and labor relations [33:15 - 34:04].

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11. Auction of a Rare Naval Flag from the Battle of Trafalgar

A historic Union flag from the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), an iconic naval clash where Admiral Lord Nelson secured a decisive victory, is set to go up for auction, valued at approximately £800,000.

Flag's Significance:
Maggie Sumner, a vexillologist, highlighted the flag’s rarity and historical value. It's one of only three surviving flags from the battle, bearing battle scars and serving as a tangible connection to naval history [35:03 - 35:55].

Historical Context:
The Battle of Trafalgar was pivotal in establishing British naval dominance. Admiral Nelson's famous message, “England expects that every man will do his duty,” was a morale booster that contributed to Britain’s long-term maritime supremacy [34:04].

Auction Details:
The flag’s exceptional condition and provenance make it a coveted artifact for collectors and history enthusiasts alike. Its preservation over two centuries is remarkable, considering the fragility of such textiles [35:55 - 36:26].

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Conclusion

This episode of the Global News Podcast covered a diverse array of global issues, from ongoing conflicts and political upheavals to social injustices and historical commemorations. Notable quotes from key speakers provided poignant insights into each story, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of current events shaping our world.

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For more information or to share your thoughts on this episode, contact the Global News Podcast at [e-mail] or follow them on X@BBC World Service using the hashtag #GlobalNewsNewspod.

Transcript

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[Jackie Leonard]

This is the global news podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Jackie Leonard and in the early hours of Wednesday 4th June, these are our main stories. The Israeli military says it will investigate the deaths of 27 Palestinian civilians near an aid distribution center. It's the third such incident in as many days. There's been anger in the Netherlands at the decision of the far right leader Geert Wilders to bring down the coalition gang government. And Lee Jam Young, the man set to be South Korea's next president has promised to unite a divided country after his convincing victory. Also in this podcast, how China is censoring online mention of today's anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre.

[Kerry Allen]

People say I'm 46 years old. Their post will just be completely wiped from the platform. Can't post an emoji of a cake because it represents a birthday, an anniversary.

[Jackie Leonard]

The Israeli military says it's to investigate the reported killing on Tuesday of 27 Palestinians near a U. S backed aid distribution center in Gaza. A government spokesman, David Mensah earlier denied that Israeli forces had targeted civilians. He said that IDF troops had fired warning shots towards people who were approaching them.

[Amica Insurance]

Our soldiers identified several individuals who were deviating from the approved access route. Now this occurred approximately half a kilometer.

[Jackie Leonard]

From the aid distribution site. Now our troops diligently issued warning shots.

[Sebastian Usher]

And as some of the suspects continued, despite these warning shots advancing towards the.

[Jackie Leonard]

Troops in a threatening manner, further fire.

[Amica Insurance]

Was directed not near these specific individuals.

[Jackie Leonard]

In the Gaza Strip. Local officials say that dozens of people were also injured in the incident in the city of Rafah near the US backed Gaza Humanitarian foundation distribution center. These people spoke to the BBC Arabic service Middle East Lifeline program.

[Amica Insurance]

I arrived at the food distribution point at five in the morning hoping to bring food and water to our family. I never imagined what I would witness there. The Checkpoint opened at 6 o' clock. Suddenly gunfire erupted from all directions.

[Kerry Allen]

What did we do wrong? We're not connected to Hamas or any political leaders.

[Jackie Leonard]

We're just civilians struggling to survive in.

[Kerry Allen]

The ruins of our homes. By day we rush our children to hospitals. By night they sleep on the rubble and why is this happening to us? We're exhausted, helpless and forgotten.

[Jackie Leonard]

An Australian doctor, Ahmed Abu Suwayd described the scene at the emergency department of the nearby NASA hospital.

[Sebastian Usher]

These are civilians who went to get.

[Amica Insurance]

Again for the third day in a row, civilians that went to get something.

[Kerry Allen]

To eat and they were attacked. We've seen gunshot wounds to the head and the chest. As I said before, the hospital resources keep getting choked by lack of supplies.

[Sebastian Usher]

And lack of resources and lack of space.

[Amica Insurance]

My message to the world is that.

[Kerry Allen]

These people need help. This needs to stop. It's not a political message, it's a.

[Sebastian Usher]

Human message, humanitarian message.

[Kerry Allen]

They need food, they need aid. They deserve the right to live.

[Jackie Leonard]

The UN's human rights chief, Volker Turk has called for an independent investigation, saying the killings may constitute a war crime. And now the United States is saying there's room for improvement in the US backed relief effort in Gaza. Our Middle east regional editor is Sebastian Asha and he spoke to us from Jerusalem.

[Paul Adams]

What happened is a repeat of what happened on Sunday morning when large numbers of Palestinians who had been heading towards this aid distribution site in Rafa in the south of Gaza received heavy casualties. On Sunday. It was around 31 people who reported to have been killed, around 200 wounded. And today similar figures. And again, you know, we're getting those reports not from Hamas sources, but from the hospitals, from the field hospitals, from the International Red Crescent, from the doctors who are treating the Palestinians and who are saying that they had bullet wounds. Now what we can't be so sure about is what the cause was of their wounds, of the deaths. The Palestinians, the eyewitnesses, the people who came to the hospitals, to the field hospitals with their relatives, either alive or wounded, put the blame 100% on Israeli troops, saying that they were being fired on from all directions, that tanks were involved, that quadcopter drones were firing down at them. What we are hearing from the Israeli side, as you played out there, is a different story this time, different slightly from Sunday when the Israeli forces didn't say that they had actually fired at, at people who were there. This time we're hearing that they did fire at people who were suspects and who were moving towards him in a threatening manner. Now there was a press conference from the IDF spokesman after David Mentzer spoke. I mean, the only thing really new that came out of that was to say that they are going to mount an investigation into what happened. But with the record there's been with the Israeli military before, I don't think that we're expecting to hear anything too soon that will change the version that they're putting out.

[Jackie Leonard]

What are the key issues with the GHFC system and what did they say about the incident?

[Paul Adams]

I think the biggest issue which the warning came from the un, from other aid agencies which have been doing this for a long time, is that those aid agencies were essentially running hundreds of distribution sites and were going to the places when they could. Often they couldn't, but when they could, where the Palestinians are, this way of doing it is I think there's only three distribution sites at the moment open in Gaza. That means tens of thousands of people have to gather. So, you know, incidents like this are likely to happen very briefly. I think this at the distribution is really where the key of it stands. The Gaza Humanitarian foundation has essentially said that nothing has gone untoward. It's been without incident where they are. What they're saying is the zone where they are is fine. It's outside that where it's still a battle zone where these deadly incidents are happening.

[Jackie Leonard]

That was Sebastian Usher in Jerusalem and since he spoke to us, the US and Israeli backed organization involved in the food distribution, the Gaza Humanitarian foundation says it will halt its operations on Wednesday for what it called organizational reasons, but would resume on Thursday. Ukraine's security service has confirmed that its agents carried out an operation to sabotage the Kerch Bridge, which links Russia to occupied Crimea. The SBU said the underwater explosions caused no civilian casualties. The road and rail bridge is a key supply route for Moscow's forces and has been targeted on two previous occasions since the start of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine from Kyiv. Here's Paul Adams.

[Amica Insurance]

The SBU said the attack on the Kerch Bridge had been planned for months.

[Jackie Leonard]

It said agents planted the equivalent of.

[Amica Insurance]

More than 1,000kg of TNT underwater to.

[Jackie Leonard]

Damage the bridge's foundations.

[Amica Insurance]

Video footage from early this morning appears to show the moment of detonation. Traffic was halted for a few hours, with the bridge reopening soon afterwards. But it was briefly closed again this.

[Jackie Leonard]

Afternoon amid unconfirmed reports of a second explosion.

[Amica Insurance]

The Kerch Bridge was opened by President Putin with great fanfare in 2018, following Russia's annexation of Crimea four years earlier. Ukrainians, who still claim Crimea as their own sovereign territory, have long regarded the.

[Jackie Leonard]

Bridge as a symbol of occupation.

[Amica Insurance]

When the SBU exploded a truck bomb on one of its spans in 2022, the news was greeted with euphoria. Across Ukraine, this operation appears to have been less successful. But coming hot on the heels of Sunday's spectacular attack on Russian aircraft. It sends a clear mess. Despite Russia's overwhelming strength in numbers, Ukraine is developing a whole range of capabilities and is very happy to keep the Kremlin guessing about where and how the next ingenious attack will come.

[Jackie Leonard]

That was Paul Adams. Next to the Netherlands, the far right politician Geert Wilders claims he'll be elected the next prime minister. He was speaking after he collapsed the Netherlands governing coalition, prompting the current Prime Minister, Dick Schoof, to resign. Mr. Wilders had demanded the government sign up to toug anti immigration measures and left the coalition when it refused. His coalition partners said most of his demands were already government policy and his actions were irresponsible. With the government in the Netherlands now in meltdown, our correspondent in the Hague, Anna Hooligan, has this assessment.

[Kerry Allen]

This coalition was a marriage of convenience that seemed destined to end. Since the start, it was characterised by infighting and struggled to push through many of the policies it had proudly promoted and promised the country. It was made up of two centre and two hard right parties. Mr. Wilder's decision to torpedo the government has been met with a fiery response from his former coalition partners. One said he was putting his own ego ahead of the national interest. Another said it was a kamikaze move and irresponsible, responsible. Coming just weeks ahead of the NATO summit which will be held here in The Hague. However, Mr. Wilders. Wilders appears to be emboldened. He made a statement earlier saying that he would be the next Prime Minister of the Netherlands. So what are his chances? Well, according to the latest polls, the hard right, his party, the PV and the green left seem to be neck and neck. So Dick Schroeder, the Prime minister, shared a picture earlier. Going up the red carpeted steps to the palace, he submitted his and the rest of the cabinet minister's resignation to the king. And it's likely there will be snap elections in the autumn.

[Jackie Leonard]

Anna Holligan the tech billionaire Elon Musk has stepped up his criticism of Donald Trump's planned tax and spending bill, calling it a disgusting abomination. In his strongest criticism yet of his former boss's plans, Mr. Musk said they would swell what was already a gigantic government deficit. A White House spokeswoman said the President would not change his position on what he calls the big beautiful bill. If passed by the Senate, it would provide big tax cuts for the wealthy, boost spending on defence and immigration enforcement, and increase the US budget deficit by trillions of dollars over the next nine years. Paul Henley spoke. Emily Brooks, who reports on the U.S. house of Representatives for the Hill political website in Washington, D.C. so what's her assessment of Mr. Musk's words?

[Emily Brooks]

Elon Musk is saying that he cannot stand it anymore. He's saying this big beautiful bill, as it is officially called, of President Trump's top legislative priorities on tax cuts, boosting border spending and defense spending, along with spending cuts to some social safety net programs, is a discussion abomination. And he said, shame on those who voted for it. You know you did wrong. You know it. And so those would all be House Republicans who voted to pass the bill last month. Right now it is in the hands of the Senate. And he is referencing the spending projections and revenue projections that show this bill would add trillions to the deficit over the course of a decade, accounting for the cost of extending those tax cuts. Although it does cut spending in other areas, according to these projections that we've seen from several places, it is going to add to the deficit, despite Republicans saying that it won't. But they're not convincing Elon Musk.

[Amica Insurance]

And how much will the public rebuke concern Mr. Trump?

[Emily Brooks]

The White House did respond to this. Caroline Levitt, the press secretary, from her press briefing minutes after he said this. And he said that the president already knows where Elon Musk said. So this bill doesn't change the President's opinion. So, you know, it is a interesting and delicate dynamic here. Elon Musk last week stepped away from his special government employee status with doge, the government cost slashing presidential agency created. That was sort of his brainchild. But you know, he said that he's still going to be involved. A friend of the administration, they had this big press conference saying that, you know, trying to keep Elon Musk in the fold here. But you know, it is complicated because this is going to be Republicans top legislative achievement. If they can get it across the finish line that Republicans and the president are really trying to say is great. It's going to include some of Trump's campaign promises like ending taxes on tips and overtime. So definitely complicates it that the world's richest man and a top ally is is trashing it.

[Jackie Leonard]

That was Emily Brooks of the Hill political website. In South Korea, the opposition candidate Lee Jeong Young has been declared the winner in Tuesday's presidential election. It was a clear rejection by South Koreans of the former president's failed attempts to impose military rules six months ago. In his victory speech, Mr. Lee promised to lead the country beyond the recent political turmoil.

[Amica Insurance]

The first mission that you have granted.

[Jackie Leonard]

Me.

[Amica Insurance]

To overcome the Insurrection and.

[Paul Adams]

Not.

[Kerry Allen]

To threaten the civilian with weapons that.

[Amica Insurance]

Shouldn'T be used against the people.

[Jackie Leonard]

Our correspondent Shaima Khalil spoke to us from Mr. Lee's victory party in Seoul.

[Kerry Allen]

The Democratic Party rally feels like a big street celebration. Supporters of Lee Jin Yong have been chanting his name, saying for real this time and let's win together. There are supporters waving the party flag, others with the South Korean flag. Chants and cheers erupt so loudly we can hardly hear ourselves. There are rows of supporters with blue hats and glowing blue headdresses. They're sat in front of a big screen carrying signs that read we believe in Lee Jae myung. This is Mr. Yi's second attempt at the presidency. He lost by a very thin margin to now impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol three years ago. He promised his supporters this time that he'll reward their loyalty with a win. The snap election that is ushering Mr. Yi to power was the result of the fallout of Yoon's failed martial law declaration on December 3. On the big screen just opposite me, organizers replayed footage from that day, which triggered one of South Korea's worst political upheavals. This election has been so charged for voters, this was not just about choosing a new leader, but also about restoring confidence in their democracy. There are so many challenges facing the incoming president. An ailing economy with slow growth, negotiations on Trump tariffs, balancing the relationship with Beijing and Washington, and the ongoing threat from North Korea and its continuing nuclear weapons program. But one of the new leaders biggest challenge, and his most urgent perhaps, is unifying this deeply polarized country.

[Jackie Leonard]

That was Shaima khalil. Today is the 4th of June. It's the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing in 1989. The Chinese army opened fire on students who were peacefully protesting for democratic freedoms, killing and injuring hundreds, perhaps thousands. The BBC's Kate Ady was one of the few journalists who witnessed the events firsthand.

[Kerry Allen]

The troops have been firing indiscriminately, but still there are thousands of people on.

[Jackie Leonard]

The streets who will not move back. Kate Ady in Tiananmen Square in 1989. Well, since then, China has strictly censored any discussion or mention of the massacre, especially on social media. Extra measures were brought in ahead of the anniversary, as we heard from our China media analyst, Carrie Allen.

[Kerry Allen]

So for example, the number 46 represents the 4th of June that might be censored. So if people say I'm 46 years old, their post will just be completely wiped from the platform. Actually on this Anniversary. One of the things that happens that's quite unusual is that even candle and cake emojis are removed from social media platforms like Sina Weibo. So you can't post an emoji of a cake because it represents a birthday anniversary. You can't post an emoji of a candle because that's a common way of marking your respect to somebody that's died.

[Jackie Leonard]

And it was 36 years ago. There is no sign of relaxing the measures to stop people talking about it, is there?

[Kerry Allen]

There isn't, no. And if anything, I think China's growing its global reach in preventing people talk about it. So one thing that used to happen, some people might go to Hong Kong which had a, a well known vigil in a, in Victoria park. But in 2020 a national security law was introduced in the city and, and people began, people began feeling fearful that they might be persecuted as and seen as dissidents. So these, these common vigils have stopped happening or people feel more fearful that they can take part in them. But also China's grown its media reach more globally. So previously people used to have more trust in independent media, but nowadays you've got outlets like CGTN that spread state media messaging or in this case don't mention Tiananmen whatsoever that are growing influence in areas like Africa. So it is the case that even when people travel outside of China, they're seeing media that they would see back in China. That very much gives the impression that this is not a story.

[Jackie Leonard]

That was our China. Media analyst Kerry Allen.

[Mickey Bristow]

Still to come, it's one of the earliest union flags. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't have been flying from a ship in action.

[Jackie Leonard]

A rare naval flag flown on a ship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 is going up for auction.

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[Sebastian Usher]

I went to many factories asking them for a job. They all refused because I was in the army.

[Amica Insurance]

I'm in a scruffy rented flat in Damascus, sipping tea with a man called Talal. We've agreed not to give his full name. He's one of about half a million former members of dictator Bashar al Assad's security forces, army, police and intelligence, who were all summarily dismissed after rebels overthrew the regime last December.

[Sebastian Usher]

It's really hard to describe how difficult the situation for me right now.

[Amica Insurance]

Like other former soldiers, he now has no regular source of income. But he says he never wanted to join Assad's army. He was forced into it.

[Sebastian Usher]

We knew what was going on was really unfair what the army is doing. But in my case, I cannot really leave or I cannot speak even because I know the intelligence would be interrogating my family and arrest them.

[Amica Insurance]

Tall served with the elite Republican Guards. Human rights groups have accused some of their commanders of committing atrocities, but Talal was a junior officer and he says he did nothing. He's ashamed of.

[Sebastian Usher]

My job is protecting Damascus International Airport in the villages surrounding the airport. And it was a clear order that we cannot shoot unless it's necessary.

[Amica Insurance]

Talal is so confident of his record, he's taking us to a village where he used to to serve. There's more and more young men kissing and embracing Talal.

[Sebastian Usher]

He's very good guy. He's top.

[Amica Insurance]

Were there a lot of people like Talal in the army? Do they think.

[Sebastian Usher]

Yes, a lot of the national guards were good guys. They were invited to our weddings. So not everyone is committing crimes.

[Amica Insurance]

All just too good to be true. According to according to the Syrian Network for Human rights, more than 200,000 people were murdered by Assad's forces. But Kilman Abu Hawa, who is investigating mass graves around Damascus, says Not more than 15% of regime servicemen intentionally committed crimes.

[Jackie Leonard]

There are courts, so the guilty should.

[Sebastian Usher]

Be prosecuted, the innocent should get their jobs back.

[Amica Insurance]

And according to Nanar Hawash of the International Crisis Group think tank, think it's not just a question of justice. Dismissing 500,000 abled men who are experiencing a 14 year high intensity civil war, this creates a fertile ground for an insurgency. The ticking time bomb. In March, Assad loyalists attacked forces of the new government on the Mediterranean coast, heartland of the Alawite minority that President Assad belonged to. The uprising was put down with hundreds of Alawite civilians murdered. But could former Assad officers attack again? Nanar Hawash draws a parallel with Iraq. After the overthrow of its dictator Saddam Hussein. His security forces were also dismantled and gradually many ex soldiers took up arms against the new government, joining the jihadi group isis. The consequences in Iraq didn't really happen overnight. They took around two years to start. And I see the same kind of trend in Syria. In the end, exclusion, repression will fuel an insurgency. I tried and failed to get an interview with the new Syrian government headed by the former rebel group Hayat Tahrir al Sham or hts, who were still designated as terrorists by some Western states. It's hard to know if they'll gradually soften their policy towards servants of the old regime. But for now, those ex officers are a large section of Syrian society and their position is very precarious.

[Jackie Leonard]

That report by Tim Whewell. Now it's a case that has caused outrage across India. The death of a 10 year old rape victim in the eastern state of Bihar, allegedly after a delay in medical treatment. An editorial in the Times of India entitled Bihar Shame highlighted her story. The girl's uncle says the child had to wait hours before being admitted for treatment. The hospital has denied the allegations. The girl is from the Dalit community, which is at the bottom of the Hindu caste hierarchy. The BBC's Sanjay Dasgupta has been following the story and began by telling us about the extent of sexual abuse of Dalit women and girls. And I should warn you, you might find some of this distressing.

[Sebastian Usher]

Within that community, as elsewhere in India, the reality is that the women are the worst off. Now, here is one bit of statistics. Facts do not necessarily always tell the whole story, but a disturbing surge of 45% in reported cases of rape against Dalit women in the five years between 2015 and 2020. Latest data reveals about 10 incidents of rape against Dalit women every day in some corner of India or the other.

[Jackie Leonard]

And what can you tell us about what happened to this particular 10 year.

[Sebastian Usher]

Old girl in this case? This 10 year old Dalit girl was found in a pit in the district of Muzaffarpur in Bihar with 20 knife wounds, raped, brutally assaulted. She was taken initially to the local hospital in Muzaffarpur, treated. This happened on the 26th of May, on the 30th. The local doctors decided that this was beyond their capabilities and their facilities they had. So they referred her to the capital, the state capital, the Patna Medical College hospital, which is even today one of India's premier hospitals. Here, the girl's family says she was kept in the ambulance outside the hospital waiting for three hours and she was admitted only when the family kicked up a fuss, only when local politicians from the opposition got involved.

[Jackie Leonard]

And what does the hospital say? What do the hospital authorities say? And what does this tell us about the state of health care in Bihar.

[Sebastian Usher]

The hospital in Patna? The authorities there have denied the allegations. They have said that claims that there was a delay in admitting the girl are baseless. Now, the state of healthcare in Bihar, as elsewhere In India, there's a 2 if you have the money, if you are well off, if you can afford private health care. Private healthcare in India is state of the art. Western tourists go to have their knees replaced, to have cosmetic surgery. In much of the real India, the hospitals are understaffed. There is a lack of medicine, very often there is a lack of equipment. Some of the equipment doesn't work. There is in many cases a lack of doctors and nurses. And while even by those standards, what has happened to this girl is gruesome.

[Jackie Leonard]

That was Sanjay Dasgupta. Now to the Philippines, where the Health Ministry has suggested that a national emergency should be declared over an alarming surge of HIV cases. An average of 57 new HIV cases are now being documented daily, most of them young men. Our Asia Pacific editor is Mickey Bristow.

[Mickey Bristow]

The Philippines government suggests that since 2010, rates have gone up by a whopping 500%, and that's people getting infections and dying from HIV AIDS related illnesses. The government hasn't been specific or directly explicit about what the reasons are. There are, however, doctors who have suggested reasons behind this. The first one is the stigma associated with disease and that prevents people coming forward to be tested and then diagnosed and then receive treatment. The Philippines is also predominantly a Catholic country and the use of contraceptives, particularly condoms, is frowned upon. And condoms help stop the spread of the virus. Another reason is the rise in online dating apps where people can meet up, have sex more casually, more frequently than before. They're not using condoms, and so that's part of the reason as well.

[Jackie Leonard]

And what sort of demographics are seeing the highest infection rate?

[Mickey Bristow]

Mostly we're talking about young men under 34 contracting the HIV virus by having sex with other men. That's the main group of people.

[Jackie Leonard]

So why is it that the Health Ministry is pushing for a national emergency declaration now?

[Mickey Bristow]

I think a national emergency will firstly focus attention on this growing problem. It would also unlock national funds, but also increase education campaigns, programs to kind of teach people about safe sex, about the dangers of hiv, what sort of.

[Jackie Leonard]

Help is available for people who have been diagnosed.

[Mickey Bristow]

The health minister did touch on this point. He said essentially that there's lots of treatments which can keep people alive for many, many decades. They're available through the health providers in the Philippines, people who have ordinary insurance. So it's not beyond people's ability to go and get this help. What the health minister wanted to do by focusing on this issue is to kind of make people aware that it exists. And it's a really big problem. In the Philippines, there's lots of people who officials believe aren't even diagnosed. Perhaps as many as half of the people living with the virus.

[Jackie Leonard]

That was Mickey Bristow. Next to Panama, where the world's largest banana producing company, Chiquita, has made large layoffs amid an ongoing strike. Workers have been on strike for more than a month as part of nationwide industrial action protesting at new Social Security laws lowering pensions. The government has branded the strikes illegal and said the sackings are the result of workers intransigence. The company says it has already lost millions of dollars. Alistair Smith is the Founder of bananalink, an organization working for fair trade in the banana industry, Rebecca Kesby asked him for more details on the industrial action in Panama.

[Amica Insurance]

So there's a nationwide strike that was initially called by teachers and construction workers unions, and the banana joined it because they're protesting against a bunch of reforms that, according to them, reduce the benefits under the Social Security and pension system. And there's a number of issues around the sovereignty of the Panama Canal, also in the, in the package. So the banana workers joined this national strike because one of their key benefits that they negotiated over the last few years was around their pensions. And the government reformed that. So they came out on strike in sympathy with that whole package.

[Kerry Allen]

Okay, but it's a huge employer, isn't it, Chiquita? It's a very big employer, yeah.

[Jackie Leonard]

So how significant is all of this, then?

[Amica Insurance]

It's the only major employer. There are really no other alternative jobs. If people are suspended and finally laid off for good, then there really are no alternatives for those people and for their family members who depended on that income from banana work over many, many decades. Well, over 100 years the company's been there, in fact. Yeah.

[Kerry Allen]

And in terms of the whole of the Panama economy, how much of a hit would that be?

[Amica Insurance]

Last year, about 1/7 of all exports were banana exports, and Chiquito being a very large percentage of that. So it's very, very significant, the announcement that Chiquito intends to lay off the rest of the workforces out of desperation because they haven't been able to find a solution to the strike. That satisfies, that satisfies the trade union.

[Jackie Leonard]

Alistair Smith, the founder of bananalink, an organisation working for fair trade in the banana industry. Now to matters maritime. Let's go back in history. As a British fleet faced the combined navies of France and Spain on 21 October 1805, its commander, Admiral Lord Nelson, ordered that a message now famous, be sent up in flags. England expects that every man will do his duty. Duty. Bolstered by that message and by Nelson's tactics, Britain went on to rout the enemy and secured the seas for Britain for generations to come. Now, a union flag from that battle, if not that particular message, has been valued at nearly US$1.1 million, or £800,000, and it's going up for auction next month. Johnny diamond asked Maggie Sumner, a vexillologist that's a flag expert, but I expect you knew that. Why is this one so special?

[Mickey Bristow]

It's a very, very rare survivor. It's one of the earliest union flags. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't have been flying from a ship in action. It was purely on the behest of Admiral Nelson that the flag was flying that day as further identification for his column of ships. It's a flag that bearing the scars of battle. So it's an almost unique survivor. There are only three such flags surviving in the world.

[Amica Insurance]

I guess a fair number of people would have, I don't know, wandered through an empty church and seen some of the old regimental flags, maybe union flags hanging from there. This one is really quite different, though, because of its age and because of where it was.

[Mickey Bristow]

Yes, it is clearly of of national importance, as are many of the flags that fly now in our churches. Flags inherently a very fragile object, so to survive for over 200 years is unusual. They're shredded by fire, they're cut up as souvenirs, they're attacked by moths, they fade in the light. You can imagine the problems that they face.

[Jackie Leonard]

The vexillologist, a word we just don't use often enough. Maggie Sumner. And that's it from us for now. But there will be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you would like to comment on this edition or the topics covered in it, do please send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk. you can also find us on X@BBC World Service. Just use the hashtag Global News Newspod. This edition was mixed by Caroline Driscoll. The producers were Liam McSheffrey and Peter Hyatt. Our editor is Karen Martin. I'm Jackie Leonard. And until next time, good.