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[00:00]
Advertiser/Commercial Voice
This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.
[00:06]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
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[01:17]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
This is the global news podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Paul Moss and in the early hours of Wednesday, 31st December, these are our main stories. Iran's government says it will listen to protesters complaints as demonstrations spread across the country. The US lays sanctions on Iranians and Venezuelans allegedly involved in trading weapons, parts and technology. What do we know about the ties between Tehran and Caracas? And Poland considers a bill which would for the first time give official recognition to same sex couples. Also in this podcast, it's a catastrophe.
[01:56]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
Over 2 million innocent people trapped in the prison that is the Gaza Strip. And now we're seeing aid continue to be obstructed and withheld.
[02:05]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
With new warnings about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, aid organizations face being kicked out by Israel from January 1st. It started with shopkeepers. Now Iran's latest protest movement has been taken up by by students. Poverty, corruption, tyranny, death to the dictatorship, they chanted in the capital, Tehran. But Tuesday saw demonstrations reported at 10 universities across the country. When it comes to facing down protest, Iran's rulers don't usually hold back. The last major movement in 2022 was perhaps typical. Security forces opened fire on CR guards. More than 500 people were killed and around 20,000 arrested, according to human rights groups. This time, though, seems very different, with the Iranian president adopting what certainly sounds like a conciliatory tone, the government should listen to the protesters legitimate demands, Masoud Possesskian said. And the speaker of Iran's parliament, Mohammad Baghar Galibaf, also seemed in a mood to understand the rather than condemn, people's concerns and protests over economic hardships must be responded to with full responsibility and dialogue and taking necessary measures focused on increasing people's purchasing power and reforming the economic decision making process. So economic hardship, the government seems to acknowledge, is a reality for many, perhaps most Iranians. But the list of grievances has now expanded. As I heard when I spoke to Bachman Kalbasi from the BBC's Persian service.
[03:54]
Bachman Karbasi (BBC Persian Service Correspondent)
The trigger is this collapse of currency, but the grievances of the Iranian public against the government and the situation in the country is long running and it goes across demographics and cities and classes. So as soon as there is a trigger Iran, other grievances come to the surface quite quickly. And usually from the perspective of protesters and dare I say, a big portion of the Iranian society, it's the leadership's fault and it's their policies that is causing the hardships that they're experiencing. So the chants quickly turn from economic demands to targeting the Supreme Leader himself and the government, which is what we have seen in the last 48 hours.
[04:45]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
The government, the president certainly do sound unusually conciliatory. Talking about the need to understand the protesters concerns. What should we read into that?
[04:56]
Bachman Karbasi (BBC Persian Service Correspondent)
We should read into that that they are aware of how fragile the situation is and how terrible the economic conditions are. And there is worry obviously that if this spreads, that controlling it and containing it may need the kind of brutal force that they have used before, but it will be harder to use this time around given Iran's isolation and general political situation in the country. Obviously they are trying to come across as conciliatory because there's also the reality that they have no answers for the unbelievable inflation that exists and the collapse of the currency, lack of electricity, water, pollution. The problems are not one fold and they have no solution for any of them at this point. So their only response is either to go to brute force right away or try to be conciliatory at the beginning at least to see if they can calm the situation down.
[05:57]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
If we look back at the protests three years ago, those started over the attempts to crack down on women who weren't following strict dress codes. And since then, women in Iran have actually been flouting these rules far more widely than before. In some ways they won in that protest. And I wonder if that's given a sort of momentum and optimism to the protesters who are out on the streets now. Yes.
[06:21]
Bachman Karbasi (BBC Persian Service Correspondent)
And there is six rounds of protests. If we start from the biggest one of all, 2009, which started with reaction to what millions and millions of Iranians saw as a cheating in the election and reinstalling Ahmadinejad, the president at the time, all the way to the woman life freedom, which you just referenced. Each of them were put down by violent oppression of the forces, but each had long term impacts on the political system. And the example of women walking around without a hijab almost everywhere in major cities, obviously risking being arrested, harassed, what have you, shows that even though they managed to end those protests, the social changes that came after it has sustained. And so one has to assume that even if they manage to put this one down, which is likely, what will happen in the next few days, if it continues, the fact that the system has once again faced protest will result in some changes in the way it is behaving, but it will not be enough for tens of millions Iranians who want fundamental change.
[07:33]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Bachman Karbasi and we'll hear more about the protests and about a Nobel laureate imprisoned by Iran later in the podcast. But first, while Iran's rulers face renewed opposition on the streets, they've also come under renewed threats from the United States. Donald Trump said on Monday he'd seen reports threatening that Iran was once again developing a nuclear and ballistic weapons program. He said he'd support strikes against the country if this proved true. Then on Tuesday, Washington announced sanctions on individuals and entities in Iran and also in Venezuela, saying they were trading weapons, parts and technology. Our correspondent in Washington, Sean Dilley, gave me more details.
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Advertiser/Commercial Voice
The crops of what the United States is claiming is that there is a trade not just in drones and drone technology, but conventional weaponry and parts needed for drones and conventional missiles in Venezuela. What that apparently looks like from the non specific release that the US Government has put out is that drones that are either developed or developed and built in Iran are being used in Venezuela. And the United States says it's concerned about the threat that poses in the Red Sea and the Middle east as a result. But it's probably no coincidence that President Maduro is under a great deal of pressure from President Trump at the moment on a number of fronts and the trade in oil as well, links between Iran and Venezuela. So these two countries are very firmly in President Trump's targets.
[09:03]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
They are, as you say, his targets. Venezuela and Iran have for a while been perhaps Donald Trump's main enemies in his own eyes. Are they really working Together, because it is remarkable to see these two linked in the way that they have been.
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Advertiser/Commercial Voice
Yeah, I mean, part of President Trump's issue with President Maduro is how close they are to regimes that might not necessarily be incompetent cahoots with the United States in the same way. And Iran's a big part of that. Again, pointing to the US Claims that some of the illicit oil trade under the sanctioned ships are traveling to and from Iran. That is significant. It's not the case that Iran and Venezuela have suddenly started trading with each other or being close as a result of the recent troubles outside on the coast of Venezuela. The two countries and the two regimes have been very close for an incredibly long time, not least of which because of the very strong shipping connections between the two and the fact that both would be historically quite suspicious of the United States. And again, people looking at this story, they'd be forgiven for thinking, is this a Donald Trump President Maduro issue? But it was the case that oil, including that that traded with Iran, was sanctioned under Joe Biden's regime. And for many years, those tensions have been very difficult with Iran, not just because of its relationships in Venezuela, but because of its proximity to Israel, the Middle east, and the risk of destabilizing the region.
[10:29]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
The Israeli Prime Minister, Bibi Netanyahu, was meeting with Donald Trump on Monday at Donald Trump's residence, Mar a Lago. Presumably, this is something that emerged from their discussions. Hardly seems a coincidence that the sanctions have been issued now.
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Advertiser/Commercial Voice
It absolutely is the case that Benjamin Netanyahu was concerned about the issue of Iran's capabilities. That issue was absolutely brought up. There was concern from Benjamin Netanyahu about Iran building up a nuclear program. And Donald Trump said that if they did that, that threat would be eradicated.
[11:04]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Sean Dilley For Venezuela, sanctions may not exactly sound like the biggest threat it faces from the US Right now. The country has seen tankers boarded off its coast and boats have been targeted by airstrikes as part of what the US Claims is an effort to stop drug smuggling. Then on Monday, Donald Trump said the US had hit a Venezuelan port, which he claimed was used to load drug smuggling boats. Now, that would certainly mark an escalation of hostilities. And yet, as our Latin America correspondent Will Grant explains, the new measures announced on Tuesday will still be seen as significant. In essence, from the Venezuelan perspective, these latest sanctions simply complicate what is already a very, very complicated situation, an increasingly escalating situation. There are already major sanctions in place against individuals from Nicolas Maduro down throughout his government throughout his inner circle and his military. These latest steps send out another message to Nicolas Maduro's administration, that the Trump administration intends to squeeze the government in Caracas on every single front, whether or not that be direct sanctions against individuals confiscating sanctioned oil vessels which has been taking place and of course, militarily, through the attack on go fast boats, speedboats which are alleged to be carrying drugs through Venezuelan waters. The main question that many have in Caracas is really the apparent explosion at what President Trump called a picture dock area in Venezuela. If that is going to usher in further attacks on land targets in Venezuela and that this conflict is about to escalate even further. That, I think, is the real question, far more than the impact of any set of sanctions against individuals or companies will grant. Poland is in many ways, you'll have to excuse the near punishment a deeply polarized society. Many among its younger urban based population have values which would be considered progressive by any European standards. But in rural areas, the country's more conservative Catholic tradition still holds sway. One issue which has proved particularly polarizing is LGBT relationships. And now the government in Warsaw has sent a bill to Parliament to legalize civil unions for couples living together, and that would include same sex relationships. Anna Aslam reports.
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Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
This bill would allow any two people regardless of gender, to sign a cohabitation contract which would let them access each other's medical information, inherit assets and jointly file taxes, among other benefits. However, it would not allow couples to share surnames or adopt children. And for many LGBT campaigners fighting for equality, the bill is a disappointing half measure ahead of the last election. Prime Minister Donald Tusk had promised to introduce a bill legalizing civil partnerships within 100 days, but he struggled to deliver reforms because of his coalition government's more conservative wing. Poland is mostly Catholic, and many religious conservatives have criticized measures advocating for LGBT rights as gender ideology backed by destructive foreign powers. The president, Carol Novrotsky, has said he'll veto any bill that, as he puts it, undermines the constitutionally protected status of marriage. Prime Minister Tusk acknowledged this bill's limited scope is the result of a compromise.
[14:43]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
No one will be entirely satisfied. I realize this. But this is the minimum of civilization that Poland must be able to afford. Our task is to make life easier and to ensure that those who choose partnership and therefore who benefit from the status of next of kin will be able to be treated by the Polish state as all citizens deserve.
[15:03]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
The first reading of the bill is scheduled for next month. If it gets through both houses of Parliament, it'll then need to be signed into law by the president. So still a long way to go. But Warsaw has described the Cabinet's adoption of the bill as a historic moment in itself. The LGBT community's reaction has been more reserved. Some say it's a necessary compromise in the right direction, but others have voiced frustration. One campaigner described the bill as a paradox. He said, the government finally acknowledges our existence, but remains too afraid to grant us dignity. A recent survey found only about a third of polls support the introduction of same sex marriage, but nearly two thirds back some form of legal recognition recognition for same sex unions. Poland remains one of the most restrictive European Union states on LGBT rights, alongside Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia.
[15:54]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Anna Aslam still to come in this.
[15:58]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
Podcast, we provide a kind of lump sum of cash to people who are experiencing homelessness. And it recognizes that actually they're probably the best people to make decisions for themselves.
[16:08]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Giving straightforward money donations to homeless people, does it solve their problems?
[16:19]
Bachman Karbasi (BBC Persian Service Correspondent)
Business owners know that getting a loan.
[16:21]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Isn'T always easy, but it can be fast if you know where to look. One of the fastest ways to get.
[16:26]
Bachman Karbasi (BBC Persian Service Correspondent)
A business loan is through an online funding marketplace like Lendio. At Lendio, we built a marketplace of over 75 lenders and funding partners who.
[16:34]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Know what you need and can get it to you quickly. Depending on the type of funding, money could be on its way to your bank account within 24 hours hours.
[16:40]
Bachman Karbasi (BBC Persian Service Correspondent)
See what your business can qualify for.
[16:42]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
In just a few minutes@lendio.com that's L E N D I O lendio.com I.
[16:48]
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[17:57]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Home is full of surprises. Some wonderful, some not so much. And when something breaks, it can feel like the whole day unravels. That's why HomeServe exists for as little as $4.99 a month. You'll always have someone to call a trusted profess ready to help, bringing peace of mind to four and a half million homeowners nationwide. For plans starting at just 499amonth, go to homeserve.com, that's homeserve.com not available everywhere. Most plans range between 499 to 1199amonth. Your first year terms apply on covered repairs. There's less than 24 hours to go until Some of the world's biggest aid organizations will be banned from operating in the Gaza Strip. Oxfam, Care International, Medecin Sans Frontiere, all of these, according to Israel, have failed to comply with new rules which require them to give extensive details about everyone they employ. And that deadline comes just as foreign ministers from 10 countries, including France, the UK and Japan all warn of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Over a million people there urgently need shelter from the winter conditions, while a lack of sanitation has left them at risk from toxic floodwaters. Shana Lowe is a spokeswoman for the Norwegian Refugee Council, another charity which faces being banned from Gaza. She spoke to my colleague Rebecca Kesby and explained first why they haven't fulfilled Israel's demands.
[19:24]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
It's a very real threat to our staff and it's a safety issue for our staff to ensure that their identities are protected and to ensure that they and their families are protected. Secondly, many of our organizations, if not all receive money from the eu, are based in the EU or are receiving funds from EU member states. And the EU has very strict privacy laws that would prevent us from providing these staff.
[19:50]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
I mean, I'm sure you're aware that the Israeli authorities have made accusations multiple times that some staff that work for aid organizations or even the UN Unravel organization that was running the aid effort.
[20:05]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
In Gaza for many years.
[20:07]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
They've made accusations that some staff have.
[20:09]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
Been affiliated to Hamas.
[20:11]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
I mean, doesn't Israel have a right to know who is going into the Gaza Strip?
[20:17]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
Well, of course they have a right to know who's going into the Gaza Strip, and we've never refused to provide them with the names of our international staff who are entering, and all of our international staff who are entering Gaza have their names submitted on lists that Israel approves to allow them in. The issue for us is around the private data of our local staff in a context where we've seen hundreds of aid workers be killed over two years of hostilities.
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Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
There's also been the allegation that Hamas has been stealing humanitarian aid from various organizations. And actually, the BBC did look into this and did gather evidence from sources within Gaza that in fact, significant quantities of aid had been taken by Hamas during the conflict.
[21:01]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
We have mechanisms to ensure that aid is not diverted, and our donors conduct thorough audit of the work that we're doing to ensure that what we're doing is what we say we're doing. There was one incident this year where armed men took contingency supplies from the Norwegian Refugee Council, and we immediately reported that to the appropriate channels and publicly acknowledged it. But considering the amount of aid that we have been delivering over the course of the last two years and the last 15 years in Gaza, the amount of aid that at least that we have handled, very, very little of it has been diverted.
[21:36]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
It all comes on the day that foreign ministers from several countries, including the UK here, but also Japan and Canada, have been talking about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. With 25 aid organizations effectively banned under this new ruling, what does that mean for the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip?
[21:58]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
It's a catastrophe. Over 2 million innocent people trapped in the prison that is the Gaza Strip, who faced two years of bombardment, tremendous devastation and destruction. And now we're seeing, as we've seen over the last two years, aid continued to be obstructed and withheld. The Norwegian Refugee Council itself has been unable to bring any aid directly into Gaza for over nine months. And so this is just a continuation of the obstruction that we faced.
[22:26]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Shana Lowe of the Norwegian Refugee Council. Now, as I was coming into the BBC headquarters to record this program, I passed through a street which is full of tents living inside them, just some of the many homeless people who now populate London. Homelessness is a growing problem in relatively wealthy nations, not just the uk, but the US And Canada and others. And even among those who want to solve the problem, there's still much debate about how to do so. Well, a new study is looking into whether handing over money directly to homeless people can help. Researchers at King's College London are giving the equivalent of about $2,500 to some rough sleepers. And then, following their progress over the course of a Year to see if this helps them find somewhere permanent to live. Michael Buchanan reports.
[23:16]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
In a small office of a homeless charity in East London, lives are being slowly changed. Daniel has just found out he's one of the homeless people who have been chosen to receive a one off grant of £2,000. His immediate thought is to buy an electric bike. This will save him tube fare so he can get to work. Keeping the job will help him pay for the bedset he moved into four days ago. Daniel has been supported by the New Way Project, a homeless charity in Newham, who've put a number of their clients forward for inclusion in the study.
[23:47]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
They can come and they can have a hot drink.
[23:50]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
We do cereal, we do toast.
[23:52]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
By the time we arrive, Alana has already been told that she's going to get the money. She cooks breakfast each morning as well as receiving help from Niue. The 57 year old has been homeless on and off for about a decade, living in temporary accommodation, hostels, even rough sleeping.
[24:08]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
It is really difficult.
[24:10]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
She really appreciates some clean clothes and someday to do some washing for you.
[24:13]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
In a hot meal. You just like feel so hopeless, you.
[24:18]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
Don'T know where you're going.
[24:18]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
There's a constant fear going on and.
[24:21]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
The day is just so long. It really is not easy, not easy at all. So I'm going to do the transfer now for you.
[24:30]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
Alana is now getting the money transferred to her bank account.
[24:34]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
I haven't felt this sort of excited.
[24:36]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
To believe in a long time.
[24:38]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
There was something about this grant that felt really dignifying.
[24:42]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
Angie Allgood is New Way's director and co founder.
[24:45]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
We work with people that are in the grip of terrible addictions and it would be really unwise to give them money that could harm them. So this clearly isn't going to be something that fits all people.
[25:00]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
The UK study has been run by King's College London. Half the 250 homeless people participants will get 2,000 pounds each. The other half will get nothing. All of them from Belfast as well as London will be followed over the course of a year to see how, if the money allowed them to end their homelessness.
[25:19]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
So I've been involved since the first.
[25:21]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
Stage, the pilot, Hannah Piggott is leading the research.
[25:24]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
We provide a kind of lump sum of cash to people who are experiencing homelessness and it kind of recognises that actually they're probably the best people to kind of make decisions for themselves. You know, if it's successful and it helps people to exit homelessness, then hopefully it can be another tool in the government but also in charities. Kind of toolbox to help address homelessness when people need that additional support.
[25:49]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
The UK study builds on a similar project carried out in Canada in 2018. A limited study of 50 homeless people in Vancouver saw them receive the equivalent of £4,000 of to see if it ended their homelessness. Professor Zhao Jing Zhao from the University of British Columbia oversaw the study.
[26:07]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
The results were completely mind blowing. About 80% of them got into housing.
[26:11]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
Right away, so they spent it on rent, furniture, even used cars, phones, things that would last.
[26:19]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
As well as helping the participants, the study also showed lower costs to taxpayers, fewer visits to hospitals and night shelters, and less crime. And there was also no increase in the use of drugs or alcohol.
[26:30]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
So that was very good to see because our prevailing assumption for people in homelessness or in poverty is that if they get cash, they're going to squander it.
[26:40]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
But that was not the case at all.
[26:42]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
The full results of the UK study won't be known until 2027. The Canadian experience, however, suggests that direct cash transfers could in time be used to help some people escape homelessness.
[26:56]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Michael Buchanan Now a story about the world's oldest professional footballer at 58, you might perhaps expect me to tell you that Japan's Kazuyoshi Miura has retired. In fact, today's news is that he has joined a new club. Mr. Miura has been signed by a club in the country's J League. He said he was ready to take on a new challenge. Katie Gornall has been assessing this latest move in a sporting career that spans five decades.
[27:30]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
About to begin his 41st professional season, the silver haired striker is still going. Kazuyoshi Miura, known as King Kazu to fans, has announced he signed on loan with Japanese third division side Fukushima United. The contract extends a career that began way back in 1986 with the Brazilian club Santos, a former Japan international. One of Miura's 89 caps came against England in 1995. Remember David Platt and Stuart Pearce? Yep. They were both in the team he played against. The goals don't come like they used to, but Miura is considered a role model for generations of Japanese players. The forward, who will be 59 in February, is often asked what the secret is to his record breaking career. He insists there is no secret other than hard work and dedication. As he signed his latest professional contract, he summed it up simply my passion for football hasn't changed no matter how old I get.
[28:28]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Katie Gornall Back now to events in Iran and the latest wave of protests there comes just weeks after one of the country's most prominent human rights activists, Nages Mohammadi, winner of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, was arrested after giving a speech at a memorial for a fellow activist. She's previously spent 10 years in prison. During that time, she's been apart from her son, Ali Rahmani, who left Iran to be with his father in exile in Paris from the French capital. And in French, he spoke to James Kumarasamy about the situation in his home country. Iran has seen huge protests before. Does he think the ending will be different this time?
[29:16]
Ali Rahmani (Son of Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi)
It's important to understand that every protest, whether it's the one in 2019, the one in 2020 following the death of Mahsa Amini, or the one that occurred in 2009, they are all different, but their essence is always the same thing. Iranians today are all protesting against the Islamic Republic of Iran, against a theocratic, misogynistic and patriarchal government. Personally, you know I keep the hope. For me, each uprising brings us a little closer to victory. But nevertheless, we mustn't be fooled. The Islamic Republic of Iran unfortunately, currently maintains a very, very powerful repressive force that allows it to stay in power. Nevertheless, I'd like to quote my mother, Nadess Mohammedi, who said that victory is not easy, but it is certain. We cannot know when this regime will fall, but nevertheless, we can do everything in our power as Iranians, as those who love freedom, as patriots, to make sure that this regime goes as soon as possible.
[30:12]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Since you mention your mother, what can you tell us about her current situation? What do you know about her at the moment?
[30:21]
Ali Rahmani (Son of Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi)
So my mother, Narjess Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was arrested on 12 December during the commemoration of the death of Mr. Ali Khordi. My mother was arrested with brutality worthy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in a violence that is unfortunately commonplace but well known and systemic. Along with her, others were arrested. But now we know that their situation is extremely difficult. They have been held in police custody, which has been torture since December 12th. And what's more, my mother does not have the right to call or even see her lawyers. Since December 12, she has only been able to call my uncle to express her fear in her injuries as she was beaten.
[31:01]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Can I ask how widespread you think the views that your mother stands up for are shared throughout Iran? We are seeing these protests in different cities, in universities, but outside cities and universities. How widely are they shared?
[31:21]
Ali Rahmani (Son of Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi)
I think these values are shared not only by my mother, but also with the entire population. It's first and foremost about a total change of the regiment, the coming of a secular democratic system that respects equality between men and women and grants freedom of the press, democracy and freedom of expression. These are the values that are shared, that are advocated, that are carried into the streets by activists, by exiles like my father, and we hope for unity and that all of this can take shape as quickly as possible.
[31:52]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
When is the last time you actually saw your mother?
[31:55]
Ali Rahmani (Son of Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi)
Unfortunately, it's been over 10 years since I've been able to hug my mother.
[31:59]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Does it feel now closer to the moment when you will be reunited with her?
[32:07]
Ali Rahmani (Son of Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi)
Of course, it's extremely difficult. But you see, personally, I still consider myself quite privileged. Certainly today I'm separated from my mother. There are more than 4,000km between us. But I have many compatriots, brothers and sisters in Iran who have lost their mothers, who will never be able to hold them in their arms again. Certainly today I and all Iranian families are going through an extremely difficult period. But we keep that hope that one day, very soon, all the families, all the friends will be able to reunite in Iran in freedom.
[32:41]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Ali Rahmani and that's all 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, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk. you can also find us on X@BBC World Service. Use the hashtag globalnewspod. This edition was mixed by Pat Sissons and the producer was Peter Goffin. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Paul Moss. Until next time. Goodbye.
[33:21]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
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Summary7 min read

Global News Podcast – "Iran Protests: 'Death to the Dictatorship'"

Host: Paul Moss (BBC World Service)
Date: December 31, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the sweeping protests erupting across Iran, sparked by economic turmoil but driven by a wide spectrum of grievances against the ruling regime. The discussion covers the government’s unusually conciliatory rhetoric, protests’ deep roots, international responses (especially US sanctions), updates on LGBTQ+ rights in Poland, the looming humanitarian crisis in Gaza, direct cash aid to homeless people in the UK, and insights from the son of jailed Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi. The episode brings together eyewitness reports, analysis, and personal testimonies to illuminate these global issues.

Main Segments & Key Insights

1. Iran Protests: Economic Trigger, Broad Discontent (01:16–07:32, 28:28–32:41)

Key Discussion Points

Widespread Demonstrations: Protests ignited by the collapse of the national currency have spread quickly to 10+ universities across Iran. Chants quickly shifted from economic issues to direct attacks on the regime (e.g., “death to the dictatorship”).
Government Response: For the first time, state leaders, including President Masoud Possesskian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baghar Galibaf, are expressing a willingness to “listen” to protesters.
Deeper Grievances: Interview with Bachman Karbasi (BBC Persian Service) highlights the cumulative anger over poverty, corruption, pollution, and government repression.
Cycle of Protest and Repression: Referencing previous protests (2009, 2022), Karbasi notes that while previous movements were forcibly suppressed, they led to real social changes, especially regarding women’s freedoms.

Notable Quotes & Moments

Karbasi on Triggers and Grievances:
“The trigger is this collapse of the currency, but the grievances of the Iranian public against the government...is long running and it goes across demographics and cities and classes.” (03:54)
On Unusually Conciliatory Tone:
“They are aware of how fragile the situation is and how terrible the economic conditions are...there's also the reality that they have no answers for the unbelievable inflation that exists and the collapse of the currency, lack of electricity, water, pollution...Their only response is either brute force or to try to be conciliatory to see if they can calm the situation down.” (04:55)
On Long-term Impact:
“Each [protest] had long term impacts...Even though they managed to end those protests, the social changes that came after it have sustained.” (06:20)

2. The Human Face of Repression: Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi (28:28–32:41)

Key Discussion Points

Personal Testimony: Ali Rahmani, son of imprisoned Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi, describes the brutality of her latest arrest and ongoing denial of legal counsel.
Shared Ideals: Ali expresses hope that the nation’s desire for democracy, equality, and secularism will eventually triumph.
Separation & Hope: Ali details not seeing his mother for over a decade and highlights the hope that revolution will soon reunite families.

Notable Quotes

Ali Rahmani on Protest Purpose:
“Iranians today are all protesting against the Islamic Republic of Iran, against a theocratic, misogynistic and patriarchal government...Each uprising brings us a little closer to victory.” (29:15)
On his Mother’s Plight:
“My mother was arrested with brutality worthy of the Islamic Republic of Iran...She has only been able to call my uncle to express her fear and injuries as she was beaten.” (30:20)
On Widespread Demand for Change:
“These values are shared not only by my mother...but also with the entire population. It’s first and foremost about a total change of the regime—the coming of a secular democratic system.” (31:21)

3. US Sanctions on Iran and Venezuela – Ties and Tensions (07:32–11:03)

Key Discussion Points

US Imposes Sanctions: In response to alleged weapons trade and military technology transfers between Iran and Venezuela, the US (under Trump) has expanded sanctions.
Context of Relations: Venezuela and Iran's close relationship is long-standing and sanctions have been a consistent US policy through both the Trump and Biden presidencies.
Escalation Rumors: Discussion considers whether the Trump-Netanyahu meeting and recent airstrikes near Venezuela are indicative of major regional escalation.

Notable Quotes

On US Concerns:
“Drones that are either developed or developed and built in Iran are being used in Venezuela. The United States says it’s concerned about the threat that poses in the Red Sea and the Middle East.” (08:14)
Analysis on Iran-Venezuela Links:
“It’s not the case that Iran and Venezuela have suddenly started trading...The two countries and the two regimes have been very close for an incredibly long time, not least of which because of the very strong shipping connections between the two.” (09:17)

4. Poland’s Civil Union Bill – A Divisive Step Forward (13:44–15:53)

Key Discussion Points

Legislative Milestone: For the first time, a bill recognizes civil unions, including same-sex couples. While it brings new rights—like inheritance and medical access—it excludes adoption and surname rights.
Political Landscape: The bill is seen as a compromise due to resistance from Poland’s conservative political factions and likely presidential veto.
Public Reaction: The LGBT community is divided, some seeing it as progress, others as insufficient.

Notable Quotes

Prime Minister Donald Tusk:
“No one will be entirely satisfied...But this is the minimum of civilization that Poland must be able to afford.” (14:43)
LGBT Campaigner:
“The government finally acknowledges our existence, but remains too afraid to grant us dignity.” (15:03)

5. Aid Ban Catastrophe in Gaza (02:04, 17:56–22:25)

Key Discussion Points

Aid Organizations Threatened: Israel plans to expel NGOs from Gaza for not providing extensive staff lists, amidst EU privacy law conflicts.
Humanitarian Fallout: 25 aid organizations may be banned—impacting more than 2 million people seeking shelter and food.
Aid Diversion Allegations: Norwegian Refugee Council spokesperson Shana Lowe refutes claims of large-scale aid diversion to Hamas.

Notable Quotes

Shana Lowe:
“It’s a catastrophe...over 2 million innocent people trapped in the prison that is the Gaza Strip, who faced two years of bombardment, tremendous devastation and destruction.” (21:58)

6. Can Cash End Homelessness? UK Study in Focus (22:25–26:55)

Key Discussion Points

Direct Cash Transfers: King’s College London pilots a program giving £2,000 to randomly selected homeless individuals to see if financial empowerment leads to stable housing.
First-hand Accounts: Recipients describe new hope and dignity; charity leaders caution that not everyone is ready for direct cash (especially those with severe addictions).
International Evidence: A similar Canadian study saw 80% of participants securing housing, with no rise in substance abuse or crime.

Notable Quotes

Participant Alana:
“I haven’t felt this sort of excited to believe in a long time. There was something about this grant that felt really dignifying.” (24:33)
Lead Researcher Hannah Piggott:
“We provide a kind of lump sum of cash to people who are experiencing homelessness and it kind of recognises that actually they’re probably the best people to make decisions for themselves.” (25:24)
Canadian Study Professor:
“The results were completely mind-blowing. About 80% of them got into housing right away...there was no increase in the use of drugs or alcohol.” (26:07)

7. Sporting Remark: World’s Oldest Pro Footballer Signs New Deal (26:55–28:28)

Key Discussion Points

Kazuyoshi Miura (King Kazu): At 58, the Japanese footballer continues his career with a new club contract in J-League’s Fukushima United, becoming a symbol of perseverance.
Legacy & Dedication: Miura credits passion and hard work for his five-decade career.

Notable Quotes

King Kazu on Longevity:
“My passion for football hasn't changed no matter how old I get.” (28:28)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Intro & Headlines: 01:16
Iran Protests—Background and Analysis: 02:04–07:32
US-Iran-Venezuela Sanctions: 07:32–11:03
Polish Civil Union Law: 13:44–15:53
Gaza Aid Restrictions: 17:56–22:25
Homelessness and Direct Aid: 22:25–26:55
King Kazu Football Story: 26:55–28:28
Narges Mohammadi’s Family: 28:28–32:41

Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Attribution)

“Death to the dictatorship” — protesters’ chant in Tehran (02:04)
Bachman Karbasi:
“Their only response is either to go to brute force right away or try to be conciliatory at the beginning at least to see if they can calm the situation down.” (04:55)
Prime Minister Tusk (Poland):
“This is the minimum of civilization that Poland must be able to afford.” (14:43)
Aid Worker Shana Lowe:
“Over 2 million innocent people trapped in the prison that is the Gaza Strip… aid continued to be obstructed and withheld.” (21:58)
Cash Grant Recipient Alana:
“There was something about this grant that felt really dignifying.” (24:33)
Ali Rahmani:
“For me, each uprising brings us a little closer to victory…we can do everything in our power…to make sure that this regime goes as soon as possible.” (29:15)

Tone and Style

The episode maintains the BBC’s authoritative and clear journalistic voice, blending frontline reports, expert analysis, and personal narrative. The mood shifts between urgent (Middle East protests and aid crisis), analytical (policy responses), and empathetic (personal stories of loss, perseverance, and hope).

For listeners seeking detailed updates and analyses on Iran’s protest movement, shifting international alliances, evolving LGBT rights in Poland, humanitarian emergencies, and novel responses to homelessness, this episode provides a comprehensive and human-centered overview.

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Transcript90 lines

[00:00]
Advertiser/Commercial Voice
This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.
[00:06]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
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[01:17]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
This is the global news podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Paul Moss and in the early hours of Wednesday, 31st December, these are our main stories. Iran's government says it will listen to protesters complaints as demonstrations spread across the country. The US lays sanctions on Iranians and Venezuelans allegedly involved in trading weapons, parts and technology. What do we know about the ties between Tehran and Caracas? And Poland considers a bill which would for the first time give official recognition to same sex couples. Also in this podcast, it's a catastrophe.
[01:56]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
Over 2 million innocent people trapped in the prison that is the Gaza Strip. And now we're seeing aid continue to be obstructed and withheld.
[02:05]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
With new warnings about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, aid organizations face being kicked out by Israel from January 1st. It started with shopkeepers. Now Iran's latest protest movement has been taken up by by students. Poverty, corruption, tyranny, death to the dictatorship, they chanted in the capital, Tehran. But Tuesday saw demonstrations reported at 10 universities across the country. When it comes to facing down protest, Iran's rulers don't usually hold back. The last major movement in 2022 was perhaps typical. Security forces opened fire on CR guards. More than 500 people were killed and around 20,000 arrested, according to human rights groups. This time, though, seems very different, with the Iranian president adopting what certainly sounds like a conciliatory tone, the government should listen to the protesters legitimate demands, Masoud Possesskian said. And the speaker of Iran's parliament, Mohammad Baghar Galibaf, also seemed in a mood to understand the rather than condemn, people's concerns and protests over economic hardships must be responded to with full responsibility and dialogue and taking necessary measures focused on increasing people's purchasing power and reforming the economic decision making process. So economic hardship, the government seems to acknowledge, is a reality for many, perhaps most Iranians. But the list of grievances has now expanded. As I heard when I spoke to Bachman Kalbasi from the BBC's Persian service.
[03:54]
Bachman Karbasi (BBC Persian Service Correspondent)
The trigger is this collapse of currency, but the grievances of the Iranian public against the government and the situation in the country is long running and it goes across demographics and cities and classes. So as soon as there is a trigger Iran, other grievances come to the surface quite quickly. And usually from the perspective of protesters and dare I say, a big portion of the Iranian society, it's the leadership's fault and it's their policies that is causing the hardships that they're experiencing. So the chants quickly turn from economic demands to targeting the Supreme Leader himself and the government, which is what we have seen in the last 48 hours.
[04:45]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
The government, the president certainly do sound unusually conciliatory. Talking about the need to understand the protesters concerns. What should we read into that?
[04:56]
Bachman Karbasi (BBC Persian Service Correspondent)
We should read into that that they are aware of how fragile the situation is and how terrible the economic conditions are. And there is worry obviously that if this spreads, that controlling it and containing it may need the kind of brutal force that they have used before, but it will be harder to use this time around given Iran's isolation and general political situation in the country. Obviously they are trying to come across as conciliatory because there's also the reality that they have no answers for the unbelievable inflation that exists and the collapse of the currency, lack of electricity, water, pollution. The problems are not one fold and they have no solution for any of them at this point. So their only response is either to go to brute force right away or try to be conciliatory at the beginning at least to see if they can calm the situation down.
[05:57]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
If we look back at the protests three years ago, those started over the attempts to crack down on women who weren't following strict dress codes. And since then, women in Iran have actually been flouting these rules far more widely than before. In some ways they won in that protest. And I wonder if that's given a sort of momentum and optimism to the protesters who are out on the streets now. Yes.
[06:21]
Bachman Karbasi (BBC Persian Service Correspondent)
And there is six rounds of protests. If we start from the biggest one of all, 2009, which started with reaction to what millions and millions of Iranians saw as a cheating in the election and reinstalling Ahmadinejad, the president at the time, all the way to the woman life freedom, which you just referenced. Each of them were put down by violent oppression of the forces, but each had long term impacts on the political system. And the example of women walking around without a hijab almost everywhere in major cities, obviously risking being arrested, harassed, what have you, shows that even though they managed to end those protests, the social changes that came after it has sustained. And so one has to assume that even if they manage to put this one down, which is likely, what will happen in the next few days, if it continues, the fact that the system has once again faced protest will result in some changes in the way it is behaving, but it will not be enough for tens of millions Iranians who want fundamental change.
[07:33]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Bachman Karbasi and we'll hear more about the protests and about a Nobel laureate imprisoned by Iran later in the podcast. But first, while Iran's rulers face renewed opposition on the streets, they've also come under renewed threats from the United States. Donald Trump said on Monday he'd seen reports threatening that Iran was once again developing a nuclear and ballistic weapons program. He said he'd support strikes against the country if this proved true. Then on Tuesday, Washington announced sanctions on individuals and entities in Iran and also in Venezuela, saying they were trading weapons, parts and technology. Our correspondent in Washington, Sean Dilley, gave me more details.
[08:14]
Advertiser/Commercial Voice
The crops of what the United States is claiming is that there is a trade not just in drones and drone technology, but conventional weaponry and parts needed for drones and conventional missiles in Venezuela. What that apparently looks like from the non specific release that the US Government has put out is that drones that are either developed or developed and built in Iran are being used in Venezuela. And the United States says it's concerned about the threat that poses in the Red Sea and the Middle east as a result. But it's probably no coincidence that President Maduro is under a great deal of pressure from President Trump at the moment on a number of fronts and the trade in oil as well, links between Iran and Venezuela. So these two countries are very firmly in President Trump's targets.
[09:03]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
They are, as you say, his targets. Venezuela and Iran have for a while been perhaps Donald Trump's main enemies in his own eyes. Are they really working Together, because it is remarkable to see these two linked in the way that they have been.
[09:18]
Advertiser/Commercial Voice
Yeah, I mean, part of President Trump's issue with President Maduro is how close they are to regimes that might not necessarily be incompetent cahoots with the United States in the same way. And Iran's a big part of that. Again, pointing to the US Claims that some of the illicit oil trade under the sanctioned ships are traveling to and from Iran. That is significant. It's not the case that Iran and Venezuela have suddenly started trading with each other or being close as a result of the recent troubles outside on the coast of Venezuela. The two countries and the two regimes have been very close for an incredibly long time, not least of which because of the very strong shipping connections between the two and the fact that both would be historically quite suspicious of the United States. And again, people looking at this story, they'd be forgiven for thinking, is this a Donald Trump President Maduro issue? But it was the case that oil, including that that traded with Iran, was sanctioned under Joe Biden's regime. And for many years, those tensions have been very difficult with Iran, not just because of its relationships in Venezuela, but because of its proximity to Israel, the Middle east, and the risk of destabilizing the region.
[10:29]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
The Israeli Prime Minister, Bibi Netanyahu, was meeting with Donald Trump on Monday at Donald Trump's residence, Mar a Lago. Presumably, this is something that emerged from their discussions. Hardly seems a coincidence that the sanctions have been issued now.
[10:44]
Advertiser/Commercial Voice
It absolutely is the case that Benjamin Netanyahu was concerned about the issue of Iran's capabilities. That issue was absolutely brought up. There was concern from Benjamin Netanyahu about Iran building up a nuclear program. And Donald Trump said that if they did that, that threat would be eradicated.
[11:04]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Sean Dilley For Venezuela, sanctions may not exactly sound like the biggest threat it faces from the US Right now. The country has seen tankers boarded off its coast and boats have been targeted by airstrikes as part of what the US Claims is an effort to stop drug smuggling. Then on Monday, Donald Trump said the US had hit a Venezuelan port, which he claimed was used to load drug smuggling boats. Now, that would certainly mark an escalation of hostilities. And yet, as our Latin America correspondent Will Grant explains, the new measures announced on Tuesday will still be seen as significant. In essence, from the Venezuelan perspective, these latest sanctions simply complicate what is already a very, very complicated situation, an increasingly escalating situation. There are already major sanctions in place against individuals from Nicolas Maduro down throughout his government throughout his inner circle and his military. These latest steps send out another message to Nicolas Maduro's administration, that the Trump administration intends to squeeze the government in Caracas on every single front, whether or not that be direct sanctions against individuals confiscating sanctioned oil vessels which has been taking place and of course, militarily, through the attack on go fast boats, speedboats which are alleged to be carrying drugs through Venezuelan waters. The main question that many have in Caracas is really the apparent explosion at what President Trump called a picture dock area in Venezuela. If that is going to usher in further attacks on land targets in Venezuela and that this conflict is about to escalate even further. That, I think, is the real question, far more than the impact of any set of sanctions against individuals or companies will grant. Poland is in many ways, you'll have to excuse the near punishment a deeply polarized society. Many among its younger urban based population have values which would be considered progressive by any European standards. But in rural areas, the country's more conservative Catholic tradition still holds sway. One issue which has proved particularly polarizing is LGBT relationships. And now the government in Warsaw has sent a bill to Parliament to legalize civil unions for couples living together, and that would include same sex relationships. Anna Aslam reports.
[13:45]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
This bill would allow any two people regardless of gender, to sign a cohabitation contract which would let them access each other's medical information, inherit assets and jointly file taxes, among other benefits. However, it would not allow couples to share surnames or adopt children. And for many LGBT campaigners fighting for equality, the bill is a disappointing half measure ahead of the last election. Prime Minister Donald Tusk had promised to introduce a bill legalizing civil partnerships within 100 days, but he struggled to deliver reforms because of his coalition government's more conservative wing. Poland is mostly Catholic, and many religious conservatives have criticized measures advocating for LGBT rights as gender ideology backed by destructive foreign powers. The president, Carol Novrotsky, has said he'll veto any bill that, as he puts it, undermines the constitutionally protected status of marriage. Prime Minister Tusk acknowledged this bill's limited scope is the result of a compromise.
[14:43]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
No one will be entirely satisfied. I realize this. But this is the minimum of civilization that Poland must be able to afford. Our task is to make life easier and to ensure that those who choose partnership and therefore who benefit from the status of next of kin will be able to be treated by the Polish state as all citizens deserve.
[15:03]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
The first reading of the bill is scheduled for next month. If it gets through both houses of Parliament, it'll then need to be signed into law by the president. So still a long way to go. But Warsaw has described the Cabinet's adoption of the bill as a historic moment in itself. The LGBT community's reaction has been more reserved. Some say it's a necessary compromise in the right direction, but others have voiced frustration. One campaigner described the bill as a paradox. He said, the government finally acknowledges our existence, but remains too afraid to grant us dignity. A recent survey found only about a third of polls support the introduction of same sex marriage, but nearly two thirds back some form of legal recognition recognition for same sex unions. Poland remains one of the most restrictive European Union states on LGBT rights, alongside Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia.
[15:54]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Anna Aslam still to come in this.
[15:58]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
Podcast, we provide a kind of lump sum of cash to people who are experiencing homelessness. And it recognizes that actually they're probably the best people to make decisions for themselves.
[16:08]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Giving straightforward money donations to homeless people, does it solve their problems?
[16:19]
Bachman Karbasi (BBC Persian Service Correspondent)
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[16:21]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
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[16:26]
Bachman Karbasi (BBC Persian Service Correspondent)
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[16:34]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
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[16:40]
Bachman Karbasi (BBC Persian Service Correspondent)
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[16:42]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
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[16:48]
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[17:57]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Home is full of surprises. Some wonderful, some not so much. And when something breaks, it can feel like the whole day unravels. That's why HomeServe exists for as little as $4.99 a month. You'll always have someone to call a trusted profess ready to help, bringing peace of mind to four and a half million homeowners nationwide. For plans starting at just 499amonth, go to homeserve.com, that's homeserve.com not available everywhere. Most plans range between 499 to 1199amonth. Your first year terms apply on covered repairs. There's less than 24 hours to go until Some of the world's biggest aid organizations will be banned from operating in the Gaza Strip. Oxfam, Care International, Medecin Sans Frontiere, all of these, according to Israel, have failed to comply with new rules which require them to give extensive details about everyone they employ. And that deadline comes just as foreign ministers from 10 countries, including France, the UK and Japan all warn of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Over a million people there urgently need shelter from the winter conditions, while a lack of sanitation has left them at risk from toxic floodwaters. Shana Lowe is a spokeswoman for the Norwegian Refugee Council, another charity which faces being banned from Gaza. She spoke to my colleague Rebecca Kesby and explained first why they haven't fulfilled Israel's demands.
[19:24]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
It's a very real threat to our staff and it's a safety issue for our staff to ensure that their identities are protected and to ensure that they and their families are protected. Secondly, many of our organizations, if not all receive money from the eu, are based in the EU or are receiving funds from EU member states. And the EU has very strict privacy laws that would prevent us from providing these staff.
[19:50]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
I mean, I'm sure you're aware that the Israeli authorities have made accusations multiple times that some staff that work for aid organizations or even the UN Unravel organization that was running the aid effort.
[20:05]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
In Gaza for many years.
[20:07]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
They've made accusations that some staff have.
[20:09]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
Been affiliated to Hamas.
[20:11]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
I mean, doesn't Israel have a right to know who is going into the Gaza Strip?
[20:17]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
Well, of course they have a right to know who's going into the Gaza Strip, and we've never refused to provide them with the names of our international staff who are entering, and all of our international staff who are entering Gaza have their names submitted on lists that Israel approves to allow them in. The issue for us is around the private data of our local staff in a context where we've seen hundreds of aid workers be killed over two years of hostilities.
[20:42]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
There's also been the allegation that Hamas has been stealing humanitarian aid from various organizations. And actually, the BBC did look into this and did gather evidence from sources within Gaza that in fact, significant quantities of aid had been taken by Hamas during the conflict.
[21:01]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
We have mechanisms to ensure that aid is not diverted, and our donors conduct thorough audit of the work that we're doing to ensure that what we're doing is what we say we're doing. There was one incident this year where armed men took contingency supplies from the Norwegian Refugee Council, and we immediately reported that to the appropriate channels and publicly acknowledged it. But considering the amount of aid that we have been delivering over the course of the last two years and the last 15 years in Gaza, the amount of aid that at least that we have handled, very, very little of it has been diverted.
[21:36]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
It all comes on the day that foreign ministers from several countries, including the UK here, but also Japan and Canada, have been talking about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. With 25 aid organizations effectively banned under this new ruling, what does that mean for the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip?
[21:58]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
It's a catastrophe. Over 2 million innocent people trapped in the prison that is the Gaza Strip, who faced two years of bombardment, tremendous devastation and destruction. And now we're seeing, as we've seen over the last two years, aid continued to be obstructed and withheld. The Norwegian Refugee Council itself has been unable to bring any aid directly into Gaza for over nine months. And so this is just a continuation of the obstruction that we faced.
[22:26]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Shana Lowe of the Norwegian Refugee Council. Now, as I was coming into the BBC headquarters to record this program, I passed through a street which is full of tents living inside them, just some of the many homeless people who now populate London. Homelessness is a growing problem in relatively wealthy nations, not just the uk, but the US And Canada and others. And even among those who want to solve the problem, there's still much debate about how to do so. Well, a new study is looking into whether handing over money directly to homeless people can help. Researchers at King's College London are giving the equivalent of about $2,500 to some rough sleepers. And then, following their progress over the course of a Year to see if this helps them find somewhere permanent to live. Michael Buchanan reports.
[23:16]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
In a small office of a homeless charity in East London, lives are being slowly changed. Daniel has just found out he's one of the homeless people who have been chosen to receive a one off grant of £2,000. His immediate thought is to buy an electric bike. This will save him tube fare so he can get to work. Keeping the job will help him pay for the bedset he moved into four days ago. Daniel has been supported by the New Way Project, a homeless charity in Newham, who've put a number of their clients forward for inclusion in the study.
[23:47]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
They can come and they can have a hot drink.
[23:50]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
We do cereal, we do toast.
[23:52]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
By the time we arrive, Alana has already been told that she's going to get the money. She cooks breakfast each morning as well as receiving help from Niue. The 57 year old has been homeless on and off for about a decade, living in temporary accommodation, hostels, even rough sleeping.
[24:08]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
It is really difficult.
[24:10]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
She really appreciates some clean clothes and someday to do some washing for you.
[24:13]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
In a hot meal. You just like feel so hopeless, you.
[24:18]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
Don'T know where you're going.
[24:18]
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There's a constant fear going on and.
[24:21]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
The day is just so long. It really is not easy, not easy at all. So I'm going to do the transfer now for you.
[24:30]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
Alana is now getting the money transferred to her bank account.
[24:34]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
I haven't felt this sort of excited.
[24:36]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
To believe in a long time.
[24:38]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
There was something about this grant that felt really dignifying.
[24:42]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
Angie Allgood is New Way's director and co founder.
[24:45]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
We work with people that are in the grip of terrible addictions and it would be really unwise to give them money that could harm them. So this clearly isn't going to be something that fits all people.
[25:00]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
The UK study has been run by King's College London. Half the 250 homeless people participants will get 2,000 pounds each. The other half will get nothing. All of them from Belfast as well as London will be followed over the course of a year to see how, if the money allowed them to end their homelessness.
[25:19]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
So I've been involved since the first.
[25:21]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
Stage, the pilot, Hannah Piggott is leading the research.
[25:24]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
We provide a kind of lump sum of cash to people who are experiencing homelessness and it kind of recognises that actually they're probably the best people to kind of make decisions for themselves. You know, if it's successful and it helps people to exit homelessness, then hopefully it can be another tool in the government but also in charities. Kind of toolbox to help address homelessness when people need that additional support.
[25:49]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
The UK study builds on a similar project carried out in Canada in 2018. A limited study of 50 homeless people in Vancouver saw them receive the equivalent of £4,000 of to see if it ended their homelessness. Professor Zhao Jing Zhao from the University of British Columbia oversaw the study.
[26:07]
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The results were completely mind blowing. About 80% of them got into housing.
[26:11]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
Right away, so they spent it on rent, furniture, even used cars, phones, things that would last.
[26:19]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
As well as helping the participants, the study also showed lower costs to taxpayers, fewer visits to hospitals and night shelters, and less crime. And there was also no increase in the use of drugs or alcohol.
[26:30]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
So that was very good to see because our prevailing assumption for people in homelessness or in poverty is that if they get cash, they're going to squander it.
[26:40]
Sponsor/Advertisement Voice
But that was not the case at all.
[26:42]
Michael Buchanan (Homelessness Reporter)
The full results of the UK study won't be known until 2027. The Canadian experience, however, suggests that direct cash transfers could in time be used to help some people escape homelessness.
[26:56]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Michael Buchanan Now a story about the world's oldest professional footballer at 58, you might perhaps expect me to tell you that Japan's Kazuyoshi Miura has retired. In fact, today's news is that he has joined a new club. Mr. Miura has been signed by a club in the country's J League. He said he was ready to take on a new challenge. Katie Gornall has been assessing this latest move in a sporting career that spans five decades.
[27:30]
Anna Aslam (Poland LGBT Rights Reporter)
About to begin his 41st professional season, the silver haired striker is still going. Kazuyoshi Miura, known as King Kazu to fans, has announced he signed on loan with Japanese third division side Fukushima United. The contract extends a career that began way back in 1986 with the Brazilian club Santos, a former Japan international. One of Miura's 89 caps came against England in 1995. Remember David Platt and Stuart Pearce? Yep. They were both in the team he played against. The goals don't come like they used to, but Miura is considered a role model for generations of Japanese players. The forward, who will be 59 in February, is often asked what the secret is to his record breaking career. He insists there is no secret other than hard work and dedication. As he signed his latest professional contract, he summed it up simply my passion for football hasn't changed no matter how old I get.
[28:28]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Katie Gornall Back now to events in Iran and the latest wave of protests there comes just weeks after one of the country's most prominent human rights activists, Nages Mohammadi, winner of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, was arrested after giving a speech at a memorial for a fellow activist. She's previously spent 10 years in prison. During that time, she's been apart from her son, Ali Rahmani, who left Iran to be with his father in exile in Paris from the French capital. And in French, he spoke to James Kumarasamy about the situation in his home country. Iran has seen huge protests before. Does he think the ending will be different this time?
[29:16]
Ali Rahmani (Son of Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi)
It's important to understand that every protest, whether it's the one in 2019, the one in 2020 following the death of Mahsa Amini, or the one that occurred in 2009, they are all different, but their essence is always the same thing. Iranians today are all protesting against the Islamic Republic of Iran, against a theocratic, misogynistic and patriarchal government. Personally, you know I keep the hope. For me, each uprising brings us a little closer to victory. But nevertheless, we mustn't be fooled. The Islamic Republic of Iran unfortunately, currently maintains a very, very powerful repressive force that allows it to stay in power. Nevertheless, I'd like to quote my mother, Nadess Mohammedi, who said that victory is not easy, but it is certain. We cannot know when this regime will fall, but nevertheless, we can do everything in our power as Iranians, as those who love freedom, as patriots, to make sure that this regime goes as soon as possible.
[30:12]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Since you mention your mother, what can you tell us about her current situation? What do you know about her at the moment?
[30:21]
Ali Rahmani (Son of Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi)
So my mother, Narjess Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was arrested on 12 December during the commemoration of the death of Mr. Ali Khordi. My mother was arrested with brutality worthy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in a violence that is unfortunately commonplace but well known and systemic. Along with her, others were arrested. But now we know that their situation is extremely difficult. They have been held in police custody, which has been torture since December 12th. And what's more, my mother does not have the right to call or even see her lawyers. Since December 12, she has only been able to call my uncle to express her fear in her injuries as she was beaten.
[31:01]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Can I ask how widespread you think the views that your mother stands up for are shared throughout Iran? We are seeing these protests in different cities, in universities, but outside cities and universities. How widely are they shared?
[31:21]
Ali Rahmani (Son of Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi)
I think these values are shared not only by my mother, but also with the entire population. It's first and foremost about a total change of the regiment, the coming of a secular democratic system that respects equality between men and women and grants freedom of the press, democracy and freedom of expression. These are the values that are shared, that are advocated, that are carried into the streets by activists, by exiles like my father, and we hope for unity and that all of this can take shape as quickly as possible.
[31:52]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
When is the last time you actually saw your mother?
[31:55]
Ali Rahmani (Son of Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi)
Unfortunately, it's been over 10 years since I've been able to hug my mother.
[31:59]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Does it feel now closer to the moment when you will be reunited with her?
[32:07]
Ali Rahmani (Son of Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi)
Of course, it's extremely difficult. But you see, personally, I still consider myself quite privileged. Certainly today I'm separated from my mother. There are more than 4,000km between us. But I have many compatriots, brothers and sisters in Iran who have lost their mothers, who will never be able to hold them in their arms again. Certainly today I and all Iranian families are going through an extremely difficult period. But we keep that hope that one day, very soon, all the families, all the friends will be able to reunite in Iran in freedom.
[32:41]
Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
Ali Rahmani and that's all 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, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk. you can also find us on X@BBC World Service. Use the hashtag globalnewspod. This edition was mixed by Pat Sissons and the producer was Peter Goffin. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Paul Moss. Until next time. Goodbye.
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Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
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Paul Moss (BBC Global News Podcast Host)
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