Israel carries out attack against a Hamas leader in Gaza

Summary

Global News Podcast – Israel Carries Out Attack Against a Hamas Leader in Gaza
Date: May 16, 2026
Host: Will Chalk (BBC World Service)

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers comprehensive coverage of breaking global news, centering on an Israeli strike in Gaza reportedly targeting senior Hamas figure Izzeddin Al Haddad. The episode explores the attack’s implications on the stalled ceasefire, continuing regional tensions, and provides broader international updates—including President Trump’s China visit, Australia’s mourning over a child’s death, political unrest in Bolivia, and cultural restitution efforts in Paris. The episode ends with a discussion about the search for the next James Bond.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Israeli Strike on Gaza: Targeting Hamas Leadership

[00:59–05:02]

• Main Event: Israel claimed to have killed Izzeddin Al Haddad, labeled “the last living mastermind” of the October 7 attacks and the current leader of Hamas’s military wing in Gaza.
• Conflicting Reports: While Israeli sources indicate that Al Haddad may have been killed, Hamas has yet to comment.
• Civilian Impact: Palestinian officials report at least seven civilian deaths in Gaza City, with hundreds potentially affected.
• Eyewitness and Official Accounts:
  • “The Israeli occupation targeted a building inhabited by citizens…with three war missiles that caused partial destruction…We are talking about hundreds of citizens who are living inside this building. The missile was fired without any warning.” — Mahmoud Bazal, Palestinian Civil Defense spokesperson [02:40]
  • “The place was hit by a belt of fire. It’s very terrifying…Where is the ceasefire? We are dying every day. For the sake of Allah, stop the war.” — Abu Yousef, eyewitness [03:22]
• Significance: If Al Haddad’s death is confirmed, it would represent a strategic blow to Hamas, potentially impacting their operational capacity and future negotiations.
  • “He’s taken over the leadership of Hamas after all the other leaders have been killed…But this is a significant blow to Hamas’s leadership and may indeed impact their ability to strategize and negotiate going forward.” — Emir Nada, Jerusalem reporter [03:56]
• Ceasefire Violation Claims: Both sides accuse the other of not honoring the current ceasefire.

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2. Israel–Lebanon Tensions & Ceasefire Challenges

[05:02–06:25]

• Ceasefire Status: A temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been extended by 45 days, though violence, particularly cross-border strikes with Hezbollah, persists.
• Casualties: 55 Lebanese reported killed in the previous 48 hours; ongoing Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon and IDF casualties from Hezbollah actions.
• US Role: The United States aims to mediate, with no clear roadmap on troop withdrawals or disarmament.
  • “These are big, complex issues…The current ceasefire that is in place is very, very limited…what we’re waiting to see now is if there is any more detail about how the United States will guarantee a real peace…” — Emir Nada [05:21]

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3. President Trump’s China Visit and Iran Diplomacy

[06:25–08:44]

• US–China Summit: President Trump described the summit with President Xi as a “great success,” though Chinese sources were more measured, confirming only a Boeing plane order.
  • “We did great, great deals…great relationships. And a lot of things that happened…” — Donald Trump [06:42]
• Iran & The Strait of Hormuz: No firm commitment from China regarding Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz; Trump declined to “ask for a favor.”
  • “We don’t need favors. We’ve wiped out their armed forces. Essentially.” — Donald Trump [08:14]
• Summary: The summit was high on optics, low on substantive breakthroughs, particularly regarding crucial security and economic concerns.

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4. Australia’s Child Protection System Under Scrutiny

[08:44–14:18]

• Tragic Case: The death of five-year-old Kuminjae “Little Baby” prompts national mourning and political calls for child protection reform.
• Societal Reflection: The case highlights continued social divides, the lingering impacts of colonial policy, and systemic failures.
• Community Reaction:
  • "She was my little princess, my princess who loved the color pink. My heart is broken into a million pieces.” — Kuminjae’s mother [09:33]
• Political Debate:
  • “For too long…there has been silence…around dysfunction, violence, alcohol abuse, neglect and conditions vulnerable children are growing up in. That silence is killing our babies.” — Senator Jacinta Nampajimpa Price [12:16]
  • Counterpoint: Some leaders warn against blaming Aboriginal families and emphasize persistent institutional bias.
  • “The child protection system was built to remove Aboriginal children from their families and has not moved from that.” — Catherine Liddell, SNAICC [12:58]
• Government Response: Announced a review and reforms, with a focus on consultation and systemic change.

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5. Bolivian Protests and Political Turmoil

[16:44–19:52]

• Recent Clashes: Violent protests by miners result in a negotiated deal after 12 hours; demands largely focused on working conditions and resources.
• Wider Unrest: Ongoing protests by teachers and transport workers over wages and privatization policies.
• Economic Drivers: Austerity and the removal of subsidies have led to widespread dissatisfaction.
  • “He (President Rodrigo Paz) announced various measures, basically austerity and privatization...he scrapped the fuel subsidies that put up the cost of the fuel, which resulted in other prices also going up.” — BBC Global Affairs Correspondent [18:29]
• Concern: Continued blockades and fear of food shortages as discontent simmers.

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6. WHO Calls for Nicotine Pouch Regulation

[19:52–21:02]

• Public Health Issue: The World Health Organization warns that nicotine pouches are aggressively marketed to youth, risking a new generation of addiction.
• Tactics Noted: Use of “bright packaging and sweet flavors like bubblegum and gummy bears…promoting [pouches] through social media influencers.” — Klitsi Asala [20:46]
• Current Legal Landscape: Only 16 countries fully ban the products; 32 have some regulation.

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7. Art Restitution in Paris: Nazi-Looted Masterpieces

[21:02–25:31]

• Exhibition Aims: The Musée d’Orsay is showcasing Nazi-stolen art by masters like Renoir and Degas in hopes of returning them to rightful owners’ families.
• Restitution Challenges: Lack of ownership records, passage of time, and the destruction of family histories complicate verification.
  • “It’s very difficult to understand who was the owner before the war, because we don’t have all the data...the people who knew these works in the houses before the war…passed away. But some families still have a small piece of archive, a small photograph.” — David Zivy, French Culture Ministry [21:56, 24:18]
• Success Is Irony: “Maybe it’s a paradox for a museum, but yes, it would be a success—empty spaces on the wall.” — David Zivy [25:13]

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8. The Next James Bond: Speculation and Sensibilities

[25:31–27:35]

• New Era: With Amazon MGM Studios in control, speculation grows over who will take up the iconic role.
• Selection Strategy: Preference toward actors who are familiar but not too famous, aiming to refresh the franchise for new, younger audiences.
  • “Their big shoes to fill. Daniel Craig was the most commercially successful and critically successful James Bond we’ve had…It could be anyone who could portray those sensibilities…Bond is our last sort of contemporary, worldwide cultural hero.” — AJ Chowdhury, James Bond International Fan Club [26:14]
• Cultural Relevance: Emphasis on preserving Bond’s British essence while remaining globally recognizable.
  • “With a brand like that, you don’t turn a Coke can blue.” — AJ Chowdhury [26:14]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Civilian Impact of Israeli Strikes:
  “The place was hit by a belt of fire. It’s very terrifying…Where is the ceasefire? We are dying every day.” — Abu Yousef [03:22]
• On Systemic Failures in Australia:
  “The child protection system was built to remove Aboriginal children from their families and has not moved from that.” — Catherine Liddell [12:58]
• On Success in Art Restitution:
  “It would be a success, of course, because it would mean that with the research we reached some results and understanding.” — David Zivy [25:13]
• On the Bond Brand:
  “With a brand like that, you don’t turn a Coke can blue.” — AJ Chowdhury [26:14]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Israeli Gaza Airstrike & Hamas Leader Discussion: [00:59–05:02]
• Israel–Lebanon Ceasefire Extension: [05:02–06:25]
• Trump in China – Optics vs. Substance: [06:25–08:44]
• Australian Child Protection Tragedy: [08:44–14:18]
• Bolivian Protests and Deal with Miners: [16:44–19:52]
• WHO on Nicotine Pouches: [19:52–21:02]
• Paris Art Restitution Exhibit: [21:02–25:31]
• Who Will Be the Next James Bond?: [25:31–27:35]

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Conclusion

This episode of the Global News Podcast offers a sweeping look at world affairs—balancing breaking conflict updates, social justice stories, political maneuvers, health warnings, and cultural mysteries. In each story, the human and political ramifications are thoughtfully examined, offering listeners both concise reportage and crucial context on the dynamics shaping today’s world.

Transcript

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[Will Chalk]

This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Will Chalk and in the early hours of Saturday 16th May, these are our main stories. Israel says it's killed one of the Hamas architects behind the October 7th attacks the emergency services in Gaza City say the Israeli strikes killed at least seven people. Donald Trump is back in Washington after a two day summit in China, but what's actually been achieved? The Bolivian government says it has reached a deal with protesting minors after violent clashes on Thursday. Also in this podcast, the hunt for the next James Bond has begun.

[AJ Chowdhury]

I don't think they have to be British. It could be anyone who could portray those sensibilities. But Bond is our last sort of contemporary worldwide cultural hero.

[Will Chalk]

But who will accept the mission? There is officially a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but what practically that means is less clear. Israel says it has targeted the leader of Hamas's military wing in Gaza, describing him as an architect behind the October 7 attacks on southern Israel nearly three years ago. A government statement didn't explicitly claim that Izzedine Ul Haddad had been killed, but according to a senior Israeli security official, initial indications suggested he had been. Hamas hasn't commented on the fate of the commander, but the Palestinian Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Bazal said the attack in Gaza City had killed civilians.

[Podcast Advertiser]

The Israeli occupation targeted a building inhabited by citizens, a residential building in the Ramal neighborhood and Al Mutaz building with three war missiles that caused partial destruction. There's a big number of missing victims and wounded due to this targeting. We are talking about hundreds of citizens who are living inside this building. The missile was fired without any warning

[Will Chalk]

or notification, according to eyewitnesses and Local sources. The building was struck by three missiles launched simultaneously from two separate directions before a fleeing car was hit nearby. Abu Yousef was there. We were staying in a residential area

[Global News Correspondent]

with women and children.

[Will Chalk]

The place was hit by a belt of fire. It's very terrifying. And now they've hit a car. Where is the ceasefire? We are dying every day. For the sake of Allah, stop the war. Over the course of the war, Israel has assassinated several Hamas leaders. So who is Izzeddin Ul Hadad? What would his death, if confirmed, mean for both sides? Israel doesn't allow the BBC to report freely from Gaza. Our reporter Emir Nada is in Jerusalem.

[Emir Nada]

Ezzeddin Al Hadad was a mastermind of October 7, the last living mastermind still in Gaza, still alive, who hasn't been assassinated by Israel as of last year. He's taken over the leadership of Hamas after all the other leaders leaders have been killed. And he's also quite well known. He gave a prominent interview to Al Jazeera last year during the war in which he talked about Hamas's strategies. And so after these strikes tonight, in which we still don't know if they have indeed been successful or not, the Israeli military has accused him, Al Haddad, of the responsibility for the murder, kidnap and injury of Israeli citizens and troops on October 7, but also of violating the current ceasefire by working to rebuild Hamas's capabilities. Now, obviously we must mention that Hamas and indeed some humanitarian organizations also are saying that Israel isn't upholding their end of the ceasefire agreement too. But this is a significant blow to Hamas's leadership and may indeed impact their ability to strategize and negotiate going forward.

[Will Chalk]

In a separate development, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire after talks in Washington. But it's another truce that has so far been shaky at best. And cross border strikes between Israel and the Iranian backed Lebanese group Hezbollah are continuing. Again, Emir Nada told us more.

[Emir Nada]

This ceasefire has been in place for around a month. We're extending it now for another 45 days. The state Department is talking about that period will be used to make further progress. But actually we've had very little detail and indeed many people have been looking at these negotiations to see if there would be detail and about how and when Israeli troops might withdraw from Lebanon, how these big goals might be achieved, such as the disarmament of Hezbollah. These are big, complex issues. And indeed the current ceasefire that is in place is, well, very, very limited. It's reducing the violence. We've seen 55 people killed, Lebanese people killed, in the past 48 hours, according to the health ministry there, there's widespread Israeli attacks in the south of the country with we've seen an IDF soldier killed by Hezbollah last night. So the fighting is still ongoing. And what we're waiting to see now is is there any more detail about how the United States will guarantee a real peace and a real ceasefire unfolding and being implemented in Lebanon, which might achieve some of these more longer term goals.

[Will Chalk]

Emir Nada now, after a two day summit with China's President Xi that one of our correspondents described as heavier on optics than outcomes, President Trump is back in was that was a great success. It was fantastic. You made great deals.

[Donald Trump]

We did great, great deals. We had great relationships. And a lot of things that happened

[Will Chalk]

that you'll be hearing about, that was a tremendous success.

[Donald Trump]

I think it really was a historic moment.

[Will Chalk]

Well, a jubilant Donald Trump there. But China's Foreign Ministry said merely that the trade between the two countries would be expanded under the framework of reciprocal tariff reductions. One thing that has been confirmed, Boeing says China has agreed to buy 200 aircraft, but shares initially fell because investors were expecting more. Inevitably, Iran was on the agenda, too. Our correspondent Tom Bateman was traveling back to the US on board Air Force One as part of the White House pool of journalists. While on board, he asked President Trump if China's relationship with Iran could help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. And he filed this report during a refuelling stop in Alaska.

[Tom Bateman]

Here was a diplomatic opportunity to try and take advantage of the considerable leverage that President Xi has over the Iranians to try to use that to get the Iranians to at least ease their grip or to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. That of course, playing directly into the cost of fuel in the US and into rising inflation again. So I put that question to Mr. Trump and asked whether he got any firm commitment from President Xi on that issue. Now, he said that he didn't because he didn't want to ask for a favor.

[Donald Trump]

We don't need favors. We've wiped out their armed forces. Essentially.

[Tom Bateman]

He said if he asked for a favor, he would need to get a favor in return. Didn't want to do that, although he did suggest that it is also in President Xi's interest for the strait to be open so that that may happen, that pressure may happen, but no signs so far of any breakthrough on that as Mr. Trump heads back to Washington. And that big domestic issue, a big international issue still not solved.

[Will Chalk]

Tom Bateman in Alaska, politicians in Australia's Northern Territory have announced a review into the child protection system after the death of a five year old girl in Alice Springs. Kum Little Baby, as she's now known for cultural reasons, went missing last month after being put to bed by her mother in an aboriginal community. A 47 year old man has been charged with her murder. Her death caused national outrage and grief but it's also highlighted the deep disparities in Australia. Our Australia correspondent Katie Watson reports from Alice Springs. And a warning for Aboriginal and Taurus straight Islander listeners on our coverage does contain references to someone who has died. She was my little princess, my princess

[Emir Nada]

who loved the color pink.

[Will Chalk]

My heart is broken into a million pieces.

[Katie Watson]

Kuminjae little Baby in the words of her mother, a little girl like any other. Hundreds of people turned up to this vigil, many of them wearing pink. There are people in jumpers that are pink because it's really chilly now with the sun going down here in the outback in winter. Dogs with pink bows, children with pink balloons, everyone paying respects to the little girl who died. Kuminje Little Baby's body was found five days after she went missing. A man's been charged with her murder but her death has made the country reflect how could this have happened? A small child from a vulnerable poor family left exposed. Why so many questions that need answering but for now the community wants to grieve a period known as sorry business. The raw pain echoed across the sports ground after the vigil ended.

[Will Chalk]

I think more than anything it's probably the sadness of that with systems around poverty for marginalized people that that systems that people fall through the cracks and

[Emir Nada]

this little girl was beloved by her

[Will Chalk]

family and community but obviously lived in poverty and was vulnerable.

[Klitsi Asala]

It's often there's heavy things that happen in this town and as a non

[Katie Watson]

indigenous Australian I think the colonisation story is still really big here. It's still really present.

[Global News Correspondent]

A jewel set in Australia's northern seas.

[Katie Watson]

For decades Australian governments have introduced policies that have failed Aboriginal people inhabited by

[Global News Correspondent]

a people whose instincts are not far removed from the lower animals. And the children especially are just carefree products of nature in the raw.

[Katie Watson]

Right up to the 1970s, thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were removed from their families to get them to assimilate part of what's known as the stolen generations.

[Global News Correspondent]

White missionaries have come among the colored Aboriginals and are doing noble work in saving the blacks from themselves.

[Katie Watson]

Then in 2007 the Northern Territory Intervention that lasted 15 years, an Australian Federal government initiative aimed at Combating alleged child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities.

[Jacinta Nampajimpa Price]

I don't want to be right here, right now to have to stand in this chamber.

[Katie Watson]

Kumanje little baby's family has asked that her death not be politicized. But politicians on all sides now want to make their point. Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampajimpa Price, who said she was a relative of the little girl, spoke earlier this week.

[Jacinta Nampajimpa Price]

For too long in this country there has been silence around what is happening in too many town camps and remote communities. A silence driven by fear, a fear of causing offence, a fear of being labelled racist, fear of speaking honestly about dysfunction, violence, alcohol abuse, neglect and conditions Vulnerable children are growing up in. That silence is killing our babies.

[Katie Watson]

Not everyone agrees. Catherine Liddell leads snaicc, the peak body for Aboriginal organisations looking after children and their families.

[Klitsi Asala]

It's a country that has been very good at demonising us and it's demonised us since colonisation. That's a really hard narrative to unpick. And when we look at things like child protection in Australia today, the child protection system was built to remove Aboriginal children from their families and has not moved from that.

[Katie Watson]

This week, the Northern Territory government said a review would be launched into the child protection system here and reforms will be made. But leaders are clear Aboriginal people need not to be blamed for these failings and they also need to be consulted to find a way forward, not just in child protection, but housing, justice, the prison system too. Marion Scrymgeour is a federal member for the Labour Party in the Northern Territory. We don't want another intervention, but what do we need to do to make sure that we can hear the voices

[Jacinta Nampajimpa Price]

of those little ones and to make

[Katie Watson]

sure that we fix those systems that support those families. But few here in Alice Springs that I spoke to really believe her death will deliver much needed change.

[Will Chalk]

Katie Watson there still to come in this podcast why a Paris art gallery is trying to giveaway paintings by world famous artists.

[David Zivy]

The people who knew these works in the houses before the war, of course they passed away, but some families still have a small photograph of living room before the war. And sometimes some people still bring to us this evidence.

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[Will Chalk]

This is the global News Podcast. A story out of Bolivia Next where since May people have been protesting against the austerity policies of the centre right President Rodrigo Paz. On Thursday it turned violent with explosions and tear gas as a group of miners called for him to resign. Mining unions have also been seeking changes to their work contracts, but now the Bolivian government says it has struck a deal. Our global affairs correspondent and Barasan Ethirajan told me more.

[Global News Correspondent]

The Bolivian government says that after nearly 12 hours of negotiations, they had reached a deal with the miners who launched a big protest on Thursday. Now a representative for the union is also saying that the government had addressed most of the demands, especially with regard to access to further equipment and also they need more explosives, basically for mining work. But both sides have not given out listed out all the demands or what had been agreed and what had not been agreed. So this is the situation as of now. But it came a day after a protest by the miners that turned violent with police and miners protesting miners. They were clashing in the main City La Paz. But it is still not the end of the story for the Bolivian government because it is still grappling with the protests by other workers, for example teachers and transportation workers. They have been demanding wage increases as well as better working conditions. So the political turmoil still continues in Bolivia.

[Will Chalk]

And at the heart of this, like we see in so many countries, is the economy, because people think their lives are getting worse.

[Global News Correspondent]

The current president, Rodrigo Paz came to power in November. He assumed charge after 20 years of socialist rule. And at that time the country was facing severe funding crisis, foreign exchange crisis. So he announced various measures, basically austerity and privatization. And he was talking about capitalism for all. He's a center right president. But they did not go well with many Bolivians. And one of the decisions he took was to scrap the fuel subsidies that put up the cost of the fuel, which resulted in other prices also going up. And so that is one of the reasons why many bol or on the street asking for better wages and some of the other policies like farming, whether how they can incorporate some of the small holdings into bigger businesses. That was again raising questions about the indigenous communities. They were worried about big businesses coming and taking over their land. So since early May, the protests have intensified. In fact, there is a blockade going on around the main Satella Paz with many people talking about, you know, there could be even food shortage if these blockade continue. So it's a big challenge for the government. But at the moment they have reached the deal with the miners. But with regard to other workers, they need to find a way out.

[Will Chalk]

Ambarasenath Iraja the World Health Organization is calling for countries to do more to restrict the sale of nicotine pouches to young people. They're the highly addictive products which people put next to their gums. And it says they're being aggressively marketed to teenagers. Klitsi Asala reports.

[Klitsi Asala]

The industry says nicotine pouches help adult smokers move away from tobacco and are meant for over 18s. But the world Health Organization warns that what it calls deceptive tactics are driving a rapid rise in their consumption among young people worldwide, creating the risk of a new generation of nicotine addicts.

[Global News Correspondent]

Who is deeply concerned about the speed

[AJ Chowdhury]

at which these products are spreading because of the health risks they carry, especially

[Global News Correspondent]

for adolescents and young people.

[Will Chalk]

At the same time, regulations are failing

[AJ Chowdhury]

to keep pace with the rapid evolution and aggressive marketing of these products.

[Klitsi Asala]

Manufacturers are accused of using bright packaging and sweet flavors like bubblegum and gummy bears and promoting the pouches through social media influencers to offset Falling smoking rates. Only 16 countries ban them outright and 32 regulate them in some way.

[Will Chalk]

Klitsiya Sala and you also heard there from Dr. Vinyak Prasad, the head of the WHO's Tobacco Free Initiative. The celebrated French art museum, the Musee d' Orsay in the centre of Paris, doesn't often hold exhibitions consisting of works of art it desperately wants to give away. But a new display featuring exhibits by Impressionist masters Renoir and Degas, as well as a sculpture by Rodin, is intended to do just that. All of the works were stolen by the Nazis during the occupation of France in the Second World War and subsequently recovered from Germany or Austria. And so far, none of their former owners have claimed them back. David Zivy is a French Culture Ministry official who is head of a governmental task force to return such cultural objects. Paul Henley asked him why the job was taking so long.

[David Zivy]

It's a very complicated work. It's difficult because even if the artists are great and famous artists, the owners are not known. And it's very difficult to understand who was the owner before the war, because we don't have all the data. The work is to find who were the owners. And the second reason is also that the work began quite late, 30 years ago and more in the last few years.

[Podcast Advertiser]

Is it generally the case that these artworks were stolen from Jewish families? Is that the pattern?

[David Zivy]

Yes, that's the pattern. Some works were robbed, plundered, seized by the German authorities during the German occupation in France, but same in the Netherlands or in Belgium, for example, or in Eastern Europe. And some of the works were also sold during the war, sold under duress, sized and sold, or directly sold by French authorities, the Government de Vichy, or even sold by the owners because they needed money for escape or hiding. And that's also difficult in that case to have good archives, clues or evidences

[Podcast Advertiser]

to understand that there was an Allied army team at the end of the war, wasn't there, that went into Germany and Austria to try to recover these items? There was a film made about the monument men.

[David Zivy]

Yeah, there was this scientific unity in the US army, but there were also what we call fine arts officers in France, officier Beaux Arts. And one of the main character in this team was Rose Vallon, who was a French curator who worked during the war. She's also called the spy of the Musee du Jeu de Pomme because she was allowed to stay in a place where the Germans brought all those looted artworks. And she took notes, she noted everything secretly from where the works were looted. And where they were sent in Germany during the war. And she participated after the war as a French army officer, to the search and the quest and the finding of the works after the war, in Germany, in Austria.

[Podcast Advertiser]

Are you literally expecting that someone will walk around the Musee d' Orsay and say that Renoir belonged to my grandfather and I can prove it?

[David Zivy]

Of course, after more than 80 years, it's almost impossible that someone recognized a work. The people who knew these works in the houses before the war, of course, they are not among us now, they passed away. But some families still have a small piece of archive, a small photograph of living room before the war. And sometimes some people still bring to us, the Ministry of Culture, to the museum, this evidence. And so maybe someone will understand that the painting which is in the museum is the same than this small painting in a small photograph in the 30s, before the war. Well, it might happen. We hope so. But that's not the only way to understand, of course, the provenance.

[Podcast Advertiser]

But success would be empty spaces on the wall of the permanent exhibition area in the museum, would it, at the end?

[David Zivy]

Yes. Maybe it's a paradox for a museum, but yes, it would be a success. Very often we have this empty space, after that we put another work. But it would be a success, of course, because it would mean that with the research we reached some results and understanding.

[Will Chalk]

French Culture Ministry official David Zivi speaking to us from Paris. You get to wear a smart tuxedo, cause huge explosions by pressing a button on your watch and drink endless vodka martinis. Let's see if I can do this. Shaken, not stirred. Let's be honest, playing James Bond wouldn't be a bad job. And now, with Amazon MGM Studios controlling the Bond franchise, the hunt for the next one has officially kicked off. The speculation started long ago with names like Jacob Elordi, Callum Turner and Aaron Taylor Johnson all in the frame. But who's going to get the part? AJ Chowdhury is from the James Bond International Fan club.

[AJ Chowdhury]

I believe Amazon are trying to go slightly younger and kind of get a new youth audience. Their big shoes to fill. Daniel Craig was the most commercially successful and critically successful James Bond we've had. So it's a bunch of people who I think have the Goldilocks amount of fame. They've done a lot of stage work, a lot of film and television on both sides of Atlantic, but haven't quite made it. They're not too famous, not too unknown. They're just right. The Goldilocks amount, I'd hazard, to get British actors. One of the key people who's been cited is Harris Dickinson, who's made a name for himself in good quality drama. He also played a spy in Kingsman. Another person cited by the trade paper Varieties, Lewis Partridge, who appeared in Stephen Knight's House of Guinness. I don't think they have to be British. It could be anyone who could portray those sensibilities. Bond is our last sort of contemporary, worldwide cultural hero. In this country, it's a cultural alien and around the world it's sort of lightning rod for, you know, what people expect from British hero. So I think they have to portray it as someone that could be conceivably British. Bond is a brand that's been built nearly 70 years. It's an unqualified success. And with a brand like that, you don't turn a Coke can blue.

[Will Chalk]

AJ Chowdhury There. That's all from us for now. If you want to get in touch, you can email [e-mail]. you can also find us on X@BBC World Service. Use the hashtag globalnewspod. We have a sister podcast, the Global Story, which goes in depth and beyond the headlines on one big story. So give that a listen if you like. This edition of the Global News Podcast was mixed by Javid Gilani and the producer was Rebecca Wood. The editor is Karen Martin and I'm Will Chalk. Until next time. Goodbye.

[Donald Trump]

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