Kenya's president denounces anti-government unrest

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary: "Kenya's President Denounces Anti-Government Unrest"

Release Date: July 9, 2025

The BBC World Service’s "Global News Podcast" episode titled "Kenya's President Denounces Anti-Government Unrest" offers an in-depth exploration of significant global events, blending breaking news with expert analysis. This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened.

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1. Kenya's Political Turmoil and President William Ruto's Stance

Overview: The episode delves into the escalating anti-government protests in Kenya, highlighting the government's harsh response under President William Ruto. Recent weeks have seen significant unrest, resulting in numerous fatalities and widespread instability.

Key Points:

• Protests and Casualties: In the past two weeks alone, at least 50 people have been killed in protests against the government. Last month saw 19 deaths related to the custody death of a blogger ([02:00]).
• Government Response: President Ruto has adopted a stringent approach, ordering police to "shoot violent protesters in the legs" ([01:09]). This severe stance underscores the government's determination to quell dissent.
• Underlying Causes: The protests are primarily driven by young Kenyans frustrated with economic stagnation, corruption, and police brutality. These issues reflect deep-seated dissatisfaction with the current administration ([03:03]).
• Expert Insight: Senior Africa correspondent Anne Soy explains that previous presidents attempted to appease opposition by offering positions, but Ruto faces a unique challenge as his opponents are organized from the last elections and the protests are led by a leaderless, partyless group ([03:16]). The scale of the protests is unprecedented, spreading across more than half the country ([04:26]).

Notable Quotes:

• Tom Bateman on the opposition’s intentions: “They want to plan chaos. Protests burn people's property, cause death in Kenya so that they can overthrow the Kenyan government before 2027. I dare them to try.” ([02:46])
• Anne Soy on Ruto’s frustration: “You can sense the president's frustration trying to talk tough on one hand, but also trying to, you know, just frustrated about how to deal with these protests.” ([04:26])

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2. Nvidia Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation

Overview: Nvidia has become the first-ever company to reach a market value of $4 trillion, a milestone reflecting its pivotal role in the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution.

Key Points:

• Growth Drivers: Nvidia's specialized gaming chips have become essential for AI development, providing the computational power necessary for advancements in the field ([05:36]).
• Market Impact: The company now accounts for 7.5% of the S&P 500 index, highlighting its significant influence in the tech sector ([05:14]).
• Future Projections: Analysts believe Nvidia's valuation could soon reach $5 trillion, positioning it alongside historical giants like the Dutch East India Company, which would equate to approximately $7.9 trillion today when adjusted for inflation ([07:36]).

Notable Quotes:

• Joe Lynske on Nvidia’s success: “It sells a very specific kind of gaming chip that kind of has more power than stuff we've seen before. And it can work concurrently, and that is very important.” ([05:36])
• Comparison to historical companies: “If you like to think about it like this. It's sort of two in videos.” ([07:36])

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3. AI Impersonation Threatens U.S. Government Communications

Overview: The U.S. State Department is investigating incidents where artificial intelligence was used to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This development highlights the growing cybersecurity threats posed by AI technologies.

Key Points:

• Incident Details: Fake messages purportedly from Secretary Rubio were sent via the Signal app to five officials, including three foreign ministers and a state governor. These messages were generated using AI, raising concerns about their authenticity ([08:39]).
• State Department Response: The department is actively investigating the breach and has issued warnings to staff about similar attempts to infiltrate diplomatic communications.
• Broader Implications: This incident is part of a series of AI-driven security challenges, including previous attempts to impersonate other U.S. officials by actors linked to Russia ([09:44]).

Notable Quotes:

• Tom Bateman on the threat: “These are AI-generated messages posing as secure communications, highlighting the growing challenge of AI in cybersecurity.” ([08:39])

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4. UK and France Collaborate to Curb Illegal Channel Crossings

Overview: The UK and France have agreed to intensify efforts to stop the surge of migrant boats crossing the English Channel. Despite political agreements, on-the-ground realities in Calais present significant challenges.

Key Points:

• Political Agreement: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed enhanced collaboration during Macron's state visit to the UK ([09:44]).
• Challenges in Calais: Correspondent Sofia Batica reports from Calais, where migrants live in makeshift tents near the beach, waiting for favorable conditions to attempt crossings ([10:10]).
• Migrant Perspectives: Interviews with migrants like Sassam from Egypt and Samuel from Ethiopia reveal their desperation and determination to reach the UK for better opportunities ([10:35]).
• Impact of Political Decisions: Batica emphasizes that despite new political measures, the migrants' plight and desperation remain largely unaffected, as many are willing to risk their lives for a chance at a better future ([11:33]).

Notable Quotes:

• Sassam on his motivations: “There are jobs in the UK and I'm young. I didn't come here to stay in Calais. I want to help my family build a future and a better life.” ([10:10])
• Migrant determination: “I'm still gonna try to cross UK.” ([11:21])

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5. British Couple Detained in Iran Amid Regional Tensions

Overview: Lindsay and Craig Foreman, a British couple, have been detained in Iran on espionage charges for over six months. Their detention has raised international concerns, especially amid escalating Middle Eastern tensions.

Key Points:

• Detention Details: The couple was arrested at the start of the year while traveling on a motorbike. Their son, Joe Bennett, describes the uncertainty and emotional toll their detention has caused ([12:16]).
• Government Response: Confirmation of their detention came via the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 27. However, their exact location remains undisclosed, adding to the family's anxiety ([13:30]).
• Impact of Regional Conflicts: Ongoing conflicts, including the Iran-Israel war and U.S. bombings, have exacerbated fears for the couple's safety ([14:26]).
• Embassy Withdrawal: The UK’s recent withdrawal of embassy staff from Iran has left the family without on-the-ground support, complicating efforts to secure their release ([15:07]).

Notable Quotes:

• Joe Bennett on the emotional impact: “Tears, cry, upset, didn't know what to do, didn't know where to turn.” ([13:45])
• On embassy withdrawal: “They are now left alone. We haven't got people who can push for their safety and well being.” ([14:46])

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6. Introduction of a Barbie Doll with Type 1 Diabetes

Overview: Mattel has launched a new Barbie doll designed for children with type 1 diabetes, aiming to provide representation and boost confidence among young girls managing the condition.

Key Points:

• Doll Features: The new Barbie includes a glucose monitor, an insulin pump, and a purse for snacks, addressing the specific needs of children with type 1 diabetes ([25:24]).
• Representation and Empowerment: Yasmin, a type 1 diabetic, shares that the doll allows children to see themselves represented and fosters a sense of normalcy and empowerment ([26:13]).
• Criticism and Support: While some critics argue the doll perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards, supporters like social media influencer Anoretti Agraval appreciate the balanced portrayal, highlighting the doll's role in promoting confidence ([26:59]).

Notable Quotes:

• Yasmin on representation: “It's about having something that represents yourself. You can see yourself in that doll... I can show your friends, hey, this is a thing. It's normal. It's here to stay.” ([26:22])
• Agraval on the doll’s impact: “We see ourselves in these characters and dolls, especially girls just like me.” ([27:41])

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7. Red Bull Formula One Team Sacks Christian Horner

Overview: Red Bull Racing has terminated Christian Horner’s role as team principal after two decades, citing a combination of poor performance and prior allegations of misconduct.

Key Points:

• Termination Details: No official reason was provided for Horner’s dismissal, but it follows a period of subpar results and unresolved allegations of sexual harassment and controlling behavior ([17:40]).
• Horner’s Tenure: Christian Horner has been a prominent figure in Formula One since 2005, significantly contributing to Red Bull’s success and the sport's global popularity ([18:02]).
• Team’s Statement: Red Bull Group CEO expressed gratitude for Horner’s "exceptional work" but acknowledged several unanswered questions about the abrupt decision, leaving stakeholders seeking clarity ([18:02]).
• Community Reaction: Both drivers and the broader Formula One community are seeking more information regarding the motives behind Horner’s departure.

Notable Quotes:

• Red Bull’s statement: “We’d like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years with his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking.” ([18:02])
• Jo Linsky on the situation: “There are now several questions for this team and for

)

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8. The Sheep Game: A New Farming Venture Through YouTube

Overview: Cammie Wilson, a Scottish sheep farmer, has innovatively leveraged YouTube to create a profitable farming venture, demonstrating the power of digital media in traditional industries.

Key Points:

• Channel Growth: Wilson founded "The Sheep Game" on YouTube six years ago, amassing over 400,000 followers by showcasing his sheep farming activities ([19:51]).
• Economic Viability: With rising land and operational costs, Wilson turned to YouTube to generate additional income, enabling him to fund his farming activities through merchandise sales such as hoodies and jumpers ([20:23]).
• Community Support: The farming community and viewers have been instrumental in supporting his venture, allowing Wilson to purchase a new farm and sustain his lifestyle ([21:22]).

Notable Quotes:

• Cammie Wilson on starting the channel: “So the YouTube came about because someone said, look at this guy, Tom Pemberton. He's doing really well on YouTube and he's making a bit of money from it and doing well.” ([20:25])
• On community support: “We are absolutely being carried on the shoulders of the people that come here and buy merch from us and let us have this dream life that we're living.” ([21:44])

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9. Farnaz Ohadi: Bridging Persian and Flamenco Music

Overview: Farnaz Ohadi, an Iranian singer, has uniquely blended Persian music with flamenco, creating a distinctive cultural fusion that resonates with diverse audiences.

Key Points:

• Musical Journey: Growing up in a restrictive musical environment post-1979 Iranian revolution, Ohadi discovered her passion for flamenco during a trip to Seville, Spain. This experience fundamentally transformed her musical direction ([22:48]).
• Innovative Fusion: Ohadi combines Persian lyrics with traditional flamenco rhythms, creating a unique repertoire that appeals to both Iranian and international audiences ([24:24]).
• Reception: While the fusion has been celebrated by many, it also attracts criticism from traditionalists. However, Ohadi remains committed to her artistic vision, emphasizing the importance of representation and human rights through her music ([25:24]).

Notable Quotes:

• Farnaz Ohadi on her musical fusion: “The simple human rights, to claim space and breathe and raise your voice to sing. That's being denied.” ([24:48])
• On audience reception: “The women, without exception, they love it because they can immediately connect to the stories and why I do what I do.” ([25:24])

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10. Conclusion

The "Global News Podcast" episode delivers a comprehensive analysis of critical global issues, from political unrest in Kenya and groundbreaking achievements in the tech industry to innovative social initiatives and significant geopolitical tensions. Each segment is enriched with expert insights and firsthand accounts, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of the events shaping our world.

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This summary was crafted based on the transcript provided, ensuring all key topics are covered with relevant quotes and timestamps for clarity and context.

Transcript

[Oliver Conway]

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[Michelle Fleury]

You're listening to the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. Hello, I'm Oliver Conway. This edition is published in the early hours of Thursday 10th July. The Kenyan President William Ruto denounces anti government unrest, saying protesters who use violence should be shot in the legs. Nvidia becomes the first ever company to be valued at $4 trillion and Britain and France say they need to do more to stop illegal immigration across the English Channel. But what's the view in Calais? Also in this podcast, the sheep farmer who's found a new way of making money.

[Cammie Wilson]

When I started The Sheep Game Channel 5 six years ago now nobody else is doing sheep outdoors in the UK. Now you go on YouTube to be the only person doing something that's near impossible these days. So that gave me a real leg up and an advantage.

[Michelle Fleury]

And what is Persian Flamenco? In the past two weeks, at least 50 people have been killed in Kenya while protesting against the increasingly unpopular government. 19 of them died last month during protests over the death in custody of a blogger. Then on Monday, 31 people were killed while marking the anniversary of Saba Sabah, the day when Kenyans rose up against the one party rule of Daniel Arap Moi. However, despite the high number of deaths, the current Kenyan President, William Ruto, is showing no sign of backing down. In fact, he's now ordered police to shoot violent protesters in the legs, accusing opponents of trying to force him from power.

[Tom Bateman]

I saw them saying that they won't wait for the elections in 2027. They want to plan chaos. Protests burn people's property, cause death in Kenya so that they can overthrow the Kenyan government before 2027. I dare them to try.

[Michelle Fleury]

Well, the protests are mainly led by young Kenyans angry at economic stagnation, corruption, and police brutality. So what should we make of William Ruto's tough language? A question for our senior Africa correspondent, Ansoi.

[Anne Soy]

Well, you can sense the increasing frustration by the President because he's tried every rule in the book that has been used by previous presidents to try and quell the protests, to try and appease the opposition, but it hasn't worked. Previous presidents gave positions to opposition leaders and that quietened things down and let them work. It hasn't worked because he's working with his opponent from the last elections. But he's also facing these huge protests from a group that says it is partyless and leaderless, and therefore it has become a huge challenge for him to deal with. But also he's dealing with these protests, which he has used what we're used to seeing in Kenya, a huge crackdown on the protesters. Police shooting live rounds as well as tear gas to try and stop the protests. But it only increases that anger. And they are unprecedented in scale. We have seen protests across the country in more than half the country. And so you can sense the president's frustration trying to talk tough on one hand, but also trying to, you know, just frustrated about how to deal with these protests.

[Michelle Fleury]

Yeah, I mean, how much threat is he facing here? He's not due to go to the electorate for another couple of years.

[Anne Soy]

Kenya's elections will be in August of 2027, so it's still more than two years away. However, many of these protesters have been, you know, using the rallying call, Occupy State House. At one point, they were threatening to march onto State House. And so the President has felt that, that is. And on the 25th of last month, at least nine police stations were attacked. That is unprecedented. Five of them set on fire. So on one hand, they are dealing with what they consider what police have said are criminal elements who have infiltrated the protests and have been looting and destroying property, including government property. But at the same time, these protests just seem unrelenting.

[Michelle Fleury]

Anne Soy in Nairobi. Next to the first company in the world ever to be valued at $4 trillion. Nvidia, the American compute chip manufacturer, now accounts for 7.5% of the S&P 500 index of leading US firms. I asked our New York business correspondent, Michelle Fleury, how Nvidia had become so profitable.

[Joe Lynske]

Simply put, it sells a very specific kind of gaming chip that kind of has more power than stuff we've seen before. And it can work concurrently, and that is very important. That extra computational power is important because of the growth and explosion in AI. And so this firm is seen as sort of at the forefront. It is the company that every business turns to when they want to get their computer chips to power AI. And if you look back just a couple of years ago, we were talking about this company at a $1 trillion value. Around that time, 2022, that was when you started to see things like Chat GPT come out sort of into the public domain and really take off. And since then, it has just been on a tear. We were talk, you know, how it hit 2 trillion, then 3 trillion. Today we're talking about 4 trillion. But because we're in the infancy of what many see as this AI revolution, people suspect it might not be long before we're talking about $5 trillion valuation.

[Michelle Fleury]

Yeah, as you say, Nvidia has this specific product. But are other companies in the AI sector likely to hit similar heights or will they struggle to keep up?

[Joe Lynske]

Well, I mean, the closest competitor or the closest sort of in the field in terms of market cap is Microsoft, which is kind of close behind at around $3 trillion. It is big in cloud computing, but in terms of sort of rival chip manufacturers, the closest one is probably a company called amd. It's obviously investing more and more in these types of chips and trying to ramp up production. But you're also seeing big players, as I mentioned, Microsoft, but also others like Google and Amazon, trying to develop their own ability to develop these chips because they are in such demand. And it's worth pointing out as well that, you know, while we're talking about all of this, the CEO, the man behind Nvidia, has also seen his wealth balloon as well.

[Michelle Fleury]

Yeah, 4 trillion. Obviously a huge amount. But how would Nvidia compare to other big companies of the past, taking into account inflation?

[Joe Lynske]

Yeah, it's interesting. I mean, today we're talking about Nvidia holding the number one spot. But as you say, if you take inflation to account, it certainly would be. Well, there is another company, and that is the Dutch East India company, which basically, once inflation is taken into account, would be worth around US$7.9 trillion today. Now, this is a company from the 17th century. It is seen as sort of the biggest company in terms of market capitalization in the history of the world. So if you like to think about it like this. It's sort of two in videos.

[Michelle Fleury]

Michelle Fleury in New York well, Nvidia's rise in value is a sign of Wall Street's faith in AI, but the technology doesn doesn't come without its challenges. The U.S. state Department has said it is investigating how artificial intelligence was used to impersonate the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The fake voice was used to contact five officials, including three foreign ministers via the Signal messaging app. More details from our State Department correspondent Tom Bateman.

[Tom Bateman]

For three unnamed foreign ministers, a member of the U.S. congress and a state governor, the messages from [e-mail] on the messaging app Signal may have come as a pleasant surprise. These were say, officials requesting information or invitations to chat. But the voice was in fact impersonated, likely generated by artificial intelligence. The U.S. state Department says it is investigating the hoax while warning its staff about further such attempts to breach highly confidential diplomatic communications. The case raises further questions about the use of Signal by high profile politicians globally. But it is also a sign of a growing artificial intelligence arms race in the worlds of security and subterfuge. The State Department has told staff the Rubio impersonation followed a case in May when someone pretended to be other senior US officials, while in April a so called cyber threat actor linked to Russia posed as a US official trying to get Gmail access to Eastern European activists and journalists.

[Michelle Fleury]

Tom Bateman Britain and France have agreed they need to do more to stop the surge of migrant boats crossing the Channel. The admission came as the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted Emmanuel Macron at Downing street on the second day of the French President's state visit to the uk. But it won't be easy to stop the small boats, as our correspondent Sofia Batica found when she visited northern France.

[Sofia Batica]

In Calais, makeshift tents have been springing up along the canal, right next to holiday homes by the beach. The migrants wait for good weather, ready to cross the Channel at a moment's notice. Sassam, a 21 year old from Egypt, has already made four attempts. Do you think you will try again to reach the uk? Why?

[Oliver Conway]

There are jobs in the UK and I'm young. I didn't come here to stay in Calais. I want to help my family build a future and a better life.

[Sofia Batica]

Many migrants are fleeing conflict, persecution and extreme poverty. Back home, Samuel left Ethiopia because he didn't want to join the army. Why do you want to move to the uk? For my language. The easy way that I can communicate and then that I can qualify I have some, you know, friends who have reached the UK before, maybe seven, eight years, then they are telling me that they are, you know, good. If that journey now becomes even harder because of new political decisions coming from London, from Paris, do you think that would make you think twice or do you think you're still gonna try?

[Michelle Fleury]

I'm still gonna try to cross uk.

[Sofia Batica]

And why is that? You're not scared? Why would I? I've crossed through Libya. Do you think you'll try again soon to go to the uk? I'm not sure.

[Michelle Fleury]

We are waiting, you know, for the weather.

[Sofia Batica]

Yeah, the good weather. Most migrants that come here willing to risk their lives. So any political agreement between the UK and French governments is unlikely to put them off.

[Michelle Fleury]

Sofia Batica in northern France. Lindsay and Craig Foreman were traveling the world on a motorbike when at the start of this year, they were arrested and imprisoned in Iran, accused of espionage. The British couple have now been detained there for more than six months. Joe Bennett is Lindsay's eldest son and lead organizer adviser of the campaign. To secure their release, Joe has been speaking to Emma Barnett, who asked him first if its parents had been aware of the risk of going to Iran.

[Joe Bennett]

You do a risk analysis, right? And that's what they did and thought the risk was worth it. And, you know, by all accounts, well, they were in Iran, said it was a lovely country and the people were amazing.

[Emma Barnett]

Had you expressed any concern? Because you say a risk analysis, but they were going against the Foreign Office advice. The advice is very clear. It advises against all travel to Iran.

[Joe Bennett]

They're not the only people that travel to Iran. You know, when you. When you look at it, I don't think hostess taking is outlined on part of the risks.

[Emma Barnett]

I mean, it does say you're at risk of arrest, detention, it doesn't say hostage taking, but it also says of a death sentence.

[Joe Bennett]

As I say, plenty of people travel through without being taken, but.

[Emma Barnett]

And when was the last time you heard from your mum?

[Joe Bennett]

3Rd January, just say, you know, we're having a good time, we're really enjoying the place. And then it was just before they were going to cross into the Pakistani border. So they said, look, we might be going through a region of bad signal. Which was why, you know, initially we were like, okay, that's what's happening. And then when the days continued to build, we was like, there's something wrong here. We've had no phone calls, we've received one generic letter which was to everyone, friends and family, from my mum. It's Definitely her, It's her handwriting. But under what pretense was that written?

[Emma Barnett]

How did you find out that they had been detained then?

[Joe Bennett]

So we got confirmation via the Iranian mfa. At the back end of Jan, I think it was the 27th of Jan, they told the Foreign Office that, yes, we've got these two people in detention.

[Emma Barnett]

And what was your response?

[Joe Bennett]

Tears, cry, upset, didn't know what to do, didn't know where to turn. You know, that's where the Foreign Office were kind of like, right, this is serious now.

[Emma Barnett]

They were then charged for espionage and have been presumably in a prison ever since. Do you know where?

[Joe Bennett]

So somewhere in command, from what we understand from the information we've been given is that they were potentially moved around different detention centers. So it's hard to pinpoint where they would be.

[Emma Barnett]

And of course, since then there's been, you know, a huge, dramatic escalation in the Middle east with the war in the country between Iran and Israel and then the bombing by America. What was that like for you guys at home?

[Joe Bennett]

Terrifying. There was a date of June 8th where they were going to be transferred.

[Tom Bateman]

To Evan Prison, which is the notorious.

[Joe Bennett]

Prison, which is a notorious prison that.

[Emma Barnett]

A lot of people may have actually.

[Joe Bennett]

Heard of and subsequently part of that prison was bombed. And not knowing if they're okay or safe or anything like that is heartbreaking, I suppose.

[Emma Barnett]

Just again, to add to this picture, two weeks ago the UK pulled its embassy staff out of Iran.

[Joe Bennett]

That was frightening because it's like, okay, we haven't got people on the ground anymore. And don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming them for doing so. It's the right thing to do. But it's also like they are now left alone. We haven't got people who can push for their safety and well being.

[Michelle Fleury]

Joe Bennett talking to Emma Barnett. And still to come on the global news podcast, the new Barbie doll with a glucose monitor and an insulin pump.

[Sofia Batica]

It's about the kind of empowerment Barbie can do anything. So if Barbie can do that, then I can do that. Especially with type 1 diabetes. As a parent, you wear many hats. At dinner, you're the chef. When your kids play, you're the ref. And let's face it, you're basically a full time chauffeur. Fortunately, when it's time to wear your teacher hat, Abeka makes things easy. Our proven, flexible homeschool curriculum is designed to let your kids retain and build on the knowledge they acquire, setting them up for success later in life. Abeka learning for life begins with the right Homeschool education.

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[Michelle Fleury]

The Red Bull Formula One Motor Racing Team has sacked its leader Christian Horner after 20 years in. No reason was given for his dismissal, but it comes after a run of relatively poor results and a complaint made by a female colleague last year of sexual harassment and controlling behaviour. He was twice cleared after internal investigations. Jo Linsky has been following the story.

[Alfie Habersham]

Obviously Christian Horner is not a driver, but he is one of the most prominent, one of the most vocal figures in the Formula One paddock. He has been a team principal of Red Bull, as you say, for a very long time since since 2005 and really in the last decade has seen his public profile rise sort of in tandem with this global resurgence of Formula One, in part thanks to that Netflix documentary Drive to Survive. But after those two decades we got this statement from Red Bull. They said Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties and has appointed Lauren Mechier as the CEO of Red Bull Racing. Now we are still waiting for More answers in terms of the exact reason for Horner's departure, there has been pressure on him, point of view this season with Red Bull some way off their dominant best. But this also, as you mentioned, comes 17 months after Christian Horner faced allegations of controlling behaviour and sending inappropriate text messages to a female colleague. Horner was cleared of any claims of wrongdoing by an independent barrister. And at that point he said, I'm not going to comment on what motives, whatever person may have for doing this. My focus is on the team, my family, my wife and going racing. And then what followed after that sequence of events was a very public display of unity with his wife, Gerry Horner, the former Spice Girl, at the Bahrain Grand Prix in March last season when they walked through the paddock. Today, there has been this further reaction from Red Bull. The Red Bull Group chief executive saying, we'd like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years with his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking. But there are now several questions for this team and for Horner to answer about why this has happened so abruptly. Really. I think the drivers and the sport of F1 itself are going to be seeking some more answers.

[Michelle Fleury]

Joe Lynske there, a Scottish sheep farmer has found a new way of being profitable. Cammie Wilson created The Sheep Game YouTube channel six years ago and currently has more than 400,000 followers. He told Leanna Byrne about how he fell in love with farming and how social media has given him a way back into the industry.

[Cammie Wilson]

I was born on an estate in Scotland. My father was a shepherd there. So all my early years, all I really knew was sheep farming and sheep and just fell in love with it then.

[Joe Lynske]

Is it easy to get into this.

[Sofia Batica]

Industry when you're a young person?

[Cammie Wilson]

Because my father's a shepherd, I had no direct route in, so I went away from farming. I actually worked as a police officer for 12 years before coming back into it. And I was fortunate then. You know, land prices weren't where they are now and the cost of sheep isn't where it is now. Now it's nearly impossible. Like, the costs have just got so high for someone to come into the industry, they need big money behind them. So the YouTube came about because someone said, look at this guy, Tom Pemberton. He's doing really well on YouTube and he's making a bit of money from it and doing well. I thought that could be a good route. I could just share people what I'm doing and that might be a route. And to make an extra coin to get me into farming. Every kid wants to buy YouTuber these days and the reality is not everyone can be a YouTuber. Well, they can, but not everyone can make money from it. But we are so fortunate in farming. Like when I started the Sheep Game channel five, six years ago. Now nobody else is doing sheep outdoors in the UK. Now you go on YouTube to be the only person doing something that's near impossible these days. So that gave me a real leg up and an advantage.

[Sofia Batica]

It's also opened other opportunities for you.

[Michelle Fleury]

Yeah.

[Cammie Wilson]

So a big part of our business and that sounds so like cliche maybe for the YouTube world as merchandise we sell hoodies and jumpers, but we have bought a farm off the back of selling merchandise. And a big part of that is the farming community and the people that watch this getting behind us. And we are absolutely being carried on the shoulders of the people that come here and buy merch from us and let us have this dream life that we're living.

[Michelle Fleury]

Scottish sheep farmer Cammie Wilson talking to Leanna Byrne. Fanez Ohadi is an Iranian singer who fell in love with flamenco on a trip to Spain as a young girl. She has spent the past few years living and working in the Spanish city of Seville and has created a whole new repertoire of flamenco songs in Persian. She has a new album out called Breath. Michael Rossi has been to meet her.

[Sofia Batica]

I grew up in a family that was very artistic. Music was a big part of that, especially because after the revolution in Iran, music outside was quite restricted.

[Oliver Conway]

Farnaz oh Hadi is an Iranian born singer growing up in Iran. After the revolution of 1979, she came up against restrictions placed on music, in particular for women and girls. Yet her parents made sure that music was all around her. It wasn't until they took her on holiday to Spain that Farnaz's own passion for flamenco was ignited.

[Sofia Batica]

You know, like I understood, but not really understood until we came to the south of Spain for a month only exploration of Andalusia. And that completely changed my life. When I first, when I first came to Spain in Sevilla, I only had intentions to stay for one year and attend the school to study the deeper forms of flamenco at the time. The first week I attended the school for Nacion de Cristina Giron in Triana in Sevilla and there was a French woman there and they asked her, why are you here? She said, well, I'm doing my PhD about people who sing flamenco in other languages. And I was like, oh, that's me. We did A seven minute. There were two guitarists and two palmeros. It became a show. And at the end of it, it was an incredible reaction, and everybody just jumped up. And I remember the teachers looking at each other like, what just happened? At the beginning, because of my discipline, I sacrificed the words. I would twist them around to be able to fit. I would stretch a word so long to be able to fit into the rhythm. And my Persian teacher was horrified. She's like, if you go out and sing like this, I will not claim you as my student. You cannot tell people that I've been teaching you. I'm like, oh, my God. Okay. So I would go back and say the words the way I want it to be said, the way the cadence of the poetry has to be said. And then my flamenco teacher is like, FA na no esta flamenco. This is not flamenco. What are you doing? Where is the rhythm? Where is the accent? I'm like, oh, my God. So from one word at a time, I had to explore, would the accent work at the beginning of the word, middle of the word, or the end of the world? Reception in Iran has been very interesting. The women, without exception, they love it because they can immediately connect to the stories and why I do what I do. I'm a bit older. I'm fearless on stage. The men are coming along. I've been getting a lot of very interesting messages from the guitarist, flamenco guitarist in Iran, who are very excited because suddenly there is a singer who knows flamenco enough and is singing in their language. I also get a lot of hate. The more I rock the boat, the more they can be uncomfortable. The simplest human rights, to claim space and breathe and raise your voice to sing. That's being denied. Only two countries in the world, Iran and Afghanistan, denies women singing.

[Michelle Fleury]

Iranian singer Fahnaz Ohadi, she was talking to Michael Rossi. Finally, there's a new Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes. Unlike type 2, which develops later in life, type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition that starts in childhood or adolescence. The new doll wears a glucose monitor, an insulin pump, and has a purse for snacks. Toymaker Mattel says it wants to help young people with the feel more confident. So how's it being received? Alfie Habersham reports.

[Tom Bateman]

It felt like almost everyone was talking about Margot Robbie's Barbie movie when it came out two years ago. Not because of the blinding pink cocktail parties or the Dua Lipa soundtrack, but its deeper social message.

[Sofia Batica]

What do I have to do? You have to go to the real world. You can go back to your regular life.

[Alfie Habersham]

Or you can know the truth about the universe.

[Tom Bateman]

As the upset teenager Sasha told Barbie when she traveled to the real world, you have been making women feel bad about themselves since you were invented. Perhaps it was the toymaker Mattel holding its hands up for its part in the unrealistic beauty standards facing young girls today. However, there are 175 Barbies, including ones in wheelchairs with hearing aids, prosthetic legs and skin conditions. But disability Barbies have only been available in the last six years of the doll's 66 year history. Yasmin, who lives with type 1 diabetes, says this new doll will help more young girls feel seen.

[Sofia Batica]

It's about having something that represents yourself. You can see yourself in that doll. You can show your friends, hey, this is a thing. It's normal. It's here to stay. Also, it's about the kind of empowerment Barbie can do anything. So if Barbie can do that, then I can do that. Especially with type 1 diabetes.

[Tom Bateman]

Although the critics say the new doll is as flawless and difficult to measure up to as ever, wearing a pristine blue polka dot outfit with matching purse and high heels to go with her bright pink insulin monitor and glucose pump. But social media influencer Anoretti Agraval, also living with diabetes, says a glamorous look is actually a good thing.

[Sofia Batica]

We see ourselves in these characters and dolls, especially girls just like me. Like, I would want to dress up like a Barbie, I would want to wear clothes like her, and something like this would have given me a sense of confidence that, you know, this is our normal and this is normal.

[Michelle Fleury]

Agraval ending that report by Alfie Habershon. And that is all from us for now, but the Global News podcast will be back very soon. This edition was mixed by Caroline Driscoll and produced by Oliver Burlau. Our editors Karen Martin. I'm Oliver Conway. Until next time. Goodbye.

[Oliver Conway]

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[Sofia Batica]

Lowes.

[Oliver Conway]

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