Global News Podcast (BBC World Service)

Episode: Malaysia ex-PM found guilty in state funds scandal
Date: December 26, 2025
Host: Valerie Sanderson

Overview

In this episode, the BBC Global News Podcast covers major international news stories, with a primary focus on former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak being sentenced to 15 years in prison over the 1MDB corruption scandal—one of the world’s most notorious financial crimes. Other significant updates include protests in India over a rape sentence suspension, optimism in Alzheimer's research, U.S. airstrikes in Nigeria, peace talks in Ukraine, a deadly attack in Israel, destructive California floods, and efforts to preserve historic smells using science.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Malaysia’s 1MDB Corruption Verdict

Timestamps: 01:40–09:19

• Najib Razak Sentenced: Former Malaysian PM found guilty of four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering, receiving a 15-year prison sentence. He is already serving six years for a separate 1MDB case.
• The 1MDB Scandal: Najib was accused of siphoning money from the wealth fund (which he founded in 2009) into his personal accounts. The complex international scandal involved several countries and high-profile individuals.
• Political Division: The conviction has polarized Malaysia; while only a few supporters gathered at court, many claim the case is politically motivated.
• Judicial Process: The current case is the second conviction after seven years, involving numerous witnesses and depositions; Najib’s request for house arrest was denied.
• Fugitive Financier: Najib’s legal team blames adviser and financier Jho Low, who remains at large.
• Appeal Process: Defense lawyers will appeal and push for a stay of execution.

Notable Quotes:

• “The 72-year-old has a lot of political support. His conviction and his involvement in the case has really divided the country.” — Suranjana Tiwari, BBC Southeast Asia correspondent (05:37)
• “Najib’s lawyers have always claimed that he was misled by one of his advisers, a financier called Jho Low, who has maintained his innocence but is essentially a fugitive.” — Suranjana Tiwari (07:48)

2. India: Outrage Over Suspension of Rape Sentence

Timestamps: 09:22–15:36

• Background: Kuldip Sengar, a former BJP lawmaker convicted of raping a 17-year-old in 2017, had his life sentence suspended and was granted conditional bail by the Delhi High Court after years of legal battles.
• Public Backlash: The decision triggered protests due to the case’s high profile, past abuses of power, the victim’s family tragedy, and fears of dangerous precedent.
• Victim’s Plight: The survivor’s family worries for their safety, citing the earlier deaths of her father and two aunts amid repeated threats.

Notable Quotes:

• “It was one of those high-profile cases in India at that time… when the verdict came after years of struggle, there was a lot of satisfaction among activists.” — Anbarasan Ethirajan, BBC Global Affairs Reporter (10:45)
• “The family went through a lot, and that’s why they’re saying, ‘We fought so hard to get justice… now we see family members died in connection with the case and that is why they are worried.’” — Anbarasan Ethirajan (13:50)

3. Hope in Alzheimer’s Research

Timestamps: 15:40–22:20

• Growing Prevalence: 55 million people have dementia worldwide, with numbers expected to triple by 2050.
• Innovative Approaches: Researchers in Edinburgh use brain tissue from surgeries to study the effects of Alzheimer’s, allowing unique insight into disease mechanisms and potential interventions.
• Optimism for Cure: Researchers express hope and optimism that meaningful treatments or cures are within reach in coming years.

Notable Quotes:

• “I absolutely believe that it will be cured one day. The evidence we have… is that it is a disease, and disease can be cured.” — Dr. Claire Durant, University of Edinburgh (21:10)
• “I’m very optimistic that in the short term, we will have treatments that can meaningfully slow or stop disease progression…. In the long term, we should be able to prevent dementias entirely.” — Prof. Tara Spires-Jones, Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences (22:05)

4. US Airstrikes Against Militants in Nigeria

Timestamps: 22:22–28:35

• Airstrikes Announced: On Christmas Day, the US military conducted airstrikes in Sokoto State, northwestern Nigeria, against militants linked to Islamic State (IS).
• Unusual Target: IS has not previously claimed a presence in Sokoto; analysts point to the Lakoara group as likely targets.
• Militant Patchwork: Northern Nigeria faces a complex web of local, IS, al-Qaeda affiliated, and criminal groups, some involved in kidnapping and violence for profit.

Notable Quotes:

• “For anybody following jihadist developments in West Africa, these strikes may have come as a huge surprise because they occurred in Sokoto State…the Islamic State has never claimed any attacks… in that state whatsoever.” — Barry Marston, BBC Monitoring Jihadi Specialist (23:04)
• “It’s this whole cauldron of jihadist entities that are becoming increasingly active and causing concern for security observers and local people.” — Barry Marston (26:02)

5. Ukraine-Russia Peace Negotiations Update

Timestamps: 28:40–32:12

• Zelensky to Meet Trump: Ukrainian President Zelensky states he will meet with Donald Trump to seek resolution over the Russian invasion, claiming 90% agreement reached on proposals for peace.
• Potential Outcomes: Options include a free economic or demilitarized zone in Donetsk; land concessions are deeply divisive among Ukrainians.
• Mixed Attitudes: War-weariness is common, but argument continues about any territorial compromises.

Notable Quotes:

• “This is a war that has raged on for a very long time and people are weary. They do want peace, but when it comes to any kind of land concessions…. there are quite a lot of differing opinions.” — Samira Hussain, BBC Kyiv Correspondent (31:59)

6. Attack in Northern Israel & Settler Violence

Timestamps: 32:14–36:01

• Attack Details: Two killed in a combined stabbing and car-ramming attack in northern Israel. The suspect, reportedly a Palestinian, has been hospitalized after being shot by police.
• Settler Violence: On Christmas, viral video showed an Israeli settler running over a Palestinian man in the West Bank; the perpetrator received a five-day house arrest.
• Response: Israeli officials promise further operations in the suspected attacker’s home area.

Notable Quotes:

• “We understand from officials that the assailant has been neutralized, he’s been shot in the leg and then taken to hospital.” — Shaima Khalil, BBC (33:52)

7. California Floods & Extreme Weather

Timestamps: 36:03–38:40

• Flooding Crisis: Intense winter storms brought 27cm of rainfall to Los Angeles County, causing deadly floods and mudslides. Emergency responders rescued many trapped citizens; at least three deaths reported.
• Climate Impact: Scientists link the intensity of recent floods and fires to ongoing climate change; worst rains may still be ahead.

Notable Quotes:

• “Rivers have been turned into raging torrents and for local residents it’s been a grim Christmas.” — John Donnison, BBC Reporter (36:35)
• “We saw houses being damaged, had damage on our property… This is definitely the worst of it.” — California resident (37:21)

8. Science: Preserving the Smells of History

Timestamps: 38:42–46:52

• Olfactory Heritage: University College London’s Dr. Cecilia Bembibre leads a project to chemically analyze and recreate culturally significant smells, like library books or underground stations.
• AI and Archives: The Odeuropa Project uses AI to explore 300 years of European literature for references to smells, reconstructing lost urban scents (e.g., Amsterdam’s linden trees masking sewage).
• Public Nostalgia: Smells of bread, floor polish, and city subways were commonly submitted for preservation.

Notable Quotes:

• “We can capture smells… use this instrument to analyze it by separating each of the components so we can describe them and record them for the future.” — Dr. Cecilia Bembibre (39:37)
• “The floor polish for wooden floors used in schools is a very powerful smell that evokes memories of childhood.” — Dr. Cecilia Bembibre (41:32)
• “This is an interpretation of the smell of hell that we developed for a painting from 1549… Now, hell does not smell good.” — Dr. Cecilia Bembibre (44:26)

Memorable Moments & Quotes by Timestamp

• Malaysia 1MDB Scandal:
  “His conviction… has really divided the country.” — Suranjana Tiwari (05:37)
• Alzheimer’s Hope:
  “I’ve not seen so much hope in Alzheimer’s disease research than I do right now.” — Dr. Claire Durant (21:55)
• California Flood Victim:
  “We saw houses being damaged… This is definitely the worst of it.” — Resident (37:21)
• Historical Smell of Hell:
  “Now, hell does not smell good… a bit of sulphur, of course, and caproric acid, which evokes the goat.” — Dr. Cecilia Bembibre (44:42)

Conclusion

This episode provides in-depth reporting on high-profile corruption, legal justice, global security, scientific breakthroughs, and efforts to preserve culture. From detailed court rulings and political divisions in Malaysia and India to cutting-edge brain science and sensory history, listeners gain a comprehensive, human-focused portrait of today’s global issues.