Netanyahu: Israel plans to take over all of Gaza

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary
Episode: "Netanyahu: Israel Plans to Take Over All of Gaza"
Release Date: May 19, 2025
Host: Jackie Leonard
Source: BBC World Service

The BBC World Service's "Global News Podcast" episode released on May 19, 2025, delves into a series of pivotal global issues, ranging from the escalating conflict in Gaza to significant geopolitical shifts post-Brexit. Hosted by Jackie Leonard, the episode offers in-depth analysis, exclusive interviews, and investigative reports, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the most pressing international stories.

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1. Israel's Military Strategy in Gaza

Netanyahu's Plan to Control Gaza

At the forefront of this episode is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration of Israel's intention to assume complete control over the Gaza Strip. This move aims to prevent Hamas from misappropriating international aid supplies, which Israel contends have been siphoned off for military purposes.

• Netanyahu's Statement:
  "[01:47] Benjamin Netanyahu: ... in order to complete the victory, defeat Hamas and free all our hostages, tasks that are intertwined, there's one necessary condition. We must not reach a state of starvation..."

The blockade, initially imposed in March, severely restricted aid to Gaza, citing Hamas's alleged diversion of resources. However, escalating international pressure from the US, UK, and EU led to a partial easing, allowing limited food supplies into the region.

• Aid and Blockade Details:
  "[03:19] Jackie Leonard: So it's fair to say that foreign political pressure is bearing fruit here."
  "[03:23] Benjamin Netanyahu: Absolutely... images of mass hunger are disturbing the US..."

Despite the partial lifting, Netanyahu emphasizes that the overarching goal remains the full control of Gaza, with plans to establish "special areas" guarded by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to ensure that aid reaches civilians exclusively, thwarting Hamas's influence.

Humanitarian Impact and Medical Crisis

The intensified military operations have had a dire impact on Gaza's infrastructure, particularly its healthcare system. Claire Manera, Emergency Coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), provides a harrowing account of the situation.

• Claire Manera's Insights:
  "[04:46] Claire Manera: Was attacked just a few hours ago... we're only able to work on a very skeleton staff..."
  "[05:28] Claire Manera: The space that we have to work in is reducing day by day... medical needs are getting higher and higher."

MSF rejects Netanyahu's aid distribution plan, arguing that it could be exploited as a tool for military objectives rather than impartial humanitarian assistance. The lack of unrestricted aid exacerbates the humanitarian crisis, with thousands displaced and critical shortages of food, medical supplies, and fuel.

• MSF's Position:
  "[06:12] Claire Manera: We don't accept this plan because we are supporting and we are advocating for impartial humanitarian aid..."
  "[07:04] Claire Manera: There is absolute urgency... they're facing a death sentence."

2. Post-Brexit UK-EU Relations

Landmark UK-EU Summit

The podcast highlights a significant development in post-Brexit relations as the UK and EU announce a series of agreements aimed at normalizing and improving their bilateral relations. This marks the first successful EU-UK summit since Britain's departure from the European Union in 2020.

• Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Announcement:
  "[17:27] Lucy Hawking: Britain is back on the world stage... we've struck this landmark deal with the EU..."

Rob Watson, the political correspondent, elaborates on the agreements, focusing on easing trade restrictions in food, agriculture, and travel, while also addressing security and defense cooperation.

• Details of the Agreement:
  "[18:04] Travel Expert: ... making it easier in terms of trade in food and agriculture and travel for ordinary people..."
  "[19:11] Travel Expert: ... significance in the sense... limited in the sense that this is not a renegotiation of Brexit."

Public and Political Reactions

The agreements have elicited mixed reactions. Proponents view it as a pragmatic step towards easing the frictions caused by Brexit, fostering economic growth and enhancing cooperation. Critics, however, argue that the deals fall short of restoring closer ties and that key issues like youth mobility remain unresolved.

• Public Sentiment:
  "[20:07] Travel Expert: ... supporters of Brexit are screaming betrayal..."
  "[20:08] Travel Expert: ... those on the other side say this is pretty limited."

Prime Minister Starmer hopes that these agreements will resonate with voters seeking stability and improved daily interactions with Europe, beyond the contentious politics of Brexit.

3. Investigative Report: Child Trafficking and Abuse in South African Mines

Tragic Exploitation of Miners

A critical segment of the podcast investigates the harrowing evidence of child trafficking and sexual abuse within South Africa's illegal mining operations. Several eyewitness accounts reveal that children as young as 15 are being exploited in mines, enduring repeated sexual violence and severe trauma.

• Survivor Testimonies:
  "[11:01] Expedia Advertiser: Jonathan worked in a mine... older miners would frequently exchange gold for sex with children..."
  "[11:43] Expedia Advertiser: All of the children in Stillfontein were from Mozambique..."

Guguk Kaba, CEO of Save the Children South Africa, provides expert commentary on the psychological and physical impacts of such abuse on young victims, highlighting changes in behavior and deep-seated trust issues.

• Expert Analysis:
  "[11:32] Travel Expert: You saw those people... they would want to do it again..."
  "{12:43] Jackie Leonard: ...rights groups have told us some of them were abused..."

The BBC's investigation uncovers that the illegal mining sector continues to thrive, with an estimated 6,000 vacant mines susceptible to exploitation, leaving thousands of children vulnerable. Authorities and government bodies have yet to respond adequately, with no charges filed against the perpetrators reported.

• Ongoing Challenges:
  "[12:43] Jackie Leonard: ...the BBC did ask the police and the government..."
  "[12:43] ...the illegal mining industry continues to thrive..."

4. Gary Lineker's Exit from the BBC Amid Controversy

Social Media Missteps and Consequences

In a surprising turn, renowned BBC presenter Gary Lineker announced his departure from the corporation following a controversial social media post regarding Zionism, which included an anti-Semitic caricature.

• Lineker's Apology:
  "[13:37] Lucy Hawking: ...Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made... [14:10]"
  "[15:38] Lucy Hawking: ...he would never knowingly post anything anti-Semitic..."

BBC Director-General Tim Davie stated that Lineker's actions made his position untenable, leading to his immediate departure and the cancellation of his anticipated coverage of the 2026 World Cup and future FA Cup broadcasts.

• BBC's Statement:
  "[13:37] Lucy Hawking: ...we’ve agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season..."
  "[15:32] Jackie Leonard: ...Lucy Hawking: ...Gary Lineker's transition..."

Lineker, a former England footballer and long-time BBC personality, expressed deep remorse, emphasizing his commitment to combating anti-Semitism and his dedication to his role at the BBC.

• Lineker's Reflection:
  "[15:38] Lucy Hawking: ...He made the transition from being a successful England striker..."
  "[16:18] Jackie Leonard: ...Lucy Hawking describes Lineker's impact..."

5. Discovery of a Dinosaur Mass Grave in Alberta, Canada

Pachyrhinosaurus Bone Bed Unearthed

In a fascinating departure from geopolitical turmoil, the podcast explores a monumental paleontological discovery in Alberta, Canada. Professor Emily Bamforth leads the excavation of a colossal dinosaur bone bed at Pipestone Creek, revealing the remains of hundreds, possibly thousands, of Pachyrhinosaurus—a horned dinosaur akin to the Triceratops.

• Professor Bamforth's Description:
  "[16:28] Professor Emily Bamforth: ...this is tens or hundreds or maybe even thousands of animals..."
  "[27:08] Jackie Leonard: ...a catastrophic event, very likely a flood..."

The site, affectionately termed the "Pachyrhinosaurus Omelette," provides invaluable insights into the herding behavior and mass mortality events of these dinosaurs, likely caused by natural disasters such as floods that led to the simultaneous burial of vast numbers of individuals.

• Scientific Insights:
  "[26:17] Professor Emily Bamforth: ...their mass burial indicates they were part of large herds..."
  "[27:10] Professor Emily Bamforth: ...a catastrophic event, very likely a flood..."

The discovery is featured in the "Walking With Dinosaurs" program, bringing the prehistoric past to life through vivid reconstructions and expert commentary.

• Impact of the Discovery:
  "[27:38] Jackie Leonard: ...recreated for the first time... speaks to the power of paleontology..."
  "[28:22] Professor Emily Bamforth: ...the Pipestone Creek bone bed... guaranteed we're going to find fossils."

6. Advancement and Public Perception of Driverless Cars in the UK

Driverless Cars Set for Wider Deployment by 2027

The podcast addresses the imminent arrival of driverless cars in the UK, projected to become commonplace on roads by the latter half of 2027, a delay from the previously expected 2026 rollout. Technology editor Zoe Kleinman shares her firsthand experience testing these autonomous vehicles in London's complex urban environment.

• Zoe Kleinman's Experience:
  "[28:53] Podcast Announcer: ...the car handled every single obstacle without a hitch..."
  "[29:23] Jackie Leonard: I think boring is good when you're talking about driving..."

Challenges and Public Acceptance

Despite the technological advancements, public apprehension remains a significant barrier. Concerns about safety, trust in the technology, and the loss of human interaction in driving are prevalent among potential users.

• Public Concerns:
  "[30:32] Jackie Leonard: ...can you actually get people in it?"
  "[30:38] Podcast Announcer: ...can you actually get people in it?"

Kleinman discusses the societal implications, including the potential reduction in traffic accidents due to increased caution by autonomous systems and the economic impact related to jobs in the driving sector.

• Societal Impact:
  "[31:22] Podcast Announcer: ...fully automated cars are safer..."
  "[31:22] ...impact on jobs... robo taxis... can't consciously post anything anti-Semitic."

While companies like Uber advocate for the readiness of driverless technology, they acknowledge the unique challenges posed by cities like London, with their intricate road systems and high congestion levels.

• Industry Perspective:
  "[29:30] Podcast Announcer: ...Uber says it's ready to go..."
  "[30:32] ...companies have been trialing the tech..."

7. China's Reinforcement of Anti-Corruption Measures

New Regulations to Curb Excessive Spending

China continues its stringent battle against corruption and wastefulness among government officials. Recent regulations outline strict guidelines on the allowable expenditures for public officials, including limitations on spending for travel, accommodations, and meal expenses.

• Regulatory Details:
  "[21:11] Travel Expert: ...saving is glorious..."
  "[21:11] ...guided by Xi Jinping's longstanding anti-corruption campaign..."

These measures signify President Xi Jinping's ongoing commitment to eradicating corrupt practices within the government, emphasizing transparency and accountability.

• Analyst Commentary:
  "[21:11] Travel Expert: ...shameful to waste..."
  "[21:11] ...this suggests his battle against corruption is not yet won."

8. The Rise of Organized Crime in Brazil

Arrest of 'Tutor,' Leader of the PCC Gang

Leonardo Rocha, America's regional editor, reports on the recent expulsion of Marcos Roberto de Almeida, known as "Tutor," the alleged head of Brazil's largest criminal organization, the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC). After years on the run, Almeida was apprehended in Bolivia, marking a significant blow to the gang's operations.

• Rocha's Report:
  "[22:08] Leonardo Rocha: ...the PCC controls crime in Sao Paulo..."
  "[23:02] Leonardo Rocha: ...they will continue as strong as ever, but this is a big blow..."

Despite Almeida's capture, the PCC remains a formidable force in organized crime, controlling vast networks involved in drug trafficking, illegal mining, and various illicit businesses across Brazil. The gang's resilience underscores the challenges authorities face in dismantling deeply entrenched criminal enterprises.

• Future Implications:
  "[23:02] ...they will continue as strong as ever..."
  "[23:02] ...organized crime in the country... crime is on the rise..."

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Conclusion

This episode of the BBC's "Global News Podcast" presents a multifaceted exploration of critical international issues, from the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and evolving UK-EU relations to disturbing revelations of child abuse in South African mines and significant shifts in global organized crime. Through expert interviews, firsthand accounts, and thorough investigative journalism, Jackie Leonard and her team provide listeners with a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the world's most urgent news stories.

For further information or to share your thoughts on this episode, please contact [e-mail] or follow the conversation on X using the hashtag #globalnewspod.

Transcript

[Podcast Announcer]

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the uk.

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And a waterfall and a soaking tub. Expedia made to travel.

[Jackie Leonard]

This is the Global News podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Jackie Leonard and at 13 hours GMT on Monday 19th May, these are our main stories. Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will take control of all of Gaza to prevent Hamas looting Aid after agreeing to allow food supplies in again following heavy pressure from the us, the UK and the European Union are announcing a series of deals to improve post Brexit relations. Also in this podcast, a BBC investigation finds evidence that children are being trafficked into illegal mines in South Africa and sexually abused trauma that they had gone through.

[Expedia Advertiser]

They start by grooming them, they start by acting like they like them.

[Jackie Leonard]

Israel imposed an aid blockade on Gaza in March, saying Hamas was stealing the aid that had been going in. Foreign journalists aren't free to go into Gaza, so we can't check for ourselves. But reports are coming out of rising levels of hunger and associated deaths. After international pressure, Israel says it will now allow a limited amount of food into Gaza. The Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says it's all part of the plan and Israel still intends to take control of the entire Gaza Strip.

[Travel Expert]

From the beginning of the war, we.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

Said that in order to complete the victory, defeat Hamas and free all our hostages, tasks that are intertwined, there's one necessary condition. We must not reach a state of starvation, both from a practical and a.

[Travel Expert]

Political point of view.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

We simply won't get support. We won't be able to complete the mission of victory.

[Jackie Leonard]

The United nations will be involved in distributing the aid. Here's the UN's Olga Cherevko.

[Expedia Advertiser]

The entry of aid is extremely urgent and the needs here are beyond immense. I mean they are catastrophic levels.

[Jackie Leonard]

Our Middle east regional editor is Mike Thompson. So what else did Mr. Netanyahu have to say?

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

Well, he gave more details, Jackie, on what he calls his war and victory plan. And basically this involves avoiding starvation in Gaza for the reasons he was given, the international condemnation of this and stopping Hamas getting hold of the aid. And this is also partly to reassure some members, right wing members of his cabinet that don't want aid sent in and want this 11 week blockade to continue. And basically he said it'll involve setting up special areas which will be safeguarded by the idf, but American companies will distribute Aid to people there. And the idea is that these will be set up within the next few days and then expanded to an entire area of Gaza. And he said this will mean that in this area only the local population will be able to access the aid and not Hamas.

[Jackie Leonard]

So it's fair to say that foreign political pressure is bearing fruit here.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

Absolutely. I mean, if you look at the way he has said that, the images of mass hunger are disturbing the US and the US is Israel's strongest ally and supplies much of the weaponry it needs to continue this war. So aside from European condemnation and that from elsewhere, it's extremely important for them.

[Jackie Leonard]

So how much aid will be going in and when?

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

Well, we don't know for sure. There's been Talk of maybe nine, or it could be 20 trucks getting in possibly later today. I mean, that is of course, a very minimal number when you think of something like 5, 600 a day went in before the war. But it's thought, as I said, that could be later on today.

[Jackie Leonard]

And what's the latest on the fighting, just briefly?

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

Well, there's been 20 people killed overnight, 100 over the last 24 hours. And we've just had an evacuation order issued by the Israeli military to the people of Khan Younis in the south, that's the south's biggest city, and to other surrounding areas. And Israel claims to have carried out about 160 targeted strikes.

[Jackie Leonard]

That was Mike Thompson. Well, the Hamas run health ministry in Gaza says all three public hospitals in the north of the territory have been put out of service. Claire Manera is emergency coordinator for Medecins Sans Frontier, or msf. She spoke to the BBC from southern Gaza. King close to Nasser Hospital, NASA Hospital.

[Claire Manera]

Was attacked just a few hours ago. And this is the third time that this has happened in the past few months. We're so lucky that none of the MSF staff were injured last night because normally we have more than 30 staff there present running the operating theaters and the inpatient departments. But now we're only able to work on a very skeleton staff in the hospital and the needs are massive.

[Jackie Leonard]

Of course, Israel has launched its new offensive involving those airstrikes, but crucially, troops on the ground. What's your assessment of the impact this could have on the medical situation and humanitarian situation in Gaza at the moment?

[Claire Manera]

Well, the space that we have to work in is reducing day by day and the attacks are intensifying. We can hear everything from airstrikes and shelling to gunfire that is getting worse and worse day by day. And then the population are being displaced repeatedly. There was something like approximately 63,000 reportedly displaced between the 15th and 18th of May. And this means the medical needs are getting higher and higher.

[Jackie Leonard]

The Israeli government has now announced that it will allow some food, basic food, into Gaza after this blockade that it's put in place as msf. What's your reaction to that?

[Claire Manera]

We don't accept this plan because we are supporting and we are advocating for impartial humanitarian aid that is not being used as a tool of the military offensive. We have been asking for food, medical supplies and fuel to come in unhindered for the last few months and beyond that. And we need to be able to distribute this aid impartially to the population who need it.

[Jackie Leonard]

So at least one of those proposals would mean for aid to get into Gaza, would mean that people would have to travel to. To certain points to be able to access aid. When we hear about those comments from international leaders saying that they will have meetings in Gaza, in New York, to try to resolve the humanitarian situation, do people there in the territory feel that there is a sense of urgency in terms of getting this resolved?

[Claire Manera]

There is absolute urgency. There has not been any food, medical supplies or fuel for our hospitals and ambulances coming in since the 2nd of March. So the people are in a state of desperation and the spaces that they're being forced into are smaller and smaller. We're seeing mass casualties from airstrikes every night and hospitals are not functional because they're also being targeted. So this is why we need something immediately to help save more lives. Otherwise, the people here, they're facing a death sentence.

[Jackie Leonard]

Claire Manera, who was speaking to Catherine Biarahanga. A BBC investigation has uncovered evidence that children as young as 15 are being trafficked into illegal mines and sexually abused across South Africa. Several eyewitnesses have described repeated instances of sexual abuse of children in at least three illegal mines, including in Stillfontein, the scene of a standoff between miners and the police that ended with the deaths of at least 78 people. Our Africa correspondent, Miami Jones sent this report from Johannesburg. And I should warn you that some listeners and may find the testimony it contains distressing.

[Expedia Advertiser]

I'm in a township called Kuma and it's just 10 minutes drive from the Stillfontein mine. There are kids here playing football after school. Neighbors look out for each other, but it's also an incredibly poor community. All of the roads that we've seen have been untarred. A lot of the houses here are just mere shacks. There's been. There's been mining in this region since the late 19th century. But members of this community say none of this wealth has made it down here. And that's why many of their brothers and fathers have had to go down mines to try and make a living.

[Jackie Leonard]

We're already dead. The situation is topping. Please help us.

[Expedia Advertiser]

Last year, a nearby mine bordering the town of Stillfontein became the scene of a months long standoff between thousands of illegal miners and the police. The authorities limited the miners supply of food and water in order to force them out. Months later, footage from inside the mine emerged showing hundreds of emaciated men and rows of body bags. The miners claimed they'd been unable to escape because the police sealed some of the exits. The BBC was able to confirm that at least 30 of the trapped miners were children. And rights groups have told us some of them were abused whilst on the ground. Children find themselves with no choice. Guguk Kaba is the CEO of Save the Children South Africa. Her staff interviewed some of the children rescued from the Stillfontein shaft. The children that we spoke to did report sexual exploitation, the trauma that they had gone through because some of them saw others being sexually exploited. She describes that abuse in greater detail, some of which we've chosen not to broadcast due to its graphic nature. They start by grooming them, they start by acting like they like them and then obviously the adult will do it today and because they showed you as a child that they like you, they would want to do it again the next day and the other day. This abuse isn't limited to Stillfontein workers in at least two other illegal mines witness the sexual abuse of children. I've seen elderly men forcing young boys to have sex with them underground against their will. Tseppo worked in a mine 150km south of Steelffontein. We've changed his name at his request as he fears retaliation from other miners. And can you tell me what impact this abuse had on the children? They changed their behaviour pattern and have trust issues. They no longer want you to get any closer to them because they feel that they no longer trust anyone around them.

[Travel Expert]

It was a little bit scary.

[Expedia Advertiser]

Jonathan worked in a mine in another region. He says older miners would frequently exchange gold for sex with children. Sometimes I used to see kids entering mining.

[Travel Expert]

Teenagers actually. They used to take advantage of them.

[Expedia Advertiser]

Sometimes and what was being done to them. Sexual abuse whenever they get a chance. Tell me a little bit about the relationship between these children that were being abused and the adults.

[Travel Expert]

Sometimes it's by force.

[Expedia Advertiser]

Sometimes those kids, they are carried away with the money.

[Travel Expert]

You saw those people, they promised those kids money. If that kid make a choice, they come out to become a couple. But most it's abuse. They are forced to do it.

[Expedia Advertiser]

All of the children in Stillfontein were from Mozambique. The illegal miners we spoke to from other mines also said the children they saw were from neighboring countries. Kids are easily manipulated when they get here. Under false pretenses of formal employment in the mines. Their passports are being confiscated when they get to South Africa. Mahotlasefuli is a researcher and works with former illegal miners. He says powerful gangs run the industry in South Africa. There's a lot of money with the risks that are involved. That is why it is easy for them to recruit and attract young boys to come and work illegally. A source working on the Stellefontein miners case said that many of the children didn't want to testify. Most of the victims have already been deported. The illegal mining industry continues to thrive and with an estimated 6,000 vacant mines potentially available to explore, it's a business that's unlikely to end anytime soon, leaving thousands of vulnerable children at risk.

[Jackie Leonard]

That was Myani Jones. The BBC did ask the police and the government of South Africa, its Department of Social Development, whether anyone would be charged over the sexual abuse allegations. They did not respond to our questions. The BBC has announced that one of its most highly paid presenters, the former England football player Gary Lineker, is leaving the corporation sooner than planned. He had been expected to anchor the BBC's coverage of the Men's World cup next year, but will instead do his last broadcast this coming Sunday. It's understood bosses had considered his position untenable after he shared a post on social media about Zionism last week. Week which included an illustration of a rat historically used as an anti Semitic insult. Lineker has presented a popular football highlights program, Match of the Day, for many years. Lucy Hawking spoke to our correspondent Liiso Mazimba.

[Lucy Hawking]

The BBC have just posted a statement on the BBC Press Office website saying Gary Lineker will leave his presenting role following the conclusion of Match of the day for the 202425 season. He will not be part of the BBC's coverage of the 2026 World cup or next season's FA cup coverage. And there's a statement from Tim Davy, the BBC's director general, says Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we've agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season. Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades. His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and humped in the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond. We want to thank him for the contribution he's made and Gary Lineker Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember, both on the pitch and in the studio. I care deeply about the game and about the work I've done with the BBC over many years. As I've said, I would never consciously repost anything anti Semitic. It goes against everything I stand for. However, I recognize the error and upset that I caused and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action. That statement from the BBC just remind.

[Jackie Leonard]

Us of how we got to this point though.

[Lucy Hawking]

Last week he reshared a post on social media which referred to Zionism and also which included an image of a rat. Now, the rodent has historically been used as an anti Semitic insult. He quickly deleted the post and later apologized, saying he hadn't realized the significance of baton. He would never knowingly post anything anti Semitic. But of course this is the latest in a long line of social media clashes, if you like, with the BBC. He was originally supposed to do the 2026 World cup and the next FA Cup. Now his final broadcast will be on Sunday, the final day of the Premier League season.

[Podcast Announcer]

Can you explain what Gary Lineker has meant to many football fans in the country? How important he's been to so much.

[Expedia Advertiser]

Of the BBC's coverage of the he's.

[Lucy Hawking]

Been a huge figure in the world of sport. In the world of football, it's harder to think of many people, apart from the likes of David Beckham, who've made a bigger impact both in the UK and internationally. And he made the transition from being a successful England striker and footballer to becoming a successful sports broadcaster. He's presented Match of the Day, the BBC's flagship football program, for more than 25 years. He's seen as an extremely able presenter who of course because of his unique position as a former professional and international footballer, brought an insight that most other people couldn't bring to sports broadcasting.

[Jackie Leonard]

Liiso Mazimba still to come in this podcast investigating the mystery of a dinosaur mass grave at the river of Death.

[Professor Emily Bamforth]

It's not one animal. It's not one skeleton. It's it's tens or hundreds or maybe even thousands of animals. And they've all been jumbled up together into a big bone pile.

[Expedia Advertiser]

Trip Planner by Expedia. You were made to have Strong opinions about sand.

[Travel Expert]

We were made to help you and.

[Expedia Advertiser]

Your friends find a place on the.

[Travel Expert]

Beach with a pool and a marina.

[Expedia Advertiser]

And a waterfall and a soaking tube. Expedia made to travel.

[Jackie Leonard]

It's one of the trickiest topics in British politics. How far should Britain attempt to improve its relations with the European Union following the very rancorous Brexit in 2020? Well, the newish Labour government has been tiptoeing towards some new agreements. And in London today, the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer spoke about the agreement at a news conference.

[Lucy Hawking]

Britain is back on the world stage, working with our partners, doing deals that will grow our economy and putting more money in the pockets of working people. Today we have struck this landmark deal with the eu, a new partnership between an independent Britain and our allies in Europe.

[Jackie Leonard]

The European Commission President is Ursula von der Leyen. This is a historic moment because it is the first ever EU UK summit and it is a success. Our political correspondent Rob Watson told us more about what's been agreed.

[Travel Expert]

What they do is to make it easier in terms of trade in food and agriculture and travel for ordinary people. So if you like, it's softening Brexit at the edges and essentially in return for that, what is Britain giving up? Well, it's giving up some of its autonomy to make its own rules and regulations on food and agriculture safety and it's also ensuring that European fishermen get continued access to British waters.

[Jackie Leonard]

There'd also been talk about freedom of movement for young people. What's happened there?

[Travel Expert]

So, if you like, this is about two baskets. I've told you what they've agreed on still to work on things like youth mobility schemes. So freedom of kind of movement for people between 18 and 30 to go to Europe or Europeans to come to the uk. Other things that they'll be working on are cooperation on sharing energy links, working on carbon trading, emissions. So there's a sort of basket of things where they said, right, we couldn't quite get there yet, more details to be done, but we're working on that. And then of course, the third thing is that they have agreed a security and defence pact.

[Jackie Leonard]

So how significant is what's been happening today?

[Travel Expert]

Great question, Jackie. It is very significant, but limited. I mean, significance in the sense. If you think about the incredible bad blood for the last nine years between Britain and the European Union since Brexit, particularly under previous Conservatives government, somewhat less so under Rishi Sunak. To be fair, this is a whole different mood change. I mean, the atmosphere is very, very different. Both sides keen to get on in what they see as a changed world, a world where you couldn't rely on the United States. There are threats everywhere and that those countries in Europe with the same values should stick together. But. And you knew there was a but coming. It is limited in the sense that this is not a renegotiation of Brexit. Britain will still have a very distant relationship from Brussels. This isn't membership. It's not in the European Union, single market or Customs Union. So closer. But like members again, absolutely not.

[Jackie Leonard]

What's the reaction been like?

[Travel Expert]

Well, you can imagine, can't you? So those who are great supporters of Brexit and the European Union and leaving the European Union are screaming, betrayal, surrender, Sir. Keir Starmer has given it all away. And then of course, there are those on the other side of the spectrum who say this is pretty limited. This wasn't ambitious enough. We would have preferred a much, much deeper reset of relations with the European Union. And so they're disappointed. What Sakir Starmer is hoping is that the majority of voters will say, you know what? We just hate all that talk about Brexit and all those details. We just want life to be a bit easier when we go on holiday and when we go to the shops. And he's hoping to deliver on that.

[Jackie Leonard]

That was Rob Watson. China has issued new regulations to rein in excessive spending by government officials on themselves. The country's faltering economy makes the battle against waste and corruption more urge urgent. Our Asia Pacific editor Mickey Bristow reports. The rules detail how public money can be spent on items such as travel, buildings and food. Banning cigarettes and alcohol at work meals. Tourism disguised as a business trip is forbidden. Waste is shameful. Saving is glorious. Officials have been told these rules were an updated version of regulations released when Xi Jinping first became China's top leader more than a decade ago. Their reissue suggests his signature battle against corruption and extravagance has not yet been won. Vicky Bristow. He spent years on the run after faking his death and fleeing to Bolivia. Now the alleged leader of Brazil's biggest criminal organization has been expelled from Bolivia two days after being arrested there. Marcos Roberto de Almeida, known as Tutor, is believed to be the de facto leader of the PCC gang which smuggles huge amounts of cocaine into Europe. Our America's regional editor Leonardo Rocha told Janat Jalil more about Tutor and the pcc.

[Leonardo Rocha]

I can't really overstate how big this organization is and how powerful he was because the PCC is a gang that controls crime in the state of Sao Paulo. Probably the biggest drug trafficking gang in the region, certainly in Brazil. They control many of the prisons. And they started as a group that came to protect the rights of prisoners in prisons. And they just expanded. Dutta was a man who specialized in money laundering internationally. He had escaped. You know, people thought he was dead. The police was looking for him. He went to renew his fake ID card at a shopping center in Bolivia. They thought there was something fishy about it. And then they called the police and he was arrested. And now he's at a high security prison in Brazil.

[Jackie Leonard]

So what does this mean for the PCC gang?

[Leonardo Rocha]

Well, they have 21 people in the structure at the top of the command, and they're very organized. You know, they have members, people in prison pay them monthly installments to get protection inside prison or the families outside prison. They're very organized. And you have all the money from drug trafficking. I mean, I think they will continue a as strong as ever. They're expanding. They, for example, control a lot of the illegal gold mining in the Amazon, in indigenous lands in Brazil. They're involved with other businesses like petrol stations, shops, buses. They're very big and it's very scary. I think they will carry on, but it's a big blow for them because Atuta had been appointed as the successor of Marcola, who is the man who founded this organization, who was also in prison. So it's an opportunity for Brazil and countries in the region to look at the increasing and scary power of organized crime in the country. You hear a lot about other problems. Poverty, the Amazon, politics, military coups. But this is very scary for most of the population being forced to pay to those gangs. And crime is on the rise in many places.

[Jackie Leonard]

Leonardo Rocha the fossilized bones of a colossal herd of dinosaurs is slowly being unearthed in Alberta, Canada. The bones belong to a plant eating dinosaur called Pachyrhinosaurus, which lived 72 million years ago. Our science editor Rebecca Morrell has been to the dig at Pipestone Creek to meet the lead palaeontologist, Professor Emily Bamforth, who showed her around.

[Professor Emily Bamforth]

The Pipestone Creek bone bed, when it was initially found, was on the side of a cliff. And so the early excavators here had to basically dig effectively a cave into the side of this cliff. So of course we still have the steep drop down into the creek and above us is the valley wall. So we have here an area about the size of a tennis court and that's our active dig site.

[Jackie Leonard]

Emily, we've got Your team here hard at work. They're working in a sort of very concentrated area. Can we come and have a look to see what you've been finding?

[Expedia Advertiser]

Maybe want to shovel through this part?

[Professor Emily Bamforth]

Yeah, I think we can just get the edge. There's still a lot of mud on the edge. Yeah, we basically have just a massive bone here. So this bone here is part of the hip structure of the Pachyrhinosaurus, and then right underneath it there is another very chunky bone. We don't know what that is yet. We're starting to suspect that may be part of a partial skull or fragment of a skull. What Jackson's working on right there is probably a tarsal or a carpal part of the hand bone.

[Jackie Leonard]

Tell us about the animal that you've got here. I mean, it's the Pachyrhinosaurus, but loads of people wouldn't have heard of a Pachyrhinosaurus. What kind of dinosaur was this?

[Professor Emily Bamforth]

So a Pachyrhinosaurus is a smaller, older cousin of the Triceratops. It's one of the horned dinosaurs, except instead of having a horn on its nose like a Triceratops would have, it has this huge bony mass called a boss, which makes them look very unusual for a dinosaur. A very, very top heavy animal. We would consider them big today. They're about the size of an Indian elephant or a very, very large rhino.

[Jackie Leonard]

The thing that strikes me is there's a total jumble of bones packed into this really, really small area.

[Professor Emily Bamforth]

Yeah, that's right. So we, we lovingly call this our Pachyrhinosaurus omelette. This is, it's not one animal, it's not one skeleton, it's. It's tens or hundreds or maybe even thousands of animals and they've all been jumbled up together into a big bone pile. And that effectively is what got buried.

[Jackie Leonard]

I mean, the bit you're digging at the moment is pretty small, but the area you've excavated is about the size of a tennis court. But there's a lot more.

[Professor Emily Bamforth]

There's been about 8,000 fossils that have come out of just this site and it goes back into the hill for a square kilometer.

[Jackie Leonard]

And these animals weren't hanging about alone, were they? They were clearly in a large group.

[Professor Emily Bamforth]

Yeah. So the fact that we get so many individuals in one place from a single deposit, the only way that could happen was if this was a herd of animals. They probably lived in small herds for most of the time, but when they migrated, they may have come together to form these, these mega herds.

[Jackie Leonard]

And what happened to them?

[Professor Emily Bamforth]

They're not able to move very fast because of their sheer numbers. And again, they're very top heavy. They have that huge boss on their head. Really not very good at swimming at all. It would have been a cat catastrophic event, very likely a flood that wiped out this herd.

[Travel Expert]

Tension is in the air.

[Jackie Leonard]

Emily, the Pachyrhinosaurus and your excavation here is featured as part of the Walking With Dinosaurs program. How did it feel to see the dinosaurs recreated for the first time?

[Professor Emily Bamforth]

So I just got goosebumps the first time I saw the images of the megaherd kind of moving over the landscape. It's so thrilling and it kind of really speaks to the power of paleontology to tell us those stories of things that happened millions of years ago.

[Jackie Leonard]

Your team here at Hard at Work, but this is slow going. There's so much bone, it goes back for another kilometer. You've got a lot of work to do.

[Professor Emily Bamforth]

Yes. So that is the great thing about the Pipestone Creek bone bed. It is extremely reliable. Like every time. We know here, we know 100% guaranteed we're going to find fossils. This bone bed will outlive all of us here.

[Jackie Leonard]

That was Professor Emily Bamford ending that report by our science editor, Rebecca Morell. And no, that sound wasn't a real Pachyrhinosaurus. It was a sound effect that was created for the program. But you knew that. The British government says driverless cars could be in use on the roads in the UK by 2027. It had originally been expected that they would be rolled out next year. Our technology editor, Zoe Kleinman, has been in one on the busy streets of London and she told us how it went.

[Podcast Announcer]

It was a typically busy, congested journey across central London. There was everything that you could possibly throw at this car. I think. We had pedestrians walking in the road, we had delivery bikes. We had cars in the wrong lane trying to turn left and right when they weren't in the right lane, filter lane to do so. There was a lot of traffic, there were temporary lights. You know, it was all happening. And the car handled every single obstacle without a hitch. It was actually kind of boring. But you know what, that's what you want.

[Jackie Leonard]

I think boring is good when you're talking about driving, certainly. So why has the date been put back? Because Uber says it's ready to go.

[Podcast Announcer]

So the previous UK government had set a time frame of 2026. Now the government is saying the later half of 2027. We know that there are a number companies who've Been trialing the tech and developing it and using it on UK roads, including Wave, which was the company that I was out with. It's been launched around the world already. It operates in some parts of the US and in China and also parts of Singapore and the uae. So the, the concept of driverless cars and certainly driverless taxis, which are called robo taxis, are around. What Uber is saying is that actually the sort of older cities, if you like, like London, are more complicated because they're narrower, older roads, so they're more congested, everything's more crammed in, they're not a kind of neat grid system like some of the US cities are. A lot of this tech's been developed in the US and in China, and so they're. They're sort of years ahead of us, if you like, and millions of miles ahead of us in terms of the testing that's already been done over there.

[Jackie Leonard]

You have actually spoken to some people in London about what they think about getting into a driverless car. What did they say?

[Podcast Announcer]

This is one of the big challenges, isn't it? It's all very well having the tech, having it working, proving that it works, but can you actually get people in it?

[Claire Manera]

In an Uber, I can trust that.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

The person's going to keep me safe.

[Jackie Leonard]

Whereas if I was in a driverless Uber, I'd be constantly like looking around.

[Claire Manera]

I wouldn't go on my phone.

[Jackie Leonard]

Like I'd feel quite anxious and on.

[Claire Manera]

Edge the whole time.

[Travel Expert]

I think I'm getting into a driverless.

[Jackie Leonard]

Car and we won't even blink and ask eyelid. So it needs to convince people. But once it's done, everybody will buy in.

[Claire Manera]

When you get in a cab, you.

[Podcast Announcer]

Have a little bit of a chat.

[Jackie Leonard]

And a bit of a conversation with a cab driver and you know there's somebody there with you, whereas if you're.

[Claire Manera]

Getting in one by yourself, I think.

[Jackie Leonard]

I'd be a little bit nervous. As you said, the tech is moving very fast. What impact is this going to have on society when they do become more common around the world?

[Podcast Announcer]

So I think that it is going to be very disruptive, actually. So I think there's a lot of studies which suggest that fully automated cars are safer or they're certainly less accident prone than human driven cars. And some experts say the most dangerous time on the roads is going to be when there's a mixture of human drivers and automated drivers. What I found, with my experience, and I have also been in these cars in other parts of the world as well, is that they're generally more cautious, more patient, if you like, than humans are. So they are less likely to try and get across those lines, lights, or, you know, pull out into that box when they can't quite time it to get around it properly, because that's what humans would do. And, and that sometimes causes accidents in itself because human drivers expect them to behave more like other humans. And the other side of this, of course, is the impact on jobs. You know, I asked Uber if this was the beginning of the end of the human driver because they say that the robo taxis, they're already operating in the, in the States, can, can run for 20 hours a day, seven days a week. And they seem to sort of be thinking that there was still plenty of room for both options. And of course, there'd be some people who just didn't want to get in a robotaxi and would always choose to have a human driver.

[Jackie Leonard]

That was Zoe Kleinman. And that's it from us for now. But there will be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you would like to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, or you just want to say hello, do please send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk. you can also find us at on x@BBC World Service, just use the hashtag globalnewspod. This edition was mixed by Mark Pickett. The producer was Ed Horton. Our editor is Karen Martin. I'm Jackie Leonard. And until next time, Goodbye.

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[Travel Expert]

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