Notre-Dame cathedral returned to former glory

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary
Episode: Notre-Dame Cathedral Returned to Former Glory
Release Date: November 29, 2024
Host: Alex Ritson, BBC World Service

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1. Restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral

Overview:
Five years after the devastating fire, the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris has been meticulously restored to what many describe as its former glory, surpassing previous splendor. The restoration’s interior, which had been a closely guarded secret, was unveiled on November 29th in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Key Highlights:

• President Macron’s Tribute: Macron commended the dedication and craftsmanship that brought Notre-Dame back to life.
  “The shock of the reopening will be … a shock of hope. … the fire of Notre Dame was a national wound and you were its remedy.” [02:06]

• Craftsmanship and Tradition:
  Damien Pinati, a carpenter involved in the restoration, emphasized the use of traditional tools to maintain authenticity.
  “You need to use the same tools to have the same texture… the structure of the roof will be more stable and it will last for much longer.” [02:50-02:56]

• Personal Transformation:
  Pinati reflected on his personal journey, stating how working on Notre-Dame shifted his perspective from self to a greater cause.
  “I realized how small I was.” [03:19-03:51]

• Paris Correspondent Hugh Schofield’s Impressions:
  Schofield lauded the cathedral’s revamped interior for its lightness and freshness, highlighting the extensive cleaning and restoration efforts.
  “It was always a spectacular moment when you cross the portals, but now you have a much more uplifting, lighter, more luminous effect.” [03:59-05:10]

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2. Ukraine’s Battle to Maintain Energy Supply

Overview:
As winter grips Ukraine, the nation faces severe challenges with persistent Russian assaults targeting its energy infrastructure, leading to widespread power outages and affecting millions.

Key Highlights:

• Impact on Daily Life:
  Ukrainian citizens like fashion brand owner Alina Ocheretiana shared harrowing accounts of enduring power cuts, affecting everything from heating to water supply.
  “I want to cry all the time, but I can't.” [05:50-06:36]

• Resilience and Innovation:
  Restaurateur Lily Morozova discussed advancements such as independent electricity sources that help mitigate some power shortages.
  “Our electricians… they fix everything so fast.” [06:36-07:08]

• Diplomatic Correspondent Paul Adams’ Report:
  Adams provided a first-hand look at a damaged thermal power plant, highlighting the relentless efforts to repair and maintain energy supplies amid continuous attacks.
  “We can't keep up with the restoration work… everything gets destroyed again.” [07:19-08:25]

• Community Efforts:
  Collaborative initiatives, such as collective investment in backup power systems, demonstrate Ukrainian ingenuity in facing energy crises.
  “It's a very strange feeling. I'm happy I can go downstairs with my dog in the lift.” [09:02-10:33]

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3. Protests in Georgia Over EU Membership Suspension

Overview:
In Georgia, widespread protests erupted following the government’s decision to delay EU membership aspirations until 2028, sparking clashes between demonstrators and police.

Key Highlights:

• Government Decision and Public Reaction:
  Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the suspension, igniting anger among citizens who have long pursued EU integration.
  “Our society is not indifferent enough to let this illegitimate government destroy the future of our country.” [11:05]

• Violent Crackdown:
  Riot police employed rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse thousands of protesters, resulting in multiple arrests and injuries.
  “Riot police used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon to disperse gatherings.” [11:05-11:58]

• European Parliament’s Stance:
  The European Parliament’s non-binding resolution criticized Georgia’s recent elections, citing irregularities, which further inflamed public sentiment.
  “The European Parliament… adopting a resolution rejecting the election results.” [12:49-13:02]

• Caucasus Correspondent Rehan Dimitri’s Insights:
  Dimitri detailed the severity of the crackdown and the protesters’ determination to uphold their European aspirations despite government opposition.
  “There was a pure anger that brought people out to the streets because they believe that these governments are taking away their European future.” [13:02-14:11]

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4. Discovery of Overlapping Human Footprints in Kenya

Overview:
A groundbreaking archaeological discovery in Kenya’s Tucana Basin reveals preserved footprints indicating that two distinct human species, Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei, coexisted.

Key Highlights:

• Scientific Significance:
  The footprints, preserved by volcanic ash, suggest that Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei may have encountered each other around 1.5 million years ago.
  “Two species of early humans might have laid eyes on each other.” [14:40-15:25]

• Research Insights:
  Paleoanthropologist Kevin Hatala explained the methodologies used to identify and analyze the footprints, emphasizing the rarity and importance of such findings.
  “The different tracks appear to have been left within hours or perhaps a couple of days of each other.” [15:09-15:25]

• Implications for Human Evolution:
  The discovery raises intriguing questions about interactions between different human species and their daily lives.
  “We don't know whether this was a chance encounter or part of their daily lives.” [15:25]

• Further Reporting:
  Stephanie Zakreson continued the report, delving deeper into the evolutionary implications and ongoing research efforts.
  “Stephanie Zakreson still to come.” [16:51]

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5. Ceasefire in Israel-Hezbollah Conflict Amid Fragile Peace

Overview:
A temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah holds, though both parties accuse each other of violations. The fragile truce offers limited respite amidst ongoing regional tensions.

Key Highlights:

• Human Impact:
  Lebanese residents, like those in Nabatiya, recounted the devastation of their homes and businesses, expressing cautious optimism about the ceasefire.
  “It's a victory that we are still standing.” [17:11]

• International Editor Jeremy Bowen’s Analysis:
  Bowen assessed the ceasefire’s potential impact on broader Middle Eastern peace, expressing skepticism about its durability and implications for future conflicts.
  “It is not in itself a step towards peace… there is a massive amount of worry on all sides.” [18:42-20:21]

• Regional Concerns:
  Bowen highlighted fears among neighboring countries about possible escalations, including the displacement of Palestinians into Jordan and Egypt.
  “There isn’t a new shape that's emerged… massive amount of worry on all sides.” [18:42-20:21]

• Future Prospects:
  The report underscored the uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire and the overarching dread about the region’s stability.
  “There is an overwhelming sense of dread really in the air.” [18:42-20:21]

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6. Chinese Journalist Sentenced to Seven Years for Espionage

Overview:
Chinese state media journalist Dong Yu Yu has been sentenced to seven years in prison on espionage charges, sparking condemnation from his family and international observers as a case of political persecution.

Key Highlights:

• Charges and Family’s Response:
  Dong was accused of meeting with senior Japanese diplomats identified as espionage agents. His family claims his sentencing is a result of his independent journalism and critical writing.
  “He’s been persecuted for his independence and the independence he’s shown as a lifetime spent as a journalist.” [20:21-20:42]

• Background of Dong Yu Yu:
  Dong, a Harvard scholar and visiting professor in Japan, was known for his prolific writing, including opinion pieces critical of the Communist Party, though not directly naming President Xi Jinping.
  “He wrote a number of opinion pieces, some of which were critical of the Communist Party.” [20:42]

• Implications for Freedom of the Press:
  The case highlights ongoing concerns about press freedom and political repression in China, with implications for international diplomatic relations.
  “This is a grave injustice, not just for Dong Yu Yu, but also for every Chinese journalist.” [20:42]

• Correspondent Laura Bicker’s Report:
  Bicker provided an in-depth account of Dong’s arrest, the lack of transparency in court proceedings, and the broader context of journalist treatment in China.
  “We do not have the details of the court documents… it has been sentenced today.” [20:21-20:42]

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7. Kenya’s Emmanuel Wan Yongyi: From Hardship to Olympic Glory

Overview:
Emmanuel Wan Yongyi, Kenya’s youngest men's 800 meters Olympic champion, shares his inspiring journey from poverty and personal loss to athletic excellence.

Key Highlights:

• Early Life Struggles:
  Wan Yongyi overcame significant hardships, including dropping out of school to support his family and coping with the tragic loss of his father.
  “At the age of 10, he dropped out of school to help provide for his loved ones.” [22:15-22:46]

• Athletic Rise:
  Discovered for his running talent as a teenager, Wan Yongyi received support from his community and family, propelling him to national and international success.
  “Sometimes I wasn't paid, but it gave me a place to sleep.” [22:46]

• Personal Motivation:
  Wan Yongyi dedicates his achievements to his late father, whose death profoundly impacted his life and athletic career.
  “I wish he was here to see me run.” [25:02-25:16]

• Community and Support:
  His coach, Claudio Beraldelli, and his community have been instrumental in his development, praising his mental fortitude and fearless attitude.
  “Champion is the mental attitude. And he's a champion in his mind.” [25:26-25:44]

• Grainger Advertisement Integration:
  An advertisement seamlessly integrated into the narrative emphasized the importance of resilience and support, paralleling Wan Yongyi’s story.
  “What makes a champion to be a … Champion is the mental attitude.” [25:34-25:44]

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8. Interview with Maria Victoria Juan: Award-Winning Nurse

Overview:
Maria Victoria Juan, hailed as the world's best nurse, received the prestigious Astagardin's Global Nursing Award in Bengaluru, India. Her recognition celebrates her dedication and exceptional service in the Philippine Army.

Key Highlights:

• Award Significance:
  Juan emphasized that her award symbolizes not only her personal achievements but also honors Filipino military nurses and citizens.
  “This is not my personal award, but an award for all the Filipino people.” [26:19]

• Career and Motivation:
  With a 34-year tenure in the military, Juan was inspired by her aunt’s sacrifice and developed a passion for nursing and serving soldiers.
  “I learned to love and be passionate about being a nurse and taking care of the soldiers.” [26:19-26:46]

• Challenges and Gender Dynamics:
  Navigating a male-dominated sector, Juan highlighted the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ merit-based recognition, allowing her to excel based on performance rather than gender.
  “You are assessed not by your gender, but how you perform.” [26:46-27:18]

• Philosophy of Nursing:
  Juan articulated the profound trust placed in nurses and the necessity of compassion and courage in advocating for patients’ health needs.
  “The trust you are given… you have to be compassionate and of course you have courage to advocate for the health needs.” [28:11-29:17]

• Closing Thoughts:
  The interview concluded with Juan’s reflection on her role and the broader impact of nursing within the military and Filipino society.
  “I have to be strict for this situation.” [07:08 – general sentiment]

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Conclusion

This episode of the Global News Podcast delivered a comprehensive overview of significant global events, ranging from cultural restoration and geopolitical tensions to groundbreaking scientific discoveries and inspiring personal stories. Through in-depth reports and poignant interviews, the podcast provided listeners with a multifaceted understanding of current affairs, highlighting resilience, innovation, and the enduring human spirit.

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Notable Contributors:

• Host: Alex Ritson
• Correspondents: Maria Victoria Juan, Damien Pinati, Hugh Schofield, Paul Adams, Rehan Dimitri, Laura Bicker, Kelvin Kamathi, Jeremy Bowen
• Producer: Ella Bicknell
• Editor: Karen Martin

For More Information:
Visit globalpodcastbc.co.uk or follow on X (@GlobalNewsPod).

Transcript

[Alex Ritson]

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[Alex Ritson]

This is the global News podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Alex Ritson and at 14 hours GMT on Friday 29th November, these are our main stories. French President Emmanuel Macron returns to the restored Notre Dame Cathedral ahead of its reopening five years on from the fire. Ukraine fights to keep the lights on as Russia attacks its main energy facilities. Protesters in Georgia clash with police after the pro Russia government suspends progress towards EU membership. Also in this podcast.

[Maria Victoria Juan]

I like the uniform. It's superficial, right? But eventually, through the years, I learned to love and be passionate about being a nurse and taking care of the soldiers because I have seen the sacrifices. I say I'm really amazed. If they can do this, why can't I?

[Alex Ritson]

The best nurse in the whole world. Five years ago, a fire almost destroyed one of the world's most recognizable buildings, Notre Dame in Paris. But now the medieval Gothic cathedral has been restored to, some would say, beyond its former glory. The revamped interior had been kept a closely guarded secret, but was unveiled on Friday in front of President Emmanuel Macron, who paid tribute to all those who'd made the restoration possible.

[Grainger Advertisement Speaker]

The shock of the reopening will be, I believe, and I want to believe that it will be as strong as the shock of the fire, but it will be a shock of hope. And that's because of all the work that you've done. You did your alchemy here on this site to turn charred coals into art. The fire of Notre Dame was a national wound and you were its remedy.

[Alex Ritson]

One of those people, Damien Pinati, a carpenter who worked on the restoration, has been speaking to the BBC's Michel Hussein.

[Damien Pinati]

Producing beans out of logs using axes and then scribing join them together and raise them and using the same tools that were used 800 years ago. That's one of the reasons why I was called into this project.

[Alex Ritson]

And is that for reasons of tradition.

[Maria Victoria Juan]

Or because you need to use those.

[Alex Ritson]

Tools to get exactly the same look today.

[Damien Pinati]

Yes, you do need to use the same tools to have the same texture. And also the structure properties are much, much better. Use an axe so we can actually follow the fibers of the tree and keep as much as possible the original structure of the tree. Overall, the structure of the roof will be more stable and it will last for much longer.

[Alex Ritson]

And when you first walked in and saw the site and realized the scale of what you'd have to do, what did you think?

[Damien Pinati]

Oh, it completely changes everything for me because at the beginning, it was kind of a selfish reason to get there. And then once I saw everything, I was like, I'm not. I'm not there for myself. I'm just there for something much bigger than myself. The group, the tray, the cathedral became perspective. So I realized how small I was.

[Alex Ritson]

And what does it look like on the inside? Our Paris correspondent, Hugh Schofield tried to see it for himself.

[Hugh Schofield]

I had a glimpse inside. I did not get a tour of the inside. I managed to thrust my head through the portals and just got an impression of what it is like, this new refurbished building, and it is spectacular. It is what the few people who've seen it have been saying. It is a new experience because it's lighter, it's fresher. The opportunity has been taken not just to replace what was lost, but to clean the interior, to clean 40,000 square meters of limestone on the interior, which has really transformed the sensation that you have when you enter it now. It was always a spectacular moment when you cross the portals, but now you have a much more uplifting, lighter, more luminous effect because of the cleaning of the stonework and the cleaning of the stained glass windows and the return of polychrome decoration in the side chapels. It all feels very new, very fresh, and undoubtedly a big success and achievement for the hundreds of craftsmen and women who worked. And for President Macron, whose rather rash promise it was to get it all done in five years. Well, it is five and a half years, but it's been done.

[Alex Ritson]

Hugh Schofield in Paris. Winter has arrived in Ukraine. Millions are battling the below freezing temperatures with regular power cuts amid ongoing Russian attacks on the country's energy system. There was another large scale one on Thursday the 10th this year. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said any blackmail from the Kremlin must be met with a firm response. But what is life like for Ukrainians living with regular blackouts? We heard from two women, both with children, both running businesses From Kyiv, fashion brand owner Alina Ocheretiana and restaurateur Lily Morozova.

[Alina Ocheretiana]

I have a Little son, he's seven years old. We live at the 21st floor. It's so high and we scare about this and we run to the parking calls and I'm actually we sleeping in the car. We have blanket over there. We don't have electricity, so he doesn't have a breakfast. We don't have water. At this high. You have to check all the time where the rockets is, where the drones is. It's not easy. I want to cry all the time, but I can't. I have a lot of employees, I have business, I have my family. I all the time thinking about the soldier that the border, they outside, they cold, they scared all the time. So I'm happy that I can be at my home. I have to be strict for this situation.

[Lily Morozova]

Two years ago I was really depressed in the same circumstances. I remember I cried almost every day. Now we are much better prepared because of independent sources of electricity. As for homes, as for businesses, our electricians in the country, they are magicians because they fix everything so fast that, for example, tomorrow the situation will be better, the next day it will be better and better till we have more or less full electricity power in the country.

[Alex Ritson]

Our diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams has been given rare access to one of the country's damaged thermal power plants.

[Paul Adams]

These vast power stations have a way of making you feel very, very small. And it's the same with the damage, too. As I look down into the power plant, I can see tiny figures moving around, conducting repairs, removing damaged equipment, trying as best they can to keep up with this relentless assault on Ukraine's power grid. In the huge turbine hall, there's wreckage everywhere and gaping holes in the roof. We've agreed not to name the plant, say when it was hit, or identify its employees. All information, we're told, that could help Russia to direct its next attacks. But the plant has been hit by drones and missiles many times. Oleksandr occupies a senior position here.

[Alex Ritson]

We can't keep up with the restoration work. We don't have time to restore the main equipment, let alone the roof and walls. Everything gets destroyed again from one strike to the next.

[Paul Adams]

So here on the ground next to the damaged transformer is a pile of jagged silver metal fragments. These, we're told, are from a missile that landed here not that long ago. We find Dmytro taking a break in the control room. A veteran at the plant, he's been present for most of the attacks. What's it like working in a place that is so constantly targeted?

[Grainger Advertisement Speaker]

Well, it's our job. First of all. If we don't work here, then who will?

[Alex Ritson]

Some are defending the front lines on the battlefield. We have our own energy front to defend.

[Paul Adams]

And while the engineers struggle to keep the lights on, Ukrainians do what they've done for three years now, cope. In the middle of the latest power cut, Natalia is warming up a pot of borsch on her portable gas cooker. She lives high up in an apartment block on the edge of Kyiv.

[Alina Ocheretiana]

In.

[Maria Victoria Juan]

A multi story building. When there's no power, there is no water, no heating. Everything we use, everything normal people in the modern world rely on, none of that is available.

[Paul Adams]

But with necessity comes cooperation and innovation. Down in the basement, I'm taking to see a brand new system that stores electricity and then kicks into action as soon as there's a power cut. It's expensive. The building's 700 residents club together to buy it. It helps pump water to the top floors and keeps the lift working. Very good news for Natalia up in her apartment on the 19th floor.

[Maria Victoria Juan]

It's a very strange feeling. I'm happy I can go downstairs with my dog in the lift. I don't have to walk down in the dark, but I have water in the tap. It scares me just how happy I am to have these basic things.

[Alex Ritson]

That report from Paul Adams to Georgia, where police arrested dozens in a violent crackdown on protests outside parliament. In Tbilisi, thousands of people took to the streets after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakatse from the ruling Georgian Dream Party announced it would not pursue European Union membership until 2028. Riot police used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon to disperse gatherings, some beating protesters and journalists. These people were involved in the protest.

[Alina Ocheretiana]

We're in the middle of the fight right now, but the hope is that our society is not indifferent enough to let this illegitimate government destroy the future of our country.

[Maria Victoria Juan]

Basically, when Putin praises you, that means that you are in wrong direction. So we don't want to be back to Russia. I'm old enough, I lived in the Soviet Union. I'm old enough and I know what is the Soviet Union.

[Alex Ritson]

The opposition had accused the pro Russian government of steering the country away from its long held dream of joining the bloc. The decision came hours after the European Parliament adopted a non binding resolution rejecting the results of Georgia's elections on October 26, alleging significant irregularities. I heard more on the overnight protests from our caucuses correspondent Rehan Dimitri.

[Alina Ocheretiana]

Quite a brutal crackdown on protesters. It all began at about 2am when riot police backed by water cannons moved in to disperse the protesters. We've seen footage of some of the protesters being beaten up, among them journalists. Journalists who had a very clear kind of wearing press jackets. So it was clear that they're the press. Nevertheless, they were targeted with water cannons, pepper sprays and also physically assaulted. We also hearing that several opposition leaders suffered a broken nose or broken hand. Altogether, the latest figures from the Interior ministry is that 43 people have been arrested. But the Interior Ministry is also saying that more than 30 police officers were injured in last night's protests.

[Alex Ritson]

The suspension came after the European Parliament voted to reject the results of George's recent election. So I guess in some ways this might not be so much of a surprise.

[Alina Ocheretiana]

Well, it was clear from the long statement that was made by the prime minister, Iraqli Kobahidza, that the Georgian Dream government is quite angry at this latest resolution that came from the European Parliament which stated that the elections were rigged last month's parliamentary elections. Also it called for targeted sanctions against Georgian Dream officials and for a rerun for new elections. So shortly after the statement was made by the prime minister and he said that Georgi still wants to join the EU for now will put it on hold for the next four years. And that of course angered so many people because for a long time protesters. We've seen a lot of protests this year alone against the controversial laws that were introduced by Georgian Dream government and those election results last month. But what happened last night was it was really kind of a pure anger that brought people out to the streets because they believe that these governments are taking away their European future.

[Alex Ritson]

Our Caucuses correspondent, Rehan Dmitry. Over the past few million years, at least eight different species of human have walked the Earth. Their timelines are thought to have overlapped, but now scientists believe they have the physical proof that two specific types of human existed at the same time. Preserved footprints at a site in Kenya showed that Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei lived alongside each other. Stephanie Zacreson reports.

[Stephanie Zacreson]

The Tucana Basin in Kenya is one of the most important cradles of humankind in the world. Here, scientists have discovered some of the oldest fossils that tell us about the evolution of animals and our human history. They've found bones and skulls belonging to animals such as an extinct saber toothed cat and elephants, snakes and frogs, but also footprints. Paleoanthropologist Kevin Hatala has been studying the site for years.

[Grainger Advertisement Speaker]

A fossil bone represents the body of an individual who died. While footprints can show you how animals actually use their bodies at a particular instant during their lives, and they also tell us how these individuals were moving across their landscapes at the moment when these footprints were created.

[Stephanie Zacreson]

The marks are often found near large bodies of water, where animals large and small have at some point made their way to the water source. And the volcanic ash in the earth layers around Tucana has provided the perfect environment for preserving them. And now Kevin Hatale and the team believe they have found evidence showing that on the shores of the LAKE More than 1.5 million years ago, two species of early humans might have laid eyes on each other. One set of footprints is distinctly human like and probably belonged to Homo erectus, an early member of our evolutionary line, the others were harder to interpret, looking like the foot would have been flatter than a human's, with a big toe that was angled away, indicating that the mysterious walker was probably Paranthropus boisei, one of our more distant relatives. The plant's eating species is nicknamed the Nutcracker man because of its large teeth and a cranial crest like those in male gorillas. The researchers who have published their findings in the journal Science said the different tracks appear to have been left within hours or perhaps a couple of days of each other because the mud had never dried and cracked. Now, being alive at similar times isn't the same as living together, so we don't know whether this was a chance encounter between our very different ancestors or if it was part of their daily lives.

[Alex Ritson]

Stephanie Zakreson still to come.

[Maria Victoria Juan]

My boy told me, don't cry, Mom. One day I will buy you land and you will live a good life. I thought it's jokes, but God was with him. I never dreamed of living in a house like this.

[Alex Ritson]

The Kenyan runner who went from herding cattle to becoming Olympic champion three days into the Israel Hezbollah ceasefire and it is holding, although both sides have accused each other of breaking the terms of the truce. On Friday, the Israeli army told residents of 60 Lebanese villages along the border that they cannot return until further notice. They published a map with a warning that anyone entering the zone puts themselves in danger. Thousands of citizens are returning to their homes in Beirut and other areas of southern Lebanon, including these residents in Nabatiya. They found their homes and businesses reduced to rubble. The war started and we had to leave. We went to Beirut, then Sidon. Today I've come home and everything is destroyed. The house and things inside. Everything is lost. I loved this cafe. I built it up from my own heart. Yesterday morning When I arrived, the feeling couldn't be described. But now we have a ceasefire. It's a victory that we are still standing. If this ceasefire endures, is it a step towards a wider peace in the Middle east or a chance for Israel to redouble its war on Hamas in Gaza? A question for our international editor, Jeremy Bowen.

[Jeremy Bowen]

The second of those. It is not in itself a step towards peace. Of course it's encouraging that there is at least one theater where people who were getting killed aren't getting killed. But I mean, it's a fragile, it's a fragile agreement anyway. Both sides are accusing each other of. The Lebanese army is accusing Israel of violating the agreement. Netanyahu has said there'll be an intense war if Hezbollah violates the terms of the agreement. And he said it's a ceasefire. It didn't say it was ending the war. Lebanon was always, if you like, a simpler proposition, it was about pushing Hezbollah back from the border and trying to stop the cross border rocket fire. Gaza isn't just about Israeli border security. It's not just about trying to get hostages. It's also about things like continuing his political career. And it's also about just what the relationship is, and this is fundamental between Israelis and Palestinians. And there's an overwhelming sense of dread really in the air. And as for the Jordanians and the Egyptian foreign ministers, they're both massively concerned by the Gaza war. There are deep suspicions that Israel would like, if it could at all do it, to expel Palestinians not just from Gaza into Egypt, but from the West bank into Jordan. 7th of October last year was absolutely seismic. It shook everything up and there isn't a new shape that's emerged. And instead there is a massive amount of worry on all sides actually about where on earth all this is going in the region.

[Alex Ritson]

Jeremy Bowen, a Chinese state media journalist, has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being charged with espionage. His family condemned his conviction as a grave injustice, saying he'd been targeted for his independence and his engagement outside China. Our correspondent in Beijing, Laura Bicker reports.

[Lily Morozova]

62 year old Dong Yu Yu was arrested back in 2022. He was having lunch with a senior Japanese diplomat at the time. Now we do not have the details of the court documents. We've only heard from his family that he has been sentenced to seven years for espionage and the court documents allege that he met with so called agents of espionage. Now those agents of espionage are named in the court documents according to his family as two senior Japanese diplomats, one being the former Ambassador to Beijing Now, Dong youy had traveled a lot. He was a Harvard. He got a Harvard scholarship. He also was a visiting professor and a visiting scholar at two Japanese universities. But here in China, he was known for his prolific writing. He wrote a number of opinion pieces, some of which were critical of the Communist Party. Despite his writing being for a Communist Party affiliated newspaper. He did not criticize President Xi Jinping by name, however. And it is his writing that his family believes has got him sentenced today. In a statement, they said that he's been persecuted for his independence and the independence he's shown as a lifetime spent as a journalist. They also said that this is a grave injustice, not just for Dongyuyu, but also for every Chinese journalist and every ordinary Chinese citizen committed to friendly engagement with the world.

[Alex Ritson]

Laura Bicker in Paris earlier this year, 20 year old Emmanuel Wan Yongyi became the youngest men's 800 meters champion in Olympic history. It capped a meteoric rise for the Kenyan athlete who'd suffered personal loss as a child and dropped out of school in order to work. BBC Sport Africa's Kelvin Kamathi met the star at his family home in Sarboti, Western Kenya.

[Grainger Advertisement Speaker]

Feeding Katole isn't easy work, even for an Olympic champion. But for Emmanuel Wagnoni, it's part of who he is. Looking after Kato as a child was tough, but I had to do it so I could eat. Sometimes I wasn't paid, but it gave me a place to sleep. Born in Saboti village, Western Kenya, Wanyoni was one of 11 children in a family struggling with poverty. At the age of 10, he dropped out of school to help provide for his loved ones. When I got something small, I would take it home to my siblings so they could also have something to eat. It's the only reason I endured the job. Aged 13, Wanyoni returned home and that's when he discovered his talent for running. When I was training at one of the nearby school grounds, the teacher noticed me and told me I can run very well and get into athletics, but I will have to go back to school. When I came back to school, my dad was really happy. He would see me going to practice and he loved that a lot. Wanyoni's father worked as a caretaker at Tadam, but tragedy struck when he was found dead at the site in 2018. A day that lives long in Wanyonyi's mind. My father was working, guarding water for someone to prevent people from destroying the pipe. He had never come to school before. I was in class and he made Sure, I was cold and I went to the fans. He gave me about $2 and told me to go buy running shoes. It's like he was strangled and placed by the water. He was found with a mark on his head as if he was hit. What I think happened is that he placed his clothes there to swim. And then someone came to rob him. I wish he was here to see me run. I would even push harder because of all the love he had for me. Wanyoni's mother, Margaret Nasimiyu, could not be more proud of her son and the way he has changed her life.

[Maria Victoria Juan]

My boy told me, don't cry, mom. One day I will buy you land and you will live a good life. I thought it's jokes, but God was with him. I never dreamed of living in a house like this.

[Alex Ritson]

That is Genie.

[Grainger Advertisement Speaker]

Wanyoni quickly rose through the athletics ranks on his way to gaining a place in the Kenyan national team. His coach, Claudio Beraldelli, continues to be impressed.

[Maria Victoria Juan]

Something which is unique in Wagnye is his mental attitude. It's like he's fearless, probably because of his background.

[Grainger Advertisement Speaker]

What makes a champion to be a.

[Maria Victoria Juan]

Champion is the mental attitude. And he's a champion in his mind.

[Alex Ritson]

That report from BBC Sport Africa's Kelvin Kamathi. And let's end this podcast with an interview with the world's best nurse, Maria Victoria Juan, chief nurse in the Philippines. Army has beaten more than 78,000 entries from 202 countries to win the title at the Astagardin's Global Nursing Awards in Bengaluru in India. As well as the award, Maria also scooped up $250,000 in prize money. She's been speaking to the BBC's Victoria Uwankunda.

[Maria Victoria Juan]

It means so much to me because I feel that this is not my personal award, but an award for all the Filipino people, the military nurses, those we serve, the soldiers, the Filipino citizen. I share with the. With all of them. And yours is quite a fascinating story. You were a ranking officer in the Philippine army. What's your journey been like for you? Yes, I have been a military officer for almost 34 years. And I started, I think I would say it's. I'm a late bloomer. I'm not really that well at many achievements because I'm happy. Go lucky. But eventually, through the years, I learned to love and be passionate about being a nurse and taking care of the soldiers. Because I have seen the sacrifices of the Filipino people and the soldiers. And I say I'm really amazed if they can do this, why Can't I? And you have done it. I wonder how did you decide to go into the military medical side of things? Actually, it started because my aunt, who is a former military nurse, died of gunshot wounds while going to her his her assignment in the most hostile environment. That was years ago. I was just a little young female child. But then after that, I like the uniform. It's superficial, right. Once I got there, I got to learn about the military and I came to appreciate what the soldiers are doing. So how challenging has it been for you being in what often is seen as male dominated sector, being in the military and being a female nurse and hiring ranking officer? Yes, in a male dominated organization. So there might be some gender issues, but actually there is not. Because if you're an officer, whether you're a female or a male in the Armed Forces Philippines, you're well regarded. You are assessed not by your gender, but how you perform. That's what is a good thing about the Armed forces of the Philippines. Learning from the good leadership characteristics of the male and adapt it with you as a female. It will be really a great way to lead. So that's what I did. I thought like a man, but still acted like a lady. I like that. So tell me then, Maria, what is the best thing about being a nurse? Well, the best thing about being a nurse is the trust you are given. No other profession, aside from being a doctor of course, will give you absolute trust. Right. No one will shed their clothes for you and look at their body. It's because of the trust. So to reciprocate the trust, competence is not enough. You have to be compassionate and of course you have to have courage to advocate for the health needs of those you serve.

[Alex Ritson]

The world's best nurse, Maria Victoria Juan. And that's all from us for now. But there'll be a new edition of the Globe News podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk you can also find us on X at Global News Pod. This edition was mixed by Volodymyr Museca and the producer was Ella Bicknell. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Alex Ritz and until next time, goodbye.