Police suspend efforts to arrest impeached South Korean president

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary BBC World Service | Episode: Police suspend efforts to arrest impeached South Korean president | Released: January 3, 2025

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1. South Korea: Standoff Over Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol

Overview: The episode opens with a significant political crisis in South Korea. Anti-corruption investigators have suspended their attempt to arrest the impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. Despite his impeachment and the suspension of his powers following the imposition of martial law last month, President Yoon retains a loyal base of supporters determined to protect him from legal actions.

Key Developments:

• Supporters' Standoff: Thousands have surrounded President Yoon's residence in central Seoul, obstructing police efforts to execute an arrest warrant. The president's security team has fortified his home, refusing entry to law enforcement officials.

• Impeachment Proceedings: The Constitutional Court is handling the impeachment process, which could take up to six months. Historical context reveals that the last impeachment of President Park Geun Hye in 2017 was concluded in three months, highlighting the severity and complexity of Yoon’s case.

• Political Polarization: South Korea’s intense political climate, fueled by a history of judicial actions against successive presidents, exacerbates the current crisis. The country’s political polarization and the influence of new media have made compromise elusive.

Notable Quotes:

• Jonathan Head: "We will fight. They have to kill me first before they arrest President Yoon. That will not happen. Never again." ([03:24])

• Gene McKenzie: "Mr. Yoon swore he'd fight this until the end. This is exactly what he, his security and his supporters are doing." ([03:38])

Analysis: The situation marks uncharted territory for South Korea, being the first instance where a sitting president faces arrest. The steadfast loyalty of Yoon’s supporters, who are entrenched in conspiracy theories about election rigging and North Korean infiltration, underscores the deep divisions within the nation.

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2. United States: Unrelated Attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas

Overview: Recent tragic events have unfolded on New Year's Day, with a terror attack in New Orleans claiming 14 lives and a separate incident in Las Vegas involving a Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside a Trump Hotel.

Key Developments:

• New Orleans Attack: FBI identifies Shamshud Din Jabbar, an army veteran, as the lone suspect responsible for driving a truck into crowds, resulting in 14 fatalities.

• Las Vegas Cybertruck Explosion: A similar attack occurred hours later when Matthew Liversberger, a 37-year-old from Colorado Springs, drove a Tesla Cybertruck loaded with fireworks and camping gas, causing an explosion. Authorities are investigating this as an entirely separate incident, with no definitive link to the New Orleans attack.

• Ongoing Investigation: The FBI has received hundreds of tips but has yet to establish any connection between the two incidents. The motive behind the Las Vegas attack remains unclear, though authorities note its occurrence near a Trump property.

Notable Quotes:

• Gene McKenzie: "There are a number of parallels between what happened here and what took place on the same day in New Orleans." ([07:14])

Analysis: The dual attacks highlight concerns over domestic terrorism and the meticulous nature of law enforcement investigations. The Las Vegas incident, involving a high-profile location and a modern vehicle like the Tesla Cybertruck, adds complexity to the ongoing investigations.

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3. Israel: Detention of Gaza Doctor Contradicts Earlier Statements

Overview: The Israeli military has confirmed the detention of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, head of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, despite previous statements denying his arrest.

Key Developments:

• Military Confirmation: Initially, the Israeli military indicated that Dr. Abu Safiya was not being held, attributing the earlier misinformation to human error. However, they later confirmed his detention, citing suspicions of terrorism and his alleged ties to Hamas.

• International Concerns: Organizations like Physicians for Human Rights Israel criticize the Israeli authorities for inconsistent information and lack of transparency regarding Palestinian detainees.

• Context of Detention: Dr. Abu Safiya was last seen entering a military tank. Israeli forces have labeled Kamal Adwan Hospital as a Hamas stronghold, leading to the hospital's forcible closure.

Notable Quotes:

• Emir Nada: "Dr. Abu Sofia is currently being investigated by Israeli security forces." ([08:51])

Analysis: The detention raises serious concerns about human rights and the treatment of medical professionals in conflict zones. The conflicting reports from Israeli authorities contribute to the broader narrative of opacity in military operations within Gaza.

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4. Australia: Managing the Saltwater Crocodile Population

Overview: Australia is intensifying efforts to control its extensive population of over 100,000 saltwater crocodiles in the Northern Territory. The management plan includes culling and educational programs to ensure public safety.

Key Developments:

• Crocodile Trapping: Government rangers patrol areas like Darwin Harbor, utilizing large traps baited with feral pigs to capture crocodiles that venture too close to populated regions.

• Public Education: The "Crocwise" program educates locals and tourists on living safely alongside crocodiles, emphasizing caution and respect for the animals.

• Population Control: The Northern Territory has increased the permissible number of crocodiles to be culled annually to prevent dangerous encounters, reversing previous conservation efforts from the 1970s which had nearly wiped out the population.

Notable Quotes:

• Jonathan Head: "If you're in the water or near the water and they get hold of you, your chance of survival is near zero." ([13:01])

• Natasha Hoffman: "We have to respect they live here. They're very important to our environment." ([13:30])

Analysis: Balancing ecological conservation with public safety remains a contentious issue. The increase in culling permits reflects a shift towards pragmatic management, addressing the resurgence of crocodile populations and mitigating risks to human life.

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5. Venezuela: Reward Offered for Exiled Opposition Candidate

Overview: The Venezuelan government has announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Edmundo Gonzalez, an exiled opposition presidential candidate claiming victory in the disputed July elections.

Key Developments:

• Gonzalez's Exile: Following conspiracy charges, Gonzalez fled to Spain, defying a Venezuelan judge's arrest warrant. His decision to return to Caracas poses significant risks amidst the volatile political climate.

• Election Dispute: President Nicolas Maduro, amidst allegations of electoral fraud, was declared the winner by a government-controlled electoral commission. The opposition, supported by several international bodies, disputes the legitimacy of the results.

• International Response: While some countries, including those in the EU and the US, recognize Gonzalez's claimed victory, key allies like Brazil's President Lula have distanced themselves from Maduro, signaling waning regional support.

Notable Quotes:

• Leonardo Rocha: "Edmundo Gonzalez said a few weeks ago, a couple of months ago, that he was planning to go back to Caracas. It took everyone by surprise for the inauguration ceremony, but not for Maduro's inauguration ceremony." ([24:12])

Analysis: The $100,000 reward underscores the Venezuelan government's intent to suppress opposition and consolidate power ahead of Maduro's third-term inauguration. The international community remains divided, complicating prospects for a peaceful resolution.

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6. Syria: Post-Assad Era and Future Governance

Overview: With the fall of the Assad regime after decades in power, Syria faces an uncertain future. Western governments and local populations grapple with the prospect of an Islamist-led government under Hayat Tariq Al Sham (HTS).

Key Developments:

• International Diplomacy: France and Germany have engaged in talks with Syria's new authorities, focusing on lifting crippling economic sanctions to facilitate rebuilding efforts.

• Local Concerns: Syrians express apprehension over potential authoritarianism, the protection of rights, and the inclusivity of the new government. There is a strong desire to avoid another dictatorship and ensure democratic governance.

• Diverse Perspectives: While some advocate for collaborative governance inclusive of various societal groups, others call for decolonizing relationships and emphasize Syrian agency in shaping their future.

Notable Quotes:

• Jonathan Head: "We're learning about our own solar system, looking to see if there are any asteroids that could potentially one day hit planet Earth." ([19:08])

Analysis: Syria stands at a crossroads, with its future governance heavily influenced by internal dynamics and external pressures. The balance between rebuilding the nation and ensuring democratic freedoms remains precarious, as fears of Islamist dominance persist.

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7. Astronomy Breakthrough: The First Movie of the Universe

Overview: A groundbreaking astronomical project is set to produce what is being hailed as the first "movie of the universe," capturing dynamic changes in the night sky through an unprecedented digital camera installation at the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile.

Key Developments:

• Technological Marvel: The camera, comparable in size to a small car and featuring a massive lens, will capture thousands of high-definition images nightly, compiling them into a decade-long cinematic depiction of cosmic events.

• Scientific Objectives: The project aims to monitor celestial phenomena such as asteroid movements, supernovae, and black hole dynamics, contributing valuable data to questions about dark matter and dark energy.

• Data Usage: With plans to release up to 10 million alerts each night, the observatory will facilitate real-time tracking and analysis, enhancing our understanding of the universe's evolving structure.

Notable Quotes:

• Professor Catherine Heymans: "This amazing new instrument... is going to allow us to answer all of these different questions." ([20:11])

Analysis: This ambitious project represents a monumental leap in astronomical observation, promising to revolutionize our understanding of cosmic processes. The comprehensive data gathered will be instrumental in unraveling some of the universe's most enigmatic mysteries.

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8. Barbados: Transition to a Republic and the Push for Reparations

Overview: Barbados commemorated its recent transition to a republic, becoming the first nation in nearly three decades to remove the British monarch as head of state. The move is accompanied by a broader cultural and political shift towards redefining national identity and seeking economic reparations for its colonial past.

Key Developments:

• National Symbols: The old Lord Nelson statue in National Heroes Square was replaced with a monument honoring Barbadian family heroes, symbolizing a break from colonial legacy.

• Cultural Renaissance: The Parliament building features murals painted by local artists and schoolchildren, reflecting the nation's history and aspirations.

• Reparations Movement: Leading voices, including Member of Parliament Trevor Prescod, advocate for economic reparations to address the historical exploitation and slavery endured under British rule. The movement seeks legal and governmental actions to secure compensation and rectification.

Notable Quotes:

• Evan McDonald: "A monument that acknowledges black national heroes is really significant... we were under British rule for well over 350 years." ([24:56])

• Trevor Prescod: "We have to examine international treaties. We have to examine all laws." ([26:00])

Analysis: Barbados' transition reflects a broader trend of post-colonial nations reclaiming their identities and seeking justice for past injustices. The push for reparations underscores ongoing challenges in addressing the legacies of slavery and colonialism, aiming to achieve economic and social equity.

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9. Additional Insights

World of Secrets Series Preview: The podcast concludes with a preview of the "World of Secrets" series, which delves into the dark side of the wellness industry, uncovering allegations of grooming, trafficking, and exploitation within yoga networks.

Notable Quotes:

• Gene McKenzie: "I want truth and justice and for other people to not be hurt..." ([29:25])

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Conclusion: This episode of the Global News Podcast offers a comprehensive overview of pressing global issues, ranging from political unrest and security concerns to scientific advancements and cultural transformations. Through in-depth reporting and firsthand accounts, BBC World Service provides listeners with nuanced perspectives on the events shaping our world.

Transcript

[Host]

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

[Nick Miles]

This is the global news podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Nick Miles and at 14 hours GMT on Friday 3rd January, these are our main stories. Anti corruption investigators in South Korea have suspended an attempt to arrest the impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. Police in Las Vegas try to piece together clues to explain why a cybertruck exploded outside a hotel. Israel confirms it has detained a Gaza doctor, contradicting its earlier statement about his whereabouts. Also in this podcast, Venezuela's government offers a $100,000 reward for information on an exiled opposition presidential candidate and saltwater croc.

[Gene McKenzie]

That's maybe two meter to, maybe, you know, two and a half.

[Jonathan Head]

Anything bigger, if you're in the water.

[Gene McKenzie]

Or near the water and they get hold of you, your chance of survival is near zero.

[Nick Miles]

The efforts to manage Australia's burgeoning crocodile population, the political standoff in South Korea shows no sign of being resolved. Despite his impeachment and suspension from office after imposing martial law last month, President Yoon Suk Yeol has fervent supporters still. In fact, they're so impassioned that thousands of them have been surrounding Mr. Yoon's house in central Seoul, trying to prevent police from arresting him as part of corruption investigations. The president's security officers refused to let police through, so once again, they backed down. Gene McKenzie reports. Now, on another day of deadlock, the.

[Gene McKenzie]

Standoff started before dawn. Police blocked the roads around the president's home, pushing back his incensed supporters. As the sun rose, the first officers ran up to his house to make the arrest, but they were unable to get in, blocked by the president's security team, who refused to open the door. By lunchtime, the officers had given up. An arrest was impossible, they said. Mr. Yoon may have been suspended, stripped of his power, but still his security is protecting him. It's been exactly a month since President Yoon plunged his country into crisis, imposing martial law, ordering troops to stop the parliament. He quickly reversed the decision, but he's being investigated for starting an insurrection, and he's refused to cooperate with authorities, ignoring all requests to come in for questioning. His supporters have camped out around his home, also determined to block his arrest. This is totally unchartered territory for South Korea. It is the first time a sitting president here has ever faced arrest. And even though most people here are still so upset about his decision to try and bring the country under martial law, the core of his supporters here have stayed loyal to him. And they have surrounded the President's residence this morning. They're riled up and angry. And they've been spurred on by the President himself, who has thanked them for working so hard to defend him. They chant the same unfounded conspiracy theories Mr. Yoon himself has alluded to. That last year's elections were rigged and the country has been infiltrated by pro North Korean forces.

[Jonathan Head]

We will fight. They have to kill me first before they arrest President Yoon. That will not happen. Never again.

[Gene McKenzie]

Mr. Yoon swore he'd fight this until the end. This is exactly what he, his security and his supporters are doing.

[Nick Miles]

Jean Mackenzie in Seoul. As we heard in her report, Mr. Yoon's presidential security service blocked his arrest, forcing the corruption investigation office to give up the attempt after after a five and a half hour standoff. Now the anti corruption officers are demanding that the acting president order Mr. Yun's guards to stand down. Jonathan Head is our correspondent in the region. I asked him what could happen next.

[Host]

Given that There were around 200 security officials there, not letting them into President Yoon's residence, and lots of his impassioned supporters outside being held back by the police, it was probably wise for them to avoid a confrontation. So I think they're going back to reconsider. They may try to negotiate, though it doesn't look as though the atmosphere is very conducive to that. They could try to get another arrest warrant when the current one runs out. Alternatively, Korea may just be left with the impeachment option. Impeachment proceedings are underway. The Constitutional Court held another hearing today, but that can take quite a long time, up to six months. The last impeachment of President park geun Hye in 2017 took three months. I think given the gravity of the charge against President Yoon, this attempt to impose martial law, people, his people opposed him definitely don't want to wait that long for a resolution to this crisis.

[Nick Miles]

And Jonathan, we heard in Gene Mackenzie's piece there one supporter of the President saying, you'll have to kill me first if you want to arrest him. Why are his supporters quite so impassioned about it?

[Host]

Well, I think Korean politics has always had a pretty fiery flavor. You've got to remember this is a young democracy fought for at great cost in the late 1980s. It's a divided country living all the time under the sort of existential threat from North Korean forces. Politics has always been very intense, heightened, some would argue, by the personality driven nature of its democracy. It's got largely first past the post democracy. It tends towards a winner takes all outcome when you have elections. Plus the judicial system has been used very freely by under winning administrations to go after predecessors. I mean, the last four presidents have all either been investigated, impeached or actually put in jail. And I think that means people don't necessarily respect they always think the judicial process, which of course is now being invoked to deal with President Yoon's astonishing martial law attempt in early December, that many of his supporters will view that attempt as a sort of partisan. And after all, Korea is also subject to the same sort of polarization of politics that you see in many other countries, driven, of course, by the new media environment we live in. All of these ingredients have led to a cocktail for a very intense political standoff and very little appetite for compromise.

[Nick Miles]

Jonathan head, over the past few days, much of the focus in the United States has been on the terror attack in New Orleans in which 14 people were killed. In its latest update, the FBI said it believed the suspect, army veteran Shamshud Din Jabbar, acted alone when he drove a truck into crowds on New Year's Day. There had been questions about whether the attack was connected to an incident in Las Vegas, which happened a few hours later when a Tesla cybertruck exploded outside a Trump Hotel. The US Authorities now say they haven't been able to establish any definitive link. Lili Jamali reports.

[Jonathan Head]

I'm standing in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, where there remains an enhanced law enforcement presence one day after a Tesla cybertruck packed with fireworks and camping gas exploded at the entrance. That explosion killed the person driving the vehicle and also inflicted minor injuries on seven other people. Authorities believe that the driver was 37 year old Matthew Liversberger of Colorado Springs, Colorado, but they are still awaiting confirmation. The driver's body, they say, was burned beyond recognition. But they did confirm that the driver of the vehicle suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Now, there are a number of parallels between what happened here and what took place on the same day in New Orleans. Both incidents, of course, taking place on New Year's Day, both involving members of the military who were born in the United States, we also know from law enforcement that both men used the same service, a company called Turo, to rent the vehicles that were involved in these attacks. While law enforcement officials say that the attack in New Orleans was an act of terrorism, they're not saying that that was necessarily the case here. Here in Las Vegas, the attack is being investigated entirely separate incident. The motive remains unclear, but one official on Thursday did say that it's not lost on authorities that this attack took place in front of a Trump property and involved a Tesla vehicle. The FBI is asking for leads and so far they say they've gotten hundreds of tips.

[Nick Miles]

Lilly Jamali the Israeli military has confirmed that it has detained the head of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza despite earlier saying it had not. Last week the army said it was interrogating Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya because it suspected him of terrorism. The Israeli military said a previous statement that it was not holding him may have been down to human error. Emir Nada reports from Jerusalem. In a statement to the BBC, the Israeli military has said that Dr. Abu Sophia is currently being investigated by Israeli security forces. In person yesterday, Physicians for Human Rights Israel said the military had told them they had no information of the arrest or detention of the well known doctor. Today's military statement doesn't offer an explanation for the confusion, but repeats that he is suspected of being a terrorist and for holding a rank in Hamas. Dr. Abu Sofia was last seen walking into a tank. In footage released by the Israeli military of the day, it forcibly closed Kamal Adwan Hospital on the basis of it being an alleged stronghold to the Hamas militant group. Physicians for Human Rights Israel say the doctor's case is part of a pattern of non disclosure and unreliable information provided by the Israeli authorities regarding Palestinian detainees. EMINADA Australians are used to living with dangerous animals. Its forests are home to many of the world's most poisonous snakes and spiders. And more than 100,000 saltwater crocodiles roam in the rivers of the Northern Territory. While croc attacks are rare. In 2024, a young girl was killed by a crocodile. It was the first fatal attack in the territory in six years and it reignited the debate over culling. So just how many is too many? Croc Our Australia correspondent Katie Watson reports from Darwin.

[Gene McKenzie]

It's 5am the sun's not up yet and we're on a speedboat with two government rangers. Today's mission, checking some of the 24 crocodile traps in Darwin Harbor. This is a place where people come fishing, even swimming. And so the idea is to remove saltwater crocodiles that have come too close to the city.

[Host]

Looks like the doors down on this one. So there could be a possible crocodile in this, in this trap. So we'll just get up close and I'll have a look at it.

[Jonathan Head]

Okay. So there is one in there?

[Gene McKenzie]

There is one, yeah. So the traps about what, 5 meters long and they're hard mesh with two tubes along the side of them to keep them floating. And at one end there's bait which is feral pig. The other end with a string attached, is a trapdoor. So when they go for the bait, that door closes. It's not an easy job. They secure the croc with a noose around its jaws, leading it out of the trap and then winching it out of the water. They take the mouth tightly shut and the legs. Once on board, they lie there on the floor next to our feet. Whoa, that's a big tail. Gin is me. One of the crocodiles just like flipped its tail and they're pretty strong and my seat happens to be right next to their heads. These saltwater crocodiles, or salties as they're known here, will be culled because otherwise there's a high chance they'll return to the harbour. Kelly Ewin is one of the rangers working in the croc management team.

[Host]

It's our job to try and keep people as safe as we can. Obviously we're not going to capture every crocodile, but. But the more we take out of the harbour, the less risk there's going to be an encounter with crocodiles and people.

[Gene McKenzie]

This is all part of the Northern Territory's crocodile management plan for the more than 100,000 crocs that live in the wild here. And they've recently raised the number they're allowed to cull each year to control the population. It's a turnaround from the 1970s which saw the population dwindle to just 3,000. Now salties aren't even threatened anymore. Graham Webb is one of Australia's most renowned croc experts.

[Jonathan Head]

People criticise us because they don't like necessarily the way we are so pragmatic about management. We've done what very few people can do, which is take a very serious predator and rebuild their numbers back to what they were historically and be manage them in such a way that the public is prepared to put up with them.

[Gene McKenzie]

You gotta be croc wise.

[Jonathan Head]

If you're hanging near the water, keep.

[Host]

A sharp eye on your son and daughter.

[Jonathan Head]

If you fish from a boat, keep.

[Host]

Away from the side cause the crocodile's.

[Jonathan Head]

Mouth'S gonna open up wide.

[Gene McKenzie]

The government also goes into schools with its education program B Crockwise. It's been such a success that other countries are now looking to borrow it. A saltwater croc, that's maybe two metre to maybe two and a half. Anything bigger, if you're in the water or near the water and they get hold of you, your chance of survival is near zero. Natasha Hoffman is a ranger running the Bee crockwise program. We've got to respect they live here. They're very important to our environment. But we also a lot of people love fishing. So if you're going fishing, look at things such as using a net to get your fish out of the water. They're very intelligent at what they do. They're an ambush hunter. They sit, watch and wait. So if the opportunity's there for them to grab some food, that's what they're going to do.

[Nick Miles]

That report was by Katie Watson. Still to come on the global news.

[Jonathan Head]

Podcast, the monument has only been there for a year, but ultimately Barbadians have really found like a new comfort with it. A monument that acknowledges black national heroes is really significant.

[Nick Miles]

How Barbados is using public art to redefine its cultural identity after becoming a Republican public. The Venezuelan government has offered a $100,000 reward for information on the whereabouts of the man who claims to have won the country's presidential election last July. Edmundo Gonzalez fled Venezuela for exile in Spain after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest on conspiracy charges. He ran against Nicolas Maduro, who is due to be sworn in for a third term next week. President Maduro was declared winner by a government controlled electoral commission amid allegations of electoral fraud. Our America's regional editor, Leonardo Rocha, gave his assessment of the timing of the government's announcement. We have the inauguration of President Nicolas Maduro. He's going to be inaugurating to a third term next Friday in a week's time. And I think it's a message for the opposition candidate telling him, don't try to come back. If you do, we're going to arrest you. I'm saying that because Edmundo Gonzalez said a few weeks ago, a couple of months ago, that he was planning to go back to Caracas. It took everyone by surprise for the inauguration ceremony, but not for Maduro's inauguration ceremony. He was going to come back to claim the presidency. What the Venezuelan opposition say is that they won the election by a wide margin. They have provided what seems to be clear evidence of that. It was accepted by many countries, including countries in the European Union and the United States, proving that they won the election. Nicolas Madur was declared a winner by a government appointed election commission, but he never published the breakdown of the vote and many countries refused to accept one of the main allies of President Maduro in South America, President Lula of Brazil, for example, sort of broke off with him. So he's not going to attend the ceremony in Venezuela next week. He's going to send his ambassador other countries that are very loyal to him will be there like Cuba, Nicaragua, which is of the hardcore of the left in Latin America. But many people, including those who are left wing allies, have distanced themselves from him. Leonardo Rossia To Syria now and the question of what sort of country will emerge from the dramatic uprising that saw the Assad dynasty toppled after more than half a century. That's on the mind of every Syrian. But it's a also a question for Western governments. Some have taken in large numbers of Syrian refugees and are thinking about whether to lift sanctions. Now President Assad is gone, but they're worried about Syria's new Islamist leadership under the group HTS or Hayat Tariq Al Sham with its Al Qaeda origins. The foreign ministers of France and Germany have visited Damascus for talks with the new authorities. Our correspondent in the Syrian capital, Lina sinjab, told the BBC's James Menendez about those discussions.

[Jonathan Head]

There is, you know, views of excitement that the world is coming back to Syria and acknowledging this new change, but also are hoping that these new governments focus on lifting sanctions. The country has been really crippled by economic sanctions, 90% of the population under the poverty line. So coming, having money coming in for aid, for rebuilding the country is very important, but as important as well. Many people are wanting these governments to ensure that the new leadership here in Syria does not abolish their rights, that will apply democracy and will work on the constitution that is inclusive of the whole Syrian society. However, you know, some other people that I've met who met with the Europeans before going to the meeting with HTS also had some other views to share. I think that we need to decolonize these relationships. It's time to come from a different perspective. We don't need them to facilitate the relationship between Syrians and government. Mr. Al Shara, he's a Syrian from Huran. We can speak to him as Syrians together. We don't agree, we disagree. It's sign for democracy and we need to be very careful about protecting this new civic space.

[Host]

Yes, and what are the signs on that? I mean, is HTS prepared? I mean, not just to talk to.

[Gene McKenzie]

All groups, but bring them into government?

[Jonathan Head]

I think there are lots of meetings taking place between different groups, whether official opposition in new emerging groups, artists, writers. You know, there are lots of meetings with members of the hts, but the question is not those meetings, is the delivery. Mr. Al Sharah, when he's talking, he is giving assurances to everyone that this is going to be a government representing of all society. It's going to be open and inclusive. But his government that he has appointed, the way they're acting, they're not acting as a government of an interim government. They're acting as if they are in charge. They have the sole decision and they're making decisions on behalf of the whole society. Like the issue of the curricula that the changes were focused on, focusing on Islamic background for the curricula and something that is really worrying people, women's rights and many other things. So people are out and about trying to say, we don't want to be reactive to what they say. We want to be proactive in asserting our rights. We're not going to go into another form of dictatorship. We are here to speak our minds and enforce them.

[Nick Miles]

Leena Sinjab in Damascus. What's being described as the first movie of the universe will be made possible this year. We'll be able to take images of the entire night sky all at the same time. And it is because of the installation of a digital camera alongside one of the world's biggest telescopes on top of a mountain range in Chile in South America. Professor Catherine Heymans, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, explains how it works.

[Gene McKenzie]

This is an absolute beast of a camera. It has two Guinness World Records. It is about the size of a small car, and the lens in the camera is the same height as an average woman. So this is an absolutely huge camera. To display a single image that we take with this camera, you would need 400 ultra high definition televisions all in a grid to be able to see a single one of these images. And we're going to be taking a thousand of these images every night on repeat over 10 years to build up this movie of the universe. I'm seeing how things change from night to night. And we're going to be releasing up to 10 million alerts every night to tell people what's changing out there in the universe. It could be asteroids and comets moving in our solar system. It could be stars pulsating in our own galaxy and beyond, supernova explosions, dying stars, and even changes in black holes in galaxies across the universe. So it's a phenomenal new facility. And this is the first time we've ever looked at the universe in this way, looking at how it's changing from night to night across the whole night sky. We're learning about our own solar system, looking to see if there are any asteroids that could potentially one day hit planet Earth. Hopefully we won't find any of that, but because we've got 10 years worth of data that we're going to be collecting. We're also going to be building up this really, really, really deep image of the universe, which is going to allow us to confront really big questions about what our universe is made up of. What is the dark matter, the strong gravitational force in our universe? What is causing the expansion of our universe to accelerate something that we call dark energy? And this amazing new instrument, this big new camera on the Vera Rubin Observatory is going to allow us to answer all of these different questions.

[Nick Miles]

Professor Catherine Heyman's Astronomer Royal for Scotland. Three years ago, Barbados officially removed the then British monarch, Queen Elizabeth, as its head of state and became a republic, the first nation to do so in nearly 30 years. The present King Charles attended the ceremony where he acknowledged the appalling atrocity of slavery the Caribbean island had suffered during centuries of British colonial rules. But for many in Barbados, this is not enough. They want to see economic reparations as well. From Barbados, here's Will grant.

[Host]

Queen Elizabeth's fifth visit to Barbados in 1989 was to celebrate the 350th anniversary of its Parliament, a largely ceremonial trip, which, it would turn out, was her last as the island's head of state. Fast forward to midnight on the 30th of November, 2021, and her son, the then Prince of Wales, was in Bridgetown to see Barbados become a republic, the first nation to do so in almost 30 years. I'm in National Heroes Square in Bridgetown, what was until recently called Trafalgar Square, complete with a monument to Lord Nelson that was taken down and in its place has been erected the monument to the Barbadan family. Reimagining this square and rebuilding it is a vital part to the new understanding of Barbados place in the world. Today, the Parliament building is undergoing restoration work, but instead of being surrounded by ugly temporary fencing, the Parliament invited school children and local artists to paint murals on it under the title Barbados and what it Means to Me.

[Jonathan Head]

So we created the flower from plastic bottles. We used a heat gun to melt it down to make it in the shape of the flower. And then we put some orange acrylic paint on it. I draw cricket because it's a national school part of Barbados.

[Gene McKenzie]

You can see we have the stumps.

[Jonathan Head]

And then we have a man hitting the ball.

[Host]

I love it. I think it's so good. And guys, it's an interesting idea, isn't it, that you're painting part of the Parliament building?

[Gene McKenzie]

It's great for young people to know.

[Jonathan Head]

About the history of Barbados and what the Parliament building was there for and how long was here for? So my name is Evan McDonald. I am an emerging artist in Barbados. Not that situation with Trafalgar Square. The Lord Nelson statue was so controversial. The monument has only been there for a year, but ultimately Barbadians and locals alike have really found, like, a new comfort with it. A monument that acknowledges black national heroes is really significant, especially replacing a monument like Laura Horatio Nelson. You know, we were under British rule for well over 350 years, and so the opportunity to now chart our own path, a Barbados that we want completely from the minds of Barbadians.

[Gene McKenzie]

I believe I'm in the forefront of the struggle and the call for reparations.

[Host]

Member of Parliament Trevor Prescod is in charge of taking these debates over the exploitation of the island's colonial past to their logical conclusion. He's the Prime Minister's special envoy for reparations and economic enfranchisement.

[Gene McKenzie]

I am supportive of the call for reparations. Now we are making calls on governments, local governments. We also have to examine international treaties. We have to examine all laws.

[Jonathan Head]

We've been able to repeal some of the legislation and bring fresh legislation.

[Host]

Guilt alone won't be enough, will it? I mean, if there are people who've become extremely wealthy and companies and obviously governments, do you think they will need to be legally forced to make reparations in the next coming years?

[Gene McKenzie]

There are lots of people frightened for the word reparations.

[Jonathan Head]

Some persons who will be great beneficiaries of wealth as a result of the slavery and colonialism. They'll be living such an affluent life, they don't want to give up part of it. Although some of the subs that we're.

[Gene McKenzie]

Talking about, they will not affect the.

[Jonathan Head]

Quality of life in the meantime. The people who have made major sacrifices and people who have been considered to be chattel slaves, these people are living in abject poverty. It is not going to be like a light switch that you turn it.

[Gene McKenzie]

On and turn it off. It's going to be a very gradual process.

[Nick Miles]

That report was by Will Grant and that's all from us for now. But there will be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later on. 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@globalnewspod. This edition was mixed by Volodymyr Muzizka and the producer was Chantal Hart. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Nick Miles and Until next time. Goodbye.

[Jonathan Head]

Yoga is more than just exercise. It's the spiritual practice that millions swear by. And in 2017, Miranda, a university tutor from London, joins a yoga school that promises profound transformation.

[Gene McKenzie]

It felt a really safe and welcoming space. After yoga classes, I felt amazing.

[Jonathan Head]

But soon that calm, welcoming atmosphere leads to something far darker. A journey that leads to allegations of grooming, trafficking and exploitation across international borders.

[Gene McKenzie]

I don't have my passport. I don't have my phone. I don't have my bank cards. I have nothing. The passport being taken, the being in a house and not feeling like they can leave.

[Jonathan Head]

World of Secrets is where untold stories are unveiled and hidden realities are exposed. In this new series, we're confronting the dark side of the wellness industry, where the hope of a spiritual breakthrough gives way to disturbing accusations.

[Gene McKenzie]

You just get sucked in so gradually and it's done so skillfully that you don't realize. And it's like this. The secret that's there. I wanted to believe that, you know, that whatever they were doing, even if it seemed gross to me, was for some spiritual reason that I couldn't yet understand.

[Jonathan Head]

Revealing the hidden secrets of a global yoga network.

[Gene McKenzie]

I feel that I have no other choice. The only thing I can do is to speak about this and to put my reputation and everything else on the line. I want truth and justice and for other people to not be hurt, for things to be different in the future, to bring it into the light and almost alchemize some of that evil stuff that went on and take back the power.

[Jonathan Head]

World of secrets. Season 6 the Bad Guru Listen, wherever you get your podcasts.