Global News Podcast – President Trump Warns Hamas to Honour Disarming Promise
BBC World Service | Hosted by Celia Hatton | Aired: December 30, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode dives into several major international developments:
- President Trump’s warning to Hamas regarding disarmament in Gaza following talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- The humanitarian situation in Gaza amidst ongoing winter storms and fragile ceasefire.
- Russia's accusation of a Ukrainian drone attack on President Putin’s residence, and the state of Russia-Ukraine peace talks.
- The Nord Stream pipeline sabotage investigation and its diplomatic ramifications.
- The ongoing threat to Mediterranean shark populations.
- The death and legacy of Bangladeshi political leader Khaleda Zia.
- Personal stories including a man's recreation of his father’s epic cycling journey from the UK to Australia.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump-Netanyahu Meeting: Disarmament Ultimatum for Hamas
[01:39–04:40]
- President Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu met in Florida to discuss Gaza’s future. Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas: disarm quickly or face “serious consequences.”
- Trump named Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as representatives to oversee the U.S. side of the disarmament process.
- Trump indicated Gaza’s reconstruction would “begin very soon” but gave no concrete timeline.
- Insights from North America correspondent Sean Dilley highlighted Trump’s warm praise for Netanyahu and the political maneuver to push forward the Gaza peace process.
- The Israel-Hamas ceasefire remains in a precarious first phase. Key sticking points:
- Israel demands return of remains from the Oct 2023 incident before withdrawing forces.
- Hamas refuses to disarm until Israel withdraws.
- Trump is attempting to break this deadlock with a disarmament ultimatum to Hamas.
Notable Quote:
“We talked about Hamas and we talked about disarmament, and they're going to be given a very short period of time to disarm and we'll see how that works out... but if they don't disarm as they agreed to do, they have to disarm within a fairly short period of time.”
— President Trump, [02:33]
2. Life in Gaza: Ceasefire’s Humanitarian Fallout
[04:40–07:09]
- Local journalist Ghada Al Khor described dire conditions:
- Winter storms have devastated already struggling communities; at least 17 deaths from collapsed bomb-damaged buildings.
- Widespread infrastructure collapse, lack of electricity, water, and heat.
- Ceasefire hasn’t changed life for ordinary civilians; movement is heavily restricted and dangerous.
- Slight improvement in food access, but unaffordable for most due to lack of cash.
- Aid is poorly distributed; widespread looting and lack of effective governance have worsened corruption and hardships.
- She suggested a technocratic government could temporarily improve lives until stable governance is established.
Notable Quotes:
“We are swimming in water as I'm sitting here... the sewage, the infrastructure is completely destroyed.”
— Ghada Al Khor, [05:09]
“Here in Gaza, we don't have any official government, we don't have any officials who can control or rule Gaza. So I think a technocrat government or committee that can come and control the situation... is a better idea for the Palestinians.”
— Ghada Al Khor, [06:49]
3. Russia-Ukraine: Peace Negotiations Undermined by New Tensions
[07:09–08:50]
- Trump met Ukrainian President Zelensky, with Ukraine claiming the US had offered 15 years of security guarantees; Trump claims an agreement is “95% done”.
- However, Russia accuses Ukraine of launching a drone attack on President Putin’s residence—a claim Kyiv denies.
- Moscow is using these accusations to portray Ukraine as a terrorist state and possibly to strain U.S.-Ukraine relations.
- Russia has not produced evidence to support its claim; expert analysis suggests Kremlin’s aim is to drive a wedge between Kyiv and Washington.
Notable Quote:
“Moscow is using this moment to try to get Ukraine into a lot of trouble with Donald Trump, portraying Ukraine as a terrorist state... clearly trying to drive a wedge once and for all between Washington and Kyiv.”
— Steve Rosenberg, [08:23]
4. Nord Stream Pipeline Sabotage: Legal and Diplomatic Fallout
[08:50–13:41]
- Germany prepares for a major trial against a Ukrainian ex-military officer, Vladimir Zhuravyov, accused of blowing up Nord Stream pipeline in 2022.
- Evidence increasingly points toward Ukrainian involvement, though Kyiv denies it.
- Extradition controversies:
- Polish judge refused to extradite Zhuravyov, citing Russia’s invasion made the pipeline a “legitimate target.”
- Another suspect, Serhii Kuznetsov, was extradited from Italy; his legal defense argues the military context and command involvement.
- Ukrainian government remains largely silent, balancing risks to their soldiers against jeopardizing German support.
Notable Quotes:
“If he did it, why don't they say it? If he’s innocent, why don't they say?”
— Reporter summarizing defense lawyer’s point, [12:40]
“Abandoning a soldier looks bad. But riskier still is losing Germany as an ally when its support is critical for the entire Ukrainian military.”
— Sarah Rainsford, [13:26]
5. Khaleda Zia: The Life and Legacy of a Divisive Bangladeshi Leader
[16:28–18:31]
- Former Bangladeshi PM Khaleda Zia dies at 80.
- Polarized Bangladeshi politics for decades with rival Sheikh Hasina, contributing to political deadlock and violence.
- Known for her fight against military rule, frequent imprisonments, and two terms as Prime Minister.
- Later dogged by corruption allegations and electoral boycotts.
Notable Quote:
“Many will remember her as one of two women who held the country's politics hostage. With decades of feuding...”
— Jill McGivering, [18:23]
6. U.S. Strikes in Venezuela: Escalating Anti-Drug Operations
[18:31–23:17]
- Trump claims the U.S. has struck a Venezuelan land target associated with drug smuggling, marking a sharp escalation from previous maritime operations.
- Details remain vague, with no official confirmation from Venezuela or the Pentagon on the extent and method of the strike.
- U.S. rationale blends anti-narcotic efforts with explicit desire to oust Nicolas Maduro, the embattled Venezuelan president whom Washington accuses of narco-trafficking.
- The implication is clear: regime change and access to Venezuela’s oil wealth, though the Trump administration publicly denies the latter as a motive.
Notable Quotes:
“We hit all the boats and now we hit the area. It's the implementation area... that is no longer around.”
— President Trump, [18:51]
“The ultimate goal [is] removing Nicolas Maduro from power... Venezuela's vast oil wealth would be a huge boom for the United States if they had a much more, as it were, friendly, compliant, even government in Caracas…”
— Will Grant, [21:30]
7. Conservation: Mediterranean Sharks in Peril
[23:17–24:33]
- Researchers report at least 40 protected great white sharks have been caught and killed in the Mediterranean since January, despite international protections.
- Many captures are documented in North African fishing ports; social media footage also shows forbidden sales and landings of endangered shark species.
- Researchers emphasize urgent need for stronger enforcement to prevent species extinction in one of the world’s most heavily fished bodies of water.
Notable Quote:
“At least 40 great white sharks from the Mediterranean have been caught and killed since January... much more needs to be done to protect a rapidly dwindling shark population.”
— Victoria Gill, [23:37]
8. Personal Story: Following a Father’s Epic Cycling Path
[24:33–28:46]
- Jamie Hargreaves, 23, retraces his father’s 1984 bicycle journey from Derby, UK to Sydney, Australia, adapting his route due to modern geopolitical realities.
- Jamie highlights the kindness of strangers along the way, defying widespread pessimism about the world.
- He recounts detours through Georgia, Russia, Central Asia, and Himalayan mountain circuits, surpassing even his father’s original feats.
Notable Quotes:
“99% of the people you meet are incredibly friendly all over the world... the world is a much more friendly and kind place than we see it to be, because obviously everything that you hear on the media... you're kind of only really hearing the bad side.”
— Jamie Hargreaves, [26:57]
“My dad was the first person to take a bike up to Everest Base Camp, so I had to one up him.”
— Jamie Hargreaves, [28:36]
Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps
- “President Trump issues a warning to Hamas, telling the militant group it needs to disarm quickly or face serious consequences.”
— Celia Hatton, [00:56] - “We are swimming in water as I'm sitting here and in front of my eyes I see people who are living inside the tents and around them, the sewage, the infrastructure is completely destroyed.”
— Ghada Al Khor, [05:09] - “Moscow is using this moment to try to get Ukraine into a lot of trouble with Donald Trump, portraying Ukraine as a terrorist state.”
— Steve Rosenberg, [08:23] - “The world is a much more friendly and kind place than we see it to be...”
— Jamie Hargreaves, [26:57] - “At least 40 great white sharks from the Mediterranean have been caught and killed since January... much more needs to be done to protect a rapidly dwindling shark population.”
— Victoria Gill, [23:37]
Key Timestamps for Main Segments
- [01:39] — Host begins coverage: Trump-Netanyahu meeting
- [02:33] — Trump’s direct disarmament threat to Hamas
- [05:09] — Ghada Al Khor describes Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
- [07:54] — Russia-Ukraine drone incident discussed
- [08:50] — Nord Stream pipeline legal and diplomatic saga
- [16:28] — Khaleda Zia’s obituary and legacy
- [18:51] — Reports of U.S. strike on Venezuelan land
- [23:37] — Mediterranean shark conservation crisis
- [25:15] — Jamie Hargreaves on his cycling odyssey and global kindness
Conclusion
The episode brings listeners up to date on major global political crises, humanitarian challenges, and environmental concerns—supplemented by personal stories that highlight human resilience and generosity. The tone is urgent, informative, and at times, reflective, as it connects geopolitical events with on-the-ground realities and vivid personal experiences.