Global News Podcast – Race for Survivors After Indonesian School Collapse

Host: Janat Jalil, BBC World Service
Date: October 1, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delivers comprehensive coverage of major global news events, focusing primarily on the ongoing rescue efforts after a deadly school collapse in Indonesia. Additional reporting addresses a high-profile court ruling against South African politician Julius Malema, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, ongoing chaos in Sudan's Al Fashr, a deadly earthquake in the Philippines, record-breaking global immunisation efforts, and a quirky court ruling in India about doctors' handwriting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Race for Survivors in Indonesian School Collapse

[02:00-08:40]

• Incident & Current Situation:

  • Two days after the collapse of a school in Sidoarjo, Indonesia, rescuers continue searching for dozens of students trapped under rubble.
  • Collapse attributed to unstable foundations unable to support ongoing construction of additional floors.
  • Seven trapped students have responded to rescuers, receiving food and water while delicate extraction efforts continue.

• Complications:

  • A parent, Shola Houdin, describes the frustrations of parents eager to join searches but awaiting official approval.
    • Quote (Shola Houdin, parent): “There are so many of us parents and guardians who want to help, but we haven't had approval yet from the search and rescue team. Their managers haven't decided yet.” (05:00)
  • Complicating the rescue, an offshore earthquake struck a day after the collapse, further destabilizing the site and halting search efforts briefly.
  • Rubble described “like a pancake, layered, but also like a spider web,” making heavy machinery too risky.
  • Manual efforts involve creating narrow tunnels just large enough for a single rescuer to crawl in.

• Rescue Parameters:

  • Nearly 400 personnel are working in shifts, aiming to keep efforts going 24/7 to maximize the “golden hour” for survival within 72 hours of the incident.

2. South African Politician Julius Malema Found Guilty of Gun Offense

[08:45-12:00]

• Event:

  • Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, found guilty of public firearms discharge at a 2018 rally, as caught on viral video.
  • Faces up to 15 years in prison; sentencing scheduled for January next year.

• Political Ramifications:

  • Malema claims the judgment is racist and politically motivated, pointing to the acquittal of his white Afrikaner bodyguard.
    • Quote (Malema): “He called the ruling racist. He said that his white Africana bodyguard... had been acquitted because of his race.” (10:30)
  • His popularity has waned, with his party’s vote share dropping and new opposition parties reducing his influence.

3. Oktoberfest Security Scare in Munich

[12:01-13:45]

• Incident:
  • Police briefly closed the Oktoberfest festival site in Munich after an intentional fire and explosions at a house in the city, and a suspected bomb threat linked to the festival.
  • Festival closure seen as a major disruption given the event’s scale—drawing millions annually.

4. US Government Shutdown Standoff

[13:46-16:30]

• Government Deadlock:

  • Federal shutdown places thousands of workers on unpaid leave, with essential staff (military, air traffic controllers) working without pay.
  • Both parties blame each other, with President Trump threatening layoffs and economic data releases paused.

• Economic Impact:

  • Social Security checks still being issued, but investor anxiety rising.
  • Quote (Naomi Ruckham, CBS): “Dow futures already dropped 200 points this morning...That kind of delay for such an important report could also cause confusion and more questions about what the Federal Reserve might announce regarding interest rates.” (15:50)

5. Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza – Red Cross Suspends Operations

[20:00-23:30]

• Gaza Under Siege:

  • International Committee of the Red Cross suspends operations in Gaza City due to intensified Israeli military action.
  • Israeli Defense Minister warns Gaza City residents to flee south, declaring “those who remained... would be terrorists and supporters of terror.”

• Conditions on the Ground:

  • Quote (James Elder, UNICEF, in Gaza):
    “A lot of children still here, a lot of children on the street and buildings that are just a shell now...So many children doing that universal hand to mouth, just showing how hungry they are.” (22:40)
  • Food, shelter, and medical needs are acute; population living in fear with families unable to leave or relocate due to lack of resources.

6. Prolonged Siege in Sudan’s Al Fashr

[23:31-28:40]

• Context:

  • Al Fashr city, besieged for over 500 days by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as they attempt to seize the army’s last western Darfur stronghold.
  • 300,000 civilians (half children) trapped; severe shortages and widespread hunger, with many eating animal feed.

• Personal Stories:

  • Harrowing testimonies from injured residents and refugees forced to flee.
    • Quote (Unidentified refugee): “It’s about all the people that I know I see every day. People whom I know die. Places that I used to go destroyed—my memories died, not just the people that I know. It’s like a nightmare, you know.” (28:15)
  • Humanitarian agencies warn of possible atrocity if RSF overtakes city.

7. Deadly Earthquake in the Philippines

[28:41-32:15]

• Latest Developments:

  • Central Philippines hit by a major earthquake; nearly 70 dead as of reporting.
  • Infrastructure badly damaged (roads, bridges, buildings), and aid/medical assistance is hampered.
  • Recent typhoons and monsoonal flooding compound the disaster.

• Challenges:

  • Reliable disaster response systems in place, but the frequency and severity of disasters, potentially exacerbated by climate change, stretch resources.

8. Record-Breaking Global Immunisations Amid Vaccine Hesitancy

[32:16-35:30]

• Progress:

  • GAVI reports 1.7 million lives saved this year through vaccination, with 72 million more children vaccinated, and rapid deployment of the world’s first malaria vaccine.
  • Focus on reaching vulnerable regions such as Syria, Mali, Haiti.

• Ongoing Challenges:

  • Funding shortfalls due to cuts in development assistance; adapting to fragile conflict zones (e.g., Ukraine, Syria, Gaza, Sudan).

• Quote (Dr. Sanya Nishta, CEO, GAVI):

  • “We reached 72 million more children. This year we've saved 1.7 million children from future deaths. This year has also helped us build stability and accrue $20 billion worth of economic benefits over and above what we had already achieved.” (33:00)

9. Indian Court Rules on Illegible Doctors’ Handwriting

[35:31-37:00]

• Court Ruling:

  • Punjab and Haryana High Court says legible prescriptions are a “fundamental right,” spotlighting risks to patient safety.
  • Orders doctors to write in capitals or digitise prescriptions within two years.

• Anecdotal:

  • In the UK, a mistaken prescription due to poor handwriting resulting in potential harm underscores the global relevance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There are so many of us parents and guardians who want to help, but we haven't had approval yet from the search and rescue team.”
  — Shola Houdin, waiting for news of his son, Indonesia (05:00)

• “He called the ruling racist. He said that his white Africana bodyguard... had been acquitted because of his race.”
  — On Julius Malema’s reaction, South Africa (10:30)

• “A lot of children still here, a lot of children on the street and buildings that are just a shell now...So many children doing that universal hand to mouth, just showing how hungry they are.”
  — James Elder, UNICEF, in Gaza (22:40)

• “It’s about all the people that I know I see every day. People whom I know die. Places that I used to go destroyed—my memories died, not just the people that I know. It’s like a nightmare, you know.”
  — Unnamed refugee, Al Fashr, Sudan (28:15)

• “We reached 72 million more children. This year we've saved 1.7 million children from future deaths. This year has also helped us build stability and accrue $20 billion worth of economic benefits over and above what we had already achieved.”
  — Dr. Sanya Nishta, CEO, GAVI (33:00)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:00] – Indonesia school collapse, rescue updates
• [08:45] – Julius Malema verdict
• [12:01] – Oktoberfest security incident
• [13:46] – US government shutdown
• [20:00] – Gaza City Red Cross suspension
• [23:31] – Sudan’s Al Fashr under siege
• [28:41] – Central Philippines earthquake
• [32:16] – Global immunisation successes and challenges
• [35:31] – Indian court on doctor handwriting

Conclusion

This edition of the Global News Podcast highlights urgent stories of tragedy, survival, and resilience from around the world—ranging from disaster response in Indonesia and the Philippines to protracted conflict in Gaza and Sudan, alongside glimmers of hope in global health efforts. The reporting provides eyewitness accounts, expert analysis, and notable commentary, giving listeners a clear, human-centered view of unfolding world events.