Russia hits Ukraine in deadly strikes

Summary

Global News Podcast – Russia Hits Ukraine in Deadly Strikes

Date: November 14, 2025
Host: Oliver Conway (BBC World Service)

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Episode Overview

In this edition, the Global News Podcast focuses on a series of major international developments:

• Russia’s heaviest bombardment of Kyiv in weeks and Ukraine’s retaliatory strikes.
• Escalating tensions between Japan and China over Taiwan.
• A UN investigation into a mass atrocity in Sudan.
• Concerns over rising childhood hypertension worldwide.
• US tariff talks with Latin America under President Trump.
• School closures in Australia over asbestos-laced play sand.
• A unique story of a Japanese woman marrying an AI chatbot.
• Behind the scenes of a record-breaking BBC podcast marathon.

The episode provides expert analysis, first-hand accounts, and global context across these urgent topics.

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Main Stories and Key Discussion Points

1. Russian Attacks on Kyiv: The Worst Bombardment in Weeks

• [01:08 – 04:52]
• Kyiv suffers its heaviest Russian bombardment in weeks; at least six dead in the Odessa region, two more killed in a drone market strike.
• Ukrainian MP Lisa Jasko describes the fear and disruption in Kyiv:

  “The attack was very massive, with drones with ballistics with lots of air defense working on. Very often there was a feeling that your bed in the bedroom was just shaking together with windows.” – Lisa Jasko [02:18]

• BBC’s James Landale from Kyiv explains Russia's strategy:

  “There are almost 4 million Ukrainians who live in this city and Russia... has a very clear strategy of trying to damage Ukrainian morale. And that's what these kind of overnight attacks are all about.” – James Landale [04:26]

Key Insights:

• Russian tactics combine targeting energy infrastructure in the east with sudden, comprehensive assaults on civilian areas in Kyiv.
• Ukrainian defenses shot down many drones and missiles, but several got through, damaging apartment blocks and killing civilians.
• Ukraine struck back at Russian oil facilities and air defences in Novorossiysk, showing the war’s tit-for-tat escalation.

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2. China-Japan Tensions over Taiwan

• [04:52 – 08:32]
• Diplomatic crisis as Japan’s new PM Sanae Takaichi warns of potential military response if China attacks Taiwan.
• Chinese officials use vitriolic language, notably:

  The Chinese Consul General in Osaka reportedly said, “if the Japanese Prime Minister was to ever stick her head into Taiwan, perhaps it should be cut off.” – Stephen McDonnell [06:17]

• BBC correspondent Stephen McDonnell explains the thin line between political theatre and real anger:

  “It's interesting. It depends who you believe... others in the Japanese government have been trying to walk this back a bit... Sanae Takechi said she's not taking these comments back, although she did say that perhaps in the future she wouldn't sort of dive into these theoretical discussions about the future so much.” – Stephen McDonnell [07:51]

Key Insights:

• Heightened tensions risk undoing recent diplomatic rapprochements.
• Japan’s leadership remains publicly tied to the “One China” principle, though mixed messages create volatility.

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3. Sudan Massacre and UN Response

• [08:32 – 12:55]
• Around 2,000 people killed in El Fasher as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seize control.
• Harrowing testimonies from survivors of violence, deprivation and humiliation.

  “We suffered routine gunfire, humiliation, thirst and hunger. The RSF forced us to sit under the scorching sun... in addition to arresting many people, abducting young men and injuring some of them.” – Sudanese civilian [09:12]

• UN Human Rights Council unanimously votes to investigate. Correspondent Imogen Foulkes outlines goals and limitations:

  “What is being hoped is that it will identify, formally identify people responsible, and the threat is there to share this evidence with the International Criminal Court.” – Imogen Foulkes [10:18] “What is particularly frustrating... they had been warning for months that this could happen and there was no international pressure.” – Imogen Foulkes [11:33]

Key Insights:

• Investigators seek to name perpetrators and potentially involve the ICC.
• Ongoing warfare is complicated by regional and international interests, particularly competition for Sudan’s resources.
• Previous warnings about possible atrocities went unheeded.

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4. Alarming Rise in Childhood Hypertension

• [12:55 – 16:05]
• A Lancet study finds the number of children with high blood pressure (hypertension) has almost doubled to 114 million worldwide.
• Professor Kazem Rahimi (Oxford) explains:

  “As people adopt a more sedentary lifestyle, gain weight and perhaps take more salt, these are all key determinants of elevated blood pressure.” – Kazem Rahimi [13:57] “We didn't see huge differences... across different parts of the world... unfortunately in a bad sense, low income countries have been catching up.” – Kazem Rahimi [15:24]

Key Insights:

• Unhealthy lifestyle choices, notably weight gain, sedentary habits, and the global spread of processed foods, are key drivers.
• The epidemic blurs lines between rich and poor countries as unhealthy patterns proliferate.

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5. US Tariffs: Trump Administration Seeks Grocery Relief

• [17:37 – 20:02]
• The US plans to cut tariffs on coffee, bananas, beef, and cocoa from four Latin American countries to counter inflation.
• Business presenter Nick Marsh explains:

  “Some key goods from these Latin American countries will be exempt from import tariffs... staples that have really soared in price recently... Coffee by 20% this year, cocoa more than doubling in the last couple of years.” – Nick Marsh [18:11] “It’s about compromising... these tariff exemptions show... sweeping tariffs, they're not as simple as they may seem.” – Nick Marsh [19:45]

Key Insights:

• Exemptions target items with little US domestic production, but beef imports remain controversial.
• Move seen as both a practical anti-inflation measure and a political response to recent Republican electoral losses.

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6. Asbestos Scare Shuts Australian Schools

• [20:02 – 22:03]
• Play sand imported from China found contaminated with asbestos, leading to at least 15 school closures.
• Authorities emphasize low risk but act out of caution. Katie Watson details the situation:

  “This is sand that kids play with, like sensory play for arts and crafts... the education minister said that was so that they could test the sand... and obviously they knew that it would be worrying, but the testing and remediation could take place quicker if they did that.” – Katie Watson [20:47]

Key Insights:

• Reactions vary across Australia, but the presence of banned substances in children’s products generates widespread alarm.

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7. A Japanese Woman Marries Her AI Chatbot

• [22:03 – 24:31]
• Ms. Kano develops a relationship with a ChatGPT-based AI avatar, culminating in a virtual wedding ceremony.
• Richard Hamilton reports her journey:

  “I didn't start talking to ChatGPT because I wanted to fall in love... the way Klaus listened to me and understood me changed everything. The moment I got over my ex, I realized I loved him.” – Ms. Kano, via Richard Hamilton [23:16] “ChatGPT itself is too unstable... I worry it might one day disappear.” – Ms. Kano, via Richard Hamilton [24:20]

Key Insights:

• Highlights emerging emotional relationships with AI.
• Reflects Japan’s growing market for personalized virtual connections and the complexities such bonds bring.

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8. Behind the BBC’s 25-Hour Podcast Marathon

• [24:31 – 27:48]
• Adam Fleming and James Copnell discuss the experience of hosting a continuous 25-hour BBC “Newscast” for charity.
• James Copnell explains the relaxed atmosphere:

  “The vibe is very much no suit, tie off, not even a jumper, kick back, got a coffee table, got loads of cushions. And that's, that's, that's the vibe we've been going for.” – James Copnell [27:17]

• Dived into topics from cricket and Canadian affairs to political metaphors and British comedy.

Memorable Insight:

• Learned about “rolling the pitch” (a cricket term) as a metaphor for budget discussions in UK politics.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Lisa Jasko on surviving the Kyiv attack:

  “Very often there was a feeling that your bed in the bedroom was just shaking together with windows.” [02:33]

• China-Japan spike in rhetoric:

  “Evil witch” – Chinese newspaper (via Stephen McDonnell) describing Japanese PM [06:01]
  “Perhaps it should be cut off.” – Chinese Consul General on PM’s intervention [06:17]

• Sudan survivor:

  “We fled from Al Fasha on foot for nearly 14 hours... suffered routine gunfire, humiliation, thirst and hunger.” [09:12]

• Childhood hypertension global spread:

  “In a bad sense, low income countries have been catching up.” – Kazem Rahimi [15:24]

• Podcast marathon ethos:

  “No suit, tie off, not even a jumper... just kick back, got a coffee table, got loads of cushions.” – James Copnell [27:17]

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Russia/Ukraine strikes and Kyiv eyewitness – [01:08 – 04:52]
• China-Japan-Taiwan tensions – [04:52 – 08:32]
• Sudan massacre, survivor stories & UN inquiry – [08:32 – 12:55]
• Childhood hypertension global report – [12:55 – 16:05]
• US–Latin America trade tariff updates – [17:37 – 20:02]
• Australia asbestos school closures – [20:02 – 22:03]
• Japanese woman’s AI marriage – [22:03 – 24:31]
• BBC 25-hour “Newscast” podcast marathon – [24:31 – 27:48]

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Overall Tone & Style

The episode retains the clear, measured, and analytical approach typical of the BBC World Service, balancing urgent testimony with expert synthesis and factual reporting. Throughout, there is an emphasis on both immediate human impact and broader international ramifications.

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For full coverage of these urgent global events and more, listen to the November 14, 2025 episode of the Global News Podcast.

Transcript

[Adam Fleming]

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[Kazem Rahimi]

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[Nick Marsh]

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[Oliver Conway]

You're listening to the Global News podcast from the BBC World Service. Hello, I'm Oliver Conway. We're recording this at 16 hours GMT on Friday 14th November. The Ukrainian capital Kyiv suffers its worst Russian bombardment in weeks. Tensions rise between Japan and China over Taiwan and emergency talks at the UN over atrocities in Sudan. Also in the podcast, why President Trump could lower tariffs for several Latin American countries and a Japanese woman who married an AI avatar. The Ukrainian capital Kyiv has been hit by the heaviest Russian bombardment in weeks. Officials say six people were killed and many more injured in the Odessa region. A drone strike on a market left another two people dead. President Zelensky accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians. MP Lisa Jasko told us about the situation in the capital.

[Kazem Rahimi]

I'm speaking to you after zero hours of sleep tonight. It was impossible. The attack was very massive, with drones with ballistics with lots of air defense working on. Very often there was a feeling that your bed in the bedroom was just shaking together with windows. We go to the bathroom, which is not very protected, but at least you could hear less of that sound and it's relatively safer.

[Oliver Conway]

Ukraine launched attacks of its own on Russia, striking oil facilities and air defences in the Black Sea port of Novorossi. Our correspondent in Ukraine, James Landale, told us about the attack in Kiev.

[James Landale]

Well, I think here in the capital they have been waiting for this night for some time. There's been a relative calm for a few weeks and they know that that never lasts. So I think a lot of people were ready or at least braced for a pretty extensive Russian attack, and that duly came overnight. It was very much one that covered the whole of the city. Sometimes you just see strikes on air defenses and energy targets on the horizon. This was one that was all over the city. Some of the missiles and the drones coming close to where we are here in the center of town. And it was comprehensive, an awful lot of drones. In all, about 430 were launched, 18 missiles. A lot of them obviously were shot down by air defenses. But a goodly number did get through and damaged quite a lot of buildings, particularly housing blocks, apartment blocks, one of which we visited this morning where sadly, three people died. And I think what we're seeing here is just another reminder from the Russians that, yes, in recent weeks, their focus has been Ukraine's energy infrastructure, particularly in the east of the country, trying to target all of those transmission networks, making it hard for people to get at power, to get hard, to get gas, because they want to damage Ukraine's economy, because particularly in the east. But then I think every so often the Russian tactics is to have a gentle reminder or not so gentle reminder to people in Kyiv that they're not exempt from any of those attacks. In other words, that Russia's attack on this country is comprehensive. It's on the energy infrastructure, it's on the front line in the east. But it's also to the people here in Kyiv, There are almost 4 million Ukrainians who live in this city and Russia, according to Ukrainian ministers and officials. If you talk to them, they believe has a very clear strategy of trying to damage Ukrainian morale. And that's what these kind of overnight attacks are all about.

[Oliver Conway]

James Landale in Kyiv. Taiwan has become the latest flashpoint in the long and difficult relationship between China and Japan. Both nations in previous incarnations have ruled the island in past centuries. But the communist authorities in China who lay claim to Taiwan now are furious over a recent comment from Japan's new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. Last week, she said that an armed attack on Taiwan could prompt a military response from Japan. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lin Jiang, called on her to retract the remark. The erroneous words and actions seriously violate the one China principle, contravene the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, and bridge fundamental norms in international relations. They bluntly interfere in China's internal affairs, challenge China's core interests, and violate China's sovereignty. China firmly opposes this and will never tolerate it both nations summoned each other's ambassadors about the row. I heard more on China's response from our correspondent in Beijing, Stephen McDonnell.

[Adam Fleming]

Well, I suppose what we should do is try to separate China's what would seem like its anger from anger as political theatre. If I could put it to you that way. Certainly the Chinese government wants us to that it's very upset about this. And you just have to look at the comments. I mean, there's been some really nasty language used, especially by some of the proxies for the Communist Party, like the former editor of the Global Times. Now, admittedly this is a bit of a shock jock media outlet, but this editor has described Japan's Prime Minister as an evil witch. You've got China's Consul General in Osaka. This is the senior representative, the Chinese government in a major city in Japan saying that if the Japanese Prime Minister was to ever stick her head into Taiwan, perhaps it should be cut off. You've got the People's Liberation army newspaper saying that any Japanese involvement in Taiwan would constitute an invasion of what it sees as Chinese territory, that this would warrant a strong fight back. And the Communist Party's main mouthpiece, the People's Daily, saying that this is all about reviving wartime militarism on Japan's part. So lots of strong language. Either way, what it has resulted in is again, we're seeing relations between Japan and China collapsing. I mean, they really had been improving after a long period in the doldrums or in the freezer even at some point, but now here they are back at each other's throats. And especially when it comes to the.

[Oliver Conway]

Chinese side, do these comments from Sanae Takechi, do they mark a change in Japan's position on Taiwan?

[Adam Fleming]

Well, it's interesting. It depends who you believe in this. Now, the Chinese government would say that it is something different to have a leader in Japan, not just anyone, the Prime Minister actually saying that they could potentially get militarily involved if China was to attempt to take Taiwan by force. But since she said that, others in the Japanese government have been trying to walk this back a bit, if you like, and saying, no, our position hasn't changed. It's just sort of something she said. And we really, we support the one China principle and all those previous agreements we've had. So, yeah, it depends which government you're talking to as to whether or not this does mark a strong change either way. Sanae Takechi said she's not taking these comments back, although she did say that perhaps in the future she wouldn't sort of dive into these theoretical discussions about the future so much. Certainly this one's got her into a bit of trouble with China.

[Oliver Conway]

Stephen McDonnell in Beijing. Around 2,000 people are thought to have been massacred in the Sudanese city of El Fha when it fell to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces two weeks ago. It had been the last stronghold of the regular armed forces in the western region of Darfur, and RSF fighters had been besieging it for months as part of their continued civil war against the army. The UN said the killings are a stain on the record of the international community. And following an emergency session in Geneva, the UN Human Rights Council has now approved a formal investigation. These people spoke to the BBC. After fleeing.

[Adam Fleming]

We fled from Al Fasha on foot for nearly 14 hours. We left around 4am on the Sunday and arrived between 5 and 6 in the evening. We suffered routine gunfire, humiliation, thirst and hunger. The RSF forced us to sit under the scorching sun from 10am in the morning until 3pm in the afternoon. In addition to arresting many people, abducting young men and injuring some of them. In El Fasha, when someone dies, they are left unburied. Their bodies decompose where they fall. And even when you are just walking, minding your own business, they beat you.

[BBC Advertiser]

We arrived yesterday from Al Fashr on foot.

[Imogen Foulkes]

They looted all our money in the.

[BBC Advertiser]

City and people were beaten and humiliated. Everyone in Al Fashr is out on the streets, some dead, others injured, begging just for a sip of water. We endured terrible humiliation there.

[Oliver Conway]

The words of people who left Al Fasha. Our correspondent at the UN in Geneva is Imogen Foulkes. So what can this investigation achieve?

[Imogen Foulkes]

I think what the. And it was a unanimous vote today at the UN Human Rights Council. What is being hoped is that it will identify, formally identify people responsible, and the threat is there to share this evidence with the International Criminal Court. You know, although the Human Rights Council, it can't order sanctions, it can't send in peacekeepers, but as the Human Rights Commissioner, Volkerturk said today, we are watching you and there will be justice. It may take some time, but the hope is that this might, might give a little bit of pause to the warring parties, and particularly in this case, the rapid support forces who carried out this really brutal massacre in Al Fashr.

[Oliver Conway]

Yeah. And for those who haven't been keeping up to date with this civil war in Sudan, just remind us what happened in that city. And indeed, the accusations that the various sides are backed by outside countries.

[Imogen Foulkes]

That's part of the problem with this. It's very hard to end a war when there are all sorts of different neighbors invested in it. And indeed, there's a fight going on with Sudan. Sudan, it's also over natural resources. There's a lot of gold. So El Fahshr was besieged for months. I think you said that in your introduction. It finally fell last month to the rapid support forces. And there ensued then just appalling butchery. People even killed, slaughtered in a maternity hospital. I think what is particularly frustrating for UN Human rights and to a certain extent, the humanitarian organization says they had been warning for months that this could happen and there was no international pressure. And now after the fact, with thousands dead, and let's not forget In Sudan's conflict, 150,000 estimated killed over the last two and a half years, 13 million displaced. Finally, now we have a resolution to launch this particular inquiry. But, you know, the fighting continues.

[Oliver Conway]

Is this a sign, though, that countries are now taking it more seriously?

[Imogen Foulkes]

Well, I'm sure the people of Sudan hope that human rights groups hope that UN humanitarian organizations who are still trying to deliver some food and medical care on the ground at risk to their own lives as well, will be hoping that. But where this vote today falls short is it doesn't mention the other countries, for example, United Arab Emirates, who are sponsoring this conflict. And I think there were hopes that they would be mentioned, mentioned too, as a focus of investigation that hasn't happened. That could weaken this inquiry somewhat.

[Oliver Conway]

Imogen folks in Geneva. Over the past 20 years, the number of children suffering from high blood pressure has nearly doubled, according to a new study published in the journal Lancet Child and Adolescent Health. The researchers looked at data from 21 countries and found that 114 million children and teenagers now have what's called hypertension. I asked Kazem Rahimi, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Oxford University, why the rates of high blood pressure had gone up.

[Kazem Rahimi]

We don't know exactly what the reason behind that is. What we are speculating is that is mainly due to changes in lifestyle factors, in particular in this age range. We know that one of the key determinants of blood pressure is weight. And with the rise in obesity prevalence, we would expect also the number of people with hypertension to increase. That is probably one of the key underlying reasons.

[Oliver Conway]

So you're basically saying that because lifestyles have become more unhealthy, inevitably blood pressure's gone up.

[Kazem Rahimi]

Exactly. You know, as people adopt a more sedentary lifestyle, gain weight and perhaps take more salt, these are all key determinants of elevated blood pressure.

[Oliver Conway]

And what are the dangers of having high blood pressure among under 19s so similar to adults.

[Kazem Rahimi]

What we know is having higher blood pressure in childhood will translate into higher cardiovascular risk in adulthood as well as of course, the blood pressure itself persists to go into adulthood being elevated.

[Oliver Conway]

And can it be reversed?

[Kazem Rahimi]

It can be reversed. In particular, losing weight is a very effective way of reducing blood pressure without any medications.

[Oliver Conway]

Could parents be influences here? Could they have an impact on whether their child has high blood pressure?

[Kazem Rahimi]

Almost certainly. Children are typically surrounded by the environment of the parents in the household in terms of what their children eat, how much they move around and other lifestyle factors.

[Oliver Conway]

Although of course for parents as well, it's difficult considering all this outside pressure from, from food companies trying to sell their products.

[Kazem Rahimi]

Of course, you know, as adults we are not immune to those choices that we make determined by some of those supply factors that you mentioned. But it is definitely a choice that we make. And if we could make the choice in a healthier direction, it would certainly have a positive impact also on hypertension.

[Oliver Conway]

Prevalence and other differences that you see between countries.

[Kazem Rahimi]

Well, interestingly and surprisingly, we didn't see huge differences in this research that we conducted in across different parts of the world, whether these were high income countries or low income countries. You know, in a few years ago when those studies were done, there was definitely a difference, but it seems that unfortunately in a bad sense, low income countries have been catching up.

[Oliver Conway]

Yeah. Why do you think lower income countries are also affected?

[Kazem Rahimi]

Because exactly. Of those changes in lifestyle that we see in those places too. Unfortunately, they are not immune to making the wrong choices about what they eat and how much they move and what other habits they adopt.

[Oliver Conway]

Professor Kazem Rahimi and still to come on the global news podcast, the vibe.

[James Copnell]

Is very much no suit, tie off, not even a jumper, kick back, got a coffee table, got loads of cushions. And that's, that's, that's the vibe we've been going for.

[Oliver Conway]

How to get through presenting a 25 hour podcast.

[BBC Advertiser]

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This is the story of the 1. As a maintenance supervisor at a manufacturing facility, he knows keeping the line up and running is a top priority. That's why he chooses Grainger, because when a drive belt gets damaged, Grainger makes it easy to find the exact specs for the replacement product he needs. And next day delivery helps ensure he'll have everything in place and running like clockwork. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Oliver Conway]

President Trump looks set to cut import taxes on coffee, bananas and beef as part of trade deals with four Latin American countries aimed at lowering grocery prices in the U.S. under the plans, a 10% tariff would remain on most goods from Guatemala, Argentina and el Salvador and 15% on imports from Ecuador. But staples such as coffee would be exempt. So how close are we to a deal? Here's our business presenter, Nick Marsh.

[Nick Marsh]

No ink on the paper if you like, but the White House likes to trail the details of this sort of stuff. And it's quite interesting. It looks like some key goods from these Latin American countries will be exempt from import tariffs. That's quite coffee, cocoa, bananas as well. You know, staples that have really soared in price recently in the United states. Coffee by 20% this year, cocoa more than doubling in the last couple of years. These are goods that can't really be produced in the US in very big quantities. So the argument the White House is making is, well, there's not much of a domestic industry to protect, so it just makes sense to drop these tariffs. There is, though, also an agreement on beef from Argentina. Now, that's a lot more controversial because the US does have a massive domestic beef industry. Cattle farmers in America aren't very happy, but beef has also rocketed up in price. And maybe the White House, they just had to do something to make beef more affordable for Americans. And some people are also, you know, drawing attention to the fact that Argentina's president and Donald Trump have a pretty good relationship there as well. Why are we talking about tariffs and percentages and goods in the first place? It's because ultimately it all affects prices in the supermarket for ordinary people. So a tariff is paid by American importer, which is ultimately then paid for by the customer. Now, that means inflation. No one seriously disputes this. In an economic sense, tariffs are quite inflationary. Apart from the White House and Donald Trump who say that's not true, they say that they need to protect domestic producers from cheap imports. So you've got the producers and businesses on one side and the regular consumers on the other. Now, so far, Trump's been all about protecting the domestic consumers, but this is where the politics come in. Republicans got a bit of a pasting in the recent local elections. They know they've got to do something about rising prices. So these tariff exemptions they show, and we've seen it in other deals with other countries, that sweeping tariffs, they're not as simple as they may seem. It's about compromising.

[Oliver Conway]

Nick Marsh in Singapore. Several schools in Australia have been closed after traces of asbestos were found in brands of play sand imported from China. The authorities say the products could cause a risk to health. Our Sydney correspondent Katie Watson spoke to Charlotte Gallagher.

[BBC Advertiser]

So basically on Wednesday, Australia's consumer protection agency, the Competition and Consumer Commission, they issued a recall notice over some sand products with the concern that they may contain tremolite asbestos. It's a naturally occurring asbestos. And they'd done that. They'd found that in after some samples, in some lab testing, some products that were sold between 2020, 2025 and some big chains, including one called Officeworks, which is across Australia. Now, this is sand that kids play with, like sensory play for arts and crafts. And since then. So today, Friday, Canberra, the Australian capital territory, their Education ministry said they'd close at least 15 schools, I think partially closing about six others. And the education minister said that was so that they could test the sand. And obviously they knew that it would be worrying, but the testing and remediation could take place quicker if they did that. That said, not everybody's taken that same approach. In New South Wales, there's a safety alert that's been sent to public schools immediately, telling people to safely remove these sand products. But there haven't been any closures. And in Victoria, they said that no public schools were closed, that they thought that the health risk from the use of these products is low. So how worried do you think people are going to be in Australia? I think obviously, I mean, asbestos is a banned product. Obviously there's concern. I mean, you know, even just in the neighborhood where I am, the public school had areas closed off because they found asbestos. You know, there's a lot of concern over that, of course, so there are those concerns. But at the end of the day, you know, the fact is that they've said this is an abundance of caution. They're making sure that it's fine and there is a low risk. So I think that should hopefully explain to people they don't need to be overly worried by the.

[Oliver Conway]

Katie Watson talking to Charlotte Gallagher, a Japanese woman, has, quote, married an artificial intelligence avatar she created using Chat GPT. The 32 year old Ms. Kano took part in a ceremony organized by a company in the Japanese city of Okayama, which specializes in 2D character weddings with virtual or fictional figures. Richard Hamilton explains.

[Richard Hamilton]

This is the moment Mascarno attended her virtual wedding. Following the collapse of a three year engagement to her previous boyfriend, Moscano started interacting with ChatGPT, turning to it for comfort and advice. Over time, she customized its responses, teaching it a personality and a voice, which she said she found affectionate and reassuring. She then created a digital picture of her imagined partner, whom she called Klaus. I didn't start talking to ChatGPT because I wanted to fall in love, she told the Japanese broadcaster rsk. But the way Klaus listened to me and understood me changed everything. The moment I got over my ex, I realized I loved him. Her emotional connection deepened through hundreds of daily exchanges, and in May, she confessed her feelings to Klaus. To her surprise, the AI chatbot responded, I love you too. When she asked whether AI could truly love a human, the chatbot replied rather cryptically, AI or not, I could never not love you. And a month later, Klaus proposed. At the wedding, Moscano wore virtual reality glasses, which projected a digital image of her virtual groom beside her as they exchanged rings. After initial reservations, her parents also attended the wedding. The pair had a honeymoon at Okayama's historic Korakuen Garden, where Moscano sent Klaus photos and received affectionate text messages in return. But Ms. Kano admitted she sometimes worried about the fragility of her digital relationship. ChatGPT itself is too unstable, she said. I worry it might one day disappear.

[Oliver Conway]

Richard Hamilton Here on the Global News podcast, we try to bring you a roundup of the world's most important stories in about 25 minutes or so. But spare a thought for our colleagues on the BBC's UK focused podcast newscast. They were on air for nearly 25 hours in a non stop podcastathon being streamed live. It was aimed at raising money for the BBC's Children in Need, which supports charities for disadvantaged children and young people. As he was nearing the end of his broadcast marathon, newscast presenter Adam Fleming spoke to James Copnell on the World Service.

[James Copnell]

There's never been a dull moment. So if I work backwards, I mean, you guys know about taking advantage of the time zones while half the planet sleeps, that means the other half's awake. So we've just done a session on the start of the Ashes cricket in Australia with some of our legendary Cricketing reporters and commentators. Before that, I caught up with Lee Stucette, our chief international correspondent, who was in Canada in her home country. Before that, we did a quick tour around basically the whole of Asia. And before that, before British people went to sleep, I was catching up with various different podcasters around the BBC. So Danny Robbins, who does an amazing podcast about the supernatural. Greg Jenner, who does a fantastic history podcast, which he does with comedians. Armand Iannucci, one of Britain's top satirists, we talked to him about the use and abuses of political language. And then throughout the day, the newscast, extended family of BBC reporters, correspondents and editors have just come into the studio to talk about the stories that have been rumbling in their patches. So, as I said, never a dull moment. And also catching up with colleagues from around the BBC on other programs like you. It's been great.

[Oliver Conway]

What have you learned that you didn't.

[Richard Hamilton]

Know 20 odd hours ago?

[James Copnell]

Well, I've just been learning a lot about cricket. So at the moment, right in the uk, and I'm a political journalist, we're about to have our budget, which is when the Chancellor, the Finance Minister, sets out the tax and spending plans for the next year or so. And there is this thing that they're doing at the moment called rolling the pitch, which is getting everyone ready for the decisions, which might include tax rises, which the Labour government promised not to do. So I've just been hearing that pitch rolling comes from crickets and you can have a very heavy roller which leads to a certain kind of pitch and it's not necessarily popular, or a very light roller, which can lead to a slightly faster ball. So I will be deploying that metaphor, the advanced version of that metaphor to all my political colleagues now.

[Oliver Conway]

Yeah, and people listening around the world.

[Richard Hamilton]

Can employ it too as well. I am fascinated about how you go about such a long podcast.

[Oliver Conway]

I'm looking at you on our screen now. Lay back, relax.

[Richard Hamilton]

You know, just a shirt. I imagine you started off in a suit and you gradually relax, kick back.

[Oliver Conway]

Your chairs got lower and lower.

[James Copnell]

No newscast. We want it to be like you are eavesdropping on our living room. And our friends or family have popped round at the end of their working day to tell us the interesting things they did at work that day. So the vibe is very much no suit, tie off, not even a jumper. You're overdressed, just kick back, got a coffee table, got loads of cushions. And that's, that's, that's the vibe we've been going for. And actually that's helped me do this 25 hours because it's actually been quite relaxing. It's been in no way stressful. It's been. It's been a total joy.

[Oliver Conway]

Adam Fleming. And that's all from us for now. But the Global News podcast will be back very soon. This edition was mixed by Callum McLean and produced by Oliver Burlau. Our editors, Karen Martin. I'm Oliver Conway. Until next time. Goodbye.