Global News Podcast (BBC World Service)

Episode: Russian general dies in Moscow explosion

Date: December 22, 2025

Host: Celia Hatton

Episode Overview

This episode covers a range of major global news stories with a focus on breaking developments and deeper analysis:

• The killing of a senior Russian general in a car bomb attack in Moscow, with discussion on its implications for the war with Ukraine.
• Ongoing border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, and the complexities behind recent failed peace negotiations.
• A sweeping cybercrime crackdown across Africa, resulting in hundreds of arrests.
• An Indonesian climate lawsuit against Swiss cement giant Holcim.
• Personal stories from Ukrainian soldiers at the front, buoyed by a global Secret Santa initiative.
• Economic insights on record gold prices and the impact of trade wars, leading to the Jim Beam distillery shutdown.
• Celebrating the centenary of Winnie the Pooh.

Key Stories and Insights

1. Russian General Killed in Moscow Explosion

[01:36–05:56]

• Incident Details:

  • Lt. Gen. Fanil Salavadov, head of Russia's Operational Training Department, died after a car bomb explosion in Moscow.
  • A neighbor described panic and confusion:

    “I saw policemen, firefighters and ambulances arriving. I thought somebody needed help so I went outside and asked the neighbors…” – Eyewitness (02:43)

  • Investigation is ongoing, with Russian authorities quickly blaming Ukrainian intelligence, though other scenarios are being considered.

• Context and Analysis:

  • This is the third high-ranking Russian general killed by explosions inside Russia within a year, as noted by Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg, who visited the crime scene.
  • The incident reflects how the conflict with Ukraine "has sort of come to the Russian capital." – Steve Rosenberg (03:50)
  • Possible motivations: to damage the Russian military leadership or demonstrate Ukraine's reach.
  • Rosenberg points to parallels with previous assassinations, such as that of Gen. Igor Kirillov.

• Quote:

  “We’re now almost four years into Russia’s war in Ukraine. And in a sense, the war has sort of come to the Russian capital.”
  — Steve Rosenberg (03:50)

2. Thailand–Cambodia Border Conflict: Failed Peace and Renewed Talks

[05:56–08:21]

• Peace Deal Unravels:

  • Recent fighting continues despite an October peace deal, brokered alongside Donald Trump.
  • Thailand’s foreign minister criticized the rushed nature of the original agreement, suggesting it was orchestrated to accommodate Trump's schedule.

• Diplomatic Dynamics:

  • Thailand openly rebuffed Trump’s claim of brokering a ceasefire.
  • The two nations will return to talks under the bilateral General Border Commission.

• ASEAN Implications:

  • The situation is unprecedented in ASEAN’s 58-year history.
  • Thailand’s actions are seen as undermining the organization’s tradition of peaceful dispute resolution.

• Quote:

  “The Thais were very unhappy with it...Thailand will start to scale down. The Thai military has gained small amounts of territory but significant advantage.”
  — Jonathan Head (07:25)

3. Massive Cybercrime Crackdown Across Africa

[08:21–11:27]

• Operation Sentinel:

  • Interpol-coordinated action spanned 19 countries, resulting in nearly 600 arrests and millions of dollars recovered.

• Types of Crimes:

  • Business email compromise, digital extortion, and ransomware were the main focus areas.
  • A highlighted case involved a fraud network mimicking fast-food brands, defrauding over 200 victims of $400,000 (Ghana–Nigeria).

• Impact:

  • Cybercrime now comprises an estimated 30% of reported crimes in East and West Africa.
  • Operations and cases were reported in Senegal, South Africa, Benin, and more.

• Quote:

  “Cybercrime...accounts for what they estimate to be 30% of all reported crimes in east and West Africa. And so it’s something that they’re taking very seriously.”
  — Mayeni Jones (09:56)

4. Indonesian Islanders Take on Swiss Cement Giant over Climate Change

[11:27–15:56]

• Landmark Case:

  • Four Indonesian islanders are suing Holcim in Switzerland, blaming its emissions for raising sea levels and damaging livelihoods.

• Industry’s Role:

  • “Cement production could be up to about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. So it's a huge, huge contributor.”
    — Isabella Kaminski (12:19)

• Legal Challenge:

  • Plaintiffs must prove a causal chain from Holcim’s emissions to local climate impacts.
  • Holcim argues the case is a matter for policymakers, not courts, and that its emissions are only a small part of the global total.

• Outlook:

  • Even sympathetic courts elsewhere have not held companies directly liable, but legal momentum may be shifting.

• Quote:

  “These cases are slow...But they can help to draw attention to the problem. And perhaps one day they can help people who need the compensation for real, tangible changes.”
  — Isabella Kaminski (15:38)

5. Ukraine War: Frontline Morale Boosted by Secret Santa Scheme

[18:32–22:30]

• Personal Stories from the War Zone:

  • Ukrainian soldiers receive gifts from a global Secret Santa program, lifting morale during the fourth wartime Christmas.

  • Arslan, the founder, shared the emotional toll on civilians and soldiers:

    “People are tired. If we are tired, so how tired are the soldiers? But this is the main reason we should do so.”
    — Arslan, founder (19:51)

  • Irina, a Kyiv resident, buys practical gifts for a soldier:

    “He just wrote that he wants something warm...I hope that it will help someone to survive.”
    — Irina (20:48, 21:22)

  • Vlad, a soldier in Donbass, notes the tangible emotional support:

    “Presents from Secret Santa are something that lift troops spirits. So of course we're waiting for our gifts.”
    — Vlad (21:55)

6. Record Gold Prices and Economic Uncertainty

[22:30–24:44]

• Surge in Gold (and Silver) Prices:

  • Gold hit over $4,420/oz, a 68% rise in the past year – the largest since 1979.
  • Silver is up 138%, due to both safe-haven demand and industrial use.

• Reasons:

  • Lower US interest rates, poor returns on other assets, global economic pessimism, geopolitical risks (including Venezuela blockade, US-China rivalry), and central bank purchases.

• Quote:
  > “At times of uncertainty, gold is seen as a solid and stable asset. You can hold it, you can put it in your vaults. Its value doesn't tend to decline long term.”
  — Theo Leggett (23:17)

7. Jim Beam Distillery Halts Production amid Trade War

[24:44–28:36]

• Shutdown Causes:

  • American whiskey giant Jim Beam will halt its main distillery in Kentucky for 2026, citing trade uncertainty from Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada.
  • Lowered whiskey sales also tied to Canadian boycotts and high domestic taxes.

• Broader Fallout:

  • The complex process of planning multi-year alcohol production is upended by tariff unpredictability.
  • Similar disruption seen in automaking and other industries requiring long-term planning.

• Quote:
  > “One of the reasons is tariffs and the trade war... But we're also still living in a cost of living crisis. Prices are still high and...people, consumers are pulling back on spending on things like alcohol.”
  — Siranjara Tiwari (25:57)

8. Winnie the Pooh Turns 100

[28:36–31:54]

• Centenary of A.A. Milne’s Beloved Character:

  • Original “Winnie the Pooh and the Bees” story published on Christmas Eve 1925 in London’s Evening News and broadcast on the BBC the following day.
  • Alan Bennett reads a passage – “These are the wrong sort of bees.”

• Universal Appeal:

  • Winnie the Pooh continues to enjoy global popularity:

    “Sales of Winnie the Pooh books are 60% up on last year. Harper Collins new centenary editions are walking off the shelves like hot lamingtons. It’s absolutely extraordinary...”
    — Frank Cottrell Boyce (31:12)

  • The books’ themes of innocence, kindness, and identity resonate internationally, transcending their English roots.

• Quote:

  “Are you a miserable Eeyore, are you a too bouncy Tigger, or are you a Pooh? Pooh is more complicated than all of them...But Pooh is easy to identify with.”
  — Frank Cottrell Boyce and Mayeni Jones (30:50–30:58)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote (abridged for clarity) | |------------|------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:50 | Steve Rosenberg | "The war has sort of come to the Russian capital." | | 07:25 | Jonathan Head | “The Thais were very unhappy...Thailand will start to scale down. The military has gained small amounts of territory.”| | 09:56 | Mayeni Jones | "Cybercrime...accounts for what they estimate to be 30% of all reported crimes in east and West Africa." | | 12:19 | Isabella Kaminski| "Cement production could be up to about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions." | | 15:38 | Isabella Kaminski| "These cases are slow...But they can help to draw attention to the problem." | | 19:51 | Arslan | "People are tired. If we are tired, so how tired are the soldiers?" | | 21:55 | Vlad (soldier) | "Presents from Secret Santa...lift troops spirits. So of course we're waiting for our gifts." | | 23:17 | Theo Leggett | "At times of uncertainty, gold is seen as a solid and stable asset." | | 25:57 | Siranjara Tiwari | "Tariffs and the trade war...people, consumers are pulling back on spending on things like alcohol." | | 31:12 | Frank C. Boyce | "Sales of Winnie the Pooh books are 60% up on last year...absolutely extraordinary." |

Episode Tone & Style

• Matter-of-fact, urgent, but human and empathetic, especially in features like the Ukrainian Secret Santa segment and the Winnie the Pooh celebration.
• Analytical and insightful, particularly in the business and political discussions.
• Accessible and global in perspective, aiming to inform listeners quickly and clearly on key international issues.

For further listening and updates, search for “BBC News Global News Podcast” on your preferred platform or visit bbc.co.uk.