Global News Podcast (BBC World Service)

Episode: Six killed in Jerusalem shooting

Date: September 8, 2025
Host: Janat Jalil

Overview

This episode covers a series of breaking news events from around the globe, led by a deadly shooting in Jerusalem amid escalating conflict and diplomatic developments in the Middle East. Additional major stories include deadly protests in Nepal over a social media ban, political turmoil in France, immigration tensions in the U.S., a dramatic missing persons case in New Zealand, continued Thai-Cambodia border skirmishes, and the death of Supertramp's Rick Davies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jerusalem Shooting and Middle East Tensions

• Incident: Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a busy road junction in Jerusalem, killing at least six people before they were shot dead by Israeli security forces ([00:00]). The shooting was one of the deadliest in the city for years.
• Response:
  • Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu declared, "We are at war on multiple fronts." ([01:45])
  • National Security Minister and other politicians visited the site; security was tightened in Palestinian villages in the West Bank near Ramallah.
  • Israeli officials stated homes of attackers and suspected collaborators may face demolition or punitive measures ([02:48]).
  • Hamas did not claim responsibility but publicly congratulated the attackers, calling it retribution for Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
• Ceasefire Developments: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced readiness to accept Donald Trump’s new ceasefire proposal, provided that Hamas releases 48 hostages and surrenders arms ([02:12]).
  • Quote: “We are ready to accept a full deal that would end the war... The return of our hostages... Hamas must lay down its arms.” – Gideon Sa’ar ([02:12])
  • Details of the Trump plan were unclear at the time, with Hamas yet to formally respond ([05:16]).

2. Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

• UNICEF Warning: Famine is spreading in Gaza, especially affecting children. Over 7,000 under-fives treated for acute malnutrition in two weeks ([05:51]).
• On-the-Ground Testimony: Tess Ingram (UNICEF, Gaza) described families subsisting on shared bowls of rice or lentils, with severe impacts on children's health and development, and parents taking desperate measures to feed their children ([06:36], [08:43]).
  • Quote: “Parents are feeding small babies pieces of rice... soaking little bits of bread found in piles of rubbish... taking serious risks in a dangerous environment to get what little aid is available.” – Tess Ingram, UNICEF ([08:43])

3. Nepal Protests Over Social Media Ban

• Events: Anti-government demonstrations in Kathmandu turned violent after the government banned popular social media platforms, citing fake news and fraud ([09:28]).
• Casualties: At least 19 killed; government imposed wider curfews, deployed troops ([10:13]).
• Public Sentiment: Protesters ("Gen Z") cited corruption and suppression of free speech as root causes ([10:19]).
  • Quote: “Social media has been banned to silence our voice. So we came to raise our voice.” – Nepal protester ([10:14])
• Government Justification: Authorities wanted tech companies to establish local offices; critics saw it as an assault on freedom of expression ([11:48]).
• Regional Parallels: Fears government used heavy force to prevent uprisings similar to those in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh ([13:02]).

4. French Political Crisis & Rise of the Far Right

• Political Paralysis: PM Francois Bayrou faces a likely confidence vote defeat amid economic crisis, political deadlock, and public unrest ([13:57]).
• Socialist MP Arthur Delaport: Called for a left-wing government and more progressive taxation ([15:30]).
  • Quote: "We think that it's time for the President to give the left a try... to tax the very wealthy more..." – Arthur Delaport, MP ([15:44])
• Far Right Surge: At an agricultural fair, far right leader Jordan Bardella draws crowds, seen as a potential next Prime Minister or President ([16:07]), reflecting a broader European shift.
  • Analysis: Commentator Bruno Cortres urges President Macron to refocus on domestic affairs ([17:18]).

5. U.S.-South Korea Immigration Clash

• Immigration Raid: Nearly 500 workers, mostly South Koreans, were detained in a raid on a Hyundai factory in Georgia, U.S. ([18:29]).
• Diplomatic Fallout: South Korean Foreign Minister heads to Washington to negotiate worker release. Some seek to stay in the U.S. ([19:08]).
  • Quote: “Given that South Korea is such a key ally... this has all happened in this way is... deeply regrettable.” – Jean MacKenzie, BBC Seoul ([20:25])

6. New Zealand Manhunt Ends in Tragedy

• Background: Tom Phillips, missing four years after fleeing a custody dispute with his three children, is killed in a police shootout after an armed burglary ([21:21]).
• Aftermath: All three children found unharmed but traumatized after years on the run and survival in remote camps ([22:14], [23:14]).
• Ongoing Questions: Long-standing mystery over how Phillips evaded police with children for so long ([23:05]).

7. Cambodia-Thailand Border Dispute

• Recent Conflict: A fragile ceasefire follows deadly skirmishes and border closures; thousands displaced ([23:56]).
• Economic Impact: Cambodian governor claims $1 million/day loss from closed border ([25:42]).
• Cambodian Perspective: Emphasis on peace and international law.
  • Quote: “We want to just maintain what we have from what the international law have delimited at our borders...” – Suat Yara, Cambodian People’s Party ([26:16])
  • Local Sentiment: "Our people want peace, right? They want [the border] open." – Cambodian governor ([25:39])
• Underlying Reality: Evidence points to Cambodian escalation, possibly instigated by leaders’ political maneuvering ([26:27]).

8. Obituary: Rick Davies, Supertramp Founder

• Death at 81: Supertramp co-founder died at home after a decade-long illness ([28:03]).
• Music Legacy: Remembered for hits like ‘Bloody Well Right’ and the multi-platinum album ‘Breakfast in America’ ([28:23])

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Benjamin Netanyahu:

  “These murders and attacks on all fronts do not weaken us. They only strengthen our determination to accomplish the missions we have set for ourselves…” ([01:45])

• Gideon Sa’ar (Israel’s Foreign Minister):

  “We are ready to accept a full deal that would end the war... The return of our hostages... Hamas must lay down its arms.” ([02:12])

• Tess Ingram (UNICEF):

  “Parents really are doing everything… exhausting all of their coping mechanisms. They're feeding small babies pieces of... rice they've ground up... one mother told me she was soaking little bits of bread... in water to make a paste for her infant.” ([08:43])

• Nepal Protester:

  “Social media has been banned to silence our voice. So we came to raise our voice.” ([10:14])

• Arthur Delaport (French MP):

  “We think that it's time for the President to give the left a try, because we will have a different method...” ([15:44])

• Suat Yara (Cambodian People’s Party):

  "We want to just maintain what we have from what the international law have delimited at our borders and we accept..." ([26:16])

Key Timestamps for Segments

• Shooting in Jerusalem, Netanyahu response: 00:00–03:41
• Ceasefire proposal, Israeli/Hamas positions: 02:02–05:51
• UNICEF on Gaza famine: 05:51–09:28
• Nepal protests/social media ban: 09:28–13:25
• France political crisis: 13:25–17:53
• Georgia factory immigration raid: 18:29–20:42
• New Zealand Tom Phillips case: 20:42–23:56
• Cambodia-Thailand border report: 23:56–28:03
• Rick Davies obituary: 28:03–29:07

Memorable Moments

• The harrowing account of malnutrition and parental desperation from within Gaza ([08:43]).
• Scenes of youth-led protest and fatal clashes in Kathmandu over digital rights and anti-corruption ([10:14]).
• The collapse of trust in French government, with a historic parliament deadlock and far-right surge ([15:44], [16:07]).
• The recovery of three missing children in New Zealand and their years-long ordeal ([22:14], [23:14]).

This episode provided an immersive sweep across urgent global headlines, with deep dives into the human and political dimensions behind each news item.