Talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Qatar

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary
BBC World Service – January 15, 2025
Episode: Talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Qatar
Host: Andrew Peach

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1. Ceasefire Talks Between Israel and Hamas

Overview:
Andrew Peach opens the episode with the optimistic news that indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Qatar are nearing a ceasefire agreement. BBC correspondent Jonah Fisher in Jerusalem provides detailed insights into the progress and challenges of these talks.

Key Points:

• Progress in Negotiations:
  Jonah Fisher reports that the primary issues have been largely resolved, with only technical details remaining.
  “An Israeli spokesman this morning talked of hundreds of little details which have to be sorted out, the sort of technical details that suggest that we have a deal in the offing.” [01:58]

• Political Tensions:
  Within Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's cabinet, there is opposition from right-wing, ultra-nationalist members who fear the ceasefire could be seen as a surrender to Hamas.
  “They think it's in one case a catastrophe, another one talking about it being a surrender to Hamas.” [02:45]

• Impact on Civilians:
  The anticipated ceasefire is crucial for the residents of Gaza, who continue to endure daily bombardments, and for the families of Israeli hostages.
  Jonah emphasizes the human aspect:
  “The only thing I can do is to speak about this where the hope of spiritual breakthroughs leaves people vulnerable to exploitation.” [05:54]

Personal Stories:

• Sanibel in Gaza City:
  A 17-year-old living in a partially destroyed home expresses hope for the ceasefire.
  “I can’t believe that I’m still alive. Witness this moment of a ceasefire in my city.” [05:01]

• Sharon Lifschitz and Yael Calderon:
  Relatives of hostages share their anguish and hope for a successful deal.
  Sharon Lifschitz:
  “My father is somewhere in Khan Yunis, about two miles from our home. I don’t know if he’s dead or alive.” [05:49]
  Yael Calderon:
  “We want this deal to include all the hostages, all the 98 hostages. Just come home, please.” [06:40]

2. US Defense Secretary Nominee Faces Senate Hearing

Overview:
Donald Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, faces a contentious Senate confirmation hearing amid numerous controversies.

Key Points:

• Controversial Nominee:
  Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News presenter with military experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, is under scrutiny for his views on diversity and allegations of misconduct.
  “A variety of sources, including your own writings, implicate you with disregarding the laws.” [07:50]

• Senate Hearing Highlights:
  Hegseth accused left-wing media of fabricating stories about him while emphasizing a return to a “warrior culture” in the Department of Defense.
  Pete Hegseth:
  “When President Trump chose me for this position, the primary charge he gave me was to bring the warrior culture back to the Department of Defense.” [08:02]

• Opposition and Support:
  Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand criticized Hegseth’s stance on women in the military, highlighting the current role of women in combat.
  Senator Kirsten Gillibrand:
  “We have hundreds of women who are currently in the infantry, lethal members of our military serving in the infantry, but you degrade them.” [08:40]

• Potential Outcome:
  Despite the controversies, political pressure from Trump’s allies may secure Hegseth’s appointment.

3. US Removes Cuba from Terrorism Sponsor List

Overview:
President Biden announces the removal of Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, signaling a potential thaw in US-Cuba relations.

Key Points:

• Diplomatic Implications:
  This move aims to facilitate the release of detained protesters and normalize relations between the US and Cuba.
  Ione Wells:
  “This decision is also significant because it can be seen as a step towards normalizing relations between Cuba and the US.” [09:35]

• Economic Impact:
  The removal may help alleviate Cuba's economic struggles by attracting foreign investment and easing banking operations.
  “Major banks and foreign investors have struggled to operate there legally.” [09:35]

• Political Reactions:
  Marco Rubio, a prominent advocate for sanctions on Cuba, expresses skepticism about the longevity of this policy change under potential Trump administration influence.
  “His family left the country in the 1950s before the communist revolution that put Fidel Castro in power.” [10:28]

4. EU's Crackdown on African Migration

Overview:
In response to thousands of Sub-Saharan Africans attempting to reach Europe via North Africa, the EU has forged agreements with several North African nations to curb irregular migration, leading to harsh conditions for migrants.

Key Points:

• Migration Challenges:
  Human rights groups condemn the brutal treatment of migrants, while authorities deny these allegations.
  Alex Last:
  “There are people that are being pulled over for curfew breaches as well as looting.” [14:14]

• Stories of Returnees:
  Migrants like Alaji Fai and Yael Calderon share harrowing experiences of attempted journeys and forced returns.
  Yael Calderon:
  “We went two times in a sea, the same boat, but we couldn’t succeed.” [11:45]

• Impact on Communities:
  Returnees face economic despair and social stigma, with support groups like Youth Against Irregular Migration working to provide psychosocial assistance.
  Yael Calderon:
  “First thing that we need as reintegration is our mental state because we’ve been traumatized.” [14:14]

5. Wildfires Threaten Los Angeles

Overview:
Los Angeles faces severe wildfires, with the Palisades and Eaton fires posing significant threats amid forecasted high winds that could exacerbate the situation.

Key Points:

• Fire Management Efforts:
  The LA Fire Department deploys over 5,000 personnel, utilizing 500 engines and extensive aerial support to contain the fires.
  Sheila Kelleher Berko:
  “We have over 5,000 personnel fighting this fire. 500 engines, 115 camp crews, tons of dozers, lots of water tenders and plenty of aerial support.” [20:39]

• Challenges Due to Weather:
  High winds, potentially reaching 45 mph, threaten to undermine firefighting efforts by grounding aerial units.
  Sheila Kelleher Berko:
  “Once you get over about 45 mph winds, it gets very tricky.” [20:10]

• Community Impact:
  The fires have led to evacuations, with search and rescue operations ongoing to locate missing persons and ensure public safety.
  Gary O'Donoghue:
  “There’s a lot of focus obviously on the people who want to get back to what’s left of their homes.” [21:29]

6. Egyptian Activist Alar Abdel Fattah’s Imprisonment

Overview:
British-Egyptian activist Alar Abdel Fattah remains imprisoned despite completing his five-year sentence. His mother, Leila Sweef, has been on a hunger strike, urging UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to intervene.

Key Points:

• Imprisonment Details:
  Alar Abdel Fattah was convicted in 2021 for allegedly spreading false news and has been denied release by Egyptian authorities.
  Leila Sweef:
  “He felt very helpless sitting there in prison. And from his point of view, nothing is happening at all.” [22:53]

• Mother’s Activism:
  Leila Sweef has been protesting daily, visiting Downing Street to appeal for her son's release.
  Leila Sweef:
  “I know the Egyptian system that nothing will move and nothing will happen until Mr. CC gives the green light for it to happen.” [23:57]

• Diplomatic Efforts:
  Leila believes Prime Minister Starmer has the power to influence President Sisi of Egypt to secure her son's freedom.
  Leila Sweef:
  “I'm sure Mr. Starmer will find a way of persuading Mr. Sisi to actually release Allah.” [24:55]

7. Starbucks Implements New Entry Policy

Overview:
Starbucks has revised its entry policy in the US, requiring customers to make a purchase to enter their coffee shops. This change aims to create a safer and more welcoming environment for customers and employees.

Key Points:

• Policy Change Details:
  The new code of conduct mandates that patrons must buy something to use the store and its facilities, including bathrooms.
  Heather Haddon:
  “These cafes are for people who are patrons, not necessarily just hanging out with no purpose.” [26:39]

• Rationale Behind the Change:
  CEO Brian Niccol aims to enhance the cafe environment by preventing misuse of Starbucks spaces and addressing past incidents that tarnished the brand's image.
  Heather Haddon:
  “They have to make our cafe safe and welcoming environments for them and our employees.” [26:47]

• Broader Social Implications:
  Critics argue that this policy reflects a lack of public "third spaces" like libraries, which serve as communal hubs for those in need.
  Heather Haddon:
  “There needs to be other places for these folks... their cafes can’t just be drop-in centers.” [27:37]

• Global Impact:
  While currently limited to North America, the likelihood of this policy being adopted globally is low.
  Heather Haddon:
  “Probably unlikely... this 2018 policy of access to all was only in North America.” [28:15]

Market Impact:

• Addressing Declining Sales:
  Starbucks is implementing these changes to counteract declining sales and traffic, aiming to revive the traditional café atmosphere.
  Heather Haddon:
  “They’ve had several quarters now of drops in sales and drops in traffic and transaction.” [28:28]

Conclusion

The January 15, 2025, episode of the Global News Podcast by BBC World Service, hosted by Andrew Peach, provided an in-depth analysis of several critical global issues. From the hopeful progress in Middle Eastern ceasefire talks to contentious political nominations in the US, and from migration crises in Africa to environmental challenges in Los Angeles, the podcast offered comprehensive coverage enriched with personal stories and expert insights. Additionally, significant socio-economic shifts in corporate policies, exemplified by Starbucks' new entry rules, highlighted broader societal changes. Each segment was supported by poignant quotes and firsthand accounts, ensuring listeners received a vivid and informative narrative of the day's top stories.

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Notable Quotes:

• Jonah Fisher:
  “This is the closest we've got, a ceasefire agreement of this nature since the war started 15 months ago.” [01:58]

• Sharon Lifschitz:
  “My father is somewhere in Khan Yunis, about two miles from our home. I don’t know if he’s dead or alive.” [05:49]

• Pete Hegseth:
  “When President Trump chose me for this position, the primary charge he gave me was to bring the warrior culture back to the Department of Defense.” [08:02]

• Leila Sweef:
  “I’m sure Mr. Starmer will find a way of persuading Mr. Sisi to actually release Allah.” [24:55]

• Heather Haddon:
  “These cafes are for people who are patrons, not necessarily just hanging out with no purpose.” [26:39]

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For More Information:
To listen to the full episode, visit BBC Global News Podcast.

Transcript

[Andrew Peach]

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the uk.

[Narrator]

World of Secrets is where untold stories are exposed. And in this new series we investigate the dark side of the wellness industry, following the story of a woman who joined a yoga school only to uncover a world she never expected. I feel that I have no other choice. The only thing I can do is to speak about this where the hope of spiritual breakthroughs leaves people vulnerable to exploitation.

[Andrew Peach]

You just get sucked in so gradually and it's done so skillfully that you don't realize.

[Narrator]

World of Secrets the Bad Guru Listen wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

[Andrew Peach]

This is the global News podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Andrew Peach and in the early hours of Tuesday 15th January, these are our main stories. Hopes remain high that a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is very close. Donald Trump's nominee for defense secretary appears before a Senate committee. President Biden is to remove Cuba from a list of countries the US considers state sponsors of terrorism. Also in this podcast, South Korean investigators clash with supporters of President Yoon Sung Yeol as they try to arrest him over his failed declaration of martial law. And why Starbucks in the US will no longer allow you to go into their coffee shops without buying anything.

[Heather Haddon]

I think this is a pretty common policy for retailers that you're supposed to buy something and these cafes are for people who are patrons, not necessarily just hanging out with no purpose, I guess.

[Andrew Peach]

Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas have been continuing in Qatar, with all parties saying a deal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza is closer than ever. Our correspondent Jonah Fisher is in Jerusalem.

[Jonah Fisher]

From what we understand, the major issues surrounding this agreement have largely been resolved, but it's now the details which are being discussed. An Israeli spokesman this morning talked of hundreds of little details which have to be sorted out, the sort of technical details that suggest that we have a deal in the offing. I think it should be said at this point that until everything is agreed, nothing is agreed. So this could still go wrong. But certainly the mood is that this is the closest we've got, a ceasefire agreement of this nature since the war started 15 months ago.

[Andrew Peach]

It'll be enormously difficult for the Israeli government having got to this point, if it falls apart, difficult with the Israeli public and particularly with the hostage families.

[Jonah Fisher]

There's a lot riding on this and there are voices within Prime Minister Netanyahu's cabinet who don't want this to happen. They've been very clear in the last couple of days to right wing, ultra nationalist members of the cabinet that they think it's in one case a catastrophe, another one talking about it being a surrender to Hamas, rather that the military effort continue in Gaza for a total victory. But I think the general mood is this is a country that feels like the war in Gaza has run its course, has probably gone on much too long, and that the time is ready for some sort of agreement to bring hostages home. I think, you know, it should be pointed out that even this agreement which is being discussed, it doesn't bring all of the remaining hostages home. They're talking about 33 hostages being part of the initial ceasefire and we're not even sure that all of those 33 are alive. So, yes, this is the start, a sort of temporary ceasefire that's being talked about. The release of all the hostages, the permanent ceasefire, discussions about what the status of a government might be in Gaza in the future. That's all been kicked down the road. If we get a first agreement, then there will have to be further talks to try and resolve those even more difficult issues.

[Andrew Peach]

Jonah Fisher with me from Jerusalem. Those most anxious for a deal are the hundreds of thousands of people living in Gaza, many still under daily bombardment, as well as the families of the Israeli hostages still being held there. The BBC has been in touch with several of them since the war began in October 2023 and asked them to record their thoughts at this time from Gaza. We heard from 17 year old Sanibel who's living with her family in their house in Gaza City which has been partially destroyed. And first Khalid, who's currently in Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip. All the people in Gaza Strip right now following the conference of the Qatar Foreign affairs waiting the declaration hoped the ceasefire will happen soon because they are.

[Sharon Lifschitz]

Suffering more and more.

[Andrew Peach]

The people at the south of Gaza.

[Sharon Lifschitz]

The big festival and blessing since one.

[Andrew Peach]

Week because the thing the ceasefire will be soon. Can't believe that I'm still alive. Witness this moment of a ceasefire in my city. I have been waiting for this with patented breathe.

[Leila Sweef]

Finally, first month of this year you.

[Andrew Peach]

Can even put your head on your pillow without worrying about everything in your life, without worrying about your family and your friends. And stop overthinking about these details because you are safe now and from Israel. Here are two of the relatives of hostages.

[Sharon Lifschitz]

My name is Sharon Lifschitz. I am the daughter of Yocheved and Oded Lifshitz. Both were taken hostage from Kibbutz Niroz on 7 October. My mom returned after 17 days. My father is still held hostage for 465 days. My father, 84, is somewhere in Khan Yunis, about two miles from our home. I can feel him there. I don't know if he's dead or alive. I don't know if he's been looked after. I don't know if he has received a hug in 465 days. I know we're desperate to have him back.

[Andrew Peach]

I'm Yael Calderon Ofer Calderon cousin who.

[Yael Calderon]

Has been held in the hell tunnels in Gaza.

[Andrew Peach]

We are hoping that the deal will be closed soon and we will reach the moment that we are hugging offer. If his four children will hug him, we will take care of him and we want this deal to include all the hostages, all the 98 hostages. Just come home, please. The latest on those ceasefire [e-mail] news Donald Trump's pick for the US defense secretary role, the former Fox News presenter Pete Hexseth has appeared at a Senate confirmation hearing which will decide whether he's suitable for the job. Mr. Hegseth, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, has had to defend his perceived lack of expertise and questions over his views on diversity and North America. Editor Sarah Smith was watching. Pete Hegseth was both a surprising and a controversial choice to be Donald Trump's defence secretary. There are so many controversies surrounding him. Many of those allegations were laid out by the leading Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, Jack Reid. A variety of sources, including your own writings, implicate you with disregarding the laws.

[Narrator]

Of war, financial mismanagement, racist and sexist.

[Andrew Peach]

Remarks about men and women in uniform.

[Narrator]

Alcohol abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment and other troubling issues.

[Andrew Peach]

Mr. Hegseth blamed the left wing media for stories about him he says are not true, saying he's concentrating on the job that he hopes is ahead of him. When President Trump chose me for this.

[Sheila Kelleher Berko]

Position, the primary charge he gave me.

[Andrew Peach]

Was to bring the warrior culture back to the Department of Defense. He, like me, once a Pentagon laser focused on lethality, meritocracy, war fighting, accountability and readiness. When are you going to stop homing in Gaza? The hearing was interrupted several times by protesters angry about the war in Gaza. Mr. Hegseth has said before that women should not serve in combat roles and has claimed that mums should not be in the military. That prompted criticism from the Democratic senator, Kirsten Gillibrand. We have hundreds, hundreds of women who are currently in the infantry, lethal members of our military serving in the infantry, but you degrade them. You say we don't want women in the military, especially in combat What a terrible statement. When Pete Hegseth was first named as Donald Trump's choice to head the Pentagon, it seemed unlikely he would be approved by the Senate. But a concerted campaign of political pressure on Republicans by Mr. Trump's allies means that despite all the controversies around him, he may well end up in charge of the whole of the American military. President Biden says the U.S. will remove its designation of Cuba from a list of countries considered state sponsors of terrorism. Let's get the story from our Latin America correspondent, Ione Wells.

[Narrator]

The immediate hope is that this move will lead to the release of some of the protesters who were detained after the brutal crackdown on huge anti government protests in Cuba over the nation's economic decline. But this decision is also significant because it can be seen as a step towards normalising relations between Cuba and the us, which could pave the way for dialogue on other contentious issues. It could also help Cuba's dire economic situation as some major banks and foreign investors have struggled to operate there legally. Cuba was last removed from the list under President Obama, but days before Donald Trump left office in 2021, his government placed Cuba back on it. It's unclear whether Mr. Trump will reverse this latest decision when he returns to office the President Elect's nomination as the next US Secretary of State. Marco Rubio has long advocated for sanctions on Cuba. His family left the country in the 1950s before the communist revolution that put Fidel Castro in power.

[Andrew Peach]

Each year, thousands of sub Saharan Africans try to get to Europe via North Africa. In response, the European Union has agreed deals with several North African nations to clamp down on irregular mig what some people call illegal migration. Human rights groups say the treatment of migrants can be brutal. Allegations the authorities deny. But some African migrants say they have no choice but to return home. Alex Last has been to the Gambia in West Africa where more than 3,000 people have come back in the last year.

[Sharon Lifschitz]

In a family compound on the sandy street near the Gambian capital Banjul, 20 year old Alaji Fai is coming to terms with the end of his dream. He had wanted to reach Europe. He'd risked his life to make the journey. But now he's ended up back where he started.

[Yael Calderon]

We don't want to come back. That's not our aim. Our aim is to enter to Europe. We want to help family. Some people might even say that this is a suicide mission. Poverty can make you to do anything. This way is the only way that I can help my family.

[Sharon Lifschitz]

After two years away with help from the un, he's Just returned from Tunisia. It was from there that he had hoped to cross the Mediterranean. Instead, he endured years of hardship that would have broken most.

[Yael Calderon]

We went two times in a sea, the same boat, but we couldn't succeed.

[Sharon Lifschitz]

The police, the navy intercepted you.

[Yael Calderon]

They just took our engine away. They took the engine and left us.

[Sharon Lifschitz]

They left you just adrift in the sea.

[Yael Calderon]

But we even showed that to them. We have a pregnant woman. Please, can you help us to get out? They said no. So we try our best to get out from the water. Some people went inside the water to push the boat. With the swimming, you will be swimming. And that's how we manage it. To get out from the sea. It was very difficult for us. More than five hours, six hours we are inside the sea.

[Sharon Lifschitz]

Even on land in North Africa, says Aladji, African migrants are not safe. Preyed upon by traffickers, criminal gangs and security forces, forced to live out of town in makeshift shelters, at risk of police raids, detention, abuse and deportation.

[Yael Calderon]

Sometimes they even came throwing the tear gases, burning our house. There was a time when police, they caught us, even want to throw us to the desert. But Alhamdulillah, I escaped.

[Sharon Lifschitz]

They wanted to drive you to the desert and leave you.

[Yael Calderon]

Yeah. They will be saying, Tunisia is not for black people. Go back to where you come from. That's how they treat us. Many people went there. They don't come back. A lot of people lost their life. But Alhamdulillah, I'm still alive.

[Sharon Lifschitz]

Tunisia denies it mistreats migrants. The EU says it wouldn't support human rights abuses, but it has done deals with North African nations, including Tunisia, to curb irregular migration. In the end, Alaji felt he had no choice but to come home. But it is hard for many returnees. The Gambia's population is mostly young. Jobs are scarce. Incomes are very low. Many leave in the hope of earning money for their families and have borrowed from family and friends to pay for the journey. So to come back empty handed can be devastating.

[Yael Calderon]

I feel embarrassment because I see myself like I'm a failure because my family lose a lot of money on me to go there and succeed.

[Sharon Lifschitz]

Taejan and his colleague Tom Bong are two of the leaders of Youth Against Irregular Migration, a group formed by returnees to warn others of the risks of taking the unofficial route to Europe. But they also help counsel each other, for many carry mental scars from all they've endured.

[Yael Calderon]

First thing that we need as reintegration is our mental state because we've been traumatized and still now some are living with that trauma. We give psychosocial support to one another. We talk to one another. At least feel like you are not.

[Andrew Peach]

Alone in the stress.

[Sharon Lifschitz]

For Elaji, who's just returned, there's certainly a lot to deal with. For the first time in two years, he's going to see his mum. She wraps him in her arms and won't let go. He starts crying too.

[Yael Calderon]

What's making me cry is that this was not my aim. This is not aim. I don't want to go and come back with empty handed. I'm very sad.

[Andrew Peach]

You can hear the full story of the Gambia's returning migrants on Assignment, the documentary podcast from the BBC World Service. And still to come, on our fire.

[Sheila Kelleher Berko]

Alone, We've got over 5,000 personnel fighting this fire. 500 engines, 115 camp crews, tons of dozers, lots of water tenders and plenty of aerial support.

[Andrew Peach]

Firefighters in LA prepare for the worst as forecasters warn of more high winds.

[Narrator]

World of Secrets is where untold stories are exposed. And in this new series we investigate the dark side of the wellness industry, following the story of a woman who joined a yoga school only to uncover a world she never expected. I feel that I have no other choice. The only thing I can do is to speak about this where the hope of spiritual breakthroughs leaves people vulnerable to exploitation.

[Andrew Peach]

You just get sucked in so gradually and it's done so skillfully that you don't realize.

[Narrator]

World of Secrets the Bad Guru Listen wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

[Andrew Peach]

As we record this podcast, investigators in South Korea are trying once more to arrest the country's suspended president, Yoon Sung Yeol. He's facing charges of insurrection and abuse of power. After imposing martial law for a short period in December, the President's security team thwarted an attempt by police to arrest him on the 3rd of January. I've been talking to our reporter in Seoul, Rachel Lee.

[Rachel Lee]

Now it's past 7am local time and the corruption investigation officers, backed by the police, have reportedly entered into the presidential residence. The corruption investigation officers and the Presidential Security Service faced off in front of the main gate for about an hour and 20 minutes. However, around 5.45am, police units began using force to push through the barricades and attempted to enter the residence. Now police are reportedly attempting to enter the compound through a nearby by Meibong Mountain hiking trail.

[Andrew Peach]

And does it look at this point as though they will be able in the end to execute the arrest warrant this time? Because last time they had to give up.

[Rachel Lee]

That's true. It's unsure how long this execution is going to take or whether it's actually going to success in the end. But around 10,000 officers were deployed to execute the arrest warrant, which is around eight times more than the first attempt where the police and the CIO retrieved after six hours of confrontation with the Presidential service. Additional vehicles were also deployed by the PSS to surround the compound to stop the arrest.

[Andrew Peach]

And just give me a bit of context here. This is a very politically turbulent time in South Korea. And in the end, we went through three presidents in two weeks. What started it all off? What's the arrest warrant for?

[Rachel Lee]

Right. It all started with December 3rd martial law declaration by the President Yoon Sung Yeol. And he then took back the martial law declaration about six hours later. And the Parliament, parliament voted to impeach him. And I mean the impeachment bill passed, but now it's up to a constitutional court whether to uphold the impeachment of the suspended president Yoon Sung Yeol. And they got 180 days. So the first hearing happened on 14th, which is yesterday local time, but the suspended leader did not attend the hearing. Now this is just delaying the procedure. And if the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment, South Korea will have to have the presidential election within 60 days.

[Andrew Peach]

Rachel Lee with me from Seoul. More high winds are threatening to rekindle some of the fires that have been devastating the hills and suburbs of Los Angeles. The two biggest ones, the Palisades and the Eaton fires, still pose a big threat as I've been hearing from our senior north america correspondent, Gary O'Donoghue in Los Angeles.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

You have to remember that these fires, the two main fires, are still burning and that while the fire department has managed to contain a little bit more of each of one, there's still most of those perimeters aren't contained. Now fortunately, we've now learned that the death toll has not risen from that 24. They've been searching through the remains of people's houses and they haven't happily found any more dead people at this stage. But that could easily change. I'm going to bring in now Sheila Kelleher Berko, who's captain at the LA Fire Department. Sheila, we were expecting bigger winds this morning, starting to gust a little bit, but may get worse later on.

[Sheila Kelleher Berko]

Yes, there's Definitely potential for 45 mile an hour upwards gusts. So we are prepared for that. We have strike teams deployed out throughout Los Angeles county because this is an impacted area. Also though, north of us, Santa Clarita Valley and a few other areas that haven't started to burn yet. We're very concerned about those areas as well.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

And the key thing about the winds getting up is that then you can't fly with the water and the fire atide.

[Sheila Kelleher Berko]

Once you get over about 45 mph winds, it gets very tricky and its decision has to be made because if there's sustained gusts they can't get up there and fly. But for this fire, I know that our air operations has worked incredibly hard striping those hills behind the flame front in order to pre treat that in case that should happen. So a lot of fire retardant is down. Crews are in there doing an incredible job, making great work on that burn line and everybody's in position and doing what they're supposed to be doing.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

I mean you've got thousands of people down there, right?

[Sheila Kelleher Berko]

Yeah. On our fire alone We've got over 5,000 personnel fighting this fire. 500 engines, 115 camp crews, tons of dozers, lots of water tenders and plenty of aerial support.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

I mean there's a lot of focus obviously on the people who want to get back to what's left of their homes, but it's just still too dangerous at this point.

[Sheila Kelleher Berko]

The repopulation effort, they're working hard to get people back up in there, but it's going to take a bit. For that very reason these winds have got to stop for sure. We've got gas mains, we've got water powered downs. We also have, like you said, they're looking for the remains of loved ones. So those are kind of active what they would call crime scenes. And they don't want anybody walking where they don't belong. So they're working as hard as they can to get the people up there. There's a website out that lets you actually pinpoint your house to see what type of damage is done. Our damage assessment team has put out an incredible map for that. So that's on recovery.lacounty.gov Unbelievable work that they're doing.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

You mentioned it's crime scene. There's also still a lot of people getting arrested for looting and for setting fires.

[Sheila Kelleher Berko]

Yeah, we did have one person, they couldn't hold him. They didn't have enough evidence that he actually did set fires. But there are people that are being pulled over for curfew breach as well as looting. So they're just, it's like, come on, stay out of here. But they, the majority of people in Los Angeles and Southern California have come together and from all over the world. It's amazing. The support people are sending through food supplies not only for us, but for the victims.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

Captain Kanahuberge, thanks so much.

[Andrew Peach]

Thank you.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

Later on today, we're expecting those winds to get up again. And that's really going to be a crucial moment for the people here at this control center as they try and battle the biggest of the two fires.

[Andrew Peach]

Gary O'Donoghue in Los Angeles. The British Egyptian activist Alar Abdel Fattah is one of the most prominent political prisoners in Egypt, having spent the majority of the past decade in detention. He was most recently arrested in 2019 and convicted in 2021 for allegedly spreading false news. The Egyptian authorities have refused to release him despite the fact he's already served his five year sentence. His mother, Leila Sweef, who lives in London, has been on hunger strike now for over 100 days. This week she began daily visits to Downing street, urging the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer to intervene. And she's been talking to my colleague, Victoria Uanhanda.

[Leila Sweef]

I saw allah on the 8th. He seemed okay. I mean, visits in Cairo prisons are just 20 minutes and our visit is always through a glass barrier with a phone. And you talk through a phone and everything gets recorded. You have to give him the news and this time and so on, so you can't get into too many details. So he seemed okay. I think he was slightly reassured to see me still on my feet. He's obviously very worried about me and he feels very helpless sitting there in prison. And from his point of view, nothing is happening at all because whatever we're doing out here and whatever the British government and the Egyptian government are doing, it's having no concrete impact on him.

[Andrew Peach]

So what is your message to Prime Minister Kama when you go to Downing street today?

[Leila Sweef]

Well, my message remains the same. I know because I know the Egyptian system that nothing will move and nothing will happen until Mr. CC gives the green light for it to happen. And I can't see anyone persuading Mr. Sisi to do this except Mr. Starmer. So I hope he does it. I know from the government releases that Mr. Sarmer has already written to Mr. Sisi twice. If he hasn't yet got a positive response, then he should keep pushing and find a way to persuade Mr. Sisi to actually give him a positive response.

[Andrew Peach]

Are you hopeful you remain hoping that those conversations between the Prime Minister and the President of Egypt will yield the results of seeing your son back home with you?

[Leila Sweef]

I think so, actually. I'm sure both the British and the Egyptian government have a lot in common. They are allies. They have different things that they need to do together. So I'm sure Mr. Starmer will find a way of persuading Mr. Sisi to actually release Allah. I'm only worried about the timing. I mean, I hope this happens quickly so that I don't collapse and go into hospital, which will be very hard on my children. But even if that happens, well, so be it.

[Andrew Peach]

Now, the global coffee chain Starbucks used to boast that anyone was welcome to sit in its North American stores, even if they didn't buy anything. But not anymore. Starbucks has a new code of conduct. Heather Haddon is the restaurants reporter at the Wall Street Journal.

[Heather Haddon]

The new CEO, Brian Niccol, since he joined the company last year, has said that he needs to work on the environment of Starbucks stores. He says they need to be inviting, have that coffee shop, you know, cafe environment again. And so he's doing little things to enhance that, like bring back condiment bars so people can doctor their own coffee with milk and Sharpies for people to write on their cups with. But then he's doing bigger things, like tightening up a policy that Starbuck has had since 2018 that allowed anyone to use its cafes and its bathrooms. And so the company says, we care about the public, but we care about our customers and our employees, and we have to make our cafe safe and welcoming environments for them. And they hope this will be a way to enhance that.

[Andrew Peach]

Critics will say Starbucks doesn't want the wrong kind of people hanging out in its stores. Is there some truth in that?

[Heather Haddon]

I think this is a pretty common policy for retailers that you're supposed to buy something to be in the store. And these cafes are for people who are patrons, not necessarily just hanging out with no purpose. I guess I think critics would say, you know, this is a reversal that Starbucks, after that incident in Philadelphia where two black men were arrested out of one of their cafes, that was a real embarrassment for Starbucks. And this policy was meant to address that. You know, a lot has changed since they passed that. We've had the pandemic. We've had a lot of changes in society here in America. And in some ways, things have gotten more challenging for a retailer like Starbucks to just allow the public to use the stores as they wish.

[Andrew Peach]

Is there a wider social issue in the US that there are fewer third spaces, libraries, heated public spaces available for people who are down on their luck just to hang out?

[Heather Haddon]

I think that's absolutely true. You looked at the latest homeless count numbers that were released, and we're at very large numbers of people who are just unhoused, they don't have a place to go. And some of that is again just how society has been uprooted since the pandemic. So yeah, there, it does seem to be that there needs to be other places for these folks. And Starbucks itself says that, that they do have community outreach programs and they do try to direct people who need more resources to services and you know, their cafes can't just be drop in centers, that there needs to be other resources for these folks.

[Jonah Fisher]

This starts in the U.S. but what are the chances that the changes will be rolled out globally?

[Heather Haddon]

Probably unlikely, because from what I understand, this 2018 policy of access to all was only in North America.

[Andrew Peach]

Meanwhile, the world's biggest coffee chain, that's.

[Jonah Fisher]

What it is, is trying to tackle.

[Andrew Peach]

Flagging sales at the moment. Is that right?

[Heather Haddon]

Correct. Yeah. So that's also a big mandate for this new CEO is that they've had several quarters now of drops in sales and drops in traffic and transact and clearly he is there to try to reverse that. And that's going to take a lot of work. And this is one part of what he's doing to try to just make people want to go to Starbucks again and hang out and not just order their coffee, flee or just not go anymore.

[Andrew Peach]

Heather Haddon of the Wall Street Journal with Paul Henley. And that's all from us for now. There'll be a new edition of Global News to download later. If you'd like to comment on this edition Global [e-mail], or you can find us on X where we are. Global Newspod. This edition was produced by Judy Frankel and mixed by Peter Wise. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Andrew Peach. Thanks for listening and until next time, goodbye. In 2017, it felt like drugs were everywhere in the news. So I started a podcast called On Drugs. We covered a lot of ground over two seasons, but there are still so many more stories to tell. I'm Jeff Turner and I'm back with season three of On Drugs. And this time it's gonna get personal.

[Rachel Lee]

I don't know who sober Jeff is. I don't even know if I like that guy.

[Andrew Peach]

On Drugs is available now wherever you get your podcast.