Trump orders India tariff hike to 50% for buying Russian oil

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Trump Orders India Tariff Hike to 50% for Buying Russian Oil
Host/Author: BBC World Service
Release Date: August 7, 2025

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1. U.S. Imposes Additional Tariffs on India for Russian Oil Purchases

Timestamp: [01:59] to [06:33]

The podcast opens with a significant economic development: former U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports due to India's continued purchase of Russian oil. This action follows a previous tariff of the same rate announced the week prior, cumulatively raising the total tariff on Indian imports to the U.S. to an unprecedented 50%, making it one of the highest globally.

Janak Jalil elaborates on the situation, stating, “Donald Trump has inflicted yet another hefty economic blow on India, announcing an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports because of India's continued purchases of Russian oil” ([02:13]). This decision comes despite positive talks between Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a potential ceasefire in Ukraine.

Steve Witkoff remarked, “We had some very good talks with President Putin today and there's a very good chance that we could be ending the... very soon” ([03:01]), indicating optimism for peace negotiations.

However, Nikki Schiller, a Washington correspondent, provides a critical perspective: “He's basically... trying to get this ceasefire, which looks like it won't happen on Friday, and he's punishing India for basically, in his words, fueling the Russia war machine” ([04:08]). Schiller suggests that Trump is leveraging economic pressure on India to influence its stance on the Ukraine conflict, despite the traditionally strong friendship between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This move has reportedly strained the long-standing cordial relations between the two leaders, as Modi has been actively seeking to maintain India's strategic autonomy by engaging with both the U.S. and Russia.

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2. Devastating Wildfires Ravage Southern France

Timestamp: [12:53] to [15:16]

Southern France is grappling with its worst wildfires in decades, with firefighters battling flames that have consumed an area larger than Paris. The fires, intensified by soaring temperatures and prolonged droughts linked to climate change, have resulted in the loss of at least one life and several injuries.

Janak Jalil reports, “Thousands of French firefighters are battling to contain the country's worst wildfires in nearly 80 years” ([12:53]). French Prime Minister, François Bayrou, described the situation as “a catastrophe on an unprecedented scale” and attributed the fires to global warming.

James Waterhouse, the Europe correspondent, provides on-the-ground insights: “As emergency teams head in, you wonder where to start. There are fires everywhere. It's a disaster,” ([13:34]) highlighting the overwhelming challenge faced by firefighting crews. The wildfires have also affected regions in southern Spain, demonstrating the widespread impact of extreme weather conditions across Europe.

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3. Italy's Ambitious Plan to Build the World's Longest Suspension Bridge

Timestamp: [15:16] to [17:43]

Italy has approved plans to construct what will be the world's longest suspension bridge, connecting the mainland to Sicily with a span exceeding 3 kilometers. The project, estimated to cost around $15 billion, aims to boost economic development in Italy’s southern regions but has sparked controversy over feasibility and environmental concerns.

Rachel Wright details the project, “It will include two railway lines in the middle and three lanes of traffic on either side” ([15:47]). The bridge is expected to create over 100,000 jobs and facilitate better connectivity between the economically lagging regions of Sicily and Calabria.

However, critics highlight several issues, including the high costs, environmental risks, and potential displacement of approximately 8,000 residents. Environmental groups have filed complaints with the EU, and Green MPs oppose the project due to its potential ecological impact and the region's high seismic activity.

The project, managed by the consortium Eurolink led by Webuild, has faced multiple delays over the past 50 years. Despite these challenges, the Italian government remains committed, viewing the bridge as a strategic infrastructure investment aligned with increased defense expenditures demanded by NATO allies.

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4. Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Intensifies Amid Aid Convoy Attacks

Timestamp: [06:33] to [11:59]

Gaza faces a dire humanitarian situation as a convoy of aid trucks intended to deliver supplies was attacked, resulting in at least 20 deaths and numerous injuries. The assaults occurred when four lorries overturned while navigating unsafe roads, exacerbated by restrictions imposed by the occupying forces.

John Donison reports from Jerusalem: “At the Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital... Crowds of desperate people rushed towards the lorries. Some climbed on top, causing the drivers to lose control” ([06:58]). The aftermath saw significant casualties and strained medical facilities struggling to cope with the influx of injured civilians.

The incident has ignited a debate within Israel regarding media coverage of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Emmanuel Elbaz Phelps, an independent Israeli journalist, expressed frustration over the limited attention such tragedies receive in Israeli media, attributing it to the government's focus on military strategies over humanitarian concerns.

Phelps stated, “We just acknowledged them at least. And people around the table were not really interested in this talk” ([10:08]). Despite public opinion polls indicating only 35% of Israelis prioritize the humanitarian situation in Gaza, voices like Phelps advocate for more comprehensive media coverage to highlight civilian suffering.

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5. U.S. Health Secretary Cancels $500 Million in mRNA Vaccine Funding

Timestamp: [20:46] to [25:12]

In a controversial move, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, has canceled $500 million in funding allocated to mRNA vaccine projects. This decision affects 22 initiatives aimed at combating infections such as COVID-19 and influenza, raising concerns among health experts about the potential impact on pandemic preparedness.

Janak Jalil explains, “MRNA vaccines were heralded as a medical marvel that saved lives during the COVID pandemic” ([22:30]). The mRNA technology, utilized effectively by Pfizer-BioNTech during the pandemic, allows for rapid vaccine development, a crucial advantage in responding to emerging infectious diseases.

James Gallagher, the health and science correspondent, emphasizes the significance of this funding cut: “There are major concerns about funding being taken away from areas that mRNA is streets ahead of the competition, particularly when it comes to dealing with new infections and outbreaks” ([23:46]). Experts like Dr. Paul Offit warn that reducing support for mRNA research could leave the U.S. vulnerable to future pandemics, questioning whether this shift aligns with the broader scientific consensus on vaccine efficacy.

The cancellation also opens the door for other countries, such as the UK, to potentially take the lead in mRNA research, potentially altering the global landscape of vaccine development.

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6. Heartwarming Research on Female Mountain Gorilla Friendships

Timestamp: [25:12] to [29:54]

In a refreshing turn from the intense global issues, the podcast highlights new research on the social dynamics of female mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The study reveals that female gorillas form enduring friendships that play a crucial role in their social integration, even after years of separation.

Victoire Martignac, a lead researcher from the University of Zurich, shares insights: “We found that females were avoiding groups that contained males they had grown up with... but females were very attracted to groups that contained other females” ([26:07]). This discovery underscores the importance of female-female bonds in gorilla societies, suggesting that these relationships enhance social cohesion and aid in the successful integration of females into new groups.

Martignac further reflects, “Long-term relationships might be very beneficial because they can actually help those females integrate better and also faster” ([27:28]). The research draws parallels between gorilla social structures and human relationships, highlighting the evolutionary significance of persistent social bonds.

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7. Culinary Controversy: British Recipe Missteps in Italy

Timestamp: [29:54] to [33:47]

A popular British recipe website faces backlash from Italians for its inaccurate portrayal of the traditional Roman pasta dish, Cacio e Pepe. The recipe mistakenly recommends using Parmesan cheese and adding butter, deviating from the authentic ingredients of Pecorino cheese and no butter.

Janak Jalil explains, “It makes the fatal mistake” ([29:54]), noting that purists have demanded immediate corrections and have even involved the British Embassy in Rome to address the inaccuracies.

This incident underscores the cultural sensitivity surrounding traditional cuisines and the importance of maintaining authenticity in culinary representations. The controversy also highlights the global influence of digital platforms on cultural practices and the potential repercussions of misrepresenting established traditions.

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8. Natural Disaster Strikes Uttarakhand, India

Timestamp: [20:11] to [22:30]

A severe flash flood hit the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, leading to the tragic loss of at least four lives and leaving dozens missing. The Indian army is actively involved in rescue operations using sniffer dogs, drones, and heavy machinery to locate those trapped under debris.

Paddy O'Connell narrates the disaster: “The mud was 15 meters or 54 feet deep in places. It's feared many people could be trapped under the debris” ([20:46]). The sudden "cloud burst" has obliterated infrastructure, blocking rivers and submerging land, thereby posing a significant threat to downstream areas if water levels are not promptly managed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences and assured the public that all possible efforts are being made to aid the victims, emphasizing the government's commitment to comprehensive relief and reconstruction efforts.

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9. Cotswolds Gain Popularity Among American Celebrities

Timestamp: [29:08] to [34:05]

The picturesque Cotswolds region in southern England continues to attract affluent Americans, including celebrities and high-profile individuals. The area is celebrated for its honey-colored stone cottages, medieval churches, and idyllic villages, making it a desirable getaway and investment destination.

Rachel Wright discusses the impact of American interest, “They're looking for the Cotswold dream, which is Cotswold Stone Properties... and views of the rolling landscape” ([33:05]). The influx includes notable figures like Vice President J.D. Vance, who is reportedly vacationing in the region.

However, the growing presence of American expatriates has sparked mixed reactions among local residents. While some welcome the economic benefits and cultural exchange, others express concerns over the preservation of local traditions and the character of quaint villages. James Gallagher notes, “They're looking for property that they can use as weekenders from London, the equivalent of what you would have in the Hamptons from New York” ([32:56]).

The segment concludes with light-hearted observations of the region's charm, as Paddy O'Connell recounts encounters with friendly locals and the serene beauty of the Cotswolds, encapsulating the area's enduring allure.

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10. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with a blend of lighter moments and previews of upcoming content. Host Janak Jalil encourages listeners to engage via email and hints at future editions of the podcast, ensuring the audience remains connected and informed.

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Notable Quotes

• Steve Witkoff: “We had some very good talks with President Putin today and there's a very good chance that we could be ending the... very soon.” ([03:01])
• Nikki Schiller: “He's basically... trying to get this ceasefire, which looks like it won't happen on Friday, and he's punishing India for basically, in his words, fueling the Russia war machine.” ([04:08])
• Emmanuel Elbaz Phelps: “We just acknowledged them at least. And people around the table were not really interested in this talk.” ([10:08])
• Victoire Martignac: “Long-term relationships might be very beneficial because they can actually help those females integrate better and also faster.” ([27:28])
• Rachel Wright: “They're looking for the Cotswold dream, which is Cotswold Stone Properties... and views of the rolling landscape.” ([33:05])

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Conclusion

This episode of the Global News Podcast delivered a comprehensive overview of pivotal global events, ranging from geopolitical tensions and environmental disasters to groundbreaking research and cultural phenomena. Through in-depth discussions, expert analyses, and poignant interviews, the podcast offers listeners a nuanced understanding of complex international issues, while also highlighting heartwarming stories and human-interest segments that resonate on a personal level.

Whether it's the intricate dynamics of international trade policies, the urgent battles against climate-induced wildfires, or the enduring social bonds of mountain gorillas, the episode provides a rich tapestry of information that is both engaging and enlightening for a global audience.

Transcript

[Paddy O'Connell]

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[James Gallagher]

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[Janak Jalil]

This is the global news podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Janak Jalil and in the early hours of Thursday 7th August, these are our main stories. Donald Trump hits India with an extra 25% tariff for its Russian oil purchases. But he also says he could be meeting President Putin soon to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine. Thousands of French firefighters are struggling to control the country's biggest wildfires in decades. Italy says it's going to build the world's longest suspension bridge linking the mainland to Sicily. Also in this podcast, new research from Rwanda indicates friendships from formed by female mountain gorillas are far more important and enduring than previously understood.

[Victoire Martignac]

They were really seeking out groups in which they knew females and this really tells us that those female, female relationships, they can still continue to matter even after years apart.

[Janak Jalil]

Donald Trump has inflicted yet another hefty economic blow on India, announcing an additional 25% tariff on Indian import because of India's continued purchases of Russian oil. This comes on top of the 25% tariff announced last week, raising the total tariff on Indian imports to the U.S. to 50%, one of the highest rates in the world. The U.S. president's executive order came despite his senior envoy, Steve Witkoff, holding talks in Moscow with President Putin, with the Kremlin describing them as productive and the US President saying great progress had been made. So much so that Mr. Trump says he may soon hold a meeting with the Russian leader to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine.

[James Gallagher]

We had some very good talks with President Putin today and there's a very good chance that we could be ending the, ending the round, ending the end of that road. That road was long and continues to be long. But there's a good chance that there will be a meeting very soon.

[Janak Jalil]

Mr. Trump has set a deadline for this Friday for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine. I asked our Washington correspondent nomia Iqbal why Mr. Trump had decided to impose these extra tariffs on India now when the US and Russia appear to be having constructive talks.

[Nikki Schiller]

He'd been threatening to do so since last week and now he's followed through issuing this executive order and it's among the highest on all of the US's long standing allies and trading partners. I mean, 50% we're talking about here. And he's basically, I think we can read something into the fact that he's trying to get this ceasefire, which looks like it won't happen on Friday. And he's punishing India for basically, in his words, fueling the Russia war machine by purchasing cheap oil and has been demanding that Prime Minister Modi pick a side.

[Janak Jalil]

And what shall we make of the fact that this announcement was made by the White house shortly after Mr. Trump's invoice? Steve Witkoff met President Putin in Russia.

[Nikki Schiller]

Well, there's huge pressure on the US to deliver some sort of ceasefire or peace deal. Donald Trump, remember, famously said that he would end the war in Ukraine on day one. Steve Wycoff, his envoy, the man who been set out there to solve all the world's problems by the us. It's its fifth time in Russia and it sounds like there won't be a ceasefire, there won't be a peace deal. Certainly looking at Mr. Trump's social media post, I presume that these sanctions or secondary sanctions, Russia's already heavily sanctioned to the point where it's questionable if further sanctions directly on the country would, would take effect. So I think Mr. Trump is thinking let's go after the countries Russia does business with, such as India, to put pressure on them in that way. Interestingly, he hasn't said much about China, ramped up the rhetoric on China. China is a very important trading partner to Russia. But I think there is just big pressure on Mr. Trump generally to try and end the war as he promised he would.

[Janak Jalil]

And it's a bit surprising, isn't it, for some observers because there had been this longtime friendship between Narendra Modi and Donald Trump. And yet India has been dealt two blows within a matter of days, 25% tariffs because they couldn't strike a trade deal. And now this additional 25%.

[Nikki Schiller]

I guess those who support President Trump would say it shows that he's just not afraid to get tough on anybody, no matter if they are close allies or not. And yes, the both men did seem to get on very well. I mean, Prime Minister Modi was here in the US earlier in the year. I mean, he really does like to appeal to Donald Trump as much as possible, even saying make India great again, adopting Mr. Trump's slogan. Interestingly, he was asked about tariffs during his conference with Mr. Trump earlier in the year. Mr. Trump didn't say anything. I don't think there was any expectation that he would hit India with tariffs. They were trying to come up with some sort of trade deal. But like I said, he wanted Mr. Modi to pick a side. But India has said, look, we're acting in our interests and justifies the purchase of Russian oil by saying that it began to do that after traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the war began. And India says it was a move that was actively encouraged by the US at the time.

[Janak Jalil]

Nomia Iqbal, Gaza's Hamas run civil defense agency says at least 20 people were killed and dozens more injured when four lorries taking supplies into the territory overturned on Tuesday evening. Medical officials have said they're struggling to deal with the casualties. John Donison sent this report from Jerusalem.

[James Gallagher]

At the Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir El Bala, grief as they brought the bodies in, local journalists told the BBC. Crowds of desperate people rushed towards the lorries. Some climbed on top, causing the drivers to lose control. Four vehicles overturned. Dr. Khalil Al Dakran is a spokesperson at the hospital.

[Janak Jalil]

There were more than 20 people killed.

[Paddy O'Connell]

And more than 100 injured.

[Janak Jalil]

This was due to the trucks overturning onto civilians, which happened because the occupation did not allow these trucks to enter through safe roads.

[James Gallagher]

These were commercial lorries carrying goods for sale, not aid. The private transport association now operating in Gaza said that 26 trucks entered the territory. Six were looted and four of those overturned separately. In the Israeli occupied West bank, around 30 Jordanian trucks carrying aid to Gaza were again attacked by Jewish settlers, throwing stones and blocking the road. Jordan accused Israel of not doing enough to protect the convoy.

[Janak Jalil]

And there's more on this on the BBC website. But did this story of yet more deaths in Gaza, of civilians desperately trying to get aid, make it onto the Israeli media? There is an emerging debate in Israel over the lack of reporting on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Rebecca Kesby spoke to an independent Israeli Journalist Emmanuel Elbaz Phelps and bi asking what coverage of the aid trucks in Gaza there'd been in Israel.

[Emmanuel Elbaz Phelps]

This kind of story will have very little attention also because today Prime Minister is pushing for a full plan to occupy Gaza. And so that is the discussion. And this kind of story is getting very little, if not a lot of attention.

[Rachel Wright]

And more generally about the humanitarian situation. I mean, it's on all the front pages of newspapers across the world. Lots of images coming through, even though reporters aren't allowed into Gaza. Is much of that being reported on in Israel? The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza?

[Emmanuel Elbaz Phelps]

It is talked about. And for the last two weeks, we also have been seeing in mainstream media the pictures of children and the hunger and the dire situation of Gaza. But it is quite a new development because it's talked about. The pictures, the human pictures of the Gaza Strip have not been very shown broadly during the war. I have to say that the pictures of Eviothel David and Ron Bostavsky, the two hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, that we've seen, very, very skinny and suffering, that has been shocking to Israelis. And that's the take over the conversation. Once again, you came to our attention.

[Rachel Wright]

Because there was a little bit of confrontation in a broadcast interview you were part of recently where you clashed with other people on the program about how much should be shown from Gaza. Do you want tell us what happened?

[Emmanuel Elbaz Phelps]

It's a TV show on one of the main channels In Israel, Channel 13, where I sit as a contributor every week. And we were talking about the tolls of the war, the hostages still being held in the agony of the family, families. And we were talking about the soldiers that are falling during the war in Gaza. And then the discussion was kind of moving on. And I thought it was also imperative that we talk about the Palestinian victims. And we just acknowledged them at least. And people around the table were not really interested in this talk. And it was pretty much representative of the public opinion in Israel because we know from polls that only around 35% of the population would say that they are interested in the humanitarian situation in Gaza. But I want to claim that 35% is not that little, needs its voice on mainstream media and not to be ignored.

[Rachel Wright]

So they tried to shut you down, didn't they? And you persisted and came back and said, no, we need to talk about this. And then that sparked a response and you got a lot of criticism from people, but also people contacted you to say thank you for speaking up on this issue.

[Emmanuel Elbaz Phelps]

Yeah, actually, I did not get criticism. That was amazing. I got only I got criticism during the show, but I got so many, many messages of support of people saying I wasn't sure my voice or my opinion was legitimate because I didn't see it on mainstream media. So thank you for that. Now, I want to say again, there is coverage of Gaza and there is a talk about Gaza from day one in Israel, but it's either in Ahara's newspaper or on very specific shows and it's not across the board.

[Janak Jalil]

That was the Israeli journalist Emmanuel Elbaz Phelps. Syria's new Islamist rulers have signed a dozen multi billion dollar investment deals which will include funding for a new airport and a metro system in the capital Damascus. The agreements follow the recent lifting of sanctions. Mike Thompson reports.

[Paddy O'Connell]

It's all a huge turnaround for a government that had links with Al Qaeda and was shunned by the West. In addition to a new airport and metro system for Damascus, the 14 billion dol billion of investment, much of it from Qatar and Italy, could fund high rise residential towers up to 45 floors tall for as many as 20,000 people over recent months. Syria has also secured investment deals with Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and Turkey. The UN has put the cost of rebuilding the country at $400 billion.

[Janak Jalil]

Mike Thompson Thousands of French firefighters are battling to contain the country's worst wildfires in nearly 80 they've scorched an area in southern France that's larger than the size of Paris, consuming forests and homes and forcing many people to flee. One woman has been killed and about a dozen others have been injured. On a visit to the affected region of Aude, the French prime minister, Francois Bairou described the fires as a catastrophe on an unprecedented scale. He said they were linked to global warming and drought. Our Europe correspondent James Waterhouse reports.

[Paddy O'Connell]

When it comes to wildfires, the conditions in France's old region were described as ripe. Soaring temperatures with little rainfall have allowed these flames to take a firm grip. As emergency teams head in, you wonder where to start. There are fires everywhere. It's a disaster, says this firefighter. All the vineyards are burning in the area. Those vineyards usually act as natural barriers, but there are fewer of them now. Crews do what they can on the ground or in the sky, but wildfires are not contained easily. All possible resources are on the way, says President Macron. For an operation it's feared could take days. Across Europe, the size of burnt areas is already twice the average, according to the eu. These French fires gradually took a hold overnight as people and professionals looked on helplessly.

[Rachel Wright]

I feel sad. I find it Tragic to see so.

[Nikki Schiller]

Many fires since the beginning of summer.

[Rachel Wright]

It's terrible for the wildlife, for the.

[Victoire Martignac]

People who are losing everything.

[Janak Jalil]

It's.

[Rachel Wright]

Yeah, I find it really very sad.

[Paddy O'Connell]

Similar scenes in Tarifa, southern Spain, where a forest fire is ripping through the countryside. Tourists are being evacuated. 18,000 people live here. It's extreme weather conditions that can cause such intense, devastating heat. It's climate change that is making wildfires more common across Europe and beyond.

[Janak Jalil]

James Waterhouse Italy's government has approved plans to build the world's longest suspension bridge. It would connect the island of Sicily to the mainland and stretch more than 3 kilometers. The bridge is expected to cost around $15 billion. Critics have voiced concerns about its feasibility and environmental impact. But the government insists the project will accelerate development in Italy's less developed south. Rachel Wright told us more about it.

[Rachel Wright]

Currently, if you want to travel between the Italian mainland and Sicily, which is the island off the toe of the boot of Italy, you have to take a ferry, which takes around 30 minutes. Both Sicily and Calabria are very poor regions and there's been discussions for a long time, in fact around 50 years, to build a bridge to bring an economic boost to the area. And the Transport Minister, Matteo Salvini, who's a dominant member of the right wing government of Giorgio Meloni, has announced the government will build what he called the metro over the strait. And it's a huge project. It will cost around $15 billion and take around 10 years. And the consortium that's going to build it says it will create more than 100,000 jobs. It'll be the longest suspension bridge in the world at around 3.3km and will include two railway lines in the middle and three lanes of traffic on either side.

[Janak Jalil]

So a very ambitious plan, but also a very controversial one.

[Rachel Wright]

There's been plans to build this Brid bridge for many years, but it's been rejected before on the grounds of the enormous costs and because an estimated 4,000 people on either side of the strait will be forced to leave their homes. They will of course, be compensated. But that hasn't been enough to stop frequent protests against the bridge's construction. Environmental associations have already filed a complaint with the EU flagging serious risks for the local environment. And Green MPs are also against it. One more thing to consider is that the area has one of the highest seismic risks in Europe, meaning that it's prone to earthquakes. And of course, there's always the issue of the Mafia, who are still very active in Sicily, though Mr. Salvini did say they would work very hard to stop any criminal infiltration of the project.

[Janak Jalil]

And there are also doubts about whether this very ambitious project would actually ever be completed.

[Rachel Wright]

The project has had several false starts already, with the first plans drawn up more than 50 years ago. Eurolink, which is the consortium consortium led by the Italian group Webuild, won the tender in 2006 to build the bridge, but the government cancelled it after the eurozone debt crisis. Now the consortium remains the contractor on the revived project, and as Italy has agreed, along with other NATO allies, to massively increase its defence expenditure to 5% of GDP at the demand of US President Donald Trump. Of this, 1.5% can be spent on defense related areas such as cyber security and infrastructure, and the Italian government is hoping the Messina Bridge will qualify, particularly as Sicily hosts a NATO base.

[Janak Jalil]

Rachel Wright still to Come the recipe on the Good Food platform describes the dish as a store cupboard favourite with four simple ingredients.

[Victoire Martignac]

Why?

[Janak Jalil]

A popular British food food website has cooked up a storm in Italy with its unorthodox ingredients for a famous pasta dish. Travis fell in love with the perfect woman.

[Rachel Wright]

She listened.

[Victoire Martignac]

She cared.

[Janak Jalil]

There was just one catch.

[Rachel Wright]

She wasn't human.

[Nikki Schiller]

She was an AI companion.

[Janak Jalil]

But when her behavior takes a disturbing turn, Travis finds himself at the center.

[Nikki Schiller]

Of a much darker story.

[Janak Jalil]

This is Flesh and Code, a true.

[Rachel Wright]

Story of love, loss and the temptations of technology. Listen to Flesh and Code wherever you get your podcasts.

[James Gallagher]

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[Janak Jalil]

You're listening to the global News podcast. The army in India says it's using sniffer dogs, drones and heavy machinery to search for dozens of people still missing after flash flooding hit the northern state of Uttarakhand on Tuesday. At least four people are confirmed to have died, many more are feared to be trapped under debris. Residents have been warned to stay away from rivers as levels are still dangerously high and heavy rainfall damaged roads and phone lines are hampering resc efforts. Niki Schiller reports.

[Paddy O'Connell]

The moment a torrent of water and mud gushed down the Himalayan mountainside, engulfing the remote village of Dharani. It's a tourist spot with hotels, resorts and restaurants. The sudden nature of the surge just didn't give people the chance to get away. Roads turned into rivers of mud. Buildings were swamped. Disaster response officials say the mud was 15 meters or 54ft deep in places. It's feared many people could be trapped under the debris. The weather and remote location a challenge for rescuers who provided first aid and helped get people to safety. The state chief said teams were on a war footing. The health department has deployed doctors and.

[James Gallagher]

Is ensuring the availability of medicine.

[Paddy O'Connell]

Provisions for food and other arrangements are being made. And the district's administration's police department has.

[James Gallagher]

Deployed 160 police officers.

[Paddy O'Connell]

The disaster was a result of a cloud burst, an extreme sudden downpour of rain over a small area in a short period of time, which often leads to flash floods. The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi offered his condolences posting on social media. I pray for the well being of all the victims. Relief and rescue teams are engaged in every possible effort. No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people. The sheer amount of sludge has blocked part of the region's main river, submerging land. Concern is growing that if the water is not drained out quickly, it could pose a serious threat to towns and villages downstream.

[Janak Jalil]

Nikki Schiller MRNA vaccines are credited with having saved millions of lives. But the U.S. health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A long time vaccine skeptic, has announced the Trump administration is to cancel $500 million in funding allocated to them. Mr. Kennedy has cancelled 22 projects for tackling infections such as Covid and flu. But health experts warn this is a dangerous step that could harm efforts to prepare for the next pandemic. Here's our health and science correspondent, James Gallagher.

[Paddy O'Connell]

Messenger RNA vaccines were heralded as a medical marvel that saved lives during the COVID pandemic. They used tiny snippets of genetic code to temporarily tell the body to make viral proteins. This trains the immune system to fight infection. Now the US Health Secretary and arguably America's most famous vaccine skeptic, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Is pulling the plug. Plug on half a billion dollars of funding. Let me be absolutely clear.

[James Gallagher]

HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every.

[Janak Jalil]

American who wants them.

[James Gallagher]

That's why we're moving beyond the limitations of MRNA for respiratory viruses and investing in better solutions.

[Paddy O'Connell]

He argues other vaccine technologies are safer, offer better protection against mutations, and that MRNA vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory tract infections like Covid and flu. Flu that runs contrary to the scientific consensus The Pfizer Biontech COVID vaccine is estimated to have saved nearly 6 million lives in its first year during the pandemic. There is a legitimate debate around which vaccine technology is best for which disease. But there are major concerns about funding being taken away from areas that MRNA is streets ahead of the competition, particularly when it comes to dealing with new infections and outbreaks. Dr. Paul Offit, the director of the Vaccine Education center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, is concerned.

[James Gallagher]

So there's a concern that bird flu virus, so called H5N1 virus, may become a pandemic. It might not, but it might. And if it does, you want to have a technology, in this case messenger rna, that can respond quickly. The advantage of the MRNA vaccines is that the production cycle is only about three months.

[Paddy O'Connell]

There are still many unanswered questions. Will the move lead the world more susceptible to the next pandemic? Will it prove to be an opportunity for other countries like the UK to take the lead on MRNA research? Or will the US's decision as one of the biggest markets for pharmaceuticals lead to vaccine research being focused elsewhere?

[Janak Jalil]

James Gallagher reporting. Just like us, humans, mountain gorillas move in and out of different social groups throughout their lives. And just like us, it seems they like to seek out a familiar face. Researchers in Rwanda have found that even after many years apart from a female mountain gorilla entering, a new group will seek out and join another female. She already knows what you heard. There were two gorillas, Tab and Rug, playing in Rwanda, giving each other what looks like a high five in the video footage. This new research on social activity comes from the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, an organization that's been observing gorillas in Rwanda. For more on this, Krupa Paddy spoke to Victoire Martignac, a lead researcher from the University of Zurich in Switzerland.

[Victoire Martignac]

We wanted to focus on female gorillas dispersal. And essentially this is because in gorillas, both males and females disperse. But males, they usually become solitary and then they try to establish their own group by attracting females. But females, they go from one group to another. So we wanted to better understand how they make these decisions. And the results were very interesting because we found that females were avoiding groups that contained males they had grown up with. And this we think might be due to some inbreeding avoidance strategy. So the rule being that if you grew up with a male, it's quite likely that you're related to him. And so it would make sense to avoid, you know, being in a group with him and reproducing with him because this would have pretty negative consequences for your offspring. And yet we find some very different results for the importance of females. So the females, they were very attracted to groups that contained female females. And this was really unexpected. And this was a pretty exciting discovery for us because we saw that they were really seeking out groups in which they knew females. And this really tells us that those female, female relationships, they can still continue to matter even after years apart. Long term relationships might be very beneficial because they can actually help. Help those females integrate better and also faster.

[Rachel Wright]

It sounds like there's quite simply strength in the sisterhood.

[Victoire Martignac]

Yeah, I mean, the reason why it's so exciting for us is that, well, first, we don't really know a lot about those female, female relationships. And gorillas, when we look at behaviors in research, we always try to look at the cost of those behaviors, but also the benefits. And investing in a social relationship, you know, it takes time, it takes energy. And so it has often been assumed that females, gorillas, or just, you know, individuals that disperse multiple times, that they will not invest so much in those relationships. Because why invest in a relationship if you or the other member might just immigrate at any time? And here we're showing that dispersal does not have to be the end of the social relationships. Actually through dispersal they can, you know, maintain old relationship as well as create new relationships.

[Rachel Wright]

I wonder if there's anything that we as humans can learn from these bonds that clearly stand the test of time between female gorillas.

[Victoire Martignac]

I guess it's really interesting to see that, you know, they can keep in touch. They don't need WhatsApp to do it. I mean, they live in a very similar society as the one we live in. And in terms of humans, we know that, you know, movement is such an important part of our lives. And sometimes, I guess we do it so easily that it's an ability that we take for granted. But the fact that it's also there in gorillas, it, I guess also shows us that it has a very far evolutionary past. And this is very interesting to see. It's the kind of ability that does not fossilize. So looking at it in our close evolutionary cousins can also tell us a lot about the context in which those movement decisions take place.

[Janak Jalil]

Victoire Martignac from the University of Zurich, A popular recipe website in Britain has drawn the ire of Italians for listing unorthodox ingredients for a famous Roman pasta dish. Its recipe for cacio e pepe told people to use Parmesan when the cheese should have been of course, pecorino and to add butter when traditionally there isn't any. Olivia Noone takes up the story. The recipe on the Good Food Platform describes the dish as a store cupboard favourite with four simple ingredients. But it's here it made the fatal mistake. Italians say the real free ingredient recipe for Cacio e Pepe contains, like the name suggests, only cheese.

[Rachel Wright]

More specifically, pecorino, black pepper and of course, pasta.

[Janak Jalil]

An Italian restaurant association said it had requested an immediate correction and it had even taken up the issue with the British Embassy in Rome. Olivia noon there. The US Vice President J.D. vance is said to be on his way to the UK for a family holiday, the latest high profile American to fall. It is reported for the charms of the Cotswolds area in southern England. There are honey coloured stone cottages, medieval churches and quaint villages all nestled amongst the rolling hills. Many celebrities and business tycoons from around the world have been buying there or simply heading to one of the several luxury country clubs located there. Residents include the former British Prime Minister David Cameron, the model Kate moss and the US television presenter Ellen DeGeneres. Paddy O' Connell went a hiking in the area.

[Paddy O'Connell]

One of my favorite walks here is to Turville Church, which stands there with.

[Janak Jalil]

Its Saddleback tower and has so stood.

[Paddy O'Connell]

For more than 400 years. So people from all over the world and all over the UK and several names from the United States have left beautiful messages here. Lovely Scott and Susan from Austin in Texas. All over the Cotswolds. International attention has been spreading in recent years, partly due to a string of celebrity and TV shows, but also bluntly, just the beauty and charm of the Cotswolds. I'm crossing from one churchyard to another to meet an American traveler, Lizzie de la Pena, who's chronicling her life in the Cotswolds to her followers online. Having moved here from the US it's.

[Janak Jalil]

Organized, it's proper, people are respectful and.

[Nikki Schiller]

We don't have that in the United States.

[Paddy O'Connell]

So you've lived across the United States, you've lived in Mexico City. Do we have some of the nicest people in the world here in the Cotswolds?

[Nikki Schiller]

Absolutely, yes.

[Janak Jalil]

Hands down.

[Rachel Wright]

I've made more friends here in two.

[Janak Jalil]

Months than I have decades in both of those other countries.

[Paddy O'Connell]

I'm by the river Windrush now in Whitney, one of the the big towns. Locals here remind me that Whitney's not the Cotswolds, but it's one of the big towns where people from the Cotswolds come shopping. The area has been famed for a long time and it is coming alongside the interest of other Americans. Katie Campbell runs her own property firm here, working as a house hunter.

[Rachel Wright]

There's always been a strong percentage of.

[Emmanuel Elbaz Phelps]

Clients looking to buy in the Cotswolds.

[Janak Jalil]

Coming from America, but it has increased year on year.

[Emmanuel Elbaz Phelps]

They're looking for property that they can.

[Janak Jalil]

Use as weekenders from London, the equivalent of what you would have in the.

[Emmanuel Elbaz Phelps]

Hamptons from New York. Or they're looking to add to their portfolio globally.

[Rachel Wright]

They're looking for the Cotswold dream, which is Cotswold Stone Properties. Stone tiled roofs, mullioned windows and views of the rolling landscape.

[Paddy O'Connell]

And I went to chat to people at the bus stop. What do you think about the influx of American celebrities?

[Rachel Wright]

I just hope they don't get as far as Engem.

[Paddy O'Connell]

Is that where you live?

[Janak Jalil]

It is.

[Paddy O'Connell]

Well, you've got the vice President Coming soon, J.D. vance.

[Janak Jalil]

It's so right wing, it's unbelievable.

[Paddy O'Connell]

Would you welcome Mr. Vance in your village?

[James Gallagher]

No.

[Paddy O'Connell]

Is he coming here to live or he's coming here for a holiday? Oh, well, yeah, I think he liked the area a lot. There's lots of places to go, isn't there? And you wish him the best here?

[James Gallagher]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Paddy O'Connell]

Back in East Leech, these two cars disturbing the peace have just sent a rabbit scurrying across the gravel into the hedge ahead of me. Oh, no, there's another one. Huge, huge rabbit. Look at it.

[Janak Jalil]

That was Paddy o' Connell there, admiring the beauty of the Cotswolds. And that's all from us for now, but there will be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk this edition was mixed by Rosen Wynn Dorell. The producers were Liam McSheffrey and Charles Sanctuary. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Janak Jalil. Until next time, Goodbye.