Trump removes National Guard from some US cities

Summary

Global News Podcast (BBC World Service)

Episode: Trump removes National Guard from some US cities
Date: January 1, 2026
Host: Rachel Wright

---

Episode Overview

This episode covers major global developments as 2026 begins, focusing on President Trump’s controversial removal of National Guard troops from three U.S. cities after a Supreme Court ruling, Ukraine’s President Zelensky’s New Year’s address on the state of the war with Russia, the aftermath of regime change in Syria, political turmoil in the UK, archaeological finds in Wales, and Japan’s new female Prime Minister advocating for basic gender equality in Parliament. The show blends breaking news, interviews, and in-depth analysis, maintaining the impartial, factual, brisk narrative that is BBC World Service’s trademark.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Removes National Guard from U.S. Cities

Segment: 01:07–05:50

• Background: President Trump announced the withdrawal of federal National Guard troops from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland after a Supreme Court ruling found such deployments illegal in Chicago.
  • Troops were originally sent to several Democrat-run cities to “crack down on rampant crime and help with immigration enforcement.”
• Legal Challenges:
  • The deployments prompted widespread legal resistance. Courts have ruled deployment as an unnecessary and unconstitutional abuse of power, with several judges citing federal overreach.
  • Supreme Court’s ruling invoked longstanding U.S. laws preventing the military’s use as domestic police.
• Current Situation:
  • Trump claims crime in these cities has decreased and warns federal forces could return if rates rise again.
  • Troops remain present in other cities (e.g., Washington, D.C., Memphis, New Orleans), with ongoing legal battles and public protests.
  • The use of troops is “incredibly controversial,” particularly in Washington, D.C., where they often supplanted local law enforcement.

Quote (Sean Dilley, 03:17):
"There is not evidence that it's necessary to send troops in to protect property... An awful lot of people think the deployment is quite an extreme reaction, particularly in Washington, D.C. from where I speak to you now, the National Guard are absolutely everywhere."

• Effectiveness Questioned:
  • Crime statistics are not yet available for the full period; no definitive correlation between the troop presence and crime rates can be concluded.

Quote (Sean Dilley, 04:34):
"No, I mean, there's no magic bullet there that says, right, okay, crime was at this level. The National Guard came in on this date... Nowhere can we say, well, hang on a minute, that's definitively reduced crime."

---

2. Minnesota Somali Daycare Controversy

Segment: 05:50–07:47

• Incident Trigger:
  • A viral YouTube video by conservative Nick Shirley accused Somali-run daycare centers of defrauding the state, without editorial vetting or right of reply common in journalism.
• Political Fallout:
  • Trump's administration praised the video and froze federal childcare funds to Minnesota, intensifying racial and immigration tensions.
• Community Impact:
  • The episode inflamed debates on race, immigration, and fraud; 90 people (mostly Somali Americans) have been prosecuted for related offenses, though critics argue Trump uses the case to tarnish all Somali immigrants.

Quote (Tom Bateman, 06:40):
“Mr. Trump has for weeks used a series of fraud cases already uncovered by officials in the state to attack Minnesota’s Somali community more broadly. Using highly derogatory language...”

---

3. Ukraine’s Position on Russia and the State of the War

Segment: 07:47–12:45

• President Zelensky’s New Year’s Address:
  • Rules out a “weak peace agreement,” affirming that only a just solution would end the war.

Quote (President Zelensky, via Will Vernon & Tom Bateman, 08:13):
"I would give everything in this world so that in this address I could say that peace, too, would arrive in a few minutes. Sadly, I cannot yet say that, but with a clear conscience ... Ukraine is doing everything possible for peace." - Zelensky claims “90%” of a peace deal has been agreed upon; remaining terms—such as Russian withdrawal from Donbas—remain a major obstacle.

• Putin’s Countermessage:
  • Doubles down on “total victory,” emphasizing Russian unity and moral justification for the war.

Quote (Putin, via Tom Bateman, 08:55):
"You’ve taken on the responsibility of fighting for your homeland, for truth and justice.... We believe in you and in our victory."

• Battlefield Analysis:
  • Despite some Russian advances, the front lines have shifted little and both sides are exhausted.
  • The crucial sticking point for peace is Russia’s expected insistence that Ukraine cede Donbas, which Ukraine refuses.
  • A reported drone attack on Putin’s residence is dismissed by both Ukraine and the EU as Russian disinformation, possibly aimed at disrupting U.S.-Ukraine relations.

Quote (Will Vernon, 09:50):
“The Russians have made some small gains, but... at a really kind of glacially slow pace. They haven't even managed to fully capture the strategic city of Pokrovsk… the mood among Ukrainians was ... weariness, yes, exhaustion, but also defiance.”

---

4. Syria: Return of Refugees and Social Challenges

Segment: 15:25–18:53

• Post-Assad Era:
  • Syria has seen major change after the dictator Bashar al-Assad’s fall. Economist magazine’s “Country of the Year 2025.”
  • Religious minorities still face violence, but exiles like chef Maleki Jasmati are contemplating return.
• Interview with Maleki Jasmati:
  • She’s planning to move back, reopen her business, and start an NGO to empower women.

Quote (Maleki Jasmati, 16:38):
"If every Syrian people will not take this risk, who will build our country? If I will say, oh, it's a little bit risky. No one will build our country." - Acknowledges persistent risks: civil violence, lack of women in positions of power, and need for reconciliation among wounded communities. - Cooking at home evokes nostalgic peace and hope despite difficulties.

---

5. UK Political Turmoil and Voter Discontent

Segment: 18:53–22:38

• Labour’s Woes Post-Brexit:
  • Keir Starmer’s government beset by resignations and party splits, with popularity plunging after only 18 months.
  • Voters’ disillusionment is historically high, with more than 70% expecting British life to worsen.
• Unprecedented Political Fragmentation:
  • For the first time since WWII, traditional Labour and Conservative parties struggle, with combined support for both sinking to around 35%.
  • Populist right (Reform), Greens, and nationalist parties on the rise; the UK is seeing continental-style political fragmentation.

Quote (Rob Watson, 21:30):
"In the past, when one of the two main parties was as unpopular as the current Labour government is now, the other party, in this case the Conservatives, would benefit. But that is not what's happening..."

---

6. Archaeological Mystery: Medieval Cemetery in Wales

Segment: 22:38–26:16

• Discovery:
  • A 6th- or 7th-century cemetery with predominantly female skeletons, some buried with luxury items.
  • Possible religious women's community, supported by finds of jewelry, building remains, and domestic artifacts.
• Highlights from Dig:
  • Discovery of a brooch possibly gilded with gold.
  • Clues indicate the cemetery may have been a spiritual and residential center for high-status women.

Quote (Rebecca Morell, 24:24):
"The discovery of the potential building adds to growing evidence that the cemetery was part of a female religious community."

---

7. Japan’s First Female PM and The Public Toilet Gap

Segment: 26:16–29:19

• Political Milestone:
  • Sanae Takaichi becomes the first female PM; female MPs push for more women’s toilets in Parliament (only two near the chamber).
  • Broader problem reflects a historic, global design bias against women’s needs.
• Interview with Caroline Criado Perez ("Invisible Women"):
  • Explains why equal bathroom floor space yields inequality (urinals vs. cubicles) and why women require greater facilities.

Quote (Caroline Criado Perez, 28:13):
"When you go to a public toilet in any place...you will find that there are women queuing for that toilet and the men are sauntering in and out of theirs." - Unequal design is both practical and symbolic of historic exclusion. - The “urinary leash” as a metaphor for women’s constrained freedom in public.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On National Guard Deployments:
  • Sean Dilley (03:17) — "It's a federal overreach to use these powers to deploy the National Guard in various places across the United States."
• On U.S. Political Fragmentation:
  • Rob Watson (21:30) — "It may be that the two parties who have essentially taken it in turns to govern Britain for the last hundred years or so, are losing their grip."
• On Returning to Syria:
  • Maleki Jasmati (16:38) — "If every Syrian people will not take this risk, who will build our country?"
• On Women’s Public Facilities:
  • Caroline Criado Perez (28:13) — "When you have a public toilet of a set, square footage that has urinals and cubicles and one that just has cubicles, immediately men have more provision, but women need more provision because there's much more demand on the female toilet."

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trump’s National Guard Withdrawal: 01:07–05:50
• Minnesota Somali Daycare Scandal: 05:50–07:47
• Ukraine War & Peace Talks: 07:47–12:45
• Syrian Refugee Returns: 15:25–18:53
• UK Political Fragmentation: 18:53–22:38
• Welsh Cemetery Discovery: 22:38–26:16
• Japan, Gender and Public Toilets: 26:16–29:19

---

Episode Takeaways

• Trump’s troop withdrawals highlight ongoing legal and political battles over federal authority and policing.
• Social media-driven scandals, as seen in Minnesota, continue to influence real policy and stir racial tensions.
• Ukraine’s conflict remains deadlocked, with peace tantalizingly close yet fundamentally blocked by irreconcilable demands.
• Syria’s fragile rebirth is marked by hope, risk, and the enduring scars of division.
• UK politics faces historic realignment as public trust evaporates.
• Archaeological finds in Wales shed new light on early female religious communities.
• The everyday fight for gender equality, notably in public infrastructure, remains pressing even in the corridors of power.

---

For those unable to listen, this summary offers a comprehensive window into the key stories, personalities, and dynamics shaping global affairs as the new year unfolds on the Global News Podcast.

Transcript

[Sean Dilley]

This BBC podcast is supported by ads.

[Will Vernon]

Outside the UK.

[OrangeTheory Fitness Advertiser]

Ready to change your life. For just $2 a day, OrangeTheory Fitness delivers one hour workouts that combine strength and cardio to help you burn fat, build muscle and feel unstoppable. Right now, get a full month of unlimited classes for just $62. Don't wait. This offer ends soon. Visit orangetheory.com or your local studio and start your transformation today. Offer ends January 31, 2026. New members only. Premier membership performance monitor and monthly billing required. DISC applies to first month only. Other terms apply. See Studio for details.

[Rob Watson]

You don't just live in your home, you live in your neighborhood as well.

[Homes.com Advertiser]

So when you're shopping for a home.

[Rob Watson]

You want to know as much about the area around it as possible. Luckily, homes.com has got you covered. Each listing features a comprehensive neighborhood guide from local experts. Everything you'd ever want to know about a neighborhood, including the number of homes for sale, transportation, local amenities, cultural attractions, unique qualities, and even things like medium.

[Homes.com Advertiser]

Lot size and a noise score. Quality homes.com, we've done your homework.

[Rachel Wright]

This is the Global News podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Rachel Wright and in the early hours of Thursday 1st January, these are our main stories. Donald Trump will pull National Guard troops out of three US Cities after a Supreme Court ruling. And in a New Year's address, President Zelensky says Ukraine will not sign a weak peace agreement with Russia. Also in this podcast, if every Syrian.

[Maleki Jasmati]

People will not take this risk, who will build our country?

[Rachel Wright]

We speak to a Syrian refugee who's ready to move home. In the final hours of 2025, Donald Trump announced he was withdrawing federal troops from three US cities Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland. Over the course of the year, the President deployed the National Guard to several Democrat run cities. He claimed they were needed to crack down on rampant crime and help with immigration enforcement.

[Homes.com Advertiser]

I saw today on one of your.

[Rob Watson]

Networks, not a friendly network, they interviewed about 12 people.

[Homes.com Advertiser]

Most of them were African American who were black and they were saying please, please, please let the president send in. These were people from Chicago. Please, we need help, we need help.

[Rob Watson]

We can't walk outside.

[Homes.com Advertiser]

We're petrified.

[Rachel Wright]

But Democrats criticized the move as an unnecessary and unconstitutional abuse of power, and several legal challenges were filed to block the deployments. Last week, the US Supreme Court ruled that it was illegal to send troops to Chicago, citing a long standing law against using the military as a domestic police force. And now President Trump has announced they'll be withdrawing, claiming that crime rates in the three cities have been reduced. But he said federal authorities could return if crime rose again. Our correspondent in Washington, Sean Dilley, told us more.

[Sean Dilley]

Some courts have given the federal government temporary permission to carry on with their deployments in some areas. But he's been facing an awful lot of legal challenges, and there are now several judges who've said that it's a federal overreach to use these powers to deploy the National Guard in various places across the United States. And there is not evidence that it's necessary to send troops in to protect property and in particular, the to protect federal property. Because while the National Guard obviously would normally be aligned to a state, they can under some circumstances be deployed by the federal government. It's all a question of proportionality. An awful lot of people think the deployment is quite an extreme reaction, particularly in Washington, D.C. from where I speak to you now, the National Guard are absolutely everywhere on an individual basis. Of course, they are extremely friendly when it comes to tourists and people locally here. But it is still the case that it's controversial. In Washington, D.C. president Trump had essentially at one point overtaken the local law enforcement department, the Metropolitan Police Department, and he has consistently argued that crime is soaring and something needs to be done. But his critics have suggested that he's been exaggerating isolated incidents at largely peaceful protests to justify the sending in of the troops.

[Rachel Wright]

Is there any evidence that the security situation has changed at all in any of these cities as a result, the National Guard presence?

[Sean Dilley]

It's almost a little bit early to say, because those annual crime statistics would not be in. In the same way. Certainly, President Trump claims that crime levels have come down in those areas. But no, I mean, there's no magic bullet there that says, right, okay, crime was at this level. The National Guard came in on this date, and he's been deploying them since June in various places across the United States. Nowhere can we say, well, hang on a minute, that's definitively reduced crime.

[Rachel Wright]

And what's the situation like in the other cities where Trump has deployed the National Guard?

[Sean Dilley]

There are still National Guards deployed here in Washington, D.C. there are national Guards deployed in Memphis and in New Orleans. An awful lot of people protesting about that, an awful lot of people very unhappy about it. Legal challenges do continue. And likewise, what's happened is in these areas where there have been protests not just about the National Guard, but based upon the policies of the federal government on immigration and other such matters, the deployments remain incredibly controversial. I think what makes this particular decision to withdraw the troops in Portland and LA and in Chicago. What makes it notable is if these have led to withdrawals of National Guard, could places like Memphis be next?

[Rachel Wright]

Sean Dilley in Washington well, staying in the US The Trump administration has also announced a freeze on funding for children's daycare in the Democrat led state of Minnesota. This comes after a conservative YouTuber claimed in a video that centers run by Somali immigrants were taking public money without providing care from Washington. Here's Tom Bateman.

[Tom Bateman]

The 42 minute video by conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley presented itself as an expose of Somali run child daycare centers in Minnesota using the on screen techniques of an investigative documentary, claiming the centers were defrauding the state of assistance funds. But the video lacked the standard journalistic checks, right of reply or editorial process usually involved in making such published allegations. It went viral and has been praised by the Trump administration, which has now announced a freeze on federal childcare funds to Minnesota. A backlash accusing Mr. Shirley of whipping up tensions with unsubstantiated claims, has also taken place online and on the ground amid a highly charged atmosphere, drawing on issues of race, immigration and electoral politics. Mr. Trump has for weeks used a series of fraud cases already uncovered by officials in the state to attack Minnesota's Somali community more broadly. Using highly derogatory language. Last month he said Somalis had ripped off Minnesota, calling them garbage from a country that stinks, who he said he didn't want. In the US some 90 people, mostly Somali Americans, have been charged or convicted in Minnesota over fraudulently claiming millions of dollars of public assistance funds, mainly relating to Covid era aid programs. Mr. Trump has accused the state's Democrat Governor Tim Waltz of failing to address the issue, echoing a central charge from Republicans ahead of a 2026 election race in the state, a claim Mr. Waltz has rejected, saying the state has spent years cracking down on fraudsters.

[Rachel Wright]

Tom Bateman let's turn to Ukraine now because with very little indication that Russia's military invasion is nearing an end, President Volodymyr Zelensky has used his New Year's declare that Kiev is not prepared to sign a weak peace agreement with Russia, insisting all it would do is prolong the war.

[Will Vernon]

In a few minutes a new year will arrive and I would give everything.

[Tom Bateman]

Everything in this world so that in.

[Rob Watson]

This address I could say that peace.

[Tom Bateman]

Too would arrive in a few minutes.

[Will Vernon]

Sadly, I cannot yet say that, but.

[Tom Bateman]

With a clear conscience I and all.

[Will Vernon]

Of us can say Ukraine is doing.

[Tom Bateman]

Everything possible for peace.

[Rachel Wright]

But he did express some optimism, estimating that around 90% of a peace agreement had been agreed. Following weeks of intensive talks involving the US And European leaders, President Putin took a very different tone in his New Year's address, expressing confidence in total victory. This was his message to Russia's soldiers.

[Tom Bateman]

You've taken on the responsibility of fighting for your homeland, for truth and justice. Millions of people across Russia, I assure you, are with you on this New Year's Eve. They're thinking of you, empathizing with you, hoping for you. We're united in our sincere, selfless and devoted love for Russia. I congratulate all our soldiers and commanders on the coming New Year. We believe in you and in our.

[Rob Watson]

Victory in Nashu Pavedu.

[Rachel Wright]

Earlier, both Ukraine and the EU's senior diplomat, Kaya Kallas, had poured scorn on Moscow's claims that Ukraine had launched a massive drone attack on President Putin's residence in Novgorod, hours after Mr. Zelensky's talks in Florida with Donald Trump. So a relatively upbeat message from President Zelensky and a defiant one from the Kremlin. How should we interpret those views in this grinding nearly four year war? Well, here's our reporter, Will Vernon.

[Will Vernon]

Things haven't changed significantly on the battlefield in the last year. Yes, the Russians have made some, some small gains, but, you know, at a really kind of glacially slow pace. They haven't even managed to fully capture the strategic city of Pokrovsk, which I think we were talking about on this program maybe two months ago. I was in Kiev a year ago today and the mood among Ukrainians was, was much the same as it is now. Right. Weariness, yes, exhaustion, but also defiance. Right. And, and a refusal to kind of bend the knee to Moscow. But it is undeniable that the Russian army has the advantage and Ukraine is, is losing ground. Zelensky mentioned that the peace talks in his address, didn't he? He said a peace deal is 90 done. But actually that 10% is absolutely crucial because Vladimir Putin is demanding that Ukraine withdraw entirely from the Donbas region. Ukraine is instead proposing that both sides pull back. But I think that's going to be an absolute non starter for Moscow because Putin believes he's winning the war. He's only going to stop his advancing armies if it's on Russia's terms. And withdrawing Russian troops from the front line is certainly not on Russia's terms. So it's difficult to see a way forward for that, for that 10%.

[Rachel Wright]

And then where are we with this claim by Russia that there was a massive drone attack on one of President.

[Will Vernon]

Putin's residence well, the Ukrainians continue to deny it and they've been joined in that view, as you mentioned, by European officials, most notably Kayakalis. President Trump initially appeared to support Moscow's view of all this, but he's been posting content on social media suggesting he's perhaps inclined to disbelieve that. Now, the Wall Street Journal tonight are reporting that US national security officials have concluded there was no attack. But you know that that's just one report in that newspaper. We don't have any other confirmat of that yet. It's difficult to see why Kyiv would decide to attack a presidential residence. You know, it's a really well guarded site. The security around residences, presidential residents in Russia is incredibly tight. I mean, there are many, you know, air defense systems. There are all kinds of electronic jamming and electronic warfare, you know, resources there. And there's also the question of why would you, the Ukrainians carry out such a risky move? Right. Targeting a presidential residence would be a really serious escalation.

[Rachel Wright]

Very little evidence that they'd done it. I mean, there was some, some very badly done shot foot video footage.

[Homes.com Advertiser]

Yes.

[Will Vernon]

And the Ukrainians say that this is all Russian disinformation. Right. To drive a wedge between Ukraine and Washington. Why the Ukrainians would do that at a time when they're trying to convince Donald Trump that Kiev wants peace and Moscow doesn't? That would be really weird thing to do.

[Rachel Wright]

Will Vernon still to come in this.

[Caroline Criado Perez]

Podcast for men, you got your urinal, you unzip, off you go. For women, you got to find the cubicle, open the door, shut the door, take your trousers down, sit down and then reverse the procedure.

[Rachel Wright]

The campaign to build more toilets for women.

[OrangeTheory Fitness Advertiser]

Ready to change your Life. For just $2 a day, Orange Theory Fitness delivers one hour workouts that combine strength and cardio to help you burn fat, build muscle and feel unstoppable. Right now, get a full month of unlimited classes for just $62. Don't wait. This offer ends soon. Visit orangetheory.com or your local studio and start your transformation today. Offer ends January 31, 2026. New members only. Premier membership, performance monitor and monthly billing required. Discount applies to first month only. Other terms apply. See Studio for details.

[Tom Bateman]

I have some very exciting news about an ethical phone carrier. I just switched to. This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. Forget about all these other phone companies. Forget about VAR, Verizon, forget about AT&T, forget about T Mobile. There's this new carrier called Noble Mobile and they actually pay you to stay off your phone. You can earn real money, up to 20 bucks back every month just for putting your phone away. If you're like me and you're tired of feeling controlled by your phone, social media or just disgusted by those screen time alerts, this is the answer. Go to noblemobile.com Chelsea and try it for $10. That's noblemobile.com Chelsea what kind of programs.

[OrangeTheory Fitness Advertiser]

Does this school have? How are the test scores? How many kids do a classroom? Homes.com knows these are all things you ask when you're home shopping as a parent. That's why Each listing on Homes.com includes extensive reports on local schools, including photos, parent reviews, test scores, student teacher ratio, school rankings and more. The information is from multiple trusted sources and curated by Holmes.com's dedicated in house research team. It's all so you can make the right decision for your family. Homes.com we've done your homework. Hi, I'm Angie Hicks, co founder of angie and one thing I've learned is that you buy a house but you make it a home. Because with every fix, update and renovation it becomes a little more your own. So you need all your jobs done well. For nearly 30 years, Angie has helped millions of homeowners hire skilled pros for the projects that matter, from plumbing to electrical, roof repair to deck upgrades. So leave it to the pros who will get your jobs done well. Hire high quality [e-mail].

[Rachel Wright]

The Economist magazine named Syria its Country of the year for 2025, celebrating its social and political transformation since the fall of the dictator Bashar al Assad. Life in Syria under the new president Ahmed Al Sharar, is far from perfect. Religious minorities, including the Alawite and the Druze, still face violence, but many Syrians who fled the country during its long and bloody civil war have been returning. Maleki Jasmati, a chef from Damascus, settled in Germany as a refugee in 2015. She's been back to Syria several times since Assad fell and she told my colleague James Kumarasamy that she's preparing to move home.

[Maleki Jasmati]

I can live there without any problem. The electricity, it's coming back slowly. Everything, it's changed, but not 360 degrees. Now I start to study if I will open business there in Syria and also I will start to open my NGO there to help women, to empower women.

[Rob Watson]

It's interesting you now feel confident enough to be able to open your business.

[Maleki Jasmati]

In Syria because I'm Syrian. If every Syrian people will not take this risk, who will build our country? If I will say, oh, it's a little bit risky. No one will build our country.

[Rob Watson]

It's an NGO to help women that you're setting up. Because one of the big criticisms of the new government in Syria is that there are no women in positions of.

[Tom Bateman]

Power, that women are not empowered in.

[Rob Watson]

This new Syria yet at least. Do you agree with that?

[Maleki Jasmati]

Yes, but it's not only in this new government. In the Assad regime, we have the same situation, but now all the media, because the new government, they look like they are Islamic. All the people thought now the women, they are not in power. No, no, before that. Also with Assad regime, we have seen.

[Rob Watson]

Just in the last couple of days, more violence. An attack on a mosque, people killed in Syria. How worried are you about the kind of violence between communities that has been seen over the past year?

[Maleki Jasmati]

Actually, we need a lot of civil peace. Assad regime, he make a lot of problem between us. Always when he kill the people in Syria, he will say we are as a halawi. It make a lot of hating from the Sunni about the Alawi.

[Rob Watson]

So it has roots. It has roots.

[Maleki Jasmati]

It has roots, exactly. There is people, they have like a fire inside them because some of their family they killed in the very hard way. So we need this kind of peace.

[Rob Watson]

Just a final thought. What is it like cooking in Syria? Is it different to cooking in.

[Maleki Jasmati]

In Syria? It's easier for sure. When I'm cooking there, I feel I come back to my home, even if my grandmother, she's passed away. But I feel all the old women, they are around me, they are like my grandmother. And also the ingredients, it's the taste of this ingredient, it's like the childhood taste for me. It's like peace.

[Rachel Wright]

Syrian chef Malikay Jasmati When Keir Starmer became the UK's Prime Minister in 2024, he promised to make politics less present in British life. In other words, more boring and less newsworthy. Instead, there have been high profile sackings and resignations from his government, divisions within the governing Labour Party over policy, and with it all, plummeting popularity after little more than 18 months in power. In normal times, all this would benefit the main Conservative opposition party. But as our political correspond, Rob Watson now reports, these are anything but normal times.

[Rob Watson]

A few days ago, I was listening to a phone in on one of the World Services sister channels in Britain. Inevitably, of course, the callers ended up talking about politics. I was struck by one in particular who said she was totally disillusioned with politics and that Britain's politicians had failed the British people I was struck because she sounded so reasonable, so calm and ordinary, by which I mean normal and typical, and yet so totally fed up. It reminded me of the many conversations I'd had with voters at the time of the local elections earlier this year. What I'd heard then was also a mix of disillusion and anger from perfectly reasonable sounding people directed at the politicians over such issues as the cost of living, immigration and a general sense that nothing in Britain works properly. Of course, voter anger is nothing new. I remember the same thing at the time of the 2010 general election, when voters were furious in the wake of the scandal over MPs expenses and the financial crash two years earlier. But this time it seems even more serious. For a start, current polling suggests the country's mood has never been so sour, with over 70% of voters saying they expect life in Britain to get worse. Truly staggering 70%. But secondly, this feeling of pessimism and anger is threatening to translate into a serious reshaping of British politics. To some extent, it's already happening. Let me explain. In the past, when one of the two main parties was as unpopular as the current Labour government is now, the other party, in this case the Conservatives, would benefit. But that is not what's happening. Some context. In the 20 elections between 1945 and 2019, the combined vote share of the two main parties averaged a whopping 80.5%. Now the polls suggest they can barely muster 35% between them. All this matters because it may be that the two parties who have essentially taken it in turns to govern Britain for the last hundred years or so, are losing their grip. The beneficiaries so far are reformed to the populist right and the Greens and Scottish and Welsh Nationalist parties. On the left, you could argue Britain is becoming, dare one say it, in this post Brexit era, more like other European countries, countries where politics is more fragmented and where the traditional post war parties of centre left and centre right have seen a collapse in their support. So will 2026 be the year in which somehow Labour and the Conservatives fight back? Or does the fragmentation, with all its potential to yes revolutionize British politics in a way that would be literally unprecedented in living memory? Continue? It's certainly what I'll be looking out for next year, especially next spring when there are local elections across England and to the Parliament in Scotland and the assembly in Wales. Quiet.

[Rachel Wright]

It won't be Rob Watson staying in the uk. New discoveries at a medieval cemetery near the Welsh capital Cardiff have brought archaeologists closer to solving a mystery surrounding the women buried there. Our science editor Rebecca Morell has been to the site to find out more.

[Rebecca Morell]

In a field in the Cardiff countryside, archaeologists are getting ready to lift a skull from a grave. It's 1500 years old and incredibly fragile. 58 skeletons dating to the 6th or 7th century have been unearthed so far. But this site is something of a medieval mystery. What's unusual is nearly all of the skeletons are women. And while their bones show they lived hard lives, objects found amongst the grave suggest wealth and luxury. But a major new clue has been discovered. Buried beneath my feet here is a really intriguing feature. The team here think it could be some kind of building. It's about 4 meters by 5 meters and it's possibly a shrine or even a small chapel. What they do know is that this is clearly important. It's right in the middle of the cemetery. You can see maybe six graves clustered right around it.

[Rob Watson]

It's a highly desired location for people to be buried.

[Rebecca Morell]

Tida Davies is an archaeologist at Cardiff University.

[Rob Watson]

Specifically where we have this kind of clustering of graves, sometimes 2, 3, 4 individuals that have been buried on the.

[Sean Dilley]

Same spot again and again.

[Rob Watson]

There doesn't appear to be as much of a taboo over putting bodies in the same place and just moving those still there to one side.

[Rebecca Morell]

The discovery of the potential building adds to growing evidence that the cemetery was part of a female religious community. These were high status women. And artifacts found at the site have been taken to Cardiff University's lab to be studied. This object, we're very lucky, has a really nice, what we call patina. And so I've been able to clean it just using cotton wool on a cocktail stick and a small amount of water with methylated spirits. Conservator Nicola Emerson is painstakingly removing the dirt of the dig from a fine copper broach. We'd have to do some more analysis, but it's probably bronze. Also. We think that it was possibly gilded, which would be a coating of gold over the top. So this would have been a very decorative brooch, I think is a very special find for the site. When you think about this period, particularly if we're talking about religious community, I wouldn't expect to see something as sort of decorative and pretty as this. The social structures that would have existed and the ornamentation is probably very different to our modern concept of what that is back at the dig. And domestic items for found at the cemetery are also revealing more.

[Rob Watson]

We have a quern stone for grinding, flour for bread. We've got pottery and glass for eating and drinking. It's clearly not just a place for the dead. There's a living community here as well.

[Rebecca Morell]

Dr. Andy Seaman is leading the excavations.

[Rob Watson]

So we might want to think of a community which has cut itself off from the rest of society, perhaps as part of a very early and not yet very well understood religious community.

[Rebecca Morell]

The pieces of this medieval puzzle are starting to come together and there'll be more answers as the excavations continue later this year.

[Rachel Wright]

Our science editor, Rebecca Morell. Japan elected its first female Prime Minister, sanae Takaichi, in 2025 after the latest election. There are more than 70 women in the Japanese Parliament, the highest. Most of them, including the Prime Minister, have submitted a petition calling for more women's toilets in the Parliament building to accommodate them all. There are just two female cubicles close to the chamber where members speak and vote, leading to long queues. The problem is not a new one, and certainly not one confined to Japan. Caroline Criado Perez is the author of Invisible Women Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men. She spoke to my colleague Sha Lane.

[Caroline Criado Perez]

When you go to a public toilet in any place, right, if it's in the theatre, if it's in a shopping centre, wherever, you will find that there are women queuing for that toilet and the men are sauntering in and out of theirs. It's especially frustrating when you realize that the reason for it is not what we normally think, which is women are faffing about in there, spending too long doing their makeup. Generally, when public toilets are being designed, the way that planners will allocate the space for toilets is they'll do equal floor space, which seems to make sense. The problem you have is that you can fit more urinals into a particular square footage than you can fit cubicles. Women can't generally use urinals. So when you have a public toilet of a set, square footage that has urinals and cubicles and one that just has cubicles, immediately you've got way more provision. You can have way more people going in and out of the one that has urinals in it. So immediately men have more provision, but women need more provision because there's much more demand on the female toilet. And that is because women are more likely to be taking in other people, for example, small children that they're taking care of, older people that they're taking care of. Also, women, for various reasons, might need to use the toilet more often because they're pregnant and also just biomechanically, right? It just takes a little bit longer for Men, you go up to your urinal, you unzip, off you go. For women, you've got to find the cubicle, open the door, shut the door, you know, take your trousers down, probably clean the toilet seat, sit down and then reverse the procedure.

[Will Vernon]

Right.

[Caroline Criado Perez]

And that just is, you know, it's small.

[Rob Watson]

It adds up.

[Rebecca Morell]

It adds up.

[Caroline Criado Perez]

So essentially that is why you find women queuing.

[Rob Watson]

That is admirably clear. What is unclear to me is why this problem persists.

[Caroline Criado Perez]

Most people don't really realise that. They still just sort of think the default thought, which is, oh, equal space, that sounds fair. And you have to make this slightly protracted argument of why actually equal space isn't fair. And I think often that argument just isn't made. But a lot of it is historic. There's fascinating history of women's fight for public toilets, you know, across London, where it was seen as absolutely shocking that women would be out in public and need the toilet. There's a thing called the urinary leash, which is about. Well, it's kind of what it sounds like, you know, how far can you go being tethered to the fact that you're going to need to go at some point and there might not be anywhere.

[Rachel Wright]

Caroline Criado Perez speaking to Sean Lay. 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, podcast or the topics covered in it, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk you can also find us on X@BBC World Service. Use the hashtag global newspod. This edition was produced by Stephen Jensen and Peter Goffin. It was mixed by Holly Smith. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Rachel Wright. Until next time. Goodbye.

[Homes.com Advertiser]

Finding a hoodie that lasts through the season can be tough. The American Giant Classic Full Zip hoodie is made to last a lifetime. So you can count on it to bring you comfort and warmth year after year. The iconic Classic Full zip hoodie is the jacket that started it all for American Giant. Custom heavyweight fleece and side panels for mobility make it the best hoodie ever. And a double lined hood and reinforced elbow patches means this hoodie will last born from a commitment to support the communities that create its products. Every American Giant piece is made in America and designed to last, no exceptions. The result is durable clothing like the premium slub crew tee, no bs, High rise pant and slim roughneck pant that become part of your life. Snag the hoodie that will bring you comfort for life. The American giant classic full zip and save 20% off your first order at american-giant.com when you use code STAPLE20 at checkout.

[Rebecca Morell]

Out.

[Homes.com Advertiser]

That's American Giant. Com code STAPLE20.