Trump's military action threat alarms Nigeria

Summary

Global News Podcast – November 3, 2025

Episode Title: Trump's military action threat alarms Nigeria
Host: Janak Jalil (BBC World Service) Date: November 3, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of the Global News Podcast centers on President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy US military forces or conduct airstrikes in Nigeria, purportedly to protect Christians from Islamist extremist violence. The episode also covers the US government shutdown’s growing impact, the aftermath of a tragic Air India crash, the historic New York City mayoral race, Israel-Hamas ceasefire developments, Iran’s severe drought crisis, the Maldives' generational smoking ban, and India’s victory in the Women’s Cricket World Cup.

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Key Segments, Insights & Quotes

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1. Trump’s Threat of Military Action in Nigeria

[01:02–06:16]

Key Points

• President Trump told reporters he “won’t rule out airstrikes or deploying American troops” to protect Christians in Nigeria, claiming—without proof—that they’re being slaughtered by Islamist extremists.
• Nigeria’s government rejects Trump’s claims, denying that Christians are uniquely targeted, and insists on national sovereignty.
• The US evangelical lobby and key political figures have amplified calls for intervention.
• Analysts explain the complexity of Nigeria’s violence: Islamist insurgents do target various communities, and intercommunal violence in central Nigeria is more about resources than religion.

Notable Quotes

• Donald Trump:
  “They’re killing record numbers of Christians in Nigeria...” [02:28]
• Daniel Bawala (Advisor to the Nigerian President):
  “I don't think diplomatically it would be right to invade a country without collaboration with that country, especially if that country is your partner in the fight against insurgency.” [03:12]
• David Bamford (Africa Analyst):
  “The problem is that what President Trump is talking about—the Christians—that’s just not happening there... that’s an argument about water shortages. It’s nothing to do with religion or Islamist insurgency.” [05:29]

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2. US Government Shutdown: Hardship Increases

[06:16–11:35]

Key Points

• The government shutdown has stretched into the second month, affecting millions: food stamps are at risk, federal workers are unpaid, and airport delays mount due to absentee air traffic controllers.
• Political deadlock persists: Republicans demand a “clean funding bill,” Democrats insist on health care subsidy extensions.
• Public frustration and hardship are growing, especially as the holiday season approaches.

Notable Quotes

• Chantel Manuel (Food Aid Recipient):
  “I think that crime rates will probably go up because, I mean, what are you gonna do? Let your child starve? No, I doubt it.” [06:47]
• Federal Employee at Food Bank:
  “Not get paid feels like slavery.” [07:30]
• Peter Bowes (North America Correspondent):
  “After 31 days without pay, air traffic controllers are under immense stress and fatigue and it does seem inevitable that more... will be calling in sick as the days go on.” [08:35]

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3. Air India Crash Survivor Speaks Out

[11:35–16:20]

Key Points

• Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of a catastrophic Air India crash in June, shares his ongoing struggles with grief and recovery.
• Kumar lost his brother in the crash and is battling PTSD and ongoing physical injuries.
• His representatives criticize Air India for inadequate support, while the airline claims to be prioritizing affected families.

Notable Quotes

• Vishwash Kumar Ramesh:
  “On the one hand I am lucky as man. But also I lost everything. I lost my brother. My brother is my backbone.” [14:07]
• Sanjeev Patel (Advisor):
  “He is at the moment a number on a spreadsheet.” [14:54]
• Rad Seeger (Advisor):
  “Three times we have issued an invitation… Three times they’ve either ignored us or turned us down.” [15:18]

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4. NYC Mayoral Race: A Political Watershed

[16:20–20:11]

Key Points

• The race is historic: Zahran Mamdani (Democrat), potential first Muslim and youngest mayor in a century, surges ahead via grassroots energy and bold progressive pledges.
• Andrew Cuomo (ex-Governor, running as Independent) challenges Mamdani after losing the Democratic primary; his campaign highlights Mamdani’s perceived radicalism and past controversies.
• Curtis Sliwa (Republican) brings a law-and-order message, and Donald Trump threatens to withhold federal funds if Mamdani wins.

Notable Quotes

• Zahran Mamdani:
  “We are going to freeze the rent for more than 2 million rent stabilized tenants... eliminate the fare on every single bus line... and create universal child care at no cost to parents.” [17:48]
• Andrew Cuomo:
  “Yeah, it sounds good. Flying buses, free food. It is all untrue. There is no Santa Claus.” [18:09]
• Curtis Sliwa supporter:
  “I think he’s terrible. He’s a communist.” [19:28]
• Frank Morano (Republican councilman):
  “Federal funding decisions shouldn’t punish citizens for who they voted for.” [19:51]

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5. Middle East Update: Israel-Hamas Ceasefire and Hostage Returns

[22:45–25:02]

Key Points

• Hamas has returned three more bodies of deceased Israeli hostages to the Red Cross, raising hopes for further progress.
• Despite continued tension, the transfer of remains is seen as contributing modestly to the fragile ceasefire momentum.

Notable Quotes

• Sebastian Usher (Jerusalem):
  “If the issue of the dead hostages is resolved... that will go a long way towards paving the path towards the second stage of a ceasefire, which is when it becomes existential for Hamas...” [24:41]

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6. Iran’s Imminent Water Crisis

[25:02–28:13]

Key Points

• Tehran is at risk of running out of drinking water within weeks due to severe drought. A major dam is at just 8% capacity.
• The crisis is both environmental and political: critics allege chronic government mismanagement—as well as the role of climate change and profiteering “water mafia”—have worsened the situation.

Notable Quotes

• Sivas Ardalan (BBC Persian Environment Reporter):
  “The situation is very bad. The day zero scenario... has been looming since summer began.” [25:39] “A lot of Iran’s lakes and seas have dried up as a result of climate change, but more so as a result of certain policies…” [26:37]

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7. Maldives’ Generational Smoking Ban

[28:13–31:31]

Key Points

• The Maldives bans tobacco use for anyone born after January 2007—making it the first country to introduce a generational tobacco ban, including tourists.
• Critics worry about illicit trade and lost tourism, but Maldivian officials express confidence in the policy and highlight continued growth in visitor numbers.

Notable Quotes

• Ahmad Afal (National Tobacco Control Board):
  “People don’t come to the Maldives because they are able to smoke. They come for the beaches, they come for the sea, they come for the sun...” [31:05]

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8. India’s Historic Win in Women’s Cricket World Cup

[31:31–34:12]

Key Points

• India defeats South Africa to claim its first-ever Women's Cricket World Cup after a dramatic tournament turnaround.
• Massive home crowd celebrates players as national heroes, promising a brighter future for women’s sports in India.

Notable Quotes

• Indian Fan:
  “We won the World cup for the first time in history and the stadium was completely full and the environment, it was too good.” [33:12]
• Cricket Commentator:
  “The names of new stars for a generation.” [34:00]

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Memorable Moments & Commentary

• The sharp contrast between perceptions about Christian persecution in Nigeria and local realities [05:29].
• The personal anguish shared by the Air India crash survivor: “On the one hand I am lucky as man. But also I lost everything.” [14:07]
• The excitement and generational impact of India’s first women’s cricket World Cup title [33:12].

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Timeline of Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:02 | Trump’s threat of military action in Nigeria | | 06:16 | US government shutdown: social & economic fallout | | 11:35 | Air India crash survivor testimony | | 16:20 | New York City mayoral race: historic and divisive contest | | 22:45 | Israel-Hamas ceasefire: hostage body returns | | 25:02 | Iran’s water crisis: impending “Day Zero” | | 28:13 | Maldives' smoking ban: a world first | | 31:31 | India wins Women’s Cricket World Cup |

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Tone and Style

The reporting maintains BBC’s signature blend of urgency, nuance, and clarity. Interviews and analysis highlight personal impacts, political stakes, and global significance, often contrasting public perception with expert evidence.

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Conclusion

This episode masterfully traverses headline news and human stories, from geopolitical flashpoints (Trump’s Nigeria threat, Israel-Hamas ceasefire) to crises reshaping daily life (US shutdown, Iran’s drought), groundbreaking policy (Maldives’ tobacco ban), and celebratory milestones in sport and culture (India’s cricket win, NYC’s historic election). Each segment, supported with vivid quotes and on-the-ground analysis, delivers insight into a rapidly changing world.

Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

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[Interviewee/Guest]

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This is the story of the 1. As head of maintenance at a concert hall, he knows the show must always go on. That's why he works behind the scenes, ensuring every light is working, the H Vac is humming, and his facility shines with Grainger's supplies and solutions for every challenge he faces. Plus 24. 7 customer support. His venue never misses a beat. Call quickgranger.com or just stop by Granger.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

For the ones who get it done. This is the global News podcast from the BBC World Book. I'm Janak Jalil and at 5 hours GMT on Monday 3rd November. These are our main stories. Donald Trump says he won't rule out airstrikes or deploying American troops to protect Christians in Nigeria, who he claims without proof are being slaughtered by Islamist extremists. Delays increase at American airports as the US Government shutdown enters its second month. Also in this podcast, we won the.

[Interviewee/Guest]

World cup for the first time in.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

History and I feel really good about it.

[Interviewee/Guest]

And the stadium was completely full and the environment was too good.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

Indians celebrate after their team win the women's cricket World cup for the first time, Donald Trump was re elected president on a pledge to bring peace and end US Involvement in foreign conflicts. But now, a day after threatening military action against Nigeria over what he says without proof is the mass slaughter of Christians by Islamist extremists, he has doubled down on that threat. He told reporters on Air Force One that the US could send troops to Nigeria or carry out airstrikes there.

[Interviewee/Guest]

They're killing record numbers of Christians in Nigeria and they have other countries. Very bad also you know that that part of the world very bad. They're killing the Christians and killing them in very large numbers is not going to allow that to happen.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

The US President's words have caused great alarm in the vast African nation, which has a Muslim majority north and a Christian majority south. Nigeria denies that Christians are being targeted more than any other group. It's tried to play down Mr. Trump's threats by saying it would welcome US help in fighting Islamist insurgents, but that America must respect its sovereignty. Daniel Bawala is an advisor to the Nigerian president.

[Interviewee/Guest]

If it is a joint action with the Nigerian government, then that's fine because Nigeria is a territorial country, right? It's a sovereign country. And I don't think diplomatically it would be right to invade a country without collaboration with that country, especially if that country is your partner in the fight against insurgency. Where you see that kind of intervention is where there is an intelligence assessment that that country is in fact the one fueling the crisis for which the Americans want to intervene. This is not the case with Nigeria.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

Our Africa analyst, David Bamford told me more about Mr. Trump's comments in Air Force One.

[Analyst/Expert]

He was telling reporters that he did not rule out sending troops to Nigeria or carrying out airstrikes to protect what he said, Christians who killed in large numbers by the Islamist insurgents. He wasn't very specific about when or how that might happen or whether he really means this. But it will be a quite significant thing if he was to actually send ground troops into Nigeria.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

And the Nigerians are saying that this is not true, that Christians are not being targeted any more than any other group. So what is behind this? Why is Donald Trump saying these things?

[Analyst/Expert]

For months now, the evangelical groups in the US have been coming up with this idea that the Islamic insurgents are killing large numbers of Christians in Nigeria. This has been egged up by the Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, who's talked about imposing some faith based security in Africa, Senator Ted Cruz, groups like Open Doors, which have been calling for American intervention. But the problem is that Nigerian politics is a very complicated thing. And the Nigerians are saying that it's not Islamist insurgents that are particularly killing Christians. The Islamist insurgents in northern Nigeria are killing all sorts of communities. And there are only a very tiny number of Christians who actually live in northern Nigeria.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

And so it's a very difficult balancing act for the Nigerians because they're trying to say that they welcome any US Help, but that they shouldn't infringe their sovereignty, as you say, they are acknowledging they have a problem with Islamist insurgents, but just not Islamist insurgents, particularly targeting Christians.

[Analyst/Expert]

It is true that the Nigerians themselves, the Nigerian military, have been totally incapable of dealing with the Islamist insurgents in northern Nigeria. And they've been saying that actually they would potentially welcome some American help in dealing with that issue. The problem is that what President Trump is talking about, the Christians, that's just not happening there. There is a Different battle going on in central Nigeria, and that involves bandits attacking local communities. And as it happens, the bandits, they're Fulanis who happen to be Muslims who have cattle, and they're attacking pastoralist farmers who happen to be Christians. But that's an argument about water shortages. It's nothing to do with religion or Islamist insurgency.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

David Bamford the lives of millions of Americans are increasingly being disrupted by the US Government shutdown, which began more than a month ago after Democrats and Republicans failed to agree a funding bill. But despite the hardship caused to federal employees or people who rely on food aid, both sides in Congress continue to dig in their heels. Chantel Manuel from Sarasota in Florida is one of more than 42 million Americans whose access to food stamps is at risk.

[Interviewee/Guest]

I think that crime rates will probably go up because, I mean, what are you gonna do? Let your child starve? No, I doubt it. I wouldn't. I don't feel like they would make.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

The decisions that they're making if it.

[Interviewee/Guest]

Affected them the way it affects us. If they were the ones that was gonna be affected by how they got to eat that night or whatever, then they would not be making these decisions.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

Then there are the government employees who aren't getting paid. These federal workers spoke to us at a food bank in Washington last week.

[Interviewee/Guest]

It's been a huge hassle. This upcoming month is going to be a struggle for us. That extra, you know, food makes a difference more than you realize. I do have a daughter at home. She's a year old. She's eating real food. She's not on formula. I still go into the office. Not get paid feels like slavery. The uncertainty is a lot in regards to families. We're coming up on the holiday season.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

Also not getting paid are air traffic controllers because they're essential. Workers are expected to come in regardless, but many have been calling in sick, with some saying that they've had to get second jobs. This has meant widespread delays at airports, and the Transport secretary, Sean Duffy, told CBS News that they will keep cutting flights rather than compromising safety.

[Field Reporter/Interviewer]

We're already stressed in that we don't have enough controllers in our system. And this shutdown, when we have staffing triggers where they're not coming in because they're funding their families and food on their tables, that makes it more difficult because we're already short. They're making decisions to feed their families. I'm not going to fire air traffic controllers. I have loved them and supported them as they're trying to go through this process. And it's challenging for them. They need support. They need money. They need a paycheck.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

Our North America correspondent Peter Bowes told us more about the deadlock on Friday.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The FAA, the Federal Aviation Administration said nearly half of the 30 busiest U.S. airports faced shortages of air traffic controllers. The cities of Nashville, Dallas, Denver, Austin particularly badly hit. Newark Airport today, just in the last few hours facing delays. Passengers facing delays of about two hours. That's one of the worst affected areas. That's the airport that serves the New York area. The impact has been patchy, though, over the last few days. I flew from Los Angele to Washington last Friday, didn't experience any problems, although that may have been because it was Halloween and some people were taking the day off. But generally speaking, and the FAA expanded on this in its statement saying that after 31 days without pay, air traffic controllers are under immense stress and fatigue and it does seem inevitable that more of them will be calling in sick as the days go on. And Peter, I mentioned in the introduction people are missing their food stamps as a result of this government shut. Other areas are affecting people everyday life. Well, that's one of the key areas. The food stamps issues, the fact that the assistance program is now devoid of funding. But also more generally on health care. The beginning of November marks the beginning of the sign up process for healthcare under the Affordable Care act, sometimes referred to as Obamacare. The government deadlock over whether to extend health subsidies, which is really at the heart of the the dispute and why Congress is deadlocked at the moment. But the uncertainty over that means that as people are contemplating and considering signing up for health care over the coming months, they're realizing that it's going to cost them so much more, although that isn't certain because this dispute involving the Republicans and the Democrats who are deadlocked, hasn't been resolved yet.

[Field Reporter/Interviewer]

And Peter, is there any sign that.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Either side is going to back down.

[Interviewee/Guest]

With regards to that?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No sign at the moment. But clearly someone will have to back down. I think just as they were a month ago, both sides are blaming each other. The Republicans are still insisting on what they're calling a clean funding measure with no strings attached. So in other words, no extra issues, the deadlines. The Democrats want to extend those health care subsidies. They're due to expire at the end of the year and they're sticking to their guns on that. And what about the voters? Who are they blaming for this? Does it really go along party lines? I think generally speaking it does go along party lines. Opinion polls do suggest that more Republicans are getting the blame, and that includes the president, than Democrats. Although what I've sensed over the last few days is that when these issues begin to affect individuals, I think some people have sailed through the last month and haven't really felt the effect. But now it's beginning to hit home with more people and that is for bogusing people's minds in terms of who they blame.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

Peter Bose, the sole survivor of the Air India plane crash, has told the BBC that five months on, he's still struggling to come to terms with the disaster. In June, a flight to London from Ahmedabad crashed within seconds of taking off. All but one of the 242 people on board were killed along with 19 victims on the ground. While Vis Vash Kumar Ramesh did survive, he's still grieving for his brother who was on the same flight. He's been speaking to Nabtej Johal in his home city Leicester. In England.

[Field Reporter/Interviewer]

A man walks away from a plane crash that has killed everyone else on board. Onlookers are stunned. How Viswash Kumar Ramesh survived is a question no one, not even he can really seem to answer.

[Interviewee/Guest]

It is miracle. Inni, what can I say? That I'm only one survivor.

[Narrator/Announcer]

An AI India flight heading for Gatwick has crashed moments after taking off.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

Things are still smoking around us.

[Interviewee/Guest]

It's really hard to breathe here right now.

[Field Reporter/Interviewer]

The Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad in June killed 241 crew and passengers and 19 victims. On the ground sat just a few seats away from Viswash Kumar was his brother Ajay who also died in the aftermath. Viswas Kumar was diagnosed with post Traumatic stress disorder. He's now returned to his home in Leicester.

[Interviewee/Guest]

Thank you.

[Field Reporter/Interviewer]

The BBC and other media were invited to the home of one of his advisors for his first interviews in the uk. May I have your first name, sir? The two advisors sat next to him and a documentary crew were also present. Visas Kumar, thank you for speaking to us. During our interview there were questions he couldn't answer. When did you realize when you were on that flight that something was wrong?

[Interviewee/Guest]

It is very painful for me to explain that happened. Still I can't say anything about that now.

[Field Reporter/Interviewer]

Do you feel like you are the luckiest man alive?

[Interviewee/Guest]

Yes, it is medical inning.

[Field Reporter/Interviewer]

Is that difficult? Because on the one hand you say you believe you are the luckiest man alive.

[Interviewee/Guest]

On the other hand I am lucky as man. But also I lost everything. I lost my brother. My brother is my backbone.

[Field Reporter/Interviewer]

What have the last few months been like for you and for your family.

[Interviewee/Guest]

I don't like to talk with anyone else. I just sit in my room and alone. My wife, my son. I'm not talking with anyone. I just like to learn in my house.

[Field Reporter/Interviewer]

Viswas Kumar says he's also struggling with his physical injuries and hasn't been able to work or drive.

[Interviewee/Guest]

My leg is very painful.

[Field Reporter/Interviewer]

One of his advisors, Sanjeev Patel, a community leader in Leicester, says they want to put pressure on Air India to provide more compensation to meet his immediate needs.

[Interviewee/Guest]

What we want to do is speak to Air India and not somebody down the chain who's processing paperwork so they can understand the real impact and put in real support for this family that's suffering. He is at the moment a number on a spreadsheet.

[Field Reporter/Interviewer]

His other advisor, Rad Seeger, a former lawyer, says the airline have so far treated him appallingly.

[Interviewee/Guest]

Three times we have issued an invitation to them to come and sit with us collaboratively and work together to try and help Viswash Kumar and his family through this ordeal. Three times they've either ignored us or turned us down.

[Field Reporter/Interviewer]

In a statement, Air India, which is owned by Tata Group, said, we are deeply conscious of our responsibility to provide Mr. Ramesh with support. Care for him and indeed all families affected by the tragedy remains our absolute priority. Senior leaders from across Tatar Group continue to visit families to express their deepest condolences. An offer has been made to Mr. Ramesh's representatives to arrange such a meeting.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

Honestly, I need to get him to rest.

[Field Reporter/Interviewer]

Viswas Kumar was led away by one of his advisors for arrest before his next interview. This man, whose miraculous escape amid a horrifying tragedy fascinated the world, is still counting the cost of survival.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

That report by Navtij Jo how it's not the White House, but being mayor of New York is one of the highest profile jobs in US Politics. And this year's race has got even more attention than usual because a candidate who at the start of the year was a complete unknown has surged to the top of the polls. Now America is waiting to see whether Zoran Mamdani can beat the veteran Democrat, the former governor Andrew Cuomo, to become the city's first Muslim mayor and the youngest in over a century. Curtis Lewa is their Republican rival. Sunday was the last day of early voting before the highly anticipated election day on Tuesday. Stephanie Prentice reports.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

New York is America's biggest city and witnessing its biggest race in recent history. Not the marathon, but the sprint to become mayor of a metropolitan area with an economy bigger than $2 trillion. The frontrunner in the polls is the Democrat Zahran Mamdani, notable For his age, 34, his potential to be the first Muslim mayor of New York City, and the speed at which he's gone from an unknown city council member to running against seasoned politicians decades his senior.

[Interviewee/Guest]

Every take is gonna be.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

He's used social media to amass an army of campaign volunteers. His campaign has galvanized younger voters.

[Interviewee/Guest]

You want a photo, brother?

[Reporter/Correspondent]

And his major pledges are crowd pleasers.

[Interviewee/Guest]

We are going to freeze the rent for more than 2 million rent stabilized tenants. We are going to eliminate the fare on every single bus line, and we are going to create universal child care at no cost to parents.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Andrew Cuomo is running as an independent and lost to Mr. Mamdani in the Democratic Party primary.

[Interviewee/Guest]

Yeah, it sounds good. Flying buses, free food. It is all untrue. There is no Santa Claus.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

He's also reminded voters in a city with a significant Jewish population of his rival's pro Palestinian stance and comments around Israel during a debate seen as a major misstep by some.

[Interviewee/Guest]

And just yes or no, do you.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Believe in a Jewish state of Israel?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I believe Israel has the right to.

[Interviewee/Guest]

Exist as a Jewish state, as a state with equal rights.

[Field Reporter/Interviewer]

He won't say it has a right to exist.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Andrew Cuomo has the big money behind him and is running on an experience ticket, including 10 years as governor of New York. But his experience did involve resigning in 2021amid a sexual harassment scandal. He's always denied wrongdoing.

[Analyst/Expert]

I didn't realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn. There are generational and cultural shifts that I just didn't fully appreciate.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

The Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa, is the most fiscally conservative and law and order candidate of the three. He's polling last, but is expected to create problems for Andrew Cuomo by splitting votes.

[Interviewee/Guest]

I think he's terrible. He's a communist.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

We know where President Trump.

[Interviewee/Guest]

The last thing we need is a communist.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

He's warned that if Zahra Mamdani wins, he may withhold federal funds. Frank Morano is a Republican councilman for Staten island in New York, working on Curtis Sleewer's campaign. We asked him if that would be fair.

[Interviewee/Guest]

Curtis's view, and certainly my view, is that federal funding decisions shouldn't punish citizens for who they voted for. If New York shows it can govern itself responsibly and funding follows whatever follows.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

After Tuesday, the outcome is being watched as a signal of broader party dynamics in the US Ahead of next year's midterm elections.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

That report by Stephanie Prentice. Still to come on this podcast, people.

[Interviewee/Guest]

Don'T come to the Maldives because they are able to smoke. They come for the beaches. They come for the sea. They come for the sun.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

As the Maldives becomes the only country to bring in a generational smoking ban, could the move hurt its lucrative tourist industry?

[Interviewee/Guest]

This is the story of the 1. As a maintenance supervisor at a manufacturing.

[Field Reporter/Interviewer]

Facility, he knows keeping the line up.

[Interviewee/Guest]

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[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

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[Narrator/Announcer]

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[Interviewee/Guest]

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[Reporter/Correspondent]

America is changing, and so is the world.

[Podcast Hosts (Asma Khalid and Tristan Redman)]

But what's happening in America isn't just the cause of global upheaval. It's also a symptom of disruption that's happening everywhere.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

I'm Asma Khalid in Washington, D.C. i'm.

[Podcast Hosts (Asma Khalid and Tristan Redman)]

Tristan Redman in London, and this is the Global Story.

[Interviewee/Guest]

Every weekday, we'll bring you a story.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

From this intersection where the world and America meet.

[Podcast Hosts (Asma Khalid and Tristan Redman)]

Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

You're listening to the Global News podcast. Let's turn now to the shaky, fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with the group saying it's returned the remains of three more hostages from Gaza. The Israeli military said it received the coffins from the Red Cross. If the remains are confirmed to be the three dead hostages, that would mean eight more still remain in Gaza. Israel has accused Hamas of being too slow to return the bodies of the dead, but Hamas has pointed out that it's extremely difficult to retrieve bodies from underneath the huge piles of rubble in Gaza. Sebastian Usher in Jerusalem gave us this Update.

[Podcast Hosts (Asma Khalid and Tristan Redman)]

Hamas has handed over three more bodies to the Red Cross, which it says belong to deceased Israeli hostages. They are now with the Israeli army. There will be a forensic examination to see if they are the bodies of hostages. It hasn't always been the case. If it turns out that they are, then the numbers of dead hostages to be returned will go down to 8. The Israeli authorities believe that Hamas has been drawing this process out, that it could have recovered the bodies and handed them over more quickly. But certainly the fact that they continue to be given back to the Israeli army does give us a sense that there is some continuing momentum over this. I mean, we had two or three days ago, we had major Israeli strikes, the deadliest on Gaza since the ceasefire began. Things have quietened down to some extent since then. I think it would be far too much to say that trust is building between the two sides, but certainly if the issue of the dead hostages is resolved by the return of all of them within the coming weeks, that that will go a long way towards paving the path towards the second stage of a ceasefire, which is when it becomes existential for Hamas, when the very existence of Hamas, the demands for it to disarm, the demands for it to play no further role in governance in Gaza become paramount. That's why I think there are these strong feelings, not just in Israel, but outside. But they have perhaps been drawing this out to try and shore up their position in the part of Gaza where they still hold control.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

Sebastian Usher. As Iran grapples with its worst drought in decades, there's been a warning that drinking water could run dry in its capital in the next two weeks. The director of Tehran's water company is reported by state media to have said that a key dam that provides drinking water for the city of 10 million people currently only holds just 8% of the water it should. In recent weeks, supplies have been cut to several neighborhoods in a desperate bid to try to conserve water. I got more from BBC Persian's environment reporter, Sivas Ardalan.

[BBC Persian Reporter (Sivas Ardalan)]

The situation is very bad. The day zero scenario, which means the country completely, or a particular city completely running out of water, has been looming since summer began. The country has seen very low rainfall compared to previous years. In the capital, it's been about 20% less than the year before. In some other parts of the country, over 80% less. The dams are running dry and the authorities have been trying to manage somehow to avert a day zero scenario. And now everyone was expecting more rain to fall as the new season began, but there hasn't been any rainfall and none is predicted to occur until towards the end, end of fall.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

And critics of the government are saying this isn't just about a drought, however bad it is this year. It's also about government mismanagement of water resources.

[BBC Persian Reporter (Sivas Ardalan)]

Yes, there's always this argument, isn't there? How much of an environmental issue, be it water resources or deforestation and so on, as a result of climate change and global warming and low rainfall and how much is it, how much does it stand for? Mismanagement, not to mention the fact climate change and low rainfalls itself can be argued to be a result of mismanagement on a global scale anyway, in Iran, obviously mismanagement on a local and national level has exacerbated the problem. A lot of Iran's lakes and seas have dried up as a result of climate change, but more so as a result of certain policies that are driven not by sustainability concerns, but rather people trying to make profits out of a particular water policy, what we call the water mafia.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

And it's really hard to imagine a city like Tehran with 10 million people running out of water. We've already seen some neighborhoods having supplies temporarily cut off as the authorities try to deal with this.

[BBC Persian Reporter (Sivas Ardalan)]

Yes, this has been the case all throughout summer. They've tried to bring down consumption between 10 to 15% and they've managed to do that throughout summer, but with the anticipation that rainfall will occur as we approach the autumn season. But that hasn't happened yet in Iran. There there is no sense among the public like it was in those other cities that really the situation is bad. There's a lot of misinformation, a lot of disinformation going on. A lot of people don't know what to believe.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

Theovash Adlan now to a world first and the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives, which this weekend became the only country on earth with a generational smoking ban. So that any born after January 2007 will not be able to buy or use tobacco products anywhere on any of the islands. The measure also applies to visitors. Ahmad Afal is the vice chair of the country's National Tobacco Control Board. One argument against this type of age related ban is that it could push young people towards unregulated and maybe even more harmful forms of smoking. Tim Franks put this question to him.

[Interviewee/Guest]

We do understand people who say this particular negative aspects on this. Yes. We also do understand some countries where they have heard, for example in Bhutan, some issues initially related to such trade as well. What we feel for the Maldives though is we are A smaller country, we have an advantage in terms of controlling a lot of what we import. We have also been putting in other regulations such as smoke free places and it's been just one year since we put a ban on all electronic cigarettes and, and vapes as well.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm just going to ask you about that because I mean you're, you're not unique in banning vapes and e cigarettes. There are a few dozen countries that do that for a lot of countries though, and a lot of public health specialists, they're rather unconvinced by that move because actually clearly vaping carries some health downsides because it can be addictive. But it's also public health professionals say that it's a really important way in which you can get people to quit smoking and that its health harms are far fewer than smoking. I just wonder whether you are concerned at all that perhaps it's a move that could backfire.

[Interviewee/Guest]

No, actually I'm not concerned about this particular notion. I very firmly believe this was actually a good step that is taken towards a generation of tobacco free citizens because these new stylish gadgets are not necessarily harmless, but they are tactics of the industry to approach the younger generations to uptake an addictive process which definitely harms their health.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You are a country that is incredibly reliant on tourism. I wonder if you're at all concerned that perhaps by having generational ban on smoking, but also your restrictions on the use of e cigarettes and vaping, whether that might put people off from coming to the Maldives and therefore perhaps hit your budgets.

[Interviewee/Guest]

Well, that could be used as a scapegoat. People don't come to the Maldives because they are able to smoke. They come for the beaches, they come for the sea, they come for the sun and they come for the fresh air. Despite all these regulations, there has been no single cancellation of a tourist arrival. But we have actually had a growth in the arrivals of tourists over the last one year and we are projecting more than 2 million in the next year.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

That was the Vice chair of the Maldives National Tobacco Control Board, Ahmed Afar. After consecutive defeats early on in the Women's Cricket World Cup, India's cricketers were on the brink of being eliminated from their home tournament. But in a remarkable turnaround, they ended up celebrating their first World cup title. After beating South Africa by 52 runs in the final in Navi Mumbai, John Wilkinson looks back at a historic day for India.

[Cricket Commentator/Reporter]

A cricket mad nation which until recently had hardly given any opportunities for female players to develop, now has a team of Women's star players to inspire the next generation. India had lost three times in the group stage of the World cup cup and qualified for the semi finals in fourth. But they've ended up as the first new name on the trophy since the year 2000. Powered by Smriti Mandana's 434 runs, the second best at the tournament and the World cup leading figures of Deepti Sharma with 22 wickets, the team found a way to hit form at the perfect time.

[Podcast Hosts (Asma Khalid and Tristan Redman)]

Deep, deep in again this is sliced in the air.

[Interviewee/Guest]

Could be a catch. Yes. Taken by the captain. Harman Prikor takes the catch that sees India win the World Cup.

[Cricket Commentator/Reporter]

Attendances in India and the co hosts Sri Lanka weren't always impressive. But the showpiece event was played in front of a raucous sold out 45,000 strong crowd in Navi Mumbai. These fans said the win was significant.

[Interviewee/Guest]

We won the World cup for the first time in history and the stadium was completely full and the environment, it was too good. Shaifali was the star of the game today. She scored 87 runs, she took three wickets. She definitely nailed it today.

[Narrator/Announcer]

So extremely happy that finally we win the World Cup.

[Interviewee/Guest]

Women's World Cup. I'm extremely happy. Finally win the World Cup.

[Cricket Commentator/Reporter]

As for South Africa, they end up runners up for the third global final in a row. Laura Wolvert's century wasn't ultimately enough to help them take that final decisive step. A watershed moment then in the growth of the game in India. All rounder Amanjot Kaur has vowed that they will dominate all over the world. More significantly though, perhaps the droves of men, boys, women and girls in Navi Mumbai. All wearing shirts with the names of Harman, Preet, Smretti, Mandana and other members of the World cup winning team. The names of new stars for a generation, John Wilkinson.

[Host/Anchor (Janak Jalil)]

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 you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk this edition was mixed by Rosen Wynn Dorrell and the producers were Guy Pitt and Carla Conti. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Janat Jalil. Until next time, Goodbye.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

America is changing and so is the world.

[Podcast Hosts (Asma Khalid and Tristan Redman)]

But what's happening in America isn't just the cause of global upheaval. It's also a symptom of disruption that's happening everywhere.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

I'm Asma Khalid in Washington D.C. i'm.

[Podcast Hosts (Asma Khalid and Tristan Redman)]

Tristan Redman in London. And this is the Global story.

[Interviewee/Guest]

Every weekday, we'll bring you a story.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

From this intersection where the world and America meet.

[Podcast Hosts (Asma Khalid and Tristan Redman)]

Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts to.