US agrees trade deal with China

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary: US-China Trade Deal, PKK Disbands, Weight Loss Innovations, UK Special Forces Controversy, Tinnitus Breakthrough, and Pope Leo XIV’s Inaugural Week

Release Date: May 12, 2025
Host: Bernard Etchio
Producer: BBC World Service

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1. US-China Trade Deal Pauses Prolonged Trade War

At the forefront of this episode, Bernard Etchio reports on a significant de-escalation in the ongoing trade conflict between the United States and China. After four decades of tensions marked by retaliatory tariffs and economic disruptions, both nations have agreed to reduce tariffs on each other's goods, initiating a temporary 90-day pause for further negotiations.

Key Details:

• Tariff Reductions: Both countries are cutting tariffs by 115 percentage points starting Wednesday for a period of 90 days.
  • US tariffs on Chinese imports will decrease to 30%.
  • Chinese tariffs on US goods will reduce to 10%.

Reactions:

• US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant described the negotiations as "robust" (00:44).
• James Gallagher highlighted mutual desires to avoid economic decoupling: "Neither side wants a decoupling... we want more balanced trade" (02:11).

Chinese Response:

• Beijing’s Stance: Laura Bicker, the BBC Beijing correspondent, explained that while China’s reaction has been more subdued, economic pressures such as high youth unemployment and a housing crisis compelled them to engage in talks (02:43).
• Muted Optimism: Bicker noted Beijing's "constructive talks" approach, despite behind-the-scenes concerns over economic impacts (02:43).

Future Outlook: The 90-day tariff reduction serves as a test period for further negotiations, with both sides aiming for a more balanced trade relationship.

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2. End of an Era: PKK Announces Disbandment After 40 Years

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has declared it is laying down its arms and disbanding, marking the end of one of the world's longest-running conflicts. Bernard Etchio provides an in-depth look at this historic development with insights from correspondent Ola Guerin in Turkey.

Historical Context:

• Duration: Over four decades of conflict since 1984, primarily in southeastern Turkey.
• Violence: Notable for attacks on both military targets and civilians, including the devastating double suicide bombing outside a football stadium in 2016 that killed ten people (05:05, 06:38).

Reasons for Disbandment:

• Political Incentives: President Erdogan's potential third-term bid necessitates support from pro-Kurdish politicians (06:33).
• Military Pressure: The PKK has been significantly weakened by sustained Turkish military operations, limiting their operational capabilities in Iraq and Syria (06:38).

Reactions:

• Local Sentiment: Many Kurds express relief and hope for peace, with one individual stating, "I'm going to cry with happiness when I hear the announcement" (05:05).
• Unanswered Questions: Despite the announcement, concerns remain regarding the future of Kurdish political representation and rights within Turkey (05:05).

Conclusion: The disbandment of the PKK signifies a potential turning point for Kurdish autonomy and peace in the region, though the long-term implications for Kurdish-Turkish relations remain to be seen.

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3. Breakthrough in Weight Loss: Mountjaro Outperforms WeGovy in Head-to-Head Trial

A groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has revealed that Mountjaro is more effective than its competitor WeGovy in promoting weight loss. Health correspondent James Gallagher delves into the details of this first-of-its-kind trial.

Study Highlights:

• Participants: 750 obese individuals in New York.
• Funding: Sponsored by Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mountjaro.
• Results: Participants taking Mountjaro experienced a 20% reduction in body fat over just over a year, compared to 14% with WeGovy (08:22).

Expert Insights:

• Mechanism of Action: James Gallagher explains that while both drugs aim to increase the feeling of fullness, Mountjaro engages additional brain chemical switches, enhancing its effectiveness (08:53).
• Gender Differences: The study noted that women tend to lose more weight than men, though the exact reasons remain unclear. Differences in fat storage patterns between genders might contribute (09:25).

Availability and Future Prospects:

• Demand vs. Supply: High global demand for these drugs surpasses current supply, though availability is gradually improving (09:58).
• Future Innovations: Researchers are exploring pill forms and alternative mechanisms to make weight loss treatments more accessible and effective (09:58).

Conclusion: Mountjaro's superior performance in this trial positions it as a leading option in the fight against obesity, with potential for broader applications and improved accessibility in the coming years.

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4. Allegations of Civilians Executed by UK Special Forces

In a shocking revelation, members of British special forces have come forward with eyewitness accounts of executing unarmed and handcuffed civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan. This segment features in-depth reporting by Nick Miles and correspondent Ola Guerin.

Key Allegations:

• Witness Testimonies: Former UK special forces members recount instances where civilians, including children, were deliberately killed.
  • Ola Guerin describes witnessing a young boy being handcuffed and shot (17:44).
  • Anita Nkonge shares, "They were clearly running away. They were shot in the head" (20:21).

Investigations and Reactions:

• Public Inquiry: The Ministry of Defence has acknowledged the allegations, urging anyone with evidence to contact the ongoing public inquiry (17:46).
• Political Response: Critics like State Senator Adam Schiff and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have condemned the actions, labeling them as corruption and foreign influence (11:03).

Impact on UK Forces:

• Code of Silence Broken: Nick Miles emphasizes that these whistleblowers are risking their reputations to expose misconduct within elite military units (17:24).
• Long-Term Repercussions: The public inquiry is currently limited to allegations from 2010 onwards, but witnesses indicate that unlawful killings may have started earlier, potentially expanding the scope of the investigation (19:07).

Conclusion: These grave allegations against UK special forces represent a critical moment for military accountability and ethics, with significant implications for both the individuals involved and broader trust in the armed forces.

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5. Innovative Tinnitus Treatment Trials Offer New Hope

One in seven individuals may develop tinnitus, a debilitating ear condition characterized by constant buzzing or ringing. A novel trial in the UK aims to silence tinnitus before it becomes persistent. Health correspondent James Gallagher provides an exclusive look into this pioneering research.

Study Overview:

• Objective: To silence tinnitus in its initial stages using a combination of electrical brain stimulation and sound therapy.
• Approach: Participants undergo low-intensity direct current stimulation targeted at specific brain areas, followed by sound therapy to reinforce the treatment (21:38).

Participant Experiences:

• Stephanie’s Story:

  "Got that noise that the ringing that you get when you come out of a loud gig, it's a constant background noise... It was really distressing when I first got it... I'm already learning to adapt" (23:06).

Research Implications:

• Unique Approach: Jonathan Swingler notes that this is the first trial targeting early-stage tinnitus, potentially leading to lasting relief if successful (21:44).
• Future Directions: Researchers are exploring more effective delivery methods, such as pill forms, to increase accessibility worldwide (09:58).

Conclusion: This innovative trial represents a promising advancement in tinnitus treatment, offering hope to millions suffering from this relentless condition. Successful outcomes could revolutionize how tinnitus is managed globally.

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6. Pope Leo XIV’s First Week: A Focus on Free Speech and Kenya Ties

Pope Leo XIV has begun his tenure as the new pontiff with a series of engagements emphasizing the importance of free speech and solidarity with journalists. Bernard Etchio covers the Pope’s inaugural actions and personal connections, especially in Kenya.

Inaugural Statements:

• Focus on Free Speech:

  "We must say no to the war of words and images... The Church's solidarity with journalists who are imprisoned for seeking and reporting the truth" (24:29).

Personal Connections:

• Kenyan Parish Ties: Reverend Robert Karanja Ireri recounts his longstanding friendship with the new Pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, highlighting their shared history and mutual support (26:30).

  "I have to learn now to call him a new title..." (26:43).

Community Impact:

• Local Reactions: Anita Nkonge describes how the community in Nairobi celebrates the Pope’s elevation, with links to ongoing projects and personal stories shared by congregants (26:00).

Conclusion: Pope Leo XIV’s first week underscores his commitment to foundational Church values and his personal connections, particularly in Kenya. His emphasis on free speech and support for journalists sets the tone for his papacy, resonating deeply with both global audiences and local communities.

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Additional Segment: President Trump’s Middle East Visit and Qatar’s Luxury Jet Offer

In a noteworthy segment, Bernard Etchio discusses President Trump's upcoming visit to the Middle East, highlighting a controversial development involving Qatar's offer of a luxury jumbo jet to serve as the new Air Force One.

Key Points:

• Trump’s Frustration: President Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with the aging US Presidential fleet, previously negotiating with Boeing for new jets but facing delays (11:03).
• Qatar’s Offer: Qatar is reportedly offering a $400 million luxury jet, dubbed a "flying palace," which has sparked legal and ethical debates (11:38).
• Political Repercussions: Critics argue the gift violates constitutional provisions against foreign gifts to government officials, with strong condemnations from political leaders (12:00).
• Official Stance: The White House maintains that the plane is not a personal gift but intended for government use or the presidential library foundation, while Qatar officials have denied the gift claim (12:00).

Conclusion: The potential acquisition of Qatar’s luxury jet by President Trump raises significant legal and ethical questions, reflecting broader concerns about foreign influence and adherence to constitutional mandates.

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Final Thoughts

This episode of the Global News Podcast delivers a comprehensive overview of pivotal global events, from major economic agreements and historic peace processes to groundbreaking health research and serious military allegations. Additionally, it explores the nuanced beginnings of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy and touches upon intriguing political maneuvers involving international diplomacy.

For further insights and discussions, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to the Global News Podcast and stay informed on the latest global developments.

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Produced by Niki Verico, mixed by Rebecca Miller, and edited by Karen Martin. For comments or feedback, email [e-mail].

Transcript

[Bernard Etchio]

This is the global news podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Bernard Etchio and at 13 hours GMT on Monday 12th May, these are our main stories. The United States and China have agreed to reduce tariffs on each other's goods, pausing a trade war that's led to huge disruption to the global economy. After four decades of fighting, the Turkish state, the Kurdistan Workers Party, the pkk, is laying down its arms and disbanding. And the first head to head trial of two weight loss drugs suggests Mountjaro is more effective than its rival WeGovy. Also in this podcast, members of British special forces tell the BBC that they witness colleagues killing unarmed civilians.

[Ola Guerin]

They handcuffed a young boy and shot him. He was clearly a child, not even close to fighting age. I couldn't believe what they were doing.

[Bernard Etchio]

We have the results of a BBC investigation and this is a completely unique approach.

[Jonathan Swingler]

To our knowledge, there haven't been any trials of any treatment at all aiming to quieten or silence tinnitus in its initial stages.

[Bernard Etchio]

New hope for the one in seven of us who will develop the debilitating ear condition tinnitus. We begin in Switzerland where weekend negotiations have resulted in a major de escalation in the trade war between two of the world's biggest economies. China and the United States have agreed to significantly decrease tariffs on goods being sold between the two countries. Both sides are cutting tariffs by 115 percentage points from Wednesday for 90 days, during which time further negotiations will take place. This means US tariffs on Chinese imports will fall to 30% while Chinese tariffs on US goods will fall to 10%. The negotiations over the weekend in Geneva were described as robust by the US Treasury Secretary, Scott Besant.

[James Gallagher]

The consensus from both delegations is neither side wants a decoupling and what had occurred with these very high tariffs was the equivalent of an embargo. And neither side wants that. We do want trade, we want more balanced trade. And I think that both sides are committed to achieving that.

[Bernard Etchio]

So what's been the reaction in China? Laura Bicker is our Beijing correspondent.

[Laura Bicker]

China has been slightly more muted in its response. You might remember that Donald Trump hailed this as a total reset in relations. Beijing has talked about constructive talks, talked about the fact that perhaps they've discussed that they're going to have this economic and trade mechanism for further discussions, but they are being slightly low key on what might happen in the future. I think when it comes to why they may have gone towards these talks, I think Beijing behind the scenes, although it's been continually defiant since these tariffs escalated, since they spied a couple of months ago, Beijing has dug its heels in, has been determined to say that it will fight until the end. But I think what has brought it to the negotiating table is that behind the scenes, they are beginning to be concerned about the effect these tariffs are having on this country's economy. An economy that is already struggling with stubbornly high youth unemployment, a housing crisis and low consumer confidence, which basically means people don't want to put their hands in their pockets and spend money at the moment.

[Bernard Etchio]

And is there a sense in which we know who blinked first?

[Laura Bicker]

I think both are determined to show that it wasn't them. You know, even before they went into the talks at the weekend on Friday, Beijing was insisting that it was the US that came to them and the US was insisting it was. Beijing's initiated the talks. Look, I think when it comes to why they sat down, I mean, I'm hearing from toy companies and manufacturers in the US who say they cannot do without Chinese products. Walmart and Target were warning about empty shelves in the next few weeks. Here in Beijing, I've talked about the pressure on the economy. I think there was pressure on both sides to get to the negotiating table. And now we have this 90 day pause. I think Beijing's defiance may continue. They're already saying that this is a bit of a victory for Beijing and that they stood firm. So we'll see what happens in the next 90 days.

[Bernard Etchio]

Laura Bicker in Beijing. For more than four decades, the Kurdistan Workers Party, the PKK, has been fighting for an independent Kurdish state. Now the group has announced its laying down its arms and disbanding, signaling an end to one of the world's longest running conflicts. We heard more from our correspondent in Turkey, Ola Guerin.

[Ola Guerin]

It is a moment of history. Here we are in Diarbak, here in the southeast of Turkey, which is really de facto the Kurdish capital. And we had been expecting this announcement. The call was initially made by the jailed leader of the pkk, Abdullah Arjalan. Now he has been held on an island prison the coast of Istanbul since 1999. And various other peace efforts have come and gone, but this one appears to be different. He issued a call for peace back in February that was followed in March by a declaration of a ceasefire. And we had signals in recent days that this announcement was going to come. Now, what does it mean for the Kurds? That's the big unanswered question. What we do not know at this stage is what is on offer for Turkey's Kurdish minority for Kurdish politicians in return for the PKK laying down their weapons. And we've been speaking to people here in the past 48 hours or so who knew this announcement was coming, trying to get a sense of the mood among people here who are Kurdish but not connected with the pkk. There is a sense of relief. There is a sense of, we've been waiting for this, one man said, for 40 years. He said, I'm going to cry with happiness when I hear the announcement. We don't want any more deaths. We don't want our sons to die. But I think among supporters of the pkk, feelings are mixed and questions remain.

[Bernard Etchio]

Just remind us about the scale of the insurgency going back decades.

[Ola Guerin]

Well, this has scarred Turkey over 40 years. It was launched in 1984 by the PKK. They have carried out attacks not only on military and police targets, but but also in more recent years on the cities, including in Istanbul. One of the most devastating attacks was in 2016 after the collapse of a previous ceasefire when they carried out a double suicide bombing outside a football stadium after a major league game. Now the target was police and 38 were killed, but eight civilians died alongside them. So this is something that has been seen by many Turks as a plague on the whole country and something that they hoped would be brought to an end to. There are reasons why this time it might work because for both sides there are incentives. Now there are factors at play. For President Erdogan, for example, it seems likely that he wants to try to run for a third term. He will need the support of the pro Kurdish bloc of politicians in parliament if he's to be able to do that. And on the PKK side, they have been really hammered by the Turkish military in recent years, driven into the mountains in northern Iraq. And they have less room for maneuver now in Iraq and in Syria. So both sides have reasons now to have decided to come to the table.

[Bernard Etchio]

Oligaran in Turkey, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine of two weight loss drugs has found both led to substantial reduction in body mass, but one is better than the other. The first head to head trial of Mounjaro and Weigovy involved 750 obese people in New York and was paid for by the manufacturers of Mounjaro. Eli Lilly. Our health correspondent James Gallagher has been.

[James Gallagher]

Looking at the findings in the last five years. We've really seen the explosion in the numbers of people taking weight loss drugs around the world. And this is the first time that the two big ones, Mounjaro and Wegovy have been pitted head to head. What it showed was that Mounjaro led to a 20% reduction in body fat when people were taking these drugs for just over a year, compared with 14% on WeGovy, suggesting that when it comes to pure weight loss, it's Mounjaro that's the more effective drug.

[Bernard Etchio]

What accounts for the difference in the way they work within the body, in.

[James Gallagher]

The brain, we don't know 100% for sure, but the leading idea is that it's down to the way these two drugs work. So wegovy mimics a hormone that's released by the body after you have a meal and it tells the brain that you're full. And that's how WeGovy works, by tapping into that process. And it flips one chemical switch inside the brain that says, I'm full, I don't need to eat anymore. Whereas Mounjaro flips that same switch and another one. So the idea is because it's tapping into more of these systems in the brain that tell you full that you don't need to eat anymore, that that's why Mountjaro is giving these bigger results.

[Bernard Etchio]

And it found that women tend to lose more weight than men. Do we know why?

[James Gallagher]

No, we really don't have a clue. But it's been pretty clear in the trial data that women are losing more weight than men. There are differences in male and female, and as we noted that women and men tend to store their fat in different parts of the body. It's why men get that typical apple shaped belly kind of physique, whereas women tend to be more pear shaped. So there are differences in how we store fat, and maybe that's feeding into how these drugs work.

[Bernard Etchio]

How available are these drugs worldwide, James.

[James Gallagher]

You can buy them. The problem, I suppose has been the demand for these drugs, particularly in countries that have big problems with obesity and all the other conditions that come with obesity, is that the demand has far outstripped the supply pretty much ever since these drugs, well, were invented and created. And over time that availability has increased. But there is still more demand for these drugs than is being able to be met. There's a huge amount of money to be made out of these drugs, and this is the first ever head to head trial of two of these drugs. But there are loads more coming down the pipeline. Some researchers are trying to find different ways of making these drugs more effective. Can you get them into pill form, which would make them far more accessible all around the world, rather than the current injections that are needed and there are other teams looking at different mechanisms within the body or are there other ways to tell the brain that you don't need to eat more food to reduce those cravings, to eat more to help people lose weight? So I think in 10 years time we'll be looking at a very different world than the one we are now where there are these two front runner drugs that are going to be way more in the future.

[Bernard Etchio]

James Gallagher President Trump will visit the Middle east this week, where he's likely to discuss trade and investment with Gulf allies as well as conflicts in the region. But the president's means of transport has become an unlikely hot topic. Qatar is reportedly preparing to give Mr. Trump a luxury jumbo jet to be his new Air Force One. It's one of the most expensive gifts the White House has ever been offered from a foreign government and is raising substantial legal and ethical questions. More details from Anna Aslam Donald Trump.

[Anna Aslam]

Has been unhappy with the US Presidential fleet for a long time. Both planes are about 35 years old and so need frequent servicing, which can take months. During his first term, Mr. Trump negotiated with Boeing for two new jets, but they're years behind schedule and in February he'd finally had enough. Mr. Trump said we may buy a plane or get a plane or something, as he toured a Qatar owned luxury jumbo jet parked at Palm Beach International Airport. Now, according to media reports, the royal family is preparing to give him that plane. It'll reportedly be upgraded to serve as Air Force One and then potentially a private jet once Mr. Trump leaves office. It has an estimated value of $400 million and is so opulent it's been called a flying palace. But critics say it flies in the face of the Constitution, which clearly states government officials cannot accept gifts from any king, prince or foreign. State Senator Adam Schiff, who led an impeachment case against President Trump, said the corruption is brazen, while the Democratic Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, said it's not just bribery, it's foreign influence with extra legroom. But the Trump administration insists it isn't breaking any laws, according to sources familiar with the matter. White House lawyers claim the plane is not a bribe because it isn't being given to the president himself, but rather to his government and then to his presidential library foundation. They also argue it isn't being given in exchange for any particular favor or action. Qatar has also pushed back against the reports. Officials denied that the jet would be a gift, but said the transfer of an aircraft for temporary Use was under discussion between the two countries.

[Bernard Etchio]

Anna Aslam. Still to come, we head to a Catholic parish in Nairobi.

[Reverend Robert Karanja Ireri]

It was just one of our members, a father to us, a brother, a friend in the same congregation. It was a big surprise for me. Is he the one you know?

[Bernard Etchio]

Fond memories of Bob. Now Pope Leo xiv. Current Filipino politics is dominated by dynasties and the feuds that have developed between them. First, there's President Bong Bong Marcus Jr. Son of Ferdinand, who served as president for two decades till the mid-1980s. Then there's his vice president, Sara Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo, who's currently under lock and key in the Netherlands and indicted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity. Added to that mix as voters have been going to the polls in midterm elections, is the fact that Sara Duterte is facing an impeachment trial for corruption. Jonathan Head is our Southeast Asia correspondent.

[Jonathan Head]

In a way, there are two elections going on here. There are 18,000 posts up for grabs. This is similar to the American system. It's a midterm election. You've got governors, vice governors, councillors, congressmen, all of those up for grabs. And many of those are local contests where people really do focus on the bread and butter issues. And when it comes to those, actually, they don't really give President Marcos very good marks. The economy hasn't done particularly well. He's not a very effective leader. But in the mix are half of The Senate, that's 12 senators. And it is the Senate they're up for grabs. And it's the Senate which will decide on the impeachment of Sarah Duterte. The impeachment is actually related to allegations she misused funds as the vice President. But of course, as you referred to, she's also facing other potential charges because of that claim she'd hired an assassin to kill the President. So both Sarah Duterte, the Vice president, and President Marcos, who are entirely split now, have been campaigning hard to get their own senators in because they need two thirds of the senators to vote for impeachment. If Sarah Duterte is impeached, that would block her from her plan to run for the presidency. In three years time, she is the most popular politician. She's very likely to win. And so this maneuver to get her impeached, as well as sending her father to the Hague, in the eyes of many Filipinos, looks like a blatantly political move by the President.

[Nick Miles]

Jonathan, you mentioned the former President Rodrigo Duterte again, there he's standing in this Election in absence Sentier for election as a mayor. He's got a real chance of winning, hasn't he? Why is he still very popular?

[Jonathan Head]

I like the way you put it. He's got a real chance of winning. No, he's going to win. This is the nature of Filipino politics. Clan loyalties are very strong. It's all about celebrities, big families, and they're none bigger than the Dutertes. And the Marcos is in his hometown of Davao. Mr. Duterte is worshipped. In fact, he's still very popular across the country. There are five Dutertes running for different positions in Davao and they always win. So even though he's in a jail cell, people will still vote for him. And he's running to replace his son Sebastian, who instead is now running to be vice mayor. And so even if Mr. Duterte wins the mayor's job and is still stuck in the Netherlands, his son and all the other relatives will continue to run it. The same applies to the Marcoses. They dominate one province and the top, it look as norte. That's the nature of things Filipino politics. But at the very top, of course, you've got this titanic, epic battle between these two powerful clans.

[Bernard Etchio]

Jonathan Head, speaking to Nick Miles. British veterans have told the BBC they saw civilians and children murdered by colleagues in the Special Air Service, or sas, and the Special Boat Service, or sbs. It's the first time former members of UK special forces have given eyewitness accounts of executions of unarmed and handcuffed and wounded people in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence says anyone with evidence should contact the ongoing public inquiry into British special forces.

[Nick Miles]

Richard Bilton reports those who served with UK special forces are about to break a code of silence. They don't want to be identified. We've used actors to speak their words, but they want the world to know what they saw.

[Ola Guerin]

One of the guys went in and shot a lot of people in a row.

[Bernard Etchio]

They were sleeping.

[Ola Guerin]

They were shot one after the other. I saw it with my own eyes, right in front of me.

[Nick Miles]

Everyone knew what was going on. It's not scout camp. Everyone knew what was happening. People were murdered. Panorama has been investigating UK special forces for years. We've traveled to Afghanistan to meet people like Habibullah, who lives on the plains of Helmand. The SAS came to his farm in nad Ali in February 2011 to look for a Taliban commander. They say they were fired on first. Habibullah says there were no fighters at his home, but the SAS killed nine people in their beds, including Two of his sons. So these are the bullet holes. My elder son was lying there at the end of the.

[James Gallagher]

This is the bullet hole.

[Nick Miles]

When I remember them, it hurts me so much. A public inquiry is examining allegations against UK special forces. It's only looking at three years from 2010, but we've been told the unlawful killings started much earlier. This man served in Iraq. His words are spoken by an actor.

[Jonathan Head]

There was one operation where the blokes had clearly executed a man.

[Nick Miles]

It's disgraceful. There's no professionalism in that. The killing was at its worst in Afghanistan. British soldiers were being killed in Helmand. Special forces were sent in to stop the Taliban fighters and bomb makers. The public inquiry has only been looking at allegations about the sas. The eyewitnesses we've spoken to say the Navy, special forces, the SBS committed war crimes too. This man served with them. His words are spoken by an actor.

[Jonathan Head]

Everyone found on target was killed on target?

[Nick Miles]

Pretty much. I can't recall us taking a single injured insurgent back to base for treatment. They were shot there and then. Under British and international law, troops can't deliberately kill unarmed civilians or prisoners of war. But the eyewitnesses say they saw the execution of detainees, including children. Again, their words are spoken by actors.

[Anita Nkonge]

I witnessed some of the stuff that was happening. A lot of people being killed. They were clearly running away. They were shot in the head.

[Ola Guerin]

They handcuffed a young boy and shot him. He was clearly a child, not even close to fighting age. I couldn't believe what they were doing.

[Nick Miles]

These are murderers. They should all be locked up. The Ministry of Defense says it supports the independent inquiry and it is not appropriate to comment on allegations which may be within its scope. The eyewitnesses say they are proud to have served in the British Armed forces, but they can no longer keep quiet about the terrible things they saw.

[Bernard Etchio]

Richard Bilton reporting. Imagine hearing constant buzzing or ringing in the ears with no end to the noise. That's the reality for people living with tinnitus. It's a condition that will affect one in seven of us. And for some, it makes life a misery. Now a new trial here in the uk, which scientists believe is the first of its kind, is aiming to silence tinnitus before it takes hold. As Jonathan Swingler reports, we're really focusing.

[Jonathan Swingler]

On people who just recently developed persistent tinnitus.

[Reverend Robert Karanja Ireri]

The two gentlemen behind me are trying to stimulate my brain with direct current.

[Jonathan Swingler]

Let's check the contact and see if it'll zap you, then. So this is a completely unique approach. So to our knowledge, there haven't been any trials of any treatment at all aiming to quieten or silence tinnitus in its initial stages.

[Bernard Etchio]

I feel like a participant, not like a guinea pig.

[James Gallagher]

The scientists are getting equipment ready for when their research into tinnitus gets underway. Electrical stimulation of the brain is the first part.

[Jonathan Swingler]

If you think that sounds scary, the strength is equivalent to one of the little square 9 volt batteries. Anyone who's, as a child, for instance, experimented with putting one on their tongue knows it gives you a little bit of a tingle. But there is some evidence showing that this, applied over certain brain areas, on average, has a modest but significant quieting effect on tinnitus, but it's only been tested in the late stages.

[James Gallagher]

The second part is sound therapy.

[Jonathan Swingler]

What we're trying to see is by combining both of these and doing it really early on, maybe when the tinnitus is more amenable to treatment, can it make any lasting difference to the tinnitus people here in the long term?

[James Gallagher]

Stephanie developed tinnitus. It started to have a detrimental impact on her life.

[Nick Miles]

Got that noise that the ringing that you get when you come out of a loud gig, it's a constant background noise. And then within that, I also get quite a lot of whistling sounds and quite a lot of clicking, different tones of whistling sounds coming in and out, and it's constant. It was really distressing when I first got it and I certainly thought, I'm not sure how I'm ever going to be able to live with this. This is horrendous. I'm now less than a year down the road, but I'm already learning to adapt to it and to adjust to it. But I would very much like it not to be there.

[James Gallagher]

To find participants for their research who've just developed tinnitus, they're relying on people looking up the condition on the Internet.

[Jonathan Swingler]

Because what everybody does when they first develop a symptom is they search online and we can find people then who spot our ad that says, would you like to take part in a research study?

[James Gallagher]

Hopefully this study finds a way to help people who develop tinnitus.

[Bernard Etchio]

Jonathan Swingler with that report, Pope Leo XIV began his first full week as pontiff, meeting journalists, diplomats and top Vatican officials. He's been addressing the world's media from the Vatican, and he began by speaking in English.

[Nick Miles]

Good morning and thank you for this wonderful reception.

[James Gallagher]

They say when they clap at the.

[Nick Miles]

Beginning, it doesn't matter much if you're still awake at the end and you still want to Applaud.

[James Gallagher]

Thank you very much.

[Bernard Etchio]

The new Pope went on to focus on what he called the precious gift of free speech.

[James Gallagher]

The way we communicate is of fundamental importance. We must say no to the war of words and images. We must reject the paradigm of war. Let me therefore reiterate today the Church's solidarity with journalists who are imprisoned for seeking and reporting the truth, while also asking for their release. The Church recognizes in these witnesses. I am thinking of those who report on war, even at the cost of their lives. The courage of those who defend dignity, justice, and the right of people to be informed, because only informed individuals can make free choices.

[Bernard Etchio]

Meanwhile, there's still excitement in those parts of the world where Pope Leo as Cardinal had been most active. That includes Kenya, where he made several trips as head of the Augustinian Order when he was still Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. It was only a few months ago that he last visited the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of the Babadogo Parish in Nairobi. Anita Nkonge went there the day after his election.

[Anita Nkonge]

A special Mass to celebrate a special event. Teachers and pupils of the Babadogo School are praying for Pope Leo xiv, wishing him luck in his new role as head of the Catholic Church. Many here have met him in person during his regular visits. Over the years, he opened seven additional classrooms, a health clinic and a nursery. One of those who worked with him is Reverend Robert Karanja Ireri, the regional vicar for the Order of St. Augustine.

[Reverend Robert Karanja Ireri]

He was just one of our members, a father to us, a brother, a friend. So when we have a Pope, it was a big surprise for me. I was watching and it was like, is he the one you know?

[Anita Nkonge]

Robert first met Cardinal Prevost in 2013, and he immediately wanted to know more about his American namesake.

[Reverend Robert Karanja Ireri]

I interacted with him and we became friends. And it happened that we have the same name, Robert. So to differentiate between the two of us in Kenya, we were talking of the Big Bob and the Little Bob. So him was the Big Bob and I'm the Little Bob. So until yesterday, that is the name we have been using. I have to learn now to call him a new title.

[Anita Nkonge]

The two men last interacted over the Easter weekend as they exchanged prayers and wishes over WhatsApp messages. Robert also texted him straight after seeing his friend Bob appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

[Reverend Robert Karanja Ireri]

I sent to him, not really a congratulation, because for us Augustinians, leadership is a burden you are given, is like a load put on your shoulders. So as an Augustinian, what I did is that I promised him my prayers.

[Anita Nkonge]

The pupils of the schools were quite surprised, too, when they discovered they had links to the new spiritual leader.

[Bernard Etchio]

My mother could not believe it. I also told that help in the development of our school, and my mother was really proud. And he said that I'm a lucky child to be in that school.

[Anita Nkonge]

Pope or not, Leo XIV has received an open invitation to come back to Kenya to see his friend Little Bob at the Babadobo Parish.

[Bernard Etchio]

Anita Nkonge reporting. And that's all from us for now. But there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk. this edition was mixed by Rebecca Miller and the producer was Niki Verico. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Bernadette Keough. Until next time. Goodbye.