US and Europe discuss ending Ukraine war

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary: US and Europe Discuss Ending Ukraine War Release Date: April 17, 2025
Host: Jannat Jalil | BBC World Service

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1. US and European Ministers Convene High-Level Talks on Ukraine

At the heart of this episode, top US and European officials gathered in Paris to discuss strategies for ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. The meeting marked the highest-level talks in weeks, signaling a critical juncture in international diplomacy.

Key Participants:

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
• Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff
• President Emmanuel Macron and other European ministers
• Ukrainian Foreign and Defense Ministers

Discussion Points:

• Ceasefire Negotiations: The US proposed a ceasefire in Ukraine, which Russia rejected, leading to increased frustration among European leaders. European countries have long relied on the transatlantic alliance to maintain peace, and the reluctance of the US to engage deeply in negotiations has been a point of contention.

Notable Quotes:

• James Landau, Diplomatic Correspondent:
  “[02:07] It's interesting and significant simply because the Americans thus far have been pretty reluctant to actually negotiate and discuss and engage with the Europeans on a serious level about their efforts to seek peace in Ukraine.”

• James Landau:
  “[03:20] Ukraine has made a huge concession by agreeing to an unconditional ceasefire, but Russia has escalated attacks on civilians, generating immense frustration within European capitals.”

Insights:

• The talks also touched upon the US’s attempts to broker a deal on Iran's nuclear program and broader Middle Eastern issues.
• European leaders are particularly concerned about the US’s approach to Russia and the effectiveness of ceasefire proposals, especially after the US-led proposals have not yielded the desired results.

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2. Illegal Seizure of Homes in Mariupol: A BBC Investigation

A harrowing BBC investigation revealed that Russian-backed authorities in the occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol have been systematically seizing thousands of homes from displaced residents.

Key Findings:

• Property Seizures: Russian-installed authorities declare properties as "ownerless" through a complex bureaucratic process, forcibly transferring them into city ownership via Russian courts.
• Impact on Residents: Ukrainians aiming to reclaim their homes must navigate dangerous procedures, including traveling through Russia and relinquishing Ukrainian passports for Russian ones, risking their safety and national identity.

Notable Quotes:

• Olga Robinson, Investigation Team Member:
  “[06:06] These documents contain long lists of addresses, and we've categorized them in accordance with different stages of the seizing process... many of these homes do have Ukrainian owners who have fled or whose heirs are affected by Russian attacks.”

• Olga Robinson:
  “[07:11] Ukrainians say once their property is flagged, it’s nearly impossible to reclaim it due to stringent requirements like appearing in Mariupol within 30 days and obtaining Russian passports.”

Public Reaction:

• Residents left in Mariupol express significant unrest and confusion over the seizures, with some appealing directly to President Putin to intervene, though such intervention seems unlikely given his endorsement of the scheme.

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3. Escalating Conflict: Latest Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza

The podcast highlighted the recent surge in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties.

Key Details:

• Casualties: At least 37 people killed in the latest strikes, with Hamas reporting that one strike targeted a camp for displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis.
• Humanitarian Impact: Over 1,650 people have been killed since Israel broke the ceasefire last month, with more than half a million displaced. Israel has restricted food and humanitarian aid to Gaza, aiming to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages.

Notable Quotes:

• Yusuf Abu Arus, Local Resident:
  “[15:52] 'All we saw and heard was fire.'”

• James Landau:
  “[16:03] We managed to rescue some bodies, including a 12-year-old disabled child who was horribly injured in a wheelchair.”

Israel’s Strategy:

• Buffer Zones: Israel has declared that 30% of the Gaza Strip is now an operational security perimeter, intended to create a buffer between Israeli communities and Hamas. This move has been criticized by Hamas as an attempt to starve the population and force them out.

Notable Quotes:

• Shaima Khalil:
  “[17:48] 'Israel's final goal is to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages, of which 24 are believed to be alive.'”

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4. Astronomical Breakthrough: Potential Signs of Extraterrestrial Life

A groundbreaking discovery was reported by scientists at Cambridge University, suggesting the possibility of life on another planet.

Key Findings:

• Planet K2-18b:
  This exoplanet, being two and a half times the size of Earth and located 124 light-years away, has shown signs of molecules typically produced by living organisms.

• Future Research:
  While the findings are promising, scientists emphasize the need for further observations to confirm the presence of life, as alternative explanations like volcanic activity could account for the detected molecules.

Notable Quotes:

• Professor Niku Madhusuddhan:
  “[10:26] 'If this turns out to be true, it would be one of the defining moments of modern astronomy.'”

• Shaima Khalil:
  “[11:05] 'It's the strongest evidence yet that life exists elsewhere in the universe.'”

Caution and Excitement:

• Shaima Khalil:
  “[11:46] 'While it's incredibly exciting, scientists remain cautious and seek to reduce the chances of this being a fluke to less than one in a million.'”

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5. Neanderthals' Extinction Linked to Early Sunscreen Use

Researchers from the University of Michigan have posited that Homo sapiens' use of ochre as a sunscreen may have contributed to the extinction of Neanderthals.

Key Findings:

• Ochre Usage:
  Homo sapiens applied ochre to their skin to protect against increased solar radiation during a period when the Earth's magnetic field was weakened due to pole reversals.

• Adaptive Advantage:
  Coupled with the development of tailored clothing, this protective measure may have provided Homo sapiens with a survival advantage over Neanderthals.

Notable Quotes:

• Shaima Khalil:
  “[13:18] 'Use of elements such as sunscreen may have given Homo sapiens an advantage over their Neanderthal cousins.'”

• Alice Adderley, Scientist:
  “[14:57] 'There's no single cause, but Homo sapiens' greater ability to adapt explains why they outlasted Neanderthals.'”

Implications:

• This study suggests that early technological adaptations, such as body painting, played a significant role in human evolution and the dominance of Homo sapiens.

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6. Tuvalu Embraces Digital Banking with First ATM Installation

For the first time in its history, the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu has introduced an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), marking a significant milestone in its financial infrastructure.

Key Details:

• Ceremony:
  The inaugural ATM was unveiled in a ceremony attended by the Prime Minister, along with three additional ATMs installed subsequently.

• Impact on Economy:
  Access to digital banking is expected to boost tourism, facilitate easier financial transactions, and enhance economic growth by allowing residents and visitors to access cash conveniently.

Notable Quotes:

• Shaima Khalil:
  “[27:36] 'It's the first ATM in the history of the country.'”

• Olga Robinson:
  “[27:39] 'It just wasn't profitable enough to even consider, but government willingness has made the change possible.'”

Challenges Overcome:

• Previously, Tuvalu relied on cash queuing outside banks, which was inefficient and inconvenient for the 11,000 residents. Government initiatives and private sector collaboration have now made ATMs a reality.

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7. Farewell to Nora Orna: Philippine Acting Legend Passes Away

The podcast mourned the passing of Nora Orna, a beloved Philippine actress known for her exceptional contributions to film and television.

Key Details:

• Career Highlights:
  Nora Orna starred in 170 films and numerous TV dramas since the 1960s. She was also a renowned singer, beloved for her emotional performances.

• Legacy:
  Described by President Ferdinand Marcos as "a gift to the nation," Nora Orna will be accorded a state funeral, underscoring her impact on Philippine culture.

Notable Quotes:

• Shaima Khalil:
  “[26:24] 'Nora Noor was born into poverty and helped her family by selling water and snacks at a railway station before breaking into acting.’”

• Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos:
  “[26:24] 'She was a gift to the nation and will be given a state funeral.'”

Personal Stories:

• Fellow actors highlighted her ability to convey collective heartbreak, emphasizing her deep connection with audiences.

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8. Power Crisis in Puerto Rico: A Decade of Blackouts

Puerto Rico continues to grapple with severe power outages, crippling the island nearly eight years after Hurricanes Maria and Irma devastated its electricity grid.

Key Issues:

• Recent Blackout:
  Residents experienced another wide-scale blackout just before Easter, affecting over a million people. The cause remains unclear, but restoration efforts are ongoing.

• Public Frustration:
  Long-standing issues with grid modernization and bureaucratic inefficiencies have left residents without reliable power, impacting daily life, especially for vulnerable populations reliant on refrigerated medications and other essential services.

Notable Quotes:

• Rosanna Torres, Resident:
  “[23:14] 'People are very upset. Not everyone can afford generators, and older adults living alone are in serious risk without power.'”

• Rosanna Torres:
  “[24:55] 'We rely a lot on community. Family members with generators help others, but it's not a sustainable solution.'”

Government Response:

• Despite securing federal funding to rebuild and modernize the grid, execution and accountability remain major hurdles, leading to continuous public dissatisfaction.

COPING Mechanisms:

• Communities are banding together, sharing resources like generators and assisting each other to navigate the persistent power shortages.

Notable Quotes:

• Rosanna Torres:
  “[25:30] 'There's too many entities involved, so no one is held accountable, which exacerbates the frustration among residents.'”

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9. Humanitarian Crisis at the South Sudan Border

The ongoing civil wars in Sudan and South Sudan have created a dire humanitarian situation, with over a million people displaced and attempting to return home amidst escalating conflict.

Key Details:

• Transit Point at Renk:
  The town has become a critical crossing for South Sudanese fleeing the conflict, facing imminent collapse of a 2018 peace deal and worsening insecurity.

• Aid Challenges:
  Existing camps like Vrank, built for 3,000, now shelter nearly 9,000 people, straining limited humanitarian resources.

Notable Quotes:

• Akisa Wandera, Reporter:
  “[19:15] 'The spillover effects of the Sudan war have left an estimated 9.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.'”

• Mary Deng, Displaced Resident:
  “[20:28] 'When we came, this child was one day old. Our situation was very difficult.'”

Solutions and Efforts:

• The International Organization for Migration is prioritizing vulnerable individuals for transportation to safer areas, though logistical challenges persist.

Notable Quotes:

• Vijayasuri, Chief of Mission, IOM:
  “[21:10] 'This program is critical to decongest the area and help people join communities where they have stronger support networks.'”

Human Spirit:

• Despite the hardships, displaced individuals like Sarah William strive to maintain normalcy for their children, highlighting resilience amidst chaos.

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10. Closing Remarks and Future Episodes

The episode concluded with acknowledgments to contributors and a brief mention of upcoming content. Listeners are encouraged to engage via email for feedback and comments.

Production Credits:

• Mixed by: Masoud Ibrahim Khail
• Producer: Chantal Hartle
• Editor: Karen Martin

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Conclusion

This episode of the Global News Podcast provided comprehensive coverage of significant global events, from high-stakes diplomatic negotiations and humanitarian crises to groundbreaking scientific discoveries and societal advancements. Through in-depth reporting and poignant personal stories, the podcast offers listeners a nuanced understanding of the world's most pressing issues.

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For more information or to share your thoughts on this episode, please email [e-mail].

Transcript

[Jannat Jalil]

This is the global news podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Jannat jalil and at 13 hours GMT on Thursday 17 April, these are our main stories. US and European ministers meet to discuss ending the war in Ukraine in their highest level talks in weeks. A BBC investigation finds that in the Russian occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol, thousands of homes have been seized illegally. Gaza's Hamas run civil Defense agency says the latest Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 37 people.

[Shaima Khalil]

Also in this podcast, It's a transformational moment in astronomy and in science because this is one of the longest standing questions in the history of science. Are we alone?

[Jannat Jalil]

A telescope picks up the strongest signs yet that there may be life on another planet. And how our ancestors managed to outwit Neanderthals. Neanderthals by using sunscreen. For European leaders who've been shaken by the dismissive, even hostile rhetoric of the Trump administration about the transatlantic alliance that has long ensured peace on their continent, there's a lot at stake in today's high level talks in Paris. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff are meeting President Macron and ministers from other European nations to discuss how to end the war in Ukraine. And the Ukrainian foreign and defense ministers have also flown into the French capital. The Europeans will be looking to see if the American President is going to get tougher with Russia after it rejected a US ceasefire proposal, provoking some rare, if mild, criticism from Mr. Trump. The talks will also include the US's recent attempts to broker a deal on Iran's nuclear program and the situation in the Middle East. I asked our diplomatic correspondent James Landau how significant it was that these talks were happening at all.

[James Landau]

It's interesting and significant simply because the Americans thus far have been pretty reluctant to actually negotiate and discuss and engage with the Europeans on a serious level about their efforts to seek peace in Ukraine. If you think about it, it's largely been bilateral actions, talks in the Middle east, envoys meeting President Putin in Russia. But it's been US led. And the European file has largely been about discussing this so called coalition of the willing in a ceasefire reassurance force that would go in if and when there was any kind of ceasefire in Ukraine. The Americans have always promised that, yes, we will consult the Europeans, but I think the fact that they are now having serious conversations with the European foreign ministers is not just with the French, the British, the French, the German national security advisors are there as well. The Ukrainians are now turned up. So I think that the fact this would give a real opportunity for the Europeans to tell the Americans precisely what they think should happen.

[Jannat Jalil]

Because the Europeans are very concerned, aren't they, about the failure of the US Thus far to convince Russia to agree to its ceasefire proposal?

[James Landau]

Oh, absolutely. I mean, if you think about it for some time now, Ukraine has made a huge concession. It has basically given up its demand for the promise of security guarantees in the future in return for agreeing a temporary ceasefire. They've given up that concession to the Americans, said, right, okay, we'll just accept, accept your proposal for an unconditional ceasefire. The Russians have done nothing. And since then, in fact, the Russians have stepped up the tempo of their attacks on civilians in cities throughout Ukraine, as we've seen in recent days. And that has generated a huge amount of frustration within European capitals who are hoping, along with the Ukrainians, that eventually the penny may drop with the Americans, that at the moment the Russians do not appear serious about wanting to end this conflict.

[Jannat Jalil]

And the Europeans are frustrated also because a decade ago they agreed with the US A deal with Iran to curb its nuclear program. Donald Trump pulled out of that deal and now the US Wants to talk again about curbing Iran's nuclear program when it's far more advanced than it was a decade ago.

[James Landau]

What's really interesting on this though is a very different approach has been taken here by the Americans. They are negotiating with the Iranians. They had some talks last week in Muscat and Oman. There are more talks planned for this weekend in Rome. And there, yes, there is the threat of potential force behind the diplomacy. But at the moment, the Americans are very serious about trying to seek some kind of diplomatic solution to this. Whether Europeans have concerns about these negotiations is the fear that the Americans will allow the Iranians to make a modest concession in a way that doesn't actually get rid of the nuclear threat as is considered by the west, denied by Iran. Of course. The, the most nervous observers though, are the Israelis who are watching these negotiations. And there's a high degree of anxiety that they might end up in a place where they do not want to be.

[Jannat Jalil]

James Landau well, at the same time, a BBC investigation has found that the Moscow backed authorities in occupied Ukraine are systematically seizing thousands of homes from residents who fled the city of Mariupol when it came under siege three years ago. Much of the coastal city was destroyed or damaged in 2022, mainly by continuous Russian bomb bombardments. And thousands of civilians were killed, although the exact number still remains unknown. For those with Homes still standing that they want to save. They face the prospect of a dangerous return to Mariupol as they would have to go through Russia first and overwhelming pressure to give up their Ukrainian passports to take Russian ones instead. Olga Robinson was part of the investigation team.

[Olga Robinson]

We've been analyzing dozens of official documents published by Russian installed authorities in Mariupol since July 2024, and they are publicly available for Mariupol residents. These are documents that contain long lists of addresses, and we've categorised them in accordance with different stages of the seizing process. Now, it's a very complicated bureaucratic procedure, but effectively to seize property, the Russian authorities identify and declare it as ownerless and then after a while, get it transferred into city ownership through a Russian court. Now, ownerless is a term, very specific one, that they use to describe property that in their hasn't been used for a while or hasn't been registered properly with the Russian authorities. Now, in reality, many of these homes, flats and individual homes do have owners. These are Ukrainians who have fled the occupation or their heirs if they die during Russian attacks.

[Jannat Jalil]

So to save their homes, Ukrainians have to go through a very complicated procedure. They have to risk their safety and possibly risk losing their identity as well.

[Olga Robinson]

Yes, indeed, Ukrainians we spoke to say that once their property has been flagged to the authorities as owners, it's near impossible to get it back. And that's because they are required to turn up in Mariupol in person within just 30 days, since their property appears on the initial owners list. And those who have fled effectively would have to physically go to Russia. And that means face grueling Federal Security Service checks at the Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow. The only way to get into the occupied territories from Russia. And these can last up to weeks. So they're literally physically grueling. And then even if they've managed to come to Mariupol, they still have to bring a Russian passport. And that effectively means that they risk their own safety and then have to choose whether they preserve their national identity or their home.

[Jannat Jalil]

And the people still left in Mariupol, they're very unhappy about this, too.

[Olga Robinson]

Well, there's been a lot of confusion because of this scheme because it's, you know, it's very, very complicated. And we spent months analyzing chats on Telegram with people clearly being confused and unhappy about what's going on. But there's also been quite unusually, a bit of public pushback against that too. And that's because the Russian installed authorities now say that once A flat has been seized. It can be given to Mariupol residents who are Russian passport holders and who have lost their property. And some people have been uneasy about the legal status of all of this. And they have been saying, well, we're not thieves. We don't want other people's FL because these are our neighbors. And they have been appealing to President Putin himself to intervene and stop this. But we know that he's very unlikely to do it because he's personally endorsed this scheme himself in December.

[Jannat Jalil]

Olga Robinson China may be hoping the US will be the one to initiate discussions on a trade deal, but the US has said it's up to Beijing to make the first move on the issue of tariffs. However, President Trump has had direct talks with Japan's top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, saying they made big progress. Mr. Kazawa described the US tariffs imposed on Japan as very regrettable and strongly urged the Trump administration to review them. Mr. Trump says they will take top priority, but the Japanese prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, says the negotiations won't be easy. From Tokyo, here's Shaima Khalil.

[Shaima Khalil]

While Japan hasn't been able to secure tariff relief from the us, the surprise decision by President Trump to take part in the talks with the chief negotiator, Yoshi Yakazawa, is significant. Mr. Akazawa has urged Washington to reconsider all levies imposed on his country. During talks with the treasury secretary, Scott Besant, the Trump administration set the reciprocal tariff on Japanese imports at 24%. Japan's carmakers are facing a 25% levy. It's a huge blow to the auto industry, which represents nearly a third of the country's total exports to the us. This week, Honda Motors decided to shift production of its hybrid Civic model from Japan to its plant in Indiana. To mitigate the impact, Japan has been the US's top investor for five years running, creating thousands of American jobs. Tariff negotiations between Tokyo and Washington are seen as a barometer for how the Trump administration might deal with other countries reeling from US levies and the uncertainty they sparked.

[Jannat Jalil]

Shaima Khalil it's the strongest evidence yet that life exists elsewhere in the universe. That's the claim being made by scientists at Cambridge University. They've detected signs of molecules on a distant planet, which on Earth are only produced by living organisms. The planet is called K2 18 biology. It's two and a half times the size of Earth, but it's so far away that it can't be reached in any of our lifetimes. It's more than a quadrillion kilometers away from us. That's 1,000 trillion kilometers or 124 light years. Professor Niku Madhusuddhan led the research.

[Shaima Khalil]

It's a transformational moment in astronomy and in science because this is one of the longest standing questions in the history of science. Are we alone? And what we may be seeing are the first signs of being able to answer that question. This is a big claim if it is true. So we want to be really, really thorough and make more observations and get the evidence to the level that there is less than a one in a million chance of it being a fluke. So we want to be really careful there. Even like in the broader history of astronomy, this is one of the pinnacle moments. If this turns out to be true, this would be one of the defining moments of modern astronomy.

[Jannat Jalil]

So how excited should we be? Our science correspondent, Palab Ghosh is following the story.

[Shaima Khalil]

Well, it is incredibly exciting. It's the biggest question in science. Are we alone in the universe? Are we able to answer it? Unfortunately, no. At least not yet. So I'd ought to be a party pooper. But let's start with the caution and then move on to the excitement. And there's a lot of excitement. Even though this substance is gas in the atmosphere can be produced by plankton on Earth, it's an alien world and it could be produced by some strange volcano, some non living means on another planet. The second caveat is the fact that they haven't detected enough yet to claim conclusively that it's there. But it's the strongest evidence yet. And they've detected it in such an amount that if it's there, it's plentiful. And if it's plentiful, then it could be teeming with life. So that would be an incredible discovery. They say they hope to have the scientific proof that the gas is there in a couple of years. Time and again, I have to say that there'll still be a lot of bickering as to whether it's produced by life or not for years to come. But anyway, it is quite breathtaking what they've done.

[Jannat Jalil]

Pahlad Ghosh well, scientists have also made an intriguing discovery back here on Earth about why Neanderthals became extinct about 40,000 years ago. US researchers think part of the reason may be that our Homo sapien ancestors used their own version of sunscreen at a time when radiation levels were unusually high. Alice Adderley explains.

[Shaima Khalil]

Scientists from the University of Michigan say use of elements such as sunscreen against increasing solar radiation and tailored clothing may have given Homo sapiens an advantage over their Neanderthal cousins who died out around 40,000 years ago ago. Most of the Earth's surface is usually protected from the sun's radiation because its magnetic field sends it towards the north and south poles in what we know as the Northern and Southern lights. But scientists say over the Earth's four and a half billion year history, the north and south poles have periodically swapped places. It can take centuries or even millennia. And while this happens, the Earth's magnetic field is weakened to around 10% of its usual strength, meaning much more harmful radiation reaches non polar regions. Around 42,000 years ago, there was one of these events. And the researchers think that Homo sapiens may have used the mineral compound ochre not only for cave paintings, but also to paint their bodies. It has sun protective properties when applied to skin. This and developing sewing skills to make fitted clothing to protect them from the elements may help to explain why modern humans survived during this period. As exposure to radiation can cause disease and birth defects, the researchers say there's no single cause. But Homo sapiens greater ability to adapt to changing circumstances explains why they pushed Neanderthals out of the evolutionary race.

[Jannat Jalil]

Alice Adley still to come on the global news podcast, it's the first ATM in the history of the country.

[Olga Robinson]

And I said, wait, hold on, it's 2025.

[Shaima Khalil]

And they're like, yes.

[Jannat Jalil]

The Pacific island nation of Tuvalu enters the world of digital banking for the first time. You're listening to the global news podcast, the latest overnight Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed at least 37 people. According to Hamas, one of the strikes hit a camp for displaced Palestinians in the city of Khan Younis. Yusuf Abu Arus's sister and her children died in a huge fire caused by that attack. He said a boy in a wheelchair was also one of the victims.

[Shaima Khalil]

All we saw and heard was fire.

[James Landau]

And gunfire, nothing else. We tried to put out the fire.

[Shaima Khalil]

We used water and whatever we could to put it out.

[James Landau]

We managed to raise rescue some bodies.

[Shaima Khalil]

A 12 year old disabled child.

[James Landau]

He was burned in the wheelchair. We carried him.

[Shaima Khalil]

Even his bones had melted as we.

[James Landau]

Were pulling him out.

[Jannat Jalil]

Gaza's Hamas run health ministry says that since Israel broke the ceasefire last month, more than 1,650 people have been killed. The UN estimates more than half a million others have been displaced in that period of time. Israel has also refused for weeks to allow food and humanitarian assistance into Gaza. It says to increase the pressure on Hamas to release the dozens of hostages still in the strip. Our correspondent in Jerusalem, Yoland Nell, told me more about the latest Israeli attacks on Gaza.

[Shaima Khalil]

Well, at least 23 people were killed last night and this morning local time, according to local hospitals. And we're hearing that the biggest number was in the this tented camp for displaced people in Khan Younis in the south of the Strip, where 10 people were killed. Israel's military has not yet commented on those strikes.

[Jannat Jalil]

And Israel's announced that 30% of the Gaza Strip has now been effectively turned into a buffer zone. Explain this to us.

[Shaima Khalil]

That's right. It's calling this an operational security perimeter. We knew that during the recent SEA ceasefire, troops withdrew to the edge of the Gaza Strip. It was only a partial pullout, and now they have been advancing from those areas. But we also had these comments from the Israeli Defense Ministry a day ago, basically saying that the military would remain indefinitely in large areas of the Gaza Strip, which its troops had recently moved back into. He said this would be what he called a buffer between Israeli communities and what he called the enemy.

[Jannat Jalil]

What does Israel say is the final purpose of this? Because Hamas is accusing it of trying to starve the population of Gaza, trying to force the population out there. Were those hostages released during the ceasefire? There have been no hostages released since the end of the ceasefire. What is Israel's final goal?

[Shaima Khalil]

Well, Israel's been saying that it renewed its military offensive to put pressure on Hamas to give up the remaining hostages that it's holding. There are 24 who are believed to be alive. And while there are still efforts by regional mediators with the US to try to get a new ceasefire agreement, Israel had said when it relaunched its military operations that all future talks would take place under fire. Those were the words of the prime minister. Now, we've had details given to us in the past day of some senior Hamas figures who have been killed. Israel saying more than 100 targeted eliminations have been carried out. But the figures we have from the Hamas, one health ministry, more than 1,650 people killed since the offensive restarted. Mostly women, children and the elderly, they're saying.

[Jannat Jalil]

Yolande Nel the civil war in Sudan, which has been raging for two years, has led to more than 1 million people crossing into South Sudan. Most of these people are South Sudanese citizens returning home. But they're returning to a country which is also on the brink of civil war, which means that they're trapped effectively between two conflicts. Akisa Wandera reports from Renk on the South Sudan border.

[Akisa Wandera]

The midday sun scorches the dusty ground in Renk. Once a quiet border town, it's now a transit point for thousands displaced by the Sudan war. For many people here, it is the second time they are fleeing fast from South Sudan. Civil war, war, and now from Sudan. But the situation here is also worsening. A peace deal signed in 2018 is threatening to collapse. The years of insecurity in South Sudan means roads in the surrounding towns are impassable or too dangerous. The only way out is by boat. We are the town temporary port here in Drengk, where the boats are being loaded as hundreds of people prepare to make their journey to Malakao. Priority has been given to the vulnerable people, elderly, sick women and children who are boarding the boats first, one by one up the ladder. Mary Deng clutches a worn envelope. It holds documents securing her family's spot on this journey down the River Nile.

[Olga Robinson]

When we came, this child was one day old.

[Shaima Khalil]

We are 16 people here. We had nothing when we left Medani.

[Olga Robinson]

Our situation was very difficult when we.

[Shaima Khalil]

Arrived, a thousand people and we had nothing with us.

[Olga Robinson]

But God supported us.

[Akisa Wandera]

The boat that hundreds of people are boarding right now is made of steel and is open. It does not have seats. So many will make do with sitting on top of their luggage. For the two and a half day journey. This particular boat will be carrying about four to five hundred people. Vijayasuri is the chief of mission at the International Organization for Migration in South Sudan.

[Shaima Khalil]

One of the reasons why this onward transportation program was considered so critical was to decongest this area to help mostly the South Sudanese be able to join locations and areas where they have stronger networks, stronger community or family ties, livelihood.

[Jannat Jalil]

Opportunities, but also access to partners who.

[Shaima Khalil]

Are offering service for which they would be eligible.

[Akisa Wandera]

But not everyone can leave. In a corrugated shelter, Sarah William tries to distract her children with games. She's been here for five months.

[Shaima Khalil]

Have.

[Jannat Jalil]

Now spent a month.

[Shaima Khalil]

I used to sell firewood for flour, but now there is no more firewood. I wanted to go home to my village. I'm from Nazir.

[Jannat Jalil]

But there is no road.

[Akisa Wandera]

The spillover effects of the Sudan war and political instability in South Sudan has left an estimated 9.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. According to the International Rescue Committee, this camp in Vrank was built for 3,000, and now nearly 9,000 people call it home. Aid is stretched thin. Back at the transit center, children dance to music from a tiny radio, their laughter defying the harsh reality around them.

[Jannat Jalil]

That was Akisa Wandera Reporting from the South Sudan border. Now to the US territory of Puerto Rico. Eight years ago, two hurricanes caused its entire electricity grid to collapse. Since then, the island has experienced a string of major power outages. The last island wide blackout occurred less than four months ago on New Year's Eve. And now just before Easter, residents were once again plunged into darkness on Wednesday night, leaving more than a million people without electricity. It's not immediately clear what caused the failure, but power is slowly being restored. Rosanna Torres is a resident of Puerto Rico and she told Lucresa Barack that there is increasing frustration about these outages.

[Rosanna Torres]

People are understandably very upset. There's a lot of people with, with the means that have invested in generators. And so life appears to carry on. But not everybody can afford a generator, right? And we have an aging population. So we have a lot of older adults. Lipstick. Living alone and are now in the dark. We have people that depend on refrigerated medications that are now at serious risk. Small businesses, some are forced to shut down and lose a day's income. And that happens too frequently. Now this has been going on for nearly eight years now since Hurricane Maria and Irma that back to back really devastated our grid. And then we had Irma earthquakes. And you know, at the time it seemed reasonable that this was going to take some time. It was. The destruction was very evident. But now when we're nearing eight years and money is not the problem, we have secured federal funding to rebuild and modernize the grid. What seems to be missing is execution and accountability and that's why people are so frustrated.

[Shaima Khalil]

What have the government been saying about all of this then?

[Rosanna Torres]

I think part of the problem is that there are too many cooks in the kitchen. Even before this new administration took over and appointed an energy czar, There was already 14 different entities in charge of managing or inputting into the system in some way, shape or form. And so it seems like, you know, there's so many people that are responsible that no one really is.

[Shaima Khalil]

So let's just talk about how people are actually coping. You say, you know, the lucky, the lucky ones do have generators. So for those who don't, how are they coping? How on earth are they getting access to water, for example?

[Rosanna Torres]

We rely a lot on community, we rely a lot on each other. And so family more than likely is stepping in. Whomever does have a generator. I've been offered today for many friends and families being able to go elsewhere and have access to power.

[Shaima Khalil]

Do you see any solution being brought about? You said that the grid, you know, it's reached capacity. It hasn't really recovered since the hurricanes. You know, is there a solution to this?

[Rosanna Torres]

I think we have to see how the public responds. There have already been calls for protests. I've heard a lot of sirens and people honking their horns, but we'll see if, if that actually plays out or not. You know, we're in Holy Week or and many people are out on vacation. Maybe this just slides under the radar again.

[Shaima Khalil]

I mean, it's interesting you say it is Holy Week. So how are people cooking food? I mean, this is a time for families to gather. A lot of food to be cooked.

[Rosanna Torres]

Yeah. Well, a lot of the pots and pans are being used right now in a protest in front of the governor's mansion. So I don't think that they're doing a lot of cooking today. They're mainly protesting.

[Jannat Jalil]

That was Rosanna Torres. The Philippine actress Nora Orna, considered by many to be the country's greatest performer, has died at the age of 71. The cause of her death has not been disclosed. Our Asia Pacific editor Mickey Bristow reports.

[Shaima Khalil]

Nora Noor was born into poverty and helped the family income by selling water and snacks at a railway station. After breaking into acting in the 1960s, she went on to star in 170 films as well as TV dramas. One fellow actress said that every tear she'd shed on screen felt like a collective heartbreak. And Noah was also a renowned singer. The president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, described her as a gift to the nation and she'll be given a state funeral.

[Jannat Jalil]

Mickey bristow, until now, people in the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu had relied on cash queuing outside banks to collect their salaries on payday. But for the first time, its 11,000 residents are celebrating something that many of us take for granted, an ATM machine. At a special ceremony attended by the prime minister, Tuvalu's first cash point was unveiled. Four others have also been installed. My colleague Will Bain spoke to the Simone journalist Laji Poiva, Cheryl Jackson, who was at the ceremony.

[Shaima Khalil]

It's the first ATM in the history of the country.

[Olga Robinson]

And I said, wait, hold on. It's 20, 25.

[Shaima Khalil]

And they're like, yes, yes. What's made the change? Why have they decided they're necessary? I suppose I've spoken to everyone from the general manager to the prime minister to people on the street, to government workers, and they've all desired to have it. But there are, at the end of.

[Olga Robinson]

The day, only 6,000 customers. And so, as the general manager said.

[Shaima Khalil]

It just wasn't profitable enough to even consider. And so what's changed? What's changed is that there's government willingness.

[Olga Robinson]

And that they feel that they need.

[Shaima Khalil]

To catch up with the rest of the world, that they need to do it in order to develop further their tourism, government, private sector and so forth. So there's this willingness by the government and the bank to make it happen. And somehow everything fell into place. Yeah. And I guess for the economy too, at home, not just from those tourists, people having access to cash perhaps makes them a bit more willing to spend.

[Jannat Jalil]

It if they don't think they're going.

[Shaima Khalil]

To run out of it and worry.

[Jannat Jalil]

About how they're going to find some more.

[Shaima Khalil]

It's very awkward to fly here hoping.

[Olga Robinson]

That the amount of cash you have.

[Shaima Khalil]

At hand is enough.

[Jannat Jalil]

Journalist Laji Pariva. Cheryl Jackson 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, comment on this podcast or the topics covered, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk this edition was mixed by Masoud Ibrahim Khail. The producer was Chantal Hartle. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Janat Jalil. Until next time. Goodbye.