Global News Podcast – US blocks another UN Gaza ceasefire attempt
Host: Alex Ritson, BBC World Service
Date: September 19, 2025
Overview
This episode centers on the United States' repeated veto of a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, amid Israel's ongoing military operations. The podcast also covers escalating tensions over media freedom in the US under President Trump, political unrest and far-right rise in France, a wave of gold thefts across Europe, a look at Russia's state-sponsored Intervision song contest, a neuroscientific discovery about navigation, and tennis legend Bjorn Borg's battle with cancer.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. US Vetoes UN Ceasefire Resolution in Gaza
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Background: The US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution (the sixth such veto during the two-year war in Gaza) that called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, lifting of aid restrictions, and the release of all hostages.
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US Position: The resolution "failed to recognize Israel's right to defend itself as well as condemn Hamas," according to Morgan Ortegas, President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East.
“Council members ignored when the United States made clear that this resolution was unacceptable...performative action...that extends Hamas terrorists...and gives them a lifeline.”
— Morgan Ortegas [04:23] -
On-the-Ground Situation:
- Humanitarian Crisis: Over 250,000 displaced in the past month. Many remain, unable or unwilling to leave due to costs or lack of safety further south.
- Gaza Resident's Testimony:
“Life here is honestly, it is just tragic. We are dealing with hunger and prices that are completely insane...There is no tent waiting for us there in the south. And the cost of getting to the south, it's over 2,000 shekels. Can you imagine that?”
— Sara, student in Gaza City [06:13]
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Media Access Blocked: Journalists barred from Gaza; communication lines down due to damage to the main telecoms company.
“The phone communications and Internet communications in Gaza City and the north of the Gaza Strip have gone down because the main telecoms company has been damaged."
— John Donnison, BBC in Jerusalem [07:00] -
Controversial Israeli Comments: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich spoke of a potential "real estate bonanza" in Gaza, suggesting future business plans post-war that Palestinians see as ethnic cleansing.
“The war in Gaza had cost Israel a lot, he said, and it was now time to make some money back.”
— John Donnison [08:11] -
Allenby Crossing Incident: Attack at crossing killed two Israeli soldiers; humanitarian crossings further imperiled.
2. Media Freedom and Political Control in the US
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Trump’s Threat to TV Licenses: President Trump suggested networks critical of him should have their licenses revoked, citing biased coverage.
“Maybe their license should be taken away.”
— Donald Trump [14:00] -
Aftermath of TV Host Suspension: Jimmy Kimmel’s show suspended due to controversy over remarks linking a suspect in a high-profile killing to the MAGA movement.
- Former President Obama called this a “dangerous level of cancel culture.”
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Trump’s Targeting of Antifa: He proposed designating Antifa as a terrorist organization and criminalizing flag burning, despite no legal mechanism to define domestic groups as such at the federal level.
“We’re going in and we’re saying it incites riots and therefore you go to jail for one year if you burn the American flag.”
— Donald Trump [15:30] -
Analysis: BBC’s Peter Bowes clarifies legal and constitutional limits, emphasizing chilling effects fears.
"Creeping control of the airwaves is a fair fear, as has been expressed by some people...It could have quite a chilling effect on free speech in this country."
— Peter Bowes [17:40]
3. French Political Unrest and Far-Right Concerns
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Mass Demonstrations: Over 300 arrests and large protests against President Macron’s austerity measures. Discrepancy in numbers between organizers (1 million) and government (500,000).
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Former President Hollande's Analysis:
“People are angry about different things that add up to doubts about democracy itself. That’s the biggest danger. And now the far right could come to power here.”
— Francois Hollande [21:12] -
Political Crisis Outlook: Hollande sees two paths—government compromise or overthrow leading to possible far-right gains.
“Those who will gain are the far right. They are provoking it and trying to exploit it. And they’re winning. They can win.”
— Francois Hollande [22:41] -
Critique of Trump's Global Stance: Hollande criticizes Trump for weakness, saying he fails to pressure Putin or confront Netanyahu’s interventions.
“Trump is the weakest figure in the world right now. He is to blame for these global problems...”
— Francois Hollande [24:20]
4. Wave of Gold Thefts in France and Beyond
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Major Heists: $700,000 of gold stolen from Paris’ Natural History Museum; part of a larger trend with other high-value museum thefts in Limoges and elsewhere.
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Professionalism:
“This was a perfectly professional team, perfectly aware of where they had to go and using professional equipment.”
— Emmanuel Skoulios, museum director [26:45] -
Systemic Vulnerabilities: Museums’ digital security has been undermined by cyberattacks.
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Expert Insight:
“Why they target precious metals...you can melt it down...With gold, with silver, you can melt it down. There are no traces.”
— Arthur Brand, art detective [28:00]
5. Colombia’s Ongoing Struggle with Peace and Justice
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Restorative Sentences: Seven former FARC guerrilla leaders ordered to make reparations instead of serving jail time.
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Victims’ Frustration:
“I felt indignant. I felt humiliated, mocked...We have not had justice in any of its forms.”
— Ingrid Bettencourt, ex-hostage [32:15] -
Judicial Perspective: Judge acknowledges irreparable losses from the conflict.
“There are crimes that are impossible to repair because they are irreparable. The loss of a person, the loss of life, lost time is absolutely irreparable.”
— Judge Camilo Suarez [33:01]
6. Intervision – Russia’s Political Song Contest
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Russia’s New 'Cultural Weapon': Revived Cold War-era 'Intervision' positions itself as a 'less kitsch, more Kremlin' version of Eurovision, with 23 countries participating.
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Political Undertones:
“That’s a lot of politicians for a few pop songs.”
— Steve Rosenberg, BBC [37:40] -
Russian Officials’ Response: Present Intervision as promoting culture, not propaganda.
“If the governments of some countries make no effort to create mechanisms for supporting culture, that’s their choice. In our country, the state is engaged in the promotion of arts. Your question is rooted in the fear of competition.”
— Sergey Lavrov [38:12] -
Exclusionary Practices: LGBTQ expression unwelcome; Ukraine calls the contest hostile propaganda.
7. Neuroscience Discovery: The Brain’s ‘Mileage Clock’
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Scottish Study: Discovery of an "internal mileage clock" in rats and humans helps explain how brains gauge distance traveled.
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Implications: Could lead to new understanding and early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
“Cells in their brains fired or ticked almost like a pedometer...with every 30cm they travelled.”
— Victoria Gill, BBC science correspondent [43:15] -
Expert Explanation:
“So we had people start at one end of the arena...and then over time, we’d run trials where the specification points...was removed. And we’d ask, okay, first of all, can people estimate distance?...when we change the shape of the room, we see exactly the same pattern of behavior.”
— Professor James Ainge, University of St Andrews [44:10]
8. Bjorn Borg’s Battle with Cancer
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Personal Story: Tennis legend Bjorn Borg, aged 69, candidly discusses his cancer diagnosis and struggles post-retirement.
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On Going Public:
“In the book, you describe it as extremely aggressive and at its most advanced stage. And you also say that you’re going to fight every day like it’s a Wimbledon final.”
— Tim Muffet, BBC [47:00] -
Borg’s Perspective:
“And he said, but you have these sleeping cancer cells in your body. It’s going to be a fight in the future and I hope I’m going to be okay. I might be okay. I might not be okay.”
— Bjorn Borg [48:05]
Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments
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Gaza Crisis:
“Life here is honestly, it is just tragic....there is no tent waiting for us there in the south. And the cost of getting to the south, it’s over 2,000 shekels.”
— Sara, Gaza City [06:13] -
Chilling US Media Landscape:
“Creeping control of the airwaves is a fair fear...could have quite a chilling effect on free speech.”
— Peter Bowes [17:40] -
France's Political Deadlock:
“They are provoking it and trying to exploit it. And they’re winning. They can win.”
— Francois Hollande [22:41] -
Gold’s Allure for Thieves:
“With gold, with silver you can melt it down. There are no traces.”
— Arthur Brand [28:00] -
New Brain Science:
“Cells in their brains fired or ticked almost like a pedometer...with every 30cm they travelled.”
— Victoria Gill [43:15] -
On Fighting Cancer:
“It’s going to be a fight in the future and I hope I’m going to be okay. I might be okay. I might not be okay.”
— Bjorn Borg [48:05]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- US Blocks UN Gaza Ceasefire: 02:50–12:20
- Media Freedom/Trump and TV Licenses: 14:00–18:30
- French Protests/Far-Right Rise: 21:12–25:01
- Gold Heists in France: 26:45–30:00
- Colombia Peace & Justice: 31:00–34:30
- Intervision (Russia): 36:30–42:15
- Neuroscience Navigation Discovery: 43:15–45:00
- Bjorn Borg’s Cancer Fight: 46:50–50:00
Conclusion
This episode provides a sweeping overview of global headlines, blending on-the-ground reports from conflict zones, in-depth political analysis, and rich human stories. With significant, sometimes alarming shifts in geopolitics, media freedom, and social stability, the episode delivers the global pulse—anchored by first-hand narratives and expert commentary.