Global News Podcast (BBC World Service)

Episode: US to cut flights if government shutdown continues

Date: November 6, 2025
Hosts: Charlotte Gallagher, Tristan Redman, Peter Bowes

Overview

This episode centers on the ripple effects of the ongoing US government shutdown, particularly its impact on air travel as flight cuts are announced. The program also covers several other global headlines, including an assault on Mexico’s first female president, elections in India’s poorest state, reporting from inside Gaza, a deadly Philippines typhoon, a major US Supreme Court case on tariffs, potential Russian nuclear testing, and a candid interview with author Margaret Atwood.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Government Shutdown and Air Travel Disruption (00:53–04:57)

• Longest US Shutdown: The federal government shutdown has surpassed five weeks, making it the longest on record.
• Flight Reductions Announced: The FAA will begin a 10% cut in air traffic at 40 major US airports starting Friday to maintain safety amid mounting staff shortages.
  • Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid, with many seeking side jobs and now calling in sick.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy (paraphrased by Tristan Redman) indicates controllers are under severe financial pressure, impacting staffing and safety.
• Potential Delays & Safety Concerns:
  • Peter Bowes: “This is going to have a huge impact given that the US system handles roughly 44,000 flights every day... a 10% cut... about 4,000 flights.” (03:00)
  • The flight reductions are expected to ramp up gradually, starting at 3–4% and reaching 10% by next week.
  • "There is no indication right now that air travel in this country is not safe. That's what they're trying to avoid." — Peter Bowes (04:08)
  • Pressure is rising due to fatigue and potential delays in critical maintenance work.

2. Sexual Assault on Mexico’s First Female President (04:57–08:44)

• Incident & Response:
  • Footage captured an intoxicated man attempting to grope President Claudia Sheinbaum during a public appearance in Mexico City; the man was arrested.
  • Sheinbaum has called for making sexual harassment a crime.
• Societal Impact:
  • Will Grant: “If that can happen to the president, what chance do ordinary women in the streets stand?… what happened to Claudia Sheinbaum happens every day to women in Mexico and it happens often.” (05:22, 07:59)
  • Security concerns are heightened, especially following the recent assassination of a prominent mayor.
  • The incident has sparked national outrage and intense media coverage, spotlighting Mexico’s machismo culture.
  • Sheinbaum vows charges will be pressed, but Will Grant notes little progress on femicide and gender-based violence since her election.

3. BBC Reporting from Inside Gaza (08:44–11:38)

• Controlled Access:
  • BBC journalists enter Gaza for the first time since a ceasefire, only allowed near a boundary under heavy Israeli military control.
  • Destructive aftermath of the war is evident—Lucy Williamson: “all I can see pretty much is rubble, buildings just smashed into piles of gray concrete and stones.” (09:33)
• Israeli Military Perspective:
  • Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani: IDF seeks Hamas’ disarmament and the release of hostages but notes “almost every house had either a tunnel shaft or was booby trapped…” (10:08)
  • The area remains tense and volatile, with ongoing hostilities.
• Hamas’ Tactics:
  • “Hamas is actually trying to arm itself, trying to assert dominance, assert control over Gaza, is killing people in broad daylight…” — Tristan Redman (10:58)
• Fragile Ceasefire:
  • The situation remains unstable, with high risk if ceasefire collapses.

4. Critical Election in India’s Poorest State – Bihar (11:38–14:54)

• Election Context:
  • Bihar, India’s poorest state, sees millions voting in a crucial assembly election.
  • The BJP and regional ally JDU face strong opposition from RJD and Congress.
• Socio-economic Issues:
  • Reporter Davina Gupta highlights poverty, high infant mortality, gender gaps in education, and widespread male migration for work.
  • “Most of the men have to travel out from here in search of jobs. This is one of the poorest states. So what that means is the odds are stacked against them…” — Davina Gupta (12:13)
  • Welfare and job creation promises compete for votes; complex caste and religious factors also play a role.
  • Notably, more women than men are turning out to vote.

5. Typhoon Devastates the Philippines (16:12–17:50)

• Disaster Summary:
  • A typhoon brings catastrophic floods, killing at least 114, with over 120 missing, especially in Cebu.
  • Correspondent Jonathan Head describes conditions: “It dumped a month's worth of water on Cebu in just a day...” (16:27)
  • Massive infrastructure damage and delayed cleanup expected; storm now threatens Vietnam.

6. US Supreme Court Hears Tariff Legality Case (17:50–20:59)

• Case Background:
  • The Court considers whether President Trump’s emergency powers allow for imposing tariffs—critics argue only Congress can levy taxes.
  • Senator Ed Markey: “This case is not enemies of the state versus Trump. It is small businesses versus Trump, it is Main street versus Mar a Lago, and it is mom and pop versus Trump's billionaire buddies…” (18:15)
• Implications:
  • About $100 billion collected; a reversal could require repayments to importers.
  • Peter Bowes: “It's hard to overstate, isn't it, quite how many people and companies have been affected by the tariffs in the US...” (19:36)
  • Conservative justices appeared skeptical of the government’s arguments.

7. Russian Nuclear Testing Threats after Trump’s Test Remarks (20:59–22:36)

• Russian Response:
  • After Trump hints at restarting nuclear tests, Russia’s defense minister urges preparations for “full-scale tests.”
• Putin’s Stance:
  • Steve Rosenberg: “President Putin did not say, full steam ahead... He told officials to draft proposals... and said Russia has always strictly adhered... to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty...” (21:47)
  • Russia's messaging appears a warning shot to the US but stops short of real action.
  • Confusion in Moscow over Trump’s statements.

8. Margaret Atwood Reflects on Her Literary & Feminist Journey (23:05–27:00)

• Early Career as a Female Writer:
  • Atwood: “I really did seriously get asked in about 1967, not whether I was going to commit suicide, but when I was going to commit suicide...” (23:05)
  • She describes 1960s literary expectations: tormented, “nun-like” women writers or “high priestess... do some human sacrifice.”
  • Success as a writer seemed unlikely: “It wasn’t considered a career. It was considered a vocation, like being a priest.” (23:48)
• Handmaid’s Tale and Modern Resonance:
  • “We are talking specifically about the United States... what form would it take? … it would take the form of a theocracy, at least in name.” (24:24)
  • Atwood believes Americans’ rebellious streak can resist true tyranny: “America is a very ornery place and... people in it dislike being told to line up and do as they're told.” (25:35)
• On Predicting the Future:
  • “Nobody can read the future because there isn’t one future. The future is multiple...” (26:13)
  • The Handmaid’s Tale was conceived as a cautionary projection from observable trends.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “This is going to have a huge impact given that the US system handles roughly 44,000 flights every day…”

  • Peter Bowes describing the US flight cuts (03:00)

• “If that can happen to the president, what chance to ordinary women in the streets stand?”

  • Will Grant on the sexual assault incident in Mexico (05:22)

• “All I can see pretty much is rubble, buildings just smashed into piles of gray concrete and stones.”

  • Lucy Williamson reporting from Gaza (09:33)

• “Most of the men have to travel out from here in search of jobs. This is one of the poorest states…”

  • Davina Gupta reporting from Bihar, India (12:13)

• “It is small businesses versus Trump, it is Main Street versus Mar-a-Lago, and it is mom and pop versus Trump's billionaire buddies.”

  • Sen. Ed Markey, outside the US Supreme Court (18:15)

• “President Putin did not say, full steam ahead, please, with nuclear testing. He told officials to draft proposals...”

  • Steve Rosenberg explains the Russian stance (21:47)

• “I really did seriously get asked in about 1967, not whether I was going to commit suicide, but when..."

  • Margaret Atwood on literary stereotypes for women (23:05)

• “Nobody can read the future because there isn’t one future. The future is multiple…”

  • Margaret Atwood on speculative fiction (26:13)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• US government shutdown and flight cuts: 00:53—04:57
• Mexico’s president assaulted, gender violence: 04:57—08:44
• BBC inside Gaza: 08:44—11:38
• India’s Bihar state elections context: 11:38—14:54
• Philippines typhoon devastation: 16:12—17:50
• US Supreme Court tariff case: 17:50—20:59
• Russian nuclear test debate: 20:59—22:36
• Margaret Atwood interview: 23:05—27:00

Memorable Moments

• Unbelievable Reality: "This just sounds unbelievable to me that you can have people doing such an important job like air traffic control and they're not being paid." –Charlotte Gallagher on the US shutdown (03:57)
• Journalistic Restrictions: "Israel doesn’t allow international news organizations to report independently from Gaza." – Lucy Williamson’s contextual note (10:21)
• Historic Gender Moment: The widespread public shock in Mexico after the president’s assault becomes a catalyst for national debate.
• Resistant Americans: Atwood’s reflections on US resistance to autocracy provide both warning and hope.

This episode delivers a comprehensive and vivid global news briefing, combining incisive reporting with on-the-ground perspectives and thoughtful analysis on major world issues.