Venezuelan opposition leader emerges from hiding to lead protests

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary: "Venezuelan Opposition Leader Emerges from Hiding to Lead Protests"

Release Date: January 10, 2025
Host: BBC World Service

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1. Venezuelan Opposition Leader Emerges from Hiding to Lead Protests

In a significant development in Venezuela's turbulent political landscape, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado resurfaced from months of hiding to spearhead protests against President Nicolás Maduro's contentious third six-year term inauguration scheduled for January 10, 2025. Previously hidden since August of the previous year, Machado's public appearance was met with overwhelming support from her followers in Caracas. However, her emergence was short-lived as state forces detained her shortly after the demonstration.

Key Details:

• Detention Circumstances: Machado was reportedly intercepted by state security on motorbikes, with accounts indicating that firearms were discharged during her detention. Despite the chaos, she released a reassuring video two hours later, asserting her safety and secure location. The government dismissed her claims as political theatrics, while her party alleged coercion in her video statement.
• Opposition's Stance: The opposition maintains that Machado and Edmundo González, who they claim legitimately won last year's presidential election, have been under persistent threats of arrest by Maduro's regime. Machado's return was a bold statement of defiance, aiming to demonstrate that she remains steadfast in Venezuela despite the government's attempts to marginalize opposition figures.

Notable Quote:

"She is still here, she is still in Venezuela. You have not forced me into exile as so many other opposition figures have." — Alex Ritson discussing Machado's motivations [03:52]

Future Implications: With Maduro poised to secure power officially, the opposition faces daunting challenges. The military's continued allegiance to Maduro remains a critical barrier, making public demonstrations and street mobilizations increasingly precarious for opposition leaders.

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2. Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles: A Hollywood Blockbuster in Reality

Los Angeles, often the backdrop of disaster films, has been transformed into a real-life nightmare as two of the city's largest wildfires continue to burn uncontained. As of the podcast's recording, five fatalities have been confirmed, with projections indicating the number may rise. The fires have caused extensive destruction, particularly in affluent neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades and landmarks such as the Hollywood sign.

Key Details:

• Scale of Destruction: Over 1,000 buildings in Pacific Palisades were obliterated overnight, with entire communities reduced to ashes. The Eden Fire in Pasadena and the Palisades Fire remain 0% contained, exacerbated by hurricane-force winds and prolonged dry conditions.
• Human Impact: Residents like Kelly Loren have lost all personal belongings, including irreplaceable journals and writings. The emotional toll is profound, with vivid accounts of personal loss and the erasure of daily routines.
• Firefighting Efforts: Firefighters continue to battle the blazes, with some smaller fires like the Lydia Fire in Acton showing signs of containment. However, the two major fires still pose significant challenges due to ongoing high winds.

Notable Quote:

"It's like an entire town has been destroyed. And it's difficult for me to imagine how it could possibly be rebuilt to at least capture what it used to be." — Georgina Rannard describing the devastation in Malibu Beach [10:47]

Security Concerns: Amidst the chaos, reports of looting have emerged, with authorities apprehending individuals attempting to exploit the disaster by stealing from evacuated homes. The police have committed to strict enforcement to deter such activities.

Notable Quote:

"We need to stay united. We need to stay strong. No one is immune." — Peter Bowes emphasizing community resilience [07:35]

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3. State Funeral of Jimmy Carter: A Tribute to a Legacy

Former President Jimmy Carter's state funeral was a grand affair attended by 3,000 guests, including the last five former U.S. presidents. Hosted at the Washington National Cathedral, President Joe Biden led tributes, highlighting Carter's enduring impact on American politics and humanitarian efforts.

Key Highlights:

• Presidential Tributes: Biden lauded Carter for his role in brokering peace agreements, such as the landmark deal between Israel and Egypt, and his subsequent humanitarian work that earned him a Nobel Peace Prize.
• Legacy and Personal Reflections: Carter's humble beginnings and rise to the White House encapsulate a narrative of dedication and service. His grandson, Jason Carter, now chairs the International Carter Centre, continuing his grandfather's mission.

Notable Quote:

"Jimmy Carter, born one century ago in a house with neither electricity nor running water, who made it to the White House?" — Georgina Rannard reflecting on Carter's life [13:37]

Ceremonial Details: The funeral showcased full American pageantry, with Carter's coffin draped in the U.S. flag and carried with military precision. Former Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris were present, underscoring Carter's bipartisan respect.

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4. Air Kissing Etiquette: Navigating French and British Perspectives

The podcast delves into the nuanced customs of air kissing, a prevalent greeting in many cultures, dissecting its acceptance and variations in France and the UK. An employment judge recently ruled that air kissing does not constitute unwanted sexual conduct, sparking discussions on its appropriateness in professional settings.

Key Insights:

• French Practices: In Paris, two air kisses are customary, while in Provence, three are common. Some individuals opt for four, though opinions vary on the ideal number.

  Notable Quote:

  "I find personally a bit unbalanced. Two I find just right. Three, again I find a bit the uneven number. Not quite, you know, where do you stop? And four, for me, is overkill." — Benedict Pavio on air kissing norms [25:54]

• British Attitudes: The UK exhibits a more reserved stance, with a general preference for handshakes over air kisses in professional environments. However, individuals like Peter Bowes have embraced the practice within business contexts, emphasizing control and consent.

  Notable Quote:

  "You're not a fan of the air kiss?"
  "I love it because it scares people and I'm very much of that world originally. It's great to do in business." — Peter Bowes discussing air kissing in business [26:38]

Expert Opinions: Behavioral experts highlight the importance of non-verbal cues and mutual consent in greetings. Overthinking the gesture can lead to discomfort, suggesting that natural interaction is preferable to rigid adherence to etiquette.

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5. Uncovering Earth's Ancient Secrets: Oldest Antarctic Ice Extracted

A team of European scientists has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by extracting what may be the world's oldest Antarctic ice, dating back over a million years. This monumental effort involved drilling a cylinder of ice longer than eight Eiffel Towers, allowing researchers to analyze trapped air bubbles and particles that offer invaluable insights into Earth's climatic past.

Key Details:

• Scientific Endeavors: The extraction process, conducted at temperatures reaching minus 35°C, involved constructing a remote laboratory and racing snowmobiles against seven nations to reach bedrock beneath Antarctica. The primary objective was to study ancient air bubbles that serve as archives of historical greenhouse gas emissions and temperature fluctuations.

  Notable Quote:

  "Those bubbles hold vital clues to the planet's history and its future." — Benedict Pavio on the significance of ice core analysis [16:09]

• Climate Implications: By examining these ancient samples, scientists aim to understand dramatic climatic shifts that occurred around a million years ago, potentially enhancing current climate models and projections. The research focuses on greenhouse gases like CO₂ and methane, which are pivotal in understanding ongoing climate change.

  Notable Quote:

  "There is a lot of our past in our future and so the reason why we look into the past is that we want to understand better how the climate works and how we can project it into the future as well." — Emma Vardy on the importance of historical climate data [16:09]

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6. Lebanon's New President: General Joseph Aoun and Regional Stability

After a two-year political hiatus, Lebanon has appointed General Joseph Aoun as its new president. Aoun, the head of the army, signaled a strategic pivot by pledging to disarm non-state actors, a move aimed at diminishing the influence of Iran-backed Hezbollah within the country.

Key Insights:

• Regional Influence: Aoun's election arrives amid declining Iranian influence in Lebanon due to Israeli campaigns targeting Hezbollah and the diminishing role of Syria following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime. These shifts open avenues for increased support from regional and international allies, crucial for a nation grappling with economic devastation and the aftermath of extensive conflict.

  Notable Quote:

  "His election comes at a pivotal time." — Katya Adler on the timing of Aoun's presidency [17:14]

• Economic and Security Challenges: Lebanon faces significant hurdles, including rebuilding from Israeli airstrikes and stabilizing its faltering economy. Aoun's commitment to removing arms from non-state actors is seen as a step towards national reconciliation and peace-building.

  Notable Quote:

  "We need to help others, help our neighbors." — Peter Bowes encouraging community resilience amidst crises [07:35]

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7. Elon Musk's Controversial Endorsement of Germany's AfD Leader

In a surprising and contentious move, tech billionaire Elon Musk conducted a live interview with Alice Weidel, the leader of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter). This endorsement comes six weeks before Germany's snap federal elections and has stirred debates over Musk's influence on political discourse.

Key Points:

• Interview Dynamics: The audio-only conversation was described as unstructured and at times rambling, covering topics from taxation and energy policy to immigration and the coronavirus pandemic. Weidel criticized former Chancellor Angela Merkel and drew comparisons to figures like Donald Trump, highlighting the AfD's alignment with certain conservative policies.

  Notable Quote:

  "It's a complete new situation for me that I just can have a normal conversation and I'm not interrupted or negatively framed." — Alice Weidel reflecting on the interview experience [18:20]

• Public and Political Reaction: The timing of Musk's endorsement—just weeks before the elections—raises concerns about potential electoral bias, given Musk's extensive social media reach and influence. Critics argue that such endorsements from influential figures may skew the democratic process.

  Notable Quote:

  "Does a person who is so wealthy with such a huge social media platform to operate off, is he in some way skewing the electoral debate by entering in such a partial manner?" — Danny Eberhardt questioning Musk's influence [19:47]

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8. China’s Strategic Megaport in Peru: Shifting South American Trade Dynamics

China has unveiled a new megaport on Peru's coastline as part of its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to transform Chunkhai from a small fishing town into South America's principal gateway to Asia. This strategic move seeks to bypass North America, particularly amidst the imposition of steep tariffs by the incoming U.S. administration under President Donald Trump.

Key Insights:

• Economic Transformation: The $1.5 billion port, predominantly owned by China, is poised to drastically reduce sailing times to Asia by ten days, positioning Peru as a critical node in global trade. The automated facility is expected to enhance Peru's export capabilities, offering competitive advantages without displacing existing trade relations with the U.S. and Canada.

  Notable Quote:

  "The Chunkhai port stands as both a beacon of opportunity and a source of uncertainty." — Katya Adler on the dual nature of the port's impact [24:26]

• Local Impact and Concerns: While the port promises economic growth, local communities have expressed unease over the lack of job opportunities and disruptions to traditional livelihoods. Fishermen like William Wallace have reported complete losses of their livelihoods, as automated systems negate the need for local labor.

  Notable Quote:

  "I’ve lost all my writing, like all my books." — Peter Bowes sharing a resident's personal loss due to the fires [06:39]

• Geopolitical Ramifications: Peru's deepening ties with China may challenge existing relationships with the U.S., although officials assert that trade agreements are mutually beneficial and designed to support diverse economic interests without compromising alliances.

  Notable Quote:

  "Our agreements with China enhance our competitiveness without compromising other markets." — Ursula Leon, Peru's Minister for Foreign Trade [23:53]

Strategic Implications: Peru's partnership with China signifies a pivotal shift in South American trade dynamics, potentially diminishing North America's traditional dominance in the region. As China expands its footprint, countries like Peru must navigate the complexities of maintaining balanced relationships with major global powers.

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Conclusion

The January 10, 2025 episode of the Global News Podcast from BBC World Service provided an in-depth exploration of pressing global issues, from political upheavals in Venezuela and Lebanon to environmental disasters in Los Angeles. The discussions highlighted the intricate interplay of local and international dynamics, the influence of key global figures like Elon Musk, and the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and geopolitical shifts. Through expert interviews and on-the-ground reporting, the podcast offered valuable insights into the current state of global affairs, making complex topics accessible and engaging for listeners worldwide.

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Notable Contributors:

• Emma Vardy: Presenter and reporter
• Alex Ritson: Correspondent
• Peter Bowes: Los Angeles correspondent
• Georgina Rannard: Climate and North America editor
• Danny Eberhardt: Europe regional editor
• Katya Adler: Host of the Global Story podcast

Production Credits:

• Mixed by: Holly Palmer
• Producer: Alison Davis
• Editor: Karen Martin

For more updates and to listen to the latest episodes, visit BBC Global News Podcast.

Transcript

[Alex Ritson]

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the uk.

[Katya Adler]

World of Secrets is where untold stories are exposed. And in this new series we investigate the dark side of the wellness industry, following the story of a woman who joined a yoga school only to uncover a world she never expected. I feel that I have no other choice. The only thing I can do is to speak about this where the hope of spiritual breakthroughs leaves people vulnerable to exploitation.

[Emma Vardy]

You just get sucked in so gradually.

[Peter Bowes]

And it's done so skillfully that you don't realize.

[Katya Adler]

World of Secrets the Bad Guru Listen wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

[Emma Vardy]

This is the global News podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Alex Ritson and in the early hours of Friday 10th January, these are our main stories. The Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Carino Machado has been briefly detained after emerging from hiding to lead a demonstration against President Nicolas Maduro's disputed inauguration. The two biggest wildfires in Los Angeles are continuing to burn uncontained, but firefighters have made progress against other blazes. Joe Biden has led the tributes at the state funeral of Jimmy Carter, a president he hailed and as ahead of his time. Also in this podcast, one I find.

[Benedict Pavio]

Personally a bit unbalanced. Two I find just right. Three again I find a bit the uneven number not quite, you know, where do you stop? And four for me is overkill.

[Emma Vardy]

The etiquette of air kissing we hear a French and a British perspective. We begin in Venezuela where the main opposition leader Maria Carina Machado has briefly been detained while taking part in a nationwide protest against the upcoming inauguration of President Maduro for a third six year term later today, Friday. Until Thursday, Ms. Machado had not been seen in public since going into hiding last August. Before being arrested, she had urged people to back Edmundo Gonzalez who says he was the real winner of July's election and declared that the government of Nicolas Maduro was over. I asked our correspondent Will Grant, what more is known about what happened to Maria Corina Machado.

[Alex Ritson]

As is often the way with these events, Alex, it's a little bit murky about exactly what went on. What we do know is that Maria Corinna Machado appeared in public for the first time in several months. Obviously was greeted by huge cheers from her supporters in Caracas when she appeared at this protest ahead of President Nicolas Maduro's inauguration on Friday. As she left the event, members of her team are reporting that she was detained by state forces on motorbikes who they say had fired their weapons. They say that she was intercepted and that she was, as they put it, forcibly detained. About two hours later, she released a video where she said that she was safe and sound and in a secure location. The government has subsequently accused her of sort of faking the whole thing, that it was all political theater. She in turn, or rather her party, say that she was forced to record that video message and as a result was subsequently released. Again, very murky. But what we do know is that Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez, who the opposition claims won the Venezuelan presidential election very, very comfortably last year, have often been threatened with arrest and detention by the government of Nicolas Maduro.

[Emma Vardy]

She knew that by taking part in these demonstrations, she was likely to be arrested. So what was her thinking?

[Alex Ritson]

Well, she has been in essence in hiding since August. So I think there was a sense in which this is again reaching an important point in Venezuela. Of course, on Friday, Nicolas Maduro essentially be crowned the election victor of that very controversial, disputed and questioned election victory that he claims without having presented any real evidence of having achieved the 51 to 52% that he says he won. So I think it was important for her supporters to show that she's not backing down in the face of him taking power. She's an extremely important figure in the Venezuelan political landscape. And the idea that she is simply going to let him walk into office without showing her face, I think that was part of her calculation and to an extent pushing the envelope a little bit, saying, look, I am still here, I am still in Venezuela. You have not forced me into exile as so many other opposition figures have been.

[Emma Vardy]

So briefly, where does this go next?

[Alex Ritson]

Very hard to say. I mean, what we do know in terms of the very basics is that Mr. Maduro is going to take power on Friday. There is almost nothing going to stop that. He continues to have the support of the military, which is the key element in Venezuelan politics. And while that remains the case, the opposition's efforts to mobilize in the streets are very, very difficult indeed.

[Emma Vardy]

Will Grant. Los Angeles is where disaster movies are made, but America's second largest city and the surrounding area have turned into nightmarish scenes of destruction out of a Hollywood blockbuster. For real. One of the series of devastating wildfires currently engulfing LA was even approaching the Hollywood sign before firefighters dropped enough water from the air to stop it reaching the world famous landmark. For now, as we record this podcast, five people are confirmed to have died. With officials warning they expect that figure to rise. The body of one man was found outside his levelled home. A garden hose in his hand. Residents have described the firestorm as apocalyptic. In a moment we'll get an update from our Los Angeles correspondent. But first, Emma Vardy sent this report from the city.

[Peter Bowes]

The scale of this disaster is becoming clear to see. In Pacific Palisades, more than a thousand buildings burned to the ground overnight. The Hollywood Hills resembled a disaster movie. The streets became gridlocked as people tried to escape. Across LA, more than 130,000 people have been told to flee their homes. Kelly Loren is among them. She's lost everything she owns, including a lifetime of journals. I lost all my writing, like all my books.

[Emma Vardy]

Yeah, you're like tearing up and it's.

[Peter Bowes]

Like, it's just hard to, I don't know, I just like remember that after. But everything I've like written for my whole life and like I journal and write a lot so it's just the little things that you remember afterward. 16,000 acres and counting have been consumed by the inferno. Fueled by hurricane force winds, these fires have struck at a vulnerable time. LA hasn't seen any significant rainfall for months and tinder, dry vegetation combined with seasonal winds make for a deadly combination. The mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, described the firestorm as the big one. This is absolutely an unprecedented, historic firestorm.

[Benedict Pavio]

But we are all hands on deck.

[Peter Bowes]

We need to continue to cooperate. We need to evacuate when asked to do so.

[Benedict Pavio]

We need to help others, help our neighbors.

[Peter Bowes]

And first and foremost we need to stay united. We need to stay strong. No one is immune. The homes of Jennifer Aniston, Rihanna, Adam Sandler and Paris Hilton among those evacuated. The scene here is one of widespread devastation and the city is braced for more.

[Emma Vardy]

Emma Vardy. Well, as we heard there, strong winds, very low humidity, little rain over the last few months and higher than usual temperatures for this time of year have fueled the fires. However, the winds have dropped and there has been progress in the battle to contain some of the fires. So of the five or so fires, which ones are under control and which ones aren't? A question for our correspondent in Los Angeles, Peter Bowes, who's lived there for many years.

[Georgina Rannard]

The two very big ones are still totally out of control. They're 0% contained. These are the Palisades fire, which you've just been hearing about, which is now estimated to cover about 60 square kilometers. It is continuing to grow at a disturbing rate and the reason for that is the winds, gusty winds are continuing. It's not the hurricane force winds that we've had over the last few days, but there's still a lot of work by firefighters to do there. The Eden Fire, as it's called, that's a local landmark. It's covering areas of Pasadena and Altadena, much further inland than the Palisades fire. It is also 0% contained and it is continuing to get larger in terms of the amount of ground that it's covering. And we understand that well over 100 structures have been damaged or destroyed in that area. Better fortunes on the smaller fires. The Lydia Fire, as it was known. This is a fire in a place called Acton, which is out in the wilderness really, certainly on the outskirts of Greater Los Angeles. 40% contained and significant progress continues, it seems to be made on that fire. The other fires, the Sunset Fire, where there's some progress as well. This is the fire that engulfed Hollywood about 24 hours ago now. And this is the most familiar, I suspect, to people looking on from around the world. If you visited Los Angeles, you'll be familiar with the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood sign, the theatre where the Oscars take place. This is the area that was engulfed last night, but significant progress has been made there.

[Emma Vardy]

The pictures of Malibu beach are just extraordinary, aren't they?

[Georgina Rannard]

Yeah, the pictures of Malibu beach, which is barely recognizable as a beach, and especially if you look up to the skyline, we've still got that murky coloured sky because of the amount of smoke in the area, but there are so many images. You've just got watch local tv, especially here, but look at the Internet and you see these eerie images of communities that have just been desolated. Pacific Palisades especially, quite an upmarket community. But street after street, home after home, have just been completely flattened. It's like an entire town has been destroyed. And it's difficult for me to imagine how it could possibly be rebuilt to at least capture what it used to be.

[Emma Vardy]

What about these reports of looting?

[Georgina Rannard]

There are tragically many reports of looting and the police are saying that they believe 20, maybe 30 individuals have been caught going into areas where they shouldn't be. A number of people have been arrested and sadly, this is a familiar thing that we see after these natural disasters, and especially when people are asked to evacuate their homes. They evacuate their homes, they move out, they rush to safety, to a community center or stay with friends. And in the meantime, these unscrupulous individuals move in to try to steal whatever they can from their homes. And the authorities are saying that they will come down with the full weight of the law on anyone they find engaging in this kind of activity.

[Emma Vardy]

Peter Bowes In Los Angeles, 3,000 guests, including the last five former presidents of the United States, gathered on Thursday in Washington, D.C. for the funeral of the country's longest living president, Jimmy Carter. Paying tribute to the 39th US leader at the Washington National Cathedral, Joe Biden said Jimmy Carter had made a powerful difference to America during his lifetime. Here's our North America editor, Sarah Smith.

[Peter Bowes]

Full American pageantry was on display as Jimmy Carter's coffin, draped in the US Flag was carried with military precision into the Washington National Cathedral. Waiting inside were all five living and former presidents, Donald Trump chatting amiably with Barack Obama as George W. Bush and Bill Clinton took their seats alongside them, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in front of them. President Carter's achievements in office were lauded like the peace deal between Israel and Egypt, as well as his humanitarian efforts afterwards that earned him a Nobel Peace Prize. His grandson Jason is now chair of the International Carter Centre.

[Alex Ritson]

To give one example, we've all heard a lot lately about guinea worm disease. It's an ancient and debilitating disease of poverty and that disease will have existed from the dawn of humanity until Jimmy.

[Peter Bowes]

Carter, now in the dying days of his own presidency. Joe Biden's eulogy praised above all Jimmy Carter's character, a white Southern Baptist who.

[Georgina Rannard]

Led on civil rights, a decorated Navy.

[Emma Vardy]

Veteran who brokered peace, a brilliant nuclear.

[Georgina Rannard]

Engineer who led on nuclear non proliferation.

[Emma Vardy]

A hard working farmer who championed conservation.

[Georgina Rannard]

And clean energy and a president who redefined the relationship with the Vice President.

[Peter Bowes]

Jimmy Carter, born one century ago in a house with neither electricity nor running water, who made it to the White House?

[Emma Vardy]

Sarah Smith still to come Ellen it's.

[Peter Bowes]

A complete new situation for me that I just have a normal conversation and I'm not interrupted or negatively framed.

[Emma Vardy]

The leader of Germany's hard right, AFD goes live on Twitter with Elon Musk. Six weeks out from the election.

[Benedict Pavio]

World.

[Katya Adler]

Of Secrets is where untold stories are exposed. And in this new series we investigate the dark side of the wellness industry. Following the story of a woman who joined a yoga school only to uncover a world she never expected. I feel that I have no other choice. The only thing I can do is to speak about this, where the hope of spiritual breakthroughs leaves people vulnerable to exploitation.

[Emma Vardy]

You just get sucked in so gradually.

[Peter Bowes]

And it's done so skillfully that you don't realize.

[Katya Adler]

World of Secrets the Bad Guru Listen wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

[Emma Vardy]

A team of European scientists has extracted what may be the world's oldest Antarctic ice, parts of which were formed more than a million years ago. The Team dug out a cylinder longer than eight Eiffel Towers end to end to study the ancient air bubbles and particles trapped inside. More from our climate correspondent Georgina Rannard.

[Benedict Pavio]

This is the sound of scientists chopping up what is probably Earth's oldest ice. The last time it was out in the open was as many as 1.2 million years ago. A European team of scientists has spent four years extracting a cylinder of the ice from deep inside the East Antarctica ice sheet. Working at minus 35 Celsius, they built perhaps the world's most remote pop up lab. Traveling by snowmobile, they won a race between seven nations to be the first to hit rock beneath Antarctica. Their prize, ancient bubbles of air frozen in time. Carlo Babante from the Italian Institute of Polar Sciences saw the ice cores pulled from the Earth.

[Emma Vardy]

There is a lot of our past in our future and so the reason why we look into the past is that because we want to understand better how the climate works and how we can project it into the future as well.

[Peter Bowes]

And especially the role of the greenhouse.

[Emma Vardy]

Gases CO2 and methane and so on.

[Alex Ritson]

Is very, very important.

[Benedict Pavio]

Those bubbles hold vital clues to the planet's history and its future. They are an archive of greenhouse gas emissions and temperatures. Analyzing them could help scientists understand a dramatic climatic shift around a million years ago when the length of glacial cycles mysteriously changed. That may mean better insights into the climate change happening now.

[Emma Vardy]

Georgina Reynard Lebanon has a new president after a two year hiatus. He's the head of the army, General Joseph Aoun, and in his first address to parliament he promised to remove all arms from non state actors. That's seen as an indication he wants to further reduce the influence of the Iran backed Hezbollah movement.

[Katya Adler]

Lina Sinjab reports his election comes at a pivotal time. Iran's influence in Lebanon has been weakened by Israel's campaign against its proxy in the country Hezbollah. Its leadership is now in tatters and the influence of Lebanon's much larger neighbor Syria has also been diminished by the toppling of Bashar Al Assad's regime. It is thought these two factors will allow more regional and international support for Lebanon, a country whose economy has been devastated and which is still to emerge from months of Israeli airstrikes that left many parts destroyed.

[Emma Vardy]

Lina Sinjab it was only last month that the tech billionaire Elon Musk endorsed the far right alternative for Deutschland party labelled as right right wing extremists by the German security Service. Now around six weeks before Germany holds a snap election, the world's richest person hosted a live interview with the leader of the AfD on X, the social media platform that he owns. Here's a clip of the leader, Alice Vidal, at the beginning of the discussion.

[Peter Bowes]

It's a complete new situation for me that I just can have a normal conversation and I'm not interrupted or negatively framed how that has been in the media. The case in the last 10 years.

[Emma Vardy]

Our Europe regional editor, Danny Eberhardt listened to the interview.

[Danny Eberhardt]

First of all, it was billed by Elon Musk as a conversation with the leading candidate to run Germany. Now, not quite sure why he's calling her the leading candidate. She certainly isn't in the polls, although her party is running in second place. It was an audio only conversation. There's no video. Seemingly quite unstructured at times, a bit rambling. The tone is fairly light throughout and even if some of the subject matter isn't so thick, you know, they were looking at things like tax, energy policy, the education system, but then other things as well. So immigration. The former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who Alice Weidel called the first Green chancellor in her book, although she considers her Merkel herself or her party, was center right, Donald Trump. She spoke of great pain that Donald Trump was exposed to such a hostile environment from Germany and also things like free speech, the coronavirus pandemic, all sorts of things.

[Emma Vardy]

And this discussion is really controversial, isn't it?

[Danny Eberhardt]

Well, it's controversial primarily and it's because of the timing. So this is happening just before Germany's federal elections on the 23rd of February. And also Elon Musk has very overtly supported the AfD, the Alternativa for Deutschland. So he said, basically he said it again. He said, you know, basically support the AfD. They represent common sense policies. And he's doubling down on that support. And the controversy lies in the fact that does a person who is so wealthy with such a huge social media platform to operate off, is he in some way skewing the electoral debate by entering in such a partial manner?

[Emma Vardy]

Danny Eberhardt. As Donald Trump prepares to take office as president of the United States with a promise of tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese goods, China has set its sights on South America. A new megaport on Peru's coastline that's part of China's Belt and Road Initiative will increase the frequency of trips to Asia this month with a direct route to China that cuts sailing times by 10 days. The port is aiming to become South America's gateway to Asia, bypassing North America entirely. North America business correspondent Ritika Gupta reports.

[Katya Adler]

Huge unmanned cranes loom over Peru's Chinese funded Chiang Kai port, a symbol of Beijing's growing influence in South America. Situated on the edge of Peru's coastal desert, some 50 miles north of the capital, Chunkhai, a small fishing town looks set to become a major hub for trade in a region the US has long considered its own backyard. This giant new port is a game changer, not just for Peru, but for the wider Latin American region. And at a time when the newly elected if President Donald Trump is looking to clamp down on trade with China, China has set its eyes on Peru, making Peru a strategic piece on the global geopolitical chessboard. The man overseeing the port's operations, Mario de Las Casas, says the port will dramatically speed up trade that will bypass North America entirely.

[Emma Vardy]

It's a huge opportunity for South America. So right now, all the materials that you export to Asia, you have to.

[Katya Adler]

Go to Mexico or Long beach and.

[Peter Bowes]

Then you cross the Pacific Ocean.

[Katya Adler]

But despite the promises of growth, some in the local community feel left behind. The fully automated port has so far offered few jobs. William Wallace, a local fisherman, is struggling to make a living.

[Emma Vardy]

My work has been affected 100%. The area we used to fish has been cut off. We used to row out fish in the morning, sell our catch, rest in the afternoon and return to fish again in the evening. That was our daily routine. Not anymore.

[Katya Adler]

The nearly one and a half billion dollar port, majority owned by China, Costco Shipping, is China's latest belt and road project. China has overtaken the US As Peru's main trading partner, a trend that could widen across Latin American countries as Donald Trump threatens tariffs under his America first policy. Critics warn of overreliance on China and jeopardizing the existing relationship with the US with some of Trump's aides already pushing for huge tariffs on all merchandise coming through the port. But for Peru's Minister for Foreign Trade, Ursula Leon, it's not a cause for concern. The products we export from Asia are not necessarily the same as those we send to the U.S. or Canada. Our agreements with China enhance our competitiveness.

[Georgina Rannard]

Without compromising other markets.

[Katya Adler]

Could Peru's partnership with China undermine its existing relationship with the U.S. not at all. Our relationships with both China and the US Are strong and mutually beneficial. Trade agreements are designed for the growth of all parties involved.

[Georgina Rannard]

Peru benefits from exporting its products, while.

[Katya Adler]

Our partners gain access to high quality goods at competitive prices. Peru must navigate a delicate balancing act.

[Peter Bowes]

Act.

[Katya Adler]

For now, the Chunkhai port stands as both a beacon of opportunity and a source of uncertainty. In a World bracing for heightened trade tensions.

[Emma Vardy]

Ratika Gupta Here in the uk, air kissing has been in the news. It's the custom of greeting others with kisses on the cheek, but kisses that don't actually make skin contact. It's been in the news because an employment judge, ruling in a sexual harassment case that had arisen at a bar, found that what had probably occurred was air kissing and it cannot be regarded as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. That may mean then that you can air kiss your colleagues without them taking you to court. But does it mean air kissing is the right way of greeting someone? Evan Davis sought the views of Judi James, an English body language expert, and Benedict Pavio, France24's UK correspondent. First, here's Benedict outlining the the etiquette of air kissing.

[Benedict Pavio]

You gently apply your cheek to the other person's cheek. You don't slam it on there. We make a kissing sound. It's not like smacking your lips without the other person's consent. You do it with family, you do it with friends. You probably wouldn't kiss your boss, but you might. And it's not French kissing, so it's what the French do. Just want to put that out there.

[Emma Vardy]

Yeah. So it's almost like a brief skin.

[Georgina Rannard]

Contact of the cheek with a kind.

[Emma Vardy]

Of a lip smack of some kind.

[Georgina Rannard]

Very, very minor.

[Benedict Pavio]

That's right. And it depends where you are. France, just to give you a bit of a map. For example, in Paris, we generally do two. In Provence, they often do three. And some people do four. One, I find personally a bit unbalanced. Two, I find just right. Three, again, I find a bit the uneven number. Not quite, you know, where do you stop? And four, for me, is overkill.

[Georgina Rannard]

Judy, what's the rule in the uk?

[Peter Bowes]

There is no norm. I think the only norm in the UK is that we don't like any of it, to be honest. And we almost have to be forced to do a handshake. I agree. I actually was around when the air kiss first came into mainstream UK business and I remember people quaking at the thought of it because there weren't any rules. So we almost applied some rules.

[Emma Vardy]

You're not a fan of the air kiss?

[Peter Bowes]

I love it because it scares people and I'm very much of that world originally. It's great to do in business. What you have to do, though, is you have to instigate it. You have to take control. So you extend both hands as you approach somebody, touch them lightly on the shoulders. That means you've got control of the whole thing. So there's no sort of how many and when and how, right cheek to right cheek, left cheek to left cheek, and then put them back where you found them. And it's very important that the person on the receiving end doesn't wince or, you know, like kids wipe a kiss off afterwards. And can I just say, the thought of any contact between cheeks is making me shudder. The whole thing about introducing it in the fashion business was that you don't touch anything, so you don't wipe makeup off. So no, no touch, no bodily fluids to be exchanged at all.

[Emma Vardy]

Benedict. The one thing I'll say about the French is they do seem know what the rules are with great clarity. So there's much less embarrassment.

[Georgina Rannard]

Is my impression there about what you're going to do to greet someone or is there still uncertainty in front.

[Benedict Pavio]

There's very little uncertainty. I mean, there will be people who will of course not pay attention to what somebody else wants, but come on, that's just body language in general. People are. Have a different relationship, I think, very much with their body. And it is not a big deal. When I hear Judy talking about touching somebody's shoulder to kiss them. No, we don't do that. If you overthink something, I think there was a book called the Inner Game of Tennis. If you think any kind of amorous gesture, you don't get out a manual and go, right, I'm going to go.

[Emma Vardy]

Position one, position two, position three, Benedict Plavio and Judi James on air kissing. 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 ca. You can also find us on X@global newspod. This edition was mixed by Holly Palmer and the producer was Alison Davis. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Alex Ritson. Until next time. Goodbye.

[Katya Adler]

Hello, I'm Katya Adler, host of the Global Story podcast from the BBC. Each weekday we break down one big news story with fresh perspectives from journalists around the world. From artificial intelligence to divisive politics tearing our societies apart from the movements of money and markets to the human stories that touch our lives.

[Peter Bowes]

We bring you in depth insights from across the BBC and beyond.

[Katya Adler]

Listen to the Global Story wherever you get your BBC podcasts.