Global News Podcast – BBC World Service

Episode Date: November 9, 2025
Host: Alex Ritson
Episode Title: Water Shortages Could Force Evacuation of Iranian Capital

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a wide-ranging update on global affairs, anchored by the urgent crisis in Tehran, where impending water shortages could force an unprecedented evacuation of the Iranian capital. Other major stories include Bolivia's political shift and diplomatic thaw with the US, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious tourism campaign, elephants returning to Portugal after thousands of years, a catastrophic typhoon in the Philippines, an extraordinary golfing feat, and a discovery shedding light on Lewis Carroll’s inspiration for the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Water Crisis in Tehran, Iran

• Scope of Problem:

  • Tehran faces severe water shortages due to a drastic decrease in rainfall—down by 90–92% compared to last year.
  • Reservoirs supplying the city have dropped to just 8% of capacity.
  • President Massoud Pezeshkian warns that if rain doesn't arrive soon, citywide water rationing will start late November, followed by possible evacuation.

• Expert Testimony:

  • Prof. Kavah Madani (former Iranian Environmental Department):

    “Even some rain would not solve this problem fundamentally. And I’m worried that with the first rain, we all forget that this problem was real.” (07:40)

  • Issue is compounded by years of mismanagement, illegal wells, excessive agricultural expansion, and ongoing climate change.

• On-the-Ground Reporting:

  • Omid Khazani, journalist in Tehran:

    “Every house, every apartment needs to be equipped with water tanks because there will be a serious rationing in place. The situation is catastrophic.” (09:15)

    • Water cuts already last 3–4 hours a day in some districts, expected to worsen.
    • Multiple cities (Isfahan, Shiraz) face similar shortages.
    • Illegal wells (over 30,000 in Urmia Lake region alone) have exacerbated the crisis, causing ground subsidence and shifting buildings.
    • Mass evacuation of Tehran seen as practically impossible; relocating the capital is also unlikely.

• Key Timestamps:

  • Tehran water warnings recap: (02:50 – 08:10)
  • Expert analysis (Madani): (07:00 – 08:30)
  • Tehran journalist interview (Khazani): (08:30 – 13:30)

2. Bolivia: Political Change and US Relations

• Political Development:
  • Rodrigo Paz sworn in as Bolivia’s new conservative president, ending nearly 20 years of Socialist rule.
• Notable Background:
  • President Paz, seen as a moderate, is the son of former president Paz Zamora.
  • Vice president is a former police officer/social media figure, instrumental in campaign’s success.
• Expert Analysis:
  • Luis Fajardo, BBC Monitoring:

    “He was demanding rhetorically to ask the former government—what did you do with the economic boom? … Now Bolivia is facing a serious economic crisis, a shortage of foreign currency, and is increasingly dependent on foreign energy imports.” (15:00)

    • Paz aims to end “ideological extremism” and seeks better relations with the Trump administration and the US, hoping this will boost investment and economic stability.
• Key Timestamps:
  • Bolivia story, presidential background: (13:45 – 16:20)
  • Relations with US & economic challenges: (16:20 – 17:40)

3. Elephants Return to Portugal

• Conservation Project:
  • A new sanctuary in Alentejo aims to house retired elephants from zoos and circuses across Europe.
  • Site chosen for its gentle hills, water supply, and suitable habitat.
• Memorable Community Moment:
  • Graça Fonseca (board member, ex-Minister of Culture):

    “Ah, you are the person that's going to bring the elephants, and we were, yeah, yeah. We are bringing elephants. … They wouldn’t believe me, but now they believe me. You are bringing the elephants.” (22:20)

• Key Timestamps:
  • Elephant project narrative: (17:45 – 23:45)

4. Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Ambitions

• Details of the Plan:
  • New resorts and mid-range accommodation on Shibara island in the Red Sea.
  • Targeting 150 million tourists annually by 2030—outpacing France’s 100 million.
• Challenges:
  • Mid-range, not budget, options—“I don’t think we’re going to have scruffy backpackers turning up…” (25:18; Paul Moss)
  • Strict bans on alcohol present a hurdle for secular tourism; government denies any plans to relax these rules.
• Strategic Purpose:
  • Driven by “Vision 2030” to diversify economy beyond oil.
• Key Quote:
  • Paul Moss, BBC Global Affairs:

    “For some people, Saudi Arabia will remain a country where, as far as they’re concerned, women’s rights are extremely limited, and where, let’s be honest, dozens of people are beheaded every year after trials, which a lot of people think are not fair.” (27:55)

• Key Timestamps:
  • Saudi tourism plan analysis: (23:45 – 28:30)

5. Super Typhoon Fung Wong Hits the Philippines

• Current Situation:
  • Typhoon intensifies with sustained winds of 185 km/h, authorities urge evacuations.
  • Follows recent typhoon that killed at least 200.
• Humanitarian Response:
  • Regis Chapman, WFP Philippines:

    “We’re aiming to reach around 150,000 people over the last several days with cash transfers … so they can prepare themselves, protect boats and livelihoods, and stock up on food before the storm hits.” (34:20)

  • 100,000 family food packs pre-positioned for emergency needs.
• Key Timestamps:
  • Typhoon update and WFP efforts: (33:12 – 35:25)

6. Recreating 1924 Everest Expedition: Could Mallory Have Made It?

• Background:
  • Did George Mallory and Andrew Irvine summit Everest in 1924? Still a mystery.
  • British twins Ross and Hugo Turner climbed Mira Peak—one in replica 1924 kit, the other in modern gear.
• Insights:
  • Vintage kit was only 2–3°C colder than modern on average, suggesting Mallory’s feat was possible.
• Key Quote:
  • Ross Turner:

    “The George Mallory kit is probably 2 or 3 degrees on average colder than the modern, which is really exciting.” (40:00)

• Key Timestamps:
  • Everest/mountaineering experiment: (37:52 – 41:34)

7. Golfing Feat: Three Holes-in-One in a Month

• Story:
  • English amateur golfer Lynne Parry, in her 70s, hits three holes-in-one in a month (and five total in recent months).
  • Odds suggested to be 1.95 trillion to one.
• Interview Highlight:
  • Lynne Parry:

    “I just had one of those summers where I couldn’t do anything wrong.” (43:01) “When we got down to the green, it was there in the hole. … These things just don’t happen in threes. That’s crazy.” (43:50)

• Key Timestamps:
  • Golf interview: (41:35 – 45:20)

8. Literary Discovery: The Real Mad Hatter’s Tea Party?

• Discovery:
  • Invitation from Lewis Carroll found at Lincoln Cathedral, addressed to a choirmaster and possibly inspiring the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
  • Menu included whimsical dishes and referenced figures from Alice in Wonderland.
• Insight:
  • Ella Bicknell reporting:

    “The Mad Hatters Tea Party really is recreated. … Reference to the bat from Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat. In Alice in Wonderland we have Professor Price, who is Bat.” (46:13)

• Key Timestamps:
  • Carroll document find: (45:24 – 47:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If it doesn’t rain, we’ll have to start rationing water in Tehran between late November and early December. Even if we do ration it and it still doesn’t rain by then, we’ll run out of water and we’ll have to evacuate Tehran.”
  — President Massoud Pezeshkian (04:50)

• “With the first rain, we all forget that this problem was real.”
  — Prof. Kavah Madani (08:10)

• “Evacuating a city of 10 million is close to impossible.”
  — Omid Khazani (13:00)

• “He was demanding rhetorically to ask the former government, what did you do with the economic boom?”
  — Luis Fajardo (15:17)

• “It’s all about the welfare of the elephants.”
  — Kate Moore, Pangea (18:50)

• “I had to check that number wasn’t a misprint...150 million tourists a year.”
  — Paul Moss, on Saudi Arabia (25:00)

• "It's Baltic. It's cold."
  — Hugo Turner, Everest experiment (40:50)

Episode Structure & Referenced Segments

• [00:00] – Episode opens with headlines and Tehran water crisis.
• [02:50 – 13:30] – In-depth segment on Tehran water shortages.
• [13:45 – 17:40] – Bolivia’s political shift and US relations.
• [17:45 – 23:45] – Elephant sanctuary in Portugal.
• [23:45 – 28:30] – Saudi Arabia’s tourism push.
• [33:12 – 35:25] – Super Typhoon update, Philippines.
• [37:52 – 41:34] – Everest climb recreation.
• [41:35 – 45:20] – Amateur golfer’s holes-in-one.
• [45:24 – 47:00] – Mad Hatter tea party document found.

Summary

This episode delivers urgent news about the possible evacuation of 10 million residents from Tehran due to a dire water crisis, driven by mismanagement, illegal wells, and climate change. It highlights Bolivia’s historic political turn and fresh US ties, Saudi Arabia’s aggressive tourism and image campaign, a conservation project reintroducing elephants to Portugal, disaster response to a deadly typhoon in the Philippines, exploration of historic mountaineering, an incredible amateur golfing achievement, and a literary find linked to Lewis Carroll’s "Alice in Wonderland".

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