Global News Podcast – "Xi Jinping Leads Summit After Trump Leaves"

Host: Alex Ritson (BBC World Service)
Date: October 31, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of the Global News Podcast covers significant global events and developments, including:

• Xi Jinping’s prominence at the APEC summit post-Trump’s departure
• Ongoing atrocities and humanitarian crises in Sudan’s Darfur region
• The stripping of Prince Andrew’s titles by King Charles amid scandal
• The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica
• A major armed gold heist in France
• A discussion on Western masculinity in crisis with author Scott Galloway
• New findings on bats living in English churches

The episode features reporting, expert interviews, and first-hand accounts, offering a comprehensive look into current affairs impacting global politics, society, and the environment.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Xi Jinping at the APEC Summit (00:38–05:58)

• Xi Jinping’s New Prominence:
  • After Donald Trump’s departure, the Chinese president becomes the central figure at the APEC conference in South Korea.
  • Reiterates that “changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world,” reflecting a shifting global order.
    (Alex Ritson paraphrasing Xi Jinping, 01:36)
• Diplomatic Meetings:
  • Xi meets new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
  • Both leaders echo the sentiment of a profound, global shift:
    • “Today we're facing another hinge moment in history. Our world is undergoing one of the most profound shifts since the fall of the Berlin Wall.”
      – Scott Galloway & Jake Kwon, (02:12–02:18)
  • Mark Carney underscores the demise of the “old world of steady expansion, rules-based liberalized trade and investment… that world is gone.”
    – Jake Kwon (02:22–02:39)
• China’s Strategy:
  • Xi uses the absence of Trump to assert Chinese influence, especially with middle and developing powers, promising open markets and infrastructure investments.
  • Notable cooling in relations between China and Canada (over trade and detentions) and with Japan (political tensions).

2. Continuing Atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur (05:58–09:58)

• Situation in El Fashr:
  • The city falls to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF); widespread violence, ethnic cleansing, and reports of genocide.
  • Tom Perriello, former U.S. Special Envoy, calls for accountability for the RSF’s crimes:
    “There are going to be immediate consequences for those who are part of the RSF leadership or connected to supporting it.”
    – Alex Ritson summarizing (06:58)
• Eyewitness Reports:
  • Survivors recounted brutal treatment, killings, and forced marches:
    “They beat us badly. And the thirst. The thirst. They took our water. And one of them says to the other, I will kill him. And the other replies, let him die of thirst.”
    – Anonymous survivor (07:38)
  • Ongoing humanitarian crisis: thousands dead, millions displaced.

3. Prince Andrew Stripped of Titles (09:58–13:58)

• King Charles’ Decision:
  • Strips Prince Andrew of royal titles following allegations of sexual abuse linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Jonathan Dimbleby comments on the constitutional gravity and the king’s personal pain:
    “Arrogant, boorish, entitled, an embarrassment for a long time to the institution of the monarchy and to the King. I think that today he will be feeling a measure of relief…”
    – Jonathan Dimbleby (10:43)
  • Debate on why the process took so long, with explanation of due process and constitutional responsibility.

4. Aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica (13:58–17:55)

• Impact and Recovery:
  • At least 19 dead, many isolated. Authorities work to reach remote communities.
  • First-hand accounts highlight community fear and lack of aid:
    “I don't really see any help coming in. It's like we're on our own. That's the biggest problem. There's no help.”
    – Trevor White, resident (14:47)
  • Ongoing challenges: blocked roads, lack of water/communication, infrastructural damage.
  • Aid beginning to arrive; overwhelming and traumatic need throughout affected regions.

5. Gold Heist in Lyon, France (18:57–20:42)

• Dramatic Robbery:
  • Armed robbers use explosives to steal €12 million in gold from a refinery; suspects promptly arrested.
  • Witness accounts describe debris, injuries. Police lauded for quick action.
  • Noted as the second such attack in recent months.

6. Western Masculinity in Crisis – Interview with Scott Galloway (20:42–25:28)

• ‘Notes on Being a Man’:
  • Galloway paints a bleak picture for Western men: “No group has fallen further faster than men in the West. 4 times more likely to kill themselves, 12 times more likely to be incarcerated…”
    – Scott Galloway (21:21)
  • Links youth despair and antisocial influencers to lack of economic, romantic opportunities.
  • Critiques harmful influence of figures like Andrew Tate:
    “Their message is one of nationalism and blaming others, blaming women for your romantic problems, blaming immigrants for your economic problems.”
    – Scott Galloway (22:52)
  • Advocates for healthier role models, mentoring, and kindness:
    “A man's most secret weapon is kindness.”
    – Scott Galloway (23:33)
  • Warns of societal danger:
    “The most dangerous person in the world is a young, broke, lonely man. And in the west, we're producing millions of them.”
    – Scott Galloway (25:13)

7. Bats in English Churches: Hope for Coexistence (25:28–27:13)

• Research Findings:
  • Half of England’s churches host bats; church architecture mirrors bats’ natural roosting habitats.
  • Dr. Leah Gilmour explains harmonious relationships:
    “Even though bats can cause some problems from their droppings, mostly, the attitudes to bats were overwhelmingly positive… really good story coming out of this research paper in terms of the relationship between nature and people.”
    – Dr. Leah Gilmour (25:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Today we’re facing another hinge moment in history. Our world is undergoing one of the most profound shifts since the fall of the Berlin Wall.”
  – Scott Galloway, 02:12; Jake Kwon, 02:18

• “That world is gone.”
  – Jake Kwon, 02:38

• “If someone resisted the RSF fighters, they were beaten or robbed or even executed. I saw dead bodies in the streets.”
  – Survivor Yusra Ibrahim Mohamed, 08:02

• “I think that today [King Charles] will be feeling a measure of relief…”
  – Jonathan Dimbleby, 10:43

• “The most dangerous person in the world is a young, broke, lonely man. And in the west, we're producing millions of them.”
  – Scott Galloway, 25:13

• “Churches have become very important to bats historically.”
  – Dr. Leah Gilmour, 25:56

Important Segment Timestamps

• Xi Jinping at APEC & Global Order: 00:38–05:58
• Darfur Atrocities & Eyewitness Accounts: 05:58–09:58
• Prince Andrew Banished: 09:58–13:58
• Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica: 13:58–17:55
• Gold Heist in Lyon: 18:57–20:42
• Masculinity Crisis with Scott Galloway: 20:42–25:28
• Churches & Bats: 25:28–27:13

Tone and Style

The episode is fact-driven and sober, reflecting the gravity of international affairs, while also offering heartfelt, urgent testimonies from affected individuals and deeper social commentary. The program combines expert analysis with ground-level reporting and community voices, maintaining the BBC’s hallmark clarity and accessibility.