Zelensky says Russian attacks ongoing despite Putin announcing 'Easter truce'

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary BBC World Service – Episode: Zelensky says Russian attacks ongoing despite Putin announcing 'Easter truce' Release Date: April 20, 2025

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1. Ukraine-Russia Conflict and the Easter Truce

Overview: In the midst of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin's declaration of an Easter truce. Zelensky affirmed Ukraine's commitment to the ceasefire while simultaneously asserting that Russian military actions continue in certain regions, highlighting Moscow's unreliability in upholding peace agreements.

Key Points:

• Putin's Announcement: On [02:07], Putin declared a unilateral Easter truce, urging his troops to halt offensive operations until Monday. He framed this move as a humanitarian gesture aimed at fostering peace talks.

• Zelensky's Response: At [02:43], Zelensky stated that Ukraine would honor the truce but emphasized that Russian forces remain aggressive, indicating a lack of trust in Moscow's intentions.

• Historical Context: Rachel Wright references a similar ceasefire declared by Putin in early 2023 during the Christmas holidays, which failed to reduce hostilities, particularly in Bakhmut ([04:45]).

Notable Quotes:

• Zelensky: "[...] Russian attacks were continuing and Moscow could not be trusted." ([01:54])
• Putin: "My truce would show how sincere the Ukrainian leadership is about peace talks." ([02:43])

Analysis: The episode explores the skepticism surrounding Putin's truce, drawing parallels to past attempts that did not yield lasting peace. Experts suggest that Putin's strategic pauses may be aimed at delegitimizing peace negotiations without committing to genuine cessation of hostilities.

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2. US-Iran Nuclear Talks Progress

Overview: The United States and Iran have engaged in a second round of negotiations aimed at limiting Tehran's nuclear program. Positive remarks have been made by both sides, though uncertainties remain regarding substantive progress.

Key Points:

• Rome Talks: A senior US official described the meeting in Rome as "very good progress" with both direct and indirect discussions coordinated by Oman ([07:07]).

• Iran's Position: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aradchi stated, "The negotiations are moving forward. This time we managed to reach a better understanding on a series of principles and goals." ([07:38])

• Sticking Points: Central issues include Iran's insistence on maintaining uranium enrichment capabilities, which the US opposes as it seeks to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Notable Quotes:

• Aradchi: "The negotiations need to continue and enter the next phase before the expert meetings can begin." ([07:38])
• Fred Flitz (Former CIA Analyst): "It's severely dangerous because Iran could have an operational nuclear weapon in six months to a year." ([11:10])

Analysis: The discussion highlights the fragile nature of the negotiations, with significant disagreements over uranium enrichment remaining unresolved. Experts express concern over Iran's advancing capabilities and the potential for regional instability if a nuclear agreement is not reached promptly.

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3. US Airstrikes in Yemen and Environmental Impact

Overview: US military actions in Yemen have resulted in significant casualties and environmental damage. The Houthis claim that recent airstrikes on the port of Ras Isa have caused an oil spill, exacerbating Yemen's humanitarian crisis.

Key Points:

• Casualties and Spill: The US strikes killed at least 80 people and led to a serious oil spill, threatening marine life and fishing industries vital for Yemen's food security ([14:08]).

• Houthi Response: The Houthis have called for international assistance to manage the environmental disaster and mitigate its effects on the local population.

Notable Quotes:

• Houthi Statement: "The big oil spill could have a disastrous impact on sea life and lead to the closure of large fishing areas." ([14:25])

Analysis: The airstrikes are part of the US's broader strategy to counter Houthi attacks on international shipping. However, the environmental repercussions highlight the complex interplay between military actions and humanitarian concerns in conflict zones.

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4. Healthcare Crisis in Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict

Overview: Hospitals in Gaza continue to suffer under relentless attacks, crippling the region's healthcare infrastructure. The blockade imposed by Israel has led to severe shortages of medical supplies, exacerbating the humanitarian situation.

Key Points:

• Healthcare Struggles: Dr. Wissam Sukha from a Doctors Without Borders clinic reports overwhelming patient numbers, with up to 400 patients daily ([15:00]).

• Medical Shortages: Critical supplies, including insulin and treatments for chronic diseases, are running out, severely limiting the ability to provide necessary care ([17:10]).

• Impact on Civilians: Displaced populations are facing malnutrition and increased vulnerability to diseases, with children being the most affected ([16:57]).

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Wissam Sukha: "Most of our patients are displaced people. Even they live in tents in the streets." ([15:59])
• Dr. Wissam: "We don't have insulin, we don't have treatments for epilepsy, we don't have basic medicines like anti-fever drugs." ([17:19])

Analysis: The persistent attacks on healthcare facilities and the blockade are contributing to a dire health crisis in Gaza. The lack of essential medical supplies and infrastructure is leading to increased mortality and suffering among the civilian population.

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5. Discovery of Ancient Messages on Paris’s Luxor Obelisk

Overview: A French Egyptologist has uncovered what he describes as secret 3,000-year-old messages inscribed on the Luxor obelisk in Paris. These messages provide new insights into pharaoh Ramses II’s efforts to assert his divine right to rule.

Key Points:

• Discovery Process: Jean Guillaume Olet Pelletier, a scholar from Sorbonne University, identified the cryptic hieroglyphics during maintenance activities coinciding with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games ([17:49]).

• Historical Significance: The inscriptions reveal Ramses II's use of cryptography to demonstrate his divine authority, addressing challenges to his legitimacy ([19:21]).

Notable Quotes:

• Pelletier: "There is a secret way to read it... to show to the noble and the royalties he is the true king of Egypt." ([20:21])
• Pelletier: "It's like a joke... it's two cryptic lines, the top of each column of inscription." ([20:58])

Analysis: This discovery potentially rewrites aspects of Egyptian history by providing evidence of sophisticated communication methods employed by ancient rulers to reinforce their divine status. The obelisk's central location in Paris may have contributed to the longevity and obscurity of these inscriptions.

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6. Youngest Player in Indian Premier League Makes Debut

Overview: A 14-year-old cricketer, Vaibhav Sriavanshi, has become the youngest player to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL), showcasing India's tradition of nurturing young cricket talent.

Key Points:

• Debut Details: Sriavanshi, born in 2011, debuted for the Rajasthan Royals after the injured captain Sanju Samson was sidelined ([25:12]).

• Team Support: Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid praised Sriavanshi's progress, reflecting the team's openness to integrating young players ([27:36]).

Notable Quotes:

• Dravid: "The team would not hesitate to give him a chance this season." ([27:36])

Analysis: Sriavanshi's inclusion in the IPL highlights the league's commitment to fostering young talent, paralleling legends like Sachin Tendulkar who also debuted at a young age. This move may inspire a new generation of cricketers in India.

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7. Humanoid Robots Compete in Beijing’s Half Marathon

Overview: Beijing hosted a groundbreaking half marathon where humanoid robots raced alongside human runners. This event marks a significant milestone in robotics and human-technology interaction.

Key Points:

• Event Details: On Saturday, 21 robots from various Chinese universities and companies competed over a 21 km course ([28:23]).

• Purpose: The competition aims to spur investment and advancements in China's robotics industry by demonstrating the capabilities of humanoid robots in endurance events.

Notable Quotes:

• Wendy Urquhart: "It's the first time these robots have raced alongside humans... China is hoping that this event will generate future investment in its robotics industry." ([28:43])

Analysis: The race serves as a showcase for China's advancements in robotics, highlighting the potential for humanoid robots in future applications. The event also raises questions about the long-term integration of robots in human-dominated activities.

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8. Discovery of a New Color by UC Berkeley Scientists

Overview: Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have discovered a new color named "olo." This vivid blue-green hue is more saturated than any naturally occurring color, achieved through advanced retinal stimulation techniques.

Key Points:

• Scientific Breakthrough: Professor Ren Ng explains that deliberate stimulation of specific retinal cells created the perception of this new color ([29:16]).

• Implications: While currently confined to laboratory settings, this discovery opens avenues for deeper research into vision science and potential applications for colorblind individuals ([29:42]).

Notable Quotes:

• Professor Ren Ng: "We call it olo. It's more saturated than any color that you can see in the real world." ([29:42])

Analysis: The creation of "olo" challenges the traditional understanding of human color perception and suggests that our visual experiences can be artificially expanded. This breakthrough may lead to innovative technologies in visual enhancements and therapies for color vision deficiencies.

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9. Pakistan's Deportation of Afghan Refugees and International Reactions

Overview: The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has expressed serious concerns over Pakistan's forced deportation of Afghan refugees. Diplomatic efforts are underway to address the humanitarian implications of these actions.

Key Points:

• Taliban Statement: Afghanistan urged Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishak Dar to halt the deportations, emphasizing the protection of refugees' rights and property ([23:55]).

• Pakistan’s Assurance: Dar assured that Afghan refugees would not be mistreated and that their assets would remain protected ([24:28]).

• US-Vatican Talks: US Vice President J.D. Vance engaged in discussions with Vatican officials, although recent tensions have strained these relations ([24:43]).

Notable Quotes:

• Ishak Dar: "Afghan refugees would not be mistreated and that serious steps would be taken in this regard." ([24:28])
• J.D. Vance: "We discussed international tensions and the challenges faced by refugees." ([25:12])

Analysis: The forced deportations by Pakistan pose significant humanitarian challenges, potentially exacerbating the plight of Afghan refugees. Diplomatic assurances from Pakistan offer some relief, but the situation remains precarious, necessitating continued international oversight and support.

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10. US Rebrands Covid Website to Promote Lab Leak Theory

Overview: The Trump administration has revamped the US government's official Covid-19 website to advocate the lab leak theory, shifting the platform from providing health guidance to promoting this controversial origin hypothesis.

Key Points:

• Website Changes: The site now criticizes Covid-19 containment measures, labeling social distancing as "arbitrary" and lockdowns as causing "immeasurable harm" ([26:13]).

• Scientific Consensus: While the lab leak theory remains debated, the scientific community largely favors a natural origin, viewing the lab leak hypothesis as political manipulation ([26:38]).

Notable Quotes:

• Bobby Bones: "It's more saturated than any color that you can see in the real world." ([29:42]) – Note: This quote relates to a different segment and may have been included erroneously.

Analysis: The rebranding reflects a politicization of the pandemic's narrative, potentially influencing public perception and policy. By prioritizing the lab leak theory, the administration shifts focus from scientific discourse to a more polarized debate, which may impact international relations and public trust.

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Conclusion

This episode of the Global News Podcast delves into critical international issues, including the fraught Ukraine-Russia conflict, delicate US-Iran nuclear negotiations, humanitarian crises in Yemen and Gaza, groundbreaking archaeological discoveries, advancements in robotics and vision science, and contentious policy shifts in the US pandemic narrative. Each segment provides a comprehensive overview of the current global landscape, underscored by expert insights and firsthand accounts.

For further information or to share your thoughts on this episode, you can contact the BBC World Service at [e-mail].

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Produced by Liam McSheffrey | Mixed by Pat Sissons | Edited by Karen Martin

Transcript

[Bobby Bones]

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the uk. Every day, our world gets a little more connected, but a little further apart. But then there are moments that remind us to be more human. Thank you for calling Ameca Insurance. Hey, I was just in an accident. Don't worry, we'll get you taken care of. At Ameca, we understand that looking out for each other isn't new or groundbreaking. It's human. Amica. Empathy is our best policy. Bobby Bones here with news on the top shelf. Country Cruise setting sail February 27 to March 6, 2026. It's not just a cruise. It's a country music experience at sea. An amazing lineup of performers. Well, we're gonna be there. The Bobby Boncho. I'm gonna be there. Keith Urban, lee Bryce, Scotty McCreery, Parma Lee, LeAnn Rimes. It doesn't end there. We'll also be stopping in stunning destinations along the way. Go to topshelfcountrycruise.com to book any available stateroom. Gotta hurry though. These spots are filling up fast.

[Rachel Wright]

This is the global news podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Rachel Wright and in the early hours of Sunday, the 20th of April, these are our main stories. President Zelensky has said Ukraine will echo Russia's actions after Vladimir Putin declared an Easter truce. But the Ukrainian leader said Russian attacks were continuing and Moscow could not be trusted. The Houthis In Yemen say U.S. airstrikes that killed at least 80 people on Friday have also caused a serious oil spill. And a 14 year old cricketer has become the youngest ever to play in the Indian Premier League. Also in this podcast, Secret messages written 3,000 years ago revealed in the center of Paris.

[Bobby Bones]

Everybody see it every day. So everybody thought, okay, it's already steady, we don't have to do anything more. But in fact, we had to.

[Rachel Wright]

President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine will abide by an Easter ceasefire, which has been announced by Vladimir Putin. But he says Moscow's forces are still attacking in some areas. The Russian leader said he'd ordered his troops in Ukraine to refrain from any offensive operations until Monday, but that they would respond to what he called provocations. The unexpected announcement came just days after the US President Donald Trump threatened to walk away from talks about a peace deal unless progress was made soon. From Moscow, here's our Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg.

[Bobby Bones]

This is not the unconditional comprehensive ceasefire that the United States had originally been pushing for and that Ukraine had agreed to. Still, Vladimir Putin has ordered his troops to hold fire for a period of 30 hours. Speaking to Russia's Chief of the General Staff, President Putin announced an Easter truce in Ukraine. He claimed to be guided by humanitarian considerations. He said he expected Ukraine to follow suit, but that Russian troops should be ready to repel any possible violations and provocations by the enemy. Russia's truce, he added, would show how sincere the Ukrainian leadership was about peace talks. The announcement comes a day after President Trump warned that America would take a pass on brokering a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine unless he saw progress soon. President Putin is likely to use this unilateral truce to convince the White House that Russia, which launched a full scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago, is serious about ending the war. But critics of the Kremlin will be sceptical that such a brief pause in hostilities, if it happens, will lead to lasting peace.

[Rachel Wright]

The Ukrainian MP Lisa Jasko spoke to the BBC from the centre of Kyiv just minutes after the truce came into force.

[Bobby Bones]

Once Putin announced this kind of one day ceasefire, that was immediately when we actually got an air siren because the drones were entering Kyiv and we had these one hour attack on Kyiv with drones during last hour. So it doesn't feel like a ceasefire. And also for me personally, ceasefire for one day, even if it happens, it's like a joke.

[Rachel Wright]

On Saturday evening, a few hours after the announcement of the ceasefire, Julia McFarlane spoke to our correspondent in Ukraine, James Waterhouse, and asked him what his assessment was of what was actually happening on the ground.

[Bobby Bones]

I think there's a bit of recent history here. I mean, Vladimir Putin announced a similar last minute ceasefire at the start of 2023 over the Christmas holidays as a seeming goodwill gesture. We reported from the front line then in the city of Bakhmut, and there was no lull in fighting. Bakhmut would eventually be captured by Russian forces and reduced to rubble. This is also a Russian leader who said, once, said he wouldn't invade Ukraine. And we're already hearing tonight both sides accuse each other of breaking this ceasefire. President Zelenskyy has reported continued fighting via his generals in the east. However, you know, from speaking to troops along the front line here, from hearing what pretty plugged in military bloggers are saying, that does seem to be a lull. It does seem to be quieter. They say there are fewer sirens tonight, which we haven't seen in a very long time across the whole of Ukraine. And where I am in the southern city of Odessa this time last night, there were air defences ringing through the night sky. As you can hear, it's pretty much silent now. And James, I mean, it's striking that Putin's surprise announcement came just a day after President Trump indicated he was losing patience with trying to broker peace between the two sides. What game is Russia playing? It's the age old question. It's the evergreen question, isn't it? What is Vladimir Putin thinking when he either exercises this war or tries to engage with Washington? Clearly Moscow is enjoy improved relations with the US and clearly it is wanting to perhaps negotiate a relaxation of sanctions, for example. It's already not had to relax any of its demands as to how this war should end. It's demanding more Ukrainian territory. And Washington isn't really pushing back. So perhaps it is now more willing to dance to America's tune. But I think what is equally interesting is how President Zelensky has effectively called the Kremlin's bluff here as well, saying, Look, 30 hours, make it 30 days. If you are serious, we will be as well, because President Zelensky can't afford to be antagonistic in this moment because Donald Trump, we know from previous months, will only take a dim view of Kyiv and not Moscow. So it's tricky for President Zelensky. This could turn into something, but few in Ukraine think it'll turn into anything meaningful or stable that would allow this war to end.

[Rachel Wright]

James Waterhouse in Ukraine, the United States and Iran have spoken positively about a second round of talks on limiting Tehran's nuclear program. A senior US Official said very good progress was made during the meeting in Rome. They described them as direct and indirect discussions. The two sides have agreed to hold further negotiations next Saturday. The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Aradchi, gave this summary of the meeting in Rome to Iranian state television.

[Bobby Bones]

It was a good meeting and I can say that the negotiations are moving forward. This time we managed to reach a better understanding on a series of principles and goals. The negotiations need to continue and enter the next phase before the expert meetings can begin.

[Rachel Wright]

In 2018, President Trump pulled the US out of a 2015 agreement known as the JCPOA, which saw Iran limit its nuclear activities and allow inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency, or iaea, in return for sanctions relief. I heard more about Saturday's talks in Rome from Kazran Naji of BBC Persian, who's in the Italian capital.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, there were talks at the Embassy of Oman in North Rome and Omanis are hosting and facilitating these talks and it happened there. But the talks ended rather sooner than we expected here. I think the talks lasted about three hours, given that they had to have lunch in the middle and it was shorter than we expected. And that raised the suggestions that maybe the talks didn't go as well as they may have. But otherwise the Iranians are putting a positive gloss on it. As you heard, they saying that it's a step forward and that there was a positive atmosphere, but nevertheless, they were supposed to agree on an agenda for the negotiations. They haven't even done that. So although they have agreed to meet again, I'm not sure whether the talks were as positive as the Iranians make it out to be.

[Rachel Wright]

What are the specific sticking points to reaching a deal?

[Bobby Bones]

Well, the whole idea is that the US Wants to limit Iran's nuclear program so that it cannot have ability to build a bomb in return for lifting of sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy. So that's the basis in all that. President Trump has all along has said that Iran must not have a nuclear weapon. And the Iranians are saying that we're not off the nuclear weapon. Our program is peaceful. But central to that is Iran's enrichment program. Iran has accumulated a lot of highly enriched uranium that allows Iran to build a bomb in a matter of weeks if it wants to. And that has raised concerns all along the international community and amongst the American leadership. The main sticking points in all this is that Iran is insisting that it has the right to to enrich uranium. And that is not acceptable to the US So far. So we have to wait and see whether there is wiggle room between those positions and whether they can move forward. I can add that in 2013, the talks that led to JCPOA, the agreement, the first step was that the Obama administration agreed to Iran's limited enrichment capacity inside Iran.

[Rachel Wright]

Khazra Najee from BBC Persian. On Saturday evening, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that he was committed to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. So where do Iran hawks in Washington stand on the current talks process? James Kumarasamy spoke to Fred Flitz, a former CIA analyst who had a senior national security role in the first Trump administration and is now with the America First Policy Institute.

[Bobby Bones]

This is typical for President Trump. He believes that an American president, the US Administration should be speaking to both friends and foes of the United States and to basically exhaust all non military options before he considers military action. So he's given this process two months. We've now had two rounds of talks. We don't know where the US Is on them. My belief is probably very little was accomplished. Looking at it from the outside, it seems as though the Iranians are insisting on having some enrichment capability. And America's point of view is that's completely off the table. Do you see a point of compromise, a place where a deal can be struck? Well, Iran thinks they have the right to, to enrich uranium. And Iran doesn't have such a right. It was one of the worst compromises of the Obama administration when they conceded to Iran the right to enrich uranium. This is a bad offer made by John Kerry to try to get insanely weak. JCPOA agreement approved. And you know, Trump withdrew for that, calling it the worst deal ever. And I don't think he's going to make a similar mistake. But Iran is much closer to having the capability to make a nuclear bomb now, isn't it? I mean, that is, that's the reality of the situation. And we had the commander of the US Strategic Command testifying before Congress last month, General Cotton, saying Tehran has reduced the time required to produce sufficient weapons grade uranium for a nuclear device to less than one week. Well, according to the Institute for Science and International Security, Iran can enrich enough uranium to fuel one nuclear weapon in less than a week and 14 weapons in 14 months. Now, how fast it would have a weapon is another issue. Probably six months to a year. When Trump left office, Iran could only enrich enough uranium for two weapons in 5.5 months. There was a huge surge in Iran's enrichment capability during the Biden administration because of Biden's incompetence. Fred, just in a brief sentence, man, how dangerous is the current situation? I think it's severely dangerous because Iran could have an operational nuclear nuclear weapon in six months to a year. And as Iran gets closer to the brink of beginning a nuclear test, we're looking at massive attacks on Iran by Israel. So this is the time to strike a deal to stop a huge amount of carnage and fatalities. I think Trump's serious about it. I hope the Iranians are, too.

[Rachel Wright]

Former CIA analyst Fred Flights. The Houthis in Yemen say U.S. strikes on a Red Sea fuel terminal on Friday have caused an environmentally damaging oil spill. The attack on the port of Ras Isa killed at least 80 people. Here's Mike Thompson.

[Bobby Bones]

Friday's headlines were all about the many human casualties caused by the US Strikes on Rasita. Now the claimed environmental damage could dominate. The Houthis say the big oil spill could have a disastrous impact on sea life and lead to the closure of large fishing areas, a dire prospect for food insecure Yemen. The group has appealed for help from international environmental organizations to deal with the incident. The US stepped up airstrikes on the Houthis after they vowed to resume attacks on international shipping in protest at Israel's aid blockade in Gaza.

[Rachel Wright]

Mike Thompson in the Gaza Strip, hospitals have repeatedly come under attack since Israel resumed its military assault four weeks ago. Israel accuses Hamas of hiding its fighters behind the sick and wounded, which Hamas denies. Now medical supplies are running critically low due to Israel's ongoing blockade of Gaza. The BBC spent a day with Dr. Wissam Sukha at a Doctors Without Borders clinic in Gaza City. Our Middle east correspondent Yolande Nell reports. Gaza's healthcare is itself a casualty of 18 months of war with many hospitals now out of service. Small clinics like this one run by Doctors Without Borders struggle to offer life saving care. Since the ceasefire collapsed A month ago, Dr. Wissam and three other GPs can expect up to 400 patients in a day. Thousands have fled to this neighborhood seeking safety.

[Bobby Bones]

Most of our patients are displaced people. Even they live in tents in the streets.

[Rachel Wright]

With little food and clean water. There's a rise in malnutrition and diseases from stomach bugs to scabies. Small children are worst affected. It's just days since Israel bombed Al Ahli Hospital, saying it was being used by Hamas, something the armed group denied. The main local trauma hospital can no longer admit patients. Now more of Gaza's seriously wounded are coming here, but there's only limited care they can give.

[Bobby Bones]

We provide them the wound care and.

[Rachel Wright]

Physiotherapy, give them painkillers.

[Bobby Bones]

We receive complicated cases and we don't know where to refer these patients.

[Rachel Wright]

On top of everything, Israel closed all crossings to Gaza a month and a half ago, saying it's putting pressure on.

[Bobby Bones]

Hamas to release remaining hostages.

[Rachel Wright]

In the small pharmacy at the clinic.

[Bobby Bones]

Dr. Wissam points out the essential medicines.

[Rachel Wright]

That are running out. They can no longer help patients with some chronic diseases like diabetes.

[Bobby Bones]

We don't have insulin, we don't have treatments for epilepsy, we don't have basic medicines like anti fever drugs.

[Rachel Wright]

After a long day, there's the long walk home. For Dr. Wissam, there's little fuel in Gaza to run a car. Her thoughts turn to her children who've been displaced with her nine times and looking after them.

[Bobby Bones]

I have daily struggle. I feel that I live in a nightmare that doesn't end.

[Rachel Wright]

For now, there's no respite. Yolande Nell reporting from Jerusalem. And as Israel is not allowing international journalists to enter Gaza, that report was recorded by a local journalist working with the BBC. A French Egyptologist has unlocked what he says are Secret messages written 3,000 years ago on the Luxor obelisk in the center of Paris. The obelisk was a gift from the ruler of Egypt in 1830 and was erected on the Place de la Concorde. Jean Guillaume Olet Pelletier, who is from the Sorbonne University, told me how he began studying the markings during the COVID lockdown.

[Bobby Bones]

I was in Paris and I was living near the obelisk. And during the COVID period, we had to move only one hour and one kilometer. So every day I came to see the obelisk. And one day I said, oh my God. There is something strange about this monument because all the hieroglyphic signs are pointed in front of something. But I don't know what. I was very lucky because of the Olympic games of Paris 2024. France put something to climb the obelisk and to clean it. So I just climbed and I discovered some new hieroglyphic signs.

[Rachel Wright]

Can I just point out to our listeners that the obelisk is massive, it's about 22 meters high, and it's been there for a very long time. And no one has noticed this before. So tell us, Jean Guillaume, what were the secret messages that you discovered?

[Bobby Bones]

It was every time something to prove Ramses II was a true pharaoh to rule Egypt. Because Ramses II had a problem. He was born before his father became pharaoh. It wasn't built by God, if you want. And when Ramses II began to rule Egypt, he had to prove every year, every time, he was divine. And to prove he was divine, he used cryptographies to prove it. On the obelisk there is several messages explaining that. Like for example, in the front part of the obelisk, there is a secret way to read it. For example, the face in front of the Seine, the River Seine, there is cryptic message on the top of the obelisk. You can see the pharaoh wearing a crown. It was to show to the noble and the royalties he is the true king of Egypt.

[Rachel Wright]

Do you think the reason that these messages have not been read before is because they are on an obelisk which is in the center of Paris?

[Bobby Bones]

Exactly. It's because everybody see it every day. So everybody thought, okay, it's already steady, we don't have to do anything more. But in fact, we had two. And there is two cryptic lines, the top of each columns of inscription. If you read only the first signs on the top, but not on the vertical way, but on a horizontal way, you can see the cryptic name of the foul.

[Rachel Wright]

So overall Jean, you have basically helped to rewrite Egyptian history. How does that make you feel?

[Bobby Bones]

It's quite. Wow. I don't know what to say. I'm very happy. I'm a little bit afraid, of course. And here in France, they call me the Champollion of the 21st century.

[Rachel Wright]

Jean Guillaume Ollette Pelletier. And the Champollion he was referring to. There is Jean Francois Champollion, the French scholar who deciphered hieroglyphics in the 19th century. Still to come, scientists have found a new color.

[Bobby Bones]

It's blue, green, teal. But the thing that characterizes it is that it's just so incredibly saturated. It's more saturated than any color that you can see in the real world. Asking the right questions can greatly impact your future, especially when it comes to your finances. So if you're looking for a financial advisor you can trust, certified financial planner professionals are committed to acting in your best interest. That's why it's got to be a CFP. Find your CFP [e-mail] hi, I'm Cindy Crawford and I'm the founder of meaningful beauty. When Dr. Sabah and I decided to do a skincare line together, he said, me, we are going to give women meaningful beauty. And I said, that's exactly right. We want to give women meaningful beauty. Which means each and every product is meaningful. It has a reason to exist. It's efficacious. You're going to get results and then.

[Rachel Wright]

You just go out and live your life.

[Bobby Bones]

Meaningful beauty Confidence is beautiful. Learn more@meaningful beauty.com At Ameca Insurance, we know it's more than just a car. It's the two door coupe that was there for your first drive. The hatchback that took you cross country and back. And the minivan that tackles the weekly carpool for the cars you couldn't live without. Trust Ameca Auto Insurance. Ameca Empathy is our best policy. Bobby Bones here with news on the top shelf. Country Cruise setting sail February 27 to March 6, 2026. It's not just a cruise. It's a country music experience at sea. An amazing lineup of performers. Well, we're going to be there. The Bobby Boncho. I'm going to be there. Keith Urban, lee Bryce, Scotty McCreary, Parmalee, LeAnn Rimes. It doesn't end there. We'll also be stopping in stunning destinations along the way. Go to topshelfcountrycruise.com to book any available stateroom. Gotta hurry though. These spots are filling up fast.

[Rachel Wright]

The Taliban government in Afghanistan says it expressed deep concern to Islamabad over the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan. A Taliban statement issued after talks in Kabul said Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Ishak Dar was strongly urged to prevent the violation of the rights of Afghans. Mr. Dar assured the Afghan leaders that refugees grievances would be looked into. Hafiz Zia Ahmed Takal is from the Taliban's Foreign Ministry.

[Bobby Bones]

Mr. Ishaq Dar stated that Afghan refugees would not be mistreated and that serious steps would be taken in this regard. He emphasized that the property and assets of Afghan refugees belong to them and no one has the right to seize their goods.

[Rachel Wright]

Pakistan has been trying to deport hundreds of thousands of Afghans who've had their residence permits cancelled. The US Vice President, J.D. vance, has held what were described as cordial talks with senior officials in the Vatican. Mr. Vance is a convert to Catholicism and it's been widely reported he was hoping for an audience with the Pope. But as our Europe regional editor Paul Moss reports, there have been serious disagreements recently between the two men.

[Bobby Bones]

He did get a photo op, but not perhaps the one he wanted. J.D. vance was shown smiling broadly as he strode road through the Vatican corridors, surrounded by its famously colorful Swiss Guards as well as Vatican officials, we're told they discussed international tensions and the challenges faced by refugees. But it's only two months since Pope Francis condemned the White House administration, saying its removal of immigrants in particular was a disgrace. Mr. Vance had tried citing medieval Catholic teaching to justify the crackdown, but the Pope swiftly dismissed this. Meanwhile, the church's charity arm says Donald Trump's decision to cut foreign aid has been catastrophic. Cynics have suggested that having a one to one meeting with the Pope would have allowed J.D. vance to bathe in his reflected moral authority. But that opportunity seems to have been denied. Whether it was because Pope Francis wanted to avoid it or just because he wasn't well enough, we may never know.

[Rachel Wright]

Paul Moss President Trump's administration has rebranded the government's official Covid website with the banner Lab Leak to promote the claim that the virus originated from a Chinese research laboratory in Wuhan. Instead of giving health guidance about the disease, the website now criticizes many measures which were taken to contain it from Washington. Irony Wells reports there is no global.

[Bobby Bones]

Consensus on the cause of the COVID pandemic. Some support the theory that it originated naturally and spread from Anim. The lab leak hypothesis, which has been contested by scientists but has gained ground among some intelligence agencies, suggests it was a leak from a laboratory in Wuhan, China has dismissed the lab claim as political manipulation by Washington. Donald Trump's administration has now officially rebranded the government's Covid page to support the lab leak theory. Instead of offering resources, the page now lists arguments for this theory and attacks various health measures that were taken at the time. It calls social distancing distancing arbitrary and says lockdowns caused immeasurable harm.

[Rachel Wright]

Donald Trump was president when Covid first.

[Bobby Bones]

Hit in 2020, before Joe Biden was elected in November that year.

[Rachel Wright]

Ione Wells, next to Sport and a 14 year old, has become the youngest ever player to appear in cricket's Indian Premier League, or ipl, one of the sport's biggest tournaments. Here's Zubair Ahmed Vaibhav Sriavanshi had already.

[Bobby Bones]

Made headlines by playing first class cricket at the age of just 12. On Saturday, he was handed his debut by the Rajasthan Royals after their captain Sanju Samson was ruled out due to injury. Born in 2011, three years after the IPL was launched, Vaibhav is the first player in the league's history born after its inception. Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid had spoken highly of the youngster's progress last week. He had said the team would not hesitate to give him a chance this season. India has a rich tradition of giving debuts to players at young ages. The cricket star Sachin Tendulkar made his Test debut at 16, when he was still in school.

[Rachel Wright]

Beijing has hosted a half marathon, which the organizers say is a world first with humanoid robots competing alongside human runners. Competitors from Chinese universities and businesses have spent months preparing their robots. Wendy Urquhart reports.

[Bobby Bones]

21 humanoid robots competed against thousands of human runners in Beijing on Saturday. The robots were kitted out with trainers, but that's really where the similarities end. They were all made in China by several different companies and just like us, some were short, some were tall and one could even wink and smile. It's the first time these robots have raced alongside humans over a 21km course and China is hoping that this event will generate future investment in its robotics industry.

[Rachel Wright]

Wendy Urquhart now there's a brand new color in the world no one has seen before until now and it's called olo. Scientists in California describe it as a vivid blue green. During an experiment, laser pulses were directed into participants eyes to stimulate cells in the retina. Simon Jack heard more from Professor Ren Ng from the University of California, Berkeley who worked on the project.

[Bobby Bones]

It's blue, green, teal, but the thing that characterizes it is that it's just so incredibly saturated. It's more saturated than any color that you can see in the real world. And what do you mean by saturated to the layperson? Let me try to give an analogy. Okay, let's say that you go around your whole life and you see only pink, like baby pink, you know, like a pastel pink. Okay.

[Rachel Wright]

Okay.

[Bobby Bones]

You go around your whole life that way. And then one day you go to the office and someone's wearing a shirt and you say, what is that color? And it's just the most intense baby pink you've ever seen. And they say it's a new color. And we call it red. And how have you, how have you managed to make this possible? Is this, I mean, is a new color. You've done something to stimulate the retina. How have you done it? It. That's right. This is a new system. It's in a laboratory at UC Berkeley. It's a big team effort. It looks like an optics table that you set the edge of a bunch of mirrors and lasers and other optical devices, and you peer into it and a laser beam goes into the pupil of you as a subject. And we stimulate individual cells on the retina. And we have to track the motion of the retina. We have to see the cells clearly, so we have to be able to focus to that level. And then we. We put laser microdoses of light into individual cells one at a time, but very quickly and very precisely. And what we do is we stimulate to make this new color that we call olo. We stimulate only the so called M cone cells, the M photoreceptor cells on your retina, which never happens in normal viewing, does that mean it really exists as a color at all? If you have to tamper so much with the retina, it's quite an existential question. It certainly exists. It's possible to see. I would say it's very technically difficult to do today. And it's certainly basic science today. No one's going to see this on their smartphone or their TV anytime soon. But the reason that we're studying this because we think it's a way to get into a deeper way to study vision science and neuroscience to make new discoveries. Take a colorblind person, for instance. Most of us know someone that's colorblind. If you find someone that's completely red, green, colorblind. For many good reasons and a lot of research over the decades, vision scientists think that such a person sees the world only in shades of blue and yellow. Okay. And if you have full color vision. It's actually quite hard to imagine. You have to really think about that. What would the world look like that I'm peering at right now if it was only shades of blue and yellow? And then if you put yourself into the thought of if I had that vision and then one day I woke up and I opened my eyes and I could see what I actually see, all the colors of the rainbow. Those would be legitimately new colors and it would transform my visual perception.

[Rachel Wright]

Professor Ren? Ng from the University of California in Berkeley. And that's all from us for now. But there will be a new edition of the Global News 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 global podcastbbc.co.uk you can also find us on X@ BBC World Service. Use the hashtag global newspod. This edition was mixed by Pat Sissons. The producer was Liam McSheffrey. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Rachel Wright. And until next time, goodbye.

[Bobby Bones]

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