DeepSummary
The podcast episode discusses a report by Human Rights Watch alleging that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan may have committed genocide against the Masalit people in West Darfur. It details the attacks carried out by the RSF and allied militias, particularly the massacre on June 15th, 2022, where thousands of civilians were killed. The report calls for an investigation into whether the attacks constituted genocide and for the leaders of the RSF to be sanctioned.
Another segment covers Saudi Arabia's plans to build the futuristic desert city of Neom, with allegations that security forces were permitted to use lethal force to evict residents from the area. A former employee of a Boeing supplier also raises concerns about major defects in parts being shipped to Boeing's factories. The episode also touches on Japan's decision to expand whale hunting, Russia's reopening of an embassy in Sierra Leone, and efforts to train an amputee astronaut for space travel.
Towards the end, the episode mentions Shirley Bassey auctioning off her collection of jewellery to support charitable causes, and a public relations issue faced by the Chinese company Baidu after its PR head made controversial comments about work culture.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Human Rights Watch alleges that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan may have committed genocide against the Masalit people in West Darfur.
- Saudi security forces were allegedly ordered to use lethal force against residents refusing to leave their homes in the area where the futuristic Neom city is being built.
- A former employee of a Boeing supplier raised concerns about major defects in parts being shipped to Boeing's factories, which could have safety implications.
- Japan announced plans to expand its whale hunting to include the vulnerable fin whale species, despite opposition from environmental groups.
- Russia is reopening its embassy in Sierra Leone after more than three decades, as part of its efforts to expand its influence in the region.
- The European Space Agency is conducting a feasibility study to train an amputee astronaut for space travel, the first such study of its kind.
- British singer Shirley Bassey is auctioning off her collection of jewellery to support charitable causes.
- The Chinese company Baidu faced a public relations backlash after its PR head made controversial comments about work culture and personal life balance.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “The order said whoever continues to resist should be killed. So it licensed the use of lethal force against whoever stayed in their home. This was very harsh and I was shocked by it. The orders were never this brutal, like using lethal force against peaceful activists.“ by Colonel Rabih al Anzi, former Saudi intelligence officer
- “Now, I mentioned the second world War. Russia today isn't just remembering the past, it's weaponizing it to try to justify the present. So the authorities want the russian public to view the war in Ukraine very much as a continuation of the second world War.“ by Steve Rosenberg, BBC Russia editor
- “In the capsule, the g load is going straight down the line of my femur, so pushing the socket onto my residual limb. So it's going to be a really good indication to see if it causes any significant discomfort or if I have any problems with it.“ by John McFall, former Paralympian and astronaut trainee
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Episode Information
Global News Podcast
BBC World Service
5/9/24
The Rapid Support Forces in Sudan are facing allegations of war crimes and genocide in West Darfur. The New York-based Human Rights Watch says the leaders of the RSF and its Arab allies should be sanctioned for deliberately targeting non-Arab communities. It says the international community has failed to respond to the scale of the crisis in Sudan. Also: Saudi Arabia is accused of using lethal force to clear land for a futuristic desert city, why Russia is opening an embassy in Sierra Leone - after more than three decades, Japan announces expansion of whale hunting, a supplier to the aircraft manufacturer Boeing says major parts left its factory with serious defects, and a trial to send a former Paralympian into orbit.