Global News Podcast - Canadian PM in Tumbler Ridge for shooting vigil

Episode Date: February 14, 2026

The Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, and opposition leaders have laid flowers at a memorial in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, to the eight victims of a teenage killer. The estranged father of t...he suspect has offered his condolences. Also: the leaders of France and Germany have urged the continent to be more assertive in President Trump's new world order. The UN calls on Israel to reverse plans to give itself new powers in the occupied Palestinian West Bank, saying it jeopardises the prospect for a two-state solution. With inflation at around sixty per cent in Iran and the local currency in free-fall against the dollar, we talk to locals in a market in the capital, Tehran. Gisèle Pelicot, the woman at the centre of the largest rape trial in French history, tells the BBC she was "crushed by the horror" of her ordeal - but describes herself as a "survivor". And as couples across the world mark Valentine's Day, we look at why people are increasingly drawn to romantic historical dramas?The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

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Starting point is 00:00:39 Car-Gurus.ca. America is changing, and so is the world. But what's happening in America isn't just a cause of global upheaval. It's also a symptom of disruption that's happening everywhere. I'm Asma Khalid in Washington, D.C. I'm Tristan Redman in London, and this is the global story. Every weekday will bring you a story. from this intersection, where the world and America meet.
Starting point is 00:01:05 Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the Global News podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Pete Ross. In the early hours of Saturday the 14th of February, these are our main stories. The Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has addressed a vigil in Tumblr Ridge for eight victims of a teenage shooter, commending people for opening their hearts when the world falls apart. The French and German leaders have defended the European project at the Munich Security Conference, urging the continent to do more for itself. Also in this podcast,
Starting point is 00:01:47 I told myself that it was inconceivable that this man, who shared my life, could have committed these horrors. It was a descent into hell. Giselle Pelico, the woman at the centre of the largest rape trial in French history, tells the BBC she was crushed by the horror of her ordeal. We start in the remote Canadian town of Tumblr Ridge. With the First Nations prayer, a local community began a candlelit vigil to honour the victims of one of the worst mass shootings in Canadian history.
Starting point is 00:02:29 Eight people were killed and dozens injured by a teenager on Tuesday. Most of those who died were children. Addressing the crowd, the Prime Minister Mark Carney, named the victims and had this message for their families. When we leave here tonight, and some of you, go back to quiet houses. Some of you go back to empty rooms. Please know that you're not alone. When you wake up tomorrow and the world feels impossible. Know that millions of Canadians are with you. When the cameras leave and the quiet sets in, know that we still will be here. And know that we
Starting point is 00:03:10 shall need you too. Because Canada is a community that relies on each other's grace. And may that grace bless us all. Earlier, flowers were laid at a makeshift memorial to remember those killed. The shooter, Jesse von Rootsler, was found dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot injury. Our North American reporter Shimi Jolla also was listening to the Prime Minister's speech and told me what she made of it. appeared quite emotional at times, trying to push a message of solidarity, saying that he knew that there were no words that could fill the silence in the homes of the families that lost loved ones. He said he was there to show that Canadians are with the families. And he said that Tumblr Ridge, the town, is one full of grace and that they are dealing with their loss gracefully.
Starting point is 00:04:08 He also spoke about the victims. He mentioned one of the children that were killed, Kylie Smith. He called her beautiful, kind and innocent. He also referred to one of the boys that were killed, Abel Mwansa, calling him bright, ambitious and someone who loved school. He read out the names of all the victims. Did we learn anything about any of the others, or what else did he have to say?
Starting point is 00:04:36 Yes, he read out the names of all of the victims. He read out Takaria Lampert's name, a 12-year-old student at the school who he said loved K-pop demon hunters and crafts and cooking. He mentioned Zoe Benoit, who was 12 years old. Her family earlier in a statement called her resilient, vibrant and smart. He also mentioned Ezekiel Schofield, who was 13 years old. He said that Ezekiel was an aspiring hockey player who always. had a smile. And he wasn't the only person
Starting point is 00:05:14 to address the crowd this morning or today. Who else appeared and what did they have to say? No, there were other local community leaders including an indigenous leader who gave a prayer. There was also one of the police chiefs who mentioned how he has lost a child about 14 years ago
Starting point is 00:05:38 and understood what the fact families were going through. And it was just a message of love being pushed by all the community members that this isn't something that the town will recover from anytime soon. But because they're such a tight-knit community, it's a town of less than 3,000 people and a lot of people know each other, that that sense of community, that closeness is what's going to help them through the days ahead. Simi Jolooso. The Munich Security Conference,
Starting point is 00:06:11 an annual gathering of global leaders to discuss defence issues, is underway amid a backdrop of growing tension between the United States and Europe, particularly since Donald Trump threatened to annex Greenland. He doesn't think Europe has been paying its way when it comes to its own defence and has relied too much on America. But on the first day of the conference,
Starting point is 00:06:33 European leaders defended their actions. The German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz said the US, still needed Europe. In the era of great power, rivalry, even the United States will not be powerful enough to go it alone. So let's repair
Starting point is 00:06:50 and re-wive transatlantic trust. Juergen Hart is a member of the German Parliament and Foreign Affairs spokesperson for the Chancellor's Christian Democratic Union. He agrees that Europe needs to chart a new course over regional security
Starting point is 00:07:06 while still hoping for strong. transatlantic relations. I think the last three months show how it works. If someone would have told me in November, the European Union and the other European NATO partners like UK and Norway would face the threat of 28 bullet points on Ukraine by Donald Trump, a mysterious process, down to the 20 points we have now agreed between US and Europe and Ukraine. And second, to bring the President of the United States away from his
Starting point is 00:07:37 a mysterious plan to integrate Greenland into the US, in both Europe, was successful. And I think this is the way we have to go. We have to do the things that we think that are necessary for us. And with that, we will impress our American partners because they have reliable partners in us concerning defense, but also concerning economics and concerning making more independent from the nations like China or Russia, concerning energy or concerning energy or concerning new technology. For example, if you talk to members of the U.S. Senate from both parties,
Starting point is 00:08:13 I think there's a huge majority to continue close transatlantic cooperation, not only in defense, but also economic-wise and in other political fields like rule-based, world order and other things. And Donald Trump saw, with the reaction of the Senate on his Venezuela activities, that he cannot be sure that there's a majority in Senate kept by the Senate. the Republicans for him to do such operations abroad. And I think this was also one of the reasons why he stepped down from the Greenland point and why he now is more soft in his wording on defense in Europe and defense with Europe. As long as we are standing close together in Europe,
Starting point is 00:08:53 not only European Union, but important nations like Norway, like UK, we have the chance to impress US and to make sure that Americans see an advantage in close cooperation with us. Instead of that was the US President told them, and I'm sure that we can recover transatlantic cooperation on that way. German MP Jürgen Hart. Giselle Pelico, the woman at the centre of the largest rape trial in French history, has told the BBC she was crushed by the horror of her ordeal, but that she's a survivor. 51 men, including her husband, were convicted of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault at a trial in Avignon in 2024. She was drugged by her husband at the time,
Starting point is 00:09:38 so she didn't know the offences had taken place. Giselle Pellico has spoken to the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire about her experience. You should be aware this interview contains descriptions of sexual abuse. I told myself that it was inconceivable that this man, who shared my life, could have committed these horrors. I told myself that my life was in ruins that I had nothing left, apart from my children. It was a descent into hell, for me but also for them.
Starting point is 00:10:11 Our family was totally destroyed. We were crushed by the horror. You were actually angry with yourself that you hadn't noticed anything in the nine years, at least that he was drugging you with his own anxiety and insomnia medication, poisoning your glass of wine or your food in the evening. Why were you angry with yourself?
Starting point is 00:10:34 Because I didn't me found of nothing. Because I didn't realize anything. I saw nothing. I think it was right at the beginning when he started drugging me, in fact. I didn't remember what I'd done the day before, so I said to him, you're not drugging me by any chance. And when I saw him break down in tears, I immediately thought there might be something wrong
Starting point is 00:10:51 because I have an excellent memory. And there, I couldn't remember at all what I'd done the day before. You made the remarkable decision to let the world know who you are, to waive your legal right to anonymity, which meant the trial of all these men would be opened up to the public and the media and everyone would know who you were. Why did you choose to do that?
Starting point is 00:11:16 When I decided against a closed hearing, I wanted the shame to shift to the other side. I'd carried that shame for more than four years. That self-inflicted pain, I felt, meant victims were being punished twice and I thought that if I was able to overcome it, all victims could do it. do it too. Shame must be carried by the accused, not the victims.
Starting point is 00:11:39 Monsieur Pelico was given the maximum jail sentence for what he did to you 20 years in jail. Will you ever see him again? I haven't had the opportunity to go and see him and I hope to do so. That's also part of my way of rebuilding myself. So I think I need to go and see him to get answers. There has been an outpouring of support for you from people around the world, particularly women, who began to wait for you each day at the court and formed a guard of honour as he walked into the building and then applauded you as you left the building.
Starting point is 00:12:22 You wrote that the crowd saved you. Yes, you go through hell in a courtroom. You're really humiliated. Nothing has changed much in fact. Victims are still made to feel like the guilty party. So yes, when I came out, the applause gave me enormous strength. And seeing my name plastered on the walls of Avignon, this name is a banner, my story as an example,
Starting point is 00:12:48 it gave me a lot of strength. Alone, it would have been very difficult, I think. And Madam Pelico, if I may, I feel like you are one of the strongest women I have ever met. Where does that strength come from? I think it's in my DNA. I was born like this because I experienced tragedies very young, through my grandmother, through my mother.
Starting point is 00:13:11 And I always saw these women smiling, despite everything they'd gone through. So I think it was passed on to me from a very young age, and I've built myself like that, always standing upright and dignified. You say you have found love again. Some people may be surprised by that. I've always been focused on other people.
Starting point is 00:13:32 people on the future. I didn't think at all about falling in love or even wanting to. But life put a man in my path who has the same values, the same principles as me, and who's also been through many ordeals in his life. And we had the stroke of luck. We fell in love like teenagers when neither of us was expecting it. So you see, life always holds beautiful surprises. It's brought a lot of color into our lives. Giselle Pellico, who was speaking to Victoria Darbyshire. President Trump has announced sending a second aircraft carrier group to the Middle East, warning it would be a bad day for Iran if it fails to make a deal on its nuclear program.
Starting point is 00:14:11 Iranian and American negotiators met in indirect talks earlier this month in the Gulf State of Oman. They were described by both signs as positive, although little progress appears to have been made. In Iran itself, people are struggling with inflation of around 60% and a rile currency in freefall against the dollar. It's an economic crisis rooted in decades of crippling international sanctions, as well as mismanagement and corruption,
Starting point is 00:14:38 the financial wars which sparked the recent protests which spiraled into major unrest. Our chief international correspondent Lee's Descet is reporting from Iran on condition that none of her material is used on the BBC's Persian Service. These restrictions apply to all international media organisations operating in Iran. Lee's reports from a market in Tehran. We're just pushing through the crowds here, coming to any of the markets in Tehran. But this one is such a feast. It's beautiful to behold, but it's painful, too,
Starting point is 00:15:16 because it's a measure of rising prices and the rising pain in people's lives. This is here from some of the shoppers. Rrices are so high. Are you hopeful that there will be a deal between President Trump and Iran? I think we reached the agreement. There will be? Yeah, I think so. Because it would be, the future is really dangerous.
Starting point is 00:15:40 Nobody knows if the United States is going to attack Iran. It will have a very terrible consequence. What do you think could happen here? No one knows. Were you in Tehran during last year's war? Yes. And what was it like? Terrible, unfortunately.
Starting point is 00:16:01 It was scary. Yeah, it's really, it's very. So that would help, do you think, help your life if there was at least a deal, a nuclear deal? For sure, if you have a deal, probably they decrease the sanction. And I think the condition becomes better. So just explain to me, how does the sanctions affect your life? Like, what can't you do? For sure.
Starting point is 00:16:24 The prices have doubled 10 times more, the price of dollar. Usually we could travel to the different countries, even in the United Kingdom. But these days with the price of pounds, come to 2013, it's very expensive. More expensive, more pollution, more dangerous. Every more that you can think in a really bad way. Why did you go to the streets? For me, it was just bad management, about price, about the bad quality of life. If they fix the economy, would that be enough?
Starting point is 00:17:03 For me, one of the things is economic subjects. For the other person, some political options. Different people had different objectives and different things and different problems. When you were out on the streets last month, what was it like for you? It was a mix of everything. Many persons were together and just you could see that they have problems. but not the same problems. And because of this, it was so dangerous.
Starting point is 00:17:39 And did you hear shooting? Did you see people killed? Yes. And tell me about that. I just closed my eyes and run away because I couldn't tolerate and I can do anything for him. Really scary.
Starting point is 00:17:55 So let's move a little way from the crush of people around the fruit and vegetables into this warren of shops. Let's go inside this one. How is business these days? It's not good that much. The prices day and day higher.
Starting point is 00:18:17 What is most affected? Which goods, if we look on the wall of all these goods? What is most affected by the inflation? I think Safran. Saffron, why? It's Iranian Saperon. Yes, Iranian Saffron. It's up to double price.
Starting point is 00:18:34 Is it a problem of sanctions, the international sanctions? I think, yes. I think. What do you want to happen? What will help your life to be better? I think to coming Reza Shah Pahlavi. You want the monarchy back? Yes. And why do you think that's better? I think it's better.
Starting point is 00:18:58 Reza Pahlavi wants there, wants the U.S. United States to attack Iran. Do you support that? Yes, absolutely. It's been so striking on this visit. How many people are ready to share their views, at least when they're reassured that it would just be their voices on the radio? And sometimes the views are so bravely expressed. But whatever the differences that we hear, everyone seems to agree that life gets ever harder and something's got to change. Please do set. Still to come in this podcast on Valentine's Day. Online dating promotes this idea that people are replaceable.
Starting point is 00:19:40 Modern dating has become very gamified. It can feel a little bit like online shopping. Growing numbers of young people say they're turning to period dramas to escape the horrors of the modern dating scene. Ever feel like car shopping is designed to make you second-guess yourself? Is this a good price? Am I making the right choice? With car gurus, you don't have to wonder. You get deal ratings, price history and dealer reviews without the surprises, so you can shop with confidence.
Starting point is 00:20:16 It's no wonder Car Gurus is the number one rated car shopping app in Canada on the Apple App and Google Play Store. Buy your next car gurus today with Car Gurus at Cargooros.ca. Go to cargooros.ca.coma. Go to car gurus.cairr.ca.cairus.ca.ca. America is changing. and so is the world. But what's happening in America isn't just a cause of global upheaval. It's also a symptom of disruption that's happening everywhere. I'm Asma Khalid in Washington, D.C. I'm Tristan Redmond in London, and this is the global story.
Starting point is 00:20:54 Every weekday will bring you a story from this intersection, where the world and America meet. Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. I want to put all the issues on the table that keep me. up at night. The interview brings you conversations with the people shaping our world. From global leaders, I've much more than fulfilled the promises that have made, to cultural icons. I'm just interested in how it feels to be playing songs that are 50-odd years old. Songs are like children. They're with you forever. The interview from the BBC World Service. Listen now wherever you get your BBC podcasts. If you can't keep up with all the Epstein news, you're not alone. This week,
Starting point is 00:21:41 the files have nearly but not quite brought down a British Prime Minister. There have been allegations that Epstein was a spy, and surprising countries have been drawn into the scandal, from Norway to Poland to Israel to France. It's a lot. So we're recapping all the main developments and making sense of them. Listen to the global story on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcast. This is the Global News podcast.
Starting point is 00:22:13 Last week, the Israeli government approved plans to adopt sweeping new powers in the occupied West Bank. The changes will allow Israel to increase its control in the territory and make it easier for Jewish settlers to take over Palestinian land. The UN called on Israel to reverse the decision, saying it jeopardises the prospect for a two-state solution. Our Middle East correspondent Lucy Williamson went to the city of Hebron,
Starting point is 00:22:37 which contained several Jewish settlements, which are illegal under international law, and where the control of different areas are divided between Palestinian authorities and the Israeli military. In Hebron, power, like the city, is divided. Here in the vegetable market, as in most of the city, Palestinian authorities are in charge. But meters away, through an Israeli military checkpoint,
Starting point is 00:23:15 Israel's army guards around 700 Jewish settlers, living among more than 30,000 Palestinians. We've just come through an Israeli military checkpoint right in the middle of Hebron to speak to Palestinian activist Issa Amro. He lives here in the part of the city where Jewish settlers live side by side with Palestinian residents. The atmosphere is tense. Any change in the delicate balance of powers here
Starting point is 00:23:44 could lead to real friction. Israel has said it was. will start providing municipal services here and allow Israeli citizens to buy Palestinian property right across the occupied West Bank. Outside Issa's house, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish couple is picnicking. A settler neighbor appears from an alley. Nice to meet you. On the wall inside, there's a plaque for Palestine. What of you have got? I get the best of you in Hebrew. You really do? Yes. But unfortunately, I had to cover it with fence.
Starting point is 00:24:26 So it hurts me a lot. Through the window, a vast Israeli flag flutters over the neighbourhood below. It's about that. They were expanding a lot without any legal basis. Now they are the law. It's an excation of the land without me. Israel has also said it will expand its control over so-called heritage sites across the West Bank and will take over planning at two key religious sites
Starting point is 00:24:52 used by both Muslims and Jews. Asma al-Sharabati is acting mayor of Hebron. These announcements and regulations would decrease the influences of all the Palestinian institutions and Palestinian authorities. They can simply put their hands on any building, declaring that this building is old or ancient. Jewish settlements in the West Bank are rapidly expanding. Zvi Sukkot, a lawmaker with the far-right religious Zionism party, lives in one.
Starting point is 00:25:31 His boss, Israel's finance minister, has said the expansion of Israeli control in the West Bank was burying the idea of a Palestinian state. Judean Samaria is the Jewish homeland of the people of Israel, and I expect there to be full Israeli sovereignty here. But in the meantime, we can at least, supervised. So there will be no environmental harm and we won't harm the heritage of the people of Israel, even if it's in Palestinian-run areas. These changes demolished the agreements Israel signed decades ago, laying out the path to a Palestinian state. And they also undermined the Palestinian
Starting point is 00:26:11 authority due to one day takeover Gaza from Hamas under Donald Trump's plan. Burying the idea of a Palestinian state could also bury Trump's plan. for Middle East peace. Lucy Williamson. A BBC investigation has uncovered damaging side effects of certain prescription drugs which impact impulse control and can trigger behaviour such as hypersexuality
Starting point is 00:26:36 and compulsive gambling. The medications in question are known as dopamine agonist drugs and are used across the world to treat people suffering from conditions such as Parkinson's and restless leg syndrome. Some users say that they've lost their life savings and homes to debts they've racked up through gambling, while others say that the medication has caused the breakup of their family and even led to criminal behaviour.
Starting point is 00:27:01 Our investigations correspondent Noel Titheridge gave the details to my colleague Leila Nathu. These impulsive behaviours manifested in different ways. So for some people, they develop gambling addictions, some people develop sexually impulsive behaviour, some people develop compulsive shopping or binge eating, but all felt a struggle to control their actions. And how did they link those new behaviours to the drugs themselves
Starting point is 00:27:27 rather than actually something that might have been part of the condition that they were initially suffering from? Well, the striking thing for many of them is that they didn't link their behaviour and the medication until it was too late. We've met people that have lost tens, hundreds of thousands of pounds to gambling, people whose sexually impulsive behaviour has put them in significant risk. and often there's a moment of revelation years down the line where they discovered that actually their medication was known to cause impulsive behaviour.
Starting point is 00:27:59 Lots of people say they had no proclivity, no taste or appetite for the sorts of behaviours they then engaged with. People have told us of their sexuality changing. People have told us who've never bet even on a horse race in their life become huge gamblers. Had any of them been warned about the possible impact and what's, they could possibly suffer from. Well, we've spoken to over 200 people. The vast majority of them say that they weren't warned properly. Even if they were made aware that impulsive behavior was a possible side effect,
Starting point is 00:28:31 it was only in the context of medication leaflets that listed heartburn, hiccups, and actually they could never have imagined that the behavior would be so significant. Presumably, Noel, as part of this, you've been in touch with the manufacturers of the drugs and medical regulators. What have they had to say? Well, the manufacturers say that these drugs were extensively trialled, that they've been repeatedly and continued to be approved by regulators across the world, and they say that side effects are clearly stated.
Starting point is 00:29:01 Now, the government in the UK has said that our findings are hugely concerning, but as yet, the UK Drug Safety Regulator has said there are no plans to change warnings. Nolteridge speaking to Leila Nathu. For filmmakers, getting an Oscar is a dream come true and can be the pinnacle of their career. The nominations for this year's awards have been announced, but the nominees will have to wait until next month to find out if they've won.
Starting point is 00:29:27 The BBC's Reagan Morris spoke to one Hollywood director who's up for two awards for two different films. My name is Gita Gunber, and I'm the director of The Perfect Neighbor. We are nominated for that as Best Documentary Feature, but I'm also nominated for The Devil Is Busy for Best Documentary Short. What are the chances to be nominated, twice. Honestly, it's like a thrill and an honor and, you know, we are, our minds are kind of blown. 911's dad just of the emergency. I'm having hobbies with the neighbor's children.
Starting point is 00:30:00 Hello, Sheriff's Office. Or any of you guys over here messing with this lady? No, no. We won't play football. A perfect neighbor tells the tragic story of a mother killed by a woman who repeatedly called 911 on children playing around her home. I'm like the perfect neighbor. The documentary is made almost entirely of police body camera footage. And it turned out to be about 30 hours of material. It went back two years leading up to the murder. And then even afterwards, there was footage and there was interrogation footage. We felt that this is so rare that you see the community as they were before.
Starting point is 00:30:35 A terrible crime occurs. And you see this beautiful multiracial community living together, loving each other, raising kids together. And then this one outlier. I rely heavily on my faith while I'm here because the devil is busy out there. Gonbear is also nominated for co-directing The Devil Is Busy, a short documentary which tells the story of an abortion clinic in Atlanta, seen through the eyes of its security guard. Before I send them in, I look in their eyes.
Starting point is 00:31:05 I say to them, you're safe now. Gonebear has woken up early for Oscar nominations several times and been disappointed. So this year she decided to sleep in. And then I was awake until 3 a.m., staring at the ceiling. And then I actually did sleep through the nominations. And my husband, who's a producer on The Perfect Neighbor, Nakanguantu, came screaming into the room with my co-director from the Devil is Busy on the phone.
Starting point is 00:31:33 So that's how I found out about both. And the Oscar goes to... The winner is. The winner is... Geeta Ganbeard, ending that report from Radio. Megan Morris. As couples across the world mark Valentine's Day today, does a simple card and a bunch of flowers still cut it? Not if you're used to the yearning and dramatic declarations of love from renowned romantics from the literary world like Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. These great lovers have inspired increasingly popular period dramas on TV and film. And they're influencing our views of modern romance as Anna Aslam reports. With elegant ball gowns, lingering glances, and perfectly timed rainstorms, there's an irresistible pull of a love story set in another era.
Starting point is 00:32:20 That's seen in the rising popularity of shows like Bridgeton, the New Weathering Heights movie, and the endless remakes of Pride and Prejudice. But the reasons behind Genzi's obsession go beyond the superficial lavish sets and predictable storylines. Many young women say period dramas offer an escape from the uninspiring modern dating scene. The main reason why a lot of women, myself included, love period drama so much, is that it showcases beautiful, healthy love stories. I think with the rise of online dating today, that type of love story might be difficult to find
Starting point is 00:32:54 because online dating promotes this idea that people are replaceable. Modern dating has become very gamified. It can feel a little bit like online shopping, but in period dramas, the stakes are always higher, commitment means something, and you can't just ghost someone and expect to never face any consequences. So I do think that period dramas give us that emotional depths that we don't always experience in real life anymore.
Starting point is 00:33:18 That's the view of two women in Canada and India. But what did the experts make of our enduring love for historical dramas? Dr. Fay Woods, associate professor in film and television at Britain's Reading University, told us it's about more than just romance. Period dramas kind of favours female protagonists who feel like kind of women out of time that we as a contemporary audience can understand. So you can kind of see why viewers that maybe feel like they have a lack of control in their own lives due to social and political instigability, who can maybe struggle with a lack of
Starting point is 00:33:54 emotional transparency and relationships, could favour programmes with heroines who are faced with this in historical bodies, but are able to kind of push past these barriers. Critics argue these slow-burn dramas set unrealistic expectations of real-life romance and glorify historical societal issues. But they offer something that's caught people's attention. So many fans of a good romance will no doubt spend this Valentine's Day in an alternate universe filled with billowy white shirts and strict courtship etiquette. Anna Aslam.
Starting point is 00:34:31 And that's all from us for now. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at Global Podcast. at BBC.co.uk. You can also find us on X at BBC World Service. Use the hashtag Global NewsPod. This edition of the Global News podcast was mixed by Nick Randall. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Pete Ross.
Starting point is 00:34:50 Until next time, goodbye. When you're car shopping on your phone, you need to see all the information. With the Car Guru's app, you can. Powerful search tools let you see deal ratings, price history and dealer reviews on listings, all in one place. you can turn on real-time price drop alerts,
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