Nepalese MP: the search for survivors is still on

0:00This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. This is Matt Rogers from Lost Culture East. That's with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. This is Bowen Yang from Lost Culture East. That's with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. You know when people try a new food and suddenly it's like, okay, hold on. I got a new favorite food. That's the reaction a lot of people are having when they first try Kewpie mayo. Yeah, it's the one with the red cap and the little baby on the bottle. You've probably seen it at the grocery store. And this mayo is different. Most mayonnaise uses whole eggs. Kewpie only uses egg yolks, which gives it this rich umami flavor.

0:35It's smoother, deeper, almost buttery. Once people try it, they start putting it on everything. Egg sandwiches, fries, burgers. Chefs use it. Restaurants use it. People who really care about flavor use it. Put it on just about anything. Then you'll understand. Kewpie, the original Japanese mayonnaise. Get more with BBC Podcasts, wherever you listen. Be the first to listen to your favorite shows, like Evil Genius, Good Bad Billionaire, and You're Dead to Me, with a subscription to BBC Podcasts Premium on Apple Podcasts. You can also enjoy a range of our podcasts ad-free with an Amazon Music subscription.

1:14Hello, welcome to NewsHour from the BBC World Service. We're coming to you live from London. I'm Paul Henley. On the China-Nepal border, rescuers have been struggling for a sixth day through mud and debris. as the number of people missing after massive flash floods rose to nearly 5 ,000 and the confirmed death toll went above 900. Many unidentified bodies have had to be buried in mass graves after DNA sampling. The Nepali Prime Minister called the disaster unimaginable, heartbreaking. A wave of freezing water, rocks and debris that smashed into villages and towns on Wednesday is known to have killed at least 903 people in Nepal.

1:54across the border in Chinese-controlled territory, the situation is less clear. Here's our China correspondent Stephen McDonnell. On the Tibetan side of the border, there are teams, we're being told, that are still looking for survivors, but really you'd have to think it'd be an absolute miracle if they found anyone now. They haven't found any survivors since the end of last week. But it isn't stopping them trying, And there are these images of rescuers repelling with ropes down the sides of collapsed mountains, crawling through mud, calling out names underneath what could be sort of covered areas.

2:34But like, yeah, like I say, it's to no avail. and what's happening now is that the police have announced that they are cracking down on social media posts which are deemed to be too inflammatory, which are deemed to be overplaying the emergency and especially saying that the death toll must be much higher. But the thing is when you consider that there are nearly 550 people officially listed as missing, the real death toll absolutely has to be much higher. Stephen McDonnell, Anand Patel, who lives in the UK, says he hasn't heard from his parents since the floods. They were on a pilgrimage crossing into Tibet from Nepal.

3:19He's asking the UK government to work with the Chinese to try to find out more about them. Obviously a difficult time. I think for my parents' sake, I'd like to think that I've stayed strong and I'm holding up as well as I can do. As time goes on, you do get sort of the impression that it's going to be that bit more difficult in terms of the news that you may or may not want to hear. Among the missing are hundreds of hydropower workers, many of whom were working in tunnels. The authorities in Nepal are blasting into hillsides to try to reach them. I've been talking about the latest rescue efforts to Sumnima Udas.

3:58She is a Nepalese Member of Parliament and she leads the Parliamentary Committee for International Relations and Tourism in Kathmandu. We're now six days into this disaster and I'd like to assure all the family members out there, Nepal's government and our security personnel have not given up the hope of finding more survivors and we're still very much in that search and rescue mode. In fact, we've intensified our deployment with around 20 ,000 security personnel now involved in these rescue operations. But the terrain is incredibly challenging, particularly in Raswa, which is the ground zero of this flash flood, if you will.

4:37Raswa remains still completely cut off. Helicopters have to literally queue up to go in one by one through very narrow ridges and gorges. The land has also become like a swamp, so heavy equipment like diggers and excavators simply cannot reach many of these areas. And right now, I would say one of our main priorities has been to rescue people trapped inside hydroelectric power station tunnels. The government estimates that around 600 people may still be trapped in these tunnels. and we have requested assistance from Chinese, Indian and Korean expert teams to help with these tunnel rescues, working of course alongside the Nepal Army.

5:20There is an enormous amount of debris, mud and silt inside the tunnels and in some cases rescue teams are having to drill and blast their way through to reach people and unfortunately the Chinese team went three meters in today and they have yet to find someone alive. So far, more than 10 ,000 people have been rescued in the whole area. 323 of them are foreign nationals. And further downstream, which is where they're collecting and recovering the dead bodies, they're trying to identify as many of the ones that can be identified and return them to their families. But this has been a real challenge as many of the bodies are badly decomposed.

6:06And can you explain why the government is having to do mass burials before all the bodies are identified? Because the bodies are decomposing and there is a risk of disease spreading. But they are collecting DNA samples of each of these bodies. In fact, more than bodies, what they're finding is parts of bodies, limbs, arms, legs. And so they are collecting DNA samples before they conduct these mass burials. You mentioned the foreign nationals. Is there a particular operation in place to support relatives of those missing from overseas? Yes, some relatives have started arriving in Kathmandu to search for their missing loved ones.

6:52And they've been showing up at the Nepal Tourism Board or at their various embassies. A help desk has been set up at Nepal Tourism Board to assist them. And the challenge, again, has been identifying bodies and a lot of the bodies. I mean, there's some of them are being collected in one part in Nuwakot, others further downstream. So how do we take these relatives who have travelled from the world to these places has been a challenge. Is there any frustration at a lack of information coming from the Chinese side of the border? And is there a level of coordination in rescue efforts? The foreign ministry has been in touch with Chinese government and Chinese teams have also now arrived.

7:38And yesterday, I think it was, there was another warning that came from the Chinese government of another lake that has formed and that might burst. And so we quickly had these mass evacuations again in that area. So there is that coordination at the moment. You must never have had to deal with something on this scale. It must be exhausting. It is. I mean, I'm in Kathmandu, so I haven't been to Ground Zero, but also haven't been able to go to these sites because we've been recommended not to because just there's no road access and the few road access, a few roads that are still accessible, they don't want to block it off because all the aid trucks and the relief trucks are going in.

8:23But this has been, I would say, one of the worst disasters we have seen. The earthquake was similar in terms of numbers, but this is a disaster of a different kind just in terms of the challenging terrain and just not knowing where to look. The state of the bodies that are being recovered and the vastness of where these bodies are now being found, this is really something we've never had to deal with. And do you think there are already lessons being learned in terms of avoiding such a catastrophe in the future? Well, Nepal has always been trying to raise its voice about climate change. Although climate change skeptics will say you cannot link this to climate change so quickly.

9:19I mean, this is not the first time we had a smaller flood, but in the same exact area just last year. We had another glacier outburst flood in the Everest region the year before that. And this is something that we're now having to deal with on a much more regular basis than we had to in the past. and so we have been trying to get a seat at the table and raise our voice. Nepali MP Sumnima Udas, stories of what happened to thousands of people caught up in the disaster, are beginning to become clearer in Nepal. Stories like this one of one school in Nuwakot, where around 900 pupils made it to safety minutes before the floodwaters hit.

10:04The head teacher Rajendra Dawadi ordered the evacuation. My colleague Andrew Peach spoke to him. At the time, I was teaching inside my classroom. Then I came back on the school basement area. Then at the same time, one of my friends was teaching in another class, Rosholi Studies, and he said that one of my brothers telephoned me from Rasuwa, Upper Village. Then he told me, you go away from Tresoli High School because the flood is coming there. Then after I called, some of my colleagues said that we have to stop this school because many of the people come there to say that the flood is coming. And some of the other friends also get the information from their relatives, from the friends, and they are also saying that the flood is coming.

10:49Then after, I immediately stop the school and send the children away from the school. I'm just wondering how you then get such a large number of young people to go to a safe place. How did you even identify the place that would be safer for them to be? One of my boss came just inside the school with full of students, day shift, and I told the driver immediately to take off some students who are remaining here in the school and you go away. And he also left the school and the students who are remaining in the Gulf Coastal, 30 students were there at the time, and we and the students, we are running and go uphill.

11:29And what about those students who are panicking, who are frightened, who perhaps didn't know what to do for the best? Those students who are panicked, who are frightened, we put them on the motorbike and they sent them out from the school. What happened at school after all of this? When we ran away, looking back and running away and we reached the top of the hill, then I returned back and I looked back to the school. At that time, the school is totally swept away, swallowed. Nothing is left. The whole school is gone. The whole school is gone. We'll talk about the impact of that on you in just a sec.

12:08But in that moment where you saw the school washed away and therefore 900 young people saved by your decision, what went through your mind? So I became so sad because on that way, I missed one of my colleagues, Mr Santos Faria, who is my lower secondary social study teacher. And one of my non-teaching staff, I miss them. I have an emotional attachment with that school also because I was the student of the same school. Then from last 23 years, I am teaching there. So I became so heartbroken and that was behind my imagination. Tell me what's happening now. How's everyone coping now with the situation that they're in?

12:55in the area where you are, where obviously the impact of the flood continues? River breaches all are destroyed. And we were also 51 students and me, my staffs, were there in another side. We were evacuated by the helicopter. After three days, four days, students have gone to their own home with their parents. Now they are horrified. They are terrified about their study, their board examination, their upcoming studies. they are frightened and their parents and other people asking me about their study but i told them don't worry about that we will manage it as soon as possible the national international the national government the local government and the international donors will help us to rebuild this school and we'll start we will think something for a further education we are consoling the students that was nepali head teacher rajendra dawadi from nuwakot you're listening to the BBC World Service.

13:52This is NewsHour.

14:11Coming up, why are top tennis players having to start their matches at the US Open way after midnight. This is for revenue. This started, you know, maybe 40 years ago, night sessions at the US Open. Venus Williams, legend of the game, has won this tournament a couple of times in 2000 and 2001. And I can't believe she's still in the main draw. She was forced to play this match. That was Pam Shriver. More in half an hour. The headlines, rescue teams are using explosives and heavy machinery to try to reach those believed trapped in tunnels in the Himalayas following last week's flash floods. And an international court has ordered India to respect the water-sharing treaty with Pakistan that it suspended last year.

15:11I'm Paul Henley with NewsHour, live from the BBC World Service. Iran has attacked US military targets in the Middle East in retaliation for American strikes on an island in the Strait of Hormuz. It's the first exchange of fire for a month in a war that has involved much of the region. Six months into the conflict, the two sides remain deadlocked, with Iran keeping the strategic strait shut and Washington persisting with a naval counter-blockade. The US had signalled a switch to economic pressure rather than military action, but the Americans attacked Iranian rocket launchers on the island of Larak.

15:49It said the aim was to stop Tehran planting mines in the shipping lane. I've been speaking to the BBC's Katie Watson, who's in Jerusalem, and I asked her first what or whom Iran had attacked in retaliation. So Iran said it attacked two US bases, King Hussein and al-Azraq in Jordan, with eight missiles that were intercepted according to Jordan's army. The UAE actually also confirmed that it shot down a drone. But Iran's foreign ministry had made it clear earlier today, saying that it strongly condemned the American military aggression on Larek. The strikes on the bases in Jordan were a legitimate defence and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard has said that it has vowed response and punishment.

16:37Where does it leave this war six months in? I mean, look, this is obviously a kind of a renewal of aggression after a relatively quiet month. But I mean, if you were to ask people here in Israel, where I am, there's a feeling very much that Iran has kind of won this war, a war that is continuing. And as you mentioned earlier, you've got, you know, this switch to economic pressure rather than military action. It's a clear kind of attempt to try and crank up the pressure on Iran, whether that works or not. I think very few people think that will make a difference. So the war continues. An immediate effect on oil prices?

17:22Yes, oil prices spiked about 2%. And what we've seen this consistently throughout the conflict that, you know, I mean, where Larrak Island is, it's the narrowest part of the Strait of Hormuz. There's a kind of kink in the waterway. That's where the island sits. And it's a really narrow stretch of water. At its tightest point, it's about 21 miles, 33 kilometres and 20 % of the world's oil, liquefied natural gas, all passes through this area. this area. So every time there's kind of discussion and concern about aggression, then we're going to see a reflection in the oil price. I mean, it's gone up from about 60-ish dollars a barrel before the war to around 90 now.

18:03So you can see the impact it's had. And that has an impact, of course, worldwide. The Iranian government complains today that the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, openly boasts to his home audience about having tricked the US into a conflict on Israel's behalf. What's been said about that in Israel? Well, I think I touched on it just earlier. And there was an interesting poll recently that showed that around 92 % of Israelis believe that the Islamic Republic has won effectively. And it just, I think, shows that kind of picture of how people feel about the war. And of course, you've got Benjamin Netanyahu facing elections at the end of October, a war, you know, he started that is clearly not over.

18:52And clearly the public is increasingly questioning if that will end anytime soon. So there is certainly a feeling of kind of resigning whether this will impact him in the polls and how they feel about kind of Israel standing. Of course, it's not the only war that Israel is fighting right now. And that obviously weighs on public sentiment here, especially because, you know, even, you know, Israel is going to, Israelis are facing higher petrol prices. They're just the same as everyone in the world, as well as being, you know, right in the heart of this conflict. The BBC's Katie Watson in Jerusalem.

19:32Closing arguments are due to be heard today in the trial of the only man ever charged over the killing of the American rap music star Tupac Shakur. For two weeks, a jury in Las Vegas has heard from police officers, eyewitnesses and former gang associates and repeatedly from the defendant himself through interviews recorded years before his arrest. Dwayne Keefe D. Davis has pleaded not guilty Our North America correspondent Shaima Khalil has been following the case and sent this report from Los Angeles.

20:11Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur was killed, someone finally stood trial for his murder. Former gang leader Dwayne Keefe D. Davis has been called the shot caller. The main evidence against him are his own words. He bragged in a memoir about his role in the killing of Tupac in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. But his lawyer, Michael Sanft, says Kifi D was lying, that it was all fiction to sell books. Kifi was never charged for any of what he said during that time period. And at the end of all the time we spent together, what you're going to find is that the state cannot prove to you beyond reason without the claim that Kifi had anything to do with a first-degree murder with use of W.

20:52with. Rap star Tupac Shakur died last night after a brief life in a rough business. He was 25. Tupac Shakur was shot several hours after the rapper and his entourage beat up Keefe D's nephew. They'd been in Las Vegas to attend a Mike Tyson fight. Prosecutors say Davis then set out for revenge. Hours later, a white Cadillac pulled alongside the BMW where Tupac was. Eyewitness Ingrid Stokes describes the scene that night. Me and Shalane were literally head down, taking our seatbelts off when we hurt the gunshots, when it's all hell-boggles. And to be fair, you didn't see those gunshots? No, not at all.

21:32And then what do you do when you hear the gunshots? I freak out. Tupac was shot several times. He died six days later.

21:44The court heard this 2008 police interview, in which Davis said that if Tupac had been closer to his side of the Cadillac, he would have fired the gun himself. Instead, he said he passed the weapon to his nephew in the backseat and that Orlando shot Tupac. He gave us up away. The silence that frustrated investigators for nearly 30 years was still evident in court. Former gang associates remained reluctant to speak openly about what they knew. Mob James testified under duress, telling the court he should be considered a hostile witness. Are you sure you want me to answer that? Is it going to be graphic?

22:27No, I ain't going to raise the word, but you asked me a question. I don't, and what I explained to them, I don't want to send him to prison. Sure. Even though we don't like each other. Sure. I don't want to send you to prison. There have been many dramatic moments. On the first day, the officer who climbed into the ambulance with Tupac described asking him who had shot him. His recollection was that Tupac replied, we'll take care of it. Time and time again, the defence returned to what was missing. No murder weapon, no fingerprints or DNA, and no eyewitness who identified Davis at the shooting.

23:07Time and time again, prosecutors returned to the same answer. Davis' police interviews, public statements, and his own memoir. Keefie Dee did not testify in his defence, but there was a tense moment when he stood and accused prosecutors of exposing where his family lived. and putting them in danger. I get beat up by the cops. The guys attack me in here, send me to prison. This is wrong. The verdict will determine Davis's criminal responsibility, but it may not reveal the full truth about the night hip-hop lost one of its most influential voices.

23:49That report from the BBC's Shaima Khalil. You're listening to NewsHour. It's live on the BBC World Service.

24:12This is Matt Rogers from Lost Culture East. That's with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. This is Bowen Yang from Lost Culture East. That's with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. You know when people try on new food and suddenly it's like, wait. That's the reaction a lot of people are having when they first try Kewpie mayo. It's the one with the red cap and the little baby on the bottle. You've probably seen it in the grocery store before. And if you've ever just walked past it, some people would say that's a huge mistake. Because this mayo is different. Most mayonnaise uses whole eggs. Kewpie only uses egg yolks, which gives it this rich umami flavor.

24:45It's smoother, deeper, and almost buttery. Once people try it, they start putting it on everything. Egg sandwiches, fries, burgers. Some fans even swear by dipping pizza crust in it. And once you notice it, you start seeing it everywhere. Chefs use it. Restaurants use it. People who really care about flavor use it. Never tried it? Grab the bottle with the red cap next time you're at the store. Put it on just about anything. Then you'll understand. Cupy, the original Japanese mayonnaise.

25:32Welcome back to NewsHour. Two years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, an 85-year-old British actor will return to the London stage this week. Peter Marinka has had a long career working in theatre, in radio, and in big-budget films such as Love Actually and Paddington in Peru. Now he is taking on one of the toughest roles in British theatre. Our health reporter Jim Reid has been to meet him. Go on with this drivel in the morning or leave it at that. Leave it at that. Peter Marenka at dress rehearsals in London. Feminine feasting of the ages. The 85-year-old actor has spent a lifetime performing on stage.

26:19A few years ago, though, he says he found himself switching off at work. How did you find out about your diagnosis? Because my GP sent me for an MRI and they got it, yes. And what was your reaction when they told you? It's I've got Alzheimer's. I have to accept it. And it explained why I kept losing things. and didn't, yeah, yes, that sort of thing. I started to laugh at myself, the silly things that I do, yes. Then this year, two years after his diagnosis, Peter was called up and offered one of the toughest roles in theatre, a single-act Samuel Beckett play. It was out of the blue. Dave said, would I like to do it?

27:06Would I like to do it? Yes, yes. Yes. Oh, yes, yes, yes. What's the firing order, Marta? Ledger, Tins, tape recorder. In Craps' last tape, a writer listens back to recordings of his younger self, remembering a lifetime of missed opportunities and regrets. Hard to believe I was ever as bad as that. Thank God, that's all done with anyway. The spool will be in one of the boxes. To make it work, teleprompter screens will be dotted around the theatre and Peter will be wearing a tiny earpiece so he can be discreetly fed a line if he needs it. It is a play about memory. It's about imperfect memory. The director of the Cockpit Theatre, Dave Weibrow, came up with the idea for this project.