Alle afleveringen van Global News Podcast – pagina 4 van 6

Israel investigates death of five-year-old girl in Gaza

20 augustus 2026 · 29 min

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Israel's military has confirmed for the first time that its troops opened fire on a car carrying Hind Rajab, the five-year old Palestinian child who was killed alongside six of her relatives in Gaza in 2024. The IDF is opening a criminal investigation into the deaths, as well as those of two paramedics sent to rescue her. A separate inquiry will examine the killing of fifteen emergency and aid workers in Rafah last year. Also: after six years in the US state of California, Prince Harry and his family are moving back to the UK, but will not be undertaking royal duties. At least five people have been killed by Russian missile attacks on Kyiv in the early hours of Thursday morning. The US pharmaceutical giants, Moderna and Merck, say trials of an experimental treatment for melanoma have shown signs of success. US public debt has soared to a record 40 trillion dollars. A former Meta employee, turned whistleblower, tells a court in California that Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, put growth in Facebook and Instagram before child safety. We have a special report about the gold rush in Kenya that's causing security and safety concerns. Scientists say giant whales are taking advantage of the ice disappearing from East Greenland, and shares in the Chinese robot maker, Unitree, soar as it launches its new humanoid robots. Lees meer

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

Photo: Five-year-old Hind Rajab who was killed in Gaza, January 29th 2004, by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during the Gaza war.
Credit: Family

Zelensky sacks key aide as pressure on him grows

19 augustus 2026 · 31 min

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Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has fired one of his top aides, who is reported to be the target of a corruption investigation. Iryna Mudra, the president's deputy chief of staff, was sacked after Ukraine's anti-corruption agency said it had raided the homes of a senior official on Wednesday morning. Meanwhile the former defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov - whose removal last month prompted widespread street protests - has called for elections. Also: Israel opens up bids for construction of more than 1,000 new homes east of Jerusalem, that would contravene international law. We hear from Gaza about families searching for their relatives - some of the thousands of people missing presumed dead in the conflict with Israel. Plus, the impact pollution controls have had on the lungs of children in London; why South Korea and the US have cut short joint military exercises, and the message it sends to North Korea; the SpaceX rocket drifing in the South Pacific; and the water lilies that can take the weight of a grown person.
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
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during visit to Serbia, August 8, 2026.
Credit: Reuters Lees meer

Meta 'hid the truth' over child safety, US court hears

19 augustus 2026 · 30 min

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The technology giant Meta has gone on trial in California over allegations its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, are deliberately designed to keep young people hooked. Nearly thirty US states are seeking changes to the platforms and financial penalties amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars. California's prosecutor told the court Meta had put profits over safety and deliberately misled the public. Meta strongly denies the accusations. Also: the United States announces sanctions against the president and a senior lawyer of the International Criminal Court; the head of the WHO warns that the Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is far from being under control; Earl Spencer is to publish a book telling the life story of his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales, from his perspective; and could tree shrews help us correct short sightedness in humans? Lees meer

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
Photo: The Meta logo is displayed on a mobile phone in Liverpool, Britain, 09 June 2026.
Credit: Photo by ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA/Shutterstock

Meta faces landmark trial on child privacy

18 augustus 2026 · 31 min

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A six week jury trial is about to get underway in California, which could pose the biggest threat yet to Meta's operations. A coalition of US states have accused the parent company of Facebook and Instagram of putting profits ahead of children's safety, by deliberately designing platforms to be addictive to young users. A Meta spokesperson said the claims were "unsubstantiated", and the company stood by its record of creating strong protection for teenagers. The states are seeking upwards of $1 trillion from Meta.
Also: President Trump's envoy and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has failed to overturn Israel's objections to a US backed Gaza peace plan after two days of talks in the Middle East. The US President has also threatened to bomb Oman - a US ally - if it "gets in the way" of his administration's own talks with Iran. Fifa has sacked its chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, weeks after he criticised the organisation’s president, Gianni Infantino. As Russia and Ukraine trade more deadly strikes, the deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence service, GUR, tells the BBC he expects the coming winter months to be harder for civilians than last year. Russia's prominent anti-war politician Lev Shlosberg has been sentenced to eleven years in prison for criticising the conflict in Ukraine. Witnesses have begun giving testimony in the long awaited murder trial of the American rapper, Tupac Shakur. A special report on Germany's efforts to tackle small boat crossings by migrants to the UK. And how the success of Italian athletes with African heritage at the European Athletics Championships could combat racism in Italy. Lees meer

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,…

Trump orders cuts to US-South Korea drills, citing ties with Kim Jong Un

17 augustus 2026 · 29 min

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Donald Trump has ordered a substantial reduction in joint US-South Korea military exercises, saying they are "too expensive" and risk damaging his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In a post on Truth Social, he also noted that South Korea had recently declined to join the US in the "denuclearisation" of Iran. Lees meer

Also: Russia and Ukraine trade deadly attacks, with a well-known book market in Kyiv among the targets; Brazil’s presidential campaign gets under way; a 60-day US-Iran agreement expires without resolving key disputes; four paintings by Renaissance master Antonello da Messina are stolen from his hometown of Messina in Sicily; Cameroon makes history by winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time; and the alarming lengths that some social media influencers are going to for a photo close up with a shark.

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

Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, in Panmunjom, South Korea, June 30, 2019.
Credit: Reuters

The Global Story - Is Iran really trying to kill Trump?

16 augustus 2026 · 28 min

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Last month, President Trump secretly swapped planes via a catering truck as he left a Nato summit in Turkey. The elaborate ruse, first reported by the Washington Post, was in response to a possible threat from Iran. Lees meer

But how serious were the US administration’s fears of an assassination attempt? And does the Iranian regime have the capability to carry out such an operation beyond its borders?

We speak to Parham Ghobadi, a senior reporter at the BBC’s Persian Service, and Dan Lamothe of the Washington Post, to understand more about what transpired on Air Force One, the history of Iran’s alleged assassination plots, and why the Iranian regime’s prime target might be its own citizens.

For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

Producers: Mhairi MacKenzie, Hannah Moore and Xandra Ellin

Executive producers: Martine Powers and James Shield

Mix: Travis Evans

Digital producer: Sam Gruet

Studio manager: Mike Regaard

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: A catering truck is parked on the other side of Air Force One, before U.S. President Donald Trump's departure from Ankara en route to Washington after his participation in the NATO leaders' summit, at Ankara Esenboga Airport in Ankara, Turkey, July 8, 2026. Credit: Reuters/ABC-TV/Pool/File Photo

Indonesia earthquake: rescuers search for survivors

16 augustus 2026 · 24 min

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Rescue workers have been attempting to reach suvivors of a powerful earthquake that hit the Indonesian island of Flores in the early hours of Saturday morning. Around fifty people have died and some five thousand have been evacuated from their homes. Lees meer

Also: Israel has carried out its deadliest strikes in Lebanon for months killing eleven people. Moroccan police stopped hundreds of people from illegally crossing into Spain's North African territory of Ceuta, two weeks after tens of thousands entered the exclave. International observers of Zambia's election have told political parties to tone down inflammatory statements, saying the poll was marred by intimidation, abductions and an hours-long pause in the vote count. The Spanish government has ordered an investigation into the likely shooting of an endangered killer whale that was captured on video with wounds to its dorsal fin. The nineteen year old British cyclist Fin Tarling has died in a crash during the Tour of Portugal race. The Miss Universe Canada pageant is introducing a ''comprehensive costume guide'' after a row triggered by two contestants wearing Indigenous-style costumes.

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

Photo: A man cries outside his family house that was damaged by the earthquake in Indonesia
Credit: EPA/Shutterstock

The Happy Pod: How Neil the Seal won hearts across the world

15 augustus 2026 · 27 min

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Neil the Seal has captured the hearts - and laughs - of people across the world with his mischievous antics. The elephant seal keeps returning to the Australian island of Tasmania to chew traffic cones, attack street signs, and block traffic with his 1,000 kg body. His hijinks have made him a local icon and an internet celebrity. We find out why Neil keeps venturing to Tasmania's suburban streets to cause a ruckus. Lees meer

Also: How a group of Afghan women defied the odds to return to international football. Despite opposition from the Taliban, the players -- now scattered across the globe -- reunited to form Afghanistan's new national team.

The woman who accidentally threw away a million dollar lottery ticket - and the incredible way she found it again.

Scientists say they've created the first ever truly biodegradeable party balloons. They say existing options kill tens of thousands of marine animals a year.

Plus: how an ordinary man in Italy made one of the most important archaeological discoveries in decades; and a world surfing championship - for dogs.

(Photo: Neil the Seal in Tasmania, Australia. Credit: @neiltheseal22)

Presenter: Helena Burke. Music composed by Iona Hampson.

Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to CEO shooting

15 augustus 2026 · 26 min

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The man accused of killing an American health insurance executive has confessed to the crime in court. Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to two federal counts of stalking resulting in death. He shot the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a New York street in 2024. Mangione will be sentenced in December; prosecutors say they will seek life in prison. Lees meer

Also: Jason Arday - the Cambridge University professor who resigned over accusations of plagiarism - has been found dead at his home in London. President Trump says he will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory. The founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, has become the latest American billionaire to invest in English football, after buying a share of the Premier League club, Liverpool. As Russia continues to bombard Ukraine, Kyiv is responding with its own campaign of long-range strikes. Following the surge of migrants to the Spanish North African territory of Ceuta, the BBC has identified dozens of Instagram profiles promoting positive content about crossing there from Morocco. And with the right training, could a normal man compete in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles? Four out of 10 seem to think so.

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

Photo: Luigi Mangione in a previous court appearance in New York City in September 2025.
Credit: REUTERS/Mike Segar

Netanyahu derides UK as 'Islamic Republic of Great Britain'

14 augustus 2026 · 28 min

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The spokesman for the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has defended his reference to the UK as an 'Islamic Republic'. In a podcast with Israeli Army Radio, Mr Netanyahu recalled meeting the grandson of Winston Churchill, describing him as a 'lover of Israel' and then adding that you won't find that kind of attitude in the UK now, which he said was known as 'The Islamic Republic of Britain'. The UK and Israel are long-standing allies, but relations have become notably more tense since the war in Gaza. Also: At least eight people have died and several more have been injured in eastern Japan after record rainfall caused widespread flooding; the United Nations adds its voice to flag concerns about the pressure extreme weather events like droughts are putting on food security; builders in Belgium working on a renovation project have found a chest filled with gold bars and gold coins, bricked in the wall of a cellar; in Australia, tech executives give evidence about the ban on social media for under-16s to a parliamentary inquiry; we hear from Save the Children about the latest on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan; Spain announces it's extending the life of the country's biggest nuclear plant; and in Britain, the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage is re-elected as an MP in a by-election he triggered, defeating 33 other candidates - a parliamentary investigation into a nearly seven-million dollar gift he received from a crypto billionaire has now resumed. Lees meer

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

Afghanistan five years after the Taliban return

14 augustus 2026 · 29 min

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Our chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet meets Afghan women and girls who face severe restrictions. Girls can only attend school until grade six - around the age of 12 - and women are barred from university and many jobs. There are even rules over visiting public parks and gyms. But many women and girls are still determined to keep learning and working, despite what some call "gender apartheid".
Also: Democratic lawmakers in the US are calling for an investigation into allegations of suicide attempts, food shortages and deteriorating conditions on board the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been at sea for what's believed to be a record 200 days. For the first time in the US in 16 years, three people have been executed in one day. Gay people flee Ghana after parliament votes to jail them and anyone who "promotes homosexuality". As rescue workers in Colombia try to reach survivors of Monday's earthquake, we talk to the cousin of a 10-year-old boy who's trapped in the rubble with his mother and grandmother. Scientists in London claim they have invented the world's first fully biodegradable party balloon that breaks down within just nine months. A new study finds that pushing a buggy or stroller while running can help prevent injuries. And why Japan's rugby team coach is showing players videos of geese ahead of their game against Australia this weekend. Lees meer

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

Photo: The BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet in Afghanistan, five years after the Taliban re…

Israeli soldiers evacuate Palestinians besieged by settlers

13 augustus 2026 · 29 min

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The army said it was acting to protect residents in Qusra and that it had demolished two illegal settler outposts. The mayor of Qusra says the village in the occupied West Bank has been declared a closed military zone. Also: Russia's president Vladimir Putin visits an island claimed by Japan - causing sharp criticism from Tokyo; Romania shuts down its only nuclear power plant because of low water levels in the Danube; why vultures are becoming endangered in West Africa; and Cameroon and Malawi make the final of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, as the hosts Morocco crash out. Lees meer

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
Photo: Palestinians observe Israeli soldiers during a raid in the town of Qusra, south of Nablus, West Bank, 13 August 2026.
Credit: EPA/Shutterstock

BBC speaks to Nobel laureate Russian journalist

13 augustus 2026 · 30 min

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Russian journalist, television presenter and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 talks exclusively to the BBC. The former editor-in-chief of the now banned independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta tells our Russia editor Steve Rosenberg about life under Vladimir Putin. Also: US Vice-President JD Vance reportedly intervenes to halt Ukrainian strikes on oil tankers using Russian port of Novorossiysk. Karoline Leavitt to step down as White House Press Secretary but will retain role as adviser to President Trump. Millions of people across Europe wowed by once-in-a-generation solar eclipse. Immigration agents in the US could soon be issued with gloves that deliver electric shocks. Eurovision Song Contest changes rules for countries at war. Brits could face dynamic prices to use public toilets. And the magnetic espadrilles helping pétanque players pick up their balls. Lees meer

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

Photo: Dmitry Muratov, editor of the now banned independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Credit: REUTERS/Yulia Morozova

Israeli settlers trap Palestinians in their West Bank homes

12 augustus 2026 · 31 min

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Two Palestinian families remain trapped in their homes by settlers who moved into their village in the occupied West Bank on Sunday. The first Israeli soldiers who arrived at the scene were filmed praying with the extremist settlers. But after clashes they left and the settlers have returned. The Palestinian families say their water and power have been cut and they have dwindling food supplies. Also, has the war in Iran eroded Donald Trump's support in one of his key strongholds? Zhu Rongji, the former Chinese premier who championed free market reforms, has died at the age of 97. And we hear from
the British driver Andy Green, who's set a new world speed record, in a hydrogen- powered vehicle. Lees meer

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
Photo: Israeli troops clash with settlers besieging Palestinian homes in West Bank
Credit: Reuters

Getting ready for solar eclipse

12 augustus 2026 · 31 min

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People across the world are eagerly awaiting a solar eclipse, with the Moon set to block out our view of the Sun. The BBC's science correspondent reports from northern Spain - one of the areas expecting a rare total eclipse. Also: rescue efforts continue after the earthquake in Colombia; a Syrian court sentences the ousted president, Bashar al-Assad, to death for crimes against humanity; Donald Trump defends swapping planes due to a reported security threat, despite anger from journalists left on Air Force One; the Winter Olympics sport of curling finds new fans in sunny Italy; and the American TV channel Hallmark celebrates its 25th anniversary. Lees meer

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

Photo: Solar eclipse viewing preparations in the Netherlands. A woman wears eclipse glasses in Almelo. 11 August 2026.
Credit: Vincent Jannink. EPA/Shutterstock

More than 200 people killed in Colombian earthquake

11 augustus 2026 · 27 min

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The number of people known to have been killed by an earthquake in Colombia has risen to more than 200. The quake with a magnitude of 7.4 hit the west of the country on Monday. Rescuers worked through the night looking for survivors trapped under dozens of collapsed buildings. The cities of Cali and Pereira were among the places worst hit. Colombia's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has declared a state of emergency. Also: Medecins Sans Frontieres warns that children in southwest Somalia are facing alarming food shortages. President Trump was smuggled out of Air Force One in an airport catering truck after a possible Iran threat. And: What is behind Australia's first autonomous AI hack? Lees meer

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
Photo: A drone view shows the site of a damaged building following an earthquake, in Cali, Colombia, August 11, 2026
Credit: REUTERS

Deadly earthquake hits Colombia

11 augustus 2026 · 29 min

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More than 130 people have been killed after a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia. Rescuers are searching for those trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings. Also: Turkey approves a law aimed at ending conflict with the Kurdish militant PKK group; we investigate China's "flash marriage" scams targeting lonely men; how tourism is impacting wildlife, especially elephants, in Zambia; Harry Potter fans get an undersea power cable rerouted to protect Dobby's fictional grave; and why we should smile at our dogs. Lees meer

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
Photo: Rescuers at the site of a collapsed building in Cali, Colombia, following earthquake
Credit: Sergio Acero/REUTERS

World's oceans hit record-high July temperatures

10 augustus 2026 · 30 min

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Scientists at EU's climate change monitoring programme warn the world's oceans were hotter last month than in any other July on record. Sea temperatures outside the polar regions reached nearly 21 degrees Celsius. Ukrainian armed forces launch a long range drone attack on a Russian oil refinery about 1,000 kilometres east of Moscow. A BBC investigation uncovers evidence suggesting South African special forces could have been involved in the death of a police detective. Police in India use water cannon to disperse thousands of people protesting about civil service examinations. Football confederations representing more than half of FIFA members issue statement criticising the president, Gianni Infantino. The trial of a former gang leader accused of involvement in the death of the rapper, Tupac Shakur, gets underway in Las Vegas. The actor, Michael Sheen, speaks about his documentary on the historic burying of toxic chemicals. And a zoo in Florida hires a full time acupuncture therapist to treat animals. Lees meer

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
Description: Beach in The Bahamas
Credit: BBC

Israel rejects Trump's Gaza peace plan

10 augustus 2026 · 27 min

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In a rare public spat, Israel firmly rejects the US president's Gaza peace plan saying troops will only withdraw from the territory once Hamas has handed over all its weapons. The high representative for Gaza for Donald Trump's Board of Peace insists that the US-backed peace plan for the territory is the only way forward. Nickolay Mladenov said further talks were under way that he hoped would lead to a positive outcome. Lees meer

Also: In Canada, the vast western province of British Columbia is under a state of emergency, with more than 100 wildfires burning. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated, including the 12000 residents of Summerland. The suspected Irish crime boss, Daniel Kinahan, is in custody in Ireland after appearing in court, following his extradition from the United Arab Emirates. He denies any wrongdoing. The Nigerian army says its soldiers have rescued 33 people who were kidnapped in the northwest of the country following an upsurge in abductions. Why the authorities in the UK are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to remove works by the renowned street artist Banksy. How Tom Holland's latest Spiderman film is breaking the box office. And, the remarkable discovery of a more than 2000-year-old Roman shipwreck off the coast of Sicily.

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
Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a news conference
Credit: Reuters

The Global Story: Iran school strike: Will the truth come out?

9 augustus 2026 · 28 min

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On February 28th, in the opening hours of the first day of the US-Israel war against Iran, an attack on a school vin the southern city of Minab killed over 120 children. To date, its the deadliest civilian attack during the Iran war. Experts say the school was hit by a precision guided Tomahawk missile - a weapon that neither Israel nor Iran are known to possess. Yet five months on, the US government has not formally accepted responsibility. Lees meer

We speak to the to the BBC’s Senior International Investigations Correspondent Nawal Al Maghafi, who recently returned from Iran where she visited Minab and met with survivors of the strike and the families of those who killed. We also hear from the BBC’s State Department Correspondent Tom Bateman about his attempts to get answers from US officials about the school strike.

For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

Iran hardens demands on Strait of Hormuz

9 augustus 2026 · 28 min

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Iran's security chief Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr has warned the Strait of Hormuz will not open until the United States agrees to six conditions. These include easing economic sanctions, paying war reparations and ending the US blockade of Iranian ports. The foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier that Iran and Oman were "very close" to an agreement on a new shipping route through the Strait. Also: Ukraine's President Zelensky pleads for more European support on a visit to Serbia, a traditional Russian ally. The US Senate confirms Todd Blanche as the new attorney general, putting Donald Trump's former lawyer in charge of the justice department. Thousands of people flee their homes in the Canadian province of British Colombia as a raging wildfire doubles in size. Figures show for the first time more than half of Japanese men are taking paternity leave. And the growing concern over old literature being bought, scanned and destroyed to improve AI. Lees meer

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
Photo: Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz
Credit: Reuters

The Happy Pod: The baby saved by surgery in the womb

8 augustus 2026 · 26 min

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We hear about the pioneering operation that fixed a baby's life-threatening condition while he was still in the womb. Theo and his mum Maisie underwent the surgery in Texas when she was 26 weeks pregnant. It was only the third operation of its kind in the world but doctors hope the technique could go on to help many more families. Lees meer

Also: we join those jumping into a lake in Germany to help tackle the high number of children who can't swim. The ongoing heatwave in Europe has highlighted the importance of water safety skills for young people.

We meet a young blind man who's found self-confidence and friendship by taking up boxing. Adam Solan's now fighting for the sport to be added to the Paralympics.

Plus - the museum that's turned a bad review into a marketing campaign; the city showing how tourism can have a positive impact on the local environment; and the play celebrating the little-known story of Zambia's part in the space race.

Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

(Photo: Baby Theo shortly after his birth. Credit: Maisie Savage)

Presenter: Helena Burke. Music composed by Iona Hampson

Colombia's new right-wing president sworn in

8 augustus 2026 · 26 min

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Colombia's new right-wing president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has been sworn in, pledging to "relentlessly defeat narco-terrorism". Also: A US appeals court orders the Trump administration to halt construction of a new ballroom at the White House. The BBC tracks down the spy chief of Syria's former dictator Bashar al-Assad. Spain is bringing in border controls for travellers arriving from Italy, as a bilateral row over immigration grows. Hunter Biden, the son of the former US president Joe Biden, acknowledges that his father's decision to pardon him just before leaving the White House two years ago was "not good" for America. And how one country has come up with a new strategy to make tourism more sustainable. Lees meer

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
Photo: Abelardo de la Espriella salutes after being sworn in as president of Colombia
Credit: EPA/Shutterstock

Teenager shoots 7 dead in Thailand

7 augustus 2026 · 28 min

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Teachers are among those killed and injured by a 14-year-old boy at a Bangkok school. He also took his own life. Earlier, he had killed his grandparents. Also: Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan sign a mutual defence agreement, saying an attack on one of them would be seen as an attack on all three. The Africa Centres for Disease Control says local communities must play a greater role in combating the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo. A BBC investigation finds that Russia is seizing tens of thousands of homes across four regions of Ukraine it captured during its invasion. Moves in London to stop people in pubs from drinking while standing - but will this kill British pub culture? Residents in Italy hunt for a giant lizard with razor-sharp teeth and claws that's been spotted in Lombardy. Lees meer

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

Photo: Students with a relative after being evacuated from Debsirin Nonthaburi School, after a shooting incident at the school on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand
Credit: Reuters

The Happy Pod: The joy of rowing solo in the Pacific

1 augustus 2026 · 26 min

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Kelsey Pfendler has completed a record-breaking journey across the Pacific Ocean, where she became the fastest person to row solo from California to Hawaii -- as well as the youngest and the first American woman to do it alone. She hopes it will inspire more women to take risks. Lees meer

Plus, the four Welsh grandmothers who met a professional wrestler by chance could have their story told on the big screen. Rose and her friends Lynne, Suzie and Christine met DeReiss on a flight to Las Vegas, where they were going to scatter her husband's ashes. Why people in some major cities are raving in sauna's. The potential breakthrough in the medical condition called 'twin to twin transfusion syndrome' and the seniors in Singapore taking up Parkour.

Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

(Image: Kelsey Pfendler on her rowing boat. Credit: Carlos Andina)

Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson

The Global Story: British CPAC - Can MAGA politics be exported to the UK?

26 juli 2026 · 28 min

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The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) is a mainstay of the US political calendar, a barometer of the Republican party mood, and has become, in recent years, a pro-Trump event, with a big budget and crowds in the thousands. Its first outing to the United Kingdom last week brought less of the bombast, but much the same flavour of politics, as figures from across the hard right assembled for debates on topics including migration, race, British identity and cryptocurrency, under the slogan ‘Save Britain. Save The West’. One of our producers, Hannah Moore, attended the conference to find a conservative movement reckoning with its identity, and divided on whether importing MAGA-style politics can unite the right. Lees meer

For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

The Happy Pod: My best friend turned out to be my brother

25 juli 2026 · 27 min

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Dave and Andrea met by chance at work. They got on so well they could complete each other's sentences - which made sense when they discovered they were actually siblings. Dave was Andrea's biological brother, but had been adopted by another family when he was a baby. Lees meer

Also, grandmother Anita LeBrun wanted to enjoy her favourite glass of wine in the assisted living facility, but she wasn't allowed due to licensing laws. So, she changed the law, and the "Grandparents' Happy Hour" bill has been introduced in Minnesota.

Plus, the walking festival in the Netherlands which is keeping Dutch children happy. The women making waves in the world of Lumberjacking, and the 'Plastic Soup Surfer' tells us about his adventures.
Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

(Picture: Dave and Andrea. Credit: BBC/PA Wire)

Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson

Jeffrey Epstein, Howard Lutnick, and the disgraced former prince

19 juli 2026 · 28 min

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In an exclusive investigation, a whistleblower has told the BBC how he unearthed evidence suggesting that US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick failed to disclose a business relationship with the paedophile financier, Jeffrey Epstein. Lees meer

Simon Andriesz was a trader at one of Lutnick’s Wall Street firms, but it wasn’t until the Epstein files were released earlier this year that he says he confirmed a longstanding suspicion that his boss was misrepresenting his relationship with Epstein.

BBC financial investigations correspondent Andy Verity joins us to unpack the new investigation.

For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

The Happy Pod: Portugal’s last circus elephant rehomed

18 juli 2026 · 27 min

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For 40 years, an elephant named Julie performed as part of the Victor Hugo Cardinali circus in Portugal. Lees meer

But after a law change banning wild animals for entertainment, Julie has now been given a new life in a dedicated sanctuary.

She is the first elephant to begin her retirement at the 400-hectare site in Alentejo in southern Portugal, run by the UK-based charity Pangea Trust.

Staff say Julie has adjusted very well to her new home, and is enjoying splashing around in the mud.

Also: A mysterious monkey with orange lips discovered deep in the forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is confirmed as a new species.

A look back at the heartwarming moments of the FIFA World Cup that resonated with both fans and those not so keen on football.

We meet Kenya's ''Eco Mammas'', a group of women leading vital marine conservation efforts.

Plus the teenage pianist Freya Terris who made history by passing a highly technical piano exam using only her left hand.

Presenter: Chantal Hartle
Music: Iona Hampson

(Photo:Julie the African elephant arrives at Pangea elephant sanctuary in Portugal. Credit: Pangea Elephant Sanctuary)

The Global Story: Citizen Vigilante and Elon Musk’s war on ‘woke’ films

12 juli 2026 · 28 min

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Citizen Vigilante is a low-budget action thriller starring actor Armie Hammer as a vigilante who hunts down migrant criminals in Europe. The movie faced a muted reception - until Elon Musk posted it to his hundreds of millions of followers on X.com. Lees meer

We speak to journalist Mike Wendling to understand why this film has become a lightning rod for political and cultural debate, and what its sudden rise reveals about the far-reaching influence of the world’s richest man.

The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

The Happy Pod: Inviting strangers round for dinner

11 juli 2026 · 26 min

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When Nidhi and Vik moved to Northern Ireland, they came up with an unusual way to make new friends - hosting dinner parties made up of strangers. Now the couple, originally from India, have connected with 60 people and counting. Vik says he wants to make the whole world his friends. Lees meer

Plus, the Iranian father helping his blind son experience the football World Cup. He uses a makeshift football pitch to mimic what's going on. Also, a listener tells us about their chance encounter with a teacher they hadn't seen for 12 years. We go to a picnic where the only thing on the menu is unlimited cake, and the payphone in Washington DC that tells jokes.

Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson

(Photo: Nidhi and Vik preparing for their Masala Talkies. Credit: Your Pal Moments.)

The Global Story: US at 250 – your questions answered

5 juli 2026 · 28 min

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As the United States celebrates 250 years since its founding, this week The Global Story has been exploring the surprising and often hidden ways the US has shaped the modern world. In this episode, listeners from The Global Story and Global News Podcast ask their questions to hosts Asma Khalid, Tristan Redman and Celia Hatton. BBC’s international editor, Jeremy Bowen, who has reported from more than 90 countries over the past 40 years, also joins. Lees meer

To hear more of the US and the World at 250 special episodes, search for The Global Story, wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

The Happy Pod: Meeting a princess while climbing a mountain

4 juli 2026 · 26 min

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Pete Haslam was carrying his paraplegic son Ted up a mountain, helped by friends and family, when they bumped into Catherine, Princess of Wales. She was doing the same climbing challenge, known as the Three Peaks, and stopped to chat to them three times. Pete says he almost didn't recognise Catherine in her walking gear but, when they got talking, she was very kind and motherly to Ted. Lees meer

Also: in a story suggested by a listener, we hear from the US man who crossed Africa on a skateboard. Jason Vanporppal was raising money for a skatepark in Uganda which he hopes will inspire young people.

The unusual object that saved a man's life after an accident at sea. He survived by clinging to a cool box for four hours.

Plus the twins who married twins, the Nigerian chef awarded 'icon status'.

And the surprise school trip to a star studded movie premiere. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson arranged for the pupils to see his latest film, Moana, after they'd tagged him in a socials video.

Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

(Photo: Pete Haslam talking to Catherine, Princess of Wales, on Ben Nevis. Credit: Pete Haslam)

Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson

The Global Story: Abdi’s American Dream

3 juli 2026 · 33 min

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As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, The Global Story podcast is exploring the surprising and often hidden ways the US has shaped the modern world. One of the most powerful and enduring American ideas is that of the American Dream. Lees meer

In this episode, Asma Khalid hears the story of one extraordinary American Dream seeker. The BBC first spoke to Abdi Nor Iftin in 2014, when he was living in one of Kenya's toughest neighbourhoods after fleeing conflict in Somalia. When he won the US green card lottery his problems seemed to be solved – but it turned out to be the start of a whole new struggle.

The Global Story tells in-depth stories from where the world and America meet. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

The Global Story: Is the US falling out of love with Israel?

28 juni 2026 · 28 min

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The United States has been a staunch ally of Israel for decades, and Americans used to be steadfast in their support for the country. But in recent years - and recent weeks - the special relationship between the two counties has come under fire. Lees meer

Several polls indicate that Americans have increasingly negative views of Israel and its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. And as the midterms approach, support for Israel is on the ballot in some races.

Asma briefs Tristan on shifting US public and political opinion on Israel. And Jon Donnison discusses how fluctuating US sentiment on Israel is affecting domestic Israeli politics.

The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

The Happy Pod: All aboard the Bike Bus

27 juni 2026 · 26 min

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We find out about bike buses - an increasingly popular way for children to cycle to school safely. They involve travelling in a large group, escorted by adults, and stopping for pick ups and drop offs along the way. The idea started in Spain and Portugal a few years ago, but has seen a recent boom - thanks in part to some celebrity supporters. Lees meer

Also: the woman who's been encouraging acts of kindness by spelling the word in a cycle route across the US states of Minnesota and Iowa. Nahla Summers also encouraged people to join her on her two seated quadricycle to talk about the importance of being kind.

How the vaccine against HPV has almost eliminated cervical cancer among women in the UK.

The professor whose memoir on losing her mother to dementia and her grief over climate change has won the highest prize in Caribbean literature.

The dogs helping in the battle against an invasive species threatening crops and ecosystems in the US.

Plus a moment of pure joy for Cape Verde fans at the FIFA Men's World Cup.

Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson

The Global Story: How to stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon

21 juni 2026 · 28 min

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On Wednesday, President Trump met with Iranian leaders to sign an initial memorandum of understanding towards ending the months-long war. In a press conference after the signing, Trump was triumphant. Specifically, he touted the deal’s firmness on one of the US’s key priorities: ensuring that Iran can never develop a nuclear weapon. Lees meer

Whilst Iran has agreed to “not procure or develop nuclear weapons," there are many questions left unanswered. What does it actually look like to police the weapons programmes

Today, we speak to someone intimately familiar with the weapons inspection process: President of the Institute for Science and International Security, David Albright. In the 1990s, Albright worked in Iraq with the UN, investigating the nation’s weapons programme under Sadaam Hussein.

To hear more, search The Global Story wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

The Happy Pod: Success stories of former refugees

20 juni 2026 · 26 min

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The Happy Pod is celebrating World Refugee Day. We hear from Razan Alsous, who fled from Syrian to the UK and wanted a taste of home. She now runs a successful cheese business. Also, Mohamed Semra has become Australia's first mayor from sub-Saharan Africa. Plus, the woman who started a hairdressing business in a Ugandan refugee camp and, Leo Ajkic on finding success in radio and television after fleeing from Bosnia. Lees meer

Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

Photo: Razan Alsous making cheese. Credit: Razan Alsous

Presenter: Holly Gibbs and Tam Patachako. Music composed by Iona Hampson

The Global Story: The world according to Marco Rubio

14 juni 2026 · 29 min

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As a Florida senator, Marco Rubio seemed to hold an opposing world view to Donald Trump; on Russia-Ukraine, on China, on USAID, and more. He notably called Trump a “con man”, and Trump in turn dubbed him, “little Marco”. Lees meer

And yet now, as US Secretary of State, Rubio has made himself indispensable to the president on foreign affairs, bringing his own background to play in policy on Venezuela and Cuba, and shaping the US’ approach to further interventions abroad. Trump has even indicated that he wants Rubio to run on a joint ticket with JD Vance for the next US presidency.

How has Rubio tailored himself to Trump’s world view? And what difference would he bring as a potential presidential candidate? Tom Bateman, the BBC’s State Department correspondent, regularly travels with Rubio, and he joins Asma on today’s show.

The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

The Happy Pod: Surviving six days alone on Everest

13 juni 2026 · 26 min

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We hear from the man who survived for nearly a week on one of the most dangerous parts of Mount Everest with little food, no water and few supplies. Dawa Sherpa became separated from his group after running out of oxygen during bad weather and his family had begun mourning his death. But, after six days, he was found by a cleaning crew, crawling and sliding his way back to base camp. Lees meer

Also: The teenager who was surprised to find his exam paper included a poem he'd inspired. It had been written by his mum several years earlier.
How an art student from Germany ended up in charge of a Swedish island.
The US singer Barry Manilow returns to the stage after overcoming lung cancer.
Plus the boy who can impersonate the calls of more than a hundred birds; and the mysterious knitted toys that have been popping up around an English village.
Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

(Photo: Dawa Sherpa arriving at a hospital in Kathmandu. Credit: Reuters)

Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson

The Global Story: The battle to save James Bond from becoming slop

7 juni 2026 · 30 min

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Casting is finally underway for a new James Bond. But why has it taken five years to even begin the search? Lees meer

Since Daniel Craig retired as Bond in 2021, there have been reports of a behind-the-scenes David and Goliath battle between the family business which has held creative control of the franchise since the 1960s and its new owners, Amazon. It is now up to Jeff Bezos’s tech giant to decide who will play 007 – and how to run the series.

In an era when Hollywood studios are desperate to eke out every last dollar from movie franchises, can James Bond retain its mystique and appeal to a new generation of cinema goers?

We speak to Wall Street Journal enterprise reporter Erich Schwartzel.

The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

The Happy Pod: Kinder medicine for millions of cancer patients

6 juni 2026 · 26 min

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A new DNA test can distinguish between patients who are likely to benefit from chemotherapy and those who are not, meaning many with the most common form of breast cancer can avoid the brutal treatment. Also, scientists have found a daily pill that could double the survival time for people with advanced pancreatic cancer. Daraxonrasib appears to be a breakthrough in managing a disease that has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers.
Plus, we hear from Sterling Nasa, the student who ended up on stage during a concert performance of La La Land. A pianist was taken ill half way through the show, and the conductor appealed to the audience for help.
A British man is hoping to become the first person with a physical disability to go to live and work in space. John McFall lost his leg when he was 19 -- but he hasn't let that stop him -- he has already become a paralympian and a surgeon.
Finally, we meet Dr Shaunna Burke who has reached the summit of Mount Everest despite living with stage 4 incurable cancer. She becomes the first woman to do so
Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world. Lees meer

Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson

(Picture: A doctor examining a mammogram to determine if a woman has breast cancer. Credit: PA)

The Global Story: World Cup 2026: The most political of all time?

31 mei 2026 · 30 min

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Politics, power and money have always been part of international sporting competitions, and football (or soccer) is no exception. Lees meer

However, this year’s World Cup faces new challenges. The United States is co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico, and its relationship with its neighbours has at times been rocky. Two countries at war with each other – the US and Iran – have never played in the same competition before. Some fans are anxious about travelling to games at a time of high tension. And the cost of attending the event has led some to ask whether this World Cup is really worth it.

Mehreen Khan, economics editor of The Times of London and a lifelong fan of the sport, joins us to discuss what this World Cup could mean for a divided world.

The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

Producers: Cat Farnsworth and Aron Keller

Executive producer: James Shield

Mix: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: FIFA World Cup on display in Toronto. Credit: Kevin Sousa/ Imagn Images

The Happy Pod: The simple plastic sheet saving lives

30 mei 2026 · 26 min

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Researchers say a simple sheet of plastic is helping to prevent women dying after childbirth. The drape measures blood loss, which allows doctors to provide faster treatment. It's been successful in Nigeria, and now the health professionals want it used across the globe. Lees meer

Plus, meet Joy and Diane who have been friends for 60 years. It all started with one letter when they were 12 years old and they have been pen pals ever since. Also, the fishing group helping people with breast cancer. The woman trying to save endangered Indian Skimmer water birds. The rare rainforest that is being restored in Northern Ireland over the next 100 years, and the homes in Australia which are being adapted to help people with ADHD.

Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson

Picture credit: Gates Foundation/Nelson Owoicho

The Global Story: The American mayor accused of working for China

24 mei 2026 · 28 min

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The mayor of the Californian city of Arcadia has agreed to plead guilty to charges she acted as an illegal agent for China. Prosecutors say Eileen Wang was directly co-ordinating with a Chinese official to disseminate news stories downplaying human rights concerns in China, with the aim of trying to influence US government and public opinion. Lees meer

US authorities say the extent of China’s covert activity and espionage in the United States goes well beyond this case. According to the FBI, Chinese counterintelligence and espionage efforts are a “grave threat to the economic well-being and democratic values of the United States”.

We speak to Andrew Badger, former CIA case officer and co-author of The Great Heist: China's Epic Campaign to Steal America's Secrets.

The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts

Producer: Viv Jones and Lucy Pawle
Executive producer: James Shield
Sound engineer: Travis Evans
Senior news editor: China Collins

(Photo: Eileen Wang. Credit: City of Arcadia City Hall/ Reuters)

The Happy Pod: The art of ageing gracefully

23 mei 2026 · 26 min

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We find out why art could be the secret to living longer and how you can view the National Gallery's world-renowned collections from the comfort of your home, wherever you are, with its virtual tours. Lees meer

Plus, the German golfer Leonie Harm wins her first professional title, 13 years after she was given a 1% chance of survival. She was hit by a drunk driver and ended up in a coma. Also, we meet the man who risked his life to save critically endangered Mountain Bongos and, the woman in the UK who is knitting blankets for newborn babes to say thank you to hospital staff for saving her sight.

Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

(Photo: Van Gogh's Starry Night on display at the National Gallery in London. Credit: NEIL HALL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson

The Global Story: Operation Ajax: The CIA’s Iran coup

17 mei 2026 · 28 min

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At the outset of the war in Iran, US President Donald Trump suggested that regime change was one of its goals. He later said it had been had achieved, a claim that is disputed by critics who point out that the same repressive forces in Iran still hold power.
American attempts at regime change in Iran have a long history. In 1953 the CIA, assisted by British intelligence, led a deadly coup that toppled Iran’s last democratically elected leader. It’s a moment in history that poisoned US-Iranian relations, and helped launch the theocratic revolution to come. But the immediate success of ‘Operation Ajax’ would convince the CIA to carry out a wave of similar plots around the world.
We get the full story from Scott Anderson, author of King of Kings: The Fall of the Shah and the Revolution That Forged Modern Iran. Lees meer

The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

Producers: Viv Jones and Valerio Esposito
Executive producer: James Shield
Mix: Travis Evans
Senior news editor: China Collins
Photo: Supporters of the Shah of Iran in Tehran, 1953. Credit: Getty/Bettmann

The Happy Pod: My college designs on display at the Met

16 mei 2026 · 26 min

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We meet a teacher whose college fashion designs have gone on display at the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Nadia Pinkney says she was shocked when the curator said they wanted to display her collection, which was inspired by a family history of Alzheimer's disease. She describes seeing the exhibition as an out-of-body experience and hopes it will encourage more people to talk about difficult topics like dementia. Lees meer

Also: the passengers catching a bus to nowhere in Switzerland. The project is designed to encourage people to slow down and talk to new people face to face.

The mother who's found comfort from being able to hold her late daughter's hand again, after it was donated for a rare transplant.

The Polish influencer who's raised millions of dollars for a cancer charity by hosting a livestream for nine days, non-stop.

The grandmother fighting to preserve Chile's wetlands for the next generation.

Plus the Canadian truck driver who rescued a moose called Rebel; and why musicians in southern England are holding improvised concerts with nightingales.

Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

(Photo: Nadia Pinkney with her designs on show at the Met in New York. Credit: Nadia Pinkney)

Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson

The Global Story: What Elon Musk did next

10 mei 2026 · 28 min

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It’s been a year since billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk left his informal position in President Trump’s White House in May 2025. But behind the scenes, Musk has been busy. Lees meer

Musk has spent the last few weeks in a California courtroom, where he is suing his former business partner, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. In January, Musk applied for permission with the US government to launch a million satellites into orbit, some of which he says will serve as solar AI data centres. And he is preparing to take his company SpaceX public, with an estimated valuation of over $1 trillion.

Though his political presence has waned, is it possible that Elon Musk is more powerful than ever? We speak to the BBC’s North America technology correspondent Lily Jamali about what the world’s richest man has been up to since leaving the White House.

The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

The Happy Pod: 'Life changing' treatment restored my daughter's vision

9 mei 2026 · 26 min

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Six-year-old Saffie would have gone completely blind by adulthood, if not for a groundbreaking gene therapy. Her mother says she is now "thriving" and the results have been "incredible". Saffie was treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK. Lees meer

Also, the woman in Ethiopia who has given birth to quintuplets. Bedriya Adem had been trying to conceive for 12 years. She says her five babies are a 'blessing'. Plus, the beloved natural history presenter, David Attenborough turns 100. Why childhood musicians make better surgeons; the human choir singing with whales; and find out how four grandmothers become friends with a professional wrestler in Las Vegas.

Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson

Image credit: PA