Global News Podcast

Israel attacks Syria's naval fleet as part of efforts to neutralise the country's military assets after the fall of the Assad regime. Also: New Zealander wins Spanish Scrabble championship - without speaking Spanish.

Life in Dasmascus is returning to normal despite Israeli bombing. Also: Netanyahu appears in court on corruption charges and a judge throws a spanner in the works for the Murdoch succession plans.

Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani has met the outgoing PM to discuss the "transfer of power" - a day after Bashar al-Assad fled the country. Also: Google unveils 'mind-boggling' quantum computing chip.

Civil defence workers in Syria are trying to reach underground cells to release some of the nation's tens of thousands of political prisoners. Also: More than 150 mostly elderly people are killed by gangs in Haiti.

Moscow has given asylum to Syria's former president, Bashar al-Assad. Also: Trump threatens to take the US out of NATO, and Zelensky says 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the conflict with Russia.

The latest from our correspondents across the region on what this means for Syria, its people and its future.

Syrian rebels said President Assad had already fled as they declared their capture of Damascus. Reports said that he left the capital by plane for an unknown destination.

Syrian President's grip on power wanes as another strategic city falls to Islamist rebels. Also: Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is rededicated in front of world leaders and the conman in India who duped families into thinking he was their long lost son.

Syria's army says it's bolstering defences around the capital, Damascus, as rebels intent on overthrowing President Assad converge on the city.

We're at an Italian film festival with a difference, for actors who become the voice of Hollywood stars and achieve fame in their own right. Also: California's canine mayor; and why diplomacy can work better in a sauna.

Both candidates in Romania's presidential election have denounced a court's decision to quash the results. Also: why it's hard to be a woman in Iceland, and the bid to save handwriting in the age of the computer.

In Syria, Islamist-led rebels continue their rapid advance. The UN says 300,000 have fled their homes as rebels reach the outskirts of Homs. Also: Romania will rerun its election, and how to survive a polar bear attack.

Islamist rebels celebrate the capture of the Syrian city of Hama. Also: US Police search for the gunman who shot dead a health insurance boss on the streets of New York, and a faster way to predict the weather.

The Syrian army says it’s withdrawn from the city of Hama after intense clashes. Also: health workers in Sierra Leone will be among the first to receive an Ebola vaccine, as part of a nationwide campaign.

The French government has collapsed after PM, Michel Barnier, was ousted in a no-confidence vote, after forcing through his budget. Also: Mexican police make their biggest ever seizure of the synthetic drug fentanyl.

South Korean MPs have begun impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol after thwarting his move to impose martial law. Also: jailed Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi is temporarily released.

The president of South Korea has reversed his shock decision to impose martial law. Yoon Suk Yeol had ordered the deployment of troops hours earlier, accusing the opposition of being criminals and anti -state forces.

Female students studying midwifery in Afghanistan have been told to stay away from classes. Also: Joe Biden is in Angola on his first visit to Africa as US president, and Jaguar unveils its new luxury electric car.

Israel said it struck targets in Lebanon after vowing to retaliate for an attack by Hezbollah, with both sides accusing each other of violating last week's ceasefire. Also: protecting the price of pasta dishes in Rome.

The UN's humanitarian chief is calling for action to help people in the Darfur region of Sudan - we have a special report on the horrors of the civil war. Also: President Biden pardons his son Hunter.

The Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, has described help from Iran and Russia as "vital" in the fight against a surprise rebel offensive. Also: did Louis the XV really keep a rhinoceros at the palace of Versailles?

Your weekly bonus from The Global Story podcast.

Every few years governments around the world compete in school system rankings. But in many countries there are often barriers to even getting children into the classroom - such as poverty, climate change and war.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide, one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world.

For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.

Syria's President Assad has insisted he will defeat the rebels who have attacked Aleppo. Also: Georgia's president vows to remain in post after her term ends, and why killer whales are wearing dead salmon on their heads.

We hear from a Ukrainian refugee who says cold water swimming has helped her tackle depression and keep moving forward. Also: making fuel from washed up seaweed; how a community rescued a pod of whales; and driving rats.

The terminally ill in England and Wales could soon have the right to end their lives as MPs vote in favour of assisted dying. Also: Rebel forces take control of parts of Aleppo in Syria, and a big weekend for Hollywood.

Emmanuel Macron praised workers for restoring Paris's Notre-Dame cathedral, five years after the fire. Ukraine faces blackouts as Russia targets energy facilities, plus an interview with the world's best nurse.

Putin says Russia's attack on Ukraine's power grid was in response to the use of US-made missiles. Also: Syrian rebels launch a major offensive in Aleppo province, and Greenland opens a new international airport.

Hundreds of thousands across Ukraine are without power after Russia launches a massive attack on its energy infrastructure. Also: The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon appears to be holding.

A fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah is holding, but both sides are on alert. In the US, Donald Trump's incoming cabinet have received bomb threats. Also: will Parisians embrace Les Misérables in French?

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is in effect in Lebanon after a deal to end 13 months of fighting. Thousands of Lebanese civilians have started returning to their homes in the south.

President Biden has welcomed a US and French-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. He said the deal showed that peace was possible.

President Biden has announced a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah to come into effect on Wednesday. He described it as a new start for Lebanon.

Security forces in Islamabad have clashed with thousands of protestors demanding the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. The army has been deployed to central parts of the Pakistani capital.

A US judge has dismissed the criminal case accusing President-elect Donald Trump of attempting to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election. Also: Israel and Hezbollah said to be close to Lebanon ceasefire deal..

A little known candidate, Calin Georgescu, unexpectedly wins first round of Romania's presential election. Also: Italian museum honours the British poet Byron.

The authorities in the United Arab Emirates say three suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi, Zvi Kogan, found dead in the country.

Your weekly bonus from The Global Story podcast.

Language is constantly changing. But exposure to social media has seen younger generations, adopting new terms at a pace never seen before. So, how much is online culture influencing the way many of us speak?

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide, one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world.

For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.

At the climate summit in Azerbaijan, richer countries agreed to increase their contribution to $300bn a year by 2035, to help poorer countries most affected. Also: many killed during Israeli air strike in Beirut.

Researchers have found that just as we smile at friends, dolphins change their expression too while interacting. Also: the college baseball star with a prosthetic leg and the first robotic double lung transplant.

President Vladimir Putin said Russia had a stock of powerful new missiles "ready to be launched" and promised to carry out more tests including in "combat conditions".

Satellite images indicate that Russia has supplied North Korea with more than one million barrels of oil. Analysts say the oil is payment for weapons and troops North Korea has sent Moscow to fuel its war in Ukraine.

Israel and the United States have strongly criticised the decision by the ICC to order the arrest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes. Neither country recognise the court's jurisdiction.

Israeli politicians denounce ICC decision to issue arrest warrants against prime minister and former defence minister. Also: the UN chief urges negotiators at the climate summit to do more to reach a final deal.

Apple Daily founder, Jimmy Lai, appears in Hong Kong court and denies foreign collusion. Also: Ukraine uses British-made long-range missiles for first time inside Russia, and ‘manifest’ is Cambridge word of the year.

MSF pulls out of Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince after attacks on staff. Also: US approves supply of antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine, why olive oil prices are plummeting and tennis bids adios to Rafael Nadal.

The US has confirmed Ukraine used American-supplied missiles to strike Russia. Also: no charges for the Iranian student who stripped to her underwear, and King Richard III of England 'speaks' again after 500 years.

Russia says Ukraine attacked Bryansk region with US missiles, after restrictions on them were lifted. Also, long jail terms for pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, and 40 years of searching for extraterrestrial life.

The US envoy to the UN has said Ukraine will get more American security help. Also: the dozens of medics on trial in Turkey over baby deaths, and a Russian company picks a seven-year-old as its future head of training.

Joe Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to use US long-range missiles sparks angry response from Moscow. Also: Delhi bans diesel trucks because of air pollution, and how organisations in Central African Republic are using radio to combat mpox disinformation.

President Biden has authorised Ukraine to use US long-range missiles to strike inside Russia. Also: the AI technology that's cloning voices, and we meet Miss Merkel, the Miss Marple of German Television.

Joe Biden has met Xi Jinping as concerns over a US-China trade war grow. Also: the discovery of ancient volcanoes on the Moon, and a secret garden in Venice is opened to the public for the first time in 500 years.

Billy and Susan's life changed when they spotted a starving otter. Now, Molly is part of the family and a film has been made about their story. Also, the invention giving people with disabilities greater freedom.

An aide to the Israeli PM has been accused of altering 7 October records to improve Mr Netanyahu's image. Also: the growing trade in smuggling tarantulas, and why people prefer AI-generated poetry.

The left-wing alliance of Sri Lanka's new leader wins a landslide. Also; volunteers enter South Africa mine to aid illegal workers, and a look ahead to one of the most controversial boxing bouts in modern history.

A Brazilian judge says a foiled suicide bomber wanted to blow up the country's Supreme Court. Also: the hundreds of miners hiding in a South African mine, and the dead British soldiers - identified after 70 years.

The Israeli authorities have caused massive and deliberate forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, in what amounts to a war crime, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch.

Republicans secure total control of US congress after winning the House of Representatives. Also: climate impact of jet condensation trails and the kidults rediscovering the joy of toys.

The US Secretary of State also said Israel had achieved its war aims in Gaza – and the fighting there should stop. Elsewhere: President Elect Donald Trump puts Elon Musk in charge of rooting out government inefficiency.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has resigned over an abuse scandal. Also: the six word google search that can expose you to hacking, and the female magician who pulled off a disappearing act from the all male Magic Circle.

Israel opens a fifth border crossing as aid agencies say it has missed a US deadline to boost aid into Gaza. Also: New Zealand's PM apologises to children in care, and a Russian doctor is jailed for pro-Ukraine comments.

The Saudi Crown Prince says Israel's actions in Gaza amount to "genocide". Also: COP29 gets underway amid warning 2024 will be hottest year on record, and scientists rethink chances of life on Uranus.

COP29 has kicked off in Azerbaijan, with finance for developing countries at the centre. An Indian court rules that entering a hotel room with a man does not equal consent. Also: We hear from the director of Squid Game.

Israel has declared the defeat of Hezbollah but the group continued firing rockets from Lebanon. Also: the COP 29 climate meeting gets underway, and the secret of making a great panettone from the new world champion.

We've teamed up with the The Climate Question to answer your questions about climate change. We learn how far nations are from meeting their targets, how people are coping with the impact, and about possible solutions.

Tens of thousands protest in Valencia over the Spanish authorities' handling of the deadly floods. Also: the women giving up sex with men because of Donald Trump, and an emperor penguin's epic journey to Australia.

We hear about innovative environmental projects awarded millions of dollars in this year's Earthshot prizes. Also: the twins cleaning streets for free; detecting tumours with graphene; and a remarkable Himalayan rescue.

Presenter: Andrew Peach. Music composed by Iona Hampson.

The US has brought charges over an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Donald Trump. Also: calls for the Archbishop of Canterbury to resign over an abuse scandal, and why Swedish police can now seize luxury goods.

Joe Biden has promised a 'peaceful' transition and praised Kamala Harris; Elon Musk's plans for America as he prepares to join the Trump administration, and arm-wrestling in Africa.

Donald Trump pledges to lead the US into a new golden age after winning US presidential election. We'll have world reaction and assess the potential impact on the global economy and environment.

Donald Trump poised to make historic comeback not seen in the US in more than a century.

US Election Special: What we know so far. Donald Trump is projected to have won Georgia and North Carolina - two of the seven swing seats that will determine the outcome of the US presidential election.

US exit polls show state of the democracy and the economy are the most important issues. Also Israel's Prime Minister fires his Defence Secretary and a piece of 77 year-old cake goes for a princely sum.

Moldova's pro-EU president Maia Sandu appears on course for a second term. The King of Spain is met by angry protesters during a visit to flood-hit Valencia. US presidential candidates make last pitch for support.

Charlotte and Dave met as strangers in a moment of crisis, and went on to marry. Also, the son who reunited with his father after 19 years, and the friends that have been meeting up every week in the same spot since 1968 Presenter: Jannat Jalil. Music composed by Iona Hampson.

As the US presidential election approaches, Donald Trump attempts to drum up support from Arab-American voters in Michigan, while Kamala Harris holds rallies in Wisconsin. Also: can avatars help people with psychosis?

More than 200 people are now confirmed dead in the flash flooding in Spain. Also: Thailand recognises hundreds of thousands of stateless people living there as Thai citizens.

Hundreds of people in Spain, aided by drones, have been deployed to a rescue mission after recent flash floods claimed many lives. Also: the first artwork made by a humanoid robot, Ai-da, goes up for auction.

Rescue efforts continue in Spain to find survivors of flash flooding which have killed more than 100 people. Also: super typhoon hits Taiwan, and North Korea tests its longest-range intercontinental ballistic missile.

Spain is enduring its worst flooding disaster in decades, with scores of people dead and dozens more missing. Also: remembering the iconic boxing fight between Ali and Foreman.

More than 70 people have died in Spain after the country’s worst flooding in decades. Also: China has successfully launched its youngest-ever astronauts into space, and are animals more fond of alcohol than we thought?

Hezbollah has chosen a new leader after the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike. Also: Georgia announces a partial recount of its disputed election results, and a lost city in Mexico is uncovered.

The Israeli Parliament votes to ban the Palestinian refugee agency, UNWRA. Also: the world’s trees under threat, the Spanish midfielder, Rodri, wins the Ballon d’Or, and a new Chopin waltz sees the light of day.

UN says the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere hits a record high. Also: Pakistan's drive to vaccinate against polio after surge in cases. And can fairy tales get children to eat more fruit and vegetables?

Georgia's PM denies vote rigging claims in Saturday's election as the president blames Russian involvement. Also: ex-Bolivian leader Evo Morales says he was shot at, and where there's no sunlight for three months.

President Biden says he hopes Israeli air strikes on Iran mark the end of hostilities. Also: the Vatican wants a stronger role for women, and linking an old skeleton to an ancient Norse tale.

Meet the woman helping premature babies feel their parents' love, after her son Zachary was born 12 weeks early. Also: how Egypt became Malaria free; the homeless tour guide; and the world's oldest battle rapper.

Israel has hit Iran with what it called "precise and targeted" air strikes and warned Tehran not to retaliate. Iranian state media have played down the damage from the attacks. We consider what the impact will be.

One of the world's most prolific online child abusers, Alexander McCartney, has been jailed in Northern Ireland. Also: 75-year-old rock star Bruce Springsteen says he has no plans to retire any time soon.

Former commander in rebel Lord's Resistance Army, Thomas Kwoyelo, sentenced to 40 years for war crimes in Uganda. Also: The tortured monkey released back into the wild, and a scientific breakthrough in eco production.

The UN says the world is on track to miss global warming limits by a "catastrophic" margin, leading to dramatic increases in extreme weather events. Also: how did the act of kissing evolve?

Commonwealth leaders to defy UK and discuss reparations for slavery. Also: Polar bears face new threats due to rising temperatures, and Italian politician sparks row by praising WWII soldiers as heroes.

The Turkish interior minister said that the two attackers, a man and a woman, were killed. Also: two lost ancient cities have been discovered in the mountains of southeastern Uzbekistan.

The UN says Israel's bombardment of northern Gaza has delayed its polio vaccine campaign. Also: Donald Trump's team accuse Britain's ruling Labour party of election interference, and the reinvention of classical music.

Andriy Kostin said he took responsibility for a scandal in which thousands of disability certificates were issued on the basis of fake documents. Also: a hoard of British silver coins raises millions of dollars.

Israel says it has identified a Hezbollah bunker 'full of cash and gold' under a Beirut hospital. Also: research into how clock changes in the UK affect mood, and why an airport is limiting farewell hugs.

People in Moldova have narrowly backed a commitment to join the EU, in a referendum which was combined with presidential elections. Also: the issues – and online fandoms – dominating the US presidential campaign.

Israel says it is carrying out targeted strikes on sites belonging to Hezbollah's financial arm in Lebanon. Also: Hurricane Oscar makes landfall in Cuba and, why are TikTok users buying abandoned homes in Japan?

The Global News Podcast, The Global Story and Americast join forces to answer your questions about the US presidential election. We look at what the result could mean for the Middle East, Ukraine and climate change.

Israeli PM says Iran and allies have made a ‘grave mistake’ after his home was targeted by a drone. Also: Striking Boeing workers to vote on new pay deal, and how video games are better for your brain than exercise.

Meet the 14-year-old human calculator. Aaryan Shukla has been practising mental maths since the age of 6 — and holds a Guinness World Records title.

Israel blockades part of northern Gaza, dashing hopes of a ceasefire after the killing of the Hamas leader. Also: a nationwide power cut in Cuba, and the start-up offering Americans a chance to produce smarter children.

Hamas confirms the death of Yahya Sinwar and says it will not return the Israeli hostages until the IDF stops its assault and withdraws troops from Gaza. Also: reports that North Korea is sending soldiers to Russia.

The Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, was believed to have been a key figure behind the 7th of October attacks last year in Israel. Also: Australian territory to resume jailing 10-year-olds.

Police in Argentina are investigating the death of Liam Payne - a former member of boy band One Direction - who fell from a hotel balcony. Also: President Zelensky has urged EU leaders to accept his 'victory plan'.

The US envoy to the UN has said Washington is watching Israel's actions in northern Gaza to ensure there is not “a policy of starvation" there. Also: former One Direction star Liam Payne dies in Argentina.

Sudan's civil war has been raging for 18 months. Our reporter returns to his birthplace to find his home ransacked and his town in ruins. Also: Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, and the Grand Egyptian Museum opens in Giza.

The letter amounts to the strongest known written warning from the US to its ally. Also: fake vintage wine gang busted in France and Italy.

The UN has condemned the 'large number' of civilian deaths in north Gaza. Also: Lilly Ledbetter, who fought for equal pay for women in the US, has died, and the joy of discovering a 237 million year-old fossil.

Israel's army chief has said that a Hezbollah drone strike on a military base that killed at least four soldiers was a major blow. But General Herzi Halevi stressed the country was at war.

Hezbollah claims responsibility for a drone attack in northern Israel which killed four soldiers, and injured more than 60. Also: the UN demands answers after Israeli tanks drove into their compound in Lebanon.

We are at the One Young World Summit in Montréal with four young delegates from across the world. In a live panel, we put BBC correspondents' questions to them and ask, what would be different if they were in charge?

The UN World Food Programme says no food aid has been able to enter the north of Gaza since the first of October. The WFP says it's unclear how long the limited food supplies that had previously been delivered can last.

Pop superstar Kylie Minogue tells us how the love and support of fans around the world helped her breast cancer recovery. Also: the penguin post office; making plastic from onion peel; and learning happiness from dogs.

President Biden asks Israel to stop firing at UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, after the IDF said its troops were responsible for an incident in which soldiers were injured. Also: Boeing to cut 10% of its workforce.

The UN Secretary General describes Israel's attacks on peacekeepers' bases in Lebanon as intolerable and a violation of international humanitarian law. Also: Japanese atomic bomb survivors win Nobel Peace Prize.

Lebanon says Israeli air strikes in two Beirut neighbourhoods have killed at least 22 people and wounded more than 100. Also: thousands rescued in Florida after Hurricane Milton swept through the US state.

Several people are reported dead after Hurricane Milton passed through Florida. Also: Health workers in Gaza say many killed in Israeli strike that hit a school, and Rafael Nadal announces retirement.

The US President Joe Biden says it is going to be one of the most destructive hurricanes to hit Florida in a century. Also: the Indian tycoon Ratan Tata dies aged 86, and how did the elephant get its wrinkles?

Officials in Florida have told more than five million people to evacuate, as one of the most powerful hurricanes in a century approaches. Also: the FBI arrests an Afghan man accused of planning a mass shooting.

The IDF is moving into a new area in the south-west of Lebanon, deploying a new division. Also, Interpol intensifies investigation into remains of murdered women in cold cases, and China slaps tariffs on European brandy.

Memorial services are held to mark a year since Hamas attacks when about 1,200 people were killed and many others were taken hostage. Japan cabinet photo mocked on social media and why students aren't reading books.

The Israeli offensive continues against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Huge explosions have again struck southern Beirut. Also: a woman gets a reply to her job application many, many years later.

We speak to a Canadian family and an elderly UK woman about the joy of Adopt a Grandparent -- which tackles loneliness while sharing life experiences. Also: Alaska's Fat Bear Week; and dozens of whacky cars.

Iran’s supreme leader tells a crowd in Tehran that the October 7th massacre was a 'legitimate act'. Also: EU hits China with EV sales tariffs, world's first ovarian cancer vaccine and Google Search's AI makeover.

A year on from the Hamas attack on Israel, Jackie Leonard and Katya Adler from The Global Story put BBC listener questions to our Middle East correspondent, Yolande Knell, and the BBC's security correspondent, Frank Gardner.

Oil prices rose after Joe Biden said he was discussing possible Israeli strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure. Also: the sequel to the asteroid which killed off dinosaurs, and the 31-year treasure hunt for the Golden Owl.

The UK is to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after 50 years but will keep military base on Diego Garcia. Also: Lebanon says two soldiers have been killed by Israel, as Israel continues its Hezbollah offensive.

Joe Biden says he doesn't support Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Also: scientists analyse 130,000 brain cells of a fruit fly, and the ban on 'honking' in the Bangladeshi capital.

Israel's military says a team commander has died in the fighting, a day after it announced its invasion. Also: we ask how Israel will respond to Iran's missile attack, and reaction from the US vice-president debate.

Israel says 180 missiles were fired from Iran, most of which were intercepted. Also: Mexico's first female president Claudia Sheinbaum has been sworn in.

Israel's ground invasion in Lebanon continues. Also: scientists warn it may be too late to save many of Switzerland's glaciers; and the play with no rehearsal or director.

Israel launches a "localised, targeted" ground operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, backed by air strikes and artillery fire. The US says it supports the incursion and warns against mission creep.

The Israeli military says troops are carrying out raids on villages in southern Lebanon, while further air strikes hit Beirut. Also: hundreds unaccounted for in the US in the aftermath of Hurricane Helen.

Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Qassem, says the group is ready if Israel invades Lebanon. Also: Marine Le Pen on trial accused of embezzling European parliamentary funds, and UK ends coal power after 142 years.

Lebanon's health ministry has said more than 50 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Sunday. Also: early results in Austria's general election indicate the far-right Freedom Party is heading for a victory.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says they have "settled the score" with the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, as Iran vows to avenge his death. Also: many killed and missing in Nepal floods.

The Iranian-backed group Hezbollah has described its leader Hassan Nasrallah as a martyr and vowed to continue its battle against Israel. An Israeli Defence Forces spokesman said his death made the world "a safer place".

At the One Young World summit in Canada, we meet leaders and innovators from around the world including a 22-year-old MP, a woman using AI to tackle cyberbullying, and the founder of a fashion brand praised by Beyoncé.

Huge blasts in Beirut as Israel attacks Hezbollah HQ, reportedly targeting the group’s leader. Also: the ongoing violence in Haiti, and the man asked to leave a restaurant because his face was scaring customers.

Hurricane Helene heads to US state of Georgia after hitting Florida. Also: Japan has a new prime minister; actress Maggie Smith dies.

Volodymyr Zelensky has outlined his Ukrainian victory plan at the White House; Kamala Harris warned other aggressors would become emboldened if Putin won. Also: a new map of the Milky Way, and the world's oldest cheese.

Israeli PM tells military to keep fighting with 'full force'. Also: President Biden announces the release of billions of dollars of aid for Ukraine, and the world's longest-serving death row inmate acquitted in Japan.

The army chief told troops to be ready for a cross-border ground operation. The UN says more than 90,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since Monday. Also: walking on the moon at Europe's lunar life simulator.

Officials say two days of attacks have created carnage across the country. Also: US IT firm CrowdStrike apologises for the world's worst computer glitch, and the country with a growing number of mountain gorillas.

The Lebanese government says 558 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since Monday. Meanwhile, Hezbollah rockets trigger alarms in Northern Israel. Also: Sweden accuses Iran of stirring up division through hacking.

Israel says it hit over one thousand Hezbollah targets and tells civilians in southern Lebanon to flee areas near the group's weapons. Also: Albania plans microstate within its borders.

Lebanon's health ministry says more than seven hundred people were injured in the bombardment. Also: Sri Lanka’s new president has been sworn in, and why vineyard owners need to adapt their wine with the times.

Israel and Hezbollah have threatened to increase their cross-border attacks, despite international appeals to calm the situation in the Middle East. Also: unknown Mozart music performed for first time in recent history.

We hear about the freedom and independence a visually impaired man found by running with an AI guide. Also: South Africa's hospital train; an usual diplomatic job share; and the dog whose love of binmen has gone viral.

Presenter: Jackie Leonard. Music composed by Iona Hampson

The woman who's beaten the odds to fulfil her childhood astronaut dream. Also: a photography camp for children in Belize; and Moo Deng, the viral baby pygmy hippo.

Our weekly collection of happy stories and positive news.

We dive into the unusual world of dog surfing and meet some of the surfers who take part in the sport's World Championships. Also, why the British rescue team are revisiting Morocco one year on from the earthquake.

China says it's ending overseas adoptions, creating uncertainty for those mid process. The growing cyber crime of sextortion. The US child deaths linked to declining bat population and the perils of sneezing.

We meet Manette, the 102 year old who has become the Britain's oldest skydiver. Also: as the Paralympics get underway, we hear the stories of inspiring athletes including USA swimmer, Ali Truwit, who was attacked by a shark.

Presenter: Rachel Wright. Music composed by Iona Hampson.

We hear about a huge summer water fight that brings joy to young and old at a preschool with a difference. All Seasons in Minnesota is run inside a care home for older people -- where the children learn from their elders, and make them smile. Also: How breastfeeding women helped an Orangutan at Dublin Zoo learn to care for her baby. The first person to swim from Italy to Albania tells us about the gruelling event - and how a delivery of ice cream in the middle of the sea kept her going. We meet the Nigerian table tennis players making history as the first African couple to compete at the Paralympics. And we hear about a new version of London's famous tube map.

Our weekly collection of happy stories and positive news from around the world.

This is a Bonus episode from The Global Story - Is Twitch too big to fail?

The world's largest live-streaming platform, Twitch, faces an uncertain future. Media reports suggest that parent company Amazon has become frustrated by its failure to make profit, and rumours are swirling of a third round of layoffs within a year. But does its loyal audience of 240 million active monthly users make it too big to fail? On this episode, Caitríona Perry is joined by BBC tech reporter Tom Gerken, and the BBC's former gaming correspondent Steffan Powell. They examine what makes Twitch unique, and discuss whether the platform is under threat from its rivals. This episode was made by Laurie Kalus and Tom Kavanagh. The technical producers were Ben Andrews and Jonny Baker. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith.

The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC World Service. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.

Meet the newlyweds with a twist; 87-year old Bev says it was love at first sight when 89-year-old Mark moved into the same care home as her. Also, the Olympic marathon runner who is celebrating coming last. Presenter: Oliver Conway. Music composed by Iona Hampson.

Hamas says more than 40,000 have been killed in Gaza since the war began ten months ago. Meanwhile new ceasefire talks have begun in Qatar - without Hamas. Also: India's Prime Minister condemns violence against women as anger sweeps the nation over the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata, North Korea to open to tourism after five years, Mark Zuckerberg reveals 'Roman' statue of his wife, should we go and live on Mars? And the new theatre and TV trend - age-blind casting.

We hear about the giant personalities of the panda pair bringing joy to the crowds at San Diego Zoo. The super relaxed male and curious, playful female are the first pandas sent to the US from China in more than twenty years.

Also: How Botswana celebrated its first gold medal at an Olympics with a nationwide party - and an afternoon off work. We hear from a woman who's defied tradition in southern Iraq to set up the region's first all female cafe. We visit Amsterdam's Offline Club -- where people have to ditch their smartphones and talk to people in real life. For the first time ever, there's space at the Olympics for breastfeeding and childcare. And how gold was followed by diamonds for one champion at the Olympics.

Our weekly collection of happy stories and positive news from around the world.

A new blood test for Alzheimer's appears to be able to spot the disease up to ten years before symptoms develop. It's hoped it could lead to earlier treatment and slow progression of the disease, giving patients better quality of life for longer. Also: The 50-year-old X Games champion, Andy MacDonald, who's aiming to outdo the teenagers in Olympic skateboarding. How Platypus Rescue HQ is hoping to help the animals make more babies, called puggles. Why a travel blogger in Germany woke up to dozens of messages from students in China. And, in a country famous for its food, what's on the menu for Olympic and Paralympic athletes?

Our weekly collection of happy stories and positive news from around the world.

This is a bonus episode from The Global Story - taking a look at a much-debated slogan, and a journey through the land that it refers to; from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean sea. Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas last year, the cry “From the River to the Sea” has been heard more and more as a pro-Palestinian slogan. But what river? What sea? And what exactly does the phrase mean? It is the subject of intense controversy. BBC Current Affairs journalist Tim Whewell joins our presenter Lucy Hockings to discuss his journey from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea, across a tiny stretch of land - that is perhaps the most argued-over in the world. The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC World Service. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.

With the Paris Olympics underway, we hear about Beacon -- the therapy dog that's helped the USA Gymnastics team cope with the pressure and stress of competitive sport. His handler and owner, Tracey, tells us his friendly face and intuitive nature make him perfect for the job -- and that some of the gymnasts even talk to him.

Also: the first horse rider from the Arab world to qualify for Olympic equestrian eventing tells us it's a huge honour to represent the region's history.

How a new type of IVF is helping protect the future of threatened southern white Rhinos.

A woman who travelled solo across Africa on a motorcycle says the three month journey made her feel alive.

We're in Denmark to learn about a project that helps people with mental health issues - by prescribing a course of museum visits, concerts and other cultural activities.

And we find out about the Olympic couples competing in the city of love.

Our weekly collection of happy stories and positive news from around the world.

Presenter: Jannat Jalil. Music composed by Iona Hampson.

Ambassador Lim Ki-mo started singing Brazilian songs at public events to raise spirits during the covid pandemic. Videos posted online went viral and he was invited to perform at a famous Samba club in Rio. He tells us it's an expression of his joy and love for Brazil but he never expected to become so popular.

Also: With the Paris Olympics and Paralympics approaching, we meet some of the athletes representing the Refugee Team after having to flee their home countries.

Has Dublin experienced the biggest earthquake of Taylor Swift's Eras tour? Experts detected seismic waves from Shake It Off more than a hundred kilometers away.

We hear how a new type of tourism is bringing money to local communities across Thailand. There's good news for a critically endangered crocodile in Cambodia -- with a record breaking hatching of babies. And why a man left unable to talk or move after a stroke aged just 16 is mentoring children and writing his life story.

Our weekly collection of happy stories and positive news from around the world.

When listener Sophia decided to donate a kidney to a stranger through a domino transplant scheme, her teenage daughter Katie objected. But years later, Katie decided to do the same - inspired by the chain of goodness her mother started, and the joy of meeting organ recipients at the transplant games. Also: Big Ocean - the first K-pop band whose members all have hearing impairments. As the Paris Olympics approach, we look back at the amazing story of two athletes who chose to share gold in Tokyo. Wild horses return to Kazakhstan for the first time in over two hundred years, thanks to a zoo breeding programme. The innovative system helping grow crops in arid regions with less water. And the children who got to perform at London's famous Royal Opera House.

Our weekly collection of happy stories and positive news from around the world.

Imagine bumping into a stranger who has the power and kindness to make your dreams come true. Listener Uta tells us how her chance meeting with Harry led to a place at the University she'd thought was out of reach -- and changed her life forever. They talk about why you should take a chance on strangers and always be willing to help others. Also: We hear from the inspiring young woman helping farmers boost their crops in Kenya using artificial intelligence. Why K-pop stars New Jeans are guiding people around a museum in Europe. The Indonesian women playing heavy metal in hijabs to break down stereotypes. Scientists find lifelong learning isn't reserved for humans -- chimps can do it too. And the world's first school exam in skateboarding.

Our weekly collection of positive stories and happy news from around the world.

Preschool teacher Carissa got tested as soon as she heard her former pupil, 5 year old Ezra, needed a liver transplant. She tells us she didn't think twice about donating and wants him to be able to do 'five year old things'. Ezra's mum Karen says she's overwhelmed that someone would be willing to do something so selfless and giving for her son. Also: A new drug that could protect women from getting HIV with just two injections a year. The extraordinary Euro 2024 football victory that's helped a country believe in itself. How volunteers managed to save priceless works of art at the start of the war in Ukraine. We're back in Finland for an equestrian competition with no animals - where people jump and ride wooden stick toys called hobby horses. And we hear from Debbie Wileman - whose lockdown social videos have led to a new career as a Judy Garland impersonator. Our weekly collection of happy news and positive stories from around the world.

When Celia's daughter asked about regrets, she posted a message about a puffin sweater she wished she'd bought. Just days later, a man she'd never met sent her the exact same one for free - saying it felt so good to be kind. Also: The earthquakes being caused by enthusiastic fans during Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. A BBC radio programme reaches 46 people celebrating mid winter in Antarctica. How artificial intelligence could help us understand what dogs are trying to say. Why a sculptor decided to create dozens of art galleries and museums around the world - underwater. And the festival celebrating the enduring traditions of Flamenco dancing - and bringing it into the twenty first century.

Our weekly collection of happy news and positive stories from around the world.

This week's edition comes from Finland, the country repeatedly crowned the happiest in the world, and the Helsinki Happiness Hacks event introduced people - selected from thousands of applicants across the globe - to Finns willing to share the secrets of their contentment. These include skateboarding, dancing with friends, messy art, walking barefoot, ice cream for breakfast, and of course, a sauna. And we explore how happiness is measured and why a dose of pessimism doesn’t preclude happiness.

Christian nearly drowned while swimming in the sea in Italy as a child. He returned to the beach with his wife and child - only to find that Yuri, the man who saved his life, was still there. The two men tell us about their emotional reunion and the profound effect the experience has had on them. Also: The New York couple who found a safe full of cash, and get to keep it, thanks to the increasingly popular hobby of magnet fishing. We speak to Yazzy Chamberlain and her grandad John, whose duets of classic songs have earned them millions of online viewers -- including Coldplay. How the powers of nature are being used to help solve water shortages in Mexico City by cleaning polluted rivers. The skull of a giant prehistoric bird known as the demon duck has been found in Australia. And don't waste a moment - the final message from Rob Burrow, rugby league star and Motor Neurone Disease campaigner.

Our weekly collection of happy news and positive stories from around the world.

To combat over-working culture, South Koreans have taken part in the annual 'space-out' competition, where they must simply sit still and do absolutely nothing for 90 minutes. But, they must not fall asleep.

Also: meet the podcasters hoping to promote friendship between Morocco and Algeria, a hungry sea lion who hitched a ride with some rowers in Los Angeles, a potentially groundbreaking new treatment which could help restore movements to paralysed people, and the power of vibrations harnessed in sound therapy.

Our weekly collection of happy news and positive stories from around the world

How an injured greyhound found her voice, accompanying her adopted human 'big sister' while she plays the piano. Georgia, who now has a huge social media following, has a particular talent for opera. Also: The man who nearly became America's first black astronaut finally makes it into space -- the oldest person ever to do so. Meanwhile the spaceships of the future, imagined by children from around the world, have been flying over New York. We meet the man who spent twelve years fighting to save a forest from mining - and won. And, after seagull boy and lion girl, goat woman.

Our weekly collection of happy news and positive stories from around the world.

We hear from Georgia Laurie on the 'superhero move' to save her twin sister from a crocodile that's earned her a bravery award from King Charles. Her sister Melissa tells us how Georgia's singing helped her fight for her life. Also: Bringing the joy of Irish dancing to a global stage -- the Gardiner Brothers, Michael and Matthew, talk about their rise to social media fame. We go to Thailand to find out what happens if you let children take control of their school. Sven the heartbroken reindeer finds new love after generous donors helped pay for a new stable mate. Why Stevie Wonder wanted to become a citizen of Ghana. And the girls football team who went from losing every game to winning their local cup -- beating a boys team five divisions above them. Our weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world.

The volunteers restoring the beautiful beaches of Bali and beyond by clearing plastic pollution from Indonesia's rivers, and upcycling it into chairs. The profits are used to fund more river clean ups. The deaf toddler who has near normal hearing after groundbreaking gene therapy. Why are hundreds of sea lions gathering at Pier 39 in San Francisco? After seagull boy, we bring you lion girl - the five year old whose amazing lion roar has been viewed millions of times. We chat to two old friends who reconnected -- and then studied why old friends find it hard to reconnect. And we meet the football fan who moved to a new country to support his team in the English Premier League.

Our weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world.

This week, the adventures of Galena the cat who ended up hundreds of kilometres from home after climbing into a box. Also: How a stick on patch can vaccinate children against measles and rubella -- without the need for doctors or nurses. And video-calling isn't just for people, it's for parrots too. The happiest stories in the world - our weekly collection.

This week, we meet one of the hundreds of ballerinas who balanced on their toes in New York to set a new world record. Also: how a generous stranger gave a kidney to a five-year-old girl. And we hear from Europe's best seagull impersonator.

Human Rights Watch report says children were among those killed in what it calls one of the worst army abuse incidents in Burkina Faso in nearly a decade. Also: The US Secretary of State is in Beijing as the world's largest economies try to mend their relationship - will it work? We hear mixed reactions to a new tourist tax in Venice, and how did the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret club in Paris lose the sails of its windmill?

This week, we meet the teenager whose dancing in the rain in Nigeria brought online fame that's inspired a documentary. Also: The Mongolian Yak herders helping to make fashion sustainable. And how a four-legged tour guide is keeping visitors on the right track.

This week, we meet the 105 year-old man celebrating his thirteenth total solar eclipse. Also: The AI technology giving back a voice to the voiceless. And our intrepid reporter goes in search of the crookie.

This week, the remarkable rescue of a reindeer herder from Lapland's frozen wilderness. Also: how music is helping refugees heal from war in Uganda. And how a young sumo wrestler has earned a place in the history books

Ten-year-old Zeke and his mum want your help to track down a Japanese football fan who gave him a much loved football shirt. Also: the woman who broke eleven running records in six days, the elephant seals tracking climate change, and some very rare baby frogs.

This week, Finland has been voted the happiest country in the world for the seventh year running, we find out why. Also: The mountain rescue team who survived a helicopter crash and saved a man stranded in a crevasse. And ding dong, who's there, a fish!

A bonus episode from The Global Story podcast. What keeps China’s president up at night? The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC, with Katya Adler. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

This week, the singer Jordan Davis tells us how the need for more positive and uplifting stories inspired his latest song, Good News Sold. Also: the school children surfing the web without internet access, and the birth of a rare, bright orange baby monkey.

A bonus episode from The Global Story podcast. Could just 100,000 people decide the US election? The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC, with Katya Adler. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

This week, how Nasa is harnessing the power of sound to help people visualise the universe. Also: we meet the man making bees whoop. And the woman making history in college basketball.

A bonus episode from The Global Story podcast. Trump’s trouble with abortion. The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC, with Katya Adler. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

This week, a former professor donates $1 billion to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Also: the felines and felons providing mutual support in Chile, and do apes have a sense of humour?

A bonus episode from The Global Story podcast. Bengal famine: The WWii trajgedy the world forgot. The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC, with Katya Adler. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

This week, we hear from Africa's first bobsleigh champion. Also: the Spanish football club doing its bit to make the beautiful game greener. And how foxes are providing therapy in the Florida Keys.

For two years, the Russian president Vladimir Putin has been waging a brutal conflict in Ukraine - the bloodiest in Europe since the Second World War. But after tens of thousands of deaths on both sides who has the upper hand? What is life like in Ukraine, and Russia, today? And when will the killing end? The Global News Podcast and Ukrainecast have come together to answer your questions.

This week, the eight-year-old boy who sang in front of tens of thousands of people at a rugby international. Also: the campaign encouraging appreciation of the people who do the vital job of waste picking in India. And how a penguin helps out his short-sighted friend.

This week, the French model-maker celebrating a world record that he nearly missed out on due to a technicality. Also: a guide to the Lunar New Year celebrations. And can you tell the mood of a chicken by its cluck?

Why are millions of apartments in China sitting empty? How has the country managed to produce as much cement in two years as the US did in the last century? For a special edition celebrating the Lunar New Year, the BBC's Asia Pacific editor Celia Hatton looks at the significance of eight numbers representing different aspects of modern China. Celia teams up with some of the BBC's China correspondents and analysts to look at topics ranging from China's marriage rates to its zodiac calendar.

This week, the adventures and safe recapture of a runaway monkey in Scotland. Also: how scientists tracked down four previously undiscovered penguin colonies. And, the "Motorbike Grandma" riding the length and breadth of China.

This week, pioneering work using ultrasound In the treatment of both Alzheimer's and addictions. Also: a water skiing world record, and how a chatbot for a parcel delivery service went rogue

This week, we meet the teen rescuers who saved a couple from drowning in Barbados. Also: the pioneering heart transplant for a newborn hailed as a success. And, ending homelessness the Finnish way.

Five people were rescued from a system of underground lakes in southern Slovenia. Also: scientists say they've decoded a baby's cry. And, the mouse that's been caught tidying up a garden shed.

Grace Hart's artwork was accidentally thrown away, only to end up in the Pakistani city of Lahore. Also: the jewellery store owners in Hawaii helping to restore precious items damaged in wildfires. And, the teenage darts player, 'Luke the Nuke', taking the sport to new audiences.

Our weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world. This week, how a settlement in Norway is taking a unique approach to mobile phone etiquette, after getting signal for the first time. Also: the man who composes music on TikTok to tell short stories. And we look ahead at what's to come in the worlds of sport and music in 2024.

Our annual review of the happiest stories in the world. We look back on the successful rescue mission from a dangling cable car in Pakistan. Also: the children who survived forty days lost in the Colombian jungle. And a round-up of our favourite animal stories from around the world.

Our weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world. This week, how cooking is bringing generations together in the Netherlands. Also: how polar bear pawprints can help conservation efforts. And an unexpected visitor found in a Christmas tree.

We've teamed up with The Conflict podcast to answer your questions. These include Russia's role, the reaction from Israel, and what we can all do to be part of the solution.

These include why Hamas attacked Israel, the fate of the hostages, Israel's response so far, and whether both sides can overcome the trauma of their past.

The build up to the Hamas attack, why now and what happens next? Is there any hope for peace between Israel and the Palestinians?

What is AI? What can it do and what are its current limitations? A tool for good - or should we be worried? Will we lose our jobs? Are we ready to be cared for by machines? Our Tech Editor, Zoe Kleinman, and a panel of international experts explore AI's impact on healthcare, the environment, the law and the arts in a special edition recorded at Science Gallery London.

In June, the US Supreme Court overruled Roe v Wade and ended the constitutional right to abortion in America. In a special episode, we investigate the changing dynamic of abortion rights globally in countries like Colombia, China and Ireland. We'll also be examining the restrictions still faced by women in Africa and places like Malta and El Salvador.

Audio for this episode was updated on 4 July 2022, due to a factual error in an earlier version.

Is the nuclear threat real? What does Putin want? Who is winning the war in Ukraine? We took questions on the invasion from young people around the world and looked for answers from BBC correspondents.

Jackie Leonard speaks to Martin Forster, a senior child psychologist with the healthcare company, Kry, in Sweden. Listeners' questions are tackled by Vitaliy Shevchenko, Paul Adams, Theo Leggett, Lyse Doucet and Mark Lowen.

A month since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we are collaborating with Ukrainecast again. We answer more of your questions.

Jackie Leonard, presenter of the Global News Podcast, alongside Gabriel Gatehouse and Vitaliy Shevchenko from Ukrainecast, guide us through questions about civilian life in the country, military tactics, and the international response to the invasion.

BBC chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet, joins us from Kyiv to talk through what is happening on the ground there, and BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner, tells us the latest on the physical and information war.

This episode was made by Chris Flynn. The studio director was Ash Taylor. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham.

Our experts in Moscow, Kyiv and London answer your questions about the crisis.

As the Omicron variant spreads around the world and cases surge, BBC correspondents tell us how Covid-19 is impacting our lives, our businesses and our economies.

BBC correspondents answer your questions about the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. We ask how did the Taliban overthrow the Afghan government so quickly? What now for human rights, the economy and international relations?

Photo:People on board an evacuation flight out of Kabul airport, August 21, 2021 Credit:MoD/PA Wire

We team up with the award-winning Brexitcast team to bring you a special update on what Britain leaving the EU means for you. You’ve sent us questions from around the world and Jackie Leonard puts them to the experts from the podcast that’s all about Brexit. There’s also cake, phew. Spread the word! #GlobalNewsPod #Brexitcast Find the Brexitcast podcast here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/brexitcast