Global News Podcast

Donald Trump has repeated his desire to control Greenland as a matter of national security, targeting Russian and Chinese interest in the Arctic. Competition is heating up over shipping routes and stores of natural resources.

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.

The authorities in Los Angeles say the strong winds that have spread wildfires over a wide area are likely to continue for several more days. Also: is A.I. dubbing the future for foreign-language dramas and films?

We meet a Texas woman whose donated breastmilk helped thousands of premature babies. Also: surviving thirteen days alone in Australia's mountains; a chess playing NBA star; and appealing for friends to tackle loneliness.

In Los Angeles, a night-time curfew has been imposed in areas impacted by the devastating wildfires, as police warn against looting. Also: a Stradivarius violin heads to auction with an estimated $18m price tag.

EU scientists say 2024 was the warmest year on record, and the first to exceed the 1.5C global warming limit. Also: Los Angeles residents return to their burnt-out homes, and is time running out for TikTok?

The Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has emerged from hiding to lead anti-Maduro protests. Also: extracting what may be the world’s oldest Antarctic ice, and the etiquette of air kissing.

A crescent of flames looms over Los Angeles as wildfires burn. Firefighters manage to bring under control the blaze that had been threatening Hollywood. Also: the dangerous journey across the Darien Gap jungle.

At least two people have died as wildfires rage uncontrolled in several parts of Los Angeles. President Biden has promised extra help. Also: Egypt hails possibly the greatest find since the discovery of Tutankhamun.

Los Angeles' mayor says windstorms will worsen. Also: European nations warn borders must not be altered by force - after Trump threatens Greenland. And China steps up relief efforts for the earthquake in Tibet.

Donald Trump has threatened to seize Greenland and the Panama Canal. Also: the climber who spent an earthquake up Mount Everest, and the Italian residents who are banned from becoming seriously ill.

A big earthquake has killed more than 100 people in Tibet and wrecked the Buddhist holy city of Shigatse. Also: the French far-right leader Jean Marie Le Pen has died, and the weird and wonderful species under threat.

Canada's PM Justin Trudeau has resigned, citing 'internal battles' in his governing Liberal party. Also: the drink absinthe, once banned by governments and now rehabilitated, and what does silence sound like?

South Korea's political chaos worsens as police refuse to arrest the impeached President. Also: Russia says it has captured a key town in eastern Ukraine, and the wild cat that's come back from the brink of extinction.

A state of emergency is declared across parts of the United States as a major winter storm brings chaos to road, air and train travel. Also: prisoners in a high security jail try to find redemption through singing.

A motorcade carrying the body of the former US president, Jimmy Carter, has arrived in Atlanta -- the capital of his home state, Georgia. He will lie in repose for a few days for the public to pay their respects.

Meet the Buz Stop Boys, a group of volunteers helping to clean the streets of Ghana. Also, the treehouse escape for people with chronic illnesses, and the Hawaiian crow which went extinct in 2002 returns to the wild.

Presenter: Nick Miles. Music composed by Iona Hampson

Trump-backed Mike Johnson has been re-elected as US House Speaker in the first round of voting, after overcoming a Republican revolt. Also: Apple to pay $95m to settle Siri "listening" lawsuit.

South Korean police called off an attempt to arrest the suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol, following a long standoff with his security team. Anti-corruption officers have appealed to the acting president to intervene.

The FBI says the man who carried out a deadly attack in New Orleans was acting alone, and he had declared his support for ISIS militants. Also: do you use traditional maps or an app to find your way around a city?

Details have emerged about some of the 15 people killed in New Orleans on New Year's Day. Also: Syria's new Islamist-led administration outlines changes to education, and huge footprints reveal how dinosaurs got around

US authorities say they do not believe the man who rammed his truck into New Year revellers acted alone. Also: a Tesla Cybertruck explodes outside Trump Tower in Las Vegas, and the shipping forecast celebrates 100 years.

Ten killed in New Orleans as a truck drives into crowds in the French Quarter. Also, the flow of gas from Russia to Europe stops as Ukraine refuses to renew a transit deal and trains are 200 years old this year.

A judge in Ecuador orders the detention of sixteen military personnel over the disappearance of four boys whose badly burned bodies have been found outside an air force base.

Six babies in Gaza have died from the cold weather within a two week period according to local health officials.

Russia and Ukraine carry out a major prisoner swap with at least 300 people set free. Also: The UN warns of climate breakdown after a 'decade of deadly heat', and what will make people want to have more children?

Joe Biden leads tributes to former President Jimmy Carter as his humanitarian legacy is celebrated. Also: uncertainty in Ukraine - we hear from the frontline, and 5 charged in connection with popstar Liam Payne's death.

Carter went on to become an international statesman and human rights campaigner. Also: South Korea mourns the victims of its worst-ever air disaster. And incumbent in Croatia elections fails to avoid second round.

179 people were killed when a plane crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea. It burst into flames after skidding off the runway and hitting a wall. The only survivors were two members of the flight crew.

The Russian president apologises over the downing of an Azerbaijani plane in Russian airspace - without directly taking blame. Also: chess champion walks out of tournament over jeans row.

We meet the family who kept their shop open on Christmas Day to help locals feel less lonely. Also, the parents creating visual memories for their children and the restaurant where most of the staff have Down's Syndrome.

Mexico has announced an emergency strategy to protect migrants in the US, after president-elect, Donald Trump, threatened to deport millions of illegal people. Also: the virtual blaze that is an internet success.

Nato steps up efforts to protect cables in the Baltic Sea after a power line is cut between Finland and Estonia. Russia accused of sabotage. Also: Another impeachment in South Korea, and NASA sun probe makes history.

Israeli airstrikes have hit a number of sites in Yemen, after Houthi militants have been targeting Israel and vessels in the Red Sea. Also: Bald eagle officially declared US national bird after nearly 250 years.

Memorial events have been held around the Indian Ocean to mark 20 years since the tsunami that killed more than 220,000 people. Also: Did Russia down an Azerbaijani plane? And the rise of non-alcoholic wine.

The happiest stories of 2024 - from the extraordinary achievement in raising Notre Dame Cathedral from the ashes, to the success of the chopsticks manoeuvre to catch a rocket booster; and the baby hippo who went viral.

Armed men in Haiti kill at least two journalists and a police officer, after opening fire at the reopening of its biggest public hospital. Also: Syria’s rebel factions agree to merge under the defence ministry.

The probe is plunging into the sun's outer atmosphere, amid brutal temperatures. Also; the UN warns that famine is spreading in Sudan, with Darfur among the worst affected regions.

A long-awaited report into Matt Gaetz says the former congressman paid for sex and drugs while in office. Also: marches take place in Magdeburg, and a new government in France after days of political turmoil.

The president switched 37 capital punishment convictions to life in prison without parole. Also: motoring giants Nissan and Honda take their first steps to merge, and tactics taken in South Korea to increase the country’s birth rate.

Turkey says there's no room for Kurdish militias in Syria's future. Also: Germany promises a thorough investigation into the Magdeburg attack.

The German city of Magdeburg is in mourning after a Christmas attack killed five. We hear the possible motives of the suspect. Also: Albania shuts down TikTok, and in Guatamala children are rescued from a sect.

A man filmed playing the piano while homeless went viral. Now he's raising money for others and says it's saved his life. Also: showing love with Christmas lights; how a cat saved its owner; and AI spots dolphin accents.

A car has been driven into a crowd at a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg. There have been a number of fatalities and injuries.

US diplomats are visiting Syria to hold talks with the new de facto leader. Also: a new attempt to find the wreckage of missing flight MH370, and a controversial new TV game show, Beast Games.

Luigi Mangione, the suspect accused of fatally shooting a US healthcare insurance executive, has been extradited to New York to face new federal charges. Also: the ground squirrels in California that are hunting voles.

In a major trial in France, Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men are jailed for repeatedly raping his wife Gisèle. Also, Israeli jets attack Houthi targets in Yemen, and Czech experts restore damaged Ukrainian artworks.

Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa told the BBC that Syria is exhausted by war and is not a threat to its neighbours or to the west. Also: listen to the 'earliest known country song' ever recorded.

Russia has detained an Uzbek man suspected of assassinating an army general. Russia says the suspect was recruited by Ukraine. Also: The UN warns Syria is unable to cope with large numbers of refugees returning home.

After months of deadlock, there are new signs that Israel and Hamas could be moving closer to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. Also: repairs are to be carried out on Venice's "slippery" glass bridge.

Syria's new rulers pledge to protect minority Alawite community in Latakia after recent attacks. Also: Germany’s chancellor loses vote of confidence, and hundreds of new species are found in Mekong in south east Asia.

France to provide relief and security to people in Mayotte, after Saturday's destructive cyclone. Also: Western powers step up their engagement with the new rulers of Syria. And Serbia accuses journalists of spying.

Hundreds, possibly thousands, are feared dead in cyclone-hit Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. Also: the previously unheard stories of women inside Iran’s Evin Prison, and the world's biggest iceberg - on the move again.

South Korea's Parliament impeaches President Yoon over failed martial law bid. The USA says it’s engaging with Islamists who ousted Syria’s President Assad - and cyclone Chido wreaks havoc on French territory Mayotte.

We hear from a cafe in Massachusetts that spreads joy by asking customers to dance as they enter. Also: the toys made from cigarette butts; a community library destroyed by fire reopens; and Italy's festive Krampus Run.

Revelations of how the secret police controlled society under Assad. Also: the mystery of huge drones spotted in the US, and how fidgeting can drive others mad - and what psychologists can do to help.

Streets were packed and revolutionary music blared out across Syria to mark the end of the Assad regime. Also: health misinformation on the Diary of a CEO podcast, and why pets are the big winners this Christmas.

US top diplomat Antony Blinken holds talks with President Erdogan on establishing stability in Syria. Also: an 18-year-old Indian becomes youngest world chess champion, and Kyrgyzstan wants to update its national anthem.

US president commutes around 1,500 sentences and pardons 39 people. Also: inside Syria's abandoned presidential palace, recreational use of cannabis banned in Japan, and the secret to being happy at work.

Syrian rebel fighters have destroyed the tomb of late president Hafez al-Assad, father of ousted president Bashar, in the family's home town of Qardaha. Also: "Christmas lights" galaxy reveals how Universe formed.

Security guards at presidential office in Seoul try to stop police from getting martial law documents. Also: new Syrian PM promises to guarantee rights for all religions, and humpback whale makes epic migration.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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 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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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