Global News Podcast

The US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has called Hamas' response to a Gaza ceasefire plan 'totally unacceptable'. Also: What two astronauts did when they were stuck in space, and the life of India's 'Tiger Man'.

Why the ancient English tradition of chasing a giant cheese down a steep hill is gathering crowds from around the world. Also: a life saving donation from a stranger half a world away; and Brazil's beatboxing nuns.

Donald Trump has heaped praise on Elon Musk at a press conference marking his exit from the US government. Also: The scientist behind the abortion pill dies, and Taylor Swift buys back her master recordings.

UN says the world must do more to save the entire population of Gaza from famine. Also: BBC finds the EU has spent more on Russian oil and gas than aid to Ukraine, and do parents know best when it comes to child health?

US President Donald Trump can keep collecting import taxes, an appeals court has ruled, a day after a ruling found the sweeping global tariffs to be illegal. Also: Chinese paraglider survives 8,000m-high flight.

Israeli ministers say 22 new Jewish settlements have been approved in the occupied West Bank - the biggest expansion in decades. Also: A US federal court blocks many of President Donald Trump's trade tariffs.

A special report from the frontline in eastern Ukraine where Russian forces are advancing. Also: remembering the renowned Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong'o, and saving lives with a defibrillator on Mount Everest.

Germany's Merz promises to help Ukraine produce long-range missiles. Also: the latest from Gaza, 20 years in jail for French paedophile, experts warn the Earth is 'profoundly ill' and a flying car takes off in England.

Thousands of Palestinians have stormed an aid distribution site in Gaza set up by a US and Israeli-backed group, a day after it began working there. Also: a Turkish bakery revives a 5,000-year-old bread recipe.

The first aid delivery into Gaza by a US and Israeli-backed group has been dismissed by the UN as a "distraction". Also: King Charles is to deliver a key speech in Canada's parliament, and the world's oldest human fingerprint.

The US envoy Steve Witkoff rejects a claim by Hamas that it has accepted an American plan for a Gaza truce. Also: car drives into Liverpool football fans, and the Blue Danube waltz is to be broadcast to deep space.

Rescue workers in Gaza describe 'horrific' scenes, after an Israeli strike on a school killed dozens. Israel said it had targeted Hamas. Also: the latest from Ukraine, as Donald Trump calls Putin 'crazy'.

Family of George Floyd promise to continue campaign for racial justice. Also: Spain calls for arms embargo against Israel over the war in Gaza. And male MPs in New Zealand describe their clothing to support female colleague.

Ukraine says almost all prisoners released by Russia in the latest exchange were beaten, isolated and brainwashed. Also: an Iranian film shot in secret wins the top prize in Cannes, and the Viagra of the Himalayas.

We hear how a man travelling the world with a cuddly duck has encouraged thousands to open up about mental health problems. Also: a roaring success for India's lions; and Kermit the Frog urges graduates to leap together.Presenter: Valerie Sanderson Music: Iona Hampson

President Trump threatens a 50% tariff on all goods sent to the US from the EU. Also: a gang is found guilty of the Kim Kardashian jewellery heist in Paris, and the Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Salgado dies aged 81.

Ukraine and Russia exchange hundreds of prisoners, which President Trump says "could lead to something big." Also: we look at the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and in Norway a man finds a ship in his garden.

The Trump administration bans Harvard from enrolling foreign students. Also: Israel blames critics of its war on Gaza for the murder of two US embassy staff, and why the Netherlands accuses Belgium of stealing wind.

Israel's foreign minister says antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement linked to the war in Gaza lay behind the killing of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington. Also: China stakes its claim to the Arctic.

US President Donald Trump confronted his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House, claiming that white farmers were being "persecuted" in the country. Also: climbing Everest using Xenon gas.

Sudan's army says it has liberated all of Khartoum state from the paramilitary RSF. Also: the UN says new aid supplies have still not been distributed in Gaza, and rapid test could improve treatment for brain tumours.

The United Nations says no aid has yet been distributed in Gaza despite aid lorries starting to cross the border after an 11-week blockade. Also: Sesame Street heads to Netflix after Trump cut PBS funding.

The UN says Israel to allow 100 aid lorries to enter Gaza; Also: President Trump's real estate company in talks to build tower in Vietnam as it tries to head off huge US export tariffs; and why does the universe exist?

US President Donald Trump says Russia and Ukraine will "immediately" start negotiating towards a ceasefire, after a phone call with Vladimir Putin. Also: videos show capuchin monkeys kidnapping babies of another species.

Israel vows to 'take control of all' of Gaza to prevent Hamas from looting aid. Also: a BBC investigation finds evidence that children are being trafficked into illegal mines in South Africa and sexually abused.

The former US president Joe Biden was diagnosed with prostate cancer on Friday after seeing a doctor for urinary symptoms. Also: Israel says it will allow "basic amount" of food into Gaza, ending 10-week blockade.

Donald Trump has said he will call Vladimir Putin on Monday to stop the Ukraine 'bloodbath'. Also: Reuniting Chile's stolen children with their birth parents, and the theft of a statue of Melania Trump.

Listener Tania tells us how stories on The Happy Pod helped her fight for life after a near fatal mountain fall. Now she's determined to inspire others. Also: a park designed in a computer game becomes a reality; why happiness boosts vaccines; and the cheerleading businessmen.

The first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in more than three years have ended without a ceasefire agreement. Also: a man who attacked the author Salman Rushdie is jailed for 25 years

Airstrikes in north Gaza kill nearly 100 Palestinians. Trump ends Mideast trip with business deals but no Israeli hostage breakthrough. Russia-Ukraine peace talks start in Turkey. Plus: Eurovision finalists confirmed

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Ukraine breakthrough not likely until President Trump meets Vladimir Putin. Also: power cuts in Sudan after drone strikes on power stations.

Palestinians in Gaza say they are facing another Nakba on the anniversary of their "catastrophe". Also: President Zelensky calls Russian peace talks delegates "stand-in props" and the lost Magna Carta found at Harvard.

President Trump announces a series of deals between the US and Qatar, including a huge order for Boeing jets. Also: President Putin is not on the Kremlin list of officials attending Ukraine peace talks in Turkey.

Donald Trump has met Syria's president Ahmed al-Sharaa after announcing a surprise decision to lift US sanctions on the government in Damascus. Also: the remarkable first aid abilities of chimpanzees.

President Trump agrees $142bn arms deal with Saudi Arabia during a trip to the Gulf. Also: new hope for patients with breast cancer BRCA gene, and Basel hosts first Eurovision semi-final.

President Trump has met Saudi Arabia's crown prince in his first foreign trip since returning to the White House. Also: tennis stars Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic end their working partnership after just six months

The Israeli-American hostage, Edan Alexander, arrives in Israel after being released from captivity by Hamas. Also: Sean Diddy Combs' sex-trafficking trial begins, and can Ancelotti fix Brazil's football?

Stock markets rally as US and China agree to slash tariffs for at least 90 days. Also: Kurdish PKK militants end armed struggle against Turkey and Mounjaro and Wegovy go head to head in weight loss trial.

President Zelensky has challenged President Putin to meet him after Donald Trump demanded they talk. Also: Hamas to free a hostage after direct talks with the US, and Pope Leo's call for an end to all wars.

Pakistan and India have accused each other of violating the truce which ended four days of attacks. Also: Syrian Jews return home, and some confusion over the return to Earth of parts of an old Soviet spacecraft.

We meet a man learning to read in his thirties, and inspiring others. He overcame embarrassment to share his journey on his TikTok, Oliver Speaks. Also: laughter yoga; rehoming chimps; and an 81-year-old female Ironman.

Pakistan accuses India of bringing them closer to a major conflict while India said it repulsed Pakistani assaults. Also: Robert Prevost's "head was in his hands" when he became pope and the Soviet spacecraft's return.