Global News

Joe Biden commutes dozens of death sentences

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.

23 Dec 9AM 33 min

Syria's new leader says armed factions will come under state control

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

22 Dec 6PM 32 min

The Global Story: Does Trump’s return threaten the future of Nato?

Donald Trump's return to the White House is seen as a potential threat to European security. Some think he may abandon Nato - but the organisation's new secretary general seems convinced he will be persuaded to stay.

22 Dec 8AM 24 min

Five dead and 200 injured in Magdeburg Christmas market 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.

21 Dec 6PM 32 min

The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life

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.

21 Dec 7AM 28 min

Fatalities and injuries in German Christmas market attack

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.

20 Dec 7PM 29 min

US sends diplomats to Syria

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.

20 Dec 9AM 30 min

Murder suspect Luigi Mangione faces charges in New York court

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.

19 Dec 7PM 32 min

Guilty verdicts and jail sentences in France's biggest rape trial

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

19 Dec 9AM 30 min

Syria's de facto leader says the country is not a threat to its neighbours or the west

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.

18 Dec 6PM 32 min

Man detained after Russian general's assassination

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.

18 Dec 9AM 28 min

US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach

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.

17 Dec 6PM 31 min

Russia's chemical weapons chief killed in Moscow bomb blast

Igor Kirillov died in the explosion on Tuesday. Also; a powerful earthquake flattens buildings and cuts communications in Vanuatu, and how one letter was delivered to the wrong address thousands of kilometres away.

17 Dec 9AM 27 min

The rebels turned rulers providing law and order in Syria

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.

16 Dec 6PM 28 min

French ministers arrive in Mayotte after devastating cyclone

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.

16 Dec 9AM 29 min

Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone

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.

15 Dec 6PM 28 min

The Global Story: The AI models invading our feeds

AI generated influencers are being criticised for creating unrealistic beauty standards and promoting unattainable lifestyle goals. But are their feeds any less 'real' than the enhanced profiles we have been exposed to for years?

15 Dec 7AM 25 min

South Korea's president impeached

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.

14 Dec 5PM 26 min

The Happy Pod: The cafe spreading the joy of dance

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.

14 Dec 7AM 26 min

The secret police's grip on Syria under Assad

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.

13 Dec 6PM 29 min