Global News Podcast

Donald Trump says he's no longer planning to charge ships for using the Strait of Hormuz, as the US battles to break Iran's hold on the waterway. Trump said the toll would be replaced by "massive" trade and investment deals with Gulf states. Also: US banks are making huge profits despite rising inflation. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been told to halt most vehicle stops nationwide immediately, following a pair of fatal shootings in Texas and Maine involving ICE agents. Another record-breaking heatwave has hit parts of Canada and the US, bringing extreme temperatures and poor air quality. At the FIFA World Cup, Spain have beaten France to secure a place in the final. A 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus Rex has become the most expensive dinosaur fossil ever.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: A ship using the Strait of Hormuz Credit: Reuters

Locals in Maine have gathered to protest against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown after a 26-year-old Colombian man was shot dead during an ICE operation in the state. It was the second fatal shooting by US immigration officers in less than a week. State lawmakers say Joan Sebastian Guerrero, identified by a neighbour, was not the intended target of a warrant.

Also: nearly a month after the US and Iran signed their interim peace deal, the two sides appear back where they started - with rival blockages on the Strait of Hormuz. Solar becomes EU's largest energy source for the first time. The eight week kidnap ordeal of schoolchildren and teachers now rescued in Nigeria. The pianist who passed her Grade 8 piano exam with one hand. And we speak to Andy Serkis about his new, modern version of Animal Farm - which has a happy ending.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: A woman places flowers at a makeshift street side memorial in Biddeford, Maine, U.S. Credit: Reuters

Washington and Tehran continue to exchange strikes, President Trump restores the US blockade of Iranian ports and unveils a new levy on cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. Also: the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, is again hit by Russian ballistic missiles after Ukraine launches a european defence system in Paris; Hungary's new government pushes through an amended constitution; US states sue to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger; British counter-terrorism police take control of the investigation into the killing of the former government minister, Ann Widdecombe; the legal and ethical rows over euthanasia in Spain; the travails of the diamond industry; and Dua Lipa teams up with a Portuguese bookstore to promote banned literature.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Photo: United States President Donald J Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 13 July 2026. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock

A new vaccine to tackle Ebola will now be tested on people after the UK regulator gave permission for trials to take place. University of Oxford scientists began developing the vaccine - aimed at tackling the Bundibugyo species of the virus - eight weeks ago, when a public health emergency was declared by the World Health Organization. It is the first - out of four vaccines under development - to enter clinical trials. The epidemic, centred on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has killed more than 700 people.

Also: the dispute over who controls the Strait of Hormuz has intensified with some of the heaviest exchanges of fire since the US and Iran agreed an interim peace deal last month. The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has visited the wildfire zone in the southern province of Almería, where 13 people have died. Almost 3 million people in China have been evacuated from their homes as a result of Typhoon Bavi. The actor Sam Neill, known for films such as Jurassic Park and the Piano, has died at the age of 78.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: Researcher Alex Sampson holds the experimental Ebola vaccine Credit: BBC/TREVOR LLOYD

Thai officials are investigating an explosive fire which tore through a bar in the capital Bangkok, killing at least 27 people. Dozens more were injured, many critically. Eyewitnesses say the fire started near the stage and spread across the ceiling, filling the room with smoke. Also: the US and Iran carry out more tit-for-tat attacks, amid conflicting claims over whether the Strait of Hormuz is open or not; an investigation into the Chinese man accused of being Mexico's "Fentanyl King"; the US Republican senator Lindsey Graham - who turned from being a critic of Donald Trump to one of his key allies - dies suddenly at the age of 71; we hear from the grandaughter of the last woman to be executed in Britain as she is granted a conditional pardon; and a T.rex fossil could become the most expensive ever.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Photo: A woman near the scene of the fire at a Bangkok bar. Credit: REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa TPXA

Citizen Vigilante is a low-budget action thriller starring actor Armie Hammer as a vigilante who hunts down migrant criminals in Europe. The movie faced a muted reception - until Elon Musk posted it to his hundreds of millions of followers on X.com. We speak to journalist Mike Wendling to understand why this film has become a lightning rod for political and cultural debate, and what its sudden rise reveals about the far-reaching influence of the world’s richest man.

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

The US has carried out more strikes on Iran after accusing it of attacking a container ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Diplomatic efforts continue to solve the crisis, with talks held between the Omani and Iranian foreign ministers. Also: the Trump administration issues subpoenas to journalists who wrote an article about Air Force One; we're in the western Canadian province of Alberta as people there consider the idea of becoming an independent state; the US government pays compensation for the first time to staff affected by "Havana Syndrome"; Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine kill at least seven and wound dozens; and why some people are welcoming a bid by the satirical website The Onion to convert the right-wing conspiracy platform Infowars into a parody of itself.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: Vessel in the Strait of Hormuz near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran. Credit: Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA/via WANA via Reuters

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

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

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

Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson

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

The US demands a public guarantee from Iran that the Strait of Hormuz is open and that ships will not be targeted as they pass through, to ensure that talks can move forward. President Trump says both sides have agreed to continue talks, despite the escalation in hostilities. Mediators from Qatar are travelling to Iran to try to salvage the fragile peace deal.

Also: there's relief in Nigeria after all the children and teachers who were kidnapped from a school in Oyo State in May are rescued. We have a special report about the increasing number of Russian drones and bombs that are killing civilians and causing severe damage in the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia. Apple files a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the artificial intelligence company of stealing trade secrets. Deforestation is slowing down in the Brazilian Amazon, but the presidential election in October could be crucial in determining its future. Spain beat France to reach the semi-final of the men's football World Cup. Palaeontologists in Thailand discover a new species of dinosaur, and we visit a Buddhist temple in South Korea that's hosting dating retreats to help boost population growth.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: Map of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran taken June 22, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

Fire crews in Almeria battle one of Spain's deadliest blazes where several tourists, unable to flee from the rapidly spreading fire, have been among the victims. Hot conditions in Southern Europe are making the situation worse. Also, Japan is running out of male heirs to the Imperial throne, a woman clings to her husband to stop him being sucked out of the window of a Ryanair plane, and the 900-year-old Bayeux Tapestry, depicting one of the most defining moments in English history, returns to the UK from France.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Photo: Wildfire near Los Gallardos, Almeria, Spain. Credit: Reuters

Ayatollah Khamenei - Iran's former supreme leader who was killed by US-Israeli strikes - has been laid to rest as fighting continues over control of the Strait of Hormuz. We speak to the BBC's Lyse Doucet, who's just returned from Tehran. Also: thousands of Venezuelans displaced by earthquakes are at risk of disease; Ukrainians attack a military conscription team hunting draft dodgers; Gazans turn to farming amid food insecurity; an alleged Ghanaian romance scammer is extradited; Donald Trump puts his name on a Florida airport; and the latest from the World Cup - as France knocks out Morocco and Norwegian football fans channel their inner Viking.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: Crowds taking part in the burial of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the city of Mashhad Credit: Iranian Supreme Leader Office

The US has carried out a second wave of airstrikes on Iran after Tehran attacked tankers in the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the week. The perimeter of Iran's main nuclear plant, at Bushehr, was reported to have been hit. Iran said attacks on its civilian infrastructure could be war crimes. Tehran ordered retaliatory strikes on neighbouring Bahrain and Kuwait. Also: the toll of the war on tanker sailors in the Gulf; scandal forces a leading US Democratic Senate candidate to suspend his campaign; Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler dies at 75; rising false claims about the Ebola outbreak in the DRC; why young people may be best placed to take advantage of AI; the danger facing a little-known desert rain frog; and scores to settle: Morocco take on France again in the World Cup.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: Explosion at unknown location, Iran Credit: Reuters

The International Criminal Court says it has "concrete evidence" the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces committed crimes against humanity in Darfur during Sudan's civil war. The RSF says the scale of the atrocities in el-Fasher and el-Geneina has been exaggerated. Also: Iran attacks Gulf nations in response to a new wave of US strikes; Bangladesh battles a deadly measles outbreak; scientists warn that men's testosterone levels are declining; the last woman hanged in the UK gets a posthumous pardon; and the Wimbledon Fery tale continues.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: A woman from El Fasher prays surrounded by displaced women, in a camp in Al-Dabbah, Sudan, November 3, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig

President Trump says the ceasefire agreement with Iran is "over", blasting the country's leadership as "scum" and "cuckoo" after fresh exchanges of fire. Mr Trump has warned the US will hit Iran 'hard' again tonight, but added that talks could continue if they want. Speaking with President Zelensky on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, he also promised to license the manufacture of vital Patriot air defence missiles to Ukraine. Also: French MPs have approved a bill that would automatically presume police officers acted lawfully in shootings; The United Nations is warning of an impending catastrophe in the Sudanese city of El-Obeid which is home to half a million people; The opening ceremony takes place in Paris for the Esports World Cup; And our culture editor speaks to Christopher Nolan, Tom Holland and Anne Hathaway about The Odyssey, a retelling of Homer's epic story.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: US President Donald Trump during the 2026 NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, 08 July 2026. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock

The US carries out strikes in Iran, in retaliation for what it says is renewed Iranian targeting of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has condemned the attacks. Also: the French far-right leader Marine Le Pen confirms she will contest next year's presidential election. China is dealing with severe rain and flooding that's left more than 20 people dead. Super-strength cannabis is flooding Britain. The line-up for the quarter-finals of the World Cup is now complete, and a Manhattan skyscraper has been evacuated after fears that it could collapse.

Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Photo: Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman. Credit: REUTERS/Stringer

French hard-right leader Marine Le Pen could now run for president next year after a court in Paris upheld her embezzlement conviction, but reduced the length of her ban on running for public office. Also: Ukraine's president has used a speech at the Nato summit in Turkey to urge allies to deliver the air defence systems Kyiv urgently needs. In Syria, explosions have been heard in central Damascus, reportedly near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron had been staying. The woman suspected of carrying out a parcel bombing in Monaco which injured a sanctioned Ukrainian multi-millionaire and his family has been found dead. In Britain, the leader of right-wing party Reform UK, Nigel Farage, says he will resign as an MP, triggering a by-election which he says he will stand in. New research from Italy suggests women hit a fertility tipping point at 49, even if using younger donor eggs during the process of IVF.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: French hard-right leader Marine Le Pen leaves a Paris court after her appeals trial. Credit: Reuters

The US are out of the World Cup after defeat by Belgium - even though one of their star players was on the pitch after his automatic one-match ban for a red card was suspended. President Trump admitted he'd intervened. Also: BBC Eye finds evidence of torture and sexual violence at detention centres for Ukrainians in Russia and occupied Ukraine. The story of a 12-year-old pulled alive from the rubble following two earthquakes in Venezuela. The body of Iran's former supreme leader is paraded through the streets of Tehran. Millions turn out to pay their last respects. The weight-loss drug, Wegovy, is now available in pill form in Britain. And if you thought China was over-populated - think again.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: US fan with face painted in national colours in Portland, Oregon. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Denny Medley.

The Ukrainian Air Force says a shortage of interceptor missiles meant none of the 23 ballistic missiles fired by Russia at Kyiv on Sunday night were shot down. It was the second large-scale deadly Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital in a week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on allies to take "strong decisions" at this week's Nato summit to provide Kyiv with air defences. Also, huge crowds fill the streets of Tehran for the funeral procession of Iran's late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Three of his sons prayed beside his coffin at the Grand Mosalla mosque but Motjaba, the son who succeeded him as supreme leader, did not make an appearance; President Trump has been justifying his intervention in FIFA's decision to lift a one-match ban on Folarin Balogun, America's top scorer at the World Cup. Speaking to reporters in the White House, Mr Trump said it was unfair to take out one of the US's best players, and all that he had done was ask FIFA for a review. As fighting intensifies in Sudan's civil war, the UN Human Rights council has ordered an urgent investigation into allegations of abuses in and around the city of El-Obeid.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Photo: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky visits the site of an apartment building damaged during overnight Russian missile and drone strikes in Kyiv on the 2nd of July.

Credit: Reuters

FIFA suspends a one-game ban imposed on a USA star footballer given a red card, after a reported phone call from President Trump. The decision to allow Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium at the next World Cup fixture has been condemned. Also: wildfires force evacuations across southern Europe; a report on how Russia's war in Ukraine is affecting Crimeans; we meet the Nigerian women taking security into their own hands; why men are more likely to "hit the wall" in a marathon; and the mysterious space balls on Australian beaches.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: Referee Raphael Claus looks on after showing a red card to Folarin Balogun of USA during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match USA against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Credit: BENJAMIN FANJOY/EPA/Shutterstock

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

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

Severe weather forces thousands to evacuate the National Mall in Washington ahead of the president's July 4th speech, marking 250 years of US independence. In a delayed address, Donald Trump said no one will ever take America's freedom away. Also: Venezuela earthquakes death toll rises to nearly 3000; Iran mourns the death of former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei; Ukraine strikes targets in the Russian city of St Petersburg; Germans protest against the far-right AfD party; FIFA confirms time for the England vs Mexico World Cup match; and we speak to a pioneer of wheelchair tennis.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: Spectators at Great American State Fair in Washington celebrating 250th anniversary of US independence.  Credit: Graeme Sloan/EPA/Shuttercock

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson

Speaking at Mount Rushmore in the state of South Dakota, President Trump said that the United States would celebrate the American Declaration of Independence of July 4th, 1776 as "one of the most extraordinary days in the world". In a politicised speech he told the gathered audience that "communism was the greatest threat facing America". Also, the United Nations has said the world must act now to prevent a human rights catastrophe in the Sudanese city of El Obeid. The underdogs Cape Verde take the title holders, Argentina, into extra time in the knockout stage of men's football World Cup. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are now husband and wife following their star studded wedding in New York where the pop superstar and the American football player were married. Keir Starmer, the outgoing British Prime Minister, has said that his successor will have little choice but to focus, as he has, on foreign affairs. And Nasa launches a rescue mission to try to save a space telescope that started sinking after recent solar storms.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills, Keystone, South Dakota, USA Credit: BBC

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, The Global Story podcast is exploring the surprising and often hidden ways the US has shaped the modern world. One of the most powerful and enduring American ideas is that of the American Dream. In this episode, Asma Khalid hears the story of one extraordinary American Dream seeker. The BBC first spoke to Abdi Nor Iftin in 2014, when he was living in one of Kenya's toughest neighbourhoods after fleeing conflict in Somalia. When he won the US green card lottery his problems seemed to be solved – but it turned out to be the start of a whole new struggle. The Global Story tells in-depth stories from where the world and America meet. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

Foreign dignitaries arrive in Iran for a week of events ahead of the burial of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, more than four months after he was killed in strikes launched by the US and Israel. He will be laid to rest in his hometown of Mashhad on Thursday after lying in state. Iranian authorities say millions are expected to attend. It comes as Iran and the United States observe a fragile ceasefire after signing a preliminary deal to halt their conflict in June. As control over shipping through the Hormuz Strait has proven to be Iran’s key bargaining chip to end US and Israeli strikes in Iran, we have an exclusive report from the Strait itself, from the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. Also: The UN accuses the paramilitary Rapid Support Force of executions, torture and sexual violence in Sudan; an elected mayor in Japan is the first to take maternity leave; a police hunt is underway for the suspect behind a parcel bomb attack in Monaco -- now believed to be a woman disguising herself as a man; and a volunteer has stumbled across a rare copy of the US Declaration of Independence in the UK.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Photo: The coffin of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei displayed during a farewell ceremony for him at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran, Iran. Credit: REUTERS. Foreign media in Iran operate under guidelines set by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, which regulates press activity and permissions.

Hernán Gil, a 43-year-old security guard, was found alive under the rubble of a collapsed building more than a week after Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes. The country's interim President, Delcy Rodriguez, said nearly 2600 people are now known to have been killed. She stressed that rescue efforts are still ongoing. Also: The World Health Organisation says it has begun trials to find a treatment for the current strain of Ebola that is spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo; a BBC investigation discovers that the tech giant Meta is running paid advertisements on Instagram in India promoting child sexual abuse material; and a dramatic finish sees Portugal beat Croatia to progress to the last 16 of the football World Cup. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: Rescue workers attend to Hernán Alberto Gil Flores after he was pulled from the rubble eight days after he was trapped by twin earthquakes that struck Catia La Mar, Venezuela. Credit: Fernando Vergara/AP Photo

Russian missiles and drones hit Kyiv for 11 hours through the night, killing more than 20 people. Ukraine has accused Moscow of targeting civilian areas, and appealed to its Western allies to send more air defence systems. The Kremlin says it will continue to increase pressure on the Ukrainian leadership in order to achieve its goals. Also: thousands needing serious medical treatment say they are stuck inside Gaza; a BBC investigation finds a convicted people smuggler working in the UK; Nelson Mandela's granddaughter speaks to the BBC about South Africa's anti-migrant protests; we hear from disappointed fans of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal, whose teams were beaten in the World Cup; and is Taylor Swift really getting married inside a New York City arena? The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a Russian missile strike on a nine-storey residential building in Kyiv. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock

The United Nations children's agency, UNICEF, has warned that children in Venezuela are at an increased risk of exploitation and trafficking, a week after the country was hit by two devastating earthquakes. It also said some 680,000 children were among 1.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Two thousand three hundred people are known to have been killed, but tens of thousands are unaccounted for, and rescue teams are still searching through the rubble of collapsed buildings. The country's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has declared seven days of mourning. Also: we look at why millions of travellers in Europe have been suffering long delays. Canada becomes the latest country to join the Eurovision song contest. And how the powerful opiod fentanyl is affecting the Somali community in the US.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: Children play in a tent at a temporary refugee camp after earthquakes hit the country, in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 26, 2026.  Credit: REUTERS/Gaby Oraa

A report by the rights group Amnesty International has further allegations of atrocities carried out by the Rapid Support Forces when they seized the city of El Fasher last October. The RSF has admitted abuses - but says they've been exaggerated. Also: China introduces a new law to promote ethnic harmony - but will it? Venezuelans want more equipment to search for the missing following two earthquakes last week. The Japanese yen falls to its lowest level against the US dollar in 40 years. And football players from the Netherlands have experienced racist abuse for failing to win a penalty shoot-out against Morocco.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Photo: Sudanese civilian refugee in Nairobi, Kenya at a gathering to mark the third anniversary of the war in Sudan in April 2026 Credit: DANIEL IRUNGU/EPA/Shutterstock

The Supreme Court's ruling that babies born in the US have a constitutional right to citizenship is a major setback for President Trump's immigration agenda, and has been welcomed by civil rights groups. Donald Trump said the court's decision was "too bad" and vowed to continue to fight to end birthright citizenship through legislation. Also: Spain is taking a very different approach to immigration as more than one million undocumented migrants and asylum seekers apply for legal status under a government scheme. A week on from the earthquakes in Venezuela, a three year old boy has pulled alive from the rubble. Tanzanian authorities say they are doing everything they can to prevent the Ebola virus arriving there from neighbouring countries. We hear the stories of some women in Ukraine who are turning to beauty and fashion as a way of dealing with the trauma of war. Despite huge excitement about her return to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, Serena Williams is knocked out in the first round by the 20-year-old Australian player Maya Joint. And one of the greatest basketball players of all time, LeBron James, is on the move to find a new team.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Photo: Demonstrators hold letters making up the slogan "Born in the USA = citizen!" outside the U.S. Supreme Court building as the court hears oral arguments on the legality of the Trump administration's effort to limit birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants, in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 1, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Kylie Cooper