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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

Kuwait says one person has been killed and at least 63 injured after Iranian drones strike a terminal building at its international airport. Officials say the dawn strike damaged civilian facilities, including diplomatic missions. Kuwait’s foreign ministry called it an act of aggression. Also: Ukraine says a Russian warship was among targets hit in a large-scale drone attack on St Petersburg ahead of the Russian city's annual economic forum. Malawi becomes the latest country to offer to repatriate its citizens from South Africa, following incidents of xenophobia. Japan is being battered by tropical storm Jangmi. The government urges more than 400 thousand people to evacuate because of the risk of flooding and landslides. Voters in six US states choose candidates for mid-term elections in November. Scientists at Harvard University say weight lifting or strength training for two hours a week could increase your life span. And ahead of the men's football World Cup, a 92-year-old illustrator brings out a new book out about the history of the competition. 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: Debris lies on the floor as fire burns in the background in the aftermath of Iranian strikes at Kuwait International Airport in Kuwait City. Credit: Social Media/via REUTERS

British oil giant Shell continued to operate major pipeline in Nigeria even though bosses knew it was causing widespread pollution, according to secret documents obtained by BBC. Shell has always rejected the accusations, blaming the theft and illegal refining of oil taken from the pipeline. Also: the Trump administration drops plans for a fund to compensate people claiming to be victims of politicised prosecution after a backlash from Republicans; Microsoft announces a new quantum chip that it says is 1,000 times more reliable than its predecessor; promising results for new cancer pill which caused tumours to shrink by at least 30%; anger in the UK following the case of a student who was murdered and falsely accused of racially abusing his attacker; and could microbes still be living in a body frozen in ice for 5,000 years? 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: Shell sign for pipeline in Bille, southern Nigeria, that's been causing widespread pollution for years. Credit: BBC

The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, says the world must treat the new phase of the weather pattern, El Niño, as an urgent climate warning. He said it would pour fuel on the fire of a warming globe. The World Meteorological Organisation says preparations are needed for a potentially strong El Niño event with an eighty percent chance of conditions developing in the next few months. Also: Israeli forces have continued hitting targets in southern Lebanon after an agreement backed by President Trump stopped them from striking the capital, Beirut. Two people have died in Kenya during protests against plans to establish a US-backed Ebola isolation centre. A British man could become the first astronaut with a disability to live and work in space; and Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are back as Woody and Buzz in Toy Story 5, as they try to make sense of a world dominated by technology. Photo credit: Photo by ANDREW KASUKU/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (14248301d) A man rides a motorcycle on a flooded road in Chamwanamuma village, Tana Delta region, in Kenya, 07 December 2023. 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

Russia uses drones and missiles to bombard Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. A number of people were killed and injured. Kyiv's mayor said two high-rise apartment buildings in the capital had been hit, and people could be trapped under the rubble. President Zelensky had earlier warned that intelligence suggested Russia was preparing for a major attack, and urged people to pay special attention to air raid alerts. Also: President Trump says Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to stop attacking each other; Florida sues the maker of ChatGPT over allegations the chatbot is endangering children, aiding and abetting mass shootings and giving advice on suicide; Serena Williams confirms her return to competitive tennis at the age of 44; and an actress takes a stand against audience members texting in the theatre. 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

Israel has ordered attacks against Hezbollah in the southern suburbs of Beirut - prompting many residents to evacuate the Lebanese capital. Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the military would strike what he called 'terrorist targets' in the area, in response to attacks on Israeli civilians and other violations of a US-brokered ceasefire. Also, Iran and the US launch renewed attacks in the Gulf, putting the ceasefire under strain. Moscow criticises France after it seizes a suspected Russian oil tanker in the Atlantic. And, are social media influencers and content creators becoming too intrusive?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

Abelardo de la Espriella will face left-winger Ivan Cepeda in Colombian presidential run-off in three weeks. The two offer strikingly different visions of how to tackle Colombia's challenges, including violence and drug crime. Also: France and Germany have condemned Israel's deepest incursion into southern Lebanon in a quarter of a century. Berlin said it was a cause for serious concern, while Paris has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council; the new pill that can double the survival rate for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, one of the world's deadliest forms of the disease; the mice plague that is wreaking havoc on rural Australian farms; and why people will now once again be able to take the 666 bus to Hel in Poland.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

Politics, power and money have always been part of international sporting competitions, and football (or soccer) is no exception. However, this year’s World Cup faces new challenges. The United States is co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico, and its relationship with its neighbours has at times been rocky. Two countries at war with each other – the US and Iran – have never played in the same competition before. Some fans are anxious about travelling to games at a time of high tension. And the cost of attending the event has led some to ask whether this World Cup is really worth it.Mehreen Khan, economics editor of The Times of London and a lifelong fan of the sport, joins us to discuss what this World Cup could mean for a divided world.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.Producers: Cat Farnsworth and Aron KellerExecutive producer: James ShieldMix: Travis EvansSenior news editor: China CollinsPhoto: FIFA World Cup on display in Toronto. Credit: Kevin Sousa/ Imagn Images

Several hundred people have been detained by police in Paris after football fans went on the rampage when Paris St-Germain won the European Champions League. Vehicles and businesses were damaged, and several police officers were injured. It's the second year in a row that PSG have won the Champions League - but Arsenal didn't make it easy for them. Also: The first suspected case of Ebola outside Africa has been reported in Brazil. Colombians are preparing to vote in the first round of Presidential elections against a backdrop of political violence. The Oscar-winning editor of the original Star Wars film has died. And Scientists have discovered a new species of fungus, which they believe is helping the environment.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

Researchers say a simple sheet of plastic is helping to prevent women dying after childbirth. The drape measures blood loss, which allows doctors to provide faster treatment. It's been successful in Nigeria, and now the health professionals want it used across the globe. Plus, meet Joy and Diane who have been friends for 60 years. It all started with one letter when they were 12 years old and they have been pen pals ever since. Also, the fishing group helping people with breast cancer. The woman trying to save endangered Indian Skimmer water birds. The rare rainforest that is being restored in Northern Ireland over the next 100 years, and the homes in Australia which are being adapted to help people with ADHD.Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona HampsonPicture credit: Gates Foundation/Nelson Owoicho

Ghana's parliament has approved a bill that contains some of the most repressive anti-LGBTQ laws in the world. The legislation bans any promotion of LGBTQ rights and activities. It still needs to be approved by the president. Also: A US judge orders the removal of Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center; Laos rescuers extract the first of seven men trapped inside a flooded cave; Novak Djokovic is knocked out of the French Open; the former head monk of China's "kung fu temple" is sentenced to 24 years in jail; and the hugely popular video game Call of Duty is under fire for its Korean war storyline.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