Will Andy Burnham be the UK's new Prime Minister?

Ukraine requests more air defences after Russian attacks

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

Controversy after World Cup red card overturned

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

The Global Story: US at 250 – your questions answered

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.

US July 4th celebrations disrupted

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

The Happy Pod: Meeting a princess while climbing a mountain

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