Global News Podcast

The Happy Pod: The decades long wait for the World Cup

We now know the 48 nations that will be competing in the summer's FIFA World Cup. The final two sides to qualify - Iraq and the DRC - have each waited decades to return to the competition. We hear from jubilant fans of both teams. Also, a small rural village in South Korea, which is at risk of extinction, is celebrating the birth of a baby for the first time 17 years. A community in Washington DC has come together to rebuild a bookshop that was destroyed in a fire. An ancient abbey in the north of England is experiencing a tourism boost thanks to a Taiwanese pop star. A British schoolgirl has invented a pair of glasses designed to help people with dyslexia. In Japan, people have been taking part in a Grand Prix like no other: an office chair race. Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world. Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson.

US in desperate search for missing aviator in Iran

American forces are searching for a missing crew member after a US fighter jet was downed in Iran. Iranian state media says Iran's security forces are also looking for the aviator. Iran is also claiming to have shot down a second US warplane over the Gulf. US media says the A-10 combat plane was shot at near the Strait of Hormuz during a search-and-rescue mission for the first downed aircraft. The pilot ejected and was rescued. Also in the podcast, Cuba begins releasing more than 2,000 prisoners as US pressure mounts. We'll hear about the Oscar winning documentary focusing on the empty bedrooms of children killed in school shootings. Why the recent Winter Olympic Games in Italy are being called the cleanest on record - but could this change? And the crew of Artemis II take "spectacular" image of Earth. 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

Iran says it has shot down US fighter jet

Iran says it has shot down a US fighter jet over the west of the country. Iranian state media has published pictures and videos purporting to show parts of the downed plane and one of the ejector seats. American aircraft and reconnaissance drones are said to be involved in the search, but there has been no official confirmation from the Pentagon or the White House. Also: Despite President Trump's claims that Iran's military capacity has been decimated by almost five weeks of US-Israeli strikes, Iranian missiles and drones damaged oil, natural gas and water desalination facilities in Gulf nations on Friday. The UN says food prices have risen to their highest level in six months and could increase further if the war in the Middle East continues. A French court has overturned an attempt by the government to ban a Muslim event which is expected to draw tens of thousands of people over the weekend. Burkina Faso's leader has told the people there they can forget about democracy in an interview on national TV. South Sudan is facing a rapidly worsening security and humanitarian crisis. We look at how Easter festivities are going ahead in Jerusalem, despite challenges... and scientists answer a long standing mystery of how octopuses mate. 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

Artemis II leaves Earth's orbit and heads for Moon

The Artemis II mission has completed a critical engine burn that's propelling the Orion spacecraft and its four astronauts on a journey to the far side of the Moon. It's the first time in over 50 years that humans have left Earth's orbit. Also in this podcast: Iranians describe mounting desperation after a month of war. The military general behind Myanmar's coup five years ago becomes the country's president. President Trump fires US Attorney General Pam Bondi. And the tortoise that the world thought was dead - but it turned out to be fake news. 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

UK and allies discuss reopening Strait of Hormuz

Representatives from more than 40 countries took part in a virtual summit on Thursday to discuss the Strait of Hormuz crisis. French President Emmanuel Macron says using force to open the vital shipping lane is "unrealistic", and criticises the US for its mixed messages on the war. Also: a 200-year old discovery off the coast of Denmark, the latest on the Artemis II Moon mission. Plus: the blind man running a marathon with the help of strangers talking through his glasses.