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BBC World Service
The day’s top stories from BBC News, including the latest on the Middle East conflict – bringing you developments from Lebanon, Israel, Gaza and Iran. Delivered twice a day on weekdays, daily at weekends.
Venezuelan opposition leader flees to Spain
President Nicholas Maduro's rival in the disputed Venezuelan election, Edmundo Gonzalez, has fled to Spain and claimed political asylum. Also: tips for tourists to North Korea, and the actor Kate Winslet on body image.
30:4009/09/2024
Thousands protest in France over President Macron's choice of conservative PM
Left-wing parties called for protests after Michel Barnier was appointed as French prime minister on Thursday. Also: the Oscar winning lyricist Will Jennings dies aged 80.
28:5508/09/2024
The Happy Pod: Doggy paddling the waves
We dive into the unusual world of dog surfing and meet some of the surfers who take part in the sport's World Championships. Also, why the British rescue team are revisiting Morocco one year on from the earthquake.
27:0307/09/2024
US-Turkish protestor killed in West Bank as Israeli forces opened fire
The Israel Defence Forces say it is investigating after Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was shot at a protest in Beita. Also: Starliner capsule heads home to Earth without stranded astronauts.
24:1407/09/2024
China to end foreign adoptions
China says it's ending overseas adoptions, creating uncertainty for those mid process. The growing cyber crime of sextortion. The US child deaths linked to declining bat population and the perils of sneezing.
27:3506/09/2024
Blinken visits Haiti to hear of progress on gang violence
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has urged Haiti's interim government to set up an electoral council to organise presidential elections. Also: is there a link between noise and infertility?
34:1506/09/2024
Ugandan athlete dies after being set on fire by ex-boyfriend
Ugandan athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, dies after being set on fire by ex-boyfriend. Also on this podcast: France names its new prime minister, and the country where the police are on the lookout for men with beards.
31:0405/09/2024
14 year old boy arrested after four killed in US school shooting
Two pupils and two teachers died in the incident at Apalachee High school in Georgia. Also: animal groups say Russian "spy whale" was shot.
30:1605/09/2024
Zelensky says Russia will be held accountable for Poltava attack
President Zelensky says Russia will be held accountable for a deadly missile attack in Poltava. Also: Prague honours the man who saved Jewish children from the Nazis, and NY governor's ex-aide charged as Chinese agent.
29:4704/09/2024
Benjamin Netanyahu won't make concessions to Hamas
Pressure mounts on the Israeli prime minister, following the killing of six hostages. Also: the Mayor of Paris provokes protests saying she wants the Olympic rings to stay on the Eiffel Tower forever; and how to hold a fashion show in a war zone.
30:1802/09/2024
General strike in Israel amid calls for hostage release deal
Hundreds of thousands strike in Israel to pressurise PM Netanyahu to secure a hostage release deal with Hamas. Also: Analysis of Germany's regional elections, and how boys are flooded with violent social media content.
32:1602/09/2024
German far-right's 'historic' victory
Germany's AfD becomes first far-right party to win state election since Nazi era. Also: the mysterious death of the 'Russian spy whale', and the South African beauty queen crowned Miss Nigeria after a nationality row.
30:1601/09/2024
UN begins mass polio vaccination campaign in Gaza
Israel and Hamas agree to localised pauses in fighting to enable more than 600,000 Palestinian children to be vaccinated. Also: The weight loss drug that studies suggest can treat other illnesses linked to heart failure, arthritis, Alzheimer's and even cancer, and the armless Paralympic archer.
31:0031/08/2024
The Happy Pod: The sky is no limit at 102
We meet Manette, the 102 year old who has become the Britain's oldest skydiver. Also: as the Paralympics get underway, we hear the stories of inspiring athletes including USA swimmer, Ali Truwit, who was attacked by a shark.Presenter: Rachel Wright. Music composed by Iona Hampson.
26:2231/08/2024
Teenager among those killed in Russia strike on Kharkiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian attack on Kharkiv could have been prevented if international donors allowed their weapons to be used inside Russia. Also: do marmoset monkeys call each other by name?
31:5331/08/2024
Kamala Harris insists her values haven't changed in first campaign interview
In her first TV interview of the US election campaign, Kamala Harris sets out her vision for president and promises to 'turn the page'. Also: tributes to New Zealand's Māori King who’s died, and carbonara in a can.
30:5130/08/2024
Iran has increased its stockpile of enriched uranium
The IAEA says Tehran now has almost enough of the uranium material to make four nuclear bombs if enriched further. Also: Ukraine F-16 fighter jet crashes just weeks after it was donated by NATO allies.
25:3330/08/2024
EU's top diplomat proposes sanctions against Israeli ministers
The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell wants some Israeli ministers sanctioned for anti-Palestinian 'hate messages'. Also: hopes for a cancer vaccine, and dancing round the clock in Buenos Aires at the World Tango Festival.
27:4029/08/2024
Trump rally shooter spent months researching potential targets
The FBI said the gunman who tried to kill Donald Trump last month had searched extensively online for events by the former US president and Joe Biden. Also: the 2024 Paralympics opening ceremony lights up Paris.
30:5329/08/2024
Israel launches major operation in occupied West Bank
At least nine Palestinians have been killed as Israel raids cities in the north of the West Bank. Also: Japan issues an emergency warning as a powerful typhoon approaches, and Paris prepares to host the Paralympics.
27:5528/08/2024
Ukraine to present 'victory plan' to US
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said their incursion into Russia's Kursk region is part of a "victory plan" that he will present to the White House. Also: have Swiss scientists made a chocolate breakthrough?
32:4028/08/2024
Ukraine warns that the Russian military is building up forces on eastern front
The head of Ukraine's military, Oleksandr Syrsky, has warned that the Russians are building up their forces near the strategically important town of Pokrovsk. China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, says he's hoping for substantive discussions with the US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan as they meet for the first time in eight years. And Britsh pop stars, Oasis, announce their reunion.
29:4927/08/2024
Six killed in 'massive' Russian air attack on Ukraine
At least six people were killed and dozens wounded in Russia's biggest air attack on Ukraine of the war so far. Missiles and drones were fired into more than half of Ukraine's regions. Also, the WHO sets out plans to curb the spread of mpox and, four privately trained astronauts prepare to test a new type of space suit.
30:0126/08/2024
Israel and Hezbollah exchange fire in the biggest clash in 10 months
Israel says it carried out a pre-emptive strike in Lebanon. Hezbollah said it retaliated for the death of a top leader. Also: Telegram has condemned the arrest of its founder, and is Mont Blanc getting dangerous?
30:2026/08/2024
Islamic State claim responsibility for Germany stabbing
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a mass stabbing in Germany, saying it was to avenge suffering in Gaza. Also: French police arrest a man in connection with an explosion outside a synagogue.
30:2425/08/2024
The Happy Pod: Uniting generations with a splash
We hear about a huge summer water fight that brings joy to young and old at a preschool with a difference. All Seasons in Minnesota is run inside a care home for older people -- where the children learn from their elders, and make them smile.
Also: How breastfeeding women helped an Orangutan at Dublin Zoo learn to care for her baby.
The first person to swim from Italy to Albania tells us about the gruelling event - and how a delivery of ice cream in the middle of the sea kept her going.
We meet the Nigerian table tennis players making history as the first African couple to compete at the Paralympics.
And we hear about a new version of London's famous tube map.Our weekly collection of happy stories and positive news from around the world.
27:2424/08/2024
Robert Kennedy Junior backs Trump for US President
RFK - Robert F Kennedy Junior - suspends his US presidential campaign and backs Donald Trump. Also: rescue efforts continue in flood-struck Bangladesh, and the jelly that plays computer games.
29:1923/08/2024
Kamala Harris officially accepts Democrats' nomination for US presidency
Kamala Harris has officially accepted the Democrats' nomination for the US presidency. Also: India's prime minister has embraced Ukraine's president on a visit to Kyiv, and an Australian transgender woman wins a landmark discrimination case.
32:2423/08/2024
Anticipation grows as Harris set to deliver convention speech
Kamala Harris will formally accept the Democratic Party's nomination for US president. Also: ousted Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina has her diplomatic passport revoked; and Trinidad and Tobago redraws its coat of arms.
28:1822/08/2024
The Indonesian government appears to shelve controversial election law plans
The Indonesian parliament appears to drop controversial plans to change the election laws, as protests took place in cities across the country.
The authorities used water cannon after some demonstrators tried to tear down the gates of the parliament complex. Also, Tim Walz speaks to the Democratic National Congress in Chicago after formally accepting the Democratic nomination to run for US vice president and, one of the world's largest diamonds has been unearthed in Botswana.
29:2422/08/2024
Hezbollah fires dozens of rockets from Lebanon into Israel
A day of heavy exchanges between the Israeli military and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Also: a report says Brazil has lost more than a third of its natural areas since records began, and new video releases at Gamescom.
26:0722/08/2024
Obama says US is ready for a new chapter with Harris
Barack and Michelle Obama electrify Democrats at the party convention but warn of a tight race for the White House. Also: a new law in Hungary could make Ukrainians homeless, and Jennifer Lopez files for divorce from Ben Affleck.
29:2621/08/2024
Gaza peace deal still in the balance after Blinken ends trip to region
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said there was no more time to waste to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal. Also: Africa's main public health agency announces plans to make 10m mpox vaccines available for use across the continent, and researchers say drone swarms could stop wildfires.
27:4721/08/2024
Democratic National Convention begins in Chicago
Kamala Harris will be officially confirmed as party's presidential candidate at the event but pro-Palestinian demonstrations threaten to disrupt the unity message. Also: UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch among missing after yacht sinks off the coast of Sicily, and the talk show host Phil Donahue dies aged 88.
33:3020/08/2024
Ceasefire talks may be last chance to end war in Gaza says Blinken
At the start of a day of meetings with Israeli leaders, Mr Blinken said it was time to say yes to a deal without excuses. Also: Russian officials say Ukraine has struck a third key bridge in the Kursk region and Chicago hosts the Democratic National Convention.
31:1319/08/2024
Bonus: The Global Story - Is Twitch too big to fail?
This is a Bonus episode from The Global Story - Is Twitch too big to fail?The world's largest live-streaming platform, Twitch, faces an uncertain future. Media reports suggest that parent company Amazon has become frustrated by its failure to make profit, and rumours are swirling of a third round of layoffs within a year. But does its loyal audience of 240 million active monthly users make it too big to fail? On this episode, Caitríona Perry is joined by BBC tech reporter Tom Gerken, and the BBC's former gaming correspondent Steffan Powell. They examine what makes Twitch unique, and discuss whether the platform is under threat from its rivals.
This episode was made by Laurie Kalus and Tom Kavanagh. The technical producers were Ben Andrews and Jonny Baker. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith.The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC World Service. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.
26:2818/08/2024
Venezuela's opposition leader addresses protesters
Venezuela's opposition leader has urged supporters to continue protesting against President Maduro. Also: the UN nuclear watchdog's safety warning about Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia plant, and why sunlight is good for you.
28:4218/08/2024
The Happy Pod: Finding love at 89 years old
Meet the newlyweds with a twist; 87-year old Bev says it was love at first sight when 89-year-old Mark moved into the same care home as her. Also, the Olympic marathon runner who is celebrating coming last. Presenter: Oliver Conway. Music composed by Iona Hampson.
27:3917/08/2024
First case of polio confirmed in Gaza
Health officials have confirmed the first polio case in Gaza for 25 years. The UN wants the vaccination of 600,000 children. Also: Kamala Harris unveils her economic plan, and fantasy football's threat to mental health.
29:2417/08/2024
Thai heiress becomes country's youngest PM
Paetongtarn Shinawatra becomes Thailand's youngest ever prime minister. Also: Anger grows after Israeli settlers torch West Bank village, and the WHO warns wealthy countries against stockpiling Mpox vaccines.
29:3816/08/2024
First case of deadly Mpox found outside Africa
The first case of a deadly Mpox variant has been found outside Africa. Sweden has reported a case of someone who was infected in Africa where there is a major outbreak of the Mpox Clade 1 variant. The World Health Organisation says it expects more infections will be found in Europe in the coming days. Also: five people are charged over the death of Friends star Matthew Perry, and Washington condemns Russia for sending a ballerina to jail for donating to a US-funded pro-Ukraine charity.
30:2116/08/2024
More than 40,000 killed in Gaza - Hamas
Hamas says more than 40,000 have been killed in Gaza since the war began ten months ago. Meanwhile new ceasefire talks have begun in Qatar - without Hamas. Also: India's Prime Minister condemns violence against women as anger sweeps the nation over the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata, North Korea to open to tourism after five years, Mark Zuckerberg reveals 'Roman' statue of his wife, should we go and live on Mars? And the new theatre and TV trend - age-blind casting.
32:0215/08/2024
WHO declares mpox global health emergency
Scientists are alarmed at the high fatality rate and rapid spread of a new mpox variant in parts of Africa. Also: more delays for astronauts stuck in space as Nasa ponders return, and a TV weather presenter in Australia speaks out about an on-air panic attack.
32:1115/08/2024
Thailand PM removed from office
Thailand's Constitutional Court dismisses Prime Minister Sretta Thavisin for breach of ethics. Also: Thousands of corpses traded in China funeral scandal, Melbourne joins Paris in outlawing e-scooters, and neighbours turn on each other in Portofino air con crackdown.
28:3914/08/2024
Biden urges Israel and Hamas to reach Gaza ceasefire
The US President Joe Biden said such a deal would help deter Iran from launching attacks on Israel. Iran blames Israel for the killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran, and says it will retaliate. Also: Mpox is declared a public health emergency in Africa, and the rarely-seen Titanic artefacts kept in a secret warehouse.
31:2514/08/2024
Donald Trump says he'll hold another election rally at the site of assassination attempt
Donald Trump says he'll hold another election rally at the site of the assassination attempt against him during a conversation with Elon Musk, which was livestreamed on X to an audience of several million people. Also, Indian doctors go on strike over the rape and murder of one of their colleagues, and how the authorities at South Korean airports try to avoid unwelcome insects creeping into the country.
28:1313/08/2024
Ukraine claims to control 1,000 sq km of Russian territory
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had brought war to others and now it was coming back. The local Russian governor said some 28 villages in the region had fallen to Ukrainian forces. Also: White House says an Iranian attack on Israel could come this week, and scientists find a reservoir of liquid water deep in the crust of Mars.
29:5213/08/2024
President Putin says Russia will respond to the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region
Speaking at a Russian security council meeting, he said the Russian army must dislodge Kyiv's troops from the border region. Also: The leader of a Kenyan cult goes on trial for manslaughter over the deaths of more than four hundred of his followers; and the Italian media is exercised about rumours that Madonna wants to hire the ancient ruins of Pompeii to stage a birthday party.
31:5112/08/2024
Moscow says Ukrainian troops now up to 30km inside Russia
Russia's defence ministry said its forces had engaged Ukrainian troops near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez, as the offensive in the Kursk region entered a sixth day. Also: President Biden explains why he dropped out of White House race, and Tom Cruise abseils off stadium roof in Olympic closing ceremony in Paris.
33:1312/08/2024
Deadly Israeli airstrike hits school in Gaza City
An Israeli air strike on a school building sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza City has killed dozens of people and drawn strong international condemnation. Also: Russia steps up evacuations of the Kursk region following the cross border attack by Ukraine. In Bangladesh, the chief justice of the supreme court has become the latest senior official to resign in the face of large demonstrations. The authorities in Japan are urging people to avoid hoarding despite concern about the possibility of a mega earthquake. And the secretive British graffiti artist Banksy has been creating a series of unusual images on the streets of London.
23:5611/08/2024