BBC

The Happy Pod is celebrating World Refugee Day. We hear from Razan Alsous, who fled from Syrian to the UK and wanted a taste of home. She now runs a successful cheese business. Also, Mohamed Semra has become Australia's first mayor from sub-Saharan Africa. Plus, the woman who started a hairdressing business in a Ugandan refugee camp and, Leo Ajkic on finding success in radio and television after fleeing from Bosnia.

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

Photo: Razan Alsous making cheese. Credit: Razan Alsous

Presenter: Holly Gibbs and Tam Patachako. Music composed by Iona Hampson

Newly released research seen exclusively by this programme suggests a quarter of the UK's nearly 6 million carers have paused or stopped paying into their pension because of the financial pressures of caring for a loved one. Most often, that loved one has complex needs and the costs of caring for them can be high. In the same research, from Carers UK, three quarters of carers said they're worried about their financial futures.

An independent review is to take place into how the closure of bank branches affects people who rely on being able to physically go into their bank and speak to someone. The government says it wants to make sure those needing access to in-person service are protected. It has appointed Richard Lloyd, a former Director at Which?, to review face-to-face banking.

On Wednesday National Savings and Investments will start a year-long process of contacting the executors and personal representatives of 34,000 former customers whose money it had kept after they died, some as long ago as 2008. How will that work?

And a new report looks at the quality of financial guidance being offered by some social media posts.

Presenter: Paul Lewis

Reporter: Dan Whitworth

Researchers: Catherine Lund and Jo Krasner

Editor: Jess Quayle

Senior News Editor: Sara Wadeson

(First broadcast at 12 noon on Saturday 23rd May, 2026)

Rescuers in Nabatieh say several Israeli attacks have hit southern Lebanon after the ceasefire with Hezbollah came into effect. Meanwhile, US media reports Steve Witkoff is heading to Switzerland for potential Iran talks. Also: the White House confirms it's ending funding for South Africa's HIV programmes, linking the decision to unevidenced claims that the white-minority Afrikaner community is being persecuted; Afghanistan says it's launched strikes on two provinces in Pakistan targeting suspected Islamic State militants; James Burrows, the man behind countless US sitcoms including Cheers and Friends, has died; and for football World Cup fans - are time lags in technology spoiling your enjoyment of the beautiful game?

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: [email protected]

Photo: Remains of a toy lie amid destroyed buildings in Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, Tyre district, southern Lebanon.

Credit: Reuters/Aziz Taher

For many undocumented migrants in South Africa, the past few weeks have brought uncertainty and fear about what lies ahead.

South Africa is the continent’s most developed economy, attracting citizens from poorer countries seeking work. But it also has a high rate of unemployment – almost one in three are without jobs. Although (officially) foreigners make up some 6% of the population, many more migrants are believed to be in the country without papers.

Protestors have told them they have until the end of June to leave, and some nations have already been repatriating their citizens.

In our conversations, we bring together migrants to share their experiences of rising tensions. We also hear from people who have decided to return and South Africans who want an end to illegal migration.

“For us to fix this country of ours, we have to secure our borders,” Olivier tells host James Reynolds. “People here illegally either they are criminals, or they are suffering in the process or they’re just getting a whole bunch of stuff for free and not contributing.”

The World Cup hydration breaks are giving players the chance to cool off, but we look at why this is an advantage for advertisers.

Venice is now charging day-trippers up to $11 to enter the city in the latest efforts to tackle over tourism, we take a look at what impact this will have on local businesses.

And the Toy Story 5 film is out today, we take a look at why the film's franchise has been a huge success for over three decades.

Presenter: Vishala Sri-Pathma Producer: Barbara George and Parisa Qurban

The ambulance service says 89 people have been injured, with 11 of them suffering "very serious injuries". We report from near the scene of the collision.

Also in the programme: after Andy Burnham’s Makerfield by-election win, he’s expected to challenge Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Labour MP Rachael Maskell tells us Mr Burnham wants to change the culture of British politics. And former Conservative minister Rory Stewart has some advice for Sir Keir on when it's time to quit.

Israel and Hezbollah have agreed a ceasefire, a US official says, following intense Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon that the government said killed 47 people.

Also on the programme, the US government says it will stop funding programmes in South Africa intended to tackle the spread of HIV and AIDS, there's been a furious reaction in Italy after President Trump claimed the prime minister Georgia Meloni begged him for a photo at the G7 summit; and the ballet dancer, Carlos Acosta, on taking his Cuban dance group on tour.

(Photo: Smoke rises over southern Lebanon after Israeli strikes, Metula, Israel - 19 Jun 2026. ATEF SAFADI/EPA/Shutterstock)

Writer: Sarah Hehir

Director: Kim Greengrass

Editor: Jeremy Howe

Brian Aldridge … Charles Collingwood

David Archer …Timothy Bentinck

Pip Archer … Daisy Badger

Jolene Archer … Buffy Davis

Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman 

Miranda Elliott … Lucy Fleming

Amber Gordon … Olivia Bernstone

George Grundy … Angus Stobie

Will Grundy … Philip Molloy

Brad Horrobin … Taylor Uttley

Alistair Lloyd … Michael Lumsden

Adam Macy … Andrew Wincott  

Kate Madikane ... Perdita Avery

Kirsty Miller …. Annabelle Dowler 

Oliver Sterling … Michael Cochrane

Bill Gordon ... Matthew Gravelle

Anne-Marie Gordon … Kate Ashfield

PC Nicola Trueman … Clare Corbett

The iconic impressions show returns to lampoon the week’s biggest headlines. This week World Cup fever, Government resignations and a Downing Street haunting keep the cast busy.

Starring Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis Macleod, Duncan Wisbey and Jess Robinson.

Executive Producer: James Robinson

Produced by Jon Holmes

Production Co-ordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu

A BBC Studios Production

Israel and Hezbollah have agreed a ceasefire after deadly new exchanges in Lebanon put the fragile deal to end the US-Iran war under immediate strain. Health officials in Lebanon say dozens have been killed in Israeli strikes, while Israel said it was retaliating for the killing of four soldiers by Hezbollah. The US President Donald Trump and his administration have shown growing frustration with Israel, its ally and partner in the Iran war, calling for a complete ceasefire "on all fronts".

Also: Italy's top diplomat has cancelled a trip to the US, accusing Donald Trump of insulting the Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. Rare talks take place between representatives of Venezuela's interim president and the country's long-marginalised opposition. A new study from Denmark raises questions about whether certain workplace activities in early pregnancy could increase the risk of miscarriage. The Marathi language film about forbidden love that has captured the hearts of people in India. And how Scotland’s football fans have won over the locals in Boston and Providence during 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: [email protected]

Photo: A woman returning to her village in Tyre district of Lebanon after airstrikes, June 19, 2026.

Credit: REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra