BBC

Experts say that recent advances in drone technology, including the AI-enabled Hornet system, have allowed Ukraine to attack Russian targets travelling to the front lines at greater distances and with increased accuracy.

Also on the programme: an Israeli airstrike hits the centre of Sidon in Lebanon, we hear from the local MP; violent unrest continues in Northern Ireland over immigration; and the conductor Marin Allsop leads a musical tribute to Barcelona's Sagrada Familia church and its famous architect Antoni Gaudi.

(Photo: Firefighters extinguish a fire at a historic museum following a drone attack by Ukraine in Sevastopol, Crimea. Credit: Government of Sevastopol via Reuters)

At Home Farm David tackles Brian about the wisdom of going it alone, but Brian’s determined it’s the only course to follow, after the way Adam and Debbie ambushed him. David argues Adam’s case as a great farmer, also citing Brian’s U-turn over the inheritance. Brian firmly rebuts David’s intercession on Adam’s behalf, before Ed approaches, having overheard some of this. Ed then tells David how difficult it is being caught between Adam and Brian. Later, David informs Amber that the Borchester Show wi-fi has been upgraded but admits there are two big gaps among the trade stands, including the car dealership one. Amber tells David she might be able to help with that… Amber then drops in at Little Grange, seeking Ed’s advice about whether she should ask her dad to take the car dealership stand, when things are still fraught between her and her parents. Ed reckons it should work as a straightforward business proposition.

Martyn calls Adam to check this afternoon’s meeting is still on and to express concern over Brian’s recent behaviour. Adam then phones irritable Brian, wanting to make sure they’re singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to the Estate contract. The meeting itself is tricky, with Martyn seeking reassurance the contract will be fulfilled. However, Brian makes a mistake over a detail in the schedule and when Martyn pulls him up on this Brian storms out, leaving Adam to cover. But for Martyn this is the last chance for Home Farm.

Rebels fighting the military government in Myanmar have told the BBC they're losing ground because of a shortage of manpower and equipment. Also: after exchanging attacks overnight, the US and Iran accuse each other of damaging negotiations; Afghanistan says Pakistan killed 13 civilians in cross-border air strikes; police in South Africa launch a manhunt after 12 people are shot dead; and how you can tell if your dog favours using one paw over another.

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: Myanmar rebels in a pickup truck

Credit: BBC/Darren Conway

There has been continued violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in recent months as rebel groups and armed forces wrestle for territorial control. DR Congo's North and South Kivu provinces have been the epicentre of the ongoing Ebola outbreak, along with Ituri Province where more than 560 cases of the virus have been reported. Parts of these eastern areas are under the control of rebel group M23, whose clashes with government forces have brought additional difficulties in dealing with the virus. We hear from a humanitarian worker in Goma, eastern DRC.

Also, are AI assistants increasingly leaning towards established gender stereotypes in their responses and interactions?

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

Producers: Bella Twine, Victor Chege and Blessing Aderogba

Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango

Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba

Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

The cost of goods in the United States is rising at its fastest pace in three years, with inflation driven mainly by soaring energy prices since the start of the war in Iran.

Economists say the energy shock is feeding through into broader price pressures across the world’s largest economy.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s TSMC, a key player in the global AI boom and the centre of the US-China tech rivalry, has been speaking exclusively to the BBC about whether it can keep up with surging demand for advanced chips.

And with just a day to go, large numbers of World Cup 2026 tickets are appearing on resale platforms.

Presenter: Leanna Byrne

Producer: David Cann

The US says it has carried out a series of strikes on Iranian military and surveillance sites in response to the downing of an American helicopter in the Gulf. Iran responded with attacks on American bases across the region.

We hear from Bahrain, one of the Gulf countries where Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed attacks.

Also on the programme: rebels in Myanmar tell the BBC they are losing ground to the military after the government began conscripting thousands to be soldiers; and a concert to celebrate the completion of Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Familia on the centenary of the death of its architect, Antoni Gaudi.

(Photo: Iranians walk past a large billboard featuring late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on a street in Tehran on June 10, 2026. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock)

What's the difference between leaving a bad taste and leaving a lot to be desired? Learn these 'leave' phrases and more now.

TRANSCRIPT

Find a free transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/s5english_in_a_minute

FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:

Visit our website

✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish

Follow us

✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus

LIKE PODCASTS?

Try some of our other popular podcasts including:

✔️ Learning English Stories

✔️ Learning English from the News

✔️ 6 Minute English

They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

& PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher reveals PSNI seeking help of 200 GB police officers

We may be living longer, but are our finances in the best of health?

On today’s Money Box Live we take a stroll through the decades and examine the kind of financial challenges that living longer might throw at us.

A growing number of people in the UK are reaching 100 – Sir David Attenborough among them - and there are now more than 600,000 people in their nineties, but are we sufficiently prepared for the true costs of sustaining a healthy income into later life.

Felicity Hannah is joined by two expert panellists who are answering listener questions - Dr Suzy Morrissey, deputy director of the Pensions Policy Institute, and Jonathan Cribb, deputy director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

How do you ensure your money lasts as long as you do?

Presenter: Felicity Hannah

Producer: Craig Henderson

Editor: Jess Quayle

Senior News Editor: Sara Wadeson

(First broadcast at 3pm Wednesday 13th May 2026)

The US has said that it's completed a series of strikes against Iran which targeted air defence systems, ground control stations and radar sites following the downing of an American helicopter. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards said they hit back with strikes on US bases in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait. Also, France has said that it will ban Israel's finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, from entering the country because the far right politician has been actively promoting the annexation of Palestinian territories. Anti-immigration violence breaks out in Northern Ireland after a man from Sudan has been charged with attempted murder. Barcelona celebrates the life of the Sagrada Família architect, Antoni Gaudi, with events which include a mass and ceremonial blessing by Pope Leo. And scientists in Finland have discovered that bumblebees have impressive problem solving skills.

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: Iranian missiles displayed at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC) Aerospace Force Museum in Tehran, Iran.

Credit: Reuters​