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In his first teaching document, Pope Leo warns AI risks accelerating war and threatens humanity. It was published at an event in the Vatican attended by AI experts including the co-founder of Anthropic. Also: Muslims begin annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca as Saudi city hits 42C; the “revolutionary” gene editing therapy that could lower bad cholesterol by up to 62% for life; a new species of tiny blue octopus found 1,800 metres beneath the Galapagos Islands off Ecuador; the Japanese businessman who transformed the 7-Eleven chain, Toshifumi Suzuki, dies aged 93; and British pensioner, Harry Heasman, becomes world's oldest wing walker.

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.

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May 25 is Africa Day, observed annually to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity - now known as the African Union (AU). We spoke to three Africans, a generation X, a millennial and a Gen Z about the dreams and aspirations Africans today.

And South African activists on the Gaza bound Global Sumud Flotilla have returned home. The activists were on board the flotilla taking aid to Gaza before being intercepted and detailed by Israeli soldiers. We heard from some of them, who claimed that Israeli security forces subjected them to torture but Israel denies this.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Basma El Atti and Blessing Aderogba

Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga

Technical producer: Jonathan Mwangi

Editors: Priya Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

Two new cases of Ebola have been detected in Uganda, as the virus continues to spread.

At the centre of the outbreak remains the Democratic Republic of Congo -- where the healthcare system was already weak. There have been more than 900 suspected Ebola cases in the current outbreak and 220 suspected deaths, officials say.

Also in the programme: Pope Leo delivers the first major message of his papacy on the dangers of AI; we'll look at the prospects of a deal between Iran and the US; and the games that call themselves "enhanced" break their first record- but critics call them degraded.

(Photo shows Red Cross workers wearing personal protective equipment disinfecting the house of an unidentified man who died of Ebola in Mongbwalu, Djugu Territory of Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, May 24, 2026. Gradel Muyisa Mumbere/Reuters)

Also, Sky take their fight in to the living rooms of 'dodgy box' owners

The Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan co-ordinate their response to the Ebola outbreak as the number of suspected cases in the DRC surpasses 900. Also: a pro-Palestinian activist makes serious allegations about her treatment after being detained on board a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza, which Israel denies; President Trump says Iran and the US "must take their time" to reach an agreement, dashing hopes of an imminent deal; we hear from women in Afghanistan where activists say the number of forced underage marriages have risen in the five years since the Taliban stopped girls over the age of twelve going to school; and we go to the controversial Enhanced Games - or the "Olympics on steroids".

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]

New Year’s Eve in Sydney is more than the 12 o’clock show. It is an event that takes over an entire city. Fireworks are launched from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, there are barges positioned across the Harbour, there are rooftops around the city with pyrotechnics, as well as lighting projections on the boats on the harbour, Luna Park and the bridge pylons. It is a year in the planning and one family has been designing the fireworks for this spectacular night for the last 25 years. Foti Fireworks is an award winning pyrotechnics family business originating in 1793 in Italy. They still have family members operating today, not only in Italy, but in Hong Kong and Sydney, Australia, bringing joy and hope to people all over the world. Regina Botros spoke with Fortunato Foti and other artists who together paint the canvas of the Sydney skyline for millions the world over

President Trump says he's told American negotiators not to rush into a deal with Iran. In a post on social media, he said the US blockade of Iranian ports would continue until an agreement had been certified and signed. Key sticking points remain, including control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear programme.

Also in the programme: Turkish riot police have stormed the headquarters of the main opposition party in Ankara in a row over a court's decision to oust the party's leader; the Gaza Flotilla activist who alleges she was sexually assaulted by Israeli forces when they intercepted her boat; and what value to put on a world record if athletics doping is allowed.

(Photo credit: Reuters)

The mayor of the Californian city of Arcadia has agreed to plead guilty to charges she acted as an illegal agent for China. Prosecutors say Eileen Wang was directly co-ordinating with a Chinese official to disseminate news stories downplaying human rights concerns in China, with the aim of trying to influence US government and public opinion.

US authorities say the extent of China’s covert activity and espionage in the United States goes well beyond this case. According to the FBI, Chinese counterintelligence and espionage efforts are a “grave threat to the economic well-being and democratic values of the United States”.

We speak to Andrew Badger, former CIA case officer and co-author of The Great Heist: China's Epic Campaign to Steal America's Secrets.

The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts

Producer: Viv Jones and Lucy Pawle

Executive producer: James Shield

Sound engineer: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

(Photo: Eileen Wang. Credit: City of Arcadia City Hall/ Reuters)

Kate takes the bull by the horns, and Tracy has reservations.

A large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine has left four people dead and dozens injured. Russia's defence ministry said the Oreshnik hypersonic missile was used in the strikes, which it described as coming in response to Ukraine's "attacks on civilian infrastructure". Ukrainian MP Lisa Yasko describes a 'terrible night' in the capital Kyiv and says her country urgently needs missiles for its defence systems.

Also in the programme:  we speak to an activist who was part of a flotilla taking aid to the Palestinians on her treatment at the hands of the Israeli authorities; and former Spurs player Gary Mabbutt on whether his former team is about to be relegated.

Photo: Russian drone and missile attack hits several sites across Kyiv, Ukraine Credit: SERGEY DOLZHENKO/EPA/Shutterstock