BBC

The global activities of the Islamic State group are now believed to be run from the semi-autonomous region of Puntland in the north-east of Somalia, where IS fighters are entrenched in the caves and harsh mountainous terrain of the area. But many locals there do not support IS and are committed to fighting back against the group. For BBC News Somali, Sahnun Ahmed spent time embedded with the Puntland Defence Force, one of the groups resisting the militants, and witnessed the operations of their fighters, including one female fighter determined her children will not grow up in the shadow of IS.

 Israel is home to around a quarter of a million Iranian Jews, who first began arriving in the country in 1948 and then came in bigger numbers following Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1979. Many in the community (including younger generations born in Israel) remain closely connected to their Iranian heritage, while embracing both cultures. The US and Israel's war with Iran, however, has left Iranian Jews in a difficult position, caught between homeland and adopted home. BBC Arabic's Michael Shuval has been talking to Iranian Jews in Israel.

Just seven days has passed since the USA and Israel began their attacks on Iran. As the attacks become heavier and more destructive, the ripples of war are already spreading around the globe. There was an immediate jump in the price of oil and gas, now worsening, as processing plants and facilities are attacked and transport routes disrupted. Petrol prices at the pump have been creeping up too and are expected to rise further. Money Box listeners have been asking what it could mean for the price of gas, electricity, heating oil and filling up their car.

A listener had more than £300,000 stolen from her in an investment scam. What can be done to catch the criminals who robbed her?

And by the end of the month there should be an official free scheme to claim compensation for missold car finance. How will it work?

Presenter: Paul Lewis

Reporter: Dan Whitworth

Researcher: Amber Mehmood

Editor: Jess Quayle

Senior News Editor: Sara Wadeson

(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 7th March 2026)

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 say 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: [email protected]

Shark attacks on humans are rare, but they are slowly on the rise in Australia where all our guests are from. In this episode, they share the terrifying moment when they realised they were under attack. For Brett Connellan in New South Wales, it was an encounter with a Great White.

“Out of nowhere I get hit with this immense force from my right side and this force was so strong it threw me off my surf board,” he says. “I landed in the water and before I could even look around and figure out what had happened I look down and see this shark biting into my right leg. This for me is that distinct moment when time just stops.”

Brett is joined by fellow survivors Justine Barwick and Dave Pearson. Together the share their stories and discuss life, death and why they ultimately feel lucky.

This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from BBC OS Conversations, bringing together people from around the world to discuss how major news stories are affecting their lives.

One crew member has been rescued and one is still missing after a US fighter jet was shot down over Iran. A search aircraft sent to retrieve the pilot also came under fire. A personnel recovery specialist tells the World Tonight how the US will attempt to carry out a rescue.

Also on the programme, as hereditary peers prepare to depart the House of Lords for good, Shaun Ley visits one for whom centuries of family history will be brought to an end; we hear about two lost Dr Who episodes left undiscovered since 1965; and Oxford's real life Riot Women get back together to play their indie music again nearly 30 years after splitting up.

After weeks of disruption in the Middle East, ships are starting to move again through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global trade and fuel supplies. But it’s still a fragile return, and the risks remain high for companies and crews.

We’ll hear how the conflict is affecting seafarers, with thousands stranded or unable to get to work, and what that says about the wider impact on global shipping.

We’ll also look at the knock-on effects for trade, with millions of kilograms of tea stuck in Kenya as exporters struggle to get goods moving.

And in the US, hiring has picked up more strongly than expected — but we hear from people on the ground who say finding work is still a real challenge.

The US pilot reportedly ejected and has been rescued, despite an Iranian bounty offered for his capture. Another crew member may still be missing in Iran. We hear the latest, and discuss the perils of rescue missions in hostile territory with former US Marine Corps Special Operations specialist Jonathan Hackett.

Also in the programme: Myanmar general installed as president of the country in a bid for legitimacy by the military regime; and the friction between Pope Leo XIV and a US administration at war.

(Photo: A US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft takes off for a mission supporting Operation Epic Fury during the Iran war at an undisclosed location, March 9, 2026. Credit: US Air Force/Handout via REUTERS)

29th March - 3rd April 2026

Writer: Jessica Mitic

Director: Marina Caldarone

Editor: Jeremy Howe

Brian Aldridge … Charles Collingwood

Pip Archer … Daisy Badger

Henry Archer … Blayke Darby 

Pat Archer …   Patricia Gallimore 

Tony Archer … David Troughton 

Tom Archer … William Troughton 

Natasha Archer … Mali Harries 

Lilian Bellamy … Sunny Ormonde

Miranda Elliot … Lucy Fleming

Azra Malik … Yasmin Wilde 

Stella Pryor … Lucy Speed 

Lynda Snell … Carole Boyd

Robert Snell … Michael Bertenshaw 

Oliver Sterling … Michael Cochrane

Carol Tregorran … Mia Soteriou

The team tackle Trump's tirades, and very much give the BBC's incoming Director General a problematic in-tray.

From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes and host Andrew Hunter Murray comes The Naked Week, a fresh way of dressing the week’s news in the altogether and parading it around for everyone to laugh at.

With award-winning writers and a crack team of contemporary satirists - and recorded in front of a live audience - The Naked Week delivers a topical news-nude straight to your ears.

Written by:

Jon Holmes

Katie Sayer

Gareth Ceredig

James Kettle

Jason Hazeley

Additional Material:

Karl Minns

Sophie Dickson

Darren Phillips

Joe Topping

Kevin Smith

Investigation team:

Cat Neilan

Becky Pinnington

Emily Channon

Guests: Cariad Lloyd, Simon Munday.

Production Team: Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, David Riffkin.

Production Coordinator: Molly Punshon

Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer

Executive Producer: Philip Abrams

Produced and Directed by Jon Holmes

An unusual production for BBC Radio 4

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: [email protected]