BBC

In small towns and rural areas across the south of the United States traditional family churches have long been key guardians of black culture, memory and community spirit. Until very recently women called to preach in these communities faced opposition ranging from grudging acceptance at best to total ostracisation. But now an increasing number of women are winning acceptance as preachers, pastors and community leaders in Baptist and United Methodist Churches, becoming the vital glue which binds changing, rural black communities together.

Alvin Hall asks some of these women about the lengths they have gone to to follow their calling, driving hundreds of miles to carry the word of God in touring ministries reminiscent of the male Circuit Riders of Alvin’s childhood. In Paducah, Kentucky he meets Baptist pastors Donna G Hawkins, LaRita Horton Addison and James Lee Hudson to explore their individual journeys towards acceptance. Alvin also meets Associate Pastor, Reverend Vanessa Skillion who has travelled 216 miles to join Donna in preaching at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. Meanwhile in Nashville, Tennessee Alvin hears the perspectives of two United Methodist Ministers, Reverend Dr Jacqui King and Reverend Dr Paula Smith.

In life stories, preaching, prayers and music we encounter communities uplifted and worship subtly altered by the spirits of women.

Music performed by Donna G. Hawkins and the congregation of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Paducah, KY.

As Moscow says peace talks to end the war in Ukraine have begun, President Zelensky launched a strident attack against his European allies at Davos for being in ‘Greenland mode’ and failing to take action independently of the US. We hear from a correspondent who’s spent time on the front line in the Donbas.

Also on the programme: Westminster is flung into speculation as a Manchester seat is to become vacant, potentially giving Andy Burnham a route back into parliament. And mysterious organisms that dominated the ancient landscape: once thought to be fungi, now scientists at the University of Edinburgh believe they are part of a distinct evolutionary branch of life.

Global economic tensions over Greenland may be fading, but the uncertainty is prompting questions about whether some of America’s trade partners should look to diversify into new markets.

Also, the film Sinners sets a new Oscars record with sixteen nominations, but do more nominations always translate into higher box office revenue?

And demand soars for the most talked about item at Davos - President Macron’s blue sunglasses.

(Photo: A 3D printed miniature of U.S. President Donald Trump and Greenland flag taken January 9, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)

President Trump says his Board of Peace will help forge 'everlasting' peace in the Middle East and the wider world, but a number of European countries have refused to join the body. We hear from the president’s former Deputy National Security Adviser. 

Also on the programme: US envoys head to Moscow to meet with President Putin in latest round of Ukraine peace talks; and the nominations for this year's Oscars are out, with vampire horror Sinners receiving a record-breaking sixteen nods.

(Photo: US President Donald Trump holding charter for his Board of Peace initiative in Davos, Switzerland, on 22 January 2026; Credit: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

One resident receives some life-changing information, and Harrison attempts to work through a problem.

Donald Trump has presided over a signing ceremony inaugurating his Board of Peace. Speaking in Davos, he expressed his belief that it'll help forge what he called a "glorious and 'everlasting" peace for the Middle East and the wider world. Nearly twenty other dignitaries have signed the agreement. Mr Trump said the board would work in conjunction with the United Nations. Critics say it is designed to replace some of the UN's functions. Also: Denmark's prime minister has insisted her country's territorial integrity must be respected, a day after President Trump said a possible deal on Greenland will achieve everything he wants. Two people have died and several are feared buried after landslides in New Zealand's North Island. Wildlife rangers in Pakistan have seized eleven lions illegally kept in Lahore after one of the animals escaped and attacked a girl. And the nominations for this year's Oscars are out - with the vampire horror 'Sinners' up for a record sixteen different awards.

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]

Blue Origin, the company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, says it will launch a new satellite-based communications network called TeraWave. We find out if it could eventually rival Elon Musk's Starlink, which currently dominates the satellite internet market.

Plus, the conversation in Davos switches to the economic future of Venezuela.

And Spanish football giants Real Madrid are the richest football club in the world, again.

US president Donald Trump has launched his Board of Peace - promising a new era of peace for the Middle East and beyond.

The board is part of Trump's 20-point plan to end the Israel-Hamas war. The UK says will not yet be signing up the board over concerns about Russian leader Vladimir Putin's possible participation. We'll ask how it will work -- and get the view of a former top UN official.

Also in the programme: Can President Trump pressure President Zelensky over concessions to Russia?; and we'll have the latest on a landslide in New Zealand.

(Photo shows US president Donald Trump taking part in an announcement for his Board of Peace initiative in Davos, Switzerland on 22 January2026. Credit: Denis Balibouse/Reuters)

A recent attack in Niger's south-western Tillaberi region led to the deaths of 31 civilians. It adds to a trend of deadly assaults by jihadist militants in the tri border area of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (Acled), Tillaberi was the deadliest region in the Sahel in 2025, with more than 1,200 civilian deaths recorded.

Also, we take a look at how different people form their accents and how an accent may affect perceptions and social status.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya, Makuochi Okafor and Blessing Aderogba

Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango

Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga

Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Here's a chance for Friday Night Comedy listeners to hear another satirical comedy from BBC Radio 4, as Jon Holmes introduces the latest episode of his series The Skewer.

The four-time Gold Comedy winner at the Radio Academy Awards returns as Jon Holmes mashes up more news with pop culture to create a current affairs comedy concept album.

This week: Trump vs The World, Jenrick The Secret Traitor, No Way Nobel and Peace Board Assemble!

To listen to more episodes from the series, just search for The Skewer on BBC Sounds.

Producer: Jon Holmes

An unusual production for BBC Radio 4