BBC

In this Happy Pod special we're in Munich, Germany for One Young World. We speak to survivors of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and their families as they turn their painful memories into a call for peace and the end of nuclear weapons. They're part of a group that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024.

Also: The young Argentine harnessing Artifical Intelligence to spot wildfires; Zaynab Mohamed - the first Muslim woman elected to Minnesota's Senate at just 25; the 'TikTok Mayor' using social media to show life in charge of a tiny Spanish village; and the England football star, Georgia Stanway, who's using Euros success to change the game for the next generation of female players. Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson

Kruger national park in South Africa is one of the most well known nature reserves in the world. But the legacy of Paul Kruger, who the park is named after, is complicated. He founded the park to protect South Africa's wildlife, but he is also considered to be a relic of the country's racist past and considered by some as an architect of apartheid. Khanyisile Ngcobo is a reporter for BBC Africa and she tells us more about the name change debate.

Luiz Fernando Toledo BBC News Brazil tells the story of the successful conservation of the giant Amazon fish, the pirarucu. Its skin can be turned into leather, which is used to make high end fashion items. The fishermen who catch them do so in exchange for policing illegal fishing, which has pulled the fish numbers back from the brink of extinction. But despite their role in conservation, and providing the leather, these fishermen don't share in the economic benefits of this fish.

Have you ever thought about the history of toothbrushes or dental hygiene? Tejas Vaidya of BBC Gujarati went to meet an Indian man who owns the world’s largest toothbrush collection.

This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world.

Presented by Faranak Amidi.

Produced by Caroline Ferguson, Rebecca Moore and Alice Gioia.

This is an EcoAudio certified production.

(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

President Trump grants Hungary a one-year exemption from US sanctions on Russian oil and gas purchases during a visit to the White House by his right wing ally, Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban. The sanctions were introduced in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Also: Senators fail to agree a compromise to pay essential federal workers, including air traffic controllers, during the US Government shutdown; more than 200 people have been charged with treason after protests against the disputed election in Tanzania; Nobel Prize-winning American scientist James Watson, one of the co-discoverers of the structure of DNA, has died aged 97; and archaeologists have compiled the most detailed map yet of the roads that criss-crossed the Roman Empire from Great Britain to North Africa.

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]

Immigrant, Muslim and self-proclaimed democratic socialist, Zohran Mamdani is also, at 34, the city’s youngest mayor in a century. Famed for his charisma, and with millions of views on social media, the Democratic candidate campaigned on a platform that included reducing the cost of living, free childcare and new taxes for millionaires and corporations. In our conversations, we bring together three American Muslims who tell us why they believe Mamdani’s election is so important. In his victory speech, Mamdani made a point of thanking the voters he says have been left behind by the city, including immigrants. We hear from New Yorkers originally from Sierra Leone, Nepal and Columbia. And two friends, Brooke and Katherine, share the challenges they’ve experienced of living in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

The Chancellor wants more people to invest in shares, UK companies and infrastructure projects in a bid to boost growth in the economy. Rachel Reeves argued in her recent Mansion House speech that it would make people better off, but this kind of investment involves risk and is making some people nervous. We put those concerns to Treasury Minister Lucy Rigby.

When is the best time to start a pension? Around 45,000 parents and grandparents seem to think saving should start when you're born. Figures from HMRC show nearly £80 million was invested in private pensions for children in 2022/23 that's up 15%.

And the buyers of around 14 million cars who were deceived or misled about the commission paid to the dealer when they took out a car loan are set to receive an average payout of £700 for each deal. That estimate came from the Financial Conduct Authority this week when it set out details of a plan to compensate them, but it's less than the 'up-to-£950' it had suggested just a few months ago.

Presenter: Paul Lewis

Reporter: Dan Whitworth

Researchers: Catherine Lund

Producers: Robert Cave, Craig Henderson

Editor: Jess Quayle

Senior News Editor: Justin Bones

(First broadcast at 12pm on Saturday 11th October 2025)

The longest shutdown in US history became even more severe today as hundreds of flights were cancelled by the federal government to reduce strain on air traffic controllers, who haven't been paid for five weeks. We hear from travellers, airport staff and a Republican congressman on the growing political pressure to find a deal in Congress that would end the government shutdown.

Also on the programme: one of the pioneers of artificial intelligence tells us why he's profoundly concerned about the potential harm from the technology. And the geneticist who co-discovered DNA, James Watson, has died aged 97. We hear from a lifelong friend.

There've now been more than two-thousand flight delays or cancellations in the US linked to the continuing government shutdown. International routes aren't being affected, but many air traffic controllers who've gone unpaid are calling in sick or taking other jobs.

Jamaica is set to receive a $150 million payout from its catastrophe bond after Hurricane Melissa. It's the first time it’s been triggered in full. The World Bank tells the BBC it’s a vital boost to the country’s recovery.

Andrew Peach also examines Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar pay award after Tesla shareholders back a record-breaking deal that could make the world’s richest man even richer. We hear from one investor who voted against it.

The president of the Pacific island nation, Palau, considers whether COP is still worth it. Also on the programme, thousands of flights have been cancelled or delayed in the US on the first day of reduced air traffic caused by the government shutdown; and, the so-called "Google Maps" of Roman Roads -- the most extensive digital map that reveals hundreds of thousand of kilometres of old roads.

(Photo: Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez embrace next to European Council President Antonio Costa and Para state Governor Helder Barbalho as delegates attending the Belem Climate Summit ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) gather for a family photo, in Belem, Brazil, November 7, 2025. REUTERS/Adriano Machado)

Writer: Shaun McKenna

Director: Pip Swallow and David Payne

Editor: Jeremy Howe

David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck

Helen Archer…. Louiza Patikas

Henry Archer…. Blayke Darby

Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davis

Ruth Archer…. Felicity Finch

Tom Archer…. William Troughton

Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman

Chris Carter…. Wilf Scolding

Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett

Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin

Mick Fadmoor…. Martin Barrass

Alan Franks…. John Telfer

George Grundy…. Angus Stobie

Esme Mulligan…. Ellie Pawsey

Carly…. Louise Brealey

Driver…. Django Bevan

This week we provide recourse for a randy royal, organise an on-air riot and, for Halloween, get confused over which witch is which.

From host Andrew Hunter Murray and The Skewer's Jon Holmes, Radio 4’s newest Friday night comedy The Naked Week returns with a blend of the silly and serious. From satirical stunts to studio set pieces via guest correspondents and investigative journalism it's a bold, audacious take not only on the week’s news, but also the way it’s packaged and presented.

An unusual production for BBC Radio 4

Host; Andrew Hunter Murray

Guests: Bella Hull, Lisa Webb

Investigations Team: Cat Neilan, Cormac Kehoe, Freya Shaw

Written by:

Jon Holmes

Katie Sayer

Gareth Ceredig

Jason Hazeley

James Kettle

Additional Material:

Karl Minns

Vivienne Hopley-Jones

Cooper Mawhinny Sweryt

Helen Brooks

Ali Panting

Kevin Smith

Sophie Dickson

Live Sound: Jerry Peal

Post Production: Tony Churnside

Clip Assistant: David Riffkin

Production Assistant: Molly Punshon

Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer

Producer: Jon Holmes

Executive Producer: Phil Abrams.

an unusual production for BBC Radio 4.