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Freddie once signed to a major record label. He appeared in high-production music videos and looked set for fame. But the pressure and pace of that life left him feeling hollow. In one of the world’s busiest cities, he now follows a very different path - one built on silence, discipline, and spiritual growth.

Freddie reflects on his decision to leave the music industry behind and embrace Buddhism. He now works as a nail technician and shares how his beliefs shape his daily life. Alongside him is Carl, his partner, who offers moving insights into how their shared values deepen their relationship. We step into Freddie and Carl’s world, where Buddhist practice offers an anchor amid chaos. Their story explores what it means to redefine success, maintain spiritual discipline in a hyperactive city, and find peace through faith.

This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from Heart and Soul, exploring personal approaches to spirituality from around the world.

The families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have joined protests outside a crucial meeting of Israel's security cabinet in Jerusalem. It's been convened by Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss plans for the Israeli army to occupy the entire Gaza Strip. The proposal is reported to focus initially on Gaza City, whose one million residents would be relocated further south. The plan has drawn criticism from the head of the Israeli military, Eyal Zamir, who says it would endanger the lives of soldiers and hostages. Also: Kremlin says Trump and Putin to meet in coming days to discuss Ukraine, and OpenAI launches new chatbot GPT-5.

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]

As US president Donald Trump's new tariffs begin to take hold, Roger Hearing finds out whether India, Brazil and Canada can survive without a trade deal with the world's largest economy.

We hear how scientists and engineers in Sweden are trying to revolutionise the global steel industry by using new technology to make the material greener.

And how good is the latest AI app - GPT5?

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

As Israel's security cabinet meets, Benjamin Netanyahu says he wants to occupy Gaza temporarily. The father of an IDF soldier held hostage by Hamas insists the plan puts his son in more danger.

Rushanara Ali resigns as Homelessness Minister amid accusations of hypocrisy over a rental property she owns.

And a tribute to the pioneering pianist of Latin jazz, Eddie Palmieri.

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been meeting with his security cabinet and says he wants a complete military takeover of the entire Gaza Strip, starting with Gaza City. The Israeli leader believes a full takeover is “the only way” to destroy Hamas and free the remaining Israeli hostages.

Also on the programme: reports that Sudan’s military destroyed a UAE plane carrying Colombian mercenaries; and a tribute to the pioneering Latin-jazz musician Eddie Palmieri, who has died aged 88.

(Photo: A damaged Israeli flag stands in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border between Israel and Gaza, 7th August, 2025. Credit: Amir Cohen/Reuters)

As the United States secretary of health and human services, Robert F Kennedy Jr., announces a $500 million cut to mRNA vaccine research in the United States, we hear a statement from the Nobel Prize winning biologist who made mRNA vaccines possible.

A team of scientists from Northwestern University have uncovered the pathway believed to protect some people from allergic reactions (even when they are sensitive to an allergen) and have tested a drug which could protect the most severely allergic.

Also this week, satellite data shows that large parts of the Earth are running dangerously low on ground water.

And although people often believe scientific fraud is committed by a few bad actors, a new paper uncovers networks of journals, editors, and authors who are allegedly cooperating to publish fraudulent papers.

Presenter: Roland Pease

Producer: Ella Hubber and Alex Mansfield

Assistant Producer: Minnie Harrop

Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth

(Image: Allergy testing. Credit: Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)

Amber unveils her latest plan, and Stella has work to do.

A whole swathe of the tariffs threatened by Donald Trump for months finally come into force in dozens of countries. It sees 15% to 50% added on a variety of imports into the United States.

David Harper hears the thoughts of importers, exporters and industry experts.

Sweeping new tariffs on more than 90 countries around the world - which US president Donald Trump has advocated for - have come into effect.

Producers of staple goods such as Brazilian coffee say the tariffs will have a big impact on their industry.

Also in the programme: The Kremlin says presidents Trump and Putin will meet in the coming days to talk about Ukraine; and we'll get a rare glimpse into a besieged city, el Fasher in Sudan, where people are starving and terrified.

(Photo shows shipping containers in Frankfurt, Germany on 7 August 2025. Credit: Hannes P Albert/EPA)

What's behind deadly clashes at Uganda’s border with South Sudan?

Why are heatwaves happening more often on the African continent

And plans by Somalia to revive its airline after three decades

Presenter: Charles Gitonga

Producers:  Tom Kavanagh in London, Blessing Aderogba with Makuochi Okafor in Lagos and Richard Kagoe in Nairobi

Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa

Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga

Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi