BBC

Cultural entomologist Bridget Nicholls investigates an intriguing natural phenomenon. An ant becomes infected by a fungus which takes over its nervous system, turning the ant into a vehicle for the fungus’s reproduction and killing the ant in the process. It sounds like science fiction, but it's happening in rainforests around the world. It's a parasitic relationship that has inspired the TV serie...

Ruth has concerns for a friend, and Brad is the topic of debate.

A powerful typhoon passing Japan's east coast is bringing heavy rainfall and major disruption. More than 1.9 million people in and around Tokyo have been told to evacuate. Winds from Typhoon Dujuan have caused power cuts for thousands of people, and hundreds of flights have been cancelled. Large events - including the Asian Games and Tokyo Game Show - have been postponed or called off. Also in thi...

Shares in Novo, the company behind Ozempic and Wegovy have fallen more than five per cent as the Danish pharmaceutical company sets out its future growth strategy. China and the US talk AI ahead of talks between the countries' leaders this week. And thousands protest in Barcelona against overtourism and plans to expand the city's airport. Presenter: Luke Wilson Producer: Barbara George

For months now, power blackouts have been disrupting life and business for thousands of people in Gambia. The crisis has recently sparked protests in the capital Banjul and surrounding areas and at least 20 people have been arrested. The country's main power provider, NAWEC, says the outage is the result of rising demand, limits on electricity imports, and technical challenges. As public frustrati...

American journalist Austin Tice, vanished in Syria, but the US president says he’s alive. For more than a decade Austin's mother Debra has been leading the search for her son. As Josh Baker and Sara Obeidat travel to Syria to help Austin’s mother’s search, a source gives Josh information that might unlock where he is.

Stephen Watson speaks with Naomi Long & Gavin Robinson as well as Carol Little

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Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls a state election result in Germany a "disaster" for his ruling CDU party but vows to remain in office. Preliminary results indicate the CDU has suffered heavy losses to the far-right AfD party in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while in Berlin it was defeated by the far-left party Die Linke. Also: US officials say 18 suspects in the assassination of the Haitian presi...

With Presidents Xi and Trump expected to meet in the United States this week, Will Bain looks back on the history of trade between the two great nations. It's always been fraught with controversy but there's also been a need or desire to get along. President Nixon was the first to visit China in 1972 and spoke with passion about the possibilities for the future between them. Trade then grew quickl...

As the midterm elections in America approach, the economy is one of the deciding factors for how people will vote. Before his second term started, President Trump promised to tackle the so-called affordabilty crisis. But since then, the war in Iran has led to soaring gas prices and a range of tariffs have made some goods more expensive. How do global events impact people’s finances and in turn how...

Natasha throws a spanner in the works, and Eddie is left touched.

Ed Sheeran has spoken out at the start of his first show since the rapper Macklemore was dropped from his US tour over pro-Palestinian comments. The British singer said the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023 were horrific, but Israel's subsequent response had been disproportionate. He said his heart had been broken by the scale of devastation. Also: for the first time since those Hamas attack...

Xi Jinping is known to be a ruthless leader. In the last five years alone, China’s richest man, Jack Ma, China’s defence minister and the country’s foreign minister have all abruptly disappeared - some never to be seen in public again. Millions of Communist officials have been purged since Xi came to power. But one man was thought to be untouchable: the head of China’s military forces, Zhang Youxi...

با خط فارسی چه باید کرد؟ آیا باید آن را اصلاح کرد؟ دست نخورده گذاشت؟ آن را باید با خط دیگری عوض کرد؟ میهمان‌های برنامه: محمود فلکی، نویسنده داریوش آشوری، نویسنده و زبان‌شناس طوبی زکی‌پور، دانش‌آموخته علوم اجتماعی  حمد سفریان، تهیه کننده‌ تلویزیونی  این برنامه یک بار دیگر پیش از این پخش شده است.

Meena and Minal were born in India, but adopted by different families and raised near each other in the Netherlands. When they first met in their early teens at an event hosted by the adoption agency their parents had used, they were struck by the uncanny similarities in their appearance and mannerisms. This year, Minal took a DNA test, which revealed the Meena she already knew was her biological...

The US and Denmark announce a deal on Greenland's security, resolving a diplomatic dispute sparked by President Donald Trump's threats to seize the territory by force. In a post on social media, Mr Trump said the deal would mean "no US adversary can ever have a base in Greenland". Greenland and Denmark have said the deal strengthens security in the Arctic and is good for the Nato military alliance...

For many of us, our phones are the first thing we look at in the morning and the last thing we put down at night. But with growing pressure over screen time and concerns about the impact of social media, tech companies like Meta have agreed to restrictions. In our conversations, we bring together three people who have received treatment for tech addiction. We also hear from those have decided not...

The situation is a result of reduced deliveries of crude oil via Saudi Arabia's East/West pipeline which was attacked by Houthi rebels from Yemen. Warren Buffett's son Howard replaces him as Chair of Berkshire Hathaway. And we why US College football is coming to Wembley Stadium in London.

13th – 18th September 2026 Writer: Liz John Director: Mel Ward Editor: Jeremy Howe Jolene Archer … Buffy Davis Kenton Archer … Richard Attlee Tony Archer … David Troughton Leonard Berry … Paul Copley Harrison Burns … James Cartwright Mick Fadmoor … Martin Barrass Alan Franks … John Telfer Usha Franks … Souad Faress Amber Gordon … Olivia Bernstone George Grundy … Angus Stobie Joy Horville … Jackie...

Answering the big questions of the week are Mark Steel, Celya AB, Zoe Lyons and Hugo Rifkind. Who's allegedly not been listening properly during a work meeting? How did thieves manage to lose two Renoir paintings almost immediately? And which Harry definitely isn't getting his old job back? Written by Andy Zaltzman. With additional material by: Catherine Brinkworth, Adrian Gray, Ruth Husko and Cla...

Police in Spain's North African territory of Ceuta fired rubber bullets into the air to control crowds as hundreds of migrants were moved from beaches to the port where a tent city has sprung up. South Korea's president says he will not be sending troops to help the US in its war in Iran - defying growing pressure from the Trump administration. People in Russia are voting in the first parliamentar...

Japan's central bank has raised interest rates to their highest level since 1995, we'll be finding out how one business is feeling and will more rate hikes be the new normal. The Australian government is considering a total ban on smart glasses in its offices and schools over security concerns. And Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé has ended his partnership with Nike after two decades. Presenter: Guy Ki...

In January 2027, Nigeria will be heading to the polls. But there’s one thing still largely missing from the ballot, women. According to Nigerian civil society organisation, policy and legal advocacy centre, Nigeria has one of the lowest rates of women’s political representation in the world. In fact, women make up less than 5% of members of parliament. And currently only 54 women hold positions ac...

Stephen Watson talks to Patrick Mulholland from NIPSA, PBP MLA Gerry Carroll and callers