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The United States is one of the few wealthy countries where commercial surrogacy remains legal. Bans elsewhere in the world, combined with a largely free-market approach at home, have made the US an international destination for would-be parents from around the globe – fuelling the industry’s rapid expansion. But could it all come to an end? Today on The Global Story, we speak to fertility technol...

Reality sets in for Amber, and there’s an awkward encounter for Harrison.

In Northern Ireland, Roman Catholic protesters have blocked a road in the town of Portadown along which members of the pro-British Orange Order were planning to march. It's the first time they've been granted permission to go ahead with the march along the Garvaghy Road for nearly 30 years. But Roman Catholic residents oppose it and have refused police orders to disperse. The road was a major flas...

OpenAI says it has alerted dozens of global institutions, including governments, that their websites may have been accessed improperly by rogue AI agents. The US company says the bots sometimes tried to get information using "extreme means". Also: President Trump rejects Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week; fighting erupts in Ethiopia's Tigray region stoking fears of a ret...

India is undertaking the biggest population count the world has ever attempted - a digital census designed to capture the lives, identities and realities of more than 1.4 billion people. With three million field staff, self‑enumeration in 16 languages, and real‑time monitoring across cities, forests, floodplains and megacities, the operation is both a national ritual and a vast technological exper...

Police in South Africa say that they have discovered another body in a Johannesburg suburb, bringing the number of women found dead there in recent months to ten. The deaths have increased pressure on the national government less than a year after ministers declared gender-based violence a national disaster. Also in the programme: President Trump reject's Iran's offer to reopen the Strait of Hormu...

اعتراض خیابانی انفجارگونه و بعد فروکش و احساس ناکامی. ناکامی پر از بغض، پر‌ از ‌حرف‌های سیاسی. چرا یک نظریه‌پرداز سیاسی نام این را هایپرپالیتیکس گذاشته؟ آیا این وضعیت برایتان آشنا نیست؟ میهمان‌ها: مهرداد درویش‌پور، استاد دانشگاه مجید زمانی، تحلیل‌گر و فعال سیاسی

The US artificial intelligence giant OpenAI says it has alerted governments, universities and other global institutions that their websites may have been accessed improperly by rogue autonomous models. We hear from the head of a group called METR, which checks AI for threats. Also in the programme: How are Manchester City fans reacting to the news that their football club has been found guilty of...

A rapid new test for brain tumours is taking diagnosis time from weeks to hours. It means patients are spared weeks of uncertainty and can start treatment sooner. The Happy Pod speaks to the doctors behind this breakthrough, who say it's a "privilege" to be developing something that can help people. Also, a baby has been born on one of the most remote and northernly Scottish islands for the first...

One of the world's richest football clubs, Manchester City, is found guilty of breaching dozens of financial rules and could face compensation claims from rivals. Also; Iran extends a new offer to the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week; Pope Leo warns against the dangers of AI on a state visit to France; The head of the BBC, Matt Brittin, says AI could be used to create and present pr...

Warning: contains description of domestic violence In the last few months, nine women – including a young mother out jogging – have been murdered near Johannesburg. South Africa has one of the highest levels of violent crime against women in the world and the deaths have sparked an outcry across the country that more needs to be done. In our conversations we bring together survivors of domestic ab...

Independent panel finds City guilty on more than 100 charges after a lengthy investigation into financial rule breaches. Talks between US and China continue during President Xi's visit to Washington DC. And nearly three million Volkswagen and Audi cars are being recalled worldwide over a steering problem.

Diesel prices in the UK are approaching record levels as the fallout from the US war with Iran continues to drive up costs. The prime minister insists fuel costs aren't in the government's control. We speak to a haulier who thinks there is more Andy Burnham could do. Also on the programme: We hear from a journalist who says he's had sight of conversations between a Canadian school shooter and Chat...

As fighting escalates between federal government forces and an alliance of armed groups including the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front, we ask what's behind it and hear from a former TPLF spokesperson. Also in the programme: as the Pope warns we are in danger of “losing our humanity” to AI machines, how can we make AI safe? Could President Xi's wife Peng Liyuan be China's "soft power super-weapo...

Writer: Keri Davies Director: Marina Caldarone Editor: Jeremy Howe Pip Archer … Daisy Badger Ruth Archer … Felicity Finch Helen Archer … Louiza Patikas Natasha Archer … Mali Harries Alan Franks … John Telfer Amber Gordon … Olivia Bernstone Eddie Grundy … Trevor Harrison George Grundy … Angus Stobie Keira Grundy … Mollie Kruczek Brad Horrobin … Taylor Uttley Chelsea Horrobin … Madeleine Leslay Trac...

Is A.I going to wipe out humanity by 2030? Will the forces of Piddington take the country hostage? Is there anyone left to support Ed Sheeran on tour? Find out the answers to all of these questions and more on this week's News Quiz! Written by Andy Zaltzman. With additional material by: Adrian Gray, Angela Channell, Jade Gebbie and Lotte Allan Producer: Pete Strauss Executive Producer: Richard Mor...

A rapid new test for brain tumours can slash the time it takes for an accurate diagnosis from up to eight weeks to two hours. It means surgeons can get results even while they are operating, and patients are spared weeks of uncertainty whilst being able to start their treatment sooner. Also: Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky says that President Trump has made a “final decision” to give Ukrai...

Both leaders toasted each other, agreed to an economic future together and little concrete has been announced. We hear how the visit has been received in both China and the US. Also, we hear from the boss of a shipping company on the challenges of navigating attacks and disruption, and also what it’s meant for his bottom line.

For millions of young Africans, leaving home in search of better opportunities has become an increasingly attractive option. A recent Afrobarometer survey across 38 African countries found that 55% of young people aged 18–35 have considered emigrating. Roughly 22% would prefer to remain somewhere in Africa, while 60% favour Europe or North America. Among those considering leaving, better work oppo...

US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping have exchanged warm words at a lavish White House state dinner but gave little indication of progress on pressing issues. Xi stressed that they should ensure artificial intelligence remains "under human control", while Trump toasted a future of "harmony, peace and success" for both nations. Also in the programme: As the Tigrayans go on the...

Nolan speaks with Paul Givan, Newton Emerson, Gordon Lyons, callers & others

Tech billionaires join Donald Trump and Xi Jinping for dinner at the White House at the end of the first full day of the Chinese President's visit to the US. Mr Xi said that in their discussions earlier, he and his host had reached "common understanding on many issues" but didn't elaborate. No concrete breakthroughs have been reported on contentious matters such as Iran and AI. Also: Israeli Prime...

Over the last 10 years, Dr Jane Orton has visited the remote Spiti Valley in the Himalayas to speak to the local Bhoti people about their lore and spiritual beliefs. In the many villages across the valley, stories about the deities are consistent from place to place but also transfigured. She hears about deities like Lhas, powerful beings that have been incorporated into Buddhism. Lhas serve many...

China's President has told Donald Trump that their countries have a responsibility to ensure that AI remains under human control. President Xi was speaking during talks at the White House on the first full day of his state visit. We hear from a former US government adviser on artificial intelligence. Also on the programme: daily migrant crossings from France reach their highest level this year; an...

On today’s episode, we take a look at the stories shaping global business and markets. We discuss China’s state visit to the United States with Claire Reade, exploring the key issues and what the visit could mean for relations between the two countries. Cary Leahey joins us to discuss what’s trending in the markets, from the latest moves to the themes investors are watching. We also look at the UN...