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Naomi Green, a member of the Muslim Council of Britain and TUV Cllr Ron McDowell react

Misha Glenny and guests discuss one of the towering figures of Brazilian and world literature, Machado de Assis (1839 - 1908). He was the descendant of slaves and built his career while slavery was still in place in Brazil (abolished 1888) and many of his characters were from the slave-owning class who were also the readers of his books. At the time, those readers were delighted to see themselves...

Once a quiet hobby for enthusiasts, ant-keeping has exploded into a global, multi-million-dollar business driven by social media and a rising wave of "ant-influencers". Demand for exotic species is fuelling a boom in online trading forums, and a new front in wildlife trafficking. We go to Kenya, where law enforcement has made global headlines arresting gangs as they try to smuggle thousands of pri...

The International Criminal Court says it has "concrete evidence" the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces committed crimes against humanity in Darfur during Sudan's civil war. The RSF says the scale of the atrocities in el-Fasher and el-Geneina has been exaggerated. Also: Iran attacks Gulf nations in response to a new wave of US strikes; Bangladesh battles a deadly measles outbreak; scientists warn t...

Pioneering entrepreneur George Johnson has died aged 99. We speak to Valerie Jarrett, American businesswoman, former Senior Advisor to the President of the United States, and chief executive officer of the Obama Foundation. She knew George Johnson throughout his life, and was a close friend. Russia has banned exports of diesel in order to avoid domestic shortages, after a flurry of attacks by Ukra...

A landmark review into Personal Independence Payments - known as PIP - is due tomorrow. The Timms Review is expected to call for significant reform of disability benefit. We look ahead to what it might bring, get the views of senior politicians - and hear the hopes of someone who claims the benefit. Also on the programme: we speak to the granddaughter of the last woman to be hanged in the UK - Rut...

President Trump has threatened to hit Iran hard again in the coming hours, after declaring the ceasefire over because of Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. Also on the programme, NATO's secretary general says the alliance is stronger than ever - despite transatlantic tensions - with Europeans taking greater responsibility for their own defence; and Nigeria's president has ordered a corruptio...

Chris gets himself in a mess, and Amber is leant a helping hand.

President Trump says the ceasefire agreement with Iran is "over", blasting the country's leadership as "scum" and "cuckoo" after fresh exchanges of fire. Mr Trump has warned the US will hit Iran 'hard' again tonight, but added that talks could continue if they want. Speaking with President Zelensky on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, he also promised to license the manufacture of vital...

The UN's humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, Denis Brown has warned that the humanitarian crisis in Sudan's besieged city of El-Obeid is worsening as fighting and a blockade by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continue. He says repeated drone strikes have hit power stations and water facilities, leaving civilians without essential services. The UN Human Rights Council has also ordered an urge...

Russian motorists queue for miles in the hope of buying petrol, but President Putin describes the problem as manageable. Meanwhile fighting has erupted in the Persian Gulf with both US and Iran firing at targets on land and at sea. Almost no ships are currently passing through the Strait of Hormuz. And the world's biggest professional ESports event gets under way in Paris.

President Trump says the ceasefire is over, after the US struck targets in Iran overnight following the targeting of oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran on Tuesday. Iran retaliated today against US assets in the region. We hear from Iran and also get some analysis. Also in the programme: research uncovers how COVID-19 has damaged some people's eyesight; and actor Anne Hathaway tells us how...

Nolan talks to loyalist Jim Wilson and callers also give their reaction

The US carries out strikes in Iran, in retaliation for what it says is renewed Iranian targeting of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has condemned the attacks. Also: the French far-right leader Marine Le Pen confirms she will contest next year's presidential election. China is dealing with severe rain and flooding that's left more than 20 people dead. Super-strength cannabis is...

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, all this week The Global Story is exploring the surprising and often hidden ways the US has shaped the modern world. For decades in the US, “Made in China” signified a product that was cheap, poorly made, and, in some cases, produced through exploitative labour. But today, the label signifies something quite different in many American minds -...

Twenty five days ago SpaceX debuted on the stock market in the largest initial public offering in history, selling US$75bn worth of shares. Now its joined the Nasdaq 100 index of firms including Microsoft, Apple and Nvidia, so why have its shares fallen? We hear from tech investor Eileen Burbridge and financial advisor Jennifer Snyder on why investors might not be feeling reassured. Canada's launc...

Nigel Farage has announced he will stand down as an MP for Clacton and fight a by-election. The Reform UK leader was under investigation by a parliamentary watchdog for allegedly failing to declare a £5m gift from billionaire cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborn. The other major parties have said they will not run candidates in the by-election, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch describ...

The French hard right leader Marine Le Pen says she'll still be a candidate in next year's presidential election, despite losing an appeal against her conviction for misusing EU funds. Also in the programme, we speak to Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the presidential task force for the World Cup, on one of the most controversial moments in the tournament's history; and, a 700 year-old...

Susan hatches a plan, while Ian struggles with the inevitable.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Senate adopted a constitutional revision bill in June, which has raised fierce controversy as it would effectively reset presidential term limits. The legislation paves the way for a public vote on a new constitution. Under this proposal, President Félix Tshisekedi's previous terms in office would be discounted, essentially allowing him to seek a third te...

French hard-right leader Marine Le Pen could now run for president next year after a court in Paris upheld her embezzlement conviction, but reduced the length of her ban on running for public office. Also: Ukraine's president has used a speech at the Nato summit in Turkey to urge allies to deliver the air defence systems Kyiv urgently needs. In Syria, explosions have been heard in central Damascus...

Motorists are angry that petrol in India must contain 20% ethanol alchol. Samsung's profits jump on sales of memory chips for AI, but the share price falls. And can China become the global leader in self driving cars?

A French court of appeal has upheld the conviction of the far right leader Marine Le Pen for misusing public funds. She'll have to wear an electronic tag, which she's previously said will stop her from running for president next year. Also on the programme: a crunch Nato meeting for Ukraine's President Zelensky as he urges world leaders to cough up cash; and the story of Kenya's “eco mamas” -- the...

This slang phrase is about knowing what you have to do for a task, and doing it perfectly. Hear examples and learn how to use it in this programme, with Georgie and Feifei. As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260706. For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com We send a newslette...

Nolan talks to Tricia O'Neill from Road Safe NI and ex Top Gear presenter Steve Berry