The Belarusian activist Sergey Tikhanovsky, husband of the exiled opposition politician Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, was freed in a surprise release along with several other prisoners. Also in the programme: a resident of Tehran tells us why he hasn't left the city during the Israeli bombardment; and why the UK plans to map the DNA of new-born babies. (Photo: Belarusian opposition politician Svetlana hugs her freed husband Sergey. Credit: Shutterstock)
Newshour - Erdogan slams Israeli strikes as Muslim countries explore diplomatic options
At a gathering of Muslim-majority states in Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has condemned Israel’s military strikes on Iran, accusing it of violating international law and risking “total disaster” in the region. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, also at the summit, warned that any US involvement in the conflict would be “very dangerous.” Also in the programme: In the UK, the launch of a new scheme to map the DNA of newborn babies; and 50 years after the hit film Jaws was released, we ask if it's finally time for a PR makeover for sharks.
Photo: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks in Istanbul Credit: REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Global News Podcast - The Happy Pod: Sending my mother’s ashes around the world
The woman fulfilling her mother's dreams of travel by launching her ashes out to sea in a bottle. It's brought her happiness amid her grief. Also: Thailand's tigers bounce back; and making hospitals happier for children.
Presenter: Nick Miles. Music composed by Iona Hampson
Global News Podcast - Gaza aid deaths: Why does this keep happening?
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says more than 400 Palestinians have been killed near aid sites since late May. The Israeli military has repeatedly said it will investigate such reports. We ask why this keeps happening.
Newshour - Iran-European talks debate Tehran’s nuclear programme
Iran agrees to a second day of talks in Geneva over the fate of its nuclear programme. Their meeting marked the first face-to-face dialogue between Tehran and western governments since Israel first attacked Iran a week ago. Also on the programme, witnesses say Israeli military kills 23 Palestinians near aid site in Gaza; and, 50 years since 'Jaws' became the first summer blockbuster.
(Photo: European foreign ministers to meet Iranian officials in Geneva, Switzerland - 20 Jun 2025. MARTIAL TREZZINI/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock )
CrowdScience - How can we persuade more people to cycle?
Cycling is good for our health, good for the planet, and it can be an efficient way of moving around busy cities. But despite all the rational arguments for it, in most cities the number of people who get on their bikes is low.
CrowdScience listener Hans wants to know whether it’s time to change our tactics. Could we persuade more people to cycle if we moved away from focusing on well-intentioned rational arguments and use messages that appeal to our desires and vanity instead? What does the science say? Presenter Caroline Steel is on the case.
She meets Winnie Sambu from World Bicycle Relief to learn about why people in countries like Kenya to choose the bike to get around. She heads out on a ride with psychologist Professor Ian Walker from the University of Swansea to find out what barriers there might be to persuading people to cycle.
She also takes a lesson from one of the world’s top cycling nations as she talks to Marie Kåstrup, a cycling campaigns expert who has advised the Danish government on inspiring cycling and sustaining it in the city of Copenhagen. Also in Denmark, Caroline meets behavioural scientist Dr Pelle Guldborg Hansen who shares his experience in the art of persuasion.
Presenter: Caroline Steel Producer: Tom Bonnett Series Producer: Ben Motley
Focus on Africa - How different will the Rwanda-DRC peace deal be?
There is a glimmer of hope that three decades of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo could end after the government agreed a draft peace deal with Rwanda, a country accused of funding the M23, a group that has taken over some significant towns in the east of DRC. Representatives of the two countries will formally sign the agreement next week. But will this deal brokered by the United States work where others have failed?
Also, Egypt scrambles for gas supplies after Israel's oil refineries are struck by Iranian strikes and we examine whether other countries in Africa have been affected too.
And a bra-scandal: why female staff members at a university in Nigeria were touching the breasts of students before allowing them to take an exam.
Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Journalist: Sunita Nahar Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Newshour - European ministers to hold talks with the Iranian foreign minister
UK, French and German foreign ministers will hold talks with their Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, in Geneva today as part of efforts to ease the Israel-Iran conflict.
Also on the programme: lawmakers in the UK hold a crucial vote on legalising assisted dying; and as Italian classical singer Andrea Bocelli releases a duet with the men's tennis world number one, Jannik Sinner, we'll ponder what draws some sports stars to dabble in music.
(Photo: Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addresses a special session of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on June 20, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse)
Global News Podcast - European ministers hold talks with Iran as conflict continues
As the conflict between Israel and Iran enters its second week, European ministers are meeting Iran's top diplomat as part of efforts to end the fighting. Also; Spain's political crisis and the tigers making a comeback.
Unexpected Elements - Some really cool science
This week, the Florida Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers at ice hockey’s Stanley Cup championship, which sent us skating into ice-related science.
First up, we hear about an ancient ice skate that’s been unearthed in Prerov, Czech Republic, which sends us pondering about the physics of ice-skating.
We then discover why licking a flagpole on a chilly day is a bad idea, before delving into the science of cryopreservation.
Next up, we speak to Dr Mark Drinkwater of the European Space Agency, who reveals how satellites can help us monitor and better understand our planet’s melting ice sheets.
Plus, what do you do if you want to play ice hockey but you live near the equator?
All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Chhavi Sachdev and Sandy Ong Producer: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with Margaret Sessa Hawkins and Minnie Harrop