Author: BBC World Service

Israel has carried out renewed strikes against Hamas in Gaza and says it's suspending all aid deliveries into the territory. Both sides have accused each other of breaching the ceasefire.

Also in the programme: thieves have stolen valuables from one of the world's most famous museums -- the Louvre in Paris -- but dropped a priceless crown while making their escape; and Donald Trump says he's stopping all payments to Colombia, accusing its president of encouraging the nationwide production of drugs.

(Photo: The Khan Younis skyline following Israeli air strikes. Credit: Reuters)

Israel has carried out an airstrike on the Gazan city of Rafah in response to what it said was Hamas breaking their ceasefire agreement. Hamas says it is committed to the ceasefire and alleges that Israel "continues to breach the agreement".

Also on the programme: thieves have broken into the Louvre Museum in Paris and stolen jewellery that France's interior minister described as priceless; and Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to stop fighting so that talks can take place to end their cross-border dispute.

(Photo: A drone view shows tents of displaced Palestinians in Gaza City on 18 October. Credit: Reuters)

Reporting on the war in Gaza has only been possible because of the work of Palestinian journalists, because the Israeli government will not let foreign broadcasters – including the BBC – inside the territory to report freely, even now a ceasefire is in place. One month ago, freelance journalist Ghada Al-Kurd began sharing voice notes with us, talking about her life, her hopes, her family, and her days reporting in Gaza City. Her job is dangerous – almost 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza in the past two years – and even with a ceasefire in place, safety is far from reach. Ghada has continued to report for us through her displacements, sharing her treasured memories of pre-war Gaza, and her fears and hopes for its future.

Image: Ghada Al Kurd

In the United States hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in nationwide demonstrations against President Trump's policies; the so-called No Kings protests want to send the message that Donald Trump is not a king and to stand against his crackdown on undocumented migrants, the deployment of National Guard troops, and cuts to federal jobs. Also, the remains of two Israeli hostages are back in the country after being handed over by Hamas to the International Red Cross, thousands of people in Kenya have attended the final public send-off for Raila Odinga, one of the country's most influential political leaders; and the man who discovered his father had once been the heir to one of the richest Jewish families in Germany, before their fortune was stolen by the Nazis.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are in Qatar's capital Doha for peace negotiations. Pakistani jets conducted a series of airstrikes on Afghanistan's border province of Paktika on Friday, ending a brief lull in the intense fighting that broke out last week. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harbouring militants, which Kabul has denied.

Also in the programme: a new study shows how a blood test for more than 50 types of cancer could help speed up diagnosis; and thousands of people have attended a final public send-off for Kenya's former prime minister Raila Odinga who died earlier this week.

(File Picture: Vehicles loaded with the belongings of Afghan citizens at the border crossing in Chaman, Balochistan Province on October 16, 2025. Credit: Reuters/Saeed Ali Achakzai)

Iran says it is no longer bound by restrictions on its nuclear programme as its landmark 10-year deal with world powers expired on Saturday. A foreign ministry statement said the limits agreed in 2015 no longer applied, although Tehran remained firmly committed to a diplomatic solution.

Also on the programme: Pakistan and Afghanistan hold peace talks after days of clashes and deadly airstrikes near the border; and the single blood test that can find as many as 50 different cancers.

(Photo: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks during a meeting with foreign ambassadors and diplomats to Iran on 05 October 2025. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock)

A singing group designed for women with post-natal depression has been shown to deliver long lasting improvements in their wellbeing. A three year study found that it helped them with symptoms like low mood, stress and anxiety and that these benefits lasted for several months after the sessions ended. Also: big celebrations as Cape Verde qualifies for the men's football World Cup. It's the second smallest country by population to reach the finals. The women reviving Aztec traditions on Mexico's island farms. Chinampas are an early model of sustainable agriculture but were at risk of disappearing. An ingenious way to fix broken life-saving equipment at remote hospitals that can't get the spare parts they need. The DJ with a difference who's filling dancefloors in Sweden - with people over the age of 50. Plus engineering meets art with a unique dinosaur sculpture, and why people love goat yoga.

Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

Presenter: Vanessa Heaney. Music composed by Iona Hampson.

Britain's Prince Andrew is handing back his royal titles after new allegations emerged over his links to the late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew — who made the announcement following a discussion with King Charles — will no longer be known as the Duke of York but will remain a prince. Also: Volodymyr Zelensky fails to secure Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine during a meeting with Donald Trump; a landmark deal to cut global shipping carbon emissions collapses under US and Saudi pressure; the French banking giant BNP Paribas is found liable for atrocities committed in Sudan during Omar al-Bashir's rule; a temporary ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan breaks down; an ancient Roman memorial stone is unearthed halfway around the world; Taylor Swift fans flock to a German museum to see the pop star's latest muse; and how good is your favourite athlete's poker face?

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: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Monic dreams of leaving her home in rural Uganda for a different life. So when a “friend” promises her a job in Dubai, it feels like the chance she’s been waiting for. Monic is elated, she is the first of her 11 siblings to travel abroad.  But just a few months later she is dead.  Her family is left searching for answers. What happened in Dubai? 

For over two years, investigative journalist Runako Celina has been uncovering what really happened to Mona Kizz - whose real name is Monic Karungi.  She delves into a sinister world behind the glitz and glamour of Dubai, where nothing is as it seems.

You can listen to episode 1 right here. To hear more episodes, search for World of Secrets on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. Or, if you are in the UK, listen on BBC Sounds.

Death in Dubai includes disturbing scenes, including discussion of sexual abuse and suicide.  Some episodes also contain strong language. 

It is a BBC Eye investigation, produced in association with Thread Studios, for the BBC World Service.

Please note, the image is being used for illustrative purposes only and the person depicted in it is a model.

If you feel distressed by the references in this story, please speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support such as Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org

For UK listeners, details of organisations offering information about or support after sexual abuse or with feelings of despair are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.