Author: BBC World Service

Israel has said it has dealt a "severe blow" to Iran's command and control centres as it continues to strike the country. Iran's retaliations have led to casualties across the region. In the meantime, President Trump has said he is open to talking to Iran's new interim leaders.

We hear the latest from the ground in Tehran, talk to an Israeli MP and an economist about the impact on oil prices as shipping comes to a standstil in the Strait of Hormuz.

(Photo: a supporter of deceased Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini holds its picture at a rally in Lebanon. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock)

We meet two women who have forged an unconventional friendship after meeting by chance more than four years ago. Neena found Carol's lost subway card in New York and they went on to build a close intergenerational bond. They say their 58 year age gap allows them to learn from each other, slow down and appreciate what's important.

Also: How decades of work have brought giant tortoises back to an island in the Galapagos for the first time in nearly two hundred years. The Floreana Tortoise became extinct after the arrival of humans, but now dozens of young reptiles bred from a closely related species have been released there.

Across the Pacific, we meet the Gen Z women working to restore damaged coral reefs on an Indonesian archipelago. The underwater gardeners recover broken fragments and help them grow.

Plus, the science behind why getting out into nature can boost our well being; the veterans reunited more than eighty years after they fought together in World War Two; and how an unwanted bike in Scotland has opened up new possibilities for para-cyclists in Kenya.

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

Photo: Neena and Carol, who became friends after Neena returned Carol's lost subway card. Credit: Neena Roe

Iran's interim leadership council has been named following the death of its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israel attack. In Israel nine people have been killed by retaliatory strikes from Tehran.

(Photo: Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 1, 2026. CREDIT: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS)

Israel is launching strikes on Iran for a second day after initial joint attacks with the US killed the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran says it has a duty to retaliate. Also in this special podcast, we hear how the Iranian people view the strikes on their country. We have a report from Israel, where there's been a barrage of Iranian missiles. We look at how the attack on Iran could turn into a wider regional conflict. And we ask how President Trump's decision to attack Tehran has been received at home — and whether it was legal under international law.

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

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed in his office by US and Israeli strikes - ending his 36-year iron rule of the Islamic Republic. As the government announces a 40 day mourning period, many Iranians have reportedly taken to the streets to celebrate. The Revolutionary Guard has promised to punish the "murderers", and is carrying out retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region. There have been strong reactions at the UN Security Council and on Capitol Hill. So who's now in charge of Iran? And what does this mean for the rest of the world? We get analysis from BBC Persian and our international correspondents about the significance of this moment.

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

Image credit: Iranian supreme leader's office handout/EPA/Shutterstock

US President Donald Trump says that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is dead following after a day of U.S. and Israeli military strikes. Iranian state media denies Mr Khamenei is dead. We bring you the latest political and diplomatic developments from across the world and from inside the country.

(Photo: People walk near a mural featuring images of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Credit: Majid Asgaripour/Reuters). Reuters )

President Donald Trump confirms that "major combat operations" are underway against targets in Iran in a joint operation by the US and Israeli military. The office of Iran's supreme leader, and the presidential office in Tehran, were reportedly targeted, as well as military sites across the country. In response Iran launched strikes at US military targets across the region - with damage reported in Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait. 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

The US and Israel have carried out a joint attack on Iran. President Donald Trump confirms the start of a 'major combat operation,' and calls for regime change. We bring you reaction from neighbouring countries in the Middle East and the Gulf. We also hear from an Iranian resident in the capital Tehran, and views from Washington and Israel.

(Photo: Smoke rises following an explosion in Tehran, after Israel launched an attack, February 28, 2026. Credit: Reuters)

President Donald Trump says he will direct every federal agency to immediately stop using technology from AI developer Anthropic. The company behind the AI assistant Claude is mired in a row with the White House after refusing demands to give the US military unfettered access to its AI tools. Anthropic says “no amount of intimidation or punishment” will shift its opposition to its technology being used for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons, and says it will challenge the White House decision in court.

Also: the former US President, Bill Clinton, tells a Congressional committee he did nothing wrong during his acquaintance with Jeffrey Epstein. President Trump says he's "not happy" with the outcome of the third round of nuclear negotiations with Iran, but the Omani mediator says "peace is within reach" and calls for more time to be given to diplomatic efforts. We look back at the career of the American singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka, who has died aged 86. Argentina's president Javier Milei tries to scrap laws protecting glaciers from the mining industry, promising the changes will lead to one million new jobs. And why the English Premier League is to launch its first direct-to-customer streaming platform next season.

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

Photo: YURI GRIPAS/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock