Unexpected Elements - A Storm of Science

As rescue and relief efforts in the Caribbean are ongoing after Hurricane Melissa, Unexpected Elements looks at the science of storms.

We explore how AI might help us better predict the weather patterns, and whether it could act as an early warning signal to help us prepare for natural disasters, and we look at what a sinkhole off the Coast of Belize has helped reveal about 6000 years of storm history in the Caribbean.

Giles Harrison, Professor of Atmospheric Physics at Reading University helps explain the unexpected link between bees and storm clouds. We also investigate whether storms with female names are more deadly, your letters have us contemplating banana varieties, and whether wind turbines could ever have an effect on the breeze.

All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements.

Presenter: Alex Lathbridge, with Andrada Fiscutean and Leonie Joubert Producers: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins with Eliane Glaser, Minnie Harrop, and Lucy Davies.

Global News Podcast - Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, is set to be richer

Tesla shareholders have approved a record-breaking pay package that could make the electric car company's founder Elon Musk a trillionaire if he can deliver a future filled with self-driving taxis and humanoid robots. More than three quarters of shareholders backed the plan which requires Mr Musk to substantially raise Tesla's market value over a period of years. Also: Typhoon Kalmaegi is weakening but the devastation and lives lost in the Philippines and Vietnam has been overwhelming; Artificial Intelligence and the chatbot which has been encouraging a young woman to kill herself; the Kashmir cricket scandal; and Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as the speaker of the US House of Representatives, bows out of politics at 85.

Newshour - Will US try to wield influence at COP30?

The US has not sent a delegation to the COP30 in Brazil but President Trump's influence is being felt at the conference. Also on the programme, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan have said they've agreed to a proposal for a humanitarian ceasefire in the country's civil war; and, the world's largest spiderweb has been discovered in a cave.

(Photo: The Prince of Wales leaves the stage after speaking during the COP30 UN climate conference in Belem, Para State, Brazil. Picture date: Thursday November 6, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

Global News Podcast - World leaders gather in Brazil for UN climate talks

The leaders of the three greatest producers of carbon emissions — the US, China and India — are staying away from the COP30 summit, which officially starts on Monday. The UN says it's now "virtually impossible" to achieve the international target of limiting global warming to 1.5C. Also: South Africa says it's received distress calls from 17 citizens lured into fighting for Russia in the war in Ukraine; and China's astronauts say they've held the first ever barbecue in space.

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

Newshour - Some world leaders meet ahead of climate summit

As only a handful of world leaders attend a meeting ahead of COP 30 in Brazil next week - is international commitment on climate change at risk? We hear from our team on the ground in Belem and from Germany's former special envoy on climate.

Also in the programme: the Philippines declares a state of emergency after Typhoon Kalmaegi destroys entire communities and leaves at least 114 people dead; our correspondent - under heavy Israeli restrictions - goes inside the Gaza Strip; and we get an update on Sudan, where UN Secretary General António Guterres has said the “horrifying crisis .. is spiralling out of control".

(IMAGE: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attends the opening of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) plenary session, in Belem, Brazil, November 6, 2025 / CREDIT: Reuters/Adriano Machado)

Focus on Africa - Nigeria pushes back on “Christian genocide” claims

Nigeria rejects claims of a “Christian genocide,” saying violence stems from terrorism and land disputes, not religion, and that both Christians and Muslims have suffered attacks. Some Christian leaders however say there have been instances of Christians being specifically targeted.

Also in the programme: Malaria elimination is stalling in southern Africa as cases rise due to climate change, resistance, and reduced funding.   And Ghana is sending relief packages to Jamaica following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. It's more than relief,  it's reinforcing historical and cultural connections between the two countries.

Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers:  Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar and Mark Wilberforce in London Senior Producer: Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Philip Bull Editors  Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Global News Podcast - US to cut flights if government shutdown continues

The Federal Aviation Administration in the US has said that if the government shutdown continues, it will cut air traffic by ten per-cent across forty busy airports from Friday, in order to maintain safety. Air traffic controllers have been working without pay for more than a month and some of them are now calling in sick. The Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, insists air travel is still safe, and the decision to cancel the flights is being made to ensure efficiency. Also: the BBC has been allowed to enter Gaza for the first time since the ceasefire was declared last month; Mexico's first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has called for sexual harassment to be made a crime in the country after footage showed a man trying to grope her in the street; and a typhoon which has caused devastating floods across the central Philippines has killed at least 140 people.

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

Newshour - New York: Mamdani describes the start of a “new era”

New York City's Democratic mayor- elect, Zohran Mamdani, says he'll start the hard work of improving New Yorkers lives now. He's pledged to run a government that can deliver his campaign promise to make New York more affordable.

Also in the programme: The African women tricked into making Russian drones; France moves to suspend Shein website as it opens first store in Paris; and just how vulnerable are Nigeria's Christians.

(Photo credit: AFP)

Global News Podcast - US Democrats celebrate Mamdani victory

Zohran Mamdani is promising change and a template to defeat Donald Trump after winning the vote to become the New York City mayor. Also: the United Nations calls for more action to halt atrocities in Sudan; Chinese fast-fashion brand Shein launches its first store in Paris; and Monopoly is 90 - we look at the history of the popular board game.

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

Newshour - Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayoral election

The newly-elected Democratic mayor of New York Zohran Mamdani has told his supporters that his victory can be a template for how to defeat President Trump. In his victory speech, the 34-year-old said that in a moment of political darkness, New York would be the light. We get reaction from Democrats and Republicans. Also in the programme: Fashion wars in Paris; and are we on the cusp of an AI bubble that could tank the global economy? (Photo: Mayor-elect of New York City Zohran Mamdani speaks during an election night party in the Brooklyn borough of New York, 4 November 2025. Credit: Sarah Yenesel/EPA/Shutterstock)