Author: BBC World Service

The US President Donald Trump, joined by the Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee, has established a task force to take on crime in the city of Memphis. The Democratic-led city is the latest to face a Trump administration crackdown on crime, following Washington DC. Trump has vowed to 'fix' the city after shelving plans for a similar operation in Chicago, reportedly due to opposition from local and state officials. Memphis' mayor, Paul Young, also has voiced opposition to the plan, arguing that crime already is falling without federal intervention. The president said on Monday, however, that Memphis is 'overrun' with carjackings, robberies and shootings, as well as other crimes. Also: since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan four years ago, there's been a huge surge in childhood malnutrition - we'll bring you a special report from inside the country, and there's been foul-play at the world stone skimming championship in Scotland - allegations of cheating have 'rocked' the tournament.

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

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, says he doesn't rule out further strikes on Hamas leaders "wherever they are," despite being criticised for launching an attack on Qatari territory last week. Israel's decision to target senior Hamas leaders in Qatar - a close US ally - drew international outrage and criticism, even from US President Donald Trump. Mr Netanyahu was speaking after meeting the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who blamed Hamas and urged Qatar to continue to play a constructive role on Gaza. Also: a Turkish court has adjourned its hearing into allegations of vote-buying by the leader of the opposition CHP party, and we hear from young people demanding a voice ahead of Malawi's elections. 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 BBC reports from inside Afghanistan on the loss of access to maternity care, after US aid cuts. Also on the programme, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said US-Israeli relations have "never been stronger", as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits to discuss the war in Gaza following Israel's attack on Hamas members in Qatar; and, the Emmy awards rewards its youngest every winner.

(Photo: Aakriti Thapar / BBC)

A Ugandan woman, Monic Karungi, known online as Mona Kizz, tragically fell to her death from a Dubai high-rise in 2022. Within hours her name was trending. A grainy video of a woman jumping from a building began circulating, with social media users claiming it was of Monic and that she’d taken her life after a “porta potty” video of her was leaked. We hear from BBC Eye’s Runako Celina, who spent two years trying to find answers as to why and how Monic and another Ugandan woman by the name of Kayla both died under similar, tragic circumstances.

Also, what's the state of press freedom in Africa, as it declines sharply around the world?

And how two sworn enemies came together to promote peace in Nigeria

Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar and Mark Wilberforce Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard, Maryam Abdalla and Alice Muthengi

BBC report finds tragic accounts of Afghan maternity deaths after US-backed clinics shut. More than 400 medical facilities closed down in the country after the Trump administration cut nearly all US aid earlier this year, in a drastic and abrupt move following the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The Trump administration has justified withdrawing aid, saying there were "credible and longstanding concerns that funding was benefiting terrorist groups, including... the Taliban", who govern the country. Also, major anti government protests in Turkey, and who's won what at the Emmys? 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

Israel is angry at Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's support for pro-Palestinian protests which ended the Vuelta cycle race. Mr Sanchez said he was proud that 100,000 demonstrators opposed to Israeli participation had turned out. Also: The governor of Utah says the suspect in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk isn't cooperating with authorities, and the brother of Jeffrey Epstein's most vocal victim speaks out.

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

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting to discuss the war in Gaza following Israel's attack on Hamas members in Qatar. His visit comes as Israeli forces continue to destroy residential buildings in Gaza City, forcing thousands to flee ahead of an expected ground offensive to seize the city.

Also on the programme: We hear from an American city sitting on the border between two US states with opposing abortion laws three years on from US citizens losing their constitutional right to abortion nationwide; and we'll speak to one of the organisers of the protests in Nepal about why she is backing the country's interim prime minister.

(Photo: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visit the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City on September 14, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Nathan Howard/Pool)

As the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, begins his visit to Israel, he has once again criticised the Israeli strike on Qatar. We ask whether this will bring about a policy change in Israel and how the Gulf states will react to the strike.

Also in the programme, fighter jets are scrambled as Romania becomes the second NATO country to report an incursion into its airspace by a Russian drone. And the rock band, Queen, gives their first symphonic performance of their rock operetta Bohemian Rhapsody at the Last Night of the BBC Proms.

Credit: Photo by ABIR SULTAN/EPA/Shutterstock (15485623ao) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) visit the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, 14 September 2025

Donald Trump wants to broker peace in two of the world’s most intractable wars: Gaza and Ukraine. But this week, both crises have escalated – and the man he’s tasked with solving them has no previous diplomatic experience.

Steve Witkoff, a real estate mogul and Trump’s closest confidante, is now at the centre of American foreign policy as the ‘envoy for everything’.

On today’s Global Story, we speak with the BBC’s State Department Correspondent, Tom Bateman, and ask whether Witkoff’s unconventional style is a weakness – or a strength.

Every weekday, this is The Global Story. The world is changing. Decisions made in the US and by the second Trump administration are accelerating that change. But they are also a symptom of it. With Asma Khalid in DC, Tristan Redman in London, and the backing of the BBC’s international newsroom, The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

Producers: Cat Farnsworth and Aron Keller Executive producer: James Shield Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins

Image: President Donald Trump and Steve Witkoff. Sarah Yenesel/EPA/Shutterstock

The hostages' families have said Israel's strike on Qatar has blocked the captives' return and an end to the war in Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said every time a deal approached, the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu sabotaged it. Mr Netanyahu has defended the attack. Also: two women become Finland's first same sex ice dancing pair, and the Super Mario video game turns 40.

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