The day’s top stories from BBC News, including the latest from Gaza, on US politics and about the Ukraine conflict. Delivered twice a day on weekdays, daily at weekends.
A BBC investigation into an Israeli attack in Lebanon finds evidence that almost all those killed were civilians. Also: a court in Pakistan orders a popular social media personality to publish videos on animal rights.
US states reach a $7.4bn settlement with the makers of OxyContin, a painkiller that fuelled a nationwide opioid epidemic. Also: President Trump tells international businesses to move to the US or face big tariffs.
Donald Trump says he plans to abolish the US emergency response agency, FEMA, and hints he may prosecute Joe Biden. Also: the International Criminal Court takes on Taliban leaders over treatment of women and girls.
Donald Trump urges President Putin to end the 'ridiculous' war in Ukraine or face tough US economic action. Also: a new wildfire flares up near Los Angeles, and are footballers much smarter than we thought?
Rupert Murdoch’s newspaper group offers full apology for intrusion into Prince Harry's private life – and agrees to pay substantial damages. The move, by the owners of The Sun tabloid, ends a long-running legal battle.
President Trump has announced a multi-billion dollar programme for artificial intelligence infrastructure. Also: arrests for Turkish fire which killed at least 76 people, and the new robotic glove teaching piano playing.
The president pardons those who took part in the storming of the Capitol in 2021. Also; a deadly fire kills dozens of people in Turkey and why filmmakers are heading to Saudi Arabia.
We find out about the extreme weather events that are happening around the world. We speak to experts from the weather, climate, tech, and disinformation teams to ask how we can better predict and possibly prevent them. Image: A table and chair burns as a home catches fire from the Palisades wildfire in Pacific Palisades, California, USA, 7 January 2025 (Credit: Alison Dinner/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
We assess President Trump's promises on his first day back in office and what it means for the rest of the world. Also: who will govern Gaza after ceasefire and first study into how weight loss drugs affect the body.
Donald Trump returns as 47th US president.
Crowds brave freezing cold ahead of Trump's inauguration. He's promised to sign dozens of executive orders on his first day to push through his radical agenda. Also: the Gaza ceasefire is holding into a second day.
The first three Israeli hostages freed by Hamas under the Gaza ceasefire deal have reunited with their families in hospital in Tel Aviv. Also: TikTok restores service in US after Trump pledge.
Three freed hostages - Doron Steinbrecher, 31, UK-Israeli Emily Damari, 28, and Romi Gonen, 24 - have been returned to Israel. 90 Palestinian prisoners are also due to be released by Israel.
Israel's PM says his country is ready to go back to war in Gaza, if negotiators for a 2nd phase of the ceasefire deal with Hamas collapses. Also: two Iranian supreme court judges shot dead, and what is dark oxygen?
We hear how a young couple's passion is keeping traditional film photography alive in central America. Also: an Olympic life saver; an amazing pianist who learnt using a cardboard replica; and a grandma whose advice went viral.
Israel’s cabinet has given its final approval to a Gaza ceasefire deal, despite some ministers’ opposition. It will begin on Sunday with a hostage-for-prisoner exchange. Also: The US Supreme Court upholds a ban on TikTok.
Some Israeli ministers have threatened to resign over the agreement. Also: Imran Khan is sentenced to a further 14 years in prison. And a Russian court jails Alexei Navalny's three lawyers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed a vote to approve the Gaza ceasefire deal, accusing Hamas of seeking last-minute changes to the agreement.
Vote by Israeli cabinet on Gaza ceasefire delayed, as Israel continues to carry out strikes; S Korea's arrested president refuses to take part in more questioning, and Pakistan’s national airline accused of bad taste.
Israelis and Gazans welcome the ceasefire but express concern it won't end the conflict. Also: Trump's secretary of state pick, Marco Rubio, stresses the US First agenda, and rethinking women's roles in ancient Britain.
A Gaza ceasefire, which involves a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of all the hostages, has been agreed by Israel and Hamas. The announcement was made by the PM of Qatar, which helped broker the deal.
In custody Yoon Suk Yeol defended his decision to impose martial law last month. Also: dozens of bodies have been pulled from an abandoned gold mine in South Africa, and how to stay motivated and not give up on your New Year's resolutions.
Hopes remain high that a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is very close. Also: South Korean investigators again try to arrest President Yoon Suk Yeol; and why Starbucks says you can’t stay unless you pay.
Qatari mediators say major differences have been overcome in Gaza negotiations. Also: US Justice Department report says Donald Trump engaged in an unprecedented criminal effort to overturn his 2020 election defeat.
President Biden says a Gaza ceasefire deal is "on the brink" of coming to fruition. Also: Oliviero Toscani, Benetton's controversial photographer, dies aged 82, and a Scottish island finally celebrates New Year.
China has reported its largest-ever annual trade surplus, amid Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs. Also, an investigation into the fast fashion giant Shein; and the millions taking part in Kumbh Mela in India.
The Ukrainian president says he is willing to hand over two captured North Korean soldiers in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia. Also: Kenya investigates the metal structure that fell from the skies.
Donald Trump has repeated his desire to control Greenland as a matter of national security, targeting Russian and Chinese interest in the Arctic. Competition is heating up over shipping routes and stores of natural resources. The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC World Service. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podc...
The authorities in Los Angeles say the strong winds that have spread wildfires over a wide area are likely to continue for several more days. Also: is A.I. dubbing the future for foreign-language dramas and films?
We meet a Texas woman whose donated breastmilk helped thousands of premature babies. Also: surviving thirteen days alone in Australia's mountains; a chess playing NBA star; and appealing for friends to tackle loneliness.
