SATURDAY 15 MARCH 2025

SAT 00:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxhzt7k)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 00:06 Unexpected Elements (w3ct5q39)
The fast and the curious

It’s the month of Ramadan, when Muslims across the world fast between dawn and sunset in the belief that it will bring them closer to Allah. And this has inspired the Unexpected Elements team to turn their attention to all things fast.

First, we explore the latest research around intermittent fasting.

Next, we contemplate a new way to relax by harnessing the time-distorting power of black holes.

We then find out why deserts in South Africa are spreading at an alarming rate.

Plus, we’re joined by Dr Claire Lee, a particle physicist who works with the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. She explains how she and her colleagues accelerate particles to phenomenal speeds, how they detect these particles when they collide, and what this can tell us about the origins of the universe.

That, plus many more Unexpected Elements.

Presenters: Marnie Chesterton, with Tristan Ahtone and Leonie Joubert.
Producers: William Hornbrook, with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Harrison Lewis, Debbie Kilbride and Noa Dowling.


SAT 01:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxhzxzp)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 01:06 Business Matters (w172zbfzyhvb64k)
US averts shutdown as Democrats split over spending bill

The US government narrowly avoids a shutdown after Democratic senators back a Republican-led spending bill, exposing deep party divisions. Was this a necessary compromise or a political defeat? Steff Chávez from the FT breaks it down.

Meanwhile, gold hits a record $3,000 per ounce as investors seek stability. But who really benefits? Adrian Ash of BullionVault and Julia Yansura from FACT discuss the legal and illicit gold trade.

Also, Canada’s new PM, Mark Carney, faces economic challenges, including potential US tariffs. We assess his road ahead with expert Fen Hampson.

Plus, as LA’s wildfire cleanup continues, concerns grow over debris being dumped near parks and schools. Marketplace’s Caleigh Wells reports.


SAT 02:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj01qt)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 02:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqtmzgs844)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


SAT 02:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3pf06)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


SAT 02:32 Stumped (w3ct5wj4)
Can India's men dominate white ball cricket for a decade?

On this week's Stumped, Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharmu discuss India’s dominance of the men’s white ball game - will it continue all the way through to next year’s T20 World Cup and beyond? It’s after India added the Champions Trophy to the T20 World Cup they won in Barbados last year. Virat Kohli reckons this current squad has enough talent to "take on the world" for the next eight years.

We speak to Cricket Australia’s outgoing Chief Executive Nick Hockley. He’s standing down at the end of this month after five years in charge. He tells us the controversial resignation of men’s Test captain Tim Paine was one of the most challenging periods of his tenure, but that he and Paine have since spent a lot of time together and he backs him to have a long and successful coaching career.

He also told us he believes support for the Afghanistan women’s team will continue after his departure and that the controversial decision to mark 150 years of England against Australia with a day/night game can celebrate the history of the game whilst also nodding to the future.

Plus, we look at what Harry Brook’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming Indian Premier League means for him and England.

Photo: Virat Kohli of India and teammate Rohit Sharma celebrate following the team's victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final between India and New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium on March 09, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Credit: ICC via Getty Images)


SAT 03:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj05gy)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 03:06 Outlook (w3ct69b7)
Outlook Mixtape: Making anime history and a singer's secret father

Usman Riaz grew up in Karachi with a passion for Japanese cartoons, but he never dreamed he could become a hand-drawn animator because the industry didn’t exist in Pakistan. So Usman turned to music, getting a scholarship to Berklee College in the US. Then in 2015, after being invited to Studio Ghibli in Tokyo, a leap of faith propelled Usman to build his own animation studio, and with a team of local animators he created Pakistan’s first ever hand-drawn animated feature film. The Glassworker, Usman’s homage to the anime films of his childhood, was longlisted for the 2025 Oscars.

Sarah Joyce spent the first few years of her life in Pakistan with her British parents and siblings. When she was 11 her mother told her that her biological father wasn't the man she had always called "Dad", instead he was the family's Pakistani cook. Sarah wrote music to make sense of her past and turned her experiences into a surprise hit record under the name Rumer. Soon Rumer was performing at the White House in the US and was an exciting new artist on the scene. But behind closed doors she was suffering with the pressures of fame. She left the music industry completely and spent time in nature before venturing into music again, releasing her latest album In Session.

Irishman Denis Mulcahy emigrated from County Cork to the United States in 1962 and ended up becoming an expert with the NYPD bomb squad. Watching the Troubles back home in Northern Ireland, Denis and his friends hatched a plan to give children caught up in the violence, six weeks respite in the United States over the summer. Over four decades, the programme known as Project Children, brought together 23,000 Catholic and Protestant kids from either side of the divide, helping to inoculate them from the sectarianism tearing their homeland apart. Among the first group of children brought over to the US in 1975 were nine-year-old Kevin Brady and eleven-year-old John Cheevers. For them, that first visit to upstate New York would not only shape them as individuals but alter the course of their lives.

Presenter: Saskia Collette
Producer: June Christie

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Cassette tape. Credit: Getty Images)


SAT 03:50 Witness History (w3ct5yg0)
Bardo Museum attack in Tunisia

On 18 March 2015, 22 people, mostly foreign tourists, were killed at the Bardo National Museum in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia.

Hamadi Ben Abdesslem, a tour guide who led tourists to safety, tells Anouk Millet what it was like that day.

A Whistledown production.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.

(Photo: Bardo Museum after attack. Credit: Amine Landoulsi/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images).


SAT 04:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj0972)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 04:06 Unexpected Elements (w3ct5q39)
[Repeat of broadcast at 00:06 today]


SAT 05:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj0dz6)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 05:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqtmzgsmcj)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


SAT 05:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3ps7l)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


SAT 05:32 Diddy On Trial (w3ct7m4y)
Celebs named and lurid new claims in lawsuit; Diddy denies it all

Celeb names have been added to one of the Diddy civil lawsuits in explicit allegations over 87 pages. It names celebrity co-defendants, new complainants, alleged trafficking over state lines, has a separate Michael Jackson element, and accuses Diddy of racketeering with conspiracy.

Diddy denies all allegations against him. His team says no sane person reading this complaint could credit this story and they're already suing the lawyer who filed this for $50m over comments she made to the media on a separate case.

Criminal defence attorney Shaun Kent analyses the lawsuit with Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty. Plus historian Christian Cippolini explains the origins of the racketeering with conspiracy charge - known as RICO.

The Diddy on Trial podcast is here to investigate the rumours, confront the theories, and give you the answers that you need.

We also want YOU to be part of the conversation. Have you any burning questions about the cases or the upcoming trial? Heard a theory that doesn’t sit right with you? Get in touch now via WhatsApp: +44330 123 555 1.

Presenter: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Laura Jones
Sound Design: Craig Boardman
Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine
Editor: Clare Fordham

Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts


SAT 05:50 More or Less (w3ct5trm)
What is an IQ map and can we trust them?

You may have seen a map circulated on social media that claims to show the average IQ of different nations.

If you look closely these numbers vary dramatically, with incredibly low scores in developing countries, including many in Africa.

Unsurprisingly the map is often used as a way to bolster arguments about racial or national superiority.

However, when you look at the data behind the claims the whole thing falls apart. We dive into the methods behind the map and ask whether it’s even possible to accurately put a number on intelligence.

Presenter: Charlotte McDonald
Producer: Lizzy McNeill
Series Producer: Tom Colls
Editor: Richard Vadon
Studio Manager: James Beard
Production Co-Ordinator: Brenda Brown


SAT 06:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj0jqb)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 06:06 Weekend (w172zcxhkx3zsm5)
Trump optimistic about Ukraine ceasefire deal

Long: President Trump is optimistic about a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, despite ongoing uncertainties. His comments follow a meeting between his envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Putin, who expressed 'cautious optimism' but outlined conditions for a deal. Ukrainian President Zelensky has dismissed these as 'manipulative' stalling tactics. We hear from Jim Townsend who worked for 34 years at the Pentagon and NATO, including 8 years as President Obama's Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy.

Also in the programme: Insights on ongoing US trade wars from Olof Gill of the European Commission and Manchester United's plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium close to the current grounds at Old Trafford. Tayomora Gama, regional sports leader for the global design firm, Gensler, tells us more.

Joining presenter Rebecca Kesby are Scottish journalist, Jennifer Stout and Kaya Genc, a Turkish writer and essayist.

(Picture: US President Donald Trump speaks at the US Capitol in Washington DC, USA, 12 March 2025. Photo by JIM LO SCALZO/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)


SAT 07:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj0ngg)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 07:06 Weekend (w172zcxhkx3zxc9)
Germany poised to overhaul fiscal rules to boost defence

Germany's likely new leader, Friedrich Merz, hopes to push through a historic change to borrowing rules, which would allow the country to spend more on defence and infrastructure: we hear from Peter Altmeier, former finance minister in Angela Merkel's government.

Also in the programme, how can any ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia be monitored? European security expert Walter Kemp outlines some of the options.

(Photo: Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party and faction Friedrich Merz, 14 March 2025.Credit: HANNIBAL HANSCHKE/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)


SAT 08:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj0s6l)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 08:06 Weekend (w172zcxhkx4013f)
Ukrainian President claims Russia is stalling peace talks

President Trump describes recent Ukraine ceasefire talks with Putin as productive, but the Ukrainian President disagrees. President Zelensky says Russia's response to the talks shows it wants to 'drag out' reaching a truce because it wants the war to continue. Former Commander of the U.S. Army in Europe Ben Hodges shares his insights.

Also in the programme: A London art exhibition, Living between Worlds, explores the anxiety experienced by Ukrainians now living in the UK as the war in their home country continues. And following Friday's swearing-in of the new Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, we hear from Jean Chrétien, former Canadian Liberal Prime minister, who attended the ceremony.

Joining presenter Rebecca Kesby are Scottish journalist Jennifer Stout and Kaya Genc, a Turkish writer and essayist.

(Picture: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy gestures at a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine March 12, 2025. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko)


SAT 09:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj0wyq)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 09:06 BBC OS Conversations (w3ct5rd2)
Cuts to US foreign aid funding

On his first day in office, Donald Trump froze foreign aid funding, ordering an immediate review into USAID, the government agency which was running programmes in around 120 countries.

The review was swift and the cuts severe. President Trump’s team concluded that tens of billions of dollars were being spent in ways which “did not serve” or “harmed" US interests.

In our conversations, we hear from USAID employees who describe the shock of suddenly losing their own jobs, and the grim anticipation of the impact the cuts will have on people around the world. “It breaks my heart for our work to be dismantled in just a couple of days and months” says Daisy.

We also hear from people running treatment centres around the world, and about the impact on HIV provision in Africa. Mike and Nelson, two men living with HIV, explain their situation and their fears for the future, and clinician Dr Natasha Davies describes the powerlessness she feels, and the human devastation she says is to come. “There are some news stories, like Hiroshima and the Holocaust and the 911 towers, that we all remember for our whole lives because there are such powerful visuals, but it's hard to give a visual for this, even though it's impacting millions of lives”

Presenter: Mark Lowen
BBC producers: Laura Cress, Angela Sheeran and Virginia Kelly
Boffin Media producer: Anne McNaught

(Photo: Two girls in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Credit: Ro Yassin Abdumonab/Reuters)


SAT 09:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3q873)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


SAT 09:32 Pick of the World (w3ct5v1z)
The story of a lost language

Millions of you are fascinated by extinct Andamanese language, Bo, and the last woman to speak it. Plus, Pokemon and why the game could still be played a century from now - and what is it like to explore inside an iceberg?


SAT 09:50 Over to You (w3ct5tv6)
Why it’s more than radio with pictures on YouTube

What in the World is now almost into its fourth month of doing visualisations for its YouTube channel, part of a BBC World Service podcast pilot.
We meet the team who are bringing the show to your screens and also hear listeners’ feedback. Will it, they wonder, attract a younger audience?

Plus, a listener asks why does the World Service repeat programmes and content over and over again? We get them an answer!

Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon
A Whistledown Production for the BBC World Service


SAT 10:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj10pv)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 10:06 Sportshour (w3ct5qc4)
The barefoot world record ice runner

Pawel Durakiewicz was on the verge of death through a deep addiction to alcohol, but now he's overcoming challenges of a different kind whilst helping others along the way. He tells Sportshour’s Shabnam Younus-Jewell about his story of addiction, recovery and transformation though sport and how his latest challenge saw him set another world record – this time running barefoot on snow and ice.

Basketball player Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel refused to let rejection from her high school team, or the fact she was born with one arm, end her dream of playing the sport she loves. She has gone onto make history, becoming the first NCAA Division III women’s basketball player with one arm to score in a collegiate game. She explains the feeling of scoring and how she was determined to prove people wrong.

Football can take coaches all around the world as they look to pursue their dreams. That’s the case for Shadab Iftikhar who has coached in England, Mongolia, Samoa, Scotland, Pakistan and now Bhutan. He shares what it’s like travelling and coaching in different countries and why he’s excited by his latest role.

The first Kabaddi World Cup to be held outside Asia is being staged in England. Sportshour finds out more about the growth of the sport and the significance of the tournament with World Kabaddi President Ashok Das.

*This programme contains discussions around alcohol abuse and suicide. If you’ve been affected by anything discussed or need support, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide, via their website befrienders.org.*

Image: Paweł Durakiewicz looks at his phone whilst socks are being put on him after he ran a half marathon barefoot on ice and snow. (Credit: Paweł Durakiewicz/Diamond Soul Foundation)


SAT 11:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj14fz)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 11:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqtmzgtbv9)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


SAT 11:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3qhqc)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


SAT 11:32 Unspun World with John Simpson (w3ct7lbv)
How will Donald Trump’s tariffs affect global markets?

This week John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses whether jitters in the world markets suggest an economic downturn is imminent, examines how the American decision to hold talks with Hamas has affected the situation in Gaza and looks at how scientists are trying to counter the jamming of GPS signals.


SAT 12:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj1863)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 12:06 The Documentary (w3ct7mw7)
LOUD: Is noise an invisible killer?

BBC health correspondent James Gallagher investigates how our noisy world is damaging our health.

He finds out why noise increases our risk of health problems, like heart attacks, sleep problems and anxiety, and can even affect how long we live.

James spends two days in Barcelona – one of the noisiest cities in Europe – to meet the people whose health is being ruined by noise and the scientists and doctors trying to solve the problem.

He also visits London to be experimented on in a lab to find out how noise changes the body, and hears from Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, one of the loudest places on the planet.

James discovers that even when we think we’ve tuned out loud noise it can still be damaging our health and why we all need to start paying attention to the noise around us.

Presenter: James Gallagher
Producer: Gerry Holt
Dhaka reporting: Salman Saeed
Content editor: Martin Smith
Production co-ordinator: Jana Bennett- Holesworth

(Photo: A woman clasps her ears as she watches traffic rushing by. Credit: Getty Images)


SAT 13:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj1cy7)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 13:06 Newshour (w172zb9f651z7f6)
Ukraine allies discuss future security guarantees

The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says an online summit with twenty-five fellow leaders has built momentum towards setting up a peacekeeping force in Ukraine in the event of a peace deal. We speak to an Italian MP on why his country is not ready to send troops.

Also in the programme: Tens of thousands march against alleged government corruption in Serbia’s capital Belgrade; and Sri Lanka conducts first-ever census of wildlife harmful to agriculture.

(Image: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaking to the media in Downing Street, London. Credit: Leon Neal/PA Wire)


SAT 14:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj1hpc)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 14:06 Sportsworld (w172zbnc9snrsst)
Live Sporting Action

Sportsworld has full commentary of strugglers Ipswich v Champions League chasing Nottingham Forest. Lee James will be joined by former Republic of Ireland and Premier League defender Stephen Kelly and former England WSL forward Natasha Dowie.

The team will review the Women’s League Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City and preview the men’s League Cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle.

Plus, we’ll talk the final round of Rugby’s Six Nations, Indian Wells tennis, Golf’s Players Championship and preview the Formula One season as it gets underway in Australia.

Photo: Ryan Yates of Nottingham Forest scores his team's first goal as Alex Palmer of Ipswich Town fails to make a save during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town at City Ground on March 03, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Credit: Getty Images)


SAT 18:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj1znw)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 18:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqtmzgv626)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


SAT 18:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3rby8)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


SAT 18:32 Diddy On Trial (w3ct7m4y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:32 today]


SAT 18:50 Sporting Witness (w3ct5wfw)
Becoming the 60m fastest woman in the world

At 60m, Nelli Cooman is a former indoor world record holder, running 7:00 seconds in 1986. It was the first time that indoor times were considered official records.

Born in Suriname, she moved to the Netherlands aged eight. She was initially a football player, until her sprinting talents were discovered in high school. She became the first Dutch athlete to get sponsorship and go full time, becoming a superstar in the 1980s winning five European Indoor titles in a row.

Part of her success is down to her coach who was with her from the start, and now coaches her daughter. She tells Matthew Kenyon how she became an indoor track specialist.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive and testimony. Sporting Witness is for those fascinated by sporting history. We take you to the events that have shaped the sports world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes, you become a fan in the stands as we take you back in time to examine memorable victories and agonising defeats from all over the world. You’ll hear from people who have achieved sporting immortality, or those who were there as incredible sporting moments unfolded.

Recent episodes explore the forgotten football Women’s World Cup, the plasterer who fought a boxing legend, international football’s biggest ever beating and the man who swam the Amazon river. We look at the lives of some of the most famous F1 drivers, tennis players and athletes as well as people who’ve had ground-breaking impact in their chosen sporting field, including: the most decorated Paralympian, the woman who was the number 1 squash player in the world for nine years, and the first figure skater to wear a hijab. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the tennis player who escaped the Nazis, how a man finally beat a horse in a race, and how the FIFA computer game was created.

(Photo: Nelli Cooman. Credit: Gray Mortimore/Allsport via Getty Images)


SAT 19:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj23f0)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 19:06 U.Me: The Complete Musical (w3ct6ckm)
Part two

Approaching the fourth anniversary of the WHO’s Coronavirus pandemic declaration, BBC World Service presents U.Me: The Complete Musical. It tells the story of Rose and Ryo, two young strangers who meet online and fall in love during the pandemic lockdowns. Their relationship takes an unexpected turn, and Rose must take on the deepest challenge of her life. Stephen Fry narrates the story, the West End’s Olivier-award nominee Anoushka Lucas performs Rose, and Martin Sarreal plays Ryo. The original soundtrack is performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. An animated film of U.Me: The Complete Musical is available on the BBC World Service YouTube channel.


SAT 20:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj2754)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 20:06 The Arts Hour (w3ct5qkx)
Director Joe Wright

Nikki Bedi talks with British director Joe Wright about his epic TV series, Mussolini: Son of the Century

And with Swedish-Polish director Magnus von Horn, discussing his Oscar-nominated film The Girl with the Needle.

Indian author Santanu Bhattacharya reveals why he chose to tell a three generational gay story in his latest novel, Deviants.

The Chinese born Oscar winning director Chloe Zhao talks about how her Eastern culture shows through in her films

And there’s music from Coldplay

Nikki’s cultural critic is Larushka Ivan-Zadeh.

(Luca Marinelli as Mussolini in the TV series Mussolini: Son of the Century; Credit: Sky Italy)


SAT 21:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj2bx8)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 21:06 Newshour (w172zb9f65206d7)
Military planning for Ukraine peace to begin, says Starmer

An online meeting of world leaders has just ended here in London, hosted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, to discuss concrete commitments to strengthen Ukraine's security.

Also on the programme: huge crowds are demonstrating in the centre of Serbia's capital denouncing government corruption; and can a rocket rescue two astronauts who have been unable to leave the International Space Station?

(Photo: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Holds a Press Conference On Support For Ukraine UK prime minister hosts virtual call with international leaders to discuss Ukraine. Credit: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)


SAT 22:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj2gnd)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 22:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqtmzgvp1q)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


SAT 22:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3rtxs)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


SAT 22:32 This Is Africa (w3ct5y6d)
Gyakie

Gyakie is one of Ghana’s best loved female artists, and she has one of the most seductive, silky voices in Afrobeats. Her biggest hit, Forever, which was remixed as a duet with Nigeria’s Omah Lay, has now accumulated over a 150 million combined streams. The song gave Gyakie international recognition as it climbed charts around the world, and her image adorned billboards in New York’s iconic Time Square.

Since then, Gyakie has been busy winning awards and collaborating with everyone from Davido to US DJ Diplo. She won Best West African Artiste of the Year at the Headies in 2022, and in 2023 Best West African Female Artist at the AFRIMMAs.

Gyakie tells Edu about her new song Days Pass By, and about the impact her music has had upon her life. She came to fame when still a student and confides that the pressure often reduced her to tears.


SAT 23:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj2ldj)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SAT 23:06 The Documentary (w3ct7mwq)
The village of sex offenders

Set among endless sugar-cane fields in a remote part of southern Florida, Restoration Destination is a community made up of registered sex offenders.

Created by a Christian ministry as a response to state laws which ban them from living close to where children gather, it's now home to more than 100 men who’ve been placed on Florida’s sex offenders register for life. Through therapy, counselling and support, Restoration Destination aims to reduce their likelihood of reoffending and help them reintegrate into society.

With the future of the community uncertain and claims Florida’s sex offender residency laws are driving people into homelessness, journalist Conor Garrett goes to Restoration Destination to ask if the men who live there deserve a second chance.

This programme contains interviews with convicted sex offenders, references to sex crimes and other scenes which listeners may find upsetting.

Producer: Conor Garrett
Executive Producer: Georgia Catt
Sound mix: Giles Aspen


SAT 23:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3rynx)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


SAT 23:32 Assignment (w3ct5mv6)
Guatemala’s ‘Indigenous Spring’

Guatemala’s been going through huge political upheavals. Protestors brought the country to a standstill with roadblocks and national strikes which lasted more than one hundred days, until they got the government they had voted for.

Many of the protestors came from different indigenous communities, descended from the Mayans, who have their own language and culture and make up more than half of the 18 million population.

Now there’s talk of an ‘Indigenous Spring’ after years of racism and discrimination. But is life really improving for these communities and is it possible to turn the Central American country around after years of corruption?

Jane Chambers travels around the highlands and lowlands of Guatemala talking to the people who are trying to make changes and hearing from others whether they think it’s really working.

Presenter and Producer: Jane Chambers
Local Producer: José David López
Studio Manager: Neil Churchill
Production Coordinator: Gemma Ashman
Editor: Penny Murphy

(Image: Photo of a mural of indigenous people protesting during the 2023 National Strike in Guatemala. Credit: Jane Chambers/BBC)

SUNDAY 16 MARCH 2025

SUN 00:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj2q4n)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SUN 00:06 BBC OS Conversations (w3ct5rd2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:06 on Saturday]


SUN 00:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3s2f1)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


SUN 00:32 Diddy On Trial (w3ct7m4y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:32 on Saturday]


SUN 00:50 Sporting Witness (w3ct5wfw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:50 on Saturday]


SUN 01:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj2tws)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


SUN 01:06 The Inquiry (w3ct5xjv)
Can South Africa solve land inequality?

At the beginning of this year, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a bill into law which allows for private land to be seized by the government. Known as the Expropriation Act, it’s a power that many democratic governments around the world can exercise – the seizure of private property for public use in return for compensation. But in South Africa’s case, the plan is not to offer compensation, in certain circumstances, such as if land was needed for public use and all other avenues to acquire the land exhausted.

And it is this caveat that has provoked strong reactions both domestically and on the international front. Even within the President’s own party, the ANC, there are those who would prefer more consultation before the law can be implemented. Whilst the Democratic Alliance, the second largest party in South Africa’s coalition government, says that it supports legislation addressing land restitution, it does takes issue with the process followed by the country’s parliament to enact the law. It is testing the Act’s constitutionality with legal action. And now President Trump has signed an executive order cutting US financial aid to South Africa, the order claims that this Act would enable the government to seize the agricultural property of ethnic minority Afrikaners without compensation.

For his part, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that he’ll be sending envoys to various countries to explain South Africa’s positioning on the Expropriation Act, amongst other recent policy changes.

So, on this week’s Inquiry, we’re asking, ‘Can South Africa solve land inequality’?

Contributors:
Thula Simpson, Author and Associate Professor, Department of Historical and Heritage Studies, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Tanveer Jeewa, Junior Lecturer, Constitutional Law, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Dr Ralph Mathekga, Author and Political Analyst, Pretoria, South Africa
Christopher Vandome, Senior Research Fellow, Africa Programme, Chatham House, UK and Ph.D. Student in International Relations, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Presenter: Charmaine Cozier
Co-Producers: Jill Collins and Bara’atu Ibrahim
Editor: Tara McDermott
Technical Producer: Craig Boardman
Broadcast Co-ordinator: Liam Morrey

Image Credit: Shadrack Maseko, whose family has been residing on Meyerskop farm for three generations, looks over a piece of land, in Free State province, South Africa, February 9, 2025. REUTERS/Thando Hlophe


SUN 01:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3s655)
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SUN 01:32 The Fifth Floor (w3ct69k0)
The Kenyan women saying no to motherhood

According to Kenya’s Health Ministry, between 2020 and 2023, about 16,000 women in Kenya decided to undergo a sterilisation procedure known as tubal ligation. While some of them already had children and didn’t want any more, others were saying no to motherhood altogether: they’re women who define themselves as child-free, meaning they have consciously decided never to have children. BBC Africa's Danai Nesta Kupemba has been looking into the this movement and has spoken to two Kenyan women who have recently committed to a child-free life.

Also on the show: stories about people celebrating Ramadan around the world, with BBC Urdu's Aliya Nazki, BBC Indonesia's Silvano Hajid and BBC Arabic's Khitam Amer; cricket enthusiast Janhavee Moole reporting for BBC Marathi on India's recent success at the ICC Champions Trophy; and the ship fixing Africa's internet blackouts with Daniel Dadzie in Ghana.

Presented by Faranak Amidi. Produced by Hannah Dean, Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson.

(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)


SUN 02:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj2ymx)
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SUN 02:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqtmzgw517)
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SUN 02:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3s9x9)
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SUN 02:32 Health Check (w3ct5tb2)
Measles spreads in the Americas

The Americas are in danger of losing their measles elimination status as the disease spreads due to under vaccination. Also on the show, a study finds that continuous glucose monitors may be overestimating blood sugar levels in healthy adults. And it’s been ten years since Brazil experienced and epidemic of microcephaly due to the Zika virus. What have we learned in that time?

Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins


SUN 03:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj32d1)
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SUN 03:06 The Documentary (w3ct7mw7)
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SUN 04:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj3645)
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SUN 04:06 From Our Own Correspondent (w3ct5sk6)
Inside Mexico's drug cartels

Pascale Harter introduces dispatches from Mexico and the USA, refugee camps in Bangladesh, a Kurdish stronghold in northeast Syria and the Faroe Islands.

Donald Trump has threatened Mexico with sanctions if it does not do more to halt the flow of deadly fentanyl into the US. Quentin Sommerville gained rare access to a Mexican drug smuggling operation, meeting the footsoldiers of a prominent cartel as it prepared to send fentanyl north of the border.

Bangladesh is currently home to more than a million Rohingya people, who have been living in refugee camps since fleeing persecution in Myanmar back in 2017. They have depended on foreign aid to survive – but following cuts to the US and global aid budget that lifeline is now at risk. Samira Hussain visited the coastal city of Cox's Bazar to see the consequences of the cuts for food and medical aid.

Back in 2014, swathes of north-east Syria came under the control of Islamic State - though when its fighters reached the city of Kobane, they met strong resistance from Kurdish forces. IS was eventually driven out, and the Assad dictatorship is gone, but local Kurdish armed groups' overseas alliances have fractured, reports Jiyar Gol.

In the autonomous Danish territory of the Faroe Islands, locals have been keeping an eye on what’s been going on in another Danish territory – Greenland. Amy Liptrot found that Donald Trump’s proposal that the US might look to buy it has sparked fresh conversations over Faroese independence – and a growing sense of local pride.

Producer: Polly Hope
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith
Production coordinator: Katie Morrison

Image: Mexican cartel members say there is strong demand for fentanyl in the USA Picture Credit: Darren Conway/BBC


SUN 04:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3skdk)
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SUN 04:32 Amazing Sport Stories (w3ct6xm7)
The Legend of Takhti: Ep 3

Following the unexpected and shocking death of heroic wrestler Gholamreza Takhti, Tehran is a tinderbox. Hundreds of thousands of people gather in the streets as tensions and rumours rise to a pitch. Everyone wants someone to blame for this terrible loss. Rana hears about those volatile days, and the state-sanctioned silence that follows. She wrestles with the myth to catch glimpses of the real Takhti, and to seek the legacy that he left behind.

Through the years, quietly, the myth of Takhti as a true heroic and gentle figure endures. Gholamreza Takhti remains a figure that inspires athletes and others in Iran today. He was the first Iranian wrestler to win a medal at an international competition. Rana meets Afsoon Johnston, the first Iranian woman to do so, and hears how Takhti’s legacy shapes hers, even down to how a legendary bout plays out.

And finally, Rana considers how in many ways, she feels connected to Takhti’s story. Whatever the truth, it seems that everyone has their own version of him now.

You can listen to this podcast in Persian here: https://www.bbc.com/persian/podcasts/p0703hz7


SUN 04:50 Sporting Witness (w3ct5wfw)
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SUN 05:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj39w9)
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SUN 05:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqtmzgwj8m)
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SUN 05:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3sp4p)
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SUN 05:32 The Documentary (w3ct7mwq)
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SUN 06:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj3fmf)
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SUN 06:06 Weekend (w172zcxhkx42pj8)
Donald Trump launches air strikes on Yemen Houthis

: US President Donald Trump confirmed the launch of "decisive and powerful" air strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, killing at least twenty-three people. Trump also warned Iran against supporting the Houthis and stated that the strikes were in response to the armed group's attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis claim their actions were because of Israel's war in Gaza and have vowed to respond to the US strikes. Journalist Iona Craig, an expert on Yemen, joins the programme to give more insights. We also hear from a human rights activist in Yemen's capital, Sanaa.

Also in the programme: Massive turnout in Serbia's capital, Belgrade, marking the largest protest since anti-corruption rallies began four months ago: Guy De Launey, our Balkans correspondent, reports from Belgrade. And we discuss ongoing efforts for a ceasefire in Ukraine and possible minerals deal between Washington and Kyiv.

Joining presenter Rebecca Kesby are historian and journalist Christopher de Bellaigue, and Samantha de Bendern, an associate fellow at the Chatham House foreign relations think-tank specialising in Russia.

(Picture: U.S. President Donald Trump launched military strikes against Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Saturday. March 15, 2025. U.S. Central Command/Handout via REUTERS)


SUN 07:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj3kck)
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SUN 07:06 Weekend (w172zcxhkx42t8d)
Trump orders 'decisive and powerful' strikes on Yemen

The United States has launched large-scale air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, killing at least 30 people and injuring 101 others. This response follows Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, which the group maintains are retaliation for Israeli actions in Gaza. Donald Trump has warned that if the Houthis continue with their attacks, 'hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before'. The armed group says 'this aggression will not go without response'.

Also in the programme: Protests in New York in support of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist detained by US immigration officials last Saturday and now facing deportation, despite being a legal US resident. We hear from a professor and a fellow postgraduate from Columbia University, as well as a lawyer and conservative commentator, with their thoughts on Khalil's arrest.

Joining presenter Rebecca Kesby are historian and journalist Christopher de Bellaigue, and Samantha de Bendern, an associate fellow at the Chatham House foreign relations think-tank who specialises in Russia.

(Picture: U.S. President Donald Trump in Maryland, U.S., March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)


SUN 08:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj3p3p)
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SUN 08:06 Weekend (w172zcxhkx42y0j)
US launches wave of air strikes on Yemen, leaving over 30 dead

On Saturday, the Houthis reported a number of explosions in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and the northern province of Saada resulting, in over 30 deaths and 101 injuries. President Trump said the strikes were a response to Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, warning of further retaliation if attacks continued. The armed group defended their previous attacks as a response to Israel's actions in Gaza and have now vowed to respond to the US.

Also in the programme: We explore the health benefits of muscle exercise for the elderly, particularly those aged over 80. And we're joined by former US military analyst and whistle-blower Chelsea Manning, who is now an activist and data security expert.

Joining presenter Rebecca Kesby are historian and journalist Christopher de Bellaigue, and Samantha de Bendern, an associate fellow at the Chatham House foreign relations think-tank specialising in Russia.

(Picture: A ship fires missiles at an undisclosed location, after U.S. military strikes against Yemen's Houthis on Saturday, March 15, 2025. U.S. Central Command/Handout via REUTERS)


SUN 09:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj3svt)
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SUN 09:06 From Our Own Correspondent (w3ct5sk6)
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SUN 09:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3t546)
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SUN 09:32 The Food Chain (w3ct5xp8)
The art of food branding

Why do brands have such power over us?

Ruth Alexander talks to the designers influencing your decisions about what and where you eat.

Renowned graphic designer Paula Scher shares her insights on what it takes to create a visual identity that stands the test of time, including her work on the US fast-food restaurant Shake Shack.

And Arjen Klinkenberg, the creative mind behind Dutch company Tony’s Chocolonely, tells us how he designed its distinctive chocolate bar wrapper in just 10 minutes. Together they discuss what makes a design classic a classic and reveal the secret to building a brand that endures (hint: don’t tweak).

To get in touch with the show, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk

Producers: Izzy Greenfield and Sam Clack.


SUN 10:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj3xly)
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SUN 10:06 People Fixing The World (w3ct5txg)
Fishing trash from our oceans

Around the world, rubbish is collecting in our gutters and waterways, with millions of tonnes being washed out to sea every year. As the soup of ocean debris kills and injures millions of marine animals, we look at two projects trying to make a dent in the problem. We discover a Greek project which has enlisted thousands of fishermen around the Mediterranean to collect rubbish from their nets, rather than throw it back. They then sort it and hand it over for recycling when they return to port. We then travel to Accra in Ghana where a group of volunteers called the Buz Stop Boys are busy clearing the streets of rubbish. They hope their noisy grassroots movement will inspire others to take responsibility for public places and stop rubbish being washed out to sea. And we hear from Teddy, our youngest problem fixer yet. The six year old from the UK has stopped thousands of sweets tubs from going to landfill, proving you're never too young to fix the world.

People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We'd love you to let us know what you think and to hear about your own solutions. You can contact us on WhatsApp by messaging +44 8000 321721 or email peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk. And please leave us a review on your chosen podcast provider.

Presenter: Myra Anubi
Producer: Claire Bates
Greece reporter: Daphne Tolis
Editor: Jon Bithrey
Sound mix: Gareth Jones

(Image: A Greek fisherman with debris recovered from the sea, Daphne Tolis/BBC)


SUN 10:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3t8wb)
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SUN 10:32 The Fifth Floor (w3ct69k0)
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SUN 11:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj41c2)
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SUN 11:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqtmzgx7rd)
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SUN 11:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3tdmg)
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SUN 11:32 Amazing Sport Stories (w3ct6xm7)
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SUN 11:50 More or Less (w3ct5trm)
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SUN 12:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj4536)
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SUN 12:06 U.Me: The Complete Musical (w3ct6ckm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:06 on Saturday]


SUN 13:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj48vb)
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SUN 13:06 Newshour (w172zb9f65224b9)
US launches air strikes on Yemen's Houthis

Iran says it will retaliate if President Trump carries out his threat to hold the country accountable for the actions of the Houthi group in Yemen. The Houthis - who are backed by Iran - have been targeting shipping in the Red Sea in solidarity with Gaza. Mr Trump issued his threat as US forces launched massive air strikes against Houthi targets, killing more than thirty people. We speak to a Houthi official.

Also in the programme: We hear live from North Macedonia, where a fire in a nightclub has killed nearly sixty people; and after a much longer stay on the International Space Station than they bargained for, help finally arrives to get US astronauts home.

(Photo: Air strikes in Yemen. Credit: Getty Images)


SUN 14:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj4dlg)
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SUN 14:06 The Climate Question (w3ct5wt5)
Can I save money and save the planet?

Experts say we need to be 40 per cent more energy efficient to meet our climate goals. Is that doable? And might it save us money too?

It's a solution that's been called the main route to net zero: energy efficiency - or using less energy to get the same or better results. But there’s an issue – it's got an image problem as many people think it’s boring. And it is hard to get excited about the idea of better lightbulbs!

But energy efficiency could save us money on our bills too - especially in a warming world, where many countries will need air conditioning just to function. So does this crucial area in the fight against climate change need a rebrand. And could it even become sexy?

In a programme first broadcast in 2024, Presenter Jordan Dunbar talks to:
Dr Rose Mutiso - Research Director Energy for Growth Hub
Prima Madan – Director, Cooling & Energy Efficiency, International Natural Resources Defence Council, India
Kofi Agyarko – Director of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Ghana Energy Commission
Thomas Naadi – BBC Correspondent, Ghana

Production Team: Ben Cooper, Octavia Woodward, Brenda Brown, Simon Watts
Sound Design: Tom Brignell

email: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

NOTE: The speech made by President Jimmy Carter mentioned in the programme, was made in 1977 not 1974, as stated.


SUN 14:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3trvv)
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SUN 14:32 Happy News (w3ct5sr0)
The Happy Pod: A gift that reopened the world

We hear how an offroad wheelchair Zack built for Cambry when they started dating reopened her world and changed hundreds of lives. Also, life lessons from a singing grandad and a young climber; and King Charles turns DJ.

Presenter: Alan Smith.
Music: Iona Hampson


SUN 15:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj4jbl)
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SUN 15:06 Sportsworld (w172zbnc9snvtg1)
Live Sporting Action

Sportsworld comes live from Wembley Stadium as Liverpool and Newcastle United meet in the League Cup final. After Liverpool’s exit from the Champions League, will Arne Slot’s side bounce back, or will Newcastle end their long wait for a major trophy, stretching back to 1955?

Former Newcastle and Cameroon defender Sebastian Bassong joins Delyth Lloyd ahead of full commentary.

Plus, we'll also have updates from the day’s Premier League games; reaction to Formula One's season-opening Australian Grand Prix, and the latest from the final round of Golf’s Players Championship.

Photo: A general view of the trophy ahead of the Carabao Cup Final match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on February 26, 2023 in London, England. (Credit: Manchester United via Getty Images)


SUN 19:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj50b3)
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SUN 19:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqtmzgy6qf)
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SUN 19:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3vclh)
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SUN 19:32 In the Studio (w3ct5tm3)
Fashion Designer Kwaku Bediako

What if your next designer outfit was once part of someone else’s wardrobe? Ghanaian fashion innovator Kwaku Bediako is redefining luxury with sustainability at its heart.
In this edition of In the Studio, we step inside his world as he transforms second-hand garments into bold, high-fashion pieces, worn by global stars such as Stevie Wonder and Ian Wright.
Kwaku is one of the Ghana's top designers, known for his fashion house Chocolate. It was when he noticed how much material was being thrown away, that he decided to create a new brand, Cacao, where discarded fabrics can become the material for garments worn to red carpet events across the world.
Kwaku has been commissioned by music producer GuiltyBeatz to make him a bespoke outfit ahead of this year's Grammy awards in LA and Daniel Dadzie goes with Kwaku as he hunts for second hand clothes at Kantamanto, Accra's largest thrift market. It's a place where the past fashions of Europe meet their future in Africa.
Then to the design studio where the ideas take shape, inspired by the waves along Accra's coastline.

Producer: Andrea Kidd


SUN 20:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj5427)
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SUN 20:06 Unexpected Elements (w3ct5q39)
[Repeat of broadcast at 00:06 on Saturday]


SUN 21:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj57tc)
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SUN 21:06 Newshour (w172zb9f652339b)
Death toll from North Macedonia nightclub fire rises to 59

Officials say more than 155 have been injured in the blaze, which broke out at the Pulse club in Kočani, a town around 100km east of the capital, Skopje. We speak to a surgeon treating some of those injured, and a spokesperson for the State Public Prosecutors Office about the status of the investigation into the fire.

Also on the programme: A significant conflict in the Middle East seems to be on the verge of dramatic escalation, following US airstrikes on Yemen, which are thought to have killed around 30 people; and we hear about a new soap opera "Beyond the Gate", the first daytime soap with a predominantly black cast to feature on network TV.

(Photo: A woman cries as people light candles in memory of the victims of a fire in a night club in the town of Kočani, North Macedonia on March 16, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis)


SUN 22:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj5ckh)
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SUN 22:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqtmzgykyt)
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SUN 22:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3vqtw)
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SUN 22:32 The Fifth Floor (w3ct69k0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 01:32 today]


SUN 23:00 BBC News (w172zgfmqxj5h9m)
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SUN 23:06 The Climate Question (w3ct5wt5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:06 today]


SUN 23:30 BBC News Summary (w172zggg5n3vvl0)
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SUN 23:32 Pick of the World (w3ct5v1z)
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SUN 23:50 Over to You (w3ct5tv6)
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MONDAY 17 MARCH 2025

MON 00:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35t9g9x)
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MON 00:06 From Our Own Correspondent (w3ct5sk6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:06 on Sunday]


MON 00:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxdztl9)
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MON 00:32 Amazing Sport Stories (w3ct6xm7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 on Sunday]


MON 00:50 More or Less (w3ct5trm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:50 on Saturday]


MON 01:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35t9l21)
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MON 01:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s2sgc)
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MON 01:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxdzybf)
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MON 01:32 Discovery (w3ct5rp3)
The Life Scientific - Peter Stott

In the summer of 2003, Europe experienced its most intense heatwave on record - one that saw more than 70,000 people lose their lives.
Experiencing the effects whilst on holiday in Tuscany, climate scientist Peter Stott was struck by the idea that just maybe, he could use a modelling system developed by his team at the UK’s Meteorological Office, to study extreme weather events such as this very heatwave mathematically; and figure out the extent to which human influences were increasing their probability.

That’s exactly what he went on to do - and, through this work and more, Peter has helped to shine a light on the causes and effects of climate change.
His career, predominantly at the Meteorological Office, has seen him take on climate change sceptics and explain the intricacies of greenhouse gas emissions to global leaders. His work with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change even earned him a share of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

But the biggest challenge remains: Peter talks to Jim Al-Khalili about whether humanity can adapt quickly enough to deal with the increasingly dangerous effects of our warming world...


MON 02:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35t9pt5)
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MON 02:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s2x6h)
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MON 02:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf022k)
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MON 02:32 CrowdScience (w3ct5rjl)
Are humans naturally monogamous?

CrowdScience listener Alina is in a relationship with a polyamorous partner and is very happy with this arrangement, which got her thinking – why is monogamy so often the norm in human societies?

Presenter Caroline Steel goes on an anthropological odyssey to figure out where this drive to find a single partner - and stick with them - comes from.

What can science tell us about how human relationships developed, and whether having one or many partners is more 'natural'?

Evolutionary biologist Kit Opie of the University of Bristol joins us at London Zoo to help us understand the mating systems of our closest primate relatives.

To find out how polygamy developed in some parts of the world we speak to anthropologist Katie Starkweather of the University of Illinois Chicago.

And we learn about the chemistry of bonding from Sarah Blumenthal at Emory University, who explains how the brains of prairie voles may give us clue about the neurochemicals which shape human relationships.

Presenter: Caroline Steel
Producers: Priya Sippy, Ben Motley and Imaan Moin
Editor: Cathy Edwards
Production Co-ordinator: Ishmael Soriano
Studio Manager: Steve Greenwood

(Image: Dancing wedding cake figurines Credit: Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)


MON 03:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35t9tk9)
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MON 03:06 People Fixing The World (w3ct5txg)
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MON 03:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf05tp)
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MON 03:32 Pick of the World (w3ct5v1z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:32 on Saturday]


MON 03:50 Over to You (w3ct5tv6)
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MON 04:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35t9y9f)
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MON 04:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s34pr)
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MON 04:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf09kt)
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MON 04:32 The Conversation (w3ct5x0z)
One-woman sound machines

From breaking bones to trudging through snow – it is a Foley artist's role to reproduce the everyday sound effects that are added to film, TV and games. By using a variety of unconventional props and their own bodies, the goal is to create an authentic soundscape that will enhance our auditory experience. If the Foley goes unnoticed then they’ve done their job well! Datshiane Navanayagam speaks to two award winning Foley artists and asks what it’s like to spend so much time, quite literally stepping into someone else’s shoes.

Caoimhe Doyle has over 25 years’ experience creating Foley sound effects and footsteps for film, television and video games. She’s been nominated three times for the MPSE Golden Reel Award for her work on Colm Bairéad’s An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl), The Favourite, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises. In 2011 she won a MPSE Golden Reel Award and was nominated for an Emmy for her work on Game of Thrones: Season 1 and is a current MPSE nominee for work on Rich Peppiatt's Kneecap. Caoimhe collaborates with an all-female team out of The Foley Lab in a quiet part of County Wicklow in Ireland.

Marita Sbeih is a Lebanese Foley artist and one of only a handful working in the Middle East. Since 2018, she has been the dedicated Foley Artist at DB Studios in Beirut, which provides audio post-production for films, documentaries, and art productions from around the globe. Pursuing a career as a Foley artist in a country with many unique challenges has been far from easy, but Marita has built an impressive list of credits for Foley and footsteps in some of the Arab world’s more distinguished art-house and indie productions, as well as international projects. Most recently, she worked on Hot Milk, a UK film directed by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, which was selected for the official competition at the 75th Berlinale (2025).

Produced by Hannah Dean

(Image: (L) Caoimhe Doyle courtesy Caoimhe Doyle. (R) Marita Sbeih credit Lama Sawaya.)


MON 05:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tb21k)
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MON 05:06 Newsday (w172zbkk2l145q4)
Night club fire in North Macedonia

At least fifteen people have been arrested over the fire that killed nearly sixty people in a club in North Macedonia. The government has declared seven days of national mourning. Our reporter is in Kocani where the fire happened.

In Yemen the death toll from US strikes has risen to 53, including five children, according to the Houthi rebels' health ministry. The US said it launched a "decisive and powerful" wave of air strikes on Houthi targets on Saturday, with President Donald Trump citing Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea as the reason.

And we report from Sudan where in recent weeks troops have mostly encircled Khartoum. It's nearly two years since Sudan was thrown into disarray when it's army and powerful paramilitary group began a vicious struggle for power.

Presenters: Rob Young and Victoria Uwonkunda

(Photo: People gather, following a fire resulting in casualties, in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia. Credit: Ognen Teofilovski/Reuters)


MON 06:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tb5sp)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 06:06 Newsday (w172zbkk2l149g8)
Syria: BBC gains exclusive access to cities hit by sectarian attacks

Remnants of the Assad regime ambushed and killed dozens of security officers from the new government. BBC's correspondent Lina Sinjab got exclusive access to the cities where the worst killings took place and starts her report from an Alawite village in Latakia's south.

An annual international conference is taking place in Brussels to discuss rebuilding Syria and the way forward. A European Member of Parliament joins us.

Also in the programme, North Macedonia's interior minister says prosecutors are investigating whether corruption and bribery are linked to a fire in a nightclub that killed nearly sixty people.

US says it has launched powerful airstrikes in Yemen. The Houthis say at least fifty-three are killed.

Presenters: Victoria Uwonkunda and Rob Young

Photo: A view shows a damaged gas station, as Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa grapples with the fallout from reported mass killings of Alawite minority members, in Jableh, Syria. 12 March 2025/ Credit: Karam Al-Masri/ Reuters.


MON 07:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tb9jt)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 07:06 Newsday (w172zbkk2l14f6d)
Trump and Putin to discuss Ukraine ceasefire terms

US president Donald Trump says he will be talking to President Putin about Ukraine on Tuesday, with dividing up land and power plants on the agenda.

BBC gains exclusive access to families in Syria killed from sectarian attacks.

Also in the programme, a reconstruction conference on Syria commences in Brussels today. We speak to a Syrian to find out what this will mean for the country.

And, North Macedonia declares seven days of mourning after a fire in a night club killed at least fifty-nine people.


Photo: View of newspaper covers dedicated to Putin-Trump phone call at newsstand in Moscow. 13 Feb. Maxim Shemetov/ Reuters


MON 08:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tbf8y)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 08:06 HARDtalk (w3ct32gw)
Allen Ault: Opposing the death penalty

Another chance to hear Stephen Sackur’s 2014 interview with Allen Ault. As the former commissioner of corrections in the US state of Georgia, Ault was responsible for state-sanctioned executions. He organised the killing of criminals until he could stand it no more. What made him leave his post and take up the campaign to end the death penalty?


MON 08:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf0skb)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


MON 08:32 Business Daily (w3ct5z7x)
Can New Zealand’s economy bounce back?

More than a year after a change in government, businesses are closing, unemployment is rising and workers are leaving for neighbouring Australia.

As New Zealand's recession continues, uncertainty remains.

So what is the government's plan? And could there be brighter times ahead?

Produced and presented by Alexander van Wel

(Image: Workers repairing the road in Auckland. Credit: Getty Images)


MON 08:50 Witness History (w3ct5yj9)
The rocket that revived Brazil’s space programme

In 2003, 21 people died when a space rocket exploded at Brazil’s Alcantara Launch Centre, three days before its planned flight.

It was the country’s third – and most serious - rocket failure in six years.

But despite the setback, just 14 months later, Brazil revived its space ambitions by successfully launching its first rocket since the tragedy.

Jacqueline Paine spoke to engineer Felix Palmerio, who spent decades working on a special project to develop a space rocket in Brazil, and who watched the launch.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.

(Photo: Launch of a VSB-30 rocket. Credit: DLR)


MON 09:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tbk12)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 09:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s3rfd)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


MON 09:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf0x9g)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


MON 09:32 CrowdScience (w3ct5rjl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 02:32 today]


MON 10:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tbns6)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 10:06 The History Hour (w3ct5n36)
The Americans with Disabilities Act and the invention of GPS

Max Pearson presents a collection of this week's Witness History episodes from the BBC World Service.

We find out about the landmark protest in 1990 when wheelchair users crawled up the steps of the US Capitol Building in Washington DC, campaigning for disability rights.

Our expert is Dr Maria Orchard, law lecturer at the University of Leeds, who has carried out research into disability and inclusion.

We hear about the 2015 attack on the Bardo Museum in Tunisia's capital, in which 22 tourists were killed.

Next, the Gambian woman who in 1997 began making bags and purses out of old discarded plastic and is now globally recognised as Africa's Queen of Recycling.

The South African musical King Kong which opened to critical acclaim in 1959 and whose all-black cast defied apartheid.

Finally, the invention of the Global Positioning System - GPS - in the late 1970s, which now keeps aircraft in the sky and supports banking transactions.

Contributors:

Anita Cameron - disability rights campaigner
Dr Maria Orchard - lecturer in law at the University of Leeds
Hamadi Ben Abdesslem - tour guide
Isatou Ceesay - environmental campaigner
Nelson Mandela - former President of South Africa
Marian Matshikiza - daughter of Todd Matshikiza, jazz pianist and composer
Professor Brad Parkinson - chief architect of GPS

(Photo: 8 year-old Jennifer Keelan crawls up the steps of the US Capitol, 12 March 1990. Credit: AP/Jeff Markowitz)


MON 11:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tbsjb)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 11:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s3zxn)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


MON 11:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf14sq)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


MON 11:32 The Global Story (w3ct6dmq)
Maradona and the trial transfixing Argentina

Argentina’s football star Diego Maradona is once again back in the spotlight as a long-delayed trial examining the circumstances around his death gets underway in Buenos Aires. When Diego Maradona died in 2020, Argentinians took to the streets, united in both grief and in the celebration of a soccer legend. But it didn’t take long before suspicions around his death started to circulate. In today’s episode, we look at the trial involving his medical team and ask why Maradona’s legacy is still so strong.

Lucy Hockings is joined by Marcela Mora y Araujo. She’s a journalist based in Buenos Aires who translated Diego Maradona’s autobiography.

Producers: Laurie Kalus and Alice Aylett Roberts

Sound engineers: Mike Regaard and Jonny Hall

Assistant editors: Richard Fenton-Smith and Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins


MON 12:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tbx8g)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 12:06 Outlook (w3ct5nrk)
A teenage jazz promoter and a masterpiece saved from oblivion

Vera Brandes was 16 and still at school when she first started organising jazz concerts in her home town of Cologne, Germany. In her Mum's fur coat, big, colourful glasses and brimming with confidence she looked like she belonged on the scene. By the age of 18 she'd organised gigs for some of the great artists of the day and then she heard the acclaimed US jazz pianist Keith Jarrett was looking to perform in Cologne. Vera got the gig. It was to be a totally improvised, solo performance, just Keith and a piano. The venue was booked, the tickets were sold out and Keith had arrived, but when they got to the venue, what they found on stage was an old rehearsal piano with broken strings, sticky keys and malfunctioning pedals – it was unplayable.

The story of how a musical masterpiece was created out of that seemingly impossible situation has become legendary. The recording of Keith Jarrett's performance that night, simply called the Köln Concert, became the biggest-selling solo piano album of all time.

The story of the concert and Vera's part in it are the subject of a new film recently released in Germany called Köln 75.

Presenter: Asya Fouks
Producer: Andrea Kennedy

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: A teenage Vera Brandes at her desk answering two phones at once. Credit: Brigitta Singer)


MON 12:50 Witness History (w3ct5yj9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]


MON 13:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tc10l)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 13:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s47dx)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


MON 13:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf1d8z)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


MON 13:32 The Conversation (w3ct5x0z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]


MON 14:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tc4rq)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 14:06 Newshour (w172zb9fkfc907p)
Syria: Delegates meet in Brussels to discuss reconstruction

Western countries, Arab countries and Syria's new authority are all attending. We'll also have a special report from the areas of Syria affected by last week's massacres.

Also on the programme: the first official call between the US and Russia on the Ukraine conflict is confirmed to be taking place; and we hear the story of an art critic turned thief, whose theft of a painting by the Flemish artist Van Dyke has only just came to light thirty five years after his death.

(Picture: Syrian troops on top of a tank. Credit: Reuters / Al Masri)


MON 15:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tc8hv)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 15:06 HARDtalk (w3ct32gw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]


MON 15:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf1ms7)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


MON 15:32 World Business Report (w3ct5zzh)
Trade turmoil hits the global economy

A major global policy forum, the OECD, has predicted that President Trump's trade tariffs will hit world growth and raise inflation. It has more than halved its growth outlook for Canada.

Why does China want people to spend more cash?

And Will Bain finds out how an Irish religious holiday has so much impact globally.


MON 16:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tcd7z)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 16:06 BBC OS (w172zbjl8mx01bb)
Ukraine: Trump and Putin plan to discuss land

Donald Trump says he and Vladimir Putin will discuss "land", "power plants" and "dividing up certain assets" when they hold Ukraine peace talks on Tuesday. We hear a discussion about concessions and "red lines" with Ukrainian journalists. We also speak to our defence correspondent who has spoken to Ukrainian soldiers.

A large protest is taking place in the town of Kocani in North Macedonia, where a nightclub fire killed 59 people at the weekend. We hear from local people in Kocani and speak to our correspondent there.

We speak to Newcastle fans who have been celebrating after their football club won the first major domestic trophy for 70 years.

Presenter: Mark Lowen.

(Photo Rescuers work at the site of a building destroyed during a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kherson, Ukraine March 14, 2025. Credit: Ivan Antypenko/File Photo/Reuters)


MON 17:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tcj03)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 17:06 BBC OS (w172zbjl8mx052g)
Trump dismantles Voice of America

US President Donald Trump has signed an order to strip back the federally funded news organisation Voice of America, accusing it of being "anti-Trump" and "radical". We hear from three journalists from countries which rank among the lowest on the Press Freedom Index for what life is like for them.

The BBC's Balkans Correspondent Guy de Launey gives the latest on the nightclub fire disaster in North Macedonia, from the small town of Kocani, where the fire happened.

We hear more as tens of thousands of demonstrators have protested in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, against Saturday's deadly US airstrikes.

(Photo: A view of signage at the Voice of America (VOA) building, a day after more than 1,300 of the employees of the media broadcaster, which operates in almost 50 languages, were placed on leave in Washington, D.C. Credit: Reuters/Annabelle Gordon)


MON 18:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tcmr7)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 18:06 Outlook (w3ct5nrk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 today]


MON 18:50 Witness History (w3ct5yj9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]


MON 19:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tcrhc)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 19:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s4ywp)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


MON 19:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf23rr)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


MON 19:32 Sport Today (w3ct5w4w)
2025/03/17 GMT

BBC sports correspondents tell the story behind today's top sporting news, with interviews and reports from across the world.


MON 20:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tcw7h)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 20:06 From Our Own Correspondent (w3ct5sk6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:06 on Sunday]


MON 20:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf27hw)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


MON 20:32 Discovery (w3ct5rp4)
The Life Scientific - Rosalie David

Rosalie David is a pioneer in the study of ancient Egypt. In the early 1970s, she launched a unique project to study Egyptian mummified bodies using the techniques of modern medicine. Back then, the vast majority of Egyptologists regarded mummies as unimportant sources of information about life in ancient Egypt. Instead they focussed on interpreting hieroglyphic inscriptions, the written record in papyrus documents and archaeological remains and artefacts. Rosalie David proved that the traditionalists were quite wrong.

Professor David’s mummy research started at the Manchester Museum when she began to collaborate with radiologists at in Manchester, taking the museum’s mummies for x-rays at the hospital. Her multi-disciplinary team later moved to a dedicated institute at the University of Manchester, the KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology. Over the decades, the team there has made remarkable discoveries about disease and medicine in ancient Egyptian society, providing a new perspective on the history of medicine and giving extraordinary insights into the lives of individuals all those years ago.

Rosalie tells Jim Al-Khalili about her journey from classics and ancient history to biomedicine, including some of her adventures in Egypt in the 1960s. She talks about some of her most significant research projects, and the 21st Century forensic detective work on the mummy of a young woman which revealed a gruesome murder 3,000 years ago...


MON 21:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tczzm)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 21:06 Newshour (w172zb9fkfc9vgl)
US and Russia president set for call over the Ukraine war

President Trump and Vladimir Putin have confirmed they will hold talks tomorrow about ending Russia's invasion. The Kremlin has set out a number of strict conditions for agreeing a peace deal. The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says she doesn't think President Putin is serious about ending the conflict.

Also in the programme: our reporter in Syria visits the sites of recent crimes against the Alawite community; and we speak to Belgium's Foreign Minister after Rwanda severed all diplomatic ties with its former colonial power.

(Picture: US President Donald Trump tours the Kennedy Center in Washington on March 17, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria)


MON 22:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35td3qr)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 22:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s5b42)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


MON 22:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf2h04)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


MON 22:32 World Business Report (w3ct601r)
OECD says Mexico economy will shrink due to US tariffs

The OECD has said Mexico’s economy will shrink due to tariffs imposed by the US. Mexico is now forecast to contract by 1.3% this year and shrink a further 0.6% next year, instead of growing by 1.2% and 1.6% as previously expected.
A Peruvian farmer has taken RWE, the German energy giant, to court arguing the company’s greenhouse gas emissions are causing glaciers to melt, increasing the flood risk to his home
And consumer protection group in Hong Kong has advised people looking for a new mattress to take an in-store nap before buying


MON 23:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35td7gw)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


MON 23:06 HARDtalk (w3ct32gw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]


MON 23:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf2lr8)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


MON 23:32 The Conversation (w3ct5x0z)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]

TUESDAY 18 MARCH 2025

TUE 00:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tdc70)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 00:06 The History Hour (w3ct5n36)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:06 on Monday]


TUE 01:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tdgz4)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 01:06 Business Matters (w172zbg09s4qr40)
Global business news, with live guests and contributions from Asia and the USA.


TUE 02:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tdlq8)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 02:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s5t3l)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


TUE 02:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf2yzn)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


TUE 02:32 Assignment (w3ct5mv7)
Georgia: Keeping the protest alive

Daily protests across the country have continued in Georgia since disputed elections in October, particularly since the ruling Georgian Dream party announced it would suspend discussions about joining the EU. Outside election observers identified a number of shortcomings and violations in the voting process. Critics of Georgian Dream say it is cosying up to Moscow and using underhand and increasingly authoritarian tactics, mimicking Russia, to stay in power. New laws against protesting have been introduced by the government and the number of arrests of protestors, opposition political figures and journalists has been rising. Some are asking is this a piece-by-piece dismantling of Georgia’s democracy? And how, with little sign of the government backing down, can the protests be maintained?

Rayhan Demytrie reports
Producer: John Murphy
Sound mix: Eloise Whitmore
Production Coordinator: Gemma Ashman
Editor: Penny Murphy

(Image: Nightly anti-government and pro-European Union protests are continuing across Georgia. Credit: John Murphy/BBC)


TUE 03:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tdqgd)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 03:06 Outlook (w3ct5nrk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 on Monday]


TUE 03:50 Witness History (w3ct5yj9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Monday]


TUE 04:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tdv6j)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 04:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s61lv)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


TUE 04:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf36gx)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


TUE 04:32 In the Studio (w3ct5tm4)
Artists Himali Singh Soin and David Soin Tappeser

Artists Himali Singh Soin and David Soin Tappeser explore the complex weave of histories and myths around Britain’s imperial salt monopoly in India.
Paul Waters joins them as they create an open-air installation at the Somerset House gallery in London, paired with a poignant indoor exhibition occupying spaces formerly used to administer Britain’s colonial-era salt tax. The 80 metre long fabric installation is to replicate the Inland Customs Line, a monumental 2,500 mile long hedge across India, created by Britain in the 1800s, to enforce salt taxation. This reinterpretation draws on cotton printed with botanical dyes from the hedge's original plants, to highlight the human and ecological cost of colonial extraction.
Himali and David aren’t just creating one exhibition in one location. They are also creating a parallel installation further along the river Thames, at the Tate Britain art gallery and we’ll be following them as they work across both sites.


TUE 05:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tdyyn)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 05:06 Newsday (w172zbkk2l172m7)
Israeli strikes on Gaza

The Israeli military has carried out what it describes as extensive strikes in the Gaza Strip -- the largest attacks since a ceasefire with Hamas began in January.At least two hundred people have been killed in the strikes, according to Gaza's authorities, which are run by Hamas. We will go live to Gaza for the latest. Israel said it is taking action because Hamas refused a proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire.

The president of Peru has declared a thirty-day state of emergency following a recent wave of violence in the country

And two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station are heading back to Earth after nine months in space.

Presenters: Rob Young and Victoria Uwonkunda

(Photo: A Palestinian casualty is brought to Nasser hospital following Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, March 18, 2025. Credit:Reuters/stringer


TUE 06:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tf2ps)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 06:06 Newsday (w172zbkk2l176cc)
Israel launches airstrikes across Gaza

Over two hundred Palestinians are reported dead in what Israel says are "extensive strikes" in the Gaza Strip. Among those reported dead is the top Hamas security official in Gaza, Mahmoud Abu Watfa. This is the largest offensive since the ceasefire in January and Hamas has responded furiously, accusing Israel of overturning the ceasefire deal.

US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are due to speak later today. President Trump says "many elements" of a peace agreement in Ukraine have been agreed.

The European Union and its partners pleadge 6.2 billion dollars in aid to Syria, saying the support for the war-torn country was crucial during a time of transition and to address the humanitarian crisis there

(Photo: Tawfiq Abu Naeem, head of Hamas-run security forces, and his deputy Mahmoud Abu Watfa arrive to attend a training session by police recruits in Gaza City January 30, 2020. Credit Mohammed Salem/REUTERS)


TUE 07:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tf6fx)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 07:06 Newsday (w172zbkk2l17b3h)
Israel airstrikes on Gaza Strip

The Israeli military has carried out what it describes as "extensive strikes" in the Gaza Strip. These are the largest attacks since a ceasefire with Hamas began in January. More than 300 people have been killed in the strikes, according to Gaza's health authorities. Israel says it had ordered the strikes following "Hamas's repeated refusal to relaease our hostages."

Donald Trump is set to speak to the Russian President Vladimir Putin later today. The two men are expected to discuss territory and who will control the nuclear power plants in the country.

And Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally heading back home to earth after an epic nine months in space.

(Photo: A Palestinian woman gestures as people inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a tent camp housing displaced people, in Al-Mawasi area, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip March 18, 2025. Credit Hataem Khaled/REUTERS)


TUE 08:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tfb61)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 08:06 People Fixing The World (w3ct5txh)
Helping the children of sex workers

In the red light districts of Kolkata, India, there exists an extraordinary youth club. DIKSHA, as it’s known, looks after the children of sex workers when their mothers are working. While they’re at the youth club, girls and boys learn about their rights and are empowered to take control of their futures. Since the club started in 2001 it has worked to prevent girls from joining the sex trade, and helped reduce the stigma facing children in the wider community. Reporter Puja Bhattacharjee meets the people behind the club and the families benefitting.

This programme contains adult themes.

People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We'd love you to let us know what you think and to hear about your own solutions. You can contact us on WhatsApp by messaging +44 8000 321721 or email peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk. And please leave us a review on your chosen podcast provider.

Presenter: Myra Anubi
Producer: William Kremer
Reporter: Puja Bhattacharjee
Editor: Jon Bithrey
Sound mix: Annie Gardiner

(Image: A group chatting at DIKSHA, BBC)


TUE 08:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf3pgf)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


TUE 08:32 Business Daily (w3ct5zjy)
How to deconstruct an oil rig

Thousands of oil and gas rigs are becoming redundant around the world – and taking them out of service, known as decommissioning, is a multi-billion dollar business.

It’s also a complex operation beset by sometimes opposing interests.

In this programme, we meet the makers of the world’s biggest ship - a machine at the cutting edge of rig removal, and the visit the port that can recycle over 95% of a rig.

As concerns grow over delays to decommissioning in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico, we look into whether enough progress is being made with removing old rigs around the world.

Produced and presented by Laura Heighton-Ginns

(Image: The Brent Bravo topside oil platform is transported on the barge ‘Iron Lady’ into the mouth of the River Tees on route to the Able UK Seaton Port site for decommissioning on June 20, 2019 in Teesport, England. Credit: Getty Images)


TUE 08:50 Witness History (w3ct5ynt)
First spacewalk

On 18 March 1965, cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first person to spacewalk.

He spent around 10 minutes floating above the Earth, tethered to the spaceship by a 5m “umbilical cord”.

Recalling that moment, he said: “I felt almost insignificant, like a tiny ant compared to the immensity of the universe. At the same time, I felt enormously powerful.”

But the mission didn’t go smoothly. The lack of atmospheric pressure in space had caused the Soviet’s spacesuit to inflate and become stiff – meaning he couldn’t fit back through the spaceship airlock.

“It had become a dangerous situation. Very dangerous. Life threatening”, he said.

Vicky Farncombe has been reading and listening to archive interviews with Alexei, who died in 2019, to bring you his dramatic story.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.

(Photo: Cosmonaut Alexei Leonov. Credit: Getty Images)


TUE 09:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tffy5)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 09:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s6nbh)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


TUE 09:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf3t6k)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


TUE 09:32 Assignment (w3ct5mv7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 02:32 today]


TUE 10:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tfkp9)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 10:06 The Arts Hour (w3ct5qkx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 20:06 on Saturday]


TUE 11:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tfpff)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 11:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s6wtr)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


TUE 11:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf41pt)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


TUE 11:32 The Global Story (w3ct6fc9)
Putin: War or peace?

The Russian leader has been mulling a 30-day ceasefire proposal put forward by the US, ahead of talks with Donald Trump on Tuesday. Will Vladimir Putin accept a temporary pause in fighting, let alone a long-term deal? What are the pressures that could sway him toward peace, or cause him to drag out the war in Ukraine?

On this episode, presenter Jonny Dymond speaks to journalist Owen Matthews, author of the book “Overreach: The Inside Story of Putin’s War”.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Peter Goffin and Tom Kavanagh

Sound engineers: James Piper and Mike Regaard

Assistant editors: Richard Fenton-Smith and Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins


TUE 12:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tft5k)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 12:06 Outlook (w3ct5p63)
Superman in India: The spoof remake that became a cult hit

He trips over goats and gets dizzy after flying – how Nasir Shaikh created the most unlikely man of steel.

Malegaon in western India is known for its textile businesses and loom mills. But there is another side to this economically deprived, industrial town; many of the locals are massive film fans, including Nasir Shaikh. After obsessively watching – and showing in his local video parlour – the films of Sylvester Stallone, Charlie Chaplin and Amitabh Bachchan, Nasir was inspired to become a movie maker himself. He assembled a motley crew of local labourers, weavers and carpenters to make spoofs of popular movies on a shoestring budget. The films became local hits and spawned a new industry: Malewood. In 2008, Nasir began his most ambitious project – an homage to a Hollywood classic, Superman. Nasir was dreaming up a hero, but in the end Superman himself would need saving.

Nasir’s life story has inspired the feature film, Superboys of Malegaon.

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Maryam Maruf
Voiceover: Alai Naseer

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Nasir Shaikh with weaver-turned-actor Shafique in his Superman costume / Still from Malegaon Ka Superman showing Superman with his love interest. Credit: Nasir Shaikh)


TUE 12:50 Witness History (w3ct5ynt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]


TUE 13:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tfxxp)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 13:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s74b0)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


TUE 13:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf4962)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


TUE 13:32 In the Studio (w3ct5tm4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]


TUE 14:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tg1nt)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 14:06 Newshour (w172zb9fkfccx4s)
Israel carries out extensive airstrikes in Gaza

Hamas officials say more than four hundred people have been killed. Does this mean that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is over?

Also on the programme: President Trump and President Putin are to have a phone call to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. We discuss the historical parallels of this occasion; and the legendary jazz musician Herbie Hancock is one of the winners of the Polar Prize, the nearest thing that music has to a Nobel prize. He talks about his life and his extraordinary career.

(Picture: Palestinians inspect the aftermath of an Israeli strike Credit: Reuters / Abed)


TUE 15:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tg5dy)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 15:06 People Fixing The World (w3ct5txh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]


TUE 15:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf4jpb)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


TUE 15:32 World Business Report (w3ct608j)
Germany passes historic debt reform

Germany’s parliament has approved plans to inject up to €1trillion into the country’s military and infrastructure, in a move that could revive Europe’s largest economy.

A Chinese electric vehicle company has developed a new battery that can charge a car in 5 minutes.

And Will Bain finds out why soda and a gut healthy prebiotic are teaming up.


TUE 16:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tg952)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 16:06 BBC OS (w172zbjl8mx2y7f)
Gaza: Hundreds killed in Israeli strikes

Israel has launched the biggest wave of airstrikes on Gaza since the ceasefire began in January. The Hamas-run health ministry say that more than 400 people have been killed. The Israeli military says it's hitting "terror targets" across Gaza after talks to extend the ceasefire failed. We speak to people across Gaza to hear their experiences.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are speaking on the phone to discuss the potential ceasefire in Ukraine. We have a conversation with three Russians on what they want peace to look like.

After nine months in space, Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally on their way home. Their stay on the International Space Station was only supposed to last eight days, but their mission was dramatically extended after the spacecraft that they arrived on suffered technical problems. We speak to our reporter who's at Suni's ancestral village in India to hear reaction from there.

Presenter: Mark Lowen

Photo: Palestinian children walk past rubble as people flee their homes, after the Israel army issued evacuation orders for a number of neighbourhoods, following heavy Israeli strikes, in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, 18 March, 2025. Credit: Reuters/Abd Elhkeem Khaled)


TUE 17:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tgdx6)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 17:06 BBC OS (w172zbjl8mx31zk)
Trump and Putin discuss Ukraine ceasefire

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have spoken on the phone to discuss the potential ceasefire in Ukraine. We have a conversation with three Russians on what they want peace to look like.

Israel has launched the biggest wave of airstrikes on Gaza since the ceasefire began in January. The Hamas-run health ministry say that more than 400 people have been killed. The Israeli military says it's hitting "terror targets" across Gaza after talks to extend the ceasefire failed. We speak to people across Gaza to hear their experiences.

After nine months in space, Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally on their way home. Their stay on the International Space Station was only supposed to last eight days, but their mission was dramatically extended after the spacecraft that they arrived on suffered technical problems. So what is it like having a loved one in space? We speak to an astronaut and their family.

Presenter: Mark Lowen

Photo: Firefighters work at the site of an apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Chernihiv, Ukraine March 16, 2025.

Photo credit: Reuters/Maksym Kishka


TUE 18:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tgjnb)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 18:06 Outlook (w3ct5p63)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 today]


TUE 18:50 Witness History (w3ct5ynt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]


TUE 19:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tgndg)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 19:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s7vss)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


TUE 19:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf50nv)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


TUE 19:32 Sport Today (w3ct5w9d)
2025/03/18 GMT

BBC sports correspondents tell the story behind today's top sporting news, with interviews and reports from across the world.


TUE 20:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tgs4l)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 20:06 Assignment (w3ct5mv7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 02:32 today]


TUE 20:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf54dz)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


TUE 20:32 Tech Life (w3ct5wnp)
Archiving achievement

A former US Air Force engineer found articles about her were removed from the internet, on US government instructions. She tells us why she wants to archive them for the future. Then, we go inside Africa’s biggest tech market. Plus, the blind astronomer who listens to space. And quantum computers may be on the verge of a breakthrough. We explain why this matters.

Tell us about the one bit of tech you use in your life everyday – get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp on +44 330 1230 320.


Presenter: Chris Vallance
Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones
Editor: Monica Soriano

(Image: Ex-US Air Force flight test engineer Jessica Peterson in the back seat of a T-38, taking a selfie video as the plane does an upside down roll. Credit: Getty Images)


TUE 21:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tgwwq)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 21:06 Newshour (w172zb9fkfcdrcp)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.


TUE 22:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35th0mv)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 22:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s8715)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


TUE 22:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf5cx7)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


TUE 22:32 World Business Report (w3ct60bs)
How has Ukraine’s energy infrastructure survived the war?

Ukraine's power plants have been the subject of missile assaults since the beginning of the war. We ask how has Ukraine’s energy infrastructure survived the war?
Germany’s Parliament has passed historic ‘debt backed’ defence spending measures, so the country can borrow far more for weapons and infrastructure.
And one of Hollywood’s biggest producers, Village Roadshow, has filed for bankruptcy. The production house was responsible for titles such as ‘The Matrix’ and ‘Ocean’s Eleven’.


TUE 23:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35th4cz)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


TUE 23:06 People Fixing The World (w3ct5txh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]


TUE 23:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf5hnc)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


TUE 23:32 In the Studio (w3ct5tm4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]

WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH 2025

WED 00:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35th843)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 00:06 The Arts Hour (w3ct5qkx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 20:06 on Saturday]


WED 01:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35thcw7)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 01:06 Business Matters (w172zbg09s4tn13)
How has Ukraine’s energy infrastructure survived the war?

Ukraine's power plants have been the subject of missile assaults since the beginning of the war. We ask how has Ukraine’s energy infrastructure survived the war?
Germany’s Parliament has passed historic ‘debt backed’ defence spending measures, so the country can borrow far more for weapons and infrastructure.
And one of Hollywood’s biggest producers, Village Roadshow, has filed for bankruptcy. The production house was responsible for titles such as ‘The Matrix’ and ‘Ocean’s Eleven’.


WED 02:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35thhmc)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 02:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s8q0p)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


WED 02:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf5vwr)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


WED 02:32 The Climate Question (w3ct5wt5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:06 on Sunday]


WED 03:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35thmch)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 03:06 Outlook (w3ct5p63)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 on Tuesday]


WED 03:50 Witness History (w3ct5ynt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Tuesday]


WED 04:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35thr3m)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 04:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s8yhy)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


WED 04:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf63d0)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


WED 04:32 Good Bad Billionaire (w3ct6xl5)
Aliko Dangote: Africa’s richest person

Industrialist Aliko Dangote is known as a mild-mannered cement tycoon who often drives himself to business meetings. How did he become the world’s richest black person? Dangote rapidly dominated Nigeria’s cement, sugar, flour and fertiliser markets. He says his mission is to make Nigeria’s economy self-reliant, without requiring Western investment or imports. BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng look back on Dangote’s life - from a childhood selling sweets in the playground to becoming a watchword for success in Nigeria. Then they decide if they think he’s good, bad, or just another billionaire.

We’d love to hear your feedback. Email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com or drop us a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176.

To find out more about the show and read our privacy notice, visit www.bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire


WED 05:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35thvvr)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 05:06 Newsday (w172zbkk2l19zjb)
Russian and Ukrainian air attacks

Both claim infrastructure has been damanged just a day after the two sides agreed not to target energy sites. Vladimir Putin told Donald Trump that Moscow would stop targeting Ukrainian energy sites. We go live to Ukraine

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has said that renewed airstrikes on Gaza are "just the beginning". He said Israel had resumed combat with "full force", accusing Hamas of rejecting the proposals Israel had brought to ceasefire talks. We hear from the people of Gaza.

In an interview with the BBC, Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa, says he wants foreign military support from the US, European countries and Brazil to join his "war" against criminal drug gangs in the country.

Presenters: James Copnall and Victoria Uwonkunda

(Photo: People walk past a Fox News ticker that displays a headline about U.S. President Donald Trump's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin about a Ukraine ceasefire proposal in New York City. Credit: Kylie Cooper/Reuters)


WED 06:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35thzlw)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 06:06 Newsday (w172zbkk2l1b38g)
Fresh airstrikes in Russia and Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine have launched air attacks that damaged each other's infrastructure. It comes hours after President Putin said Russia would stop targeting Ukrainian energy sites. We speak to a former US defense advisor who says more pressure is needed.

We'll go to Finland where President Zelensky will pay an official visit today. We'll look at Finland's support for Ukraine as it continues to fight Russia's invasion.

And we go to Israel. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said that renewed airstrikes on Gaza are "just the beginning". He said Israel had resumed combat with "full force", accusing Hamas of rejecting the proposals Israel had brought to ceasefire talks. We'll speak to the country's deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Presenters: James Copnall and Victoria Uwonkunda

(Photo:Ukrainian service personnel use searchlights as they search for drones in the sky over the city during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv. Credit: Gleb Garanich/Reuters)


WED 07:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tj3c0)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 07:06 Newsday (w172zbkk2l1b70l)
Russian and Ukrainian attacks on infrastructure

Both Russia and Ukraine are reporting attacks on infrastructure in their countries. It comes hours after President Putin said Russia would stop targeting Ukrainian energy sites. We'll get the view of a Ukrainian politician.

We'll also discuss the promises made by Vladimir Putin in his telephone conversation with Donald Trump yesterday with our East European correspondent.

Following the air strikes in Gaza by the Israeli military yesterday, reportedly killing 400 people according to the Hamas run health ministry. We hear from an intensive care medic in Gaza who has been treating many of the young children hit in the attack.

Presenters: James Copnall and Victoria Uwonkunda


(Photo:An explosion of a drone is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Credit:Gleb Garanich/REUTERS)


WED 08:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tj734)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 08:06 HARDtalk (w3ct5t5l)
Reid Hoffman: Should we trust the tech elite?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Reid Hoffman, the tech billionaire who co-founded LinkedIn and is a prophet of positivity about Artificial Intelligence.


WED 08:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf6lcj)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


WED 08:32 Business Daily (w3ct5zpg)
Is DEI really dead?

Many prominent US companies have been pulling back on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

US President Donald Trump and his allies have regularly attacked DEI policies.

When he returned to the White House in January, President Trump ordered government agencies to eliminate such initiatives - and it appears some of the country's biggest corporations are following suit.

Presenter: Ed Butler
Producer: Lexy O'Connor

(Image: Hands holding "equality for all" cardboard sign". Credit: Getty Images)


WED 08:50 Witness History (w3ct5yr2)
In event of moon disaster: 'The speech that never was'

“Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace.”

These are the opening lines of the 'In Event of Moon Disaster' speech, written in 1969 in case the moon landing astronauts did not make it home.

They were composed by President Richard Nixon’s speechwriter, William Safire, who died in 2009, at the age of 79.

The speech continued: “These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice.”

Using archive from the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and NASA, Vicky Farncombe tells the story of “the speech that never was”.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.

(Photo: Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin on the moon. Credit: Getty Images)


WED 09:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tjbv8)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 09:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s9k7l)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


WED 09:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf6q3n)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


WED 09:32 The Climate Question (w3ct5wt5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:06 on Sunday]


WED 10:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tjgld)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 10:06 The Documentary (w3ct7mw7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 on Saturday]


WED 11:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tjlbj)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 11:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07s9sqv)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


WED 11:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf6ylx)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


WED 11:32 The Global Story (w3ct6ds7)
Why has Israel gone back to war?

On Tuesday night, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that combat against Hamas in Gaza had resumed in full force.

This followed several hours of early morning air strikes targeting Gaza, which killed more than 400 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, making it one of the deadliest days of the conflict so far.

Jonny Dymond speaks to the BBC’s Jon Donnison, who witnessed the strikes from the Israeli border town of Sderot. He helps us to understand this latest escalation and why Israel has decided to return to war.

Producers: Richard Moran, Mhairi MacKenzie and Tom Kavanagh

Assistant editors: Richard Fenton-Smith and Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins


WED 12:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tjq2n)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 12:06 Outlook (w3ct5pdw)
Finding a life in the sunshine: Being Roy Ayers’ son

Nabil Ayers had a complicated relationship with his father, legendary funk and jazz musician Roy Ayers, who died in March 2025, aged 84.

Roy Ayers’ most famous song, Everybody Loves the Sunshine, has followed Nabil throughout his life and like Roy, Nabil has had a successful career in music.

When he sat down with Emily Webb in 2022, he told her how he'd learned to be comfortable with hearing his father's biggest hit and how - in trying to get to know his father as an adult - he discovered a wider family he never knew.

Nabil has written a book about his experience called My Life in the Sunshine: Searching for My Father and Discovering My Family.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar & Emily Webb
Producer: Laura Thomas & Troy Holmes

(Photo: Nabil Ayers (left) and Roy Ayers (right). Credit: Gabriela Bhaskar and Getty Images)


WED 12:50 Witness History (w3ct5yr2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]


WED 13:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tjtts)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 13:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07sb173)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


WED 13:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf7635)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


WED 13:32 Good Bad Billionaire (w3ct6xl5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]


WED 14:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tjykx)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 14:06 Newshour (w172zb9fkfcgt1w)
Russia attacks infrastructure in Ukraine

Ukraine reacts with resignation to Russia attacking its infrastructure, hours after Vladimir Putin told President Trump he was halting such strikes.

Also in the programme: we hear from a doctor in Gaza as attacks by Israel resume; and after a federal court rules that actions taken to shut down USAID by Elon Musk and DOGE 'likely violated the United States Constitution in multiple ways', we hear from the former White House counsel leading the charge.

(IMAGE: View of a strike on a hospital, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Krasnopillia, Sumy Region, Ukraine, March 19, 2025 / CREDIT: State Emergency Service of Ukraine via Reuters)


WED 15:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tk2b1)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 15:06 HARDtalk (w3ct5t5l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]


WED 15:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf7flf)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


WED 15:32 World Business Report (w3ct60f1)
Turmoil on Turkish markets after arrests

Turmoil on Turkish markets following the detainment of Istanbul's mayor. Turkey's budget deficit has skyrocketed and its currency has plunged to a record low.

American spenders are feeling anxious about inflation. So will the US Federal Reserve hold interest rates?

Plus Andrew Peach finds out why Ben & Jerry's says its Chief Executive has been ousted by its parent company Unilever.


WED 16:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tk625)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 16:06 BBC OS (w172zbjl8mx5v4j)
Turkey: Police arrest the mayor of Istanbul

Police in Turkey have arrested the popular mayor of Istanbul, just days before he was due to be selected as an opposition presidential candidate. Ekrem Imamoglu, who's seen as one of President Erdogan's strongest rivals, has been accused of corruption and aiding a terrorist group. Dozens of politicians, journalists and businessmen have also been arrested and a four-day ban on protests has been imposed in Istanbul. We'll have the latest.

President Zelensky says he's expecting to speak on the phone to President Trump later today -- as plans for peace in the Ukraine appear to have stalled. Earlier he accused Russia's President Putin of breaking a promise of a 30 day pause on attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities. Russia has accused Kyiv of launching a drone attack on an oil depot. We'll hear from two mothers in Russia about their hopes for peace.

Elsewhere in the news, trekking companies in Nepal say they are planning to use drones during this year's spring climbing season to transport food and equipment, and to remove waste from Mount Everest. But will drones spoil the beauty of this amazing place?

(Photo: Supporters of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Credit: Erdem Sahin/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)


WED 17:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tk9t9)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 17:06 BBC OS (w172zbjl8mx5ywn)
Renewed airstrikes in Gaza

The United Nations says it believes two of its staff have been killed, and others injured, after one of its compounds was damaged in Gaza. Israel has denied attacking the UN building. The Hamas-run health ministry says more than twenty people have been killed in air strikes today. A young woman tells us what's happening where she lives.

There's been strong criticism in Europe following the arrest in Turkey of the mayor of Istanbul. Ekrem Imamoğlu is seen as a main political rival to President Erdogan. Germany called the arrest a serious setback for democracy in the country. So what do people in Istanbul make of the arrest? We'll hear from some of them.

Donald Trump insists talks on a ceasefire in Ukraine are "on track" after he held an hour-long phone call with President Zelensky. We'll bring you any updates as we get them.

(Photo: Palestinians inspect the rubble after renewed Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Credit: HAITHAM IMAD/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)


WED 18:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tkfkf)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 18:06 Outlook (w3ct5pdw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 today]


WED 18:50 Witness History (w3ct5yr2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]


WED 19:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tkk9k)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 19:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07sbrpw)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


WED 19:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf7xky)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


WED 19:32 Sport Today (w3ct5wcn)
2025/03/19 GMT

BBC sports correspondents tell the story behind today's top sporting news, with interviews and reports from across the world.


WED 20:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tkp1p)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 20:06 The Climate Question (w3ct5wt5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:06 on Sunday]


WED 20:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf81b2)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


WED 20:32 Health Check (w3ct5tb3)
Judge blocks further USAID shutdown

A federal judge has said the shuttering of USAID is ‘likely unconstitutional’, while the Trump administration has been ordered to pay back bills for USAID. But what difference is this making on the ground? Global health journalist Andrew Green is in Uganda finding out. Also on the show, a new safety trial shows yearly injections of the drug lenacapivir may be able to prevent HIV transmission, and PCOS and endometriosis are two fairly common gynecological issues, but could they also lead to cardiovascular issues?

Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins and Katie Tomsett


WED 21:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tksst)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 21:06 Newshour (w172zb9fkfchn8s)
Istanbul mayor arrested days before becoming presidential candidate

Turkish authorities have detained Ekrem Imamoglu, from the secular opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), just days before he was due to be selected as a presidential candidate. Also on the programme, the United Nations says one of its international staff has been killed when an explosive was dropped on or fired at a UN compound in central Gaza; and a conversation with Hans Zimmer about his 40 years composing some of the most memorable film music.

(Photo: Supporters of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu gather outside the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality building to protest the detention of Imamoglu, in Istanbul, Turkey, March 19, 2025. REUTERS/Tolga Uluturk)


WED 22:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tkxjy)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 22:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07sc3y8)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


WED 22:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf88tb)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


WED 22:32 World Business Report (w3ct60h9)
First broadcast 19/03/2025 22:32 GMT

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.


WED 23:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tl192)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


WED 23:06 HARDtalk (w3ct5t5l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]


WED 23:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf8dkg)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


WED 23:32 Good Bad Billionaire (w3ct6xl5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]

THURSDAY 20 MARCH 2025

THU 00:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tl516)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 00:06 The Documentary (w3ct7mw7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 on Saturday]


THU 01:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tl8sb)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 01:06 Business Matters (w172zbg09s4xjy6)
Fed predicts higher inflation and slow growth for US

The US Federal reserve holds interest rates. The rate remains unchanged despite the uncertainty created by tariffs
Argentina's economy has shrunk 1.7% in 2024 compared with 2023. We hear from Professor of Economics at Belgrano University, Luis Arguero
And how will the second hand clothes marker benefit from tariffs?


THU 02:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tldjg)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 02:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07sclxs)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


THU 02:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf8rsv)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


THU 02:32 The Documentary (w3ct7rvh)
What’s your poison: The methanol crisis

In November 2024, six people died after visiting a bar in Vang Vieng, Laos. Authorities in the country said it was a suspected mass poisoning. It made headlines around the world, but it wasn’t an isolated incident.

Every few months, reports circulate of large numbers of people falling ill or dying after a wedding or large gathering. In some cases, hundreds of people have died in individual outbreaks, with many more left blind or hospitalised.

It's happening across South East Asia, Central America and the Middle East - often in countries where drinking alcohol is frowned upon, taboo, or even illegal.

The culprit is methanol.

Matthew Hill investigates a devastating story unfolding right now with a rising death-toll, and travels to Bangladesh to meet the people on the ground urgently working to treat those affected.

Image: Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Turkish police officers inspect bottles in a liquor shop, during an operation looking for counterfeit liquor, in Beyoglu district in Istanbul on 17 January 2025 (Credit: Kemal Aslan/AFP via Getty Images)


THU 03:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tlj8l)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 03:06 Outlook (w3ct5pdw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 on Wednesday]


THU 03:50 Witness History (w3ct5yr2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Wednesday]


THU 04:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tln0q)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 04:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07scvf1)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


THU 04:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf9093)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


THU 04:32 The Food Chain (w3ct5xp9)
Why is saffron so expensive?

Saffron - the world's most expensive spice - is treasured for its rich aroma, vibrant colour, and unique flavour. But why does it command such a high price?

In this episode of The Food Chain, Ruth Alexander uncovers the story of saffron from crocus flower to kitchen, finds out about the labour-intensive harvesting process, and learns about the innovations in lab-grown saffron that could change the industry forever.

Iranian chef and author Najmieh Batmanglij shares saffron's culinary and cultural significance. Saffron trader Mehrdad Rowhani offers insight into the complex global market and the problem of fraud, and agricultural scientist Dr Ardalan Ghilavizadeh tells us about why more countries are investing in lab-grown saffron, taking the harvest from traditional fields and into indoor units.

To get in touch with the show, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk

Producer: Izzy Greenfield
Reporting: Irshad Hussain


THU 05:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tlrrv)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 05:06 Newsday (w172zbkk2l1dwff)
Military chiefs meet in UK over Ukraine

President Zelensky of Ukraine has said that "a lasting peace" can be achieved this year under a Trump leadership. This follows a telephone conversation with the US President yesterday. In the meantime what's been described as a "coalition of the willing" meeting is taking place in the UK today. Dozens of military chiefs from allies of Ukraine will discuss troop deployments to support the Ukrainians if a ceasefire is declared with Russia.

In the United States the clock is ticking for South Africa’s Ambassador to leave the country. Ebrahim Rasoul has until Friday to pack his bags after being told he was no longer welcome. He’d been accused by top officials of being a race-baiting politician who hates America. We'll discuss his situation with a former US diplomat to South Africa.

The Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, has warned the people of Gaza that they will face what he called "total destruction and ruin" if they do not -- in his words -- return the hostages and remove Hamas. We'll turn our focus on hospitals in Gaza and how they're dealing with the renewed air strikes.

Presenters: James Copnall and Victoria Uwonkunda

(Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks to U.S. President Donald Trump on a phone call in an unidentified location. Credit: handout image @ZelenskyyUa via X/REUTERS


THU 06:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tlwhz)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 06:06 Newsday (w172zbkk2l1f05k)
US discusses peace with Russia and Ukraine this week

President Donald Trump has been speaking with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts this week, all in an effort to find end to the war in Ukraine. President Zelensky of Ukraine said he believed that "lasting peace can be achieved this year" under a Trump leadership. The White House said the two leader also discussed the possible US ownership of Ukraine's nuclear power plants.

We look at the reaction in Turkey following the arrest of Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival and more than 100 others.

And we hear from one of the workers forced to work in a Myanmar's scam centre and how they targetted people around the world to scam.

Presenters: James Copnall and Victoria Uwonkunda

(Photo: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipropetrovsk region. Credit: Alina Smutko/Reuters)


THU 07:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tm083)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 07:06 Newsday (w172zbkk2l1f3xp)
European leaders to discuss Ukraine

US President Donald Trump has been pushing hard for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine this week and this morning European leaders will be meeting in Brussels and UK as the the continent rapidly adapts to a changing diplomatic and military landscape. We speak to the Finnish Foreign Minister.

In Venezuela a group of activists has been hiding in the Argentina embassy, fearful of arrest by the government of Nicolas Maduro, we hear from one of the group.

And in the United States the clock is ticking for South Africa’s Ambassador to leave the country. Ebrahim Rasoul has until Friday to pack his bags after being told he was no longer welcome. He’d been accused by top officials of being a race-baiting politician who hates America. We'll discuss his situation with a former US diplomat to South Africa.

Presenters: James Copnall and Victoria Uwonkunda

(Photo: EU Council President Antonio Costa, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Credit: Christophe Petit Tesson/EPA/EFE)


THU 08:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tm407)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 08:06 The Inquiry (w3ct5xjs)
Do we need a new Nato?

European leaders have had cause to rethink their roles within Nato recently, in light of statements coming from the US Government. The Trump administration’s dealings with Russia to try and broker a peace deal in Ukraine, have called into question America’s support for the alliance. But whilst the Trump administration say they are not pulling out of Nato and remain committed to the defence partnership with Europe, they have warned that they will "no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship which encourages dependency".

Nato currently asks member states to spend at least 2% on defence, but US President Donald Trump has consistently told European allies to spend much more than that target. The alliance’s famous Article 5 holds that Nato members will come to the defence of an ally which comes under attack and the assumption has always been that the US would continue to be the anchoring power. But now Europe’s leaders are having to consider whether they could potentially go it alone without American military aid. So, do we need a new Nato?

This week's experts include John Deni, author and research professor, US Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, USA; Rachel Ellehuus, director-general, The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), London, UK; Toomas Hendricks Ilves, Former President of Estonia, professor at Tartu University; Estonia, Irina Borogan, deputy editor Agentura.ru, non-resident senior fellow, The Centre for European Policy Analysis, London, UK.

Presenter: Tanya Beckett
Producer: Jill Collins
Researcher: Katie Morgan
Editor: Tara McDermott
Technical Producer: Craig Boardman
Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples and Liam Morrey

(Photo: Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte participates in a bilateral meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance (not pictured) at the Commerzbank in Munich, Germany, 14 February, 2025. Credit: Leah Mills/Reuters)


THU 08:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf9h8m)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


THU 08:32 Business Daily (w3ct5zdf)
Myanmar scam: A victim's story

We hear from a Sri Lankan woman who was trafficked and forced to conduct illegal online activity, including cyber fraud against vulnerable victims.

Aneka Boram is one of thousands of people who've recently escaped from so-called scam centres. She talks about her captivity and describes the harsh punishments and conditions she was forced to work in.

The scam centres are offices inside Myanmar or Cambodia, where people have been forced to work scamming internet users from around the world.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presented and produced by Ed Butler

(Image: Aneka Boram)


THU 08:50 Witness History (w3ct5ylk)
The historic handshake in space

In July 1975, former competitors the Soviet Union and the United States both launched rockets into the sky within hours of each other, as part of a joint project.

They wanted two spacecraft, from two different countries, to achieve the first international docking in space.

While millions watched on TV, the cosmonauts and astronauts opened the hatches between the two vehicles and shook hands, then shared meals and conducted joint science experiments.

In 2022, former NASA chief historian, Bill Barry told Nick Holland why the unique rendezvous was a turning point.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.

(Photo: Commander of the Soviet crew of Soyuz, Alexei Leonov (L) and commander of the American crew of Apollo, Thomas Stafford (R). Credit: NASA/AFP via Getty Images).


THU 09:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tm7rc)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 09:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07sdg4p)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


THU 09:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf9m0r)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


THU 09:32 The Documentary (w3ct7rvh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 02:32 today]


THU 10:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tmchh)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 10:06 The Explanation (w3ct6pn2)
The Media Show: Investigating Michael Jackson

Documentary maker Dan Reed returns with Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson, following Wade Robson and James Safechuck as they continue their legal fight against Jackson’s estate. Reed discusses how he got the film over the line and the ongoing backlash from Jackson’s supporters.
Also on the show, the Trump administration has cut funding to US state-backed broadcasters, affecting Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and Radio Free Asia. Bay Fang, President of Radio Free Asia, responds to the impact of these cuts, while Jennifer Grygiel, Associate Professor at Syracuse University, examines the broader implications for press freedom.

Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall
Producer: Simon Richardson
Assistant producer: Lucy Wai


THU 10:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf9qrw)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


THU 10:32 Happy News (w3ct5sr0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:32 on Sunday]


THU 11:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tmh7m)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 11:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07sdpmy)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


THU 11:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxf9vj0)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


THU 11:32 The Global Story (w3ct6dvh)
Are we really getting enough sleep?

We spend around a third of our lives sleeping. But many people struggle with insomnia or have difficulty staying asleep, and research shows that bad sleep can increase the risk of multiple health conditions. How harmful is bad sleep to our health? And what can we do about it?
Jonny Dymond speaks with Professor Russell Foster, Director of the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute at the University of Oxford, and author and sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan about how people can get enough sleep.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts and Beth Timmins

Sound engineers: Mike Regaard

Assistant editors: Richard Fenton-Smith and Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins


THU 12:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tmlzr)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 12:06 Outlook (w3ct5nzb)
Searching for green in a concrete world

Kwesia X grew up in south east London, surrounded by busy roads and tower blocks. When faced with tragedy and homelessness, she turned to nature to find peace. Now she's working hard to bring the experience of the natural world to young people in the city, and they're often amazed by the plants and creatures living in the concrete jungle. You can find her videos on her YouTube channel, City Girl in Nature.

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Taqwa Sadiq and Harry Graham

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Kwesia X climbing in a tree. Credit: Kwesia X)


THU 12:50 Witness History (w3ct5ylk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]


THU 13:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tmqqw)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 13:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07sdy46)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


THU 13:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxfb308)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


THU 13:32 The Food Chain (w3ct5xp9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]


THU 14:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tmvh0)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 14:06 Newshour (w172zb9fkfckpyz)
Israel resumes ground operations in Gaza

At least 85 Palestinians have been killed in overnight Israeli air strikes in Gaza, the Hamas-run health ministry has said and the IDF said it had started a ground invasion in northern Gaza. Hamas has launched retaliatory missiles aimed at central Israel, with fragments landing in the central city of Rishon Letzion. No casualties or injuries were reported. Meanwhile thousands of Israelis protesting the resumption of war.

Also on the programme: A BBC investigation has found that Colombian energy giant Ecopetrol has polluted hundreds of sites with oil, including biodiverse wetlands and water sources; and as discussions of a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine continue, we ask two ordinary Ukrainians what they think of the talks?

(Image: Palestinians inspect the rubble after renewed Israeli airstrikes on Gaza - 19 Mar 2025. Credit: Haitham Imad via EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)


THU 15:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tmz74)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 15:06 The Inquiry (w3ct5xjs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]


THU 15:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxfbbhj)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


THU 15:32 World Business Report (w3ct6040)
Trade wars: China targets Canada

China is imposing tariffs on a variety of Canadian products. It follows Canadas tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Andrew Peach finds out how much debt the world is in ?

Plus the International Olympic Committee is about to elect a new President. But does the cost of hosting outweigh the benefits?


THU 16:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tn2z8)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 16:06 BBC OS (w172zbjl8mx8r1m)
Hamas fires rockets at Israel in response

Hamas says it's launched three rockets at Israel from Gaza. Israel said one was intercepted and no one was injured. It's the first time Hamas is known to have fired back since Israel launched a new military offensive on Tuesday. Hamas says nearly 600 Palestinians have been killed since Tuesday. We hear from people in Gaza and speak to Israelis.

We hear a conversation with young Russians who discuss the Ukraine war and the recent diplomatic efforts on securing a ceasefire.

A new president of the International Olympic Committee will be elected for the first time since 2013. We get reaction from Africa and speak to our sports reporter.

Presenter: Mark Lowen.

(Photo: A boy sits amid rubble as Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip March 20, 2025. Credit: Hatem Khaled/Reuters)


THU 17:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tn6qd)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 17:06 BBC OS (w172zbjl8mx8vsr)
IOC elects first female president

Zimbabwe's sports minister Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the new president of the International Olympic Committee. The 41-year-old former swimmer, who won two Olympic gold medals, will replace German Thomas Bach - who has held the role since 2013 - and become the first woman, the first African and the youngest person to hold the role. We get reaction from Africa.

We speak to our Europe editor who has spoken to people on Estonia's border with Russia and met the country's military and government officials.

We hear a conversation with young Russians who discuss the Ukraine war and the recent diplomatic efforts on securing a ceasefire.

After Israel started a new military offensive in Gaza, we speak to a family member of an Israeli hostage.

Presenter: Mark Lowen.

(Photo: Kirsty Coventry looks on after being elected as the new president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Credit: Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters)


THU 18:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tnbgj)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 18:06 Outlook (w3ct5nzb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 today]


THU 18:50 Witness History (w3ct5ylk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]


THU 19:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tng6n)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 19:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07sfnlz)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


THU 19:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxfbth1)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


THU 19:32 Sport Today (w3ct5w74)
2025/03/20 GMT

BBC sports correspondents tell the story behind today's top sporting news, with interviews and reports from across the world.


THU 20:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tnkys)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 20:06 The Documentary (w3ct7rvh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 02:32 today]


THU 20:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxfby75)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


THU 20:32 Science In Action (w3ct5vf9)
Columbia cuts and "transgender mice"

There is continued upheaval in US scientific institutions under the new Trump administration. This week $400 million dollars-worth of grants have been frozen at Columbia University in response to “illegal” protests on the campus. President Trump also recently accused the Biden Administration of spending $8 million dollars on "transgender mice" experiments.

We talk to two scientists, Kelton Minor and Patricia Silveyra, who have been affected in different ways.

Also, as the first data from the European Space Agency's Euclid mission is released, Euclid project leader Valeria Pettorino tells us how this impressive space telescope hopes to unlock the secrets of the dark universe.

And, around this time last year we heard about the H5N1 strain of bird flu finally jumping to the Antarctica Peninsula. Today, an expedition led by virologist Antonio Alcami confirms that the virus has spread to every animal species at each site they visited.

Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Ella Hubber
Production co-ordinator: Jana Holesworth and Josie Hardy

(Photo: University of Minnesota researchers, scientists and other supporters protest against President Donald Trump's proposed scientific research funding cuts. Credit: Michael Siluk/Getty Images)


THU 21:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tnppx)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 21:06 Newshour (w172zb9fkfclk5w)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.


THU 22:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tntg1)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 22:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07sg0vc)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


THU 22:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxfc5qf)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


THU 22:32 World Business Report (w3ct6068)
First broadcast 20/03/2025 22:32 GMT

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.


THU 23:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tny65)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


THU 23:06 The Inquiry (w3ct5xjs)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]


THU 23:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxfc9gk)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


THU 23:32 The Food Chain (w3ct5xp9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]

FRIDAY 21 MARCH 2025

FRI 00:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tp1y9)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 00:06 The Explanation (w3ct6pn2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:06 on Thursday]


FRI 00:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxfcf6p)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


FRI 00:32 Unspun World with John Simpson (w3ct7lbw)
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin negotiate over a ceasefire in Ukraine

This week John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the negotiations between the United States and Russia over a ceasefire in Ukraine, examines Canada’s attempts to forge European alliances amidst a trade war with Donald Trump and – at a pivotal moment for the International Criminal Court - explores the impact of the arrest of former Philippines President, Rodrigo Duterte.


FRI 01:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tp5pf)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 01:06 Business Matters (w172zbg09s50fv9)
Inside Myanmar’s cyber scam industry

Thousands of people have been trafficked into Myanmar and forced to work in scam compounds, running online fraud operations that target victims globally. We hear from one of the most senior people at the United Nations trying to tackle the problem.

Indonesia—once hailed as one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies—is facing a sharp sell-off in its stock market. We break down what’s driving investor anxiety.

And we examine whether Apple’s smartphone tech is falling behind the hype.


FRI 02:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tp9fk)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 02:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07sghtw)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


FRI 02:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxfcnpy)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


FRI 02:32 Tech Life (w3ct5wnp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 20:32 on Tuesday]


FRI 03:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tpf5p)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 03:06 Outlook (w3ct5nzb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 on Thursday]


FRI 03:50 Witness History (w3ct5ylk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Thursday]


FRI 04:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tpjxt)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 04:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07sgrb4)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


FRI 04:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxfcx66)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


FRI 04:32 Heart and Soul (w3ct5tgm)
The mosque for Bangladesh’s transgender women

In Bangladesh, hijras - once a revered community - have long lived on the margins. Also known as the third gender, hijras form a diverse group, including those born intersex - meaning their physical traits don’t fit neatly into ‘male’ or ‘female’ categories - and transgender individuals. Traditionally seen as spiritual figures with the power to bless or curse, they are now outcasts, denied homes, jobs, and opportunities. But in a quiet village in Mymensingh, a spiritual revolution is taking place.

Reporter Sahar Zand has gained rare access to this community, spending time with its leader, Tanu - a transgender woman and practising Muslim - who has built a sanctuary where hijras can reconnect with faith. At the heart of this transformation is a Quran study group, offering hijras the religious education they were long denied, and a newly built mosque - the first in Bangladesh to welcome them as equals, after they were expelled from others. With the help of an imam who risked everything to stand by them, they are reclaiming their right to Islam.

But as religious conservatism rises, so do the threats against them. Their village is no longer just a refuge; it is the frontline of a battle for acceptance. Can faith be the key to breaking barriers, or will they be forced back into the shadows?

Producer/presenter: Sahar Zand
Executive producer: Rajeev Gupta
Editor: Chloe Walker
Production coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno


FRI 05:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tpnny)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 05:06 Newsday (w172zbkk2l1hsbj)
Israel offensive on Gaza

Israel is continuing its renewed offensive in Gaza, with authorities saying nearly six hundred people killed since Tuesday. Hamas has also responded by firing rockets into Israel. We will hear about the impact the attacks are having on the people of Gaza.

We'll also look at the prospects for diplomacy achieving a renewed ceasefire.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo the M23 rebel group have taken control of the mining town of Walikale, with government forces apparently unable to stop their advance.

The International Olympic Committee have elected Kirsty Coventry as its first female President

Presenters: James Copnall and Lukwesa Burak


(Photo: Tents of displaced Palestinians from northern Gaza are set up near destroyed buildings in Gaza City. Credit: MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)


FRI 06:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tpsf2)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 06:06 Newsday (w172zbkk2l1hx2n)
Sudan's army says it has entered the Presidential Palace in Khartoum

The army has told the BBC it has taken the Palace. We'll bring you the latest from our correspondent in Port Sudan.

Israel is continuing its ground offensive in Gaza with Hamas now responding with rocket fire into Israel, we'll hear about the impact the fighting is having on people in Gaza.

In the Russian region of Kursk, Moscow's forces have been on the offensive, progressively ousting Ukrainians from the Russian territory they seized last year, and Ukrainain fighters are worried about what a peace deal could mean.

A leading law professor warns that President Trump's recent battle with the judiciary is eroding America's status as a constitutional democracy

And we have an interview with the Namibia's first female President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who will be inaugurated today. She tells us what she wants to achieve for the country.

Presenters: James Copnall and Lukwesa Burak

(Photo: The Sudanese Army General Command building bears traces of artillery shelling in Khartoum, Sudan. Credit: Tayeb Sid/Reuters)


FRI 07:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tpx56)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 07:06 Newsday (w172zbkk2l1j0ts)
Sudan's army takes President Palace in capital

The Sudanese army has told the BBC that they've taken the Presidential Palace in Khartoum. We'll bring you the latest on this breaking story.

With Israel once again sending ground troops into Gaza and Hamas launching rockets into Israel , the prospects for a renewed ceasefire seem to be diminishing.

EU leaders have been meeting in Brussels as the continent rushes to adjust to diminishing military support from America. Countries which border Russia like Estonia are starting to act like they are on the frontline of an emerging conflict.


In Washington President Trump continues his assault on the federal government with an executive order abolishing the Department of Education.

Presenters: James Copnall and Lukwesa Burak

(Photo: Plumes of smoke rise during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum, Sudan. Credit: Reuters)


FRI 08:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tq0xb)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 08:06 HARDtalk (w3ct4p2s)
John Cooper Clarke: Punk and poetry

Stephen Sackur speaks to the pioneering performance poet John Cooper Clarke. From his early days as the bard of punk to a decade lost to heroin and then the worldwide success of his poem I Wanna Be Yours and now a new tour, John Cooper Clarke has used words, rhythm and rhyme to find humour and truth in the chaos of everyday life. Where does his word magic come from?


FRI 08:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxfdd5q)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


FRI 08:32 Business Daily (w3ct5z3d)
Business Daily meets: Sim Tshabalala

Sim Tshabalala is the CEO of one of Africa's largest banks, Standard Bank. In this edition of Business Daily, he tells Ed Butler about his journey from growing up under apartheid in South Africa, to be becoming a lawyer, then investment banker.

He discusses the risks of lending to companies; how the continent is improving its trade relationships; and what he thinks the future of Africa will look like.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Ed Butler
Producer: Amber Mehmood

Additional material: Reuters/British Pathé

(Picture: Sim Tshabalala, CEO of Standard Bank Group, speaks at Semafor's The Next 3 Billion Summit at The Pierre Hotel on September 24, 2024 in New York City. Credit: Getty Images)


FRI 08:50 Witness History (w3ct5yg1)
The visionary behind the European Space Agency

In October 2012, the founding father of the European Space Agency was honoured when a spacecraft named after him was sent to the international space station.

Within the probe – called the Edoardo Amaldi Automated Transfer Vehicle – was a letter which had been written by Edoardo in 1958 detailing his plans for an organisation which would bring together the continent’s greatest minds in space science. It was in response to the brain drain Europe was facing in the years prior when its best scientists were flying off to work at NASA.

His grandson, Andrea Amaldi, talks to Natasha Fernandes about the moment his grandfather’s letter was sent into space and the role he played in translating it on behalf of the visionary behind the European Space Agency.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.

(Photo: ESA's ATV-3, Edoardo Amaldi, blasts off on March 23, 2012 from the European space centre at Kourou, French Guiana. Credit: JODY AMIET/AFP via Getty Images)


FRI 09:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tq4ng)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 09:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07shc1s)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


FRI 09:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxfdhxv)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


FRI 09:32 Science In Action (w3ct5vf9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 20:32 on Thursday]


FRI 10:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tq8dl)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 10:06 Unexpected Elements (w3ct5q3b)
What’s that smell?

Five years ago, people around the world were enduring COVID lockdowns as we attempted to prevent the spread of the virus. Today, many of those who caught COVID-19 are still suffering from lingering symptoms, including a loss of their sense of smell. And that got the Unexpected Elements team thinking about all things olfactory.

First up, hold your noses as we investigate the two chemicals that make up the scent of death.

Next, are you prone to telling lies? Well, research suggests that your nose might give you away!

We then turn our attention to the cinema to find out more about the chemicals you release during a scary film.

We’re also joined by chemist Professor Matija Strlic, who reveals how he can detect aromas in ancient Egyptian mummies and – crucially – tells us why he wants to do this.

That, plus many more Unexpected Elements.

Presenters: Marnie Chesterton, with Kai Kupferschmidt and Affelia Wibisono
Producers: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with William Hornbrook, Debbie Kilbride, Imaan Moin and Noa Dowling


FRI 11:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tqd4q)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 11:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07shlk1)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


FRI 11:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxfdrf3)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


FRI 11:32 The Global Story (w3ct6dxr)
Turkey: Erdogan's political deja vu

The mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, was arrested on Wednesday on corruption and terror charges he insists are politically motivated. Considered the leading candidate to face Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the next election, Mr Imamoglu's eligibility had been thrown into doubt after his university degree was annulled earlier this week. His detention is being compared to President Erdogan's own arrest when he was Istanbul mayor more than a quarter of a century ago - a moment widely seen as the catalyst for his rise to national stardom.

On this episode, Jonny Dymond is joined by journalist and author Elcin Poyrazlar, and BBC Monitoring's Dilay Yalcin. They discuss how Turkey has changed under Erdogan’s leadership, and consider what the arrest of his rival says about his fears for future.

Producers: Laurie Kalus, Tom Kavanagh and Eleanor Sly

Sound engineers: Jack Graysmark and Mike Regaard

Assistant editors: Richard Fenton-Smith and Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins


FRI 12:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tqhwv)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 12:06 Outlook (w3ct69b8)
Outlook Mixtape: Stories from the subterranean

From Belize to Thailand via Spain and Vietnam: the meaning, mystery – and peril – people have found in caves.

Richard ‘Harry’ Harris is a medic, anaesthetist and experienced cave diver. When he read about the 12 Thai boys and their soccer coach trapped in the Tham Luang cave system in Thailand in 2018, he knew he was uniquely placed to help. When he arrived at the scene, he was given the unimaginable responsibility of anaesthetising the boys and their coach to swim them to safety. But as he told Outlook’s Emily Webb in 2020, he felt it was a mission doomed to fail.

In April 2023, Beatriz Flamini, an extreme athlete from Spain, emerged from a cave 70m below the ground, where she'd spent over 500 days alone in the dark. This was part of an experiment to measure the effects of extreme isolation and time disorientation on mind and body. Beatriz had no time devices with her and, without natural light, had no way of knowing when a day began or ended. Surprisingly, she says the hardest part for her was the moment she was told that the time was up. She spoke to Andrea Kennedy in 2023.

When Belizean archaeologist Dr Jaime Awe entered a cave, now known as Actun Tunichil Muknal or ATM cave, he had no idea what to expect. As he descended deeper into the underground void, he realized it had been a sacred site for the ancient Mayan people who inhabited Belize a thousand years ago. He found pottery, grinding stones and made much more macabre discoveries. Throughout the caverns were the skeletal remains of 20 people, including 12 children, who he concluded had died as human sacrifices. His jaw-dropping discovery helped him begin to unravel a nagging archaeological mystery of the mysterious decline of the ancient Mayan civilisation.

Hidden in the jungles of central Vietnam lies a subterranean labyrinth that holds the world’s biggest cave, Son Doong. In 2014, the school teacher Huong Le was among some of the first Vietnamese people to visit. Awed by its spectacular beauty, when Huong heard about cable car plans that could destroy the cave, she knew she had to act. Huong spoke to Outlook in 2023.

Presenter: Saskia Collette
Producer: Zoe Gelber

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Cassette tape. Credit: Getty Images)


FRI 12:50 Witness History (w3ct5yg1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]


FRI 13:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tqmmz)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 13:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07shv19)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


FRI 13:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxfdzxc)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


FRI 13:32 Heart and Soul (w3ct5tgm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]


FRI 14:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tqrd3)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 14:06 Newshour (w172zb9fkfcnlw2)
Sudan's army recapture presidential palace in Khartoum

The Sudanese army has recaptured the presidential palace in Khartoum from the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, military leaders have said.

The army appears poised to regain control of the capital two years after it was kicked out by its paramilitary rivals, known as the RSF.

Also in the programme: Europe's busiest airport, London Heathrow, has been shut down by an electricity cut; we'll hear about the Ukrainian organisation trying to help people flee life under Russian occupation; and why yellow warblers are succumbing to road rage.

(Photo shows Sudanese army members celebrate inside the presidential palac in Khartoum, Sudan, March 21, 2025. Credit: Reuters)


FRI 15:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tqw47)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 15:06 HARDtalk (w3ct4p2s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]


FRI 15:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxff7dm)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


FRI 15:32 World Business Report (w3ct5ztz)
How a fire shut down Europe's busiest airport

Europe's busiest airport, Heathrow, says it will be closed all day because of a fire at an electrical substation. Thousands of people and global flights have been affected.

So how has such a major transport hub failed? Andrew Peach speaks to an expert in emergency planning.


FRI 16:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tqzwc)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 16:06 BBC OS (w172zbjl8mxcmyq)
Sudanese army tightens grip on the capital

The Sudanese army says it has recaptured the presidential palace in Khartoum from its rivals, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The RSF has been all but forced out of the capital after two years of fighting. We hear from people inside the country and from those who have fled the civil war.

The international airline trade association has criticised Heathrow's lack of planning, after the London airport was forced to close by a power cut, causing travel chaos. We hear from passengers who are stranded because of the flight cancellations.

Viewers and critics around the world have been praising the Netflix drama “Adolescence”, which shows a 13-year old boy being arrested for the stabbing of a teenage girl. We bring together teachers to share their experiences of issues like misogyny in the classroom.

Presenter: Mark Lowen.

(Photo: Sudanese army members film themselves inside the presidential palace in Khartoum, Sudan, March 21, 2025, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. Credit: Social Media via REUTERS)


FRI 17:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tr3mh)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 17:06 BBC OS (w172zbjl8mxcrpv)
Heathrow shutdown causes flight chaos

The international airline trade association has criticised Heathrow's lack of planning, after the London airport was forced to close by a power cut, causing travel chaos. The outage was caused by a fire at an electricity substation. Heathrow's authorities say they’ll investigate why the back-up systems failed to keep the airport running. We hear from stranded passengers.

The Sudanese army has recaptured the presidential palace in Khartoum, tightening its grip on the capital after two years of civil war. We answer audience questions about the civil war.

Viewers and critics around the world have been praising the Netflix drama “Adolescence”, which shows a 13-year old boy being arrested for the stabbing of a teenage girl. We bring together teachers to share their experiences of issues like misogyny in the classroom.

Presenter: Mark Lowen.

(Photo: Nicolas Di Francescantonio waits for informations about his flight to Heathrow International Airport at Fiumicino Airport near Rome, Italy, March 21, 2025. Credit: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters)


FRI 18:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35tr7cm)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 18:06 Outlook (w3ct69b8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 today]


FRI 18:50 Witness History (w3ct5yg1)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]


FRI 19:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35trc3r)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 19:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07sjkj2)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


FRI 19:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxffqd4)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


FRI 19:32 Sport Today (w3ct5w2m)
2025/03/21 GMT

BBC sports correspondents tell the story behind today's top sporting news, with interviews and reports from across the world.


FRI 20:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35trgvw)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 20:06 BBC OS Conversations (w3ct5rd3)
Ukraine: What do Russians think about the war?

For the first time in three years, there’s talk of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Negotiations are ongoing, but at the time of recording this programme, the conflict continues.

We’ve heard many times from Ukrainians expressing their thoughts on the war – most recently in February in our episode Ukraine: Three Years of War.

It’s been harder to find Russians who are happy to speak to Western journalists. But we’ve brought together three groups of ordinary Russian citizens to share their views and experiences. None are directly involved in the war, but everyone is affected by it in some way. And everyone has strong opinions.

“I think it's much better if this special military operation finishes with Russia's absolute victory, because these territories, they do not belong to Ukraine,” says Valentina, a translator who lives in Moscow.

Alexander, an artist, disagrees strongly. “I think she's just watching too much Russian TV, because this oppression of Russian people on Ukrainian territories only happened on Russian TV, and all people who try to receive information from different sources know that.”

Three younger Russians, all in their 20s, discuss how comfortable they feel speaking out against the war, aware that the authorities have dealt harshly with other protesters. Nika (26) is a social media coordinator. “How it works in Russia right now is there are two opinions. There is the Russian government's opinions, and then there is any other wrong ones. So even if you would have straight up fact-checked facts that are not aligned with the narrative that the government is currently pushing, you're in trouble.”


Presenter: Mark Lowen
BBC producers: Iqra Farooq and Kira Fomenko
Boffin Media producer: Anne McNaught

An EcoAudio certified Boffin Media production in partnership with the BBC OS team

(Photo: People wait at a bus stop displaying an advert for military conscription in Moscow. Credit: Yuri Kochetkov/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)


FRI 20:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxffv48)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


FRI 20:32 CrowdScience (w3ct5rjm)
Are there global food allergy hotspots?

Are food allergies higher in the West than the East? UK-based listener Jude wants to know the answer. Her daughter-in-law Min didn’t know anyone with food allergies when she was growing up in South Korea and thinks that they’re not so common there.

Host Alex Lathbridge investigates. Along the way, he finds out what makes us sensitive to food allergies and how much that depends on our environment. He volunteers to have an allergy test, learns what triggers food allergies and tries to discover what lies behind their increase around the world.

Alex talks to some of the leading experts on food allergies in search for an answer to our listener’s question: Paul Turner breaks down what happens in our bodies when we have an allergic reaction; Jennifer Koplin explains why Australia tops the league table for food allergies and Michael Levin reveals what he found out in his ground-breaking research in South Africa comparing urban and rural populations. We also hear from Hana Ayoob, who grew up in Singapore and the UK, who describes what it’s like to suffer from multiple food allergies and describes the difference in cultural attitudes. Finally, we turn to Sooyoung Lee in South Korea to see if our listeners are right about the difference in rates for food allergies between East and West.

Presenter: Alex Lathbridge
Producer: Jo Glanville
Editor: Cathy Edwards
Production Co-ordinator: Ishmael Soriano
Studio Manager: Duncan Hannant

(Image: Young Asian father with cute little daughter grocery shopping for dairy products in supermarket Credit: d3sign via Getty Images)


FRI 21:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35trlm0)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 21:06 Newshour (w172zb9fkfcpg2z)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.


FRI 22:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35trqc4)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 22:06 The Newsroom (w172zbqv07sjxrg)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen


FRI 22:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxfg2mj)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


FRI 22:32 World Business Report (w3ct5zx7)
First broadcast 21/03/2025 22:32 GMT

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.


FRI 23:00 BBC News (w172zgfn35trv38)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.


FRI 23:06 HARDtalk (w3ct4p2s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]


FRI 23:30 BBC News Summary (w172zgggjxfg6cn)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.


FRI 23:32 Heart and Soul (w3ct5tgm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]