The Happy Pod: The healing power of singing

A singing group designed for women with post-natal depression has been shown to deliver long lasting improvements in their wellbeing. A three year study found that it helped them with symptoms like low mood, stress and anxiety and that these benefits lasted for several months after the sessions ended. Also: big celebrations as Cape Verde qualifies for the men's football World Cup. It's the second smallest country by population to reach the finals. The women reviving Aztec traditions on Mexico's island farms. Chinampas are an early model of sustainable agriculture but were at risk of disappearing. An ingenious way to fix broken life-saving equipment at remote hospitals that can't get the spare parts they need. The DJ with a difference who's filling dancefloors in Sweden - with people over the age of 50. Plus engineering meets art with a unique dinosaur sculpture, and why people love goat yoga.Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.Presenter: Vanessa Heaney. Music composed by Iona Hampson.

Britain's Prince Andrew is handing back his royal titles after new allegations emerged over his links to the late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew — who made the announcement following a discussion with King Charles — will no longer be known as the Duke of York but will remain a prince. Also: Volodymyr Zelensky fails to secure Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine during a meeting with Donald Trump; a landmark deal to cut global shipping carbon emissions collapses under US and Saudi pressure; the French banking giant BNP Paribas is found liable for atrocities committed in Sudan during Omar al-Bashir's rule; a temporary ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan breaks down; an ancient Roman memorial stone is unearthed halfway around the world; Taylor Swift fans flock to a German museum to see the pop star's latest muse; and how good is your favourite athlete's poker face?The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: [email protected]

President Zelensky of Ukraine is in Washington ahead of crucial talks with Donald Trump. He's expected to press for long-range Tomahawk missiles to strike Russia. Also: China's ruling Communist Party expels nine senior military officials. New Yorkers are preparing to vote for a new mayor, as a Muslim candidate emerges as the clear frontrunner. The state funeral of a revered opposition leader in Kenya. Spotify develops its own AI music tools. And the EU's top court rules that pets can be classified as 'luggage' on flights.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: [email protected]

President Trump has said he expects to meet Vladimir Putin in Hungary "within two weeks" after holding what he described as a "very productive" phone call with the Russian leader. Speaking as he arrived in Washington for talks at the White House, President Zelensky said Moscow was rushing to the negotiating table to stop the US from sending long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. Meanwhile, President Trump's former National Security Advisor, John Bolton, has been charged with mishandling classified documents. The state funeral is taking place for the Kenyan opposition politician, Raila Odinga. And the phone apps offering a digital connection to Jesus.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: [email protected]

The difficulty of recovering the dead bodies of Israeli hostages comes under the spotlight, as Washington downplays claims that Hamas is violating the ceasefire deal. But Israel's prime minister warns that the war in Gaza is not over. Also: The government in France survives two no-confidence votes. The impact of the brutal civil war in Sudan on its children. Violence erupts at a youth-led protest in the capital of Peru, despite the appointment of a new president. The last surviving Sherpa of the team that first scaled Mount Everest dies. And the backlash against a firework display in Tibet promoting a well-known outdoor-clothing brand.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: [email protected]

Israel's defence minister has called for a 'comprehensive plan' to defeat Hamas if it reneges on the ceasefire. The Palestinian group has said that it's committed to the deal but it needs help to recover bodies from the rubble of destroyed buildings in Gaza. Also: the families of people who disappeared during the civil war in Syria are still seeking justice as graves of victims are discovered; the Australian swimmer and four-time Olympic champion, Ariarne Titmus, retires at 25; the Grand Sumo Tournament, which has left Japan for only the second time, is in London where 40 wrestlers will be seen at the Royal Albert Hall.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: [email protected]

Palestinians in Gaza are reportedly stockpiling food amid anxiety the aid flow will stop, if the Israel-Hamas ceasefire doesn't hold. Israel has warned that it will reduce humanitarian supplies, if Hamas doesn't soon hand over the remaining dead hostages. Also: warnings about a big increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere; what does that mean for the future? Kenya has declared a week of national mourning for the former prime minister, Raila Odinga, who's died at the age of eighty. Syria's interim president is meeting Vladimir Putin in Moscow -- where he's expected to ask the Russian leader to hand over the former dictator, Bashar al-Assad - and the rise of AI-created erotica. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: [email protected]

Israel says it has received four more bodies of dead hostages from Gaza as part of the latest ceasefire deal with Hamas. There are still 20 to be returned under the agreement. Also, one of the ancient world's greatest temples can now be seen in all its glory -- after being hidden behind scaffolding for 20 years. And the philosopher who thinks that living in a meritocracy is not always a good thing.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: [email protected]

The day after President Trump signed off his peace plan in Egypt - what now for Gaza? Hospitals in the territory say seven people have been killed by Israeli fire since midnight on Monday. Israel has accused Hamas of reneging on the plan by only releasing four bodies of the 28 hostages who are thought to have died. There are also videos emerging of what appear to be extra-judicial killings by Hamas. Meanwhile, aid agencies warn that the humanitarian needs in Gaza are overwhelming. Also: an elite military unit in Madagascar says it has taken control of the island after President Andry Rajoelina fled following anti-government protests. UN-backed negotiations designed to reduce the environmental impact of global shipping are starting in London, but the US is opposing an international treaty on emissions. Why British security officials are urging companies to use pen and paper to win the battle against cyber attacks. How the US state of North Carolina dramatically reduced the number of opioid-related drug deaths. And the Nobel prize in economics has been awarded to three professors for their work explaining how technology has helped drive economic growth.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: [email protected]

There is huge uncertainty over what happens next following the Gaza ceasefire deal. President Trump has left the region after signing off his peace plan at a summit in Egypt. Also: Madagascar's embattled president has said that he has fled the country following weeks of youth-led protests calling for his resignation; discovering the footprints left by a dinosaur 166 million years ago; and why the small African nation of Cape Verde has been partying into the night.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: [email protected]