The Happy Pod: The thrill of swimming the Arctic Circle

Aid agencies say the Israeli military's ground and air assault on Deir al-Balah in central Gaza has intensified. Also: air force jet crashes into a school in Bangladesh, and a camel learns to walk again with false leg.Image: Smoke rises during Israeli strikes amid the Israeli military operation in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, July 21, 2025 Credit: Reuters

Dozens of Gazans die near to an aid convoy; Israel says its troops fired warning shots but rejects Hamas death figures. Also: D-Day veteran "Papa" Jake Larson dies at 102, and how Russia indoctrinates Ukrainian children.

The Syrian government says it has halted sectarian clashes in Sweida despite signs it's struggling to enforce the ceasefire. Also: more than 30 die in Vietnam when a tourist boat capsizes, and the young poets of Gaza.

We meet some of the swimmers participating in this year's swim across the Arctic Circle. Also, the groundbreaking science behind three parent babies, and the grandchildren available for hire in Bulgaria.

Donald Trump is suing the Wall Street Journal over a report claiming he wrote a "bawdy" note to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. Also: a Coldplay concert embrace goes viral, and bats make a woman homeless.

British surgeon documents injuries inflicted on wounded Palestinians. Also: Gaming recruitment strategy in Ukraine, oldest ever ice offers glimpse of early Earth and boy band debut for North Korean defectors.

The personal details of British spies and special forces soldiers were included in one of the worst security leaks in modern UK history. Also: Rosebud - the wooden sled from Citizen Kane - sells for millions at auction.

Dozens die in a fire at a shopping centre in the Iraqi city of Kut, opened only five days ago. Also, Syrian government forces pull out of Sweida province, and a Malian photographer whose work is displayed on local buses.

Syria says its army has begun to withdraw from the mainly Druze city of Sweida - after days of deadly clashes. Also: eight babies have been born in UK using three people's DNA to prevent genetic disease.

Israel launches strikes on Syria, including the capital Damascus. Also: at least 20 people killed by crowd surge at US backed food distribution point in Gaza, and pressure grows on Donald Trump to release Epstein files.