The Happy Pod: Our best stories of 2025

We look back on our happiest stories from the past year, including: the man who created 'Christina's Corner' for his most loyal customer; the life-saving medical breakthrough in the fight against Huntington's; and the four-legged litter picker taking the internet by storm. Plus: the survivors of an atomic bomb tell us why they want peace; the blood test helping detect ovarian cancer early; the cafe in Tokyo where people with dementia can volunteer; diplomacy through folk music 'From China to Appalachia'; and the rat that helps sniff out tuberculosis.

Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

Thailand and Cambodia agree ceasefire

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, ending weeks of deadly border clashes. It paves the way for prisoner exchanges and for a million displaced civilians to return to their homes. Also: President Trump claims US strikes "decimated" IS targets in Nigeria; the latest on Russia-Ukraine peace talks; Myanmar lifts a curfew after four years; China's high-speed railway races to a new milestone; the Iranian actress, Taraneh Alidoosti, speaks out against women's oppression; how TV adverts fight - and reinforce - stereotypes; an elusive wild cat is rediscovered in Thailand; and we meet the Slovenian ski jumpers heading to the Winter Olympics.

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]

Malaysia ex-PM found guilty in state funds scandal

Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak has been convicted of abuse of power and money laundering in the biggest case to emerge from the 1MDB state fund scandal. The seventy-two year old, who is already in jail for other charges linked to 1MDB, is sentenced to a further 15 years. His lawyer says he will appeal.

Also: there have been demonstrations outside the Delhi High Court against the decision to suspend a life sentence for rape imposed on a former governing party official, Kuldeep Sengar; heavy rain storms across large parts of California have triggered floods and mudslides and left at least three people dead; President Zelensky says he'll meet President Trump this Sunday to discuss the latest peace plan for Ukraine; and hopes for finding a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

US military targets Islamic State group in Nigeria

Donald Trump says US air strikes have killed multiple Islamic State fighters in Nigeria. He described the group as "terrorist scum" who had persecuted innocent Christians. Also: as Russia considers the latest US-backed peace plan, Ukraine's President Zelensky hails "new ideas" to end the war; former Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro, endorses his son Flavio to effectively stand in for him in next year's elections; how neutral Switzerland tried to maintain an uneasy compromise during the Second World War; and how an unexpected knock at the door one Christmas led a homeless man making himself at home - for 45 years.

One million possible Epstein files found

US officials have uncovered a million more documents which could be connected to the dead sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Department of Justice said that given the volume of material, its full release may take a few weeks. Also: Israel's parliament approves the first reading of legislation for a politically controlled inquiry into the October 7th Hamas-led attacks, disappointing families of the victims; Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank celebrates Christmas for the first time since the war in Gaza began; Californians evacuate their homes as an intense storm approaches; we look back on a year of AI; and tracking Santa's sleigh, will he deliver all those presents on time?

Zelensky reveals 20-point plan to end Ukraine war

President Volodymyr Zelensky has presented a draft agreement to end the war in Ukraine, after negotiations with US. It is now being reviewed by the Kremlin. The document includes security guarantees for Ukraine from the US, NATO and Europe, but President Zelensky says the question of ceding territory is still unresolved. Also: France, Germany and the European Union condemn a decision by the US to impose visa bans on the former EU commissioner Thierry Breton and four others involved in regulating tech companies. The French President Emmanuel Macron says the measures amount to "intimidation and coercion aimed at undermining European digital sovereignty". More than 100 people have been killed in the past two weeks in drone attacks in Sudan’s South Kordofan region. The United Nations says it is alarmed by the growing use of drones by both Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. And as people prepare to hand out their Christmas presents, we look at the impact of AI toys on child development.

Picture credit: EPA/Shutterstock

Australian state passes gun control laws after Bondi attacks

The Australian state of New South Wales has passed gun control laws ten days after the Hanukkah attack in which 15 people were killed. There are also strict limits on how many firearms people can have and the police will have more powers to ban demonstrations. Also: four Palestine Action prisoners in Britain continue a prolonged hunger strike; Libya’s army chief, General Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad, is killed in a plane crash shortly after take-off from the Turkish capital of Ankara; in Egypt, specialists are restoring a nearly 4,000 year old ceremonial boat from the reign of the Pharaoh Khufu; and a theatre company in Rome trains actors with psychiatric problems and learning disabilities to perform classic Italian plays.

Image credit: Dean Lewins EPA Shutterstock

Epstein files: New revelations about Trump

In a newly released email, a US government investigator says that President Donald Trump flew on Jeffrey Epstein’s plane many more times than was previously reported. Also: Ukraine says it's suffering widespread power cuts after another night of deadly Russian air attacks; US regulators approve a pill version of the weight loss drug Wegovy; we hear what it's like to have a baby in Bethlehem; and how can you ensure that you'll keep your New Year's resolutions?

BBC follows journey of Gazan child

A Palestinian baby who was evacuated for medical treatment has returned to Gaza and is back in hospital. The BBC has discussed Siwar Ashour's case with the Jordanian and Israeli governments. Also: President Trump announces new US navy battleships named after himself; Nigeria designates kidnappers as terrorists; Call of Duty creator Vince Zampella dies; Amazon warns of North Korean agents applying for remote IT jobs; and a Spanish town turns its luck around with huge "El Gordo" lottery win.

Russian general dies in Moscow explosion

Russia's Investigative Committee said Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov died on Monday morning in Moscow after an explosive device planted under a car detonated. He is the third military official to have been killed in bomb attacks in the Russian capital over the last 12 months. Investigators say they're considering whether Ukraine was involved. Kyiv hasn't commented. Also: A huge operation to tackle cybercrime in several African countries leads to nearly 600 arrests. Why four residents of an Indonesian island are taking a Swiss cement company to court. And gold prices are rocketing, but bourbon sales are struggling.

BBC speaks to civilians suffering in rebel-held Myanmar

The BBC has gained rare access to rebel-held parts of Myanmar, where thousands of civilians have been displaced in an air and ground offensive by the country's military government. The attacks in Myanmar's western Chin State come ahead of the country's first general election since the army overthrew the government in 2021. Also: Israel’s security cabinet officially recognises 19 settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. And: Spaniards prepare for their annual Christmas lottery, known as "El Gordo". 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 Global Story - Why Australia’s gun laws aren’t as strong as you might think

After the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, Australia tightened its gun laws, and has since been considered a world-leading example by gun control advocates of how to lessen the chances of mass shootings occurring.

However, the mass murder of at least 15 people in an antisemitic attack at Bondi beach on Sunday has again raised the issue of gun access, and Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has said he is “ready to fight” to strengthen the laws again.

On today’s show, Ariel Bogle, an investigations reporter with Guardian Australia, explains why the number of guns in Australia has been rising, and how stricter laws might be received in the country.

The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

Producers: Hannah Moore and Xandra Ellin

Executive producer: James Shield

Mix: Marty Peralta

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Photo of unregistered handguns that were returned to police, near Smederevo, Serbia. Credit: Dimitrije Goll /EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock