Right-wing candidate claims victory in Colombian election

Abelardo de la Espriella claims to have won the tight presidential race in Colombia against left-wing rival Ivan Cepeda. It's estimated only a few hundred thousand votes separate the two candidates. Mr de la Espriella, who's backed by President Trump, wants to use force to combat drug cartels and rebel groups.

Also, Pakistani and Qatari mediators say the first round of Iran-US talks in Switzerland have ended with encouraging progress made. Reaction from Bolivia, where police and soldiers used bulldozers to clear roads blocked by anti-government protesters for more than six weeks. Is the UK about to get its seventh prime minister in 10 years, as Donald Trump posts about rumours that Keir Starmer is set to resign. Europe braces for a prolonged heatwave as temperatures approach 40 degrees Celsius and are forecast to rise during the week. We look at how fatherhood might have a positive effect on men. Plus, Cape Verde continue to defy the odds, scoring their first ever goals at the World Cup.

Get in touch: [email protected]

(Photo: Colombia's right-wing presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella arrives to vote in the runoff election in Barranquilla, Colombia, 21 June 2026. Credit: Mauricio Duenas Castaneda/EPA)

The Global Story: How to stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon

On Wednesday, President Trump met with Iranian leaders to sign an initial memorandum of understanding towards ending the months-long war. In a press conference after the signing, Trump was triumphant. Specifically, he touted the deal’s firmness on one of the US’s key priorities: ensuring that Iran can never develop a nuclear weapon. Whilst Iran has agreed to “not procure or develop nuclear weapons," there are many questions left unanswered. What does it actually look like to police the weapons programmes Today, we speak to someone intimately familiar with the weapons inspection process: President of the Institute for Science and International Security, David Albright. In the 1990s, Albright worked in Iraq with the UN, investigating the nation’s weapons programme under Sadaam Hussein.

To hear more, search The Global Story wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

JD Vance heads for peace talks with Iran

The US vice president, JD Vance, is set to negotiate with Iran in Switzerland after Tehran said it had again shut the Strait of Hormuz - in response to Israel's continuing attacks in Lebanon. The White House disputes the claim that the Strait has been closed. Also: ten Palestinians are killed in the latest Israeli airstrikes on Gaza; Colombians prepare to choose a new president; King Charles is to become Britain's first monarch to reveal his personal tax bill; why the popularity of cassette players endures in Kashmir; and today's obsession with true crime.

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]

Photo: US Vice President JD Vance boards a plane for Switzerland for peace talks with Iran

Credit: Reuters/Elizabeth Frantz

The Happy Pod: Success stories of former refugees

The Happy Pod is celebrating World Refugee Day. We hear from Razan Alsous, who fled from Syrian to the UK and wanted a taste of home. She now runs a successful cheese business. Also, Mohamed Semra has become Australia's first mayor from sub-Saharan Africa. Plus, the woman who started a hairdressing business in a Ugandan refugee camp and, Leo Ajkic on finding success in radio and television after fleeing from Bosnia.

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

Photo: Razan Alsous making cheese. Credit: Razan Alsous

Presenter: Holly Gibbs and Tam Patachako. Music composed by Iona Hampson

Israeli strikes reported in Lebanon, despite Hezbollah ceasefire

Rescuers in Nabatieh say several Israeli attacks have hit southern Lebanon after the ceasefire with Hezbollah came into effect. Meanwhile, US media reports Steve Witkoff is heading to Switzerland for potential Iran talks. Also: the White House confirms it's ending funding for South Africa's HIV programmes, linking the decision to unevidenced claims that the white-minority Afrikaner community is being persecuted; Afghanistan says it's launched strikes on two provinces in Pakistan targeting suspected Islamic State militants; James Burrows, the man behind countless US sitcoms including Cheers and Friends, has died; and for football World Cup fans - are time lags in technology spoiling your enjoyment of the beautiful game?

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] Photo: Remains of a toy lie amid destroyed buildings in Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, Tyre district, southern Lebanon. Credit: Reuters/Aziz Taher

Israel and Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire

Israel and Hezbollah have agreed a ceasefire after deadly new exchanges in Lebanon put the fragile deal to end the US-Iran war under immediate strain. Health officials in Lebanon say dozens have been killed in Israeli strikes, while Israel said it was retaliating for the killing of four soldiers by Hezbollah. The US President Donald Trump and his administration have shown growing frustration with Israel, its ally and partner in the Iran war, calling for a complete ceasefire "on all fronts".

Also: Italy's top diplomat has cancelled a trip to the US, accusing Donald Trump of insulting the Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. Rare talks take place between representatives of Venezuela's interim president and the country's long-marginalised opposition. A new study from Denmark raises questions about whether certain workplace activities in early pregnancy could increase the risk of miscarriage. The Marathi language film about forbidden love that has captured the hearts of people in India. And how Scotland’s football fans have won over the locals in Boston and Providence during the World Cup.

Photo: A woman returning to her village in Tyre district of Lebanon after airstrikes, June 19, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

US denies peace deal favours Iran

JD Vance defends the Iran deal against criticism that it gives too many concessions to Tehran. The Iranian supreme leader says the US signed it "out of desperation". We get our international editor Jeremy Bowen's assessment. Also: Andy Burnham, a rival to the British prime minister Keir Starmer, wins the crucial Makerfield by-election; Cuba announces economic reforms under US pressure; the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago divides opinion; how honeybees make baby food; and we visit the world's first international competition for immersive art.

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] Photo: U.S. Vice President JD Vance holds a press briefing at the White House in Washington. Credit: Reuters/Eric Lee

Tankers moving again after Iran deal

Marine tracking platforms say at least four tankers have sailed through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding on ending their war. The first to pass into the Gulf of Oman was a French-flagged vessel carrying liquefied natural gas. Three Saudi-flagged oil tankers followed. Our chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet, assesses where next for the Middle East. Also: Ukraine carries out one of the biggest ever attacks on Moscow. We speak to volunteers as they bury victims of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ituri province. New research reveals ChatGPT by Open AI can be made to generate sexualised and violent images, despite the company saying it had introduced additional preventive measures. A new walking shark species which uses fins like legs found off Papua New Guinea. And famous Robin Hood oak tree in England's Sherwood Forest declared dead.

Photo: Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 18, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Stringer

Trump signs agreement to end war with Iran

The US and Iranian presidents have signed a memorandum of understanding which could be a first step to ending the war between the two countries. It includes an end to fighting on all fronts, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the US blockade of Iranian ports. Also: Japan’s Defence Minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, tells the BBC that strengthening the country’s military capabilities is critical to preventing war in the region; archaeologists in Britain believe they've found a precursor to Stonehenge just five kilometres from the prehistoric monument; how AI helped the survival chances of two sisters who'd been born conjoined at the head; and Teddie Beverley, the last surviving member of the famous British singing trio, the Beverley Sisters, has died at the age of 99.

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] Photo: US President Donald Trump signs the US Iran deal in Versailles, France, alongside the President of France Emmanuel Macron Credit: White House Television Service/EVN

Trump warns Iran deal 'not final' ahead of signing on Friday

Donald Trump has warned that the Iran deal - which is set to be formally signed on Friday - is "not final". Speaking on the last day of the G7 summit, Mr Trump said the US could resume attacks if the agreement doesn't work out, warning "we'll go right back to dropping bombs". Meanwhile, the US blockade on the Strait of Hormuz appears to be easing. Three Iranian oil tankers have now passed through, although as many as 600 vessels are still stranded. Also in this podcast: Amazon is dethroned as the world’s fifth most valuable company by Elon Musk's SpaceX. Scientists say more coral reefs may be able to survive climate change than originally thought. Five men have been arrested in connection with an alleged attack plot targeting the White House. Lionel Messi becomes the highest scorer in World Cup history. And we discuss the wins and failures of fashion on the pitch.

Photo: US President Donald Trump at G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains Credit: Reuters

Trump criticises Israel over ongoing strikes in Lebanon

President Trump has criticised Israel for continuing to strike Hezbollah targets ahead of the formal signing of a US-Iran deal in Switzerland on Friday. He said Israel didn't need to knock down an apartment block every time it was looking for someone from Hezbollah. Lebanese state media reported at least four deaths. Also: Britain's Ministry of Defence is investigating after a retired British couple said a Russian warship had fired warning shots near their yacht in the Channel on Tuesday; the US vice president JD Vance has a new memoir out - this time about religion; how illegal Iranian oil is smuggled across the mountains into Pakistan; and the Williams sisters return to Wimbledon at the ages of 44 and 46.

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] Photo: A car and ambulance belonging to Hezbollah's health unit damaged during an Israeli strike on the village of Al Shaabiyeh in southern Lebanon Credit: EPA/Shutterstock

After Iran deal, Trump focuses on Ukraine

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky meet at the summit of G7 nations in Evian, as European leaders urge Washington not to pressure Kyiv into accepting concessions demanded by Moscow. Also: three years on from the Church of England's promise to spend millions on slavery reparations, not a single dollar has been spent. A new report by the UN has found that half of the world’s children are now exposed to at least three climate hazards, threatening their health, education and survival. Hundreds of cats in Vietnam are rescued from the illegal meat trade. We hear about plummeting trust in news across the world; and the story of an elusive Northern Soul music star who's been tracked down after more than a decade of searching.

Photo: Volodymyr Zelenksy at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France Credit: Reuters/Denis Balibouse