You can listen to the full episode here. Episode Summary [copied from BBC] New Zealand’s government is making big changes to its education system. The aim is to reverse declining student achievement and give more opportunities to disadvantaged children. The subjects of reading, writing, maths and science form the core of the new curriculum. But there are concerns particularly among the Indigenous community that the Māori language, culture and identity have not been considered

You can listen to the full episode here. Episode Summary [copied from BBC] Extreme heatwaves are becoming more frequent across the globe, not only in countries used to cooler climates, but also in those already familiar with significantly hotter temperatures. Intense heat can have an impact on the human body, from heat stroke to dehydration to skin damage. Economies can suffer as drought conditions impact farming communities. Built up urban areas can exacerbate the temperatur

You can listen to the full episode here. Episode Summary [copied from BBC] Gold has been prized throughout history for its value and its beauty, which has also made it attractive to those prepared to exploit this precious metal for their own ends. The European Union recently banned the purchase, import and transfer of gold from Sudan, one of Africa’s largest gold producers, saying it had become a key source of financing for the country’s civil war. And in other parts of the w

You can listen to the full episode here. Episode Summary [copied from BBC] Flesh-eating parasitic flies have been found in the US state of Texas for the first time in decades. Known as the New World Screwworm, officials have now put plans in place to try and contain its spread. The fly feeds off warm-blooded animals, like cattle, dogs and horses, but if detected early enough, with treatment, the animals can make a full recovery. It can also infest humans, but human deaths are

You can listen to the full episode here. Episode Summary [copied from BBC] This year, technology has more influence in officiating sports than ever before. At the men's World Cup, the role of virtual assistant referee technology (VAR) has been extended to include two more on-pitch scenarios while in tennis, umpires use electric line calling systems (ELC) to make final decisions. Both bits of kit aim to improve the accuracy. It’s become easier to consider match-defining moment

You can listen to the full episode here. Episode Summary [copied from BBC] A new directive strives to narrow the 11% hourly wage gap between men and women in the EU. Around the world, the gender pay gap has been shrinking as women gain access to higher education and better employment opportunities. Though varied hours, industries and care responsibilities make this inequality a difficult problem to tackle with one universal policy. Member states have just passed their deadlin

You can listen to the full episode here. Episode Summary [copied from BBC] In May 2026, the World Health Organization declared an Ebola outbreak in western Africa a public health emergency of international concern. Within days, hundreds of cases had been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, raising fears that the virus could spread further across the region. Ebola has been causing outbreaks for nearly 50 years, but despite advances in vaccines and treatments, the dis

You can listen to the full episode here. Episode Summary [copied from BBC] The Himalayan glaciers are melting more rapidly as global temperatures rise, raising concerns about the future of ecosystems and communities across the Himalayan mountain range. Glaciers store more than two thirds of the world's freshwater and help regulate global temperatures by reflecting the sun's rays. Across South Asia, melting ice is contributing to the formation of unstable glacial lakes and inc

You can listen to the full episode here. Episode Summary [copied from BBC] The recent election result in Hungary has been seen as a welcome relief within the European Union. The bloc of 27 nations has, at times, felt frustrated with the country for blocking what the other 26 members have agreed to do, especially regarding financial support for Ukraine. Now the EU has been able to push through a loan to Ukraine of more than US$100bn, and some observers believe the union’s turb