Andrew Peach

Our Africa regional editor, Richard Kigoye. And still to come...

Our Africa regional editor, Richard Kigoye. And still to come...

The family of a French surgeon accused of raping or assaulting hundreds of children over 25 years has been giving evidence at his trial. It's the largest child sexual abuse case in French history. Our correspondent Andrew Harding is in the western town of Vannes where it's taking place.

The family of a French surgeon accused of raping or assaulting hundreds of children over 25 years has been giving evidence at his trial. It's the largest child sexual abuse case in French history. Our correspondent Andrew Harding is in the western town of Vannes where it's taking place.

Joël Lusquanek sat quietly in court as two sons and an expert witness struggled to make sense of the surgeon's double life. His youngest son called him a cold, intelligent man... The expert witness said the 74-year-old was calculating and manipulative. He also quoted Leskwanek's ex-wife, saying she'd praised him as a gentle, ideal father.

Joël Lusquanek sat quietly in court as two sons and an expert witness struggled to make sense of the surgeon's double life. His youngest son called him a cold, intelligent man... The expert witness said the 74-year-old was calculating and manipulative. He also quoted Leskwanek's ex-wife, saying she'd praised him as a gentle, ideal father.

The former hospital doctor has already confessed to multiple heinous acts, and in the coming weeks he will be confronted with evidence from his own diaries, in which he details and boasts of raping children in his care. A few streets away, dozens of his alleged victims and their lawyers have watched proceedings from an overflow room, scattered with emotional support dogs.

The former hospital doctor has already confessed to multiple heinous acts, and in the coming weeks he will be confronted with evidence from his own diaries, in which he details and boasts of raping children in his care. A few streets away, dozens of his alleged victims and their lawyers have watched proceedings from an overflow room, scattered with emotional support dogs.

For now, the focus is on Lusquanek's actions, but France's medical establishment is also in the spotlight, with evidence suggesting that clear warnings about the surgeon's behaviour and his prior convictions were brushed aside.

For now, the focus is on Lusquanek's actions, but France's medical establishment is also in the spotlight, with evidence suggesting that clear warnings about the surgeon's behaviour and his prior convictions were brushed aside.

A Spanish city has honoured two Senegalese immigrants for their heroism in trying to save a gay man from being beaten to death by a homophobic mob almost four years ago. Ibrahima Diak and Magat Ndiaye were given the status of adopted sons of their city, an informal way of recognising outstanding bravery. The story from Mark Duff.

A Spanish city has honoured two Senegalese immigrants for their heroism in trying to save a gay man from being beaten to death by a homophobic mob almost four years ago. Ibrahima Diak and Magat Ndiaye were given the status of adopted sons of their city, an informal way of recognising outstanding bravery. The story from Mark Duff.

Much food for thought. Mark Duff reporting. The Academy Awards may be later this week, but a film's success isn't just measured by its accolades. Box office numbers play a role too, of course. Chinese animation Norjar 2 has reached a major milestone, raking in almost $2 billion in just four weeks. It's now eclipsed Pixar's Inside Out 2 as the highest-grossing animated film of all time.

Much food for thought. Mark Duff reporting. The Academy Awards may be later this week, but a film's success isn't just measured by its accolades. Box office numbers play a role too, of course. Chinese animation Norjar 2 has reached a major milestone, raking in almost $2 billion in just four weeks. It's now eclipsed Pixar's Inside Out 2 as the highest-grossing animated film of all time.

Here's Ella Bicknall.

Here's Ella Bicknall.

Ella Bicknell reporting. On an earlier Global News podcast, we told you about the upcoming planetary parade, a once-in-a-blue-moon event where all seven planets in our solar system line up in a row. Well, the alignment is happening this week. It's so rare, it'll be decades before stargazers will get another chance to see it. Here's our science correspondent, Pallab Ghosh.

Ella Bicknell reporting. On an earlier Global News podcast, we told you about the upcoming planetary parade, a once-in-a-blue-moon event where all seven planets in our solar system line up in a row. Well, the alignment is happening this week. It's so rare, it'll be decades before stargazers will get another chance to see it. Here's our science correspondent, Pallab Ghosh.

Paolo Gauche, and apologies if you're listening in the Arctic Circle or other northern latitudes where this phenomenon won't be visible. That's all from us for now. There'll be a new edition of Global News to download later. If you'd like to comment on this edition and the stories we included, drop us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk.

Paolo Gauche, and apologies if you're listening in the Arctic Circle or other northern latitudes where this phenomenon won't be visible. That's all from us for now. There'll be a new edition of Global News to download later. If you'd like to comment on this edition and the stories we included, drop us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk.