Jackie Leonard

Japanese weather officials have declared the start of the much-anticipated cherry blossom season.

Japanese weather officials have declared the start of the much-anticipated cherry blossom season.

The head of the United Nations AIDS programme has warned that there could be nearly 9 million new AIDS infections in the next four years as a result of the Trump administration's decision to cut funding from the UN's global health programme. Speaking in Geneva, Winnie Byanyima said that 2,000 new cases of AIDS-related diseases a day would be diagnosed. Imogen Folks reports from Geneva.

The head of the United Nations AIDS programme has warned that there could be nearly 9 million new AIDS infections in the next four years as a result of the Trump administration's decision to cut funding from the UN's global health programme. Speaking in Geneva, Winnie Byanyima said that 2,000 new cases of AIDS-related diseases a day would be diagnosed. Imogen Folks reports from Geneva.

The head of the United Nations AIDS program, Winnie Byanyima, ending that report by Imogen Folks. Against this background, let's have a closer look at the effect of the US President Donald Trump's executive order stopping USAID projects worldwide. USAID was the US government's main overseas aid agency, with bases in more than 60 countries and projects in dozens of others.

The head of the United Nations AIDS program, Winnie Byanyima, ending that report by Imogen Folks. Against this background, let's have a closer look at the effect of the US President Donald Trump's executive order stopping USAID projects worldwide. USAID was the US government's main overseas aid agency, with bases in more than 60 countries and projects in dozens of others.

Sam Fenwick has been exploring what the abrupt halt to funding means for the lives and livelihoods in some of those places.

Sam Fenwick has been exploring what the abrupt halt to funding means for the lives and livelihoods in some of those places.

Nigeria continues to record high cases of Lassa fever, a deadly viral disease spreading across West Africa. With no licensed vaccine and limited treatment options, the virus remains a serious concern. Researchers are racing to understand its rapid spread and develop a vaccine. One survivor told the BBC's Makuochi Okafo how he's using his experience to protect others.

Nigeria continues to record high cases of Lassa fever, a deadly viral disease spreading across West Africa. With no licensed vaccine and limited treatment options, the virus remains a serious concern. Researchers are racing to understand its rapid spread and develop a vaccine. One survivor told the BBC's Makuochi Okafo how he's using his experience to protect others.

Mohamed Alipate, Nigeria's health minister, ending that report by the BBC's Makuochi Okafo. The French film star Gérard Depardieu has gone on trial in Paris, accused of sexually assaulting two women during filming four years ago. The actor, who's 76, has faced claims of improper behaviour from around 20 women, but this is the first case to come to trial. He has denied all the allegations.

Mohamed Alipate, Nigeria's health minister, ending that report by the BBC's Makuochi Okafo. The French film star Gérard Depardieu has gone on trial in Paris, accused of sexually assaulting two women during filming four years ago. The actor, who's 76, has faced claims of improper behaviour from around 20 women, but this is the first case to come to trial. He has denied all the allegations.

The star of Jean de Florette and Green Card is the highest profile figure in French cinema to face accusations arising from the Me Too movement. From Paris, Hugh Schofield.

The star of Jean de Florette and Green Card is the highest profile figure in French cinema to face accusations arising from the Me Too movement. From Paris, Hugh Schofield.

Hugh Schofield in France. Japanese weather officials have declared the start of the much-anticipated cherry blossom season in the capital, Tokyo. It's a major cultural event in Japan and helps attract foreign tourists. Nathalie Labatte and her daughter, Magelle Paulin, travelled to Tokyo from Paris to see the blossom.

Hugh Schofield in France. Japanese weather officials have declared the start of the much-anticipated cherry blossom season in the capital, Tokyo. It's a major cultural event in Japan and helps attract foreign tourists. Nathalie Labatte and her daughter, Magelle Paulin, travelled to Tokyo from Paris to see the blossom.

The trees bloom at different times across Japan. Our East Asia editor, Mickey Bristow, reports now on the history of this important Japanese event and how it's determined.

The trees bloom at different times across Japan. Our East Asia editor, Mickey Bristow, reports now on the history of this important Japanese event and how it's determined.

That was Mickey Bristow. And that's it from us for now, but there will be another edition later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, do please send us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. You can also find us on X at BBC World Service and use the hashtag globalnewspod.

That was Mickey Bristow. And that's it from us for now, but there will be another edition later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, do please send us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. You can also find us on X at BBC World Service and use the hashtag globalnewspod.