Jackie Leonard

The impacts of Germany's generous sick leave policies.

The impacts of Germany's generous sick leave policies.

Next to Greece. Thousands of people have been fleeing the island of Santorini in the southern Aegean Sea, which has been hit by more than 300 earthquakes in the past few days. No major damage has been reported so far, but emergency measures are being put in place as a precaution. Nikki Cardwell reports.

Next to Greece. Thousands of people have been fleeing the island of Santorini in the southern Aegean Sea, which has been hit by more than 300 earthquakes in the past few days. No major damage has been reported so far, but emergency measures are being put in place as a precaution. Nikki Cardwell reports.

That was Nicky Cardwell. Spain is coming to the end of its olive harvesting season. In 2021, the world's biggest producer of olive oil began suffering a punishing drought. Production plummeted and you might have noticed the price of what's been called the country's liquid gold soared. The 2024-25 olive season has been better in Spain, but farmers are still watching the sky.

That was Nicky Cardwell. Spain is coming to the end of its olive harvesting season. In 2021, the world's biggest producer of olive oil began suffering a punishing drought. Production plummeted and you might have noticed the price of what's been called the country's liquid gold soared. The 2024-25 olive season has been better in Spain, but farmers are still watching the sky.

And apart from climate change, there's another cause for anxiety. Xylella fastidiosa is a deadly and hard to detect bacterium that's killed millions of olive trees in southern Italy. In the Spanish city of Cordoba, Dr Blanca Landa leads an international project at the Institute of Sustainable Agriculture dedicated to stopping the spread of the microbe. Linda Presley met her at her laboratory.

And apart from climate change, there's another cause for anxiety. Xylella fastidiosa is a deadly and hard to detect bacterium that's killed millions of olive trees in southern Italy. In the Spanish city of Cordoba, Dr Blanca Landa leads an international project at the Institute of Sustainable Agriculture dedicated to stopping the spread of the microbe. Linda Presley met her at her laboratory.

Dr Blanca Landa ending that report from Linda Presley in Cordoba in southern Spain. Germany has one of the most generous sick leave policies in the world. The average employee takes 20 days off sick each year. Economists working for the German Association of Pharmaceutical Companies say they think that the country wouldn't be in recession if its workers had taken fewer days off.

Dr Blanca Landa ending that report from Linda Presley in Cordoba in southern Spain. Germany has one of the most generous sick leave policies in the world. The average employee takes 20 days off sick each year. Economists working for the German Association of Pharmaceutical Companies say they think that the country wouldn't be in recession if its workers had taken fewer days off.

Hannah Mullane has been trying to find out what's going on.

Hannah Mullane has been trying to find out what's going on.

That report by Hannah Mullane in Germany. As the world recovers from the COVID pandemic, tourism and travel are again on the rise. One destination is opening again this month for the first time since COVID-19, and that's North Korea. On offer is a trip to the port area of Rason, a special economic zone near the borders of both China and Russia.

That report by Hannah Mullane in Germany. As the world recovers from the COVID pandemic, tourism and travel are again on the rise. One destination is opening again this month for the first time since COVID-19, and that's North Korea. On offer is a trip to the port area of Rason, a special economic zone near the borders of both China and Russia.

Simon Cockrell is the general manager of Koryo Tours, offering trips to celebrate a holiday in North Korea, the birthday of the leader, Kim Jong-un. He explained more to Evan Davis about the destination.

Simon Cockrell is the general manager of Koryo Tours, offering trips to celebrate a holiday in North Korea, the birthday of the leader, Kim Jong-un. He explained more to Evan Davis about the destination.

Simon Cockrell, General Manager of Choreo Tours. And that's it from us for now, but there will be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you'd like to comment on this edition 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 Global News Pod. This edition was mixed by Caroline Driscoll.

Simon Cockrell, General Manager of Choreo Tours. And that's it from us for now, but there will be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you'd like to comment on this edition 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 Global News Pod. This edition was mixed by Caroline Driscoll.

The producer was Liam McSheffrey. Our editor is Karen Martin. I'm Jackie Leonard, and until next time, goodbye.

The producer was Liam McSheffrey. Our editor is Karen Martin. I'm Jackie Leonard, and until next time, goodbye.