Jackie Leonard

Chris Ewokor. In football, the takeover of Everton by the Texas-based Friedkin Group has been completed. The deal is thought to be worth in excess of £400 million or $500 million and makes Everton the 10th club in the Premier League to be under majority American control. It also ends a turbulent time for Everton and its supporters, as the BBC's chief football writer Phil McNulty explains.

Chris Ewokor. In football, the takeover of Everton by the Texas-based Friedkin Group has been completed. The deal is thought to be worth in excess of £400 million or $500 million and makes Everton the 10th club in the Premier League to be under majority American control. It also ends a turbulent time for Everton and its supporters, as the BBC's chief football writer Phil McNulty explains.

That was Phil McNulty. A group of care home residents in Britain, many with dementia, have set a new Guinness World Record for being in the world's oldest choir. The average age of the group is 94 and they were crowned after performing at a Christmas carol concert in Stratford-upon-Avon in central England.

That was Phil McNulty. A group of care home residents in Britain, many with dementia, have set a new Guinness World Record for being in the world's oldest choir. The average age of the group is 94 and they were crowned after performing at a Christmas carol concert in Stratford-upon-Avon in central England.

The singer, Tony Christie, who is best known for his song Is This the Way to Amarillo, performed as the warm-up act. But at 81, he was too young to be in the choir. The BBC's Phil Mackie was in the audience.

The singer, Tony Christie, who is best known for his song Is This the Way to Amarillo, performed as the warm-up act. But at 81, he was too young to be in the choir. The BBC's Phil Mackie was in the audience.

That report by Phil Mackie. 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 Javid Ghilani. The producer was Liam McSheffrey.

That report by Phil Mackie. 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 Javid Ghilani. The producer was Liam McSheffrey.

Our editor is Karen Martin. I'm Jackie Leonard, and until next time, goodbye.

Our editor is Karen Martin. I'm Jackie Leonard, and until next time, goodbye.

This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Jackie Leonard and in the early hours of Thursday, the 19th of December, these are our main stories. Syria's new de facto leader has told the BBC that the country is exhausted by war and poses no threat to Western countries or its neighbours.

This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Jackie Leonard and in the early hours of Thursday, the 19th of December, these are our main stories. Syria's new de facto leader has told the BBC that the country is exhausted by war and poses no threat to Western countries or its neighbours.

An out-of-control Indian Navy vessel has collided with a passenger ferry off the coast of Mumbai, killing at least 13 people. And police in Liberia are investigating a fire that has destroyed much of the country's parliament. Also in this podcast, what's believed to be the earliest recording of a country song.

An out-of-control Indian Navy vessel has collided with a passenger ferry off the coast of Mumbai, killing at least 13 people. And police in Liberia are investigating a fire that has destroyed much of the country's parliament. Also in this podcast, what's believed to be the earliest recording of a country song.

The de facto leader of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharra, says his country is exhausted by war and is not a threat to its neighbours or the West. In an interview with the BBC in Damascus, he called for sanctions on Syria to be lifted. Al-Sharah, who has now discarded his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jalani, led the lightning offensive that toppled the Assad regime less than two weeks ago.

The de facto leader of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharra, says his country is exhausted by war and is not a threat to its neighbours or the West. In an interview with the BBC in Damascus, he called for sanctions on Syria to be lifted. Al-Sharah, who has now discarded his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jalani, led the lightning offensive that toppled the Assad regime less than two weeks ago.

He is the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, also known as HTS, the dominant group in the rebel alliance. He said HTS should be delisted as a terrorist organisation. It is designated as one by the UN, the US, EU and UK, among many others. It started as a splinter group of al-Qaeda, from which it broke away in 2016.

He is the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, also known as HTS, the dominant group in the rebel alliance. He said HTS should be delisted as a terrorist organisation. It is designated as one by the UN, the US, EU and UK, among many others. It started as a splinter group of al-Qaeda, from which it broke away in 2016.

In the Syrian capital Damascus, our international editor Jeremy Bowen met Ahmed al-Sharra, who was relaxed during the interview and was wearing civilian clothes. This is his report.

In the Syrian capital Damascus, our international editor Jeremy Bowen met Ahmed al-Sharra, who was relaxed during the interview and was wearing civilian clothes. This is his report.