Janat Jalil

This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Janat Jalil and at 14 hours GMT on Friday the 20th of December, these are our main stories. In the first such visit in more than a decade, US diplomats are in Syria for talks with its new Islamist rulers. Malaysia authorises a fresh attempt to find the wreckage of MH370, the plane that mysteriously disappeared 10 years ago.

This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Janat Jalil and at 14 hours GMT on Friday the 20th of December, these are our main stories. In the first such visit in more than a decade, US diplomats are in Syria for talks with its new Islamist rulers. Malaysia authorises a fresh attempt to find the wreckage of MH370, the plane that mysteriously disappeared 10 years ago.

A BBC investigation reveals that nearly four years after Myanmar's military sparked a civil war with a coup, it now controls less than a quarter of the country. Also in this podcast, a new game show with a $5 million prize.

A BBC investigation reveals that nearly four years after Myanmar's military sparked a civil war with a coup, it now controls less than a quarter of the country. Also in this podcast, a new game show with a $5 million prize.

We begin in Syria. The Islamist rebels who toppled Syria's dictator this month are designated a terrorist group by the United States. But that hasn't stopped President Biden sending top US diplomats to Damascus to hold talks with Syria's new rulers. The first such visit in more than a decade.

We begin in Syria. The Islamist rebels who toppled Syria's dictator this month are designated a terrorist group by the United States. But that hasn't stopped President Biden sending top US diplomats to Damascus to hold talks with Syria's new rulers. The first such visit in more than a decade.

This comes as the leader of the Islamist rebels, Abu Muhammad al-Jilani, who now uses his birth name Ahmed al-Shara, has urged Western countries to lift their sanctions on Syria. Turkey, which backs the Syrian rebels, has also called for the lifting of the sanctions. And its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, says his country will help Syria draft a new constitution.

This comes as the leader of the Islamist rebels, Abu Muhammad al-Jilani, who now uses his birth name Ahmed al-Shara, has urged Western countries to lift their sanctions on Syria. Turkey, which backs the Syrian rebels, has also called for the lifting of the sanctions. And its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, says his country will help Syria draft a new constitution.

Our Middle East regional editor, Mike Thompson, says the Americans are expected to ask the HTS leaders for commitments on inclusivity and protection for Syria's many ethnic and religious groups.

Our Middle East regional editor, Mike Thompson, says the Americans are expected to ask the HTS leaders for commitments on inclusivity and protection for Syria's many ethnic and religious groups.

I suppose a clue to what he will do, whether his actions will match his words, would be to see his record in Idlib, where HTS have governed since 2016.

I suppose a clue to what he will do, whether his actions will match his words, would be to see his record in Idlib, where HTS have governed since 2016.

Our international editor, Jeremy Byrne, spoke to the leader of HTS, Ahmed Alshara. He was keen to point out that under his rule in Idlib, 60% of university graduates were women. So that's a positive sign.

Our international editor, Jeremy Byrne, spoke to the leader of HTS, Ahmed Alshara. He was keen to point out that under his rule in Idlib, 60% of university graduates were women. So that's a positive sign.

Mike Thompson, well, as he was referring to there, many in Syria are nervous about whether the country's new rulers will deliver on their promises of inclusivity and protection for Syria's diverse array of ethnic and religious groups and its women. One person who has raised these concerns directly with HTS is Amash Nalbandian, head of the Christian Armenian Diocese of Damascus.

Mike Thompson, well, as he was referring to there, many in Syria are nervous about whether the country's new rulers will deliver on their promises of inclusivity and protection for Syria's diverse array of ethnic and religious groups and its women. One person who has raised these concerns directly with HTS is Amash Nalbandian, head of the Christian Armenian Diocese of Damascus.

He spoke to Luke Jones.

He spoke to Luke Jones.

Syrian Bishop Amash Nalbandian. A BBC investigation has revealed that the Burmese military now only has full control of less than a quarter of the territory in Myanmar, nearly four years after seizing power in a coup. A patchwork of resistance groups and ethnic armies now have full control over more than 40% of the country, and the rest is mostly contested.

Syrian Bishop Amash Nalbandian. A BBC investigation has revealed that the Burmese military now only has full control of less than a quarter of the territory in Myanmar, nearly four years after seizing power in a coup. A patchwork of resistance groups and ethnic armies now have full control over more than 40% of the country, and the rest is mostly contested.