Oliver Conway

Well, that was Marty Sheargold with his view of the Australian women's football team, who reached the semi-final of the last World Cup. Not content with comparing the Matildas to 15-year-olds, he also implied their matches were boring. Our Australia correspondent Katie Watson in Sydney told us more.

Katie Watson in Sydney. Finally, The Substance, starring Demi Moore, is one of the favourites for Best Picture at the Oscars on Sunday.

Katie Watson in Sydney. Finally, The Substance, starring Demi Moore, is one of the favourites for Best Picture at the Oscars on Sunday.

Well, the film depicts a fading celebrity acquiring a black market drug that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself. But things go horribly wrong. If it's named Best Picture, it would mark the first big win for a horror film since The Silence of the Lambs more than three decades ago. But why are performances in horrors often overlooked by the big awards?

Well, the film depicts a fading celebrity acquiring a black market drug that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself. But things go horribly wrong. If it's named Best Picture, it would mark the first big win for a horror film since The Silence of the Lambs more than three decades ago. But why are performances in horrors often overlooked by the big awards?

Anna Smith is a film critic and host of the Girls on Film podcast. But first we heard from Mark Jenkin, who directed the 2023 horror Ennis Men.

Anna Smith is a film critic and host of the Girls on Film podcast. But first we heard from Mark Jenkin, who directed the 2023 horror Ennis Men.

Mark Jenkin and Anna Smith. And that's all from us for now, but the Global News Podcast will be back very soon. This edition was mixed by Abby Wiltshire and produced by Tracy Gordon. Our editors, Karen Martin. I'm Oliver Conway. Until next time, goodbye.

Mark Jenkin and Anna Smith. And that's all from us for now, but the Global News Podcast will be back very soon. This edition was mixed by Abby Wiltshire and produced by Tracy Gordon. Our editors, Karen Martin. I'm Oliver Conway. Until next time, goodbye.

You're listening to the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. Hello, I'm Oliver Conway. We're recording this at 14 hours GMT on Tuesday the 25th of February. Britain says it will increase defence spending by slashing funding on aid. The scramble for rare earth metals. The EU makes its own offer to Ukraine even as the US demands a deal.

You're listening to the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. Hello, I'm Oliver Conway. We're recording this at 14 hours GMT on Tuesday the 25th of February. Britain says it will increase defence spending by slashing funding on aid. The scramble for rare earth metals. The EU makes its own offer to Ukraine even as the US demands a deal.

And Syrians meet to discuss their post-Assad future, but the Kurds say they've been excluded. Also in the podcast.

And Syrians meet to discuss their post-Assad future, but the Kurds say they've been excluded. Also in the podcast.

When the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer goes to Washington on Thursday, what can he do to win over Donald Trump? The US President has long complained about Europe freeloading on defence by relying on America. The French President visited the White House on Monday and now France is reportedly willing to use its nuclear deterrent to help protect Europe.

When the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer goes to Washington on Thursday, what can he do to win over Donald Trump? The US President has long complained about Europe freeloading on defence by relying on America. The French President visited the White House on Monday and now France is reportedly willing to use its nuclear deterrent to help protect Europe.

Now the British government has signalled that it too is willing to step up by boosting defence spending. It will be partly funded by cutting the UK's overseas aid budget. Keir Starmer spoke to Parliament.

Now the British government has signalled that it too is willing to step up by boosting defence spending. It will be partly funded by cutting the UK's overseas aid budget. Keir Starmer spoke to Parliament.

And what about cutting the aid? How much difference will that make?

And what about cutting the aid? How much difference will that make?

And that, coupled with the increase in defense spending, is likely to go down well in Washington.