Valerie Sanderson

So what can we expect from the new Japanese operator? Andrew Peach heard more from our Japanese business reporter Mariko Oi, who's been talking to the boss of the Tokyo Metro.

Mariko Oi. The British environmental activist group Just Stop Oil says it'll end its campaign of civil disobedience. In the past, the group's supporters have disrupted sporting events by bursting bags of bright orange chalk dust, shut down key roads and, most infamously, in 2022, two activists threw soup over Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting in the National Gallery in London. This was that moment.

Mariko Oi. The British environmental activist group Just Stop Oil says it'll end its campaign of civil disobedience. In the past, the group's supporters have disrupted sporting events by bursting bags of bright orange chalk dust, shut down key roads and, most infamously, in 2022, two activists threw soup over Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting in the National Gallery in London. This was that moment.

Our climate editor, Justin Rulat, has been following the activities of the group since it was first formed at the end of 2021.

Our climate editor, Justin Rulat, has been following the activities of the group since it was first formed at the end of 2021.

Just in Rolat, scientists are warning that man-made actions are posing an existential threat to fungi, as they say in the United States. The organisms are an important part of our ecosystem, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature is warning that more than a thousand varieties could face extinction.

Just in Rolat, scientists are warning that man-made actions are posing an existential threat to fungi, as they say in the United States. The organisms are an important part of our ecosystem, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature is warning that more than a thousand varieties could face extinction.

Dr Greg Muller coordinates the fungal programme at the organisation, and he told me more about the research.

Dr Greg Muller coordinates the fungal programme at the organisation, and he told me more about the research.

And how many types of fungi are there?

And how many types of fungi are there?

And if they disappear or if some of these thousands of species disappear, what effect does that have on the environment?

And if they disappear or if some of these thousands of species disappear, what effect does that have on the environment?

What does it mean if they die off? Because what you're telling us is that they are the lifeblood of most plants on our planet.

What does it mean if they die off? Because what you're telling us is that they are the lifeblood of most plants on our planet.

So how can this be stopped?

So how can this be stopped?

Dr. Greg Muller. And that's it from us for now, but there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, send us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. You can also find us on X at BBC World Service. Use the hashtag at Global News Pod. This edition was produced by Judy Frankel and mixed by Holly Palmer.

Dr. Greg Muller. And that's it from us for now, but there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, send us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. You can also find us on X at BBC World Service. Use the hashtag at Global News Pod. This edition was produced by Judy Frankel and mixed by Holly Palmer.

The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Valerie Sanderson. Until next time, bye-bye.