Valerie Sanderson

It was controversial in part because the measures included unprecedented powers for the police to arrest migrants. but also because the CDU would have relied on the far-right AFD to get the law through Parliament, breaking a firewall, a previous pledge by all main parties not to work with the AFD. K. Gottschalk, an MP and deputy co-leader of the AFD, gave his reaction to the vote.

I heard more from our Berlin correspondent, Damien McGuinness.

I heard more from our Berlin correspondent, Damien McGuinness.

And of course, Friedrich Merz, he wants to be the next Chancellor of Germany, doesn't he? And we're just weeks from elections.

And of course, Friedrich Merz, he wants to be the next Chancellor of Germany, doesn't he? And we're just weeks from elections.

And of course, Germany is such an important country in Europe. So other parts of Europe will be looking, I should think, very worried about what's going on there in the country.

And of course, Germany is such an important country in Europe. So other parts of Europe will be looking, I should think, very worried about what's going on there in the country.

Damien McGuinness. One of the first hostages released since the start of this month's ceasefire in Gaza was Emily Damari, who is a dual British and Israeli national. She was kept captive by Hamas for 15 months and has told Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer that gunmen held her in buildings that belonged to UNRWA, the United Nations agency that has been aiding Palestinians since 1949.

Damien McGuinness. One of the first hostages released since the start of this month's ceasefire in Gaza was Emily Damari, who is a dual British and Israeli national. She was kept captive by Hamas for 15 months and has told Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer that gunmen held her in buildings that belonged to UNRWA, the United Nations agency that has been aiding Palestinians since 1949.

Gillette Toomer speaks for UNRWA.

Gillette Toomer speaks for UNRWA.

I heard more about Emily Damari from our correspondent in Jerusalem, Maria Davis.

I heard more about Emily Damari from our correspondent in Jerusalem, Maria Davis.

There is going to be another wave of hostage releases, isn't there, due on Saturday. What do we know about this, the fourth wave?

There is going to be another wave of hostage releases, isn't there, due on Saturday. What do we know about this, the fourth wave?

We're at Davis. And finally... Why does scratching an itch feel just so very good? Well, we're always told that scratching a bite or a rash can be bad. But a study published in the journal Science has found that the reason it feels good is that it has a benefit. Why? Julian Marshall asked skin immunologist Dan Kaplan, who led the study.

We're at Davis. And finally... Why does scratching an itch feel just so very good? Well, we're always told that scratching a bite or a rash can be bad. But a study published in the journal Science has found that the reason it feels good is that it has a benefit. Why? Julian Marshall asked skin immunologist Dan Kaplan, who led the study.

Professor Dan Kaplan from the University of Pittsburgh. 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 Global News Pod. This edition was mixed by Martin Baker. The producer was Alison Davis.

Professor Dan Kaplan from the University of Pittsburgh. 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 Global News Pod. This edition was mixed by Martin Baker. The producer was Alison Davis.

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