Newshour BBC Podcasts

Today marks the official start of campaigning for the snap general election in France. It was called by President Emmanuel Macron after his Renaissance party lost heavily to the anti-immigration National Rally in the recent EU parliamentary polls.

Also in the programme: the BBC hears testimony that the Greek coastguard caused the deaths of migrants in the Mediterranean; and the music stars with a difference -- K-pop's first hearing-impaired group.

(Photo: People take part in a demonstration against the French far right party National Rally after the results of the European elections, in Paris, France, 15 June 2024. Credit: Mandatory Credit: Photo by Andre Pain/ EPA-EFE/REX Shutterstock)

The Ukraine peace summit ends in Switzerland with strong support for Kyiv and a call for dialogue - but is Russia listening?
Also in the programme: the heat dome spreading across the US, with dangerous consequences; and some advice on living happily from the world's happiest country.
(IMAGE: (L-R) President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Swiss Federal President Viola Amherd, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, President Gabriel Boric Font of Chile and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada attend the closing press conference of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine in Stansstad near Lucerne, Switzerland, 16 June 2024 / CREDIT: Allessandro della Valle / POOL / EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

The Israeli military says it will hold a daily "tactical pause of military activity" along a road in southern Gaza to enable more humanitarian aid to enter but emphasised that there is no ceasefire and combat would continue in Rafah. They will only affect a route that leads northwards from the key Kerem Shalom crossing, which Gaza shares with Israel.
World leaders at the Ukraine summit for peace in Switzerland are exploring ways of ensuring the security of nuclear sites and of Ukraine's food exports.
Also on the programme: the mystery and history surrounding the desk of literary giant Dr Samuel Johnson; and we hear from the father of Swedish DJ Avicii, on his son's life and death.
(Photo: Displaced Palestinians collect donated food in Khan Yunis camp Credit: Photo by HAITHAM IMAD/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Delegates at a peace summit for Ukraine in Switzerland have been voicing their support for Kyiv, but some have questioned the meeting's purpose without Russia in attendance. Leaders from 90 countries are attending.
Also on the programme: we'll look back over a turbulent few days in France after President Macron's surprise snap election call last Sunday; and with the Olympics due to start in just over a month, what is the current status of Russian athletes?
(Picture: President Zelensky of Ukraine in Switzerland. Credit: EPA)

More than 90 countries and global institutions are in Switzerland to discuss how to end the conflict in Ukraine. So what is need to happen to start a peace process?
Also on the programme: a Russian journalist tells us the dangers of being a journalist - including poisoning; and how will the new coalition government in South Africa team up with its rivals?
(Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrive to attend a media briefing during the Summit on Peace in Ukraine. Credit: ALESSANDRO DELLA VALLE/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC) and the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) have agreed to form a government of national unity, along with two smaller opposition parties. We look at the state of politics in South Africa as the once mighty African National Congress is forced to share power.

Also in the programme: The first match of the European football championships has begun - so how strong are politically nationalist feelings among the fans? And we'll hear from the German comedian who's just had an audience with the Pope.

(Photo: The DA and ANC parties have been bitter rivals for many years. Credit: Getty Images)