Syria's de facto leader says the country is not a threat to its neighbours or the west

This BBC Global News podcast highlights several important international stories. It features an interview with Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's new de facto leader, who asserts that his group is not a terrorist organization and is seeking relief from sanctions. The podcast also covers a tragic ferry collision in India, a fire at the Liberian parliament, and a heartbreaking incident where a child was crushed at a Nigerian event. Other topics include Facebook's potential shadow banning of Palestinian news outlets, a delayed astronaut return from the ISS, and the rediscovery of what might be the oldest recorded country song. Finally, there’s a segment focused on the tourism industry in Lapland, Finland, specifically showcasing the enchantment of Santa Claus Village.