Trump says it's easier dealing with Russia

This BBC World Service podcast covers major global news stories, including President Trump's shifting stance on the Ukraine conflict, the execution of over 160 people by Syrian troops, and the arrest of a Bulgarian spy ring operating in the UK. The podcast also reports on the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, the introduction of paid maternity leave for WTA tennis players, and preliminary research suggesting MDMA may offer some psychological protection from trauma. A report on the discovery of a WWII bomb in Paris and the failure of a SpaceX rocket launch are also included. The podcast concludes with accounts from Afghan women about life under Taliban rule, highlighting the severe restrictions placed on women and girls. The specific example of the Bulgarian spy ring's activities, including surveillance of a journalist who exposed Russia's role in the Salisbury nerve agent attack, illustrates the podcast's focus on significant international events.