This episode explores a range of global news stories, beginning with high-level talks between US and European ministers aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Against this backdrop, a BBC investigation reveals the illegal seizure of thousands of homes in Russian-occupied Mariupol, highlighting the plight of Ukrainian residents. More significantly, the podcast reports on the escalating conflict in Gaza, detailing the latest Israeli airstrikes and their devastating consequences, including the deaths of civilians in a camp for displaced Palestinians. The discussion then pivots to a potential scientific breakthrough, with scientists claiming to have detected strong signs of life on a distant planet, K2-18b. In contrast, a separate report examines a possible factor in the extinction of Neanderthals: the use of sunscreen by Homo sapiens ancestors during a period of heightened solar radiation. Finally, the episode covers the installation of Tuvalu's first ATM, marking a significant step towards digital banking in the Pacific Island nation.
