US exempts Hungary from Russian oil sanctions

The BBC Global News Podcast presents a roundup of international news stories. These include Hungary receiving an exemption from US sanctions on Russian oil imports, the US government shutdown and failed attempts to pay federal workers, and the death of DNA co-discoverer James Watson, alongside discussions of his controversial views. The podcast also covers Tanzania's disputed elections and subsequent protests, Jacinda Ardern's warning on climate change's impact on Pacific nations, and a new weight policy for North Sea oil workers. Additionally, the potential for AI humanoid robots in both industrial and domestic settings is explored, and a newly released interactive map of the ancient Roman road network is highlighted.