Overseas audiences will no longer be able to listen to many of the BBC’s radio stations after the broadcaster decided to limit access to its audio streaming services.
In the coming weeks, the BBC Sounds streaming service – which features access to all the corporation's radio stations – will be available only to listeners in the UK.
Popular stations such as Radio 4 and the World Service have already been made available on the BBC website and app, alongside a selection of podcasts – which bosses said amounted to "thousands of hours" – as alternative paths to the streaming service.
The BBC has advertising on its website for users outside the UK and the change is intended to generate commercial income by shifting BBC Sounds listeners. The change is expected to take place in the spring, although a date has yet to be set.
Users in Britain who go on holiday overseas will be able to use BBC Sounds for a short period. BBC content that is available on other platforms, such as Spotify, will still be available to users outside the UK.
I was really disappointed to find that BBC Sounds podcasts will be blocked here. I listen to podcasts regularly and enjoy many BBC productions
Danielle in Dubai
Listeners can use virtual private networks to bypass the geo-blocking. Among the top VPN networks used to access iPlayer, the BBC’s video streaming service, are the subscription-based ProtonVPN, NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
The BBC said the changes would "offer better value for UK listeners".
“BBC Studios recently launched a new listening experience outside the UK on BBC.com and the BBC app, which includes thousands of hours of podcasts, BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service alongside the BBC's journalism and storytelling,” a spokeswoman said.
"As part of this launch, later this year the BBC will be making BBC Sounds available exclusively to UK audiences, which will offer better value for UK listeners.
World Service scaled back
The BBC is scaling back its World Service, raising concerns about the UK’s soft power overseas.
The World Service’s foreign affairs flagship programme HARDTalk – which broadcast in-depth interviews with major political leaders – aired its last programme after nearly 20 years this month. Additional cuts to the station were made in February, including 130 jobs.
BBC Arabic radio was among 10 foreign language services to stop broadcasting in 2023, as the corporation said it would invest more in its Arabic TV and digital services. The BBC's director general Tim Davie said the decision to do so led to the loss of about 40 million listeners.
Russian-backed news services began broadcasting in Lebanon on the former BBC Arabic frequency, leading to acknowledgement that the service's closure may have been a mistake.
Up until 2014, the UK government paid for the World Service. It then handed over most of the cost to the BBC.
The Foreign Affairs Committee, which scrutinises the British government's foreign affairs spending, feared the cuts to the World Service in February would create a vacuum for impostors to fill.
Committee chairwoman Dame Emily Thornberry said: “The uplift is just a sticking plaster. It is not the investment that is needed. What is more, I am worried that the announced cuts to overseas development aid may make matters worse."
Uma Kamaran, a member of the committee, said the closure of BBC Radio Arabic was one of the "starkest examples of the dangers of this retreat".
“The closure of BBC Radio Arabic … resulted in the World Service’s former frequency being taken over by Russian state media – allowing the spread of disinformation and hostile propaganda, unchallenged and on an unparalleled scale," she said in February.
To counter the threat of disinformation in conflict zones, the BBC has set up emergency services for Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine at short notice, as well as a 24-hour radio feed of existing Arabic and English content going out in Damascus and the coastal regions of Syria.
'Vital lifeline' for listeners overseas
Shows including the Global News Podcast, The Global Story and Infinite Monkey Cage are among the 1,000 hours of podcasts that will still be available to overseas listeners on the BBC website and app.
The BBC did not comment on which programmes would no longer be available to listeners overseas. There is speculation that radio involving music would be more difficult to stream with advertising overseas due to licensing issues.
Among the most popular programmes are the award-winning comedy show Elis James and John Robins, which was the BBC’s second most listened to programme for under-35s, and sports titles such as Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily and Match of the Day: Top 10, according to a quarterly publication by Rajar, which measures UK audience figures.
Podcasts that were acquired by the BBC, such as the series Tortoise Investigates, ranked in the top 10 podcasts for young people.
Expats told The National that they relied on BBC Sounds for “high quality” programmes and “unbiased” global news.
Nigel, a British listener in Turkey, was relieved to hear that Radio 4 and the World Service would still be available on the BBC website. He uses BBC Sounds on his phone to listen to both stations.
Speaking to The National as large-scale protests against the jailing of Istanbul’s mayor have gripped the country, he said: “Having access to those two radio programmes gives me access to global news that isn’t filtered. I don’t trust the news agenda in Turkey and it’s a good way to get unbiased news from around the world.”
Danielle, a listener in Dubai who loves to listen to the BBC programme Ghosts, feared she may no longer be able to access her favourite shows.
“I was really disappointed to find that BBC Sounds podcasts will be blocked here,” she said. "I listen to podcasts regularly and enjoy many BBC productions, which are always high quality. I would absolutely rather there be ads than not have access to the podcasts at all."
BBC presenter Kirsty Lang said the decision was “devastating for all our overseas listeners”.
“BBC Radio is a vital lifeline to so many overseas listeners. I have no idea why they’re cutting it or why they can’t introduce a subscription for people living outside the UK,” she said.
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Results
Stage Two:
1. Mark Cavendish (GBR) QuickStep-AlphaVinyl 04:20:45
2. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin-Fenix
3. Pascal Ackermann (GER) UAE Team Emirates
4. Olav Kooij (NED) Jumbo-Visma
5. Arnaud Demare (FRA) Groupama-FDJ
General Classification:
1. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin-Fenix 09:03:03
2. Dmitry Strakhov (RUS) Gazprom-Rusvelo 00:00:04
3. Mark Cavendish (GBR) QuickStep-AlphaVinyl 00:00:06
4. Sam Bennett (IRL) Bora-Hansgrohe 00:00:10
5. Pascal Ackermann (GER) UAE Team Emirates 00:00:12
Naga
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Company%20profile
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
MATCH INFO
West Ham United 2 (Antonio 73', Ogbonna 90 5')
Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 36', Moura 42', Kane 49')
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
THE%20SWIMMERS
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Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Pathaan
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
Courses%20at%20Istituto%20Marangoni%2C%20Dubai
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUndergraduate%20courses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EInterior%20Design%3B%20Product%20Design%3B%20Visual%20Design%3B%20Fashion%20Design%20%26amp%3B%20Accessories%3B%20Fashion%20Styling%20%26amp%3B%20Creative%20Direction%3B%20Fashion%20Business%3B%20Foundation%20in%20Fashion%3B%20Foundation%20in%20Design%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EProfessional%20courses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFashion%20e-Commerce%20%26amp%3B%20Digital%20Marketing%3B%20Fashion%20Entrepreneurship%3B%20Fashion%20Luxury%20Retail%20and%20Visual%20Merchandising%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EShort%20courses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFashion%20design%3B%20Fashion%20Image%20%26amp%3B%20Styling%3B%20Fashion%20Trend%20Forecasting%3B%20Interior%20Design%3B%20Digital%20Art%20in%20Fashion%3Cbr%3EMore%20information%20is%20at%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.istitutomarangoni.com%2Fen%3Futm_source%3DLocal%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3Dgmb%26utm_content%3Ddubai%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3Ewww.istitutomarangoni.com%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
WIDE%20VIEW
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
More Iraq election coverage:
History's medical milestones
1799 - First small pox vaccine administered
1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery
1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases
1895 - Discovery of x-rays
1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time
1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin
1953 - Structure of DNA discovered
1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place
1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill
1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.
1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out
The biog
Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo
Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian
Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness
Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbo V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 571hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,000-4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.4L/100km
Price, base: from Dh571,000
On sale: this week
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
