Britain announces biggest increase in defence spending in decades

This BBC World Service podcast covers global news headlines, including Britain's increased defense spending (funded by aid cuts), the geopolitical implications of rare earth minerals, the EU's offer to Ukraine amidst US negotiations, and a Syrian conference excluding Kurdish groups. The podcast also features segments on a rare planetary alignment visible later this week, a cocaine smuggling attempt using a wig, and damage to an undersea cable in the Taiwan Strait, potentially caused by sabotage. The death of a cyclist in Paris highlights the challenges of the city's cycling revolution. Finally, the passing of Clint Hill, a Secret Service agent who tried to protect President Kennedy during his assassination, is noted.