BTN - Behind The News

It's the final episode of the BTN pod! I'm not crying, you're crying. But we wouldn't leave without filling you in on the biggest and best news of the day! A new report's been released looking into what we want from our friends and from our social media platforms. World leaders sit down to dinner at a big summit in Japan and our Prime Minister even gets a special mention. The 100th anniversary of an agreement that changed the world for better or worse. And some people in the US are trying to set a new world record with a big bit of meat and an equally large bun.

The next generation of super fast internet is speeding its way to Australia, but we might want to watch our data more closely. It might be chilly here, but humans and animals in Europe are sweltering through a heatwave. How do you clean up a messy mountain? The world's tallest one has some poo and rubbish problems that need addressing. A very popular movie starting with 'A' has now beat another very popular movie starting with 'A' to become the highest earning movie of all time (technically). And Darwin is looking for a new home for a very large, very iconic, very extinct member of its community.

If you're a school student in Victoria, you might have to start locking your phone up during school hours! We'll fill you in on the public school phone ban plan. According to a new report robots are taking over the world, or at least they're taking over quite a few of our jobs including mine. A new puzzling world record set by an upside down student in Georgia. And an escaped "lion" at a Japanese zoo is giving keepers the run around.

Do you pay attention to the health star rating on some food packaging? Look closer because it could be about to change. A Cosmonaut, a Flight Engineer and an Astronaut walk into a space shuttle and land safely back on earth after hundreds of days way up there. Scientists catch a mysterious creature on camera in the waters around Southern America for the very first time. And some très hairy men in Paris show off their well-groomed beards.

Sometimes our phones can be a little distracting (understatement of the year) and that's why a school in NSW is testing some tricky new tech to force students to go phone free. The Barty Party is on again as everyone's favourite Aussie women's tennis player hits world number one! This adorable marine mammal will have you singing the Star Wars theme in your head, because scientists have taught it to carry a tune or two. And the World's Ugliest Dog - need we say more?

Happy Friday! We're talking about gaming addiction after the creators of two of the most popular games in the world were quizzed by the UK government. How do you help two whales move to a new home in another country? Well, it involves a big tank and a big plane. A ten-year-old climber has just scaled one of the most challenging peaks in the world. And some cheeky sailors are having a spa day in Finland.

A social media giant is planning to create its own currency and we're not talking about the stuff you can hold in your hands. Superheroes usually prefer to fly under the radar, but instead they've been winning awards in the US. Would you pay to eat leftovers? There's a new app in Europe linking hungry customers with un-sellable food. We get a glimpse into the possible future of air travel and it doesn't involve petrol. And speaking of the future - meet the robotic cop that's policing the streets of Southern California. Not kidding.

Researchers are predicting what Australia's future will look like and it might involve robots. Some different behaviour at the footy on the weekend had fans speaking out. A primary school in the UK is banning words to help kids improve their vocabularies, including one that's a go-to sentence filler. And someone accidentally whacks a filter on some very important people in Pakistan.

What's it like when your whole country loses power? Some South Americans found out on the weekend. While a tree kangaroo might sound like a joke you tell a tourist, it's a real thing and it's struggling with a mysterious health issue. Forget equestrian, this is a horse riding competition for the make-believers. If you've ever wanted to live like a superhero or a movie star, there's a house that kind of covers both bases in the US. And a very rare crustacean is saved from being served on someone's dinner plate.

It was Matildas madness last night after the Aussie team pulled off a magnificent comeback at the World Cup. Scientists uncover the well preserved head of an ancient animal in the icy fields of Siberia. A man in Syria is brightening people's days with a colourful wardrobe... well, just one colour actually. Where did the zebra get his stripes? Not sure, but scientists have decided they serve a very cool purpose. And a famous Parisian painter celebrates her 50th − Nénette the orangutan.

Have you seen a weird video with Facebook's boss talking about stealing people's data and ruling the world? Yeah, it's not real but it's been tricking the world. One of the most famous rockbands in history doesn't negotiate with blackmailers. Meet my little alien friend Gary and find out why he's harder to find than scientists first thought. Melbournites can look forward to a new flying taxi service soon (this is not fake news, we promise). And why it might be a good idea to keep your hands on the fallen hairs of famous people.

Gaming geeks, rejoice! A big event is delivering gaming gifts to the world including announcements about new consoles and streaming services and a dog that has nothing to do with gaming, but it's completely adorable. Canadians, ay? They're the latest to ban single use plastic and their Prime Minister explains why. If you're a fan of all things sporty, then you might like the news about some schools wanting to double your PE time. And a sport that you won't be doing at school, because it involves office chairs moving backwards and a big bag of rice. Makes sense? It doesn't have to.

Tennis fans are celebrating the first Australian woman to win the French Open in waaaay too many decades. Speaking of celebrations, it's the Queen's Birthday! Well, not really. But it's a public holiday for a lot of Australians that we call the Queen's Birthday. Just go with it, OK? A holiday destination that's out of this world and how you could get there in 2020 if you're very, VERY rich. And one of the world's most leisurely sports gets some fast-paced new rules in the UK.

Chill out, dog owners! You're stressing out your pups (science says). A trip to a circus where elephants, horses and fish perform, but don't even exist. A team of European artists build a massive record-breaking castle that'll soon wash away. And weather experts in the US were left a bit confused after a storm cloud turned out to be something alive and moving.

The State Of Origin kicks off a national debate; FBI release documents from an investigation into Big Foot; Miners in WA struck gold; A cat causes a minor security threat to US President Donald Trump; And a man wins the lotto with the help of a fortune cookie

A 1,500 year old Scottish monster mystery may have been solved by scientists in New Zealand. An Aussie miner makes a smashing discovery while looking for opals. We find out how two of the richest musicians in the business made their massive fortunes. And a Perth man is a bit shell shocked after accidentally picking up a deadly creature at the beach.

People around the world mark the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre; It's snowing in parts of southern Queensland; Farmers have started adopting feral Camels; And The annual baby race in Lithuania.

All the buzz around eight young spelling whizzes that can't be beaten, even by each other. A very pretty eruption in a very scenic part of Italy. Tens of thousands of super fans celebrate their champion team in the Champions League. Some height challenged hounds dash to the finish line in a four legged frenzy in Tassie. And a very large creature that you hope to never encounter in your kitchen... or anywhere really.

The world learns more about the life of a famous teenager who spent years in a hidden annex. Accio, wand! It's time for a new instalment of magical musings from everyone's favourite school of witchcraft and wizardry. Some little creatures are being safeguarded against lightning striking twice. And who let the genie out of the bottle? Both literally and figuratively speaking.

There's a shipping container full of rubbish with Australia's name on it. How do you move a million dollar mural? With great difficulty, apparently. A billion dollar update to a very famous theme park is sending Stormtroopers running. And don't try to pack these in your suitcase the next time you go on holiday or you'll be in for a sting.