The Documentary Podcast

Who's behind Europe's largest rare book heist? (Sat, 13 Sep 2025)
The University library in Tartu, in Estonia, is a large brutalist complex, surrounded by concrete water fountains and futuristic steel sculptures. But inside this unassuming building lies a hidden treasure: rare books worth thousands. In April 2022, some of these books were stolen, including historic editions by Alexander Pushkin. According to Europol, the European law enforcement agency, this theft was part of a criminal operation that targeted national libraries in 12 countries, including the Baltic states, Poland, Finland, Germany and France. It's been described as Europe’s largest book heist since War World Two. Who was behind it? My colleague Nina Nazarova from BBC Russian has been investigating this story. Plus, 7-year-old Nigerian online musical sensation Emmanuel plays keyboards and drums, and has been captivating audiences online, as BBC Pidgin’s Adesola Ikulajolu reports. This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world. This is an EcoAudio certified production. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
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Would you want to live until 150? (Sat, 13 Sep 2025)
During an unguarded conversation between President Putin and President Jinping in Beijing, the Chinese leader suggested that scientific developments meant that by the end of the century people might live until 150. So, what is it like to live to an old age and will 150 years ever be possible? We bring together two women in Australia, Janet and Myfanwy, with a combined age of 202. One of them still drives. The other stopped getting behind the wheel at 96. They say they both enjoy busy lives. Janet at 102 doesn’t relish the thought of being 150 though: “Think how doddery and staggery you would be.” And Mwfanwy adds: “I don’t want to live forever!” In another conversation, 87-year-old Elaine in the United States has this advice: “We’ve all been through difficult times, we’ve all had terrible things happen to us, but you just get past it, and you put one foot in front of the other and you just keep on going.” We also hear from three distinguished researchers who discuss the reality of living a long life and the science of anti-aging. This edition is from BBC OS Conversations, where we bring people together to share their experiences. Presenter: Rahul Tandon BBC producers: Iqra Farooq, Akwasi Sarpong, Laura Cress and Ash Mohamed Boffin Media producers: Richard Hollingham and Sue Nelson (Photo:An elderly man holding a walking stick. Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
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BBC News

US energy chief tells BBC nuclear fusion will soon power the world (Fri, 12 Sep 2025)
AI will soon enable harnessing of the energy that powers the sun and stars, says Chris Wright
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Water firm bans tankers from transporting water for billionaire's lake (Fri, 12 Sep 2025)
Tankers taking water for US billionaire Stephen Schwarzman have been told to stop by Southern Water.
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Mystery of dancing spiders' DNA could explain how they develop into new species (Thu, 11 Sep 2025)
There are many more species of peacock spider than other animals, scientists think they may know why.
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BBC News

Coldplay get giddy as they smash Wembley Stadium record (Sat, 13 Sep 2025)
The band played hits from each era of their 25 year career and wrapped up their world tour with a multi-coloured night of musical magic.
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Davina McCall engaged to partner Michael Douglas (Sat, 13 Sep 2025)
It comes just months after the TV presenter revealed her benign brain tumour was "not coming back".
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Video games are taking longer to make, but why? (Sat, 13 Sep 2025)
Six years since the last main Borderlands and it has fans wondering - why the long wait?
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