The challenges facing Iran's supreme leader

Hello. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has spent nearly two weeks in a secret bunker. BBC Persian special correspondent Kasra Naji describes the challenges Khamenei will have to face once he emerges. As the US Congress debates a bill that would cut welfare programmes, we hear from West Virginia residents struggling to afford groceries. And finally, find out why the world's oldest boomerang had room for improvement.

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Khamenei will find a very different Iran

In his nearly 40 years of rule, Ayatollah Khamenei has decimated any opposition in the country. Credit: Getty Images

As a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel appears to be holding, Ayatollah Khamenei has released his first video message to the nation for more than a week. Iran's supreme leader went into hiding for fear of being assassinated by Israel and even top government officials apparently have had no contact with him. Ahead of the video broadcast, he claimed victory in the conflict with Israel. As Kasra Naji notes, the war left a trail of death and destruction in the country and Khamenei a diminished man - one who, at the age of 86 and ailing, might want to ensure continuity of the regime with an orderly transition of power.

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Americans brace for Trump's welfare cuts

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, offers low-income households money each month to buy groceries.

A federal food subsidy program used by 42 million Americans is among the items facing cuts under US President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill", which he urged Congress to pass by 4 July. Ana Faguy reports from West Virginia, where an estimated 16% of the population depends on the benefit - and many already struggle to cover their grocery bill.