The latest national and international news, exploring the day's events from a global perspective.

Liz McIvor explores how the nation's canals were saved following years of postwar neglect, becoming places of tranquillity and popular for boating holidays. Show more

Sam Willis looks at how castles survived into the Tudor era. But these strategic seats of power had to become palaces to impress monarchs such as Elizabeth I. Show more

Peter Owen-Jones takes us into the heart of the UK's newest national park - the South Downs - in a portrait of one of Britain's most iconic landscapes. Show more

Documentary in which journalist Kate Adie re-examines her historic coverage of the massacre in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, in June 1989. Show more

Drama-documentary recreating the life and loves of France's most famous king, Louis XIV, who conducted many affairs and dazzled contemporaries with his lavish entertainments. Show more

Documentary series about Britain's motorways. This final episode explores how people questioned the promises made by the motorways and began to protest. Show more

Professor Alice Roberts goes on the trail of the great beasts of the Ice Age. This time she visits Europe and Siberia, which were hit hardest by the cold. Show more

Frank Skinner and Suzy Klein explore the golden age of variety theatre, from the start of the 20th century to the outbreak of the Second World War. Show more

Sam Willis looks at how castles survived into the Tudor era. But these strategic seats of power had to become palaces to impress monarchs such as Elizabeth I. Show more