Global News Podcast

Massive explosions are reported in Tehran and in Karaj to its west as the United States and Israel step up their attacks on Iranian cities. We hear what life is like for those living there. Iran continues to retaliate with attacks on Israel and other countries in the region -- although it denies carrying out drone strikes in Azerbaijan. Ukraine's President Zelensky says he is prepared to lend his support to Gulf states facing Iran's missile attacks and we ask what that help might look like. Also: we take you to Nepal's election, the first since Gen-Z protests brought down the last government. Conservatives from the Anglican church deny they are splitting from the communion after choosing a Rwandan bishop to head a new religious council. And new research suggests stopping weight loss jabs can lead to rapid weight regain in one year. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

As the US and Israeli war against Iran enters its sixth day, a bipartisan resolution in the US Senate aimed at limiting President Trump's war powers has failed. Senators voted 47 to 53 to prevent the measure from advancing, dealing a blow to Democrats' efforts to stymie the conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, US and Israeli strikes across Iran continue, with the capital, Tehran, bearing the brunt of the offensive. Also: Israel launches fresh attacks on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, warning residents to evacuate their homes; a suicide case in the US highlights the risks of AI chatbots interacting with people dealing with mental health issues; clergy from a conservative group of the Anglican Church seek to elect a rival to the first female Archbishop of Canterbury; how businesses are responding to the popularity of weight-loss drugs; and why chimpanzees are fascinated with crystals. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

The Pentagon has released footage of a US submarine firing on an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean and sinking it. Earlier, the Sri Lankan Navy picked up a distress call from the IRIS Dena. Sri Lankan police and defence officials say 87 bodies have been recovered from the water, and 67 sailors are still missing. Also: Iran carries out missile and drone attacks on several countries as Israel and the US continue to strike targets in Iran; we report from eastern Turkey where some Iranians have been crossing the border; and could Kurdish forces lead an insurgency to help topple the government in Tehran?The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

As the US-Israel war with Iran continues the Trump administration is facing mounting calls from Congress to explain why it started its campaign now, and how long it could last. In an attempt to curb surging oil and gas prices, President Trump says the US navy will, if necessary, escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran. The crisis in the Middle East is continuing to cause turmoil on the financial markets. Shares across Asia opened sharply lower. Also, scientists in Spain studying how women's brains are altered during pregnancy say they've identified changes influencing how mothers bond with their babies. And an English golf club stumbles across an unexpected find underneath part of its course - an abandoned wine cellar. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

The Israeli defence minister says he has told troops to "take control" of new positions in Lebanon. The IDF says it's targeting Hezbollah. Israel says it's bombed Iran's presidential office and the US claims to have destroyed command facilities and missile launch sites across the country. The Iranian response has included missile and drone attacks on several Gulf states. The international prices of oil and gas have risen again, as concerns grow that supplies could be hit by the conflict - we hear how South Korea has been affected. Also, we go to Nigeria to look at deep divisions within the Anglican church over the appointment of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

On the fourth day of the US and Israel's war against Iran, Tehran has widened its retaliatory attacks in the Gulf region, with two of its drones hitting the US embassy in Saudi Arabia. Iran has threatened to ''set fire'' to any ship passing the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil and gas shipping route. The cost of hiring an oil supertanker from the Middle East to China has doubled since last week, reaching an all-time high of more than $400,000 a day. In the US, Secretary of State Marco Rubio tells journalists "the hardest hits" on Iran are "yet to come". Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance insists that the conflict will not drag on for years. As the Trump administration seeks to justify its military campaign, what do Americans make of the decision to attack Iran? We hear from voters in Texas.Also: US lawmakers have released Bill and Hillary Clinton's video testimonies about Jeffrey Epstein, totalling around nine hours' worth of footage. A long-lost painting by the Dutch Master Rembrandt has been traced and authenticated by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. And Ethiopia unveils Africa's first unmanned smart police station, powered by artificial intelligence.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

The US and Israel strike targets across Iran for a third day. The American Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, says Washington's objectives won't be achieved "overnight" - but promised conflict with Iran would not lead to an "endless war". The violence has now spread across the region, as Iran launches its own attacks on several Gulf states. The Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, exchanges strikes with Israel. Israel's President, Isaac Herzog, tells us that the future of the Middle East hinges on Iran losing the war. And our chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet, reflects on what might come next. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

President Donald Trump has warned that more American military personnel are likely to be killed as the US and Israel continue their attacks on Iran. Three US service members have already died after Iranian retaliatory strikes on military sites. Trump says Operation Epic Fury could last weeks. Also: the conflict widens as Israel and Hezbollah exchange fire, with the IDF hitting targets in Beirut's southern suburbs. Oil prices surge after Iran warns tankers to avoid the Strait of Hormuz. The UK says it will allow the US to use British bases. And we look at Mossad and the CIA's intelligence efforts to carry out the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.ukImage credit: Truth Social/Reuters

We meet two women who have forged an unconventional friendship after meeting by chance more than four years ago. Neena found Carol's lost subway card in New York and they went on to build a close intergenerational bond. They say their 58 year age gap allows them to learn from each other, slow down and appreciate what's important.Also: How decades of work have brought giant tortoises back to an island in the Galapagos for the first time in nearly two hundred years. The Floreana Tortoise became extinct after the arrival of humans, but now dozens of young reptiles bred from a closely related species have been released there.Across the Pacific, we meet the Gen Z women working to restore damaged coral reefs on an Indonesian archipelago. The underwater gardeners recover broken fragments and help them grow.Plus, the science behind why getting out into nature can boost our well being; the veterans reunited more than eighty years after they fought together in World War Two; and how an unwanted bike in Scotland has opened up new possibilities for para-cyclists in Kenya.Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.Photo: Neena and Carol, who became friends after Neena returned Carol's lost subway card. Credit: Neena Roe

Israel is launching strikes on Iran for a second day after initial joint attacks with the US killed the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran says it has a duty to retaliate. Also in this special podcast, we hear how the Iranian people view the strikes on their country. We have a report from Israel, where there's been a barrage of Iranian missiles. We look at how the attack on Iran could turn into a wider regional conflict. And we ask how President Trump's decision to attack Tehran has been received at home — and whether it was legal under international law.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed in his office by US and Israeli strikes - ending his 36-year iron rule of the Islamic Republic. As the government announces a 40 day mourning period, many Iranians have reportedly taken to the streets to celebrate. The Revolutionary Guard has promised to punish the "murderers", and is carrying out retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region. There have been strong reactions at the UN Security Council and on Capitol Hill. So who's now in charge of Iran? And what does this mean for the rest of the world? We get analysis from BBC Persian and our international correspondents about the significance of this moment.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.ukImage credit: Iranian supreme leader's office handout/EPA/Shutterstock

President Donald Trump confirms that "major combat operations" are underway against targets in Iran in a joint operation by the US and Israeli military. The office of Iran's supreme leader, and the presidential office in Tehran, were reportedly targeted, as well as military sites across the country. In response Iran launched strikes at US military targets across the region - with damage reported in Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

President Donald Trump says he will direct every federal agency to immediately stop using technology from AI developer Anthropic. The company behind the AI assistant Claude is mired in a row with the White House after refusing demands to give the US military unfettered access to its AI tools. Anthropic says “no amount of intimidation or punishment” will shift its opposition to its technology being used for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons, and says it will challenge the White House decision in court.Also: the former US President, Bill Clinton, tells a Congressional committee he did nothing wrong during his acquaintance with Jeffrey Epstein. President Trump says he's "not happy" with the outcome of the third round of nuclear negotiations with Iran, but the Omani mediator says "peace is within reach" and calls for more time to be given to diplomatic efforts. We look back at the career of the American singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka, who has died aged 86. Argentina's president Javier Milei tries to scrap laws protecting glaciers from the mining industry, promising the changes will lead to one million new jobs. And why the English Premier League is to launch its first direct-to-customer streaming platform next season.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.ukPhoto: YURI GRIPAS/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock

Latest attacks mark escalation in long-running tensions between the two South Asian neighbours. Islamabad has repeatedly blamed the Afghan Taliban for supporting militants accused of attacks in Pakistan. Also: Nine senior officers of the Chinese military have been officially removed as delegates to the country's annual parliamentary session, just days before it's due to start. US says it will ease its economic blockade on Cuba, if oil is sent to the island's private sector. Epstein files reveal the late convicted sex offender tried to buy a multimillion-dollar palace in Morocco, the day before his arrest in 2019. And the British supermarket chain, Waitrose, suspends sales of mackerel because of overfishing. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Pakistani military jets have hit targets inside Afghanistan, bombing parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, as open military conflict surged between the two countries. Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, said Islamabad's patience had run out and declared the neighbours at "open war" following months of tit-for-tat clashes and heavy losses for both sides. Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of failing to act against militant groups that carry out attacks in Pakistan, which the Taliban government denies.Also: the BBC has obtained a video that shows how Israeli soldiers shot a Palestinian boy and stood around as he bled to death. Netflix drops out of the bidding war for Warner Brothers Discovery, leaving Paramount as the top contender to acquire the legacy studio. As former US President Bill Clinton prepares to testify before a Congressional committee investigating the fall-out from the Epstein files, his wife Hillary, who appeared before the panel on Thursday, says her husband's connection with Epstein ended several years before anything about the sex offender's criminal activities came to light. In a landmark trial in Los Angeles, the woman at the heart of a case against social media giants says she became addicted to their platforms aged six. The British Labour government suffers a by-election defeat in key political test for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. How Pokémon's 30th anniversary is being marked worldwide. And we test our spelling skills after a survey reveals the words British pupils most struggle with.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Iran's president says Tehran isn't pursuing nuclear weapons and has no intention of doing so, as a third round of crucial talks with the US continues in Geneva. Also: former US secretary of state and first lady, Hillary Clinton, appears before a Congressional committee investigating the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says his country "could get along well" with the United States, if Washington recognises Pyongyang as a nuclear power. US condemns the use of drones by both sides in the conflict in Sudan. And a new study reveals why some older people's minds are as sharp as they were when they were young.

We hear from a Mexican city in Sinaloa state where one of the big drug cartels is locked in its own civil war. Our correspondent Quentin Sommerville visited the state capital, Culiacán, where he witnessed scenes of brutal violence that have brought pain and terror to residents. Also: Cuba says its coastguard has killed four people on board a US-registered speedboat, in an exchange of fire off the Cuban coast. It said those on the boat were Cubans, living in the US, with a history of violent activity - and "terrorist" intentions. The American Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, called the shootout "highly unusual" and said the US would conduct its own investigation into the incident and not rely on the Cuban version of events. A British clinical trial on more than 500 people across 15 countries found that a new tablet to treat HIV - which combines two current treatments - is highly effective at keeping the virus suppressed. A BBC Eye investigation has revealed that Nepal's top police officer gave the order allowing the use of live fire during last year's deadly crackdown on Gen Z protests - one of the worst in the country's history. And the robot that conducted Denmark's National Symphony Orchestra. We have the verdict on its performance. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

We hear from a Mexican city in Sinaloa state where one of the big drug cartels is locked in its own civil war. Our correspondent Quentin Sommerville visited the state capital, Culiacán, where he witnessed scenes of brutal violence that have brought pain and terror to residents. Also: Cuba says its coastguard has killed four people on board a US-registered speedboat, in an exchange of fire off the Cuban coast. It said those on the boat were Cubans, living in the US, with a history of violent activity - and "terrorist" intentions. The American Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, called the shootout "highly unusual" and said the US would conduct its own investigation into the incident and not rely on the Cuban version of events. A British clinical trial on more than 500 people across 15 countries found that a new tablet to treat HIV - which combines two current treatments - is highly effective at keeping the virus suppressed. A BBC Eye investigation has revealed that Nepal's top police officer gave the order allowing the use of live fire during last year's deadly crackdown on Gen Z protests - one of the worst in the country's history. And the robot that conducted Denmark's National Symphony Orchestra. We have the verdict on its performance. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Following Donald Trump's annual State of the Union address, we look into some of his claims about the economy and immigration. Also: Japan announces a timeline for deploying missiles to a small island near Taiwan in a move that angers China. The Spanish government declassifies documents related to a failed coup 45 years ago which had threatened the transition from military dictatorship to democracy. And how to watch the planet parade this week. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

President Trump touts his record in office in a fiery "America First" State of the Union address -- the longest in US history. The speech comes as polls suggest Americans are souring on his second-term agenda ahead of crucial mid-term elections. We have the highlights and analysis from Washington. Also: the UK introduces ETA for travellers entering the country; Thai authorities investigate tiger deaths; debate rages over a golden ram's head looted from Ghana; how an AI computer engineer accidentally hacked robot vacuums; and we meet Rose Wylie who's making art history at 91. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.ukUS President Donald Trump looks on as he delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. February 24, 2026. PHOTO CREDIT: REUTERS/NATHAN HOWARD

President Zelensky has praised the endurance and courage of the Ukrainian people as the war with Russia enters its fifth year. With events being held across Ukraine to mark the day, Western leaders have been reaffirming their support for Kyiv. The British prime minister, Keir Starmer, hailed what he called Ukraine's incredible resilience. Also: For the first time in the UK a baby has been born to a mother who received a womb transplant from a dead donor. President Trump has dismissed media reports that the United States' most senior general had spoken of risks in potentially going to war with Iran. China has imposed restrictions on dual-use exports to major Japanese industrial companies, accusing them of helping to build up Japan's military capabilities. And one of Italy's most famous landmarks, Giotto Bell's Tower in Florence, is to be fully restored for the first time in centuries. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Russian strikes on Ukraine have continued on the 4th anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion. But in recent days Kyiv has been recapturing territory it lost in the first weeks of the war. Also: Mexico has deployed thousands of troops to maintain order after the country's most wanted cartel leader - known as "El Mencho" - was killed by the army. Britain's former ambassador in Washington, Peter Mandelson, has been arrested over his links with the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A powerful storm is battering the northeastern US, leaving thousands without power. A study into so-called "weasel words" reveals just how misleading they can be. And could daily meditation reduce the risk of cancer spreading?The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court have begun setting out their case against the former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, who is accused of crimes against humanity over his bloody ‘war on drugs'. Hearings in The Hague will decide whether there is enough evidence to move to a full trial. Also: aid agencies in South Sudan say intensified fighting between government and opposition forces has displaced hundreds of thousands of people; Australia's prime minister Anthony Albanese tells Britain his country would support any move to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, King Charles's brother, from the line of royal succession; the boss of Netflix tells the BBC its bid for Warner Bros Discovery is stronger than a rival offer from Paramount; as the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches, President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff says another round of talks aimed at ending the war could take place by the end of the week; a racial slur shouted by Tourette's campaigner John Davidson during the BAFTA Film Awards sparks debate about how the condition should be understood; and scientists reveal a new species of dinosaur discovered in the Sahara desert.

Violence has broken out in several cities across Mexico hours after the military confirmed it had killed one of the country's most feared drug lords - known as El Mencho. The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was shot in a dawn raid and died from his injuries. Also: Students in Iran have staged a second day of anti-government protests to honour those killed in last month's deadly crackdown. US secret service agents have shot dead a man who broke into President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate with a shotgun. Greenland and Denmark reply "no thanks" to Donald Trump after he said he was sending an American hospital ship to "take care" of people in Greenland. Ukraine's President Zelensky tells the BBC President Putin has already started what amounts to World War Three - but Kyiv is keeping it contained. The grande finale of the Winter Olympics in Verona. All the latest from the BAFTAs, where the American film, One Battle After Another, has picked up several awards. The bones of St Francis of Assisi have gone on public display to mark 800 years since his death. And an annual folk festival dating back to the 15th century has been taking place in Belgium ... but without its longstanding tradition of drinking tiny live fish from an antique cup. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Next week marks four years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In that time, there's been an intense crackdown on freedom of speech and dissent in Russia, which has led to many western media organisations leaving the country. Today, we speak to Steve Rosenberg, the BBC's Russia editor, on the tightrope of reporting from Moscow under Vladimir Putin. The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.Producer: Sam Chantarasak Executive producer: Bridget Harney Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends his annual end-of-year press conference in Moscow. Credit: Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool/Reuters.

Students at several universities in Iran have staged anti-government protests - the first on this scale since January's deadly crackdown. It's not immediately clear whether any demonstrators were arrested on Saturday. Also: President Trump says he's increasing his worldwide trade tariff to fifteen per cent. As the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war approaches, our reporter in Moscow looks at how the country has changed. A deadly virus has wiped out more than seventy captive tigers in Thailand, prompting anger from animal rights campaigners. There's controversy at the Berlin film festival after comments from the organisers about politics. And how boring are draws in a football match - Japan experiments with getting rid of them in favour of penalty shoot-outs.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health - we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

After identifying a new species of ancient crocodile for his PhD, Ewan Bodenham honoured his favourite physics teacher who inspired him many years before. Galahadosuchus jonesi has been named after Rhys Jones - who says it is a privilege. Plus, the school in Brazil that many gave up on a decade ago wins a prestigious international award. A woman has been reunited with her prosthetic leg ten months after she lost it in the sea. We hear about the dog that led police in Louisville to a missing three year old and the Mosque that went viral for sharing videos of a pilates class for men over the age of 50. Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.Presenter: Oliver Conway. Music composed by Iona Hampson.

Donald Trump has lashed out at the US Supreme Court, after judges struck down his sweeping trade tariffs. The president has outlined a new plan to retain some of the levies, but the details are not clear. Also: the British government reviews the royal line of succession, as the police investigate Andrew's links to Jeffrey Epstein -- the former prince denies wrongdoing; Ukraine-Russia peace talks gather pace; what's the future of the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank; North Korea holds its biggest political event in five years; and NASA sets a date to send astronauts back around the Moon. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs have been struck down by the US Supreme Court, in a major blow to the President's economic agenda. With a 6-3 majority, judges ruled that President Trump exceeded his authority when he imposed the levies using a law reserved for national emergencies.Also: an AI summit in India has ended without a global agreement on governing the technology, after strong opposition from the United States. British police continue to search the former home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, after the former Prince was released under investigation. Iran says it will be ready to submit its plan for a possible nuclear agreement with the US in the next two or three days. The BBC has identified the names of more than 180,000 Russian soldiers killed in the war in Ukraine. In a world first, lion DNA has helped to convict poachers in Zimbabwe. And Spanish construction workers have finished work on the tallest tower of the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

After a day of questioning by police on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his role as a UK trade envoy, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been released. He hasn't responded to the BBC's requests for comment on any of the specific allegations prompted by the release of the Epstein files last month. In the United States, members of Congress have urged the US government to take action against associates of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the former Prince's arrest. Also: In Venezuela hundreds of political prisoners could soon be released after an amnesty bill has been approved. Following the recent deadly protest in Iran, it's emerged that dozens of protesters were promising athletes. In Austria, a " gross negligent manslaughter " verdict for a man who left his girlfriend on Austria's highest mountain; The US President welcomes global leaders to Washington for the launch of his "Board of Peace". And scientists make a revolutionary nasal spray universal vaccine for cold, flu, COVID and allergies that works on mice.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is in custody over his links to the late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Police have been looking into allegations he shared documents with Epstein when he was a British trade envoy. Officers have also carried out searches at two addresses in England, including the former prince's residence at Sandringham. Also: a UN fact-finding mission in Sudan has determined that atrocities carried out against non-Arabs by the Rapid Support Forces in Darfur point to genocide. As the Board of Peace meets for the first time in Washington, is Hamas regaining control of Gaza? The paradox of China - the world's biggest polluter has installed more solar and wind projects than the rest of the world. A British couple are sentenced to ten years in prison in Iran. And as the celebrated conservationist David Attenborough approaches 100, we look back at his most memorable broadcast. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

A senior UN official, Rosemary DiCarlo, has told a meeting of the Security Council that Israel's plans for greater controls in the occupied West Bank amount to de facto annexation. Since last week, Israel has approved a series of reforms to property laws, making it easier for Jewish settlements to expand in the West Bank. Also, the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates has pulled out of a keynote address to a major AI summit in India after growing scrutiny over his ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The tech billionaire, Mark Zuckerberg, has defended his Instagram site in a landmark legal case over social media addiction in LA. The Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp owner said he regretted Meta's slow progress in identifying under-age users, in the face of a barrage of criticism. Fiji's former military leader, Frank Bainimarama and a former police commissioner have both been arrested and charged with inciting mutiny. A climber in Austria is going on trial after leaving his girlfriend to die on Austria's highest mountain. How content crazy influencers are taking over restaurants in major cities, one ring light at a time. And, the Australian TV reporter Danika Mason has apologised after appearing drunk in a live broadcast from the Winter Olympics, but not everyone thinks it's a bad thing...The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Kyiv's chief negotiator describes US-mediated negotiations with Russia as difficult and complex, but says there has been progress. Also: European football authorities investigate claims of racism in the Champions League match between Real Madrid and Benfica. Investigators looking into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie say they believe she is being held somewhere close to her home in Arizona. Researchers in Britain assess the threat from the Chikungunya virus in the Asian tiger mosquito, saying it could spread across Europe. The internet page showing the first ever YouTube video is saved for posterity by London's Victoria and Albert Museum. And excitement builds ahead of the debut of Skimo at the Winter Olympics in Italy. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Iran's foreign minister said the two sides agreed on a set of principles that could pave the way for a possible deal. But the US vice president, JD Vance, gave a cautious assessment telling Fox News that Iran had not agreed to "red lines" set by President Trump. Also, Peru has been plunged into renewed political chaos after congress removed the seventh president in a decade on corruption allegations, there are growing fears that a major regional conflict could be about to break out between the Ethiopian federal government and forces in Tigray in the north of the country. NASA warns that there's no known protection against thousands of asteroids which space chiefs say they can't track down and, the Grammy-winning American songwriter, Billy Steinberg, has died at the age of 75.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

The American civil rights leader, Jesse Jackson, who twice ran for the Democratic nomination for president, has died aged 84. Tributes have been flowing in, with President Trump describing him as a good man and a force of nature. In a statement, Reverend Jackson's family called him a "servant leader to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world". Also: Iran says the latest indirect talks on its nuclear programme with the US in Geneva have been more constructive than previous discussions, but warns that more work is needed; one of the world's biggest AI summits is beginning in India this week, with up to 50,000 people gathering in Delhi; and China and other Asian countries are celebrating the Lunar New Year - the start of the Year of the Fire Horse.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.ukPhoto credit: PA

Hillary Clinton, the former US secretary of state, and her husband, the former president Bill Clinton, have agreed to testify in the congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. She said the government's behaviour indicated it had something to hide. President Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and says he broke off contact with the convicted sex offender many years ago. Also: Australia's Prime Minister has refused to repatriate a group of Australians in Syria associated with the Islamic State group, saying they could face prosecution if they went back. Ahead of the resumption of indirect talks, President Trump says he believes the Iranians want to make a deal over its nuclear programme, while the foreign ministry in Tehran says the US is moving towards a "more realistic position". Italy laments the loss of one of the Adriatic's most famous landmarks, the rock structure "Lovers' Arch", which collapsed on Valentine's day following days of bad weather. And, the American actor, Robert Duvall, has died aged 95.

The UK is considering significant increases to its military spending, to three per cent of the public national income within the next three years. The prime minister, Keir Starmer, made the announcement at the Munich Security Conference at the weekend. This would mean additional spending of up to $19bn a year. Also: Supporters of the late Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, have laid flowers at his grave in Moscow while five European countries say they have evidence that Russia poisoned Mr Navalny with a rare toxin linked to the poison dart frog. And why the former US president Barack Obama thinks that aliens exist.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Israel's prime minister has demanded the removal of all enriched uranium from Iran as part of any deal on Tehran's nuclear programme. Benjamin Netanyahu was speaking as Iran's foreign minister travelled to Switzerland for the latest round of indirect talks with the US. Also: In a new Instagram video the American celebrity news host, Savannah Guthrie, has addressed the kidnappers of her eighty- four year old mother, Nancy. She said she and her family still had hope their mother would be returned safely. The alleged gunman of the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia, has appeared via video link at a Sydney court for the first time. Nigerians welcome the return of the celebrated Argungu fishing festival. And how artificial intelligence is changing agriculture. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Two weeks after the latest release of the Epstein files, the headlines keep pouring in.In just the past few days, revelations in the documents have nearly brought down a British prime minister, and implicated politicians and royals from around the world. The files are even fuelling speculation about whether the late sex offender could have been a spy.We speak to Nomia Iqbal, BBC World Affairs Correspondent, about what we've learned this week about the international fallout of the Epstein scandal.The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.Producers: Viv Jones, Valerio Esposito and Xandra Ellin Executive producer: James Shield Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins Photo: Epstein files. Credit: Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA/Shutterstock

European countries say tests show Russia's Alexei Navalny was poisoned with a substance developed from a toxin found in Ecuadorian dart frogs. But the Kremlin denies killing the opposition leader. Also: Marco Rubio delivers a softer line to America's European allies at the Munich Security Conference; there are more global protests against the Iranian government; families of Venezuelan political prisoners go on hunger strike; the "Trump slump" affects US tourism; Cuba's cigar festival is snuffed out; palaeontologists discover giant sloth and elephant-like mastodon fossils; and we visit the British inmates learning how to garden. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

We meet a Ghanaian woman who is challenging stereotypes of beauty and disability by modelling with her prosthetic leg wrapped in colourful kente fabric. Abena Christine Jon'el had her leg amputated when she was just two years old because of an aggressive form of cancer. She says she's fought through so much to survive that she's determined to fight for anyone who's ever felt defeated by life.Also: A mobile gaming app that's helping teenagers in Brazil learn how to support their friends with mental health issues. A scheme teaching gardening skills to prisoners in the UK to help cut the numbers who reoffend after their release.The Washington museum curator who's adopted Gen Z slang to get younger people interested in its works of art. Alison Luchs has attracted over nine million views with two social media posts, and is challenging others to submit similar videos about other exhibits.Plus big baby elephant news, some unusual guard animals, and how one new family helped bring an entire community together, just by showing they cared.Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.(Photo: Abena Christine Jon'el on the catwalk in Ghana. Credit: Vino Studio / Nineteen57 Events)

The Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, and opposition leaders have laid flowers at a memorial in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, to the eight victims of a teenage killer. The estranged father of the suspect has offered his condolences. Also: the leaders of France and Germany have urged the continent to be more assertive in President Trump's new world order. The UN calls on Israel to reverse plans to give itself new powers in the occupied Palestinian West Bank, saying it jeopardises the prospect for a two-state solution. With inflation at around sixty per cent in Iran and the local currency in free-fall against the dollar, we talk to locals in a market in the capital, Tehran. Gisèle Pelicot, the woman at the centre of the largest rape trial in French history, tells the BBC she was "crushed by the horror" of her ordeal - but describes herself as a "survivor". And as couples across the world mark Valentine's Day, we look at why people are increasingly drawn to romantic historical dramas?The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk