Podcasts about Defence minister

Listen to the July 18th, 2026, daily headline round-up and find all the top news that you need to know.

Day 1,603. Today, as Ukraine reels from the dismissal of its popular Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, we examine the speculation surrounding his sudden departure, and reveal details of his new successor. We also bring you the latest on Ukraine's extraordinary campaign in the naval theatre, where more than 100 Russian vessels have been struck in little over a week, before our regular segment on the occupied territories. Finally, with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – one of Ukraine's strongest international supporters – leaving office on Monday, we assess what his successor, Andy Burnham, will mean for the war.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dr Jade McGlynn (Centre for Statecraft and National Security, King's College London)Lilian Fawcett (Senior Producer on Ukraine: The Latest)Producer: Rachel PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest CONTENT REFERENCED:Jade's Project – ‘TOT Insights' (Ukraine's Temporarily Occupied Territories):https://totinsights.org/ Ukraine turns Sea of Azov into graveyard for Russian ships (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/17/ukraine-turns-sea-of-azov-into-graveyard-for-russian-ships/The sacking that turned Ukrainians against Zelensky (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/16/protests-erupt-zelensky-fires-defence-minister-fedorov/Why Zelensky has fired the man beating Russia (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/16/why-zelensky-fired-mykhailo-fedorov/ Starmer tells Zelensky: You have Britain's ‘cast-iron' support (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/07/16/keir-starmer-heads-to-ukraine-volodymyr-zelensky-burnham/Russia Strips Arctic Air Defenses As Ukraine War Strains Military (Radio Liberty):https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-air-defense-removal-arctic-satellite-photos-ukraine-war/33803628.html EMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.HIGHLIGHTS:Spy chief named Ukraine's new defence minister amid Fedorov sacking fallout 12 Russian shadow fleet ships hit in single day Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donnacha O'Beacháin, Professor of Politics at Dublin City University, analyses the latest from Ukraine following the removal of defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov from his post.

President Zelensky of Ukraine has sacked his popular defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, who'd been in the job just six months and was seen as a key figure in the expansion of drone warfare against Russia. Also: As the US launches more strikes on Iranian coastal facilities, Tehran says it's in an existential struggle with the US and its security is dependent on controlling the Strait of Hormuz. The acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche is grilled at the start of his Senate confirmation hearing. France votes to legalise assisted dying for some adults with serious or fatal illnesses. A new international survey suggests that global perceptions of China are becoming more positive, while those of the US are deteriorating. Argentina to face Spain in the football World Cup final after a 2-1 victory over England. Researchers working in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo say they've discovered a new species of monkey.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 Photo: Ukraine's sacked defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov Credit: Reuters/Tom Nicholson

Day 1,602.Following President Zelensky's seismic sacking of 35-year-old Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov – a popular, dynamic moderniser in the government – we bring you the reaction on the streets of Kyiv, where protests have broken out. Reports suggest it was irreconcilable differences with commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi that ultimately got Fedorov dismissed – but also that his personal political ambitions had Zelensky worried. Is this the president's biggest political miscalculation since his move against the country's anti-corruption bodies in 2025? Then, we have the latest Ukrainian strikes on Russian ships in the Black Sea. Finally Adelie learns about the remarkably brave women who have become the backbone of the resistance movement in the occupied territories.Contributors:Roland Oliphant (Chief Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X.Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.Producer: Phil AtkinsSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest CONTENT REFERENCED:Protests erupt after Zelensky fires popular defence minister (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/16/protests-erupt-zelensky-fires-defence-minister-fedorov/ Zelensky rejected push to fire Syrskyi as commander-in-chief, Fedorov reveals (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/fedorov-admits-trying-to-replace-syrskyi-before-his-dismissal-as-defense-minister/ Russia's Engels air base reportedly struck in Ukrainian drone attack (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/russias-engels-air-base-reportedly-struck-in-ukrainian-drone-attack/The Warrior-Witches of Ukraine's Resistance (Ken Harbaugh in The Atlantic):https://www.theatlantic.com/international/2026/06/underground-intelligence-network-russia-ukraine/687578/EMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.HIGHLIGHTS:Protests sweep Ukraine Zelensky sacks 'modernising' defence minister Fedorov Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Protests have been taking place in several Ukrainian cities against President Volodymyr Zelensky's surprise dismissal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. We get reaction from an opposition Ukrainian MP. Also on the programme: a court in Italy has given a 12-year sentence to the former motorway boss blamed for the fatal collapse of a bridge in Genoa in 2018; and we hear from Nasa's head of science about its new super-powerful telescope. (Photo: Ukraine's Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov attends a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, after a meeting of Nato Defence Ministers at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels, 12 February, 2026. Credit: Reuters)

Mykhailo Fedorov stands down after only 6 months. Critics of President Zelensky say that he looks weak after accepting the loss of his innovative Defence Minister. Also in the programme: wildfires in Scotland's Cairngorm Mountains and Christina Kahlo on her famous great aunt, Frida.

A week of major military successes for Ukraine is overshadowed by a self-inflicted political crisis in Kyiv. Hosts Saul David and Patrick Bishop break down President Volodymyr Zelensky's highly controversial dismissal of both his Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, and the young, popular, and deeply effective Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov. The hosts explain why this move is being called Zelensky's "biggest mistake since the start of the full-scale invasion," sparking mass protests across Ukraine. On a brighter note, the hosts look at a massive new defence pact with France, which has handed Ukraine the blueprints to co-produce SCALP EG cruise missiles and Aster air defence missiles. Meanwhile, Ukraine's relentless drone campaign triggers a massive Russian fuel deficit, causing fistfights at petrol pumps and halting shipping routes. Quick Highlights:The Fedorov Sacking: Why Zelenskyy ousted his widely praised defence minister over a rumoured power struggle and popularity jealousy, threatening Kyiv's international status. France's SCALP Blueprint: The details of a major new pact allowing Ukraine to build French SCALP cruise missiles, Aster missiles, and precision-guided bombs domestically. Crimea Blockaded by Air and Sea: How Ukrainian drones crippled 100 Russian tankers, shutting down seaborne shipping through the Don-Azov Canal. The "Freya" Initiative: A look at Europe's new $700,000 anti-ballistic system, a highly cost-effective Ukrainian-led alternative to the multi-million-dollar Patriot system. The F-16s in Action: An update on how Ukraine is successfully utilising its F-16 jets to knock down Russian cruise missiles and deliver precision-guided bombs. An Atomised Russian Society: Why drone strikes on infrastructure might actually be degrading Russian public support for the war, challenging traditional WWII assumptions.Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.comFollow us on:X - @PodBattlegroundInstagram - podbattlegroundProducer: James HodgsonA Goalhanger Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's surprise move to replace popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has caused an outburst of anger from civil society and criticism from MPs. We hear reaction from Oleksandr Merezhko, a lawmaker with Mr Zelensky's Servant of the People Party.Also in the programme: US President Donald Trump is set to address the nation overnight, but not all of the country's major networks will air it live. And with only 41 cinemas in the world showing Sir Christopher Nolan's new adaptation of The Odyssey on IMAX 70mm film, what's the appeal of celluloid over digital projection?

"If Zelenskyy decides to remove Fedorov, it's gonna be his biggest mistake during the war."Welcome to the inaugural episode of Battleground: The Big Picture, where we cut through the fog of information to bring you the unfiltered reality of global conflicts.In this episode, we sit down with Oleksiy Sorokin, the co-founder and deputy chief editor of The Kyiv Independent.Oleksiy pulls back the curtain on the immense pressures facing the free press in Ukraine, the shifting dynamics of power within the Zelenskyy administration, and the ground-level realities of combating sophisticated Russian disinformation. From the decline of oligarch rule to the critical military dependency on Western air defence, this episode offers an essential, clear-eyed look at the internal and external forces shaping the future of the region.Highlights:The Birth of The Kyiv Independent: How a team of journalists took back control of their voices after being abruptly fired from the Kyiv Post for refusing to silence their political reporting.Inside the Russian Mindset: An analysis of why domestic support for the war is shifting due to practical daily hardships—like fuel shortages and economic strain—rather than moral awakenings.The Death of Oligarch Rule: How the full-scale invasion inadvertently shattered the political and economic grip of Ukraine's wealthy elite, consolidating unprecedented power within the government.Political Tensions & Reshuffles: The internal polling anxieties surrounding former Armed Forces Chief Zaluzhnyi and the potentially catastrophic stakes of moving the popular Defence Minister, Fedorov.The Battlefield Truth: Why long-range Ukrainian drone strikes are changing the narrative, but the critical depletion of Patriot air defence interceptors leaves major cities highly vulnerable to ballistic missile attacks.Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.comFollow us on:X - @PodBattlegroundInstagram - podbattlegroundProducer: James HodgsonA Goalhanger Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Defence Minister says we can't just follow Australia's footsteps as the time for replacing our two ageing warships nears. The NZ Initiative says the frigates need to retire within a decade, with complex geopolitics adding urgency. It says the replacements will impact our status as a maritime nation, and our trade routes and defence capabilities for the next generation. Minister Chris Penk told Kerre Woodham we want to be able to coordinate with Australia but have other needs. He says it might come down to cost, different capability needs, or wanting to be more active in the Antarctic, for example. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Defence Minister says New Zealand will think carefully about joining the recently signed defence alliance between Fiji and Australia. The Ocean of Peace Alliance was signed by the leaders of Australia and Fiji last week, but concerns have been raised over how it could impact our relationship with China. Minister Chris Penk says working together is important for all Pacific nations and there's a potential role for New Zealand in there. "We'll consider carefully the obligations under that - at the moment, it's just between Australia and Fiji, and we congratulate them for working together on matters of regional security." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel's Defence Minister has said his country was prepared to resume its military campaign against Iran if needed, vowing to do so “with even greater force”. This comes as the US and Iran continue to trade strikes. With the latest on this was BBC World Affairs Editor, John Simpson.

Israel's Defence Minister has said his country was prepared to resume its military campaign against Iran if needed, vowing to do so “with even greater force”. This comes as the US and Iran continue to trade strikes. With the latest on this was BBC World Affairs Editor, John Simpson.

A former Defence Minister says it's clear we have to voice our opposition to China testing a nuclear-capable missile in the South Pacific. It launched the long-range ballistic test missile yesterday, just hours after warning New Zealand of its plans. Foreign Minister Winston Peters says it's a move inconsistent with peace in the region. Former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp told Mike Hosking it was in the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, which we helped create. He says other nations test missiles, but none in this nuclear free zone. It's also his view that it's likely a coincidence that China tested the missile the same day Australia and Fiji signed a security alliance. Australia and Fiji signed a landmark alliance pledging mutual defence and left the door open to other Pacific nations joining the pact. Mapp told Hosking he doesn't think the test had much to do with the agreement – it takes a bit of time to set up a missile test, and isn't something which can be done in 24 hours. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For review:1.  The U.S. government on Tuesday hit Cuban state companies with new sanctions.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the sanctions target five Cuban entities, including three linked to Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A., a business conglomerate operated by Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces. 2. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Washington would not accept Iranian tolls or fees on the Strait of Hormuz, as disputes over the vital waterway, nuclear inspections, and missiles exposed early strains in negotiations to end the Middle East war. 3. Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed Wednesday that the IDF will not withdraw from its southern Lebanon security zone, “even if there is an American demand,” while adding there was no such demand at this time. 4. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel needs to be “free” from military dependence on the United States and develop its own weapons-production capabilities, arguing that this is needed to support the ongoing fight with Iran and its terror proxies. 5.  A senior Islamic State leader was killed by an airstrike last week, Central Command announced on Wednesday,. Ali Husayn al-Ulaywi was killed in a precision airstrike on June 19.6.  U.S. President Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Group of Seven summit in France that he would consider letting Ukraine build its own Patriot interceptor missiles.7.  The Missile Defense Agency today awarded Lockheed Martin a $35 billion undefined contract action (UCA) to quadruple production of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors over a seven-year period, the company and the Defense Department announced. 

Washington is engaging plenty with its Indo-Pacific allies these days … just not always on the things they want, and too often on things they don't. So how do savvy allies steer that relationship when the world's most powerful partner feels less predictable than ever?To find out, Ray Powell and Jim Carouso sit down with Marise Payne, Australia's former Defence Minister and Foreign Minister. Marise helped launch AUKUS and grow the Quad, and navigated the first Trump administration from both chairs. Now a distinguished visiting fellow at Stanford's Hoover Institution, Payne brings rare insider perspective on how middle powers keep America engaged and what they must build for themselves when it drifts.In a wide-ranging conversation, Payne unpacks:Why "fewer Shangri-Las, more submarines" sets up a false choice, and why showing up still mattersThe AUKUS reality check: what the shift from the "optimal pathway" means, and the social license challenge facing CanberraWhether Pillar One is now on a "suboptimal pathway," and the case for driving Pillar Two harderHow the Quad found its feet again after COVID, and why the New Delhi foreign ministers' meeting mattersReassuring a skeptical ASEAN on nuclear submarines, and the relationship-first diplomacy that made it workChina's "do as I say, not as I do" stance on Japan's remilitarizationThe contrast between leading Defence and Foreign Affairs: "straight lines" versus "grasping at wisps of smoke"It's a practitioner's masterclass in alliance management for an era of strategic uncertainty. Essential listening for anyone tracking US-China competition, AUKUS, national defense, diplomacy and the future of the Indo-Pacific.Follow Marise Payne on Facebook Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast, LinkedIn, or FacebookFollow Ray Powell on X, @GordianKnotRay, or LinkedIn, or check out his maritime transparency work at SeaLightFollow Jim Carouso on LinkedInSponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific

The US and Iranian presidents have signed a memorandum of understanding which could be a first step to ending the war between the two countries. It includes an end to fighting on all fronts, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the US blockade of Iranian ports. Also: Japan's Defence Minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, tells the BBC that strengthening the country's military capabilities is critical to preventing war in the region; archaeologists in Britain believe they've found a precursor to Stonehenge just five kilometres from the prehistoric monument; how AI helped the survival chances of two sisters who'd been born conjoined at the head; and Teddie Beverley, the last surviving member of the famous British singing trio, the Beverley Sisters, has died at the age of 99. 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 Photo: US President Donald Trump signs the US Iran deal in Versailles, France, alongside the President of France Emmanuel Macron Credit: White House Television Service/EVN

A tumultuous week for Britain's faltering rearmament plans sees Defence Secretary John Healey resign from Keir Starmer's cabinet, saying the prime minister and the Treasury lack the will to properly fund the defence of the nation. Al Carns, the armed forces minister, also resigned saying the government's long-awaited Defence Investment Plan (DIP) was 'not built for the threat we face'. The departures raise further questions over whether the DIP can address the costs and trade-offs involved in strengthening UK defence. Meanwhile, European leaders struggle to coordinate their own rearmament amid concerns that America will withdraw from the defence of the continent. Bronwen Maddox looks at the defence predicament in the UK and Europe, with UK in the World Programme director Olivia O'Sullivan, and International Security Programme director Marion Messmer. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House.   Read Chatham House's latest: Comment | The FCAS fighter jet looks like it's dead. Could that be a good thing? Comment | Will the UK's Defence Investment Plan finally be honest about Britain's defence?  Comment | John Healey's resignation highlights profound strategic failure in the UK government's approach to defence Audio | The Climate Briefing podcast

Listen to the top News of 12/06/2026 from Australia in Hindi.

Concerns about the impact on AUKUS after Britain's defence minister quits, A state funeral to honour Aboriginal education leader Professor Peter Buckskin, Migrant communities in Australia celebrate the start of the FIFA World Cup.

Your daily news in under three minutes. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Defence Minister Richard Marles's visit to the UK has been thrown off course, after his British counterpart resigned, just hours before they were due to meet. 

Defence Minister Richard Marles's visit to the UK has been thrown off course, after his British counterpart resigned, just hours before they were due to meet. 

Eminent speakers at the Nomura Investment Forum Asia – Dr. Ng Eng Hen and Sir Richard Moore – discuss geopolitics, US-China relations, and the Middle East conflict. Dr Ng Eng Hen, formerly Singapore's Defence Minister, shares his thoughts on shifts in US policies and the implications for Asia. Sir Richard Moore, senior strategist at Sixth Street and former MI6 chief, weighs in on prospects of a long drawn-out war in Iran. 

Airlangga Julio - The People versus Fadli Zon Last month marked the 28th anniversary of the mass rioting, that shook Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, and other major cities for several days in mid-May 1998. There was widespread looting and arson, which resulted in the deaths of over a 1000 people and large-scale property damage and capital flight. Soon, it was also revealed that incidents of sexual assaults and rapes had occurred on a massive scale. The rioters' targets were overwhelmingly properties and businesses owned by ethnic Chinese Indonesians. The victims of sexual violence and rapes were also, although not exclusively, Chinese, Indonesian women. In the following days, Suharto's authority became fractured and his regime fell, ushering in the Reformasi era. Key actors involved in these events of almost three decades ago, are today at the centre of power in Indonesia. Prabowo Subianto, now President, was then Commander of Kostrad, the Army Strategic Reserve Command, and Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, now Defence Minister, was then Commander in charge of Jakarta, Pangkoops Jaya. At the time, Sjamsoeddin's failure to protect the capital was singled out for condemnation. Around the fringes of these events was also Fadli Zon, a long-time supporter of Prabowo, who by his own account, was close to the now president as the events of May 1998 played out. When he was appointed the Minister of Culture in Prabowo's first cabinet in 2024, Fadli Zon immediately embarked on a controversial project to rewrite Indonesia's official history for school curricula. He had a particular interest in the way in which the history of May 1998 would be represented. This became a focus in his public statements about the project, including challenging the historical account of these events accepted by the official government-appointed task force set up after the riots, and by rigorous academic research. Then in June 2025, Zon went on the record questioning if sexual assaults and rapes had taken place. A few months later, a group of advocates, including some of those directly involved in the fact-finding investigation and who provided support to victims at the time, filed a case against the minister in the Jakarta Administrative Court. Following several months of evidence, the trial concluded in April 2026. What was the nature of their case against Minister Zon? How did the court respond? And what implications might this case have for the broader struggle for human rights protections and democracy in Indonesia right now? In this week's episode Jemma chats with Airlangga Julio, associate lawyer at AMAR Law Firm and Public Interest Law Office and a member of the Tim Advokasi Untuk Demokrasi (TAUD, Advocacy Team for Democracy). In 2026, the Talking Indonesia podcast is co-hosted by Dr Jemma Purdey from the Australia-Indonesia Centre, Dr Jacqui Baker from Murdoch University, Dr Elisabeth Kramer from the University of New South Wales, Tito Ambyo from RMIT and Dr Clara Siagian from University College, London.

All three coalition parties have scrambled to squash any question of the country's nuclear-free policy - after the new Defence Minister appeared to reopen the debate over the weekend. While in Singapore for security talks, Chris Penk told media it would be helpful for New Zealand to have a conversation about its approach to nuclear-powered submarines, given Australia is purchasing some. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch has more.

The Prime Minister is ruling out any changes to the country's nuclear free status, despite Defence Minister Chris Penk suggesting a conversation about it could be helpful. Former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

I don't think anyone should be offended by Pete Hegseth saying that New Zealand is freeloading off the American military. This is not a controversial thing at all to say. The Australians have been privately complaining about us sponging off them for decades – they've urged us to lift our spend to 2% of GDP for decades. We have kept our spending at only 1%, or thereabouts, for decades. Wayne Mapp, the former Defence Minister, probably said the quiet bit out loud when he said yesterday that we don't need to lift our spending any higher than it is because we have so much water between us and everyone else that it makes us basically the safest nation on Earth. Which is A, probably what most of us think anyway about why we don't need to spend more, and B, an unbelievably short-sighted thing to say. We know the world is heating up out there, right? From Ukraine to Iran to Taiwan. We know Xi wants to take Taiwan. Some reckon it's going to happen in months, not years, worst case scenario. We also know that we don't know what that sets off in our part of the world. Now Mapp is right in what he's implying. An invasion of New Zealand is not really a concern, but shipping routes are, aren't they? Just look at what's going on with the Strait of Hormuz – imagine that's us trying to get our food out and our fuel in. We would not be able to keep a shipping route open by ourselves. We would need Australia or the States, and they are not going to help us if we're not prepared to help as well. Our gear is getting old, our frigates need replacing, they're old tech anyway. A billion dollar frigate can be sunk by a $300 drone nowadays, so we're going to need drones and we're going to need lots of them. We can't look around the world in 2026, as our only ally, Australia, spends more on defence, and as NATO lifts its spending, and see China making inroads into the Pacific and think we don't need to up our dollars as well. Of course we do. Say what you like about the shortcomings and the errors of the Trump administration, and there are plenty, but there is one thing they have been right about and have actually managed to start fixing, and that is that Western countries need to spend more on defence, and that includes us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“We choose our defence spending and no one else,” the Prime Minister says as the United States continues to pressure other nations, including New Zealand, to increase military spending. Speaking with Heather du Plessis-Allan on Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking Breakfast, Christoper Luxon has backed New Zealand's defence spending. Luxon denied New Zealand is “freeloading” off America after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth fired comments at New Zealand over the weekend. “We choose our defence spending and no one else,” Luxon said. “I'm damn proud we're doubling [the budget] it's been run down over 30 years and it's a big job building it back.” He said spending 2.5% of the country's GDP on defence was “a start and a good place for us to get to” in wake of recent conflict. Luxon confirmed New Zealand is going to maintain its nuclear-free position. “It's [nuclear-free] one of the best things we've done. “I'm very proud and it isn't changing while I'm prime minister. Period.” Over the long weekend, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth told the Shangri-La Dialogue defence and security conference that New Zealand was “freeloading” off the US military. The claim came in response to a question from Kiwi journalist Anna Fifield, after Hegseth said allies that “refuse to stand up and carry their weight for our collective defence will face a clear shift in how we do business”. At the Singapore conference, Hegseth said he expected allied governments to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence. Last week's Budget outlined how New Zealand will boost defence spending to just over 2% of GDP over eight years. Fifield asked Hegseth if that meant New Zealand was considered a “free rider”. Hegseth said 2% of GDP was not enough, so “2% is freeloading” – though he also said New Zealand and the US' relationship had been “a very fruitful one for a very long time”. Allies couldn't just say: “‘Oh, we've been friends for a long time, so let's work together',” Hegseth said. “It's: ‘We've been friends for a long time so you better have the same visibility as we do, because if we don't, our alliance is meaningless'.” Hegseth also said he didn't have anything against New Zealand and was looking forward to working with New Zealand's Defence Minister and ”enhancing capabilities". Defence Minister Chris Penk was in the audience. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says New Zealand is "freeloading" from the American military because of our low military spend. The remarks were made at an Asia-Pacific security conference in Singapore, attended by Defence Minister Chris Penk. The New Zealand Government has already announced plans to lift defence spending to around 2% of GDP over coming years — nearly double what we currently spend — but Hegseth says allies should really be aiming closer to 3.5%. That raises some big questions. At a time when New Zealanders are worried about the cost of living, hospitals and public services, why should defence move up the priority list? What are the risks if countries like New Zealand don't step up militarily? Defence Minister Chris Penk joins Tim Beveridge to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Defence Minister says our geographical separation should negate the need to up our defence spending. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's accused New Zealand of freeloading off the US military by spending 2 percent of GDP on defence. He's revealed expectations that US allies spend 3.5 percent of GDP, at a global security summit in Singapore. But Wayne Mapp says the Pacific isn't facing threats of invasion, the same way NATO countries are. "Everything that comes to New Zealand costs more. Every place we go to costs more, but there is one advantage we get out of it, and that's security." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has said he is committed to large-scale migration of Palestinians from Gaza “at the right time and in the right manner”, as part of Israel's long-term plans for the territory.Joining Shane to discuss this further is Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.Image: Reuters

The Government says drones are the way of the future for our military. As part of a $1.58 billion investment in maritime security ahead of the Budget, the Government will invest in two different types of unmanned aerial aircraft for collecting intelligence. It says there are manufacturers and suppliers of the technology here already. Defence Minister Chris Penk says it's important to invest in the best technology. "I'm really pleased that we've managed to find some creative ways to do things a bit differently in defence, as well as the dollar figures involved." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Defence Minister says our forces will help plug a gap in Ukraine aid. The Government's revealed New Zealand will be involved in an initiative to train Ukraine forces in Poland. It includes personnel from countries like Denmark, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Ukraine. Ron Mark says Ukraine soldiers do basic training before learning specialties. "What does New Zealand offer? They take the pressure off of the Ukrainian training system, and getting their soldiers through that first phase. That's pretty essential." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2026-05-01 | UPDATES #189 | Girkin has issued another outburst from prison — 'we are heading for military defeat.' The man who did more than most to start this war now says it is lost. He is a criminal, but this pronouncement is worth listening to. The implication, the Putin regime has lost control of its own founding myth – its own justification for existing. The rest is failure and defeat. His name is Igor Vsevolodovich Girkin. Pen name: Strelkov — the Shooter. Former colonel of Russia's FSB. The self-proclaimed man who "pulled the war's trigger" in April 2014 by leading armed Russian militants across the border into Sloviansk. The so-called Defence Minister of the Donetsk People's Republic. Convicted in absentia by a Dutch court in November 2022 for the mass murder of 298 civilians on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. By any honest accounting, an international war criminal of the first order.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Ukrainian News (Ukranews.com) — "Terrorist Girkin predicts Russia's military defeat" (Late April 2026) Euronews — "EU approves €90 billion loan for Ukraine after Hungary lifts controversial veto" (23 April 2026)Council on Foreign Relations — "Orbán's Fall in Hungary Opens a Door for Europe — and Closes One for Russia" — Liana Fix and Benjamin Harris (3 April 2026) Ukrainska Pravda / European Pravda — "Hungary's Magyar comments on EU's €90bn loan for Ukraine" (13 April 2026) Ukrainska Pravda — "EU wants to unblock €90bn for Ukraine as quickly as possible after Orbán's defeat" (13 April 2026)Wikipedia — Igor Girkin (Strelkov) The Moscow Times — "Ex-Rebel Leader Girkin Sentenced to 4 Years for Extremism After Criticizing War" (25 January 2024) Newsweek — "Putin's forces heading to military 'defeat,' former Russian commander warns" (April 2023)Newsweek — "Russia has suffered 'strategic defeat' as war nears 10th month: Igor Girkin" (December 2022) The New Voice of Ukraine — "Former 'DPR' leader argues Russia is 'heading for a military defeat'" (April 2023) ----------

Former Defence Minister Ron Mark says its not clear how New Zealand could meaningfully support reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The US has formally provided an initial plan to New Zealand for the Government to consider - but Foreign Minister Winston Peters says more detail's needed. Mark told Heather du Plessis Allan that our defence forces have reduced capability - and he could only see us helping with aerial surveying. He says we are strategically irrelevant right now - and there's no way he could see us deploying a frigate. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ray white speaks to Dr Adeoye Akinola, Head of Research and Teaching at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation at the University of Johannesburg about the latest deadly escalation in Mali. The country was rocked by intense fighting as armed groups including jihadists and rebel forces launched coordinated attacks on military bases, the airport, and key strategic areas. What followed was chaos, fear, and a deepening sense of uncertainty. 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station. Bongani makes sense of the news, interviews the key newsmakers of the day, and holds those in power to account on your behalf. The team bring you all you need to know to start your day Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa broadcast on 702: https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/36edSLV or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/zEcM35T Subscribe to the 702 Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio7See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World news in 7 minutes. Tuesday 28th April 2026.Today: US dinner shooter. Microsoft-OpenAI rift. Brazil concert death. Mali defence minister. South Sudan crash. China blocks Meta. Lebanon airstrikes. Germany Merz comments. Romania coalition. And Adidas shares rise. With Ben MallettSEND7 is supported by our amazing listeners like you.Our supporters get access to the transcripts written by us every day.Our supporters get access to an English worksheet made by us once per week.Our supporters get access to our weekly news quiz made by us once per week.We give 10% of our profit to Effective Altruism charities.You can become a supporter at send7.org/supportContact us at podcast@send7.org or send an audio message at speakpipe.com/send7Please leave a rating on Apple podcasts or Spotify.We don't use AI! Every word is written and recorded by us!Since 2020, SEND7 (Simple English News Daily in 7 minutes) has been telling the most important world news stories in intermediate English. Every day, listen to the most important stories from every part of the world in slow, clear English. Whether you are an intermediate learner trying to improve your advanced, technical and business English, or if you are a native speaker who just wants to hear a summary of world news as fast as possible, join Stephen Devincenzi, Ben Mallett and Juliet Martin every morning. Transcripts, worksheets and our weekly world news quiz are available for our amazing supporters at send7.org. Simple English News Daily is the perfect way to start your day, by practising your listening skills and understanding complicated stories in a simple way. It is also highly valuable for IELTS and TOEFL students. Students, teachers, TEFL teachers, and people with English as a second language, tell us that they use SEND7 because they can learn English through hard topics, but simple grammar. We believe that the best way to improve your spoken English is to immerse yourself in real-life content, such as what our podcast provides. SEND7 covers all news including politics, business, natural events and human rights. Whether it is happening in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas or Oceania, you will hear it on SEND7, and you will understand it.For more information visit send7.org/contact or send an email to podcast@send7.org

Your daily news in under three minutes. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Defence Minister Marles has a new plan for Australia, but what's actually in it? 

Malaysia offers Anthony Albanese more petrol after praising him for being pro-Palestinian, the Defence Minister warns China is arming up and we need more weapons. Plus, Harry And Meghan Markle's fake royal tour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Defence Minister has warned that the handling of the arrest of Ben Roberts-Smith will cause people to reconsider joining the Australian Defence Force.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The army is ramping up combat training amid growing Indo-Pacific security risks. Senior commanders say the pressure on our defence forces is greater than at any point in recent memory, citing a dangerous strategic backdrop of Chinese expansion in the Pacific and an increasingly unstable world order. Former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp told Mike Hosking we actually had a much bigger deployment in the first part of the century, but pressures have shifted. He says uncertainty has replaced predictability, which has created a level of anxiety everyone's experiencing. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a war between Israel, the US and Iran...but how did Lebanon get dragged into it? Its militia group, Hezbollah, is a loyal proxy of the Iranian regime, placing tens of millions of Lebanese citizens at risk in the name of loyalty to its top financier and ally. More than 1000 people have been killed, and more than a million have been displaced. Earlier this week Israel's Defence Minister said his country plans on annexing a large portion of southern Lebanon for security purposes, a move Canada denounced. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Aurel Braun, a political science and international relations professor at the University of Toronto to discuss the Lebanese government's complex relationship with Hezbollah, how Canada and other NATO countries could help the government dismantle the militia, and what comes next for its civilians. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Tobias Ellwood, former British government defence minister and speaker on international security, discusses the latest on the war in the Middle East.

Israel's Defence Minister says Israeli and U.S. airstrikes on Iran will be stepped up, significantly in the coming days - just a day after President Donald Trump mused about "winding down" the war. Meanwile, at least one managed to break through Israel's air defences, hitting a building near the country's main nuclear facility. Israel is promising to retaliate, while issuing new warnings about Iran's long-range capabilities. Also: In Hawaii, the island of Oahu has been experiencing catastrophic flooding caused by a "Kona low" - a seasonal sub-tropical cyclone. The flooding has caused officials to issue an evacuation order for thousands of people in the North Shore. It's the worst flooding Hawaii's most populous island has seen in twenty years. And: Complaints about Canada's big telecoms reached an all-time high last year. According to a recent watchdog report, More than 23-thousand Canadians lodged complaints, with billing problems topping the list. The CBC's Marketplace went inside the system, hearing from whistleblowers on the pressure they face inside call centres.Plus: France's local elections, Hong Kong rethinking the use of bamboo scaffolding, Melting of the world's oldest and largest iceberg, and more.

Defence Minister Judith Collins says it's vital New Zealand's able to look after a vast area, stretching from Antarctica to Tonga. The Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces have laid out their plans for a combat-capable ANZAC force by 2035. Defence Minister Judith Collins told Mike Hosking it makes absolute sense for us to be closer with Australia. She says it's not as though our two countries will be a threat to anybody, but it means we can make use of our assets and people in a much more clever way. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Day 1,370.Today, as the United States holds secret talks with separate Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Abu Dhabi, we unpack the emerging 19-point peace plan – and react live on air to breaking reports that President Zelensky has agreed to the framework of a potential deal. We then gauge the mood in Europe's capitals: is this a moment of quiet strategy and resolution, or rising panic as the diplomatic landscape shifts beneath their feet?ContributorsFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Zelensky ‘agrees' to Trump's amended peace deal (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/25/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news5338/ Trump and Zelensky set for crunch talks on peace plan (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/24/trump-zelensky-ukraine-peace-plan-talks/ Battle for Ukraine splits Trump's top team (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/11/25/ukraines-future-depends-who-wins-battle-white-house/ How Trump's 28-point plan for Ukraine shocked the world (Axios):https://www.axios.com/2025/11/24/trump-ukraine-plan-28-points-back-story Japan to deploy missiles to island near Taiwan, Defence Minister sayshttps://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/japan-to-deploy-missiles-to-island-near-taiwan-defence-minister-says US and Ukraine draft new 19-point peace plan but defer biggest decisions (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/883e5a47-430c-4fc2-85ee-cd6af9bb599d Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.