A spokesman for Britain's prime minister, Keir Starmer, has said President Trump was wrong to diminish the role of NATO troops during the war in Afghanistan. There's been an angry backlash to the US president's claims that NATO allies avoided the frontline during the conflict. The Polish defence minister said the sacrifice of their troops should not be forgotten. The Dutch foreign minister described Mr Trump's comments as false. Roughly a third of coalition soldiers killed in Afghanistan were no...
Jan 23, 2026•25 min
Long-running negotiations to secure TikTok’s future in the US have ended. The Chinese social media app will split its American operations from the rest of its global business. Also: Ukraine's President Zelensky says Kyiv and the US have reached a deal on post-war security guarantees, ahead of the first set of trilateral peace negotiations; the BBC is given rare access to facilities in Yemen where former detainees report being blindfolded, beaten and sexually abused; the US concludes the complica...
Jan 23, 2026•27 min
Donald Trump has presided over a signing ceremony inaugurating his Board of Peace. Speaking in Davos, he expressed his belief that it'll help forge what he called a "glorious and everlasting" peace for the Middle East and the wider world. Nearly twenty other dignitaries have signed the agreement. Mr Trump said the board would work in conjunction with the United Nations. Critics say it is designed to replace some of the UN's functions. Also: Denmark's prime minister has insisted her country's ter...
Jan 22, 2026•31 min
President Trump has said that a possible deal covering the future of Greenland will achieve "everything" he wants - after rowing back on threats to seize the island by force or levy further tariffs on European allies who oppose his desire to own it. Mr Trump announced he had agreed what he called the "framework of a future deal" after talks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, but gave few details. Also: several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt, say they'll join President Tru...
Jan 22, 2026•29 min
US President Donald Trump says he is seeking immediate negotiations to acquire Greenland. He told world leaders at the Davos World Economic Forum that he wouldn't use force to take the semi-autonomous Danish territory. Also: The BBC has seen photos of hundreds of victims of the bloody suppression of protests in Iran that were shown to relatives trying to identify the dead. The man who assassinated the former Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has been sentenced to life in prison. Safety measur...
Jan 21, 2026•25 min
Donald Trump says "we will work something out" over Greenland, ahead of meetings with European leaders at the World Economic Forum. Mr Trump made the remarks at a news conference to mark the first anniversary of his second term. Also: Snapchat's parent company settles a social media addiction lawsuit. The Syrian government announces another ceasefire deal with Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Relatives of anti-government protesters killed in a crackdown by the Iranian authorities struggle t...
Jan 21, 2026•28 min
The European Commission President says that the EU stands in "full solidarity" with Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark - adding that their sovereignty is "non-negotiable". Ursula von der Leyen warned there would be an "unflinching" and "united" response to the US threat to take over the island. Also: Donald Trump has condemned Britain's decision to give away the Chagos Islands as an "act of great stupidity;" The British government has given approval for China to build a super-embassy in centra...
Jan 20, 2026•24 min
Donald Trump says he will "100%" follow through on his threat to impose further tariffs if a deal isn’t reached over Greenland. He also refuses to rule out the use of force. Denmark has "substantially" increased the number of soldiers deployed to the autonomous Danish territory -- although they're part of exercises aimed at Russia rather than the United States. President Trump has told the Norwegian prime minister that he can no longer think, in his words, "purely of peace", and that he wants "c...
Jan 20, 2026•27 min
Keir Starmer has given a special address to set out Britain's stance over Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on European countries opposing his move to annex Greenland. The British prime minister said tariffs were no way to resolve differences within an alliance, and that calm discussion was needed instead. Also: Mr Trump criticises Norway, mistakenly accusing its government of not awarding him the Nobel Peace Prize; Investigations begin after Spain's worst train crash in a decade; the Pent...
Jan 19, 2026•25 min
At least twenty-one people are killed in Spain after two high-speed trains collide. The accident occurred when a train travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed near Adamuz in Andalusia, crossing on to another track. Also: the dispute between European countries and the United States - over Donald Trump's determination to annex Greenland - continues to escalate; Senegal wins the Africa Cup of Nations in men's football for the second time after an enthralling - and sometimes chaotic - final; China...
Jan 19, 2026•28 min
For most of the years since World War 2, many global powers said they adhered to a rules-based international order. Since Donald Trump returned to the White House that idea is falling away. But did it ever exist in reality? And what’s the alternative now? The BBC’s International Editor Jeremy Bowen wraps up our week of special coverage. Producers: Cat Farnsworth and Xandra Ellin Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign ...
Jan 18, 2026•29 min
President Trump warns he'll impose fresh trade tariffs on countries that oppose his plan to annex Greenland. European leaders have condemned the move, describing it as blackmail. Also: Iran's supreme leader acknowledges that "a few thousand people" were murdered during recent anti-government protests; a US federal judge calls for ICE agents in Minneapolis to face restrictions; Yoweri Museveni becomes Uganda's president for the seventh time in a row; NASA's Artemis II Moon rocket arrives at the l...
Jan 18, 2026•30 min
We hear from a woman whose determination to avoid going blind has inspired her doctors to develop a new treatment for a rare eye condition. Nicki Guy says the injection of a low cost, water-based gel has been life changing and given her the chance to see her son grow up. The treatment has already helped restore the eyesight of dozens of other people with hypotony - which can cause the eye to collapse, leading to blindness. Also: the new Barbie doll that's designed to help improve understanding a...
Jan 17, 2026•25 min
President Trump has named the members of his 'Board of Peace' that will oversee the second phase of the Gaza peace plan. Among them are the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and the former British prime minister, Sir Tony Blair. But no Palestinian or Arab has been appointed. Also, two tiny fragments of one of mediaeval Europe's greatest artworks, the Bayeux Tapestry, have been returned to France from Germany years after they were stolen. Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the late Shah of Iran, h...
Jan 17, 2026•23 min
Against the backdrop of Donald Trump's tariffs, America's closest ally, Canada, has struck a trade agreement with its rival, China. Speaking in Beijing, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the relationship with China had been "more predictable" than the one with the US. Is President Trump pushing his allies into Beijing's orbit? Also: Taiwan's tech firms will invest $250 billion in the US in exchange for lower tariffs. The government of Myanmar has begun its defence at the International Cou...
Jan 16, 2026•33 min
Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gave her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Trump at a private White House meeting, calling it a recognition of his “unique commitment” to Venezuelan freedom. Mr Trump posted on social media that it was a gesture of mutual respect, and thanked her. The talks come weeks after US forces seized Nicolas Maduro in Caracas and charged him with drug trafficking. Also: President Trump threatens to deploy military personnel to Minnesota as tensions gro...
Jan 16, 2026•30 min
A year-long investigation by the BBC Afghan Service has found that two groups are competing for power within the Taliban leadership. One is aligned to the supreme leader and his hardline policies. The other is said to favour more international engagement and giving women wider access to education. Also: Elon Musk's social media platform X has announced new measures to stop its AI chatbot, Grok, creating sexualised images of real people. This function will now be blocked, including for paying sub...
Jan 15, 2026•27 min
The United States has not changed its ambition of taking over Greenland after hosting high level talks at the White House. Denmark's foreign minister described the discussions as constructive, but warned there was still a fundamental disagreement over the Arctic island's future. Also: President Trump says the killing of protesters in Iran has stopped amid threat of US strikes; the Gaza peace plan moves to phase two; a leaked recording of the Taliban in Afghanistan hints at political division; th...
Jan 15, 2026•30 min
Erfan Soltani, arrested during Iran's crackdown on protesters, faces imminent execution, his family says. The human rights group, Hrana, reports that more than 2,500 people have been killed in the protests. Also: As Russian strikes damage Ukraine's power grid, many in Kyiv have started sleeping on specially outfitted trains to keep warm. At least 32 people are dead in Thailand after a construction crane falls onto a moving train. The leaders of Japan and South Korea begin their summit with a jam...
Jan 14, 2026•26 min
The United States is urging its citizens in Iran to leave immediately, warning that protests continue to escalate. A notice released by the US virtual embassy in Tehran advises American nationals to travel by land to Turkey or Armenia, if they can make the journey safely. It says those unable to leave should take refuge at home or in another safe building and keep a supply of food, water and medication. Also: Scientists say 2025 was one of the three hottest years on record. US Vice President JD ...
Jan 14, 2026•28 min
An Iranian official has told the Reuters news agency that about 2,000 people have been killed in the protests, including security personnel. Some in Iran have now been able to make phone calls abroad to relatives, and have described bloodshed. One protester, Erfan Soltani, will reportedly be "executed tomorrow". Also: the French far-right politician Marine Le Pen has begun her appeal against a two-year prison sentence and a ban on standing for public office. South Korean prosecutors have asked f...
Jan 13, 2026•32 min
President Trump says countries trading with Iran will face an immediate 25% percent tariff on business with the United States, in response to Tehran's deadly suppression of protests. China alone is estimated to buy around 90% of the oil that Iran exports to the global market. As Washington considers additional action, we hear from Iranians who have lost loved ones in the lethal response to the nationwide demonstrations. Also: we hear from a Syrian man who was duped into fighting in Ukraine by a ...
Jan 13, 2026•27 min
In this special edition of the Global News Podcast, BBC correspondents answer your questions about the anti-government protests that spread across Iran. Can the Iranian regime survive? Will Donald Trump intervene? How would regime change affect the world? Matthew Amroliwala speaks to two of the BBC's diplomatic correspondents - Caroline Hawley in London and Paul Adams in Washington - as well as Siavash Ardalan, from BBC Persian. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to he...
Jan 12, 2026•25 min
As protests in Iran continue into their third week, the country's foreign minister claims the situation is "under total control". President Donald Trump has warned that the US could intervene and has "very strong options". In response, Iran says it's "prepared" for war, but "does not seek" it. Also: Myanmar is accused of genocide over attacks on the Muslim Rohingya minority in 2017. The chairman of the US Federal Reserve is facing legal action. He claims it's a political attack. Hamas says it's ...
Jan 12, 2026•31 min
Videos verified by the BBC and eyewitness accounts appear to show security forces in Iran ramping up their response to protests that have spread across the country. Activists say dozens of bodies seen piled up in black bags outside a morgue near Tehran are dead protesters. US President Donald Trump says Iran's leadership is seeking to negotiate following his threat of military intervention, but warns that he "may have to act before a meeting". Also: President Trump tells Cuba to "make a deal" wi...
Jan 12, 2026•24 min
When the US government captured Venezuela’s president, Nicolas Maduro, on Saturday, most of the world was shocked. But US officials had for years been gaming out different scenarios, including predicting what would happen if Maduro was ousted. According to one man who took part, each ended in disaster. On today’s episode, we speak to the former Washington Post journalist Douglas Farah, who participated in war games on Venezuela during Donald Trump’s first term, as well as during the Obama and Bi...
Jan 11, 2026•29 min
A medic at one Tehran hospital reported "direct shots to the heads of the young people, to their hearts as well", while a doctor said an eye hospital in the capital had gone into crisis mode. Despite this, large crowds have returned to the streets of Iran's capital, including entire families with children, defying increasingly severe warnings from the authorities. Also: the US military has carried out 'Operation Hawkeye' strikes in Syria against the Islamic State, as revenge for the killing of ...
Jan 11, 2026•27 min
The Australian 'kindness influencer' who raised nearly two million dollars to help an elderly US veteran. Samuel Weidenhofer flew thousands of miles to find Ed Bambas after being told he needed help. Ed, who's 88, was still working in a shop because he couldn't afford to retire, having lost his pension and healthcare. Also: one of the few people ever to walk around the world says he was inspired to keep going by the rescue dog he adopted along the way. Tom Turcich spent seven years making the jo...
Jan 10, 2026•27 min
Videos and messages that have made their way out of Iran despite an internet blackout show crowds gathering to protest against the government for a 13th night. Rights groups say they have documented the deaths of around 50 demonstrators amid an increasingly violent response by the authorities. Donald Trump has again warned that the US could strike Iran if protesters are killed, while Iran's leadership has accused the US of stoking unrest. Also: a new video has emerged of the deadly shooting of a...
Jan 10, 2026•25 min
Anti-government unrest has continued to spread across Iran, despite an internet blackout and a defiant address by the Supreme Leader. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed the protesters as "a bunch of vandals" and said the authorities would not back down. Demonstrations began nearly two weeks ago because of anger at rising living costs. Also: Russia uses a powerful hypersonic missile against the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, in another wave of air attacks. Switzerland observes a national day of mo...
Jan 09, 2026•28 min
