Catholics around the world mourn death of Pope Francis
Vatican says Pope Francis died from a stroke and heart failure. Also: snowfall in Hindu Kush Himalayan mountain range reaches 23-year low.
Apr 21, 2025•25 min
Global News Podcast
The breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Hear the most important global stories from the BBC, the most trusted name in international news. With reporters on the ground in every country, we’re always where the story is. We bring you unparalleled access and exclusive updates that you won’t get anywhere else.
Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. From Trump’s White House to Putin’s Kremlin, from the Ukraine War to the Israel-Gaza conflict. From Damascus to Delhi, from Silicon Valley to Singapore, from Washington DC to Wuhan. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
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Also listen to The Happy Pod, every Saturday, for the best global good news.
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Episodes
Pope Francis Dies - Global News Podcast Special Episode
Pope Francis has died aged 88. We look back at his life and legacy, with analysis from our Religion Editor Aleem Maqbool, our former Vatican Correspondent David Willey in Rome, along with reaction from around the world.
Apr 21, 2025•19 min
Israel military admits mistakes led to killing of Gaza medics
An IDF inquiry into the killing of 15 emergency workers in Gaza last month found a series of professional failures, but says six of those killed were Hamas members. Also: Russia’s brief Easter truce with Ukraine has ended.
Apr 20, 2025•29 min
Zelensky says Russian attacks ongoing despite Putin announcing 'Easter truce'
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine is prepared to join Russia in observing an Easter ceasefire, but insists that Moscow's forces are still attacking. Also: scientists say they've discovered 'new colour' no one has seen before.
Apr 20, 2025•30 min
The Happy Pod: Creating 'Christina's Corner'
After Dave's video rental store was forced to close, he created a space for his most loyal customer, Christina, so she could stick to her vital daily routine. Also: why millions of people are tuning in to watch the moose migration and what's the secret to 70 years of marriage?
Apr 19, 2025•27 min
Trump says US will 'pass' on Ukraine peace talks if no progress soon
US President Donald Trump has warned that unless Russia and Ukraine agree quickly to end their conflict, the United States will abandon its peace efforts. Also: project shares the sounds of Unesco World Heritage sites.
Apr 19, 2025•33 min
US threatens to walk away from Ukraine peace talks
American top diplomat Marco Rubio warns US will walk away from Ukraine peace talks if progress is not seen within days. Also, US strikes in Yemen reportedly kill nearly sixty people, and the Fyre Festival relit?
Apr 18, 2025•29 min
Trump and Meloni talk up chances of US trade deal with Europe
US President Donald Trump says he's 100% sure that he'll strike a trade deal with the European Union, after hosting the Italian PM Giorgia Meloni in Washington. Also: Rico the sloth gets surgery to cure toothache.
Apr 18, 2025•31 min
US and Europe discuss ending Ukraine war
US and Ukrainian officials discuss ending the Ukraine war with European allies in Paris. Also: Russia has seized thousands of homes in occupied Ukraine, and scientists find promising signs of life on a distant planet
Apr 17, 2025•29 min
Judge says US government could be in contempt over deportation flights
The Trump administration is accused of "wilful disregard" of a ruling blocking the deportation of alleged gang members to El Salvador. Also: new speed climbing record set in the Swiss Alps.
Apr 17, 2025•31 min
UK's top court rules on definition of woman
In a landmark ruling, the UK Supreme Court says the legal definition of a woman refers to biological sex. Also: BBC gets rare access to a torture cell in Bangladesh, and the unexpected popularity of a slow TV moose show.
Apr 16, 2025•29 min
The world is urged not to 'look away' from Sudan's civil war
A conference is held but neither of the warring sides were invited, so what can be done? Also: the Russian hairdresser jailed after a neighbour denounced her and China's small businesses struggling with Trump's tariffs.
Apr 16, 2025•32 min
Trump administration to freeze over $2 billion for Harvard
Harvard professor labels White House actions "groundless" and "vengeful." Also: At least 6 prisons in France are attacked overnight.
Apr 15, 2025•30 min
Sudan: Hundreds of thousands flee Darfur refugee camp
Hundreds of thousands flee Sudan's largest refugee camp in Darfur, after deadly attacks by RSF paramilitaries. Also: ‘God’s architect’ Antoni Gaudí is on the path to sainthood, and the new film inspired by a penguin.
Apr 15, 2025•26 min
Zelensky urges Trump to visit Ukraine to witness war devastation
Ukraine's president invites Donald Trump to visit his country before any deal with Russia to end the war. Also: the trial that could change the social media landscape, and golfer Rory Mcllroy secures a Grand Slam.
Apr 14, 2025•27 min
Russian missile strike in Ukraine kills over 30
More than 30 Ukrainians killed in Russian missile attack on Sumy. Also: Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City's last functioning hospital, presidential elections in Ecuador and Gabon, and scientists grow human teeth in a lab.
Apr 13, 2025•28 min
Trump exempts smartphones and computers from tariffs
President Trump exempts smartphones and laptops from new tariffs. Also: US and Iran describe first round of nuclear talks as constructive, and Melinda Gates says women face more obstacles now than when she was young.
Apr 12, 2025•28 min
The Happy Pod: Life-saving rat retires
Meet the rat with a life-saving sense of smell. Carolina has correctly identified thousands of cases of Tuberculosis. Also: the Malaria vaccine providing hope in Uganda and, what is the UK tea time alarm? Presenter: Oliver Conway. Music composed by Iona Hampson
Apr 12, 2025•27 min
US judge rules Palestinian activist can be deported
A US judge has ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate, can be deported for his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests. Also: how ‘A Minecraft Movie’ has broken box office records.
Apr 12, 2025•31 min
Trump's envoy meets Putin for ceasefire talks
This episode of the Global News Podcast covers several international stories including US envoy Steve Witkoff's meeting with Vladimir Putin to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine and the US-China trade war as China raises tariffs on American goods. The podcast also reports on the situation in Kyiv, the visa revocation of Costa Rica's former president, and the legal battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman. It concludes with reports on African filmmakers and a study on babies' brain development.
Apr 11, 2025•29 min
Trump recognises tariff 'transition problems'
US President Donald Trump says transition to new trade world won't be easy, as markets process the White House’s 145% tariff rate for China. Also: Prada agrees to buy rival luxury fashion brand Versace.
Apr 11, 2025•30 min
Trump's tariffs explained
Ben Brown in London and Sumi Somaskanda in Washington, examine the key questions about the Trump tariff rollercoaster of the last few days. Why has the US doubled down on China, with even steeper tariffs of 145%?
Apr 10, 2025•25 min
China says it won't bow to pressure from Trump tariffs
China says it won't give in to pressure from Donald Trump over tariffs but is willing to negotiate. Also: New prisoner swap between US and Russia, and research into mammal brains reveals a 'galaxy'.
Apr 10, 2025•30 min
Higher US tariffs on hold but China trade war grows
President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day pause for countries hit by higher US tariffs, but a trade war with China has escalated. Also: Inuit people accuse adventurer of ignorance over Baffin Island trek claim.
Apr 10, 2025•29 min
China hikes tariffs on US imports
Beijing retaliates against Trump with an 84% levy on American goods. Also: we look at what aid is getting through to earthquake survivors in Myanmar and why olive oil is the target for Italian armed gangs.
Apr 09, 2025•29 min
Roof collapse at Dominican Republic nightclub kills scores of people
Hundreds of people were inside the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic's capital, Santo Domingo, when the roof collapsed. Also: major David Hockney art exhibition opens in Paris.
Apr 09, 2025•32 min
China vows to fight US 'blackmail' over tariffs
China says it will fight US tariff raises 'until the end.' Also: Iran confirms nuclear talks with the United States, we hear from Ukrainians under Russian occupation, plus new insights into the Titanic's final hours
Apr 08, 2025•28 min
Trump threatens to escalate trade war with China
This episode of the Global News Podcast covers a range of international stories, including President Trump's escalating trade war with China and the EU's response to US tariffs. The podcast also reports on direct talks between the US and Iran, the resurgence of piracy off the coast of Somalia, microplastic pollution in European rivers, the health impacts of migration, and China's crackdown on celebrity gossip.
Apr 07, 2025•29 min
Global stock markets plunge amid Trump tariff turmoil
Asian and European stocks drop as investors across the globe react to US president Donald Trump’s trade tariffs. Also: a BBC investigation into claims Palestinian prisoners were tortured in Israeli jails.
Apr 07, 2025•29 min
Le Pen vows to fight political ban
This episode of the Global News Podcast covers a range of international stories, starting with Marine Le Pen's political ban and her supporters' reaction. It also discusses Israel's misleading information regarding an attack in Rafah, and Netanyahu's visit to Washington to address trade tariffs. The podcast also touches on a security breach in the White House, Pope Francis's public appearance, Europe's war preparedness, US visa revocations for South Sudan, the impact of US tariffs on global trade, the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, the debate over bodega cats in New York, and the Soccer Grannies World Cup in Africa.
Apr 06, 2025•32 min
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