Global News Podcast

US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order hitting India with an additional 25% tariff over its purchases of Russian oil. That raises the total tariff on Indian imports to the US to 50% - among the highest rates imposed by Washington. India has called the taxes unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. Also: Donald Trump says there's a good chance he will meet President Putin of Russia soon to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine, and Italy gives final approval for world's longest suspension bridge to Sicily. 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

Kremlin says talks in Moscow between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin were 'useful and constructive', two days before Donald Trump's Ukraine ceasefire deadline for Russia. Also: Japan remembers atomic bombings 80 years on, and a first edition of The Hobbit set to sell for thousands at auction - after being discovered during a routine house clearance. 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 former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary are among high-profile figures to be sent legal summonses from a congressional committee investigating the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Also: a US report says the Titan submersible disaster in 2023 could have been prevented, and the race to build a nuclear reactor on 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

The UN's food agency says people trapped in the Sudanese city of El Fasher for more than a year are facing starvation and that malnutrition is rife across the country, with many children "reduced to skin and bones". The interim leader of Bangladesh has been setting out plans for democratic reforms, a year after a student-led revolt toppled the authoritarian prime minister Sheikh Hasina. How one secret centre in Ukraine is trying to help traumatised children whose parents have been lost in the war with Russia. The latest on the migrant swap deal between France and the UK and Dolly Parton adds a 'Guinness World Record Icon’ award to her trophy cabinet. 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 brother of Israeli hostage Evyatar David has told the BBC that a video released by Hamas shows he is a "human skeleton''. Ilay David spoke as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reported to be preparing to expand military operations in Gaza. Also: Britain's first female spy chief Stella Rimington dies, and the new party trend in India - fake weddings. 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

Hundreds of ex-Israeli security officials write to President Trump, urging him to pressurize the government into ending the war in Gaza, amid reports that Prime Minister Netanyahu is seeking to expand the military offensive to free the remaining hostages. Also: A BBC investigation into child abuse in Kenya, South Korea dismantles loudspeakers on its border with North Korea to ease tensions, plus how David Attenborough's new wildlife documentary on parenthood might teach humans how to parent. 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.

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has visited the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem and prayed there, violating a decades-old arrangement covering one of the most sensitive sites in the Middle East. Also: as Pope Leo addresses a million young Catholics, we meet the influencers who spread the word online, and platypus diplomacy in the Second World War. 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 family of Israeli hostage, Evyatar David, accuses Hamas of starvation as part of a propaganda campaign. Also: Russia dismisses Donald Trump's plan to deploy two submarines, and the benefits of walking Japanese style.

Meet the charity which is providing free breakfasts for three million children across sixteen countries. We visit a school to see how Mary's Meals is helping children to focus on learning. Their biggest programme is in Malawi in south-east Africa, and for many students there, it's a reason to stay in school. Also on the podcast, we hear from the micro-farm in Montreal growing fruit and veg for local people on low incomes. Plus a social club trying to combat loneliness in Venezuela by bringing elderly people together for a dance, and the Italians coming together to save a tiny island from developers. The Happy Pod, our weekly collection of uplifting and inspiring stories from around the world. Part of the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. Presenter: Ankur Desai. Music composed by Iona Hampson.

President Trump says he's ordered two nuclear submarines to "be positioned in appropriate regions" in response to what he called "foolish and inflammatory" comments by Russia's former leader, Dmitry Medvedev. In a recent post, Mr Medvedev said US threats of tough sanctions on Russia over Ukraine were “a step towards war”. Mr Trump did not say if he was referring to nuclear powered or nuclear armed submarines. Also: Trump fires lead official on economic data as tariffs and weaker job growth cause market drop; Rhino horns turned radioactive to fight poachers in South Africa.

President Trump's new tariffs on more than 90 countries will come into effect next Thursday, unless trade deals are negotiated before then. Also: Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, inspects aid sites in Gaza, sacred jewels linked to the Buddha are returned to India, and the Edinburgh Festival begins. 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 United States has imposed travel restrictions on members of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organisation, accusing them of undermining peace efforts with Israel. The US State Department said those targeted continued to support terrorism and were internationalising the conflict, for example through the International Criminal Court. Washington's special envoy Steve Witkoff, who's in Israel trying to salvage Gaza ceasefire talks, will travel to the territory on Friday where he will inspect aid distribution sites. Also: In another blow to the Pakistan opposition leader, Imran Khan, senior members of his party have been jailed for up to ten years, and scientists exploring the Pacific Ocean say they've discovered entire ecosystems of marine life at depths of over eight kilometres. 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

Many people have been killed in Russian airstrikes on Kyiv, including a six-year-old boy and his mother. Ukrainian officials say the attacks also brought down an apartment block. It happened despite Donald Trump imposing a new deadline on President Putin to agree to a ceasefire or face fresh US sanctions. Also: Washington's envoy, Steve Witkoff, is meeting the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to try to salvage ceasefire talks and help improve the dire conditions in Gaza, and what archaeologists are learning from tattoos found on a two-and-a-half-thousand year-old mummy. 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 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canada plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September, becoming the third G7 nation to make such an announcement in recent days. Mr Carney said such a move would depend on democratic reforms, including the Palestinian Authority holding elections next year without Hamas. His remarks come a day after the UK announced it would recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire and other conditions and a week after France made a similar announcement. Israel has condemned the moves, calling them a reward for terrorism. 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

Tsunami warnings have been scaled back across much of the northern Pacific after a huge earthquake off eastern Russia. The earthquake, which hit near Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, is one of the most powerful ever recorded. Tsunami warnings have since been downgraded in Japan, Russia and Hawaii. Also, health officials in Gaza say seven more people have starved to death in the last twenty-four hours. And, UK gets first female Astronomer Royal in 350 years. (Credit: Photo by The Russian Academy of Sciences)

Britain's prime minister, Keir Starmer, says he'll recognise Palestinian statehood, unless Israel takes measures to end, what he called the appalling situation in Gaza. The dramatic shift in policy comes a week after a similar announcement by France. The British leader gave Israel until the UN general assembly in September to meet conditions, including taking steps towards a ceasefire. Israel's foreign ministry has condemned Britain's move - saying it constitutes an award for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. 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 Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global hunger monitoring system, has warned that “the worst-case scenario of famine” is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip. It comes as the territory’s health ministry says 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the enclave since Israel's offensive began. Also: floods hit Beijing; the Ukrainian hackers targeting Russia’s Aeroflot airline; farmers in the US and Mexico caught in a water crisis driven by a decades-old treaty; a gunman kills four in New York; a shaky ceasefire holds along the border with Thailand and Cambodia; the former Colombia president who’s been convicted of witness tampering; and can Greenland’s Inuit majority achieve independence? 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

For the first time, two leading Israeli human rights organisations, B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, have accused their own country of committing genocide in Gaza. In reports published on Monday, they said “Israel is taking co-ordinated action to intentionally destroy Palestinian society in the Gaza Strip" and that it is “systematic” in its targeting of Gaza's healthcare infrastructure. Israel has denied the allegation and has called the case "wholly unfounded" and based on "biased and false claims". Also: The BBC’s International Editor Jeremy Bowen views Gaza from above in one of the Jordanian planes delivering aid from the sky, the investigation into a deadly mass shooting in Ecuador, and why Catholic influencers are gathering in Rome. 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 has acknowledged that there is real starvation in Gaza and that Israel has a responsibility for the flow of aid. Also in this podcast: Thailand and Cambodia agree a ceasefire, Google admits that its earthquake warning alerts haven't worked, the Chinese monk accused of corruption and womanising, and a BBC editor who has penned a musical satire. 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

Palestinians rushed to collect aid from lorries and airdrops after Israel pauses fighting in some areas. Also: EU and the US agree a trade deal, and Tom Lehrer, master of the subversive ditty, dies.