President Trump hails the golden age of America

Following Donald Trump's annual State of the Union address, we look into some of his claims about the economy and immigration. Also: Japan announces a timeline for deploying missiles to a small island near Taiwan in a move that angers China. The Spanish government declassifies documents related to a failed coup 45 years ago which had threatened the transition from military dictatorship to democracy. And how to watch the planet parade this week.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: [email protected]

Trump delivers longest-ever State of the Union

President Trump touts his record in office in a fiery "America First" State of the Union address -- the longest in US history. The speech comes as polls suggest Americans are souring on his second-term agenda ahead of crucial mid-term elections. We have the highlights and analysis from Washington. Also: the UK introduces ETA for travellers entering the country; Thai authorities investigate tiger deaths; debate rages over a golden ram's head looted from Ghana; how an AI computer engineer accidentally hacked robot vacuums; and we meet Rose Wylie who's making art history at 91.

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: [email protected]

US President Donald Trump looks on as he delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. February 24, 2026. PHOTO CREDIT: REUTERS/NATHAN HOWARD

Ukraine defiant on the 4th anniversary of Russia's invasion

President Zelensky has praised the endurance and courage of the Ukrainian people as the war with Russia enters its fifth year. With events being held across Ukraine to mark the day, Western leaders have been reaffirming their support for Kyiv. The British prime minister, Keir Starmer, hailed what he called Ukraine's incredible resilience. Also: For the first time in the UK a baby has been born to a mother who received a womb transplant from a dead donor. President Trump has dismissed media reports that the United States' most senior general had spoken of risks in potentially going to war with Iran. China has imposed restrictions on dual-use exports to major Japanese industrial companies, accusing them of helping to build up Japan's military capabilities. And one of Italy's most famous landmarks, Giotto Bell's Tower in Florence, is to be fully restored for the first time in centuries.

Ukraine marks 4th anniversary of Russian invasion

Russian strikes on Ukraine have continued on the 4th anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion. But in recent days Kyiv has been recapturing territory it lost in the first weeks of the war. Also: Mexico has deployed thousands of troops to maintain order after the country's most wanted cartel leader - known as "El Mencho" - was killed by the army. Britain's former ambassador in Washington, Peter Mandelson, has been arrested over his links with the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A powerful storm is battering the northeastern US, leaving thousands without power. A study into so-called "weasel words" reveals just how misleading they can be. And could daily meditation reduce the risk of cancer spreading?

ICC judges hear charges against ex-Philippine leader

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

Violence erupts in Mexico after army kills drug lord

Violence has broken out in several cities across Mexico hours after the military confirmed it had killed one of the country's most feared drug lords - known as El Mencho. The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was shot in a dawn raid and died from his injuries. Also: Students in Iran have staged a second day of anti-government protests to honour those killed in last month's deadly crackdown. US secret service agents have shot dead a man who broke into President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate with a shotgun. Greenland and Denmark reply "no thanks" to Donald Trump after he said he was sending an American hospital ship to "take care" of people in Greenland. Ukraine's President Zelensky tells the BBC President Putin has already started what amounts to World War Three - but Kyiv is keeping it contained. The grande finale of the Winter Olympics in Verona. All the latest from the BAFTAs, where the American film, One Battle After Another, has picked up several awards. The bones of St Francis of Assisi have gone on public display to mark 800 years since his death. And an annual folk festival dating back to the 15th century has been taking place in Belgium ... but without its longstanding tradition of drinking tiny live fish from an antique cup.

The Global Story:The tightrope of reporting in Putin’s Russia

Next week marks four years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In that time, there’s been an intense crackdown on freedom of speech and dissent in Russia, which has led to many western media organisations leaving the country. Today, we speak to Steve Rosenberg, the BBC’s Russia editor, on the tightrope of reporting from Moscow under Vladimir Putin. The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

Producer: Sam Chantarasak Executive producer: Bridget Harney Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends his annual end-of-year press conference in Moscow. Credit: Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool/Reuters.

First large protests in Iran since deadly crackdown

Students at several universities in Iran have staged anti-government protests - the first on this scale since January's deadly crackdown. It's not immediately clear whether any demonstrators were arrested on Saturday. Also: President Trump says he's increasing his worldwide trade tariff to fifteen per cent. As the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war approaches, our reporter in Moscow looks at how the country has changed. A deadly virus has wiped out more than seventy captive tigers in Thailand, prompting anger from animal rights campaigners. There's controversy at the Berlin film festival after comments from the organisers about politics. And how boring are draws in a football match - Japan experiments with getting rid of them in favour of penalty shoot-outs.

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: [email protected]

The Happy Pod: Former teacher celebrated as a crocodile

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

Presenter: Oliver Conway. Music composed by Iona Hampson.

Trump lashes out at 'disappointing' Supreme Court ruling

Donald Trump has lashed out at the US Supreme Court, after judges struck down his sweeping trade tariffs. The president has outlined a new plan to retain some of the levies, but the details are not clear. Also: the British government reviews the royal line of succession, as the police investigate Andrew's links to Jeffrey Epstein -- the former prince denies wrongdoing; Ukraine-Russia peace talks gather pace; what's the future of the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank; North Korea holds its biggest political event in five years; and NASA sets a date to send astronauts back around the Moon.

US Supreme Court rules against Trump's global tariffs

Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs have been struck down by the US Supreme Court, in a major blow to the President's economic agenda. With a 6-3 majority, judges ruled that President Trump exceeded his authority when he imposed the levies using a law reserved for national emergencies.

Also: an AI summit in India has ended without a global agreement on governing the technology, after strong opposition from the United States. British police continue to search the former home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, after the former Prince was released under investigation. Iran says it will be ready to submit its plan for a possible nuclear agreement with the US in the next two or three days. The BBC has identified the names of more than 180,000 Russian soldiers killed in the war in Ukraine. In a world first, lion DNA has helped to convict poachers in Zimbabwe. And Spanish construction workers have finished work on the tallest tower of the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona.

Former Prince Andrew released as investigations continue

After a day of questioning by police on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his role as a UK trade envoy, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been released. He hasn't responded to the BBC’s requests for comment on any of the specific allegations prompted by the release of the Epstein files last month. In the United States, members of Congress have urged the US government to take action against associates of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the former Prince's arrest. Also: In Venezuela hundreds of political prisoners could soon be released after an amnesty bill has been approved. Following the recent deadly protest in Iran, it's emerged that dozens of protesters were promising athletes. In Austria, a " gross negligent manslaughter " verdict for a man who left his girlfriend on Austria's highest mountain; The US President welcomes global leaders to Washington for the launch of his "Board of Peace". And scientists make a revolutionary nasal spray universal vaccine for cold, flu, COVID and allergies that works on mice.