Global News Podcast

Boris Johnson welcomes the investigation. But a spokesperson says the prime minister does not believe he has broken any coronavirus laws. Also: Russia accuses the US of stoking tensions over Ukraine, and one of the most remote museums in the world reopens.

The Pentagon says 8,500 combat-ready US troops are on high alert to deploy at short notice amid rising tension over Ukraine. Also; the army in Burkina Faso says it has removed President Roch Kabore from office, and the penguins highlighting climate change in Antarctica.

Nato says it's to reinforce its defences, and for the purposes of deterrence. The Kremlin has accused Nato of escalating tensions. Also: reports from Burkina Faso say the president has been detained by the military; and Julian Assange wins the right to ask the British Supreme Court to block his extradition to the US.

Protesters set fire to the ruling party's headquarters. Also: Taliban leaders are in Norway seeking aid for Afghanistan, and why are images of God so controversial?

IS fighters attacked a prison where thousands of jihadists are held. Also, Kiribati imposes its first lockdown, and the robot vacuum cleaner that got away.

Saudi-led coalition steps up air strikes on Houthi rebel targets. Also: there's cautious optimism as Russia and the US agree to futher talks over Ukraine, and Che Guevera's daughter publishes a book of his very personal letters.

Both sides said they were open to further dialogue. Also, the UN says initial estimates of the effects of Typhoon Rai that hit the Philippines last month badly underestimated the damage it caused and, tributes are paid to the singer Meatloaf who's died aged 74.

Videos show many destroyed buildings near the mining town of Bogoso. Also: Ukraine hits back at Biden amid Russia tensions, and teenage pilot Zara Rutherford completes solo round the world record.

Report claims he failed to act to prevent abuse when he was Archbishop of Munich. Also, the ICRC is targeted by cyber hackers and, the first aid flights arrive in Tonga.

The US President has warned that Washington will do significant harm to Russia if it decides to invade Ukraine. Also: DR Congo inmates found guilty of rape during prison riot, and airlines cancel dozens of flights to the US because of safety concerns surrounding aircraft altimeters and 5G technology.

Boris Johnson is accused of misleading people about lockdown parties; US urges Russia to take "peaceful path" as fears mount of a new invasion of Ukraine. And we remember the ground breaking life of the African American journalist André Leon Talley.

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, will meet his Russian counterpart on Friday to warn Moscow to de-escalate the situation. Also: rollout of 5G technology at US airports postponed, and a Rome villa with Caravaggio mural fails to sell.

The Pacific island nation was hit by volcanic eruption and tsunami; why US airline bosses are worried about 5G. And some of the world's best known cricketers get a telling off.

The UAE is part of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi militia in Yemen. Also: a distress signal has been detected in low-lying Tongan islands after volcano eruption, and the Scottish poet Robert Burns ignored advice not to write in Scots.

There are reports of significant damage and no mass casualties. Communications with the country are extremely limited. Also, thousands are without power as the US is hit by a winter storm, and a suspect is identified over Anne Frank’s betrayal.

President Biden says the hostage-taking at a Texas synagogue was an act of terror; Also New Zealand sends a plane to Tonga to assess the damage caused by the volcanic eruption and tsunami. And the Australian Open tennis gets underway without Novak Djokovic.

An underwater volcano erupts near Tonga. Also: worshippers at a synagogue in Texas are taken hostage and Nino Cerruti, one of Italy's great fashion designers, has died at the age of 91.

Moscow denies the claim which followed a cyber attack on Ukrainian government websites. Also: Malians rally after army calls for protests over ECOWAS sanctions, Google's UK boss on hybrid working and French dressing freed from strict US rules.

His lawyers are trying to prevent his deportation. Also: the Ukrainian government is hit by a major cyber-attack, and Britain's Prime Minister apologises to the Queen for two lockdown parties the night before Prince Philip's funeral.

MI5 says Christine Lee engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. Also: Prince Andrew loses military titles and use of HRH, the murders of a family who fought to protect endangered turtles, and French bakers in pain over cut-price supermarket baguettes.

The trial of Anwar Raslan was the world's first criminal case over state-led torture in Syria. Also: terrified Afghan teachers still hiding from Taliban and Be My Baby singer Ronnie Spector dies aged seventy-eight.

Queen Elizabeth's son is to face a civil case in the US after decision by judge; Israel detains what it claims is an Iranian spy ring. And the couple on their first date who were trapped together for four days.

The British prime minister Boris Johnson faces calls to resign after lockdown party apology. Also: Russia talks to Nato in Brussels, and planting the right trees for red squirrels.

President Joe Biden says changing the way elections are held is crucial to saving US democracy. Also, Liberia places an entire ministry under investigation following allegations of corruption, and Palestinian militants accuse Israel of using dolphins for military purposes.

The World Health Organization warns that more than half the population of Europe will be infected with the Omicron variant within the next two months. Also, Kazakhstan's president says a Russian-led force he invited to quell unrest will begin leaving on Thursday, and doctors in the United States have carried out a pioneering operation to give a man a genetically modified heart of a pig.

The tennis world number one wins his fight to stay in Australia; Moscow and Washington discuss Russia's troop build-up near Ukraine....and.....are badgers better treasure hunters than their human counterparts ?

Lawyers for the tennis star Novak Djokovic argued in court that his visa cancellation at Melbourne airport was unreasonable. Also: Russia-US talks on Ukraine may prove crucial, and a huge fossilised "sea dragon" is found in UK reservoir.

The 2021 African football Cup of Nations kicks off with host victory; A fire at an apartment building in New York has killed at least nineteen people....and in Saudi Arabia...women get a bespoke showcase for their ships of the desert.

Photographs show the tennis player at events when his lawyers say he tested positive for Covid. It is unclear whether he knew he had Covid when the photos were taken. His lawyers argue he had been given an exemption for the Australian Open because of the confirmed case. We hear from a former Australian minister who says that that exemption doesn't exist. Also: an airstrike on a refugee camp in northern Ethiopia kills dozens, and how Turkmenistan hopes to close the "Gates of Hell".

The US-Bahamian star was the first black man to win a best actor Oscar. Also: the white killers of a black jogger in the US State of Georgia are sentenced to life in prison; and scientists pull animal DNA out of thin air.

The crackdown comes after he said '20,000 bandits' had attacked the country's biggest city. Opposition activists have dismissed the allegation. Also: a warning that the world could see a threefold increase in dementia by 2050, and the excitement reaches fever pitch in Cameroon as it prepares to host its first Africa Cup of Nations for half a century.

On the anniversary of the attack Joe Biden said it was an armed insurrection. Also: violent clashes have been continuing in Kazakhstan's main city, Almaty, and Serbia's president says he will fight for "justice and truth" for Novak Djokovic.

A year on, Joe Biden blames his predecessor for last January’s attack on the Capitol. Also, Novak Djokovic sits it out in detention as the row rumbles on over the world’s number one male tennis player; and Leonardo DiCaprio has a tree named after him – we hear why.

A Russian-led military alliance will send a peacekeeping force to Kazakhstan, as nationwide protests escalate. Also: Australia cancels visa of tennis star Novak Djokovic, and British army officer Preet Chandi completes solo South Pole trek.

Unprecedented anti-government demonstrations are spreading across Kazakhstan - sparked by rising fuel prices. Also, Hong Kong brings in strict new rules to combat Covid - in line with the rest of China. And there's anger in Australia over Novak Djokovic's medical exemption from a Covid jab, allowing him to compete in this month's Australian Open.

US officials warn the peak of a fast-spreading Omicron surge is still to come. Also: Poland to build fence on its border with Belarus, and Thailand's Maya Bay beach reopens to tourists

The move comes after just 3 people test positive for the coronavirus. Also:The former Silicon Valley star, Elizabeth Holmes is convicted of fraud against those who invested in her start up Theranos, and a James Bond car has been found 25 years after it was stolen,

The World Health Organization says it is vital that vaccines are distributed more fairly around the world. Also: Haiti PM survived assassination attempt, and David Bowie's estate sells the publishing rights to his entire body of work.

Teenagers in India begin receiving Covid vaccines as the country tries to contain its sharpest ever surge in infections; Turkey inflation surges 36 per cent amid financial turmoil, and 'Emily in Paris' Ukraine complains over Kyiv character stereotype.

Abdalla Hamdok quits just weeks after he was reinstated; fire rips through the South African parliament. And: the dark side of Avocados.

President Cyril Ramaphosa described the late Archbishop as the country’s spiritual father. The veteran anti-apartheid campaigner and Nobel Peace Prize winner died a week ago. He was 90. Also: a Nigerian state closes all camps for displaced people – despite the ongoing threat of Jihadist violence. And a Chinese man who was abducted as a child more than thirty years ago has been reunited with his biological mother after drawing a map of his childhood village.

South Africa has held a state funeral for the anti-apartheid hero, Desmond Tutu. The president, Cyril Ramaphosa,delivered the eulogy, describing him as a crusader in the struggle for freedom, justice, equality and peace

The World Health Organisation has said coronavirus may be beaten in 2022; thousands flee Colorado fires. We go around the world to celebrate New Year.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the world has to work together to achieve that goal. Also: Tens of thousands of people in the US state of Colorado flee an unusual winter wildfire, and why hands are linked when we sing Auld Lang Syne to welcome the New Year.

It says all indicators suggest it has passed the peak of the latest wave of infection. Also: Bangladesh opens a beach just for women and children - and then scraps the idea after a social media outcry, and why you need to keep telescope mirrors really cold in space.

Ashraf Ghani says he had to abandon his position in Kabul and did it to prevent the destruction of the city. Also: Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Sudan to demand that the military relinquish power and how Elton John’s famous performance at Princess Diana’s funeral almost didn’t happen.

The British socialite, Ghislaine Maxwell is found guilty of helping the late financier Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse young girls; World Health Organisation warns of coronavirus tsunami; and one of the wonders of the modern world - the Venice lagoon flood barrier.

Stand News shuts down and dismisses all its staff after police raid. Also: The United States records its highest ever level of daily coronavirus infections as it struggles to contain the Omicron variant, a 50 percent passenger limit imposed on public transport in Delhi in an effort to reduce Covid transmission and could Spiderman come to the film industry's rescue?

Dozens of women have marched through Kabul, accusing the Taliban of extrajudicial killings. Also: the US has called for a ban on arms sales to the military in Myanmar, and what's inside a time capsule that was hidden inside a statue 130 years ago?

Prosecutors accused Memorial of being a threat to the public. Also: China says the US put astronauts in danger after its space station avoided colliding with SpaceX satellites, and the authorities in Hong Kong table another charge against the media tycoon Jimmy Lai.

The Somali PM, Mohamed Hussein Roble, says the president's move over land theft allegations is an attempted coup. Also: India blocks foreign funding to Mother Teresa charity, and Amber Heard names new dog after Australian minister.

Everyone over 12 years old will have to show proof of full vaccination to access indoor activities. Also: the Polish President vetoes a media bill which critics say is designed to silence government opponents; and we look back at the lives of the conservationist E.O. Wilson, and the Roe v Wade lawyer, Sarah Weddington, who have died.

The churchman, who helped end apartheid in South Africa, has died aged 90. Also: Israel approves a controversial plan to boost the number of Jewish settlers in Golan Heights, and a surge in Covid cases causes misery for airline passengers worldwide.

As the Omicron variant spreads around the world and cases surge, BBC correspondents tell us how Covid-19 is impacting our lives, our businesses and our economies.

Our experts address your concerns about climate change. As the COP 26 summit continues in Glasgow, we look at the science behind global warming and the impact on our environment. Is there enough political will to make a difference? What can we as individuals do? Can technology help?

BBC correspondents answer your questions about the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. We ask how did the Taliban overthrow the Afghan government so quickly? What now for human rights, the economy and international relations?

We team up with the award-winning Brexitcast team to bring you a special update on what Britain leaving the EU means for you. You’ve sent us questions from around the world and Jackie Leonard puts them to the experts from the podcast that’s all about Brexit. There’s also cake, phew. Spread the word! #GlobalNewsPod #Brexitcast Find the Brexitcast podcast here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/brexitcast