Global News Podcast

Dozens of deaths were reported as anti-coup activists defied warnings and protested. Also: Mozambique militants 'ambushed workers', and fresh efforts to refloat ship stuck in Suez Canal.

French historians say France bears "heavy responsibilities" over the 1994 Rwanda massacres, but they found no evidence of French complicity. Also: at least 32 people are killed in a train crash in Egypt, and Fox News is sued for $1.6bn over an election fraud claim.

Ethiopian PM says Eritrean forces to leave Tigray, nearly 5 months after conflict began. Eritrean soldiers have fought alongside Ethiopia in war that's reportedly claimed thousands of lives. Also, Suez Canal remains completely blocked for fourth day by huge stranded container-ship, and new research shows an octopus may be able to dream.

Mr Biden pledged to deliver 200 million Covid jabs to Americans in his first one-hundred days in office, double his original goal. Also: AstraZeneca has published revised results for the US trial of its Covid vaccine after its earlier report was criticised for using outdated information, and the acclaimed French director Bertrand Tavernier has died at the age of 79.

Many European countries are facing a surge in Covid infections. H&M and Nike face a backlash in China for acknowledging human rights concerns about cotton grown in Xinjiang. The African elephant is now critically endangered.

Social media giant says platform used to spy on activists, journalists and dissidents living abroad. Also: India halts AstraZeneca vaccine exports, the saliva test that detects concussion on the spot and are food apps killing the restaurant business.

Chancellor Merkel announces sudden U-turn on strict Coronavirus lockdown measures. She calls plan a 'mistake' and takes 'ultimate responsibility' for reversal. Also, disruption to world trade as huge container-ship blocks Suez Canal, and Prince Harry finds new job - in Silicon Valley.

Analysts say the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, could win the most seats but without winning a parliamentary majority. Also: US president Joe Biden calls for swift action on gun control following mass killing in Colorado, and Banksy painting raises more than $23m for health charities.

The UN has described the blaze in Cox's Bazaar as catastrophic. Also: Germany extends its coronavirus lockdown, and new data from the Large Hadron Collider could change our understanding of the universe.

The United States says it is concerned about the number of unaccompanied children arriving at border crossings. Also: western states sanction China for Uighur "abuses", and Aretha Franklin's family reject Genius biopic.

It proved nearly eighty per cent effective at stopping Covid-19 symptomatic cases and there were no problems regarding blood clots. This paves the way for the US to start administering the jab. Also: the French subsidiary of the Swedish retail giant IKEA has gone on trial accused of spying on staff, and how ‘adopt a kiosk’ is saving a British icon that has lost its purpose.

Lloyd Austin's trip comes weeks before a planned withdrawal of all remaining US troops. Also: Buckingham Palace reviews diversity policies, and a large asteroid swings by Earth.

In the German city of Kassel, police used pepper spray and batons to disperse demonstrators. Also: Turkey pulls out of gender violence convention, and Iceland's lava-spewing Fagradalsfjall volcano is "subsiding".

Sixteen regions of France, including Paris, go back into lockdown, while Chancellor Angela Merkel says Germany could see more restrictions. Also, the US and China conclude a two-day meeting marked by confrontation and blunt talk. And Samia Suluhu Hassan becomes the first female president of Tanzania.

Aung Thura was taken by unknown men as more people were reportedly killed by the military. Also: virtual reality Shakespeare, and the organisers of this year's Oscars ban Zoom.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) reviewed the jab after 13 EU states suspended use of the AstraZeneca vaccine over fears of a link to blood clots. Following the announcement, Germany, France, Italy and Spain announced they would restart their roll-out of the vaccine. Also: President Biden has announced that the US will on Friday meet his target of vaccinating a-hundred million people in his first one-hundred days in office, more than a month ahead of schedule, and up to ten Russian track and field athletes will be able to compete as neutrals at the Tokyo Olympics this summer.

The European regulator's decision is due - following EU countries' pause of the jab. Also: the Covid survivor who was left with a stutter, and why Donald Trump's time in the White House has left him poorer.

President Joe Biden said Vladimir Putin would "pay the price" for alleged election meddling. Also: The European Union threatens to block Covid vaccine exports to countries including the UK, and the President of Tanzania, John Magufuli, has died aged 61.

Officials say digital certificate to boost foreign travel should be issued to EU citizens. But announcement overshadowed by threats to restrict exports of coronavirus vaccine from EU. Also, 8 people shot dead in attacks in and around US city of Atlanta, and why an Australian bird species forgot how to sing its own song.

The French president calls EMA assurance 'encouraging', also, new study reveals what may have happend to the water on Mars, and why pickleball has become more popular in the US.

Aid agency says Islamist fighters are targeting children as young as 11 in northern province of Cabo Delgado. Also: Britain shifts foreign policy focus to Asia, Facebook 'friends' Australia's News Corp, and what's in a name? Tesla boss Elon Musk changes his title to "Technoking".

Their decision comes despite the WHO urging use of the vaccine, Also, Nigerian primary school children kidnapped, and the unusual visitor to the west coast of Ireland.

More than 50 people were killed in the worst single day of brutality since the protests began. Also: a new UN push to end the decade-long Syrian war; and we hear who's been nominated for this year's Oscars.

Security forces opened fire on demonstrators in Yangon where martial law has been declared. Also, the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the US is brought in to care for migrant children, and there's controversy in Afghanistan where girls over the age of 12 have been banned from singing in public.

In his first public address, uploaded onto Facebook, Mahn Win Khaing Than said this was Myanmar's darkest moment. Also: Moscow police raid election forum, and former F1 motor racing commentator Murray Walker dies aged ninety-seven.

The settlement comes as a jury selection resumes for the murder trial of ex-officer Derek Chauvin. Also: Covid vaccines top the agenda at "Quad" meeting, and scientists unlock mysteries of ancient "computer".

A report from an area of northern Mozambique that's under siege by Islamists. More than half a million people have fled their homes to escape the insurgents' brutal attacks. Also, gunmen abduct dozens of students near army base in Nigeria, and how the disappearance - and killing - of a young woman in London has generated debate in UK about women's safety.

The governor of Brazil's most populous state, Sao Paulo, has announced tough restrictions. Also: UN alleges the military regime in Myanmar is most probably guilty of crimes against humanity, and sniffing out Parkinson's disease.

Myanmar's military claims the ousted leader took illegal payments, but offers no evidence. Also: Prince William says the royal family is 'very much not racist', and China approves a plan to control HK elections.

The green light is given for President Biden's $1.9 trillion package which provides additional funding for vaccine distribution as well as one-off payments of $1,400 for most Americans. Also: the pro-democracy activist in Myanmar who helped elderly people escape a police raid and, for the first time, the sound of lasers are heard being fired on another planet.

Research by International Red Cross looks at the civil war's impact on younger Syrians.While most have suffered pain and loss, many are optimistic about the future. Also, efforts in India to save a 4000-year-old community from extinction, and Japan's award for the Most Sexist Remark has been won by a woman.

It says situation will be even worse since the report due to the pandemic. Also: The British Royal family responds to allegations of racism from Harry and Meghan; and the highly diverse BAFTA nominations.

Carles Puigdemont is wanted in Spain over a failed independence referendum. Also: A leading international agency has upgraded its forecasts for global economic growth, and the family driveway hit by a meteorite.

A Supreme Court judge annuls ex-President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s conviction -- clearing the way for a possible presidential run next year. Lula was freed in 2019 after 18 months in jail over a huge bribery scandal which ensnared politicians and business leaders. Also today: the shockwaves from Meghan and Harry’s Oprah interview continue, fear on the streets of Myanmar, and giving voice to Ghanaian women accused of witchcraft.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a series of dramatic revelations about their life inside the British Royal family. Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, said concern had been expressed by a member of the royal family about how dark the skin of her first baby might be. Also: President Biden's climate envoy John Kerry heads to Europe on a quest to reduce global warming, and we hear about a standoff between the elephant and the avocado in Kenya.

The blasts in Bata killed many and injured hundreds, Also, the people of Switzerland vote to ban the public wearing of face coverings such as niqab and burqa, and the sailors from Kiribati stranded in Hamburg.

President Biden called it a 'giant step forward' and said it should become law next week. Also: the Yazidi women - raped by IS fighters - who are reunited with their children, and the 130 kilometre journey to pick up a sandwich.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there must be no relaxation in the fight against Covid-19. Also: the Pope's first visit to Iraq, and Ukraine's campaign to have Borscht recognised as its national dish.

Pontiff intends to show support for Iraqi Christians and foster dialogue with Muslims. This is considered the Pope's riskiest international trip yet - due to instability and the pandemic. Also, China reveals plans to tighten its grip on Hong Kong, and the world's oldest known wild bird has a chick - at the age of 70.

The ban on shipping 250,000 doses, amid a row with the firm, is backed by the EU. Also: the store where shoppers walk out without paying, and saving the butterfly.

There are reports that the police used tear gas and gunfire to break up the protesters. The UN human rights chief has demanded the military government stop murdering and jailing protesters. Also: Hong Kong has been excluded from an annual league table of the world's most free economies, and we hear how poetry is helping one doctor cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

Israel rejects the court's investigation, while the Palestinians praise it. Also: S Korea's first transgender soldier is found dead, and the vultures threatened by poison in Kenya.

At least 9 people killed in confrontations between security forces and demonstrators. One teenager is reported to be among the dead. Also, BBC investigation finds evidence that members of China's Uighur minority are being uprooted from their homeland, and country superstar Dolly Parton reworks one of her best-known songs to encourage Americans to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

The Biden administration imposes its first sanctions on Russia over what it says was Moscow’s attempt to kill Alexei Navalny. The move, which targets Russia's top spy and six other officials, was co-ordinated with the European Union. Also: scientists discover a group of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo are able to suppress HIV without medication, and one of reggae's most important voices, Bunny Wailer, dies at the age of 73.

The girls were abducted by gunmen from their boarding school in Zamfara state and taken to a forest. Also: the Prime Minister of Singapore condemns the violence in Myanmar, and the extraordinary journey of a wolf on the west coast of the United States.

The Biden administration had been strongly criticised for not sanctioning the Crown Prince directly, despite blaming him for the journalist's murder in an official report last week. The US State Department insists it is focused on Saudi Arabia’s future conduct. Also: a BBC reporter covering the deadly conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray province is detained by the military, and the Nobel prize winning author Kazuo Ishiguro discusses the inspiration behind his new novel.

Aung San Suu Kyi is charged with two more offences, as the security forces again use tear gas and stun grenades against peaceful protesters. Also: the former president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, is found guilty of corruption and influence peddling; and Donald Trump hints at a new bid for the White House.

Mr Trump told the Conservative Political Action Conference he would not be starting a new political party. Also, police in Myanmar open fire on protesters, and a Russian warship enters a port in Sudan where Russia is planning to build a new naval base.

The Armenian president has refused to follow through an order from the prime minister to sack the army chief. Also: hundreds of arrests across Myanmar as the military authorities harden their response, and researchers dig out a near intact Roman ceremonial chariot in Pompeii.

A US intelligence report has found that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the murder of exiled journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. The report said this conclusion was based on the crown prince's absolute control over the security apparatus, and his willingness to use violence to silence critics. Also, Myanmar's ambassador to the UN has condemned the military coup in his country and has sided strongly with mass protests, and we hear why fish in Kenya are dying in large numbers.

Unidentified gunmen abducted the girls in early morning from a school in Zamfara state. This is latest in a series of attacks targeting schools in northern Nigeria in recent years. Also, court rules that British-born IS recruit Shamima Begum cannot return to UK from Syria, and BBC investigation finds portions of Brazil's Amazon rainforest being sold illegally on internet.

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