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A free trade agreement dubbed the mother of all trade deals has finally been announced between the European Union and India after two decades of negotiations. What do businesses make of it?

Across the globe then to hear why Canadians are boycotting ski resorts in America.

In the US, a landmark social media addiction case has tech giants settling before reaching court.

And country music is popular (according the Gen-Z).

[Photo:President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Luis Santos da Costa shake hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, India. Credit: RAJAT GUPTA/EPA/Shutterstock]

The new head of the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, Tom Homan, has met the state governor as the White House attempts to address the criticism following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renée Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

Also in the programme: Spain has approved a plan to grant legal status to an estimated 500,000 migrants; and tennis star Coco Gauff calls for privacy after being filmed smashing her racket.

(Picture: Tom Homan, the new head of the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota. Credit: Getty Images)

Ruth has concerns about a neighbour, and the stakes are high for Susan.

Two decades in the making, the EU-India agreement will allow free trade of goods between the bloc of 27 European states and the world's most populous country. Together, they make up nearly 25% of global gross domestic product and a market of two billion people. The deal will see a number of huge tariff cuts across a range of goods and services, and a joint security partnership.

Also: new videos from Iran show bodies piled up inside a hospital, as rights organisations warn that thousands have died during the crackdown against anti-government protests. Spain is to grant legal status to half a million undocumented migrants. A new AI project in Britain helps schoolchildren connect with Holocaust survivors. US Republican Chris Madel ends bid for Minnesota governor and calls ICE action in the state "a disaster". A new study reveals how menopause triggers a loss of grey matter in the brain, similar to changes seen in Alzheimer's patients - but can the effects be mitigated? Tech giants in the US face a landmark trial over social media addiction claims. And why tennis stars Alcarez, Sinner and Sabalenka have been told to remove their fitness trackers.

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.

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The European Union and India have announced a landmark trade deal as both sides aim to deepen ties amid tensions with the US. It will allow free trade of goods between the bloc of 27 European states and the world's most populous country, which together make up nearly 25% of global gross domestic product and a market of two billion people.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump threatens South Korea with more tariffs, and a big shift in the global sportswear business as France’s billionaire Pinault family sells a big chunk of its Puma holding to China’s Anta Sports.

The European Commission president Ursula Von Der Leyen has celebrated the signing of a trade agreement with India, saying it sent a message that international cooperation could still work. The remarks have been taken as a dig at President Trump - with the agreement itself partially the result of Europe seeking trade partners beyond the United States. Tariffs will gradually be eliminated, raising expectations of an increase in volumes traded. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the deal would strengthen stability in the international system.

Also in the programme: News from Iran in the wake of the state's violent crackdown on demonstrations there- doctors and nurses who cared for injured protesters are now being arrested. We also look at The Planets by the English composer Gustav Holst. It was first heard a century ago and is being reworked to address what's happening on planet now.

(Photo: President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen +President of the European Council Antonio Luis Santos da Costa pose for photographs with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi New Delhi - 27 Jan 2026. Credit: Rajat Gupta /EPA/Shutterstock)

Morocco and Egypt are the only African nations in President Trump's Board of Peace. The body was initially meant to help implement a ceasefire in Gaza, but Trump says it could serve a wider role in ending global conflicts. We look at why Morocco and Egypt got the invitation to join the Board and what influence African countries will have, if any.

Also, seven years after a corruption scandal involving an Icelandic company and some government officials rocked Namibia’s fishing industry, the case is finally heading to trial. The whistleblower who leaked the evidence speaks for the very first time. 

 

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

 

Producers: Bella Twine, Basma El Atti and Blessing Aderogba

 

Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango

 

Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga

 

Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

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& should new younger drivers face a limit to how many late night passengers they have?

President Trump is sending Tom Homan to lead the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. Reports suggest the current border patrol chief, Gregory Bovino, will leave the city with some of his agents, in an apparent White House policy change. It comes after federal agents killed two US citizens - Alex Pretti and Renée Good - in recent weeks. Also: the latest from the storm in North America; we hear from a Palestinian journalist about the likelihood of moving to the next phase of the Gaza peace plan; Nike "automation" lays off more staff; scientists map dark matter; and what makes magic mushrooms magical?

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]