BBC

Before Misha Glenny's first edition on 15th January, BBC Radio 4's flagship news programme Today has brought Melvyn Bragg and Misha Glenny together so they can share their ideas about In Our Time's success and discuss what, if anything, will change with Misha. While Justin Webb chaired this discussion, here you will hear Melvyn introduce it and at the end he has a message for Misha and for listeners around the world.

This is a longer version of the discussion broadcast on Today on Radio 4 on Christmas Eve 2025 which was produced by Jade Bogart-Preleur, when Melvyn Bragg was the guest editor.

In Our Time is a BBC Studios Production.

President Trump has said that a possible deal covering the future of Greenland will achieve "everything" he wants - after rowing back on threats to seize the island by force or levy further tariffs on European allies who oppose his desire to own it. Mr Trump announced he had agreed what he called the "framework of a future deal" after talks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, but gave few details. Also: several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt, say they'll join President Trump's Board of Peace. Three activists who organised an annual Tiananmen Square vigil in Hong Kong, before it was banned, have gone on trial. We visit a car factory in Slovakia, a country which makes the highest number of cars per capita in the world. And researchers say they've found the world's oldest known cave painting on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

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]

The US President said a "very productive" meeting with the head of NATO has led to the framework of a potential deal covering Greenland and the Arctic regions. We speak to a member of the Greenland parliament and a Republican close to Trump. Also on the programme: the latest on the 'Board of Peace' for Gaza; the UK government announces a cash injection for the arts; driving test cheats; and Mel Brooks's son Max on a new documentary about his father.

President Trump makes a u-turn on tariffs after reaching a framework for a future deal over Greenland. Leanna Byrne asks - what do we know about this deal?

We also follow the US Supreme Court hearing involving Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, who denies allegations of misrepresenting her home ownership status.

And the EU-Mercosur trade deal faces a legal challenge.

(Photo: US President Donald Trump speaking at the annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2026. Credit: Photo by World Economic Forum/PA Wire)

President Trump says he will not initiate tariffs on those countries opposed to his acquiring Greenland. He was speaking after talks with Nato leaders meeting at Davos. Also in the programme: The Nigerian government plans to restart drilling for oil in the Niger Delta, 30 years after nine people were executed for criticising the damage caused by Shell’s oil operations there; and researchers reveal news of the oldest cave art ever discovered.

(IMAGE: US President Donald Trump attends a reception with business leaders during the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, 21 January 2026 / CREDIT: photo by REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

Amber faces some tough questions, and Eddie struggles to come to terms with recent events.

US President Donald Trump says he is seeking immediate negotiations to acquire Greenland. He told world leaders at the Davos World Economic Forum that he wouldn't use force to take the semi-autonomous Danish territory. Also: The BBC has seen photos of hundreds of victims of the bloody suppression of protests in Iran that were shown to relatives trying to identify the dead. The man who assassinated the former Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has been sentenced to life in prison. Safety measures are introduced in Pakistan to protect people from kite flying, and OpenAI adds age prediction to ChatGPT to strengthen safety for teenagers and children.

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]

The settlement comes just days before the landmark case was due to go to trial in LA

A new report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change says that most countries, including those in Africa, will find it difficult to have full autonomy over AI systems. According to the Institute, only 32 countries worldwide host AI-specific data centres, leaving around 160 nations dependent on foreign infrastructure. We hear how the situation is for African countries.

And, Nigeria wants to resume oil drilling in Ogoniland in Southern Rivers State; thirty years after environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others were executed following a protest that saw the killing of four tradional chiefs of an oil producing community known as Ogoni. This led to the suspension of exploration by oil giant Shell – the company accused of causing the environmental damage. We hear the views of the Nigerian government and environmental activists.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine, Ayuba Ilya and Blessing Aderogba

Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango

Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga

Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

President Trump tells the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he is seeking immediate negotiations to acquire Greenland, but won't use force to take it. We hear live reaction to his speech.

Also in the programme: a BBC investigation into the killing of protesters in Iran; and the challenges for athletes of travelling with large sports equipment.

(IMAGE: US President Donald Trump speaks during his special address at the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, 21 January 2026 / CREDIT: photo by GIAN EHRENZELLER/EPA/Shutterstock (16380717ba))