BBC

Anti-government unrest has continued to spread across Iran, despite an internet blackout and a defiant address by the Supreme Leader. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed the protesters as "a bunch of vandals" and said the authorities would not back down. Demonstrations began nearly two weeks ago because of anger at rising living costs. Also: Russia uses a powerful hypersonic missile against the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, in another wave of air attacks. Switzerland observes a national day of mourning for the victims of the New Year's eve fire. And why the giant pandas in a Japanese zoo will soon be replaced by people in panda suits.

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.

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A free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American trade bloc is approved, but some countries aren’t happy. We speak to a European Commissioner for Trade about the deal.

And there's another big deal brewing - this time in the mining sector, as Glencore and Rio Tinto are in preliminary talks about a takeover worth two hundred and seven billion dollars. A mining analyst gives us his take on what it could mean for the industry.

And how has news of that deal affected markets? We’ll be finding out.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has described demonstrators as vandals aiming to please a foreign power - as he faces the biggest wave of anti government protests in over a decade.

Also in the programme: we'll hear from the Greenlanders tired of President Trump's talk of take over; and the British government accuses the social media platform X of insulting the victims of misogyny and sexual abuse.

(Photo: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Credit: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/West Asia News Agency)

Now, despite a start-up boom happening in Africa, a recent study showed that many of Africa’s start-up founders say their jobs have negatively impacted their mental well-being.

60% of founders reported experiencing anxiety, 58% high stress, 52% exhaustion, and 20% depression. Key stressors include fundraising, inflation and economic instability.

Focus on Africa host Nkechi Ogbonna had a discussion with Jihan Abass, founder of Lami Insurance Technology - a Kenya-based fintech - and Mawano Kambeu, founder of Zambia-based digital company, Dot Com Zambia, to discuss burnout, mental health and navigating Africa’s complex start-up scene.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Fana Weldye

Senior Producer: Priya Sippy

Technical Producer: Terry Chege

Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Also, woman referred to urgent ENT waiting list 18 months ago has still no appointment

Protests have been taking place in cities across Iran, in the biggest show of opposition to the clerical authorities for 17 years. Reports of clashes between Iranian security forces and demonstrators in Tehran and other cities. Also: officials in Minneapolis say the FBI has blocked them from investigating the shooting dead of a woman by a US immigration agent. The Trump administration alleges she tried to run over officers - local officials reject that claim. As NASA prepares to evacuate a sick crew member from the International Space Station, we ask how astronauts can stay healthy in space. Skye Newman fends off Sombr, Jim Legxacy and Geese to be crowned BBC Sound of 2026 winner. And why boredom is a good thing.

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]

Relations between Jews and Muslims in Morocco have historically been strong unlike elsewhere in North Africa and the Middle East. Although now relatively small, Morocco’s vibrant Jewish community is still regarded as an important part of the country’s history and culture. In Casablanca there are a number of functioning synagogues, kosher butchers and Jewish schools. More than a million Moroccan Jews now live in Israel and travel freely back and forth between the two countries. So how has the North African country managed to maintain a peaceful harmony while many other nations in the region have failed? And what could unsettle the balance? Mike Lanchin hears from some of the Moroccans from both faiths who have embraced this coexistence.

As President Trump and European leaders have their say about Greenland, BBC’s Andrew Peach hears from Greenland’s business minister, Naaja Nathanielson.

And, in a few weeks, a group of potential investors and hedge fund managers will be heading to Venezuela after its president was forcibly removed by the US. We will hear of those heading to Caracas.

Also, beef prices in the US are at record highs – they went up by 22% last year.

(Photo: The Greenlandic flag Erfalasorput flies on the Tivoli Castle in Tivoli in Copenhagen, Denmark, 08 January 2026. Credit: Ida Marie Odgaard/EPA/Shutterstock)

Presenter: Andrew Peach

Editor: Craig Henderson

Producer: Ahmed Adan

Protests are taking place in the city of Minneapolis, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot dead 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on Wednesday. Vice President JD Vance today called the dead woman a ‘deranged leftist’. Minnesota governor Tim Walz has said state officials are being frozen out of the investigation by the FBI.

Also on the programme: as Storm Goretti hits the UK and prompts a red warning for "danger to life", we hear live from an emergency responder in the Midlands.

And Baby Elsa, found abandoned in east London two years ago, has been adopted and will see her siblings. A man who was a foundling passes on his lessons for her adoptive parents.

Vice-President J.D.Vance insists Renee Good was shot by an ICE officer in self defence. We hear the latest from the city amid conflicting accounts of what happened.

Also in the programme: reports of clashes between Iranian security forces and protestors across the country; political prisoners released in Venezuela; and what it's like to be sick in space.

(Photo: US Vice-President Vance addresses the media in the White House; Credit: WILL OLIVER/EPA/Shutterstock)