BBC

The European Union has reached an agreement to phase out its remaining imports of Russian gas by 2027. The decision came after a lengthy meeting in Moscow between US and Russian representatives resulted in no breakthrough to end the war in Ukraine. The sovereignty of the eastern region of Donbas, largely controlled by Russia, is at the heart of the negotiations, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky refusing to cede the territory.

Also in the programme: we go to the Swiss town where you can pay with Bitcoin; and the search for Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 will resume at the end of the month, 11 years after its disappearance.

(Photo: A gas torch is seen next to the Lukoil company sign at the Filanovskogo oil platform in the Caspian Sea, Russia. Credit: Reuters / M. Shemetov).

Nolan talks to UUP Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie and author Dr Aaron Edwards

Talks in Moscow between President Putin and the US envoy, Steve Witkoff, about a peace plan for Ukraine have ended without a breakthrough. Russian negotiators described the meeting as productive and useful, but the Kremlin aide, Yuri Ushakov, said no compromise had been reached over Ukrainian territory. Also: on the first anniversary of an attempted coup in South Korea, the president praises civilians who defended democracy; Wikipedia's most read pages of 2025 are revealed, from Charlie Kirk to Ozzy Osbourne; we hear from a working mother in Japan, where the country's first female prime minister has made 'work' a national slogan; and the Fabergé egg, commissioned by Russia's last Tsar, which has sold at auction for a record $30 million.

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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Meteorites are pieces of space rocks, which having survived a fiery journey through the atmosphere, land on the earth’s surface. No-one knows the exact number which make it to the ground each year, but this extra-terrestrial material holds the secrets to the beginnings of our solar system. If you are lucky enough to come across one, you might disregard it as just a dusty old rock. But others know exactly what they are looking for and their worth. With rare specimens often out of the price range of scientists and institutions, they end up in the hands of private collectors - but what is the impact of that on those trying to study them?

Ed Butler explores Invest America, a new US government initiative aimed at boosting long-term investment among younger citizens. The plan gives every newborn Americans $1,000 to invest in stocks and shares for their future, and is part of President Trump's controversial 'Big, beautiful' spending bill.

We’ll also look at concerns over why India is requiring telecom companies to pre-install a government tracking app on all new mobile phones.

And we revisit a 90s classic — the Tamagotchi is back on top as Japan’s most sought-after children’s gift this Christmas, nearly thirty years after it first became a sensation.

(Picture: Stock selection of US Dollar notes. Credit: Chris Radburn/PA Wire.)

Two of US President Donald Trump’s closest envoys, Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, today met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin used the meeting to warn that Russia was not planning for war with Ukraine’s European backers but was 'ready' for that eventuality.

Also on the programme: we debate Justice Secretary David Lammy proposes scrapping jury trials for some cases; and we hear about the snake-handling church that's inspired a new piece of music.

President Vladimir Putin has accused European countries of being on the side of war and putting forward proposals to end the conflict in Ukraine that they knew would be unacceptable. He added that Russia was ready for a wider war with Europe if that's what they wanted. Mr Putin was speaking shortly before he started talks with President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner in Moscow.

Also in the programme: a rising death toll after floods in Indonesia; and a Faberge egg sells for millions at auction.

(Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin, presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev and foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov attend a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, December 2, 2025. CREDIT: Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via REUTERS)

Brad faces a sad goodbye, and Ian makes a suggestion.

Special envoy, Steve Witkoff, meets President Putin at the Kremlin with the latest US plan to end war in Ukraine. President Zelensky says Ukraine is committed to achieving a "real and secure peace". Also: The number of dead in the devastating floods and landslides in Sumatra in Indonesia has risen to more than seven-hundred. Hundreds more are feared buried in mud; the Sri Lankan authorities say the flash flooding and landslides have also killed hundreds there. One-hundred-and-fifty-thousand people have attended a mass held by Pope Leo in Beirut. A special BBC report on a dam collapse at a Chinese copper mine in Zambia leading to toxic waste, including heavy metals, pouring into the surrounding waterways and farmland.

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]

Today, Serbia's only oil refinery is due to shut down, all because of US sanctions on the national oil company, which is mostly Russian-owned. So, what will this mean for the country's energy and how badly will it harm its economy?

And Netflix has reportedly put in a second-round bid for parts of Warner Bros Discovery. Leanna Byrne looks at what Netflix actually wants.

Also, for the first time in more than 20 years, a rare Fabergé egg is going up for auction.

Presenter: Leanna Byrne

Producer: Ahmed Adan

Editor: Justin Bones