Author: BBC World Service

President Zelensky of Ukraine is in Washington ahead of crucial talks with Donald Trump. He's expected to press for long-range Tomahawk missiles to strike Russia. Also: China's ruling Communist Party expels nine senior military officials. New Yorkers are preparing to vote for a new mayor, as a Muslim candidate emerges as the clear frontrunner. The state funeral of a revered opposition leader in Kenya. Spotify develops its own AI music tools. And the EU's top court rules that pets can be classified as 'luggage' on flights.

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: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Kenya's opposition leader, and former prime minister, Raila Odinga, has died suddenly at the age of eighty. We explore his legacy in Kenya and the rest of Africa.

The world's largest producer of cobalt is the Democratic Republic of Congo. It replaces the ban with quotas but what does that mean for the DRC economy and its local mining communities?

And did you know that young women can get perimenopause. We ask what it is?

Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Senior Producer: Sunita Nahar Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine is in Washington ahead of crucial talks with Donald Trump. The meeting comes a day after Mr Trump spoke on the phone with Vladimir Putin -- and agreed to hold a summit in Hungary to discuss how to end the war. On his arrival, Mr Zelensky said Moscow was rushing to the negotiating table to stop America from supplying long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

Also in the programme: The second highest general in China has been removed and faces corruption charges along with eight other senior military officials; and we hear from Marie Kondo, who became famous by teaching us how to tidy up.

(Photo: A handout photo made available by Ukrainian Presidential Press Service shows US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York, 23 September 2025. Credit: Photo by Presidential Press Service handout EPA /Shutterstock)

President Trump has said he expects to meet Vladimir Putin in Hungary "within two weeks" after holding what he described as a "very productive" phone call with the Russian leader. Speaking as he arrived in Washington for talks at the White House, President Zelensky said Moscow was rushing to the negotiating table to stop the US from sending long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. Meanwhile, President Trump's former National Security Advisor, John Bolton, has been charged with mishandling classified documents. The state funeral is taking place for the Kenyan opposition politician, Raila Odinga. And the phone apps offering a digital connection to Jesus.

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: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

US President Donald Trump has confirmed he has authorised the CIA to carry out secret operations in Venezuela, and that he is considering attacks on Venezuelan territory.

It follows a series of strikes by the US military against alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean, which have killed 27 people.

Also in the programme: A phone conversation between Putin and Trump ahead of President Zelensky’s visit to Washington - and the queen of de-cluttering, Marie Kondo, explains what the world doesn't understand about her native Japan.

(Photo: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro at a demonstration to mark Indigenous Resistance Day. Credit: Reuters /Leonardo Fernandez Viloria)

The difficulty of recovering the dead bodies of Israeli hostages comes under the spotlight, as Washington downplays claims that Hamas is violating the ceasefire deal. But Israel's prime minister warns that the war in Gaza is not over. Also: The government in France survives two no-confidence votes. The impact of the brutal civil war in Sudan on its children. Violence erupts at a youth-led protest in the capital of Peru, despite the appointment of a new president. The last surviving Sherpa of the team that first scaled Mount Everest dies. And the backlash against a firework display in Tibet promoting a well-known outdoor-clothing brand.

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: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Nigeria's president Bola Tinubu pardons many individuals-some posthumously. How were the decisions arrived at?   Why are marriages and births declining in Tunisia?   And are journalists in Tanzania exercising a lot of caution ahead of the general elections?   Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers:  Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar, Patricia Whitehorne  and Bella Hassan in London. Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

US President Donald Trump has confirmed a report that he authorised the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, provoking outrage from the South American nation's leader. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro says 'no to regime change'

Also in the programme: As more Palestinians return to what is left of their homes in Gaza City, we talk to one university student who's just taken his exams in the street; and the story of Oscar Wilde's library card -- it's now being returned, 130 years after it was cancelled when he was sent to prison. We speak to his grandson.

(Photo: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro speaks during an event commemorating Indigenous Resistance Day in Caracas, Venezuela, 12 October 2025. Credit: Miguel Gutierrez/ EPA/Shutterstock)