Category: 2-DailyNews

President Trump confirms the first known U.S. strike inside Venezuela, saying it targets drug trafficking as critics warn it risks escalation.
Iranian authorities shut down cities and security forces move in to contain growing protests as anger over inflation and sanctions boils over.
And the flu is spreading fast across the U.S., with a new strain driving cases higher just as vaccination rates slip and hospitals brace for what’s next.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rebekah Metzler, James Hider, Rebecca Davis, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

Our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.

(0:00) Introduction
(03:30) U.S. Strikes Inside Venezuela
(07:25) Iran Protests
(11:22) Flu Cases Surge

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In this annual fan-favorite special, the Start Here team revisits their favorite “One Last Thing” stories of 2025. 

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Alabama

• The state to receive $203M in federal money to improve rural health care
• Mac Mcutcheon to resign on 3/1 as Chairman of Madison County Commission
• Ronny Shumate of Marshall County Commission died from stomach cancer
• Mobile city leadership considers relocation options after rent increase for city
• Moody man released on bond after deadly shooting at Trussville bar
• A kidnapping on Christmas Eve was foiled by quick thinking family member

National

• Federal judge in DC upholds Trump Admin. placing fees on new H-1B visas
• President Trump says another strike on Venezuela involves coastal port
• DOJ files motions to keep suspected J6 pipe bomber behind bars
• AG Pam Bondi says fraud arrests coming in MN due to Nick Shirley reports
• TN school shooter Audrey Hale used Pell Grant money to purchase guns
• NY Governor ready to sign bill for physician assisted suicide.

Protests over Iran's worsening economic problems have spread from the capital, Tehran, to other major cities. University students have now joined the demonstrations, calling for an end to poverty and corruption. How will the government respond? Also: the US places sanctions on Iranians and Venezuelans accused of the "aggressive and reckless proliferation of deadly weapons". Poland considers a bill to recognise same-sex couples for the first time. Some of the world's top aid organisations are set to be barred from Gaza under new Israeli rules. And researchers try a creative way of addressing homelessness.

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

High level DOJ officials pushed for the indictment of Kilmar Abrego Garcia only after he was mistakenly deported and ordered to be returned, according to a newly unsealed order.

Detention hearing this afternoon for man accused of planting pipe bombs in DC before the Capitol riot.

Tatiana Schlossberg, the grandaughter of President John F. Kennedy, has died at 35.

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Supporters of southern Yemen's separatist movement have taken to the streets in Aden to protest at an ultimatum delivered by Saudi Arabia to the group's main backer, the United Arab Emirates. The UAE said on Tuesday it would abide by a Saudi demand to end its military involvement in Yemen. Riyadh has been angered by separatist advances towards the Saudi border. Overnight on Monday, a Saudi-led strike force attacked a port in southern Yemen, where Riyadh said two UAE ships had docked with weapons for the separatists. The UAE has denied this.

Also in the programme: Another day of street protests in Iran as inflation sours and the currency tanks - how will the government respond? And after 400 years, Denmark’s national postal service has delivered letters for the last time.

(Photo: The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) seeks independence for southern Yemen. Credit: Photo by Najeeb Mohamed/EPA/Shutterstock)

As we look back at our international reporters' most memorable stories of the last year, we revisit the story of an important typewriter.  It was  recently discovered in a basement in upstate New York and it holds important clues about the origins of Chinese computing. The discovery also raises questions about language and culture.


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Edition for Dec. 30. Meta becomes one of the first major U.S. tech companies to buy a startup with Chinese roots, as it agrees to acquire Manus for more than $2 billion. Plus, tensions in the Middle East as Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. square off over their support for rival factions in Yemen. And WSJ chief economics commentator Greg Ip and White House reporter Meridith McGraw explain why “affordability” is likely to be a major talking point in next year’s midterm election campaign, and what politicians can do to address it. Luke Vargas hosts.

Programming note: What’s News is publishing once a day through Jan. 2.

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The United Arab Emirates says it will end its operations in Yemen, after Saudi Arabia conducts a strike on the southern port of Mukalla. Riyadh claims the target was a UAE-linked weapons shipment, intended for separatists. The attack marks the most significant escalation in a widening rift between the two Gulf powers, who once cooperated in a coalition against the Houthis.

Also: protests are spreading in Iran, sparked by rising prices and the plummeting value of the currency. China has launched rockets on a second day of large-scale military exercises around Taiwan. South Korea announces steep fines for companies found guilty of price fixing. BBC analysis suggests Russian losses in the war with Ukraine have been growing faster than at any time since the start of the full-scale invasion. Nepalese authorities are scrapping a clean-up scheme that was meant to encourage climbers to bring down their waste from Mount Everest. A new search for the wreckage of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH-370 begins in the Indian Ocean. We speak to the dinosaur hunters who discovered a spiky “punk rock" dinosaur. And why the Danish Postal Service will stop delivering letters, ending centuries of service.

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