Category: 2-DailyNews

European leaders and military chiefs make the case for increasing defence spending. A former head of the British military tells us investment is needed across the board, and that Europe is – and must be - able to defend itself without the US.

Also in the programme: Israel's cabinet votes in favour of beginning a process of land registration in the West Bank, a move condemned by Palestinians as ‘de-facto annexation'; and a row breaks out over potential cheating in the curling - at the Winter Olympics.

(IMAGE: Dutch Navy ship Johan de Witt heads to Arctic for NATO exercise, Den Helder, Netherlands - 16 Feb 2026/ CREDIT: Dingena Mol/EPA/Shutterstock)

An investigation by Reuters news agency has revealed that Ethiopia built a secret training camp for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) - a group involved in the Sudan war. Satellite images released by Reuters show that the camp is located in western Ethiopia near the border with Sudan. Experts say this is the first time Ethiopia has been directly linked to the war between the RSF and the Sudan Armed Forces. We look at Ethiopia's alleged involvement, alongside other countries like Chad, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

And, a look at the life and legacy of Ebo Taylor, the Ghanaian Highlife musician who died recently. We speak to Ghanaian artist, Gyakie on growing up listening to Ebo's sound.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba and Mark Wilberforce Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

An investigation by Reuters news agency has revealed that Ethiopia built a secret training camp for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) - a group involved in the Sudan war. Satellite images released by Reuters show that the camp is located in western Ethiopia near the border with Sudan. Experts say this is the first time Ethiopia has been directly linked to the war between the RSF and the Sudan Armed Forces. We look at Ethiopia's alleged involvement, alongside other countries like Chad, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. And, a look at the life and legacy of Ebo Taylor, the Ghanaian Highlife musician who died recently. We speak to Ghanaian artist, Gyakie on growing up listening to Ebo's sound.

New plea from Savannah Guthrie. It's the third day of the partial government shutdown. And the latest on the Winter Games. CBS News Correspondent Cami McCormick has those stories and more on the World News Roundup podcast.

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Congress is out on recess as a partial shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security is underway after talks collapsed over immigration enforcement reforms.
Officials from the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine prepare for new peace talks in Geneva as Moscow presses territorial demands and Kyiv insists on security guarantees.
And at the Winter Olympics in Italy, American speed skater Jordan Stolz is making history while other superstar athletes struggle with the intense pressure of competing on the world’s biggest stage.

Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Jason Breslow, Kate Bartlett, Tina Kraya, Eric Whitney, Mohamad ElBardicy and Adam Bearne.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Simon-Laslo Janssen.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:57) DHS Shutdown
(05:38) Ukraine Peace Talks
(09:26) Olympics Stars Stumble

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With its funding withheld by Congress, the Department Homeland Security goes into shutdown mode. Secretary of State Marco Rubio gives an address stressing unity with Europe, despite increasing friction. And an Olympic curling kerfuffle begs the question: how much officiating does a sport really need?

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Alabama

• Sen. Tuberville warns about mass migration to US and the chaos it causes
• Sen. Britt talks about negotiations between Dems and WH over DHS funding
• Governor Ivey to sign bill that increases penalties for fatal DUI cases
• A 3rd civil lawsuit filed re: Madison childcare center and sex abuse 
• House Majority Leader Scott Stadhagen on leave of absence for a few weeks

National

• SoS Marco Rubio delivers impassioned speech to European leaders in Munich
• TN Senator says SAVE Act has 51 votes: work underway to get to floor vote
• Border Czar says defends ICE policies of masking agents during raids
• Thomas Massie of KY says Epstein files/names not going away

Israel's prime minister has demanded the removal of all enriched uranium from Iran as part of any deal on Tehran's nuclear programme. Benjamin Netanyahu was speaking as Iran's foreign minister travelled to Switzerland for the latest round of indirect talks with the US. Also: In a new Instagram video the American celebrity news host, Savannah Guthrie, has addressed the kidnappers of her eighty- four year old mother, Nancy. She said she and her family still had hope their mother would be returned safely. The alleged gunman of the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia, has appeared via video link at a Sydney court for the first time. Nigerians welcome the return of the celebrated Argungu fishing festival. And how artificial intelligence is changing agriculture.

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

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Aragchi is on his way from Tehran to Geneva, for the second round of nuclear talks with the US which take place on Tuesday. The country’s deputy foreign minister speaks to the BBC about these discussions and says the next steps lie with the US. We get reaction to this interview from a US congressman.

Also in the programme: Nigeria says Russia is recruiting its citizens to fight in the war in Ukraine; and how AI has given a folk singer with motor neurone disease a new voice.

(Photo: Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran's deputy Foreign Minister, during an interview with BBC News in Tehran; Credit: BBC)