US seizes Iranian-flagged cargo ship

US seizes Iranian-flagged cargo ship

Author: BBC World Service April 20, 2026 Duration: 29:31

The US military says it has intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman as part of its naval blockade. Iran has promised to retaliate. The announcement came after the White House confirmed US Vice-President JD Vance would lead another delegation for a second round of talks on ending the war with Iran in Pakistan. Tehran has not yet confirmed its attendance. Iranian state media has reported that officials will not participate while the US blockade remains in place. Also, a gunman in the US state of Louisiana kills eight children - aged from one to fourteen years old. How DNA databases are helping dozens of Kenyans track down the British soldiers who fathered them and then disappeared. And a humanoid robot breaks the half marathon world record in Beijing.

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


Staying informed means navigating a constant stream of events, and the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service provides a grounded, thorough digest of that flow. This isn't just a headline service; it's a twice-daily briefing that situates you within the day's most pressing stories, particularly focusing on complex, unfolding situations. Right now, that means dedicated coverage from across the Middle East, including Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and the Gulf states, offering clarity on regional dynamics and their global implications. Alongside that essential regional focus, the podcast consistently pulls back for a wider lens, bringing reports and context from every corner of the world. What you'll hear is the BBC's signature blend of on-the-ground reporting and measured expert analysis, all designed to build understanding rather than just summarize events. For a reliable, in-depth audio briefing that updates each weekday morning and evening, this podcast delivers a comprehensive picture of our world as it happens.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Global News Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Russia blamed for drone crash in Romania [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:22
Romanian authorities say a Russian drone has crashed into a residential building in eastern Romania, causing a fire and injuring two people in the major port city of Galati. The episode has sparked a chorus of condemnati…
Drones become Hezbollah's primary weapon against Israel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:46
The BBC reports from the Israel-Lebanon border, where fibre-optic drones have become Hezbollah's primary weapon of war. Also, Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered Israeli troops to take control of even more of the Gaza Strip.…
Deadly fire rips through boarding school in Kenya [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:40
The fire at the Utumishi Girls Academy started in the early hours of Thursday, killing at least 16, as the students were asleep in the dormitory block. More than 800 children were in the school at the time. Kenyan offici…
US and Iran exchange fire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:20
The US has launched more strikes against Iran, claiming to hit drones and a military site in Bandar Abbas. Tehran says it's fired at ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, including an American oil tanker with its r…
Samsung workers secure $400,000 bonus deal on AI profits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:57
Unionised workers at Samsung Electronics in South Korea approve a landmark profit-sharing deal, putting them in line for bonuses averaging $400,000. The agreement with the world's largest memory chipmaker avoids a strike…
Nasa reveals plans for a permanent base on the Moon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:35
Nasa announces details of its plans to establish a permanent base on the Moon. Nasa chief Jared Isaacman said construction of the proposed twenty-billion-dollar facility is planned to happen over the next seven years, wi…
Train hits Belgian school bus in fatal crash [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:15
Several children and adults have been killed in a collision between a train and a school bus in Belgium. Federal police said the vehicle had been on its way to a special education school. Police have launched an investig…
US launches new strikes on Iran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:31
The US says it's launched new strikes on Iranian missile sites and boats, despite the ongoing ceasefire and diplomatic moves towards a peace deal. Meanwhile, Tehran says it will lift the nationwide internet shutdown toda…
Pope Leo issues AI warning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:33
In his first teaching document, Pope Leo warns AI risks accelerating war and threatens humanity. It was published at an event in the Vatican attended by AI experts including the co-founder of Anthropic. Also: Muslims beg…
African countries join forces to prevent Ebola spreading [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:46
The Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan co-ordinate their response to the Ebola outbreak as the number of suspected cases in the DRC surpasses 900. Also: a pro-Palestinian activist makes serious allegati…