Russia jails Putin critic Navalny despite protests
Alexei Navalny had returned to Russia after treatment in Germany for Novichok poisoning. Also: US Democrats lay out impeachment case against Trump, and a prize for those who invented LEDs - Light Emitting Diodes.
Biden starts rebuilding Obamacare
President Joe Biden says he is “undoing the damage” done by Donald Trump, as he reopens online enrolment for government-subsidised healthcare. Also, the European Union has sent inspectors to an AstraZeneca plant to find out why Covid-19 vaccine goals are not being met. And Facebook’s new oversight board hands down its first decision.
Germany warns Europe's vaccine shortage could last months
The shortage of Covid-19 vaccines in the European Union is being felt across the continent. Also: China tells the US not to interfere with a WHO investigation into the origins of the virus, and Alexei Navalny denounces his detention as illegal after a judge turns down his appeal for release.
Coronavirus: French firm agrees to manufacture vaccine developed by German rival
Sanofi pledges to manufacture 125 million doses of Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine. European Union is currently struggling with vaccine supply issues amid a row over shortages. Also, a stark warning from South Africa about future danger posed by new Coronavirus variants, and how one man cheered up his US neighbourhood - by giving away free pizza.
Further calls for fairer distribution of coronavirus vaccines
The European Commission President has added her voice to the growing number of world leaders. Also: Chaos in parts of the Indian capital as thousands of farmers converge on the Red Fort to demand that the government drop its agricultural reforms, and the Thai parliament has voted to allow abortions in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy.
'Thousands detained' at Navalny protests in Russia
Tens of thousands joined some of the largest rallies against President Vladimir Putin in recent years. Also: Italian PM brands Covid-19 vaccine delay "unacceptable", and the veteran talk show host Larry King dies aged eighty-seven.
US top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci addresses the WHO
The top US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci addresses the WHO as the US administration under Biden prioritises its fight against Covid and joins the global vaccine plan. Also: we hear from Central American migrants as they attempt to reach the United States, and we look back at the 1980s HIV Aids pandemic in Britain.
Joe Biden sworn in as 46th US president
He promises to work to heal the bitter political divisions of recent years. Also in this podcast which is entirely devoted to the inauguration, we look at the challenges facing the new administration, how Kamala Harris has made history by becoming the first female, first black, first Asian-American vice-president, how the news of the inauguration is being received around the world, and we ask what next for Donald Trump and his supporters?
Trump faces second impeachment vote
US politicians debate whether to charge President over his supporters' riot at Capitol. A growing number of Republicans have voiced support for impeachment. Also, trial begins of hundreds of alleged members of Italy's biggest mafia group, and do zebras' stripes help them evade their enemies ?
Uganda Elections: Opposition leader says military raided his home
The incident comes just two days before Ugandans vote in a general election following a campaign marked by violence which has killed dozens of people. Also: an Indonesian search team has recovered a black box flight recorder from the airliner which crashed on Saturday, and we hear from one of the advocates who assisted the defence team of Lisa Montgomery, the only woman on federal death row in America, after her execution is postponed just hours before it’s due to be held.
A World Health Organisation warning about the way vaccines are used.
A WHO warning, as the coronavirus lockdown is extended in Germany. Also: A run-off for control of the Senate in the US State of Georgia. And the world's music festivals try to work out how they can take place this year.
Trump tells Georgia official to 'find more votes'
A recording has been released of President Trump urging Georgia's Secretary of State to overturn Joe Biden's electoral victory there. Also: how safe is the vaccine developed in India, and Gerry Marsden, the singer of Liverpool Football Club's anthem, dies.
China approves Covid vaccine
Beijing says it hopes to inoculate tens of millions by Chinese New Year in February. Also: 'Glacier Bro' is presumed dead after a waterfall accident, and sitting your exams up a tree.
Happy News Podcast 2020
As 2020 comes to a close, we present this collection of our favourite stories from the past year, ranging from the inspirational to the uplifting to the silly: A nine-year-old Kenyan inventor helps his village take coronavirus precautions. Scientists make major advancements in preventing serious illness. And the power of music.
UK and EU agree post-Brexit trade deal
The deal ends months of arguments over business rules and fishing rights. Also: the journalist who knew one of the victims of an explosion she was reporting on, and why a digitally-created Queen Elizabeth is delivering a Christmas message to the nation.
French ban on lorries from UK remains for now
France shut its UK border on Sunday amid fears of a new coronavirus variant. Also: Russia hits EU with sanctions in Navalny backlash, and Thai man revives baby elephant with CPR.
Covid: Nations impose UK travel bans over ‘out of control’ variant
European nations have begun to impose travel bans on the UK after it reported a more-infectious and "out of control" coronavirus variant. Also: A new $900 bn support package for US citizens is edging closer- after months of deadlock, and the French film fuelling conspiracy theories about the virus...
WHO secures coronavirus vaccine for poorer countries
The first of two billion doses are due to be delivered in early 2021.The World Health Organisation's COVAX initiative was set up to ensure that vaccines are distributed fairly around the world. Also: a suicide bomber kills at least 10 people at a stadium in Somalia where the prime minister was due to speak, and why Sony has pulled Cyberpunk 2077 - one of the year's most-anticipated games - from its PlayStation store.
Nigeria school attack: Hundreds of boys return home after release
More than 300 schoolboys are reunited with their families, a week after mass-kidnapping. Local authorities say the boys were abducted by 'bandits' and not by Boko Haram militants. Also, hundreds of thousands flee Islamist insurgency in Mozambique, and how an American couple's dream home contained a hidden surprise.
Nigeria school attack: Hundreds of boys return home after being kidnapped
More than 300 schoolboys are reunited with their families, a week after mass-kidnapping. Local authorities say the boys were abducted by 'bandits' and not by Boko Haram militants. Also, hundreds of thousands flee Islamist insurgency in Mozambique, and how an American couple's dream home contained a hidden surprise.