Global News Podcast – April 13, 2026

Main Theme

This episode covers major global news developments, focusing on the escalating public dispute between Pope Leo and US President Donald Trump over the Pope’s anti-war stance and Trump’s policies on Iran. Other highlights include the rising tensions and naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a historic election upset in Hungary, Iranian human rights abuses, escalating disputes in the South China Sea, and a heartwarming story about an 8-year-old's toy flying to the Moon.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pope Leo vs. President Trump: Dispute Heats Up

Overview:
The episode opens with the ongoing war of words between Pope Leo, the first American Pope, and President Donald Trump, particularly surrounding US policy in Iran and immigration.

Key Moments & Quotes:

• Pope Leo rebuffs Trump’s attacks, refusing to engage in a direct political spat:

  "I do not look at my role as being political or politician. I don't want to get into a debate with him. ... I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems."
  — Pope Leo (03:42)

• Trump’s counteroffensive focuses on law and order, nuclear non-proliferation, and his critique of the Pope:

  “We don't like a pope that's going to say that it's okay to have a nuclear weapon. ... He's a very liberal person and he's a man that doesn't believe in stopping crime.”
  — Donald Trump (02:53)

• Trump’s AI-generated image of himself as Jesus curing the sick on social media is mentioned as a notable and provocative move.

Context & Analysis:

• Pope Leo’s visit to Algeria aims to build interfaith bridges, now overshadowed by the row.
• Janak Jalil and religion correspondent Lebu Dhis Echo discuss the tension’s roots, noting the Trump administration’s reliance on conservative Catholic support and the shock of Trump’s “praise be to Allah” in his contentious Iran remarks on Easter Sunday (05:40).

2. US-Iran Crisis: Blockade and Rising Tensions

Overview:
With the US imposition of a blockade on Iranian ports and threats of Iranian retaliation, military and economic tensions heighten in the Middle East.

Key Moments & Quotes:

• Former UK ambassador to Iran, Nicholas Hopton, explains the risks and practicalities of the US move:

  “It would take a huge amount of US Naval assets in order to make an effective blockade. ... It is puzzling how a proposal to close the Strait of Hormuz is meant to open it.”
  — Nicholas Hopton (08:20)

• On the likelihood of Iran returning to negotiations:

  "There has to be. ... Iran has de facto control over the Straits of Hormuz."
  — Nicholas Hopton (10:09)

• On the possible impact to China:

  “The Chinese will probably feel the need to get more involved if a blockade actually becomes reality ... it will impact on China, it will impact on the United States as well, and on Europe, and particularly on Asian economies.”
  — Nicholas Hopton (11:24)

Context & Analysis:

• The blockade raises oil prices and risks broader regional escalation.
• Recent direct US-Iran talks failed, increasing instability.

3. Crackdown and Executions in Iran

Overview:
Sebastian Usher reports a new spike in executions in Iran, connecting it to political repression and stifling dissent.

Key Moments & Quotes:

• "The Norway based Iran human rights group says number [of executions] was almost 70% more than for 2024.”
  — Sebastian Usher (13:03)

• “Hundreds of people who were detained during the protest remain at risk of death sentences and execution, activists say.”
  — Sebastian Usher (14:16)

Context:

• Highest annual executions since 1989, with crackdowns following mass protests earlier in the year.
• Ongoing suppression includes public hangings and risks of more protester executions.

4. Hungary’s Political Earthquake

Overview:
Hungary’s populist Viktor Orban is ousted by Peter Modjo, who pledges to realign Hungary with the EU and combat corruption.

Key Moments & Quotes:

• Peter Modjo’s victory speech:

  “Hungary is in trouble in more than one ways. It's been robbed, it's been betrayed, it's been indebted, it's been devastated. We became the most impoverished and the most corrupt country in the EU.”
  — Peter Modjo (17:15)

• Interpretation from Budapest correspondent Nick Thorpe:

  “Peter Magyar coming also from the right ... managed to break Mr. Orban's monopoly on what it is to be Hungarian ... That's a key issue in all of this.”
  — Nick Thorpe (19:27)

• On reforms possible due to Modjo’s 2/3 majority:

  “They can get rid of the very party loyal main state prosecutor. They could start to restore balance in the judiciary, end the political interference ...”
  — Nick Thorpe (20:21)

International Context:

• EU leaders express hope for a shift, with the election seen as a setback for the European populist right.
• Ukrainian reaction:

  “They don't know Peter Mag very well ... they do know that he's not Viktor Orban and they know precisely what Orban has meant for Ukraine. ... So certainly a lot of relief here today."
  — Sarah Rainsford, Kyiv (22:43)

5. South China Sea: Cyanide Allegations

Overview:
The Philippines accuses Chinese fishermen of poisoning waters around the Second Thomas Shoal, deepening tensions in the South China Sea.

Key Moments & Quotes:

"These Philippine soldiers were not able to catch any fish in case if they catch any fish it could be contaminated. And the second reason is also destroying the corals nearby. This is poisoned water."
— Ambar Sanitarajan (14:51 & 25:28)

• Ongoing challenges faced by Filipino troops resupplying on the disputed atoll, with repeated clashes with Chinese forces.

6. NASA’s Artemis Mission: An 8-Year-Old’s Toy Goes to the Moon

Overview:
On a lighter note, the podcast shares the story of Lucas Ye, whose plushie design ‘Rise’ was sent to the Moon as a zero gravity indicator in Artemis 2.

Key Moments & Quotes:

• Lucas describes his design:

  “It's this little moon plushie ... and the visor of the cap is the deep space between Earth and the moon. Orion constellation on the visors representing the Orion. ... On the back there's Neil Armstrong's footprint he made on 1969 on Apollo 11.”
  — Lucas Ye (28:39)

• His aspirations:

  “I would like to work at NASA and probably design a mission to Mars or a manned mission even further to one of Jupiter's moons.”
  — Lucas Ye (30:15)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Pope Leo and Trump’s dispute: (01:08) – (04:16)
• Analysis of papal visit, Trump-Catholic dynamics: (04:33) – (07:20)
• US-Iran naval blockade explained: (07:20) – (12:23)
• Iran execution rates and crackdown: (12:23) – (14:26)
• South China Sea cyanide allegations: (14:51) & (25:28) – (27:52)
• Hungary election results and implications: (16:46) – (22:18)
• Ukraine’s response to Hungary’s new PM: (22:43) – (24:47)
• NASA Artemis story, interview with Lucas Ye: (27:52) – (30:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I don't want to get into a debate with him. ... I will continue to speak out loudly against war." – Pope Leo (03:42)
• "We don't like a pope that's going to say that it's okay to have a nuclear weapon." – Donald Trump (02:53)
• “This is poisoned water.” – Ambar Sanitarajan (14:51, 25:28)
• “I would like to work at NASA and probably design a mission to Mars or a manned mission even further to one of Jupiter's moons.” – Lucas Ye (30:15)

Overall Tone & Style

• The episode blends serious global political analysis with human rights reporting and inspiring lighter stories, maintaining the BBC’s balanced, incisive, and internationalist tone.
• Quotes and narration remain factual, with occasional poignant or emotional insights, especially regarding the Hungary election and the Artemis mission story.

This comprehensive summary covers the key moments, context, and standout commentary from the April 13, 2026 edition of the BBC Global News Podcast. Whether you’re interested in global politics, energy crises, human rights, or space exploration, this episode offers timely insights into world events.