EU approves $100bn loan to Ukraine

The Global News Podcast from the BBC covers a range of critical international developments on April 22, 2026. A major breakthrough for Ukraine comes as the European Union approves a $100 billion loan after Hungary lifted its veto, resolving a months-long diplomatic standoff tied to the restoration of Russian oil flows through Ukraine’s Druzba pipeline. The loan, crucial for Ukraine’s defense and financial stability, is set to be disbursed over 2026 and 2027. Meanwhile, tensions persist in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has attacked three cargo ships, challenging the U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Tehran. Analysts suggest Iran is using these attacks to signal resistance to continued U.S. pressure, despite President Trump’s extension of the ceasefire. In Sudan, a new report by Conflict Insights Group reveals that Colombian mercenaries backed by the United Arab Emirates played a key role in the RSF’s capture of El Fasher, using drone technology and firing techniques that contributed to widespread atrocities. The report implicates both the mercenaries and UAE in shared responsibility. Elsewhere, the podcast explores the impact of climate change on voting rights, with research showing extreme weather disruptions to elections globally, and highlights the overlooked role of women in the Nuremberg Trials, as well as a rare fossil discovery of the world’s oldest marine crocodile in the UK.