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[Global News Podcast: Supreme Court Ruling, Middle East Tensions, and AI Governance]-[US Supreme Court rules against Trump's global tariffs]

Global News Podcast · B2 · 2026-02-20

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📋 Summary

The US Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump's Tariff Policy

In a landmark decision, the US Supreme Court delivered a "significant blow" to President Trump’s economic agenda by striking down a major portion of his tariff policy. The ruling, decided by a 6-3 vote, asserts that the President lacks the unilateral authority to impose such tariffs, placing that power firmly with Congress. Justin Wolfers, an economics professor, highlighted the economic irony, noting that these tariffs, often used as a diplomatic tool to "bend other nations to his will," are paid by American companies rather than foreign nations. As the administration faces a potential "big hole" in revenue—with tariffs having generated nearly 280 billion dollars in 2025—legal experts anticipate a wave of litigation from importers and consumer groups seeking refunds for what the Court deemed an "unconstitutional and illegal" policy.

Escalating Military Tensions in the Middle East

Norway has withdrawn 60 soldiers from the Middle East as tensions between the US and Iran reach a critical juncture. President Trump’s recent threats to launch military strikes have prompted Iranian authorities to declare US bases in the region as "legitimate targets." Defence analyst Mark Urban notes a massive build-up of American assets, including hundreds of warplanes and missile defence batteries across Jordan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. The current deployment suggests the US is preparing for a "sustained campaign" rather than a brief engagement, though experts remain skeptical about the efficacy of military action alone in achieving regime change or resolving nuclear proliferation concerns.

The Global Divide on AI Regulation

At a major AI summit in India, the US government reaffirmed its opposition to international AI regulation, prioritizing "innovation rather than safety." White House technology advisor Michael Kratios rejected calls for a UN-style body to oversee global AI governance. Technology editor Zoe Kleinman reported a stark contrast at the summit: while corporate leaders and VIPs express optimism about the technology's promises, there is deep global division regarding its dangers. Sir Demis Hassabis, co-founder of DeepMind, advised that despite the disruption AI poses to the job market, a technical education remains an advantage, as humans will still be needed to "orchestrate" and solve problems using these systems.

Legal Investigations into the British Royal Family

Prince Andrew, also known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been arrested and remains under investigation for alleged "misconduct in public office." The investigation, which led to a search of the Royal Lodge, stems from emails discovered within the "Epstein files." These documents allegedly show the former prince forwarding government reports to Jeffrey Epstein shortly after returning from a trade mission in Asia. While the Prince has been released under investigation, police are currently working to determine if there is a "corrupt reason" behind these communications or if a benign context exists.

The Human Cost of the War in Ukraine

BBC analysis, conducted alongside MediaZone, has identified over 180,000 Russian soldiers killed in the war in Ukraine, with 2025 emerging as the deadliest year to date. The research indicates that the losses are disproportionately concentrated in rural areas and small towns, a strategy that appears designed to shield major city populations from the "true scale of losses." Despite draconian laws and war censorship that silence dissent, the data suggests that Russia continues to push hard on the front lines to use casualties as a "trump card" during diplomatic negotiations.

Breakthroughs in Wildlife Forensics and Architectural Milestones

In a historic first, DNA evidence from a dead lion has been used to secure the conviction of poachers in Zimbabwe. By linking recovered body parts to a specific animal via a national database, investigators successfully prosecuted the perpetrators, setting a "powerful precedent" for wildlife crime. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia reached a major milestone with the installation of a 12-tonne cross atop the "Tower of Jesus." The completion of this central spire, which utilizes 15,000 ceramic pieces to reflect sunlight, marks the latest progress in a construction project that has spanned over 140 years.

🎯Key Sentences

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I want to be really clear on that.
2
No question.
3
He's not really put a lot of store by winning it.
4
There's nowhere to go from here in terms of challenging this.
5
I think they may have seen this coming.
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📝Key Phrases

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delivering a significant blow
2
striking down a major part
3
bend other nations to his will
4
go down the toilet
5
put a lot of store by
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📖 Transcript

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.
Continente é de toda a gente.
Vocês, mecânicos que põem o país a andar.
Vocês, contabilistas que contam cada cêntimo.
Vocês, barbeiros que cumprem o trabalho à risca.
Vocês merecem Mac.

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