Bernadette Keogh

Poland's prime minister says overnight Russian air attacks on Ukraine are a result of appeasing a barbarian. Shock and fear in Syria's minority Alawite community as more than 600 civilians are reported to have been killed by Syria's security forces. Also in this podcast, South Korea's impeached president gets out of jail. And International Women's Day through the prism of Spain.

Poland's prime minister says overnight Russian air attacks on Ukraine are a result of appeasing a barbarian. Shock and fear in Syria's minority Alawite community as more than 600 civilians are reported to have been killed by Syria's security forces. Also in this podcast, South Korea's impeached president gets out of jail. And International Women's Day through the prism of Spain.

Iran has responded defiantly to President Trump's warning that it faces possible military action unless it agrees to nuclear talks. Mr Trump says he told the Ayatollah in a letter that Iran must never be allowed to become a nuclear power and could face attack.

Iran has responded defiantly to President Trump's warning that it faces possible military action unless it agrees to nuclear talks. Mr Trump says he told the Ayatollah in a letter that Iran must never be allowed to become a nuclear power and could face attack.

The Islamic Republic's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran would not negotiate under pressure from what he called a bullying country.

The Islamic Republic's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran would not negotiate under pressure from what he called a bullying country.

Tehran has repeatedly denied that it's planning to develop nuclear weapons, but has enriched its uranium supplies to near weapons-grade level. Parham Gabbadi from the BBC's Persian service told me more.

Tehran has repeatedly denied that it's planning to develop nuclear weapons, but has enriched its uranium supplies to near weapons-grade level. Parham Gabbadi from the BBC's Persian service told me more.

What's at stake for Iran if it refuses President Trump's demand for a deal?

What's at stake for Iran if it refuses President Trump's demand for a deal?

So how concerned will the Iranian government be at this escalation in tension?

So how concerned will the Iranian government be at this escalation in tension?

Parham Gabbadi. Now to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Fighting is intensifying in the Ukraine-held Kursk region. Ukraine's military says it was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting in over 100 clashes on Saturday after Russian attacks killed at least 25 people overnight. The escalation follows the US limiting Ukraine's access to its military intelligence and satellite imagery.

Parham Gabbadi. Now to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Fighting is intensifying in the Ukraine-held Kursk region. Ukraine's military says it was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting in over 100 clashes on Saturday after Russian attacks killed at least 25 people overnight. The escalation follows the US limiting Ukraine's access to its military intelligence and satellite imagery.

Major Vladimir Omelyan, a former Ukrainian minister of infrastructure now serving on the front line, says this has crippled Ukraine's ability to anticipate Russian attacks.

Major Vladimir Omelyan, a former Ukrainian minister of infrastructure now serving on the front line, says this has crippled Ukraine's ability to anticipate Russian attacks.

America's shifting stance on Ukraine has caused grave concern in Europe. Neighbouring Poland has already announced military training for all adult men this week. And its Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, said this latest attack is what happens when you appease barbarians. Our Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse reports.

America's shifting stance on Ukraine has caused grave concern in Europe. Neighbouring Poland has already announced military training for all adult men this week. And its Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, said this latest attack is what happens when you appease barbarians. Our Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse reports.

In Syria, the first major clashes between the new Islamist government and supporters of the toppled President Bashar al-Assad have taken place. Reports say hundreds of people have been killed in the Latakia and Tartus regions since the government force was ambushed on Thursday. Most of the dead are said to be civilians from the Alawite minority, some of them victims of massacres.

In Syria, the first major clashes between the new Islamist government and supporters of the toppled President Bashar al-Assad have taken place. Reports say hundreds of people have been killed in the Latakia and Tartus regions since the government force was ambushed on Thursday. Most of the dead are said to be civilians from the Alawite minority, some of them victims of massacres.