Valerie Sanderson

This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Valerie Sanderson and in the early hours of Friday the 7th of March, these are our main stories. At their emergency summit in Brussels, EU leaders agreed to boost spending on defence. President Trump temporarily lifts tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

Pope Francis thanks well-wishers in his first audio message since being admitted to hospital. Also in this podcast, the Danish Postal Service says it will no longer deliver letters and it's got a little hopper that's going to bounce around the surface and try and look for water in these regions. A lunar lander built by a private US firm has touched down on the moon.

Pope Francis thanks well-wishers in his first audio message since being admitted to hospital. Also in this podcast, the Danish Postal Service says it will no longer deliver letters and it's got a little hopper that's going to bounce around the surface and try and look for water in these regions. A lunar lander built by a private US firm has touched down on the moon.

The emergency summit of 27 European Union leaders meeting in Brussels has agreed to boost the EU's defenses and carry on helping Ukraine, with one notable exception. Hungary's Viktor Orban refused to sign a text pledging continued support. But all the leaders agreed that Russia and Belarus posed a threat to the EU's eastern border.

The emergency summit of 27 European Union leaders meeting in Brussels has agreed to boost the EU's defenses and carry on helping Ukraine, with one notable exception. Hungary's Viktor Orban refused to sign a text pledging continued support. But all the leaders agreed that Russia and Belarus posed a threat to the EU's eastern border.

The crisis summit has been seen as one of the most pivotal moments for the bloc's security for decades, following US President Donald Trump's pivot away from supporting Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia. Writing on X, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said the day had been productive, with a unified European vision for ending the war and concrete security guarantees.

The crisis summit has been seen as one of the most pivotal moments for the bloc's security for decades, following US President Donald Trump's pivot away from supporting Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia. Writing on X, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said the day had been productive, with a unified European vision for ending the war and concrete security guarantees.

Rebecca Kesby asked our Europe correspondent there Nick Beek about the mood at the meeting.

Rebecca Kesby asked our Europe correspondent there Nick Beek about the mood at the meeting.

Nick Beek in Brussels. It's been announced that US and Ukrainian delegations will meet in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss what Washington called an initial ceasefire with Russia. Meanwhile, Ukraine's ambassador to London has accused the US of destroying the international rules based order in the way it's been engaging with Russia.

Nick Beek in Brussels. It's been announced that US and Ukrainian delegations will meet in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss what Washington called an initial ceasefire with Russia. Meanwhile, Ukraine's ambassador to London has accused the US of destroying the international rules based order in the way it's been engaging with Russia.

Speaking at a think tank event in London, he warned delegates there was a risk that NATO could collapse without US participation and with what he called the White House taking steps towards the Kremlin.

Speaking at a think tank event in London, he warned delegates there was a risk that NATO could collapse without US participation and with what he called the White House taking steps towards the Kremlin.

And how important a figure is Valery Zaluzhny?

And how important a figure is Valery Zaluzhny?

Danny Eberhardt. Pope Francis has issued his first public message since being admitted to hospital in Rome last month. The 88-year-old has been treated for double pneumonia for the past three weeks. His condition worsened on Monday after he suffered respiratory failure. The message was played during evening prayers in St. Peter's Square to the surprise of the crowd who'd gathered.

Danny Eberhardt. Pope Francis has issued his first public message since being admitted to hospital in Rome last month. The 88-year-old has been treated for double pneumonia for the past three weeks. His condition worsened on Monday after he suffered respiratory failure. The message was played during evening prayers in St. Peter's Square to the surprise of the crowd who'd gathered.

Our correspondent in Rome, Sarah Rainsford, was there.

Our correspondent in Rome, Sarah Rainsford, was there.

A lunar lander, built by a private US firm, has touched down close to the Moon's south pole. After a tense wait, staff in Houston said the six-legged craft, called Athena, had landed and was acknowledging commands. It also appeared to be generating power from its solar panels, although it's thought the lander is not upright.