First large protests in Iran since deadly crackdown - Global News Podcast Recap
Podcast: Global News Podcast
Published: 2026-02-22
Duration: 28 minutes
Guests: Bahman Kalbasi, Bobby Seagal
Summary
University students in Iran have launched large-scale protests for the first time since a deadly crackdown earlier this year. Meanwhile, President Trump increases global trade tariffs, and Japan's football league experiments with ending draws.
What Happened
Students at several elite universities in Iran, including Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, have staged significant anti-government protests. This marks the first large-scale demonstration since January's crackdown, which resulted in thousands of deaths, though the true toll remains uncertain. Chants against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were a prominent feature of the protests.
The Iranian government has not yet responded with violence to these recent demonstrations, leaving the future of the protests uncertain. Bahman Kalbasi from BBC Persian Service provides insights into the scale and implications of these protests, indicating a potential shift in the Iranian political landscape.
Internationally, President Trump has announced an increase in global trade tariffs to fifteen percent. This decision comes after the US Supreme Court deemed many of his previous tariffs illegal, prompting criticism from governors like Gavin Newsom and J.B. Pritzker, who are demanding refunds.
In Canada, a concerning incident involves an 18-year-old school shooting suspect who reportedly used ChatGPT to inquire about gun violence scenarios. OpenAI faced internal debates about whether to involve law enforcement but decided not to refer the incident as they require a credible and imminent risk of harm.
The Berlin Film Festival has stirred controversy after its jury president, Wim Venders, suggested filmmakers should refrain from political involvement. Despite the controversy, the festival awarded the Golden Bear to 'Yellow Letters' and other prizes to 'Queen at Sea' and 'Nina Rosa'.
In sports, Japan's J-League is testing the elimination of draws by introducing penalty shoot-outs directly. Football commentator Bobby Seagal argues that football must adapt to the preferences of younger audiences who are increasingly drawn to platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
Key Insights
- Iran's Sharif University of Technology in Tehran has become a focal point for anti-government protests, marking the first major demonstrations since a deadly crackdown in January left thousands dead. This resurgence of dissent, highlighted by chants against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, suggests a brewing political shift.
- President Trump has raised global trade tariffs to fifteen percent following a US Supreme Court ruling that found many of his previous tariffs illegal. This move has sparked backlash from governors like Gavin Newsom and J.B. Pritzker, who are now demanding financial restitution.
- OpenAI faced internal controversy over whether to report an 18-year-old school shooting suspect who used ChatGPT to research gun violence. The company ultimately decided not to involve law enforcement, citing a lack of credible and imminent risk despite the alarming nature of the inquiry.
- Japan's J-League is experimenting with eliminating draws by implementing direct penalty shoot-outs, aiming to capture the attention of younger audiences gravitating towards Twitch and YouTube. This radical change reflects broader efforts in sports to adapt to shifting viewer preferences.
Key Questions Answered
What is the scale of the recent protests in Iran?
The protests are the first large-scale demonstrations in Iran since a deadly crackdown in January, with significant participation from university students.
How is President Trump altering US trade policy?
Following a Supreme Court ruling that deemed many existing tariffs illegal, President Trump announced a new 15% global trade tariff.
What is the controversy at the Berlin Film Festival?
The controversy arose from remarks by jury president Wim Venders suggesting that filmmakers should avoid political topics, sparking debate about the role of politics in art.