This is the Global News podcast from the BBC World Service.

I'm Andrew Peach and at 14 hours GMT on Wednesday the 12th of March.

These are our main stories.

The EU retaliates against the Trump administration's tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

We'll look at the impact on US businesses.

Pakistan's military says it's freed nearly 200 train passengers

taken hostage by separatists, but the standoff continues.

Also in this podcast, the U.S. is to put proposals for a ceasefire in Ukraine to Russia

after President Zelensky agreed to an interim break in the fighting.

And...

They are excited to be able to contribute more to the mission.

They have enough supplies to be there.

And I believe that anyone who wants to be an astronaut is always thrilled at the possibility to stay longer.

For two astronauts, being stranded for months on the International Space Station, is almost over

as NASA prepares to launch a mission to bring them back.

Tariff has come into effect today on steel and aluminium imported into the US.

President Donald Trump is hoping the 25% levies will boost US production, but critics say they will increase prices and slow economic growth.

Lots of reaction from around the world. Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, criticised the move but didn't respond with countermeasures.

Britain's Prime Minister says London is working on a trade deal with Washington.

But the EU has promised its own retaliatory tariffs.

Here's the European Commission President Ursula Mondaline.

The countermeasures we take today are strong but proportionate.

...