Global News Podcast - podcast cover

Global News Podcast

BBC World Servicewww.bbc.co.uk

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.

Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.

Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

The Ukraine War: What happens next?

What future for Ukraine? Your questions answered. Global News Podcast teams up with Ukrainecast for a special Q&A, in a week that has seen US military aid halted. Can Trump and Zelensky get back to talks on a peace deal? Jackie Leonard will be joined by Ukrainecast's Vitaly Shevchenko, the BBC's Ukraine Correspondent James Waterhouse and Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet.

Mar 07, 202535 min

The Happy Pod: Learning to play the guitar one handed

Tony Romaine has taught himself how to play the guitar with one arm, after a stroke left him unable to walk or speak. Plus, Ilona Maher on using social media to spread positivity and the 105 year old raver.

Mar 01, 202528 min

The Happy Pod: The 'terrible' artist in high demand

Meet the artist who describes his own work as 'terrible', but has been getting commissions from around the world. Also: the strip performer entertaining the elderly, and the long-lost tomb of King Thutmose II Presenter: Alan Smith. Music composed by Iona Hampson

Feb 22, 202527 min

Starmer warns US backstop needed for Ukraine peace deal

UK PM says US security guarantee only way to deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again. Also: Using AI to detect prostate cancer and tributes paid to Paquita la del Barrio whose songs empowered women around the world.

Feb 17, 202525 min

The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance

How a plea to fly a dog to the US ended in marriage. Adri Pendleton and Niklas Stöterau fell in love after he came to the rescue. Also: a son who's saved his dad's life, twice; and helping the homeless through tennis.

Feb 15, 202528 min

The Happy Pod: the volunteer vet travelling the world

We meet a volunteer vet who helps animals in need around the world. He says it's taught him to love life, and accept people. Also: an 88 year old foster dad; the joy of rare baby frogs; and why a pub gave away 300 pints.

Feb 08, 202528 min

The Happy Pod: Meet the world's internet dad

Meet the man behind the YouTube channel 'Dad, How Do I?'. He teaches his millions of subscribers how to do everyday tasks. Also: the man in Uganda who is changing lives through chess; and the flower causing a stink.

Jan 25, 202526 min

Donald Trump begins second term as US president

We assess President Trump's promises on his first day back in office and what it means for the rest of the world. Also: who will govern Gaza after ceasefire and first study into how weight loss drugs affect the body.

Jan 20, 202528 min

The Global Story: The fight for the Arctic

Donald Trump has repeated his desire to control Greenland as a matter of national security, targeting Russian and Chinese interest in the Arctic. Competition is heating up over shipping routes and stores of natural resources. The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC World Service. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podc...

Jan 12, 202527 min

Biden in largest single-day act of clemency

US president commutes around 1,500 sentences and pardons 39 people. Also: inside Syria's abandoned presidential palace, recreational use of cannabis banned in Japan, and the secret to being happy at work.

Dec 12, 202429 min

Syrian rebels enter Homs and close in on Damascus

Syrian President's grip on power wanes as another strategic city falls to Islamist rebels. Also: Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is rededicated in front of world leaders and the conman in India who duped families into thinking he was their long lost son.

Dec 07, 202430 min

Syria special

Syria's army says it's bolstering defences around the capital, Damascus, as rebels intent on overthrowing President Assad converge on the city.

Dec 07, 202414 min

Donald Trump confirmed as 47th US President

Donald Trump pledges to lead the US into a new golden age after winning US presidential election. We'll have world reaction and assess the potential impact on the global economy and environment.

Nov 06, 202433 min

The Happy Pod: Marrying the man who saved my life

Charlotte and Dave met as strangers in a moment of crisis, and went on to marry. Also, the son who reunited with his father after 19 years, and the friends that have been meeting up every week in the same spot since 1968 Presenter: Jannat Jalil. Music composed by Iona Hampson.

Nov 02, 202427 min

Former Ugandan rebel jailed for 40 years for war crimes

Former commander in rebel Lord's Resistance Army, Thomas Kwoyelo, sentenced to 40 years for war crimes in Uganda. Also: The tortured monkey released back into the wild, and a scientific breakthrough in eco production.

Oct 25, 202432 min

US Presidential Election - your questions answered

The Global News Podcast, The Global Story and Americast join forces to answer your questions about the US presidential election. We look at what the result could mean for the Middle East, Ukraine and climate change.

Oct 20, 202439 min

Israeli PM's home targeted by Hezbollah drone

Israeli PM says Iran and allies have made a ‘grave mistake’ after his home was targeted by a drone. Also: Striking Boeing workers to vote on new pay deal, and how video games are better for your brain than exercise.

Oct 19, 202434 min

The Happy Pod: The young people changing the world

At the One Young World summit in Canada, we meet leaders and innovators from around the world including a 22-year-old MP, a woman using AI to tackle cyberbullying, and the founder of a fashion brand praised by Beyoncé.

Sep 28, 202427 min

The Happy Pod: AI offers blind runners more freedom

We hear about the freedom and independence a visually impaired man found by running with an AI guide. Also: South Africa's hospital train; an usual diplomatic job share; and the dog whose love of binmen has gone viral. Presenter: Jackie Leonard. Music composed by Iona Hampson

Sep 21, 202427 min

Bonus: The Global Story - Is Twitch too big to fail?

This is a Bonus episode from The Global Story - Is Twitch too big to fail? The world's largest live-streaming platform, Twitch, faces an uncertain future. Media reports suggest that parent company Amazon has become frustrated by its failure to make profit, and rumours are swirling of a third round of layoffs within a year. But does its loyal audience of 240 million active monthly users make it too big to fail? On this episode, Caitríona Perry is joined by BBC tech reporter Tom Gerken, and the BB...

Aug 18, 202426 min

The Happy Pod: Panda pair bring joy to San Diego

We hear about the giant personalities of the panda pair bringing joy to the crowds at San Diego Zoo. The super relaxed male and curious, playful female are the first pandas sent to the US from China in more than twenty years. Also: How Botswana celebrated its first gold medal at an Olympics with a nationwide party - and an afternoon off work. We hear from a woman who's defied tradition in southern Iraq to set up the region's first all female cafe. We visit Amsterdam's Offline Club -- where peopl...

Aug 10, 202427 min

Bonus: The Global Story - The most contested land in the world?

This is a bonus episode from The Global Story - taking a look at a much-debated slogan, and a journey through the land that it refers to; from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean sea. Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas last year, the cry “From the River to the Sea” has been heard more and more as a pro-Palestinian slogan. But what river? What sea? And what exactly does the phrase mean? It is the subject of intense controversy. BBC Current Affairs journalist Tim Whewell joins o...

Jul 28, 202426 min

The Happy Pod: The surprise star of a US Olympics team

With the Paris Olympics underway, we hear about Beacon -- the therapy dog that's helped the USA Gymnastics team cope with the pressure and stress of competitive sport. His handler and owner, Tracey, tells us his friendly face and intuitive nature make him perfect for the job -- and that some of the gymnasts even talk to him. Also: the first horse rider from the Arab world to qualify for Olympic equestrian eventing tells us it's a huge honour to represent the region's history. How a new type of I...

Jul 27, 202427 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android