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
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The US and Israel strike targets across Iran for a third day. The American Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, says Washington's objectives won't be achieved "overnight" - but promised conflict with Iran would not lead to an "endless war". The violence has now spread across the region, as Iran launches its own attacks on several Gulf states. The Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, exchanges strikes with Israel. Israel's President, Isaac Herzog, tells us that the future of the...
President Donald Trump has warned that more American military personnel are likely to be killed as the US and Israel continue their attacks on Iran. Three US service members have already died after Iranian retaliatory strikes on military sites. Trump says Operation Epic Fury could last weeks. Also: the conflict widens as Israel and Hezbollah exchange fire, with the IDF hitting targets in Beirut's southern suburbs. Oil prices surge after Iran warns tankers to avoid the Strait of Hormuz. The UK sa...
We meet two women who have forged an unconventional friendship after meeting by chance more than four years ago. Neena found Carol's lost subway card in New York and they went on to build a close intergenerational bond. They say their 58 year age gap allows them to learn from each other, slow down and appreciate what's important. Also: How decades of work have brought giant tortoises back to an island in the Galapagos for the first time in nearly two hundred years. The Floreana Tortoise became e...
Following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, due to US and Israeli strikes, the podcast discusses the widespread celebrations and mourning within Iran, along with the regime's efforts for a smooth transition. It also covers Iran's retaliatory missile strikes across the Gulf, the varying reactions of neighboring states, and the significant impact on trade, including the Straits of Hormuz. The episode delves into the legal justification of the attacks and the potential for a wider, unpredictable regional conflict, questioning the long-term plans of all involved parties.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed in his office by US and Israeli strikes - ending his 36-year iron rule of the Islamic Republic. As the government announces a 40 day mourning period, many Iranians have reportedly taken to the streets to celebrate. The Revolutionary Guard has promised to punish the "murderers", and is carrying out retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region. There have been strong reactions at the UN Security Council and on Capitol Hill. So who's now ...
This episode details the joint US and Israeli "major combat operations" against Iran, including bombings in Tehran and other cities, with President Trump explicitly calling for regime change. It covers immediate Iranian retaliatory strikes on US bases across the Gulf, reports from fearful civilians, and analysis of the diplomatic failures leading to this escalation. Experts question the feasibility of regime change through airstrikes alone and highlight the unpredictable nature of the conflict.
This episode features President Trump's order to blacklist AI firm Anthropic for refusing military access to its tools, sparking a debate on AI ethics. It also examines ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, Bill Clinton's testimony regarding Jeffrey Epstein, and Argentina's controversial move to scrap glacier protection laws for mining. Other topics include NASA's Artemis program changes, the passing of music legend Neil Sedaka, the Premier League's new streaming platform, and South Korea's rise in AI-powered microdramas.
Latest attacks mark escalation in long-running tensions between the two South Asian neighbours. Islamabad has repeatedly blamed the Afghan Taliban for supporting militants accused of attacks in Pakistan. Also: Nine senior officers of the Chinese military have been officially removed as delegates to the country’s annual parliamentary session, just days before it's due to start. US says it will ease its economic blockade on Cuba, if oil is sent to the island’s private sector. Epstein files reveal ...
Steve Rosenberg, the BBC's Russia editor, reflects on over 25 years of reporting from Moscow, detailing the drastic changes from the hopeful post-Soviet 1990s to the intensified crackdown on freedom of speech under Vladimir Putin. He shares personal experiences of navigating accusations, new repressive laws after the Ukraine invasion, and the unique challenges of questioning Putin directly. Rosenberg also explores the complex, often contradictory, nature of Russia and why he remains committed to charting its dramatic story.
After identifying a new species of ancient crocodile for his PhD, Ewan Bodenham honoured his favourite physics teacher who inspired him many years before. Galahadosuchus jonesi has been named after Rhys Jones - who says it is a privilege. Plus, the school in Brazil that many gave up on a decade ago wins a prestigious international award. A woman has been reunited with her prosthetic leg ten months after she lost it in the sea. We hear about the dog that led police in Louisville to a missing thre...
Two weeks after the latest release of the Epstein files, the headlines keep pouring in. In just the past few days, revelations in the documents have nearly brought down a British prime minister, and implicated politicians and royals from around the world. The files are even fuelling speculation about whether the late sex offender could have been a spy. We speak to Nomia Iqbal, BBC World Affairs Correspondent, about what we’ve learned this week about the international fallout of the Epstein scand...
We meet a Ghanaian woman who is challenging stereotypes of beauty and disability by modelling with her prosthetic leg wrapped in colourful kente fabric. Abena Christine Jon'el had her leg amputated when she was just two years old because of an aggressive form of cancer. She says she's fought through so much to survive that she's determined to fight for anyone who's ever felt defeated by life. Also: A mobile gaming app that's helping teenagers in Brazil learn how to support their friends with men...
Investigative journalist Josh Baker discusses ISIS's enduring presence in Syria, challenging claims of its defeat. The episode delves into the crisis of over 70,000 ISIS-affiliated detainees held in insecure camps and prisons, highlighting the challenges of de-radicalization and repatriation for dozens of nations. It also examines the implications of shifting power in Syria, including the role of the Syrian Democratic Forces and the US, for camp security and the group's potential to restrengthen its insurgency both regionally and globally.
Weeks into Vladimir Putin's first premiership, a series of apartment bombings killed hundreds, plunging Russia into fear. While the government blamed Chechen militants, whispers of FSB involvement, including Putin's hand, persisted. This episode delves into the mystery of these unresolved attacks and how they helped solidify Putin's power, revealing a pattern of narrative control that defines his rule today.
We meet a woman whose near death experience as a teenager inspired her to study why some people are willing to risk their lives for others. Dr Abigail Marsh was rescued by a stranger after a car accident and wanted to understand what drove him to help her. She says altruists, those who instinctively help without expecting anything in return, are more sensitive to the needs of other people -- but we can all learn to be kinder. Also: we hear from a man whose willingness to help others led him to d...
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney seemed to challenge Donald Trump in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, declaring that “the old world order is not coming back” and urging fellow “middle powers” to come together. In response, Trump said Canada gets “a lot of freebies” from the United States and “they should be grateful”. After striking a major trade and tariff deal with China – the US’s rival superpower – is Carney emerging as the leader of a global resistance to Trump? A...
Mesfin Dollar, who grew up in rural Ethiopia, had to travel to the US for two heart surgeries as a teenager. Twenty-five years later, by chance, he was reunited with the surgeon who saved his life -- when they both volunteered for a charity mission to his home country. Mesfin and Dr Jim Kauten went on to work together, performing hundreds of life-saving operations. Also: a Paralympic athlete and musician who's blind talks of his joy at being sent a specially designed amplifier. It's thought to b...
This episode delves into the legacy and future of the post-World War II rules-based international order, featuring insights from BBC International Editor Jeremy Bowen. It traces the system's origins from Churchill's vision and the Truman Doctrine to its implementation through institutions like the UN and NATO. The discussion highlights instances where this order seemingly worked, such as the First Gulf War, and failed, like the 2003 Iraq War, alongside current conflicts in Gaza. Ultimately, the episode considers critiques of the system, including its selective application, Donald Trump's disregard for it, and the potential for a more chaotic, less ordered future.
We hear from a woman whose determination to avoid going blind has inspired her doctors to develop a new treatment for a rare eye condition. Nicki Guy says the injection of a low cost, water-based gel has been life changing and given her the chance to see her son grow up. The treatment has already helped restore the eyesight of dozens of other people with hypotony - which can cause the eye to collapse, leading to blindness. Also: the new Barbie doll that's designed to help improve understanding a...
When the US government captured Venezuela’s president, Nicolas Maduro, on Saturday, most of the world was shocked. But US officials had for years been gaming out different scenarios, including predicting what would happen if Maduro was ousted. According to one man who took part, each ended in disaster. On today’s episode, we speak to the former Washington Post journalist Douglas Farah, who participated in war games on Venezuela during Donald Trump’s first term, as well as during the Obama and Bi...
The Australian 'kindness influencer' who raised nearly two million dollars to help an elderly US veteran. Samuel Weidenhofer flew thousands of miles to find Ed Bambas after being told he needed help. Ed, who's 88, was still working in a shop because he couldn't afford to retire, having lost his pension and healthcare. Also: one of the few people ever to walk around the world says he was inspired to keep going by the rescue dog he adopted along the way. Tom Turcich spent seven years making the jo...
This episode features heartwarming global stories, from a bone marrow donor's emotional Christmas reunion with the man she saved to a Montreal restaurant owner's community work being reciprocated. It also covers a chance encounter on a train leading to a marriage proposal, a unique Swedish initiative tackling loneliness, the discovery of a rare pink platypus, and the fascinating history behind the New Year's anthem, Auld Lang Syne, celebrating connection and remembrance.
This episode explores Australia's gun laws after the Bondi Beach attack, comparing its strict post-Port Arthur massacre reforms to the US's more permissive approach. It delves into why gun ownership is considered a privilege, not a right, and the unexpected rise in registered firearms across Australia, even in suburban areas. The discussion also covers the government's proposed new reforms and the differing societal reactions compared to the US.
The Happy Pod shares uplifting stories, from the emotional festive family reunions captured at Dublin Airport to a Texas judge's viral, bubble-filled wedding ceremonies. It also features a community's effort to protect a memorial grapefruit tree, a record-breaking gathering of golden retrievers, and how handheld ultrasound scanners are transforming maternal health in Kenya. The episode concludes with the charming tale of Scottish teenagers whose impromptu Christmas caroling went viral.
**This episode contains descriptions of abuse and violence** In November, the Italian parliament voted unanimously to introduce the term “femicide” into the country’s legal code. The murder of a woman – on account of her gender – is now a distinct crime, punishable with a life sentence. The United Nations reported that last year nearly 50,000 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members. Italy is the latest country to adopt a specific law in an effort to curb violence again...
A pop-up cafe in Tokyo is giving people with dementia a place to volunteer as well as a sense of community. A volunteer there, Toshio Morita, has become something of a local celebrity. At the Orange Day Café, muddled orders, long pauses and gentle confusion aren’t mistakes — they’re the point. Also: A Northern Irish man who suffered a cardiac arrest had his life saved after his golden retriever, named Polly, alerted his wife after he stopped breathing. Polly the dog has been hailed a hero by the...
Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, is widely expected to award Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize on Friday, at the draw for the 2026 World Cup in Washington DC. The prize has led to scrutiny over Infantino’s close relationship with Trump, along with concerns that Trump might move matches from host cities and fears over visa delays or refusals for travelling fans and officials. We speak to Dan Roan, the BBC’s sports editor, about why Infantino is cozying up to Trump, and what it means ...
We hear about an extraordinary story of love, friendship and a teenage promise fulfilled over a decade later. When Georgia Barrington was told, at the age of 15, that she'd been born without a womb, she thought her dreams of having a baby were over. So her best friend, Daisy Hope, promised she would one day act as her surrogate. Years later, after having her daughter, she reminded her friend of that offer -- and a few weeks ago gave birth to Georgia's baby girl. The women say it's given them a b...
This episode dives into the recent chaos surrounding the 2025 Miss Universe pageant, detailing stage falls, mass contestant walkouts, judges quitting, and allegations of vote rigging. It explores the clash between two prominent male figures with opposing visions for the pageant's future: one traditional, the other social-media driven. Amidst the drama, the episode also examines the pageant's enduring global appeal, its role as a platform for women's empowerment beyond Western perceptions, and the challenges it faces in staying relevant in the digital age.
This special episode delves into Haiti's ongoing crisis, marked by widespread gang violence, profound humanitarian challenges including sexual violence, and pervasive economic hardship. Despite these daunting issues, the podcast highlights the extraordinary resilience and determination of Haitians, featuring local activists, aid workers, and community leaders who are actively working towards solutions. The discussion also critically examines the limitations of international interventions and calls for internally driven change, emphasizing the power of grassroots organizations and the importance of visionary Haitian leadership for a stable and prosperous future.
