

Global News Podcast
BBC World Service
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

11 snips
Sep 27, 2025 • 27min
The Happy Pod: Hope for people with Huntington's disease
Professor Sarah Tabrizi, a leading Huntington's disease researcher from University College London, discusses groundbreaking gene therapy that shows a 75% reduction in disease progression. This could dramatically improve quality of life for patients. She explains the clinical significance of these results, potential regulatory approval timelines, and how the treatment may change lives. The episode also highlights positive community initiatives, like a Happiness Project in schools and a revitalization effort in Mumbai, showcasing the power of kindness and connection.

15 snips
Sep 27, 2025 • 29min
UN set to reimpose sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme
David Willis, a BBC North America correspondent, dives into the newly released files concerning Jeffrey Epstein, presenting intriguing details about the scandal and the ongoing debate over public disclosure. He addresses the implications of these documents on former high-profile figures. Additionally, the discussion highlights the looming reimposition of UN sanctions on Iran after failed diplomatic efforts, giving insight into the geopolitical tensions and Iran's strong criticism of Western powers.

24 snips
Sep 26, 2025 • 28min
Netanyahu gives defiant speech to UN
Lise Doucette, BBC's chief international correspondent, provides an incisive analysis of Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial UN speech, where he vehemently denies accusations against Israel and faces a significant walkout from delegates. Ahmed Kamal Junina, an assistant professor in Gaza, details the harrowing conditions under ongoing conflict, highlighting overwhelmed hospitals and the plight of displaced civilians. The discussion also touches on proposed transitional governance in Gaza and the international response to the crisis.

11 snips
Sep 26, 2025 • 28min
Former FBI director James Comey indicted on two criminal charges
James Comey, the former FBI director, insists on his innocence as he faces two criminal charges amid rising political tensions linked to Donald Trump. TikTok dodges a shutdown by handing over its US operations to investors. The alarming rise of mephedrone use among young Russians highlights serious addiction concerns. Meanwhile, new research hints that human evolution might have occurred earlier than previously believed, reshaping our understanding of history.

Sep 25, 2025 • 28min
Former French president Sarkozy is given five-year sentence
Nicolas Sarkozy faces a surprising five-year jail sentence due to a conviction for criminal conspiracy linked to Libyan funds. Mahmoud Abbas calls for Palestinian state recognition in a UN speech, while the BBC advocates for international journalists in Gaza. In Bolivia, the former anti-drugs chief is arrested after a cocaine lab is discovered on his property. Meanwhile, counterfeit Labubu dolls pose serious safety risks, and Zimbabwe seeks to become Africa's blueberry capital. Lastly, researchers explore how yoghurt may have contributed to a 117-year-old woman's longevity.

61 snips
Sep 25, 2025 • 28min
Fatal shooting at Texas ICE facility
A deadly shooting at a Dallas immigration center raises alarms as anti-ICE messages are found on the ammunition. President Trump blames left-wing rhetoric for the violence. In global news, Syria's interim leader addresses the UN, calling for lifted sanctions, while China commits to significant greenhouse gas reductions. Meanwhile, NASA's Artemis crew prepares for an upcoming lunar mission, and efforts to rescue trapped Colombian miners highlight ongoing struggles in the region. The podcast covers these pressing issues with insight and urgency.

33 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 28min
Kremlin: Russia is a real bear
Join Professor Edward Wilde, a leading consultant neurologist and Huntington's disease expert, as he discusses a groundbreaking gene therapy trial that reduces disease progression by about 75%. He dives into the scientific significance of these results and their potential impact on patients’ lives. The podcast also examines the Kremlin's fierce response to Trump’s 'paper tiger' remark, the affordable HIV prevention drug deal, and the unfolding events surrounding Typhoon Ragasa in southern China. It’s an insightful mix of health and global news!

13 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 32min
Trump says Kyiv can win back 'all of Ukraine'
President Trump has said Kyiv can 'win all of Ukraine back in its original form', marking a major shift in his position on the war with Russia. His comments came after talks with the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Also, a super typhoon is heading towards the southern Chinese coast, where hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated. We hear from Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who says he has survived attempts on his life and is a target of Al-Shabaab, an Islamist group affiliated to Al-Qaeda. And, one of the greats of Italian cinema, Claudia Cardinale, has died at the age of 87. We look back at her life. 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

28 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 27min
Guterres opens UN Assembly accusing countries of 'flouting international law'
Paul Adams, BBC diplomatic correspondent, shares invaluable insights from the UN General Assembly. He highlights António Guterres's stark warnings about countries flouting international law and Donald Trump's controversial dismissal of the UN's relevance. The discussion shifts to alarming drone sightings that temporarily shut down Copenhagen and Oslo airports, hinting at possible Russian involvement. Adams also covers the tension surrounding claims that paracetamol use during pregnancy could increase autism risk, dissecting the implications for families.

67 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 29min
Medical experts debunk Trump's autism-paracetamol link
Tom Bateman, UN correspondent focusing on diplomatic developments, and Anna Holligan, foreign correspondent specializing in European and defense issues, engage in a critical discussion on public health misinformation. They dissect President Trump's unfounded claims linking paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism risks. The conversation also highlights France's recent recognition of Palestinian statehood amid ongoing conflict, and Denmark's landmark decision to extend military conscription to women, sparking reactions from the youth.