Newshour

BBC World Service
undefined
Nov 9, 2025 • 43min

Philippines braces for super typhoon

For the second time in less than a week, the Philippines is bracing for another super typhoon.Ferocious winds and torrential rain are hitting the country, with the storm said to be the size of western Europe Also in the programme: As the US government shutdown hits 40 days, it becomes the longest in history - with senators meeting in a rare Sunday session; and - is Artificial Intelligence going to turn against us?(Photo shows a man walking in the rain with an umbrella as Typhoon Fung-wong approaches, in Cauayan, Isabela, Philippines, November 9, 2025. Credit: Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)
undefined
Nov 9, 2025 • 47min

Iran's worst drought in decades

The Iranian government says water supplies in the capital Tehran will suffer periodic cuts, as the country struggles to cope with its worst drought in decades. The announcement came two days after President Masoud Pezeshkian suggested Tehran might have to be evacuated, if shortages continue. His comments have prompted widespread criticism in Iranian newspapers and on social media, with the president accused of scaremongering and conducting "a narrative of despair." We speak to a resident in the capital and a former Environment Department official. Also in the programme: Curtis Sliwa who came 3rd in this week's election for New York mayor tells us he was offered bribes to pull out of the race; and the woman who took up golf in her 50's and hit three holes in one in a month.(Photo: Iranians picnic inside an almost dry river, which was once full, in the Fasham area, north of Tehran, Iran, 25 August 2025. Credit: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA/Shutterstock)
undefined
Nov 8, 2025 • 47min

Hungary to avoid US sanctions for importing Russian oil

US president Donald Trump has announced that Hungary will not have to face sanctions for importing Russian oil, following a White House meeting with Hungary's right-wing prime minister Viktor Orban.It comes after the US effectively blacklisted two of Russia's largest oil companies last month, threatening sanctions on those who buy from them.Also in the programme: 10 years after the Paris climate change conference agreed to limit global warming, we'll analyse what has been achieved by the agreement; we'll look at how Tunisian opposition leaders are supporting each other by going on hunger strike; and we'll hear from the woman who took up golf in her 50s and just hit three holes in one in a month.[Photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump hosts a bilateral lunch with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Vice President JD Vance, at the White House in Washington DC on 7 November 2025. Credit: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters]
undefined
Nov 7, 2025 • 43min

Is COP still worth it for small nations?

The president of the Pacific island nation, Palau, considers whether COP is still worth it. Also on the programme, thousands of flights have been cancelled or delayed in the US on the first day of reduced air traffic caused by the government shutdown; and, the so-called "Google Maps" of Roman Roads -- the most extensive digital map that reveals hundreds of thousand of kilometres of old roads.(Photo: Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez embrace next to European Council President Antonio Costa and Para state Governor Helder Barbalho as delegates attending the Belem Climate Summit ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) gather for a family photo, in Belem, Brazil, November 7, 2025. REUTERS/Adriano Machado)
undefined
Aug 12, 2025 • 3min

The Gaza girl dreaming of becoming a famous violinist

Amid the devastation in Gaza, remarkable stories of hope and resilience do emerge. Sixteen-year-old Sama Nijm, a gifted violinist from Gaza, is using music to bring comfort and healing to the youngest victims of the conflict. Some of the children have lost their parents, and in some cases, their limbs or arms. BBC Newsday's Charlene Rodrigues spoke to Sama, and began by asking her what inspired her to become a violin teacher in the midst of war.
undefined
Jun 10, 2025 • 46min

School shooting in Austrian city of Graz

A tragic school shooting in Graz has left nine dead, revealing the community's grief and the need to address firearm regulations. Meanwhile, protests in Los Angeles highlight tensions surrounding immigration policies as Trump sends the Marines. The podcast also touches on the establishment of Marine Protected Areas in Zanzibar, showcasing a commitment to biodiversity and conservation. Other topics include Japan's rice crisis fueled by extreme weather and the nostalgic legacy of Sly Stone in the music industry.

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app