Best Current Affairs Podcasts (2024)

1
Heart and Soul: How should I remember Mum in Islam? 26:26

1h ago26:26

26:26

The BBC's Rahila Bano, explains why her family decided to break with the Muslim tradition of a congregational prayer reading for her mother after she passed away. Instead she decided to concentrate on one of the five pillars of Islam - to give alms or charity and on her mother's wishes to focus on those who are poor and in need. Rahila spoke to her…

1
Biden faces major public test as more Democrats call for him to step aside 4:13

1h ago4:13

4:13

President Biden is facing a high-pressure moment, preparing to hold his first solo press conference in several months at the NATO summit in Washington. It's a major public test for the president's re-election campaign as he faces questions over his stamina and health. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports. PBS News is supported by - …

1
Democratic strategist warns changing presidential nominee 'is not cost-free' 6:59

1h ago6:59

6:59

Three of President Biden's top political advisers met with Senate Democrats behind closed doors to address concerns over his political future. Some lawmakers expressed skepticism before and after the meeting. Geoff Bennett spoke with Democratic strategist Philippe Reines for more analysis of Biden's standing in the race. PBS News is supported by - …

1
News Wrap: NATO leaders discuss Ukraine membership at final day of summit 6:16

1h ago6:16

6:16

In our news wrap Thursday, NATO leaders spent the final day of their summit discussing the state of the alliance and Ukraine's goal of becoming a member, Israel said its negotiating team is heading to Cairo for continued talks for a possible cease-fire deal with Hamas and the storm system that was Hurricane Beryl brought torrential rains to Vermont…

1
German Chancellor Scholz on NATO's future, supporting Ukraine and working with Biden 14:19

1h ago14:19

14:19

The NATO summit in Washington is wrapping up after a week of sustaining and expanding support for Ukraine. Amna Nawaz spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about how NATO leaders are preparing to tackle some of the biggest geopolitical challenges facing the world, what he thinks about President Biden and the prospect of a return to power by Dona…

1
Tennessee church thrives by leaning into hardline politics as attendance falls nationwide 13:38

1h ago13:38

13:38

An evangelical church in Tennessee is seeing strong growth as it's leaned into hardline politics. Judy Woodruff reports on religion in the U.S. and its connection to our political divide for her ongoing series, America at a Crossroads. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders…

1
Groundbreaking fashion show spotlights work of Indigenous designers 6:56

1h ago6:56

6:56

A first in the fashion world is putting a burgeoning sector on the map. A fashion show in Santa Fe, New Mexico, featured clothing created by Indigenous designers from the U.S. and Canada. Special correspondent Megan Thompson had a front-row seat for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/f…

1
Inside Europe 11 July 2024 55:00

2h ago55:00

55:00

NATO says Ukraine’s path to membership is irreversible - Uncertainty in France after Sunday’s shock setback for the far-right - What does the UK’s new prime minister really stand for? - Viktor Orban’s rogue peace mission - And a special focus on the cut flower industryBy DW

1
Inside the Midnight Order - Ep. 1: "They Look Just Like You and Me" 28:24

8h ago28:24

28:24

What makes a serial killer? Dr. Sasha Reid shares the surprising answer. "Inside the Midnight Order" is a companion podcast to the Freeform documentary series "Sasha Reid and the Midnight Order," now streaming on Hulu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy ABC News

1
Shaken goalposts 26:28

1d ago26:28

26:28

Football rarely stops in Turkey, but when two earthquakes causes tens of thousands to die in the south-east region of the country early in 2023, even the passionately followed Super Lig top division is suspended. Hatayspor - a team from the league - loses its star player Christian Atsu to the rubble of a collapsed building. Its home city of Antakya…

1
More Democratic lawmakers and donors call on Biden to exit the 2024 race 5:31

9h ago5:31

5:31

Despite his repeated pledges to stay in the race, there is growing pressure for President Biden to step aside as his party's nominee. Longtime Biden ally Nancy Pelosi praised the president but stopped short of endorsing his candidacy, and major Democratic fundraiser George Clooney called for Biden to end his bid. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest wit…

1
New polls show Biden slipping further behind Trump in critical swing states 6:26

40m ago6:26

6:26

Adding to Democratic concerns about President Biden's candidacy, new data forecasts an electoral map leaning more heavily towards Donald Trump. To walk us through these new numbers and the current electoral landscape, Geoff Bennett spoke with Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/new…

1
News Wrap: Israel orders Palestinians to leave Gaza City as it ramps up strikes 7:36

43m ago7:36

7:36

In our news wrap Wednesday, Israel is ordering Palestinians to leave Gaza City as it ramps up strikes, the remnants of Hurricane Beryl continue pushing farther north, Secretary of State Blinken said that F-16 jets will be flying in the skies of Ukraine this summer and two astronauts who should have returned to Earth weeks ago expressed optimism th…

1
Whitmer says 'Biden has delivered for people' and supports his decision to stay in race 7:23

1h ago7:23

7:23

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer burst onto the national scene in 2020, delivering the Democratic response to Trump's State of the Union. Today, she is mentioned as someone who could occupy the White House. Amna Nawaz spoke with Whitner about the 2024 presidential race and her book, "True Gretch: What I've Learned About Life, Leadership and Everythin…

1
Neurologist weighs in on concerns about the age of presidential candidates 8:08

1h ago8:08

8:08

While much of the attention is focused on President Biden right now, there have been worries around the age of both Biden and former President Trump. Many of those questions have focused on cognitive skills, memory lapses and how they speak in public. Stephanie Sy discussed some of those concerns with Dr. Brad Dickerson of Massachusetts General Hos…

1
Czech president on Ukraine's fight against Russia and NATO's future if Trump wins 9:17

1h ago9:17

9:17

World leaders have gathered at the NATO Summit in Washington to address pressing international challenges. At the top of the agenda is how to sustain Western support for Ukraine. Few leaders understand Ukrainian challenges and the NATO alliance as deeply as Czech President Petr Pavel who once served as chairman of NATO's military committee. Geoff B…

1
Competition inspires students to explore history through art 8:12

1h ago8:12

8:12

Every year for 50 years, some 500,000 students from across the country have competed in National History Day, using arts to portray their researched stories. Jeffrey Brown spent a day with the finalists to see how they defined turning points in history. It's part of our series, Art in Action, exploring the intersection of art and democracy and for …

1
Can the Democrats replace Biden? 23:22

39m ago23:22

23:22

Since the CNN Presidential Debate in June 2024 headlines in the US calling for Joe Biden to pull out of the race have been relentless. There have been questions about his age, performance, and ability to run for a second term in the White House. Biden’s ratings have slipped, and donors and party members have publicly said that Biden should step asi…

1
Trending: The scammers who make you kidnap yourself 19:08

8h ago19:08

19:08

It is one of the most bizarre crimes of our times. Con men posing as police officers are forcing Chinese students to fake their own kidnapping. Elaine Chong reports on the extremes to which criminals will go to make money from their victims. The scammers trick Chinese people studying abroad into believing that they are wanted for crimes back in the…

1
Hurricane Beryl leaves millions in Texas without power amid scorching heat 2:32

9h ago2:32

2:32

Millions of Texans are left without power in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. The outages come amid a stretch of extreme heat that is connected to at least five deaths in the West this week. Beryl is now a smaller storm moving north and bringing the threat of flooding. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/a…

1
Democrats navigate divisions around supporting Biden or calling for him to step aside 7:54

9h ago7:54

7:54

House Democrats met behind closed doors Tuesday as the party weighs whether to support President Biden's reelection bid or call for him to step aside. Lisa Desjardins reports on the party's internal struggle. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/fundersBy PBS News

1
'He has a record to run on': Rep. Crockett defends Biden amid Democratic concerns 6:35

9h ago6:35

6:35

Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett of Texas has defended President Biden amid concerns about his age and calls that he withdraw from the race. She joined Geoff Bennett to discuss the disagreements inside the Democratic Party. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders…

1
News Wrap: Airstrike on shelter in Khan Younis kills at least 25 5:40

9h ago5:40

5:40

In our news wrap Tuesday, Palestinian health officials say an Israeli airstrike on a shelter in Khan Younis killed at least 25, a court in Moscow issued an arrest warrant for the widow of Alexei Navalny, Nikki Haley is releasing the delegates she won during the Republican primary and urging them to back Trump and the Federal Reserve chair hinted it…

1
Poland's foreign minister on defending Ukraine and its path to NATO membership 8:45

10h ago8:45

8:45

The 32 members of NATO are meeting in Washington and the focus is largely on Ukraine. Members will announce they are sending new air defense systems a day after one of the worst attacks on Kyiv in years. Diplomats are also set to declare Ukraine's path toward NATO membership. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski of Pola…

1
A look at the Project 2025 plan to reshape government and Trump's links to its authors 6:49

2d ago6:49

6:49

Former President Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025, the handbook for a new conservative government written by several right-wing think tanks. It comes as Democrats double down on messaging tying Trump directly to the playbook ahead of the November election. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports. PBS News is supported by -…

1
Tween skincare obsession fuels industry boom and raises concerns 8:01

10h ago8:01

8:01

Ask many pre-teens what's at the top of their wish list and there's a good chance the answer will be skincare. Special correspondent and Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell reports on the growth and some of the concerns around this boom. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders…

1
How artists are using their talents to help San Jose reduce its carbon footprint 6:39

10h ago6:39

6:39

San Jose, in California's Silicon Valley, has pledged to go carbon neutral by 2030. To do this, leaders are enlisting help from an unlikely source, the arts sector, in a first-of-a-kind program in the country. Jeffrey Brown traveled there to see how artists can help a city meet its climate goals. It's part of our coverage on art and climate change …

1
The Interrogation Tapes - Episode 4: Mystery on the Hudson 49:58

1d ago49:58

49:58

20/20’s Mystery on the Hudson follows the investigation into the drowning death of Vincent Viafore and the interrogation of his fiancée to determine if it was a tragic accident, or something more sinister. The Interrogation Tapes was produced by ABC News Studios in partnership with 20/20. The series is now streaming on Hulu. Learn more about your a…

1
In the Studio: Wendy Sharpe 26:31

1d ago26:31

26:31

In a new exhibition Wendy breaks conventions, painting on walls and installing herself in the gallery, becoming part of the art. Wendy Sharpe is an multi-award winning Australian artist working on a new exhibition Spellbound for the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney. In this exhibition she breaks all the rules, by painting directly onto wall…

1
Biden pushes back as more Democrats call for him to step aside 6:14

3d ago6:14

6:14

President Biden is still facing calls from a handful of House Democrats to step aside as the party's presidential nominee. In a rare cable news program call-in, he addressed his critics and maintained that he was still the best person for the job. Geoff Bennett discussed the latest with Congressional Correspondent Lisa Desjardins and White House Co…

1
Democratic Rep. Smith says Biden 'not an effective messenger' and should drop out 8:05

1d ago8:05

8:05

Congressman Adam Smith of Washington, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, called on President Biden to abandon his re-election efforts. Rep. Smith joined Geoff Bennett to explain why he's asking Biden to step aside. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders…

1
'He's the guy who beat Trump': Rep. Dean on why she wants Biden to stay in race 6:29

1d ago6:29

6:29

Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean is from the critical swing state of Pennsylvania. She hit the campaign trail with President Biden over the weekend and as other House Democrats are asking him to drop out of the race. Rep. Dean joined Geoff Bennett to discuss her support. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders…

1
News Wrap: At least 31 dead in Ukraine after a Russian missile attack 7:01

1d ago7:01

7:01

In our news wrap Monday, at least 31 people are dead after a barrage of Russian missiles on Ukraine, Hurricane Beryl made landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast, Boeing accepted a Justice Department plea deal to avoid a criminal trial and Hamas said new Israeli military escalations in Gaza could have repercussions on cease-fire negotiations. PBS News is …

1
French voters block far-right win but leave country without parliamentary majority

1d ago

—

The second round of France's parliamentary election ended with results that no polls predicted. The country's right-wing political party was expected to take control. Instead, a left-wing coalition won the largest number of seats, but not enough to govern, leaving the country in a deadlock. Nick Schifrin discussed the results with Tara Varma of the…

1
Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on Biden's future in the race and Trump's ties to Project 2025 8:31

1d ago8:31

8:31

NPR's Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Geoff Bennett to discuss the latest political news, including President Biden coming out in a show of force against pressure to step down from the top of the Democratic ticket as Donald Trump tries to distance himself from the conservative Project 2025 plan to radic…

1
Maui residents say their ongoing illnesses are connected to the devastating 2023 wildfires 7:29

1d ago7:29

7:29

It's been almost a year since the nation's deadliest wildfires devastated the island community of Maui. While much of the debris has been removed, many residents are still dealing with health issues that experts say are connected to the fires. William Brangham reports for our series, Race Matters. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/news…

1
Why the Media Covered for Biden 1:04:22

1d ago1:04:22

1:04:22

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and special guest Elizabeth Nolan Brown size up the fallout from the mainstream media's lag in coverage of Joe Biden's cognitive decline, despite evidence existing well before his seismic debate performance on June 27. 01:50—Media fallout after Biden…

1
07/07/2024: Targeting Americans and Kevin Hart 41:19

2d ago41:19

41:19

On this edition of “60 Minutes,” Scott Pelley investigates U.S. government officials reporting mysterious brain injuries. Correspondent Anderson Cooper profiles Kevin Hart, the highest grossing comedian today and bankable movie star, who is now adding a new title to his resume – entertainment and business mogul. Cooper goes backstage with Hart in P…

1
Assignment: Cry witch - take my land, take my life 26:28

2d ago26:28

26:28

In a coastal region of eastern Kenya at least one elderly person is being killed every week – in the name of witchcraft. There are violent attacks on people accused of being witches across much of Africa. But, according to human rights groups, the seventy or so murders every year in Kilifi County are about more than fear of the supernatural. For As…

1
News Wrap: Biden seeks comeback on campaign trail amid turmoil among Democrats 3:42

4d ago3:42

3:42

In our news wrap Sunday, Biden made stops in Pennsylvania as more Democrats voiced doubts that he should stay in the race, Israeli protesters called on Netanyahu to agree to a cease-fire deal with Hamas, France's prime minister said he will resign after the country's second round of elections, and a NASA crew completed their simulated Mars mission …

1
Can a tax on livestock emissions help curb climate change? Denmark aims to find out 6:56

2d ago6:56

6:56

Among greenhouse gases, methane is more harmful than carbon dioxide in terms of trapping heat. According to the United Nations, about 32 percent of human-caused methane emissions comes from livestock. Ali Rogin speaks with Ben Lilliston at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy to learn more about Denmark's new and controversial approach to…

1
Patient safety concerns arise over Amazon's One Medical call centers after document leak 6:49

2d ago6:49

6:49

Serious questions are rising over a new player in American health care: Amazon. In 2023, the online giant bought One Medical and its primary care clinics across the country. But leaked documents reported by The Washington Post show call center staff who lacked medical training put more than a dozen patients at risk. Lisa Desjardins speaks with Wash…

1
As climate change threatens island nations, some turn to digitizing their history 6:22

2d ago6:22

6:22

As hurricanes grow stronger and more common due to climate change, they raise new threats for island nations -- not just to infrastructure, but also to artifacts and documents that help define cultures. Now, two island nations in the Atlantic and the Pacific are taking steps to preserve their threatened histories for future generations. Ali Rogin r…

1
Three Million: 7. Live show 49:42

3d ago49:42

49:42

The BBC’s Yogita Limaye speaks to Kavita Puri, the creator and presenter of Three Million, to explore how the series was made, and how she went about tracking down eye-witnesses to the Bengal Famine of 1943. They are joined by author and historian Srimanjari and ‘memory collector’ Sailen Sarkar, who recorded testimonies of the very last survivors o…

1
Big donors signal desire for Biden to leave the race as he doubles down on staying in 7:38

4d ago7:38

7:38

President Biden is facing more calls for him to exit the 2024 race after last week's disappointing debate performance. Although Biden said in a television interview Friday that he does not plan on dropping out, major Democratic donors and members of Congress privately signaled the same call to PBS News on Saturday. NPR's Domenico Montanaro and Sema…

1
News Wrap: Thousands in northern Ukraine lose power after Russian drone attack 2:19

4d ago2:19

2:19

In our news wrap Saturday, Iran has a new president-elect after a runoff vote, Russian drone attacks hit a vital energy facility in northern Ukraine, Hamas dropped a key demand in cease-fire negotiations with Israel, Trump is distancing himself from Project 2025, and coronavirus cases in the U.S. are ticking back up after a springtime lull. PBS New…

1
Iran just elected its first reformist president in two decades. What's next? 5:50

5d ago5:50

5:50

Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian will ascend to the Iranian presidency in a delicate moment for the Islamic Republic, both on the world stage and within its borders. He faces a government still largely controlled by hard-line clerics, tension with the West over Iran's nuclear program and domestic frustrations with the regime. Ali Rogin speaks with Suzan…

1
Former NASA astronaut Cady Coleman on the joys and challenges of life in space 8:11

4d ago8:11

8:11

Fewer than 300 human beings have visited the International Space Station, and an even smaller number have spent more than 150 days living there. John Yang speaks with Cady Coleman, one of those select few astronauts, about her new book, 'Sharing Space: An Astronaut's Guide to Mission, Wonder, and Making Change.' PBS News is supported by - https://w…

1
Wave of Deceit 1:26:44

4d ago1:26:44

1:26:44

Laura Day speaks nearly a decade after her first-degree capital murder conviction for her 6-year-old stepson’s death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy ABC News

1
The Fifth Floor: Can climate change stories be cool? 26:32

4d ago26:32

26:32

A virtual tour of Brazil's giant ravines, the radio shows helping Maasai people to protect their land and a real life Squid Game in South Korea: how BBC journalists around the world are finding new and engaging ways to cover climate change stories. Featuring Carol Olona and Shin Suzuki, Caroline Mwende and Suhnwook Lee. Produced by Alice Gioia and …

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