Best Current Affairs Podcasts (2024)

1
Stories from the New Silk Road: Space 26:43

1h ago26:43

26:43

China's Belt and Road Initiative stretches physically with infrastructure projects across the globe, but there is one initiative that is the most ambitious yet - The Space Silk Road. The space race is heating up with new entrants like India and private companies like SpaceX, but it is the Chinese who are set to dominate by 2045. Central to the Spac…

1
What the first interest rate cut in 4 years means for the Fed's fight against inflation 5:53

2h ago5:53

5:53

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the first time in four years with an aggressive move that lowers its benchmark rate by a half percentage point. The Fed also said it intended to lower interest rates by a full point before the year is out. Amna Nawaz discussed the decision and what it could mean, with David Wessel, director of the Hutchins…

1
Lebanon rocked by 2nd wave of exploding device attacks targeting Hezbollah 7:39

8m ago7:39

7:39

For the second time in as many days, there was an unprecedented attack on Hezbollah. Tuesday, pagers exploded. Wednesday, it was two-way radios. At least 20 more people died and hundreds injured on top of at least 12 killed and nearly 3,000 wounded on Tuesday. Israel is assumed to have infiltrated supply chains to implant explosives in the devices.…

1
News Wrap: Government suing owner of ship that caused Baltimore bridge collapse 6:31

13m ago6:31

6:31

In our news wrap Wednesday, the Justice Department is suing the owner of the cargo ship that caused the Baltimore bridge collapse, Boeing's CEO says it will furlough employees to offset the costs of an ongoing strike, Portugal declared a "state of calamity" amid 100 wildfires and officials in Zimbabwe will allow the killing of hundreds of wild elep…

1
Campaigns face increasing calls for civility in contentious election season 3:34

19m ago3:34

3:34

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are pressing ahead with a very busy campaign schedule. For Trump, that included his first campaign appearance since the latest apparent assassination attempt against him. Lisa Desjardins reports on the increasing calls for civility in this contentious election season. PBS News is suppor…

1
With election looming, Congress scrambles to avert government shutdown 4:43

24m ago4:43

4:43

The election looms, but first, lawmakers face another deadline to keep the government open and funded. With just under two weeks to go, the House of Representatives is taking a risk by voting on a government funding patch with controversial election reform attached to the bill. That combination is expected to fail and for now, Republicans say they …

1
Investigation links Georgia's abortion ban to preventable deaths of 2 women 7:04

1h ago7:04

7:04

We're learning more about the effects of abortion restrictions enacted after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. ProPublica found at least two women in Georgia who died after being unable to get either a legal abortion or timely medical care. Committees examining pregnancy-related deaths concluded that both were preventable. John Yang discus…

1
Papua New Guinea locals concerned over deep-sea mining's impact on culture and environment 10:28

1h ago10:28

10:28

The companies that create technology used on a daily basis often run into traditional cultures and the environment that sustains them. In a previous report, videographer Edward Kiernan and special correspondent Willem Marx introduced us to the new and potentially lucrative industry of deep-sea mining. They return to Papua New Guinea and report on l…

1
In 'I Brought the War with Me,' Lindsey Hilsum shares poetry inspired by the front lines 6:08

1h ago6:08

6:08

Lindsey Hilsum is an award-winning correspondent with Britain's Channel 4 News who has contributed to the News Hour with reports from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and more. Her new book, "I Brought the War with Me," marries her life as a war correspondent with poetry. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant discussed more with Hilsum for our…

1
BBC Trending: Woman, life, surveillance 21:50

1h ago21:50

21:50

The Iranian government is not coy about its silence tactics. Since Iran's Woman Life Freedom Movement began on 16 September 2022, unlawful executions, imprisonment, physical and sexual abuse has dominated headlines across the globe. It is estimated that tens of thousands of people have received some form of government retribution – and at the heart…

1
The great dolphin release 26:28

28m ago26:28

26:28

Johnny, Rocky and Rambo were performers in the world’s last travelling dolphin circus and inside a Bali hotel swimming pool. This is the story of the fight to shut the circus down and the long journey to try to return the performing dolphins to the ocean. We hear why the world’s most famous dolphin trainer changed sides - playing a role instead in …

1
True Crime Vault: A Deadly Anniversary 50:14

14m ago50:14

50:14

A celebration of 32 years of marriage ends with Jim Melgar dead, and his wife Sandy accused of murder. Was Sandy a killer, or were police too quick to close the case? And can a podcaster with a virtual army of amateur detectives change a verdict? Originally Aired: 11/30/2018 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
Hundreds of Hezbollah pagers explode across Lebanon in unprecedented attack 5:44

1d ago5:44

5:44

In an unprecedented and shocking attack, pagers used by members of the militant group Hezbollah exploded across Lebanon. The health ministry says 2,700 people were injured and 9 were killed, including a young girl. It comes as tensions between Israel and Lebanon have been near boiling for nearly a year. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported …

1
Harris, Trump hit campaign trail in critical swing states with 7 weeks until Election Day 4:45

1h ago4:45

4:45

With Election Day just seven weeks away, Vice President Kamala Harris sat down for a high-profile interview in Pennsylvania and former President Donald Trump is gearing up for a town hall just days after an alleged attempted assassination effort was stopped by the Secret Service. Laura Barrón-López reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pb…

1
News Wrap: Major cities in Central Europe brace for worst flooding in years 4:40

6m ago4:40

4:40

In our news wrap Tuesday, major cities in Central Europe are bracing for the worst flooding in years, the Senate rejected a motion on whether to consider legislation that would protect in vitro fertilization, new details emerged about the company behind the Titan submersible that imploded on its way to the Titanic wreckage site and Instagram is rol…

1
Sean 'Diddy' Combs held without bail after arrest on sex trafficking indictment 6:40

1d ago6:40

6:40

Sean "P. Diddy" Combs was indicted on multiple charges including sex trafficking, sexual assault, violence and racketeering. The government's charges describe a gruesome pattern of abuse, accusing Combs of using his extensive music and business empire as a criminal outfit. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Sidney Madden. PBS News is supported by - …

1
How life in Springfield has been disrupted by lies about its Haitian community 6:58

15m ago6:58

6:58

It's been a week since Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance threw an ugly spotlight on the small city of Springfield, Ohio, by spreading unverified claims about Haitian immigrants killing and eating people's pets. Since then, the city has seen multiple bomb threats, school closures and growing fear within the city's immigrant community. Willi…

1
Gov. DeWine urges Trump and Vance to end 'very hurtful' comments about Haitian migrants 6:38

2h ago6:38

6:38

Springfield, Ohio, remains on edge as Donald Trump and JD Vance continue spreading racist lies about Haitian migrants. Throughout the turmoil, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has called for calm, sent additional law enforcement resources and condemned hate. Amna Nawaz spoke with DeWine about the threats Springfield is dealing with. PBS News is supported by -…

1
Companies dig the deepest depths to mine valuable metals from the ocean floor 9:26

2h ago9:26

9:26

Mankind has mined the earth's surface for thousands of years. Now there's a furious race to find even more metal that will enable the world's energy transition away from fossil fuels. In Papua New Guinea, one company is digging what may become the world's first operational deep-sea mining site. Videographer Edward Kiernan and special correspondent …

1
Dr. Francis Collins explores his faith and science in new book, 'The Road to Wisdom' 7:05

2h ago7:05

7:05

Dr. Francis Collins has been at the forefront of the world's most advanced biomedical research. He led the Human Genome Project and was the longest-serving director of the National Institutes of Health. He is drawing on his career to focus on what he sees as the core pillars of wisdom during a time of deep polarization. Geoff Bennett sat down with …

1
The Housewife and the Hustler 2: The Reckoning 1:41:10

23m ago1:41:10

1:41:10

It was a marriage of luxury and excess for Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne and powerhouse attorney Tom Girardi. But his empire came crashing down amidst allegations he was stealing from the very clients he swore to protect. Now, with a recent guilty verdict in the case, we look back at how this scandal exposed systemic failures in…

1
The Housewife & The Hustler Part 1 1:15:57

29m ago1:15:57

1:15:57

ABC News Originals goes inside the real-life legal drama facing the husband of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” cast member Erika Jayne, legal titan Tom Girardi. Originally Aired: 06/14/2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy ABC News

1
Presenting “60 Minutes: A Second Look” 3:56

1h ago3:56

3:56

When “60 Minutes” premiered in 1968, there was nothing like it on television. Now, more than 50 years later, “60 Minutes” is uncovering its rare archival treasures in “60 Minutes: A Second Look”, a new podcast that takes listeners on a journey through the vault, sharing never-before-heard audio from interviews with some of the world’s most influent…

1
Assignment: Ageing without a safety net in Malaysia 26:35

2d ago26:35

26:35

Industrialisation, modern cityscapes and strong economic growth promote an image of a youthful, vigorous Malaysia. But the country is now ageing rapidly, and this sudden transformation seems to have caught many - including the government - by surprise: Despite their country’s development, millions have little or no retirement income and face destit…

1
Another apparent assassination attempt casts shadow on 2024 campaign 5:03

20m ago5:03

5:03

The man suspected of trying to assassinate Donald Trump while he was golfing has been charged with federal gun crimes. It's the second apparent attempt on the former president's life in just over two months, casting an ominous shadow over the 2024 presidential race. Laura Barrón-López reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour…

1
Secret Service faces more scrutiny after 2nd apparent attempt on Trump's life 6:34

3h ago6:34

6:34

The Secret Service is once again facing fallout and scrutiny after the second apparent attempt on former President Trump's life in just over two months. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest developments with Carol Leonnig of The Washington Post and author of "Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs…

1
News Wrap: At least 16 dead amid catastrophic flooding in Central Europe 7:39

30m ago7:39

7:39

In our news wrap Monday, at least 16 people have died amid catastrophic flooding in Central Europe, Palestinian officials say Israeli airstrikes killed 16 people across the Gaza Strip, the U.S. State Department marked the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death in Iran to call on the country's new president to do more to protect women and a gas p…

1
TikTok fights DOJ in court over law that would ban app in U.S. 5:31

34m ago5:31

5:31

The Justice Department and TikTok faced off in federal court over a law that would require the app to break ties with the Chinese-controlled parent company, ByteDance, or be banned in the U.S. Geoff Bennett discussed the developments with NPR's Bobby Allyn. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders…

1
U.N. coordinator describes challenges of providing humanitarian aid to Gaza 8:26

40m ago8:26

8:26

The United Nations called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of all Israeli hostages and for humanitarian aid access to be unimpeded. Sigrid Kaag is the UN's senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza. She has visited Gaza often since taking over the job earlier this year and briefed the Security Council. Nic…

1
Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on the political fallout after a 2nd assassination attempt 9:15

44m ago9:15

9:15

NPR's Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest political news, including the apparent assassination attempt on former President Trump and the potential political fallout, Trump and Vance spreading false stories about Haitian migrants in Ohio and the battle for control of the Sena…

1
Miami art project puts spotlight on threat of rising sea levels 5:43

1h ago5:43

5:43

By 2100, scientists project sea levels around parts of Florida will rise between two and eight feet. The majority of Miami-Dade County is just six feet or less above the ocean today. One local artist is doing what he can to sound the alarm. Jeffrey Brown reports from Miami for our coverage on art and climate change and our arts and culture series, …

1
A Brief But Spectacular take on multigenerational housing 4:05

1h ago4:05

4:05

Older adults will soon outnumber children on a global scale. Bridge Meadows is an innovative multigenerational housing community in Oregon that fosters healing and connection for foster youth, their families and elders. Three generations of Bridge Meadows residents give their Brief But Spectacular takes on how living in this vibrant community has t…

1
Why Do They Keep Shooting at Donald Trump? 1:06:59

11m ago1:06:59

1:06:59

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman puzzle over the second assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump, and the recent nonsensical claims that Haitians are eating cats in Ohio. 03:15—Second assassination attempt on Trump 13:30—Claims of Haitians eating cats in…

1
Can Germany’s far right win the country? 23:00

37m ago23:00

23:00

At the beginning of September, the far-right party Alternative for Germany or AfD, won an election in the eastern state of Thuringia. The result marked the far right’s first win, in a state parliament election, since World War Two. In the more populous neighbouring state of Saxony the party came in a close second. Whilst in both states the party ha…

1
09/15/2024: The Prosecution of January 6th, Danger in the South China Sea, Dua Lipa 42:27

3d ago42:27

42:27

As the FBI continues to search for suspects in the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, Scott Pelley meets with some of the people at the center of the story, including the prosecutor in charge. It’s not just Taiwan anymore. Tensions have escalated in another part of the South China Sea off the western coast of the Philippines, raising the possi…

1
In the Studio: Lenin Tamayo and Q-pop 26:29

1d ago26:29

26:29

Peruvian singer Lenin Tamayo has been dubbed the founder of ‘Q-pop’. He combines traditional Andean folk music with K-pop inspired instrumentation and dance. His songs mix Quechua – one of Peru’s indigenous languages, and the official tongue of the Inca Empire – and Spanish. Lenin first launched his career when his videos went viral on TikTok. Now,…

1
News Wrap: FBI investigates apparent assassination attempt on Trump in West Palm Beach 4:38

1h ago4:38

4:38

In our news wrap Sunday, Secret Service agents opened fire on a person with a firearm near Trump at his golf club in Florida, a university in Springfield, Ohio received a shooting threat targeting Haitian community members, Houthi rebels fired a missile into central Israel, several people died trying to cross the English Channel, and Venezuela accu…

1
Why federal regulators want to stop grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons from merging 6:09

13m ago6:09

6:09

What could be the largest grocery store merger in U.S. history is at a do-or-die point, with closing arguments this week in a lawsuit filed by the FTC to stop Kroger's nearly $25 billion purchase of Albertsons. The companies say the merger would lower prices, but regulators argue it would eliminate competition. Washington Post retail reporter Jacly…

1
What matters to these undecided voters 50 days before the presidential election 4:37

17m ago4:37

4:37

Since June, PBS News has followed a group of undecided voters from across the country and across the political spectrum. Now, less than two months before Election Day, there has been some movement among these voters. They share their thoughts in the latest installment of our series, "The Deciders." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/new…

1
Do celebrity endorsements matter? A look at the role of pop stars in modern politics 7:58

23m ago7:58

7:58

Pop culture and politics have a history of crossover. These intersections take on new significance during an election year, but how important are celebrity endorsements of candidates, and do they actually make a difference in voters' minds? Lisa Desjardins speaks with Mark Harvey, author of "Celebrity Influence: Politics, Persuasion, and Issue-Base…

1
Solutions Journalism: The African 'Babelfish' 23:00

1h ago23:00

23:00

Africa is home to around one-third of the world's languages, but only a smattering of them are available online and in translation software. So when young Beninese computer scientist Bonaventure Dossou, who was fluent in French, experienced difficulties communicating with his mother, who spoke the local language Fon, he came up with an idea. Bonave…

1
News Wrap: Turkish-American woman killed in West Bank buried in her hometown 3:37

21m ago3:37

3:37

In our news wrap Saturday, a funeral was held in Turkey for the Turkish-American woman killed by an Israeli soldier in the West Bank, Israeli airstrikes hammered central and southern Gaza, Russia and Ukraine exchanged 206 prisoners of war, a Civil War-era abortion ban came off the books in Arizona, and a new report found "no evidence" Hawaii offici…

1
A federal housing program reduced veteran homelessness by more than half. What's next? 7:10

4d ago7:10

7:10

According to government data, homelessness in the U.S. increased 12 percent in 2023 compared to 2022. But one group has seen significant improvement over the last 15 years: veterans. Much of that can be credited to a government housing program known as HUD-VASH. Lisa Desjardins speaks with Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness…

1
How a new FDA requirement could help identify more breast cancer cases 5:54

32m ago5:54

5:54

About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. That's one reason doctors recommend women get yearly mammograms beginning at age 45, but for some women, mammograms won't detect their cancer. A new FDA requirement could lead to more breast cancer cases being identified, saving lives. JoAnn Pushkin, executive director of Dens…

1
Palestinian babies born outside of Gaza remain separated from their parents by war 3:33

36m ago3:33

3:33

A group of parents in Gaza have described heartbreak as they remain separated from their babies who were born prematurely in Jerusalem just over a year ago. They needed specialized care in Israel, and were supposed to be reunited with their parents, but the war has kept them separated. Rachel Younger of Independent Television News reports. PBS News…

1
GeoGuessr star player Trevor Rainbolt's tips for success in the popular geography game 3:44

41m ago3:44

3:44

A popular online geography game is taking players around the globe, one Google Street View image at a time. John Yang speaks with Trevor Rainbolt, perhaps the game's most famous player, for a look inside the world of GeoGuessr. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/fundersBy PBS News

1
The Pointe of No Return 1:25:49

1h ago1:25:49

1:25:49

The former ballerina who shot and killed her husband tells her story, in a 20/20 exclusive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy ABC News

1
The Fifth Floor: Exam nightmares 26:29

1h ago26:29

26:29

Why are exams so stressful? Chinese journalists Wanqing Zhang and Eric Junzhe share personal memories about the infamous Gaokao exam in China, which this year reached a record of 13.42 million applicants; and India correspondent Soutik Biswas reports on the exam scandals threatening the future of millions of young people in India. Plus: why do we h…

1
The US debate and the battle for Pennsylvania 28:44

27m ago28:44

28:44

Kate Adie presents dispatches from the US, the DRC, Italy, Romania and Egypt Kamala Harris and Donald Trump faced off against each other in a debate on Tuesday night at a pivotal moment in the race. In the lead up to the debate, both candidates had been neck and neck in the polls. Tom Bateman gauged what the locals made of their performance. An out…

1
Your Retirement Investments Are Probably Fueling Climate Change 50:07

27m ago50:07

50:07

Reveal reporter Jonathan Jones was working on a story about a massive coal plant expansion in Montana when he wondered who was bankrolling the project. It turns out a major shareholder of the energy company driving the project was The Vanguard Group, the investment firm where he happens to have his retirement savings. This discovery put Jones on a …

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