Global News Podcast - Death toll rises as Iran protests enter third week

Videos verified by the BBC and eyewitness accounts appear to show security forces in Iran ramping up their response to protests that have spread across the country. Activists say dozens of bodies seen piled up in black bags outside a morgue near Tehran are dead protesters. US President Donald Trump says Iran's leadership is seeking to negotiate following his threat of military intervention, but warns that he "may have to act before a meeting".

Also: President Trump tells Cuba to "make a deal" with Washington or face consequences, warning the flow of Venezuelan oil and money to the country will stop. The UK government has paid "substantial" compensation to a man who was tortured by the CIA before being shipped to Guantanamo Bay where he is still imprisoned. Greenland residents tell the BBC they want to be left alone, as their island becomes embroiled in a geopolitical storm. Six skiers have been killed in a series of avalanches across the Alps. Doctors say they have achieved the previously impossible - restoring sight and preventing blindness in people with a rare but dangerous eye condition. Timothée Chalamet, Jessie Buckley and Seth Rogen were among the winners at this year's Golden Globe Awards. And how soon could humanoid robots carry out our household chores?

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

PBS News Hour - Health - Investigation raises concerns about lack of FDA quality testing for generic drugs

By some estimates, about 90% of prescriptions in the U.S. are filled with generic drugs. The Food and Drug Administration says that all agency-approved generic drugs "have the same high quality" as brand-name drugs, but a ProPublica investigation found that the FDA rarely tests the quality of generic drugs. John Yang speaks with investigative reporter Debbie Cenziper for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Newshour - Iran warns US against intervention as protesters defy crackdown

The Iranian president has said he's willing to negotiate with genuine protesters over their economic grievances after another night of mass demonstrations. Also on the programme, the president of Cuba has said they are ready to defend their homeland to the last drop of blood following a new threat from Donald Trump to "make a deal" with the US "before it's too late"; and a look at tonight's Golden Globe awards.

(Photo: Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during an interview with the state TV, amid protests, in Tehran, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a video released on January 11, 2026. IRIB/via Reuters TV/Handout via REUTERS)

Consider This from NPR - How powerful is Stephen Miller?

As the deputy chief of staff for policy and one of President Trump’s longest-serving aides, Stephen Miller has been the driving force behind many of Trump’s core policies. Ashley Parker, staff writer for The Atlantic, explains why Stephen Miller has President Trump’s ear.


For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org. 

This episode was produced by Mia Venkat. It was edited by Sarah Robbins and Rebekah Metzler. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Newshour - Iran’s president offers to negotiate over protesters’ grievances

As mass protests continue in Iran over economic grievances, President Masoud Pezeshkian says he's willing to negotiate, but accuses foreign powers of stirring up the demonstrations. Tehran says it will retaliate if the US takes military action in defence of the protesters.

Also in the programme: as the US urges its citizens to leave Venezuela immediately, we speak to a former Venezuelan government minister; plus the “mind-reader” who spooked Barack Obama and infuriated a famous podcaster.

(IMAGE: Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during an interview with the state TV, amid protests, in Tehran, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a video released on January 11, 2026 / CREDIT: IRIB/via Reuters TV)

Global News Podcast - The US ran a war game on the aftermath of Maduro’s fall – it predicted chaos

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 Biden administrations. The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

WSJ What’s News - What to Expect From President Trump’s Domestic Agenda This Year

President Trump had a busy first year of his second term. From upending global trade with tariffs to major domestic efforts on immigration and taxes, the Trump administration’s policies affected the lives of millions of Americans. So what’s in store for this year? Alex Ossola spoke with WSJ White House correspondent Natalie Andrews and Washington coverage chief Damian Paletta about Trump’s priorities for 2026.


Damian Paletta’s Daily Politics Newsletter


Further Reading: The Year Trump Changed America and the World

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Up First from NPR - Why More Liberals Are Buying Guns

Since President Trump’s second inauguration, more liberals, people of color and LGBTQ folks say they are buying guns and getting training. This is the latest in a trend that researchers, gun clubs and trainers say they’ve been watching for years. No longer do firearm buyers fit the old stereo-type of being white, rural and Republican. Today on The Sunday Story, NPR’s Frank Langfitt shares his reporting on the changing face of American gun ownership.

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Global News Podcast - Iran protests: hundreds feared dead

A medic at one Tehran hospital reported "direct shots to the heads of the young people, to their hearts as well", while a doctor said an eye hospital in the capital had gone into crisis mode. Despite this, large crowds have returned to the streets of Iran's capital, including entire families with children, defying increasingly severe warnings from the authorities.

Also: the US military has ​carried out 'Operation Hawkeye' strikes in Syria against the Islamic State, as revenge for the killing of two American soldiers. We hear from Venezuelans who have fled to Colombia, after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Why a deadly train crash in 2023 in Greece could lead frustrated voters to turn to new political options in the 2027 election. The case of a Google employee made redundant after reporting sexual harassment. Why a rare Superman comic that was once stolen from Nicolas Cage has sold for $15m. And how much are dogs eavesdropping on us?

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

Consider This from NPR - Reporting on the invasion of Venezuela

NPR International Correspondent Eyder Peralta has covered conflicts and crises from East Africa to Latin America. Sometimes just getting in place to cover a story is the hardest part of reporting. His latest deployment has taken him to Colombia where he has been covering the fallout from the U.S.’s intervention in Venezuela.


For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.


This episode was produced by Gabriel Sanchez. It was edited by Adam Raney.


Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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