Best BBC Media Action Podcasts (2025)

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The hostage negotiator’s guide to making deals with Putin’s Russia 27:37

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7m ago27:37

27:37

Donald Trump has spent this year trying to negotiate a deal to end the war in Ukraine. So far, Vladimir Putin doesn’t seem interested in the US’s proposals. One man who has successfully negotiated with Russia – and with many of America’s adversaries – is Roger Carstens, former Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. From 2020 to 2025 he wor…

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Why is Trump threatening to sue the BBC? 26:29

11h ago26:29

26:29

The BBC has this week been rocked by a series of controversies, leading its Director General and Head of News to resign, and President Donald Trump threatening to sue the corporation over an edit it made to his January 6th, 2021 speech in one of its programmes, which the BBC admits was misleading. How did the management of the world’s most trusted …

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The King and AI 26:29

2d ago26:29

26:29

Seven pioneers of artificial intelligence gathered at St James's Palace to receive the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, presented by King Charles. Zoe Kleinman was there. In this week's edition you can hear Zoe talk to the 'godmother' of AI, Professor Fei-Fei Li, and Jensen Huang, the head of the world's most valuable company, Nvidia. Also on…

1
UK France Border Return Challenge, UK Bolsters Air Defences, Diageo Appoints Lewis CEO, Katy Perry Headlines 2026 Blenheim Festival, and more... 11:04

2d ago11:04

11:04

(0:10): UK-France Migrant Return Highlights Border Scheme Challenges Amid Calls for Tougher Measures (1:53): UK Bolsters Belgian Air Defences Amid Rising Drone Threats and Hybrid Warfare Concerns (4:07): Diageo Appoints Sir Dave Lewis as CEO Amidst Market Challenges and Strategic Shift (6:19): Katy Perry to Headline Inaugural Blenheim Palace Festiv…

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Is social media dead? 26:35

6m ago26:35

26:35

For much of the 21st century, our social lives have been shaped, at least in part, on the internet. But in an age of influencers, generative AI, complex algorithms, and politically entangled technocrats, some users say social media is growing less, well, social.So, is social media dead? Or is it just becoming something else? We speak with New Yorke…

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Royal duo Tackles Homelessness, High Court Seeks School Smartphone Ban, Lincolnshire Remembers Veterans, Labour Tax Plan Triggers Tory Backlash, and more... 10:34

4d ago10:34

10:34

(0:10): Prince William and Gordon Brown Unite to Combat Homelessness with Home-Furnishing Initiative (2:46): High Court Challenge Seeks Mandatory Smartphone Ban in Schools to Protect Students (4:48): Lincolnshire Honors Veterans in Powerful Remembrance Sunday Parades and Services (6:28): Labour's Proposed 14-Band Council Tax Sparks Conservative Bac…

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Why Trump is threatening to go 'guns a-blazing' into Nigeria 26:32

1d ago26:32

26:32

President Donald Trump has warned that he will target Nigeria if the government there "continues to allow the killing of Christians". For months, campaigners and politicians in Washington have been alleging that Islamist militants were systematically targeting Christians in Nigeria. But how true are the claims that there is a persecution – or even …

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England Scraps EBacc Sparks Arts Boom, Met Police Faces Systemic Racism Calls, UK Debates EV Road Charge, Flu Jab Urgency Rushes NHS, and more... 12:25

7d ago12:25

12:25

(0:10): England Overhauls Curriculum: Creative Subjects to Flourish as EBacc Scrapped (2:29): Metropolitan Police Report: Systemic Racism Embedded, Urgent Reform Demanded (4:35): UK Proposes New Road Charge for Electric Vehicles: Fair Funding or Punitive Tax? (6:42): NHS Issues Urgent Flu Jab Alert as Cases Triple, Warns of Severe Winter Wave (9:49…

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Viktor Orban’s dilemma: Trump’s favour or Russian oil 26:33

38m ago26:33

26:33

The man Donald Trump has called a "great leader", and who has long provoked admiration in MAGA circles, suddenly finds himself in an unusual position – at odds with the US president on an issue of critical importance. Viktor Orban, Hungary’s prime minister, is visiting the White House on Friday to try to resolve a dispute over Russian oil and gas. …

1
Queen Camilla Joins TikTok Star, Ed Sheeran Leads Jingle Ball Crowd, NHS ADHD Service Crisis, M S Profits Slump From Cyber Attack, and more... 11:42

8d ago11:42

11:42

(0:10): Queen Camilla Joins TikTok's Spudman for Festive Meals on Wheels Event at Clarence House (2:13): Ed Sheeran Headlines Capital's Jingle Bell Ball with Star-Studded Lineup at The O2 (4:28): NHS ADHD Services in Crisis: Patients Face Years-Long Delays Amid Soaring Demand and Limited Access (7:16): M&S Profits Halve Amid Cyber Attack, Plans for…

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A tale of two cities: London’s lesson for New York’s first Muslim mayor 26:48

3h ago26:48

26:48

Even before Zohran Mamdani was elected as New York’s first Muslim mayor, his critics frequently cited London as a sort of cautionary tale, suggesting that New York under Mamdani could go “the way of London.” That’s because London already has a liberal, Muslim mayor - Sadiq Khan. But is that where the similarities end? We talk to Tim Donovan, a form…

1
Labrinth Revives Classic in Father Son Ad, Tragic Fall Claims Ex Star and Royal Ally, England Central Contracts Shift, UK Grooming Scandal Review, and more... 12:26

8d ago12:26

12:26

(0:10): John Lewis 2025 Ad: Labrinth Revives Classic for Heartfelt Father-Son Story (2:10): Ex-Big Brother Star and Prince William's University Mate Dies in Tragic Fall in London (4:17): England's 2025/26 Central Contracts: Strategic Shift Prioritizes Core Talent and Emerging Stars (6:44): UK's Largest Grooming Gang Review: Operation Beaconport Tar…

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What’s behind Trump’s rift with Colombia? 27:12

1d ago27:12

27:12

For years, Colombia has been one of the United States’ closest allies in the region – a key partner in the war on drugs. But now this relationship is coming under strain amidst a personal feud between President Trump, and Colombia’s president Gustavo Petro. In today’s episode, we speak to BBC Mundo’s William Marquez to examine the history of the US…

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Scotland Overhauls Squad for Qualifiers, Latitude 2026 Maps Star Studded Lineup, Hallam Halts Forced Labour Study, British Indie Film Awards Lead, and more... 13:28

9d ago13:28

13:28

(0:10): Scotland Revamps Squad for Critical World Cup Qualifiers Against Greece and Denmark (2:13): Latitude Festival 2026 Unveils Star-Studded 20th Anniversary Lineup with David Byrne, Teddy Swims, Lewis Capaldi (4:23): Sheffield Hallam Halts Forced Labour Research Amid Chinese Pressure, Sparks Academic Freedom Debate (8:35): British Independent F…

1
Digital parenting 26:29

1d ago26:29

26:29

We look at a particular use of tech in family life - using trackers to know where your children are, or your partner, or other relatives. What are the safety and privacy issues ? Also on Tech Life: Shiona McCallum speaks to the BBC's cyber correspondent, Joe Tidy, about a gang of Russian hackers known as Evil Corps. Who are they, and what have they…

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The Supreme Court battle over Trump’s tariffs 26:17

7d ago26:17

26:17

The Trump administration faces a Supreme Court challenge on Wednesday over its use of tariffs, an economic policy that has upended global trade. This case, which has been described by the President in epic terms, questions the legality of Trump’s signature economic policy - and poses one of the biggest existential threats to his second term so far.…

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What if Russia wins? 26:29

3d ago26:29

26:29

Discussion of nuclear weapons has returned both to our news cycle and to the cultural conversation. Last week, President Donald Trump said that the US would resume testing nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, several recent films and books imagine a near future scenario where a nuclear attack is threatened or carried out. Tristan talks to Carlo Masala, prof…

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When the two most powerful men in the world met 26:45

8d ago26:45

26:45

On Thursday, Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping of China held a closed-door meeting in South Korea. The subjects of negotiation ran the gamut — from rare earth minerals, to fentanyl, to computer chips — and, according to President Trump’s subsequent news conference, the two parties reached a long-awaited deal. But exactly what did the world’s tw…

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❤️‍🩹The Catalyst Experience Changes EVERYTHING! 45:47

6d ago45:47

45:47

"The Catalyst Chapter: #For WLW Navigating Love's First Chapter and Beyond" Learn more about the course and register at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/#catalystrelationship "Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples": A course for building better communication and strong relationships. https://healthy…

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How a Venezuelan prison gang became the face of Trump’s immigration crackdown 26:35

15d ago26:35

26:35

The Trump administration has centred on Tren de Aragua – a Venezuelan prison gang – as a justification for cracking down on Venezuelan immigrants, and for several attacks on boats in the Caribbean Sea. When President Trump designated the gang a Foreign Terror Organisation, and invoked a 1798 law that allows presidents to swiftly deport citizens of …

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Why the US-Canada relationship is on shaky ground 26:42

14d ago26:42

26:42

After months of tense negotiations, President Trump has announced that he has terminated trade talks with Canada. The reason: a new Canadian TV commercial featuring an anti-tariff message from an old Ronald Reagan speech. The ad played during a World Series game and ran on various US cable channels, angering President Trump. The ad is just the late…

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King Honors LGBT Veterans, UK Signs Eurofighter Deal, New Housing Laws Fight Mould, Petrofac Files for Administration, and more... 12:14

16d ago12:14

12:14

(0:10): King Unveils LGBT Veterans Memorial, Honors Past Service and Apologizes for Historic Discrimination (2:11): UK Secures €9 Billion Eurofighter Jet Deal with Turkey, Strengthening NATO Ties and Defense Exports (5:15): Awaab's Law: New Housing Safety Standards Combat Mould Hazards, Boost Tenant Rights (7:50): Petrofac Files for Administration …

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Web-scraping bots 26:28

9d ago26:28

26:28

We look at the impact data-scraping robots from AI firms are having on the online encyclopedia used by hundreds of millions of people. Also in this edition of Tech Life: if you work in the fashion industry, if you are a fashion model, are you worried about AI ? A lot are, and we find out why. And how do we prevent children from seeing online adult …

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Why is the French president suing Candace Owens? 29:48

10d ago29:48

29:48

The controversial right-wing podcaster Candace Owens is being sued by the French president and his wife in a US court. The Macrons are accusing Owens of spreading a conspiracy theory that Brigitte Macron was born a man. So where has this theory come from? We speak to the BBC’s Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty, host of the Fame Under Fire podcast, about w…

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Reeves Opens UK-Gulf Trade, Olivia Edwards Mysteriously Dies, Home Office Faces Asylum Hotel Scandal, UK Pushes Tobacco and Vape Laws, and more... 12:48

17d ago12:48

12:48

(0:10): Rachel Reeves Seeks to Boost UK-Gulf Trade Ties Amid Economic Challenges and Fiscal Discipline (2:51): Tragedy in Aberdeen: 8-Year-Old Olivia Edwards Dies Mysteriously, Community Rallies for Support (4:46): Home Office Slammed for £15.3 Billion Asylum Hotel Fiasco; Urgent Reform Demanded (7:16): UK Health Leaders Urge Swift Action on Histor…

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If China attacked Taiwan, what would Trump do? 26:29

10d ago26:29

26:29

President Trump is in Asia this week to strike deals with several countries, including with China. One of the big questions overshadowing the trip is Taiwan’s future. China has long vowed to "reunify" with self-governing Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force. On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US wouldn’t abandon the island …

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S7 Episode 9: Reimagining Real-Time: Motorsport, AI, and the Future of Precision Tracking with Gill Switalski 26:21

11d ago26:21

26:21

In this episode of Digitally Curious, host Andrew Grill sits down with Gill Switalski, CEO of Infrared Kinetics, to explore how cutting-edge infrared technology is revolutionising real-time tracking and data precision - not just in motorsport, but across a host of industries. Gill shares her journey from corporate lawyer to tech innovator, describi…

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Tess and Claudia Depart, UK Germany Strengthen NATO, Bob Vylan Postpones Gigs, Women Stalk McCann Family, and more... 11:52

21d ago11:52

11:52

(0:10): Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman Exit 'Strictly': Iconic Duo Leaves After 11 Years (2:24): UK-Germany Pact Boosts NATO Maritime Security with €800M Defense Investment, AI Drones, and P-8 Aircraft (4:45): Bob Vylan Faces Backlash, Postpones UK Gigs Amid Controversial Glastonbury Chant (6:52): Women on Trial for Stalking McCann Family, One Cla…

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How Giorgia Meloni became Trump's best friend in Europe 26:54

21d ago26:54

26:54

Giorgia Meloni is Italy’s first female Prime Minister, and her political star has risen rapidly - from working class roots in Rome, to becoming one of the most important and divisive leaders in Europe. A populist whose party has roots in Italian fascism, and who takes a hard right stance on migration and family values, she has formed a kinship with…

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Uncloseted Media Brings Much Needed LGBTQ+ Lens to Journalism 45:38

13d ago45:38

45:38

Lotus Community Coaching | For women navigating coming out & the "messy middle": https://annemariezanzal.com/lotus-community-coaching/ "Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/ TW: Hate groups, racism and homophobia are discussed. Some strong language is used. Listener discretion is adv…

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UK Limits Tech Giants, Inflation Remains Steady, Bill Targets Prince Andrew, Villa Maccabi Fans Banned, and more... 12:06

21d ago12:06

12:06

(0:10): UK Targets Google and Apple with 'Strategic Market Status' to Curb Mobile Market Dominance (2:30): UK Inflation Holds at 3.8%, Defying Predictions; Bank of England Faces Pressure on Rate Decisions (5:05): UK Bill Proposes Royal Title Revocation, Targets Prince Andrew's Dukedom Amid Public Support (7:24): Controversy Erupts as Aston Villa-Ma…

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The cost of USAID cuts to women in Afghanistan 26:39

21d ago26:39

26:39

Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, the US has contributed billions of dollars in aid to Afghanistan for food and medical care – a lifeline in a country ravaged by two decades of war. But earlier this year, following deep cuts to USAID under the Trump administration, more than 400 USAID-backed medical clinics have closed, and for pregnant women in …

1
Dublin Protests Erupt, Lindsay Sandiford Prepares for UK Return, Rachel Riley Wins City Honor, UK Lifts Qaeda Blacklist, and more... 10:38

22d ago10:38

10:38

Dublin Tensions Rise: Protests Erupt After Alleged Assault at Citywest Asylum Center Bali Prisoner Lindsay Sandiford Set for UK Repatriation Amid Health Concerns and Death Row Appeal Rachel Riley Honored with Freedom of the City of London for Antisemitism Advocacy UK Removes Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from Terror List to Foster Syrian Cooperation Durham …

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S7 Episode 8: AI, Empathy, and the Human Edge. Digitally Curious meets the Somewhere on Earth Podcast 53:06

15d ago53:06

53:06

Two tech worlds meet to answer a pressing question: if AI can act for us, what should remain meaningfully human? In this episode, We've teamed up with Gareth Mitchell and Ghislaine Boddington from the Somewhere on Earth Podcast to compare notes on practical adoption, cultural nuance, and the messy, beautiful realities of bringing AI into daily life…

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Jeffrey Epstein and the downfall of Prince Andrew 26:45

15d ago26:45

26:45

***This episode contains themes of sexual abuse and grooming*** The memoir of Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein's most well-known accusers, was published posthumously this week, repeating allegations against Epstein as well as Prince Andrew. The revelations come as Prince Andrew gave up his royal titles, amongst renewed and increasing scruti…

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Red lines for AI 26:28

16d ago26:28

26:28

More than 200 prominent individuals and 70 organisations want international agreement on 'do not cross' red lines for artificial intelligence, to prevent risks to humanity. We speak to Stuart Russell, professor of computer science at the University of California in Berkeley, who is backing the call. He spells out some of the potential risks that AI…

1
Sterling 20 Invests in UK, Football Legend's Son Dies, Just Stop Oil on Trial, O'Neill Criticizes UK Bill, and more... 10:32

24d ago10:32

10:32

(0:10): Sterling 20 Launches Investor Partnership to Boost UK Economy with £500M Investment in Local Projects (2:58): Tragic Loss: Son of Football Legend Stuart Pearce Dies in Tractor Accident at 21 (5:02): Just Stop Oil Activists on Trial for Stonehenge Vandalism in High-Profile Environmental Protest (7:26): Northern Ireland's O'Neill Slams UK Leg…

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The Louvre daytime heist that shocked the world 26:32

16d ago26:32

26:32

The Louvre Museum in Paris was closed for 2 days as the police investigated a brazen heist which resulted in the theft of France's “priceless” crown jewels. Thieves wielding power tools broke into the world's most visited museum in broad daylight, before escaping on scooters with eight items of jewelry of great historical significance. Erin Thompso…

1
UK Launches V-Level Qualifications, Queen Launches Osteoporosis Campaign, Families Seek Answers in Chinook Crash, Leeds Maternity Under Investigation, and more... 10:37

25d ago10:37

10:37

(0:10): UK Overhauls Post-16 Education with New 'V-Level' Qualification to Boost Vocational Training (2:11): Queen Launches Campaign to Combat Osteoporosis with Innovative Digital Risk Tool (3:13): Families Demand Transparency in 1994 Chinook Crash, Submit 47,000-Signature Petition to Downing Street (5:23): Urgent Inquiry Launched into Leeds Matern…

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Is the AI boom actually a bubble? 26:42

25d ago26:42

26:42

AI companies are seeing a monumental surge in investment – but some experts are now warning of the risks of an economic bubble. Could AI be the biggest market bubble since the dot-com crash? Or is it a genuinely transformative technology that’s simply taking time to deliver? We speak to the BBC’s Evan Davis. Producers: Aron Keller and Xandra Ellin …

1
UK Claims Sue J&J, Bank of England Maintains Rates, Massive Fire Destroys Perry Vale, Appeal Reexamines Post Office Cases, and more... 11:41

28d ago11:41

11:41

(0:10): 3,000 UK Claimants Sue Johnson & Johnson Over Asbestos in Baby Powder, Potential £1 Billion Lawsuit (2:38): Bank of England Holds Rates at 4% Amid Inflation, Sluggish Growth Concerns (5:16): Massive Fire Engulfs Perry Vale Shop and Flats: 100 Firefighters Battling Blaze (6:17): Court of Appeal Reviews Pre-Horizon Post Office Convictions, St…

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Why has Trump authorised CIA action in Venezuela? 26:20

28d ago26:20

26:20

On Wednesday, President Trump confirmed that he has authorised the CIA to take covert lethal action in Venezuela. The revelation came off the back of a series of US strikes on Venezuelan boats accused of transporting drugs in the Caribbean Sea, which resulted in the death of 27 people in what some human rights experts are calling "extrajudicial exe…

1
❤️‍🩹 Healing Your Grief When Coming Out- Part 2 36:14

21d ago36:14

36:14

Lotus Community Coaching | For women navigating coming out & the "messy middle": https://annemariezanzal.com/lotus-community-coaching/ "Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/ TW: This episode explores grief as related to the coming out experience and may be difficult for some to hear.…

1
UK Needs Faster Climate Action, High Court Reviews Hotel Housing, UK Proposes Veterinary Market Overhaul, Police Seek Clues in Baby Ava, and more... 10:52

29d ago10:52

10:52

(0:10): UK Urged to Ramp Up Climate Adaptation as 2°C Warming Looms by 2050 (2:54): High Court Hears Case Against Somani Hotels Over Asylum Seeker Housing Amid Political Tensions (4:23): UK Watchdog Proposes Overhaul to Boost Transparency, Cut Costs in £6.3 Billion Veterinary Market (6:45): Police Renew Appeal for Information on Salford's Baby Ava …

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A Gazan journalist’s diary 26:37

21d ago26:37

26:37

Reporting on the war in Gaza has only been possible because of the work of Palestinian journalists, because the Israeli government will not let foreign broadcasters – including the BBC – inside the territory to report freely, even now a ceasefire is in place. One month ago, freelance journalist Ghada Al-Kurd began sharing voice notes with us, talki…

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Referee David Coote Guilty, Ireland UK Legislation Unites, Whistleblower Reveals Police Misconduct, IMF Raises UK Growth Outlook, and more... 13:19

30d ago13:19

13:19

(0:10): Ex-Premier League Referee David Coote Pleads Guilty to Possessing Indecent Child Image, Faces Sentence (2:11): Ireland and UK Unite on New Legislation to Address Troubles Legacy, Empower Victims' Voices (4:10): Whistleblower Exposes Undercover Police Misconduct Amid Criticism at Inquiry (6:17): IMF Upgrades UK Growth Forecast; Inflation and…

1
Is the US-China trade war back on? 26:50

29d ago26:50

26:50

“If there’s a fight, we’ll fight to the end”, a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday, of the increasingly fierce trade war playing out between the US and China. As President Donald Trump threatens imposing 100% tariffs on goods coming from China, his counterpart, President Xi Jinping, has restricted US access to its rare earth min…

1
Drones with Tasers 26:29

23d ago26:29

26:29

We speak to the founder and CEO of Axon Enterprise, maker of the Taser, about the tech's future. And the future includes drones armed with Tasers. Also in this edition of Tech Life: why an underwater glider is circumnavigating the globe, gathering data on the oceans. And find out why the quantum computing revolution could arrive sooner than expecte…

1
Vodafone Outage Sparks UK Chaos, UK Supreme Court Reviews Legacy Act, UK Battles Cyber Surge, UK Launches Flood Defence Overhaul, and more... 11:28

1M ago11:28

11:28

(0:10): Massive Vodafone Outage Disrupts UK Services, Sparks Calls for Compensation (2:07): UK Supreme Court to Hear Appeal on Controversial Legacy Act Amid Human Rights Concerns (4:00): UK Faces Unprecedented Cyber Attack Surge, Urges FTSE 350 to Bolster Defenses Amid Rising Threats (6:29): UK Unveils £10.5 Billion Flood Defence Overhaul, Prioriti…

1
Trump is bailing out Argentina. What happened to ‘America first’? 27:48

30d ago27:48

27:48

President Trump’s administration may have frozen foreign aid but this week it’s giving Argentina a $20 billion lifeline. It's a move his critics are suggesting is more about politics than sound economics. Argentina’s president, the chainsaw-wielding Javier Milei, is a friend and close ally of Trump’s. On on Tuesday, Milei will visit the White House…