Best Defector Media Podcasts (2025)

1
A nationwide vigilante network. How police backing and holy blessings helped Russkaya Obshchina become Russia’s largest far-right group

13h ago

—

Emboldened by support from senior law enforcement officials and a political climate more hospitable to xenophobic violence, far-right activists from “Russkaya Obshchina” (Russian Community) are increasingly involved in attacks, vigilante raids, and coordinated harassment. They typically target migrants from nations to the south or even compatriots …

1
Dozens dead after floods submerge market town in Nigeria 12:43

15h ago12:43

12:43

In tonight's edition, dozens of people killed and many still missing after heavy flooding swept through Niger state in Nigeria. Also, Rwanda is seeing an economic rise, but the UN is warning the east African country is leaving too many behind. And we are taking a closer look at Sidi Ould Tah now, who's been named President of the African Developmen…

1
Gaza, “Taco Trump”, Musk ‘overboarded’, Macron’s ‘le slap’ 53:05

17h ago53:05

53:05

This week saw Israel attempt a new plan to distribute food in Gaza, bypassing the UN and using American private contractors known as the Gaza Humanitarian Fund. The result, it was suspended on day one: after looting, chaos and security measures were overwhelmed by desperate crowds. Meanwhile, the once steadfast support of Israel’s key allies has se…

1
Mobile network provider terminates service for Russian advocacy group Nasiliu.Net, crashing emergency helpline for domestic violence victims

17h ago

—

The Russian advocacy group Nasiliu.Net (No to Violence) reported on May 30 that its mobile network operator suddenly terminated its service, crashing an emergency helpline available to domestic violence victims. “Previously, the service did not warn us about problems related to our ‘foreign agent’ status, which we have been forced to have since 202…

1
Russian teen who quoted Ukrainian poet in criminal trial closing statement faces new prosecution

18h ago

—

On April 18, a Russian court sentenced 19-year-old activist Darya Kozyreva to two years and eight months in prison for repeatedly “discrediting” the Russian army. This week, a St. Petersburg court registered a new case against Kozyreva based on her closing statement at her previous trial. In that statement, she quoted a poem in Ukrainian by Taras S…

1
Russia’s U.N. representative says halting Western weapons supplies and ending Ukraine’s draft are necessary for any ceasefire deal

19h ago

—

As Ukrainian officials wait for a promised memorandum on Russia’s vision for a peace treaty, Russia's permanent representative to the U.N., Vasily Nebenzya, told the U.N. Security Council on May 30 that Moscow’s “minimum” terms for a ceasefire deal are that “Western countries cease supplying weapons to the Kyiv regime” and that Ukraine end its mili…

1
A cultural stroll through Paris with actress-director Aïssa Maïga and singer Awa Ly 15:04

20h ago15:04

15:04

This week, Paris des Arts welcomes Aïssa Maïga. The actress and director stars in the new film "Promised Sky", which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and she chose the Little Africa Village in the Goutte d'Or neighbourhood of Paris to tell us about it.By FRANCE 24 English

1
Parrying Is Either The Best Or Worst Thing In Video Games 1:18:28

19h ago1:18:28

1:18:28

On this week’s episode, Riley, Luke, and Isaiah intend to talk about a lot of topics, but mostly can’t keep themselves from talking about Clair Obscur. We start by talking about two stories Aftermath ran this week: one in favor of parrying in video games, and one against. Those stories kicked off a flurry of discourse on social media, which we foun…

1
Paris neighbourhoods: Exploring the trendy and historic 12th arrondissement 12:24

20h ago12:24

12:24

In this French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in a once-gritty, now-trendy district: the 12th arrondissement. Situated in the east of the French capital, the area was exempt from taxation for generations, making it a haven for both artisans and incredible markets like the marché d’Ali…

1
Japanese manga scares tourists away with doomsday prediction 12:32

20h ago12:32

12:32

Superstitious tourists from Hong Kong and China have been cancelling their trips to Japan, partly due to a manga – first published in the 1990s – predicting that a major catastrophe will hit the country in July. We take a closer look.By FRANCE 24 English

1
Ukrainian intelligence behind explosions at Russian naval base in Vladivostok, media report

20h ago

—

Explosions in the Russian city of Vladivostok on Friday morning were the result of a “successful operation” by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, according to RBC-Ukraine, UNIAN, and Hromadske, all of which cited informed sources. The sources said two blasts occurred in Desantnaya Bay, near the base of the 47th Separate Air Assault Battalion, …

1
Is Hollywood still the world's movie business capital? 12:44

21h ago12:44

12:44

US President Donald Trump's threat to drag the movie world into his trade wars has rattled an industry that is still recovering from the Covid-19 shutdown, historic Hollywood strikes and the disruption caused by streaming platforms like Netflix. Will Los Angeles end up like Detroit, the former global capital of the auto industry, or will it bounce …

1
'There's a lot of misunderstanding' on freedom of speech: EU tech sovereignty commissioner 12:38

21h ago12:38

12:38

Our guest's job did not exist until the current European Commission was formed. Now the college has a portfolio for "tech sovereignty, security and democracy" held by the Finnish Commissioner, Henna Virkkunen. We ask her what tech sovereignty means and how to boost it, amid an increasingly fraught tech relationship between the EU and the US adminis…

1
Ukraine says it’s ready for another round of talks — but it’s still waiting for the ceasefire memo Russia promised

21h ago

—

Russia’s delegation addresses the media following talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 16. On May 19, three days after Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul for their first direct talks in over three years, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call. Afterwards, Putin announced that Moscow was “r…

1
Mercenaries, missionaries, and mining. As local leaders decry Western neocolonialism, Russia is carving out its own sphere of influence in Africa

21h ago

—

Demonstrators in the Democratic Republic of the Congo protest a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2023, using Russian flags and portraits of Vladimir Putin as protest symbols Moscow’s foreign policy has zeroed in on Africa in recent years. The shift is partially due to commercial interests, including access to resources like gold, uraniu…

1
North Korean defectors struggle to adapt to new life in South Korea 12:26

21h ago12:26

12:26

Every year, North Koreans risk their lives trying to escape the regime in Pyongyang. For those who do manage to flee, neighbouring South Korea is the obvious destination. More than 34,000 North Korean defectors have entered the country since 1953. But they still find it difficult to adapt to life in a nation so geographically close to their own, ye…

1
North Korean defectors struggle to adapt to new life in South Korea 12:26

22h ago12:26

12:26

Every year, North Koreans risk their lives trying to escape the regime in Pyongyang. For those who do manage to flee, neighbouring South Korea is the obvious destination. More than 34,000 North Korean defectors have entered the country since 1953. But they still find it difficult to adapt to life in a nation so geographically close to their own, ye…

1
Digital euro inches closer to reality: Will Europeans trust a virtual currency? 12:23

22h ago12:23

12:23

These days, we are using cash less than we used to and relying more on private tech platforms, such as Apple Pay and Revolut, to manage our finances and make purchases. The EU wants to keep up with consumer behaviour in this ultra-digital age and ensure it does not lose control of its monetary system to private companies or big tech aligned with po…

1
Jules Verne: The 'Extraordinary Voyages' of a visionary French writer 12:14

23h ago12:14

12:14

This week we delve into the life of Jules Verne, one of the world's most widely translated writers. The French author's "Extraordinary Voyages" include "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea", "Around the World in Eighty Days" and "Journey to the Center of the Earth". They continue to inspire fans of adventure stories, 120 years after his death in …

1
Nigerian women forced into prostitution in Senegal 12:20

23h ago12:20

12:20

While eastern Senegal is experiencing a gold rush, our team on the ground report how the mining boom has seen an explosion in prostitution with hundreds of Nigerian women being trafficked into the region. Also how the American transgender community is being targeted by President Donald Trump as he rolls out a series of policies, including a controv…

1
Israel is 'sprinting to annex Palestinian territories': Anger over new West Bank settlements 4:25

1d ago4:25

4:25

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, May 30: The papers react to Israel's new plans for settlements in the West Bank. Next, cannabis has been found in Haribo's iconic cola sour candy. Finally, a new "e-tattoo" device helps track mental workload.By FRANCE 24 English

1
Tunisia migrant crisis: Authorities crack down on makeshift camps 5:43

1d ago5:43

5:43

In Tunisia, operations to dismantle migrant camps in the olive groves of Sfax, in the east of the country, have been gathering pace since April. According to National Guard figures, between 20,000 and 30,000 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa had been living in these makeshift camps. But is this strategy effective, and at what human cost? Our corresp…

1
U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg says Russia’s concerns about potential NATO expansion are ‘fair’

1d ago

—

The United States considers Russia’s concerns about NATO’s potential eastward expansion to be “fair,” U.S. presidential envoy Keith Kellogg said in an interview with ABC News on Thursday. “It’s a fair concern. We’ve said that repeatedly. We’ve said that, to us, Ukraine coming into NATO is not on the table,” Kellogg said. According to him, at least …

1
Overnight Russian missile and drone attacks injure civilians in multiple Ukrainian regions

1d ago

—

Russian forces carried out a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s Kharkiv region on Thursday night, according to local authorities and Ukraine’s State Emergency Service. In Kharkiv’s Slobidskyi district, a Russian strike sparked a fire at a municipal transport agency. One company building and a trolleybus caught fire, and 38 vehicles b…

1
Richard Gasquet bids farewell to tennis, Arthur Fils wins at French Open 5:15

1d ago5:15

5:15

Frenchman Richard Gasquet lost to Jannik Sinner in the last match of his career, receiving a standing ovation and honorary trophy during a post-match ceremony. Arthur Fils prevailed despite injury.By FRANCE 24 English

1
Old money, new problems. Sanctions leave Russian banks and customers stuck with older U.S. currency that’s increasingly difficult to exchange at home and abroad

1d ago

—

Sanctions have significantly hindered the flow of fresh foreign currency into Russian banks, leaving both the institutions and their customers with a surplus of “old-series” dollars issued before 2009. Many foreign exchange offices reject these bills or agree to exchange them only at unfavorable rates. Even domestically, Russians are increasingly e…

1
Poland to vote in razor-tight presidential election 11:36

1d ago11:36

11:36

Poland votes on Sunday in a hotly contested presidential run-off that will pit the pro-EU Warsaw mayor against a nationalist historian in a tight race that could extend the political deadlock in the NATO member nation. Rafal Trzaskowski, backed by the ruling centrists, and Karol Nawrocki, a political novice supported by the opposition Law and Justi…

1
Tributes pour in for acclaimed African literature giant Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o 11:53

1d ago11:53

11:53

In tonight's edition: Mauritania's former finance minister takes the African Development Bank's top job. Also, in Ghana, the cedi soars over 40 percent against the dollar, helping the country slash its foreign debt and outpace its regional peers. Plus tributes are pouring in for Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, who has died at the age of 87.…

1
Following outcry from Moscow, Serbia’s president vows to halt weapons contracts if arms are bound for Ukraine

1d ago

—

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has responded to accusations from Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service that Serbian defense enterprises continue to supply ammunition to Ukraine, calling some of the allegations false. In recent remarks cited by the local media, Vučić said he’s discussed the matter with Vladimir Putin privately and in the presenc…

1
Real images of Gazans lining up for aid accused of being AI-generated 4:42

1d ago4:42

4:42

A viral video shared on social media shows a large crowd of Palestinians lining up for aid at a distribution centre in Rafah, southern Gaza. After this video was posted, users spread fake viral claims that the video filmed in the Tel al-Sultan aid distribution site in Gaza was generated using artificial intelligence. We debunk these claims in this …

1
A veteran’s violent end. Officer who led Russia’s Mariupol air assault, then became Stavropol’s deputy mayor, dies in suspicious blast

1d ago

—

Zaur Gurtsiev The first deputy mayor of Stavropol was killed in an explosion on Wednesday night. Zaur Gurtsiev, 34, joined his hometown’s city government after participating in the Kremlin’s “Time of Heroes” program, which the Putin administration launched to promote war veterans to public office. In 2019, Gurtsiev headed the combat command center …

1
Poland's nail-biter election: Could Warsaw turn on Brussels? 43:22

1d ago43:22

43:22

A fortnight after Romania, Poland is holding a presidential run-off where the pro-EU candidate faces uncertain odds. On Sunday, Warsaw's liberal mayor Rafał Trzaskowski will need the kind of boost in turnout that propelled his counterpart from Bucharest to victory. Nicoşur Dan came to campaign last weekend for Trzaskowski, the candidate from Polish…

1
‘We could not influence the list’. In Russia and Ukraine’s biggest prisoner swap of the war, Moscow returned a defector and prisoners already slated for deportation

2d ago

—

The first day of the prisoner exchange. May 23, 2025. Late last week, Russia and Ukraine carried out their largest prisoner exchange since the start of the full-scale war, with each side handing over 1,000 people. Moscow and Kyiv agreed to the swap during peace talks in Istanbul on May 16 — negotiations that otherwise failed to produce any results.…

1
China has stopped selling drones to Ukraine while increasing component shipments to Russia — Bloomberg

2d ago

—

China has halted drone sales to Ukraine and other European countries but continues to supply Russia, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing statements from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other informed sources. “Chinese Mavic is open for Russians but is closed for Ukrainians. There are production lines on Russian territory where there a…

1
Russia accuses Serbia of supplying weapons to Ukraine, 'profiting from the blood of their fellow Slavs'

2d ago

—

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said on Thursday that Serbian defense companies continue to supply ammunition to Kyiv “in defiance of Belgrade’s officially declared ‘neutrality.’” In a press release titled “Serbian arms industry tries to stab Russia in the back,” the SVR alleged that Serbian contributions to what it calls “the war waged…

1
Counting the cost of being an Oasis fan: How much would you pay? 12:27

2d ago12:27

12:27

We bring you a report that crunches the numbers about how much Oasis fans will spend on food, drinks and tickets for a chance to see the 1990s British rockers when their tour begins in July. (Hint: hundreds of euros!).By FRANCE 24 English

1
Protecting Colombia's Rio Atrato: 'If the river does not function well, neither can life' 8:40

2d ago8:40

8:40

An environmentalist who's been fighting for the protection of Colombia's Atrato River has spoken to FRANCE 24 about why the waterway is vital for the environment and for the local Indigenous community. The Atrato was protected nearly 10 years ago after people got together to persuade Colombia's constitutional court to force the government to take a…

1
Merz says he hasn't ruled out Germany supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine

2d ago

—

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Wednesday that he has not ruled out the possibility of supplying Ukraine with long-range Taurus cruise missiles. “Of course it’s within the realm of possibility,” Merz told the German broadcaster ZDF. At the same time, he noted that training Ukrainian soldiers to operate the missiles would take several months. …

1
UAE grapples with obesity crisis fuelled by fast food, sedentary lifestyle 5:54

2d ago5:54

5:54

Behind the skyscrapers and luxurious resorts of the United Arab Emirates, a silent health crisis is looming. According to a study published in The Lancet, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult men in the UAE is set to rise from 84 percent in 2021 to 94 percent by 2050, placing the country among the worst affected in the world. This e…

1
No take-backsies. As Putin vows support for Russian McDonald’s replacement, lawmakers move to strip foreign investors of their buyback rights

2d ago

—

What happened? At a meeting with business leaders on May 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised the management of Vkusno i tochka (the fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s restaurants in Russia) that he would support the company if McDonald’s ever tried to return to the Russian market. Putin noted that while the “not entirely scrupulous …

1
‘There’s no such thing as safety’. In Russia, journalists must either adapt to censorship or risk their freedom. So why do they keep reporting?

2d ago

—

In April 2025, Kommersant journalist Alexander Chernykh declined the most prestigious independent prize recognizing Russian journalism, Redkollegia. He’d won the award for a report from Russia’s Kursk region, which had recently spent more than seven months under partial Ukrainian occupation. In a statement explaining his decision, Chernykh — who re…

1
US court blocks most of Trump's tariffs, boosting market sentiment 4:26

2d ago4:26

4:26

A US trade court has blocked a large number of President Donald Trump's tariffs, ruling that the US constitution gives Congress the exclusive authority to regulate commerce with other countries. The Trump administration has filed a notice of appeal, but now has 10 days to issue new orders which reflect the court's decision. Equity markets in Asia s…

1
Chelsea defeat Betis to win Conference League 5:09

2d ago5:09

5:09

Chelsea beat Betis 4-1 to win the Conference League. The Blues become the first club to win every European Cup.By FRANCE 24 English

1
Russian war veteran killed in Stavropol explosion; governor cites possible ‘Ukrainian terrorist attack’

2d ago

—

A veteran of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Zaur Gurtsiev, was killed in an explosion in Stavropol, Russia. After returning from the front, Gurtsiev joined the “Time of Heroes” program — a Kremlin initiative aimed at placing war veterans in government roles — and was serving as the city’s first deputy mayor. His death was announced by Stavropol Krai Gove…

1
St. Petersburg proposes ban on foreign nationals working as couriers and taxi drivers

2d ago

—

Authorities in St. Petersburg, Russia, have proposed banning foreign nationals from working as taxi drivers and couriers through the end of the year, according to a draft order by Governor Alexander Beglov published on the city’s official website. The proposal calls for “a ban in 2025 on the employment of foreign nationals” by businesses operating …

1
An Apology to Brad Lohaus 1:07:07

2d ago1:07:07

1:07:07

It’s just Drew and Roth this week, and guess what? They’re gonna talk NBA playoffs, because Drew actually knows what he’s talking about this year! For real! He has thoughts on these teams! Then, they open up the funbag to answer real questions from real listeners like you! Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call …

1
Three far-right activists arrested for kidnapping and torturing teenager in Russian forest

3d ago

—

Police in the Russian city of Kovrov (roughly 175 miles northeast of Moscow) have arrested three members of a far-right organization on charges of aggravated kidnapping. The suspects are reportedly local men in their late twenties and early thirties who belong to the group “Russkaya Obshchina” (Russian Community). Two of the three men have already …

1
Former Russian university president sentenced to 22 years for 1999 murder plot

3d ago

—

A court in Moscow has sentenced former Kazan Federal University president Ilshat Gafurov to 22 years in prison for inciting and orchestrating the 1999 murder of Aidar Israfilov, who was killed amid a dispute over municipal revenue from market fees. At the time, Gafurov was head of the Yelabuga district in Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, while Israf…

1
Behind closed blast doors. Danish and German journalists uncover detailed blueprints offering an unprecedented look inside Russia’s nuclear weapons silos

3d ago

—

Russia is conducting a large-scale modernization of the underground silos that store its missiles with strategic nuclear warheads, journalists from the Danish investigative project Danwatch and the German publication Der Spiegel have discovered. The investigation, presented on May 28, states that Danwatch journalists obtained more than two million …

1
‘Emotions are running high’. Putin has yet to respond to Trump calling him ‘crazy,’ but Kremlin officials have plenty to say

3d ago

—

Amid massive Russian strikes on Ukraine and stalled peace negotiations, U.S. President Donald Trump has begun to sharply criticize Vladimir Putin, calling the Russian leader “CRAZY,” accusing him of “needlessly killing a lot of people,” and warning that he is “playing with fire.” Putin has yet to respond publicly, but Russian officials have called …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Defector Media Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen