Feeling a little out of the loop? It’s not always easy to keep on top of current affairs and story-worthy headlines – which is why news has become one of the top-performing genres in the world of podcasts. Catering to every taste and interest, whether you’re looking for productions tailored to UK-centric politics or global affairs spanning America to New Zealand, these news podcasts promise to introduce you to the teams of award-winning journalists working on not only stories, but investigations and accountability, every day of the week. Go into the heart of the newsroom and get a buzz from breaking news with these brilliant podcasts. 

BBC Global News Podcast

Perfect for those who want the biggest stories in one quick hit, BBC World Service’s daily news podcast brings you the world’s most important headlines twice a day, every weekday (and once a day at weekends). Stay up to date with live coverage from BBC journalists covering an array of subjects, from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, to American politics and UK budgets. Episodes rarely go on for longer than 30 minutes, meaning these are perfect soundbites for your daily commute to the office or during a 5k jog around the park. 

Visit bbc.co.uk

The Private Eye Podcast

Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye magazine and one of the UK’s most famous journalists, and his team are renowned for their satirical but serious reporting on the inner workings of the UK government – and its monthly podcast is no different. Digest and recap the biggest stories of the past four weeks, and be among the first to hear Private Eye’s world-renowned investigations which, in the past, have covered the MMR vaccine controversy and off-shore tax havens. Expect serious facts, but lots of laughs too. 

Visit private-eye.co.uk

The Daily T by The Telegraph

Helmed by The Telegraph’s associate editor and former royal editor Camilla Tominey and former editorial director of BBC News, Kamal Ahmed, The Daily T drops new episodes every weekday at 5pm focusing on The Telegraph newsroom’s biggest stories. Helping listeners make sense of the day’s headlines, the latest subjects of the podcast's 40-minute episodes include ‘Gregg Wallace’s apology, and questions for the BBC’ and ‘Trump vs EU: Why Starmer can’t have it all’. 

Visit telegraph.co.uk

The News Agents

As former hosts of the BBC’s Americast programme – a podcast discussing the ups and downs of US politics – Jon Sopel, Emily Maitlis and Lewis Goodall have come together once again to host The News Agents: a deep dive into the world’s current affairs. Expect 30-minute episodes answering questions such as ‘why does Labour think it needs a relaunch?’ and ‘could Elon Musk buy a UK election?’, as well as Q&A formats answering listeners’ burning questions, and bumper special episodes when big stories break. News never sleeps – and neither do these three award-winning journalists. 

Visit globalplayer.com

The Rest is Politics

If you really want to know what goes on behind the scenes in Westminster, it’s best to ask the politicians who have worked there. And, despite often sitting on opposite sides of the House of Commons’ despatch box, former Downing Street director of communications Alastair Campbell and cabinet minister Rory Stewart come together to bridge the political divide with healthy discussion and an insider’s take on the current happenings in Westminster. Expect agreements, lots of disagreements and subjects such as ‘should MPs vote with their conscience or constituents?’ and ‘farmer vs Starmer’. 

Visit therestispolitics.supportingcast.fm

Political Currency

Two more political personalities clash in Political Currency, hosted by former Tory chancellor George Osborne and former Labour frontbencher and shadow chancellor Ed Balls. More used to battling it out over budgets, the duo now channel their differing political views to focus on the inner workings of the Treasury and the government’s recent financial moves, while taking listeners behind the doors of the department where some of the country’s biggest economic decisions are made. Episodes drop every Thursday, and range from Inside the Room topics such as the Scottish referendum, as well as analysis of Rachel Reeves’ budget, who Osborne backed for Tory leader and how to plug a £40bn fiscal black hole. 

Visit persephonica.com

Today in Focus by the Guardian

Hosted by the Guardian’s international correspondent Michael Safi and former North of England editor Helen Pidd, Today in Focus brings you closer to the Guardian newsroom. Combining storytelling with helpful analysis and personal interviews, the podcast takes you into the work of a global network featuring more than 900 journalists and five editions covering news in the US, UK, Australia, Europe, and beyond. Recent, must-listen episodes cover the fight to protect Maori rights in New Zealand to the ceasefire in Lebanon, and the Syrian civil war to Greenland’s policy to cut its birth rate. 

Visit theguardian.com

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