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Will Bad Bunny take on MAGA at the Super Bowl? Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

On Sunday, Bad Bunny will perform at the Super Bowl half time show to an audience of more than 100 million people across the world. But the NFL’s choice of the Puerto Rican star has proven controversial, because he has long been outspoken in his criticism of the US government, including most recently at the 2026 Grammy Awards, when he called for ICE agents to be removed from the streets.

In today’s episode, Puerto Rican cultural critic Carina del Valle Schorske, who profiled Bad Bunny for The New York Times Magazine, explains how the artist’s pride in his homeland is infused throughout his music, and considers how he might use the US’ biggest stage this weekend to challenge the president’s policies.

This episode was updated on 5 February 2026 for music rights reasons.

Producers: Hannah Moore and Xandra Ellin

Mix: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Bad Bunny poses on the red carpet during the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. Credit: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

What could happen if the US strikes Iran? Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

For three weeks, the world has been watching to see whether Donald Trump will order military strikes on Iran. The US military has been building up forces close to the Islamic Republic, including an aircraft carrier and several warships which President Trump has been calling an “armada.”

Trump says he wants to do a deal with Iran, and the two sides appear to be talking. White House special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to meet with the Iranian Foreign Minister on Friday in Istanbul. But Trump has threatened that if no agreement is reached, he’s ready to order US forces into action. Frank Gardner, the BBC’s security correspondent, lays out what could happen if talks fail, and Trump decides to strike Iran. He describes several scenarios that might have major consequences for the Iranian leadership, its people, the wider region and the world. Producers: Viv Jones Executive producer: Bridget Harney Sound engineer: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins (Photo: Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei. Credit: Iran’s Supreme Leader Office/EPA/Shutterstock)

How China beat the US on green energy Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

President Trump has withdrawn the US from the Paris climate agreement for the second time and also announced plans to leave the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. In his first year back in office, Trump has rolled back restrictions on oil, gas and coal – and has urged other countries to do the same. China, meanwhile, has spent the past decade consolidating its expansion into clean energy technologies, even as it remains the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gasses. In today’s episode, BBC climate editor Justin Rowlatt explains how the growing energy rivalry between the world's biggest superpowers will shape the future of geopolitics and have profound consequences for the planet’s ability to cut carbon emissions.

Producers: Aron Keller and Hannah Moore Mix: Travis Evans Executive producers: James Shield and Bridget Harney Senior news editor: China Collins

(Photo: A wind turbine and solar panels in Yancheng, China. Credit: Alex Plavesvski/ EPA)

Is ISIS having a resurgence in Syria? Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

The US military has begun to transfer up to 7000 Islamic State (IS) group detainees held in prisons in Syria to Iraq, which officials say is to prevent prisoners breaking out and regrouping. The transfer comes weeks after the US led large-scale strikes on IS group targets in Syria.

The move comes after clashes between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which last week ended in a deal that would see the gradual integration of Kurdish forces and institutions into the state, and transfer control of the prisons to Damascus. Today we talk to Josh Baker, investigative journalist and host of the BBC podcast I Am Not A Monster, about the state of the IS group, and whether the country’s instability could lead to a resurgence in Syria

Producers: Sam Chantarasak and Lucy Pawle

Senior news editor: China Collins

Mix: Travis Evans

Photo: A member of the Syrian security forces stands in front of the gate of the Al-Hol camp, which houses families of suspected Islamic State (IS) group fighters. Credit: Mohammed al-Rifai/EPA/Shutterstock

How Palantir became indispensable Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

Palantir isn’t just another tech firm - it’s reach cuts across almost every aspect of modern life, from AI to healthcare to Formula 1 racing.

Founded in 2003 to support US counter-terrorism efforts, the company has since grown into a global powerhouse and is central to the Trump administration's policies, from its military to immigration enforcement.

At the centre of it all is billionaire co-founder Alex Karp – the philosopher turned tech-CEO who built the company from the ground up.

So how did this software company built for bad times become indispensable to governments across the globe, and what does its rise reveal about the future of politics?

We speak to journalist Michael Steinberger whose book The Philosopher in the Valley charts Karp’s life and Palantir’s rise.

Producer: Aron Keller

Mix: Travis Evans

Executive producer: China Collins

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Palantir co-founder & CEO Alex Karp. Credit: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters.

How the Minnesota shooting set off a TikTok censorship debate Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Over the weekend, some TikTok users in the United States claimed the social media platform was censoring content critical of the Trump administration. Users reported that they couldn’t upload or view videos related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, otherwise known as ICE. But TikTok disputes that functionality issues were political, attributing them instead to data center outages.

The criticism has come to a head after federal agents shot and killed intensive care nurse Alex Pretti, a US citizen in Minnesota. The Department of Homeland Security says the agents fired in self-defence.

Though the facts remain muddy, the controversy has exposed how a divided America is reacting to the shooting. For the latest, we speak to BBC Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent Marianna Spring.

Producers: Xandra Ellin, Samantha Chantarasak, and Viv Jones

Executive producer: China Collins

Mix: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Teenagers holding smartphones in front of a TikTok logo. September 11, 2025. Credit:Dado Ruvic/Reuters

What next for Venezuelans? Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

When US Special Forces captured Venezuela’s former president Nicolás Maduro several weeks ago, many wondered whether his ouster would bring about further changes to the country. So, what has changed in Venezuela?

And while President Trump has made it clear he sees oil as a very important priority for the United States’s future relationship with Venezuela and increased American involvement in the country’s oil operations, how do Venezuelans feel about this prospect?

Our guest today, reporting from inside Venezuela, is BBC correspondent Norberto Paredes. How do Venezuelans feel about their country since Maduro’s departure?

Producers: Lucy Pawle, Sam Chantarasak and Hannah Moore

Executive producer: Bridget Harney

Sound engineer: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

(Photo: People walk past a painting of an oil pump on Venezuela's national flag, in Caracas. Credit: Gaby Oráa/Reuters)

The mystery of Putin and the apartment bombs Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

In September 1999, just weeks into Vladimir Putin’s first premiership, four bombs blew up four apartment buildings, over a period of twelve days, killing hundreds and plunging the entire nation into fear. The government blamed Chechen militants, a conclusion corroborated by many journalists at the time. But whispers of a darker conspiracy persist to this day. A new BBC podcast, The History Bureau: Putin and the Apartment Bombs, tells the story of those bombings and re-examines how these tragic events helped propel Vladimir Putin to power. Asma talks to the host of the series, Helena Merriman. Producers: Viv Jones Executive producer: Bridget Harney Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins Photo: Moscow apartment buildings in the 1990s. Credit: BBC.

Is Cuba next? Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

The US and Cuba have for decades had a troubled relationship, with the former imposing sanctions and travel restrictions on its close Caribbean neighbour. Now, in its attack on Venezuela, and the capture of president Nicolas Maduro, the US has dealt Cuba a blow so significant that President Trump has warned the socialist state is, “ready to fall”.

Today, BBC Central America and Cuba correspondent Will Grant explains the deeply intertwined relationship between Venezuela and Cuba, and how Havana’s government plans to stand up to Trump.

Producers: Hannah Moore and Xandra Ellin

Executive producer: James Shield

Mix: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel speaks during an event in support of Venezuela in Havana. Credit: Ernesto Mastrascusa/EPA/Shutterstock.

Trump’s first year back: for better and for worse Jan 25, 2026

Show notes

One year into President Trump’s second term, the White House is celebrating what it calls a year of accomplishments. Those achievements stem from significant policy changes that have reshaped life for many Americans.

In this episode, we hear from people directly affected by two of the administration’s most ambitious efforts - tariffs and immigration - and how those changes played out in unexpected ways.

Producers: Chris Benderev and Valerio Esposito

Executive producer: Bridget Harney

Sound engineer: James Shield

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: President Trump at a press briefing to mark one-year of second term in office. Aaron Schwartz/EPA/Shutterstock

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