Musician Dolly Parton dies at 80

Musician Dolly Parton dies at 80

Author: BBC World Service August 26, 2026 Duration: 27:29

The country music singer Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, after “bravely facing a brief battle with cancer”. She was being treated at a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Her team said “Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion and resilience”. Also, the boss of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, has been giving evidence in the high-profile trial of the tech giant, Meta, in California. A Chinese court has sentenced an internationally known artist, Gao Zhen, to three years in prison. A warning from the UN that we're "dangerously close" to having fully autonomous weapons that can kill humans. And a long forgotten whisky barrel that's now worth a small fortune.

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

Photo: Dolly Parton: Here I Am Credit: Dolly Parton


Staying informed means navigating a constant stream of events, and the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service provides a grounded, thorough digest of that flow. This isn't just a headline service; it's a twice-daily briefing that situates you within the day's most pressing stories, particularly focusing on complex, unfolding situations. Right now, that means dedicated coverage from across the Middle East, including Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and the Gulf states, offering clarity on regional dynamics and their global implications. Alongside that essential regional focus, the podcast consistently pulls back for a wider lens, bringing reports and context from every corner of the world. What you'll hear is the BBC's signature blend of on-the-ground reporting and measured expert analysis, all designed to build understanding rather than just summarize events. For a reliable, in-depth audio briefing that updates each weekday morning and evening, this podcast delivers a comprehensive picture of our world as it happens.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Global News Podcast
Podcast Episodes
NATO urged to intercept Russian drones after Ukraine attack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:40
A US think tank says NATO should consider intercepting Russian drones in Ukrainian airspace, after a drone struck a train near the Polish border. The strike happened soon after a train carrying senior European officials…
Centre Left coalition in Sweden on course for victory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:48
Centre left coalition in Sweden likely to form new national government despite a slim majority. The far-right Sweden Democrats saw their support fall.Also: The state railway company in Ukraine says it's "quite likely" th…
The Global Story: Can Dubai’s luxe image survive the war with Iran? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:53
As the summer holiday season draws to a close, foreigners travelling to and from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates are facing delays, cancellations and severe travel warnings. The disruption comes as a result of the UAE’…
Dario Amodei from AI's Anthropic issues a stark warning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:21
The CEO of Anthropic has warned that the increasing rate of development could lead to rogue artificial intelligence agents taking over the internet, potentially causing hundreds of billions of dollars in damage. Elon Mus…
The Happy Pod: The choir proud to admit they can't sing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:26
The Off-Key Choir in Southport on Merseyside has a simple motto: just because you can't sing doesn't mean you shouldn't. Around 80 members come together every week to sing their hearts out, without the pressure to hit al…
Houthi fighters seize control of Yemen's entire Red Sea coast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:52
Houthi fighters seize control of Yemen's entire Red Sea coast, following a lightning military offensive that's cemented their grip on a vital maritime corridor. Also: Despite efforts to control the Ebola outbreak in the…
Houthis tighten squeeze on crucial shipping route [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:36
Reports from Yemen say fighters from the Iranian-backed Houthi group have taken over the island of Perim, in the Bab el-Mandab Strait - a crucial shipping route. Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed and thousan…
Israeli military demolishes Hezbollah tunnels in Lebanon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:14
The Israeli army claims to have destroyed a series of underground tunnels used by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. They reportedly found Iranian-made rockets, anti-tank missiles, drones and other munitions. Also: the Israe…
Philippine ferry erupts in flames [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:00
An urgent search for survivors is underway after a ferry in the Philippines catches fire. Dozens are still missing and at least five people are dead. The Philippine coastguard says it's still too dangerous to board the f…
US Republicans kick off first-ever midterm convention [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:49
US Republicans have kicked off their first-ever midterm convention to rally voters ahead of November's elections, despite Donald Trump's low approval ratings. In a lengthy speech, the president defended his policies and…