Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern

Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern

Author: BBC World Service May 17, 2026 Duration: 47:27

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern. The WHO said the outbreak in DR Congo's eastern Ituri province, which has seen around 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths reported, does not yet meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency. We hear from the man who first identified the virus.

Also in the programme: will the US and China come to an agreement on artificial intelligence?; and the Iranian family saga in the running for the International Booker Prize.

(Photo: Ugandan doctors wear their personal protective equipment at the Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital Isolation Centre in Entebbe, Uganda, 20 October 2022. Credit: ISAAC KASAMANI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)


Each day, the team at the BBC World Service brings the world into focus with Newshour. This isn't just a summary of headlines; it's a deep, considered exploration of the events shaping our moment, built on the BBC's global network of correspondents and reporters. You'll hear from the people making the news and those affected by it, with conversations that provide essential context and challenge assumptions. The analysis goes beyond the surface, unpacking the political, social, and human dimensions of stories from every continent. Tuning into this daily podcast means joining a thorough, informed examination of international affairs, where complex issues are given the time and clarity they demand. It's a reliable, authoritative source for anyone looking to understand not just what is happening around the globe, but why it matters. The pace and depth are designed for listeners who want to move past the soundbite and grasp the interconnected narratives defining our time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 75

Newshour
Podcast Episodes
Iran says it is stopping military operations against Israel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:29
Iran's military has said it's halting military operations against Israel, after the first direct hostilities between the two sides in two months. We examine the links between Iran and Hezbollah.Also in the programme: Arm…
Israel carries out deadly strikes on southern Beirut [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:59
The Israeli military has carried out deadly airstrikes on the southern districts of Lebanon’s capital, claiming it is targeting Hezbollah sites. In response Iran has fired ballistic missiles towards Israel, the first att…
Armenians go to the polls [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:50
The people of Armenia are voting in a parliamentary election- a test of whether the country in the Caucasus moves closer to Europe, or remains within Russia's sphere of influence. We hear from both sides.Also in the prog…
Hundreds of Ukrainian drones hit St Petersburg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:48
The strikes on the city were timed to coincide with the final day of a prestigious international economic forum. Russian authorities called the attack ‘unprecedented’, and St Petersburg residents were advised to remain i…
Iran targets Bahrain and Kuwait after renewed US strikes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:40
Iran targets Bahrain and Kuwait after renewed US strikes. We speak to a former Kuwaiti minister as the American-Iranian stalemate continues. Also in the programme, India's Cockroach Janta Party takes to the streets to de…
The International Space Station springs a leak [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:35
Astronauts onboard the International Space Station were ordered to prepare for evacuation after an air leak suddenly got worse. The situation returned to normal after two Russian cosmonauts completed repairs. We talk to…
Anthropic founder warns of AI risks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:29
One of the biggest artificial intelligence developers, Anthropic has warned that the latest models might escape human control. It has proposed a co-ordinated global slowdown on building AI systems. One of the firm's co-f…
Lebanon says it's prepared to use the army to constrain Hezbollah [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:17
Lebanon's government says it will use the army to keep Hezbollah out of southern Lebanon, following a truce with Israel. But can that work without Hezbollah’s consent?Also in the programme: we hear from a member of Curac…
Israel and Lebanon agree ceasefire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:41
The US State Department has announced Israel and Lebanon have agreed to renew their fragile ceasefire and create a number of "pilot" security zones inside Lebanon in which Hezbollah operatives would be banned. Hezbollah…
Venezuela: 5 months since Maduro’s overthrow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:30
It's now five months since the United States removed the then Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from Caracas by force to face trial on drug charges. What has changed in the interim in Venezuela?Also in the programme: T…