Podcasts about alaskans

Federal employees return to their posts following the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Plus, the City and Borough of Juneau demolishes an encampment of unhoused people, and scientists studying whale sounds are asking Alaskans to weigh in on what they hear.

Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as the Northern Lights, have inspired legends, songs and stories for generations. Recent atmospheric conditions have made the aurora especially active and have delighted Alaskans as well as people in the lower 48. What's the science behind the spike in activity? Why do the colorful displays happen at all? And how can you capture better photos of them? Understanding the science and enjoying the mystique of the vibrant streaks of light in the winter sky is our discussion on this Talk of Alaska.

66,000 Alaskans will receive their SNAP benefits today, a state spokesperson said, but the month-long government shutdown’s impact on Alaska is expected to linger. The recent government shutdown presented a unique challenge to Alaska communities, but one food bank proved its structural readiness. ‘Use your judgment, measure ice thickness’: How to stay safe during ice recreation.

Today we'll start in hour one with Brad Keithley from Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets. This Weeks Top 3 include: what's missing in the Governor's Race so far; the irritating thing about the top 20% support of taxes; what the PFC first quarter returns tell us. Then in hour two we'll recap and highlight and then finish up with Chris Story for our PMA and uplift segment.

With the U.S. Senate securing enough votes to overcome the filibuster, political reporter Wil Courtney breaks down Monday's developments, including the timeline for ending shutdown and the ongoing impacts Alaskans should expect until then.

Today's show is gonna go deep. Brad Keithley from Alaskans for Sustainable Budges is gonna give us the Weekly Top 3. This week's Topics: CA Taxes less than Alaska's? K-12 Task Force on Education FUNDING needs to answer the question of how to FUND what they want; The irony of Alaska's SNAP funding "crisis". Then in hour two we'll have an early segment with our own Chris Story who'll give us an update on the Fair Tax act, then finish up with our weekly PMA boost.

On this Morning Edition, hours after President Trump announced partial federal SNAP funding, Gov. Dunleavy declares a state food security disaster declaration, impacting more than 66,000 Alaskans receiving SNAP food assistance benefits. Later, a controversial figure is back in the headlines. A man known for his homeless advocacy, his criminal past and an attempt to sail to China in an 8-foot dinghy, we'll bring you the details as his accused killer's trial gets underway.

The State of Alaska and the federal government have joined forces to lead a long-term recovery effort for victims of ex-Typhoon Halong and are encouraging people to register with both the state and federal government for assistance programs they may qualify for as soon as possible. The Egan Civic and Convention Center in downtown Anchorage closed Tuesday night as a shelter for hundreds of Alaskans displaced by ex-Typhoon Halong last month. As Alaska Native residents prepare to return to villages devastated by ex-Typhoon Halong, climate experts warn they’re heading back to communities destined to face the same destructive cycle of flooding, erosion, and storms that will only intensify in the coming decades.  

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk about Senator Mike Shower's (R - Wasilla) resignation and what it means, as well as how the First Alaskans Institute insulted a great Alaskan, John Shively, by giving him an award and then taking it away.

In today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:State officials say there are no longer evacuees from Western Alaska staying at mass shelters in Anchorage. The nearly 70,000 Alaskans who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP or food stamps, are still waiting for their November benefits to hit their accounts. And Mary Peltola, is about even in a head-to-head match with Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, a new poll shows.Photo: Mary Peltola, in her official Congressional photo. (Leah Herman)

A man is found dead in Ketchikan's Bar Harbor. Plus, Alaskans who depend on SNAP likely won't see monthly benefits hit their accounts in November, and NOAA cancels a key contract with the Alaska Earthquake Center.

With more than 66,000 Alaskans set to lose food assistance benefits when the federal government shutdown halts SNAP funding at midnight, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, R-Alaska, said during a Friday evening radio appearance he will meet with legislative leaders by Monday. Nine Alaska tsunami detection stations will go offline in mid-November after NOAA cut $300,000 in federal funding, creating dangerous gaps in the state’s early warning system, Alaska’s state seismologist Michael West told Alaska’s News Source Friday. He says he doesn’t know why the cuts were made.  

Nearly three weeks after former Typhoon Halong displaced hundreds of Alaska Native residents from dozens of Western Alaska communities, Chris Ondola and his wife Kathleen Simon still don’t know how they’ll get home to Tuntutuliak. As more than 66,000 Alaskans could lose food assistance benefits when SNAP funding is scheduled to run out Nov. 1, a spokesperson for Gov. Mike Dunleavy, R-Alaska, told Alaska’s News Source Thursday emergency funding has still not been identified to bridge the gap during the ongoing government shutdown.    

Even though soldiers are still getting paid, nonprofit groups that serve military members around the state say they're seeing increased need for essentials and assistance with bills.

Today we dive into the Weekly Top 3 with Brad Keithley from Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets. This weeks topics: Legislators should ask those pushing for more spending to say how they are willing to pay for it; The definition of irony; Something he can agree on with Jon Faulkner. Then in hour two I'll recap with some of my thoughts. Then we'll finish up with Chris Story who'll talk about the "motivational 3-step".

Housing for people who have been sleeping outdoors becomes more urgent as winter approaches, and as the chronic shortage of affordable housing persists across the state, new complications such as the federal government shutdown and the sudden housing crisis in the Kuskokwim region are adding pressure to plans for helping Alaskans find shelter. What are state and city leaders working on and how can people help? The ongoing need for safe, affordable housing is our discussion on this Talk of Alaska.

In this newscast: Local advocates have gathered more than 600 signatures in an effort to pause the looming evictions and demolition of the historic Telephone Hill neighborhood in downtown Juneau; Alaskans will not receive SNAP, or food stamp, benefits for November, according to the state division of public assistance. That's unless the federal government shutdown ends before then; Dozens of communities in Western Alaska are working to restore essential infrastructure and repair damaged homes after the remnants of Typhoon Halong devastated coastal communities. But one stands out. In Kipnuk, Halong's high winds and storm surge left a catastrophe. The state Department of Transportation estimates that 90% of the structures in the community were destroyed. Most of Kipnuk's residents evacuated on military helicopters in the days after the storm; Alaska Congressman Nick Begich has a new challenger. Pastor Matt Schultz of First Presbyterian Church in Anchorage launched his campaign earlier this week. 

Although opioid overdose death rates have declined throughout the country over the past two years, Alaska's rates remain high; and Alaskans will not receive SNAP, or food stamp, benefits for November, according to the state division of public assistance.

Although opioid overdose death rates have declined throughout the country over the past two years, Alaska's rates remain high; and Alaskans will not receive SNAP, or food stamp, benefits for November, according to the state division of public assistance.

Send us a textSeveral friends and neighbors have moved out of the United States over the past year, and many more Alaskans are talking about it. Today's guest is an opera historian who has been living in Berlin, Germany, for the past 13 years. Daniel Gundlach is a former professional classical singer and accompanist who today hosts a podcast called Countermelody. The Countermelody Podcast is focused primarily on opera singers of the past century that may not have received the attention they deserved. Daniel is a countertenor which is a type of classical male singing voice equivalent to that of a female contralto or mezzo-soprano voice type. Today we talk about his life and career, but we will also discuss the trials and tribulations of being an American emigrant in Germany. Musical Excerpts:Leontyne Price, "O patria mia," from Verdi's AidaJoan Sutherland, "Eccola," from Donizetti's Lucia di LammermoorAnna Moffo, "Sempre Libera," from Verdi's La TraviataGilda Cruz-Romo, "O mio babbino caro," from Puccini's Gianni SchicchiDaniel Gundlach, "O Lord, whose mercies numberless," from Handel's SaulDaniel Gundlach, "O fatal day," from Handel's SaulDaniel Gundlach, "On a dit sur Venise tant et tant de choses," from Gualtiero Dazzi's Le Luthier de VeniseDaniel Gundlach, "Danny Boy," Irish Folk Song

A man is charged after an alleged stabbing in Ketchikan, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly approves funding for a new playground, and Alaskans will not receive food stamp benefits for November unless the government shutdown ends before then.

Tonight on the KRBD Evening Report….A High Wind Warning is in effect, emergency siren tests in Ketchikan tomorrow, and how some Alaskans are handling food insecurity.Stay with us.

Today we dive into the Weekly Top 3 with Brad Keithley from Alaskans for Sustainable budgets. This weeks topics: Is this the final straw that breaks the PFD? It's not just Ds that propose spending without saying how they will pay for it; Maybe Jon Faulkner just needs to start over. Then in hour two I'll go over my thoughts and then we'll finish up with Chris Story for our PMA uplift.

Send us a textRachael Miller is the chief advocacy officer of the Food Bank of Alaska. The Food Bank of Alaska was founded in 1979 by a group of Anchorage churches and community volunteers; it operates under the belief that no one should go hungry. They partner with over 150 organizations and provide food to nearly 20,000 Alaskans a week. From Oct. 20-26 is Anchorage Restaurant week. Learn more here.Rachael grew up in Ohio, and food & food policy have always been front and center in her life. She first visited Alaska 16 years ago to commercial fish. She has worked on food policy in Benin, West Africa, taught at Alaska Pacific University for 9 years, and has been the Chief Advocacy Officer at the Food Bank since January 2024. 

The state is in the process of allowing Alaskans impacted by former Typhoon Halong — including those from the evacuated villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok — to return to their homes before winter, state officials said. Hundreds of people have evacuated and lost their homes after floodwaters contaminated with toxic chemicals destroyed dozens of buildings in communities in the Yukon-Kuskokwim area of Western Alaska. Anchorage police are investigating a shooting that occurred inside a midtown Walmart on Monday afternoon, leaving one man injured.

President Trump's former National Security Adviser-turned-nemesis John Bolton is indicted by a federal grand jury. Pressure builds to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine. And hundreds of Alaskans are airlifted out of flood zones.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Morning Edition, the latest on how the state is handling the large influx of displaced Alaskans as the Anchorage Assembly meets today in regards to evacuees arriving from the western coast of Alaska, which has been brutalized by flooding and storm surges. Plus, if you're wondering how you can help, Alaska's News Source is partnering with the Red Cross in the Healing from Halong initiative. How you can join us in helping our fellow Alaskans.

State Troopers on Wednesday confirmed the identities of two people still missing in the village of Kwigillingok, a community reeling from the destruction wrought by a powerful Bering Sea storm over the weekend. Hundreds of Alaskans forced from their villages in Western Alaska by the destruction of the remnants of Typhoon Halong are being relocated where shelters are being set up.

Today we jump back down into the Weekly Top 3 from Brad Keithley from Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets. This weeks topics: where is oil going? Someone needs to look at the financials of these projects; has Faulkner thought through this argument? Then in hour two we'll get our weekly PMA boost from Chris Story in Homer.

Welcome back to Seven Minutes in Evan — the comedy podcast that's definitely not seven minutes long. In this episode, I go from puns and Harry Potter fall vibes to the weird realities of the internet, free speech, and why short-form content is basically the junk food of our brains. We talk Life Below Zero and the peace that comes from doing something with a clear start and finish… like building a patio slab or watching Alaskans hang fish all day.Somewhere in there, I talk about being a new dad, the NICU, and how your capacity for love (and fear) changes once you've got a kid. Then I spiral into a rant about comedians flying to Saudi Arabia, jiu jitsu guys comparing themselves to sea creatures, and a Krav Maga class that taught me how to beat up imaginary pigeon feeders.

In this newscast: Among the most vulnerable Alaskans to the ongoing federal shutdown could be thousands of parents who depend on WIC to help them buy food; Former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson is joining the race for governor; Juneau voters will decide in this fall's municipal election whether to exempt essential food and residential utilities from local sales tax; Earlier this month, the judge in a case against a former Juneau chiropractor dismissed a charge, which revealed a gap in state sexual assault laws; A Pennsylvania man allegedly used the stolen identities of seven Alaskans in an attempt to steal their Permanent Fund Dividends in 2022

In today's Midday Report with host Brian Venua:Congress defunded public broadcasting, but this week, 14 public media stations in Alaska got some good news. A Pennsylvania man allegedly used the stolen identities of seven Alaskans in an attempt to steal their Permanent Fund Dividends in 2022. And Tuesday was Orange Shirt Day — a day of remembrance for Indigenous children who were separated from their culture and sent to residential schools across North America.

It's Brad Keithley from Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets and the Weekly Top 3 in hour one. This weeks topics: Alaska's "K shaped" economy; the weak defenses of the PFC; Op-Eds should be required to come with a fiscal note. Then in hour two we'll recap and I'll have a spicy local story or two. Then we'll finish up with Chris Story for our weekly positivity uplift.

On today's show, Alaska Public Media reporter Ava White joins Kimberly to make us smarter about Fat Bear Week and the issues that are top of mind for Alaskans right now. Alaska residents receive an annual check funded by the state's oil royalties. But its purchasing power is lower than ever. We'll get into it. Plus, we'll weigh in on AI live translations and a rise in Hamburger Helper sales during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here's everything we talked about today:"Meet the superfans going wild for Alaska's fattest bears" from Alaska Public Media"Alaska ignored warning signs of a budget crisis. Now it doesn't have money to fix crumbling schools" from KYUK”The 2025 Alaska Permanent Fund dividend will be $1,000” from Alaska Public Media"North Slope leaders applaud tax breaks for whalers in the GOP megabill” from KNBA"Why are restaurant chains opening beverage-focused spinoffs?" from Marketplace"AI is taking on live translations. But jobs and meaning are getting lost." from The Washington Post"Touchscreens in cars are finally on their way out. Good riddance" from Fast Company"Hamburger Helper Sales Rise as Americans Try to Stretch Their Food Dollars" from The New York TimesIt's Half-Priced Hoodie Weekend! Give $10 a month to support our journalism today, and we'll thank you with a cozy Marketplace zip-up hoodie: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

On today's show, Alaska Public Media reporter Ava White joins Kimberly to make us smarter about Fat Bear Week and the issues that are top of mind for Alaskans right now. Alaska residents receive an annual check funded by the state's oil royalties. But its purchasing power is lower than ever. We'll get into it. Plus, we'll weigh in on AI live translations and a rise in Hamburger Helper sales during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here's everything we talked about today:"Meet the superfans going wild for Alaska's fattest bears" from Alaska Public Media"Alaska ignored warning signs of a budget crisis. Now it doesn't have money to fix crumbling schools" from KYUK”The 2025 Alaska Permanent Fund dividend will be $1,000” from Alaska Public Media"North Slope leaders applaud tax breaks for whalers in the GOP megabill” from KNBA"Why are restaurant chains opening beverage-focused spinoffs?" from Marketplace"AI is taking on live translations. But jobs and meaning are getting lost." from The Washington Post"Touchscreens in cars are finally on their way out. Good riddance" from Fast Company"Hamburger Helper Sales Rise as Americans Try to Stretch Their Food Dollars" from The New York TimesIt's Half-Priced Hoodie Weekend! Give $10 a month to support our journalism today, and we'll thank you with a cozy Marketplace zip-up hoodie: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

In this newscast: Researchers at the University of Alaska Anchorage are looking for community problems to solve using artificial intelligence; The Juneau Assembly approved funding to get started on a new playground at the Dzantik'i Heeni campus in Lemon Creek, but the decision brought up budget concerns as voters consider reducing taxes in the municipal election; Unless Congress steps in with a solution, thousands of Alaskans will lose health insurance subsidies at the end of December and see the cost of their premiums shoot up; Alaska viewers of this year's Super Bowl may recognize the Crimson Bears, Juneau's high school football team, in the coverage leading up to the big game. An NBC camera crew flew in to catch a very rainy game Saturday

Today we're into the Weekly Top 3 with Brad Keithley from Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets. This weeks topics: AK Media completely whiffs the story; The 'Alaska Renaissance' doesn't mean what we think it means; with the Santos deal falling apart, what does it mean for Pikka? Then in hour two I'll recap with my thoughts and comments and then finish up with Chris Story for our weekly uplift.

Text us your questions to answer on a future episode (if you want me to contact you, please include your email)Jennie shares three reflections from the 2025 summer Alaska season as well as a behind the scenes conversation with the Riverboat Discovery and an around the dinner table conversation with Alaskans about their favorite Alaska foods.Join the Alaska Uncovered Planning Club on PatreonGet on my Alaska Insider Newsletter email listShop all Alaska Travel planners and premade itineraries Book a planning session with JennieHave Jennie plan your trip for youFollow Jennie on InstagramMusic credits:  Largo Montebello, by Domenico Mannelli, CC.Support the show

Send us a textThis month a data breach at Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center allegedly exposed 60,000 patient records to hackers (ANHC has approximately 15,000 patients). Today on the show we talk about that case specifically, but also Alaska's cybersecurity more generally. Our guest is Leon Jaimes, an Anchorage-based network security professional who has done security consulting in the healthcare, financial services, state and local government, telecommunications, and retail sectors. We discuss his early life as well his path to IT and Alaska, but we also offer specific actions that Alaskans can take to make themselves more cybersecure. Leon Jaimes is the chair of the House District 20 Democrats and is the treasurer of the Anchorage Democrats.Check to see if your email address has been part of a data breach here at "Have I been Pwned?"

In this newscast: One of the sessions at Southeast Alaska's annual economic conference in Sitka looked at economic variables, and their future impact on the region; A landslide triggered by heavy rain and wind took down trees next to an apartment building in downtown Juneau late last night; A Lingit master weaver is using viral monster dolls called Labubus to bring attention to Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving; Former Alaska attorney general Treg Taylor filed to join the 2026 race for governor; Alaskans can expect a La Nina climate pattern this winter

On this episode: Alaska's history with ballot measures stretches back before statehood and has produced some of the country's most distinctive political experiments. In 1956, voters approved the “Tennessee Plan,” electing shadow representatives to lobby for statehood. In the 1970s, Alaskans twice approved relocating their capital out of Juneau—only to reject billion-dollar funding proposals that kept the government in place. And the Alaska Permanent Fund, established by voters in 1976, grew into an $80 billion investment fund that continues to pay annual dividends to residents.Ryan Byrne, Ballotpedia's managing editor for ballot measures, joins Geoff Pallay to discuss these milestones along with Alaska's recurring debates over its relationship with the federal government, the rise of ranked-choice voting, and the measures already slated for 2026—including campaign finance limits, psychedelic decriminalization, and another potential repeal of ranked-choice voting. Together, they highlight how Alaska's ballot measures reflect the state's independent political identity and its lasting impact on national reform debates.Learn more about Alaska: https://ballotpedia.org/Alaska_Ballot_Measures:_Historical_Ballot_Measures_Factbook Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbooks are out to document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States — and you can find a crash course on each state coming MONTHLY — check out the series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtP8LWIl9mMNHPEjGV4G235vMd8bOR1_4 Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6 Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.

Today we'll start with Brad Keithley from Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets and go over the Weekly Top 3. This weeks topics: Geisel is only making it worse; 10 years could only be the start of our problems; is there really progress in AKLNG? Then in hour two I'll recap with some of my thoughts and then we'll finish up with our positivity uplift from Chris Story out of Homer.

Jeff was joined by travel coach Betsey Wilson. They discuss how she got into travel coaching, some of the travel tricks and tips she has including what the best credit cards are for travel and lounges, the new Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Atmos program, how to get some great travel deals using points, how she used to operate heavy equipment on the North Slope and why she left that job after having her daughter, and general travel trips for Alaskans. 

Today's the Weekly Top 3 from Brad Keithley from Alaskans for Sustainable Budges. This weeks topics: Robb Myers s right on the PFC; Pikka is not going to save us; MustRead is missing the plot on the PFC performance. Then in hour two I'll recap with my thoughts and then we'll finish up with Chris Story from Homer with a lifecoaching/pma segment.

Today we'll kick off the week by jumping into the deep end of the pool with Brad Keithley from Alaskans for Sustainable Budgets and the Weekly Top 3,. This weeks topcis: How much does the PF actually cost us? Senator Mike Cronk is right; The Governor's race so far and what they're saying. Then in hour two I'll recap with some of my thoughts and then we'll finish up with Chris Story for our weekly lifecoaching.

What happens when an Alaskan medevac pilot takes a jet boat deep into the backcountry — and finds himself surrounded on all sides by owl calls that may not have been owls at all? In this chilling and eye-opening episode, we sit down with Craig, a longtime Fairbanks resident and pilot, who has spent decades listening to native Alaskans, nurses, ferry workers, and even fellow pilots share their raw encounters with Sasquatch. From owl-imitations along the Teklanika River, to jet pilots spotting “dark figures in the middle of nowhere” over Prince of Wales Island, to aggressive howls, glowing eyes, and vanishing presences across Alaska's wilderness, Craig reveals what happens when you simply ask the question most people are afraid to. You'll hear stories spanning Ketchikan, Dillingham, Bethel, the Denali Highway, Mount St. Helens, and even Fort Lewis — with whispered connections to portals, spirit worlds, and government secrets. This episode isn't just about sightings — it's about the violent, otherworldly edge of Sasquatch that few dare to discuss.

Is Alaska's grand jury still the people's tool for oversight, or has it become another lever of government control? In this episode of the Must Read Alaska Show, host Ben Carpenter presses Attorney General Treg Taylor on the Supreme Court's controversial move to make him the “gatekeeper” for public access to grand juries. Taylor defends new procedures, acknowledges constitutional concerns, and reveals why he intends to be a “poor gatekeeper” in order to restore public trust. Together, Carpenter and Taylor debate the balance between secrecy and transparency, the risk of runaway grand juries versus weaponized complaints, and whether only a constitutional amendment can guarantee Alaskans' right to use the grand jury to root out corruption. This hard-hitting conversation digs into whether the state's justice system protects the people — or itself.

Julie Decker is the director and CEO of the Anchorage Museum. But before that she practiced as an artist and ran her own art gallery. Since then she's fostered a belief in the power of museums to spark action — whether that means picking up a paintbrush, reading a new book, or seeing the world differently. Her connection to the Anchorage Museum runs back to childhood, when it was little more than a single room with a borrowed collection. Her dad was a visual artist and an art teacher; he was her earliest and most influential guide into that world. He taught her to be an observer — to notice the small things — and she watched as his own work appeared in solo shows and juried exhibitions at the museum. So, for Julie, the Anchorage Museum isn't just a workplace; it's been a constant presence in her life, shaping her sense of art, community and possibility. In the work she does now, Julie envisions the Anchorage Museum as less a keeper of artifacts and more of a living platform for Alaska's stories. It acts as a collaborator and a partner — a place that listens to communities, amplifies the voices of Alaskans and connects local narratives to global conversations. In her view, Alaska's relatively small population allows individual creativity and innovation to ripple widely, making it vital to highlight imaginative thinkers, cultural disruptors and non-Western ways of knowing. That means rethinking what it means to collect — not simply holding objects, but being a responsible host and steward of the stories they carry.  In Alaska, where the natural world shapes identity and guides daily life, the museum's role is to reflect how environmental change, Indigenous lifeways and community resilience intersect. Some projects take the form of exhibitions, others emerge as films, books, podcasts, newspaper series, or collaborations with musicians. Whether the work is local or part of an international conversation, Julie believes it must be rooted in place — fluid, adaptable and focused on a shared future that feels possible and inhabitable. In this Chatter Marks series, Cody and co-host Dr. Sandro Debono talk to museum directors and knowledge holders about what museums around the world are doing to adapt and react to climate change. Dr. Debono is a museum thinker from the Mediterranean island of Malta. He works with museums to help them strategize around possible futures.

Hundreds of pro-Ukraine demonstrators in Alaska have been showing their unhappiness about the absence of the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit in their state between Presidents Trump and Putin. Mr Trump is travelling to Alaska for the meeting that could prove decisive for the future of Ukraine. Before departing Washington, he posted the words "HIGH STAKES!!! on social media. Also: Two years of negotiations to develop a global plastic pollution treaty have ended in failure, and the robot athletes going for gold in China.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

There's been fierce international criticism of Israeli plans to build more than three-thousand homes in a controversial settlement in the occupied West Bank. The country's far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said the move - which will split the territory - will "bury the idea of a Palestinian state". Britain's foreign secretary, David Lammy, described the plan as a "flagrant breach of international law" that "must be stopped". Also in the programme: Humanitarian workers in Sudan say they lack the resources to deal with a deadly cholera outbreak in camps for people displaced by the civil war; what sort of welcome are Alaskans preparing for President Putin; and why are some female Australian birds developing male sex organs. (Photo: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at a press conference regarding settlements expansion for the long-frozen E1 settlement, that would split East Jerusalem from the occupied West Bank, near the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, August 14, 2025. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)