Global News Podcast – Russia Steps Up Attacks on Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure
BBC World Service — February 3, 2026
Host: Alex Ritson
Main Theme:
This episode centers on Russia’s intensification of attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during a severe winter, exploring the humanitarian, political, and strategic impacts. The podcast then covers several other global developments: legal action against X (formerly Twitter) in France, Spain’s push to restrict youth access to social media, Iran-U.S. nuclear negotiations, a high-profile rape trial involving Norway’s royal family, updates on humanitarian passage in Gaza, a deadly mine collapse in the DRC, and Italy’s fresco-turned-political-controversy.

1. Russia’s Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure

(Segment starts: 01:21)

Key Points & Insights

• Massive Overnight Attack:
  Russia conducted the most powerful strikes this year on Ukrainian energy targets, particularly power plants in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other cities, during sub-zero winter temperatures.
• Scale of Assault:
  Over 70 cruise and ballistic missiles and 450 attack drones were deployed, with a significant number breaching air defenses.
• Civic Resilience Under Hardship:
  Residents endure blackouts, with many waking without heat or electricity in -20°C weather, resorting to sleeping in multiple layers and blankets.

Notable Quotes

• Sarah Rainsford (Kyiv correspondent):
  “The first explosions were just after midnight…the air raid sirens went off. And the alert lasted through the entire night for more than seven hours…More than 70 cruise and ballistic missiles fired…and 450 attack drones, according to President Zelensky. And that is a huge attack.” (03:29)

  “The Russians use this weather to target the civilian population. They’re sleeping in hats, in coats, under lots and lots of blankets to try to stay warm. It’s debilitating, draining…but people are not angry at their own authorities…They’re angry at Russia. They believe this is trying to force them into surrender. And I would say that at the moment, people are pretty resilient despite everything.” (06:10)

Context & Political Implications

• Planned Peace Talks:
  Ukraine’s negotiation strategy is being reconsidered as Russia’s attacks undermine attempts at diplomacy.
• International Commentary:
  Skepticism over reports of Russia “pausing” attacks, and the morale impact of repeated blackouts.

2. French Authorities Raid X (Formerly Twitter)

(Segment starts: 08:19)

Key Points & Insights

• Raids & Allegations:
  Paris prosecutors raided X’s offices over content moderation, including issues around sexual deepfakes, child sexual abuse, and algorithmic manipulation enhanced by their AI chatbot, Grok.
• Unusual Enforcement:
  Rare for a Western country to take such action against a major Western tech platform.

Notable Quotes

• Joe Tidy (Cybersecurity Correspondent):
  “It’s quite stunning…very, very rare to see a social network that’s Western raided by a Western authority in a Western country.” (10:11)

3. Spain Seeks to Ban Social Media for Under-16s

(Segment starts: 12:19)

Key Points & Insights

• New Legislation:
  Spain follows Australia and France in efforts to restrict minors’ access to social platforms, citing risks of addiction, abuse, and manipulation.
• Government Rationale:
  Focus on age verification and increased company accountability for harmful content.

Notable Quotes

• Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez:
  “Our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone — a space of addiction, abuse, pornography, manipulation, violence. We will no longer accept that.” (13:12)

• Guy Hedgecoe (Madrid Correspondent):
  “There is quite a strong movement of parents who are very much in favour of this kind of measure. But…expect quite a strong backlash from social media companies.” (15:28)

4. Iran–U.S. Nuclear Talks: Unprecedented Opening

(Segment starts: 17:25)

Key Points & Insights

• First Confirmation:
  Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian confirms willingness to pursue direct talks with the U.S., per requests from regional allies.
• Unresolved Contentions:
  U.S. wants broader discussions; Iran wants focus strictly on nuclear program and sanctions relief.

Notable Quotes

• Barbara Plett Usher (Correspondent):
  “This is the first official statement from Iran confirming that the talks will go ahead…But it's not really clear how they're going to square this circle.” (18:08)

5. Norway’s Royal Family in Scandal: Rape Trial Begins

(Segment starts: 20:11)

Key Points & Insights

• Public Scrutiny:
  Marius Borg Høiby, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, pleads not guilty to four counts of rape; trial draws national and international attention.
• Additional Royal Controversy:
  The Crown Princess faces criticism for past contact with Jeffrey Epstein.

Notable Quotes

• Tone Strøm Gundersen (Aftenposten News Editor):
  “It's very serious charges…the case has gripped the nation…She lived in his [Epstein’s] house in Palm Beach for four days even when she knew that he was convicted the first time.” (21:47, 23:06)

6. Humanitarian Passage Trickles at Rafah Crossing, Gaza

(Segment starts: 26:03)

Key Points & Insights

• Slow Reopening:
  Only a handful of wounded or ill Palestinians cross to Egypt, despite tens of thousands in need.
• Medical Crisis:
  WHO calls on more countries to accept patients; existing routes to West Bank and East Jerusalem remain closed.

Notable Quotes

• Nabal (Gazan patient):
  “Traveling for treatment is not just about healing my body. It’s about restoring my dignity, my independence, and my connection with my daughter…I'm only 25 years old. I urgently need advanced prosthetic arms. I'm young and I want to live.” (27:12)

• Tarek Jaresevic (WHO Spokesperson):
  “We really need to get countries to step forward and say we are accepting patients…But we need more.” (30:32)

7. DR Congo Mine Collapse: Resource, Responsibility, and Rebellion

(Segment starts: 34:30)

Key Points & Insights

• Coltan Mine Disaster:
  Over 200 killed in a rebel-held mine collapse; M23 rebels and government blame each other.
• Resource Stakes:
  The Rubaia mine provides 15% of global coltan, vital for tech devices; ongoing conflict complicates regulation and humanitarian access.

Notable Quotes

• Patrick Muyaya (DRC Minister of Information):
  “They are using our populations to continue to work those mines…Rwanda is doing this war because they want to loot our mineral resources.” (36:14)

8. Italy’s Fresco ‘Scandal’: The Angel Who Looked Like Meloni

(Segment starts: 39:15)

Key Points & Insights

• Unexpected Fame:
  Art restorer accused of painting PM Giorgia Meloni’s likeness onto an angel in a Rome church fresco, sparking political and public debate.
• Prime Minister’s Response:
  Meloni jokes about the resemblance on social media.

Notable Quotes

• Sabina Castelfranco (Rome Correspondent):
  “There’s a queue of people going there…more people at the moment going to see this fresco than people going to see the Caravaggio…It’s a huge story here.” (40:10)

Memorable Moments

• Kyiv’s resolve under missile fire: The segment with Sarah Rainsford (03:29–07:00) vividly captures the civilian impact and stoicism amid unrelenting attacks.
• Nabal’s testimony from Gaza: A striking, personal appeal (27:12) for medical evacuation, highlighting both humanitarian need and individual resilience.
• Italian political theater: The section on the Meloni angel fresco illustrates the intersection of politics, art, and public spectacle (39:15–41:50).

Conclusion

This episode delivers a comprehensive sweep of global crises and controversies, using on-the-ground reporting and personal testimonies to highlight the real impacts of state policy, warfare, and social shifts. The tone is urgent, sympathetic, and analytical, bringing listeners direct insight from correspondents and affected individuals across each story.