Free Daily Podcast Summary
On Assignment: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Reuters
Dive into the stories behind the news with a new podcast from Reuters. We take you past the headlines right to the heart of the action. From the frontlines of war to corporate boardrooms and the centers of political power, listen to our award-winning investigative journalists around the world make sense of the most important stories today.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Yesterday26 min
Inside China's AI race
As the US and China race to dominate artificial intelligence, Reuters correspondents Eduardo Baptista and Laurie Chen say the two countries aren't even playing the same game. On this episode of On Assignment, they take us inside China's AI industry - from Beijing's push to weave AI into every corner of society, to the murky world of chip access, distillation and export controls. Hear what it takes to report on one of the most fast-moving industries on Earth, and why the answer to "who's winning" may depend entirely on how you define the race.
- 1 weeks ago30 min
Under siege in the West Bank
As wars rage across the Middle East, another conflict is unfolding the occupied West Bank. On this episode of On Assignment, Reuters correspondent Pesha Magid travels to the Palestinian village of Qusra, which has become the focal point of a growing struggle over land, security, and political power.
- Aug 8, 202622 min
Chasing Ebola
This week On Assignment goes to eastern Congo to witness the unseen work of containing an Ebola outbreak. Reuters correspondent Clément Bonnerot follows a surveillance officer through Bunia as he searches for missed cases, investigates deaths and navigates the practical challenges of outbreak response. His reporting reveals how limited resources, public mistrust and misinformation can hinder efforts to stop the virus, while highlighting the dedication of the health workers trying to stay ahead of it.
- Aug 1, 202635 min
Behind the interview: Reza Pahlavi and the future of Iran
Reuters investigative reporters Steve Secklow and Gavin Finch recently sat down with exiled Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah, for a rare and wide-ranging interview. Listen to that interview in this episode of On Assignment and go behind the scenes of how the story and the interview came about. Read their special report here: Regime change? Inside Reza Pahlavi's faltering bid to lead Iran
- Jul 25, 202623 min
Wildfires: A photographer's perspective
Wildfires are blazing across the world. Veteran Reuters photojournalist Michael Blake shares his experience documenting wildfires over the last 40 years. Hear what it is like to travel into the flames when everyone is leaving and how covering the Palisades fires in his own community changed his perspective on capturing these natural disasters.
- Jul 18, 202624 min
Data centers: Small town politics turn into a national fight
As AI transforms our lives, companies are racing to build data centers, the physical infrastructure needed to power such a technological revolution. On this week's episode of On Assignment, energy reporter Valerie Volcovici and video journalist Eric Cox travel to Middleton Township, Ohio. There, a new Meta data center and power station have sparked a debate about whether jobs and promises of investment are worth the cost of building this infrastructure. Hear how this small town's fight is being replicated around America and the world. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising.
- Jul 11, 202628 min
Collateral damage: The war comes for Iran’s ancient past
As U.S. and Israeli strikes hit targets across Iran, some of the country's most treasured cultural sites found themselves in the blast zone. Reuters reporters gained rare access to historic palaces and the UNESCO-listed heart of Isfahan, documenting shattered windows, damaged mosaics and centuries-old architecture scarred by war. On this episode of On Assignment, Pulitzer-winning investigative journalist Michael Pell explains how Reuters combined eyewitness reporting, satellite imagery and forensic analysis to uncover what happened—and why the loss of cultural heritage matters, even amid a conflict measured in human lives. Further reading Shattered tiles, trembling domes: An inside look at how the war has damaged Iran’s historic sites
- Jul 4, 202634 min
Fourth of July from inside the White House
What's it really like to cover the most powerful office in the world when the news never stops, the facts are constantly in dispute, and access can be cut off without warning? On this episode of On Assignment, Reuters White House correspondents Nandita Bose, Steve Holland, Trevor Hunnicutt, and Humeyra Pamuk pull back the curtain on life inside the press corps. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising.
About On Assignment
Dive into the stories behind the news with a new podcast from Reuters. We take you past the headlines right to the heart of the action. From the frontlines of war to corporate boardrooms and the centers of political power, listen to our award-winning investigative journalists around the world make sense of the most important stories today.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from On Assignment in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's On Assignment daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of On Assignment as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the On Assignment podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official On Assignment product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Reuters.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does On Assignment release new episodes?
On Assignment publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does On Assignment cover?
On Assignment covers topics including News, Documentary, Culture, Society & Culture, Daily News. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting On Assignment summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.