The Global Story

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Why is Elon Musk meddling in European politics? Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has revolutionised every industry he has ever worked in – from online payments and electric vehicles to space travel and satellite communications. Now he’s positioning himself as a major force in global politics. He is already going to play a key role in the United States as an advisor to President Donald Trump, but he has also turned his attention to Germany and the UK.

Lucy Hockings speaks with Mike Wendling and Jessica Parker about whether Musk's motivations for getting involved in European politics are professional or personal.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts and Alix Pickles

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

(Picture: Elon Musk. Credit: Reuters)

The fight for the Arctic Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

US President-elect Donald Trump has repeated his intention to take control of Greenland, the Arctic territory controlled by Denmark. Greenland sits between the US, Europe, and the dominant Arctic power that is Russia. And further heating up tensions in the region is the fact that climate change is chipping away at the ice, creating new shipping routes and making key oil, gas and mineral resources easier to access.

On this episode, Katya Adler is joined by the BBC’s defence correspondent Jonathan Beale and journalist and author Tim Marshall to discuss the intensifying competition in the region and if we are heading for a new ‘cold war’ in the High North.

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts and Alix Pickles

Sound engineers: Phil Bull and Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Beyond Trudeau: Canada's political future Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ended months of speculation about his future, in a resignation speech outside his Rideau Cottage residence in Ottawa. Amid plummeting opinion polls, internal party pressure had been mounting for him to vacate the Liberal leadership, after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland dealt him what many saw as a decisive blow when she quit the government in December. So as the battle to replace Mr Trudeau gets underway, what does Canada's political landscape look like, with the Conservative opposition eagerly anticipating a looming election?

On today's episode Sumi Somaskanda is joined by the BBC's Jessica Murphy in Toronto, and The Global Story reporter Peter Goffin. They discuss the Trudeau legacy, and the man poised to become the next long-term Prime Minister, Pierre Poilievre. Plus, the impact of a new Trump administration across the border.

Producer: Laurie Kalus

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo credit: Reuters

Could Donald Trump reignite a peace deal for the Israel-Gaza war? Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

The conflict in Gaza has continued into 2025 but there is still hope for a ceasefire as talks resume in Doha. Previous attempts at achieving peace have failed, but with the arrival of Donald Trump as the new US President in less than two weeks – could this be the moment that a ceasefire deal finally succeeds?

On this episode Sumi Somaskanda speaks with the BBC's Gaza correspondent Rushdi Abualouf and the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams about the hopes for a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza this year, and whether the arrival of Donald Trump will change the course of events in the Middle East.

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts and Tom Kavanagh

Sound engineers: Jonny Baker and Phil Bull

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

The global surrogacy boom Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

Surrogacy is a booming global industry generating billions of dollars every year. But while demand for surrogacy is rising - more and more countries are taking steps to ban it completely. Most recently in Italy – where the far-right government has passed a new law that makes surrogacy a “universal crime”, putting it on the same level as child abuse and human trafficking. So, is surrogacy exploitative or empowering women?

On this episode Lucy Hockings speaks with the BBC's gender and identity correspondent Sofia Bettiza about how to balance the desire of gay or infertile couples to become parents with the rights of the women who carry the children.

Producer: Alice Aylett Roberts

Sound engineers: Ben Andrews and Daniel Ehrlich

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Path to the Presidency: New Orleans attack response Jan 04, 2025

Show notes

Donald Trump and Joe Biden have offered competing statements in the aftermath of the New Year’s killings. In a break with tradition, the president-elect has tried to wield his influence at home and abroad before officially taking office.

BBC chief presenters Sumi Somaskanda and Christian Fraser are joined by BBC supervising editor Courtney Subramanian to discuss the balance of power in Washington, Elon Musk’s growing involvement in world politics, and whether Congressman Mike Johnson has enough support to remain the speaker of the house.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. And every Saturday until the inauguration of Donald Trump on the 20th of January, we bring you an update on his Path to the Presidency. Follow or subscribe to The Global Story wherever you get your BBC podcasts, so you don't miss an episode. You can email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com

Producers: Peter Goffin, Eleanor Sly and Charlie Jones

Sound engineers: Mike Regaard and Gareth Jones

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

The 'Holy Grail' of shipwrecks Jan 03, 2025

Show notes

The wreck of a Spanish galleon, the San José, is thought to hold a cargo of gold, silver and emeralds worth $18 billion dollars. It’s laid on the seabed off the coast of Colombia for more than 300 years, after being sunk by the British. Decades after it was discovered, a debate still rages among various groups who think they have the right to retrieve the San José’s long lost cargo.

On today's episode, Lucy Hockings speaks to marine archaeologist Dr Rodrigo Pacheco-Ruiz and our business correspondent Gideon Long to find out who’s claim to the wreck is strongest.

Producers: Richard Moran and Beth Timmins

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard and Ben Andrews

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Has Canada soured on immigration? Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

A majority of Canadians say too many people are being allowed in the country, for the first time this century. Multiculturalism and the acceptance of newcomers are central to Canada’s national identity. But amidst record-breaking population growth, a cost of living crisis and a shortage of affordable housing, many Canadians have begun to question whether the country has the capacity to keep accepting hundreds of thousands of migrants each year. On this episode Azadeh Moshiri is joined by the BBC’s Celia Hatton, who has travelled across Canada speaking to politicians, activists and asylum centre workers about the Canadian immigration debate.

Producers: Peter Goffin and Alix Pickles

Sound engineers: Mike Regaard and Frank McWeeny

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Path to the Presidency: An incredible year in US democracy Dec 31, 2024

Show notes

Just a year ago, the 2024 presidential campaign was shaping up to be a slightly dull affair. Instead, the last 12 months turned out to be one of the most eventful, controversial and unpredictable in US political history.

In January, Donald Trump will be sworn in for his second term as president, marking the start of a new chapter in Washington DC. So, before that, BBC chief presenters Caitríona Perry and Sumi Somaskanda take a moment to reflect on covering a momentous year in US politics.

Producers: Richard Moran, Peter Goffin and Charlie Jones

Sound engineer: Daniel Ehrlich

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Afghanistan: "Life was so beautiful when I would go to school" Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

The Taliban's decision to ban women from attending midwifery and nursing courses ends their last hope of gaining an education. When the Taliban returned to take control of Afghanistan in 2021 it imposed a hardline vision of Islamic rule – but there was some hope, that perhaps, women and girls’ education would be spared. However, girls were soon barred from attending school and university - leaving only the option to attend nursing and midwifery courses. Now, that choice has been taken away, making Afghanistan the only country in the world that explicitly stops women from being educated.

On today's episode, Azadeh Moshiri speaks to a 20-year-old woman we are keeping unnamed to protect her safety. She was training to be a midwife and has now lost her last route to education.

Producers: Beth Timmins, Annie Brown and Alice Aylett Roberts

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

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