Germany’s far-right party, Alternative für Deutschland, secured second place in the weekend’s election, doubling its previous vote share. With concerns that the long-standing “firewall” against the AfD is weakening, can incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz navigate domestic and global challenges to stop its rise?

Writer: Cat Neilan

Producer: Casey Magloire 

Host: Claudia Williams

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukraine’s rare earth minerals have become a bargaining chip in high-stakes negotiations with the US. As President Trump pushes for access to half of Ukraine’s deposits, we explore what’s at stake—and why Kyiv is under pressure to strike a deal.

Writer and producer: Katie Gunning

Art work: Joe Mee

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rebel group, M23 have taken control of a second city in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. What do they want? And is there anything that can be done to bring peace to a country after three decades of conflict? 

Writer: Ada Barumé

Producer: Ada Barumé

Host: Tomini Babs

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the second time Vogue has broken with tradition and excluded the First Lady from the front cover. What does this snub tell us about the changing media and political landscape in the US? 

Writer and producer: Jess Swinburne

Host: Claudia Williams

Episode Photography: Lola Williams 

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tesla sales are plummeting across Europe. Elon Musk's political antics might have something to do with it. 

Writer: Patricia Clarke

Producer: Patricia Clarke

Host: Tomini Babs

Episode photography: Lola Williams

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Self-test rape kits are being promoted as a way to empower survivors, but experts warn they could undermine prosecutions. This debate raises a bigger question: how can we balance support for survivors with the need for justice?

Writer: Phoebe Davis 

Producer: Casey Magloire

Host: Casey Magloire

Episode photography: Lola Williams

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Donald Trump’s new defense secretary has signaled a dramatic shift in US policy on Ukraine, raising alarms across Europe. As fears of appeasement grow and Western alliances are tested, what does this mean for the future of European security?

Writer: Cat Neilan

Producer: Ada Barumé

Host: Tomini Babs

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After she died three of Joan Didion’s trustees found the writer’s 25-year-old diary and took the decision to publish her entries in full.

Writer: Elaine McCallig

Producer: Casey Magloire

Photography: Joe Mee

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the British government released footage of authorities arresting migrants who, it says, are in the UK illegally. With a new security-focused immigration bill currently under debate in Parliament, is Labour taking a page from the White House’s playbook on immigration?

Writer: Serena Cesareo

Producer: Serena Casareo

Host: Tomini Babs

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the dead of night, thieves raid a Dutch museum, making off with priceless Romanian artefacts. As the hunt for the stolen treasures continues, what does this art heist tell us about the future of cultural heritage?

Writer: Claudia Williams

Producer: Casey Magloire

Host: Tomini Babs 

Episode photography: Joe Mee

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.