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.

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 [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts and Tom Kavanagh

Sound engineers: Jonny Baker and Phil Bull

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

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.

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 [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producer: Alice Aylett Roberts

Sound engineers: Ben Andrews and Daniel Ehrlich

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

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 [email protected]

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 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.

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 [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Richard Moran and Beth Timmins

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard and Ben Andrews

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

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.

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 [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Peter Goffin and Alix Pickles

Sound engineers: Mike Regaard and Frank McWeeny

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

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.

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 [email protected]

Producers: Richard Moran, Peter Goffin and Charlie Jones

Sound engineer: Daniel Ehrlich

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

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.

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 [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Beth Timmins, Annie Brown and Alice Aylett Roberts

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Lab-grown meat is often touted as the solution to climate-friendly meat production. But in some parts of the world, governments are introducing laws to stop it from being produced. Why are some countries trying to ban it, before it’s even on the shelves?

Host Lucy Hockings speaks with Graihagh Jackson host of The Climate Question programme on the BBC World Service and our Asia business reporter Nick Marsh, about whether cultivated meat is a potential solution to the climate crisis or just a gimmick.

At the moment, we’re sharing some of our most popular episodes from the past twelve months, including this one. All of these episodes and many more are available to watch on the BBC World Service’s YouTube channel. Just search for “The Global Story” on YouTube to find us.

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 [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts and Beth Timmins

Sound engineers: Ben Andrews and Hannah Montgomery

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sam Bonham

2024 is expected to be a record-breaking year for tourism, with more travellers going on holiday than ever before. But hotspots like Venice, Hawaii and Bali are also struggling from overtourism.

Rajan Datar, host of the BBC's Travel Show, has been meeting people who live in some of the world's tourism hotspots and tells Lucy Hockings about the impact huge numbers of visitors are having on communities and the environment.

At the moment, we’re sharing some of our most popular episodes from the past twelve months, including this one. All of these episodes and many more are available to watch on the BBC World Service’s YouTube channel. Just search for “The Global Story” on YouTube to find us.

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 [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts, Richard Moran and Eleanor Sly

Sound engineers: Johnny Hall

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

In countries across the world women are deciding to delay motherhood. Increased access to education, more career opportunities and less financial stability means that more and more women are having children later in life. But fewer babies now, could mean more economic pressures on the rest of us in the future.

Katya Adler explores this complex topic with the BBC's population correspondent Stephanie Hegarty and Joyce Harper, professor of reproductive science at University College London.

At the moment, we’re sharing some of our most popular episodes from the past twelve months, including this one. All of these episodes and many more are available to watch on the BBC World Service’s YouTube channel. Just search for “The Global Story” on YouTube to find us.

We need you to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email ideas and thoughts to [email protected]. You can also message or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts, Beth Timmins and Miriam Quayyum

Sound engineers: Mike Regaard and Hannah Montgomery

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Jonathan Aspinwall