The Global Story

Palantir isn’t just another tech firm - it’s reach cuts across almost every aspect of modern life, from AI to healthcare to Formula 1 racing.

Founded in 2003 to support US counter-terrorism efforts, the company has since grown into a global powerhouse and is central to the Trump administration's policies, from its military to immigration enforcement.

At the centre of it all is billionaire co-founder Alex Karp – the philosopher turned tech-CEO who built the company from the ground up.

So how did this software company built for bad times become indispensable to governments across the globe, and what does its rise reveal about the future of politics?

We speak to journalist Michael Steinberger whose book The Philosopher in the Valley charts Karp’s life and Palantir’s rise.

Producer: Aron Keller

Mix: Travis Evans

Executive producer: China Collins

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Palantir co-founder & CEO Alex Karp. Credit: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters.

Over the weekend, some TikTok users in the United States claimed the social media platform was censoring content critical of the Trump administration. Users reported that they couldn’t upload or view videos related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, otherwise known as ICE. But TikTok disputes that functionality issues were political, attributing them instead to data center outages.

The criticism has come to a head after federal agents shot and killed intensive care nurse Alex Pretti, a US citizen in Minnesota. The Department of Homeland Security says the agents fired in self-defence.

Though the facts remain muddy, the controversy has exposed how a divided America is reacting to the shooting. For the latest, we speak to BBC Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent Marianna Spring.

Producers: Xandra Ellin, Samantha Chantarasak, and Viv Jones

Executive producer: China Collins

Mix: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Teenagers holding smartphones in front of a TikTok logo. September 11, 2025. Credit:Dado Ruvic/Reuters

When US Special Forces captured Venezuela’s former president Nicolás Maduro several weeks ago, many wondered whether his ouster would bring about further changes to the country. So, what has changed in Venezuela?

And while President Trump has made it clear he sees oil as a very important priority for the United States’s future relationship with Venezuela and increased American involvement in the country’s oil operations, how do Venezuelans feel about this prospect?

Our guest today, reporting from inside Venezuela, is BBC correspondent Norberto Paredes. How do Venezuelans feel about their country since Maduro’s departure?

Producers: Lucy Pawle, Sam Chantarasak and Hannah Moore

Executive producer: Bridget Harney

Sound engineer: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

(Photo: People walk past a painting of an oil pump on Venezuela's national flag, in Caracas. Credit: Gaby Oráa/Reuters)

In September 1999, just weeks into Vladimir Putin’s first premiership, four bombs blew up four apartment buildings, over a period of twelve days, killing hundreds and plunging the entire nation into fear.

The US and Cuba have for decades had a troubled relationship, with the former imposing sanctions and travel restrictions on its close Caribbean neighbour. Now, in its attack on Venezuela, and the capture of president Nicolas Maduro, the US has dealt Cuba a blow so significant that President Trump has warned the socialist state is, “ready to fall”.

Today, BBC Central America and Cuba correspondent Will Grant explains the deeply intertwined relationship between Venezuela and Cuba, and how Havana’s government plans to stand up to Trump.

Producers: Hannah Moore and Xandra Ellin

Executive producer: James Shield

Mix: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel speaks during an event in support of Venezuela in Havana. Credit: Ernesto Mastrascusa/EPA/Shutterstock.

One year into President Trump’s second term, the White House is celebrating what it calls a year of accomplishments. Those achievements stem from significant policy changes that have reshaped life for many Americans.

In this episode, we hear from people directly affected by two of the administration’s most ambitious efforts - tariffs and immigration - and how those changes played out in unexpected ways.

Executive producer: Bridget Harney

Sound engineer: James Shield

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: President Trump at a press briefing to mark one-year of second term in office. Aaron Schwartz/EPA/Shutterstock

In Davos on Thursday, Donald Trump officially launched his new Board of Peace. Initially created to oversee the Gaza peace plan, the body has since expanded in scope. Led by Trump himself, the board says it will address global crises and conflicts. The initiative has raised concerns among traditional allies, while several controversial leaders have been invited to take part.

We speak to BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner about whether it could even replace the United Nations.

Producers: Sam Chantarasak and Valerio Esposito

Sound engineer: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney seemed to challenge Donald Trump in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, declaring that “the old world order is not coming back” and urging fellow “middle powers” to come together.

In response, Trump said Canada gets “a lot of freebies” from the United States and “they should be grateful”.

After striking a major trade and tariff deal with China – the US’s rival superpower – is Carney emerging as the leader of a global resistance to Trump? And does he have an alternative vision for the world? We speak to Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s chief international correspondent.

Producers: Aron Keller, Hannah Moore, Sam Chantarasak and Xandra Ellin

Executive producer: James Shield

Sound engineer: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

(Photo: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Credit: Jessica Lee/EPA/Shutterstock)

After weeks of mass demonstrations, Iran is reeling from one of the deadliest government crackdowns in its history. In a rare speech on Saturday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei admitted that thousands of protesters have been killed, "some in an inhuman, savage manner", but he also blamed the US for their deaths.

President Trump urged Iranian demonstrators to “keep protesting”, promising that “help is on its way”. Yet the window for US military intervention appears to have narrowed while the Iranian government has largely quelled the unrest. Amid a near-total internet shutdown however, the situation on the ground remains unclear.

In today’s episode, we speak with journalists in the BBC’s Persian Service in London, to unpack how anger over the economy escalated into a nationwide uprising that seemed to genuinely challenge the government’s grip on power. They walk us through the difficulties of covering these protests from outside the country, explain why the movement failed to topple the Iranian leadership, and explain what this means for the stability of the Iranian government going forward.

Featuring Parham Ghobadi, Sarah Namjoo, Ghoncheh Habibiazad and Maryam Zohdi.

Producers: Viv Jones, Aron Keller and Lucy Pawle

Executive producers: James Shield and Bridget Harney

Sound engineer: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: A handout photo made available by the Iranian supreme leader's office shows Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaking during a ceremony in Tehran, Iran. Credit: Leader's office handout/EPA/Shutterstock.

President Trump says he will, "100%" follow through on his threats to impose tariffs if a deal over Greenland is not reached, and responded "no comment" on Monday when asked whether he would use force to seize the island.

Mix: Travis Evans

Executive producer: James Shield

Senior news editor: China Collins