The Global Story

A Hong Kong court has sentenced dozens of pro-democracy leaders to years in jail for subversion. All but two of the so-called Hong Kong 47 were jailed in the biggest trial yet under a sweeping national security law imposed by China shortly after explosive pro-democracy protests in 2019. A day later, influential pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai testified in a trial that could see him spend the rest of his life behind bars. So what does the future look like for the city’s pro-democracy movement? On today's episode, Sumi Somaskanda speaks to Danny Vincent, the BBC’s correspondent in Hong Kong who has been following the lives of the protesters since 2019. 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: Richard Moran, Laurie Kalus and Beth Timmins Sound engineer: Mike Regaard and Ben Andrews Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas and Alice Aylett Roberts Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

The BBC sits down with the former German chancellor. For nearly two decades Angela Merkel was one of the most influential politicians and most powerful women on in the world. Now, three years after stepping down, what does she make of the current state of world politics – from the threat posed by Russia, to the return of Donald Trump, and the rise of the far right in Europe? On this episode, the BBC's Europe Editor, Katya Adler, tells Caitríona Perry what she learned from her interview with Angela Merkel in Berlin, including the ex-chancellor's experiences with Vladimir Putin, and her handling of the 2015 migrant crisis. Producers: Peter Goffin and Alix Pickles Sound engineers: Gareth Jones Assistant editors: Sergi Forcada Freixas and Richard Moran Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

As the US President-elect continues to assemble his top team, it hasn’t been plain sailing. His nomination of Matt Gaetz for the attorney general role led to days of headlines and frenzied analysis by the media and online. Now, after less than a week, he’s withdrawn. On Thursday afternoon, Caitríona Perry spoke with Sumi Somaskanda and digital reporter Kayla Epstein to discuss this bombshell and the other appointments President Trump has made this week. 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.

Why President Volodymyr Zelensky’s vision for the end of the war may be changing. After a week of escalation between Ukraine and Russia, we look at the prospect of a peace agreement being reached in 2025. With Moscow making gains on the ground and Donald Trump’s election victory casting uncertainty on the future of US military aid, Zelensky has said Ukraine must do everything it can to end the war through diplomacy next year. But what would Vladimir Putin want from a peace deal? And what is Zelensky willing to give up? On this episode, Lucy Hockings speaks to the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams, who is in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Producers: Peter Goffin and Alix Pickles Sound engineers: Jack Graysmark and Mike Regaard Assistant editors: Sergi Forcada Freixas and Richard Moran Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Air pollution in parts of India and Pakistan has been likened to witnessing a dystopian movie. India's capital Delhi has been blanketed in a thick layer of smog, with the city's residents complaining of choking and stinging eyes. In neighbouring Pakistan, Lahore has also recorded sky-high air pollution in recent weeks. On today's episode, Sumi Somaskanda hears from Devina Gupta about what it's like to be living in Delhi at the moment. And Dr Gary Fuller (Imperial College London) explains the impact severe air pollution can have on our health, from birth through to our final years. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas to help us 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, Richard Moran and Beth Timmins Sound engineer: Mike Regaard Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson