President Trump's planned tariffs on steel and aluminium imports widely condemned

Summary

Global News Podcast - Detailed Summary

Release Date: February 10, 2025
Host: Alex Ritson
Producer: BBC World Service

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Introduction

In this episode of the Global News Podcast, hosted by Alex Ritson from the BBC World Service, listeners are presented with a comprehensive overview of significant global events. The episode delves into escalating US trade tensions, President Trump's controversial plans for Gaza, a pivotal artificial intelligence summit in France, the dramatic outcome of Super Bowl LIX, critical elections in Ecuador and Germany, worrying marriage trends in China, and the exhilarating Sled Dog World Championship in Sweden.

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1. US Trade Tensions: President Trump's Planned Tariffs

Overview:
The episode opens with widespread condemnation of President Donald Trump's proposal to impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports into the United States. This move has intensified existing trade tensions, particularly between the US and China, and has elicited responses from global leaders.

Key Points:

• President Trump's Announcement:
  On Air Force One, President Trump declared his intention to implement significant tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, emphasizing the protection of US business interests. "I will announce a 25% import tax on all steel and aluminium entering the US," Trump stated (00:57).

• Global Reactions:
  The European Central Bank's Vice President, Luis de Guindos, advocated for resolving the issue through dialogue to avoid a trade war. "I think it is very important to avoid a trade war," he remarked (01:42).

• Historical Context and Retaliations:
  Yolande Nell, the international business correspondent, compared the situation to previous tariff impositions in 2018, highlighting the numerous exemptions and retaliatory measures that often undermine the effectiveness of blanket tariffs. "Trump's blanket announcements... can be as full of holes as Swiss cheese," she explained (02:18).

• Impact on Canada and Mexico:
  Canada and Mexico are expected to be the hardest hit, given their close economic ties with the US. The threat of tariffs served as a negotiating tactic for Trump, aiming to secure politically advantageous concessions (04:00).

• China's Retaliatory Measures:
  China has imposed retaliatory tariffs on approximately $14 billion worth of US imports, a relatively small fraction of their total trade with the US. Analysts suggest this move serves as a warning rather than an escalation towards a full-blown trade war (04:34).

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2. President Trump's Plan for Gaza

Overview:
President Trump announced a contentious plan to take control of Gaza, aiming to stabilize the region by relocating the Palestinian population and preventing the resurgence of Hamas.

Key Points:

• Trump's Proposal:
  Trump outlined a strategy to own and develop Gaza, removing its current population to eliminate Hamas's influence. "The United States is going to own it and will slowly, very slowly, we're in no rush to develop it," he stated (05:12).

• International and Domestic Reactions:
  Samantha Simmons reported significant pushback, particularly from the Saudi Arabian government and other Arab nations, labeling Trump's plans as ethnic cleansing. Within Israel, opinions are divided, with some politicians supporting the initiative while others express caution (06:46).

• Hostage Release Controversy:
  The release of three Israeli hostages in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners sparked debates about their well-being and the broader implications for ceasefire negotiations. President Trump compared the hostages to Holocaust survivors, further complicating the narrative (07:12).

• Ceasefire Negotiations:
  An Israeli delegation is actively participating in talks facilitated by Qatar, aiming to advance the ceasefire agreement. However, Trump's comments have introduced new tensions, raising concerns about the durability of the ceasefire and the potential for renewed conflict (08:17).

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3. Artificial Intelligence Summit in France

Overview:
A global summit on artificial intelligence commenced in France, bringing together politicians, tech executives, and academics to explore the safe and sustainable development of AI technologies.

Key Points:

• Summit Objectives:
  The summit aims to harness AI's transformative potential while addressing societal and environmental concerns. Anne Bouvereau, President Macron's special envoy for the summit, emphasized Europe's proactive role in promoting AI for the public interest (09:17).

• China's AI Advancements:
  The summit highlighted China's introduction of a low-cost AI model, challenging US dominance in the sector. Bouvereau noted, "There are still opportunities for countries and actors who want to do things in AI," suggesting a collaborative path forward (10:03).

• Regulatory Discussions:
  The need for global regulation was debated, with Bouvereau advocating for coalitions of willing nations to develop sustainable AI practices. "We are talking very different numbers... there's an opportunity for shared progress," she stated (11:01).

• Sustainable AI Development:
  Sustainable development in AI encompasses creating efficient models and hardware, mitigating environmental impacts, and leveraging AI to combat climate change. Bouvereau outlined this holistic approach, stressing the importance of mindful AI advancement (11:42).

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4. Super Bowl LIX Highlights

Overview:
Super Bowl LIX concluded with the Philadelphia Eagles securing a decisive victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, accompanied by a memorable halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar and surprise guest Samuel L. Jackson.

Key Points:

• Game Outcome:
  The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs with a final score of 40-22, surpassing expectations of a closer match. Joel Hammer from BBC Sports highlighted the unexpected margin, noting that the Chiefs were off the scoreboard for a significant portion of the game (12:59).

• Halftime Show:
  The halftime performance included prominent artists Kendrick Lamar and Scissor, with a surprise appearance by actor Samuel L. Jackson. Hammer recounted the unexpected inclusion of Serena Williams as one of the dancers, adding an element of surprise to the show (14:04).

• Post-Game Reactions:
  The Eagles' players celebrated prematurely, leading to some controversial moments, such as the pouring of fizzy drinks on their coach before the game's conclusion. Joel Hammer remarked on the overconfidence displayed by the Eagles (13:44).

• Future Prospects for Chiefs:
  Despite the loss, the Chiefs remain a formidable team for the next season, with hopes centered around quarterback Patrick Mahomes and potential roster changes, including speculations about Travis Kelce's future (15:19).

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5. Ecuador Presidential Election

Overview:
Ecuador faced a pivotal presidential run-off vote, undecided between incumbent center-right President Daniel Noboa and left-wing challenger Luisa Gonzalez, amid a severe security crisis fueled by drug-related violence.

Key Points:

• Election Results:
  The first round concluded in a technical tie, with both candidates receiving nearly identical vote percentages. This narrow margin has heightened uncertainty regarding the upcoming run-off in April (17:02).

• Candidates' Platforms:

  • Daniel Noboa:
    Known for his aggressive stance against violent drug gangs, Noboa's supporters laud his militarized approach to tackling crime. "We have a lot of insecurity... we need to change that," one supporter emphasized (18:17).

  • Luisa Gonzalez:
    Gonzalez criticizes Noboa for insufficient progress on violence, unemployment, and the energy crisis, advocating for addressing the root causes of crime through social and economic reforms (18:29).

• Public Sentiment:
  Voters express desperation for effective solutions, with many contemplating emigration due to rampant violence. The outcome of the election is seen as crucial for Ecuador's future stability and security (19:26).

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6. German Elections and Far-Right Influence

Overview:
Germany is gearing up for a critical vote triggered by the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition. The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is gaining traction, particularly among young voters, sparking concerns about extremism and the erosion of democratic values.

Key Points:

• AfD's Rising Popularity:
  The AfD is experiencing a significant surge in support, especially among individuals under 24. A 25-year-old supporter, Selena, advocates for the party's policies, citing a desire to return to traditional military and family structures (20:58).

• Youth Engagement:
  Social media influencers like Selena are instrumental in bolstering the AfD's presence on platforms like TikTok, appealing to younger demographics with promises of nationalistic and conservative reforms (20:58).

• Public and Critical Perspectives:
  Critics label the AfD as extremist and dangerous, accusing them of anti-migrant rhetoric and exploiting fears following attacks by asylum seekers. However, AfD supporters argue that the party simply aims to stand up for their country (21:34).

• Educational Institutions' Concerns:
  Vocational training centers report increasing political and gender divides, with some educators alarmed by the normalization of far-right ideologies among students (23:26).

• Democratic Integrity:
  Yolande Nell reinforces the gravity of far-right influence on democracy, citing the impact of conspiracy theories and Holocaust denial on democratic institutions (23:57).

• Mock Elections and Outlook:
  Mock elections conducted in schools indicate a growing acceptance of the AfD, suggesting that their efforts to normalize far-right politics are succeeding (24:18).

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7. Declining Marriage Rates in China

Overview:
China is grappling with a record decline in marriage rates, witnessing a 20% drop in marriages last year despite government initiatives aimed at reversing the trend. This decline poses significant challenges to the country's demographic structure and economic future.

Key Points:

• Marriage Statistics:
  In 2024, China registered 6.1 million marriages, marking a significant decrease influenced by the remnants of the one-child policy (1979-2015) and shifting societal norms (24:18).

• Contributing Factors:

  • Demographic Imbalance: A smaller younger population due to the one-child policy limits the pool of potential brides and grooms.
  • Economic Pressures: High youth unemployment (~20%) and the rising cost of living deter young individuals from marrying.
  • Social Attitudes: Increasing emphasis on personal development and career over traditional family structures, coupled with concerns about domestic violence, leads many to delay or forego marriage entirely (25:53).

• Government Interventions:
  The Chinese government has introduced incentives such as discounted housing in rural areas to encourage marriage. However, these measures have seen limited success as young people prioritize financial stability and personal freedom over marital commitments (25:55).

• Long-Term Implications:
  A declining marriage rate exacerbates the aging population crisis, with over 21% of China's population aged over 60. This demographic shift threatens the labor market and poses significant challenges for elder care and economic productivity (27:00).

• Expert Analysis:
  Kerry Allen, China media analyst, emphasizes the urgency of addressing these trends to prevent a bleak future marked by insufficient workforce and increased elder dependency (26:56).

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8. Sled Dog World Championship in Sweden

Overview:
Northern Sweden hosts the thrilling Sled Dog World Championship, attracting over a thousand arctic dogs and their mushers from more than 20 countries to compete in challenging icy terrains.

Key Points:

• Event Highlights:
  The championship in Östersund features various race formats, including sprints ranging from 5km to 34km, heats with multiple dogs, and the demanding Nordic style where mushers ski alongside their sleds (27:50).

• Participant Stories:
  Julia Israel Son competes with her two dogs, one of which is a rescue, showcasing the dedication and training required for high-level competition. "She's completely magical... super fast," comments Theo Leggett (28:17).

• Competitive Edge:
  Matt Hodgson, the UK's first-ever snow world champion, attributes success to time, dedication, and prioritizing the dogs' well-being. "Time and dedication and treating the dogs right," he shares (29:31).

• Environmental Considerations:
  The event organizers are committed to sustainability, converting dog waste into biogas for renewable energy, ensuring the competition remains environmentally responsible (29:43).

• Local Impact:
  The harsh sub-zero temperatures and vast snow-covered landscapes provide an authentic Arctic environment, essential for the competitive nature of the races (28:26).

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Conclusion

This episode of the Global News Podcast offers an insightful look into pressing international issues, from economic and political tensions to cultural shifts and sporting spectacles. By covering diverse topics such as US trade policies, Middle Eastern geopolitics, technological advancements in AI, and social dynamics in China and Germany, the podcast ensures its audience remains well-informed about the multifaceted challenges and events shaping our world today.

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Notable Quotes:

• President Trump:
  "I will announce a 25% import tax on all steel and aluminium entering the US," (00:57)

• Luis de Guindos:
  "I think it is very important to avoid a trade war," (01:42)

• Yolande Nell:
  "They look much bigger than they end up being because they can be as full of holes as Swiss cheese," (02:18)

• Anne Bouvereau:
  "There are still opportunities for countries and actors who want to do things in AI," (10:03)

• Joel Hammer:
  "The halftime show did not disappoint," (14:21)

• Jessica Parker:
  "We have a lot of insecurity... we need to change that," (18:17)

• Kerry Allen:
  "Young women are concerned that they might be forced back into traditional roles," (25:53)

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For more updates and detailed reports, tune into the next edition of the Global News Podcast.

Transcript

[Alex Ritson]

This is the global news podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Alex RITSON, and at 14 hours GMT on Monday 10th February, these are our main stories. There's been widespread condemnation of President Trump's proposal to slap tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports. A global summit on artificial intelligence has opened in France, with politicians and executives seeking to safely exploit its potential without swamping firms in red tape. There's been a record drop in the number of marriages in China, despite a government campaign. Also in this podcast, ahead of elections in Germany, how people are trying to counteract the growing influence of the far right on the young. For example, when addressing conspiracy theories, when.

[Theo Leggett]

We talked about them in class, someone denied the Holocaust. And this is something that badly shakes.

[Alex Ritson]

The core of democracy. From the Americas to Asia and Europe, world leaders are saying they will react to protect their business interests in the latest escalation in trade tensions. Speaking on Air Force One, President Trump said he would announce a 25% import tax on all steel and aluminium entering the US Mr. Trump also said there would be an announcement later in the week about reciprocal tariffs on all countries that tax imports from the U.S. the Vice President of the European Central Bank, Luis de Guindos, said the issue would only be resolved through dialogue. I think it is very important to avoid a trade war. I believe there should be talks on.

[Yolande Nell]

The approach the new American administration is taking.

[Alex Ritson]

I believe it is using economic instruments to achieve political objectives. And obviously this is a change in US policy. It was just last week that President Trump paused proposed tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico. Meanwhile, trade skirmishes between the US and China, the world's two biggest economies, are intensifying. A 10% duty is now in force on imports from China. Today, Beijing's retaliatory tariffs came into effect. I heard more from our international business correspondent, Theo Leggett.

[Yolande Nell]

It does feel like Groundhog Day. This is clearly something that President Trump thinks is important. And the first time round, when tariffs were introduced in 2018, there was a fall in the volume of metals being exported from other countries into the United States. Now, one of the objectives behind all this stated last time, was to boost employment in the US Steel sector. That didn't really happen. And then as countries reacted to those tariffs, what we saw was a network of retaliatory sanctions, but also a network of exemptions. So a number of companies, for example, were able to continue exporting steel into the United States without any kind of duty because they were producing types of steel that weren't available in the United States. So what you tend to find with these blanket announcements from Donald Trump, they look much bigger than they end up being because in a sense, it can be as full of holes as Swiss cheese. You get a lot of exemptions both in the tariffs that are imposed and in the retaliation that blocks, like the European Union put in place.

[Alex Ritson]

So how is the EU going to make Swiss cheese?

[Yolande Nell]

Well, the European Union does have products that it targets from the United States. So last time round, for example, agricultural products were targeted. Also quintessentially American products like bourbon whiskey or certain types of jeans. So we can assume that if these tariffs go ahead and they are not in place as yet, then the EU and other trading blocs will find ways of replying in kind.

[Alex Ritson]

Do we have any idea which countries will be hardest hit?

[Yolande Nell]

Well, in terms of steel, it's almost certain Canada is going to be out there, Mexico as well. And these were the two countries that were due to have been hit, of course, by 25% tariffs across the board until a last minute stay of execution happened and those tariffs were suspended for 30 days. So we know that Donald Trump likes to use the threat of tariffs as a negotiating tactic in order to obtain concessions that can be politically useful. It may be that this is what he's doing in this case.

[Alex Ritson]

And then China has imposed its own retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. yes.

[Yolande Nell]

What's interesting here is that these tariffs that have been imposed by China, they're on some $14 billion worth of imports. But in the context of what China imports from the United States, that's a trade worth about 165 billion a year. So you can see it's a relatively small proportion of imports from the United States. And I think what China is doing here and what analysts say China is doing here is putting out a warning saying that we can and we will retaliate. But at the moment, they don't want to antagonize President Trump much. They don't want a full blown trade war, as it were. So merely showing statement of potential intent.

[Alex Ritson]

Our international business correspondent, Theo Legert. And it wasn't just tariffs that Donald Trump turned his attention to on Air Force One when he spoke to reporters. He also doubled down on his idea that the United States would take control of Gaza. He repeated that the Palestinian population would be moved out of the territory to ensure that Hamas doesn't come back. It's a big mistake to allow people, the Palestinians or the people living in Gaza to go back yet another time. And we don't want Hamas going back and think of it as a big real estate site. And the United States is going to own it and will slowly, very slowly, we're in no rush develop it. We're going to bring stability to the Middle east in a totally war torn part of the Middle East. A part of the Middle east that has caused tremendous problem, tremendous problem, the Gaza Strip and will own it. It's totally demolished right now. It's a demolition site. It'll be reclaimed. It'll be leveled out, fixed up. There won't be anybody there. Hamas won't be there. We'll be building through other of the very rich countries in the Middle East. They'll be building some beautiful sites for the people, for the Palestinians to live in. They'll be living in harmony and peace, probably for the first time in hundreds. Our correspondent in Jerusalem, Yolande Nell, told us more about Mr. Trump's comments and the reaction in Israel.

[Samantha Simmons]

He said the US Was committed to buying or owning it without saying who it would be bought from. And he made clear that he envisages all Palestinians living in this coastal strip and there are more than 2 million of them leaving or being forced away, not allowed to return there. He talked about how it could be developed, including by involving other Middle Eastern powers, but didn't sort of specify whom. Of course, we had the Saudi Arabian government again rejecting totally President Trump's plans, which Palestinians have said amounts to ethnic cleansing. Other Arab countries have previously rejected all of this. It's only on the Israeli side where really looking across the political spectrum, you do have, from Jewish Israeli politicians, those who fully endorse this idea, and others who have sort of suggested some openness to it. What's the reaction continue to be in Israel following the release of three more Israeli hostages over the weekend, and a very concerned reaction to the way that they'd been treated in their appearance. Yeah, there's been a lot of picking over that. So it caused a lot of shock to see them looking so pale and thin. These men were released in exchange for some 183 Palestinian prisoners. We've had a lot of Palestinians pointing out that many of the prisoners who've been released as part of this exchange have also appeared to be in poor physical health. But President Trump did address the appearance of these three men. He said that they looked like Holocaust survivors. At the moment, you've got an Israeli delegation that has gone to Qatar, the regional mediator, ostensibly to take part in negotiations on advancing to the second stage of this ceasefire deal. We're currently about halfway through the first six week phase. There's a lot now of pressure on these talks. Israeli media wondering if anything can be achieved from them. What mandate has been given by the Israeli Prime Minister who says he wants to have meetings about President Trump's plans? There are many, particularly on the Israeli right, who feel that President Trump's comments about the future of Gaza have really changed the context here. They're very worried about the pictures that they're seeing with Hamas still trying to show it's firmly in control of parts of Gaza. This all causes a lot, a lot of worry for the hostage families. Also that this could result in a return to fighting if the ceasefire is allowed to collapse.

[Alex Ritson]

Yolande Nell talking to Samantha Simmons. A two day global summit on artificial intelligence is getting underway in France, attended by leading politicians, tech bosses and academics. It comes as nations scramble to invest in its transformative potential. But amid concerns over its impact society and the environment. The summit comes weeks after a seismic industry shift as China's deep sea unveiled a powerful low cost AI model challenging US dominance. President Macron's special envoy for the summit, Anne Bouvereau, told Amalrajan it helped to highlight France and Europe's role in the sector and to promote using AI in the public interest in a shared, sustainable way.

[Anne Bouvereau]

This is exactly why we're having the conversation. It is true that a couple of companies in the US and China are clearly doing incredible things. Huge investments on the one hand, blitz progress on the other hand as well. We can be heartened by the fact that we're talking very different numbers. The Deep Sea announcement in China, although we don't know exactly where the numbers are, they're very low. And I think it shows that not all the cards have been dealt, that not every everything is written and there is an opportunity for the countries and actors who want to do things in AI. Based on the fact that you have talent, that you have some computing capacity, data the world to go ahead, there are still opportunities to do things, which is why I think shared progress is a real possibility.

[Alex Ritson]

Do you think that some kind of global regulator for AI is either necessary or desirable?

[Anne Bouvereau]

It depends what you call a global regulator. We have the United nations for the overall principles. Our philosophy for the AI Action Summit was to build coalitions of the willing. So we will be unveiling a coalition for a sustainable development of AI with some governments and some companies. We will be unveiling a foundation or a partnership for AI to be developed in the public interest with a number of actors.

[Alex Ritson]

And that's a coalition of the willing. When you say sort of sustainable development of AI, what do you mean? Sorry, you don't mean sustainable in an environmental sense? Do you mean sustainable is. You mean that and for the public good. Okay, what does, what does sustainable AI mean then?

[Anne Bouvereau]

It means having companies and governments that pledge to develop frugal models, more efficient hardware and use cases that take the environment into account and also to use AI to help with climate change. So it means actors saying we are mindful of the climate crisis and we want to develop a in the best way possible.

[Alex Ritson]

Given this challenge, President Macron's special envoy for AI, Anne Bouvereau. Never in super bowl history has an American football team won three consecutive NFL championships. That was the dream for the Kansas City Chiefs and their star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Coming into Super Bowl Lix on Sunday, those dreams were dashed after a crushing defeat by the Philadelphia Eagles. The final score, 40:22. The Super bowl is one of the world's most watched sporting events and the halftime show did not disappoint. Kendrick Lamar headlined with appearances from singer Scissor and even Samuel L. Jackson. BBC Sports Joel Hammer has been in New Orleans for the week for the build up to the game. He told Chris Barrow that they were expecting a much closer game.

[Joel Hammer]

The bookmakers had this down as a three point game. They were calling it just about in favour for the Kansas City Chiefs and when these two teams met in the super bowl two years ago, it was a three point game. So there's more than a little bit of revenge here for Philadelphia, but the margin of victory really, I mean, I know it ended what, 40:22, which is still obviously a great margin, but for a lot of the game, Kansas City Chiefs just weren't on the scoreboard and.

[Alex Ritson]

The Philadelphia players were celebrating with, you know, three or four minutes still left on the clock and they were dumping fizzy drinks on their coach. I mean, I think that the late scores that came for the Kansas City Chiefs or kind of because the Philadelphia Eagles weren't really playing anymore, it felt.

[Joel Hammer]

A little bit like, yeah, absolutely, the, the dumping of fizzy drinks over the coaches is normally done after the final whistle, let alone with three minutes on the game clock. But, you know, so confident were they that victory had already been assured. Yes, you're right, it, it put a sheen on the score that perhaps Kansas City didn't deserve.

[Alex Ritson]

What did you make of the halftime show? There was a lot of talk in the build up about Kendrick Lamar performing potential, you know, unknown performers alongside him. We knew that Scissor was very likely to appear and Scissor did play. And the real surprise, I guess Samuel L. Jackson made a little turn.

[Joel Hammer]

Yes, absolutely. Samuel Jackson we certainly weren't expecting. Scissor was kind of rumoured to be and I guess it wasn't that much a surprise. Actually. The real surprise came when I went back to the media room and we were talking about the halftime show and someone said to me, did you see Serena Williams? And I was like, you mean tennis star Serena Williams? And yeah, she was on stage as one of the dancers. And so that was a real surprise and somewhat relegating Samuel L. Jackson and Scissors to something not quite afterthoughts, but certainly that's now the thought that I have in my mind, that Serena Williams, I didn't even see her.

[Alex Ritson]

Yeah, well, we were watching the coverage and we did all look at each other and go, was that really Serena Williams? Because she was dancing away. But apparently yes is the answer to that. And what do you think is next for the Kansas City Chiefs in particular? Because to have a poor showing, they're going to have to pick themselves up and I guess think about the next season.

[Joel Hammer]

Yeah, absolutely. And of course the way that the system of American football works here, it actually the draft system which is coming in April, each team gets to pick the best college players if it rewards the worst teams. So because Kansas City have been so successful over the last few years and because of course, although they haven't won today, this is a highly successful season, they won't get to be able to pick the very best cream of the crop coming through game. So I think they will have to look at what comes next. There's been rumors that Travis Kelce might hang up his cleats. But whilst Patrick Mahomes is their quarterback, they will be very dangerous and hard to beat next season.

[Alex Ritson]

Joel Hammer in New Orleans. Still to come, more than a thousand arctic dogs have been vying for top spots in sledding championships in Sweden.

[Ione Wells]

It feels like she's been doing this her whole life. She's completely magical. She listens to all her vocal cues going left or right and she's super fast.

[Alex Ritson]

Most of the cocaine that leaves South America is shipped from the ports of Ecuador. And that's one of the reasons the country is facing a security crisis fuelled by drugs violence. Who will tackle it will be decided in a presidential run off vote in April. Sunday's first round ended in a tight finish between the incumbent centre right president Danielle Noboa and a left wing candidate, Luisa Gonzalez. Our South America correspondent, Ione Wells is in the capital, Quito, and gave us this update.

[Jessica Parker]

It has been a bit of a shock result, particularly for the incumbent, Daniel Noboa, because electoral authorities here in Ecuador have called this a technical tie after both Daniel Noboa and his main challenger, Luisa Gonzalez, received pretty much identical percentages of the vote. Now, it was expected that it could go to a second round in April, but polls had suggested that Daniel Nomboa was significantly ahead. This result is more narrow than expected, indicating that second round could be much harder to call. And certainly the result dashed the hopes of Noboa's supporters, many of whom had been really buoyed by an early exit poll suggesting that he might even clinch victory outright. I spoke to some of the supporters of Daniel Noboa, some of whom are frustrated that he hasn't won this outright, but hopeful that he may well clinch victory in the second round. He's really defined his presidency by this tough crackdown on violent drug gangs and criminal activity in the country by militarising the streets, militarising prisons, giving security forces sweeping new powers to try and tackle violence. So when I spoke to some of his supporters, they told me that their main hope is that they want his work in that field.

[Alex Ritson]

We have a lot of insecurity. We have also drugs coming into the country, so we need to change that. And I really think that nobody is the candidate to do that.

[Jessica Parker]

So that was one supporter of the incumbent, Daniel Noboa, hoping that he might win in the second round in April. Certainly, as other Noboa supporters have said, too, one of the reasons they want him to stay on is because he's only been in office for 15 months, months so far, after his predecessor resigned. So they feel like he's only really just got started. As for the opposition, Luisa Gonzalez, her supporters are certainly very excited tonight, given that she seems to have performed better than opinion polls were suggesting. She went into this campaign heavily criticizing Daniel Noboa, not only for, in her words, sort of not delivering on promises to tackle violent crime, given it is still such a big issue in the country, but also not delivering on other issues, issues like tackling unemployment and solving the country's energy crisis, too. Her supporters as well, felt that Noboa was not doing enough to tackle some of the root causes of crime.

[Alex Ritson]

Why is there crime? There is poverty, there is hunger.

[Yolande Nell]

So there should be someone who is.

[Alex Ritson]

Really aware of Ecuadorian workers so that the country moves forward.

[Jessica Parker]

So that was one of supporters of Luisa Gonzalez hoping that she will be the one who is victorious come that run off in April. I think though, why this election really matters is whoever is successful in April has a huge task ahead of them. Ecuador has gone from being one of the safest countries in the region to one of the most dangerous. In January this year alone, there were 750 homicides in the country. Kidnappings, murders are things that happen daily here. People are really, really worried about their security and want desperately for there to be solutions. Some people I've spoken to in the last week or two say that if there aren't, they simply feel there is no choice but to leave the country and flee to other places, whether that be to the US or other neighboring countries in South America or to Europe, for example. So this is a country desperate for change and I think that is what is at stake for whoever is victorious come April.

[Alex Ritson]

Ione Wells let's stay with elections in two weeks, Germany will head to the polls once again in a vote triggered by the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition late last year. Immigration is a key issue with the far right alternative for Germany, the AfD, polling strongly. While other parties say they won't allow the AFD into a future coalition. Recent elections show their support rising, especially among young people. Jessica Parker has this report.

[Ione Wells]

A 25 year old woman dances in a video to a song in support of the far right Alternativa for Deutschland. She's among a band of social media influencers aiding the party's relative dominance on TikTok. Selena wants the return of military service, more help for stay at home mums and tougher immigration rules. She's young, so are most of her followers. There are a lot of people who regard the AfD as an extremist, even a dangerous party. What do you say to those people?

[Alex Ritson]

I don't think they are dangerous.

[Jessica Parker]

I just think many people are afraid of change. The only thing that would make them dangerous is they can implement a lot.

[Alex Ritson]

Of things and radically. But I think this is exactly what Germany needs.

[Ione Wells]

Critics accuse the far right of long standing anti migrant rhetoric and of exploiting people's fears after attacks in Germany where the suspects were asylum seekers. But at last year's European elections, the AfD enjoyed a broad rise in support. The sharpest uptick under 24 year olds. At a darts bar in Freiburg, Saxony, 19 year old Nick and 30 year old Dominic tell me that for their future they're aiming for the past.

[Alex Ritson]

The point is I want us to go back to a Germany that we had before my time. A peaceful Germany without attacks on innocent people. And I would vote for Alternatie for Deutschland, the AfD. At the moment, this is the only salvation for Germany. Just to add to this, everyone has their own opinion and sees it differently. Honestly, I find it sad that in the AfD you are called right wings just for standing up for your country. That is just because of the history of Germany.

[Ione Wells]

It's 7:30 in the morning and we're driving to a vocational training center. It's in the town of Fleur in Saxony and we're going to be in time for the first class of the day. In these halls people speak of political and gender divides. 18 year old Cora, who doesn't support the far right, tells me about the kind of misogynistic chatter she hears.

[Alex Ritson]

Like it was in old times. The women were home taking care of the children and the husband's food was on the table when he came home.

[Samantha Simmons]

From work like a twerd wife.

[Ione Wells]

While teacher Diana Swethaller is alarmed when she sees right wing support tip into extremism.

[Theo Leggett]

For example, when addressing conspiracy theories when we talked about them in class, someone denied the Holocaust. And this is something that badly shakes the core of democracy.

[Ione Wells]

The school's holding a mock election. Germany's actual election is just two weeks away. A firewall remains to keep the AfD out of power. But a strong showing in this small poll carries an echo. The far right's efforts to normalise itself appear to be working.

[Alex Ritson]

Jessica Parker in Berlin. New figures on marriage rates in China make worrying reading for the Chinese Communist Party, which has long tried to reverse the country's declining and aging population. Marriages fell by a fifth last year. A new low. Divorces also saw a slight increase. To unpack this further, let's cross to our China media analyst Kerry Allen.

[Kerry Allen]

If there's one main cause in China for marriage rates being really, really quite small Now, I mean, 6.1 million marriages were registered in 2024. It's the one child policy, which was in place between the years 1979 and 2015. It meant that parents could only have one child. And it means now that the younger demographic are much, much smaller than the older demographic. So there's simply fewer people who are young who are able to get married. But that's just one reason. There have been a number of other factors in recent years that have meant that marriage rates have dropped. The government's blamed the COVID 19 pandemic, saying that people have not been able to go out and meet potential partners. There are other reasons as well. China's younger, working much more overtime nowadays due to a shrinking population. So they're not having time to go out and meet people. There are also social concerns, concerns about domestic violence for example. The a lot of young people, young women, don't want to be trapped in an abusive relationship. And there are as a whole just changing social attitudes towards marriage. Some people want to pursue further education or climb the employment ladder and marriage is no longer a high priority.

[Alex Ritson]

What's the government doing about it?

[Kerry Allen]

Well, it's tried to offer lots of different incentives. So in little villages you can buy a house for much cheaper if you're married. Things like this are happening. And the government's really tried to make it clear that this is a big priority. It wants people to get marri in order to have more children so that there is a much bigger younger demographic. But it's just something that young people are just not that interested in. I mean, young women are concerned that they might be forced back into traditional roles. You see a lot of comments on social media that young women are saying that they're concerned they're being turned back into baby making machines. And young men as well. I mean they think that weddings are expensive and there are these traditional expectations that you have to buy a house as a prerequisite for marriage if you're male. And youth unemployment's been, well, It's Saturday, around 20% for the last few years. So a lot of young men are quite poor and the idea that they need to save towards a marriage, it's very low on their priority list.

[Alex Ritson]

If this trend line continues though, it's pointing at a very scary future.

[Kerry Allen]

It is, yes, there are a lot of concerns. I mean, this is why the government has really tried to ramp up this marriage message in recent years because the older demographic, there's nobody to look after them. So there's this concern that who's going to look after population over the age of 60 and already now over 21% of China's population is over 60. And not only that, there's a shrinking labor market because, yeah, you've got a situation where there are fewer young people to fill in behind the jobs left by the older demographics. So who's going to look after the older demographic and who's going to do the jobs?

[Alex Ritson]

Kerry Allen, our China media analyst. Over the weekend, competitors from more than 20 countries gathered in northern Sweden for this year's Sled Dog World Championship. With the details, here's Stephanie Zakrissen.

[Theo Leggett]

With sub zero temperatures and heaps of snow as Far as the eye can see. This is as close as you can get to the natural habitat of Siberian huskies, Alaskan Malamutes and other Arctic dog breeds. More than 1,000 of them have gathered in Osterschund, taking on the challenge of pulling their sleds and drivers or mushers as quickly as they can on the Swedish trail. Julia Israel Son entered the race with her two dogs, one of which is a rescue that she's only been training for a year and a half.

[Ione Wells]

It feels like she's been doing this her whole life. She's completely magical. She listens to all her vocal cues going left or right, and she's super fast.

[Theo Leggett]

The sprint races range from roughly 5km in length up to 34, and drivers can enter into heats where the sled is being pulled by two dogs up till the unlimited limited class that allows for 14 dogs. There's also Nordic style where the drivers are on skis. Within sled dog racing, there are also long distance competitions going on for days like the annual 1600 kilometer Aiditarod Challenge in Alaska, taking the dogs and their drivers on a trail through forests, mountains and even across sea ice, sometimes through snow blizzard. Inspired by books like Call of the Wild, Matt Hodgson has loved Arctic dogs since childhood and he became the UK's first ever on snow world champion in 2023, winning again in the year after. So what's the secret to becoming really good at dog sledding?

[Alex Ritson]

Time and dedication and treating the dogs right and making it really good fun for them. So I'm not the athlete they are. It's really about looking after them and giving them exactly what they want and.

[Joel Hammer]

Making it the best thing in the.

[Alex Ritson]

World, running and pulling.

[Theo Leggett]

And for any skiers worried that 1,000 dogs would leave a bit of a mess behind on the snow, the competition managers in Ostersund have been cleaning up and gathering any dog waste and it's being turned into biogas, a renewable energy source used to heat up homes and buildings.

[Alex Ritson]

Stephanie Zakrisson and that's all from us folks now. But there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk. you can also find us on XBCWorldService. Use the hashtag globalnewspod. This edition was produced by Alice Adderley and was mixed by Annie Smith. Myth. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Alex Ritz and until next time, goodbye.