Trump says ceasefire talks with Putin 'good and productive'

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary Episode Title: Trump says ceasefire talks with Putin 'good and productive'
Host: Julia McFarlane
Release Date: March 14, 2025
Source: BBC World Service

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1. US-Russia Ceasefire Talks in Ukraine

Overview:
The primary focus of this episode is the ongoing efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine. A significant development is the planned phone conversation between former US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, following a visit to Moscow by US Envoy Steve Witkoff.

Key Points:

• Kremlin Confirmation:
  The Kremlin confirmed that Trump and Putin are expected to discuss a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.
  “The exact time of the conversation between the two presidents has not yet been agreed...” [02:11]

• Trump’s Statement:
  President Trump described the talks as "good and productive" via his social media platform.
  “the talks were good and productive.” [02:42]

• Skepticism from Ukraine:
  Ukrainian officials expressed distrust towards Putin's promises, highlighting past deceit.
  “It's impossible to trust his words.” [02:57]

• Expert Insight – Sarah Rainsford:
  Sarah Rainsford analyzes the dynamics, emphasizing that the responsibility now lies with the US to pressure Russia effectively.
  “This is going to be the test time for Donald Trump and for all his claims about understanding Russia...” [03:22]
  “Vladimir Putin is not going to do that just yet.” [05:01]

• Consequences of a Ceasefire:
  Journalist Jeremy Bowen discusses the potential positive outcomes of a ceasefire, mainly the reduction in casualties, while questioning its long-term efficacy.
  “Any case, because if there is one, people will stop dying.” [03:32]

Conclusions:
While the talks between Trump and Putin are a step towards peace, skepticism remains due to Russia's historical breaches of agreements. The effectiveness of the ceasefire hinges on genuine commitment from both sides, particularly Russia, to adhere to and extend beyond the temporary truce.

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2. Poland’s Call for US Nuclear Weapons on Its Soil

Overview:
Poland's President Andrzej Duda has reiterated his demand for the United States to station nuclear weapons in Poland, aiming to bolster national security in the face of Russian aggression.

Key Points:

• President Duda’s Statement:
  President Duda emphasizes the defensive nature of the proposed nuclear weapons, asserting that they are meant to protect against Russian aggression.
  “This weapon is not an offensive weapon. It is a defensive one.” [09:13]

• International Response:
  US Vice President J.D. Vance indicated that Trump may not support Poland's request, reflecting uncertainty in US commitment.
  “Donald Trump would not support calls from Poland to base American nuclear weapons.” [06:23]

• Public and Expert Opinions:
  Local citizens and experts in Warsaw express distrust towards Putin and skepticism about Trump's reliability.
  “No, I don't think so.” [07:45]
  “I think he's unreliable.” [08:45]

• Strategic Implications:
  Jeremy Bowen explores the strategic rationale behind Poland's request, highlighting NATO’s Article 5 and existing US nuclear deployments in Europe.
  “Every piece of strategic US and NATO infrastructure on our soil strengthens the United States and NATO's commitment to defending this territory.” [10:27]

Conclusions:
Poland seeks enhanced security through the placement of US nuclear weapons, viewing it as a deterrent against Russian threats. However, the initiative faces obstacles due to potential lack of support from US leadership and questions about regional trust in both US and Russian intentions.

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3. Hamas Agreement to Release Hostages

Overview:
Hamas has declared its intention to release an Israeli-American hostage, Idan Alexander, and potentially return the remains of four others, signaling a shift in hostage negotiations.

Key Points:

• Hostage Release Details:
  Hamas plans to release Idan Alexander, a dual national serving as a lone soldier in Israel, and may return the remains of four other hostages.
  “Hamas has agreed to release another hostage, the remains of four others could also be handed over.” [11:24]

• Negotiation Efforts:
  The release follows direct talks between US Envoy Adam Bola and Hamas, alongside indirect negotiations involving Qatar.
  “This comes after the US Envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Bola, met Hamas officials as recently as last week.” [11:24]

• Ceasefire Proposal:
  The US proposed a ceasefire extension tied to the release of hostages, which Israel has partially accepted but Hamas remains non-committal.
  “Israel has said that Hamas remains steadfast in its refusal... continues to engage in manipulation and psychological warfare.” [12:27]

Conclusions:
The tentative agreement by Hamas to release hostages marks a potential breakthrough in the conflict, although trust remains low. Continued diplomatic efforts are crucial to solidify this progress and extend the ceasefire, laying the groundwork for a more lasting peace.

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4. Olympic Athletes Advocate for Climate Action

Overview:
Over 400 Olympic athletes from 90 countries have signed a letter urging the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to prioritize climate change amidst the upcoming leadership election.

Key Points:

• Athletes' Demands:
  The athletes call for immediate and tangible actions on climate change, including reducing carbon footprints and ensuring sustainable practices within the Olympic framework.
  “We ask over the course of your presidency, that one issue is above all others, the care of our planet.” [14:47]

• Impact on Sports:
  Climate change is already affecting sporting events with extreme weather conditions disrupting schedules and athlete performance.
  “Volleyball players being sprayed down with hoses...this isn't sustainable.” [15:39]

• IOC Election Context:
  With the election of the next IOC president imminent, the athletes urge candidates to commit to environmental stewardship.
  “There are seven candidates in this race...one's a climate campaigner.” [16:06]

Conclusions:
The unified stance of Olympic athletes underscores the urgent need for the global sports community to address climate change. Their advocacy aims to influence the IOC’s policies, ensuring that future games are resilient and environmentally responsible.

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5. Total Lunar Eclipse Observations

Overview:
The podcast delves into the recent total lunar eclipse, commonly known as a "blood moon," explaining the scientific phenomena and global visibility.

Key Points:

• Scientific Explanation:
  The red tint of the moon during the eclipse is due to Earth's atmosphere scattering sunlight, allowing only red wavelengths to reach the moon.
  “The sunlight enters the atmosphere... red light is mostly unaffected by the atmosphere's gases...” [26:33]

• Visual Beauty:
  Host Sarah Rainsford describes the eclipse as a beautiful optical illusion, highlighting the interplay of all global sunrises and sunsets reflected on the moon’s surface.
  “It's actually really quite beautiful... all of the sunrises and all of the sunsets from around the globe...” [26:33]

• Future Observations:
  The next total lunar eclipse is anticipated in September, offering another opportunity for stargazers. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar ones are more frequent and accessible.
  “The next will be in September.” [27:29]

Conclusions:
The total lunar eclipse provided a stunning visual display and serves as a reminder of the intricate celestial mechanics governing our planet. Such events foster global appreciation for astronomy and the natural world.

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6. Sudan Bans Imports from Kenya Amid Conflict

Overview:
Sudan has imposed a ban on imports from Kenya, citing Kenya's support for Sudan's paramilitary forces amidst ongoing internal conflict.

Key Points:

• Official Reasoning:
  Sudan accuses Kenya of siding with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in their conflict against the Sudanese government, violating regional diplomatic norms.
  “Kenya has violated the principles of good neighborliness...” [17:38]

• Economic Impact:
  The ban affects a range of goods, including food products, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, and particularly tea—the largest Kenyan export to Sudan.
  “These include food items... the big one here is tea...” [18:20]

• Kenya’s Position:
  Kenyan authorities deny any malicious intent, asserting their efforts to mediate and find a political solution to Sudan's conflict.
  “Kenya has been supporting efforts to find a political and a diplomatic solution...” [18:56]

• Regional Implications:
  This trade restriction complicates Sudan's diplomatic relations and hampers regional efforts to stabilize the area.
  “This really complicates... efforts to find a solution to the war in Sudan.” [19:47]

Conclusions:
Sudan's ban on Kenyan imports exacerbates regional tensions and disrupts economic ties, highlighting the intricate link between trade and diplomatic relations in conflict zones. Continued dialogue is essential to mitigate further economic and political fallout.

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7. Tesla Criticizes Trump’s Trade Policies

Overview:
Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company, Tesla, has formally expressed concerns over President Donald Trump’s trade policies, particularly the impact of import tariffs on American manufacturers.

Key Points:

• Tesla’s Letter:
  Tesla warns that Trump's tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China are disproportionately affecting American manufacturers and exporters.
  “Manufacturers and exporters were inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts...” [20:16]

• Call for Policy Adjustment:
  The company suggests that tariffs should be implemented gradually to allow businesses to adapt, mitigating sudden economic shocks.
  “Tariffs should be introduced in a phased manner to give firms more time to prepare.” [20:16]

• Government Response:
  President Trump has positioned Elon Musk controversially by appointing him to the Department of Government Efficiency and publicly supporting Tesla despite ongoing tensions.
  “President... pledged to buy one of the company's cars.” [20:16]

• Broader Business Concerns:
  Tesla is among hundreds of companies lettered to the US Trade Representative, signaling widespread business apprehension toward current trade strategies.
  “one of hundreds sent by companies raising concerns about the policies.” [20:16]

Conclusions:
Tesla's criticism underscores the broader business community's unease with Trump's protectionist trade measures. The tension between promoting domestic industries and maintaining international trade relations remains a significant challenge for US economic policy.

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8. Conservation Efforts in Antarctica

Overview:
The podcast highlights the restoration of a historic hut on Blakelock Island, Antarctica, showcasing the efforts to preserve human history amidst extreme environmental conditions.

Key Points:

• Restoration Project:
  A team from the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust is undertaking the restoration of a nearly 70-year-old hut, preserving it as a historical snapshot of early scientific endeavors in Antarctica.
  “it really shows what they were going through and it preserves that sort of human history...” [24:02]

• Challenges Faced:
  Access to Blakelock Island is highly restricted due to unpredictable ice conditions, requiring the team to live aboard a sailboat and navigate treacherous weather to reach the site.
  “It's very difficult for bigger ships to get here... we live on the boat...” [22:40]

• Preservation Significance:
  Maintaining the hut serves as a tangible link to past explorations and scientific achievements, ensuring that the legacy of early Antarctic pioneers is not forgotten.
  “if they were taken away, they would be in the history books...” [24:16]

• Team Insights:
  Conservation carpenter Graham Gilly discusses the meticulous work involved in restoring the hut, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding these historical structures for future generations.
  “It’s really a kind of snapshot of time...” [24:02]

Conclusions:
The restoration of the Blakelock Island hut exemplifies the dedication to preserving Antarctic heritage. These efforts not only honor the past but also provide valuable insights into the history of scientific exploration in one of Earth’s most extreme environments.

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9. Total Lunar Eclipse and Space Weather Insights

Overview:
The episode concludes with an exploration of the recent total lunar eclipse, its visibility, and its scientific significance, along with a teaser for future segments on space weather.

Key Points:

• Eclipse Phenomenon:
  A total lunar eclipse causes the moon to appear red, a spectacle visible across the Americas, Western Europe, and Africa, resulting from Earth's atmosphere filtering sunlight.
  “It's a celestial phenomenon that occurs when the Moon appears red.” [25:48]

• Visual Experience:
  Listeners are encouraged to embrace the beauty of the eclipse, though visibility is contingent on clear weather conditions.
  “It's actually really quite beautiful.” [26:33]

• Future Events:
  Information about upcoming space-related events, such as meteor showers and the next lunar eclipse in September, is provided.
  “the next will be in September.” [27:29]

• Upcoming Coverage:
  A special Q&A segment on space weather is announced, inviting listener participation.
  “We are hoping to do a Q and a special about space weather...” [27:29]

Conclusions:
The total lunar eclipse serves as a reminder of the awe-inspiring natural events that connect us globally. Future podcast segments will delve deeper into space phenomena, enhancing listeners' understanding and engagement with astronomy.

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Final Remarks:
This episode of the Global News Podcast provided comprehensive coverage of critical international issues, from geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and Poland to humanitarian efforts in the Middle East and environmental advocacy within the Olympic community. Additionally, it offered insights into significant scientific events and conservation initiatives, ensuring listeners are well-informed on a diverse array of global topics.

For more information or to share your thoughts on this episode, contact [e-mail] or engage with the BBC World Service on social media using the hashtag #globalnewspod.

Transcript

[Podcast Announcer]

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[Julia McFarlane]

Your credit score may be impacted if you submit an application. Terms apply. This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Julia McFarlane and at 14 hours GMT on Friday 14th March, these are our main stories. A Russian spokesman says Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are expected to speak by phone following the visit to Moscow by US Envoy Steve Witkoff. The president of Poland tells the BBC, no matter the outcome of those talks, Russia is not to be trusted. Hamas has announced it will release the last living Israeli American hostage it's known to be holding. And also in this podcast, hundreds of Olympic athletes call for climate change to be made a priority of the Games. And did you see the eclipse of the moon?

[Sarah Rainsford]

What you're seeing in that reflected light is all of the sunrises and all of the sunsets from around the globe all being reflected off the moon. Coming back to you.

[Julia McFarlane]

Now from Moscow to Washington via Kyiv and Quebec, one subject is dominating the conversations of the world's leaders and foreign ministers. Can peace in Ukraine ever be achieved? Now the Kremlin has confirmed that US Envoy Steve Witkoff met the Russian president in Moscow to discuss the plan for a 30 day ceasefire. President Putin has said he agrees with the idea but set out tough conditions for peace. In a conference call with reporters, his spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said a phone call between Mr. Trump and the Russian leader was expected.

[Advertiser]

Mr. Wykoff was received by President Putin late last night. Additional information was provided to the Russian side. And also through Mr. Wykoff, Putin provided information for President Trump. The exact time of the conversation between the two presidents has not yet been agreed, but at the same time, after Mr. Witkoff has already brought all the information to his head of state, we will then determine the timing of the conversation.

[Julia McFarlane]

Well, in the last few minutes, President Trump has posted on his social media platform that the talks were good and productive. Meanwhile, Ukrainians in Kyiv gave their reaction to what Mr. Putin had to say.

[Advertiser]

If he wanted, he could have ended the war long ago. We have heard a lot of lies over the last 11 years from Putin. Those lies were refuted many times. We have heard so often his different Statements and appeals that were made up until the ceasefire happens. It's impossible to trust his words.

[Sarah Rainsford]

To be honest, I don't believe this.

[Julia McFarlane]

There have been so many agreements and so many violations.

[Sarah Rainsford]

I don't believe it.

[Julia McFarlane]

It's hard to say.

[Podcast Announcer]

But a ceasefire would be good in.

[Jeremy Bowen]

Any case, because if there is one, people will stop dying. I think that would be a positive development. But what will the consequence of this ceasefire be? That's the question.

[Julia McFarlane]

So what now, Valerie Sanderson asked our correspondent Sarah Rainsford, who spent many years in Russia, if the ball is now firmly in the US President's court.

[Sarah Rainsford]

Yeah, I think very clearly and very squarely in, in the American court, which I think is, is always the way it was going to go. I think it's interesting because of course, Donald Trump has, has made this great play all along of how Vladimir Putin will listen to him and will deal with him, you know, about how he understands Vladimir Putin and how he can do this deal. But the whole time we've only ever heard, of course, about the pressure that the US is, is placing on Kyiv and not about what exactly it has to pressure Russia. And so I think, you know, this is going to be the test time for Donald Trump and for all his claims about understanding Russia, because Vladimir Putin has made his position really, really clear. You know, he has done his best to appear reasonable, to say, yeah, this ceasefire deal sounds like a great idea, but there's quite a lot of buts. And those buts, I think are really critical. This is really classic Putin. It is dragging things out. It is trying to look one thing whil doing the other. And I think at this point in time, doing an immediate cease fire deal in Ukraine is not in Russia's interest. And so Vladimir Putin is not going to do that just yet.

[News Correspondent]

You say just yet. But do you think he's really playing a long game here?

[Sarah Rainsford]

I do. I think a very long game, as long as he can possibly make it. I think there are, there are several games. One's a power play with America. You know, one of, one of the big aims, I think, for Vladimir Putin is to be the big man, is to be the person that the world needs to reckon with. And I think this is all very much part of that. So, you know, not sort of rolling over and saying yes to everything. He is standing up for what he sees as Russia's interests, but also for his own interests. And one of the key things in the immediate future is to have Russian troops force Ukrainian troops out of Russian territory, because don't Forget there are are Ukrainian forces still in the Kursk region of southern Russia. That was humiliating for Vladimir Putin when they invaded and he is now trying to push them out. And Russian forces are succeeding somewhat in that. So I think, you know, until those troops are out of Russia, there's no chance he's going to even start really properly engaging in a peace process. And he's also made clear he has much bigger aims still too. All of the aims that he had when he started this war when he invaded Ukraine, which include ultimately the subjugation of Kiev. And I think that hasn't changed.

[Julia McFarlane]

That was Sarah Rainsford. The President of Poland, RZE Duda, has repeated his call for the US to base nuclear weapons on Polish territory. He says it would make Poland stronger and safer as it faces a greater threat from Russia. The US vice president, J.D. vance, has suggested that Donald Trump would not support calls from Poland to base American nuclear weapons in that country. Mr. Duda has been speaking to our international editor, Jeremy Bowen at the Presidential Pat palace in Warsaw.

[Jeremy Bowen]

We're here in Warsaw to interview the President, President Andres Duda. And in the very grand avenue that leads to the Presidential palace, there is an exhibition of actually really stunning, rather disturbing photographs taken by Polish photographers during the war in Ukraine. And people are stopping looking at them. Some very powerful images. Even after more than three years of war in Ukraine, Bojina, a middle aged woman from Warsaw, was shot.

[Terry Egan]

I can't even find the word.

[Advertiser]

This is dreadful.

[Sarah Rainsford]

What can I say?

[Advertiser]

This is.

[Sarah Rainsford]

Putin is responsible for all these things.

[Advertiser]

That we can see on these pictures.

[Sarah Rainsford]

Yeah, I am shocked with these pictures, really.

[Jeremy Bowen]

Do you think we can trust Putin?

[Advertiser]

No.

[Jeremy Bowen]

Trump seems to trust him.

[Advertiser]

Yeah, but I don't think he's right.

[Julia McFarlane]

No.

[Jeremy Bowen]

Poland is spending an awful lot of money on the army. I mean, do you think it's necessary to spend that kind of money?

[Advertiser]

You know, we have Russia right on the border, so maybe it is necessary.

[Jeremy Bowen]

Maciek, a lecturer in Polish literature, walked past the photos on his way to teach at the university. Do you think in Western Europe we, we care enough about the potential dangers?

[Terry Egan]

Well, there is a change, there is.

[Advertiser]

An evolution in thinking about the Russian danger, I think. I guess Trump's revolutionary ideas will make Europe. We should invest in the military because.

[Terry Egan]

It'S the only way, I guess. Even if, well, even if the states come and help us, in what numbers.

[Jeremy Bowen]

And in what capacity do you think in Europe and here in Poland, do you think that we can trust Donald Trump?

[Terry Egan]

No, I don't think so.

[Advertiser]

I think he's unreliable.

[Jeremy Bowen]

So we can't trust Trump. Can we trust Putin?

[Advertiser]

That's a funny one.

[Jeremy Bowen]

I'll take that as a no. We crossed the road and went into the presidential palace to meet the country's president, Andrej Duda. He had a remarkable request. He wants the Americans to position nuclear weapons on Polish soil.

[Advertiser]

First of all, we believe this is a matter of security. This weapon is not an offensive weapon. It is a defensive one. I want to emphasize once again that this is a weapon designed primarily to defend against a nuclear attack. Secondly, it is Russia, without asking anyone's opinion, that has relocated its nuclear weapons to Belarus. This is no secret. Even Putin openly talked about it in a televised interview. So far, it is Russia that is employing an offensive strategy. And let me stress that Russia is the aggressor. Russia attacked Ukraine without any reason and without any provocation whatsoever. That's why I say NATO should implement a defensive strategy. A defensive strategy means responding to Russia's actions, and I believe such a response is necessary. The response should be the relocation of nuclear weapons to NATO member states. We, as Poland, are ready to host these nuclear weapons.

[Jeremy Bowen]

There are American nuclear weapons in Germany. There's Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, to which you're a signatory, which is the mutual defence clause in that. Why does physically having American weapons here make you any safer? Because you're protected anyway, aren't you? By Article 5.

[Advertiser]

Every piece of strategic US and NATO infrastructure on our soil strengthens the United States and NATO's commitment to defending this territory.

[Jeremy Bowen]

Poland's rapidly expanding army was on parade as President Duda welcomed the leader of Mongolia. I haven't met anyone in Poland who does not believe that it is vital to spend a lot of money to deter and if necessary, fight Russia. But they're also not yet sure whether their allies in Western Europe are really prepared to make the hard financial choices to pay for the defense that Poles believe Europe needs as soon as possible.

[Julia McFarlane]

Our international editor, Jeremy Bowen in Poland now next to the Middle east, where Hamas has agreed to release another hostage, the remains of four others could also be handed over. Valerie Sanderson heard more from our Middle east correspondent, Yoland Nell.

[Terry Egan]

We had just a short official statement put out by Hamas saying that it was ready to release this dual Israeli American hostage. He's Idan Alexander, who was 19 when he was captured. Someone who was born in Tel Aviv but grew up in New Jersey in the us and he came back to Israel after high school to serve as a lone soldier and ended up being stationed close to Gaza, Hamas also saying it would give up the bodies of four dual nationals. They're assumed to be the Americans, that it's also known to be holding since the 7th of October, 2023 attacks. This is certainly a sign of movement. It comes after the US Envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Bola, met Hamas officials as recently as last week for this unprecedented direct contact, but also at a time when there have been these indirect talks going on between Israel and Hamas brokered by the US and regional mediators through the week in Qatar.

[News Correspondent]

So remind us where we are of.

[Terry Egan]

The ceasefire deal there. Well, according to reports, the US Special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, handed over a new proposal that focused on the release of five living hostages and the return of nine or ten dead hostages in exchange for extending the ceasefire through the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover. That's basically until about the 20th of April. Now, Israel has said that it accepted that plan. Its negotiators are due to come back from Qatar tonight to consult with the Israeli leadership. And there's been a short statement put out in the past hour by the Israeli prime minister's office saying that Hamas remains steadfast in its refusal, has not budged a millimeter during these talks. It continues to engage, the prime minister's office says, in manipulation and psychological warfare. So they see that Hamas is trying to resurrect a proposal that was made by Adam Bola during his direct talks with them rather than accepting a plan they say has been put forward by Steve Witkoff.

[Julia McFarlane]

Yolande Nell In Jerusalem, the UN World Food Programme says it will cut off 1 million people in Myanmar from life saving food assistance because of a shortfall in funding. The agency said it urgently needed $60 million from international donors. Celia Hatton reports. The World Food Program did not say if the shortfall was due to cuts in aid spending by the Trump administration, but it was clear about the impact of that loss in funding. Unless it receives $60 million in emergency support from Myanmar, the WFP said it would have to withdraw from some parts of the war torn country. 100,000 Rohingya people living in camps in Rakhine State who are completely dependent on WFP assistance would be among those impacted. Celia Hatton, now more than 400 Olympic athletes have co signed a letter to the next president of the International Olympic Committee calling on climate change to be made a priority. The athletes describe it as a current and growing harm to the sports we love. The move comes just under a week until IOC Members decide on the next leader. So Stephanie Prentice told me about what the athletes have been saying.

[News Correspondent]

This is more than 400 athletes from 90 countries speaking in one voice. And the strongly worded message is that climate change is threatening the future of the summer and the Winter Olympics. To quote a bit of it, the message to the next president is we ask over the course of your presidency, that one issue is above all others, the care of our planet. And the group cites climate related issues like disruption to schedules because of weather, that's for events and training, and of course the health of the athletes and of the fans. Now it's not really hard to see what's motivated this. LA is hosting in 2028. We saw those wildfires there which were the worst they've ever had. We saw athletes in Paris last summer lying on the ground in those 35 degree temperatures. There were sailors wearing ice vests, volleyball players being sprayed down with hoses. And the letter basically says this isn't sustainable.

[Julia McFarlane]

So they've said why they care? What exactly do they want? What have they asked for?

[News Correspondent]

Well, they do have one very clear demand. What they want after that ballot on March 20 is an immediate meeting to discuss their concerns. And it's addressing tangible action points like carbon footprint commitments, sustainable practices and also a crackdown on sponsorship deals with anyone that has a poor record on climate action.

[Julia McFarlane]

And the race for the next president is well underway. Who's the frontrunner?

[News Correspondent]

We've got seven candidates in this race. Among the frontrunners you've got England's Sebco. Now he's already warned that climate change will reorder the sporting calendar. Kirsty Coventry, she's another front runner. She's discussed the need to be open to new regions and adjusting timings of the games. Another one is the Swedish British billionaire John Elijah. He calls himself a climate campaigner. He's already posted this morning supporting that letter online. But in the past he has said there isn't a magic wand to fix this, it's just lots of small action. So going back quickly to that letter, the athletes focus really is on trying to prevent climate change from worsening rather than adapting the games to work around it.

[Julia McFarlane]

Stephanie Prentice there. And coming up, there's food on the.

[Podcast Announcer]

Shelves, there's still mugs hanging up underneath the shelf, the cookers are still lying out, there's some bedding still there. So it's really a kind of snapshot of what was happening at the time.

[Julia McFarlane]

The conservation carpenter restoring a historic hut on a remote Antarctic island, Sudan is banning Imports from Kenya, accusing the country of hostility. That's after Kenya played host to Sudan' paramilitary RSF and its allies, who've been at war with the government of Sudan for almost two years. So what more do we know? I arched Richard Kagoi, who's in Nairobi.

[Advertiser]

Well, Sudan is saying that it's protecting its sovereignty and national interest. The reason why they're saying this is because they're saying that the Kenyan government has taken sides with its rival. That's the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and its allies, who were just in the country recently where they signed what they called a founding charter and a transitional constitution to create a parallel government in areas which are controlled by the rebels. And so that's why the government incident, the military government, says that Kenya has violated the principles of good neighborliness, and that's why they're retaliating with these measures.

[Julia McFarlane]

Right, okay, so talk to us about this ban, then. What exactly does it entail?

[Advertiser]

Banning imports of goods. So these include food items, because there's lots of food items exported from Kenya into Sudan. Pharmaceutical products, tobacco. The big one here is tea, because Sudan is the biggest importer of Kenyan tea in Africa and the 10th, you know, globally. So looking at the impact this would have commercially between these two countries, this is going to be quite significant.

[Julia McFarlane]

So what does this mean for the conflict and what does the Kenyan government had to say about this?

[Advertiser]

Well, the Kenyan government argues that it's really been supporting efforts to find a political and a diplomatic solution to the conflict now nearly two years into it. And so it downplays or dismisses the accusations that it has a sinister motive of backing the RSF and its allies. Well, Kenya has been accused the Kenyan president of, you know, working and pursuing the RSF because it's got interest, especially within the mining sector. But then largely, it complicates diplomatic efforts of bringing this war to an end, because Kenya has historically played a leadership role in finding diplomatic solutions, like in the case of South Sudan, Somalia, and even what it attempted to do in neighboring drc. So this really complicates, you know, those regional efforts to find a solution to the war in Sudan.

[Julia McFarlane]

Richard Kagoi in Nairobi, Elon Musk's electric car company Tesla has written to the US Government warning about what it called the disproportionate impact of Donald Trump's trade policies on American manufacturers and exporters. Some of President Trump's US Import tariffs have been met by retaliatory measures from other countries. Tesla's comments made an A letter to the U.S. trade Representative Jameson Greer is one of hundreds sent by companies raising concerns about the policies. Our business correspondent Theo Leggard reports.

[Advertiser]

Elon Musk currently heads the newly created and controversial Department of Government Efficiency, charged with cutting costs within the federal government. On Tuesday, the President said people protesting against Mr. Musk's actions outside Tesla dealerships should be branded domestic terrorists, and he pledged to buy one of the company's cars. But his decision to impose new import taxes, or tariffs on goods coming in from Canada, Mexico and China has clearly raised concerns among Tesla's management. In its unsigned letter, the company warned that manufacturers and exporters were inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries chose to retaliate against U.S. trade policies. It added that some car parts were difficult or impossible to source within the United States and suggested tariffs should be introduced in a phased manner to give firms more time to prepare.

[Julia McFarlane]

Fear Legate. Now, can you guess where this is? Well, if you happen to guess Antarctica and its penguins, then congratulations. This was recorded at one of the most remote locations on Earth, a tiny rocky island called Blakelock, which is accessible only by ship. On the island is a small hut built almost 70 years ago to provide scientists, explorers and their dogs with shelter during the extreme Antarctic conditions. That building is now in a state of disrepair and the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust is there with a team of conservation carpenters to preserve the site. One of them is Graham Gilly and he's been speaking to James Copnell.

[Podcast Announcer]

We look after seven different buildings on the Antarctic Peninsula. This being the smallest, they've basically been left as they were in the 50s. So when you walk into this one, particularly, there's food on the shelves, there's still mugs hanging up underneath the shelf, the cookers are still lying out, there's some bedding still there. So it's really a kind of snapshot of what was happening at the time when these guys were there.

[Advertiser]

Lots of old books, couple of bottles.

[Podcast Announcer]

Of alcohol, that sort of thing. Yeah, old books. We didn't find any alcohol. I think there's a. Actually, I think in there there's a plastic bottle with some rum in it. So we're not quite sure when that appeared, but, yes, I think they took all the booze away with them.

[Advertiser]

How did you actually get there? I mean, I imagine the journey to this little hut must have been quite something.

[Podcast Announcer]

Yes, it was. The problem we have this year is because it's so inaccessible and the ice conditions down here are very unpredictable, we needed to have a boat with us the whole time. In case we have to leave at short notice. And it's. It's very difficult for bigger ships to get here. So we this year are down on a sailboat called the Ocean Tramp, which is a 20 meter twin masted sailing boat, which means we live on the boat and then we're ferried onto shore in a rib, do our work and then we can come back to the warm of the boat, which is quite nice.

[Advertiser]

And actually working in those conditions once you get there, how challenging is that?

[Podcast Announcer]

Yeah, it can be very challenging. Our biggest problem really is wind, particularly doing what we're doing at the moment, putting these sheets of felt onto the roof and the walls. As far as cold goes, it's not too bad at the moment. It's certainly not any colder than it gets in the UK in the winter, so that's not something that bothers us too much. Same with snow, because again, it's quite dry, the snow stays dry, so you can work in the snow.

[Advertiser]

So it's obviously quite a tricky place to get to. Not the easiest place to work in either. And I suppose a cynic might say, why bother? Why does it matter that this old hut is preserved?

[Podcast Announcer]

Yeah, it's a good question and it's one we ask ourselves as well. The logistics to get here are, you know, it's incredible. We've been working on this for almost a year just to get down to do quite a small job. But a lot of these huts were taken away in the sort of 90s and 2000s. There was a big clear up, so there were quite a lot of British bases down here, but a lot of them were falling to bits and they were just lying there not doing anything. So they cleared all that stuff away, but selected these seven buildings to be saved because they were in relatively good condition. And I think certainly for me, the reason for saving them, it's a kind of snapshot, as I say, of time and it really shows what they were going through and it preserves that sort of human history of the scientific era in Antarctica. I mean, the guys that were using this hut, they were making the new maps of Antarctica. Nobody had mapped that area before. Although not many people will actually come and see this hut. They're aware that it's there and we can take photographs of it. We've done quite a lot of photogrammetry work, so you can do a 3D walkthrough of some of the huts and I think it keeps the memory alive almost as long as we're looking after them. I think if they were taken away, they would be in the history books and the details would all be there. But I think there's a danger that we just kind of forget about what was happening down here in those early, early days.

[Julia McFarlane]

Graeme Gilly speaking to us from Blakelock Island, Antarctica, through the wonders of a satellite connection. Finally, stargazers in the Western Hemisphere have been witnessing a total lunar eclipse, with a rare blood moon bathing the sky in red light. The eclipse has been most visible in the Americas and parts of Western Europe and Africa. Terry Egan reports.

[Advertiser]

It's a celestial phenomenon that occurs when the Moon appears red. As the lunar body moves into the Earth's shadow, it first darkens, then eventually turns scarlet, so earning its nickname, a blood moon. So when our Earth blocks the Moon from the Sun, a lunar eclipse. The only sunlight that can reach the Moon must first pass through the Earth's atmosphere. As that sunlight enters the atmosphere, different wavelengths of light, meaning different colors, will be scattered and reflected. But because red light is mostly unaffected by the atmosphere's gases, it travels all the way through them and out the other side, where it can shine on the Moon. Katherine Haymans is a professor of astrophysics.

[Sarah Rainsford]

It's actually really quite beautiful. So normally when, when you see the Moon, what you're seeing is the light reflected off the Sun. Now, because the Earth is passing between the sun and the Moon, there's no light to be reflected. But when it's a total total lunar eclipse, when you've got a perfect match between the Earth's shadow and the Moon, a tiny bit of the Sun's light does get past. And what you're seeing in that reflected light is all of the sunrises and all of the sunsets from around the globe all being reflected off the Moon. Coming back to you, this is, of.

[Advertiser]

Course, an optical illusion and so needs a clear sky to see it. There is, though, no accounting for the total eclipse of the clouds. But if you didn't see it, there should be another chance later in the year. While the next solar eclipse won't happen until 2090, the lunar variety is thankfully more frequent. And the next will be in September.

[Julia McFarlane]

Terry Egan there. And while we're talking about eclipses, we are hoping to do a Q and a special about space weather, things like solar flares and their impact on Earth. We'll also look at how best to see these eclipses and meteor showers. So if you have a question, please do email us on globalpodcast_bc.co.uk and that's all from us for now. But there will be a new edition of the Global News Podcast Later. If you want to comment on this podcast or any of 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 mixed by Daniela Varela Hernandez US and the producer was Tracy Gordon. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Julia McFarlane. Until next time. Goodbye.