Trump says he could 'take the oil in Iran'

Summary

Global News Podcast (BBC World Service)

Episode: Trump says he could 'take the oil in Iran'

Date: March 30, 2026
Host: Alex Ritson

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Overview

This episode delves into dramatic new developments in the escalating US-Israel war with Iran, focusing on President Trump’s blunt declaration that he wants to "take the oil in Iran." The episode explores the global ripple effects of the conflict—surging oil prices, regional tensions, and divided public opinion in America—while including on-the-ground reports from Iran and discussions of international mediation efforts. The show also covers other key stories: NASA’s renewed lunar ambitions, international wildlife protection efforts, football news from the UK, and a unique story about the first British mayor in France.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Objective in Iran: "Take the Oil"

(01:00–03:02)

• President Trump, criticized for a lack of strategic clarity in Iran, clarifies in a Financial Times interview that his goal is to "take the oil in Iran" and potentially seize the vital Kharg Island, through which most Iranian oil is exported.
  • Quote: “We’ve had regime change if you look already, because the one regime was decimated, destroyed, they’re all dead. The next regime is mostly dead… So I would consider that regime change and frankly they’ve been very reasonable.” — Donald Trump (02:33)
• Trump claims Iran’s regime has been toppled and that Tehran is “desperate to make a deal.”

2. Oil Market Impact and Regional Repercussions

(03:02–05:46)

• Oil prices surge above $116 a barrel after Houthi threats to shipping in key straits raise fears of prolonged supply disruptions.
  • Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi fall by 4%; countries across Asia announce emergency measures.
• US business correspondent Nick Marsh (Singapore) notes that Trump’s threats—even if not realized—spike market anxieties.
  • Quote: “President Trump’s obviously made a lot of assertions during the course of this war… Many of them haven’t materialized, but very often they do influence oil prices…” — Nick Marsh (03:28)
• The disruptions ripple out: Australia releases an emergency economic package, the Philippines declares a national energy emergency, and other countries scramble for alternative oil sources, even considering unsanctioned Russian supplies.

3. US Troop Deployment and Military Scenarios

(05:46–09:46)

• Iran accuses the US of secretly preparing a ground invasion as the USS Tripoli arrives with 3,500 personnel.
• BBC International Editor Jeremy Bowen analyzes US options:
  • Ground assault could allow the US to control Kharg Island and halt Iranian oil exports, but Iran still controls the Strait of Hormuz, which can disrupt all Gulf oil shipping.
  • Quote: “Unless they find a way of jumping into the middle ground somehow…Trump can say, we won, we smashed them, we’re going to go home…or…digging deeper into this war by deploying ground troops…” — Jeremy Bowen (06:26)
  • Risks include regional backlash and massive global economic consequences if both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb are closed by Iran and Houthis.

4. Diplomatic Prospects vs. Entrenched Conflict

(09:46–11:22)

• Despite Pakistani mediation efforts, recent US rhetoric signals little willingness to compromise.
  • Quote: “The tone of remarks coming in the last four or five days…White House press secretary echoing things Donald Trump has said…These guys [Iranians] need to realize they’re beaten…you’re either beaten in a war or you’re still fighting, which means you’re not beaten.” — Jeremy Bowen (10:43–11:22)
• Bowen underscores that Iran’s regime, while battered, remains in control and capable of resistance.

5. Life Inside Iran: Civilian Hardship and Division

(11:22–14:18)

• Tehran endures extensive Israeli airstrikes, resulting in sporadic power cuts and damage to energy infrastructure; most power is later restored.
• Social media reveals the population’s fatigue and fear.
  • Quote: “By the time I reached them and until I saw they were okay, I think I died a hundred times over again.” — Eyewitness (Sarah Russell) (12:18)
• Strike locations include residential neighborhoods and universities; Iran threatens counterstrikes on US and Israeli institutions if attacks aren’t condemned.
• BBC Persian’s Gonchei Habibi Azad notes Iranian public opinion is deeply split: some support retaliation, but many simply want peace.

6. American Public Opinion: War Support and Skepticism

(14:18–19:29)

• While polls show most Americans oppose the Iran campaign, Republican (MAGA) supporters largely still back Trump—though cracks appear as the war drags on.
• On an Alabama farm, Tim Pearce rationalizes rising fuel costs as the price of security:
  • Quote: “If it’s just gonna cost me a little bit of fuel prices, the reward is greater than the expense…Getting it done and not having to worry about the fact that Iran might have a nuclear missile.” — Tim Pearce (15:33–15:41)
• College football fans voice concerns about a ground invasion, but back “whatever it takes” to topple Iran’s regime.
• Evangelicals, including a Seventh Day Adventist community, approach the war with conflicted attitudes about justifiability and faith.
  • Quote: “…I don’t see any war justifiable and sending people to die unless they choose to die for the cause. But that’s the war, you know, that’s the nature of war.” — Gabriela Ibanescu (18:06)
  • Pastor Samuel Thomas, Jr., warns loyalty can be fickle: “There was support for Vietnam and then it turned. There was support for Iraq, Desert Storm, and it shifted. And so the reality is people can be quite fickle.” (18:38)

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Additional Stories Covered

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7. NASA’s Artemis Moon Mission: Why Return Now?

(22:34–26:41)

• NASA prepares for its first crewed moon mission in over 50 years, investing over $93 billion.
• The Artemis program aims to pioneer future Mars missions and access rare lunar resources like water ice and rare Earth elements.
  • Quote: “The moon has got the same elements in it that we have here on Earth…rare earth elements may be concentrated enough to mine.” — Prof. Sarah Russell (24:06)
  • Quote: “Returning to the moon is a stepping stone for going to Mars.” — Libby Jackson, Head of Space, Science Museum (26:08)
• The lunar race is now against China, both vying for the resource-rich South Pole.

8. International Wildlife Protection Milestone

(27:45–29:57)

• At a UN summit in Brazil, 40 new species—including snowy owls and giant otters—gain international protected status, as nearly half of migratory species are in decline.
  • Dr. Sue Lieberman (Wildlife Conservation Society) explains nation-to-nation cooperation is vital, emphasizing threats from overexploitation and illegal trade — not just climate change.

9. Tottenham Hotspur’s Managerial Crisis

(29:57–31:34)

• Tottenham Hotspur part ways with interim head coach Igor Tudor after a disastrous run leaves them near relegation.
• Search for a new manager is underway amid mounting fan anxieties.

10. Briton Becomes Mayor in France

(31:34–34:53)

• Maureen Searles, UK-born, is the first British mayor in France (Mont St. Eloi). She brings lighthearted British customs to her village, from English breakfast for children to Burns Night celebrations.
  • Notable quote/joke: “From now on we address all children in English…she was absolutely delighted with this idea…It was a joke but she took it quite serious…” — Maureen Searles (32:44)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump: “…take the oil in Iran.” (01:00)
• Jeremy Bowen: “It reads like a surrender document in terms of pretty much everything that Israel and the US has ever asked of Iran is in [Trump’s plan]…” (06:26)
• Gonchei Habibi Azad: “Some…are still supporting the strikes. Some of them just want the war to end, even if it means the establishment stays in power.” (14:00)
• Gary O’Donoghue: “Their loyalty [of MAGA supporters] is not limitless.” (19:29)
• Rebecca Morell: “The real driver right now is that geopolitical incentive to be the first major power that gets to the South Pole.” (25:28)
• Sue Lieberman: “For migratory species, no one country can solve the problems. It requires cooperation across the whole range of the species.” (27:45)

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Key Timestamps

• Main headlines and Trump’s comments: 01:00–03:02
• Oil market impact: 03:02–05:46
• US troop movements and analysis: 05:46–11:22
• On-the-ground in Iran: 11:22–14:18
• American public/MAGA reaction: 14:18–19:29
• NASA Artemis mission: 22:34–26:41
• UN wildlife protection: 27:45–29:57
• Tottenham Hotspur crisis: 29:57–31:34
• British mayor in France: 31:34–34:53

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Summary

This episode provides a comprehensive, multifaceted look at the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran and its reverberations both domestically and worldwide—from oil markets and public opinion to regional stability and diplomatic deadlock. It offers on-the-ground voices from affected civilians, contrasts between American political camps, and thoughtful expert analysis, blended with lighter stories on science, wildlife, sports, and cross-cultural milestones.

If you missed the episode, this summary offers a detailed, nuanced snapshot of global events driving headlines at the end of March 2026.

Transcript

[Alex Ritson]

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[Alex Ritson]

this is the Global News podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Alex Ritson and in the early hours of Monday, 30th March, these are our main stories. President Trump says that he wants to take the oil in Iran as the effects of the conflict caused the price of crude to soar on international markets. Meanwhile, the arrival of an American warship full of troops fuels speculation US Forces could soon be deployed on the ground. The Iranian capital is hit by another series of Israeli airstrikes, reportedly damaging the country's energy infrastructure. Also in this podcast, this is what NASA embodies. This is what the space program around

[Jeremy Bowen]

the world embodies and we are proud

[Alex Ritson]

to be a part of that journey. We we meet the four astronauts preparing to make history on the first moon mission in more than 50 years. Donald Trump has been accused by critics of not having a clear objective for his war in Iran. But in an interview with the Financial Times newspaper, the president of the United States has stated a very clear goal to, quote, take the oil in Iran. He also suggested he could seize Iran's Khag island, through which most Iranian oil is exported. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Mr. Trump said that Tehran was desperate to make a deal and that the Iranian regime had already been toppled. We'll make a deal with them.

[Jeremy Bowen]

Pretty sure whether it's possible we won't. But we've had regime change if you look already, because the one regime was decimated, destroyed, they're all dead. The next regime is mostly dead.

[Alex Ritson]

And the third regime, we're dealing with

[Jeremy Bowen]

different people than anybody's dealt with before. It's a whole different group of people. So I would consider that regime change and frankly they've been very reasonable. So I think we've had regime change.

[Alex Ritson]

You can't do much better than that. The price of oil has soared yet again to around $116 a barrel after threats by the Iranian backed Houthis to target ships in the Bab Al Mandeb Strait off coast of Yemen. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei and South Korea's Kospi have plunged by around 4%. Our business correspondent Nick Marsh, who's in Singapore, is following developments since Mr. Trump's latest remarks.

[Nick Marsh]

He's been clear for now. Alex, don't forget, you know, these objectives can change and they often do change from, from day to day. You know, for example, taking Carg island, he said we might do that, we might not. I think it's part of a broad range of possibilities. President Trump's obviously made a lot of assertions during the course of this war about what the United States would do or what it could do. Many of them haven't materialized, but very often they do influence oil prices, at least momentarily. And as you said, you know, the price of oil has got very high. I think markets have looked at the escalation with the involvement of the Houthis over the weekend, talk of some kind of ground offensive or the possibility of that. And they're seeing that the flows of energy will be disrupted quite heavily for quite a sustained period. And what's interesting is, you know, Donald Trump spoke about taking the oil. That might be a legitimate aim, but he drew the comparison with Venezuela and Iran and Venezuela are two very, very different places. Things were quite straightforward in Venezuela. Nicolas Maduro was removed and, you know, the US Began the process of trying to take over that oil industry. At the moment, they're nowhere near that

[Alex Ritson]

and huge consequences if the oil price keeps going up, as some commentators are forecasting.

[Nick Marsh]

Yeah, I mean, we're already seeing them. Just heard about Australia with an emergency package to Chinese cost of living. All across Asia, governments are bringing in measures. The Philippines declared a national energy emergency. You know, fuel shortages are starting to bite. The price of gas and oil is really starting to influence the cost of living. It's having an impact on fertilizers, the price of food, so on and so forth. And countries all around the world are starting to scramble around looking at their supply chains. Where do we get our oil from? What price are we going to be paying for it? Do we look at Russian oil unsanctioned temporarily by the United States that might be entering the market? So countries are very much already feeling this shock. And as we keep saying, the longer it goes on and the longer that the Strait of Hormuz is in Iranian hands and that there is a blockage there and there's potential for hits to energy infrastructure, then the longer the price of oil and gas will remain high and all the corresponding effects that will have on markets, but also the lives of ordinary people.

[Alex Ritson]

Nick Marsh in Singapore. Before Mr. Trump's interview with the Financial Times, the Speaker of Iran's parliament accused the US of secretly plotting a ground invasion. Despite talking about diplomatic efforts and peace talks in Pakistan to end the war, Mohammad Bakar Kalibaf said that Iranian troops were waiting for American soldiers to attack so they can rain fire on them. US Central Command has confirmed that the warship USS Tripoli has arrived in the region with around three and a half thousand military personnel on board. I asked our international editor, Jeremy Bowen if American boots on the ground was a possibility.

[Jeremy Bowen]

It's looking more likely because they're sending troops there. And of course, that can be just prudent. It can be a way of giving President Trump options. But if you look at the other possibilities that he has, and he has a few choices, but none of them are good choices, what he's saying he can get is some kind of a deal with the regime. And the leaked version of Trump's 15 point plan, it reads like a surrender document in terms of pretty much everything that Israel and the US has ever asked of Iran is in that Iran has countered publicly by making demands of its own about its continued sovereignty effectively over the Strait of Hormuz, about radical reparations, about US Bases being removed from the Middle East. I mean, that's not going to happen either. So unless they find a way of jumping into the middle ground somehow, then what are his choices? Well, Trump can say, we won, we smashed them, we're going to go home. Their military industrial complex is broken, their stores have gone. They're not a threat anymore. I don't think anyone, particularly in the Gulf states, is going to find that convincing, or some of his people at home is not going to find that convincing. So the other alternative is basically digging deeper into this war by deploying those ground troops, maybe trying to put pressure on the regime by taking the very strategic island where they have their main oil export terminal, Cargill island, in the north of the Gulf. There are other small islands disputed with the UAE closer to the entrance to the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz. And so he could do that. Well, these troops who are coming are really capable troops. But the Iranians, I would imagine, have made some preparations, have some surprises ready, plus they have to hang onto this territory, and they have to try and use it as a way, strategically, politically, to change the behavior of the Iranian regime. And tactically, they can take the territory. I'm sure of that. It might be painful them to hang onto it, but how strategically does this get them closer to where they want to be in terms of changing the regime or at least changing the way it behaves?

[Alex Ritson]

Presumably it would stop them exporting pretty much any oil.

[Jeremy Bowen]

Yes, Iran wouldn't be able to export oil, but if Iran still controls the Strait of Hormuz, neither would from those Gulf ports anyway. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, uae, Kuwait, they're not going to be happy about that. Neither is the world economy. Then if you switch over across Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea, you get to the Houthis, who have fired barrages missiles at the Israelis. They have not yet hit shipping as they did during the Gaza war, but they might. So there is a scenario where America may take some Iranian territory, fight to hold it. Iran can still threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, and they don't need to do a great deal to do that. They don't have to destroy everything, just fire something occasionally at one or two ships, and then on the other side, potentially, this is worst case scenario. World. The Houthis closed the Bab El Mandab Strait at the bottom of the Red Sea. And that means that one of the main trade routes in world shipping for really important stuff, semiconductors, cars, you name it, coming from Asia, up through the Red Sea, through Suez to Europe and onto America. If Hormuz is cut, Baba Mandab's also cut. That is serious global economic repercussions of the war, which we will all feel.

[Alex Ritson]

Is this where Donald Trump thought he'd be at this stage in the war?

[Jeremy Bowen]

Well, we don't know quite what's going on in his mind, but no, I wouldn't have thought so. I mean, he said himself that he thought it would be over quickly. And the analysis is essentially that he was expecting a repeat of Venezuela, where in a couple of hours they kidnapped the President and his wife. The rest of the regime came round, is now doing as it's told, allows the Americans to effectively control their oil sales and take a good cup for themselves. Well, Iran is a completely different cup of tea in terms of ideology, in terms of the depth and breadth of the regime, the way that it's not based on individuals, it's based on institutions. It's a terrible regime, kills its own people. But those institutions are still functioning and they're still managing Five weeks in, despite a massive onslaught by the Americans and

[Alex Ritson]

the Israelis to fight back, Pakistan is offering to mediate. Is a diplomatic solution even possible now?

[Jeremy Bowen]

Well, a diplomatic solution is always possible if people on either side are prepared to make a deal. But the tone of remarks coming in the last four or five days, for example, from the White House press secretary, basically echoing things Donald Trump has said. She said, these guys, Iranians, they need to realize they're beaten. They need to accept that and do as they're told. The point is, being beaten in war is not a choice. You don't choose to accept that you're beaten. You're either beaten in a war or you're still fighting, which means you're not beaten. So the Iranian regime is still fighting, ergo it is not beaten. Whatever they hope and expect and say in the White House.

[Alex Ritson]

Jeremy Bowen Tehran faces intense bombing and power cuts as the U. S. Israeli war on Iran enters its fifth week. In the 24 hours up until Sunday evening, the Israeli military said that it had launched more than 140, 40 airstrikes in central and western Iran. Iran's government says energy infrastructure has been damaged, though there are also reports that power has been restored to most parts of the capital. Iranians have used social media to share their hopes and fears as the war drags into a second month of fighting. Their comments have been read by our colleagues at BBC Persian.

[Nick Marsh]

Last night they hit the middle of

[Alex Ritson]

the street near a house with no

[Nick Marsh]

specific target, no building, no person, nothing.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

Just the middle of the street.

[Rebecca Morell]

The alley next to us was attacked

[Sarah Russell]

exactly where my mother lives. I tried to call over and over again.

[Alex Ritson]

By the time I reached them and

[Sarah Russell]

until I saw they were okay, I think I died a hundred times over again.

[Sue Lieberman]

The Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian islands are in danger of being lost. Just because we are in conflict doesn't mean we should let Iran's land and sea borders be destroyed.

[Alex Ritson]

Gonchei Habibi Azad reports for BBC Pershing and she has been in contact with people in Iran. First, what's happening there?

[Gonchei Habibi Azad]

The latest that I have is that some parts of Tehran and its nearby city Karaj went dark tonight after electricity outage following strikes. Israeli Defense Forces have confirmed that they were attacking Tehran. Iran's Ministry of Energy has said that the attacks on power infrastructure in Tehran province has disrupted electricity. But they have also said, and I've heard from sources that the power is now coming back. In other attacks in Iran, we have that a university in central Iran, Isfahan, has been hit again, according to reports by Iranian outlets. And Iran had threatened to attack American and Israeli universities in the region in response if the US Won't condemn the strikes by Tuesday, as I said. And we have other reports of the strikes on Iran on northern provinces as well. But we also have the strikes by Iran on different countries. They have said that they have targeted Israel, Saudi Arabia, the uae, Bahrain and Iraqi Kurdistan. And they have claimed that the operation was in retaliation for strikes on two major Iranian steel complexes two days ago. And what I'm hearing, some they're very much, they're anti establishment, but they're really developing divided over their opinions. Some of them are still supporting the strikes. Some of them just want the war to end, even if it means that the establishment stays in power. A deal happens, anything. They're just tired and fed up.

[Alex Ritson]

Gonci Habibi Azad from BBC Persian well, polls suggest a majority of the American people are against the military campaign in Iran. Republicans, however, have largely stuck by President Trump. But with the conflict entering its second month, will that backing remain steadfast? Our chief North America correspondent, Gary o' Donoghue has been to Alabama in the deep south of the US to speak to some of Mr. Trump's Make America Great Again or MAGA supporters.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

Tim Pearce is on his tractor, spraying the peach trees on his farm in Clanton, Alabama. Clouds of water fan out behind him as he moves through the 1200 trees on land his family has farmed for almost 100 years.

[Alex Ritson]

This is a peach tree right here.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

But all is not well this year. He has lost almost 50% of his crop because of a few days of sub zero temperatures two weeks ago. On top of the crop failure, diesel prices for Tim are 50% up since the beginning of the war. Tim can pass on some of these extra costs, but consumers won't pay over the odds. You'd think this might shake his support for the president, but no.

[Alex Ritson]

If it's just gonna cost me a little bit of fuel prices, the reward is greater than the expense.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

So getting the war done.

[Alex Ritson]

Yeah, getting it done. And not having to worry about the fact that Iran might have a nuclear missile they can send over this way. I don't like war, but sometimes it's not preventable.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

70 miles west in Tuscaloosa, home to the University of Alabama, the college baseball team has just hit a home run against their arch rival, Auburn. Outside in the car park, Brian Banks and Ben Platner have set up a table. Lots of beer, chicken wings and delicious jalapeno peppers wrapped in Cheese and bacon. Their support for the war is strong, but you can hear them wrestling with concerns.

[Jeremy Bowen]

I think it's a little touch and go. I'm not disagreeing with what's going on because I needed to be. I think it needed to be done.

[Alex Ritson]

The last 47 years, the way Trump has been handling his business, I would have thought he would already handled it, but this is a lot bigger than we know about.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

How would you feel about us boys on the ground down there?

[Alex Ritson]

Yeah, I didn't want to see that.

[Jeremy Bowen]

It's whatever it takes to get that regime. Once you start it, there is no going bad.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

Alabama is also the heart of America's so called Bible Belt. Strong evangelical Christian faith here is central to most people's lives. And backing for this president and his support for conservative values is solid.

[Jeremy Bowen]

We pray, Lord, for our leaders of this nation.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

These Seventh Day Adventists follow the Ten Commandments closely and in particular the Sixth. Thou shalt not kill. So what does the congregation make of this war? Samuel Thomas Jr. Is their pastor.

[Ryan Seacrest]

I think the people believe that Iran is a threat and as such they believe that as a threat it needs to be addressed.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

These Adventists are not pacifists, but most will only take on non combatant roles in the military. To that degree, their natural support for Donald Trump is more qualified than other Christians, a view reflected by one member of the congregation, Gabriela Ibanescu.

[Rebecca Morell]

I don't see any war justifiable and sending people to die unless they choose to die for the cause. But that's the war, you know, that's the nature of war.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

Donald Trump and his secretary of defense have often framed this war in religious language, a noble and righteous fight. They say no mercy for the enemy. That makes some here uncomfortable. And the support of people in churches like this cannot wholly be taken for granted. Says Pastor Thomas.

[Ryan Seacrest]

If we look at history, once again there was support for Vietnam and then it turned. There was support for Iraq, Desert Storm, and it shifted. And so the reality is people can be quite fickle.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

For some evangelical Christians, this war against Iran is about supporting Israel. For others, it's more a simple test of loyalty to a president they believe has returned conservative values to the center of American life. Like the rest of the MAGA base, they will go a long way to keep the faith with Donald Trump, but their loyalty is not limitless.

[Alex Ritson]

That report by Gary o' Donoghue in Alabama. Still to come in this podcast, I'm

[Maureen Searles]

planning to have an English breakfast for the children at school, just so they see what we're having baked beans and for breakfast it's not croissant, no Zuta law.

[Alex Ritson]

The first British born mayor in France promises to mix things up.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

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[Alex Ritson]

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[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Alex Ritson]

Later this week. If NASA's launch schedule goes to plan, four astronauts will be heading to the moon. So far, the US space agency's Artemis program is estimated to have cost $93 billion. So why is America spending so much time, effort and money racing to return to the moon? Our science editor, Rebecca Morell has this report.

[Jeremy Bowen]

5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.

[Sue Lieberman]

Liftoff. We have a liftoff.

[Alex Ritson]

We choose to go to the moon, moon and this decade and do the

[Maureen Searles]

other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.

[Sarah Russell]

The words of US President John F. Kennedy, setting America on course to the moon. In 1969, the Apollo program made history with the first lunar landing. And astronauts continued to go to the moon until 1972. Now, after more than 50 years, NASA is heading back. But why is the US so intent on returning?

[Rebecca Morell]

So that little black rock you can see there is a piece of the moon that was collected by Apollo astronauts and brought back to Earth in 1972.

[Sarah Russell]

Professor Sarah Russell is a planetary scientist at the Natural History Museum in London, where the precious piece of lunar material is on display. And it's what these rocks contain that getting people excited. The moon holds the potential for a gold rush.

[Rebecca Morell]

The moon has got the same elements in it that we have here on Earth. So an example is rare earth elements which are very scarce on Earth. And there might be parts of the moon where these are concentrated enough to be able to mine them.

[Sarah Russell]

But the moon's most sought after resource is a surprising water.

[Rebecca Morell]

It has water trapped in some of its minerals and it also has substantial amounts of water on the poles. The colder parts of the moon, especially regions which are called permanently shadowed craters. So these are areas that never ever see sunlight. And so they're super cold and they can act as cold traps where ice can potentially build up.

[Sarah Russell]

Water is vital for creating a moon base and it's at the heart of a 21st century space race.

[Alex Ritson]

All Russia's just wild about Yuri Gagarin. First man to conquer space at Cape Canaveral.

[Jeremy Bowen]

The Americans, though disappointed at not being

[Alex Ritson]

first, are training these men to be astronauts and may still have a man on the moon before anyone else.

[Sarah Russell]

Last time round, America was in a battle with the Soviet Union for space dominance. Today, it's China who's the competition. China's made fast progress with its space program and it plans to get humans to the the moon by 2030. Both countries want the best lunar real estate with the most abundant resources.

[Rebecca Morell]

I think the real driver right now is that geopolitical incentive to be the first major power that gets to the South Pole.

[Sarah Russell]

Dr. Helen Charman is the first British astronaut. And she says it really matters who wins the race to the moon.

[Rebecca Morell]

So although you can't own a piece of the land because of the UN Outer Space Treaty, you can basically operate on that land without anybody interfering with it. So that's the big thing right now, is to try and yes, to grab your piece of land. You can't own it, but you can use it. And once you're there, you've got it for as long as you want it.

[Sarah Russell]

But the US wants to go even further.

[Rebecca Morell]

Returning to the moon is a stepping stone for going to Mars.

[Sarah Russell]

Libby Jackson is the head of space at the Science Museum. She says a mission to the red planet will have to overcome huge technological challenges. But the moon is the perfect testing ground.

[Rebecca Morell]

There are many technologies that are essential for learning to live and work in space, particularly power protection from radiation recycling technologies. These are all technologies that if you try them for the first time on Mars and they go wrong, are potentially catastrophic. It's much safer and much easier to try them out on the Moon.

[Alex Ritson]

Libby Jackson, ending that report by Rebecca Morell. Now to some good news. 40 species have been given international protected status during a vote on Sunday at a United nations wildlife summit in Brazil. Here's the sound of some of. That was the snowy owl, giant otter, and a Hudsonian godwit. The move comes in the wake of a recent UN report which revealed that almost half the world's migratory species are in decline. Wildlife experts say the new listing means states will be expected to strengthen legal protections. Dr. Sue Lieberman is the Wildlife Conservation Society's vice president for international policy and is at the summit in Brazil. Rebecca Kesby asked her why the numbers were in decline.

[Sue Lieberman]

There are a large number of migratory species due to human factors such as habitat loss, overexploitation, illegal trade. These species are declining. But for migratory species, no one country can solve the problems. It requires cooperation across the whole range of the species and that's what why this convention is so important. For those species listed on what's called Appendix 1, governments now that are members of this treaty are required to fully protect the species, not allow any exploitation, removal from the wild, and are required really to take action to protect the species. Appendix two means they've agreed, they will collaborate with other countries. For example, for the giant otter here from the Amazon Basin, all of the governments here now will collaborate and there's now protection for this species across its range that never has been had. The same for the striped hyena, which is so rare there may only be 5,000 individuals across much of Africa and Asia. So what this means is governments are now committed not just to talk about it, but to take action. The hammerhead sharks are now fully protected.

[Sarah Russell]

Understood. But I mean, if so much of the problem is climate change, how realistic

[Sue Lieberman]

is it that governments locally are going

[Alex Ritson]

to be able to have a major impact?

[Sue Lieberman]

There are a lot of threats that are not climate change. Overexploitation, illegal trade, taking animals out of the wild. That's not climate change. We can do something about that. For example, with the striped hyena, there's a lot of killing and human conflict. We can take action. It's not only climate change, of course we need to combat climate change, but there are a lot of other threats to species for sharks. Overfishing isn't about climate change. It's up to each of the 133 countries that are members of this convention to make it a reality. And those of us, like the Wildlife Conservation Society, when we go home, we work with governments to make sure it does happen. And one of the key issues isn't only about enforcement, it's funding. So we hope that donors and private individuals who care about wildlife will now fund action for these species.

[Alex Ritson]

Dr. Sue Lieberman, speaking to Rebecca Kesbi. Some football news. The English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur have parted ways with another manager. Igor Tudor left the club by mutual consent. He was in charge as interim head coach for only 44 days and seven matches. The 47 year old leaves the London club just one point above the relegation zone. More details from Jane Dougall.

[Rebecca Morell]

The former Juventus managers had a positive impact at previous clubs in short term appointments, turning them around quickly. So it was hoped that he would be able to help move spurs away from relegation. But he only took one point from five matches, so they've actually slipped closer to the bottom three under him. Spurs haven't been relegated since 1977 from the top flight, so Tottenham fans just see this as being unthinkable. But it is a real possibility. Seven games are remaining. So now the question is, who will replace Tudor? Several names are in the frame. Former Burnley and Forest manager Sean Ditch's name's been linked, although he said he hasn't been in talks with them. Former spurs managers Mauricio Pochettino and 79 year old Harry Redknapp have also been mentioned. Also former Ryan Mason, to name a few. But for now, assistant coach Bruno Saltor will take training. The club say that they will have a new head coach in place for when the players return from international duty. They have approximately 10 days to prepare for their next Premier League match, which is Sunderland away. But for now, Igor Tudor has been dismissed.

[Alex Ritson]

Jane. Dougal. Like many close neighbours with a combative history, the French and the English still enjoy a light hearted rivalry tinged with mild mutual disdain. So this next news may chill the blood of some French women and men. A woman born to British parents has become the first British mayor in France. Maureen Searles grew up in the UK, but she's lived in France for 25 years and has now been elected as the mayor in Mont St. Eloi, near Lille. And as she told Paddy O', Connell, rather than play down her Britishness, she's doing the opposite.

[Maureen Searles]

This is really the climax of hard work for many years, but the last six months have been really intense. I haven't grown up here, so of course it's not my country. So I was walking on ice all the time, but now I feel that this famous ice is now gone. So here I am seated in my office and I need a lot of work. But I think I'm going to need two terms. It won't be enough in one.

[Alex Ritson]

You are power hungry now, Maureen.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

It's like suddenly it's two terms.

[Maureen Searles]

Well, it's not power hungry, it's to do for the village. So much needs to be done. This morning, a simple example, this is all. It's small little Mary and it's also a post office, tiny village post office. And there was this mother that came in with a little boy and I said, bonjour, Madame Normous. And I looked at the little boy and hello, what's your name? And he was just astonished because I spoke English and I said to the lady, oh, didn't you know? From now on we address all children in English. And she sort of said, well, this is brilliant. I'm so happy I voted for you. And it was a joke, but she took it quite serious and she was absolutely delighted with this idea.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

Should you say there'll be mandatory high

[Alex Ritson]

tea in the town hall?

[Maureen Searles]

Well, we're trying already. I have brought at Christmas. I've tried the mince pies and things like that and you should see the faces of people. What's in here? What's that? You know, and slowly been anglicizing the Mary. And we're now going to have a burns night as well. I'm planning to have an English breakfast for the children at school, just so they see what we're having. Baked beans for breakfast. It's not croissant? No, we're having baked beans. Why so all that is, it's not because I'm trying to impose British rules here. It's just because I'm trying to open the mind of a little village who it's used to, its little routines, its little frames, always the same just broader idea and in a lively, happy way, I must admit. I. I import my sausages from Ireland and I do have an English breakfast that, that won't change.

[Alex Ritson]

Yes, I'm voting for you. I'm voting for you.

[Gary O'Donoghue]

Tell us, tell us what we can

[Alex Ritson]

learn from Mont St. Eloise. What should we be doing from your village in return?

[Maureen Searles]

When I arrived here, my husband and myself, we liked the fact it was a little village, little cozy little village, very French, easy going. We were very quickly accepted. There was a lot of space, which I miss in the uk, but it's also this easy life. Come along, join in. It's less rigid in its ways.

[Alex Ritson]

Maureen Searles, a mare in France. And that's all from us for now. If you want to get in touch, you can email [e-mail]. you can also find us on X@BBC World Service. Use the hashtag globalnewspod. And don't forget our sister podcast, the Global Story, which goes in depth and beyond the headlines on one big story. This edition of the Global News podcast was mixed by Salota Hadroy Tuzimska and the producer was Daniel Mann. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Alex Ritson. Until next time. Goodbye.

[Ryan Seacrest]

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