The Explanation

Will the call for the PKK to disarm end in a new era of peace for the Kurds, or is this just another turn in a tortured history? In February, Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party, known as the PKK, released a jaw-dropping written message to his followers from his jail cell, calling for the group to lay down arms and disband. In this series we explore the Kurdish issue - the persecution, the resistance and their attempts to form a state. We ask what does the future hold for one of the largest stateless ethnic groups in the world scattered across Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran.

A critical moment emerged in northern England as the UK government intervened to prevent the closure of a major steelworks, one of the last of its kind in the country. The intervention followed the discovery that blast furnaces were on the brink of shutdown due to the site's Chinese owners halting essential raw material orders. Ed Conway, Economics Editor at Sky News, and Jo Makel, Senior Reporter for BBC regional television, explain their approach to reporting the story. Also on the show, how a call by tech leaders to abolish intellectual property laws has reignited debate over copyright in the digital age. Dr Hayleigh Bosher, a legal expert from Brunel University London, outlines the implications of such proposals. And Saturday Night Live, the iconic American comedy sketch show known for launching global stars and sharp political satire, is being adapted for the UK. Journalist Caroline Frost and comedian Tamar Broadbent discuss whether the format will be a success. Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai

Ben Brown in London and Sumi Somaskanda in Washington, examine the key questions about the Trump tariff rollercoaster of the last few days. Why has the US doubled down on China with even steeper tariffs of 145%?

Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs has disrupted global markets and challenged journalists tasked with explaining complex financial implications. Dharshini David, Deputy Economics Editor at BBC News, outlines how media coverage has responded to the fast-moving story, including social media misinformation and the difficulties of making the topic accessible to the public. Max Goldbart, International TV Co-Editor at Deadline, assesses what tariffs could mean for the media industry itself. The Indian Premier League has become one of the world’s most commercially successful sporting competitions. Tim Wigmore, Deputy Cricket Correspondent at The Telegraph, explains how the IPL’s format, celebrity involvement, and Indian economic growth helped transform it into a media powerhouse. Tymal Mills, England T20 international and BBC commentator, provides a player’s view of the competition. Jensen Huang, founder of Nvidia, has overseen the company’s transformation into a leader in AI chip development. A new biography by Stephen Witt discusses Huang’s background, the company's pivot to artificial intelligence, and its rise in value to over $2 trillion. Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai

A Netflix drama about a boy accused of murder has sparked global attention over the content consumed by teenage boys online. Claire Holubowskyj of Enders Analysis highlights how boys spend significant time on platforms like YouTube and Reddit, often absorbing longer-form, algorithm-driven videos. Dr Marcus Gilroy-Ware of SOAS and Oli Dugmore, Editor at Joe, delve into the online presence of Andrew Tate and similar figures. Also on the show, Nintendo has announced the Switch 2 console, a successor to its popular gaming system. Keza MacDonald, Video Games Editor at The Guardian, gives her analysis. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines how Gaza could be governed in the future, analyses what a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia might look like, and looks at whether a minerals deal with the United States might end the fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A new lawsuit has intensified scrutiny over whether artificial intelligence models are being trained using pirated books. Authors and publishers are reacting to claims that Meta used books from Library Genesis, a well-known piracy site, without permission. Alex Reisner, Data Journalist at The Atlantic, built a tool enabling authors to check if their books were included in the dataset. Rosie Wilby, comedian and author, found her work listed and raised concerns over consent and fair compensation. Catriona MacLeod Stevenson, General Counsel and Deputy CEO at the Publishers Association, outlines the legal response and calls for greater transparency in AI training practices. Journalists in Turkey have been detained following widespread protests triggered by the arrest of a political opponent of President Erdoğan. Selin Girit, Correspondent at the BBC World Service, explains the environment facing journalists, including government control of around 90% of the media and previous intimidation of foreign reporters. Attention has turned to the use of encrypted messaging app Signal after a surprising error saw Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg added to a White House group chat about planned US strikes in Yemen. James Ball, Political Editor of The New European, explains the implications of the leak, the rise of Signal among journalists, and the motivations of its founder, Moxie Marlinspike. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lucy Wai Assistant Producers: Flora McWilliam and Elena Angelides

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the negotiations between the United States and Russia over a ceasefire in Ukraine, examines Canada’s attempts to forge European alliances amidst a trade war with Donald Trump and – at a pivotal moment for the International Criminal Court - explores the impact of the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte, former president of the Philippines.

Documentary maker Dan Reed returns with Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson, following Wade Robson and James Safechuck as they continue their legal fight against Jackson’s estate. Reed discusses how he got the film over the line and the ongoing backlash from Jackson’s supporters. Also on the show, the Trump administration has cut funding to US state-backed broadcasters, affecting Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and Radio Free Asia. Bay Fang, President of Radio Free Asia, responds to the impact of these cuts, while Jennifer Grygiel, Associate Professor at Syracuse University, examines the broader implications for press freedom.Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai

Dr. Joachim Nagel, President of the Deutsche Bundesbank, shares insights on Germany's economic challenges. He discusses the nation's stagnant growth and the looming effects of trade wars with the US. The conversation highlights necessary investments and the potential for adjusting Germany's debt rules to stimulate recovery. Nagel emphasizes the importance of economic resilience within the EU amid global tensions, shedding light on how tariffs could reshape Germany’s export-driven economy. It's a critical look at the future of one of Europe's economic giants.