The Explanation

Bill Gates sits down with presenter Katie Razzall in Seattle to discuss technology’s impact, from social media to AI, as he reflects on themes from his new autobiography. He shares his thoughts on misinformation, regulation, and his most recent meeting with Donald Trump. Also, how can news outlets engage Gen Z? New research shows young consumers trust social media posts and influencers as much as traditional journalism. Alex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4, David Rhodes of Sky News, and Geordie Greig of The Independent discuss the challenge. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai

John Simpson visits Russia's neighbour Latvia for a special episode of Unspun World where he reflects on how the collapse of the Soviet Union has shaped Putin’s Russia. With BBC experts in the region, John explores how a second Trump presidency may affect the war in Ukraine and looks at the Baltic balancing act over the threat from Moscow.

Chinese technology is making headlines with the rise of DeepSeek, an AI chatbot that has surged to the top of US app downloads. Its development cost is reportedly lower than Western alternatives, and its open-source nature raises both innovation and security concerns. Shirin Ghaffary, AI reporter at Bloomberg, Ciaran Martin, former Head of Cybersecurity at GCHQ, and Kathrin Hille, FT Greater China correspondent, discuss the impact. The Excel World Championships bring spreadsheets into the realm of competitive gaming. Hosted in Las Vegas, the event sees contestants solving complex data challenges in front of a live audience. Robert McMillan, reporter at The Wall Street Journal, describes the atmosphere of the event and assesses whether Excel really has evolved from office tool to esport. Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai

"We thought we had entered hell." These are the recollections of Auschwitz survivor Mindu Hornick. In an interview with the BBC's Tim Franks, she recalls, in vivid detail, the last memory of her mother who was taken to the gas chamber; the Yiddish-speaking prison worker who saved her life; the terror of selection by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele; and the desperation of hunger, and rations laced with sawdust and bromide.

John Simpson is in Taiwan for a special episode of Unspun World, where he reflects on the extraordinary rollercoaster of Chinese politics over the last 60 years. With the BBC experts in the region, John examines the growing tensions between Taiwan and China, and explores how China may deal with Trump 2.0 as the US president once again takes office.

Prince Harry has settled his legal battle against Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers, securing a formal apology and substantial damages. Joshua Rozenberg, legal affairs commentator and journalist, explains the allegations, which included claims that private investigators used illegal methods to obtain information. Chris Huhne, former cabinet minister, reflects on his own experience. The future of TikTok in the US faces uncertainty following remarks by President Trump, who proposed a potential deal involving US entities. Jake Kanter, Investigations Editor at Deadline, assesses the political dynamics behind this issue. Media ethics are under scrutiny after the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas. Freelance journalist Noga Tarnopolsky critiques both the orchestration of the event by Hamas and how the Israeli government reported it and used footage of the hostages reuniting with their families. Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai

The devastation caused by the wildfires in Los Angeles has been profound, with homes and communities left in ruins. Jonathan Hunt, Fox News correspondent, and Emma Vardy of BBC News recount their experience of reporting from the Pacific Palisades. Allison Agsten, director of the Annenberg Centre for Climate Journalism and Communication, shares her concern that media coverage has often overlooked the role of climate change in exacerbating these events. Caroline Frost, columnist for the Radio Times, reflects on the prominence of celebrity involvement in coverage of the disaster. Artificial intelligence has been used to recreate Sir Michael Parkinson’s voice for a podcast series that explores the boundaries of technology and human storytelling. Benjamin Field, producer of Virtually Parkinson, describes how the system was trained on more than 100 hours of archival material to recreate the legendary broadcaster. Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai

Ahead of President Trump’s return to The White House, Meta is replacing its US fact-checking program with a new “user-driven” approach called Community Notes. Angie Drobnic Holan, Director of the International Fact-Checking Network, explains the implications of this decision and whether decentralising moderation can effectively address misinformation. Piers Morgan, broadcaster and former host at Rupert Murdoch’s News UK, has announced his decision to leave and focus on his YouTube channel. Julia Angwin, investigative journalist and fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, explains how this reflects the broader rise of independent content creators. Joey Contino, TikTok news influencer, shares how he has built a loyal following through accessible and direct reporting. Alessandra Galloni, Editor-in-Chief of Reuters, considers how traditional media organisations can adapt to these trends. Grand Theft Auto 6 is shaping up to be a landmark release in gaming history. With its first female protagonist, advanced AI, and immersive gameplay mechanics, the game is expected to push boundaries in both technology and storytelling. Vic Hood, freelance gaming journalist, examines the franchise’s enduring appeal and how this instalment could set new benchmarks in the gaming industry. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai

We explore the key media trends shaping 2025. From the rise of AI in journalism to how social platforms are transforming news, challenges in media funding and the future of regulation. With insights from Madhumita Murgia of the Financial Times, Charlotte Tobitt from Press Gazette and Rebecca Jennings from Vox. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson

Kyiv’s answer to the Kremlin’s warspeak. In part one of this miniseries, we focused on Russia’s case, trying to see through Moscow’s war propaganda: its purpose and building blocks. In this episode, we turn to the Ukrainian side of this linguistic tug or war. Here we find that language itself is at the heart of this conflict, fuelling Ukraine’s “linguistic decolonisation”. Producer: Kriszta Satori Presenter: Krassi Twigg