Couples looking for surrogates still going to Ukraine

This episode of the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service explores the ongoing practice of international couples traveling to war-torn Ukraine to pursue surrogacy, despite the risks and a proposed parliamentary ban on foreign surrogacy. Reporter Sofia Betica documents the emotional and ethical complexities of the industry in Kyiv, where newborns wait in 'baby rooms' for parents from the UK, Turkey, and Brazil, while surrogate mothers like Karina, displaced by war, rely on surrogacy as a lifeline. The piece highlights heart-wrenching cases of children abandoned after birth due to medical conditions or delayed parental collection, raising concerns about child trafficking and systemic neglect. The Ukrainian government is debating a ban to address these issues, but it threatens to dismantle a vital economic and reproductive pathway for many. The episode also covers a range of global stories, including President Trump’s shifting rhetoric on Iran, a high-profile lawsuit over the use of a real person’s likeness in Avatar, a massive megatsunami in Alaska linked to climate change, the controversial return of Russia and Israel to the Venice Biennale, and the ordination of a humanoid robot as a Buddhist monk in South Korea. These stories collectively reflect a world grappling with war, technological transformation, cultural identity, and the enduring human desire for connection and meaning. Key takeaways include: 1) Surrogacy in Ukraine remains a high-risk but viable option for global families despite war and proposed bans; 2) The ethical and humanitarian crisis of abandoned surrogacy babies demands urgent policy attention; 3) Climate change is increasing the frequency and danger of megatsunamis in vulnerable regions like Alaska; 4) The use of AI and robotics in cultural and spiritual roles challenges traditional definitions of personhood and purpose; 5) Political alliances between populists and royalty are reshaping public perception and electoral strategy in Europe; 6) The global media landscape continues to evolve, with legacy institutions like CNN still shaping world events decades after their founding. The overall tone is cautiously reflective, balancing human resilience with systemic fragility, and scores a 7.2 on the sentiment scale.