The Global Story

Micah Loewinger, co-host of On the Media, dives into the heated debate on public media funding under the Trump administration. He discusses the fierce political climate surrounding NPR and PBS, spotlighting Marjorie Taylor Greene's demands for accountability. Loewinger highlights the essential role public media plays in fostering free speech and civic engagement, particularly in rural areas where local journalism is vital. He underscores the risks of funding cuts that could undermine journalistic integrity and public accountability.

Join pronatalist advocate Simone Collins, who, along with her husband Malcolm, dreams of a large family to combat declining birth rates, and BBC correspondent Nomia Iqbal, who analyzes the political rise of pronatalism. They discuss the socio-economic implications of demographic changes and the emotional complexities of family choices. Delve into the ethical concerns around genetic testing and how economic policies aim to boost fertility. The conversation also touches on the fine line between pronatalism and eugenics, raising questions about personal choice in parenthood.

In this discussion, Erin Delmore, BBC North America business correspondent, and Stephanie Hegarty, BBC population correspondent, dive into the monumental wealth transfer from baby boomers to millennials. They highlight the generational tensions and stereotypes that shape perceptions of financial equity. Delmore and Hegarty explore the impact of inherited wealth on socioeconomic divides, the shifting investment priorities of millennials, and the evolving family dynamics surrounding financial conversations. A fascinating look at wealth's effect on future generations!

Theo Leggett, the BBC’s international business correspondent, gives a gripping account of the chaos following a fire at Heathrow's power supply station. He discusses how this incident led to the cancellation of all flights, sparking widespread speculation and criticism of the airport’s contingency plans. The conversation unveils the vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and the tension between private interests and public needs. Leggett emphasizes the urgent need for better preparedness to prevent such disruptions in the future, highlighting the implications for air travel worldwide.

Philippa Roxby, a BBC health reporter, and Ruth Alexa, host of The Food Chain, dive deep into the world of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). They discuss the troubling health risks associated with UPFs, from heart disease to obesity. The conversation sheds light on why these foods are so prevalent, even in seemingly healthy options. The duo offers practical tips for those trying to navigate dietary challenges, emphasizing the importance of home cooking and reading labels to make better food choices in a convenience-driven society.

Elcin Poyrazlar, a seasoned journalist and author, joins Dilay Yalcin, a Turkey expert at BBC Monitoring, to delve into the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. They explore its striking parallels to Erdogan's own past arrest, reflecting on the political climate in Turkey. The discussion includes the rise of Imamoglu as a formidable opponent to Erdogan, the implications of authoritarianism, and the ongoing protests fueled by discontent among citizens. Their insights shed light on a nation grappling with its political future.

We spend around a third of our lives sleeping. But many people struggle with insomnia or have difficulty staying asleep, and research shows that bad sleep can increase the risk of multiple health conditions. How harmful is bad sleep to our health? And what can we do about it? Jonny Dymond speaks with Professor Russell Foster, Director of the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute at the University of Oxford, and author and sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan about how people can get enough sleep.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.comProducers: Alice Aylett Roberts and Beth TimminsSound engineers: Mike RegaardAssistant editors: Richard Fenton-Smith and Sergi Forcada FreixasSenior news editor: China Collins

On Tuesday night, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that combat against Hamas in Gaza had resumed in full force.This followed several hours of early morning air strikes targeting Gaza, which killed more than 400 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, making it one of the deadliest days of the conflict so far. Jonny Dymond speaks to the BBC’s Jon Donnison, who witnessed the strikes from the Israeli border town of Sderot. He helps us to understand this latest escalation and why Israel has decided to return to war. Producers: Richard Moran, Mhairi MacKenzie and Tom KavanaghAssistant editors: Richard Fenton-Smith and Sergi Forcada FreixasSenior news editor: China Collins

The Russian leader has been mulling a 30-day ceasefire proposal put forward by the US, ahead of talks with Donald Trump on Tuesday. Will Vladimir Putin accept a temporary pause in fighting, let alone a long-term deal? What are the pressures that could sway him toward peace, or cause him to drag out the war in Ukraine? On this episode, presenter Jonny Dymond speaks to journalist Owen Matthews, author of the book “Overreach: The Inside Story of Putin’s War”.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Producers: Peter Goffin and Tom KavanaghSound engineers: James Piper and Mike RegaardAssistant editors: Richard Fenton-Smith and Sergi Forcada FreixasSenior news editor: China Collins

Argentina’s football star Diego Maradona is once again back in the spotlight as a long-delayed trial examining the circumstances around his death gets underway in Buenos Aires. When Diego Maradona died in 2020, Argentinians took to the streets, united in both grief and in the celebration of a soccer legend. But it didn’t take long before suspicions around his death started to circulate. In today’s episode, we look at the trial involving his medical team and ask why Maradona’s legacy is still so strong. Lucy Hockings is joined by Marcela Mora y Araujo. She’s a journalist based in Buenos Aires who translated Diego Maradona’s autobiography.Producers: Laurie Kalus and Alice Aylett RobertsSound engineers: Mike Regaard and Jonny HallAssistant editors: Richard Fenton-Smith and Sergi Forcada FreixasSenior news editor: China Collins