The Global Story

BBC World Service
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Dec 26, 2023 • 50min

What to expect next year: Global predictions for 2024

BBC correspondent Nuala McGovern joins the podcast to discuss global predictions for 2024. They cover upcoming elections in countries like USA, UK, South Africa, India, Russia, and Pakistan. Topics include key figures in the media, concerns about Chinese interference in Taiwan's election, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
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Dec 22, 2023 • 25min

The Christmas number one formula (and why old songs do best)

Inside the multi-million dollar scramble for a top hit on the festive music charts. How can new artists take on the likes of Mariah Carey and Slade? Katya gets answers and music – lots of it – from the BBC’s music correspondent Mark Savage, and writer and musician Chris Lochery.Warning: this episode may leave you humming.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStoryToday’s episode was made by Neal Razzell, Farhana Haider and Emilia Jansson. The technical producers were Matt Hewitt and Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
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Dec 21, 2023 • 29min

Does Zelensky’s Ukraine have a corruption problem?

Ukraine’s President Zelensky was elected on a platform of reform and a promise to root out corruption. While the war on the frontline continues to dominate the headlines, that fight against corruption could still shape the country’s destiny.The BBC’s Tim Whewell has been to Dnipro to speak to people who are still focussed on holding politicians to account, even in times of war. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Richard Moran and Beth Timmins. The technical producer was Matt Hewitt. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
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Dec 20, 2023 • 27min

What a ghost city tells us about China’s economy

This podcast explores the story of Forest City in Malaysia, an unfinished and uninhabited city built during the Chinese property boom. It discusses the issue of ghost cities in China, the government's measures to address the problem, and the economic challenges in the property market. The podcast also examines the connection between China's property crisis and the Belt and Road Initiative, and discusses the potential impact on the Chinese economy and other housing developments.
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Dec 19, 2023 • 26min

Guns, gold and grain: Putin’s strategy in West Africa

Amid violent insurgencies, countries like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are turning away from their allies in the West, particularly France. they are following in the footsteps of the Central African Republic and getting closer with Russia and its Wagner mercenaries. We look at what Russia has to gain in the region with the BBC's senior West Africa reporter Yemisi Adegoke, BBC Monitoring’s Vitaliy Shevchenko and our reporter in Abuja, Chris Ewokor. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists around the world, with Katya Adler. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory Your ideas, stories and experiences help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and Richard Moran. The technical producers were Dafydd Evans and Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
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Dec 18, 2023 • 28min

A clash between antisemitism and free speech on US college campuses

The podcast explores the clash between antisemitism and free speech on US college campuses, focusing on protests against Israel's actions in Gaza and the accusations that universities are not addressing hate speech targeting Jewish students. It discusses the challenges faced by students and universities in addressing contentious issues, the concerns of European countries regarding spillover violence, and the role of party politics in advocating for free speech.
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Dec 15, 2023 • 23min

Is South Africa living up to Nelson Mandela's legacy?

BBC Special Correspondent Fergal Keane reported on the end of apartheid with his South African producer Milton Nkosi. Thirty years after the transition from apartheid to a democratic South Africa, the two of them have taken a trip around the country to visit the people they interviewed then, to see how life has turned out. They hear of the disillusionment but also the glimmers of hope. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Charlotte McDonald and Beth Timmins. The technical producers were Annie Smith and Jack Graysmark. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
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Dec 14, 2023 • 23min

Why are Afghan refugees stuck on the US-Mexico border?

Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban face challenges on the US-Mexico border. The podcast discusses their difficult journeys, fear of cartels, and desperation. It also explores the treacherous journeys from Afghanistan to Mexico and the harrowing experiences at the border. The episode briefly touches on the debriefing process for North Korean escapees.
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Dec 13, 2023 • 26min

What happened to Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protesters?

Forty-seven of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy campaigners have been in jail for more than a thousand days since the government’s crackdown on the movement in 2019. Ahead of their verdict, we examine whether there is still room to protest in Hong Kong, how the national security law has affected the region and what it could mean for Taiwan. We delve into the story with the BBC’s Asia Pacific editor Celia Hatton, and our Hong Kong-based correspondent Danny Vincent. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Beth Timmins. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
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Dec 12, 2023 • 28min

What's going on with the UK Royal Family?

Reported differences between members of the British Royal Family have complicated the beginning of the reign of King Charles III. We examine whether or not the departure of Harry and Meghan from the royal fold following a highly publicised racial row is likely to leave a lasting impact on the British monarchy, and how it has affected the attitude of the public towards those inside Buckingham Palace. We delve into the story with BBC Royal Correspondent Jonny Dymond, and our Los Angeles-based correspondent David Willis.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Tom Kavanagh. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

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