

The Global Story
BBC World Service
Where the world and America meet, with episodes each weekday. The world is changing. Decisions made in the US and by the second Trump administration are accelerating that change. But they are also a symptom of it. With Asma Khalid in DC, Tristan Redman in London, and the backing of the BBC’s international newsroom, The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 8, 2024 • 24min
How to win an Oscar
Hollywood’s big night is upon us, and the studios have spent millions of dollars to make sure their favourite contenders win. Are the Academy Awards really about honouring cinematic achievement? Or does it all come down to campaigns and connections? Presenter James Reynolds speaks to film journalist Tom Brook, who has covered every Oscars since 1982, and Leila Latif, a journalist who has worked on Oscar campaigns. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com or message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory.
This episode was made by Peter Goffin and Emilia Jansson. The technical producers were Matt Hewitt and Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Mar 7, 2024 • 26min
Could just 100,000 people decide the US election?
How big money is chasing a tiny number of voters. It’s (almost) official: Joe Biden will face Donald Trump in November. Both men did well enough on Super Tuesday to look ahead to the general election. Now, it gets interesting. The campaigns need to find the few Americans still unsure who should be president and get in their heads.James Reynolds talks to the BBC’s Special US correspondent, Katty Kay, and Eli Yokley, from Morning Consult.More episodes to understand the US election:
Meet Trump's new inner circle: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-trumps-new-inner-circle/id1715473158?i=1000642760501
Joe Biden's ageing brain: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joe-bidens-ageing-brain/id1715473158?i=1000636759143We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com or message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory This episode was made by Richard Moran and Neal Razzell. The technical producer was Matt Hewitt. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Mar 6, 2024 • 24min
Have we finally solved the mystery of flight MH370?
Exploring the ongoing search efforts and new radio technology in the mystery of flight MH370. From satellite data insights to amateur radio technology tracking. Unraveling theories and emotional journeys of families seeking closure. Reflecting on the elusive nature of truth and journalistic pursuit.

Mar 5, 2024 • 22min
Why young people are having less sex
Young people around the world are having less sex than older generations. It had been assumed that coming of age in an era of dating apps would mean that Gen Z were more sexually active, but that is not the case.In this episode, Katya Adler speaks with Kaye Wellings, Professor of Sexual and Reproductive Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and BBC journalist Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty about why Gen Z are being dubbed 'the sexless generation'.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. 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 via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStoryThis episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty. The technical producers were Rohan Madison and Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Mar 4, 2024 • 25min
How Man City’s business model is transforming football
The rise of defending world, European and Premier League champions Manchester City has been as rapid as it has been controversial. From allegations of sportswashing against its Emirati ownership, to the no less than 115 charges it is facing for alleged violations of football’s financial rules, headlines about the club’s off-field conduct are eclipsed perhaps only by their sustained on-field dominance. On today’s episode, Katya is joined by football writers Simon Stone and Rory Smith to explain how City Football Group have supercharged their development by revolutionising a specific business model surrounding the acquisition of sister clubs across the world. They discuss whether this has set an irreversible trend of multi-club ownership, amidst fears that competition within the beautiful game could be under threat. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. 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 via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStoryThis episode was made by Jay Gardner, Laurie Kalus and Emilia Jansson. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Mar 1, 2024 • 24min
Trump’s trouble with abortion
His tricky campaign balancing act. A surprise court ruling in Alabama that found frozen embryos to be children has put reproductive rights back on the national agenda. Donald Trump has called himself “the most pro-life president” in US history, but some of his socially conservative supporters want him to go further and back a national ban. Mr Trump is not keen, but Democrats are delighted. They believe any talk of abortion could swing voters toward President Biden. Katya speaks to BBC Washington Correspondent Nomia Iqbal and Barbara Carvalho, director of polling at the Marist Poll, at Marist College, New York. The Global Story brings trusted insights from BBC experts around the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com or message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. Today’s podcast was made by Peter Goffin and Bethan Ashmead. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Feb 29, 2024 • 25min
Why everyone wants to get back to the Moon
Exploring the global space race with countries like India, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia aiming for lunar landings. Discussing commercial space travel, emotional connections to the moon, water resources, and the moon’s role in future space exploration. Highlighting the involvement of commercial partners in advancing space travel and the evolving collaboration between private companies and governments. Addressing concerns about space militarization and the development of space weapons by certain countries.

Feb 28, 2024 • 26min
Rafah: caught in the crossfire (again)
The city the world is watching. Overflowing with hungry refugees and facing a lethal showdown between Hamas and Israeli forces, Rafah is at the heart of an urgent push for peace. Children are scavenging for food even as aid trucks line up over the border in Egypt and diplomats try to avert a further humanitarian catastrophe. President Biden is positive a deal can be reached. But Israel says its hostages must be home by Ramadan, or else.Katya speaks to the BBC’s Gaza correspondent, Rushdi Abualouf, and our special correspondent in Jerusalem, Fergal Keane.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com or message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Today’s podcast was made by Neal Razzell, Bethan Ashmead Latham and Laurie Kalus. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Feb 27, 2024 • 25min
Are you ever too old to have a baby?
In countries across the world women are deciding to delay motherhood. Increased access to education, more career opportunities and less financial stability means that more and more women are having children later in life. But fewer babies now, could mean more economic pressures on the rest of us in the future. We explore this complex topic with the BBC's population correspondent Stephanie Hegarty and Joyce Harper, professor of reproductive science at University College London.The Global Story brings trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We need you to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email ideas and thoughts to theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. Today’s podcast was made by Alice Aylett Roberts, Beth Timmins and Miriam Quayyum. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Feb 26, 2024 • 24min
Child soldiers & blood feuds: Sweden's growing gang wars
Explore the rise of gang culture in Sweden, where child soldiers carry out dangerous missions for leaders abroad. Learn about the impact on innocent people caught in the crossfire and the government's efforts to stop the violence. Discover how the peaceful nation has become a European hotspot for shootings with insights from leading journalists in gang crimes.


