The Global Story

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Titan sub implosion: What have we learned? Sep 27, 2024

Show notes

When OceanGate's Titan submersible went missing last June, it sparked a monumental rescue mission which captured the attention of the world. After days of searching, authorities concluded that the vessel had suffered a catastrophic implosion, and that all five passengers died almost instantly. For the past two weeks, the US Coast Guard has been hearing testimonies from former employees and industry experts, to try to identify what went wrong.

On this episode, Azadeh Moshiri is joined by the BBC's science editor, Rebecca Morelle, to discuss the most revealing evidence, and consider whether the tragic event could have been avoided.

Producers: Laurie Kalus and Eleanor Sly

Sound engineers: Phil Bull and Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Braced for war: Life inside Lebanon Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

Israel and Hezbollah’s intensifying conflict is affecting a country already on edge. Over 90,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon as cross-border violence, ongoing for nearly a year, has reached new heights. More than 600 people have been reported killed across Lebanon since Monday, when Israel began an intense air campaign to destroy what it said was infrastructure built up by Hezbollah since they last fought a war in 2006. Israeli reservists have been called up and the military has been told to be ready itself for a possible incursion into southern Lebanon. Hezbollah, designated a terrorist organisation by several Western countries, has fired rockets back, targeting Tel Aviv for the first time. The US, the EU, and other allied nations have called for a 21-day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border.

On this episode of The Global Story, we explore the escalation in hostilities and look at what people living in Lebanon think of Hezbollah. We also look at the country’s unique political system and demographics and consider how the Lebanese economy could be further affected by the conflict.

Caitríona Perry is joined by our correspondent in Beirut, Carine Torbey, and by Hesham Shawish, from BBC Monitoring. Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Eleanor Sly Sound engineer: Mike Regaard and Jeremy Morgan

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas Senior news editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Estados Unidos: Could Latinos sway the US election? Sep 25, 2024

Show notes

November’s presidential election could highlight the political power of the largest minority group in the United States. Roughly one in five people in the US identifies as Latino, and in a close race, which way they vote could prove crucial, particularly in several swing states being keenly targeted by both major parties.

On this episode of The Global Story, we explore the main political issues of importance to Latinos and examine some of the Spanish-language misinformation being disseminated in order to influence voters. With just weeks to go until the next occupant of the White House is decided, we look at how the Democrats and Republicans are targeting their messaging in order to win around crucial votes from the community.

Caitríona Perry is joined by US Digital reporter Bernd Debusmann Jr. and the BBC’s South America correspondent Ione Wells.

Producer: Tom Kavanagh

Sound engineer: Philip Bull and Ben Andrews

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

America and... the World Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

The United States has long been seen as the world’s leading superpower. It is home to the globe’s biggest military and political force – but has many diplomatic challenges.

From the wars raging in Europe and the Middle East, to the growing influence of global rivals like China, to the potential proliferation of nuclear weapons in Iran and North Korea. This year’s presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have very different ideas about how to manage America’s complicated relationship with other powerful nations.

Our host Sumi Somaskanda speaks with the BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and our diplomatic correspondent James Landale about America's place in the world and how the two different presidential nominees might shape this role.

Producer: Alice Aylett Roberts.

Sound engineers: Mike Regaard and Phillip Bull.

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.

Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.

Inside Sudan’s devastating war Sep 23, 2024

Show notes

The BBC sees first-hand the desperate conditions civilians in Sudan are living through. With the world’s attention trained on the war in Ukraine and the devastation in Gaza, another conflict which has been raging since April 2023 has received comparably little coverage. The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group has taken a horrific toll on the country. Just this month, the head of the UN’s World Health Organization warned that around 25 million people – half of the population – is in need of some form of support, with famine and disease rampant. 12 million people have already been forced from their homes by the war – the highest figure for any conflict in the world.

Host Katya Adler discusses the country’s current plight with the BBC’s former Sudan correspondent James Copnall, and International Correspondent Nawal Al-Maghafi, who was recently granted rare access to visit camps for internally displaced people in Port Sudan and at the Adre border the country shares with Chad.

Producers: Richard Moran, Tom Kavanagh and Alice Aylett Roberts.

Sound Engineers: Pete Wise and Mike Regaard.

Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.

Senior News Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.

Path to the Presidency: Michigan's critical voters Sep 21, 2024

Show notes

Caitríona Perry and Sumi Somaskanda discuss voter sentiment in Michigan, how race and gender are affecting the election campaign, and the aftermath of a second apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

Until the US election, every weekend The Global Story brings you "Path to the Presidency," where we delve into the state of the race and examine what’s on the minds of those closest to it.

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.

Producer: Aiden Johnson.

Sound Engineer: Mike Regaard.

Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.

Senior News Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.

Succession: The secret battle for the Murdoch empire Sep 20, 2024

Show notes

Rupert Murdoch is locked in a secret court battle with three of his eldest children, over the future of his media empire. The news mogul owns some of the most influential outlets in the world, including Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and The Times of London. It has been reported that Mr Murdoch wants to amend a family trust to ensure his son and political disciple Lachlan inherits controlling voting rights at News Corp and Fox, but a campaign to unseal the proceedings has been unsuccessful.

On this episode, Lucy Hockings is joined by the BBC's culture and media editor Katie Razzall, and Brian Stelter, chief media analyst at CNN. They unpack what we know about the succession fight, and discuss whether the public should have a right to know what's going on behind closed doors.

Producers: Laurie Kalus and Alix Pickles.

Sound Engineers: Nicola Brough and Mike Regaard.

Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.

Senior News Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.

Mohamed Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods Sep 19, 2024

Show notes

Mohamed Al Fayed was an Egyptian billionaire businessman who owned Harrods in London, one of the world's most famous department stores. He also owned the Ritz Hotel in Paris and Fulham Football Club, and famously courted the British Royal Family.

But a new BBC investigation reveals he's also accused of being a serial rapist and abuser of women in his employment.

Katya Adler speaks with Cassie Cornish-Trestrail and Keaton Stone about Al Fayed's alleged crimes and we hear first-hand testimony from the women speaking out.

Warning: this conversation contains details some may find distressing.

You can hear the full investigation on the podcast World of Secrets, Season 4: Al Fayed – Predator at Harrods.

Producer: Alice Aylett Roberts.

Sound Engineers: Ben Andrews and Mike Regaard.

Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.

Senior News Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.

Special episode: Hezbollah pager blasts explained Sep 18, 2024

Show notes

More blasts have been reported in Lebanon, after a series of pagers exploded across the country. In what appears to be a highly sophisticated attack, devices used by the armed group Hezbollah were targeted, and the operation has captivated the security community. Hezbollah blames Israel, with which they have been exchanging cross-border fire for months, and has vowed to retaliate. With multiple reports attributing responsibility to Israeli spy agency Mossad, how much do we really know about what happened?

On this episode, Azadeh Moshiri is joined by the BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner, to discuss the paper trail behind the planning of the attack, and what it could mean in the context of the wider war.

Producers: Laurie Kalus and Alix Pickles.

Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.

Senior News Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.

US election: Do celebrity endorsements work? Sep 18, 2024

Show notes

Can Taylor Swift and Elon Musk swing the vote for Harris or Trump? From Billie Eilish to Oprah, Hulk Hogan to Kid Rock, the rich and famous are lining up behind the 2024 presidential candidates. But will Americans vote the way their favourite celebrities tell them too? Or is it all just window dressing for the presidential campaigns?

In this episode Caitríona Perry speaks to reporter Ana Faguy from the BBC’s Washington Bureau and Ashley Spillane, a former president of Rock the Vote, who has written a report for Harvard University about celebrities’ impact on democratic participation.

Producers: Peter Goffin, Eleanor Sly and Keiligh Baker.

Sound Engineer: Ricardo McCarthy.

Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.

Senior News Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.

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