The Global Story

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The most contested land in the world? Jul 23, 2024

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A look at a much-debated slogan, and a journey through the land that it refers to; from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean sea. Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas last year, the cry “From the River to the Sea” has been heard more and more as a pro-Palestinian slogan. But what river? What sea? And what exactly does the phrase mean? It is the subject of intense controversy.

BBC Current Affairs journalist Tim Whewell joins our presenter Lucy Hockings to discuss his journey from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea, across a tiny stretch of land - that is perhaps the most argued-over in the world. Tim has produced a two-part series about his journey for The Documentary podcast. You can listen to it by searching The Documentary wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

This episode was made by Beth Timmins, Laurie Kalus and Peter Goffin. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith.

Joe Biden out, Kamala Harris in? Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

A growing number of senior Democrats are throwing their support behind Kamala Harris to become the party's presidential nominee, after Joe Biden dramatically quit the race. The US president withdrew from November's election on Sunday, having faced weeks of calls to step aside following a calamitous TV debate against Republican opponent Donald Trump. President Biden immediately endorsed his vice president as his favoured candidate, who says she intends to "earn and win" the nomination.

In this episode, James Reynolds is joined by former BBC Washington correspondent Nick Bryant and special correspondent Jim Naughtie for their reaction. And the BBC's US special correspondent Katty Kay also drops in to give her assessment of how this impacts campaigning for both parties.

This episode was made by Laurie Kalus, Richard Moran and Alice Aylett Roberts. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith.

US election: The week that changed the presidential race Jul 19, 2024

Show notes

Donald Trump has accepted his nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, rounding off one of the most consequential weeks in modern US political history. Just days after facing down an attempt on his life, the former president delivered a characteristically meandering speech to a rapturous reception. Meanwhile, incumbent President Joe Biden is facing fresh calls from fellow Democrats to stand aside, with new reports suggesting he may be closer than ever before to doing so.

Caitríona Perry is joined by BBC reporter Kayla Epstein, from inside the convention, to discuss how it has set the stage for rest of the campaign, and the additional pressure its success may have piled onto the Biden camp.

This episode was made by Laurie Kalus and Tom Kavanagh. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith.

India's mega-wedding: Party like a billionaire Jul 18, 2024

Show notes

Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, celebrated his son’s marriage with a series of star-studded bashes. The guest-list included Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Kim Kardashian. Katy Perry, Rihanna and Justin Bieber gave private performances.

Lucy Hockings speaks to BBC Business presenter Rahul Tandon and BBC India Business correspondent Nikhil Inamdar about the celebration of the century, and what this lavish party says about India’s ultra-rich.

TGS is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, you may well like some of our other pods, too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app.

This episode was made by Peter Goffin, Richard Moran and Eleanor Sly. The technical producers were Jack Graysmark and Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith.

Lukashenko: Putin's man in Belarus Jul 17, 2024

Show notes

The authoritarian leader marks 30 years in power. Alexander Lukashenko has become a key ally for Vladimir Putin since the start of the war in Ukraine. He’s also spent the last three decades tightening his grip on Belarus, launching a brutal crackdown on his political opponents. How has this veteran of Soviet politics shaped Eastern Europe?

Caitríona Perry speaks to BBC Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg and Belarusian journalist Gennadiy Kot from BBC Monitoring.

This episode was made by Peter Goffin and Alix Pickles. The technical producers were Hannah Montgomery, Jack Graysmark and Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith.

US election: Trump picks VP as failed assassination investigated Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

We're at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee for a defining moment in the US presidential race after the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump. Republican and Democratic leadership have called for unity, and a cooling of rhetoric. But is this consistent with the mood of the American public, in an election campaign which is so highly charged and so divisive? And we’ll find out all about Donald Trump’s new vice-presidential running mate JD Vance.

Caitríona Perry speaks with North America correspondent Tom Bateman and US reporter Mike Wendling.

This episode was made by Laurie Kalus and Alice Aylett Roberts. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith.

Brazil: The influencer convicted of modern slavery Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

Former Brazilian wellness influencer Kat Torres was an inspiration to women across the world. Her rise from poverty in the favelas to a European modelling career, gave her the credibility to amass more than a million Instagram followers who trusted her to fix their lives. Now, she’s been convicted on charges of modern slavery.

The BBC has spoken to dozens of women who say they were exploited, in testimonies which reveal the dark details of a secretive sorority used to lure women into a life of forced labour and sexual exploitation. On this episode, Sumi Somaskanda is joined by two of the journalists behind the new BBC investigation, Hannah Price and João Fellet. And for the first time, we hear from the self-styled ‘guru’ herself from inside the walls of a Brazilian prison.

Listeners in the UK can watch the full documentary from BBC Eye Investigations and BBC Brasil, ‘Like, Follow, Trafficked: Insta’s Fake Guru’ here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0021dyj/eye-investigations-like-follow-trafficked-instas-fake-guru Those elsewhere in the world can access it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozF3l2IxwKs 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.

This episode was made by Laurie Kalus and Beth Timmins. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Jack Graysmark. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith.

US Supreme Court: A crisis of confidence? Jul 12, 2024

Show notes

Polling suggests that less than half of Americans hold favourable views of the highest court in the land. Its willingness to overturn laws on some of the most politically divisive issues - abortion, gun rights and presidential immunity - has drawn new attention to the institution...and the nine justices.

Caitriona Perry speaks to Jan Crawford, the National Legal Correspondent for the BBC's partner in the US, CBS.

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. TGS is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, you may well like some of our other pods, too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app.

This episode was made by Richard Moran and Eleanor Sly. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Iran: Will the new 'reformist' president change anything? Jul 11, 2024

Show notes

Critics of President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian say he is just a figurehead, and that control ultimately rests with Ayatollah Khamenei. Pezeshkian has vowed to heal the divisions caused by the Mahsa Amini protests and open up “constructive” talks with the West. But does he have the power and the will to do it?Sumi Somaskanda speaks to BBC Persian's senior reporter Parham Ghobadi, and women's affairs reporter Faranak Amidi.

This episode was made by Peter Goffin and Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

US election: Biden’s fight to stay in the race Jul 10, 2024

Show notes

Questions surround President Joe Biden’s run for re-election this November. After an underwhelming performance in the first debate with Republican rival Donald Trump, calls for the incumbent to step aside and let somebody else stand as the Democratic candidate have grown louder within the party. With concerns over the president’s fitness for office hanging like a cloud, we look at whether or not the Democrats could nominate an alternative candidate without his agreement, and examine some of the contenders who could potentially enter the fray.

Host Caitríona Perry speaks with the BBC's US Special correspondent Katty Kay and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher about the president’s fight to stay on his party’s ticket.

This episode was made by Tom Kavanagh and Alice Aylett Roberts. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Jack Graysmark. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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