The Global Story

Latest Episodes:

What do Mumbai’s super-rich tell us about India’s economy? Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

We take a look behind the gilded gates of Mumbai’s one-percenters. The city is driving – and being transformed by – India’s incredible economic growth. The country is expected to be the world’s third largest economy by 2030. But can all Indians aspire to be part of Mumbai’s expanding mega rich?

Teresa Watkins is executive producer of ‘Streets of Gold: Mumbai’, a BBC series that follows the super-rich in India’s financial capital. She introduces us to Shobhaa De, who has built a business empire as one of India’s bestselling novelists. Our Mumbai Business Correspondent, Nikhil Inamdar, helps us put it all in context.

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 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. #TheGlobalStory

This episode was made by Richard Moran and Bethan Ashmead Latham. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Why are the US and UK attacking the Houthis in Yemen? Jan 12, 2024

Show notes

In this special edition of The Global Story, Katya Adler talks to the BBC’s security correspondent Frank Gardner about the strikes on Houthis and the strategy behind them. Who are the Houthis and how are they reacting? We hear how US and UK naval forces in the Red Sea have launched air strikes against Houthi targets across Yemen. They’re in response to repeated attacks by the Iran-backed group on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis in Yemen have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since November, disrupting the global shipping trade and causing concerns about increased oil prices. The Houthis say the strikes on their positions in Yemen will not go without "punishment or retaliation". So what happens next? How is all of this directly linked to events in Gaza and how does it represent an escalation of the crisis that is gripping the region? 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, Neal Razzell, Tom Kavanagh and Emilia Jansson. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

New King in Denmark: How European royals are future proofing their monarchies Jan 12, 2024

Show notes

The Danish Queen abdicates, taking her country by surprise. The oldest monarchy in Europe will now have a King, and so will all other monarchies in continental Europe.

The Global Story talks to the US Special Correspondent for BBC Studios, Katty Kay. Katty has travelled from Denmark to Belgium to explore how European monarchies have survived in the 21st century. Katya also discusses the state of European royal families with Roger Lundgren who’s a royal expert for Swedish National broadcasting, SVT.

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 Farhana Haider and Emilia Jansson. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

What to know about ketamine after Matthew Perry’s death Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

Ketamine is licenced to be used as an anaesthetic and has a reputation as an illegal party drug. But after trials in the US and UK, many are calling for its wider use to treat depression. However, it is a powerful drug that can have dangerous side effects and was recently linked to the death of US actor Matthew Perry.

Professor of Psychopharmacology at the University of Exeter, Celia Morgan joins Katya Adler to talk about her trials of the drug to treat addiction. And neuroscientist Dr Dean Burnett, from the BBC’s Science Focus Magazine tells us what he learnt after legally experiencing ketamine therapy in the US.

This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Beth Timmins. The technical producers were Jack Graysmark and Matt Hewitt. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Islamic State group – spent force or present threat? Jan 10, 2024

Show notes

The Islamic State group dominated headlines in the years after seizing large swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq in 2014. The footage they shared of their brutal attacks and executions horrified the world, but attracted thousands of international recruits. Mina al-Lami from BBC Monitoring tells us that the groups fortunes fell in 2023, with them claiming far fewer attacks. And Josh Baker from The Shamima Begum Story podcast joins us to explain why they still pose a credible threat. 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 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. #TheGlobalStory This episode was made by Richard Moran. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Culture wars spawned in Covid lockdowns, with Jon Ronson Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

Jon Ronson on the origins of some of today’s most divisive issues. The acclaimed writer gives a peek into season two of his new BBC podcast series, Things Fell Apart. It details how seemingly random events, including an argument between a teenager and her mother and a misdiagnosis in a series of murders in Miami, came together in a few short weeks in May, 2020 to shake The United States and beyond.

He tells Katya Adler about how these personal stories spiral beyond private lives to impact wider society, and what bearing they might have on the upcoming US presidential election.

The Global Story delivers trusted insights from BBC experts around 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 on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory

Season two of Things Fell Apart is available as a box set on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode was made by Neal Razzell and Beth Ashmead Latham. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Inside TB Joshua's church of horrors - a two year BBC investigation Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

The evangelical pastor TB Joshua amassed millions of followers around the world. Many thousands came to The Synagogue Church of All Nations in Nigeria to witness him perform miracles and heal the sick. Now, an investigation by BBC Africa Eye reveals allegations of systematic rape, physical abuse and forced abortion inside the church led by TB Joshua. Through first-hand accounts of the women who escaped, Africa Eye’s Charlie Northcott and Peter Murimi tell us what they uncovered. And explain how TB Joshua is alleged to have got away with it. You can watch Disciples: The Cult of TB Joshua on the BBC Africa YouTube channel and listen to the new season of World of Secrets wherever you get your BBC podcasts. 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 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. #TheGlobalStory This episode was made by Richard Moran and Adelle Kalakouti. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Ricardo McCarthy. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Taiwan elections: Could it ignite a war with China? Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

Taiwan is going to the polls on January 13th to pick its new President and the island's future relationship with China is a key election issue.

The opposition KMT wants closer ties with mainland China – the country that sees Taiwan as a breakaway province. But the ruling party, the DPP, wants to strengthen Taiwan's partnership with other countries. Both are concerned about military threats coming from Beijing.

Our correspondent in Taipei, Rupert Wingfield-Hayes and our Asia Pacific editor, Celia Hatton, join host James Reynolds to look at how elections in Taiwan could decide its future with China.

This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Beth Ashmead Latham. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Ricardo McCarthy. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

What happened to Kamala Harris? Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

Kamala Harris made history in 2020, becoming the first woman, first Asian-American and first black vice-president in the history of the United States. She made it onto the Biden ticket despite struggling to make a positive impression on Democratic party voters during her own attempt to secure the nomination, eventually dropping out before the first primary contest. With her personal poll numbers sagging, some within the party have reportedly contemplated replacing her altogether ahead of the November 2024 presidential election.

We look at her performance in the job so far, and examine the role of vice-president. In this episode, James Reynolds is joined by the BBC’s US special correspondent Katty Kay, and former BBC North America correspondent Jamie Coomarasamy.

This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Tom Kavanagh. The technical producer was Matt Hewitt. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Who are the Houthi rebels and why are they attacking Red Sea ships? Jan 03, 2024

Show notes

Drone and rocket attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea have led many of the world's biggest shipping companies to announce they will avoid the area. The attacks are by the Houthis - an Iran-backed rebel group which controls a large part of Yemen and began after the start of the Israel-Hamas war. In this episode, BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner joins host James Reynolds to look at why the Houthis attacked the ships, who backs them and what it means for protection in the region.

This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Beth Timmins. The technical producers were Matt Hewitt and Ricardo McCarthy. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Global Story

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6