The Global Story

Canada and India are locked in a fierce diplomatic row, after Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau doubled down on allegations that senior Indian officials were involved in the murder of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil. Delhi has called the claims "preposterous", and last week the two nations expelled their top diplomats, as relations sank to a historic low. Such a rapid public escalation between democracies is considered largely unprecedented in modern diplomacy, so how are Canada's western allies reacting?

On this episode Caitríona Perry is joined by the BBC's South Asia correspondent Samira Hussain, and diplomatic correspondent James Landale. They examine the fallout, explain why the issue of Sikh separatism is so controversial in India, and consider the strategic dilemma the US and others are facing as they debate their own response.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Laurie Kalus, Mhairi MacKenzie, and Alix Pickles

Sound engineers: Phil Bull and Hannah Montgomery

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

King Charles’s first visit to Australia since becoming the head of state has reignited the debate over cutting ties with the royals. His tour has been met with fanfare and protest; cheers and heckles — including by Senator Lidia Thorpe in Parliament. So what do Australians think of the monarchy’s role in their country? What would it take to become a republic? Is there still a place for the monarchy in Britain’s former colonies?

On this episode Lucy Hockings speaks to the BBC’s Australia correspondent Katy Watson and Royal correspondent Sean Coughlan.

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 [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Peter Goffin and Alix Pickles

Sound engineer: Jack Graysmark and Philip Bull

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

How might Donald Trump or Kamala Harris try to tackle immigration to the US? People crossing the southern border has become a hot button topic in the next month’s election. Former president Donald Trump’s forceful policies have helped him motivate a base of loyal supporters. Whereas Vice-President Harris has had just weeks to convince Americans that she has a plan. What do we know about their policies, how they differ and what impact they would have?

Sumi Somaskanda speaks to our Mexico, Central America and Cuba correspondent, Will Grant. He explains why so many people are leaving the region and how the next president might impact its southern neighbours. And our politics reporter in Washington DC, Bernd Debusmann, helps us separate the facts from the headlines on one of the election's most contentious political issues.

You can listen to our other special episodes looking at the impact the US election might have around the world here:

America and... the World: https://link.chtbl.com/gqWrGSMT

America And... the war in Ukraine: https://link.chtbl.com/9pQYuDqP

America and... China: https://link.chtbl.com/CNFrjcPA

America and... Climate change: https://link.chtbl.com/zgemOWRX

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 [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Richard Moran, Eleanor Sly and Mariana Hernández Carrillo

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard and Ben Andrews

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Abandoned houses – or “akiyas” – have become a symbol of the crisis facing Japan’s population. But a wave of young foreign bargain hunters has started snapping up some of these abandoned homes, inspired by viral DIY videos and social media influencers.

Lucy Hockings speaks to the BBC’s Tokyo correspondent Shaimaa Khalil, who has been to meet some of the people bringing akiyas back to life.

Producers: Peter Goffin, Alix Pickles and Alice Aylett Roberts

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Sumi Somaskanda and Anthony Zurcher respond to questions about the upcoming US election. In this collaboration between The Global News Podcast, The Global Story, and Americast, Oliver Conway presents listener questions on the key topics shaping the vote.

The key election issues in the swing state of Arizona and America’s image abroad. On this episode, Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda, and Katty Kay explore election security and the international focus on the 2024 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 around the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Aiden Johnson and Tom Kavanagh

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

There is an overcrowding crisis in UK prisons. There are also problems with gang violence, drug abuse, self harm and a record number of weapons now being made in jails. To deal with the chronic overcrowding, the UK government has begun releasing thousands of prisoners early in England and Wales.

Katya Adler is joined by senior UK correspondent Sima Kotecha to talk about her time inside one of Britain's most notorious jails as they examine how the prison system in England and Wales has been stretched to breaking point.

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts and Eleanor Sly

Sound engineers: Matt Dean and Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Israel’s assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the long-standing leader of Hezbollah, represented a major escalation in its war with the Lebanese militant group. With the region on the brink of a widening conflict, we look at how Israel's attacks on Hezbollah's leadership have potentially weakened the organisation, and what that could mean for the course of the war.

Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Alice Aylett Roberts, Peter Goffin and Beth Timmins

How disinformation and advanced technology might influence the 2024 vote. Why do people fall for online conspiracy theories, and what happens when disinformation shapes real-world events?

On this episode, Lucy Hockings is joined by the BBC's disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring, to explore how conspiracy theories and the rise of AI could shape the upcoming election in the United States. They discuss the role disinformation played in the 2020 vote, leading to real-world consequences, and how these conspiracies continue to undermine the US election system today. They also examine the growing influence of AI in generating and spreading false narratives, and what this could mean for the upcoming presidential race.

You can listen to Marianna Spring’s series ‘Why Do You Hate Me? USA’ on BBC Sounds, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Producers: Pete Ross and Alix Pickles

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Could the US election result threaten support for Kyiv? Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the United States has led the world in providing aid to Kyiv, with contributions totalling more than $175bn. But agreeing additional assistance in Congress has become increasingly difficult, with the attention of the Republican right fixed on domestic priorities. So, as November's presidential election approaches, what could victory for either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump mean for the trajectory of the war?

For the latest in a series of episodes about how the impact of the US election will be felt worldwide, Sumi Somaskanda is joined by the BBC's Ukraine correspondent, James Waterhouse, and news correspondent, Will Vernon. They discuss how delays to US aid have directly affected the war on the ground, and what we know about the policy positions of the candidates for the White House.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Laurie Kalus, Alix Pickles, Mariana Hernandez-Carrillo, and Mhairi MacKenzie

Sound engineers: Hannah Montgomery, and Ricardo McCarthy

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

You can find more of this series in our feed - just look for episodes titled 'America and...'