The Global Story

Israel and Hezbollah say they don't want war - but they are both ready for it. In the early hours of Sunday morning, they exchanged heavy fire across the border with Lebanon.

Sumi Somaskanda speaks to our correspondent in Jerusalem, Jon Donnison about how the violence unfolded and where it might lead next.

Our previous episode with all the background on Hezbollah: https://link.chtbl.com/-cXmyJAg

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, Alix Pickles and Tse Yin Lee.

Sound Engineer: Mike Regaard.

Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.

Senior Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.

How politics and culture wars are shaping education choices for some parents. Arizona is one of a growing number of American states offering taxpayer-funded vouchers to families who send their children to private schools or homeschool them. They say it gives parents more control over how – and what – their children learn. But what does this mean for the future of public education in the US?

On this episode, Caitríona Perry speaks to BBC journalists Alex Last and Ellie House, who have made a documentary about school choice in Arizona. You can listen to it by searching "Assignment: Rejecting Public Education in Arizona" on The Documentary podcast from the BBC World Service.

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.

Producer: Peter Goffin.

Sound Engineers: Philip Bull and Ricardo McCarthy.

Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.

Senior Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.

She vowed a 'new way forward' in what was billed as the biggest speech of her career. The atmosphere was electric when Kamala Harris took to the stage for the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. But did she succeed in convincing those watching at home that she should be named the next President of the United States?

On this episode, Caitríona Perry is in Chicago with Courtney Subramanian and Brandon Drenon from the BBC's digital team. They discuss the key moments from the Democratic National Convention and examine how Donald Trump and the Republicans are shifting their strategy to target Kamala Harris as the confirmed Democratic nominee.

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: Alice Aylett Roberts and Tom Kavanagh.

Sound Engineer: Ben Andrews.

Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.

Senior Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.

At the start of August, the world watched as 16 political prisoners were released by Russia in the biggest prisoner swap with the west since the Cold War. But what will life be like as opposition figures in exile?

Sumi Somaskanda speaks to the BBC's Will Vernon who tells the stories of Russian dissidents who have faced intimidation and violence since leaving the country.

They are also joined by our Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford was expelled from Russia after decades of reporting. She is the author of "Goodbye to Russia" which details how Vladimir Putin’s time in power has reshaped the country.

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 and Alix Pickles.

Sound Engineer: Mike Regaard and Jonny Baker.

Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.

Senior Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.

After ruthlessly outmanoeuvring hundreds of rivals, Mohammed bin Salman has become the most powerful man in Saudi Arabia. The crown prince believes his sweeping vision for the country will bring in investment, top flight sport and visitors from around the world. His only demand in return... absolute loyalty. So, is MBS unstoppable?

On this episode Caitríona Perry speaks to Jonathan Rugman, journalist and producer of a new documentary “The Kingdom: The World’s Most Powerful Prince”, which shines a fresh light on how he got to power and how far he’ll go to maintain it. They are also joined by the BBC World Service Arab Affairs Editor Sebastian Usher, who has spent time in Saudi Arabia for many years.

Listeners in the UK can watch “The Kingdom: The World’s Most Powerful Prince” on iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m001zprm/the-kingdom-the-worlds-most-powerful-prince

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.

Producer: Richard Moran.

Sound Engineer: Mike Regaard and Jack Graysmark.

Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.

Senior Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.

The US president vows to be "the best volunteer" for Kamala Harris's election campaign. Addressing the party's National Convention in Chicago, an emotional Joe Biden told Democratic supporters that they are in a battle for the "very soul of America." The four-day event will confirm Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate to take on Donald Trump.

On this episode, Sumi Somaskanda is in Chicago with Courtney Subramanian and Bernd Debusmann from the BBC's digital team. They discuss what President Biden might do during his remaining time in the White House and the role he could play in the Harris-Walz campaign.

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 Richard Moran.

Sound Engineer: Matt Dean.

Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.

Senior Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.

It has been declared a global health emergency twice in two years. Mpox – formerly known as Monkeypox – is spreading rapidly across Africa and has also been detected outside the continent. And scientists are worried about the speed at which a new strain is being transmitted.

On this episode, Lucy Hockings is joined by Dorcas Wangira our Africa Health correspondent and Dominic Hughes the BBC’s Global Health correspondent. They discuss what risk mpox poses to the wider global population and how worried we should be.

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.

This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Laurie Kalus. The technical producers were Jeremy Morgan and Phil Bull. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith.

Major tech titans like Elon Musk are openly backing Republicans for the first time. This week, Donald Trump’s chat with the owner of X solidified their friendship after years of animosity. And he’s not the only tech entrepreneur shifting his support to the Republicans. So, is Silicon Valley, the traditionally left-leaning hub of tech, really moving to the right?

On this episode, Lucy Hockings speaks to digital reporter Mike Wendling and business reporter Natalie Sherman about how one of the wealthiest zip codes in California might impact the race 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 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.

This episode was made by Richard Moran and Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Jeremy Morgan.The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith.

The world's largest live-streaming platform, Twitch, faces an uncertain future. Media reports suggest that parent company Amazon has become frustrated by its failure to make profit, and rumours are swirling of a third round of layoffs within a year. But does its loyal audience of 240 million active monthly users make it too big to fail?

On this episode, Caitríona Perry is joined by BBC tech reporter Tom Gerken, and the BBC's former gaming correspondent Steffan Powell. They examine what makes Twitch unique, and discuss whether the platform is under threat from its rivals.

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.

This episode was made by Laurie Kalus and Tom Kavanagh. The technical producers were Ben Andrews and Jonny Baker. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith.

Could this offensive sway the dynamics of the war in Kyiv’s favour? Thousands of Russians have been evacuated from border regions as Ukrainian forces continue to gain ground. Meanwhile Vladimir Putin has called the offensive a “major provocation” and vowed to “kick the enemy out”.

In this episode, Sumi Somaskanda is joined by Vitaly Shevchenko, Russia Editor for BBC Monitoring and co-host of Ukrainecast, and Francis Scarr, a Russia expert from BBC Monitoring.

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: Alice Aylett Roberts, Beth Timmins and Peter Goffin.

Sound Engineers: Jonny Hall and Ben Andrews.

Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.

Senior Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.