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BBC World Service

Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin. Exploring the important questions about long-running stories and the latest global news. An honest, unvarnished, explanation of the world. 

Featuring new episodes of The President's Path, Unspun World with John Simpson, and The Media Show.

The Explanation

The first big elections of Trump’s second term reveal how Americans are reacting to his presidency, and how Democrats are fighting to rebuild their brand.
 
On this episode, Caitríona Perry, Courtney Subramanian and Sumi Somaskanda discuss the high-stakes gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, the Democrats’ rebranding efforts, and the rise of a progressive candidate shaking up New York. 
 
Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk
 
Producer: Gregory Zhygalov
Editor: Adrian Chiculita
Executive producer: Anna Holford

The President’s Path: Electoral battlegrounds 2025

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses President Trump’s approach to dealing with China, examines the United States’ rivalry with China in south-east Asia, and explores what the future holds for Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government. 

Producer: Kate Cornell
Executive producer: Benedick Watt
Commissioning editor: Vara Szajkowski

Unspun World: Donald Trump’s China strategy

A row over comments by a British MP has reignited debate about who we see in adverts. Sara Denby from the University of Oxford and Dino Myers-Lamptey from The Barber Shop agency share their views on how the industry has changed.
In the US, major streaming companies are merging as they compete for global audiences. Camilla Lewis, Chief Executive of Curve Media, explains what this could mean for both producers and viewers.
Historian Bettany Hughes returns with Treasures of the World on Channel 4. She talks about filming around the globe, how history programmes are made today, and why stories from the past still attract big audiences.

Presenter: Katie Razzall
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Assistant producer: Lucy Wai
Production co-ordinator: Phil Hawkins
Technical co-ordinator: Samuel Iyiola
Sound engineer: Sarlota Hadroj Touzimska

The Media Show: Advertising race row

Demolition work has begun on part of the White House to make way for President Trump's new ballroom, as US government remains shut down.
 
On this episode, Caitríona Perry, Courtney Subramanian, and Sumi Somaskanda discuss Trump’s decision to remodel the White House while the Senate remains deadlocked on funding the federal government.
 
Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics, in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk
 
Producer: Gregory Zhygalov
Editor: Adrian Chiculita
Executive producer: Anna Holford

The President’s Path: Shutdown and teardown

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses whether Hamas will lay down its weapons in Gaza, looks at how other jihadist groups have responded to the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and explores how Ukraine’s approach to the war with Russia might change in the wake of the latest row with President Trump. 

Producer: Kate Cornell 
Executive producer: Benedick Watt 
Commissioning editor: Vara Szajkowski

Unspun World: Will Hamas really give up control of Gaza?

New attention on Prince Andrew has reopened debate about how the Royal Family is covered by the media. Following confirmation that he will no longer use his titles and the release of Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, journalists are reassessing the balance between scrutiny, access and tradition. 

Simon McCoy, journalist and broadcaster, Robert Hardman, royal biographer, and Emily Andrews, former royal correspondent for The Sun, share professional insight into how stories about the royals are shaped. 

Also, Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent Paul Salopek describes his 12-year “Out of Eden Walk,” a 16,000-mile reporting journey retracing humanity’s ancient migration routes. 

Presenter: Ros Atkins
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai
Researcher: Ruth Waites
Technical co-ordinator: Chris Brown
Sound engineer: Robin Schroder

The Media Show: When the Royals lose control of the story

Medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy are proven to be highly effective for weight management. They are also increasingly being found to treat other conditions and reduce the risk of disease, promising health benefits far beyond the treatment of obesity. But these drugs generally need to be continued for weight loss to be maintained, so there are big questions to be answered about their use and significant challenges to overcome around access and availability. In front of a live audience at Wellcome Collection in London, Claudia and her guests explore the potential and negatives of weight loss injections and ask whether they really are the next wonder drug.

Weight loss jabs: A medical game changer?

Donald Trump claims to have ended eight wars in eight months. Caitríona Perry, Courtney Subramanian, and Sumi Somaskanda unpack President Trump’s claims and look at what is happening on the ground.
 
Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk

The President’s Path: How many wars has Donald Trump ended?

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses who will actually be running Gaza in the wake of the ceasefire there, examines the escalating trade war between China and the United States, and looks at the recent spate of cyber-attacks targeting western companies.

Producer: Kate Cornell
Executive Producer: Benedick Watt
Commissioning Editor: Vara Szajkowski

Unspun World: Who will run Gaza?

As a ceasefire takes hold in Gaza, attention has turned to how the story itself is being covered and interpreted. From live reporting in Tel Aviv to verifying information from inside Gaza, journalists describe the pressures of working amid uncertainty and political tension.
Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy reflects on the choices behind frontline coverage and the balance between speed and accuracy. Bel Trew, chief international correspondent at The Independent, outlines how she gathers and checks information when access to Gaza remains blocked. Professor Lee Edwards of the London School of Economics examines how global outlets have framed recent events and whether context and history are being lost in the headlines.

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins
Producer: Lucy Wai
Assistant Producer: Martha Owen
Production Coordinator: Ruth Waites
Technical Coordinator: Chris Brown
Sound: Chris Ablakwa

The Media Show: The Gaza Ceasefire

President Putin's days might well be numbered, BBC Russian service editor Famil Ismailov tells world affairs editor John Simpson. John also hears from Ukrainian journalist Olga Malchevska about how united Ukrainians are as the war drags on, and finds out why President Biden rolled out the red carpet for India’s prime minister - and what it says about China - with BBC Hindi reporter Zubair Ahmed. Plus, is populism in politics finally on the way out? Diplomatic correspondent James Landale gives his take on some of the world's most memorable leaders.

Unspun World: Is Putin's time up?

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