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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

Sumi, Caitríona and Bernd dig into a big week for President Trump, who is celebrating his 80th birthday - just weeks ahead of America's 250th - with UFC Freedom 250, an invite-only MMA fight on the South Lawn of the White House. Bernd reports back from the venue, where a 92-foot structure now towers over the executive mansion, while Caitríona runs through the practical headaches: searing heat, the threat of thunderstorms, swarming bugs and a fight card slimmed down from its original ambitions. The team also unpicks the controversy - a lawsuit from local residents calling it an "aesthetic injury", Trump's long relationship with UFC boss Dana White, and reports that UFC's parent company expects to make a hefty loss on the night.

Why do it? The presenters explore the politics of Trump's sporting embrace - from NASCAR to the Knicks, where footage appeared to show him being booed (he says he received a great reception) - and whether the White House is using events like this to shore up support among young men. Then it's on to the World Cup: fans reporting visa delays and rejections, astronomical ticket prices, fears of immigration raids at watch parties, and Iran's team reportedly basing itself in Mexico. The White House insists America will be welcoming and secure - but can a global celebration of football rise above the politics, or will the controversies steal the show?

The President's Path: Why is Trump hosting the UFC at the White House?

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores the impact of Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon, analyses the flotation of SpaceX and what it will mean for Elon Musk, and looks at the outcome of the election in Armenia. 

Producer: Kate Cornell 
Executive producer: Benedick Watt 
Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall

Unspun World: Fighting resumes between Israel and Hezbollah

The men’s football World Cup begins this week in the US, Mexico and Canada. With matches being played in three different time zones, it presents an unprecedented challenge for the media. Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, Craig Hope, Chief Football Reporter at the Daily Mail, and Daniel Storey, Chief Football Writer at The i, set out their plans.

Violent disorder on the streets in Belfast has followed a knife attack earlier this week, with a Sudanese man who was granted refugee status in the UK in 2023 charged with attempted murder. Dan Johnson, BBC News correspondent, explains the challenge for journalists reporting from the ground.

Russia’s economic forum in St Petersburg earlier this month played host to several Western social media stars. Influencers are now part of the messaging strategy for governments around the world. Samantha Berkhead, Editor of The Moscow Times, and Evie Aspinall, Director of the British Foreign Policy Group, discuss the reasons.
 
Production team
Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins
Producers: Lisa Jenkinson and Lucy Wai
Researcher: Ruth Waites
Technical Coordinator: James Cherry
Sound: Robin Schroder and Rebecca Millar

The Media Show: Reporting the World Cup

Caitriona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann unpack the extraordinary falling-out between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - a reportedly "blazing row" that both men have since confirmed. Trump was left "perturbed" that Israeli operations in Lebanon risked derailing his Iran negotiations. But it isn't the first time he has vented at Netanyahu in public. Both insist they still speak almost daily and remain close. But American and Israeli interests in the Iran war are increasingly diverging, US opinion has turned - Pew now finds around 60% of Americans hold an unfavourable view of Israel, up from the low 40s before the 2023 war in Gaza - and influential MAGA voices like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens are openly questioning the alliance. With Netanyahu accused at home of turning Israel into a "vassal state", his resistance to a two-state solution stalling Trump's cherished Abraham Accords, and the war itself looking like a strategic failure, is the "ironclad" US-Israel relationship finally starting to crack?

The President's Path: Why did Trump and Netanyahu clash over the Iran war?

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores the feelings of ordinary Iranians about the conflict with the United States, analyses the latest extreme global weather warnings, and looks at the state of Ethiopia as it heads to the polls.

Producer: Kate Cornell
Executive producer: Benedick Watt
Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall

Unspun World: What's it like to live in Iran now?

A new Netflix documentary follows the final stage of Rafael Nadal's tennis career. The series is the latest high-profile sports documentary made for a streaming platform. Zachary Heinzerling, director of Rafa, outlines how the film was made and the level of access his team received. Minal Modha, senior research director at Ampere Analysis, provides context on the growing business of sports documentaries.

In Scotland, Peter Murrell's guilty plea to embezzling funds from the SNP has renewed attention on the reporting that first raised questions about the affair. John Ferguson, political editor at the Sunday Mail, reflects on his own journalism. Laura Kuenssberg explains how she secured the first broadcast interview with Nicola Sturgeon since her estranged husband’s conviction.

CBS News is facing upheaval following changes in leadership and the departure of several senior figures. The latest developments centre on the dismissal of veteran correspondent Scott Pelley after public criticism of the network's direction. Michael Grynbaum, media correspondent at The New York Times, outlines the story.

Presenter: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson and Lucy Wai
Researcher: Ruth Waites
Sound engineer: Volodymyr Muzyczka

The Media Show: Inside Rafa Nadal's Netflix show

Caitriona Perry, Bernd Debusmann and CBS News' Fin Gomez look at how the Iran War is causing consumers to feel the pinch at the gas pump and the supermarket. They also take a closer look at this week's Texas primaries. 
 
Click here to subscribe to our channel: https://bbc.in/3VyyriM
 
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
 
Senior producer: Emer McCarthy
Editor: James Kraft
Executive producer: Anna Holford

The President's Path: The costs of the Iran war

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the possibility of the US forcing regime change in Cuba, examines the effect of the war in Ukraine on Vladimir Putin’s standing in Russia, and looks at the increasing popularity of prediction markets. 

Producer: Kate Cornell 
Executive producer: Benedick Watt 
Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall

Unspun World: Is the US preparing to invade Cuba?

More than 600 actors, writers and directors have signed a letter raising concerns about the influence of French billionaire Vincent Bolloré over the country’s media and entertainment industry. James Waterhouse, Paris correspondent for BBC News, reports on the reaction from the film industry and the response from Bolloré-linked companies.
Michael Grade is one of the best-known figures in British television. He has held senior roles at the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, and until recently was chair of Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator. Following his departure from the role, he reflects on his own career and the future of the television industry.

The Society of Editors says some local newspapers in the UK are struggling to get access to councillors and council leaders. Dawn Alford, chief executive of the Society of Editors, outlines concerns raised by regional editors. Oliver Rouane-Williams, founder and editor of Ipswich.co.uk, and Michael Hadwen, leader of Suffolk County Council, respond to questions about local media access in Suffolk.

High temperatures across parts of England and Wales have led to widespread coverage of the recent heatwave. The reporting has renewed debate about how broadcasters and newspapers talk about climate change and extreme weather. Laura Tobin, weather presenter for ITV, reflects on her approach.

Production team:
Presenter: Katie Razzall
Producers: Lucy Wai and Lisa Jenkinson
Researcher: Ruth Waites
Technical Coordinator: Chris Brown
Sound: Volodymyr Muzyczka

The Media Show: The French Rupert Murdoch

Caitriona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann look at why President Trump — just back from China — is suddenly turning his attention to Cuba. The Department of Justice has indicted former Cuban president Raúl Castro, the CIA director has flown to Havana for the first time in modern memory, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio is making the case for action 90 miles off the US coast. But with polls showing Trump's worst approval ratings of either term, gas prices biting swing voters, and an expensive primary "revenge tour" targeting Republicans who crossed him, is the Cuba pivot the win the White House is hoping for — or another distraction from the issues that will decide the midterms? 

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

Unspun World: Is the US preparing to invade Cuba?

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