The Global Story

As a Florida senator, Marco Rubio seemed to hold an opposing world view to Donald Trump; on Russia-Ukraine, on China, on USAID, and more. He notably called Trump a “con man”, and Trump in turn dubbed him, “little Marco”.
And yet now, as US Secretary of State, Rubio has made himself indispensable to the president on foreign affairs, bringing his own background to play in policy on Venezuela and Cuba, and shaping the US’ approach to further interventions abroad. Trump has even indicated that he wants Rubio to run on a joint ticket with JD Vance for the next US presidency.
How has Rubio tailored himself to Trump’s world view? And what difference would he bring as a potential presidential candidate? Tom Bateman, the BBC’s State Department correspondent, regularly travels with Rubio, and he joins Asma on today’s show.
Producers: Hannah Moore and Aron Keller
Executive producer: Bridget Harney
Mix: Travis Evans
Senior news editor: China Collins
Photo: Marco Rubio attends a Senate Appropriations subcommittee to testify about the proposed 2027 budget for the Department of State, June 3, 2026. Credit: Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein.

The Fifa World Cup kicks off this week. Beginning Thursday, football - or soccer - matches, depending on your preference, will be played in the US, Mexico, and Canada, with a record 48 nations competing for the trophy.
However, the tournament has been beset by controversies over ticket prices, travel bans that affect fans and officials, and security concerns.
We answer questions from the audience about what to expect from this year’s World Cup, with BBC Sports football issues correspondent, Dale Johnson.
Producer: Cat Farnsworth and Xandra Ellin
Executive producer: Bridget Harney
Sound engineer: Travis Evans
Senior news editor: China Collins
(Photo: A Fifa soccer ball in a locker room at Kansas City Stadium ahead of the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Credit: Denny Medley/Reuters)

A British immigrant backed by President Trump is running to be the next governor of California. Once a senior advisor to former prime minister David Cameron, Steve Hilton has since been on a journey – swapping Downing Street for Silicon Valley.
Having made his home in the US, Hilton is now running to become California’s Republican governor on a platform of cutting taxes and regulation.
We speak to Nicholas Watt, political editor of BBC Newsnight, who has known Hilton since his days advising Cameron.
Producers: Viv Jones and Aron Keller
Mix: Travis Evans
Video producer: Matt Pintus
Executive producer: James Shield
Senior news editor: China Collins
Photo: California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton. Credit: Reuters /Mike Blake
Audio for this episode was updated on 9th June 2026 to clarify Steve Hilton's views on Brexit.

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has announced plans to expand the country's nuclear arsenal at ‘an exponential rate’, according to state media reports.
His announcement comes as China’s president, Xi Jinping, is making his first visit to Pyongyang this week since 2019 – the same year Donald Trump met Kim Jong Un several times for failed talks on denuclearisation.
We speak to the BBC’s Celia Hatton about why China might now be trying to keep North Korea in check.
Producers: Xandra Ellin, Sam Chantarasak and Aron Keller
Executive producer: James Shield
Mix: Travis Evans
Senior news editor: China Collins
Studio manager: Mike Regaard
Digital producer: Tom Bage
Photo: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the fifth session of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), in Pyongyang, North Korea, February 23, 2026. Credit: KCNA/Reuters
Clip: Team America: World Police/Trey Parker/Scott Rudkin/Trey Parker/Matt Stone

Scientists warn that a “super” El Niño could be on its way which, combined with the effects of human-caused climate change, could result in 2027 being the warmest year on record. Yet El Niño is not just a climate story - throughout history, this recurring weather pattern has helped shape global events, triggering everything from famines and revolutions to impacting the Cold War. In this episode, we speak to historian Peter Frankopan, Professor of Global History at Oxford, to discuss what historical El Niños tell us about what cou be coming our way, and how we can collectively prepare.
Producers: Valerio Esposito and Aron Keller
Executive producer: James Shield and China Collins
Mix: Travis Evans
Senior news editor: China Collins
Photo: A woman rides a bicycle in the rain in Yangon, Myanmar, 22 May 2026. Credit: Nyein Chan Naing/EPA/Shutterstock