From Our Own Correspondent

Kate Adie introduces stories from Saudi Arabia, India, Lithuania, the Faroe Islands and Australia. Saudi Arabia has vowed to respond to recent attacks on the kingdom's airports and oil facilities by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis. The Houthis said they launched the attacks in retaliation for 'brutal Saudi aggression' against areas they control in Yemen. Frank Gardner reflects on the growing challenge facing the Saudi military. India witnessed another wave of demonstrations this week, led by the Cockroach Janata Party - a Gen-Z led protest movement. Previous protests led to the resignation of India’s education minister, and now the movement is calling on the country’s electoral commission chief do the same. Azadeh Moshiri has been in Delhi. Germany is permanently stationing an armoured tank brigade in Lithuania, creating a combat-ready deterrent on NATO’s northeastern flank. It’s the Bundeswehr’s first permanent military deployment outside Germany since the Second World War. Lucy Ash reports from Vilnius. The…

Kate Adie introduces stories from France, Israel, Yemen, Greenland and the US. France has been in the grip of nationwide school protests as students protest the dire state of the country's schools. Aside from the demands for classroom improvements, they've inflamed wider concerns over future prospects and political division, says James Waterhouse. Memorial events took place in Israel this week to mark the third anniversary of the October 7th Hamas-led attacks, that killed nearly 1200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Yolande Knell went back to Kibbutz Nir Oz which was one of the worst hit that day, with one in four of its residents killed or kidnapped. Western Yemen has been under sustained attack by Iran-backed Houthi forces after the group took control of the Bab Al Mandeb strait. As Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces stage a fightback, the country’s civilians face continued upheaval on a constantly shifting frontline. BBC senior international investigations correspondent Nawal al-Maghafi reports from…

Kate Adie introduces stories from Nepal, Gaza, Ukraine, the USA and Norway. Recent catastrophic floods have heightened fears among Nepal's many at-risk mountain communities living under the looming threat of melting glaciers. Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent reports from the village and monastery of Halji in the country's high plains. UNICEF says some 98 per cent of schools in Gaza were either destroyed or damaged during the war between Israel and Hamas, which began after the Hamas attacks of October 7 2023. In recent weeks, the Ministry of Education announced it was going ahead with the new academic year, leading to hundreds of thousands of children returning to the classroom for the first time in three years. Lina Shaikhouni has been speaking to one teenage girl about her experience. This week Ukraine suffered the biggest attack on its energy infrastructure since the Spring. Relentless Russian drone strikes are now common across the capital and other major cities. BBC diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams reports…

Kate Adie presents stories from Mongolia, Turkey, Djibouti, Brazil and Africa. Xi Jinping met Donald Trump in Washington this week. Talking points included Taiwan, the Iran War, the trade truce – and Artificial Intelligence. Our China correspondent Laura Bicker has travelled to Inner Mongolia, where Chinese data centres are being built at a rapid rate as China seeks industry dominance. A court in Turkey has sentenced the already-jailed former Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu to two more years in prison and banned him from politics. Rights groups have said this legal action is political motivated – as journalists, comedians and the LGBT plus community have also been targeted by government crackdowns. Emily Wither has been in Istanbul. Djibouti has seen an influx of thousands of Yemeni refugees in the space of a week, fleeing the regional conflict which has escalated as Saudi-backed Yemeni forces try to regain territory from Iran-backed Houthis. Frank Gardner has been to a refugee camp in Djibouti - and…

Kate Adie introduces stories from Yemen, South Korea, Sierra Leone, France, and Ireland. Yemen's Houthis recently claimed a major advance along the western Red Sea coast, capturing two strategic port cities from the Saudi-backed pro government forces. The BBC’s security correspondent, Frank Gardner, reflects on how the Iran-backed Houthis have transformed themselves from tribal militia to formidable force. North Korea's soldiers fought alongside Russian troops at the end of 2024, as they tried to repel a surprise Ukrainian incursion into Russian territory - and it's thought they could soon make a return to the frontline. Quentin Sommerville examines what Pyongyang has gained from its burgeoning alliance with Moscow. Freetown in Sierra Leone is said to be one of the not-so-secret hideouts of one of Europe’s most-wanted drug criminals, Jos Leijdekkers. The Dutch national was sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison by a Rotterdam court back in 2024. Ed Butler travelled to Freetown to find out how he’s…

Kate Adie introduces stories from Ukraine, Nigeria, Canada, US and Malaysia. There’s growing alarm in Kyiv and in European capitals over the intensification of Russia's jet-powered drone attacks. As another winter of war approaches, there are worries that damage to vital infrastructure might make the city unlivable, sparking a second exodus of citizens. Meanwhile, in rural towns and villages, elderly locals have become reliant on international aid food parcels, James Landale reports. Nigeria is battling a kidnapping crisis across several states, driven by criminal gangs targeting rural communities, where locals are at risk of abduction and extortion. Now, groups of civilians have decided to take action to combat the crisis, reports Yemisi Adegoke. Canada introduced retaliatory trade tariffs this week on some £15bn worth of US imports, in response to the new tariffs imposed by Donald Trump back in August. The trade war has sparked a wave of visible patriotism across Canada. Rosa Rahimi reports from British…

Kate Adie introduces stories from Thailand, Ukraine, Kenya, Spain and Hungary. After nine months at sea the USS Abraham Lincoln docked in Thailand this week. The psychological plight of its crew, which ran short on supplies, turned up the heat on Donald Trump and his longer-than-promised war with Iran. Jonathan Head reports from Pattaya, a long-time R&R spot for the American military which welcomed the arrival of some 5000 sailors. Since Russia invaded Ukraine back in 2014, there has been growing resentment over the use of the Russian language in the country - even in cities where the majority of Ukrainians speak Russian. Tim Whewell reports from Russian-speaking Odesa, where new laws are in place to remove the Russian language from the public sphere. The manosphere is growing fast in Kenya, where a new generation of social media influencers are cashing-in on messages of hyper-masculinity. Jacqui Wakefield went to find out more about its impact on young men there. Spain’s organ donation programme is widely…

Kate Adie presents stories from Germany on the Alternative für Deutschland party's plans if it takes power in state elections; India's Cockroach party takes on a new fight; inside the factories of China's robotic revolution; how corned beef changed a Uruguayan town and the protesters of the peaceful anti-communist revolution in 1989 who've taken up a new cause. Jessica Parker has followed the campaign of AfD's state leader in Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund, and heard more about the plans to reform the culture and education systems to make them more patriotic - and what locals are making of them. Geeta Pandy has visited rural schools in Faridabad - which are poorly staffed and in a dilapidated condition. It's a situation replicated across India and the subject of a new campaign by the Cockroach Janata Party, as she discovers. In China, Laura Bicker has visited factories in Chengdu, Hangzhou and Beijing - as well as the World Humanoid Olympics - to witness the robot revolution underway. More than two million…

Kate Adie presents stories from Russia, with authorities defiant as the war impact is felt; a grim Ebola milestone in the DRC; Brazil's presidential campaign and the small Bulgarian city chosen to host Eurovision. Moscow has issued a warning to the UK of 'consequences' following confirmation that British-made drones were used in recent Ukrainian strikes . The authorities - and some citizens - are increasingly blaming the West for Russia’s problems as Steve Rosenberg discovered on the streets of Moscow. The Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the deadliest in its country’s history, with a record number of cases and deaths in the most recent reported week. Emery Makumeno in Kinshasa finds the battle to bring the outbreak under control is not only about infection and response, but also about tackling disbelief, scepticism and the struggle to build trust. In Brazil, candidates in this October’s presidential election have fired the starting gun on their election campaigns. President Luiz…

Kate Adie introduces stories on the hidden networks providing vital lifelines to women and girls in Afghanistan, Gaza's tech entrepreneurs rebooting the digital economy, China's bogus dating agencies, and the hunt for a hard-to-find critter in the Australian bush. It's been five years since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan. Lyse Doucet and Mahjooba Nowrouzi report on the severe restrictions placed on the freedoms and ambitions of women and girls, and the subsequent emergence of underground networks which are provide vital support - from education to legal advice for women seeking divorce. Since the ceasefire was announced last year, little progress has been made in Gaza in terms of reconstruction. But young tech-entrepreneurs are taking matters into their own hands, rebooting Gaza's fledgling digital economy and providing a much-needed source of income. Yolande Knell has been speaking to tech-savvy Palestinians. Matchmaking websites that help people find a soulmate can earn huge sums of money.…

Kate Adie introduces stories about China's alleged 'Fentanyl King', how Odesa's famous sense of humour is responding to Russian attacks, Delhi's new EV push, and rising child obesity rates in southern Italy. After Zhang Zhidong graduated from China's most-prestigious university, he moved to Mexico to find work. Years later, US law enforcement named him as a key figure working with Mexican cartels in the booming fentanyl trade. Now awaiting trial in a Brooklyn prison, Zhidong denies the allegations against him. Shawn Yuan travelled to Mexico to speak to cartel about the man they knew as 'Brother Wang', to chart the origin story of the man US authorities claim is the 'Fentanyl King'. The Ukrainian port city of Odesa is renowned for its sense of humour - and it's still apparent even as Russia ramps up attacks in its efforts to strangle Ukraine's commercial links with the rest of the world. Paul Adams has been speaking to residents trying to continue life as normal amid the daily strikes. Faced with soaring…

Kate Adie introduces stories from France, Ecuador, the occupied West Bank, the Thailand-Myamar border and South Korea. Firefighters across Europe have been battling wildfires this week and in the southwest of France, an area four times the size of Paris burnt outside Bordeaux. President Macron said it was the toughest situation the country had dealt with since the Second World War. Newyddion S4C's Gwyn Loader reports from the Gironde region. Despite President Daniel Noboa's tough policies promising to crack down hard on drug trafficking and gang violence in Ecuador, the country is still terrorised by cartels and corruption. BBC senior international correspondent Orla Guerin saw how rampant crime is fuelling a climate of fear. There has been an increase in attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank in recent months. BBC Middle East correspondent Lucy Williamson spent two weeks in the area around Nablus, speaking to Palestinian residents and a hardline Israeli settler…

Kate Adie introduces stories on India's 'cockroach' protests, anger in Ukraine over army recruitment, the Iranian school bombed at the start of the war, fears over voting changes in America's deep south, and the bio-hacking phenomenon in Berlin. The Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP, is now one of India's most visible youth movements, driving tens of thousands of students to take to the streets to protest about education, corruption, and a lack of job opportunities. Azadeh Moshiri met demonstrators in central Delhi. President Zelensky’s decision to replace Ukraine's popular defence minister Mykhailo Federov triggered an outburst of anger this week. The country's military is struggling on several fronts - not least when it comes to signing-up new soldiers. Sarah Rainsford reports on the growing hostility around conscription. In Iran we return to the opening hours of the conflict back in February, when a strike on an Iranian school transformed an ordinary Saturday morning into one of the war's defining tragedies -…

Kate Adie introduces stories on Vladimir Putin's declining popularity, peace protests in Japan, Serbia's anti-corruption anger, and how Canadian robots are patrolling the Arctic. The Kremlin has recently increased security measures around President Vladimir Putin after a string of assassinations of top Russian military figures. This comes as the president has retreated from public view, as the economic impact of Russia's war in Ukraine continues to bite. Steve Rosenberg observes the shift in the country’s mood Japan has taken a major step away from its post-war pacifist stance, lifting long-standing restrictions on arms exports. The government says it’s a necessary step in an increasingly tense region - but it’s raising alarm and in recent weeks there have been protests in major cities across the country. Kurumi Mori reports from Tokyo. Serbia has also been experiencing a series of protests over the past year – fuelled by anger over alleged government corruption. They began in November 2024 following the…

Kate Adie introduces stories on the King and Queen's visit to Washington, the current mood inside Iran, elections in Gaza and the West Bank, and why fish are front and centre in the politics of West Bengal. King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit to Washington came at a fragile moment in the UK-US relationship. A gulf has opened up between the two nations over issues such as Ukraine, defence spending, tariffs, and the Iran War. Sarah Smith reflects on how far the visit has helped restore the 'special relationship'. Donald Trump’s admiration for the traditions of the Royal Family was on full display during the visit, as he praised the King as an ‘elegant man’. Sean Coughlan has travelled with the King on previous tours, and reveals what made this one different. Inflation has soared to 50 per cent in Iran and people continue to struggle with rising prices of staples such as rice, eggs and cheese, as the stand-off in the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt trade. Lyse Doucet reflects on her recent…

Kate Adie introduces dispatches from Pakistan, the Turkey-Iran border, Kenya, Ukraine, and Paraguay. Why was Pakistan chosen as the host of peace talks between the US and Iran? It's a question some in Islamabad have been asking themselves - and has fired-up a sense of national pride. Caroline Davies has watched on as the country gets ready for another round of negotiations. When the war in Iran began, there was a sense of jubilation among some Iranians, who had long-dreamed of the regime falling. Now that seems like a distant reality, and the mood is changing. BBC Persian's Omid Montazeri has been on the Turkey-Iran border, where he has found attitudes towards the war are shifting. This weekend marks the 40th anniversary of the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, which remains the world's worst nuclear accident. Jordan Dunbar visited the city of Slavutych in Northern Ukraine, which was purpose built to rehouse workers evacuated from the power plant city of Pripyat - and recounts his search for a DJ legend of the…

Kate Adie introduces stories on the fate of a sick Afghan girl, a surprising return to Sudan, Armenia's choice between Russia and the West, Germany's culture of remembrance, and a first-time visit to an Irish wake. In Afghanistan's Hindu Kush, where drought and hunger are rife, Yogita Limaye meets a father who made the unenviable decision to sell his young daughter into marriage to fund her medical treatment. Child marriage is not uncommon in rural communities, and the recent codification of laws under the Taliban government has made it more permissible. Sudan has entered its fourth year of a brutal civil war, though government forces have reclaimed the capital Khartoum over the past year, driving out the paramilitary Rapid Support forces. Mohanad Hashim grew up Khartoum, and recently returned for the first time since the government took back control. Armenia is holding key elections next month, which will serve as a major test of the country's political trajectory - to strengthen old ties with Russia, or to…

Kate Adie introduces stories on President Trump's visit to China, the Palestine marathon, the Venice Biennale boycott, a young woman's search for her mother in India, and living in the fast lane with Sierra Leone's First Lady. Laura Bicker has been in Beijing where military parades, red carpets and singing choirs of children greeted Donald Trump as he arrived for talks with President Xi. So what progress was made in China-US relations after a frosty period? Wyre Davies has been in Bethlehem watching on as runners from around the world took part in the 10th Palestine Marathon - a burst of positivity after the race was postponed amid the war between Hamas and Israel, following the October 2023 attacks. The Venice Biennale and the Eurovision song contest were both founded with the intention of bringing nations together through art - but Kirsty Lang finds, upon visiting Venice, an art festival swept up in a clash with global politics. In the Indian state of Maharashtra, Tanya Datta travels with a young woman in…

Kate Adie introduces stories on Venezuela's earthquake recovery efforts, the rapid start of Hungary's new PM, a post-Soviet reunion at a border-town bazaar, and does the American Dream still hold up as America celebrates 250 years of independence. In Venezuela, family and friends have joined rescue workers in trying to find survivors after two earthquakes hit the country’s north last week. It was the country’s deadliest natural disaster in a century. Will Grant returned to his old neighbourhood in the capital Caracas, where he met locals still searching for news of their loved ones. Hungary's new Prime Minister Peter Magyar has been in office for less than 60 days, but has quickly set about rolling back laws and dismantling institutions built up by former strongman PM Viktor Orban, Such is this political whirlwind, it's become must-see TV. Nick Thorpe reports from Budapest. The break- up of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to the independence and redrawing of the borders of its fifteen republics, including…

Kate Adie introduces stories on Afghanistan's secret schools, the tension around Jerusalem's holy sites, how Jamaica is bouncing back from Hurricane Melissa, Thailand's snakebite problem, and some nervous laughter in Moscow's comedy clubs. In Afghanistan women are facing ever tighter restrictions in almost every aspect of public life. Yogita Limaye has been in Afghanistan where she spoke to a young woman determined to keep her dreams alive by covertly flouting Taliban rules. In Israel, Wyre Davies reports on how the decades old agreement known as the 'Status Quo' is under threat, as Israeli nationalists flout the rules that govern Jerusalem's holiest site, which is known to Jews as the Temple Mount, and to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary). Last October, Hurricane Melissa - one of the most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record - hit Jamaica, killing at least 45 people, and causing widespread devastation across the island. Eight months on, communities are rebuilding and recovering - Antonia…

Kate Adie introduces stories on the G7 summit and Donald Trump's Iran deal, the ongoing Ebola crisis in DRC, Peru's knife-edge elections, South Korea's feminist literary circles, and Ghana's World Cup dreams. President Donald Trump once again dominated the agenda at the latest G7 summit in France, as he presented his prospective peace deal with Iran, and agreed to continued support for Ukraine. James Waterhouse was in Evian-les-Bains where he watched as leaders scrambled to keep up with the President's evolving agenda. Health clinics in the Democratic Republic of Congo are battling to bring the latest Ebola virus outbreak under control. The head of Africa’s Centres for Disease Control warned this week that the current spread of the virus – which is also affecting Uganda - could be the worst ever. Anne Soy has been in Ituri province, the epicentre of the outbreak. Peru recently held its second round of voting in a knife-edge presidential election which has pitted two very different candidates against each…

Kate Adie presents stories on the deserters from Myanmar's military forces, African POWs in Ukraine, Ahmedebad a year on from the Air India crash, South Africa and Belize. Myanmar’s military, which seized power from the democratically elected government in 2021, reactivated a conscription law two years ago. Anyone 18-35 years of age, now has to serve between 2 to five years in the army. Quentin Sommerville spoke to some who defected from the country's military in rebel-held territory. African POWs are being held in western Ukraine, after being recruited to fight for Russia. Many say they were misled or coerced by illegal recruiters promising jobs and good pay. Sammy Awami went to meet some of them. A year after Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, families of those who died are fighting for answers after failures in the identification process. Azadeh Moshiri has been to the crash site and met with relatives. South Africa has seen a rise in anti-immigration…

Kate Adie introduces stories on Ebola in the DRC, Ukraine's stoic bus drivers, the rebirth of a river in Oregon, India's ethnic violence, and the return of the Griffon Vulture in Croatia. The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing another outbreak of Ebola, but as the virus spreads so too have rumours and conspiracy theories about the cause of the pathogen. Olivia Acland reports from the border between North Kivu and Ituri provinces. This week Ukraine came under one of the heaviest Russian assaults in months, with the country's energy infrastructure once again hit hard. Vitaly Shevchenko has been in Kherson, where he learned how public transport is now becoming a target for Russian drone operators too. In America's pacific northwest we go rafting down the Klamath river which is flowing for the first time in a century after a dam was removed - but not without resistance from locals, finds Ash Bhardwaj. Three years ago, the state of Manipur in India’s north-east erupted in violence, and hundreds of…

In this special edition of From Our Own Correspondent, we remember BBC Correspondent David Willey, who reported from around the world for more than half a century, and who died recently. David was a prolific contributor to this programme throughout his life and was still writing for the programme into his 93rd year. In an interview recorded last year for the ‘From Our Own Correspondent at 70’ programme, David tells Today presenter Anna Foster about his early travels reporting from around the world from Libya to China, as well as his long-time role as BBC Vatican Correspondent. This podcast also features some of his most memorable dispatches, including a report on troop morale in Vietnam in the 1970s, a lavish party thrown by Colonel Gadaffi in Libya in 2009 to mark his 40th year in power; insights from inside the Vatican amid the ‘Vatileaks’ scandal of 2012; and recollections from 2023 about when he first met Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi at his estate near Milan, where he got a private tour of the…

Kate Adie introduces stories on Bangladesh's deadly measles outbreak, France's military flex on Bastille Day, Albania's 'flamingo revolution', Ecuador's bird-watching boom, and remembering BBC Rome correspondent David Willey. Bangladesh is experiencing a severe measles outbreak, with around 700 people dying of confirmed and suspected cases since March - most of them children. BBC South Asia Correspondent Azadeh Moshiri reports from a hospital, north of the capital Dhaka. France celebrated Bastille Day this week, which marks the beginning of the French revolution. This was the last parade under President Emmanuel Macron, who steps down from office next year – but he made sure to make his mark, showcasing French military power and celebrating unity with its allies. James Waterhouse reports from Paris. In Albania, the pink flamingo has become an unlikely symbol of protest, reflecting environmental concerns over a proposed tourism development that triggered recent protests. But as Guy De Launey discovered,…

Kate Adie presents stories on the burial of Ayatollah Khamanei in Iran, a diplomatic correspondent's return to Moscow, a pioneering therapy centre in Ukraine's West, Italian lessons in Argentina and the restoration of the Casbah in Algiers. The streets of major cities across Iran have been lined with mourners attending the funeral procession of former leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamanei. But as the coffin was transported between cities, renewed attacks on tankers in the strait of Hormuz threw the region into more turmoil, prompting a heavy US response. Lyse Doucet has been in Tehran. Ukraine has been escalating its attacks deeper into Russian territory on refineries and ports. Plumes of black smoke stretching across the Moscow skyline have brought the war with Ukraine closer to home for everyday Russians. James Landale has been back to the Russian capital. Meanwhile Russia has launched devastating attacks across Ukraine and in Kyiv's centre killing dozens of civilians. And hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian…

Kate Adie introduces stories on Cuba's economic crisis as it feels the strain of the US fuel blockade, Lebanon's shattered ceasefire, the fevered debate over Australia's social media ban, plus dispatches from Greece and Iceland. Cuba is struggling to cope with the the US government's near-total fuel blockade and the Trump administration increased the pressure on the ruling Communist Party when it issued an indictment against Raul Castro this week. Will Grant has been gauging the mood in Havana. In southern Lebanon, Israel has stepped up its offensive on Hezbollah with daily strikes, which have killed dozens of civilians. This follows drone attacks launched by the Iran-backed group on communities in northern Israel. John Sudworth reports on the ongoing conflict. Six months on from Australia's introduction of a social media ban for under 16s, governments around the world are eagerly looking on as they consider rolling out similar policies… but is it working? Katy Watson has been following the debate in Sydney.…

Kate Adie presents stories from Iran, Norway, France, Ireland and Switzerland. A recent marathon race in Iran caused controversy after many of the 2000 women runners ignored the country's mandatory hijab law, and ran without a head covering. Years after deadly protests rocked the country, Faranak Amidi charts how women in Iran today are continuing to defy the religious authorities on a daily basis. Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean is home to an array of wildlife, including Polar Bears. With their survival under threat, Beth Timmins considers their future - and past - while sailing off the bay of Skansbukta. The French have a penchant for chestnuts, and demand in the country often vastly outstrips supply. And in the chestnut groves of the Cévennes, intensifying droughts are pushing the crop to the brink. Julius Purcell met chestnut farmers keeping a centuries-old culture alive, in the face of a warming planet. Irish pubs may be one of the Emerald Isle’s most ubiquitous exports, but Irish whiskey has dipped in…

Anna Foster and some of the BBC’s best-known foreign correspondents are joined by an audience of Radio 4 listeners to celebrate 70 years of ‘From Our Own Correspondent’. Since the first episode was broadcast on 25th September 1955, FOOC – as it’s affectionately known – has reported from almost every country in the world. Anna’s guests for the event, recorded in the Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House in London, are Kate Adie, the presenter of FOOC and a former BBC Chief News Correspondent, Jeremy Bowen, the BBC’s International Editor, Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, and Steve Rosenberg, the BBC’s Russia Editor. They discuss what the job of a foreign correspondent is these days when anyone can get on a plane, take a mobile phone and broadcast to the world. They reflect on how to report on a more hostile world. Together, they offer insights into the world of the foreign correspondent - including the time Jeremy Bowen once told the Mujahideen in Afghanistan that he was Lyse Doucet -…

Kate Adie presents stories from Turkey, the USA, Myanmar, Italy and Ukraine. Anna Foster has been in Kahramanmaras, the epicentre of the recent earthquake, where diggers work to remove the debris, revealing small personal items that tell of so many lives lost. Even after the rescue teams have left for the day, relatives continue the search for loved ones through the night. President Joe Biden has switched to campaign mode in both his State of the Union speech to Congress and on his recent visit to Florida - celebrating the achievements of his presidency. But a fight looms with Republicans who now control the House, and there are potential trip wires on the road ahead, says Anthony Zurcher. A journalist from Myanmar shares his story of how hope turned to despair when the military seized power in a coup in 2021 - and how he was forced to flee with his family. The regime has used intimidation and harassment to shut down the media, says Rebecca Henschke. In Italy, Daniel Gordon tells the story of a man who…

Kate Adie presents stories from Afghanistan, Peru, Russia, the US and Spain As Afghanistan experiences its harshest winter in a decade, Lyse Doucet travels to Salang, the world's highest road tunnel. After roadside service comes to her team's rescue, she visits a struggling family who are cut off from aid and battling to keep warm. Peru is seeing some of its worst clashes since the return of democracy, with protesters demanding that interim president, Dina Boluarte, resign and make way for a general election and a new constitution. Many of the biggest protests were in southern Peru but Mitra Taj spoke to those who took their grievances to the capital, Lima. We meet a drag queen in Saint Petersburg who says Russia's new anti-LGBT law is crushing gay nightlife in the city. Our correspondent Will Vernon discovers this increased censorship also extends to bookshops, streaming services and high street shops -all part of Vladimir Putin's battle against Western values. Barbara Plett Usher was in Washington for the…

Kate Adie presents a selection of stories from correspondents who have covered the war, from the invasion of Kyiv to the present day. Fergal Keane remembers the beekeepers of the Donbas who he met in 2014, following Russia's annexation of Crimea. As he witnessed the throngs of Ukrainians fleeing war in February of this year, he wonders if he will meet his friends again. Quentin Sommerville reported close to Russian lines in Kharkiv as it came under attack. He reflects on the realities of war and the decision to show dead bodies in his television reporting - to not show them would be a lie, he says. Yogita Limaye writes on the atrocities which emerged in Bucha after Russian forces withdrew, and her encounter with Irina - a woman trying to rebuild her life after she lost her home, and her husband. In July, Orla Guerin reported on the effects of Russia's propaganda machine, and its influence within Russian-speaking communities in Ukraine. Suspicion and mistrust left some locals wondering on whose side their…

The task of a surgeon is not an easy one at the best of times, but some in Ukraine are having learn how to carry out operations in the midst of a battlefield. Many have been taught how to do this by the British surgeon, David Nott, who has worked in conflict zones around the globe. Wyre Davies joined one of his classes. Russia’s attack on Ukraine has left other countries wondering if they might be next. Fourteen countries have land borders with Russia, and eight of these were once part of the old Soviet Union, which Vladimir Putin at times seems keen to resurrect. Zeinab Badawi has been to Georgia, where she says many feel like they are now right on the front line. We owe the planet’s peat bogs a debt of gratitude, as they effectively suck carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, and store it underground. Andrew Harding travelled deep into the Republic of Congo, to see a vast area of peat the size of England, which is currently under threat. The Yazidi people of northern Iraq suffered horrific atrocities at the…

The repressive tactics of the Belarusian state have been back in the news this week – and all over the map. The Olympic Games in Tokyo were shaken by sprinter Krystina Timonovskaya’s row with her coaches – she ended up seeking asylum in Poland. In Ukraine, the head of a group helping Belarusian emigres was found hanged in a park in Kyiv; his death is still being investigated. In Belarus itself, it’s nearly a year since the disputed election of August 2020 - which sparked mass protests over the result. Since then the government of Aleksandr Lukashenko has been going after people who were involved in the demonstrations with every means to hand. This week, one of the main ‘faces’ of the protests went on trial. Sarah Rainsford was in Minsk and has been speaking to family and friends of Maria Kolesnikova. In Nigeria, the mass abduction of children has become a tragically recurring kind of news story: eighty taken in one incident, over 120 in another – just in the past few months. But it’s not just crime which is…

The political crisis which broke out in Tunisia last weekend is still simmering. Of all the countries in North Africa and the Middle East which toppled their dictators a decade ago, only Tunisia emerged as a full, multi-party democracy. Its free and fair elections, featuring candidates and groups of all ideological stripes, have been an exception in the wider region since then. But discontent has still mounted over the state of the economy, pandemic response and police tactics. Plenty of Tunisians don't necessarily see their country as a model for others - and president Kais Saied’s recent moves to freeze parliament and remove the prime minister were welcomed by many. Rana Jawad explores why the situation looks rather different from Tunis. Next week it will be a year since the chemical explosion that devastated the Lebanese capital, Beirut. It was one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history – which killed more than 200 people and left more than 300,000 homeless. One of the worst-hit neighbourhoods was…

Kate Adie reflects on key moments of 2020 with some of the most thought provoking dispatches by our correspondents. Andrew Harding, who covers Africa and is based in Johannesburg, spends a lot of his time travelling around the continent to witness events at first hand. The Coronavirus pandemic put a stop to much of that but he still had a dramatic story to tell in the autumn. He reflected on the somewhat ironic parallels he was seeing as he compared the situation within Africa with that of another key country in the world which was facing a significant election. Afghanistan is a country where it’s not easy to define the term outrage. Violence there has not abated despite peace talks between the government and the Tailiban. But an attack on Kabul University on November 2nd sent shock waves across the country and beyond. At least 35 people were left dead and 50 seriously wounded. Photographs of the murdered students and their blood-stained classrooms spread widely through Afghan social media. Lyse Doucet spoke…

On the campaign trail in Mexico, and Zimbabwe without Mugabe - what's changed? Kate Adie introduces stories, wit, and analysis from correspondents around the world. Will Grant attends a campaign rally in Mexico to hear presidential hopeful Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador promise a new investigation into the kidnapping of 43 students from Iguala in 2014. 'They took them away alive, we want them back alive" their families demand. Kim Chakanetsa is in Zimbabwe six months after Robert Mugabe was replaced by his former ally Emmerson Mnangagwa. Does the new President have a plan? Howard Johnson meets Manny Pacquiao - a boxer, basketball coach, singer, actor, entrepreneur, church pastor and politician who some talk of as a possible future leader of the Philippines. Robin Denselow is at a music festival on the West Bank designed to amplify the voices of those that live there and give the Palestinian music scene a boost. And Chris Bockman has the tale of the punk rocker turned bank robber who's returned to France after…

Waiting for elections and trying to answer awkward questions about sex in the DRC. Kate Adie introduces correspondents' stories from around the world: William Edmundson is in the Democratic Republic of Congo wondering just how democratic it really is. Katty Kay looks at how the mood in the #metoo movement has gone from hope to concern in the US. Will Grant boards a rather empty flight from Miami to Havana and assesses US -Cuba relations under President Trump - there may be turbulence ahead. Natalia Golysheva travels to the Russian Far East to meet some of the Old Believer sect, who've recently returned home. And Chris Bockman reports on the French island of Faisans that is soon to be Spain. Producer: Joe Kent.

From a clifftop village in China, a Ukrainian bunker and a former slave port in Tanzania - correspondents share their stories and analysis. Introduced by Kate Adie. Lucy Ash finds that morale is low amongst Ukrainian troops in the east of the country as they endure another winter at war and the frozen conflict rumbles on. John Sudworth assesses rural poverty in China from the dizzying heights of a village accessible only by climbing half a mile of ladders. Recent protests prompt Rana Rahimpour to reflect on previous rounds of unrest in Iran, and how parents are once again worrying if their children will return home. Sara Wheeler soaks up the scenery in the north of Vietnam and marvels at the foot rowers of Tam Coc. And Jeremy Grange finds that memories of the slave trade are still very much alive in Tanzania.

Political change in Zimbabwe and the new African reality; Kate Adie introduces correspondent's stories from around the world. Fergal Keane recalls the Cold War era conflicts he once reported on in Africa and reflects on what Robert Mugabe's downfall reveals about how things have changed since then. Lebanon has long been a nation of news addicts and Richard Hall finds that the ongoing political upheaval is keeping people glued to their screens. Linda Pressly explores how a passion for horse breeding is uniting people in the West Bank. In Portugal, Margaret Bradley finds that the seasonal migration of livestock from valley to mountain has been replaced by a new transhumance of hungry tourists. And Andrew Whitehead explores the complex history of Kashmir's Tibetans.

Reports from writers and journalists around the world. Presented by Kate Adie.

Election day was peaceful in Liberia, but are sinister forces at play? Kate Adie introduces analysis, wit, and story-telling from correspondents around the world. As the ballots are counted in Liberia’s presidential election, Tamasin Ford asks what influence did Charles Tylor have on voting? In China, the censors are hard at work, says Stephen McDonnell. Ahead of the Communist Party Congress, there is an increasing number of things you can't say. Bill Law asks whether the most significant impact of the blockade on Qatar could be caused by family division rather than economic upset. James Jeffrey walks the Camino de Santiago in Spain - no longer just a pilgrim's pathway but an economic lifeline. And Nick Higham has his wallet stolen in Ukraine and receives an unexpected insight into how the country functions. There is always a story behind the story

Having fled violence in Myanmar 40,000 Rohingya live in India, but for how much longer? Kate Adie introduces insight, wit, and analysis from correspondents around the world. In Delhi, Melissa van der Klugt visits the makeshift homes of Rohingya refugees built on land donated by a local charity. The Indian government wants to deport them. Fear and loathing on the streets of Spain - Nial O’Gallagher is among the Catalans voting on independence. While the Egyptian military and the so-called Islamic State continue to attack each other in North Sinai, locals in the South are keen to show Jacob Burns more peaceful scenes. In China, Frank Hersey stumbles across piles of tiny cages, huge nets strung between trees, and speakers blaring out birdsong. He joins the battle against avian poachers. And in Italy, Dany Mitzman reports on the latest health food – gelato.

Why did so many Germans vote for the anti-immigration AFD party? Kate Adie introduces correspondents' stories, insights and analysis from around the world. Jenny Hill assess the appeal of the right-wing, nationalist and populist AFD which is now the third biggest party in the German parliament. In Antigua, Jake Wallis Simons watches as the island braces itself for another hurricane while islanders on St Maarten complain they have been abandoned by the rest of the world. In Sudan, Sally Hayden explores some of the unintended consequences that two decades of US economic sanctions are having. In India, Angela Saini wonders whether its Silicon Valley - Bangalore - has finally found it creative spirit. And Jake Warren goes fox hunting in Ireland. Producer: Joe Kent.

Despite the threat from North Korea to fire missiles towards Guam, we find a surprising calm on the island. Kate Adie introduces correspondents' stories from around the world. From Guam, Rupert Wingfield Hayes has the latest developments in the war of words between the US and North Korea. Secunder Kermani hears tales of the horrific violence that followed the Partition of India 70 years ago but finds little remorse amongst some of its perpetrators. Hannah Armstrong visits Cape Verde where European migrants are starting new lives in Africa. In Cuba, Will Grant finds that the 'battle against bureaucracy', launched by the late Fidel Castro in 1965, is far from over. Simple tasks like paying your rent can still take hours. And in Swedish Lapland, Elizabeth Hotson goes down to the woods in search of a big surprise, and a bear. Producer: Joe Kent.

Afghanistan's new Top Guns and America's dilemma over sending more US troops to the region. Kate Adie introduces correspondents' stories. Justin Rowlatt meets one of a new generation of Afghan fighter pilots and asks whether they can become an effective fighting force without additional support from their US allies. Chris Haslam is in Rwanda ahead of the presidential election, but he doesn't need to wait for the vote itself to reveal who the winner is. Antonia Quirke finds that Mexico's long-running drug war is spreading its violence to previously peaceful parts of the country. David Shukman visits Greenland's melting ice sheet and struggles to avoid its treacherous puddles of slushy snow. And fridge magnets and foreign policy: has Steve Rosenberg found a new way to decipher Russia's approach to global politics? Producer: Joe Kent.

Hong Kong's micro-flats, Portugal's deadly wildfires, and scenes straight out of Charles Darwin's travel journals. Kate Adie introduces correspondents' stories. In Hong Kong, Gemma Newby finds a stifling lack of space; space to live, space to call home and space to think political thoughts. In the Philippines, we meet a rebel leader turned senator. In the 1980s, his attempted coups and failed rebellions led to hundreds of people being killed - Humphrey Hawksley asks why he did it. In Portugal, Margaret Bradley reflects on the wildfires that bring devastation to swathes of the country each year and explores how conspiracy theories take hold. In Uzbekistan, even the blurriest glimpse of what's really going on in the authoritarian state represents progress, says Peter Robertson. While President Karimov was a concrete block, President Mirzeyoyev has replaced that with opaque glass, he's told. And in Tierra del Fuego, Gideon Long finds scenes straight out of Charles Darwin's travel journals as he travel through…

Kate Adie introduces correspondents' stories: Dan Isaacs is on Aleppo's frontline with the last shopkeeper of the Old City; Soutik Biswas is thwarted in his search for cash in India; Tulip Mazumdar has an uncomfortable encounter with a "cutter" and undergoes a demonstration of what really happens during FGM. A year ago four Italian banks collapsed on the same day; Ruth Sunderland hears how thousands lost their life savings and even those who didn't find little hope in the future. South Korea is a technological giant, seemingly hurtling into the future, but Steve Evans observes how old-fashioned sexism persists across society.

Kate Adie introduces correspondents' stories. Damien McGuinness is in Berlin where the politicians are frustrated that British politicians don't seem to understand that no means no. Jake Wallis Simons returns to the scene of the terrorist attacks in Paris last year. James Jeffrey is in Addis Ababa, under a state of emergency, where there's confusion about what really is going on but people are partying as hard as ever. Lindsay Johns travels from Harvard to Harlem in a divided America. And Chris Carnegy meets one of the world's most prolific killers, in the South Atlantic. But his targets are mice.

Kate Adie introduces tales of fear, bravery and love from around the world. Justin Rowlatt is in Bangladesh, asking whether security is as important to the country’s leadership as going after its political enemies. In Michoacán state, one of the centres of Mexico’s war on drugs, Linda Pressly visits a community which rebelled against intimidation and organised crime to protect its forests as well as its people - and decided to shut out national police and political parties too. As Milton Nkosi has reported on South Africa’s student protests this week, he’s been moved to reflect on how young people’s political goals have changed since the apartheid era. Stephen Evans is staying calm under pressure, just like his South Korean neighbours - whether they’re navigating the nightmarish road traffic in Seoul or studiously refusing to be panicked by nuclear threats from Pyongyang. And Juliet Rix has some myths to dispel in Verona, as she sifts history from legend in the courtyard which many tourists believe really…