From Our Own Correspondent

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  1. 6d ago

    Iran: the funeral of Ayatollah Khamanei

    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 soldiers are living with the physical and psychological scars of war. Lucy Ash has been to a pioneering psychological retreat. Two-thirds of Argentina's population can trace their roots back to Italy. Their ancestors arrived during the 19th and 20th century when Argentina was one of the fastest growing countries in the world. But, as the economy stutters, Italian Argentines are increasingly returning home to Europe, finds Jane Chambers In Algiers, the ancient ‘Casbah’ – the historic citadel and medina - has been the focus of multiple forsaken plans for its regeneration. But now, at last, a restoration is gathering pace, says Philip Sweeney. Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production coordinators: Gemma Ashman & Sophie Hill Editor: Richard Vadon

  2. Jul 4

    Venezuela Earthquakes: 'I don't know how to rebuild my life'

    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.

  3. Jun 29

    Afghanistan’s secret schools for women

    Kate Adie introduces stories from Afghanistan, East Jerusalem, Jamaica, Thailand and Russia. 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. 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 Windsor went to visit them. In Thailand’s capital Bangkok, emergency service a receive snake-related call roughly every 15 minutes. Rebecca Root spent time with experts exploring the rise of human-snake encounters - and why their work on anti-venom production is vital. And after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow enacted new laws that made public criticism of the war a potential imprisonable offence. For the country’s comedians – for whom political satire has long been a staple of their performance - there’s now a tricky tightrope to tread, reports Ben Tavener in Moscow. This podcast was first published on Sat 27 June and republished on Mon 29 June following a factual error in the introduction of the Jerusalem dispatch.

  4. Jun 27 • Subscribers Only

    Afghanistan's secret schools for women

    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 has a report from Jerusalem on how the ‘status quo’ at one of the holiest sites for Islam and Judaism, the Al Aqsa mosque compound, known by Jews as Temple Mount, is under threat from Israeli nationalists. 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 Windsor went to visit them. In Thailand’s capital Bangkok, emergency service a receive snake-related call roughly every 15 minutes. Rebecca Root spent time with experts exploring the rise of human-snake encounters - and why their work on anti-venom production is vital. And after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow enacted new laws that made public criticism of the war a potential imprisonable offence. For the country’s comedians – for whom political satire has long been a staple - there’s now a tricky tightrope to tread, reports Ben Tavener in Moscow. Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Gemma Ashman Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

  5. Jun 20

    Trump, the G7, and the Iran deal

    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 other – the right-wing Keiko Fujimori and left-wing Roberto Sanchez. Ione Wells has been speaking to voters in Lima. The women of South Korea have experienced an anti-feminist backlash in recent years, following the MeToo movement’s breakthrough in 2016. One of the responses has been a rise in book clubs and writing rooms for women, offering a space to gather and talk freely. Leehyun Choi reports from Seoul. And England take on Ghana in the World Cup next Tuesday - one of ten African countries playing in this year’s tournament. Sara Wheeler has been in Jamestown where she heard more about football’s cherished place in Ghanaian life. Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Katie Morrison Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

  6. Jun 13

    Myanmar's civil war: the junta's fightback

    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 protests and reports of xenophobic violence, prompting repatriation efforts by several African governments. In Johannesburg, Mayeni Jones reflects on the tensions, her own unease, and the difficulty of separating fact from rumour. In Belize, a lesser-known musical tradition rooted in the unique history and culture of the Garifuna people is thriving. Simon Broughton explores this distinctive sound, shaped by a rich Caribbean heritage and a fiercely independent past. Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Katie Morrison Editor: Richard Vadon

  7. Jun 6

    Ebola in the DRC: Fear and Conspiracy Theories

    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 people were killed because of tensions between the Kuki and Meitei communities. Since then, the deeper causes of the conflict haven’t been resolved – and this year, communal violence has broken out again. Raghvendra Rao was there. Off the coast of Croatia an island’s once dwindling griffon vulture population is back in full flight. Mary Novakovich met the people responsible for the revival, and learns of this bird's vital role in ecological waste management. Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill & Katie Morrison Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

  8. May 30

    Cuba's collapsing revolution

    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. In Greece, indignation over new labour laws introduced last October continue to simmer as the summer heat takes hold. The new law, which permits 13-hour working days was met with fierce opposition and nationwide strikes. Heidi Fuller Love heard some full-throated views on the subject in a local taverna And finally, when a correspondent is on deployment, one of the aspects they have to navigate is a sudden change of plan. Sandra Kanthal found herself diverted by bad weather from an assignment reporting on Iceland’s arctic defences… and founded herself in an unusual museum. Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill & Katie Morrison Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

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Insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers from around the world

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  • Channel
    BBC
  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2005 - 2026
  • Episodes
    874
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Show Website
    From Our Own Correspondent
  • Provider
    BBC Studios Distribution Limited

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