From Our Own Correspondent

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UPDATED WEEKLY

Insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers telling stories beyond the news headlines. Presented by Kate Adie.

5 DAYS AGO

The shadow of Islamic State in Syria

Kate Adie introduces stories from Syria, the Philippines, Tanzania and Brazil. During his visit to Washington this week, Syria’s interim president Ahmed Al Sharaa announced that Syria will join the coalition of 90 countries trying to eliminate the remnants of the Islamic State group. The threat of IS is increasing on Syrian soil, where 8,000 suspected IS fighters remain in jails, and 34,000 of their family members are held in camps. Orla Guerin reports on the new generation growing up in the camps. Last week the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Fung-wong - the twenty first big tropical storm to hit the country this year. Jonathan Head reflects on how the country copes with its vulnerability to natural disasters - and the growing anger over misappropriation of millions of dollars designated for improving flood defences. Tanzania recently experienced its worst post-election violence in decades. The newly elected president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was inaugurated after the country’s electoral commission declared she had won 98 per cent of the vote. In her speech she insisted the election was free and fair - though critics accuse the government of eliminating any credible political competition. Victor Kenani has been following the story on Tanzania’s border with Kenya. Global leaders met this week in the Brazilian city of Belem for the latest COP climate summit, though it was off to a rocky start when it was not entirely clear what new - and renewed - pledges would be up for discussion. Watching on was our Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt. Producer: Serena Tarling Production coordinators: Katie Morrison and Sophie Hill Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

29 min
8 NOV

Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Party fightback

Kate Adie presents stories from the USA, Jamaica, Uganda, Kazakhstan and Germany. Zohran Mamdani won New York City's race for mayor in a contest that rallied young voters and sparked debate about the future direction of the US Democratic Party. BBC North America editor Sarah Smith considers the political choices and challenges ahead. The world watched last week as Hurricane Melissa slowly crashed into Jamaica, causing extensive damage across the island – and killing at least 75 people across the region. Nada Tawfik witnessed the damage caused on Jamaica’s West coast. The glaciers in Uganda's Rwenzori mountains sustain unique ecosystems, but are rapidly reaching the point of no return as they continue to shrink. Hugh Kinsella Cunningham joined local community groups trying to mitigate the effects of climate changes in the region's foothills. Kazakhstan's economy is very much on the up, as it forges closer ties with China. Tim Hartley recently returned to the country after a hiatus of some two decades – as he followed the Wales football team, which was playing there - and saw up-close how the country has changed. The Berlin Wall became a concrete manifestation of the Cold War division between East and West – but it was by no means the only barrier built during this era. John Kampfner travelled to a small village in south Germany that was once divided by a wall of its own, which radically changed the lives of locals living there. Producer: Serena Tarling Production coordinators: Katie Morrison and Sophie Hill Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

29 min
8 NOV • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Party fightback

Kate Adie presents stories from the USA, Jamaica, Uganda, Kazakhstan and Germany. Zohran Mamdani won New York City's race for mayor in a contest that rallied young voters and sparked debate about the future direction of the US Democratic Party. BBC North America editor Sarah Smith considers the political choices and challenges ahead. The world watched last week as Hurricane Melissa slowly crashed into Jamaica, causing extensive damage across the island – and killing at least 75 people across the region. Nada Tawfik witnessed the damage caused on Jamaica’s West coast. The glaciers in Uganda's Rwenzori mountains sustain unique ecosystems, but are rapidly reaching the point of no return as they continue to shrink. Hugh Kinsella Cunningham joined local community groups trying to mitigate the effects of climate changes in the region's foothills. Kazakhstan's economy is very much on the up, as it forges closer ties with China. Tim Hartley recently returned to the country after a hiatus of some two decades – as he followed the Wales football team, which was playing there - and saw up-close how the country has changed. The Berlin Wall became a concrete manifestation of the Cold War division between East and West – but it was by no means the only barrier built during this era. John Kampfner travelled to a small village in south Germany that was once divided by a wall of its own, which radically changed the lives of locals living there. Producer: Serena Tarling Production coordinators: Katie Morrison and Sophie Hill Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

29 min
1 NOV

Argentina’s Milei wins big

Kate Adie introduces stories from Argentina, South Korea, Japan, Ireland and the Occupied West Bank. For decades, Argentina's cycle of boom and bust seemed endless, but two years ago, a chainsaw-wielding, self-styled 'anarcho capitalist' called Javier Milei promised a way out of all that. Since elected as president he’s shown some signs of being able to shrink the state – but are voters happy? Ione Wells watched on at the recent mid-term elections. The meeting between China’s President, Xi Jinping and US President, Donald Trump this week in South Korea was analysed intently for any signs of a breakthrough on the two countries trade stand-off. Our China correspondent Laura Bicker followed the encounter. Earlier on his East Asia tour Donald Trump met with Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. The president lavished praise on Ms Takaichi whose politics many have compared to Margaret Thatcher. Shaimaa Khalil examines what Donald Trump called 'a beautiful friendship'. Ireland has for a long time been known for its more stable, centrist politics – avoiding the polarisation seen in the US and parts of Europe. But last weekend’s presidential election suggests that is now changing. Chris Page followed the election from Dublin. The annual olive harvest is a major cultural event for Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank – but farmers there have come under increased attack by Jewish settlers this year. Tom Bennett travelled to the village of Turmus Ayya. Producer: Serena Tarling Production coordinator: Katie Morrison and Sophie Hill Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

29 min
27 OCT

Sudan's children of war

Kate Adie introduces stories from Sudan, France, India, the USA and Mauritius. Sudan's civil conflict has left millions of people displaced and at risk of hunger and famine. In the capital Khartoum, Nawal Al-maghafi witnesses the toll the violence has taken on families, and meets children whose young lives have been forever shaped by the war. France has been reeling this week from the fallout of last weekend’s theft of priceless crown jewels from the Louvre in Paris. Andrew Harding has been watching the disbelief and shame that has dented French national pride - but has seen humour too. India has been making textiles and clothing for the world for centuries – but its goods are now less competitive for American buyers, due to Donald Trump's heavy tariffs. In the run-up to the recent Diwali festivities, Archana Shukla saw how shoppers are feeling the pinch. Drugs like fentanyl have killed hundreds of thousands of Americans in recent years, and in the city of Las Vegas, a particularly vulnerable substance-using population are the homeless people who live in the city’s underground tunnels. Linda Pressly joined a local charity as they ventured underground, with the offer of help. And finally, we head to Mauritius to tell the story of a daring rescue mission to save some rare resident geckos from the effects of a giant oil spill. Lorraine Mallinder reveals how an international effort involving private jets helped save an endangered species. Producer: Adele Armstrong Production coordinator: Katie Morrison Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

28 min
18 OCT

Trump’s Middle East Victory Lap

Kate Adie presents stories from Israel and Egypt, Haiti, Italy and Ireland. President Trump received a hero’s welcome when he landed in Israel this week, following his central role in brokering the Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange deal. He also flew into the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh, where he declared ‘an historical turning point’ to the gathered world leaders. Tom Bateman travelled with the president on Air Force One. Mr Trump was short on detail when it came to how peace will proceed over the coming weeks, months - and years. That leaves the question: what happens next? Jeremy Bowen reflects on this moment in the region's long history – and wonders if there will ever be reconciliation. In Haiti, armed criminal gangs still have a firm grip on the capital's impoverished neighbourhoods. On a recent visit, Jasmin Dyer saw the ruined communities the gangs have left in their wake, and met some of the young victims of their brutality. Last month a London-born boy became the first millennial saint. Carlo Acutis died of leukaemia aged 15, but in his short life he built websites documenting miracles as a means of spreading Catholic teaching – and became known as 'God’s influencer'. Isabella Redmayne met pilgrims in the hilltop town of Assisi. And it’s perhaps a bit of a cliché when travelling to the US for locals to boast of their ancestry – part English, part German, part Scots and, more often than not, part Irish. On a recent visit to Ireland’s south coast, James Helm bumped into some trans-Atlantic travellers and learned more about the country’s enduring international appeal. Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinator: Rosie Strawbridge Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

28 min
11 OCT

Ukraine’s Death Messenger

Kate Adie introduces stories from Ukraine, Madagascar, St Helena, Uzbekistan and Bolivia. We follow a Ukrainian army officer in the western city of Lviv who has the unenviable task of informing families that their loved ones have been killed on the battlefield. Richard Pendry witnesses the heartbreak and anger that has faced Major Serhiy Laziuk every day for the past three years. Gen Z led protests have erupted in Madagascar recently. What began as a demonstrations against persistent power cuts, has evolved into demands for full-scale political change. Luke Freeman reports from the capital, Antananarivo. The British overseas territory St Helena in the South Atlantic - home to just four thousand people - largely depends on British grants and remittances from abroad. While renowned for its natural beauty, many locals are looking to leave to find their fortune abroad. Beth Rose spoke to islanders about the future. Uzbekistan is making art and culture a central pillar of its economic development, as the former Soviet republic looks to rebrand itself. Kirsty Lang visited the new biennial exhibition in Bukhara, where tradition merges with modern art. And finally, with their pleated skirts, fringed shawls and bowler hats, the 'Cholitas' are a common sight in Bolivia’s capital La Paz. Once a derogatory term for people of mixed Spanish and indigenous heritage, many women are now reclaiming the title, and transforming from outcasts to icons in the process, finds Jane Chambers. Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinator: Rosie Strawbridge Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

28 min
4 OCT

Dubai’s hidden sex trade

Kate Adie introduces stories from Dubai, The Dominican Republic, Denmark, Spain and Australia. Dubai is often described as one of the safest cities in the world - but safe for who? In the shadows of shining skyscrapers and shopping malls is an exploitative sex trade. Runako Celina has been investigating the suspicious deaths of two women who travelled to Dubai with big dreams. The Dominican Republic is a popular tourist destination - though not all new arrivals are welcome. The government is currently undertaking a sweeping campaign to deport illegal immigrants - in particular, those who have arrived from neighbouring Haiti. John Murphy met Haitians hiding out in the hills, to evade authorities. Denmark is among several European countries to have reported mysterious drone incursions in recent weeks. This comes at a time when the country is already on edge over its national security, having recently decided to extend its mandatory military service to include young women. Anna Holligan met some of the new recruits. In the Basque country, harvest festival season is underway - including some of the most enduring Pagan celebrations in Europe. These champion the land, the people deeply rooted to it, and a rich sense of local pride. Simon Busch has been joining in the festivities. And finally, while rare, Australia sees the highest rate of shark attacks in the world, but it doesn’t stop millions of people enjoying the beaches and the ocean. So, what can Australians’ love of the outdoors, no matter the dangers, teach the rest of us? Katy Watson reports from her local life-saving club in Sydney. Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinator: Rosie Strawbridge Editors: Richard Fenton-Smith

29 min

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