Fifth Floor

Latest Episodes:

Lula Behind the Scenes Apr 06, 2018

Show notes

Brazil's former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who's facing a lengthy prison term for corruption, stirs high passions both in those who support him and those who don't. The BBC's Fernando Duarte gives us insights into a charismatic leader he reported on for many years.

Image: Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Credit: Igo Estrela/Getty Images

Handball and Politics on BBC Serbian Mar 30, 2018

Show notes

BBC Serbian went live this week with a big challenge: reporting Serbian stories and issues without always getting drawn back into the 1990s Balkans conflict. Then there's the unresolved issue of Kosovo, which declared itself independent of Serbia ten years ago, a move Serbia rejects. So maybe a story about a women's handball competition in Belgrade would be a safe one to launch with. BBC Serbian editor Alexandra Niksic hoped so.

Image: Serbian women's handball player Kristina Liscevic Credit: BJORN LARSSON ROSVALL/AFP/Getty Images

Road Rage, Rumour and Riots: Sri Lanka Mar 23, 2018

Show notes

This month violence erupted in the Sri Lankan city of Kandy. It started when a group of Muslim youths beat a Sinhala man following a minor traffic incident, but his death sparked days of rioting, the destruction of hundreds of Muslim properties, and at least two deaths. Azzam Ameen of BBC Sinhala sheds light on the role of social media, rumours and fake stories in raising inter-community tension.

Image: After the riots in Kandy Credit: BBC

A Rohingya Love Story Mar 16, 2018

Show notes

Since last August, around 700,000 Rohingyas have fled their homes and sought refuge in Bangladesh. Many now live in the huge Kutupalong camp, where Rocky Shahnewaj, a photojournalist with BBC Bangla, was surprised to come across a love story.

Image credit: Rohingya couple reunited in a refugee camp in Bangladesh. Credit: BBC

Poison and Spies in Sleepy Salisbury Mar 09, 2018

Show notes

BBC Russian has been at the heart of this week's reporting on the mysterious poisoning of a former Russian spy in Salisbury. Olga Ivshina tells us that a complex investigation in a quiet English city is just as difficult in its own way as frontline reporting from eastern Ukraine.

Image: Salisbury Cathedral in the mist Credit: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Defiant Voices From Eastern Ghouta Mar 02, 2018

Show notes

Eastern Ghouta has suffered intense bombardment as Syrian government forces attempt to oust rebel groups. But behind the name is a place with its own history and aspirations, and home to a defiant group of women blogging even as the shelling intensified. Lina Shaikhouni has been following their posts for BBC Monitoring.

Image: Syria's Eastern Ghouta under attack Credit: Hamza Al-Ajweh/AFP/Getty Images

New Names, Old Rivalries Feb 23, 2018

Show notes

Renaming the block outside the Russian Embassy in Washington DC, and the streets outside the United Arab Emirates and US embassies in Turkey. Political point scoring with names, with Natalka Pisnia of BBC Russian and Aylin Yazan of BBC Turkish.

Image: new street name installed Credit: ADEM ALTAN/Getty Images

Love is in the air… and at the BBC! Feb 16, 2018

Show notes

Some of our language service journalists share not only an office with colleagues, but also a living room, kitchen and bedroom. BBC's Salim Kikeke, Kathy Harcombe and Valeria Perasso tell us what it's like to have a romance on the Fifth Floor.

Image and credit: Kathy Harcombe and Salim Kikeke on their wedding day.

Inside the Map of the Afghan Conflict Feb 09, 2018

Show notes

BBC Afghan recently published the results of an ambitious project to assess the Taliban's influence across the country. Helmand Province in the south is the most affected area, and also home territory for BBC Afghan reporter Auliya Atrafi.

Image: Afghan soldier sits with gun on front line Credit: BBC

Cape Town's Water Challenge Feb 02, 2018

Show notes

Could you live on 50 litres of water a day? That's the challenge facing millions of people in Cape Town, on the brink of becoming the first major city to run out of water. BBC Africa contributor Mohammed Allie tells us how normal life has changed in his home town. Picture credit: Rodger Bosch/AFP/Getty Images. Description: Several people queueing at a standpipe to fill water containers

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