Fifth Floor

A journalist’s life in Israel Apr 13, 2024

What is it like to work in Jerusalem right now? BBC journalist Shaina Oppenheimer shares her experience of living in Israel and monitoring the conflicting narratives published on Israeli and Palestinian media. Plus, BBC Mundo's Alicia Hernandez explains why Equatorial Guinea is the only African country which has Spanish as one of its official languages and shares the unusual local Spanish words she discovered.

Produced by Caroline Ferguson and Alice Gioia

For future episodes of The Fifth Floor, you can now listen every week on The Documentary podcast. Just search for The Documentary, wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)

My Ramadan Apr 06, 2024

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It’s a period of prayer, celebrations and community gatherings and Muslims worldwide observe it by fasting from dawn to sunset. As this year’s Ramadan draws to a close, Faranak Amidi is joined by three BBC World Service colleagues who share their personal experiences and the stories that made headlines in their countries during this year’s celebrations.

Asif Farooqi, Aalia Farzan and Deena Easa have been looking at how conflict, natural disasters and the cost-of-living crisis are impacting people in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Gaza. Plus... Ramadan cricket, why do people want to get married during the Holy Month, and the TV series that everyone’s talking about.

Produced by Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson

(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)

From prison to president Mar 29, 2024

After an election held just days after his release from prison, Bassirou Diomaye Faye is set to become Senegal's next president, and at 44, the youngest in the country’s history. From Dakar, the BBC's Khadidiatou Cissé and Thomas Naadi tell us more about the new Senegalese leader.

Banksy's new neighbour BBC Mundo's Carlos Serrano shares his experience of finding himself at the centre of a big news story, after a Banksy mural was painted outside his apartment.

Kashmiri carpet weavers In Indian-administered Kashmir, an ancient code called 'talim' was traditionally used to pass on complex patterns to carpet weavers. BBC India's Priti Gupta reports on how computers and AI are changing this, and the impact on the traditional carpet industry.

Brazil’s forest-friendly rubber tappers The growing interest in sustainable ways of exploiting the Amazon rainforest has created new opportunities for Brazil's traditional rubber tappers, who can get enhanced payments for preserving the areas where they work. Julia Carneiro reported for BBC Brasil on how the scheme works.

The Big Korean Dictionary The Korean language has been diverging between North and South Korea since the peninsula was divided. To keep track of the changes, an inter-Korean dictionary project was set up in 2005, with linguists from both sides. But worsening relations mean the project was suspended in 2015, as BBC Korean's Seonwook Lee reports.

Come with us! The Fifth Floor is moving and we would love it if you can join us. You can now find all our episodes on The Documentary, the home of original, global storytelling, from the BBC World Service. Search for The Documentary, wherever you found this podcast, and don’t forget to subscribe or follow.

(Photo: Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Credit: Getty)

Women's radio in Afghanistan Mar 22, 2024

As a new school year starts in Afghanistan, 330,000 more girls will be excluded from secondary education, one of the ways in which women and girls are increasingly confined to their homes under the Taliban regime. In light of this, BBC Media Action is running the Women’s Voice radio project, training women to make programmes for other women on vital topics like health, work and education. Getti Sediqi is one of the trainers in Kabul.

Isabel, the giant armadillo The giant armadillo, found only in Latin America, has been called a "ghost species" because it's so rarely seen. But thanks to one particular armadillo in Brazil, called Isabel by researchers, many discoveries have now been made, as BBC Brasil’s Giulia Granchi reports.

Haji Firouz: Nowruz controversy in Iran Iran traditionally heralds its New Year with a festive figure known as Haji Firouz. The jester-like character sings and dances through the streets but has become controversial because performers blacken their faces and hands, a practice many find highly offensive. Now the character is being used as a form of protest to highlight the ongoing struggle for women's rights in Iran, as BBC Monitoring's Sarbas Nazari explains.

No bidders for Aung San Suu Kyi's iconic house A failed attempt was made this week to auction the lakeside home of the detained Burmese leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. A court had ordered its sale after a long drawn-out legal battle between Suu Kyi and her brother Aung San Oo. BBC Burmese editor Soe Win Than explains the significance of this house, and the possible reasons why no bidders showed up.

The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia's money glitch Ethiopia's largest commercial bank is trying to recoup millions of dollars' worth of currency after a 'system problem' allowed customers to withdraw unlimited funds. It's been reported that a large portion of the cash was withdrawn by students as news of the banking glitch spread around universities. Kaleb Moges tells us about developments.

(Photo: Nadia Shekib, journalist, producer and news editor at Radio TV Oboor. Credit: BBC Media Action)

Israel’s Orthodox Jews and the army Mar 15, 2024

The war in Gaza is forcing Israeli society to confront a long-standing conflict over who serves in the army. Ultra-Orthodox Jews enjoy an exemption, but many Israelis now say this should end. Both sides took to the streets to protest, while the Israeli Supreme Court hears a case related to this matter, as BBC Arabic’s Michael Shuval reports.

Ukraine's Ushanka hat sell off The Ukrainian government plans to auction 40,000 ushanka hats it bought in the early 2000s. The warm winter hats became popular after the 1917 Russian revolution and spread across the Soviet Union for leaders and civilians alike. BBC Ukrainian's Dmytro Vlasov explores the history of the hat, and why they're being sold now.

Thailand's cannabis law reversal Thailand’s new government plans to reverse a law decriminalising the recreational use of cannabis which was passed only 18 months ago. BBC Thai’s Tossapol Chaisamritpol explains the societal pressures behind the switch, and met some of the growers who will be affected if the ban goes ahead.

China’s looming pension crisis As China’s birthrate declines and a growing number of people reach old age and retirement, the country faces a looming crisis – the labour force will be smaller, and the cost of caring for the elderly will be higher. For BBC Chinese, Chen Yan explores the potential impact on the economy – and, in the words of one expert, on China’s destiny.

Observing the 'Day of Silence' and Ramadan in Indonesia Nyepi or 'Day of Silence' is an important Indonesian public holiday, mainly observed in Bali. It's a day reserved for quiet self-reflection, and this year, the Hindu celebration coincided with the first day of Ramadan. BBC Indonesian's Amahl Azwar met some of those making sure the two forms of worship can run smoothly together.

(Photo: Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men protest against proposed end to military conscription exemption. Credit: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters)

The gangs of Haiti Mar 08, 2024

The Caribbean nation of Haiti is in the grip of gang violence, with armed groups controlling much of the country. The lawlessness came to a head after gangs stormed two jails, freeing thousands of prisoners. Meanwhile Prime Minister Ariel Henry is being prevented from returning after a trip abroad. Luis Fajardo from BBC Monitoring in Miami tells us about the key players in Haiti, and the background to what’s happening.

The women saving a river A group of women in Bangladesh have been mobilising to save the Moyur river from land grabbers. They have successfully recovered parts of the river and protected them from pollution. Shahnewaj Rocky of BBC Bangla went to meet them.

Women running in Iraq Women competitors in a recent 13-kilometre race in the Iraqi city of Basra were banned just days before it took place. Organisers decided to exclude them after comments by Muslim clerics that the participation of women would 'deprive them of their chastity and honour'. Dima Babilie of BBC Arabic has spoken to women who had been training for the race.

Filming the Mayor of Freetown When she took office in 2018, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr was the first democratically elected female mayor of Sierra Leone’s capital city, Freetown. During her successful re-election campaign last year, she was filmed for a BBC Africa Eye documentary, which set out to follow her environmental work, but became a record of a fiercely contested election, as we hear from Africa Eye’s Abdul Brima.

Baraye: the protest anthem that Iran has tried to suppress Iranian singer Shervin Hajipour became famous after his song Baraye became widely popular in the country, and went on to win a Grammy award for Best Song for Social Change. He has now received a prison sentence after being charged with "spreading propaganda against the establishment". Taraneh Stone of BBC Persian has been looking into Shervin’s story.

(Photo: Tyres on fire near the main prison of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 3, 2024. Credit: Luckenson Jean/AFPTV/AFP)

Searching for missing migrants Mar 01, 2024

The Eagles of the Desert are a group of volunteers who look for migrants who've been reported missing while crossing the hazardous Sonoran Desert from Mexico into the United States. BBC Mundo reporter Valentina Oropeza and cameraman Jose Maria Rodero joined them on a search, and they share their experience of the desert and the work of the volunteers.

Policing Uzbekistan's schools Last month, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan told the National Guard to go into schools to tackle truancy. It's a big topic on social media, with some parents upset about the discipline being imposed by the guards. BBC Uzbek's Ibrat Safo has been following developments.

Being Hindu in India Identity is an important issue in India’s upcoming elections, and for much of the population, it’s deeply embedded in Hinduism. In a series of interviews across the country, BBC Delhi’s Divya Arya explores the many different ways of being Hindu, including an episode on Dalits, who are at the bottom of the religious caste ladder and have historically experienced inequality and oppression.

Cuba and South Korea South Korea has restored diplomatic relations with Cuba, a longstanding ally of North Korea, after 65 years. BBC Korean's Yuna Ku and BBC Mundo's Atahualpa Amerise explain the history and context of the surprise announcement, and what it might mean.

(Photo: Volunteer searching in Sonoran desert. Credit: BBC)

Living with war: Ukraine's new normal Feb 23, 2024

Two years after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, we hear from colleagues in BBC Ukrainian about life in Kyiv. How different is the new normal from their old lives, and how have they adapted? Daria Taradai and Halyna Korba share their stories.

Sri Lanka's cashew village Kajugama is famous for its cashew nuts, in fact its name means "cashew village" in Sinhala. Many local women depend on selling cashews to make a living, but the business is in decline and they're struggling to earn enough. BBC Sinhala's Shirly Upul Kumara finds out why.

Searching for an identity – Chinese or Indonesian? BBC journalist Trisha Husada has been investigating her own identity as an Indonesian of Chinese descent. In the past, there was pressure on Chinese Indonesians to assimilate, changing their names and abandoning their culture. Trisha tells us what she discovered from talking to friends, relatives and experts about what it means now to be Chinese Indonesian.

The women carpenters of the Hunza valley In the Hunza valley in northern Pakistan, there is an all female carpentry workshop. The work they've undertaken includes the renovation of two of Gilgit Baltistan's ancient forts. Nazish Faiz of BBC Urdu met the women to find out how they got into carpentry.

(Photo: A mural in Kyiv's Podil neighbourhood. Credit: Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images)

Medicines and cinema: Gaza Lifeline Feb 19, 2024

BBC Arabic's Gaza Lifeline launched 3 months ago to provide life-saving information for citizens forced from their homes by the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, and struggling to find the necessities of life. Journalists Karim Moustafa, Amira Dakroury and Marwa Gamal tell us about the information they provide, and the stories they've covered.

Kazakhstan’s school headscarf ban There's a dilemma for Muslim schoolgirls in Kazakhstan who want to wear the hijab. It violates the country's school uniform rules, and girls who refuse to take off the hijab have been expelled. BBC Russian's Aisymbat Tokoeva went to Kazakhstan to meet one of these students and her parents to find out more.

The death of Alexei Navalny Following reports of the death in prison of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, BBC Russian editor Famil Ismailov explains what’s known about his death, and reminds us about his eventful life and political career.

Senegal's election crisis Senegal's reputation as a stable democracy has been called into question after President Macky Sall's decision to delay this month's presidential election until December. Protesters took to the streets, and now the country's top court has ruled that the decision is against the constitution. Beverly Ochieng of BBC Monitoring in Nairobi has been following events.

Photo: Palestinian Israel conflict camp. Credit: MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images

What is happening at Zaporizhzhia? Feb 09, 2024

There have been concerns about the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, which was seized by Russian forces in March 2022. Following this week's visit to the plant by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vitaliy Shevchenko of BBC Monitoring explains the findings of the team.

The Year of the Dragon At the start of the Year of the Dragon, we look at the importance of the dragon in Chinese culture. We also find out why there's growing pressure to differentiate the Chinese dragon, or "loong", from the Western idea of a dragon. Our guide is Suping from BBC Monitoring.

Indian labourers applying for jobs in Israel Israel has been dealing with a labour shortage since it revoked the work permits of thousands of Palestinians after the October 7 attacks. Large-scale recruitment sessions have been organized by the Israeli government in India, and BBC Hindi's Anant Zanane of BBC Hindi met applicants in Lucknow.

The Turkish earthquake, one year on BBC Turkish journalist Esra Yalcinalp shares the story of Nurgül Göksu, a woman who lost her son, daughter-in-law and baby granddaughter when their apartment block collapsed, while those around it stayed standing. She hired excavators to recover evidence from the rubble, evidence now being used in prosecutions.

The first lady, a pastor, and a designer handbag BBC Korean’s Yuna Ku explains why South Korea has been gripped by the story of a Dior bag given to the president’s wife by a Christian pastor.

(Photo: The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Credit: Anatolii Stepanov/AFP/Getty Images)

Election symbols in Pakistan Feb 02, 2024

Electoral symbols are crucial in Pakistani elections, helping illiterate voters find their party on the ballot paper. So when Pakistan's Supreme Court upheld a decision to strip the PTI party of Imran Khan of its cricket bat symbol last week, many cried foul. BBC Urdu editor Asif Farooqi explains the rich history of symbols, and how this relates to Pakistan's forthcoming elections.

The 63-year-old Pakistani going back to school BBC Urdu's Azizullah Khan met the 63 year old man in north west Pakistan who’s enrolled in his local primary school after missing out on an education as a boy.

Thailand’s iguana village BBC Thai’s Tossapol Chaisamritpol visits the village overrun by iguanas, believed to be the offspring of pets left behind by a family from Bangkok, and now numbering many hundreds.

Ukraine's ‘acoustic violence‘ ban So-called ‘acoustic violence’ on public transport has been banned in Ukraine. New legislation prohibits bus drivers from playing music, with passengers now required to wear headphones when playing videos or music on their phones. Ilona Hromiluk from BBC Ukraine has experienced it herself, and explains how the war has hastened this shift.

The South Korean family seeking justice for a 1968 killing BBC Korean’s Jungmin Choi tells the story of a South Korean man whose family were killed when North Korean guerrillas attacked his village in 1968. The story is back in the news after his son won a court case holding North Korea responsible, and awarding compensation, though whether this can be enforced remains doubtful.

(Photo: In a village outside Lahore, a voter puts his finger print on his ballot. Credit: Gerhard Joren/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Balochistan: Iran Pakistan conflict Jan 26, 2024

This month Iran launched a missile attack into Pakistan's Balochistan region, claiming to target an Iranian anti-regime militant group based there. Days later Pakistan retaliated with missiles it claimed were directed at Baloch-Pakistan militants in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province. BBC Urdu's Saher Baloch visited the border city of Turbat in Pakistan's Balochistan province to find out what impact this is having on cross border relations, and what these militants want.

Chinese students choose Thai universities BBC Thai recently reported that more and more Chinese students are choosing to study in Thai universities, making up 60% of all international students. It's particularly common with private universities, so Thanyaporn Buathong visited Krirk university near Bangkok to find out why.

Shamans and Indonesian politics Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world, but many people are also very superstitious. So during elections, many politicians turn to shamans to give them the edge over their opponents, as Hanna Samosir of BBC Indonesian reports.

Nigeria's youth curling team A group of Nigerian teenagers known as "The Broomzillas" have made history as the first curling team from Africa to appear at the Winter Youth Olympics which opened in South Korea last week. BBC Africa sports journalist Emmanuel Akindubuwa met the team to find out what obstacles they’d overcome to get there.

"Hunting" foreigners A debate emerged in Vietnam about the term and practice of 'hunting foreigners'. Many students seek out English speakers to practice their linguistic skills on, and while many tourists are happy to oblige, others find it intrusive or inappropriate. BBC Vietnamese's Thuong Le explains the debate, while BBC Chinese's Yan Chen remembers his own English hunting days.

(Photo: Blue informal fuel trade trucks on Pakistani Balochistan border with Iran. Credit: BBC)

Bring them home: Israel's hostages Jan 19, 2024

Since the 7th October attacks, BBC Arabic's Michael Shuval has interviewed many of the families of those abducted by Hamas and held captive in Gaza. The families held an event marking 100 days since their abduction, close to the Nova festival site, as part of their campaign to bring their loved ones home.

The new Ram temple and the transformation of Ayodhya Next week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will fulfil a decades-long Hindu nationalist pledge by opening the Ram Mandir on one of India's most controversial religious sites. Nitin Srivastava of BBC Delhi is from the area and has been covering the event.

Ecuador’s war on the drug gangs This week the violence in Ecuador linked to powerful drug gangs saw the murder of a leading prosecutor, following prison escapes, explosions, and even an attack on a TV station. BBC Mundo’s Ana Maria Roura, who’s from Ecuador, explains what the government is up against and how it's responding.

Journey to Journalism: BBC Urdu's Nazish Faiz What motivates our language service colleagues to become journalists? We hear from BBC Urdu's Nazish Faiz, who grew up in a conservative family in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. She challenged cultural and family norms to become a journalist, and is now inspiring the next generation of village girls.

(Photo: Wall painting highlighting hostages in the Gaza Strip on November 22, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Credit: Amir Levy/Getty Images)

Discovering the real TB Joshua Jan 12, 2024

A BBC Africa Eye investigation has found evidence of widespread abuse and torture by the late TB Joshua, founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos, which has followers around the world. The team was supported by Nigerian investigative journalist Adejuwon Soyinka, who tells us when the pastor first came to his attention and what he discovered about him.

Secret trains and Russian prisoners The disappearance of imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, and his reappearance three weeks later in the so-called 'Polar Wolf' Arctic penal colony, has shed light on Russia's long history of secret trains and penal colonies, as BBC Russian's Oleg Boldyrev reports.

Election protests in Serbia: the bigger picture Serbia has seen weeks of protests after alleged voting irregularities during parliamentary and local elections last month, won by the ruling party. President Aleksandar Vučić has rejected calls for an international probe, but the opposition coalition Serbians Against Violence continues to dispute the results, as BBC Serbian's Aleksandar Miladinović explains.

Sindh's sibling rappers Two siblings from Sindh in Pakistan have been using rap to tackle taboo topics rarely discussed in their communities, including menstruation, domestic violence and religion. Shumaila Khan of BBC Urdu met them.

Presented by Irena Taranyuk.

(Photo: Nigerian pastor TB Joshua. Credit: Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images)

Rushdi Abualouf: family, work and war Jan 11, 2024

The BBC’s Gaza correspondent Rushdi Abualouf reported from Gaza for more than 20 years, but last November he and his family left for the safety of Istanbul. He tells us about the challenges of his new life, and the chaos, death and destruction of his final weeks in Gaza, as Israel retaliated for the Hamas cross-border assault of 7 October.

The Brazilian bat rediscovered after 100 years A bat discovered in part of Brazil's Atlantic Forest in 2018 has been officially confirmed as a species which hadn't been seen for more than a century. It was originally documented by an English zoologist in 1916. André Biernath of BBC Brasil tells us why its rediscovery is so important in understanding Brazilian biodiversity.

Building a future in Mozambique, five years after Cyclone Idai In March 2019, Cyclone Idai made landfall in Mozambique, killing over one and a half thousand people and affecting three million people across three countries. The BBC's Nomsa Maseko travelled to Beira, one of the worst affected areas, soon after it hit, and now she's returned for a documentary called Building a future for cyclone-hit Mozambique. She tells us what she discovered.

Taboo-busting women in Indian-administered Kashmir A group of women in Indian-administered Kashmir have joined forces in order to break taboos. BBC Urdu joined them in a visit to a hareesa restaurant, a place usually only frequented by men. Riyaz Masroor tells us why these women formed the group, and what they thought of the hareesa.

Presented by Irena Taranyuk.

(Photo: The BBC's Rushdi Abualouf reporting from Gaza in November 2023. Credit: BBC)

Stories of hope and joy Dec 29, 2023

BBC language service journalists share stories and experiences that lifted their spirits in a year with more than its fair share of tragic news.

BBC Russian's Nataliya Zotova explains how an imperious seagull named Agamemnon helped her settle in her new home in Riga, after leaving Russia.

BBC Delhi’s Divya Arya tells us about helping an interviewee who had shared her story of surviving domestic violence and living with significant facial burns, to become a guest presenter for BBC Hindi.

BBC Afghan's Aalia Farzan tells us about presenting a schools programme for Afghan children, and being able to return home and see her mother again for the first time since she was forced to leave in 2021.

BBC Brasil’s Joao Fellet shares the story of the Japanese Brazilian farmers in the Amazonian state of Pará, who have switched from mono-cropping to agroforestry, regrowing a forest of sorts and providing a profitable model for land cleared by logging.

And Ethiopian-based journalist Kalkidan Yibeltal shares the experience of travelling to the Simien Mountains in northern Ethiopia and experiencing the therapeutic quiet and stillness of the national park, in a year otherwise devoted to covering conflict.

(Photo: Seagull on windowsill in Riga. Credit: Nataliya Zotova, BBC)

Ukraine: ancient and modern Dec 15, 2023

Presented by Irena Taranyuk

A stalled front line and diplomatic challenges - we look at the pressures on Ukraine with Vitaliy Shevchenko, Russia editor at BBC Monitoring. And Daria Taradai of BBC Ukrainian tells us about the return to Kyiv of hundreds of ancient Scythian treasures from Crimea, which were on loan to a European museum when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Their arrival in Kyiv follows almost 10 years of legal battles with Russia.

Pilgrimage to Aksum Thousands of pilgrims recently made their way to Aksum in Ethiopia, for a religious holiday taking place for the first time since the end of the civil war in the northern region of Tigray. Aksum is a holy site for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians who say it is home to the Ark of the Covenant. BBC Tigrinya’s Girmay Gebru, who’s based in the regional capital Mekelle, travelled to Aksum to talk to local people and visitors.

HIV and sterilisation: a legal victory in Kenya After a nine-year legal battle, four Kenyan women living with HIV have shared their stories with BBC Africa, of how they were sterilised without informed consent. They have now received compensation, and the recognition that the procedures they went through at a public hospital were carried out because of their HIV status. Health correspondent Dorcas Wangira tells us about meeting them, and the legal significance of this ruling.

Lost and found: Indonesia’s rare echidna Pristine forests, crystal clear water, and an ancient species of animal that was believed to be extinct - BBC Indonesian's Famega Syavira travelled to northeastern Papua to report on the rediscovery of Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna. Previously, the only evidence of this rare species of the egg-laying mammal was a dead specimen in a Dutch museum, collected 60 years ago.

(Photo: A copy of the Scythian Pectoral exhibited in the Treasury of the National Museum of History of Ukraine. Credit: Pavlo Bahmut/Getty Images)

Somalia after the floods Dec 08, 2023

Somalia is struggling with the aftermath of its worst floods for many decades, which have affected more than two million people. Some were already displaced, having lost their livelihoods in the acute drought which preceded the flooding. It’s a big story for BBC Somali, and journalist Fardowsa Hanshi tells us how they’ve been covering it.

Being a tourist in Afghanistan Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Afghanistan has seen a reduction in violence. This has opened up the country to both local and foreign tourists. Shoaib Sharifi of BBC Media Action recently took a trip around his native country, and saw it in a way that he never had before. He shares some memorable moments from his journey.

North Korean hack It's recently emerged that the notorious North Korean hacking group Andariel has stolen vast amounts of data from South Korea. Around 1.2 terabytes of information was taken from industries including pharmaceutical companies and defence firms as well as universities. Rachel Lee of BBC Korean tells us more about the hacking and how it was discovered.

A lifeline for Hong Kong's domestic workers Foreign domestic workers have become indispensable for many families in Hong Kong. However, their physical and mental health are sometimes affected by busy schedules and lack of space and exercise. Now some have found a lifeline, thanks to a personal trainer who offers them free fitness classes. Benny Lu from BBC Chinese went to investigate.

Sri Lanka's doctor exodus Huge numbers of doctors and other professionals are leaving Sri Lanka due to the economic situation and escalating taxes. BBC Sinhala's Sampath Dissanayake reports on what led to this crisis and the impact it is having on Sri Lankans.

(Photo: Extreme flooding in Somalia. Credit: BBC)

Breathless: the human cost of flaring Dec 01, 2023

A BBC Arabic investigation has revealed that toxic pollutants released during gas flaring are endangering millions more people than previously feared. Flaring - the burning of waste gas during oil drilling - is taking place across the Gulf, including by COP28 hosts, the United Arab Emirates. Reporter Sarah Ibraham tells us what the documentary, Breathless, reveals about how the pollution can spread hundreds of kilometres, affecting air quality across the entire region.

Hong Kong city walks Sampson Wong is the author of two books about walks around Hong Kong, and has been promoting the benefits of walking and watching since Covid. Meiqing Guan from BBC Chinese joined him to find out more.

Covering the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue It took 17 days to free the 41 workers trapped in a collapsed Himalayan road tunnel in northern India. BBC Hindi’s Anant Zanane was reporting from the scene, and broke the story live on air.

The matriarchal herders of Shimshal For the BBC's 100 Women season, BBC Urdu's Farhat Javed trekked to Pakistan’s Shimshal Valley with the Wakhi shepherdesses, a female-led community who have used the wealth from raising livestock at extreme altitudes to build roads, and educate their children.

Serbia’s multi-millionaire barber – myth or reality? This year marks the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of Nikola Bizumić, the Serbian barber reputed to have moved to London, changed his name to John Smith, and made piles of money from his invention: the hair clipper. BBC Serbian's Nemanja Mitrović has been digging into his mysterious story, particularly what happened to his missing millions.

(Photo: Gas flaring in the Rumaila oil field in Southern Iraq. Credit: BBC)

Sudan's IDP crisis Nov 24, 2023

It's seven months since fighting in Sudan erupted between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Peace talks in Saudi Arabia have so far failed to secure a truce, leaving over five million Sudanese internally displaced, and a humanitarian crisis imminent without a ceasefire according to the UN. BBC Arabic's Mohamed Osman was forced to leave his home in Omdurman, but returned to Port Sudan, the country's de facto capital, to report on those made homeless by the war.

Kimchi Day in Little Korea This week South Koreans celebrated Kimchi Day in honour of the famous national dish made from tangy and spicy fermented vegetables. And for the first time, this year Kimchi Day was also celebrated in Europe, and more specifically the London suburb of New Malden. BBC Korean's Yuna Ku explains why.

The Ukrainian teenager called up by the Russian army Bogdan Yermokhin is a 17-year-old Ukrainian forcefully removed from occupied Ukraine to Russia. He recently received conscription papers from the Russian army, to fight against Ukraine. Nina Nazarova of BBC Russian shares his story.

Mumbai’s women cricketers As cricket lovers in India grapple with the disappointment of losing to Australia in the men’s Cricket World Cup, BBC Marathi have been reporting a good news cricket story. Janhavee Moole of BBC Marathi visited a women’s cricket club in Mumbai, which has 300 members, the eldest of whom is 72, and the youngest 9.

Argentina's president-elect and the woman he calls "The Boss" Meet Karina, sister of president-elect Javier Milei. She was by his side at every step of his presidential campaign, and presented him to his euphoric supporters when his victory was announced. But what do we know about her? Answers from BBC Mundo’s Fernanda Paul.

(Photo: Sudanese IDP camp in Port Sudan where those displaced by war live in makeshift tents. Credit: BBC)

Eagles helping locate Israel's dead Nov 17, 2023

Following the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7th October, conservationists have been using unconventional methods to locate the bodies of the dead. Its civilian Nature and Parks Authority is using tracking devices on rare migratory birds to help locate the missing, passing information on where they stop onto the authorities. It says one eagle has helped recover four bodies, as BBC Arabic’s Michael Shuval reports.

Indonesia's village influencers Two young village women in Indonesia have become surprise social media stars for their video posts about simple village life. BBC Indonesian's Trisha Husada spoke to Lika and Nia to find out more about their lives.

The life and legacy of Iranian singer 'Golpa' Many Iranians have been mourning the loss of one their most prominent vocalists, Akbar Golpayegani who has died, aged 90. His performances on Tehran's 'Radio Golha Programmes' between 1953 and 1979 helped popularise traditional Persian music, but his career stalled after the Islamic Revolution when, like many artists, he was forced into silence. Faraj Balafkan has been covering the story for BBC Persian.

Freeing Luis Díaz Sr: Colombia and the ELN It's a week since the father of Liverpool FC player Luis Díaz was handed over by Colombian guerrilla group the ELN after being held for twelve days. BBC Monitoring in Miami's Luis Fajardo is Colombian, and explains what the story reveals about the difficult situation in Columbia right now.

Tree planting in Kenya Kenyan's were granted a special tree-planting holiday on Monday as part of a government initiative to plant 15 billion trees over ten years. BBC Africa journalist Kenneth Mungai spent some time at a site near the river Athi meeting residents involved in the project.

(Photo: A white-tailed eagle. Credit: Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

A lifeline for Gaza Nov 10, 2023

Presented by Andrea Kennedy

BBC Arabic has begun an emergency radio service for Gaza in response to the conflict in the region. Adel Soliman tells us about providing news and information, and also key lifeline advice on access to medical care, food and water.

The floating duck farms of Bangladesh Low-lying farmland in north east Bangladesh is flooded every year during the monsoon, and local people used to survive by fishing as well as farming. But climate change and over-fishing have ruined their livelihoods, and, as BBC Bangla's Shahnewaj Rocky found out, many have turned to duck farming instead.

Theatre in wartime Russia The war in Ukraine has dealt a severe blow to Russia’s rich theatrical scene. Directors, actors, playwrights, choreographers and musicians have been sacked for opposing the war, and many theatre professionals have left the country. Amaliya Zatari of BBC Russian tells us about the impact.

China's Belt and Road, 10 years on Ten years after China unveiled its Belt and Road Initiative, creating energy, industry and transport projects across the world, Chen Yan of BBC Chinese tells us about its successes and failures. We also get the perspective from Central Asia, from Akbarjon Musaev of BBC Monitoring.

(Photo: A man holds a portable radio receiver in the southern Gaza Strip on October 31 2023. Credit: Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images)

What's happening in Ukraine? Nov 03, 2023

Presented by Irena Taranyuk

The intense focus of the world’s media on events in the Middle East has taken attention away from the war in Ukraine. We ask what's the latest on the war, and what important stories are being reported from the region? Answers from Diana Kuryshko of BBC Ukrainian and Vitaliy Shevchenko, Russia editor at BBC Monitoring and co-presenter of Ukrainecast.

Factories versus fishermen: the story of Rempang Island A small Indonesian island off Sumatra has been in the news because of a threat to evict local residents to make way for industrial development. Villagers on Rempang Island mostly make a living from fishing, and they have been protesting against the plan. BBC Indonesian's Astudestra Ajengrastri went to Rempang Island to investigate.

Pakistan bump shaming Pictures of the cute babies of celebrities are popular on social media in Pakistan. But it seems Pakistanis are not so keen on images of the previous stage: pregnancy. Women have been trolled or banned from the screen for proudly showing their fully-covered baby bumps. BBC Urdu's Shumaila Khan has been asking why this is so shocking.

Pre-hispanic Latin America Gender equality, tolerance of same-sex relations, no extreme poverty and sustainable lifestyles: these are all areas in which indigenous cultures in Latin America were ahead of their time, according to research done by BBC Mundo. It's a story which really caught the imagination of the Spanish-speaking audience - reporter Jose Carlos Cueto tells us more.

(Photo: A resident is seen after shelling in the Ukrainian frontline city of Avdiivka on October 17, 2023. Credit: Ozge Elif Kizil/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Meet the BBC Korean team in Seoul Oct 27, 2023

The Fifth Floor visits the BBC's Seoul Bureau to meet the journalists working for BBC Korean, serving audiences across the whole of the Korean peninsula, with different output for both North and South Korea. Journalists David Oh, Hyunjung Kim and Yuna Ku talk about the stories they've been working on for the domestic audience, from the growing global interest in Korean popular culture to what divides, and unites, Koreans.

They also broadcast a daily radio programme to North Korea. Editor Woongbee Lee and journalist Rachel Lee explain how they keep this largely unknown audience informed about worldwide news, as well as stories about their own country unreported by their state broadcasters.

And on the first anniversary of the Itaewon Halloween tragedy in which 159 people became trapped in huge crowds and died, unable to breathe, we hear from Jungmin Choi who filmed on the scene in the days after the disaster, and Yuna Ku, who is working on stories to mark the anniversary, about the victims' families' fight for justice.

(Photo: Faranak Amidi and BBC Korean editor Woongbee Lee in central Seoul. Credit: BBC)

Israel Gaza conflict: the war of words Oct 20, 2023

With constant new developments in Israel and Gaza, we find out how BBC Monitoring is reporting and analysing news from the heart of the conflict. Joel Greenberg from the team in Jerusalem tells us about the war of words between Israeli and Palestinian media; Kian Sharifi analyses what’s being said on Iranian state media and social media; and Alex Wright has been looking at online jihadist sources to see how they are exploiting the conflict.

Feeling the heat in Brazil Parts of Brazil have just come through an intense heatwave and are braced for another – and it’s not even the summer season yet. For BBC Brasil, Julia Braun has been to two contrasting neighbourhoods in Sao Paulo to see how differently the heat is experienced, according to where you live.

Dars - the BBC's distance learning for children in Afghanistan As a result of the Taliban exclusion of girls aged over 11 from education in Afghanistan, BBC Afghan decided to bring the classroom to their homes. Dars - which means lessons - is a multi-platform series in Pashto and Dari, and a second season has just been launched. We find out more from producer Mariam Aman.

The return from the brink of Kazakhstan's saiga antelope The rare saiga antelope of Kazakhstan has turned into a success story - and caused a headache for farmers. Twenty years ago, numbers were critically low, but a successful rehabilitation programme has led to a population of close to two and a half million. Now the animals are moving onto farmland in search of food, and farmers are complaining. Elbek Daniyarov of BBC Monitoring shares the story.

(Photo: A map of the Gaza Strip under a magnifying glass. Credit: Pawel.Gaul/Getty Images)

Reporting the Israel Gaza conflict Oct 13, 2023

A week after the attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, we look at how some of the BBC’s major language services have been covering the conflict for their audiences, with William Marquez from BBC Mundo, Zubair Ahmed from BBC Delhi and Daniel Dadzie from the Focus on Africa podcast team.

Banking and slavery in Brazil Brazil’s oldest bank, the Banco do Brasil, is facing a public inquiry into its alleged involvement in the slave trade during the 19th century. It's been a big story for BBC Brasil, and editor Caio Quero tells us it has started a national debate.

Indonesia's disappearing mangroves Indonesia's vast mangrove forests are disappearing, with charcoal made from mangrove wood a valued commodity in China, Europe and Japan. Mangrove logging is illegal, but the number of charcoal furnaces continues to grow, as BBC Indonesian's Astudestra Ajengrastri discovered on a visit to the island of Borneo.

(Photo: Smoke plumes billow during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on October 12, 2023. Credit: Ibrahim Hams/AFP via Getty Images)

Pakistan and Iran: expelling Afghans Oct 06, 2023

Presented by Sana Safi

Millions of Afghans living in Pakistan and Iran are facing growing pressure to return to Afghanistan. In Pakistan, around 1.7 million unauthorised Afghan asylum seekers have been ordered to leave by the end of this month. In Iran, the authorities say there are five million Afghans living without legal status, and forced removals are increasing. We hear from BBC Urdu’s Asif Farooqi and BBC Persian’s Zia Shahreyar about the latest developments.

Turkish beach towel revolution Fences, fees for sun loungers and private beach clubs are on the rise in Turkey, and in many tourist areas it's becoming increasingly difficult to find a free place to lay your beach towel. But now some locals are protesting, as Mahmut Hamsici of BBC Turkish explains.

Celebrating Mahatma Gandhi's iconic loincloth BBC Indian marked the anniversary of Gandhi's birth this week with a story about the history of his iconic loincloth or dhoti, and why he chose to wear it, as Vandana in Delhi explains.

Flappy Bird and beyond: Vietnam's gaming industry Vietnam today has become a regional hub for game app development, spurred on by the success of Flappy Bird, which 10 years ago took the world by storm. Thuong Le from BBC Vietnamese is a gaming fan, and tells us about the growth of the homegrown games development industry.

Sudan's all-female rap group BBC Arabic's Sarah Magdy took her personal interest in conflict rap to report a story for their culture show about Sudan's first all-female rap group, 249 Gang.

(Photo: Afghan families on the road in Pakistan's Khyber district, returning to Afghanistan. Credit: Abdul Majeed/AFP via Getty Images)

Venezuela's extraordinary prison raid Sep 29, 2023

Last week Venezuela sent 11,000 troops into the notorious Tocorón jail to retake control. For years it's been run by inmates, and was headquarters to the international crime organisation, the "Aragua Train", although its leader, Héctor Guerrero, escaped. BBC Mundo's Valentina Oropeza shares insights into the story and the prison, which boasted a pool, nightclub and even a mini-zoo.

Esports at the Asian games The 19th Asian Games kicked off in the Chinese city of Hangzhou last Saturday. Esports made its debut as a medal winning event, and the high price tickets in the space-age stadium rapidly sold out. BBC Chinese Zhijie Shao sheds light on esports, and some of the regional geopolitics also on display.

Lebanon's celebration gun deaths An average of 8 people a year are killed in Lebanon by stray bullets from celebratory gunfire, and despite widespread calls to end this deadly ritual, many seem unwilling to leave their guns behind for big events. Carine Torbey of BBC Arabic has been looking into the causes and social significance of this problem. Syrian single mums in Turkey Turkey has the world’s largest refugee population with an estimated 3.3 million Syrians living there. Attitudes to them have shifted, and many now face outright hostility from Turks wanting them gone. BBC Turkish journalist Fundanur Öztürk recently reported on the sexual harassment facing Syrian single mothers in this hostile environment.

Gurkhas in the Indian Army For decades, Nepal has allowed its Gurkha soldiers to join the Indian army under a special agreement. The tradition has been passed down through the generations, but since India unilaterally changed its contracts to a short 4 year term the Nepali government has paused recruitment, as the BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan explains.

(Photo: An armored vehicle drives near the Tocorón prison, Aragua State, Venezuela. Credit: Yuri Cortez/AFP)

Helping Libya’s flood survivors Sep 22, 2023

In the aftermath of the devastating floods in Derna, following the collapse of two dams, we hear from Sara Alhouni, outreach officer for BBC Media Action's platform for Libyan audiences, about their response to the catastrophe and how they are providing lifesaving information for those affected.

India or Bharat? Could India be officially renamed “Bharat”? The idea was reported in the press this week after invitations to G20 summit members asked them to join the “President of Bharat”, not India, for dinner. So what is Bharat and why might it replace India? Zubair Ahmed of BBC Delhi explains.

Indigenous protests in Argentina Large protests have been taking place in the northern province of Jujuy as indiginous groups oppose lithium mining there. For the BBC Berta Reventós spent a week with protesters in the village of Purmamarca, high up in the Andes mountains, to find out more.

Africa Eye: Operation Dudula vigilantes in South Africa South African anti-migrant group, Operation Dudula, has become notorious for targetting people they suspect are foreign nationals, forcing their businesses to close, and evicting tenants from their homes. Ayanda Charlie for BBC Africa Eye gained rare access to members of the country's most-prominent anti-migrant street movement.

(Photo: Arabic poster saying “do not go to Derna without coordination” from BBC Media Action. Credit: BBC Media Action for Libya)

Mahsa Amini: the woman behind the icon Sep 15, 2023

As the world marks the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, we hear from journalist Farzad Seifikaran, who gained an exclusive interview with her mother, Mojgan Eftekhari, for BBC Persian. Farzad, who’s from Mahsa’s home town in Kurdistan, tells us what he learned from Mojgan about the young woman whose death led to protests that shook Iran.

Job-hunting in Africa and “full-time children” A growing number of young people in China, especially recent college graduates, are struggling to find jobs. There’s fierce competition in the domestic market, and many of those who succeed in finding work get disillusioned with the long hours and constant pressure. Sylvia Chang from BBC Chinese has been talking to some who’ve opted for different solutions.

Vast destruction and vast need: Libya and Morocco Rescue teams in Morocco are still struggling to get help to some of the areas worst affected by last week's earthquake in the Atlas Mountains. Meanwhile more details are emerging of devastation caused by flooding in the Libyan city of Derna. BBC Arabic’s Saida Badri tells us about the challenges of these stories for the news team, and reflects on the aftermath of the Moroccan earthquake. Her own town was affected, and she shares the same Amazigh heritage as the people of the Atlas Mountains.

Kim Jong Un's famous train Earlier this week, the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un travelled on his private train to the Vostochny space centre in Russia's Far East for talks with President Vladimir Putin. BBC Korean's Yuna Ku tells us that the old Soviet-style green train has been the subject of much intrigue over the years, and we also hear from Suping from BBC Monitoring about the late Mao Zedong's passion for train travel.

(Photo: Protest sign showing Mahsa Amini at the Iranian consulate on October 24, 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey. Credit: Ozan Güzelce/Dia Images via Getty Images)

Anti-government protests in Syria Sep 08, 2023

There has been a spate of protests across Syria, with unrest spilling into areas which were previously strongholds of support for President Bashar al-Assad. Anger at poor living conditions has spiralled into calls for political change. Amira Fathalla is a Middle East specialist with BBC Monitoring and she tells us why this is so significant.

A new image for millet in Nepal The United Nations is encouraging farmers around the world to plant more millet, and has declared 2023 the International Year of Millets. In Nepal, the crop fell out of favour with some people, being considered a food for the poor. BBC Nepali's Bishnu Pokarel tells us how a growing awareness of its health benefits is transforming its image.

Boxing returns to Zanzibar after nearly 60 years Boxing fans in Zanzibar last week witnessed their first tournament on the island in almost six decades. A ban which had been imposed in 1964 was lifted in September last year by the president. BBC Africa's Alfred Lasteck attended the much anticipated tournament.

The bloggers selling Russia’s war Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia's pro-war influencers have gained millions of followers on social media. They frequently embed themselves with the Russian army and post footage from the front line, calling on young Russians to enlist. Grigor Atanesian has investigated their activities for the BBC Disinformation Unit.

The catacombs of Lima Beneath the streets of the Peruvian capital Lima lies a network of tunnels and crypts, which served as a vast underground cemetery for hundreds of years. Many of these catacombs remain unexplored, but some are open to the public. One recent visitor was BBC Mundo’s Guillermo Olmo.

(Photo: People protesting in Syria's southern city of Sweida, September 2023. Credit: Sam Hariri/AFP via Getty Images)

Reporting Pakistan's cable car rescue Sep 01, 2023

BBC Urdu’s Azizullah Khan was on the scene soon after last week’s dramatic rescue in northwest Pakistan, when a broken cable car was left dangling hundreds of metres above the ground. He interviewed survivors and local people, and tells us about the harshness of their lives. The rescue put an international spotlight on these remote villages, but will that change anything?

Andalusian Spanish BBC Mundo's Alicia Hernandez is from Andalusia in the south of Spain, and she published an online piece about the unique dialect of Spanish spoken there, which differs from the standard form. She explains why it's the basis of the Spanish spoken across Latin America.

Chinese shoppers stockpiling salt Consumers in mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong have been panic-buying table salt after Japan began releasing treated radioactive wastewater from the damaged Fukushima power plant. Martin Yip of BBC Chinese explains why.

Lebanon's beauty treatment boom Despite the economic crisis in Lebanon, its cosmetic procedures industry is thriving. The pressure to look good has forced many women to continue costly beauty treatments, with diaspora remittances and visits home keeping the clinics busy. We hear more from BBC Arabic's Carine Torbey.

Gold smuggling in Nepal The recent seizure of 60 kilograms of gold at Kathmandu airport has shone light on the scale of smuggling in Nepal’s tightly controlled gold market. It’s a story that hints at corruption and shady dealings in high places. BBC Nepali’s Sanjaya Dhakal has been covering the story.

(Photo: Army soldier descends from a helicopter during a rescue mission to recover students stuck in a chairlift in a remote village in Pakistan. Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Families facing starvation in Tigray Aug 25, 2023

Officials in Ethiopia's Tigray region have reported that more than 1,400 have died of starvation since international food aid was suspended a few months ago. Deliveries were halted after reports of widespread theft and corruption, but the impact has been catastrophic for many people living there. BBC Tigrinya’s Girmay Gebru tells us what he's seen in displaced people's camps in the region, where people are forced to beg to survive.

‘With my own eyes’: witnessing historic moments in Azerbaijan A new BBC Azerbaijani series hears from people who witnessed key moments in the country's history. Presenter Vusal Hamzayev tells us about one guest, Alexey Manvelyan, who's BBC Azerbaijani's correspondent in the Armenian capital Yerevan. Alexey recalls the era when Azerbaijan and Armenia were part of the Soviet Union. He, like many Armenians, lived in Azerbaijan, and many Azerbaijanis lived in Armenia. Then war broke out over the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh.

Africa’s first English slave fort An archaeological dig in Ghana has discovered what is thought to be the first English slave fort in Africa. Parts of the foundations of Fort Kormantine, as well as 17th century artefacts, were discovered beneath the existing Fort Amsterdam, ending decades of speculation. BBC Africa’s Favour Nunoo visited the site and met those making the discoveries.

Ecuador votes against oil extraction in the Amazon The Yasuni National Park in Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world and home to the country’s last remaining uncontacted tribes. But the discovery of oil there 20 years ago divided Ecuadorians, with some wanting the park to remain untouched, and others arguing that this oil was vital for economic development. Now a referendum has decided to ban oil extraction. BBC Mundo’s Ana Maria Roura explains why this area and this decision are so unique.

Jakarta tops the list of polluted cities Earlier this month, Jakarta was ranked the world's most polluted city. The government has instructed civil servants to work from home, blaming vehicle emissions and global warming, but some experts claim that the power plants which surround the city are to blame. BBC Indonesian's Trisha Husada has been following one of the, literally, hottest topics in the country.

(Photo: Tigrayan woman and her children in an IDP camp in Shire. Credit: BBC)

Peshawar's school for Afghans Aug 18, 2023

Since August 2021 when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, an estimated 600,000 Afghans have crossed the border into Pakistan. Pakistan has hosted millions of refugees over the years, but has recently cracked down on undocumented Afghans, who now struggle to find jobs and housing, and to educate their children. BBC Urdu's Nazish Faiz met a teacher who’s set up a free school in Peshawar for Afghan children.

K-pop bands with no Koreans Black Swan is the first K-pop girl group with no Korean members. They're from Belgium, the US, Germany and India. Yuna Ku from BBC Korean recently met the group to find out how this came about, and what makes a band K-pop if there are no Koreans.

Iran’s Ashuradeh Island: a wildlife sanctuary under threat Ashuradeh Island in the Caspian Sea is a wildlife sanctuary now threatened by plans for tourism development. BBC Persian's Siavash Ardalan tells us about the island, and also the bigger picture of the many threats facing habitats and wildlife in Iran.

Caucasus women escaping for a better life Women in Russia's North Caucasus republics of Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan report being denied education, forced into marriage and subjected to FGM in the conservative village communties. Zlata Onufrieva of BBC Russian tells the stories of some who've fled their family homes for a freer life.

Elections and the oligarchy in Guatemala Sunday sees the second round of voting in Guatemala's presidential election, following the surprise success of centre left candidate Bernardo Arévalo, who's challenging former first lady Sandra Torres. The election has thrown the spotlight on Guatemala's business elites, who have held enormous power since colonial times. BBC Mundo's Gerardo Lissardy explains their influence.

Reporting the global heatwave Aug 11, 2023

July 2023 was world’s hottest month on record, with extreme temperatures and weather patterns making global headlines. We asked colleagues from the language services how they had been covering the story. BBC Arabic's North Africa correspondent Bassam Bounenni reported on the heatwave in Tunisia, and the wildfires that spilled over from Algeria. BBC Korean's Damin Jung shares the stories of South Korea's extreme heat and torrential rains, which led to several deaths and severely disrupted the international Scout Jamboree. And Haider Ahmed reported from Iraq for BBC Arabic about the life of a Baghdad baker, working with temperatures hitting 50C outside and 60C inside.

Miami Vice and jai alai Jai alai is the world’s fastest ball game. It originated in the Basque region of Spain, and became synonymous with the ‘Miami vice’ era of drug violence and excess of 1970s and 80s, with packed stadiums hosting millionaires, celebrities, and mobsters. BBC Mundo's Atahualpa Amerise charts the changing fortunes of the game.

Sexism and misogyny in Pakistan Sexist attitudes in Pakistan have been in the spotlight after a senior minister called female leaders of the opposition PTI party “trash and leftovers”. For BBC Urdu, Saher Baloch has been reporting on the fierce backlash that followed.

Kyiv statue makeover Kyiv’s towering Soviet-era Motherland Monument shows a woman raising a sword in her right hand and a shield in her left. The hammer and sickle emblem that used to be on the shield is being replaced with a tryzub, the three-pronged emblem of Ukraine. BBC Ukrainian’s Irena Taranyuk explains the significance of the tryzub and why this change matters.

Beirut port explosion: 3 years on Aug 04, 2023

Beirut's devastating port explosion killed more than 200, and injured thousands, but three years on, while neighbourhoods have largely returned to normal the families of victims are still waiting for answers. BBC Arabic's Carine Torbey spoke to three people directly affected by the explosion about their experiences and perspectives.

Why being a 'pure vegetarian' got Sudha Murty into trouble Sudha Murty is married to one of the richest men in India and mother-in-law to the British Prime Minister. But she recently sparked debates with comments about vegetarianism on a popular TV food programme, with her claim to being a ‘pure vegetarian’ offending many. From BBC Delhi, Geeta Pandey joins us to explore why vegetarianism can be such a controversial topic in India.

Ibrat Safo: finding my Ukrainian nanny When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, BBC journalist Ibrat Safo's first thought was for Natasha, the Ukrainian nanny who had cared for him as a baby in Uzbekistan. He decided to try and find her, and after more than a year, finally tracked her down.

Iran's hijab problem Efforts to enforce hijab rules in Iran have stepped up recently, with businesses being shut down, and women convicted of breaking the rules given bizarre sentences by courts, like being compelled to receive psychotherapy, or washing corpses. BBC Monitoring Iranian journalist Sonia has been following the story.

Myanmar's new banknote The military regime in Myanmar has just issued a new banknote worth 20,000 kyat, just less than $10. It bears the image of a white elephant, and its issue coincided with the unveiling of an enormous statue of Buddha in the capital Naypyidaw. BBC Burmese editor Soe Win Than explains the significance of the imagery and the timing.

(Photo: Lebanese army member by damaged grain silo, Beirut port blast site (August 7, 2020). Credit: Reuters/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo)

India shamed: Manipur women speak up Jul 28, 2023

It’s been two months since violence in Manipur broke out between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki communities. When a video emerged showing two women being sexually assaulted, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it ‘shamed’ India. BBC Delhi's Divya Arya has covered women’s affairs for many years, and explains how in Manipur, as in many other inter-community conflicts, women’s bodies have become the battlefield.

Liang Shi - China's "No.1 Gaokao holdout" China’s Gaokao university entrance exam is notoriously tough, but one man claims to have sat it, and failed, 27 times. Fan Wang of BBC Chinese shares Mr Liang’s story.

Nepalis joining the Russian army A growing number of young Nepalese men have enlisted with the Russian army, tempted by offers of good pay and a fast track to citizenship. BBC Nepali’s Swechhya Raut spoke to some of those who have signed up about their experiences.

Power cuts and water shortages in South Africa South Africa has been experiencing regular electricity blackouts which in turn have affected water supplies, with some South Africans drilling boreholes on their properties. Pumza Fihlani from BBC Johannesburg explains the long history behind the crisis. Syrian refugees in Turkey Turkey is home to more than 3.3 million Syrians who fled because of war and insecurity. But there's growing pressure on them to go back, with many in the Turkish press and social media arguing that Syria is now safe. Nihan Kalle of BBC Monitoring reports on a popular Turkish travel vlogger whose videos from Syria reinforce this narrative.

(Photo: Women protest against sexual violence in India's north-eastern state of Manipur following inter-communal violence and sexual assault. Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Stories from Sudan Lifeline radio Jul 21, 2023

It's three months since the beginning of the conflict in Sudan between the army and the Rapid Support Forces militia, and since the launch of BBC Arabic's Sudan Lifeline radio service. We hear from Mays Baki in London and Zeinab Dabaa in Cairo about the scope of their work and stories they have been covering, from the barber offering free haircuts in Khartoum to the tragic killing of the governor of West Darfur.

Eritrea’s cycling star Biniam Girmay Biniam Girmay is attracting world attention as the only black African cyclist competing in this year’s Tour de France. He’s seen as one of the finest talents in the sport, and is a hero at home and across Africa. Fellow Eritrean Habtom Weldeyowhannes from BBC Tigrinya has been following his rise to fame.

The Taliban closes beauty salons in Afghanistan Following the Taliban decision to close all hair and beauty salons in Afghanistan, Shekiba Habib of BBC Pashto and Aaliya Farzan of BBC Dari discuss this latest restriction in the lives of women, and share memories of Afghan beauty.

(Photo: Sudanese man listening to radio. Credit: Ebrahim Hamid/AFP/Getty Images)

Prigozhin and the President Jul 14, 2023

BBC Russian editor Famil Ismailov shares his insights into what's been going on between Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and President Vladimir Putin. How vulnerable is Prigozhin after his failed mutiny, and how has his relationship with the president changed?

Inter Miami and Messi Why would footballing superstar Lionel Messi, who earlier this year captained Argentina to World Cup victory, sign with a team currently at the bottom of America's Major League Soccer? BBC Mundo's Atahualpa Amerise sheds light on the appeal of his new club Inter Miami for Spanish-speaking followers of the beautiful game.

India and the Koh-i-Noor diamond For decades, campaigners in India have called for the repatriation of thousands of precious artefacts taken out of the country by the British, chief among them the Koh-i-Noor diamond, which forms part of the Crown Jewels. Zubair Ahmed from BBC Delhi explains why this is such a hot topic in India at the moment.

Tunisia's anti-migrant attacks The killing of a Tunisian man during a brawl between Tunisians and migrants in the port city of Sfax on 3 July triggered a surge of racially motivated attacks. Over recent years, Sfax has seen the arrival of large numbers of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa en route to Europe. BBC Arabic's Bassam Bounenni visited the city to report on the aftermath of the violence.

The Serbian love of swearing Language experts who’ve studied Serbian say that it stands out for the richness and creativity of its swearing. It was a topic tastefully tackled by BBC Serbian’s Jovana Georgievski.

(Photo: Yevgeny Prigozhin and President Vladimir Putin. Credit: Reuters (L) and SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (R)

Tracking Pakistan’s petrol smugglers Jul 07, 2023

BBC Urdu’s Saher Baloch follows in the dirt tracks of the petrol smugglers bringing fuel from Iran into the border town of Mashkel in Balochistan, and onwards into the markets of Karachi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Vietnam's coffee culture Vietnam’s coffee culture is vibrant and unique, with popular coffee orders that include egg yolk and even fruit. Which may explain why international chains have failed to conquer the market, as BBC Vietnamese's Thuong Le explains.

Inside the "Well of Death" The so-called Well of Death is a traditional show at fairs in India, where stunt drivers defy gravity to ride cars and motorbikes around the inner walls of a huge barrel-shaped structure. BBC Delhi’s Anshul Verma watched them in action.

Seedlings for healthcare in Madagascar A scheme in Madagascar is giving free healthcare in exchange for tree seedlings, to improve the health of rural communities and fight deforestation. Elphas Lagat of BBC Africa went to Madagascar to see how it works.

South Korean fishers and Fukushima The International Atomic Energy Agency this week approved a Japanese plan to start releasing treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. Many in South Korea fear the impact on their fishing industry, and health, as BBC Korean’s Yuna Ku reports.

(Photo: Blue Zamyad smuggling truck loaded with petrol cannisters in Pakistan. Credit: BBC)

Who's behind Syria's Captagon trade? Jun 30, 2023

Captagon, a highly addictive amphetamine-like drug, is causing huge problems around the Middle East, as millions of pills are smuggled out of Syria. BBC News Arabic collaborated with the investigative journalism network OCCRP to find out who's behind the trade. Emir Nader tells us about the direct links they discovered to leading members of the Syrian Armed Forces and President Bashar al-Assad's family.

De-Russifying Kazakhstan Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, young people in Kazakhstan have been increasingly reclaiming their roots. There’s growing talk of “decolonisation" in Central Asia’s largest country, whose language and culture were suppressed in the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, as BBC Russian’s Nargiza Ryskulova explains.

Pakistan floods: natural disaster or human failure? This year's pre-monsoon rains have already caused disruption and deaths in Pakistan. It's brought back worrying memories of last year's catastrophic floods, in which a third of the country was under water. BBC Urdu's Umer Draz Nangiana looked back at the 2022 floods in a series which revisited many of the worst hit areas to assess whether nature, or human failure, was to blame for the devastation.

Fake news in Iran A story suggesting that Steven Seagal - US actor and supporter of President Putin - had replaced General Sergei Shoigu as Russian Defence Minister, circulated in some Iranian media this week. And it’s not the first time Iranian media have missed the joke, as Ali Hamedani explains.

(Photo: Captagon pills found by border patrol forces. Credit: BBC)

Two villages that lost their sons Jun 23, 2023

After the capsize of a migrant boat off the Greek coast BBC Arabic's Murad Shishani went to the Greek port of Kalamata to meet relatives hoping to find their loved ones. One man was waiting for news of 30 relatives and acquaintances from the Egyptian district of Sharkia. So why are so many trying to leave this place?

Pakistanis were one of the largest groups of migrants on the boat, including many from Pakistan Administered Kashmir. BBC Urdu's Umer Draz Nangiana visited the village of Bundli, home to 28 men on that boat, only 2 of whom survived, to find out what drove them to risk the journey.

The Settlers "The Settlers" film shows how Patagonia, in Southern Chile and Argentina, was colonised by Chilean and European settlers, including brutal raids against the indigenous Selk'nam people. BBC Mundo's Paula Molina explains modern Chileans' interest in the Selk’nam, and in this part of their own history.

Saving lives after the dam-burst in Russian occupied areas BBC Russian’s Olga Ivshina explains how volunteers working in the Russian occupied areas of Ukraine helped save civilians trapped by the floods using local boats.

South Korea's reclusive youth A growing number of young people in South Korea are choosing to withdraw from society. Hyunjung Kim of BBC Korean finds out why, and what the government and former recluses are doing to try and help them.

(Photo: Framed photo of missing son believed drowned on migrant ship. Credit: BBC)

Jungle craft and childhood games Jun 16, 2023

BBC Mundo's correspondent in Bogota, Daniel Pardo, shares the story behind the extraordinary survival of four indigenous children who used ancestral knowledge to stay alive in the Colombian jungle after a plane crash. Their story has sparked a debate about the divide in the country between indigenous and urbanised communities.

Indian wrestler protest Since January some of India's top female wrestlers have been protesting, demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, outgoing chief of the Wrestling Federation of India and also a BJP MP. He has been accused of sexual harassment, which he denies. BBC Delhi’s Divya Arya brings us up to date with this week's developments.

Brazil, a 'nursery' for Russian spies? BBC Brasil has investigated the strange story of at least three alleged Russian spies who adopted Brazilian identities. Leandro Prazeres tells us why a false Brazilian identity would be ideal cover for agents who need to circulate worldwide without arousing suspicion.

Me and my name Egyptian Reem Fatthelbab tells us the story of her name, from her own intervention in choosing her first name, to the family history and meaning contained in her surname, inherited from her great-grandfather.

Humans and elephants in conflict in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka is home to thousands of wild elephants, which increasingly come into conflict with humans. Last year, nearly 150 people died in elephant attacks and around 440 elephants were killed. BBC Sinhala’s Shirly Upul Kumara visited an elephant hotspot to see the problem first hand.

(Photo: Four children rescued after 40 days in the Amazon jungle. Credit: Colombian Military Forces/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Afghanistan’s opium problem Jun 09, 2023

The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have sent anti-narcotics units across the country to destroy this year's opium poppy crop. BBC Afghan's Dawood Azami explains how Afghanistan became the world’s biggest producer of opium, and why this campaign is succeeding after years of failure.

Pakistan's Bombay Bakery The Bombay Bakery in Hyderabad, Pakistan has been serving its famous cakes since 1911 and has recently been recommended by the government to become a national heritage site. BBC Urdu’s Riaz Sohail of BBC Urdu is from Hyderabad and shares memories of the bakery.

Burying the dead in Sudan In the war-torn Sudanese capital Khartoum, the violence and danger has forced many people to bury their loved ones and neighbours in makeshift graves in the streets and even in homes, as BBC Arabic's Ethar Shalaby reports.

Sexual assault for sale A BBC investigation has exposed an online business which sells thousands of videos of men sexually abusing women on trains and buses and in other public spaces across East Asia. Zhaoyin Feng and Shanshan Chen from BBC Eye Investigations tell us how they travelled to Tokyo to track down the man responsible, for the documentary Catching A Pervert.

(Photo: Afghan farmers harvest opium poppies. Credit: Noorullah Shirzada/AFP via Getty Images)

India's women-led households Jun 02, 2023

BBC Delhi explores the steady rise in female-led households in their documentary "Women in Charge: Is India Changing?" From widows to the growing number of women whose husbands have left home to find work, these women are assuming control of household finances, their children's education and local communities. Divya Arya discusses how this 'mini revolution' is affecting India's traditionally patriarchal society.

Vietnam's migrant workers in Taiwan Taiwan relies heavily on legal migrant workers from South East Asia for its economy. A recent film highlighted the tragic death of one illegal migrant, and raised the issue of the lives of these migrant workers in Taiwan. Tran Vo from BBC Vietnamese and Benny Lu from BBC Chinese collaborated to look into the challenges, and sometimes tragedies, faced by these workers.

Russians in Serbia Between February and November last year, 140,000 Russians officially moved to Serbia after the invasion of Ukraine. BBC Serbian was keen to find out more about the impact both for the Russians themselves and the local population, as Jovana Georgievski reports.

Syria's deadly truffle harvest It was a bumper year for desert truffles in Syria, attracting many to hunt for them in remote areas. But around 250 truffle hunters have died, some from landmines, but most in attacks by gunmen. Alex Wright and Mina Al-Lami from BBC Monitoring have been investigating these deaths.

(Photo: Widow and deputy village council head Maan Kanwar in Rajasthan wearing traditional colourful clothing. Credit: BBC)

Manipur’s deadly tribal clashes May 26, 2023

Violence broke out in the north eastern Indian state of Manipur earlier this month after a rally by indigenous communities protesting against moves to grant tribal status to the state's main ethnic group. Raghvendra Rao of BBC Delhi spoke to people affected by the violence.

Cool pavements in Saudi Arabia In Saudi Arabia, a trial project is turning some streets and pavements white. It's called 'Cool Pavements' and is all about reducing the amount of heat given off during the night by traditional black asphalt roads, as BBC Arabic's Nisrine Hatoum reports.

Cleopatra Clash Netflix’s “Cleopatra” docudrama sparked international controversy over portraying the legendary ruler as mixed-race. Yassmin Farag from BBC Arabic tells us what we know of the actual heritage of the last Egyptian pharaoh, and why Egyptians are up in arms.

Turkish Earthquake: Little Afghanistan BBC Uzbek's Firuz Rahimi visited the Turkish village of Ovakent, which was devastated by February's earthquake. The majority of the population living there are Afghan refugees of Uzbek and Turkman ethnicity who've been arriving since 1982. He heard the stories of those who lost relatives, homes and businesses, and their plans to rebuild.

Vietnamese children of US fathers About 100,000 children were born to Vietnamese women and American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Writer Nguyen Phan Que Mai has been helping these children reunite with their American fathers for years. My Hang Tran of BBC Vietnamese interviewed the author about why she wanted to shine a light on this consequence of war.

(Photo: Car burned in Manipur, India. Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Reporting Cyclone Mocha May 19, 2023

BBC Bengali's Shahnewaj Rocky shares the experiences of the fishermen of Teknaf in Bangladesh following Cyclone Mocha. Plus BBC Burmese Editor Soe Win Than shares his reporting team's experience of being in Rakhine State's capital Sittwe as the cyclone made landfall.

Thai voters ‘big leaps’ Thai social media has been full of people’s photos of themselves taking big leaps after the election success of the Move Forward party, as BBC Thai’s Tossapol Chaisamritpol explains.

LGBT extortion in Nigeria The story behind BBC Africa Eye's investigation into how members of the LGBT community in Nigeria are being targeted by criminal gangs who pose as potential dates on popular apps, only to extort, beat and even kidnap them. Journalist Ian Wafula followed the story.

Art, spoons and defecting from North Korea BBC Korean's Damin Jung tells us about North Korean defector Oh Sung-cheol who was a propaganda poster artist in North Korea before defecting to South Korea.

(Photo: Aftermath of Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar. Credit: Win Kyaw Thu/BBC Burmese)

Leaving Sudan May 12, 2023

BBC Arabic’s Mohamed Osman has reported from Sudan for two decades and is used to covering conflict. But two weeks ago he was forced to flee the capital with his family as he was no longer able to live or work safely. From Cairo he told us about his decision, the journey, and his mixed feelings now that he is safe.

Saving one of Brazil's rarest birds Efforts are underway in Brazil to save a rare species of bird which was widely believed to be extinct until 2016, when a dozen of them were discovered by chance. BBC Brasil's Andre Biernath tells us about a project to secure the future of the blue-eyed ground dove.

Ukrainian children adapting to life in exile Millions of Ukrainian women and children are living in EU countries after fleeing the war more than a year ago. BBC Ukrainian's Victoria Prisedskaya spoke to mothers in Poland and Germany about the difficulties their children face in adapting to new education systems and environments, and their concerns for their children's future.

Press freedom in Vietnam Social media users in Vietnam will soon have to verify their identities, in what the government says is a bid to crack down on online scams. Some feel that this law is an attempt to curb freedom of expression online. In the 2023 World Press Freedom rankings, Vietnam came 178th out of 180, just above North Korea and China. BBC Vietnamese editor Giang Nguyen joins us to discuss further.

The Turkish elections through 3 cities Ahead of Turkey's Sunday elections BBC Turkish journalist Esra Yalcinalp tells us about the 3 cities she visited - Bayburt, Trabzon and Antalya - and what light voters in those cities shed on the chances of the main political alliances asking for their votes.

(Photo: BBC Arabic's Mohamed Osman crossing the Nile from Sudan to Egypt. Credit: BBC)

A lifeline for Sudan May 05, 2023

This week, BBC Arabic launched an emergency radio service for Sudan, providing information and advice. Editor Adel Soliman tells us how they're putting together information about essential needs like how to obtain fuel, food and support. They also provide a platform for Sudanese people to share news from across the country.

Thailand's election jargon Election time always spawns new buzzwords in Thailand. BBC Thai's Tossapol Chaisamritpol shares three from this election's crop: MP draining, landslide, and Big House.

Speed dating for single Muslims London recently hosted the biggest ever Muslim speed dating event, organised by the Muzz dating app. More than a thousand people took part, and BBC Arabic's Alma Hassoun went along to explore the challenges some young Muslims face in meeting and socialising with others of their religion.

Reporting on Kenya's starvation cult BBC Africa’s Dorcas Wangira has been following the story of Kenyan preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, who’s accused of encouraging his followers to starve themselves to death. Hundreds of bodies have been discovered in an isolated forest area on the Kenyan coast, and Dorcas was one of the first journalists on the scene.

Paraguay, Taiwan and China The victory of the ruling Colorado Party in Paraguay’s recent election was also in part a victory for Taiwan: Paraguay remains one of the last Latin American countries retaining full diplomatic ties with Taipei, while the opposition party candidate had promised to follow the growing trend of switching to Beijing. BBC Monitoring's Luis Fajardo in Miami reports on what these ties mean, both for Paraguay, and for China and Taiwan.

(Photo: Smoke rises during clashes in Khartoum, Sudan. Credit: Ahmed Satti/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Artists targeted by the state Apr 28, 2023

High profile artists and cultural figures in both Iran and Russia face punishment and restrictions on their work if they speak out against their governments. Following the protests in Iran, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, artists are increasingly under pressure to toe the political line. With BBC Persian's Parham Ghobadi, and BBC Monitoring's Vitaliy Shevchenko.

Couple living the Vietnamese saying dream There’s a Vietnamese phrase that suggests perfect happiness can be found by those who live in a western house, eat Chinese food and marry a Japanese woman. We hear about the couple on Tiktok living the dream, and about the history of this saying, with BBC Vietnamese's Thuong Le.

Sudan: brothers divided by war The fighting in Sudan has been a huge story for BBC Arabic. In addition to covering the main headlines they also told the story of two brothers fighting on opposite sides, as Majd Kilani reports.

Meeting her pupils for the first time: North Waziristan The village school of Dewagar, North Waziristan, struggled to find a teacher due to the history of instability in the area. In 2020 Seema Mahin, based in Islamabad, became their online teacher, and recently went to meet them in person for the first time, with the help of Farhat Javed of BBC Urdu.

(Photo: Iran’s Andiseh magazine shows Mahsa Amini, whose death sparked protests. Credit: Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images)

Uganda's child pregnancy problem Apr 21, 2023

Since the pandemic, reports from Uganda say there has been a 300% increase in pregnancies among girls aged 10-14. Sexual violence has been further fuelled in the north by the legacy of a 20-year insurgency led by notorious warlord Joseph Kony, and cases of sexual abuse of girls as young as three are being reported. For BBC Africa Eye, Paul Bakibinga investigates the true scale of the problem.

Russia's online draft Under a new law recently signed by President Vladimir Putin, call-up papers will be served online, which makes avoiding the draft almost impossible. Kateryna Khinkulova of BBC Russian explains the new legislation.

Fighting to keep Afghan music alive After they took power in August 2021, the Taliban imposed a total ban on playing and listening to music in public in Afghanistan. Students at the National Institute of Music fled the country, but now they are performing on the international stage in order to keep their music alive. BBC Afghan's Shekiba Habib has been talking to them.

The return of Ya Ya the panda to China Ya Ya arrived at Memphis Zoo 20 years ago but will soon make the journey back to her home country. Chinese netizens have been urging her swift return and asking if it's time for China to move on from 'panda diplomacy'. The BBC's Fan Wang has been covering the story.

(Photo: Young Ugandan mother carrying baby on her back)

Defending against the death penalty Apr 14, 2023

Since anti-government protests erupted in Iran following the death in police custody last September of Mahsa Amini, at least 30,000 people have been arrested. While most have been released on bail, it's reported that more than a hundred have been sentenced to death or charged with capital offences. BBC Persian's Firouzeh Akbarian tells us about the lawyers who are trying to stop more executions as well as free people from detention.

A haunted forest in Serbia's 'Siberia' The Pešter Plateau in south west Serbia is nicknamed Serbia's Siberia because of its long cold winters, which often leave villages cut off by snow. Its extensive grasslands are used for raising sheep and cattle, but Sandra Maksimovic of BBC Serbian discovered an unusual forest which has survived through the centuries, because - according to legend - it's haunted.

The Indian communities where women inherit In India's north-eastern state of Meghalaya, many families still follow an age-old system of inheritance, where children take the mother's surname and the ancestral property goes to the youngest daughter. BBC Marathi's Mayuresh Konnur visited Meghalaya and discovered the pressure that modern life is putting on this matrilineal tradition.

My father's story - and my country's In 2018, BBC Uzbek journalist Ibrat Safo began recording stories told by his father, Ozod. They were family memories but also revealed a lot about the history of Uzbekistan in the 20th century. When Ozod died earlier this year, Ibrat decided to share some of those 'Dad tapes'.

(Photo: Women hold up signs depicting the image of Mahsa Amini, who died while in the custody of Iranian authorities. Credit: SAFIN HAMED/AFP via Getty Images)

Indian students returning to Ukraine Apr 07, 2023

A year ago India evacuated thousands of students, mostly studying medicine, from Ukraine following the Russian invasion. Their arrival home was greeted with great thanks and fanfare, so why have more than a thousand felt compelled to return? BBC Hindi’s Jugal Purohit has been finding out.

Chicken poop power A farmer in Kenya has developed an original way of tackling the rising cost of living, using chicken droppings to make biogas which produces electricity for his farm. BBC Africa business journalist Sara Adam went to meet him.

The Javanese diaspora in Suriname More than 70,000 people in Suriname, around 15% of the population, are of Javanese ancestry. In the 19th century, Dutch colonisers recruited thousands of Indonesians from Java to work on plantations in Suriname. More than a century later, the Javanese Surinamese still keep their heritage alive. Mohamad Susilo from BBC Indonesian visited Suriname to meet some of them.

Reporting Lebanon's financial meltdown The Lebanese lira has been in freefall as the country experiences a financial meltdown. Prices are constantly rising and many people are struggling to survive. For Carine Torbey, the BBC correspondent in Beirut, it’s a story she has to live as well as report.

Investigating the ‘pig butchering’ romance scam One of the most successful global online romance scams, known as ‘pig butchering’, is run by criminal gangs in South East Asia. World Service journalist Zhaoyin Feng worked with the BBC Eye Investigation team, travelling from Boston to Phnom Penh to meet victims and former scammers.

(Photo: Indian medical students who've returned to Ukraine. Credit: BBC)

Exposing bogus blindness treatments Mar 31, 2023

BBC Arabic’s recent film ‘Blind Faith’ exposes the clinics offering bogus, and potentially dangerous, treatments to people living with an incurable eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, or RP. The reporter is Ramadan Younes, who's based in Egypt. He also has RP and is visually impaired, and underwent one of these treatments himself.

Vietnamese embassy protests in Poland Poland's Vietnamese community has been protesting outside the Vietnamese embassy in Warsaw, and demanding the resignation of the ambassador, over allegations of overcharging and illegal fees for visas and passports. BBC Vietnamese editor Giang Nguyen has been following the story.

South Koreans committing to singledom BBC Korean journalist Yuna Ku has been investigating the growing number of Koreans committing to remaining single, some even staging 'non-marriage' ceremonies. She explores how the workplace, and society, are responding.

(Photo: BBC Arabic's Ramadan Younes. Credit: BBC)

The Fifth Floor in São Paulo Mar 24, 2023

With big political changes in Brazil after a divisive election which brought in a new president, Faranak Amidi is in the country's largest city São Paulo to look at the stories being covered by the BBC journalists based there.

The heart of São Paulo: Avenida Paulista Leticia Mori takes us to the famous Avenida Paulista, built for the rich of São Paulo and now home to many businesses and banks. It hosts street markets and live performances every Sunday, and has also been the site of many protests and demonstrations.

A country the size of a continent Journalists Vitor Tavares, Camilla Mota, Ian Alves and Ligia Guimarães give us an idea of the vastness of Brazil with a quick introduction to their home towns.

Divided Brazil We discuss the divisions which seem to touch all parts of life in Brazil - with João Fellet, Thais Carrança and Ian Alves. What's it been like reporting on such a polarised country, and has the new presidency brought any signs of change?

My favourite neighbourhood: Liberdade We rejoin Leticia Mori in the Liberdade neighbourhood of São Paulo, home to the city's Japanese community. Leticia tells us about her own Japanese heritage and what this area tells us about the complex history of Brazil.

Brazil, the melting pot Brazil has one of the most diverse and mixed populations in the world, and São Paulo is its most diverse city. Camilla Mota, Mariana Alvim and Felipe Souza tell us what it means to be Brazilian, and discuss the stereotypes they're sometimes faced with.

(Photo: A man shows the Brazilian flag in Avenida Paulista, São Paulo. Credit: Mauro Horita/Getty Images)

Aid, politics and Syria’s earthquake Mar 17, 2023

February's earthquake spanned the Turkey-Syria border and refocused international attention on the complicated geopolitics of northern Syria. We hear how the earthquake aid operation presented both challenges and opportunities to the different groups controlling Syria, from the government in Damascus to the rebel leaders of Idlib province. With BBC Monitoring jihadi expert Mina al-Lami and BBC Middle East correspondent Lina Sinjab.

The handwritten newspaper of Bangladesh Since 2019, a handwritten newspaper has been published by a group of day labourers in southern Bangladesh. It aims to inspire others with stories of ordinary villagers who have overcome struggles and hardships, as BBC Bengali's Nagib Bahar reports.

Venezuela: 10 years after the death of Hugo Chavez Venezuelans have been marking the tenth anniversary of the death of former president Hugo Chavez, one of the most controversial, charismatic and influential politicians in Latin American history. As a child, teenager and then young reporter, BBC Mundo’s Jorge Perez witnessed some of the key moments of Chavez’s rule.

Searching for gems of hope For four decades local people have been mining semi-precious stones in the mountainous Chumar Bakhoor area of Gilgit-Baltistan in northern Pakistan. BBC Urdu’s Musa Yawari travelled into the mountains to meet the miners as they brave hazardous conditions hoping to make their fortunes.

(Photo: A man in Idlib province carrying the body of a child after the Turkey-Syria earthquake. Credit: Mohammed Al-Rifai/AFP via Getty images)

The Belarusians fighting in Ukraine Mar 10, 2023

We look at the Belarusian regiment of volunteers serving under Ukrainian command in the war against Russia, and explore Ukraine's complex relationship with Belarus, with BBC Monitoring journalist, and Belarusian, Gennadiy Kot.

Me and my name BBC Mundo's Atahualpa Amerise reflects on what it’s like to be a Spaniard named after the last Inca emperor.

Thai punishment haircuts Historically Thai students have faced humiliating punishment haircuts by teachers for breaking strict rules regarding the length and style of their hair. But last month the authorities revoked the hair regulations. BBC Thai's Tossapol Chaisamritpol visits a school that has adopted more liberal rules, and remembers his own punishment haircuts.

Chinese migrants 'walking the line' through South America Benny Lu of BBC Chinese has spoken to some of the growing number of Chinese asylum seekers trying to reach the United States via South America. They call it 'walking the line'.

The champion rat catcher of Bangladesh Mohammed Anwar is a champion rat catcher. It started as a hobby to make a bit of pocket money then became a lucrative career. BBC Bengali's Shahnewaj Rocky joined him for a rat catching day out.

(Photo: Belarus fighters in Ukraine. Credit: The Kastus Kalinowski Regiment website)

Reporting Iran's school poisonings Mar 03, 2023

There's fear and anger in Iran over a wave of poisonings that have affected hundreds of schoolgirls across the country. Soroush Pakzad from BBC Persian's social media team describes the challenges of investigating the story, and Aalia Farzan from BBC Dari tells us how the cause of similar incidents in Afghanistan a few years back was never established.

BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year The sporting achievements of Indian women athletes are being celebrated by the BBC in Delhi this weekend when they announce the winner of their Indian Sportswoman of the Year award for 2022. Journalist Divya Arya has been reporting on the nominees, and tells us about their achievements.

Crimea bridge attack: who has been arrested for the explosion? In October last year, sections of Russia's only bridge to Crimea were brought down in a huge blast. Moscow had illegally annexed the region four years earlier. Within days of the explosion, eight people were arrested. BBC Russian's Nina Nazarova has spoken to lawyers and families, and tells us what she discovered.

Triumph against the odds Halima Umar Saleh of BBC Hausa shares the inspiring story of how she escaped the threat of an arranged marriage as a teenager and fulfilled her dream of becoming a journalist, in our series celebrating the BBC's 100 years.

(Photo: Mothers demanding classes move online. Credit: IRNA)

BBC Russian: meet the Riga team Feb 24, 2023

Faranak Amidi meets the BBC Russian journalists who relocated from Moscow to the Latvian capital after the invasion of Ukraine.

The first anniversary: what's in the news? Editor Sergei Zakin tells us what the news focus has been for his team in the week of the first anniversary of the invasion.

The move from Moscow to Riga Bureau chief Andrei Goryanov explains why the difficult decision was taken to move BBC Russian journalists and their families out of Moscow, and why Riga was chosen as their new home.

Leaving Russia Seva Boiko, Liza Fokht and Sergei Goryashko share their experiences of the past year. They describe the challenge of leaving homes and family members and building a new life in a new city. We find out how the shared difficulties have brought the team closer together.

Riga: my home town For several years, Latvian journalist Oksana Antonenko covered news from the Baltic region for BBC Russian. She tells us what it was like when nearly fifty colleagues arrived from Moscow to set up their new base in her home town.

Reporting Russia from outside The move from Moscow to Riga has meant a new way of reporting for many of the BBC Russian team. Misha Poplavsky and Nataliya Zotova tell us how the change has impacted them. And they reflect with Oksana on what the future holds for them, personally and professionally.

(Photo: Faranak Amidi with BBC Russian's Oksana Antonenko in front of Riga's historic House of the Blackheads. Credit: BBC)

BBC Ukrainian: a year of war Feb 17, 2023

Since the start of the war in Ukraine nearly a year ago, thousands of lives have been lost on both sides, and millions of Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes. For BBC Ukrainian, it's been a year of upheaval, with many journalists from Kyiv moving to new hubs in Lviv and Warsaw, and some living apart from family members. We hear how the team have continued to report the war, from editor Marta Shokalo in Warsaw, Daria Taradai in Lviv and Oleg Karpyak in Kyiv.

Ukraine war - perspectives from around the world Over the past year, Russia has been building on its already strong ties to many countries around the world, using trade deals, historic loyalties and propaganda. We get perspectives from China, Latin America and Africa from BBC Chinese editor Howard Zhang, Grigor Atanesian from the BBC's Global Disinformation Unit and Luis Fajardo from BBC Monitoring.

(Photo: The Ukrainian national flag flies over Kyiv. Credit: Raul Moreno/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Reporting the earthquake Feb 10, 2023

We hear from some of the language service journalists reporting on the catastrophic earthquakes that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday. Fundanur Öztürk from BBC Turkish travelled to Hatay, one of the worst hit cities, while BBC Arabic's Nisrine Hatoum was on holiday in Turkey at the time and quickly switched to reporting the disaster. Meanwhile her colleague Dina Waqqaf is Syrian, and plans to travel to the earthquake zone in northern Syria.

Fear, boredom or nostalgia? Why did so many older Brazilians take part in the January riot? The prevailing age group among the more than 1,000 people arrested for storming government buildings in Brasilia a month ago was between 50 and 59 years old. So why was it this age category specifically who felt motivated to act in this way? Paula Adamo Idoeta of BBC Brasil tells us about her investigation.

Not quite the world's tallest man 29-year-old Ghanaian Sulemana Abdul Samed was diagnosed with gigantism a few years ago. BBC Pidgin's Favour Nunoo met him to hear about the difficulties of living with this condition, and to help Sulemana find out exactly how tall he now is.

Making change in India BBC Marathi reporters Janhavee Moole, Mayuresh Konnur and Amruta Durve have travelled across the state of Maharashtra to tell the stories of people inspired by the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi to change lives around them. The resulting projects include a women-only bank in a rural town, and a school for city street children who beg at traffic lights.

(Photo: A man walks down the rubble of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, close to the epicentre. Credit: ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The Myanmar coup, two years on Feb 03, 2023

Since the 2021 coup in Myanmar, many Burmese have taken up arms against the military and thousands more have fled. BBC Burmese editor Soe Win Than tells us about life in the country now, and the challenges he and his team face in reporting it.

What's in a name? People in Thailand take naming very seriously. BBC Thai's Tossapol Chaisomritpol explains the meanings behind his many names - from birth, through renaming, and onto his nicknames too!

Prague's Little Hanoi Vietnamese people are the third largest ethnic community in the Czech Republic. Khue Luu Binh of BBC Vietnamese explains how they came to be such a significant community, and tells us about 'Little Hanoi', a large commercial hub outside Prague.

Iran: How your phone can land you in jail An insight into how the Iranian regime is targeting people’s mobile phones to stifle protests and prevent images leaving the country, with BBC Monitoring’s Khosro Isfahani.

Triumph against the odds Sarika Singh of BBC Hindi TV shares the inspiring story of rebuilding her career after a life-threatening illness, in our series celebrating the BBC's 100 years.

(Photo: Pro-democracy demonstrators in Bangkok, Thailand. Credit: Chaiwat Subprasom/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Ukraine’s corruption crackdown Jan 27, 2023

Ukraine’s anti-corruption campaign is in the spotlight, with the recent dismissal or resignation of several top officials after a string of corruption scandals. Vitaliy Shevchenko of BBC Monitoring explains how the war with Russia has affected Ukraine’s long-running efforts to deal with corruption.

Iraq and the Gulf Cup A recent sports story from Iraq provided a welcome change from conflict and political turmoil, when the country hosted football’s Arabian Gulf Cup for the first time since 1979 - and won the championship. Tragically, there was a crush of fans outside the stadium in Basra before the final, leaving two people dead and many injured. BBC Arabic's Haider Hadi, who’s based in Baghdad, shares his reflections.

VDGs return to Indian-administered Kashmir A suspected militant attack in a village in Jammu on New Year's Day propelled Village Defence Groups back into the headlines. The original Village Defence Committees, set up in the 1990s, were disbanded in 2018 following illegal killings and accusations of other human rights abuses, but last August the Indian government announced the reintroduction of armed VDGs. BBC Urdu's Riyaz Masroor spoke to villagers in the latest attack, and the family of a victim from the previous era.

Disinformation for sale in Nigeria A BBC investigation has discovered that political parties in Nigeria are secretly paying social media influencers to spread disinformation about their opponents ahead of general elections in February. Fauziyya Tukur of the BBC's disinformation unit in Abuja joins us to explain how this works.

A visit to the ‘Little Manhattan’ of Caracas The economic crisis in Venezuela has left much of the population struggling to survive, and more than seven million people have left in search of better lives. But in one neighbourhood of the capital Caracas, there are casinos, restaurants and luxury stores. Norberto Paredes of BBC Mundo tells us about Las Mercedes, nicknamed “Little Manhattan”.

(Photo: Ukrainian hryvnia in a yellow envelope. Credit: Victoria Kotlyarchuk/ Getty Images)

Belarus language crackdown Jan 20, 2023

It's becoming more and more dangerous to speak Belarusian in Belarus, with reports of people being sacked and even arrested for trying to conduct their work in Belarusian. The linguistic clampdown escalated after the 2020 pro-democracy protests against long-term leader Alexander Lukashenko, as BBC Russian journalist, and Belarusian, Tatsiana Yanutsevich reports.

Sri Lanka's education crisis In Sri Lanka many parents are having to decide which children to send to school. It’s a consequence of the political and economic crisis and the dramatic rise in the cost of basics like food and transport. Delhi-based BBC Sinhala editor Ishara Danasekara returned to her home country to make this report.

Impeachment, protests and deaths: what is happening in Peru? The impeachment and arrest of Peru's former president Pedro Castillo brought thousands onto the streets, demanding new elections and the removal of his successor, Dina Boluarte. Violent clashes with the security forces have left dozens dead and scores injured. BBC Mundo’s Guillermo Olmo explains the background, and why Peru is so deeply divided.

South Korea and Ghana – the chocolate connection For chocolate lovers in South Korea, the most familiar brand is probably Ghana. “Ghana” is written prominently on the wrapper but how much do South Koreans know about the country it’s named after? We brought together Bugyeong Jung from BBC Korean and BBC Africa’s Thomas Naadi, who’s Ghanaian to find out.

(Photo: 'Belarus is not Russia' placard and woman wrapped in old Belarus flag, at Kyiv rally in solidarity with Belarusian anti-government protest, September 2022. Credit: STR/ NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Why Kenyan pupils are burning schools Jan 13, 2023

Why are students in Kenya burning their boarding schools? That was the question that inspired BBC Africa reporter Ashley Lime in the Nairobi bureau to investigate these sometimes deadly arson attacks which escalated after the covid pandemic. She spoke to students, relatives of teenagers who died in the fires and experts to better understand this decades old problem.

Russian 'Old New Year' After the 1917 Bolshevik revolution in Russia, the calendar and date of the official New Year changed from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian. But some people still choose to celebrate the 'Old New Year' which falls on the 14th January. Julia James of BBC Russian tells us how those Russians celebrate.

Brazil: flags and nationalism The design of the Brazilian flag is supposed to represent the unity of the country, but in recent years the flag has become more associated with supporters of the previous president, Jair Bolsonaro. BBC Brasil's Ricardo Senra explains the polarisation of Brazil's flag.

Where are pandemic Bali farmers now? Tourism is Bali's main industry so when covid struck many people lost their jobs and returned to their home villages. In Tembok in northern Bali a local scheme sponsored many to go into farming, so what's happened to those 'covid farmers' now tourism's resumed? BBC Indonesian's Valdya Baraputri found out.

Afghan women fight for education Since the Taliban retook power in Afghanistan in August 2021 women's education has been dramatically curtailed. Secondary schools closed to women in March, and in December that ban was extended to university. Aalia Farzan is a journalist for BBC Dari who's been hearing about their experiences of protesting and imprisonment.

(Photo: People attend the requiem mass for nine young girls who died in the Moi Girls School dormitory fire, in Nairobi on September 14, 2017. Credit: Simon Maina/AFP via Getty Images)

The decline of Ukraine’s oligarchs Jan 06, 2023

For decades, Ukraine's super-rich oligarchs wielded enormous economic and political power. But in 2021, a new law was introduced to curb their influence, and the war with Russia has cost them billions in lost assets and revenue. Vitaly Shevchenko of BBC Monitoring tells us about the dramatic change in their fortunes.

The endangered pink iguanas of the Galapagos Scientists have for the first time discovered a number of baby pink iguanas in the Galapagos Islands. The species is critically endangered with only a few hundred left, and previously only adult pink iguanas had been found. BBC Mundo’s Alejandra Martins tells us more about this discovery.

Nigeria's drive to go cashless The Central Bank of Nigeria is implementing a controversial “cashless” policy next week, setting limits on the amount of cash Nigerians can withdraw from banks and ATMs. BBC Africa business reporter Nkechi Ogbonna tells us about the reasons behind the move, and how people are reacting.

The new first lady of Brazil Rosângela da Silva, nicknamed Janja, became Brazil’s first lady last Sunday when her husband Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was inaugurated as president. They married last May, just a few months before Lula’s election victory. BBC Brasil’s Leticia Mori has been finding out more about Janja, and the couple's unusual courtship.

Indian fables and fairy tales Our colleagues at BBC Indian languages have been sharing their favourite fairy tales and fables, with Siddhanath Ganu of BBC Marathi, Sarika Singh of BBC Hindi, Venkat Prasad G of BBC Telugu, Saranya Nagarajan of BBC Tamil, Brijal Shah of BBC Gujarati and Khushboo Sandhu of BBC Punjabi.

(Photo: Shakhtar Donetsk FC owner Rinat Akhmetov carried by the players. Credit: AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)

Memorable interviews from 2022 Jan 03, 2023

In a year packed with big news stories, who are the interviewees whose stories have stayed with our language service colleagues? BBC Ukrainian's Zhanna Bezpiatchuk tells the story of the teenager forced to flee his home in Borodianka, who now dreams of becoming a journalist. BBC Pashto's Shazia Haya shares the story of a mother of daughters now denied their secondary school education. Parham Ghobadi from BBC Persian led the coverage of the death in mysterious circumstances of 16-year-old Nika Shakarami during the Iranian protests. Olga Ivshina takes us on a trawl of the BBC Russian inbox where she discovered a plea for help, which she immediatley responded to. BBC Africa's Bella Sheegow explains why reporting on the assassination of female Somali politician Amina Mohamed Abdi had such an impact on her. BBC Indian languages' Nitin Srivastava tells us about a tea picker in Assam whose livelihood is dwindling because of climate change. And BBC Brasil's Nathalia Passarinho remembers her interviews at COP27 in Egypt, where Brazil announced a huge shift in environmental policy.

(Photo: Damage of Russian bombing of Borodiansk. Credit: Nicola Marfisi/AGF/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Can saying fool land you in jail? Jan 03, 2023

Last week Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu was sentenced to two years seven months in jail and banned from taking part in politics. It’s not clear if his sentence will be ratified by two higher courts, but his crime was to call Turkey’s election officials ‘fools’ after the rerun 2019 mayoral elections, though many believe it has more to do with next year's presidential elections. BBC Monitoring journalist Dilay Yalcin in Istanbul unpicks the story.

Meeting Thailand's leading transgender business mogul Thai transgender businesswoman and transgender advocate Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip has made history as the first trans woman owner of the Miss Universe Organisation. BBC Thai’s Tossapol Chaisamritpol has interviewed her about her ambitions for the pageant, and her own life experiences.

Reporting and running BBC Arabic reporter Murad Shishani is often on the road, covering stories from conflict in Gaza to presidential campaigns in Iowa. But wherever he is, he keeps his spirits and energy levels up by running. Murad shares some of those runs with us.

Brazil and K-culture If you’re a fan of K-pop or K-dramas you’re not alone. Award-winning films like Parasite, bands like BTS, and Korean dramas like Squid Game are global successes, part of what’s been called Hallyu, or Korean Wave. It's a big wave in Brazil, and BBC Brasil’s Shin Suzuki decided to take a closer look at the appeal of K-culture. We paired him with BBC Korean’s Julie Yoonnyung Lee to fill in the South Korean side of the equation.

BBC 100: Triumph against the odds Yetunde Olugbenga of BBC Yoruba starts a new series of stories shared by journalists from our language services who’ve faced big challenges in their lives and careers. They have told their stories in schools in order to encourage and inspire the next generation, as a way of marking the BBC centenary. Yetunde tells us how she overcame sexual harassment from a college lecturer.

(Photo: People gather at Saraçhane in support of Ekrem İmamoğlu who has been sentenced to prison. Credit :Hakan Akgun /dia image via Getty Images)

Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin? Dec 16, 2022

Yevgeny Prigozhin is the head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, a role that he denied until September. Andrei Zakharov of BBC Russian has been investigating the story of Mr Prigozhin for many years, and he shares his insights.

Qatar cultural exchange As the Arab world's first football World Cup concludes, the BBC's Lina Shaikhouni shares her impressions of the cultural exchanges the event has witnessed, from traditional local dress made up in team colours, to stadiums designed to echo desert tents.

New York's migrant crisis New York City has extended the state of emergency declared in October to address an "unprecedented humanitarian crisis" over an influx of migrants. Most of the migrants are Venezuelans who spent months making the difficult journey to reach the United States. BBC Mundo’s Analia Llorente went to New York to find out why the migrants have come to the city.

The freed Burmese prisoner and his cats Burmese pro-democracy activist Mya Aye was among thousands of prisoners released a few weeks ago by the military. His return home was welcomed not only by friends and family, but by his 34 cats. BBC Burmese editor Soe Win Than tells us his story.

The endangered saffron fields of Kashmir The purple fields of saffron that used to blanket the landscape in Indian-administered Kashmir in the harvest season are under threat. The crop has been affected by climate change and modern farming methods. Riyaz Masroor went to the fields to report for BBC Urdu.

(Photo: Yevgeny Prigozhin attends a meeting with foreign investors at Konstantin Palace. Credit: Mikhail Svetlov/ Getty Images)

The Arab world and the war in Ukraine Dec 09, 2022

Hisham Yezza of BBC Monitoring has been observing the impact in the Middle East and North Africa of the war in Ukraine since the invasion nearly ten months ago. He tells us how the war is reported and discussed in the region, and how at a political level, traditional alliances with the West are shifting.

A sweet treat that could help the Amazon People from Brazil's Amazon region enjoy many dishes made with the local cupuaçu fruit, but they make less use of the seeds. These can be processed to make "cupulate", which has some similarities to chocolate. BBC Brasil's Monica Vasconcelos tells us how cupulate could help livelihoods and the environment.

Preserving Rai dancing Essra Warda is an Algerian American dancer, working to preserve North African women-led dance traditions. Fethi Benaissa from BBC Arabic spoke to her about her love of these dances.

Life in Lulu Lulu is a fictitious village in rural South Sudan, the setting for a popular radio drama created by the BBC’s international charity Media Action. For 10 years, it's been tackling a wide range of issues experienced by ordinary people, from violence against women to peace-building. Production manager Zuhur Noah and scriptwriter Kululu Elgebana introduce us to some of the characters and stories.

What is 'pancasila'? Indonesia's national ideology, 'pancasila', or 'five principles', has been in the news this week. Parliament approved a revised criminal code, which covers many areas of life - from sex and relationships, to insulting the president or criticising state ideology. Endang Nurdin of BBC Indonesian explains more about the meaning of pancasila.

(Photo: Sixth CICA Summit. Credit: Getty Images)

China protests Dec 02, 2022

A fire in a residential block fire in Urumqi, which killed 10 people, sparked protests among citizens tired of living under China’s strict zero-Covid policy. As well as brave and vocal protests, many have adopted more creative ways to get their voices heard, as BBC Chinese Editor Howard Zhang reports.

India street girl update BBC Marathi's Dipali Jagtap won India’s Laadli Award for her report into a footpath-dweller in Mumbai, Asma Shaikha, who struggled to continue her education during the 2021 Covid lockdown. We hear what happened after the report went out.

Afrikaans The Hollywood star Charlize Theron recently joked that speaking her mother tongue Afrikaans was ‘not very useful’. Her comments unleashed an online backlash; Afrikaans has long been a contentious subject in the country. Audrey Brown is from BBC Africa and speaks Afrikaans and explains the history and context of the language.

The Thai monks suspended for taking methamphetamine A small Buddhist temple in Thailand has been left without any monks after they all failed drugs tests. The BBC's Sucheera Maguire tells us more about this story, and how local villagers are now worried that without the monks, they will not be able to fulfil their usual Buddhist practices.

Holiday swindlers and the rise of digital travel scams Social media is tempting people to sample the luxury holiday lifestyle, but what happens when it all goes wrong? Rafael Barifouse of BBC Brasil tells us about his investigation into one Brazilian travel agent, who has left a trail of unhappy clients around the world.

(Photo: Two protesters hold up blank pieces of paper during a demonstration in Hong Kong. Credit: Ben Marans/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Unmasking a Russian police torturer Nov 25, 2022

On March 6th, huge anti-war demonstrations across Russia led to the arrest of more than 5,000 protesters. Among them were at least 11 women who were taken to Moscow's Brateyevo Police Station, where they were questioned and subjected to verbal and physical abuse, which in some cases amounted to torture. The man overseeing this was an unnamed police officer they nicknamed 'the man in black'. Using a leaked database from a Russian food delivery company, archived social media accounts and old dating profiles, BBC Eye Investigations journalist Vickey Arakelyan tells the story of how they exposed the identity of their torturer.

2022 FIFA World Cup: the view from Qatar The World Cup is underway with plenty of drama on pitch, as well as controversies off. While the developed world has focussed on alleged human rights abuses - as well as the lack of beer – many other nations say this focus is rooted in prejudice, stereotyping and western hypocrisy. But the tournament is also a time of great excitement as the Arab world hosts the World Cup for the first time. BBC Arabic’s Murad Shishani visited the small Gulf nation to capture the view from Qatar.

Saving Uganda's symbolic crane The crested or grey-crowned crane is a national symbol of Uganda. But numbers are falling, with only around 20,000 left in the world. The BBC's Patience Atuhaire met communities in the south west of the country who are working to save the birds.

(Photo: Screen grab of chat group showing photo of Ivan Ryabov and saying 'found!' Credit: BBC)

Kherson: a presidential visit Nov 18, 2022

President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit this week to Kherson, soon after the Russian withdrawal, prompted lively commentary on Ukrainian social media, and some comparisons with the Russian president. BBC Monitoring's Margaryta Maliukova tells us more.

Hell on earth: the Korean Japanese people persuaded to move to North Korea In 1960, Eika Kawasaki left her family in Japan and moved to North Korea. She was one of 90,000 plus Korean Japanese who went to North Korea on a project called ‘paradise on earth’. What they found was the opposite, but they were trapped. Eiko escaped after 4 decades, and BBC Korean’s Jungmin Choi met her on a visit to South Korea to meet other survivors.

World Cup 2022: first female referees For the first time ever three female referees will officiate matches at the World Cup. One of them is Rwanda's Salima Mukansanga, as BBC Kinyarwanda's Prudent Nsengiyumva explains.

Somaliland oil discovery A group of villagers in the self-declared republic of Somaliland were recently drilling a borehole to improve their water supplies – when they struck oil. Bidhaan Dahir of BBC Somali tells us there's been a lot of excitement about the discovery.

The Ukrainians who can’t get their children home from Russia A group of Ukrainian children are stuck in Russia after parents living under Russian occupation accepted an offer to send them to a summer camp on the Black Sea. Before the end of their holiday, their home towns were retaken by Ukrainian forces. BBC Russian’s Nina Nazarova tells us how some parents are still unable to get their children home.

(Photo: Ukrainian President Zelensky visits Kherson. Credit: Narciso Contreras/Anadolu Agency Getty Images)

Reporting COP27 Nov 11, 2022

BBC Arabic's Sally Nabil is one of the team in Sharm el-Sheikh reporting on the COP27 climate summit. She tells us how the conference centre and beach resort exist side by side, and why this choice of venue offers so many advantages to the host country, Egypt.

COP27: three stories from the language services BBC Swahili's Anne Ngugi visited Kenya's Amboseli national park, where the worst drought in 40 years has left a landscape littered with animal carcases. BBC Bengali's Shahnewaj Rocky met Mahfuz Russell who has restored 23 acres of clear-cut forest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Six years later, it's lush and green and home to slow loris, civets and birds galore. BBC Arabic's Carine Torbey visited Beirut's first green innovation exhibition, and met two women trying to make a business from turning food waste, which currently ends up in landfill, into biogas for cooking.

Hushpuppi: The rise and fall This week the notorious Nigerian online fraudster was jailed in the US for 11 years. He rose to fame flaunting his wealthy lifestyle to his 2.8 million social media followers. BBC Africa’s Princess Abumere explains his rise and fall.

Hijab discrimination in Egypt A BBC Arabic undercover reporter “Rana” shares the findings of their investigation into discrimination against some women who choose to wear the hijab, despite laws preventing discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, race or class.

(Photo: Visitors photograph one another in front of a COP27 sign in Sharm el-Sheikh. Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Ethiopia: an end to the fighting Nov 04, 2022

The BBC’s Addis Ababa correspondent Kalkidan Yibeltal tells us about the agreement just reached between the Ethiopian government and officials from the Tigray region, to stop fighting and to allow unhindered humanitarian access. He also reflects on the challenges of reporting the civil war over the last two years.

The centenary of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb It's 100 years since the discovery of the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, almost intact and full of treasures, nearly 3-and-a-half thousand years after his death. Angy Ghannam of BBC Monitoring in Cairo tells us how the centenary is being marked in Egypt, and what ordinary Egyptians think of their most famous pharaoh.

Vietnam's forgotten veterans Thousands of disabled Vietnamese veterans who fought for the South in the war are living in poor conditions without government support. A Catholic priest who is part of a programme which assists them was recently prevented from leaving the country. MyHang Tran of BBC Vietnamese reports on his problems with the authorities, and the plight of the veterans.

The impact of the Iran protests on regional neighbours Since the start of protests in Iran, ethnic tensions have been exacerbated both inside the country and with its neighbours. Kurdish and Azerbaijani populations inside Iran are affected, as are relations with Iraqi Kurdistan and Azerbaijan. BBC Azerbaijani editor Könül Khalilova and Jiyar Gol from BBC Persian discuss recent developments.

The aftermath of the Indian bridge collapse Roxy Gagdekar of BBC Gujarati has been reporting from Morbi, where the recent collapse of a pedestrian bridge left at least 135 dead. He shares impressions from two of his reports - one from the site of the bridge collapse, the other from a hospital which was visited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

(Photo: Redwan Hussein (L), Representative of the Ethiopian government, and Getachew Reda (R), Representative of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), shake hands on a peace agreement between the two parties in Pretoria on November 2, 2022. Credit: Phill Magakoe /AFP/Getty Images)

Ukraine's water wars Oct 28, 2022

Russia is accused of deliberately cutting water supplies to the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, which has been without fresh drinking water since April. A BBC Ukrainian investigation reveals that the supply pipes, which travel through Russian occupied areas, were most likely deliberately sabotaged by Russian forces. Viktoriia Zhuhan explains the evidence behind this claim, and reveals how civilians in Mykolaiv have been managing.

Divided Brazil Brazilians go to the polls this weekend to elect their next president. The BBC’s João Fellet has been reflecting on the deep divisions in the country for his podcast series Brasil Partido, or Divided Brazil, and has talked to people across society about the role politics has played in driving them apart.

The drought in Somalia As parts of Somalia suffer the worst drought for 40 years, government officials and international agencies are warning of catastrophe unless more help arrives. BBC Africa’s Bella Sheegow, who’s from Mogadishu, tells us about the situation in south west Somalia, where thousands have lost everything and had to flee to camps.

Kashmir's cinemas reopen Last month a cinema hall opened in Kashmir – the first since they were all closed having been targeted by insurgents in the 1990s. So why are they opening now, who is going, and will BBC Indian languages' Aamir Peerzada be one of them?

(Photo: People line up to collect drinking water in Mykolaiv, southern Ukraine, 23 October 2022.Credit: HANNIBAL HANSCHKE/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Iran protests: the ripple effect Oct 21, 2022

The protests in Iran are now the longest and most widespread in the 43 years of the Islamic Republic. What began as a reaction to the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22 year old Kurdish woman, arrested for allegedly violating strict hijab rules, quickly changed into a wider protest against the regime. What's happening in Iran has had a ripple effect for women across the region. To find out more we brought together Selin Girit from BBC Turkish, Mariam Aman from BBC Persian, who's from Afghanistan, and Lina Shaikhouni, a Syrian journalist with the BBC, who has an overview of the Arab region.

Eritrea's military call up Military mobilisation has intensified in Eritrea. While the government claims a 'tiny number' of reservists are being called up, the picture on the ground suggests a much larger operation, with door to door searches for draft dodgers, and their families punished for concealment. BBC Tigrinya's Bekit Teklemariam shares their findings with us.

The changing portrayal of North Korea in South Korean film Movies about North Korea are not new in South Korea. But over the years, the genre has shifted from hostile anti-communism to more nuanced depictions of the country, including romance and friendship. Hyunjung Kim of BBC Korean charts this evolution.

(Photo: Demonstrators shout slogans during a protest in support of Iranian women and against the death of Mahsa Amini, near the Iranian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Credit: REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya/File Photo)

TikTok begging in Syria Oct 14, 2022

A BBC investigation has discovered that up to 70% of donations being sent to displaced families in Syria via TikTok was being taken by the social media platform. Families in camps in northern Syria said they only receive a fraction of the donations, as BBC Arabic's Mamdouh Akbiek reports.

Bangladesh’s matriarchal Garo people The Garo people are one of the largest of Bangladesh’s indigenous communities. Their traditions are unique, and based on a matriarchal society. Shahnawaz Rocky of BBC Bengali recently visited the Garo people to find out about their culture, which is now under threat.

Kenya's divisive curriculum changes A viral video clip showing two Kenyan primary school children killing a chicken caused uproar, and some hilarity, about the country's new school curriculum. From BBC Nairobi, Evelyne Musambi tells us about a new focus on practical skills, and the controversy it is causing.

Afghan women at university Women applying to Afghan universities this term have discovered that their course choices have been severely restricted. BBC Afghan’s Sana Safi explains what is known about the changes, and their impact on women.

El Kul: bringing Libyans together As Libyans continue to struggle after years of insecurity and hardship, a social media platform run by the BBC's international charity BBC Media Action is trying to bridge the divides. The project began in 2014 and is called El Kul - 'For Everyone'. Editor Libya Idres El Mesmary tells us about the challenges they face.

(Photo: A displaced Syrian mother and daughters livestreaming on TikTok. Credit: BBC)

Life in the Russian army Oct 07, 2022

BBC Russian journalist Olga Ivshina shares the findings of her investigation into the reality of life for soldiers serving in Russia's armies, from crowd-sourcing to buy their own equipment, to why it’s so hard to leave.

Iran protest: 'For...’ The lyrics to 'Baraye', which translates as ‘for’ or ‘because’, by Shervin Hajipour were taken from ordinary Iranians posting on social media to explain why they are protesting, each line beginning "for...". BBC Persian's Saba Zavarei explains how the protest song has evolved.

Venezuelan migrants in Martha's Vineyard The Republican governor of Florida staged a political stunt to confront politicians far away from the southern border with the reality of uncontrolled migration. They flew 48 undocumented Latin Americans from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, close to Boston, where many liberal and democrat politicians have summer houses. Luis Fajardo has been following the story for BBC Monitoring in Miami.

Afghan women chasing their Olympic dreams in Italy BBC Uzbek's Firuz Rahimi, and producer Ivana Scatola, joined five women from Afghanistan’s cycling team who fled the country and are now training in Italy, pursuing their dream to represent their home country in the Olympics.

Pakistan floods and the karahi commute Pakistan's catastrophic floods in the past month, have been challenging to report for BBC Urdu. When Rubab Batool saw an intriguing video of locals using karahis - essentially huge cooking vessels - as transport on the floodwaters, she has to use her own creativity to work out how to film it.

Presenter: Feranak Amidi Producer: Caroline Ferguson

Mahsa Amini’s father speaks out Sep 23, 2022

Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman, died a week ago after being detained by Iran’s so called ‘morality police’, who claimed she was violating the country's strict dress code laws. Witnesses claim she was beaten, while the official explanations claim she had pre-existing health issues. We hear from BBC Persian's Jiyar Gol about his interview with her father Amjad Amini, who has spoken out at great risk to himself and contradicted the official version of events.

The women turning rice into wealth in Sierra Leone Many Sierra Leoneans rely on subsistence farming to survive, but a group of single mothers and widows in southern Sierra Leone have formed a farming collective and turned their farm into a highly profitable business, as BBC Africa Women's Affairs journalist Azeezat Olaoluwa reports.

The BBC's Disinformation Unit in India This year BBC News India launched a new Disinformation Unit to uncover, analyse and report on the spread of fake news. Jugal Purohit is part of the Delhi-based team, which highlights false information, debunks viral social media content and investigates how and why it spreads.

The impact of Lebanon's economic crisis The recent sinking of a boat carrying many Lebanese migrants, which left dozens dead, has highlighted the economic crisis which has left much of the population in despair. People with money are also suffering, as they're unable to withdraw funds from their accounts. Some have even gone to banks armed with guns to try to get hold of their own money. Carine Torbey has been reporting both stories for BBC Arabic.

The story behind the Bayraktar drones being used to defend Ukraine At the start of the invasion of Ukraine, videos of Russian vehicles being destroyed in drone strikes travelled round the world. For Ukrainians, the Turkish Bayraktar drones have become a symbol of resistance; they’ve composed songs about them, and named pets and even children after them. BBC Ukrainian’s Dzhafer Umerov interviewed the two brothers behind the drone, Haluk and Selçuk Bayraktar.

Photo: Mahsa Amini newspapers. Credit: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS (from Elvis)

Global perspectives on the death of Queen Elizabeth II Sep 16, 2022

Today we take a global perspective on the news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

We hear about some of the affectionate names by which the Queen was known by around the world, from 'Dear Granny' to 'Boss Lady', with BBC Burmese's Soe Win Than, BBC Africa Southern Africa Correspondent Pumza Filhani and BBC Chinese's Vivien Wong.

Presenter Irena Taranyuk speaks to language service colleagues about the unique perspectives and relationships their audiences and countries have with the British monarchy, and how this has shaped their coverage. With BBC Chinese Editor Howard Zhang, BBC Vietnamese Editor Giang Nguyen, BBC Thai's Issariya Praithongyaem and Iranian Ali Hamedani.

We also explore some of the controversial issues re-ignited by the Queen's death, regarding Britain's post colonial legacy and the future of the Commonwealth. With BBC Monitoring in Nairobi's Beverly Ochieng, BBC Hausa's Fauziyya Tukur, Masud Khan from BBC Bengali.

Photo: Global newspapers after Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8th. Credit: Jaber Abdulkhaleg/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The forgotten protesters of Belarus Sep 12, 2022

Two years ago, Belarusians took to the streets in mass protests after elections in which President Alexander Lukashenko declared a landslide victory. His main opponent was driven into exile, and thousands of protesters were jailed. Some, who have now been released, have told BBC Russian's Tatsiana Yanutsevich about their shock at discovering that Belarusians are no longer hailed as heroes, but seen by many as citizens of an aggressor country.

The lake that came from nowhere Lake Rgotsko in eastern Serbia has famously clear water and is popular with holidaymakers. What’s unusual about it is that it just appeared, back in the 1970s, when a sand mine suddenly filled with water. Among recent visitors was Sandra Maksimović from BBC Serbian.

Vietnam's banned TikTok reviewers High profile TikTok food reviewers have been banned from some restaurants. It came about after one reviewer posted harsh criticism of a crab stall vendor, leading to some restaurants refusing entry to other famous TikTok reviewers. Bui Thu of BBC Vietnamese has followed the saga.

A family reunion, after 32 years BBC Afaan Oromo shares the story of an Ethiopian man who went missing from his family more than three decades ago, after he was forcibly recruited into the army and sent straight to the battlefield. Asili Galgalo explains the twists and turns of Dima Doyo’s life, and the remarkable way in which he finally returned home.

The chimpanzee which went viral Kharkiv in Ukraine has suffered relentless bombardment by Russian forces since the start of the invasion. But a very different story came out of the city recently - about a chimpanzee which escaped from the zoo, and was filmed being gently recaptured and then wheeled back to the zoo on a bicycle. BBC Russian's Yevgeniy Kanevsky, who's from Kharkiv, tells us more.

(Photo: Belarusian protesters in August 2020. Credit: REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko)

Reporting Pakistan's floods Sep 02, 2022

BBC Urdu’s team of reporters has travelled across Pakistan to report on the impact of the recent floods, which have killed more than 1,200 people and displaced many more. Umer Draz Nangiana went to Rajanpur in southern Punjab to meet the farmers who’ve lost their homes and crops.

Egypt gets serious about dominoes In Egypt dominoes is mostly an old-fashioned game played by men in local cafes. But now the Minister of Youth and Sports wants to give it a new image and get Egyptians competing at international level. BBC Arabic’s Aya Hashim, herself a player, attended the country's first national dominoes championship.

"Small eating" in South Korea “Mukbang” videos became famous in South Korea with viewers watching hosts eat enormous quantities of food online. But now it's being challenged by “small eating," showing people apparently full after eating only a small bite. So what's behind the change, and is it any healthier? BBC Korean's Yuna Ku finds out.

Watermelons in Ukraine Why have watermelons become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance? BBC Monitoring journalist Margaryta Maliukova remembers watermelons from Kherson, and unpicks the watermelon-based social media memes.

Colombia's new anti-drugs proposals The newly elected left-wing president of Colombia has proposed an overhaul of the country’s anti-drugs policy, ending the US-supported ‘war on drugs’. Gustavo Petro wants to stop the eradication of coca crops and the extradition to the US of traffickers, as Luis Fajardo of BBC Monitoring explains.

American Uzbeks and the American Dream Ibrat Safo of BBC Uzbek has travelled across the United States to make a documentary series about Uzbeks who've made new lives in America. He tells us about the stories and dreams he discovered, from pursuing business success, to finding religious freedom, to becoming the person you want to be.

(Photo: Floods in South Punjab Pakistan. Credit: BBC)

Russia’s colonial past, and present? Aug 26, 2022

The Russian Foreign Minister recently wrote that Russia had ‘never stained itself with the bloody crimes of colonialism’. It’s not a new theme for Sergei Lavrov but it did surprise many Russian historians. BBC Russian’s Grigor Atanesian wrote an article testing Mr Lavrov’s claims.

Rural schools in Azerbaijan A plea by a 13-year-old Azerbaijani schoolgirl has put the spotlight on rural education in the country, with too few schools in some regions and badly maintained buildings. BBC Azerbaijani filmed Zahra walking the 4 kilometre return trip to her classroom, and editor Könül Khalilova shares the story.

Military service for K-pop superstars Members of the K-pop band BTS may soon have to complete their military service, but this may not mean they have to stop performing. The band had already been given a 2 year deferral, and parliament is debating radically shortening their service, as Julie Yoonnyung Lee of BBC Korean explains.

Five years of the Rohingya crisis BBC Bangla has been marking the fifth anniversary of the Rohingya crisis, which sent more than a million refugees from Myanmar into the Cox's Bazar refugee camp. Journalists Akbar Hossain and Shahnewaj Rocky heard from Rohingya refugees and the local Bengali community about their perspectives.

A travelling heart The embalmed heart of Brazil's first emperor, Dom Pedro I, has arrived in the country as part of celebrations for its bicentenary. Dom Pedro is remembered as a hero who led Brazil’s independence from Portugal, but he also allowed slavery to continue. BBC Brasil’s Nathalia Passarinho tells us about the man behind the heart.

(Photo: An official of Bukhara Emirate, a Russian protectorate. Credit: Sergey Prokudin-Gorskii/Getty Images)

Ukraine's stolen sunflowers Aug 19, 2022

In parts of Ukraine occupied by Russian forces, sunflower farmers report having their crops seized. Maria Korenyuk from BBC Ukrainian and Andrei Zakharov from BBC Russian have been investigating who is taking the sunflowers and where they end up.

Cool tips for hot work! BBC Persian's Middle East correspondent Nafiseh Kohnavard shares creative solutions to reporting with a mobile phone in Baghdad, when temperatures approach 50°C: just add ice-blocks and a supermarket freezer cabinet.

Venezuela's Tren de Aragua criminal gang What began with a few railway workers demanding bribes in Venezuela’s Aragua State has evolved into one of the largest criminal gangs in South America. Tren de Aragua, or Aragua Train, now operates in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Chile, as BBC Mundo's Norberto Paredes reports.

The treasures of a sunken Spanish galleon The Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Las Maravillas sank off the Bahamas in 1656, laden with treasure. BBC Monitoring’s Luis Fajardo in Miami tells us about the most recent exploration of the wreck, and explains why so many Spanish ships sank in that area.

In search of my mother Widya is a Dutch Indonesian adoptee who, like many, wants to find her birth mother. Ayomi Amindoni and Dwiki Marta of BBC Indonesian traveled with her across Indonesia, uncovering a history of fake documents, false mothers and criminal networks.

(Photo: Ukrainian sunflower field. Credit: Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The end of the 'eternal' glacier? Aug 12, 2022

Indonesia's famous 'Eternity Glacier' in Papua province is shrinking fast, and experts say it could disappear by 2024. Meanwhile many of the glaciers of the Andes in South America are also on the retreat. Valdya Baraputri of BBC Indonesian and BBC Mundo's Alejandra Martins share this story of climate change in their regions.

Black and Arab How are black people across the Arab region affected by racism? For BBC Arabic, Nareeman Dosa reports from Tunisia, the first Arab country to make racial discrimination a criminal offence. Nareeman is a black woman of Sudanese heritage and her documentary, Black and Arab, also led to discoveries about her own identity.

India and Pakistan: 75 years after Partition To mark 75 years since India and Pakistan’s independence and the Partition, BBC Hindi and BBC Urdu have collaborated to make a podcast series called Baat Sarhad Paar or Conversations Across The Border. Big names from music, art and literature in both countries discuss their shared culture and how this chapter of history affects people today. Asif Farooqi of BBC Urdu and Rupa Jha from BBC Delhi explore the connections.

Goodbye to Bangkok's 'fast and furious' Number 8 bus The buses operating on Bangkok's Number 8 route are famous for their sometimes alarming speed and reckless driving, earning them the nickname 'fast and furious'. But the authorities have decided to remove them from the roads. BBC Thai's Tossapol Chaisamritpol was a frequent traveller on the Number 8 and shares his stories.

(Photo: Carstensz Glacier. Credit: Gr8ph1cs via gettyimages)

What next for women in football? Aug 05, 2022

What are the victories - and challenges - for women's football around the world? After a video of the England women's victory dance went viral, we hear from Laura Garcia from BBC Mundo and Alma Hassoun from BBC Arabic about how football has empowered women players in their regions.

Kashmir, three years on It has been three years since the Indian government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces were deployed, and the region was cut off from most lines of communication. Aamir Peerzada of BBC Indian languages is from Kashmir and was reporting from there at the time. He shares his memories.

The Bandit Warlords of Zamfara In northwestern Nigeria, ultra-violent bandit gangs raid villages, attack drivers, abduct schoolchildren and kill anyone who resists. Hausa villagers have formed vigilante militias to defend themselves, but have allegedly killed innocent people. BBC Africa Eye's Yusuf Anka takes us into the heart of Nigeria’s worst security crisis.

Human trafficking from Vietnam to Cambodia A new case of modern slavery has been revealed in Cambodia, where Vietnamese people are being lured with the promise of jobs in the gambling industry. Once over the border, their possessions are confiscated and they are made to work long hours and live in sub-human conditions. For BBC Vietnamese, Thu Bui spoke to victims and their rescuers.

(Photo: Mary Earp dances on the Press Conference table surrounded by the England team. Credit: Sarah Stier, UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Iran’s recent crackdown Jul 29, 2022

Women in Iran have been sharing videos of themselves taking off their hijabs in public in protest at the growing pressure regarding the mandatory headscarf. Meanwhile the Iranian parliament may soon approve a bill which will severely restrict pet ownership. Taraneh Stone of BBC Persian and Ali Hamedani discuss why the government seems to be enforcing stricter rules.

Reporting Sri Lanka Sri Lanka has experienced months of turmoil with mass protests over the island's economic crisis, leading to the flight of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa earlier this month. His successor Ranil Wickremesinghe has imposed a state of emergency until mid-August. It's been one dramatic development after another for BBC Sinhala's Colombo-based reporters Ranga Sirilal and Shirly Upul Kumara.

A Nigerian world record This week Nigerian hurdler Tobi Amusan broke the world record in the women's 100m hurdles, and won the first ever gold medal for Nigeria at the World Athletics Championships. BBC Africa's Peter Okwoche tells us more about her, and what the win means to Nigerians.

Drama Queen Drama Queen is a ground-breaking podcast series presented in Hindi and Urdu by the BBC’s Samrah Fatima. It tells the stories of men and women who are accused of being ‘drama queens’ if they speak out about their struggles. Samrah explains why she wanted to tackle the deeply rooted social issues that are common to both India and Pakistan, and show how people have been able to forge new paths for themselves.

(Photo: A woman in Islamic dress walks past a shop window. Credit: Morteza Nikoubazi/ NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The cost of keeping Putin Covid free Jul 22, 2022

Around $54.6m was spent on measures to protect President Vladimir Putin from Covid in 2020 and 2021, according to openly available data from Russian state sources. Sergei Goryashko of BBC Russian explains how this money was spent and why the measures seem to be continuing.

Afghan women BBC Afghan's Pashto and Dari services have launched a new radio programme. It's called 'Women' and aims to provide information, inspiration and entertainment to Afghan women and girls now mostly confined at home. Presenters Shazia Haya and Aalia Farzan share their motivations, laughter, and memories of mothers back home.

Heatwave in Pakistan's Cholistan desert Livestock herders and their flocks in Pakistan's Cholistan desert are used to extreme heat. But this year temperatures of 50 degrees were recorded months earlier than usual, and hundreds of animals have died. BBC Urdu's Umer Draz Nangiana visited farmers in remote villages to hear their stories.

Vietnam's hot weather surcharge Consumers are used to companies adding on surcharges for this and that - but the ride hailing and delivery app Grab went just a bit too far for users in Vietnam with its recent hot weather fee. BBC Vietnamese journalist Thuong Le followed the story.

A trip to the Belgrade lido Over the summer months, people in the Serbian capital Belgrade can cool off at a beach minutes from the city centre. The much-loved lido is on an island in the River Danube, and Slobodan Maricic recently joined regulars there for BBC Serbian.

(Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing protective gear March 2020. Credit: Alexey Druzhinin/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine’s art and culture under attack Jul 15, 2022

Artworks taken from collections, museums destroyed: Anastasia Soroka and Grigor Atenasian explore what's been happening to Ukraine's cultural heritage since the war began, in a special BBC Russian report.

From Venezuela to Peru Guillermo Olmo is the first BBC Mundo correspondent to be based in Peru. Originally from Spain, he spent a couple of years reporting from Venezuela during a time of protests and economic crisis. So what's it like to shift to a new, quieter country?

A Somali perspective on the Mo Farah story The British Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah made headlines this week after revealing that he was illegally brought to the UK as a child. He said he was given the name Mohamed Farah, and made to work as a domestic servant. BBC Somali’s Sidiiq Burmad is based in Somaliland, where Sir Mo was born.

Why have so many Jordanians lost faith in their government? A puppet, a prime minister and a pundit – they all feature in a report by BBC Arabic’s Murad Shishani from his home country, Jordan. He was investigating recent survey results showing that trust in the government is the lowest it's been for more than a decade. He tells us what he found out.

K-pop's plastic problem In the age of online streaming, K-pop fans still buy multiple physical CDs to get the promotions and merchandise attached to them. But now many are voicing concern about the environmental impact, and demanding a change in the behaviour of bands and fans. BBC Korean's Bugyeong Jung looked into the story.

(Photo: Russian journalists remove portrait of Arkhip Kuindzhi, painted by his pupil Grigory Kalmykov, from Mariupul Kuindzhi Art Museum basement. Credit: Screenshot from UNION TV Channel)

Reporting the Afghan earthquake Jul 08, 2022

It's more than two weeks since a deadly earthquake struck south east Afghanistan, killing more than a thousand people and leaving tens of thousands homeless. Auliya Atrafi from BBC Media Action in Kabul and Aamir Peerzada from BBC Delhi both travelled to the epicentre in Paktika province, and Ali Hamedani tracked down survivors from his base in London.

Bolsonaro and Brazil's black women voters Evangelical Christian black women from poor backgrounds played a significant role in the election of Brazil's right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro 4 years ago. BBC Brasil’s Nathalia Passarinho visited cities around the country to find out why they voted for a candidate accused of making racist and sexist comments then, and will they do it again?

Cairo houseboats The famous houseboats on the River Nile in the heart of Cairo are being demolished and towed away. The authorities say they are standing in the way of the state's grand development plans, but there has been a campaign to save these iconic floating homes, in which some families have lived for decades. BBC Cairo's Sally Nabil visited the residents to hear their stories.

(Photo: Auliya Atrafi of BBC Media Action interviewing an earthquake survivor. Credit: Courtesy BBC Media Action Afghanistan)

Ukraine's foreign fighters Jul 01, 2022

Since February, thousands of international volunteers have travelled to Ukraine to help in the fight against Russia. We hear about some foreign combatants whose stories have been reported by our language services, with Sunyoung Jeong of BBC Korean, Benny Lu of BBC Chinese and Beverly Ochieng of BBC Monitoring in Nairobi.

Lend me a saying Our BBC Indian language service colleagues in Delhi share their favourite sayings, with Siddhanath Ganu of BBC Marathi, Sarika Singh of BBC Hindi, Khushboo Sandhu of BBC Punjabi, Venkat Prasad G of BBC Telugu, Saranya Nagarajan of BBC Tamil and Brijal Shah of BBC Gujarati.

A new king for Cameroon's Mankon people For the Mankon community of Cameroon, a king, or fon, never dies, he simply disappears. Fon Angwafor III 'went missing' in May, and the enthronement of the new king took place last month. The BBC's Randy Joe Sa'ah attended the extraordinary ceremony and shares his impressions.

(Photo: Taiwanese volunteer fighter Mr Lee in Kyiv. Credit: Daniel Ceng)

Colombia's first leftist leader Jun 24, 2022

In more than 200 years as a republic, Colombia has never elected a left-wing leader - until now. Gustavo Petro, a former member of the M-19 rebel group, narrowly won in a very polarised election. He said Colombia “voted for change.” BBC Mundo’s Daniel Pardo, who's from Bogota, witnessed the celebrations.

North Korean trash Seoul politics professor Kang Dong-wan is fascinated by life inside North Korea, and based his latest research on the vast array of packaging washed up on South Korea’s Five West Sea Islands. BBC Korean’s Jungmin Choi tells us what he discovered there, and what it reveals about life inside the communist state.

Russia's lost generals Why are so many Russian generals dying in the Ukraine conflict? At least four have been killed, possibly more, and yet it's usually rare for a general to die in battle. BBC Russian's Olga Ivshina explains what the high casualty rate tells us about the way Russian forces are fighting.

The imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi The deposed former leader of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been moved from house arrest to solitary confinement in prison. BBC Burmese editor Soe Win Than tells us what's known about her previous living conditions, and the significance of the junta's decision to put her behind bars.

Vietnamese brides China has a huge sex imbalance in its population, with 10% more men than women. This legacy of the one child policy has had a huge impact on neighbouring Vietnam; it's estimated 100,000 Vietnamese women married to Chinese men. Bui Thu from BBC Vietnamese spoke with one woman who married for love about her experiences.

(Photo: Gustavo Petro and Francia Marquez. Credit: Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images)

Racism for sale Jun 17, 2022

BBC reporter Runako Celina tells us about her long search for the origins of a shocking video circulating on Chinese social media in 2020. It showed a group of African children being instructed to chant racist phrases in Chinese. The answers Runako found are in her BBC Africa Eye documentary Racism for Sale.

For the love of mangoes! We unleash the Fifth Floor mic in the BBC Delhi bureau where colleagues from the Indian language services share their love of mangoes, especially their local varieties. Thanks to Siddhanath Ganu of BBC Marathi, Sarika Singh of BBC Hindi, Khushboo Sandhu of BBC Punjabi, Brijal Shah of BBC Gujarati, Venkat Prasad G of BBC Telugu and Saranya Nagarajan of BBC Tamil.

New words and a culture shift in Ukraine 'Putler', 'Ruscists' and 'Anglo-Saxons': what words can tell us about the cultural shift in Ukraine since the invasion, and why some are 'changing their shoes mid-air', with Vitaliy Shevchenko from BBC Monitoring.

Bangladesh container depot blast The devastating explosion at the Sitakunda container depot near Chittagong killed more than 40 people and injured hundreds. BBC Bangla journalist Shahnewaj Rocky is from Chittagong and spoke with firefighters and some of those who rushed to help the victims.

Ventriloquist queen American ventriloquist Angelique-Monet became a queen in Nigeria after falling in love with a Nigerian king and marrying him. She lives in Eti-Oni in southern Nigeria where she and her puppet, Milk the Cow, entertain local children with their skills. BBC Africa's Youth News reporter Damilola Oduolowu caught her show.

(Photo: A Chinese greeting from African children. Credit: BBC)

Is China’s population falling? Jun 10, 2022

The numbers of people living in the most populated country in the world is expected to start falling this year, for the first time since the great famine more than six decades ago. There's concern about what that means for the global economy, but what do people in China think? BBC Chinese editor Howard Zhang explains why the 3-child policy hasn’t worked.

Afrocentrism Njoroge Muigai of BBC Nairobi recently visited a Kenyan primary school with a difference; it takes an innovative, Afrocentric approach to learning.

Fortune-telling in Thailand BBC Thai has been asking why fortune-tellers are still so widely consulted in Thailand. They interviewed popular fortune-tellers and found out from younger clients why they seek consultations. Sucheera Maguire explains.

A visit to Delhi's Lodi Gardens Suhail Haleem of BBC Delhi takes us to the Lodi Gardens to look at Mughal monuments and contemplate India's relationship with its Islamic past and present. My Arab Adolescence BBC Arabic has given young people across the Arab world a platform to talk openly about the challenges they face, including taboo topics around mental health, in a podcast series for teenagers called My Adolescence. Presenter Karima Kouah shares their stories, and tells us what she hopes the series will achieve.

(Photo: Chinese babies in cots. Credit: Gong Bo/VCG via Getty Images)

Marriage and war Jun 06, 2022

Natalya is a Russian journalist working for BBC Monitoring, and her husband and colleague, Yuriy, is Ukrainian. They have been evacuated from their home in Kyiv to Lviv. Natalya tells us about the challenges of family life during war, and how she’s given up trying to convince some friends in Russia about what’s really happening.

Changing attitudes in India A recent survey of social attitudes in India showed that a large proportion of the population, both men and women, still believe that husbands have the right to beat their wives. Women's affairs editor Geeta Pandey talks us through the findings.

Why Germans are migrating to Paraguay Thousands of German migrants have moved to Paraguay, some of them escaping Covid restrictions; others because they are uncomfortable with immigration itself in Germany. BBC Mundo's Mar Pichel travelled to Paraguay to explore the reasons behind this new wave.

Goodbye to South Korea's Blue House The Blue House in Seoul has been the seat of power in South Korea for more than 70 years. But the new president, Yoon Suk-yeol, has moved his office to a Defence Ministry complex and opened the Blue House to the public. Julie Yoonnyung Lee of BBC Korean explains the reasons for this decision.

Uganda's Batwa people Over 30 years ago, the Batwa people of Uganda were evicted from their ancestral forest home by the government. It was thought they might threaten the gorilla population, vital to Uganda's tourism industry. But the Batwa people have struggled ever since, as BBC Africa's Patience Atuhaire discovered when she went to report on their story.

Presenter: David Amanor Producer: Sue Waldram

(Photo: Wedding rings. Credit: BBC)

Being a Russian in Ukraine May 27, 2022

How have the lives of the thousands of Russians living in Ukraine changed since the invasion? BBC Arabic's Heba Bitar met three Russian nationals who told her about their conflicted sense of identity and the practical challenges they are facing.

The latest from Bollywood Bollywood watchers Vidit Mehra and Vandana from BBC Delhi discuss the latest headlines. An Indian actor is a jury member at this year's Cannes film festival, two of Bollywood's most famous stars have recently married and it's the thirtieth anniversary of a film that put a civil war on pause.

Why battery-powered rickshaws are taking over in Bangladesh Dhaka's notorious traffic jams are very polluting, as well as frustrating and noisy. Now there's a sustainable DIY solution to get around town: battery-powered rickshaws. But as BBC Bangla's Shahnewaj Rocky tells us, there are risks involved.

LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar With just months to go before the Fifa World Cup 2022, the authorities in Qatar have assured LGBTQ+ visitors that they will be welcome. But the reality for LGBTQ+ people living in Qatar is very different, as BBC Arabic's Julien Hajj has been finding out.

Ukraine’s lost animals As BBC Ukrainian reporter Roman Lebed was about to do a piece to camera, a cat walked into the shot. Roman burst out laughing – for the first time in months. The cat had burnt whiskers and wanted to become his friend. Roman says he’s seen many cats and dogs, often abandoned, in the areas he’s been reporting from.

(Photo: Russian man by a memorial in Kyiv for Ukrainian soldiers. Credit: BBC)

Love in a time of war May 20, 2022

How do you arrange a wedding in a warzone? According to Ukrainian authorities nearly 4,000 couples tied the knot in the first 10 days after the invasion. BBC Ukrainian's Zhanna Bezpiatchuk has recently come back from Ukraine – where she met a couple who exchanged their vows as twin rockets hit the city of Lviv, in western Ukraine. Videogames in the Arabic world Millions of people around the world play videogames and the industry is getting bigger and bigger. One company is capitalising on this growth. Based in Jordan, their speciality is 'localising' videogames; making them more suitable for Arab audiences. Hossam Fazulla has been covering this story for BBC Arabic.

Meet the Nigerian Spiderman Environmentalist Jonathan Olakunle dresses up as a superhero to help clean up the streets and raise awareness about illegal waste dumping. BBC Africa’s Joshua Akinyemi has spent a day with him.

Afghan women lawyers Since the Taliban took over in 2021, women have been barred from working in the judiciary system, leaving thousands jobless and at risk. And whilst the Taliban government say women with legal claims can still go to court, some Afghan women say that their cases are better understood by female judges and lawyers. Shazia Haya from BBC Pastho has the story. Bridgerton in India The latest season of the drama Bridgerton has had a mixed reception in India. Set in Georgian London, the series follows the aristrocratic Bridgerton family. The second series introduces an Indian family visiting London to find a match for their youngest daughter. Though popular among Indians it proved controversial - as the BBC’s Meryl Sebastian in Delhi explains.

Presenter: Faranak Amidi Producers: Alice Gioia, Caroline Ferguson, Rebecca Moore, Emily Naylor

(Photo: Newly-weds Aliona and Boghdan. Credit: Marek Polaszewski)

Mariupol: City at the heart of war May 13, 2022

The Ukrainian port city of Mariupol has been under attack by the Russians since the first day of the invasion on 24 February. It now lies in ruins, but still Ukrainian fighters are resisting in the Azovstal steelworks. Vitaliy Shevchenko, Russia editor of BBC Monitoring, tells us about the complex history and identity of Mariupol.

Reporting Sri Lanka It’s been a week of violent unrest in Sri Lanka, where peaceful protests in the capital turned into riots on Monday after the resignation of prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. For two members of the BBC Sinhala team, it’s a doubly difficult story, having moved from Colombo to Delhi. Editor Ishara Danasekara and her colleague Amanda Abeysooriya tell us about the challenges of reporting from a distance.

South Korea's hijabi influencer Sabrina is a young hijab-wearing Malaysian Muslim who loves to dance to K-pop. When she moved to South Korea, she opened a YouTube channel and became a popular influencer. However, not all responses have been positive, as BBC Korean’s Bugyeong Jung found out.

My Childhood, My Country A remarkable documentary which follows the life of a young Afghan from the age of 7 to 27 has just won a BAFTA award for Shoaib Sharifi, who runs the Kabul office of the BBC’s international charity, BBC Media Action. It’s called My Childhood, My Country, and Shoaib tells us how he first met its star, Mir Hussain, then recorded his life from child to adult.

Presenter: Faranak Amidi Producer: Sue Waldram

(Photo: Theatre building destroyed in the Ukraine-Russia conflict in Mariupol, April 25, 2022. Credit: Reuters/Alexander Ermochenko)

Tattoo patriotism May 06, 2022

Tattoo parlours have switched from hearts and roses to Cossacks and flags as Ukrainians ink their bodies with patriotic tattoos to permanently record what their country is going through. BBC Ukrainian's Anastasiya Gribanova visited a Lviv tattoo parlour to find out the most popular images, and what they mean to citizens and soldiers.

Miami's F1 vices Organisers had hoped that Miami's Formula 1 race would give Monte Carlo a run for its money with drivers roaring along the seafront and superyacht-studded marina. So when they didn't get permission they decided to think outside the box - why not fake a marina, yachts and all? BBC Monitoring's Luis Fajardo has been enjoying the drama.

A 30 year battle for sewage services A shanty town in Brazil’s richest city, Sao Paulo, has finally won its decades-long campaign to get basic sanitation. Millions of Brazilians live without proper sewage or water services, and Thais Carrança of BBC Brasil visited Favela do Moinho to find what the new services will mean for residents.

Real Housewives of Lagos A group of wealthy, glamorous and fun-loving Lagos women are in the spotlight with the latest iteration of the Real Housewives franchise. Keisha Gitari at BBC Lagos tells us about the lives shown on screen, and how the city on the screen compares with the reality for most locals.

Why not... dance? That’s the question being posed by the first in a new BBC Arabic series tackling topics that are seldom discussed or culturally contentious. Julien Hajj explains why they chose dance as a topic, and a male belly-dancer as a contributor.

(Photo: Ukrainian patriotic tattoo. Credit: BBC)

One country, two refugee experiences Apr 29, 2022

Denmark has some of the toughest immigration rules in Europe but the government has welcomed thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion. Hanan Razek of BBC Arabic has been to Denmark to investigate what looks like a mismatch between the treatment of Syrian refugees, who've been there since 2015, and the policy towards Ukrainians.

The tree that becomes a spring A mulberry tree in Montenegro has become famous for the spring that gushes out of its trunk at the end of winter, when the snow melts and streams are full. Katarina Stevanovic has made a video of the tree for BBC Serbian, and tells us about this strange phenomenon.

Nigeria's traditional dye pits Dye pits in Nigeria’s Kano state have been producing beautiful indigo-dyed fabrics for more than six centuries. But insurgency in the region and changing modern tastes mean the dye pits are facing an uncertain future. BBC Africa’s Salihu Adamu visited and met some of the dyers.

KwaZulu-Natal: after the floods More than four hundred people died and thousands were left homeless earlier this month when floods devastated South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. The BBC’s Pumza Fihlani describes the aftermath and its impact on local people.

An encounter with the most venomous snakes of Bangladesh Bangladesh’s first venom research centre has opened in Chittagong. Venom is extracted from captive snakes to produce anti-venom, which will be used to treat the thousands bitten every year. A nervous Shahnewaj Rocky of BBC Bangla returned to his hometown to see inside the centre.

(Photo: Demonstrators, friends and relatives protest against the deportation of Syrian families in Copenhagen on November 13, 2021.Credit:Thibault Savary /AFP)

Why women vote for Modi Apr 22, 2022

Narendra Modi’s BJP party won four out of five Indian states in recent elections, with polls reporting that more women than men voted for them. Geeta Panday of BBC News Delhi explains BJP’s appeal to women, from Prime Minister Modi’s strongman image, to the party's development schemes to improve women’s lives.

Space Kebab A kebab shop owner in Adana, known in Turkey as the capital of kebabs, attempted to deliver the world's first kebab into outer space. Özge Ozdemir from BBC Turkish tells us more about the not entirely serious space mission.

Rio Alligators From bus stations to door mats, alligators have been seen in Rio de Janeiro's most urban areas. Disorganised urban expansion, pollution and human feeding appear to have caused the population boom. Brazilian Ricardo Senra grew up in Rio, and made a video about Rio's wild inhabitants.

Shanghai's Covid lockdown Shanghai has been in lockdown for a month. What began as a 5 day intervention is still in place as omicron defies the measures, and government’s zero-Covid policy shows no sign of changing. BBC Chinese journalist Benny Lu has been finding out what life is like under arguably the world’s strictest lockdown.

Omani dishdashas How would you feel if your government made laws about what you could wear? That’s what’s happened in the Gulf state of Oman, with laws relating to the traditional robe the dishdasha and how it can and can’t be worn, as BBC Arabic's Nisrine Hatoum reports.

(Photo: Indian Prime Minister Modi visits Allahabad, India in 2021. Credit: Ritesh Shukla/Getty Images)

Celebrity vlogger or traitor? Apr 15, 2022

Wang Jixian is a computer programmer from Beijing who was relocated to Odessa shortly before the Russian invasion. He started sharing videos of war-torn Ukraine and ended up being labelled a traitor by Chinese nationalists. BBC Chinese editor Howard Zhang tells us more.

Economising during Ramadan With rising food prices across the Arabic-speaking world, many families are having to scale down the Ramadan traditions of special meals and generous hospitality at the end of a day of fasting. Reem Fatthelbab of BBC Arabic has heard from women from Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia as they shop for the evening meal.

Brazil’s neglected superfoods Brazil is home to almost a fifth of the world’s plant species, and yet its farmers rely on just a few commercial crops, nearly all originating from outside the country. The BBC’s Joao Fellet tells us about his investigation into the many native plants which could feed people cheaply and sustainably.

The World Cup fortune-teller When Pooria Jafereh of BBC Persian correctly predicted, live on air, Iran's opponents at the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage, it went viral. He tells us how he made his predictions, and describes how the story then took on a life of its own.

Pioneering teachers in Papua An Indonesian couple have made a new life for themselves in a remote village in the province of Papua. Adit and Putri are teachers, and they wanted to provide education in a place which has been without a school for many years. Nicky Widadio of BBC Indonesian has been hearing their story.

(Vlogger Wang Jixian. Credit: Wang Jixian)

Who’s advising Zelensky? Apr 08, 2022

Since the invasion of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has become a familiar face on the world stage speaking to parliaments and the UN, as well as a constant presence in the lives of his own people from front lines to his nightly broadcast. So how much of this sure-footed campaign is down to Zelensky himself, and how much to his advisors? BBC Monitoring journalist Vitaliy Shevchenko has been looking at what's known about who's advising President Zelensky.

The $200 jackfruit When BBC Brasil reported earlier this year that a large jackfruit was on sale in a London market for the equivalent of $200 dollars, there was disbelief. Jackfruit is widely grown in Brazil and sells for a fraction of that amount, with much ending up rotting on the street. Luis Barrucho has been investigating the international jackfruit market.

A haircut for a war hero One of Kenya's most prominent women independence fighters has had her locks cut by a former first lady after more than 60 years. Her hair had been seen as an enduring mark of defiance, and when it was cut by Mama Ngina Kenyatta, mother of the current president, there was uproar online, as Beverly Ochieng of BBC Monitoring in Nairobi reports.

Women in Iranian film fighting sexual harassment Hundreds of women working in Iranian cinema have launched a powerful protest against sexual harassment, bullying and even rape. They are demanding action to protect women and make offenders accountable, as well as an independent body to investigate allegations, as Taraneh Stone of BBC Persian TV reports.

Nigerian teenagers who became sci-fi sensations Using a parent's smartphone and tripods made of wood, a group of nine teenagers began making their own sci-fi movies in 2016. When one of their movies went viral on social media it caught the attention of millions, including many celebrities, and now they have global ambitions, as Damilola Oduolowu of BBC Lagos reports.

(Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to the press in the town of Bucha, Ukraine on 4th April 2022. Credit: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images)

Why Afghan girls remain out of school Apr 01, 2022

Last week the Taliban regime in Afghanistan reversed its promise to allow girls to return to secondary school after the ban 7 months ago. It's a story that has a particular resonance for BBC Afghan's Shazia Haya, who covered it for BBC Pashto. She was evacuated from Kabul last August and now works with the team in London.

Ukraine seen from Hong Kong In Hong Kong's 2019 pro-democracy protests, mass screenings of a documentary about the Ukrainian protests of 2013-4, Winter on Fire, gave encouragement to Hong Kongers to continue their fight, and forged an unlikely connection between Hong Kong and Ukraine. Benny Lu of BBC Chinese reports on how the war in Ukraine is being seen in both Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Sri Lanka’s deepening crisis Sri Lankans are becoming increasingly angry and frustrated about an economic crisis which has brought empty fuel stations, long power cuts and even delayed school exams because of paper shortages. BBC Sinhala’s Ranga Sirilal explains the causes, and describes the impact on daily life.

(Photo: Afghan women protesting with banners for education rights in Kabul, 2022. Credit: Ahmad Sahel Arman/AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine: Reporting war at home Mar 25, 2022

How does it feel to report on the world's biggest story when it also happens to be about your home? We hear from BBC Ukrainian's Irena Taranyuk and BBC Monitoring's Vitaliy Shevchenko about the challenges of reporting and living the story, sifting truth from sophisticated misinformation, and the impact of protests and support from around the world.

Sexism in Somalia BBC Africa Eye's recent film, 'Somalia, sexism and me', shows the everyday sexism and harassment Maryama Omar, a female camerawoman in Mogadishu, faces. It's something that BBC Somali's Bella Sheegow can relate to from her own experiences of reporting in Somalia.

Let's play AlWird! Wordle became an international hit, with millions trying to guess the daily 5-letter word in only 6 attempts. Now there are equivalents in other languages, including Arabic. BBC Arabic's Yanita Georgieva tells the story of how AlWird came about.

(Photo: Ukrainian flags alongside a British Union Jack outside a London pub, March 2022. Credit: Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images)

How Russia makes war: Syrian memories Mar 18, 2022

BBC Arabic: perspectives on the war in Ukraine from across the Middle East and North Africa.

Dima Babilie of BBC Arabic is from Damascus in Syria. She compares the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the Russian intervention in the Syrian conflict, and tells us about the pro-Assad Syrians who want to fight alongside the Russian forces.

Hanan Razek tells us about her investigation into Russia's recruitment of mercenaries. She spoke to a serving fighter with the secretive Wagner organisation who says he was in Kharkiv at the beginning of the invasion. She also found some recruitment ads on social media inviting mercenaries to a "picnic in Ukraine".

Mehdi Musawi works on the BBC Arabic TV and radio phone-in programme Talking Point. Its focus has been entirely on the war since the Russian invasion, and Mehdi tells us about some of the topics they have covered, and which have attracted the greatest response.

Murad Shishani was deployed to the Polish-Ukrainian border at the start of the war and interviewed Arabic-speaking refugees, many of whom had already fled war in their home countries. Murad is a Jordanian of Chechen origin, and he explained the negative reactions this sometimes provokes, on this and previous assignments.

(Photo: Composite image of destruction in Aleppo, Syria in 2017 (L) and the aftermath of shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine in March 2022. Credit: Joseph Eid/AFP via Getty Images (L), Pavlo Bahmut/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Sunflowers, sanctions and state media Mar 11, 2022

BBC Russian editor Famil Ismailov describes how his team has been covering the war, and the challenges they face from a regime which wants to stop them reporting and block their news. He tells us about the different ways that the news is still getting through to audiences inside Russia.

Taraneh Stone of BBC Persian TV contrasts the official Iranian media's support for Russian actions, while social media voice their support for Ukraine. One of the hits there was a video of a Ukrainian soldier reciting a Farsi love poem, revealing surprising links between the two countries.

Özge Özdemir of BBC Turkish reflects on the significance of President Erodogan's diplomacy, and explores the economic implications of the war for Turkey, which imports both food and fuel from Russia and Ukraine.

Howard Zhang, editor of BBC Chinese, explores China's reaction to the war in Ukraine. A month ago, President Xi Jinping declared there was "no limit" to Beijing's newly strengthened relationship with Russia. But after worldwide condemnation and sanctions imposed on Russia, will this relationship falter?

BBC Brasil's Daniel Gallas explains why President Jair Bolsonaro is a fan of Vladimir Putin, though his admiration has caused problems among his supporters. Plus we hear escape stories of the Brazilians playing for Ukrainian football teams, and learn about Brazil's Ukrainian community.

(Photo: Ukrainian sunflower. Credit: Serhii Hudak/Getty Images)

Ukraine around the world Mar 04, 2022

We look at how the BBC’s language services are reporting the war in Ukraine, and the impact in their countries and regions.

Luis Fajardo of BBC Monitoring in Miami explains why there are fears in Colombia that the conflict with Venezuela could turn into a proxy war, and the impact it is having on Colombia's presidential election.

Shekiba Habib of BBC Afghan tells us that the conflict has prompted praise for President Volodymyr Zelensky for staying with his people, unlike former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

BBC Serbian editor Aleksandra Niksic explains the country's complicated approach to the current conflict, with ties to Russia, Ukraine and the EU. And she shares the story of Montenegro, which has the world’s highest density of luxury second homes owned by Russians and Ukrainians.

Giang Nguyen, editor of BBC Vietnamese explains Vietnam's long historical association with Russia, and looks at attitudes to the war across the region.

From Bangkok, Issariya Praithongyaem says BBC Thai has been reporting on why some men are so determined to join the fight on the side of the Ukrainians.

Janhavee Moole of BBC Marathi and Victoria Uwonkunda of BBC Africa Daily share stories of the many students from their areas who were trapped in Ukraine. We hear why they chose to study in Ukraine and the difficulties they faced trying to escape the war.

(Photo: A residential building destroyed by shelling in Borodyanka, north west of Kyiv, Ukraine. Credit: Reuters/Maksim Levin)

A tale of two Olympians Feb 18, 2022

As the Winter Olympics draw to a close, we take a closer look at two stars who have dominated the headlines. Zhijie Shao of BBC Chinese describes how China’s ‘frog princess’ Eileen Gu has captured the heart of the nation, and Elizaveta Fokht of BBC Russian charts the ups and downs of 15-year-old figure skater Kamila Valieva.

Icon, rebel and feminist: a tribute to Forugh Farokhzad It’s 55 years this week since the death of Iranian poet Forugh Farokhzad, but her popularity has never faded and she still inspires young and old. Maryam Zohdi of BBC Persian, who is herself a poet, has made a BBC radio documentary to introduce Forugh to non-Farsi speakers.

Goodbye Turkey, hello Türkiye Why is Turkey trying to change its internationally recognised name to Türkiye? BBC Monitoring’s Ilgin Karlidag takes us into the history and geopolitics behind the move.

The brothers separated for 75 years A story of two brothers – one in Pakistan and one in India – has gone viral in both countries. Sadiq and Habib Khan were separated 75 years ago during the Partition of India. Thanks to a Pakistani campaigner, they recently met face to face. The BBC’s Ali Kazmi, who’s based in Lahore, worked with BBC Punjabi colleagues in India to tell the brothers’ story.

(Photo: Composite image with Ailing Eileen Gu of Team China (L) and Russian Kamila Valieva. Credit: VCG via Getty Images (L), Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

No guns on the Ferris wheel Feb 11, 2022

Afghanistan's Taliban Cabinet recently issued a statement that their fighters should not carry weapons while visiting amusement parks. It follows videos circulating online of fighters enjoying bumper car rides, as well as shooting for toys at the rifle range. BBC Afghan's Khalil Noori lived in Kabul until August last year when he was evacuated with his family. He shares his memories of days out in amusement parks, and the background to this story.

An icy bike ride on Lake Baikal BBC Russian's Oleg Boldyrev took the opportunity of a far flung deployment to visit a frozen Lake Baikal, naturally with his bike. A place of ice stalactites, upended jagged ice shards, and strange, sci-fi sounding ice symphonies as the ice expands and contracts.

Turkish inflation BBC Arabic's Shahdi Alkashif lives in Istanbul, and has been reporting on the dramatic rise in the cost of living. And it's not just a professional assignment - with a large family to provide for it's a story that's close to home.

The president ploughing a field for new year Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc dressed as a farmer and ploughed a rice field with a buffalo during the Lunar New Year celebrations. It’s a ceremony formerly performed by Vietnamese kings, and the photos on social media received a mixed reaction, as Giang Nguyen of BBC Vietnamese explains.

India's most renowned female activist Sudha Barawaj is an activist and trade unionist, who spent 30 years fighting for the rights of the tribal people in the mineral-rich state of Chhattisgarh. She was arrested in 2018 and then spent three years in jail. Soutik Biswas of BBC Delhi tells us what an eye opening experience this was for her.

(Photo: Taliban fighter with gun sits on fun ride in Afghan amusement park, November 2021. Credit: Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Teenage mums back at school in Tanzania Feb 04, 2022

Pregnant students in Tanzania are no longer forced to drop out of school, after a ban endorsed by former President John Magufuli was overturned. Girls who had to drop out in previous years have also started to return to the classroom. Aboubakar Famau of BBC Swahili has been to meet a young mother who has returned to school and hopes to become a lawyer.

Taiwan's burgeoning porn industry Over recent years the production and sale of 'soft porn' movies in Taiwan has boomed. Japan had always led the industry in the region, but now Taiwan is creating its own rising stars, some of whom are popping up in mainstream programming. Benny Lu is a journalist with BBC Chinese in Hong Kong, and he spoke to people involved in the industry about this cultural shift around porn.

‘Save me from an arranged marriage’ A 29-year-old Londoner has received hundreds of messages from women around the world after launching a billboard campaign to find a wife. Muhammad Malik put up billboards in three cities, with the slogan 'Save me from an arranged marriage'. The BBC’s South Asia diaspora reporter Gaggan Sabherwal has met Malik and tells us about his campaign.

Why Venezuelans are 'killing tigers' Venezuelans are killing tigers like never before. It’s not an animal rights issue – but a uniquely Venezuelan phrase that means doing an extra job to make ends meet. The phrase originated in the 1920s, but has come back in force in the 2020s as the economic crisis has worsened. BBC Mundo’s Daniel Pardo has returned to the capital Caracas after five years away, and noticed the phenomenon.

My Home town: Luanda, Kenya We go to Luanda, Kenya with Beverly Ochieng for some homemade smoked fish soup with her grandmother.

(Photo: Teenage mother in a Tanzanian school. Credit: BBC)

Myanmar coup: One year on Jan 28, 2022

It's a year since Myanmar's military removed the democratically elected government from power. We share key moments in Myanmar's journey towards democracy from The Fifth Floor archive, with BBC Burmese editor Soe Win Than, former editor Tin Htar Swe and presenter Yee Yee Aung. And we hear how the service is marking the anniversary, with stories about the opposition-run 'zoom government' outside Myanmar, the past year of military leadership, and how citizens will be marking the day.

Driving on the frozen sea Around this time of year Estonia opens up its ice roads on the frozen Baltic sea. People can drive their cars and visit some of the islands off the coast, and in 2019, two intrepid reporters from BBC Russian - Ivan Chesnokov and Yury Baranyuk - couldn’t resist driving the ice road for themselves.

Reporting from the Democratic Republic of Congo The risks of rebel activity, capsizing boats and an active volcano – some of the challenges BBC Africa’s health correspondent Rhoda Odhiambo faced on a recent trip to eastern DRC to report on child malnutrition and a vaccination campaign.

Brazil's pioneering female football referee Lea Campos was one of the first women in the world to become a qualified football referee. But in her home country, Brazil, she was barred from working after being told women were too emotional to referee in men’s football games. Fernando Duarte of BBC Minute tells us how she fought back.

Celebrating Vietnamese Tet Vietnam's lunar new year celebration of Tet is the time families come together to see out the old year and welcome the new. BBC Vietnamese journalist Tran Vo is spending her first ever Tet away from home in Bangkok, and put together a report on how Bangkok's Vietnamese community celebrates with the traditional Banh Chung rice cake, to remind her of home.

(Photo: Protestors after the military coup in Myanmar, February 2021. Credit: Reuters)

India's problem with sacred cows Jan 21, 2022

Uttar Pradesh has a problem with cows. Cows are considered sacred by Hindus, and since the BJP state government banned illegal slaughterhouses five years ago, small farmers have had no way of legally disposing of unwanted cows. There are now nearly a million stray cows roaming around farmland, destroying crops, and causing injury and even death, as BBC Hindi's Nitin Srivastava reports.

Brownie, Chile's 'first dog' Chile's recently elected president, Gabriel Boric, won with the highest number of votes in Chilean history. But equally popular is his dog, Brownie. With his own social media accounts, Brownie has proclaimed himself 'the first dog of the Republic of Chile'. BBC contributor Constanza Hola tells us more about her country's most popular pet.

Avocado rustling in Kenya Kenya's avocado sector has become so lucrative that organised criminal gangs are targetting growers. Farmers have started to hire vigilantes and even use drones to guard their trees, as Emmanuel Igunza of BBC News in Kenya discovered.

Yoga refusenik Suhail Haleem Another chance to enjoy BBC India's Suhail Haleem's lack of flexibility when it comes to India's famous export, yoga.

AFCON: 'fouled by the pitch' and other excuses BBC Africa's Peter Okwoche and BBC Sport's Isaac Fanin share their experiences of covering the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon, and taking on Yaoundé’s Greenfield Football Academy Under 10s (and losing!).

Remembering Anita Mui There’s nostalgia in Hong Kong for singing star Anita Mui, who died in 2003, but who’s remembered by many and celebrated in a new film, Anita. Zhijie Shao has been reporting for BBC Chinese on her enduring fame.

(Photo: A cow resting in Varanasi. Credit: Enzo Tomasiello/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Journalism under Taliban rule Jan 14, 2022

When the Taliban took over in Afghanistan five months ago, the BBC’s Shoaib Sharifi and his team had to decide how to adapt to the new reality. Shoaib is the country director of the BBC’s international charity, BBC Media Action. He tells us how they’re trying to meet the needs of audiences who face so many new challenges.

Chinese eye row Chinese model Cai Niangniang recently found herself in the middle of a social media storm. Pictures of her were deemed 'deliberately offensive' and 'unpatriotic' due to her narrow eyes, with many online saying this perpetuated racist stereotypes of Chinese people. The BBC's Waiyee Yip in Singapore explains the debate.

Rise of the right in Georgia The BBC's Rayhan Demytrie, based in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, has been investigating the rise of the far right in Georgia, particularly focussing on an attack last July on the offices of the LGBT group Tbilisi Pride. Many of those involved were supporters of the broadcasting group Alt-Info, which has recently registered as a political party. Rayhan shares her insights.

Pistachios from Aleppo Aleppo is famous for its pistachios, eaten fresh as a summertime snack, and in all manner of sweet and savoury foods. BBC Arabic recently reported on efforts by farmers to revive the industry which was devastated by war. Lina Shaikhouni is from Aleppo and shares her memories.

(Photo: Shoaib Sharifi. Credit: Shoaib Sharifi, BBC Media Action Afghanistan)

The tale of the Gilgamesh Dream tablet Jan 07, 2022

An ancient clay tablet looted from Iraq in 1991 was recently returned to the country. The Gilgamesh Dream Tablet is part of the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the world’s oldest surviving works of literature. BBC Arabic’s Eli Melki trained as an archaeologist, and he explains what makes this tablet so remarkable.

The magic of mahjong We revisit a story from BBC Chinese, about the enduring appeal of mahjong, which started as an exclusive game played at the imperial court. Suping and editor Howard Zhang share their insights.

When the Koreans came to town It was a town in the middle of nowhere in northern Mexico. “Not even lizards came here”, say the locals. But suddenly Pesquería’s population grew, and shop and restaurant signs started being written in Korean. It started with a new car factory and the arrival of Korean workers, as BBC Mundo´s Carlos Serrano explains.

The Passengers of the Yomei Maru. Part Two Ilia Kizirov continues the tale told in his BBC Russian podcast, about a group of nearly 800 children caught up in the Russian Civil War. In May 1918, they were sent from Saint Petersburg to 'feeding colonies' in the countryside, but they ended up on the wrong side of the front line. They fled east, and finally returned home more than two years later, after a journey on a Japanese freighter that took them around the world.

(Photo: The Gilgamesh Dream Tablet. Credit: REUTERS/Saba Kareem)

Iraq 2021 Dec 31, 2021

BBC Arabic journalist Murad Shishani spent several weeks this year reporting from Iraq. He visited Mosul, liberated four years ago from so-called Islamic State, to gauge the mood ahead of October's election. More recently, he covered the stories of migrants, from those repatriated from Belarus to those lost in the English Channel, and those still planning to make the hazardous journey.

Benin's royal treasures This year saw a historic moment for the West African nation of Benin, when France handed back 26 royal treasures that were looted by colonial troops in 1892. BBC Afrique contributor Rachida Houssou, interpreted by Rose-Marie Bouboutou, describes the power, wealth and craftsmanship of the former Kingdom of Dahomey.

Karachi's dwindling Parsi community The Sohrab Katrak Parsi colony in Karachi was built nearly a century ago by the local Parsi population, who played a huge role in the development of the city. But today the community is dwindling, with many houses falling into disrepair, as BBC Urdu’s Saher Baloch discovered.

Is housework work? A landmark ruling in Kenya answered that question with a yes, when a judge recognised its value in the division of a couple’s property. Carolyne Kiambo from BBC Nairobi explains the detail of this case, and what it means for Kenyan women.

The Passengers of the Yomei Maru Ilia Kizirov tells the story of his BBC Russian podcast series, The Passengers of the Yomei Maru, which follows the adventures of nearly 800 Russian children who had to flee the Civil War. They travelled around the world on a Japanese freighter before arriving home over two years later.

(Photo: Election banners in Mosul on sites destroyed in the liberation battle of 2017. Credit: BBC)

Songs and social media Dec 24, 2021

This month BBC Persian TV launched a new show. It’s called Update and aims to bring social media trends and online discussions around the news to TV audiences. One of its first stories was the social media campaigns around Isfahan's water protests. First time presenter Taraneh Stone tells us about their agenda, and about her own launch 'wobbles'.

The tattooed women of Sindh The women of a Hindu community in Sindh in Pakistan have a tradition of tattooing themselves before marriage. Stars, flowers and Hindu symbols adorn their arms, necks and faces. For BBC Urdu, Nazish Ayaz went to meet them to find out why this tradition is so important.

Christmas dinner on the 5th Floor For many in the language services, arriving on the 5th floor was their first experience of a traditional British Christmas dinner. Roast turkey and potatoes, stuffing and sauces, and the dreaded Brussels sprouts, as well as mince pies and Christmas pudding - we find out what they love and loathe, and how they make it their own. With BBC Russian's Janina Litvinova, Shekiba Habib from BBC Afghan and Pierre-Antoine Denis from BBC Afrique.

Arabic vintage vinyl revival BBC Arabic's Omar Abdel-Razek has been investigating the growing enthusiasm for old records in the Arab world. He is a keen collector himself, but says the current demand comes mostly from young people, who are hunting down nostalgic recordings of the songs their parents loved.

Bangladeshi calligrapher awarded Saudi citizenship A Bangladeshi man has been awarded Saudi Arabian citizenship for his extraordinary work as a calligrapher. Muqtar Alim has done calligraphy for the Gilaf, the cloth covering for the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam. Shahnewaj Rocky of BBC Bangla met him to find out what this meant to him.

(Image: Protesters in the dried up Zayandeh Rud River bed, Isfahan. Credit: Fatmeh Nasr/AFP/Getty Images)

Becoming a ‘foreign agent’ Dec 17, 2021

What’s it like to be named a ‘foreign agent’ by your own government? That’s what happened to BBC Russian journalist Andrei Zakharov in October. He’s worked in BBC Russian’s investigations unit for many years, and investigative journalists were some of the first on the list. We find out what becoming a ‘foreign agent’ has meant for him.

Reporting from the volcano Mount Semeru in eastern Java erupted a week ago, killing dozens of people, and destroying thousands of homes. BBC Indonesian’s Valdya Baraputri reported from the path of the eruption, standing on lava and ash as high as rooftops. She explains what's happened to those who've lost their homes.

Arabic Language Day 18th December is World Arabic Language Day, and Dina Waqqaf of BBC Arabic TV is celebrating it with a Facebook live to explore the difficulties facing Arabic speakers in the modern world. She tells us what she found out.

Nigeria's women lawyers Oluyemi Adetiba-Orija leads an all-women Nigerian law firm, which offers free support to those who cannot afford legal defence, as well as to people facing pre-trial detention. BBC Africa Women's Affairs journalist Azeezat Olaoluwa explains the problems they are tackling.

(Image: BBC Russian journalist Andrei Zakharov in the Moscow bureau. Credit: BBC)

Reporting the Channel migrant tragedy Dec 10, 2021

BBC Persian’s Soran Qurbani was recently in Calais to report on the tragic deaths of 27 people, who were attempting to cross the Channel to England when their small boat sank. He explains why their stories brought back memories of his own difficult journey to the UK 10 years ago.

Story Story An imaginary market place in West Africa is the setting for the long-running radio drama Story Story, made by the BBC’s international charity BBC Media Action. As buyers and sellers go about their business, the latest series explores attitudes towards disability and neurodiversity. Scriptwriter Bode Asiyanbi and actor E. Daniels take us behind the scenes.

Vietnamese spy BBC Vietnamese has been revisiting the fall of Saigon in 1975, and telling the story of a long overlooked spy whose warnings to the CIA about its imminent capture were ignored. Editor Giang Nguyen is passionate about history and tells us more about the spy who could have changed history.

Encanto through Colombian eyes The new Disney film Encanto tells the story of a Colombian family living in a magic house. BBC Mundo’s Carlos Serrano is Colombian himself and, watching the film, discovered five details that maybe only Colombians will 'get', including music, food and yellow butterflies.

(Photo: A refugee at a migrant camp on the outskirts of Calais. Credit: Kiran Ridley/Getty Images)

China surveillance system unpicked Dec 03, 2021

The use of surveillance systems in China is not new, but a recent document published by local authorities in the province of Henan gave explicit details of a traffic light system, targeting international students and journalists, among others. Howard Zhang, from BBC Chinese tells us more.

Siberian husky or Andean fox? A Peruvian family in Lima bought a puppy they believed was a Siberian Husky. But when Run Run began eating the neighbours' chickens and guinea pigs they realised something was wrong, as BBC Mundo contributor Martin Riepl explains.

Why it's hard to recruit women to Liberia's army Liberia is trying to recruit 200 women to join the army. There are no shortage of takers - 7,000 turned out for a training event - but historically it's proved hard to find women who make the grade, as BBC Africa stringer Jonathan Paye-Leyleh in Monrovia reports.

Luxor's Avenue of the Sphinxes Pharaonic chariots and massed ranks of performers featured in the lavish ceremony to mark the reopening of the 3,000 year old Avenue of Sphinxes in Luxor, Egypt. Reda Al Mawy of BBC Arabic explains the history, and modern day relevance, of the site.

Deportivo Palestino's going home In 1920 Palestinian immigrants in Chile founded the 'Deportivo Palestino' football club in Santiago. A century later the club has opened its first training academy in Ramallah, in the Palestinian Territories. BBC Arabic reporter Alaa Deraghme and BBC Mundo contributor Paula Molina tells us more about the club’s history and new venture.

(Photo: Man setting up a camera. Credit: Reuters)

The challenges of filming at altitude Nov 26, 2021

Many communities in India's northern Ladakh region are experiencing water shortages because of shrinking glaciers. BBC India team Aamir Peerzada and Neha Sharma went to report on how people in one village, Kumik, have ended up building a new settlement close to a river. It turned out to be an eventful trip.

Bodybuilding in the Arab world Bodybuilding is a popular pastime for men throughout the Arab world, but what does it take to achieve the muscle development that bodybuilders strive for, and why do they see it as perfection? Hossam Fazulla of BBC Arabic has been investigating.

Young carers in South Korea A 22-year-old Korean man has been sentenced to four years in prison for failing to care for his sick father. His story has started a big debate about what’s expected of young people in South Korea, as the BBC’s Julie Yoonnyung Lee explains.

The Brazilian farmer turning desert into forest BBC Brasil's Joao Fellet loves gardening and planting trees, and one of his heroes is farmer Ernst Gotsch, who has transformed eroded and semi-arid land into new forests. So when his editor asked for positive ideas about environmental conservation, he leapt at the chance to see Ernst Gotsch’s work with his own eyes.

Highway kidnappings in Nigeria The highway linking the capital Abuja to the city of Kaduna has become notorious for armed kidnappings. The latest took place last weekend. Meanwhile the railway connecting the two cities, which many passengers took as the safe option, has been attacked for the first time. BBC Africa's Chris Ewokor has been following both stories.

(Photo: BBC reporters standing next to a stream in Ladakh, northern India. Credit: Aamir Peerzada and Neha Sharma)

Afghanistan's Ministry of Vice and Virtue Nov 19, 2021

Soon after taking power, the Taliban replaced the Department for Women's Affairs with the Ministry for Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. It's a name many Afghans feared during the last Taliban era, as 'morality police' enforced their extreme interpretation of Islam. BBC Afghan's Shekiba Habib lived through that era, and reports on what we know about how the current ministry is operating.

Istanbul's taxi problem If you’ve ever struggled to hail a taxi, spare a thought for people in Istanbul. Since the 1990s the city’s population has doubled, but the number of cabs has stayed the same, and solving the problem is a political headache for the city’s mayor. BBC Turkish journalist Esra Yalcinalp explains Istanbul's unique and frustrating taxi system.

The daily life of Colombian coca farmers Singing local songs and celebrating harvest: some of the activities TikTok users can see from the hashtag #Catatumbo. The images show the daily lives of coca growers in one of Colombia's main coca-growing regions, and have reopened the discussion about how best to fight the drug war, as Luis Fajardo from BBC Monitoring in Miami explains.

The pirs of Pakistan Pirs or spiritual guides are deeply embedded in Pakistani culture, including in politics. They offer blessings and guidance which many politicians feel are important for their success. BBC Urdu's Asif Farooqi reports on the complex and sometimes controversial relationship between politicians and their pirs.

(Photo: A Department for Women's Affairs sign is replaced by the Taliban with the Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Credit: Javed Tanveer/AFP via Getty Images)

Myanmar’s women-only army Nov 12, 2021

A group of women in central Myanmar have formed their own anti-junta militia, and are fighting alongside other armed groups. Armed resistance to the military regime has been increasing since the coup nine months ago. BBC Burmese editor Soe Win Than tells us more about the Myaung Women Warriors.

My Home Town: Damascus A new episode of our series 'My Home Town', in which our language service journalists share stories about the place where they grew up. Today, Dima Babilie of BBC Arabic takes us to the vine-covered alleyways of the Syrian capital Damascus to sit in cafés, drink coffee and play cards.

Why are so many Brazilians emigrating to Italy? There’s been a big increase in the number of Brazilians moving to Italy and applying for citizenship. Rafael Barifouse of BBC Brasil has been investigating the reasons and talking to some of those who’ve made the move.

On Tajikistan's border with Afghanistan Known for its beautiful mountains, Tajikistan's border with Afghanistan is at the centre of a fraught political situation, with the Tajik government maintaining a hardline stance towards the Taliban regime. Olga Ivshina of BBC Russian recently went to this remote area and shares her impressions.

Reporting COP26 Rubbing shoulders with world leaders, being inspired by young activists and getting to grips with haggis - just some of the experiences of our language service journalists reporting from COP26. We hear from Peter Okwoche of BBC Africa, Shakeel Anwar of BBC Bengali and Pierre-Antoine Denis of BBC Afrique.

Image: Myanmar’s women-only army Credit: CJ

Who are the Oromo Liberation Army? Nov 05, 2021

As rebel TPLF forces advance towards the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, other armed groups say they are forming an alliance with them. These include the secretive Oromo Liberation Army, which first appeared in the 1970s. The BBC's Africa correspondent Catherine Byaruhanga was the first international journalist to meet them, at a desert training camp.

The dispute over Scythian gold When Russian forces seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a unique collection of Scythian treasures from museums in Kyiv and Crimea was being exhibited in Amsterdam. Last week, a Dutch court ruled that the objects were part of Ukraine’s cultural heritage and must all return to Ukraine, not Crimea. The BBC's Daria Taradai tells us what this Scythian heritage means to Ukrainians.

The banana jokes that stopped being funny A social media craze in Turkey involving Syrian refugees filming themselves with bananas quickly turned sour. What began as a joke has inflamed tensions between Syrians and Turks, and led to the arrest and threatened deportation of some of those taking part. Dima Babilie of BBC Arabic has been investigating.

Pakistan's Taliban problem When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, neighbouring Pakistan experienced a rise in extremist Islamist activity in its tribal border areas. Violence and extortion have become commonplace, as BBC Urdu’s Abid Hussain discovered when he visited Orakzai and Bajaur districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

Climate change and the threat to Thailand's durians With COP26 in full swing, the BBC's language services have been looking at the impact of climate change in their own regions. BBC Thai picked an item close to their hearts - the famously pungent durian fruit. Changing weather patterns are now interfering with the growing season, as Thanyaporn Buathong explains.

Image: A member of the Oromo Liberation Army Credit: BBC

Filming Life at 50°C Oct 29, 2021

COP26 kicks off in Glasgow this Sunday, and what’s at stake is the future of the planet. We speak to BBC Arabic's Namak Khoshnaw and Hanan Razek about the Life at 50°C series, highlighting the impact of living with rising temperatures and changing weather patterns around the world. And we find out what it's like trying to film when your camera's asking to cool down.

Baby elephants changing lives A community in northern Kenya has found a sustainable way to feed orphaned baby elephants - using goats' milk. It's also meant more financial independence for the Samburu women who provide it. Francis Ontomwa of BBC Nairobi saw the scheme in action.

Nigeria's Jewish community A small Nigerian community claims to have Jewish ancestry dating back hundreds of years, and draws parallels between the Jewish and Igbo cultures. Nduka Orjinmo of BBC Africa Online has met one of their leaders, and also investigated the Israeli response to their desire for recognition.

Modi and the vaccine certificate photo Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image is famously everywhere, from TV to billboards to petrol stations. But one man, Peter K, says putting his face on Covid-19 vaccine certificates is a step too far, and is taking the matter to court. The BBC's Geeta Pandey in Delhi lays out the arguments.

Image: BBC Arabic’s Namak Khoshnaw filming farmers in southern Iraq at 54°C Credit: BBC

The 1961 Paris massacre cover-up Oct 22, 2021

It’s 60 years since a peaceful march in Paris ended in the killing of at least 100 Algerian protesters by the police. An extensive cover-up meant that almost nothing was known about it for several decades, and the true facts are still emerging. BBC Arabic’s Ahmed Rouaba has been looking into the story.

The Stallion of Yennenga As film-makers gather for the FESPACO African film festival in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, we ask what’s the story behind the main prize, called the Stallion of Yennenga? Who was Yennenga, and where does the stallion come in? Answers from BBC Afrique's Leone Ouedraogo, who is Burkinabè herself.

When a cobra became a murder weapon Last week a man was convicted of using a snake as a murder weapon. The victim was his wife, who was bitten by the hooded cobra, and died. The BBC’s Soutik Biswas in Delhi was one of the journalists following the story.

Venezuelan migrants in Chile Last month, demonstrators in a town in northern Chile marched to settler camps housing Venezuelan migrants and set their belongings on fire. It's part of the rising tension in Chile between locals and migrants, as BBC Mundo contributor Paula Molina reports.

'Got to go' Why is a cheerful rap song about a party making people cry in Hong Kong? The lyrics of Got to go are about leaving a party, but is there another interpretation? Cho Wai Lam from BBC Chinese tells us more about what this song means to Hongkongers.

Image: Algerian flag with roses during a commemoration of the 1961 massacre in Paris Credit: Boris Horvat/AFP via Getty Images

Why I became a journalist Oct 15, 2021

For many the decision to become a journalist emerges slowly, but not for Nataliya Zotova. Writing was always a passion, and the killing of Novaya Gazeta's Anna Politkovskaya inspired her to work at the same newspaper. She shares her journey from shy teenager to BBC Russian reporter.

The Chinese workers who live in fear in Pakistan Chinese workers who move to Pakistan to work on projects connected to China’s Belt and Road initiative are increasingly being targetted by local militant groups. BBC Urdu's Sarah Atiq visited a factory in Balochistan where the Chinese employees have to live on site under armed guard.

Give us back our gold! The theme of stolen gold is a popular internet meme used by Brazilians against the Portuguese. Brazil had a huge gold rush in the 18th century, and there's a feeling that nearly all that wealth ended up in Portugal. As BBC Brasil's Vitor Tavares explains, the real story is much more complex.

1, 2, 3: counting around the world Counting on your fingers is as easy as 1, 2, 3 right? But do you start with your thumb, or your pinkie, or even your index finger? Maybe you get clever and use each finger segment to triple up the number? Counting around the world, with Suping of BBC Chinese, Devina Gupta of BBC Hindi, Grigor Atanesian of BBC Russian and Iman Mohammed of BBC Somali.

Vietnam's pets killed for Covid Vietnam's extended lockdowns have left many people out of work and forced them to return to their home towns. The story of one family’s return sparked outrage when the authorities destroyed their pets – 15 dogs and 1 cat. BBC Vietnamese journalist Bui Thu spoke to the family.

Image: Nataliya Zotova at work Credit: Georgy Malets

Ecuador’s prison battle: The aftermath Oct 08, 2021

The president of Ecuador has declared a state of emergency for the prison system after the country’s worst prison riot, in which 118 inmates died. It’s part of a wave of violence that has swept Ecuador's jails, as rival drug gangs fight for dominance. BBC Mundo’s Ana Maria Roura has been looking into the story.

Squid Game: kids' games and killings ‘Squid Game’ has been topping streaming charts around the world. The South Korean drama sees contestants playing popular children's games to win millions of dollars, but the cost of losing is death. BBC Korean's William Lee explains the appeal of its mix of nostalgia and horror.

Morocco’s cannabis farmers Despite the huge profits for international dealers, Morocco’s cannabis farmers are poor. Recently the government legalised the growth and sale of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes, so will farmers benefit? BBC Arabic’s Mohamed Ibrahim visited northern Morocco to find out.

Russia's Romanov wedding A descendant of the Russian royal family was recently married in a lavish ceremony in St Petersburg. Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov is a great-grandnephew of the last tsar, Nicholas II. Olga Ivshina of BBC Russian tells us about reactions among ordinary Russians.

Afghan fruit in Pakistani markets Pakistan imports plenty of fruit from Afghanistan, but this year there’s been more, and it’s cheaper. Since the Taliban took over, trade between the two countries has become one-sided, with Afghan farmers keen to get their produce out, as BBC Urdu’s Azizullah Khan reports.

Image: Relatives wait with caskets for inmates who died in the Litoral Penitentiary Credit: Gerardo Menoscal/Agencia Press South/Getty Images

Meet Kenya's Guru of Love Oct 01, 2021

The BBC's gender and identity correspondent, Megha Mohan, meets Robert Burale, an East African guru of love, whose seminars promise the hopeful they can “Get a boyfriend for Christmas". So what's the advice, and who's buying?

Giant African snails in Kerala Giant African snails have become a pest in Kerala, so one area came up with a creative snail hunting idea: a chance to win over a million dollars for catching the most. Too good to be true? Over to the BBC's Jaltson Akkanath Chummar.

China's Hainan island surf boom Covid restrictions on travel, plus surfing's debut at the Tokyo Olympics, have led to a boom in the China's home grown surf scene. Hainan island is proving a popular destination as Howard Zhang of BBC Chinese reports.

Why car registration plates have blocked the Serbian Kosovo border A recent row over registration plates caused a blockade at the border and harsh words between Belgrade and Pristina. BBC Serbian's Marija Jankovic explains why registration plates are so contentious between Serbia and Kosovo.

Vietnam's Spring Roll King BBC Vietnamese has been sharing the extraordinary story of Trinh Vinh Binh, nicknamed ‘the spring roll king’, famous as the only businessman to have won a case against the Vietnamese government, as the BBC’s Thu Phan explains.

Image: Robert Burale Credit: BBC

What's behind Guinea's coup? Sep 24, 2021

The military coup earlier this month in the West African state of Guinea has been a huge story for BBC reporter Alhassan Sillah, based in the capital Conakry. He tells us about the main players - coup leader Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, and the man he ousted, President Alpha Condé.

The swimming camels of Kutch The Kharai are a rare breed of camel found in the Indian state of Gujarat. They swim up to three kilometres in shallow seas to reach the mangroves where they graze. But as salt companies block tidal water, the mangroves are dying, and there's less grazing. BBC Gujarati's Prashant Gupta met the herdsmen and their swimming camels.

Cairo's belly dancing school Egypt is known for belly dancing, but recently this art has been dominated by belly dancers from Eastern Europe and Latin America. Reem Fattelbab of BBC Arabic has visited a belly dancing school in Cairo to find out why more Egyptian women don't follow this tradition.

Ukraine's toxic mines BBC Ukrainian recently reported from the frontline in the Donbas region about the impact the conflict is having on the environment. During the Soviet era, Donbas was a mining hub, but now many old mines are flooding, leading to contamination of local water supplies. Reporter Zhanna Bezpiatchuk went down one of the mines to see for herself.

Capybaras and class war in Argentina The exclusive Nordelta gated community north of Buenos Aires were recently invaded by capybaras, the world's largest rodent. Gardens were tunneled, plants eaten, but with half of Argentinians living in poverty, many were siding with the animals, as BBC Mundo contributor Macarena Gagliardi reports.

Image: Special forces commander Mamady Doumbouya in September 2021 Credit: Reuters/Saliou Samb

The Kenyan men campaigning against FGM Sep 17, 2021

Campaigns to end female genital mutilation usually focus on women’s experiences for obvious reasons: women bear the lifelong physical and psychological scars. But in Kenya the Men End FGM Foundation is adding men’s voices to the anti-FGM movement. Esther Ogola is the women’s affairs reporter in Nairobi who covered the story.

Arabic coffee and health BBC Arabic has been investigating the health risks of the strong dark coffee traditionally drunk in Greece and Turkey and across the Arab world. Omar Abdel-Razek tells us what the experts say, and also shares the pleasures of the culture around coffee.

Taiwan’s pineapple politics Earlier this year China halted its imports of Taiwanese pineapples overnight. China is Taiwan’s biggest export market, so a huge political effort was launched to promote the island’s pineapples. Benny Lu is a journalist with BBC China in Hong Kong, and explains what pineapples reveal about regional geopolitics.

Thailand's celebrity monks Two Buddhist monks have attracted a huge social media following among young Thais for their humorous, informal style. But as BBC Thai’s Issariya Praithongyaem tells us, not everyone likes it, and they have been asked to up the religious content and cut down on the giggling.

VR helps Indians and Pakistanis visit their lost homes India's violent partition in 1947 displaced some 15 million people who were never able to return home. But for some, a new project called Dastaan is providing customised virtual tours around villages they haven't seen for over 70 years, as Bushra Owaisy from BBC Delhi explains.

Image: Kenyan men campaigning against FGM Credit: Men End FGM Foundation

Afghanistan: History repeats itself Sep 10, 2021

For many in the BBC Afghan service, recent events have brought back traumatic memories. For Shekiba Habib, the first takeover by the Taliban ended her dream of becoming a doctor. 20 years on, she shares similar stories she's hearing of broken dreams and loss of hope.

El Salvador and Bitcoin: the El Zonte mystery Bitcoin joined the US dollar as legal tender in El Salvador this week. Quite a leap, but it turns out the small tourist surf town of El Zonte had been using the cryptocurrency for a couple of years already. BBC Mundo’s Marcos Gonzalez set out to find out why.

My Hometown: Weifang Fan Wang of BBC Chinese takes us to her hometown of Weifang in China to fly kites and play with friends.

Algeria cuts ties with Morocco Algeria’s relationship with Morocco was caught in the fallout from this year's devastating wildfires. It blamed the fires on criminal acts by a separatist group, which it accuses Morocco of backing. Fethi Benaissa has been reporting on the break in diplomatic ties for BBC Arabic.

How Arab tourists fell in love with Ukraine The number of tourist flights from Saudi Arabia to Ukraine has more than doubled since 2019, so what explains this new found popularity? Diana Kuryshko of BBC Ukrainian visited a tourist village in the Carpathians to speak to both holidaymakers and local businesses to find out more.

Image: Women protest in Kabul, Afghanistan on 8th September 2021 Credit: Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Afghanistan: The view from nextdoor Sep 03, 2021

Events in Afghanistan are being closely followed in neighbouring Uzbekistan. Rustam Qobil of BBC Uzbek tells us about the strong cultural and economic ties between the two countries, and what the main concerns are for Uzbekistan and for the Afghan Uzbek population.

Afghan Hazaras face persecution by the Taliban and have been fleeing over the Pakistani border in Balochistan. BBC Urdu's Saher Baloch went to Quetta to meet some of the refugees who've been welcomed by the local Hazara community, who also experience persecution.

Dariush Rajabian tells us how events in Afghanistan are being reported by BBC Persian, and how they reverberate in his home country, Tajikistan, where BBC Persian also has an audience.

For decades, India has hosted Afghans fleeing war or seeking education and business opportunities. BBC Hindi's Piyush Nagpal has spoken to Afghans in Delhi, some long-standing residents, and some just visiting but overtaken by events.

Russian shamans seek recognition Shamans in Russia are demanding official recognition for their beliefs from the Russian state. Oleg Boldyrev of BBC Russian has been hearing their concerns, and he tells us about the heartlands of shamanism, in regions east of the Urals.

Our Ancestors: Hemalata Lavanam The BBC Indian languages series Our Ancestors has been celebrating the achievements of trailblazing women from marginalised communities. BBC Telegu's Padma Meenakshi tells the story of social reformer Hemalata Lavanam from Andhra Pradesh.

Image: Afghans arrive at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chaman Credit: AFP via Getty Images

The valley of Afghan resistance Aug 27, 2021

In Afghanistan one province is still resisting the Taliban takeover of the country, the Panjshir Valley. The valley also held out during the 80s and 90s against both the Soviet and the Taliban forces. Ismael Sadaat is a journalist with BBC Afghan in London, and has visited the valley several times. He explains why this place has repeatedly been the centre of Afghanistan's armed resistance movements. India's beleaguered Sunderbans The Sunderbans in the Bay of Bengal are the world's largest mangrove forest, and they are particularly vulnerable to climate change. More frequent cyclones are displacing families for months at a time. BBC Hindi's Debalin Roy has been there to report on the impact of the most recent one.

Myanmar's radio habit Radios sold out in Yangon last week following news of a new radio programme, made by the National Unity Government in exile. For many in Myanmar, it’s a return to an old habit formed under previous regimes, as BBC Burmese's Soe Win Than remembers.

Mozambique's missing millions Mozambicans are gripped by a huge trial which got underway this week, centred on a multi-million dollar corruption scandal which led the economy to collapse. Jose Tembe, who reports for the BBC from Maputo, has been following events.

Let’s talk straight A video in which two people shout racist remarks at each other seems an unlikely route to dialogue. But ‘Let’s talk straight’ is a staged rap confrontation between two Israelis, Jew and Arab, with a message of co-existence. BBC Arabic’s Murad Shishani explains.

The puppet walking from Turkey to the UK Little Amal is a 9-year-old refugee girl. She's from the Syrian town of Aleppo, walking 8,000 kilometres from Turkey to the UK in search of her mother. Amal is no ordinary girl, but a puppet, part of a project to raise awareness of the plight of refugees, as BBC Monitoring journalist Beril Akman explains.

Image: Guard post in Afghanistan's Panjshir valley Credit: Ahmad Sahel Arman/AFP via Getty Images

Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover Aug 20, 2021

There is fear and uncertainty in Afghanistan as people wonder what their lives will be like under Taliban rule. Sana Safi from BBC Pashto shares her insights from listening to and interviewing the Taliban, and talking to contacts in Afghanistan.

Delhi and Kashmir: two lives in letters In 2017, BBC journalist Divya Arya brought together schoolgirls Saumya and Duaa, from Delhi and Indian-administered Kashmir, to become penfriends. She tells us how their growing understanding and friendship overcame political divides. Divya's book about their correspondence is called Postbox Kashmir: Two lives in letters.

The rise of plastic surgery in China Plastic surgery has become a booming industry in China, but this has led to a rise in unlicensed clinics and many high profile botched operations. Waiyee Yip from BBC Singapore has been following the trend.

A Russian bike odyssey BBC Russian's Oleg Boldyrev is a keen cyclist, and as Covid restrictions prevent more exotic routes, he's taken his bike along the backroads of Russia, revisiting childhood haunts and gauging opinions about next month's parliamentary elections.

Image: Members of Taliban forces sit at a checkpost in Kabul, Afghanistan in August 2021 Credit: Reuters/Stringer

Russian mercenaries in Libya Aug 13, 2021

We hear how BBC Russian and BBC Arabic collaborated in a joint investigation into the role of mercenaries from Russia's secretive Wagner Group in the conflict in Libya. Kateryna Khinkulova and Nader Ibrahim explain how they identified Russian fighters and uncovered evidence of suspected war crimes.

China's wandering elephants A herd of elephants have finally returned to their nature reserve in southern China after leaving it 17 months ago to trek over 500 kilometres. It is still unclear why the elephants embarked on the journey. BBC Chinese editor Howard Zhang tells us about reactions to the wayward elephants.

Why are South Korean women reclaiming short hair? When South Korean archer An San won three gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, many online comments focussed on her short hair, not her sporting success. An was labelled a feminist, a loaded term in South Korea. Julie Yoonnyung Lee of BBC Korean explains the background to the controversy.

Goodbye Lionel Messi After 21 years, the great Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi has left Barcelona to start a new career with Paris Saint Germain, amid tears from himself and his fans. Among those mourning his departure is BBC Mundo’s Enric Botella, who’s from Barcelona.

Image: Russian mercenaries in Libya Credit: Wagner telegram group

On the front line: New York, Ukraine Aug 06, 2021

Ukraine has regained its own New York after parliament this week voted to give the name back to a small town near the front line in the conflict with pro-Russian separatists. Svyatoslav Khomenko of BBC Ukrainian has been asking locals what they think of the return to the original name.

Jaffa after the violence For a few nights in May, the Israeli city of Jaffa was the scene of violent clashes between Jews and Arabs. Similar outbreaks happened across Israel, after rising tensions triggered by threatened evictions in East Jerusalem, confrontations at al-Aqsa mosque, and fighting between Israel and the militant group Hamas, who control Gaza. BBC Arabic's Michael Shuval tells us about the impact of the violence in Jaffa.

Before the Olympics: the Palić Games Sixteen years before the birth of the modern Olympic Games, a Hungarian nobleman was inspired by the ancient Olympics to start his own version in today's Serbia. BBC Serbian's Nataša Andjelković tells the remarkable story of the Palić Games and its founder Lajoš Vermeš.

Saving Sierra Leone's chimpanzees Sierra Leone is losing its forests at an alarming rate, despite laws meant to protect them. One area that remains almost intact is around the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The BBC's Umaru Fofana, who recently visited the sanctuary, explains how the fate of the forests is closely linked to that of the chimpanzees.

Peru's new president In his trademark white hat, Pedro Castillo was sworn in as the new president of Peru last week. From a poor farming background, Castillo is very different to Peru's previous four presidents. Martin Riepl reports from Lima for BBC Mundo, and he tells us more about this surprising new leader.

Image: Svyatoslav Khomenko next to the sign for New York, Ukraine Credit: BBC

Kyiv march: 'Eucharist is our vaccine' Jul 30, 2021

This week tens of thousands of Orthodox Christians marched through Kyiv, despite coronavirus restrictions, to mark the anniversary of Vladimir the Great adopting the Christian faith. Myroslava Petsa of BBC Ukrainian reported from the march and tells us why it was so controversial this year.

For the love of dancehall Egyptian Yara Saleh turned her back on a prestigious career as an oil engineer to devote her life to dance. Specifically to dancehall, a genre that originated in Jamaica. She's now choreographing routines and introducing dancehall to fellow Egyptians, as Rana Taha found out for BBC Arabic.

Our Ancestors BBC Indian languages are running their second Humari Purakhin, or Our Ancestors, season, celebrating India's female pioneers. This season focuses on marginalised communities, and BBC Marathi's Anagha Pathak chose the first recorded Dalit headmistress and feminist, Jaibai Chaundray.

Discovering the world's largest sapphire A Sri Lankan man became fabulously wealthy overnight after finding the world's largest star sapphire while digging a well in his garden. It is estimated to sell for $100 million. The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan in Delhi has followed the story.

From bans to Olympic medals: Brazil’s skateboard journey Brazil’s Olympic skateboarders are being hailed as heroes with their medal success in Tokyo. But skateboarding was banned in many Brazilian cities in the late 1980s. Thais Carrança of BBC Brasil tells us about the skateboarders of Sao Paulo, and the new mayor who gave them back their freedom.

Image: Worshippers in the streets of Kyiv Credit: BBC

Khuzestan: Iran's thirsty province Jul 23, 2021

Protests have swept through Iran's Khuzestan province. Severe water shortages and a lack of drinking water have brought demonstrators to the streets, shouting 'I am thirsty'. BBC Persian's Parham Ghobadi explains why water has become such a flashpoint.

My Home Town: Sahaspur, India Khadeeja Arif of BBC Urdu takes us to her home town in Uttar Pradesh, a place to chat with neighbours under mango trees.

Doctor without Stigma An Indonesian doctor is campaigning to remove the stigma many women face when they visit a gynaecologist. If they say they are unmarried, they may be refused treatment. Callistasia Wijaya of BBC Indonesian shares the story of the Doctor without Stigma initiative.

The Tokyo Olympics in 5 words Mexican Lourdes Heredia was a student in Japan 25 years ago, and has returned to work on the BBC's Olympic coverage. It's been bittersweet, with the triumph of the Olympics dimmed by Covid. She shares five Japanese words which perfectly describe her impressions.

Brazil's illegal gold miners Conflict between illegal gold miners and the indigenous Yanomami people has reached levels of violence not seen for decades with an attack on a remote village in the Amazon rainforest. BBC Brasil's Hugo Bachega has been following the story.

Image: Women in Khuzestan Province Credit: TASNIM AGENCY

Women fighting to inherit Jul 16, 2021

Why is it that so many women in the Arab world are deprived of their inheritance rights, even though local laws should protect them? Shereen Nanish of BBC Arabic has been looking at the pressures they face, and she’s met one Jordanian woman who is fighting back.

South Sudan’s first decade The world's youngest country turned 10 this month. Nichola Mandil of BBC Africa reported from Juba in 2011, and again for the tenth anniversary. He reflects on his hopes and dreams as a brand new South Sudanese citizen back then, and how he feels now.

7,000 Chinese restaurants and counting! BBC Chinese journalist Zhaoyin Feng shares the story of David Chan, a Chinese American who has eaten in over 7,000 Chinese restaurants since the 1950s, and has the whole thing logged on a spreadsheet!

School's out Covid restrictions have had a devastating impact on children's education around the world. We hear from Aamir Peerzada in Indian-administered Kashmir, Shahnewaj Rocky of BBC Bengali in Bangladesh and Ishaq Khalid of BBC Hausa in Nigeria about the issues facing children and teachers in their countries.

It's a Hong Kong dog's life Hong Kong is experiencing a rise in emigration after the introduction of the national security law, and it's had an unexpected knock-on effect - a rise in pet dogs being abandoned by their owners. But BBC Chinese journalist Eunice Wang met one owner determined to bring her dog with her, whatever the cost: she booked a private jet.

Image: Signing a document Credit: A Martin UW Photography/Getty Images

Burkina Faso gold: A mixed blessing Jul 09, 2021

Gold is now Burkina Faso’s most valuable export, but it’s come at a price. Last month the government announced the closure of small mines in the northern province of Sahel following a deadly attack by Islamic extremists. BBC Africa's Lalla Sy has been following the story from neighbouring Ivory Coast.

Remembering Dilip Kumar Dilip Kumar, one of India’s earliest and most famous film actors, died this week at the age of 98. We hear some of the many reasons why he was so special from Vandana at BBC Delhi, who has admired Dilip Kumar all her life.

Ukrainian heels High heels and marching soldiers - not a natural pairing perhaps, and one that directed outrage towards Ukraine's Ministry of Defence. BBC Ukrainian's Irena Taranyuk shares the story.

Afghan resistance Stories of territorial gains by the Taliban have been extensively covered by BBC Uzbek, which has a big audience among ethnic Uzbeks in northern Afghanistan. Firuz Rahimi is from Jowzjan province, where news outlets have reported that women are joining militias to resist the Taliban.

Cuba's Jewish community BBC Mundo's Jose Carlos Cueta is Cuban, but only discovered by chance that the island had a small Jewish community. He got digging, and traces its history from Christopher Columbus in 1492, to its peak after the First World War and its presence today.

Image: Gold panning in a Burkina Faso artisan mine, 2006 Credit: Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Lebanon: A web of corruption Jul 02, 2021

BBC Arabic's Moe Chreif tells us about the biggest corruption investigation in the history of Lebanon’s energy sector, which resulted in allegations involving multi-million dollar agreements, bribery, and shipments of substandard oil.

The women pushing boundaries in Pakistan’s rural milk market In rural Pakistan women milk cows, but male relatives take the milk to male-run collection centres. Shuja Malik of BBC Urdu visited a village where women have been hired to work in the milk centre. The development has had mixed reactions.

Word in the news: black rain Children love it, businesses hate it – Pody Lui from BBC Hong Kong explains the rain warning system, and why black rain warnings are taken so seriously.

Mango madness in India South Asia diaspora reporter Gaggan Sabherwal shares the story of the Indian couple who’ve employed security guards after discovering they had planted an extremely rare mango tree by mistake – at $50 a mango they aren't taking any chances!

My journey to journalism: Elodie Toto Elodie Toto of BBC Afrique tells the story of what inspired her to become a journalist, and takes us on a journey from the suburbs of Paris to Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Image: Cables of the electric generators in the Lebanese capital Beirut Credit: ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Hotel Rwanda hero on trial Jun 25, 2021

Paul Rusesabagina became internationally famous after the film Hotel Rwanda told the story of how he helped save over a thousand Tutsis during the 1994 genocide, sheltering them in the hotel where he worked. But many inside Rwanda dispute his heroic portrayal, and he's currently standing trial in Rwanda accused of terrorism offences. BBC Great Lakes journalist Prudent Nsengiyumva has been following the case.

World's oldest alligator BBC Serbian had a big hit on its website last week with a story about probably the world’s oldest alligator. His name is Muja, he’s at least 85 years old, and lives in Belgrade zoo. BBC Serbian's Petra Živić was the lucky person who landed herself a daytrip to the zoo.

Vaccine inducements Cars, gym membership, eggs and hand-blenders: global solutions to persuading the vaccine hesitant to take the jab, with BBC Russian's Oleg Boldyrev, Nisrine Hatoum of BBC Arabic and BBC Gujarati's Roxy Gagdekar.

Back to the country in South Korea The Covid-19 pandemic has led to many in South Korea to leave the built up, super-competitive cities, and relocate to the country. BBC Korean's Julie Yoonnyung Lee follows the story of Yun Sihu, whose family moved from Seoul to a remote village, where he now attends a tiny school, and spends his days playing in rivers and fields.

Connecting the favelas They call it “the Favela LinkedIn,” a database that neighbours from Paraisopolis and volunteers have created to connect people looking for jobs with local companies in the second largest favela in São Paulo. BBC Brasil’s Thais Carranca went to see this and other innovative initiatives to fight the effects of Covid-19.

Image: Paul Rusesabagina at the Supreme Court in Kigali, Rwanda Credit: Simon Wohlfahrt/AFP/Getty Images

Finding treasure inside a whale Jun 18, 2021

A group of Yemeni fishermen recently found a sperm whale carcass floating in the Gulf of Aden, with $1.5 million dollars' worth of ambergris inside its belly. Afra Ahmed of BBC Arabic is from Aden, and tells us about the fishermen, ambergris and memories of Aden.

The hit Turkish TV shows tackling mental health Turkish TV dramas are famous for their sweeping historical and romantic themes, but in recent years, several top shows have focussed on mental health issues. Dilay Yalcin of BBC Monitoring is a fan and explains the appeal.

Words in the news - watermelons and sea snot Sometimes words in the news jump out and grab your attention. This week the BBC's Kennedy Gondwe tells us why watermelons have become political in Zambia, and Onur Erem of BBC Turkish elucidates the murky waters of the Sea of Marmara, covered in 'sea snot'.

The problem with women’s underwear in Pakistan Many Pakistani women have problems buying underwear. It can be expensive, uncomfortable, and embarrassing to buy, often from male market traders. Even talking about it is taboo. Saher Baloch of BBC Urdu tells us about one man who is trying to change things.

Emiliano Mundrucu: Brazil’s forgotten anti-racism pioneer The first known legal action against racial segregation in the United States was taken in 1834, by a black Brazilian immigrant. BBC Brasil’s Mariana Schreiber shares the story of Emiliano Mundrucu, and asks why this ground-breaking pioneer has been forgotten in both Brazil and the USA.

Image: Yemeni fisherman on the beach with boats in Aden Credit: BBC

Germany's apology to Namibia Jun 11, 2021

The German state has formally recognised that its colonial troops committed genocide in what's now Namibia at the start of the twentieth century. It is also paying $1.3 billion towards development projects in affected communities, but as BBC Africa's Pumza Fihlani reports, the offer has not been welcomed by descendants of the Nama and Herero survivors.

South Korea's 'flower prescription' tattooist A tattoo artist in South Korea is using her art to help clients who have struggled with their mental health. She works with them to design flower tattoos which cover self-harm and traumatic scars. BBC Korean's Julie Yoon has been to meet her.

A Fifth Floor guide to Cornwall Leaders from the G7 nations are meeting in the Cornish holiday resort of Carbis Bay to discuss the world's biggest issues. It's a packed agenda, but should they have a few hours off, we asked our colleagues on the Fifth Floor for their tips on where to go, what to do, and what to pack. Suggestions from Issariya Praithongyaem of BBC Thai, BBC Brasil's Eric Camara, Janina Litvinova of BBC Russian and Dahami Ranaweera of BBC Sinhala.

Returning cheetahs to India Cheetahs are set to make a comeback in India, where they became extinct more than half a century ago. They have a rich history in the country, and were bred for sport under the Mughals. BBC correspondent Soutik Biswas tells us about the efforts to get the world’s fastest cat back into the wild.

Israeli, Jewish and Moroccan BBC Arabic’s Fethi Benaissa recently made a short film about Israeli Moroccan singer Neta Elkayam. Her music gives a clue to her background, born in Israel to Jewish Moroccan parents, and with a grandmother from Morocco’s indigenous Amazigh community. It’s a rich cultural mix – one that appealed to Fethi.

Image: Graves next to the Swakopmund Concentration Camp Memorial in Namibia Credit: Christian Ender/Getty Images

Visiting Russia’s Arctic military base Jun 04, 2021

Russia's northernmost military base, in the remote archipelago of Franz Josef Land, demonstrates its ambitions for the Arctic, as melting ice opens up new opportunities. The BBC Moscow news team were given rare access to the base, and Liza Shuvalova tells us what she saw there.

Venezuela and Trinidad Between the 1960s and 90s, many people from the island of Trinidad made the 11 kilometre sea crossing to Venezuela in search of better lives. Today, the migration has reversed, with Venezuelans heading to Trinidad and Tobago. BBC Mundo’s Norberto Paredes tells us more about long-standing bonds between these two countries.

Saving Kenya's turtles Watamu, on the Kenyan coast, is famous for its wildlife, including four species of sea turtle. But turtle numbers have declined due to poaching and habitat loss. Njoroge Muigai of BBC Nairobi visited Watamu to meet the people working hard to save them.

What two new buzzwords tell us about broken dreams in China Chinese internet users have been using two buzzwords – which translate as “lying flat” and “involution” – to express growing frustration with competitiveness and powerlessness. Fan Wang of BBC Chinese explains the economic changes behind these terms.

My journey to journalism: Shekiba Habib As part of our occasional series about our language service colleagues' routes into their jobs, we hear from Shekiba Habib of BBC Afghan. She was studying in Kabul to be a doctor, the career she had always dreamed of, when the arrival of the Taliban changed everything.

Image: Russia's Arctic military base in the Franz Josef Land archipelago Credit: BBC

First days of freedom in Yuma May 28, 2021

Yuma, a small city in the middle of the desert in Arizona, is receiving an overwhelming number of asylum seekers who have crossed the US border from Latin America. BBC Mundo's Patricia Sulbaran follows the journey of one particular family, from their first "free" days after they were released from detention until reunited with family in Miami.

Belarus plane forced landing Confusion and shock surrounded the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk this week, and the subsequent detention of passenger, and Belarussian opposition journalist, Roman Protasevich. Vitaliy Shevchenko of BBC Monitoring has been following how the story has been reported in the region.

Myanmar coup: a Nepali view It’s four months since the military coup in Myanmar. For the BBC’s Media Action team in Yangon it meant a sudden halt to their programming, and for producer Dipak Bhattarai the events brought back memories of another coup in 2005, in his home country of Nepal.

MHT: São Paulo We join Thomas Pappon of BBC Brasil for a trip to his home town of São Paulo to check out the record stores and visit the Japanese quarter.

Image: Adrian and Veronica Meza with their children Credit: Angelica Casas/BBC

I left Gaza, but Gaza did not leave me May 21, 2021

The flare-up of violence in Gaza and Israel brought back difficult memories for Shahdi Alkashif. He was BBC Arabic’s Gaza correspondent during the 2014 conflict. Now based in Turkey, he tells us what it was like to be an observer of the recent hostilities.

Uzbek salute shambles An Uzbek mayor and four military men found themselves the butt of social media jokes after they were filmed at Remembrance Day commemorations, clearly uncertain whether to salute, wave or put their hands on their hearts . BBC Uzbek's Ibrat Safo was amused, but many back home weren't.

The cleric taking on kidnappers in Nigeria A Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has risen to prominence for his intervention in Nigeria's growing kidnap-for-ransom crisis. Beverly Ochieng of BBC Monitoring has been looking into his controversial attempts to create dialogue with some bandit groups.

Why is Cali the epicentre of the Colombian protests? The protests in Colombia started in opposition to proposed tax rises, but now encompass much broader demands. Cali is the epicentre, with road blockades and petrol shortages bringing everyday life to a standstill. Luis Fajardo of BBC Monitoring, who's from Cali, explains why the city is so affected.

Cape Town library fire It's a month since wildfires on Table Mountain destroyed the University of Cape Town’s Jagger Reading Room, and much of its unique African Studies collection. BBC Africa's Mohammed Allie was a student at the university in the 1980s, and shares his memories of the library.

Image: Destroyed house in Jabaliya refugee camp northern Gaza Strip, 20 May 2021 Credit: EPA/HAITHAM IMAD

Mexico's apology to the Mayans May 14, 2021

Last week, Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador apologised to the indigenous Mayan people for abuses committed against them since independence. But with elections looming, some are questioning the timing of the apology. The BBC's Lourdes Heredia discusses this historic moment.

Targetting Afghan girls Zuhal Ahad of BBC Afghan shares her experiences of reporting on the bomb attack outside a girls' school last weekend which left more than 80 dead, many of them schoolgirls. It happened in her childhood neighbourhood in Kabul, which has seen several devastating attacks in recent years.

America's 'green gold rush' Zhaoyin Feng, who reports from Washington for BBC Chinese, tells us about her trip to Oklahoma to report on the latest frontier in America's so-called marijuana gold rush. It's attracted many Chinese American investors and Chinese immigrant workers.

Who becomes an Islamic extremist? BBC Indonesian's Silvano Hajid investigates the role of social media in recruiting young Indonesians to commit terrorist attacks through the story of a young man called Akbar. He was only 16 years old when he tried to join a group affiliated with so-called Islamic State in Syria.

Bengali kitchen divide Bengalis are united by a love of good food, but divided over who cooks it. West Bengalis love poppy seeds and sugar, while Bangladeshis go for dried fish and chilli. BBC Bangla journalists Manoshi Barua from India's West Bengal state, and Masud Khan from Bangladesh, shed light on the Bengali kitchen divide, with David Amanor.

Image: The festival of Valle del Maiz in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Credit: Kobby Dagan/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Women and peace in Afghanistan May 07, 2021

The BBC Media Action team in Afghanistan recently went on the road with their programme Open Jirga to hear about women’s hopes and fears for any peace deal between the Afghan government and the Taliban. Presenter Shazia Haya heard from the ambitious young women of Herat’s all-female robotics team, and from women in the Taliban heartland city of Kandahar who risked their lives to have their voices heart.

Baghdad's graffiti artists A group of graffiti artists in the Iraqi capital Baghdad have been painting murals and portraits in poor, rundown areas of the city. The artworks feature famous people and local folk heroes, as BBC Arabic’s Haddad Salih explains.

Who is the new president of Tanzania? President Samia Suluhu Hassan took office less than two months ago after the sudden death of her predecessor, John Magufuli. She has already shown a very different style of leadership. Zuhura Yunus of BBC Swahili introduces us to Tanzania's first female president.

Egypt's female folk singers Folk music in Egypt has traditionally been the domain of men. But an all-female folk group called Tablet El Sitt, 'the woman's drum', is reviving old songs sung by and about women. Aya Hashim of BBC Arabic has been investigating.

A short walk in the Russian woods Another chance to hear Oleg Boldyrev of BBC Russian enjoying last year's Spring lockdown in the company of fallen trees, fungi, and beaver dams.

Image: 'Open Jirga' presenter Shazia Haya with all female audience in Kandahar Credit: BBC Media Action

Reporting India’s Covid-19 crisis Apr 30, 2021

We take a journalist's eye view of reporting the current Covid-19 crisis in India, with stories from Delhi-based team leader Jugal Purohit, BBC Gujarati's Roxy Gagdekar Chhara, BBC Marathi's Anagha Pathak, and Kirti Dubey and Piyush Nagpal of BBC Hindi.

Trade by barter Nkechi Ogbonna of BBC Lagos describes a market in Cross River State in Nigeria, which works on a trade by barter system. She tells us how it works and who benefits. Ramadan in Nablus Nablus, in the occupied West Bank, is famous for its sweet makers, and Ramadan is when they’re busiest. BBC Arabic’s Alaa Daraghme takes us to his home town to share some mouth-watering treats.

BBC Xtra: Ramadan-themed cooking and dialects Karima Kouah from BBC Arabic's radio show BBC Xtra tells us about some of their Ramadan topics, like favourite recipes shared by social media influencers, and the misunderstandings that can arise when two people speaking different Arabic dialects get together to chat.

Image: Two Delhi residents wearing PPE mourn their relative who died from Covid-19 in April 2021 Credit: Adnan Abidi / Reuters

Iran's #MeToo Apr 23, 2021

The #MeToo movement is in the spotlight in Iran, where women have been taking to social media to share experiences of sexual harassment and assault. The response was broadly positive, until allegations were made against a popular singer. Soroush Pakzad has been covering the story for BBC Persian.

My Home Town: Sants, Barcelona Enric Botella of BBC Mundo takes us to the Barcelona neighbourhood of Sants, to chat in the market with his grandmother and grab a beer with a friend.

Mukbang Indian style Mukbang videos, where people eat large extravagant meals on camera, are usually associated with South Korea. But recently women in rural India have found success making their own videos. BBC Monitoring's Rupsha Mukherjee spoke to two emerging mukbang stars.

The forgotten Chinese survivors of the Titanic Six Chinese passengers were among the survivors of the Titanic, only to be vilified and refused entry to the United States. Their stories were lost from history, but have been pieced together in a new documentary, The Six. Zhaoyin Feng of BBC Chinese has spoken to the American-born son of one of the six.

Lebanon's Fattoush Index Lebanon has a new way of measuring the rapidly rising cost of living. It’s called the Fattoush Index - fattoush is a traditional Lebanese salad, as well as a staple for Muslims breaking their fast during Ramadan. BBC Arabic's Carine Torbey explains the findings, and the legend of the origins of this salad.

Image: A woman walks past a mural depicting Iranian national flags in the Iranian capital Tehran. Credit: -/AFP via Getty Images

HRH Prince Philip: the world remembers Apr 16, 2021

The death last Friday of Prince Philip was extensively covered on the BBC's language services. We hear from Peter Okwoche of BBC Africa, Janina Litvinova of BBC Russian and South Asia Diaspora reporter Gaggan Sabherwal about the challenges of the day, and tailoring their coverage for their audiences.

Venezuela's million bolivar note BBC Mundo's Guillermo Olmo is based in Venezuela, where hyperinflation has left its currency, the bolivar, struggling to keep up. Prices rose so fast that people had to carry backpacks of notes to pay for their shopping. Now a one million bolivar note has been issued, but will it help?

Rwanda's milk bars Milk bars are a unique feature of Rwandan towns and highlight the popularity of milk in the country. Prudent Nsengiyumva of BBC Great Lakes tells us what makes them so successful, and why milk is so important to Rwandans.

Myanmar's New Year festival This week would usually see joyful celebrations in Myanmar for Thingyan, the Buddhist New Year festival. But many Burmese boycotted the festival, as part of continuing protests against February’s military coup, as BBC Burmese editor Soe Win Than explains.

My journey to journalism: Dan Ikpoyi, BBC Pidgin As part of our series into our language service colleagues' routes into their jobs, we hear from Dan Ikpoyi, whose progress from the Lagos slum of Ketu to BBC Pidgin video journalist took a circuitous route through comedy, poetry and bottle top collection.

Image: A captain's cap with message of condolence on flowers outside Windsor Castle Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Chile's Covid-19 paradox Apr 09, 2021

Chile has become a global example of how a high vaccine rollout may not mean the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. Numbers of infections and deaths are higher than ever, and a strict new lockdown has been imposed. BBC Mundo contributor Paula Molina explains how this situation arose.

Egypt's new Coptic speakers Coptic can be traced back to the language spoken in Ancient Egypt, but only survives today in the liturgy of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Apart, that is, from a growing number of Egyptians who want to reconnect with their history. Rana Taha of BBC Arabic explains how they're bringing the language back to life.

South Korea's Olympic diplomacy North Korea's announcement that it will not take part in the Tokyo Olympics, in order to protect its athletes from Covid-19, has disappointed South Korea. Julie Yoonnyung Lee of BBC Korean explains why the Games are seen as such an important opportunity for South Korea to engage with the North.

Meeting the female 'kolbars' The 'kolbars' or porters, who illegally carry heavy loads across the Iran-Iraq border, are mostly Kurdish people, who turn to this dangerous work because it's impossible to find other employment. It is thought of as a man's job, but Parham Ghobadi of BBC Persian tells us there are also women taking part.

Bosnia's forgotten king Tvrtko I, the first King of Bosnia, ruled over Serbs, Croats and Bosnians in the 14th century, and expanded Bosnian territory to the greatest it's been before or since. Today, he's largely forgotten. BBC Serbian's Nataša Anđelković tells us why she wanted to remind her audience about him.

Image: A Chilean woman shows an identification card during the vaccination against Covid-19 Credit: Claudio Santana / Getty Images

The men making money from migrants Apr 02, 2021

The sinking of a boat carrying illegal migrants across Lake Van in Turkey last year caused shockwaves in Afghanistan. Many of the passengers were Afghans, and while more than 60 bodies were recovered, others remain missing. BBC Afghan’s Hafizullah Maroof decided to investigate, telling the story of one of the victims, and gaining rare access to the people trafficker responsible for his journey.

An algorithm for the perfect biryani Even throughout lockdown boredom, Aparna Alluri of BBC Delhi steered clear of cooking a biryani, a notoriously complex balancing act of meat, rice and spices. That is, until she found a cookbook that demonstrated how to do it with an algorithm rather than a recipe. She joins us to share her results. The end of Vietnam's love affair with karaoke? BBC Vietnamese recently ran a story about the possible banning of karaoke in Ho Chi Minh City. Karaoke is hugely popular in Vietnam, so who better to turn to to find out what's gone wrong than Bui Thu of BBC Vietnamese in Bangkok.

The deep-rooted tradition of dowry in Pakistan BBC Urdu has been asking what happens to young Pakistanis who turn their backs on dowry. As reporter Sarah Atiq explains, there is huge pressure to conform, despite the financial burden and some cases of torture and even death when demands fail to be met.

Image: People trafficking has made 'Elham Noor' a wealthy man Credit: 'Elham Noor'

Remembering a Zulu king Mar 26, 2021

King Goodwill Zwelithini, who died two weeks ago, led the Zulu people for fifty years, gaining both praise and criticism for the way he ruled. Pumza Fihlani of BBC Africa went to his funeral and discusses the significance of the Zulu king.

Ukraine's Eurovision entry This year's Eurovision entry from Ukraine sounds like a super modern dance track. But the lyrics are a traditional folk song, sung to usher in Spring. Roman Lebed of BBC Ukrainian tells us more.

Nepal’s women masons BBC Marathi’s Mayuresh Konnur has visited Nepal’s Gurkha district, near the epicentre of the 2015 earthquake, to meet some of the country’s new female masons enlisted to help rebuild the country.

Egypt's mother of feminism remembered Nawal El Saadawi was one of the most outspoken feminists in the Arab world, fearlessly commenting on religion, sex and FGM. The BBC's Sally Nabil joins us in the week after her death to discuss her life and legacy.

Sri Lankan babies sold abroad for adoption The Netherlands has suspended adoptions from abroad after uncovering violations in how they were arranged. The BBC's Saroj Pathirana has spoken to birth mothers in Sri Lanka and adoptees in the Netherlands, now grown up and trying to discover their origins.

Image: Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, dressed in traditional Zulu warrior outfit in August 2000 Credit: RAJESH JANTILAL/AFP via Getty Images

Syria: Two women, ten years on Mar 19, 2021

It has been ten years since the start of the Syrian civil war. The lives of Syrians were turned upside down and many fled the country. BBC correspondent Lina Sinjab tells the contrasting stories of two women - one is still in Damascus and the other now lives in Beirut.

My Home Town: Shovot, Uzbekistan Candyfloss, dancing in the park, and a secret library: Ibrat Safo of BBC Uzbek takes us to his hometown in north-west Uzbekistan.

Chernobyl forest fires Forest fires are increasingly in the news around the world. But what happens when the forest is radioactive? Zhanna Bezpiatchuk of BBC Ukrainian has made a documentary called 'Are forest fires unlocking radiation in Chernobyl?', which tells the stories of firefighters who tackled last year's wildfires in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Kafeel Khan: the doctor who took on the government How did an Indian doctor hailed as a hero after a medical emergency become labelled a ‘career criminal’? Khadeeja Arif of BBC Urdu has been following Dr Kafeel Khan from one jail sentence to another, and she tells us what light his story sheds on politics in India today.

‘I am my song’ Afghan women and girls protested in song after a recent announcement that public singing would be banned for girls over the age of 12. After a social media storm of musical protest, the Education Ministry backed down. Zuhal Ahad, women's affairs journalist at BBC Kabul, was among those shocked by the original announcement.

Image: Syrian artist painting mural Credit: BBC

Two to tango Mar 12, 2021

Astor Piazzolla is known as the father of modern tango. The BBC's Valeria Perasso is from Argentina and was born and raised listening to his music. Irena Taranyuk of BBC Ukrainian is a big fan – and dancer - of tango. In the centenary year of Piazzolla’s birth, they discuss his “tango revolution” and its legacy around the world.

Loaves, oil and meat: Iran's lean Nowruz Queues outside butchers, fights over cooking oil, and buying loaves by the half – all images seen on social media in Iran at a time of year when families would usually be stocking up for Nowruz, the celebration of Spring. Parham Ghobadi of BBC Persian reports on this very visible sign of the ongoing economic crisis in Iran.

The rise and fall of India's fugitive diamond merchant How did one of the world’s leading fashion jewellers become India’s most wanted man? The story of diamond merchant Nirav Modi from fairytale rise to riches to fugitive accused of fraud, with the BBC’s South Asia Diaspora reporter Gaggan Sabherwal.

Russia’s ice-dancing ballerina A Russian ballerina in full costume dancing on the frozen sea near St Petersburg caught the world’s attention. Ilmira Bagrautinova chose scenes from Swan Lake to highlight the threat to endangered swans of a proposed port nearby. She told BBC Russian’s Ekaterina Venediktova why that landscape means so much to her.

Image: Couple dancing tango Credit: Hans Neleman / Getty

Life in a Kurdish military camp Mar 05, 2021

BBC Arabic's Namak Khoshnaw was given unfettered access to film in a military camp of Komala, the Revolutionary Party of Iranian Kurdistan, in Iraqi Kurdistan for his film Escape from Iran. Komala has become a magnet for young Iranian Kurds prepared to risk everything to leave their homeland and train as Peshmerga fighters. We find out about the challenges of filming it, the people fleeing Iran, and the memories it brought back for Namak, himself a former refugee.

Reciting the Koran Nourin Mohamed Siddig was a Nigerian Koranic reciter who died recently. He found popularity on social media and sang in a unique African style, rather than the more usual Middle Eastern way. We hear from Ahmed Ambali of BBC Yoruba and Reem Fatthelbab of BBC Arabic, about the different ways of singing the Koran and why it’s important to keep them.

Selling the Amazon A wealthy farmer, looking for investment opportunities in the Amazon. That was BBC Brazil’s Joao Fellet's assumed identity for almost a year, after he discovered “traders” illegally selling rainforest plots on Facebook Marketplace. From Sao Paulo to the Amazon, to Brazil's Supreme Court, Joao shares the “behind the scenes” of his epic report.

Russian prison colonies Notorious Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been sentenced to 2 years imprisonment and it's rumoured he may spend them in penal colony ‘Number 2’. Oleg Boldyrev of BBC Russian explains the differences between prison and penal colonies, and what life in a penal colony might entail.

Image: Trainee graduating at Komala training camp, Iraqi Kurdistan Credit: BBC

Somalia's election impasse Feb 26, 2021

Somalia currently has a president in name only. President Mohamed Abdulahi Mohamed, who’s also known by his nickname Farmajo, should have ended his term of office on 8 February. But the parliamentary elections to begin the process of choosing a new president are yet to take place. It's a tense situation, and opposition protests last week in Mogadishu saw gunfire, with more protests planned. BBC Africa's Bella Sheegow in Mogadishu and BBC Monitoring's Ibrahim Aydid in Nairobi explain what's been happening.

Sri Lanka’s star of ‘Who Wants To Be a Millionaire’ A Muslim teenager in Sri Lanka has become a household name after her star performance in the local version of the tv show ‘Who Wants To Be a Millionaire’. Shukra Munawwar won the hearts of the audience, at a time of strong anti-Muslim rhetoric from some parts of society. Shirly Upul Kumara of BBC Sinhala went to meet her at her home in southern Sri Lanka.

Iranian kohl BBC’s Nassim Hatam explores the history of kohl, or sormeh in Farsi, the black eye make-up that's been worn by Iranian women for millennia.

My Friend from a Care Home Russia’s care homes house thousands of people behind high fences and closed doors. But the Covid-19 pandemic has provided a unique chance for a few residents to leave their institutions and start learning to live independently. In her BBC Russian documentary, Zlata Onufrieva follows Nina’s progress, as she adjusts to life outside with the help of her friend Arina.

Floods in southern Thailand BBC Thai's Issariya Praithongyaem shares the story of the fruit farmers in Thailand’s Muslim south who lost thousands of dollars’ worth of crops due to floods caused by water released from a hydroelectric dam.

Image: Supporters of different opposition presidential candidates demonstrate in Mogadishu in February 2021 Credit: Photo by AFP via Getty Images

Six years on: the murder of Avijit Roy Feb 19, 2021

It’s six years since the secular blogger Avijit Roy was murdered outside the Dhaka book fair, where he'd been a speaker. This week, five men were sentenced to be hanged for their part in the killing. BBC Bangla journalist Akbar Hossain has been covering the story since 2015 and reflects on the story.

The "Switzerland of Africa" Photos posted on social media this week show alpine vistas and snow covered houses in Morocco. It's not a surprise to BBC Africa's Nora Fakim, who visited the French-built ski resort of Ifrane several years ago. She shares her memories of the Switzerland of Africa.

Where gender can be a matter of life or death ‘Leila’ is a 64-year-old teacher, dancer and actor, and the only openly intersex person in Afghanistan. Living in such a conservative society, she has faced many verbal and physical attacks. She told her story to Mahjooba Nowrouzi of BBC Afghan.

First African to head the WTO Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala takes over as Director General of the World Trade Organisation this week. She's the first woman and first African to hold the role, and she's making Nigerians everywhere proud, including BBC Africa's Peter Okwoche.

Colombia's love affair with cycling Cycling is the national sport of Colombia, but it went into decline during decades of armed conflict. Now Colombians are rediscovering their love of cycling and, at the same time, their own country. The BBC’s Daniel Pardo is one of them.

Image: Respects are paid to Avijit Roy in Dhaka, 2015 Credit: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Ethiopia's missing refugees Feb 12, 2021

The Ethiopian government declared victory over the former ruling party of Tigray at the end of November, but information from the region is still sparse. One unanswered question is: what happened to thousands of Eritrean refugees living in camps there who went missing during the fighting? Bekit Teklemariam of BBC Tigrinya has been trying to find out.

Chinese New Year 2021 It’s officially Chinese New Year’s day today, usually a time when millions from outside and within China head home for the holidays. But this year China’s strict Covid-19 rules mean many won’t be making the journey, including BBC Chinese journalist Fan Wang. Fan is based in Hong Kong, and wrote an online story about some of the people who did decide to brave quarantine and isolation to spend the holidays with family.

Feasting without over-eating? As China launches into two weeks of New Year’s self-indulgence, the internet is full of advice on how to feast without over-eating. This chimes with “Operation empty plate”, a national campaign against food waste launched last year and now being enshrined in a new law aimed at food outlets. BBC Chinese journalists Jeff Li, Yashan Zhao, Temtsel Hao and Suping share stories about China’s love of feasting, in history and in their own lives.

Colombia's cocaine hippos Pablo Escobar has left a long legacy in Colombia, of which maybe the strangest part is the hippos. Once stars of his personal zoo, they were abandoned after his death and are now flourishing in their South American home, and presenting a serious environmental problem. Luis Fajardo of BBC Monitoring, who is from Colombia, tells us more.

Houbara bustard hunting in Balochistan From November to February the houbara bustard overwinters in Pakistan's Balochistan province. Hot on their heels are the ruling families of the Gulf States. BBC Urdu's Saher Baloch visited the luxurious, sprawling hunting lodge of one of the families from the United Arab Emirates to meet the locals who look after the royal visitors.

Image: An Eritrean refugee child walks in front of a sign at Mai Aini Refugee camp, in Ethiopia Credit: EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP/Getty Images

Myanmar: Reporting the coup Feb 05, 2021

It’s less than a week since a military coup in Myanmar, staged as a new session of parliament was set to open. BBC Burmese editor Soe Win Than tells us about events leading up to the coup, and reactions in Myanmar, where the transition to democracy has proved short-lived.

My Home Town: Changwon, South Korea Julie Yoonnyung Lee of BBC Korean takes us to her hometown of Changwon in South Korea to ride bicycles and admire the cherry blossom.

Unwitching Assam Birubala Rabha grew up in India's north-eastern state of Assam believing in witches and witchcraft. But after encounters with witch-doctors she lost her belief, and has become a campaigner, helping establish tough anti-witch hunting laws. Soutik Biswas of BBC Delhi tells her story.

Image: Pro-coup marchers in Naypyitaw Credit: REUTERS/Stringer

Somalia: memories, identity and war Jan 29, 2021

In January 1991, the Somali state collapsed into civil war after the fall of President Mohamed Siad Barre. For those living in what used to be British Somaliland, the violence began in 1988, when government forces bombed Hargeisa. Thousands fled to neighbouring Ethiopia, including Ismail Einashe, then a young boy, now a contributor to BBC Africa’s Letter from Africa. He reflects on his memories of that time, and Hartisheik refugee camp, to which he returned in 2019.

David Amanor has left the building! All good things come to an end, and this is David’s last programme on The Fifth Floor. Friends from over the years bid a fond farewell, and remember some of his “best bits”. Expect Russian horses, songs and poetry, bees and the pungent stench of durian fruit.

Image: A memorial commemorating those killed in the aerial bombardment of Hargeisa in 1988 Credit: MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP via Getty Images

Ten years after Tahrir Square Jan 22, 2021

It has been 10 years since the Egyptian revolution, which forced President Hosni Mubarak from office. But what has happened since? And are the people who were involved in the revolution satisfied with the ways in which the country has changed? Hanan Razek and Reem Fatthelbab of BBC Arabic have been speaking to former protesters to hear their reflections.

Nepal’s K2 heroes Nepal is celebrating the success of a team of Nepalese climbers who have become the first to reach the summit of Pakistan's K2 mountain in winter. Krishna Acharya of BBC Nepali tells us about the significance of their achievement, after decades of Nepalese Sherpa mountaineers living in the shadow of the foreign climbers they guide and support.

Image: Thousands of Egyptians wave their national flag in Cairo's Tahrir Square on February 25, 2011 Credit: KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Beirut port blast: five months on Jan 15, 2021

On 4th August last year 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate blew up in a Beirut port warehouse. The explosion killed 200 people, injured thousands, and destroyed the port. Last month the public enquiry into the blast charged four politicians with negligence, including Prime Minister Hassan Diab. BBC Arabic’s Carine Torbey got an exclusive interview with him.

Cuba’s “sovereign” vaccine Cuba has entered a new partnership with Iran to trial a new coronavirus vaccine. Its high hopes are summed up in the name, Soberana O-2, or "sovereign". BBC Monitoring's Luis Fajardo in Miami considers what the vaccine and its name mean to Cubans.

Kashmiri papier-mâché Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir used to be famous for its papier-mâché artefacts. But decades of insurgency and lockdowns have left producers struggling to survive, as BBC reporter Aamir Peerzada discovered.

Image: Lebanese army member by damaged grain silo, Beirut port blast site (August 7, 2020) Credit: REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo

The abandoned Iraqi interpreters Jan 08, 2021

Iraqis who worked as interpreters for British and US forces knew that their work was dangerous, but many did it from a sense of patriotism. But as coalition forces withdraw, many interpreters feel increasingly vulnerable to militias who see them as traitors. Nafiseh Kohnavard of BBC Persian recently met some interpreters in Baghdad to find out about their worries.

Chittagong's disappearing streams In the Chittagong Hill Tracts of south-east Bangladesh, local people rely on forest streams for water. Now the streams are running dry because so many stones and rocks are being removed for construction projects. BBC Bangla’s Shahnewaj Rocky tells us about the impact this is having.

Thailand's New Year's nicknames Every New Year the Thai government and its key players get nicknames, chosen by the Government House press corps. BBC Thai's Issariya Praithongyaem has been considering this year’s and previous New Year’s nicknames for us.

Image: Nafiseh Khonavard of BBC Persian Credit: BBC

Vaccines, violence and forests Jan 01, 2021

We look forward to 2021 from the very different perspectives of three continental giants – China, Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo. BBC Chinese editor Howard Zhang, Ricardo Senra of BBC Brasil and BBC Africa’s Emery Makumeno tell us what their focus will be in 2021, and suggest some New Year’s resolutions for their countries.

Memorable journeys of 2020 Dec 25, 2020

Three journalists share stories of travels undertaken in the year of the pandemic. BBC Delhi's Neha Sharma went to Indian-administered Kashmir, a year after it was stripped of autonomy; Victoria Uwonkunda of BBC Africa covered the US election, finding voters from the African diaspora; and Olga Ivshina of BBC Russian went to Azerbaijan to meet families affected by the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Image: Olga Ivshina in Azerbaijan Credit: BBC

'Milk siblings' and Islam Dec 18, 2020

Margarita Rodriguez of BBC Mundo recently published a story about Islamic milk kinship, or milk siblings. It refers to the relationship between children from different mothers who are breastfed by the same woman. It brings with it a special bond, but also prohibitions.

Living and working with Covid-19 The perks and pressures of working through a pandemic, with Beatriz de la Pava from BBC Minute’s Spanish team, BBC Russian’s Grigor Atanesian, Issariya Praithongyaem from BBC Thai, BBC Uzbek’s Ibrat Safo and BBC Marathi’s Mayuresh Konnur.

A Maharaja and a dancer BBC Urdu has been running a series of stories about historical sites named after women, including a temple and a mosque inspired by Moran Mai, the court dancer who captured the heart of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, leader of the 19th century Sikh empire. Umer Draz Nangiana tells their story.

Image: Muslim mother with headscarf cradling baby Credit: Getty/Narisara Nami

A small election in North Macedonia Dec 11, 2020

North Macedonia is holding local elections this weekend. The country has been independent for nearly three decades, but it is not unusual for the countries of the former Yugoslavia to be interested in what happens next door. But not generally in small mayoral elections. BBC Serbian reporter Aleksandar Miladinovic explains that he travelled more than 450 kilometres talk to Stip to find out more about one of the candidates, Simon Gajiga.

Nepali chef in MasterChef: The Professionals It’s not only UK viewers who have been gripped by the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals. People in Nepal have also been following it closely as one of their own, Santosh Shah, is not only the first Nepali to appear on the show, he's made to the finals. BBC Nepali’s Rama Parajuli tells us more.

Kimchi clash Kimchi is a salted and fermented cabbage and a staple of traditional Korean cuisine. It's taken very seriously in South Korea, which is why a claim by China about Kimchi has angered people there, as Julie Yoongyung Lee of BBC Korean explains.

Image: Simon Gajiga came to Stip 40 years ago from Nigeria, and now hopes to become mayor Credit: BBC

China’s provocative political artist Dec 04, 2020

China and Australia are in a diplomatic fight, after the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman posted a fake image of an Australian soldier killing an Afghan child. The artist was Wuheqilin, a self-styled "Wolf Warrior" and "cyber-nationalist" based in Beijing. BBC Chinese editor Howard Zhang tells us more about the controversial artist fighting China's corner.

In praise of Mborokhé Seydina Alioune Djigo, who’s based at BBC Dakar, has put his journalistic neutrality on the line to nominate his favourite food for a Nobel prize. He tells us why he believes Mborokhé deserves international recognition.

Vietnam and stand-up comedy Stand-up comedy is relatively new in Vietnam and, in a country where public performances are monitored by the state, doesn’t touch on sensitive topics. So the success of Leo Nguyen, a Vietnamese comedian based in the US, talking about politics and abuses of power, caught the attention of BBC Vietnamese journalist Thu Bui.

Image: Wuheqilin’s latest artwork Credit: Wuheqilin

The self-styled prophet of Siberia Nov 27, 2020

In September FSB soldiers descended in helicopters on a remote Siberian village to arrest a religious leader, Vissarion. They arrived with guns, but were welcomed by his followers, who don't believe in conflict. BBC Russian journalist Nataliya Zotova travelled to deep into the forests of Krasnoyarsk Territory to meet followers of the Church of the Last Testament and find out more.

Thailand's "CIA" food hawkers Thailand's pro-democracy protests have sprung up all over Bangkok, but in every location it seems the food hawkers were already set up and ready for business. BBC Thai's Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai set out to crack the mystery of the self-styled "CIA" food hawkers.

Image: Vissarion meets with his followers Credit: Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images

Explaining Tigray Nov 20, 2020

The crisis in the Tigray region of Ethiopia has continued to intensify, but what are the repercussions for ordinary Tigrayans? Hana Zeratsyon of BBC Tigrinya tells us how the conflict is affecting her friends and family back home. And where did the tensions begin? The BBC's Emmanuel Igunza, who was based in Addis Ababa for many years, explains.

Keeping a precious text alive La Galigo is an ancient text which tells the creation story of the Bugis people of South Sulawesi in Indonesia, and is described by UNESCO as the most voluminous literary work in the world. Very few people understand the archaic language it's written in. Callistasia Wiyaya of BBC Indonesian has been hearing about efforts to keep La Galigo alive.

Image: Ethiopian refugees who fled fighting in Tigray province Credit: ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP via Getty Images

Kenya's camel-back clinic Nov 13, 2020

Last year BBC Africa TV reported on the big challenge of getting medicines and healthcare to Kenya's Maasai, Samburu and Turkana people, who are often on the move with their livestock. Christine Njeri discovered how camels have been enlisted to help with transport.

Saris in lockdown Chinki Sinha, who's a contributor to BBC Hindi in Delhi, returned to the family home in Bihar for lockdown. As time went by, friends and followers on social media started to notice an eye-catching series of fashion shoots, with Chinki, her aunt and her mother, dressed in a succession of beautiful saris.

Image: Christine Njeri with medical camel caravan Credit: BBC

Turkey’s Armenians under pressure Nov 06, 2020

The Nagorno Karabakh conflict has put Turkey’s Armenian community in a predicament. The disputed territory is an Armenian-populated enclave inside Azerbaijan controlled by separatist Armenians. Turkey backs Azerbaijan while Armenia backs the separatists. But beneath these allegiances lie even deeper divisions that affect ethnic Armenians in Turkey. BBC Turkish journalist Esra Yalcinalp helps unpick this knotty issue.

My home town: Kigali Felin Gakwaya of BBC Great Lakes takes us home to Rwanda's capital Kigali.

Sent back to Ghana Being 'sent home' is a frequent threat for many first generation children of West African parents. Mark Wilberforce of BBC Africa was 'sent back' to Ghana, his parents' native country, when they felt his behaviour was getting out of hand in the UK. He tells us how he felt about it then and now.

Image: Turkish car rallies support Azerbaijan Credit: Turkish woman waves Azeri flag in pro-Azerbaijan car rally in Istanbul

Inside the schools that chain boys Oct 30, 2020

A BBC Arabic investigation has uncovered systemic child abuse inside Islamic schools in Sudan, known as khalwas. It found that boys are routinely chained, shackled and beaten; in some khalwas there was evidence of sexual abuse. The BBC’s Mamdouh Akbiek worked with a local investigative journalist on the story.

Boston's Brazilian party-goers Boston’s large Brazilian community has stirred up controversy by holding huge outdoor parties despite Covid-19 restrictions, as BBC Brasil’s Ricardo Senra explains.

Somali storm in a teacup A social media star was deported from the self-declared republic of Somaliland because of a cup of tea. Bilal Bulshawi is from Somalia, and posted a picture of himself drinking tea decorated with the Somalia flag, whilst in Somaliland. BBC Somali’s Bidhaan Dahir tells us about the online storm which followed.

Image: Sudanese schoolboy chained Credit: BBC

The battle for Florida’s Latino voters Oct 29, 2020

Florida makes or breaks the US presidential election, and Spanish language ads have been bombarding Latino voters. BBC Monitoring journalist in Miami Luis Fajardo analyses the tactics and tunes being used by both Republicans and Democrats to swing the state.

Egypt’s septuagenarian record breaking footballer Ezzeldin Bahader recently entered the record books as the world’s oldest professional footballer aged 74. BBC Arabic sports reporter Marwa Helmy has followed the inspiring story.

A trip to a Russian banya Yulia James of BBC Russian shares her love of the famous Russian bath house, the banya: a place to warm up, cool down and relax with friends.

Image: Poll worker at a ballot drop box in Miami Beach, Florida Credit: EVA MARIE UZCATEGUI/AFP

Raucous rude and simultaneously translated! Oct 16, 2020

How do you simultaneously interpret a live US presidential debate, when the candidates are talking over each other, and throwing in the odd insult as well? Over to BBC Persian’s top team, Siavash Ardalan and Nicholas Niksadat. Image: BBC Persian's simultaneous interpreters, alongside President Trump and Joe Biden Credit: BBC

India's secret soldiers Oct 09, 2020

This year armies from India and China clashed along the disputed border between Indian-administered Kashmir and China. A recent funeral with full military honours on the Indian side revealed an intriguing story. Nayima Tanzin was a Tibetan refugee, who his family say was serving with a covert Indian regiment, the Special Frontier Force, a force never acknowledged by Indian authorities. The BBC’s Aamir Peerzada travelled to Ladakh to find out more.

Flights to nowhere Here’s an odd phenomenon. Airlines in South East Asia are offering “flights to nowhere” – you fly, you don’t land, you come back. So what’s going on? Hong Kong-based BBC Chinese journalist Martin Yip fills us in.

Hotels of Pyongyang Why would South Koreans be interested in a new book showing photographs of hotel restaurants and reception areas? Because these hotels are in the North Korean capital Pyongyang. The BBC’s Julie Yoonnyung Lee tells us more about the fascination of the photographs for Koreans.

Image: Funeral with full military honours of Tibetan refugee Nayima Tenzin in Ladakh Credit: Nisar Hussain

The battle over Nagorno-Karabakh Oct 02, 2020

As fighting flares again over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, we ask why it's so hard to resolve this conflict, and why a chunk of Armenian-controlled territory came to be inside Azerbaijan in the first place. BBC Russian editor Famil Ismailov is originally from Azerbaijan, and has followed this story for decades.

Pot plants and plant influencers in Indonesia Houseplants have become a trend among urban Indonesians keen to ease the boredom of lockdown. There’s an industry of plant “influencers” and experts to feed the fascination, shared by BBC Indonesian’s Astudestra Ajengrastri.

The fund-raising campaigns to free captured IS families Stories are emerging of donation campaigns by so-called Islamic State and Al Qaeda aimed at freeing the wives and children of IS fighters from detention camps in Syria. Abdirahim Saeed of BBC Monitoring tells us what he’s discovered from jihadist social media groups, which are raising funds to smuggle the women out.

Picture: Elderly woman in Nagorno Karabakh Credit: European Photopress Agency

Music and Memory Sep 25, 2020

This week, the World Service marked World Alzheimer's Day with a BBC Music and Memory project, exploring the power of music to reach sufferers with the disease. It launched a website of global tracks to trigger memories, compiled with the help of the BBC's language services. Behzad Bolour compiled BBC Persian's list, his father suffered from dementia, but still sang with him. He also explores Iran’s complex relationship with music.

But what tracks does the rest of the world dance and remember to? We hear from BBC Arabic's Nahed Najjar, Adedayo Owolabi of BBC Yoruba, Kateryna Khinkulova of BBC Russian and Partha Prasad from the Indian languages hub in Delhi about some of the tracks they contributed to the world music database, and why.

Image: Elderly Indian lady listening on headphones looking at smartphone Credit: BBC

Protests against Colombia's police Sep 18, 2020

A video showing the repeated tazering of a Colombian lawyer Javier Ordóñez by police as he begged for mercy, and his subsequent death from internal injuries, triggered riots in which several people died. BBC Mundo's Daniel Pardo is based in Bogota, and explains what this story reveals about Colombians relationship with law enforcement.

My Hometown: Hanoi A return visit with Nga Pham to her hometown of Hanoi, Vietnam and a walk down the tree lined streets.

Ghana Nigeria sibling rivalry The rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana is well known, but the two countries also share a close relationship despite not being neighbours. We bring together Nigeria’s Peter Okwoche and Mark Wilberforce from Ghana to explore how the countries see each other.

Image: Colombian protests after death of Javier Ordóñez Credit: JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP via Getty Images

The Indian diamonds losing their shine Sep 11, 2020

Surat in Gujarat is the world's diamond polishing hub, cutting and polishing 70% of all diamonds. But lockdown brought that industry to a halt, with many losing their jobs. BBC Indian languages journalist Nitin Srivastava spoke to some of those affected.

Ethiopians in Yemen The Gulf states and Middle East are historically popular destinations for migrant workers from Ethiopia, and travelling through war-torn Yemen a well-established trafficking route. But since the start of the global pandemic thousands of migrants have become trapped there, unable to go back or move on. BBC Arabic's Julien Hajj has been finding out more about their plight.

Image: Alpesh, diamond polisher in Surat, one of many who lost jobs during lockdown. Credit: BBC

The refugee children of Cox's Bazar Sep 04, 2020

It's been three years since violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya people to flee to Bangladesh. Since then home has been the crowded Cox’s Bazar refugee camp. BBC Bangla’s Shahnewaj Rocky has revisited the camp and met some of the children living there.

My Hometown: Samut Prakan We travel to the outskirts of Bangkok with Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai of BBC Thai to sing karaoke with his many, many cousins.

Spain’s royal soap opera The Spanish royal family has been through a turbulent time with corruption allegations involving former King Juan Carlos, and revelations about his numerous affairs. Juan Carlos recently left Spain to live in the United Arab Emirates. But his wife, Queen Sofia, has remained respected and admired. Mar Pichel of BBC Mundo tells us why.

Image: Nayeem, born in Cox's Bazar Credit: BBC Shahnewaj Rocky

Getting to know Navalny Aug 28, 2020

Last week Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny was taken seriously ill on a flight to Moscow. Poisoning is suspected, and he remains in a coma in Germany undergoing treatment. But who is Navalny and what does he stand for? We speak to BBC Russian editor Famil Ismailov to get a closer look at Putin's biggest political rival.

In praise of mariachi In Mexico City, Plaza Garibaldi is the heart of mariachi music, where flamboyantly suited, sombrero-wearing musicians entertain drinkers and diners alike. But the Covid-19 lockdown also shut down mariachi, and led to mariachi band protests across Mexico. BBC Monitoring contributor Marcos Martínez Chacón explains what mariachi means to him and Mexicans.

Image: Alexei Navalny's face is green after an attack with antiseptic dye Credit: BBC/Navalny.com

Breaking taboos in Iran Aug 21, 2020

The taboo of domestic violence in Iran is being tackled by a podcaster who calls herself Maryam. She tells the story of her own abusive marriage, and is joined in each podcast by other women who share their experiences. Nooshin of BBC Monitoring explains why this taboo persists in her home country.

From the streets of Belarus to Franco’s Spain: the story of a song The anthem being sung by protesters on the streets of Belarus has a story that starts in 1960s Spain, during the regime of General Franco. It was written by a Catalan singer-songwriter and is a call for unity of action to achieve freedom. Since then it has had several new lives in different countries, where many are unaware of its origins. BBC Mundo’s Enric Botella, who’s from Catalonia, tells the story.

Picture: Iranian women in Tehran Credit: ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Beirut: after the explosion Aug 14, 2020

Last week's catastrophic explosion in Beirut devastated the port area and left at least 170 dead, thousands injured, and many more homeless. It's a painful time for our journalists who come from Beirut - in both BBC Arabic and BBC Monitoring. We hear the reflections of Nahed Najjar, Nisrine Hatoum, Hesham Shawish, Nidale Abou Mrad and Julien Hajj.

The dream of Gran Colombia Gran Colombia was a vast country which included the modern nations of Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela and Colombia. It was born in 1819, the dream of Simon Bolivar, hero of the revolutionary wars that liberated Spanish America. Ana Maria Roura has been researching the history and legacy of Gran Colombia for BBC Mundo.

The teenager who took on the Taliban Aug 07, 2020

A teenage Afghan girl was recently celebrated as a hero, and photos of her holding an AK47 widely circulated, after she killed two Taliban fighters who attacked her home. But Firuz Rahimi of BBC Uzbek – himself from Afghanistan – shares the story behind the story, revealing the complexity of Afghan life and loyalties.

Unmasking the masks Nasobuco, barbijo, tapabocas and mascarilla – the proliferation of words for facemasks in Latin America, with BBC Monitoring journalist Rafael Rojas in Miami.

When monuments say more than ministries Olga Ivshina was part of the BBC Russian team investigating what the new names being added to war memorials can reveal about military operations in the absence of government information.

Image: Qamar Gul, Afghan girl holding AK47 Credit: Social media

The Kenyan clan branded 'evil' Jul 31, 2020

The BBC’s Anne Soy has been to her birthplace, Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, to meet members of the Talai clan, who have been feared and shunned since colonial times. When the Talai resisted British settlers more than a century ago, they were punished and branded ‘evil’, a slur that left them impoverished and marginalised, and still persists today.

Afghan etiquette - what's in a title? BBC Pashto's Payenda Sargand has been putting the spotlight on the importance of titles in Afghan society. Why is it more important to know a person’s title than their name, and what happens if you get it wrong? He’s been sharing his discoveries with presenter Faranak Amidi.

My Home Town: Snezhinsk, Russia Ksenia Idrisova of BBC Russian takes us to her hometown of Snezhinsk in the Ural mountains of Russia, a town so secret in her childhood that it wasn’t even shown on maps.

Image: Members of Talai clan on tractor Credit: BBC

The president and the hostage-taker Jul 24, 2020

There's hot debate in Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky helped secure the release of a busload of hostages by complying with the hostage-taker's bizarre demand. Irena Taranyuk of BBC Ukrainian has been following the arguments over whether he took the right decision.

Birdwatching in lockdown Kathmandu For Shreejana Shrestha of BBC Nepali, lockdown in the capital Kathmandu brought an unexpected new interest. She's become an avid birdwatcher. She tells us about the many beautiful and unusual birds she's been able to see and hear in the quieter and cleaner city.

Cathedral, museum, mosque: Hagia Sophia The first Friday prayers have been said at Istanbul's Hagia Sophia, after a court ruling ended its museum status. It was built as a cathedral 1500 years ago, then became a mosque after the Ottoman conquest. In the 1930s it was made into a museum, and now it's a mosque again. Esra Yalcinalp has been covering the story for BBC Turkish.

Image: Hostage bus Lutsk, Ukraine Credit: EPA/MARKIIAN LYSEIKO

Risking death for a fragment of jade Jul 17, 2020

The world’s largest jade mines are in Myanmar. It’s an industry worth an estimated $30 billion a year for the mine owners. But it's a hazardous living for the hundreds of thousands who scavenge through mountains of rubble in search of fragments of jade. Earlier this month 172 died when one of those piles collapsed. A BBC Burmese team visited the area last weekend - their editor in London, Soe Win Than, shares their findings.

Ertugrul: the Turkish conquest of Pakistan It’s a story of strength, courage, and the foundation of a great empire. The Turkish TV series Ertugrul is set eight centuries ago, its hero is a tribal leader whose son Osman founded the Ottoman Empire. It’s gripped audiences in Turkey and beyond, and a version dubbed into Urdu is a hit in Pakistan. Aliya Nazki of BBC Urdu is a fan.

Image: Jade scavenging in Myanmar Credit: BBC

Iran's female gamers Jul 10, 2020

Lockdown has boosted online gaming everywhere, but when Sheida Hooshmandi of BBC Persian investigated Iran’s gaming scene she discovered a surprising number of participants are women. So what are the particular challenges for female gamers in the Islamic Republic of Iran?

ABC…. It’s as easy as ABC, but learning your alphabet is trickier in some places than others. Fifth Floor class of 2015 takes us through their ABCs.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, has seen a surge in popularity in China since the Covid-19 pandemic. Beijing recently considered making criticism of TCM a crime in the province, but this sparked a huge backlash amongst citizens. Yashan Zhao of BBC Chinese explores the differing views of TCM within China.

Photo: Iranian girls watching gaming Credit: BBC

Nollywood’s Coronavirus intermission Jul 03, 2020

Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry, is famous for high productivity, addictive plots and glamorous premiers. Princess Abumere in BBC Lagos has been to a few premiers herself, and has been finding out how Nollywood is adapting to the Covid-19 shutdown.

Tongue Twisters revisited Fun and epic fails from the Fifth Floor teams trying to get their tongues round some fieldish tongue twisters.

Black Lives Matter in Tunisia “I can’t breathe” was chanted by crowds in the Tunisian capital after the killing of African-American George Floyd in the USA. It’s part of the black community’s response to racism and lack of opportunities for the minority black population of the country. Nora Fakim has been following the story for BBC Africa.

Image: Ada Afoluwake Ogunkeye AKA Folu Storms in sparkly mask Credit: Damilola Oduolowu-BBC

Filming from behind 5 layers Jun 26, 2020

India's financial capital Mumbai is its worst affected city with 70,000 confirmed Covid-19 infections and more than 5,000 deaths. BBC Marathi's Mayuresh Konnur filmed doctors and nurses in the King Edward Memorial hospital ICU to find out how they are coping. It was a challenging story to report.

My Home Town: Eldoret BBC Swahili’s Beryl Munoko shares memories of her home town in western Kenya.

The price of mocking Myanmar’s military Last year members of a satirical drama group, the Peacock Generation. were jailed for mocking the military, and still face additional charges. They were performing "thangyat”, a mix of poetry, dance and song traditionally used to criticise those in authority. Soe Win Than of BBC Burmese explains why this one fell foul of the government.

Image: Mayuresh Konnur wears full PPE to film in ICU Covid ward Credit: BBC, Sharad Badhe

The herders caught between two armies Jun 19, 2020

This week 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a clash with Chinese forces in the disputed region of Ladakh. It's the first fatality in 45 years, but one of many skirmishes along the de facto border. BBC Indian languages journalist Aamir Peerzada looks at the impact of the current stand-off on the nomadic livestock herders who inhabit the high altitude desert.

#A man should know his place Many women in Turkey have taken to Twitter to mock sexist language and patriarchal attitudes. Under the hashtag 'A man should know his place', they've turned popular sayings and clichés upside down, applying them to men rather than women. Beril Akman of BBC Monitoring in Istanbul shares some of her favourite tweets.

Colombian love in the time of Covid-19 The coronavirus pandemic has taught us many unexpected things about our world and our eagle-eyed BBC Monitoring journalist Luis Fajardo spotted a curiosity from his home country, Colombia. It seems Colombians are finding it hard to give up their “love motel” habit, despite the lockdown.

Image: Nomadic herder in Ladakh with livestock Credit: BBC Aamir Peerzada

Brazil's Black Lives Matter protests Jun 12, 2020

The killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis policeman has reignited the ongoing debate about institutional racism in Brazil. BBC Brasil's Camilla Costa tells the stories of some of Brazil's own George Floyds, including 5 year old Miguel, whose shocking death last week led to the #justiçaparamiguel protests.

My home town: Cali, Colombia Luis Fajardo of BBC Monitoring takes us to his hometown of Cali to swim in crystal clear rivers and hang out at his favourite bar.

Love, war and Communism 77-year-old actress Kim Chi is famous in Vietnam for her film roles during Vietnam War era, and more recently, for quitting the Communist Party. She's back in the news now having found love, and married an 82-year-old academic. She spoke to Thu Phan of BBC Vietnamese.

Picture: Woman holds "Justice for Miguel - Black Lives Matter" banner, Brazil Credit: Leo Malafaia AFP via Getty Images

Lockdown in London’s Arabic community Jun 05, 2020

BBC Arabic tells the stories doctors, restaurateurs, bus-drivers, volunteers, and pianists from London’s Arabic speaking community as they lived through two months of the corona virus lockdown. Producer Emir Nader, and film-maker Namak Khoshnaw, take us behind the scenes of ‘London Lockdown’.

Animal noises around the world Does your tiger roar, or say halloom? Another chance to hear animal noises around the world.

Profiting from the pandemic May 29, 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic is being exploited in many ways by criminal organisations across the world. For BBC Monitoring, Laura Gozzi and Luis Fajardo have been looking at the new opportunities which have opened up for the Italian mafia and the Mexican drug cartels.

Picture: Portrait of mafia boss Credit: Jilla Dastmalchi

The reporter who gave away his shoes May 22, 2020

Salman Ravi was interviewing migrant workers in a Facebook live for BBC Hindi last week. India's rapid lockdown left hundreds of thousands without jobs or income, many left with no choice but to walk the hundreds of kilometres home. While interviewing one family Salman saw the man had no shoes. So he handed over his own. The video’s been viewed more than 22 million times, but the story didn’t stop there.

In China, Wuhan-based writer FangFang has enraged many of her fellow citizens with her blog about daily life under lockdown. They accuse her of providing opponents of China with more ammunition. BBC Chinese editor Howard Zhang explains the background.

And from Somalia how the grounding of international flights has left khat chewers without their favourite stimulant, as the leaf is usually flown in from Kenya. But anti-khat campaigners hope the lockdown proves permanent. Mohamed Harare of BBC Somali has been following the story.

The Facebook posts gripping Syrians May 15, 2020

Rami Makhlouf, one of Syria’s richest men, recently took to Facebook to air his grievances against his cousin. As his cousin is President Bashar Al-Assad, the whole country took note. BBC Arabic’s Mahmoud Ali Hamad takes up the story.

Covid-19 from Belarus to Kenya BBC Russian’s Tatsiana Yanutsevich reports from Belarus, where there’s no lockdown, and where President Alexander Lukashenko describes fear of coronavirus as a 'psychosis'. And BBC Africa's Sharon Machira talks about her new TV programme The Breakdown, which covers everything from online criminal justice to haircare during the pandemic.

Picture: Rami Makhlouf's Facebook post Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Garment factories, missing buttons and Antarctic trips May 08, 2020

Inside Dhaka's garment factories, and a Ukrainian journey to Antarctica.

Lockdown Ramadan, music and guns May 01, 2020

David Amanor invites his guests to share stories they've been covering from inside and outside the Covid-19 pandemic. Sally Nabil of BBC Arabic describes lockdown Ramadan in Cairo. Zhaoyin Feng of BBC Chinese in Washington DC shares the political and personal impact of the war of words between the US and China. And Lucia Blasco of BBC Mundo tells the story of Paraquay’s 'recycled orchestra'.

Exiled Fifth Floorers’ hidden talents A tour round the virtual Fifth Floor as our language service colleagues share unexpected skills and interests they’re using to keep their spirits up while working from home. With Irena Taranyuk of BBC Ukrainian, Vietnamese journalist Nga Pham of BBC World TV, Prudent Nsengiyumva of BBC Great Lakes, women's affairs journalist Faranak Amidi, and Brazilian Fernando Duarte of the BBC Digi-hub.

Image: Egyptians in facemasks browse Ramadan lanterns, April 2020 Credit: MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP via Getty Images

Surviving Everest's 2015 earthquake Apr 24, 2020

On 25 April 2015, Aamir Peerzada was on the brink of realising a dream. After months of pitching and persuading, and as an ambitious new journalist for India’s NDTV network, he was finally at basecamp on Mount Everest, with the Indian Army’s mountaineering team, to make a film about why people climb Everest, despite the many dangers.

Aamir was not supposed to go beyond basecamp, but on the day the opportunity came up to join the team on the first leg of their climb, through the hazardous, crevasse-filled Khumbu Glacier. Aamir leapt at the chance, but as they climbed, a huge earthquake hit Nepal, and Everest. Aamir remembers that day with David Amanor.

Aamir Peerzada is now a journalist for the BBC’s Indian language services and based in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir.

Image: Everest basecamp after the 2015 earthquake Copyright: Aamir Peerzada/NDTV

Songs of my life Apr 17, 2020

Making good use of time in lockdown, we set our guests the task of telling the story of their lives through music. Ali Hamedani of BBC Persian, Vandana Dhand of BBC Delhi and Famil Ismailov of BBC Russian choose two tracks each, one from the past and one to pass on to future generations.

Photo: Multi-ethnic kids listening to vinyl on portable record player Credit: Bert Hardy/Getty Images

In praise of eggs Apr 10, 2020

In many countries celebrating Easter this weekend, huge quantities of chocolate eggs will be consumed. It seems a good moment to look more closely at eggs, a symbol of new life and rebirth in cultures all around the world. Joining the Fifth Floor egg hunt for sayings, traditions and recipes are Ali Hamedani of BBC Persian, Sabir Mustafa of BBC Bengali and Sergei Goryashko of BBC Russian. They also share the latest news of the Covid-19 pandemic from their regions.

Picture: Painted Easter eggs Credit: Steffi Loos / Stringer via Getty

Lockdown, as seen from Miama, Kampala and Chennai Apr 03, 2020

As more and more of the world has entered lockdown this week, we hear from Miami, Chennai and Kampala about what that’s been like for our language service journalists. Luis Fajardo of BBC Monitoring in Miami says there's been an exodus of New Yorkers to Florida, Catherine Byaruhanga of BBC Africa in Uganda talks us through the country’s rapid shutdown, and South Asia reporter Gaggan Sabherwal finds herself locked down during a family visit to Chennai.

PHOTO: A general view of the Nakasero market in Kampala on April 1, 2020.

PHOTO CREDIT: SUMY SADURNI/AFP via Getty Images

Yemen war: a feline perspective Mar 27, 2020

With the Covid-19 pandemic dominating world news, David Amanor invites a panel of guests to share unusual angles from their regions, as well as other stories they have reported - or would like to.

Roncliffe Odit of BBC Swahili joins us from Nairobi to tell us how the public health emergency has dampened political rivalries.

Irena Taranyuk of BBC Ukrainian takes us into a religious tussle within the Orthodox church over how to worship during the pandemic.

Sumaya Bakhsh of BBC Monitoring shares her recently published story, A Tale of Two Kitties. It started with an online friendship between her cat Nelson and Helen, an imaginary cat living on the streets of Taiz, Yemen.

Picture: Bomb-damaged buildings in Taiz, Yemen. Credit: BBC

The Presidents came in two by two Mar 20, 2020

Afghanistan's last election delivered not one but two presidents. Two swearing-ins followed, and both presidents continue to claim to the be rightful leader. But the Afghans are not alone: Guinea Bissau also found itself with two presidents recently. BBC Afghan's Dawood Azami and BBC Africa's Peter Okwoche discuss this strange phenomenon.

Image: Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani, both claim to be president Credit: Noorullah Shirzada/AFP via Getty Images

Stories from a pandemic Mar 13, 2020

Stories from the Fifth Floor following the evolving Covid-19 pandemic, from bats in China to global social media fake news. As told by Howard Zhang of BBC Chinese, Giang Nguyen of BBC Vietnamese, BBC Persian's Siavash Ardalan, Sunyoung Jeong of BBC Korean and BBC Africa's Bara'atu Ibrahim.

Picture: Coronavirus structure (illustration) Credit: Science Photo Library

Powerful women in the Mughal dynasty Mar 06, 2020

BBC Uzbek puts the royal women of India's Mughal dynasty centre stage for a series of programmes about three powerful women in the life of the first emperor, Babur. Editor Diloram Ibrahimova takes us back to the 16th century and the city of Andijan in today’s Uzbekistan.

Image: Davlat Esan Begum, Emperor Babur's grandmother. Artist Isomiddin Eshonqulov. Copyright: BBC

The man who sang the Manas Feb 28, 2020

The Manas is a Kyrgyz epic poem. It’s over a thousand years old, and is a performed poem, part recitation, part improvisation. Saparbek Kasmambet was a well-respected manaschi, or Manas performer, and also father of BBC Kyrgyz's Gulnara Kasmambet. Following his death earlier this year Gulnara has been overwhelmed by the tributes pouring in. She shares her memories. Image: State funeral for Saparbek Kasmambet with soldiers holding portrait Copyright: BBC

From refugee to reporter Feb 21, 2020

40 years after the first Afghan refugees arrived in Iran and Pakistan, the UN has been discussing continuing support for those who remain. Many BBC Afghan journalists were once refugees. Asif Maroof, Karima Nahimi and Inayatulhaq Yasini tell us their stories of flight to Pakistan.

Picture: Kacha Garhi refugee camp near Peshawar, Pakistan Credit: Joanne Rathe/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Dear auntie.... Feb 14, 2020

Broken heart, tough dilemma? We hear about the agony aunts and uncles answering the world’s personal questions with BBC Thai’s Issariya Praithongyaem, Zuhura Yunus of BBC Swahili, and Ibrat Safo of BBC Uzbek. Image: heart-shaped sweets Credit: Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images

The women protesters of Shaheen Bagh Feb 07, 2020

Last December, four Muslim women began a street protest against India's Citizenship Amendment Act in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh neighbourhood. Since then, hundreds more women have joined them, and BBC India's Chinki Sinha has been a regular visitor.

Picture: Protest at Shaheen Bagh. Credit: Amal KS/Hindustan Times/Getty

New life for a Soviet ruin? Jan 31, 2020

The Georgian spa resort, the refugees, and the billionaire.

Image: Dilapidated Tskaltubo hotel Credit: BBC

Facing their fathers' crimes Jan 24, 2020

The BBC’s Valeria Perasso tells us about two Argentinian women she met for her documentary about the children of men who committed crimes during the military dictatorship. Between 1976 and 1983, the regime hunted down and killed around 30,000 people. Image: Women marching in Argentina under 'Disobedient Stories' banner. Credit: Historias Desobedientes

The man who lost his family Jan 17, 2020

In 1971, a brief war between India and Pakistan over the territory of Kashmir shifted the border 6 kilometres into Pakistan's space. Four villages became part of the Indian territory, and the villagers away from home on that day were permanently split from their families. Farhat Javed of BBC Urdu and Aamir Peerzada of BBC Hindi talked to one divided family.

Image: Ghulam Qadir on the bank of the river Shyok. Credit: BBC Farhat Javed

Australia's camel cull Jan 10, 2020

Australia’s decision to cull wild camels has shocked many Somali-speakers, for whom camels have a huge cultural significance. We bring together BBC Somali reporter and camel owner Issa Abdul and BBC Afghan’s Dawood Azami, who’s investigated the 19th century Afghans who came with the original camels to Australia. Image: Feral camel on red earth track, Australia Credit: Auscape Universal Images Group via Getty Images

India's controversial new citizenship law Jan 03, 2020

India's new Citizenship Amendment Act has sparked protests across the country. Its stated aim is to offer sanctuary and Indian citizenship to people fleeing religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. But critics say it undermines India's secular constitution and may also affect India's own Muslim population. Clashes between protestors and police have led to violence and even deaths, and accusations that the police have carried out attacks on Muslim property. Zubair Ahmed of BBC Hindi went to Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh to investigate.

Picture: Protesters burning copies of the CAA Credit: Sumit Sanyal-SOPA Images-LightRocket via Getty Images

A refugee's story and a football shirt Dec 27, 2019

Namak Khoshnaw is a journalist and award winning film maker with BBC Arabic. His documentary ‘Iraq: A State of Mind’ charts the impact of decades of conflict on mental health, ‘Life on the Rubbish Dump’ is about the children who pick rubbish in the city of Erbil, and his fascinating 3D journey below the Nabi Yunus shrine near Mosul reveals an ancient Assyrian palace in underground tunnels. These films all took him back to Iraq, the country he left nearly two decades ago, following a dream to play football for Chelsea. It was a perilous journey. Image: Namak Khoshnaw Credit: BBC/Daniel Adamson

Chernobyl: Lyudmila's story Dec 20, 2019

The 1986 nuclear reactor explosion was dramatised this year in the HBO/Sky series Chernobyl. It includes the story of Lyudmila Ignatenko, whose husband was one of the firefighters who tackled the blaze at the nuclear plant. The series has brought her back into public view, with many people critical of her behaviour at the time. Lyudmila tells her side of the story to Olga Malchevska for BBC Russian. Picture: Lyudmila Ignatenko and husband Credit: Lyudmila Ignatenko

Music and lockdown in Kashmir Dec 13, 2019

The My Indian Life podcast looks at India through young people’s eyes. It recently told the story of Ahmer Javed, a rapper from Indian-administered Kashmir. Ishleen Kaur met him and other artists during August’s lockdown, and found a generation who feel very separate from the rest of India. Image and credit: Ahmer Javed, Kashmiri rapper

In praise of pine nuts Dec 06, 2019

Afghanistan’s pine nuts are in demand, with China signing a 5-year deal worth US$2.2 billion. BBC Afghan editor Shoaib Sharifi tells us about the importance of this tiny but valuable nut.

Picture: Pine nut harvest in Afghanistan. Credit: EPA/Ghulamullah Habibi

Behind the tragic headlines Nov 29, 2019

The first funerals of the victims of human trafficking were conducted in Vietnam this week. 39 people died in the back of a lorry trailer discovered in Grays, Essex. The victims were initially thought to be Chinese, but BBC Vietnamese journalists Giang Nguyen and Khue Luu Binh were among the team who confirmed they were Vietnamese and pieced together their stories.

Image: Candles for the Vietnamese lorry dead Credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire

What’s the secret of a happy and active old age? Nov 22, 2019

The Nicoya peninsula is a “blue zone”, where people live much longer than average. The BBC's Rafael Rojas joined an inspiring group of people aged 100 plus to find out the secrets of their longevity.

Image: Nicoya peninsula, Costa Rica. Credit: Gerhard/ullstein bild via Getty Images

Inside the Taliban prison Nov 15, 2019

Block Six of Afghanistan’s Pul-e-Charkhi prison is where the Taliban prisoners are held. BBC Afghan’s Zuhal Ahad was part of the team given rare access to their cells to see how they live, and discover what views they now hold.

The peace corridor of Kartarpur Nov 08, 2019

The Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan is one of Sikhism's holiest sites, but since Partition between India and Pakistan in 1947, Indian Sikhs have been unable to visit. This weekend an historic arrangement will allow Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit the Shrine visa-free. Umer Draz Nangiana of BBC Urdu has been covering the story.

Bought and sold like used cars Nov 01, 2019

BBC News Arabic’s undercover investigation, Silicon Valley’s Online Slave Market, exposes the mainstream app users in Kuwait breaking local and international laws on modern slavery by trading domestic staff, including a 16-year-old girl from Guinea in West Africa. Picture: Domestic workers for sale on an online app. Credit: BBC

A tale of two protests: Chile and Lebanon Oct 25, 2019

The governments of Chile and Lebanon are this week reeling under the impact of massive protests. Both were triggered by apparently small events, but tapped into long-standing public grievances. Fernanda Paul of BBC Mundo and Carine Torbey of BBC Arabic compare events in their countries.

Picture: Demonstrators in Santiago, Chile Credit: Claudio Santana/Getty Images

Kenya's camel-back clinic Oct 18, 2019

Healthcare can be hard to come by for Kenya's Maasai, Samburu and Turkana nomadic peoples. So camels have been enlisted to bring a mobile clinic to them. BBC Africa’s Christine Njeri joined them.

Picture: Christine Njeri with resting camels. Credit: BBC

Exposing Iraq’s pleasure marriage clerics Oct 11, 2019

BBC Arabic’s Nawal Al-Maghafi takes us undercover at two of Iraq’s holiest sites to reveal how some clerics are sexually exploiting children and young women. They’re using a controversial religious practice called 'pleasure marriage', illegal under Iraqi law, to supply women for sex.

Photo: BBC Arabic's Nawal Al-Maghafi in Baghdad Credit: BBC

Gandhi in London Oct 04, 2019

As India marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, the BBC’s Gaggan Saberwhal takes us to the places where he lived and stayed on two visits to London, first as a law student and later as a political leader.

Picture: Mahatma Gandhi outside 10 Downing Street in 1931 Credit: Getty Images Archival

Protests, shamans and beatboxing: welcome to BBC Russian Sep 27, 2019

David Amanor visits BBC Russian in Moscow, where a team of journalists investigate, report, and entertain Russian-speaking audiences. Their stories take us from Siberia to the Caucasus, and from protests to 1990s poetry. David also gets a personal tour of Moscow and the places that mean most to Muscovites.

Picture: David Amanor and Oleg Boldyrev in Red Square Credit: BBC

Taken from their families: a colonial legacy Sep 20, 2019

During Belgian colonial rule in what is today Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, about 20,000 mixed race children were removed from their families. Prudent Nsengiyumva of BBC Great Lakes went to Belgium to meet Luc Van Damme and Josline Droogmans, both separated from their mothers as children.

Image: Luc Van Damme (R) shows Prudent Nsengiyumva (L) childhood photos Credit: BBC

Idlib's “double tap” airstrike Sep 13, 2019

BBC Arabic's investigations unit has pieced together the story of a so-called "double tap" airstrike on a market in Syria's Idlib province in which 39 people were killed. Nader Ibrahim explains how they put the story together, when it's too dangerous to go there, and Russian air force authorities deny it ever happened.

Picture: Emergency workers in rubble of bombed Maarat al-Nurman market, Idlib Province Credit: Hadi al-Abdallah/YouTube

Lessons for Hong Kong from Ukraine Sep 06, 2019

Last week, protesters in Hong Kong organised screenings of a Netflix documentary about Ukraine's Maidan Square protests called ‘Winter on Fire’. Jeff Li and Fan Wang of BBC Chinese met some protesters moved to see their own situation mirrored in past events in Ukraine. And for Diana Kuryshko of BBC Ukrainian, events in Hong Kong brought back memories of 2014.

Image: Masked Hong Kong protester against backdrop teargas Credit: ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images

Meeting Bobi Wine Aug 30, 2019

Ugandan rap star turned politician, Bobi Wine, recently announced that he was officially going to run for the presidency. He is a source of controversy and admiration, and Catherine Byaruhanga of BBC Africa has been to meet him.

Image: Bobi Wine Credit: ISAAC KASAMANI/AFP/Getty Images

A celebration of peace Aug 23, 2019

It's been a year since mediation began to end violent clashes in the Somali region of Ethiopia that pitted Oromo people against ethnic Somalis. Bashkas Jugsoda’ay of BBC Somali and Habtamu Tibebu of BBC Afaan Oromo have been to the regional capital Jijiga to speak to people affected by the fighting and witness a peace meeting between the two communities.

The Venice of Venezuela Aug 16, 2019

El Morro was conceived as the Venice of Venezuela, a place of canals and luxury yachts on the Caribbean Sea. But even here the economic and political crisis is evident, as BBC Mundo’s Guillermo Olmo discovered.

Picture: Luxury yacht in El Morro, Venezuela Credit: G. D. OLMO/BBC

Who were the Blikkiesdorp 5? Aug 09, 2019

The BBC Africa film “Murder Town” explores South Africa's Cape Town, both a popular tourist destination, and one of the most divided and violent cities in the world. Journalist Vauldi Carelse went to the site of one brutal mass killing in the Blikkiesdorp neighbourhood to tell the stories of the people living and dying there.

Picture: a mother overlooking Cape Town. Credit: BBC

Ebola crisis: fighting fear and despair Aug 02, 2019

It's a year since the outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo began. More than 1,800 people have died, with the latest cases in Goma, a large city and important transport hub. It's an area BBC Africa's Gaius Kowene knows well. Image: Congolese health worker administers Ebola vaccine Credit: REUTERS/Olivia Acland

Life at 124°C for Indian brick makers Jul 26, 2019

A report this month looked at the impact of working in a warmer planet. India got a particular mention, and Indian languages journalist Anant Prakash decided to see what this meant on the ground. He went to Uttar Pradesh to meet the brick makers enduring temperatures of up to 124°C.

Image: Indian brick kiln worker Credit: BBC

My ancestors, the slave traders Jul 19, 2019

When BBC Mundo's Jaime Gonzalez began to suspect that his merchant ancestors traded not only in goods but also in slaves, he set off on an investigation that took him to Spain and Chile. He made a documentary about what he found.

Image: BBC Mundo's Jaime Gonzalez against montage of historic slavery images Credit: BBC

Where do ancient treasures belong? Jul 05, 2019

A small bust of Tutankhamun has been sold in London this week for £4.7 million. The sale was challenged by the Egyptian government, which claims the sculpture was removed illegally from the country. Reda El Mawy of BBC Arabic has been gripped by the story.

(Picture: Tutankhamum bust auctioned at Christie's, London. Credit: AFP PHOTO/CHRISTIE'S AUCTION HOUSE)

Why Pakistan is not polio free Jun 28, 2019

In Pakistan, attempts to eradicate polio stalled when the vaccination programme became tangled in international politics, religious decrees and social media scare stories. Vaccination workers have been attacked and even killed. BBC Urdu’s Shumaila Jaffery met vaccination workers, parents, and clerics for a BBC World Service series, "Vaccines: A Crisis of Trust".

(Image: Doctor vaccinates child against polio. Credit: BBC)

Fit to report - welcome to BBC Nairobi Jun 21, 2019

Join David Amanor in the BBC’s Nairobi bureau, home to six different language services. Find out what people's names can tell us: David Wafula’s surname tells us he was born in the rainy season, Bashkas Jugsodaay’s name contains a World War II story, and Cyuzozo Samba is called ‘last born’, although he has two younger siblings!

Plus stories close to our colleagues' hearts: twins, wigs and camels with Hamida Aboubakar, Issa Abdul and Sharon Machira.

And join Roncliffe Odit on a personalised My Home Town tour of his favourite places in Nairobi: Toi Market, Uhuru Park, and a Swahili restaurant.

Image: Hassan Lali leads Nairobi Bureau colleagues in a plank challenge Credit: BBC

A love story between former enemies Jun 14, 2019

It’s 10 years since Sri Lanka’s civil war ended. The war pitted the country's two main ethnic groups, Tamils and Sinhalese, against each other, and divisions remain. But BBC Sinhala journalist Suneth Perera marked the anniversary with an unusual love story between former enemies: Gauri Malar, a former Tamil Tiger child soldier, and Roshan Jayathilake, a Sinhalese Civil Defence Force recruit.

Image: (L) Gauri and (R) Roshan Credit: BBC

‘Are we wrong to miss our children?’ Jun 07, 2019

In 2014, so-called Islamic State attacked the Yazidi religious group in northern Iraq, killing hundreds of men and capturing around 6,000 women and children. The women were used as sex slaves and although many are now free it’s emerged that the price of returning home is giving up the children fathered by their IS captors. BBC Persian journalist Nafiseh Kohnivard spent a year investigating the story for her documentary The Yazidis’ Secret Children.

Photo: Yazidis community celebrating in Iraq Credit: BBC

What price scaling Everest? May 31, 2019

Mount Everest in Nepal draws hundreds of climbers every year keen to scale the world's highest peak. But the effort comes at a high price, both in lives lost, and the cost to the environment. BBC Nepali’s Surendra Phuyal reports on the campaign to clean up the rubbish left behind by the climbers on Nepal's holy mountain.

Image: queuing to reach the peak of Everest Credit: AFP PHOTO/PROJECT POSSIBLE

Orangutan, elephants, and dams May 24, 2019

Indonesia's Leuser rainforest in Sumatra is a unique ecosystem where elephants, orangutan, tigers and rhinos still live together. But this biodiverse forest is now threatened by development, as BBC Indonesia's Mehulika Sitepu found out.

Photo: Sumatran orangutan Copyright: BBC

A Rohingya drama for Cox’s Bazar May 17, 2019

Aa'rar Kissa, or Our Story, is a radio drama made specifically for the Rohingya refugees now living in Bangladesh, having fled their homes in Myanmar. The radio drama was created by the BBC Media Action's local director, Riad Arfin.

Image: Rohingya Refugee Camp in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh Credit: NurPhoto/Contributor/Getty Images

'Time for the guns to be silent' May 10, 2019

BBC Africa’s Mohanad Hashim shares his impressions of a Sudan without President Omar al-Bashir, and the historic protests which toppled him from power.

Image: Sudanese protesters gather to break their fast during Ramadan, outside the army headquarters in Khartoum Credit: Mohamed El-Shahed/AFP/Getty Images

Healing Iraq's mental wounds May 03, 2019

Namak Knoshnaw spent a year making the BBC Arabic documentary Iraq: A State of Mind. It follows the stories of three people dealing with the psychological impact of half a century of war, invasion, sectarian violence and occupation by the so-called Islamic State. Namak grew up in Iraq, and it is a story close to his heart.

(Photo: Karim Wasfi playing his cello in Baghdad. Credit: Sabah Arar/AFP/Getty Images)

Reporting Sri Lankan bomb attacks Apr 26, 2019

Ayeshea Perera is based in the BBC's Delhi office, but flew home to Sri Lanka immediately after Easter Sunday's bomb attacks. She shares her experiences of reporting from Colombo and Negombo, and her memories of civil war the bombings have triggered.

Image: St Anthony's Church, Colombo Credit: EPA

What’s on trend around the world? Apr 19, 2019

New fashions and passions are reported daily on the language services, so we’ve brought together some of our favourites: freediving in Colombia, Sufi fusion music in Pakistan, dreadlocks in Nigeria, and a new kind of tourism in South Korea. With Beatriz de la Pava of BBC Mundo, Julie Yoonnyung Lee of BBC Korean, Princess Abumere from BBC Lagos, and Farah Karim from BBC Africa, whose Global Beats programme this week discovers new music in her second home, Pakistan.

Image: hipster girl with pink hair style and binoculars Credit: Massonstock/Getty Images

An Egyptian take on Algeria's protests Apr 12, 2019

Large scale protests in Algeria forced President Bouteflika to stand down last week. BBC Arabic's Marwa Nasser visited Algiers to meet the protesters demanding change, bringing back memories of her own country's 2011 protests in Tahrir Square.

Image: People carry a national flag during a protest to push for the removal of the current political structure, in Algiers Credit: REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina

The women who joined IS Apr 05, 2019

Thousands of women and children associated with foreign IS fighters are now in limbo following the defeat of the ‘caliphate’. Tse Yin Lee and Matilda Welin are part of a BBC Monitoring team who have been researching why these women joined IS and what happens to them now.

Image: wives and members of IS under the supervision of a female fighter from the Syrian Democratic Forces Credit: BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images

Helmand to Hull: an Afghan journey Mar 29, 2019

Auliya Atrafi of BBC Afghan has been reporting from the northern city of Hull, which was his home for 12 years after he arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker in 2000. The city voted overwhelmingly to leave the European Union in the 2016 referendum, and Auliya wanted to assess the impact of the vote.

Image: Auliya Atrafi in Hull Credit: BBC

A tale of two Somalias Mar 22, 2019

BBC Somali journalist Qalib Barud reports on Somalia for a living. His family left in the early 1990s when civil war erupted, and he'd never visited Mogadishu, so when the opportunity came to spend three months reporting in the capital, he jumped at the chance.

Image: Somali children playing on the beach in Mogadishu. Credit: MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP/Getty Images

Killed for seeking justice Mar 15, 2019

BBC Urdu’s Humaira Kanwal has reported on the Kohistan video case for many years, and was helped by the man pursuing justice, Afzal Kohistani. In 2012 a video emerged showing five young women from Kohistan singing and clapping with two young men, behaviour forbidden is this region. The men were Afzal's brothers and although they escaped, three other brothers were killed in the name of honour. Afzal believed the women were also killed, and took the case to Pakistan’s Supreme Court. And now Afzal himself has been killed. Humaira remembers him.

(Photo: Afzal Kohistani, who fought for justice for the Kohistan video girls. Credit: Pam Constable/The Washington Post/Getty Images)

Killed for his faith Mar 08, 2019

Not everyone has a saint in the family, but very soon BBC Arabic’s Eli Melki might. His ancestor Leonard Melki grew up in Lebanon and became a Capuchin monk. But the First World War fanned fears of Christians collaborating with Turkey’s enemies, and in 1915 many thousands were killed, including Leonard. Eli retraced his final journey.

Image: Leonard Melki Credit: leonardmelki.org

What now for Syria's Kurds? Mar 01, 2019

The so-called Rojava revolution brought radical social change in the Kurdish regions of northern Syria: equality and representation regardless of religion, ethnicity or gender. It was their armies which battled so-called Islamic State. But with IS largely defeated, US forces poised to pull out of Syria, and Turkey opposed to this political entity, Roj Ranjbar of BBC Monitoring and Jiyar Gol of BBC Persian, Kurds from Iraq and Iran, discuss the future of the Rojava revolution.

Image: Syria Kurdish woman in Rojava region of Northern Syria Credit: Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty

The Favourite Feb 22, 2019

The British film The Favourite bagged ten nominations for this year's Oscars. David Amanor asked Ahmed Zaki of BBC Arabic, Yana Litvinova of BBC Russian and Ibrat Safo of BBC Uzbek what interest a costume drama about an 18th century queen holds for their audiences.

Image: Olivia Colman Credit: Searchlight Pictures

A Kashmir story Feb 15, 2019

Aamir Peerzada is a journalist for BBC Indian languages. He grew up in Indian-administered Kashmir, during insurgency of the 1990s, and the violence reached his family. It was this tragic event which compelled him to become a journalist.

Image: Aamir Peerzada, video journalist today Copyright: Aamir Peerzada

Life in an Afghan Tea-house Feb 08, 2019

There used to be a tea-house or chaikhana on every corner in Afghanistan. Today they're being displaced by coffee houses, but Auliya Atrafi of BBC Pashto has a soft spot for the traditional tea-house, where people chat and watch the world go by.

Image: Afghan man drinking tea in a tea-house in Herat Credit: Aref Karimi/AFP/GettyImages

Sudan: Bread, Doctors and Teargas Feb 01, 2019

It’s been seven weeks since protests began in Sudan. Many have died, over a thousand have been detained, and what started with a rise in the price of bread has spiralled into demands that President Omar al-Bashir step down. BBC Arabic’s Omar El-Tayeb Ahmed is Sudanese, and has been following the news.

Image: Sudanese anti-government protesters in Omdurman Credit: Contributor/AFP/Getty Images

The Academy That Made Bolsonaro Jan 25, 2019

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro took office at the beginning of the year with a promise to bring military values to a country weary of political corruption scandals. Nearly a third of his cabinet are from the armed forces, all graduates from the Agulhas Negras Military Academy that Bolsonaro also attended. BBC Brasil’s Julia Carniero took a tour.

Image: President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil Credit: EVARISTO SA/AFP/Getty Images

Embedded with US Troops in Iraq Jan 18, 2019

The Americans plan to pull out of Syria but they are continuing the fight against so-called Islamic State from a newly-built base just inside the Iraqi border. Nafiseh Kohnavard of BBC Persian gained rare access and tells us about her experiences living alongside the troops.

Image: Nafiseh Kohnavard reporting from Iraq Credit: BBC

Iranian Tourists Seeking Traffickers Jan 11, 2019

A visa-free travel agreement between Iran and Serbia meant to boost tourism has been used by thousands of Iranians trying to enter the European Union. BBC Persian's Rana Rahimpour teamed up with BBC Serbian’s Stefan Veselinovic to hear the stories of Iranians in the Serbian capital Belgrade.

Image: Iranian migrant walking down Belgrade street, Serbia. Credit: OLIVER BUNIC/AFP/Getty Images

In search of snow leopards Jan 04, 2019

There are only around 4000 snow leopards left in the mountains of Central and South Asia. Yulia James of BBC Russian has been to the Altai region of Siberia in search of these elusive animals.

Image: Snow Leopard Credit: Antagain/Getty Images

My Country in the News: 2018 Dec 28, 2018

Skripal, Khashoggi, and North Korea talks: Olga Ivshina of BBC Russian, Öykü Altuntaş of BBC Turkish and Hwang Su Min, editor of BBC Korean, share their experiences of covering big news stories, as well as the smaller ones that simply raised a smile.

Social media and the news Social media plays an ever greater role in journalism, so how do you manage it? Hanan Razek of BBC Arabic, Bidhaan Dahir of BBC Somali, and Nathalia Passarinho of BBC Brasil share stories of inspiration and insight, as well as threats and confusion.

Image: presenter David Amanor Credit: BBC

Can India Save the Taj Mahal? Dec 21, 2018

What’s happening to the Taj Mahal, India’s most famous building? The beautiful white marble is becoming darker, cracks are appearing, and the foundations are weakening. Salman Ravi of BBC Hindi has been investigating the causes of its decline. Image: Taj Mahal in Agra, India Copyright: Jeff Overs/BBC

Staying Alive in Bamenda, Cameroon Dec 14, 2018

There have been protests in Cameroon’s two English-speaking regions, where people say they are marginalised by the French-speaking majority. There have been violent clashes between rebels and government forces, with civilians caught between. BBC Africa's Peter Tah is based in Bamenda, and has found the story on his doorstep.

Image: a soldier from the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) in Cameroon Credit: AFP/Getty Images

The Story of Mosul's Secret Tunnels Dec 07, 2018

In 2014 the so-called Islamic State blew up the Nabi Yunus mosque in Mosul, and tunneled under the remains in search of archaeological artefacts in the ancient Assyrian palace beneath. When IS was expelled from Mosul the tunnels were sealed off, but BBC Arabic cameraman Namak Khoshnaw, and journalist and former archaeologist Eli Melki, got permission to film inside the tunnels earlier this year. What they found was amazing, but not everything went entirely to plan.

Image: Assyrian carving of three women Copyright: BBC

Weird World Superstitions? Nov 30, 2018

Why are there so many superstitions around the world based on cats? If a black cat crosses your path in England it's lucky, but impending doom in Vietnam. BBC Vietnamese ran a story on this recently, we thought we'll take the superstition theme further with our Fifth Floor colleagues. Starting with Khue Luu of BBC Vietnamese.

Image: black cat Credit: PHAS/Getty Images

Who are Algeria's Harkis? Nov 23, 2018

Algeria’s war of independence left enduring hostility towards the Harkis, Algerians who fought on the side of the French. Rachid Sekkai of BBC Arabic, Algerian himself, has been in Paris to meet Harkis and hear their stories.

Image: Harki veterans at The Invalides ceremony, marking national day of homage to the Harkis. Paris 2018. Credit: Phillipe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

Honey Hunting and Bees in Your Bonnet! Nov 16, 2018

Hunting for wild honey is an old tradition in rural Nepal, and extremely dangerous too, as the bees make their combs on sheer cliff-faces. Villagers descend rope ladders suspended over the void to harvest the honeycomb. And this year the action was filmed by BBC India journalists Aamir Peerzada and Neha Sharma.

Image: Aamir Peerzada and Neha Sharma with wild honey hunters in Nepal Credit: BBC

Abiy-mania: Ethiopia Transformed Nov 09, 2018

Since taking office in April, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has transformed Ethiopia. Peace has been agreed with Eritrea, the streets are largely clear of protesters, and the new cabinet is half female. Ethiopian Christine Yohannes of BBC Amharic tells us more about the man behind the changes.

Image: fan of Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed with his face on her T shirt Credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

My Hanoi Childhood in Five Pictures Nov 02, 2018

Queuing for vegetables, fetching boiling water, and jumping the trams: a newly published collection of black and white photographs of Hanoi, taken not long after the end of the Vietnam War, has transported Ha Mi of BBC Vietnamese back to her childhood.

Image: A queue outside a Hanoi vegetable shop Credit: John Ramsden

Edible Gold Oct 26, 2018

Renowned for its colour, price and fragrance, 90% of the world's saffron is grown in Iran. The BBC's Golnoosh Golshani has family ties to a famous saffron-growing region and she tells us about her relationship with this precious spice.

Image: Iranian saffron in a gold box Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Makoko: Stories of Hope Oct 19, 2018

Makoko is a floating slum in Lagos with a lawless reputation. BBC Pidgin’s Dan Ikpoyi has been a victim of extortion there himself, but his latest video shows a community full of life and optimism. (Image: Makoko floating slum in Lagos. Credit: BBC)

Spies In The Spotlight Oct 12, 2018

The two Russian "tourists" linked to the Salisbury poisoning have been unmasked as secret agents, using little more than open source websites. So is the golden age of Russian spycraft over? Famil Ismailov and Andrei Soshnikov of BBC Russian share insights.

Image: A Man Silhouette In The Night Credit: Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

Bolsonaro: The Man Dividing Brazil Oct 05, 2018

Brazilians vote this weekend for a new President and currently ahead in the polls is right-wing candidate Jair Bolsonaro. To his supporters he’s the man to clean up politics and restore order, to his detractors he’s a misogynist who openly supports the former military dictatorship. Camilla Costa of BBC Brasil has been following a campaign she describes as “quite a ride”.

Image: Brazilian Presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro Credit: HEULER ANDREY/AFP/Getty Images

Don’t Tell Us What to Wear Sep 28, 2018

Kyrgyz singer Zere Asylbek showing her bra in music video, Uzbek teachers in mini-skirts, and controversial portraits of Tajik women. Diloram Ibrahimova of BBC Uzbek and Gulnara Kasmambet of BBC Kyrgyz discuss stories from Central Asia that have started a debate about how women should behave and what they should wear.

Image and credit: Zere Asylbek, Kyrgyz singer

Reclaiming Mogadishu’s Sports Stadium Sep 21, 2018

In 1979 Somalia opened a state of the art sports stadium to host international sporting events. But with the beginning of the civil war in the 1990s the stadium became a base for successions of fighting forces. Last month it was formally handed it back to the state, so can it reclaim its former glory? BBC Somali’s Ahmed Abdinur was a sports official at the stadium during its glory days.

Image: Mogadishu athletics track overgrown with grass and trees after decades of war in Somalia Credit: Mohamed Abdiwahabafp/Getty Images

Pakistan's Ahmadiyya Problem Sep 14, 2018

Last week Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan, appointed a renowned Pakistani economist to an advisory economics panel. But Professor Mian is also a member of the Ahmadiyya religious community, which many Muslims consider to be sacrilegious. Following protests he resigned. So why do the Ahmadiyya stir such passions in Pakistan? BBC Urdu's Khalid Karamat explains.

Image: A man cries as he prays at the graves of victims killed in attacks against Ahmadiyya community mosques in 2010. Credit: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

The Bengali Kitchen Divide Sep 07, 2018

Bengalis are united by a love of good food, but divided over who cooks it. West Bengalis love poppy seeds and sugar, East Bengalis dried fish and chilli. BBC Bangla journalists Manoshi Barua from India's West Bengal state, and Masud Khan from Bangladesh, shed light on the Bengali kitchen divide.

Image: Shukti, or dried fish, is popular in Bangladesh Credit: Majority World/UIG via Getty Images

Lost Stories from Uzbekistan Aug 31, 2018

A chance encounter in a Tashkent street brought BBC Uzbek's Ibrat Safo an amazing story. A local academic took him to a museum dedicated to the Uzbek victims of Stalin's purges, and shared some of the stories he'd uncovered.

Image: Brothers Muhammadjon and Rahmatjon Avazjanov Credit: Bahrom Irzayev

Kerala: Reporting the Floods Aug 24, 2018

As the Indian state of Kerala struggles to cope with the worst floods in a century, Pramila Krishnan of BBC Tamil and Salman Ravi of BBC Hindi tell David Amanor how they've reported on the disaster, and how they came uncomfortably close to the floodwaters.

Image: Indian volunteers rescuing a local resident in Ernakulam Kerala August 2018 Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Sinking Jakarta Aug 17, 2018

Experts predict that large parts of the Indonesian capital will be submerged by 2050 unless action is urgently taken. As a low-lying coastal city, Jakarta is vulnerable to climate change, but the biggest problem is the massive extraction of groundwater, as Mayuri Mei Lin of BBC Indonesian has been finding out.

Image: Residents in Jakarta during floods in February 2018 Credit: NurPhoto/Getty Images

Under Fire in South Ossetia Aug 10, 2018

Ten years ago, conflict broke out between Georgia and Russia over the break-away region of South Ossetia, with the first shells falling on the capital Tskhinvali on 7th August. Watching events unfold from the Georgian capital Tbilisi was Temur Kighuradze, now a journalist with BBC Russian, but then an ambitious young newspaper journalist.

Image: a destroyed building in South Ossetia in August 2008 Credit: VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images

Poet, painter, lover: Kahlil Gibran Aug 03, 2018

A new musical called Broken Wings is on in London this week, based the life of Lebanese-born writer Kahlil Gibran. BBC Arabic's Nahed Najjar is a fan, and explains why Gibran remains so popular across the Arabic-speaking world nearly 90 years after his death.

Image: Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931) Credit: Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Voices Across a Divide Jul 27, 2018

President Trump’s zero tolerance immigration policy has polarised opinion in the US. BBC Mundo reporter Patricia Sulbaran followed the story of 11 year old Honduran Brayan, separated from his father. Brazilian Hugo Bachega visited a small town in Ohio which recently saw raids on undocumented Mexicans working there, a move residents support.

Image: holding hands Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Pakistan's Election Hotseat Jul 20, 2018

It's election time in Pakistan, and BBC Urdu has been finding out what voters think. Hassan Zaidi has been following the social media chatter; and Hussain Askari has been criss-crossing the country in the company of 3 women bikers, 3 life-sized cardboard cut-outs of prominent politicians, and a big yellow chair.

Photo: The yellow chair of power in Karachi Credit: BBC

Thai cave rescue: behind the scenes Jul 13, 2018

Overnight laundry, halal meals, and the reading habits of the rescue chief: insights from BBC Thai's Watchiranont Thongep into some of the volunteers helping behind the scenes with the rescue of the Boo Pa football team from the Tham Luang caves.

Image: cooking food for the Thai cave rescuers Credit: BBC

Nigeria: herders and farmers in crisis Jul 06, 2018

Many parts of Nigeria have seen increasingly violent clashes between farmers and Fulani herdsmen. Who are the Fulani, and what really lies behind the violence? Questions for Halima Umar from BBC Hausa and BBC Yoruba's Ahmed Ambali. Photo: Nigerian Herdsman. Credit: Emmanuel Arewa / AFP /Getty Images)

Ethiopia & Eritrea: Peace? Jun 29, 2018

This week an Eritrean government delegation arrived in Ethiopia, an event unimaginable even a month ago. The two countries clashed in a border war in 1998, and despite a ceasefire the standoff has continued over the border town of Badme. But with a new Prime Minister in Ethiopia it seems peace may finally be possible. BBC Tigrinya journalists Tesfalem Araia from Eritrea, and Berihu Lilay from the Tigray region of Ethiopia, discuss developments.

Image: Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (L) and Eritrea's Foreign minister Osman Saleh Mohammed (R) in Addis Ababa as Eritrea's delegation arrives for peace talks Credit: Yonas Tadesseyonas /AFP/Getty Images

Afghanistan: A Moment of Peace Jun 22, 2018

Afghans had a rare taste of peace during the Eid ceasefire between the government and the Taliban. At the same time, a peace march from Helmand reached Kabul. The BBC's Malaika Ahmadzai interviewed a member of the Taliban, and Karim Haidari met the marchers as they approached the capital.

Image: Taliban greet people on Eid al-Fitr amid ceasefire in Herat, 17 June 2018 Credit: Jalil Rezayee/European Photopress

Sticks of Power Jun 15, 2018

BBC Afaan Oromo is sticking up for an ancient tradition in rural communities which is enjoying a revival among young urban Ethiopians. The "siinque" is a stick that offers protection to Oromo women. Yadeta Berhanu and Firaafoli Dhugasa tell us more.

Image: Oromo women holding their siinques Credit: BBC

Angry and Divided: Nicaragua in Crisis Jun 08, 2018

In Nicaragua, mass protests sparked by pension cuts have escalated into unprecedented social unrest. More than 130 people have been killed, and protesters are calling for President Daniel Ortega to stand down. The conflict has divided the country and set friends and families against each other. Arturo Wallace is from Nicaragua and has been covering the story for BBC Mundo.

Image: An anti-government demonstrator fires a home-made mortar in Masaya, Nicaragua. Credit: Inti OCONINTI OCON/AFP/Getty Images

Throwing Off The Veil in Iran Jun 01, 2018

When Iranian activist Masih Alinejad posted a picture of herself driving without a hijab, she had no idea what she was starting. Five years later, thousands of women have joined her movement against the mandatory hijab, and they have become a force for the Iranian government to reckon with. The BBC's Nassim Hatam has been following the story.

Image: Iranian woman with wind in hair, veil held aloft Credit: mystealthyfreedom

A Tale of Two Flowers in Afghanistan May 25, 2018

It's a bumper year for two lucrative flower crops in Afghanistan. Rose-growers are harvesting flowers for rose oil whilst at the same time, illicit opium production has reached a record high. BBC Afghan's Auliya Atrafi tells the stories behind the flowers.

Image: (L) Damask Rose in Syria (R) and Poppies in Afghanistan Credit: (L) LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images Credit: (R) JAVED TANVEER/AFP/Getty Images

Shot At and Besieged: Quetta's Targeted Community May 18, 2018

For the past 20 years, the Hazara ethnic group in Pakistan - who follow Shia Islam - have been targeted and attacked by militants. BBC Urdu's Musa Yawari, a Hazara himself, recently reported from his hometown Quetta on the lives of Hazara taxi drivers who make dangerous journeys ferrying passengers from one Hazara district to another, but he remembers happier times as well.

Image: Hazara graveyard Credit: BBC

Indonesia's Child Soldiers May 11, 2018

In 1999 Christians and Muslims in the Indonesian island of Ambon turned on each other. Thousands were killed, but one aspect of the conflict never reported before is the involvement of child soldiers. As part of the Crossing Divides season BBC Indonesia's Endang Nurdin went to the island to meet Ronald and Iskander, former child combatants from opposing sides, now working together for peace.

Image: (L) Ronald Regang and (R) Iskandar Slameth Credit: BBC

Being a Naija May 04, 2018

Lagos is Africa's most populous city stretching from the Atlantic seaboard and lagoons from where the city gets its name to the Nigerian mainland. Over 20 million people live there - around 100 working as journalists at the BBC Lagos bureau. It's through their lives that we're getting to know another side of Nigeria today.

Image: BBC Lagos staff Credit: BBC

Afghanistan's Saur Revolution: 40th Anniversary Apr 27, 2018

Forty years ago the Afghan Communist party overthrew President Mohammad Daoud. Abdullah Shadan from BBC Afghan Service was a journalist at the state broadcaster at the time, and watched events unfold.

Image: Afghan communist supporters in Kabul 1979 Photo credit: S Sobolev/AFP/Getty Images

Goodbye Castro! Apr 20, 2018

After six decades Cuba is no longer ruled by a Castro. Fidel Castro, succeeded by his brother Raul, influenced some of the world's most powerful nations. We hear from Jinxi Cao of BBC Chinese, Audrey Brown of BBC Africa and Irena Taranyuk of BBC Ukrainian.

Image: Irena Taranyuk, Jinxi Cao, Audrey Brown and David Amanor in The Fifth Floor studio Credit: BBC

Unravelling My Father's Mystery Life Apr 13, 2018

40 years ago Manoshi Barua inherited a notebook with an old newspaper clipping inside. It was in Chinese, and showed a photo of her father as a young Indian doctor working in China. So what did it say? When chance brought Manoshi together on the fifth floor with BBC China's Yuwen Wu she finally had the opportunity to crack the mystery.

Image: Manoshi Barua holding a newspaper cutting Credit: BBC

Lula Behind the Scenes Apr 06, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Friend and Musician Hugh Masekela Jan 26, 2018

Legendary South African jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela has died at the age of 78. One person who knew him well was Focus on Africa's Audrey Brown, who's also South African. She discusses the laughs, the conversations and the man behind the music.

Image: Hugh Masekela Credit: PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images

The Pope in Chile Jan 19, 2018

Pope Francis was in Chile this week, but he wasn't received with as much enthusiasm as the late Pope John Paul II thirty years ago. Chilean radio host Paula Molina reports regularly for BBC Mundo, and shares her impressions of both visits.

Image: Pope Francis in the northern city of Iquique, Chile Credit: VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images

Sharing Secrets From the Red Carpet Jan 12, 2018

The Golden Globes and Oscars are synonymous with fashion and glamour. But for those who cover the ceremonies, they also mean long hours in high heels or tuxedos in a tiny space, trying to get good quotes and pictures from superstars. Beatriz Diez from BBC Mundo and Bahman Kalbasi from BBC Persian share secrets, tricks and anecdotes from the red carpet.

Image: BBC Persian's Bahman Kalbasi with "The Crown" stars Claire Foy and Matt Smith on the red carpet at the 2018 Golden Globes Credit: BBC

Indian Voices From The First World War Jan 05, 2018

The British Library holds several recordings of soldiers from South Asia who fought for the British during the First World War. One of them, Punjabi soldier Mall Singh, was taken prisoner by the Germans in 1915, who used the latest technology to record his voice. Ishleen Kaur of BBC Hindi tells the story behind the recording.

Image: Indian infantrymen on the march in France during World War I Credit: Hulton Archive/Stringer/Getty Images

My Name, My Identity Dec 29, 2017

What does your name say about your identity? Can it define or influence your personality? In many languages a name can be very revealing about culture, ethnicity and religion. Stories from Famil Ismailov of BBC Russian, Janay Boulos of BBC Arabic and Cagil Kasapoglu of BBC Turkish - after some examples in the Kinyarwanda language.

Image: David Amanor and members of the BBC's language services Credit: BBC

Witch-hunting in Rajasthan Dec 22, 2017

The north Indian state of Rajasthan has registered 50 cases of witch-hunting since 2015 even though it has banned the practice. BBC Hindi's Sumiran Preet Kaur has been to one district and met women whose lives have been changed forever.

Image: 80 year old Ramkanya Devi, branded a witch Credit: BBC

Mozambique's 'Ghost' Airport Dec 15, 2017

No passengers and no planes - Nacala International Airport in Mozambique cost millions and was meant to help the economies of both Mozambique and Brazil. Instead, it has proved an expensive white elephant. Amanda Rossi of BBC Brasil went to Nacala to find out more.

Image: Mozambique's "ghost" airport Credit: BBC

Fleeing Home: An Iraqi-Kurdish Story Dec 08, 2017

Roj Ranjbar has experienced displacement three times in his life. Roj is an Iraqi Kurd with BBC Monitoring, he's covered the recent referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, and subsequent developments as Kurds face renewed civil conflict with Baghdad. Watching the images coming out of Kirkuk of families fleeing their homes has triggered memories of his own family's experiences in the 1990s.

Image: Families fleeing Kirkuk, Iraq in trucks Credit: MARWAN IBRAHIM/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Living with Mugabe Dec 01, 2017

After 37 years of the Mugabe regime, Zimbabweans are adjusting to life without him. Most of the population have only known his rule, and he had become part of the fabric of the country. Two BBC Africa Zimbabweans - Kim Chakanetsa and Stanley Kwenda - share memories of the Mugabe era and the moment when it ended.

Image: School children holding an image of Robert Mugabe’s face Credit: JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/Getty Images

Commuting in the Skies of Medellin Nov 24, 2017

Medellin in Colombia was one of the first cities in South America to integrate cable cars into its metro transit system. The Metrocable links the affluent valley with poor neighbourhoods in the hills. Arturo Wallace of BBC Mundo explains how it's also affected social attitudes.

Image: Metrocable car in Medellin, Columbia Credit: RAUL ARBOLEDA /Stringer/Getty Images

Being Thai Nov 17, 2017

Thailand encompasses a large geographical, ethnic and cultural range, so is there such a thing as 'Thainess'? BBC Thai colleagues Watchiranont Thongtep, Thitipol Panyalompanun, Thanyarat Doksone and Jiraporn Kuhakan consider the question.

Image: A crowd celebrating Songkran, or the Thai New Year, in Bangkok Credit: LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/Getty Images

Reporting Mosul: A Journalist's Story Nov 10, 2017

Three years ago, a lightning advance by about 800 jihadist fighters in northern Iraq morphed into a global threat. Nafiseh Kohnavard of BBC Persian has followed the fight against so-called Islamic State, and she witnessed the toughest battle for Iraqi forces, to retake Mosul.

Image: Nafiseh Kohnavard sitting wearing helmet and flak jacket in Mosul Credit: BBC

Insulted and spurned: Somali Gabooye Nov 03, 2017

Qalib Barud of BBC Somali recently reported on discrimination in Somali society against a group of clans commonly referred to as the Gabooye.

Image: A shoemaker, one of the Gabooye clans, mends a shoe Credit: BBC

Apples, Dams and the Taliban Oct 27, 2017

It's a short but risky journey from Kabul to the centre of neighbouring Wardak province - much of which is under Taliban control. BBC Afghan's Auliya Atrafi looked beyond conflict on his recent reporting trip - to the university local people built for themselves, and new power from an old hydro station.

Image: Landscape in Chak Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan Credit: BBC

India's Deccan Queen Oct 20, 2017

The Deccan Queen train links Pune in the hills with Mumbai down on the coast, and is older than the state of India itself. It's also India's only train to have a dining car. BBC Marathi's Mayuresh Konnur is from Pune and knows it well.

Image: Train sign for Deccan Queen Credit: BBC

Kenya's Election Drama Oct 13, 2017

The Kenyan presidential election took another surprising turn this week. The crisis has seen protests, a shock intervention from the judiciary, and now the surprise withdrawal of the main opposition candidate. Kenyans Esther Kahumbi and Dickens Olewe from BBC Africa share their stand-out moments.

Image: Kenya election protests: crowds protesting on streets, watercannons firing jets Credit: YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images

Cameroon's Ghost town protests Oct 06, 2017

Ghost town is the name Cameroonians have given to a civil disobedience action where daily life is brought to a standstill. It began last year as an expression of dissent in the two English speaking regions of Cameroon, but tensions between them and the Francophone dominated government go back to the 1960s. Last week a number of protestors demanding independence were shot dead by gendarmes. BBC Africa's Randy Jo Sa'ah was in Bamenda following the story.

Image: Demonstrators in Bamenda, the main town in northwest Cameroon Credit: Getty Images/stringer/AFP

Rwandan BBC journeys Sep 29, 2017

Prudent Nsengiyumva and Didier Bikorimana are colleagues at BBC Great Lakes, a journey that began for Prudent entertaining his family with dining table news reports, and for Didier listening to the Great Lakes Lifeline programme which tried to reunite families separated by the 1994 genocide.

Image: Rwandan boy listening to transistor radio Credit: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images

New Comic Book Heroines Sep 22, 2017

Two new super-heroines have been launched recently in comic book form. Pakistan Girl joins her established superhero colleague Pakistan Man, and in Nigeria a character called Ngozi joins Marvel's family of mutant super-beings. Can they make a difference in their neighbourhoods? David Amanor finds out from Halima Umar Sale of BBC Hausa and BBC Urdu's Henna Saeed.

Image: Pakistan Girl cartoon in library Credit: FAROOQ NAEEMAFP/Getty Images

The Uphill Battle For Hearts And Minds Sep 15, 2017

Winning hearts and minds has always been a high priority for the US-led coalition which invaded Afghanistan nearly sixteen years ago. But the campaign hasn't always gone to plan, as with a recent airdrop of leaflets that caused so much offence that people rioted in the streets. Moheb Mudessir from BBC Afghan explains.

Image: Afghan Shepherd Boy Credit: GETTY IMAGES/HOSHANG HASHIMI

Afghanistan's Volatile North Sep 08, 2017

In Northern Afghanistan, a ferocious and complicated fight has been raging for years with little attention from the outside world. In the remote Darzab distict in Jowzan province the Taliban, so called Islamic State, government forces and local warlords fight for control. It's a very difficult place to access as a journalist, but BBC Uzbek's Firuz Rahimi grew up in the area, and recently returned.

Image: a machine gun emplacement in Afghanistan's Jowzan province Credit: BBC

What's in a Name? Sep 01, 2017

Geeta Pandey recently reported on a rare move by women in an Indian village to challenge the practice of wives never saying their husbands' names; a tradition her own parents observed. In Afghanistan a social media campaign #Whereismyname asserted the right for women to be known by their own names and not just by their relationship to a male relative. Shekiba Habib of BBC Afghan and Geeta Pandey in Delhi tell us what happens when traditions are challenged.

Image: couple holding hands with wedding rings Credit: JAY DIRECTO/AFP/Getty Images

Damascus Nightlife Aug 25, 2017

It's Saturday night, bars and pubs are busy, and loud music pumps out of nightclubs. BBC Arabic's Omar Abdel-Razek tells David Amanor about discovering a surprising side to life in the Syrian capital Damascus, where six years into the civil war a new nightlife has emerged.

Image: barman pouring shots in Damascus Credit: BBC

On the world's highest battlefield Aug 18, 2017

The Siachen Glacier is the world's highest battlefield, straddling the disputed border between India and Pakistan in northern Kashmir. Thousands of soldiers have died there - mostly, since the 2003 ceasefire, from the harsh conditions. BBC Urdu's Abid Hussain paid a rare visit.

Photo: Pakistan army drills on Siachen Glacier, credit: BBC

It all started with a letter Aug 11, 2017

In 2007, BBC Urdu's Arif Shamim made a documentary based on letters he discovered after the death of his great-uncle in Lahore. They were written in 1947 by the original owner of his uncle's house, who fled to India after Partition. He was unable to trace the writer or his family, but the story has now moved on. Arif told Faranak Amidi how it all started.

Image: Letter and envelopes. Credit: Arif Shamim/BBC.

The Trouble with Che Aug 04, 2017

The Argentinian revolutionary Che Guevara is an iconic figure whose face adorns countless t-shirts and posters. But some of his countrymen have mixed feelings about him, and there's even a campaign to pull down his statue in his birthplace, Rosario. BBC Mundo's Macarena Gagliardi explores Argentina's complex relationship with its famous son.

Image: Graffiti painting of Che Guevara Credit: EITAN ABRAMOVICH/Getty Images

Brazil: Facing the Legacy of Slavery Jul 28, 2017

Cais do Valongo, or Valongo Wharf, was recently designated a world heritage site. It's an old stone pier in Rio de Janeiro built for the landing of almost one million enslaved Africans in the 19th century. It was unearthed a few years ago and has brought to the fore difficult questions about the legacy of the slave trade. Fernando Duarte of BBC Brasil, who's from Rio, feels it's a story that's been hidden from view for too long.

Image: People passing the Valongo slave wharf in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Inside Myanmar's Rakhine State Jul 21, 2017

This week a Thai court convicted 60 people for human trafficking, with victims including Rohingya people. Rohingya are a muslim minority in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, but the Burmese government doesn't recognise them as citizens, and five years ago large numbers began to flee their homes after becoming victims of widespread violence and abuse. Rohmatin Bonasir of BBC Indonesian recently went to Rakhine State, where many of the Rohingya live, to visit an Indonesian funded school there, as well as a refugee camp in Bangladesh.

Image: BBC Indonesia's Rohmatin Bonasir holding a Rohingya child in Bangladesh refugee camp Credit: BBC

Taking Journalism to New Heights Jul 14, 2017

BBC Urdu's Aliya Nazki and Suhail Haleem talk us through their reporting trip up a mountain in Indian-administered Kashmir - to visit the remarkable Haji Public School. The only way up was on foot or on horseback. So they saddled up, and tried not to look down...

Image: Aliya Nazki Credit: BBC

Biafra War 50 Years On Jul 07, 2017

This week marked the 50th anniversary of the Biafra war. Millions died, mostly from famine, as Nigerian government forces defeated attempts by the Igbo people in the south east to claim an independent Biafran state. You might think an event of such magnitude would be burned into the nation's memory, but it's not a part of history that many young Nigerians know much about. BBC Africa's Tomi Oladipo has been filling in some of those gaps.

Image: Biafran flag painted on a wall Photo credit: STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images

South Africa and the Land Question Jun 30, 2017

Audrey Brown's documentary Give Back the Land tells the story of a white Western Cape vineyard owner attempting to make reparations for the land his family "stole" 6 generations ago. Land rights and reparations remain contentious in South Africa 23 years after the end of apartheid, and are close to the heart of Audrey, whose family come from this area.

Image: Solms winery in South Africa Credit: Solms Delta Estate

Kashmir: Letters across the Divide Jun 23, 2017

BBC Hindi recently brought together two schoolgirls, one from Delhi and one from Indian-administered Kashmir, to became penfriends. What they have in common is music and youth, but they're divided by regional loyalties and religion in the long-running dispute over Kashmir. So the question is: can the two teenagers find common ground? The reporter behind the project is Divya Arya.

Image and credit: Teenage penfriends Duaa (L) in Indian Administered Kashmir and Saumya (R) in Delhi, India

Life Under The Afghan Taliban Jun 16, 2017

BBC Afghan's Auliya Atrafi is just back from his home province, Helmand, where for the first time he had access to areas under Taliban control. He visited the de facto Taliban capital of Musa, and found much to surprise him.

Image: Auliya Atrafi with the Taliban Credit: BBC

Pyramid Challenge: Sudan Versus Egypt Jun 09, 2017

Rumours of a film project about Sudanese ancient history have been raising hackles in neighbouring Egypt. The dispute is over which country had the most significant ancient civilisation on the Nile. BBC Africa's Mohanad Hashim, who's from Khartoum, puts the case for Sudan.

Camel riders in front of the Sudanese pyramids Credit: Ashraf Shazly/AFP/Getty Images

Hunger in Venezuela Jun 02, 2017

The images coming out of Venezuela show a country in turmoil. The economy is failing, violent protests on the streets have left nearly 60 dead, and figures recently released show that child mortality has also increased in a country that was once the wealthiest in the region. Vladimir Hernandez is a Venezuelan journalist with the BBC and recently came back with a troubling report from his home country about child malnutrition.

Image: Venezuelan girl Credit: BBC

Stories from the Silk Road May 19, 2017

The news has been full of China's One Belt One Road mega-infrastructure project to connect Asia, Europe and the Horn of Africa. It's a sort of modern day version of the ancient Silk Road - and what better opportunity to take a trip of our own. The Fifth Floor follows those famous caravan routes with Rustam Qobil of BBC Uzbek, Venera Koicheva of BBC Kyrgyz, Temtsel Hao of BBC Chinese and Daud Junbish of BBC Afghan.

Image: Catalonian merchants on the Silk Road from the 'Catalan Atlas' of 1375 Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

War and Manhood: Breaking the Silence May 12, 2017

Natalia Guerrero of BBC Mundo has tackled a taboo issue in her home country, Colombia. Thousands of soldiers have lost limbs due to land mines during the country's 50 year conflict with rebels, but what's seldom talked about are the numbers who've experienced genital injury, or the 'silent wound'. Natalia talks to soldiers and doctors keen to break that silence.

Image: Soldier Stivinson Mena Rivas lost a leg, a finger and had genital injuries due to a mine. Credit: Gregorio Mariño

Who are India's Naxalites? May 05, 2017

Last month 25 soldiers were killed in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh by Maoist or Naxalite rebels. It's the latest episode in a 50 year conflict which has left thousands dead and tens of thousands homeless. So who are the Naxalites? BBC Hindi's Salman Ravi explains the movement and its origins.

Guyanese rodeo Grab your Stetson and pull on those cowboy boots: it's rodeo time in Guyana. This unexpected slice of the wild, wild west takes part in the small ranching town of Lethem and Carinya Sharples went along to join the fun.

The gangs of Japan - and Brazil A big business group in Japan had a recent internal disagreement, leading to a splinter group forming. Interviews were given and statements made. What's unusual about the story is that it's about a yakuza or crime syndicate. Ewerthon Tobace reports for BBC Brasil from Tokyo.

Umaru and the diamonds Next week a 709 carat rough diamond from Sierra Leone will go under the hammer. It was found in the Kono region, where BBC Africa's Umaru Fofana grew up, and it turns out he's no stranger to diamond mining.

China's TV dating show A new TV show called Chinese Dating has captured the hearts of viewers across China. What makes it unusual is that here it's the contestants' parents who make the choices. Suping from BBC Chinese has been viewing.

And Fifi Haroon's pick of the world wide web

Image: Arms seized from Maoists in Orissa's Malkangiri district following a fierce gun battle with police Credit: STR/AFP/Getty Images

Militias, Magic and Wooden Guns Apr 28, 2017

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has a long history of instability and conflict. Trouble recently flared up in the central Kasai region, and the BBC's Catherine Byaruhanga got rare access to the area, meeting the rebel militias fighting in this little-known uprising.

Keep Your Distance! When it comes to personal space how close is too close? We get up close and personal with our Fifth Floor colleagues to find out why there's so much variation worldwide.

Brazilian borders This week's audacious bank robbery in Paraguay was made possible by the relatively porous borders between Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. BBC Brasil's Fernanda Odilla has visited the area, popular with tourists visiting the Iguazu Falls, as well as with criminals keen to shift loot.

The Mother of all Bombsites News that America had dropped a Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb (MOAB), also known as "the mother of all bombs", on caves used by Islamic State fighters in Afghanistan made headlines worldwide. Auliya Atrafi of BBC Afghan was surprised by what he found at the site.

All aboard Lenin's train It's 100 years since Vladimir Lenin set off from exile in Switzerland to join the revolution in Russia. BBC Russian has followed his train journey from Zurich looking for answers to questions which are rarely asked in Russia itself. Answers from Anastasia Uspenskaya.

And Fifi Haroon shares the odder moments from the web this week.

Rebel militias in the DR Congo Kasai conflict. Credit: BBC

Who is Yogi Adityanath? Apr 21, 2017

If India's Uttar Pradesh were a country it would be the fifth largest in the world. The state's new chief minister is Yogi Adityanath of the BJP party, which won a sweeping victory in last month's elections. The BBC's Geeta Pandey in Delhi has been analysing his popularity and following the controversies that surround him.

Goodbye Krushchyovkas... Around 1.5 million people in Moscow are waiting anxiously to hear more about plans to tear down the outdated Soviet blocks they live in. Hundreds of so-called Krushchyovkas have already been demolished, and 8,000 more are about to be flattened. BBC Russian's Oleg Boldyrev shares memories of growing up in one.

Ending the hunt for Kony Ugandan troops have called off the search for Joseph Kony, the notorious leader of the Lord's Resistance Army known for the destruction of rural communities in northern Uganda. The violence, enslavement and abduction of children also affected South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic. We get the response of BBC Africa's Paul Bakibinga.

We don't have that word! Fifth Floor journalists are constantly translating complex news stories from English, a task which can be fiendishly difficult as often their languages lack the word or entire concepts. There are some surprising omissions.

Making a hit out of corruption China has been gripped by a new tv drama about corruption investigators. 'In The Name of the People' goes behind the scenes in Chinese politics to reveal greed, immorality and violence. Yashan Zhao of BBC Chinese tells us why she's a fan.

And Fifi Haroon's pick of the world wide web.

Image: Yogi Adityanath Uttar Pradesh's new leader Credit: SANJAY KANOJIA/AFP/Getty Images

The Mystery of Tanzania's Kidnapped Rappers Apr 14, 2017

Tanzanians have been mystified by the recent kidnapping and reappearance of two rappers. Who was behind the abductions? Why are musicians being singled out? Sammy Awami has been following the story for BBC Swahili.

Kathmandu bans horn-honking Horn-honking reaches deafening proportions on Nepali New Year, 14th April. So will a new honking ban for drivers in Kathmandu return the city to a quieter, more bucolic soundscape? BBC Nepali's Surendra Phuyal considers the question.

Turkish online surveillance Social media is being used by Turkish citizens to spy on and denounce people suspected of anti-government sentiments. Tweets and Facebook posts are enough to lose someone their job or land them in court. Pinar Sevinclidr of BBC Monitoring talks us through some recent cases.

Indonesia's 'motherless' generation BBC Indonesian's Rohmatin Bonasir has been finding out what happens to children left behind by migrant worker mothers. Millions of Indonesian women work abroad, and mothers and children pay a high price.

Senegalese seductresses BBC Afrique's Leone Ouedraogo, who's from Burkino Faso, is spending time in Dakar in Senegal. Which seemed an excellent opportunity to find out if Senegalese women really are the best wives and expert seductresses everyone at home had always told her they were.

And Fifi Haroon's pick of the world wide web.

Image: Rapper Roma giving a press conference after being released by kidnappers Credit: BBC/Sammy Awami

Where Ex-President Jammeh Went Next Apr 07, 2017

Since leaving Gambia, former President Yahya Jammeh has been living in Equatorial Guinea. Home to Africa's longest serving leader, it's rich in resources, but tends to be in the news for all the wrong reasons. BBC Africa's Umaru Fofana has been following ex-President Jammeh's progress. He gives us a short guide to his new home.

The famous guavas of Kohat Kohat in northern Pakistan is famous for its fabulous guavas. BBC Urdu's Rifatullah Orakzai shares memories of family picnics in the guava orchards and laments their decline.

A guide to Afghan warlords Why are Afghanistan's warlords still so important? First they fought the Soviets, then each other, and now they seem to be permanently woven into society and politics. Insights from BBC Afghan's Dawood Azami.

Capoeira in Brazil and Africa As the Brazilian martial art capoeira continues to gain new fans around the world, BBC Brasil's resident capoeirista Rafael Barifouse explains its magic and mystery.

Why bets are on in Vietnam For decades, the Vietnamese passion for gambling has largely been indulged illegally due to strict restrictions. So how significant is the government decision to allow bets on selected sporting events? Over to Nga Pham of BBC Vietnamese.

And Fifi Haroon's stories from the world wide web.

Image: Ex-President Jammeh leaves Gambia Credit: STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images

"The only place I belong" Mar 31, 2017

A hometown on the front-line in Yemen; revisiting Brazilian childhood stories; a behaviour guide for Russian's abroad; African communities in India; Fifi Haroon's web roundup; and cleaning up the sex trade in Thailand.

First Daughters Club? Mar 24, 2017

First daughters; Thai street food; India's phone Romeos; escape from Raqqa; joy in CAR

Image: Influential First Daughters Credit: Getty, Reuters, BBC and Presidency of Tajikistan

Astana, City of the Steppes Mar 17, 2017

Astana; Brazilian ghosts; Harare potholes; Belarus protests; fire jumping; Somali pirates Image: Astana Credit: LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

My Delhi, My India Mar 10, 2017

Passions that unite - and divide: what does it mean to be Indian? Stories from BBC Delhi. (Photo: David Amanor and Vikas Pandey in Delhi)

A Battle Of Resources Between The Poorest Of The Poor Mar 03, 2017

South Africa has recently seen immigrant communities targeted in a spate of attacks, with Nigerians, Somalis and Zimbabweans among those whose homes and businesses have been looted. Mpho Lakaje who reports for the BBC Africa from Johannesburg compares this current wave of violence with previous xenophobic attacks.

Congolese Libanga With the collapse of CD sales and little to share out from concerts, Congolese musicians have found a new way to make money. It's called Libanga, with the rich and aspiring paying to get their names dropped into the music. It's keeping musicians paid but is it ruining the music? We asked Mila Kimbuini, a Congolese journalist with BBC Afrique.

Poets, carpets and reformed assassins I Stared at the Night of the City by Bakhtiyar Ali is thought to be the first Kurdish language novel to be translated into English. There's poetry, magic, murder and corruption, so what can this novel tell us about life in the autonomous Kurdish region? Over to translator Kareem Abdulrahman and fellow Iraqi Kurd Roj Ranjbar of BBC Monitoring.

Taliban Trees This week the head of the Taliban in Afghanistan urged Afghans to plant more trees. So does this mark a change of direction? BBC Afghan's Ismael Saadat explores the country's problems with trees.

Coptic Christians in North Sinai The recent flight of Coptic Christians from North Sinai has drawn attention to Egypt's long-running struggle against an IS-affiliated group in the province,which is now targeting Christians. Mariam Rizk of BBC Monitoring in Cairo explains why it's so hard to discover what's really happening in North Sinai.

Plus Fifi Haroon rounds up the week's wackier online stories.

Image: Demonstrator holding banner in Johannesburg to protest against xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Credit: Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images.

Egypt's Silent Stadiums Feb 24, 2017

Empty football stadia; Ethiopian raw meat; PC Carnival; mother tongues; Somali nicknames

Reading The Sky: 21st Century Astrology Feb 17, 2017

A Sri Lankan astrologer was recently arrested for wrongly predicting the death of his president during January. In many cultures, the advice of an astrologer is a crucial part of everyday life, and often influences business and political decisions. Why are astrologers still so popular in this technological age? A question for Carol Yarwood of BBC Chinese, Nopporn Wong-Anan of BBC Thai, and Sangeetha Rajan of BBC Tamil.

Dead presidents Rumours about Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari's death have been rife this week. He is apparently alive and in London, and has found time to speak on the telephone to Donald Trump. But it's not unusual for presidents to be killed off long before they actually die, as we find out from Bara'atu Ibrahim of BBC Hausa, Famil Ismailov of BBC Russian and Rafael Chacon of BBC Mundo.

Romance without Valentine's Day This week's court ban on celebrating Valentine's Day in the Pakistani capital Islamabad put a spotlight on the challenges of enjoying romance in a conservative society. Ghazanfar Hyder of BBC Urdu tells us what it's like to be young and romantic in Pakistan today.

Tajikistan and Uzbekistan: the thaw After a freeze of 25 years, relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have started to thaw with the re-opening of a direct air link. The BBC's Khayrulla Fayz - an ethnic Uzbek from Tajikistan - remembers when you could cross from one country to the other without realising. He explains what went wrong in the relationship, and what the current thaw means to people in both countries.

India in space India's space agency launched a flock of 104 satellites into space over the course of 18 minutes on Wednesday, nearly tripling the previous record for single-day satellite launches and establishing India as a key player in a growing market. Although there is no direct space rivalry between China and India, some analysts have made comparisons with the US-Soviet space race. We hear from Suniti Singh of BBC Monitoring.

And Fifi Haroon's pick of the world wide web.

Image: Solar Eclipse observed in Asia. Credit: Feng Li/Getty Images.

Iran's Kurdish Smugglers Feb 10, 2017

Jiyar Gol recently met the Iranian Kurdish strongmen who haul dozens of tyres on their backs over the border from Iraqi Kurdistan. It's a story that went out on BBC Persian, and had a big impact in Iran, as it coincided with the death this week of three smugglers in an avalanche. Jiyar tells us more about the people he met and the dangerous border crossing.

The many accents of Colombia Cachaco, pastuso, caleño - not new Latin dance fads, but just three of the dozens of dialects spoken in Colombia. For BBC Mundo, Beatriz de la Pava enlisted people from across her country to share words and accents with the rest of Latin America. She speculates about why there's such diversity in Colombia - and analyses her own accent.

A brief history of Russian poisoning The Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza was this week reported to be in a coma in hospital. His wife claims that he had been poisoned, and for the second time. He's not the first troublesome Russian to be the victim of suspected poisoning: from Rasputin to Litvinenko, traces of poison run through Russia's political history. Over to BBC Russian news editor Famil Ismailov.

Indian snake-catchers in Florida The Irula tribesmen from southern India are serious snake-catchers, hunting snakes and milking them for their venom. Their fame has spread to the Florida Everglades, where two Irula snake-catchers have been called in to help catch Burmese pythons which have been eating their way through the local wildlife. Soutik Biswas in Delhi has been following their progress and investigating their lucrative snake venom trade.

Protesting Romanian-style Recent demonstrations in the Romanian capital Bucharest have caught the world's attention. The catalyst was a government move to soften anti-corruption legislation, and last Sunday an estimated half a million people took to the streets. Ioana Dumitrescu of BBC Monitoring is our guide to the language and style of Romanian protests.

And Fifi Haroon's pick of the world wide web.

Image: Iranian Kurdish smugglers Credit: BBC

Translating President Trump Feb 03, 2017

The new president of the United States has set a challenge to interpreters and translators. His off the cuff, informal style sometimes makes it hard to convey his exact meaning in other languages - even in English it can be unclear. We explore the intricacies of translating Trump into Farsi and French with BBC Persian's Siavash Ardalan and BBC Afrique's Olivier Weber.

Colombia's other war Much has been made of the peace deal between the Colombian government and the FARC rebel group to end five decades of conflict. But less is heard about the war with another rebel group, the ELN, or National Liberation Army. But now peace talks are set to begin. Natalio Cosoy of BBC Mundo recently visited the town of Saravena close to the Venezuelan border, an area where the ELN is active.

Yours respectfully - deference around the world Cameroonian Sports Minister Pierre Ismaël Bidoung Kpwatt was recently pictured bowing down dramatically low to shake the hand of President Paul Biya. This display of extreme deference kicked off a social media trend, with people competing to adopt the lowest, most theatrical bows and handshakes. So how is deference expressed in different countries, and can it be taken too far?

Somalia election coverage After months of delays, Somalia has finally nailed a date for its presidential election and BBC Somali are getting ready to cover it. Easier said than done in a country emerging from decades of war, where the electoral process is potentially tortuous and journalists face constant security risks. Mohammud Ali of BBC Somali in Nairobi is organising the team as they prepare for this historic election.

"Broken neck girl" Every week, Marwa Mamoon of BBC Arabic ransacks history books and other archives for her weekly radio programme Story Shop. She recently found a story embedded in an everyday phrase used by Egyptian mothers to scold naughty daughters. It translates literally as "broken neck girl" and goes back to the sad fate of a Cairo aristocrat after the French invasion.

And Fifi Haroon's pick of the world wide web.

Image: President Trump of the United States of America. Credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images.

Tips on Surviving Chinese New Year Jan 27, 2017

How to survive Chinese New Year It's Chinese New Year, with millions on the move to be with their families. But some young Chinese say they're fed up with what awaits them when they finally get home - a grilling about their personal lives. Yashan Zhao from BBC Hong Kong explains why Chinese New Year can be such a mixed experience. The secret of a long life? Devote yourself to art. Everyone wants to know the secret of a happy and healthy old age. It seems that in Nepal, it helps to be an artist. The BBC's Sewa Bhattarai has interviewed several artists in their 90s, still active and creative - like Nepal's 98-year-old national poet Madhav Prasad Ghimire.

The unexpected president The latest hit tv comedy series in Ukraine is about an ordinary guy who against all expectations suddenly finds himself president of his country, elected on a brief to clean out political elites. Servant of the People has got everybody talking, as we hear from Anastasiya Gribanova of BBC Ukraine.

Sahrawi refugees BBC Arabic reporter Sally Nabil has had rare access to the 'forgotten refugees' from the disputed territory of Western Sahara who have lived in Algerian refugee camps for 40 years. She spent a week in a camp and heard from inhabitants about the harshness of their lives and their lack of hope about a resolution.

Driving Tests Three men were recently jailed in England for taking money from learner drivers to impersonate them and pass their tests on their behalf. That led us to seek driving test stories from other countries. Which tests are fiendishly difficult, and which are worryingly easy?

And Fifi Haroon's pick of the world wide web.

Image: Chinese lion dance in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province of China to welcome the upcoming Chinese lunar New Year. Credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images

Hanging On To The Keys Jan 20, 2017

As the Obamas leave the White House to make way for the Trumps, we hear about some less smooth handovers of official residences. Venezuelan Patricia Sulbaran of BBC Mundo, Sammy Darko in Ghana and BBC Hindi's Shivaani Kohok share tales of presidents, officials and family members who have become rather too attached to their state-owned homes.

You've been scammed... Police in central China have raided a tourist attraction they say was tricking people into visiting a fake Terracotta Army. Tourists have always been prey to scams and con-artists, including our Fifth Floor language service colleagues, who share tales of tricksters from around the world.

Soviet jazz Alexander Kan of BBC Russian grew up as a citizen of the USSR. He felt few regrets with the recent 25th anniversary of the collapse of the Soviet Union, but he admits a nostalgia for Soviet jazz. He shares some of his favourite pieces from a rich tradition little known beyond the Iron Curtain.

'Sitting the Month' New mothers in China traditionally spent 30 days in near isolation from the outside world, and recently luxury hotels have been springing up to cater for women who want to sit their month in style. Laureen Leung from BBC Chinese in London and Daisy Li from the BBC Beijing bureau share insights and experiences.

Miami lunchboxes It's a busy week for BBC Miami with the inauguration of President Trump, but not so busy that there's no time for lunch. Emilio San Pedro recently visited and shared a culinary tour of South America with Uruguayan Ana Pais of BBC Mundo, and BBC Monitoring colleagues Rafael Abuchaibe and Claudia Plazas, both from Colombia.

And Fifi Haroon's pick of the world wide web.

Image: A set of house keys. Credit: Barnaby Perkins, BBC

Farewell to Rafsanjani Jan 13, 2017

This week's funeral of former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani drew an estimated 2.5 million mourners. Rana Rahimpour of BBC Persian shares her memories of Rafsanjani, and explains why one of the founding fathers of the Islamic Revolution was mourned by so many reformists.

Where are Gambia's judges? Gambian President Yahya Jammeh claims he won't leave office until the Gambian Supreme Court rules on his request to re-run the election. Quite when this will be is uncertain, as the Supreme Court doesn't have enough judges to operate. Hassan Arouni of BBC Africa explains this mysterious shortage.

Tamil Nadu's Jallikattu ban Jallikattu, or bull taming, was an integral part of Tamil Nadu's harvest festival until banned in 2014 on account of animal welfare and human safety. Youths used to chase the bulls and try to snatch money hung from their horns; though not Swaminathan Natarajan, who grew up in the state, and has been following the story.

Menstruation huts: my experience The death in December of a Nepalese girl banished to a "menstruation hut" during her period shocked the international media. Krishnamaya Upadhyaya is a journalist in the western district of Jumla and shared her own experiences as a young woman growing up in a remote village in Jumla, and today.

Kenya's Uhuru challenge Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta is facing ridicule on social media over his apparent love of grand opening ceremonies for modest projects. Why open a footbridge, when you can launch a "non-motorised motor project" instead? Abdinoor Aden in Nairobi shares Kenyans' online wit now called "The Uhuru Challenge".

And Fifi Haroon celebrates the wilder corners of the world wide web.

Image: Iranians gather around a hearse carrying the coffin of former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani Credit: ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images

Tracking Turkey's Mysterious Murders Jan 06, 2017

Russian assassins strike in Turkey; shaping perfect eyebrows in Afghanistan; life along militarised walls; handball in the Arab World, family feud thrilling Indian politics.

Photo Credit: OZAN KOSE-AFP-Getty Images.

Watching the World Dec 30, 2016

Wars, revolutions, chubby squirrels and jihadi hairstyles. All in a day's work for the multilingual journalists of BBC Monitoring, with David Amanor.

Image: TV news monitors with stories from around the world Credit: BBC

Saudi Women: Small Steps Towards Change Dec 23, 2016

A year after Saudi women participated and voted in municipal elections for the first time, BBC Arabic's Hanan Razek has been back to see what's changed in the kingdom. She also tracked down the 'Niqabi Comedian' to find out why this mystery woman is making so many people laugh.

Odd insults There's been a lot of heavy news in 2016, but on the Fifth Floor we like to spread a bit of happiness, and when one of our morsels of merriment was picked as a "laugh out loud moment of 2016", it seemed the right moment to share it again. So in a year where political insults took a rather undiplomatic turn, we asked colleagues for more creative and nuanced insults from their home countries.

Highlights and happiness 2016 has been an eventful year on the news agenda. We ask Famil Ismailov of BBC Russian, Fernando Duarte of BBC Brasil, Victoria Uwonkunda of BBC Africa and Hanan Razek of BBC Arabic for their stand out moments, and the good news stories that sometimes get left behind.

Jihadi daughters' fashion Why has a fashion magazine article about three stylish Afghan women caused such a stir in Afghanistan? It turns out two of them come from prominent jihadi families, and photographs of them without their heads covered have broken a social taboo. Mariam Aman of BBC Persian has been looking at the reactions - positive as well as negative.

Why the Chinese love "Titanic" A full size replica of the Titanic is being built in the landlocked Chinese province of Sichuan, complete with bars and ballrooms. The Chinese obsession with the Titanic relates more to the film than the ship, and after its 1998 release there it became a pop culture phenomenon. Yashan Zhao of BBC Chinese is a fan, and explains why the film had such massive appeal.

(Image: Woman casting her ballot in last December's elections, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Credit: AFP/Getty Images.)

Searching for a Fake News Factory Dec 16, 2016

Fake news; Gambia re-visited; Daredevils of Sassoun; Dakar workouts; Polygon timewarp

Gambia's Political Earthquake Dec 09, 2016

Image: Adama Barrow, Gambia's President-elect, gesturing to the crowd in Kololi, Gambia. Credit: Joe Sinclair/AFP/Getty Images

Unravelling an Uzbek Mystery Dec 02, 2016

Image: Gulnara Karimova at a press conference during Style.Uz Art Week 2013 in Tashkent Credit: Yves Forestier/Getty Images for Style.Uz Art Week 2013

Political Parables and Proverbs Nov 25, 2016

L - Photo: Ghana elections, NDC supporter. Credit: Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP/Getty Images. R - Photo: Ghana elections, NPP supporter. Credit: Stefan Heunis/AFP/Getty Images.

What Next for Kenya's Dadaab Refugees? Nov 18, 2016

Closing Dadaab; Russia's rival parades: weddings and the taxman; Iran's fencers

Image: Refugees at Dadaab refugee camp, Kenya Credit: TONY KARUMBA/Getty Images

The world view on President-elect Donald Trump Nov 11, 2016

Trump's victory; Ivan the Terrible; Syrian soul food; a portrait of Kashmir

Saudi Religious Police Under Scrutiny Nov 04, 2016

Social change in Saudi, Mombasa night weddings, and the missing Kyrgyz constitution.

Image: Saudi women walking past a jewellery shop at Tiba market in Riyadh Credit: FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images

Bashiqa: Beyond the Battleground Oct 28, 2016

Photo: Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga fighters near Bashiqa. Credit: Safin Hamed/AFP/Getty Images.

US Elections: the View from Miami Oct 21, 2016

Guest presenter Emilio San Pedro, in Miami

Emilio heads to Miami's Little Havana district and its famous Versailles café to talk politics with Ivette Leyva and Luis Fajardo of BBC Mundo and Rafael Abuchaibe of BBC Monitoring.

Later he watches the final presidential debate at the BBC bureau as the Mundo team pick out what's of most interest to their audience and watch for reaction on social media.

Eating and voting with Miami's Colombians and Venezuelans Emilio referees a food competition: Colombians Claudia Plazas and Rafael Abuchaibe versus Venezuelan Patricia Sulbaran. Whose 'arepas' are better? They also reflect on the recent No vote in the Colombian referendum on the peace deal with Farc rebels, and the significance of the vote from Colombians in Miami.

Multiple Choice For decades, Chilean teenagers had to sit the Academic Aptitude Test in order to apply for university. Chilean writer Alejandro Zambra has gone back to this stressful time for his latest novel, Multiple Choice. Constanza Hola of BBC Mundo, who sat the test herself, puts Alejandro through his paces.

And Fifi Haroon's pick of the world wide web.

Image: Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton during the final presidential debate in Las Vegas Credit: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

Afghan Refugees: An Uncertain Future Oct 14, 2016

Photo: Afghan refugee families wait to board trucks near Peshawar in July 2016. Credit: A. MAJEED/AFP/Getty Images.

Yemen's forgotten victims Oct 07, 2016

Image: A close up of an under-nourished child's had held by an adult hand. Credit: Ashwaq17

Aleppo's citizens, past and present, eulogise their city online Sep 30, 2016

Photos: The ancient market in Aleppo, Syria before and after it was badly damaged by fire. Credits: AFP/Getty Images.

Kashmir: The Continuing Conflict Sep 16, 2016

Kashmiri protestors clash with Indian government forces during a protest against civilian killings in Srinagar, Kashmir. Credit: Tauseef Mustafa/AFP/Getty Images.

Reporting the Disappeared Sep 02, 2016

Photo: Tamil demonstrators hold photos of their relatives who disappeared during the Sri Lankan Civil War. Credit: Buddhika Weerasinghe/GettyImages.

Lashkar Gah: City on the Edge Aug 19, 2016

Photo: An Afghan National Security Forces serviceman takes position during a military operation in Helmand province. Credit: STR/AFP/Getty Images.

Colombia: living with the peace Aug 12, 2016

Life after conflict in Colombia; Syrian footballers changed by war and Tajikistan's incomprehensible words.

Image: Colombia's President Santos (L), Cuban President Raul Castro (C) and 'Timochenko' (R), head of FARC signing the ceasefire 23 June 2016 Credit: ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP/Getty Images

Nicaraguan First Lady Rosario Murillo Aug 05, 2016

Photo: Rosario Murillo, wife of President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua. Credit: Rafael Trobat/AFP/Getty Images.

Turkey: The Army and the People Jul 29, 2016

The relationship between Turkey's army and the people, tackling leprosy in Brazil and spoken word poetry in Nairobi.

Image: A Turkish soldier stands guard in front of the damaged Grand National Assembly building in Ankara Credit: Getty/Dimitar Dilkoff

Cairo Calling Jul 22, 2016

Photo: David Amanor with the BBC Arabic journalists in Cairo. Credit: BBC

South China Sea: What's in a Name? Jul 15, 2016

South China sea; Zimbabwe protests; Egypt in song; building bridges; 5th Floor Sapeurs

Image: An official map of Vietnam at an exhibition about the South China Sea in Hanoi Credit: Getty

Myanmar: the Long Road to Peace Jul 11, 2016

Myanmar's ethnic conflicts, Russian rock and the military, remembering Abbas Kiarostami.

"There is a feeling there is just nowhere safe" Jul 01, 2016

Turkey under attack; Afghan Ramadan; singing Ghazals; Sunni Shia families; Tbilisi zoo

Image credit: Getty Images

Iran's Forgotten Province Jun 24, 2016

Sistan Baluchistan, Mar Mar Aye, Russian dream, South Africa; Bangladeshi women in news

Closing Kenya's Dadaab refugee camp Jun 10, 2016

Dadaab refugee camp; Lapis Lazuli and the musical identity of Nepal

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