Podcasts about BBC Arabic

Grigor Atanesian from BBC Russian joins us to discuss the theories around 'grey zone' warfare techniques and if, why, and how Russia is deploying them against the UK. Plus, BBC Korean's Yuna Ku explains how companies and celebrities are striving to appear politically neutral before the upcoming South Korean elections; how the Grand Mosque in Mecca has been expanded over the years to accommodate large numbers of pilgrims, with Reem Alsheikh from BBC Arabic; and the story behind a 'lost' masterpiece that recently sold for $1.3m, with Merve Kara-Kaşka from BBC Turkish. Presented by Faranak Amidi Produced by Caroline Ferguson and Alice Gioia(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

During the last year of Bashar al-Assad's rule of Syria, Reporters Without Borders ranked the country second to last in the World Press Freedom Index. The country was incredibly dangerous for journalists who had to manage strict government censorship. But in December 2024, Assad's rule was toppled by a swift rebel offensive that took the capital city Damascus within a few days. The country then experienced a level of press freedom it hadn't seen for decades. Dalia Haidar of BBC Arabic worked as a journalist in Syria whilst Assad was in power, she joins us to describe what it was like and what the hopes are for the future. Plus, a tour of Chiclayo, the Peruvian city Pope Leo XIV used to call home, with José Carlos Cueto from BBC Mundo; and how a Ferrari flag became a symbol of protest, with Slobodan Maričić from BBC Serbian. Presented by Faranak Amidi Produced by Caroline Ferguson and Alice Gioia(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

The relationship between Algeria and France - often sensitive, sometimes strained, but usually restrained - has soured horribly in recent weeks. With tit-for-tat expulsions, diplomatic recalls and lingering resentment over France's stance on Western Sahara, some observers are calling this crisis unprecedented. So, have Algeria and France reached a point of no return? BBC Africa Daily's Alan Kasujja speaks to BBC Arabic's Ahmed Rouaba to unpack what's fuelling the latest fallout between the two countries.

According to Kenya's Health Ministry, between 2020 and 2023, about 16,000 women in Kenya decided to undergo a sterilisation procedure known as tubal ligation. While some of them already had children and didn't want any more, others were saying no to motherhood altogether: they're women who define themselves as child-free, meaning they have consciously decided never to have children. BBC Africa's Danai Nesta Kupemba has been looking into the this movement and has spoken to two Kenyan women who have recently committed to a child-free life.Also on the show: stories about people celebrating Ramadan around the world, with BBC Urdu's Aliya Nazki, BBC Indonesia's Silvano Hajid and BBC Arabic's Khitam Amer; cricket enthusiast Janhavee Moole reporting for BBC Marathi on India's recent success at the ICC Champions Trophy; and the ship fixing Africa's internet blackouts with Daniel Dadzie in Ghana. Presented by Faranak Amidi. Produced by Hannah Dean, Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

In December 2024, rebel forces took control in Syria, and former President  Bashar al-Assad fled the country. What's happened since? Salma Khattab from BBC Arabic has just come back from Syria and she'll share what she's seen on the ground.Presented by Faranak Amidi. Produced by Alice Gioia, Caroline Ferguson and Hannah Dean.(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

Artificial intelligence is becoming a normal part of our everyday lives and some people think it will even replace people's jobs. One industry that's worried about this may surprise you: content creation. AI influencers are getting more popular online with hundreds of thousands of people following their (AI-generated) lives. They're dishing out makeup tips, assisting with health advice and showing off their happy families. But can they ever replace real-world, human influencers?Jacqui Wakefield from the BBC's disinformation team tells us about this trend. And Sharihan Al-Akhras from BBC Arabic describes her meeting with a famous AI family.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Emilia Jansson and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde

It has long been suspected that the BBC is anti-Israel and employs pro-Palestinian reporters and editors. But how do you prove suspicion? And how far does the betrayal go?    Using objective forensic methodology and scientific analysis, a year long report was created by a team of researchers, spear-headed by Trevor Assesrson, that makes shocking reading and listening. Post-interview we then spoke to Rabbi Zev Leff, Rabbi Osher Weiss and others, to determine how we should react?   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jewish History Podcast 01:07 Media Bias and Its Impact on Jewish Identity 03:25 Interview with Trevor Asserson: Uncovering BBC Bias 05:45 The Findings of the Asserson Report 10:06 Analysis of BBC Arabic Coverage 12:28 BBC Arabic and Its Influence 17:34 The BBC's Institutional Challenges 19:30 Hamas's Strategy and Media Reporting 24:24 BBC's Institutional Bias 27:14 Freedom of Information and BBC Accountability 32:20 Public Awareness and Criticism of the BBC 39:37 The Challenge of Objectivity in Reporting 40:34 Funding and Support for Continued Research 46:34 Conclusion and Call to Action

Chidren in Gaza tell BBC Arabic about the food they're missing as the war in the Middle East continues and James Elder, Unicef Global Spokesperson, discusses the deepening humanitarian crises in Gaza.

Israeli air strikes have forced more than 1.2 million Lebanese to flee their homes in the past few weeks, and have killed more than 2,000 people in the country in the past year. While the fighting has escalated in recent weeks, there have been regular exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel since October 2023. Hezbollah initially began firing missiles into Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid Israel's war against Hamas, and continues to say that such attacks will only stop with a ceasefire there. Meanwhile, Israel has also launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, and there are fears of further escalation with key Hezbollah backer Iran, which recently fired rockets at several military targets in Israel.Caitríona Perry talks to Beirut-based BBC Arabic correspondent Rami Ruhayem about how Lebanon is coping with the intensification of a conflict which had been simmering for months.Producers: Richard Moran, Tom Kavanagh and Mariana Hernandez-Carrillo Sound engineer: Mike Regaard Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada FreixasSenior news editor: Sara Wadeson

It started with the horrific killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event for children in the seaside town of Southport, in northern England. After false rumours were spread on social media that the 17-year-old charged with their murders was a Muslim migrant who'd arrived by boat a few years before, a wave of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant protests spread across the UK. Cars were set on fire, immigrant-owned-businesses were destroyed, and the police attacked. A hotel housing asylum seekers had its windows smashed and a video went viral showing rioters stopping cars to see if the drivers were ‘white enough' to be allowed to pass through safely. In response, there were a number of massive counter-protests against racism – and the UK government promised swift and tough justice would follow. So far, more than 1,100 people have been arrested and more than 600 charged. But has this helped to reassure Africans and people of African descent living in the UK? Africa Daily's Alan Kasujja speaks to BBC Arabic's Reda El Mawy, and Mohammed Idris, a Sudanese business owner living in Belfast, whose shop was destroyed in the attacks.

Hajj — the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca — took place last week during an extreme heatwave. Officials in Saudi Arabia say that at least 1,301 people died. Most of them had not obtained official permits to enter the country to perform Hajj, which all Muslims must do at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able. Without proper documentation, pilgrims cannot access amenities like air conditioned tents and buses. Zeinab Hussein Dabaa, a journalist with BBC Arabic in Cairo, explains how the expense of Hajj leads many pilgrims to pursue what's called “unofficial Hajj,” despite Saudi Arabia's crackdown on the practice. We also hear from Hina, a pilgrim from Pakistan. She describes what it was like to perform Hajj as temperatures soared past 51C. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk Presenter: William Lee Adams Producer: Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Verity Wilde

Jamie Angus is the former director of the BBC World Service and the former editor of 'Today' and 'Newsnight' who now works in the Middle East. We discuss Ofcom's oversight of broadcasters, the consequences of previous World Service cuts, and the impact of new ones. We also explore long-term solutions to the issue of its funding, which is under review by a parliamentary committee. “I think it's clear that GB News are operating under a slightly different model to public broadcasters.” “Al Arabiya ourselves have launched our own FM radio services. And we've additionally picked up some of the BBC's medium wave hours, which they no longer use, so our radio services are broadcast regionally. We've also hired a number of ex BBC Arabic radio staff.”To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month: www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership Or if you'd rather make a one off payment please use our crowdfunding page: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/roger-boltons-beeb-watch-podcast @BeebRogerInstagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatchLinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watchemail: roger@rogerboltonsbeebwatch.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since conflict broke out in April 2023, it has been almost impossible for international media to report from Sudan. In that time, stories of horrific violence and sexual violence have been told by hundreds of thousands of people who have fled the country. Feras Kilani, the BBC Arabic special correspondent, has just returned from Sudan, where he got a rare insight into life in the country. Mercy Juma, the BBC Africa correspondent also tells Lyse Doucet about the survivors of ethnic violence and sexual assault she met in Chad, the neighbouring country where hundreds of thousands have fled. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists around the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory This episode was made by Richard Moran, Bethan Ashmead-Latham and Alix Pickles. The technical producers were Matt Hewitt and Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Since conflict broke out in April 2023, it has been almost impossible for international media to report from Sudan. In that time, stories of horrific violence and sexual violence have been told by hundreds of thousands of people who have fled the country.Feras Kilani, the BBC Arabic special correspondent, has just returned from Sudan, where he got a rare insight into life in the country. Mercy Juma, the BBC Africa correspondent also tells Lyse Doucet about the survivors of ethnic violence and sexual assault she met in Chad, the neighbouring country where hundreds of thousands have fled.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists around the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStoryThis episode was made by Richard Moran, Bethan Ashmead-Latham and Alix Pickles. The technical producers were Matt Hewitt and Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

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 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)

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

Four years ago, Avon and Somerset Police offered Channel 4 unprecedented access to its Counter Corruption Unit, the people who police the police. The result is a three-part documentary series called To Catch A Copper. Emma Barnett speaks to Sarah Crew, Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, about why she made the decision to let the cameras in, and the consequences of doing so.Bryony Gordon is the bestselling author of The Wrong Knickers, You Got This and Mad Girl. She won the MIND Making a Difference Award for changing the perception of mental health in the media, and even ran the London Marathon in her underwear! She joins Emma to discuss binge eating, OCD, menopause and her new book - Mad Woman. As the Israel-Gaza war enters its fifth month, we're looking at what the impact is on women and children. Tomorrow, Emma will hear from women in Israel. Today, she speaks to BBC Arabic journalist Dalia Haidar and Frances Leach from ActionAid to hear more about what life is like at the moment for Palestinian women and children in Gaza. The three-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has confirmed she will retire this year after the games in Paris. The 37-year-old, regarded as one of the greatest sprinters of all time, won the 100m title in 2008 and 2012. Former Team GB sprinter Katherine Merry joins Emma to discuss the announcement. Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Lottie Garton

A BBC Arabic investigation finds that the United Arab Emirates has funded politically motivated assassinations in Yemen. Nawal Al-Maghafi reports. Also in the programme: A profile of Argentina's Javier Milei; and a new blood test for Alzheimer's.(Picture: A Yemeni passes graffiti sprayed on a wall depicting a child victim of Yemen's war. Credit: Photo by YAHYA ARHAB/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

The inside story of a wave of assassinations in Yemen, led by former US Special Forces. An investigation by BBC Arabic has found evidence that the United Arab Emirates hired American mercenaries to train Emirati officers to assassinate political enemies in Yemen. It's triggered a wave of killings that continues today and demonstrates the complex role foreign powers are having in Yemen's civil war. Former US servicemen who worked for the company, Spear Group Operations, have spoken to our reporter Nawal Al-Maghafi.The Global Story delivers insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. Today's episode of The Global Story was made by Neal Razzell and Tom Kavanaugh. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

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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)

On Monday, Egypt's incumbent president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi won a third term in office with just under 90 % of the vote.This is despite ongoing economic turmoil in the country, caused by high inflation. A former army chief, Mr Sisi has ruled Egypt since overthrowing the democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, a decade ago. He will now be in power until 2029. In this episode of Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja talks to BBC Arabic's Mohamed Taha to find out why Sisi is so dominant and if he is likely to leave power after the next six years.And he discusses the impact of the country's economic crisis on ordinary Egyptians with economic journalist Doaa Abdelmoneim

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

The BRICS bloc of developing nations agreed this week s to admit six new countries. The countries Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - are set to join in January. Can this counter Western dominance? As thousands of UN troops speed up their pull out of Mali, despite a deteriorating security situation. We talk to BBC Arabic's Feras Kilani the first journalist to travel to Northern Mali since French forces ended their military operation there two years ago Plus why are more airlines adopting the use of sustainable aviation fuel? We hear from an expert based in Kenya

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.

The horizon near Ali's house is filled with flames. Owen Pinnell and Jess Kelly, from BBC Arabic, can't stop thinking of them. And back in the UK, Unearthed's Joe Sandler Clarke is digging into his own investigation.This is the story of how journalists worked with citizen journalists and scientists to delve into the impact of oil drilling around Basra, Iraq.Read all about it:https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001cm32 https://projects.unearthed.greenpeace.org/big-oil-iraq/ https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/27/ali-smoke-choked-bp-oilfield-death-gas-flaringHosted and produced: Maeve McClenaghan Audio production support: Chloe BehrensSound design and audio mixing: Alec CowanOriginal music: Claudia MezaTheme music: Dice muse Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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)

Tayeb Salih (12 July 1929 – 18 February 2009) was a Sudanese writer, cultural journalist for the BBC Arabic program as well as for Arabic journals, and a staff member of UNESCO. He is best known for his novel Season of Migration to the North, considered to be one of the most important novels in Arabic literature and one of the all-time great works of fiction. His novels and short stories have been translated into English and more than a dozen other languages. Original video ⁠here⁠⁠ Full Wikipedia entry ⁠here⁠ Tayeb Salih's books ⁠here --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theunadulteratedintellect/support

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

On 27 January 2023, broadcaster Mahmoud Al-Mossallami hosted BBC Arabic radio's final transmission after 85 years on air. It's the latest strategy shift for BBC World Service, which launched in 1932 as the BBC Empire Service. Over the years its radio content has transformed in order to meet historical challenges, cater to growing audiences and adapt under financial constraints. But with a listenership of millions across multiple nations, is something larger and more important than just a radio service being lost with the shuttering of BBC Arabic radio? To discuss the history and future of Britain's soft power as a broadcasting powerhouse, former BBC producer and Intelligence Squared's Head of Podcasts, Farah Jassat, is joined by Emma Robertson, historian and co-author of BBC World Service: Overseas Broadcasting, 1932–2018, and Hosam El Sokkari, former Head of BBC Arabic. Plus, BBC World Service anchor Mahmoud Al-Mossallami himself reflects on his long career and that final broadcast. ... Did you know that Intelligence Squared offers way more than podcasts? We've just launched a new online streaming platform Intelligence Squared+ and we'd love you to give it a go.  It's packed with more than 20 years' worth of video debates and conversations on the world's hottest topics. Tune in to live events, ask your questions or watch back on-demand totally ad-free with hours of discussion to dive into for just £14.99 a month. Visit intelligencesquaredplus.com to start watching today.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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)

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)

Omar Naim spoke to us about his new film, "Route 10," which tells the story of two siblings who must make a journey through the desert in order to attend their father's wedding but underestimate the many hazards of the desert road, which includes an angry stranger whose terrifying pursuit has the brother and sister driving for their lives.Omar Naim is a Lebanese-born director, writer, and documentarian. His newest film is the Netflix thriller Route 10 (2022), a thriller set in the Saudi Arabian desert starring Fatima Al Banawi and Baraa Alem. Naim's feature debut was the science-fiction thriller The Final Cut (2004), starring Oscar winners Robin Williams and Mira Sorvino. The film premiered in competition at the Berlin Film Festival, and won Naim the Best Screenplay prize at the Deauville Film Festival that same year. In 2020 he released Becoming starring Toby Kebbel, Penelope Mitchell and Jason Patric, ranked as one of the best horror films of 2020 by thrillist.com. His new documentary Two Cities (2021), about the Al Madina Theatre in Beirut struggling to survive against all odds, has recently been broadcast on BBC Arabic and LBC Television. As a writer, Naim has penned screenplays for Oscar-winning producers, including Dan Jinks & Bruce Cohen (American Beauty) and Ed Saxon (Silence of the Lambs). Naim studied cinema at Emerson College in Boston, graduating with a BFA in 1999. His thesis film, Grand Theatre: A Tale of Beirut (1999), was a Student Academy Award documentary finalist and played at numerous festivals around the country. Created & hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra Edited by: Ramzi RammanTheme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/About Movie Night: Movie Night is an interview series that calls for afikra community members who are interested in movies and films to spend time watching along with the entire community. Movies will be announced on afikra's watching list. This interview series will host filmmakers and actors who are featured in the announced movie. Community members will be asked to watch the film on online streaming platforms or online film festivals before the series and join the conversation with the creators of the film. Movie Night is an opportunity for members to ask questions about the plot, behind the scenes, themes, and information about the movie.Following the interview, there is a moderated town-hall-style Q&A with questions coming from the live virtual audience ‎on Zoom.‎ Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp   FollowYoutube - Instagram (@afikra_) - Facebook - Twitter Support www.afikra.com/supportAbout afikra:‎afikra is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity. Read more about us on  afikra.com

It's 10 years since Za'atari refugee camp was set up in Jordan to take in the thousands of people fleeing Syria because of the civil war. It's now the biggest camp for Syrian refugees. Mayada Masalmeh and her family arrived in 2013 from their hometown just over the border, thinking it would be a short stay. Laura Jones hears from Mayada and her daughter. With thanks to BBC Arabic's Diala Al-Azzeh and Randa Darwish. Photo: Za'atari Refugee Camp in 2021 by Getty Images.