Podcast appearances and mentions of jonathan head

Kate Adie presents stories from Turkey, the South China Sea, Ukraine, the US and Angola.Outlawed Kurdish group the PKK, which has waged a 40-year insurgency against Turkey, has announced it's disbanding. More than 40,000 people were killed during its fight for an independent Kurdish state - now the group says the Kurdish issue 'can be resolved through democratic politics'. Orla Guerin reports from Diyarbakir, in the Kurdish heartland.In the South China Sea, the tiny island of Pagasa is at the centre of a dispute between the Philippines and China. For the past 10 years, China has been expanding its presence in the region - but the Philippines is one of the few southeast Asian countries to stand its ground. Jonathan Head gained rare access to the island.Over the last decade, the Ukrainian Orthodox church gradually distanced itself from the Moscow Patriarchate, until it formally severed ties in 2022. But some priests and parishioners are reluctant to give up the traditions that were so familiar to them. Nick Sturdee reports from Western Ukraine.In Arizona, we meet the Native American 'knowledge keepers', who are now willing to share some of their secrets, as part of a cultural project which is uniting some of the major tribes, including the Navajo, the Hopi and the Apache nations. Stephanie Theobald went to find out more about their vision.Angolan president, João Lourenço, has made it his mission to claw back millions of dollars stolen by corrupt past leaders. At the National Currency Museum in the capital Luanda, Rob Crossan reflects on the meaning of money - asking where has it all gone?Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill & Katie Morrison Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Send us a textJonathan Head of the BBC joins the pod to discuss Myanmar's scam centerFor a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.infoRead Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

The former president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity. Duterte oversaw a bloody war on drugs that left tens of thousands of people dead, but he remains extremely popular with many in the Philippines, who say he cleaned up their country. On this episode, presenter Jonny Dymond speaks to the BBC's Southeast Asia correspondent Jonathan Head about Duterte's years in power, and why the current government in Manila has turned him over to the ICC.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Producers: Peter Goffin and Tom KavanaghSound engineers: Mike Regaard and Jonny BakerAssistant editor: Richard Fenton-SmithSenior news editor: China Collins

On Thursday, Thailand's long-awaited same-sex marriage law came into effect, with more than a thousand couples thought to have officially tied the knot already. The legislation comes after years of campaigning, and at a moment when a public yearning for change is being increasingly felt on the political stage. Characterised by its conservative establishment and royalist military, Thailand has nonetheless developed a reputation as a haven for LGBTQ+ people in Asia, and has now become the largest country on the continent to legally enshrine equal marriage rights.On today's episode, Lucy Hockings is joined by Ruchaya 'Rayya' Nillakan, after she and her wife were officially married along with more than a hundred other couples at a mass celebration in a luxury Bangkok shopping mall. Also there was the BBC's South East Asia correspondent, Jonathan Head, who explains how this landmark moment came about, and considers why the majority of Thailand's Asian neighbours are yet to follow suit.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Producers: Laurie Kalus, Tom Kavanagh, and Mhairi MacKenzieSound engineer: Dafydd EvansAssistant editor: Sergi Forcada FreixasSenior news editor: China Collins

Kate Adie presents stories from Thailand, Australia, Senegal, Germany and the USThailand has seen its fair share of political drama over the years. In recent weeks, the dissolution of the opposition party and the dismissal of the PM showed the firm grip on the country by unelected institutions. Jonathan Head has been watching the events rapidly unfold.In Australia, there's a deepening housing crisis with 120,000 people facing homelessness in the country every night. Soaring property prices and underinvestment in social housing and a growing population have made the situation worse. Katy Watson has been in Perth, Western Australia.It was an idea that first had its inception in the 1980s: fighting desertification by planting a wall of trees across the African continent. The Great Green Wall would snake through eleven countries, from Senegal in the West to Djibouti in the East. But progress on the project has been slow. Nick Hunt has been in Senegal.The Baader Meinhof gang are an anti-American, anti-imperialist terrorist group that spread fear across West Germany in the 1970s and 80s. The group claimed responsibility for a series of unsolved murders in the early 90s. So, the arrest of one alleged member of the group in Berlin has attracted significant attention, as Tim Mansel reports.And finally, a cast of political heavyweights, ranging from Hilary Clinton to Barak and Michelle Obama to Bernie Sanders took to the stage in the glittering halls of the Democratic National Convention this week in Chicago. But back in Washington, Rajini Vaidyanathan spoke to some street vendors who were somewhat underwhelmed.Producers: Serena Tarling and Farhana Haider Editor: Tom Bigwood Production coordinators: Katie Morrison and Sophie Hill

Un professeur d'université américaine publie un livre choc dans lequel il dénonce les géants de la tech qui empoisonnent nos adolescents avec leurs écrans. C'est l'économie de la dopamine qu'il critique en creux. Le problème des éditeurs français, c'est qu'ils traduisent moins souvent et avec retard les livres publiés en anglais. C'est dommage, car les ouvrages les plus remarquables sont, c'est vrai, souvent édités en anglais. Nos amis hollandais et allemands sont sur ce point beaucoup plus rapides sur la balle. Sans doute parce que les éditeurs de ces pays sont davantage familiarisés avec la langue anglaise. J'en parle ici parce qu'il y a un livre à lire en ce moment pour sauver nos enfants de l'anxiété. Et ce livre, c'est celui de Jonathan Haidt, "The Anxious Generation", la génération anxieuse. Jonathan Head est tout simplement le plus brillant et le plus connu des professeurs de l'Université de New York. Ses conférences vidéos ont été vues des millions de fois et ses livres sont de véritables best-sellers. Et il arrive même à mettre d'accord, ce qui est un exploit, les Républicains et les Démocrates sur ces analyses. Et c'est encore le cas avec ce quatrième livre dans lequel il propose aux familles américaines de sauver leurs enfants tant qu'il est encore temps. Alors, même s'il se braque sur les États-Unis, ses propos sont évidemment aussi utiles ici en Europe. Son livre fait le constat que les adolescents ont des problèmes de santé mentale inconnus jusqu'alors, qu'ils affichent un recul marqué de leurs résultats scolaires et qu'ils ont, en plus, des difficultés à s'insérer dans le monde adulte… Mots-Clés : constat, démontrer, mathématiquement, résultat, géants de la tech, services, contrepartie, économie de l'attention, expression, poli, détruire, fragmenter, antenne, séquence, dopamine, forme, subtil, pervers, capitalisme, Chine, pays, autocratique, réponse, brutal, phénomène, accès, réseaux sociaux, internet, Etats-Unis, démocratie, impossible, Etat, professeurs, police, individus, familles, conseils, simple, apparence, personne, smartphone, téléphone, stupide, Américains, dumbphone, textos, contacter, enfant, interdiction, accès, poche, étranger, surveiller, vidéos, tête, décapité, raison, période, puberté, période fragile, influençable, Inciter, écoles, bannir, poches, cartables, parents, télévision, lecteur, cd, magnéto, walkie talkie, folie, quotidiennement, coupés, monde réel, patrons, dealer, coke. --- La chronique économique d'Amid Faljaoui, tous les jours à 8h30 et à 17h30. Merci pour votre écoute Pour écouter Classic 21 à tout moment : www.rtbf.be/classic21 Retrouvez tous les épisodes de La chronique économique sur notre plateforme Auvio.be : https://auvio.rtbf.be/emission/802 Et si vous avez apprécié ce podcast, n'hésitez pas à nous donner des étoiles ou des commentaires, cela nous aide à le faire connaître plus largement.

Kate Adie introduces stories from the US, Portugal, the South China Sea, Argentina and Antarctica.University campuses across the US have been gripped by protests over the war in Gaza, with students demanding their schools divest from Israeli interests. Nomia Iqbal considers the ramifications of the protests for Joe Biden, who will need the youth vote on his side if he is to win re-election in November.In the days after the Hamas attacks, some 200,000 Israelis were evacuated from Israel's border regions with Gaza and Lebanon, and moved into temporary accommodation. While some have since decided to return home, others have decided to seek safety further afield, as Mark Lowen discovered in Lisbon.Confrontations between the Philippines and China are on the rise in the South China Sea, as the countries clash over a territorial dispute. Jonathan Head saw this maritime feud up close, while on board a Filipino coastguard ship as it came into contact with a Chinese patrol.Argentina's President Javier Milei was elected last year on a manifesto of slashing public spending. Yet, with inflation at 300 per cent, prices are still spiralling, and another national strike is on the horizon. Mimi Swaby discovers it's a crisis that continues to affect all corners of this vast country.And we're amid the icebergs and marine life of Antarctica, as Janie Hampton recounts her voyage to trace her family connections to the continent - revealing how the downfall of the Soviet Union led to the cut-price sale of a British research base.Series Producer: Serena Tarling Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Production Coordinator: Katie Morrison

The disappearance of flight MH370 is the greatest unsolved mystery in aviation. Ten years after the plane vanished from radar with 239 passengers and crew on board, only a few traces have been found. Could a new radio technology finally help locate the missing aircraft and give families the answers they desperately need?James Reynolds assesses the latest evidence about what happened to MH370 with the BBC's South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head and Alessandra Bonomolo, director of a new documentary on the disappearance of MH370 – Why Planes Vanish: The Hunt for MH370.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We're keen to hear from you, wherever you are in 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 via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Bethan Ashmead Latham. The technical producers were Matt Hewitt and Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Kate Adie presents stories from the US, Indonesia, Georgia, Thailand and Colombia.Donald Trump's only Republican rival for the US presidency, Nikki Haley, says she'll fight on, despite roundly losing to him in her home state of South Carolina, where she was governor twice. Our Correspondent, Will Vernon, joined Republican campaigners in South Carolina, as they went door-to-door.In Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, a former army general with a questionable past humans rights record, is set to become the country's next president. Our South East Asia Correspondent, Jonathan Head, remembers first meeting Mr Subianto, when he served under the dictator General Suharto.Thousands of babies in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia were stolen from their parents at birth and sold. Our Correspondent, Fay Nurse, meets some mothers who were told their new-borns had died suddenly, but who now wonder if they may still be alive.Thailand is moving a step closer to legalising same-sex marriage. In Bangkok, Rebecca Root meets couples who are keen to tie the knot.And we're in Colombia, where a literary festival encourages people to debate divisive issues without turning to violence. Kirsty Lang finds out more.Producer: Sally Abrahams Production Co-ordinator: Sophie Hill Editor: Matt Willis

John Simpson, talks to Jeremy Bowen, the BBC's international editor, who analyses whether Israel can win its war in Gaza. He examines what is really happening to the Chinese economy with BBC Asia Pacific editor Celia Hatton and looks at what the outcome of Indonesia's elections might mean for the world's third largest democracy with Jonathan Head, the BBC's South East Asia correspondent.

Kate Adie presents stories from Israel, Ukraine, Argentina, Mauritius and Greece. When Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel from Gaza on the 7th October, over 200 of the people killed were foreign nationals. At least 30 of them were from Thailand, and at least 19 Thais are believed to have been abducted by Hamas. More than 25,000 Thai migrant agricultural workers living in Israel. Jonathan Head travels to north-eastern Thailand to meet returning survivors, and relatives of those still missing. This week marks 20 months since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For journalists reporting on the war, not to mention Ukraine's people, it can be a challenge to ensure the ongoing conflict continues to receive the world's attention. The BBC's long-serving Ukraine Correspondent, James Waterhouse reflects on the particular rhythm of covering this war. Last weekend, Argentina voted in its first round of presidential elections. The results surprised pollsters who had predicted an outright win for populist Javier Milei - a colourful candidate, whose ‘shock-jock' style has led to comparisons with Donald Trump. Instead, Mr Milei will face the country's incumbent economy minister, Sergio Massa in a run-off in November. In Argentinian politics, surprises are to be expected, says Katy Watson. Mauritius is among Africa's wealthiest nations per capita. However, its position in the middle of the Indian Ocean has made it an ideal hub for international drug traffickers. The country is now battling a growing drug epidemic, with young people particularly affected. Lorraine Mallinder reports. The Mount Athos peninsula in Northern Greece is one of Orthodox Christianity's holiest sites. The region is semi-independent from Greece, and sometimes referred to as a monastic republic. Women are banned from visiting, and only a small number of men are permitted entry each day. The monks who live here control their own finances, and Greece's money laundering authority has recently taken a critical look at Russian finances flowing into the monasteries. William Edwards makes a pilgrimage there. Producer: Viv Jones Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Production Coordinator: Katie Morrison (Image: Narissara Chanthasang, the wife of a Thai migrant worker in southern Israel, has had no news of her husband since Hamas militants stormed the country.)

BBC's veteran Southeast correspondent joins Reformasi Dispatch to assess how Asean is coping with super‑power rivalry in a 'post‑globalization' framework.  The answer (spoiler alert): could be better.  Jonathan contributes his perspective on conditions in Myanmar and the importance of Indonesia's diplomatic efforts via Asean; he also touches on EVs in SE Asia.  Also in the episode: Jeff and Kevin cover some sudden shifts in Indonesia's presidential nominating alliances and the VP sweepstake maneuvers.Get our special episode on the 4th Presidential Debate on:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reformasi/extrasSupport us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi

Kate Adie introduces stories about Cambodia's outgoing Prime Minister, and from Pakistan, Romania, New Zealand and Germany. Cambodia has suffered more tragedy than most, including civil wars, American bombing, and the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime. For the last 38 years, the country has been ruled by one, increasingly autocratic man, Prime Minister Hun Sen. He is now handing power to a new Prime Minister next week – his own son. Jonathan Head has just been to Cambodia, and reflects on Hun Sen's remarkable longevity in office. Three hundred young Pakistani men are still missing, feared drowned, in the Mediterranean after the Greek shipping disaster in June. Why did they want to leave their country, at the mercy of people smugglers? Caroline Davies has been finding out, and asks what the police are doing to stop the human trafficking. She also meets a family whose teenage sons died in the Greek shipwreck. In Romania on the other hand, the economy is booming, and people are moving to it, rather than away from it. That includes many Romanian emigrants who are now returning home, armed with new skills and attracted back by improved salaries. Tessa Dunlop detects a new confidence in the country. She also finds that this new Romanian tiger, has teeth, and claws. New Zealand is trying to eradicate all rats, possums and stoats. These are not native to New Zealand but were brought there by humans in recent centuries. They have been decimating the local wildlife, like flightless and ground-nesting birds that evolved without those predators. Killing all individuals of several species across a whole country is a tall order however. And what about ethical qualms? Henri Astier joins a rat-catching expedition in Wellington to find out more. Culture wars are raging in many countries, about different issues. In Germany, it's sausages, motorway speeds, and grammar. German is a gendered language, with male and female forms of nouns that denote people, like actor/actress. In German however, the -ess applies to everything. Doctoress. Prime Ministeress. But in the plural, the male form is used no matter the gender of the individuals. This makes some feel that women don't count. The answer? Doctor*esses or Prime Minister:esses, using * or : to indicate that a group does or could include both genders. Damien McGuinness carefully wades into the debate. Producer: Arlene Gregorius Editor: Bridget Harney Production coordinator: Gemma Ashman Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar (Image: Outgoing Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Credit: Kith Serey/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

The United Nations estimates that nearly 18 million people need humanitarian aid as a result of the civil war in Myanmar, now entering its third year. Aye Min Thant, Burmese-American journalist, and Jonathan Head, the BBC's southeast Asia correspondent, join John Yang to discuss what's happening. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Most of us are familiar with the story of Anne Frank, the young Jewish girl who wrote a diary while hiding from the Nazis with her family, in Amsterdam during the Second World War. You are probably less familiar with the name of the woman who agreed to keep them safe in those secret attic rooms. Miep Gies was Otto's secretary, and when they were eventually located and sent to their deaths, it was Miep who found Anne's diary and kept it. A new TV series tells the whole story from Miep's perspective, and she is played by the British actor Bel Powley. Bel joins Nuala to talk about playing an ordinary woman who displayed extraordinary courage. Plans have been announced to allow more patients to use high street pharmacies for some common drug prescriptions and routine tests to ease the pressure on busy GPs. Pharmacies are being asked to take on the prescribing of drugs for seven common ailments, including sore throats, earaches, shingles and urinary tract infections or UTIs. Women are up to 30 times more likely to get a UTIs than men. Half of women will have at least one in their lifetime and 20% will have more than one. So is easier access for women for UTI treatment a positive move? Mary Garthwaite, a former consultant urologist and chair of the Urology Foundation joins Nuala to discuss. As voters in Thailand head to the polls on Sunday for a general election, who are the frontrunners and what are the issues that female voters care about? Women played a key role in the 2020 pro-democracy protests and many are seeing the election as a way to challenge the power of patriarchal institutions such as the military and the monarchy. The current Prime Minister has been trailing behind opposition candidates in the polls, including Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who gave birth just two weeks ago. Nuala is joined by Jonathan Head, the BBC's South East Asia correspondent, to discuss. We hear the next in our series about how relationships are changed and put under strain when life happens. Zoe and James talk about how 'Ed' which is what they call Zoe's eating disorder has affected them since they got together as a couple when they were at school. Zoe's anorexia was 'atypical' - her weight wasn't low but she was in the grip of anorexia, all the behaviours and disordered thinking were there  - her body was under terrible stress and she was regularly collapsing. Only James was really aware of what was going on, a fact that put their relationship under pressure. Jo Morris went to meet Zoe and James in Lincolnshire and they tell their story. What was your experience with theatre when you were at school? Was there that one show you saw that inspired you and that you'll never quite forget? Playwright Hannah Lavery and writer and actor Sarah Middleton have recently taken to the stage with their respective plays, Protest, and SHEWOLVES, which are aimed at teenagers and ensuring that young women's voices are heard on the stage. They join Nuala to discuss the impact theatre can have on young people. Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Hanna Ward

Kate Adie presents stories from Thailand, Israel, Laos, Switzerland and Ireland. Thailand is standing at a crossroads, with many wondering if the country can move on to a more dynamic, democratic future in the forthcoming election on 14th May. Recent polls put progressive parties ahead, and on target to win a majority of the seats - but can they overcome the conservative status quo? Jonathan Head has been on the campaign trail with one of the young, progressive candidates hoping for change. Israel has been in the grip of nationwide protests over the right-wing coalition's plans for judicial reform, but Israeli Arabs have been conspicuous by their absence. Rhodri Davies spoke to people about why this is in an Arab city in northern Israel. Laos is the most bombed country in the world per capita and is still suffering the consequences of American air strikes 50 years ago. Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent heard stories of the dangers posed by unexploded ordinance to farmers and children. In Switzerland, thousands of older Swiss women, nicknamed 'Climate Grannies' are bringing a case against their government to the European Court of Human Rights, claiming the government's lack of action on climate change is putting their health at risk. Imogen Foulkes heard about their fight. And finally, as world leaders, both past and present, have descended on Ireland recently, and after Ireland's victory over England in the Six Nations Rugby grand slam, James Helm reflects on Irish soft power around the world. Series Producer: Serena Tarling Producer: Louise Hidalgo Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross

From the BBC World Service:  The world’s largest economies have been meeting over the weekend. High up on the agenda, and supported by the IMF and the US, was the regulation of crypto assets. The BBC’s Will Bain has been speaking to industry insiders about what is needed. Plus, a deal between the UK and EU over the controversial Northern Ireland protocol also seems to be on the cards as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen are set meet near London on Monday. And, the BBC’s Jonathan Head reports on Thailand’s struggling elephant tourism sector.

From the BBC World Service:  The world’s largest economies have been meeting over the weekend. High up on the agenda, and supported by the IMF and the US, was the regulation of crypto assets. The BBC’s Will Bain has been speaking to industry insiders about what is needed. Plus, a deal between the UK and EU over the controversial Northern Ireland protocol also seems to be on the cards as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen are set meet near London on Monday. And, the BBC’s Jonathan Head reports on Thailand’s struggling elephant tourism sector.

Max Pearson presents a collection of this week's Witness History episodes from the BBC World Service. Malaysia's Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, recounts being put on trial for sodomy and corruption. Our guest is the BBC's South East Asia correspondent, Jonathan Head, who tells us about Malaysian political history. Iran's first women's minister describes the challenges she had to overcome. We hear how the seat belt and cat's eyes were invented. And a Swedish man remembers the chaos when his country switched to driving on the right-hand-side of the road. Contributors: Anwar Ibrahim - Malaysian Prime Minister. Mahnaz Afkhami - Iran's first Minister of Women's Affairs. Gunnar Ornmark - step-son of the inventor of the modern seat belt. Glenda Shaw - great-niece of the inventor of cat's eyes. Bjorn Sylvern - on Sweden switching to driving on the right-hand-side.

World leaders are in crisis talks after the war in Ukraine spilled over the border to neighbouring Poland with fatal consequences. But early information suggests that it may not have been caused by a missle fired from Russia, according to US President Joe Biden. Two people have been killed after missiles landed near the Polish town of Przewodow, just kilometres from the Ukraine border. Russia has strenuously denied it's responsible. Global leaders gathering at the G20 summit in Bali have held an emergency closed door meeting. Speaking to media in the last few hours, US President Joe Biden cast doubt on claims the missile was fired from Russia. The BBC's Jonathan Head joins Lisa Owen with the latest details.

The past week has been one of contrasting emotions in Ukraine. The country celebrated a dramatic and unexpected development: an attack on a key bridge linking Russia with Crimea was seen as a major strategic blow to Vladimir Putin. But days later, Russia launched some of the most widespread missile attacks of the war. Paul Adams, says there is a lingering unease in Ukraine about Putin's next move. Last month, a bold counter-offensive by Ukraine's military in the country's east led to a retreat by Russian forces. But as the Russians left behind cities they occupied for months, allegations of atrocities they committed began to emerge. Sofia Bettiza met some Sri Lankans held captive in the city of Kharkiv. A shocking attack on a nursery in Thailand's north-east stunned the country. Jonathan Head was in the village of Uthai Sawan, and reflects on the part that the hardship of life may have played in the tragedy. After the Soviet Union collapsed, Tajikistan slid into a 5 year civil war which cost 100,000 lives and forced a million people from their homes. Among the pursuits of daily life that has suffered amid the violence is bee-keeping. But, thanks to a conservation initiative, it's seeing a revival says Antonia Bolingbroke Kent. A dream inspires a visit to a fishing village in Romania across the Danube from Ukraine. Its name is Periprava – once the site of a Communist-prison camp, now razed to the ground. Nick Thorpe was given a tour of the secluded, small community, much transformed. But despite its charm, the sound of sirens can still be heard across the waters – and a colder reality breaks the spell. Presenter: Kate Adie Producers: Serena Tarling and Ellie House Editor: Bridget Harney Production Coordinator: Iona Hammond

We hear why Russia's invasion of Ukraine could cause the global food import bill to rise to a record $1.8tn this year from Upali Wickramasinghe, senior economist at the FAO. And we find out about the challenges faced by people in Uganda with food prices from Nebert Rugadya, who is a business reporter in Kampala. Also in the programme, the BBC's Mariko Oi reports from Tokyo on why inflation in Japan is significantly lower than in many other parts of the world. There's been an overhaul of drugs laws in Thailand, where it's now legal to cultivate marijuana, and some consumption of it is now also allowed. The BBC's Jonathan Head has been to visit some farms in the north of the country, where cannabis plants are being handed out to farmers. Plus, energy price rises as a result of the conflict in Ukraine have focused attention on the prospects for more renewable energy. But one challenge is how to store solar and wind power so that it can be used when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing, and the BBC's Hannah Bewley explores a range of promising new technologies aimed at tackling the issue.

Sri Lanka has been rocked by violent protests. The country is out of cash, which means it is struggling to import fuel, food and basic medicines. This in turn has prompted political turmoil, with anti-government protestors coming under attack from supporters of the ousted government. Rajini Vaidyanathan was there as battles broke out. It was Archbishop Desmond Tutu who first called South Africa the 'Rainbow Nation', reflecting hopes for a new era of equality for the country and as it emerged from decades of apartheid. Now though, migrants in South Africa are being blamed for unemployment and other social problems - some have been murdered by vigilantes. Shingai Nyoka reflects on this rising animosity with particular personal interest, as she herself moved to South Africa from Zimbabwe. It's eight years since King Juan Carlos of Spain abdicated, following a string of highly embarrassing scandals. But just recently, the former king returned to Spain for a brief visit - the first since he left. Plenty of Spanish people turned out to welcome their former ruler with full-on patriotic fervour, but as Guy Hedgecoe explains, such sentiments were far from universal. The death toll in Ukraine numbers the tens of thousands, but there are fears that vastly more people could die as an indirect result of the conflict, as supply lines for wheat and fertiliser are severely disrupted. Jonathan Head reports on how the war is affecting rice farmers thousands of miles away in Thailand. The war in Ukraine has presented a huge logistical challenge - for citizens and the military, and also for journalists. Joe Inwood has spent most of his BBC career as a producer, but as his team moved across Ukraine, he found himself having to help run a hotel after all the local staff left town.

At a Nato summit in Brussels, its members have discussed boosting defence spending. We get the very latest from the summit from BBC Brussels correspondent Jessica Parker. Also in the programme, the BBC's Jonathan Head reports from Thailand on the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on tourists from the two countries who find themselves stranded there, either because sanctions mean there are no flights to return to Russia, or the war in Ukraine means a return to the country is currently out of the question. New York's famous yellow taxi cabs are being added to the ride-hailing platform Uber. Chris Mills Rodrigo is a journalist at The Hill and discusses the move. And the streaming service Spotify has released figures showing how much it paid artists in the past year, in a bid to become more transparent. But it's still unclear what exactly musicians are paid. Eddie Fu of the pop culture website Consequence gives his reaction. Sasha Twining is joined throughout the programme by Dante Desparte, chief strategy officer and head of global policy at Circle, from Washington, and Sushma Ramachandran, an independent business journalist and columnist at the Tribune Newspaper, who's in Delhi. (Picture: Nato leaders. Credit: Getty Images)

At a NATO summit in Brussels, its members have discussed boosting defence spending. Sash Tusa is an aerospace and defence specialist at Agency Partners, and tells us what the implications of such an increase would be. Also in the programme, the BBC's Jonathan Head reports from Thailand on the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on tourists from the two countries who find themselves stranded there, either because sanctions mean there are no flights to return to Russia, or the war in Ukraine means a return to the country is currently out of the question. The insurance company Lloyds of London has announced its best results for six years, and the firm's chief executive, John Neal, explains what is behind its recent success. New York's famous yellow taxi cabs are being added to the ride-hailing platform Uber. Preetika Rana of the Wall Street Journal in New York discusses the move. Plus, our regular workplace commentator Sandip Roy explores the relationship between religion and the workplace.

Myanmar this week marked one year since its democratically-elected government was overthrown by a coup. The generals who took over have promised to restore democracy, “once the emergency is over.” However, protestors calling for democracy have been arrested and beaten, while the army stands accused of murdering more than a thousand civilians, in its efforts to quash opposition to military rule. Jonathan Head has spoken to some of those still resisting the junta. In the year since Myanmar's military coup, three countries in West Africa have also suffered the same fate: Mali, Guinea, and most recently, Burkina Faso. The coup leaders there have explained that they took over because the government was failing to tackle Islamist militants. Henry Wilkins tried to report on what was going on, but found himself arrested at gunpoint. When a volcano erupted off the Pacific Island of Tonga, it triggered a tsunami and covered the island in ash. It also cut the underwater cable which connects Tonga to the outside world, meaning no phone-calls or internet were possible. This was a particular cause of concern for Tongans abroad, anxious to know about the welfare of friends and family. They turned to a small online broadcaster, operating from the outskirts of Brisbane, Australia. Simon Atkinson paid it a visit. US special forces this week raided the home of Islamic State's leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi. It appears he then blew himself up, along with members of his family. This was only a month since al-Qurayshi was held responsible for Islamic State's attack on a prison in Syria, where members of the group were held. The resulting battle went on for more than a week, and Shelly Kittleson has managed to hear from some of those who witnessed it. Yalda Hakim was six months old, when her family fled Afghanistan. Going back there recently, she found dramatic changes since her last visit. Under Taliban rule, there have been widespread reports of Taliban soldiers carrying out summary executions. And when she spoke to women determined to maintain their role in the workplace and wider society, she found their efforts were proving dangerous, and potentially fatal.

In February 2021, Myanmar's military seized power in a coup against the democratically elected government. The country's population has since been living under a state of emergency. In this episode, Jonathan Head, South East Asia correspondent for the BBC has a conversation with Zin Mar Aung, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the National Unity Government of Myanmar; Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar; Stephen Kinnock MP, Shadow Minister for Asia and the Pacific; and Thin Lei Win, co-founder of the The Kite Tales, a non-profit organisation which chronicles the lives and histories of people across Myanmar. They review the current state of the country; explore what governments around the world can do to support the Burmese people; and discuss what impact the situation will continue to have on healthcare, the economy and lives more generally.

The US Senate has approved spending plans to avoid a government shutdown. We get an update from the BBC's Michelle Fleury in New York. At the same time, Democratic leaders are also trying to reach an agreement over a multi-trillion dollar spending programme. The BBC's Rob Young examines the background to the current impasse. Also in the programme, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, German company CureVac was thought by many to be one of the best prospects to develop a Covid-19 vaccine. The company's chief executive Franz Haas explains why their vaccine candidate was not as effective as had been hoped, and how the firm hopes to move forward with a second generation vaccine for the disease. And as Thailand eases Covid-related restrictions for visitors, we hear from our correspondent Jonathan Head in Bangkok how the country needs to revive its tourism industry. Rahul Tandon is joined throughout the programme by Tribune columnist Sushma Ramachandran in Delhi and by Paddy Hirsch, contributing editor at NPR in LA. (Picture: The US Capitol building. Picture credit: Getty Images)

Vaccinated Australians can start travelling abroad from November, ending an 18-month ban. Anthony Dennis is travel editor for the Sydney Morning Herald, Melbourne Age and several other publications, and tells us why the government of Australia has made this move now. Also in the programme, Thailand is also easing restrictions from today, halving the length of time required for vaccinated foreign visitors to quarantine to seven days. The BBC's Jonathan Head reports on the potential impact on the country's tourism sector. A global coalition of transport organisations, representing more than 65 million transport workers, is calling on the world's governments to end what they call a "humanitarian and supply chain crisis". Lori Ann Larocco of CNBC in New York follows the global container shipping industry closely, and brings us up to speed on the latest developments in the sector. Plus, Disney has settled a claim the Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson brought with the firm over alleged breach of contract, after it streamed her superhero film at the same time as its cinema release. Disney originally said the case was without merit, and Anna Nicolaou, US media correspondent at the Financial Times, explains what brought about a change of heart. Today's edition is presented by Fergus Nicoll, and produced by Philippa Goodrich and Russell Newlove.

Jonathan Steingiesser is Head of Design at Property Finder, where he divides his time between leading the design team, design strategy, customer research and service design improvements.With over 17 years of design experience at startups across various sectors including retail and education, Jonathan has fostered a deep passion for design innovation and continuous improvement. He applies his passion to guide research, design and product processes in order to create innovative experiences across all of Property Finder's products and services. He also advised startups in San Francisco, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.On the episode, we cover the foundations of product design — from what to look for when hiring your first product designer, to the research processes and methods that enable continuous product innovation.

Not long ago, a wave of unprecedented public protests in Thailand over royal privileges and youth concerns made some Thais feel they were on the brink of change. Now the picture is very different: many of the movement's leading figures are in jail or awaiting trial and their dreams seem to have been deferred. Jonathan Head considers what the youth protest movement has achieved, and what sort of a precedent its fate sets for others in Southeast Asia - most notably for Myanmar. Colombia is currently living through its own wave of street protests - over everything from tax policy to austerity, job opportunities to racism. Demonstrators and police have faced off in cities across the country, sometimes with lethal results. Daniel Pardo reports from Cali, one of the focal points of the the nationwide 'resistance' - and hears worries that the country's sliding back into division. In the Czech Republic, moves to abolish the rules dictating the correct form for women's surnames are gaining ground. From Praque, Rob Cameron explains the grammatical and gender issues at stake - and the social change reflected in the proposed reform. Ferrara, in Italy's Emilia Romagna region, is a famously prosperous and beautiful city with a rich cultural heritage - but whatever its visual splendour, its greatest arts of all might be the culinary ones. Julia Buckley has been getting a taste of its edible history via recipes from a cookbook first put together in the 1540s, by the man who served as master of ceremonies at the palatial court of the Este family. And in Georgia, Mark Stratton delves into the extraordinary qvevri - the giant earthenware jars traditionally used to store and age some of the the country's renowned wines. These immense, amphora-like clay pots encapsulate Georgia's ancient identity and are key to the special flavour of many of its most treasured reds, whites - and ambers - as well as the extremely potent liquor known as chacha. Producer: Polly Hope

Aung San Suu Kyi was once heralded by many in the west as a valiant campaigner for democratic rights. As civilian leader she looked set to put the country on a new path after years of military dictatorship. But her refusal to acknowledge the army’s ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims damaged her standing abroad. And although her party managed to secure a landslide victory in elections last year, it may prove to have been a pyrrhic one, says Jonathan Head, after the military coup this week. Mexican’s President, Manuel Lopez Obrador, may have had a lucky escape from the worst effects of Covid-19, but the same cannot be said for a vast numbers of his compatriots who are battling to find treatment. The president has now recovered, says Will Grant, but his citizens are still struggling for breath. In a court in Moscow this week, Russia’s opposition leader described President Vladimir Putin as “a poisoner” before he was sentenced to nearly three years in prison. Alexei Navalny’s arrest and sentencing has had an electrifying impact on the opposition movement in the country, as throngs of protestors took to the streets of Moscow, and beyond. Has the Kremlin finally over-played its hand? asks Sarah Rainsford. Our central Europe Correspondent Nick Thorpe has been following the Danube, upriver, from Romania to Germany. On one night, he accompanied a conservation team to go jackal howling among the biggest reed-beds on the planet. South Africa has been battling to control a new variant of Covid, detected in the country last year. More than 45 000 people have died since the beginning of the pandemic. or those who are grieving, the customary burial process has been curtailed. Many are restricted to watching live streams of the funeral, while closest family grieve alone, says Pumza Filhani. Presenter: Kate Adie Producer: Serena Tarling

Jonathan Head, BBC South East Asia Correspondent

When there's change in the Middle East, there is a good chance the United States had something to do with it, as with the recent accords between Israel and four Arab states. And now a new American president is preparing to move into the White House. What could this mean for the region, asks Jeremy Bowen. Thailand has been convulsed by large demonstrations this year, in which young people have been calling for reform and for changes to the once untouchable monarchy, even though criticising the king carries long prison sentences. Royalists are shocked by these campaigns and want things to stay as they are, says Jonathan Head. Italy's coronavirus crisis started in the north and eventually reached the far south, including the region of Calabria. An area blighted not just by the pandemic, but also by the powerful and ruthless 'Ndrangheta mafia whose crimes have made it much harder to cope with the virus for restaurants and even for hospitals, as Mark Lowen found out. Relations between China and the west have come under strain in recent years – but we buy vast amounts of Chinese products, and so China has developed its “Belt and Road” initiative. Part of its purpose is to enable the transport of goods from China to Europe by train. This has brought investment as far as Germany's former industrial region of the Ruhr, says Caroline Bayley. The Galapagos islands off the coast of Ecuador are known for their wildlife, from slow giant tortoises to fast baby iguanas. Charles Darwin spent five weeks there, and then developed the theory of evolution. Apart from the survival of the fittest, it's also about adaptation. Something that's been happening on these islands during the pandemic, as Jamie Lafferty reports. Presenter: Kate Adie Producer: Arlene Gregorius

Thailand has been rocked by months of student street protests that have intensified in recent days. They're unprecedented in that they don't just criticise the government, but also the monarchy - a taboo in Thailand. Jonathan Head in Bangkok reports on what may be a critical turning point in a political upheaval. This week it’s exactly a year since the Spanish government exhumed the remains of dictator General Francisco Franco from his mausoleum. But the question of how to handle the divisive legacy of the country’s 1930's civil war and the ensuing decades-long dictatorship under Franco remains a contentious issue in Spanish politics and society. And now there are new efforts to tackle it, as Guy Hedgecoe reports from Madrid. In Jordan, the already high unemployment has risen further during the pandemic, but the country remains attractive to migrant workers from nearby Egypt where wages are lower. But, as Charlie Faulkner hears from an Egyptian cobbler, the choice to stay in Jordan to keep his job, comes at a high price. In the US, attitudes to China have hardened in recent years, with trade tariffs, and blame for the coronavirus. In China, attitudes to the United States have changed too, but also in more positive terms, at least when looked at over a longer period of time, such as the lifespan of the grandfather of Vincent Ni. The 15th Rome Film Festival is running this week - taking place in a city that is, itself, an iconic cinematic location that still holds an irresistible allure for filmmakers across the world. This brings welcome jobs and much-needed money to the cash-strapped capital, and, as Joanna Robertson reports, headaches – and questions - to many residents. Presenter: Kate Adie Producer: Arlene Gregorius

A senior manager at Amazon has quit after Amazon fired workers over safety complaints; we hear more from Kim Lyons from the Verge website. We take an in-depth look at the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the global advertising sector, including an interview with Sir Martin Sorrell who founded WPP, one of the world's biggest ad agencies. It's just been announced that the US and UK will formally start trade talks; we hear from the BBC's global trade correspondent, Dharshini David. Jonathan Head reports on how coronavirus has affected Thailand's tourism industry and our regular workplace commentator Pilita Clark considers the positive and negative impacts working from home is having on couples who live together. And we're joined throughout the programme by Peter Morici, Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland and in Hong Kong, we're joined by Rachel Cartland, author of the Paper Tigress. (Picture of Amazon fulfilment centre via Getty Images)

Myanmar’s government wants Rohingya refugees to return, but can it guarantee their safety and way of life? Jonathan Head takes a rare trip to Rakhine state to see the government’s resettlement plans. In Assam state in India, another migrant crisis is on the rise, following a drive to identify and deport illegal immigrants. This has left nearly 2 million people without Indian citizenship. Rajini Vaidyanathan meets some of the people now left stateless. Spain’s northern Basque region has been largely at peace thanks to the end of a four-decade campaign of violence by the separatist group Eta. Guy Hedgecoe reports from a small town where a rowdy bar fight aroused suspicion that Eta’s influence has not entirely disappeared. Yemen is one of the Arab world’s poorest countries, and has been devastated by civil war. Nawal Al-Maghafi, who was born in Yemen, has witnessed the deterioration of her homeland first hand. Since starting in a Seattle garage 25 year ago, Amazon has changed the way many of us shop – but the company has its critics too, especially when it comes to the working conditions in its warehouses. This has led to a PR counter-offensive, and Amazon decided to open its doors to the public. Dave Lee accepted the invitation to take a tour of one of the company’s warehouses in California.

The protests at Hong Kong's international airport this week and the violence that resulted have been widely reported. Jonathan Head says not only was this the week that the protest movement lost its innocence, but also that the violence has handed the Chinese authorities a propaganda coup. Reporting from Indian-administered Kashmir has been especially challenging since the Indian government stripped it of its special status: no internet and no telephones. But Yogita Limaye finds one friendly Kashmiri who supplies both hot tea and functional broadband. If you're nervous about snakes then Gombe District in northern Nigeria is best avoided, warns Colin Freeman. He visits a hospital that specialises in treating bites, especially those of the carpet viper, an ever-present danger to the local farmers. Waterproof clothing made from the wool of the Bordaleira sheep has kept Portuguese farmers dry for centuries. Today, it's also the height of fashion, as Margaret Bradley reports; flying off the shelves of smart shops of Lisbon and Porto and in much demand overseas. President Trump surprised Sweden recently when he suggested that the prime minister intervene in the case of a US rapper who'd been arrested in Stockholm on suspicion of assault. Maddy Savage was in court to see the case play out.

It’s almost a year since a Thai football team of 12 boys and their coach found themselves trapped for more than two weeks in the Tham Luang caves in northern Thailand. In a story that gripped the entire world, the rescue became a race against time to save the Wild Boars before heavy monsoon rains flooded the caves. The task was so complex and dangerous that it led to the death of one of the rescuers - Saman Gunan. British caver Vernon Unsworth knows the Tham Luang caves better than anyone and played a crucial role in the rescue. In an exclusive interview he tells Beyond Today how difficult it was to get the operation off the ground, and the BBC’s South East Asia correspondent, Jonathan Head, remembers how it all happened. Producers: Seren Jones, Harriet Noble and Jaja Muhammad Mixed by Nicolas Raufast Editor: John Shields

This week Malaysia ordered several thousand tonnes of imported plastic waste to be sent back to the countries it came from. The country’s government says it has become a dumping ground for wealthier nations and that much of the refuse has been imported illegally. Some of it is from the UK. We talk rubbish with comedian Phil Wang who was brought up in Malaysia and the BBC’s South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head, who has been visiting waste recycling plants in Thailand. You can email the Beyond Today team at beyond.today@bbc.co.uk or comment on social media using #beyondtoday Producers: Philly Beaumont, Lucy Hancock Mixed by Weidong Lin Editor: John Shields

The Saudi teenager Rahaf al-Qunun was spared deportation after details of her plight were spread on social media while she barricaded herself in a hotel room in Thailand. She feared being killed by her family if she was forced to return to Kuwait. She was saved not by her passport but by her phone, observes Jonathan Head. Kate Adie introduces this and other stories from correspondents around the world: Olivia Acland reflects on why the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo may have to wait a little longer than expected to celebrate their country’s first ever democratic transfer of power. Nick Sturdee examines the split between the Ukrainian and Russian branches of the Orthodox church and has a strange encounter involving a black-robed priest, alleged KGB stooges and a mysterious man in a white car. Jane Wakefield has a glimpse of what may turn out to be the future – drones delivering much-needed medicines and other supplies to remote African villages. And Rob Cameron uncovers a disturbing secret about Prague’s cobblestoned streets.

A whirlwind of shifting loyalties, rotating characters, and plot twist after plot twist. Kate Adie introduces correspondents' stories from around the world: Jonathan Head finds himself thinking of Shakespeare as he tries to make sense of recent events in Malaysia. Jo Glanville is in Berlin as some of those driven from the city by the Nazi regime return to their old homes to teach young Berliners about this dark chapter in the city's history. Edmund Bower reflects on how a Premier League footballer has restored a sense of national pride for some Egyptians. Mo Salah has become known as “The Egyptian King of England. ” As hurricane season is approaches once again, Rossalyn Warren hears how some Puerto Ricans are still struggling to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria which tore through the island eight months ago, And Simon Busch indulges in a bit of ironic retro nostalgia as Soviet era fashion is making a comeback - think stripy high-waited sports shorts, lurid checks and string vests.

For the first time since the Vietnam War, a US aircraft carrier has arrived in the country. Kate Adie introduces stories, wit, and analysis from correspondents around the world: Jonathan Head watches a show of military diplomacy as a 100,000 tonne, nuclear-powered carrier docks in Vietnamese waters with more than 5,000 crew and 70 aircraft on board. A spot of misery tourism and a night on the town in Dublin help Louise Cooper understand what’s really going on in Ireland’s economy. At the height of the European migrant crisis, Richard Hall walked the Balkan route. As he retraces his footsteps he finds fewer migrants but more dangers. In Democratic Republic of Congo, Sally Howard joins the impressively dressed lady dandies or sapeuses. And what’s it like to be teased by the Dalai Lama? Justin Rowlatt finds out

Tales from Thailand, Morocco, Myanmar, Kenya and the US-Mexico border. Kate Adie introduces correspondents’ stories. In a Chang Mai prison, Jonathan Head meets a woman facing more than a decade in jail, convicted of insulting the monarchy and sentenced under Thailand’s lèse majesté laws. Colin Freeman wonders whether change might be coming to Morocco as protests spread across the country – the largest since 2011, the era of the Arab Spring. Jonah Fisher looks back on his three and a half years in Myanmar and wonders how he went from eating cake with Aung San Suu Kyi in her home, to shouting questions at her at public rallies. Harriet Constable joins the roller-blading cool kids of Nairobi and finds a welcome distraction from warnings of violence ahead of Kenya’s upcoming general election. And on the US/Mexico border, Victoria Gill goes in search of the Sonoran Pronghorn as researchers try to assess what impact President Trump's plan for an "impassable barrier" might have on wildlife.

Kate Adie introduces dispatches from writers and correspondents around the world. This week: a special insight into the extraordinary number of recent deaths in the Philippines as Jonathan Head talks to one of the country's hired killers; Mark Tully discovers how the "war on drugs" - particularly heroin - in Punjab is going; in the United States, Linda Pressly goes on call with an Ohio coroner dealing with the explosion in the number of deaths resulting from overdoses of prescription drugs and heroin supplied on the street; Justin Rowlatt gets early warning of a possible coup in the Maldives and heads for the island paradise; and Caroline Juler discovers how to improve medical care in Romania as doctors and nurses are drawn to jobs in other countries.

In his first UK media interview, Ed Stourton talks to John Calvin, grandson of the co-founder of Hamas, whose conversion to Christianity meant he had to flee the Middle East. In 1964 Cassius Clay announced he had given up his name for Muhammad Ali and joined the Nation of Islam. Dr Dawn-Marie Gibson talks about how his faith influenced his life. Ed Stourton talks to the BBC's Bangkok correspondent, Jonathan Head, about what the arrests of monks at the Thai Buddhist temple with links to animal trafficking says about the state of Buddhist monasticism in Thailand today. Trevor Barnes investigates the findings of a report that claims the Home Office is rejecting asylum claims from converts to Christianity because officials are making basic mistakes about the faith and what followers should know. Why is Vimto, a soft drink from Manchester, such a big seller in the Gulf States during Ramadan? Kevin Bocquet reports. Sunday hears from Carly Paoli, the British mezzo soprano, whose version of Ave Maria will be the official song for the Pope's Jubilee Year of Mercy celebrations in Rome. Albert Einstein said: 'Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.' Three leading scientists, Professor Tom McLeish, Professor Mohamed El-Gomati and Professor Robert Winston, from three different faith traditions join Ed Stourton to discuss the science and religion 'question' in 2016, ahead of the debate at the Cheltenham Science Festival next week. Producers: Catherine Earlam Peter Everett Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

The newsmakers. In this edition: a foul-mouthed despot or a man to grapple with the problems of the Philippines? Jonathan Head considers the country's controversial choice for president. A mock funeral at a migrants' camp in Greece - Theopi Skarlatos finds patience with the governments of northern Europe wearing thin. They may have put the clocks forward recently, but Paul Moss reckons time in Venezuela is actually going backwards. Andrew Hosken is in the building in Tirana which was once the headquarters of the country's feared secret police while Sara Wheeler take a look at a way of life on the South Atlantic island of St Helena which many there fear will vanish forever once the long-awaited airport finally opens for business

Correspondents with stories from around the world: in this edition, Jonathan Head on how an argument over democracy lies at the heart of the current political turmoil in Thailand; Lucy Williamson's in the Chinese city closest to North Korea where a brutal leadership purge was underway; Katy Watson meets a man in the United States who a thousand women a year turn to for help after having breast cancer surgery; James Harkin on the Syrian air force officer who's been imprisoned on three separate occasions and Joanna Robertson in Paris explodes the myth that French women don't get fat and hears the claim that in French society, a fat female is a failure. From Our Own Correspondent is produced by Tony Grant.

Correspondents' stories: the Champs d'Elysees is an icon of Paris, a majestic piece of town planning. So why does our man in Paris Hugh Schofield suggest, rather forcefully, that visitors should avoid it? The news caravan may have moved on from Libya, but Tim Whewell's been finding out that the country's still in the midst of a revolution. Joanna Jolly has been to Uttar Pradesh in India to report on the aftermath of fighting between Hindus and Muslims. Listening to people's stories of violence and suffering, she found herself becoming involved in ways she hadn't expected; James Coomarasamy has been to Tajikistan in Central Asia where there's mounting concern about the future, when NATO troops leave neighbouring Afghanistan and Jonathan Head joins a group of well-heeled women in a luxury spa in Myanmar and hears stories of a country in the grip of dramatic change. Tony Grant is the producer of From Our Own Correspondent

Will the Egyptian army move in to break up the camp in Cairo set up by supporters of the ousted president, Mohamed Morsi? Caroline Wyatt has been meeting residents of a city which is bitterly divided. Christians are leaving Syria in their thousands. Diana Darke's been learning that they're being greeted with enthusiasm in neighbouring Turkey. Jonathan Head says there's been a conciliatory mood in Burma as people gathered this week to mark the anniversary of an uprising which launched the country's pro-democracy movement. There are some in Gibraltar who feel the British government's not doing enough for them - Tom Burridge is on the Rock as the latest chapter in a 300-year-old row unfolds and the BBC's new man in Australia, Jon Donnison, explains why he's finding it hard coming to terms with the sheer size of his new patch. From Our Own Correspondent is produced by Tony Grant

Millions of Zimbabweans vote on a new constitution - Andrew Harding, in Harare, quotes one government minister saying the document is the 'midwife' to a brand new future for the country. Jonathan Head talks of Burma's most famous resident, the Nobel prizewinner Aung San Suu Kyi. Once revered as an icon, now she's having to get used to being heckled as she goes about her work as a politician. Louisa Loveluck talks of the crumbling Egyptian railway system and how it is starting to tarnish the reputation of the new government led by Mohammed Morsi. More than a billion Indians are about to get brand new state of the art identity cards. Peter Day says it's a bold move by the government -- but will it be a successful one? People in Jerusalem are awaiting the imminent arrival of Barack Obama. Kevin Connolly speculates on what may emerge from the trip and wonders if, afterwards, streets will be named in honour of the American president! The programme is produced by Tony Grant.

Despatches from around the world: Jonathan Head on a little-reported but long-running conflict in southern Thailand; a rare protest on the streets of Singapore - Karishma Vaswani tells of mounting anger in Asia's richest nation; a new government in Italy, after this weekend's election, seems unlikely to tinker much with the employment laws - Ed Butler believes nepotism in the labour market is set to continue; Paul Lewis talks to Ugandans finding it hard to get by even if official forecasts are upbeat about the country's economic future. And getting around wasn't much of a problem for King Tut -- but Terry Egan finds the going tough in Egypt's Valley of the Kings.

Kevin Connolly's in Luxor wondering if the military, which has controlled proceedings in Egypt since 1952, really will hand over power to civilians once the elections, starting next week, are over. Jonathan Head in Turkey notes that talks about joining the European Union have started up again. But does Turkey really need to join an EU worrying about economic catastrophe? David Belton's been to a remote part of New York state where the Amish religious sect has taken the question: can God really be wrong, to a court for judgement. Fuchsia Dunlop's been to one part of China where they don't find cheese alien and revolting And Mary Harper's been mingling with the Somali population in Dubai. And taking a drive, in some style, around the gleaming emirate.

Reprisals and revenge in a desert oasis as the battles continue against the final Gaddafi loyalists -- Justin Marozzi's been learning of the tensions in a small community in the far south of Libya. Katy Watson in Doha on how the Gulf state of Qatar was one of the first countries to declare its support for the Libyan rebels and how it is now reaping the benefits. Jonathan Head, who accompanied Turkish premier Erdogan on part of his North African tour, contends that a Turkish leader, elevated to the status of an Arab champion, is extraordinary. Claudia Hammond is in Costa Rica: tle elderly there reach a greater age than in any other nation in the Americas but the burden, she tells us, hangs heavily on the country's healthcare system. And Daniel Schweimler took some long bus trips and walked a great distance to visit a remote part of Argentina which is almost untouched by the modern world.

A corner of old Germany is unearthed in Latin America as Will Grant follows Venezuelans preparing for a crucial vote. Jonathan Head travels to the east of Turkey where there's been, according to the government, a gesture of reconciliation towards an Armenian minority, subjected to mass killing during the First World War. Fifty years on from independence in Nigeria, Anna Horsbrugh-Porter meets up with two men working there back in 1960. Paul Harper's in a Yemeni town which comes to a standstill after lunch as its men grow euphoric, chewing the leaves of the qat plant. And why are numbers so sharply down at the Liberace Museum in Las Vegas? Kevin Connolly muses on the attractions of conspicuous consumption in a time of recession and the transience of fame.

A big week for the Turkish Prime Minister. Jonathan Head gauges reaction to his growing power. Jennifer Pak finds out what sex education is like for teenagers in Malaysia. Angus Crawford meets the children of Senegal made to beg for money by their teachers. Lorraine Mallinder is in Mauritius finding out what happened to the Chagos Islanders exiled there. And Zeb Soanes goes to Hollywood and gets a shave from the barber to the stars.