Podcasts about orla guerin

Kate Adie introduces dispatches from the Turkey-Iran border, Russia, the USA, Paraguay and Transylvania.Israel's attacks on Iran led thousands of people to flee cities under fire - now they must decide whether to return home, fearing further strikes and a regime still in power. Orla Guerin has been on the Turkey-Iran border, where she spoke to Iranians escaping the war, and others going back home to their families still in the country.As Western leaders gathered for the G7 and NATO summits, President Putin held his own annual international gathering: the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. While an economic summit in name, Steve Rosenberg found the focus this year to be much more geared towards the promotion of Russia's military might.Donald Trump's sudden decision to attack Iran's nuclear sites was met with concern by many in Washington – including some of his most ardent supporters. But the dissenters were quick to fall back in line, says Bernd Debusmann Jr in Washington DC.The herbal drink Mate is hugely popular in Argentina - football legend Lionel Messi is a big fan. But across the border in Paraguay, Jane Chambers finds Mate enthusiasts are miffed that their bigger neighbour is seen as the originator of Mate, claiming Paraguay is the true home of Mate culture.And finally, in Transylvania, Sara Wheeler explores the ebb and flow of a centuries-old Saxon settlement nestled amid ancient forests.Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill & Gemma Ashman Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

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

Calls for a ceasefire in Sudan during the month of Ramadan have been ignored. As the war approaches the three -year mark, those observing Ramadan in the country say, this year is the toughest yet. Also, the BBC's International correspondent Orla Guerin returns to DR Congo and tells us what's changed from the time she first reported from the country, more than 20 years agoAnd African authors on how they're making their books more available on the continent!Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Philip Bull Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editirs: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

During Donald Trump's election campaign, he claimed he could end the war in Ukraine in a single day. As his inauguration nears, the goal widens. Amid growing speculation that negotiations will happen, our Senior International Correspondent, Orla Guerin, reports on a dark mood in Ukraine.Also in the programme: US Tik Tok ban is upheld; and an amazing bathhouse in Pompeii revealed.(Picture: Aftermath of a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih. Credit: Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine)

What is happening now in Syria “is paving the way” for the Islamic State group to re-emerge. That's according to a leading Kurdish commander who played a key role in defeating the group in Syria in 2019. General Mazloum Abdi told the BBC that IS activity has “increased significantly” and the danger of a resurgence has doubled. Our senior international correspondent Orla Guerin was given rare access to the largest IS jail - in the city of Al Hasakah.Also in the programme: A BBC investigation has found that the embattled military rulers of Myanmar control less than a quarter of the country; Malaysia has authorised a new attempt to find the wreckage of MH-370 - the flight that disappeared ten years ago; and the group of singers, with an average age of 92, which has broken the Guinness World Record for the world's oldest choir.(Photo: The BBC was granted rare access to the largest prison for IS detainees - Al Sina - which holds some 5,000 men. Credit: BBC/Matthew Goddard)

Kate Adie presents stories from the US, Lebanon, Spain, Morocco and GreenlandDonald Trump won a resounding victory in the US election, heralding an imminent return to the White House. This was achieved through a new coalition of support - especially among African-American and Hispanic voters. Anthony Zurcher has followed the campaign from the outset, and reflects on how, despite a well-funded Harris campaign, Donald Trump pulled off a decisive win.Israel's invasion of Lebanon has continued, sparked by almost a year of cross-border hostilities. This latest conflict began with Hezbollah firing rockets across the border into Israel last October, in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza. Orla Guerin has been there since the conflict intensified six weeks ago.In Spain, thousands of troops, civil guards and police helped with the relief effort following flash floods in Valencia that killed more than 200 people. Amid a febrile atmosphere of blame and recrimination, Nick Beake has been building a picture of how events unfolded - and heard how tragedy hit one family.Morocco is a launch pad for many Africans trying to make the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean into Europe. Now, it's coming under increased pressure due to political instability in the Sahel. Richard Hamilton was in Tangier.In Greenland, an Inuit community living in the island's most remote settlement is facing profound changes to their traditional way of life amid melting sea ice. Mark Stratton went to hear about the challenges facing the community, such as climate change, tourism and polar bears.Series Producer: Serena Tarling Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Production Coordinators: Katie Morrison and Sophie Hill

We look back on the region's history and discuss what it can teach us about the future.Jonny Dymond brings together a carefully assembled panel of experts, academics and journalists to talk about the conflict in the region.What has happened in history to lead us to this point? And what can history teach us about what might happen next?This week Jonny is joined by Orla Guerin, the BBC's senior international correspondent, Dr Ahron Bregman, senior teaching fellow at King's College London and Dr Julie Norman, an Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at UCL. They explore how the decision by then-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to “disengage” from Gaza and withdraw 9,000 Israeli settlers still looms large over the current conflict in the region.This episode was made by Keiligh Baker with Ivana Davidovic. The technical producers were David Crackles and Jonny Hall. The assistant editor is Ben Mundy. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.This episode is part of a BBC Sounds series. It was recorded at 14:00 on Tuesday 5 November 2024.

Orla Guerin, Senior International Correspondent, BBC News

Kate Adie presents stories from Lebanon, Ukraine, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bali and SpainIn Lebanon, the risk of a wider war between Israel and the armed group Hezbollah remains an ever-present danger. Hezbollah has been trading fire with Israel since the Hamas attacks last October, devastating communities on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border. Orla Guerin reports from southern Lebanon.Drone warfare has transformed the frontline in Ukraine's east, making it more dangerous for those fighting. Russians have also used these to target civilians in the city of Kharkiv. Yana Lyushnevskaya fled Ukraine early in the war. She recounts the experience of returning to her life in Ukraine.In Democratic Republic of Congo, hundreds of thousands of people are staying in overcrowded camps around the city of Goma that has been under siege by the rebel group known as the M23. The Congolese army has struggled to push back the militia's advance. Hugh Kinsella Cunningham spoke to some of the people trying to flee to safety.The Indonesian Island of Bali is a rich cultural heritage with its spectacular religious festivals and traditional craftsmanship. But there are concerns that such traditions such as mask-making are being lost with international visitors spending their money elsewhere. Michelle Jana Chan discovers one artisan persisting with his craft.And finally, back in Europe, thousands of people have been protesting in Spain against a surge in tourism that's being blamed for plummeting living standards among locals. Majorca has been at the centre of the protests. Nick Beake spoke to islanders who feel their way of life is being threatened.Series Producer: Serena Tarling Editor: Tom Bigwood Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill & Katie Morrison

Orla Guerin, Senior International Correspondent, BBC News

Fourteen council members including the UK backed the call, which also demanded the unconditional release of all hostages. We hear reaction from Israel and our International Editor, Jeremy Bowen. From the West Bank, our senior international correspondent Orla Guerin has a report on the Jewish settlers who wish to return to Gaza, almost twenty years after the last settlement there was withdrawn. Also on the programme: we hear the latest on the long running woes at plane-making giant Boeing as its Chief Executive Dave Calhoun will step down by the end of this year; and the one hundred and twenty-five million dollar experiment to try to prove the existence of particles in the universe that have not yet been found. (Photo: UN Secretary-General Guterres in Jordan as UN Security Council prepares to vote for new resolution on Gaza ceasefire Credit: Mohammad Ali/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Vlad and Valeria Yeschenko are a young newly-wed Ukrainian couple. Vlad was clearing out and dismantling mines when one exploded, resulting in severe injuries, including the loss of his eyesight. The couple got married soon after Vlad's recovery. The BBC's senior international reporter, Orla Guerin visited the couple in their home at the edge of Kyiv to find out more about what happened and the impact that day has had on their lives. It is a story of war, loss, love, and a determination to help other people in the same boat, through the couple's charity 'Let's See the Victory'. This interview contains some graphic detail of injury. On In Touch, we have been reporting for some time on the progress of video games becoming more accessible to blind people. The progress is slow but is surely happening and the most recent demonstration of this comes from a motor sport racing game called Forza Motorsport. This is thought to be the first blockbuster racing game accessible to the blind. Brandon Cole is a games accessibility consultant and he tells us about the features that allow blind and partially sighted people to grasp the throttle and get driving (virtually) . Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings Production Coordinator: Liz Poole Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.

A family of amputees learn to walk again. We talk to Natalia Stepanenko, who was badly injured in the Kramatorsk railway attack last year. Both her and her 12 year old daughter Yana lost legs, while Natalia's husband died in a separate attack soon after. After receiving treatment in California the family are back in Ukraine, trying to re-build their lives. The BBC's Orla Guerin explains what medical provisions exist for tens of thousands of Ukrainian amputees and tells us about the diplomatic spat between Ukraine and Poland. And we get the latest on a missile attack which hit the HQ of Russia's Black Sea navy in Crimea. Today's episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko. Translation was provided by Irena Taranyuk. The producers were Arsenii Sokolov, Alix Pickles and Ivana Davidovic. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480 You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast's Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord TOPICS: 00:05 - Amputee mother preview 02:05 - Crimea navy base attack 05:18 - Amputee mother 17:21 - Ukraine's army of amputees 24:10 - News fatigue

Be My AI is an artificial intelligence engine that is being tested by Be My Eyes - an app that connects visually impaired smartphone users to sighted assistance. There are thousands of people currently testing the AI offering and it allows them to take pictures of their surroundings and the AI will describe, with great detail, what is in that image. For example, it can be helpful for things like navigation, describing clothing items or reading menus. However, a lot of its testers are greatly concerned over a recent change where the AI will no longer describe what is in an image, if there is a human present. Sean Dilley is a BBC journalist and user of Be My AI, and he describes the issues that could be behind these changes. *After the time of recording this programme, it appears that the feature has been restored for some users. Orla Guerin is the BBC's Senior International Correspondent and she has recently been back to war-torn Yemen, to catch up with a blind boy she met there two years ago. Ahmed made a particular impression because he was teaching his peers in his bombed-out school. Orla talks with Peter about what Ahmed is like and about his future ambitions. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings Production Coordinator: Liz Poole Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.

Kate Adie introduces correspondents' stories from Yemen, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Turkey and Ireland. The city of Taiz in southwestern Yemen has survived thousands of days of siege conditions during the conflict between Iranian-backed Houthi forces and the Saudi-led alliance. But there are still civilians trying to find moments of normality in wartime - and some surprising facilities on offer. Orla Guerin met a dermatologist who treats both the war wounded, and customers wanting purely cosmetic procedures. The summit on the future of the Amazon rainforest, held in the Brazilian state of Para, didn't result in a grand international pact. But it did showcase a new emphasis: on helping the tens millions of people who live in this vast region, as the key to protecting its biodiversity and tree cover. Katy Watson travelled there to hear from local farmers on what can be done to improve their lives. Zimbabwe's general election is due on the 23rd of August - but there seems little hope for great change through the ballot box. Charlotte Ashton was recently in Harare and found a mood of exhaustion - not least because the creaking economy leaves many people having to juggle several jobs, just to make ends meet. For centuries, the Turkish city of Antakya was a renowned centre of culture, trade and religion: a cosmopolitan metropolis home to Turks, Arabs, Kurds, Jews and Armenians. But six months ago it was rocked by earthquakes. Lizzie Porter found a place once famous for its historic, honey-coloured buildings now full of dust, smoke, and the noise of demolition. In Dublin, after years of economic anxiety after the collapse of the 'Celtic Tiger' and the European financial crisis, the Irish government now enjoys a very large budget surplus. Yet many don't feel they're prospering, as Chris Page explains. Producer: Polly Hope Editor: Bridget Harney Production Co-Ordinator: Gemma Ashman

For nine years, a Sunni-led coalition and Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have been at war. The BBC's Orla Guerin reports from Taiz in southwest Yemen on how the war has impacted children and the UN humanitarian co-ordinator in Yemen, David Cressly, gives us the latest details on the conflict. Also in the programme: China removes Foreign Minister Qin Gang from office; and we get the latest on the wildfires in Italy, Greece and Algeria. (Image: A child who lost his leg after being hit by a shell. Credit: Goktay Koraltan/BBC)

Kate Adie introduces' stories from Turkey, South Africa, China, Germany and Sri Lanka. Recep Tayyep Erdogan now has a mandate to rule for another five years. After living in Istanbul for more than four years, Orla Guerin considers the roots of his success and what the future holds for Turkey. South Africa's electricity supply crisis has made 'load shedding' a term many people now dread - as it can mean power cuts of 8 to 10 hours a day. Stephen Sackur saw the effects on life in the township of Khayelitsha in Cape Town, and asked whether the problem's now fuelling demands for political change. After China's authorities failed to see the funny side of a joke about a military catchphrase, live performance is a riskier business these days in Beijing. Stephen McDonell is a regular at the city's sometimes raucous music venues, and detects a slight muting of the atmosphere, as Party officials' scrutiny of their paperwork - and the musicians' permits - sharpens. Stretches of Germany's most picturesque and beloved forests are dying off - especially areas heavily planted with spruce for the timber industry. Even the Harz mountains where nature-lovers go to hike aren't as green as they used to be. Caroline Bayley went for several walks in the woods, and spoke to the Germans living in a different landscape. And in northern Sri Lanka, Nick Redmayne recently saw signs of enduring mistrust and unease, more than a decade after the end of the state's conflict with the Tamil Tigers. While the civil war is over, the scars can still be seen. Producer: Polly Hope Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Production Co-ordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross

Orla Guerin, International Correspondent, BBC News

Unspun World provides an unvarnished version of the week's major global news stories, with the BBC's world affairs editor John Simpson and the BBC's unparalleled range of experts.This week John explores the ongoing war effort in Ukraine with BBC Monitoring's Vitaliy Shevchenko; the future of Turkey with international correspondent Orla Guerin; what President Assad of Syria's rehabilitation will mean for Syrians, with Middle-East correspondent Lina Sinjab, and he speaks to the BBC's science correspondent, Pallab Ghosh, about the pangenome. What is it, and how can it help humanity?Producers: Pandita Lorenz and Benedick Watt

This weekend's election in Turkey may be the most consequential vote President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has faced yet. Amid the ruined city of Antakya, Orla Guerin heard strong opinions from his supporters and detractors, as they contemplate their and their country's future. Since the Taliban retook power in Afghanistan, the space for women in any kind of public life has been steadily shrinking. Yogita Limaye has often met with their spokesmen and challenged their stance on women's education and employment. While the conversations were cordial, there were few signs of any relaxation of the rules. It's a long way from the foothills of Mount Everest to the southwestern state of Karnataka in India; but in this new landscape, some of Tibet's ancient arts and beliefs are still celebrated at a Buddhist monastery in exile. Earlier this year, Simon Broughton joined the monks of the Tashi Lhunpo monastery for the Tibetan Gutor festival, which features blaring horns, crashing cymbals, and dancers dressed as skeletal tormentors. And as Liverpool gets ready for the culmination of the Eurovision Song Contest, Daniel Rosney retraces the six months he's spent criss-crossing Europe in the run-up to the event, and reflects on the special relationship that's been formed between the United Kingdom and last year's winner, Ukraine. Producer: Polly Hope Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Production Co-Ordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross

It's local election day in England and while people are voting broadcasters aren't allowed to report details of campaigning or election issues… so we're going global. By that we mean Turkey, Sudan, Moscow and the West Bank. The BBC's Orla Guerin has interviewed Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu ahead of presidential elections there, Lyse Doucet has been reporting on Sudan, and Jeremy Bowen has just got back from Jerusalem. But why are there restrictions on UK broadcasters on local election day? Adam also speaks to the BBC chief politics advisor for the lowdown. Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn with Cecelia Armstrong and Jack Taylor. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Alison Gee. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Orla Guerin, senior international correspondent, reports from Ukraine's east, a region she has covered on different trips during the last year, on the permanent sense of danger lingering there, that has become a way of life since the Russian invasion. Russia Editor, Steve Rosenberg recounts his own feelings of surprise at Vladimir Putin's decision to invade - and how far everyday Russians have swallowed the government propaganda. He explores the motivations as to why this might be. US Editor, Sarah Smith describes the secrecy surrounding President Joe Biden's surprise visit to Kyiv - and what the political climate is like in Washington amid pledges the US will support the war for 'as long as it takes'. Sarah Rainsford, Eastern Europe Correspondent, has followed the story of Ukrainians fleeing the war from the outset of the invasion. She speaks to those who have only recently fled in Poland's east and what prompted their decisions to leave now. Vitaliy Shevchenko, presenter of Ukrainecast, has lost friends during the conflict. Over the last year, he evacuated his parents from Zaporizhzhia, now controlled by Russians, and also watched a broader shift in Ukraine's standing in the world - and that of its leader.

Nicola Bulley's family have denounced some media coverage of her disappearance as 'shameful'. What are the lessons for the media in reporting missing person cases? Also in the programme, a year on from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, how has war reporting changed? Guests: Josh Halliday, north of England correspondent at The Guardian; Andy Trotter, former chief constable, British Transport Police; Orla Guerin, senior international correspondent at BBC News; Kateryna Malofieieva, freelance journalist and producer; Rohit Kachroo, global security editor at ITN; John Sweeney, independent journalist. Producer: Dan Hardoon Presenter: Katie Razzall

Kalush Orchestra on winning Eurovision, touring the world and meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger's donkey. The BBC's Orla Guerin gives us a close up account of life on the frontline in Bakhmut as Russia throws everything to claim this symbolic city and how are relations between Presidents Xi and Putin after a year of war in Ukraine? China expert, Dr Yu Jie from Chatham House gives her views. Today's episode is presented by Adam Fleming and Vitaliy Shevchenko. The producers were Arsenii Sokolov, Clare Williamson and Josh Jenkins. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Fiona Leach. The editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480 Join us for a recording of a special episode of Ukrainecast on 24th February to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Venue: BBC Radio Theatre, London. Tickets: www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours

Kate Adie presents a selection of stories from correspondents who have covered the war, from the invasion of Kyiv to the present day. Fergal Keane remembers the beekeepers of the Donbas who he met in 2014, following Russia's annexation of Crimea. As he witnessed the throngs of Ukrainians fleeing war in February of this year, he wonders if he will meet his friends again. Quentin Sommerville reported close to Russian lines in Kharkiv as it came under attack. He reflects on the realities of war and the decision to show dead bodies in his television reporting - to not show them would be a lie, he says. Yogita Limaye writes on the atrocities which emerged in Bucha after Russian forces withdrew, and her encounter with Irina - a woman trying to rebuild her life after she lost her home, and her husband. In July, Orla Guerin reported on the effects of Russia's propaganda machine, and its influence within Russian-speaking communities in Ukraine. Suspicion and mistrust left some locals wondering on whose side their neighbours were on. And acclaimed Ukrainian writer, Andrey Kurkov reflects on his return to Ukraine to celebrate Christmas after several months in Europe and the somewhat muted festivities as the unpredictability of the war continues. Series Producer: Serena Tarling Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Production Coordinator: Iona Hammond

Kate Adie presents stories from Haiti, Germany, Sri Lanka, Morocco and Sweden. Orla Guerin reports from Haiti where gangs now control 60 per cent of the capital and surrounding areas. Hundreds of people have been killed amid reports of kidnapping, gang rape and torture. After a far-right coup on the German government was foiled in recent weeks, Jenny Hill visits one of the 'German kingdoms' which espouses the same conspiracy theories as those who were arrested. 56, 000 children in Sri Lanka are suffering from severe malnutrition, according to the UN. Archana Shukla visits a tea plantation in central Sri Lanka where several families are having to cut back on food amid inflation and shortages. Morocco's World Cup performances have surprised many and led to euphoria on the streets of Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech. And, despite France beating them in the semi-finals, the team's earlier successes have changed how Moroccans are seen - and how they see themselves, says James Copnall. And finally, Maddy Savage visits the Sami reindeer herders of Sweden's north to hear how the country's switch to more renewable energy presents its challenges for this community. Series Producer: Serena Tarling Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Production Coordinator: Iona Hammond

Stories from Ukraine, Afghanistan, the US and Rwanda. Russia is focusing its military might on Ukraine's east where some of the locals have been heavily influenced by Vladimir Putin's propaganda machine. Allegiances have become blurred, with Ukrainian informants tipping off Russian soldiers on the whereabouts of their compatriots, says Orla Guerin. People in Afghanistan's Paktika province are trying to rebuild lives from the rubble of the recent earthquake. It's now estimated more than 1,000 people were killed and several villages were destroyed. Secunder Kermani met with some of the survivors who showed both resilience and generosity. Access to abortion will be a critical issue in the US mid-term elections in November: with battle lines drawn in Pennsylvania and many other states between Republican and Democratic candidates who either want to protect the right to abortion or want an outright ban. Christine Spolar is a Pennsylvania native and was back there as the Supreme Court's decision was announced. Rwanda has been in the spotlight as the country hosted a gathering of Commonwealth leaders, and amid controversy over its immigration deal with the UK. President Paul Kagame was eager to present a polished image to the international community, whilst also rebutting any criticisms of his own poor human rights record, says Anne Soy. Before the war, cities like Kyiv and Odessa were known for their bustling cafes and a lively arts scene. But just as they try to spring back to life, Russia fires another deadly missile, reminding the country and its people of the perils of dropping their guard. Nick Beake was in Kremenchuk and Kyiv this week.

Orla Guerin, International Correspondent, BBC News

The pounding of civilian infrastructure by Russian forces has continued this week in cities like Mykolaiv and Mariupol even as peace talks were underway. And Russia's claims it will reduce its military activity in the north and focus more on Ukraine's eastern Donbas region are being treated with scepticism. Orla Guerin is in Kyiv. Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, described the siege of Mariupol as a ‘crime against humanity' this week. Mariupol's mayor has called for the evacuation of the entire city. But the journey away from the city is fraught with danger and a safe passage is far from guaranteed. Hugo Bachega spoke to those that did manage to escape. A few days after the invasion, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz unexpectedly announced a massive boost in military spending. It's arguably one of the most dramatic shifts in German foreign policy since the Second World War. According to polls most Germans support the new policy, but enthusiasm for it is muted. Our correspondent Damien McGuinness is in Berlin. In Sudan, women have been celebrated for leading the revolution that saw former military ruler Omar al-Bashir toppled. But the Generals still have the upper hand. After two years of sharing power with civilian politicians they staged a coup in October and instituted a transitional military council. Sudan's women and men have been protesting daily and at least 90 people have been killed in a crackdown. Catherine Byaruhanga was in Khartoum. Nearly 1.4 million people in Canada are of Ukrainian heritage. Many of them trace their roots to Ukrainian immigrants who came to Canada in the late 19th century. Greg Mercer's heard how they are rallying to the defence of the old country. Presenter: Kate Adie Producer: Serena Tarling Editor: Hugh Levinson

Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan become the first major American banks to say they'll wind down operations in Russia after the country's invasion of Ukraine. Sridhar Natarajan of Bloomberg tells us more while the BBC's Orla Guerin reports from Irpin on the outskirts of Kyiv. Earlier this week the IMF approved a $1.4bn emergency funding package for Ukraine; the BBC's Samira Hussain speaks with the IMF's Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath. Outside of Ukraine, we hear about the latest devastating floods to hit New South Wales and Queensland in Australia from the BBC's Vivienne Nunis, we discuss the newly elected South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol after the narrowest victory in the country's history, and how do you keep doing business in a war zone? A Ukrainian pharmaceutical firm tells us. Throughout the programme we're joined by Nicole Childers, Executive Editor of Business, Tech and Innovation at NBC News in Los Angeles and by Timothy Martin, Korea Bureau Chief for the Wall Street Journal in Seoul. Picture: the Goldman Sachs logo Credit: Reuters

First - the world woke up on Thursday to a new war in eastern Europe. And even as fierce fighting continues in several parts of Ukraine - with the Russians advancing on multiple fronts - international condemnation has grown steadily louder. We hear from our International Correspondent, Orla Guerin, on how the Russian invasion has hit every part of Ukraine. We also hear from Orla's colleague Sarah Rainsford who spent the day travelling through Eastern Ukraine. We discuss the effects of sanctions on Russia with The BBC's Sergei Goryashko, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Dr Olga Kolokolova - a senior lecturer in finance at Manchester University. Next - there has been a lot of footage doing the rounds on social media claiming to be from the current conflict. But not all of the clips are exactly what they seem. Olga Robinson, a disinformation expert from BBC Monitoring, took at a look at some of the claims going viral online. Lastly, we look at how thirty years ago, Ukraine was one of the 15 constituent parts of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. When the Soviet Union broke up in 1991, internal boundaries became international borders. That's the point at which The BBC's Matt Davies took up the story with Peter Conradi - Europe Editor of The Sunday Times and author of the book Who Lost Russia? How the World Entered a New Cold War. (IMAGE CREDIT: GETTY)

During the Cold War, the border between NATO countries and the Soviet bloc was heavily fortified, each side fearing the other might one day roll across it in their tanks. Since then, alliances have shifted, and Poland is now firmly within the western military ambit. But that means it is also on the front line in what some call a new Cold War, facing Belarus, a staunch ally of Russia. And these days, Poland is not worrying about tanks crossing any time soon, but people: the asylum seekers who were mustered on the Belarus side. As Nick Beak explains, most seemed desperate to cross over. There have been several thousand attempts by asylum seekers to cross into Poland from Belarus. Compare that figure to the situation in Turkey, which now plays host to four million people who fled there, most of them escaping the civil war in neighbouring Syria. Turkey and its President won international praise for accepting these new arrivals, and devoted considerable resources to providing them with food and housing. However, it seems the mood is changing. Ayla Jean Yackley says Turks are now ever less willing to see money spent on helping refugees, when their country's own economy is in poor shape. The United States plays host to a wide variety of wild animals, such as grizzly bears, alligators and rattle snakes. It was once also home to millions of wild turkeys, a bird seen almost as a symbol of the US, as it is eaten each year for the Thanksgiving Festival. The wild turkey population had declined in recent decades, but a concerted conservation effort has restored some of this lost population. However, Alice Hutton says the birds are now causing havoc in some American cities. Libya might soon be ruled over by President Gadhafi - not that the late Colonel Gadhafi has been restored to life, nor did it turn out that his death was faked. But Libya is holding presidential elections next month, and among the candidates are one Saif Al Islam Gadhafi, Muammar Gadhafi's son. He was one of his father's more strident supporters, and the fact that he is being taken seriously says much about Libya today, according to Orla Guerin. The coronavirus outbreak and its lockdowns have meant isolation for many people, but few have been affected like sailors in the Royal Navy. They are accustomed to being cut off, being away at sea for long periods. However, with many countries closed to visitors, sailors have no longer been able even to enjoy shore leave the way they did previously, as Hannah King found when she visited one of Britain's newest aircraft carriers.

Orla Guerin is a renowned war correspondent for the BBC. She spent time as Pakistan correspondent, where she built up knowledge of the Taliban. As the US withdraws from Afghanistan, & the Taliban are in power once again, we get an insight into what life is going to be like for those left behind.

The destructive power of water is often underestimated… until it's too late. Large areas of Europe and China are still reeling from the damage left by some of their worst floods for decades. Across Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, there were over 200 deaths and billions of euros' worth of damage done. Now there are questions over whether this disaster will make voters more concerned about the effects of climate change. Although the Netherlands was least affected by the latest floods, water management is an existential threat for such a low-lying country. Anna Holligan has seen the worry – as well as the wreckage - on the ground there and in Germany. Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro was recently briefly admitted to hospital after intestinal problems made him hiccup uncontrollably. He appears to have recovered and has been out and about, talking to the media and to the public. But his political worries are not over – in fact they're only growing more acute. Many of his former allies are beginning to peel away. The country's Senate is now investigating his government's record of decision-making on Covid, from refusing to lock down to failure to procure medical supplies and vaccines. There are allegations swirling of corrupt vaccine-purchasing deals. Yet Mr Bolsonaro can still count on solid support from some of those who helped to elect him. Orla Guerin heard from them in Brasilia. The war between Armenia and Azerbaijan for control of Nagorno Karabakh, is over - for now. The conflict there has flared up repeatedly over more than thirty years, with both countries insisting that the region is legally and historically theirs. In late 2020 Azerbaijan launched a lightning offensive – and came out on top this time around, capturing towns and territory with significant help from its regional ally, Turkey. Colin Freeman recently returned to one town which he'd last seen at the centre of a fierce battle. South Africa is counting the costs of a mass outbreak of looting and destruction. In and around the cities of Johannesburg and Durban, businesses and homes were burned and ransacked. The police were fiercely criticised in some places for not doing enough to stop the violence. As well as criminal investigation, the country is now also doing plenty of soul-searching about the root causes of such widespread chaos. Gregory Mthembu-Salter and his family share the national concern, as his wife's side of the family live where the looting was worst, in Kwa Zulu -Natal. The Mexican state of Sinaloa is deeply enmeshed in the drug trade. Profits from organised crime are an important driver of the local economy, especially in the state's capital. In Culiacán , luxury cars can often be seen cruising the streets. Restaurants, bars, and designer fashion outlets all depend on the cash brought in from narcotics. And there's another expensive consumer fixation fuelled by narco culture – widespread plastic surgery. Linda Pressly talked to one of the city's busy cosmetic surgeons. Producer: Polly Hope

A leaked recording has startled observers of Iran’s government and military. Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was caught out when an interview meant for the archive of a state-sponsored think-tank found its way to the media. Jeremy Bowen explains what it revealed about how the country really works. President Biden has issued an official statement that the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks from 1915 onwards were a “genocide” - a term that's always enraged Turkish nationalists. Biden’s statement was welcomed in Armenia and by the Armenian diaspora, but roundly rejected by Turkey’s President Erdogan. Orla Guerin reports on the impact of the White House’s verdict on history. It has been three weeks since the volcano in St Vincent, La Soufriere, erupted. Ash rained down on the northern part of the island; more than a tenth of its people had to to shelter elsewhere and most crops have been ruined. Will Grant reached the red zone and saw how much needs to be rebuilt. Chile has had one of the world’s most successful vaccine rollouts, with over 40% cent of its people having had at least one jab. But infection rates haven’t fallen as rapidly as was hoped. Some experts say the country’s experience is proof vaccination alone can’t keep whole populations free of Covid. Jane Chambers detects some disillusion in Santiago. The self-declared Islamic State attracted around 40,000 foreign fighters to its territory, and many brought wives and children with them. Josh Baker spent years following the story of one American woman who travelled to Syria with her husband, taking her young son, Matthew, too. The boy survived more than two and a half years there and is now back in the US. Tracking him down took Josh to several unexpected places along the way.

Adam chats to Liz Truss about why it’s such a whisky business being the Secretary of State for International Trade. And the BBC's Orla Guerin talks through what impact Yemen’s ongoing civil war has had on children in the country. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Georgia Coan, Rick Kelsey, Danny Wittenberg Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

Orla Guerin, International Correspondent with the BBC, discusses the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Yemen

Podcast: From Our Own Correspondent Podcast (LS 59 · TOP 0.5% what is this?)Episode: The true state of the pandemic in TurkeyPub date: 2020-12-19Turkey has had record numbers of new coronavirus infections recently with around 30,000 positive cases a day. That number has now dropped slightly, and the Health Ministry says restrictions have begun to bear fruit. But how did it get to this, in a country which was initially regarded as doing well in the pandemic? Now the government has been accused of covering up the spread of the virus, and putting lives at risk, as Orla Guerin reports from Istanbul. In Sudan's western region of Darfur, the long-running armed conflict has cost 300,000 lives, and forced two and a half million people to flee their homes. After a peace deal in August, the international peacekeeping force is preparing to pull out this month. Hopes now rest on the new part-civilian, part-military government, which came to power after 30 years of dictatorial rule. But as Mike Thomson found, the dual structure of the new administration can pose challenges on the ground. People in Bethlehem are preparing for an austere Christmas without the income from foreign pilgrims and tourists – but you can still find stories of hope there. Especially at the Milk Grotto – near the Nativity Church – where the Virgin Mary is said to have nursed baby Jesus. It's long been claimed that women who have difficulties conceiving are blessed with children after praying at the grotto, or using bits of soft chalk, or “milk powder”, from its walls, as Yolande Knell reports. New York City was hit worse than many places during the first wave of the pandemic, and Nick Bryant and his wife both caught the virus. So his adopted home is the perfect perch from which to observe, and now reflect on, the extraordinary year that was 2020. Presenter: Kate Adie Producer: Arlene GregoriusThe podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from BBC Radio 4, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

Turkey has had record numbers of new coronavirus infections recently with around 30,000 positive cases a day. That number has now dropped slightly, and the Health Ministry says restrictions have begun to bear fruit. But how did it get to this, in a country which was initially regarded as doing well in the pandemic? Now the government has been accused of covering up the spread of the virus, and putting lives at risk, as Orla Guerin reports from Istanbul. In Sudan’s western region of Darfur, the long-running armed conflict has cost 300,000 lives, and forced two and a half million people to flee their homes. After a peace deal in August, the international peacekeeping force is preparing to pull out this month. Hopes now rest on the new part-civilian, part-military government, which came to power after 30 years of dictatorial rule. But as Mike Thomson found, the dual structure of the new administration can pose challenges on the ground. People in Bethlehem are preparing for an austere Christmas without the income from foreign pilgrims and tourists – but you can still find stories of hope there. Especially at the Milk Grotto – near the Nativity Church – where the Virgin Mary is said to have nursed baby Jesus. It’s long been claimed that women who have difficulties conceiving are blessed with children after praying at the grotto, or using bits of soft chalk, or “milk powder”, from its walls, as Yolande Knell reports. New York City was hit worse than many places during the first wave of the pandemic, and Nick Bryant and his wife both caught the virus. So his adopted home is the perfect perch from which to observe, and now reflect on, the extraordinary year that was 2020. Presenter: Kate Adie Producer: Arlene Gregorius

Lyse Doucet OBE is the BBC's Chief International Correspondent and Senior Presenter.

In Australia, the killing of George Floyd in the US has resonated strongly with indigenous Australians, who often face prejudicial policing, and make up a disproportionate number of Australia's prison population. Shaimaa Khalil met members of the Aboriginal community in Sydney. Turkey has so far had relatively few deaths from coronavirus, for the size of its population. That's according to the official data. But in the past week numbers of new infections have surged, following the easing of restrictions in early June. Could there be a second wave? Orla Guerin has been following events in Istanbul. The vast container ships that travel the oceans to supply us with food and other goods have not been left untouched by the pandemic. Fear of the virus means the crews are no longer welcome in many ports, and they have seen their employment rights eroded, Horatio Clare reports. Around a quarter of the world's population already eat insects as part of their diet, but many still recoil from the idea. And yet insects may be an answer for future sustainable food production. So how to make them more palatable? A laboratory in Kenya is working on it. Grasshopper biscuit anyone? Emilie Filou had a taste. In much of Europe, residents had been enjoying free movement for many years, when coronavirus lockdowns closed the borders. Suddenly friends, relatives even lovers on two sides of a border could no longer see each other. But a hotel which sits right on the Franco-Swiss border, with entries on both sides, offered a solution, as Imogen Foulkes has found. Presenter: Kate Adie Producer: Arlene Gregorius

This week Turkey launched a series of air and ground attacks against Kurdish forces in north-east Syria. Joining Marian for an update from the Turkey/Syria border Orla Guerin and joining the panel to discuss it further Colonel Colm Doyle.

The President of El Salvador is calling on young men to leave the country’s criminal gangs, or perish with them. He said the gangs have terrorised the country for decades, and would be dismantled. Orla Guerin has been to the capital, San Salvador, to see how the gangs menace the city. Greece has a new Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis of the centre-right party New Democracy, defeating the socialist Alexis Tsipras. Mark Lowen was based in Athens at the height of the financial crisis, which led to Greece experiencing one of the worst peace-time depressions of the last hundred years. He returned to watch the old conservative party being brought back to power. Five years ago, Russian-backed forces seized control of the Crimean peninsula. Ash Bhardwaj gained permission to enter Crimea, to find out what’s changed in five year’s of Russian rule. A hundred years ago, the passing of the Addison Act spurred a huge expansion in council housing across the UK. Austria too has been remembering when it began building social housing around 100 years ago. In Vienna today more than half of its population live in subsidised apartment blocks. Some of these are of vast scale, such as Karl Marx Hof, more than half a mile long. Caroline Davies has been finding out what lessons policy makers can learn from the Viennese approach to housing. The end of the Cricket World Cup is drawing near, and the final match, between England and New Zealand, will be watched by fans from all over the world. But what would they make of how the game is played in the Trobiand Islands, located off the coast of Papua New Guinea? The people there have a passion for cricket that borders on the extreme, as Mark Stratton has discovered. Presenter: Kate Adie Producer: Neil Koenig

What life after IS looks like for the residents of Iraq's second city - bright hijabs, bold makeup and striking works of art. "Colour has become their way of saying ‘we’ve taken our lives and our city back’" says Shaimaa Khalil. Kate Adie introduces this and other stories from correspondents around the world: Orla Guerin finds out what happened to the two sick children she met in Yemen last year. Six months on, were they able to leave the war-torn country to get the medical care they so desperately needed? Amelia Martyn-Hemphill meets the mums in Madagascar trying to save others from a taboo condition and encourage them to seek treatment for obstetric fistula rather than suffer in silence. John Murphy is in Germany where he meets a woman with clawed feet, horns and yellow eyes - he's at computer gaming exhibition in Leipzig. And Stephanie Hegarty hears how the harsh climate of the Mongolian steppe is forcing more and more people to move to the overcrowded capital Ulaanbaatar – already one of the world’s most populated cities.

An all-female show to celebrate Women's Little Christmas. Miriam talks to jockey Emma Doyle, an in-depth interview with BBC correspondent Orla Guerin, and Lise Hand and Dearbhail McDonald talk about what Nollaig na mBan means to them.

Children who are able to survive the ongoing civil war have to grow up fast in Yemen. Kate Adie introduces stories, insight, and analysis from correspondents around the world: According to The United Nations, one child under five dies every ten minutes from preventable causes in Yemen. Orla Guerin meets some of the families struggling on and speaks to the President Ab’d Rabbu Mansur Hadi about the conflict. In South Korea, Simon Maybin attends a lesson in the etiquette of dating, kissing and respecting your partner as the country tries to turn around its declining birth rate. In Tunisia, Charlotte Bailey hears why young men are setting themselves on fire – just as Mohamed Bouazizi did in 2010. His death was one of the catalysts of the Arab Spring. In the USA, Christine Finn follows in the footsteps of Henry David Thoreau and explores the shores of Walden Pond. And as Justin Rowlatt leaves India and auctions off his belongings, he learns that you can put a price on just about anything.

A well-known blogger and activist jailed for a peaceful protest, a young man imprisoned and tortured for wearing the wrong T- shirt, a young woman abducted by masked police, and now among more than a thousand people who have been forcibly disappeared – these are just some of the alarming stories from the new Egypt.Orla Guerin has spent the last four years reporting from Cairo where she has witnessed a systematic assault on freedoms and human rights. The country's ruler, former army chief, President Abdel Fatah al Sisi is standing for re-election (next month) in a climate of fear and intimidation. Seven years after the euphoria in Tahrir Square, Orla asks what happened to the hope born during the revolution, and reports on the abuses which campaigners say are at the heart of the Sisi regime.

The sounds of protest, popping champagne corks and the piercing shrieks of megabats. Kate Adie introduces correspondents’ stories from around the world. Aleem Maqbool watches a confederate monument fall in America’s south, and wonders what difference statues and symbols really make. In Egypt, activists tell Orla Guerin that while previous leaders may have tried to restrict the space for civil society, President Sisi wants to eliminate it. They claim their strongman leader has been emboldened by Donald Trump who has praised his work - and his shoes. In Australia, Phil Mercer finds that residents of Sydney are not too happy with their new neighbours. Megabats or flying-foxes fly in gothic squadrons, emit a piercing cacophony and leave behind a lingering stench. In the shadow of towering glass and steel skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Rob Crossan has lunch in the traditional Malay village trying to resist the tides of gentrification and modernisation. And Juliet Rix has a drink in France, as she meets the women shaking up the champagne industry. Producer: Joe Kent

Storytelling and writing. In this edition Gabriel Gatehouse is in Sicily which suffered waves of emigration in the 20th century. Today it's having to get used to being a centre of immigration with the arrival of thousands of mainly African migrants; Orla Guerin's in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. The jihadists of Islamic State are only 70-miles away now, but residents seem more concerned about the renewed wave of sectarian killings than about the advance of IS; Mark Stratton's in Micronesia. Some of the islands there, with their immaculate beaches and swaying palms, seem like paradise. Yet people are leaving. Why? Peter Day looks back at the frenzied casino which was the trading floor at the Chicago Board of Trade. With computers now having taken over much of the business, its doors will soon close for the final time. And Tom Holland's in a town in Canada which boasts a replica of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus and where there are plans to fill a ravine with dinosaurs.

Analysis, colour, wit and observation from journalists worldwide. Today: Pascale Harter chronicles the fury in Spain at reports that politicians are lining their pockets while the people are making painful sacrifices in the name of austerity. James Harkin on the death of a young engineer who wanted to help build a new Syria after the revolution. Jill McGivering on the Indian women being talked into hysterectomies by doctors eager to make more money. Orla Guerin meets an Afghan governor who says don't worry about the Taliban, peace is at hand - although he does keep an assault rifle close at hand! And Thomas Fessy, in newly-liberated Timbuktu, unearths the beer that had to be buried when the fabled city was seized by Islamist rebels. Produced by Tony Grant.

Andrew Harding travels to the centre of Mali to find out how the fight against the Islamist rebels is affecting life in one small country town. Thousands of prisoners are being released from jail in Georgia -- Damien McGuinness has been learning that not all Georgians think that's such a good idea. Silvio Berlusconi's trying again to be prime minister of Italy. Alan Johnston in Rome's been finding out that many Italians don't want to see a return of the bunga bunga king. Orla Guerin tells us what it's like to live and work in Pakistan, a land which sometimes seems as if it's in perpetual crisis and ... turbulence at 35-thousand feet!!! Paul Moss takes a flight where the hostesses dispensed diplomacy along with the gin and tonics.

French police have been placed on higher alert after rioting in the northern city of Amiens. Christian Fraser says the unrest poses a growing challenge to the new president, Francois Hollande. Government forces have been re-deployed from north-east Syria. Orla Guerin believes the Kurds, who've long wanted to establish their own homeland, see this as a window of opportunity. There've been more protests in Delhi against corruption in public life. But Mark Tully wonders if support for the anti-corruption movement is ebbing away. How will life change in Egypt now there's a president from the Muslim Brotherhood? It's a question exercising many including foreign visitors to Cairo like Edwin Lane. He speculates whether time might soon be called on the capital's thriving bar scene. And Daniel Nasaw tells of the difficulties and the embarrassments an American can face when he tries to get to grips with Farsi, the language of the Iranians.

Aleem Maqbool reports on Karachi, where inter-ethnic violence between Urdu speakers and Pashtuns has killed hundreds in the last few months; as Sonia Gandhi receives medical treatment in the US, Mark Tully explores her enduring political power in India, despite the fact that she holds no government office; Orla Guerin is in Misrata, in Libya, where rockets still threaten civilians and little appears to have changed for the better; Sudan is now officially divided into two and Sudanese pride, especially in the north, has taken a battering - James Copnall describes how national hopes lay with a horse called Diktator at the Sudanese Derby; and despite their economic woes, Jake Wallis Simons sees how the Portuguese still found a way to celebrate, with trays full of bread.

The assassin who was garlanded: Orla Guerin on murder on the streets of Islamabad and the extent of extremism in Pakistan. Mark Doyle returns to his old stamping ground in Ivory Coast and visits the hotel that once gave pony rides to his son and now is a sanctuary and a presidential office at the same. Jonathan Fryer is in Azerbaijan looking at the city of Baku: crossroads between east and west; Justin Rowlatt is investigating Chinese economic activity in Brazil while Tim Ecott's at the remote Indian Ocean island that brings together some scientists, a hundred thousand turtles and the occasional stranded Somali pirate.