From Our Own Correspondent

Kate Adie introduces stories from Syria, China, the USA, Greece and Brazil.In the devastated Syrian district of Ghouta, a man calls out from the ruins to our correspondent Lyse Doucet and tells the story of how he is rebuilding his home - and his life - after the fall of the Assad regime.Chinese ambition continues to strive for pole position in the global pecking order as it makes advances in green energy, artificial intelligence, and military might – but what could be its Achilles heel? Laura Bicker looks at the challenges facing Beijing in the year ahead.It’s nearly a year since Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States – a victory built around unquestioning loyalty among his MAGA base. But some Republican voters are now beginning to question the effectiveness of some of his policies. Tom Bateman reports from New Orleans.An outbreak of sheep pox in Greece, which began in the Summer of 2024, has seen a surge in cases over recent months with mass culling affecting farmers across

Kate Adie presents stories from Iran, Norway, France, Ireland and Switzerland.A recent marathon race in Iran caused controversy after many of the 2000 women runners ignored the country's mandatory hijab law, and ran without a head covering. Years after deadly protests rocked the country, Faranak Amidi charts how women in Iran today are continuing to defy the religious authorities on a daily basis.Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean is home to an array of wildlife, including Polar Bears. With their survival under threat, Beth Timmins considers their future - and past - while sailing off the bay of Skansbukta.The French have a penchant for chestnuts, and demand in the country often vastly outstrips supply. And in the chestnut groves of the Cévennes, intensifying droughts are pushing the crop to the brink. Julius Purcell met chestnut farmers keeping a centuries-old culture alive, in the face of a warming planet.Irish pubs may be one of the Emerald Isle’s most ubiquitous exports, but Irish whiskey has dipped in populari

Kate Adie introduces stories from Ukraine, Hong Kong, Australia, the USA and Laos.Russian forces have tried to capture the city of Pokrovsk for nearly two years as it seeks to control Eastern Ukraine, but Ukrainian forces have continued to resist the advance, helped by Ukraine's innovative arms industry. Jonathan Beale met battle-scarred troops at a command centre and visited a secret missile factory.The Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been convicted of ‘colluding with foreign forces’ under the Beijing-imposed national security law. Mr Lai had been accused of violating the law for his role in pro-democracy protests and through his newspaper, Apple Daily. Danny Vincent has been following the case.Last weekend, two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi beach in Sydney. 15 people were shot dead and dozens more were injured in the worst mass shooting in Australia in nearly three decades. Katy Watson has been speaking to members of Sydney's Jewish community.In the 'Yellowstone' state of Montan

Kate Adie introduces stories from Syria, Ukraine, the USA, China and Germany.Syrians took to the streets to celebrate one year since the fall of the Assad regime, but in the background post-war reconstruction has been slow and sectarian violence is on the rise. Lina Sinjab has been travelling the country and reflects on the challenges ahead.Despite the constant threat of drones and missiles, many Ukrainians are finding ways to carry on with their lives - including the country's artists and musicians. Marcel Theroux recently visited Chernivtsi in western Ukraine, to attend the opening night of an unexpected musical gem.Just a few years ago, the city of El Paso in Texas declared a state of emergency as local shelters struggled to cope with the influx of migrants crossing the border from Mexico. Today, the picture is very different with the flow of migrants now a trickle. Bernd Debusmann looks at the impact of Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.China's mighty Yangtze river is one of the world's busiest shippin

Kate Adie introduces stories from Israel, Honduras, Turkey and Lebanon, Georgia and Russia.Israel is facing an impending crisis over conscripting ultra-Orthodox Jews into the Israeli army, and the issue is threatening to undermine Israel's government and split the country. Lucy Williamson reports from the city of Bnei Brak.Donald Trump surprised many in his own Republican party this week when he signed a pardon releasing the former president of Honduras from a West Virginia prison. Juan Orlando Hernández was serving 45 years for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy. Will Grant gauges the reaction in Tegucigalpa - and pays a visit to the former president's wife.Pope Leo chose Turkey and Lebanon as the destinations for his first overseas trip as Pontiff, stopping off in the Turkish city of Iznik – scene of the First Council of Nicaea seventeen hundred years ago, which shaped Christian beliefs for centuries. Aleem Maqbool has been travelling with the Pope.It’s been a year since demonstrators took to the str

Anna Foster and some of the BBC’s best-known foreign correspondents are joined by an audience of Radio 4 listeners to celebrate 70 years of ‘From Our Own Correspondent’. Since the first episode was broadcast on 25th September 1955, FOOC – as it’s affectionately known – has reported from almost every country in the world. Anna’s guests for the event, recorded in the Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House in London, are Kate Adie, the presenter of FOOC and a former BBC Chief News Correspondent, Jeremy Bowen, the BBC’s International Editor, Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, and Steve Rosenberg, the BBC’s Russia Editor. They discuss what the job of a foreign correspondent is these days when anyone can get on a plane, take a mobile phone and broadcast to the world. They reflect on how to report on a more hostile world. Together, they offer insights into the world of the foreign correspondent - including the time Jeremy Bowen once told the Mujahideen in Afghanistan that he was Lyse Doucet - and

Kate Adie introduces stories from Nigeria, Ukraine, the United States, Sweden and France.Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, has declared a nationwide security emergency amidst a spate of kidnappings in the country’s north. More than 250 children abducted from a Catholic school last week are still missing, according to authorities. Mayeni Jones reports from Minna, in Niger state.Moscow, Abu Dhabi, Kyiv and Geneva have all hosted peace negotiations this week, but despite the distances travelled, is an end to the war in Ukraine any closer? BBC Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse has been watching the latest efforts to end the war, as nightly assaults continue in many Ukrainian cities.When Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, he was quick to repeal a range of policies introduced by the previous administration. Among them, a moratorium on Federal Executions. Hilary Andersson was recently selected as a media witness for an execution in Oklahoma.The longest strike in the modern history of Sweden re

Kate Adie introduces stories from Jordan, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Spain and the Black Sea.11-year-old Abdelrahman was injured during an Israeli attack in Gaza, which led to the loss of one of his legs. He was selected to travel to Jordan for hospital treatment, to be fitted with a new prosthetic leg. Fergal Keane met him while he was undergoing treatment - and learning to play the traditional Middle Eastern musical instrument, the oud.The former prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, was sentenced to death this week for crimes against humanity. Prosecutors accused the former leader of being behind hundreds of killings during anti-government protests last year. Arunoday Mukharji was in the capital, Dhaka, when the verdict was announced.Russian attacks on Ukraine' energy infrastructure have increased. Among the targets are the country’s nuclear power plants – with Europe’s largest located in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia. Vitaliy Shevchenko recounts a recent discovery he made about his childhood home t

Kate Adie introduces stories from Syria, the Philippines, Tanzania and Brazil.During his visit to Washington this week, Syria’s interim president Ahmed Al Sharaa announced that Syria will join the coalition of 90 countries trying to eliminate the remnants of the Islamic State group. The threat of IS is increasing on Syrian soil, where 8,000 suspected IS fighters remain in jails, and 34,000 of their family members are held in camps. Orla Guerin reports on the new generation growing up in the camps.Last week the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Fung-wong - the twenty first big tropical storm to hit the country this year. Jonathan Head reflects on how the country copes with its vulnerability to natural disasters - and the growing anger over misappropriation of millions of dollars designated for improving flood defences.Tanzania recently experienced its worst post-election violence in decades. The newly elected president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was inaugurated after the country’s electoral commission declared she had

Kate Adie presents stories from the USA, Jamaica, Uganda, Kazakhstan and Germany.Zohran Mamdani won New York City's race for mayor in a contest that rallied young voters and sparked debate about the future direction of the US Democratic Party. BBC North America editor Sarah Smith considers the political choices and challenges ahead.The world watched last week as Hurricane Melissa slowly crashed into Jamaica, causing extensive damage across the island – and killing at least 75 people across the region. Nada Tawfik witnessed the damage caused on Jamaica’s West coast.The glaciers in Uganda's Rwenzori mountains sustain unique ecosystems, but are rapidly reaching the point of no return as they continue to shrink. Hugh Kinsella Cunningham joined local community groups trying to mitigate the effects of climate changes in the region's foothills.Kazakhstan's economy is very much on the up, as it forges closer ties with China. Tim Hartley recently returned to the country after a hiatus of some two decades – as he follo

Kate Adie introduces stories from Argentina, South Korea, Japan, Ireland and the Occupied West Bank.For decades, Argentina's cycle of boom and bust seemed endless, but two years ago, a chainsaw-wielding, self-styled 'anarcho capitalist' called Javier Milei promised a way out of all that. Since elected as president he’s shown some signs of being able to shrink the state – but are voters happy? Ione Wells watched on at the recent mid-term elections.The meeting between China’s President, Xi Jinping and US President, Donald Trump this week in South Korea was analysed intently for any signs of a breakthrough on the two countries trade stand-off. Our China correspondent Laura Bicker followed the encounter.Earlier on his East Asia tour Donald Trump met with Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. The president lavished praise on Ms Takaichi whose politics many have compared to Margaret Thatcher. Shaimaa Khalil examines what Donald Trump called 'a beautiful friendship'.Ireland has for a long time been kn

Kate Adie introduces stories from Sudan, France, India, the USA and Mauritius.Sudan's civil conflict has left millions of people displaced and at risk of hunger and famine. In the capital Khartoum, Nawal Al-maghafi witnesses the toll the violence has taken on families, and meets children whose young lives have been forever shaped by the war.France has been reeling this week from the fallout of last weekend’s theft of priceless crown jewels from the Louvre in Paris. Andrew Harding has been watching the disbelief and shame that has dented French national pride - but has seen humour too.India has been making textiles and clothing for the world for centuries – but its goods are now less competitive for American buyers, due to Donald Trump's heavy tariffs. In the run-up to the recent Diwali festivities, Archana Shukla saw how shoppers are feeling the pinch.Drugs like fentanyl have killed hundreds of thousands of Americans in recent years, and in the city of Las Vegas, a particularly vulnerable substance-using popu

Kate Adie presents stories from Israel and Egypt, Haiti, Italy and Ireland.President Trump received a hero’s welcome when he landed in Israel this week, following his central role in brokering the Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange deal. He also flew into the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh, where he declared ‘an historical turning point’ to the gathered world leaders. Tom Bateman travelled with the president on Air Force One.Mr Trump was short on detail when it came to how peace will proceed over the coming weeks, months - and years. That leaves the question: what happens next? Jeremy Bowen reflects on this moment in the region's long history – and wonders if there will ever be reconciliation.In Haiti, armed criminal gangs still have a firm grip on the capital's impoverished neighbourhoods. On a recent visit, Jasmin Dyer saw the ruined communities the gangs have left in their wake, and met some of the young victims of their brutality.Last month a London-born boy became the first millennial saint. Carlo Ac

Kate Adie introduces stories from Ukraine, Madagascar, St Helena, Uzbekistan and Bolivia.We follow a Ukrainian army officer in the western city of Lviv who has the unenviable task of informing families that their loved ones have been killed on the battlefield. Richard Pendry witnesses the heartbreak and anger that has faced Major Serhiy Laziuk every day for the past three years.Gen Z led protests have erupted in Madagascar recently. What began as a demonstrations against persistent power cuts, has evolved into demands for full-scale political change. Luke Freeman reports from the capital, Antananarivo.The British overseas territory St Helena in the South Atlantic - home to just four thousand people - largely depends on British grants and remittances from abroad. While renowned for its natural beauty, many locals are looking to leave to find their fortune abroad. Beth Rose spoke to islanders about the future.Uzbekistan is making art and culture a central pillar of its economic development, as the former Soviet

Kate Adie introduces stories from Dubai, The Dominican Republic, Denmark, Spain and Australia.Dubai is often described as one of the safest cities in the world - but safe for who? In the shadows of shining skyscrapers and shopping malls is an exploitative sex trade. Runako Celina has been investigating the suspicious deaths of two women who travelled to Dubai with big dreams.The Dominican Republic is a popular tourist destination - though not all new arrivals are welcome. The government is currently undertaking a sweeping campaign to deport illegal immigrants - in particular, those who have arrived from neighbouring Haiti. John Murphy met Haitians hiding out in the hills, to evade authorities.Denmark is among several European countries to have reported mysterious drone incursions in recent weeks. This comes at a time when the country is already on edge over its national security, having recently decided to extend its mandatory military service to include young women. Anna Holligan met some of the new recruits

Kate Adie presents stories from the occupied West Bank, the US, Brazil, South Korea and Russia.When the UK government recognised a Palestinian state, he said he was acting “to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution.” But Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move won’t “bind Israel in any way.” Our Middle East Correspondent, Yolande Knell has been to Bethlehem to hear about Palestinians doubts and demands.At the UN General Assembly this week, Donald Trump took to the stage and gave a scathing speech. He claimed UN predictions on climate change were wrong and criticised its assistance of asylum seekers. Mr Trump has never been shy in attacking political opponents – but it's a trend that seems to have stepped up a gear since he returned to the White House, says Anthony Zurcher in Washington.Our correspondent, Ione Wells, recently met the Brazilian President, Lula Da Silva as he contemplates a re-election run next year. His arch-rival, Jair Bolsonaro faces a hefty prison sentence after h

Kate Adie introduces stories from across Europe, Nepal, Ghana, and Moldova-Transnistria.As countries across Europe harden their stance on immigration, Fergal Keane retraces the journeys refugees have taken over the years, including stories he has heard from Ireland, Syria, Turkey and Sweden.Nepal’s government was dramatically overthrown in the deadliest unrest seen in the Himalayan country in decades, triggered by a social media ban and anger at corruption and high unemployment. Charlotte Scarr was in Kathmandu as the protests continued.Ghana is the world’s largest importer of used clothing, with millions of garments arriving every week, donated from countries like the UK and US – but it’s often the quality, not the quantity which is proving a problem. Hannah Gelbart has been to Accra to see the impact of fast fashion.And finally, in east Moldova is the self-declared separatist state of Transnistria. Home to around 350,000 people, the region broke away from Moldova in 1990 – though neither Moldova or the inte

Kate Adie introduces stories from Gaza, France, the Thailand-Cambodia border, Iraq and Slovenia.Around a million Palestinians have been told to leave Gaza City ahead of a new Israeli offensive - though many are wary of leaving, saying there is nowhere to go. Lucy Williamson was granted rare access to Gaza by the Israeli army, and was taken to see its planned new aid distribution site.Days after French PM, François Bayrou, was ousted from office after losing a confidence vote, street protests took place across France as people voiced anger over proposals to remove two national holidays and impose a pensions freeze. Andrew Harding watched events unfold in Paris.Thailand also has a new prime minister – its third in just over a year - following a political crisis that ignited a short, sudden conflict with Cambodia. Our Southeast Asia Correspondent Jonathan Head has been looking into this catastrophic breakdown of relations.Ten years ago, 71 migrants from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan died in the back of a refrigera

Kate Adie introduces stories from China, Afghanistan, Spain, Armenia and Finland.In Beijing this week, President Xi Jinping declared his country to be ‘unstoppable’. Flanked by President Putin and North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un at a vast military parade, China put on a striking display of its growing military power. BBC China correspondent Laura Bicker was watching on in Beijing.Afghanistan was struck by an earthquake last Sunday, destroying homes and triggering landslides, killing around 1400 people. Yogita Limaye has been in Jalalabad where she saw the rescue effort first hand, amid the strict social rules imposed by the Taliban.Spain has been experiencing some of its worst wildfires in recent years and among the affected areas is Galicia - a region usually known for high rainfall and lush vegetation. It’s also where you can find Europe’s largest herd of wild horses - which are credited with helping to limit the spread of the fires. John Murphy went to find out more.Last month, leaders from Armeni

Kate Adie presents stories from Ukraine, Greenland, the US and Germany.Ukraine has this week come under its heaviest bombardment in weeks, with the UK and the EU summoning their Russian envoys after their offices in Kyiv were hit. Quentin Sommerville has been in Donetsk, the area Vladimir Putin wants to fully control in the resource rich region of the Donbas, as residents flee attacks and soldiers tell of the intensification of the battle there.Greenland’s status has been thrust into the spotlight after the US president has repeatedly said he wanted to annexe the semi-autonomous nation for its strategic position and mineral wealth. And despite having broad self-government since 1979, Greenland’s foreign and defence policy is made in Copenhagen. On an island of just over 55,000 people, where fishing is the primary source of income, independence for Greenland would mean either increasing tourism or allowing the mining of minerals like rare earth metals. Bob Howard has been to the capital Nuuk.In the US, a recor