Kate Adie introduces stories from Ukraine, Chile, Indonesia, and France.Ukraine’s audacious drone raid on Russian airbases was met with disbelief that such an attack was even possible. Operation ‘Spider’s Web’ was 18 months in the planning, and caused huge damage to Russia's bomber fleet. But as Paul Adams discovered, civilians in Kyiv are uneasy about celebrating this success, fearful of how Russia might respond.Approximately one fifth of Ukraine is currently under Russian occupation. Russia doesn’t allow foreign journalists to enter the occupied territories, but the BBC’s Olga Malchevska has been corresponding in secret with Ukrainian civilians in Crimea, through which she learned of the risks they face for small acts of resistance.During the rule of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet in the 70s and 80s, thousands of babies were illegally kidnapped and adopted by couples abroad. Today, many of Chile’s ‘stolen children’ are in a race against time to trace their aging mothers. Jane Chambers was there as one mother and daughter reunited.The coral reefs of Raja Ampat in Indonesia are among the most beautiful on Earth, but last year suffered a mass bleaching event which left reefs in some regions resembling white desert plains. Mark Stratton reports from West Papua where locals are worried that over-tourism is making the reefs even more vulnerable.And we’re in Normandy in Northern France, where this week the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings was commemorated. Each year, commemorations take on greater significance as the number of war veterans able to attend declines. Ash Bhardwarj visited one village keeping their memory alive.Series Producer: Serena Tarling
Production Coordinators: Katie Morrison & Sophie Hill
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith
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28:47
America’s Russian Orthodox converts
Kate Adie presents stories from the US, Canada, Mexico, Myanmar and the NetherlandsAn increasing number of Americans - especially young men - are converting to the Russian Orthodox Church, enticed by its embrace of unabashed masculinity and traditional family values. Lucy Ash met some recent converts in Texas.The diplomatic fallout between the US and Canada continues over Donald Trump's repeated desire to make Canada the 51st state. The issue was forefront in Canadian minds as King Charles visited Ottawa this week, with locals looking for signs of support for the country’s sovereignty. Royal correspondent Sean Coughlan watched the King walk a diplomatic tightrope.Mexico will become the first country in the world to elect its entire judiciary by direct vote, following a controversial reform last year. Will Grant went to Ciudad Juarez to meet a candidate who has had doubts raised over her suitability as a judge after she once defended notorious drug lord, El Chapo.Chinese criminal gangs have established lucrative scam centres in Myanmar, staffed by workers lured from across the world with the promise of well-paid work. Once there, they face exploitation and no way home. Olivia Acland tells the story of one man from Sierra Leone, who was tricked into con trade.More than a quarter of journeys in the Netherlands are made by bike – which made it all the more maddening for correspondent Anna Holligan, when she recently had her bike stolen in The Hague. But the experience had an upside, as she discovered the softer side to the pragmatic Dutch, who understood the nature of her loss.Series Producer: Serena Tarling
Production Coordinators: Katie Morrison & Sophie Hill
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith
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28:25
Turkey’s chance for peace
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
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28:50
Evacuation from Gaza
Kate Adie presents stories from Gaza, Indian-administered Kashmir, Pakistan, Eswatini and Italy.Amid a deteriorating situation in Gaza, as Israel continues its bombardment and the blockade of aid, some Palestinian children are being evacuated to Jordan for medical treatment. As Fergal Keane travelled with two young cancer patients, he reflects on a week of haunting images and words.A recent attack by militants in Indian-administered Kashmir saw direct military action between India and Pakistan for the first time in six years. And although a ceasefire was agreed, nerves have been shattered in the region, as Aamir Peerzada discovered from the Indian-administered side of the Line of Control.Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared a ‘Day of the Battle of Truth’ to commemorate the country’s self-proclaimed victory in the latest confrontation with India. Azadeh Moshiri reports from Pakistan on the army’s efforts to regain public confidence through social media.The landlocked Kingdom of Eswatini is one of the last remaining absolute monarchies in the world. But critics have accused King Mswati III of repressing political opposition. In 2021, several dozen people were killed during weeks of pro-democracy protests. Tim Hartley went to a football match to gauge the mood among protesters today.Popular tourist cities around the world are keeping a watchful eye on Venice’s experimental access fee – a ticket into the city that’s meant to deter day-trippers. But this new initiative is being met with mixed reviews by locals, as Simon Busch discovered.Series Producer: Serena Tarling
Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill & Katie Morrison
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith
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28:52
Fear and mistrust in Syria
Kate Adie presents stories from Syria, the US-Mexico border, Poland and Germany.As Syria tries to rebuild after the fall of Assad, a wave of sectarian violence is fuelling suspicion between communities, and long-held grievances are proving a thorny issue for the country's new leadership. Lucy Williamson travelled to Syria's coastal region, where minority Alawite communities recently came under attack.In Texas, many Hispanic voters came out in support for Donald Trump in last year's election. Now he is back in the White House, his hard-line approach to immigration is leading some voters to have second thoughts, says Nomia Iqbal. who travelled to the Rio Grande river along the US-Mexico border.Sitting on the border of Ukraine and Russia, Poland has pledged to up its military spending this year, and is also rolling out military training for civilians. Will Vernon visited a military training camp - but found not everyone is keen to enrol.And in Germany, Amie Liebowitz has been to a reunion of pensioners born at the Bergen-Belsen camp, around the time allied forces liberated Nazi concentration camps. While there, she also traced her own family's history, and story of survival.
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