Sudan and the story of Mama Nour

12/07/24 • 28 min

Kate Adie presents stories from Sudan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, South Africa and Ireland.

Lyse Doucet recently gained rare access to Sudan, where she met the remarkable Mama Nour. A steely woman, orphaned in childhood, she now provides refuge for other women and children amid Sudan's ongoing civil war, which the UN has called 'the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world'.

South Korea's president sent shockwaves across the world when he declared martial law earlier this week. Jake Kwon describes the moment the president made his announcement, and the swift, decisive response from both politicians and the South Korean people to stop him in his tracks.

China's Xinjiang province is home to a huge tomato industry, which has been linked to forced labour - an allegation China denies. Still, many Uyghurs and ethnic Kazakhs have fled Xinjiang into neighbouring Kazakhstan, where Runako Celina met one woman who revealed the realitles of life in the region.

In South Africa, there’s an on-going stand-off between authorities and illegal workers living down an abandoned gold mine, southwest of Johannesburg. Security forces briefly stopped food and water from being sent down the mine, before a court ruled against them. Nomsa Maseko recalls her first time entering this hidden world.

Ireland’s elections last weekend did not prove to be a political game-changer unlike other polls this year. Michael Martin will return as Taoiseach for the second time, but scratch the surface and there’s an underlying anti-establishment sentiment, says Chris Page.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill & Katie Morrison

Kate Adie presents stories from Sudan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, South Africa and Ireland.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill & Katie Morrison

Previous Episode

The story of a Russian deserter

Kate Adie introduces dispatches on Russia, Germany, Hong Kong, India and Sweden.

A Russian soldier who once responsible for guarding Russia's nuclear weapons reveals why he fled the army. In a secret meeting, at an undisclosed location, he tells Will Vernon what he makes of President Vladimir Putin's threats towards the West.

Earlier this month German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s argumentative three-way governing coalition collapsed, triggering snap elections in February. Damien McGuinness ponders what Berlin's Christmas lights can tell us about the political mood in the country.

In Hong Kong, Danny Vincent reports from inside the courtroom where the pro-democracy media mogul, Jimmy Lai, is on trial. Mr Lai is already serving a prison sentence following a separate trial for his involvement in pro-democracy protests in 2019. Since then, China has imposed a sweeping national security law which many fear is being used to dismantle and chill all political opposition.

In Rajasthan, in India, there are efforts underway to rewild vast tracts of degraded land back to its natural state. In one area of Jawai, work has been undertaken to create a wildlife corridor for migrating wildlife. Michelle Jana Chan goes on the trail of a local leopard and her young cubs.

Every home in Sweden recently received updated advice on what to do in the event of war. This isn’t new to Swedes – but the guidance has been updated because of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and ongoing concern that war could escalate across Europe. Miranda Colchester has been gauging public reaction in the Swedish capital.

Series producer: Serena Tarling Production coordinators: Katie Morrison & Sophie Hill Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Next Episode

Returning home to Syria

Kate Adie introduces stories from Syria, Ukraine, France, Ghana and Saudi Arabia.

The speed at which President Assad was deposed was a shock to many, including the BBC's Lina Sinjab. She had been forced to leave her home country in 2013, after being detained and threatened by Syrian security forces. This week, she finally returned home, without the looming fear of arrest, to find a changed country.

Paul Adams was in Kyiv on the first-day of Russia's full-scale invasion, and reported from the country during much of the early months on the war. He recently returned for the first time in over a year, and found a very different country, where the desire for the war to end is growing by the day.

France has entered a period of political uncertainty, triggered by the collapse of Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government ten days ago. On the surface, not much has changed in the country, says Andrew Harding - but what about further down the road?

Like other polls around the world this year, Ghana's recent general election saw another incumbent ousted. The reasons behind this are familiar, too, says James Copnall - rising prices, rising rent and a general malaise and desire for change.

Saudi Arabia was crowned host of the 2034 World Cup this week - the pinnacle of an orchestrated campaign to bring some positive PR to the Kingdom through international sport and culture. Emily Wither recently attended a star-studded film festival, and considers the degree to which Saudi Arabia has managed to pull off its much-desired rebrand.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production coordinators: Katie Morrison and Sophie Hill Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith