From Our Own Correspondent

Kate Adie introduces stories from the USA, Brazil, Serbia, France and China.

The cost of living is a crunch issue for many American voters but the question is whether that will favour Democrats at the ballot box or will President Donald Trump's loyalists help keep congress under Republican control? Sarah Smith takes the political temperature in Iowa and Michigan.

Brazil's incumbent left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva confounded expectations to secure victory in a second-round run-off this week. His opponent, Flavio Bolsonaro, was predicted to follow in his father’s footsteps to become the country’s next far-right leader. Ione Wells reveals how Lula turned it around.

In Serbia, long-term leader Alexander Vucic was ousted in a snap parliamentary election last weekend by The Student List – a political movement borne out of two years of anti-corruption protests. But there are challenges ahead - such as who to appoint as the country’s new president. Guy Delauney reports from Belgrade.

More protests are planned this weekend in France, where the unrest began a month ago over poor conditions in schools but have since mushroomed into larger demonstrations across the country over issues including the cost of living. Mark Lowen has been covering the protests in Paris and Marseille.

And footballer Kylian Mbappe got into hot water in China this week, after an off-the-cuff comment about his favourite internet memes – including one referencing Chairman Mao. This led to several Chinese sponsors to drop the Real Madrid superstar - but how angry were people really? Stephen McDonell reports from Beijing.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie introduces stories from Israel, Albania, the US and Chile.

Israel goes to the polls on Tuesday in a pivotal vote on the future direction of the country. Israel's longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is facing a serious political challenge in former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, though neither is likely to be able to win a majority reports Lucy Williamson.

Student protesters have faced-off against riot police in Albania for nearly a fortnight in violent clashes, with many demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. This follows weeks of largely peaceful demonstrations over the rising cost of living and education – and the environmental impact of a planned luxury tourist development. Nick Thorpe has been in the capital Tirana.

In the Republican state of Nebraska, many American ranchers say they're being hit from all sides as a result of drought, wildfires, and government policies - including the decision to import duty-free foreign beef and the rising cost of fuel due to the Iran war. The economic pinch has left some reassessing their political allegiances ahead of the mid-term elections, finds Sheila Flynn.

Chile’s capital Santiago is having its wettest October on record. In one intense storm, a month's worth of rain poured down in under 20 minutes. Residents are blaming ‘El Nino Godzilla’ – this year’s super-powered version of the weather phenomenon. Jane Chambers reveals how it’s affecting daily life.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie introduces stories from Saudi Arabia, India, Lithuania, the Faroe Islands and Australia.

Saudi Arabia has vowed to respond to recent attacks on the kingdom's airports and oil facilities by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis. The Houthis said they launched the attacks in retaliation for 'brutal Saudi aggression' against areas they control in Yemen. Frank Gardner reflects on the growing challenge facing the Saudi military.

India witnessed another wave of demonstrations this week, led by the Cockroach Janata Party - a Gen-Z led protest movement. Previous protests led to the resignation of India’s education minister, and now the movement is calling on the country’s electoral commission chief do the same. Azadeh Moshiri has been in Delhi.

Germany is permanently stationing an armoured tank brigade in Lithuania, creating a combat-ready deterrent on NATO’s northeastern flank. It’s the Bundeswehr’s first permanent military deployment outside Germany since the Second World War. Lucy Ash reports from Vilnius.

The seas surrounding the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic are tough to navigate at the best of times – which is why the local government is pledging to build under it, with plans for one of the world’s longest road tunnels. Tim Ecott reports on hopes it could revive the fortunes of more remote communities.

And fairy penguins, distinguished by both their diminutive height and their blue and white feathers, can be found along the coastlines of southern Australia and New Zealand. But Phillip Island, in the Australian state of Victoria is home to the largest colony – some 20,000 breeding pairs. Stephen Moss went to take a look.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie introduces stories from France, Israel, Yemen, Greenland and the US.

France has been in the grip of nationwide school protests as students protest the dire state of the country's schools. Aside from the demands for classroom improvements, they've inflamed wider concerns over future prospects and political division, says James Waterhouse.

Memorial events took place in Israel this week to mark the third anniversary of the October 7th Hamas-led attacks, that killed nearly 1200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Yolande Knell went back to Kibbutz Nir Oz which was one of the worst hit that day, with one in four of its residents killed or kidnapped.

Western Yemen has been under sustained attack by Iran-backed Houthi forces after the group took control of the Bab Al Mandeb strait. As Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces stage a fightback, the country’s civilians face continued upheaval on a constantly shifting frontline. BBC senior international investigations correspondent Nawal al-Maghafi reports from the city of Taiz.

Greenland has recently reached a security agreement with the US and Denmark, bringing an end to a months-long standoff after the Trump administration threatened to annexe the territory. Yet for many Greenlanders, it’s the increasing presence of tourists which is generating more interest – and, hopefully, more income, as Lesley Curwen discovered.

And hidden away in a New York City basement, is a team of detectives entrusted with investigating the illegal trade in antiquities, stolen from sites around the world, from Greece to Thailand, Syria to Myanmar. Sandra Kanthal met the man in charge.

Kate Adie introduces stories from Nepal, Gaza, Ukraine, the USA and Norway.

Recent catastrophic floods have heightened fears among Nepal's many at-risk mountain communities living under the looming threat of melting glaciers. Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent reports from the village and monastery of Halji in the country's high plains.

UNICEF says some 98 per cent of schools in Gaza were either destroyed or damaged during the war between Israel and Hamas, which began after the Hamas attacks of October 7 2023. In recent weeks, the Ministry of Education announced it was going ahead with the new academic year, leading to hundreds of thousands of children returning to the classroom for the first time in three years. Lina Shaikhouni has been speaking to one teenage girl about her experience.

This week Ukraine suffered the biggest attack on its energy infrastructure since the Spring. Relentless Russian drone strikes are now common across the capital and other major cities. BBC diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams reports from Kyiv on the changing nature of the war.

For decades, many in Florida’s Cuban-American community have dreamed of regime change on the Communist-run island, which many left as children. Will Grant met a group of Cuban-American entrepreneurs in Miami formulating plans for the future.

When Norway’s capital Oslo was in the process of transforming its waterfront from an industrial space to one for public recreation, city planners initially knocked back a maverick idea to launch floating saunas in the fjord. But a local footballer took a selfie next to the initial prototype – and the idea took off. Chelsea Coates has been to test it out.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie presents stories from Mongolia, Turkey, Djibouti, Brazil and Africa.

Xi Jinping met Donald Trump in Washington this week. Talking points included Taiwan, the Iran War, the trade truce – and Artificial Intelligence. Our China correspondent Laura Bicker has travelled to Inner Mongolia, where Chinese data centres are being built at a rapid rate as China seeks industry dominance.

A court in Turkey has sentenced the already-jailed former Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu to two more years in prison and banned him from politics. Rights groups have said this legal action is political motivated – as journalists, comedians and the LGBT plus community have also been targeted by government crackdowns. Emily Wither has been in Istanbul.

Djibouti has seen an influx of thousands of Yemeni refugees in the space of a week, fleeing the regional conflict which has escalated as Saudi-backed Yemeni forces try to regain territory from Iran-backed Houthis. Frank Gardner has been to a refugee camp in Djibouti - and reflects on his past visits.

Brazil is split between those who believe in light regulation – and further exploitation of natural resources - and those who want to preserve Brazil’s rich natural eco-systems. Kirsty Lang has just come back from one of the country’s major cattle producing regions, where a new initiative could be part of the solution.

And finally, the BBC’s World Affairs correspondent Mark Doyle died this week. He was best known for his reporting from across Africa, and his colleague and fellow Africa correspondent, Andrew Harding, wrote a tribute to him in 2015 when he left the BBC, which still resonates today.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie introduces stories from Yemen, South Korea, Sierra Leone, France, and Ireland.

Yemen's Houthis recently claimed a major advance along the western Red Sea coast, capturing two strategic port cities from the Saudi-backed pro government forces. The BBC’s security correspondent, Frank Gardner, reflects on how the Iran-backed Houthis have transformed themselves from tribal militia to formidable force.

North Korea's soldiers fought alongside Russian troops at the end of 2024, as they tried to repel a surprise Ukrainian incursion into Russian territory - and it's thought they could soon make a return to the frontline. Quentin Sommerville examines what Pyongyang has gained from its burgeoning alliance with Moscow.

Freetown in Sierra Leone is said to be one of the not-so-secret hideouts of one of Europe’s most-wanted drug criminals, Jos Leijdekkers. The Dutch national was sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison by a Rotterdam court back in 2024. Ed Butler travelled to Freetown to find out how he’s managed to evade justice.

In Northern France seaside towns are trying hard to rebrand themselves and shake off their gritty image, shaped by a history of coal mining – and the more recent migrant crisis. Sally Howard went to find out more about the towns' aspirations to build a new Belle Epoque.

And on Ireland’s West Coast, President Trump’s golf resort has been a boon for many of local businesses. The US President received a relatively warm welcome on his recent visit but the trip wasn’t entirely free of controversy - especially after Mr Trump shared his views on the future of Ireland, reports Chris Page.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie introduces stories from Ukraine, Nigeria, Canada, US and Malaysia.

There’s growing alarm in Kyiv and in European capitals over the intensification of Russia's jet-powered drone attacks. As another winter of war approaches, there are worries that damage to vital infrastructure might make the city unlivable, sparking a second exodus of citizens. Meanwhile, in rural towns and villages, elderly locals have become reliant on international aid food parcels, James Landale reports.

Nigeria is battling a kidnapping crisis across several states, driven by criminal gangs targeting rural communities, where locals are at risk of abduction and extortion. Now, groups of civilians have decided to take action to combat the crisis, reports Yemisi Adegoke.

Canada introduced retaliatory trade tariffs this week on some £15bn worth of US imports, in response to the new tariffs imposed by Donald Trump back in August. The trade war has sparked a wave of visible patriotism across Canada. Rosa Rahimi reports from British Columbia.

The US is seeing a bipartisan backlash against a growing, high-tech, and increasingly interconnected surveillance network. In several states, it's focused on the proliferation of Flock cameras - a brand of automated license plate reader, powered by AI. Ellie House has been to Texas to find out more.

Sarawak is Malaysia’s biggest state and the country’s most diverse region with 34 indigenous groups. The biggest of these is the Iban – who make up nearly a third of the population - and are famed for their intricate traditional weaving, often inspired by dreams. But that too is now changing, as Simon Broughton discovered.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie introduces stories from Thailand, Ukraine, Kenya, Spain and Hungary.

After nine months at sea the USS Abraham Lincoln docked in Thailand this week. The psychological plight of its crew, which ran short on supplies, turned up the heat on Donald Trump and his longer-than-promised war with Iran. Jonathan Head reports from Pattaya, a long-time R&R spot for the American military which welcomed the arrival of some 5000 sailors.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine back in 2014, there has been growing resentment over the use of the Russian language in the country - even in cities where the majority of Ukrainians speak Russian. Tim Whewell reports from Russian-speaking Odesa, where new laws are in place to remove the Russian language from the public sphere.

The manosphere is growing fast in Kenya, where a new generation of social media influencers are cashing-in on messages of hyper-masculinity. Jacqui Wakefield went to find out more about its impact on young men there.

Spain’s organ donation programme is widely seen as being one of the most successful in the world – and it includes donations from people who chose to die via euthanasia. Linda Pressly met the recipient of a pioneering face transplant in Barcelona.

And Hungary recently marked the 500 year anniversary of the battle of Mohacs - a defeat to Turkish Ottomans which is often remembered as the biggest catastrophe in Hungarian history. But as Nick Thorpe found, the defeat of nationalist leader Viktor Orban in this year’s elections put a different spin on this year’s commemoration.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie presents stories from Germany on the Alternative für Deutschland party's plans if it takes power in state elections; India's Cockroach party takes on a new fight; inside the factories of China's robotic revolution; how corned beef changed a Uruguayan town and the protesters of the peaceful anti-communist revolution in 1989 who've taken up a new cause.

Jessica Parker has followed the campaign of AfD's state leader in Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund, and heard more about the plans to reform the culture and education systems to make them more patriotic - and what locals are making of them.

Geeta Pandy has visited rural schools in Faridabad - which are poorly staffed and in a dilapidated condition. It's a situation replicated across India and the subject of a new campaign by the Cockroach Janata Party, as she discovers.

In China, Laura Bicker has visited factories in Chengdu, Hangzhou and Beijing - as well as the World Humanoid Olympics - to witness the robot revolution underway. More than two million robots work in the country's factories and she encounters the industrial robots working alongside humans - and the young people being encouraged to embrace the advances.

Sara Wheeler has been in the Uruguayan town of Fray Bentos, and learns how corned beef along with other beef products once changed the fortunes of the region and the country.

And Anne McElvoy reflects on her time as a student in communist East Germany, and then as a reporter of the anti-communist protests in 1989 - and finds some of those who took to the streets back then have redirected their sense of national pride to embrace a new cause: support for the AfD.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling