Kate Adie introduces stories on Cuba's multiple crises from blackouts to food shortages, what it's like living under another war in Lebanon, how Persian new year festivities were muted this year, what China thinks about the war in the Middle East, and how an archaeological dig in Georgia led to a political purge.

More than ten million people were left in the dark this week in Cuba, as the third major blackout in a month hit the island. The US fuel blockade is taking its toll, but locals are now finding the courage to publicly criticise the communist government, finds Will Grant in Havana.

Lebanon was quickly drawn into another war following the US-Israel bombardment of Iran. For many Lebanese, much of their life has been spent living amid conflict or the aftermath of war. Carine Torbey reports from Beirut.

The Spring equinox marked the Persian new year festival of Nowruz, though celebrations were muted this year with the country at war, and emotions still raw from the thousands of protesters killed in January. Leila Molana Allen is British-Iranian and reflects on how Iranians inside the country - and in the diaspora - have been trying to draw strength from this ancient tradition.

China has so far kept its distance from the US-Israel war with Iran - a strategy designed, perhaps, with an eye on longer-term advantages over the United States. But it might not be quite so straight-forward says Laura Bicker in Beijing.

And in the Southern Caucasus, archaeologists are once again digging for fossils in Georgia following a political purge of the country's museum sector. William Dunbar went to see what new discoveries are being made.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie presents stories from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Latvia, South Korea and Finland

The US-Israeli war with Iran saw a marked escalation this week with strikes on some of the world’s biggest gas fields. Israel’s attack on Iran’s south Pars gas field triggered a swift response from Tehran, who launched strikes on the Ras Laffan terminal – the world’s largest liquefied natural gas facility, and other gulf countries. The attacks caused oil and gas prices to spike. Frank Gardner has been in Riyadh and Doha.

In Venezuela, billboards and banners of former President, Nicolas Maduro still line the roads of Caracas after he was seized in January by US forces. Washington has outlined a plan for Venezuela and eased sanctions but hasn’t provided a timeframe for elections. And many young Venezuelans are sceptical that much will change, says Ione Wells.

Next week the BBC’s Russian Service marks its 80th anniversary. The service’s editor Jenny Norton reflects on how the team have found ways to adapt after the clampdown on media freedoms and the invasion of Ukraine, and setting up a new base in Latvia.

In South Korea, a new genre of movies is taking the entertainment world by storm: the “micro-drama.” They’re carefully curated one- or two-minute-long shows with intense plotlines, made to be watched on your phone. Jake Kwon in Seoul went behind the scenes.

The BBC's climate editor, Justin Rowlatt, isn’t just interested in our warming world, he’s also a keen cold-water swimmer. And he recently found himself competing in the Winter Swimming World Championships in Oulu, a town in northern Finland, about 100 miles south of the Arctic circle.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie presents stories from Iran, Qatar, Ukraine, the US and Nepal

For people living in cities under bombardment, it’s not clear how the US Israeli war with Iran will end. More than 1200 have so far been killed, amid attacks across the country. Iranians tell BBC Persian's Sarah Namjoo they are struggling to lead a normal life.

Qatar is among several Gulf states that have faced Iranian strikes on military and civilian sites since the war began. As a major oil and gas exporter, it’s reliant on the Strait of Hormuz, but shipments through it have now stopped due to attacks on tankers. Barbara Plett Usher has been gauging the mood in Doha.

Gulf nations have turned to Ukraine for advice amid Iranian drone strikes - their expertise and technology are considered top-class. To that end, teams of Ukrainian drone experts have arrived in Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. James Landale, the BBC diplomatic correspondent, has been in Kyiv.

At a US air base in Delaware, the bodies of six US soldiers killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait have been returned, attended by President Trump, Vice President JD Vance and top military officials. It was a moment of quiet solemnity amid a week where the US President has oscillated as to what the war goals are in Iran, says Bernd Debusmann.

Nepal has witnessed an historic election this week. Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah is set to be the next prime minister. He campaigned on a platform of reform and job creation, after anti-corruption protests led by young Nepalis last year led to the resignation of the former PMr. Our South Asia Correspondent Azadeh Moshiri has been in Kathmandu

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

After the US-Israel attacks on Iran, surrounding countries have quickly been drawn into the war following retaliatory strikes by Iran. We hear from Turkey, Lebanon, Israel and Cyprus.

The US-Israel attacks on Iran hit major cities across the country, destroying civilian buildings in Tehran, as well as military sites in Natanz and Isfahan. Many Iranians are now trying to flee the ongoing attacks by crossing into neighbouring countries. James Waterhouse reports from the Turkey-Iran border.

There's a sense of déjà vu for the people of Lebanon who are once again forced to shelter after the militia group Hezbollah launched missiles and drones into Israel to avenge the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei. Israel replied with attacks on Hezbollah's Shia strongholds in the south. Wyre Davies has been in Beirut.

Many of the missiles fired towards Israel failed to penetrate its Iron Dome defence system - but not all. Nine people died after a synagogue in Beit Shemesh was hit, penetrating the bomb shelter beneath it. Hugo Bachega reports from Tel Aviv.

The strikes on Iran have had significant repercussions across the region, as Iran targets countries hosting US military bases. Cyprus was among those hit - a long-time base for the British RAF. Jessica Parker visited the base in Akrotiri.

And a renowned restaurant in Berlin which cast itself as a symbol of breaking bread across religious and political divides has just gone out of business. Is it just another victim of rising rents and economic instability? Lucy Ash pulled up a chair as one of its last diners, just as news of another conflict broke.

Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie introduces stories on Mexico's cartel war, President Trump's State of the Union address, the Russian soldiers escaping the front-line, and a slow boat journey in Benin.

Mexico was rocked by a violent rampage this week, after the drug lord, El Mencho, died following a fire-fight between his bodyguards and Mexican military commandos. It’s stark evidence of the challenges facing President Claudia Sheinbaum as she vows to take on the country’s criminal gangs. Quentin Sommerville reports on the fallout following El Mencho's death and the disturbingly deadly rivalry between the cartels.

'Our country is winning again,' was President Donald Trump’s rallying cry at his State of the Union address this week in Washington DC, citing success in the jobs market and stopping illegal crossings at the southern border. But his sinking approval ratings suggest he’s not necessarily convincing the public. Anthony Zurcher watched on in the House Chamber.

The exact toll on Russian forces in Ukraine has been closely guarded by the Kremlin, but estimates suggest more than a million Russian troops have been killed or injured over the past four years. For those who refuse to fight the consequences can be severe. Ben Steele met Russian troops who have escaped the front-line, at great personal cost.

The small West African nation of Benin is made up of around fifty different ethnic groups and languages. Most of the population is concentrated in the South - home to the country’s main cities, such as the port of Cotonou. While Benin has only a handful of highways, its lush inter-connected lagoons provide a vital commercial artery. Sara Wheeler took a trip down the Black River.

Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie introduces stories from Ukraine, Iran, the United States and India.

February marks four years since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Around 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in that time and a large number are considered officially missing. Sarah Rainsford has witnessed the war since the beginning, and on her latest visit to Ukraine she met soldiers and civilians who shared stories of grief, resistance and a desire for peace.

The Iranian government recently put on a show of strength to mark the anniversary of the revolution that saw the return from exile of Ayatollah Khomeini - and the dawn of the Islamic Republic. But 47 years on, Iran has once again experienced widespread unrest, as millions of people took to the streets in nationwide anti-government protests. Lyse Doucet was recently given rare permission to report from Tehran, on condition that none of her material is used on the BBC's Persian Service.

February is traditionally Black History Month in the United States – and this year marks 100 years since the country’s first black history commemorations. Lindsay Johns recently embarked on a road trip across the Deep South, beginning at the Alma Mater of Martin Luther King in Atlanta.

BBC Budapest correspondent Nick Thorpe found himself in northern India recently when he got the news that Sir Mark Tully – long-regarded as 'the voice of the BBC' in India, had passed away. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Sir Mark as a 'towering voice of journalism'. Here, Nick pays his own tribute to Mark – and his interest in human fate, and faith.

Kate Adie introduces stories from Japan, Saudi Arabia, Uganda, Poland and Pakistan.

A snap election has given Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi the strongest majority for a Japanese government in more than 70 years, thanks to a growing fan-base among young voters. Shaimaa Khalil reports from Tokyo on growing cult around the country's first woman leader.

The visit by the Prince of Wales to Saudi Arabia was among the most diplomatically sensitive of his official trips to date. While the focus was energy transition and improving prospects for young people, questions lingered over Saudi human rights, and controversies back home in the UK. Daniela Relph followed Prince William’s visit.

Uganda has been feeling the bite of international aid cuts, imposed by the likes of the UK, the EU, and notably by President Trump. The closure of the USAID agency has disrupted an array of relief projects, including those providing treatment for HIV-AIDS. Bel Trew met some of the people directly affected.

An art exhibition in the Polish city of Gdansk has ignited a row over the country’s role in World War Two. John Kampfner went to see the exhibit for himself and reflects on the country's fractious culture war.

And the skies above Lahore in Pakistan have been filled with thousands of kites, as the festival of Basant returned. It’s the first time in two decades the celebrations have been allowed to go ahead - following a surprising spate of deaths. Caroline Davies joined generations of Lahoris in the celebrations.

Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie introduces stories from the Gaza-Egypt border, Cuba, Bangladesh, Ukraine and Slovenia.

The Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt reopened this week after being mainly kept shut since Israel captured the Gazan side in 2024. It’s opening has brought relief to many Palestinians who see it as a lifeline to the world. However, there has been frustration over delays and the small number of people being allowed through each day. Yolande Knell has been following developments.

Outside Venezuela, nowhere was last month’s US military action in Caracas felt more keenly than in Cuba. Venezuela has helped prop up the Communist-run island for twenty-five years, with subsidised supplies of crude oil. Will Grant reports from Havana on the island's growing economic crisis.

Bangladesh goes to the polls next week in its first election since a student uprising forced the previous Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, to flee for India. However, a new student-led political party is already in crisis. Azadeh Moshiri reports from Dhaka.

Ukraine continues to endure heavy Russian bombardment of its energy grid - in the capital more than a thousand buildings are still without power. But locals are finding innovative ways to keep warm amid freezing temperatures, as Abdujalil Abdurasulov discovered at a disco on a frozen river.

The Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina are officially underway and one of Europe’s smallest countries is hoping to fly higher than the rest. Guy De Launey met the Slovenian brother and sister who are favourites for ski-jumping gold.

Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie introduces stories from Iran, Myanmar, China, South Africa and Lithuania.

The number of Iranian people killed by government forces in the crackdown on recent protests is now estimated to be at least 6000, with thousands more deaths being investigated by human rights groups. BBC Persian’s Parham Ghobadi has been speaking to people in Tehran about their experience of the protests.

The final round of elections took place in Myanmar last weekend, five years after a coup returned the military junta to power - though many observers regard the whole affair as a sham. Jonathan Head was given rare permission to report from within Myanmar - though found fear and surveillance at every turn.

Sir Keir Starmer’s trip to Beijing was the first by a UK Prime Minister since 2018 and has been seen as a critical moment in the British government’s attempt to reboot its relationship with China. Laura Bicker reflects on what's in it for President Xi - and how he is looking to take advantage of Donald Trump's rocky relationship with the world.

Over the last decade South Africa has made steady progress on bringing down the infection and mortality rates of Tuberculosis. However, that progress is now under threat as foreign aid cuts begin to bite. Sandra Kanthal reports from Cape Town.

Lithuania's Jewish community numbers just a few thousand, though prior to World War Two the population was around 200,000 - the majority of whom were murdered in the Holocaust. Today Lithuania is home to several memorial sites remembering those who died and Max Eastermann recently visited to trace the homes - and graves - of his recently discovered ancestors.

Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie introduces stories from Ukraine, Russia, France, Uganda and Morocco.

As temperatures plummet in Ukraine, Russia is aggressively attacking the country's energy grid. Ukraine is heavily reliant on its nuclear power plants, which are also being targeted. There are concerns that without proper maintenance, it could trigger another nuclear disaster. Wyre Davies spoke to the head of Ukraine's nuclear authority.

President Trump has claimed the threat posed by Russia and China is one of the reasons the US must acquire Greenland - but rather than antagonise the Kremlin, the pro-Kremlin Russian news service has been full of praise for the US president. Steve Rosenberg reports from Moscow.

From South Korea to Western Europe, there’s deep concern over falling birth rates – and it was one of the reasons behind France’s decision a few years ago to amend its policy regarding egg-freezing for non-medical purposes, bringing it in line with other European countries. Carolyn Lamboley recounts her personal experience.

1986 was the year Diego Maradona lifted the World Cup - and when Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni first came to power. Last week, the 81-year-old won his seventh consecutive term in office, Sammy Awami was in Kampala where he heard from young people about how they voted.

The 2026 Africa Cup of Nations came to a close in Morocco last weekend and aside from missing the chance to lift the trophy for the first time in fifty years, the tournament proved controversial in Morocco due to the vast sums spent on it. Tim Hartley reflects on the discontent over prioritising sporting prestige over public services.

Producer: Serena Tarling