A scandal about powerful men taking advantage of young women and girls in exotic locations. Today our Canadian colleague Phoeby takes us on a journey to uncover the disturbing tale of Jeffrey Epstein, a tale about power, influence and sexual exploitation.

In November last year, Argentines, faced with an economy in serious trouble and inflation running at 150%, decisively elected a liberal outsider Javier Milei, as their new president who was welcomed by US ex-President Donald Trump, & Brazil's former leader Jair Bolsonaro. For our first podcast of the year we hear from our Argentinian colleagues, Victoria and Sergio, as they explain what happened and look ahead to a very different Argentina in 2024.

Kylian Mbappe who turned 25 this week has been criticised in France recently for revelling a little too much in his success. But who can blame him?  Certainly not our colleague Désirée who takes a peek inside the phenomenon and imagines what it must mean to be one of the greatest footballers of all time. 

Many years from now, when historians cease to argue about the great figures who shaped the 20th century, very few will receive such clear acclaim and recognition as Nelson Mandela, who carried the flame of hope and reconciliation across the millennia.  This year and this very day, December 5, marks the 10th anniversary of his death and our colleague Inger reminds us why it is a particularly telling occasion to celebrate and honour his life and legacy.  

The 5th of December 2023 marks the 10th anniversary since Nelson Mandela died and as you'll hear, our South African colleague Inger & her ten year old son Zakai talk together about his life and legacy and what it must mean to those growing up in modern South Africa.

Fans of Netflix series and big box-office franchises can heave a sigh of relief as the actors’ strike comes to an end. After 118 days,  the longest strike in their history, American actors have succeeded like the writers a few weeks earlier in securing an agreement about pay, conditions and protection from artificial intelligence. During the 4 month stoppage film studios lost billions and A-list stars of film and television lined up to support and finance the strikers with million dollar donations. Listen to find out more.

Fans of Netflix series and big box-office franchises are relieved. After the longest strike in their history, American actors have got agreement about pay, conditions and protections from the film studios as stars of film and television lined up to support and finance the strikers with million dollar donations.  

The 9th November in France marks a national day for the prevention of bullying at school. Up and down the country school principals and teachers will be raising awareness amongst pupils about the damage that bullying poses to mental health, academic achievement, and simple human rights.  In the United States, school authorities are finding different ways to deal with the problem, as our colleague Regina explains in this special bonus episode.

“Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite” is a common saying before bedtime in English, and it is not superstition if you are in Paris currently, as my colleague Sue, just back from a visit, is going to tell us.  What are bedbugs and what do they mean for the Olympic games next year?

“Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite” I used to intone to my kids before they went to bed. It is meant to be reassuring, a familiar litany to ward off undesirable visitors and sooth attendant night time anxieties. Something that seems superstitious unless you happen to be living in Paris. My colleague Sue , just back from a visit to the French capital, joins me to discuss what’s going on, why it’s important and what is being done in the run-up to the Olympic games in Paris next year.