12/11/2009

Synopsis

Kate Adie introduces BBC foreign correspondents with the stories behind the headlines.

Bitter criticism of the Indian government and its handling of a Maoist uprising which now stretches across six states in the heart of the country. The prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh has described the rebels as the country's single largest internal security threat. Mark Tully wonders if once again the root of the problem is Indian governments' inability to provide what those they govern rightly feel is their entitlement.

Natalia Antelava on how the fed-up Lebanese have learned to ignore their ruling classes, and the new government which has emerged in Beirut after months of wrangling and which many believe stands little chance of success.

US military drones take off from The Seychelles in the search for Somali pirates. But on the islands themselves Will Ross finds that there is still interest in the pirates who operated there in the 18th century, and one lot in particular who are believed to have buried a horde of priceless treasure.

There's anger in paradise as people in the British Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean accuse London of being heavy handed and undemocratic. Direct rule from London was introduced there back in the summer after accusations of corruption and dishonesty, and Mike Thomson says that some of the islanders believe the time is now right for independence.

And no sleep at all in Congo as the citizens of Lubumbashi celebrate the best thing to have happened to their city for many a year. Steve Vickers travelled there to watch the local football team TP Mazembe compete and win in the finals of the African Champions League trophy.

Broadcast

1. Thu 12 Nov 2009
   11:00
   BBC Radio 4