THE WORLD WE LIVE IN

The Documentary Podcast

BBC OS Conversations: Syrian prisoners and their families (Sat, 21 Dec 2024)
It has been two weeks since the fall of the Assad regime and the horror of the brutal and corrupt system he oversaw has been laid bare. Since the start of the civil war in 2011, it is estimated that 100,000 people – men, women and children – disappeared without trace into Assad’s prison system. Omar was 15 years old when he was taken from his home to be starved and tortured in the notorious Saydnaya prison near Damascus. He tells Mark Lowen that he can never forgive his captors. After rebel forces released prisoners, families across the country have been able to celebrate the return of loved ones. Meanwhile, others try to discover if their loved ones are still alive. Maan in Damascus, whose older brother Muneer was arrested in 2014, and Hiba, whose father was arrested in Aleppo in 2011, share their experiences.
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Heart and Soul: Antisemitism in Turkey (Fri, 20 Dec 2024)
Members of Turkey’s ancient Jewish community say they feel forced to hide their identities and practice their religion in private, after a marked rise in antisemitism following the 7 October attacks in Israel. Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has maintained a relentless criticism of Israel’s government for its response to Hamas’ 2023 attack. He has accused the Jewish state of genocide and mass murder and nicknamed its leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, “the butcher of Gaza,” as well as comparing him to Adolf Hitler. Over the past year, Erdogan’s charged rhetoric has ricocheted through Turkey’s small but ancient Jewish community. Members say there has been a visible increase in hate speech and antisemitism. Victoria Craig meets members of Turkey’s Jewish community and delves into the unique history of Judaism in Turkey.
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BBC News

Bee-harming pesticides' emergency approvals to end (Sat, 21 Dec 2024)
Planned legal changes will see three neonicotinoid pesticides completely banned from any future use.
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Ancient landmarks closed off to walkers, campaigners say (Fri, 20 Dec 2024)
They include a neolithic burial mound in Wiltshire and an Iron Age hill fort on the edge of Dartmoor.
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Trouble in Arctic town as polar bears and people face warming world (Wed, 18 Dec 2024)
Climate change makes it trickier for Churchill's residents to co-exist with increasingly hungry predators
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BBC News

Can you remember these 2024 culture moments? (Sat, 21 Dec 2024)
Beyonce sang country and western while Charli XCX's turned the summer slime green with her album Brat.
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Wham! are Christmas number one for a second time (Fri, 20 Dec 2024)
Last Christmas tops the festive chart for a second year running, but Band Aid misses the top 10.
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Zoe Ball signs off from final Radio 2 breakfast show (Fri, 20 Dec 2024)
Ball says it's time "to step away from the very early mornings and focus on family" after six years.
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