From Our Own Correspondent

Kate Adie introduces stories from Spain, the G7 foreign ministers' summit, the South of France, Pakistan and Italy.
Protests took place across Spain this week for the first general strike in 14 years, in response to the country's housing crisis and the high cost of living. Despite the rain, tens of thousands of citizens took to the streets to make their voices heard. Nick Beake reports from Madrid.
This week saw a fresh round of diplomacy in President Trump’s attempt to end the war in Ukraine, with talks taking place in the Middle East. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in France for a gathering of G7 foreign ministers, to discuss ongoing global security challenges. Tom Bateman reports from Paris.
In the Belle Epoque city of Marseille is a dark underworld of criminal gangs intent on luring teenagers into the drug trade. James Waterhouse reveals the stark reality of the violence this brings to the city's deprived neighbourhoods, where gangs have been bolstered by the growing demand for illegal drugs.
A solar-powered revolution is gathering pace in Pakistan – it now accounts for around a fifth of the country’s electricity generation. Households and businesses are covering their rooftops with increasingly cheap solar panels, keen to mitigate against the ongoing high cost of fuel. Caroline Davies has been finding out more.
And high up in the Val Gardena in the Italian Dolomites there’s a traditional autumn market set among cobblestone streets in a region especially known for its woodcarving and fresh produce. Katja Gaskell discovers how the humble pear has inspired a time-honoured declaration of love.
Series Producer: Serena Tarling
Production Coordinators: Katie Morrison & Sophie Hill
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Kate Adie introduces stories from Ukraine, the USA, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, and Kyrgyzstan.
A temporary ceasefire part-brokered by Melania Trump enabled hundreds of civilians to finally leave the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine, where they had been trapped by fierce conflict. Dan Johnson met elated families who were finally reunited with loved ones after being separated for three years.
The blue wave, the blue tide, or even the blue tsunami: the Democratic party’s gains across the United States following this week's midterm elections were huge, and a surprise to many. Samira Hussain has been speaking to voters in rural Iowa about the changes they want to see - including, the desire for a more united country.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing the most lethal outbreak of Ebola in its history - more than 5,000 people have died of the virus so far. But the country's ongoing conflict, which has displaced 7 million people, is severely hampering efforts to reduce infections reports Hugh Kinsella Cunningham.
Indonesia is battling its worst wildfires for more than a decade – and the palls of toxic smoke which they’ve sent up are also darkening the country’s relations with its neighbours in southeast Asia. Liza Tambunan went to one of the worst-affected areas.
It's walnut season in Kyrgyzstan and locals are camping out to harvest this year's crop in forests where Alexander the Great's army is said to have sought rest and recuperation. Chris Aslan learned just how much people rely on their walnut trees - and how much history they bear.
Series Producer: Phoebe Keane
Production Coordinators: Katie Morrison & Sophie Hill
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

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
Production Coordinators: Katie Morrison & Sophie Hill
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

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
Production Coordinators: Katie Morrison & Sophie Hill
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

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
Production Coordinators: Katie Morrison & Sophie Hill
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith