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The Fifth Floor

Factual: Life Stories

Global stories from the BBC’s 40 Language Services, with Faranak Amidi

Faranak Amidi presents global stories from the Fifth Floor, home to the BBC’s 40 Language Services.

Faranak Amidi presents global stories from the Fifth Floor, home to the BBC’s 40 Language Services

The Fifth Floor: Reflections from Dhaka: a City Under Siege

A pedestrian walks through the streets of Dhaka

13/12/2013

Reflections from Dhaka: a City Under Siege

BBC World Service - The Fifth Floor, Reflections from Dhaka: a City Under Siege

Blockades, violence and an execution: BBC Bangla's insights on tense times in Bangladesh

Reflections from Dhaka, a city under siege; Mandela; Profiling Uruguay's president; and Siberian folk legends

Tense times in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka as anti-government blockades and violent attacks has left the city stresse. And, the execution of a senior opposition leader accused of war crimes, ratchets up the pressure. Head of the BBC Bengali Service Sabir Mustafa sends his observations from his hometown "under siege".

On the Mandela desk
Planning editor Nick Ericsson has been at the heart of BBC Africa's coverage following the death of Nelson Mandela - an obit he has been preparing for the last seven years. He reflects on his first week of a life without Mandela. Plus, the final extract from Mandela's autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.

The 100th Programme
Today is the Fifth Floor's 100th programme - if you missed the last 99 episodes we give a potted history in 100 seconds.

Profile: Jose Mujica
BBC Mundo brings us the back story on Jose Mujica - the man who some claim to be the world's poorest president. He shuns gold and silver, legalises marijuana, abortion, and gay marriage. He is also the president of Uruguay. 

Online Greatest Hits
Marco Silva gives the lowdown on the big-hitting stories across the Language Service websites including the latest in invisibility technology and why a gold dress disrupted Iran's view of the World Cup draw

Siberian Folktales
BBC Russian's Alexander Kan uncovers the mysteries of the Olonkho, as the first ever English translation of these ancient Siberian tales are revealed.

(Photo: A pedestrian walks through the streets of Dhaka during a blockade in the city. Credit: Getty Images)

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