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From Our Own Correspondent: Fake News and Cardboard Shields

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Fake News and Cardboard Shields

05/08/2017 GMT

BBC World Service - From Our Own Correspondent, Fake News and Cardboard Shields

Violent politics in Kenya and Venezuela, China's webcam stars; Elvis's home in Germany

Foreboding ahead of Kenya's election, the Venezuelan protesters risking their lives, what makes for a webcam star in China and the small German town which was home to Elvis.

Pascale Harter introduces correspondents' stories of fear, bravery and creativity from around the world. 

Alastair Leithead weighs up the prospects for Kenya's forthcoming election. There's been a series of disturbing events during the last week, including the violent death of the head of technology for the election commission, a slew of viral fake-news videos and an armed siege. But in Nairobi there are signs that the general public wants, above all else, to avoid any replay of the violent aftermath of the 2007 election, when over 1200 people were killed.

The BBC's Vladimir Hernandez goes back to Venezuela, the country of his youth, to witness brutal violence during street protests against Nicolas Maduro's government. When demonstrators with cardboard shields face police armed with teargas, the situation grows dangerous. 

Megha Mohan from the Trending team meets some of the talent - in front of and behind the cameras - fuelling China's burgeoning webcam industry. They're generating billions of dollars of turnover a year, but what really makes a live-streaming star? According to one agent, it's "all about connection" - and that might mean this platform is one that's much harder than other Chinese media for foreigners to crack. 

And Rob Crossan is in the small German town of Bad Neuheim. It's a peaceful place known for its spas - but it's also got a more rackety connection, to the King of Rock 'n Roll. For this is where Elvis Presley made his home while doing military service as a GI in the late 1950s. And the locals still love him!

Photo: Supporters listen to Kenyan presidential candidate Raila Odinga as he addresses a rally held by his coalition party The National Super Alliance (NASA) in Kisumu on August 3, 2017.  (FREDRIK LERNERYD/AFP/Getty Images)

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