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The Fifth Floor

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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

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The Fifth Floor: Can India Save the Taj Mahal?

Taj Mahal in Agra

21/12/2018 GMT

Can India Save the Taj Mahal?

BBC World Service - The Fifth Floor, Can India Save the Taj Mahal?

Pollution, structural weakness and political apathy threaten India’s famous monument.

Taj Mahal under threat; what do you call a turkey? Thai child boxers; the controversial Miss Vietnam; Peruvian Ekeko; My Home Town Mahalla. With David Amanor.

What’s happening to the Taj Mahal, India’s most famous building?  The beautiful white marble is becoming darker, cracks are appearing, and the foundations are weakening.  Salman Ravi of BBC Hindi has been investigating the causes of its decline. 

Talking turkey
Christmas is the traditional time to eat turkey.  But why is this bird from North and Central America called a turkey in the first place?  And what do Turks call it?  It's a question that took us on a full circuit of the Fifth Floor.

Thailand’s child boxers
Kickboxing, or Muay Thai, is the traditional sport of Thailand.  But following the death of a 13-year-old kickboxer there have been calls to ban children from taking part.  Nanchanok Wongsamuth of BBC Thai visited some child boxing gyms to find out more.  

Why the fuss over Miss Vietnam?
Miss Vietnam 2017, H’Hen Nie, made international headlines when she was mocked by a rival for her poor English during the Miss Universe competition.  BBC Vietnam’s Thu Phan explains that it’s not the first time H’Hen Nie has provoked controversy. 

Peruvian Ekeko
Many Peruvians keep a small figurine of a moustached man in their homes. This is Ekeko, who's believed to bring good or bad luck, according to how he's treated.  BBC Mundo’s Pierina Pighi Bel is from Lima, and her Ekeko recently smashed.  So did he dish out any punishment? 

My Home Town: Mahalla
Maha El-Gaml of BBC Arabic takes us to Mahalla, in the Nile delta of Egypt. 

Image: Taj Mahal in Agra
Credit: Jeff Overs/BBC

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