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From Our Own Correspondent: Trials and tribulation

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Benjamin Netanyahu in court on corruption charges. Credit: Ronen Zvulun/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

30/05/2020 GMT

Trials and tribulation

BBC World Service - From Our Own Correspondent, Trials and tribulation

Stories from the trial of Israel’s Prime Minister, Zimbabwe, Sweden and Austria

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial; implications of lockdown in Zimbabwe; long-term social distancing in Sweden and handwashing in 19th century Austria.

Pascale Harter introduces analysis, reportage and personal reflections from correspondents around the world.

Tom Bateman reports from Israel as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has had his day in court, at the start of his corruption trial. He denies charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He had tried and failed to get the whole process put off, but was compelled by the judges to appear for a trial that could last many months or even years. Israelis – already divided over their longest serving leader – are wondering what it means for their future.

In many African countries, including Zimbabwe, cases of Coronavirus remain low – in part thanks to proactive lockdown measures. However other infections such as TB, malaria and HIV have long posed more threat to life on the continent and now hunger due to lockdown is another risk, as Charlotte Ashton finds in Harare.

Not all countries have chosen to lockdown; instead Sweden has opted to trust people to make their own judgements about social distancing. Maddy Savage reports as pubs, shops and restaurants have remained open and residents have been left to make difficult decisions of how best to navigate living with Coronavirus. 

And living in this age of Covd-19, handwashing has become a ritual for many – Bethany Bell goes back to 19th century Austria to discover its origins for preventing infection.

Presenter: Pascale Harter
Producer: Bethan Head

(Image: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wearing a protective face mask, in court on corruption charges. Credit: Ronen Zvulun/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

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