From Our Own Correspondent

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Kate Adie introduces insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents and writers.

Kate Adie introduces insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers telling stories from around the world.

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From Our Own Correspondent: New York

New York

BBC Radio 4 - From Our Own Correspondent, New York

New York is reopening but our correspondent reflects on how it can fully return to life.

From opera singers in the streets to serendipitous encounters, our correspondent reflects on the moments that have always defined New York.

New York was hit hard in the pandemic, and more than 29,000 have died. Residents and workers saw a changed landscape – gone were the tourist throngs, and bustling streets – social distancing signs thinned out the crowds and demarcated the streets. Now the city is re-opening and the soul-searching has begun. But Nick Bryant takes solace that the city will recover.
This week, nurses across Kenya went back to work after a three month strike.  Doctors who had also walked off the job in December returned last month. There is widespread relief because many feared industrial action in the middle of a pandemic could cost even more lives…So far Kenya is relatively unscathed by Covid-19.  But, as Lucy Ash reports, the death of one young doctor from the virus has stirred outrage and exposed the failings in the country’s health system.
In Belarus, a journalist is on trial for investigating the death of a protester in another example of the crackdown on independent media in the country. Since mass protests started last August following a general election widely deemed unfair, more than 400 journalists have been detained.  Abdujalil Abdurasulov visited the capital Minsk last August and witnessed how brutally the authorities dealt with anyone who dared to challenge the regime.
Since the 16th century, French streets have regularly been named in honour of notable people. But only a tiny proportion of them bear the names of women.  In 2011 the Paris authorities decided to tackle the problem by choosing extraordinary women after whom to name its newest streets and transport systems. But as Joanna Robertson reports the process of renaming is proving too slow for feminist groups.

Presenter: Kate Adie
Producer: Serena Tarling

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