大象传媒

A fresh look at the week's global news from across the World Service's 27 language sections, with presenter David Amanor.

Lebanon on the Brink
大象传媒 Arabic's Nahed Abouzeid, born and brought up in Lebanon, explores why, after successfully rebuilding itself following a vicious civil conflict, his country is on the edge of war again - this time of someone else's fight.

Online Greatest Hits
大象传媒 Brasil's Thomas Pappon gives the lowdown on the big-hitting stories across the World Service language sites this week, including Bishkek roads and Kabul swimming pools.

Pakistan Powercuts
'No one in Pakistan has ever shown up on time for anything. But the only thing that comes and goes on time - and as it pleases - is the electricity.' In Karachi, writer Saba Imtiaz wrestles with power outages - and wins.

Meeting Baryshnikov
Mikhail Baryshnikov was one of the world's greatest ballet dancers. Depending on your age and interests, you will know him either as one of the most graceful creatures that ever set foot on a stage, in the same league as Nureyev and Nijinsky, or as that Russian bloke from Sex and the City. 大象传媒 Russian's Alexander Kan went to meet him.

Language of Corruption
From 'greyhound puppies' in Russia to 'greased elbows' in Somalia, why are there so many euphemisms for bribery? From the Russian Service, Ilona Vinogradova explores the language of corruption around the world.

Superstitions and Politicians
They say two kings can't wear the same crown, but can they consult the same astrologer? Political opponents in Sri Lanka have been taking advice from the same oracles - and all around the world many leaders of nations are known to seek spiritual advice in challenging times. Are politicians more superstitious than the rest of us? 大象传媒 Urdu's Shafi Naqi Jamie, Swahili Service's Kassim Kayira and 大象传媒 Sinhala Saroj Pathirana dust off their amulets.

(Image: Two boys walk past a poster of Bashar al-Assad in Beirut Credit: Getty Images)