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Kate Adie introduces correspondents' despatches from Des Moines, Iowa, Kinshasa in the DRC, Uttar Pradesh in India, Sharjah in the UAE and the Italian city of Bologna.

Being Italian is bad for your health! Well at least that's the contention from Bologna where winter is descending and a range of ailments, unknown to British correspondent Dany Mitzman, are making their presence felt! It's election time in the Democratic Republic of Congo and while you might expect the sounds of tear gas canisters being fired and angry argument about electoral fraud, Will Ross has encountered a more unexpected accompaniment: an orchestra playing Handel's Water Music! A bag of snakes tipped out in a government office in India - Craig Jeffrey says the incident's once again got the country talking about corruption. A book fair --and a beating up: Sara Sheridan in the United Arab Emirates on the issues surrounding the release from prison of a group of people accused of being disrespectful to the ruling family. And it might be chilly in Des Moines, Iowa, but the state's preparing for its moment in the political sunlight. It's time for the Iowa caucuses, critical for Republicans hoping to become their party's candidate for the White House.

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30 minutes

Last on

Sat 3 Dec 2011 11:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Chapters

  • Introduction

    Duration: 00:27

  • Water Music flows on Kinshasa's streets

    In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Will Ross finds an unexpected accompaniment to the sounds of angry crowds complaining of electoral fraud.

    Duration: 04:58

  • Waiting for freedom in the UAE

    In the United Arab Emirates, Sara Sheridan reflects on the issues surrounding the release from prison of a group of people accused of being disrespectful to the ruling family.

    Duration: 05:21

  • India's vibrant anti-corruption activists

    From "skeleton rallies" to angry letters, India's anti-corruption campaigners are finding new ways to express their feelings.

    Duration: 05:41

  • 'Selling' politics in Iowa

    Mark Mardell tests the political mood in Des Moines as the state prepares for the Republican caucuses.

    Duration: 05:28

  • How to avoid getting 'hit by air' in Italy

    Italians' in-depth knowledge of anatomy means they may be liable to suffer from a much wider range of illnesses than their British counterparts.

    Duration: 04:42

Broadcast

  • Sat 3 Dec 2011 11:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4