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

The Chinese government can now appoint more legislators in Hong Kong, further limiting how many the voters can elect. For some, this is the final straw signalling the end of the ‘one country, two systems’ promise, agreed when Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997. Beijing had agreed to protect the independent judiciary and free speech there for 50 years. Danny Vincent has heard from some Hong Kongers taking up Britain’s offer of visas to start a new life in the UK.

Ten years on since the conflict in Syria began and more than 380,000 people have been killed, over half of the population has been uprooted. The city of Raqqa, in the north, has experienced every twist and turn of the war from attacks by government forces to militant group Islamic State sweeping through the country. But Leila Molana-Allen has found the inhabitants are refusing to wait until the conflict is over to rebuild their city.

In Australia this week, tens of thousands of people turned out at protests across the country against the sexual abuse and harassment of women. They were motivated by reports which surfaced recently, of sexual assault centred around Australia’s parliament. Many protesters feel the government’s response to the allegations has been inadequate, as our correspondent Shiamaa Khalil has heard.

And the Hollywood film Nomadland has, this week, been nominated for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress at the Oscars. It’s about the growing community of so-called van-lifers in North America. The film focuses on a woman who opts for life on the road. Sally Howard has been to meet some of the real women who have done just that, and heard about what inspired them to do it, and what keeps them going.

Presenter: Pascale Harter
Producer: Bethan Head
Editor: Jasper Corbett

(Image: Supporters of pro-democracy activists hold up their phone flashlights as a prison van, carrying the activists, leaves West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts in Hong Kong. Credit: Reuters/Tyrone Siu)