Podcast Episodes

Alcatraz: The strangest escape

In June 1962 three prisoners escaped from the maximum security US jail on the island of Alcatraz.

They achieved this using a homemade raft, papier-mâché and... spoons.

In 2013, Ashley Byrne spoke to Jo…

Published on 2 years, 9 months ago

Kieu Chinh: A real Hollywood story

In 1974, legendary Vietnamese actress Kieu Chinh found herself on a farm in Canada cleaning up after chicken.

She had narrowly escaped the fall of Saigon and a jail sentence in Singapore but Kieu was…

Published on 2 years, 9 months ago

Iraq War: US security guards killed my son

It has been 20 years since the start of the Iraq War.

On 16 September 2007, private security guards employed by the American firm Blackwater opened fire on civilians in Baghdad's Nisour Square. Sevent…

Published on 2 years, 9 months ago

Iraq War: The capture of Saddam Hussein

It has been 20 years since the start of the Iraq War.

On 13 December 2003 the deposed president of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, was captured by US forces.

Muwafaq al Rubaie was asked to help to identify the f…

Published on 2 years, 9 months ago

Iraq War: 'Most wanted' playing cards

It has been 20 years since the start of the Iraq War.

In April 2003, the US military unveiled a set of playing cards to help troops identify the most-wanted members of Saddam Hussein's government.

The …

Published on 2 years, 9 months ago

Iraq War: Refugees escaping

It has been 20 years since the start of the Iraq War.

Millions of citizens attempted to flee the country after America and its allies invaded in March 2003.

One of those people was Baghdad resident, Ya…

Published on 2 years, 9 months ago

Iraq War: The beginning

It has been 20 years since the start of the Iraq War.

In March 2003, the United States launched its invasion, dropping bombs on Iraq's capital Baghdad.

For Iraqis it marked the beginning of three week…

Published on 2 years, 9 months ago

From a goddess to a graduate

In 2000, when Chanira Bajrycharya was just five years old, she was chosen to be a Kumari - a child goddess in Nepal. For the next 10 years, she remained inside her Kumari house, receiving worshippers…

Published on 2 years, 9 months ago

Monica McWilliams’ role in the Northern Ireland peace process

Monica McWilliams played one of the most pivotal roles in the Northern Ireland peace process.

She spent two years at the negotiating table which finally resulted in the Good Friday Agreement on 10 Ap…

Published on 2 years, 9 months ago

First all-women peacekeeping unit

In 2007, the UN deployed its first all-female contingent of peacekeepers in Liberia in West Africa.

The country was still recovering from its long civil war when the Indian policewomen arrived.

In thi…

Published on 2 years, 9 months ago