War-torn Myanmar voting in widely criticised 'sham' election

People in Myanmar are voting in the opening phase of the country's heavily restricted general election - the first since the military seized power in a coup nearly five years ago. The ruling junta has framed the vote as a pathway back to democracy and stability, but critics say the elections are a sham.

Also in the programme: Kosovo heads to polls hoping to break political deadlock; some of the best books of 2025 - we've recommendations from a top critic; the challenge of opening an independent bookshop when everyone tells you it will fail; and the music still being played and taught in Gaza.

Joining Julian Worricker to discuss this and more are Nataliya Vasilyeva, Russian freelance reporter for the New York Times newspaper, and David Patrikarakos, a British author and journalist.

(Photo: Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing cast his ballot in the capital Nay Pyi Taw. Credit: Win Kyaw Thu/BBC)