Myanmar's stage-managed election

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Pascale Harter introduces correspondents' and writers' stories from Myanmar, Iran, South Africa and France. The final round of elections took place in Myanmar last weekend, five years after a coup returned the military junta to power - though many observers saw the whole affair process as a sham. Jonathan Head was given rare permission to report from inside Myanmar - though in Shan State, he found fear and surveillance at every turn. The number of Iranians killed by government forces in the crackdown on recent protests is now estimated to be at least 6000, with thousands more deaths being investigated by human rights groups. BBC Persian’s Parham Ghobadi has been speaking to people in Tehran about what they witnessed during the protests - and what they saw in the aftermath. Over the last decade, South Africa has made steady progress on bringing down its rates of infection and mortality from tuberculosis. It's also a global centre for medical research into the disease. But that progress is now under threat as foreign aid cuts begin to bite. Sandra Kanthal reports from Cape Town. The rise, fall and flow of the Allier river, a tributary of the Loire, have left their mark across France over the millennia. But they've had a particular impact on the residents and the buildings of the village of Lavoûte-Chilhac in the Auvergne. Sara Wheeler reflects on how the waters have shaped the history of this unique spot. Producer: Polly Hope Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison (Image: People holding election campaign pamphlets as they leave a campaign event ahead of Myanmar's general election in Nawnghkio in Myanmar's northern Shan State. Credit: Sai Aung MAIN / AFP via Getty Images)