World in Progress

Last week, a study projected 40 million Americans could be evicted because of the pandemic. We'll hear about what the situation is like in Europe. And, this fall marks the anniversary of the 2015 refugee crisis in Europe. We'll hear from a Syrian man who made it to Germany. And then gave up a chance to stay. Plus, a look at why not everyone is on board with Mexico's Mayan Train project.

One month after the deadly explosion in Beirut, locals are picking up the pieces. We'll hear from them and the UN Development Program's Khaled Abdel Shafi, who has witnessed the recovery efforts first hand. Plus, Blue Lives Matter is putting New York City on edge and an alternative neighborhood in Tokyo is fighting to keep its unique identity.

The Mekong River flows 5,000 kilometers from China to Vietnam. China's construction of a number of large hydropower dams to feed the country's energy needs is causing problems downriver, and having dire impacts on the fertile soil that feeds hundreds of millions of people.

One year after the Indian government stripped Kashmir of its special status, we hear how Kashmiris are dealing with their new reality, while a civil rights group called the "Moroccan Outlaws" calls for modernization of the country's criminal laws. Also on the show: the unequal treatment of Japan's working women and how the "Indian Matchmaking" series sparked a debate about colorism and classism.

How are refugees and migrants – and their kids! – faring during the coronavirus pandemic? Their situation was difficult to say the least even before the pandemic hit. Now it's gotten even worse. Migrant reception centers in Italy are overcrowded, adding to fears about the spread of the coronavirus. And: How a special doctor in Kenya (it's a puppet) helps children come to terms with the new normal.

Brazil, the country with the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the world after the US, had more than 2.8 million confirmed cases and over 95,000 deaths at the time of recording. As the situation keeps worsening, Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro does little to acknowledge the pandemic — instead, he tries his best to downplay the dangers of the disease.

When foreign investors sue governments for losses due to policy changes in so-called arbitration courts, countries can end up paying billions. The system was set up to protect foreign investors - but critics say that it mainly helps companies dodge national laws, and has become a lucrative and highly intransparent business harming citizens even in poor countries that foot the bill.

Who's the pandemic hardest on - parents or newborns? - Srebrenica grapples with 25th anniversary of massacre - Chatham House's Tim Benton on the high cost of malnutrition for businesses - New Zealand makes sanitary products free for women in bid to battle period poverty - Syrian women upend tradition to make a living

Topics: The pandemic is making sexual violence against women and children more prevalent in Nigeria and the Philippines, but efforts are underway to counter that — Couples who've been separated by travel bans stuck in different countries — How a new virus tracing device could make lives easier in Singapore.

Millions of girls are at risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic — and that's not because of the coronavirus, but because protection of girls has fallen by the wayside. The pandemic is also threatening progress made in sexual reproductive health care in Africa as facilities are completely overrun by COVID-cases. We also hear how a small US town is coping with the virus.

Blind people facing the corona crisis in India -- helping people with impairments and disabilites globally cope with virus and lockdown -- rising threat of cybercrime from North Korea -- drive-in weddings South Africa

The coronavirus pandemic has had and still is having a big impact on people's lives. For some it's literally a matter of life and death: Not just due to the virus, but because of violent partners at home. For others, coronavirus restrictions and lockdowns have had disastrous effects on their livelihoods. And that sent ripple effects across continents when money from relatives stopped coming.

Brazil's indigenous population faces a double threat from the coronavirus — Local newspapers die out in the US — Dr. Courtney Radsch of the Committee to Protect Journalists talks attacks on journalists at the George Floyd protests — Why palm oil is a blessing and a curse for Indonesia

DW’s investigates fake trials in China’s "reeducation centers" in Xinjiang – Olivier de Schutter (IPES) talks about which parts of African farming are getting cash and why sustainable farming isn’t one of them – An insider look at Bhutan’s booming hydropower business

In Guatemala, the Coronavirus pandemic is putting an extra strain on millions of poor people -- In Hong Kong, the June 4th Museum commemorates the Tiananmen Massacre in Beijing - something that's strictly prohibited in mainland China.

Climbing death tolls and infection rates are worrying us all over the globe. But the novel coronavirus is affecting people's lives in a way that goes beyond the health risk it undoubtedly poses. Workers all around the world who live paycheck to paycheck say they don't know what's next for them. In West Africa, millions are at risk of going hungry. And in Turkey, villagers fear tourism season.

This week: Because of the Corona pandemic, More than 70 percent of school children worldwide have been affected by school closures- that’s around 1.3 billion children. We look at the what challenges that poses to the students and their teachers, with reports from Mexico, Tunisia and Germany.

This week, how Hindu nationalists in India are using the coronavirus outbreak to spread hate against Muslims, the fact checkers fighting fake news in Kenya. Plus, how campaigners in Europe are pushing for better laws to help rape victims.

We were on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic that's still raging around the globe. Restrictions here and elsewhere have been eased a bit, but it's still a far cry from anything that resembles normalcy. It's especially dire for those who were already living under difficult conditions — people who are homeless or living in slums. Extreme weather disasters also make matters worse.

Bluegrass, a traditional form of American folk music, has long been associated with the Appalachian Mountains in the US South. Reporter Andreas Horchler took a closer look at the region, often written off as one of "hillbillies" and "hicks," to find out more about its influential music culture.

Indonesian households spend almost as much on cigarettes as they do on rice. The country is now the second-largest tobacco market in the world, behind China — and even children are taking up the habit, as reporter Thomas Kruchem discovered.

Villagers in the Kendeng mountains of Java fight for their livelihoods as an increasing number of cement factories threatens water resources and protected areas. Resistance against those in power has a long tradition, since this region is home to the oldest social movement in the country. Thomas Kruchem met up with some of the modern leaders of this movement for this in-depth documentary.

How can prisons help prepare inmates for the outside world once they are released? In Germany one big concern is that inmates don't lose touch with their kids. We also hear about how inmates are being taught basic skills at prisons in Cambodia.

Cobalt is one of the most important raw materials used to make batteries for smartphones, tablets and e-cars. About two thirds of cobalt comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo. In addition to the big industrial mines, there are many small makeshift mines where even children source the raw material, risking their lives. Linda Staude went to explore.

This week we're bringing you a special about coffee and the injustice that comes with it. In Guatemala, coffee farmers are losing out because of price dumping and climate change. And Colombia's coffee farmers battle with competition from Brazil and Vietnam — and the middlemen who are taking their cuts.