World in Progress

In South Korea, there's a big push to get people with disabilities out of care facilities after coronavirus deaths were recorded in such institutions. It's also a call for inclusion. We also hear from travel nurses in the US who move from hospital to hospital to help out. Many nurses have been pushed to the brink of exhaustion during the pandemic.

Fukushima in Japan, March 11, 2011. An earthquake, a tsunami and three nuclear meltdowns. Much has happened since then: Cities have been rebuilt, protective walls erected, work continued on the damaged nuclear power plant. Export restrictions for many products have been largely lifted. But only a few people who had to flee their homes ten years ago have actually returned to the region.

The coronavirus pandemic has transformed regions and entire countries. In the US, people have been fleeing cities like New York and Boston for greener pastures in Vermont. Many businesses are faltering because tourists have been staying away. Some young Iranian hostel owners are trying to stay afloat by moving things online. And a robot in Nairobi is doing its bit in the fight against COVID-19.

Censorship comes in many forms. You might have heard that Facebook blocked news coverage in Australia last week, because Australia's government wanted the tech giant to pay for journalism. In Venezuela, censorship has gotten so bad that people have to get creative to get informed. And the Indian government ordered Twitter to block accounts commenting on farmers' protests.

We hear the inspiring stories of female judges in Guatemala who are risking their lives for justice. Since the coronavirus pandemic hit, the number of suicide cases involving women has been rising sharply in Japan. One student wants to stop people from taking their own lives and show them it's worth living. We also hear how dogs can help detect urine that's infected with the coronavirus.

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world on its head, particularly in countries already grappling with crises. On this week's show, we'll hear about a food bank in Texas reeling from America's spiraling hunger crisis. We'll also hear from young men and women in Tripoli about how the current situation has made them think of leaving for good. Plus, Mexico's healthcare workers demand vaccinations.

Why Uighurs in Turkey still don't feel safe - How African migrants are reviving churches in Morocco - Crowdfunded radio stations in Poland - Mille Cafés reviving rural France 

Egypt: Crushed hopes ten years after the uprising -- South Korea: Online delivery distress -- Tierra del Fuego: past and present at the southern end of the world

As countries all over the world start vaccinating their populations against the novel coronavirus, will there be enough for everybody? A doctor in Tunisia is trying to make a difference for her patients suffering from sickle cell disease. And: How is Mali faring after the coup this past August?

The spread of disinformation is a growing problem around the world. We go behind the scenes of a Catholic radio station in Italy spreading conspiracy theories about COVID-19 and discuss Wikipedia's huge impact on the way we source information. Plus, a new project in Colombia is helping women access abortions and an artist has turned the debris from the Beirut explosion into a sculpture.

We hear the backstory to the conflict that erupted in Ethiopia’s Tigray region in November and get an an update from the Norwegian Refugee Council about what the Tigray conflict means for the region's refugee crisis. Plus: some creative solutions to dealing with the COVID-19 crisis in Cuba.

Five years ago, all countries committed to strive for Sustaiinable Developement Goals and reach them by 2030. A special broadcast produced this year, featuring international stars, human rights activists and scientists looks at the most pressing tasks ahead. US actor Julia Roberts is the host of this half hour special "Nations United - Urgent Solutions for urgent times"

Traveling without a passport - just by being scanned at an airport? Projects to test this kind of digital identity have already started. For some, that sounds great. Others fear the dangers posed by the possible abuse of data collected by companies and governments. Thomas Kruchem explores the possibilities and dangers of digital identities. The presenter is Natalie Muller.

The first coronavirus vaccines are being rolled out now. Is this the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel? Some experts say not so fast... Not all people will receive the vaccine right away and it will certainly take time to produce enough doses for everyone. We also hear how musicians have been faring in a year that was dominated by lockdowns and other restrictions.

The Christian tradition of Saint Nicholas usually means it's time for small gifts and chocolate, especially for kids. But for others, the tradition has a dark side: The Netherlands' Zwarte Piet or Black Pete depicts a helper of Saint Nicholas dressed in blackface. And: Chocolate isn't so sweet for West African chocolate producers.

Nearly three months since the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos burned now, a number of its residents have found refuge in a makeshift camp called Kara Tepe. A sharp rise in unwanted pregnancies has Indonesia worried about life after lockdown. And in Morocco, small business owners find a way to give back to the artisans struggling during lockdown's halt on tourism.

This week, we take a closer look at Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade, the darkest chapter in the nation's history. We'll also find out what modern slavery looks like, and hear from activists in Nigeria who've launched a mass protest movement against police brutality.

How do you survive in a country where gang violence and sky-high murder rates are rampant? For some women in Mexico it's too dangerous to even go out on the streets. And how do you make a difference in a country when you want to make a change, but people have been driven away? We'll find out from an enterprising coffee-producing family in Honduras.

This week we want to turn our attention to crises that don't get the attention they deserve. Take Neglected Tropical Diseases for instance. 1.5 billion people are affected by NTDs, a large number of those in need of treatment are living in Africa. And the war-torn country of South Sudan is in the grip of a humanitarian crisis.

Trieste Refugees: with winter approaching, many irregular migrants remain stuck on the Italy/Slovenia border  -- Lebanon: More migrants attempt to cross the mediterranean to Cyprus  -- Interview: Why migrants less welcome in the EU -- Armenian Diaspora concerned about Nagorno-Karabakch conflict

Ahead of the presidential election in the US at the beginning of November, we're bringing you a special about the deteriorating relationship between the US and China. This relationship is at its lowest point it's ever been in four decades. And the contentious issues are a plenty.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted children all over the world? With so many people out of work due to the pandemic, some families see no other way but to take drastic measures in order to survive. And for some kids, school closures mean they miss out on education and often their only meal of the day.

This week: The crackdown on dissent and the situation for Chinese ethnic minorities, in Xingiang and Inner Mongolia,  And we'll explore China's geopolitical stance and find out how Chinese investments and values are expanding to the African continent and into the international sphere. 

TOPICS: Five years of the Sustainable Development Goals - what's to celebrate? -- How Covid 19 Impacts the fight against other diseases in Africa -- Why Pakistan's health system profits from many decades of fighiting Polio now while gearing up to test a COVID 19 vaccine.

1960 was the year of independence for many African nations. 60 years later, countries like France still haven't come to terms with their legacy as colonizers. And, African independence was also a big deal for the United Nations. Henning Melber, who’s written extensively on the topic, will tell us why.