The Central African Republic is one of the toughest places to live in the world. Since the start of a civil war in 2013, a total of 14 different warring militias now control parts of the country. The central government governs little but the capital Bangui. The United Nations says the country has the lowest level of human development in the world. Conflict over control of diamond mines and other natural resources has helped fuel the conflict, and a U.N. peacekeeping mission has failed to halt

The young nation of Eritrea is often referred to as the North Korea of Africa. The country has jailed thousands of political prisoners, eliminated the independent press and forces much of the population into indefinite military service. Border guards sometimes ‘shoot to kill’ Eritreans fleeing the country. But since a July peace agreement, with longtime adversary Ethiopia, Eritreans are waiting to see if new contacts with the outside world will open up a closed state. On this edition of Global

For many, witch trials may seem like a relic of early colonial America. But in fact witch-hunting is still a feature of rural life today in many parts of the world. One place where it's prevalent is India. On average, an Indian woman is killed every other day after being accused of witchcraft, according to government statistics. Many are tortured or publicly-humiliated before being burned, stabbed or beaten to death. On this edition of Global Journalist, a look at the practice of witch-hunts in

The imbalance between the supply of organs for transplant and the demand for them can be staggering. There are about 75,000 people active on the U.S. waiting list for kidneys, livers and other transplantable organs. On average, 20 of them die each day. And globally, the situation is much worse. The international shortage of transplantable organs has lead to a booming underground industry known as the "Red Market,” where people illegally buy and sell human body parts to the highest bidder. On

In early August, Vice President Mike Pence renewed a call by the Trump Administration for the U.S. military to create a “Space Force.” The White House’s effort comes in response to advances by China, Russia and other countries in space. It also raises the question as to whether or not the move might accelerate the militarization of space. On this edition of Global Journalist, a look at how militaries have and could operate outside our atmosphere - and what that may mean for the future of warfare

Saudi Arabia's 32-year-old crown prince has already shaken up both Saudi Arabia’s internal politics as well as its foreign relations. Mohammad bin Salman has detained prominent members of the royal family and businessmen after accusing them of corruption. He’s lifted restrictions that barred women from driving or operating businesses. He’s outlined a bold plan to wean Saudi Arabia’s economy from oil dependence. But bin Salman has also escalated Saudi Arabia’s war in neighboring Yemen, triggering

The situation in Nicaragua has taken a dark turn in recent months. President Daniel Ortega's growing authoritarian streak has led to months of protests against his rule - and a violent response from pro-government militias. With hundreds dead and many more arrested, some observers fear the country is slipping towards a new civil war. On this edition of Global Journalist, a look at the political crisis in Nicaragua and what lies ahead for a country still recovering from a debilitating civil war

In 1979 China's Communist Party implemented the “One-Child Policy” to slow the country’s population growth. The policy was lifted in 2015, yet the effects of 36 years of strict population control will be felt for years to come. Today there are about 7.6 workers for every person over 65 in China. By 2050, fully 40 percent of the population could be over that age and the country is projected to have 100 million people 80 and over. On this edition of Global Journalist, a look at the emerging

On this edition, part two of our look at press freedom and how journalists do their jobs in countries where just reporting the news can be a big challenge. For this, we'll talk to a reporter working in Mexico - where cartel violence has made the U.S. neighbor the deadliest country in the world for journalists. We'll also talk to a reporter working in Macedonia, a country that once had an open climate for free expression but that has backslid dramatically over the past decade. Both guests are

India and Jordan have relatively strong reputations for press freedom–at least in comparison to their neighbors. In the first of a two-part series on press freedom around the world, a look at the challenges for reporters in these two key U.S. allies. In Jordan, those who "undermine the dignity" of King Abdullah II may be criminally prosecuted. Meanwhile in India, press freedom has worsened under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On this special edition of Global Journalist, a look at press freedom