World in Progress

Despite reaching retirement age, work never stops for civil servants in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many civil servants are well past 70, sometimes even over 100 years old. They hold on to their jobs and their salaries. In Japan, some seniors also choose to continue working part-time jobs – to boost their pensions and because they believe it helps stave off dementia.

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The world is set to face 1.5 disasters a day by 2030, the UN has warned. We're severely underestimating the risks and are doing too little to protect ourselves. As the war in Ukraine rages on, repercussions are felt around the globe. And there are growing concerns that the international community is forgetting other parts of the world in dire need of aid.

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In South Korea, anti-feminism is on the rise as many young men feel they are losing out in society. And highly skilled Iranians leave in droves to get away from bleak economic and political prospects -
to build a better future for themselves and their daughters.

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Ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started, people have been trying to flee to safety. In these dark times, a Ukrainian businessman helped evacuate orphans out of the war zone to the Turkish city of Antalya. In neighboring Moldova people are afraid the war could spread beyond Ukraine. And a theater play in Argentina addresses the trauma of war – 40 years after the Falklands War.

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There's tension in the air in Bosnia and Herzegovina – especially older people who've lived through the war are concerned. Where is the country headed?
It's high time to act, warns the UN in its latest climate report. A theater troupe in Kenya is trying to do their bit by bringing together villagers to come up with solutions.

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Topics: Rising bread prices in Egypt impact the poor -- Why politicizing vaccines doesn't help to end the COVID pandemic -- The plight of foreign interns in Japan -- How ice cream turned an unemployed fashion designer in Soweto into a happy man

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The Russian war on Ukraine is taking its toll on the people. The situation is especially dire within the besieged cities — aid organizations say they are struggling to reach those in need. The invasion is also going to destabilize food security all over the world. We also hear how Uzbekistan revamped its cotton Industry to stop children from working in the fields.

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Topics: How the war in Ukraine impacts food shortages in Tunisia // Why many rulers in the Middle East are rooting for Russia // Syrian refugees working in Turkey's plastic recycling industry - under hazardous conditions.

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In this edition: Inspiring the struggle for freedom: new excavations solve a decades old mystery about US freedom fighter Harriet Tubman -- Religious tolerance in danger: How Hindu radicals foster hatred against the Muslim minority in India.

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Topics this week: For many coca Farmers in Colombia, it is far from simple to stop producing coca for drugs// Why protecting wildlife clashes with livelihoods of fishermen in Odisha, India//  Netflix film sparks protests in Egypt//  How artists in Turkey censor themselves because they face backlash for their art

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