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.