As Turkey pushes deeper into Syria to seize Kurdish-held territory we find out how Kurds and Turks in Germany are dealing with the rising tensions. We also look into the deadly legacy terror organization 'Islamic State' is leaving behind in Syria. Journalist Fil Warwick who's just returned from the former IS capital of Raqqa will share his experience with us.

This week on the show, we rub shoulders with billionaires at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and learn about America's "other" anthem — a hymn that became a symbol of the African-American struggle for civil rights. Plus, the South African soccer coach who's battled prejudice and gender stereotypes to show that women can succeed in a men's game.

On this week's show, a look inside the war-torn Central African Republic, the repatriation of Nigerian migrants enslaved in Libya and the healing power of song in Indonesia. Plus how chess has replaced alcohol addiction in an Indian village, and the anarchy of Germany's tipping culture.

On this week's program: we take an in-depth look at Iran's new protest movement. Plus, we visit a trendy restaurant inside a Colombian prison that's giving inmates a sense of purpose and we meet the men who brought the German döner kebab to Vietnam.

That history is all around us, is… well, old news. As old as history itself, in fact. Arguably there are few places where that is closer to the truth than in contemporary Germany. But even here, there are some occasions when the past raises its head with an unexpected jolt, as columnist Tamsin Walker found out in the wilds of the countryside outside Berlin.

In this week's show, we meet the French firefighters who have more to contend with than flames, Christian migrants in Israel and the Colombian midwives working in difficult social conditions to deliver babies safely. Plus the growing gulf between Cuba and Florida and the booming Japanese comic industry.

On this special Christmas edition of the show: We'll meet the volunteer elves bringing Christmas cheer to thousands of disadvantaged children across the United States. Plus, an Australian train announcer with a passion for performance. And Christmas traditions in Barbados and Berlin.

A look back at the stories that moved us in 2017, including the #metoo movement that brought sexism to light, Germany’s historic general election, Brexit, North Korean cartoons and many others.

On this week's show, we take a look at the contested status of Jerusalem. Against the backdrop of anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli street protests in Berlin, we also look into a disturbing long-term study on anti-semitism in Germany. Plus we introduce you to a Siemens worker in Berlin who will be forced to make some radical cuts for himself and his family after the company announced major job cuts.

On this week's show we examine the situation in war-torn Yemen following the murder of former president Abdullah Ali Saleh — we'll hear from a Yemini journalist, as well as an 82-year-old German aid worker. Plus, we meet a South Korean man prepping for another Korean War.