Thousands of rubbish “miners” put their lives on the line in Guatemala City, where they endure floods and cartel violence.

In Central America’s biggest capital, Zone 3, dubbed Basurero or "dump," is known as the most dangerous quarter. It houses a vast landfill called "The Mine" where tons of garbage are deposited daily, alongside a crumbling graveyard.

Informal workers scavenge for reusable materials and scrap metal as vultures circle above. Despite the risks, the dump is the sole income source for many residents. The area is plagued by raw sewage and seasonal floods that trigger mudslides, burying people alive.

Adding to the peril, the Mara Salvatrucha gang has a presence in the dump, making it even more treacherous for collectors…

The Beast of Zone 3 / 2017
#Guatemala

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Thousands of Peru's indigenous women, who were forcibly sterilized in the 1990s, continue to seek justice to this day.

Approximately 315,000 individuals in Peru suffered from forced sterilization nearly 30 years ago. Despite official claims that the actions were voluntary, thousands of Peruvian women share a different account. These women, predominantly from peasant backgrounds, were forcibly abducted and subjected to surgeries where their fallopian tubes were tied. The physical and mental trauma they endured was immense.

Decades later, some of these women are still fighting for justice and redress, facing numerous challenges along the way.

Sterilised / 2017
#Peru

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"First, a conflict is provoked and weapons flood in. And then it's resolved by pumping in dollars in tranches, loans, and what have you," says Yury Yudenkov, Associate Professor at Lomonosov Moscow State University. Prof. Yudenkov explains how the international financial system works and who benefits from it.

Raging wars in different parts of the world have become an inevitable tool for maintaining the stability of such a financial system. But is there a way out of the vicious circle of crises and violence?

Red Alert: End of the Dollar / 2023
#USA

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A harsh reality unfolds deep within the mine shafts of Congo where backbreaking work is the sole means of survival.

Here, cobalt ore is extracted by hand, a gruelling and health-damaging trade. This mineral is crucial for lithium-ion batteries in smartphones and laptops, and for transitioning to renewable energy.

Paradoxically, the miners themselves may never reap the benefits of their labor. Men endure long days extracting cobalt, while women and children wash and sort it. The earnings are barely enough for survival. Young men hope to earn enough for education, while single mothers risk their health for work.

Cobalt Hell / 2022
#Congo

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'Completing a task is the priority, there's no time to be afraid. Fear is there, but you feel some power that helps you further.' This is how Denis Chernyakov, a fourth-generation military officer, describes the most challenging moments on the frontlines. In a new episode of "Here and Now," Denis shares why he chose a military career and the most crucial factors necessary for accomplishing tasks in order to ensure a safe return from the hot zone.

Here and Now: Episode 3 / 2023
#Russia #Ukraine

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"A sapper's biggest enemy is mines. We try to locate, destroy, and defuse them. And we never know what to expect. Some may be in the ground, inside a residence, or wherever," says Senior Lieutenant Yevgeny Yashchenko.

Yevgeny led a demining mission in Donbass. Despite modern mine-detecting technologies, he believes that intuition is extremely important in his profession. He describes what it's like to work under enemy’s artillery fire and what helps him persevere in the face of danger.

Discover more about Evgeny's remarkable story and his unwavering commitment to keeping Donbass civilians safe.

Here and Now: Episode 4 / 2023
#Russia #Ukraine

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What started as an experiment by one couple, is now a role-model rehab center - for bears!

The Orphan Bear Rescue Centre (OBRC) in Russia, established by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), saves and cares for bear cubs separated from their mothers due to human activity. Begun as an experiment by biologists Valentin and Svetlana Pazhetnov in the mid-nineties, the centre is now run by three generations of the Pazhetnov family. The OBRC has developed techniques to keep the cubs wild while being raised by humans. Cubs receive constant care initially but are later transferred to a natural enclosure to learn forest skills.

How did the centre become a global leader in bear rehabilitation?

Bear with Me / 2018
#Russia

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Aisha Bakari Gombi once hunted big game with her father in Nigeria's forests, but then she turned to pursuing a different kind of prey—Boko Haram insurgents.

Leading a vigilante group in Adamawa state, Aisha and her fellow hunters refuse to remain passive in the face of mass kidnappings, rapes, and killings perpetrated by the extremist group. Though Boko Haram is now confined to a few rural areas, the hunters rely on homemade weapons, mystical potions that purportedly shield them from bullets, and their intimate familiarity with the region's mountains and forests to aid government forces in tracking down the terrorists.

Does Nigeria need more huntresses like Aisha?

Hunting Boko Haram / 2018
#Nigeria

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Is the American Dream exclusive to white people?

Despite individual successes, African Americans in the 21st century continue to face challenges such as failing schools, drugs, crime, incarceration, unemployment, decaying housing, and broken families.

Some, like barber Shariff Griffin, believe the American Dream is attainable through hard work. However, others suspect that they are held back by a system rigged against them. Explore different perspectives from Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Richmond, with opinions ranging from systemic racism and white supremacy to other points of view.

Will Black America ever truly attain the American Dream—or was it always an illusion?

Black Lives: Trap / 2019
#USA

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Imagine if the family you believed was yours had actually abducted you…

The victims of Argentina's military dictatorship discovered a devastating truth: their families and identities were part of a cruel conspiracy. With the help of their natural grandmothers' tireless efforts, they reclaimed their true identities. These children, whose biological parents were among the "disappeared" activists, now face the challenge of living as their authentic selves. While their past remains painful, they are determined to embrace their newfound freedom and self-discovery, guided by the unwavering dedication that brought them their true identities.

Argentina's Stolen Children / 2015
#Argentina

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Why are many women in Kyrgyzstan tragically compelled to wed their abductors?

The deeply rooted custom of Ala Kachuu, or "grab and run," entails young men forcibly abducting girls and coercing them into marriage. The pursuit of gender equality and human rights for girls in Kyrgyzstan is complicated by traditional norms. Despite the efforts of human rights advocates to impose a ten-year sentence for kidnappers, these girls frequently endure humiliation at the hands of their families, communities, and even the authorities.

How can this pervasive issue be effectively tackled?

Stolen Brides, Stolen Lives / 2021
#Kyrgyzstan

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'Since World War II, the United States has fostered extremist anti-Russian prejudices and hatreds among the Ukrainian diaspora in at least Canada, the United States, and countries in Eastern Europe.

Probably, everywhere in the world,' states American politician Geoff Young. While sifting through declassified CIA documents, Geoff frequently encountered evidence of U.S. intelligence collaborating with radical cults. Could they have foreseen the harrowing consequences this might lead to?

Cults: The CIA's Secret Weapon / 2023

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How much effort does it take to save China’s bamboo-munching bears from going extinct?

The Giant Panda thrives in China's wild. The government has gone to great lengths to protect these adorable creatures from extinction. The Chengdu panda breeding center, staffed by experts from all over, ensures the safety and successful reproduction of the pandas. They provide everything from a perfect diet to Sex Ed classes for the pandas, even acting as interpreters for their language. Their efforts paid off when, in 2016, the Giant Panda was removed from the endangered species list.

Yet, challenges remain, as pandas need to breed freely in the wild without falling victim to poaching or deforestation.

It's a Pandaful Life! / 2017
#China

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When false promises of a better future in Europe don't work, young Nigerian girls are ensnared in the horrors of sex slavery while taking binding voodoo oaths.

Dutch authorities made a distressing discovery as girls brought to Europe mysteriously vanished from refugee centers. Their investigation exposed a criminal network responsible for trafficking these girls from Nigeria and dispersing them across the continent. Operating under the guise of a travel agency, a front organization in Nigeria seized their passports upon arrival. Consequently, these girls sought asylum in the Netherlands without proper documentation.

Voodoo, Money and Sex Slaves / 2022
#Nigeria

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From playing music on stage to the frontlines of a raging conflict – it’s not the easiest move to make!

Musicians and singers who found themselves on the frontlines of the Donbass region have joined DPR forces to fight against neo-Nazism. Musician Victor Petenko, who played the drums in the Donetsk philharmonic, was connoscripted into the military in February 2022. His squad, comprising only musicians, received codenames based on their instruments. Vocalist Francois Maud d'Émé, volunteered to join the Donbass militia to protect his new home.

Despite the ongoing conflict, their colleagues continue to give concerts to uplift civilians and wounded soldiers in hospitals. The question remains: how do they adapt to their new roles?

Theatre of War / 2022
#Donbass #Donetsk

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One Tunisian man built a cemetery providing a dignified burial for migrants who have failed to reach Europe through Libya.

Since 2010, a significant number of migrants' bodies have been discovered at sea by fishermen in the Mediterranean or washed ashore. Chamsaddin Marzouk has established a cemetery in southern Tunisia called the "Cemetery of the Unknown," where he voluntarily ensures that these strangers receive a respectful burial. Each grave in this cemetery tells a poignant story of hopeful aspirations for a better future tragically cut short by the perils of the sea.

As EU countries have suspended rescue missions, the plight of these migrants serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges of migration in the Mediterranean and underscores the urgent need for effective solutions.

Fisher of Men / 2019
#Tunisia

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