21st Century

Halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand are two of the smallest countries in the world: Tuvalu and Kiribati. These two low-lying nations may become the first victims of global warming.

In Tanzania, albinos -- people who lack pigmentation in their skin, hair and eyes -- have long suffered discrimination -- but recently they have begun to live in terror. Rumours about their magical powers are having deadly consequences.

In many parts of the world, corporal punishment remains an acceptable way to discipline children. In Kiribati, one of the least developed Pacific island nations, children are often hit when they misbehave. Sometimes, especially when alcohol is involved, it can turn into child abuse.

We all know that climate change is causing the polar ice-cap to shrink, threatening small islands with extinction and devastating populations with drought. But how many of us have heard of a tsunami from the sky? That is what is threatening one small Himalayan country, Bhutan.

Small islands are now more vulnerable to hurricanes, than ever. We went to Grenada to see how that Caribbean nation is recovering six years after the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Ivan.

No one knows more about the dangers and pain of losing one's islands than the people of the Maldives. This smallest nation in Asia lost 20 islands during the 2004 tsunami. Since then, the government has come up with a plan to protect its population from the rising sea.

Haiti's exuberant, brightly-coloured paintings have brought the island international fame. But did the devastating earthquake in January end all that, burying the artistic spirit along with the masterpieces? Will Haitian art and culture climb out of the rubble? We travel there to find out.

Far too often, working as a journalist means putting your life in jeopardy. At least 125 reporters were murdered in the last two years, according to UNESCO, the UN agency charged with freedom of the press. We meet four Iraqi journalists who have risked everything for their profession.

This is the story of a remarkable man who devoted himself to rescuing and healing some of the largest and fiercest creatures in the world. Kenyan Zahoor Kashmiri, simply could not bear to see animals suffer. His passion was to have fateful consequences.

The oceans play an essential role in sustaining life, but marine resources are increasingly being depleted. That's what's happened in a small fishing village in Tunisia, where over fishing has destroyed people's livelihoods. This story looks at how local fishermen are bringing back the fish and safeguarding an activity that has been passed down through generations.