Deutsche Welle

A new Sahel alliance takes on insurgent violence. Will Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso's joint force change the game or fall short?

Nigeria is gearing up for a major economic shift — one built on innovation, investment, and opportunity. Will Nigeria's 2026 agenda reshape industries, empower youth, and spark new growth?

Uganda has approved a controversial loan of UGX 9 trillion ($2.5 billion), sparking concerns over the country's soaring public debt. Analysts fear citizens may bear the brunt through cuts in essential services and mounting economic pressure.

Time to ring in the New Year with something a little different, and fun! Host Neil King is joined by producers Jennifer Collins, Kathleen Schuster and Charli Shield for Living Planet’s first ever quiz. How closely were you listening in 2025? Listen along and find out!

We’re still on our winter break, but whilst we’re away - here’s a treat we’ve been saving up for you: a Living Planet episode all about climate humour, plus a journey through the marvelous world of transportation, courtesy of our partners at GBH and PRX's The World podcast.

Cannibalism happened among the Neanderthals. That much we knew. Now, a paleoanthropological discovery has possibly uncovered an ugly truth about our distant cousins. Conor and Gabe head to a cave in Belgium to check it out.

A new player is reshaping the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo — and it’s not who most people are watching. Burundi's cooperation with the government is deepening while global attention focuses on the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group fighting Kinshasa. Adwoa Tenkoramaa Domena talks to analyst Daniel van Dalen and DW's Alex Ngarambe.

It's now synonymous with music, festivals, and non-stop year-end celebrations. But beyond the glitter, Ghana and Nigeria are competing for bragging rights, tourism revenue, and cultural influence. AfricaLink host Adwoa Tenkoramaa Domena talks to Ghanaian entertainment analyst Erskine Whyte, and DW's Nigeria correspondent Abiodun Jamiu to explore what pulls the diaspora back home to party.

Just after Christmas, the United States targeted ISIS-linked militants in northwest Nigeria. Coordinated with Abuja, the airstrikes signal a major shift in Nigeria's approach to foreign military involvement. AfricaLink host Chinaza Samuel speaks with DW's Ben Adam Shemang and analyst Zuwaqhu Bonat to unpack what happened, and how these event sets the tone for Nigeria's fight against terror.

Africa's marquee football tournament has kicked off in Morocco, with all the stars and dazzling talent in. But there have been few goals, some dull matches and empty seats. Is AFCON delivering on its promise, or is there just too much football on tap? Adwoa Tenkoramaa Domena speaks with African football analyst Ayomide Oguntimehin, and DW correspondent Samson Omale.

Before we say goodbye to 2025, Living Planet has some good news to share. Not only has the feedback from you, our listeners, been overwhelmingly positive, but our team has received recognition for its work in climate journalism. In this episode, we’re going to revisit those award-winning episodes along with the producers behind them.

Across Africa, Christmas has long been a cherished time for families to return home, reconnect, share joy, and mend broken bonds. It’s a season of laughter, love, and togetherness. Yet, for those seen as the “well-off” in the family, the festivities can come up with heavy financial expectations. So, has the way we celebrate Christmas evolved in your country?

This Living Planet takeover will take you on a magical journey into the world of fungi, the largely invisible organisms that are essential for our ecosystems but can also be dangerous. Then: How Norway has built a reputation as a climate leader while investing more than ever in its oil and gas industry.

Zimbabwe will require foreign-owned businesses in some sectors to transfer majority control to Zimbabwean citizens within three years. It aims to uplift local enterprises, but critics say it will drive away foreign investment. AfricaLink host Adwoa Tenkoramaa Domena talks to economist Takudzwa Kudenga and DW correspondent Privilege Musvanhiri on how this policy may sink or save Zimbabwe's economy.

According to Amnesty International, there's compelling evidence that Tanzania's security forces deployed unnecessary and disproportionate force — including lethal measures — on protesters between October 29 and November 3 after the election. DW's Sella Oneko talks to Amnesty researcher Sikula Oniala and DW correspondent in Tanzania, Noami Jasseda, about updates on the ongoing government probe.

Christmas is one of the busiest travel periods in Nigeria. Millions journey across the country to reunite with family and loved ones. But year after year, the same challenges resurface: overcrowded stations, limited transport options, inflated fares, and endless delays. Why does Nigeria’s transport system buckle under festive pressure — and what would it take to fix it?

Thanks to everybody who listened during this year. Most of all, thank you to those who wrote to us and — in the process — became part of our show.

Every year, countless animals meet their end on our roads - yet most of us barely notice. But this isn’t just a minor tragedy; the sheer scale is reshaping ecosystems across the planet. So, how can we make a difference - and could eating roadkill be part of the solution?

How Gen Z-led protests toppled the Bulgarian government, a close look at Denmark's hardline asylum policies, and what should be done about the Dutch housing crisis. Then: A Scottish island castle for sale, Vilnius' bid to become Europe's biggest start-up hub, exhumations of political prisoners in Prague, and how the French Post Office tries to stay relevant.

School fires and student protests have shaken Malawi's education system. Why are schools burning, pupils rioting, and what's next for the country's classrooms?

Want to like someone more? It just takes eight seconds. Also, mice that smelled bacon... had more obese children?

US President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown hits Minnesota's Somali community, sparking outrage and fears of mass deportations.

For decades, US policy in Africa has centered on aid and development. But what if the future lies in trade, investment, and strategic partnerships? Adwoa Domena speaks to Dr. Samuel Afriyie, political and international relations expert and DW's Eric Mawuena Egbeta in Accra.

In 2025, more than half of Ghana's high school certificate exam candidates failed in mathematics, marking the worst performance in seven years. What went wrong? Was it the curriculum, teaching methods, or the crackdown on exam malpractice? Eddy Micah Jr. speaks to Divine Kpe, an Education Research and Policy Analyst, and DW correspondent in Accra, Ghana, Adwoa Tenkorama Domena.

Protein obsession is reshaping our diets — and our planet. We lift the lid on the protein craze, what we truly need for good health, why animal protein carries such a heavy climate footprint, and what choices could cut emissions without sacrificing strength and health. And we hear from one powerlifter's surprising shift from meat-lover to vegan butcher, against the backdrop of online culture wars.

The Netherlands honors international human rights defenders, whilst the Council of Europe moves to weaken the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights. Then: the Dayton Peace Agreement at 30, and the 22-year-old tackling medical inequality one skin-pic at a time. + skinforall.co.uk +

$1,000 is put in your hand. With one condition: You have to donate it. What do you do next?

A viral video of Malian model Zahra Haidara burning her wigs has reignited Nigeria's long-running conversation about natural versus artificial hair. Eddy Micah Jr. speaks with DW's Olisa Chukwuma in Lagos, loctician Chukwu Ngozi Blessing and wig stylist Taade Peters to explore why this debate matters — from billion-dollar wig sales to regional pageants banning extensions to promote natural beauty.

On Human Rights Day, Uganda is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. New laws criminalize identifying with the LGBTQ+, activists are tracked, and journalists are silenced — long before the January 2026 elections. Eddy Micah Jr. speaks with Dr. Sarah Bireete and DW's Frank Yiga in Kampala about shrinking civic space, silenced dissent, and the fear shaping daily life.

Rwanda and the DRC signed a US-brokered peace deal under Trump, but clashes continue on the ground. Observers warn that the agreement may prioritize US access to Congo's minerals over real peace.

Nigeria's asylum for Guinea-Bissau's opposition leader has sparked debate. What does it mean for West Africa's fragile democracies?

For 40 years, environmentalist and author Bill McKibben has chronicled the worsening climate crisis and politicians' failure to stop it. But now, for the first time, he says he can actually see a path forward. We ask him what that path looks like – and what still threatens to derail it.

A pregnant woman enters a tram. Nearly 40% of the time, she's offered a seat. Unless someone else enters. Dressed as batman.

Spain's radically different approach to migration, how Norway is taking the fun out of gambling and a rare glimpse into an Italian prison amid a push to reform. Then: the brutal murder of journalist and environmental defender Hakan Tosun, NVIDIA's new AI hub in Armenia, and our first Age is Just a Number profile, featuring Lefteris Arapakis – a man on a mission to clean up the Mediterranean.

Why do marriages fall apart, who pays the price, and what actually helps couples in Uganda stay together?

From digital tools to village activists, Kenya is rewriting the HIV story — combining technology and community action to fight stigma and save lives.

Ghana faces a sexual harassment crisis in schools, with alarming rates among female students. During 16 Days of Activism, what steps can curb abuse and safeguard women and girls?

We're generating more solar and wind power than ever before, but somewhere between where it's made and where it's needed, the energy system can't keep up. From Spain's blackout to bottlenecks across Europe, the way we move electricity is in desperate need of some updates. In Part 2 of The Switch, we reveal the power grid cracks halting climate progress.

Europe responds with caution to the latest peace-push in Ukraine. We’ll be looking at the EU’s military mobility plans, as well as the emergence of drone start-ups as part of Europe’s complicated security puzzle. Also on the show: Sir Nicholas Winton and the Kindertransport, the second coming of Milorad Dodik, Turkey's Balkans ambitions and fast-fashion vs wooly jumpers.

If you feel overwhelmed... and you don't know why... new research suggests you may be experiencing something called 'mismatch.'

As violence against Christians escalates in Nigeria, Washington is considering tough sanctions against Nigeria and even Pentagon involvement. What's driving this bold move, and what could it mean for US-Africa relations? Eddy Micah Jr. speaks to Dr.Sam Eke, a political analyst and former presidential candidate, and DW’s Ben Shemang in Abuja.

Europe and Africa marked 25 years of partnership at the 7th AU-EU summit in Angola. Leaders discussed legal migration pathways and skills mobility deals aimed at addressing labor shortages in Europe and youth unemployment in Africa. But will these agreements have an impact everyday lives? Eddy Micah Jr. speaks with migration expert Edmilson Angelo and DW correspondent Adwoa Tenkoramaa Domena

A UN report shows that Kenya loses one woman a day to femicide or gender-based violence, with 2024 marking the deadliest year yet. At least 170 women were killed, a 79% rise from the previous year. Survivors and families say the violence is being normalized—so what will it take to stop it?

Suicide among Kenya's youth has reached alarming levels, with funeral homes reporting dozens of cases every weekend. Economic hardship, unemployment, family conflict and inadequate mental health support are all fueling this silent emergency. In this AfricaLink podcast, Eddy Micah Jr. speaks with psychologist Benta Wambui and DW correspondent Felix Maringa.

Some of the places hardest hit by climate change are also home to one of the future's most powerful gifts: superabundant sunshine. If solar is now cheaper than ever, what’s stopping the clean energy revolution from taking off where the sun shines the brightest? In Part 1 of our special miniseries, The Switch, we head to Morocco in search of the promise, and the politics, of desert power.

We zoom in on the EU's newly announced emissions reduction targets and two lithium mine projects in Serbia and Portugal facing tough resistance. Then: the battle of olive farmers against solar parks in Spain, the role of Greenland's glaciers in a crucial tipping point, and a trip to the first ever Venice Noir Festival.