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Pascale Harter introduces reportage, analysis and reflection from Ukraine, Rwanda, Canada and Hong Kong.

Civilians trying to escape from Mariupol and other Ukrainian cities under siege by Russian forces have to survive many ordeals. Surviving in urban areas without water, power, communications or food is hard enough. But leaving presents other dangers – from the risks of being caught in attacks on convoys, to the terrifying process of interrogation called 'filtration', which Russian forces have used to weed out anyone who’s spoken out against the war or Russian policies. Hugo Bachega talked to several men who endured brutal treatment, interrogation and injury as they went through filtration.

The Commonwealth summit in Kigali put Rwanda back in the international spotlight – and despite the country’s pride in itself and its leadership, not all the attention was flattering. The government of President Paul Kagame has also attracted serious criticism for its human rights record. Anne Soy challenged the President and heard his fierce rebuttal of the accusations often made against him.

As millions of tons of wheat are kept out of the global market this year by the war in Ukraine, who will step up to feed the world? Grain, fuel and fertiliser prices are all spiralling worldwide, with dire consequences for poor countries which depend on cheap imports. But might some other grain-exporting countries benefit? Greg Mercer talked to farmers in Canada’s arable areas who are cautious about the prospects for their 2022 crop.

And in Hong Kong the public said another sad goodbye to an iconic spot in the city: the famous Jumbo floating restaurant, which had sat in the waters for more than 50 years and was a favourite place to eat for generations of Hong Kongers. Louisa Lim’s family would often drop in for dim sum there – and now it’s gone, she was moved to reflect on how much of the past the city is losing.

Producer: Polly Hope
Production Co-Ordinator: Gemma Ashman

(Image: Andriy – a Ukrainian who wanted to leave a city under Russian occupation - was forced to go through a process called filtration. He’s still afraid to reveal his identity. Credit: Janne Kern)