The World: Recent Episodes

PRX

Host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories that remind us just how small our planet really is.

A humanitarian crisis has unfolded in eastern Libya, after a major storm battered the region and destroyed two dams. About 10,000 people are missing and more than 5,000 are confirmed dead, after floods wiped away entire neighborhoods in the city of Derna. And, "The Listening Project," launched by The New Humanitarian, is inviting Yemenis from across the country and in the diaspora to talk about their own experiences of war and their daily lives. Also, later this month, Slovakia holds a parliamentary election that will have ramifications far beyond its borders. If the opinion polls are correct, it would mark the return of Robert Fico: a man who models himself on Viktor Orbán, Hungary's “alt-right” leader. Plus, China's tobacco problem.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in Russia by armored train on Tuesday to meet President Vladimir Putin. The two are expected to hammer out an arms deal that could help Russia continue its war in Ukraine. And, the so-called Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is projected to double the country's electricity supply and promises agricultural expansion. This has worried Egypt for years, and now that the dam is full and complete, the region confronts a new reality. Also, fighting in Sudan between rival armed forces has now dragged on for 150 days. So far, multiple international efforts at mediation have failed to bring about a lasting ceasefire. Experts warn that a broader civil war could be on the horizon. Plus, Portugal's river of wine.

On Friday evening, a rare 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco in the heart of the Atlas Mountains. More than 2,000 people are reported dead, with many more injured. Aid workers say rough terrain is making rescue efforts difficult. And, last week, the US announced it was sending depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine's military in its fight against Russia's invasion. They are expected to be used against Russian tanks, which are susceptible to the weapon. Also, the bombing of Chile's presidential palace by the military on Sept. 11, 1973, marked the end of a socialist president and the beginning of 17 years of right-wing authoritarianism. We hear how the US played a role in undermining socialist policies and popular support. Plus, soul food in Mexico City, Mexico.

Heads of state, experts and climate activists from around Africa and the world arrived in Kenya’s capital Nairobi this week for the inaugural Africa Climate Summit. Climate financing and sustainable development in Africa are at the top of this summit’s agenda. And, a huge auto show in Munich this week has put China's growing dominance in electric cars on display. About 41% of exhibitors at this year's event are headquartered in Asia. Also, we remember former New Mexico governor and UN ambassador Bill Richardson, who played a key role in winning the release of dozens of US citizens held abroad. Richardson died in his sleep on Friday, at age 75. Plus, what's it like to be pregnant in Russia?

After the Taliban takeover, the US finished pulling out its forces from Afghanistan two years ago. The withdrawal was violent and chaotic. What lessons were learned from it? And, beginning in 2026, US prices of expensive prescription drugs may be coming down as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Also, in the early morning hours of Wednesday, military leaders in Gabon announced they seized power and put President Ali Bongo under house arrest. Bongo had just been declared the president in a flawed election. Plus, London's foxes: pest or survivor?

Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leaders of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, proposed a plan for the kind of democratic government he's undermined in the past. Meanwhile, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who leads Sudan's national military, is headed to Egypt and Saudi Arabia for talks. And, disturbing video published on Tuesday by The Guardian newspaper shows the dire conditions of people staying in one of Libya’s migrant detention centers. Also, at least seven people are dead in Haiti after a pastor leading a protest marched through a gang-controlled suburb of the capital. Human rights groups are blaming the pastor for taking protesters into such a dangerous situation and the police for not preventing it from happening. Plus, how do you weigh an ant?

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is in Beijing on Monday for talks with her Chinese counterpart. The meeting comes as China continues to struggle with deflation and slowing growth. And, on Saturday, incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa was declared the winner of Zimbabwe's presidential election. Electoral observers and opposition leaders say the election had serious issues. Also, the Syrian government thought it had crushed the popular uprisings that began in 2011. But in the past week, two major cities in government-held areas in the south have seen mass demonstrations against the government. Plus, Crimean singer Jamala heads to US for her first major stateside tour.

Greece's wildfires continue to burn. In some cases, asylum-seekers are living in the forests for fear of being deported to Turkey and reversing any potential asylum claims. And, in Russia, Vladimir Putin has consolidated power and taken control of the entire political system. Yet, even as Russia continues to plunge deeper into authoritarianism, the country still hosts elections. Also, a year ago, nearly a third of Pakistan experienced catastrophic flooding that caused massive infrastructural damage. More than 1,500 people lost their lives. We hear how the rehabilitation process has progressed a year later. Plus, this silly hip-hop group challenges politics in Ecuador.

One day after a jet dropped out of the sky north of Moscow, reportedly killing Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and his top commanders, rival private militias are jockeying to fill the vacuum. And, researchers from the British Antarctic Survey say it's likely no emperor penguin chicks survived in 4 out of 5 colonies in one Antarctica region. Loss of sea ice is to blame. Also, the number of children living with only one parent — usually the mother — is growing worldwide, according to the UN. In Latin America, a combination of patriarchal culture and weak laws allow for many fathers to skip out on their financial obligations and get away with it. Plus, a race across Europe using public transit ends in a sprint.

Yevegeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary army, is reported dead in a plane crash near the city of Tver, just north of Moscow. Earlier this summer, Prigozhin led an armed mutiny in an attempt to oust the military leadership within Russia’s Ministry of Defense. And, makeshift chairlifts that bring kids to school in remote, mountainous regions of Pakistan are a local solution to a common problem: the scarcity of roads and buses. Also, belching and farting from cows is responsible for a worrying amount of greenhouse gas emissions every year. Ireland is facing up to the fact that having so many cows may be detrimental to the country's climate goals. Plus, a controversy over Adolf Hitler's house.

The Panama Canal uses a series of locks to raise the water level and carry ships across from one ocean to the other. But that requires lots of freshwater — and it's running low in Panama. And, On Wednesday, Zimbabweans will take to the polls to vote for their next president. Observers are saying this election is marred by violence and intimidation against the opposition and its supporters. Also, right now, in South Africa, the BRICS summit is in full swing. BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India China, South Africa, an economic bloc of countries billed as five major emerging economies collectively representing 40% of the world’s population. Plus, remembering Isabel Crook, an anthropologist who joined Mao Zedong’s rural revolution.

Eradicating the swirling gyre of plastic trash in the Pacific Ocean has been the longtime goal of Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit group. On Monday, in Victoria, British Colombia, the group took a big step forward, hauling 120,000 pounds of plastic out of the ocean using retrofitted fishing trawlers and specialized nets. And, Bernardo Arévalo upset Guatemala’s political establishment by clenching his country’s presidency this past weekend. But he faces a tough task ahead. Also, in Ecuador, a peaceful snap presidential election took place over the weekend amid an unprecedented security crisis that has left three politicians assassinated in less than a month. Plus, an artist's fake green card project inspires conversations about US citizenship.

Ecuadorians will take part in a snap election this weekend in a tense political atmosphere. The country is grappling with a recent wave of unprecedented violence that has seen three politicians assassinated in less than a month. And, a former Afghan diplomat, Abduljamil Bais, is resettling with his family in Canada. This follows a harrowing journey for Bais, his wife and three kids through South and Central America. Also, in Myanmar, rappers are considered the artistic arm of a revolution to bring down the ruling military through armed rebellion. "Rap Against Junta" is a collective of lyricists who work under pseudonyms and change locations frequently to avoid getting caught. Plus, a Cuban pianist longs for home.

The entire population of Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories, was ordered to evacuate due to wildfire danger this week. A climate engineer says he's astonished by the speed of the fires approaching the city. Also, fighting that began in April between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has created a humanitarian crisis, forcing 4 million people from their homes. And, Ukrainian officials have expressed frustration with the treatment of Ukrainians in Israel. Now, Kyiv is reportedly considering canceling visa-free travel for Israelis. Plus, a look at popular ice cream flavors from 18th century Britain, including “brown bread,” and how it's been resurrected for visitors to try at 13 historical sites across England.

Two years after the 2021 Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, independent journalism there has been all but completely snuffed out. Some news outlets continue to report on Afghanistan, but from outside the country. We hear from one Afghan newspaper editor, now working out of Washington, DC. Plus, the South Korean thriller "Parasite" was the first non-English language film to win best picture in 2020. But there's another film from South Korea that's been on the radar of international movie buffs for two decades. Now, "Oldboy" is getting a remake. And in Colombia's capital city Bogota, a guerrilla campaign of vigilantes armed with spray paint cans are calling attention to crumbling urban infrastructure.

Tuesday marks the second anniversary of the Taliban takeover of the Afghan capital, Kabul. Since then, the group has transformed the country into a place where women have very few rights and many are struggling to make ends meet. And, in Ethiopia, an airstrike on a crowded town square in Amhara killed at least 26 people on Sunday. Amhara is a regional state where local militiamen and government forces have clashed recently over efforts to disband the militias. Also, a judge in Montana sided with young people who argued that the state had violated their right to a “healthful environment” by promoting fossil fuel use. We hear how climate change litigation is gaining momentum globally. Plus, this scholar examines Shakespeare through a racial equity lens.

In Australia, 1 in 25 properties will be effectively uninsurable by 2030, according to a recent report due to rising risks of extreme weather events. In the face of worsening wildfires, droughts, floods and cyclones, insurance companies are either pulling out of the highest risk areas or making premiums so high as to be unaffordable. And, activists take on drug gangs in the anti-establishment community of Christiana, in Copenhagen. Also, some young men in Niger’s capital Niamey, say they’re a "citizens’ watch group," patrolling the streets to ensure that outsiders do not drive into Niamey and try to turn back the military coup. We hear why some youth are in favor of the coup. Plus, this Nicaraguan exile makes a new home in the Colorado mountains.

The US and Iran have reached a deal that will see the release of Iranian American prisoners held in Iran in exchange for Tehran gaining access to its frozen assets. Also, authorities in Ecuador have arrested six Colombian suspects in connection to the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. We look at the possible role of organized crime in the shooting. And, to celebrate hip-hop turning 50, we look at women who are rocking the mic across the globe. Plus, the mystique around North Korea, the so-called “Hermit Kingdom,” has allowed officials to profit through restaurants across Southeast Asia, where customers can try the cuisine and watch North Korean waitresses sing and even dance. But now, many of them are closing down.

Fernando Villavicencio, 59, was on the rise as a presidential candidate in Ecuador. He fearlessly took on drug cartels and corruption. On Wednesday, he was shot and killed outside of a political rally in Ecuador's capital, Quito. And, Sixto Rodriguez, the Detroit-born singer-songwriter known under the moniker Rodriguez, has died. His 1970 debut album didn't attract much attention in the US, but it garnered a cult following in South Africa. Also, an accidental data breach is causing anxiety among Northern Ireland's police force. The breach is the second in a matter of weeks and includes the full names and locations of police officers. Plus, Hawaii's royal capital is devastated by wildfires.

Britain has begun moving asylum-seekers out of government-funded hotels and onto a large barge docked off the country's southwest coast. The move is part of a controversial plan by the Conservative government to crack down on the number of asylum-seekers arriving on small boats off UK shores. And, Brigadier Gen. Moussa Salaou Barmou was Washington’s point person in Niger, in charge of elite forces that US troops had been training to fight militants. Now, he’s the spokesperson for the military junta that ousted Niger’s democratically elected president. Also, while most of the globe's economies are grappling with the effects of inflation, China's economy is charting a different course — suffering from deflation. Plus, how the siege of Sarajevo turned this musician from a pop-star to a punk rocker.

Thailand's election three months ago resulted in a winner from the country’s most progressive political party ever. But the party’s leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, is blocked from becoming prime minister because Thailand's military-backed senate believes he’s unfit to rule. Also, since Russia pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July, its troops have been attacking Ukraine’s ports, destroying 220,000 metric tons of grain in the past week alone. But US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield says the grain deal could be brought back to life. And, more than 100 years ago, many Europeans, especially Italians and Spaniards, migrated to Argentina. Now, some of their descendants are returning to Europe, once again chasing economic stability. Plus, Tijuana's All-Star Little League team heads to the World Series.

Niger's military coup leaders failed to return government to civilian hands Sunday — a deadline set by the Economic Community of West African States. The 15-nation bloc has yet to respond with military action as it promised. And a rennovated naval facility built on Cambodian shores is poised to serve as China's second-ever foreign military base. But Chinese officials are downplaying the importance of the Ream Naval Base. Also, health officials in Australia announced this month that they've virtually eliminated HIV transmission in inner Sydney, which was once the epicenter of the disease in the country. Plus, Moroccan women advance in World Cup.

It's been six months since two massive earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria, killing more than 59,000 people and collapsing thousands of buildings. We hear what life is like for survivors as rebuilding continues. And, from "Stories from the Stage," Javed Rezayee tells the story of how he pits his meager cooking skills against those of his father, a talented professional chef. Also, a federal appeals court has ruled that the Biden administration can temporarily continue to enforce its strict immigration program while the Justice Department appeals a lower court ruling that blocked it. The controversial policy at the heart of the court battle largely restricts migrants who passed through another country from seeking asylum in the United States. Plus, how one man visited every country in the world without taking a flight.

Thousands of tourists evacuated off the Greek island of Rhodes last month are being offered a free holiday on the island next year by the country’s government. But a new report by the European Commission suggests that summer holidays on the Mediterranean coast may soon be in jeopardy if temperatures continue to soar. And, paleontologists in Peru have discovered the fossils belonging to the most massive, whale-like animal called Perucetus colossus. Also, in Colombia today, a six-month ceasefire begins with the rebel group, the National Liberation Army, or the ELN. The truce is controversial, because the ELN is known for attacks on civilians, its association with drug trafficking cartels, and its violent hold on the region around Colombia's border with Venezuela. Plus, Dominican musician Yasser Tejeda assures us "it'll all work out."

China’s capital has been battered by more than 29 inches of rain since Saturday. It’s the heaviest rainfall Beijing residents have seen in 140 years and has taken the lives of at least 20 people. And, top American officials have been visiting Saudi Arabia and Israel in recent weeks to discuss a possible normalization deal between the two sides. President Joe Biden said last week that a deal may be on the way, but both sides have put forward major demands. Also, a rising number of cases in Florida of Hansen's disease, commonly known as leprosy, highlights the increase in tropical disease infections found in the US. Plus, the evolution of hip-hop in South Korea.

Nearly 1 1/2 years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the environmental damage from combat has contaminated Ukraine’s soil, water and air, at an estimated cost of $56 billion. This impact is likely to be one of the longest-lasting legacies of the war, persisting for decades after the fighting stops. And, on Tuesday in Canada, new regulations take effect that require health warning labels on individual cigarettes. Canada is the first country in the world to take this step. Also, Marta da Silva, who is known as Marta, is a legend of Brazilian and international soccer. She was the first player ever to score in five consecutive Olympics, and the most World Cup goals in world history. This World Cup, she says, is her last one. Plus, the changing landscape for Sweden's music industry.

International condemnation for last week's military coup in Niger continued to grow over the weekend. West African leaders have threatened economic sanctions, travel bans, and possible use of force if the president is not reinstated within a week. And, a series of drone attacks in Moscow on Sunday brought the war closer to Russian citizens. Although Ukraine has not taken responsibility, President Volodomyr Zelenskiy said afterward that attacks on Russian territory are an “inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process” in the war which has ravaged Ukraine for nearly 18 months. Also, the blast that killed dozens at a political rally in Pakistan this weekend exposed the deepening rivalries between the country’s powerful militant groups. Officials say ISIS is responsible for the explosion. Plus, a Brazilian masterpiece comes to the US.

President Joe Biden has given the green light for US cooperation with the International Criminal Court on its investigation into Russian war crimes in Ukraine, in a reversal of the US’s stance on the ICC. The Trump administration had sanctioned the ICC’s chief prosecutor who was investigating alleged of war crimes by US troops in Afghanistan. Also, after the armistice between North and South Korea 70 years ago, the two countries were in ruins leaving hundreds of thousands of children as orphans. And, El Salvador's Congress has passed legislation that would allow up to 900 people to be tried together for the same gang affiliation. Plus, through "Stories from the Stage," one woman's tale of love in two cultures.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told African leaders gathered for a summit in St. Petersburg today that his government would provide grain shipments to six African nations for free, in order to help avert a food crisis caused by Putin's decision to pull out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative last week. And, on July 27, 1953, the United Nations and North Korea signed a ceasefire, bringing an end to three years of fighting on the Korean Peninsula that killed more than 36,000 US soldiers and an estimated 2 million Korean civilians. But a formal peace agreement was never signed. Also, tributes to iconic Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor continue to pour in today after she was found dead in her London home on Wednesday at the age of 56. "Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare," wrote Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. Plus, the evolution of Senegalese rap.

The FSO Safer is an oil tanker in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen that has fallen into dangerous disrepair. The huge quantity of oil aboard could leak or explode. The UN has organized a mission to prevent a nightmare scenario by siphoning the oil out and onto a new ship. And, a well-known education activist has been in detention in Afghanistan since March. Matiullah Wesa had been fighting for education for Afghan children for more than a decade, mainly in remote areas of the country. Also, 90,000 migrants and asylum-seekers have arrived in New York City since the spring of 2022. Now, Mayor Eric Adams is saying there is "no guarantee the city will be able to provide shelter and services to new arrivals." Plus, this Belgian duo starts difficult conversations with humor and dance beats.

Exactly one month after Qin Gang disappeared from public view, on Tuesday, his removal and his successor was announced in Chinese state media. No explanation was given. And, every summer, Antarctic ice sheets recede as they melt, and every winter they regrow when the temperature drops. But recent observations and data show the ice is not regrowing. Also, researchers believe that the H5N1 virus known as avian flu may have killed millions of wild birds globally as the outbreak ravages South America. Plus, trying to prevent violence in Sudan with old-fashioned detective work.

In a vote boycotted by the Israeli opposition, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bid to overhaul the judiciary is in motion with a vote passed 64-0. Israelis have protested day after day for months, and those protests have included Israeli combat veterans and military reservists. And, Greece’s Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared "war" with wildfires in a recent address to the country’s parliament. The country has been battling wildfires on islands at opposite ends of the country: western Corfu and eastern Rhodes. Also, since the start of the Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many European countries have been trying to find ways to reduce their dependency on Russian energy. One place they’re starting to look is West Africa, where Senegal and Mauritania are capitalizing on recent discoveries of natural gas. Plus, Boston's links to the slave trade.

Every night over the last week, Russia has bombarded cities along Ukraine’s southern Black Sea coast. With these attacks, the Russian military has tried to disrupt Ukraine’s ability to export grain. And, "Stories from the Stage" are tales told by ordinary people with extraordinary experiences. We begin with Ana Hebra Flaster, who came to the United States from Cuba when she was 6 years old. Flaster is a writer who grew up in New England and her storytelling is inspired by her father. Also, in dozens of towns and cities across Spain, the far-right Vox party has found itself invited into ruling coalitions — and it has already begun dismantling policies meant to preserve nature and protect sexual and gender diversity. It now could strongly influence this weekend's federal elections, should the center-right Popular Party win a majority of votes. Plus, Kyiv's wedding officiant.

Iraqi protesters stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad after Stockholm police gave permission to a yet another person to burn the Quran. Relations between Iraq and Sweden are now frayed and some Swedes are beginning to wonder: "When does the legal right to burn a Quran become a hate crime?" And, women in Afghanistan took to the streets this week to protest a Taliban ban on beauty salons. The ban will come into effect in five days, leaving roughly 6,000 women out of work. Also, centenarian statesman Henry Kissinger flew to Beijing for a surprise meeting yesterday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Plus, FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off in New Zealand and Australia.

Wrapping up a four-day trip to China, US climate envoy John Kerry said no new commitments on climate were made, but the world's two biggest climate polluters have agreed to work together at major international meetings this year. And, today, protests against the rising cost of living resumed in Kenya. The demonstrations are organized by Kenya's opposition leaders, who say the country's new government is not doing enough to improve the economy. Also, since 1930, countries that make up the British Commonwealth have gathered every four years to compete in the Commonwealth Games. But the Australian state of Victoria has abruptly canceled its hosting of the next scheduled Games in 2023 — citing the extraordinary cost of hosting it — leaving the fate of the competition in question. Plus, this Israeli rapper is aiming high.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to DC was initially planned as a largely symbolic event. But it has evolved into a full-on diplomatic embrace. And, there's a crisis at sea right now — an international shortage of workers to work on the ships that traverse the oceans. What's behind the shortage and its impact across the globe? Also, Private 2nd Class Travis King left his tourist group of the Joint Security Area on the border of North and South Korea and has been detained by the North Korean authorities. We hear from an expert about what the news means for the US-North Korean relationship. Plus, in Sweden, local communities are trying to fight back against gun violence.

Russia announced it's walking away from an agreement that allows Ukrainian grain shipments to leave Black Sea ports. The deal brokered by the UN and Turkey in 2022 has helped guarantee grain shipments from Ukraine to countries around the world. And, the European Union announced a deal with Tunisia over the weekend to stem the flow of migration. Tunisia has now stated it will only take back Tunisians who illegally crossed into Europe. Also, US Climate Envoy John Kerry heads out on a four-day visit to Beijing. Chinese and US officials are motivated to find solutions to the dangers climate change poses, but domestic pressures are making it difficult to hammer out a deal. Plus, two surprise victories at Wimbledon.

The UN has called for an investigation into the deaths of 87 people whose bodies were found in a mass grave in Sudan's Darfur region. Also, nearly half the world's oceans are currently experiencing a heat wave that could get worse before the end of the summer. And, as Spain accelerates its investment in solar and wind parks, a growing number of mayors and environmental nongovernmental organizations in the southern region of Andalusia worry that the natural landscape will be altered forever with olive groves, forests and high plains being plowed over. Plus, we revisit the heartwarming story of a woman looking out for another woman's son studying abroad in the UK.

Russian authorities have imprisoned thousands of Ukrainian civilians. The noncombatants are being held both deep inside Russia and in occupied Ukrainian territories not far from the fighting on the front lines, where many are forced to dig trenches and graves. We hear from a reporter who uncovered the story. Also, climate-fueled weather systems are creating unprecedented challenges for humanitarian organizations. We speak with a first responder. And Sudan's capital, Khartoum is a war zone. A longtime resident tells us how he survived a month of gun battles and escaped.

The upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup is being billed as the biggest edition to date, with host countries Australia and New Zealand hoping to leverage the buzz and ensure the momentum surrounding women’s sports sticks around long after the tournament. Also, Paris is taking another step in fighting climate change by announcing that SUVs and other heavier vehicles will be charged more to park in the city center. And, Iraq is facing its worst water shortage in a century, with 7 million people experiencing reduced access to water. Plus, a Ukrainian filmmaker captures life in the besieged city of Mariupol as most residents fled for safety before it was overrun by Russian forces.

After months of blocking Sweden's efforts to join NATO, Turkey has agreed to support Swedish membership in the Western military alliance. Also, the UN secretary-general warned this week that Sudan is on the brink of a “full-scale civil war.” USAID Chief Samantha Power tells us about global efforts to assist increasingly desperate Sudanese civilians. And, with extreme weather events proliferating across the globe, we discuss how parts of the world are becoming less and less habitable. Plus, a look at a 22-pound waxy chunk of what’s known as ambergris discovered in a sperm whale on Spain’s Canary Islands that could fetch some $550,000.

The Biden administration and Kyiv are making the case that cluster munitions would make a critical weapon in Ukraine's counteroffensive, even though they are widely condemned, and even banned, by many nations for the risks they pose. Also, the health care industry in the US has been at the forefront of labor shortages since the pandemic erupted. But foreign nurses hoping to work in the US continue to face delays in the processing of their green cards. And, the breadmaking industry in Senegal is facing a shortage of wheat imports from Russia, disrupted by the war in Ukraine, so the government is looking for a new plan. Plus, a Venezuelan artist is using bottle caps to create large-scale eco-murals to raise awareness about recycling.

Where is Yevgeny Prigozhin? In a country where simply expressing public dissent can land you in serious trouble, the Russian warlord who just weeks ago marched thousands of fighters toward Moscow is now, apparently, free to roam the country. Also, in the last decade or so, Egypt has gone from military dictatorship to revolution, from fledgling democracy and then back to military dictatorship. And the Spanish military this week used a well-known Michael Jackson song during an awards ceremony and sparked some controversy. It was another reminder to pay attention to the lyrics before you use popular music in an official capacity.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is in Beijing for four days of talks on trade, investment and tariffs. We look into how the two superpowers might find common ground amid growing tensions. Also, a new report reveals larger-than-usual profits for top corporations over the past two years, all while people around the world struggled through a cost-of-living crisis. And, the Taliban have given all women’s beauty salons in Afghanistan one month to close down in another blow to women's rights. Plus, the Tour de France bicycling race kicks off. We take a look at the races within the race.

The Israeli military wrapped up its biggest operation in the occupied West Bank in many years. At least 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed in the fighting that took place early this week. We'll hear more about what happened and what it could mean for the future. Plus, need to get your US passport renewed this summer? You might need to be patient. And, why is the new "Barbie" movie banned in Vietnam?

Climate change is undeniably bad for the animal kingdom. But some animals are able to adapt — so far — by changing their behaviors or even their bodies. In this special series all about animals, we travel the world to learn about medicine for cats in Turkey, invasive bees in Spain, the status of bullfighting in Colombia and a frog so small it can't jump. Also, a tiny owl was discovered on Príncipe Island in Africa, and now it is endangered. And, we hear the story of two brothers in India who are going out of their way to protect black kites, the most-hated carnivorous raptor in the country. Plus, we remember biologist Roger Payne and his "Songs of the Humpback Whale."

Sports touch so many facets of our lives, and often play a central role in global news about culture, money and politics. This special podcast takes you around the world through the lens of sports, from tennis in Sierra Leone to the NFL in Spain, boxing in Cuba to judo in France. We also hear about racism endured by soccer players in Spain, and the need for an anti-discrimination network for global soccer. Also, how many World Cup stadiums are there in Qatar? And, what do athletes eat at Olympic dining halls? Plus, a small but growing group of extreme athletes in Sonora, Mexico, who are pushing themselves to new heights.

The fatal police shooting of a Black 17-year-old boy outside Paris this week has fueled social divisions along racial lines. What are the issues associated with racism in France, and how do they play out in a society that prides itself on "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité"? And, early into the fire season in Canada, it is already the worst fire year on record. Blazes are particularly bad in eastern Canada, where the forest industry is reeling. Also, the UN General Assembly voted to set up an independent body to investigate and clarify the status of missing persons in Syria. More than 130,000 people are considered missing or "disappeared" in Syria since the start of the country's uprising and civil war. Plus, Tijuana loves Little League baseball.

French President Emmanuel Macron held a crisis Cabinet meeting on Thursday afternoon as protests continued in France in response to the police shooting of a teenager. Authorities deployed 40,000 police officers across the country as they brace for a third night of violent demonstrations. Also, historian Samuel Lamontagne, who co-leads the Hip Hop Initiative, tells us about the enduring power of hip-hop in France. And, much of the DEA's early efforts were focused on Southeast Asia, where US troops in Vietnam were using heroin. We hear the story of an investigator who tried to bust up a heroin ring in Thailand and was stymied by the CIA. Plus, the presence and future of the Wagner Group in Africa.

Residents of Nanterre, an area west of Paris, destroyed bus stops and set cars on fire to protest the police shooting of a 17-year-old who failed to stop when ordered by traffic police. Also, Peru is dealing with a record outbreak of dengue:150,000 people have been afflicted by the viral disease this year, and nearly 250 have died. Dengue is also spiking in Laos and Sri Lanka, and threatens to spread to Europe as climate change transforms weather patterns around the world. And, for several weeks now, Taiwan has been gripped by a #MeToo movement. Hundreds have come forward accusing politicians, celebrities and everyday people of sexual misconduct. Plus, Muslims in Senegal prepare for Eid al-Adha celebrations.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko was often dismissed as Vladimir Putin's puppet. But given his key role cutting a deal with Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, analysts are reconsidering that assessment. And, the new International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina, opens to the public today. Charleston was the largest slave port in the United States, and the new museum hopes to serve as an archive for the nearly 80% of African Americans who can potentially trace back to an ancestor who arrived there. Also, the annual typhoon season has already begun in Japan, but with climate change has come more severe storms and heavier rainfall. Tokyo, a city built on marshlands, is particularly vulnerable to flash flooding. Plus, dolphin moms use "baby talk" to engage their young.

On Saturday, the Wagner Group took control of a major Russian city, in one of the biggest crises of President Vladimir Putin's political career. Putin's long-time henchman, Yevgeny Prigozhin, authorized the revolt but soon backed down. Observers say the incident left an opening for Ukraine to exploit, but Russian airstrikes have continued unabated. And, Prigozhin's rebellion has raised many questions. We hear from Russia scholar Mark Galeotti about how vulnerable Putin remains and his response to the short-lived mutiny. Also, a new initiative is launching this August to end hunger among school children in Nairobi, Kenya. Plus, Elton John's first — and maybe only — appearance at Glastonbury.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US has secured his country 31 Predator drones worth $3 billion. The purchase could mark a shift global dynamics — historically, India has turned to Russia for it's military hardware. Also, an investigation has found that criminal gangs are using sham bank accounts and secret online marketplaces to steal from almost anyone — individuals, churches, corporations — and are routing the money overseas. And, the nonprofit Haitian Education and Leadership Program (HELP) is assisting people who are unable to pay their tuition bills. Plus, in the latest installment of The World's "Planet Hip Hop" series, we take a look at Argentina's trap music scene.

A stop-and-start peace process between Sudan's warring parties has been put on pause by the US. Reports of genocidal violence in Darfur continue to emerge, as the grinding fight in Khartoum continues. And, commemorations in Britain mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of a ship from Jamaica, the HMT Empire Windrush. Also, Japan has passed a number of reforms to redefine the country's rape laws. The definition of rape has now been broadened so sexual assault victims have more rights and do not have to prove they fought back against their attacker. The age of consent has also been raised from 13 to 16. Plus, "King of Clones" film traces the rise and fall of an infamous Korean scientist.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on his first state visit to the United States. India is a strategic partner for the US when it comes to countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific and has the potential to chip away at China's tech-manufacturing prowess. And, French officials raided offices across the country associated with the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games. Authorities are looking into alleged embezzlement of public funds and favoritism in handing out Olympic contracts. Also, a look at what two different tragedies say about Pakistani society: Last week, more than 300 Pakistani migrants died when an overcrowded fishing trawler sank off the coast of Greece. This week, the heir to one of Pakistan's biggest private fortunes, along with his teenage son, are among five people aboard the missing Titanic submersible. Plus, celebrating the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge.

A private submersible with wealthy patrons aboard has gone missing during a dive to see the Titanic's remains. The US Coast Guard is searching hundreds of square miles as the sub has a limited amount of oxygen. And, nearly half of all men in Malaysia are smokers. Public health experts are now calling for an anti-tobacco policy that bans the sale of cigarettes to anyone born in 2007 onward. Also, before the war in Ukraine, rich and powerful Russians headed to London, Paris and Monaco to buy real estate. Now, they’re snapping up luxury villas and prime location real estate in the United Arab Emirates. Plus, Washington prepares for a visit with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In this hourlong, education-focused special, The World delves into the challenges immigrants face in accessing higher education, looking at issues such as language, borders and costs. US employers who say they can't fill jobs want Congress to raise the number of visas to foreign college graduates. Also, thousands of students attending US colleges and universities actually reside in Mexico. But when border wait times can be two to four hours long, it takes a special dedication to get to class each day. And, we meet several students who struggled to battle Mexican and US bureaucracy to be able to transfer schools. Plus, is the US still the number one education destination?

The conflict between Sudan’s rival armed forces has now entered its second month. More than 2 million people have become displaced by the fighting so far, and the situation is especially dire in Darfur. This week, the governor of West Darfur was killed after speaking up about atrocities there. And, a group of Austrian writers say that many composers of the country's regional anthems were in, or associated with, the Nazi party, and are asking for the songs to be changed. Also, El Salvador has cracked down on gang violence in the past year, by hauling tens of thousands of people to jail without due process. And many citizens of other countries, including the US, Colombia and Guatemala, have been caught up in the crackdown. Plus, shouting into the wind is apparently a good thing.

Wednesday’s deadly shipwreck off southern Greece, involving a fishing boat reportedly carrying up to 750 migrants, highlights the desperation that drives people to risk their lives to reach continental Europe. And, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is planning to visit China on June 19, in hopes of opening further dialogue with Beijing to dampen a general atmosphere of escalation. Also, the United Arab Emirates, one of the biggest oil-producing nations in the world, will be hosting COP28, the United Nations' climate summit. Critics say this is like having tobacco companies oversee the work of the World Health Organization. Plus, we remember Roger Payne, the biologist who showed us the musical side of whales.

Ukrainian leaders say their military is making progress on the battlefield. In less than a week, they have liberated seven villages from Russian occupation. And, John Bolton, former President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, says he’s not surprised that classified documents were found in a Mar-a-lago bathroom. Also, host Marco Weman catches up with Cuban American musician Gloria Estefan, as she looks back at her successful career as a bilingual singer and songwriter. Plus, bumpier flights coincide with warmer skies.

Former US President Donald Trump makes his first appearance in a Miami federal courthouse. He is accused of taking hundreds of documents, many of them highly classified, from the White House in 2021. And, thousands of villagers southeast of Manila have left their homes to find safer ground due to seismic activity detected at Mount Mayon. Also, a 44-year-old mother of three in the UK is now looking at a 28-month prison sentence for taking abortion medication too late into her pregnancy. Abortion was legalized in Britain in 1967, but an older law was used as the basis for the sentence. Plus, why the Golden Globes have a new owner.

Military officials say Ukraine has retaken four small towns from Russian-held territory. This follows much talk of a Ukrainian counteroffensive. And, US and Mexican authorities confirmed that eight young workers were killed in western Mexico, after they supposedly tried to quit their jobs at a call center operated by a violent drug cartel. Also, in March, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova. The charges were related to the forced deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia. Plus, the prehistoric bird bones that were used as flutes.

The collapse of the Kakhovka dam is an environmental catastrophe for people in southern Ukraine. Destroying a dam goes against international law. And, the Migrant Trail walk continues for a 20th year, putting a spotlight on migrant deaths in the Arizona borderlands. The 7-day, 75-mile walk begins in Sasabe, Sonora, and ends in Tucson, Arizona. Also, the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has spread across the country. A new ceasefire agreement is set to start on June 10. Plus, singing South African firefighters are helping to battle the blazes in Canada.

Hundreds of captured Russian soldiers, conscripts and mercenaries are being held in 50 sites around Ukraine. Russia also has Ukrainian POWs captured from the war. Frequent prisoner exchanges are a sign of direct talks between the two countries. And, in Ukraine's southern region of Kherson, evacuations are underway to get residents out of areas affected by flooding caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka dam. Also, hip-hop turns 50 this summer. The World launches "Planet Hip Hop" to celebrate its influence in all corners of the globe. Plus, scientists get a thrilling new look at the Earth's mantle.

The world of professional golf experienced a seismic shift on Tuesday when the US-based PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabia-backed league LIV, announced a merger. For Saudi Arabia, it's only the latest in an ambitious plan to extend the kingdom's influence and participation in global sports. And, in Canada's eastern provinces from Quebec to Nova Scotia, wildfires have caused thousands to flee their homes and untold damage. Also, with large numbers of young Russian fighters dying on the Ukraine battlefield, the Wagner mercenary group must constantly recruit to replenish their fighters. They've gone online and are using the same tactics that the ISIS once used to lure young men to go to fight in Syria. Plus, female crocodiles can reproduce without males.

A major dam in southeastern Ukraine collapsed on Tuesday, flooding villages, endangering crops in the country's breadbasket region and threatening drinking water supplies, as both sides in the war scrambled to evacuate residents and blamed each other for the destruction. And, the Department of Homeland Security has been allowing reporters to observe and report on deportation flights as part of a public diplomacy campaign aimed at discouraging migrants from coming to the US. Also, last year, an estimated 3,500 Rohingya Muslims boarded wooden boats and set off from Bangladesh in search of starting their lives over in Malaysia or Indonesia. Hundreds of them never made it. Plus, a driver in Finland gets a $130,000 speeding ticket.

A new investigation from Reuters found billions of dollars labeled as "climate finance" going to projects that only had a tangential relationship to climate solutions. And, it's pufferfish season in Southeast Asia. Most fisherfolk will throw pufferfish back, but some bring them to market, serving niche groups of customers who love eating them, despite the warnings. Also, Tunisia is the birthplace of the so-called Arab Spring, and Syria is where protesters witnessed some of the most brutal crackdowns. Today, both countries are "turning a new page," as one Syrian official recently put it. Plus, Ama Ata Aidoo, a giant in the African literary scene, died this week at the age of 81.

At least eight military drones appeared over the skies of the Russian capital and its suburbs early Tuesday. Russian Defense Ministry officials say all of the drones were intercepted and damage from falling debris was minimal. And, on Monday, Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu was sworn in as the country’s new president in the capital Abuja. He enters office amid ongoing court disputes against the election results, rising insecurity, and a struggling economy. Also, on the Serbian border with Hungary, 90 minutes from Belgrade, a group of five Russian game developers have found a new home after fleeing Russia under threat of arrest. Plus, in Hong Kong, public censorship of Tiananmen Square is underway.

We bring you a special Thanksgiving Day show today that’s all about food. Find out where modern-day wheat comes from. And, how a British chef became a Mexican cooking legend. Also, more on electric chopsticks that make food taste saltier. Plus, tips on how to eat your Christmas tree after the holidays instead of kicking it to the curb.

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Protests have erupted at the world's largest Apple iPhone factory in China over strict COVID-19 lockdowns, lack of pay and poor working conditions. And, when the Soviet Union ended, Western culture rushed in — including “Sesame Street.” But adapting the American “Muppets” to 1990s Russia meant culture clashes and encounters with darker forces in post-Soviet media. Also, many municipalities in France are not showing World Cup games in big public places. That's in protest for the way Qatar has handled human rights.

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There was a stunning upset at the World Cup on Tuesday as Saudi Arabia beat heavily favored Argentina 2-1. At center stage, Argentina's Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player in the world. At age 35, this may be Messi's last chance to win the World Cup. Also, US state laws have put limits on abortion options for many women. That's increased the sales of mail-order abortion pills from the Netherlands. And, a 5.6-magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia on Monday, leaving more than 200 dead. Plus, one mystery of the Basque language is closer to being solved. It was thought that Basque was largely just a spoken language. But a new archaeological discovery in Spain has linguists thinking differently.

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The UN climate conference wrapped up this weekend. And for the first time, wealthier nations have agreed to pay for damage caused by climate change in developing countries. Though the devil is in the details, nations feeling the environmental impacts say just agreeing to find a framework for "loss and damage" funding is still a big step forward. Also, Russian forces buried around 400 Ukrainians in a mass grave in a forest near the city of Izium in northeastern Ukraine. Authorities are trying to piece together what happened there. And, who's going to win the World Cup? An Oxford mathematician has a pretty good guess. Plus, a musician's mission for the LGBTQ community in Brazil. Murder rates of trans and queer people in Brazil are among the highest in the world, and Bia Ferreira wants to inform and protect the LGBTQ community there.

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it’s now "crunch time" for negotiators at the COP27 climate summit. We hear from a young climate activist from Pakistan who's spent the last two weeks taking part in the climate conference in Egypt. And, internal chaos at Twitter headquarters has international implications. Recent layoffs and resignations at the social media giant have left it potentially understaffed. Also, Qatar has reversed its decision to sell beer at World Cup stadium sites. But it comes just days before the start of the World Cup tournament, and after a decade of setting expectations that alcohol would be permitted. Plus, what happens when you feed cows hemp laden with THC? German scientists want to know.

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A court in the Netherlands issued a ruling today in the long-running case of flight MH17, which was shot down over Ukraine in 2014. Three men were convicted of murder for their role in shooting down the Malaysia Airlines passenger jet, killing all 298 people onboard. And, Cambodia's second-highest-ranking wildlife official is in US custody, charged with helping run an international monkey-smuggling crime ring. The official, Masphal Kry, was arrested while transiting through JFK International Airport in New York. Also, in Uganda, a showdown over an oil pipeline in the west is pitting environmental and social justice advocates against the government, which argues it is time for African countries to benefit from fossil fuels, too. Plus, as the world's population crosses 8 billion this week, India is poised to become the most populous country in 2023.

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For the first time since the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine, a missile has landed on NATO territory. But NATO says it believes the blast was likely caused, not by Russia, but by a stray missile fired by Ukraine's air defenses. And on Nov. 15, a federal judge ordered the Biden administration to lift some Trump-era restrictions set in place during the COVID-19 pandemic that have allowed US authorities to expel more than 1 million migrants who have crossed the US-Mexico border. The order will not go into effect until Dec. 21. Also, Brazil's President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva essentially represented his country at the international climate summit in Egypt, although he has yet to take office. His speech today was greeted with a standing ovation. Plus, women’s movements in Afghanistan and Iran look to one another for support and inspiration.

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The city of Izium in northeastern Ukraine was under Russian occupation for about six months. In September, Ukrainian forces managed to liberate the city, but the hard work of bringing it back to normal has only begun. And Chinese President Xi Jinping is reentering the international stage at the G-20 summit. It's his first trip abroad in three years and comes after he secured a historic third term as China's president. Also, at the UN climate summit in Egypt this week, developing countries are pushing to double the funding for climate adaptation, debt relief and changes to the global financial system. Plus, not everyone in Iran wants a revolution.

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The presidents of the US and China have met on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Indonesia. President Joe Biden said that Beijing is not on the brink of invading Taiwan, nor will there be a new cold war. And, Ukraine’s president visits the newly liberated southern Ukrainian city of Kherson. Also, the beloved “full English breakfast” is a one-plate cornucopia of meats and more. But it’s taking an inflation hit, and some restaurants are finding it harder to keep on the menu. Plus, Mehran Karimi Nasseri, a refugee from Iran who died this weekend, spent nearly two decades between 1988 and 2006 in France’s Charles de Gaulle airport after being caught in legal limbo. We look at how people like him become stateless.

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The British public is divided over the protest tactics of the environmental group Just Stop Oil. Members of the group brought Britain’s busiest motorway to a standstill for hours this week, and they’ve been splashing cans of soup onto famous paintings to draw attention to their cause. And, a new proposed bill in Finland's parliament that would recognize the rights of the Indigenous Sámi people is proving to be controversial. Also, Qatar is about to become the first Arab and Middle Eastern nation to host the FIFA World Cup in a region that has a rich soccer history. Plus, a tribute to Brazilian singer Gal Costa, who died on Wednesday in São Paulo at the age of 77.

Every weekday, you rely on The World for the best human-centered international news. This podcast, and all of The World’s coverage, is free because listeners like you support our nonprofit newsroom. Learn more here.

Beijing has been accused of setting up a global network of overseas police stations to help pursue government targets, including in Spain. And, a rescue ship carrying about 230 migrants had been stuck off Italy’s coast in recent days, after a new far-right government in Rome barred it from docking. France is now permitting the boat to anchor in Toulon. Also, Victoria Obidina was among a group of women who were taken as prisoners by the Russian military and held captive for six months. She was released last month as part of a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine. Plus, every year on Guinness World Records Day, ambitious people from around the world try to break the most random — yet impressive — records.

Every weekday, you rely on The World for the best human-centered international news. This podcast, and all of The World’s coverage, is free because listeners like you support our nonprofit newsroom. Learn more here.

In a major shift in the war in Ukraine today, Sergei Surovikin, the Russian general in charge of Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, recommended that Russia shift its defenses to the east bank of the Dnipro River. This means that Russia is withdrawing its troops from the key southern Ukrainian city of Kherson. And, ships carrying liquified natural gas are sitting off the coast of Europe, holding onto their cargo. Analysts say an economic condition called contango is the cause. Also, as environmental leaders negotiate whether richer countries will pay for climate damages in poorer ones at COP27, we hear from one Pakistani family about how damages from climate change are affecting their lives. Plus, Iranian American author Marjan Kamali describes a happy accident at the polls.

Every weekday, you rely on The World for the best human-centered international news. This podcast, and all of The World’s coverage, is free because listeners like you support our nonprofit newsroom. Learn more here.

Brazil, Indonesia and Democratic Republic of Congo are among several nations that are considering banding together to preserve their rainforests. And, Russia's new isolation from the global economy has led to layoffs and business closures. It's affecting both Russians and migrant laborers from Central Asia, who are the backbone of Russia's labor force. Now, some of these workers are packing up and going home. Also, since 1995, when the Dayton Accords ended fighting in what is now Bosnia, power has been shared by the three main ethnic groups. But this leaves out many other minority groups, like Jews, Roma and ethnic Albanians or Italians, which has been a major barrier to EU membership. Plus, transgender and nonbinary people who seek abortions face various obstacles around the world.

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For the first time at COP27, funding for climate losses and damages is on the agenda. Pakistan’s historic floods demonstrate what developing countries are pushing for at the climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. And, rescue boats filled with stranded migrants are being ordered to vacate a Sicilian port. Advocates argue Italy's far-right government is breaking international law. A court may soon determine whether some asylum-seekers will have to stay adrift at sea. Also, the prominent Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah has escalated his hunger strike over the weekend. This coincides with the start of the COP climate conference, linking the struggles for climate justice with human rights across the globe. Plus, climate action takes on many forms — just ask the band Plasticine.

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For months, the flooding in Pakistan has been held up by global leaders as a prime example of why funding for so-called "losses and damages" is essential. As COP27 kicks off on Sunday, the stakes are higher for countries like Pakistan. And, the Russian invasion in Ukraine has called for a reckoning from other former members of the Soviet Union. Kazakhstan is experiencing a surge in nationalism — and a push away from Russia. Also, Nov. 4 marks the 100th year since the discovery of the tomb of Egyptian King Tutankhamun Nebkheperure (popularly known as "King Tut"). It was discovered in the Valley of Kings by British Egyptologist Howard Carter in 1922, leading to groundbreaking archaeological research. Plus, Manu Chao and Bomba Estereo team up for a new song.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was shot in the leg while leading a protest march today. Gunfire rained onto his convoy and he was en route to Islamabad in a demonstration aimed at pushing for new elections. Thursday's shooting is inflaming an already heated political situation in Pakistan. And, a new British study out on Thursday shows that psilocybin — a substance found in “magic” mushrooms — can help people suffering from depression. For years, scientists have been taking a fresh look at the use of psychedelic drugs for treating anxiety and depression. Also, Canada prides itself as a climate champion, vowing to reduce emissions and kick fossil fuel use. But stubborn demand for oil and gas means the country is also eager to drill more oil. Plus, pasta lovers, take heart! Italian food scientists have figured out how to extend pasta freshness for up to 120 days.

After nearly two years of fighting, there's a new dawn in Ethiopia. On Wednesday, following 10 days of tense talks, representatives from Ethiopia's federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front signed a peace deal, agreeing to end hostilities. And Israel's former prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is close to being declared the winner in Israel's parliamentary election. Exit polls show Netanyahu and his right-wing allies winning the 61 seats necessary to form a government. Also, with COVID-19 cases on the rise in China, more than 30 cities across the country are experiencing restrictions. Beijing is censoring government criticism, but people are still using social media to voice their frustrations. Plus, in Iran, digital artists are finding powerful ways to document the protests.

A day after Russia carried out new airstrikes in Ukraine, which damaged power grids and water systems in the capital, we hear a story about a mother and her children returning home, and a crew of electrical maintenance workers trying to bring power back to Kyiv. And, Belgium is embroiled in a huge controversy after it recently emerged that a 23-year-old survivor of the 2016 Brussels airport bombing had chosen to end her life this May under the country's euthanasia law. Also, a number of videos on social media in recent days have shown hundreds of migrant Chinese laborers in Tibet protesting and clashing with police. After three months of lockdown, they are demanding that they be allowed to go home, and have reportedly gotten their wish. Plus, the Brazilian samba-funk sounds of Rogê goes on the road.

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Lula is back. The leftist former president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has won reelection in Brazil. Plus, more than 150 people died in a crowd crush during a Halloween celebration in South Korea’s capital over the weekend. Also, this week will mark two years since a civil war broke out in Ethiopia. Despite peace talks, the fighting hasn’t let up. And, hear about haunted hill stations of the Himalayas.

Elon Musk has purchased Twitter. In Europe, leaders are warning: “The bird will fly by our rules.” We take a look at the worldwide ramifications of the “Musk-effect” on social media. Plus, the globe is approaching peak demand for fossil fuels. And, we look into how an organization used religious fervor to amass wealth and power in Japan.

Ukrainian forces have been trying to push the Russians out of the annexed Kherson region, but Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Russian forces are strengthening their position, and that he expects an increase in heavy battles. And, the Shah-e-Cheragh holy shrine in southern Iran has been attacked by gunmen. At least 15 people died and dozens more were injured. ISIS is claiming responsibility for the deadly attack in the city of Shiraz. Also, Mexico's president is expected to sign a bill into law that eliminates daylight saving time there. The law would mean Mexico will turn its clock back one last time this Sunday morning. Plus, we hear from Madagascar’s The Dizzy Brains, a band that sings about the corruption, poverty and violence overwhelming the island nation.

Countries around the world are failing to live up to commitments to fight climate change. A lack of drastic action means more warming, and with it, more fires, floods and devastation. But only 13% of countries that made climate commitments at last year's climate conference have followed through, according to a new UN report. And, Vladimir Kara-Murza, one of the most well-known opposition politicians in Russia, is in prison. He is awaiting his day in court after being accused of “high treason.” He’s among hundreds of documented political prisoners currently behind bars in Russia. Also, Israel is under a week away from holding its fifth parliamentary elections in two years. Security and cost of living are the two top concerns for Israeli voters. Plus, a new criminal organization controls the destiny of migrants from Venezuela to Chile.

Rishi Sunak met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace this morning, making his appointment as Britain's new prime minister official. Sunak will be the fifth leader of the United Kingdom in the last six years. And, American basketball star Brittney Griner remains in a Russian prison. This morning in Moscow, a court rejected her appeal of a 9-year prison sentence for drug possession. Also, Israel conducted a raid against an armed Palestinian group in the occupied West Bank. The raid left five Palestinians dead in the old city of Nablus. Plus, Belarusian opera star Ilya Silchukov starts his life over in the United States.

Former UK Treasury Chief Rishi Sunak is set to become Britain’s new prime minister, after being chosen on Monday to lead the governing Conservative Party. He will try to shore up a reeling economy that’s sliding toward recession. And, top Ukrainian officials today rejected Russian allegations that Kyiv is preparing to use a so-called “dirty bomb,” a conventional explosive laced with radioactive material, on its own territory. Also, delegations from the Ethiopian government and Tigrayan forces are set to meet in South Africa for peace talks. Plus, the co-founder of the Red Bull energy drink dies. The drink was first made popular in Thailand as a stimulant for sleepy truck drivers.

Production of Colombia’s coca crop is up by nearly 50%, according to the United Nations. Colombia is the leading source of coca globally and its new government is trying to figure out how to regulate the industry. And, Pakistan’s Election Commission announced on Friday that the country’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan will be banned from holding political office for the next five years. The commission says that Khan illegally accepted and sold off gifts from foreign dignitaries. Also, Nigeria's largest city, Lagos, has banned motorcycle taxis — known as okadas — that are used to navigate heavy traffic. We hear about the cultural significance of okadas and why Nigerians so heavily depend on them. Plus, couples around the world zoom into Utah for weddings.

Just 44 days into the job, Liz Truss announced today that she is stepping down as the UK’s leader. Her resignation follows weeks of chaos in the UK markets. A new prime minister is expected to be elected into office within a week. And, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that 30% of Ukraine's power stations have been hit by Russian airstrikes. Ukraine is now restricting its electricity supplies as the country prepares for a long winter. Also, the US Inflation Reduction Act is raising alarms in the European Union. German and French officials warned on Wednesday that US policies offering subsidies to benefit the American electric vehicle industry would lead the two economic powerhouses into direct competition. Plus, the acclaimed novel, “The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida,” by Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka, has clinched the 2022 Booker Prize.

Britain's new prime minister is fighting for her political survival. Liz Truss has been at 10 Downing Street for just six weeks, but she's already made U-turns on some of her big economic policies. And, the coalition that has governed Catalonia's semi-autonomous government for years fractured this week. Political infighting has plagued the Catalan independence camp ever since the movement became mainstream over a decade ago. Also, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has complicated Latvia’s relationship with its own ethnic Russian population, who account for a quarter of the country’s 2 million citizens. They’ve assimilated over time but now many of them sense that they’re being marginalized. Plus, a rare anti-government protest in Beijing on Thursday sparks online activism.

NATO's defense ministers have agreed to supply Ukraine with weapons amid Russia's invasion of Ukrainian territory, following a two-day meeting in Brussels. Also, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said this week that Russia has been deploying Iranian-made drones into his country, targeting civilian areas. The relatively small drones can fly at low altitudes, evading Ukrainian radars. And, next month will mark two years since the start of the conflict in Tigray, a northern region of Ethiopia. After the breakdown of five months of peace talks, the war is now escalating once again. Plus, Serbian scientists name a beetle after tennis star Novak Djokovic.

Saudi Arabia's relations with the US are souring after OPEC+ announced it would cut oil production. President Joe Biden said there would be consequences in response to the decision, which is seen as benefiting Russia. And, as much of the globe prepares for another winter, what restrictions remain in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19? Also, Latvia has welcomed desperate Ukrainians who are crossing the border from Russia, most notably young men fearing that they could be drafted. But the country has closed its border to virtually all Russians — even those fleeing conscription. Plus, new lessons are emerging from the Cuban missile crisis.

Latvia is bracing for a brutal winter, outside and inside, as it struggles to heat homes and businesses with less Russian energy. Alternative sources of heat and electricity cannot yet compensate for the deficit, so the government is turning down the temperature in public buildings — and asking ordinary citizens to do the same. And Lebanon and Israel have reached a historic deal via the US to establish their maritime border. The deal allows both countries to explore and extract natural gas from offshore fields and avoid any potential conflict. Also, the state of Texas recently awarded over $307 million to continue building a 14-mile wall across the southern border with Mexico in what is seen as a controversial approach to curb illegal migration. Plus, at a sonic exhibit in Istanbul, visitors feel the echoes of war.

This morning, hundreds of thousands of people across Ukraine woke up to the sound of air raid sirens. Russia’s military sent dozens of long-range missiles and drones across Ukraine, hitting at least 10 cities. Also, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, once one of the most powerful men in Russia, became Vladimir Putin's enemy, and has written a book about his experience. Plus, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban portrays himself as the defender of Christianity, not only in Hungary, but across Europe. And, it's "Double Ten Day" in Taiwan, a day that marks an uprising that eventually ended hundreds of years of Chinese imperial rule.

As the Ukrainian military presses on with its successful ground offensive, the Russian military appears to be taking a gamble. Russian troops in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine are advancing and putting themselves at risk of being surrounded by Ukrainian forces. And, this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin promoted Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov to army general. Kadyrov, a long-time ally of Putin, is known for his inflammatory remarks and abysmal human rights record. Also, US President Joe Biden is offering pardons to thousands of people convicted of marijuana possession under federal law. In some ways, the US is unique in its approach to cannabis policy. Plus, Haiti requests international assistance to quell the violence there.

Pakistan is entering a second wave of death and destruction from outbreaks of diseases, including malaria, dengue, diarrhea, scabies and other skin diseases, according to the United Nations. Health workers are trying to contain these outbreaks among millions of displaced people. And the US-Saudi relationship took a major hit this week when OPEC+ announced it would significantly cut oil production levels. The move comes amid the energy crisis and would affect gas prices in the US and Europe. Also, just days after a US federal judge dismissed Mexico's first lawsuit against US gun manufacturers, the Mexican government says it intends to file a second lawsuit, this time against gun sellers along the border. Plus, a volunteer group is hosting cleanup raves to help rebuild Ukrainian villages.

The Ebola outbreak rapidly spreading in Uganda has caused at least 29 deaths in the past two weeks. A vaccine hasn’t yet been tested for this strain. Also, Australia has earned the dubious distinction of being the "mammal extinction capital of the world." But now, the Australian government says it's determined to give wildlife a better chance. Plus, the 50th anniversary of Picasso's death next year is raising some difficult questions about the painter's misogyny. And a song that's becoming the anthem of the protests in Iran.

North Korea launched a missile over Japan on Tuesday morning, for the first time since 2017. Alerts went off in Tokyo and other northern cities at 7:30 a.m., and there was fear and confusion about how to take cover. And, jargon can quickly clog up government documents, making vital information hard to find and difficult to understand. Lawmakers in New Zealand are trying to clear things up with a bill that would require clear, concise communication from the government. Also, living through the trauma of the war in Ukraine has taken an immeasurable toll on people there. Soldiers and civilians alike have been through unspeakable horrors. We hear from a few Ukrainians who are helping people process these traumas. Plus, human tower competitions return to Catalonia after a four-year hiatus.

In Brazil's presidential election on Sunday, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva got the highest number of votes, as expected. But the final result showed incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro just a handful of points behind the former president. And amid protests in Iran, a group of students were trapped inside the prestigious Sharif University after security guards locked them inside and chased others to a university parking lot. Similar events took place at Iranian universities in 1999 and 2009, leading to many arrests and deaths. Also, Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II announced last week that the four children of her son Prince Joachim will lose their royal titles. The palace said the reasoning was to allow her grandchildren the chance to “shape their own existence.” Plus, the Common loon, known for its haunting cry across the North American wilderness, is in trouble.

The World's Carol Hills and reporter Michael Fox explore institutional religion in Brazil, how President Jair Bolsonaro tapped into religion in his rise to the presidency, and the ripple effects of his alliance with evangelicals throughout the country. This special edition of The World is part of our reporting series called, Sacred Nation, focused on the intersection of religion and nationalism around the globe.

In Moscow, inside the halls of the Kremlin, Russian officials, led by President Vladimir Putin, celebrated the annexation of four Ukrainian regions. The move is being justified based on referendum votes staged this month by Russia. Across the globe, nations are not recognizing the land grab and they're condemning it as a violation of Ukraine's sovereign rights. And a recent census report shows that Catholicism has emerged as the top identified religion in Northern Ireland, a Protestant-formed and Britain-aligned country, for the first time in its 101-year history. With this new declaration, some worry about the possibility of a referendum that would determine if Northern Ireland would stay aligned with Britain or join the Republic of Ireland as one Ireland. Also, Yemen's eight year civil war has been on pause since April. The truce expires this weekend, but many people want the ceasefire extended. Plus, Brazil’s election system is a model for the rest of the world.

In 2014, after pro-Russian forces took control of the Crimea peninsula, Kremlin-backed officials there oversaw a chaotic referendum without credible international observers. This week, we’re seeing a page from that same playbook in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. And Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen from Maryland has been leading an effort for accountability on the death of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu-Akleh, who was shot by Israeli security forces while reporting in the West Bank. Also, in Iran, a mapping app called Gershad allows users, mostly women, to mark the location of the country’s morality police, so others can avoid them. Now, the app has been updated to include the location of riot police and tens of thousands of people have downloaded it. Plus, Kolkata’s biggest religious festival, Durga Puja, gets reframed as an international art experience.

Both Nord Stream pipelines connecting Russia to Germany are leaking, after a pair of explosions went off in the Baltic Sea on Monday off the coast of Denmark. Blame remains unclear, but many European leaders are pointing the finger at Russia. And, the Biden administration is trying to aid suppressed protesters in Iran, at the same time that it’s attempting to cut a deal with Iranian officials to revive the 2015 nuclear accord. Some see this as a contradiction in US foreign policy. Also, when about 50 migrants were flown to Martha's Vineyard from Texas and Florida, they realized they’d been part of a publicity stunt. Now, their lawyers argue that the migrants may qualify for visas reserved for crime victims, which will allow them to stay in the US. Plus, we hear a musical flashback to an undemocratic Brazil with Caetano Veloso.

Today marks the final day of voting in the so-called referendums taking place in parts of Ukraine that are occupied by Russian forces. These votes are taking place under military occupation — and they’re also illegal under international law. Meanwhile, a call by Russia for more men to help fight its war in Ukraine has sent many people fleeing the country to avoid conscription. And in Lebanon, bank heists have become so common that the government has ordered banks to be shut. Customers have been trying to retrieve their own savings that are stuck in the banking system. Also, over the past seven days, the British pound has dropped to a record low against the US dollar. Plus, we hear from three violinists of the Scandinavian group Lodestar Trio, who take their music from baroque to folk.

The Brothers of Italy party is set to form a far-right government. We look at the implications for Italy of this neo-fascist party rising to power. Also, protests in Iran — triggered by the death of a 22-year-old woman detained by the nation's morality police — continue, leading to an internet blackout in the country. And, as the energy crunch caused by the Ukraine war looms over Europe, its shockwaves reverberate as far away as Bangladesh.

Many world leaders took to the stage at the UN General Assembly this week to speak about devastating losses their countries have experienced due to climate-fueled natural disasters. Low-emitting countries are calling on historic polluters to help pay for the damage. And polls opened on Friday in the four Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine. People in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia were told to vote on whether to join Russia. Also, this summer’s travel chaos led to cancellations, delayed flights and lost luggage. In Spain, airlines and airports are trying to make the most of it with a chain of nonprofit shops where shoppers can buy what other travelers have lost. Plus, a photography exhibit honors those who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.

On Wednesday, after Russian authorities announced plans to draft an additional 300,000 troops to join the war in Ukraine, some people are protesting or making hasty plans to leave, while others are lining up to join. And El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele recently announced plans to seek reelection despite a constitutional ban. We hear from a news director who says his leadership is “one step away” from a dictatorship. Also, in Cambodia on Thursday, a United Nations-backed tribunal charged with prosecuting the crimes of the Khmer Rouge regime held its final hearing. After 16 years and $337 million, the tribunal convicted just three men of crimes committed by a regime that caused the deaths of millions. Plus, a molecular biologist brings cultural rehabilitation through ice cream flavors in Cape Town, South Africa.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans Wednesday morning to call up to 300,000 reservists to join the fight in Ukraine and threatened to deploy nuclear weapons if Russian territory is threatened. And President Joe Biden was in New York on Wednesday to address the United Nations General Assembly. Biden used the opportunity to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine and reiterate the US commitment to Ukraine's defense. Also, about a half a million foreign students — mostly from Africa and parts of Asia — were shut out of their universities in China due to COVID-19. Chinese authorities are not making it easy to return anytime soon. Plus, the quadrillions of ants on planet Earth matter immensely to life.

Leaders from around the world are gathering in New York this week for the UN General Assembly. It's the first time leaders gather together since the start of the pandemic in 2020. And in Puerto Rico, residents are facing the collapse of the electrical grid and a lack of clean water in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona. Also, on Tuesday night in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin is to speak to the nation about Ukraine. The last time he did this was on the eve of the Russian invasion in February. Plus, the lead singer of Ukrainian band Antytila is on the front lines.

Britain said goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II in a televised ceremony witnessed by billions. In attendance was US President Joe Biden among hundreds of heads of state. Early Monday morning, the last members of the waiting mourners were admitted to walk past the queen's coffin, marking the end of her relationship with the British public. And Hurricane Fiona pummeled Puerto Rico Sunday night, leaving the island without power and wiping out roads and bridges. Residents worry that it feels like 2017 again, when Hurricane Maria pummeled the island. Also, protests in Iran have grown since last Friday when the news of the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini became public. Amini was arrested three days earlier by the so-called morality police for not following the appropriate dress codes. Plus, Biden declared the COVID-19 pandemic over, but infectious disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci says not so much.

Earlier this week, mass graves were discovered in the newly liberated town of Izium, in northeast Ukraine. Over 400 bodies have been found since Russian troops retreated. And an estimated 1.5 million carnations from Turkey’s southern Isparta region will be sent to the United Kingdom during the mourning period for the late queen — double the usual number. Also, the weeklong EuroPride event includes a final Pride March to be held in Serbia this weekend. But the Serbian government and police force have worked to ban it over the past couple of weeks. Plus, catastrophic flooding in Pakistan has left at least 1,500 people dead and a half a million homeless. Volunteer groups there have been stepping up to aid survivors.

Two planes landed at the airport on Martha's Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts on Wednesday. The passengers, from Venezuela and Colombia, learned that they had been drawn into a political fight over immigration enforcement along the southern border. And this week, the US announced it was transferring $3.5 billion of Afghanistan's Central Bank money to a Swiss trust. The money would be used “for the benefit of the people of Afghanistan.” Also, the first climate lawsuit in Russia is now filed in their Supreme Court. It was put forward by activists who say the government needs to take stronger action to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, Roger Federer, the 20-time Grand Slam champion from Switzerland, is stepping away from professional tennis.

The United Nations is saying it needs $1 billion to avert a catastrophic famine in Somalia. The country is experiencing its worst drought in more than 40 years. But one thing is making the humanitarian response extremely difficult: terrorism. And China’s state-owned Cosco Shipping is investing $3 billion to build a port 50 miles north of Lima, Peru. It will be serve as a preferential point for the exit of the raw materials that the region exports to China. Also, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jingping are set to meet on Thrusday on the sidelines of an Asian nations conference. Plus, Lebanese band Mashrou’ Leila calls it quits after 14 years.

Somalia is experiencing its worst drought in more than 40 years. It's driven a million people from their homes in search of food and water. Now, the United Nations is warning that famine is "at the door." And in Ukraine, the village of Moshchun was hit with artillery and airstrikes and then occupied briefly by Russian soldiers. Many civilians were killed and homes destroyed. Now, residents are returning to clear debris, dig out their homes and rebuild their lives. Also, last month, Iran introduced a new decree enforcing that women wear hijabs in all public spaces and on social media postings. This will be tracked by the government’s facial recognition software previously used during the pandemic to track if people were wearing face masks. Plus, fans remember the cinematic legacy of Jean-Luc Godard.

Ukraine fully regained its territory in the Kharkiv region of the country over the weekend. The victory comes following an offensive to regain control over Ukrainian territory in the north and south of the country. And Sweden’s neck-and-neck election results have put the country's Social Democratic Party's decadelong control of the government in jeopardy. A far-right, anti-immigration party with neo-Nazi roots is set to be the second-largest in the Scandinavian country known for its progressive politics and welfare state. Also, with US schools suffering from a critical shortage of bilingual teachers, Connecticut had a novel idea — recruit young people from Puerto Rico who are still in college. The program offers many benefits but it also contributes to the island's brain drain. Plus, international music collaborators Superorganism embrace the new abnormal.

As bells tolled and gunshots rang across the United Kingdom to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, the monarch's legacy was remembered across former colonies with a mixture of nostalgia, bitterness and indifference. We hear from reporters in Canada, India, Kenya and Ghana about the queen’s influence there. And a relatively new spyware known as Predator is at the center of a European wiretapping scandal that has led to several resignations of political leaders in Greece. The EU is scrambling to figure out how to regulate an industry that poses a growing threat to democracy. Also, European energy prices are sky high, and winter is coming. This week, EU leaders gathered to discuss emergency measures to keep energy costs down, including possible price caps and new taxes — but lawmakers are divided.

The long-reigning British monarch Queen Elizabeth II has died at age 96. Throughout the day, members of the British royal family arrived at the queen's estate in Scotland to pay their last respects amid news that her health had declined. We hear about her legacy and impact on the world. And will members of Colombia’s Congress agree to pay cuts? A young senator recently elected on messages of anti-corruption and excessive government spending is encouraging all senators to agree to lower their own salaries. Also, Yale University researchers have used publicly available satellite imagery and open-source information to document 21 sites in Russian-occupied Ukraine that are being used as a "filtration system" to detain Ukrainian prisoners. Plus, Sierra Leone and West Africa are celebrating the success of US tennis player Frances Tiafoe at the US Open.

The UN has issued a dire warning that famine could hit parts of Somalia as early as next month. Food insecurity in the country has been driven by a historic drought, as well as delayed grain shipments from Ukraine and other factors. And, scientists in southern Africa are working to bring back critically endangered vulture populations after mass killings of the species. Also, the western Ukrainian city of Lviv has become a center for IDPs from around the country seeking medical care. Plus, a group of African Americans have heeded the call to “return” to Ghana.

Britain’s new Prime Minister Liz Truss met with the queen in Balmoral on Tuesday where she was officially appointed to office. In a speech at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday afternoon, Truss promised to tackle the energy crisis and the ailing economy. The risk of a nuclear accident at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia power plant is growing, according to a new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The report describes damage to the special building that houses fresh nuclear fuel and the solid radioactive waste storage facility. Also, on Sunday, roughly 62% of Chileans rejected a new constitution, written from scratch, to replace an old one imposed by the dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet 41 years ago. Plus, we hear about the legacy of the late Australian Aboriginal singer-songwriter Archie Roach.

Economic troubles and a volatile political situation have made life tough in Sudan. But people are carrying on with their lives and enjoying their weekends. Hear how an animal rescue center has become a popular getaway for families. Also, The British parliament is considering whether invertebrates like lobsters and crabs should be classified as sentient beings, under a new "Animal Welfare (Sentience)" bill. And, a herd of wild goats has taken over the seaside town of Llandudno in Wales, munching on hedges and flowers from gardens.

A shooter's gun jammed in the process of attempting to assassinate Argentina's vice president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Supporters had been demonstrating outside her home since last week, when a prosecutor called for a 12-year prison sentence in connection to corruption charges during her tenure as president. Also, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency have vowed to remain a "continued presence" at the Ukrainian nuclear power plant that sits in the middle of a war zone. And on Saturday, NASA will make its second attempt to launch its new moon rocket. Plus, a hummus festival in Berlin brings together Israelis, Palestinians, refugees from Syria and Germans to celebrate the much-loved dip, in defiance of gloomy headlines from the Middle East.

The UN Human Rights Commission released a long-awaited report detailing China's misuse of terrorism laws to subjugate Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang Province. And Sept. 1 marks the first day of school across Ukraine. The day is akin to a national holiday, but this year, schools across the country are trying to figure out how to manage the academic year while the country remains at war. Also, as Russia continues its threats to cut off the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, the near-future of energy security in Germany is up in the air. Plus, renowned Afghan musician Ahmad Fanoos was airlifted out of Afghanistan when the Taliban took power. He tells us his story.

In the waning days of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev’s visions of perestroika and glasnost won him accolades in the West and changed the course of world events. But in Russia, he was blamed for bringing about economic collapse, political upheaval and the implosion of the Soviet Union. And, as Europe looks to the Arctic for energy, the Indigenous Sami people say they don't want the massive wind farms that are planned on their shrinking lands because the turbines interfere with their reindeer herds and livelihoods. Also, over 50 South Korean adoptees in Denmark have cosigned an application to South Korea's Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate abuses in the country's adoption system going back to the 1960s. Plus, Afrobeats is growing in popularity around the world.

After months of political impasse, Iraq is facing protests again. This time it comes after the powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced he is leaving politics for good. And many people who describe long COVID symptoms to their health care providers are met with suspicion, but their symptoms are real, says New York Times columnist Zeynep Tufekci. Also, the Dutch Refugee Council, a nongovernmental organization, is suing the Dutch government over hazardous conditions at migrant reception centers across the country. Plus, we hear about Norway's role in the future of energy with the podcast “Things That Go Boom.”

United Nations officials say they are sending inspectors to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine are accusing each other of shelling the area. International Atomic Energy Agency experts say they will visit the plant later this week. And, water is in short supply in Monterrey, Mexico. Extreme drought has left three dams that serve the city of 5 million people practically empty. But restrictions on water usage are impacting some neighborhoods more than others. Also, for hundreds of years, people living in Louisiana’s bayou country have spoken French. Now, climate change threatens to wipe out the French language in southern Louisiana, as many native French speakers are dispersing to areas much further inland. Plus, despite six months of grueling war with Russia, Ukrainian artists present several acts at Scotland’s largest arts festival.

In this special hour of The World, Paris-based reporter Rebecca Rosman takes a trip across France where she speaks to Catholics, Jews, Muslims and atheists about their right to believe, or not to believe, in France today.

For the first time in its history, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine was completely disconnected from the electric grid on Thursday. While power was restored, at least partially, on Friday, the event has raised serious concerns about the potential for a nuclear catastrophe in Europe. And, six months since Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine began, it's settled into an attritional grind. We hear from a former commanding general for the US Army in Europe about the strategic outlook for both sides. Also, on Thursday, about 500 Iranian women were allowed to attend a soccer match at a stadium for the first time in 40 years. Women in Iran had been banned from attending since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Plus, a young folklorist is on a quest to save Rohingya folk tales.

Five years ago today, soldiers carrying rifles and machetes began driving ethnic Rohingya from their homes in Myanmar in a wave of violence. Some called it a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.” Nearly 1 million Rohingya people remain stateless. And in the German state of Lower Saxony, hydrogen-fueled trains are being introduced to reduce emissions and tackle the harmful effects of climate change. Also, Ethiopian and Tigrayan authorities are pointing fingers over who started a recent "large-scale" offensive near the Tigray region. It’s a serious setback for peace talks in Ethiopia, where conflict has persisted for nearly two years. Plus, meet Kenya’s fastest-rising tennis star, 18-year-old Angella Okutoyi.

In normal years, Independence Day in Ukraine would be marked with parades, concerts and flag-flying. But today, many Ukrainians observed the day with tributes to the thousands who have died since Russia invaded their country. And, polio has been found in the US, UK and Israel, and an oral polio vaccine appears to be the cause. In New York, London and Jerusalem, there have been isolated cases of the disease, which can lead to paralysis and death. Also, in Haiti, thousands of people have taken to the streets in the capital and other cities demanding that Prime Minister Ariel Henry step down. Protesters blocked roads, shut down businesses and marched through the streets, calling for a better quality of life in the Caribbean nation. Plus, butterflies abound in Scotland.

Record-high temperatures and low rainfall in China are wreaking havoc on the country's power supplies. Factories are being forced to halt production, malls can only open for limited hours and many places have had to cut the lights and the air conditioning. And, with inflation at an alarming high rate and energy prices soaring, waves of workers in the United Kingdom are considering strikes, including nurses, lawyers and teachers, along with scores of transportation workers. Also, the US government says it cannot corroborate Israel's claims against Palestinian nongovernmental groups operating in the West Bank, which Israel accused of being terror organizations late last year. Plus, meet 80 different birds that have changed the world.

The Taliban are in control of Afghanistan but the past year has shown they are not a monolithic political movement. Other groups have emerged and are vying for power, including a nascent resistance movement. And William Ruto has been elected as Kenya's next president. Calling himself the "hustler," the fiercely religious father of six will be leading Africa's largest economy. Also, during World War II, thousands of Jewish people from Russia and Eastern Europe fled east, seeking safety in the far reaches of the Soviet Union. An estimated 40,000 Jews wound up in Kyrgyzstan. Many later left for Israel, but Jewish corners of Kyrgyz cemeteries still exist. Plus, as temperatures rise around the world, we hear from the chief heat officer in Athens, Greece.

The truth panel in the Ayotzinapa case of the 43 missing students in Mexico has deemed state and local police responsible in the disappearances. Also, inexpensive camera drones are being flown above the battlefields in Ukraine. They're equipped with weapons and grenades. Also, in Singapore, the government begins executing inmates after a two-year pause due to COVID-19. And English and French are by far the most common languages spoken in Canada. But the country's linguistic landscape is changing due to shifts in immigration.

Ships loaded with grain are finally leaving Ukrainian ports, but the shipments aren’t nearly enough to meet global demand. And, some migrants fleeing war zones are increasingly being expelled from Europe even before they can apply for asylum in a practice known as "pushback." Plus, the EU is trying to deescalate tensions between Kosovo and Serbia. Also, some US-based online platforms are making coursework free to Ukrainians whose education has been upended by war.

Heat waves in the Mediterranean Sea have led to “massive mortality” of marine species. Also, the US spent nearly two decades trying to rebuild Afghanistan. We look at where the country has been and where it's going. And, Panama is seeing protests over the high cost of living and fuel this summer, but social unrest is something jazz musician Danilo Perez has seen before in his country. Plus, paleontologists in Argentina have discovered the remains of a previously unknown dinosaur, the size of a house cat.

Workers inside Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are living through days and nights of constant stress. Outgoing Russian fire from the plant and fears of a nuclear catastrophe are growing. Also, Sri Lanka used to be a country on the rise. Now, even families who were once financially secure are struggling. The World looks at the impacts on two families that are being forced to make some serious changes to their lives. And, William Ruto has won Kenya's presidential election. But legal battles are soon expected following his narrow victory. Plus, after thousands of years, bison have returned to the British Isles.

With the evacuation deadline looming, Afghans race to Kabul airport in hopes of getting on a flight and escaping the Taliban regime. With help from Jake, an ex-Marine Corps officer, Tariq and his family manage to get in and board their plane for evacuation, after spending a harrowing night outside in a desolate yard. Abdul and his family also make it out — just hours before a suicide bomber detonates his explosive belt, killing at least 170 Afghan civilians and 13 members of the United States military. You’ll also hear from newlyweds Mohammed and Taara as they confront the possibility that they will be separated, as only Taara has the proper paperwork to flee Afghanistan and fly to the US.

We want to hear from you. Please get in touch via our website, kabulfalling.com, where you can send a voice message, or tweet using hashtag #kabulfalling.

For a transcript of this episode and additional material, visit: https://www.kabulfalling.com.

It's been one year since the abrupt and chaotic fall of the Afghan capital, Kabul. The speed with which the Taliban took over shocked many people. And, author Salman Rushdie continues to recover after an attack on his life last week. Iran’s former Supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini issued a decree in 1989 calling for Rushdie's death, following the publication of his book, “Satanic Verses.” How is Rushdie and this case viewed today in Iran? Also, conservationists fight back with artificial intelligence to save wild tigers from extinction.

Boris Johnson has less than a month to go as Britain’s prime minister. Two candidates are trying to convince Conservative voters in the UK that they’re the right ones to fill his shoes. Who are they and what do they stand for? Also, in today's show, The World concludes its series looking at how wars end. Plus, Serena Williams announced this week that she is stepping away from professional tennis. And, a global dance movement for people with physical disabilities is filling theaters, getting TV time and spawning international competitions.

Ukraine and Russia are trading blame for shelling and fighting around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Russia currently occupies the site, while Ukraine is attempting to take back the territory. Also, tens of millions of tourists are overwhelming Venice, Italy. Authorities want to impose a fee on visitors who just come for the day. Plus, there’s a museum in Sweden dedicated to showing off some of the world's greatest product failures. And, the duo Afro Andean Funk. We hear about their debut album, “The Sacred Leaf.”

A Russian air base was attacked in Crimea on Tuesday. While it is not yet clear exactly who was behind the attack, it marks an escalation in the nearly six-month conflict between Russia and Ukraine. And the sudden death of author, playwright and filmmaker Biyi Bandele is a monumental loss to Nigeria's film industry. He is being mourned around the world. Also, rain is pummeling South Korea this week. At least nine are dead — and more are missing — in flooding that has put parts of the capital Seoul underwater. Plus, in the 1990s, artists like Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias and Shakira became crossover successes by releasing English-language albums. Now, a new crop of artists including Bad Bunny, J Balvin and Ozuna are changing the rules of the game.

In Cuba, a fire at a key oil terminal on the coast in Matanzas is out of control, causing explosions, injuring hundreds and killing a firefighter. The implications for Cuba's electric grid are also dire. And, millions of Kenyans take to the polls to vote for the country's new leader on Tuesday. For the first time, the election has largely been framed as a discussion about Kenya's haves and have-nots. Also, dozens of police officers in Colombia have been killed while on duty this year. The attacks intensified after the leader of the drug cartel the Gulf Clan was extradited to the US in May. The group is also attempting to demonstrate its strength as President Gustavo Petro takes office. Plus, rents are soaring in Istanbul.

On the heels of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit to Africa, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also heads to Africa. His itinerary takes him to South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. And the popular imagination about how wars end is often what the United States experienced with World War II, with cheering crowds and definitive winners and losers. But that's not typical. A five-part series explores various conflicts around the world to better understand how wars end. And fighting in Gaza between Palestinian militants and Israel over the weekend led to the killing of dozens of Palestinians, including 15 children. Israelis were also injured in the fighting. Plus, South African singer Moonchild Sanelly gets a boost from Beyoncé.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the Black Sea resort town of Sochi on Friday. It comes after a Russian proposal, leaked by Ukrainian intelligence, suggests the Kremlin is seeking help from Turkey to evade Western sanctions. And Sri Lanka's financial crisis has led to shortages of essential drugs and medical equipment, such as catheters, morphine and common antibiotics. For the past few months, donations have been keeping the country's health system running, but doctors warn that they can't last forever. Also, ahead of Kenya’s presidential election, Sauti Sol, one of Kenya’s biggest bands, is trying to rally youth to get involved. Plus, classical music is not dead — it’s alive in Iceland, with wünderkind Gabríel Ólafs.

In Moscow on Thursday, WNBA star Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison on drug charges. Griner was detained at the airport back in February, after security found vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage. Last month, Griner pleaded guilty but said she packed the vape cartridges by mistake. And Kenya's presidential election is one week away, and polls show that the biggest issue for Kenyans is the high cost of living — especially when it comes to food. The prices of staple foods have risen more than 100% in some cases. Also, an empowered economy minister just took office in Argentina, with the mission to fix complex political and economic problems. Plus, the cheetah reappears in India after its local extinction 70 years ago.

On Wednesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it might “make sense” to extend the lives of Germany’s last nuclear power plants. The war in Ukraine, and Russia’s slowdown of gas deliveries to Germany have put Europe’s largest economy in a bind. And, amid Sri Lanka’s financial crisis and fuel shortage, people can’t afford enough fuel for cars and motorbikes. Many commuters in Colombo, the country’s largest city, are turning to bicycles. Also, the UN's nuclear chief Rafael Grossi has said that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southeastern Ukraine "is completely out of control" and issued a plea to Russia and Ukraine to allow international experts to visit the plant. Plus, 19-year-old Letsile Tebogo from Botswana broke the 100-meter U20 world record in Colombia on Tuesday, crossing the line in 9.91 seconds.

US President Joe Biden has announced that the US has killed al-Qaeda’s top leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan. Zawahiri was on the US' most-wanted list for about two decades and he had a $25 million bounty on his head. And, the pandemic took a huge toll on schools in India, particularly in rural areas. But a growing number of young people from big cities who are in the tech industry are volunteering in small-town schools. Also, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned at a nuclear treaty conference in New York that "luck is not a strategy” and urged treaties to prevent nuclear annihilation. Plus, surfing scientists in Spain are hunting down microplastics.

The port of Odesa is now open and shipping Ukrainian food to other parts of the world. But getting the first shipment of thousands of tons of corn to reach Lebanon on Monday is a perilous journey that must pass several inspections in the Bosphorus Strait. And people in an Italian seaside town stood by and did nothing as a Nigerian man was killed in broad daylight on a busy street last week. This isn't the first such attack in a country where anti-immigrant sentiments are growing. Also, on Sunday, the women's Tour de France concluded in the Vosges mountains, marking the end of the race's triumphant return after 33 years.

Five months into Russia’s invasion, Ukraine's military goes on the counteroffensive, including efforts to reclaim Kherson. And Russia has launched airstrikes on Ukraine's remaining Black Sea coast. And, ahead of Kenya's upcoming presidential election, Facebook is failing to detect hate speech that could fuel political violence in the country, according to a recent study by two nonprofits. A government agency is now warning that the platform could be suspended if they don't do better. Also, Zimbabwe's central bank this week launched gold coins as a way for people to park their cash and slow the demand for US dollars. But at $1,800 each, many are dubious about the plan and who can actually afford the coin. Plus, we hear the story of one woman who reclaimed her native language through immersion trips back to her birthplace, the Czech Republic.

Iraqi protesters aligned with Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's political movement stormed the heavily militarized Green Zone and Iraqi Parliament building on Wednesday. The protesters eventually cleared out of the building, but political gridlock continues to plague Iraq. And, while Sweden and Finland's membership to NATO is still pending, the large Kurdish community in Sweden is worried that striking any deal with Turkey could put members of their community at risk. Also, gun battles between rival Haitian gangs continue to wreak havoc in and around Port-au-Prince. There’s growing anger that weapons trafficking from the US is fueling the violence. Plus, we remember James Lovelock, creator of the "Gaia hypothesis," who has died at the age of 103.

A Chinese official is warning of "serious consequences" if United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits the island nation of Taiwan, a place Beijing considers a part of China. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to talk about this in a phone call scheduled for Thursday. And The Gambia's Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission held hearings that documented scores of human rights abuses and murder at the hands of dictator Yahya Jammeh. Acts of contrition and forgiveness are hard won, but they can have a powerful impact on the nation's ability to heal. Also, Europe’s far-right is getting more vocal. In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban gave a speech a few days ago saying he wanted to stop his country from becoming “mixed race." Plus, interest in Ultimate Frisbee — a quintessential American sport — is soaring in China this summer.

On Tuesday, Russia announced that it plans to end its collaboration on the International Space Station by 2024. It’s just the latest move away from international collaboration in space among major powers, including the US, Russia and China. And, more than 100,000 Uyghur Muslims are working against their will in factories that are major producers for key industries such as apparel and solar. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act now prohibits the import of any goods made in Xinjiang, China, unless companies can prove they are not using forced labor. Also, Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov is visiting a slew of different African countries this week with the alleged objective of maintaining and strengthening ties there. Plus, we hear the sounds of Wax Machine, a British band fronted by Brazilian-born Lau Ro.

Pope Francis is in Canada today, visiting the sites of former residential schools where Indigenous children were sent, frequently by force. They were funded by the Canadian government and administered in large part by the Catholic Church. And the World Health Organization declared the spread of monkeypox a global health emergency over the weekend. The disease has spread rapidly across Africa, Europe and, most recently, in the US. Also, many children who migrated to the United States legally on their parents’ work visas have no legal protections to stay when they turn 21. We hear from twin sisters who are fighting to change the law.

Less than a day after Sri Lanka’s new president was sworn in, security forces have cleared out a protest camp outside of the presidential office in Colombo, the capital. Demonstrators have been camped out there for three months, demanding new leadership and relief from crippling inflation and shortages of basic necessities. Also, developers are unable to find the cash to finish real estate projects and it’s led Chinese home buyers to stop paying their mortgages. And, hundreds in Baghdad protested outside the Turkish Embassy on Thursday, angered by an artillery strike on a resort town in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region on Wednesday. The attack killed as many as eight Iraqis, wounded over a dozen more and sparked outrage. Plus, we hear why evangelicals in Brazil want to make contact with Indigenous groups.

Sri Lanka’s new president, 73-year-old Ranil Wickremesinghe, was sworn in today. He has decades of experience in government, but he doesn’t have a lot of support among protesters, who have vowed to oust him. And after 16 months of relative stability in Italian politics, Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi has resigned. Also, butterflies may seem abundant, but North American migratory monarchs have been officially added to the endangered list. Plus, Nigerians in the UK have some fun with heat wave humor.

Lawmakers in Sri Lanka have elected Ranil Wickremesinghe, a former prime minister and veteran politician, as their new president. The choice comes with the risk of restarting unrest in the South Asian nation as it faces economic collapse. And this week, Russia’s TV Rain relaunched operations from its new headquarters in Latvia. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and tightening restrictions on the country's press, the independent Russian-language TV station ended operations in Russia with an on-air walkout by its staff in Moscow. Also, France’s national condiment — Dijon mustard — is in short supply. The beloved mustard has nearly disappeared from French supermarkets, and experts say it has a lot to do with climate change. Plus, we hear about how evangelicals in Brazil and the US are working together on a political mission.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Tehran on Tuesday. The trio is set to discuss the war in Syria and the so-called Astana peace process. And extreme temperatures are stressing infrastructure all over the world, impacting the future of bridges, roads and electrical grids. Also, Peruvian musician Renata Flores first went viral with a YouTube hit when she was 13. Since then, she has become one of the few rap artists spitting rhymes in Quechua, and uses her music to fight discrimination against Indigenous people. Plus, we hear from professor Nina Khrushcheva, the great-granddaughter of Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev, about when and how propaganda works.

Much of Europe is withering under a brutal, record-breaking heat wave. Wildfires across Spain, Greece and Portugal have forced thousands of people to flee their homes. Also, data shows that the number of public protests around the world has increased over the last decade, with the exception of the time period during the pandemic. And leaders in Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jewish community have insisted that men and women must be separated from one another, even in some public spaces. But some say it's a slippery slope that will lead to increasingly harsh rules that ultimately amount to discrimination against women. Plus, a new study says baby talk is universal.

US President Joe Biden is in Saudi Arabia on Friday to meet with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Biden has said he’d make the kingdom “the pariah that it is.” But as gas prices skyrocketed, he changed his tune. And the euro may be having its worst week in over 20 years, but that didn't stop the bloc from inviting Croatia to join the eurozone. The Balkan state is set to ditch the Croatian kuna beginning this January. Also, a zoo near Kyiv was under occupation for more than a month at the beginning of the war. Russian forces are now gone but the zoo has lost a dozen animals to stress and trauma. Plus, a Pakistani song called “Pasoori,” all about unrequited love and distance, has struck a chord around the world — but especially in India.

President Joe Biden is in the Middle East this week talking with US allies. Iran is watching the visit with Israel and Saudi Arabia — its regional adversaries — very closely. And Pacific Island regional leaders agreed at a recent forum to consult with each other before signing onto individual security deals. The agreement is seen as a rejection of China's forays into influencing the region, most notably through a secretive security pact with the Solomon Islands. Also, could Colombia soon legalize cocaine? The Legislature may resume conversations about a controversial bill that would make the addictive drug legal. Plus, we hear all about the career and life of Vietnamese superstar Son Tung MTP.

As US President Joe Bident heads to Israel, regional security is a top agenda item. Scheduled meetings with Israeli officials will focus on strengthening the regional relationships that Israel has forged with some of its Muslim neighbors. Biden will visit the occupied Palestinian territories in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. And a Russian hacking group’s attack on Costa Rican government databases this past spring has had a lasting impact. Also, a new climate change study says the US and China are each responsible for more than $1.8 trillion worth of economic loss from 1990 to 2014 due to climate-related disasters. Plus, we hear the story behind a Peruvian parody song that went viral.

Moscow plans to shut off the gas supply to Germany for pipeline repairs. But will it turn the gas back on? We hear about the planned shutdown and what it means for Germany. And four-time gold medalist Mo Farah’s revelation that he was trafficked as a child to London puts the issue of child trafficking back into the spotlight. How do child traffickers operate and what can be done to stop them? Plus, the next time you play the lotto, turn to your dreams for the winning number. People in Naples, Italy, have believed for centuries that dead loved ones send encrypted messages with the winning lottery tickets.

Protesters in Sri Lanka occupied the president's residence in the capital Colombo over the weekend. They also set fire to the prime minister's residence nearby. Both men have said they will now resign after months of protests over the lack of fuel, food, and electricity cuts. And after a chaotic week in British politics, the scramble is now on to fill the seat of prime minister after Boris Johnson was forced to resign. Members of his Conservative Party have laid out the rules for the election of a new leader. Plus, for US vacationers to Europe, the fact that the euro is now nearly the same value as the dollar could be bad news for the US economy, according to economists.

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot and killed during a campaign speech on Friday in Nara, Japan. We hear reactions from Japan and thoughts on Abe's legacy in the country. Also, tennis player Peng Shuai has made few public appearances since last year when she accused a former high-ranking member of China's Communist Party of sexual assault. Since then, many in the global tennis and human rights communities have feared for her safety. Plus, Danish Klezmer artists Mames Babegenush are back on the road again in North America, and their message is that COVID-19 stopped them in their tracks — but they’re back! And, listen to music from around the globe curated by The World's director April Peavey, host Marco Werman and the team of journalists that create the show every week day.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Thursday that he is stepping down as leader of the Conservative Party. It took over 50 resignations from his government and the wider party for Johnson to finally concede defeat. And Europe — the leading clothes importer — seeks to crack down on environmentally destructive fast fashion by demanding factories to make sturdier clothes. But these proposals would require a revolution in Asia, where 65 million people stitch clothing in garment factories. Plus, the former US envoy in Haiti says its government is "in cahoots" with armed gangs that control much of everyday life there.

Two key ministers plus a dozen lesser ministers have resigned from Boris Johnson’s government, with more expected. These officials are responding to Johnson's most recent scandal: defending the hiring of a minister with a long history of sexual misconduct. And in June, Gustavo Petro won the presidential election in Colombia and became the nation's first leftist president, joining a wave of other progressive politicians elected in Latin America. Will this leftward shift have a major impact on US foreign policy in the region? Plus, Georgia’s Soviet-era sanatoriums have provided shelter for decades for those fleeing conflict in the region. Now, Georgia’s government plans to restore the dilapidated buildings to boost tourism.

Moscow's capture of the eastern city of Lysychansk this past weekend gives Russia total control of the Luhansk region. Russian troops are now looking to take even more territory further north in Donetsk. And as authorities have started to identify the bodies of the 53 migrants who lost their lives in an abandoned tractor-trailer in Texas, the portraits of the victims are slowly coming together. One common narrative is that the victims wanted to pursue a better life. Plus, COVID-19 is on the rise, again. We hear from a molecular biologist about how to make practical use of the news as people begin to break out of routines and travel again.

Enjoy a compilation of music segments that have aired on The World, including a conversation with Ukraine’s Go_A band, which combines Ukrainian folk music and modern electronica. We also bring you UK breakout artist Joy Crookes, who is a student of history, born in London to a mother from Bangladesh and a father from Ireland. And a look at how the Beatles inspired a rock revolution in Argentina.

Hong Kong is marking its 25th anniversary since the United Kingdom handed over its administrative control to China as Chinese President Xi Jinping visits for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic and the crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2019. And, a wildfire is threatening a centuries-old landmark: Peru’s Machu Picchu archaeological site. Plus, The Economist predicts that governments being mired in debt and unable to ease the cost of living will lead to mass protests and violence in countries around the world within the next couple of years.

At the NATO summit on Thursday, US President Joe Biden announced that NATO is "more united than ever.” Changes to the bloc include an increased US presence in Europe, more US troops on NATO's eastern flank and a new permanent US base in Poland. And in northern India on Thursday, thousands of people took to the streets in Udaipur to protest the murder of a Hindu tailor. They were calling for the death penalty for two Muslim men accused of the murder, pushing religious tensions in India to a boil. Plus, Salah Abdeslam, the lone survivor among ISIS assailants who attacked the Bataclan concert hall in 2015, has been found guilty of murder.

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Wednesday at the NATO summit, US President Joe Biden announced a plan for new US military deployments to Europe including creating a new permanent US military headquarters in Poland. NATO also formally invited Finland and Sweden to join the alliance. Turkey was threatening to veto their membership aspirations on grounds the countries were supporting terrorists. Now, the memorandum says they will be fighting terrorism together. Plus, scientists are raising alarm bells once more about bird flu. Tens of millions of birds have been culled and hundreds of thousands have died from the H5N1 strain.

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NATO members are gathering in Madrid for what many are calling the most important summit in at least a generation. From the war in Ukraine to the threat of China's rising power, much is at stake. And, as leaders prepare for the NATO summit this week we look at the outsized role of the US within NATO and its direct support of Ukraine’s military. Plus, language learning app Duolingo recently added a course in Haitian Creole for English speakers. The course helps Haiti’s diaspora communities reconnect with the mother tongue of families and ancestors.

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Efforts to expand reproductive freedom in the US in recent decades have propelled similar changes in other countries. Now that the US Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, that momentum could flip. And, the Chinese trend of made-to-order videos featuring African children often contain racist, exploitative content. A recent expose has triggered calls for this to end. Also, local farmers in Honduras turn to cashews as erratic weather patterns in Central America are leaving millions of people facing food insecurity.

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The US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday, revealing a canyonlike divide across the nation over the right to terminate a pregnancy. Abortion rights supporters condemned the decision as a dark day in history, while abortion foes rejoiced and said it will save countless lives. Also, in Lebanon, a pregnancy can only be terminated if three doctors agree that a person's life is at risk. But this doesn't stop them from happening — abortion pills are available online, and some doctors provide abortions privately. Plus, meet King Rao, the central figure in a new dystopian novel called "The Immortal King Rao," by Vauhini Vara.

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The first delivery of heavy weapons from Germany arrived in Ukraine this week, marking the end to a longstanding policy not to send lethal aid into active conflict zones. In a country where history looms large, many Germans are uneasy with their country’s new proximity to war. Also, Southeast Asia is opening up to tourists this summer for the first time since the pandemic began. But Chinese tourists will be conspicuously absent due to the country’s restrictive COVID-19 policy. Plus, at the last minute, pop star Dua Lipa was forced to change the location of her Sunny Hill music festival from Kosovo to Albania.

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Rescuers are trying to reach provinces in eastern Afghanistan after a 5.9-magnitude earthquake shook the area on Wednesday. Initial reports suggest a high death toll and injuries. And Mohamad Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's crown prince, is in Turkey on Wednesday for a visit with President Recep Erdoğan. The visit is seen as the two sides normalizing relations following the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey.

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The state of Assam in northeast India has seen the worst flooding in generations. Weeks of monsoon rains have caused the largest rivers to overflow, flooding 32 of the state's 35 districts. Also, many US manufacturers rely on products from China’s Xinjiang region, where forced labor is common. New rules that come into force on Tuesday require firms to prove a “complete digital chain of custody” for products from the region. Plus, the US Navy says a small Iranian vessel charged an American ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.

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Voters in Colombia have chosen a left-wing president for the first time, signaling a shift in the nation's politics. Also, ethnic tensions continue in Ethiopia following an attack on Sunday that killed more than 200 people. And in Germany, officials say they are ready to fire up coal power plants again in an effort to save on natural gas, which may impact climate targets.

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The World Trade Organization has reached an agreement on vaccine sharing. The deal allows for ways to circumvent intellectual property rules to manufacture, import and export lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Still, many view the result as a disappointment. Also, on Sunday, Colombians head to the polls to elect their next president. Their choices: a right-wing real estate billionaire and a leftist former guerrilla fighter. And, for art lovers, there's a must-see event in West Africa right now: The Dakar Biennale in Senegal, also known as Dak’Art. It's a showcase of spectacular work from artists across the globe.

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Leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Romania met with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv today, to show support for Ukraine and its defense against the Russian invasion. The high-profile visit demonstrates Europe's measure of support for Ukraine as the war continues. And rents in the Ukrainian city of Lviv have finally leveled out after ballooning at the start of the war, but they're still much higher than before it began in February. Those who fled the eastern part of the country are still in limbo, but the high prices have made it hard to stay in Lviv. Plus, TikTok may be a platform known for its fun and silly videos, but according to a new report, it’s also a culprit when it comes to election disinformation in Kenya.

The risk of war between the US and China is on the rise. Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd discusses how the two superpowers can step away from the precipice. Also, in Southeast Asia, 99.9% of the regional population breathes in air with pollution levels high above World Health Organization standards, according to a new University of Chicago study. Plus, Ukraine is often known for its comedians — including its president. The war abruptly ended the comedy scene in Kyiv for a few months, but it's coming back, with comedians stressing the importance of laughter during wartime.

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Ukrainian soldiers are having to make do with shortages of weapons and supplies on the frontlines in eastern Donbas, according to Ukrainian MP Mariana Bezugla, who is hunkered down there with the troops. Also, a fight between Turkish and Afghan teenagers has set off a series of attacks against migrant workers who pick up trash around Istanbul. As the country's economy worsens, tensions between Turks and refugees are getting worse. And in mid-August of last year, as the US was fully disengaging from Afghanistan, some Afghans clung to a C-17 military plane as it was taking off from Kabul airport and fell to their deaths. Multiple investigations had been launched to uncover exactly what happened. Plus, June 14 marks 40 since the war between the United Kingdom and Argentina over control of the Falkland Islands. We hear what the war and the islands mean to Argentinians today.

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Faced with rising numbers of migrants and asylum-seekers crossing the English Channel on boats, the British government came up with a plan to fly them to Rwanda to apply for asylum there. Now, the plan is facing legal challenges, and it might not even happen. And, in 1962, revolutionary leader Fidel Castro banned professional sports in Cuba, and encouraged athletes to pursue amateur careers. Now, the country is ending its longtime ban on professional boxing, and the national team has made a triumphant debut. Also, in Zambia, the growing presence of neurologists in the region is starting to challenge long-held beliefs about multiple sclerosis. Plus, for the third time in 40 years, a human beat a horse in the annual 22.5-mile race held in Wales, scoring a cash prize and bragging rights over 1,000 other runners and 50 horses (and their riders).

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The Summit of the Americas started with discord but ended the week on a high note. The United States unveiled a long list of measures to confront the migration crisis in the Western Hemisphere and pledged $300 million to tackle the problems. And the Polish government is being accused of setting up a "pregnancy register" to document all the pregnancies in the country. The country's Health Ministry said the new database is being set up following a European Union directive, but abortion activists are not convinced. Plus, as the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics fight for basketball's biggest bragging rights, Celtics’ head coach Ime Udoka, from Nigeria, has attracted lots of Nigerian fans in Boston to cheer them on.

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Gas prices in the US are at an all-time high, according to the American Automobile Association. But on the other side of the Atlantic in Europe, they're paying much more. And, earlier this month, the State Department dropped a massive report that looked at the state of religious freedom in some 200 countries. Also, this month in Rome, Pope Francis canonized 10 new saints. He's named a record number of saints since becoming pope. Plus, no letup in the grueling battles raging in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. We hear the story of one Ukrainian soldier shaken by the relentless fighting.

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Allison Fluke-Ekren, from Kansas, has pleaded guilty to organizing and leading an all-female military battalion on behalf of ISIS. According to court documents, Fluke-Ekren trained women on to how to use assault rifles, grenades and suicide belts. And in Brazil, journalist Dom Phillips and anthropologist Bruno Pereira have gone missing from one of the largest Indigenous territories in the Amazon rainforest. It’s an area that, in recent years, has become increasingly dangerous because of illegal logging, mining and narcotrafficking. Plus, as “Nanook of the North” turns 100, we hear from an American filmmaker who returned to Inukjuak to examine what has happened to the community over the past century.

A diplomatic firestorm has engulfed India’s ruling party, the BJP, following the sanctioning of two party spokespersons over insulting remarks the pair are reported to have made toward Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. Several Gulf countries described the comments as “insulting.” And in April, the UN refugee agency said it was on "high alert" for cases of human trafficking among Ukrainian refugees, 90% of whom are women and children. In Romania, which had relatively high rates of trafficking and exploitation even before the war, nonprofit groups are working to keep refugees safe. Plus, Colombia’s first all-female orchestra has developed a strategy to encourage women to succeed and rise to leadership positions in classical music.

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Several Latin American and Caribbean heads of state, including the president of Mexico, aren’t showing up to the ninth annual Summit of the Americas. A former ambassador discusses Latin America's growing dissatisfaction with Washington’s approach to the region. Plus, gunmen stormed a church in Nigeria over the weekend, leaving 50 people dead and many more injured. Experts say this is an example of intercommunal violence between Muslim and Christian groups. Also, we hear about how Czech writer Karel Capek’s 1930s science fiction novel, adapted into an audio drama, still resonates today.

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Friday marks 100 days of war in Ukraine. During that time, death, destruction and displacement has occurred on a massive scale, and it’s difficult to accurately count the human toll. We hear about how Ukraine's seed bank is under threat amid the mass destruction of other critical infrastructure. Also, at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, the chairmen of the African Union, Senegal's President Macky Sall, headed to Russia on Friday for talks about the impact of the war in Ukraine on African countries. Russia and Ukraine are both major exporters of grain to the continent. Plus, on Sunday, thousands of spectators in the English village of Brockworth will watch contestants run and tumble down a hill in pursuit of a 9-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese.

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Hundreds of flights have been grounded across Europe this week with British airports particularly badly affected. Airport and airline operators blame the end of COVID-19-related restrictions and a lack of trained employees for the delays. And in Kenya, conflicting legislation on abortion has stirred confusion about what is and is not illegal. Also, Japan's government has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. But the resource-poor island nation has struggled to wean itself off coal. Plus, from the twilight of the British empire to Brexit, a lot has changed since Queen Elizabeth II's coronation ceremony 70 years ago. We look at the evolution of the monarchy as the UK hosts her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

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In a first for Canada, British Columbia has joined a handful of regions around the world in decriminalizing small amounts of illicit drugs. The decision, granted by the federal government, comes amid a massive overdose crisis that has only worsened during the pandemic. Also, Italian officials have been circulating a four-point peace plan for Ukraine, calling on Kyiv to give up territory to Russia. The Ukrainian president has criticized the plan as appeasement, while the US has announced it will send Kyiv midrange rockets. How might US support prolong the war? Plus, across the world, men make up the majority of taxi drivers. But the pandemic has led some women in Turkey to take up the work. We hear from one woman who happily traded her desk job for a life behind the wheel.

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European Union leaders agreed to punish Russia for its Ukraine invasion with sanctions banning the purchase of crude oil delivered to EU states by sea. Moscow has vowed to find other importers for their crude oil. And in response to the string of mass shootings this year in the US, neighboring Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that his government will put forth legislation freezing all handgun sales. Still, some guns arrive in Canada illegally, often from the US. Plus, in the Seychelles, a collaboration between the government and three companies in the tuna fishing industry have found a way to recycle old fishing nets.

The World's Memorial Day special is focusing on energy. Much of the world is working to wean itself off of Russian energy in the short-term, which in some cases means building up new fossil fuel infrastructure to secure supplies from different countries. At the same time, countries are struggling to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but falling behind on climate targets. Which raises a question: Will the move away from Russian energy speed up the development of renewable energy sources, or lock-in dependency on fossil fuels for longer? Also, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this year, many European countries are refocusing their energy independence efforts to nuclear power. And, here’s what we largely know how to decarbonize, and what we don't — yet.

Since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine, Moscow’s navy has blockaded Ukrainian Black Sea ports. Its impact is having ripple effects all around the world. Also, pandemic restrictions have prevented most asylum-seekers hoping to enter the US from Mexico from entering. The Biden administration tried to end the practice on Monday, but a judge in Louisiana blocked it, at least for now. And in Israel, the Palestinian flag is seen as a threat. Plus, extreme weather in Iraq is deepening inequality. Flooding and dust storms are disproportionately impacting poor neighborhoods that lack adequate infrastructure to cope. And finally, a Zulu musician from South Africa hopes to transport listeners to Mars.

China has dangled security agreements and cooperation on communications and cybersecurity before 10 Pacific nations. The Federated States of Micronesia has warned them not to go along with China. Also, Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine has made the company a lot of money — tens of billions of dollars in sales. Those dizzying returns have led to accusations of pandemic profiteering. Also, the Marcos family looted an estimated $10 billion from the Philippine government in the 1970s and '80s. Now, the Marcos family is back in power and once again, flaunting its wealth. And, spoken communication is not just a human gift. Chimpanzees have a 400-word language, according to new research published in the journal Communications Biology.

Following the mass shooting on Tuesday at an elementary school in Texas, US Senator Chris Murphy gave an impassioned speech to Congress highlighting America's exceptionality when it comes to gun violence when compared to other countries. And around the world, few treatments exist for long COVID. In the UK, a group of medical specialists and professional opera singers are examining if opera singing can help with the debilitating symptom of breathlessness. Plus, the day after 19 children were murdered in Texas, 12-year-old Noah Green sings a healing Cree song with his grandmother that goes viral.

It’s been three months since Russia began its invasion into Ukraine on Feb. 24. Most of the fighting has shifted to areas in eastern Ukraine such as the Donbas and Kharkiv regions. And a trove of leaked police files and photos from Xinjiang, in western China, has revealed more than 2,800 mugshots of Uyghur detainees in what China terms "reeducation" camps, along with a shoot-to-kill policy for those who try to escape. Plus, hospital sounds like alarms and beeping monitors can be detrimental to doctors and patients alike. A group of psychologists, designers and musicians are reimagining the future of hospital sounds.

President Joe Biden said during a summit in Tokyo that the US will get involved militarily in the event that China attacks Taiwan. Beijing responded by expressing opposition to the comments. And, new technology often gets tested in war zones. In Ukraine, one particular form of technology has taken hold within the Ukrainian army — facial recognition. Plus, a sobering statistic: 100 million people have now been forcibly displaced worldwide due to conflicts and crises. Refugees from Ukraine make up about 6.4 million of the tally.

US President Joe Biden arrived in South Korea on Friday and will meet with leaders from Japan, Australia and India on his first trip to Asia as president. The White House seeks to rally its allies in Asia to send a message to China against bullying its neighbors. And the UN human rights office has confirmed 8,000 civilian casualties in Ukraine, including 3,800 deaths, since Russia invaded the country 86 days ago. Most of the fighting now is in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Plus, Russian President Vladimir Putin has challenged the validity of Ukrainian culture and identity. Olga Pariieva, a language teacher, weighs in on what it means to speak Russian in Ukraine.

On Friday, a Russian soldier appeared in court for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine. Vadim Shishimarin, 21, stands accused of committing war crimes in a district court in Kyiv. And mourners were attacked by Israeli police during the funeral procession of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in Jerusalem on Friday. The police claimed that rocks and projectiles were thrown at them. Plus, Princeton University researchers have discovered which chemical compounds in human odor cause mosquitoes to zero in on people and spread mosquito-borne diseases.

On Wednesday, Finland’s leaders announced their support for joining NATO, a reversal from their decadeslong stance of neutrality in relation to Europe's NATO-Russia divide. And the Taliban in Afghanistan have announced new rules requiring women to cover their faces in public and to leave home only when necessary. This is the latest in a series of restrictions imposed on women since the Taliban came to power last summer. And Brazil’s former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is aiming for a comeback. Lula is a frontrunner for the 2022 election, but incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro could still pull off a victory in the deeply divided country.

Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh was shot and killed in the occupied West Bank while covering an Israeli army raid in the Jenin refugee camp. Palestinians are blaming the Israeli military, while Israel is neither confirming nor denying responsibility. Also, as the US Supreme Court weighs in on Roe v. Wade, we hear about abortion rights in India, where the procedure has been legal, within certain confines, for more than 50 years. Plus, dengue cases are on the rise across Brazil, leaving public health experts rushing to tackle the mosquito-borne disease.

Russian troops in Ukraine are reportedly retreating from the region around Kharkiv, blowing up bridges as they pull back. But elsewhere along the eastern front line, Russian troops seem to be advancing. And US military aid to Ukraine has overwhelming support in Congress. But as American-made weapons go into battle, they deplete US stockpiles, potentially impacting US preparedness for other wars. Plus, we hear the story about a restaurant in small-town Vermont that’s receiving a lot of attention for its excellent regional Thai cuisine.

On May 9, Russia celebrates Victory Day, the Soviet Union’s historical triumph over Nazi Germany during World War II. President Vladimir Putin gave a speech in Moscow amid patriotic scenes, military muscle flexes and saber-rattling. And a drug cartel in Colombia's north has blocked roads and held residents hostage following the extradition of its leader, known as “Otoniel,” to the United States. Plus, the European Union has a new law regulating tech platforms called the Digital Services Act. So far, Europe has led the world with the most aggressive regulation of so-called “Big Tech.”

On Friday, the Women’s National Basketball Association’s season opens but star player Brittney Griner can’t compete. That’s because Griner was “wrongfully detained,” in Russia 78 days ago, according to the US State Department. And Spain has one of the most liberal abortion laws in Europe. But abortion rights activists say there are still setbacks, including the increased presence of outlier anti-abortion groups, many with ties to the US. Plus, a major sandstorm in northern and western Iraq this week has sent hundreds of people to the hospital with respiratory issues. We hear from an Iraqi environmentalist about what's causing the powerful sandstorms.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, 12 Russian generals have been killed. Ukraine's successful targeting of Russian generals has been helped by a classified intelligence gathering effort by the US. And police around the world use Pegasus spyware to track criminals and terrorists. But it’s also been used to hack the electronic devices of others, including the Spanish prime minister. Plus, “beachcombing scholarship” is the latest in a line of indirect methods used to study North Korea. Picking up trash washed ashore on South Korea’s beaches helps researchers get a handle on what’s happening inside the insular country.

The European Union is looking at a proposal to cut itself off of Russian energy as part of a new package of sanctions. Putting the embargo in place would take some time to implement, and it would require all 27 member states to agree. And polls indicate that voters on Thursday are going to make Sinn Fein the largest electoral force in Northern Ireland. It would be a first for the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army. Plus, what’s in a name? Italy’s top court has declared that the automatic practice of only giving children their father’s last name is discriminatory.

Russian troops resumed bombing a steel plant in the port city of Mariupol today, even though many civilians are apparently still trapped inside the factory. More than 100 Ukrainians who had escaped from bunkers below the steelworks have arrived in Kyiv-controlled Zaporizhzhia. And, a leaked draft opinion suggesting that the Supreme Court has a majority to overturn Roe v. Wade has implications both domestically and globally. Globally, if overturned, it could affect US funding for reproductive health around the world. Plus, Ukrainian poet Iya Kiva is no stranger to war. In 2014, she had to flee her hometown of Donetsk. Now a refugee once more, she turns again to poetry.

At least 100 people have been evacuated from hiding in bunkers in Mariupol’s Azovstal steel plant, in southern Ukraine. As Russia enters the second phase of war with Ukraine, most of its ground troops are now concentrated in the eastern Donbas region. And, at the Venice Biennale, the world's largest art show in Italy, the Nordic pavilion is featuring art made by the Indigenous Saami people of Arctic Europe. Plus, the metaverse is upon us. South Korea’s tech hub is spending nearly $200 million to create the future’s virtual worlds — and 1.5 million new jobs.

The effort to document war crimes in Ukraine has gotten strong international support and the International Criminal Court is currently on the ground investigating. But what does it actually take to put a former leader on trial at The Hague? Before the International Criminal Court existed, there was the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The marquee case was the trial of Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic, the so-called “Butcher of the Balkans.” The World’s Chris Harland-Dunaway tells the story of two men from the court: a prosecutor and an insider who flipped on Milosevic.

The United States plays a leading role in the global response to disease threats and pandemics. But the momentum for addressing COVID-19 worldwide is slowing down, according to the director of USAID’s pandemic task force, while global leaders warn that the world remains vulnerable. And one of Ukraine’s leading artists, Pavlo Makov, has become a spokesperson for Ukraine’s cultural resistance at this year’s Venice Biennale. Makov was able to escape from the eastern city of Kharkiv just in time. Plus, the US Army has delivered a birthday cake to Italian woman Meri Mion on her 90th birthday. The cake replaces the one stolen by US soldiers in 1945.

Explosions this week rocked Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria, which borders Ukraine. A Russian military commander has said that the Kremlin plans to set up a corridor through southern Ukraine, connecting it to the separatist region. And Ukrainian families who fled to Poland are finding ways for their children to continue their education in Ukrainian, help them learn Polish and ease the trauma of war. Plus, France said it was leaving Mali in February, after French troops spent a decade in the region fighting militant groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda. But two months on, 5,000 French troops still remain in Mali and neighboring countries.

Moscow has cut off natural gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria because they have failed to make their payments in rubles, a demand of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The European Union has countered that Russia is just trying to blackmail countries that support Ukraine. And, in a rare form of diplomacy between the US and Russia, the two nations agreed to an unexpected prisoner swap: Russia released former US marine Trevor Reed while the US released a Russian pilot. Both men were facing long prison sentences. Plus, when the American band Sonic Youth played for a crowd in Kyiv in 1989, it changed teenager Eugene Hutz’s life, inspiring him to find his own musical voice.

The letter Z has become a symbol of support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, appearing on T-shirts, billboards and social media accounts in defense of the war. Now, some European countries have decided to ban public displays of the letter altogether. And Twitter is one of the world's most influential public spaces. Its purchase by Elon Musk, who calls himself a “free speech absolutist” is likely to shake up Twitter’s role on the global stage. Plus, the oldest-known person in the world, Kane Tanaka of Japan, has died at the age of 119.

An explosion at an illegal oil refinery in Nigeria killed over 100 people this past weekend. The government vowed to crack down on these illegal operations, which it says steals over 150,000 gallons of oil each day. Also, roughly three months after ISIS fighters attacked a prison in northeast Syria, the United Nations says the fate of more than 100 minors who were held at the prison remains unclear. Plus, after a weekend visit to Kyiv, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced that US diplomats will return to Ukraine. They emphasized, however, that the US military will not get directly involved in the war in Ukraine.

Voters in France go to the polls to either reelect French President Emmanuel Macron or propel far-right challenger Marine Le Pen into office. Macron was comfortably ahead in the polls. But Le Pen has worked to soften her image and appeal more to the center. And after two years, Brazil’s Carnival returns with glitz, glamor and a serious message: Rio de Janeiro’s samba groups are turning the world’s biggest festival into a platform to protest against violence and racism faced by Black Brazilians. Plus, leaders across Mexico are remembering Rosario Ibarra, the country’s most visible champion of Mexico’s disappeared people, who died on Saturday.

President Joe Biden has announced that the US is sending $800 million in military aid, including weaponry suited for fighting in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, as Russia prepares to launch a new offensive. And American and Cuban officials are meeting in Washington on Thursday to discuss migration concerns in the highest-level US talks with Havana since Biden took office. Plus, we hear from Bill Browder, a former investor in Russia and one-time nemesis of Vladimir Putin, about the impact of sanctions on Russia.

The besieged port city of Mariupol has become a symbol of resistance during the war, as Ukrainian troops continue to push back against Russia's assault on the city. And, amid an ongoing debate in the European Union over an immediate ban on Russian energy imports, one German parliament member says the time is now. Germany has advocated for a gradual ban. Also, ahead of elections in France, the Muslim community fears Marine Le Pen’s campaign of Islamophobia and right-wing nationalism.

Over the last 24 hours, Russia has expanded its artillery and bombing campaign in Ukraine, hitting cities, towns and villages — including civilians. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Russian troops have begun the battle for the eastern Donbas region. And in China, 20 cities and regions are now experiencing some degree of lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus. In China’s most populous city, Shanghai, most residents have remained under strict lockdown for three weeks. Plus, Istanbul band Şatellites pays homage to Turkey’s psychedelic rock movement.

Ukrainian forces holed up at a steel plant in the besieged port city of Mariupol have ignored a “surrender or die” ultimatum from Russian forces and continue to fight. Meanwhile, new cyberattacks targeting the Ukrainian electrical grid indicate a new phase in the digital war between Russia and Ukraine. Plus, some foods — like Champagne — can come only from one region, but for others, the rules aren't so clear. Just ask cheesemakers all over the globe who say they are also making Gruyère.

Heavy rains and flooding have killed more than 340 people in South Africa, and the death toll is expected to continue rising. Persistent rains have collapsed buildings, swept away roads and flooded schools, prompting protests over a lack of official assistance. Also, Finland says it will decide as soon as this spring whether to join NATO, a rapid change in foreign policy from its historically neutral stance. It's Good Friday, and in Germany, that means dancing is banned in public. And, Ukrainian runners who had planned to compete in the Boston Marathon this Monday have had to scrap their plans. But even with fears of airstrikes looming, many have still found solace and a sense of normalcy by running on the streets of Ukraine.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has implemented a new vehicle inspection policy at the Texas-Mexico border that’s led to traffic jams for miles on both sides. Abbott accuses the Biden administration of not doing enough to secure the southern US border, but the White House says the new policy hurts American businesses and consumers. And Israel and the West Bank are on edge after one of the worst outbursts of violence broke out in years. This violence comes during the confluence of three major religious holidays in Israel: Ramadan, Passover and Easter. Plus, Ukraine’s oldest-running children’s choir was going to mark its 50th anniversary with a world tour this year. The war made a tour impossible, but they’re finding other ways to get their music out into the world.

US President Joe Biden has called Russian war atrocities in Ukraine "genocide." We hear from a genocide scholar who agrees. And a growing number of Haitians have been arriving on the coast of Florida since last fall. It's the latest challenge for authorities trying to control the numbers of new undocumented immigrants. Also, Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza was arrested earlier this week in Moscow, and sentenced to 15 days in jail for "disobeying a police order." Plus, members of Ukrainian quartet DhakaBrakha say that touring during wartime is necessary — and awkward.

The Russian military is retreating from Kyiv and other northern cities, and regrouping in eastern Ukraine. Moscow has also appointed a new top commander, Gen. Alexander Dvornikov, to lead the war effort. And across Europe, countries are telling Russian diplomats to leave, accusing them of working covertly as spies. Plus, the United Kingdom's frigid North Devon coastline has been selected as a World Surfing Reserve — only the 12th location around the globe with this status and the first cold-water reserve.

China's lockdown in Shanghai has been intense, with harsh restrictions on movement testing residents' patience. COVID-19 cases are also growing in the manufacturing hub of Guangzhou. We hear about what life has been like as the lockdown continues. And while India has sent aid to Ukraine, it has not censored or imposed sanctions against Russia. The country also abstained from UN Security Council votes on the war and bought discounted oil from Russia. Plus, Mexico has voted to allow President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to complete his six-year term in a referendum held Sunday. But fewer than 2 of every 10 eligible voters participated, raising questions about the validity of the referendum.

Russia's military has made gains in southern and eastern Ukraine, but Ukraine's military continues to push back with force. Ukrainian officials believe that Russia may be changing its strategy to focus on holding onto its territorial gains. And, Pope Francis has apologized for the Roman Catholic Church's role in “deplorable” abuses at Canada's residential schools for Indigenous children. He spoke of his indignation and shame, and promised to come to Canada for an official visit. Plus, the town of Iztapalapa, on the outskirts of Mexico City, is the heart of Mexico’s mural revival. The murals were designed to create safer streets for women, but they took on a life of their own.

As part of our regular series of conversations with Harvard University’s T.H. Chan’s School of Public Health, The World’s reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Michael VanRooyen, director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, about the dire situation and the multiple health risks that refugees from Ukraine, and from around the world, face. VanRooyen is also the chairman of Emergency Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (@HHI).

Russian officials claim they are scaling back their military offensive in Ukraine. But Marie Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine, says Moscow isn’t ready for real peace negotiations. And in 2011, drought in the Horn of Africa killed more than 200,000 people. Now, the United Nations is warning that Somalia is on the brink of famine once again due to the worst drought in more than 40 years. Also, as war rages on in Ukraine, the Russian government is clamping down even harder on its efforts to control the press inside of Russia. Earlier this week, the country's last remaining independent newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, said it was suspending operations.

Russia renewed its assault around Kyiv, Ukraine, a day after they claimed to scale back military operations during delicate peace talks in Istanbul on Tuesday. And in southern Ukraine, Russian forces continue to bombard the port city of Mariupol. The city's mayor called it a humanitarian catastrophe as about 160,000 remaining residents lack electricity and access to food and water. Plus, a four-legged robot dog called Spot is digging around the ruins of Pompeii, Italy, to help archaeological park managers preserve and protect the historical site.

There have been some signs of progress in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia today in Istanbul. Ukrainian officials were willing to discuss the status of Ukrainian territory now held by Russian forces. And Russia said it would "drastically reduce" military activity near Kyiv. And a group of refugees who are Deaf recount their experiences fleeing the war in Ukraine, from a shelter in Romania. One woman said she couldn't hear the air raid sirens. She saw people running into shelters but could not understand why. Plus, as hundreds of thousands of women and children flee Ukraine, there’s growing fear that traffickers are targeting and exploiting them at border crossings — and online.

Shanghai residents are scrambling for supplies as the city goes under lockdown in two phases to contain the spread of COVID-19. The staggered closure is intended to allow Shanghai, the country’s financial center, to remain partially operational. Also, foreign ministers from the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Egypt met with their Israeli and US counterparts in Israel — an unprecedented diplomatic summit in the region. Plus, a growing number of colleges and universities are moving to add caste to their anti-discrimination policies. California State University's 23 campuses are the latest to allow South Asian students to report anti-Dalit bias.

President Biden is in Europe today trying to rally allies together to counter Russia's offensive. And he’s called for kicking Russia out of the G-20 nations. Biden has said that NATO will respond if Russia uses chemical weapons in Ukraine. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, the United States’ second-ranking diplomat, talks about the diplomacy that's happening in Europe and the prospects for peace moving forward. Also, in Canada right now, there are stark differences in how Afghan and Ukrainian refugees are being handled and admitted. The urgency to process Ukrainian cases is much greater. One big question that this war has prompted is: What does it mean to be Ukrainian? Plus, the pandemic has been bad for many of our waistlines. It's also been bad for many of our pets, who are packing on a few extra pounds themselves.

The White House announced on Thursday that the United States will accept up to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine. The Biden administration says it will use a range of legal pathways, including the US refugee admissions program, to bring Ukrainian refugees to the US. And, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is revealing a growing energy partnership between Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and India. These deals on oil, gas and pipelines could end up sidelining the US dollar as the global reserve currency. Plus, we remember former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who died on Wednesday at the age of 84. Albright represented the US through historic meetings with allies and adversaries, impacting the course of world events.

Both Finland and Sweden have long been opposed to joining NATO. But after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, majorities in both nations say they'd like to join the organization. Plus, Sri Lanka is facing a big problem: It can't afford to pay its bills. But China is offering Sri Lanka some financial assistance with some strings attached. And a group of moms in India is spreading the word about INDOOR air pollution. And what can be done to make the inside safer.

For countries in the Middle East that rely on food imports from Ukraine, the war has spelled chaos and uncertainty. The ongoing war has threatened food supplies, leaving several countries scrambling to mitigate the problem. And Moldova is not directly involved in Russia’s war against neighboring Ukraine. But the current refugee crisis, trade disruption and rising inflation on food and energy all adds up to a serious challenge for Moldova's economy. Plus, the Philippines’ campaign season has focused more on climate change and renewable energy than ever before, giving activists hope that the next president may go green.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed the US Congress on Wednesday via video, making an emotional appeal for more help to fight Russia. Former US Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor weighs in on Zelenskiy’s speech. And when the Taliban seized control of the Afghan government in August 2021, many were concerned about the erosion of human rights and judicial reforms. But since then, poverty and food insecurity have eclipsed those concerns. Plus, Russian oligarchs might invoke images of luxury yachts, private jets and palatial mansions. But how much influence do they have over Russian President Vladimir Putin? We hear from one diplomat who says you can’t be a billionaire in Russia without close Kremlin connections.

Russia's war against Ukraine continues as the Russian military's artillery-and-bombing campaign intensifies throughout the country. Overnight, Russian missiles hit Kyiv amid ongoing fighting in the outskirts of the city. And Russian state media shows a very different version of the conflict with Ukraine than Western media, one in which the Russian military is “liberating” Ukrainian cities on a so-called “peacekeeping” mission. Some Ukrainians say their families in Russia believe state propaganda more than their own accounts. Plus, British singer Tom Odell performed “Another Love” on Friday at a train station in Bucharest, Romania. The song featured in a viral TikTok video showing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at a peace conference that failed to end conflict with Russia.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan flew to Rome to meet his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi. Sullivan allegedly went to warn China of the isolation they would face if they help Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine. And for the first time since the war began, Russian missiles hit deep into western Ukraine, about an hour from the regional capital, Lviv. This vital corridor has been essential for getting refugees out of the country while bringing supplies in as thousands pass through Lviv’s main train station. Plus, some orchestras and opera companies in the West that have ignored their Russian artists' controversial views for years are now doing an abrupt about-face.

Russia launched air strikes on new targets in the west of Ukraine on Friday morning, a sign that, as the war enters its third week, Russia is expanding its military operation. And since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, international observers and bodies have started to document potential war crimes by Russia's military. Meanwhile, Russia denies any responsibility for its actions in Ukraine. Tracking war crimes has so far proven challenging. Plus, the world remembers Paralympian snowboarding champion Bibian Mentel, who helped bring her sport to the Paralympic Games. The Dutch athlete died in March last year, but her legacy lives on.

Fighting in Ukraine is taking a toll on the country's health system. Shortages of medical supplies are reported, and an air strike on a maternity hospital in the port city of Mariupol on Wednesday highlighted the danger to health facilities. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic was declared two years ago on March 11, 2020. We hear about how life around the world has changed — or hasn't — since then. And former US Marine Trevor Reed has been in detention in Russia since 2019 on charges of police assault. His family believes his detention was purely political — and that Russian authorities are using him essentially as a hostage.

The Russian military is stepping up its attacks on residential areas of besieged cities in Ukraine. Today, Russian and Ukrainian authorities appeared to take steps toward setting up safe corridors for civilians to evacuate from six cities in the east and south. And the historic city of Lviv features cobblestone streets, ornate churches, and the Lviv Theater of Opera and Ballet. Today, its residents are rushing to protect these cultural treasures, as they watch the Russian military's continued assault on several cities. Plus, we hear from the granddaughter of Tom Crean, the navigating officer on Ernest Shackleton's found ship The Endurance. She continues his legacy by retracing Crean's expedition.

The European Commission unveiled a plan on Tuesday to end its dependence on Russian natural gas. The aim is to reduce imports from Russia by two-thirds by the end of 2022. And residents of Ukraine’s major cities are hunkering down for what may be an extended conflict. The city of Kyiv is turning into a fortress, with Ukrainians stocking up on food and medicines. Plus, Ukrainian refugees have been taking boats across the Danube River into Romania. They’ve been welcomed with food and shelter there amid the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has now displaced nearly 2 million people in less than two weeks. Although Poland has taken in the bulk of refugees, two of Europe’s poorest nations — Romania and Moldova — have accepted about 162,000 people so far. And, Russian forces have increasingly targeted civilians in Ukraine, attacking residential apartments, schools and hospitals. We hear how investigators verify evidence that might constitute war crimes. Plus, Singapore continues to cling to a colonial-era law that criminalizes homosexuality. But six decades later, some Generation Z Singaporeans are pushing hard to get rid of it.

This week, Poland has seen tens of thousands of people crossing the border from Ukraine, fleeing for their lives. Among them are many foreigners who were studying or working in Ukraine before the Russian invasion began. And Russia’s invasion of Ukraine hits close to home for neighboring Moldova, a small, non-NATO country on Ukraine’s eastern border. Last week Moldova condemned Russia's invasion, declared a state of emergency and closed its airspace. Plus, Tonga has reconnected with the rest of the world after its undersea fiber optic cable was severed last month by a massive underwater volcanic eruption, bringing down most of the small Pacific island nation's telecommunications.

Cathedral bells rang out across Europe today. A gesture of solidarity with Ukraine, and a prayer for peace, marking one week of war. Today, Russian forces continued to pummel Ukrainian civilian centers. From Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the aim is to "demilitarize" Ukraine. And, following immense backlash for allowing Russia and Belarus to compete at the upcoming Paralympic Games in Beijing, the International Paralympic Committee has now banned both teams, sending 83 athletes home. Plus, a new US task force called KleptoCapture aims to track down Russia’s politically connected elite, prosecute those who violate US sanctions and seize their assets.

Scientists in South Africa have figured out a way to make their own version of Moderna’s vaccine against COVID-19. It’s seen as a huge step toward expanded access to lifesaving vaccines across Africa. Also, in Spain’s northeast region of Catalonia, Catalan has been the main language of instruction since 1983. That could all change after Spain’s highest court ruled that at least a quarter of all classes use Spanish, reigniting a decadeslong debate about language in schools. Plus, 18-year-old Chinese American athlete Eileen Gu performed a difficult maneuver in the free ski competition that won her the gold medal in Beijing. We hear about her breathtaking jump and the buzz that followed.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are in Washington and Moscow respectively for diplomatic efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine standoff. And since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in 2014, Ukraine has bolstered its cyberdefense capabilities but has still suffered from severe cyberattacks by the Kremlin. Plus, tributes pour in for singer Lata Mangeshkar, known as the Nightingale of India, who died on Sunday at the age of 92, after a 70-year singing career.

On Friday in Beijing, Olympians took part in the parade of athletes at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics. And the Polish government's current approach to Holocaust history emphasizes "telling all sides" and highlighting the bravery and suffering of non-Jewish Poles. This historical revisionsim has had a chilling effect on Polish Holocaust scholarship. Also, humans used to dine on 6,000 plant species, so why has our modern diet been whittled down to just nine? The author of “Eating to Extinction” explains why we need to pay more attention to diversifying the world’s food supply.

US President Joe Biden has announced today that US commandos have killed ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi in a risky pre-dawn attack in Syria. Experts say, however, that his death is not likely to affect the plans of ideologically driven ISIS. And, many Polish historians worry that the current government is trying to cover up the country's role in the Holocaust. New museum exhibits are focusing on the heroism of non-Jewish Poles, instead of the atrocities in which Polish people were complicit. Plus, we hear about unlocking the mystery behind 200 artifacts found in tombs in Peru, consisting of human vertebrae threaded on sticks. The objects are likely an Indigenous response to Spanish colonial-era looting of burial grounds.

Since 2014, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have enlisted in the military and have engaged in combat with Russia. Now that the threat level is high with Russia again, many of these veterans are ready to go back to the front lines. And this week, Israel punished three soldiers with dismissals and reprimands over the death of Palestinian American elder Omar Asaad in January. The case caused an uproar and calls for an investigation by the US State Department. Plus, we hear from the president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong about Hong Kong’s tenuous relationship with China.

One year since Myanmar’s military took power in a coup on Feb. 1, 2021, citizens are fed up with nonviolent resistance. Now, people are taking on the army with whatever they’ve got, from homemade rifles to dynamite. And ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics kicking off this week in Beijing, we hear from athletes as they prepare to travel to China. Also, the pandemic took a heavy toll on couples trying to tie the knot in India. Millions who planned to have a large, traditional wedding in the last few years had to drastically scale back plans, reschedule or travel to other destinations to make their wedding dreams come true.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said his organization has received “credible allegations” that more than 100 former members of the Afghan government and security forces were killed since the Taliban came to power last August. Also, the global COVAX initiative aims to make COVID-19 vaccines equitable to low- and middle-income countries. But one year since delivering its first vaccine shipments, COVAX has faced massive challenges in living up to its directive, with billions of people around the world without a single shot. And a Ugandan satirist sat in detention for 28 days, where his lawyer says he’s been tortured. His crime? Referring to the son of Uganda’s president as “obese.”

A huge convoy of trucks is heading to Ottawa for a giant protest on Parliament Hill on Saturday. The so-called Freedom Convoy started as a grassroots movement to protest a new vaccine mandate for truckers crossing the US-Canadian border, capturing the attention of far-right groups. Also, much of Europe's energy comes from natural gas piped in from Russia. What is the potential impact of a Russia-Ukraine war on European energy supplies? Plus, the word inshallah is a commonly invoked Arabic expression that means “if God wills ... ” For writer Abdullah Shihipar, it's ultimately an expression of humility and hope.

When China won its bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing promised to improve China's human rights record. By most accounts, that didn’t happen. As Beijing prepares to host the Olympics again, tough questions about human rights in China remain. Also, Democratic socialist Xiomara Castro became Honduras’ first female president today. She says she’ll work to tackle corruption and bolster alliances with the US. Plus, Lee Oskar, co-founder of the 1970s funk and soul band War, has a new album called, “Never Forget,” with music that helped him process his family's multifaceted history going back to World War II and the Holocaust.

Researchers are still studying the omicron variant and its effects. As part of our regular series of conversations about the pandemic, The World’s reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with epidemiologist Bill Hanage of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health about what researchers have learned so far and how that could inform our preparations for the next variant.